Lake Livingston Real Estate by Deb Brooks

For Another Opportunity...

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:55:18 -0600

This was written by Scott Brooks, my spouse and business partner. I just want to share it with you and I ask you to comment.

Thank you,

Deb

Via Scott Brooks, Online Waterfront Search:

His grandson, Michael, contacted back toward the end of September about a lakehouse here on Lake Livingston. He brought his grandfather up the following Monday and we went to see a few homes. They had already located one online(Michael did) and pretty much thought that would be the one. We saw it and they liked it.

Sure enough, after they went back home to the north of Houston, I received a call from the grandfather, Alton, wanting to make an offer. He said, "I'm 76 years old(20 years my senior), and I'll probably retire there someday. He owned his a own business, and he earned my respect immediately.

The people that were selling the lakehome were building a new one down the street. Their daughter is a Realtor, and of course represented her parents in the transaction. They are very nice, and were agreeable throughout the entire process.

Well, we reached an agreement, and he said "I won't be financing, so don't worry about that". We closed a month later on October 27th. I got to meet his wife, their grandson again, and his Mom. They are a very nice and close nit Family, and I got hugs before they left.

I talked to Alton the next week about possibly purchasing the lot next door. We couldn't reach an agreement on that and he decided to let it ride.

Last week, after re-reading my wife, Deb's, post on Contacting Your Clients(member's only), I thought, " I need to call Alton and say Hi." Well, Thanksgiving week flew by with inspections, showings, and such, and I didn't call. I figured I would call this week to see how their Thanksgiving was.

You can see where this is going. I didn't get the chance.

This morning, Dawn, the agent whose folks sold the lakehouse, said her folks read about Alton D. Sargent in the Houston Chronicle. And she called me. I only got to call his grandson, Michael, and offer my condolences. He was very kind to me, and said he was going to call me. I'm glad I called him.

I'm sorry, Alton, that I didn't get to talk to you. I liked you a lot.

Ignorance is bliss even in the Real Estate Business? Nope. But, attitude is.

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:02:00 -0600

When I was younger....much younger I lived in CNN Oblivion. I NEVER WATCHED THE NEWS. Ever. I just didn't want to know. I figured that what I didn't know couldn't hurt me. On occasion if I did catch the news before bedtime, I just couldn't sleep. My mind and psyche couldn't handle the sadness, waste of lives, anger and criminal behaviour that I was being confronted with.

I'm all grown up now and it's my tax dollar, future and business they are talking about.

And, yours.

If you're like me I do get caught up in the Feature Articles that Google, Yahoo and MSN so lovingly share with us. I also believe that the media is hurting us with a slow drip of mental arsenic. Little by little they are creating our Reality. The media "predicts" the Housing Bubble will burst and "voila" it happens.

Now, does it happen because it was going to happen or because they made it happen? Is this all brainwashing to "steer" us and our markets in a direction that they want it to go? I so believe that sensationalism is here to stay and we need to regulate our diet of HOGWASH.

Remember....if you believe it is...then it is and it will be for you.

CASE IN POINT. We are all still receiving nibbles if not strong leads. People still want to buy houses. If a contact shows interest in your Real Estate Business then they are serious.

The way you PRESENT will have a great deal to do with the strength and motivation for the buyer. Allow your mind to "set aside" the turmoil you are hearing about and dealing with. PRESENT a fresh new attitude to your client and give it your best shot.

For every negative thing going on in this market a great Realtor will replace that with many more positives. Your very attitude and "hope and encouragement" could be the ice breaker when it comes to them signing on the bottom line.

Let them SEE AND FEEL your hope and positive attitude.

Hang in there. It's going to get better! Later in the rain~Deb

Never Miss A Feature Again!

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:32:15 -0600

Ever feel as if you're missing something? You probably are!

I think we're missing a lot by not going one step further than the dashboard. There are features beyond that one page!

What's the point of the DASHBOARD?

The DASHBOARD. Up front and suppose to be seen. Attention getter, the front cover of the book, the tuxedo or gown of the ball.

If you're like me you may only get to the site once or twice in a very busy day.

First of all I check in on all my favorites and then proceed to the dashboard to read the features.

I read and comment on the posts that interest me and then I move on.

I just realized I need to go one step further! The reason they call it the dashboard is because the good ones (in this case, posts) just dash on by! We are likely to miss valuable and useful posts with lots of good reading unless we check and double check.

We may never get a chance at reading them again.

HOW TO OVERCOME THIS DILEMMA.

Schedule of success....

1. awake ....check the features.

2. turn on coffee, go to restroom...check the features.

3. brush teeth, groom, get dressed, check the features.

4. make bed, tidy up, gather work for the day, go to office...but first check the features.

5. Enter office, sit down (or not) and check the features.

6. Leave puter screen on Active Rain and refresh at least once every other hour...

or....

You could use the CLICK OPTION we all seem to overlook and click on More featured posts...

There they are. Days and days and days of featured posts that just dashed on by without being seen or being read.

So, if you are away for very long be sure and check the More featured posts... and scroll your way into featured land.

Easy as a dash of salt! Remember if you spill your dash of salt pick up some salt and toss it over your left shoulder...this is a sure fire way to remain lucky enough to catch all the great reading!

Enjoy and never miss the best!

Later in the rain~Deb

One Eyed, One Horned, Flying Purple People Eater...

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:41:02 -0600

This song was always a fun one to sing. It lets you know just how far back girls were wearing short-shorts and shows a whimsey that may have taken drugs to induce.

