The Yellow Tongue Freshener & The Real Estate Vibe

One of the secrets I found to having wonderful minty breath was given to me by my old dentist in Chicago, Dr Dean Sana, DDS. Back in the mid-1990’s, I received a yellow banana plastic tongue freshener from my dentist, Dr. Dean Sana. One of those freebees you get from the dentist. It lasted 26 years. Since it was plastic, I would wash with soap and water every time I used it. The yellow banana plastic tongue freshener kind of fascinated me because it was a product that I didn’t spend a dime on except the little soap and water to wash it off. How many products can you say that about! One day we went on a Baltic cruise ship and to my horror, I left it behind.

I was very upset. It was like a member of the family died. Yes, that is a ridiculous way to feel about a product and something as silly as a yellow banana plastic tongue freshener, but 365 days x twice a day x 26 years = 18,980 uses. Who wouldn’t get attached? It’s over a quarter of a century.

My kids thought this was the funniest thing. They looked up the dentist in Chicago and sent Dr. Dean Sana a note. Months later a letter came back with a yellow banana plastic tongue freshener he had found!

My daughter actually used this story for her college essay as it shows how being resourceful and not being afraid to ask, gets you to high places (or at least gets you a yellow banana plastic tongue freshener).

Jade applied to all sorts of schools. And she got in despite her college counselors horror about her tongue freshener essay! We visited schools in Colorado, Nashville, DC, and at FSU. She ultimately choose FSU and much of that was due to “The VIBE”. Colorado was too laid back. DC was too city-ish. FSU was very affordable and most important there was a campus. Jade figured she can do graduate school or internships in the city at a later date. But the college campus experience was something that you couldn’t rewind.

Looking for a home really starts with the vibe as well. This week, with the relatives going back north is when searching for a home starts in earnest. Buyers think at first that it’s about the bedrooms, baths, square footage, and upgrades. But if you don’t like the “vibe of the neighborhood”, then nothing will matter.

Does the community have pickleball? Is it walking distance to restaurants? Can I rent it out as an Airbnb? Golf? Oceanfront Access? Gated but no club dues? All of this is the vibe and best way to start a search. Our “Areas” page breaks this down neighborhood by lifestyle. Furthermore, you can sort by “Area”. Northern Palm Beach County is a different way of shopping than Southern Palm Beach County so it’s divided that way. There is also a map feature in each community search. Give it a whirl and find your vibe. And if you can’t find your neighborhood , give me a buzz. Like Sam and Jade, we will figure out a home solution by listening to your wants and needs. You might say working with ECHO is like a breath of fresh air!

Jeff Lichtenstein, originally from Chicago, got his start in the home furnishings textile business where he traveled over 35 weeks a year selling fabrics. After the family business was sold, Jeff moved to Florida and became a real estate agent. Today he is the owner and broker of Echo Fine Properties, a luxury residential brokerage voted best brokerage of the year. Jeff manages a non-traditional model of real estate that mimics a traditional business model. Echo has 80 agents, an average of one million dollars per transaction and over 500 million in annual sales. Between traveling for work and annual family trips to national parks with his wife and 2 now adult children, Jeff has visited 49 states. He is also one of the few Chicago White Sox fans you’ll ever meet. Some publications he has been quoted in.

Author of business & leadership book How Making a Sandwich Can Change Your World – The Amazing Success of the PB&J Strategy – Available to Buy Now!

Feel free to ask him a question directly at [email protected] including a complementary valuation of your home.

Posted in Open House Blog, Real Estate Tips on January 5, 2024 at 1:23 pm.

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The Yellow Tongue Freshener & The Real Estate Vibe