26 Jan

In 2012 what would be the biggest factor for you to purchase a home? Select only one answer.

Posted by Dave Shockley in Buying Real Estate, Real Estate for Sale, Polls. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , .

Please take a minute to take this poll.  I want to thank you in advance for your participation.  Also if you have any other answers you would like to share use the comment section to leave your input.

If you have any questions concerning real estate in the Charlottesville, Virginia area I would love to be of assistance.  I am the Director of Social Media, a REALTOR® and Associate Broker with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate III “Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Virginia”             434-242-1769

24 Jan

Funny!

Posted by Dave Shockley in Uncategorized.

Reblogged from Scribblings of a Soccer Mom:

This is a blog I started because I thought I had something to say. I don’t really, but it was fun to do. I am first and foremost a mom–of one dedicated soccer-playing teen and of one adorable too quickly maturing tween. I’m a newlywed (well, relatively) and an ex-wife. I’ve learned my lessons the hard way and thought I’d share some of hard-won knowledge with everyone. I’ve met some really awesome people and enjoyed it immensely. So, how did people find my blog the most last year? You might think I’d show …

Keep it up. Like the rest of us we learn as we go.

24 Jan

10 New Kitchen Trends for 2010

Posted by Dave Shockley in Uncategorized.

Reblogged from Livingincharlottesville's Blog:

 I read this great little article that stated the top 10 Kitchen Trends for 2010… in the American Home Shield newsletter. More and more homeowners are remodeling and making the most of their space with these top 10 hot trends in the kitchen. Kitchens are now featuring a “family room” feel with more seating and dining areas. The most popular color choice for cabinets was white. It works well with almost any architectural style – traditional to contemporary. Stainless steel appliances are still a …

Great new kitchen Trends. They are still pertinent in 2012.

24 Jan

Social Media Tip for today 012412

Posted by Dave Shockley in Dave's Ramblings, Social Media, Videos. Tagged: , , , , .

Social Media Tip for Today 012412

Here are some ideas on how to build your social media community.  Post a poll or ask open ended questions on subjects they may be interested in, that get them talking.

Provide information and insights from sources other than your own.  Be a source of information that isn’t always about you or your new listing.

Again I repeat try to avoid constant sales pitches concerning you or your listings.  Your audience may not be in the market for a home at present however, they may be next year.  This process of building a community is not short term.  If you think it is you should rethink why you are doing it.

Make sure that anytime you get a comment or response to your poll, question or article respond as quickly as possible to the individual that made the comment.  This show that you are listening and are responsive.

If you can offer special content that they may not be able to get anywhere else.  Do a video of a neighborhood or of those thing of interest that may be new.  A great place for pizza, coffee, shopping of parks for recreation.

Here is an example:

That’s it for today.

Dave Shockley – Assoc. Broker, REALTOR®

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate III

Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Virginia

@daveshockley

http://charlottesvillebydave.com

20 Jan

Driving Mr. Dave!!!! One Mans Apology.

Posted by Dave Shockley in Dave's Ramblings. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

Driving  Mr. Dave!!!!

 As most of you know I was in the hospital recently for knee replacement surgery.  After being discharged from the hospital the responsibility for my transportation fell on my lovely wife Prue.  She took to the assignment with the patience of an angel.  Maybe I should explain just a little at this point.

 In our family the responsibility for transportation has always been mine.  Anytime we needed to go anywhere I have been the driver.  So it has been very difficult for me to relinquish my responsibility to someone else even my wife.

 Have you ever noticed that when it comes to driving most of the male population always think of ourselves as almost super human in our performance of the task.  We never get lost.  We always know the best short cuts to get where we are going.  It is always the other drivers fault if someone sounds their horn, if we get a ticket the radar was broken etc.  Well I guess I will have to admit that I am not an exception to this train of thought.  So for me to sit back and turn over this job to someone else was very difficult.  However, I now realize it wasn’t as difficult for me as it was for her.

 Now this is where I would like to thank and apologize to my dearest Prue for my back seat driving (actually the passengers seat) instructions.  Sweetheart I do sincerely apologize for my comments, instructions, visible trembling and white knuckle grip on the passenger side assistance handle.

Roses for My Lady

 After discussing this with a friend (I’ll call himMax) yesterday I realized how ridiculous I had been behaving.  Not once did she run into another car, run off the road, run a stop sign or stop light, speed or get us lost (except when I was shouting my opinion on the correct route she should take).   I now realize how badly I behaved.  Thus I am publicly apologizing on my blog.  Not that she will read it unless I send her a link.

 Anyway guys we have to lighten up on the criticism we tend to shower upon women drivers in front of our wives.  Now I am not saying that you can’t pile on when you hear her shouting at another female driver.  At least that way you will be agreeing with her and she should not object to that.

 Well I am finished with my rambling for today.  To make sure she sees this I will now apologize again in all capitals to catch her attention.  DEAREST I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE FOR MY ACTIONS & COMMENTS OVER THE PAST WEEKS WHILE YOU SO PATIENTLY PERFORMED YOUR DRIVING DUTIES FLAWLESSLY.  Your humbled husband Dave.

 Although I do look forward to having my life back in my own hands once more in a few weeks.