In my mind the one-eyed, one horned, flying, purple people eater has always been the epitomy of jealousy. It makes sense doesn't it? Jealousy eats at you, closes one eye to common sense, rams with the likes of a horn and flies out of nowhere!

Although in the song they make him look so cuddly and cute. Jealousy is deeply painful and blinding.

The next time you begin to feel the pangs of envy or jealousy do yourself a favor. Think of the good things in life. Remember how you are blessed and realize that you should be happy for that person you are feeling jealous of. Who knows, they could be feeling the very same about you.

Now, what a waste is that?

Enjoy!

How much is that doggie in the road? No Real Estate in this one!

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:45:30 -0600

I am about to share a crazy story about an EVIL crazy lady.

Good vs Evil provails.

Please meet Freckles.This is my grandchildren's pet, friend, and family member. He's my little friend too.

Our little Freckles has a bad habit. The neighbor directly behind his home has only a fence between himself and three dogs that want to be friends too. Digging under the fence goes on between all parties till Freckles crawls under and follows his friends into the doggy door in his friends house.

Crazy EVIL lady does not like this.

A week ago Saturday night I stayed with the kids while my daughter attended a wedding in Austin.

I was instructed toNOT LET FRECKLES OUT OR HE WOULD GO UNDER THE FENCE SINCE HE WASN'T TRAINED YET TO THE ELECTIC FENCE...yes, she had been dilligently training Freckles with the flagging so he wouldn't continue to shock himself.

Saturday time line:

Good day, all day. I did the girls nails...played puter games with the boys and we rented a movie.

Early evening before dinner the kids were riding their scooters in the side yard. I let Freckles, Jill (my dog) and Shannon (a visiting dog friend) out into the back yard thinking I would run right out to tether Freckles.....

I was distracted. My fault...I forgot. It's that Sometimers disease....

Next thing I know we were all saying..."where's Freck?"

Oh no! A fresh hole was dug at the fence line.

With light in hand, all dogs whining and worried about Freck and all kids saying "come on Freckles".....he was trying with all his might to get back underneath the fence to his family. We couldn't pull him through without hurting him.

We were relieved he was there! We rushed into the house and I had all the kids put shoes on so we could retrieve our Freckles. We marched around the block (with light in hand) and knocked on the neighbors door!

Bark, bark, bark, bang, growl like we're going to eat you... at the window looking out at us were her three dogs...but, no Freckles. We walked around the house to call in the back yard...no Freckles. He was just there ten minutes (maybe fifteen minutes) ago and now there was NO LADY AND NO FRECK.

I was concerned but I took the kids home to feed them dinner. We talked about the fact that we probably just didn't see him and when the lady got home we could get him back.

Immediately after we ate, the kids brought me a pen and paper and I wrote the neighbor a note. I apologized for letting him get out of my site and asked her to call as soon as she got home. We marched around to the front of her house and knocked on the door. No one there. Not even the dogs. We left the note taped to the bricks at her front door and said a little prayer.

I settled the kids in front of the TV with their movie and began to really worry and pace. I walked out to the back yard, hoisted myself up on the fence and began to call for Freckles.

LOW AND BEHOLD OUT COMES THE EVIL CRAZY LADY....I smiled and said, "Oh thank heavens you're home......

She screamed at me..."I DON'T HAVE YOUR DOG LADY." and slammed her door.

My blood pressure skyrocketed to a boiling point. How dare she? And what about the dog?

I left the kids in front of the TV and marched back around to her door. I knew she was there now. Knock, knock, knock...the note was still there....nothing. So my knocking went to banging...bang...bang...I was mad as &^$$ then! Finally, she screamed again "I don't have your dog and if you don't leave I will dial 9-1-1.

She didn't have to. I DIALED 9-1-1.

I waited in front of the house for the policeman that so nicely showed to help. The kids knew nothing about this excess trauma.

As I was showing the policeman the hole and was giving the story and explaining that we just need to know what she did with Freckles...we saw the lady walk through her house. He saw her too and said he was going to pay her a visit.

CRAZY LADY CALLED THE POLICE ON THE POLICE. Yes, really. The officer named Lane was banging at her door because she wouldn't answer. Lane received a call stating that a woman was calling in about a person banging on her door and he said...."Yep, it's me...tell her to step outside." Ha! She thought it was me...

She bold face lied to the police. No she hadn't seen the dog at all. And then kicked the policeman off her property...really. He spent the rest of his shift looking for Freckles. Truly a good guy.

No Freckles. I called for him most of the night. I felt a sickness in my stomach. I lost the kids dog.

Sunday morning we drove for miles looking for Freckles. They posted Lost Posters with his picture and we called the vets and the animal shelter. The world was on alert.

Sunday.....nothing.

Monday....nothing.

Tuesday...nothing.

Wednesday...I got a phone call...my heart leaped with joy when the animal shelter said a GOOD WOMAN had called and described a dog that looked like Freckles in her care.

OMG, I prayed it was him. The GOOD LADY found a dogin the middle of the street in a lake community within three miles of our Elkins Lake Community at about 9:00pm.

OMG, it could be him.

But a neighbor of the GOOD LADY said the dog had been in the middle of the street barking for two hours....hum....maybe it's not him.

Freckles had a brand new wide collar with rabies tag and a red heart tag....

The barking dog had no collar.

My immediate thought was that it couldn't have been Freckles because he would not have had time to run for that many miles to get to a neighboring community and where was his collar?

THANK GOD IT WAS FRECKLES...THANK GOD FOR THE GOOD LADY.

