Don's Blog

NEWSPAPER FUNERAL

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:16:31 -0500

Do you understand why the newspaper business chose to Kill their own business? You would think that they would have noticed the advent of the computer and IPhones and other forms of communication. I think that they never got their heads out of the sand and thought it would always be as always.

The change in the funeral march actually came a long time before the little black boxes on our desk's. First of all when the classified ad rates jumped 200 percent and reduced the numbers of people using this form of marketing was the first notes of the funeral march. They did not stop to think this move out very well. About 50 percent of the paper sales came from people reading the classifieds. Good thinking guys and gals, we will just increase the price of ads so much we won't need to publish all of those little old ads and we won't need to print all of those copies.

The latest brain waves rippled through the business when most of the papers decided to increase the prices by twenty five percent. Good thinking again this will surely increase our sales, what did you say. Most Sunday papers went from $1.50 to $2.00 per copy that will work.

Just a clue to the newspapers get back in the advertising business, cut ad prices it will increase circulation. If you need to save ink cut out some of the funny papers, that's old business and way out of date. They say print advertising does not work anymore for real estate but I think if we could afford the type of ads that we used in the past it would work for the real estate companies and the newspapers.

NEW TAX CREDIT PLAN

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:40:10 -0600

Fix Housing First is a coalition of 600 organizations led by the National Association of Home Builders, are urging Congress to take quick and decisive action to stimulate the housing market and stop the decline in home values which will ultimately create more jobs and help lift the American economy.

According to the coalition, this can be done through a significant tax credit and implementation of an interest rate buy-down for 30 year fixed rate mortgages.

THE TAX CREDIT: In July,President Bush signed into law the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 which authorized a $ 7,500 tax credit for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing homes on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009. However, due to a wave of financial disruptions during September and October, the economy has worsened, credit has tightened further, and spillover to the general economy has been much deeper than anticipated. This means a more robust economic stimulus package is necessary to get the economy moving again.

Specifically, a more significant credit is needed to enable families to buy homes and help strengthen the economy of their local community and the nation. In the plan that the coalition is recommending, the credit amount would be substantially increased to 10 percent of the price of the home, up to $ 22,000.00. Unlike the currant credit, it would not be limited to first time home buyers and the home owner would not be required to repay the credit.

THE INTEREST BUYDOWN: The coalition is also recommending a mortgage interest rate buy-down which will help get buyers back into the market and further stimulate the economy. Interest rates recommended by the coalition range from 3.99 to 2,99 percent for home purchased before the end of December 2009.

The coalition also supports continued intensive efforts to prevent foreclosures. and keep people in their homes. The combination of these stimulus actions would increase demand for housing, help stabilize home values, reduce foreclosures, restore and save tens of thousands of jobs and turn the housing and the economy back in the right direction.

For more information about Fix Housing First, visit www.fixhousingfirst.com This article written by Fred Elsner, president of The Greater San Antonio Builders Association and appeared in The San Antonio News; posted by Don Eichler,Broker, with permission by Fred Elsner.

HOW IS YOUR BOARD MEMBERSHIP

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:03:35 -0600

Most Board of Realtors in each part of the state are losing membership as of the middle of Janurary. How is your board doing membership wise? We are in the Kerrville Board of Realtors (KBOR) in Kerr County. As of our board letter today the board membership has lost 47 members.

I do not know what the membership loss will be by the end of this month but for this size of board I think this is a very large amount. At this time this is about fifteen percent of last years member list. There is always a loss in membership when the real estate business is in recession. However most of uis do not think that this slowdown is going to be for the long haul.

So how is your board membership holding up as far as member loss? When do you think the bottom will be or are we there now?

I WAS TAGGED FOR A MEME 7-ABOUT ME

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:43:44 -0600

I have been tagged by my good friend Amy Boehm and like I have Nothing to do so here we go. When tagged with this 7 MEME it is to be 7 things about me. I think 7 would just about cover things that people are not that interested in about me. However for Amy I am going to do it.

Things you might not want to know about me.

