Atlanta Real Estate Ramblings...

Atlanta Real Estate Ramblings... http://activerain.com/blogs/benefieldrealty Dan's observations and musings from over 35 years of real estate sales in Decatur, Georgia. en-us http://activerain.com/blogsview/1778377/dekalb-county-ga-controversy DeKalb County, GA Controversy <p>DeKalb County, GA, commissioners voted on and passed a controversial "Foreclosure Registry Ordinance" whereby owners of foreclosed properties must pay a fee and register the properties with the county or face fines of up to $1000 per day.</p> <p>Details of the new ordinance can be seen in an article by the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors by <a href="http://www.atlcbr.com/Governmental-Affairs/news-page.aspx?ItemPath=/Global/News+Content/Government/DeKalb-Foreclosed-Property-Registry" title="click here" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.</p> <p>It is quite obvious there is a problem with the high number of foreclosures and unkept properties in DeKalb County. However, gouging all banks and investors because the county is to lazy to do a little title work and go after violators does not seem to be the best approach to me.</p> <p> </p> <p>Have a great day!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:44:32 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1778377/dekalb-county-ga-controversy http://activerain.com/blogsview/1753701/benefield-realty-decatur-ga-founder-turns-96- Benefield Realty, Decatur, GA. Founder turns 96. <p><strong>C.E. Benefield, founder of Benefield Realty Company</strong> in 1948, turned 96 years old this week. Mr. Benefield pioneered development in DeKalb County, GA and several other metro Atlanta Counties and has been an active Realtor for over 60 years. He is one of the founders and a charter member of the DeKalb Association of Realtors and one of the original organizers and a charter member of Georgia Multiple Listing Service.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="C.E. Benefield" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/2/7/6/ar127963365067251.jpg" height="720" alt="" width="509"></p> <p><strong>C.E. Benefield's grandson, Brandon</strong>, is the founder and President of <a href="http://BVPros.com">http://BVPros.com</a>, a video production company based in Atlanta, GA. Brandon put together the following montage for his grandfathers birthday that was quite a hit at the celebration:</p> <p><a href="http://www.vimeo.com/13440374">http://www.vimeo.com/13440374</a></p> <p><strong>BVPros can create</strong> a montage or a fully professional edited video for you at very reasonable prices. They do weddings, sporting events, birthdays, music videos, real estate listings, or virtually any type celebration. <a href="http://www.bvpros.com/" title="BVPros" target="_blank">Click here</a> for pricing and other services.</p> <p><strong>Benefield Realty Company</strong> is still very active today in the Decatur, GA real estate market. If you are interested in buying or selling in the Decatur area, be sure and contact Benefield Realty for assistance.</p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>ENJOY YOUR DAY!!</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>  </strong></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:06:07 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1753701/benefield-realty-decatur-ga-founder-turns-96- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1745530/history-of-kirkwood-atlanta-ga-event History of Kirkwood, Atlanta, GA Event <p><strong>A History of Kirkwood, Atlanta, GA, Event</strong></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/1/1/8/6/ar12792051768112.jpg" height="509" alt="" width="600"></p> <p><strong>There will be a "Lunch & Learn Lecture</strong>" sponsored by the DeKalb History Center on July 28th from noon until 1pm at the Old Courthouse on the square in Decatur. The event is free, but bring your own lunch.</p> <p><strong>The presentation by Joe Alcock</strong>, will explain how Kirkwood, once a booming little city, was destined to compete with its neighbor to the east.  It was a railroad hub, a center for industry and a thriving residential community.  He will cover its early history, the devastation from the Civil War, a rocky incorporation, the leadership that brought it into existence and its fall from memory.  Joe will also address the initial and progressive plans for its urban infrastructure and development patterns from 1900.  He will conclude with present planning and preservation efforts.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>ENJOY YOUR DAY!</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>  </strong></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:50:27 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1745530/history-of-kirkwood-atlanta-ga-event http://activerain.com/blogsview/1741835/knob-hill-homes-decatur-ga Knob Hill homes, Decatur, GA <p><strong>Knob Hill in Decatur</strong>, GA, is a new luxury townhome development in one of metro Atlanta's most desirable areas. The complex is within walking distance of downtown Decatur, and features all the amenities one would desire. The nearby Glenlake Park has just been totally renovated and is a great attraction as well.</p> <p><strong>To browse homes</strong> is this complex for pictures, details & pricing, <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/search/showgallery.cfm?SiteID=BENB&TYP=CT,LL,MF,RR,SF&LAT=33.791836&LON=-84.290119&SUBD=KNOB%20HILL%20ON%20CHURCH&NumMiles=4.0&Phot=1&Prox=1" title="Click Here" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p> <p><strong>Benefield Realty</strong> is very close to this complex & can show you these properties anytime. Please contact us if you are interested in buying or selling in the Decatur area.</p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>ENJOY YOUR DAY!!</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>  </strong></p> <p> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:41:56 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1741835/knob-hill-homes-decatur-ga http://activerain.com/blogsview/1741781/power-walls-coming-to-a-local-eco-friendly-builder-near-you- Power Walls, Coming To A Local Eco-Friendly Builder Near You! <p></p><p> </p> <p>Here is some very interesting energy news from <strong>Lorraine & Loretta Kratz, enjoy...</strong></p> <p> </p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1741738/power-walls-coming-to-a-local-eco-friendly-builder-near-you-">Lorraine or Loretta Kratz-Certified Negotiation Experts, (Crescent Moon Realty, Inc. & Land N Sea Auctions.)</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How does this sound, sheetrock that cools or heats a house by changing when the temperature does? Yes, on the horizon for new home construction will be eco-friendly power</span></em></strong> walls. You might ask how does this work? Drywall covers the structural beams of a house to create a smooth insulated and fireproof surface.   National Gypsum is developing a new product, ThermalCore that looks similar,but embedded inside are wax filled capsules call Micronal. When the surrounding temperature hits 73 degrees the wax liquefies and absorbs thermal energy, cooling the room in the same way an ice cube cools water when it melts. As the temperature drops, the wax solidifies again & gradually releases heat back into the room.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Testing is being done on how to determine</strong></em></span> how different amounts of wax in the gymsum, will behave in different climates and season. The goal, is to be able to tailor the panels to their environment so homes in Florida where humidity is more persistent might have drywall with more wax capsules than homes in colder New York.</p> <p>Be on the look out for this new eco-friendly materail coming to a new home builder in your community.</p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>Being a real estate agent/broker takes on the form of leadership. The agent/broker role is to lead the client through the home purchase or sale process and serving them with the <strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">highest customer service standards.</span></em></strong> The goal is to help the client achieve as many of their goals as possible - so that both parties feel that they are in a win-win.</p> <p>Find out the benefits to selling or buying a home <em><strong>traditionally or non traditionally</strong></em> --- contact us @ 1-760=945-6652. Or visit our websites @ <a href="http://www.LandNSeaAuctions.com">www.LandNSeaAuctions.com</a> or CrescentMoonRealty.biz.</p> <p><strong>Lorraine or Loretta </strong></p> </div> </blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:17:34 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1741781/power-walls-coming-to-a-local-eco-friendly-builder-near-you- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1741774/homes-are-alot-like-people- Homes Are Alot Like People... <p></p><p> </p> <p>Here is a fun post with a great analogy from <strong>Debe Maxwell, enjoy...</strong></p> <p> </p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1741349/homes-are-alot-like-people-">Debe Maxwell - Search Charlotte Homes for Sale - Charlotte NC Neighborhoods (Helen Adams Realty)</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p> </p> <h3 style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Cambria;"><big><big>Homes Are Alot Like People...</big></big></h3> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"><big>...TLC, a healthy diet and even a little surgery may be required!  