Ron Bridges's Blog

Sumter SC - Hibachi Grill and Supreme Buffet

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:16:46 -0700

Hibachi Grill and Supreme Buffet opened a couple weeks ago in Sumter, SC, and today I finally got to try out lunch at the new restaurant. Well the first thing that strikes me is the new parking lot. Yes, stop laughing, the new parking lot with no pot holes or huge cracks. We were greeted by a friendly staff and immediately shown to a table. On the way to the table, I noticed how the mood of the restaurant is bright but pleasant. Even though there is a buzz from diners talking, it is not abnormally loud or annoying.

Hibachi Grill and Supreme Buffet has all the normal fare expected in an Oriental style restaurant with one big exception. The Grill has just that, a Hibachi Grill. Use your imagination and get any combo you can from the selection of vegetables and meats, take your selections to the hibachi cook who then cooks your food right there while you wait.

If you prefer the normal buffet items, there are over a hundred items to select from. One of the items I especially liked was what was called Chinese Steak. It had diced steak cooked inside of a hard bread that was moist and tender. All the normal items, fried rice, pepper steak, sweet and sour chicken, hot and sour soup to name a few, are all there. A very nice sushi bar is available also and we can't forget there is ice cream available also.

By the way, yes, I even noticed the restrooms were very clean and well maintained.

The Hibachi Grill and Supreme Buffet is open at 11 am and is open through the dinner hours. There are children's prices and adult prices. Military and Seniors get a discount on their meal. It is located on Broad Street across from Wal-Mart.

My recommendation, give it a try, we really enjoyed our lunch there today.

Kingsbury Chosen to Participate in USDA Fruit and Veg Program

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:36:41 -0700

Recently Kingsbury Elementary School announced they had been chosen to participate in the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. The school was chosen along with 50 other schools in SC to split $1,172,650 in grant money from the USDA along with the SC Department of Education and the SC Department of Agriculture.

The program gives grants to selected schools to encourage healthy eating habits and to help in the fight on childhood obesity. The fresh fruits and vegetables are passed out to the classes in the mornings as healthy snacks instead of cookies, crackers, etc. I chuckled when I first heard the children would be given grape tomatoes, broccoli, celery, grapes, orange slices, to name a few. To my surprise though, the children have tried many of the items and so far are giving the snacks a thumbs up.

Kingsbury Elementary School has partnered with Walter P. Rawl & Sons, Inc. Pelion, SC, to supply the fresh vegetables and fruit. The Rawl Brand features small bags of several different fruits and vegetables that are marketed as Sports Candy, which I found to be very fresh and tasty.

It will be interesting how brocolli and sweet potato chips go over. My hat is off to all involved with this important and (at least to this observer) tasty program.

For more information check out the following links.
Rawl Brand: http://www.rawl.net/
USDA: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/ffvp/ffvpdefault.htm

The US Air Force Birthday

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:56:18 -0700

On this day of remembrance of the events that transformed the nation, it is fitting to also look at the service that has carried the war of the skies to the enemies of the US. The US Air Force became a seperate service on September 18th 1947, and will be 62 years old on that date.

Up to 1947, the Air Force was an arm of the US Army and was the US Army Air Corp. Since 1947, the USAF has been an intergral part of every operation conducted by the US Military. The Air Force helped protect the troops from the skies in Korea, Vietnam, and was instrumental in keeping America safe during the long years of the Cold War. The ground portion of the Gulf War only lasted 100 hours after days of attacks by the Air Force along with planes and helicopters of the Army, Navy, and Marines. Today, USAF aircraft are involved with operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, whether it is a manned or unmanned aircraft. Along with the pilots, the Air Force has thousands of men and women that provide the support to operations at home and in deployed locations.

As we look to the future, the nature of air combat is changing with stealth technology and the ever more important unmanned aerial vehicle or UAV. As time moves forward the Air Force will remain the protector of the skies for many, many years to come.

