UNDERSTANDING THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS is UNDERSTANDING OUR PLACE IN THE ECONOMY. YOU MUST "FLY LIKE A BUTTERFLY and STING LIKE A BEE". - 05/31/10 07:18 PM
Most who frequent AR know Lenn, here's another excellent blog that is worth the read!
Via Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate:
UNDERSTANDING THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS is UNDERSTANDING OUR PLACE IN TODAY'S ECONOMY.  YOU MUST "FLY LIKE A BUTTERFLY and STING LIKE A BEE". 
INSPIRED BY A THOUGHTFUL POST BY STACIE WELLS,  wherein she quoted an attorney who said Realtors Are a Dime a Dozen, my first thought was. . . "HA!  So are attorneys".  Of course, when I read deeper into the post, I realized that the attorney was referring to the number of Realtors leaving the business.
… (2 comments)

A tribute to our fallen soldiers - 05/31/10 04:07 PM
A must watch.  God Bless America.
Via Rob Arnold, metro Orlando full service, investor friendly & foreclosure Realtor (Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc.):
This Memorial Day as so many of us get to sleep in, take a day off work, and spend time partying or cooking out, we should all take a few moments to remember what the day represents. The fallen soldier. The freedoms that we have and the private property rights we are blessed have been paid for by the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers that have fought tirelessly to defend this great nation.
If you are someone … (2 comments)

What Memorial Day is Really All About... Lest We Forget! - 05/30/10 10:19 PM
This is the best Memorial Day blog I've seen.  Thanks to our Vets and their families.  God Bless Them.
Via Sara Homan, Realtor, Welcome to Horse Country! (Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty Inc):
… (1 comments)

Kudos to Dario Franchitti for Winning INDY/Chip Ganassi for winning INDY & Daytona in same Year - 05/30/10 09:32 PM
I love Indy...........
Via Wallace S. Gibson CPM * GRI (Gibson Management Group, Ltd.):
Dario Franchitti could not make it in NASCAR * lost his sponsors and then his "ride" * however, he has won the INDY 500 twice in four years while his car owner, Chip Ganassi has now won the Daytona 500 in Feb with driver Jamie McMurray in the #1 Earnhardt/Ganassi entry AND now INDY with Dario at the wheel of his TARGET entry. Danica Patrick * one of four female drivers in the race * came in 5th. http://www.indystar.com/article/20100530/SPORTS0107/100530001/0/LIVING09?odyssey=mod_topheadlines Former Sunday INDY/NASCAR events would often see drivers run the … (0 comments)

Speechless Sunday - A Spring TX Chaste Tree/Bush! - 05/30/10 08:55 PM
Chaste Tree/Bush, now I know what its called so I can buy one.  Great blog and history of the plant from my friend Marchel out of Spring, TX
Via Marchel Peterson Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro (Results Realty):
This Chaste Bush is in our back yard and at at the moment is drop dead gorgeous.  Now I have to be honest we had a hard winter and I was convinced that it was dead.  I tried to talk my husband in to taking it out but he said we should wait and see if it came back to life.  I'm glad he did … (4 comments)

BP Lingo - Stop Scratching Your Head, Here's a BPictionary: - 05/29/10 07:42 PM
This is one of the best blogs on the oil spill.  Spill?  A spill when your soda slips from your hands and ends up on the floor.  A spill is when your dog's tail whacks the wine glass off the coffee table.
This is a environmental nightmare, not a "spill" !!!!!
Via Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection:

In the past 40 days we have been exposed to BP Lingo, terms never before encountered.   Just in case you’re still scratching your head, trying to figure it all out, here is some help: "Top Kill" - A technique used to … (3 comments)

Memorial Day- it's not about grilling - 05/29/10 07:02 PM
One of the best Memorial Day blogs I have read. 
Via Tammy Lankford/Broker Lane Realty Lake Sinclair-Central GA:
Decoration Day!  That's what it's supposed to be about. 
I won't be visiting the grave of my uncle Johnny Wall (who was killed in Vietnam), BUT I will be visiting the local veterans cemetery.  I don't know who I'll choose this year, but I will be placing flowers on a grave.  I will honoring the service of someone who served our great nation and afforded me the freedom to grill a hamburger on Monday.  I may or may not recognize the name of the person … (0 comments)

