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

                                    I must admit enjoying the show House Hunters. Even before becoming an agent I would tune in 2-3 times a week and watch some random family buy a home.   Now that I show houses multiple times a week, I have strayed from the House Hunters approach. On the show the agent talks non stop. The poor buyer is lucky to get a couple of words in while the agent pauses for breath.   During a showing the bulk of my time is spent listening. Maybe I think the paint is tacky, honestly though who cares what I think? Am I going to pay the mortgage? If there is glaring safety defect then I will chime in, otherwise the clients do the majority of the talking.  During our initial meeting I point out to the clients that my job is to listen. There job is to vocalize any likes... 07/25/2010

My Wish came true! While in Juneau Alaska I got the opportunity to go Whale watching and I saw lots of whales and tails! Here are a few of my pics!         If you ever have the opportunity to go whale watching whether in Alaska,  Hawaii or somewhere else.... Just Do It! It was amazing how large the amazing creatures are. These were all humpback whales. They travel from Hawaii to Juneau Alaska each year in late June/early July and then head back to Hawaii in late Aug/early Sept. The same whales every year make this trip, how amazing! Each whale can be identified by markings on the under side of their tails, similar to fingerprints! Our guide pointed out several that they had named that show up each year with their babies! It was Awesome!   07/25/2010

                                The week started out with much promise. A featured blog on ActiveRain, and some irons in the real estate fire as well. Then it hit. Monday afternoon I was really thirsty, by Tuesday morning I had a full blown summer cold!   Being sick in the winter is understandable, perhaps even expected. But am I the only person who gets sick in the summer? To make things more fun Wednesday brought blood shot eyes. And of course through all of this I tried to work!   Nothing like meeting a buyer sweating with blood shot eyes. While the rest of the world is "working for the weekend", I looked like a user searching for his next "hit". Thursday I was miserable. In fact, I went home around 1045 and called it a day! Sometimes the best thing we can do is surrender and let our... 07/23/2010

                                       These days everyone wants a bargain. Buyers will often call the office clamoring for information concerning any "new" foreclosures that are about to hit the market. And while there is value to be had in such properties, there is a dark underbelly people should be aware of.  About a year ago I took one of my investors to tour a small home. Since this was a short notice showing, the family remained home during the tour. The kid's room was adorned in the brightest shade of princess pink I have ever seen! Stuffed animals and dolls could be found throughout the space. And on the wall the little girl proudly displayed the father's day picture she had colored for her daddy. Being the father of four daughters this stuck with me... Alas the house was a bit ... 07/19/2010

                                   There seems to be a little confusion amongst the general public regarding how real estate agents are paid. And considering most people only buy or sell a home every 5-7 years, why would anyone remember such details? Understanding how their agent earns a living can help the consumer through the home buying or selling process. Here are some points to remember. 1) Agents are paid at closing--There is a line on the Hud (a document you get at closing) that discloses the gross amount the agent's company is paid at closing. 2) Keep in mind this is not what the agent keeps--A rookie agent will typically keep approximately half. So, if the company commission (from the Hud) is 3,000 bucks, your agent gets 1,500. 3) Agents do not earn a salary-- This is difficult... 07/13/2010

Trust is sometimes a difficult task. There is only one that you can always depend on, and that is God! Trust in him and hold on to his promises! But blessed are those who trust in the Lordand have made the Lord their hope and confidence. Jeremiah 17:7 (New Living Translation) 07/07/2010

          Despite the oppressive heat, I spent part of the holiday picking blueberries. While I enjoy being outdoors, the combination of high heat and pest made this chore not for the weak of heart! But as I was filling up my second bowl, I realized that this was a real estate educational opportunity. Here are a few real estate gems from the berry patch. 1)Everybody loves blueberries, few are willing to pick them-- We have a standing offer at our church. Anybody who wants blueberries may come pick them anytime. Guess how many people turn out with buckets in 90 degree heat? In real estate everyone wants more/larger commissions. How many people are at your office today? Odds are there is no line at the restroom! 2) Not all berries are ready to harvest at the same time--Look at the above p... 07/05/2010

                                                                                                                                            A young solider from the city of Monroe, La was killed in action recently. He is scheduled to be buried this weekend with full military honors. If this was not enough for his loved ones to deal with, the God Hates America group from Westboro Baptist Church plans on demonstrating.  This is the group that pickets with the awful "God hates fags" signs outside the funeral home. As a former communication instructor, I do support free speech. But goodness, there needs to be limits. We don't need to rubber stamp any government policy. In fact, reasonable debate/ difference of opinion help make this country great. But as a people we need to be able to step ... 07/02/2010

