Hansonhomes Real Estate Online Blog

CAN YOU SELL HOMES IF YOU WERE DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER?

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:00:00 -0800

YES I DID! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Ironically I was diagnosed with breast cancer October of 2004. But first let me go back in time- I had participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event in Tracy in honor of some friends & family who survived cancer. Little did I know that in the following months I would be diagnosed with breast cancer, and be back the next year as a cancer survivor myself.

The thing that bothered me the most was that my broker's wife (who I used to play softball with) had died of breast cancer the month before (Sept 2004) I was diagnosed in Oct of 2004. I was still getting over the grief of her death. She was only 42 yrs old. I never thought, "Why me? I thought, "Why now?" My husband and I were planning our retirement - there's so much more that we want to do."

I had been so busy with our Real Estate business that I postponed my mammogram checkups for 2 1/2 years, so when my broker's wife (Cecilia) died of breast cancer I knew I couldn't put it off any longer. When my doctor asked me to come back for additional testing, "I intuitively felt that something was wrong. It's what I call woman's intuition." It wasn't a lump, it was a calcification. I would not of found it in a self exam. It was confirmed that I had cancer. It was devastating. It's not just knowing your days are numbered. God knows all our days are numbered. It's knowing that it could be over a lot sooner than you want it to be. I didn't feel like I had done enough for God, my family, etc....

My husband and I have spent alot of time and training as Ninja realtors, (if you don't know what that is I will post another blog about it) so we quickly realized that we needed to change our thoughts to change our reality. First I have to give credit to my lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Second we have a strong family and network of friends that helped me through some of my darkest hours. It meant so much to me that friends and acquaintances called me with their stories.

From the time I was diagnosed I continued to work selling homes. I had to go to Florida for a week for a real estate conference. Which I ended up taking a friend with me because we were so busy my husband had to stay home and take care of our clients while I was gone to the conference. My surgery was scheduled for December 03, 2004 it so happened that I had to show a listing I had in Antioch at 7:00pm the night before. It takes me 45 - 50 minutes to drive there from Tracy- Manteca. Yes I sold the home. Praise God.

I thought I would of been back to work by Christmas. Boy did I get a shock. That surgery took so much out of me I would get tired real fast and easy. I didn't get back to work until January and by February I was diagnosed with Skin cancer. I ended up having that surgery the same month. I had to recouperate from that. It was pretty hard since it was on my shoulder and I couldn't move my arm while it healed.

I had several scriptures that I read daily! "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 corinthians 12:9)

This December I will be cancer free for 3 yrs. Yeah!

Remember to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the American Cancer Society.

Pregnant and Maid of Honor.

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 02:32:24 -0700

I just wanted to share this. My daughter was asked to be her friends Maid of Honor about 1 year ago. Well, in the meantime my daughter (Krystal) got pregnant. She was very worried about being in the wedding because she said, "Mom, I'm going to be 8 months pregnant! I don't think I can be Melissa's Maid of Honor I'll be huge and fat". I told her she made a comittment and she has to be there for her friend. Was I wrong? I don't think so. In fact I think even pregnant she looked as good as the bride.

In the pictures below, she is the tall blonde on the right of the bride. Our granddaugther is a ham so she had to be in this picture with her Aunt Krystal at the reception.

Yes if you laugh at this picture I'll know why. My daughter pointed it out right away. Oh well that's what the little ham gets. LOL....................

Here I am red eyed and blogging my heart out. I love active rain. Until the next one.

SAFTEY FIRST WHILE SHOWING HOMES..............................

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 05:08:18 -0700

AND THE NEWS ROOM WHEN SILENT........... ALL JOKING ASIDE

I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT BEING CAUTIOUS WHILE SHOWING HOMES! We just had a bulletin emailed to us from our local Central Valley Association of REALTORS which read:

ATTENTION! Nearby Incidents Suggest You Put Your Safey First!

