I have been aPittsburgresident for 8 years now although I have visited the area quite for quite a few times before moving to this beautiful city.  Contrary to what I have previously heard about Pittsburg, pretty much the negative things about it, I haven't had any negative experiences so far.  In fact, there are a lot of things to like about Pittsburg.  I begin to wonder how and where those negative comments originated.  Well, thinking again, perhaps some have had negative observation or experiences encountered while in Pittsburg, which probably had been shared to others and as a result had spread out.

The City of Pittsburg actually is bouncing back, it boasts a picture of growth.  The old downtown is being rebuilt, some traffic-drawing business establishments had already embarked in this desirable city, a number of new communities had been built as newer ones begin to proliferate. It is pure joy that I feel as I see my home city improve and grow day after day.

Our Farmers' Market for one, had been existing for years but all those years that I've been a resident here that I've only been there once, just two Saturdays ago.  This may be a shock to some. Honestly, I was the one who was shocked the most! I didn't expect that my very first Farmers' Market experience would be so much fun and nostalgic!  Not only that vendors sell their freshest produce, but the people in general were so nice, accommodating, just being friendly!  It felt as though we really are a community!  It felt so different but in a very pleasant way--the environment evoked a true homelike feel to it.  It almost was like that show on TV, "Cheers", where people know each other by name sort of thing. I know I'd be going there more often now and I'm sure I will spread the word about our Farmers' Market and the City of Pittsburg that I am happy to be a part of it!

Hope to see some of you there!

That includes my husband... (he's a Rainer, too, btw). Happy Father's Day! 

May you all continue to do the many wonderful things you like doing, first and foremost on the list being the provider and the rock that you all have always been.

I know it's a little early for this greeting but just wanting to make a little bit sure that you'd get it as I wonder if our AR dads would really be reading posts on  Father's Day.  So again, happy father's day!

I thought you'd be interested in submitting an entry to RISMedia's 3rd annual competition for nation's best 'up and coming' agents showcases Top 50. Here's the link:

http://www.rismedia.com/wp/2007-06-08/last-week-to-submit-realtor-on-the-rise-nominations/

Today's the last day for entry submission, to my understanding so hurry now! Just got this info... I'm sure we all know someone who deserves to be in the Top 50 Realtors on the Rise...

The more I log on to AR to see what's happening and what members have been blogging about, the more that it excites me about the many benefits one can get out of blogging.

For the most part, I joined AR to get a better feel of this profession.  As a new agent I know there's just so much to learn out there, and what better way to get to know this industry but to join a blogging site such as AR?  The insights from other members continue to amaze me.  It's just so much fun reading the posts and comments! Just tremendous information one can get from the various experiences of those members who find time to share with the rest of the AR community, both their old and recent encounters being in real estate. 

Yesterday and most of all today, I found out that there are other benefits I could enjoy being a blogger, things that I did not know could actually arise from blogging like obtaining leads, exposure to search engines, and now I just found out that any member who actively participate in blogging may even get a chance to be recognized even outside of AR. 

I would like to say that support system is a perfect A.K.A  for AR and blogging!  It's always worth the time spent here.

As a new agent,  I really wanted to jump start my career. I have been on the look out for ideas that could possibly help me achieve this goal, such as a catchy marketing approach to help me gain the much needed recognition to effectively promote the services I offer. 

I have heard about Talking House, I was interested in it for a while and though it is a little hefty for a starter like myself, price-wise, I was willing to give it a try. However; after reading some negative comments about it from those who have already tried it, that I am having some reservations to go ahead and go for it.  Though the company offers a 90-day free trial on  on their product, I know it would still turn out to be a waste of my time and effort should I find it of little value to my marketing system.  Most of my hours are already spent in improving our website, enhancing our marketing tools and presentations, added to that time I have to give to my family and my studies as well.

I live in a hilly area where cell phone's reception signal isn't always reliable that I had to switch to another wireless provider when my family moved to this location. I am wondering if the unit would work efficiently as to my understanding it utilizes radio frequency/ies.   

I would say that my entry into this real estate profession isn't something many would consider timely as we are in a market perceived as a "slow market".  However; leaning onto the positive side of it, a lot of productive things can be done with just a little bit of initiative on the person. 

How I take advantage of this market, and being new in this career, I keep myself busy learning ways to better my chance to make it in this industry that can really be lucrative when taken to heart.  I take classes both online and live, not just for the designation or certification per se, but to gain that knowledge that I know I would need to make it big as a real estate agent in California.  It takes some degree of effort there on my part as I am married and have two sons, and add to that the nursing classes I am taking up in Los Medanos College.

In general, I look at this market as in fact an opportunity to get all the required learning.  To me, the timing and the market are both perfect for me as I get to efficiently balance my time and enjoy learning.  I know that when the next "wave" is here that I have already positioned myself perfectly and be able to look back what a perfect market that was when I chose to become a real estate agent!