BEYOND ALL ODDS THE GOOD LADY NAMED THE DOG FRECKLES.....

But, what does this mean?

THE EVIL LADY TOOK OFF HIS COLLAR AND DROVE HIM AWAY FROM MY GRANDCHILDREN.

EVIL? CAN YOU IMAGINE?

***Gotta love a neighbor that would steel his collar and take the family pet away from five children and drop him off to starve or be run over????***

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Freckles home...

But we look back at that fence and that person and feel sick.

Is there anything we can do? Is there any recourse to take? How can they ever feel good about letting Freckles and the children play in their back yard?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? WHAT CAN WE DO?

ANY ADVICE IS NEEDED. MY MIND CONJURES UP SO MANY WILD SCENARIOS...HELP.

Later in the rain~Deb

Seriously...Let's Talk.

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:50:37 -0600

Seriously...Let's Talk.

I wrote a lighthearted post recently called...Are you thinking of letting your license go?

and the response has been surprising to me. This is obviously a subject that many of you are pondering. The question touched many a heart and mind and evidently has been on the tongue of more than a few.

I can only give you my personal view of this question and maybe a few questions of my own that will help you to make your own decision.

In my book, this is really heavy stuff. When I decided to get my license it was because I knew it was what I wanted to do.

I was oblivious to the ups and downs of the market and even today I hold tight to my ... "nothing could be greater than to be a Real Estater," attitude.

No it's not as easy as it was but I didn't go into this thinking it was going to be easy in the first place.

Don't just jump out of the business like a frog out of a frying pan.

Grab a pen and paper and start writing. It's important to get your thoughts on paper. At least work these thoughts through in your mind and then listen to your heart.

First of all...why did you get into this business? Because the market was hot...or for a profession?

What do you like about it?

What do you dislike about it?

Are you willing to sacrifice your past for a different future?

Could you do more to make it successful or are you doing everything the right way?

What do you envision for your future? Does it include being in RE?

Have you written your goals out in black and white?

Are you clear on what you have to do to become successful in this business?

Could it be fear that is stopping you from being successful?

*******************************************************************************************************

Next approach:

What would you rather be doing? Does that include Real Estate?

Do you awaken with a good attitude each day?

If you do get out of Real Estate how will your attitude affect your next position?

Are you generally happy? Take Real Estate away and would you be happier?

Are you feeling sorry for yourself or spending time worrying about the future?

Could you put that time towards expanding your RE business?

******************************************************************************************************

I don't claim to have any answers. Only questions. These are all questions I have posed to myself therefore I know my answers.

This business is in need of retaining each and every ethical, responsible, professional, caring individual we can muster.

I want to remain in Real Estate and continue to be successful. This is a challenge I must live up to daily and with a good positive attitude.

I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide. I wish prosperity, happiness, security and fun for each and everyone of my Active Rain friends. I hope this helps.

My advice...hang on.

Later in the rain~Deb

Starry Starry Night!

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:12:38 -0600

With each dark cloud there is a silver lining. I was gone for the last couple of days and I came back to quite a surprise! First I read a post of Brad Andersohn's explaining that there is a teenie hitch in the AR getalong.

It's okay with me. We all go through glitches don't we? When I navigated to Diary of a Realtor to feature some new posts (since we get awesome submissions daily) and the site was really bright! Everyone of our posts has a gold star. Even mine!

How fun was that to see us all lit up and shining bright! I want each of you to know that you DO DESERVE A STAR...and it was a dream of mine that came true. Every post on AR seems to be featured.

Congratulations to each and everyone of you! We are a star for at least a day.

Later in the rain~Deb

Virtual Home Sales - Virtual Hot House?

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:47:03 -0600

As if the liability with our business isn't already steep enough when you have a hands-on buyer...now we're going virtual?

Yep, it's happening.

We are selling houses without the buyer seeing them till after closing. Who would've thunk it? The wonders of our far reaching virtual world is becoming compelling enough for buyers to send the earnest money check without ever entering the home they are purchasing.

To date, I have now completed two sales (out of five virtual offers) where the buyer has not seen the home till after closing. This is a scary situation.

And, it must be laden with liability. We send all the information, pictures, videos, history and disclosures, information about the neighborhood and schools.

But, we can compare this to reading a great novel. The words create a movie in our minds and we set our own stage. They are the same words to each individual but the perceived "movie" in their minds can be totally different.

So, what if they walk in and say, "this isn't what I pictured." "uh, Ahem."

This is a new aspect of our business that we must explore and somehow protect ourselves from "perceived value" or lack thereof. It could be better than expected but what if it's worse???

This is a "virtual hot house" for complications. Any ideas? Are you selling houses off your web site?

See, I know geek speak...

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:36:52 -0600

I listened to Rain Radio today on BlogTalkRadio.com!

I feel like I'm getting geekier and geekier each day and loving it. I have recently joined the ranks of TWITTER and am a novice with how it all works. So for me, this was valuable listening.

It was so much fun hearing my friends voices again such as Rich Jacobson, Brad Andersohn, Ron Chaney, Jeremy Blanton, Kim Wood and a various assortment of Active Rainer guests. Woohaa.

I am such a geek now that I subscribed to the RSS, signed in and worked on paperwork while listening to the show. I learned and began to understand the value and significance of the use of interacting and socializing on TWITTER.

Do you TWITTER? Do you TWEET? Have you ever TWOOSHED?

See, I know geek speak...

Now for starters you need to get signed up for R.A.I.N. Radio...an easy task. Activate your RSS (see I don't have a clue what I'm talking about here but it worked for me so it will work for you).

