It's Been Six Months and My House Hasn't Sold...What Should I do? - 01/31/11 07:15 PM
Liz wrote an excellent - post about why homes haven't sold that have been on the market for a while.  I enjoyed reading it and though the approach is direct - sometimes it is the best way to say something!  --Gabrielle
Via Liz Moras ~Chilliwack Realtor, Garrison Crossing, Langley, Abbotsford (Harrison Hot Springs, Cultus Lake):
Your house hasn't sold?  Its been 3, 6, 12 months?  You're shaking your head and wondering why?  Well here are the straight goods........Look at the list and check it twice! :-)
First of all lets see why other similar properties sold and yours didn't:
1.) They made sure their property … (2 comments)

Don't Be So Rigid You Might Burst Your Own Balloon. - 01/31/11 07:52 AM
The home next door is up for sale.  Open house.  Real estate agent has signs all over, ties ribbons around the trees, sandwich boards around the front yard with arrows pointing inside and ... has balloons. 
Balloons all over - the street signs, the front door - a child would think there is a birthday party happening in the house.  Well at least mine does!
I see the agent outside strolling around the front yard so I go over to say hi.  A few minutes later, a car pulls up and out jumps a family - with twin little girls. 
Now … (18 comments)

Speechless Sunday - I "Heart" Her! - 01/30/11 06:24 AM
My daughter has a knack for finding heart-shaped things in nature -- here is her recent one - we went to look at a house yesterday and she was in the backyard.  Suddenly she says, "Look Mommy - the leaves are in the shape of a heart."  It took a minute and a little more coffee but I finally saw it!

… (16 comments)

Tucson Today! - 01/29/11 06:17 AM
It's going to be an unusually warm weekend in Tucson with highs near 71 so take advantage and spend the day outside soaking it all in before the cool temps return next week.
What can you do in and around Tucson today:
Take a drive down to historic Tubac, AZ - bring a picnic lunch, blanket and chairs and enjoy a classic music concert hosted by the Tohono Village
Explore fossils, gems and dino bones at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.
Tour the Tucson Rodeo Parade Museumwhich just opened this month! Lots of outdoor buggies, wagons, etc., and see what an old wild … (7 comments)

When You Find That Easy Button For Starting In Real Estate - I Want To Press It! - 01/28/11 02:48 PM
I'm getting a real estate license - it will be easy enough - then I can sell my own home and save money.
That's what I heard from a potential Seller yesterday.  I've heard it before and it's just one of the many reasons people have when they say they are going to get a real estate license.  Often,  they excitedly say:
Anyone can get a real estate license- true but - technically speaking you do have to meet some criteria!
It's easy - OK!
I can find a cheap company to hang my license - you sure can!
I can save … (56 comments)

GET YOUR ROCK ON! The Tucson Gem Show Is Back! - 01/27/11 05:59 PM
Do you want to see a massive gold nugget?  Or pick out that perfect "rock" for special person?  Or do you want to see the tiniest of minerals that can only be seen under a microscope?
Well then come on out to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show and get your rock on!  
Known around Tucson as simply "the gem show" it has grown so much over the years.  A little history:
The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show started in 1955 as a free exhibition at a local elementary school. The next year, it moved to the Pima County Fair and Rodeo Grounds on South SixthAvenue, … (7 comments)

Wordless Wednesday: Our Six Kids Need A Home. - 01/26/11 07:06 AM
Three years ago, I received a call and the person on the other end said, "I really want to buy a home - we have six kids and it's hard to find one in the price range we need with a lot of room. My kids deserve a home do you think you can help me?"  Six kids! 
We've stayed in touch of the years and see each other quite a bit.  I often get emails and photos about what they have done with their home.  I got this picture of their family a little while back and thought I would share it.
… (12 comments)

When Things Aren't Going Right - Go Left! - 01/25/11 08:20 AM
There comes a timein everyone's life, or career, or in things that just come up - like buying a home - when you feel like you have hit a brick wall.
This week (and it's only Tuesday!) I have that brick wall feeling - for myself and also someone who wants to buy a home.
What do you do and how do you help others when they hit the wall?  I will take my own advice that will be shared with my client today:
Expect that their will be walls - and be ready to climb over them.  Look at the wall as … (15 comments)

