Suzanne's Blog

Sadness and Exaltation

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:37:35 -0600

Today, I learned that a good friend and colleague had passed away. This friend was a Soul, waiting to be explored more fully. The friend, though he knew he was extremely ill, left behind, a fairly new puppy. He had hope that tomorrow would bring a brighter day. And, he still had love to give, and though he had lost most of his friends, his wife, and a fair amount of others to this insidious disease, refused to let his life be diminished by love. The puppy will remain in the family until after all the possessions have been dispersed, and then I believe she will come to me...I don't care one way or the other, I just want her to have the love and care that I know he would have given her. And, I know that, in the grand scheme of things, she will find her way to my door.

I Just WON $1000.00!!!!!

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:58:23 -0500

Don't tell me miracles don't happen. We really needed this money. Everyone could use an extra thousand. Especially these days! Money is at a premium for everyone.

I am so grateful. We have some coming in but to get a boost like this is unbelievable. I had a gut feeling that I would win. But, being the optimist and realtor that I am, I couldn't quite believe it when they told me I won. Life is good. I wish you all the best!!! Keep trying, you never know!

Sellers, Listen to What the Market is Telling You!

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:33:56 -0500

I have been reading a number of blog posts and some other real estate material. The "market gurus" are saying that once the home buyer credit goes away on November 30th, that's it. End of story. Spring market might garner some attention. But, most people think spring market starts in April. Au contrere. Spring market generally starts during the weekend that is a bye prior to Super Bowl...January.

That said, how many sellers will pull their properties off the market during the holidays? Quite a few. Does that mean that buyers won't buy? Some must. Some will want to. With fewer properties on the market, that would imply that your home might get more showings. More showings equals the greater propensity for a purchase agreement. The rarer the hen's teeth, the more valuable!

You might want to consider that. Marketing is everything. Make sure your agent doesn't fall asleep at the wheel and take the last two months of the year off. Our brokerage has had very good success in marketing and closing properties while other agents take vacations. We work twelve months a year! We give you our best no matter the time of year! Check our website at www.donsabinske.com to see our client reviews. I think you will see that we take our clients very seriously and work to obtain their confidence and referrals.

Albertville, Minnesota - One of the Best Places in Minnesota!

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:06:29 -0500

Halfway between St. Cloud and the Twin Cities lies this quiet little town with a huge presence in the retail world. We have one of the best outlet malls in the state. I might argue the BEST! Check out the retailers who have come to this "little town", Active Sports Board Shop, Adidas, Aeropostale, Alfred Dunner, Anne Taylor Factory Shop, Calvin Klein, Banana Republic (one of my faves), Converse, Gap Outlet, Columbia Sportswear, Eddie Bauer, Guess, Bass, Chico's, Polo Ralph Lauren, Old Navy, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Jones New York, Van Heusen, Nautica, Liz Clairborne, and dozens of others! What more could a shopper want? And, if you could live within minutes of these terrific stores, wouldn't that be the best? You can! Call me, I can give you directions

I can tell you about the great schools we have. I can show you the great parks and recreation. I can show you the best and most thriving community around. We have festivals, days of this and that, community pride and small-town values and caring. We have a business district with many wonderful stores, an antique mall, scores of great restaurants, and an old-time business district. When you want to leave the rat-race, find a beautiful, affordable home, please let me show you the wonders of our "little big town". The motto is Small Town Living, Big City Life. Check us out. We'd be happy to show you

How Do You Want to be Remembered? This is a Riot.

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:09:08 -0500

Sing this out loud....yes, you, too, Susan, loudly! (So you can hear it! LOL!)

"A few of my favorite things...is the tune"

Manhattans with olive and lunch with the ladies; Phone calls and golf balls and fresh newborn babies, Tender beef sirloins, prepared very rare, Give a hint of a party and Rene will be there.

Red wine and bleu cheese and Friday night parties, Crab legs and pork ribs and Matt's Juicy Lucy's. Birdies and bogies that come in the spring, These are a few of Rene's favorite things.

Refrain: In the morning, before coffee, when we're feeling sad, we'll simply remember Rene's favorite things and then we won't feel so bad.

Football and show tunes and the PGA tour. Go Gophers, go Tigers and go Washburn Millers, Boating on Bylesby, the July Fourth parade, Five kids, but no mortgage, hell we've got it made.

