Jennifer's Blog

Have you received your government stimulus payment yet?

2008-06-14T19:11:31Z

I haven't gotten mine yet, but I did get a letter saying I would be receiving it soon. Mine should be 2,200.00, not to bad!

I decided it will go toward our family vacation. Will it stimulate our economy since were going to Cancun?? I guess the air fare will count!

I'm not sure these checks will stimulate the economy at all, but I bet a lot of people are happy to get them. I hope our government can afford this huge expense! I don't see how they can since we are trillions in debt and they are predicting that social security is one day going to be bankrupt. It boggles my mind just a little!!

Anyway, what are you going to do with yours?

In this post you will find the SECRET to losing weight and keeping it off!

2008-05-30T19:37:14Z

Ok everyone I am writing this for two reasons! First because I have a feeling the "Title" will gain me lots of comments! Second because it's true and maybe someone will find it helpful!

I know I know your thinking what is it??? First of all no liquid calories!!! Moderation, and exercise excercise, thats it!

Three years ago I went on a medication which caused me to gain 20lbs in 1 year! I freaked out and decided to lose it the old fashioned way, yuck! diet and exercise.

So no liquid calories means don't waste your calories on soft drinks throughout the day instead switch to water or maybe tea with no sugar of course! maybe a little splenda is okay, and well a glass or two of red wine never hurts at the end of a hard day! LOL

No more white bleached flour instead limit your carbs some (moderation) and eat whole grain only and lots of fiber too is great. Eat low fat but not no fat, if you limit all of your fat you will find yourself starving even when your stomach is full, besides our skin and hair needs a little good fat like olive oil. Tons of fresh fruits and vegies, and oh yeah, count your calories find out what your ideal calorie intake is for losing at a reasonable rate not to fast or you will gain it all back because your body feels starved and then you overeat to compensate. And meat is fine just choose lower fat meats, moderation again.

Next hit the gym! Strength training is important for everyone! I always see women come in and only do cardio they think thats enough, well it is very healthy for you but strength training helps as you age with keeping your bones strong and it also helps keep you firm so don't skip it. Try to work out at least four or five times a week.

Vitamins are good too, but be careful and be selective because most of the ones you buy are made from chemicals and cannot be absorbed by the body I take a liquid organic supplement called Vemma.

This of course is only an opinion but it did work for me and I feel soooo much better. I know your thinking I already knew this! You probably did but everyone always asks me how I lost weight like I must have had some magic pill or something but really it's obvious how anyone loses weight but sometimes we just need to hear it again.

Jennifer

How much time does it take to close a transaction when the buyer has a USDA Gov Loan

2008-05-28T18:51:39Z

I submitted an offer a month ago to my seller with the financing terms marked rural development, no big deal. I called the buyers agent and cleared a few things up and advised my seller to take the offer it was 2000.00 below asking price including all allowances, and a pre qualified buyer.

Well the loan wasn't exactly the usual RD it was actually a USDA government loan through our local dept of Agriculture. The buyers agent seemed pretty uneducated as to how it worked and I have never done one.

Paper work was submitted to the local office, contracts, permits etc one month ago. I followed up periodically and when the appraisal was submitted last week I called the person in charge at the dept of Agriculture and asked her if the appraisal came out ok she assured me it did so I asked if we were on target to close the following week as stated in the contract. She laughed out loud and said noooo! It will be at least an additional 30 days?????

So on Monday of the following week I phoned her again and she said she had to order title work! I almost passed out, are you kidding me? order title work on Monday and we close Wednesday? You've had this on your desk for a month and your ordering title work today? No she said I don't know if I have time today, I'm swamped. Title work by the way has been done for two weeks but she has to order it on her forms from the title company which is practically across the street to submit for funding.

So she has funds approved and available, title work is done, appraisal done and she wants a 30 day extension on our real estate contract????