1. I was born in Texas, only second generation American on my fathers side of the family.

2. I have been in the real estate business since I bought my first new home at nineteen years old.

3. Side note: I won't say anything about Amy's Ohio Buckeye football game with Texas last night.

4. I love the Frio River and all of The Hill Country.

5. I am married to another real estate broker, twenty five years. A lot of people know Ricki.

6.I have one pet, Jaggi our talking cat.

7. I have seven grand children. The oldest just graduated from TCU on December 20th.

8. I am doing eight to make up for number 3 above. I love to help other people, people that I don't even know is the most fun..

The Rules To Pass On.

1.Create a blog post with a link to the one who tagged you. See at the top.

2. List all of the rules in the post.

3.Share 7 things hat others do not know about you or have had a life outside real estate.

4. ID 7 friends or near friends, contacts or enemies which to adorn this MEME. Tag them at the end of the post.

5.Contact each frend to let them know that you tagged them and were fast enough to catch them with the tag no matter how they say you missed them! No schoolyard rules in this MEME, you gotta do it. Sorry, 7 friends.

YOU ARE IT:

Ronda Jones

Tiffany Cloud

Robin Rogers

Karen Ann Stone

Carl & Ceil Winters

Shirley Parks

Km Daugherty

BEFORE AND AFTER FIXER

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 20:58:56 -0600

Here are some before and after photographs of a small 1500 sq ft house that we rehabed early this year. The house set on a very beautiful ten acre tract of land with great views of the hills and the valley below. The land at the time of purchase was worth more than the house. We completely removed everything in the house except the drywall and doors. Replaced all windows, roof,of course new paint outside and inside. All new appliances, floor covering and carpet and new cabinets. This was a very worthwhile project on this house and we were able to sell it to the first prospect within one week.

Kitchen Kitchen

Sun Room Sun Room

Living Room Living Room

Utility Room/Well room Now just utility room

Front View

These before and after pictures are just a small amount of pictures that show the changes in this house.

MY FAVORITE WINTER DAY

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:15:53 -0600

YES, OR IS IT NO! It is no because I don't like any Winter day unless it is like today, 74 degrees and sunshine. Almost like Spring, except we have about three more months of Winter weather ahead. But Yes, because December 21st, the first day of Winter is the shortest day of sunlight and therefore the longest day of dark or would that be night?

Anyway, December 22nd begins the process of adding daylight hours to each day. Yes, it is only two minutes each day but just think, in 30 days we will have one more whole hour of daylight. I just do not like dark days and when it is six o'clock in the afternoon and it seems like it is nine o'clock at night I cannot wait until we have long days of daylight. Even if it rains in the daylight hours I like it better than dark day-nights.

YOUR DOLLARS ARE NOW WORTH MORE NOW WHAT

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:53:21 -0600

OK, YOUR DOLLARS ARE WORTH A LOT MORE NOW WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BUY? You say what my money is worth more now with all of the deflation going on. Yes, your dollar is worth almost double what it was a year ago and you can buy a lot more now than you could a few months ago.

How does this work. Well money is worth more now because of deflation of products and goods. You can buy gas for more 63% less than just a few months ago. You can buy a new pickup for $17,000.00 that was marked $ 25,000.00 six months ago. You can even buy a house for 50% of the listing price of a few months ago. So your money is worth more now than at any time in most peoples life time.

If you have anything that you want to sell in the way of personal value now is the time to turn it into dollars. Good old cash talks when we are covered up with deflation. For the investor in real estate the near future is a investors dream. You know the story buy low sell high at a latter date. One of the best investments after the first of the year will be in dollars. The other money markets are going to fall and again the dollar will lead the way. Put all the cash you can into a safe place even if it does not return that much interest at this time.

NEW SIGN OF STROKE HELP SAVE A LIFE

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:20:44 -0600

THERE IS A NEW SIGN OF A STROKE IN PROSESS THAT CAN HELP SAVE LIVES IF CHECKED. First let us review the standard test to check for a stroke in progress.

S * Ask the person to SMILE.

T* Ask the person to Speak a simple sentence (Coherently) i.e. It is sunny out today.

R* Ask the person to raise both arms.

