I can't belive that it is APRIL. It is my birthday this month and I cant belive that either. I have to say that I have been busy. I've got 3 listings....and I really want to sell them. We do this thing here in Lubbock where we do an open house for the Realtors only. We do it with our new listings and have our perferred lender come and bring lunch. It is great. My lender is the best, they have the best food and the best give aways.I really an thankful for everything that they do for me. THe open house works out good because it gets the realtors in there to see your new listing in person instead of just looking at the pics. Open houses in houses that are occupied are just not a good idea, but if you only do it for the agents....they remember it and bring thier clients back. I have sold one of my listing the day of my open house because the agent just knew that her buyer would love it. It is also a good way to talk to the other agents about what you have going on and what they have out there that might work for your buyers. What are you doing that is working for you? This is what we have found and it seems to work, at least for us it is. My lender does more than any other lender that I know of. Thanks for everything!

I recently went to a really great seminar where we learned the things that we needed to do in order to get a multi Million dollar business for ourselvs. This was one of the best things that I have been to. Let me just say that I have so many new things that I want to do to be able to acheive this. The things that he talked about were things that you ould have come up with on your own but id not think about them. I know have what I need to be sucsesful in 09. I hope that you all have a great year!

I have been out of town for a while now and I am not sure that I even want to come back to the real world. It has been kind of nice to just be away and not have to worry about the hustle and bustle of my everyday life. I have been able to do some things that I have not had time to do. I have seen and met family that I have never met, or have not seen in a long time. when I get home it will be a few days before Christmas so I will have a few more days off! I think that every one has a point in life when they wonder what they are going to do next. I think that I am at that point! I can only hope the new year will have a TON of oppertunity for me and my bussiness. I think that things will get better. Lubbock is a great place to live so maybe I will be able to help people realize that too!

On the rear of the One Dollar bill, you will see two circles.  Together, they comprise the Great Seal of the United States.   The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal.   It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved.   If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid.     Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning.  We had not begun to explore the west or decided what we could do for Western Civilization.  The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished.  Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity.  It was Franklin 's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything.   'IN GOD WE TRUST' is on this currency.   The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, 'God has favored our undertaking.' The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, 'a new order has begun.'  At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776. (MDCCLXXVI) If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States . It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery , and is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States , and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean. The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it.  Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England .. Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you will read, ' E PLURIBUS UNUM' meaning,'one from many.' Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away.  Again, we were coming together as one. Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows.  This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace.  The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows. They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number.   This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this: 13 original colonies, 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence , 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in, 'Annuit Coeptis,' 13 letters in ' E PluribusUnum ,' 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows. And finally, if you notice the arrangement of the 13 stars  in the right-hand circle you will see that they are arranged as a Star of David.  This was ordered by George Washington who, when he asked Hayim Solomon, a wealthy Philadelphia Jew, what he would like as a personal reward for his services to the Cont inental Army, Solomon said he wanted nothing for himself but that he would like something for his people. The Star of David was the result. Few people know that it was Solomon who saved the Army through his financial contributions but died a pauper. I always ask people, 'Why don't you know this?' Your children don't know this, and their history teachers don't know this. Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning fade. Many veterans remember coming home to an America that didn't care. Too many veterans never came home at all. Share this page with everyone, so they can learn what is on the back of the UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL, and what it stands for!

I think that our web page is pretty good. When we get people there, they can do a search on MLS and any listing that they see says I can show it to her. I give them my phone number to call to see it. All the other web pages send the prospect away to get to see the house. I would like you to visit it and tell me what you think. I would like some ideas that would make it better. I am not a web designer so I could use some help as to what you thing would make it better! WWW.LUBBOCKHOMES.INFO

Please go there and take a look and see what you think. Be honest because I want to be able to get the people there and keep them. I wanted it to be easy for them as well to be able to see what they want. Thanks for the comments!

There are so many of us out there that want to help out other people during the holidays but just dont have the extra money to give. Here are some ways to do just that, help!

1.Give property,  

You can donate your real estate. It can be donated without restriction. It is a write-off and based on the appraised value. You could go through your Christmas stuff and donate the stuff you have not used in years to someone that maybe does not have a tree this year.

2. Donate your TIME!!

There are so many around that needs things done at home. You could just go and help out with the every day things. The elderly in your church would love someone to come and take out their trash or change the cat box. I know that you dont think about things like that but trust me, they would love it.

