Most of us think that if we made the kind of money that some of these hollywood actors make, we would never have money problems again and we would be happier than we ever have been. Well, for some that may very well be the case. However, there are a few hollywood stars who are really feeling the affects of the down economy.

I was reading a blog by Jonathan Lansner and Jeff Collins, and they mentioned that Real Housewives of Orange County star, Tamra Barney has her Ladera Ranch home listed as a short sale. If any of you watch the show (my wife does and I have to admit, I have been suckered in to it), you will know that Tamra and her husband were talking about how they were going to have to "cut back" a little. They listed the home at $1,149,000 as a short sale and it is currently in escrow.

As one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood, Nicolas Cage, who makes roughly $20 million per movie, has just two New Orleans homes to foreclosure. One of the houses, the Lalaurie House, is considered the most haunted house in all of New Orleans. Not saying I believe in haunted houses, but a home that was owned by Delphine Lalaurie in the 1830's, where she did very bad things to her servants and slaves and, that has a reputation of being haunted for the last 100 years, probably does have alot of people wanting to put an offer on it. I read that he also owes around $6 million in back taxes in California and Nevada and homes he owns there are scheduled to be auction off at a later date. Don't feel bad for Cage though, according to Internet Movie Database, he has a couple movies coming out in 2010.

I guess the rich have their problems as well.

I just listed this beautiful house For Lease in Montverde, Fl. This home, located in the Long Ridge Subdivison has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, upstairs bonus room, 2 car garage, almost a 1/2 acre lot and boasts 2040 sq. ft. of living space. All appliances are newer and also comes with a washer and dryer. Relax and enjoy your early morning coffee in the very comfortable screened in area.

A one year lease is required. No Pets. No Smoking. $1250.00 per month. First months rent and a security equal to the first months rent is required.

This home is located at 16060 Kealan Cir. Montverde, Fl.

The other day I posted a link on my Facebook page letting all of my friends, family and acquaintances know that the city of Clermont had approved an Adult Entertainment District. Of course people were shocked, some were upset and some didn't comment so I am assuming they didn't care.

Well, there is some good news that has been reported in the Daily Commercial.

Apparently, they did pass an ordinance that designated four potential locations where adult businesses could locate. Now get this...that same night, they passed an ordinance that would almost certainly make it where adult businesses could not operate in those locations.

A little confusing? It seems as if the higher ups in Clermont are really opposed to bringing adult businesses into our great city (which I am very grateful for!!!). Reading a little further, the initial ordinance had to be passed to comply with state and federal law. The second one was to protect our city from these types of businesses locating here.

A public hearing and final vote will take place November 24th a 7:00PM.

Just found out yesterday that my wife and I are now expecting!! We should welcome our newest born around July 16th. God has already blessed us with a beautiful little girl who will turn two next month. We are extremely blessed!

I am always motivated to work hard for my buyers and sellers, but a little extra motivation never hurt anybody right?

This is just a reminder that the men of Grand Highway Baptist Church, will be meeting at Ay Jalisco in Clermont tomorrow night at 6:00. This men's outing is part of the Iron Man's Ministries that has been started at Grand Highway Baptist Church.

Ay Jalisco has great Mexican food and is located at 580 E. Hwy 50 Clermont, Fl. 34711. If you get lost and need to call, their number is 352-243-1360.

All men, regardless of belief or church affiliation, are invited to attend.

"Iron sharpeneth Iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend"

Proverbs 27:17

Sorry to brag, but I was cleaning up some pictures and came across this picture:

This is daddy's little girl!! My whole world and the reason I work so hard!!

What is going on with some real estate agents these days? This is not a lie or even an exaggerated story. Yesterday, I had a buyer who was interested in looking at some short sales. I don't know about the area you are servicing, but in my area, a lot of the short sales have owners who are MIA (missing in action).I guess a lot of them have completely given up, so they just leave the area and their agent has no idea how to reach them. I don't want to waste my buyers time on those properties. I also don't want to waste their time on short sales that are still in the "fishing" stages. You know the houses...the ones where the agent puts a low, low price, trying to attract that initial offer so he/she can submit the package and get the negotiation under way.

Well, our MLS has the "Request A Showing" button where we can get the lock box code and register to show the house. That is fine and dandy, but I need to talk to the agent in charge to get my questions answered. I must have called on at least 20 short sales yesterday to find information...I TALKED TO 3 AGENTS. I did leave messages and 2 called me back. So out of 20 attempts to talk to the agent, I got a hold of 5 of them. A whopping 25% success rate. Does anybody answer their phones anymore? If you are that busy (which I doubt you are), hire an assistant. I want to sell your home, but I need to talk to you first!!!

Maybe I should change my whole advertising strategy to the following: Davis Signature Realty LLC...We aren't the biggest, but at least we answer our phones!!!

Here is a little excerpt from Jacob Riis "Stone Cutters Credo". It is a great little excerpt for those of us in the real estate profession. Really though, it could be applied to many people, many occupations.

Are you getting tired of marketing because nothing is happening with it? Are you getting tired of sending out your farming letters because you never get a response from them? Are you inviting people to church, but nobody will come? Are you dieting and eating right, but can't lose that last pound?

If any of those are you, maybe this will give you that little boost you need to keep on working hard!

"When nothing seems to help, I go look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before."

Today is one of those days where it seems as if I have a ton of things to do and nothing is going quite like I had planned. Here is a nice little inspirational adversity quote for you to think on.

If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire, then you got a problem.  Everything else is inconvenience.  ~Robert Fulghum

Well, I didn't break my neck, I just ate lunch at the Cracker Barrel and I don't think my house is on fire. I guess my day is a little better than I thought!

I recently had the buyer for a house on 1566 Pier St., which is located in the Lakeview Pointe Subdivison in Clermont Florida. A couple days before closing, the title company called me and asked if I could find some information on the Home Owners Association. Since the house was bank owned, the listing agent had no information on the HOA.

Looking online, I found nothing. Frustrated by the lack of information online, I decided to walk the neighborhood and ask the homeowners if they knew anything about the HOA. Fortunately, I came across a very nice lady who pointed me in the right direction. So, for those people living in Lakeview Pointe or considering a move into the Lakeview Pointe Subdivison, here is where you can find all of the information on your HOA.

Lakeview Pointe Subdivision

Leland Management

HOA Documents