Battle of the Cameras Winner: Samsung HMX-U10 HD Ultra Compact Camcorder - 12/23/09 05:05 AM
Battle of the Cameras Winner: Samsung HMX-U10 HD Ultra Compact Camcorder

Yesterday, I posted three photos taken with three different cameras and asked viewers to vote on picture quality:
Poll - Rank These 3 Photos From Best To Worst (Battle of the Cameras) Based on a majority vote, this is the order of cameras from best to worst:
Photo C - Samsung HMX-U10 HD Ultra Compact Camcorder (pictured above) Photo A - Apple iPhone 3G Photo B - Casio Exilim EX-S880 Even though I'm in my 90-day trial period with the Samsung (purchased from Costco.com), I think it's a keeper … (22 comments)

Poll - Rank These 3 Photos From Best To Worst (Battle of the Cameras) - 12/22/09 05:39 AM
Poll - Rank These 3 Photos From Best To Worst (Battle of the Cameras)
I took the same picture with these 3 cameras (photo was taken inside at night, no zoom, no flash):
Casio Exilim EX-S880 Digital Camera Samsung HMX-U10 HD Camcorder Apple iPhone 3G Camera I will identify which camera took which photo later and let you know the winner of the "Battle of the Cameras" in a new blog post.
Here are the photos in random order...please rank them from best (#1) to worst (#3) and leave me a comment!
Photo A
Photo B
Photo C
… (21 comments)

Stockton, CA - Oak Park Ice Arena, $5 Ice Skating (Winter Wonderland) - 12/21/09 07:38 PM
Stockton, CA - Oak Park Ice Arena, $5 Ice Skating (Winter Wonderland)
Today through Wednesday (December 21-22-23, 2009), Stockton's Oak Park Ice Arena is offering public ice skating sessions for $5, including skate rental.
Here are the details from OakParkIceArena.com:
Winter Wonderland - Public Ice Skating Dec 21, 2009 (Mon) 1:00 PM Stockton Arena Public Ice Skating 1:00 PM to 9:00 PMSessions are 50 minutes long and start on the hour with limited space available. Skate sizes are limited and are distributed on a first come first serve basis. Session 1 - 1:00pm to 1:50pmSession 2 - 2:00pm to 2:50pmSession 4 … (2 comments)

Actress Brittany Murphy Dies At Age 32 - 12/21/09 04:57 AM
Actress Brittany Murphy Dies At Age 32
Here are some fast facts about Brittany Murphy:
Born in Atlanta, Georgia (11/10/1977) Died in Los Angeles, California (12/20/2009) Actress, singer, voice artist Started acting in Hollywood at age 14 Voice of Luanne on King of the Hill in 1997 Dated Ashton Kuchter in 2002 Spokesmodel for Jordache jeans in 2005 Voice of Gloria in Happy Feet in 2006 Married Simon Monjack in 2007 Set to appear in Sylvester Stallone's film The Expendables in 2010 I loved her character Luanne on King of the Hill...especially how she said, "Uncle Hank..." May she rest in … (12 comments)

Samsung HMX-U10 HD Camcorder: 1st Review, Photos, Videos - 12/21/09 03:41 AM
Samsung HMX-U10 HD Camcorder: 1st Review, Photos, Videos
I recently purchased an ultra compact HD camcorder by Samsung from Costco.com and Loreena Yeo left a comment for me, asking if I had made any videos using it yet...so I'd like to thank her for being the inspiration of this blog post!
LIKES:
Size - It's the perfect size for a handheld camcorder (2.2" W x 4.06" H x 0.61" D). Weight - At 3.4 ounces, it's so much lighter than my digital camera! Color - I love red! This one's best described as a matte metallic jewel-tone ruby red. Video Quality … (11 comments)

Remote Little Valley Village - 12/21/09 12:31 AM
Via Richard T Dolbeare (RA), ABR, CRS, RSPS, BS/MS - Engineering Hawaii Dreams Today (Keller Williams Realty):
[If picture does not show, hit your browser refresh button]