Take time to thank members of the Air Force for their service during this month of their 62nd birthday.

New Listing in Dalzell SC

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:09:25 -0700

New Listing:

4985 Ridge Street, Dalzell SC 29040

Listed at $103,000

3 Bedroom/2 Bath home. Needs a little TLC to be a great home. Located in Dalzell Acres Subdivision in rural Sumter County. A short easy drive to Shaw AFB and Sumter, SC.

Contact Lynn Bridges at 803-316-4473 or Ron Bridges at 803-316-4480 or email at ron.bridges@era.com for more information.

Sumter SC - 8th Annual Sumter Shaw Street Fest

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:58:19 -0700

On September 25th, Main Street will once again be closed for the 8th Annual Sumter-Shaw Street Fest. What is that? The Sumter Community honors our military at Shaw AFB for their service through an event where Shaw and Sumter get together for a street party. A time to bring the entire family and enjoy an evening of music, food, and kids activities.

There will be 2 bands, Terrace Loron & The Untouchables and Virtually Unshockable as well as an a larger kids area with free inflatables, train ride, children's crafts and games. Something for the whole family. So bring your lawn chairs and have a great evening.

Please no coolers and parking will be on Harvin and Sumter Streets.

For more information see the Sumter website.

Sumter@Six - Sumter SC

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:49:32 -0700

Sumter@Six is winding up another successful year. Sumter@Six is a free concert held every 2nd Thursday, April to October. As the name indicates it starts at 6pm and last about 2 hours. This is an outdoor concert held in downtown Sumter, at the Brody Pavillion on Harvin Street. Bring your lawn chair, get some great food and drinks from local restaurants and enjoy the beach music. Maybe even get in a line dance or some shagging.

The remaining Sumter@Six dates and bands for 2009 are below.

September 10: Still Cruzin.
October 8: The Tempest

http://www.sumter-sc.com/VisitingUs/Festivals_SumterAtSix.aspx

Sumter County Fair - Sumter SC

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:41:45 -0700

Fall is coming, school is back in session, football season has started, and baseball is winding up. It is time for the Sumter County Fair. This year the fair opens on September 29, 2009 and runs until midnight on October 3 at the Sumter County Fairgrounds on Liberty Street.

The fair first opened in 1933 and has been going ever since. Fair week has been a time for local people, young and old, to share their hard work growing that perfect corn, the award winning rabbit, making the soft, warm quilt, or that great jar of pickles. Toss in the carnival rides, cotton candy, smoked sausage, or lately, anything that can be fried (remember the fried twinkies?), stage acts, and numerous displays, and you have the setting for the fall event called the Sumter County Fair.

Final plans are being made and the work to bring this event another year has already started. Make your plans now so you will not be surprised, when the "fair is in town".

For futher information visit the website for the Sumter County Fair at http://www.sumterfair.com

So Much To Do, So Little Time

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:08:52 -0700

I broke the cardinal rule of time management. Took on too much and could not get anything done. I would look at my planner and see 3 too many appointments, 3 too many meetings, and 10 too many task to be done. Then you guessed it, I didn't get anything done and fell further and further behind.

I had to make some very tough decisions and work to get things back in order. I had to start planning and making sure I stayed with the plan, and I had to do things when I planned and stop putting things off. Have you ever heard that you work harder getting out of work than if you just went ahead and did the job? Well, I can tell you that is true, I worked hard putting things off and then still had to look forward to doing it anyway.

So what have I learned?

Put together a plan and stick to it.
Only agree to things you can do.
Do not put off things, go ahead and do them.
You can't please everyone, you can only do what you can.
Don't max yourself out so that you get nothing done.

Now I can get back to AR and some of the other things I had to let go for a while. Feels good to be back.

The Economy is so bad.., You add the rest! But here are 11 to "prime the pump!"

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Mon, 25 May 2009 22:14:16 -0700

These are great, enjoy them. A little humor does us all good.

