To Whom It May Concern;

I will be taking off on Saturday, October 30th. If you need something, please do your best to anticipate your needs in advance, and plan accordingly. I will not…and I repeat…WILL NOT…take any phone calls, emails or text messages.

Why?

Because my 16 year old daughter and one of her best friends came to me yesterday. They asked me to drive them to Washington D.C. on the 30th.  Why? I asked.

They told me that they wanted to attend a political rally. Say What?! They said that they wanted to attend Jon Stewart’s rally on the mall on October 30th.

Now… I know who Jon Stewart is. He’s the comedian from The Daily Show… a satirical new program that airs on Comedy Central. And I had some vague knowledge that he’s behind a demonstration of some kind in D.C. But I have to admit, I didn’t know what it was.

My daughter went on to tell me that the program is called The Rally To Restore Sanity. She wants to go because she’s worried. She’s worried about our country, and she’s worried about her future. Why?

She’s NOT worried because radical elements on the right or the left are taking over the political debate. She’s worried because in her view...THERE IS NO DEBATE!! There’s just a lot of people screaming at each other. Nobody seems to be listening to each other, and nothing productive seems to be getting done in our nation’s capital. And she’s afraid of what that means for her future.

So I did my research…like any father of a 16 year old would do.

What I learned is that Stewart’s rally is designed to reach out the what I believe President Richard Nixon was referring to when he coined the term “the silent majority”. They are the every day people who work hard, take care of their families, and want to leave the planet a better place then when they found it.

But I also believe that they’re people who understand that reasonable people can disagree…even on the big issues. They understand that a different point of view does NOT automatically make one a Nazi...or a Communist.

We are all Americans. And we don’t always agree on everything. But if we’re going to survive as a nation, we need to engage in meaningful dialogue, and try to find points of common ground. The screaming “made for TV soundbites” don’t really help anyone. They only drive us further apart. Apart from each other, and from real solutions.

So on Saturday, October 30th, I’ll be getting up early. I’ll fill the thermos full of coffee, and we’ll be driving south. I won’t be taking any calls, so don’t try to reach me. My wife and I will be 100% committed to helping our daughter become part of the political process.

I’ll be back on Sunday the 31st. Proud… so very proud … of 2 great kids who got up at the crack of dawn while their buddies slept… and tried to take control of their future. Want join us?

America is in good hands…

To learn more about The Rally To Restore Sanity please view the 3 1/2 minute video below.

If you’ve been a regular reader to this blog, I thank you! Since I began writing it, it’s gotten a steady readership. And that’s been very gratifying. But if you’ve been here before, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve been using a lot less pictures on my posts. I’d like to explain why:

I’ve been using a tool that imports pictures from various web locations into the posts that I write. It’s quick, easy and convenient. But I’ve come to learn that not all of the pictures that this tool finds are free from copyrights and royalty fees. And using them without checking was a bad decision on my part.

Last week, I received a “cease and desist” notice from a major ”image vendor” for the unauthorized use of two of their their images. Not only did they want the images pulled down, but they also had their attorney draft a letter imposing a fine in excess of $1400 for the infraction. OUCH!! Both of these images were used in some very early posts that didn’t get much traffic. In fact, one of the images was on a page that I pulled down after only a few weeks. In total, these images were viewed a combined total of 77 times. If you do the math…it’s about $20 bucks per view.

So I’ve gone through this blog, and scrubbed off all the questionable images. As far as I can tell, any of the ones that remain are either owned by me, or royalty free. Now I need to settle up with the image vendor.

So why am I sharing this in a blog post? Because I have built my business on transparency and integrity. ”Integrity”…or doing the right thing…is one of the core values of the Keller Williams business model. It’s one of the reasons I’ve chosen to be in business partnership with them.

So here’s what you should know about how I run my business: I’ll do everything I can to manage my business with the upmost in professionalism and ingegrity.  And if I make a mistake, I’ll own it…and do my best to make it right. Period.

You deserve nothing less from your real estate professional.

Of all the issues that need to be considered when buying a home, homeowner’s insurance always seems to end up as an afterthought. And that’s pretty crazy! When you think about it, your home is probably your most valuable material possession. And making sure it’s properly insured is a really smart idea!

In this short video, Ron Bansky- Owner of Ron Bansky & Associates in Westfield NJ, reviews some of the common insurance questions facing homeowners. Take a few minutes and check it out!

