ActiveRain has so many new members since the holidays last year, I'm betting there are lots of you who didn't see this. Apologies to Clement Clark Moore for my parody on his "A Visit from St. Nicholas".
I'm looking forward to the day when this doesn't work because the market is "up" and not "down" - You'll see what I mean...
'Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the town,
Not a buyer was stirring, the market was down.
Our sale sign was posted in front with care,
In hopes that some buyers soon would be there.
The children were curled up reading in bed,
And visions of moving danced in dad's head.
Now Grandma in her sweater, and pa in his cap,
Were asleep near the fire, taking a nap.
When out in the yard there arose such a clatter,
I leaped from my chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Pulled back the curtains and threw up the sash.
The road wasn't shoveled, there was new-fallen snow
And neighborhood children were playing below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a red SUV, full of people, right here.
With a little ol' driver, not lively or quick,
I knew in a moment it wasn't Saint Nick.
I called to the family, and everyone came,
As I whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Grandma! now, Grandpa! now Steven and Harry!
Call Susan and Tim, Elizabeth and Mary!
Buyers are coming, there's no time to spare!
Turn lights on, make beds! Pick up toys everywhere!"
As Margaret's clients came up the front walk
I was so excited I could barely talk.
The kids jumped into action, and each knew his chore,
We had to be finished, when they got to the door;
And then, in a twinkling, we left just in time
The buyers were there now, ringing the chime.
As I looked o'er my shoulder, I saw they'd arrived.
And Margaret invited them to step inside.
She was dressed all in red, from her head to her toe,
We could trust our agent, our house to show.
For buyers today, she knew how to find
All the features they wanted, what they had in mind.
Big rooms made them happy! The closets did, too,
They loved the new kitchen, and baths all in blue.
A big ol' smile appeared on their face,
Of the homes seen today, this might be the place!
Then quick as they came, they all disappeared,
And they might not buy, that's what I feared.
We went back inside, sat down for a meal,
We cried, then we laughed, how should we feel?
Margaret drove to her office, with buyers in tow,
For she knew what to do now, an experienced pro.
She sold lots of homes that were not nice as mine,
She told me herself that our home is fine.
She had not a doubt, but went straight to her work
Explained all the contracts, then turned with a jerk,
And laying her pencil aside on her desk,
Shook hands with the buyers, and wished them the best.
She sprang from the office, and rushed to our side,
And we listened carefully before we signed.
Then I heard her exclaim, with a SOLD sign in sight,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!"
Copyright 2007. Margaret Woda. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2006-12. All rights reserved.
DISCLAIMER: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL
FREE home search online (No registration required)
FREE home search APP for your iPhone/iPad (demo)
Check my references on Zillow
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500
Margaret, Margaret, Margaret...You have done yourself proud.
Please bring an autographed book with you when you come down to Fredericksburg in March. You have convinced me you are a writer!
Hurry while my checks are still good.
Kate
Great story! I love it! This is a very sweet Christmas story indeed; wishing it would happen with some of my listings right now.
Kathleen - That is really funny - I remember watching a movie once where the lady was struggling financially, and said, "who's the lucky winner this month?" when writing out her checks.
I absolutely loved reading this! I cannot waite to share it with others in my office!
Margaret....My Favorite Friend at Active Rain...It looks like I owe you my brain!
I've sat at my desk trying to write "twas the night"
But the words, the rhyme, Oh what a fright!
But now that you've beat me to the punch...It's just one less blog to crunch!
I LOVE IT! Congrats on being so creative!!!
So true. I love it! But at lieast I now have time to shop!
Margaret,
Spoken like a true pro...Thinking real estate 24/7...!!! LOL, Thanks, Fran
Lots of fun, very cute!
Debe - Glad you enjoyed t
Fran - Some of my best sales took place during Christms eek
Lubbock Homes - So true! I'm getting spoiled with this market... so much time for real life!
Thom and Ray - Happy to oblige... but hey, nothing wrong with a couple of these.
Christopher - Glad you enjoyed it. Last year, it made it's way around. Feel free to re-blog.
Steve - That IS funny!
Sandy - Here's the solution... dump the listings and focus on buyers. Thtat's what I did this year.
Kathleen - Laughing all the way to Fredericksburg. Hopefully they'll accept guests from nearby states.
This is so cute. I guess I missed it last year! Wouldn't a balanced market be grand...my Christmas wish to you!
This was such fun to read, Margaret. I did one recently for a Christmas ad for a large physical therapy clinic, but yours is better!!
Margaret: A real estate version of the Night Before Christmas. I love it! And such a happy ending. I could use a few of those on my short sale listings.
Kelly - Yes, it would be grand!
Kay - Nice compliment from a professional copywriter! Thank you.
Chris - A happy endng would be good. Merry Christmas!
I like the bow image, Margaret. Is it too early to wish you a Merry Christmas? I've got to talk to you about Market Snapshot sometime - remind me!
Jeff, the only reason I keep Top Producer (I HATE 8i) is Market Snapshot. It's an awesome tool, and I always have a few people enrolled for periodic updates. I'm thinking of trying Market Builder, but haven't made that commitment yet.
Margaret - A good example of "Never say never" you really have to be ready when the buyers are even at Christmas Time. You just never know!!
Margaret, You hit a home run there! You are so creative! Wish my mind had an ounce of creativity in it:) Loved the poem...brilliant!
Margaret- This was awesome. It brought a smile to my face, as I read it. Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas!
Margaret - I absolutely loved it. Wish I could steal it - I promise I won't. Words don't come to me that well!
Now, about business, I hate 8i too. What is MarketSnapshot and where can I check it out w/out talking to those dreaded TP people? Merry Christmas!
Connie - Market Snapshot is a feature of Top Producer - you can click on the link to see a sample in the right navigation bar of this blog.
Dawn - Glad you enjoyed it.
Elizabeth - Every now and then I have a creative moment.
Kathy - Some of my best sales have taken place over a holiday.
Margaret, I love it! Hurray for happy endings that result in SOLD signs!
Margaret: I'm glad I stopped here for a dose of good cheer! You never cease to amaze me. Merry Christmas.
Margaret.... very cute and creative.... yours came out better than mine... I missed some true rhymes. I just did one of these last night and I was in a semi rush. In any case, Happy Holidays... jeff