Saturday Afternoon Break... - 07/30/11 07:18 PM
And, a much needed one. Great day to report! We have a wonderful offer coming in on a home Scott showed today. It is a blessing to have an enterprising husband and a girlfriend, Sylvia that is happy to sit with me and watch a children's movie called White Lion.
This is a feel good, emotional movie about a White Lion and the tribes stories surrounding his adventures. The movie is based upon a viewing range of age 7 to 10 and we are loving it! When you want to sit with the kids and enjoy what they are watching with … (7 comments)

Life is a Journey, Not a Destination... - 07/29/11 06:33 PM
During the course of this economic turn down we all have to minimize the potential damage to our businesses and to our personal financial conditions. Until about a year ago, I never believed that this bubble could actually burst. Now, don't get me wrong...it hasn't totally but it is threatening to. Since my husband and I work TOGETHER in our Real Estate business and Agency, we are finding less and less to do! The leads are coming in yet the bulk of the quality of leads are shaky at best. People are still wanting to purchase a home or to sell … (71 comments)

Today's Lenders Are... - 07/29/11 12:11 AM
Today's Lenders Are... Tough to deal with, right? Tightening their requirements as tight as possible. Being scrutinized by Government. Under a microscope. Swinging a totally opposite direction. Slower than ever. Under pressure themselves. More heavily regulated. Overwhelmed. Worried. Under staffed.
And so... I am going to repeat myself about the "NEW LENDER" we must all consider. The HomeOwner! Your Client. Your new Listing! Of the last 4 leads that have come to us, 3 of the people were looking for "Owner Finance" or "Lease to Own". Are you getting these too? Do you have anything to offer them? So, what are … (16 comments)

Diamonds In Your Own Back Yard? - 07/28/11 08:42 PM
Our Real Estate business takes on many twists and turns throughout our Professional Lifetime. As the economy tightens we may all be looking for new ways to do business.
Referrals have been a strong source for our business for many years and for that we are grateful. Referrals from previous clients have a tendency to take us all over the place as far as going out of our Localized Area.

This has always been wonderful for us although so much is changing! The price of gas alone is a reason to stay closer to home! Are you marketing to your … (17 comments)

A Frog's Gotta Do What A Frog's Gotta Do! - 07/26/11 07:37 PM
 
As I prepared to feed the cats, clean the bowls and go through my evening routine last evening we had an unusual visitor. I called my husband outside to point this out and his exclamation was, "Is that frog eating the cat food again!?!" at which point I realized I had been away from home a long time! This guy was a big surprise to me. As it seems, he has become a part of our family because even the cats like him! He has such an attitude of "out of my way" you can't help but respect him. I … (20 comments)

Why I Chose Real Estate, "There's No Place Like Home..." - 07/26/11 01:56 AM
This Post goes out to my family and friends and clients in the hope that you will get to know me better. The "Diary of a Realtor®, Why I Chose Real Estate" Contest was conceived just for this reason. To allow each of you to be able to share what compelled you to choose to join this business. I am thrilled to receive such heartfelt posts and am proud to call you all friends! Here's my go at it!There's no place like home. As a young child I was lucky to have found myself in what I still to this day … (29 comments)

Good News is Good for Business, "The Contest" !!! - 07/26/11 01:42 AM
Okay everyone! This is a very cool contest. Get your entries in and let's pave the way for a change of heart. Let's get excited and phooie on the media. Let's share our good news and positive attitude with our Local Clients and stir the pot to Recovery.
Read here about this Pfabulous opportunity!
Deb Brooks
Via Peter & Linda Pfann (250) 213-9490 Pfanntastic Victoria Homes Since 1986 (Cornerstone Properties Ltd. www.pfanntastic.com ):
Good News is Good for Business,
"The Contest" !!!
Here we are, at the launch of the Good News is Good for Business, "The Contest",  we know you … (1 comments)

Do you think you won't benefit from entering a Contest? - 07/25/11 07:25 PM
WRONG! You may have the idea that there is no point to enter a Contest in the Rain as there is a lot of competition and who has time for all that drivle anyway? Right? Again, Wrong! Please ask yourself, "Why am I here?"If any of these reasons might be among your answer then you should be entering every available contest.
I am here because I want to gain more business through blogging. I am here due to peer pressure to begin blogging. I am here because I want more exposure. I am here because  my spouse threatened bodily harm … (22 comments)