She assured me this process has actually been one of her smoothest and quickest cases. My question was this.... When I submitted the contract with a 30 day closing why did you not tell me or the other agent that there was no way we could close in that amount of time. She never once voiced this to anyone until 3 business days prior to closing and only because of my prodding! So to sum it up the buyers lease is up on his apt and he has to be out and he has no house to move into and he is livid that nobody told him this until the last minute as he should be!

Anyway, if you ever get an offer with an RD loan not through a bank make sure you find out up front a time frame! They don't think what we put on the contract is important I guess.

Adjusting from famine to feast! How do you do it?

2008-05-21T20:17:59Z

I have been so busy the last few days I havent had a second to write a blog! But thats a good thing since I have had a very slow last few months.

Anyway, I noticed a cycle, with myself and I bet most people have their own cycle.

I had an awesome 2007! Worked non stop until about November then my business came to a stand still. At first I found myself depressed and not knowing what to do with all of my free time! I craved to work!

Then after a couple of months I began establishing a routine for myself that didn't include work at all. I finally stopped worrying about work and began enjoying all of the other activites I learned to fill my free time with.

Then guess what happened next? I'm flooded with work and don't want to give up my new routine! I'm sure this will pass and I will adjust back into the work mode!

I was just thinking about this today and thought it was kind of funny.

Have you ever really seen a dog smile?

2008-05-16T23:13:56Z

I have always heard people talk about a dog smiling but I didn't believe it was true until I got a Yorkie!

I had to post this because dogs really can smile! My little dog wakes up in a happy mood and has a big toothy smile every morning. I never really was a "dog" person but I guess I have become one since I got my little dog Jill.

My daughter Jewels is 17and my son Joey is 14 and I guess I decided as the kids got older I wanted a small dog. It took some getting used to at first but her full of life personality and that big grin brings a lot of joy to our home.

Can we trust spell check on our computer??????

2008-05-15T14:26:09Z

I blog regularly and I always run spell check before I post. It was brought to my attention today by a dear friend of mine that I have been spelling alot wrong, well I mean not alot of things but actaully the word "alot". I have been spelling it "allot"? which one is correct? I always thought it had one "l" but when I use the activerain spell check it tells me to spell it "allot". I have been retraining my brain to spell it wrong?! Help someone! which one is correct?

A fun 30 Hour post ed for brokers?? It's possible!

2008-05-12T19:29:30Z

I just returned home from a five day 30 hour post education for brokers and I was pleasantly surprised!

In all honesty I was dreading class like the plague! But I had an awesome instructor, and I actually learned allot from his teaching.

The school I usually attend is taught by an instructor who teaches like someone who has never actually sold real estate but more like someone who has read about it!

My instructor for the 30 hours was Paul Bynum from Fayetteville, he was fascinating. The last two days were for brokers only and he broke us up in groups and had us design a real estate firm. We worked on this for two days and some of the ideas were incredible! I left thinking, wow why don't we have actual companies like the ones we designed in class! I learned allot and left energized instead of bored to tears!

So if you ever get a chance and your scheduling your continuing ed look up Mr. Bynum you will love him.

Cold calling again!

2008-05-02T09:33:31Z

My friend who is an agent at Century 21 in another town called me one afternoon while on floor duty and told me she had ordered personalized post cards and was sending out 50 to random subdivisions in her town.

I asked her if that sort of thing worked and she told me this was her first time to try it. Two weeks later she called me on her way to a listing apt. A gentlemen called her up and said he would like to list his home with her and she asked how he heard about her and he said he received her post card in the mail!

Needles to say I promptly ordered 100 post cards!!! I hope it works for me, even if it's only 1 client it will be worth it.

Don't put off your continuing education!

2008-04-29T17:51:47Z

For those of you who either are about to get your brokers license or have recently obtained, it don't put off your 30 hours post education!

I passed the exam and applied for my brokers license last June and I just last week decided it's time to do my 30 hours post ed. Well to my horror I called 12 schools to register and either they weren't offering it at all or it is to be held in July or August!!