Via Michael Kelly,CIPS,CRS,SRES (Keller Williams Realty):

The economy is so bad--

1. I went to buy a toaster oven and they gave me a bank.
2. I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.
3. CEO's are now playing miniature golf.
4. Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars are now trading higher than GM.
5. Obama met with small businesses - GE, Pfizer, Chrysler, Citigroup and GM, to discuss the Stimulus Package.
6. McDonalds is selling the 1/4 ouncer.
7. People in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their children's names.
8. The most highly-paid job is now jury duty.
9. Motel Six won't leave the lights on.
10. The Mafia is laying off judges.
11. If the bank returns your check marked "insufficient funds," you have to call them and ask if they meant you or them.

Moment of Silence at Lowe's Motor Speedway

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Mon, 25 May 2009 15:35:59 -0700

The Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race is being run at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC. At 3pm, President Obama had asked for a moment of silence to honor those military that have sacrificed for our country. NASCAR decided to honor the request and completely stopped the race, had the drivers cut their engines off and asked the crowd to honor this request. The link below is a clip of that time. What a great tribute by all of those at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Sorry, could not find an embed at the NASCAR.com site.

Moment of Silence at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Social Media, Embrace It or Forget It

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Mon, 25 May 2009 15:15:40 -0700

I've been reading with interest the pros and cons of social media and I feel like I need to put my take on the ongoing conversation. I've read with interest the massive amount of praise for Twitter, Facebook, Linkdin, etc. and the ability to network and get clients. I've also read as many "what the devil" is social media and "I don't get it". So do we embrace social media or forget it?

Now here's my take. I think social media is the wave of the future. It may not be Twitter, Facebook, Linkdin, or any other current programs but there will be something. So what are we to do? We are to embrace the fact there is change and in technology, that change is moving at a fast pace and something new pops up almost daily. Will it get clients today? For some yes, for others no. I haven't had anyone from any of the social media buy or sell through me but I have had good leads off of web sites. Just 10 years ago that would not have even been thought of. Social media will be the norm in just a few years if not sooner.

The old way of doing business is gone and those that cannot accept it will be left behind. Sending out letters, postcards, and other "hard" media is still valid but is going away quickly. The highly mobile, technical savy society of today is demanding information NOW and will not wait. If you do not give them the info they want now, they will move on to someone that will. So how does this all apply to social media?

We must be willing to jump into the unknown and learn how to use social media for ourselves. I read how others have used social media, but it hasn't worked for me. I will have to try and try again until I find that thing that works for me. Many agents, including myself, still have success in the good old fashion way of personal interaction, but we must be willing to move above and beyond. Agents must be willing to take hold of the changes and pull themselves out of the mud of "the way I have always did it". How many times have you heard? I don't like Facebook, Twitter, etc., and I won't use it. Well, it's been nice working with you, will be the mantra in the future.

Today's challenge is to mix the art of personal interaction with the increasingly prevalent social media. Our sphere of influence is quickly spreading out from our family and friends. It now includes those we meet on Facebook and Twitter as well as people that email us, text us, etc. How are you approaching the move to a mobile, technical society? Are you working to stay with the trend or are you fighting it at all cost? With each technical advance their have been those that refused to move on and have had to retire or leave the field. Are you going to be one of those or are you going to take the challenge and move forward into the technological world?

The Star of the Swan Lake Iris Festival

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Sun, 24 May 2009 12:51:38 -0700

The iris is the star of the Swan Lake Iris Festival in Sumter, SC. The Iris Festival concludes today but the flowers will be still blooming for the next week or 2. If you have the opportunity, visit Swan Lake and take in the beauty of the lake. Swan Lake is located on East Liberty.

Pink is My Favorite Color...or NOT

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Sat, 02 May 2009 15:42:21 -0700

A request for help from a Realtor in Michigan. Thanks.

