Adventures in Real Estate YYC
CIR Realty 100, 707 10 Ave SW T2R 0B3 Calgary, AB, Canada

Tip: when getting a drone, learn how to fly it in a wide open space and NOT over a busy intersection (shhhhhh). This Marshall, my newest assistant! Oh yah...and don’t try to fly it when it’s <0c. Marshall doesn’t like it very much!

This is what happens when I try to take a picture of a closing day gift by myself...we spend a lot of time alone us agents #IsThisHowYouDoIt

Here’s your daily reminder to say thank you to all those hero’s in your life! THANKS HEROES FOR BEING A LIFESAVER (both literal and not)!! #ThankYouHeroes

HAPPY HALLOWEEN Look at some of the cute (spooky, terrifying...but really adorable!), colouring pages I’ve seen so far!!!

Bored? Want to colour something in to adult your way through 2020? Here you go!

I can sell you a house AND shovel your driveway (shovelling the driveway is iffy at best)! And yes, everyone this week got a TEAL shovel with their home #LetItSnowLetItSnowLetItSnow

The Cambridge Dictionary has a beautiful definition of GIVING! Therefore, it’s your social responsibility to give thanks! *also, I’ve been saying ‘thanks’ wrong my entire life. Happy Thanksgiving

Open Houses during Covid!! I just do it for the signs #AllTheRules #MasksAreMandatory

I pretended to bake for an Open House today! Didn’t bake. There was no Open House. YouTube vids in the making! Also @mikeysapartment, your phone makes me look #ImNotAnOrangeYoureAnOrange #CIRRealty @cari_judge that’s the apron I got for Morgan 6 months ago. You’re welcome!

I woke up so excited that today was Friday! It’s not Friday - damn you dreams! Also, my new listing toppers? @brandaids4u made these and I’m holding their new ‘a-frame holder uppers’ - to be used by an a-frame or yourself while standing randomly on the sidewalk!

Continuing with the 'Covid Series'. Are buyers looking at homes right now? Are showings still happening? This graph shows you exactly where we are compared to last year! As you can see, the number of showings booked are definitely down but have increased steadily over the last three weeks. While we won't get back to any type of a 'spring market' anytime soon, there has been a change (well, many changes including how exactly we view homes right now!!)!

How has Covid-19 affected our market? I've been closely tracking the changes over the last 6 weeks. Sales were definitely impacted but due to spring weather or isolation fatigue - sales are starting to trend upward again (albeit, far below normal April averages!). The weekly micro-trends are interesting as well (that's why I only list properties on Thursdays!! Take advantage of that Friday/Saturday boost!). #TheMoreYouKnow

I guess 'contest' is a bit misleading since these guys all won my praise!! I'm sure I have a pen or something sticking around for the winner(s) You're all winners in my book!

Happy Easter! I meant to put this online for everyone to download but then...I don’t know. I have no excuse. I have time, so I don’t know what happened Here’s the colouring contest you didn’t get #HappyEaster *if you’re my client and DID get the contest, I’ll contact you if you won nothing (@jennabunnykins that’s you because your entry was amazing!)! Also, have crayons changed in the last 30 years?!? Because wtf...that was hard!

Every time I say ‘well, yah’, take a drink! I’ve been watching or taking a course/lesson a day and came across this... I’ve never actually watched this before and totally forgot about it. Didn’t realize it was on YouTube either. If you’re bored, link below (I’ve gotten 3mins in so honestly couldn’t tell you a single thing I said). Better watched with wine (NO, IT’S NOT TOO EARLY!) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VbPXTykKEq0

This is clearly something I’d do...here’s a contest where you’re entered to win absolutely nothing!! But it will bring joy to those around you, so obviously I’m on board!

I know I should be talking about Real Estate...but this is pretty important too (also, we only have enough TP for 5 days)

Although in the US, the same questions and answers apply here! Am I still listing properties? Yup, there are options right now. Are showings still happening? Yup, but 30% less. Am I still working with Buyers? Yup, but only if a unicorn comes along (basically, I spend my days on the computer while alternating going to the fridge and playing with the dog)!

This is where things start to get interesting! Add a drop to the lending rates with a decrease to the 'stress test' and I wonder what the Spring Market has in store for us! Will that be enough to help our economy and what does Covid 19 mean for us (yes, we've had those questions as it's changing housing in the US already!)?

Looks like Calgary’s risk has gone down! This is pretty apparent as some* faith has returned. Inventory levels continue to decrease and Boy George, if I weren’t involved in TWO competing offer situations last week (no idea what Boy George has to do with any of this )!

