Kathy McGraw's Real Estate and Life Blog

Land for Sale.....I love selling land

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:42:25 -0600

I am a REALTOR that loves selling land. I love to walk it, feel it, and everything else about it. For me selling land is the best part of my Real Estate Career....land represents everything to me. Freedom, Opportunities, and Visions. I like to sit on a piece of land and visualize what type of house or building could be on it. I like to visualize the views, the little critters that live there, and how the next person will use this land. I just love selling land.

No matter what we do, we should do what we love. My passion for selling land fits my passion for appreciating life in general, so even during the hard times I walk the land, and visualize what will once again be. A good Real Market where people can afford to live where they want, and have jobs to pay for it.

Kathy McGraw- Real Estate Broker in Riverside County California that sells lots and land in Whitewater, Cabazon, North Palm Springs and surrounding areas.

Race For a Cure - This Sunday, Temecula - Inland Empire

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:08:35 -0500

Just saw this-so anyone in the surrounding Temecula area might want to check this out. Dianne Hicks is a local REALTOR in Temecula, and knows about giving back to her community. And what better way than to promote this Race For a Cure for Cancer during October, Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Via Dianne Hicks (Tarbell, Realtors):

Race For a Cure - This Sunday, Temecula - Inland Empire

It's that time and as in every year, this Sunday at the Promenade Mall in Temecula, The Susan G. Komen race for a cure is on. As always, a big turnout is expected hoping to raise 2 million dollars.

As you know we have had big changes to our mall this last year. Due to this they have changed the location for the expo and staging area, the event will be in the parking lot between the new and old Macy's department stores.

Please be aware that the following streets in Temecula.... Ynez Road, Overland Drive, Margarita Road and Solana Way will require some partial or full closures from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday 10/18/09. The mall's ring road will also be partially closed for the event.

If you have not registered yet, you can still register on the 2nd floor of Macy's. If you do not get the chance to register before Sunday, you will be able to register on race day, beginning Sunday at 6:30 a.m.

Here is the Schedule for Sunday's Race for the Cure
6:30 a.m.: Registration opens

6:30 a.m. to noon: Expo and Kids' Expo

7:15 a.m.: Survivor photo

7:30 a.m.: Parade of Pink, a tribute to survivors.

8 a.m.: Timed 5K run for men, women and survivors

9 a.m. Team/co-ed 5K run/walk

10 a.m. Family 1-mile run/walk

10:45 a.m.: Survivor awards, pledge prize drawings and kids' art contest winner announced.

Please this website for donations and knowledge regarding this race for a cure
http://ww5.komen.org

Dianne Hicks
Tarbell, Realtors e-PRO, Reo/Short Sale Certified
email diannehicks@di4homes.com or di@di4homes.com
phone (951) 514-5709
website http://www.di4homes.com
The Realtor You can Expect More From!!!

Blogging Continuing Ed- Make your Blog Better with these Resources

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:00:06 -0500

Blogging on any Platform is a learning experience, and one we use to share information. Sometimes though we learn things on other platforms that we want to share with the community of another. That is what this is, some valuable resources I found on another Platform, and wanted to share to help you make your Blog Better.

I have been actively learning new things for months now, and thought I would share a few of the great resources I have been using with everyone here. Yes, I have been blogging for a couple years now, but technology changes, Google indexes things differently, and learning is a never ending cycle.

Blogging on Active Rain is great for our Business, and great for networking. However it is an insulated platform, where the information we get is mostly from like minded people, which can be good or bad.

How many of us have different Blogs? We start with one and work our way out into the larger web community. Some of us do, and some don't. But bottom line is we want our Blog to improve just like our Business. We blog for business!

Here are 5 Resources I have used recently to improve my Blog, my Posts, etc. I was very pleased when I came back on here and wrote this Post with a colored border to accentuate the main part of the Post: I did that Post in about 10 minutes, and it served it's purpose. Many of you went to the site and donated! (BTW thank you).

My point is: we find resources in different places, and it can help us improve our writing. I happened to find mine on Squidoo- but even if that is in the Title, Google Research is the same everywhere, keywords are the same, etc.

During my over 2 years on Active Rain I learned tons......mostly about our business-selling Real Estate, but also about adding pictures, SEO, Marketing, etc. However, these 5 resources, and a host of other ones really gave me the tools I needed. I felt like I had finally learned what I needed to improve my Blogs. I added the color one because I saw several posts recently that love colored fonts...so that is just for you. The other ones helped me tons, and the borders one I used for many of my writings on Squidoo including a Real Estate Specific lens on my farm area. One lens beat out my Active Rain Blog, and my personal one in Google which both surprised and pleased me because that meant I had learned something ;)

Here are a couple examples of my Real Estate writings that have all done well in Google by using the resources I found, and specifically by spending more time on the pre and post part. Something I have NEVER done before.

Serrano Del Vista is the area I work for Residential Listings and Sales (mostly I was selling land) and it is #6 on Page 1 of Google.The 2nd and 3rd spots are my other Blog, 4th and 5th spots are my videos, and this one beat my Active Rain Blog by 1 place- I have 7 of the 10 spots on Page 1 for my Niche. And all this is from what I have learned from AR and other places.