Nearly Inaccessible Kahakuloa Village on Maui's coastline.  Population ~ 100.
Aloha!
Search Kauai/Big Island | Search Maui | Email | About Me | Visit Website | Phone/Text (808) 651-4550
Engineering Hawaii Dreams Today--Helping Buyers Find Dream Homes & Sellers Find Buyers
Visit www.KauaiRocks.comfor Hawaii real estate information 
… (2 comments)

Grandchildren are so funny! - 12/21/09 12:29 AM
No grandchildren here...but this is a hilarious collection of grandchild humor that I just wanted to share! :)
Via Bob Cumiskey, US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor (A1 Connection Realty, Inc.):
I received this email the other day and didn't have time to read it so I just kept it in a holding pattern.  I knew it was a joke, and the title was "Grandchildren". Well, I have 11 grandchildren, and I knew I had to make the time and get a good read on this one.  I'm glad I waited and spent the needed time to read … (4 comments)

Zillow Announces Rental Listings! - 12/21/09 12:27 AM

Via Sara Bonert {Real Estate Internet Marketing} (Zillow):
I have an investment property in Florida. In the last three years, twice I’ve listed it for sale. Twice I’ve ended up renting it. Twice I’ve relied on my agentto help me with the decision making that took me down this path to simply get the home occupied. It is a big reality that today’s real estate market is forcing many people, like myself, to wear the landlord hat because of market conditions.
Today I am excited to announce that Zillow is expanding its marketing services to not only include homes FOR SALE, but … (0 comments)

A Day In The Life Of The Internet (In one picture...) - 12/21/09 12:22 AM

Via Clint Miller (Real Estate Client Referrals, LLC (RECR)):
A day in the life of the internet... Created by Online Education … (0 comments)

Yes we do have cactus on Maui, it's not all tropical flowers here - 12/21/09 12:20 AM

Via Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro Maui Real Estate Sales (Jim Sanders Realty Inc. - Maui):



Yes we do have cactus on Maui, it's not all tropical flowers here!
Believe it or not, there are some very arid regions on Maui, where cactus and succulents thrive.  Take a look at these stunning specimens which are mostly from Kula Maui, on the slopes on Haleakala.
You know, Maui has some very diverse micro-climates, which include tropical jungles, sunny beaches, pine forests, and lush pastures.  What kind of climate are you looking for?  What kind of plants to you … (3 comments)

Giving Quietly (Giving Anonymously) - 12/21/09 12:17 AM

Via Doug Durren and Gloria Todor - Delaware County, Pennsylvania (Century 21 Absolute Realty ):
Giving Quietly (Giving Anonymously)Tis the season to be jolly.... Yet I'm sure we may all know of someone who is going through a really hard time this holiday season and for him or her, being jolly is very hard right now. And maybe that someone is too proud to ask for help or even accept something from their neighbors, co-workers or family because they have always been able to tow the line, but deep down they may be hoping money would fall from the sky so they can … (2 comments)

Packages From Home Needs Your Support - 12/21/09 12:15 AM

Via Bill Risser (Chicago Title Insurance Gilbert, Arizona):
We all have so many demands and requests on our time and money during the holiday season.  I need to add one more to our lists.  Chicago Title is supporting Packages from Home this year. The following is from their website:


"The mission of Packages From Home is to send care and comfort packages to deployed American military heroes who are stationed in active duty theaters around the world, as well as to facilitate activities that elevate morale of all veterans."
 
The items collected range from food to personal hygiene to … (0 comments)

Honoring Our Fallen Heros At Arlington Cemetery - 12/21/09 12:12 AM
Via Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (RE/MAX Allegiance #1 RE/MAX Company in the World):
Remember the Fallen Honor those who ServeTeach the Value of Freedom to Our Children
Those words are the mission of the Wreaths Across America Project



Yesterday on a cold Virginia morning thousands of volunteers from across the country arrived in one spot to honor our fallen heros.  For the last 15 years the Wreaths Across America project has made sure that soliders buried at Arlington Cemetery are remembered during the holidays.My spot for laying wreaths was in a quiet … (2 comments)

