This past week, I had a visit with a great client that made me feel particularly proud. This is a story of perseverance, drive, sheer determination, and finally, accomplishment.
I first met Bianca many years ago when she purchased her first home with a partner. We spent this past fall & winter in a challenging search for a space she could call her own, on a very limited budget. This would be her first foray into the real estate market without a partner, and she was excited to take that leap of independence!
Prices in the market at that time were rising fast, and each property in her range was selling a little higher with every passing week. She was outbid on several offers, but, she kept looking forward, and was so determined to find a home she could afford, in a location she could love.
Eventually, we did find a small apartment in a great building, at the tippy top of her budget. But, the place needed work. Lots of work. Plenty to be done before she could even move in. She was up for the challenge, and took possession in February of this year.
And then came Covid. It may have been a mixed situation for her ~ she works in a school, so suddenly had plenty of time to work on this project, but, access to stores was limited and difficult, and, of course, getting help was even more so.
She was up to that challenge too! The apartment has been scrubbed, painted, and beautifully renovated top to bottom, on a tight budget. She has increased the value significantly, and plans to sell just as soon as her work life can get back to something a bit more normal. She'll use all that gained "sweat equity" and look for a little house with a yard for her and her best dog Callie.
Bianca was willing to do whatever it took to get where she wanted to be, all on her own. I have no doubt that she will end up in her dream home sooner than later. This girl has some real spunk!
Stories like this make me so happy to do what I do!

This morning, I'm thinking about my Dad.
As I write this, it's about 6 AM, and he would be very proud of that. Raised on a farm, he kept that internal alarm clock his whole life. He never owned a real one, he didn't need it.
I was raised inside a Diner. Literally. Uptown West Lorne. It's where I developed my lifelong love for burgers and chips, but, that's beside my point.
The restaurant opened early every day, VERY early. But, BEFORE that, he liked to go fishing at the River. He'd take me with him most mornings to catch pickerel, because, according to him, it was the only edible fish on the planet. (I was almost an adult before I found out there was a whole smorgasbord of edible fish!). I don't remember catching much, but, I do remember crawling around the banks hunting for lost lures, Canadian Wigglers, if I remember that right. So, at least I was useful. I'd go back to bed after, as there would still be a few hours before school started, and he would serve up breakfast in the diner.
Later on, he became a Real Estate Broker, and my snooze alarm. He'd wake me up for school. Again. And Again. And Again. As many times as it took until he lost it, then I'd know it was really time to get up. I'm sure that time was a serious impediment to his morning routine, but, if not for him, I'm pretty sure I would have slept through high school.
In the early 90's, he finally got his dream cottage on an Island in Jack's Lake, mostly chosen because the lake had pickerel. Steve & I would often stay for weekends, and, of course, neither of us were morning people. By the time we rolled out of bed around 9:30, we'd find a very long "to do" list on the kitchen table, with most of it already done. Always with a few items saved for us though.
As far as Dad was concerned, half the day is gone by 9 AM. More and more now, I find myself up at sunrise, and I finally understand what he meant. I'm still not the morning person he tried to train me to be, but, I've come a long way. Well, as long as no one actually speaks to me too early. ;)
So, on this very special (& early!) Sunday morning, I send a silent coffee cheer to Big Al. Happy Father's Day Dad!

As I reflect over the past couple of weeks, it seems we've all come such a long way in our reactions to Covid 19. Here in London, we have seen more businesses opening up, and a general relaxing of the tougher "rules". More people are out & about, and, business for me has been speeding up.
I have mixed emotions about that. I am VERY happy that we seem to be on the road to recovery, but, I'm a little sad to see the world heading back to the tight schedules, and the general frenzy of the long "to do" lists.
People to see, places to go, things to do. Even though we've longed for more of these things, I do hope that our lives can be a little simpler. That we can make do with a little less, that we can make time for the little things that bring us joy, make time to think, and appreciate the people in our lives, including ourselves. That we can continue to help each other.
And mostly, that the lineups at the LCBO get shorter. ;)
I suppose I am saying that my reflection this week has turned into more of a future plan.
I am lucky to have had a steady business throughout most of Covid, but, much of it was done online, without any face to face contact. Granted, most of those clients were people I had met prior to, but, I actually did one sale without ever even meeting the client. I really do miss meeting the people.
On the upside, I've had the time and space to take care of a few business projects I never seem to make the time for, and, I've been able to spend most evenings at home, which is unheard of in the spring real estate market usually. Our market had been working at such a frenzied pace over the past few years, that I had to learn how to manage this new normal of having some extra time in my week. And, I must admit, I am starting to enjoy this part.
Looking forward, my next project is to find ways to balance life a little better. I'd really like to keep some of this simplicity we've all found in the midst of a very complicated global pandemic.
Do you have some newfound things you'd like to keep as we continue to get busier? And, how do you plan to do that?
here to edit.