Orange U Glad - 09/30/11 10:01 PM
Orange U glad it's the weekend? This is the last Friday in September and then we begin a new month refreshed. Leaves are beginning to tumble to the ground, grass no longer needs to be cut as frequently, the air is beginning to feel differently. Last night Flower Mound was blessed with a beautiful lightening show and rain!

Pumpkins are beginning to pop up in local Farmer Markets, Grocery stores, and Nurseries. October is a great month to celebrate the changing of the seasons. It's beginning to look very orange!
Orange U glad it's the weekend? Whether you spend your time working … (30 comments)

GOOD NEWS FOR VA LOANS EFFECTIVE 10/1/2011 - 09/29/11 04:10 PM
Effective October 1, 2011, the costs associated with getting a VA mortgage are going DOWN! An overview: VA mortgages are bundled, securitized and sold in the secondary market with the backing of the Federal Government. In order to insure these mortgages, the government charges a type of insurance premium, called a VA Funding Fee, which is typically added to the loan amount (thereby financed). Remember, too, that the VA (subject to some restrictions) will insure loans up to 100% of the purchase price for the home. What is happening next week? On loans that close effective October 1, that Funding Fee … (16 comments)

Those Were the Days My Friend... - 09/28/11 05:21 AM
September 28, 1951 – CBS makes the first color televisions available for sale to the general public, but the product is discontinued less than a month later.
 
September 28, 1961 – In the episode called,”What’ll We Watch Tonight,“ Hazel purchases a color T.V. This is the only first season episode shot in color. NBC which aired the series was owned by RCA, the largest color television sets when most viewers still had black & white.
 
September 28, 1971 – Glen Campell’s guest on his T.V. variety show included Lucielle Ball, Arte Johnson, Anne Murray and Bread. Glen sings, “Over … (23 comments)

Best Practices Contest - This Works for Me - 09/27/11 09:56 AM
When Larry Bettag of Illlinois offered all ActiveRain members a chance to enter a contest, I had to think about the National Association of REALTORS© Code of Conduct and reflect on my own Best Practices for business. Breaking through the complexities of the housing crises, and the financial woes that has plagued the nation, for me, there is only one correct way to conduct business.
The best practice that I’d like to share with you that can result in success is helping clients through the process of assessing and developing a plan to purchase Real Estate.  Successful transactions are made up of individually … (19 comments)

98 Days and Counting - 09/25/11 11:28 AM
There are only 98 more days; then 2011 will be gone forever, and the New Year begins. I am spending the next five days in September to savor the memories of autumn. I will embrace the beginning of change. Next comes October, an opportunity to harvest my thoughts, do good things, and prepare for things to come. In November, I will have 31 days to be thankful for all that I have been blessed with since the day of my birth, including what came before me. December winds will change the course of my life, but I will be prepared to come what may. … (65 comments)

TEXAS FIREFIGHTERS - 09/21/11 07:03 AM
"I've had tons of odd jobs, but I think that I would probably be a fireman because you get to see the results of your job. You get there and there is a house on fire. You leave and there's not a fire anymore." ~Luke Perry
The Texas Wildfire Relief Fund supplies Texas Firefighters equipment, water, food and fuel.  To date, approximately 3.6 million acres of land has been scorched leaving a path of destruction to the state's agriculture. The devastation includes farm animals, domestic and other wildlife, trees, plants and environmental concerns including roads, rivers and lakes. Human lives have … (24 comments)

What's Your Vantage Point? - 09/19/11 08:07 AM
How's your day? Did you wake up with passion or is it just another day? Whatever comes your way, ignite the passion then march to the beat of your own drum. Time waits for no one. Today is already tomorrow's yesterday. Do not look back. Keep going!
Photo Copyright - Patricia Feager, Keller Williams Realty (for another view of the skies over Texas, see yesterday's post.)
 
 
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Sunset Over Flower Mound, Texas - 09/18/11 11:09 PM
Today, I put in 13 1/2 hours of labor; in the end, this is all I ended up with - but isn't it beautiful!
Surely, I thought we'd have a good thunderstorm; but not a drop of rain.
So I settle for the beauty of a painted sky; patiently, I wait...
 