Two of the 12 I got a message machine and finally one called back and said class would start early May, in Fayetteville and it is a five day schedule!!! Well it's either that or go inactive immidiatly starting in June! So reluctantly I signed up and booked a five night stay at a hotel near the school.

So now I'm going to be out of town for five whole days and everytime I leave town thats when clients seem to need me the most!!!

So let this be a lesson to anyone who procrastinates, don't do it! This trip will cost me a small fortune and I could lose business while away. I'm so mad at myself over putting it off!

Do we really need a home phone anymore?

2008-04-25T18:59:16Z

I think it's pretty normal for most of us these days to have a cell phone and even multiple lines. I have five, and if you have kids or a business your probably do too! It gets pretty expensive so I would love to find a way to eliminate my land line.

In the past couple of years I have gotten to where I don't use my home phone at all. I keep it hooked up for DSL and Fax. I pay about 95.00 a month for that. It seems like a waste to keep it on for just these purposes. I know I could get cable for my internet service but is there anyway to fax besides a phone line?

If anyone knows any information about this that I don't I would appreciate a post.

Thanks

Southern home cooking is delicious! But is it healthy for us?

2008-04-18T18:47:37Z

In the south or at least here in Searcy Arkansas I have noticed that nutrition is not very important to most folks. Popular favorites here are deep fried cat fish, hush puppies, french fries, fried okra, fried squash, chicken fried steak, are you seeing a pattern??? fried fried fried! There is nutrition there but it's laden with artery clogging fat and excessive amounts of calories.

I came from the west coast and out there people put allot of emphasis on diet and exercise, in the grocery stores there its easy to find lots of healthy food choices and even low fat healthy fast food restaurants!

My favorite fast food there is El Pollo Loco they had the best charbroiled chicken, fresh salsa, and beans mmmmmm.

Anyway last night I was thinking I would sure like a slice of pizza! But I don't touch white bleached refined flour. So I made a home made crust out of 100% whole grain wheat flour, wheat bran and flax seeds. I topped it with pizza sauce from a jar and loads of fresh sliced mushrooms, red peppers, onion, jalapenos, and tomatoes a little mozzarella cheese and fresh Parmesan. Now thats a healthy and delicious pizza!

I need some more healthy recipes that are tasty too any ideas anyone?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

2008-04-14T20:46:26Z

I showed a little old house today that was about 800 sq. feet and very run down. I went ahead of my clients so I could preview it and I thought as I walked through it that it was a complete disaster and should be bulldozed over!

So my clients arrived, we shook hands and stepped up the rickety stairs into the little house, to my amazement my customers eyes lit up and they said, "with a little hard work this could be a castle"! They began walking around with excitement telling me what they would remodel and exactly how they would do it.

After leaving and going to my own home, I walked around thinking of the things I complain about and it just really made me realize and appreciate everything just a little bit more!

Have you heard of VEMMA?

2008-04-10T19:24:29Z

Throughout my life I have taken vitamins off and on but never could really tell if they were actually doing anything so after a while I would quit taking them.

I think nutrition and exercise are very important and I try to make sure I get plenty of both.

About 4 months ago I was introduced by my sister who lives in Scottsdale AZ to an organic liquid vitamin and mineral supplement called VEMMA. I began taking it without expecting a thing and almost immediately I noticed more stamina while working out. My daughter who is 16 has been taking it too and we both noticed after about two months that our finger nails and hair were growing really fast I couldn't believe it! I've actually taken vitamins designed to help your hair and nails and they never worked.

Anyway this stuff is not a "fruit juice" like that new popular one on the market it's a complete supplement. Oprah Winfrey even uses it!

They make an energy drink called VERVE which contains all of the essential vitamins and minerals like the VEMMA but gives quite a kick when you need a boost of energy and it's way healthier for you then those toxic energy drinks in the grocery store.

If you are a health food nut and exercise nut like me you will love this stuff!! Feel free to contact me if you want ordering info I can definitely hook you up!

ABR, CRS, GRI, E-PRO .......

