If you're like many Amarillo homeowners, your garage stores everything BUT the car. Are you looking for more storage and a covered parking space? Here are a few ideas to get your stuff off the ground and your car back in the garage.
1. Shelves, shelves, shelves. Simple wooden shelves can be bought at your local home improvement store, painted or stained and hung on the walls quickly, easily and affordably.
2. Pegboard; the old standby. Pegboard is quick to put up and easy to use. Adding hooks can help you store small gardening tools, hammers, etc. out of the way but in easy reach for future use. You might want to avoid using regular S-hooks, though, because they have a tendancy to fall out of the holes in the pegboard. If you want to be even more organized, outline each tool with black marker after you hang them up so you know where to put it when you are done.
3. School lockers aren't just for schools anymore. Mounting small school lockers to your walls give you extra space to store power tools or a secure location to put hazardous chemicals when you add a padlock.
4. Peg Racks. Keep large garden tools, such as brooms, rakes and shovels at arm's length by mounting a peg rack on the wall and securing it to the studs for more stability.
5. Clear Jars. Use your old mayonnaise or pickle jars (cleaned out, of course) to organize your nuts, bolts, screws and nails. The see-through glass allows you to see exactly what each jar contains.
Get more information on organizing your Amarillo home by contacting me today at 806-678-1031.
Even with the economic outlook on unsteady terms, sales across the country were up 6.5% in December 2008, with inventory levels falling 12%, creating less than six months' inventory in many large metropolitan areas, including Houston and Dallas. A six month inventory is considered the rate at which supply and demand has evened out. In the western United States, sales increased almost 14% and the south experienced a 7% increase. These statistics seem to indicate that buyers are indeed taking advantage of the lower prices and low mortgage rates. Approximately 45% of the December home sales were attributed to foreclosures and short sales. Could this be the "bottom" the real estate market is so desperately hoping for? It's too early to tell. But, if numbers stay positive for the next two to three months, it would definitely be an indicator of brighter things ahead. Contact me for all your Amarillo real estate needs.
Head over to Texas Tech University of Health Sciences Center in Amarillo on Friday, January 23rd from 2-4pm and get a free health screening from student members of the National Community Pharmacist Association. This is a special screening being held during the January Wellness Challenge at the Amarillo university. Pharmacy students will offer free blood-pressure screenings, calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body Fat Percentage and provide diet suggestions as well as nutritional education. All this is open and free to the public. The event takes place on the first floor of the Texas Tech School of Medicine building located at the Amarillo Pharmaceutical Care Center (1400 S Coulter St). If you wish to attend and would like more information, please email Brenda Ojeda at Brenda.Ojeda@ttuhsc.edu. This is a great opportunity to get a free assessment of your health and make any necessary changes to start the new year off right.
While no one has a crystal ball that they can magically gaze into and declare with absolute certainty that 2009 will be the comeback of the real estate market, there has been some positive news that deserves attention. Thanks to the aggressive tactics the US government has taken to keep interest rates at a 50-year low (hovering around 5% and sometimes lower for 30-year fixed rate loans and even lower for 15-year loans), veteran financial analysts, such as Richard Bove with Ladenburg Thomas, believe that the current real estate market is on an upswing and looks to be continuing such into 2009. When you add in the stimulus package in the works from the new administration, it appears that housing prices will begin to stabilize and may even begin to rise slowly in 2009. More signs of a possible real estate turnaround in 2009 are that there has been an extreme increase in mortgage applications (both for refinancing and homebuyers taking advantage of the more affordable prices in the market), we are all paying lower prices at the pump, for retail goods and even for new automobiles and the national savings rate in America has increased, even in these unsteady financial times. Bottom line is that there are plenty of positive signs in the real estate market to indicate that it is beginning to stabilize. If you're looking to buy an Amarillo home, get in touch with me and I'll point you in the right direction.
For the last 34 years, Amarillo Globe-News newspaper has sponsored the Empty Stocking Fund. The fund provides some basic necessities for local Amarillo families as well as individuals, which may include a small gift for needy children. Every penny donated to the Empty Stocking Fund goes directly to the fund. The newspaper absorbs all the operating costs of the fund. To help raise funds, the Amarillo College Community Band and two choir groups from the Amarillo Youth Choir will give a concert on December 7th from 3-5pm at the Globe-News Center. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. All proceeds benefit the fund. If you would like to send a donation, please make checks out to:
The Empty Stocking Fund
PO Box 2091
Amarillo, TX 79166.
If you would like to donate online using your credit card, please click here. For more information or to donate over the phone, please call 806-345-3363. If you are a family or individual in need of some assistance this weekend, please click here to download an application for help. Thank you for any help you can give this holiday season.
When you are making your largest investment, you deserve a full time professional that specializes in Residential and country homes in Amarillo, Canyon and Bushland, Potter and Randall Counties Texas
Click on any of the photos above to learn more.
"By listening closely to people's needs, I can help them by finding the right opportunities for them to succeed. More importantly, I can make a positive difference in their lives."
