Wordless Wednesday ~ Take Your Pick

Take Your Pick....This

 

or THIS

 

????

My clients emailed me this picture this morning wanting me to share the record breaking weather conditions.  They are having blizzard conditions with 30MPH winds and another 12" of snow is coming down.  They were able to shovel small walking paths to get from the house to the garage, etc.  They have a generator that will kick on if the normal power is lost.  They are warm, their cats are happy, they have plenty of food and the satellite TV is working, but they can't wait to get to Arizona to thaw out in their new Sun City Grand home in Surprise AZ!

If you looking to buy a home or sell a home in Sun City Grand in Surprise AZ, please contact me or visit my website at www.LEOLINDA.com.

I am a year-round Sun City Grand resident and a full-time Associate Broker Realtor®.

 

Leolinda Bowers
Associate Broker
Ken Meade Realty
Cell (602) 403-6865
Business (623) 937-5701

 

Sun City Grand ~ I live here, I work here, I know this community!
© 2007 Leolinda Bowers

 

About The Author Leolinda Bowers is an Associate Broker with Ken Meade Realty. She specializes in Arizona West Valley Retirement (55+) Communities. Leolinda has Bachelor of Science Degrees and a Masters Degree in Business Administration with Project Management concentration. In an organization of approximately 350 agents, she is a leading sales person who has proven sales experience in the current real estate market. Leolinda can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the adult communities of Sun City Grand, Sun City West, Surprise or Sun City Arizona.

© 2010 Leolinda Bowers (Arizona Retirement Communities Sun City West & Sun City Grand Real Estate). Unless otherwise noted, the content, both pictures and written, is the property of Leolinda Bowers. Reproduction in part or whole without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

Facebook Fan Pages

Facebook is all the rage. Like many, I can attest to the power of it. It truly is a powerful place! (*currently 96% of my business comes through facebook*) First let's talk about reasons for having one. Although many consultants don't want or need a fan page, I had very specific reasons for creating one.

 

1. I wanted to be able to post frequent content relevant to what I do, which wouldn't necessarily be relevant for all of my 'friends'. I wanted people to be able to 'optin' for posts rather than getting them just because we were friends.

2. I wanted people to be able to connect with me without having to 'do the friend thing'. For many, the idea of accepting friends on facebook is still considered literally, and many are uncomfortable sending a request to someone that they don't know.

 

3. To create a community of people with like-minded interests, and to be able to communicate with them in a 'space' uncluttered by farmville, friends and family.

 

Unfortunately, many people start fan pages for the wrong reasons. The do so simply because they think that because they have a business, they are 'supposed to', or they do it to have another place to advertise.

In a poll by Exact Target, 70% of facebook users say that they do not want to be advertised to by businesses that they are fans of. This confuses many businesses. They don't understand "why are they fans then?" The answer is, because they are! They became a fan of your page because they like you. They simply 'raised their hand' to say " I am a fan of..." That's it. They didn't say 'hi, I'm a fan, please post your ads on my wall!" In many cases, they only became a fan because they are your friend! This article is about creating and keeping true fans! In some cases they may become a fan because they want to know about upcoming events, MAYBE even sales, or specials (that is more common with larger brands, and they are only interested as long as they are in the market for that specific type of product). More often than not, that does not mean that they want you to advertise them the way that you are used to. Like email, the biggest mistake that businesses make is assuming that because the customer gave them their email address, or connected via facebook or elsewhere, that they can send whatever they want to.

They really only want what 'they want', not what you want them to want! The world has changed. In the old days, you could run commercials and people 'had to watch them', or at least they did. They only had so many channels to choose from, and not a lot of other home entertainment choices, and so they did. Those who could afford TV advertising won. But then there was cable..and Tivo...and... I often hear people say "but it works!" with regard to email spamming, and advertising in social media. "Everybody is doing it, so it must work!" I simply say "ok, then why did people rush to get on the do not call list? why do people have spam filters? why do people use Tivo and other tools to avoid commercials?" Because they don't want to hear it! Because they don't trust you anymore! The good news is, when they connect in social networks, they do so because they like you. As long as you allow them to, and don't abuse them, they will trust you too.

So, first let's talk about how to create a useless fan page:

1. Create a page and never come back! Or post randomly when you feel like it.

2. Create a page and have some assistant somewhere or a robot do all of the posting.

3. Only talk about you and your product and what YOU want to sell!

4. Don't allow fans to post, so it's all about YOU and what YOU have to say!

5. Use it as a billboard, and don't engage in conversation.

6. Delete criticisms/complaints rather than respectfully addressing them.

How to create an effective fan page should be somewhat obvious at this point, but let me clarify and add a few, to be sure!