Bridge club and best friends and four-hour lunches, Viceroy's and Bailey's and political hunches, Democrats..Kennedys, Michelle and Barack...Liza and Judy and comic Chris Rock.

Refrain

St. Patrick and shamrocks bring Rene a big smile..those things that come from the Emerald Isle. "Holy crap, not so much, oh for God's sake. Door County apple crisp all she would bake.

Not bad for an obituary, eh? She sounds like a hell of a woman and one I would have loved to have been around.

Purging Your Belongings - Part Deux

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:38:51 -0500

Back in August, I wrote a little post about purging my belongings. It was well-received, and a few fellow agents asked me how it was going.

My little experiement got out of control. What a surprise. I decided that I needed to get rid of 365 things...one for each day of this year. Oh, really? At first, I truly didn't believe that I could. My belongings have never been completely out of control, and I felt that I really needed and wanted what I had so carefully acquired.

However, I gave a good deal of thought to how much time it takes to care for all these items. Then, I began to work in earnest...it took me a week and a half. 365 things in 11 days. Compulsive? Absolutely. But, I can't begin to tell you how satisfying it was. And the local charities were very happy, too!

You might want to try a modified version...one item a week. Most of us have stuff we keep for someday...that someday may be here!

Let me know if this inspires you!!

Well, We Did Again - Bank of America!!!!

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:37:59 -0500

My broker effected a short sale with Bank of America again. It worked because he continued to hound them, and that is what it takes these days. He ran up the ladder, we both worked the media, he finally got to the President's office and got some attention to the issue and the particular property we were working.

I am certain that he will be writing a post about this soon which I will reblog to you all. And, I may get long-winded enough to show you all how frustrating it can be from other writers on Active Rain to get something accomplished with BOA/Countrywide these days. For now, I want to celebrate this one small victory with my broker. the sellers , the selling agent and buyers. Congratulations to all.

Dog Love = Real Love

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:22:40 -0500

I've had the luxury of reading late at night lately just for fun. Amazing. But, one of the first books I read was "The Book of the Dun Cow" by Walter M. Wangerin, Jr. It was a book I read within 24 hours, mind you it is a children's book. But, it had been on my bookshelf for over 20 years, knew it was a classic, and so I thought, it would be an easy read at 2:30 in the morning. Not so much. It has made me think and rethink my world.

It could be easy for me to tell you how how I felt and what I inferred from this amazing book, but I would rather you read it and take from it what you will. It has many layers of meaning. And, while it is a children's book, it will not be one you read to your children without a LOT of conversation with them, which is the point of reading to children, in my humble opinion. You might want to be firmly in control of your religious, social and spiritual beliefs or you might want to examine them simply with your child/ren.

I now want a dog I will name Mundo Cani whose nose will be too big.

Spicy Low-Country Shrimp

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:51:43 -0500

Beware, this is HOT!!!

1 1/2 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 Tablespoons Cajun seasoning

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 lb. andouille sausage

2 t. chopped garlic

1/4 c. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

2 small piquillo peppers (substitute at will, the hotter the better)

1 t. cayenne pepper

1 t. red pepper flakes

1/4 c. red wine

1/4 c. fresh parsley, chopped

1/4 t. salt

1/4 t. black pepper

scallions, sliced (optional) though I would recommend them.

Toss shrimp in Cajun seasoning. Heat oil in a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook for three minutes, add garlic, heat for two minutes. Add shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes. Add peppers, cayenne and pepper flakes. Site in wine, parsley, salt and pepper and simmer for three minutes.

I serve it over rice, you can serve it over grits, if you choose, and garnish with the scallions.

Serve with beer, lemonade or lots of milk.....whooooh, boyz, it's hot!!!

Pass It On - Purging Your Belongings!

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:28:09 -0500

Bank-owned properties that I have worked on have made me think two or three times about the things I own. The detritus of people's lives have been splayed out in front of me. It is so sad to see the left-behind items. I sometimes wonder if they left this much behind, what could have been more valuable...that they needed/wanted to take with them?

I have always been a believer in living lightly on the earth. Working towards fewer earthly possessions has always made me aware that when I do purchase something, I try to make it of the highest value so that I will not need to replace it quickly or as often. I wonder...do most people buy randomly to "bring home bounty", replace some higher need or just spend without thinking? I have relieved myself of something every other day so far this year, donating it to charity. Some with reluctance, but always knowing that it will keep me from having to deal with it, and someone else grateful to get it.

