Moving On to 2011!!

Happy New Year Everyone!

I was thinking about how to make the New Year better, and decided to share my thoughts with you. Here is what I came up with. Share your thoughts with me below.

1. New Year's Eve. Make it safely through 2010 to 2011. New Year's eve parties are fun and I used to love them. Now I can't stay up past 10 pm. But, I do like to go to them and leave early, or just have dinner with some close friends. The point is whatever, you do, be safe. Do NOT drink and drive. Have a designated driver or call a cab. Life is worth living, so make it to the next day. IF YOU have a party, don't let friends drive drunk. Make a place for them at your home until the next day. You may have to feed them breakfast, but they will make it to the next party you have.

2. Make a goal for the year, whether it be financially or personally. Decide to follow through and then do it. I heard a man say, successful people are the ones that make a decision thoughtfully and then do not change your mind on the spur of the moment to fit the mood. Decisions I change quickly, usually are the ones I get so upset with myself about. If you decide ahead of time and stick with it, then it will be a safe decision with a great result, one that you will be happy about.

3. Change the things you do not like about yourself. Get a piece of paper and list them. Are they things you can change or things out of your control? If you can change it, then do it. Stop talking about it and do it. Losing weight and getting back to regular exercise is mine. I have said  it every year for the past five years, since having foot surgery, and I play at it. This is the year for me. I am the only person in control of those two things, so I am deciding now, to eat healthy and do some sort of exercise every day, even it is just to walk around the block that day. There are many others I have on my paper, but be aware of the possibility of who is in control of the change. Some things can't be changed. We can't grow and be taller, we may not be able to restore a broken relationship, or have a round face instead of a thin, long one. But, our problems are mostly in our control. Stop smoking! Stop drinking too much! Be a better friend! Be a better partner to your spouse.Go back to school! The changes will  make your life better.  I will tell you about how mine go  next year, good Lord willing.

4. Make a bucket list just for this year. Is there something you would like to do this year? Write it down, put it somewhere you can see it. Work towards it! You have control over that as well. Successful people are people of action. You have to actually do something about all of the above. You can't just sit and wait on anything to happen. You will be very bored and disappointed! We used to have a saying at my church and I use it all the time for real estate, but it works for everything, "If it is to be, it is up to me!" My one wish is to go with my church to Israel in March and make it home safely. I can be ready for the trip, but it is up to God to get me there and back. So watch for pictures....

5. Also remember, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Sometimes we just need to go with what is working for us. I love the prayer that was my Grandmother Walker's favorite:

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year!!!

Time to Move On!!!

Christmas is past for 2010. The time for bringing to light the Light of the World. God sent His only Son to the world as a child. Jesus came to show us how to live this life and have a real relationship with God the Father. He did not have to do it, but He made the choice to do it for us. There was nothing Jesus was not confronted with that we will confront. He knows how it feels, he understands.

He lived a sinless life for us. He carried a really heavy cross to Calvary and let them crucify Him. He could have call 72,000 angels to come and save Him, the same multitude of angels that sang of His birth to the shepherds. Do you think they hid on the day that Jesus was hung on that cross? No. They were up in the sky, just waiting on Him to give the word! I think Michael and Gabriel sat right on the arm span, asking Him, "Are you sure?", "Let us get you out of here!"

But He was sure. He stayed. He died for me. And for you. Now I can live with peace on Earth, and know that those same angels that sang "Glory to God in the Highest" on the night of His birth, and wept when they saw His death, are covering me up in His care while I am here, serving Him.

God is not finished yet. He is still in action. I think He has lots more for us to do. We have a God that came to be with us. He still sits at His Father's right hand and intercedes for us when we need it. I don't know about you, but I need it a lot.

Thank you God, for the most wonderful gift of all times. Please help me never to disappoint you, and thank you for loving me when I do.

God, be with Me in this next year, and help me to say everyday, "What are We going to do today?"

(I know this isn't real estate, but I want to share my Christmas gift with you).

Rates Are Going UP!!!!

Historically rates go up in December for some unknown reason. This December is no different. The mortgage bond market has taken a pretty good smacking the past week or so. If you are sitting on the fence trying to decide whether to buy now or wait. JUMP off that fence right now! The rates have gone up almost 1% since November. Don't be one of those people that "wish they had not waited TOO long!"

People tend to wait to see if the rates are going farther down, and then when the rates start up they start buying because they are afraid the rates will go higher. Well guess what? They are headed up!

Real estate is a cycle. It goes way up in price and interest rates, and then goes way down and starts up again. Get on the wagon, cause we are about to take the ride back to the top!

I have been in this market with 18% interest, and down to 3.75% for 30 years. Now they are headed back up to the top! Don't wait to see how high they can go, because they can go up very fast!!!!

Get going. Call your Realtor and find your new home! If you don't have a Realtor, then give me a call!!!! 770-547-2493!

The Lost Art of Letter Writing

This is something I copied from Success Magazine. Hope you like it as much as I did. I love writing real notes. I think people really appreciate the time it takes, and the trouble. Even if it is snail mail, you have to make the extra effort.

Lost Art of Letter Writing

Journalist Byron Pits of 60 Minutes makes a point of sending every source or person he interviews a handwritten thank-you note. It’s a small token of his appreciation for sharing themselves and their story.