CHRISTMAS AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY - 12/21/09 12:10 AM

Via Simon Conway (Orlando Area Real Estate Services):
I am grateful to one of my regular e-mailers for the story I am about to tell you, but before I even get there, let me tell you where I was yesterday. I was in Texas and I went to the Alamo for the first time in my life.I think the Alamo is one of those touchstones that we all need to visit at least once in our lives. Like Pearl Harbor and Ground Zero, the Alamo renewed my understanding of what it means to be an American. I think of the three places I … (0 comments)

Let me Google that for you - 12/21/09 12:08 AM

Via Mike Nastri Franklin TN Homes (Keller Williams Realty):
A Realtor friend at our Keller Williams Office recently found a nifty Google application that was created to be a mock toward whomever you select as its recipient.  He sent it to me as a gag, but my mind started working and I thought, it could be used as a great tool. The application is called "let me Google than for you".  The slam is obviously directed at the receiver suggesting, why didn't you Google it yourself.  My thought is using it in a pre-listing appointment  e-mail, at least for the times you know the results … (7 comments)

Hej då (Goodbye) - A Saab Story - 12/18/09 06:57 PM
Hej då (Goodbye) - A Saab Story
General Motors announced today that Saab has reached the end of the road and will be discontinued. Saab employs about 3,400 people worldwide with the majority of its workforce located at its main plant in Trollhatten, Sweden. There are approximately 1,100 Saab dealers, who will continue to honor the warranties and offer parts to Saab owners.
Saab was the first to offer heated seats in 1971. GM became 50% owner of Saab in 1989. GM gained full ownership of Saab in 2000.
… (8 comments)

My First Fight - 12/18/09 07:00 AM
My First Fight
It's official...my first fight will be on January 10, 2010. I know this may sound a bit odd to those of you who might be wondering, "Why is she planning her first fight???" but the reality is that I wanted to use a catchy title for this blog post to see if the percentage of click-throughs significantly increases, compared to my past blog posts about MMA fighting!
Don't be disappointed, though...I really am going to my first MMA fight (WEC 46) on January 10, 2010! Urijah Faber, the "California Kid" will be fighting Rafael Assuncao at the ARCO … (5 comments)

Google Real Time Search Results (via Twitter) Really Work...Just Ask Google Alerts! - 12/18/09 06:15 AM
Google Real Time Search Results (via Twitter) Really Work...Just Ask Google Alerts!
With so much talk about Google's new "Real Time Search" lately, I just noticed that my tweets are coming back to me in the form of Google Alerts! In plain terms, here's how it works:
I set up "leilani souza" as one of my Google Alerts. I tweet something on my @LeilaniSouza (personal) Twitter account. Approximately one hour later, I receive a Google Alert containing my tweet...how cool is that! Here's the Google Web Alert I received:

So...just remember to twink before you tweet because it will appear … (9 comments)

Inspecting water heaters - Part 2 - 12/14/09 10:59 PM

Via Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.):
Inspecting water heaters - Part 2Water heaters are something we take for granted. They set unnoticed in the corner of the garage or utility closet. When looking for a new home, buyers and agents alike seldom take note of this appliance, save for turning on the tap to see if it is working. Home inspectors need to look at the safety features. Today I will address TPR valves. Temperature/Pressure Relief (TPR) valves need to be installed on all water heaters. Water heaters are pressure vessels that can explode under … (7 comments)

Allen West To Appear On Hannity Tomorrow (12/15/09) - 12/14/09 10:48 PM
Allen West To Appear On Hannity Tomorrow (12/15/09)

Allen West will be appearing live on Sean Hannity's show on FOX News tomorrow night, Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 9:00pm EST.
Allen West is a candidate for Florida's Congressional District 22 and a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Army.
My favorite Allen West quote is:
"The Constitution says: promote the general welfare not provide welfare."
Allen West For Congress

… (6 comments)

