A Realtor's Survival Kit

It occurs to me that there are things that I should always have in my car in order to be an effective realtor:
Tape measure - some clients will always want to measure rooms or windows
Flashlight - ever get a face full of cobweb when trying to find a light in the basement?
Note cards - to leave a handwritten note when you can't reach someone in person
Mints - always a good thing to have on hand. My client Hal likes them. His last name is Itosis (haha)
Spare batteries (for the flashlight, keypad, etc.)
Scotch tape - to tape those note cards in a high-visibility place
Note pad - not to take notes literally, but to remind me to always LISTEN!
Duck Tape (or what I commonly call duct tape) - why? Just because every survival kit has to have duct tape, right?

Marketing a lifestyle

Hi all you sellers! Despite the press saying the market is soft, there are still people looking to buy real estate! Have you noticed lately the number of buyers coming from urban areas, especially New York? I have. One thing I think they are attracted to, is the Fairfield County lifestyle, which combines sophistication with healthy and wholesome living. What do I mean by that? Organic markets, top quality restaurants, wonderful shopping, lots of 'happening' events in the arts, and a thriving commercial base all contribute to an environment of sophistication. But we also have our simple, wholesome pleasures not found in the city: pick your own apples, hayrides, harvest festivals, pick your own halloween pumpkins, real trick or treating where neighbors meet neighbors on the street to exchange greetings and treats, nature walks, local volunteer efforts, booster club car washes, scout popcorn and cookie sales, and parades where half of the town children are participants. Westport has a Halloween afternoon parade just for the toddlers and young children. Main Street is blocked off and shopkeepers dress up and pass out free candy.Fall is the perfect season to highlight the "lifestyle" of living here: get out those fall decorations for the house, pumpkins, and candles redolent of apples and spice. Change up the minor decor using warm colors of the fall. Anything that evokes of nature, harvest, family, neighbors, thanks-giving (not just Thanksgiving) will strike a note that will resonate!