2008-04-02T09:33:35Z

Getting continuing education is an expensive and time consuming process! Obtaining my real estate licese was just the beginning. In 2007 I got my brokers license and am trying to decide which is the most important designation to obtain next. My goal is hopefully to be able to work on one each year.

If anyone has any advice I would love to hear it. Which of the above actually helps the most in our active real estate business?

"TOUR" or "CARAVAN

2008-04-01T13:41:53Z

Every Wednesday morning at 8:30 am at our local board office the Realtors meet for coffee, breakfast a short meeting and then they tour listings in our area. Each week we tour properties in a different direction N, S, E, and west. I have also heard of this referred to as "caravan". Most car pool and a few drive by themselves and go from house to house down the list. The list varies as to how many anywhere from 10 to 17 listings or so. This adds up to allot of driving some weeks!

I was really wondering if this is something still widely done in other states, or even in bigger cities here in Arkansas.

Thanks,

Jennifer

How much can weather impact the Real Estate Market???

2008-03-31T14:40:15Z

The weather has been sooo rainy here in White county! We have had severe flooding in areas in Southern White Co. some of the residents have really been hit hard.

I think our buyers and sellers moods are effected when it's cloudy and cold and muddy everywhere, people arent in the house shopping mode! Sure some have to shop but those who don't probably put it off be it buying or listing. I think When the sun comes out and the grass gets green and beautiful again we will have a fantastic summer market.

So to all White County agents (including me!) hang in there! We should have a great year in 2008. I think the gas & oil revenue coming into Searcy is about to start paying off!

Jennifer

Easter Sunday Blog!

2008-03-23T16:27:26Z

Wow, I'm writing a blog on Easter Sunday, I must be crazy. I went to church this morning and after I tried to go to JC Penney and a few other places but the whole town seemed to be closed except Wal Mart of course.

I was really irritated at the inconvenience as I drove from store to store only to find everything closed. I had to stop for a minute and think???

I guess I rarely slow down and I think most of us can say this about ourselves. In America we are very driven. We work non stop and keep ourselves busy with many activities, but today I was forced to slow down. Actually it was kind of nice once I resigned myself to stay home.

I used the time to cook a great meal and catch up with the kids and just hang out with my family. It was relaxing and fun. Oh yeah and I also had time to sit and write this blog about my day.

Jennifer

Have you "Arrived" in the real estate business?

2008-03-20T15:26:09Z

One evening at our annual real estate convention I sat in the lobby of the hosting hotel and chatted with one of our local brokers from another firm in my town. He and I discussed what we think breeds success in our business. We didn't agree on all of it but I remembered when he said, "When you get in the mind set that you have "arrived" you better start worrying. That is a loose paraphrase.

Anyway, what I think he meant was when you begin to get in the mindset of thinking you are on top, you begin having an attitude that others see and maybe don't take as good care of your business as you once did. I have thought about this allot and I think he is absolutely correct.

I really absorbed allot of information that evening as much as I could! He being in the business for much longer then I probably 20+ years and having much more experience then me I knew I would learn from that conversation.

So I say to new and seasoned agents if someone is a success in their business be it real estate or something else those are the people who you should listen to and take their advice it's free! Some people like to do all of the talking but when you have the chance sit back and absorb their words it will teach you and hopefully help you avoid some pitfalls along the way!

Jennifer

So many people are afraid to list but they still want you to sell their property!

2008-03-20T13:18:08Z

I get soooo many people asking me to sell their home or property but don't want to list it with me. I don't get it because if they are willing to pay a commission anyway, why not get the full treatment of advertising and MLS???

Most of the time I can't remember the details enough to actually ever sell something that I haven't listed. If people only knew how often we are told, I have a 3 bedroom 2 bath on 1.63 acres with a septic and a 100 year old oak tree in the back yard!

Please don't be afraid to list your property, your not just hiring one agent but all of them to work to get your property sold!

Jennifer

Are rising fuel prices spinning out of control?