Motivational Monday From "O" - 01/24/11 05:59 AM
"Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down." ~Oprah Winfrey~ About 6 months ago, a friend - he was the best at everything and everyone envied what he had - cars, money, great job, his health - he was the best of the best.  Hard to describe someone who has fame but isn't famous - if that makes sense.
Then he had a terrible accident.  It changed him and it changed his situation.  And all his friends no longer call … (14 comments)

Why Didn't You Just Give Your Best Price First? - 01/23/11 08:05 AM
In the middle of a remodel project, often we get a couple different contractor bids for various things.
Over this past week, we were focused on tile for floors and a bathroom.  On a couple recommendations and a "cold call" we got three estimates.  Deciding on one, I courtesy call the other two contractors and let them know we decided on someone else who had a better price, work time-frame and references.  And here is what one of them said,
"I really need and want this job.  My price can come way down to get your business.  Let me just re-work … (9 comments)

Speechless Sunday - Do They Lead To Seperate Rooms? - 01/23/11 07:36 AM
Having fun with wrought iron doors here in Tucson - and came upon these (this) front door! 
Wonder if these open into the same room - or different ones?!

… (7 comments)

And The Winners Take Cash In The Sun Run 5/10k For Tucson's Pima Community College - 01/22/11 06:54 AM
This morning, the Sun Run 5k and 10k as well as a Kids Fun Run kicks of running season in Tucson.
The 5k will start at 9:00am at the clock tower behind Hi Corbett Stadium this year at Reid Park and the 10k will begin on Randolph Way.  Both races loop around beautiful Reid Park on the surrounding streets and bike path.  This is a "pancake" flat and extremely fast course so you can really aim for your best run time.
Prizes in age groups from 1 - 99 years old will be awarded with top CASH prizes for those who beat the timed records for … (8 comments)

Did You Just Flip Me Off?! - 01/21/11 09:16 AM
My finger story, part three.  Short version:  glass in finger, decided to have glass removed, post-removal - huge bandage and splint. It just happens that it is my "middle finger".
After the surgery to remove the glass from my "middle" finger ... it was put in a splint and bandaged.  Driving home, I had to hold my hand up to help relieve some pressure.
Sitting at a stop light, I hear someone yelling and screaming. Looking over - uh oh - it's being directing at me.  I roll down my window to see what's up.  Before the driver speeds off he cursed … (12 comments)

The Aftermath Of Making A Hard Decision. - 01/20/11 07:07 AM
Wrote a post yesterday about simple tips for making a decision.  I made a decision to have glass removed from my finger..followed through with it and was nervous and uncertain the entire time.   After the procedure was over and the pain set in - a little regret wondering if I could have just lived with that piece of glass.
Fat-fingering the key board as I type - please ignore any typos I overlooked. This got me to thinking that these are similar feelings, thoughts and emotions others go through after they have made a hard decision.  Could be about anything - but I … (51 comments)

Paralysis By Analysis- How To Make Yourself Crazy Until You Make A Decision. - 01/19/11 09:10 AM
So I got broken  glass stuck in my fingers a couple weeks ago.  It's in a bad spot - right where my fingers bend. It's bugging me - so talking with the doctor he says, "You can live with it or we can cut it out and have the risk of nerve damage, etc.  Go home think about it let me know."  Ahhh .. let the Google-ing begin.
Some things in life are black or white, and easy to make decisions about. Other decisions take a little more thought - and other major decisions take even more time.
Decisions are usually solid and … (7 comments)

What Kind Of Home Will $53,000 Buy In Tucson? - 01/18/11 03:56 PM
That has been a question asked of me often and here is one answer for those Buyers who have cash, are a little handy or have some extra money to fix up a home.
Here is one example of what you can buy: this home is a 3 bedroom/2bath, just under 1200 sq ft., on Tucson's southeast side.  It's convienently located near schools, shopping, parks, etc.  It is a bank-owned home that needs some fix up - but nothing major.  Here are some property highlights: permitted, detached 3 car garage, double gate access from the front and rear, one-car attached carport, separate laundry room and … (8 comments)