You may have read or heard news about personal security issues for agents while showing properties. Recently, an agent was assaulted while showing property in the Greater Sacramento Area. Two other incidents involved suspicious calls to agents asking for after-hours meetings. While these specific incidents were not in San Joaquin, Stanislaus or West Merced counties, please be aware they did occur.

Remember to take extra caution anytime you are meeting someone for property showings, open houses or just to discuss buying or selling a home, especially if you will be alone.

September 9-15 is Agent Saftey Week. The NAR web siteprovides excellent agent saftey tips to consider both in and out of the office.

Here's my personal advise: ALWAYS listen to your inner spirit (you know, your gut feeling) if you are going to show a property to someone you don't feel comfortable with ask someone to go with you. It could be another agent or a family member just so you are NOT alone. My husband has rode along with female agents before because they had a buyer that they didn't know and it made them feel safer.

BUYERS- this could apply to you also. Unfortunately it's best if you are cautious as well.

I'm only happy when it (Active) Rains!

LOCATION - JUST HOW IMPORTANT IS IT?

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:46:22 -0700

How about Tracy, California? Have you ever thought about it? Do you know about Tracy? Let me give you a little back ground you might love it so much you'll think about wanting to live here. I've been here for over 20 years and I know you'll enjoy it too.

Tracy started as a railroad town in the 1800's. The city was named for Lathrop J. Tracy. Yup Mr. Tracy, you can see a carved statue of him located across the street from the Orchard Resturant on Toste Rd. It used to be Tracy Pontiac, Cadillac, GMC when the artist was hired to carve out Mr Tracy with a chain saw in the late 1990's. I know this for a fact because I was there when he did it.

Where is Tracy you say? It's located in the San Joaquin Central Valley about 80 miles east of San Francisco and about 70 miles south of Sacramento. We used to be a farm town but now we are a growing community for commuters who work in the Bay Area. We have the Ace Train that a lot of our commuters ride into the Bay Area.

Tracy has numerous parks, a low crime rate, quality schools and affordable housing. This city is great for children. All my children were raised here and I kept them out of trouble because Tracy has so much to offer for families with children. Sports is really big here. They have football, basketball, baseball, swimming, softball for girls you name it and it's here. This is a great family community.

Tracy has it's big DRY BEAN FESTIVAL coming up soon. We are the bean capital of the world.

Now it the time to buy here with the housing market at a all time low. Tracy is normally on the high end on price for homes.
Check out the great prices in Tracy now.

TALK ABOUT LOCATION- Tracy is the place to be.

Stay tuned for more posts on Tracy neighborhoods and community happenings.

Joining the addicts group

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 02:38:22 -0700

Hi my name is Marcy and I'm an activerain addict. Here's my pathetic quick story. I am also a visual person so you will keep my attention a lot longer by visual effects and not a really long...blog to read. I like the smileys if you couldn't tell. LOL.......

Adam I like your blog for this group. It's exactly right. I was reading the comments on my blog about being a activerain addict and was invited to join the group so here I am. I had to crack up when I read your comment for joining the group about drinking coffee, so I can sleep less hours, to spend more time on activerain and so on.....................

I find myself, like right now after midnight blogging on activerain, checking out other professionals sites and blogs, spending countless hours reading and learning from others. WOW what a great source of information.
I love reading about others families, pets, funny stories about their experience with a buyer or seller.

I probably have had some pathetic stories but I figure if someone gets a laugh out of it that's good... You know what they said laughing is good for the soul and keeps you young.

So thank you to the group that invited me to join. Here's the paraphrase:

I'm only happy when it (active) rains!

I'm Addicted to ActiveRain.......................

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:10:00 -0700

I never thought I would become a Activerain addict! It's crazy..I was never a big computer person but after reading and going to Tech seminars, I have realized that the future in Real Estate and most everything else is going to be on the internet.

I love all the information from other REALTORS around the states. It's a great source of information when you get it from other professionals.

