I'm not sure where I came across these four words that I now have posted on my desk lamp to constantly remind me of their importance to me in business. I simply jotted these words down to inspire and motivate me.

1. Authenticity - I want to always be authentic and real. I don't want there to be a shred of deceit or dishonesty in my talk or my walk. I want to establish trust with every client or customer.

2. Competency - I will constantly learn the new changes in the Real Estate business. I will research the new loan programs that are coming from the Federal Government and how my clients can gain access to them. I will learn new ways of communicating with clients and customers as well as outlets for advertising. I will see to harness the power and connections of Facebook, Twitter, Active Rain and others.

3. Innovation - I will discover new and innovative ways to market property as well as search through the massive database that United Country has of buyers looking for just the right property. I will try to do things differently to get different results.

4. Creativity - To create is to always learn. I'm learning to blog, to do webinars, to see a different angle than I've seen before. I love to study the creativity of others as it stirs something new and creative inside of me. I also love looking at Creator God as the ultimate creative Person. As I look at each sunrise and sunset - I'm amazed at His creative power.

It is my goal to be a life-long learner. I want to grow and stretch so that when I'm old I'm not turned off by new inventions and tools. I want to stay current in this high-tech/high touch world we find ourselves in.

Press on!!

Dwayne Hicks

Associate Broker/Owner

United Country West Georga Realty

Carrollton, GA 30117

www.westgarealty.com

dwayne@westgarealty.com

I still love the reruns of Seinfeld. One of my favorite episodes is when Kramer is a stand-in in a Woody Allen movie and his one line was, "These pretzels are making me thirsty!" and the whole show was about differnent ways to say with enthusiasm the same phrase over and over.

I'm starting a new line, "These Short Sales are driving me crazy!"  I'm on my 4th or so and I'm jumped through the tons of hoops on this one like all the rest, but the negoiator is different - He has a horrible attitude. I sometimes wonder why the banks think we REALTORS are the "bad guys". We are working the front lines with buyers who simply want to be kept up-to-date with how the process is going. I'm having a tough experience with a negoiator who say's, "I'll call when you when I get the approval". Now its almost two weeks later and he will not return phone messages or even acknowledge or return e-mails. I don't understand, if these banks don't want this property in inventory, they need to work on the process of dealing with these short sales.

I don't want to hear that they are so overwhelmed with volume that they don't have the processes in place. This is the new world in our economy and these have been going on at least 18 months or so - I think it's time to get the systems and process revamped and up-to-date with realty. I'm impressed that some buyers are showing patience, but it sure is frustrating that banks seem to care less if the home is sold or not.

Now that I've got all of that off my chest - I feel better. I'll probably be frustrated again tomorrow as I try to climb the ladder and speak to a real decision maker and get this deal done.

Pressing on!!

Dwayne Hicks

REALTOR, Associate Broker

United Country West Georgia Realty

Carrollton, GA

www.westgarealty.com

Where do you begin when you try to thank people who have given thier life for your freedom and your way of life? I just want to write a note of thanks to those brave men and women on whose shoulders I'm standing and enjoying the freedom we have in this country.

I don't always agree with the leadership of our country, but I believe in what our country stands for. I want the men and women who are standing in the gap and fighting for our freedoms to know that I'm forever grateful for their sacrifice of family, and lifestyle - so that I can enjoy both of those.

Grateful for my heritage.

Dwayne Hicks

REALTOR/Associate Broker

United Country West Georgia Realty

Carrollton, Georgia

dwayne@westgarealty.com

I was sitting at a closing table yesterday (yeah baby!) and the attorney was talking about how he's explaining to his daughter why now is the time to buy. My client was getting tons of equity in the home she was buying and the conversation turned to how it is such a good time to buy.

If you were ever thinking of buying a home - the conditions are in a league of their own. Remember 3 "I's"

Incredible Inventory to choose from - from foreclosures to short sales, there are deals everywhere!

Interest Rates - lowest in years and years (my client got 4.5% for 30 years!)

Icome Tax Credit - Did you hear about the $8000 Tax Credit - Like money in the bank  :-)!!

So what are you waiting for? Did I mention that there is still some 100% financing here in our area with the USDA Rual Development Loans.