Home Fragrance, Smells, and Odors - 05/28/10 06:13 PM
Home Fragrance, don't over do it, just make it clean and simple.  Some folks have allergies to commercial fragrance, fake Vanilla scents seem to be the worst.  Fresh air also helps to "let out" the ugly odors.
Via Steve Penner (Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate):
Some homes can sit on the market for extended periods of time. It's not because they aren't priced well, or other factors you might suspect. It's simply because buyers are turned off by details that are often overlooked.
One of those details that carry a lot of weight is the way a home smells.
I thought I'd … (3 comments)

91 Freeway Tanker Explosion in Anaheim Hills - 05/28/10 05:38 PM
CA holiday weekend nightmare, this is a major hwy for Southern CA residents.
Via Vic Steele - Broker, Orange County, CA (Valet Real Estate Services):
91 Freeway Tanker Explosion in Anaheim Hills stalls Memorial Day Weekend traffic.I am not sure this could have happened on a worse day.  I know so many of the people I care about that had plans this weekend that my heart goes out to them.The accident was initially reported at the 91 and Weir Canyon in Anaheim Hills, but I just heard an update on KNX 1070 AM that the accident is actually a little further east.  The … (2 comments)

Remember - 05/28/10 04:48 PM
Remember
Via Kevin Robinson Real Estate Investor and Developer:
For all of us that are old enough to remember, during the Vietnam War and for a while afterwards, it was very popular to wear little metal bracelets that had a soldiers name engraved on them The names were of soldiers that were either POW or MIA in the war.
As a kid, I wore one that contained the name of a family friend who was shot down over Vietnam. He was captured and later released. A few of us in our little circle wore his name bracelet for years until he came … (0 comments)

Caption Marketing That Makes Little Or No Sense - 05/26/10 07:09 PM
Could not help but re-blog this.  Still laughing from the ending!
Via Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals):
Usually when I take photo's I add a caption under each picture. The information I enter is relevant to what is in the photo. Here's a picture of a listing I just sold. Below this picture is a cut and paste from the MLS...

$22,000 Spent On Exterior Insulated Vinyl Siding, Paint, Landscaping, Front Storm Door. Solar Screens
 
I know we all market our listings differently but irrelevant nonsense shouldn't be added in a real estate caption. For example:
"WOW, can … (0 comments)

Kids say the darndest things! Art Linkletter has died at age 97 - 05/26/10 06:09 PM
What a great man!
Via Wallace S. Gibson CPM * GRI (Gibson Management Group, Ltd.):
Art Linkletter has died at his home in LA at the age of 97
 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/26/AR2010052603649.html?hpid=moreheadlines
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM * GIBSON MANAGEMENT GROUP, Ltd.View our available rental homes online with photos and floor plans"...to be a Virginian, either by Birth, Marriage, Adoption, or even on one's Mother's side, is an Introduction to any State in the Union, a Passport to any Foreign Country, and a Benediction from the Almighty God...." Anonymous
… (3 comments)

Caution: Watching This Video Will Change Your Life - For Good! - 05/23/10 06:42 PM
Must watch. 
Via Nicholas Goglucci, PA. South Florida Real Estate (RE/Max ParkCreek):
What can I say - I am inspired, I am touched, I am blessed by this man.
The testimony of this man will touch you - as it touched me. Everyone needs to hear what this man has to say.
Gather your children together - watch it. I promise you will never be the same again - your children will never be the same again.
Let me know what you think - I am sure it will make you a better person.
 
Caution: Watching This Video Will Change Your Life … (3 comments)

Yay for texas business!!! - 05/20/10 07:19 PM
So thankful to be in Texas, see blog below with info on how we rank nationwide!
Via Zars & Rogers REALTORS®:
Texas Tops List of Best Business States Top executives rate Texas as the No. 1 state in which to do business for the fifth year in a row. Chief Executive magazine's annual Best & Worst States survey measures business conditions in all 50 states, evaluating proximity to markets and resources, regulation, tax policies, workforce quality, education resources, quality of life and infrastructure.The biggest gainers are Washington, which moved up 10 spots, and Arkansas, which rose eight positions. The biggest losers are Oregon, … (3 comments)

New primary care clinic completed at BAMC / Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio - 05/19/10 06:22 PM
Great news for San Antonio, Excellent blog by Robin!  See below
Via Robin Rogers, Silverbridge Realty, San Antonio, Texas:
Construction of a $34.9 million, 132,000-square-foot Primary Health Clinic has been completed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. Its services and staff will take the place of those at Brooke Army Medical Center. BAMC is planned to become the San Antonio Military Medical Center North and will handle inpatient care.