I was very pleasantly surprised to see Jeff Turner founder of Real Estate Shows on Activerain. How cool is that to find out he is the founder. I was pretty shocked. I didn't think about it before when we signed up for Real Estate Shows.

Anyway I am now a Activerain blogger......and I'm hooked.....LOL

First Time Home Buyers ONLY.......

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 03:13:00 -0700

Okay so this is not for First Time Home Buyers Only but I did get your attention.

You need to make sure you check out this listing. The Price has been Reduced -Reduced- Reduced......

NOW selling for only $220,000. and $3,000 toward buyer's non-recurring closing costs. Buyers this home is great for a first home purchase. If you are an investor then this home is the one for you. Move in ready.

It's embarrassing we have to sell this home so low.....

Please visit this home at ww w.1208frankette.com for photos and more information regarding this home.

Call for a showing 209-609-9565

GENERATIONS OF VALOR: I GOT 499 COMMENTS

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:40:55 -0700

I took Ralph Nudi's advise. I figured if it worked for him it could work for me. So I thought I would try it. All my children are grown & his son was so cute I wasn't sure what picture I would use.

So I figured I would use a picture that touched my heart when I saw it. I really hope it touches yours too. All I have to say is God Bless our Troops and all the men and women that are and have served in the military. If is wasn't for these brave soldiers we would NOT be a FREE country today. Notice the sacrafice this young man gave for his country, an eye, hand, & leg.

Now please help me get to 499 comments!! SEMPER FI

OH while you are helping me get 499 comments - please stop by this home for sale located at 1208 Frankette Modesto,CA For Sale at $220,000 plus $3000 buyers credit toward NRCC

Thanks

Man's Best Friend Died

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 01:59:42 -0700

After reading about Neal the Real Deal Bloom'sBlog on his Jack Russell Terrier, it made me want to comment on my son's dog.

My son and daughter in law owned a 3 year old Jack Russell Terrier named Bailey. He was are very cute and smart little guy. He had beautiful markings. Anyway, about 2 weeks ago they noticed that he was acting funny but didn't think nothing of it at first.

Then he started to walk kind of wobbly so the took him into the veterinary office. The Veterinary told my kids that Bailey has blatter stones. Blatter stones? Okay.....so they did surgery on him. After they surgery they said to take him home and give him the medication and he will be okay.

Well they brought him home and after two days he was not getting better. So they took him back to the veterinary office and they were told that his heart just gave out and couldn't take it.

What a sad time for my son and daughter in law. You have to understand this was their child. They have no human children. So needless to say they were very upset and distraught.

They were told that sometimes in Jack Russell's they (I guess they are talking about breeders) breed for beauty for show dogs a lot of times and end up breeding the sturdiness and health out of them. I don't know I'm not a breeder.

Anyway you can view a short video of my son holding Bailey over a pool and he starts moving his legs like he's swimming. Go to www.myspace.com/hansonhomes

Rest in peace Bailey!

Until next post.....

Stocks are up & all is good........

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 05:04:04 -0700

Do we believe this stuff? Wall Street has been full of doom and gloom these days, but for the average investor in for the long term things are not that bad. Well tell us something we didn't know. Anytime a investor is in for the long term they are as a rule not affected.

Wallstreet is saying that for the most part, investors are still ahead for the year, having more money in their portfolios than they did on Jan. 1.

They are saying "if you have cash to put in the market, buy. WELL DUH.......... Some of the things I hear them saying sounds a lot like a bunch of bull to me.

I know that this is a good time to buy. I do tell my buyers and investors that they should buy now. But most of the response I have been getting lately is that they want to wait until the prices of homes come down. Well isn't that just typical. I remember hearing that from my seller's just before the market started on it's down hill slide. Then I had those same seller's wanting their home on the market "Johnnie on the spot" and they wanted top dollar to boot. Yeah they were in denial. We all know what has happened since.

