She Signed With Another Listing Agent...And Now She Wants To Be Friends?! I went on an appointment last week and connected with the owner of the home to be listed. We seemed to have many things in common regarding the love of animals and similar personality styles. She interviewed 3 agents to compete for the listing. She chose another company but sincerely told me she truly appreciated the information that I presented. I thanked her for the opportunity and wished her well, therefore ending the conversation. She e-mailed me saying..."I would really enjoy keeping communications open with you regarding the "animal" thing." She wants to be friends! Is it unethical for me to contact this woman since the only reason we came together was real estate? She will be signing contracts with another ... 06/15/2009

I am addicted to the learning process. I currently have 3 designations and am working on 3 more simultaneously. Let's just say that I had 89 credits over the course of the last 2 years. I JUST WANT TO BE THE BEST AGENT THAT I CAN POSSIBLY BE! That doesn't count the many, many hours spent here on Activerain, in one hour seminars, going to Chamber luncheons, Sales Meetings, reading amazing books such as: "The Millionaire Real Estate Agent, The Little Red Book of Sales Answers, The 5 Laws that Determine All Of Life's Outcomes, I can go on and on... I am still attempting to find my place here on Activerain and more than anything, I want to make a positive difference and be a driving force for my community here and in Southern Utah. I can't do it alone and ask for your help, so I hope you d... 06/12/2009

Most likely not...but this great article, written by Susan Spano for the Los Angeles Times, with its narrative qualities sure makes you feel like you are right there, back in history as Butch and his gang traveled through Utah's Red Canyon which was their home.  Susan specifically mentions St. George in her article as Butch's father was apparently sent by mormon church leaders to grow cotton here in Civil War time. If you love old western style American history as much as I do, this article is a great read and there are some gorgeous red rock photos of our area in it as well. The Old West lives on, click here to read Susan's whole article. 06/12/2009

IF THE THE HIGH COST OF ENTERTAINMENT AT AMUSEMENT PARKS AND TIMELY TRAVEL TO OTHER PARTS OF THE U.S. MAY NOT BE IN YOUR SUMMER PLANS...GET WET IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD! You probably haven't scheduled time for it, neither have I but do have some great memories of past water fights, water balloon fights and slippy slides! I HAVE TO ADMIT, THAT FIRST SHOT TO THE BACK WITH AN ICE COLD WATER BALLOON IS SHOCKING BUT THAT'S WHEN THE FUN STARTS!... And just think, you are also watering the lawn, bushes and trees in your yard! So this summer I plan to spend more time in the backyard with my boys making more memories!   That does look like FUN! Doesn't it? 06/11/2009

 ~ Windermere Real Estate Southland Weekly Residential Report For Washington County, Utah ~ SOUTHERN UTAH RESIDENTIAL WEEKLY REPORT FOR THE WEEK JUNE 2, 2009 ~ JUNE 10, 2009 Current Week New Listings                                       Closings                                  Pendings Residential - 112                                Residential - 70                       Residential - 86 Land / Lots - 38                                  Land / Lots - 4                        Land / Lots - 11   Prior Week                                        May 27-June 09, 2009 New Listings                                       Closings                                  Pendings Residential - 112                                Residential - 80                       Residential - 100 Land / Lots - 33... 06/10/2009

  This picture was taken at Baker Reservoir in Southern Utah. It is approximately 20 miles north on Highway 18 and a fabulous place to grab a pole and throw in a line! We are able to get there in less than 5 minutes and often stay the entire day! The scenery at Baker Reservoir Dam near Baker Reservoir Recreation Area Campground is beautiful and there several trails close by!   06/10/2009

You've got a ways to wait, but on May 1, 2010, the Ford Ironman competition is coming to St. George, a community known for its active lifestyle. This mega event will consist of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run and you can register online here. This is a first time event and we are very excited to see it coming to our lovely community.  I suggest you visit the website often to keep updated on the event if it is something that you are interested in.  The athlete's guides won't be available online until April 2010; however, they are putting up to date information up often. 06/09/2009

Here are some more St. George / Southern Utah area flowers! The first one is a yellow Trumpet Vine. This is a couple of pink roses from our backyard. And this last one is an Orange Trumpet vine! The Southern Utah area is ALIVE! with a multitude of vibrant colors from flowers, to flowering bushes to trees in bloom! It certainly does lighten my mood when I stop to take photos of this gorgeous foliage! I HOPE YOU ENJOY!  06/08/2009

We often golf at the Dixie Red Hills Golf Course in St. George, UT. It is a 9-hole course that is surrounded by jutting red rock cliffs, mature trees and several ponds (water hazzards, if you golf like me)! I thought this was a great picture of my son Sebastian and his dad Mike on the 1st tee box. I wonder what they are talking about... 06/07/2009

  I just realized that I am the #1 Activerain blogger in the entire Washington County, UT region out of 78 members! Woo-hoo!    #1 in all of Saint George, UT! There are 71 members in the area! Extraordinary!                                                                                             Numero Uno!     1st Place! WOW!!!!   I'd like to thank everyone at Activerain.com who has made this glorious day possible! I'd like to thank my family who have been with me every step of the way when I say...just a minute honey, I have to read this blog, post a blog or check my stats! I'd like to thank my fellow Windermere agents who have encouraged me to continue blogging!    THANKS! THANKS! THANKS! TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU! I AM INDEED BLESSED! 06/06/2009