5 Resources (forget the platform) that can help you improve your Blog, Post, Lens, Article, etc.

1. Make Your Blog be found better in Google

2. HTML codes for Borders and Backgrounds

3. Improve your Blog with Google Book Clip Tool

4. understanding and Improving how you use Keywords

5. HTML Color Guide

Photo Presentation Program

William Johnson just posted this, and it is beautiful. I had never heard of this program, but will be watching for his tutorials so I can use this as a tool for making my Blogs better too ;)

Note: One of the most important things I learned is to have unique content, that is also updated!

** for #3 The Book Clip Tool go to Advanced Search and click on Public Domain (see comment 55 below)

Update: Note go to This SEO and Marketing Blog for Q&A's (the Author of the SEO resource)

By: Kathy McGraw- CELLing Realty in Riverside County CA

Lil Devil and Lil Angel- Oh my Gawd They did it again!

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:47:09 -0500

Oh my...I only came on here to read a few things, and one thing I read just jumped out at me, and the Lil Devil threw his sock away and has been jumping up and down ever since.

Why? What is going on this time?

We all have heard about the new FTC Guidelines. Several Blogs on here were written, some better than others. But what the Lil Devil noticed were a few of the comments, uh oh here he goes:

Lil Devil- Will you quit acting like you are so superior! And if you really want us to believe what you say, then I suggest you actually do some research before writing. And you call yourself a Prolific Blogger!

Lil Angel- Many people are confused, and it didn't help any that most of the media got it wrong, and so did some of the top Bloggers. This was all clarified in a Conference Call I was on with Mary Engle of the FTC a couple days ago.

Lil Devil- Yea yea, who cares about that....I want to know why this whole thing has gotten out of control? Nobody is going to be making a Bloggers Jail, and regardless of that "important" AR Blogger.....the Government is not restocking the treasury with fines from Bloggers. He** this reminds me of all that fear mongering that was so prevalent in the past.

Lil Angel- Yes, but that prolific Blogger went on and on about how it is our responsibility to check things out, and ........

Lil Devil- Oh really? If that's the case then they sure dropped the ball on checking facts. We do check facts don't we? Or is that only for Market Reports?

Lil Angel- OK, enough now.....here is something that will give you the Q&A from the call, and a link to the Guidelines. And as far as the misinformation that is going around the media and Blogs, most of it was misinterpretation of the Press Release.

Lil Devil- that may be fine and dandy, but what about the people that love spewing their cr*p about everything? You want me to just ignore them?

Lil Angel- Yep, those are the AR Guidelines.....If you want to play in the sandbox, you must remember that not everyone plays with the same deck of cards, and some people just love to spout off to sound important!

My Writeup on the Guidelines with Q&A's

Link to Read for Yourself the Guidelines

Kathy McGraw

Almost Wordless Wednesday Kathy Style #6

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:23:40 -0500

Busy people often times rush through life without taking time to see the little things in life. A quote by Throeau is on my desktop to remind me every day, "It is not what you look at that matters, but what you see". And this is what I saw one morning. I am reposting it here, as originially I put it on Rocket Moms, a group of Women Writers in their Photography Group.

Yesterday I got to San Diego about 9 am and it was foggy out. My daughter told me to look at something out the window, and here was this huge beautiful spider web near the top of her Avocado Trees with the morning dew caught on the web. Oh, I grabbed my camera and ran out the door with their words of "you'll never get it" echoing in the background. This was extremely difficult to capture on a fly by "I want it now" picture, but as you see I got it. Not in it's full glory as I saw it out the window, but enough to share it with anyone that appreciated the small things in life. The things we often don't see :) Look very close and you can see the morning dew drops in the center of the web. The Avocados will give you an idea of how large this web is.....imagine the time it took one itsy bitsy spider to weave this.

Almost Wordless Wednesday Kathy Style #5

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:54:12 -0500

I was making a Word Press Blog to practice some of the things I learned and found a great theme for Photos called Monotone. Since the name of the Blog is called Sunset Art Works of course I had to upload some Sunset Pictures. This is one I got a real kick out of, and had fun with it on Twitter. Hope you get a smile out of it. Some things don't really need an explanation, and if you live in North County, San Diego you've probably seen it along Highway 101.

Where have all the Bloggers Gone?

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:36:05 -0500

I was just sitting here reading old Posts and thinking of all the time I invested in this network. Learning, putting out fires, and writing from my heart. Oh, not mushy stuff, just heartfelt thoughts that made sense out of things. But in reading the comments I saw people I haven't seen in a long time. Where did all the Bloggers go? I remember my first year on Active Rain.

The people I read at the time disappeared. Where did they go? I know now where they went, to the same places I have been. Learning all over the Internet with the Blogging skills we learned here. Writing on other platforms, socializing on Twitter and Facebook. Dreaming and hoping their dreams aren't lost as they find their way in this big Wide World of the Web.

Where have all the Bloggers gone? They mentor new people, they go to the REBar Camps, Blogger get togethers, and Tweet updates of what's going on in their lives......short quick encounters. I see people all over the Internet that I met here. But to tell the truth I miss many of the people I used to blog with and comment on their Posts.

We come to learn, to grow our business, and a host of other reasons, and sometimes people just have to follow their dreams no matter where that is. When one Blogger leaves another takes their place.....