Lets Keep Our Homeland A Place They Want To Come Home To. - 12/14/09 09:42 AM

Via Heath Coker, Real Estate Broker (REindex.com & Cape Group Real Estate):
There are many soldiers and support personnel around the world who wil not be at home. The video below has come from the front lines to remind us that they not only will return home but that they hope we are doing things here to keep it a place that they want to return to.
I post it here with gratitude for for their care, their willingness, their generous sacrifices, their patriotism. I want to keep this country a place where they can return to knowing that their efforts were … (2 comments)

Motivational Monday - "Perspective" - 12/14/09 09:29 AM

Via Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates LLC):

 
A beautiful river with benches for looking upstream or downstream. So it is in life. We can either focus on where we've been and we've come from, or we can concentrate on where we are going and what lies ahead. The past is important, but we need to have vision for the future.
 
───
For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. You can … (3 comments)

Find people to add to your Google Wave contact list - 12/14/09 07:20 AM

Via Cheryl Johnson, Bob Taylor Properties, Inc., Los Angeles, CA:
In order to add someone as a contact in Google Wave, you must first know their wave address.  There are two ways to find out someone's wave address:
1.  Ask them :-)
2.  Find them in a public wave, and click on their icon.
Try this:  Search for public waves containing the keyword "activerain".  Up in the search box type with:public activerain then click the search icon.

Click on the Wave titled ActiveRain Real Estate Network, to open the contents of the wave in the right panel.
Now look up at the … (2 comments)

Holiday Humor - 12/14/09 06:23 AM
Via Janice Roosevelt,Ecobroker, ABR, e-PRO - Matt F (Matt Fetick Real Estate Team - Keller Williams Real Estate -):
We got sleet and rain today - and lots of it rather than the predicted snow. Kept away buyers from open houses, but gave me a chance to catch up on email and enjoy some of the season's humor  -
Hope you do too!

I think he is right - who really likes fruitcake?

 
Smoking doesn't pay!

 
Some people still have values!
… (8 comments)

New Ustream Mobile App~ Using this New Technology to Enhance Your Real Estate Business - 12/14/09 06:17 AM

Via Jeremy Blanton ActiveRain Corp. (ActiveRain Corp.):
Today was a rather exciting day as I heard about Ustream releasing a new Mobile iPhone App for the iPhone & the Droid.  So what is this new Ustream Mobile app, & what is mobile streaming?  Well, Mobile streaming is the ability to do a live video feed straight from your mobile phone.  This is huge & exciting new technology for us in the real estate industry. What this new Ustream Mobile App does, is allows you to transform your basic iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, or Droid smart phone into a live video streaming machine.
… (2 comments)

Inspecting Water Heaters - Part 1 - 12/14/09 06:06 AM

Via Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.):
Inspecting Water Heaters - Part 1Water heaters are one of those modern conveniences that most folks take for granted. That is, until something goes wrong. As Murphy's Law would have it, this will be the major appliance that will head south shortly after moving into your new home. This often becomes a major bone of contention when dealing with home warranty companies. The serial plate reveals a lot of information, if you know how to read it. The serial number reveals the age. This water heater was manufactured 7/99 … (0 comments)

Before You Advise Your Clients Rent Their Current Home And Buy Another One, You Need To Know This! - 12/14/09 06:03 AM

Via Phil Caulfield Jumbo Loan California DRE #01030082 (RMC Real Estate Loans - Jumbo, Construction, Private Money):
When someone buys a home before selling their current home, they may have a problem: if they have a mortgage on the old home, that debt is included in their debt-to-income ratio.
In the old days (pre-2008), home buyers who did not sell their home first had at least a couple of ways to offset their mortgage debt.
Some lenders would accept the income reported on a rent survey prepared by a licensed appraiser. Other lenders would accept a rental agreement.
The lender would subtract … (3 comments)

Fort Hood Photo - 12/14/09 05:58 AM

Via Nicholas Goglucci, PA. (RE/Max ParkCreek):
Just another incident that makes me want to shout...
 