Calgary City Council: Change the #GreenLineYYC Route Over the Bow River! The suggested route for Phase 1 is out and guess what? After deciding that the 2017 agreed upon plan and route wouldn't do, the new idea takes the LRT ABOVE GROUND over the Bow River and Prince's Island Park then down 2nd Street SW. This area is an amazing public wetland that must be protected. *The route would go directly over the bridge pictured! #SavePrincesIsland - Sign the Petition! http://chng.it/wXTYqCyg or www.IAmEauClaire.com

CIR Realty - I’M HIRING! Don’t mind the fluorescent lighting or the sign that looks like I’m Hiring, I’m Living or I’m Hiving...that’s how I procrastinated for 10mins this afternoon. Anyways, if someone wants to come be a superstar real estate assistant - I’m Hiring! *arts and crafts skills are a #ISawTheSign #DontWorryMarilynIsntLeaving https://sarahjohnston.ca//im-hiring-superstar-assistant-r/

I’ve been looking for a good excuse...this seems like one to me! *fun fact, a set of keys froze to my fingers on the weekend #TooColdToThink #ColdDome #Nah

My cooperative competitor got me a new Christmas sweater (thanks @joelgwillim)! Now we’re playing a rowdy round of Rock Paper Scissors to find out who will be No. 1 in the office next year. I don’t care if I’m No. 1 but I better win this game. PAPER! ‘Coopetition’ at its finest! #ItsTheEggnogTalking #2020Goals #CooperateDontCompete

Whose clients are getting these cuties for Christmas?!? PLUS, a local mom made them all which keeps with my ‘buy local’ theme this year! I LOVE THEM

Being in the business of finding people homes, there are times you realize that some people may never get that opportunity. In fact, they may not have a roof over their head as they go to sleep tonight. I dare you not just to help those with homes, but maybe those without them tooSanta knows every body is worth it! (The ’s contained gift cards for food, socks, hot packs, emergency blankets and toques). Add in some and ’s and you have yourself a fine afternoon! #TisTheSeason #BackAlleyTour

I actually feel that we’ve been bumping along the bottom for a few months now. This is our ‘new normal’!

Instead of pumpkins, this year I decided to have an adult colouring contest. While yes, there is a childrens category too...can you really tell who's done which?!? HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Vote for your fav!!

This is my ‘Adult Colouring Contest’. Instead of delivering pumpkins this year I challenged my clients to a colouring contest. I honestly can’t tell if it was an adult or child who coloured half the entries 2 bonuses here: delivering a million pumpkins makes a mess of your car (it will smell like dirty gym socks for months after...not kidding) and you get to laugh uncontrollably at all the entries! This is my attempt...it took 2 hours and wasn’t as calming as I thought it would be. In fact, it stressed me out...I used the wrong colour on the sign post #CantEraseMarker #HappyHalloween

Spending my Friday night reading about myself and feeling like a total narcissist. Ok. Next! (and I realize this makes me a dork but get it? Figured I use it so much I might as well get photographed looking like my fav emojis)! #IfIHaveToExplainIt #NoOneGetsIt

Not that I forgot (but I totally forgot) that I have about 14million thousand corkscrews...super handy now that I hand out ...that don’t need corkscrews! Umm...Christmas tree decorations? #WhoWantsACorkscrew

Don’t worry - I use a teal pen! I swear I go through more stationary than anyone I know. Today was ‘you got 4 dozen more cards’ day. These should last me a few months...maybe #Handmade #SupportSmallBusiness

I need to do a few things. First: change my name to something that can be spelled correctly! I’m thinking Jane Smith...(the full video will be on Global National tonight!)!

JET LAG IS AMAZING! You get so much done at 3:30am! Listings, solds, open houses, paperwork, marketing materials, showing requests (hope those didn’t wake anyone at 5am ) This is a week in my life (thanks @thetravellingrealtor for lending a girl a hand...or 4, while I was away!)! #TimeForANap

Sometimes you just need a cookie and Monday mornings are no different #CookiesForBreakfast #DontJudge These are absolutely delicious @tsn84

Because that’s how you measure progress

My crown is crooked and the dress I ordered from overseas looks like a toddler made it...so what do you do? Bring out the Baby Duck #PhotoShootFail Thanks for the @joelgwillim and @v.fl311 this is the Baby Duck you and Drew got me

I'm on the move...to CIR Realty, Alberta's LARGEST Brokerage! Now true, size doesn't matter but when you can combine great staff, service, marketing and a truly GENUINE way to do business - it just makes sense (and I'm trying to make them change their hashtag from #TeamBlue to #TeamTeal...has a certain ring doesn't it?!?)!

THIS is why I’m a better REALTOR than golfer With shots like this, it’s no wonder I had to order 12dozen balls before the season started Thanks again for the rad customization @reddeergolfcc and @melba_37 !! #BetterRealtorThanGolfer

And then I sadly counted to 1... That time you get on stage for a Q&A and then just start talking and no one gets any questions in

Take yourself seriously, but not too seriously This is what happens when you work in real estate too long. @kahanelaw threw another great one!! #RMP2019 #UnderTheBigTop #BeardedLady

Did You Know: An elephant in your home brings good luck and prosperity! In fact, you’re supposed to place an elephant with its trunk up facing the front door. Annnyways, this is my new ‘thing’ this month. Good luck and prosperity for all! #GoodLuckToYouAndYouAndYou (yes, I ran out of my signature !!)

