Debra A. Brooks, Texas Waterfront Specialist

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - Makeover to Takeover?

Well it finally happened.

After losing 16 billion dollars in the past year Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were evidently going belly up. Somehow the fact that our President Bush seems to think it's temporary...I doubt it.

Here we go. Being run by a government entity we are in for the ride of our Real Estate careers.

Socialistic societies have never been the American Dream.

Quote: Bush said in a statement released Sunday afternoon. "Americans should be confident that the actions taken today will strengthen our ability to weather the housing correction and are critical to returning the economy to stronger sustained growth."

How can the government "correct" the housing crisis other than using our tax dollars to pull them out of debt? Or, even better, we could increase our National Debt for the good of generations to come.

I don't know about this...

What do you think will happen?

How do you think this will benefit our economy?

How is this going to change our industry???

Localism.

It is new and shiny and ready to go. Are you ready? I am. I like the look and I think I will post more than ever! The idea of being the "neighborhood specialist" is really appealing! Although, I work a lake of more than 50 active waterfront subdivisions I will enjoy the new Localism and take full advantage of the source!

Imagine if we could "get to know our neighbors" over the net just as we learn about each other over AR and other sources? From what I heard the old Localism had thousands of hits per month. I can only imagine being a consumer and stumbling across this site! Consumers will be looking for you!!

I only predict good things for our new Localism. It has been a long time coming so jump in there and "test the waters". I am.

What does this have to do with the "wealth of points?" The point is that we are being given the opportunity to get in there, post, and familiarize ourselves with the consumer and become the area specialist.

You can become the number 1 point of contact for consumers looking for you!

You get my point!

Later in the rain~Deb

The magic formula for making Real Estate sell is becoming an art. With the market tightening it's time to pull out all the stops.

Staging is becoming an incredibly popular "science" to optimize any space to become more appealing to the buyers. If your property already has the selling benefits for the wife...

Ie: Great Kitchen, Big Baths and large closets then you're more than halfway there. The female gets a strong vote when buying a home!

Create a Man Cave and help to seal the deal. Having a great garage or separate environment for the guys is a always a good idea. I've found that staging for the man of the house is very important too! Men love to have their "own" space. Somewhere they can go to "just be a guy" and we shouldn't overlook this when staging.

If there is a space to utilize in this manner I say go for it! If there is no ideal space to optimize for the Man Cave then choose one of the guest bedrooms. Give the male species a reason to ooh and awe. Make it comfy and a space they would enjoy occupying!

A few ideas for your staged Man Cave ...

1. TV

2. Two large comfy chairs

3. Table in the middle with remote, notebook computer or likeness

4. Small magazine holder with Guy stuff

5. Bookshelf with a couple of books on "how to"

6. Bowl of popcorn and bottle of Shiner Bock

7. Pictures on walls of wildlife, fishing or sports

8. Guitar case propped in corner

9. DVD stacker

10. TV trays

So, while highlighting the kitchen and dining rooms...don't forget the guys. If they walk in and sit down....they're sold! And why not? We all need our space.

No, no, no...forget the supermodels.

Maybe a picture of the family??

Yeah, that's it.

Later in the rain~Deb

I've had a really interesting week. I'm pooped. I'm going to try to make this blurb short. I found a dead bat on my porch a week ago Friday night.

Hubby and I, out of responsible citizenry, decided we should bag it and take it to the City. We did. All our cats (4) were sitting around looking at the dead "thing" and we assumed one of them delivered it to us.

That next Monday morning we delivered it to the City headquarters. We received a call today saying, "please quarantine your pets...

That bat tested POSITIVE FOR RABIES.

Yeah, for real. No third world countries required. Just right on my front porch!

I'm scared. For the first time in my life I have looked up what rabies is...kind of like the Bubonic plague and so forth...thought it was not a threat to us.

But, I also learned that the Raccoons that have been visiting our front porch and our kitty feeding area are 40% at large for carrying Rabies...Lord, I'm scared.

This is too weird. Watch your animals and make sure they are inoculated. Later in the rain~Deb

I will catch you up when I know more. Later in the rain~Deb

Hurricanes are a unique animal in my book. I've seen tornados, tropical storms, hail storms, wind storms, snow storms and others.

I am in the preparation stages for our own Gustav. I want every one close to please take this to heart. The loss and devestation of the last several hurricanes will be felt for generations. New Orleans and its people are just beginning to breathe again after Katrina.

Being just one hour north of Houston I was able to donate my time to help with the misplaced families and survivors of Katrina. I felt their pain and watched them suffer. My heart opened up to the realization that we are all so lucky to have not lost our loved ones, homes and jobs. I do not want to see this again.

Not now and not ever. But, we must be prepared for the worst. Please review these links if you are anywhere with the possible reach of Gustav. If you need help please call your city offices immediately. Do not wait too long. It's better to be prepared and not need it than to need It and not be prepared.

1. 1. Tropical Storms & Hurricanes - An Overview
   2. Hurricane Hazards
   3. What To Do Before June 1
   4. The Safe Room
   5. When A Hurricane Watch Is Issued
   6. When An Evacuation Order Is Issued
   7. When A Hurricane Warning Is Issued
   8. After the Storm - Coping Without
   9. My Survival Kit
   10. My Family Plan
   11. Terms And Definitions