I know technically, this is suppose to be a wordless thing, but I just have describe both of these images. Chris Fisher, a very close friend of mine and also business partner, told me that we needed a iguana that was holding a orange hibiscus, maybe witht a palm tree in the background but the iguana had to look cool. Since she was at my house she saw some drawings I had done and so she knew I liked to draw and figured I could possibly draw one. Well as you can see I did.
Then I scanned it into the computer and sent it to her. Now she was the one to get into photoshop and such with her creative side and color it in and I couldnt wait to see it. When she sent it to me I have to say I got excited and was very happy, it looks so cool! She did an awesome job on it! So the second image is the one of her doing her touches to it and finishing it up and I just had to share it with everyone. Happy Wednesday everyone and again Chris awesome job, chicklet!!
Chris did an awesome job at living it up! I hope you enjoy the images.
My friend Brande Bradford posted this blog about finding a good agent and I thought I would re-blog it as it has some helpful tips. Great information for anyone to know.
How do you find a good agent and what makes them a good agent?
Everyday it seems as though home prices are continuously dropping a little bit making more of a buyer's market. Alot of areas are starting to see sales growths due to this. You need to have a realtor who knows the area and is experienced with the homes in the area of the marketplace. A agent knows how to find the best home that will best fit your needs and wants in a home.
Always check on the agent your talking too. Find out how satisfied others have been. Ask for a list of clients who were satisfied with their services. See if anything was missed, not addressed or misreprsented in anyway. Doing this will help you to know if the agent your talking too really cared about their clients or cared more about just making another sale. It is good if you find a agent who is connected to other agents in the area. This will give you an advantage as well. Will they go the extra mile to help you prepare your home to be sold? Below is the list of ways that can help you to find a good agent.
1. Always meet the agent why they are out and about showing houses, doing open houses. A good agent doesn't spend much time at their desk, they are always out and about.
2. Ask your friends and relatives what agent they used. If their agent had good results for them, it is safe to say, they will have the same results for you.
3. Make sure the agent is knowledgeable about the local area your looking in. Ask questions about the area, if you know more than they do about the area, move on to another agent. Someone that doesn't know more than you isn't going to be of much help.
4. Another good way to find a good agent is by looking online through Google for a listing of homes for sale in the area your looking. Of course this is more than likely to pull up sellers agents instead of buyers agents but usually they can refer you to a good buyers agent.
5. A good agent will be able to help guide you through all the stacks of paperwork you might have to do and help you go through all lenders to pick the best one that will fit you.
6. Will the agent send you listings that fit your specifications by e-mail and how often?
7. Will they take you to tour homes or send you on your own?
These tips should help you to begin your search for a good agent. Good luck!
Fonts are lots of fun to play with. Where you can get into trouble with them, however, is when you use a non-standard font on your website. Why? Because if you use a font that is not SUPER common, it's quite likely there will be people who look at your site that don't have that font on their computer. What happens then? It defaults to times new roman if you haven't chosen any other fonts to default to. Why is that a problem? For me it's a problem because I like to have a pretty good idea how my sites are going to look for most people .
It is very possible that is because I am a control freak perfectionist and I am not a fan of Times New Roman.
It is helpful to choose a list of fonts so that if your first one is unavailable the page defaults to the second, then the third, etc. Try to choose at least one common (arial, veranda, geneva, etc.) font so that your page will get to that one if nothing else works.
If you are creating your own html, you can use coding similar to this: <FONT FACE="Arial, Helvetica, Geneva">. (This means if arial isn't available, helvetica will be used, if helvetica is not available it will be geneva, if geneva is unavailable it will default to times new roman).
If you are using a designer, they will probably already do this for you, but it won't hurt to send them a list of fonts that you like to work with.
When I use a "fancy" font (one many people may not have), I tend to use it for titles or emphasis only, and usually create a photo of the title rather than adding it as text . This allows me to control what the page looks like and still use my chosen font. Otherwise, the result can be this:
Take care!
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I was going to start with doing some tutorials on CSS and things of that nature, but then I realized that in order to be able to understand and get to know the CSS and things, you need to know what HTML is and does. So I think that should be the first step of many tutorials I plan on sharing with you. Eventually we can get into making a web page. I learned how to do HTML on my own and using notepad on windows completely by hand. I had no system or software to automatically input things for me and to me that is the best way to learn.
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language this is what the internet browsers we use to read the websites we all view. Without it no web page would be visible. To get further into it, HTML is made up of a series of elements, also known as tags which are started with the lesser sign < and the element name and end with a / and then the greater sign >. Below are a few examples for you.
There key elements that all HTML pages need to display the web page correctly. The Doctype is short for Document Type, this tells the internet browser which type of HTML you are using. There is HTML4.01 and XHTML 1.0, pretty much the same, however XHTML is meant to be served by the server as XML which is (mime-type: application/xhtml+xml) where HTML is suppose to be served as text (mime-type: text/html. Although many servers do not serve XHTML as XML, beacause all but most of current versions of browsers can handle XML version, XHTML is often treated just like HTML. Your heads are probably spinning and not knowing what I am talking about and I do apologize sometimes I just get going. We will stick with HTML codes and information for now.