Via Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor- Realtor(R)- Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams-Ann Arbor):

Tuesday my husband was given a pink slip from Belleville High School. He is history teacher and social studies teacher. He is tenured.

I was shocked

The schools in Michigan are handing out a lot of pink slips including: Flint 257, Detroit 600, Pontiac everyone, Lansing 170.

Last year at Belleville High School, (where he teaches) they didn't let enough teachers go so in October after the enrollment count they had to redo classes. Mike was not one of them.

When they change the class sizes some students go and some classes are dropped and it is disruptive. So this year they are letting 90 go and then hiring back.

If you are pinked slipped and hired back you can still be let go in October after the enrollment count.

Can you stay unstable?

I don’t want your sympathy but your advice, prayers and help.

I want to see if Social Media (which we all hail) can get my husband a job.

In Tennessee

Most of you know I am from the South and we have hoped to move back there when we retired if not before.

So I am asking you if you know anyone in Tennessee, the Nashville Area to please pass along my husband’s name. We have looked and there are 5 History teaching positions available in the Nashville, Williamson County Area, which he is applying for.

However, it is not what you know but WHO YOU KNOW.

A little bragging:

My husband is an outstanding teacher. Every year his classes fill up and if a student is removed for scheduling issues…mom and dad demand they be put back in Mr. Caulk’s class.

Mike does all of his lesson plans on Power Point, uses YouTube and the news this week by Uncle Jake. He is a fun, and an engaging history teacher. Making the subject come alive for his students.

Everyday at school for 5 years, he would check out the over-head projector so this year, the administration bought him one. I can count on my ONE hand the days he has missed in the last 6 years, even returning the day after he had stints put in his heart.

Social Media is more than Twitter, more than FaceBook it is like attending a Chamber of Commerce meeting that extends outside four walls.

Can Social Media help find Mike A JOB?

They say if you want to adopt a baby tell everyone you know. So I am telling everyone I know. Any help would be so appreciated, especially if you know anyone in the Nashville area that teaches, a principal or works in Administration. ( If you do I will email you his resume.)

When one door closes, another one opens so we are thinking and hoping this might be an open door to move and settle in TN. First of all we are believing God will open a door if we are to move forward with a job in Tn. But, we know He works through people, so hence my appeal to you here on Activerain.

I figure if Jay McGullicuddy can find his birth mother and Brad Andersohn his brother,....

ALL things are Possible on Activerain.

AnnArborRealtor@gmail.com

Sumter SC Home - 3240 Tuckaway

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Sat, 02 May 2009 13:29:04 -0700

This 3 bedroom/2 bath home is located in the Hideaway Subdivision set in a rural environment. Hideaway Subdivision is located about 10 miles from Shaw AFB and about 7 miles from Sumter.

This home features:
Large, fenced yard
Back patio
Underground sprinkler
2 car garage.

This is a must see home and is listed for $126,900.

Sumter SC Home - 205 Planters Drive

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Sat, 02 May 2009 13:08:43 -0700

This 3 bedroom/2 bath home in Pioneer Point Subdivision allows you to live in a rural setting while being between Shaw AFB and Sumter, SC. With only short trips from this quiet subdivision, you can reach Shaw AFB to the west and Sumter shopping and events to the east.

Listed for $134,500.

Other features:
Large level lot
Security system
2 car garage
Hardwood floors
Skylights
Fireplace
Large family room.

The Item Snapshot - Charlene Baxley

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Sat, 02 May 2009 12:46:52 -0700

Charlene Baxley was the focus of The Item's Saturday Snapshot today.

Charlene has been working for Ward's BBQ in Sumter, SC for over 30 years and congratulations on that accomplishment. I have been to the East Liberty Wards and her smile always greets you and she works to get you the best service she can. Thanks Charlene for the service and smiles you spread at Ward's.

Congratulations on 30 years Charlene.