If your tired of renting - this is a great time to invest in home ownership!!

Pressing On!

Dwayne Hicks, Associate Broker

United Country West Georgia Realty

Carrollton, GA

www.westgarealty.com

dwayne@westgarealty.com

Recently a couple of friends/clients of mine with their two young children were in a car accident. They were driving down the road in the county where I live and a car crossed the center line - struck them head-on. The two parents were severely injured and their two children were injured - but alive. The two people in the car that crossed the line were killed instantly.  This incident or should I say accident got me to thinking of the mist of life. I have three children who drive daily along with my wife and many other loved ones. I don't often realize how close we all are daily to eternity. I know this sounds a bit like I'm "on something" or maybe a bit morbid, but please hear me out. Am I really drinking all of life in?  You see, I'm a follower of Jesus - the One who conquered death. I believe that there is more to life than just this life. I probably ought to live like that. In fact, I'm about to get into my truck and head to church to join with others and worship - Today could be the day I meet Jesus face to face. I'm good with that and I hope we all are. If we're not than maybe we should take the necessary steps to become good with that.

I'm apologize if this sounds a bit "preachy". It is not meant to be. I think life is more than the next big deal, paycheck, or how much money I've saved or lost in this economy.  Life is worth living to the fullest with or without money. (It's hard to focus on that when we're broke!) My life is more about the One who created me than me.

I'm glad to say that my friends/clients are healing and will probably soon be home from the hospital to be reunited with their family. All of this just got me thinking - am I ready?  By getting ready to die really helps me live fully!

Live on!!

Dwayne

I've only been a REALTOR for 6 years, but I've never seen the types of deals that are available today.  I've seen homes 10% below market to 40% and more.  Did I mention that there are tons of inventory of these great deals? Interest rates are at historic lows - come on buyers NOW is the time!!  If you have every planned to buy a hom or invest in rental properties, now is the time.  Call your REALTOR today!!

Dwayne Hicks

dwayne@westgarealty.com

770-713-5006

I'm pretty excited to be showing property in the rain this weekend. (I believe it's a good time in order to see what the water does on the property!) I was able to show lots of foreclosures including some that were "new construction". I was thrilled to write two contracts and then also put one of my listings under contract. All in all, I'm tired, excited and anxious.  Thank you Lord for pouring out blessings on my life. Help me to provide all my clients and customers with the best service possible!

Pressing on!

Dwayne

I've done a few short sales in the past 12 months and recently learned that a short sale gets reported on the sellers credit report as a foreclosure. So would someone explain to me the difference between a regular foreclosure and a short sale foreclosure.  I was speaking to a client just yesterday and they were considering a short sale to keep from going into foreclosure. I can't seem to find an upside to the short sale except for the lender holding the first mortgage. The second mortgage looses, the seller looses - oh I guess the buyer might just be the winner!  Am I missing something?

Dwayne Hicks

Carrollton, GA

dwayne@westgarealty.com

This Friday marks the annual Top Producer Awards (Formerly Million $$ Producer Club) in our West Metro Board of Realtors. I've purchased my ticket and plan to be in attendance. Last year was a good year, but the times are tough, so I'm so gratefull to become a "life member" in five of my six years in Real Estate. I feel blessed to still be working. I've often pondered becoming a greeter at Walmart - what can I say - I like people!

From a grateful heart.

Dwayne

I've tried to be really positive about the Real Estate market turning in the right direction. I have a couple of days of doubts, so forgive my ramblings in advance. I've been afraid to say that things have been good, because I realize just because I've had a good start to 2009, doesn't mean it's turning around. I really struggled with this yesterday as my pipeline seemed so empty. I received a phone call late yesterday referring a buyer my way - Thank you Lord!  In my reading this morning I came across this little passage in the epistle of James:

James4:3-15 And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, "Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we're off to such and such a city for the year. We're going to start a business and make a lot of money." You don't know the first thing about tomorrow. <b>You're nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, <u>"If the Master wills it and we're still alive, we'll do this or that." </u> </b>(The Message)

Ok, so I'm gonna try to quit worrying so much about tomorrow and walk in His Way today and tomorrow!

Pressing on!!

dwayne@westgarealty.com