It makes me sad to see faces just randomly picking up items when I shop. Sometimes, they have to explain the purchase to a spouse who is also wondering why the item is needed/wanted. I shop thrift stores, garage sales when I have a want. When I NEED something, I generally shop where most of you shop. But there is a big difference between want and need.

That is why I became a realtor. I wanted to help those who need housing. Not pander to those who think they want housing. There is a difference. And, that is where the paycheck comes in. Taking buyers out to "look" is much different than taking buyers out to shop. Make sure that they are in "the market" to buy, not look. I have counseled many a new agent who wastes time, as I did at first, hoping to make the sale...when the buyers were just looking. I have seen the same couple at opens I have held in the last two years, still renting....still waiting. When, in the world, would it be a better time to buy?

Chance Encounters of a Neglected Sort

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:53:08 -0500

I called an old friend today. A former housemate. One I hadn't spoken with in some twenty years. Odd. Because I truly loved him as a friend. We'd exchanged postcards from time to time. When I called, his wife answered and gave me some precursory third-degree...which I understood. I am a woman calling her husband, after all. Then, after she ascertained that I was not a threat, just wanting to return some personal property and that I was, truly, just a friend, she gave me some really interesting news about my old friend who had just left for the Boundary Waters.

I really don't want to reveal the very interesting news, but, after discussing it for a time, she invited me for cocktails and appetizers to surprise him on his return. He will be returning on Saturday. We will meet on Sunday. He is one of the most interesting, entertaining and enchanting persons I have ever had the pleasure of spending time with. And, I feel so honored to have been invited to surprise him.

The moral of the story is: call your old friends, you might be surprised at how their lives have changed. And, you might find some new friends and guidance in the process!!!!

Detailing My Car - Odd, but True

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:20:23 -0500

So, I decided that my little red Landrover needed some attention to detail since it decided that the radio was going on strike. Drat! I can barely drive without musical accompaniment. I have been very good to my car since it is one of the many tools I use in my business. But, slowly, it is revolting, given the many, many miless I ask it to go to do Broker Price Opinons, listing appointments, and buyer consultations. I understand. I wouldn't want to work that hard either, oh, that's right, I do! Plus put in hours working on price opinions, printing off open house sheets, purchase agreements, listing contracts and all the other attendant paperwork that goes with listing, buyer and selling homes. Well, little Red, you are nice and clean, given your dratted black carpet that shows every little flaw, and you are all armor-alled and nice smelly, and have all your eyes wide open again...so we can take you out with buyers who will ignore you and look at all the beautiful homes your owner will show them! They will be very pleased with their new homes, and I have you to thank.

Hire A Professional...Worrier.

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:58:10 -0500

It just dawned on me that I am a professional worrier. I woryy about my buyers, my sellers, the market, what the President will say, did I get all the bills in to my asset mangement companies on time, will they pay me? Did I do a great enough presentation on that last listing appointment? I could go on and on.

Sometimes, after I've played in the Rain, I will play a game or two of solitaire or hearts on the computer. Why? It allows my subconscious to come up with ideas, solutions and other things to worry about. It is a great way to allow your mind to wander and not have to take credit for what comes in or what goes out! But, I will tell you, that one game may lead to another if you allow the brain to "free fall". I used to try meditation but this keeps the busy mind going and lets the subconscious do its thing.

Might not work for you, but, lately, I'm really getting good at hearts!!!!

Hot Breasts and Summertime.

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 19:22:20 -0500

Re-blogged by 0 agents

Hot Breasts and Summertime. (edit/delete)

I marinated some chicken breast in straight Hot Frank's Sauce with Chile and Lime and threw them on the grill with some corn on the cob. I love it when my mouth burns after the meal is over. And, then I made the most delicious strawberry-rhubarb crumble with a fantastic topping that has pecans, topped with ice cream. Life is good. Summer is fantastic, even if it is a bit chilly for Minnesota. The weekend was great.

I had clients I can work with at my opens. Two closings this week. I AM SO GRATEFUL.

Wishing all of you the best of mid-summer delights, blessings and good times.

Hot Breasts and Summertime.

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 19:19:41 -0500

I had clients I can work with at my opens. Two closings this week. I AM SO GRATEFUL.

Wishing all of you the best of mid-summer delights, blessings and good times.

Facing Foreclosure? Beware of the Media Help!

