Winter is giving way to irrepressible spring here in the North Okanagan.  Soon the lush look of new growth lets our hills appear green until summer's heat dries them brown.  Though the skiing will stay in full swing up at Silver Star for a few more weeks, the golf courses are planning their openings and the roads are peppered with bike riders already.  Come to see us if you live out of town.  And, my lucky fellow North Okanagan dwellers....always cherish this gorgeous land we call home.

What dogsledding can teach us about the real estate business:

*  Whether it's dogs or real estate, it's critical to surround yourself with a great team. 
*  Just as no two deals or no two dogs are the same; you have to be prepared
*  There are no shortcuts.  You can have all the raw talent but if you slack off or skip training you won't be able to keep up; you can't fake results.
*  You have to be a competitive but patient person.  Things don't happen overnight.
*  You have to be able to handle complexity.
*  You have to enjoy what you do and be truly passionate aobut it, otherwise you're not going to achieve the higest levels of happiness and success.

excerpts from REM article on Mark Hartum, dogsledder, written by Katherine Fawcett/