2008-03-18T15:06:22Z

I have been amazed that the focus on the presidential campaigns has not been more on oil prices then it has been so far. The candidates have touched on it but I haven't heard any detailed plans on how to try to correct this massive problem. Has anyone heard anything from any of the candidates?

I think this so called "recession" the media continually drones on about is in part, well the biggest part due to fuel prices. Fuel prices driving up the cost of everything we produce, everything we consume, its like a domino effect.

I wonder however, does our federal government even have enough power to stop this at this point? Oil companies are bringing in more profit then ever and are gaining more wealth and power from these soaring prices.

Has anyone heard anything I have maybe missed?

A tip for Real Estate Professionals

2008-03-17T15:05:11Z

My business has been a little slow the past few months, so I used allot of this time to try to come up with marketing ideas.

Two things I decided to try, the first one was I purchased a personalized license plate frame and had a catchy little slogan engraved on the top portion and on the bottom I put my website address.

The other was I decided I wanted to put my website on my for sale signs but I didn't want to buy new ones. So at the bottom of the frame where we insert sold, under contract etc.. I inserted my web address.

I have had one person contact me via my website so far who got if off of one of my signs. I'm certain some of you have already thought of this but I thought I would share.

I think so far the very best advertising I have found is good old referrals from happy clients!

Jennifer

WANTED.....advice from experienced travelors

2008-03-11T14:41:39Z

If anyone has been to the Bahamas and/or Puerto Rico I need some advice.

I am in the beginning stages of planning our family summer vacation. We go once a year and everytime I get on expedia to book I get mind boggled!

We are trying to decide between the above mentioned destinations. I'm leaning toward the Bahamas but there are so many islands I can't figure out which one is the best. If anyone has been there and has any advice for me I would appreciate it!

Jennifer

Gas & Oil exploration in White County, AR

2008-03-11T09:35:38Z

I just wondered if anyone in White County is as excited as I am about the gas and oil exploration that is occuring in out towns.

If BJ Services can purchase the land in Searcy for their regional headquarters they are expected to employ at least 150 workers probably more. This means jobs and revenue for Searcy!!

I have read that gas extraction from Fayetteville Shale has been estimated to make over a 5 billion dollar impact in Arkansas over a 4 year period. Not sure if these statistics are accurate but I did read them.

Some of the companies I have heard are locating in our area or close to us are England Oil Field Services Inc., which claims it will hire 175 workers at a 5 million plant in England; and Chesapeake Energy Corp., which opened a facility in 2006; and Weatherford Fracturing Technologies, which announced it would employ more than 200 people in a multi-million dollar facility, and of course I already mentioned BJ Services.

I hope new jobs will help our local economy. I am looking forward to the expansion and hope it will stimulate the real estate market. If it makes the impact people are predicting we Realtors here in White County can look forward to a prosperous future!

Jennifer

Tax time is upon us

2008-03-10T12:29:10Z

Hey heres an idea, need some income? But don't want to pay any income tax on it? Did you know if you own a home and and have lived in it for two years you may be able to sell it without having to report the gain as income!

Heres how it works, To claim the exclusion you have to meet the ownership and use tests. Which means that during the 5year period ending on the date of the sale of your home you must have lived in the home for 2 years (ownership test) and lived in the home as your main home for the two years (use test).

If these apply you can deduct up to 250,000 for individuals and 500,000 for joint filers, now thats catching a break form Uncle Sam.

Jennifer

Ever so thankful for my mentors

2008-03-10T12:15:29Z

I am here writing this blog today because I have two very special realtors in my office who showed me how to sign up and coaxed me into getting it done!

I didn't really understand how this all worked but they took the time to explain it to me and help me get started. But not just with this. Since I have joined them in the real estate business 3 short years ago they have helped me out on everything. From writing a clean contract to getting the best for my advertising dollars and I just wanted to say thank you!

They never treat me like competition but like a friend and I'm grateful to Mary and Barbara.

Jennifer