As a former nurse, I have come to learn the commonalities that Charlotte real estate shares with patients--they really do have a lot in common.  No anesthesia is required for the treatments necessary to remedy the home aging process though!   As homeowners, however, we may need a little anesthesia when we receive the maintenance bills <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">if we don’t stay on top of our home's aging process</span> right from the beginning.</big></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"><img title="Needs a facelift" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/8/4/9/4/ar1278991449485.jpg" id="debe" height="136" alt="Needs a facelift" style="float: right; margin: 8px;" width="177"></p> <p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"><big><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: #cc0000;">1. Homes get wrinkles, too.</span>  Yes, believe it or not, I’ve seen Charlotte homes for sale with sagging plaster, drooping windows and hanging doors.  Brand new “For Sale” signs sit out front, their clean, white sparkle starkly contrasting with the wrinkles.  It’s not attractive; the homes may be only ten years old (30 in house years!), but they look much older.  Be kind to your home – use a little cosmetic surgery when necessary.<br></big></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"><img title="Surgical Instruments" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/5/8/4/7/ar127899149074854.jpg" id="debe" height="130" alt="Surgical Instruments" style="float: left; margin: 12px;" width="130"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"><big><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: #cc0000;">2. There ARE cosmetic surgeons available for homes.</span>  Only, in home-speak, they’re called “contractors.”   If you notice that your home has wrinkles and you want to sell it, see what replacements you can afford to have the contractor handle for you before putting your home on the market.  Windows?   They’re reasonably affordable on most budgets and can make a huge difference in how the house looks.  Hanging doors?  Not as affordable as windows, but still doable.  With $10,000 or less, you can give your home a major facelift.</big></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"><img title="Tired" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/9/3/1/2/ar127899157021396.png" id="debe" height="182" alt="Tired" style="float: right; margin: 8px;" width="156"><big></big></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"><big><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: #cc0000;">3. Homes do get tired too. </span> Have you looked around your house lately?  This is one of the first things you want to do before putting it on the Charlotte real estate market.  Is your home tired and worn out?  Even relatively young homes can show signs of energy-deficiency. Cabinets start sagging.   Doors groan and sigh when you open them.  Windows refuse to stay open all the way and slowly slide back down in the tracks.  Give your home an energy boost.  Even a little WD-40 can make a huge difference, especially on groaning doors.  If we’re talking about groaning garage doors, a $5. can of silicone spray can do wonders (and should be used about once a year to keep them youthful). </big></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"><img title="Bald roof?" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/6/3/1/7/ar127899164571368.jpg" id="debe" height="149" alt="Bald roof?" style="float: left; margin: 12px;" width="149"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"><big><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: #cc0000;">4. Homes can go bald and get age spots.</span>  It’s true, they can.  What used to be a bright red roof has faded and peeled in places, giving the home an “aged” look.  The real kicker is, to keep it bright and pretty, you have to maintain it, dye it or replace it.  Keep the overhanging oak trees trimmed back to avoid the age-spotting sap from necessitating early hair plugging!  Take care of your home’s head!</big></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"><big><br><br></big><img title="Got a facelift!" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/3/3/1/ar127899201713351.png" id="debe" height="168" alt="Got a facelift!" style="float: right; margin: 8px;" width="225"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"><big><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: #cc0000;">5. Homes need TLC too. </span> To stay happy and healthy, homes need tender loving care too. With a steady diet of maintenance, touchups and cosmetic surgery, your house will be happy and you will be able to find a good buyer too! </big></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"><big>If you’re selling your home, make sure it stands proud above the rest—youthful, despite its age!</big></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria;"> </p> <p> </p> <p style="font-family: Cambria;"><big><a href="http://www.searchcharlottehomesforsale.com/" target="_blank" style="font-family: Cambria;">Search Charlotte Homes for Sale</a></big></p> <div style="font-family: Cambria;"><big><a href="http://www.searchcharlotteneighborhoods.com/" target="_blank">Search Charlotte Neighborhoods</a></big></div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><img title="Debe in Charlotte" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/8/4/0/1/ar12536389310483.png" height="47" alt="Debe in Charlotte" width="89" style="margin: 10px;">   </p> <p> </p> <div style="font-size: 8px; padding-left: 10px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Charlotte-NC/Charlotte-NC-Real-Estate/145697424415?v=app_7146470109" title="Homes for sale in Charlotte NC" target="_blank">Homes for Sale Charlotte NC</a></strong> on Facebook</span></div> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/DebeinCharlotte" title="Subscribe to my Active Rain Blog" target="_blank"><img title="Subscribe to My Active Rain Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/0/2/2/9/ar125363953292207.png" height="37" alt="subscribe to my Active Rain Blog" width="136" style="margin: 10px;"></a>    <a href="mailto:debe@debemaxwell.com" title="Email me!" target="_blank"><img title="Email me" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/0/8/1/ar125363957418011.png" height="37" alt="Email me" width="122" style="margin: 10px;"></a>     <a href="http://www.SoldByDebe.com" title="Shop for Homes for Sale in Charlotte NC" target="_blank"><img title="Search Charlotte NC MLS" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/2/6/2/6/ar125363960062629.png" height="37" alt="Search Charlotte NC MLS" width="130" style="margin: 10px;"></a>  </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://twitter.com/debeincharlotte" title="Follow me on Twitter" target="_blank"><img title="Follow me on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/0/5/1/ar125363976615047.png" height="48" alt="Follow me on Twitter" width="48"></a><a href="http://technorati.com/people/technorati/Debeincharlotte" title="Technorati" target="_blank"><img title="Technorati" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/5/3/9/7/ar125363980979358.png" height="48" alt="Technorati" width="48"></a><a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/debeincharllot/" title="StumbleUpon" target="_blank"><img title="StumbleUpon" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/0/6/5/6/ar125363996965606.png" height="48" alt="Stumble" 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<p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:14:09 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1741774/homes-are-alot-like-people- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1741004/is-now-the-right-time-to-be-in-the-real-estate-market-maybe Is NOW the Right time to be "In the real estate market?" - Maybe <p></p><p> </p> <p>Even though the composer of this post, <strong>Dave Pautsch,</strong> is in Oregon, I believe the questions he poses here would be applicable in most areas of the country...</p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1740689/is-now-the-right-time-to-be-in-the-real-estate-market-maybe">Dave Pautsch, REALTOR, CRS (RE/MAX Integrity)</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Oregon is in a Strong Buyer's Market.  NOW is the greatest buyer's market of our generation!  Don't Wait!  <br>Take Advantage of the Incredible Opportunity today!  </em></p> <p>You can hear many of us in the real estate profession shouting from the mountain tops and, quite honestly we all believe it to be the case.  But is it REALLY?  I think the answer to that question is more based on the circumstances of the INDIVIDUAL than the market.  So, I submit the following 5 Point Review to decide if NOW is the right time for YOU to be in the real estate market:</p> <p> </p> <ol type="1" style="margin-top: 0in;"> <li class="MsoNormal"> <strong>Do you have the financial resources to buy a home now?  (Cash assets for a down payment, closing costs, reserves)</strong><ol type="a" style="margin-top: 0in;"> <li class="MsoNormal"><em>Unless you are a qualified Veteran, or taking advantage of very specialized loan programs, you will need a minimum of 3.5% down payment (this may be going to 5% in the near future).<span>  </span>In addition, consider that closing costs may also be 3-5% of the purchase price.<span>  </span>Lastly, it is really not a smart decision to buy a home unless you have some cash reserves (over and above those already mentioned) to be able to make the mortgage payment for a few months.