If he or she has trouble with any one of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

THE NEW STROKE SIGN--------STICK OUT YOUR TONGUE. If the tongue is crooked or goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

If ten people get this message at least one person will be saved. A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke....totally. The trick is getting the stroke recognized, diagnosed, and getting the patient medically cared for in the shortest time possible.

Pass it on ...SAVE A LIFE, it may be your own.

DEER IN THE BIRD FEEDER

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 19:19:59 -0600

Yes, we have deer everywhere, in the bird bath, the bird feeder, the water sprinkler, the front yard and the back yard. We have about 30 Axis and 12 Whitetail that use our back yard for a place to bed down at night. There so many deer and antelope in The Hill Country that many of them get killed just crossing the highways to either get to the river for water of to the ranchers hay fields to eat. The largest Whitetail buck that I have seen here was two blocks from the police station in downtown Kerrville walking right down the middle of the street. Here are a few pictures of the deer that make a home in our backyard.

I could sped a lot of time photographing the wildlife but there are just so many hours in a day.

Don Eichler -Kerrville

Me Me Book Tag

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:38:30 -0600

Well, my good friend Dale just tagged me on the Book Tag that is making the rounds so here is the response.

It became summer when Meusebach persuaded D.K. Klaener to write the mayor of Bremen and tell of the verin's financial plight, the summer when the Monken family made their desperate and deadly trek from Carlshaven to New Braunfels.

As we know, Count Castell responded to Kalener's embarrassing plea by sending $60,000. to Texas. The money came in a note carried by Castell's special agent, Phillip Cappes. There is an air of skullduggery about Cappes; his correspondence with Castell refers to the "complicated purpose of my coming." He was sent to gather dirt on Meusebach; Count Castell was making sure that there would be someone to blame for the colony's plight.

The above from "The German Settlement of The Texas Hill Country". A very interesting book by Jefferson Morgenthaler first edition October 2007. A very interesting book about the first Germans to settle in the Texas Hill Country, the hardships of the people, so many died shortly after landing in Texas. The founding of New Braunfels, Castell and Fredericksburg and the large land grants never developed. The first to arrive from Germany in 1845 had a very tough time in the process of landing in a new frontier. The first eye surgery for cataracts was performed by Dr. Ferdinand Heff on a Comanche Indian in 1847 on the open land along the Llano River.

So there you have my book. The above does not do it justice because the history of the Hill Country is so much more than a few words can express.

Now to tag someone that least expects it.

COLOR ON THE GUADALUPE RIVER

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:16:58 -0600

The color of the Cypress trees and assorted other trees along the river in Kerrville are at their peak. Here are a few photos of the river near the Kerrville Park on Hwy 173. I am sure the rain this week will remove a lot of the leafs later this week. I hope you get to visit and see and photograph the vivid color.

A DAY IN PICTURES AT LOST MAPLES PARK

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:27:11 -0600

What a Good Day at Lost Maples Park the weather was great and the tree color is just out of this world. This area is so Blessed to have such a large park to enjoy the trails and wildlife even dinosaur tracts in the rocks. The color of the trees will still be in full color for the next few days so try to make the trip. The park is located on hwy 187 just north of Vanderpool and about 45 minutes SW of Kerrvuille. Here are some photos to enjoy.

Texas is Blessed with so many beautiful parks and Lost Maples is one that provides a real experience for the outdoor hikers and back packers.

FLIP OR FLOP YOUR CHOICE

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:38:10 -0500

I do not like to word Flip but I hate Flop most. The Flip word seems to be a slang word attached to properties that real estate investors purchase to make a living. Most real estate investors do a good job in putting properties back on the tax rolls in addition to providing a home for the purchasers of the property.

Almost all real estate agents purchase a property at some point in their business life with the goal of making a profit. Making money seems to be the point of working long and hard hours as investors and agents seek to be successful in the real estate world. Very few times does it become a Flop instead of a Flip. Most of the time a Flop is because the workmanship is not good or failure to correct some very bad physical problem with the property.

