It's Fall - 09/23/10 01:42 PM
Yesterday my kindergartner announced that it was the last day of Summer. She did a spinning movement with arms stretched high and announced "goodbye summer, see you next year".
This morning she announced that today it was Fall. She opened the window shade and started explaining how things were changing because it was now fall. We walk outside to get into the minivan for school and she says "dad, doesn't it just feel like fall? So different than yesterday."
She is heading into her 5th fall and vividly remembers last years pumpkin patch adventures. Such joy and excitement. At 5 she is able to grasp … (9 comments)
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Do You Avoid Sex Offender Discussions? - 09/21/10 08:52 PM
Do you avoid discussing Sex Offenders with buyers?
There is a free Registered Sex Offenders Map Application I downloaded onto my Droid called Safe Neighborhood which made me think about how registered sex offenders may affect home buyers. The name implies that if there are no sex offenders living there, it is a safe neighborhood. The App opens up a map google of were you are and shows map dots of all the registered sex offenders.
Of course this info is available on many internet sites as well. It just made me think that I avoid any discussion about sex offenders in area neighborhoods. It's not my … (5 comments)
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3 bathroom cleaning tips for home sellers - 09/19/10 09:53 PM
Here are 3 quick bathroom cleaning tips because home buyers want to see clean bathrooms. These are all tips provided to me by past clients.
Keep rolls of basic white paper towels handy. Wiping everything with a disposable paper towel is quick and easy from mirror toothpaste splatter to soap scum on the sink. Use Scott's Liquid Gold (spray can) to remove slight water stains on bathroom wood cabinet faces. Spray the Scott's on a paper towel and wipe. A little goes a long way. Spray the paper towel not the cabinets to avoid overspray on the floor tile. Also works great on kitchen cabinets. Keep … (3 comments)
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Will An Energy Star Refrigerator Pay For Itself? - 09/18/10 01:44 AM
Yes. I discovered that a new Stainless Steel Energy Star Refrigerator will pay for itself in electricity savings. My 1989 Almond Fridge works perfectly but after 21 maintenance free years I just want a Stainless Steel Fridge.
I need a good reason to dump the almond fridge since we are in a recession. Here's the answer: an energy star fridge will save me $880 in electricity savings over the next 5 years. Hopefully Stainless will still be in style.
If you go to the Energy Star Website they have a Refrigerator Retirement Savings Calculator. You simply plug in the model number and the website gives you specific … (5 comments)
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The AR Point Diet ~ How to loose 92 AR Points - 09/16/10 10:55 AM
If you want to loose 92 Active Rain points then my advice is to simply go to sleep. The big red box on my Home Page said 25,001 Points just before I logged off last night (I was thinking it would have been fun to see 25,000 exactly). This morning I log in and the big red box says 25,009 points. Now if you get 100 points for just logging in, then 25,001 + 100 = 25,101 not 25,009.
Somehow overnight I lost 92 Points. I'm sipping my coffee thinking "if only I could loose Pounds as easily. I should post … (25 comments)
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Avoid the $200 Fine AKA Texas School Zone No Cell Phone Laws - 09/14/10 04:04 PM
The Texas No Cell Phone Use in School Zones Law went into effect over a year ago so the police are no longer giving out warnings. They simply write a ticket for a $200 fine.
So put the cell phone down before you get to the school zone. "Sorry, I need to go, there's a school zone ahead."
In addition, individual Texas cities are adopting stricter laws as technology changes and attorneys look for loop holes. This includes No Motorist Handheld Devices in School Zones. So yes, driving in a school zone while using an I Pad is going to cost you $200.
Others cities simply … (7 comments)
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Garage Fire Goes Undetected - 09/13/10 11:37 PM
The Fire Investigator determined the cause of the fire was a faulty lawn sprinkler system control panel in the garage. The home was monitored for burglary & fire but the smoke detectors were located in the bedrooms and halllways. The fire had to burn through the garage & utility room before smoke finally reached the smoke detector outside the master bedroom. Half of the home was in flames before the fire department arrived.
