This week I attended our local Real Estate marketing meeting. There was no guest speaker scheduled so the theme was Resumes, Resolutions and Business plans.   One Realtor had an incredibly detailed marketing plan and knew exactly how many hours he would spend in 2013 door knocking, and cold call telephoning. I was amazed as here was January 3 and he already knew how many hours of was going to happen. I was amazed at his detailed approach.   I heard the usual resolutions from some Realtors including the number one world wide resolution (lose weight) many time over.   As the discussion was coming to an end a Realtor who had sat quietly through it all raised his hand to speak. He stood up and said “remember, no resolution or marketing plan can be any stronger or have any more value than th... 01/04/2013

Well it's that time of year again and as always I have some things to be resolute about in 2013. I have made New Years Resolutions almost every year and my track record isn't to bad, so here goes for 2013.   Number 1. Last year I resolved to lose weight and improve my overall fitness. I did good I am 22 pounds less less than I woke up to on January 1, 2012 and my overall fitness is far ahead of where I started. This year along with my fitness program I resolve to start and maintain a stretching program. Flexibility just makes everything easier. Getting in and out of cars, sitting on the floor and standing up and just about anything physical you can think of. So, I will be stretching it out every day.   Number 2. My broker has been very good to me and cut me breaks all along the way. I r... 12/31/2012

  If you or someone you know is facing foreclosure or they are having difficulty making mortgage payments, I can help. I am a Licensed Realtor, CDPE and Short Sale Expert. I am trained to list and sell Short Sales. I can help you avoid foreclosure, help you get relocation assistance and help you become a homeowner again. My services are Free of charge. You may also receive $3000-$5000 for relocation assistance (80% of my Short Sales do). Addresses of successful Short Sales and references available upon request. Feel free to contact me for a confidential consultation. 408-203-3596   12/30/2012

Yesterday I read a blog by Laura Sargent in Mt. Pleasant South Carolina. The basis of the blog was doing good deeds in December with the Christmas spirit. One of the suggestions “bring a box of donuts to a local firehouse”. I thought that was a great suggestion. I have a good Realtor friend whose husband is a Tracy California Fire Department Captain. I called her and she said they would really appreciate it and that sometimes people do drop food by as a way of saying thanks for what they do.   So, this morning I bought donuts and took them to Fire House 96. Unfortunately the truck was gone and no one was there. I went back 40 minutes later and still no one. I didn't want to go on appointments with donuts in the car as I knew by the time I got back again I would have a box of crumbs in t... 12/04/2012

I spent much of my adult life working for a very large and well know consumer electronics company. Our goal was always to bring to market technically advanced products that would be interesting and fun to own. We also had the second generation product nearly ready to go just as the first generation was coming out. That was because we wanted consumers to be ready to upgrade as soon as was reasonable. That brings me to a quick story about another company that is also large, successful and has the same goals and mindset we had. Hope you enjoy.   A helicopter was flying around above Seattle yesterday when an electrical malfunction disabled all of the aircraft's electronic navigation and communication equipment. Due to the clouds and haze the pilot could not determine his position or course ... 12/03/2012

It's a football Sunday and a day that much of America enjoys. I ran across this one and thought you might enjoy it. Football and the Blonde   A guy took his blonde girlfriend to her first football game. They had great seats right behind their team's bench. After the game, he asked her how she liked it. "Oh, I really liked it," she replied, "especially the tight pants and all the big muscles, but I just couldn't understand why they were killing each other over 25 cents." Dumbfounded, her boyfriend asked, "What do you mean?" "Well, they flipped a coin, one team got it and then for the rest of the game, all they kept screaming was... 'Get the quarterback! Get the quarterback!' I'm like...Helloooooo? It's only 25 cents!!!!"   My name is Dale E. Bledsoe with Crown Key Realty and as always I ... 11/25/2012

I sent and received text messages deep into the night last night about the election with a close friend on the east coast. My friend is a successful entrepreneur and investor. His secret to success is simple, work hard. I had planned to sent him an email this morning, about our newly elected President Mitt Romney. Unfortunately it didn't work out as I had planned. I did send him an email, but it was not the one he had hoped to receive. Following is his response. Dale, here is my take: 1.  The American people have been duped, scammed and lied too.  Apparently running a clean election is not the way to become a president. Based on the exit polls 56 % of Americans actually believed the crap we have been fed in Obama advertisements.  The USA is in TROUBLE... Mark my words. 2.  Four more ye... 11/07/2012

