…are you a tourist in your own town?

Bentonville Square

I Love NWA and I love playing tourist in my town!

The majority of my real estate customers are relocating to this area from other parts of the country and world, so it is important for me to know what’s going on in this area. Typically I am one of the first people to show them around our area. Yes, they have usually “googled” the area and looked at the maps & schools on the internet, talked with co-workers – but until their feet hit the ground…they have no idea why they are moving to NW Arkansas, other than a new job!

It was beautiful this past week, so I decided to be a tourist in Bentonville AR. I enjoy stopping by the Downtown Square,  as there are many great local food places to sample. One of my favorites is Table Mesa Bistro,  Modern Latin with a Blend is their motto. The service is excellent and the food fabulous. The owners, Carl and Lindie Garrett opened back in 2008 and since opened several other restaurants in the NWA area. The have certainly added to the revitalization of the Downtown area.

For a fabulous ground Angus steak burger, you must visit the The Station Cafe! This is the best burger in NWA! The Station cafe was established in 1977 by Cecil & Betty Turner. Many days, you will find Cecil clearing tables or chatting to the guests.

Over the last year, several more eating places have opened around the Bentonville Square. It’s truly become a cuisine delight in Northwest Arkansas!

Till next time…..

 

 

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The “Golden Rule”…

The most familiar version of the Golden Rule says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I think of this saying each time I pass by this old historic building in Downtown Rogers AR and it made me wonder where this old building got its name.

It’s not known exactly when this brick building was erected, the best guess is about 1894. The earliest use of the ground floor was Roger’s last saloon, The Blue Goose Saloon, which was there prior to 1896.

Sometime in 1907 for 1908 the building received the name the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule was a chain of stores similar to the old five and dime stores. James Cash Penney opened the first Golden Rule store in Wyoming in 1902 with a partner. When that partnership dissolved in 1907, James Cash Penny bought this store and another and in 1913, Penny changed the name to J.C. Penny’s .

Over the years, this building housed many different stores and homes were added upstairs in what was previous office space.

Today, this building is home to Showcase Trophies and the upstairs remained as living space. Downtown Rogers is becoming a hot spot and many of the old buildings are receiving face lifts. A trip to Downtown Rogers is a must when visiting this area.

#ICSF Ambassador – what it means…

An Inman Connect Ambassador is the “connector” to the people attending the conference; to make everyone feel welcomed. To introduce attendees to the people that they would like to meet. To share via social media technology, all the happenings that are going on with  the events occurring in real-time during the 3 days of Inman Connect.

“When you receive the invitation to be an Ambassador for #ICSF, you are giddy with excitement and anticipation. It is such an honor to be selected from thousands of smart real estate people from around the world! Still not sure how I was selected, however, I will do my best to connect people!”

Do you know about Inman Connect, what it is and why it happens? Inman Connect was started by Brad Inman 20 years ago, and is now the premier real estate technology event for anyone that cares about the real estate industry. It is a conference like no other, thousands of people in the industry gather to share information about what is happening in the world of real estate. It doesn’t matter which brand you are associated with or where you live in the world. It is an amazing opportunity to meet and chat with successful people in the business.

I attended my first Inman Connect in San Fransisco in 2014 at the urging of several people who were Ambassadors that year that I knew from attending company conferences. Like many agents, I had not heard much about Inman Connect. Thanks to friends like Sean Carpenter, Heather Ostrom, Linda Aaron and many others, I attended. I was blown away by the amount of sharing of information, ideas, and successes! All of the Ambassadors made me feel so very welcomed and introduced me to so many people. The conference was an experience like no other! No long boring speeches, it was full of short, quick sessions with loads of information from hundreds of experienced people willing to share their knowledge. Lobby Con and the great parties strengthened relationships and conversations too!

Upon leaving that jam-packed 3 days, my brain was on overdrive! I had met people from all over the world and am blessed to continue many friendships that started with Inman Connect. This will be my 6th Inman Connect. I am very honored to be selected as an Ambassador this year.

