Moose Monday.... Anchor Point Alaska - 01/26/10 12:46 PM

Via Debra Leisek (Broker Bay Realty Homer Alaska):
Moose Monday... Look what was in my Driveway this Morning...
 
Now she may look lonely but if you look real close she has company
 
Oh well..... never mind you have to take my word for it...
 
Her baby is right across from her in the brush...
 
I just drove on by and let them be....
   
When You Need Results Bay Realty Works!
     Invest in Your Future Now... Call 907-235-6183
   Search our website at www.BayRealtyAlaska.com   
     Email us at info@BayRealtyAlaska.com
        Or Debra@BayRealtyAlaska.com
… (2 comments)

I've learned this about social media. It's all about the relationships! - 01/26/10 12:43 PM

Via Paul McFadden Mortgage Loan Officer Bellevue Washington Home Loans (The Legacy Group):
Good morning! I've learned this about social media. It's all about the relationships!
Perhaps I always knew this intuitively. Regardless, if you're like me, you're impatient and expect results sooner rather than later. I've been a member of Active Rain since the summer of 2007. I came here because it was recommended I start a blog. I was also looking for a site where I could learn from my smarter peers. I have to admit I really didn't expect to be forming the relationships I'm forming now.
Last Fall, … (0 comments)

Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on death row? - 01/26/10 11:51 AM

Via Esko Kiuru - Las Vegas NV Mortgage Consultant (FHA, VA, Conventional, Refinance, Jumbo):
House honcho Barney Frank feels that it's time to let these two GSEs, the home loan superstars that have for a long time dominated the secondary mortgage market, expire. Instead of trying to fix them, they should be strapped down and given some liquid that puts them to sleep.  
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, in all honesty, have had their problems lately. Years ago they were rocked by management shenanigans, including cooking the books to allow top leaders pocket fatter bonuses. Sounds familiar? More recently they have … (0 comments)

Energy Efficiency Federal Tax Credit - 01/25/10 05:19 PM
Reminder:
Currently there are fedreral tax credits available for home projects that increase energy efficiency in a home. From 1/1/09 through 12/31/2010 qualifying improvements can amount to $1,500 in credit on your federal taxes. Things like; insulation, windows and doors, roofing, heating and cooling, water heaters, wood and pellet stoves and inserts, and other energy efficient changes. To make sure your purchases qualify for the refund check out this website www.energystar.gov If you are interested in having a home energy audit completed in NH visit www.repa-nh.org for a list of auditors.
Do you are anyone you know  Qualify?  Spread the word.... 
… (1 comments)

Sunsets come in All Colors...Homer Alaska - 01/25/10 12:46 PM

Via Debra Leisek (Broker Bay Realty Homer Alaska):
It is amazing to see the beauty of a Sunset or Sunrise

They can be pastel and soft...pinks and purples

Or bold in colors of red and orange...with gold hues

In one night I got all of these colors.... Looking North across Cook Inlet

The same night looking to the left was Homer's Famous Spit at night with the lights twinkling

Something Beautiful and Wild... Homer Alaska

   
When You Need Results Bay Realty Works!
     Invest in Your Future Now... Call 907-235-6183
   Search our website at … (2 comments)

Blondie's Password - 01/23/10 08:49 AM

Via Dorie Dillard: Canyon Creek & NW Austin Living (Coldwell Banker United):





During a recent password audit at a company,  it was found that a blonde receptionist was using the following password:
"MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofySacramento"
When asked why she had such a long password, she said she was told that it had to be at least 8 characters long and include at least one capital.






                                                                      
           
Dorie in   Austin
… (1 comments)

Homer Alaska Sunsets...Barrow Alaska Sees Sun Finally..... - 01/23/10 08:39 AM

Via Debra Leisek (Broker Bay Realty Homer Alaska):
We are gaining daylight...almost 5 minutes today! That is a good thing!
 
