About Bartholomew County, IN

In Honor of My Father...and it began in 1918...

on a Dairy farm in Southern Indiana. Times were so different then. Life was simple and fresh and pure as a tall glass of cold milk. Many people's livings were being made by cultivating the land and what it provided. A little boy was born by the name of Gerald and would be called Gerry.

Gerry, a cotton-topped three year old was playing in the yard one day when he saw his dad's tractor coming in from the fields to the barn. As he had done so many times before, Gerry went running and scaled the fence that kept him from his daddy. But, this time he fell. His left arm was broken and the old country doctor was fetched.

Casting for broken limbs was still relatively new and the doctor was very, very old.

Gerry's mother tried everything she could to keep him comfortable. Three days later he was screaming in pain and again the doctor was called. Off came the cast but alas it was too late. Gerry's arm had been wrapped too tight and gangrene set in due to lack of blood flow.

Gerry's life and mine were both altered that day when he lost his arm.

Gerry was my dad. He was my teacher, mentor, comforter, comedian, friend, and hero. There seemed to be nothing he couldn't do! He taught me how to tie my shoe with his long willowy dexterous fingers. He taught me how to shoot a gun and hit the target dead on. I can hit a bull's eye with a bow and arrow. He could too. He taught me how to shoot hoops and dribble a basketball. He taught me a love of antiques, books and music. He was gregarious to a fault and made friends wherever he went. He taught me empowerment by doing everything the best that I could. Without words he taught me there was nothing I couldn't do if I put my mind to it!

I was his only child and he was my only dad!

I wasn't sure I could do this...

After traveling to Indiana for my father's funeral (December 24^th, 1982), my return for Christmas was sad and blurry. Shortly after Christmas I became ill. I was really sick. My fever hovered at about 103 degrees for three weeks and I could keep no food down. I was too weak to move. We had no money for a real Doctor. The clinic down the road had prescribed pills that I later discovered I was highly allergic to. I continued to take the pills and became sicker and sicker until it was almost too late.

My defining moment: My Near Death Experience:
I was standing on the bank of the most incredibly gorgeous rolling land and electric blue water. There were so many flowers on the other side of the bank it was shocking to my psyche, not just my eyes, but my whole being.

Never have I witnessed such beauty and such a feeling of peace and love. A beautiful bridge crossed from my side to the other bank. I could feel the aroma of the flowers and the colors were more vivid than I had ever seen. The bridge seemed to be a small bridge yet as I came closer it seemed to become long, without end. I looked to the other side of the bank and low and behold there was my father! It was daddy!

He was coming towards me and entering the bridge. I had this rush of overwhelming feelings that I should run to him but my legs didn't move. I saw him begin to pick up pace and run across the bridge towards me. He exuded happiness. He seemed younger than I had seen him but it was, without question, my dad. About midway across the bridge a haze washed across. When dad came through the haze and continued towards me he was whole.

He ran to me and gave me the most beautiful two-armed hug I had ever imagined! It was the hug I had always dreamed of. We did not speak, yet we communicated and I felt his voice. He told me not to take the bridge and that I couldn't go with him. He said I still had things to do. He told me he was happy and he would see me again and that he loved me. I wanted to be there with him. I wanted to go. I felt safe and loved and more peaceful than I could ever have hoped for. Dad's answer was a definite "no".

When I awoke the next morning I felt as if I were healing. I was feeling stronger and thought I had a dream. I kept telling everyone that dad had come to me in a dream that night. With a lot of research and understanding I now know what really happened. Dad didn't visit me. I died. It just was not my time. The Lord sent me to dad to reassure me and to send me back.

Boy, did I come back! My career in Commercial Leasing turned a corner. I was fearful that I might have lost my job for being out an entire month but instead I was promoted with a raise to the North Central Director of Marketing. My mourning healed, my body healed, my soul healed and I was ready for a fantastic future!

