Last weekend, our Marshfield office had a booth at the Annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, Missouri. (Read about all the events of the festival HERE.)As we were setting up our booth Saturday morning, a candidate for Webster County Sheriff  came over. After a little chit chat, he said, "This isn't your typical real estate booth." Later on in the day, I was talking to a couple who recently moved to Marshfield from Arizona. As they were walking away, the man leaned over and whispered, "This isn't your typical real estate booth. I love it." We had a nice crowd, almost all day long. Even though this was the first year booths were inside and there were so many other activities going on, there was a steady flow of people. The day ended with a handful or so of good leads to follow up ... 05/02/2008

I recently discovered a blog written by Seth Godwin after reading a post by Mariana Wagner.After reading just one entry I was hooked and subscribed to Seth's feed. Today, Seth had a post entitled "You're Right!" - You can read the post HERE.Seth had a baaadd experience at a parking garage, wrote a complaint letter and received the following response: Sir, it really was your fault this happened to you!Really? His post struck a cord with me - I've recently complained to two different companies, and I received two totally different responses. My first complaint was with an out of state mortgage broker. I won't rehash ALL the details.(You can read the story HERE.) Let's just say I wasn't happy about how the deal was going and I voiced my opinion. I was told by the president of the company: ... 04/23/2008

This morning, I was out and about, trying to find a foreclosure property between Conway and Marshfield, Missouri. I never did find the home I was looking for, but I did pass this Momma cow and her babies several times. Finally, I just had to pull over and take a few photos for our website and for my Active Rain friends.This is the first year I've noticed twins. My husband said he has see a few sets of twins this year out in the fields but agreed, this is the first year he's really noticed them.The University of Nebraska at Lincoln reports that the rate of cows having twins has increased from 4% in 1984 to 52% in 2001, an increase of 3% per year. (Read the fulll story HERE.) Not sure what the rate is today in 2008 but the occurrence of cows having twins seems to still be on the rise. So.... 03/31/2008

I am reading the original 1937 version of "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. If you're wondering why the book sounds familiar, this book is the part of the foundation for the phenomenon "The Secret." I was struck by a certain passage and couldn't help but compare the words of 1937 to the world of real estate today: "...the majority of people who live by the sale of personal services make themistake of considering themselves free from the rules of conduct and theresponsibilities attached to those who are engaged in marketing commodities...The day of the "go-getter" has passed. He has been supplanted by the "go-giver.High-pressure methods in business finally blew the lid off."{Page 127} In the changing market, we've all heard the stories, we've read the stories on line. Rules of cond... 03/24/2008

      United Country VIP Realty opened thier second office in the beautiful town of Marshfield, MO in January 2007. Since then we've been soaking up all that Marshfield has to offer. I was amazed by their Cherry Blossom Festival and know you will be too!The Festival begain back in 2003 and has blossomed each and every year. The line up for this year is quite impressive! You'll see a focus on Presidential history and the families that have given support to the leaders of our country. (In fact, I heard a rumor that I'm trying to confirm: The grapevine tells me John McCain's Mother and Aunt may be in town for tea during the festival! I'll keep you updated on that little tid bit!) Mark your calendars - hope to see you here - Marshfield, MO Cherry Blossom Festival 2008Thursday, April 24, 200... 03/01/2008

I've been biting at the bit, waiting for all the posts to come rolling in from our convention goers. So far, nada.I did receive a "briefing" from my two agents that were able to attend. I thought I would share one item that they brought back:Enhanced Marketing Solutions (EMS)In addition to services offered to auction properties, EMS is a solution for developments and premier properties. There are four basic levels:Platinum EMS: for properties and homes ranging from $5 - $100+ millionGold EMS: for properties in he $1 -$5 million rangeSilver EMS:a good fit for those in the $500 - $1 million rangeFlex EMS: create your own packageEach plan comes with a variety of marketing incentives: advertising, digital marketing, marketing services, research, branding, direct marketing, event marketing a... 02/26/2008

Events for February & MarchSaturday, February 16 make plans to attend the SWEETHEART BARN DANCEat the Marshfield Equine Center at 6:00 p.m.  This event is fun for the whole family!  There will be a cover charge of $5.00 per person - DJ Jazzy Janie will be the DJ for the evening.FUN PRIZES*Two Steppin' Contest    *Texas Swing Contest   * Toe Tappin' Contest for Children 12 years old & younger   * Get Your Groove On Contest for sweethearts 50 years old and over!RSVP FOR THE SWEETHEART DINNER BEFORE THE DANCEThe Cowboy Cafe is offering a Dinner Special for $21.00it includes......*2 Salads   *2 Steaks with Baked Potatoes & 1 add'l Side*2 Desserts & 2 DrinksCall 417-859-0909 to RSVP Saturday, March 1 - 2nd Annual Community Indoors Garage Saleat The Marshfield Activity Center.  Proceeds from ... 02/12/2008

