while traveling always makes me reevaluate how we do things when I arrive home. This picture is a case in point.  This is what outlets look like in Scotland (this one is from a building constructed in 2016).  This is what the outlets looked like in my flat in 2004-5 in Glasgow.  They have been around for awhile (sign of my age!). 
....then why are they still not an option in the US?  They are a amazing concept & can have BIG impact too (in your energy use & your pocketbook).  
Does it say something about our real (or lack thereof) commitment to really use less? No good answer right?  
So what are the options in the states then that can mimic this amazingness? and YES, there are options I am excited to report. I found some options, none as great at the real thing (for that smooth seamless look), but well, better than nothing. This one can be controlled at the wall, by app, or by Google Assistant/Amazon Alexa.  
of course there is data that states the US does indeed use more power, with one stating the US USES 11 TIMES MORE ENERGY THAN THE UK. Lots of room for improvement to be had.  This map allows you to explore the energy or gas consumption by county in the UK, wow. Just wow.  Sadly, I could not find one for the US (if you do, please comment and share the link!)
When you are shopping for homes, make sure to note these 'wee things' as they can turn into big savings (or costs) LONG TERM. 

#NeverSTOPexploring

Have you ever found something you thought was utterly beautiful? 
You go & share your excitement & get the look of WTF?  
Then you find yourself questioning your judgement, questioning your point of view.   
Take this picture for example.  Its a 'patch' on a floor discovered when pulling up carpet.  Part of me wants to know what is under the patch, but the other part of me is thinking, its been there for 70+ years, its working, leave it alone.  It has so much character. Its amazing.  Its beautiful.   Then I immediately start thinking, how can the floors be refinished to showcase this long hidden gem?

So how do you get past the WTF moment?
That can be frustrating or eye opening.  Like it or not, that can & does happen in real estate.   
You go to show a property, you are excited to share with someone else.  Sometimes the client is excited too, sometimes not.  So, how do you align your perspective of real estate beauty with that of the client?  Well, that is when understanding the client is KEY.  Taking the time to get to know each other is part of the process.  Maybe that means meeting up in a coffee shop and chatting (or a pub if coffee is not your thing), texting pinterest ideas you love to your realtor, or becoming friends on facebook or instagram.  
This means the real estate agent also has to open up & share with YOU (the client).  Comfort & understanding is mutual for the agency agreement to be most productive.  
So don't think your agent is being nosy, they are just trying to understand your perspective of beauty.  

Its been awhile since I have posted, sometimes life is very full.
While I was reading my morning fill of news, a story on NPR noted a 'needed change' in training programs on sexual assault as current programming is not working. That, of course, got me thinking.
Should concern just about sexual assault training be reevaluated? Or is there more? What assumptions are being made why said training is needed? Then fate intervened (with the help of a Google search) &I found this article on Integrity (key words noted: Honest, Trust, Authentic, Value Others, Accountable). If the 13 traits of integrity mentioned in the article exist within a person, you have
FREEDOM--you have nothing to fear since you have nothing to hide. Sounds pretty Rock Star to me. What if you found other like minded people & you all worked together in an organization? Even better--the organization would have a grounded bedrock purpose & guiding credo.
Many times, society has little regard for whose in Real Estate, & the profession is seen as lacking integrity. It does not have to be that way, individuals and companies choose how to act--both consciously and subconsciously. Its 'talk the talk' and 'walk the walk' time for many organizations, and Real Estate is no different. Integrity is a mindset choice; one with long-term outcomes. Choose wisely.