The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker! The Piedmont Perspective, April 30, 2009
What’s New?
I secretly scoff at all of you double latte, mochochino, espresso shot coffeeholics, as if I am somehow morally superior for avoiding the daily pull of Starbuck’s or Pete’s. The ugly truth is, I’m stubbornly hooked on Raspberry Snapple (I’d shoot the tea directly into my veins if it were possible) allowing myself just one each morning. (Mulberry Market stocks the sugary fix just for me - thank you Chad and Laura!)
When life gets really hectic, I’ll succumb to a second Snapple by late afternoon. You can pretty much gauge the level of my work load by the number of raspberry teas I drink! (Sadly, there’s no 12-step program for Snapple addicts.)
Last week proved busier than usual. Between the demands of end-of-the-year school activities, community fund-raisers and my work as a Real Estate professional, I was forced to spring for an entire case of the caffeine-fueled nectar (Ah -Sweet Nirvana)!
As Realtors, we wear many hats, often pulling up our shirt sleeves to work side-by-side with the sellers to prepare their home for market. Part mover, part landscaper, part cheerleader, part caterer . . . indeed, part therapist - I’m whatever I need to be in the moment. It’s not unusual for me to help a client clean out a closet, rearrange the furniture, or plant a flower bed. (The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker!)
Even so, prepping, staging and marketing a home in a short period of time, requires a team of dedicated professionals far beyond me. From tree-trimmers, to house painters, to designers, to photographers . . . (you get the picture) it’s the sum total of many talented professionals who create the polished final act. As much as I really enjoy the “hands-on” experience, I’m better off delegating these tasks to those more experienced than I am in their particular skill set - and so are you!
Let’s face it, selling a home, under the best of circumstances, is incredibly invasive. Even when the move is happily anticipated, there’s no shortcut to the work involved, let alone the emotions that go with packing away your memories. Our homes have value far beyond the balance sheet. Letting go can be extremely tough (unexpectedly so) and fraught with emotional land mines.
To the extent that you can lighten your burden and delegate some of the overwhelming tasks at hand - do it! Do it! Asking for help and then letting others actually help you can be invaluable and incredibly time efficient. It’s also surprisingly satisfying - whether you are the seller or the Realtor! Learn to delegate.
Speaking of which, it’s time to crack open another Snapple. I’ve another busy day ahead of me! Can I offer you to a cup of Joe?
THANKS FOR READING!
For more information about any of the properties or events listed above, please call me at (510) 339-0400 x264, or simply respond to this email. I’d love to share my real estate tips and my experience in the Piedmont community with you!
Feel free to visit my website at JulieGardner.com for more information as well.






