misc ramblings from the boise idaho real estate specialist: Where's the bucks?! >> Does blogging = Big Bucks? - 01/06/10 09:13 AM
When I discovered Active Rain in early 2007 I went nuts blogging my little heart out and very quickly became Idaho's #1 Active Rain blogger, a title I relinquished in mid 2009 with no regrets.
When I did my major blogging it was after hours, usually well after 8:00 p.m. and into the wee hours of the night.  I could do this because I am divorced (No, blogging did not cause my divorce silly!) and had the time to do it. I quickly learned about the SEO benefit of Active Rain blogging from friends like Chris Elizabeth Griffith, Cyndee Haydon, and … (26 comments)

misc ramblings from the boise idaho real estate specialist: The top 5 changes I have observed in real estate - 01/02/10 12:35 PM
In my nearly 30 years in the real estate business I have seen the business of selling real esate change dramatically. I have to say that in the past few years I have seen some pretty dramatic changes and below I have listed some of the changes I have seen and what I deemed to be important if Realtors are to not only survive but flourish over the next decade.

1) The internet is here to stay and any Realtor that wants to flourish in the future in real estate must have a strong web presence. I have told many clients that before … (19 comments)

misc ramblings from the boise idaho real estate specialist: My wish for 2010 >> Tina is my preacher of the decade! - 01/01/10 10:53 AM
After nearly 30 years in the real estate industry I have seen just about everything there is to see. I have seen marriages and divorces, friendships made and broken in anger, families split apart by heirs that are angry because they don't think they got their fair share.
I have seen business parters that were partners for decades split in anger. I listen to Dr. Laura on the radio and the amount of families that have been split apart due to religion, children, drug addiction, infidelity, alcoholism and much more is rampant and out of control. Some people come into our … (29 comments)

misc ramblings from the boise idaho real estate specialist: Luck has nothing to do with it >> Success has these ingredients - 12/26/09 09:37 AM
Recently I was speaking to an associate friend of mine and she wished me "good luck" when I told her I was showing property to an out of state buyer. At the risk of sounding arrogant I responded by saying "Thank you but luck has nothing to do with it, luck is for the tables at Las Vegas, I am armed with knowledge, drive and determination"!
Knowledge is knowing your product inside and out. I was showing land to this particular buyer and I had extensive information regarding planning and zoning issues, irrigation water, wells for the area and more. If … (89 comments)

misc ramblings from the boise idaho real estate specialist: A letter of love to my nephew - 12/17/09 03:33 AM
This is a letter to my nephew Matthew George. He is following in my footsteps and wrestling in school. He has had some good success this year but has lost a few close matches. Below is a letter I wrote to him last night.
Matt,
I wanted to share my opinion about something that I guarantee will help you in wrestling and in life son. What do Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Walter Payton and Lance Armstrong all have in common? Not only are they all considered to be the best in their given sport but THEY ALL ARE OR WERE IN BETTER … (43 comments)

misc ramblings from the boise idaho real estate specialist: O.K. I give! Here is my Super 8 MeMe all about me! - 06/01/08 12:25 PM
Yes, many AR members have invited me to write my Super 8 MeMe all about me, most recently Mirela Monte and Jessica Horton so here you have it.  Sorry I can't remember the names of everyone else that invited me and sorry it took so long but here it is at long last.
Some Super 8 MeMe's had more questions than others so I combined some of the questions from other posts with questions from others and this is what I came up with.
Who is your favorite musical artist? (post a utube video)
That's a hard question.  You see I … (50 comments)

misc ramblings from the boise idaho real estate specialist: Grandpa and Grandma gave good advice - 03/23/08 02:12 PM
In my years in the business I have seen a lot of ups and downs and have also seen history repeat itself recently.  Adjustable rate mortgages were around in the late 70's and by 1981 mortgages reached 17 ½ % and the prime rate hit 21 ½ %.  When rates reached this level borrowers were loosing their homes and much was written about why adjustable rate mortgages were so bad and why they would die a deserved death and never be seen again.
Fast forward to 2004/2005 and everyone forgot about the early 80's and adjustable rate mortgages became the means that … (26 comments)

misc ramblings from the boise idaho real estate specialist: Two interesting new websites to check out - 03/21/08 10:02 AM
An agent friend of mine came in to see me yesterday and said he learned of two new interesting websites he heard about at a class this week.
Jott.com  This site allows you to call one number and enter a voice message.  The system will then automatically converts yoru voice message and sends an email and text message to an individual or group of people.  All you do is make one call.  If you are on the road and don't want to forget to do something tomorrow you can call jot and leave a voice mail.  The following morning you will recieve an email … (44 comments)

misc ramblings from the boise idaho real estate specialist: Another example of the failings of Zillow! - 03/18/08 12:48 PM
At our office meeting the top of Zillow came up.  It is no secret to any of you that know me that I have never, ever been a fan of Zillow and in fact have been very critical.  My point is this:  If homes are appreciating at 3% a year in Seattle Washington and depreciating 6% or more in Detroit Michigan with the rest of the country somewhere in between, how can any national company accurately value homes day in and day out?
In our office meeting are Broker mentioned that some of his clients went on-line to Zillow's website and were told their … (37 comments)

misc ramblings from the boise idaho real estate specialist: RE/MAX Convention Highlight >> Work on our strengths-not our weaknesses - 03/11/08 08:52 AM
At the recent RE/MAX National convention in Las Vegas we were all fortunate to hear many good speakers.  Among one of my favorites was an International speaker by the name of Marcus Buckingham. If you ever have the opportunity to hear Mr. Buckingham I guarantee you that you will not be disappointed and will come away with a whole new point of view.
What caught my attention is that Mr. Buckingham says that one of the major problems with our society is that we focus too much on fixing ours and other's weaknesses rather than focusing on and building up our strengths.
Mr. … (28 comments)

misc ramblings from the boise idaho real estate specialist: This is what it's all about - These Little Wonders - 02/04/08 01:45 AM
No this isn't a post about real estate and how to grow your real estate business and it is not a post about:
The latest and greatest listing toolAbout the coolest PowerPoint presentationI don't have the latest and greatest scriptNo great technology gadgetI didn't find a cool real estate site to tell you aboutI did however hear a song this morning that touched me.  It reminded me of what is important in life and what really matters.  The song is called "Little Wonders" by Rob Thomas.  Here are some of the song lyrics:
"our lives are made in these small hoursthese little wonders, … (32 comments)

misc ramblings from the boise idaho real estate specialist: The 1% Factor - 02/14/07 01:43 PM
The 1% Factor
Broker Agent news recently ran this article written by Bob Davies.  I emailed it to many of my co associates and recieved a lot of positive response.  It is so very true.  How many times did we "almost" get something accomplished but didn't because we just did not give 100%+???  I don't know about you but it has happened to me more times than I would like to admit. 
Read and enjoy: 
Research over the years has revealed the essential elements of human nature. It is clear that human beings are avoidance machines! We are genetically coded to avoid … (4 comments)