Stop Duplicate Titles! - 07/24/11 05:00 PM
Niki at ActiveRain has asked us to reblog this to get the word out. Protect your posts from being labeled as spam from Google. This is excellent advice! We want to protect our authority of ActiveRain and not be considered a SPAM FARM.
Read this post and take it to heart!
I will.
Thank you Niki.
Deb
Via Nikesh Parekh (ActiveRain):
In our efforts to keep ActiveRain highly SEO friendly and to get our member blogs to the top of the search engines, we are working with a well-known SEO consultant here in Seattle.  As I had mentioned previously, Google is frequently running … (4 comments)

"ADVERSE POSSESSION" Is Alive And Kicking In Texas and Other States! SQUATTER'S RIGHTS~ - 07/24/11 12:35 PM
Is time digressing? Or, would that be regressing? Adverse Possession was originally set up in Texas and other states to help establish the boundaries of Farm and Ranch land. This is one of our old laws established in the 1880's that has yet to be ammended. I became highly fascinated with this in Real Estate School. 
After questioning the class Teacher she explained it like this: If a farmer had 300 acres and was only farming one hundred, it is likely that a SQUATTER could or would settle upon his land in an obscure area that may go unnoticed for many … (5 comments)

Diary of a REALTOR® Contest~~Extra 500 Points For Early Entries! Enter By July 30th! - 07/24/11 11:23 AM
Diary of a REALTOR® group is having a contest! 
  Contest Title: Why I Chose Real Estate!  
  Do Not Miss This One!Get Busy For Extra Points! Diary of a REALTOR® Contest: Why I Chose Real Estate!
 PLACE YOUR LINK IN THE ORIGINAL POST ABOVE! 
HURRY, HURRY
8 MORE DAYS FOR THE EXTRA POINTS SO LET'S GET BUSY!

This contest is open to all of us in every aspect of the Real Estate Business. Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, Inspectors, Surveyors, Stagers, and well...everyone!
Don't forget to read the fantastic entries!
 
Your writing is for you … (10 comments)

Yes's and Nope's in Real Estate Viewings~~ - 07/22/11 03:03 PM
Do you move your clients along in a hurried fashion?Are you SHOWING THE HOME instead of letting them discover it themselves? Have you ever heard the song by Simon and Garfunkle with the words, "Slow down, you're moving too fast, You've got to make the moment last?"  These very words can describe a showing.
Or maybe we should call it a VIEWING? Give your Clients a bit of space to enjoy their visit within a home. Just my humble opinion. After witnessing a few expedient showings of other Realtors I could pick out many "TURN OFF MISTAKES!"THE YES'SYes, knock on the door, … (64 comments)

DocuSign, Active Rain And The World of Real Estate Go HAND IN HAND - 07/22/11 10:50 AM
As I first read of the DocuSign Contest my first thought was, "well, I  don't have a great deal of experience with it so how can I write about it?" Then I began reading posts from my ActiveRain friends. The words "technologically challenged" came to mind with a bit of humor that helps keep me sane.
After digesting many of the benefits of the service I began to wonder. Am I sane? I need to keep reading and I did. Active Rain has brought many incredible Technologies to light for me over the years and this is now at the top … (16 comments)

Getting Back To Basics...Make The Phone Call~ - 07/19/11 11:11 PM
Yes, many of us place a chunk of our eggs in the big Internet Basket. Not necessarily all of them but certainly the bulk of them. When you receive a request to see a listing what do you do and how do you respond?
Can you tell the difference between a "looker" and a "viable prospect?" I wouldn't place a bet against a good prospect simply because they were sparse with their request but...
I would place a bet on the prospect that leaves most ALL the information! Naturally, all the potential leads need "follow-up".
 
The simple fact … (31 comments)

Listing Agents...Are You Remembering This Question? - 07/19/11 09:08 PM
Today is the first day of the rest of our careers! Never would we have guessed that our business was going this direction five years ago! Maybe some of you had the feeling but I sure didn't. Most of us were basking in the glory of selling, selling and selling some more! Listings were coming in like a line at a fast food place. Then do you remember what would happen almost immediately? The property would sell. Just like that.Occasionally we would even get a listing and have it "Pending" before we got it on the Multiple Listing Service! Oh, the … (15 comments)