The entire medical facility at Fort Sam is undergoing expansion in order to take over the services currently offered at Wilford Hall, situated at Lackland AFB. Accordingly, Wilford Hall will become an outpatient … (0 comments)

Saying Goodbye to a Tomball TX Marine! - 05/19/10 05:33 PM
7 very sad, moving minutes, with tears in my eyes, I re-blog.  God Bless Our Troops!  Thanks to Marchel for sharing this video with us.
Via Marchel Peterson Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro ABR (Results Realty):
Yesterday when I attended my monthly meeting of the Tomball Business and Professional Women I found out that a young Tomball marine had been killed by an improvised explosive device while on tour in Afghanistan.  They mentioned that a motorcade would be bringing his body to Klein Funeral home that afternoon.  As I was driving home I saw everyone lined up so parked my car and with my … (0 comments)

PODCAST: SECOND MOSQUE PLANNED FOR 9-11 CRATER LIP – DISGUSTING! - 05/18/10 10:25 PM
I try to stay away from the over the top political crowd on AR.  This blog & pod cast was very powerful and so here it is on my personal blog courtesy of my friend Simon.  Enjoy.
Via Simon Conway (Orlando Area Real Estate Services):


Not content with one HUGE mosque at the site of 9-11 in New York, now a second set of Muslims is planning a Mosque EVEN CLOSER to the crater lip that still scars that incredible American city.
A scrolling banner on the Mosque’s website reads “Build ‘the House of Allah’ next to the World Trade … (0 comments)

Personal Real Estate Investor Magazine picks San Antonio, Texas, as a great place to invest - 05/17/10 06:06 PM
So proud to live and work in San Antonio!  Check out this blog from my friend & Realtor Robin!
Via Robin Rogers, Silverbridge Realty, San Antonio, Texas:
The May/June 2010 issue of Personal Real Estate Investor magazine focuses on San Antonio, with this description of the article from their website:
San Antonio, Texas - River City Returns - Five State Lone Star Values - Steeped in Texas history this gem on the edge of Texas hill country attracts investors with good deals in good neighborhoods.
Along with the owner of a property management company and a real estate agent who wholesales properties, I was asked for … (4 comments)

STAMP OUT HUNGER Food Drive Tomorrow - Don't Forget to Put a Bag Out by Your Mailbox - 05/07/10 06:37 PM
Don't forget, it'll only take you a few minutes to participate! Just Do It!!!!
Via Mike Saunders (Keller Williams Realty - Greater Athens):
The annual Help Stamp Out Hunger is tomorrow, Saturday, May 8. The National Association of Letter Carriers on the second Saturday in May annually participates in the largest food drive in the U.S. and possibly the world. In over 10,000 cities postal workers will be collecting bags of food to distribute to various agencies and shelters.
So please do two things:
1) Place a bag, or 2, or a dozen, of non-perishable foods at your mailbox, or other designated pick … (0 comments)

Median Home Prices for Texas Cities - 05/06/10 12:47 AM
Great info about Texas home prices from my friend Shirley.
Check it out!
Via Shirley Parks, Sands Realty, San Antonio Area Real Estate 210.414.0966 ((Broker/Owner)):
The Texas Association of Realtors has released its quarterly report. The report shows the median home price statewide is $141,500, an increase of about 3 percent.
Here is the median price in various Texas cities:San Antonio: $140,900, down 2 percentAustin: $178,200, down 1.5 percentHouston: $148,500, up 7.14 percentDallas: $151,200, up 4.2 percentFort Worth: $110,200, up 2.2 percentEl Paso: $127,300, down 3 percentCorpus Christi: $129,600, up 1.72McAllen: $94,300, up 2.4 percentGalveston: $150,000, up 60.8 percentSan Marcos: $132,000, up .91 percentKerrville: … (2 comments)

Guests On My Front Porch - 05/05/10 08:20 PM
This is awesome!!!! 
Via Brian Leavitt (Northstone Real Estate Inc. & Northstone Mortgage):
Guests on my fron porch... It's Spring
 
 
 
 
 
This blog was written by Brian Leavitt, Designated Broker of Northstone Real Estate Inc, and Northstone Mortgage.
Brian serves clients within the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. And specializes in residential re sale homes, condo's and land, and is uniquely qualified as a short sale negotiator holding both real estate and mortgage licenses.
You can contact Brian directly by phone at 800-806-3145 or by email at brian@northstone.net.  Click here to view his client newsletter.
Brian is licensed with … (0 comments)