 

How to create a GREAT Facebook Fan Page that is useful and effective!

1. Be there at least twice a day. Once to post, and again to respond to any comments.

2. Post content of value to your fans - RELEVANT to THEM and their interests. (this may be articles about the upcoming trends, your vendors, suppliers, or strategic partners, or simply stuff that you know that they care about. It doesn't have to just be about you)

3. Remember it's not all about you!

4. Engage in conversation! Ask questions, say thank you, and respond to comments.

5. Ask them what they want!

6. Think about who you are talking to! Do you know who they are? what they like?

7. Think of ways to add value offline, and tell them about it online. Some ideas: Have a fan appreciation party at your office or store Cold & nasty outside? Tell them you understand and you've made fresh hot cider for them if they want to stop by and warm up! Ask them what they are looking for or need right now & find ways to offer it to them! Reward them!!! Give them deals, information and 'perks' for being your fan! Remember, they publicly raised their hand and said "I like you"! That matters! Let them know that you appreciate them.

8. Be human! Let YOU shine through. The days of corporate identity, and hiding behind logo's is a thing of the past. We like and trust people, not logos. Brand your logo, use your logo, but put a face behind it. If it can't be you, give it to someone in your company that can and will be your face. (You have to let them be real and authentic, and clear about who they are though. They can't be posing as you!).

9. Be bold! So many businesses are so worried about their image that they don't even have one! When you try to please everyone, you please no one. The world is noisy, you've got to stand out. You don't have to be overtly outrageous. Just be you! You are unique already (but nobody will know it if you don't let it show!)

10. Remember, if you want to build your fan base, give them a reason to be there! You wanting a certain number isn't enough. Let's face it, they don't care how many fans you want. Give them value, be remarkable and be relevant!

When you do, they will bring you more fans.

5 Secrets to Adding Value with Facebook - Click to View

You can find my facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/RealHeatherO

Clothes Dryer Fires

 

You always hear the stories about houses burning down from Christmas tree lights, or clothes dryers, but you always think that it won't happen to you. I thought that until today.

Just like every other time I do laundry, I load up the washer put in a load and leave. When it's done I move it to the dryer and again, I leave to do other stuff. Sometimes I even leave the house with the dryer running. I'm sure most of you do this also.

there are an estimated annual 15,500 fires, 10 deaths and 10 injuries due to clothes dryer fires

Today, I started the dryer with a load of wet clothes, and went on my way to do other chores. I happen to walk by the dryer area and smelled a burning odor. I have never smelled this before, but I knew something was wrong right away and had a suspicion it was the dryer.

We have a side loading washer and dryer which means there is a horizontal surface on the top of them that we can put clothes and cleaning products. At this time we had a couple towels on the top. I moved the towels to get a closer look. Trying to look behind the dryer I put my hands on the top of it and got burned.

The top was not slightly hot, or hot to the touch, it was "Holy #&*@" this thing is going to melt.

I turned it off, let it cool and then unplugged it. I Googled "top of dryer hot" and found a lot of results about this topic. clogged vent, faulty electrical were the top two reasons.

I plugged it back it and started it. This time I was feeling the top to see how fast it got hot. Amazingly, within a minute it was too hot to touch!

I thought for sure this was an electrical problem. No way a clogged vent will cause the dryer to get this hot, that is ridiculous. For sure the dryer would have some sort of shutoff if the vent was clogged and the dryer was over heating.

Since I can't fix an electrical problem, I checked the vent first. I found it was a clog, in the vent inside our walls. Unfortunately the vent is really long and has a few 90 degree bends, so i can't unclog it. Time to call a plumber.

---

Now I'm Freakin Mad!

It's 2010. My dryer is 2 years old and due to a simple clog in the vent, I was probably 5-10 minutes away from a fire in my home. My life, my wife's life, and my baby's life were all at risk.

I think it's really ironic that there are sensors in the dryer that know when the clothes are dry, yet, there are no sensors to tell when the vent is clogged, or that the dryer is overheating???

Any inventors out there... Solve this problem and you will stop 15,000 fires a year!

---

Funny thing is, I have had a house of mine catch on fire...

But I bet you can't guess what caused it? Take a guess in the comment section.

The person that makes the right guess wins the satisfaction of being Captain Awesome for a day!

Like my friend to the left ;)

Foreclosure Looming? What To Do Right Away...

Below please find an excerpt from a new web site found at www.houselogic.com developed by the National Association of Realtors. This site offers a lot of good and timely advise and information covering the entire range of the home owning, buying, selling and renting issues.