One thing is for sure one day all this will pass! The question would be when? I don't have ESP. I did forsee that the market could not continue to climb in the manner is was or every home would of been over 1 million dollars within 1 more year.

If I had ESP I could of estimated the erosion of the mortgage & credit markets. Well I feel a little better now that I have that off my chest.

I guess I'm just frustrated with the last two buyers I've had. I went against my own principles and showed homes without a buyer's contract and got burned. I found out that this person already had a Realtor when she told me she didn't. So I did the work for someone else. Serves me right for not following my own rule. I just got anxious and jumped the gun. Oh well, lesson learned again.

REDUCING PRICE AGAIN!!!

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 04:42:41 -0700

CURRENTLY PRICED AT $ 259,950 But make any offer! They are going to reduce price even more.

This home is located in an established West Modesto neighborhood. This spectacularly updated home features a large family room off the entry, separate formal dining room, large backyard with low maintenance landscaping, and a 1 car garage with workshop. The home is conveniently located in close distance to schools and shopping centers.

2 Bedrooms
1 full bathroom
2 car garage
new carpet, new dual pane windows
new linoleum, Fresh pain in & out
Lighted ceiling fans in both bedrooms and lighted closets
Backyard with low maintenance,Mature shade trees,gated Dog Run
Detached 1 car garage with workshop area, and alley access

fRONT

CHECK OUT MORE PHOTOS ON VIRTUAL TOUR ONLINE. GO TO www.1208frankette.com

BRING YOUR INVESTORS OR FIRST TIME BUYERS. CALL US AT 209-815-6709 OR 209-609-9565

BLOGGING BY MARCELLA R HANSON WITH REALTY 1 TEAM, INC.

My Boxer Bounces & Runs like a Deer!

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 01:32:05 -0700

Here he is a Grand Champion Boxer named Tahoe. NOT! My boxer is a mean looking barking machine!! Okay, he scares people only when he barks but he is does the funniest things. He's only champion of my couch. He knows how to get up on that couch and sleep most the day away. zzzzz..............

About a year or so ago he got out of the yard and I saw him down the street. I yelled at him TAHOE YOU GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW! He came a running but I had to laugh because he looked like a deer hopping big giant leaps like he was jumping over a fence or something. Needless to say he was back home very quickly with those leaps of his.

Then he was in the backyard. I could see him from the kitchen window and he kept just staring down at the ground. I couldn't figure out what the heck he was staring at. He must of stood there like a pointer not moving a muscle for the longest time. Then he started bouncing on his front paws, kind of like a person would do trying to give CPR, but by using all your body weight and bouncing on with your arms. This was very funny to watch.

Finally he stopped then stared again and BAM...he had it. Whatever it was. I had to go see. Well to my surprise, my boxer is a gopher hunter. He snatched that gopher the minute he popped his little head up out of that hole.

Sorry to say for the gopher, my dog mauled the little guy to death or maybe he had a heart attack, not sure which because he didn't have a mark on him. I didn't know that a boxer would do that but my boxer does. In fact, he has eaten a few critters he should have and has got really sick from it. It usually takes him about 2 days to recover. CRAZY dog..

Tahoe has two female companions at home. We talk about them later.

Love my four legged kids..............

INVESTMENT OR FIRST TIME HOME BUYER!!

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 20:01:00 -0700

YES- Why Rent when you can own? Don't pay another cent in rent to your landlord. You feel trapped within the walls of a house or apartment that really doesn't feel like yours. That's because it's NOT yours. But you say.. how can I get out of this rut and leap the hurdle into homeownership? BUT THEN you start talking to your friends and family about looking into buying a home.....Your friends tell you...you can't afford that! The payment on a home is much higher than what your rent payment is. There are alot of factors that balance this out and you need to really investigate this more. First of all, You can buy a home with much less down than you think. 2.) You may be able to get help with down payment and closing costs. 3.) You can, and should, get preapproved for a home loan before you go looking for a home.