Investors or agents sometime get into the very basic mistake of spending their profit right out the window. You know the game "OH thats just a hundred dollars." If you have a budget and it will provide a property that can be sold within a reasonable time frame for a fair price do not keep adding that special treatment or appliance when it is not needed to sell the property.

Do you have a better name than FLIP if so comment.

NEW TIRES BETTER CHECK THE AGE

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:02:55 -0500

If you think that all new purchased tires are in fact new better look again. Some of the tires purchased as new are in fact tires that should not be sold as new because of their age. Tires that are six years old or older should not even be used on the road because of deterioration due to age. The Department of Transportation warns of older new tires being sold when they should not be on the road.

How to tell the age of your tires no matter when you purchased them. Here are the meanings of the DOT Codes. First check for the DOT letters on the sidewall of the tire this means that the tire meets DOT safety standards. The next letters after the DOT are the code for the tire plant. The next numbers are the tire size code. The next four letters are the tire brand code. The next four numbers are the date code or when the tire was made.

These numbers are the week of the year and the year code for when the tire was made. The last four numbers in this example are 4202 so this tire was made the 42nd week of 2002. A tire with the numbers 3306 was made the 33rd week of 2006. Tires made in the 90's had only three numbers such as 403 so this tire was made the 40th week of 1993.

Be sure and take a look at any new tire that you purchase before they are installed on your vehicle. Be sure to check all of the tires not just one. I purchased a set of four new tires at a major tire company. I got in my pickup and drove to a lube station to have the oil changed and when I got out of the truck I noticed that the tire on the left rear had mud on it. Now this was back early in the summer and it had not rained in six months. As I looked at the tire it appeared to be almost new but it was seven years old.

When I went back to the tire store and complained and they could not understand why I was a little upset. I called the home office and they had the same approach. I did get the tire replaced but that was not the point. If I had not noticed the tire and had a blow out on that tire it could have been serious. I found out that it was a spare on a customer's pickup that they had sold a new set and put the tire in stock as new. The date number on the tires that I now have on my pickup is 4007, so they were built the 40th week of 2007. Be sure and check tire age on all vehicles that you have on the road, look for age wear etc.

HLLO, HELLO, HELLO WHERE ARE YOU PEOPLE???

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 21:52:20 -0500

HELLO! This is only posted on this group but I wonder WHY no one in this group comments on some of these great blogs. It is as if no one cares about anything anyone blogs about except their own. The average good post averages 10% comments received but not on this group. I can not believe there can be some good post with 700 views and not one comment. Wake up everybody and let the other groups know that you are awake and not at a wake.

SWAN LAKE LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN IT

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:16:13 -0500

You need to view this film clip of Swan Lake, there are two parts to the film so be sure and view tha whole clip. You will not forget this presentation of Swan Lake and you will never see a ballerina and her lifter top this one. Outstanding and worth ever minute of you time. Go to www.sonnyradio.com and click on Swan Lake, be sure and watch all of it.

Tell me what you think of this after viewing.

More of Historic Castroville Texas Homes

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:27:56 -0500

Back again with some more pictures of historic homes in Castroville, Texas. I wish that I could show all of the historic homes in one blog and give the history of each but there is not enough room tdo so. However here are some more pictures with names and dates of construction. Move pointer across picture for description and age.

CASTROVILLE HISTORIC HOMES

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:12:05 -0500

There is so much history and so many historic homes in Castroville it is hard to choose your favorite one. These pictures are of The Tarde Hotel built in 1852 by Victor and Clarissa Tarde, natives of Calais, France. In his book, "A Journey Through Texas" Fredick Law Olmstead wrote of his arrival at Castroville in 1853: Upon the banks of the Medina River stands Castroville, a village containing a colony of Alsatians, who proudly call themselves Germans, but who speak French or a mixture of French and German.

There were many famous clients that stayed at this hotel, Robert E. Lee, Ronald S. MacKenzie, John Bell Hood, Edward Ord and Abner Doubleday were just a few. The currant owner is Jessie Caseres.