My love of Real Estate blossomed into the sales arena instead of the leasing end and my business is thriving. I revel in the fact that I can look people in the eye and say, "I want the best for you and I will work to see that happen." I know in my heart and soul I am doing what I am meant to do. I am helping people find their home and their comfort in this life. I am helping people with the largest investment most of them will ever make. I am helping people to find their happiness and their futures! I love people and am blessed to be in this business!

Thank you everyone here on Active Rain that will read and contribute to this. Thank you, Dad.

15 Suggestions, To Help You Find The Best Agent To Get Your Home "SOLD!"

How Do "You" Find An Agent?

Most people ask for recommendations, some of the most successful agents get that way because of referrals. Start by asking your friends, and neighbors, co-workers, family, community members "who they have used in the past", and how successful their experiences were. But you should also check their suggestions through the Internet. Do those agents have a web presence? Do they as agents have their own website? Do they contribute locally with a Blog?.

"Word of mouth" advertising is great! But, that only works, if the agent has a large circle of friends or a large buyer pool. You need more than the average or good agent may have. You need a well connected, and networked agent. One that is well known locally, because Real Estate is Local! But you also need an agent that is connected to other agents locally, in different Counties across the State, and Nationally! These networked agents present the best potential for bringing buyers to your home!, and getting it "Sold".

Try visiting Open Houses in your Neighborhood
Open houses are an excellent scouting place for home owners looking for an agent to represent them, in the sale of their home, you can begin to interview an agent. Take notes on how well the agent is promoting the homes features. Is the agent knowledgeable about the school districts, property taxes, crime rates, neighborhood amenities, competing homes, public transportation, and recent sales? This is when you can begin to ask about what experience the agent has in the local market.

Notice 'For Sale' Signs in Your Community
You want an agent that is active in your neighborhood, or immediate area. Find an agent who sells homes quickly in your market (although they may not have an active listing in that area at the time) versus one who has several homes on the market for extended periods of time. Agents who market several homes which do not sell for several months are known as strict ? listers? They take listing on homes with the hope that other agents will sell them, or they "Buy the Listings" (Offer to list the home for more than the prepared CMA will justify, or to comply with the seller!)

Search "Online" for Top Agents
Don't refer to those directories, which list agents for a fee. Find individual profiles on some of the busiest and best agents in your local market. Seek out agents who have multiple transactions under their belts and start a list of agents you want to interview. Before you check the weekend paper for agents who advertise many homes in your community, as they might be top producers in your market. Check to see if they have a website, Do they have an Internet presence?( as stated earlier) ***Over 80% of buyers are searching the Internet first to find their next home.***

You want to "Work With" the most Networked and Connected agent in the community, so begin with some basic questions.

• How many active Listings will the agent service at one time?
• Does the agent work Full Time?
• Does the agent have a personal assistant?
• Does the agent have office support if needed?
• What are the agents "number of listings closed" and "buying sides closed", per year, over the past few years?
• How many "Days on the market" for those listings?
• Does he or she represent more buyers or sellers?
• What is the agent's average time frame to sell a home in the current market, since today's market is much different than that prior to late 2007 or mid 2008?
• Will all prospective buyers, be accompanied on showings, by the agent?
• Will buyers be pre-approved before viewing the home?
• What are the agent's, guarantees, do they offer or have any?
• If you the seller are dissatisfied with the service can you get out of the listing contract with no penalty or cost?
• What resources will the agent use to market your home-newspaper, mailing, MLS, Internet- If so where can I see my home's listings, and ask for all sites! It will appear on, etc.?
• Ask the agent you select: How long will it take to have pictures of my home visible on the Internet? And who will take the pictures? Will the agent utilize a service to ensure quality pictures depict the best portrayal of the home? ( It's a fact!) 1) Homes with multiple pictures sell quicker! 2) Homes get their Maximum exposure and most viewing within the first 15 days! So if your agent doesn't have pictures viewable immediately (within 24 hours), you are already losing potential buyers. And if they aren't on the MLS system immediately you are losing other agents interest, and they will move on to other properties.
• What guidance will the agent provide once you have an offer?