There are many important issues you should be aware of that affect you as a renter. Why on earth would you continue to lose thousands by throwing it away on rent when with my help you could take a few minutes to discuss your specific needs so that you can stop renting and start owning.

This conversation costs you nothing. This is just a first step towards that goal. You shouldn't feel obligated to buy a home. I will just give you some much needed information you need to get started. If you are not in my state or area I have a wide range of fellow agents to refer to you. Just think how prepared and relaxed you'll be when you are ready to make this important step.

Call me @ 209-815-6709 or go to either one of our websites http://www.hansonhomes.com or http://www.policeofficerhomes.com

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THIS HOME FOR SALE virtual tour http://www.1208frankette.com

Do you let clients know you are christian?

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:47:55 -0700

I have not had a problem with telling and showing anyone that I am a christian. After all Jesus Christ died for me why is it so hard sometimes to do a small thing like letting people know. I think and hope that my actions show christ in me.

I had a fellow agent tell me a few years ago that I should not let anyone (meaning buyers or sellers) know that I am christian because I would not have any business if I did. Well I just thought I would test that theory by putting a cross on my my business cards. Wow about 2 months later I had more business than I could deal with. So there went her theory..........

Recently I have been going through a tough time but I still give glory to my lord and savior and I just trust him even if he doesn't deliver me.

I am sure alot of you know what I'm talking about being a christian realtor. God Bless this group and thanks for letting me post a short blog.

I would love to hear about your experiences.

I hope this doesn't seem like a stupid question?

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 03:32:41 -0700

I have already blogged a few times which is not too new to me but there is a personal blog that seems a little different. It says Marcella's blog. Which is me. But what is the best thing to put in my personal blog? Should it be about me? Please help with advise.

What can we do to help sell a house in this market?

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:41:07 -0700

Well after reading article after article my eyes are about as blurry as you can get without being totally blind. I have come to the conclusion that we as Real Estate Professionals are the ones that have to really get our sellers to realize that if they REALLY want to sell their homes THEY have to make their homes more attractive to buyers by offering what they can.

First they can offer all or part of the down payment for the buyer. As someone who has worked with alot of First time home buyers that is one of the major problems is not any or very much money for a downpayment.

Second have the seller offer a one year home warranty FREE for the buyer. That way the buyer will feel better about the purchase knowing that if anything goes wrong with the kitchen appliances or heat/A/C or electrical it will be under the warranty. If you want to help your seller, I just offer to pay for the home warranty for the seller. Then you have a happy seller and buyer.

Third the seller could offer to pay for the buyers closing costs. That's a big plus for the buyer because taxes and title insurance can add up.

These are just a few of the things we have done to help sell a house but not all sellers are reseptive to these things. Believe me, we have and had seller's who just think their homes are worth so much more and don't want to give an inch. The worse part about it is if the seller is a friend or relative it's even harder sometimes. They usually want you to pay for everything including you pay them for listing THEIR house. Okay......that's a joke but I feel that way sometimes.

I would love to hear anything that you have tried and worked really well.

Don't get burned by buyers again!

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 02:08:16 -0700

BUYERS AGREEMENTS??

First time buyers home
Go to this website to see this first time buyers home http://www.1208frankette.com

The mind set in the real estate industry is that "Buyers are Liars" and " You have to List to Last." The most common complaint is that working with buyers is a big waste of time, money & effort.

It's happened to most of us (agents) , spent a lot of time choosing homes for prospective buyers, driving them around and following up with them, only to lose them to another agent when an actual offer is made because the buyer happens to like a home someone else has shown them.

One way to stop this from happening is having your buyer/s to sign a buyers agreement.

The only thing blocking your own buyer relationships from being profitable is your own antiquated mind set.