Ft. Hood 
Down in Dothan, AL, a man had a TV on in his office when the news of the  military base shootings came on. The husband of one of his employees was stationed there.
He called her into his office and the minute he told her what was going on, she got a text message from her husband saying, "I am okay." The cell phone started ringing right after that. It was an ER nurse. She said, "I'm the one who just sent you … (2 comments)

Before You Sell/Return/Donate Your Computer...Use Eraser & FileKiller - 12/13/09 06:50 AM
Before You Sell/Return/Donate Your Computer...Use Eraser & File Killer
If you ever sell your computer or return one after you've used it, I recommend you check out Eraser and FileKiller to wipe out any personal information you may have on your computer. Both programs are downloadable for free by SourceForge (Open Source Software).

"Eraser is a secure data removal tool for Windows. It completely removes sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected patterns."
 

"It completely removes a file from your disk without leaving any track. It is very fast. It overwrites … (18 comments)

UFC 107 Results - BJ Penn vs. Diego Sanchez - 12/13/09 04:38 AM
UFC 107 Results - BJ Penn vs. Diego Sanchez
Here are the results of UFC 107, which took place on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee:
MAIN CARD: - B.J. Penn def. Diego Sanchez via TKO (cut) - Round 5, 2:37 - Frank Mir def. Cheick Kongo via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 1, 1:12 - Jon Fitch def. Mike Pierce via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) - Kenny Florian def. Clay Guida via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 2, 2:19 - Stefan Struve def. Paul Buentello via majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28) PRELIMINARY CARD: - … (0 comments)

Happy Hanukkah! The Original Chanukah Song by Adam Sandler - 12/11/09 04:53 PM
Happy Hanukkah! The Original Chanukah Song by Adam Sandler
When Jane Peters left a comment on my last blog post 20 Free Christmas Songs From Apple / iTunes Holiday Sampler about Chanukah songs, it inspired me to write this blog post to feature the only Chanukah song I know...by Adam Sandler:

"Okay... This is a song that uhh.. There's a lot of Christmas songs out there and uhh.. Not too many Chanukah songs. So uhh.. I wrote a song for all those nice little Jewish kids who don't get to hear any Chanukah songs. Here we go..."
Put on your … (9 comments)

20 Free Christmas Songs From Apple / iTunes Holiday Sampler - 12/11/09 04:00 PM
20 Free Christmas Songs From Apple / iTunes Holiday Sampler
Apple is offering these Christmas songs (U.S. customers only) available for free download at iTunes Holiday Sampler.

1. O Come All Ye Faithful - Amy Grant 2. The First Noel - David Archuleta 3. Silent Night - Sarah McLachlan 4. Carol of the Bells / Jingle Bells - Barry Manilow 5. It Snowed - Meaghan Smith 6. Above the Northern Lights - Mannheim Steamroller 7. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Lady Antebellum 8. We Three Kings - Toby Keith 9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Rascal Flatts 10. … (12 comments)

Florida Congressional District 22 Candidate - Lieutenant Colonel Allen West - 12/11/09 03:59 PM
Florida Congressional District 22 Candidate - Lieutenant Colonel Allen West
I found this video of Lieutenant Colonel Allen West (Florida Congressional District 22 Candidate) on another forum I frequent and as a military brat and patriotic American who believes in the Constitution, Allen West has sparked my interest and earned my respect with what he represents for the United States of America. I'd like to thank him for his service to our country, both past as a Lieutenant Colonel and present as a politician. My favorite quote from his video is:
"The Constitution says: promote the general welfare not provide welfare."
… (4 comments)

Funny Friday - The 12 "Most Important" Things You Need to Know If You Own A Horse . . . . . - 12/11/09 03:55 PM

Via Brigita McKelvie - Lehigh Valley, PA, Residential, Rural & Horse Properties (Keller Williams Real Estate):

 
The 12 "Most Important" Things You Need to Know If You Own A Horse . . . . .
 