This article, written by Jerry DeMuth, attempts to inform you of your options if you are unable to keep up with your mortgage payments. More such valuable content can be found at NAR's www.houselogic.com site:

"Excerpt Start"

A record high 2.8 million properties were hit with foreclosure notices in 2009. That's the bad news. The good news: About two-thirds of notices don't result in actual foreclosures, says Doug Robinson of NeighborWorks, a nonprofit group that offers foreclosure counseling.

Many homeowners find alternatives to foreclosure by negotiating with lenders, often with the help of foreclosure counselors. If you're facing foreclosure, call your lender right now to determine your options, which can include loan modification, forbearance, or a short sale.

Foreclosure process takes time

The entire foreclosure process can take anywhere from two to 12 months, depending on how fast your lender acts and where you live. Some states allow a nonjudicial process that's speedier, while others require time-consuming judicial proceedings.

Once you miss at least one mortgage payment, the steps leading up to an actual foreclosure sale can include demand letters, notices of default, a recorded notice of foreclosure, publication of the debt, and the scheduling of a foreclosure auction. Even when an auction is scheduled, however, it may never occur, or it may occur but a qualified buyer doesn't materialize.

Bottom line: Foreclosure can be a long slog, which gives you enough time to come up with an alternative. Meantime, if your goal is to salvage your home, think about keeping up with payments for homeowners insurance and property taxes. Otherwise, you could compound your problems by getting hit with an uncovered casualty loss or liability suit, or tax liens.

Read the fine print

Start by reviewing all correspondence you've received from your lender. The letters-and phone calls-probably began once you were 30 days past due. Also review your mortgage documents, which should outline what steps your lender can take. For instance, is there a "power of sale" clause that authorizes the sale of your home to pay off a mortgage after you miss payments?

Determine the specific foreclosure laws for your state. What's the timeline? Do you have "right of redemption," essentially a grace period in which you can reverse a foreclosure? Are deficiency judgments that hold you responsible for the difference between what your home sells for and your loan's outstanding balance allowed? Get answers.

Pick up the phone

Don't give up because you missed a mortgage payment or two and received a notice of default. Foreclosure isn't a foregone conclusion, but it's heading in that direction if you don't call your lender. Dial the number on your mortgage statement, and ask for the Loss Mitigation Department. You might stay on hold for a while, but don't hang up. Once you do get someone on the line, take notes and record names.

The next call should be to a foreclosure avoidance counselor approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. One of these counselors can, free of charge, explain your state's foreclosure laws, discuss alternatives to foreclosure, help you organize financial documents, and even represent you in negotiations with your lender. Be wary of unsolicited offers of help, since foreclosure rescue scams are common.

Be sure to let your lender know that you're working with a counselor. Not only does it demonstrate your resolve, but according to NeighborWorks, homeowners who receive foreclosure counseling are 1.6 times more likely to avoid losing their homes than those who don't. Homeowners who receive loan modifications with the help of a counselor also reduce monthly mortgage payments by $454 more than homeowners who receive a modification without the aid of a counselor.

Lender alternatives to foreclosure

Hope Now, an alliance of mortgage companies and housing counselors, can aid homeowners facing foreclosure. A self-assessment tool will give you an idea whether you might be eligible for help from your lender, and there are direct links to HUD-approved counseling agencies and lenders' foreclosure-prevention programs.

There are alternatives to foreclosure that your lender might accept. The most attractive option that'll allow you to keep your home is a loan modification that reduces your monthly payment. A modification can entail lowering the interest rate, changing a loan from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate, extending the term of a loan, or eliminating past-due balances. Another option, forbearance, can temporarily suspend payments, though the amount will likely be tacked on to the end of the loan.

If you're unable to make even reduced payments, and assuming a conventional sale isn't possible, then it may be best to turn your home over to your lender before a foreclosure is completed. A completed foreclosure can decimate a credit score, which will make it hard not only to purchase another home someday, but also to rent a home in the immediate future.

Your lender can approve a short sale, in which the proceeds are less than what's still owed on your mortgage. A deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, which amounts to handing over your keys to your lender, is another possibility. The earlier you begin talks with your lender, the more likelihood of success.

Explore government programs

The federal government's Making Home Affordable program offers two options: loan modification and refinancing. A self-assessment will indicate which option might be right for you, but you need to apply for the program through your lender. A Making Home Affordable loan modification requires a three-month trial period before it can become permanent.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have their own foreclosure-prevention programs as well. Check to determine if either Fannie or Freddie owns your mortgage. Present this information to your lender and your counselor. Fannie and Freddie also have rental programs under which former owners can remain in recently foreclosed homes on a month-to-month basis.

