BAD HAIR DAY.....? NO SUCH THING.... - 10/31/10 10:26 AM
Everyday is a good day. Who is telling you otherwise..? What makes you think that there is more to the day that the day itself..? Look how it starts for most of us. You wake up in the morning and THE DAY is awaiting you. What a fantastic premise or gift to give someone. A DAY! Here's a day for you to spend any way you want. A whole day...
WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO WAKE UP IN THE MORNING.....
I suspect that the meaning of receiving the day has been lost. Perhaps we skip the appreciation part. The part that … (19 comments)

TEEN SEX.....DON'T DO THIS......and STOP THIS IF SO - 10/30/10 09:58 AM
Where does one begin on a subject like this...? I mean what does a teenager know about anything..? Think about it. Quite a few of us didn't seize the opportunities that High School presented. I have memory of quite a few girls who didn't have good homes getting into trouble early on
It is not easy growing up and having more questions then answers. As a teenager, you don't even know the right questions either. Teens need to be looked after, watched, nurtured and protected until their common sense kicks in. Unfortunately, a lot of parents were not up to the … (8 comments)

REAL ESTATE MUST KNOWS.....MATERIAL FACTS - 10/28/10 09:48 AM
The subject of what makes a person interested in a piece of property is an interesting one. It is an emotional experience and a functional one too considering the size of the purchase. Once we get through all that, there remains the material fact...the subject of this post
WHAT IS A MATERIAL FACT...?
Anything that affects the price you are going to pay and your decision to buy is a material fact. Withholding material facts can be the leading cause of trouble for lots of players in the transaction. It is often named in lawsuits after the fact.
That is why … (13 comments)

BEING DEBT FREE.......WHAT IT MEANS TO ME....... - 10/28/10 09:20 AM
Our capitalistic society doesn't not promote being conservative or cautious. Quite the contrary, it supports irresponsibility, consumerism and live now pay later dynamics. When the system fails, it take you with it and marks you for life. what kind of a system is that...?
KEEP YOUR CREDIT CARDS, FEES, LATE CHARGES AND NEGATIVE REPORTING TO YOURSELF.....
So, I am going to speak against the system. Yes, less jobs will be created because people will not spend more. Credit card companies will lose money. Monies made from foreclosures and defaults will shrink....Cars will not be sold in abundance and the sale of … (6 comments)

GETTING A TRAFFIC TICKET.......woe unto us - 10/27/10 09:46 AM
There is something unfair afoot in regards to getting a ticket now a days. First, there is the economy that just makes any additional expenses a burden. Then there is the fact that you got caught right or wrong...then, it just gets worse from there
Now, let's be frank about this. Police do not give tickets to create a better society or a place where we can all proposer and live harmoniously. No, it is a revenue generator and cities are like businesses. They need income because they have expenses now more than ever.
There are rules in business that cannot … (11 comments)

HOME SWEET HOME......nothing like it - 10/26/10 09:43 AM
Well, the other day I was being thankful and I became aware of my residence, the place where I live. I looked around the place and liked it. I then wondered how many others liked their homes. I thought I would share about mine
I live on the side of a mountain that opens up to a natural wildlife corridor. I have views of the mountains, trees and skies with beautiful sunsets. The house is 50 years old and was custom built. It has an unusual amount of windows on all sides of it. There are more windows than walls.
In … (10 comments)

WE DONT HAVE TO AGREE.....BUT WE DO NEED TO TALK - 10/25/10 10:07 AM
Robinson Crusoe is a true story of a man marooned on an Island and for the most part alone and in despair. He needed to un-learn and then learn things to survive. During that process, he came to appreciate the thought of the company of another Human Being
COME HITHER AND LET ME ADORN THEE....
You can drive people toward you or away form you. Yes, you do have that power. if you drive them away, you will miss all of their company and contribution. How does that benefit you..? if you would have them gravitate toward you, then you can … (8 comments)