Homer has been having some beautiful Sunsets the last couple of Days
 
Homer Alaska Sunset about 4:40 Pm Last night

 
Barrow  Alaska will get a glimpse of the Sun January 23 for a brief moment...
Sunrise comes at 1:28 PM and will set at 1:51Pm A whole 23 minutes... 
Here are some web sites for Barrow...
http://www.todayinbarrow.com/   
http://www.eskimo.com/~turnip/alaska/bonus.html  Yes, indeed, you too can afford ocean-front property - if the ocean is the Arctic ocean! This is funny!
… (3 comments)

Way to Go... - 01/22/10 05:50 PM
I'm proud of Groveton High School; Of all the high schools in the State of NH only 8 were recently awarded medals of excellence in providing superior education partially based on standardized state test scores given to all students at different grade levels.  No Gold medals, 3 Silver Medals and 5 Bronze medals.  the 3 Silver medals were all large area school in Southern NH.  Of the 5 Bronze schools 2were from Coos County.  Groveton high School and Colebrook Academy...  Congratulations to both of these North Country Schools and to all the schools on the medal list. 
  
… (3 comments)

Think Like a Tree - 01/22/10 05:12 PM

Via Myrl Jeffcoat (GreatWest GMAC Real Estate):
Last evening I was in mood for a little poetry.  I came across this inspirational poem by Karen I. Shragg.  The title is "Think Like a Tree."
Soak up the sunAffirm life's magicBe graceful in the windStand tall after a stormFeel refreshed after it rainsGrow strong without noticeBe prepared for each seasonProvide shelter to strangersHang tough through a cold spellEmerge renewed at the first signs of springStay deeply rooted while reaching for the skyBe still long enough tohear your own leaves rustling.
*I take pictures for the purpose of remembering fond times.  I do … (2 comments)

Dishwasher Do's and Don'ts - 01/20/10 04:18 PM
Don't run your dishwasher with less than a full load.
Do run it at night, when many power companies offer lower rates. In the summer, running a dishwasher at night when the weather is coller also saves on cooling costs.
Don't rinse off normally soiled dishes before you put them in the dishwasher; just scrape the food off.
Do use the lightest washing cycle for the dishes that aren't very dirty. It uses less hot water and energy.
Don't use more detergent than you need. Experiment to see how little you can use and still get clean dishes.
Do use the … (4 comments)

Tips for Water Heaters - 01/20/10 04:11 PM
Except for your heating and cooling units, your water heater is your largest energy user if you do not get hot water from your heating system.
Here are a couple of tips that might help:
Unless you need a higher temperature for a dishwasher; set the thermostat at 120 degrees F. This can cut hot water costs by as much as 50%. If you are going away for a week or more turn the setting down to it's lowest setting.
If you have an electric water heater, find out if your power company offers off peak rates then schedule bathing, laundering, … (2 comments)

Picturesque Stark, NH - 01/18/10 03:35 PM
I have a client that has asked me to tell folks she is motivated to sell.  She just reduced the price of her two family duplex to a very reasonable $149,900. The MLS for this home is 2766907.  This ranch home has a contemporary addition in the back.



 
Devil's Slide is in the background, the Upper Ammonusuc River is behind the property.  The famous Stark covered Bridge is just the school yard away, The property abuts the schoolyard
For Stark Town information click the link below.
http://www.nh.gov/nhes/elmi/htmlprofiles/stark.html
For Stark Covered Bridge pictures click the link below.
http://www.pbase.com/abh/nhcb37
… (0 comments)

Mostly Cloudy or Mostly Sunny???? - 01/16/10 02:09 PM

Via Tony & Darcy Cannon - The C Team (ERA Realty Center):
I know that I have as have many others said that attitude is paramount to success in life not just Real Estate.  So I have done my variation on the glass half full question.  Is it mostly Sunny? or is it mostly Cloudy?  It is you're choice!

Your answer will determine your level of success! 
Make it a great weekend!
If you're looking to buy or sell real estate in Cedar City, Utah; please give us a call.  We would love to earn your business!
… (0 comments)

Thank God for Rednecks (Or...Could YOU Think of This??) - 01/12/10 04:08 PM

Via Clint Miller (Real Estate Client Referrals, LLC (RECR)):
I have to admit...Im a mountain man at heart.  But, my roots are in the south.  I'm a 6th generation American and the only one to be raised outside of the Mason-Dixon line or west of the Mississippi.  So, I have a fair amount of good ol' fashioned redneck blood in me. 
So, with that in mind, I wanted to pay some respect to the ingenuity of my fellow rednecks.  Lets just take a quick snapshot of the things that we wouldn't have were it not for the glorious people of the south:
… (5 comments)

