With the $8000 tax credit coming to an end I am flooded with buyers "Rushing The Bus" to get offers in on houses so they can get closed before Dec. 1.  This 4th quarter is going to be the best 4th quarter of my career.   I'm sure that most of you out there are experiencing the same thing.  Its great-- This Christmas shopping will be of no worries financially.  Of all you out there, is there anyone NOT thriving in this market and NOT seeing their 4th quarter being very active?  If so, why?

I haven't been on AR all summer and I missed it.  It's nice to be able to step back into the AR relm again.

Where do you want to be in 5 years ? If you could look back in time 5 years ago-- where you are today, is that what you would have seen. We have 2 choices in life; 1. To go after our dreams and let nothing stop us, reach our goals and have respect for ourself. or 2 Not go after our dreams, and later in life being pissed off for not trying. What path are you on??????

I have not regrets in life.  I was in martial arts in my 20's and competed all over the eastern coast and then became an instructor.  Also I became a skydiver -- that is such a rush that I cant explain. 

I'm 36 and the last 5 years has been mostly real estate.  I love it but that was 5 years before.  Now looking 5 years ahead I will be combining all my joys... real estate, martial arts, skydiving and enjoying my Harley Davidson.

I surely dont want to look back and have the thoughts; I could have, I should have, I would have  BUT...

Are you meeting and achieving your dreams and goals?

Dreams are not made over night, they take baby steps.  What are your baby steps to reach your dreams?  Baby steps hapen EVERY day not just here and there.

I am on facebook.com and if ANYONE wants to ad me to their friends list that would be great.  I am looking to hooking up with some real estate agents there.  Its a great way to see whats going on with people without having to call them.  Its quick and easy, plus there is a 1 on 1 chat site which I think is great.  If would be a good thing to have other real estate professionals there to see how they are doing. So add me to your facebook page as a friend.  I look forward to seeing you there.

There are some people that walk, talk, eat and sleep real estate, and others that are not as excited.  From my experience I can see that alot of AR members are the excited real estate professionals.

I think it would be a great idea to have a live chat room.  Does anyone know of any?  I think it would be a GREAT idea to have a live chat room here at AR.  You can ask questions and get them answered immediately.  We can talk to others about the cities they live in and find out about the areas - for people that we know moving out of state.  We can get word on trends that are developing in other area and we can adapt to them before that trend hits our area.  I just think it would be a great asset to AR.  If you all agree maybe we can convince Brad Anderson and the others to do so.

Being in Western PA is a great place to live. 

We are in the top 10 for real estate markets least affected by the fall in the house pricing economy.

Western PA may not have had the big rise in inflation a few years ago, but that is turn is helping our area in a massive way.  The higher you go ( with the great inflation spurts ) the harder you fall.  And Western PA was basically a "Flat Line" in that situation, which means we are in a very good position with our housing.

They are building a very large Westinghouse center which will bring thousands of jobs to the local area.  There are still many houses being bought and sold regularly.

If you are interested in coming to a place that is stable and strong, Come to Western PA. 

Spring is the best time to buy a house.  This Spring especially is a great Spring time to buy.
1. Spring brings rain, now before you start rolling your eyes think about this-- rain will let you see if the roof leaks and if the basement leaks.  During the summer and fall there is not much rain, and in the winter the ground freezes and stops any water from seeping into the ground and entering leaks into the basement.  Would you be upset if you bought a house and then AFTER you are moved in you find out in Spring that the basement becomes your indoor pool?
2. House values are low and you can get more house for your dollar.
3. Usually during winter, interest rates drop alittle and then start raising in Spring so if you buy in the beginning stages of Spring you can still get a great rate-- especially today,  Rates are so low.
Bonus- If you are a first time home buyer ( buying your very first home OR you have not owned a home for 3 years or more) you may qualify for the $8000.00 tax credit.
So in todays housing situation you can save tens of thousands of dollars and possible save 6 figures.

I have made the move to Keller Willliams and want to know what you all in here think is the best aspect of the company?  This questions is only going to the KW groups.

Be open and I want to hear from you all.  Thank you

I have joined the forces of Keller Williams.  I have changed all my info except I can not find out how to change my email.  Its currently steve.warrene@remax.net but now that I am with Keller Williams, I have a new email account RealEstateSteve@kw.com.  Can anyone in this great community of AR guide me in the right direction with my email?

With todays internet access everyone can see that there are properties available using; all the company sites, realtor.com, truelia.com etc...  I have some buyers that I am working with ( a nice young couple) and they email me properties that they want to see.  Properties either my MLS system sent them or from their own search.  Of course when my MLS search sends them available properties that they like, they look into it further on the internet then email me if they like it.  Sunday we went and looked at 6 houses.  2 had said " A little TLC".  Well, in truth they should be torn down---- where do we as a representative feel we are going to help the seller ( owner or corp) sell the property when " a little TLC' means that it needs to be knocked down.  Now they dont want to look at any " A little TLC " houses.  That is injustice for the real houses out there that TRUELY need just a little TLC.  So now , houses wont be shown that could be a sell for my buyers.  Now we will find a house to buy but if your house says " A little TLC" we wont be there to see it.  And I'm sure there are other buyers out there that feel the same way. 

I just wanted to get that off my chest today.

I am an existing member of SIN ( Success In Networking).  They are a great group of professionals.

I just joined BNI ( Business Networking International).  They are the BIGGEST networking organization in the world.  The member that was in that group before me was a multi million dolllar producer and 70% of her clients came from BNI.  She was transferred to a different office across town to be an office manager.

Both groups meet every Thursday;  BNI from 7-9 AM and SIN 11:30 AM- 1:30 PM.

Referrals are so very vital in every and all businesses.  I am a big fan of word of mouth marketing.  Its the biggest and best way to get quality people to contact you.

I pride myself on my professional skills and ability to get the job done.  Great work habits and expert networking can and will get you more business than any ad in the paper will.

What are the Networking groups you work with and/or know of?

What are other ways you get your referrals?