HISTORIC CASTROVILLE, TEXAS

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:18:28 -0500

Historic Castroville Texas a real gem right here in the edge of The Hill Country. Located only 22 miles from San Antonio on Highway 90 West. This little town will just make you fall in love again with the old homes and business buildings that have been preserved. Because the preservation of these buildings has been a love work for so many years it has not been a great restoration program. The buildings appear as they did back in the 1800's and the turn of that century. I do not know for sure how many of the old homes there are in Castroville but it would take a lot of time to do the counting.

The pictures here are just a few for this blog but I am going to add more blogs and pictures as I find time. There is so much to say about the town located on the banks of The Medina River and the history that abounds from every corner, you just need to make a trip to see for yourself. There are many good places to stay and fine French and German food and one of the best bakeries any where.

The town was founded by Henri Castro, born 1786 in Landes, France. As a young man he served in Napoleon's guard. He married Amelia Mathias in 1813 and he came to America in 1827 where he was appointed French consul in Road Island. He came to Texas in 1842 and received a land grant for 600 families each to receive 640 acres or 320 if single. Most of the families came from the Alsase-Lorriane. He brought 2100 immigrants to Texas before he died in 1864.

There is not enough with in this blog space to tell all about this beautiful town of 2,664 people but here are some pictures and one of my favorite buildings. The town is Designated a Preserve America Community.

THINGS TO SEE IN BANDERA CLARENCE THE CAMEL

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:45:38 -0500

Yes, The Free State of Bandera. Now that is not a disrespectable statement because there is so much freedom in Bandera to just be yourself, even if you want to be someone else. No one is judged by what they wear or how they dress or what they drive. You know that a lot of cowboys ride their horse to the night spots because they do not give tickets for riding your horse home when a little intoxicated. Matter of fact the horses know their way home, so no head on wrecks etc.

However, today while going through Bandera we stopped at The OST Restaurant to get some of their very good Mexican food. Now you can expect to see just about anything on the streets of Bandera, no surprise because each day there is another surprise. Well today as we walked to the front door of The OST there was a young man with his baby camel on the sidewalk talking to some visitors, nothing new just Bandera.

After we finished eating and were walking around the corner we saw Mr. Buffalo with his baby camel so we stopped to take their picture and ask a question or two. Mr. Buffalo, not his real name, has three month old Clarence, the baby camel and he brings him to town on the weekends so people can pet him and take his picture. The reason they call him Mr. Buffalo is because he also has a baby Buffalo that he brings to town for the same reason. People love baby animals no matter how big the baby. So when in Bandera, just act as if you knew you would see things that you did not think that you would see.

Mr Buffalo & Clarence The Camel on the streets of Bandera.

With BAKKEN, our gas could only be $ 1.50 per gallon

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:43:07 -0500

The largest oil field in the world that has not been developed yet and it is right here in the good old USA.

Google up The Bakken Formation. It tells about the report in April 2008 that will make you wonder why is this field not being drilled. No off shore stuff just good old dirt drilling. It will produce oil at $ 16.00 per barrel and estimated to be 503 billion barrels. The biggest producing oil field found in the last 56 years.

Located in Montana, North and South Dakota also into Canada. Check it out on The Free Site, wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakken_Formation. This area is known as the Williston Basen and there is enough light sweet oil to power America for 41 years.

This being the largest reserve in the world.

There is more oil here than in the Middle East.

If you haven't read enough already, read this from Snopes.com.

We need action in Washington. Read this report and ask questions. Send an email or letter to your congressmen. I have only touched on the scope of this report.

POSTAGE STAMP RESCUE

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:42:52 -0500

I KNOW THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS TO RECLAIM THOSE UNCANCELED POSTAGE STAMPS FROM A PACKAGE OR ENVELOP. I THOUGHT THAT IWOULD SHARE MY METHOD TO RECOVER SOME OF MY STAMP MONEY GLUED IN ERROR TO ANY TYPE OF PACKAGE. I HAD NOTICED THAT MY PILE OF STAMPS OF THE UNSENT MAIL HAD GROWN TO A FAIR SIZED PILE SO I SEARCHED ON GOOGLE AND AFTER READING SOME METHODS I THOUGHT THERE HAD TO BE A BETTER WAY.