                              From the beginning let me state that I am against any sort of tax credit, rebate, or handout that adds to the federal deficit. For some reason the thought of borrowing money from my yet unborn grandchildren doesn't resonate well with me.  But if Uncle Sam does feel the need to help the housing market, I have a plan. Let's offer an incentive for real esate investors. People often recoil at the thought of helping business people, but heck are we still a capitalist economy or what? Let's look at what happens when one of my investors purchase a pretty home like the one above.  With an accepted offer, the local title company goes to work. My favorite local attoreny employs a staff of five. At the same time, the good folks at the local bank prepare a line of cred... 07/02/2010

I found this information and I thought it would be appropriate to share. I hope everyone has a safe 4th of July, 2010. And remember the sacrifices that have been made in order for us to Celebrate our Independence!   "Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005" President George W Bush signed this into law in July of 2006. The new law prohibits Condo Associations and other Real Estate Management companies from denying unit owners the right to display the American flag from their individual units.This new law means that even though homeowners may have signed an agreement that restricted modifications to the exterior of their condos or townhouses the display of the American flag is exempted from those rules. For more information visit http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109... 07/01/2010

                                                              About this time of year I start noticing the high school athletes. Pass any high school field and you will seem young folks suffering through two a days. That means twice a day (usually in the grueling heat) young adults are gearing up for the fall season.  As a high school nerd about the only sport open was cross country/ track. In fact any kid who answered "yes" to playing dungeons and dragons was automatically banned from the football field. So around this time each summer my fellow nerds and I would shuck our D&D capes and put on a pair of running shoes. Man the stares we got running through Lafayette, Louisiana in 100 degree heat! I didn't realize it then, but those were some of the best days of my life. And the lessons ... 06/29/2010

We now have a full blown SAFARI in Central LOUISIANA! Who would have thought it? Gone Wild Safari had there GRAND OPENING this week-end and it was a great turn out! You might wonder what animals they have at the new Gone Wild Safari..... Alpaca, Tortoise, Giraffe, Porcupine, Hedgehog, NeilGuy Deer, Whitetail Deer, Llama, Wildebeest, European Fallow Deer , Berkshire Hogs, Bactrian Camel, Dromedary Camel, Swan, Geese, Zebu, Kangaroo, Exotic Cattle, Zebra, Parrots, Hybrid Wolf, African Eland, Peacocks, Miniature Donkey, Emu, Ostrich, Ducks , American Bison, River Water Buffalo, pygmy goat, yak, Watusi, Nilgai, Pere David Deer, Aoudad Black Buck Antelope Plus many more! All in all they have over 150 animals, which are all kept in a natural environment. Many of these animals can't be found ... 06/27/2010

                                              Buying a home can be a stressful life event. After all, how often do you write a check (or sign loan documents) for a six figure sum?  With a 30 year loan you will be well beyond middle age when it is payed off. So it should come as no surprise that conflict often arises during such a stressful transaction.  As an agent I have seen families get into heated arguments over which of the top three homes on the list to pursue. And let's just say there is a good reason why buyers and sellers rarely meet in person prior to closing!  Evey now and then the agent is the source of the client's grief. As agents real estate is something we do everyday, as a result, we can lose sight of how tough moving is. If conflict does arise with your agent, it is im... 06/26/2010

                                 Who amongst us can honestly say they have not jammed out to Milli Vanilli and their hit song  Blame it on the rain?  The artists encourage the dear audience to blame the dying relationship on the rain. Instead of taking the heat and facing the consequences, we should blame the precipitation falling from the sky.  For once I am going to take Milli and Vanili at their word. I must take a moment and BLAME THE RAIN. Today I sent out two referrals to agents I met on ActiveRain. Thanks to this wonderful tool I was able to research, and then contact agents in different parts of the country. Without the rain I would still be searching blogs (and dare I say the Yellow Pages) and hoping for the best. What could top this? Perhaps the check that came in the mail two... 06/25/2010

                                           While finishing up some paperwork the cell phone started ringing. As I rank paperwork up their with root canals, I was more than happy to answer. The gentleman calling had exchanged business cards with me at a Chamber function some months back. Admittedly, I had no clue who he was initially. After exchanging pleasantries, he entered his pitch. Apparently there is a savings program that will soon offer rates "too good to be true". They were so good in fact that the company was not advertising to the general public. My interest level was pretty much zero at that point. It was 100 degrees, vacation Bible school was in full swing, and my mind was elsewhere. He emailed some information which I have yet to read. But the call did get me thinking. Is t... 06/22/2010