<span>  </span>Most lenders recommend 6-9 months of reserves on hand, although they may require less.</em></li> </ol> </li> <li class="MsoNormal"> <strong>How solid is your Credit Score?</strong><ol type="a" style="margin-top: 0in;"> <li class="MsoNormal"> <em>Many loan programs and lenders have a minimum acceptable </em><em><a href="http://www.davepautschrealestate.com/GetaFreeCreditRpt" title="Get Your Free Credit Report" target="_blank">Credit Score</a></em><em> to even qualify.<span>  </span>Further, the better your credit score, the better the interest rate that you can qualify for.<span>  </span>Lower interest rate makes a dramatic impact on<span>  </span>your monthly payment.</em> </li> </ol> </li> <li class="MsoNormal"> <strong>Have you met with a lender that you like and trust to get Pre-Approved for a loan?</strong><ol type="a" style="margin-top: 0in;"> <li class="MsoNormal"><em>This is the FIRST step to home ownership and unless you know that you are qualified to buy, and in what general price range, it doesn’t do any good to go visit open houses or tour the town with a real estate agent.<span>  </span>Visit with a LOCAL lender that you like and trust and provide them with the documentation they need.<span>  </span>Once you know, you can be a powerful home shopper.</em></li> </ol> </li> <li class="MsoNormal"> <strong>Does your list of “Wants” and “Needs” for a home have any special or unique requirements?</strong><ol type="a" style="margin-top: 0in;"> <li class="MsoNormal"> <em>There is amazing inventory on the market right now…and lots of it.<span>  </span>However, if you have specific needs (or wants), even with these </em><em><a href="http://www.davepautschrealestate.com/SearchForHomes" title="Search for Homes in Albany Oregon" target="_blank">high levels of inventory</a></em><em>, your options may be limited.<span>  </span>Remember, whether or not it’s a Buyer’s or a Seller’s Market depends on supply and demand.<span>  </span>If there’s only one house out there like the one you want/need…the Seller is in the driver’s seat.</em> </li> </ol> </li> <li class="MsoNormal"> <strong>Are you planning on staying in this home for a minimum of 3-5 years?</strong><ol type="a" style="margin-top: 0in;"> <li class="MsoNormal"> <em>The </em><em><a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?pid=267829&id=110944552264091" title="July 10 2010 Real Estate Talk Market Update " target="_blank">Mid-Willamette Valley</a></em><em> housing market is a function of the economy.<span>  </span>Recovery is on the horizon, but you should NOT count on levels of appreciation like we saw between 2001 and 2007…and even when the market does recover, it can take 3-5 years (or more) for you to see any effective appreciation in your property.<span>  </span>If you are only in it for the short term – now may NOT be the time to buy.</em> </li> </ol> </li> </ol> <div>Only if you can answer "YES" to all 5 questions above are you really ready to take advantage of the market today.  If you can't - there are some positive steps to take to get ready because there may still be time!  The housing market in Oregon is still experiencing some challenges, and will be for the near future.  Keep track of the market statistics at my<a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Real-Estate-Talk-on-KGAL-1580AM/110944552264091?ref=ts" title="Real Estate Talk Fan Page on Facebook" target="_blank"> Facebook Fan Page for Real Estate Talk on 1580 AM KGAL</a> </div> <p> </p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:26:52 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1741004/is-now-the-right-time-to-be-in-the-real-estate-market-maybe http://activerain.com/blogsview/1740993/home-owners-still-love-their-houses- Home Owners Still Love Their Houses <p></p><p> </p> <p>Some interesting statistics here from <strong>Guy Adams....</strong></p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1740706/home-owners-still-love-their-houses-">Guy Adams (Real Living Realty)</a></b>:<br><blockquote><p><br> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Despite declining home prices, 90 percent of Americans don’t regret buying their current home, according to a survey for Bankrate.com.</span><br> <br> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Among the 9 percent who do regret the purchase, most say they are unhappy that they can’t sell their home and move elsewhere or they can’t afford their monthly mortgage.</span><br> <br> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Some 79 percent of those polled say they have a fixed-rate mortgage on their homes. Among those making over $75,000 per year, 90 percent say they have a fixed rate mortgage.</span><br> <br> <em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Source: Bankrate.com (07/12/2010)</span></em></p></blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:19:00 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1740993/home-owners-still-love-their-houses- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1740642/candler-park-real-estate-atlanta-ga Candler Park real estate, Atlanta, GA <p><strong>Homes in Candler Park, Atlanta, GA</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Candler Park is a great intown</strong> neighborhood made up of various styles of homes from the early 1900's. Many of the homes have been completely remodeled or completely torn down and rebuilt. There is in fact a large park in the neighborhood, as well as a small area of quirky shops & eateries. (best grits on the planet served at the Flying Biscuit Cafe) Presently homes in the Candler Park area range in price from $300,000 to just over $1,000,000.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/1/0/6/2/ar127896496326019.jpg" height="406" alt="" width="504"></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>You can browse</strong> homes for sale in Candler Park by <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/search/showgallery.cfm?SiteID=BENB&TYP=CT,LL,MF,RR,SF&LAT=33.791836&LON=-84.290119&SUBD=CANDLER%20PARK&NumMiles=4.0&Phot=1&Prox=1" title="Click Here" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.</p> <p><strong>Candler Park is served</strong> by Lin Elementary, Inman Middle, and Grady High School.</p> <p><strong>The neighborhood is conveniently</strong> located just minutes from Decatur, Little 5 Points, and Downtown Atlanta. Mass transit is available to the neighborhood as well. Emory University, Georgia Tech, Agnes Scott, and Georgia State University are all very easy commutes from Candler Park.</p> <p><strong>Be sure and contact</strong> Benefield Realty for assistance in buying or selling homes in Candler Park.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>ENJOY YOUR DAY!!</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:20:26 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1740642/candler-park-real-estate-atlanta-ga http://activerain.com/blogsview/1740481/virginia-highlands-real-estate-atlanta-ga- Virginia Highlands real estate, Atlanta, GA... <p><strong>Virginia Highlands real estate, Atlanta, GA</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Living in the Virginia Highlands</strong> area of Atlanta will put you within minutes of everything the city has to offer. It is a great location of well kept turn of the century homes with its own commercial district of restaurants, shops, and nightlife.</p> <p> </p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/4/9/9/3/ar127896122139941.gif" height="92" alt="" width="149"></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Presently homes in the Virginia</strong> Highlands range in price from $400,000 to $1,500,000.  You can browse homes for sale in the Virginia Highlands by <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/search/showgallery.cfm?SiteID=BENB&TYP=CT,LL,MF,RR,SF&LAT=33.791836&LON=-84.290119&SUBD=VIRGINIA%20HIGHLAND&NumMiles=4.0&Phot=1&Prox=1" title="Click Here" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.</p> <p><strong>These fine homes</strong> are served by Springdale Park Elementary School, Inman Middle, and Grady High School.</p> <p><strong>Be sure and contact</strong> Benefield Realty Company if you need help buying or selling a home in the Virginia Highlands.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>ENJOY YOUR DAY!!</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:08:16 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1740481/virginia-highlands-real-estate-atlanta-ga- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1738665/you-re-a-great-friend-but- You're a Great Friend But... <p></p><p> </p> <p>Here's a Sunday funny from Mark Brian, enjoy...</p> <p> </p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1738629/you-re-a-great-friend-but-">Mark Brian (Silver Star Real Estate LLC)</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="zombies" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/3/4/0/3/ar127887036430435.jpg" height="240" alt="zombies" width="320"></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde; font-size: medium;">Mark Brian  Silver Star Real Estate  Office 864-225-1883</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial black,avant garde;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Please Visit My <a href="http://viewsouthcarolinarealestate.com" title="website for upstate south carolina real estate" target="_blank">Website to View Upstate SC Real Estate</a></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="mailto:markrbrian@bellsouth.net"><img src="<a" alt=""><img src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/markbrian864/th_mail.png" border="0" alt="email"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://twitter.com/markbrian" rel="nofollow"><img src="<a" alt=""><img src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/markbrian864/th_twitter2.png" border="0" alt="twitter"></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/markrbrian#!