And fore more information, please call Ron Bansky & Associates at 908-301-0711. Or, stop in and visit them at 519 South Avenue West, Westfield NJ, 07090 (see map below).

Click here to view the embedded video.

I just got home from Westfield’s memorial tribute to those lost on 9-11. It was a simple ceremony, really. Some words and reflection from local officials and clergy, the honor guard placing a wreath at the foot of the 9-11 memorial, the playing of taps.

I was moved by the number of neighbors who came out to take part. And I was struck my just how raw the emotions still are in the eyes of so many.

Where Were You On 9-11?

It’s become one of those things that we simply can’t forget. At the time, I was working in health care.  As the VP for Operations for one of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System affiliates, I remember the chaos of that day. We needed to figure out how to get medication to our home care & hospice patients since air traffic was shut down and our supply line stopped. We scrambled to empty bed space in our Monmouth Medical Center facility for the anticipated wave of incoming casualties. Sadly, they never came. And we needed to check in with our staff, make sure that they and their loved ones were OK, and sent as many home as possible to be with their families.

It wasn’t until I finally got home and saw the horrifying images of the towers collapsing on TV, that the full impact hit me. I pray that I never experience that feeling again in my lifetime. And after my wife, daughter and I talked, cried and tried to make sense of what was happening, I took a long walk.

There were Just So Many Cars.

I found myself standing on the eastbound platform of the Westfield train station. It was the place that so many of my neighbors started their day as they headed to work in the big city. And as I looked out into the parking lot, I was struck by the unusual number of cars that were still there. New ones, older ones, big ones and little ones. It was nearly 11pm, and there were just so many cars.

I realized that many of them were the cars of friends and neighbors who got caught up in the chaos of the day, and couldn’t get out of the city. But I also knew deep down, that some of them were the cars of neighbors who wouldn’t be coming home. Not this night, not any night. It was a haunting feeling. Still is.

And as I stood there looking at all the cars, I thought to myself  “if they knew that they wouldn’t be coming home tonight, I wonder what they would have said before they left? And to who?”

Today’s The Day.

If I’ve learned anything in the 9 years since 9-11, it’s that we always think we’ll have more time. We always think that we’ll have tomorrow to clean up our messes or let people know just how much we love them.  And sometimes, it just ain’t so.

If I could offer a prayer on this day, it would be that we learn the lessons of 9-11. I would pray that the world turns down the rhetoric of intolerance and revenge. And I would pray that each and every one of us uses the time we have as wisely as we can.

Life is precious, and far too short.

Realtors have an image problem. Whether we like it or not, most people dislike us! In fact, a recent Harris Poll shows that Realtors are held in lower regard than farmers, actors, union leaders…pretty much everybody. At best we’re seen as a “necessary evil”. We’re the gatekeeper to the thing that consumers really want…the sale or purchase of their new home.

When I first got into this profession, this fact really bothered me. Within the industry, it’s caused many to call for a “raising of the professional standards bar“. And while that’s a discussion for another day, today I saw yet another example of why this negative attitude about Realtors exists…and probably will for many years to come.  And I blame the big name/ old school brokerage companies.

Selling Your Soul For $50

Last week, I was scheduled to meet the structural and termite inspectors at a home for a current buyer. Unfortunately, the listing agent lost the keys to the place which required the owner to return home (after 1 1/2 hours) to let everyone in. But by that time, one of the inspectors left, which required a return visit at the cost of an additional $50. My client (who arrived 30 minutes early) asked the listing broker to pay the additional $50 for the return visit. He refused.

Keep in mind that this was a BIG NAME broker in our market…a name that would roll off the tongue QUICKLY if I asked you to name a local broker. (In fact, if I gave you the agents last name, most folks in our local market would know it. So I won’t.)

And here’s how our conversation went:

• [Me] The inspector won’t release the report to our client until it is paid for. My client already paid for this inspection, but needs to pay again because we couldn’t get in the first time. He’d like you and your company to cover this so we can move forward.
• [Him] That’s not going to happen. I’m not in the position to approve an expense like this, and I wouldn’t do it anyway. $50 isn’t a big deal…so why is your buyer making it into one?
• [Me] Well it’s an additional $50 that he needs to spend because you lost your sellers keys. And your client wants to close quickly, so who can approve this?
• [Him] Nobody. It’s just not going to happen!
• [Me] Wow…OK. I guess you can run your business whatever way you want. But sometimes, you just need to do the right thing. Never mind…I’ll take care of it.