The federal Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program, which takes full effect in April 2010, offers lenders financial incentives to approve short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure. It also provides $1,500 in relocation assistance to borrowers. Again, talk to your lender and counselor.

Written by: Jerry DeMuth, who has written about mortgages and other financial issues for more than two decades for trade publications, major newspapers, and consumer magazines. His writing has received four awards and has been included in eight non-fiction books.

"Excerpt End"

Palm Springs is gearing up for Modernism Week - Starting Feb. 12

Palm Springs will be hosting the annual Modernism Week starting on Friday. 

Over 10,000 architecture aficionados will be flocking to Palm Springs for the annual Modernism Week to discover the largest collection of mid-century modern architecture in the country. The 10-day event is scheduled for February 12-21, 2010, featuring more than 40 events including architectural tours, films, book signings, and film screenings, as well as chic galas and tours of mid-century modern homes. A vintage car and Airstream trailer show are new events this year.

http://palmspringsrealestatenews.com/palm-springs-is-a-mecca-for-mid-century-modern-architecture/

I will be sponsoring a booth at the Modernism Show on Saturday and Sunday and handing out FREE Mid-Century Neighborhood Maps to those that stop by. 

 Another great opportunity, will be a chance to party at the famous Elrod house designed by Lautner (used to film one of the James Bond movies)  One of the most iconic Palm Springs homes.

Hope to see you there!
 

TO ALL OF YOU IN THE MD, DC, PA AREA: A LITTLE SALT IN YOUR WOUNDS FROM THE SUNNY FLORIDA KEYS

 

To all of you up North that haven't been to the Florida Keys or purchased your vacation home in paradise~~~~What in the world are you waiting for?

Isn't 40 inches of snow in one week enough to make you at least want to come for a visit and see why I've been telling you this is the greatest place on earth?

Mother Nature is trying to tell you something...Now is the time to buy a home in the Florida Keys.

I have searched and cannot find any record of snowfall in the Florida Keys. We do get a few cold days usually late December and January but never snow and never cold for more than a week or two.

 

Avg. High

Avg. Low

Mean

Avg. Precip

Record High

Record Low

 

Feb

78°F

57°F

67°F

1.63 in.

92°F (1993)

28°F (1995)

 

Mar

80°F

60°F

70°F

1.87 in.

89°F (2003)

33°F (1986)

 

Apr

83°F

64°F

74°F

2.06 in.

94°F (1971)

43°F (1964)

 

May

87°F

69°F

78°F

5.06 in.

96°F (1985)

48°F (1992)

 

Jun

89°F

73°F

81°F

7.25 in.

104°F (1998)

58°F (1977)

 

Jul

90°F

74°F

82°F

4.73 in.

100°F (1998)

62°F (1981)

 

Aug

90°F

74°F

82°F

7.43 in.

97°F (2006)

63°F (1996)

 

Sep

89°F

74°F

82°F

7.20 in.

102°F (2001)

60°F (1988)

 

Oct

87°F

69°F

78°F

4.26 in.

99°F (1999)

41°F (1989)

 

Nov

83°F

64°F

73°F

2.46 in.

91°F (2001)

36°F (1970)

 

Dec

79°F

59°F

69°F

1.57 in.

92°F (2001)

25°F (1989)

 

Marathon, FL (33050) Weather Facts

July is the average warmest month. The highest recorded temperature was 104°F in 1998. The average coolest month is January. The lowest recorded temperature was 25°F in 1989. The maximum average precipitation occurs in August.

 

 

Put down the snow shovel, go get on line and email me so we can get you into a Florida Keys vacation home before the next snowfall~~~~

• It's warm, sunny and the best place to escape the snow!!

• Just 100 miles south of Miami

• Fly into Miami, Ft Lauderdale or Key West airports

• Sip margaritas at the tiki bar

• Fish for tarpon, grouper, swordfish....

