Buyers are a pleasure to work with, but on occasion they can loose sight of the primary goal. While I cannot pinpoint the cause (poor economy, media hype, Realtors, lenders, the government), something is causing buyers these days undue stress.  As a result, what were once reasonable offers can become "blurry" due to last minute additions to the contract. Here are some tips to keep a buyer's eyes on the prize. 1) Write your offer based on the condition of the home--If you think the home is worth 150 (even with the shag carpet), make the offer 150 and close the deal. Avoid the temptation to "low ball" the deal and then ask for the carpet, windows, and fixtures to be replaced. 2)You are buying a home, not a bass boat-- Often times people who are moving no longer need/ want their toys. Sa... 08/25/2010

In the last few years we have seen it happen, the unforeseen events that lead to your home being destroyed. Whether by natural disaster, fire, burgularly or an accident....you could lose everything.  Some items in your home could never be replaced, for all the rest hopefully you have insurance. If you lost everything would you be able to sit down AFTER the FACT and make a list of EVERYTHING in your home. Try as we might, I just don't think it's possible. Not to mention you will not be in your perfect state of mind. This is the reason it is so important to have a Home Inventory of all of your belongings. If you don't have a Home Inventory it might can be a little overwhelming how to start. Well don't fret....CLICK HERE! www.StuffSafe.com is Home Inventory made EASY! It will walk you thro... 08/25/2010

There are many technological tools that are part of our everyday lives and Computers are #1! Of course computers as well as phones and video games (just to name a few) all use software. And with technology forever changing the software has to change as well. This of course means highly trained programmers are going to be in demand! Because of this Microsoft Corporation designed DreamSpark! This site allows Students to download professional programming tools for FREE! You will find computer, mobile application, video game, and Web programming as well as links to training resources. All the student has to do is log in, enter their school information for verification and then download the software they desire! All for FREE!   08/21/2010

"Love is patient."  -   I Corinthians 13:4 Did you know that the Greek word used here for Patient actually means "taking a long time to boil"? Very interesting when you are aware of the true meaning! If you think about it as you are boiling a pot of water for that pasta.  When you turn the heat up the water will boil more quickly and when you turn it down you can keep the water from boiling at all. That is what Patience does. It keeps the heat down! and so does Love....because LOVE is PATIENT! So as your going  through your day......share some LOVE and patience! It will make your day go much smoother! 08/18/2010

Ever wondered which Condos are APPROVED for FHA financing? Not sure how to find the answer? This is the official goto site to find the answer: FHA APPROVED CONDOS I have found that when searching this site, it is sometimes easier to pull up by CITY and then skim through the list. That way you see all the condos in a particular city. Every once in a while the name will be a little different than what you thought. Once you find your CONDO on the approved list you might want to write down the CONDO ID# to provide to the Mortgage Company as a point of reference. You can also see which CONDOS are on the PENDING list, which could give you a heads up on upcoming APPROVALS. This is a great site to bookmark for future reference! 08/14/2010

       Selling a house can be a stressful life event. With the ups and downs of the market, crazy lending rules, and even more government regulation the sale of your home can be an emotional roller coaster. If this were not enough, sometimes sellers build roadblocks that can make the transaction even more tough to close. Here are some common seller roadblocks that need to be addressed. 1) I am not paying any closing costs. If the buyer cannot cover closing, perhaps they should rent-- The zero down loans are few and far between. Odds are your buyer is putting down at least 3.5%. For a 200k home this would be seven grand. Ask the buyer to cover another 6-8 thousand in closing will very quickly put your property out of reach. 2) Weekends are family time, let them look during the week-- You... 08/13/2010

For every photo you upload Century 21 Real Estate Corporation will donate $1.00 to help children with Autism!! Our goal with Century 21 Real Estate Corporation is to raise $1 MILLION dollars for Easter Seals (who is the Nations Leading provider of services for children and adults living with Autism and their families) Spread the word and do a World of Good! Upload your childrens photos and let Century 21 make a donation! Send everyone in your email list this link...Get the word out! Thanks! 08/12/2010

