I have always known the importance of SEO to all real estate agents. I also know the expense it posses to many of you who are suffering from our little economic debacle.  I have been lucky. I married a tech dork who taught me the rules that lead to SEO success. We have managed to keep our website on Goggles first page now since 2004 (all for a whopping $49.99). You really don't have to waste the big bucks if you find time to do what you can on your own.

My market was recently ravaged by Hurricane Ike. Galveston, Texas, agents might not have the funds that other agents may have set aside for advertising due to this crisis.  You may not have suffered through  Ike but it certainly might feel like it with the looking economic news of each day.

MOST OF YOU KNOW ABOUT OUR SOCIAL NETWORKS.  THE 3 WE ALL KNOW ARE LISTED BELOW BUT I WANTED TO REMIND YOU OF SOME MORE OPTIONS. EACH OF THESE SOCIAL NETWORKS CAN BE A FREE LINK FOR YOU. HAVE SOME FUN ALREADY AND CONNECT WITH COLLEGUES ACROSS THE NATION. FIND NEW FRIENDS AND SEND TWEETS TO THOSE AROUND THE GLOBE.  LET THE WORLD KNOW ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITIES. HAVE SOME FUN ALREADY.

• FACEBOOK
• TWITTER
• MYSPACE
• FOR MORE SOCIAL NETWORKS VISIT THIS WIKIPEDIA LINK AND HAVE SOME FUN. MAKE SOME FRIENDS.

I can across this blog that was passed to me.  It hope it gives many of you a idea of what Galveston went through during Hurricane Ike.  These photos are the best representation of anything I have seen so far.  They are truly amazing, heartbreaking, and beyond your wildest belief.  My quest for help should be signified with these images.  I really have no words.  Here you go.  Trust me this is worth your time.

http://www.tpicks.com/pictures%20people%20have%20sent%20me.html

God Bless you all and God Bless Galveston.  As you will see we need your prayers.

Christina Stevens, Your Galveston, TX Real Estate agent

I beg you to read this blog post and pass it on.  Galveston needs your help.  This could be you no matter where you live.  Mother nature can rear her ugly head anywhere.  Maybe not in the form of a hurricane.

This post is about Galveston residences who are getting no help from our government.  Residents who may have insurance ye the coverage is not enough.  The coverage offers them no temporary housing.  Did you know that the national flood coverage does not offer benefits for any temporary housing aid??  This falls under general homeowners yet when your house floods you can't use that coverage.

PLEASE READ THE ABOVE AND PASS THIS ON.  WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP AND THE MEDIA DOES NOT CARE.

This post is focused on my bother yet there are countless other just like him.  His friend was granted a FEMA trailer yet they can't put it in Galveston because its a flood zone.  HELLO Katrina was a flood zone.  ALL OF THE GULF COAST IS ARGUABLY A POSSIBLE FLOOD ZONE.  Parts of Vegas flooded once due to rain when we lived in Nevada.

Help us please.  It could be you next.  Pass this on. 

Have you ever had to send a large contract with many pages to a client that only has dial-up? Then why not use 7 zip to compress the file and decrease the pain your client has to go through while waiting for that contract to download???  Here is a link for this FREE tool enjoy.

http://www.7-zip.org/

Christina Stevens, Your Galveston Tx real estate agent

Have you ever tried to open a video file and it did not work in Microsoft Media Player???

Did you know that Microsoft media player has had many vulnerabilities in the past???

Why not use VLC media player. It can do many cool things such as stream video....ohhhhh

 Here is this neat tool you may enjoy.

http://www.videolan.org/

Christina Stevens

Your Galveston Tx Real Estate agent

OpenOffice is a FREE alternative to Microsoft Office.  Here is the link for the download.

http://www.openoffice.org/

It has many of the same features as Microsoft Office.  You can write and open document files plus much more.

THE BEST PART IS THAT IT IS FREE.

Here is a program to store all of your passwords. Best "security" practice dictates that you should have a different password for each site. Here is a little program that will help organize those password with one master password. It was written by one of the most famous cryptologist in the industry, Bruce Schneier Here is my information on Bruce if you just really want to know. http://www.schneier.com/

http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/

My hubby is computer security dork so if anyone every needs an advice he an email away and loves to help.

Have a great day.  Enjoy the freebie's.  I'll try and keep them coming.

Chrisitna Stevens

Your Galveston, Tx Real Estate agent

http://free.avg.com/download?prd=afe

My hubby is an IT nerd as I like to call him (computer security professional and system administrator to be specific). The above link is for AVG, a free AntiVirus service.

My friend was talking about Norton and he suggested this AntiVirus as the best in the industry, AND BEST OF ALL ITS FREE.

Norton actually comes in last in most of the security reviews because it is not WCL Level 1 or 2 certified...meaning it cannot catch ALL current virus signatures in the wild. The "Wild" means all viruses that are currently being spread

Here is the current review for Norton and the all antivirus software.  http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

AVG Free.....it is "only" free for noncommercial use so it may be a great tool to use on your HOME computer.  Read the guidelines and judge for yourself.

For commercial use we have this service but it will cost you a bit. 

Nod32 is by far the fastest AntiVirus on the market. Only the "in" crowd really knows much about it.  The cost for business uses is $89 for 2 years or $59 for one.  Home users can pay $39.00 to use this service as well.

http://www.eset.com/products/nod32.php

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

Have a great day.

Christina Stevens

www.Galveston4sale.com

This is unbelievable.

http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=6a4c3bbd89188ade

Its nice to talk about a Galveston native that loved the Island so much he decide to return via paw.  ALL THE WAY FROM the Waco region of Calvert, Texas.

I guess its fair to say that some cats do like the water.  ENJOY the story.

Visit our website for information about Galveston, Texas, Hurricane Ike and much more.

Here is the link to a story featured today in The Galveston County Daily News, the oldest newspaper in Texas.  I encourage you all to read about the Presidents reactions in the above link.  Very interesting.

We have received a visit fro Presidents Bush and Clinton.  They will now kick start the effort to raise money for the damage that Hurricane Ike caused to our Island.  THEY ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP AND THE HELP OF OUR NATION.  THE SAME HLEP MANY GAVE TO THE VICITIMS OF KATRINA.

I just help but feel like Galveston have not received the press coverage and media that we need to start a road to recovery.  Many reported that Houston was sparred.  Houston was not sparred and many lost so much well into the East Texas area and in other regions across our nation.  Galveston however did take the burnt of Ike's furry. 

Visit our website for more information on Galveston and more photos from Hurricane Ike.

I would like to post some links that will help anyone who is interested in learning about Galveston and the effects Hurricane Ike has had on my home.

http://www.ghcf.org/  This is where you can learn more about our govt involvement and give any donation that you can afford.  Over 75% of the homes in Galveston were damaged by flood waters.  Today Presidents Bush and Clinton will tour Galveston with Mayor Lyda Ann Tomas.  Both Presidents worked together to help after Katrina.

The Galveston County Daily news has done a great job reporting on our journey towards recovery.  They have updated us all with vital city and county information.  They are giving away millions in free advertisement to any business that has been damaged.  If you are back and ready to work for the community give them a buzz and get a free announcement in the paper.

Galveston.com  This is where you can find out about community events such as Dickens on the Strand and the upcoming Bike Rally.  Both events are still scheduled to take place on the Strand in December.

The City of Galveston  Our official city site which can help provide residence with important information.

www.Galveston4sale.com  My website that provides you with local real estate information and search engines for both Galveston and Houston.  We will also be creating a Hurricane Ike recovery page, which is currently in the works.