OPTIMUM PEOPLE NAVIGATION.... Meet, Greet, Neat and.... Repeat - 10/24/10 09:56 AM
Everywhere we go, two things will stand out...one, there are people everywhere and two, there we are...with them. I have noticed that a lot of times when meeting people or passing by them, more often than not, correct interaction is compromised.....Let me share...
WHAT DO YOU FIND HARD TO DO...?
I once asked someone what their biggest challenge in life was. They answered:..navigating through the different personalities. At the time, I didn't think too much of this, but it stayed with me. As I traveled on and got more exposure to people, this statement came back to me. I was now … (13 comments)

HAVE FAITH and.......DON'T LET YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED..... - 10/23/10 09:44 AM
I am a firm believer that with every negative circumstance, with every problem...there is a solution and an upside or a positive ending. I base this on the fact that there are no accidents in life and that things happen for a reason. I would prefer to be contacted in a dream or by an Angel, but sometimes being stubborn prevents that
THERE IS A RHYME AND A REASON TO EVERYTHING...
I have trained my self to see and recognize problems for what they are. I want to understand them because I know the second part is coming after that....namely the … (87 comments)

Do you say" BLESS YOU"...when someone sneezes...? - 10/21/10 09:17 AM
I was in a meeting with strangers when the dreaded sneeze came about on some unlucky person. I say unlucky because people do not like to attract attention to themselves in certain situations. This was one of them....Right after the sneeze, several comments were made as follows....
God bless you, bless you and gesundheit. The sneezing person responds with a "thank you" and the meeting resumes. I watched this attentively and it appeared surreal. It was almost rehearsed. I just didn't know who would say it, but I knew someone would......Why is that....?
SNEEZIN  IS NOT PLEASIN
First off, why do … (31 comments)

WOULDA......COULDA and...SHOULDA.......THE REGRET SISTERS - 10/21/10 08:39 AM
I am reminding people constantly of the rewards to be found in the moment in whatever you are doing and wherever you are. That is the ultimate pay-off and place to be. Often I hear people making statements of regret based on hindsight and analysis.....this will never do
Here is an example submitted in a conversational form:
Two people meet and then they start talking and interacting together. The conversation is free flowing and mutually satisfying. It goes back and forth and forth and back and both prosper in the moment. When they are done sharing, caring, and dialoging, they prepare … (4 comments)

SUGAR & SPICE and EVERYTHING NICE.........how come...? - 10/20/10 09:21 AM
You have heard this before. You probably heard this when you were growing up....I never gave it much thought when I was a kid. I just took it for face value. I immediately went to the boys part because I wasn't interested in the girls part...
I wasn't too impressed with my part (see below). Well years passed and I decided to look into this further and found that this is part of a Mother Goose rhyme and part from author Robert Southey. The rest was just added on and liked enough to be quoted over the years especially by famous … (15 comments)

FAMOUS CLICH'E...xxxx me xxxx..shame xx you...xxxx me xxxxx...shame xx xx - 10/20/10 08:53 AM
This is a goody that has been around for a while. Usually, when people use this statement, they get it backwards and blow the whole thing. The way the statement is set up, it pays with your mind....but the statement itself has legs.....DID YOU GET IT......?
 
 
FOOL ME ONCE, SHAME ON YOU..........FOOL ME TWICE, SHAME ON ME...
What does this mean...?
If you try to fool someone instead of being open and honest with them....then that says what you really thought about them and that they were not worth being honest with......SHAME ON YOU FOR THINKING THAT.....
 
If … (8 comments)

CARBOHYDRATES...PROTEINS....and....FAT....oh my! - 10/19/10 09:48 AM
You hear these words all your life. You read them and talk about them but the real meaning may elude you as it did me for many many years. Not too long ago, I discovered for myself what this really means. I did it the hard way and I am not complaining....
WEIGHT WEIGHT GO AWAY...DO NOT COME BACK ANOTHER DAY....
For those of us who are conscious of our weight and do not like it, these words play a big part in implementing and finding solutions. We all know that diets seem to work...short term, but in the long run … (13 comments)

THIS COUNTRY IS BEING LOOTED....from the top..... - 10/19/10 09:18 AM
I am thinking of the time when all the bankers were summoned to Washington to help avert problems in the Real Estate and Finance Industry...what do they do..? All fly down in corporate jets. Remember that one..? We knew there and then that the whole banking industry was a sham and the people running it not far behind either.....
But wait, it really takes a funny turn...these same people who were outed successfully qualified for billions of dollars of BAIL-OUT money. They had the last laugh on us all and he who laughs last, laughs best. The insult to all this, … (8 comments)