Follow your Dreams........and if that means we will miss you, then so be it. We all have to be true to ourselves in the long run.

What do REALTORS do when not selling Houses? We Make a Difference in Lives

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:09:06 -0500

We all have slow times in our business, and some of us more than others lately. But what do you do with this time? How do we help families other than getting them into new homes? I know this community, and I know that it is a caring one. So many people have supported each other, and shared their hopes, dreams, and sorrows together. Well, I want to share what I am doing today to help.

Today is September 9th, 09_09_09 the one day Twitterthon to Stop Child Sex Trafficking. Anyone that knows me knows that I spent my life working with, and for kids, to give them a better life. So when I was asked to help, I did! Here is what I wrote on Squidoo for them, explaining about the Project. Background information on the perverts that are capitalizing on our kids, the worlds kids.

Look at this Video, then get angry! Afterward please help with this Twitterthon for a most worthwhile cause. As one Twitter user said this morning, after I thanked her "@brokerkathy My pleasure, Miss Kathy. $9 and a Tweet is the least any of us can do."

Here is how you can make a difference today: Stop Child Trafficking!

Where did the house go......Short Story of Mr. REO Agent and the missing house

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:17:18 -0500

I'm sitting here right now wondering what to do, the house we put an offer on has disappeared! This whole transaction has been a nightmare, well actually it hasn't been a transaction, we just put an offer in on an REO home. Cash buyer, clean offer with no contingencies other than home inspection. Sounds good, but then the house disappeared!

About 2 1/2 weeks ago we put an offer in on one of the Foreclosures in a gated community. My buyer loved the house, and after taking time to think about it wrote an offer. It was a clean offer, and a good one, for a property that had sat vacant for about a year. Anyway after she wrote it I called the Agent to tell him the offer, and ask where to send it. Ok, offer now sent!

Communication with this Agent has been anything but "good" although his online bio talked of stelliar service, communication, etc. After several days of not hearing I called him to see if he had heard anything. OK, we will wait a few more days. My client, by self proclamation "isn't very good at waiting," but wanted "this" house.

Another week goes by while I am trying unsuccessfully to reach the Agent. Message after message, and nothing. I did get a 2 line response of "got it" to an email sent asking if he had received the offer days before. Finally out of frustration I looked Mr. REO Agent up, and called his office. What happened next is short of sending a volcano through my Brokers Hat I was wearing at the time.

I asked for Mr. REO Agent....."hold on I'll transfer you". Then Voice Mail. I asked for the Broker, got an Office Manager. "Oh he's an Independent Contractor, we don't keep tract of him. He's really busy with his 80 listings!" What! Well can I have the number for the Broker? "I don't have it, but reception can give it to you." What! You're the Office Manager and don't have the number for the Broker?

After many tries, Mr. REO finally answered the phone, "Oh I am sorry, and I haven't heard anything yet, which is unusual as I have worked with these people before".......blah blah blah. Then he tells me he is going on vacation in the morning, but will have his laptop and cell phone with him. Yea I'm thinking, they sure were useful to me while you weren't on vacation! But I'm professional, and thank him for the update.

Fast foreward to he has been on vacation awhile, no contact, no answering my calls, nothing. That Brokers Hat of mine was steaming......"Who is supervising this guy! and where is my offer?" I Twittered my frustration once, and different people said for me just to call the Bank myself. And I would have loved to.....but that's against the rules. The Bank had representation....Mr. REO Agent. So short of calling the Bank, I called his office again. This time I was insistant, and wanted to know why this Company (large Franchise by the way) wasn't supervising Mr. REO Agent....who was in charge of his files while he was gone?

Anyway, I will spare you all that part of the story, because here comes the climax!

Days before I had called Title to see which Bank owned the house, I was just an inch from that line of breaking the rules, but with knowing who owned the house, I felt I knew something! Ok, now this is days before the last call to that office. So, I learned who owned the house, I even have an address, but I am not allowed to do anything with it, so I once again made my twice daily call to Mr. REO Agent, and lordy be he answered!

After the "oh I'm sorry's" he tells me he just 5 minutes earlier emailed the Bank because guess what.....they don't have the house anymore! The house was transferred to one of the 2 Government Agencies, and he just found out! What.....I knew this days ago...but I bite my tongue, I try to remain "Professional." So, Mr. REO Agent what's next?

My house is lost! The Government Agency doesn't have it in their inventory, and the Bank doesn't know why it was transferred! And let's not forget about my client that "isn't good at waiting". So, Mr. REO AGent tells me he will send me an email showing he in fact sent a mail out "just 5 miniutes ago" and I can send that to my client. What! Oh, and he will make sure he calls them in the morning to see where my house is, never even hinting that along with the missing house is our missing offer.

So, here I sit with an anxious buyer, a deposit check, proof of all funds, a home inspector on hold, and no house! And is he still the Agent since obviously the company that hired him doesn't own the house anymore?

Yes, I just love how some Agents work, and love the Banks even more. I sure hope the Government with all their resources can find my house sometime soon! Now, you try telling your client that their house is missing! I just love my job....

Moral of the story.....

REO Agents, if you can't handle the listings you have,

and can't bother to follow up, then don't take the listings!

I just want to find out who has my house, so I know what to do next with my client!