SO IT GOES LIKE THIS TAKE A DISH THAT WILL WORK IN A MICROWAVE OVEN SEIZED TO THE TASK AHEAD AND FILL WITH ABOUT THREE EIGHTS INCH OF WATER. YOU NEED A DISH THAT WILL HOLD AS MANY STAMPS AS YOU WANT TO WORK WITH AT THE TIME. CUT THE STAMPS FROM THE ENVELOPE OR PACKAGE BUT DO NOT CUT TOO CLOSE TO THE STAMP LEAVING ENOUGH PAPER TO HOLD ON THE EDGE. THIS MAKES IT A LITTLE MORE EASY TO REMOVE THE STAMP FROM THE PACKAGE OR ENVELOPE. YOU CAN USE A LARGE PAIR OF TWEEZERS TO HELP REMOVE THE PAPER AFTER THE TRIP THROUGH THE MICROWAVE.

PLACE THE STAMPS FACE UP IN THE WATER DISH AND PLACE THE DISH IN THE OVEN. SET THE TIMER ON THE MICROWAVE AT ONE MINUTE AND FIFTEEN SECONDS. WHEN THE TIME IS UP REMOVE THE DISH AND LET SET FOR A SHORT TIME AND THE STAMPS WILL FLOAT FROM THE PAPER. YOU MAY OR MAY NOT NEED TO ALLOW A LITTLE MORE TIME IN THE OVEN TO HELP SOFTEN THE PAPER AND GLUE. THIS WILL WORK AS WELL WITH THE ALREADY LICKED STAMPS AS WELL AS THE ONES WITH GLUE. OF COURSE USE A GLUE STICK TO STICK TO THE NEW MAIL PACKAGE.

MAMA MIA and ME

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:09:35 -0500

Off to see the movie, my wife Ricki and OH ME. Well there I was in the middle of about 400 middle aged women along with two other guys watching a movie made for middle aged women. I mean you could not hear the movie for the screams and laughing from you know who. They were really dancing in the aisles and popcorn flying every where. I wish I had not bought that big box of popcorn I could have just caught enough of it out of the air. I must admit I liked the movie it reminded me of how they made movies a long time ago. The acting was just what it was designed for and the singing by Pierce Brosnan was about like I sing, not good but he was not cast to be perfect. It was just a good go see movie, made to make you laugh and enjoy. You won't see it at the awards programs but you will enjoy. The photography and scenes were just beautiful.

I DO MISS READING THOSE INTERESTING ABSTRACTS

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:18:00 -0500

I DO REALLY MISS READING THE OLD COMPLETE ABSTRACTS WHEN IT WAS COMMON TO RECEIVE AN OPINION OF TITLE BASED ON THE REVIEW OF THE TITLE BY AN ATTORNEY. I have retained some of my old abstract copies and sometimes received the original abstracts when purchasing property.

THE ABSTRACT COPIES CAN BE ANYWHERE FROM A FEW PAGES OF THE CHAIN OF TITLE TO ONE HUNDRED PAGES DEPENDING HOW MANY TIMES THE PROPERTY WAS SOLD OR HOW MANY TIMES THE PROPERTY WAS SUBDIVIDED. SOMETIMES THERE IS REAL HISTORY TO BE FOUND WITHIN AND SOMETIMES THERE ARE VERY PERSONAL POINTS OF HISTORY RECORDED.

MY WIFE AND I OWNED A COMMERCIAL CORNER PROPERTY THAT AT ONE TIME HAD AN EARLY 1900'S HOTEL ON THE PROPERTY. THE PROPERTY WAS DEVELOPED BY A DOCTOR THAT OWNED THE HOME NEXT DOOR TO THIS PROPERTY. HE ALSO OWNED THE CORNER LOT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF HIS HOME. ALL WAS WELL UNTIL HIS WIFE FILED FOR DIVORCE AND SHE WAS AWARDED THE HOUSE, OF COURSE. BUT THINGS GOT A LITTLE MORE INTERESTING WHEN THE GOOD DOCTOR BUILT HIS NEW WIFE A NEW HOUSE ON THE VACANT LOT NEXT DOOR TO HIS FORMER HOME. NO RECORD OF GUN SHOTS OR MURDER WERE RECORDED.

