Christmas Photo Contest - Globes of Snow - 11/30/11 05:29 PM
My phone has been getting winter warning advisories all day today. We are expecting 3 to 6 inches of snow tomorrow in the Denver Metro area, so I thought my Christmas photo should have something to do with snow.
My broker had a cool snow globe in her office so I shook it up and took a shot - with the camera that is.
… (8 comments)
|
An Attitude of Gratitude-Meet Kent Knight - 11/30/11 10:57 AM
An Attitude of Gratitude-Meet Kent Knight
Kent Knight is a part owner of a pump company in Arvada, Co. He is a proud father of an eagle scout, Doug, who just got back from a tour with the Peace Corps in Romania. Over the last 30 some years Kent has been involved with the local Boy Scout troop in Aurora, Co. as a Scout Master. Even with his son not being involved in scouts for the last 10 years, Kent is always there going to meetings, being involved with scouts projects, and also Peaceful Valley which is a scout … (7 comments)
|
Safety tips for Home sellers who have young kids. - 11/29/11 06:44 PM
This is a great blog written by Gita, about safety tips for home sellers who has young kids. It is worth your time to read this and pass it along to others.
Via GITA BANTWAL, REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI BUCKS County & Philadelphia, PA HOMES (RE/MAX Centre Realtors):
Safety Tips for home sellers who have young kids.
When you list your home for sale the agent will take photos of all the rooms.
Take down all photos of your young children especially infants and toddlers. You do not want their pictures showing up on the internet . You might want to request the agent not to … (7 comments)
|
For Sale by Surviving Spouse - 11/29/11 05:13 PM
One and all, this article by Chris and Patty is a good one to past on to all your clients. I think any time you can help inform your clients of things like this, your name will make it out there to others.
Via Chris \ Patty Clark Real Estate Broker Aurora Homes for Sale 720-231-5200 (Serving the Denver Metro Area since 1979):
Sale by Surviving Spouse
The IRS has given special consideration regarding the sale of their jointly-owned principal residence after the death of a spouse. If the surviving spouse does not remarry prior to the sale of the home, they … (1 comments)
|
Is it time to check your personal inventory - 11/29/11 01:10 PM
Is it time to check your personal inventory?
I think we all need to ask some of the following questions of ourselves:
Do we have a major definite purpose?
What goals do we have to attain?
How much time are we devoting to working on our plans?
Years ago, I listened to a tape that inspired me to this day but. I’m not sure who I loaned it to and never got it back again.
The main thing that I remember was the following: Plan Your Work, and Work Your Plan.
With 2012 right around the corner, I think we … (10 comments)
|
I Was So Thrilled to Be Invited to be a Guest Blogger Again - 11/27/11 09:16 PM
When it comes to someone with lots of talent, that is Belinda Spillman. Now she is being invited to be a guest blogger for Dale Robyn Siegel, author and speaker on Things Real Estate. Did i mention Belinda is my partner, I am very proud of her.
Via Belinda Spillman Colorado Real Estate Professional (Cornerstone Homes/Metro Brokers Marina Square):
I Was So Thrilled to Be Invited to be a Guest Blogger Again
Because of my exposure in ActiveRain, I have been invited to be a guest blogger for Dale Robyn Siegel, Author and Speaker on all Things Real Estate.
I … (5 comments)
|
Beautiful Custom Home in Blackhawk Colorado - 11/27/11 11:22 AM
Beautiful Custom Home in Blackhawk Colorado
This custom built home sits on top of a hill on one acre of land and has views to die for. You can see the Continental Divide from the huge picture windows of the family room.
Located at 412 Evergreen Road, Blackhawk, Colorado this home is offered at $568,000
One great thing about this home is the 6 car garage with an oversized bay that fits a full size RV.
There is a large country kitchen with hickory cabinets and an extended breakfast bar big enough to seat … (8 comments)
|
Which bird was the best on Thanksgiving? - 11/26/11 04:41 PM
Which bird was the best on Thanksgiving?
Our friends had a challenge on Thanksgiving Day. They decided to buy a turkey from a local farm and skin it and make it for the big dinner. After cooking for 4 hours, the looks of it was looking kind of dry so her husband put some bacon on it that is would get a little greasy and not be as dry. Well skinless turkey cooks really fast, when it came time for dinner, the husband had the job of carving it up at one of the tables. Did I mention there … (6 comments)
|
Handle and Store Those Thanksgiving Leftovers Safely - 11/24/11 11:03 PM
Hi all, I hope I am not to late about how importnat Toni blog is for today. When it comes to leftovers either eat it all or follow Toni safety items.