DANGER, DANGER: DON'T OVERPRICE YOUR HOME!! - 01/18/11 07:09 AM
This is a re-blog of a very serious topic for Sellers.  Over-pricing your home will cost you in the long run.  It's always better to price your home according to the market and based on what Buyers are willing to pay! -- Gabrielle
Via Larry Atkins, State Wide Realty Co.:
DANGER, DANGER: DON'T OVERPRICE YOUR HOME!!
Okay, you've decided to sell…but for how much. Yeah, you want to make as much money as possible but beware…don't overprice it could cost you in the long run! How you ask?
Top Problems of Overpricing
Limiting prospective buyers – Buyers usually know their price … (6 comments)

It's Going To Take A Lot Of Practice Making Videos ~ But I Did One For The AR Kodak Video Contest! - 01/17/11 09:39 AM
This is my very first video - in fact - I had to open up a YouTube account just to enter the Active Rain contest. 
But it forced me to jump into the video world!  I don't do well in front of a camera - nor do I sound good.  So I picked the lesser of two "goofys" and used my voice to create this one.
My video skills need lots of fine-tuning - but this is a start!  Just like blogging - with time and practice - I'll get there!  And maybe I will get a t-shirt to mark this event!
So here it is … (10 comments)

Who's Voice Have You Heard Lately? - 01/16/11 08:55 AM
This is kind of a fun post to write because of a phone call I received yesterday.  The call was important - but it reminded me of how many friendships and interactions I've made since being here on Active Rain.  Most interactions are through emails - which is great - but there is nothing like a phone call from time to time!
Anyway, the call was great because I have read this person's post over time and felt like I already knew her - and I knew she would be easy to talk to! 
Same as the others I've talked to - and … (10 comments)

Sittin' In The Mornin' Sun, I'll Be Sittin' When The Evening Comes.. Waiting For The Late! - 01/15/11 07:42 AM
If I was Otis Redding, sitting by the dock on a bay - I would have probably waited a little longer .... but instead, my view was a brown house next to a dirt road.  So I just watched my hair get grayer yesterday waiting for Buyers to show up. 
To pass more time, I got to wondering what is the reasonable amount of time one should wait for someone who is late.
For me, it probably depends on several things - if they call and let me know, I wait longer; if it's a friend who is always late - I wait until I don't … (27 comments)

When Saying It Isn't Enough S P E L L IT OUT! - 01/13/11 07:27 AM
My real estate friend - she's about five days from her first Buyers signing and closing. Joining her on a quick trip to the house to make sure things were in order for the final walk through - we got quite a "who knew we had to spell it out" moment.
As we toured the home everything looked great.  Admiring the view from the porch, I say, "Does that 5th wheel come with the home?"  And those cars, and Pod?  And the people standing next to it all?
Ah ... I get to meet the "almost" new homeowners.  Fumbling for words, the soon … (104 comments)

Have You Talked With Your Accountant Lately? - 01/12/11 07:36 AM
Geez - I got a "going to have to do more paperwork" call yesterday after setting an appointment to have my taxes done!  I knew some rules were changing and that the IRS hired thousands more auditors to handle taxes - and this may be part of the reason why!
If you are a landlord, investor, fix and flipper, or independent contractor who claims expenses ... you might want to call your accountant and ask about some changes that went into effect this year.
First one - mileage.Remember those old mileage logs?  Better dust it off and start using it again.  IRS (and they want it … (12 comments)

Tucson's 21st Annual Ft. Lowell Soccer Extravaganza - 01/11/11 08:12 AM
Soccer fans, soccer parents, soccer gear - soccer everything - right on the corner of Ft. Lowell and Craycroft roads here in Tucson! 
If you are up for some fun - then this is the place to be this weekend for the 21st Annual Ft Lowell Soccer Shootout sponsored by the Tucson Association of Realtors.
The event spreads all across the town of Tucson and is host to soccer teams from all around the country.
Highlights include:
Picnic in the Park
Soccer Olympics
Soccer parade - showcasing the best dressed and decorated soccer teams/players (this is fun to see!)
Best match tournaments
… (7 comments)