Do Your Due Diligence! Use the Internet to Find "Your Agent" Since That Is Where Over 80% of Buyers are Looking! Pretend You are a Buyer?

If Buyer's are searching for homes on the Internet first! Don't you think, that would be a great place to find your agent? After all, if the buyer's can't find your home, then there is something wrong with the agent you've chosen.

In today's Real Estate market, you want your agent to be found! They say "Real Estate is Local" and it is. That's why some communities, are affected more than others, by the National or Regional Economy. Consequently you need an agent with massive Internet presence to help market your home to the greatest potential pool of buyers.

Today's Real Estate Market is unlike any before! Agents have to be technologically advanced to have an advantage over their competition. They have tools available to them now, that far surpasses the old MLS book, they used to carry around with them. Now agents should have a Laptop computer, cell phone with internet connectivity, applications on their cell phones to see real time Real Estate listings, websites, Blogs, Social Networking connections, Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and a myriad of other applications, all in the aid of their client's and themselves.

For more of my thoughts on Real Estate, or to learn more from the "Local Expert" about Columbus Indiana, and it's Real Estate Market, please visit my websites, or just call me Martin Dorgan (812) 603-1368- MartinSellsColumbus, "Martin Markets To Millions! And Sells For You!"

Http://www.ColumbusAreaHomesForSale.com Http://www.MartinSellsColumbus.com Http://www.TiptonLakesHomesForSale.com

You will also want to sign up for some of my Free Subscriptions!:

Selling Your Home as " For Sale By Owner" (FSBO)

Requirements For a Short Sale Package?

What You Need To Know When Buying a HUD Home?

Five Essentials for First Time Home Buyers

Martin Dorgan
Coldwell Banker
South Central Realty
1015 Third Street
Columbus Indiana, 47201
Office: 812-378-3331 ext.122
Cell: 812-603-1368
Website: http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com
Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/martindorgan
XING Network: http://www.xing.com/go/invita/11704402
Spectacular Results! That's what you want! That's what you deserve! That's what you really want, Right?

You want to find the home that's right for you-at the right price. You want to find a home by negotiating the best price, with the least hassle...And You Want Someone Who Can Get The Job Done Right!

Well You've Come To The Right Place!

You want Martin Dorgan as Your Realtor!

Dog World DayCare Benefits Columbus Home Sellers!

Columbus Indiana Home Seller's that have dogs as pets, let me show you how to increase the potential of selling your home quicker! When your home is scheduled for a showing, take your pets/dogs to "Dog World Daycare & Behavior Center! When there are No Distractions! ie/ your pet dog barking! You have just increased the potential to have your home "Sold" Why you ask? Because its difficult enough to show the value of your home and have conversations with prospective clients/buyers if they can't hear each other without trying to talk over a dog barking! And its not his/her fault, animals are inherent protectors of their territory.

Most Realtors will list homes with full intentions of trying to sell to prospective buyers that they bring to show the house, or through other agents that have matched your home, to the search criteria of their buyers.

But every once in a while, we as agents hear of an experience involving pets and home owners, and agents not acting professional or responsibly, meaning - the agent that listed the home didn't leave a comment about the home having pets or dogs on the premises within the "Remarks" section of their MLS listing. As a result something happens, a colleague from Flushing, NY. just experienced a "Murphy's Law" scenario while trying to show her perspective buyer's a listing. It's actually a funny story in some ways, but I would have arranged to have left her kids with a sitter! But then the story would lose one of it's main characters!. You can read the full story at http://activerain.com/blogsview/1464266/murphy-s-law-can-be-a-real-b-sometimes-got-pets-put-the-pets-in-the-remarks-section-seriously-

Columbus Indiana is a great city, and we have many happy home owners sharing their lives, their homes, with loved and cherished "Man's Best Friend" their faith-full dog, I myself have two "Chloe & Cowboy" two beautiful purebred Boxers.