3. Do pro bono work.

If you have a client that you know does not have the money, knock out your commission to that they can get the repairs done or get a little better house for the money. I mean what is the commission on a 50 K house anyway.

4. Do a secret Santa.

I know I know, Time consumming right? Well, I did this one year for asingle lady I built a house for and she looked forward every day to see what was coming next. I did the 12 dyas of Christmas and the last day I took it myself to the door and she was SO shocked. I was the last person that she had thought of! It is really easy to do also!

I know that this year has been hard for some, but next year i think is going to be just as hard. Here is Lubbock we are still pretty ok but there is still the oppertunity to serve and help others.

Local home sales follow seasonal trends

I found this in our local paper thougt that you would like it...

By Chris Van Wagenen | A-J BUSINESS EDITOR

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Story last updated at 11/25/2008 - 2:02 am

Sales of existing homes in the Lubbock area fell by nearly 24 percent in October, reflecting seasonal trends and political uncertainty.

"We did see a decline, but we think it may have been slower due to the pending (presidential) election," said Greg Garrett, president of the Lubbock Association of Realtors.

Garrett said it appears Lubbock sales numbers will still match those achieved in 2007.

Lubbock real estate agents sold 192 homes with an attached dollar volume of $27.3 million through Oct. 31, compared to 252 sales valued at $33.9 million for the same year-ago period.

Nationally, sales of existing homes fell 3.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted 4.98 million units, the National Association of Realtors reported.

In Lubbock, the median sales price - that is half the homes sold for more or less - was pegged at $115,475, up 7.80 percent, compared to $108,575 for the same year ago period, according to Multiple Listing Service.

"The fact that our values have held up in an overall weak (national) economy is a good indicator about our market. Our homes continue to appreciate while our local economy remains strong," Garrett said.

Nationally, just the opposite was true. Realtors reported median sales plunged 11.3 percent from a year ago to $183,000. It was the largest year-over-year drop on records going back to 1968, and the lowest median sales prices since March 2004.

Garrett said a reduction in total home listings is another indicator that the Lubbock market is moving in a positive direction.

There were 1,529 active home listings last month - a decrease of 15.7 percent. That compared to year ago inventory levels, which were pegged by MLS at 1,813 units.

MLS reported a 4.9 month inventory of homes through Oct. 31, compared to a 5.6 month level for the same year-ago period.

To comment on this story:

chris.vanwagenen@lubbockonline.com 766-8744

I dont know if any of you have sold a Classic Centry Home ever but let me tell you how great they are. I went today and did a walk through for a client of mine that we not able to be here because they live in az right now. They man that met me was so nice and helped with the entire process. We walked through and put tape every where that needed to be painted or sheet rock fixed. I know that most builders only do the 1 walk through at the end but there is still one more walk through before you move in just to make sure that you are happy. I think that is so great. They are just so good to work with . If I could I would sell one of their houses every day! All you have to do is take you buyer there sign them up and let them go. I say if you have a chance to sell one of their homes DO IT!! it is a no brainer!

weLL i GUESS THAT i AM READY FOR A NEW WEEK. I SHOULD HAVE A CLOSING THIS WEEK BUT WE ARE NOT SURE WHEN. I AM THANKFUL FOR THE CLOSING. THIS WEEKEND I HAD TIME TO THINK ABOUT THE THINGS THAT I WAS THANKFUL FOR AND MAN I HAVE A LOT TO BE THANKFUL FOR. I KNOW THAT EVERYONE HAS HAD TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT AS WELL. I AM ALSO THANKFUL FOR BUYERS. I DONT HAVE ANY SELLERS RIGHT NOW BUT IF I DID I WOULD BE HAPPY FOR THEM ALSO. I AM THANKFUL THAT I HAVE SUCH A GREAT JOB THAT ALLOWS ME TO BE AT HOME WITH MY GIRLS WHEN I NEED TO. I LOVE THAT I CAN SEE THEM GROW UP. AND THEY GROW UP SOOOO FAST. I KNOW YOU ARE THANKFUL FOR LOTS OF STUFF, HIT ME BACK AND LET ME KNOW 1 THING.

I think that I am still full from the Thanksgiving feast! I did not even eat that much but I think that I am just full from cooking it! I tried to work it off with all the after Thanksgiving shopping...but I am not sure that it worked!

I am refreashed after aday off and ready to start working again.  I still think that people are going to wait untill the new year to see what is going on to buy!? what do you guys think? well I would love to know what is really going to happen so that I can just move on with it!