DONT VIOLATE YOUR OWN MIRANDA RIGHTS....Social Networking responsibly - 10/18/10 09:37 AM
The Miranda rule was created so that people would stop sending themselves to jail. They couldn't help themselves from hurting themselves. We needed a law to protect ourselves from ourselves....NOW...When we openly blog about all that we say and do, where we have gone, what we did, and then it becomes public record
Now, if you are set in life, and are comfortable with what you have done and said, then using all the social media available is fun and productive. The benefits are there....But, if you are in the middle of change or starting a new career path, perhaps you … (56 comments)

O.J. SIMPSON....MICHAEL MILKEN....ANGELO MOZILO....beat the system - 10/18/10 09:27 AM
O.J. Simpson spent 5 million dollars.  Michael Milken spent 500 million dollars and Angelo Mozilo spent 60 million.....What do these men share in common...? They all committed huge crimes and purchased their way out of them. Message to youth & society is clear.....
IT'S AN ELITE GROUP THAT YOU JOIN BY COMMITTING CRIMES AND.... BUYING YOUR WAY OUT OF THEM
You can beat and buy your way out of anything with enough money or clout. That is why drug dealers are so relentless when they start-up operations. They have to get pass their "wipe-out" phase, then pile away money for the … (7 comments)

It is called loan processing for a reason!!!! - 10/17/10 03:59 PM
My good friend who does financing for a living is sharing some insights here that will compliment your Real Estate journey. Please enjoy as you read and educate yourself....
 
Via Deborah Garvin California Mortgage Financing (Gateway Diversified Funding):
It’s called loan processing for a reason....financing real estate with a mortgage loan is a process, not a one step event.
 
 

We have all heard a consumer or real estate agent bemoaning the fact that their loan officer is asking for another piece of documentation, another letter of explanation, the updated statement of their checking account or their latest pay … (6 comments)

ACTIVERAIN.... is to..... REAL ESTATE...like CNN.... is to.... news........ - 10/17/10 10:11 AM
You know ... I have been reading quality data and information on ActiveRain in regards to every Real Estate subject you can imagine since I joined....I have received data and educational input that has complimented my business as well as friends and associates......What is the government reading ........?
CNN gives..... excellent coverage to late breaking and ongoing news matters
I have seen and have heard Presidents tune into CNN to get the latest updates and reports on issues of interest to the White House. I even heard about President Bush remarking that CNN is a great place to get up to … (10 comments)

BANKS...LET ACTIVERAINER's...SOLVE YOUR FORECLOSURE PROBLEMS...NOW - 10/16/10 09:51 AM
Some of ActiveRain's posters and commenter's should be on special commissions to problem solve and eliminate myriads of problems in today's Real Estate world. I have even suggested that ActiveRain participants should take over all banks for a period of 6 months.
You would see visible results in 90 days guaranteed. Short Sales would move at record pace. Loan mods would fly or die. BPO's done. Inspections done. Every assistance would be given to help the homeowner either stay in or move out. Calls would be answered and returned promptly. Putting people who care about the subject matter in position's of … (8 comments)

A Foreclosure Moratorium Won't Solve The Problem - 10/14/10 04:26 PM
John....who has a firm grasp on our Real Estate reality.....explains with ease and easy to understand terms what is going on and why.....so that we can find a place in all this.....Enjoy and get educated as you read this post......
Via John Mulkey, Housing Guru (TheHousingGuru.com):
While recent news stories have focused upon the “robo-signing,” of foreclosure documents, including some allegations of forgery and fraud, a foreclosure moratorium won’t solve the problem.  The securitization of mortgages and the potential processing of illegal foreclosure documents are merely components of the crisis they helped spawn; the issue that has yet to be addressed is negative … (2 comments)

I WANT TO SEE THE KID IN YOU.......please - 10/14/10 09:56 AM
I am going to submit to you something for your consideration. It is not a big deal but it is worthy of a second look. So often, with all our adult responsibilities, we get caught up in being too serious, too responsible, too willful and too focused on the obvious.
What happens is that joy, fun, mystery, and adventure has been left out of our lives. Not just the big picture either. The moment that we are in is affected and carried into the next moment too..
WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING.....school has begun.... THE SCHOOL OF LIFE
When … (5 comments)