                                   Nothing gets people running to the bank faster than a shiny new home. The granite counter tops, large rooms, and large patio all scream BUY ME NOW! But what happens when that home is a little more than the consumer can afford?       Keep in mind if someone purchases a home at the top of their limit (as most do), their monthly budget is going to be tight! Such a transaction is going to have a profound impact on the family's financial health. Here are some buyer justifications I have heard for "taking it to the limit".   1) I'm going to get a raise next year---In this economy? Is said raise in writing? Odds are your other expenses (gas, groceries, utilities, etc...) will rise as well. Best case scenerio your take home pay will be the same next year as it... 08/11/2010

We all do it from time to time, some more than others. Move the furniture around, test out different layouts. Make your living area feel new and fresh! This website I found today can help you to virtually move your furniture around in one room or your entire home! Roomle.com is a fantastic site that allows you to do all of that and MORE!  Try it and have some FUN! Try different options and send them to your friends to take a VOTE. Sometime just changing things around can change your frame of mind and make you smile!   08/08/2010

                  Yesterday I received an interesting email from ActiveRain. It seems that the time was right for me to "claim my community". Honestly I did not have a clue what that meant.  After a little digging, I found that for the princely sum of 19 bucks I could sponsor my own community. Sadly, after fiddling with the system for a few minutes I can't figure out if mine is still available or not.  What is the consensus of the peanut gallery? Are you going to sponsor your community? Why or why not? 08/05/2010

                        Selling your home is stressful for the entire family, even the four-legged members. While most people spend hours prepping the house to sale, few spend enough time considering what to do with the pets during a showing. Here are some common misconceptions sellers have when deciding how to handle their furry family members. 1) People are here to look at the house, not the pet-- As such, buyers will ignore our pet. Ever been to a pet shop? Animals very quickly become the center of attention. 2) Our dog is calm--When people are home they are in charge of the castle. Once you leave, the pets rule the roost. Ordinarily sedate animals come alive when a stranger enters "their" home. 3) The Dogs will be in the Backyard--Is the back yard not part of the property? Would you... 08/04/2010

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 (New Living Translation) This passage always makes me pause.... Since it starts with your heart, from the beginning of life...and then as humans we determine what our heart longs for.....We then need to be very careful what that is! What does your heart yearn for? Are you following the Word and staying focused on what's important? Only then can we expect to have all the Blessings that God has for us! 08/04/2010

                             This is not a blog describing how ActiveRain made me a million bucks. Heck this deal won't even fund my Thanksgiving trip to Destin! But sit right back and read how ActiveRain will make a couple of Jeep payments for me this fall.   One of my past clients is relocating to a small town in South Louisiana. This town is JUST far enough away that I did not feel comfortable helping her myself. So time to find an agent!  I did not begin my search with ActiveRain. I first contacted our sister office in the city. That's why I'm not naming this small town in my blog. Let's just say those creeps won't be getting any business from us in the future! That office had all the professionalism of a Lindsay Lohan etiquette school!  Then I tried typing in the city name and Real... 08/03/2010

I'm amazed when going thru our MLS at some of the pictures agents use! You have to wonder - is that the Best It Can Be?? Here is what I see: Dishes piled up in the Kitchen Piles of papers laying on the counters and tables Clothes laying on the floor and on beds In the bathroom... Clutter on the cabinets, Toilet seats left up, Bathtubs with 10 bottles of shampoo You get the picture....well why not make it your best. Afterall we want prospective Buyers to be looking at the home ... not the junk! After I list a home, while the Sellers are there, I tell them I need to take about 30 - 50 pictures of their home. I need the Kitchen counters cleared off. Any appliances they don't use daily need to be put away. I then start to work. All paperwork needs to be put up. We don't want to entice prosp... 08/01/2010