Via Toni Weidman-Search New Port Richey-FL Homes (Re/Max Sunset Realty):
Handle and Store Those Thanksgiving Leftovers Safely Thanksgiving is a wonderful day with family and friends, make sure it stays wonderful when you deal with the leftovers. It is essential that you refrigerate your left-over turkey within 2 hours of taking it out of the oven. Remove the stuffing from the turkey (if you stuffed it). Cut the meat away from … (3 comments)
|
Guys Having Fun on Thanksgiving With Guns - 11/24/11 02:17 PM
What do guys do when they get together? Well, drinking after 6 p.m. but during the day we bring out the guns for target practice. We had a lot of guns: hand guns, 22’s, shot guns, black power 50 cal.
The Black power hand gun is something else. If this gun that if it have a shorter barrel, the secret service would have it under the lining of their coats.
One of the guys has a company that teaches hunter safely and his dad was an instructor at West Point and the Air Force Academy. So safety was very … (10 comments)
|
What Are You Thankful For Today - 11/24/11 12:43 PM
What are you thankful for today.
I am thankful to have the best business partner a person could have, Belinda Spillman. Without her I would have to cut my Thanksgiving trip in Steamboat Springs short to go back to Denver and show homes on Friday and Saturday. She is also so good that she is working on her Birthday Nov 26, this Saturday, (everyone should go over to her on Saturday and wish her happy birthday).
When it comes to doing items to get the phone to ring, she comes up with them. That is a large part we are having … (7 comments)
|
When it comes to thanksgiving you need lots of pies! - 11/24/11 12:39 PM
When it comes to thanksgiving you need lots of pies!
What is the pie that you will be having today, will it be Pumpkin, Apple, Cherry, or Mince Meat?
My father had a way with Mince Meat pie in my early years. Always at our Thanksgiving dinner at our Cabin up in Carbon County by Bear Lake we would have so many food and pies. His Mince Meat pie would have people from other cabins coming over after their dinner. When I got older, he show me the trick to making the best pie. After it is just about finish baking … (6 comments)
|
Don’t you just love the Thanksgiving Holiday? Try it in Steamboat Springs. - 11/22/11 02:37 PM
When it comes to enjoying the holiday with friends it is always a great time to come up to Steamboat Springs and rent 5 cabins and have friends show up to enjoy each other. Yesterday was our day to drive up and get checked in. A couple of our friends got here on Saturday, some on Sunday and some are due to arrive on Wednesday. We all take turns cooking. Last night, Suzanne and Steve made Beef Stew over noodles and a crab and shrimp dip to that was unbelievable.
We played some cards and watched the football game and … (13 comments)
|
Sold and Closed Nov 18th, 18983 E. Oregon Drive, Aurora, CO - 11/20/11 10:33 AM
Closed Nov 18th, 18983 E. Oregon Drive, Aurora, CO
We closed on this home last week. The buyer is the future daughter in law of some past clients of mine. Her and her future husband are excited to get to work on this house. It needs lots and lots of work but it was a great deal. It was a bank owned, previous foreclosure home. The previous owners were not happy to lost their home and took it out on the walls and everything else.
The buyer got a FHA 203k loan so they will have money to fix … (8 comments)
|
Southshore in Aurora Colorado – Pulte Huntington - 11/20/11 10:01 AM
Southshore in Aurora Colorado – Pulte Huntington
Pulte Homes has some great homes in Southshore which is in Aurora Colorado just south of the Aurora Reservoir.
They have model homes at the Southshore location which I took time to go through today and snap some pictures.
The Huntington model is very nice. It is a Two Story with 3,752 square feet and has 4 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. There is also a den upstairs which can be converted into a 5th bedroom if desired. This home has a huge gourmet kitchen, a large family room and … (4 comments)
|
Shopping For a House During the Holidays - 11/20/11 09:55 AM
When it comes to great information, This post by Wayne explains the way it is when you are looking to buy or sell a home. People do get transfer, there are more serious buyers out in Dec, and Jan. Read this post and make a comment of what you think on his blog.
Via Wayne Johnson-San Antonio Homes For Sale San Antonio Realtor (Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper Realtors®):
Shopping For a House During the Holidays Shopping for a house during the holidays is a challenge. It's a challenge for both Buyers and Sellers. The good news is people buy homes every month of … (4 comments)
|
How I made 100K in Active Rain - 11/19/11 04:06 PM
Everyone, go and comment on John, he made 100k in should a fast time. He is a great AR memeber and always has some great blogs. Way to go John
Via John McCormack- Owner/Broker REALTOR, e-PRO (Albuquerque Homes Realty * www.AlbuquerqueHomes.com):
How I made 100K in Active RainYou heard it correctly, I made 100K in Active Rain! 100K in points that is and it's time to celebrate! Now that I got your attention I want to take a moment to reflect and share on this milestone event. Keep in mind I started on my Active Rain journey in July of this year, I … (2 comments)
|
Southshore in Aurora Colorado – Pulte Morningside Lane - 11/19/11 09:17 AM
Southshore in Aurora Colorado – Pulte Morningside Lane
Pulte Homes has some great homes in Southshore which is in Aurora Colorado just south of the Aurora Reservoir.