Lake Conroe is Hosting the "In Water" Boat Show! - 07/19/11 05:00 PM
Several Boat Dealers around Lake Conroe are hosting the In Water Boat Show July 23, 2011 - July 24, 2011 from the banks of the lake! Local Boat Dealers will be offering "Special Prices" and test drives on all types of Boats including New and Used. Don't miss this wonderful event as the prices are to be better than ever! You can Test Drive your Dream Boat! Several Marina's have joined in the fun by allowing the Dealer's Boats the necessary boat docks and boat slips for the show. The Locations are:  - April Plaza Marina, 17742 Texas 105 - Lakeview Marina, … (2 comments)

9926 Crescent Cove, Montgomery, Texas 77356 - 07/14/11 03:20 PM

One of the most coveted areas around Lake Conroe is the Walden area. The area is highly desirable due to location and availability of Lake Entry and the Montgomery Independent School District. Montgomery Schools are known as the Top Schools in Texas. Along with the strength of education, location and shopping, this home would make a wonderful full time living investment.Located in a subdivison just minutes from everything including the schools it is a 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath and is built right ON the water. Within moments you can boat to the large area of Lake Conroe and park … (10 comments)

Aunt June is Better! Thank you! - 07/14/11 02:40 PM
I want to thank everyone for your prayers and support for my Aunt June! She is getting so much better! The calcium level in her blood is back to normal, she is smiling and joking and has been eating and drinking like a champ! I am here with her and will continue to be as I do not want her feeling lonely or forgotten. I just wanted to say thank you to each and every person that has thought of her and said a prayer for her health! I cannot tell you how excited I am to be able to believe … (8 comments)

What is YOUR Value in Real Estate? - 07/14/11 12:06 AM
The Real Estate business is definitely changing and along with it we should change too!.
When you're searching your MLS have you noticed that the compensation split is being lowered too many times? Obviously there can be no price fixing...so we're all free to sell homes at whatever compensation rate we choose. Right?

"Why are we lowering the rates?"
How on earth is that fair for our clients?   How is it fair for us? 
My question is...
Is this suppose to be happening? Is it being manipulated by the system that we are worth less so we should … (12 comments)

OPEN LETTER TO CLIENTS: Please Dance with the One That Brought You! - 07/12/11 05:46 PM
Dear Clients,Please let me qualify this letter to you so you will take no offense. We need you. We want you. YOU are the very reason most of us chose to enter the Profession of Real Estate. There is nothing more we desire than to find the absolute perfect home for you.  When we first spoke about your needs and wants in a home you were questioned carefully and qualified so we could hone in on the right direction to go with our hunt. Since we spoke our work began. We gathered the information and with skill and expertise have been accumulating … (18 comments)

Shark Bait Shouldn't Be Swimmers! - 07/12/11 02:03 AM
New Smyrna Beach, Florida There were 13 unprovoked shark attacks – one fatal – in Florida in 2010, statistically the most likely place in the world to get bitten by a shark. That likelihood shows no sign of abating this year. In addition to an attack on dive instructor Daniel Webb on June 12, the most recent attack was on a 19-year-old swimmer in New Smyrna Beach on June 6, the third person this year to get bitten by a shark in part of the so-called “red triangle.” "YAHOO" FRONT PAGE.
I came across the above notation on Yahoo today! It … (15 comments)

Active Rain Points? Whats the point? - 07/09/11 07:47 PM
ave you ever glanced at your State's Leaderboard and thought, "hmmm...there is No Way I can ever catch up with the competition, so why bother?"
WRONG THOUGHT PROCESS! There are so many reasons to accumulate points here in the Rain I couldn't even name them all. It isn't just that we want to beat the next person in line, or just the feeling of competition or winning that causes this to be a viable reason to keep Posting. Let me qualify this post before I get started here. I am NOT the POSTER CHILD for blogging by any means. I … (87 comments)

Betty Ford Passes Yet Leaves So Much Behind - 07/09/11 06:13 PM
Betty Ford Passes Yet Leaves So Much BehindFormer First Lady, Betty Ford, wife of former President Gerald Ford dies at age 93 in    Coachella Valley. Friends and family and people like myself are all mourning our loss of a lovely, energetic, iconic Lady that is leaving so much behind! Betty was the founder of the famous Betty Ford Clinic that treats addictions for Alcohol and Drug abuse. I know that over the years many a Big Name checked into the non-profit clinic to find comfort and release from their addictions. One was Elizabeth Taylor and others are too many to … (5 comments)

Little Dog Lost - 07/08/11 11:33 PM
After reading an incredible story today on one of the search engines that really made me think, feel, and wonder if it had a good ending or a sad ending I thought I would ask your opinion.
I read about the ending but it hurt. It turned out much like a divorce case where the child was awarded to parents unknown and against their will due to age and ownership and what the court calls "genetic power". The power of the genes should decide just where the child belongs.
 