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:33:44 -0500

Someone just called and told me that they had enlisted the assistance of one of the advertisers on televsion to get foreclosure assistance. (I cringed, sorry.)

Well, $4,000 later, money they could not afford to spend or they would have made the payments on their home, they are facing a sheriff's sale. The up side is that we may still be able to save them from complete disaster. But, they are now facing even more loss. And, they basically "gave away" $4,000 to someone who could not or would not help them save the home.

Not saying these were con artists, but it sure smells of it. When you or someone you knows trusts the advertisers to deliver, do you have complete confidence that even though they don't operate in your state or, even if they do, do they have your best interests at heart? Or, do you think they might want to prolong the agony for more money per month to perform on your behalf? Hmmmm....

Desparation takes many forms, and embarrassment to contact someone in your community takes some intestinal fortitude. However, those of us who work in your community have a far greater stake in your well-being and doing the right thing than someone out of state who cares little, if at all, about your property or you! I know that if I do the right thing by you, you will refer your relatives and friends. Being in this community means a lot to me. And, I want my friends, colleagues and relatives to know they can trust me to do the right thing. I work at it every day.

When you have a problem, right from the start, get the best advice you can whether from legal counsel, an accountant or a trusted realtor. I'm here if you just need an ear. And, I have many trusted advisors to refer you to, should you need them.

Buyers Beware! Scary situations.

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:18:06 -0500

There has never been, in recent history, a better time for first-time homebuyers to negotiate a sale on any property...bank-owned, owner-owned or short sale. However, there are hazards in the making.

If you think that bypassing a Buyer's Representative and dealing directly with the listing agent gives you an advantage, you are sorely mistaken. It is your choice, however you will be handing over all of your confidential information to the person listing the property. Now, in the State of Minnesota, that constitutes dual agency which means that the agent holds no preference to either party. They cannot, or should not, disclose price, terms or motivation to either party. Do you really want to give up the representation of what could be a bulldog on your behalf to a chihuahua? (Sorry to you dog owners for the analogy.)

You likely won't save money. However, you are giving the agent a double dose of what is best for the agent. A high price with little negotiation means a higher percentage of the sale in the pocket for you-know-who. So, when you are buying, be sure who is representing you. You know best. However, we don't define ourselves as wolves and lambs for nothing. You must be sure you know what you are doing if you go it alone...Just stay safe out there. Especially, these days. Trust me, bank-owned properties and short sales are no easy walk in the park. It was certainly bad enough with one seller-one buyer transactions, but these have cost me sleep and sensibility more than once.

Be safe and hire your own representation. It usually costs you nothing and you will be a lot safer, saner and glad you did in the end.

How to Make Someone's Day!!!

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:44:59 -0500

I really don't quite know how to say this...

Today was really rough. We had a closing on a bank-owned property that had a purchase agreement written on April 10...yes, 3 months ago. BANK-OWNED. Today, it closed, dry. But, it closed. Touch and go all the way down to the wire. The buyer and buyer's agent were among the best people I have ever had the privilege to work with. It has taken every nerve in my body, a couple of drinks and more fortitude than I ever want to muster again in the next few months to get this bloody deal to close. But, the poor buyer and buyer's agent had it much worse.

It was also my birthday. I have had so many nice people send me wishes on facebook and I need to thank them all...and then during closing I got the nicest video birthday greeting from Jeff Turner. How he finds the time to do that is beyond me. But, I have always been a big fan of his, although we haven't communicated much lately. What a guy! I also want to thank Deb Walsh, Ryan Hukill, Petra Norris, Charlie Harden and a bunch of other great friends. I needed this today.....

Want to make someone's day? Whether or not, it's their birthday, just reach out and say hi....sometimes that's all it takes, especially if you know they might be going through a rough spot. I love my friends. Love yours, too.

Sellers should set "new" rules for Real Estate Listings! Will you be fired?

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:28:30 -0500

This is a post originally inspired by my friend, a broker in Georiga, Richard Weisser, and reposted by another friend, Vickie McCartney, a broker in Kentucky. There are some very good points in this column, and I certainly hope that you consider these points when you need to sell your home.

Via Owensboro KY Real Estate Specialist Vickie McCartney, Broker, ABR (Home Realty GMAC Real Estate Owensboro Kentucky):

(This post was inspired by Richard Weisser)

Out with the old and in with the new! Real Estate Agents must be now be accountable!

Effective in all states!

