There are still a few good things left out there.  While every news cast reminds us of the newest gloom and doom, the latest struggle for survival and the dire predictions for the future I'm floundering around in the real world trying to get a grip.  My intellect is best spent (right now) thinking about things that make me happy.

If Aretha's hat didn't get your attention and bring a smile to your face, you are already doomed.  That hat gave me so much pleasure.........I'd love to have it.  I'd wear it, I'd cherish it, I'd have fun with it,  I'd get attention with it.  I'd remind everyone who sees it what a great world this is.  If someone can design a hat like that and someone else can wear it with aplomb, this is a fabulous world.  It's just plain (well, not "plain") fun.  That hat is so ME.  Is there something out there that is so YOU that sporting it changes your attitude?  Then find out what it is and GET IT!  We need "a new attitude."  Thank you, Aretha.

Pink M&Ms thrill me.  They aren't always available, but in February they are every where.  No matter what it is, pretty much if it's not pink, I don't want it.  My very favorite color......happy, sweet, romantic, fun, hot, pastel, a little ditzy......can be applied to clothes, food, cars, houses, computers, anything.  But pink M&Ms are the best.  (Peanut preferred, but plain acceptable).  I give them away to clients and customers, I present them as clever prizes, I say thank you with them, I say I love you with them.  I look at them, eat them, save them, admire them, hide them, think about them and completely and totally ENJOY them.

How neat to have a little something that gives me and others so much pleasure!  It beats the tar out of watching the news.  If you are feeling a little pitiful these days, I whole heartedly recommend a great hat and a handful of pink M&Ms.  If you don't feel better, you are really doomed.  I do, however, have great hope for you because this pick-me-up is tried and true.  It works.  I should write a book.

Is Your Business Going South?  No, not south as in disappearing into a deep dark hole never to be seen again, but South meaning well below the Mason Dixon line.  The economy is tough, jobs are more scarce, heating costs are up and families are looking for a better way to enjoy their lives.  Many are coming South.  With good reason.  Many of my buyers tell me jobs are more plentiful  here.  Weather is more temperate.  Schools are good.  The great outdoors is accessible most all year long.  And, the big plus, homes are less expensive in many cases.

If you are seeing a decline on the selling side of your business and a boom on the listing side, your business may be going South.  Save yourself!  Make good alliances with some Scarletts and Rhetts.  If we stay in touch, I can get more sales and you can get more referrals.  It may be a pretty good way to weather the economic storm in the short term.

I am absolutely giddy.  After being bombarded by every forwarded e-mail out there regarding one candidate or another (most of which are untrue according to Snopes), after being covered in an avalanche of televisions commercials (most of which are sort of untrue), after hearing 3 debates in which all information was the same, and after watching my real estate business stall after the Wall Street debacle and bail-out, I AM OVER IT! 

I've been tired of all this campaigning (using obscene amounts of money that could probably do a greater good spent on something else) and mad as everyone else about the bail-out.  So what have I done about it all?  I VOTED EARLY!  None of this political chatter matters anymore. Lalalalalalalalalala........I can't hear what you are saying, Candidates.  I can turn you off in my brain.  I don't need to have any more information about you.

Now I can look forward to business picking up.  I believe it will after the election.  It doesn't matter who wins, it just matters that it will be over.  This housing disaster won't begin to resolve until the election is over. At that time,  I believe the real estate business will begin to move again.

This is no time for my Pollyanna attitude.  I know very well that we are in a really big pickle.  It will be tough for all of us the rest of this year, but it will get better.  I encourage all of you to think positively about the future of your business.  People will always need homes.  People get transferred.  People get married and set up new households.  People retire and buy something else.  In my little corner of the world, all I need to do is have a few sales and I survive.  I'll worry about making my fortune after this is over.

Why don't you all go vote early?  I promise, it's liberating.  Free up your brain for a couple of weeks and enjoy the rest of October.

Don't miss your opportunity to purchase this lovely property at a wonderful price.  Located conveniently to both I-20 and US Hwy 27, this property boasts privacy and amenities.

This home, situated on 1.02 acres, was built in 2002 and has many attributes you wouldn't expect.  The triple garage, for instance, is dry walled, heated and cooled! Add the flooring of you choice and you'll have another large living area.  Don't want to lose your parking space?  A double carport adjacent to the home answers that question.

Pretty tile floors, a white oak staircase leading to a marble-floored landing, custom kitchen, bay windowed dining, a huge shower (to die for) and a tile-floored balcony accessed by French doors from the living room and one bedroom are eye candy for the discriminating buyer.

To put it plainly, this is a beautiful home in a good location.  There is, however, one stellar detail you don't want to overlook:  the price!  I don't know anywhere you can buy a home like this for $139,900.  The Seller's relocation is your good luck.

For more information, go to my web site http://annhobbs.com or call Ann at 770-365-2935.

There are surprises in Haralson County, GA.  One is this lovely private, yet convenient 14.64 acre horse ranch, Serenity Ranch. 

