Dear readers,There are two more upcoming holiday events worthy of note:2007 Bryan College Station Christmas Parade - December 2, 2pm, beginning on University Drive East, then north on Texas Avenue.Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra presents Handel's Messiah, December 9th at 6pm at Christ United Methodist Church in College Station. For more information, contact the Texas A&M University MSC Box Office at 979.845.1234.Blue skies,Sam Whitewww.SamWhiteRealty.com 11/28/2007

I know how hard it is to find great classes to give your agents.  Here is an example of one of our offices on education.  Office managers always struggle to bring training to the agents.  You may even want to pole your office to see what the agents want to learn. (Sample Calender Not Actual)Today  12:00 PM Technology Mastermind  Tuesday  9:00 AM Sales Meeting   10:00 AM Office Tour   3:00 PM Camp 443  Wednesday  11:00 AM ProManage Market Center Edition of Top Producer 7i®   3:00 PM Camp 443  Thursday  2:00 PM New Agent Mastermind  Friday  1:00 PM MREA Chapter Review   3:00 PM Assistant MastermindYou can use the above example of a week to modify any training calender.  Keep the classes short no longer then one hour.  That way the agents can get in and enjoy the classes but then can go ab... 11/28/2007

I know I'm not the only one who has seen these monster trailers hauling the large tubs heading north up highway 84 to West Texas.  I think they are built around south Texas because I see them on Highway 6 and 36.  These are the base pieces that once stood up and welded together the create a base to hold a wind generator that  produces electricity.  I count well over 300 already standing on the last road trip.  I wonder who is putting all these up?  Who is behind the Wind Energy Initiative?  The power companies and yes the oil industry.  profits are running high and guessing where to drill for oil is expensive.  They can lease from the landowner a stretch of land and pay the landowner money per month to have the wind farm on the land.  Your land value could be worth more if it real windy... 11/28/2007

Dear readers,College Station and Bryan will offer outdoor Christmas events this year.College Station's Christmas in the Park is scheduled to begin the evening of Friday, November 30th. The park will be illuminated from 6pm-11pm daily. Special events in the park will begin this Friday, and take place from 6pm-9pm on Friday and Saturday nights through December 15th.The City of Bryan will have a one-night party this Thursday from 5:30pm-8:30pm. Bryan's event features cookies, games and activities for children, as well as photos with Santa.Watch for more information on Christmas festivities in the Brazos Valley in the coming weeks.Blue skies,Sam Whitewww.SamWhiteRealty.com 11/28/2007

The City of Byran Texas has gone to great lengths to provide anyone who wants maps of the area available on thier website located at, click here.  You can see an example below:You can zoom in and out, add schools,parks,new subdivisions etc..  Take it for a spin and see how simple they have made it.  If you need lot sizes then you can add boundaries and lot lines.  What a great tool for all concerned, agents, insurance, etc.  Give it your approval and wow you seller or buyer with great information.  Other cities should do the same, what a great economic resource tool.Till Next Time,Matt RatcliffeTeam Leader 11/27/2007

Have you see what we here in Texas have to do as Home Builders, here is the link:http://www.trcc.state.tx.us/  What you need to know as a REALTOR that represents a builder or buyer is that the builder must be registered with the Texas Building Commission.  If you choose to represent a builder that is not registered and the consumer has a problem, what are you going to say, "I did not know or I did but it did not matter!"  You will be in the same place the builder will be, in court fighting the consumer in front of a jury of your peers.  You need to ask question, allot of questions.  The registered builders can give a 10 year Warranty on Structure which is insured by the State of Texas.Builders Who Have registered, click hereDo Your Research,Matt RatcliffeTeam Leader 11/27/2007