I sold this 5 year old home to some good friends after the home was rebuilt / repaired from the fire.
Here's what I want you to think about. You … (6 comments)
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Backing Up Data Was Simpler Than I Thought - 09/12/10 08:52 PM
On Friday my laptop died and I didn't have a back up plan. I learned that backing up data from my computer is really simple. If you don't currently back up your computer then hopefully this may motivate you to get off your backside and get backed up.
I procrastinated because it sounded complicated and expensive. I learned that it is more complicated and expensive if you procrastinate.
There are two basic ways: 1. using an online data storage site like Carbonite or 2. buying an External Hard Drive.
I decided to get an External Hard Drive because my failing laptop wouldn't connect to the Internet. The … (4 comments)
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How low interest rates make affordability levels skyrocket - 09/11/10 08:07 PM
Dan Rosenberger from Harvest Realty in Westfield Indiana wrote a great blog below on how current interest rates make homes more affordable.
The chart Dan uses to illustrate a $1,000 monthly mortgage payment with differing loan amounts really helps home buyersunderstand what a 4% interest rate means.
No matter if you are in the Far North Suburbs of Indianapolis or the Far North Suburbs of Dallas, this information rings true.
Via Dan Rosenberger (Harvest Realty):
We have all heard about how these are the lowest interest rates since some time in the past. (A few years ago they were saying the lowest … (5 comments)
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The Colony Texas Free Co-Serv Home Energy Audit - 09/11/10 02:33 PM
Co-Serv homeowners in The Colony Texas can have a free home energy audit. Co-Serv has an Energy Management team who conducts free energy audits on Co-Serv members' homes.
Every Colony TX Homeowner wants lower utility bills. Everybody likes free. Get a free home energy audit and lower your utility bills. There is only one "catch". This is only for Co-Serv members.
Many homes in The Colony Texas are serviced by Co-Serv. If Co-Serv provides electricity to your home, send their energy mgmt team an e-mail energyaudits@coserv.com requesting a free home energy audit.
The auditor will inspect your home's windows, doors, attics, appliances, heating and cooling units. They want to pinpoint where energy dollars are … (0 comments)
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Google Instant and fighting for 1st Page Results - 09/09/10 11:23 AM
On Wednesday Google Instant was launched and if you care about where You Are Found On Google, you really should understand how it works. It's almost easier for you to just try Google Instant than explain it however I need to provide screen shots to clarify my concern.
Every Google Search Term has 1st Page Results right? Most people click a choice from the 1st page because it's easy. You focus on search terms that will get you found, What happens when people stop choosing YOUR search terms because Google Instant has made it easier for them to choose the More Popular Search Terms?
Google Instant gives you … (12 comments)
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New HUD Homes sales procedures announced - 09/09/10 01:09 AM
The HUD home buying process is certainly changing. Dan's blog below was quite an eye-opener. Some HUD changes sound positive but it will mean relearning a process that we have gotten comfortable with.
Lowering the 5% to 3% is certainly negative because of all the addtional work involved with a HUD. Perhaps this new process will lower the amount of hours a HUD contract currently requires.
Regards - Mark Hitz
Via Dan Rosenberger (Harvest Realty):
HUD has announced several changes in the way HUD Homes will be sold. Here are some of the changes:
Commission available to a buyers broker will be up to … (8 comments)
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I'm Ranked #1 on Google Instant - Something's Goofed Up! - 09/08/10 10:48 PM
Does Google Instant KNOW it's me searching for me so I get ranked #1? Seriously, is Google Instant that smart or will anyone searching find me ranked the same? I read Jay Lloyd's post Google Instant the end of SEO? and went to Instant to try it myself.
My Websites are now ranked higher in the organic search results on "Google Instant" than I ever ranked on regular "Google". I am thinking that Google has figured out who I am and shows me what I desire - #1 Organic Search Result Status. I am now wondering that if anyone else searches Google Instant for these same … (15 comments)
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Do You Copyright Your Pictures? Do You Even Care? - 09/08/10 04:40 PM
Do you care if someone else uses one of your pictures? I use to. Now I focus on the Marketing Potential.