Thinking Outloud On This Tuesday In Tucson - 01/11/11 07:50 AM
It's hard to focus on Tucson real estate and local posts these days.  Though I turn the TV off, it goes on. I stayed up late last night getting updates from my husband who works for Tucson Police.  Soon as he said he'd thought he'd be home by 2am and could sleep today - the call comes in that he has to go right back in at 6am to prepare for the President's visit.  It got me to thinking about all the changes here in Tucson as a result -
So, thinking out loud, here are some other changes in Tucson … (8 comments)

Words Do Have Consequences - Be Responsbile And Choose Yours Wisely - 01/10/11 08:15 AM
Saturday was a sad day in Tucson.  Life changing for everyone but not as life changing as those clinging on for their lives and those who lost theirs.  The television and news coverage as been 24/7:
Gabrielle Giffords Phyllis Schneck Dorothy Morris U.S. District Judge John M. Roll Christina-Taylor Green Gabe Zimmerman Dorwan Stoddard My heart is broken for them all. 
Admist all this terror, Pima County, Ariz., Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, has been applauded and criticized for his words about the unspeakable act, Arizona and the state of the country as he sees it.  He places lots of blame on media and … (16 comments)

Tree Climbing Competition Is Back Again In Arizona! - 01/07/11 02:42 PM
I haven't climbed a tree lately - but I remember when I was a kid - it's what we did and it sure was fun!  Arizona does have trees - from mesquites, to palms and even pine trees here and there - so finding a tree to climb is not hard!
But it's a lot easier if you go to the Tree Climbing Competition held near Tucson in Casa Grande, Arizona. Last years event was a huge success and the Arizona Community Tree Council has brought it back with even more fun for kids and the novice tree climber!
Here is some information about … (8 comments)

Live Near Sabino Canyon In NE Tucson Arizona! - 01/05/11 01:43 PM
… (3 comments)

Trashing The Real Estate Agent ... - 01/05/11 07:42 AM
As I wrote my post this morning, I got the title because of Michael Thornton's post about trashing home inspectors.  His quote that stuck with me:
"There are some really good, honorable folks in this business who work in/for the best interest of their clients. On the other hand, there are those who, like a shark, go into a feeding frenzy when the scent of a commission check is in the water."
Last year (I like saying that just a few days into a new year!), my seller and I spent a week or so discussing an issue that came up … (92 comments)

Run Your Heart Out in Tucson! - 01/04/11 07:39 AM
A runner since my high school days, I find that it's one of the easiest things someone can do to get exercise - all it requires is motivation and a pair of shoes!   Running here in Tucson is something you can do any day of the year (but keep in mind, this is a desert - so in those hot months it's best to run before the sun comes up!)
With any new exercise plan, make sure you check with your doctor.  Then, set a goal - whether it's 2 miles or 10 - the key is to build up to it.  A few things … (7 comments)

My 2 Cents About Things To Avoid In 2011 - 01/03/11 08:00 AM
Dick Clark's Rockin' New Years Eveshow listed "Get Fit/Lose Weight" as the #1 resolution that people make.  Following that - the other top resolutions are:  spend more time with family, stop drinking/smoking, help others, get out of debt and live life more.
Those are things I consistently do rather than start over every year trying to get it done.  But for some, it's a lot harder than others to stick to goals and to-do lists.
For those, it might be easier to pick a few things that are much smaller and easier to accomplish - aiming for bigger things in "steps" rather than "leaps".
… (12 comments)

24 Degrees, Icicles From Trees, Snow On The Mountains - Welcome To New Years Day In Tucson Arizona! - 01/01/11 05:11 PM
This is what we woke up to in Tucson Arizona on the first day of a New Year! 
So why brag and enjoy this kind of weather?  Because it's unusal for Tucson to be this cold ... with snow.  Most of the time we are battling triple digit temperatures and looking for ways to stay cool.  My hope is to remember this day and remember these photos during those challenge warm weather days that seem endless!
So welcome snow, cold and ice!  We will miss you when you melt!

The picture below is a view from the high school track, … (11 comments)

 
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Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind, Broker/Owner

Tucson, AZ

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KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate

Address: PO Box 18621, Tucson, AZ, 85731

Office Phone: (520) 245-0242

Cell Phone: (520) 245-0242

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