Robert Galloway - SC Truck Driver of the Year

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Sat, 02 May 2009 12:33:40 -0700

Congratulations to the SC Trucker of the Year, Robert Galloway. Robert has been driving for Sumter Transport for 52 years and has been recognized by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and named the South Carolina Trucker's Association's Truck Driver of the Year for 2008. Robert has had an accident free career and has logged over 4 million miles driving logging trucks.

Congratulations from Sumter Home Source.

The 25 Lessons of Life

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:01:31 -0700

Marian Wright Edelman was born in Bennettsville, SC in 1939. She grew up in the pre-Civil Rights years and was active in the Civil Rights Movement. She finished her education at Yale Law School and became an attorney for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. She has been and is now a strong advocate for children and she founded the Children's Defense Fund. Marian continues talking and working for the children today.

Marian wrote an open letter to her three grown children and included the 25 lessons of life to drive home what her and her husband had been teaching their children.

You ask how this applies to Real Estate. The 25 lessons of life have as much meaning today for everyone that works in this business as it does for each and every person. Applying her 25 lessons will not only build us as people but will build us as business people also.

Let's take a minute and read these lessons and see how we can apply them to our lives as business people and families.

1. There is no free lunch. Don't feel entitled to anything you don't sweat and struggle for.
2. Set goals and work quietly and systematically toward them.
3. Assign yourself.
4.   Never work just for money or for power. They won't save your soul or help you sleep at night.
5.   Don't be afraid of taking risks or of being criticized.
6.   Take parenting and family life seriously and insist that those you work for and who represent you do, too.
7. Remember that your wife (husband) is not your mother (father) or your maid (servant), but your partner and friend.
8. Forming families is serious business.
9. Be honest.
10. Remember and help America remember that the fellowship of human beings is more important than the fellowship of race and class and gender in a democratic society.
11. Sell the shadow for substance. Don't confuse style with meaning.
12. Never give up.
13. Be confident that you can make a difference.
14. Don't ever stop learning and improving your mind.
15. Don't be afraid of hard work or of teaching your children to work.
16. Slow down and live.
17. Choose your friends carefully.
18. Be a can-do, will try person.
19. Try to live in the present.
20. Use your political and economic power for the community and for others less fortunate.
21. Listen for "the sound of the genuine" within yourself and others.
22. You are in charge of your own attitude.
23. Remember your roots, your history, and the forebears' shoulders on which you stand.
24. Be reliable. Be faithful. Finish what you start.
25. Always remember that you are never alone.

May these simple lessons bring success and happiness to each and everyone of you.

Weatherization Assistance Program

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:15:51 -0700

The Department of Energy (DOE) has a program called the Weatherization Assistance Program that gives up to $6500 in rebates to lower income families to help them cut down their energy usage and save money in energy spending. To qualify for the rebates, the average family of 4 must not make over $44,000 in the lower 48 states, $55,140 in Alaska, and $50,720 in Hawaii.

The DOE Weatherization Assistance Program web site says, " The weatherization funding will improve the energy efficiency of the homes of low-income families by adding more insulation, sealing leaks, or modernizing heating and air conditioning equipment, at a cost of up to $6,500 per home." The site goes on to say weatherization could help a family realize a savings of up to $350 a year in utility bills.

In our day to day dealings with the public, we each have an occasion to talk to lower income families and we could let them know of this program. If we could help them save money on their utility bills then they would benefit and the earth would benefit as well.

The web site for the DOE Weatherization Assistance Program is:

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12346

A Wedding, A Grandson, A Cold, What A Week

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:43:42 -0700

I'm back. Last week was a whirlwind marriages, baby sitting, work, and sickness. I must be a multi-tasker because I was able to get through the week and get rested this past weekend.

In prior post I spoke of some of the panic and getting ready for my daughter's wedding. Well Saturday, a week ago, was a beautiful day for an outdoor wedding. The wedding went off without a hitch and after a nice reception, they were off on their honeymoon and we were off with a 10 month old grandson.