When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone you love? Not a love letter per se (although your significant other would appreciate those every once in a while too), but a thoughtfully written note that expresses in articulate detail something that’s on your mind. Consider these reasons for writing some personal correspondence and tips for making it memorable.

Time CapsuleAs George Bernard Shaw once said, “An unexamined life is one not worth living.” Letter writing allows you to record your life and provides a snapshot of your thoughts for later reflection. Old letters to your spouse, friends or children can be memoirs to pass down to your children or grandchildren.

The Relationship Glue
The difference between a new contact and lasting connection might rest on the written word. A simple “Hello, I enjoyed meeting you” or “I was thinking about something you said earlier…” could make an indelible impression. Keeping in touch this way with people you’ve met throughout your life and career can build your network and create opportunities beyond your reach.

Write Your Thoughts and Speak Your WordsJust send it. Even if your letters go unanswered, you’ve probably brightened someone’s day by sharing a favorite memory or new insight.

Be RealSkip the niceties and share your real thoughts and experiences. Handwritten letters are the place for deeper thoughts and expression. So, write what you really want to say.

Things to do to Prepare to Sell Your House

1. Repair and paint sheetrock ceilings and walls from leaks in roof.
2. Caulk cracks in moldings.
3. Paint all rooms neutral colors if possible.
4. Stretch carpet and clean all spots.
5. Empty as much as possible all closets and have orgainized.
6. Take everything off countertops in kitchen and bathrooms.
7. Take everything off refrigerator top and front and sides.
8. Arrange basement as a room and get rid of all unnecessary objects.
9. It is ok to store extras in storage area in basement, looks like you have loads of storage. Empty all rooms to as bare as possible.
10. Cut grass in back yard and clean up, people with children want yards.
11. Clean, clean, clean, sparkly and shiny!
12. Wash windows and have very clean.
13. Replace any broken seal windows.
14. Repair any bad pieces of siding.

Keep your house in good repair. Go outside and walk in the front door. Immediately, look at your house as if you are the buyer. If you see something that doesn’t look well, so do they. A buyer these days has so much to choose from that the house with the least amount of negatives will win every time.

A clean house will show well, a dirty house does not. Shine it up!!

When you sell your house, you have to keep it ready. Never leave it so unorgainized, that if I call you have to say, “not today”. This may be the only chance this person has to look.

Don’t give that buyer a chance to buy something else. Today is when they want to see it, don’t put them off to another day!!!! Stay ready.

Is it a pain? Yes. But, do you want to sell quickly and get top dollar? Then keep it clean, and keep it ready. Not only will your house sell, but you will be happier in it too.

Listen to your agent. If she or he says, do this or do that. Then do it!!! They are professionals. They aren’t out to make you mad or hurt your feelings. They want to sell your house. Nothing is worse for an agent, than to list a property that is not made sellable.

It is a group effort. You hire us, listen to us! Please…… We are all in it together. If your house does not sell, we make no money, and neither do you!!!!

Great cornbread Dressing for Thanksgiving.

I sort of use this receipe. Just thought I would share it with you. Need to remember if you cook the onions and celery before adding them in. Use the whole thing or some. Happy Thanksgiving.

Cornbread Dressing Recipe | MyRecipes.com

 

Reasons to be Thankful if You are in the Market for A Home!

I have been listing, on my Facebook Status the last week, blessings that I am thankful for. Reasons to be thankful are easy for every day life, but I kept wanting to write down, I am thankful for my job. Somehow, I have not been able to actually write that down for some reason. As everyone with ears, eyes, and pocketbooks knows: Real Estate ain't so good right now! Bad for sellers, worse for realtors. BUT!!!! Buyers, what in this world are you waiting for?

Never in our lifetime, that I can remember (which if you know me, you would realize I can't remember anything, as my husband points out daily), have interest rates been this low. 

4% for 30 years are you kidding me?????? My first house interest rate was 16%!!!! On $100,000 mortgage that is approximately, $16000 interest annually for 16% versus $4000 annually for 4%!!! A difference of $12000!!!!! Over 30 years that is a savings of $360,000! Do you see that?

Houses are at an all time low price! I know that there are houses that are priced at half or more of what they sold for in 2003! I have a house that I bought in 1994 for $140,000. In 2002, it appraised for $270,000! Now I have it rented because I could never get what I owe on it! (I borrowed money against it for a wedding several years ago).

You will never have a better opportunity to own your own home for so little. You can have a grand house for a tiny price.

Sure your credit has to be decent, but not perfect. A 620 and above will probably get you in. Call your local banker and get prequalified ( they will tell you what price house you can buy for your income). It is free.

You will only need at the least 3.5% of the sales price as a down payment. We can get the seller to pay your closing costs, hopefully. So on a $150,000 home you would need $5250 for down payment plus maybe a few dollars for this and that. It can even be a gift from your parents or your children.

So there are reasons to be thankful for this market if you are a buyer!!! Get busy!!! I am still thankful for my job, I love what I do, and want to make the most valuable decision you will ever make fun and easy for you. I have spent loads of time learning how to be a professional. That is someone that knows their business and how to help those who need assistance and someone to represent them that has more knowledge about the subject than they. I am that person. I can't wait to meet you and help you find your dream house.

Call me and let me show you how to own your home while the getting is good!!! Don't wait on rates and prices to increase, because they definitely will.