Lets start with what it is not:*Lack of communication*No needs analysis*No Market knowledge*No contract knowledge*No loan ApprovalI know what your thinking what do these thing have to with customer service?  I say everything.1)  We must slow down and talk to the customer to see and feel what they truly need.  It will show you care.2)  If you have no expertise in one area, say residential vs commercial then refer to another agent so the  customer gets great market knowledge from an expert.3)  Could you really defend the contract you wrote?  Try it, explain ever paragraph to a peer.4)  A great customer service is to get a buyer to wonderful loan officer, one you trust.  One that you know will provide the client with great service.5)  F  amily- Ask about family     O  ccupation-  Where do ... 11/27/2007

I know what your thinking, I do not need a coach, however should you decide to hire here are a few questions you should ask:How long have you been a coach?Did you ever sell real estate?How many agents have you coached?What is your success rate? What are your and the coaches expectations?Who are the last 10 people you coached and can I call them?What skill set do you need? People, Technology, Sripts etc...What happens if we do not get a long?What will it cost me to change or cancel our agreement?If you hire a coach and you allow yourself to be coached, get ready, they will take to a new level of achievement.Till Next Time,Matt RatcliffeTeam Leader 11/27/2007

The local market is going very well here in College Station, Brazos Valley Texas.  It appears home buyers and sellers continue to buy and sell.  I have talked to several agents and they are working deals. It is not a "hot market", but it is the market.  What concerns me is the number of deals agents are missing by putting themselves on the sideline because it is the holiday season.  You do make your own market.  If you do no lead generation then guess what, you have no business, what a deal.  Make some calls to your sphere of influence, ask question, get busy today!Till Next Time,Matt RatcliffeTeam Leader 11/27/2007

Here is the links and informationn on the Citi bank dealCITIGROUP deal came together after marathon phone calls and 11th-hour trip by Robert Rubin to United Arab Emirates... THANK YOU, ABU DHABI  In the article that I found out about our friends from the east buying out the problem in CITIbank.  We are fighting to protect the interest of one country in the area while they buy us one bad loan at a time.  They say because the US dollar is so devalued that it was a good deal for them.  Wow I just can not believe what I read in the above article.  CITIbank pursued them to bail them out, what a deal.  They would not need bailing out if they did the rifgtht theingto begin with and kept their house in order.  What a deal. What about all that MIP and MGIC that all of clients pa... 11/27/2007

Dear readers,Texas A&M has a new football coach, less than three days after Coach Dennis Franchione resigned. Houston Texans' offensive coordinator Mike Sherman has been named head coach of the Texas A&M football team.Sherman will receive a seven-year contract paying $1.8 million annually. The contract must be approved by the A&M System Board of Regents, scheduled to next meet December 6th and 7th. Blue Skies,Sam Whitewww.SamWhiteRealty.com 11/26/2007

Dear readers,Brrrrrrrr. We finally have our first little taste of winter. Its been in the 40's all day with light to heavy rain. The same is expected tomorrow.One of the things I enjoy about winter the most is a fire in the fireplace. You don't get to do that a lot here in Bryan and College Station. I'm working my way through my cord of wood. There is something satisfying about sitting with my back to a warm fire, and I'm appreciating it more and more as I age.It'll probably be back in the 80s next week.Blue skies,Sam Whitewww.SamWhiteRealty.com 11/24/2007

Dear readers,I was speaking with a friend who had just driven in from the Houston airport. He was talking about the drive, the shuttle buses from the parking facility to the terminals, and how much it all cost. I asked him if he enjoyed driving to Houston. He didn't think it was funny.So I asked why he didn't fly out of Easterwood and connect in Houston instead. We have several flights a day that make most connections work. He said he "heard" it was a lot more expensive and there weren't good connections.Yes, ticket prices are sometimes higher than if you drove to Houston, but when you factor the cost of the car, gas, parking and...oh ya, your time.All I'm saying is consider it, and if the numbers work out, give it a try. We have a great little airport with good air service into Bryan a... 11/24/2007