For the next 4 days we took care of our grandson or he took care of us. How old am I? I must be 105 after getting woke up a couple of times a night, feedings, temper tantrums, crawling and getting into stuff, etc., etc., etc. It's been awhile and I felt it by the time the happy couple came to get him on Wednesday.

Then my son, wife, and I all got a cold and spent the next 2 days sniffing, sneezing, and coughing. Wow, what a way to end the week.

Easter Sunday was a beautiful day and we went for a great walk around Swan Lake. We really enjoyed the trip.

So to wrap it up, the wedding of our daughter, keeping our grandson, colds, and finished by a fantastic Easter Sunday. We had a great week!

Panic Is Over - The Wedding Was A Success

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:55:16 -0700

Last week I posted a blog on the last minute panic before my daughter's wedding. Well, maybe the panic was justified. My son and I made the trip to Columbia for him to tie on his tux. Boy, am I glad we did. We took the tux out of the bag and the pants were hemmed about 7 inches too short. Yes, you read that right, 7 inches. How they got that measurement, I will never know. The shirt did not even fit. Well, we got another shirt and they had another pair of pants they could hem. We had to leave and hopefully the tux would fit when he got to try it on Friday. Whew, it fit perfectly, and the panic was over. We enjoyed a fun rehearsal and then dinner.

The weather on Saturday was beautiful with all sun, upper 70's and light winds. Couldn't have asked for a better day for an outdoor wedding and everything fell into place. Christy and her attendants were all beautiful and Darrell and his party were all decked out in their finest. Soon the happy couple were wed and started their new life together.

All the panic, preparation and nerves led to a beautiful day for the families and full of memories for the newly married couple.

Can't detect the little bit of pride and relief, can you? ;-)

Daughter Getting Married - We Have Entered the Panic Stage

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:34:53 -0700

This upcoming weekend my daughter will be getting married and we have entered the panic stage. You know the stage. If ANYTHING, no matter how small, is not just right, the world is ending and life CANNOT go on as we know it stage. Remember, I am the dad and just along for the ride, right? Wrong!

It started out with questions. What do you think about this, or how can we do that. As the day approaches the dad task have started picking up also. Today it was, you need to drive to Columbia to have my brother try on his tux. It can't wait because Friday will be too late. If you don't get him here tomorrow, WE CAN'T GET IT FIXED IN TIME. Then I made the big Dad BOO BOO! I said, "Well it's not our fault the tux place was 4 days late getting the tux back." Thats when my daughter got her low voice and told me it needed to be done. Dad's you know the voice, the low voice meaning if you don't do it, THE WORLD WILL END AND YOU WILL BE THE CAUSE, voice. OK, I'll move heaven and earth and work that 21/2 hour trip into my schedule. We'll get through this and everything will be fine. If we survive the Panic Stage.

Women's History Month - The WAF

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:28:18 -0700

March is Women's History Month. I would like to take a few minutes to tell of some women that have served and are serving their country in a big way. In 1948 Harry S Truman established the WAF (Women in the Air Force) not long after the Air Force became a separate service in 1947.

The WAF served in many career fields but were mainly clustered in the medical and clerical fields. Staff Sergeant Esther Blake was the first WAF and she was the first female to enlist in the new AF on July 8, 1948. In 1976, women were recruited into the AF with the same standards as men and the WAF was a thing of the past.

When I enlisted in the Air Force in 1981, women were serving in many fields but were still mainly in the medical and clerical fields. During my 22 years, women moved from those fields to Security Police, aircraft maintenance, pilots, weather forecasters, munitions, vehicle operators, and the list goes on. Today almost 20% of the Air Force is female and they are driving through the dangerous streets of Iraq and Afghanistan, flying airlift missions and combat missions, guarding bases and camps, as well as riding gun positions on convoys.

Things have come a long way and today's Air Force is getting the mission done with men and women in key roles. My hat's off to the men and women that I have had the honor to serve with and those that are serving today and tomorrow.