By: Kathy McGRaw- Real Estate Broker

A special summer treat: Don't Gag :)

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:07:27 -0500

Do you have a good imagination? Have Kids or Grandkids? Well, this is for you....a special Summer Treat, but like I said "Don't Gag" it's not good for the keyboard :)

Entertaining the kids, and re-enforcing various skills like writing, photography, and math this is the result of giving kids something to do. The "assignment" was to come up with a recipe. Are those flies real? Yep, I saw them out in the backyard (don't know what was wrong with the flies in the house) killing flies. Apparently everyone gets 2 each LOL :)

And Fun isn't just for the Kids :)

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Stupidity

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:43:49 -0500

"Stupid is as stupid does." Yesterday I read about a Real Estate Agent in Washington that did several Burglaries after telling homeowners he had clients that wanted to see the home. He would make the appointments for when Sellers weren't at Home then steal their valuables and pawn them. The Rationale "to supplement his income in this economy."

I've always said that not all Real Estate Agents were ethical, intelligent, or mature, guess this is an example of that. Another thing I read this morning was an Agent in Florida was arrested foranother crime.

People are people regardless of the job they have. The Military is full of misfits (I know I was in the Service) and I know of Crooked Cops, Judges, Council Members, etc. all out to take care of number 1 at the expense of others.

But bottom line is if you do something Stupid.......Be Prepared for the Consequences. We can all do what we want in life if we are willing to accept the Consequences!

By: Kathy McGraw

Real Estate: Finding Your Home in an Emergency

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:52:31 -0500

Address or House Numbers.....something most of us don't give much thought to, but they can be very important in an emergency. Older housing tracts don't always have sequential numbering....in fact the house next door to me is 1135 while I am at 1159 and across the Street is 1146. Imagine if you were trying to locate a particular address by today's standard....all odd on one side, and all even on the other side in sequential order. That's easy, but older housing tracks, or rural areas often times are different. In an emergency it's important to have Clear Reflective House Numbers.

Some places require the Address's House Number to be displayed on the Mailbox with Reflective Numbers.

By: Kathy McGraw-Real Estate Broker in So. California

Lil Devil and Lil Angel: Breaking all the rules.....

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:07:19 -0500

What you see is not always what you get! This week the Lil Devil was fuming at another Real Estate Agent for reportedly scamming a neighbor. We all know what fiduciary duty means, and we know that we have a ton of rules to follow...as well as Fair Housing and anti-Discrimination rules. So when I heard about what this agent did, well......

Lil Devil- "I was Pissed!"

Lil Angel-This couldn't be happening, nobody would jeopardize their license by this type of behavior. Maybe my neighbor got it wrong. But when she told me the punch line (the final straw in my book) I was agast! Here is the story as told to me.

The Real Estate Agent (a friend of a friend) purportedly "sold" these people a house in a very nice development. The house was appraised at $240,000, and the clients said they wanted to offer $260,000 to make sure they got the house.

The REALTOR supposedly told the clients that they could move into the house (she owned it) and they would do the contract later. The clients did move in and asked how much money they needed for a down payment as their tribe was going to buy the house for them.

But the REALTOR kept putting them off when they asked about the contract. They were told that they would pay $1200 a month "rent", and this money would go to towards the purchase. And apparently again the clients asked about the down payment, and were told that it would be $27,000. but no price was ever established for the house, and the REALTOR wanted a security deposit of $1,200, rent $1,200 and last months rent of $1,200 plus $27,000.

Lil Devil thinking- What....this doesn't sound right at all....where's the contract? Who would let someone move in without closing escrow, or even having an escrow. And this is a friend? How can you collect rent and a Down payment at the same time? Something's wrong here!

Lil Angel- Did you have a contract? Anything at all in writing? Where did you find this person? Oh, a friend of a friend....Be careful of Friends, as obviously something isn't right.

The story goes on to say that somewhere in the few weeks they were in this house that they decided things didn't seem right. They stated they kept asking to write a Purchase Contract, as they knew that there should be a lot of paperwork like when they bought their current home.

Lil Devil- You go tell that lady that you are going to report her to DRE, she can't do that! Did you give her the money.

Lil Angel-Why didn't they ask me...I would have helped them! Now look at the mess they're in!

Well, after a few weeks of this the people decided to move.....and when they told the lady (she's not a REALTOR in my book because she isn't ethical, and has clearly violated the law if this story is right) she told them they owe her 3 months "rent". When asked why they owe 3 months they were told for 1st, last, and security. But they told her they weren't paying as they have no contract.....and here's the kicker....

"Oh, so you're not one of the "Dumb" Indians!"

Lil Devil- What...not only do we have fraud involved, but now we add Discrimination. Who is this person? I will report them myself as I am embarrassed even listening to this. Fraud, fraud, fraud....throw her ass in jail for all I care, and definitely take her license!

Lil Angel- ..........(silenced by the purported injustice, and disbelief anyone would take advantage of anyone like this).

I know there are many people that don't understand the process of buying a home, but that's our job as REALTORS to help them. It's our job to make sure their interests are taken care of. And for anyone in our Profession to take advantage of someone else for personal gain is disgraceful....

By: Kathy McGraw- A Real Estate Broker that does NOT take advantage of people!