The doctype should look like this:
Along with the Doctype, there are other requirements every web page needs. Like the HTML element, that contains every thing else in your web page. Directly within that HTML element, there must always be a head element and a body element. The head element contains everything for your website that is never directly displayed in your internet browser. This most also contain your meta tag elements. These are important for SEO, meta tags tell the description of the page and gives the keywords for the page. The body element, shows everything that you will see in your internet browser. So your basic skeleton of a webpage is below, this is without any background color or things of that nature, but as we go, we will get into that more.
Those are the basics to start a webpage. I will keep posting tutorials and tidbits, even if you don't do it yourself, you know how it is done and can know more about it! Have a happy, loving, successful day rainers!
We all know Google, we all want to be high up in Google. That is because it is one of the most popular or should I say "the most popular" web search engines amongst the internet. Everyone knows who Google is and wants to get their site indexed by Google, but that is just one step to getting ranked higher in it. To show up higher in the ranking search results so that people see and find your site, you need to improve your ranking. There is no easy way out, no "special or magic button" that will help you improve your ranking, there are ways that you can help to make sure your site looks good to those wonderful bots that Google sends out.
Listed below are some good tid bits of information that can and will come in handy to help your ranking improve to satisfy the Google bots!
1. Write for Readers! Let me start by saying, you should ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS write for your readers, not Google. It is important to Google too, that you are writing information that makes sense to readers.
2. Text For Important Content. Always use text for important content, I find alot of people like to use images. While images are easier to use to show important content, the bots dont read images so you are better to use text for that very important content. You can use images as well, but make sure you spell it out too!
3. Valid And Current Codes. Always make sure your HTML is valid and working properly. Meaning there are no errors in the coding and also make sure all the links are current and working properly.
4. Site Map. Offer a page where your readers can go to find the exact thing they are looking for.
5. Text Links. Use text links on all your pages instead of graphic links. All your pages should have text links, and it helps if they have actual keywords for the section the link is referring to other than something like "click here".
6. Strong Introduction. Your first paragrah on your site should be very strong. This means have a solid explaination of what your site is about that also contains keywords you want to focus on.
7. Ordered Headings. This means that your headings should be in order from H1, H2, H3 and so on, on each page.
8. Descriptive Title Tag. This is important too. If you do a search on Google, check for "untitled" you will come up with several million sites that do not have a descriptive title tag. Every site should have a Title tag, its the title of the site when the window pops up. Very Important.
9. Reciprocal Links. I don't care what anyone says about these, they are good to have. Some people say if you link to a persons site and they linkto yours, you rule out your links. NOT ALWAYS TRUE. Now if you are just linking to those sites that are place your link here and put our link on yours for affiliates, scams etc., that will not do you any good. If you use reciprocal linking properly, putting someones ad, article, testimonial, that links to them on your site, you are better off and vice versa. You have to be selective on doing this, but it works. One big key to getting high rankings in Google is having a lot of people link to you. The more people that link to you that are "more important" meaning they are higher up in the rankings than you, this will get you higher ranked for keywords.
10. Don't Over Use Words. Having irrelevant words multiple times on a page doesnt improve your ranking. Most times they don't make sense to your readers and it can hurt your ranking too.
11. Don't Hide Text or Links. Trying to hide text in the background same color of the page, or inside tags and things of that nature. Text must be visible for our wonderful Google bots to consider it.
I will keep posting helpful tips,information and ideas to help you improve your sites ranking, help with marketing, tutorials on how to do things. If there is anything you would like to learn or know, please feel free to contact me at marey@stagerslistwebsites.com or Chris Fisher at chris@stagerslistwebsites.com. Remember we are here to help you!
Where do I begin? Well for those of you here in the rain that don't know, Chris Fisher and I have become very good friends since the moment we started talking here in the rain. We also are working together, well have been for awhile, but just recently joined forces and went into business together. We have been talking alot about getting together and meeting each other in person, since we talk every single day. It finally happened, I got to meet my wonderful friend from California because she came out to help me!
I have been having problems, in alot of pain all the time and it was decided that a hysterectomy would help. So when this was decided Chris tells me she wants to come out here to help me for week when it was done. My surgery was on March 30th and they were able to it the better way so less healing time. Chris was coming in on the 7th of April, that whole night I could not sleep, was excited and nervous at the same time. My boys were the same way, excited to finally meet Chris. David left to go get her at 1am and I just sat here waiting for them to get back, couldn't sleep at all. When I saw him pull in, I walked out onto our porch and when she got to me and we hugged hello, it seemed so unreal that she was really here! I think we both kept saying we couldn't believe she was really here.
It was fun to be able to sit next to each other and work and talk rather than working and talking online all day like we were used too. Now I am used to talking to her with her right here next to me and I do miss it. We had a blast while she was here, although, there was a few days I was very ill, sick to my stomach and what not and Chris was a big help, occupying the kids, helping clean up and cooking too.
