Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

Vendor Alley 2024 Holiday Gift Guide

It’s that time of year again! I’ve curated a great list than will sure to bring a smile to anyone on your holiday list.

How about a deck of fancy playing cards by Theory 11? I like to keep a deck of playing cards in my carry on or laptop bag. This low tech solution is great to fiddle or practice some flourishes while on longer Zoom meetings. Leave your boring Bicycle decks at home and choose to carry a a fancy deck from Theory 11. Great stock stuffers.

FreshBooks Are you recently liberated from your nine to five and started a consulting company? Have a side gig? Or just a regular old start up in need of a simple way to bill and track expenses? Freshbooks is your answer. Honestly this is the best piece of software that I’ve used in a long time. Super simple to set up and makes you look pro right from the start. Highly recommend.

Heavy Duty Twist Ties – Okay hear me out. How many damn charging cables to do you have in you bag or just laying around at home? Too many I bet, and they are a mess. I’ve tried the velco ties, but they are too long and can be a pain in the ass. These aren’t the twist ties that came with your sandwich bread bag, these are heavy duty and meant to last. Trust me, you’ll thank me later!

CIVIC Access Pouch 2L If you are like me you have a lot of cables, pens, chargers, adapters and such. I’ve tried many EDC pouches but found the traditional accessory pouches lacking, mostly due that I need to empty the entirely out to find what I need. That’s why I love this design. It’s perfect for travel since I use it as a desk caddy in my hotel room. I got mine in Burnt Orange but they come in 3 different colors.

The Art of the CMA Last, but not least, is my book, The Art of the CMA. Can’t think of a perfect gift for your board of directors? Click here and send me a list of their names and I will personalize each copy with a special message and an autograph. Bulk discounts are available!

Happy Holidays!!

Stop and look at the thing

Some Friday fun. If you want to get a peek in to what I find inspiring here you go.

Robert Reffkin defends Compass leaving CCP

“They’re eating the cats. They’re eating the dogs. They’re eating the pets, of the people who live there.”

At least that’s what I heard. ; )

Hotel Shower Design

Since a lot of my readers are frequent travelers I think venting here a bit on some of the frustrations of traveling will be well received. I want to focus on a pet peeve of mine, hotel personal hygiene gels. I’m talking about Shampoo, Conditioner, and Body Wash.

For about the last 10 years I’ve been afflicted with the ICSS disease. Meaning, “I Can’t See Shit”. I’m able to see far away but I need readers to read anything with small text. Which is fine most of the time, I have my progressive lenses on my glasses so I’m able to adapt. But one place I don’t wear my glasses is the shower. And in the shower I’m confronted with this.

Can you guess which one is Shampoo and which is Body Wash? It’s bad enough the text is too small for me to read, but the contrast and color choice between the bottle and text is so bad it makes it even more unreadable. See below of a closer look.

Someone should be fired. And don’t get me started with those teeny tiny bottles, the text is too small on those too! So what is a frequent traveler to do? Enter my trusty Sharpie.

To the ownership of the Courtyard by Marriott and their next hotel guest in room number 211, you’re welcome.

Fame

I didn’t have “someone will make socks with your face on them, and wear them at Inman Connect” on my bingo card. 😳

Addresses in Japan

Japanese addresses: No street names. Block numbers.

“Mailing addresses in Japan, after naming the province and city, are a series of three numbers: district number, block number, building number. That’s how the building is found. No street names.”

Derek Sivers

I thought the nerdy readers of Vendor Alley would love this.

Pro Tip: Order that ribeye steak

Your mileage may vary.

Omni Lobby Bar – After Party – Part Deux!

Tradition is tradition. Last year was a huge success so I’ve been asked to do it again. This time we are moving it to Sunday night.

I’m inviting everyone to meet up at the Omni Hotel’s Marquee Lounge, Sunday night (5/5/23). Anywhere from 9 PM on, just get there before last call (Midnight), and let’s all raise a glass together in a place we have enjoyed each other’s company for so long!

Spread the word!! LFG!!

Best listing photo ever?

Best caption wins some Vendor Alley swag.

This is a teenager

You gotta check this site out. Just start scrolling when you get to the site. Love this blending of storytelling, data analysis. I would love to see this type of data visualization be used when we talk about housing.

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