A lovely 3300 square foot home with 3 bdrms, 3 full baths, salt water pool, cabana, ½ bath (for pool) and tanning bed is the center piece of Serenity Ranch.  This house is built like a fortress, having been remodeled from the studs out.  Built in 1986, it now is virtually a new home with everything from the flooring to the lighting brand new.  Top of the line appliances, corian counters and tasteful décor will be appealing for your life style.

The land is gorgeous and begs for activity and fun.  2 ponds, one a jet-ski paradise, pastures, 8 stall horse barn with auto waterers and drive through sliding metal doors, a 50'x50' two level shop with a full kitchen for entertaining, 4-rail vinyl ranch fencing, beautiful trees and shrubs and a solar operated gate at the property entrance assures you'll have privacy and your own resort!

Serenity Ranch is situated on a gentle mountain in West Georgia.  Views from every room in the house overlook the lake, pool and pasture areas. It is the only home on this picturesque paved road.  Don't miss the opportunity to see Serenity Ranch.  You'll need to call Ann at 770-365-2935 to be pre-qualified and appointed for a personal, private tour.  If you are looking for THE place, this is it!

Blogging once a month has been easy as pie...........until now.  It seems as if I haven't had a minute to create an original thought to share with you.  Why?  Well, the news is good.  Although it is very frustrating to be too busy to squeeze in time for everything I need to do with my real estate practice, it's been surprising and exciting to have so much active business. I'm booked solid!

After months of listening to horror stories and predictions of more real estate gloom and doom, I just turned off my television.  Unless there's predicted scary weather, TV takes a back seat.  In my "real world", about two months ago my phone started ringing and ringing and ringing.  Both Sellers and Buyers seemed to come out of the woodwork.  I'm writing contracts and closing sales, I'm listing properties and I'm busy every day. 

To what can I attribute my good fortune?  I guess the natural course of events gets the number one spot. Business never stays the same and my area had no where to go but up! 

Number two:  I went back to basics.  All the things I did as a new agent to attract Buyers and Sellers became a priority in my marketing. 

Number three: Having 20 years experience and hanging in there while newer agents are bailing out of real estate in droves does give me an edge.  It gives my Buyers and Sellers confidence that they are making a good decision in hiring me.

Last but not least: I'd been blogging for several months before the big turnaround.  In the beginning I just couldn't see how this could help my business. Who knows who reads this stuff?  The surprise was all of a sudden I show up multiple times in searches.  Active Rain and Real Town attract those search engines.  When customers search, they find me multiple times.  Their perception is that I'm busy, successful and I obviously am the greatest real estate agent out there!

So if I'm so busy, how did I have time to write this blog?  It's Saturday morning and my last appointment was shorter than expected.  My next one is in 30 minutes.  That's my window!  I'll be back on the blogging track because I now know how important it is.  I'm seeing actual results.  Thanks Active Rain and Real Town.

Bremen GA is located in the westernmost part of the state about 50 miles west of Atlanta and very close to the Alabama line.  What makes Bremen unique?

In this time of economic uncertainty, scary gasoline prices and a crazy home market Bremen stands apart as an oasis away from the critical problems of the day.  Not that these problems don't exist in Bremen, but they exist at a somewhat lesser degree.

Economically, the entire West Georgia area has available jobs.  As a real estate agent, I'm finding that many Buyers are relocating because jobs are far more plentiful here than in many northern states.

Gas prices are still terrible, but being located equidistant from Atlanta, Birmingham, Chattanooga, and Lagrange/Columbus allows for every cultural, medical, historical, sports and career opportunity to be available at a short distance from Bremen. That maintains lifestyle by stretching the travel dollar.  And, no, you won't have to live in a big city to take advantage of all these wonderful things. You'll be living in a small town of about 5000 people.  It's such a pleasure to enjoy the many things the big cities have to offer and go home to no traffic, little crime, and a quiet community that's very family oriented.

Housing is available at great prices and property values remain stable.  New homes and renovated vintage homes are favorites.  We don't have the numbers of foreclosures in Bremen seen in many other areas.  Most of our home owners are stable because of their employment and the availability of desirable affordable housing.  People in Bremen tend to stay here.  That adds to the stability of the housing market with families able to build equity.

The western part of north Georgia boasts the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, lush forests, striking hills and valleys, stunning scenery, sunny skies, good roads and wonderful people.  Bremen takes full advantage of the area with hiking, hunting and country drives being cherished activities. That great universal hobby, shopping, is enjoyed locally and in the nearby cities.

Bremen also boasts one of the finest school systems in the state of Georgia.  Check it out online at www.bremencs.com.  You'll be impressed with the statistics, but there's more you need to know.  Bremen City Schools is a small system, much like a private school, that employs incredible teachers.  Sports and literary accomplishment is high priority in Bremen schools.  Children get to participate in field trips everywhere from Williamsburg, VA to the coast of Georgia.  The 8^th Grade week long Studycade covering the state is one field trip that is always much anticipated by students.  Academic achievement is well balanced with these other activities as you'll see on the web site.

As for higher education, The University of West GA is 12 miles from Bremen and West Georgia Technical College is 2 miles away.