Have You Ever Lost Your Way Because You Didn't Ask For Help? I went outside this morning to feed the animals and saw a little furry creature on the lawn. As I got closer, I realized it was a baby bird. He is unable to fly but is a great communicator! Even though he is lost, he possesses the ability to ask for help when needed. This must be instinct. So many times we resist the urge to call out for help when needed due to pride, self-sufficiency and to avoid looking vulnerable to our peers. I am so guilty of that because I have always been self-reliant to a fault. I am realizing that in order to become a better real estate agent, wife, mother, friend that I must ask for help. This little bird has just taught me an important lesson! Ask for help, even if you think it will make you look st... 06/06/2009

I admit I am geographically challenged. I also admit that I have gotten lost several times while out showing properties to clients. The overwhelming feelings of inadequacy had crept into my daily life regarding this. It has always been this way and that is one reason I love to live in small communities rather than big, bustling cities. If I want to experience Big City Life, I will go to Las Vegas for the day, get lost and come back home! I do not know the difference from NORTH, SOUTH, EAST or EAST! But I do know that I ALWAYS go the opposite way that I am supposed to... Prior to my Tom-Tom when I was scheduling a home tour for my clients, I would Google Map every address, get into my car and drive to each and every home to be sure that I knew exactly how to get there prior to the actual... 06/03/2009

As soon as we pulled into the driveway from our weekend away, I noticed that our Bright Orange Lillie's had bloomed! I waited for days and days to take a few shots of their gorgeous colors! Their depth is amazing! I am patiently waiting for the others to come to life and if you are like me, the anticipation is well worth it! ENJOY!       06/02/2009

 Well, I'm back from the 3-day camping & fishing trip and look at the FISH I caught!!! What a Beauty! We fished early in the morning, mid-afternoon and evening and this was an unexpected surprise! We went to Otter Creek Reservoir which is just past Circleville on Hi-way 89. The campground has campsites that back right up to the water so you are able to beach your boat and go fishing or boating without the hassle of loading & unloading at the dock. They also have showers with hot water to wash the day's dirt off. That is so nice after a day in the sun! OK, so here's the real one! It's still a pretty nice size fish...about 3 pounds but you should have seen the one that got away! I hope you all enjoyed your weekend! We sure did and it was so nice to enjoy family without phones in everyone'... 06/01/2009

There are many reasons to enjoy living at SunRiver in St. George, and now there's one more.  The City of St. George has continued it's trails system to extend to SunRiver.  These trails are available to pedestrians, bikers, skaters - as long as they are courteous and follow the rules - and are another excellent way to stay active throughout your retirement.  Here is a link to a map of the extended trail.  To see a list of trails rules and open hours, please visit http://www.sgcity.org/parks/trails/ The trails system links major populations centers throughout the city.  Now, of "course" there's more than just trails to keep you active at SunRiver, they have a current promotion on their website to offer you free golf!  You heard right - FREE GOLF!  Any day that's over 100 degrees, you get... 06/01/2009

It is necessary to find time to just relax..you deserve it! After all, you put a lot of time & effort into your business.  That is why we are taking Friday off and going FISHING & CAMPING!!! I'll chat with you all on Monday! Have a fabulous weekend and I will be posting pictures of the fishing...because you know those fishing stories about... the ones that got away! 05/28/2009

While having lunch at a favorite Chinese restaurant several days ago, I happened to open my fortune cookie and it said "Your hard work is about to pay off. Congratulations!" I now have that little slip of paper in my car on my dash to give me inspiration, so, everytime I get into my car, out of my car, while I'm in the car, I see that little reminder, and think, YES!  I spend a lot of time in my car... That little message on that little slip of paper gives me a boost everytime I read it. For me, it's important to find little things that drive me forward in my business. What inspires you to continue to drive your business forward? 05/28/2009

Shaun Donovan, Secretary of Housing & Urban Development, is scheduled to speak to National Association of Home Builder members on Friday, May 29, at 10:00 a.m., at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. This session will be in the Thurgood Marshall South/West Ballroom on the Mezzanine Level of the hotel. If you are a NAHB member and are able to attend, I suggest that you do to find out more about important issues facing the home building industry. Everything that is decided on a federal level eventually effects everyone on a state, city or community level. I am looking forward to reading about the discussion because I will not be able to attend. Wanda Kubat-Nerdin is an at large member of the National Sales & Marketing Council and Past President of the Southern Utah Sales & Marke... 05/25/2009

Here are more pictures I've taken of flowers that are in our yard! Enjoy! 05/25/2009

There are times when driving through St. George, Washington City, Ivins, Santa Clara, Hurricane on my way to appointments or to meet a client when I am overcome with the desire to get out of my car and take pictures of what this area has to offer. My only wish would be that the flower's blooms last longer. Enjoy! 05/24/2009