Arkansas

Remember the true meaning of Christmas, Don't forget to do some good deeds during the holidays

11-21-09

Rita Fong: Real Estate Agent in Marion, AR

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Office: (870) 735-4663

Mobile: (901) 488-9590

I guess Christmas is really around the corner, no matter you are ready or not. As I get more "wise" and "mature" :) each year, I feel more and more the need to do good deeds during the holidays. I can write a book to complain and mourn about mishaps in life, and how is that going to do any good for me!?

There are so many ways to show your spirits of giving and sharing. For example, help to serve dinner at homeless shelter, deliver food to the needed family, singing Christmas carol at nursing homes (of course, I have enough sense not to choose this one to do), donating toys, children coats to local charity.

Some of you may know I am a CASA volunteer for abused and foster children, and we always bring gifts to these children to make sure they have a Christmas just like everybody else. This year I decided to help Violence Against Women to organize to collect Christmas gifts to 3 deserved families. These mothers get enough courage to leave the abusive relationship and take their children with them. They work very hard to put food on the table, to make sure their children are safe, they don't want them to witness their mother being abused. These ladies and their children deserve to have a decent Christmas just like your and I.

I attach a newsletter with the calender I am sending to my clients, and spread the words out, forward to all the Realtors on our Board, and hope we can collect some items that these families need/want for Christmas.

Maybe you can help your local organizations to collect Christmas gifts by using your powerful network. It just feels good to know you help to make someone who is less fortunate to have a decent Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all of you on Active Rain.

4 Comments

I can't do it. #$!@$%#$ I have tried and I just can't give them away. Ladies only, please.

11-21-09

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR

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Office: (501) 268-1115

Mobile: (501) 278-6817

It's another year of Winter weather.

Drag out the old Winter clothes and put up the Summer ones.

I have done that.

Now eliminate the ones that you no longer wear!! OK, I can handle that.....

How about this nice green pant suit. Man, I look good in that! (Well, perhaps I "looked" good in it.) It is tailored. Pleated pants that go to the waist. The jacket is long enough to cover any widened hip flaws. I'll think about giving this away because it is lined and hot and my office is TOO hot.

Okay, here's another lovely suit. The jacket is a little shorter but it still covers most hip problems. Pants also go to the waist and have belt loops for me to hang my phone. But it is very old and perhaps should go? Here's a gray suit. I liked it too but it was sans belt loop pants.

Looky!! My favorite Liz jacket, covers the hips, long sleeves with definite tailored look. And here's my Jones New York one!! You know, even though they were on sale I paid quite a bit for them. With this global warming and my heightened body temperature I may not get to wear them again so should they go?

What about this one? Skirt and weskit! Weskit? Is that a word anymore? Used to be. Oh, I loved this outfit. What? Size 10? 10? When was I a 10? I'll lose weight and wear it again possibly.

My Liz shiny sweater!!! It had to be worn at Christmas or parties back before everyone wore glitter every day of the week. Hey!! I may be able to wear it now as an everyday sweater!

#$%#&$$#!!! That's it. I cannot part with any of these things this year! I'll just go sneak some of my husband's old clothes out and get rid of them and I'll have room to keep these outfits for a few more years. He'll never miss them because he has too many and never gives anthing away.

Great solution, Mrs. Duncan!!!!

My very favorite coat of all times is>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. WAS.....: (

Gosh, I wish I had not given that away. It was lightweight, had a faux fur collar so that when I wore it to New York to NAR convention, no one spit on me. Wait! That may have been before fur brought out nasty comments and expressions........Anyway, that was a good lesson. Don't give away your favorite things!

Very good solution, Ms. Barbara!!

6 Comments

Time for Searcy Arkansas history again. Old house as it is today.

11-20-09

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR

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Office: (501) 268-1115

Mobile: (501) 278-6817

A friend of mine, eons ago, was preparing to move and had a lot of things to throw away. Being a scavenger, I claimed some of it. One thing she had was several pictures and floorplans of houses in Searcy that had been designed and built by her husband. I guess they were built probably in the 40's and 50's. The houses were not fancy. I kept the pictures in my car for a long time and tried to find which ones they were because they were not addressed.

Here's one of the old pictures.

old Searcy house And here's the way it looks today. Anyone remember it? Interesting to compare, isn't it?

Searcy house

17 Comments

Where do some of these agents get this stuff?

11-15-09

James Dray

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Office: (479) 657-6766

Mobile: (479) 381-0550

I started on ActiveRain on 01.26.09 and wrote my first blog on 02.02.09. I have tried to keep whatever heading I started out with no matter what the subject and relate it to real estate in some sort or fashion. I think I've done a pretty good job but I have been neglecting posts lately and it has shown.

There are agents who are climbing up the roster so fast it's hard to keep up with them. So I decided to take a look at some of the posts of the other agents. It's amazing to find out how interesting some of the blogs are. I'm no young thing into this world but as far as real estate goes I'm still amazed at the amount of information I don't know about. The real estate market is changing daily and I keep up with the changing market by reading blogs from fellow agents on ActiveRain. I can see why these agents for the most part are moving up and I applaud them for their efforts and the information they provide.

Those of you moving up the ladder congratulations as you continue your climb. For those of you like me who are running out of steam not for the market but for thoughts I would encourage you to read the blogs of your fellow agents. Have a great day listing and selling, remember "It's a great day to buy or sell a home."

Visit me at www.sellnwa.com

10 Comments

Home Staging + Tax Credit = Increased Sales!

11-14-09

Donna Schoby, Ready, Set, Stage! Fayetteville, AR

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Mobile: (479) 236-6784

I'm sure most Realtors are looking at ways to market the new tax credit and increase sales! They will be contacting their qualified move-up/repeat home buyers making sure they are aware of the new $6,500.00 tax credit if they purchase a new home by April 30, 2010.

So...how does using a Professional Home Stager help increase sales? Your move-up/repeat home buyers will need to sell their current home, (in most cases) and a Professional Home Stager can help. We can start with a Staging Consultation that will help your seller realize how important it is to have their home "move-in" ready.

Using a Professional Home Stager is your secret weapon! A Staging Consultation will return thousands for you and your client! Include a consultation on all of your listings! Staged homes show better, sell faster and for more of the asking price! Call your local Professional Home Stager today! Staged homes = increased sales! Our own local stats...our staged homes, 55 DOM! Less than 1/2 of the average for our market!

6 Comments