Issue: 71    Date: September 7, 2002

The Future of this Newsletter and Web Site

Be patient, take a little of your time and READ THIS, you will be glad you did when you get to the end. It will be FUN. I will get back to the serious stuff next time.

You can't imagine how many times I am asked "Chris, what are you doing?" Well, I though you might be interested in "what I am doing," responses from the "treat" in last weeks newsletter, the future of this newsletter and its associated website. I will also talk about how you can become involved in hopefully promoting and having an interactive roll in what I am trying to accomplish. 

First let me answer the first question which comes to mind when a person first sees this newsletter: "What does Chris gain from this?" Well, the truth be told, not much and very much. From a financial and time perspective, it requires a lot and returns nothing. But, if you haven't figured it out yet, I love teaching, being involved in home inspections and hopefully have a wealth of information to share and I just plain enjoy doing this. Nothing, except for my lovely wife, five children, two son-in-laws and expected grandchildren gives me greater pleasure than one of you saying something to the effect of; "I enjoy your newsletter, thanks for the service, keep me on your list." I hope to be able to continue and improve on this service, but I need a little help from you. 

So, what am I doing? Let me share with you some of what I have been involved in this past week (which didn't start until Tuesday, because of the holiday and my anniversary beach trip). Besides the inspections you would expect which included a 5,700 square foot mansion (right out of a movie set), a 900 square foot rental property and a bank building in West Jefferson (how is that for variety?); I am building an addition and doing major site modification to Bethania Moravian Church and working on preliminary design for an approximately $3.5 million dollar church relocation in my capacity as Vice President of Karl Stimpson Builders, Inc. As if all of that is not enough, in my developer capacity, I am involved in negotiation on a major mixed use development which hopefully will come to fruition soon. Not to mention sitting here typing this little newsletter. How is that for retirement? But, I am having a ball. The way you love spending time with your children or grandchildren, playing golf, swimming, bowling, working out or time at your church, I love WORK and writing this little newsletter.

A little further down I will share some of the responses from last weeks treat and the drawing on the 16th for a $100 gift certificate to Village Tavern, but before I do that lets talk about the future of this newsletter and website. By the way, if you haven't checked out the website, you are missing out. Check it out at www.chrisdhilton.com. 

This newsletter goes out to over 1600 involved in the local real estate industry. For this effort to accomplish what I would like for it to accomplish it is important that it be read. So how do we get it read? Here are some ways you can help:

The first is for you, who do read it, to talk it up. Tell your associates about it, ask if they get it and read it. Share it with them and encourage them to check it out. Let them know that there is value here and that this is not SPAM in their mail box. Encourage them to request to be added to the list if they don't now receive it.

Second: Be a participant. There are two ways you can do this. The first, I have been trying to encourage, but need more of is, ask questions and encourage others to send questions. For this effort to be pertinent to you and your associates it must deal with what the information you need. Ask and I will respond with, hopefully, answers and help for home inspection issues you are dealing with. The other I have not been doing, but think it might be interesting. You all have home inspection experiences both good and bad which will be of interest to the people who read this. I will be selective and careful about what is shared and will not include names of those involved or who sent it. Share your experiences with me in a e-mail or letter, and provided I deem them to be of interest and pertinent I will share them in this publication. 

Third: Tell the home inspectors you recommend about this newsletter and suggest they checkout the website. I will add them to the list, provided they ask. I will even accept articles from them to be used with proper credits including their contact information (imagine that, I must have lost my mind). Several are already included.

Later, I intend to add an area on the web site where only registered Realtors and home inspectors can interact in a forum. You will be able to share your experiences, ask questions and everyone involved will be able to read it and respond with their suggestions, comments, ideas, irritations, and knowledge. This should be a great asset for new Realtors and home inspectors, not to mention the many of us old salts who may be a little confused. I will monitor and hopefully help control and direct the responses. Like this newsletter and the web site, it will be FREE. All you must invest is a little of your time to participate. I know it might not make sense why I do these things, but quit being concerned, enjoy and use it.

Enough of this work stuff, lets get to a little fun. Now, if you don't like the fun stuff you can stop reading. 

Last week we asked for and encouraged a little interaction by writing about all of my pending babies and offering a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Village Tavern, if you took the time to respond. If you haven't participated, there is still time, the drawing is on Monday the 16th of September. I will tell you at the end what to do. 

So, what kind of response has there been to date? Fifty-six (56) business cards are in the pot and looking for more, so send yours NOW. You really don't want this limited to 56 people, do you? Pam (my lovely Realtor bride) has got a big kick out of watching me run to the mail box and read the notes, letters and cards. It has been a lot of fun. My mail man is not happy. You know sometimes it gets a little boring writing this rag, but to know a few of you appreciate it makes it worth the effort and fifty-six is a nice little class, not to mention those who read it and haven't responded. 

I though you might enjoy reading what some of your associates have to say about this little rag. Some used just one word, others a few sentences and a few wrote full page letters (I won't include those here). I am not including them all, too much for you to read, just a few so you get the feel. Pass this on to others and it might encourage them to begin paying attention. I won't include the names, but these come from Winston-Salem, Greensboro, as far away as Mount Airy and from Realtors who are burning it up and some who wish they were but haven't quite arrived yet (if they keep reading, maybe they will). Here they are (the italic are my comments):

"Thanks -" (short and sweet, but considering who's business card it was written on, worth its weight in gold considering I don't think I am included on her approved list of home inspectors.)