PROFESSIONALS EVERYWHERE......HOWS YOUR BUSINESS CARD.....EH....? - 10/14/10 09:14 AM
I just updated my business card. I had given it a lot of thought over the last several weeks. I didn't want to do the normal yet I needed something that complimented by beliefs.......I asked the obvious questions and really wanted the best answers. Who is this card for....ME or the person I am handing it too....?
So, I did a rough to get me started. Then, I did some brainstorming and wrote down everything and anything having to do with the subject matter...that way I can get it out of my brain and really look at it.
I crossed off … (11 comments)

Do You Know the Sounds of Your Own Home......? - 10/13/10 09:42 AM
When I first moved into my present abode......I had to become familiar with all the sounds that accompany the home. I am a light sleeper and will awaken to a foreign noise or something that is not quite right. It probably is linked to caveman DNA from a lion prowling around camp
There are some parts of the house that give off sounds as you walk through them. You can easily tell when one sound shifts to another that that person moved from one point to another.
I know when I hear a door close,....... which one it is.
I became … (22 comments)

FORECLOSURE SOLUTION...... DECLARE IT A NATIONAL EMERGENCY..... - 10/13/10 09:06 AM
When Hurricane Katrina hit, the government took its sweet time and people suffered. With the recent oil spill, things didn't move fast enough and consequently lots of damages took place. When 911 struck, we moved on that pretty well.....We declared war on two countries. MY POINT:  We have an emergency of the highest order........
PEOPLE ARE BEING EVICTED, LOSING THEIR HOMES, THEIR CREDIT SCORES DESTROYED COMBINED WITH RECORD UNEMPLOYMENT AND SLOW or NO NEW CONSTRUCTION
Over 11 million people and climbing are in foreclosure. The process to deal with it is defective and bogged down. Using litigation tactics to correct will … (10 comments)

THE NEW STRATEGY ON HOW TO HANDLE REAL ESTATE....it's a sure thing - 10/12/10 10:24 AM
Here it is in a nutshell. To purchase land and hold on to it works....that is how simple it is. Find something that you want. Interest rates are low and market values are staying true and current. Buy it, and then hold onto it.....BUT WAIT...there is more. I want you to do one other thing.....PAY IT OFF....
1. If you do pay off your mortgage early, you will eventually lose some tax write-off....BUT, you will never have to worry about a place to stay ever again. To me, that is a good trade. Rent or own, we need shelter......yes?
2. 401 … (6 comments)

SHAME ON ELECTED OFFICIALS...What are you doing...? - 10/12/10 09:24 AM
We all know by now that there is a stop order on all foreclosures...but not for the right reasons....it is because the bank may have done something wrong which injures the procedure....Now here is the part that gets my goat.....For months and months...even years, ActiveRain professionals have been blogging about this subject and what to do about it
WHY SHOULD WE DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE.......WE ARE DOING JUST FINE......
It appears that everyone in office has been put to sleep. The dream inducers are $150,000 a year salaries whether you perform or not, perks and insurance benefits as well as benefits … (8 comments)

GOOD AGENTS WILL BE IN DEMAND FOR .....years to come - 10/11/10 09:15 AM
With all this foreclosure nonsense, litigation, short selling, loan moding and all the rest of it.....one wonders what will become of the Real Estate industry. This is a fair question and cannot be answered in detail mainly because Real Estate is so vast and also because we are in the eye of the hurricane....
I will tell you share with you a few things....
1. If we had to pay for all this publicity,, we are talking multi-millions in dollars spent. I dare say that is conservative. That being said, the subject matter is famous.....and we are licensed to do business … (11 comments)

DO YOU SPEAK PIG LATIN.....? Growing up in Brooklyn, New York - 10/11/10 08:38 AM
When I was growing up in Brooklyn, New York, there were certain things that KIDS were required to know. I have made a small list below and perhaps you share some of these in common....One of them was the ability to speak Pig Latin. The world of "KIDS" remains a fascinating world....... 
Things required in my neighborhood:
1. Pig Latin. It was used to have fun and make points. Mostly for laughs, but it also has bonding opportunities between the users too. I even put it on my resume and job applications where it asks..do you speak other languages....yes....Pig Latin … (13 comments)