I don't mean to write this in a mournful tone. I am sorry if it comes out that way as I prefer to blog in order to inform when I can and to always make others smile. Today though I have something on my mind, and it has been there for several days and just won't let go.   Halloween and the election. Too late to write about one and too early to write about the other. My brain has tied them inseparably together. On Halloween I was out driving and happened into a neighborhood where their were lots of young children trick or treating. It wasn't yet dark and I enjoyed looking at the costumes. I saw two kids (Batman and a ghost) running from one house to the next as if the house next door was trying to escape. I was reminded of my cousin Ed and I fifty or more years ago and my mom pleading wit... 11/05/2012

  Last week while getting out of the shower I felt a sharp stabbing pain in my lower right back. I couldn't move, it was truly paralyzing. I managed to make it my bed after several minutes but for the balance of Thursday and Friday were very difficult days. It has gotten gradually better and I hope to resume normal activities tomorrow. Meanwhile I found this joke that I give total credit to the author, Harry Bliss for. My solution has been stretching and being careful, rather than drugs. I will admit though there was a day or two that drugs would have been a very tempting solution.       My name is Dale E. Bledsoe with Crown Key Realty and as always I may be reached at 209-481-6031. 10/29/2012

I have several close friends who either are or have retired from various Law Enforcement Departments. They have funny stories and a difficult job. I respect what they do and the diligence they display each day. I don't think for a minute the following two stories are true but I certainly got a chuckle from them. Additionally, my girl friend is blonde, and honey, believe me, I mean no disrespect. Flashing Lights Two blonds are driving down the highway, about 90mph, when they pass a highway patrolman on the side of the road.  Passanger Blond - Oh no, we just passed a cop! Driver Blond - Its ok.  Is he following us? Passanger Blond - Yup. Driver Blond - Its still ok.  Are his lights on? Passanger Blond (looks) - Yes no yes no yes no yes no yes no  Excellent Detective Work Three  blonds wer... 10/12/2012

Something that concerns me greatly but has not received much press coverage is the soon to expire Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Act passed in 2007. The Act exempts certain types of debt forgiveness from Federal Income Tax. The Act has allowed homeowners to short sell their principle residence, without paying income tax on the forgiven debt. It also allows debt forgiven through mortgage restructuring to be income tax free.   At the end of this year when the act expires, it will place a significant tax burden on anyone attempting to short sale a property or on foreclosed homes that are re-sold for less that the debt that was owed. It will also have a significant genitive impact on the HAMP program, an important part of President Obama's economic recovery program.   There is limited action in ... 10/09/2012

Very interesting sports weekend. In no particular order here are my thoughts.   First the Atlanta Brave's fans should be ashamed. The final game for Chipper Jones, a sure bet HOF player and a total class act, will unfortunately be more remembered for the classless fans who threw trash on the field after a disputed call. I agree that it was a bad call. It was simply a short fly ball and the infield fly rule should not have been invoked. But, it was a judgment call and sports is filled with disputed call like this. The judgment of the fans to throw debris on the field and halt the game for 20 minutes was deplorable. Chipper Jones deserved better on his final day in a big league uniform as a player.   Next is Matt Cassel the KC Chiefs quarterback. Granted he has not done as much as either ... 10/08/2012

Ran across these today and thought you might enjoy them. I am the author of none of them although I have lived most of them.The sellers told me their house was near the water. It was in the basement.How much are they asking for your rent now? Oh, about twice a day.I have a temporary mortgage. What do you mean temporary? Until they foreclose.Realtor sign--We have "lots" to be thankful for.Realtor: first you folks tell me what you can afford, then we'll have a good laugh and go on from there.If you think no one cares you're alive, miss a couple of house payments.I listed a maintenance free house. In the last 25 years there hasn't been any maintenance.If you want to know exactly where the property line is, just watch the neighbor cut the grass.A man's home is his castle. That's how it seem... 10/01/2012