"Boogity, Boogity, Boogity, It's Time to Go Racing Boys!"

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:23:11 -0700

"Boogity, Boogity, Boogity, It's Time to Go Racing Boys!", the words of Darrell Waltrip, past NASCAR Champion and Fox Racing Analyst starts the broadcast of NASCAR races on Fox. On May 9th, these words will be said when NASCAR races at Darlington, SC, "The Track Too Tough To Tame". When the cameras pan across the crowd take a good look at the NASCAR fan's own economic stimulus package.

An AP story that ran today in The Item reported the economic impact of the race on Darlington and the state. A recent study by The Washington Economics Group studied the economic impact of the annual Mother's Day weekend race on the local area and the results are in. The impact is HUGE!

Darlington Raceway brings in $54 million to Darlington and the state each year. The report further breaks down the impact this way: $19 million in labor income to workers in SC; $7.9 million to federal, state, and local governments; and activities add $30 million to SC gross product. The article further states that 874 jobs are created in the region because of Darlington.

This Mother's Day weekend, NASCAR fans will bring their own form of economic stimulation to the Darlington region and the state of SC when they visit "The Track Too Tough To Tame".

Study: Darlington brings in $54 million to area.

Even if you are on the right track (Home Buying Message)

Ron Bridges (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc.) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:24:28 -0700

This is a great blog on sitting on the fence about buying a home.

Via Loreena Yeo - Broker|Realtor(R) of Frisco TX Homes For Sale (3:16 team REALTY):

I love this Will Roger's quote:

Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there...

This quote could be applied to so many situations and circumstances of our lives. Today, I'd like to take a few minutes to talk to some Frisco TX Home Buyers.
There are so many on-the-fence Frisco TX Home Buyers these days. Some of their reasons are:

Job uncertainty and insecurity

Looming economy

Not sure how low the Frisco TX home prices would go - but I'd sure what to buy at the bottom

The weather looks glooming

Because of today's Frisco TX Home Buyer's market, buyers are taking their own sweet time to make their important decision to proceed. There are lots of inventory out there so if they didn't get this house, there's another Frisco TX home out there waiting for them.

If my Frisco TX home buyers are anything like me, I'd probably want to buy an immaculate home that is attractively priced. Those that are moldy and smelly, or even ugly houses are not quite my cup of tea. Of course, in real estate everything is right if the price is right. So, even if there is a bad floorplan-ned house out there, given the right price, I might consider buying it too.

Fortunately or unfortunately, most Frisco TX home buyers think like me. They too want nice houses with great bargains.

Are there Frisco TX homes priced very well and are in immaculate conditions today? Of course there are.

But did you also know that they usually stay on the market only for about 2 weeks tops?

My Frisco TX home buyers and I have been out since late January 2009 scouting for great deals like these. I have seen so many attractively priced homes in move-in immaculate conditions that buyers are just putting offers on as soon as I walk out the door. It's real and it's happening.
Some buyers turn around to say this, "It's not meant to be then". As a strong-faith believer, I'd be the first to say YES to this. I understand.

But like Will Roger said, even if you are on the right track (found the right house for your family), you'll get run over if you just sit there (someone else will beat you to writing up an offer).

Sometimes clients just sit in an analysis-paralysis mode. Sometimes, you just got to get up and do!

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I proudly serve and sell real estate in the northern suburb cities of the Dallas metroplex. If you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home in neighborhoods of Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area and other surrounding areas and more importantly, want to work with a local area expert, contact me at your earliest convenience.

It is a competitive market, hence it is important that you choose to work with the realtor who knows these communities like none other. I employ a systematic market approach in selling your home - an intentionally unique proposal that most real estate agents do not use. If you care to be on your way to a successful closing, contact me immediately to see how different my proposition will be.

Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Copyright © 2009 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY). Even if you are on the right track (Home Buying Message).