They have model homes at the Southshore location which I took time to go through today and snap some pictures.
The Morningside Lane model is really something. It is a Ranch Plan with 2,816 square feet and has 3 bedrooms and 3 ½ bathrooms. This home has a nice open gourmet kitchen overlooking the family room. There is ample room in this kitchen to prepare a feast for many. … (7 comments)
|
What friends come to visit you on your front yard? - 11/18/11 11:01 AM
What friends come to visit you on your front yard?
On Thursday, my business partner Belinda Spillman and me were checking out a future property for one of our clients that was close to the foothills of Morrison. Belinda always carries her camera with her, per Roy, and she wanted to take some pictures if we had time. I knew of an area 10 minutes away that usually has wildlife roaming around. Within 8 minutes we found some deer, then rocks then deer then, oh this big boy was so big that Belinda did not know what to think. She said … (22 comments)
|
What Good Are Fake Owls? - 11/17/11 01:37 PM
My business partner, Belinda is so funny some days. We went to Southlands Shopping Center today and she was convinced that there was a big owl on top of Best Buy. I told her it wasn’t real and she argued with me. She kept telling me it was real. I got a snowball and threw it at the roof of Best Buy and guess what. The owl didn’t flinch.
Then I got the camera out and zoomed in and got an up close picture just to prove to her that it was not a real owl.
She … (16 comments)
|
I Wondered Why my Cell Reception Was So Great. - 11/17/11 08:28 AM
I was out visiting Lennar at Cross Creek and Adonea on Wednesday with my business partner Belinda when she asked me what a huge tower was across the main street. She is always asking questions about places and things we pass in our travels.
Well this one I did not have an answer for at first. As you can see from the picture it is a big tower of some sort.
The building next to the tower is surrounded by barbed wire fencing. At first I thought it might be something to do with Buckley Air … (18 comments)
|
Let's Help Keep our Local Businesses Open - 11/16/11 07:29 PM
When it comes to a great blog, Toni Weidman, Came up with a good one in Let's Help Keep Our Business Open. The more small business in the area, the more employees that are working. One thing leads to another and that means home ownership.
Via Toni Weidman-Search New Port Richey-FL Homes (Re/Max Sunset Realty):
Let's Help Keep our Local Businesses Open
Going shopping for the holidays? We can generate a whole new tradition. This year Americans can give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be … (5 comments)
|
How Much Junk Mail Comes On Your Phone - 11/16/11 11:59 AM
How much junk mail comes on your phone?
My business partner, Belinda, always grabs my cell phone when I am driving to keep me from checking my emails or texts while I am driving (I would never do that. She checks the email and always comments on how many emails are junk. I always wonder if I change a setting if I would get less junk but WOULD THAT ELIMINATE PEOPLE THAT COULD BE FUTURE CLIENTS?
I am not the tech savvy person in our partnership, that is Belinda. She is the one who does most of … (7 comments)
|
Be Yourself, An Original is Always Worth More than a Copy! - 11/13/11 04:48 PM
How often do we all try to be someone else? I have seen people say this person is a brown noser or that person does everything the same as Joe. Well as the title points out, it is better to be YOURSELF and that also means do not copy what everyone else does. Thinking outside the box is something my Business partner, Belinda Spillman, does all the time. When it comes to our marketing program for real estate, or even being different in our color scheme at our office, we try to be different from the pack.
We always have … (16 comments)
|
Moving Day Help - 11/13/11 10:57 AM
When it comes for making a move easy, everyone should read Jenifer Owens blog about moving checklist . People will always forget to do something but is you use this list you will miss very little. Pass it on.
Via Jenifer Owens (Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net):
Moving Checklist
Moving is a huge, and daunting chore. There are so many things to think about that sometimes items fall through the cracks, so here is a checklist to help you on your way to your new home!
Start early:
· Remove and dispose of all unnecessary possessions.
· If your utilizing a moving … (5 comments)
|
Pennsylvania Dutch Potato Filling Recipe - 11/11/11 09:50 AM
Both of my grandmothers and my mother loved to cook, so I guess that is why I picked up the habit. Growing up in the Lehigh Valley area in Pennsylvania, my grandparents talked more Pennsylvania Dutch (close to German) than English, but they sure could bake and cook. Here is a dish that they would always make on holidays and sometimes of Sundays.
Ingredients:
5 lbs potatoes, scrubbed, peeled and cut up
4 4 tablespoons butter
1 ½ cups milk
¾ cup more butter
2 cups finely chopped celery
2 cups finely chopped … (9 comments)
|
Reach out and TOUCH someone - 11/10/11 11:43 AM
Reach out and TOUCH someone
I am really pushing to hit my goals before Dec. 31st. I know that in order to reach my goals, I have to make X amount of touches everyday.
