Social Media doesn't have me in a holding pattern, but a learning pattern.  I'm 'getting the picture' but it's taking time because when I just get a chance to look into the practice and process, my real estate business begins to take over my life. 

I wonder if the two are connected!  I've learned that I can share a great deal with readers and establish a leadership role in the industry as well as with my network of clients/customers and prospects.  Additional value lies in the communication with other real estate professionals.

That thought about leadership may seem arrogant, but I believe that real estate professioanls should be taking leadership in the industry and not just be fluttering from place to place wringing our hands and working without information.  Information and leadership will stand us in good stead for representing our clients when they are moving toward the next step in their property ownership experience.

I know JudyAnn Lorenz, who works with social media every day (and in her sleep).  I'm 'thinking' about what the possibilities are for me with both leads and relationships as she wrote in her recent post Social Media| Leads or Relationships.

Social Media is a growing interest of mine as I work in the recovering real estate market in the Kansas City area. I'm working with JudyAnn for much of my efforts and learning. I'm willing to put in the effort because the process makes sense. 

I see real estate as a people business and that leads to a social business that can see the benefits to sellers, buyers and eventually agents/brokers from social media.

Think "Cameron Pond"...where you will find this tradtional style, custom built home with 2x6 wall construction. The oversized 24 deep garage (3 parking spaces) backs to greenspace. This home sits on a non-through street.

Convenient level ONE living with Master and one bedroom on the main level and a laundry room off the large master closet.

Extras:

• Additional back staircase to the basement in the garage
• Additional space to finish off in the lower level
• Bi-level deck with bench seating.
• GE Series Stainless appliance package
• Anderson windows
• sprinkler system
• built-in cabinets in the garage
• TRANE HVAC

Call me today for a showing. $325,000. 

I've built a foundation of training and skills to be able to offer home owners information for the time that they get updside down in their property. 

A blog post at KansasCityHomeRescue.net tells more about the specifics of the training and designations I have accumulated.  NAR offers Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource designations because the organization has recognized the issues around the foreclosures looming in the future of real estate.

With the knowledge accumulated, I have been able to develop workshops that I conduct twice a month in the Kansas City Area for people who are looking at options when they are upside down in their home investment.

I'm also preparing a e-workbook that gives users pre-information before attending a workshop or getting more acquainted with me.  It will be available at no charge from my website.  We've got most it worked out and we anticipate release in the next two weeks or sooner.

Together with Stephanie Cachero-Henry of Bank of America Mortgage and Kurt Goeser with State Farm Insurance, I will be presenting the Acorn Housing Program on May 10, 2007 at the Bank of America Building, Suite 225, 10000 College Blvd. in Overland Park, KS.

The presentation is presented from 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm.

We will provide answers about buying a home for low and moderate income buyers (those with less than $54,080 household income) with lower interest rates, low or no down payment and lower closing costs.

Those who don't qualify for the program now may find out about the free budget and credit mortgage counseling program.

To register, send e-mail to PaulaWalter@remax.net or phone 913-339-0682.

I have experience with the process of the first time homebuyer seminars. Knowledge is power for the client. The Acorn Housing Program has helped people invest in their own homes for quite sometime.

According to information at the Acorn Housing web site: "AHC is governed by a diverse five-member Board of Directors. The Board is best described as a dedicated and diverse group of individuals that is committed to seeing that AHC achieves its mission". Brief bios on the AHC Board of Directors are presented at the web site along with updates on projects across the country.  Acorn Housing Program   http://www.acornhousing.org

Sure, I love a salad. Especially with little green onions. Or the sprouts I can grow in a fruit jar. I will gobble any vegetable that will hold still. I like having a philodendron around to clear the air. I don't have a lot of inside plant space at present, so my collection is limited to an Anthruium, a peace lily and a wandering jew during the winter. TV programs like Victory Garden and Garden Home are favorites. Another Rainer, JudyAnn Lorenz, subscribes to Organic Gardening for her kids because of the beauty in it and the enjoyment they all get about dream planning their own greenery. She says her husband's favorite catalogs are seed and plant catalogs or the organic, safer supplies to be ordered from Gardens Alive.   

There is a deep gatherer connection that finds therapy in planting and growing green. Watching the genetic programing of that 'chip' of a seed wake up and begin to grow. We water it, we talk to it, we enjoy the fruit of our labors and we live to see another winter. We put it in pots and bring it in to survive with us. I love the midwest because of the flowering things that begin popping before the weather lets us shed the woolens. Friends who have lived at high desert locations say the severity of the winter isn't what gets them; the length of time without GREEN.. There is green therapy in the hard work of lawnmowing. Our souls crave a tree, a plant, something growing and GREEN. We can measure the progress of the days by the development of the plant. We can rejoice on a blossom if there are any. We can be just outrageously allergic to some of them. But, the good guys keep trees. The planners in crowded cities have learned to put trees in big pots on the sidewalk, have carved out pocket parks among the buildings, have made greenways of flood control areas (when there's not a flood, there is a park). Businesses know they benefit from tubs of flowers by the door. Developers put some trees in the open space before the people move in; in some areas, the purchase of new construction is finished with a gift certifcate toward trees in the yard. I love to read about successful inner city gardens on vacant lots or in apartment atriums -- answering the desire of eyes hungry for green

One acquaintance told me she sort of regretted adding new plantings to her yard as part of the sale staging. The new buyers made the property into a rental and removed everything the tenants could neglect to death. But, I think Chelly was right in the beginning and the new buyer erred in renter treatment and expectations. A property staged for the GREEN eye has influenced a potential buyer long before a door is ever opened.

