About Spencer County, IN

How many of us (and I'm guilty of it too) make the mistake of saying "I promise to get your home sold"? (or along them lines)

Well if you think about it - we CANNOT and should not promise such a thing because we do not control the market & we most certainly cannot guarantee when or if a property will sell! I believe that each of us can help improve the public opinion of our market (through words, actions and online blogging) but the # of sales and the amount of sales comes down to buyer demand, targeted marketing and strategic pricing strategies.

We can feel VERY confident in our dealings & put 150% into building our sphere of influence BUT - we should be saying to our clients that we, "Promise to market your property to the best of my ability" and we need to enhance that with, "I will work tirelessly to reach as many potential buyers as I can but I cannot promise that a buyer for your home, in it's current location and at it's current price, will come forward".

While my market has not been overly affected like some others around this great nation; I've really stopped and took a long look at how I'm wording my presentation! I don't want my clients to EVER feel that I mislead them or failed to keep a promise (that I had no business making) so even if they aren't thrilled with it, I believe an honest & upfront approach is ALWAYS the best way to go.

Good Luck to everyone; Stay Positive!

Patriot's Basketball -Cheer (Dance) Team

My 12 year old daughter Jonah (In the Pink Shirt Staring At The Camera) and 10 year old niece participated in a Dance Clinic titled

"Best Of Both Worlds"

on January 5, 2008, at

Heritage Hills High School.

Registration was at 9:30 and the cost was $30.00; this fee included a T-Shirt, a Snack and a Surprise at the end of the practice.

(My Daughter is in the pink shirt in pic above; she's staring at the camera)

For 4 hours - girls in grades K - 6 were split up into groups and worked their little tails off to learn some pretty involved dance steps. Each group had different songs (All were Hannah Montanna) and I got the biggest kick out of watching them.

The instructers were Patriot Cheer/Dance Team leaders & I was impressed by their poise, patience and kindness towards these "munchkins"; the maturity level was just remarkable in my opinion.

Several breaks were taken and by the end of the Clinic it was so fun to watch these young ones perform. Smiles were ear to ear, giggles were loud and full of excitement and for the most part they got those steps down pat.

(My Niece is the one with the pony tail flying in pic to the right; she is wearing a white shirt)

These girls get to perform at half-time for the varity game on Saturday, January 12, 2008 & as you would expect, they had a mix of emotions: Nervous, Happy, Excited & Scared. We are supposed to have the girls at Heritage Hills High School by 5:30 PM that evening so they can refresh & practice before they actually perform.

I'm not a huge sports fan BUT --- I will be up in those stands, cheering & clapping for these dedicated kids!

PS. My 2 Slept like LOGS that night :)!

Story Source: http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=7588323&nav=3w6odkJq

Excerpt

By Louis La Plante - For the ninth straight year, the Evansville-headquartered Atlas World Group moved more residents from Indiana than moved people into the Hoosier state. In their annual 2007 report released late last week, officials from Atlas World Group reveal only 13 states are considered "inbound," a term in which more people move into a state than leave it.

Now some may think this is a negative thing but I tend to look at it like this:

1. Our youngsters graduate from college and relocate for employment purposes.
NOTE: I don't know about you but as a youngster I couldn't wait to grow up and get out of my small town! It is a right of passage for young adults but later on they do come back home because they miss it! So that is my take on a portion of the OUTbound situation for this great state!

2. Our Golden Residents - choose warmet climates! No Snow - just warm, sandy beaches!
NOTE: I cannot say that I won't feel the same when I become part of the "Golden Pack".

Economical conditions will ALWAYS have ups and downs --- kids grow up and strike out on their own, folks who've worked for 40 years and have reached the golden age pack up and head to warmer climates (who wants to shovel snow when you can walk on a sandy beach somewhere?). When the golden pack leaves, the kids who struck out on their own tend to find their way back home. It is a cycle that will never stop and I just don't see this as a negative; I see it as the way life goes and I see no reason to lose faith in my market or my state!

Here in Santa Claus Indiana ...
CHRISTMAS LAKE VILLAGE

Our Local Service provider (PSC - a.k.a. Perry Spencer Communications) has been working diligently on bringing fiber optic cables into the homes within Christmas Lake Village. In 2007, PSC vehicles were spotted throughout the village and this let the residents know that these crews were in fact - hard at work! I for one was keeping an eye on this and I look forward to seeing it all unfold.

2007 was the pre-installation work and 2008 is slated for the actual, engineering work to begin. Why do I post this? Well, Since I am an avid Internet user and would be LOST if I had to go back on Dial-Up, (no punn intended if you are on dial-up) I feel this is very important for folks to know if they are considering a move to Christmas Lake Village. They need to know that they aren't giving up these kinds of things because well --- we are Rural but we aren't "That" rural.

Our Village does not give up ANY amenities that are necessary for still doing business (even if you are only using your home as a weekend retreat).

So if Internet is important to you ---- put that concern aside! I live in the village and have DSL through PSC and will upgrade when the time comes. PSC also provides: Phone Service & Cable TV! Visit Them online at: http://www.psci.net.

LEADING THE WAY in CHRISTMAS LAKE VILLAGE - PENDING SALES

Rank Code         Name                    Sides         Volume    Average %Sides %Volume 
---- ------------ -------------------- -------- -------------- ---------- ------ -------    
1 CTCR         CENTURY 21 TOWNE & C        2       $239,800   $119,900  50.00   44.42    
Leading Our Market in Volume!

2 FCTE01       F. C. TUCKER EMGE RE        1       $150,000   $150,000  25.00   27.79    
3 KASC         KEY ASSOCIATES OF SA        1       $150,000   $150,000  25.00   27.79 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
TOTALS                                        4       $539,800   $134,950 100.00  100.00