So I called the inspection company, gave them my credit card, and got a copy of the inspection report within 15 minutes. Problem solved.

When The Broker’s Need Comes First

So why would I write this post? I’m not going to name the other agent or company, and I’m certainly not looking for someone to give me a cookie for doing the right thing. It was only $50…hardly a “game changer”. But that’s the point!

The real estate industry is full of disempowered agents…sent by their brokers to represent them…until they make a mistake. Then, they’re suddenly “unauthorized” to make things right for their clients…especially if it costs the broker money.  And I think that’s just the way some of the big companies like it!

Believe me…I know this first-hand. I spend nearly 4 years managing for one of the big name/ old school brokers. I remember getting calls from agents at the closing table looking to authorize what seemed like a legitimate expense so that some sticking point could be resolved and everyone could go home. After being chastised one day for authorizing just such an expense, I remember being told ”the buyers and sellers have too much at stake to let their deal die for $X. Don’t let your agents give in. Don’t let them back down.” Wow… Really??

And so “we’re not authorized to approve this expense” became the mantra in the office. In fact, it’s still the mantra in most offices in most of the big name companies. I deal with it day after day after day.

It’s one of the reasons I left managing for the big name, and joined my current company. My current company ”authorizes me make my own decisions”…and trusts me to do the right thing. My current company believes that when I do the right thing for my client, I’m doing right by their brand name. What a concept!

But what worries me most for our industry is that the big, old school brands will continue to send their “unauthorized agents” out to do their bidding. They will continue to coach their agents to not back down, and not give in…even when they screw up. The perception of Realtors will continue to rank at the bottom of the public opinion polls.

And life will continue to be that much harder for the rest of us.

During the month of July, we held a contest here on The Town Broker. We asked a simple question: “What is your favorite Westfield NJ restaurant?” And we got lots of responses! Some responses came by email, while others filled out the contact form above. We even got responses through our Facebook and Twitter accounts!

The overwhelming feedback was that Westfield has a terrific assortment of restaurants to chose from, and that choosing only one was tough. There were 7 different restaurants represented in nearly 2 dozen responses. But when the votes were counted, your choice for Westfield’s #1 restaurant was one of my favorites…the Mojave Grille!

Mojave Grille is Your #1 Westfield NJ Restaurant

Located in the heart of  Westfield’s “restaurant row”, the Mojave Grille offers the best in contemporary southwestern cuisine. I’m not a restaurant critic, so I won’t try to write one here.  But I know what I like… and this place never disappoints!! Whether you dine inside, or enjoy the outside cafe, you’re sure to find something amazing on their menu.

I frequently stop here for a business lunch with a client or colleague. I especially enjoy the roasted pear salad and the pan crisp crab cakes (I LOVE crab cakes!!) For dinner, my wife usually goes for the lime braised pork, while I often find myself with the braised short ribs. And when we’re in the mood for seafood, the seared yellow fin tuna and the pecan & five spice crusted salmon are awesome!

But remember…the Mojave Grille is a BYOB restaurant, so if you like to enjoy a glass of wine or other libation with your meal, you’ll need to bring your own. You might even want to visit the folks a few doors down at CoolVines for some wine suggestions. It’s also a good idea to call ahead for dinner, as this is a popular place and there can be a wait list.

The Mojave Grille is located at 35 Elm Street in Westfield NJ. They’re open for lunch Monday – Saturday, and dinner Monday – Sunday. Visit the Mojave Grille website for more information, or give them a call at 908-233-7772.

So Congratulations to the Mojave Grille!  And once again, thanks to everyone who participated in this contest!!

What Is Your Favorite Westfield NJ Restaurant?

When friends and family are in the area, they often ask the same question: “What is my favorite Westfield NJ restaurant?”  And that’s a tough one to answer. There are so many excellent options to choose from!

Are we looking for a casual night out with friends, or a romantic dinner for two? Do we want ”kid friendly”, or something a little more sophisticated. Do we want to order drinks or BYOB? And what about the cuisine? French, Italian, Thai? Or maybe classic American Bistro?

