Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Tree Hugger

Passers-by, both vehicular and on foot, stop in awe at the sweater that hugs a tree in the Westmorland neighborhood.  No doubt, it's an odd sight!  A sweater on a tree?  What's up with that?

For the past several years, the owner of the house has had a much smaller "muffler" knit around the tree trunk each winter.  This year, she went wild.  She knit squares and patches and flowers in bright, sunny colors.  As Fall approached, she could be seen at the base of the tree assembling the bits and pieces around the trunk.  As the sweater grew up the trunk, out came the ladder
so the artist could reach to the branches to knit together more parts and pieces.  And the glorious tree sweater was born. If she had a taller ladder, no doubt the sweater would reach higher into the branches.


For neighbors, its a bright spot on these cloudy, cold and sometimes gloomy days of winter.  Which is precisely why the owner created the tree sweater.  In her words, "I can't look out my window at gray and brown all winter.  I need to see something bright and cheery."  And bright and cheery it is!

She has received notes, comments from dog walkers and bikers and smiles from children.  It has brightened the days of the neighbors as well as the artist.

A reason to smile on a cold winter day since it's not everyday you see a tree wearing a sweater!

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Customer Service

Great customer service isn't what it used to be, so I was pleasantly surprised the other day when I found a note in my mailbox.  It read:

"Hi! My name is Mary and I am your new mail carrier.  I just wanted to take a moment to let you know that I am new to this route and I will do my best to provide excellent customer service.  If by chance you receive mail that does not belong to you please put it back in your mailbox and do not write directly on the mail as it needs to be forwarded on.  If there is something I need to know please leave me a note. I am happy to make changes when needed.  Have a great day and I look forward to seeing you when I'm out and about.  Sincerely, Mary"

Wow!  I was shocked and delighted!  We don't think much about the mail service or the carrier who delivers it.  We expect it. The mail arrives, we sort it, pitch it, file it, etc.  Here is a person who takes pride in her work. She cares about her customers, she wants to help, she wants to provide the best service she can.  Good for her, and lucky for those of us on her new route.

In my business (Real Estate), great customer service is what sets me apart from others.  It's what I pride myself on and what my clients expect and deserve.  Sadly, it's a philosophy that has been missing in this country in recent years.  I'm glad there are still people who see the value of making a difference through customer service.  Evidently Mary is one of them!

Friday, January 9, 2015

2014 November/December Home Sales

As 2014 came to a close, home sales on the near west side of Madison continued to be healthy.  Although there was the normal seasonal downturn, between mid-November and early December, there were 50 sales.  Not a bad number for the tail-end of the 4th quarter.

Below is a list of sales through December 5, 2014.

2014 November/December Home Sales
6413 Inner Dr
$370,000
12/05/2014
138 Lathrop St
$360,000
12/05/2014
2920 Colgate Rd
$625,000
12/05/2014
910 Hathaway Dr
$232,400
12/05/2014
621 Constitution Ln
$188,900
12/05/2014
1021 Lorraine Dr
$150,000
12/05/2014
5603 Hempstead Rd
$166,700
12/04/2014
1513 Madison St
$290,000
12/04/2014
3510 Gregory St
$389,900
12/03/2014
310 Eugenia Ave
$197,500
12/03/2014
438 Virginia Ter
$422,500
12/03/2014
6329 Piping Rock Rd
$115,000
12/03/2014
4429 Hillcrest Dr
$225,000
12/03/2014
6 Cheyenne Cir
$390,000
12/03/2014
321 Falles Ct
$325,000
12/02/2014
309 Glenway St
$460,000
12/02/2014
3919 Shawnee Pass
$267,500
12/01/2014
563 Chatham Ter
$266,500
12/01/2014
5337 Oak Crest Pl
$222,500
12/01/2014
491 Rushmore Ln
$210,000
12/01/2014
621 Bordner Dr
$199,900
12/01/2014
1441 E Skyline Dr
$367,100
12/01/2014
1202 Frisch Rd
$197,500
12/01/2014
1101 Lincoln St
$752,500
11/25/2014
2615 Kendall Ave
$235,000
11/25/2014
205 Highland Ave
$252,500
11/25/2014
3546 Heather Crst
$145,000
11/25/2014
1030 Waban Hl
$379,000
11/25/2014
25 N Spooner St
$315,000
11/25/2014
301 Park Way
$185,000
11/25/2014
6652 Offshore Dr
$125,000
11/24/2014
1121 Valley Stream Dr
$140,000
11/24/2014
514 Caldy Pl
$268,600
11/24/2014
1714 Fritz Ave
$220,000
11/24/2014
118 S Whitney Way
$181,500
11/24/2014
1406 Whenona Dr
$187,500
11/20/2014
4306 Mohawk Dr
$225,500
11/20/2014
206 Marion St
$350,000
11/20/2014
1902 Rowley Ave
$150,000
11/20/2014
22 Lathrop St
$634,400
11/19/2014
1205 Pontiac Trl
$166,000
11/19/2014
711 S Orchard St Unit 206
$128,100
11/19/2014
106 Farley Ave
$425,000
11/18/2014
1234 Wellesley Rd
$590,000
11/18/2014
3525 Tallyho Ln
$425,000
11/14/2014
6410 Masthead Dr
$243,000
11/14/2014
3532 Cross St
$290,000
11/12/2014
5905 Old Middleton Rd
$209,000
11/12/2014
3605 Sunset Dr
$770,000
11/11/2014
* Prices are estimated. Actual sales price unavailable.