And, voila, you are able to choose radio shows from just about any and all subjects and you can meet up with lots of fellow Rainers!

Come join @Paul Chaney, @Kim Wood, @Jeremy Blanton, and many other @special guests, as we discuss and unfold everything about "Twitter", the micro-blogging Social Network. How to get Business ...

using one of the latest "viral" tools in Social Media Marketing. Tweet This!

Join me on TWITTER and let's visit and network!

My handle is @TexnDeb Join me.

Later in the rain~Deb

TURN THAT SONG OFF! THIS ISN'T PART OF OUR REVOLUTION!!!!

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:49:08 -0600

What led us into the 1960's Music Revolution? The 1950,s. If you weren't there please take a moment to watch this presentation by SergeantPepper27, Emily Maddox, and enjoy the transition that was so spectacular to witness and enjoy...

The 1960,s was a very special time for me. I was a child and the entire world was a learning experience. My friends and I were wide eyed, curious, feeling the freedom to let go and dance to the music. During the summer of 1966 in little Edinburgh Indiana the pool parties were going strong! I could crack the storm windows in my bedroom and hear the music wafting through the neighborhood with a beat that was calling me to turn to my wild side and let it all loose. Of course I would only have to crack the window once or twice during the summers...if I were grounded. Yes, that phenomenon did occur so I would dance in my room. Otherwise, I was right there eating out of the bands hands...dancing, twirling, feeling the beat and feeling so free and young and perfectly wonderful and full of music.

I grew up in the time of the "basement" bands. Everyone had one. And, at least at the time, they all seemed pretty good to me. Life was good and our lives seemed to be centered around music.

WLS Chicago was the most progressive radio station on the US Airwaves and I was lucky enough to pull the station in strong! The music was fantastic, innovative, progressive and heavier than the earlier Beatles, Buddy Holly and Elvis. We were beginning to hear what I called "real" rock and roll. Chicago, Louie Louie, Jefferson Airplane, Janice Joplin and more and more songs and artists found their way into our lives. Every Sunday evening I would get my shower, crawl into my pj's and plop in front of our black and white TV and watch Ed Sullivan.

I love the fact that my memory can take me back. Back into my little living room with my mom and dad and Ed and other greats such as Elvis, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Monkeys, Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Four Seasons...and yes, I do remember them!

How cool is that?

Ed Sullivan moved on and later in the 1960,s came my favorite show! Talk about walking on the wild side. It taught us some of the greatest music in history. It taught me a new twist in humor and made me laugh out loud. It provided roll models and humor and fun. And how to wear mini-skirts and wear flowers in our hair and made it mandatory to get our ears pierced...

Speaking of piercing ones ears...here it comes...I was hoping I wouldn't have to do this. This has been so much fun and I've enjoyed reliving the greats but JASON CROUCH is making me do this and for that I humbly apologize....really. Really. I mean really.

Here comes the absolute WORST, OBNOXIOUS, TASTLESS, DISCUSTING, DISTURBING, WASTE OF BREATH AND TIME AND LACK OF TALENT EVER TO BE DELIVERED TO THE BIG SCREEN.....

HOLD YOUR EARS OR MUTE the PUTE...but it's worth watching till the end for the glimpse of Goldie...

Will you ever forgive me for this?

Now, there simply is no song worse than this...

And, to show you why I loved this show...Rowan and Martin's Laugh In, I am including a short of the end of this particular segment. At the end they all had so much fun and it still makes me laugh today.

I hope you enjoyed this...most of it anyway. Later in the rain~Deb

Nuttin' Honey.

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:54:06 -0600

Jesse Clifton, Fairbanks Ak Real Estate Broker Jesse Clifton Fairbanks, AK, one of the most cantankerous sweetest most wonderful people here in the rain provoked me tagged me into doing yet another meme.

Somehow this man finds time to sell RE like a pro, take photos of the Aurora Borialis, be a wonderful husband to Kathy, and father and grandaddy and professed puppy lover and still do meme's.

Go figure??

We all know and love Jesse.

Jesse is a prolific writer here in the Rain and you should, if you have not, visit his blog and begin to read. You will find hours of beauty, fun, sense of humor, awesome dorkiness and just great reading.

The man attempts to become the dinner for all Alaskan bears...

and ignores signs. Anyway, he has meme'd me and this is an interesting task I have been assigned...

I must:

1. Grab the nearest book.

2. Open the book to page 56.

3. Find the fifth sentence.

4. Post the text of the next two to five sentences.

5. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book or the intellectual one. Pick the Closest.

6. Tag five people to do the same (this part is really cool)

*The one book that this can not be is the Bible*

So here I go. Yes Jess I did grab the closest (of 2) that were both in my reach from my chair...

This one wins:

Charles F. Haanel (1866-1949)

Regarded by many as the "Father of Personal Development," Charles F. Haanel is the author of the book The Master Key System as well as other books about improving the human condition.

While he was an influential person, writer, and business man, not many people know who he was or the impact that he had.

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 22, 1866, he is the son of Hugo and Emeline (Fox) Haanel, who removed with him to St. Louis when he was in early childhood. He initiated himself into the business world as an office boy for the National Enameling & Stamping Company. For this company he worked for a period of fifteen years. (read more)

THE BOOK IS:

THE MASTER KEY SYSTEM BY CHARLES F. HAANEL OF ANN ARBOR MICHIGAN.

GREAT READING...WRITTEN IN 1912...THIS BOOK WAS THE LEADER TO THE SIMPLER VERSION OF THE SECRET.

