Going out of business-2007 - 12/29/07 02:17 PM
I'm about to hang it up, I have left my mark in history.
I managed to throw a curve in the economy.
I placed many home owners into foreclosures, and banks into financial stress.
The banks don't like me much any more.
Real-estate Professionals swear at me.
The oil companies love me, but the general public despises me.
The bankruptcy attorneys have said I'm the best, while the business world points their finger at me for failure.
Many marriages are dissolved due to my tactics.
I'm sorry for what I have become to so many.
Who am I?
 
My name is 2007.....
I'm turning over my reigns to my successor named … (43 comments)

Real-estate and Vacation Rental agencies in Saugatuck-Douglas, Michigan - 12/29/07 01:01 PM
Here's a list of Real-estate offices located in Saugatuck and Douglas Michigan.
Many of these offices provide weekly vacation rentals.
Dee Dee Hanson of Woodland Coldwell Banker is an Active Rain member.
Simply click on the name to be directed to the companies website.
360 Degree Realty your lake shore real estate and development specialists.
Century 21 Frank Smith Realty Service beyond your expectation.            
Woodland Realty (Coldwell Banker) Full service Real-estate office.     
Harbor Shores Realtors Your West Michigan Real Estate Source.                
Light House Realty Rentals, sales and construction.                      
Michigan Lakeshore Real-Estate for buyers and sellers                               
Mill Pond Realty Vacation rentals and sales.                                               
Realty Options your resource for Saugatuck-Douglas Real Estate.
Remax they know Saugatuck-Douglas.    
Shoreline Realtors Sales … (4 comments)

Your invited to join a new Group - 12/28/07 02:55 PM
 
I would like to extend an invitation to the entire Active Rain Family to join a new group formed today.
http://activerain.com/groups/saugatuck
The site was developed for vacation, housing and general information about beautiful Saugatuck, Douglas Michigan.
Each and everyone of you are welcome to join.
I look forward to your input.
Here a stranger is a friend we haven't met yet.
Sincerely,
Duane
NOTE: 01.15.08 this site has been renamed to Michigan Lakeshore covering all of Michigan Lakeshore area's.
… (6 comments)

Come visit Saugatuck-Douglas Michigan - 12/28/07 01:51 PM
I would like to extend a big welcome to everyone, to visit beautiful Saugatuck-Douglas Michigan.
The town offers many unique stores, restaurants, sights and fun things to do throughout the year.
Fireworks explode over the bay three times a year making the events enchanting.
Oval Beach is a destination that has been ranked high on the list of the best beaches in the world.
Boating in this area offers you a serene trip down the Kalamazoo River to Lake Michigan.
It's a great place to visit as a single, couple or family.
The Christmas Season reminds me of the way past generations had lived.
The locals you will … (10 comments)

New Years Restitution - 12/28/07 12:21 PM
Restitution your wondering? It's gotta be a typo! No, I wasn't thinking resolution, I really did mean restitution!
We all make New Years Resolutions only to break 95% of them. Take it a step further and make a New Years Restitution.
This could be in the form of paying it forward through a helping hand, a kind deed, a listening ear.
Restitution doesn't have to be a legal binding word, it can be a daily commitment in life to be a better person. The better person is the one who shows the respect to others that they would expect in return.
Make your restitution to the ones … (8 comments)

Welcome to the Open House, argh. - 12/26/07 10:54 AM
Open House's, some love em, some hate em, but they are a necessity of the Real-estate world.
Seller's in most cases choose the Real-estate Professional that will represent them based on the pipe dream of numerous open houses the agent promises to hold at their home.
I've ran into quite a few agents that don't feel open houses are the ladder to success, but still most conduct them because they feel it's a customer service that needs to be done.
True, every once in awhile the agent is lucky enough to find that special buyer for the clients house. These are the bonuses for … (11 comments)

Life is a Journey, it's up to you to make it a great one. - 12/25/07 03:25 PM
Life is a journey. How high you want to go, is totally up to you.
You can choose to follow the crowd and continue to wonder what it would be like to be on the mountain top of life.
To reach the peak you have to think out side the parameters that hold most people back from seeing the other side of success.
Success, it comes in many forms. It may be financial or in person.
In person, that success may be how people perceive you as a person. Do you respect others as you would like to be respected in return? Are you fair … (14 comments)

Hey, where did my blog go so fast? - 12/24/07 02:32 PM
Active Rain is so active that the blogs seem to fly off the screen before anyone is able to comment.
How does one go about getting any screen life to their blogs?
I notice some of the blogs have longer lives then others.
I'm guessing others are in wonder about this same topic.
So, I'm begging the pilots of the successful blogger to drop the bomb on us newbies, plllleeeasse.
Thank you in advance for any help you can enlighten us with.
 
