grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: I Want To Be Engaged!
- 05/03/11 03:49 PM
I Want To Be Engaged! I've spent many hours in recent days behind closed-door meetings, lasting endless hours and reaching no conclusion. Frustrating to say the least. I've analyzed my antsy attention deficit and I've made an interesting personal observation and discovery... I want to be engaged! (not in the marital sense :) I'm acutely aware of sensory perception and I crave it in many environments. I like to be stimulated by color (sight), I like to be captivated by stories (sound), I like to be enticed by fresh aromas (smell), I like to salivate for something yummy (taste) and I like a personable presentation (touch). When all of these elements are combined in one room, … (4 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: Good Morning Sunshine! I've Been Missing You...
- 04/28/11 06:44 AM
Good Morning Sunshine! I've been missing you... but I'm glad you've decided to pay me a visit. You've been a little distant lately... what's up with that?! I won't hold it against ya. My welcome mat is still on the porch awaiting your grand arrival. Forgive me if I don't leave the light on for you... I'm hoping your most excellent rays will guide you to my door. I'm very excited to see you. In celebration of your visit, I"ll be whipping up a batch of something special just for you. You can count on it being warm, sweet and yummy! You know there's always something good brewing at the Cafe. See you … (8 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: The 24-Hour Rule...
- 04/27/11 09:08 AM
The 24-Hour Rule... I've been practicing the 24-Hour Rule for decades and it works beautifully. For the most part, it has saved me from the embarrassment of saying or doing something that I might regret in an emotionally charged situation. Here's how the 24-Hour Rule works: If someone pisses in your cheerios, don't respond directly to that person for 24-Hours. It's okay to rant to a neutral 3rd party, but not to anyone who is closely tied to the situation... and especially refrain from any online rants (as they become a permanent record). Typically, you won't feel as emotionally charged the next day. However, in rare cases (after applying the 24-Hour Rule), … (19 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: Are You Running From Mediocrity? If Not, You Should Be.
- 04/25/11 12:33 PM
Are you running from mediocrity? If not, you should be. No more are the days of easy sales combined with ordinary service. Expectations are on the rise and our performance should be as well. ‘Getting by' is simply not a sufficient state of mind or being... it's ordinary and less than. Times like these demand the extraordinary. If your current state of mind is wearing you down, perhaps it's time for a pep talk. Albert Einstein said the definition of insanity... is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Profound. Are you running from mediocrity? If not, … (4 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: There's No Thrift Store For Content!
- 03/31/11 06:18 AM
There's No Thrift Store For Content! If you're a bargain hunter like me, read on. I hate to shop at WalMart, I absolutely abhor it, but I love to sift through second-hand items at Thrift Stores. Strange I know, but the thrill of finding a good deal at a great price is addicting. Perhaps my 'thrifty' upbringing is to blame... growing up poor, I learned the value of the dollar at a young age. I learned how to spread that dollar as far as it would go. I never had an attitude of expectation and I was incredibly grateful for whatever came my way. I still enjoy the thrill of finding a treasure for just … (8 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: A Resume of a Different Kind - A Must Read!
- 03/25/11 01:22 PM
A Resume of a Different Kind. As far back as I can remember, I've always known I was a little different. A bit of a rebel, I suppose. My tenacious spirit came from watching my mother champion a debilitating disease, Multiple Sclerosis. Perhaps growing up on the poor side of the tracks contributed a little too. At the age of six, I started my first non-profit business... a Pet Cemetery. I lived in rural San Fernando Valley, where land was plentiful (in those days) and the clientele was abundant. Walking home from school provided a variety of roadkill (mostly possums) that I would drag home by their tail. I happily dug shallow graves and gave these … (113 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: Starbucks Sells Tiny Treats at Petite Prices!
- 03/11/11 07:21 AM
Starbucks Sells Tiny Treats at Petite Prices! It seems everyone is jumping on the 'scaling back' wagon... Starbucks included. Starbucks has just added a new line of "petite" bakery treats for under 200 calories and priced at $1.50. Starbucks 'sweet petites' line is a new snack-food trend, where fast-food companies are offering 'low-calorie' snacks at 'affordable prices.' Starbucks hopes the new line of bakery treats will supplement coffee sales. As coffee prices continue to rise due to supply and demand, the new Starbucks tiny treats offer an attractive price to consumers. In celebration of Starbucks anniversary, stores will give a treat to each customer purchasing a drink now through Saturday March 12 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Starbucks Sells Tiny Treats at … (2 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: What Was the Founder of Facebook Doing in Grants Pass Oregon?