You automatically "own copyright" on original digital pictures but do you really care if someone else uses one of your photos without your permission?
"Yes" or "No"?
My mom told me not to get mad about the weather because I had no control over it. I view the Internet www like world wide weather. When I push the send button and upload a digital picture into the clouds I have no control over it's use.
"But it's mine. People should just know that." How? Is there some mandatory … (6 comments)
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178 Light Bulbs Experiment for Google, Yahoo and Bing SERPs - 09/07/10 05:53 PM
If you want a glimpse of how Google and Yahoo Search Results really happen then skim this post.
Yesterday I wrote a blog post titled "178 Light Bulbs" about energy efficient lighting choices in a large home. I decided to incorporate a Search Engine experiment using the term "178 Light Bulbs" to see which search engines would rank my post. I checked and discovered there is no competition for this specific search term.
The Experiment: How Fast will Google, Yahoo and Bing find my blog post? Where will it rank? Will they index my jpg pictures?
Remember if you want a very specific search use the "quotation marks" which … (4 comments)
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My Bad - That's Insulting! - 09/07/10 02:18 PM
"My Bad". Americans are bad about slang terminology especially when the phrase has multiple meanings. When someone writes or says "My Bad" what do they really mean? Before you say it or write it you should really know how they might take it.
It doesn't really matter who coined the phrase or what it meant 30 years ago in sports.
What does My Bad mean today?
If you look at this black and white picture without any supporting information, what does it mean to you?
It's hard to say? That is exactly my point.
Here are some possible My Bad definitions found on the Internet site Urban Dictionary.
a). … (5 comments)
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Labor Day @ Hawaiian Falls The Colony TX 2010 - 09/06/10 11:10 PM
Today Labor Day 2010 was the last day at Hawaiian Falls Adventure Park in The Colony Texas. As you can see from the photos it was a gorgeous cloudy 93 degrees. Perfect water temps and not too crowded.
Breaker Bay wave making pool is always a fun place to relax when you don't feel so adventerous.
The Hawaiian Falls Kona Cooler Lazy River is a enjoyable for all ages!
Tubes provided. Float down river as long as you want. The hard part is deciding when it's time to leave.
There are plenty of water slides … (3 comments)
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178 Light Bulbs | Old vs CFL vs LED - 09/06/10 06:26 PM
178 light bulbs can create a large electric bill depending on the kind of bulbs you use. I recently sold the home pictured below that has 178 light bulbs. It was vacant, I was doing a photo shoot and I kept flipping on light switches. I wondered how many light bulbs are in this place? 1, 2, 3... 178 bulbs and only 6 are energy saving CFL compact florescent lights (or as my 5 yr old says: ice cream cone bulbs). I didn't count low voltage yard lights, oven lights, under counter lights, pool lights or bulbs in the attic.
I went outside and looked at the … (8 comments)
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2010 Pirate Days of Texas in The Colony Oct 16 17 - 09/05/10 08:23 PM
Mark you calendars! The Colony TX Oct 16 & 17 Pirate Days of Texas 2010 festival held at Stewart Creek Park on Lake Lewisville. Sat Oct 16th 10 am to 10 pm. Sun Oct 17th 11 am to 6 pm.
The Colony Texas is a Far North Dallas Suburb located on 35 miles of Lake Lewisville shoreline. Located just north of the Hwy 121 Tollway, The Colony is between Lewisville and Frisco.
Tickets for this year Pirate Days of Texas festival at the gate will be $10 for Adults, $5 for kids 5 to 12 and children 4 and under are free. Discounted … (2 comments)
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How Important are The Colony Texas School Ratings ~ LISD TAKS Ranks - 09/04/10 10:44 PM
All parents want to send their children to a good school and The Colony TX has good schools in the LISD. Relocating home buyers ask me "how are The Colony Schools?" or how is a specific elementary school. I start walking a tightrope. The TAKS ratings of The Colony Schools is the only uniform measurement to compare schools so that's the best overall ranking of LISD schools. So, yes TAKS ranking of The Colony Schools is very important simply because that it the only "apples to apple" comparison that is available.