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Copyrighted Photo - Patricia Feager, Keller Williams Realty
 

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The Life of a REALTOR® is One of Past, Present & Future - 09/16/11 09:34 AM
Childhood is the world of miracle or of magic: it is as if creation rose luminously out of the night, all new and fresh and astonishing. Childhood is over the moment things are no longer astonishing. When the world gives you a feeling of "déjà vu," when you are used to existence, you become an adult.
                                                                                --- EUGENE IONESCO, Present Past/Past Present

Always approach your business with new eyes, keep the light burning with new ideas. Be courteous and kind to one another. Admire the architectural wonders of the world, remember the warmth of a new puppy, the laughter of children, … (54 comments)

Sunset at the OASIS - 09/14/11 06:34 PM
The OASIS on Lake Travis in Austin, Texas is a beautiful place to enjoy the sunset. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is unique in that you have individual tiered cliffs with seating arrangements to enjoy the view of the lake. This is a great place to capture the sun, watch someone getting married, witness an engagement proposal, celebrate a birthday, or dinner with friends. After dinner there are shops to explore and statues galore. For a relaxing get-away, I recommend the OASIS on Lake Travis.




COPYRIGHTED Patricia Feager, Keller Williams Realty 2011
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Day 2 - Live Austin TAR Convention - Blogging Tips - 09/11/11 09:27 AM
What happens to the people of the United States of America, without question is largely dependent upon what happens in Washington, D.C.  In every state lawmakers face difficult and challenging issues that has consequences. As representatives of our government wrestle with massive budget shortfall, I am reminded to "Hear no evil, say no evil and speak no evil."
Article 12 of NAR Code of Ethics is a reminder, “Are your words and actions online ethical?” What you put out there in Cyberspace Universe is out there to stay! REALTORS® discover wisdom and possibilities through the shifting of reality, by deciding how you will build … (19 comments)

2011 TAR Convention - Austin, TX - PRAY 4 RAIN - 09/10/11 12:31 AM
 
The first day of the 2011 Texas Association of Realtors® Convention and Trade Expo in Austin has been a success as many Realtors® traversed across the great State of Texas to share their pride in being a Texas Realtor®. Together we are here to learn, listen to a diverse range of speakers and leaders, many who are nationally recognized and to learn what is on the political horizon for Governor Perry. When it comes to governmental affairs and current events impacting Residential and Commercial Real Estate, Texas Realtors® are actively engaged in open discussions which impact our land, water, solar … (24 comments)

Shower or Bathe? - 09/05/11 09:49 AM
Whether you prefer to shower or bathe, buyers often make a big deal out of the bathtub and shower too. As homes age, so do their bathrooms especially the plumbing. If you have to soak up the money to get a new one, it may be worth it. There's something about a tub that brings back memories...

Thinking about buy or selling, call me, lets' talk.
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Nobody Likes a Dirty Bird - 09/02/11 03:21 PM
When it comes to buying property, buyers need to get pre-approval and there is a qualification process to go through before the loan gets final approval. To obtain financing, the buyer has to apply promptly and furnish all necessary documentation required by the lender for credit approval.
Once the processor is done, the documentation goes to the Underwriter. The Underwriter knows that lending money to a buyer is risky. It’s the Underwriters job to make sure that the money borrowed goes to the right borrowers. The Underwriter wants assurance that the loan will be repaid in full on time as … (36 comments)

Consumer Alert - Beware of Online Rental Scams - 09/02/11 10:15 AM
Beware Of Online Rental Scamsby Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott
With Texas’ colleges and universities kicking off their fall semesters, college students around the state are seeking affordable places to rent. A few enterprising young Texans may turn to the Internet in an effort to find cheap rental properties online. But before they open their checkbooks, renters should do additional research to ensure they avoid falling victim to online rental scams.
Many online rental scams identify a vacant property, claim to be the owner and post a listing for the home on free advertising websites. Online classified ads for rental properties … (5 comments)