To induce labor in a mare?  Take a nap.
To cure equine constipation?  Load them in a clean trailer.
To cure equine insomnia?  Take them to a halter class.
To get a horse to stay very calm and laid back?  Enter them in a liberty class.
To get a horse to wash their own feet?  Clean the water trough and fill it with … (6 comments)

White Christmas? :) - 12/08/09 06:08 AM
Via Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates LLC):

 
───
For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. You can also listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings.
© Steve Hoffacker, 2009. All Rights Reserved.
Photography displayed is original composition and artistic expression of Steve Hoffacker, and as such is copyrighted. Photos are in their original digital image state and have not been cropped, edited, or enhanced in anyway.
… (2 comments)

Synchronize and back up your bookmarks between all your computers and browsers - 12/08/09 05:58 AM

Via Caryn Webb Digital Coaching by an e-PRO:
I was sitting at work the other day and was talking with one of my co-workers about an application that I had bookmarked on my home laptop. 
Then as always, when I needed a tool or solution it was presented to me.  I mentioned to a friend my need and he had the perfect solution.
He turned me onto a neat little add on for Firefox called Xmarks (formerly known as Foxmarks).
This is a great little add on that provides a way for you to synchronize and back up your bookmarks across several … (3 comments)

Law of the Garbage Truck - 12/08/09 05:47 AM
Hi Jim,
Thanks for posting this great story! My name is Dawn, and I work with David J. Pollay, the author of The Law of the Garbage TruckTM. I just wanted to stop by and let you know that you can read the original story on David's blog, http://davidjpollay.typepad.com/david_j_pollay/lawofthegarbagetruck.html. It would mean a lot to us if you would let people know that David is the author of The Law of the Garbage Truck.
You can also find out more information about The Law of the Garbage Truck on www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com.  Make sure to check out the video of people in New … (0 comments)

How to send flat rate packages to our troops!! - 12/08/09 05:43 AM

Via Marchel Peterson Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro ABR (Results Realty):
It is hard for out troops being away from friends and family during the holiday season.  This makes it an ideal time to send them a flat rate package. Last year at this time our son was in the middle of his second tour of Iraq and he loved getting goodies from home.  With him doing two tours I learned the ins and outs of sending him flat rate packages. On our son's first tour he was based at a town called Hit just northwest of Ramadi; the base was so small they really didn't … (0 comments)

RainCamp San Francisco California - 12/08/09 05:40 AM

Via Cathy Lee ASP, Danville, San Ramon CA (CL Design Services Home Staging):
WOW!! Brad Andersohn, with the family band, kicked off the morning with "Eye of the Tiger".

We were there because things are changing and we all want to be super stars!! Here are just a few of the many tips, insights and tools I learned today.
Bob Stewart gave us 15 free sites:
runpee.com
photosynth.com
namechk.com
wiggio,com
igetsales.com
archtelecom.com
facebook.com/ads
xobni.com
tr.im
su.pr
google.com/voice
goldmail.com
mailchimp.com
picnik.com
awayfind.com
 
Ben Kinney gave us the 5 top reasons mega agents blog.
 
1. To write articles people … (0 comments)

It's Snowing Beautiful Snow in Valparaiso, Indiana! - 12/08/09 05:14 AM

Via Irene Tron (FC Tucker 1st Team Real Estate):
It's officially the Christmas season!  I've decided that just now because it is finally snowing in Valparaiso, Indiana!  There's snow on my driveway.  Snow on the roof tops.  Light dusting of snow on my yard.  Snow in the streets. 
The Texan in me still gets excited over snow falling!  Everything looks so different and beautiful covered with that powdery white stuff. 
I am so blessed to live in Valparaiso, Indiana where we experience God's beauty of season changes.  We're close to the Lake Michigan beaches to enjoy the water in the summer but … (2 comments)

Snow Hits Greater Sacramento Area - 12/08/09 05:11 AM

Via Myrl Jeffcoat (GreatWest GMAC Real Estate):
During the night, a winter snow storm paid a visit to Greater Sacramento, the Foothills and Sierras.  I woke this morning to a light dusting of the white stuff on my front lawn, but that was about all.  However, in a drive up the road 7 miles to Folsom, I began to see more significant signs of the snow which had been forecast by local news weather prognosticators.  The pictures above were taken in the El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, Shingle Springs area.  These certainly aren't areas we normally see snow.  While driving around I found … (3 comments)

