Heidi Krone, ABR, GRI - Lynchburg, 's Blog

Market Change

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:44:29 -0500

I want to find our from all the realtors friends around active rain community what is going on in your home commiunty markets.

I live in Lynchburg Virginia and I am noticing a trend of the market picking up. I have to say that we have been very blessed in the real estate market. We of course have to work extremly hard to please our cleints as all you know that.

Our values of our homes have never dropped in this area. In fact while a lot of places have declined in their value our homes have actully gone up 2%-3% this past year.

I will say that the days on market average is 120 days... It is gong well here.

I wanted to find out from different areas and agent how their market is doing and what are you doing to retain your clients as well as picking up new ones.

Love to hear from you all!!! Go and Sale!!

Do you Love God the way you Should???

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 22:09:42 -0500

Firs of all I wanted to share what my Pastor had to say today and how it made a profound impact on my life. This is the second time tonight I am going to try and post this. I believe that satan didn't want theis post to go out.. I feel it is a Message God wants me to share.

I was able to go to Church today and I loved every moment of it. I have missed the lst few weeks because of Softball tournment, Sick kids and my Aunt's heart attack and triple bypass. etc... The way I look at it life happenings.

I attend a well known church in the Country and I love it. I attend Thomas Road Baptist Church. Pastor Jonathan Falwell started a new series today.

It is called Inside Out Love God Love People. This series will be 12 weeks long.

The basic question today that was asked was Do you know God???? Pastor was not talking about to know of Him but to personally know God????? I think you can never ask quesion enough in a body of believers.

The main Bible passage the message was buil upon today was Matthew 22:37-39

"Jesus replied Love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greates commandment. And the second is like it Love your neighbor as yourself.."

The question is Do you know God not factually but intimately? Inorder to do what God commands us to loving others like ourselfs we must know him intimatley . We must have a realtionship with Him and love Him totally.

WOW how profound this is... and yet so simple. I think soemtimes we over look the simple things that God has planned for us and try to make it more than it is.

In the Sermon it is important to know that God would rather us to be Hot/Cold but not Lukewarm. For if we are Lukewarm God will look else where to accomplish his plan. He wants us to toatally fall in Love with Him and learn about Him daily.

How do you think we could actually love others if we don't know Him. HMMMMM... What a thought to think about. You know it is sometimes very hard to love some one that is family or some one you love... try loving others like you do your self..... What a challenge. It really hit me like a ton of bricks I must fully commit my love to the Lord daily and dive into my Bible to learn and understand hime more so I can know Him and love Himt the way He has commanded us to .

God definatley someone I thirst after.. How about you?

Taking Pride in Your Home

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 22:38:03 -0500

You know in America we are very blessed. In the profession of Real Estate sometimes we neglect our own homes. We are so busy with other things in life such as selling, running kids around... or just life running away from us that we don't take pride in our home.

I have to say that I live in a nice home on 1.41 acres. and it is a fixer upper. I love when I finish one room. I fell that I just finished a great project. We have recently just finished up dating the basement, by taking out an outdated tv cabinet (That took up too much room in the basement) We added a mini kitchennette, tile new carpet and paint and viola.... the basement is a very cozy ane looks great.. Yes I did a lot of the work my self... ie painting and laying tile and taking up old flooring and it was a long harde remodel, however now I feel great about the house... at least in the basement.

Needless to say I started a project of taking 17 ugly bushes that were covering up my home.. The structure was being hidden. I have hired soemone to help me with the flower bed to set it up and clean it up. I have to say it is looking great.... Taking pride of my home and making it a showcase.

You ever wonder as a realtor.... why do folks not take pride in their homes. It is the biggest expense that one will ever undertake of their life.. I don't book my weekensd like I use to with real estate so I can take care of my own property... You know people know where you live, either they recognize your home or you have been there so long your neigbors know you don't you think it is time that you took the time to make your home pleasing to ones eye. Remember in our business your image counts for alot and that not only includes how you present your self, but your car and home.

I often get very sad when I drive around my state and I see homes that are in such bad shape that it is falling apart. I have found in my business that the experience I have in fixing my home up, I can offer my clients suggestions or helpful hints about their place. I always let my clients know your work is never finished. So remember Realtors and other in our busness take pride in your place and make it a great joy to look at..

It is easy to up keep along the way than trying to do so much at once......