/markrbrian" rel="nofollow"><img src="<a" alt=""><img src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/markbrian864/th_facebook2.png" border="0" alt="facebook"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://viewsouthcarolinarealestate.com"><img src="<a" alt=""><img src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/markbrian864/th_mywebsite.png" border="0" alt="website"></a><a href="http://activerain.com/blogs/mrbrian"><img src="<a" alt=""><img src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/markbrian864/th_myblog.png" border="0" alt="blog"></a><a href="http://www.viewsouthcarolinarealestate.com/page-market-reports-124.html"><img src="<a" alt=""><img src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/markbrian864/th_marketreportsbutton.png" border="0" alt="market reports"></a><a href="http://www.viewsouthcarolinarealestate.com/page-map-upstate-south-carolina-6.html"><img src="<a" alt=""><img src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/markbrian864/th_mapofupstatesc.png" border="0" alt="maps"></a><a href="http://www.viewsouthcarolinarealestate.com/page-real-estate-articles-and-information-12.html"><img src="<a" alt=""><img src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/markbrian864/th_information.png" border="0" alt="information"></a><a href="http://www.viewsouthcarolinarealestate.com/page-free-cma-for-upstate-south-carolina-real-estate-5.html"><img src="<a" alt=""><img src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/markbrian864/th_freecma.png" border="0" alt="free cma"></a></p> </div> </blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Sun, 11 Jul 2010 14:20:26 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1738665/you-re-a-great-friend-but- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1733617/real-estate-in-edgewood-atlanta-ga Real Estate in Edgewood, Atlanta, GA <p><strong>Real Estate in Edgewood, Atlanta, GA</strong></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/3/5/9/2/ar127860179129537.jpg" height="146" alt="" width="155"></p> <p><strong>Edgewood, Atlanta</strong>, is an intown community that has surged in recent years. Renovations, rebuilds, convenience of location and the popularity of intown living makes this a hot neighborhood for todays young professionals.</p> <p><strong>If you would like to browse</strong> homes for sale in Edgewood, you can do so by <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/search/showgallery.cfm?SiteID=BENB&TYP=CT,LL,MF,RR,SF&LAT=33.791836&LON=-84.290119&SUBD=EDGEWOOD&NumMiles=4.0&Phot=1&Prox=1" title="Click Here" target="_blank">clicking here.</a></p> <p><strong>The location is ultra convenient</strong> to downtown Atlanta, as well as hospitals, freeways, shopping, and public transportation.</p> <p><strong>If you need assistance</strong> buying or selling a home in Edgewood, contact Benefield Realty today.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>ENJOY YOUR DAY!!</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:18:01 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1733617/real-estate-in-edgewood-atlanta-ga http://activerain.com/blogsview/1733540/homes-in-morningside-atlanta-ga Homes in Morningside, Atlanta, GA <p><strong>Homes in Morningside, Atlanta, GA</strong></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/8/1/0/1/ar127859860910188.gif" height="92" alt="" width="149"></p> <p><strong>Real Estate in Morningside,</strong> Atlanta is considered upscale and is conveniently located between Emory and midtown. Homes here range in value from the mid 500's to upwards of $2,000,000.</p> <p><strong>Rich in history</strong> and oozing with charm, you can view these lovely homes by <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/search/showgallery.cfm?SiteID=BENB&TYP=CT,LL,MF,RR,SF&LAT=33.791836&LON=-84.290119&SUBD=MORNINGSIDE&NumMiles=4.0&Phot=1&Prox=1" title="Click Here" target="_blank">clicking here.</a></p> <p><strong>Morningside is just minutes</strong> away from Emory, midtown Atlanta, Piedmont Park, Ansley Mall, and Buckhead. If you need assistance in buying or selling a home in Morningside, be sure and contact Benefield Realty for service and knowledge you can depend on.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>ENJOY YOUR DAY!!</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:31:54 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1733540/homes-in-morningside-atlanta-ga http://activerain.com/blogsview/1729051/why-is-the-gulf-cleanup-so-slow-consider-this- Why Is The Gulf Cleanup So Slow? Consider this... <p><strong>Interesting WSJ editorial on the Gulf cleanup from an Emory Professor....</strong>  </p> <p>via Paul H. Rubin </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Why Is the Gulf Cleanup So Slow? </strong><strong>There are obvious actions to speed things up, but the government oddly resists taking them. </strong><strong>By </strong><a href="http://online.wsj.com/search/term.html?KEYWORDS=PAUL+H.+RUBIN&bylinesearch=true" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>PAUL H. RUBIN</strong></span></a><strong> </strong><a name="12996712c6054fa1_U30996871677DCG" rel="nofollow"></a><em>Destin, Fla.</em></p> <p><strong>As the oil spill continues and the cleanup lags</strong>, we must begin to ask difficult and uncomfortable questions. There does not seem to be much that anyone can do to stop the spill except dig a relief well, not due until August. But the cleanup is a different story. The press and Internet are full of straightforward suggestions for easy ways of improving the cleanup, but the federal government is resisting these remedies.</p> <p><strong>First, the Environmental Protection Agency</strong> can relax restrictions on the amount of oil in discharged water, currently limited to 15 parts per million. In normal times, this rule sensibly controls the amount of pollution that can be added to relatively clean ocean water. But this is not a normal time. Various skimmers and tankers (some of them very large) are available that could eliminate most of the oil from seawater, discharging the mostly clean water while storing the oil onboard. While this would clean vast amounts of water efficiently, the EPA is unwilling to grant a temporary waiver of its regulations.</p> <p><strong>Next, the Obama administration can waive the Jones Act</strong>, which restricts foreign ships from operating in U.S. coastal waters. Many foreign countries (such as the Netherlands and Belgium) have ships and technologies that would greatly advance the cleanup. <strong>So far, the U.S. has refused</strong> to waive the restrictions of this law and allow these ships to participate in the effort. The combination of these two regulations is delaying and may even prevent the world's largest skimmer, the Taiwanese owned "A Whale," from deploying. This 10-story high ship can remove almost as much oil in a day as has been removed in total-roughly 500,000 barrels of oily water per day. The tanker is steaming towards the Gulf, hoping it will receive Coast Guard and EPA approval before it arrives. In addition, the federal government can free American-based skimmers. Of the 2,000 skimmers in the U.S. (not subject to the Jones Act or other restrictions), only 400 have been sent to the Gulf. Federal barriers have kept the others on stations elsewhere in case of other oil spills, despite the magnitude of the current crisis.</p> <p><strong>The Coast Guard and the EPA</strong> issued a joint temporary rule suspending the regulation on June 29-more than 70 days after the spill. The Obama administration can also permit more state and local initiatives. The media endlessly report stories of county and state officials applying federal permits to perform various actions, such as building sand berms around the Louisiana coast. <strong>In some cases, they were forbidden from acting. In others there have been extensive delays in obtaining permission</strong>. As the government fails to implement such simple and straightforward remedies, <strong>one must ask why</strong>. One possibility is sheer incompetence. Many critics of the president are fond of pointing out that he had no administrative or executive experience before taking office. But the government is full of competent people, and the military and Coast Guard can accomplish an assigned mission. <strong>In any case, several remedies require nothing more than getting out of the way.</strong></p> <p><strong> Another possibility is that the administration places a higher priority</strong> on interests other than the fate of the Gulf, such as <strong>placating organized labor</strong>, which vigorously defends the Jones Act.</p> <p><strong>Finally there is the most pessimistic explanation-that the oil spill may be viewed as an opportunity</strong>, the way White House Chief of Staff <strong>Rahm E</strong>manuel said back in February 2009, <strong>"You never want a serious crisis to go to waste."</strong> Many administration supporters are opposed to offshore oil drilling and are already employing the spill as a <strong>tool for achieving other goals</strong>.