The Foreclosure Scandal Has Become Pandemic - 10/10/10 12:44 PM
Please feast on this post of meat and potatoes of Real Estate reality brought to you by my learned friend and esteemed colleague ...John Mulkey. He writes about what we are facing and gives you some hard things to chew on...You will feel educated after doing so...
Via John Mulkey, Housing Guru (TheHousingGuru.com):
As more mortgage companies “fess-up” regarding their apparent fraudulent processing of foreclosure documents, the foreclosure scandal has become pandemic.  And while the early response from many, including myself, was that this issue would soon be swept under the rug, with no benefit for struggling homeowners, and allowing banks to proceed … (5 comments)

ENEMIES OF THE EGO & PRIDE.......suggestion, correction, and direction...... - 10/10/10 10:24 AM
Less we think that mankind has the answers....please refer to our history. The cruelty that man inflicts on his fellow man is no longer a paradox. We can now explain why we do it.....Having a reason is part of our problem. This problem we inherited a long time ago........THE EGO......and its protector...PRIDE.....
THE PLAYERS
EGO.....A false God like entity that is invisible but very voluntarily active in the known world via its actions and results..It fears light, truth, reality, and realness. Uses PRIDE to keep from dying. Needs the PRIDE in order to survive.
PRIDE...Pit-bull like protector of the EGO. When … (6 comments)

SERVICE...FOOD...and...AMBIANCE....3 legs of the RESTAURANT stool - 10/09/10 10:21 AM
You don't need to know much about the restaurant industry to understand the three-legged stool upon which it sits...Wherever you go, the dynamics of Service, Food and Ambiance are at work.... When all three line up, it can be a very pleasant experience. Lining up all three is not necessary to have a pleasant experience either....
FOOD:
There are places that are known for being "best" at their food. It can be a little old oyster shack on a back road, a hamburger dive in an auto parts junkyard or a place known for its fresh, gigantic steak fries..the attraction being … (18 comments)

SHE CAN'T HEAR.......HE CAN'T SEE...........life is good - 10/07/10 10:18 AM
I met this couple the other day that have been married for about 40 years. Very nice twosome and they both look like they are in their mid-forties. Pleasant and intelligent, kind and giving and.... then I was introduced to their own special dynamics....
The wife or woman cannot hear very well. It improves when she is facing you and you are facing her. I think it has to do with her watching you..... as she speaks.
The man wears tri-focals and has to be looking straight ahead to get the full "sight" experience. He can look to the left or … (17 comments)

Disneyland......fun for many reasons - 10/07/10 09:27 AM
To all the young people starting out or going to college, to the retirees or people in transition, as well as professionals and families, please consider working or visiting at Disneyland at some point in time. The place has earned its reputation for quite a few things.....Lets look into some of them....
I worked there for about 3 years and had a ball. The camaraderie of the cast members is contagious as we are all actors on a giant stage. The place itself is intriguing both front stage and back stage. Employee stories abound that make you laugh, ponder and cringe....
… (6 comments)

10 Reasons for Buying a Home in Today’s Market - 10/06/10 10:46 AM
My friend and colleague John...wishes to encourage us all to carry on in Real Estate and gives some great reasons to do so.....enjoy the post...I did!
Via John Mulkey, Housing Guru (TheHousingGuru.com):
I will begin by stating that I’m not a real estate agent and derive no income from real estate sales. The information provided is to help potential home buyers make the most prudent choices regarding the purchase of a home.
 