Real Estate Agents: What are you doing to survive

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:17:46 -0500

A long time ago, in a far off place Real Estate used to sell. Phones were ringing, computers were writing contracts instead of Tweeting, and ATM's cards were used to get money....that green stuff, out of the Bank. Oh and that's when the word Bank used to mean the place that we put our money in, now they just take what little we have, and give Real Estate Agents headaches.

Our Parents used to talk about walking 5 miles in the snow....using an old typewriter, and black and white TV. They loved getting a gold watch and a pension after retiring from the same job. And Real Estate Agents were mystical and magical in knowing where houses were for sale, and how much they were worth if you wanted to sell yours.....they called it a CMA. Yep, those were the days, in a far off land. The land of yesteryear.

Recently in a close by place, Real Estate sales have taken a beating. People bought a decent home but then lost their job, or the mortgage was one of those that greedy ogres pasted with honey to hide the stench of their deceptive practices. And across the street people were planning what to do with all the money they were making. Life was good....

In the past 3 years many Real Estate Agents, Lenders, Stagers, and others have joined the other people that have lost their savings, their homes, and many have been hanging on by a prayer. This must be a special place because many of the Real Estate People have helped each other and I know that to be true. I know how a helping hand, a hand up, or just someone listening can help these Real Estate people, actually all people. This is a special place, a place of compassion.

Today these words are the Golden Watch..." You have completed your Re-payment Plan." These words are the ones that anyone behind in their mortgage tries so hard to hear. And it can be done....I just hung up the phone from my lender, and have effectively saved my house from Foreclosure. How did I do it with no closed Real Estate transactions.....ahh that's the essence of this story. I did it with a little help from my friends. A kind word here, and a dollar there...but most of all it was accomplished with what John Wayne called "True Grit."

Some people think others in the Real Estate Field shouldn't take a second job.....how can we service our clients if we are working a paying job. But there are ways to earn a dollar and have flexible hours. Thinking outside the proverbial box, fun jobs that are flexible and recession proof can get us through. After 3 years I finally took the plunge and had to get some of that green stuff they call money to save my house. Depending on others to rescue me only goes so far. Then the "but how am I going to pay them back, and what about tomorrow kicked in......

As has been stated by people I respect, including my own inner voice......There is no shame in an honest dollar whether we get it selling Real Estate or.......Becoming an Ice Cream Man :)

Hope and Optimism along with a Positive Attitude can go a long way.

Knowing what questions to ask,

and a Helping Hand from others are what helps all of us survive in todays world.

By: Kathy McGraw- Real Estate Broker with tenacity and a lot of determination, and some darn good friends :) Thank you......and you know who you are :)

Lil Devil and Lil Angel: Passionate about Kids

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:39:27 -0500

I am writing on a Real Estate Network because my profession is Real Estate. The Members of this network are involved in Real Estate in some form or another, and many times I've read about how passionate people are about Real Estate, but that's not my real passion, it's what I do, but not what I am most passionate about.

Right now the Lil Devil is fuming ....but it's not about Real Estate. This is one of those times where the Lil Devil has completely silenced the Lil Angel. In fact all parts of my personality are integrated when I think of the atrocities that some people do to each other, and especially to children.

I just read that Human Trafficking has moved to the #2 spot for most profitable illegal trade.

Born to Fly International, Inc. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is one I found on Twitter. As most of you know I have spent the majority of my life working with and for children, and when I read some of the things from this Organization, as well as others on Human Trafficking, my passion just boils over.

You may see me Re-Tweet several of their messages, especially from an Organization that tracks prominent people that get arrested for Crimes against Children. Anyway Diane Scimone of Born to Fly International stated they will be redoing this Video to show the change from #3 to #2.....in most profitable illegal trade. Disgusting, just disgusting that they would even have to change this Video that is apparently only 6 months old, to reflect this change.

Is the Lil Devil Angry....you bet he is!

By: Kathy McGraw- Veteran, Former Peace Corps Volunteer, Former Little League Manager, Pop Warner Commissioner, Rotary Member, Foster Mother, Mother, Grandmother, Artist, Writer, and Photographer.....in other words someone JUST LIKE YOU that sells Real Estate in Riverside County CA.

Lil Devil and Lil Angel : Trusting in a Business transaction

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:32:14 -0500

Business, whether it't Real Estate, Buying a Computer or Camera at Best Buy, or getting your car repaired....we are in the position of needing to "Trust" someone else. Most of the time we take their word as to what we need to buy, or what we need to do to solve or fix a problem. They are the experts, and we expect them to know what they are talking about and to guide us through our purchase or transaction. But what happens when our Trust is misplaced?

"Trust me" yea we've all heard that one before. In fact there are people that the minute they hear those words they run the other way. "Trust me" is the tagline of many a con artist and incompetents. I don't think they have it patented or anything, but when I hear it I want to run the other way.

This past week I have had to "trust" many different people to help me with a business venture. The venture itself is immaterial it's the experiences that left me at weeks end with a migraine, very sore back, and wondering where in the world work ethics have gone to.

1) "I'm sorry" but..........

Lil Devil- What do you mean you're sorry? You don't have anything vested in this.....will you quit talking don't you know I stopped listening to you after you said "but"?

I'm so angry right now I could just scream, or throw things, something, as I don't "trust you" I think you're lying to me, but what can I do, there's no way to prove it. Damn it, it makes me mad....and I just knew I should have gone somewhere else.