</p> <p><strong>The websites of the Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace</strong>, for example, all feature the oil spill as <strong>an argument for forbidding any further offshore drilling or for any use of fossil fuels at all</strong>. None mention the Jones Act. To these organizations and perhaps to some in the administration, the oil spill may be a <strong>strategic justification in a larger battle</strong>. President Obama has already tried to severely limit drilling in the Gulf, using his Oval Office address on June 16 to demand that we "embrace a clean energy future." <strong>In the meantime, how about a cleaner Gulf?</strong></p> <p><em>Mr. Rubin, a professor of economics at Emory University, held several senior positions in the federal government in the 1980s. Since 1991 he has spent his summers on the Gulf. </em></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:07:49 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1729051/why-is-the-gulf-cleanup-so-slow-consider-this- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1726415/got-lint- Got lint? <p></p><p> </p> <p>Excellent post here from <strong>Charles Buell regarding the importance of keeping a clean dryer vent...</strong></p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1725921/got-lint-">Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com)</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="color: #004466;"><span class="Ms-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span><span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>     </span>I have blogged in the past about the fire hazards associated with dryer lint, and it is a very real hazard.<span>  </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><img title="Clogged dryer vent cap" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/7/9/9/ar127817464099799.jpg" height="483" alt="Clogged dryer vent cap" style="vertical-align: text-bottom; border: 2px solid black; margin: 5px;" width="500"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>     </span>Today’s post is about another problem with dryer lint.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;"><span>     </span><strong><span style="color: #33cccc;">WATER</span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>     </span>If you clog up the dryer vent cap with lint so that the air cannot escape, all that warm moist air will condense on the inside of the metal pipe all along its run to the clogged cap.<span>  </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><img title="Metal dryer vent pipe" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/0/0/9/1/ar1278174719004.jpg" height="375" alt="Metal dryer vent pipe" style="vertical-align: text-bottom; border: 2px solid black; margin: 5px;" width="500"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>     </span>Not only will it take WAY more time to dry your clothes, all that moisture has to go somewhere and will eventually leak out of the pipe and into the crawl space or some other place you don’t want it.<span>  </span>Over time this can amount to many gallons of water ponding on the crawl space plastic ground-cover as can be seen in the following picture.  It will also pick your pocket and cost you a lot more money to operate the dryer.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><img title="Dryer water in crawl space" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/4/0/4/4/ar127817477144044.jpg" height="315" alt="Dryer water in crawl space" style="vertical-align: text-bottom; border: 2px solid black; margin: 5px;" width="500"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>     </span>Large amounts of water in the crawl space is conducive to decay/rot, mold, and wood destroying insects not only in the crawl space but elsewhere in the home as well.  This will result in picking your pocket and costing you even more money in repairs----all for the want of 60 seconds of maintenance.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>     </span>How clean and functional is your dryer vent cap?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector</p> </span></span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p>                                                               <strong>*</strong> * <strong>*</strong> * <strong>*</strong> *<strong> *</strong> * <strong>*</strong> <span style="font-size: small;">* <strong>*</strong> <span>* <span><strong>*</strong></span> *</span> <strong>*</strong> *</span> <strong>*</strong> * <strong>*</strong> * <strong>*</strong> * <strong>*</strong> * <strong>*</strong></p> <p>Click on the Rose <a href="../../groups/landmarkian" title="A Group by any other name....." target="_blank"><img title="A Group by any other name." src="../..http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/9/7/0/6/ar123290593560798.JPG" height="50" alt="A Group by any other name." width="50" style="vertical-align: text-bottom;"></a> to check out: <strong style="margin-right: 20px;">AHA!---A Forum of Landmark Proportions---your Group</strong></p> <p><strong>PS</strong>, for those of you that are new to my blog <strong><em>(or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed)</em></strong><img title="Even this one:)" src="../..http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/0/3/3/3/ar120672023033304.jpg" height="27" alt="sunsmile" width="26">all pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) (when I use them) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.<a href="../../blogsview/1332009/subscribe?subscribed_agent_id=32722" title="Quack" target="_blank"><img title="Just quack on me to subscribe" src="../..http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/7/9/1/6/ar123535793161976.jpg" height="133" alt="Just quack on me to subscribe" width="300" style="margin: 5px; float: right;"></a></p> <p><a href="../../blogsview/770136/It-seems-as-though-I-may-have-to-eat-some-crow" title="Inspecting from the OTHER SIDE" target="_blank"><img title="Now working from the OTHER SIDE" src="../..http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/2/4/9/8/ar123151517489429.jpg" height="51" alt="Raven DeCroe" width="72"></a><strong>DeCroe</strong>, is my "ethereal" home inspector assistant and occasionally flies into my blog and other people's blogs to offer assistance. To find out more about her beginnings just click on Raven.</p> <p><img title="The Human Rights Campaign" src="../..http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/3/7/9/6/ar125290465669733.JPG" height="19" alt="The Human Rights Campaign" width="20" style="vertical-align: text-top;"></p> </div> </blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Sat, 03 Jul 2010 23:05:48 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1726415/got-lint- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1726188/my-near-death-experience-on-july-4th- My Near Death Experience on July 4th.... <p><strong>Every year since 1970, Atlanta</strong> has closed down the main artery through town to host the country's largest 10K run. Known as the <strong>Peachtree Road Race</strong>, each year thousands of runners (and wanna be runners) participate and are awarded with a free t-shirt at the finish line.</p> <p><strong>Thousands of spectators</strong> line the sidewalks through town to cheer the runners on. That really does motivate the runners on. As a previous participant, I can remember thinking "this must be what it feels like to be a professional athelete" with all the cheering going on.</p> <p><strong>This year I plan to be a spectator</strong>, & will be cheering loudly, especially when my daughter goes by. Last year I was a participant in the race, & I think the following pictures tell the story of my near death experience....</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Before the Race" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/2/9/0/8/ar127819085780929.jpg" height="184" alt="" width="122">      <img title="Part of the crowd" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/4/4/4/2/ar127819095024449.jpg" height="184" alt="" width="147"></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Struggling along..." src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/5/5/1/ar127819107915543.jpg" height="184" alt="" width="122">    <img title="About to die here..." src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/3/6/4/0/ar127819135304633.jpg" height="184" alt="" width="122">    <img title="Finally the finish..." src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/4/2/7/9/ar127819143697245.jpg" height="184" alt="" width="122"></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>I know that to many runners</strong> a 10K run is a piece of cake, a mere walk in the park compared to the marathons and such that they have become accustomed to. But it almost did me in. Like I said earlier, this year I'm a cheerleader, and will raise a toast to those passing by in the Atlanta heat and humidity.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">HERE'S TO YOU, ALL YOU HARD CORE RUNNERS!</span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Enjoy your 2010 4th of July.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Sat, 03 Jul 2010 17:22:10 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1726188/my-near-death-experience-on-july-4th- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1725451/the-southern-living-idea-house-senoia-ga The Southern Living Idea House, Senoia, GA <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Located in "The Gin Property"</strong> of Senoia, Georgia's Historic district, this years selection is a luxurious 4 story townhome, priced just under $1,200,000.00.  