I spend a ridiculous amount of time putting together home evaluations (then I end up binding them backwards and screaming and crying on my office floor)! #BindingMachineMadness

Is that tree yours? The City has an interactive map that tells you if they own 'that' tree or not! So many questions...like how long did this map take to make? Wowzer. Pretty cool though!

I lose so many golf balls that I needed to find a way to market with my loss (and make someone laugh a bit when they found one). 12dozen of these bad boys ‘should’ last me an entire season (also, I spent so long taking nice staged pictures of these on my patio, then a giant wind came along and they fell off logs and tables and ended up a big ‘ol dirty mess. Turns out the dirty mess was best!)!

‘I’m sorry, what did you say?’ #AirCraftCarrierNegotiations #CanYouHearMeNow Since this isn’t technically a vacation, I’m not going to feel bad about working!

EVANSTON!! THIS FULLY DEVELOPED HOME IS SO HOT I HAVE TO USE CAP LOCKS!! MLS C4242054 $429,900 MaxWell Capital Realty 403-272-0033

I just spent the last 30mins searching all of my listings. This is SO cool and heat loss is clearly not directly related to age! Interesting...

This house had me at the kitchen cabinets!

Today my sister asked me if I carry around marbles in my pocket. Why yes, yes I do! In fact, I always lose them and then end up finding new ones. I might be a secret marble hunter! Anyways, they’re fun to bring out when I find myself in a crooked house or get vertigo because I’m sure the floor is uneven My clients think I’m nuts until they start moving on their own! #MarbleHunter

JUST LISTED in Chaparral Valley! This beauty backs onto a park and playground and is a short walk from the Bow River and Sikome Lake! - MaxWell Capital Realty

I try to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity at least once a year (yes - we have this program in Calgary!). You get to swing hammers, cut wood and walk around in steel toed boots for a day. They are always looking for volunteers and have a number of shifts coming up (I'll be onsite May 2nd!).

Some podcast talking about some things will be out some time! Glad to see you were taking notes @lindsey_cirrealty! #couldntgetawordin Can we host a morning show? I’ll bring the wine! #KathieLeeAndHoda #RealtorLife #PodcastGameStrong

Its a sad day when I run out of blank custom Starbucks cards It’s been a good run #Starbucks I should have bought another 200 of them in 2017...new idea coming soon! #SadRealtor

Our Real Estate Board is the BEST and let us approve emojis for use in writing up our property descriptions!! Check out the link for more info! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGL8z03uvSA#action=share

I’m beginning to think that Sunday afternoons are a REALTORs Friday night! It’s a new thing. Happy St. Patrick’s Day and thanks for the party @elevationmortgageyyc (I shall make all my clients start viewing and evaluating properties at 8am every Sunday to take the afternoon off!) Photo Credit Sam Corea <

The thought of writing all of these cards is making a vein pop out of my head. Also, super fake smile, like, not even an A for Effort #TryingToBeThoughtful #HurtsMyHead #IDidntKnowAboutThisVein #WhereDidItComeFrom

When DIY goes wrong What you can’t see here is that the colour is actually a soft baby blue - you know, this seasons hottest colour ! So now, I will stay up until 2am fixing the error of my ways (my attempt to prolong the life of this bathroom may have just backfired badly). NEVER AGAIN! #DIYFail #StickToWhatYouKnow

I’m starting a band with my mortgage brokers...anyone know how to sing? #TheForeclosures hahahaha

This is a very Canadian way to say sorry #SorryImSold #SorryNotSorry

I woke up at 3:57am and wrote this down. No idea what I was dreaming but I kept thinking about this line. It either has something to do with taking control of our own lives and being our own story, or my weird fear of being 90years old and not being happy with the story I created of my life In any case, Be The Story! #YourStoryCanBeAFairytail #BeTheStory

Hello gorgeous, nice to meet you FULLY DEVELOPED home with brand new DOUBLE GARAGE in McKenzie Towne for $430,000!! It's ok, you can do a double take now

Some people look up celebrities, some play on Pinterest, but these are the types of articles I read when procrastinating!

This is how to get more done in a day! Stretching while eating a mango and filling out my weekly checklist at a home inspection! #TwistedRealtorPose

Bored? Just spent a minute or two scrolling through the pictures... #stagingfail

Own this beautifully updated home in Cranston for under $425,000!! Open House, Sunday Feb 10, 1-3pm!

The most surprising fact about this article is that it’s in a paper! I’ve decided it’s now a collectors item. My parents will be so proud (I’m mailing it to you and you better not throw it out with the rest of my childhood)

Beautifully updated home in Strathcona Park - listed at $450,000! OPEN HOUSE, Sun Feb 10, 1-4pm. Come check it out!!