You can go to websites like Greatschools.org who are the self … (0 comments)
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Driver Launches Car into Air at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport Toll Booth - 09/03/10 05:28 PM
I live near the DFW airport and they charge you a toll to park and exit so there is a long row of toll booth attendants. In front of each toll booth is a concrete triangle of sorts to protect the worker. If you look at this picture below you will see the concrete triangle in front of that black jeep.
I have often sat in the toll booth line and wondered what would happen if someone hit that triangle driving really fast. I guess the technical term for the concrete is a "Rampart" - from the days of castles.
Well … (7 comments)
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The Colony TX Morningside Elementary School Boundaries ~ New LISD Boundary Map - 09/02/10 06:04 PM
Morningside Elementary School in The Colony Texas boundary map has changed shifting children to Peters Colony Elementary and Owen Elementary. The LISD boundary map 2010 - 2011 shows the new boundaries.
Home Buyers, If you are looking at The Colony TX homes for sale and want your child to attend Morningside Elementary School you need to verify the MLS accuracy as there are unintentional errors by listing agents. Over the 2010 summer Lewisville Independent School District LISD made Elementary School boundary map changes for Morningside Elementary, Peters Colony Elementary and Owen Elementary.
The 2 Middle school boundaries have not changed in 2010. The Colony High School is the … (0 comments)
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The $1 Must-Have Home Security Solution - 09/02/10 01:03 AM
The $1 Home Security Solution. It's called a window thumb lock and it costs a buck. It takes no tools to install. No handyman needed. Yet these little aluminum thumb locks really work to keep burglars from opening your windows and coming on in.
Homeowners spend a lot of money on a sturdy door and deadbolt lockset but forget that their windows are the most vulnerable access point for a burglar.
Here are some pictures I took of the thumb locks I use on my windows.
Easy install. No skill required.
With the thumb lock in place you … (7 comments)
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Be Wary of Scam Home Loan Internet Sites - 09/01/10 10:25 PM
Home Loan Internet Scams are real. Having the FTC create this educational "fake" lender scam site is excellent as it educates people using the internet. Esteemed Lending Services - what an appropriate name for a fictitious mortgage company. It looks like a legitimate lender until you click on a tab!
Welcome to Esteemed Lending, where we guarantee a loan to fit every situation. Our qualified loan specialists have been helping people just like you find the best interest rates and loan terms possible for your unique situation. We will guide you every step of the way to get you … (0 comments)
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The Colony Texas LISD School Tax Increase Vote - 09/01/10 06:51 PM
Attention: The Colony Texas Homeowners
GO VOTE AT THE COLONY TX CITY HALL
LISD Tax Increase Early Voting is Occurring Now.
Homeowners Property Taxes are being effected.
LEWISVILLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT ADOPTED A TAX RATE THAT WILL RAISE MORE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS THAN LAST YEAR'S TAX RATE; and THE TAX RATE WILL EFFECTIVELY BE RAISED BY 1.2223 PERCENT AND WILL RAISE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS ON A $100,000 HOME BY APPROXIMATELY $12.80
Where to vote: THE COLONY CITY HALL - 6800 Main Street , The Colony, Texas 75056
Early voting Aug. 30 - Sept. 3 and Sept. 7-10
8 … (0 comments)
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The Colony Texas Suburb Ranking Results - 09/01/10 02:36 PM
The Colony Texas ranks 15th in Best Dallas Suburbs ratings by D Magazine published July 2010. The Colony ranks better than all it's surrounding cities including Frisco 19th; Little Elm 29th; McKinney 24th; Lewisville 34th; Carrollton 40th; and Plano 18th. The Colony's rank of 15th may not be in the top 10 but considering there are 62 Suburbs being ranked, The Colony TX ranks as a really good place to call home.
The 62 Suburb ranking is based on four factors: safety 25%, education 25%, housing values 25%, and ambiance 25%. The first three measures involve data and objective analysis. The fourth "ambiance" is of course subjective and having 34 miles of … (0 comments)
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