Lil Angel- Sometimes our gut feelings should be listened to. Unless someone is really neurotic, or has actual mental problems then listening to our gut feelings can keep us out of situations that we sense isn't right. Sometimes the anger we feel isn't really at the situation, but at ourselves for even being in the position of being taken advantage of. In my case I was very angry as I had suspicions that this shop would try to pad the bill....and from the experience all that is left is that I was right. Whether they were completely honest or not, I have a bad taste in my mouth that they cheated me, and that's all that matters!

2) Have you ever been in the position where you bought something that the seller said had no problems, only to find out later that it did....

Lil Devil- Oh Gawd....why did I even bother to ask, did I really expect them to say, "oh yea by the way it has this and that wrong but hey we want top dollar for it." Embellish, puffing, all those fancy words just mean lying to me.........Just tell me the condition so I can make an informed decision!

Lil Angel- If I ask you about the condition it's because I don't know how to check it myself. Someone selling something might not know everything about it, but they have some sort of history, and that's all they can tell. But saying something is perfect, or has no problems gives the impression that it doesn't need repairs, is ready to be used or enjoyed.

Oh, and another thing.....sellers of everything need to understand about depreciated value. Why would a buyer pay top dollar (or what you paid for it) if it has been used, has deferred maintenance, has been repaired, needs repairs, is out of style, out of date, or any other host of things.

People will still buy things that aren't in top shape if the Price is Right. But boy can they get ticked off if they think they are getting scr**ed in a transaction.

3) Disclose, Disclose, Disclose

By: Kathy McGraw

An Almost Wordless Wednesday- Neighbors having their say CA style

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:52:01 -0500

Some people hem and haw when they have something to say, and some people just come right out and say what they mean. We've gotten to be such a diverse society, and are expected to accept different groups, and different lifestyles....but there are times that no matter what...some people aren't wanted in the neighborhood.

Lil Devil and Lil Angel- Unequivically too much

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:18:03 -0500

How do I start this without just coming out and saying "Get over yourself"? You're making a name for yourself all right, but what name is it, probably not the one you envisioned. There have been a lot of chances for people around the country to see you, both on your Blog and other Social Media Sites, and in person. So what image have you given?

It's been a few weeks that the Lil Devil has been behaving himself, guess he finally had something to do other than watch what others were doing :) How to win friends and influence enemies is how the saying goes, but that's not how I want to say it today.

Today, I am hearing rumblings.....dissent from some of the masses about the self proclaimed "chosen few." and also about the ones whose in real life social behavior is a great example of niche marketing You know the ones that somehow have declared their importance, yet when you meet them their behavior is anything but what you expected.

Lil Devil- Grow....darn right people grow! Look around you at who you associate with online....now think back to when you all first started blogging, tweeting, and catching up with each other on Face Book. Well, some of us didn't use Twitter and FB, but that's besides the point. The point is we all started out the same.

But now look....go look at some of those signature lines....and profiles. They've changed, they've grown, and some have grown some mighty big heads.

Oh.... you're having a Bloggers get together, wonderful, I'll be there. Oh, and Susie Q. yea, she'll be there too. Without us it wouldn't be as much fun, or as successful, now would it? Don't you just fall all over yourself when I comment on your Post, or come to your Venue....I'm one of the "Chosen Few" didn't you know that? Whatever I want I get, and if you have to put up with an inconvenience or two, well not a big deal...you get to meet me don't you...I'll be sitting over there in the corner with the other chosen ones!

Lil Angel- Grow...yes, we all grow. Many times, just as in real life, we outgrow the friends we started with. Oh they may have a special place in our collective blogging conscious, but for all practical purposes we might have moved on. The reasons vary, but people grow....it's the direction that matters. Oh, and that group in the corner, the ones that have an "adoring following"...so many people have grown past their initial adoration, that initial "oh thank you for helping us" stage that they no longer think the same...just like kids going from Kindergarten to Junior High.

Then we have the "Niche" Crowd....they have to be a niche, that's the only excuse I can think of......

Lil Devil- Oh my Gawd did you see what she's doing over there? I saw her online but that's not the person I thought I was talking to all this time. Be Yourself" should come with a disclaimer....

Wait guys I am not really that partying, egotistical, it's all about me, had way too many drinks and said way too many things person.......

Lil Angel- Once again it seems some people have different persona's online than they do off. And hey that's OK if you never meet anyone in Real Life. But now what..now what do you do when so many people have a completely different idea of who you are? To tell you the truth several people commented on your behavior, and said if that's the kind of person you are they aren't impressed.

And then last but certainly not least ....

Lil Devil- Hey there's a spot open at the next gathering, and I want to tell everyone how to use the XYZ method and how it made me as important as I am. I am important you know, just listen to the Group of people that I'll name drop. What? You don't care about the names I drop? You care about "your own needs....sounds kind of selfish don't cha think?

Lil Angel- Oh my.....let me just say that enough is enough with the "chosen crowd". The names you drop many people don't know, and don't care about. Not everyone that is a good Blogger is a good Public Speaker....they're totally different skills. So next time you're on a panel, or giving a talk...try to engage the audience and not toot your own horn, or spend your time with the other panelists telling inside jokes. People will respect you more, and get more from your talk if you can show them how it will help "them"....after all we are narcistic you know :)

By: Kathy McGraw

Do you know if kids are allowed in an ice cream truck?