Take Pride!!

America and Desicions Made...............

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:59:33 -0500

Before I start this blog I want all the readers to know and understand... I love America and wouldn't live in any other country. We live in by far the best place in the world..

I just finished watching a clip from one of my favorite AR bloggers... Hugh Jones.. I then went and read through the comments and it hit me... My next blog and what I was going to say. So her I am at 11:15p.m. blogging with a concept.

All the time I hear people say that Relgion and government don't mix... Oh how wrong their statement is.

Why was America fromed... Do you all remember?? It was the Puritans that were trying to escape Relgious persecution from their Mother Land.... Does this bring back memories for those who have studied American History...

When they got here they had nothing.... truly nothing but the clothes on their back and their Faith in God... Thus our great Country was formed with God's divine blessing..

The problem we have today is we are trying to get God out of everything we do. Back in the day our Forefathers started their meetings with meaningful prayer, and the school day started the same way.

Do you think that they had shooters in our schools back then. Or how about disrespectful students to the teachers... No we didn't....

Every decision we used to make was with careful consideration and prayer. Now because God gave men free will there were decisons that were made without careful consideration or prayers.

America has not always been perfect in their planning or government, but I have to say it is pretty darn good.........

The day we took prayer out of school is the day we started to lose the battle. Today everyone believes that our rights our free and that nobody can infringe upon them...

My oldest will throw it in my face a lot and wht she has failed to understand is that your rights are not yours until about 18... some a little younger... Also I make sure my kids know how important to us that the Lord is..

I have to say I am not extremley pleased with my choices of Candidates... but you will see me voting.. because their were men and women who fought for the right to vote for women....

You must know that Politics and Religion does go together. One person who I would love to see during this Presidential race would have been Dr. Jerry Falwell.

I know he would be firm about why we should vote the way we should vote, and like the video I watched he would have pointed out the inconsistency in Obama' claim to Christianity....

To those who want to hold the Republicans held to the same standard.. I fully agree... If you are going to claim to be a Christian then you must follow Jesus Christ, He is the Only way to the truth and the light...

America was and is Blessed by God. I always wonder how long will it be before God stops saving our country.... Remember the Flood.... He sent his word that the city needed to stop... Since no one would listen God told Noah to make sure that he would build a boat.... and so we have it another divine plan by our Gracious Lord..

So again when someone ask me why I vote they I do I tell them because I can not vote for baby killers, those who promote homosexuality, and anything that I know is against God and His word.

I also want people to know whom may read this I believe this country is a melting pot... But don't take away my God Given Right to vote away. Know this I understand their are many religions and I am glad they feel free to worship in my counrty... But know this America was built and founded on Christainity and our rights should not be taken away because "Politics and Relgious don't mix".. What a cop out.....

Remember that our leaders are mortal men and they will and can make mistakes... when their eyes are not on the Lord.....What ir comes down to is don't claimto be something you are not...... That is not the way to get Christians to vote...

AGAIN POLITICS IN AMERICA DO BELONG WITH RELGION......

Today's another day...

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:20:29 -0500

First off I would like to to take the time to apologize to all my AR friends for not looking or responding at ya'lls blog. It has just been a great yet scary week. Last Friday after my buyers and I had enough of trying to get the seller to sign a counteroffer they offered us we walked and started looking at the whole process from the beginning again. So Friday morning we went and looked at a home and we found the cutest little place in Rustburg Va. It is 3/4bedrooms 1 &1/2 baths with just under an acre of land. Yes, my clients fell in love with this place a lot better than the first home that fell through.

We went back to my Remax offer and wrote the offer up. Needless to say we had a ratified contract before 6p.m. I know the other agent is a great person to wrok with and She is on the ball and gets her clients together and get it done.

My mom, dad and Aunt Nancy signed their construction loan for their brand new home in a subdivision in Farmington in Forest VA. Friday we all went out to eat at Logan's steak house to celebrate. At dinner my Aunt kept complaining of if chest pains. I checked her nitroglycerin bottle and she only had 4 left. We had the pills filled on Tuesday Night.

Aunt Nancy is living with my family until her new house is built. I was the responible party for her and I took her to the ER on Friday night. She was taken to the cardiviscular ward around 12Am in the morning.

