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What Makes a Community?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas

What Makes a Community?

PEOPLE

 Lots of people

 

 

 

If you are active in the rain you understand what community means. It's not the binding of people that have known one another forever or the fact that you live next door, it is more the foundational building of a friendship, business partnership, meeting of personalities, minds and support. Within the Rain, many of us have built strong bonds of friendship and respect for our fellow bloggers and Real Estate Professionals.

 

Well, there you have it in a nutshell. Lake Livingston Texas. We are not a particular "township" or county. We are many towns, 4 counties and subdivision after subdivision of "Community Minded" people. Lake Livingston redefines the word "local". Even with miles and miles between us we are still a tight knit community.

Lake Livingston is a virtual "melting pot" of people from all walks of life, states and even countries. It is not unusual for us to schedule "tours" for people who fly in for the weekend. The clients are looking for a spot on the water with the possibility of retirement later. Our Lake area is not as "commercialized" as many others are so we still have acreage and numerous homesites available.

Our lake is 90,000 surface acres of water and 450 linear miles around! It is, at the widest point, 7 miles across. On occasion I have shown houses by boat! There is nothing like loading the cooler with lunch, grabbing the binoculars and boating from property to property to help find the perfect Lakehouse by the water! We are blessed to have Bluebird Sanctuaries, Protected Piney Woods Forests, specified land for hunting and fishing and water sports galore!  

I thought I would bring my camera and assistant with me today to give you a quick view of our Trinity River, Lake Livingston and a few of our friends and neighbors! Please join me with some of our "Local" friends and neighbors and see why they love the lake.

 





 

Our small town vendors are lifesavers when it comes to needing a quick grocery trip! You just met Denise McNatt of Mac's Superstop. Mac's Superstop consists of a Conoco gas station, Bait and Tackle shop, mini grocery store and UHaul Dealership. I have watched them grow over the last 15 years and their business is booming.

You also just met John Tallent of Tallent's Grocery store. Tallents are famous for their meat processing. They have the best HOMEMADE SAUSAGE...you never sausage a deal! Tallents have the most beautiful meat counter anywhere! As weekenders drive past on their way to the lake they stop to grab a Ribeye or Ribs to throw on the grill. You can grab a brisquet BBQ sandwich or a chicken fried steak sandwich or of course, their famous sausage while they package your groceries! What a life!

Next please join me for a glimpse of the Trinity River Bridge and come with me to show a house. The house is in Trinity, Texas and in Trinity county. My average drive day is anywhere from 60 to 200 miles! Off we go.



 

 

 

You have just met Barbara and Bob from Alaska. They have now placed an offer on the house and are looking forward to fishing!

 

 

Living next to our waterways is sometimes a challenge. Lake Livingston is so deep and oceanic in places it is imperative to conserve the earth from erosion. We build what is called a bulkhead to preserve our shore. The fun part is building a boathouse to keep our toys. Please meet two of my clients and friends Gabrielle and Dave Thomson. They own Waterside Construction and will help guide you in the shore conservation process. Waterside Construction is in San Jacinto County.



Michael "Mike" Miller
EXIT REALTY SERVICES - Moon Township, PA
My service will move you! Help me, help you!

Deb,  You've done an incredible job with this!  I hope you're using this in your presentations!  Mike

Jun 30, 2008 02:08 AM
Jeannette Neerpat
CondoDomain.com - Coral Springs, FL
e-Pro Coral Springs/Parkland Real Estate
Deb you did a great job on the videos!!!! Awesome!
Jun 30, 2008 02:51 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Mike, i did and I'm planning to use a lot more video for my home showings!

Jeannette, thank you and they were really fun for me!

Later in the rain~Deb

Jun 30, 2008 03:33 AM
#43
Becky Respess
Broker/Associate Century 21 Judge Fite Co - Cedar Hill, TX
ABR, CRB, CRS

Deb, what an awesome blog! I love the video too. You are truly an expert! You are so right people make any community the happening place to be.

Jun 30, 2008 04:00 AM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Becky, you are so right too! If you love where you are it shows. When people move into a community they want to be accepted as one of the group! Lake Livingston is really good about opening their arms and welcoming the newcomers.

Later in the rain~Deb

Jun 30, 2008 04:04 AM
Jeremy Blanton
Myrtle Beach Homes Blog - Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach REALTOR®- myrtlebeachhomesblog.com

Wow Deb Very impressive!  Love it all!  Videos are great!

 