We can prove the physical need for green around us; air quality, vegetative food production, living art in blossom and leaf. The rain forest, the prairie, the lawn, the garden, the house plants all help clean toxins from our air outdoors and indoors. Agriculture has kept green eating species alive in all parts of the planet.

For a wild and crazy look at the GREEN world around us, I suggest reading THE SECRET LIFE OF PLANTS. I can get radical about GREEN desires and needs for water management, xeriscaping, planting choices for best survival and care, utitlity management with trees and greenery, my impatience with people who refuse to GET it. But, today, I wanted to acknowledge that our eyes are hungry for greenery and encourage you to celebrate and fulfil that yearning with me. To paraphrase the old adage about giving a man a fish and teaching a man to fish -- if the hunger is great, then a fish must be given to get strength to learn to fish. When the hungry eyes are fulfilled, the options and issues for other facets of green living are better learned. And applied so we'll be healthier and happier.

Now, I must put on my hat and get myself down to the greenhouse before you buy all the petunias and pansies ahead of me!

Heidi has big ideas about the Canoe that she got for her Dad's birthday.

The canoe has dreams of floating on Clinton Lake near Lawrence, Kansas. Clinton Dam was built in 1971 to reduce seasonal flooding in the Wakarusa Valley. In this area, the Kaw River and Wakarusa River come together to make a rich valley. Wakarusa is a word taken from the Potawatomie language meaning "knee deep in mud." There was a severe, damaging flood in 1951. Read more about the Floods of 1951 .  Clinton Lake  provides safety and earth protection from flood damage and far more with the recreational opportunties and wildlife habitat for nesting bald eagles, flocks of geese and other wildlife that enjoy an undeveloped area. 

Years ago, a delicious potato called the Wakarusa potato  was grown in the valley. The potatoes were canned at canning factories in the area and produced up to 20,000 per acre. They didn't keep and ship well and have fallen into disuse commercially.

Besides opportunities to camp and have water recreation experiences such as the canoe trip, there is the Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum  and Clinton Lake Museum 5 feature exhibits about the history of the Underground Railroad in the area, the "Border War" and the first 20 years of Clinton Lake.

You can learn mora about lake and wildlife recreation opportunities near the KC Metro area at my other blog. KC Matters

Clinton Lake is a nature and recreational opportunity that would be reasonable for you to expect to enjoy when you have your home in the KC Metro area.  I am readyt to work with you to meet your real estate needs for buying or selling.  Contact me for information about the Acorn Mortgage Project which is a lending possibility for low to moderate income buyers.   Call me at 913-339-0682  or email me at paulawalter@remax.net

When summer comes to Shawnee Kansas, the lawns start to green up and you can see people doing minature gardening in flowerbeds or containers. Hungry eyes desire greenery and the treat of a tomato or herb from a patio garden is a culinary delight.

Shawnee, with a rich pioneer heritage, has a great climate for a little backyard gardening. The temperatures are slightly lower on average while the precipitation is steady through the summer. The wind blows a little more than average which is probably contributory to the general comfort level.

Shawnee has maintained the pioneer and community character while being approached and working with the rest of Metro Kansas City.

The team works well when considering schools, work and other cultural amenities.   

I am ready to work with you for your real estate needs in Shawnee, Kansas or other nearby communiities.  Shawnee native, Hannah, assures you there is a lot to like about this town. 

Tiffany Greens will be the location for the 2007 Women's Golf Expo on June 5th. This expo is for the Mercedes Benz of Kansas City Championship.

For your golfing enjoyment, the membership options include benefits such as family membership privileges where appropriate, advanced starting times, Club Charge Account, Practice Areas, Playing fees, Handicap, lockers, club storage and the newsletter.

Green Fees are DAILY GOLF FEES

Rates effective April 1 through October 31

(All fees include cart)

• PRIME TIMES (before 3:00 p.m.)
• WEEKDAY (Mon-Thu) 56.00
• WEEKEND (Fri-Sun) 66.00
• TWILITE TIMES (after 3:00 p.m.)
• WEEKDAY (Mon-Thu) 49.00
• WEEKEND (Fri-Sun) 56.00
• SUPER TWILTE (after 5:00)
• WEEKDAY (Mon-Thu) 41.00
• WEEKEND (Fri-Sun) 46.00
• SENIOR (Mon-Thur Only) 40.00  (Must be 62 years or older)

RENTAL CLUBS AVAILABLE

ALL FEES INCLUDE SALES TAX

T-Times can be reserved online at the Tiffany Greens Reservation Page. Tiffany Green Clubhouse, located at the Northlands is available for banquets with inhouse professional catering services.

There are local accommodations available at Embassy Suites Hotel and Homewood Suites Hilton

Golf is only one facet of the relaxation, regeneration and recreation opportunities in the KC Metro area. I am ready to help you with your real estate needs in the area either to buy or sell. Contact me at my website PaulaWalter.com or call 913-339-0682