WE PURCHASED 150 ACRES TO DEVELOP INTO A SUBDIVISION AND RECEIVED THE COMPLETE ABSTRACT. THE ABSTRACT COVERED THE FRANCIS H. GREY SURVEY IN PALO PINTO COUNTY. IN READING THE ABSTRACT WE FOUND THAT FRANCIS H. GREY WAS KILLED IN THE ALAMO AND HIS FAMILY RECEIVED THIS PROPERTY THAT WAS A PART OF SEVERAL THOUSAND ACRES AWARDED TO THE FAMILY. THE ABSTRACT ALSO STATES THAT HIS FAMILY ALSO RECEIVED $ 123.00 IN BACK PAY WHILE SERVING IN THE FIGHT FOR TEXAS INDEPENDENCE.

I HAVE ALSO FOUND ERRORS IN THE ABSTRACTS THAT CLEARED TITLE FOR THE TITLE COMPANIES. ONE SURVEY ERROR ON A SEVENTEEN ACRE PROPERTY THAT CAUSED A CLOUD ON THE TITLE BECAUSE THE SURVEY WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERTY LINES. THEREFORE THE MORTGAGE COMPANY WOULD NOT MAKE A LOAN ON THE PROPERTY AND THE TITLE COMPANY WOULD NOT INSURE TITLE. I REQUESTED A COPY OF ALL PAGES OF THE ABSTRACT AND ON THE VERY FIRST PAGE I FOUND THE ERROR THAT HAD BEEN CARRIED FORWARD FOR MANY YEARS. THE CLERKS OFFICE HAD USED THE FORWARD SLASH ON THE TYPEWRITER TO CORRECT ERRORS IN TYPING. ALL RECORDS FROM THAT TIME ON PICKED UP THE SLASH AS A NUMBER ONE (1) AND USED IT AS A DISTANCE IN THE SURVEY CALLS AND THE SURVEY LINES WOULD NOT CLOSE. SO DO NOT ALWAYS TAKE THE TITLE PROBLEMS WITHOUT CHECKING FOR YOURSELF. I DID ENJOY FINDING THIS ERROR BECAUSE THE SURVEYOR WAS VERY UPSET BECAUSE I QUESTIONED HIM ON THIS MATTER. I ALSO ENJOYED THIS ONE BECAUSE AT ONE TIME THE PROPERTY BELONGED TO A TOP REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY IN TOWN BUT HE NEVER COULD CLEAR THE TITLE.

THERE ARE MANY RECORDED HISTORICAL INSTRUMENTS ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY CLERK. I THINK THE LOCAL LIBRARY SHOULD ADD AN AREA FOR THIS TYPE OF PROPERTY HISTORY.

THINGS THAT YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO KNOW

Don Eichler (Eichler Properties) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:48:07 -0500

YES, THERE ARE MANY THINGS AND HISTORICAL EVENTS THAT WE MIGHT NOT CARE ABOUT KNOWING, AFTER ALL OUR BRAINS ONLY HOLD SO MUCH, RIGHT! Well we do know better than that but here are a few things that you most likely don't want to know much less remember.

1. The first cataract surgery preformed in Texas was in 1847 by a German doctor Ferdinand Herff on an Comanche Indian. 2. The first recorded CPR see Genesis Chapter 2: 7 And God formed man from the dust of the ground and breather into his nostrils the breath of life. 3. The first Texas flag was green, white and red. 4. 5. The first cruise liner was named "The Ark". 6. The first text messaging was about 1844,called the Morris Code. 7. The first recorded mention of Deviled Ham, see Matthew 8: 31-32 when the devil was cast into the swine. 8. I don't know about this for sure but I think that Vince Young's first name is Invincible or just ask USC. 9. Seasonal Creek is really just a dry ditch. 10. House needs TLC or a Ton Load of Cash. 12. Fat Free means they are not charging for the fat in the food. 13. The first Texas settlement along the Lano River was established in 1847 and the small town of Castell is still alive.

I could go on but this is enough of things that you did not want to know in the first place.