Inconsistency and a little rambling... - 11/30/11 11:59 PM
There are so many inconsistencies in the world we live in today.  The housing market is waaaayyy off and has been for a couple of years.  It makes it difficult to explain the new homes being all around the area.  The builders are able to offer upgrades and attractive finance packages that we cannot find outside the new home starts.
Then there is the on going hostilty toward the U.S. from people/countries to whom we give billions of dollars in aid monthy...  and have for many years.  If they do not like us.... what are we doing with all that money … (0 comments)

Fishbowl Effect - 11/27/11 06:53 PM
In our remodeling efforts we have moved several things onto the covered patio to make room to complete projects.  The arrangement seems to have been favorably received by two of the outside cats who adopted us last year about this time.
They have settled in on our patio and in fact made our back yard their own.  We resisted them at first because we had been in the habit of feeding the migratory birds and the neighborhood squirrels.  The cats gradually won us over and they have eliminated any thought of mice or rats which we did occasionally have before the … (0 comments)

Happy Thanksgiving and in case you're tired of turkey..... - 11/24/11 10:14 PM
Green chili chicken  (Made with Chilis from Hatch New Mexico)
This is an adaptation of what I used to make for my boys.  It was called King Ranch chicken then and has since been changed into a dip. ( It can easily become the Ranch chicken again by layering the ingredients on top of layers of crushed tortilla chips, and topped with an extra layer of shedded cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes and serve warm).  The adaptation is meant to be a very hearty dip.  (serves 20)  Garnish with jalapeno slices.  
1 pound of chopped white … (7 comments)

For my DiY Colleagues - 11/21/11 11:02 PM
I have been wanting to replace countertops in the kitchen without totally ripping out the old ones for a while now.  The main problem has been is that the existing tops are laminate and they roll up in back and the laminate goes up the wall.  So the question of how to quickly and easily get rid of the roll has been a problem.  Well a couple of days ago I found the solution and thought I'd share in case some of you have the same issue.  The tool is called a RotoZip Saw.  It works like a charm!  And tomorrow … (2 comments)

An unexpected addition to lunch!! - 11/19/11 09:53 PM
How many oysters does it take? 
We have a new favorite restaurant!  We have been going there for several years when we are traveling in the FM 1960 area.
The fish is always beautifully prepared and the prices are very competitive.  We have had another favorite where the atmosphere and setting are very special.  The last time we went there ,we concluded that the quality of the seafood, prices and service are actually better at Rockfish...  
Today we had a reward of a different kind.  We had elected to split the Seafood platter which includes a medley of shrimp, oysters … (11 comments)

Old is new.... - 11/18/11 10:14 PM
One of my favorite features about the house we bought to redo about five years ago was and is the back yard.  In addition to the artfully created flower beds is the fact that we are still discovering assorted yard art.
The photo for today is a remnant of a recently discovered antique plow.  It was tucked into assorted foliage under a large spreading Tallow tree.  It could not be seen well until fairly recently when the drought killed off several of the native vines.  Unfortunately one of the most prevailant vines remaining is an incredibly healthy poison ivy.  Sort of … (5 comments)

Thanksgiving!!! - 11/17/11 11:18 PM
As we enter the season of Thanksgiving this year, there are many disturbing things going on.   The media is full of gloom and doom .  One can find constantly negative news at any hour of any given day.
If we are not careful, we can easily be  distracted from the tasks at hand.  Business dies off if we do not feed it daily.  Rebuilding it once it has died is way more difficult than just faithfully maintaining the contacts and momentum.
As we all attempt to spend some quality time with friends and families,   there will be frustrations and … (4 comments)

Decision time..... - 11/15/11 10:17 PM
When you receive a referral  on a listing that needs to be totally redone and the seller does not seem receptive to the idea of doing repairs,  is that the time to rethink the advisability of taking the listing?
When you find that the previous listing agent did not remove the listing in such a way (withdrawn as opposed to terminated) that you can get your mls system to accept the listing, and you cannot find a way to leave the seller a message about the problem.... is that a clue that this may not be a wise place to invest … (1 comments)

Oh.... The Joy of being Green!! - 11/15/11 09:07 PM

Would it be fun to be green?
If you look closely at the attached photo, you will see a lovely little lizard.  He was luxuriating on a leaf on our exceptionally happy plumera plant when Ralph was attempting to remove the dead leaves.
The surprise factor for both Ralph and Larry the lizard was intense.  Jumping was part of the response but only Larry the Lizard  was able to intensify his green factor to the extent of becoming almost totally invisible.
There are days and situations when the invisibility capability would be highly desireable.  Being green?  Oh why not!  It … (3 comments)

Growing older is difficult.... - 11/14/11 09:15 PM
Watching my husband and his family deal with having to put his 90 year old Dad in a nursing home has been heart wrenching.
I know this is a daily occurrence for lots of folks, and I know it always puts a strain on things.  I had to do this years ago for my father when he and my mother were fighting all the time and his health was failing at light speed.  I was raising 3 children at the time and had to make a living so taking Daddy home with me was not an option.  All the reasons in … (2 comments)

Different Perspectives.... - 11/14/11 09:08 PM
For those of us who sell real estate, it is not out of the ordinary to help our clients to stage their homes to get the best first impression possible.
It is a totally different project when the house you are getting ready for the market is your own.
The house in question has been home for the past four years and it has become much too much to keep up and to pay taxes on.  But.... mostly we want to downsize and travel some and do some fun stuff and not maintain all the crap we accumulated over the last … (1 comments)

Special Food for the Holidays - 11/14/11 08:44 PM
Holidays bring out the best in all of us.  We also want to share special things with our friends.  Here is an example of a festive centerpiece that also serves as a great conveyor of appetizers.  
Obviously it is easy to do, a feast for the eyes and it will give you a lot of topics of conversation.  I first saw this done about 30 years ago at a favorite grocery.  I stole the idea and have done it innumerable times since.
You can use your favorite appetizers …or you can incorporate a few of my favorites.  There should always … (4 comments)

Creativity - 11/13/11 06:25 PM
Real Estate professionals are some of the most creative people on tbe planet.  We have daily challenges that would boggle the minds of many.  Think about how medical professionals would respond to a three a.m. call about a stuck garbage disposal.  Or there would be fun and games to deal with if the average attorney had to deal with a tenant who blocked the tub drain, opened the water valves all over the house and then walked out and locked the front door.
There are situations where creative solutions are needed.  Take a look at the attached photo.  It is a … (1 comments)

Carley the curious cat! - 11/02/11 11:13 PM
The bathroom vanity cabinets have served as a source of curiosity for Carley the cat ever since we moved into this house four years ago.  Periodically, usually in the middle of the night, she would attempt to open one of them.  The result was always unsatisfactory.  Her prying action always resulted in a thudding noise as the door opened slightly and then bounced closed again.
My reaction to the interlude was always a command for her to stop it!  She always complied.


Today we were prepping the cabinets for painting as part of the larger freshening process for the … (7 comments)

 
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Jeanne and Ralph Janisch CRS, Brokers Your Home Team

Durango, CO

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Durango Home Team

Address: We are always mobile to serve you!, Durango, CO, 81301

Office Phone: (713) 632-4500

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Author Bio: Ralph and Jeanne are long time Real Estate BROKERS dedicated to helping good folks buy homes and land.

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