New Real Estate Rule effective immediately! All Listing agents must now be accountable!

Agents may NO LONGER take listings if they are not going to be available to field calls for showings!

If you take a listing and know you can't be available, you MUST get someone to take your calls or else you can't take the listings! Sellers deserve better than this and are now requiring it. Agents may no longer play "God" with their sellers homes! Sellers just want their homes SOLD. If it can't be shown, then it can't be sold! Agents do NOT have the right to jeopardize the sale!

I really think it should be done like this -Seriously, WHY should a agent take a listing (which is actually an employment contract) if they aren't willing to do the home work and be available to set up showings or even take the phone calls?? What is so difficult about picking up the phone, or at least returning phone calls so that a listing can be shown? In order to sell it, this must happen! Sellers deserve at least this much.

Why should anyone have to call three different times in a day to set up a showing and STILL not get a call back?

Sellers are entitled to know that their AGENTS are not available to do the work that goes along with the listing and know that the agent doesn't seem to care either!  That is a absolute disgrace. What is so hard about managing phone calls??? It is simply our job! What ever happened to service?

The new rule is going to be : from now on, all sellers will be notified every time an agent calls, emails or texts their listing agent to try to set up a showing! This will be done automatically from the MLS!

Listing agents, how do you feel about that?

Better yet, maybe we should just go ahead and ask the sellers just how they feel about that, what do you think? Aren't we supposed to follow all sellers legal and lawful instructions?

Maybe the sellers need to put this post's instructions in to action! How many listing agents would be fired? Maybe sellers will see this post and realize just how it is supposed to be done...if they are not sure, they can just contact me!  I will be happy to oblige! How about YOU?

Vickie McCartney,Realtor~Home Realty GMAC Real Estate~ Owensboro,KY

Banks Have Decided Not to Sell Off the Bad Loans to the Government!

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:48:24 -0500

The banking industry as a whole asked for a bailout. They got it. Then, they didn't like the terms. Now, a number of them are paying back the TARP money because they don't like the intrusion and inspectiion of their business practices. Hmmm.....Now, they want to keep the bad debt rather than sell it off to the government, who is quite willing to take it on. What do you think they are working to keep quiet? Perhaps that life wasn't that bad in the first place? Or, as some of them are professing, they can sell it off at more profit than the government can.

Well, then, why didn't you do that before you cried "Wolf" in the first place? Just asking.

Real Estate Company Owners Sentenced in $35 Million Mortgage Fraud

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Sat, 16 May 2009 08:46:16 -0500

I believe this is great information for local consumers, agents and brokers.

Via Jason Rose (123 ConEd LLC (www.123ConEd.com)):

Here is another example of a recent legal case involving fraudulent real estate loan schemes and bank fraud, all related real estate transactions involving real estate professionals. I try to post case summaries in order to provide timely updates to real estate professionals on important issues.

On April 16, 2009, the two owners (Jonathan Helgason and Thomas Balko) of a Minnesota real estate company were sentenced in federal court for mortgage fraud in connection with a scheme involving at least 162 properties, principally in north Minneapolis, and mortgage proceeds of approximately $35 million.

Mr. Helgason was sentenced to 96 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Mr. Balko was sentenced to 84 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Restitution will be ordered at a later date.

According to their plea agreements, Mr. Helgason, a licensed real estate agent, and Mr. Balko were the owners of numerous companies, including TJ Waconia, Total Title LLC, Complete Real Estate Services, Inc. and CityWide Management, LLC and Investor’s Warehouse LLC (collectively, “the TJ Group”).

From approximately 2005 to 2007, Mr. Helgason and Mr. Balko executed a scheme to defraud and to obtain money by means of false and fraudulent pretenses. Using the TJ Group, Mr. Helgason and Mr. Balko purchased approximately 162 properties throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area, principally in north Minneapolis. They would then resell the property within a few weeks to an “investor” who would purchase the property, sight unseen, at a price set by Mr. Helgason and Mr. Balko without negotiation, often times $20,000 to $60,000 more than the TJ Group had paid.

According to the plea agreements, people were told by Mr. Helgason and Mr. Balko that the investors were simply “lending” their credit to TJ Waconia (one of their companies). In exchange for “lending” their credit, the investors would receive a kickback payment of about $2,500 and a promise of an additional payment after two years when the TJ Group was to repurchase the property from the investor.