"Enjoyed this newsletter!" (Must be a grandmother!)

"I read and enjoy your newsletter which is forwarded from my boss." (I will add you, now that I have your address, and tell your boss I said thanks.)

"You do a wonderful job and I appreciate you putting our agents on your list. The info is most helpful especially w/newer agents."

"I think your newsletter is great & so do all of my agents. Thanks for your fine effort. P.S. Expecting a boy in October! Congratulations on yours." (Thanks, and congratulations on yours as well. I have heard that some of my little letters are being used in sales meetings. Great! Act like you came up with it yourself, I don't care, its the message that counts.)

"Thoroughly enjoyed this newsletter. I now have 6 grandchildren ages 6 and under, and after successfully raising three of my own to healthy adulthood, find that I am now having to cover a raised hearth and doing many things I did not have to do with my own children when the "grand's" come to visit. That particular problem, however, has nothing to do with real estate but with the way parents are now raising the children. Today's young parents could take lessons from the "oldsters." (See, I told you they were from grandmothers. Guess I am an "oldster" now and I know precisely what you mean.)

"Put my card in so I can win!" (From a dear, not to mention rather nice looking and available, old friend, and "Kay", I don't mean old in a derogatory way. If you do win everyone will know this is rigged.)

(Had a little trouble with the hand writing, but this is the jest of it.) "I really like your newsletter. This was especially for me as I am expecting my first grandchild in November. I printed it and will mail to Little Rock, Arkansas for their reading. Thanks" (What did I tell you, GRANDMOTHER! Congratulations to you as well. I was beginning to think women were taking over this industry, now I am convinced its not just women, its GRANDMOTHERS. We men just don't have a chance everyone would rather buy a home from their grandmother and don't even begrudge the fee.)

"Please enter my card in your drawing. Thanks for sharing your knowledge." (Thanks, but if you asked by high school teachers or college professors they would make it very clear to you that I don't have any. I distinctly remember several wishing I would learn how to write and spell.)

"Thank you for our emails. I enjoy your insights and the knowledge that you share with us. I save all of them for future reference."

"I enjoy your newsletter. Thanks, tell Pam I said hello." (I inspected one of your listing this week. Hope you still love me and Pam anyway. It was a little on the rough side.)

"I think your newsletter is very informative. Thank you for providing the service."

"Yes, I appreciate and use your newsletters. Keep 'em coming!" (She also sent a note and a return card "I am also sending this card so you can return my certificate!", now that is confidence the note card says BRAVO 3 CHEERS HOORAY CONGRATULATIONS.)

"Yes, I mostly read your letters, print them and put them in a file marked "Client Information". (Great idea, I understand many others do so as well, Rick Crowder keeps them in a note book. But, you don't need to. All you have to do is go to the web site and they are all there for your access and use. Send your clients there as well. It's free and available from anywhere in the world. Just had a client access it from Southeast Asia. Oh, what does "mostly" mean?)

"I do usually read the letters. Thanks for the service" (You better read them all, you might miss something important, like the opportunity for a free diner, there will be more!)

"I actually read each & every newsletter you send out. In fact, I have shared them with fellow Realtors & clients. Thanks for keeping us informed." (Now that's what this is all about. Using these things.)

"I find your e-mails helpful. Thanks!" (Don't tell Pam, she says I am not "helpful" at all.)

"Chris - I'm a reader of your e-letter all the way to the end. Please keep me on your list and in the drawing! Thanks." 

"I love reading them! Congrats on all the pending rugrats!" ("rugrats," is that what you call those things?)

"Enter me in the contest! I do read your newsletter and refer to your website regularly. It is very informative and useful."

"Thanks you for your informative newsletter. I am sorry you had to compile this on your anniversary! Congratulations on the many new babies to be arriving soon. You are fortunate!" (What else is it you are supposed to do on your anniversary at the beach when it is pouring down rain? Oh, I wish I had thought of that! It's to late now.)

(In a e-mail, now this is sincerity.) "I don't need to be in the $100 drawing, but I do enjoy your newsletter. Just thought I'd let you know." 

"I always read what you write...wouldn't it be something if one of the many new baby's coming to your family was yours!!! Hope you enjoyed the rainy weekend at the beach." (NOT, now you know why I write these things to keep such from happening. Pam's famous line; "If you only spent as much time with me as you do with your computer" But don't stop reading!)

ENOUGH, I CAN'T STAND IT, MY HEAD IS SWELLING BEYOND BELIEF. THANKS!

Do you think those who haven't been reading might be missing something?

As I promised, if you want to participate in the drawing for a $100 gift certificate to Village Tavern, you had better act fast. You don't need to write a letter, e-mail, note, card or for that matter a word. Simply put your business card in an envelope (include your e-mail address which is how I know you) and mail to:

Chris Hilton
1028 Beecher Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27104

If not for yourself, or for me, send it just to piss off my mail man. He needs a little excitement, he looks bored. Imagine his reaction if he were to have to deliver 1600 responses, for that matter, imagine mine. The drawing will be on Monday, September 16th and I will let you know who wins. I HOPE IT'S YOU. Treat your spouse, significant other, lover, "friend", whatever, on me. Oh, if you don't have one of those, mother, father, children, I don't care, but if it goes that way call and I will set you up with someone, maybe me (but don't tell Pam, like she doesn't read this thing). 

Thoughts for the week
 
"You care, you care, I can't believe you care." Sally Fields when accepting an award.