Wondering where that CRS REFERRAL NETWORK is that you've heard about?  All the CRS referrals from around the country and around the state?  Well, we want the system to work for you!  Here's part TWO of our NETWORKING ABC's SERIES - From How to Work a Room by Susan RoAne:

The following is a reminder of part ONE of our series:  

HOW TO WORK A ROOM  

   "Today's definition of "working" a room is: the ability to circulate comfortably and graciously through a gathering of people:  meeting, greeting, and talking with as many of them as you wish; creating communication that is warm and sincere; establishing an honest rapport on which you can build a professional or personal relationship; and knowing how to start, how to continue, and how to end lively and interesting conversations."

   "Networking is a different, though interrelated, activity.  It is a reciprocal process that is mutually beneficial, where we share leads, ideas, and information, and it enhances our personal and professional lives and involves follow-up behaviors that create ongoing connections."

   "You first have to "work" rooms and then you "network" - that ongoing process of life that is follow-up.  Some people confuse the two.  There are some people who are excellent minglers and lousy networkers.  Others are fabulous networkers for whom the thought of walking into a room full of people and mingling is daunting."

And now part TWO of our series:

HOW TO WORK A ROOM 

    "There are five major roadblocks to working a room successfully.  Knowing where they come from is the first step to letting go of them."

Roadblock #1 "Don't Talk to Strangers"

Roadblock #2 "Wait to be Properly Introduced" (The Scarlet O'Hara Syndrome)  

Roadblock #3 "Don't be Pushy.  Good Things Come to Those Who Wait" (The Prom King/Queen Complex)

Roadblock #4 "Better Safe than Sorry"  (Risking Rejection)

Roadblock #5 "Mangled and Mixed Messages" 

   "Risking the Roadblocks - These five roadblocks are part of what stops us from mingling, circulating a room."  There are specific remedies for each roadblock, fortunately!

    "But there is something else that can stop us from moving comfortably around a room, something subtler than the five particular roadblocks...  It has to do with self-perception, self-confidence, and self-esteem.  People who register low in these areas can talk themselves out of meeting people and feeling at ease talking to them.  ...we can change negative self-talk to positive self-talk, and this transformation can have benefits in ALL areas of our lives."

   ... Susan RoAne's book is about understanding what keeps us from approaching these events with ease and enthusiasm, and what we can do to make them comfortable, pleasant, profitable, and even fun.  Join us next month for part two of our NETWORKING ABC's SERIES...  

MDDCCRS Strat Planning Meeting 9 7 2011      

EMERITUS CRS DESIGNATION STATUS     

Emeritus CRS Designee Status recognizes length of Council membership and experience in the real estate industry.  To qualify, CRS Designees must have reached the age of 65, been a member of the Council for twenty consecutive years OR have been a Medallion Award recipient with at least 15 years of continuous Council Membership, and hold active REALTOR® or REALTOR ASSOCIATE® membership in a local board or state association of REALTORS®.  Need an application form?  Click here. 

Have you seen this article at www.crs.com?  As a Certified Residential Specialist, are you making use of the magazine articles readily available for you to share with your clients?  Each month, there's a new two page newsletter full of timely information, waiting for you, one more way CRS is providing value to you, and you can provide value to your clients.

No Leaks   

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, water from household leaks can add up to 10,000 gallons of water every year - enough to fill a backyard swimming pool. If your faucet has sprung a leak, H2ouse.org encourages you to keep these tips in mind.

Most faucet leaks are caused by worn washers within the faucet.

    Replacing the washer is fairly simple: Cut off the water supply to the problem faucet, disassemble it and replace the washer with a new one. If you're unsure of what type of washer to buy, bring it into the hardware store so you can compare it to similar models or ask a sales associate for assistance. Still leaking? The problem may be in the underground pipes, in which case it's best to call a plumber.

     If you're replacing tubing under a sink, be sure to replace the shutoff valve as well. Most likely, these valves haven't been touched in years, so it's best to get a new one when it's being used.  

    If you wind up going the do-it-yourself route, take photos or sketch and record the order of disassembly. Many homeowners skip this vital step, which leads to even more problems down the road with faulty equipment.

    The most important rule? If you feel you can't handle it, call in an expert. Going in blind to fix leaks can wind up costing you if something goes awry.

PLEASE NOTE: The images featured in the Your Home newsletter may only be used within the context of the original article. These images may not be reproduced or republished elsewhere outside of this newsletter format. CRS Members are free to re-use the text of the articles contained in this newsletter, however.

ALL ABOUT THE BATHROOMS  

The bathroom is a great place to start if you're considering making smart improvements to your home. This room affords many opportunities for simple yet effective changes that will not only add value to your home, but also make your bathroom safer and more environmentally sound. Here are just a few ideas:

Low-Flow Fixtures

Cut down on the amount of water used in your bathroom by switching to a low-flow, aerating shower head and faucets. These fixtures can reduce your home's water consumption by as much as 50 percent. Low-flow shower heads will use just 1.2 gallons of water per minute as opposed to the 2.5 gallon average, but the aerating feature makes the water flow seem just as strong.

Dual-flush Toilets

Dual-flush toilets allow users to select the amount of water flushed to correspond to the task at hand. There are two options; for solid waste there is a handle for a full 1.6 gallon flush, and for liquid you can choose a 0.8-1.1 gallon flush. You could save your family as much as 1,500 gallons a year with a dual-flush toilet - that's 60 percent to 80 percent less when compared with high volume toilets.

Safety First

Twenty-five percent of all household accidents occur in the bathroom. Take precautions and select nonslip materials for floors, tubs, and showers, and use bath mats with nonskid backing. Make sure your electrical outlets are protected with GFCI circuit interrupters, which cut off power immediately in the case of a current surge. These should be installed by a qualified electrician. Choose shatterproof or tempered materials when possible, and avoid installing wall fixtures at eye level. Finally, lower the setting of your water heater to avoid scalding and energy waste.

Solar Water Heaters

Water heating represents 15 percent of your home's overall energy consumption. Reduce your household's water heating costs with a solar water heater that utilizes the sun's natural resources to give water temperature a head start. Putting a solar heater on your roof can offset 15 kilowatts of energy per day from other sources and could save you $450 a year.

Article courtesy of Pillar To Post Home Inspection - www.pillartopost.com