THE SECRET HAS BEEN NO SECRET FOR MANY YEARS AND CHARLES WILL TELL YOU HOW AND WHY AND ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS THE SECRET LEFT YOU WITH.

CHARLES STRUCTURES YOUR TRAIN OF THOUGHT TO BRING POWER AND UNDERSTANDING TO YOU, ME, US.

PAGE 56........SENTENCE 5.........

Make the Mental Image: make it clear, distinct, perfect: hold it firmly: the ways and means will develop: supply will follow the demand: you will be led to do the right thing at the right time and in the right way.

Earnest Desire will bring about Confident Expectation, and this in turn must be reinforced by Firm Demand. These three cannot fail to bring about Attainment, because the Earnest Desire is the feeling, the Confident Expectation is the thought, and the Firm Demand is the will, and, as we have seen, feeling gives vitality to thought and the will holds it steadily until the law of Growth brings it into manifestation.

Yeah baby! That's what I believe. I believe we create our own realities. Think good. Think positive, think prosperous and healthy. You will be led to this life one way or another. The way you should be....believe it. Live it and it WILL BE.

And now, oh goody. I get to provoke pick five people to do the same so watch out and get busy writing....

1. Erik Hitzelberger - Louisville & Bullitt County Real Estate

2. Liz Moras Re/Max Chilliwack Realtor's Blog

3 .Spring TX Real Estate, Marchel Peterson

4. Ann Arbor and Saline Michigan Real Estate Missy, my author is from your place!

5. The Art Of Marketing You The Blog Artist - marti garaughty - Montreal, QC

6. Simon Conway's Orlando Real Estate Blog

7. Crossville TN Real Estate Crossville TN Real Estate, Melissa Grant REALTOR®, Homes and Land For Sale -

8. Real Estate Financing, The Insider's Insight On Mortgage Jason Sardi, Pennsylvania Mortgage Broker - Allentown, PA

WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT WASN'T FIVE (5)??? I NEVER COULD COUNT...

Later in the rain~Deb

Are you thinking of letting your license go?

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:11:49 -0600

Is your fear running rampant? The media and their ability to sensationalize the negative is creating a dark cloud over most people. I spoke to a dear friend today who is thinking of letting her license go.

Are you thinking of letting your license go?

How long did it take you to get it?

How much work have you put into your Real Estate Business?

Are you going to let the lag in business win?

I just don't want to see this happening to good agents. We can listen to the media to the point that we could all curl up and not show our faces to the sunlight but what good does that do? That guarantees failure.

Quote: I'd rather be a failure at something I love than a success at something I hate.

George Burns

I have to agree with George. If you love it then stick with it.

When the clouds clear and you're still there with your ball rolling...you will come back stronger than ever.

Later in the rain~Deb

I Challenge YOU...

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 22:05:24 -0600

I do. I challenge you to:

Believe today what will happen tomorrow....

And to make it happen...

Keep a great attitude in the face of adversity...Be strong for the weak....

Be a leader and not just the follower...

Give up something for someone else...

Remain positive when times seem bleak...

Praise God in the face of adversity...

Work when you feel like collapsing...

Win the race even though you've been told you lost...

Smile when the clouds are heavy...

Step aside for the challenged...

Be the one you would aspire to be...

I challenge you to...be the best you can be...never give up...follow your heart...

Let's change for the better~

Later in the rain~Deb

My house...Sorry Baby, I Just Gotta Go...

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:39:37 -0600

Fall in love today...Lake Livingston area For Sale. Just what you've always dreamed of! Four beautiful acres with private pond and a meandering creek. Wildlife watcher's wonderland.

Totally updated A-Frame home with an entire front of windows looking out over your spectacular view. Recently updated, the home is 2100+/-square feet of luxury. Gorgeous oak kitchen cabinets, custom Italian tiles, Stainless Steel Appliances, lighted corner cabinets to show off your crystal, 23 foot beamed ceilings, huge brick wood burning fireplace, three baths with the guest bath touting an antique clawfoot tub, solid brass fixtures, antique sink and all for the guests!

Owners suite bath is luxuriously decked out with a large 8 jet roman tub, custom ceramic tiles, antique stained glass window, walk-in closet and separate laundry room. This home can be used as a three bedroom with an office or as a four bedroom. A spiral staircase takes you up to a bedroom with another bath with a large stand up shower and a separate bath with a sitting room. At this price it won't last long.

Call Debra for your private showing today! Debra Brooks 936-661-2624

We Don't get Paid Till We Close...Of Course I'm Doing My Best!

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:12:58 -0500

The tide has changed...and I mean drastically! Sales use to wash in and close and then wash out back to the sea of contentedness...and now what's happening?

Fanny Mae, Freddie Mac are just not the same entities...they are now the boss.

We, as in Real Estate Agents and Brokers and Mortgage Brokers and Surveyor's and Inspectors and Title Companies are all trying to march to a different beat.

It's a new beat and the drums are rolling. Learn the facts, gain control and step up to the pump. (no puns about gas prices intended)

Remember allll the waaaaayyyyy back to Real Estate School? We were taught that we are there to "MANAGE" all forces that create a successful closing.

Consider yourself the cog of the wheel. Without each and every spoke of the wheel connecting and supporting one another the cart would crash under the weight. Never before has it been more important for each and every one of us within our own "individualized businesses" to take responsibility of each step of a transaction as now!

Our market is shaky to say the least.

Any small glitch can and will interrupt your sale and your client's dream.

Stay on top of each and every detail required to close even if it is someone else's job.