Absorption Rate? What is this about? - 12/08/09 04:52 AM

Via Lane Bailey - REALTOR & Car Guy (Diamond Dwellings Realty):
There are some terms that we toss around in the real estate industry as if people knew what we were talking about...  Absorption Rate is one of those terms. 
It isn't complicated, but if you are unfamiliar with the term, if can be confusing.  And unlike "Bacon Double Cheeseburger", it isn't really self explanatory. 
What is Absorption Rate?
There are a couple of components to Absorption Rates. 
Inventory Level Sales Pace over a specified time period How long the inventory would take to be "used up" at the current level and … (2 comments)

Funny Friday - Giddyup, Giddyup, Giddyup...Let's Go... - 12/04/09 04:04 AM
Funny Friday - Giddyup, Giddyup, Giddyup...Let's Go...
I'd like to share my favorite "Sleigh Ride" Christmas video...introducing Domino, the ever-so-cute-and-lovable Irish Cob horse who couldn't help but get into the Christmas spirit himself...I LOVE him! :)

Here are the lyrics to the song Sleigh Ride:
"Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring-ting-tingling, tooCome on, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with youOutside the snow is falling and friends are calling, ‘Yoo-hoo!’Come on, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, let’s goLet’s look at the showWe’re riding in a wonderland of snowGiddy-up, giddy-up, … (12 comments)

Thankful Thursday - To Those Who Remain Respectful Despite Our Differences - 12/03/09 07:33 PM
Thankful Thursday - To Those Who Remain Respectful Despite Our Differences
I just want to express my open thanks to the readers of my blog who remain respectful despite our differences. We may have different ways of doing businesss, hobbies, preferences (in food, the opposite sex, clothing, cars, etc.) and religious and political beliefs...but we should always respect everyone else's right to their own opinion and beliefs.
I love the United States of America, I believe in God and his prophets, I love big dogs, Persian cats and horses with feathers, I don't like birds (although I'm beginning to like owls), … (20 comments)

Nature's Domain Holistic Dog Food Now Available At Costco - 12/03/09 03:29 AM
Nature's Domain Holistic Dog Food Now Available At Costco
What a nice surprise to find holistic dog food at my local Costco in Livermore, California...and a deal at $0.80 per pound (or $27.99 for a 35-lb. bag)! It is made by Nature's Domain Pet Foods and the flavor offered at Costco is Salmon Meal and Sweet Potato. It is a grain-free food for all life stages...similar to the Canidae dog food we have fed our dogs in the past.

We bought a bag to give it a try and will be mixing it gradually into our dogs' current food. It's … (8 comments)

Samsung HD Camcorder for $109.99 - Deal of the Day at Costco.com - 12/02/09 09:42 PM
Samsung HD Camcorder for $109.99 - Deal of the Day at Costco.com
If anyone is looking for a great deal on a ultra compact HD camcorder, you can buy one for $109.99 (including S&H) TODAY ONLY at Costco.com! You can choose between a green, red or black Samsung HMX-U10 HD Camcorder and it comes with a 4GB SD card. I just ordered one...in red (of course!)


Here's a close-up of the back side...it looks pretty simple and easy to operate:

Here's a description from Costco.com:
Features and Benefits:  
Captures full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution movies at 30fps … (7 comments)

Restaurant.com's Feed It Forward - Give Up To 30 FREE $10 Gift Certificates Every Day Until Christmas! - 12/02/09 02:46 AM
Restaurant.com's Feed It Forward - Give Up To 30 FREE $10 Gift Certificates Every Day Until Christmas!
Feeling like a Scrooge this year because your Christmas Gift Budget has dwindled down to a fraction of what it used to be? Don't know what to do with all those people on your wish-I-could-afford-to-give-you-a-gift list? Need a good way to say thanks to someone without getting too personal and awkward with a gift? Here's something I'd like to share with you that I came across as a Restaurant.com member:

You can either give by signing up to be a Restaurant.com member (free, … (11 comments)