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Thu, 28 May 2009 23:13:11 -0500

What happens when you ask a question, or make a comment, and the person that is supposed to know the business makes a statement that isn't what you want to hear? Oh I think most of us, or our clients have dealt with this one. But what do you do really.....Do you accept what the expert says....or do you investigate on your own to ascertain the validity of the statement?

I was talking to someone yesterday about my new venture, and while filling out the paperwork I mentioned how excited I was that my Grandkids and I would be doing this for the summer. That's when the bomb dropped and the owner told me that kids aren't allowed in Ice Cream Trucks! What? That just ruined all our plans in less than 5 minutes!

Well, I listened, and thought there has to be a way, maybe she's wrong. If she isn't then there has to be another way to accomplish the objective of spending the summer with my Grandkids selling ice cream. So, I came home and went online Googling " DMV rules for Ice Cream Trucks." That gave me some info, but not what I was looking for. I then went to "Are Kids allowed in ice cream trucks" and a host of other things.

Zilch.....couldn't find anything about kids in ice cream trucks. I think I have read everything there is online by now, and still not getting an answer.....but I need one, so once again there has to be a way to get it. Then it hit me: Go to the source!

And that's exactly what I did....I drove over to the local California Highway Patrol Office and asked them, "Are kids allowed to be in an ice cream truck?"

And the answer is: "There is no law against kids being in an Ice Cream Truck!" That answer just saved our summer plans. It does pay to question and do our own research no matter who says what, and no matter what position they have. Sometimes it's OK not to take NO for an answer :)

Even the experts can be wrong, and if it's something we really want to do, or know, then it's worth the effort to verify for ourselves.

By: Kathy McGraw - Real Estate Agent who will be enjoying the summer with her Grandkids on their own Ice Cream Truck. Look for us in the Cabazon, Whitewater, North Palm Springs, and Palm Desert areas this summer.

An Almost Wordless Wednesday- Serenity begins with Location

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:01:59 -0500

Recently one of my online friends was saying that she had a hard time sitting still and just "being". Sometimes location is the culprit, and sometimes location is the answer. Sometimes it's hard to just sit and "be" with the TV or radio blasting, kids running around, and family and business demands needing attention.

But when we change our location and get rid of the distractions it's easier to find peace. We can sit and just "be" enjoying the world around us while harvesting the strength of nature. It's all about desire, location, and commitment to self. Serenity comes from within, however location is an important component to being able to sit still long enough to find that calm.

An Almost Wordless Wednesday- Word Association Communication

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:26:16 -0500

When we think of something we are using our own experiences, and our own visuals to conquer up an image for that word. Many times misunderstandings can occur if two people have a different visual (definition) of something. Take the State of California, what do you think of, what picture is in your mind when you hear someone say they live in California? Our own experiences are what we use to see the world, and to communicate with each other. But often times your world isn't someone else's world, so try to find out where they're coming from first, then communication can occur.

Lil Devil and Lil Angel-Get off the Computer

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Mon, 18 May 2009 10:30:13 -0500

Have you ever had someone ask you a question that you didn't really know the answer to, so you just kind of hummed and hawed? I don't know about anyone else, but I find it takes a lot of time to keep up with everything online. I know that there are some people that spend a lot of time online, and then they write how they've had so many transactions, it just doesn't jive. Even the best multi-taskers still need to get off the computer to show houses.

I was asked how some people seem to be online all day, and still have time do their work of selling Real Estate?

Depending on the person and what their goals are you can manage both. Many people have built time into their Marketing Plans for using Social Media sites and Blogging. It's all about the ROI-Return on Investment for each person. Knowing why we're online can answer the question of if we're on "too much".

Now as far as my time online....I diversified my time. I have been asked to do a guest blog on a Photography site, wrote a Twitter Landing Page, commented on several people's blogs on Active Rain and off as well as wrote a new Squidoo Lens. I updated my website, and worked on trying to improve my blog.

Lil Devil-If you are just online to have fun, then complain about business Get off the computer! As they say on Twitter....."Mosey on now" ......

Lil Angel-When someone asks me how I can do everything I do online, I am honest with myself. If we aren't honest with ourselves then how in the world can we be honest with others?

Lil Devil- I have a lot to do today.....so you'll just have to ge read something else.....I'm busy!

Lil Angel- Hope everyone has a good day, I have to get off and get going........but before I go let me give you a great tool I found for writing your blogs, and an example of a Landing Page I made over the week-end for my Twitter Account (worth a look and easy to make).

FREE Blogging Tool: . I found this program that makes writing for my Blog(s) so much easier.. It's a FREE program from Microsoft, but you have to have Windows XP in order for it to run properly (my understanding but not positive) The Program is called Windows Live Writer and like I said, you can download it for free.

I have a tutorial for the Live Writer Program on a Post I wrote on Twitterqueens...I know, what's Twitterqueens...that's another story, anyway if you go here you can also learn how to make a great landing page. I made mine for Twitter, but you can make it for anything, and again this saves time and puts all your sites in one spot that you have control over. Here's my Twitter Landing Page.