Photo courtesy of www.92ee.com
… (14 comments)

Home Ownership Do's and Don'ts - 12/24/07 01:29 PM

Home ownership is in reach more than ever before.
The current buyer's market is presenting more opportunities than we have seen even 3 years ago.
The smart buyer is taking advantage of the market and will reap the benefits of the smart move a few years down the road.
The "Do's and Don'ts" of making the right choice in Home Ownership.
Do:
Hire a Professional Licensed Real-estate agent to open the door of Home Ownership.Create a Personal Budget.Get pre-qualified for a mortgage before starting the search.Pay off as much debt as possible without using the money set aside for your down payment.Check your credit report to determine if … (2 comments)

Happy Holidays to the Active Rain Family - 12/24/07 11:59 AM
Happy Holidays to the Active Rain Family.
Thanks to each and everyone of you for the education, input and helping words each of you have contributed over the past few months since I was born into this great family.
You are the conductors for many people you don't realize that you may have touched in one way or another.
Keep up the great blogging.
                                                                                                                         
May you each enjoy the Holiday's with family and friends. And never forget the true meaning of Christmas, and who's birthday we should all rejoice in!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
 
Animations courtesy of www.92ee.com
… (4 comments)

Blame Game of Life - 12/24/07 11:34 AM
Is the "blame game" part of life with someone you know?
The blame game comes in many forms. It has become easier to point a finger at the many aspects of whats happening in the economy. Meanwhile there are four fingers pointing right back at us.
Blame Games I've heard lately are:
The economy is taking away my buyers.My marriage is suffering because of cash flow.The mortgage industry change has limited the homes I'm able to sell.The President has created this entire mess.I don't get any referrals or leads.Business and life aren't fun any more.My Broker isn't doing enough to promote the company.All I … (4 comments)

Have the most purrrrfect Holiday Season! - 12/23/07 11:12 AM
Are you having a lazy day? There seem to be more and more of these as we approach the holiday season.
After all the running around, preparing for Christmas parties it seems as though everyone is bushed by the end of the day.
It's about time for some you time. Take the time to enjoy yourself, get caught up on some items that you have been neglecting, play with the kids, go to a movie with your spouse.
Time flies by so quickly, and we all get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the business world. Unfortunately we can't take any of it with … (5 comments)

Home Buyer's Christmas Poem - 12/21/07 01:06 PM
Buyer's Christmas Poem
'Twas the night before Christmas, and in need of a houseThe buyer was stirring, just a computer and mouse;The thoughts of Dream Home with chimney they dare,In hopes that a Realtor soon would be there;The children were nestled all snug in their beds,While visions of their own rooms danced in their heads;
And mamma in her robe, and I in my perch,Had just logged on to Active Rain to conduct our home search,
When out in the kitchen there arose such a clatter,I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
The rental units plumbing had sprang a big leak,A call to the landlord, he informed me the plumber would be there … (5 comments)

Give a gift to your fellow Real-estate Professional here on Active Rain. - 12/21/07 12:04 PM
It's the season of giving. Now's the time to give your extended Active Rain Family the gift of a "Tip".
Tipping during the Holiday Season is not uncommon. We all give a little monetary or food gift to co-workers, the postman, newspaper delivery person, our favorite server at the restaurant, and now the Real-estate Professional.
Even though my tips to my extended family here on Active Rain don't come in the form of monetary, it does come with sincere gratitude and thankfulness.
My "tips" to you:
Smile and the world will smile with you. Plus it keeps others guessing what you been up to.Treat others as … (2 comments)

Real-estate agents worked to the bones - 12/19/07 01:52 PM
Working yourself to the bones is not uncommon for the Professional Real-estate Agent. It's time to work smarter-not harder! If you are an outside the box thinker and care about the clients well being, read on.
With the influx of homes on the market, the Real-estate Professional has more demands placed on them to locate the right place the buyer will call home.
Many buyers are touring 30+ homes in this buyer's market. Thereby wasting precious time and gas. So how does an agent streamline the touring process?
The simple solution is by utilizing a detailed walk through check list that allows the buyer to refresh … (8 comments)