Remember that this is a small town.........really small. Citizens of Bremen enjoy a laid back, quiet lifestyle among families that cherish schools and friends. It's a true rare jewel in a perfect spot in the world.  I'm telling you how wonderful it is, but please don't tell anyone else.  We want to keep Bremen a secret.  If you'll contact me, I can tell you many more reasons why you want to live here, just don't spread that around! We want to keep the secret of Bremen all to ourselves!

Remember to call me when you are ready to come our way.  Ann Hobbs 770-365-2935

Ann Can!  ASSURE DYNAMITE SERVICE, DAZZLING RESULTS! .

Once upon a time, in an oval office far, far away, President Carter said,

"We are having an energy crisis."

The people gathered around TV sets, turned the car radios up and said

"Alas, what shall we do?

There will not be enough gasoline to drive our cars!

There will not be enough fuel oil to heat our homes!

Alas, what shall we do?"

The talking heads on television, radio, cable and satellite said,

"President Carter scares you with these untruths!

Do not listen.  Do not look for alternative fuels!

Do not lessen our dependence on foreign oils!

Do not drill in the U.S."

President Carter, wearing a sweater as he sat in the chilly oval office, said,

"Verily I say unto you,

This indeed is true and each and every one of us can help get through the crisis.

We shall lower the speed limits on the highways.

We shall turn our thermostats down in the winter

And up in the summer.

We shall suffer, but it shall give us inspiration to solve our crisis!"

And then a thunderous roar was heard throughout the land.

And the Congress said,

"Yes, people, do your part.  Suffer temperature discomforts,

Drive slower and arrive later.

And because you are doing all this

We shall do NOTHING to solve our crisis and it will go away!

Be angry with President Carter.

Ignore his silly predictions that our children will have this problem to deal with.

We shall all prosper, drive more and be toasty warm."

And so it came to pass that what President Carter said was true.

We did not listen and the Congress did not listen.

Now, here we are, in a worse situation now than then.

Somewhere in a galaxy far, far away floats the chilling scene

That no airwave will ever broadcast,

President Carter, wearing a sweater, saying

"I told you so."

As agents we often get really hung up on adding all those letters after our names. Does the agent with the longest alphabet win?  Some of us think it looks pretty impressive to string the alphabet out as far as we can.  Actually, we know those letters indicate certain designations and certifications we've worked hard to get. But do they really mean anything to the public?

REALTORS® must have hours of continuing education to stay apt with developments in our industry.  We stay educated to better serve our clients and customers.  Our clients and customers generally don't have a clue what all those letters stand for:  ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO, etc.  Our job is to be sure our clients and customers know what those letters mean. 

All those letters mean that a REALTOR® is educated and on top of her game.  Those letters mean a client or customer is getting the best the real estate industry has to offer.  Those designations and certifications mean that an agent has made it her business to have an edge on the real estate market. They are valuable because they mean that an agent has learned things beneficial to clients and customers.

If you are a Buyer or a Seller, don't be intimidated by the alphabet soup strung out after your agent's name.  Feel confident that your REALTOR® has taken a lot of time to be continually educated so she can be the best REALTOR® you can get.  Your purchase or sale will be smoother, easier, faster and more pleasant with a REALTOR® who's full of alphabet soup.

What a day!  My board was fortunate enough to have Dick Betts all day on Wednesday.  It was a wonderful day full of more information than I ever dreamed could be spewed forth in one day from just one guy.  Let me tell you how all this came about.

 I started reading about the pros and cons of various smartphones a year or so ago and came across blogs, articles and comments on RealTown and ActiveRain.  There was Dick Betts all over the place.  It didn't take long to figure out he was the go-to person on that subject.  I e-mailed him with a couple of questions which he graciously answered.  I spent time on his web site gleaning tidbits and morsels of information that I felt I had gathered surreptitiously just for my benefit.  The secreted tips were so good I couldn't help but think I had sneaked them over to my arsenal of professional weapons without anyone else getting them!  I wanted more and devised a plan to talk Dick out of all his special tricks... all for me!  My plan was to get Dick Betts to come to lowly Carrollton GA to spend a day with me.  And I wanted him for FREE.  I convinced a favorite attorney and lender to foot the bill and, voila!  I (and a few dozen of my closest friends and board members) got a day with Dick Betts at our board classroom!  They paid and we listened, and listened.........and listened.........and listened......... until our brains were full to bursting.

It was a shock to my colleagues that Dick actually did give away all kinds of information, and not just to me.  It's free for the taking off the website and straight from the horse's mouth on his blogs and in his articles.  To have the Great Smartphone Master impart his wisdom in person was a wonderful opportunity we all were surprised to have.

All foolishness aside, Dick Betts is a great trainer.  He's entertaining, unbelievably knowledgeable and generous with that knowledge.  He gave all of us who took advantage of the day he spent with us an edge over everyone who wasn't there.  Business has been a bit tight the first quarter of this year.  Dick truly has made it his business to offer ways to work smarter, not harder.  Thanks to Dick, I'm smarter and have an edge over the competition.  Those of us who spent the day with Dick Betts are prepared to make the most of the rest of the year. 

Thank you, Dick!  I hope we can have you back again next year for a fresh shot in the arm.