1“
Real Estate News
By Marian Goetzinger, Pine Knoll Shores Realty
Shut up and listen
If you know me personally, you know I love to talk. Most realtors are
gregarious and love people and life. Sometimes we each have to be reminded to
shut up and listen. On my blackboard, above my desk where I see it constantly,
is written in bold black letters—LISTEN. Whether you are a realtor, a customer,
a client or in a conversation with friends or family, it is important that you hear
what others are saying. That cannot happen if you get caught up in your own
story and forget to be quiet and really listen.
As I write this article, it is December 10, 2020.1 had three real estate closings
today. Ifs not a big deal for the firm to have three closings in one day, with a
different broker handling one each. This was a rare thing for me. I try to avoid
two in one day, much less three, but somehow it just happened. My best efforts
to space them out just didn’t work—and so we moved ahead.
In addition to all the other tasks that can quickly fill up my time, I needed
to touch base with three clients, three attorneys and three cooperating realtors.
I tried to keep detailed notes and make sure I kept the three separate. You’re
wondering, don’t you have assistants? Well, yes, I do, but I still believe in the
personal touch, and I don’t usually delegate phone calls. Those three capital
letters after my name matter (BIG—Broker in Charge).
I was rushing to finish several different tasks and took a break to make some
calls. I looked at my notes and picked up the phone. Better deal with the three
closings coming up this week all on the same day. (All names are fictitious, more
to protect me than them.)
“Hello, Joe. Hey, it’s Marian. I need you to follow up with the closing attorney
on your side about the contract addendum and also let me know ASAP when
you’d like to do the final walk-through, and don’t forget to send me that receipt
form today. Have a great day! Bye.” Who’s next? “Hello, Nancy. Make sure you
and your husband let me know when you can do your final walk-through on
Thursday and send that package back to the attorney today. I don’t want it to be
late. I’ll meet you at the house. Be safe. Bye.”
Take a breath. Ouch. I didn’t ask my realtor friend how his teens are handling
virtual schooling. I didn’t shut up and listen long enough to hear what he had to
offer. I didn’t give my buyer clients the opportunity to tell me how excited and
yet scared they are. This is their first home, purchase and first time in a different
state for their parents.
I think I’ll call them back and ask them about the things that are important in
their lives and then, maybe, shut up and listen.
Rec»|^cledl paper producHoK creates 74 percekt
less air pollutLok akd 3$ percekt less whaler
pollutLok tkak vlrglk paper productlok,
CCC Escoffier Chefs Dinner Series
The Carteret Community College Hospitality, Culinary Arts, and Baking &
Pastry programs have the opportunity to send three or four students to France
every year for five weeks to work directly with our French Escoffier Chef
partners. As Disciples of Escoffier, our local chefs and our partners in France
promote and preserve the work of the late Auguste Escoffier, a master of French
and international cuisine. Disciples work to maintain Escoffier’s great culinary
traditions, especially as they pertain to the education and professional training
for chefs and apprentices. Members also organize culinary events, such as the
Escoffier dinner series, that are worthy of these traditions that honor peopfe and
celebrate French haute cuisine.
Carteret Community College is the only North Carolina community college
that offers this unique opportunity. Priority funding from this event is to send
our students to France, and remaining funds are used to support the three
programs from which students are selected to travel to France and to support the
greatest needs of Carteret Community College.
The tentative dates of the 2021 Escoffier dinners are February 23, March 23
and April 12. Due to the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, the dates will
be reevaluated later in January before tickets go on sale. For more information,
visit carteret.edu and search for Escoffier dinners or call 252-222-6268.
-''A’:*',
STAINMASTEK
'X: *' i".
i. -vv'”
LUXURY VINYL FLOORING & CARPET
William’s Floor Covering & Interiors^
One of Carteret County’s -f:
Most Complete Showrooms t
WILLIAM PERRI - OWNER • JIMMY PITTMAN j MANAGER,
: . ; NAME BRANDS AT COM
; r 5458 A Hw 1.70 West,? MoreheauCity ■ ■
252.726.4442 • 252.726-6154
January 2021 1 The Shoreline
19