At least, when it is not settled in a … (12 comments)

Dogs and Cats in Need! Name Your Price this weekend... - 07/08/11 06:32 PM
CONROE, Texas, Montgomery County – The 4th of July holiday proved to be detrimental to our population of pets. The Montgomery County Animal Shelter is having an adoption party this weekend. Bring the children and a very small pocketbook. Over the holiday the shelter filled to the max with lost pets and abandoned ones too. Without your kind adoption the animals will have to be destroyed so please help. The second-annual Hot Dawgs and Cool Cats event will be held on July 9th and 10th of July, (this weekend)  from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the shelter, located at 8535 … (3 comments)

Diary of a REALTOR® Contest: Why I Chose Real Estate! - 07/08/11 05:35 PM

Diary of a REALTOR® group is having a contest! 
Contest Title: Why I Chose Real Estate!  
 

The title seems simple but could prove to be a real challenge! Diary of a Realtor® wants to help you create a post that can be saved and savored by your family and clients and friends alike.
This contest is open to all of us in every aspect of the Real Estate Business. Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, Inspectors, Surveyors, Stagers, and well...everyone!
The requirements are challenging and may require a lot of work on your part. Keep in mind that anything with … (297 comments)

Government ReVamps Foreclosure Terms - 07/08/11 01:56 PM
The Federal Housing Administration submitted allowed Forbearance Bill and has just been signed by President Obama.  As of August 1, 2011 the new regulations allow unemployed homeowners to remain in their homes without fear of foreclosure for up to one year.
Now, is there any question that our economy is in big trouble? Of course with the glut of homes being dumped into our banking systems something has to give! This is good to hear for many homeowners although there are strict regulations on this new development. All loans must be FHA backed. I guess that's the good news. But, … (10 comments)

Banks say Thanks? Like Hitting the Jackpot! - 07/07/11 02:30 PM
Banks say Thanks? Like Hitting the Jackpot! Recently I took on a very difficult Foreclosure Listing for a Bank out of California. They needed to sell and interviewed 3 agents in my area on Lake Conroe. The home sat there since 2007 unfinished, 63% complete and was languashing by the water. Sitting on a canal leading to the Big Water, the entire dream of a subdivision had fallen by the wayside. Only two homes stand next to each other and the gate remains inoperable with no electric, no water and the lingering sadness of Foreclosure is evident. Angry contractors had entered … (7 comments)

How Do You Keep Your Clients Focused To Make A Quick Decision? - 07/07/11 03:33 AM
How do you keep your clients focused when they are searching for the right permanent home or weekend getaway? They are so excited and are ready to go shopping but have you prepared them? Your job can be much easier with a lot of planning on your part.
Rarely are couples or families truly looking for the same benefits within one property. The true trick is to gather the top 3 or 4 amenities that would make or break their interest in a purchase.  This is my favorite saying and I try and stick to it. It helps to plant … (7 comments)

Texas is Burning to a Crisp! - 07/03/11 05:06 PM
Who Needs Fireworks? Driving to Wichita Falls on Friday was a real trip! As I passed through Huntsville Texas I was shocked and saddened by all the burned acreage on both sides of Interstate 45. Looking to the left and looking to the right was brown, dead and distressed. After the wildfires devastation that has traveled through I realized the true power of fire. And, it's hot, hot, hot with no relief in sight. Today it is! Texas is under a burn ban as we speak and NO FIREWORKS ARE ALLOWED.It is yet another hit to our economy as all FireWork … (14 comments)

 
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Deb "Alayne" Brooks, 940-500-4010 Wichita Falls Real Estate

Wichita Falls, TX

More about me…

Alayne Brooks, Re/Max Elite Group, Wichita Falls Texas

Address: 2903 Lydia Drive, Wichita Falls, TX, 76308

Office Phone: (940) 264-2500

Cell Phone: (940) 500-4010

Email Me

Wichita Falls Texas Real Estate, Homes, Properties and Rentals by Deb "Alayne" Brooks and RE/MAX Elite Group. Learn about local, State wide and National Real Estate trends and predictions. Search listings in the Wichita Falls area including Sheppard Air Force Base, Burkburnett, Iowa Park, Archer City, Lakeside City, Holliday, and Dean. Contact Alayne for all your Real Estate Needs at 940-500-4010.


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