Through the scheme, the defendants perpetrated a fraud on the lenders who were led to believe that the “investors” were the actual owners of the properties, when, in fact, the “investors’” ownership was in name only. During the two-year period during which the investor owned the property, the TJ Group was responsible for all payments and maintenance on the property. In some instances, Mr. Helgason and Mr. Balko also provided investors with funds to pay the buyer’s portion of the property purchase price and worked with others to provide lenders with false loan applications on behalf of the investors so that they would qualify for the loan.

The two men, on behalf of the investors, obtained approximately $35 million in mortgage proceeds to purchase the properties from the TJ Group. Ultimately, the scheme collapsed, and the TJ Group did not repurchase the properties or continue making payments to the investors in order to pay their mortgages. The investors were left owning properties with mortgages that exceeded their property’s market value.

This case was the result of an investigation by Federal Mortgage Fraud Task Force, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office.

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To learn more about a variety of real estate topics, please visit us at www.123ConEd.com. We are the leading online provider of Michigan real estate continuing education. All of our courses are fully approved and properly certified by the State of Michigan, and are offered online

You Know The Market Is Busy When You Take the Buyers Agents Clients to Your Listings!

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:05:49 -0500

I have been busy with my buyers. I have been busy with my listings. I have been busy setting appointments for listings and buyer meetings. But, I haven't in a while taken other buyers' agents clients to show properties. It's been two years! I love that that is now the case. And, inventory is shrinking now! We have had multiple offers on our bank-owned properties. And, they are getting above list price!!!! How cool is that? I wished that we could recoup some of our losses for all of us dedicated agents. And, it seems to be coming true. Keep your fingers crossed. Everything could be coming back to life. Go.....Go....Go!

Help me understand. Good grief, Charlie Brown!

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:18:59 -0500

We have a Congress person who doesn't grasp the meaning of statistics. Help me. Why would you write such drivel in a newspaper?

"Any way you look at it, it's low- and middle-income Americans who will pay dearly for this. According to an analysis by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the average American household could expect its yearly energy bill to increase by $3,128 per year. Using an analysis by Peter Orszag, President Obama's budget director, that number would be closer to $4,000.

In fact, low- and middle-income Americans right here in the Midwest will pay a disproportionately high cost for this policy. A recent analysis by staff at the House Ways and Means Committee found that under a cap-and-trade proposal, the annual increase in electricity costs per capita would be far higher for Midwesterners than in most other regions. Costs would be raised the most for those who get their energy from coal-fired utilities, which are more dominant in the Midwest than in the Northeast or Pacific Northwest, essentially meaning that Minnesotans will be paying for New Yorkers' energy. "

This has been a myth for months. And, she has actually posted an op-ed piece on this. Isn't bad enough that we are the only state without two US senators? And, she is my only other elected official to call on. Life is tough in Minnesota these days. Life in Lake Wobegone went from normal and average to imbecilic.

Google has taken out the drudgery of email for you!!! Cognitive Autoheuristic Distributed-Intelligence Entity - CADIE

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:16:37 -0500

Google announced this morning at 11:59:59 a new system for taking the drudgery out of email. Suzanne McLaughlin can now anwer all her email automatically! It takes just minutes to sign up. And, you will never have to answer all those pesky inquiries again. Just go to the google main page and click on CADIE. Or on the top bar...autopilot. What a timesaver! Now, I can just work on Active Rain, Facebook and Twitter. Oh happy (April Fool's) day!!!!! Hope you enjoy this!

The Market is Hot...for Buyers and Birdies!!!

Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:08:26 -0500

Spring is typically the time that I really come alive...and, believe me, being a redhead, at least by nature, I am always alive!

This weekend the man of the house was busy in his workshop making birdhouses which he puts on pitchforks. I know, it sounds weird but they are very popular for gardens. And, he sells them.

Okay, just picture it, a birdhouse on a pitchfork....I tried for half an hour to import the picture, but it doesn't work so we are moving on now.

At any rate, as I said, he sells them so they are new housing. Yesterday, as I was glancing out the deck door, I see a prospective buyer. No, not a human. A male wren. He was very excited, popping back and forth, peeking in the window. And chirping away...presumably to the wife who was likely nearby. I started to laugh, and he flew off. Then he brought her over to check it out just a short time later. There was no realtor bird nearby that I could see. But, I think they're buying. Unless he can move it quickly.

If the birds are buying, and my buyers are buying, why aren't you buying?