Aunt Nancy called me on Saturday and told me that after many more test than the ER the Dr's said she had a heart attack. She was to have a triple by pass on Thursday July 24Th, well needless to say I received a phone call today and I was told to get to the hospital as she was going today because her pain was uncontrollable and they weren't sure if they waited that she would make it until tomorrow.

It was high risk because my Aunt has other ailments, such as emphysema, COPD, and respiratory failure. The Lord is good and she made it through the surgery tonight. We spoke to the heart surgeon tonight and he was pleased. He is now concerned with post operative recovery. You know God is good all the time. He is the only reason she made it through. I know beyond a shadow of doubt, that is the reason she made it through the surgery, because the surgeon told us his goal was to her walk away from the table, and he was truly concerned about he chances.What can I say we had the best heart surgeon in the United States working on her.

So my friends at AR I will get back to your pages and start reading blogs and writing more. Thanks again for being understanding and please know if you comment on my log I will get to your site and start commenting on yours as soon as my life returns to some normalcy... If you are a praying person please pray for my Aunts continue recovery.. Thanks to all the Christians everywhere for all there prayers.

In one week as I said before it was great and scary all in one. I know the Lord is in control..... He always is.

Leads...

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:22:36 -0500

Question for any realtor that may use lead companies.... Do they truly work..??? Is it worth the money or is there a place that is trusted. I have been contacted, but I am not sure if that is worth to spend money like that??? Or does it truly work??? Help from any realtors that can help.. I would like to produce more this year... and grow every other year.... Thanks for any advice given.....

Don't Worry About Immigrants........

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:09:48 -0500

HMMMMM.. I have to tell everyone that I can that Barack scares me to death about his ideas and beliefs for this country.... While I was finishing my basement last week until earlier in the morning...I heard Barack say that we Americans should not worry about the immigrants learning how to speak English, but I say again we should not worry about immigrants not learning to speak English, but rather our children should have to learn Spanish..... excuse me.... when would I go the another country and live and expect them to cater to me with their language and learn how to speak mine.... I know when I lived in Japan, before I coudl even go and stay as an exchange student I had to learn how to say basic words in Japanese. They were not required to learn English to communicate with me, but I was to learn how to speak their language. I had no heart burns of doing that. Now don't get me wrong I do feel that my children should learn Spanish because I fear it will be our national language before long. I also wish i had taken it instead of another language, however I do worry that the immigrants can't speak English, but they rate social security without even paying into and speaking English.. We need to close the borders. I am not saying that I don't believe this is the land of opportunity; but they need to come legally and learn to speak the language. There is nothing more frustrating than going to a restaurant or ordering a food and the waiter can not understand you. Now, again when I go to eat Mexican I take the time to learn a little dialog and teach my children enough to respect the staff and say words and we ask how to..... But to say that It falls on us to make sure our children learn to speak Spanish is ludicrous..... WHY DON'T WE CONCENTRATE on our children learning how to read period.......

Did I mention that an ESL student rates more benefits than my child who is struggling with learning how to read plain English.. I have to jump through hoops to get my son help so he will be able to learn to read and love school... however in our schools the ESL students get one on one attention with teachers to learn how to read English.. .What about my son Born in AMERICA... and I PAY A LOT OF TAXES..........

Barack really needs to take a look at what our schools have time to actually teach in a day with all that is required of the teachers... and No they don't need to take away the electives for our students to force them on another subject.....

I know that Obama has all these ideas of how to change America; what he must truly realize is that being President is harder than it seems and that you better not promise the American people things that you can't deliver.... Obama you really do understand that the President doesn't have as much power as you might think.. .Let's not forget how our government is set up.... Executive, Legislative and Judicial. So you see you may have great ideas to change America but you will have to convince the House and the Senate and make sure that you have there support to pass a bill into law.....

But what ever the out come.... America will never be the same in this election....

BEDFORD METRO ANGELS ALL STARS

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:35:58 -0500

Congratulations to the 12 girls from Forest that made the Bedford MEtro All Stars.... The tournament will begin play next weekend in Huddelston.... and go all weeked.. IF the girls win they move onto sate with thier ultimate goal to reach the World Series in Pinville Louisana.....

If you are a business owner in the Lynchburg, Forest area and would like to help our girls by sponsoring a team... you can email me @ heidikrone@remax.net ..... ALl our sponorship needs to be in by Saturday, so we can put you all on the banner.... a Minmum of $100.00 will be able to put you on the banner which will travel with us.... all next weekend and hopefully to the end...