Curve Ball of Life - 12/18/07 01:56 PM
Life is full of curve balls. The economy we are currently dealing with has and will continue to provide more curve balls to our lives.
Curve balls in baseball are thrown at the home plate, just when the batter thinks they will connect, the ball mysteriously takes a turn.
Many people are presently experiencing curve balls in their lives. These curves may come in these various forms:
Failed business ventures. Failed Marriages.Cash flow problems.ForeclosureJob lossMedical problemsDeath of a family member, friend or colleagueThis list could go on and on for each and every person. In real-estate, each professional will encounter a person that has … (8 comments)

Home Building at 16 year low and going down - 12/18/07 11:49 AM
Construction of new homes have officially fallen to the lowest level in 16 years. While this may help existing spec home sales, the drop will continue to erode the economy.
Single-family home starts were reduced to an annual rate of less then 830,000 units per year, at one point this number was nearing the 2,000,000 mark per year.
24% less home are being constructed today, then were being built one year ago, this signals a three year decline of housing starts.
In-turn, banks and mortgage companies are seeing a rapid increase of foreclosures and defaults. The squeeze by local and national banks will curve future growth … (0 comments)

Stand out from the crowd of Professional Real-estate Agents - 12/17/07 11:44 AM

With the amount of Real-estate Professionals all working towards the same goal of landing listings, buyers and clients  how do you stand out in the crowd?
Today, the Professional has to dare to be different, or risk the fact of appearing to be the same as every other agent they compete against. Look closely at the Sandhill Cranes above, if you had to choose which crane is the top bird, how would you decide?
Would it be the one with it's head held high? Or maybe the one with it's bill down to the water? How about the crane in the center, watching what the others … (2 comments)

Team Work in Atlantis Space Shuttle Landing - 12/17/07 10:59 AM
Take a ride on The Atlantis Space Shuttle.
I received this link from a friend, showing the landing of the space shuttle. It was taken from inside the cockpit. Quite the process to get that big bird on the ground.
Kind of like Real-estate sales, you need a team of experts behind you to help guide your approach for a safe landing for your clients.
Enjoy the video.
www.wades.web.st/Video/atlantis_landing_comm.wmv
… (4 comments)

Get connected with Active Rain - 12/15/07 03:52 PM
I'm continuously sending invitations to Real-estate Professionals that I have had contact with over the years.
My biggest obstacle is convincing the Professional of the importance of net working and blogging with fellow Professionals.
I'm finding it hard to believe that agents or builders are so busy in this economy that they can't find the time to better themselves by utilizing this great tool the Active Rain company has provided.
My question to anyone whom is willing to help shed some light on this matter is "How do you go about convincing a possible new member to sign on to Active Rain?" Once they have signed on, … (8 comments)

Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets! - 12/15/07 03:19 PM
The late Ronald Regan was once quoted saying "The government always finds a need for whatever money it gets."
In another quote he said "No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth."
If the American public approaches their personal finances this same way, we'll all be in more trouble then most have experienced already.
Thought you may find these quotes interesting.
Carpe Diem.
… (2 comments)

Are you a Flasher? - 12/13/07 07:09 AM
A smile is one of the most contagious expressions that you have available to communicate with the rest of the world.
Become a smile flasher, the next time you are riding an escalator, or walking down the sidewalk. Flash those pearly whites or just a closed lip smile and watch how the other person reacts in return.
The receiver in most cases unknowingly will return a smile back to you. What you have just provided to this person is a positive outlook on their day. They may be struggling with personal problems or the loss of a loved one. But that flash has now brought … (12 comments)

Sellers need to spend money to make money before listing. - 12/12/07 01:32 PM
Sellers, by taking the time to invest a little money and time in your home before listing can be repaid with better offers from buyers.
So many times the seller assumes that a buyer can see past the small repairable items within their home. What they don't understand is by taking the additional time to complete these small task in advance, the offers they will receive will be more appropriate to meet their selling price.
A little paint can go along way to spruce up a cold or worn room. It's what the buyers view as they tour the home.
Having scuffed walls or … (6 comments)