What is a touch? It can be a phone call, a piece of mail going out to a perspective customer, dropping off a 2012 calendar, or just talking to a stranger about real estate.
The more touches the better. Yesterday I made 14 phone calls to past clients, emailed information to a future buyer, dropped off 15 calendars and mailed out 37 expired … (16 comments)
|
The 2011 Top Ranked Newbie is a Three Man Race. - 11/08/11 11:31 PM
When it comes to Richard Yates, well what can we say. Richard is always playing in the rain and always is doing his best to make us all better. When he first posted in June the Newbie ranking, he created for all of us to play more in the rain. I know I did.
Thanks Richard for everything you do.
Via Richard Yates - Broker (Coldwell Banker Real Estate):
The 2011 Top Ranked Newbie is a Three Man Race.
I love a good race with a close finish. Everyone is on their feet, shouting and cheering for their favorite to win. As the … (9 comments)
|
Almost Thanksgiving so time to think Potatoes. - 11/08/11 01:53 PM
Almost Thanksgiving so time to think Potatoes.
Sweet-Spiced Sweet Potatoes
Makes 4 servings
2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½ inch pieces
¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, cut into 1/8 pieces
1 teaspoon vanilla
Combine all ingredients except butter and vanilla in a slow cooker, mix well. Cover and cook on Low for 7 hours or High for 4 hours. Add butter and vanilla, stir to blend.
… (12 comments)
|
Don’t count the days, make the days count! - 11/07/11 10:37 AM
Don’t count the days, make the days count!
This past weekend has been interesting. I wrote a post on getting 4 buyers to close before the end of the year on homes. I guess I was thinking maybe some AR member would have had a suggestion of to help make this happen. Many AR members came through with 154 comments. I love the comments about open houses, calling past clients, networking, first time home buyer seminars, Craig list and BLOGGING.
I know that it is always a challenge to come up with one thing that will pay off in a … (13 comments)
|
Have you ever had someone throw business cards at you? - 11/04/11 07:11 PM
Have you ever had someone throw business cards at you?
I’m sure that everyone knows that I have a business partner, her name is Belinda Spillman.
Today while working on note cards to go in each of our 2012 calendars, I ran out of business cards at my desk to go with the note cards. I asked Belinda if she had the box of business cards (she only has 10 different styles of cards because she gets bored easily) if I could get some and bam! She threw them at me and they ended up hitting the wall behind me … (8 comments)
|
How Do You Plan Open Houses When The Weather is Unpredictable? - 11/04/11 09:00 AM
How Do You Plan Open Houses When The Weather is Unpredictable?
Living in Colorado is never boring when it comes to weather. We have a seller who wants us to do an open house this weekend. My business partner, Belinda says NO WAY, but we have to keep the sellers happy.
We just came off of a big snowstorm this week and the weather people are predicting another smaller snowstorm on Saturday. We don’t want to do the open house on Sunday with the Bronco game and all, so it must be Saturday.
The seller called us … (15 comments)
|
What's Great on a Cold Day? Chili! - 11/03/11 01:22 PM
What's Great on a Cold Day? Chili!
After our snowstorm yesterday, I decided to bring some homemade chili in for my office to share for lunch. I have had it cooking slowly in the office since I arrived this morning. When my business partner Belinda came in, she wondered what the smell in our office was. I showed her the pot and she was very happy that we didn’t have to go out to lunch and very happy that she gets to try my homemade chili.
I hope she likes, but I’m pretty sure she will be ready to … (17 comments)
|
Thanksgiving is only 21 days away - 11/03/11 12:41 PM
Thanksgiving is only 21 days away. I am headed up to the cabins in Steamboat Springs where we meet friends from San Diego and Denver and rent 5 cabins. We all share in the cooking for the 5 days that we are up there but on Thanksgiving we all make dishes that we grew up with.
With me being from Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, I love making Pennsylvania potatoes filling and Pennsylvania Oyster filling. Those are two dishes that my mother and grandmother would always prepare each year.
I recall my mother’s menu on Thanksgiving at my dad’s cabin around Bear … (12 comments)
|
Here we go again! More Snow for Colorado - 11/01/11 04:18 PM
Here we go again! More Snow for Colorado
This will be the second straight week that we have snow coming in. We are expecting between 5 to 10 inches in the city. Not as much as what our friends in the New England states got this past weekend.
Of course , our Rocky Mountains will be getting more snow, so the ski areas will love it and skiers will be on some of the best slopes in the USA.
I hope this storm does not find it’s way back east this weekend like the last storm.
Another day of working from … (14 comments)
|
Connect. Share. Learn.Welcome to ActiveRain, the #1 social community for real estate professionals.
;)
;)
;)