Tom Kile has been helping families throughout Amarillo make sound decisions for their futures for over 27 years. He knows that sound decisions come when he listens to his clients needs-really hears, what their goals are. That way, Tom can set out to help them achieve their dreams. The thanks and praise he receives from clients and friends for his diligent help and careful guidance, well, that's simply music to his ears.
If you ask local businessman Tom Kile where he believes his success comes from, you might be surprised that he'll point to his ear. "Listening makes all the difference," he says. And if you ask Tom's clients what they think abut that, they'll agree it makes all the difference in the world.
Sound Working Environment
Tom draws a lot of parallels from his hobby as a sound engineer to his role as one of Amarillo's leading real estate professionals. To most, the two endeavors may seem worlds apart, but Tom will be the first to admit they really go hand in hand. "Both require intent listening to ensure everything goes as planned," he explains. Behind the scenes, Tom is intent on getting results. Personally and professionally, he realizes it's his ability to listen and focus that has given those he works with success.
Tom started volunteering as a sound engineer for his church, running audio and technical operations for small church performances. But like just abut everything he delves into, Tom was quick to perfect his "hobby" and even began working sound for major performances and events throughout the Amarillo area. From a Garth Brooks appearance to the annual church Christmas pageant at the Civic Center, Tom's passion affords him a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective he wouldn't trade for the world.
Sound Values
A true family man, listening has always been an integral part of Tom's life. His four children now grown, he enjoys every opportunity to spend time with his wife and best friend, Sue, and their 10 grandchildren. "Growing up here myself," he says, "I'm proud that some of my grandchildren will have the same opportunities I did growing up in this community." For Tom, there's no place he would rather call home.
Sound Futures
Tom's ability to listen closely and his results-oriented approach are skills that are helpful in every aspect of his life: as an involved member of the community, as a dedicated family man and especially as one of Amarillo's leading real estate professionals. In fact, it's Tom's focus on results which enables his clients to make sound decisions for their futures.
Sound Choices
From beginning to end, Tom strives to understand your specific needs and address your every concern-sometimes before you even know they exist. It's his uncanny ability to read between the lines and anticipate direction that make him the sound choice when you're on the move. Tom's first priority is to make sure your transition is as hassle free as possible.
Whether you're buying your first home or selling your family's longtime residence, trust the Realtor who listens to your needs to help you reach your goals with ease. Call Tom today - Your Sound Choice in Real Estate. You'll be glad you did.
Knowledge is power and that is what you get when you work with Tom. He Teaches part time at Amarillo College and is Director of carrier development at Keller Williams Amarillo office. As a full time professional REALTOR, Tom has worked to reach the highest level of knowledge about buying and selling homes. Tom is a member of the Council of Residential Specialist (CRS), Graduate of Realtor Institute, (GRI), Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES), Member of the Real Estate Cyber Society (RECS) and a Texas Broker.
He was there when we need him and went the extra mile to help!
Mark & Cynthia Waters
Listened to what we needed in a home; was readily available. Clone him. ☺
Shane & Mikki Hart
Tom is friendly without being pushy or overselling like so many agents. His business is a perfect 10.
Tom Hubble & Randy Ham
He did everything well. Don't change anything in your business.
Jarrod & Stephanie Bentley
He helped keep us focused and helped us realistically compare the houses he showed us. He always asked the right questions to help us reflect on things about each house. Tom doesn't need to change anything in his business. He went above and beyond what we expected.
Danny & Peggy Mize
He did everything right. I can't think of anything in his business that needs changing.
Jonathan & Rebecca Pate
The best thing he did was communicate!
Robert & Ruthie Graham
Tom, You did everything well. You were a real pleasure to do business with and always went above and beyond. Keeping us informed on the building progress was really important. You were our eyes and ears in our absence. You were always available to us and we both appreciated that. Also, you always know the market and what is happening in the city. Your knowledge of the business can't be surpassed.
Dennis & Glenna Doose
He did a wonderful job steering me into a nice area of town and kept me out of the wrong areas. I was very happy working with him and I look forward to working with Tom again.
Russell Kollaja
Through talking with us, Tom had an idea of what we wanted and would not settle for less and would not get us in over our heads.
Abel & Laura Johnson
We will use him again and will recommend him to others.
Terry, Deana, Terryn & Terra Moon
He excels at listening and providing requested information.
Paul Dees
Tom listened and showed us everything available that fit our wants and needs
Alan & Jane Duncan
"He listened to me. This was my first house and when I had questions he would explain and answer them. Thank you! I wouldn't change anything about his business."
Dustin Breland
"He listened to me. I will use him again and recommend him to others."
Patricia Peacock
"Tom was extremely helpful and a great listener. He showed us multiple houses in our price range with the specifications we asked for. He was always available to show us anything and answer our questions.
Jhony & Dahlia Lopez
Very pleasant, answered any questions, returned calls.
Joni Bomar
Justin and I just wanted to let you know that we appreciate all you have done for us in selling our home!
Justin & Susan Bentley
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