Thanks and I wil kepp you all posted in the Lynchburg, Forest area of the girls progress....

Thanks Again.....

Just Because I Thank You

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:28:43 -0500

You know the July 4th Holiday is fast approaching and sometimes, we Americans take for granted the Freedoms that we are enable to enjoy on any given day.... Sometimes we overlook the men and women who gaves us our freedom.

This time of year we need to especially say THANK YOU to the Men and Women who have fought for us.... FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!!! Please remeber that as you enjoy the 4th of July Holiday next week....

As a a Marine Brat I truly saw what our men and women do for our country.... Did yo know they are the ones that give the far out people the right to burn the flag, or not put their hand on the BIBLE when they were sworn into office as a Public offical... let's say as Senator.... VP ...or possibly President....

The Military also gives the right for you to refuse to direspect this country by not pledging to the American Flag...

I know people say how awful the Iraq' war is and I say that all war is Awful... That is why it is war.,.. We can all sit back a nd look from the outside and critize the decisions our leaders have made, but have you thought of being in their shoes and what it might actually be like... I wouldn't do it for no amount of Money. I want eveyrone to know that I am not diminishing the men and womean who have died in IRAQ... but I am thanking them for their lives because once agin FREEDOM ISN"T FREE.....

If you know of someone who has served our country... tell them THANKS........ I couldn't be prouder of my dad than when he was a Marine for 21 years.... and Yes I thank the LORD he survived the Vietnam era..... AGAIN... he gave for the whole country... and while you are thanking them tell them to pass to their families a great big THANK YOU as the lend their Father, Bother, Mother, Sister, Aunt, and Uncle... The children... who end up missing time with their fathers and mothers......

Remember thatr we Live in the Best Country in th Whole World....... If you don't believe you might want to try and live some where else... because I can guarentee you will appreicate America more than you know....

I want to say for the current militarty serving in IRAQ..... or who have finished their deployment... or those who won't be coming back.... Thank you so much because we will see the benefitts of you labor years down the road.... Especially now that girls re aloud to attend school..

For those who fought in other wars and battles thank you so much for your willingness to give of your time and life....

Enjoy the holiday weekend and Remember that July 4th is a celcbration of the best country's birthday in the Whole world........

THANK YOU SO MUCH to all the MILITARY PERSONNEL AROUND THE WORLD AND IN THE UNITED STATES.....

If you see one in passing tell them thank you or pick up his/her check for their bill....

Gratitdue goes a long ways!!!

Also don't forget to thank the one who paid the highest price of ALL .... The LORD JESUS CHRIST... HE died for all and is able to free anyone of their sins becuase he paid with his life....

Happy 4th of July.....

P.S...... This is posted early because I will be enjoying my freedom with my children on a ball field next week... and it is always good to remind us of our Choices we are able to make...

New to activerain

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:28:59 -0500

My name is Heidi Krone. I have recently joined AR. I am a Realtor in Lynchburg....... I would like to ad more associates....however I am unsure how to do that.. If there are any advice how to use AR..like adding my listings to AR. Basically I just want to use AR to the fullest. Thanks so much for any and all advice..

All Stars

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:10:51 -0500

Some of you all know about Tori playing in All Stars this summer....I just haved to brag about how well she played tonight.... she smoked the ball into the outfield... I have never seen her hit that well the whole season... Yes I was a proud mom tonight.. on the down side she had to practice not throwing the bat... she did it correct byb the end of practice.. tonight.... Tori is also learning and understanding how important the outfield is....and now she is actually....enjoying it....yea......

Closing a Foreclosure!!!!

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:37:13 -0500

Okay... today I want to vent a little bit about dealing with foreclosures.... If the banks are in such a desperate need to get rid of homes so they can get them off their books why on earth do they make it so difficult for investors to purchase their homes.

I know a lot of time it has to do with the listing agent getting the paperwork to them in a timely mattter. But I have to tell you I truly think that this was a Wells Fargo blunder.... Let's just vist the sistuation a little better.

My investor saw this home and we looked at thei first day it was back on the market. He put an offer in, and by the way it was cash... and it took almost 8-10 days to get a counter offer. However the listing agent didn't present the offer the way it was written. So we then had to amend the sales price... no big deal.