How Much Can you Afford? - 01/12/10 03:55 PM
How Much Can You Afford?
Understanding how much you can afford is one of the most important rules of home buying. Depending on your individual situation, your budget can affect everything from the neighborhoods where you look, to the size of the house, and even what type of financing you choose. Bear in mind, however, that lenders will look at more than just your income to determine the size of the loan. Likewise, you may find that there are some creative financing options that can help boost your purchasing power. Loan prequalification vs. preapproval One of the best ways to determine … (2 comments)

Credit history - 01/12/10 03:52 PM
Your Credit History As part of the loan application process, virtually all lenders will want to see a copy of your credit report. The report will list all your long-term debts (credit cards, mortgage payments, automobile and student loans, etc), as well as your payment history. If you don't have a copy of your credit report, most lenders will generally require you to pay for a copy when they process your loan application. However, most real estate experts agree that it is a good idea to obtain a copy of your credit report several months before you apply for a loan. … (0 comments)

Moose be Time to Hunker Down... Anchor Point Alaska - 01/11/10 12:33 PM
Debra's Moose land in Alaska...
Via Debra Leisek (Broker Bay Realty Homer Alaska):
Moose be time to hunker down... the wind was blowing so hard today... it seemed like it was hurricane force... sounded like a jet plane out there...   the dogs wouldn't go out and the birds were flying backwards and the moose in the valley were laying down and waiting out the storm....

They can't Lay down forever


 
  
When You Need results Bay Realty Works
 
 
… (1 comments)

Photomatix - HDR Photography - Just What I Needed, A New Toy! - 01/11/10 12:29 PM
Debi's New Toy
Via Debi Boucher - "Realtor Showcase" Real Estate Slideshows/ Photographer (Memories DVDs - Realtor Showcase Slideshows):
 
Photomatix - HDR Photography - Just What I Needed, A New Toy! LOL
Thanks to Mike Hendren's posts on High Dynamic Range Photography, and the wonderful examples he and Andrea Swiedler have posted, I finally climbed on the bandwagon. (Is there no end to the $$ we can spend, guys?) I have always been a fan of vivid color in my photography, and often shoot with, or post process with saturated settings for that reason. But this gives me the ability to … (0 comments)

Back Yard Ski Hills - 01/09/10 01:53 PM
Growing up enjoying skiing and coming from a large family of low financial means; we learned to enjoy skiing in an area we called Fiske Pasture.  It was a nice downhill pitch for about 400-500 feet then a nice hike back up the hill...  Occasionally we would go the the Local Rope tow hill in Lancaster called Mt. Prospect Ski area.  Here we would pay a big 50 cents to enjoy an afternoon of being dragged up the hill by a rope so we could ski down.  It was tons of fun and a little hard on the gloves but we … (0 comments)

What's the Rush? - 01/08/10 12:54 PM

Via Frank Kliewer (Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Executive):
As I hurriedly drove onto the private road of some clients for a meeting, I was met by one of the local residents standing by the side of the road. I immediately slowed down, paused, and snapped this picture.
I then proceeded at a greatly reduced speed; knowing that there are usually more than one of these graceful creatures around somewhere. It seemed appropriate to slow down even though I was running a few minutes late for the appointment, due to traffic on the way to the property.
I was immediately reminded of … (0 comments)

Saving money on your remodeling project. - 01/05/10 04:55 PM
* Remove old flooring, cabinets, wall coverings, etc. yourself and save the labor costs.
* Do your own painting, wallpapering and if you are able installing new floor coverings yourself.  I was amazed when I tried to install a laminant floor in my son's room and it looked great when I was done... 
* When replacing windows  get the low-E rated replacements to block out ultraviolet rays and prevent loss of indoor heat and air....  big payoff in the long run...
*Instead of replacing older kitchen cabinets try refinishing them and getting a new counter top.  YOu might be surprised at the … (6 comments)

You know it's a bad day (with illustrations).... - 01/05/10 04:15 PM
Some fun from Russell Ray.... 
Via Russel Ray, San Diego Marketing & Business Consultant (Russel Ray):
I get at least one email a week from my mother-in-law.
Usually they are about home inspections, real estate, fast cars, trains, Texas, sports, cats, and other things that she knows I like.
This morning's email is about knowing when you're having a bad day, and it's even illustrated with cat pictures.
My mother-in-law is soooooooo helpful.
Hope none of you are having a bad day this early in the year!
 
You woke up in a strange place.

 
You had trouble getting out … (1 comments)