Dear readers,I'm reminded about a nasty little ice storm we had here in College Station, Texas in the late 80s. I remember leaving my job at the airport and thinking that I should have done so about an hour earlier, because it was beginning to freeze. I wrecked my best friends Jimmy on the way home that day.We are going to have another ice storm here someday, and I just want to remind everyone that the best thing to do in an ice storm is hide in your house. Get home before it starts and enjoy a day or two with the family. Oh, and say a little prayer the electricity stays on.On that happy note...Blue skies,Sam Whitewww.SamWhiteRealty.com 11/24/2007

Dear readers,I was at a listing appointment today, and heard something I hadn't really thought about, yet.I was visiting with an older couple, who were selling their next to the, next to the last home they plan to ever own. Anyway, there planned to never live on the west side of College Station again. The reason they cited was;If you live on the east side, you are driving west on the way to work in the morning (sun at your back), and east on the way home again in the evening (again, sun at your back). They apparently did not like looking into the sun.Of course, the worst commute in our fain community is no more than 10-15 minutes anyway.Just something else to think (and blog) about.Blue skies,Sam Whitehttp://www.samwhiterealty.com/ 11/24/2007

Dear readers,The City of College Station is reminding citizens to recycle this season. Landfill waste increases drastically during the holidays. Much of that waste can be recycled.For more information on College Station's curbside recycling program, click http://www.cstx.gov/home/index.asp?page=2030. Unfortunately, Bryan does not enjoy curbside recycling, but residents can take their recyclables to the community drop off at the Bryan Wal-Mart. Blue skies,Sam Whitewww.SamWhiteRealty.com 11/24/2007

Looking for a great townhouse or condominium in College Station?  Look no further.  Currently two 3 bedroom/3 baths are listed in the Waterwood Community, one of the finest student communities in College Station.  This gated complex offers a pool, basketball court, shuttle access and low maintenance fees.  Directly across from Central Park, this is a great location with walking trails and ponds, athletic fields and tennis courts nearby.These three bedroom units are priced in the mid 150's and one has occupancy for late December or early January, the other is occupied until May.  The maintenance fees are $120/month and include maintenance of the front yard as well as the back patio area, exterior of the townhomes and water, both for the garden areas, and the interior of the unit.Unit 101... 11/21/2007

Dear readers,This is a quick post to let you know that the Texas Aggie Bonfire burned bright last night. The stack was ignited at 8:30 last night, with a crowd of 3,000 attending. Igniting the five-tiered stack was banned over the weekend due to a burn ban in Robertson County. The ban was lifted after three inches of rain fell over the weekend.So far, there are no reports of accidents or incidents. A great photo can be found at www.TheEagle.com. Happy Thanksgiving to all Aggies. Be careful on the roads!Blue skies,Sam Whitewww.SamWhiteRealty.com 11/20/2007

Dear readers,WHOOP!After receiving over three inches of rain over the weekend, Robertson County commissioners lifted the burn ban and cleared the way to ignite the five-tiered bonfire tonight just north of Hearne.The burn is scheduled to take place between 7 and 8 pm. Admission is $5 per car. Shuttle-buses will run from Post Oak Mall until midnight.Further information can be found at www.studentbonfire.com. Please! Be EXTRA careful. Use you HEAD on Highway 6. Watch out for other Aggies as you want them to watch out for you...and...HAVE FUN!Blue skies,Sam Whitewww.SamWhiteRealty.com 11/20/2007

Dear rancher friends,December 1st is the 10th Annual Fall Stocker Cow Sale at the Bryan Livestock Auction on Hwy 21 in Bryan, Texas. Sale begins at 11 am.All cattle are young and screened for quality. Call today to consign quality young females.Also featured:Double Creek Angus BullsPat Griswold Charolais BullsPat Griswold Hereford BullsDeshazer Polled Hereford BullsTo consign or for further information, call 979-778-0904.See you there!Blue skies,Sam Whitewww.SamWhiteRealty.com 11/19/2007