• Snorkel

• Dive

• Walk the beaches

 

Come to the Florida Keys and never have to shovel snow ever again

~~~~My Guarantee

 

Call Kelly Willey, Broker at Coco Plum Realtors for all of your 

LUXURY FLORIDA KEYS REAL ESTATE Needs

 

 FLORIDA KEYS VACATION RENTALS

 FREE MARATHON KEY SHORT SALE LIST

FREE FLORIDA KEYS REAL ESTATE SEARCH

305-289-2212

Not Just Listed...SOLD...we get RESULTS!!!

• Superior Marketing Programs that Get RESULTS!!
• SHORT SALE LISTINGS Specialists
• REO & Foreclosure Team
• Commercial Real Estate
• Vacation Rental Programs
• Property Management

Google wants a piece of Facebook!

Google is expected to announce this week that they are looking for a piece of the Facebook pie.  No longer happy with the Search Engine or Cellphone business Google is now looking at adding Facebook type features to it's Gmail platform.

Since Facebook is currently adding a "Messenger" type service to its platform Google is looking to counter that move.  Google already allows its' Gmail users to leave short "status updates" much like Twitter and Facebook.  Google is planning on allowing these messages to aggregate, which will create a stream of notifications. 

Since Gmail currently has over 150,000,000 users it will be interesting to see how this unfold over the next year or two.

__________________________________________

Wayne Golliday
SEO Redefined
Receive Your FREE Website Analysis!

  

SEORedefined
OnlineMarketingServicesForRealtors
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Remodeling: What Works in Today's Economy?

Despite a slow market and a slight decrease in the resale value of most remodeling projects, Realtors® report that the smartest home improvement investments may also be some of the least expensive. Results from the 2009 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report show that...

read more here

Angie Stephens
Ebby Halliday Realtors
Collin County Texas Homes
469-236-9899

 

 

The Blizzard Diaries: The Politics of Snowplows

The Blizzard Diaries:  The Politics of Snowplows

The fortunes of many DC mayors have come and gone with blizzards and the way they handled snow removal on residential streets.

During a big one in the 1990's, our then mayor was enjoying himself at the Superbowl.  And that (among other things) was his downfall.

Now, Adrian Fenty, our young and energetic leader, is facing a re-election very soon, and you'd think he'd learn from the mistakes of his predecessors. 

While I was in Hawaii during the December snow, it sounds like the Department of Public Works did a pretty decent job with the all-important snow removal.  But this time it's different.

OK, I'll give him a break for the difference between a 16 inch snow and a 20-something accumulation, but there is something that I'm annoying myself with. 

Mayor Fenty is my neighbor.  He lives around the corner from my house.

Between his house and the nearest big traffic artery, you can actually see pavement.  You can drive on it without risking your life.

But it's Tuesday, and my block has yet to see a snow plow!

Now, I always thought it would be good to live so close to the mayor, that in an effort to impress the guy the Department of Public Works would get to our streets right after the major arteries got cleared.  But not this time.

During Fenty's tenure, things have worked.  Our trash gets picked up.  Potholes get filled.  Even the test scores in the DC public schools are on the upswing. 

And I have to wonder: is it fair to hold a mayor responsible for the aftermath of such a force of nature?  Well, my guess is that he might find that life is not fair as his fund raising appeals go out to a constituency that will look at them and remember the blizzard of 2010 and how they couldn't leave home after five freakin' days!

And fair or not, it's going to be his fault.

But at least he wasn't at the Superbowl over a weekend when Washingtonians could not get to Superbowl parties!

Please, oh, please...Give me a snow day!

My husband wakes me up every morning around 5 a.m...just before he heads out the door for his job at the radio station.  I usually turn on the radio to get the latest news and lay there with my covers up to my nose contemplating how cold it's gonna be moving from my bed to the the bathroom.  This morning, as I laid there shivering under my covers, I heard about how Washington, D.C. and other parts of the country were in for yet another "snow day". 

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...snow days.  I remember that...  I grew up in the Midwest and remember many a nite (when I hadn't completed my term paper or hadn't studied for a test) praying for God to dump enough snow for the superitendent to call it a "snow day".  There was nothing better than to look out your window in the morning and see about 10 inches of snow sitting on top of your car and not being able to see the road in front of your house.  It would be one of the few times we would bound out of bed and run to the radio to hear if there were any school closings. 

My Mom and Dad would be yelling in the background, "You better get ready!  If they don't call it...then you all will be scrambling to be on time to school!"  They were right...but we hoped against all odds that they would call a "snow day".  When the announcement would be made...there would be great rejoicing in the house...at least until we realized that we were out of milk and there was nothing to eat.  Even so...we would work around it and then start making plans on how we would spend our day to do nothing.  Some of my fondest memories were of those days we were forced to do "nothing" and spend time with each other.  There was no place to go...except maybe to go outside and make snowmen and clear driveways.  We made do with what we had to eat in the house and we played games that had been pushed in the back side of our closets.

We don't have snow days in Texas.  And...I am sure there are those of you in other parts of the Active Rain community that wish your snow days were over.  For me...I laid in bed this morning...wishing for a snow day...