Trixies?

I had to Google it. Trixie is a word that was created in the 90's in the Chicago area to describe white women in their 20-30's, usually blond, who are money-hungry, ex sorority girls who went to college to find a man. Good news ladies, the men they catch have a stupid name too. They are called "Chads".  Insert "hanging Chad" joke here. 

An article I real about real estate brought this term up. As in, "There are a lot of Trixies in this business." This may be true but does this make them bad at their job? Let's not be so quick to judge. Some of my best friends are pretty blondes with different designer purses for each day of the week. They are smart and just as funny as me. Ok, maybe not as funny but they are smart. 

Let's be honest, I want to be a Trixie but I'm in my 40's now so I have my Urban Dictionary open to see what I can call myself. Cougar's are in right now. I can be called one of those I guess. 

In the end, it's only an insult if we let it bother us. I vacillate between embracing the terms and cringing at them. Hey, I'm a woman, I change my mind often and without good reason. So what? 

What I do know is there are people who are good at what they do and people who are bad at what they do. Hopefully you are working with a REALTOR who is good at what they do whether they are a Trixie or a Chad. You can call me whatever you want, as long as you call me! 

Seriously, my number is 802-922-7828. 

Stop Apologizing!

Recently a person came into my life and while it's still very new it's fascinating to be witness to a new relationship. 

It used to be hard for me to make friends. I did not feel I had much to offer and really I didn't because I wasn't really sure who I was or what value I had to offer anyone. Through a lot of work I have opened up and realize I really do have something offer and by gosh, people like me. What a concept. 

Now, back to this new person in my life...she is interesting. Very intelligent and beautiful with a good sense of humor. A single mom, she struggles with where she's been and where she's going. Sound familiar? 

Well here is my "Aha" moment from our most recent conversation - when we are talking she spends a significant amount of time apologizing. She is sorry to bother me, sorry to sound this way or sorry to sound that way or sorry to not be available or sorry she isn't more stable or sorry she isn't more, (insert any number of things). I don't mean just using the word, "sorry"; I mean by way of dismissing what you have said as having any value. I just want to shake her and say, "YOU MATTER DAMMIT!"

This sounds silly right? Think about it though, how often are you apologizing and you don't know it? Stop it! Right now! I'm serious! 

I am just as guilty yet now that I am aware of it I will work to consciously remove it from my conversations unless I really am sorry for something. 

We do not need to apologize for who we are. Ever. If you have truly done something wrong and are truly sorry for it that's one thing, but let's stop apologizing for being who we are. Let your freak flags fly my friends! Rejoice in your oddness. Be one with your flaws and embrace them. Take the power away from everyone else and own your weird. Stop apologizing and start living the life you want! Let everyone else apologize to YOU!

Sorry, I got a little carried away there. 

Good, your smiling! Now go do something great! You have value and you matter! 

What's Holding You Back?

I have a learning disability. I didn't know I had it until I was about 35 years old when my mother told me. My boss at the time (the one from The Devil Wears Prada) was telling me I was illiterate because I couldn't spell. I was devastated and called my mom. I knew I couldn't' spell but this was the first time it interfered with my work. She told me I had a learning disability and said she didn't tell me earlier because she didn't want it to slow me down.

To be honest, I'm not sure exactly what it's called, but I can't spell. It's been a problem my whole life. Computers help but I have a very hard time spelling words. The fact that I have a Blog is amazing. Using social media is reveling because I spell so many words incorrectly. I am constantly hearing from people how I spell things wrong. It's not the words that get underlined in red, those are easy, it's the words that have different meaning and different spelling that trip me up and have comments flying about how dumb I am.

I'm not dumb. I'm actually pretty freaking smart. I just can't spell. It held me back for years. I was afraid to send handwritten notes, to send email and to post anything publicly. Then one day I said, screw it, I have stuff to say and want to say it. Anything that is "official" I have my mom read before I send it and she does a pretty good job of editing my spelling. It's a challenge yet I find a way to work around it.

 It's not sympathy I am looking for. I simply want you to be aware that everyone has something that they deal with. For me, it's overcoming the impression that I am stupid. I know stuff. I know a lot of stuff. I may not be able to spell it but I know it.

This is why I feel like the champion of the underdog. What have you been hiding that is keeping you from communicating? Break those chains!

Single Women Taking Real Estate by Storm!

More single women are buying homes than ever before! The National Association of Realtor's says that 20% of recent home buyers are women while only 10% are men! 

What is happening? Women are becoming more confident and realize that the step-by-step process that was once thought of as the perfect wife/perfect life (school, career, man, house, family) is vanishing. 

Our days of pining away worrying we will be spinsters is over. Women realize that they have power and are not afraid to do life the way they want. If another person joins them on the path, great; but it's no longer required. 

About 1/4 of the nation's nearly 8 million single mothers spend more than half of their incomes on housing, compared with 1/10 of households headed by single fathers. 

So how do we make homes more accessible to the life givers of this planet? Many moms with kids don't think they can get a loan. Education is the first step. So start by contacting someone today or send me a message and I will connect you with someone who can give you the facts. They will tell you what you can afford or what steps you can take to afford it. 

It comes down to "when" you can buy a home, not "if". 

Too High

No, not that kind of high but thanks for clicking on it anyway!

I once worked for someone who gives the "Devil Wear's Prada" boss a run for her money. That person would give me my annual review and every year the only thing he could say about me was that my, "highs were too high and my lows were too low". Moi?

Of course I tried to be calm about this but what can a girl with a review like that do? Blow up and then cry about it with her buddies, Ben & Jerry. I really, really, really didn't like that boss yet that statement has stuck with me and has helped me on my path. I am constantly checking in with my emotions to keep them between the lines.

This isn't easy in my line of work. As a Realtor I get very passionate and personal with my clients. If they are excited, I'm excited. If they are upset, I am upset. By keeping myself in check I am able to help guide them forward.

Start thinking about your highs and lows. Be grateful for them, embrace them, and enjoy them. I've got you.

Who am I? About Me I am not just a Realtor; I am a woman on a journey to improve my life and the lives of people I meet along the way. Part of that journey is using my knowledge and energy to empower women through real estate. Having a clear mission gives me a huge advantage in the highly competitive real estate arena. I don’t just have a job, I have a purpose with a dream of one day creating an organization that allows more women to own land around the world. Success is simple but it is not easy. By creating a clear mission I have a fire inside me to succeed that others do not. Luckily for you, I’m for hire and you matter to me! Jenny Bergeron PO Box 577 Colchester, VT  05446 jennrus@gmail.com bergeronrealestate.com 802-922-7828 talk/text

How to Buy a Home

The basic steps in the process.