- 03/08/11 08:51 AM
What Was the Founder of Facebook Doing in Grants Pass Oregon? Mark Zuckerberg visited Grants Pass Oregon this past weekend, and he wasn't here to see our resident Caveman. Mark visited our quaint little town of Grants Pass Oregon... to buy a puppy! A cute, adorable and cuddly Hungarian Sheepdog known as a Puli. And what did Mark Zuckerberg name his furry new friend... BEAST! Okay, no offense Mark, but I can think of a lot nicer names to match with that cute little face. In any case, I hope you enjoyed your visit and your new puppy. What was the founder of Facebook doing in … (10 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: You Made Us Sound Like a Worthless Bunch of Hooligans!
- 07/02/10 09:16 AM
Shame on SmartMoney and MSN for posting an article on MSN's homepage today called "17 Real Estate Secrets Revealed - (find out what industry insiders don't want you to know)." You Made Us Sound Like a Worthless Bunch of Hooligans! According to SmartMoney, Real estate agents, home inspectors, home builders, contractors, landscapers, and architects are out to cheat the consumer. Here are just a few quotes from the SmartMoney article posted on MSN's homepage today. You can read the article yourself, but I warn you, your blood might curdle afterwards.
Real Estate Agent - I know zilch about zoning. Home Inspector … (7 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: Baby Come Back... Any Kind of Fool Could See...
- 06/28/10 05:18 PM
Baby Come Back... any kind of fool could see, there was something in everything about you! Today, that baby is me! I've been visibly absent from blogging on Active Rain for over a month. Partly due to a very busy travel and business schedule, and partly due to a nasty flu. I received a call today from a fellow Active Rainer, Jim Hale (Eugene, Oregon), who I have had the pleasure of exchanging many comments with over the past year. Apparently, Jim noticed my absence and sent me a few emails inquiring where I've been. Relentless for an answer, Jim decided … (13 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: Speechless Sunday in Washington DC - A Beautiful Bed & Breakfast
- 05/16/10 06:50 AM
Speechless Sunday in Washington DC- A Beautiful Bed & Breakfast. Here are a few pics of some of the art displayed on the walls of the Embassy Circle Guest House, a gorgeous Bed & Breakfast located in Dupont Circle in Washington DC. This is a fabulous place to stay while visiting the DC area for business or pleasure. The hosts, Laura & Raymond Saba, are the nicest people I have met in DC. Their hospitality is the best, bar none! And the B&B is absolutely beautiful. Stay here, and you will be delightfully surprised!
This is a beautiful art piece made from old doors, displayed … (5 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: Melinda Peterson's Adventures in Washington DC - Day 5
- 05/14/10 04:32 PM
Melinda Peterson's Adventures in Washington DC - Day 5. It was a fabulous day today in DC today. The sun came out and the temps were in the 80's, and the classes at the NAR mid-year conference were great. The first class I attended was "Using Video to Promote Yourself and Your Properties." The panel included six Realtors from all over the country who are successfully using video marketing strategies in their business. Topics ranged from the benefits of using the Flip camera to discussing how to utilize YouTube in promoting your listings. The discussions began with very basic tips on how … (10 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: Melinda Peterson's Adventures in Washington DC - Day 4
- 05/13/10 03:21 PM
Melinda Peterson's Adventures in Washington DC - Day 4. Today, I attended some excellent classes at the NAR Mid-year convention in Washington DC. In addition to attending NAR's Economic Issues & Trends in Real Estate today (see my previous post), I also got a chance to participate in the Short Sale Seller Advisory Forum. It was a fascinating course taught by attorney Michelle Lind of the Arizona Association of Realtors. Their association has put together an educational resource pamphlet for sellers seeking alternatives to foreclosure. The materials were insightful and will certainly be helpful for sellers to better understand the short sale process. In … (2 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: Melinda Peterson's Adventures in Washington DC - Day 3
- 05/12/10 02:59 PM
Melinda Peterson's Adventures in Washington DC - Day 3. Today was a day of food, fun, parties and more food. There was plenty of alcohol too, but since I don't drink, I will tell you about the other stuff I did today. Woke up late and ate breakfast on the run (a nice fruit medley made by my B&B hosts, Laura & Raymond). I made it to the Fair Housing Class, which turned out to be a typical "let me scare the hibbie jibbies out of you" class. Bottom line is, don't discriminate and you won't get into trouble :) Next on the agenda was … (8 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: Celebrating "Cinco de Mayo" - Southern Oregon
- 05/04/10 08:36 PM
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo - Southern Oregon. Today marks the celebration known as Cinco de Mayo, or "May 5th", in Spanish. Although many people have heard of this holiday - and even join in the celebrations with gusto - plenty of folks are not aware of what this holiday is all about. And most people don't realize that the event being commemorated may have actually played an important role in shaping the United States of America. What Does Cinco de Mayo Commemorate? Many people believe that Cinco de Mayo is the day that recognizes Mexico's independence from Spain. But that event actually happened on September … (12 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: Hello Bank of America - Is Anybody Out There?