Whatever your taste, Westfield has something that will suit your fancy!

So here’s what I propose: From today through the end of July, The Town Broker will conduct a tasty, albeit very unscientific poll. Answer the question “What is YOUR Favorite Westfield NJ Restaurant”, and become eligible to win…umm, nothingn really. But it will still be fun!

Here’s how it works:

1. Between today and Saturday July 31, you can send me a quick email telling me which restaurant is your favorite, and why.
2. Emails can be sent to Hal@TheTownBroker.com, or you can fill out the Contact Me form above.
3. There will be a 1 vote limit per sender (email address)

On August 1st, I’ll tally up the votes. The top 3 restaurants which will be published in blog post during the 1st week of August.

Click this link if you need a list of Westfield restaurants to try. Or, you can simply click on the reservation picture above. Bon Appetite!

Are you thinking about making some improvements to your home? There’s a lot of talk these days about “going GREEN“.  Increasingly, I’m hearing home buyers ask about it. Let’s face it…Westfield and the surrounding communities have some beautiful older homes. But older homes can be extremely inefficient when it comes to energy conservation.So what can a homeowner do to improve things around the house? I spent a few minutes this morning with Mike Mroz and Evan Siegel of Green Energy Improvements in Scotch Plains, NJ.

Green Energy Improvements

Green Energy Improvements is a Building Performance Institute (BPI) accredited home energy testing and renovations company. They are one of the very few companies of this type in Union County. Mike and Evan have a business philosophy dedicated to helping people lower their utility bills using sustainable materials and technology, while creating a more comfortable and greener environment. The cost of making these green home improvements is usually recouped pretty quickly. In some instances, there are even government incentive programs to defray expenses.

Take a few minutes and watch the video interview from our meeting. (Sorry…you may have to turn your speaker volume up a bit. The microphone on my Flip camera was a bit weak.) And if you’re interested in learning more about having a home energy audit performed, give them a call. Green Energy Improvements can be reached at 908-228-2493. Or visit them on the web at www.GreenEnergy-NJ.com

I learned a lot today. I hope you do too!

I LOVE A PARADE! (Or so the saying goes.) But I really do!! What makes small town living so much fun? I think local parades have to rank high on the list!

Westfield Celebrates Memorial Day With A Small Town Parade

After a ceremony at the town war memorial, the 2010  Westfield Memorial Day parade proceeded up East Broad Street. Moving through the business district, the event ended at the Fairview Cemetery with a tribute to all those killed during wartime.

This is small town Americana at it’s finest! Eat your heart out, Norman Rockwell!!

Here are a few photos. And want so see something else that I think is pretty cool? Check out this footage of Westfield’s Memorial Day Parade 1969. Courtesy of my friend Jim Miner. Enjoy…

I’m willing to admit publicly that my golf game needs a little work. (OK…maybe even a lot of work!) Sometimes I think that mini-golf is more my speed…it certainly was this weekend! On what turned out to be a picture perfect Saturday, Westfielders young and old alike came to the Hyatt Hills Miniature  Golf Course in Clark to support the 5th Annual “Mini-Golf Madness”, a fund-raising event for the Westfield United Fund.

In Westfield, Charity Often Begins At Home.

As my daughter and I played our round, we couldn’t help being struck by just how many sponsor signs there were throughout the course. Local businesses and individual families seemed to come out in droves to get behind this fund-raiser. (TheTownBroker.com was proud to be one of the many sponsors for this event). Westfield United Fund Board member and Mini-Golf Co-Chair Kimberly Benou told me that throughout the day, there were about 200 players who contributed $10 each to play.

Between player fees and sponsorships, the event raised nearly $5000 for the Westfield United Fund’s member organizations. How cool is that?!

The Westfield United Fund is a true grassroots agency. It has existed since 1937 with a mission of helping support those organizations that have demonstrated their support to Westfield residents. It’s Westfielders helping Westfielders, and it’s pretty special. The member organizations to tremendous work, and they always need our support.  As they like to say “your gift goes far, but not far away”.  In fact, the member organizations of the Westfield United Fund touch the lives of 2 out of every 3 Westfield residents.

Think about that for a moment…2 out of every 3!

So a special shout out goes to everyone who helped make the “Mini-Golf Madness” event a success. And thanks to the Westfield United Fund and their member organizations for helping to make Westfield such a great place to be!