On this property there were liens on the title so it was a defective title, my purchaser was willing to pay part to get this home. We do all the paper work, and everything is going fine.... we get cloe to closing and a walk through was done and come to find out 5 brand new daouble pain argon windows were broken.

I callled the listing agent and she it would be no problem to fix it, welll she wanted to fix the pain, not understanding these were double pain with argon gas in them... hello you can't fix it you must replace it. My purchaser went and priced the windows.. Now these are big windows it is an older home.. They signed yet another admendment to give him a credit.

We get to closing and the HUD is inncorrect... suprise suprise... it was wrong on my commission, I called tile company and they said the HUD had been approved and to spreak with the other agent.. I spoke to her and the response was I don't put in my listings and I am not giving up any of mine to you. So the title Company called the bank, and they had a differnt amount of commision to be paid out... Now, just so everyone knows I normallly have a broker form signed with the commission to be paid.... I send it in with all offers. I went to the files and it was no where to be found... Not blaming any one.... it just wasn't there. We finally get that taken care of and the bank now says they are not going to amend the sales price or give credit to the purchaser for the windows.. Well, the title company told them they were going to meet with us and they changed their tune again. Unbelieveable... Well needless to say it is closed and we are moving on to the next proeprty... Did I mention the Price of the home was 26,000. So it took over 3 months to close a CASH DEAL!! UGH!!! Why don't banks make it a little simpler on the purchaser wnating to purchase their inventory... ANY THOUGHTS????

The Leather Pant Story...

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:05:13 -0500

If you have seen some of my comments have been about the leather pants. Let me intorduce my self in case you don't know me. I am Heidi Krone and I a mother of 3 children all under 10. I am a former Marching Band instructor(an award winning band director.) When my children were preschool aged I taught high school Marching band.. Oh the joy of teaching.... (Actually I truly loved it) Just after my 3rd child came it was more than I could take... beinf at school @ 7:15 am and getting home at 7:30p.m. So back to the story of the LEather pants.....

It was my first teaching job at a Chirstian School. It is a big Christian School in our area. It was our last home football games, and one of the students tought it would be great to do something special for the last band competition of the year. They suggested the instructors and the students get together and wear Leather pants boots, and a jacket to the competition. Well, the young teacher I was with the young staff we had thought it would be a great idea:)

Well we decided to go to Walmart after the football game... because Wlamart is 24/7.There were 2 of my drum instructors, my colorguard instructor and myself. We all had purchased the leater looking outfits to wear to the competition. Rememebr I am in a Conservative Christian school... We showed up at 8a.m. to the band room adn I thought some of the parents were going ot have a stoke.. My mom being one of them.... It was not true leather... of course we called them pleather pants and a jacket. I had about half of my group wearng pleather we looked like the mofia at a band competition.

Well, needlless to say some of the parents liked it some didin't and of course went to the adminsitrators..( now really parents..do you think that was necessary?) I was chewed up a bit, but my sutudents and i had a great time.... Winning the whole competition and looking sharp in the mean time.

I met Debbie Malone that year with her daughter being part of the group.. and incase you are wondering her daughter dressed up too:)

It was truly harmless and yet some decided to take our fun away.. I did however have one grandfather stand up for us.... So it is a wonderful time teaching and now I Sale Real Estate and I believe I still have the same crazy spirit in myself.

I also believe that As Real Estate Agents we are in the process of educating our public and clients on the market and purchasing our a home... Thanks for reading the story and I will have many more.

What a Life!!!

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:36:08 -0500

You ever wonder how you got here or how you can continue to drive through this crazy life???? Well, with three kids you are not always driving your own car. My oldest daugther just made the Angels all star softball team... Well this should be fun!!!! 6 nights a week for 3 hours of practice. Did I mention that I have two other children that get drug to the ball field because daddy works nights. The boys just finished their t-ball seaon. What a great season they had..... My middle child is begging to play fall ball and football. I feel that children are not ready to play contact sports like that at an early age. So we will play fall ball this year:) It is a joy to raise children, but definately challenging.. I love living in Lynchburg with my husband of 13 years and my 3 kids Tori, John, & Timmie. Keep up with me through the journey of life and real estate. Check back and I will keep you amused with my life stories.

Heidi