Now is the time to begin to cover all bases which are many more than " the bases are loaded (4) "in the world of Real Estate.

If your deal is qualified...it just doesn't matter.

Lenders are looking for any small detail that may not fit the guidelines.

It's time for you to study, learn and practice. None of us are perfect but we must give it our best shot of practice or it just won't happen!

You executed a contract! Good for you.

If you want it to really happen then heed my advice.

Don't take your eyes off the ball!

Good luck....

Really, it's all up to you!

Later in the rain~Deb

Listing Router 'Whiteboard Explanation'

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:57:29 -0500

This is amazing. I don't want anyone to miss this. Thank you Bob and Kelan. Talk about adding value!

Later in the rain~Deb

Via Bob Stewart - ActiveRain:

Kelan and I take you through the new ActiveRain Listing Router. Watch as I explain how we are going to increase your business and get the traffic looking in your market to your website.

IMPORTANT NOTE
The "Listing Router" will ONLY show up on your pages when LOGGED OUT of ActiveRain.

Meeting Some ActiveRain Friends in Person for the First Time! - My Day at RE Barcamp (Houston)

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:28:10 -0500

I had such a great time with all these wonderful Rainers! Enjoy getting to know each and everyone! Next time, be there~Later in the rain~DEB

Via Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate:

As soon as I heard that RE Barcamp was coming to Houston, I was looking forward to attending. In case you haven't heard of Barcamp before (which I hadn't), it is essentially a real estate and social media conference.

Actually, I heard it referred to as an "unconference", which is probably a better description.

In essence, the agenda for the day is not set until everyone arrives. If you are attending and you want to lead a session, you can do this.

What did I learn?

First, I learned that Paul Chaney ("The Social Media Handyman") is clearly someone that I need to get to know better. His keynote address started things off with clarity and a terrific perspective.  I was tired, but his lively presentation was well done and encompassed much of what makes Web 2.0 and social media so pervasive. If anyone in that room had any doubts about the value of being connected, they probably left with a different opinion.  Well done, Paul!

I learned that Mike Price of ML Broadcast and his wife Laurie are very hard workers. Thanks for putting together this event that enabled me to meet so many of my friends in person finally!

So who else did I see and meet?

One of the big highlights for me was finally getting to meet some of my closest friends on this network, namely Amanda Hall and Lisa Heindel (see photo above). As I explained to some of the others, we are part of a very small clique/group of friends who started around the same time on AR and they are both buddies of mine. It was like meeting friends from college that I hadn't seen in awhile, and we fell into an easy rapport in person. Good stuff!

Rich Jacobson (at left) has also become a good friend over the past year or so, and it was great fun to finally meet him face-to-face. As he and I had discussed in the past, it is pretty much exactly what you expect when you do meet someone who has already become your friend. In this case, a more accurate statement would be that it was sort of like meeting a brother who harrasses you publicly. But seriously, meeting Rich was one of the high points of my day. Blogging enables us to connect on a level that is simply unprecedented.

Brad Andersohn was (not surprisingly) one of the most relentlessly positive people at Barcamp, with a quick wit and an energetic spirit. It was a joy to meet him "live". I envy Brad's gadget and website knowledge, and I need to spend more time learning the really cutting-edge stuff. He is a genuinely nice guy. On a side note, Brad stood on a chair to give me a bear hug when we first met, because I am a human giant, of course. ;)

Jeff Turner is frankly one of the most well-spoken and thoughtful people that I have come across in awhile. I always considered myself to be a good listener, but Jeff has made this into an art form. I was happy that I got a chance to hang out with him for awhile that day, and I look forward to seeing him again. He is a genuinely good guy, and I would highly encourage you to pay attention when he writes and speaks.  He is very much on top of what's happening in social media.

At dinner, I made the mistake of sitting between Brad and Jeff for awhile, and I sincerely couldn't keep up with their "tech talk". At one point, I wondered if they were even speaking English, with the number of sites and services that were bandied about between them. ;)

I also got to see my good friend Deb Brooks again (this was the third time we met, since she attended the gathering in Bandera and my birthday party in August). As always, it was great to see her, and I heard about her new venture, www.buywaterfronts.com.

A couple of random thoughts: Wednesday night at dinner, I discovered that Marchel Peterson is outgoing and funny, with an infectious laugh. For some reason, I thought she was shy when we first met back in April. For the record, Greg Nino is far taller than I thought. He and I are just about eye-to-eye, and I am 6'4" or thereabouts. He said that I am taller, but it's probably just my hair. My Twitter and Blip.fm friend Stephanie Edwards-Musa was fun to meet as well. On the other side of the coin from Marchel, I thought that Pippa Mac would be a crazy house of fire for some reason (maybe it's the hot pink in her profile pic), but she was subdued and cool.

I think one of the biggest lessons for me on that day was that I really want to present/teach something next time around, rather than just listening and participating. I am by no means a social media expert yet, but I think I was probably in the top half of the crowd with regard to knowledge. Regardless, the event had value for networking and learning from some VERY sharp people. I only wish that I could have attended every session.

All of the photos are my own, but I stole the first one from Lisa, because hers was better than the one I got. I think I also learned that I tend to stand on the right side of every picture - how weird is that?

Thanks for reading!

Open your intuition and "radar" to your client's needs.

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:16:20 -0500

Real Estate is not only a Profession ... it is our lives.

Our business is an integral part of everyone's lives. Not just because we sell Real Estate but because it just is.

We all must be housed.

Mama bird builds her nest for protection and comfort.

