Looking for a clear explanation on the existing homeowners who sell and buy this year.  Is there a date this year that applies or is it for the whole year?  I understand the first time buyers credit and have benefited from it.  I just want some clarification from someone who understands the new law better than I.  Thanks for your time fellow AR's.

It's early August and traffic in my home is hot and heavy.  I guess first time buyers seeking that $8,000 payday from Uncle Sam.  We accepted an offer from an agent who's card stated in big bold letters at the top FULL TIME REALTOR.  OK I'm impressed, really you got my attention.

What else got my attention was the Hawaiian shirt you were wearing.  Looking kind of casual today are we?  I am the first person to tell you neck ties suck.  But neck tie withholding, one can still look more professional than this.  I think he just left the country club after eighteen holes of golf.

Second was the contract he wrote on our house.  Twice he marked the wrong selection box describing if the offer was contingent on selling another property.  He marked "NO" twice when in actuality it was. 

Third he marked the seller was to purchase a warranty for the home.  Twice again he marked that neither the buyer, seller or any agents were going to pay for this warranty.  I guess his friends at the country club were going to pony up.

I just kept my mouth shut laughing at the slogan on the card.  I was thinking to myself to check your ego at the door next time and pay attention to what you are doing.  Full time Realtor or not you have an obligation to your client to represent him or her not yourself so much.

This house located in Yester Oaks subdivision of Slidell Louisiana was sold yesterday to a lovely young couple getting married in two weeks.  I hope they enjoy the home as much as the previous owners did.

This home was under contract in a little over sixty days and sold in three months time.  Sure makes my job easier when the home is well maintained.

Looking to buy or sell in Slidell, Pearl River or Lacombe give me a buzz.

I have attached an article from the Wall Street Journal online version detailing the happenings in the home finance debacle over the past few years.  It goes into some detail about the government and it's departments involvement in financing for those who really couldn't afford a home but should have one any way.  Our press ignores all of this at their own peril.  I guess they fell they will be excluded from anything that happens in the real world.  Why else would they not cover and reveal the truth.  I hope many of you read this article.  The real problem in my opinion the ones who really need the light shined on them will ignore or never read this.

St Tammany Parish is located on the northshore of lake pontchartrain, north of New Orleans and Jefferson Parish.  The Eastern part of the parish consist's of the city of Slidell and Pearl River.  The Western side consist's of Mandeville, Covington and Madisonville.  The town of Lacombe is in the middle.  I really don't know if they are considered west or east.

The following economic number were released by the U.S. Economic Bureau.

East St. Tammany zip codes

Population 117,615

Average Family Income 75,660

Median Home Value 144,933

10% of people living below the poverty level

West St. Tammany zip codes

Population 115,550

Household Income 103,486

Median Home Value 223,428

Poverty level 6%

Here i was enjoying a day of fishing finally.  After moving twice in the past two weeks I had a day to relax and enjoy life a little.  Wouldn't you know it, the appraiser calls on a home I have under contract.  Her wants to go this morning at nine o'clock.  I have to tell him the owners don't want anyone in their house without them or myself present.  He insists that it has to be this morning.  I asked him why he didn't call me last night so i could change my plans.  He doesn't have an answer. 

We finally decide to meet late in the afternoon.  Once again I passively tell him he should have called me the night before.  I know he didn't get the notice to appraise the house at 8:30 in the morning he called.  I keep it diplomatic because I want the appraisal to meet the contract price. 

Anyone out there please call the agent, homeowner, etc. the day before if you know about an appointment.  I think you owe it to your fellow associates, ect.

Just wondering if any states have started using Chinese Drywall disclosures yet.  I know Louisiana hasn't as of yet, but I'm sure it is coming.  I haven't encountered this problem myself.  I would love to hear your horror stories on this and what didyou do to remedy the situation.

By the way there is a meeting tonight at Mandeville City Hall.  Senators Julie Quinn and A.G. Crowe will be there to try and answer questions.  Here is a recent news link to the story and meeting tonight.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.  I wonder how many sellers and agents have thought about this slogan in the last two years?  Well this time someone actually put it in writing.  I know many agents have been busy recently but how long will this last?  Hopefully we won't see many more of these type signs.

I received an offer on one of my listings this weekend thank God.  Right now I can use all the business one can get.  I called the agent on the offer with the sellers counteroffer.  She listened and repeated to me every thing I told her.  She calls back about ten minutes later and asks me to go over the particulars again.  Of course me being the nice guy am glad to repeat them to her.  She told me everything was a littl fuzzy to her right now.  Seems she had an MRI that morning and was given sedation because she is highly claustrophobic.  Who says you can't do this business while loaded.  I had a big laugh with this one.

Home owners wanting to see what their property taxes are for this coming year are able to view them thru September 15 at the Parish Governmental Complex on Military Road in Slidell.  The hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  You will have until September 24 to appeal your assessments. 

A bit of ggod news the Parish Council voted last night in a meeting to keep the milliages the same.  Bad news is some owners values still went up. Result higher taxes.