I never thought I would do a blog.  Didn't see the value in them when they first came out.  But now I've realized it a valuable tool.  One to let others get to know me and how I work.  Second to inform others about my business and how I can help them.  Hopefully in the future I can perfect my blogging skills, so people will actually read it and get something out of it.   Until next time...... 04/16/2008

So a little over a week ago was my 30th birthday, and I had the best party! I invited almost 50 friends to join me in an old-school rollerskating party at Star City Family FunZone. I had about 20 attend, and we had a blast. I used http://www.evite.com/ to send out e-invitations and found their designs neat and their system easy to keep track of everyone. I was happy to discover that Thursday nights are All-You-Can-Eat-Pizza nights, included with the price of admission, so food was covered. I wasn't allowed to bring my own cake in, but they do provide them, if you plan ahead enough to order one--which I didn't. They also have an indoor playland for kids and air hockey. It was family-friendly, yet still exciting and different enough to thrill my single friends. I would definitely do it ag... 03/26/2008

Spring is right around the corner and the Smith Mountain Striper Club is holding it's kickoff event this Saturday. The March Madness Tournament is an annual event and this is the club's first tournament of 2008. The Striper's Club has approximately 600 members and to participate in the tournament you must be a member or guest of a member. There will be prize money and the tournament begins on Saturday at 12:01am. Anglers can fish on either Smith Mountain Lake or Leesville Lake, from land or boat. The club also assists the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries in it's annual stocking of the lake with fingerling stripers.   The club puts out a monthly newsletter, the Smith Mountain Lake Striper Club Bulletin. For more information on striper fishing, or a membership application,... 03/12/2008

MSN Money recently reported on real estate in 290 metro markets thoughout the country. Though Florida and Califorina markets have been hard hit, Texas, Utah and Washington have seen increases and several Virginia markets fared well. Lynchburg, Virginia is ranked at 34. To read the entire report go to MSN MONEY. Price appreciation as of December 31 -by percentageMetro Area                       Rank                      1 quarter            1 year                    5 yearsLynchburg                    34                    1.37                 5.36                 45.7Charlottesville              45                    .99                   4.77                 70.56Richmond                    74                    .19                   3.75                 61.3Roanoke                    ... 02/29/2008

In The Roanoke Valley we are extremely fortunate to have a medical facility called Carilion Clinic directed by a visionary CEO--Dr. Ed Murphy.  Dr. Murphy's vision is not only for the organization he heads but to "grow" this community both from a medical standpoint and from an economic development standpoint as well.  Carilion Clinic is a clinic model similar to the Cleveland Clinic with a medical school to begin in 2010--a partnership with Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.)  Not only will Carilion Clinic bring wonderful patient centered medical care to an underserved population of over a milllion people in Southwestern Virginia, but will bring medical research and medical training for physicians.  This is in addition to Carilion's Jefferson College of ... 02/24/2008

For folks coming into our area from other parts of the country, the real estate market in the Roanoke Valley although a bit slow (consider the time of year with the Spring Market soon to follow)--is relatively stable.  We are neither a buyer's nor seller's market.  Buyer's want a bargain when purchasing and hold to their price when selling; seller's hold to their price when marketing their home and want a bargain when purchasing.  A transaction will meet somewhere in the middle.  New home sales are a bit slow in this area.  Resales are fairly stable.  In the more desirable neighborhoods within Roanoke City and Roanoke County, demand is greater than supply.  The desirability factor has a great deal to do with desired school systems and proximity to workplaces. 02/21/2008

I've had the pleasure of using TG Electrical Services in the past & was impressed with Travis's experience and advice.  All too often, it's hard to find an Electrician you can trust in the Roanoke, VA area & it's nice to have someone now to rely on...instead of frantically flipping through the Yellow Pages and picking the one with the prettiest ad. (Come on, we've all done that!)Travis issued the following letter to all of his past clients & I wanted to take a moment to pass along... Enjoy!In the recent week, many homes in the Roanoke, VA area lost power for up to six days. Lose of power contributes to lose of heat, food, hot water, and generally the way of life you and your family are accustomed. This problem can easily be resolved for future power outages. Let me share with you how th... 02/19/2008

WE GET RESULTS FOR YOU!  Representing sellers and buyers in the Roanoke Valley & Surrounding areas. Call our team today for superlative service with personal attention all of the way!  Kristy Hull - 540/ 798-2103  or Thurston Ford - 540/ 797-5078 www.RoanokeHomeConnection.com    Full Time Real Estate Agent, Specializing in the Roanoke Valley and Surrounding Areas. Working with Buyers, Sellers, Relocations, Investments, HUD/Foreclosures & New Construction 02/07/2008

I was recently going through some notes from a seminar that I attended in August of this year.  It was a 7 day seminar, so there were a lot of notes!As I was reading through them there was a sentence that has made a significant impact on me:  Failed relationships are a result of unmet strategies and negative past experiences.  At first I thought, what the heck does that mean?  What strategy?  Which experiences?  I continued thinking about it and then mentioned it to my Wife.  Not the biggest mistake I've ever made, but it deserves an honorable mention!  She thought I was nuts.  So, this evening my daughter spilled grape juice on our white couch.  My Wife was diligently cleaning it as I mentioned that we could just have it re-upolstered later on.  She was a little caught up in the moment... 12/15/2007

 "DURING my first year in mortgage banking, I chose follow-up as my prime objective and made sure my clients knew it. On one case, a joint-venture construction loan that had required hours of preparation, I was eager to advise my client that I had finally received a letter of intent. I called his office only to be told that he had left for the day. Frustrated, I relaxed by sailboarding in the harbor near my home. As I sailed along on I noticed a large powerboat cruising nearby and was astonished to discover that the man at the helm was my client. I tacked close to the cruiser, and waved. Incredulous, he waved back and slowed the boat. "Just wanted to let you know I've received a letter of intent," I called out. The deal was sealed soon afterward. Attached to the client's agreement was t... 11/07/2007