 Have a great day, and I would love to see your comments etc. concerning this posting.  Thanks and I look forward to your input.

P.S. I will let you know if she actually stumbles on my apology or if I find it necessary to point it out to her.  My little experiment.

If you have any questions concerning real estate in the Charlottesville, Virginia area I would love to be of assistance.  I am the Director of Social Media, a REALTOR® and Associate Broker with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate III “Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Virginia”             434-242-1769

17 Jan

Just another social media tip

Posted by Dave Shockley in Dave's Ramblings, Social Media. Tagged: , , , , , .

One of the most important things you can do to make sure you are found is
to complete your profile.  I know this is tedious at best but it is one of
the best ways to get the attention you are looking for.

No matter which platform (LindedIn, Facebook etc.)you need to pack your
profile as full as possible.  You can even put in search terms that are
recognized by the top search engines.  For example:  You might say your
expertise is working with “first time home buyers” or “relocation
specialist” for the “Charlottesville, Virginia” area.  As long as you are
using the terms in a context and not just putting them in for search
engines you can improve your changes of being found.

In LinkedIn you are allowed a lot of room for information, and it will let
you know how much room you have left.  Shoot for 100%.  This should be your
goal for all your social media tools.  Plus it never hurts to stop and take
a look occasionally to see if you can improve or update your profile
content.

Then you will want to talk as yourself not about yourself when you post
status updates from your business pages etc.

Now take a few minutes today and update your profile in all of your social
media platforms.

Coming soon “Let’s talk about blogging”.

If you have a tip you would like to share please feel free to post it in the comment section.

15 Jan

Virginia – What do you Love about it?

Posted by Dave Shockley in Dave's Ramblings, Virginia points of Interest & history. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

I thought it would be fun to ask anyone that lives or has lived in Virginia to post what they like about Virginia. 

If you live in Virginia or have lived here in the past  please comment on this post with your favorite city, tourist site, park, or event etc. in Virginia.
 
I will start it off. I live in Stuarts Draft my favorite City is Virginia Beach at present all my children and grand children live there, favorite park is the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail.  Favorite events are wine festivals anywhere featuring Virginia Wine, tourist sites Williamsburg and Yorktown.  If you like you may also list your favorite Virginia Wine or Vineyard.
 
OK now it’s your turn.  I look forward to your responses.
 

View from the Appalachian Trail

 
Dave
 

9 Jan

Social Media Tip of the Day

Posted by Dave Shockley in Dave's Ramblings, Social Media. Tagged: , , , , , .

Social Media Tip of the Day –01/09/12

One of the first things you need to remember about using Social Media marketing is that it is not entirely volume that counts but quality.  You can waste a lot of time working on large numbers of followers, but miss providing the care to those few that can provide you with real business.

My suggestion is that you begin the process of making yourself more visible to your base.  Take the time to place a call or even mail a hand written note and establish your connection.  Then build the rapport aiming for a face to face meeting with that contact.  Schedule a meeting for a cup of coffee, drop by their office for a minute with a newsletter or market report etc.  Be sure not to take much of their time and always ask permission to stop by for the delivery.

The opposite is also true.  If you have a face to face rapport with a contacts ask what social media platform that they like to use.  Or do a search for your past clients and add them to your base.

Take time everyday to work on this.  Make it a habit and stick with it.  I would say a minimum of 5 a day.

If you have any questions concerning real estate in the Charlottesville, Virginia area I would love to be of assistance.  I am the Director of Social Media, a REALTOR® and Associate Broker with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate III “Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Virginia”             434-242-1769

6 Jan

Have you ever wondered how they remove surgical staples? This video shows mine being removed.

Posted by Dave Shockley in Dave's Ramblings, Videos. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Most of my friends knew that I was having a total knee replacement and wished me well. However, ever when they saw the photo of my knee after the surgery and the staples that were holding me together I started receiving this question.

How to they get them out? It looks like it would be painful because a few of them are almost covered by new skin during the healing process.

Well when the nurse came to take mine out I ask if she would mind me videoing the process. She agreed and had no problems with it. So below is the video (the short version) of the staple removing process.

I hope this answers your questions.

Well you never know what you might see when you tune into Dave’s Ramblings on the Charlottesville by Dave channel. I hope you come back again soon. You may find something that you like.

If you have any questions concerning real estate in the Charlottesville, Virginia area I would love to be of assistance. I am the Director of Social Media, a REALTOR® and Associate Broker with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate III “Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Virginia” 434-242-1769

27 Dec

Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Part #6 – Wintergreen Ski Resort.

Posted by Dave Shockley in Dave's Ramblings, Videos. Tagged: , , , , , , .

This was the last video I was able to make before my knee surgery on December 12th. Part #6 leaves the Blue Ridge Parkway briefly to visit Wintergreen Ski Resort near mile post 14.

The weather was cold and they were testing out the snow making equipment getting ready for the season. I hope to be able and return before winter is over and do a little video when there are skiers on the slopes. I hope you enjoy.

This video series is taken on a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Charlottesville and Waynesboro, Virginia.

If you have any questions concerning real estate in the Charlottesville, Virginia area I would love to be of assistance. I am the Director of Social Media, a REALTOR® and Associate Broker with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate III “Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Virginia” 434-242-1769

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