Think about it. Would you ever agree to represent a seller without some kind of agreement that you will be compensated for your efforts in selling their home? In other words, would you ever start marketing a seller's property without a listing agreement? Of course you wouldn't.

Buyers are no different that seller's. They need to see the value of it. I don't know about you but I've been burned too many times and I decided along time ago not to meet or take a buyer anywhere without an agreement. Hope this helps. Buyers don't seem to understand that it cost us money and time. We are not all rich enough to throw money away.

Personal stuff

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:09:58 -0700

Yesterday I took the day so I could pick up my little sister at the Sacramento Airport. She flew in from Washington so she could be here to help my mom after the surgery she had today. I drove her to Anitoch where my mom still lives. I really appreciate the fact that my sister took a weeks vacation time to be able to be here. She was telling how she paid $130,000 for her home in Port orchard, Wa and now it's worth $180,000 or more and it's only been about one year. I guess the market is in better shape there than it is here. She was also telling me about how she sees a bald eagle almost every day. WOW wouldn't that be great. Instead I have some mag pies or crow type birds that have been squawking all night long for the past 3 nights. It's very annoying and I'm ready to get a shotgun to blow them out of the tree. Of Course I won't but I really felt like it last night. I think they must have a nest and some cats or dogs or something are roaming about at night so they are protecting themselves. I don't know. I just hope they don't go at it tonight. I want some sleep tonight.

Any suggestions regarding the birds let me know as long as we don't have to shoot them or harm them in any way except possibly throwing a shoe at them. LOL That's all I got today.

Referrals wanted!

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:52:44 -0700

Anyone that may have a referral for our area please give me a call. I will pay a 30% referral fee.

Been away for a while

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:23:43 -0700

Just wanted to catch up on what's been going on with activerain members. I have not been on the site for awhile plus I went on vacation to Montgomery, Texas for a family reunion. It was fabulous. I really loved it. Yes it was humid but very tolerable. I went with my mother, brother and sister in law. We laughed alot and just had a great time. You know how family reunions can be sometimes, where everyone just sits and talks for ever and a day. Well my butt gets sore after awhile and I want to go explore the area. I was amazed at how you can have a city of 489 people but have the high school be the size of a college with the football facilities equal in size. Just about every little town we came across it was the same way. The town was small and rundown but the schools were huge and beautiful. I asked a few people in the area about it and they all said the same thing. Texas prides themselves with their children and sports so that's their first priority so that's where the money goes. You Go Texas......

I had lost 14 pounds before I went to this reunion and I gained 5 pounds while I was there. We had a lot of food there almost all the time 24/7. So now that I'm back home I got to go on that no bread diet again. YUCK.......I ate so much while we were there that it will be hard to go back on that diet. To be honest I really didn't want to come back home. People were very nice and polite there.

My sister in law was teasing my brother about not helping other people after she saw me helping. When we got on the airplane to go to Texas, a chinese woman was trying to put her suit case up in the overhead but she was way to short to reach and nobody offered to help her. So I jumped up and asked her if I could help her and she said yes thank you. Well when we got to Houston I got her suit case down for her. Then on our way back, two young guys had sat next to me (I had the isle seat) and I heard him tell his buddy that he forgot to get something out of his bag. So I asked him if he wanted me to get it for him. He said Oh yes would you. Thank you. I just always believe that if you help others there will come a day that someone will help you when needed. Kind of like paying it forward. What can I say I'm just a good helpful person. That's why I make a great Realtor. LOL.

That's it for now. There is more but I'll have to save that for another day.

1011 Wilma Ct Ripon Open House Sat 1 - 4 pm

Marcella (Marcy) Hanson, Notary — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 01:56:04 -0700

OPEN HOUSE ON SATURDAY 1 - 4PM -Stop by and visit this home in Ripon. It's located in a Cul De Sac. It is a beautiful home with a sparkling inground Gunite pool & the cabana has a full bathroom. Seller's are motivated to move to Idaho. All offers will be considered.