                One of the things this economic downturn has forced me to do is put a lid on expenses. If a product/service is not providing a good return on investment out the door she goes! While this process is a little scary, the outcome only works to make my business stronger. Here are a few of the areas I have either scaled back or eliminated this year. 1) Phone Book Ads- Nope, no more, gone. I have dropped this one cold turkey (as has my broker). I just can't imagine that too many QUALIFIED buyers begin they agent hunt in the phone book. 2) Newspaper Ads for Open Houses-- In past times we would take out a color ad for a Sunday open house. Lately we have gone straight to internet and road sign advertising. The jury is still out on this one, I think some buyers still buy a paper w... 07/30/2010

                                             Selling a home is a complicated endeavor. With the ups and downs of the market, nervous buyers, and mountains of government regulations getting to the closing table can take a Herculean effort. In order to maximize your chances, it is critical to work closely with your Realtor.   Trust is the cornerstone of this relationship. As a Realtor, we are here to protect our client's best interest. When life throws your family a curve ball, it is critical to keep your Realtor informed. When bad things happen often times clients will attempt to shield their agent from the information. After all, who wants to air their dirty laundry? The following are a few cases in which your Realtor DEFINITELY needs to know what is going on. 1) Your spouse is hitting ... 07/30/2010

I have been trying to do a weekly post named Greenthumb Tuesday, however, I have decided I need to expand it to Outdoor Tuesday to provide even more great tips! This week I thought fitting to have some great tips on Planning a Week-End Picnic! Tis the season with the nice Summer Weather and many areas having outdoor concerts and such! What a great way to enjoy the outdoors .... with a PICNIC! I know your thinking yea picnics sound great, but..... they don't always seem to work out! You may forget some essential items like a knife or fork, napkins etc., or you may just have a hard time choosing the right foods that would be let's say picnic-friendly! Well here is a link that may help you choose the right foods for a trouble free picnic with GREAT results! You will also find some great pi... 07/27/2010

Motivational Speakers, Trainers, and Real Estate Guru's have been telling us for ever.....If your not moving forward your going backwards! Look forward not Behind you in order to move Ahead?  I say Bah Humbug! I believe when you look back in that 'rear view mirror' ..... YOU can see how far you have come. YOU can remember how you got to where you are today. YOU can reflect on lessons you have learned that you have shared with others. YOU can embrace that there were good times in the past and there will be good times once again. YOU can be still and know that by the Grace of God you are still here and enjoying what you do in good times and bad. YOU can break a smile when you see the dark clouds behind you and blue skies in front of you because you have triumphed and made it through. Now ... 07/27/2010

                                           This morning I received the dreaded call from the lender. Even though the appraisal was completed two weeks ago (along with the mandated repairs), the underwrites thought it would be "cool" to have a structural engineer's report as well. The problem you ask? Closing is scheduled for this Friday!   Well Doug, sounds like you have a MAJOR problem on your hands. Why are you blogging on ActiveRain and consuming Chex Mix? Because I have the best broker in the word, that's why! Before starting the blog I gave my broker, Paige Walker, a call. Even though she has a cold (could it be the one I brought to the office last week) she got on the problem. And guess what?? Before I have finished the blog she has called the lender and the appraiser! The problem... 07/27/2010

                                                   When meeting with a first time buyer, I always make note of the type vehicle they pull up in. No, you cannot judge a person's wealth by the car they drive. I know plenty of wealthy people that drive average, plain jane automobiles.   I do think you can tell a lot about a person's financial maturity based on their car. Too many times I have witnessed entry level buyers pull up in trucks like the one above. One young family earned approximately 45k as a dual income couple. Their truck had more bling than P Diddy!   The only bad thing about bling is the price of admission. In this case the young family was paying over 600 bucks a month for the truck note alone! Remember, they only earn 45k a year!   Guess what this did to their debt ratios... 07/26/2010