As a former home builder, I have built and sold hundreds of homes and have experienced both good and bad markets. Each day I read news about housing and the … (5 comments)

Ladies......mind your purses while shopping ......please - 10/06/10 09:50 AM
It has come to my attention lately when I am out shopping anywhere that I see more and more women leaving their purses unattended. Some have an awareness of this, but quickly lose it when they find an item of interest while shopping. Others have no clue believing that the store offers security and they may shop with confidence....
I have not only seen purses neglected in shopping carts, but open with wallets right there on the surface. Often I point this out to people. Reactions and comments received back as follows....
I am watching it... I know.... The mind your … (13 comments)

RESULTS don't lie.....and.....LACK OF RESULTS........dont lie either - 10/06/10 09:14 AM
As I travel from transaction to transaction, I learn and glean from everyone and everything. It is no wonder that after so many of these, you become experienced, salty, savvy, and just plain good at what you do. Repetition is the key. In the end...there is really no substitute for RESULTS......
THINGS ARE NOT COMPLEX UNLESS......... WE MAKE THEM SO
RESULTS: to terminate or end in a specified manner. Ability to bring about effective decisions
LACK OF RESULTS: Not finishing the business at hand.....
At the end of the day.....you either have one or other as mentioned above.....preferably the first one. … (9 comments)

BANKS HALTING FORECLOSURES........? IT TOOK LITIGATION TO DO SO....... - 10/05/10 05:02 PM
In several articles that just came out, the banks are halting the foreclosure processes because they found errors in their procedures....These errors are being brought to the surface via lawsuits filed by foreclosed upon homeowners who fought back
Let's not debate weather someone should be in foreclosure or not. Instead, I just wanted to mention how the 3 foot hole that the banks found themselves in has just turned into a 6 foot hole...of their own doing.
Why would the banks not heed the advice of trying to work things out with homeowners....? Because the government offered them a cushion or … (10 comments)

QUALITY VERUS QUANTITY.....THE WINNER & STILL CHAMPION...."less is more" - 10/05/10 09:55 AM
I just finished sipping a tall glass of carrot juice on the rocks. If you have never had carrot juice, please consider giving it a try. It is sweet, tasty, leaves a pleasant taste, and cleans the palette. In addition, it leaves behind some really neat vitamins and minerals.
AHHHHH the simple things in life
I use it to treat myself well. It is sort of a reward with me. Be advised then that I only do it occasionally so that it remains a pleasant and want-able surprise. If you try having your fill of anything, you cheapen it right away. … (11 comments)

THE MONKEYS PAW........be careful what you wish for........ - 10/04/10 09:58 AM
The MONKEY'S PAW is one of the best known lessons available to teach us something about life, ourselves, good vs evil and... to what purpose...? It consists of many stories and variations. The premise is to be careful what you ask for and from whom........I will share the concept with you as follows...
The MONKEY'S PAW is a horror story by W.W. Jacobs based on the premise that you can change your God given destiny...but at an enormous price for doing so.....for interfering with your fate and attempting to create a new one......in other words....you disrespect life and challenge it as … (6 comments)

THERE XX X BUT XXX THE XXXXX OF XXX - 10/04/10 09:04 AM
Often, we come across something and it humbles us. It even causes us to pause...and ponder. We come across some other person that is not as fortunate as us.....thus this little goody and we do well to remind ourselves...did you get it....?
 
THERE GO I BUT......... FOR THE GRACE OF GOD
It is so easy to forget our beginnings.....Rushing to and fro trying to carry out our needs and wants.....until you run into this manifesting itself in another person.....and it causes you to ask this question:
That could have been me if not for someone intervening on my behalf.......I could … (7 comments)

WHOA.........or.......WOE.........you choose... - 10/03/10 09:07 AM
I used to do a lot of jail counseling. People who are behind bars don't want to be there. Loss of liberty, not being able to choose ones company, loss of privacy and being treated with indignities is not the way to go.....These people are in WOE.....Prior to entering their WOE.......they were in the WHOA.....stage....Let me explain......
As you go through life and life's circumstances, even if you are running a business, you encounter many choices and some hard decisions. Most of the time, those decisions consist of not doing something or doing something incorrectly. In order to save you from … (14 comments)

E & O insurance.........YES........NO..........I DON'T KNOW......? - 10/02/10 08:43 AM
Errors and Omissions Insurance......What to do...? When I first became an agent, I knew nothing about this and for years operated without it. Then, I became aware of it and still was not interested. Years went by and by...Then, I started working with developers who were taking high risks for high gain. I looked into E & O....
You see, I thought that many things could go wrong in the acquiring and assembling of parcels from start to finished product. Developers often tread a fine line of high risk and do not see any returns on their investment for years. All … (22 comments)