Debbie DiFonzo Recognized as Contributing Author to Real Estate in 2008 Book of Top Ideas for the Challenging Market of 2008Debbie DiFonzo, one of the premier Realtors in Marshfield, MO, recently joined hundreds of top agents as a contributing author to Real Estate in 2008.Marshfield, MO (Best Agent Business) January 4, 2008 - Debbie DiFonzo, Broker/Owner of United Country VIP Realty in Marshfield, joined with hundreds of top real estate agents around the country to write Real Estate in 2008 in less than a month.Real Estate in 2008 (http://www.realestatein2008.org/) helps buyers, sellers and agents succeed in a challenging 2008 market by providing hundred of ideas from top agents. Chapters include ideas on how to find motivated buyers, how to convince buyers it's time to buy, how to get... 01/05/2008

   Dan Duffy, CEO of United Country Real Estate, will be on Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country.  A full hour live radio show dedicated to the Rural Lifestyle. You can hear the show on 98.3 WOW-FM in Iowa this Sunday, December 23rd, 8 am. Sounds like Dan will be talking about rural real estate, the rural lifestyle and the rural economy. Read the show promo here: DAN DUFFYBe sure to page down for other great stories on living in rural America.Sign up to listen live on-line: 98.3 WOW-FM Need more information on finding your freedom in Southwest Missouri? Call, email or visit us on the web!Debbie DiFonzo, BrokerUnited Country VIP RealtyLebanon, MO  417-532-2031Marshfield, MO  417-468-5900 12/22/2007

 The New York Times will no longer charge an access fee for most of its content. You can read the full article HERE. Not having easy access to the print version of this newspaper and other leading publications, this is great news! With the changing real estate market and shifting business models, The New York Times online can be another go to source for keeping real estate agents up to date. The article sites an anticipated increase in ad revenue by making the site free - I wonder how many other companies currently charging a fee for content will follow suit?  09/18/2007

Tonight, I showed a piece of commercial property for a fifth time, to the same couple. They had another investor couple with them. We toured the property, talked and looked around a little more. As we wrapped up our showing, we talked about where we were from, what we had done in the past, and what we were doing now. The "new" couple had just moved to Marshfield, MO from Wyoming. The husband said, "We had to move where the jobs were." I nodded and agreed. In my day to day real estate activities I am often asked how the job market is here in Southwest Missouri. I give everyone the same, standard answer, which I believe whole heartily: If you want to work, there is a job here for you. Some people don't believe me. I get the look: Yeah right. The gentleman from Wyoming is a prime example: ... 09/13/2007

United Country VIP Realty now has an office in Marshfield, MO. We'll gladly assist you in your property search - both in Webster County and Laclede County, as well as the surrounding areas. We are a full service company,helping you understand the local markets. Call our Marshfield office, 417-468-5900 or our Lebanon office, 417-532-2031. Be sure to visit us on the web! www.uctheozarks.com 08/19/2007

Over 210,000 acres of Missouri land is planted in Rice! After living in Missouri for almost eight years and selling real estate for a little over five, this really shouldn't have been a surprise to me! But it was... I was reading the "Legislative End-of-Session" report sent to us by our Missouri State Representative Darrell Pollock. (Yes, Darrell, people really do read this stuff!) A sentence jumped out at me:                            "HB 741 also helps to promote the vital Missouri rice industry by ..." Vital Missouri rice industry??I had no idea Missouri had a rice industry, vital or not! I have since found out that in 2006 we had over 210,000 acres of Missouri land planted in rice, mostly in Southeast Missouri. (There's my way out - I'm located in South Central Missouri!) In fact, ... 07/22/2007

While looking through past Active Rain posts I found one by Dusty in Texas. He referred to the United Country color catalog as "taking an arm chair tour of America." What a great description of our book! The power of the color catalog cannot be under estimated - I'm sure many of you have similar stories: Back in 2003, after only a few weeks with United Country I received a call from an older gentleman. He was ready to buy and wanted to know about a particular property.As I listened to him, I became more and more confused. We talked a few minutes more and I asked a few questions. As it turns out, the man had a color catalog from 1968! Picking up the latest copy of the color catalog from the nearest United office was always a main priority for him and his wife. They had collected the cata... 05/08/2007

Marshfield boasts of longest 4th of July, Independence Day Parade, west of the Mississippi.Recently I had the honor of driving to Marshfield and previewing homes for a client.  I knew it has been a growing city, so I got to see first hand.  A lot of new and great homes for the money.  Located at the northern part of the Ozarks, it is a beautiful and somewhat rugged area.  There are six lakes in a 100 mile radius of Marshfield, and several great state parks.  The hospitality was great, and there are several great and affordable homes to choose from.To search for Marshfield area homes visit www.williamsclassichomes.com, or call 417-988-0726.Resources courtesy of the Marshfield, MO Chamber of Commerce. 04/19/2007