Great Buy In The Willows Off of Buckwalter - 09/27/07 09:56 AM
This home is nearly new, and well kept. There are only 180 homes in this quiet, Craftbuilt (K.Hovnanian) planned unit development. It boasts quiet streets where kids can ride their bikes. There is a community pool. The homes in this neighborhood are well kept and there is a Home Owners Association. The home presented here is a great value and perfect for a growing family. The preserve that adjoins the backyard, assures that there will be no other homes built behind the home. Enjoy added privacy, and a backyard that is ideal for family barbeque (a large barbeque is included in … (0 comments)

BuSiNeSs CaRd Guerrilla - 09/27/07 07:32 AM
I think much-too-much is made about the importance of business card design. Most real estate business cards look the same. There's head shot, a huge logo or team name and maybe something on the back of the card like "I appreciate referrals."
My current card has no photo. Just want to do the opposite of everyone else. My name-- which is kind of memorable-- (John March)is prominent and in an unusual font...could be a very good brand in and of itself. Since I switched brokers, I didn't spend a whole bunch of time with design and just selected the template and mashed … (5 comments)

And Then the Sun Shines - 09/25/07 07:38 AM
 
 THE DARKNESS
Headlines today from CNN.com
September 25 2007: 6:34 AM EDT
Lennar loss bigger than expected
No. 1 home builder in terms of revenue sees sharp drop in new orders, deliveries, as it cuts staff and plans more layoffs.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- In a further sign of trouble for the battered housingand home building markets, Lennar posted a much bigger-than-expected loss Tuesday for its fiscal third quarter, saying it has already slashed staff and plans further cuts.
(I just love the choice of negative words...)
The nation's No. 1 builder in terms of revenue, Lennar posted a net loss of $513.9 million, or $3.25 per diluted … (4 comments)

Marketing Succeeds When... - 09/20/07 09:05 AM
 
Marketing Succeeds when:
1. You have a plan2. Your marketing has a purpose3. Your marketing message is consistent4. Your marketing is contiunous5. Your marketing is measured6. Your marketing is an investment7. Your marketing yeilds an acceptable return on investment8. Your marketing asks for a response9. Your marketing is directed at solving client problems10. Your marketing is not all about you
to your marketing success now... John March
www.marketingsuccessnow.com
… (7 comments)

Are We IN The WrOnG BuSinesS - 09/18/07 07:52 AM
Where Does The Money GO?
 Morning Muse:
Some of us spend lots of money on magazine and newspaper advertising. The truth is, it's not the listing we want to promote, but ourselves...am I wrong?
Most of the Ads are "beauty contests"--Glamour shots-- and "I am the greatest headlines" --Stuff that consumers don't really care about.
In my town we have sort of a contest--to see which agent can get the biggest photo of herself into the Ad, still have a photo of the home and then jam  will all of the features--2 bed, 2 bath, blah, blah, blah.
 
The response most of us here get … (5 comments)

The Kindness of God - 09/18/07 06:51 AM
to the praise of the glory of his grace that he has freely bestowed on us in his dearly loved Son. " Ephesians 1:6 (NET Bible)
This is not a repeat post but rather a change in emphasis. The focus is on what God has given to the world--and to believers. http://www.championsinchirst.net/
What it brings to mind is how gracious and kind Our God is to us. While we were still sinners he sent his only son to die for us, to redeem us from our sin and ourselves. I can only think how I have taken this and cheapened it with … (7 comments)

Friends - Simple vs. Real - 09/17/07 07:27 PM
A simple friend has never seen you cry.A real friend has shoulders soggy from your tears.
A simple friend doesn't know your parents' first names.A real friend has their phone numbers in his address book.
A simple friend brings a bottle of wine to your party.A real friend comes early to help you cook and clean.
A simple friend hates it when you call after he has gone to bed.A real friend asks you why you took so long to call.
A simple friend seeks to talk with you about their problems.A real friend seeks to help you with your problems.
A simple friend wonders about … (5 comments)

A Major Problem That Affects Millions: Loss of Asking and Listening - 09/14/07 09:18 AM
Last night I had a friend call. He was in despair and sounded very bad.  I hadn't heard from him in awhile. so I was surprised by the call. He just wanted to talk. I cannot reveal the entire issue. It seems he was betrayed by those very close to him and he was, to put it bluntly--devastated.
For me, it's hard to listen without wanting to help someone FIX their situation. As a former counselor, I learned that one of the major strategies for healing is just to let people "talk it out" without any conditions attached, and without giving instant … (8 comments)

Let us not forget those who died and the heroes who saved lives - 09/11/07 08:15 AM
On September 11, 2001
The devastating terrorist attacks of 9/11 were responsible for 2,973 confirmed casualties and an unknown number of injuries
19 Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger airplanes. They crashed two of the planes into the Twin Towers in NYC, and flew a third into the Pentagon building in Virginia.
Passengers on the fourth flight attempted to retake control of the aircraft, but it crashed in a Pennsylvania field.
 
… (6 comments)

Nearly New Sun City Hilton Head Home - 09/06/07 07:26 PM
… (0 comments)

"Yes, (Virginia) Sun City There is A Santa Clause" - 09/06/07 10:37 AM
Despite all of the negative press about the housing market, Pulte has announced reocrd sales for the Sun City in the Carolinas.
Here’s what the Charlotte Observers recently reported:
“Success at the region’s first Sun City helps offset a regional building slowdown that echoes national woes caused by tighter lending, higher mortgage defaults and slipping house prices. Carolina Lakes also signals Sun City’s evolution to markets beyond traditional resort and retirement locations such as Las Vegas, Arizona and Hilton Head Island, S.C. Owner Pulte Homes is hedging its bets on where retiring baby boomers will want to live.
For the 12 months … (0 comments)

You Only Get One Chance to Make A First Impression - 09/04/07 06:41 AM
By John March, Realtor and Home Staging Professional
I am amazed at some of the pictures I see on the MLS media presentations. Dish rags hang from appliances. Photos that are just horrid. Frig with lots of those magnets and pictures of kids. Cluttered rooms and the like.
If you are not insisting on staging a home--before it goes on the market--you can count on getting fewer showings, fewer offers and the offers you do get will most likely be in the lower range of current market value.
At minimum, what you can do is "photo-stage" the home. Just like a … (11 comments)