This is my middle son Josh with Chris. He had to go everywhere Chris went, it was very cute. He just loved having her here, he is the one that kept asking me, "Mom when is Chris coming?", "Mom just 3 more days and she will be here!" He hung out with her all day, sat out by her in the livingroom, just talking to her about anything and everything. He was even trying to get her to move here. Kept telling her, hey Chris there is a house for sale down the street you can buy that and move there. He really misses her being here now as he has said a few times already and cannot wait to see her again. Because he just "loves Chris" as he says.
To the left is Chris with my youngest son Chris, who demanded to just be called his nickname while she was here, which is CJ. I did forget a few times and when I said Chris, Chris looked but CJ ignored it or would say it's CJ mom. I have told her before that she had a CJ at home, her nephew that I got to see on the webcam reminded me so much of my son. I don't think she really believed it until she was here and saw for herself. She just got a kick out of his goofy, funny attitude and the silly faces he likes to make. He does know how to make someone smile as you can see in the picture he is smiling but has to be different than anyone else. He is such a character, but she loved it!
Of course then you have my boys' friend Kevin on the left of Chris, who is my adopted son as he adopted me as his mom, then my son Davey is on the right of Chris. The boys have been talking to Kevin about Chris on the phone all week and he knew she was a good friend of mine so he just HAD to come stay the night to meet her. Davey enjoyed hanging with her and drew a picture to show her how he would like his website to look, since she told him she would make him one.
I have to say all three of my boys loved being with Chris, she listened to music with them and watch funny videos, showing them the things she liked. They just had a blast walking around the house singing stuff Chris had them listen too, saying phrases of things and just cracking up laughing the whole time doing it. They all miss her now and want her to come back, but next time they want her to bring Rhiannon, her daughter with her. They got to talk to her on the phone and online which they enjoyed.
Okay, now I can tell you, Chris got me watching Absolutely Fabulous, a British comedy, so now with that said, my boys have been calling us the Ab Fab Crew. Her first night here, we sat here talking and laughing, had a few glasses of wine and ended up putting the show on to watch, it was great. Although when we got the wine, we didnt think about a corkscrew, realized this when we were ready to open it. We got one and were trying to open the bottle of wine, the cork wouldnt come out, so David came in was trying to get it out and then he decided to just push the cork into the bottle. Can we say wine shower? Wine splashed all over him, the counter, the cupboards, it was hilarious. We also have another Ab Fab lover, that is my sister in law kelly. Who is in pic with me and Chris below.
But even though I am recovering from surgery, I had a wonderful time visiting with Chris and being able to work side by side with her during her stay. I was very comfortable with her here and felt like she has always been here. I wanted to say thank you to a few people because without them, I wouldnt have met Chris and wouldn't have been able to have such a great friend and business partner. So the first ones I think I need to thank, is the Founders of Active Rain, having Active Rain made it possible for us to meet, so Thank you. The next person I really need to thank is Bonnie Westbrook, she sent Chris my way when she needed assistance with some work. We started talking and just hit it off, so thank you Bonnie.
Chris, I want to thank you again for coming out here to help out, in my time of need. It was very thoughtful of you to take time to fly out here and help with everything. I appreciate everything you have done for me and honored to have a friend like you. I want to dedicate the poem below to you.
Helping Hand
As we journey down the road so mysterious, on occasion, storm clouds cover our sun, blinding us with terrifying darkness; leaving us, needing someone to lean on, A helping hand to guide us, to be our eyes, giving us faith in our time of need, supporting us and offering advice; giving us the comfort we all need, The day I met you, God was watching over me, He knew I needed someone like you; who would always be there for me, Through happiness, through sorrow, Through difficult times, through special times, Your loving and caring ways will always show; Never letting me fall behind, You my friend, I would like to tell you, thank you for being who you are, I love you.
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Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
Always check on the agent your talking too. Find out how satisfied others have been. Ask for a list of clients who were satisfied with their services. See if anything was missed, not addressed or misreprsented in anyway. Doing this will help you to know if the agent your talking too really cared about their clients or cared more about just making another sale. It is good if you find a agent who is connected to other agents in the area. This will give you an advantage as well. Will they go the extra mile to help you prepare your home to be sold? Below is the list of ways that can help you to find a good agent.
Fonts are lots of fun to play with. Where you can get into trouble with them, however, is when you use a non-standard font on your website. Why? Because if you use a font that is not SUPER common, it's quite likely there will be people who look at your site that don't have that font on their computer. What happens then? It defaults to times new roman if you haven't chosen any other fonts to default to. Why is that a problem? For me it's a problem because I like to have a pretty good idea how my sites are going to look for most people .
Where do I begin? Well for those of you here in the rain that don't know, 
It was fun to be able to sit next to each other and work and talk rather than working and talking online all day like we were used too. Now I am used to talking to her with her right here next to me and I do miss it. We had a blast while she was here, although, there was a few days I was very ill, sick to my stomach and what not and Chris was a big help, occupying the kids, helping clean up and cooking too.
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