Sailing Into the Future

Several times this week I've been pryvy to the affects the current economy is having on people.

Some folks are looking down-trodden, frustrated, bits of anger flaring;  Others are flourishing, 

happy, eager to help others. 

New stores have opened in the area while some big companies are announcing that

they'll be closing some of their brick and mortar locations.

The pendulum is swinging back the other way in the real estate market,

however, those in the know are saying a couple of more years til we

get back to normal. 

I don't know about you, but I don't have the patience to wait and certainly not for a couple of years.

This summer I have taken matters into my own hands, have set sail, and am eager to share with

you where I'm headed and how I'm getting there.

 

Until next time, as my friend Nikki says, Live, love, laugh, share, and pay it forward!

Suz

Why Did I Choose to Become a Green REALTOR(r)?

Growing up as an only child, my parents had good jobs, and I never went without. In college, I became familiar with Greenpeace, the Sierra Club, and other humanitarian and environmental causes. After college, I had my own misadventures in materialism, yet I am slowly getting back to my tree-hugging, hippie ways. Currently, we are a family of five, living on one income, doing what we can to keep our expenses low while treading lightly on Mother Earth.

Our need for frugality has made me become more aware of items being left on the curb for the trash man. Being a member of Freecycle has brought even more awareness of others who are willing to give life to unwanted items, putting these items to good use instead of having them sent off to the landfill. As the saying goes, 'one man's trash is another man's treasure.'

When our youngest was just a baby, I attended a seminar where the presenters were all millionaires, and real estate was a reoccurring theme. Real estate seemed like a good way for me to help others, earn a little money, and still be the main caregiver of our three children.

Now that the children are all in school, I'm out meeting all kinds of great people in the Valley, and I was recently allowed to combine my passion for the environment with my love of helping others with their real estate needs by becoming the first NAR Green designee in the area.

My purpose is to be the source-of-the-source, educate others on how to green their homes, save them money, and help Mother Nature along the way. Happy, happy-win,win!!

Roanoke's Urban Core

newvaconnects held a Professional Development luncheon last week, where I had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Sabine U. O’Hara (President of Roanoke College) present her findings regarding a study she conducted with Dr. Jose Vazquez on the quality of life in the Roanoke Valley. Although her findings were interesting, they were not surprising, especially to adults in their 20’s or 30’s who are single or DINKs (Dual-income, no-kids).

The Roanoke Area, based on the findings, is in need of three things. One, an Urban Core including high-end retail, music venues, and diversification. Two, our suburbs need playgrounds, sidewalks, and childcare facilities close to home. Third, recreation is deemed desirable if we can hike, bike, and have water access within 15 minutes of where we live. It was also mentioned that we are in need of more alternative health care providers such as chiropractors, acupuncturists, herbalists and the like.

Dr. O’Hara’s paper can be read at the following address: http://web.roanoke.edu/Documents/Roanoke%20Economic%20Development%202006.pdf.

I encourage you to read it and share your thoughts, questions, concerns, and compliments. How can we go about bringing change to the area and obtaining what is needed? Are you willing to invest some of your time into promoting changes here in Roanoke? Why or why not?

Suzanne

Suzanne K. Ashley, REALTOR

www.stoverdavis.com/agent.asp?id=103
Office 540.777.3333 X 365

Cell 540.355.6029
sashley@stoverdavis.com