Jun 30, 2008 09:19 AM
Anonymous
kbaxter
If you want people to know more about you, your products and services, then this is a great way to do it. 10 minutes of surfing a day will deliver guaranteed hits on your websites...................see below: I have also put the link for the video my sister sent me below. There is also a Spanish site too that operates the same way (is discussed in the retire2009 video). I have surfed the last 2 days and each site pops up for 15 sec. The minimum to look at is 25, however the max is around 70. I am doing the 70 a day right now because it doesn’t take that long. Every credit I earn is another view and hit to my site by someone else. http://videoemail.helloworld.com/view?uri=Mjg3MzY3MC0wNS8xMi8wODoxMzo1NjoyOA==&speed=1369&players=flash%2Cquicktime%2Cmp4%2Cwindows%2CAcrobat%20Reader%2CJava I recently entered in the following websites to Ad Surf Daily to help drive more business and exposure to the companies I own websites for: My Par3Academy Golf Site My Cheapdiamondsdepot Site The condo in St. Thomas my sister and I own and rent throughout the year I have 3 online now, and will be adding more shortly. I think you have a maximum of 5 in the rotator at any one time. My sister has hers in: Her personal mortgage business website with Evofi One. Her MMA "pay your mortgage off early" website. The condo in St. Thomas we co-own Dean's "One Way 2 Play....Drug Free" website for Vegas FCA. 1. This video series will give you the context for why Internet Marketing is so powerful. http://www.asdpresentation.com/ 2. This video is a Presentation of what the Ad Surf Daily (ASD) program does. The video is already talking about the owner when it starts so bear with it until the slides start. The best way to do this one is to let it completely load and then at about 13 min in you will start seeing the power point slides with the numbers on it. If you let the whole thing load, you can fast forward to 13 min and then start watching. www.retire2009.us 3. Video of the Founder and President Andy Bowdoin http://designstrategies.com/adcash/page2.html Sign up for FREE and get started experiencing what this can do for you. This is a referral based business so please go to my site http://www.asdcashgenerator.com/?ref=44525 and signup today! If you have any questions let me know. Deb Baxter 214-675-7083
Jun 30, 2008 09:26 AM
#47
Chris Tesch
RE/MAX Bryan-College Station - College Station, TX
College Station, Texas Real Estate

Deb,

Congrats on your week 6 win!  Good luck with next week!

Jun 30, 2008 12:13 PM
Elizabeth Cooper-Golden
Huntsville Alabama Real Estate, (@ Homes Realty Group) - Huntsville, AL
Huntsville AL MLS

Deb, So THIS is what a winning entry looks like!  I am so happy for both of you. It couldn't have happened to anyone nicer than the 2 of you!  (other than me and Kimberly, LOL)...Happy happy day. Soak in your win and then GET BACK TO WORK on week 7!  Can you believe it is week 7?  Congrats again, to one of my favorite people.

Jun 30, 2008 01:04 PM
Dionne Morgan
Realty World Solano Realty - Vallejo, CA
Broker REALTOR ,GRI, e-PRO

Wow, you deserved to be featured.

I loved this blog with all the bells and whistles. Very personal, very creative.

You are all I thought you would be enthusiatic, optimistic, energetic and more. You have definitately found your niche and Hollywood may be looking for you. Keep it up. 

Take care and enjoy the Fourth

Jun 30, 2008 02:28 PM
Doreen Johan
RE/MAX Sunset Coast - Saint Joseph, MI
Sunset Coast Michigan
I feel like I learned ALL about your community! Nice post, very personal and engaging. Thanks!
Jun 30, 2008 04:55 PM
Anonymous
Victor Mills - EWM Inc., Realtors (Pinecrest FL)

I really ejoyed this post Debra. Way to go! It was outstanding on so many levels.

Jun 30, 2008 09:25 PM
#52
Karen Hurst
RICOASTALLIVING.COM - Warwick, RI
Rhode Island Waterfront!

Deb, All I can say is "wow":) Excellent post, video, subject matter and presentation. Congratulations and well deserved!

Jul 01, 2008 09:34 AM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Chris, thank you and I'm excited too! I would love to go to San Francisco and meet all the AR gurus! Love it.

Elizabeth...you go back to work too my lady! Whattaya think? On a honeymoon? Whatever...

Thank you Dionne! It was fun putting this together. I love your cheerleader smiley. Nice gift...

Doreen! There's a lot more to learn and the people are so nice.

Victor, wow. That's a wonderful compliment. I hope I can continue to have fun with the Localism.

Karen! You are a pro yourself so thank you so much!

Later in the rain~Deb

Jul 01, 2008 10:28 AM
Tom Burris
NMLS# 335055 - Baton Rouge, LA
Texas/Louisiana Mortgage Pro - 13 YRS Experience

Wonderful post. I don't know how I missed it when it was featured.

But, I couldn't help but think to myself.... All those people saying: "Look out.... there is that realtor with the microphone"

LOL

Good job. I look forward to more.

Jul 02, 2008 12:47 AM
Loretta Buckner
Real World Properties, Inc.| Your Real Estate Consultant for Life - Palm Harbor, FL
Your GREEN Real Estate Consultant For Life!

Well, I guess it's obvious what's been keeping you busy!  Nice work, Deb!!  It is SO COOL to get to see other places where my Rain Friends live and work--all from the comfort (?) of my computer!  Good job--do more!

Jul 03, 2008 12:49 PM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Loretta, my two kids were both born in Tampa Bay Fla. I love your clear waters and sunshine. I like the sun glasses BTW.

Later in the rain~Deb

Jul 03, 2008 01:37 PM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Deb - I have missed so much, having a hard time keeping up.  You did a terrific job with your videos, you are a lady who can wear many hats.  Keep the videos coming.

Jul 05, 2008 12:59 PM
Anonymous
Gina McKinley

This was fabulous.  I thoroughly enjoyed your movies and loved the car ride.  Made me feel like I should look for a vacation home there. 

 

Jul 07, 2008 06:11 AM
#59
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Gina, thanks. We have a pretty area and it photographs nicely! Come on down and we can be neighbors! Sounds fun.

Later in the rain~Deb

Jul 07, 2008 06:19 AM