Lil Devil- Alright alright you just gave 2 great tips for how to use your time better.....now get off the computer!

Lil Angel- Sorry no time to look for a graphic....See you all later, and have a great day :)

By: Kathy McGraw CA Real Estate and Life

Almost Wordless Wednesday Kathy Style- Similar or Different

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Tue, 12 May 2009 23:09:55 -0500

When we look up or look down, we see things that we might not normally see. Hopefully we all take a few minutes to experience something new. Look at the picture below...did you notice that both of these flowers have different shades of purple? This is true with so many everyday" things" in life...we think they are alike on first glance, but on closer inspection we see they're not. We are all unique yet the similarities are what helps us build relationships. Take the time to enjoy the differences while appreciating the similarities :) That's the beauty of diversity.

By: Kathy McGraw -

Lil Devil and Lil Angel: Dysfunctional and Boring Relations

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:18:43 -0500

Today is Monday, another Monday after a Holiday. Well, I'm not sure it's a holiday but it sure is a day that gets a lot of hype, and all over the social networks people were posting Have a Happy Mothers Day. You know, you read it as many times as I did, and many of you probably spent some time with extended family....and if you're reading this you survived. Yes, sometimes spending too much time with some people, "survival" is the only thing we can hope for.

Extended family.....

Aunts and Uncles, maybe a step-dad or two; brothers and sisters, cousins and friends that we grew up with, and might not particularly like, but they're family.

There are many reasons we might not like them, and sometimes it's their behaviors, or their jokes.

Heck we might not even like those darling little kids they have, the ones we all call brats out of earshot.

And let's not forget the rest of the family....the ones that drink too much, the dysfunctional ones, and the ones we are related to by no choice of our own........The Lil Devil just loves dysfunctional families.....and loves Mothers Day when so many people feel guilty about not going to see their mothers, and don't like being around their families. Yep this is a perfect time for the Lil Devil. He knows not everyone is created equal.....

1. Spend a nickle, spend a dime.......

Lil Devil- Mothers Day again....yipee here we go, we get to watch people overspend on flowers, dinners, presents, and other junk just to try to impress their mother and even the rest of the family. I love the media, it sure helps our capitalistic society for people to think these things are really a part of Mothers Day.

Lil Angel- Love isn't measured by the gift(s) you give, or how much money you spend on it. When our kids were little we loved those flowers they picked from the garden, the half done pancakes served in bed, and the cute little handmade cards....we loved watching the smiles on their faces when they said "I love you mom".....and this didn't cost a nickle. What it did cost was the time mothers put into teaching their children about unconditional love.

2. Behind those 4 walls a family is born.......

Lil Devil- Well, will you look at that! Johnny went and had himself another kid. Saw on the news that people don't have a plug nickle for anything extra are finding entertainment in other ways (if you know what I mean). Heck some cities are having their own little Baby Boom, thanks to the current recession. Guess no one ever told them that if they can't afford to go to the movies today, what makes them think it will be cheaper to have another kid! And they want "ME "to congratulate them.....yea right :)

Lil Angel- Neighbors and families, virtual and real life friends come in all shapes and sizes, some a little more intelligent than others. We cannot choose our families, and certainly aren't responsible for the choices of others, but we can choose how we behave and who we associate with.

3. How do you manage to interact with dysfunctional and boring people.....

Lil Devil- Yea so Uncle Johnny is a drunk, and Aunt Sally bores the he** out of everyone with her stories of how smart and wonderful her kids are. Doesn't she know that almost every mother thinks her kid is the smartest, cutest, most clever thing in this world. Boring.......B......O.....R.....I.....N...G.........boring!

Online friends are another thing...it's easy to tell someone..."oh how cute", and not have to be emotionally involved at all. Who cares if Billy Bob thinks his kids are the smartest, brightest kids in BF Egypt...that won't affect your work or life one bit. I know it doesn't affect mine :)

Lil Angel- We all know who these people are, and unfortunately we cannot totally avoid them, but we can choose how we interact. Although it's not advisable for all....maybe developing a script for the "Uncle Johnny's" might help, or knowing that after 5 they are looped, arrange for family gatherings in the morning or early afternoon only. If Aunt Susie can't see that she is boring everyone....you might just have to grin and bear it if you want to keep the peace. NEVER ask how the kids are unless you have nothing better to do :)

Now, as for Billy Bob... #2 pretty much sums that up "some are a little more intelligent than others, (and less boring too)" ....

Have a great week everyone, and if your Lil Devil wants to come out and play.......

it's best to keep some Balance, online and off :)

Homes for Sale in Serrano Del Vista, Banning CA

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Fri, 08 May 2009 02:32:45 -0500

So often we see a listing for a home for sale, but have no idea what the neighborhood looks like. If you are looking for a home for sale in Serrano Del Vista, Banning Ca then this Virtual Tour will give you an idea of what the community has to offer.

Click on the play now button, and also don't forget to click the details button to see more information. Hope you enjoy this Video, and if you want more information please visit California Real Estate and Life under the Serrano Del Vista Category.

Want to find homes on the MLS in the Serrano Del Vista area that are either for sale, or have already been sold? This information can be useful whether you are buying or selling a home by letting you see when prices change, and what homes in your neighborhood are selling for. You can compare them yourself.