Oh to be a House Fly in the Real-estate business. - 12/12/07 12:29 PM
If only we could be a fly on the wall to over hear how a couple approaches the thought pattern on what home to choose when purchasing.
I've always been amazed on the decision process of a couple when looking at homes to buy. Just when I think I knew the thought pattern, pow, a complete turn around in the home they chose to offer on.
I have dealt with couples who were dead set on a two story from the beginning only to purchase a ranch in the end. How do these changes in thought occur over night?
By being a fly (and … (12 comments)

Freebies Galore to help your Real-estate business - 12/12/07 09:46 AM
Freebies Galore
Merry Christmas early.
Here are the freebies Rate A Home provides to the Real-estate Professional to make your business better.
1. Lead generating Wish List that can be added to your web site. The agents, builders and mortgage brokers getting the best results display it on their home page as "Create Your Dream Home Here". You would be the only one receiving any wish list leads generated from your web site. Rate A Home receives none of the wish list generated by your web site, so there's no chance of you losing the lead or competing against 20 other agents for the same client. Therefore, there … (8 comments)

Show me the money! - 12/11/07 02:35 PM
The words for the home buyer is "Show me the money"!
With the lending fiasco in today's market, it's getting to the point that the buyer must bring in a larger down payment to buy the American Dream.
The foreclosure market is dictating these changes while the banks leverage themselves for more protection.
Will the days of zero down be around in a few years? That I'm not sure of and can be better answered by the Mortgage Professionals on Active Rain.
I have been reading blogs and comments where the buyer is responsible for bringing in a six digit down payment on a typical … (2 comments)

Please join me in Welcoming our newest Active Rain Family Members - 12/08/07 01:46 PM
This is my official welcoming page for the newest members to Active Rain.
Please help me in a big resounding WELCOME to our newest Active Rain members.
Our newest member as of 02.26.08: Jean Rampersad (Exit Realty) Jean is a broker in the Warner Robins, GA area.
Kelley Rahilly (Rahilly Group-Coldwell Banker) Kelley is an agent and part of a family Team serving the West Michigan area.
Melissa Southam (Evergreen Northwest) Melissa is an agent located in Kirkland, WA.
Dan Miller (FSBO of Michigan) Dan started a FSBO web site for the East side of Michigan.
Mirzet Alic (Greenridge Realty) Mirzet is an agent located in Kent County, MI. … (21 comments)

The Ultimate Tool for the Ultimate Agent. - 12/07/07 02:11 PM
Allowing your buyer client to make the decision in the largest investment in life shouldn't be approached through emotions.
If you personally are diving into investments in your own 401k or retirement account with utilizing your Professional Investment Brokers "Due Diligence" reports, you may be in for the shock of your life. My guess is your not.
So why would you expect your clients as their Professional, to make that same mistake you wouldn't allow yourself to make with your investment?
Today's Buyer's market has the client touring more homes then ever. This not only adds a tremendous expense with the price of gas, but also … (0 comments)

HELP. How do I write my blogs so the text wraps around a photo? - 12/06/07 02:20 PM
I can't quite figure out how to write a blog where the text wraps around the photo's. When I paste the photo my text goes to the bottom of the photo, such as this.
What I have been seeing is blogs where the white space between the upper line and the line that follows to the bottom of the photo is actually filled with text. Any help would be greatly appreciated, I'm sure others (hopefully) will find this information helpful as well.
Thank you in advance.
Duane
… (8 comments)

The Bald Eagle our great american birds! May we take the time to enjoy. - 12/06/07 12:52 PM
I was amazed to drive up on two Eagle's feeding on a fish carcass this past Monday. Talk about amazing birds that have the beauty and strength that is beyond words.
It started with the spotting of the (all) brown eagle flying at 22 mph along side of my wife, a friend and I as we drove the shore line in Saugatuck, Michigan. He or she landed in a tree at the end of the road and allowed us to drive within 50 feet of it, as it peered down from it's high perch at us.
Then it took to air to fly down … (27 comments)

Visit Saugatuck Douglas Michigan for the Holidays - 12/05/07 01:26 PM
Visit Saugatuck-Douglas Michigan this Holiday Season.
I wanted to share some photo's of this beautiful area. If you get the chance, come enjoy this quaint town.
 Town Sign
Main Street during the Holiday Season:
 Tug Boat (2006) in Harbor
Winter photo of the pier      
The summer months bring the resort town to life.
 Night falls on the bay
The town celebrates with fire works on New Years, 4th of July and Venetian Days.
Photo's by Ted: www.swobodaimages.com
… (15 comments)