Over 2040 licensed real estate agents in the Northwest Board of Realtors and I know of only 2 others in the entire state of Arkansas that have attended an Inman Connect conference. I urge all of my fellow agents to seriously consider attending #ICSF. You will come away with more information that you can digest and friendships that will last a lifetime. If you would like a discount code to attend  #ICSF or any information, feel free to reach out to me.

P.S. San Francisco is beautiful the first week in August, perfect weather and plenty to do while visiting!

 

 

One goal accomplished…

This arrived today. It’s official. One goal in life accomplished!

Linda Hobkirk, Associate Instructor, Arkansas

When I was a little girl, I always wanted to be a teacher. I was not able to finish college back in the 70’s, so I never imagined I would see “instructor” beside my name. Today, I am honored to have the official “Associate Instructor” certificate. I now have the privilege of helping real estate agents in Arkansas become better.

I believe that education is very important in this industry.  It’s important that we adapt to technology, the way we use it to teach agents and what we teach. The real life of day to day, from instructors that are in the field every day helping people buy and sell real estate. I believe this will “raise the bar” as they say. They are many people in this industry working to help make real estate professionals better. I am proud to now be apart of the change in educating agents.

Never ever give up, this goal took many, many years and many twist in turns in life to accomplish!

 

 

 

 

 

My first 100 Days…

Today I am celebrating my first 100 days with RE/MAX Real Estate Results.

I look back just a short time ago, when I took the action of changing real estate brokerages after 13 years. Was making the change a little scary at this point in my life? Yes. Was it the fear of uncertainty? Yes. Was it the fear of actually taking action without knowing what would happen? Yes.

Was it worth it? YES!

When you follow the path to your passion, it is truly amazing to see the blessings that come forth. My real estate business continues to thrive, the opportunity to teach is coming together, and each day I can help make a difference in someone’s life.

Don’t let the fear of pursuing your dreams and passions stop you. Sometimes change is needing to keep the flame going. Move forward through life doing what you love, have the passion, take the action that inspires you and the magic will happen!

Here’s to the next 100 days of helping people in real estate and life…

 

Recharge the “soul” batteries…

It’s important to recharge the batteries of our souls. So often when big changes occur in our lives, our batteries are drained of “soul fuel”.

As a REALTOR®, our batteries can be drained very quickly. The minutes, hours or days are never the same. Our lives revolve around making sure that we are doing the very best for our customers. That all goes smoothly in the buying or selling of their home. It can be quite stressful.

#ICNY2015

As the first month of 2016 comes to an end – I am off to recharge my “soul” batteries at the 20th Anniversary of Inman Connect , a conference like no other! The best of the best in real estate and technology. A gathering of very smart people that want to make this industry better. Seeing old friends and meeting new ones that are taking the real estate industry to the next level.

This year is even more exciting as Kim Minor, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Real Estate Results will be going with me. This is her first Inman Connect and I am so excited to have someone to share this exhilarating time. Conferences can ignite the “soul” batteries and get motivation going in a whole new direction!

I looking forward to coming back recharged and ready to take my business to the next level.

Now off to commence getting packed for New York City…oh why do I always overpack….

 

Happy New Year – a 366 day Year!

Tonight millions of people all over the world will be toasting in a new year as the clock strikes Midnight.

A new beginning, a time to reflect, a time to dream, a time to remember, a time to be thankful, and a time to dream of making the world a better place…

I raise my glass of bubbly and say a cheer to 2016 –  a Leap Year! Yes, the gift of an “extra” day – 366 days! This only occurs every 4 years.

This gift of ONE more day  will allow “extra” hours to help someone, to put a smile on someone’s face, to give your time to a cause, to make a difference in someone’s life, to give a hug, to mentor, to share time with those you love, to do that one thing “extra”that could make a difference in the world.

What will you do with an extra day in 2016?

Wishing everyone a very happy and safe New Year’s celebration! May the next 366 days bring you love, joy, health and happiness.