The Gin Property is a mix of detached single family homes, lofts, & townhomes, all within a very short walk to Main Street Senoia, where you find a variety of eateries, shops, & antique stores.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Southern Living Idea House" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/4/7/5/ar127812645757467.jpg" height="280" alt="" width="272">     <img title="Rear View" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/8/2/9/1/ar127812668319288.jpg" height="329" alt="" width="264"></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Senoia is just 35 minutes</strong> south of Atlanta, but it is said to be a century away in time. Most of the town comprises a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. There are more than 100 historic homes featured in Senoia, but the town is also noted for the movie "Fried Green Tomatos" being filmed there.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Welcome to Senoia" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/2/4/5/2/ar127812737325429.jpg" height="643" alt="" width="531"></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Junktiques" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/3/8/5/0/ar127812750505833.jpg" height="290" alt="" width="275" style="float: left;">             <img title="Library & Museum" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/8/3/5/2/ar127812766825384.jpg" height="278" alt="" width="312"></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Redneck Gourmet" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/4/1/8/5/ar127812792458149.jpg" height="382" alt="" width="447"></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>The Redneck Gourmet</strong> on Main Street is a nice place to stop for lunch. I highly recommend a visit to Senoia for anyone in the area. Other nearby towns are Newnan and Peachtree City. Senoia is located in Coweta County.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>If you would like to browse homes in Senoia, just click on the link below.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>ENJOY YOUR DAY!!</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Fri, 02 Jul 2010 23:43:22 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1725451/the-southern-living-idea-house-senoia-ga http://activerain.com/blogsview/1722851/i-believe-that-your-agent-for-2222-s-laurel-st-may-be-ill-or-in-an-accident-or-something- I BELIEVE THAT YOUR AGENT FOR 2222 S. LAUREL ST. MAY BE ILL OR IN AN ACCIDENT OR SOMETHING! <p></p><p> </p> <p>Some valuable "buyers agent" info here from <strong>Lenn Harley, enjoy...</strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p> </p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1721776/i-believe-that-your-agent-for-2222-s-laurel-st-may-be-ill-or-in-an-accident-or-something-">Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p><strong>I BELIEVE THAT YOUR AGENT FOR 2222 S. LAUREL ST. MAY BE ILL OR IN AN ACCIDENT OR SOMETHING!</strong></p> <p><strong>WHAT TO DO WHEN THE LISTING AGENT ISN'T RETURNING YOUR CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO SHOW THEIR LISTING.</strong>  Most of us have experienced the frustration of a hard working buyer's agent who is seeking access to a listing to preview or show.  Most of us have been there, tried to do that and, sooner or later, simply ran out of time.   Sadly, unless you've worked with a buyer for some time, they may doubt your sincerity or diligence when you tell them that a house they selected to view can't be accessed. </p> <p>So, I have learned that, when a listing agent isn't responsive, I simply <strong>contact their broker.</strong> </p> <p><strong>Step 1.</strong>  Organize the listings on the tour by area.  This saves time when driving from one property to another.</p> <p><strong>Step 2</strong>.  Make a tour plan.  Make the appointment calls based on the tour route. </p> <p><strong>Step 3</strong>.  Wait a reasonable amount of time for agents/owners to return calls (answer your own dang phone, do not let it go to VM, which is what the listing agent is doing), a reasonable time is about 2 hours. </p> <p><strong>Step 4.</strong>  Confirm any appointments by phone or other method and drop properties that cannot be viewed.   Refine tour plan.</p> <p><strong>Step 5</strong>.  If the listing agent hasn't returned the appointment call within about 2 hours, <strong>CALL THE AGENT'S BROKER</strong>.  That would be the <strong>LISTING BROKER.</strong>  <img title="Agent with Blinders" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/2/2/3/6/ar127797807463225.jpg" height="139" alt="Agent with Blinders" style="margin: 6px; float: right;" width="100"></p> <p>Our listing reports have the office number clearly available, which is auto-populated when the listing data is entered into the MLS system. </p> <p>If you can't get the listing broker on the phone, send a<strong> fax to the listing agent and the listing BROKER</strong>, that you are attempting to make an appointment for their listing at XYZ address. </p> <p>If you get the broker on the phone, you might want to express the serous nature of your call with:</p> <p><strong><em>"SORRY TO BOTHER YOU MR. BROKER</em></strong>,<em> <strong>but, I believe that your agent, Mr. Invisible, must have been in an accident or taken ill or something</strong>.</em>  <strong>I'</strong><em><strong>ve been trying to reach him for 2 hours to make an appointment to show 2222 Laurel St. and he isn't answering or returning phone</strong> <strong>calls</strong></em><strong>.</strong> <em><strong> I want to include your listing in a tour tomorrow and an appointment with the listing agent is required."</strong></em></p> <p><strong><em>"Can you help me out???"</em></strong></p> <p><strong>You can expect a call from the listing agent within about 5-10 minutes.</strong></p> <p>In my experience, listing agents may be a tad dilatory about returning phone message (often by design), but the <strong>BROKER</strong> who is often more focused on<strong> production</strong> (the brokers, managers or broker owners usually pay the office rent, E&O, supplies, office dues, franchise fees, etc.) is usually going to want to get a listing sold. </p> <p><strong>Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988.</strong></p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><br>_______________________________________________________________________________________________________<br><br><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: small;"><br>Want to learn more about Loudoun County, VA? Join <a href="http://facebook.com/loudouncounty" title="Join Loudoun County on Facebook!" target="_blank">Loudoun County, VA on Facebook!</a></span></p> <p><a href="http://facebook.com/loudouncounty" title="Join Loudoun County on Facebook!" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/2/1/8/7/ar127386369878125.png" height="64" alt="" width="64"></a><a href="http://youtube.com/lennharley1" title="Lenn on YouTube" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/9/5/2/8/ar127386371682596.png" height="64" alt="" width="64"></a><a href="http://activerain.com/blogs/lennharley/rss" title="Subscribe to My Blog" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/6/1/5/ar127386372951687.png" height="64" alt="" width="64"></a></p> </div> </blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:25:16 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1722851/i-believe-that-your-agent-for-2222-s-laurel-st-may-be-ill-or-in-an-accident-or-something- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1722677/oakhurst-real-estate-decatur-ga Oakhurst Real Estate, Decatur, GA <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Homes for sale in the Oakhurst community of Decatur, GA.</span></strong></p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/0/6/7/5/ar127800771757602.jpg" height="146" alt="" width="206"></p> <p><strong>The Oakhurst section of Decatur,</strong> GA is a great place to live. Bordered by Agnes Scott College, Eastlake, and Kirkwood, these homes have become highly desirable for buyers looking for a hot urban location.</p> <p>To browse homes for sale in the Oakhurst section of Decatur, <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/search/showgallery.cfm?SiteID=BENB&TYP=CT,LL,MF,RR,SF&LAT=33.791836&LON=-84.290119&SUBD=OAKHURST&NumMiles=4.0&Phot=1&Prox=1" title="Click Here" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p> <p><strong>One of the more enjoyable</strong> aspects for families living in Oakhurst is involvement in the "Oakhurst Community Garden". More information is available on that at: <a href="http://www.oakhurstgarden.org">www.<strong>oakhurstgarden.org</strong></a> .</p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>ENJOY YOUR DAY!!</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:25:21 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1722677/oakhurst-real-estate-decatur-ga http://activerain.com/blogsview/1720376/how-many-calls-or-how-few- How Many Calls or How Few? <p></p><p> </p> <p>Here is a great way to look at prospecting posted by <strong>The CE Shop Inc., enjoy...</strong></p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1720218/how-many-calls-or-how-few-">The CE Shop Inc. (The CE Shop)</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;"><strong><span>How Many Calls or How Few??</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;"><span>by Rich Levin</span><strong></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span>An Agent asked me how many calls it takes to be successful.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span> I said it depends on who is making the calls and who they are calling. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span>He said, <em>“You know Real Estate calls.”</em>   He said that he learned that if he made calls three hours a day it would make him successful and he wanted my opinion.  How many calls does it take to be successful?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span>I said, <em>“It’s the wrong question.”</em> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span>Tony Robbins taught me a lot of things.  One of the more important ones is that, <em>“The quality of your life is in direct proportion to the quality of the questions you ask yourself.”</em> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span>The same is true of your business.  The quality of your business is in direct proportion to the quality of the questions you ask about it. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span>And, how many calls does it take to be successful is a poor quality question.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span>First, what is successful?  Let’s pick an income level of $100,000 for the year, just to create a specific goal that defines success.  And without elaborating on the math let’s say that will require twenty sales.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span>So, the question becomes, <em>“How many calls do I have to make to sell twenty houses this year?”</em>  That’s a better question.  Except that I asked it of a lot of Agents across the country and the answers were always discouraging.  It was always a lot of calls and a lot of time.  And it completely lacked insight and intelligence.  So, I realized it was still a poor quality question. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span>Here is the high quality question.  <strong><em>“How few calls does it take to make twenty sales?”</em></strong>  I began asking that and the answers were amazing.  In fact instead of answers, that question most often led to a bunch of other great questions.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span>Can you make some or all of those sales without making any calls by having people call you? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span>What are the calls that bring the best results?  Could you make twenty sales with twenty calls?  Ooh, if you could then forty calls would make forty sales.  Can it be done? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span>This question makes you think.  It leads you to greater insight and intelligence about your business, your skills, the market, the opportunities and more.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span>This question motivates you to begin to keep track of how many calls you make to get the sale, to notice who you call, what approach you use, and how well it all works. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span>This question leads you to continuously work to learn how to make sales with the fewest calls. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span>We do a webinar every day at 8:45 am eastern.  Yes, every day.  It motivates.  It teaches.  And it asks you to challenge yourself to achieve your goals in the most efficient and enjoyable way. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span>This great question arose out of that work.  It is one of many that come up throughout the year on these free webinars.  Our goal with this work is to make your business better as you make your life better.  And it’s working for hundreds and a growing number of Agents.  Please join us.  It’s free.  Register at </span><a href="http://www.1stfifteen.com/" target="_blank"><span>www.1stFifteen.com</span></a><span>.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><em>Rich Levin is a member of the Broker Agent Speakers Bureau which is a full service Speakers Bureau serving the real estate and financial industry. To learn more about Rich Levin, view his <a href="http://www.brokeragentspeakers.com/Speaker_Bio.asp?id=47">bio</a> or visit <a href="http://www.brokeragentspeakers.com/">www.BrokerAgentSpeakers.com</a>. </em></span></p> <p> </p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:04:30 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1720376/how-many-calls-or-how-few- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1720363/the-world-s-largest-tree-house The World's Largest Tree House <p></p><p> </p> <p>Here is an amazing tourist attraction from <strong>PAM DUNN, enjoy...</strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p> </p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1711369/the-world-s-largest-tree-house">PAM DUNN (CHOICE REALTY OF TENNESSEE in Crossville Tennessee)</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Cumberland County Tree House" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/1/7/3/1/ar127740768613712.jpg" height="327" alt="Cumberland County Tree House" style="margin: 3px; float: left; border: black 1px solid;" width="250">The World's Largest Tree House</p> </span></strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.crossville-chamber.com" title="Tennessee Crossville" target="_blank">Crossville, Tennessee</a></strong></span> is home to the world's largest tree house, or so it seems. This is a local hotspot for many people every year and it is such an awesome sight to see. I had never really heard of this tree house before. I went and saw it for myself, it was simply breathtaking; not just because I climbed all nine flights of stairs either.</p> <p>This place was huge! It had many compartments in it that made it so unique. There is a humongous bell at the top to ring--if you can climb that high--along with a mini church on the third floor. This is not just any old church. It is equipped with a balcony, seats for a choir, an alter and even a stained glass window in the form of Jesus! This <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>tree house</strong></span> is the coolest thing I have ever explored.</p> <p>I did a little research on what started this whole thing and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2007-07-29-treehouse-church_N.htm" title="USA Today" target="_blank">USA today</a></strong></span> had a great article about this place. It was measured and the height of this astounding place is 97 feet tall (and still growing). It has the support of 12 other trees but the primary tree is an 80 foot white oak. There are thousands of nails and board holding this thing together and has taken many years to complete.</p> <p>The credit for this amazing place goes to a man named Horace Burgess. He began the project back in the 1980s and has been going ever since, with much help of course. He has put a lot of time, effort, blood, sweat and tears to provide such a great attraction to many visitors. There are hundreds a year that come to see this place.<img title="Cumberland County Tree House" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/4/5/4/4/ar127740773944544.jpg" height="182" alt="Cumberland County Tree House" style="margin: 3px; float: right; border: black 1px solid;" width="250"></p> <p>It is nestled off of a small road in <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Cumberland County</strong></span> and not many people know where to find it. Usually, you have to find a local resident to get the whereabouts of the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Cumberland County tree house</strong></span> but once you find it, you will not want to leave, that's for sure!</p> <p><a href="http://www.choicebuyerbonus.com" title="Pam Dunn" target="_blank">Pam Dunn</a><br><a href="http://www.cumberlandmountainplateau.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://www.cumberlandmountainplateau.com</span></a> <br><a href="mailto:pam@choiceoftn.com"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">pam@choiceoftn.com</span></a><br>Choice Realty of Tennessee<br>7387 Plateau Road<br>Crossville, Tennessee 38571<br>Office: 931-277-3327<br>Direct: 931-210-8655</p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:00:37 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1720363/the-world-s-largest-tree-house http://activerain.com/blogsview/1720352/tips-to-stay-safe-during-heat-waves- Tips to stay safe during heat waves. <p></p><p> </p> <p>Here are some good "hot weather" tips from <strong>GITA BANTWAL, enjoy...</strong></p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1720221/tips-to-stay-safe-during-heat-waves-">GITA BANTWAL, REALTOR BUCKS COUNTY, PA HOMES (ReMax Centre Realtors)</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p>Here are some tips to reduce the likelihood of heat related illnesses :</p> <p>1. Drink plenty of water. Caffeine can dehydrate you.</p> <p>2.Do not leave pets or kids in the car when you go shopping .</p> <p>3.Close blinds and shades during the day.</p> <p>4.Use sunscreen and sunglasses when outdoors.</p> <p>5.Wear loose fitting clothes .</p> <p>6.If you know of senior citizens living alone check on them to make sure they are OK.</p> <p>7. If it is too hot and you do not have an airconditioner keep fans running or go to public places where there is airconditioner.</p> <p>8. If your home is for sale , please keep the house cool so that  when buyers come in they will stay in longer .</p> <p>9.Please leave plenty of water for your pets and keep the house cool for them even if you are at work.</p> <p>10.Consider installing attic fans.