The lioness finds her security within rock and caves and even ants build magnificent cities.

One thing for sure ... we will always need to buy and sell houses, excuse me, homes.

Our Profession goes much deeper within others lives than most Professions.

With each transaction there is an entire realm of emotions. Whether one is selling their own homestead or liquidating an estate from a loved one or simply the sale of an investment property.

People put their hearts into their Real Estate.

The most successful agents are not the ones that have massive numbers of sales or listings.

The most successful agents are the "liaisons" between a desire and a purchase or sale. As agents we should open our hearts to the needs, desires, wants, and purchasing capabilities of our clients.

Once we "hear, see, and feel" their needs we can much better serve them.

So, don't just open the doors to your office. Open your intuition and "radar" to your client's needs.

You will find many more homes and many more friendships along the way.

Later in the rain~Deb

Is your attitude good towards others?

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 11:03:12 -0500

No? Then you are losing a lot of business. EDITED ... QUOTE BY BARBARA HERSHEY; "So let them be rotten apples...they'll fall off the tree soon enough!"

Yes? Then you are a wise person.

We have all experienced the Agent with an attitude...

What good does this do anyone?

Does it help the client?

Does it encourage a deal?

Does it build a good relationship?

Does it create a strong sphere within your "professional" relm?

Could you have made contracts work if you had not run across the bad attitude?

It just seems to me that we should all support one another, work with an agreeable attitude, give more than we get and it should all come back to us in the end.

Have you delt with an Agent with a bad attitude? Did the deal work? How many years did it take off your life? Was it worth it?

Will you deal with them again?

A bad apple can ruin our whole bunch. Later in the rain~Deb

I had a ball at Real Estate barcamp Houston yesterday!

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:34:09 -0500

I had a ball at Real Estate barcamp Houston yesterday!

Some functions are fun and some are not! This was just wonderful! I didn't completely understand what to expect with a "Free form forum" but I will say it was great. The presentations were fun and informative.

I was able to meet so many Rainers that I felt I was home.

Is that strange? After getting to know so many people through comments, following their lives and seeing their pictures each day I felt like it was a homecoming!

Adding hugs, face to face conversation, and sharing space with others just strengthened the bond I feel for these people! And, I got to meet so many for the first time that I will be including in my sphere that I had been missing.

I was thrilled to meet Active Rain's very own Rich Jacobson, Brad Andersohn and Jeff Turner. They are as nice in person as they are in their posts!

Other Rainer's included Jason Crouch (one of my buds), Amanda Hall, Lisa Heindel, Marchel Peterson (buddy), Pippa Mac, Greg Nino, Russell Lewis, Stephanie Edwards, Michael Price and so many more!

The sessions covered everything from upcoming technology to how to utilize today's technology! The keynote speaker, Paul Chaney is as inspiration in person as his blogs portray.

Don't miss the next one. I will let you know ahead of time before the next sign up as space will be limited. Michael Price wants to keep it intimate enough for some great networking and exclusivity.

Thank you so much Michael Price to you and your wife Laurie and all that helped provide this wonderful experience!

Later in the rain~Deb

Calling Seth Godin!!!

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 22:27:21 -0500

Hey everybody, you know and love our Margaret and our BB. Let's give them some support...k? Thanks a bunch.

Later in the rain~Deb

Via Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc:

Hi folks. My good friend and fellow ActiveRainer, Margaret Rome, is getting close to launching her first book "Real Estate the Right Rome Way". I'm sure most of you know Margaret but if not....stop over and check out her profile.

Margaret and I joined AR at just about the same time, July of 2006. In fact, as far as I can, tell we actually joined on the same day. Her first post and my first post were both on July 8, 2006.

Margaret and I have always had a connection. We are very much alike and handle our businesses the same. I still believe we were separated at birth. Here are a few similarities.

We are both "solo" agents

We both specialize in listings

I have a TLW she has a TLH.

We both have tempurpedic craftmatic adjustable beds!!!

We are both soooooooo good looking.

Anyway....Margaret is really wanting to get Seth Godin to review her book and maybe write a blurb on the jacket. So she decided to have a little contest to see who could come up with a good idea to get Seth's attention. My idea was to get as many Rainers as possible to place this phrase in their next post:

Hey Seth Godin!!!! Come over and review Margaret Rome's new book"

I figure Seth has his Google alerts activated and if enough of us do this he will not be able to ignore us and will have to come over to see what's going on. If you are not familiar with Seth he is a master marketeer and a best selling author. Getting him to review Margaret's book would be HUGE!!

So.....if you would, next post you write, just take a minute and copy/paste this phrase....

Hey Seth Godin!!!! Come over and review Margaret Rome's new book"

.....and place it at the bottom of your post. Or the top. Or the middle. Let's show Seth the power of the Rain. How simple is that?

HUGE GREEN WORM. Citheronia Regalis (regal moth). Beauty surrounds...Huntsville, Texas.

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:05:11 -0500

I consider myself lucky each and every day the sun shines. Or, I simply awake and stretch and breathe and realize I'm here. I then take the steps I can to make it a good day. Good or great. That's all I have.

I was given a gift of major magnitude today and I must share it with you.

Let me qualify myself with this by saying I'm really not that great with bugs...certainly not scary big ones.

This gift is a rare and beautiful sight I was blessed to see today and I want you to enjoy it too. I knew not what it was till I grabbed my handy google page and looked up...

giant worm green texas...

Up came the pictures. Luckily when I saw this gorgeous creature crawling across my porch today I felt no threat. I just felt intrigued and in awe of the creativity of our nature and powers.