Today's blog is one I have been waiting to write for a long time. Since February 1, 2012 to be exact. I received a call that day from someone possibly wanting to short sale their condo. I wrote a blog on 2- 13-12 called “War Has Been Declared”, which explained I was starting to help a young divorcing couple sell their condo. I explained that I could not even have them in the same room to sign documents for fear that one would jab the other in the eye with a pen.   Then on March 9, 2012 I wrote “War has been declared Part 2” which explained we were in escrow and hopefully this waring couple would soon be a part of my past instead of the ongoing headache. The escrow fell apart after it was discovered that the HOA was in precarious financial condition and the condo complex was over 60% non... 09/26/2012

I've got no INVENTORY, YES I DO, I've got NO Inventory, HOW about YOU?  I know you've heard it before, but here in Tracy & Mountain House, CA this is a snap shot from the last 2 days of what has come on the market.  Look at the number of homes that have come on the market the past 2 days, then look at how many have gone pending (Short sale that have been waiting for months) and the SOLDS. The number of houses available for buyers is dwindling fast.  Have we hit bottom... for now we have.                              MONDAY                                                                         TUESDAY Interest rates are at historic lows, prices are still low 1990 prices, but there is nothing to buy! 09/25/2012

On the surface at least it would appear that this should be a very good week for me. Later this week I will be cashing the largest check I have ever received for selling a property. Sweet. Big house, country property that had lots of interest from the day the listing came out. Accepted an offer and went into escrow very quickly. The escrow has gone smoothly and the buyers will be signing docs this week. Money will be transferred on Tuesday and my seller will have his check Wednesday or Thursday. I should be dancing in the streets.   I'm not.   The nearly complete transaction is for the home of a good friend. Someone who for a number of reasons is easy to like and easy to respect. He has served both his country and community with honor and dignity. Now he is moving from the left coast to... 09/17/2012

 I picked up a listing on a referral from another agent. I didn't know the agent but I was recommended to him by some one I know well. I went to visit the potential sellers and to say the least they were an “interesting family”. I have had interesting sellers before so I wasn't intimidated by the challenge.   The asking price they had in mind was definitely higher than comps but not outrageously so. The listing agreement was signed but not until a long conversation regarding my commission rate had taken place. Their brother, had told them that my rate would be too high and they needed to have me lower it. I refused, but they signed anyway. Because of the asking price there were not a lot of buyer visits. I let them know that in this market with so few properties available this was a cle... 09/13/2012

Out here in Tracy California, our city like many others across America have face real and difficult challenges throughout the past half decade. Fortunately the Mayor of Tracy Mr. Brent Ives has brought a strong management skills, and more importantly leadership to his position. In addition, Mayor Ives and many city officials understand and value the role of the RE community within the city. Last week Mayor Ives came to our local Realtor marketing meeting to express his thanks for what we do, and to layout his vision for Tracy as we move forward. Mayor Ives spoke about the cities strong belief in private property rights and the difficulty in dealing with vacant boarded up and unsightly building in our downtown area. He said that the city is always looking for ways to help the owners of t... 09/04/2012

I don't like to blog political jokes to often but this on caught my attention and decided to blog it. A lady bought a new luxury car. Cost a bundle. Two days later, she brought it back, complaining that the radio was not working. "Madam," said the service manager, "the audio system in this car is completely automatic. All you need to do is tell it what you want to listen to, and you will hear exactly that!" She drove out, somewhat amazed and a little confused. She looked at the radio and said, "Nelson." The radio responded, "Ricky or Willie?" She was astounded. If she wanted Beethoven, that's what she got. If she wanted Nat King Cole, she got it. She was stopped at a traffic light enjoying "On The Road Again" when the light turned green and she pulled out. Suddenly an enormous sports ut... 08/27/2012

Earlier this week a property I am representing underwent a very detailed inspection process. We had the normal home, roof and termite inspections, but because it is a country property we also had septic, chimney and pump inspections. The process started at 7 AM and was concluded around 1 PM that afternoon. The agent representing the buyer did a great job of scheduling all of the inspection for one day and for this I am thankful.   As always during the inspection process I was concerned about about what might turn up. I wasn't expecting much because the property owner is also a licensed contractor who had kept his property in top notch shape. But, something inside me told me the inspectors would hard to find mythical problems to justify their fees and to help drive the selling price down... 08/24/2012