- 04/28/10 01:26 PM
Hello Bank of America - Is Anybody Out There? For those of you who missed my recent post; The Mother of all Short Sale Miracles!, here is another opportunity to rejoice/commiserate with me regarding another Bank of America short sale. We received a short sale offer on one of my listings in Grants Pass Oregon and we uploaded all docs to Bank of America's Equator site on January 1, 2010. BofA countered the Buyer's offer in March by $8K. The Buyer decided to walk (which proved to be a dumb move!). The Buyer came back two weeks later and countered by $4K. BofA has been sitting on that counter for the past … (6 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: Hip Hip Hooray for the California - Southern Oregon Real Estate Market!
- 04/25/10 08:31 AM
Hip Hip Hooray for the California - Southern Oregon Real Estate Market! The chief economist for the National Association of Realtors says California's real estate market is on the upswing and that should have a positive ripple effect in Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley next year. Dr. Lawrence Yun was the guest speaker at a Housing Summit hosted by the Rogue Valley Association of Realtors on Friday in Medford Oregon. "The California market is doing well," Yun said. "In some areas, there is a shortage of inventory and that's causing prices to rise. There will be a cascading impact from the California market because Oregon is … (5 comments)
Okay, I have seen it all. The man with his dog. The gal with her cat on a leash. Whew, that one was funny. The guy who says he's not going to lie, he will work for beer. But I have never seen a sign like this... with a guy smoking a cigarette while texting on a cell phone and a sign that says Betcha Can't Hit Me With a Quarter! … (10 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: The British are Coming... The British are Coming... to Grants Pass Oregon!
- 04/15/10 04:11 AM
The British are Coming... The British are Coming... to Grants Pass Oregon! There is a really quaint store, called Home Economics, on H Street in downtown Grants Pass Oregon that is featuring some pretty cool British designs. Proprietor, DeWayne Lumpkin, is basking in recent notoriety for showcasing vintage British transfer route bus signs and transforming the trendy designs onto fabrics at his Grants Pass Oregonstore. The "small town store with big city style" was recently featured in Country Living Magazine as "prop stylists" for a Rogue Creamery article in the food section. The Grants Pass Oregon store touts "something for everyone - traditional with a twist - sizzling style at prices that don't … (4 comments)
grants pass medford southern oregon real estate cafe: Johnny-Come-Lately - Don't Delay - Get Your Homebuyer Tax Credit!
- 04/06/10 01:43 PM
Johnny-Come-Lately - Don't Delay - Get Your Homebuyer Tax Credit! Only a few more weeks to qualify for the first time homebuyer tax credit. Don't miss out! Last November, the government expanded and extended the new Homebuyers Tax Credit. According to the program, first-time homebuyers are eligible for a tax credit of 10% of the purchase price of the home, with a maximum credit of $8,000. And some current homeowners looking to purchase a home can receive a credit up to $6,500. Although military personnel may qualify for a special extension, the vast majority of homeowners must have contracts in effect no later … (5 comments)
I Want To Be Engaged! I've spent many hours in recent days behind closed-door meetings, lasting endless hours and reaching no conclusion. Frustrating to say the least. I've analyzed my antsy attention deficit and I've made an interesting personal observation and discovery... I want to be engaged! (not in the marital sense :) 
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