Introducing the most wonderful and so they tell me "common"...Hickory Horned Devil (caterpillar), also known at the Citheronia Regalis (regal moth).

Once I completed photographing him...I took him out into the garden and told him "thank you" and let him go. I couldn't wait to see what I had just photographed.

Enjoy. He was easily a half a foot long and lovely. I wasn't scared....even though I had never witnessed anything like this. It was like a miracle of life crossing my path.

I feel lucky and blessed to have been able to photograph this beautiful creature.

Amazing isn't he? Here's the wide shot. He was easily 5.5 to 6" long and was lovely.

I scooped (very gently) him up in my cup and carried him to the garden. If I am doubly blessed he will live a a long and wonderful life.

He looks small in my huge cup. He's upside down and trusting me. He is an 8 horned thingy. Meaning

he's larger than normal. I'm glad I'm not a screatcher! I opened the door and there he was on my

welcome mat! What a hoot!

Here is a shot of the incredible creature he is destined to become. Behold...

I hope you enjoyed this...I sure did. Later in the rain~Deb

Are you using today's technology to your best advantage?

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 18:19:46 -0500

Are you using today's technology to your best advantage?

We, as Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, Stagers, Insurance Reps, and others have a host of Technology at our fingertips.

And, if you're like me....you may not be utilizing it to your fullest advantage.

Active Rain is instrumental in opening my eyes to the archaic methodology that lingers from the past within our industries. There are so many viable ways to utilize the technological advances that are being made every single day to aid us in our businesses.

I have found myself in awe of techies and their geek speak. Many will be attending Houston's REBarCamp next week and are looking forward to learning more there!

Here's the rub...is there anyone out there that can draw a diagram of what technology goes to what? Is there such a thing as a step by step A goes to B goes to C type document or program or class or teacher or trainer that could help with this?

I find myself not knowing what phone to buy...how to use it once I have it...how to make my softwares compatible on my different computers so I don't have to go to different computers to work on different tasks...

Is there anyone that you know of that actually goes into a business or tutors one on total compatibility based on our needs within our business?

Or, is this a potential job position that one could create that would be the next level of "technology tutors" that could come in and organize one to be able to function at their peak performance, save time, save money, and increase business?

Are you using today's technology to your best advantage?

I know I'm not. Any ideas? Any offers? Hum...let me know.

Later in the rain~Deb

Oh I'm Fine, I'm Fine She Says....

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:58:38 -0500

Quickie laugh. I was just visiting with Marchel Peterson of Spring Texas. Marchy and I have been able to network and make money TOGETHER with the help of Active Rain.

I was visiting with her about the Real Estate BarCamp Houston we both plan to attend on Wednesday the 22, of October...

All seemed fine as we were giggling about Real Estate and other things and I heard this BLAM-thunkity-thunk-BLAM.

My reaction was Marchel are you okay??? Are you okay????

A long moment later she says...I'm fine, I'm fine, I just went over a curb!

I don't see well at night with my astigmatism....OMG,

Marchel??

Should you be driving? No she says...I don't usually drive at night...oh, here comes a very slow..ssslllooowww deer. She saw it! She saw it!

Whew. By the time she got home I was a nervous wreck.

She said, I don't think I knocked anything out of alignment!

My plea...MARCHEL PLEASE DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT!

Your friend,

Deb

AFTER THOUGHT...I WONDER HOW MANY REALTORS ARE INVOLVED IN THE HIGHWAY STATISTICS?

SCARY.

Later in the rain~Deb

RE-BarCamp is coming to Houston TX on October 22, 2008!

Deb at Brooks Prime Properties — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:21:13 -0500

Debra and Scott Brooks will be introducing BuyWaterfronts.com. BuyWaterfronts.com is a Realtor Only Advertising site for agents that sell by the water. No FSBO's allowed and a great way to place high in the Search Engines and gather leads for your waterfront niche.

BuyWaterfronts.com is offering the first six months free listing advertising.

We will see you at realestateBarCamp Houston!

Via Rich Jacobson ~ ActiveRain Community Builder:

REBarCamp Houston is an exhilarating gathering of minds & passions in a spontaneous, eclectic, organic, open format event where real estate professionals and technology experts share new discoveries/trends happening in the industry, and discuss their practical application in the present and future of real estate. Get connected with experts - show, tell, share, and learn. Go deep with the innovators of the industry and discuss ways to incorporate on-line strategies, such as blogging, new media, tech tools, social networks, search optimization, and much more, into your business.

And the best thing, it's FREE!!!

In today's challenging market, you need an advantage and skillset that will set you apart from the masses, and empower you for greater success. REBarCamp Houston will help to equip and launch your marketing efforts with a renewed vision and effectiveness!

Keynote speaker, Paul Chaney, co-author of "Realty Blogging" and President of the International Blogging and New Media Association, will open the event with his usual talented enthusiasm. Paul also plans on conducting a few of the sessions as well.

ActiveRain is pleased to be one of the event sponsors, and Community Builders, Brad Andersohn and Rich Jacobson, will be on-hand to facilitate several break-out sessions, including "Boot Camp for Beginning Bloggers," "Social Media 101," and "7 Steps of Effective Blogging."

When: October 22, 2008 - registration at 8:30AM
Where: Shenandoah Convention & Meeting Facility
(adjacent to The Woodlands Texas)

Follow @rebarcamphou or @mlbroadcast on Twitter for updates, and use the hash tag #rebch08 with all tweets.

For more details, to RSVP, volunteer, or help sponsor this event, go to REBarCampHouston