Top 10 Stupid Things Sales People Do...(And How To Avoid Doing Them!) - 12/02/09 01:38 AM

Via Clint Miller (Real Estate Client Referrals, LLC (RECR)):
I have been in some form of sales since I was 10 years old working in my mom's craft store selling yarn and bobbins to her quilting and knitting friends. And, since that time, I have always tried to establish myself as a leader in any sales position that I have held...and I also have noticed that there are some really good sales people out there. 
The kicker is...a good portion of those people aren't good at sales. What they are good at is avoiding the things that cause sales people to falter.
… (1 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - Name That Motorcycle! - 12/02/09 12:56 AM
Wordless Wednesday - Name That Motorcycle!

… (23 comments)

The Big 5 Web Browsers - Dave Segrove's Personal Opinion - 12/01/09 04:08 AM
Via Dave Segrove (JDE LTD):
As a web designer, part of my Quality Assurance (QA) testing is to verify that my websites work in a number of different browsers. One cannot "assume" that just because it's okay in one, it's going to be okay in another. Beyond just working, the appearance of the site is often affected by the browser as well. Sometimes the behavior difference can be quite dramatic.
Some of these differences are due to the fact that there are differing standards for browser and web design behavior. Though there are a fundamental set of "rules" that everyone follows, the … (5 comments)

Why Not Jing Instead of Snagit? Image Screen Capture, Video Screencasting, Instant Sharing - 12/01/09 03:58 AM
Why Not Jing Instead of Snagit? Image Screen Capture, Video Screencasting, Instant Sharing
I just downloaded Jing (free) for capturing images and recording on-screen videos...it's a great alternative to Snagit ($49.95) and both are products of TechSmith. Here is a description of each program, as described on TechSmith.com (BTW, I used Jing to capture this on-screen image!):

 
I just experimented with Jing's markup tools, using the arrow and text features in this Jing-captured image:

 
I haven't used it with Twitter or Facebook yet, but that's where I'm headed next...so far, I think I'm really liking Jing - … (9 comments)

I Saw What She Didn't See - Bridge at Honey Bee Golf Course in Virginia Beach - 12/01/09 03:09 AM
Via Gene Allen Realtor Hampton Roads Real Estate (Resh Realty Group):
It was a foggy Thanksgiving morning.  I love foggy days for picture taking.  Anyways I stopped at my favorite bridge by the Honey Bee Golf Course in Virginia Beach to see if there was anything to take a picture of.  As I did another lady stopped her car and got out with this big old hulking DSLR and I thought she was going to take some pictures also.  I was sure her pictures would be much better then mine.  I felt a little envious with me just having my bridge camera … (2 comments)

Google Insights Search - 12/01/09 02:54 AM

Via Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance):
A new tool for learning about what is happening in your industry is Google Insights Search.
is not another search engine upgrade.  It is a tool for learning about what people are searching for.  Google Insights gives you a lot of versatility for your research.  You can check out any search term by region and/or category, you can even specify a time frame.  Doing research is really as simple as 1 - 2 - 3 - GO! and results are almost instantaneous.
 
Here are the results for the volume of … (2 comments)

7 Privacy Policy Tips for Your Website - 12/01/09 02:04 AM

Via Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance):
I recently read that only 5% of real estate agents post a formal Privacy Policy on their websites.  So, I did a little test of my own.  I randomly searched the Internet for real estate agent websites which asked for information from their website visitors.  I found that not one of them had a "privacy policy" posted anywhere on their site.
You would think that, since internet users are willing to share some very personal information via social networks, privacy would not be an issue.  However, these same internet … (0 comments)

 
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Bob & Leilani Souza (Placer County, CA) Foreclosures, Trustee Sales, Lots & Land

Roseville, CA

More about me…

Souza Realty/Roseville-Rocklin-Lincoln-Loomis-Granite Bay-CA

Address: Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Loomis, Granite Bay, 95661 95678 95747 95677 95765 95648 95650 95746, CA

Office Phone: (916) 408-5500

Cell Phone: (925) 513-3400

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