</p> <p> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong>Gita Bantwal is a Realtor with ReMax Centre Realtors in Bucks County, a Northern suburb of Philadelphia. You can view 1000s of listings on her web site <a href="http://www.GitaBantwal.com">www.GitaBantwal.com</a></strong></p> <p><strong>She can be reached at 215-343-8200x124 or direct 215-275-8491 or via email <a href="mailto:gita01@aol.com">gita01@aol.com</a></strong></p> <p> </p> </div> </blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:54:47 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1720352/tips-to-stay-safe-during-heat-waves- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1720217/one-of-the-things-i-really-miss-about-the-80-s- One of the Things I Really Miss About the 80's.... <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>The early 1980's</strong> saw us recovering from another recession as well as run away inflation and high interest rates. It was not an easy time but I do remember feeling very confident about our leadership   in Washington.</p> <p><strong>Here are a few quotes</strong> from my favorite President during my lifetime. I hope you enjoy...</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Ronald Reagan" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/5/7/3/1/ar127790524413757.jpg" height="409" alt="" width="238"></p> <p><strong>"Socialism only works in two places: Heaven where they don't need it and hell where they already have it." </strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p> </p><p><strong></strong><strong> <p><br>'Here's my strategy on the Cold War:   <strong>We win, they lose.'</strong></p> </strong></p> <p><strong><br></strong><strong><br><br>'The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'</strong></p> <p><strong></strong><strong> <p><br><br>'The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.'</p> <p> </p> <p>'Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the  U.S. was too strong.'</p> <strong> <p> </p> <strong> <p><br><br>'The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination.'</p> </strong></strong><strong> <p> </p> <p><br><br>'I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress..'</p> <p> </p> </strong></strong></p> <p><br><strong>'Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.' </strong></p> <p><strong> <p> </p> </strong><strong> <p> </p> </strong><strong>'The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program.'</strong><strong> </strong></p> <p> </p><p><strong></strong><strong> <p><br><br>'It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.'</p> <strong></strong></strong></p> <p> </p><p><strong> <p> </p> <strong>'Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it'.</strong></strong></p> <p> <strong><br></strong><strong><br><br>'Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed, there are many rewards; if you disgrace yourself, you can always write a book.'</strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong>'No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.'</strong></p> <p> </p><p><strong> <p> </p> <strong><br><br></strong><strong>'If we ever forget that we're one nation under GOD, then we will be a nation gone under.'</strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Ronald Reagan" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/2/1/7/1/ar12779057317127.jpg" height="394" alt="" width="301"></p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>ENJOY YOUR DAY!!</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:53:37 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1720217/one-of-the-things-i-really-miss-about-the-80-s- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1719190/supreme-court-gets-it-right-sort-of Supreme Court Gets It Right - Sort Of <p></p><p> </p> <p>Interesting post here from <strong>Steve Hoffacker, makes me a little nervous as well...</strong></p> <p> </p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1718539/supreme-court-gets-it-right-sort-of">Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates LLC)</a></b>:<br><blockquote> <p>The Supreme Court in the narrowest of margins - 5-4 - ruled that the Second Amendment is the law of the land and that Chicago's gun ban was likely unconstitutional - without specifically saying so and throwing it out. They also said that less severe regulations on gun usage and ownership might be constituional.</p> <p>Are they reading the same Second Amendment that I am? It says "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." Regulation is infringement. Banning guns certainly is an infringement.</p> <p>The Second Amendment is quite clear. Perhaps one could argue that we don't have a Militia like the premise of the Second Amendment lays out. However, that is only the premise, and the actual statement about "the right of the people" has no qualifiers - you must be a member of a Militia, you have to be a certain age or gender, you have to register your guns with the government. No infringement. This means no interference. No regulation.</p> <p>Maybe they'll actually get it right sometime without the weasel language. How about a clear unequivocal, landmark decision - 9-0 - that affirms the Second Amendment and leaves no room for a challenge?</p> <p style="text-align: center;">───</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>For more information on my coaching and educational programs and </em><em>services, visit</em><em> my website </em><a href="http://www.stevehoffacker.com/" title="Hoffacker Associates"><em>stevehoffacker.com</em></a><em>, or go to my other blog </em><a href="http://www.homesalesinsights.com/" title="Steve Hoffacker's Home Sales Insights"><em>homesalesinsights.com</em></a><em> for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. Listen to my free podcast messages at </em><a href="http://stevehoffacker.podcastpeople.com/" title="Steve Hoffacker's Happenings" target="_blank"><em>Steve Hoffacker's Happenings</em></a><em>.</em></strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.stevehoffacker.com/stevehoffacker_bio.html" title="Steve Hoffacker Bio" target="_blank">Steve Hoffacker</a> - Consultant, Coach, Author, Blogger, Photographer, Motivator, Teacher, & Strategist - for Realtors, Real Estate Sales Professionals, Home Builders, New Home Salespeople, Entreprenuers, Small Business Owners, and Independent Sales Representatives.</strong></em></p> <p><strong><em>© Steve Hoffacker, 2010. All Rights Reserved.</em></strong></p> </blockquote> </div> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:37:17 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1719190/supreme-court-gets-it-right-sort-of http://activerain.com/blogsview/1718350/rules-to-live-by- Rules to Live By... <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>I recently received</strong> an email that just rang so true I felt I had to pass it along. I don't really know whether it is all valid or not about Bill Gates, but <strong>the "rules"</strong> laid out in the content are something I believe everyone needs to know these days. Here Goes:</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Bill Gates recently gave a speech</strong> at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a <strong>generation of kids with no concept of reality</strong> and how this concept <strong>set them up for failure in the real world.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/5/7/4/5/ar127781944454758.jpg" height="354" alt="" width="414"></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p><br><br><strong>Rule 1: Life is not fair</strong> - get used to it!<br><br><strong>Rule 2: The world doesn't care</strong> about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.<br><br><strong>Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000</strong> a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.<br><br><strong>Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough</strong>, wait till you get a boss.<br><br><strong>Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity.</strong> Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.<br><br><strong>Rule 6: If you mess up,</strong> <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">it's not your parents' fault</span></strong>, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.<br><br><strong>Rule 7: Before you were born,</strong> your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.<br><br><strong>Rule 8: Your school may have done away</strong> with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.<br><br><strong>Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters</strong>. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.<br><br><strong>Rule 10: Television is NOT real life.</strong> In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.<br><br><strong>Rule 11: Be nice to nerds.</strong> Chances are you'll end up working for one.</p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>ENJOY YOUR DAY!</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <div class="agent_signature"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/4/3/9/ar12744122393443.jpg" height="161" alt="" width="300"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dan Benefield                <a href="http://www.georgiamls.com/agentsite/index.cfm?SiteID=BENB" title="Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes" target="_blank">Click Here to Search for Georgia Homes</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(404) 377-1761</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.benefieldrealty.net" title="Dan's Website" target="_blank">Dan's Website</a></span></strong></p> </div> Dan Benefield (Benefield Realty) Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:00:54 -0700 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1718350/rules-to-live-by-