In an effort to Help my seller's, I always suggest, they try to take their dog for a long walk, when a showing is scheduled. But there will always be times when a walk isn't possible, maybe because of prior commitments or the owner's are at work? But the scenario must be dealt with, which means I suggest crating the pet, and preferably setting the crate in the garage if there is one. If there's no garage then the basement is my next suggestion, preferably in a utility room, and behind a door that can be closed with a small note attached to the door Warning/Advising prospective Agents and their buyer's of the crated dog within the room.

If those alternatives aren't available perhaps the pets could be tied up outside or in a kennel, neither of which I really like. But now, Columbus Indiana residents and their pet dogs have an alternative! "Dog World DayCare and Behavior Center" is open, and available.

Dog World Daycare and Behavior Center is a high quality, cage free, afford-ably priced facility for dogs. It is locally owned and operated by Nick and Julie Woolls. Nick is a certified dog obedience trainer. I've visited and utilized Dog World DayCare, I know my two Boxers just loved the time there, and I highly recommend it to my clients! As Co-Chairman of the Columbus Indiana Dog Park Association, I know most of our board members have also enjoyed taking their dogs, as well. For "Home Seller's, that have their home listed, it should be a simple remedy to leaving their pets/dogs at home during a showing, Just take them to Dog World Daycare, their fees are very reasonable, and their hours are great. I hope to see you there!

Martin Dorgan
Coldwell Banker
South Central Realty
1015 Third Street
Columbus Indiana, 47201
Office: 812-378-3331 ext.122
Cell: 812-603-1368
Website: http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com
Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/martindorgan
XING Network: http://www.xing.com/go/invita/11704402
Spectacular Results! That's what you want! That's what you deserve! That's what you really want, Right?

You want to find the home that's right for you-at the right price. You want to find a home by negotiating the best price, with the least hassle...And You Want Someone Who Can Get The Job Done Right!

Well You've Come To The Right Place!

You want Martin Dorgan as Your Realtor!

It appears that Fannie Mae and HomePath have taken a new step forward, and incentiveized a program to Sell more homes.

Is it a good idea?

From a buyers perspective Sure it is!

From the Sellers perspective Definitely!

Fannie Mae Offers New Closing Cost Assistance and Appliance Incentive for Homebuyers

Martin Dorgan
Coldwell Banker
South Central Realty
1015 Third Street
Columbus Indiana, 47201
Office: 812-378-3331 ext.122
Cell: 812-603-1368
Website: http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com
Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/martindorgan
XING Network: http://www.xing.com/go/invita/11704402
Spectacular Results! That's what you want! That's what you deserve! That's what you really want, Right?

You want to find the home that's right for you-at the right price. You want to find a home by negotiating the best price, with the least hassle...And You Want Someone Who Can Get The Job Done Right!

Well You've Come To The Right Place!

You want Martin Dorgan as Your Realtor!

Barely a year ago the real estate industry was stunned when Canadian-based Brookfield Residential Property Services (Brookfield RPS), a division of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (Brookfield), and owner of Royal LePage, the largest Canadian residential real estate company, acquired GMAC Real Estate. With the departure of CEO John Bearden and a pending name change imminent, many labeled the GMAC franchise as yesterday’s news.

What a difference a year has made.

Announcing their second large acquisition today, Brookfield RPS has now also the owner of Real Living Network Services, a subsidiary of Real Living Inc. Combining the two companies creates one of America’s leading residential real estate franchises with more than $20 billion in annual home sales and an estimated 30,000 agents.

Although that in its own is huge news (and the largest real estate brokerage acquisition of the year) it is the merging of the two and the rebranding of the whole as Real Living that is electrifying.

The reason is that Ohio-based Real Living is a national award-winning real estate brand known for its innovation, customer service and a culture of partnership and collaboration within its network. Last year I even named Real Living as the “Most Promising New National Brand” in my Swanepoel TRENDS Reportwhile Entrepreneur Magazine listed them as one of the Top 50 New Franchises.

Yesterday’s news has turned into tomorrow’s future. Exciting times for newly appointed President Harley E. Rouda, Jr.

For more information visit anyone of the three companies mentioned www.brookfieldrps.com |