Ann Hobbs

There are still a few good things left out there. While every news cast reminds us of the newest gloom and doom, the latest struggle for survival and the dire predictions for the future I'm floundering around in the real world trying to get a grip. My intellect is best spent (right now) thinking about things that make me happy.

If Aretha's hat didn't get your attention and bring a smile to your face, you are already doomed. That hat gave me so much pleasure.........I'd love to have it. I'd wear it, I'd cherish it, I'd have fun with it, I'd get attention with it. I'd remind everyone who sees it what a great world this is. If someone can design a hat like that and someone else can wear it with aplomb, this is a fabulous world. It's just plain (well, not "plain") fun. That hat is so ME. Is there something out there that is so YOU that sporting it changes your attitude? Then find out what it is and GET IT! We need "a new attitude." Thank you, Aretha.

Pink M&Ms thrill me. They aren't always available, but in February they are every where. No matter what it is, pretty much if it's not pink, I don't want it. My very favorite color......happy, sweet, romantic, fun, hot, pastel, a little ditzy......can be applied to clothes, food, cars, houses, computers, anything. But pink M&Ms are the best. (Peanut preferred, but plain acceptable). I give them away to clients and customers, I present them as clever prizes, I say thank you with them, I say I love you with them. I look at them, eat them, save them, admire them, hide them, think about them and completely and totally ENJOY them.

How neat to have a little something that gives me and others so much pleasure! It beats the tar out of watching the news. If you are feeling a little pitiful these days, I whole heartedly recommend a great hat and a handful of pink M&Ms. If you don't feel better, you are really doomed. I do, however, have great hope for you because this pick-me-up is tried and true. It works. I should write a book.

Is Your Business Going South? No, not south as in disappearing into a deep dark hole never to be seen again, but South meaning well below the Mason Dixon line. The economy is tough, jobs are more scarce, heating costs are up and families are looking for a better way to enjoy their lives. Many are coming South. With good reason. Many of my buyers tell me jobs are more plentiful here. Weather is more temperate. Schools are good. The great outdoors is accessible most all year long. And, the big plus, homes are less expensive in many cases.

If you are seeing a decline on the selling side of your business and a boom on the listing side, your business may be going South. Save yourself! Make good alliances with some Scarletts and Rhetts. If we stay in touch, I can get more sales and you can get more referrals. It may be a pretty good way to weather the economic storm in the short term.

I am absolutely giddy. After being bombarded by every forwarded e-mail out there regarding one candidate or another (most of which are untrue according to Snopes), after being covered in an avalanche of televisions commercials (most of which are sort of untrue), after hearing 3 debates in which all information was the same, and after watching my real estate business stall after the Wall Street debacle and bail-out, I AM OVER IT!

I've been tired of all this campaigning (using obscene amounts of money that could probably do a greater good spent on something else) and mad as everyone else about the bail-out. So what have I done about it all? I VOTED EARLY! None of this political chatter matters anymore. Lalalalalalalalalala........I can't hear what you are saying, Candidates. I can turn you off in my brain. I don't need to have any more information about you.

Now I can look forward to business picking up. I believe it will after the election. It doesn't matter who wins, it just matters that it will be over. This housing disaster won't begin to resolve until the election is over. At that time, I believe the real estate business will begin to move again.

This is no time for my Pollyanna attitude. I know very well that we are in a really big pickle. It will be tough for all of us the rest of this year, but it will get better. I encourage all of you to think positively about the future of your business. People will always need homes. People get transferred. People get married and set up new households. People retire and buy something else. In my little corner of the world, all I need to do is have a few sales and I survive. I'll worry about making my fortune after this is over.

Why don't you all go vote early? I promise, it's liberating. Free up your brain for a couple of weeks and enjoy the rest of October.

Blogging once a month has been easy as pie...........until now. It seems as if I haven't had a minute to create an original thought to share with you. Why? Well, the news is good. Although it is very frustrating to be too busy to squeeze in time for everything I need to do with my real estate practice, it's been surprising and exciting to have so much active business. I'm booked solid!

After months of listening to horror stories and predictions of more real estate gloom and doom, I just turned off my television. Unless there's predicted scary weather, TV takes a back seat. In my "real world", about two months ago my phone started ringing and ringing and ringing. Both Sellers and Buyers seemed to come out of the woodwork. I'm writing contracts and closing sales, I'm listing properties and I'm busy every day.

To what can I attribute my good fortune? I guess the natural course of events gets the number one spot. Business never stays the same and my area had no where to go but up!

Number two: I went back to basics. All the things I did as a new agent to attract Buyers and Sellers became a priority in my marketing.

Number three: Having 20 years experience and hanging in there while newer agents are bailing out of real estate in droves does give me an edge. It gives my Buyers and Sellers confidence that they are making a good decision in hiring me.

Last but not least: I'd been blogging for several months before the big turnaround. In the beginning I just couldn't see how this could help my business. Who knows who reads this stuff? The surprise was all of a sudden I show up multiple times in searches. Active Rain and Real Town attract those search engines. When customers search, they find me multiple times. Their perception is that I'm busy, successful and I obviously am the greatest real estate agent out there!

So if I'm so busy, how did I have time to write this blog? It's Saturday morning and my last appointment was shorter than expected. My next one is in 30 minutes. That's my window! I'll be back on the blogging track because I now know how important it is. I'm seeing actual results. Thanks Active Rain and Real Town.

Bremen GA is located in the westernmost part of the state about 50 miles west of Atlanta and very close to the Alabama line. What makes Bremen unique?

In this time of economic uncertainty, scary gasoline prices and a crazy home market Bremen stands apart as an oasis away from the critical problems of the day. Not that these problems don't exist in Bremen, but they exist at a somewhat lesser degree.

Economically, the entire West Georgia area has available jobs. As a real estate agent, I'm finding that many Buyers are relocating because jobs are far more plentiful here than in many northern states.

Gas prices are still terrible, but being located equidistant from Atlanta, Birmingham, Chattanooga, and Lagrange/Columbus allows for every cultural, medical, historical, sports and career opportunity to be available at a short distance from Bremen. That maintains lifestyle by stretching the travel dollar. And, no, you won't have to live in a big city to take advantage of all these wonderful things. You'll be living in a small town of about 5000 people. It's such a pleasure to enjoy the many things the big cities have to offer and go home to no traffic, little crime, and a quiet community that's very family oriented.

Housing is available at great prices and property values remain stable. New homes and renovated vintage homes are favorites. We don't have the numbers of foreclosures in Bremen seen in many other areas. Most of our home owners are stable because of their employment and the availability of desirable affordable housing. People in Bremen tend to stay here. That adds to the stability of the housing market with families able to build equity.

The western part of north Georgia boasts the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, lush forests, striking hills and valleys, stunning scenery, sunny skies, good roads and wonderful people. Bremen takes full advantage of the area with hiking, hunting and country drives being cherished activities. That great universal hobby, shopping, is enjoyed locally and in the nearby cities.

Bremen also boasts one of the finest school systems in the state of Georgia. Check it out online at www.bremencs.com. You'll be impressed with the statistics, but there's more you need to know. Bremen City Schools is a small system, much like a private school, that employs incredible teachers. Sports and literary accomplishment is high priority in Bremen schools. Children get to participate in field trips everywhere from Williamsburg, VA to the coast of Georgia. The 8^th Grade week long Studycade covering the state is one field trip that is always much anticipated by students. Academic achievement is well balanced with these other activities as you'll see on the web site.

As for higher education, The University of West GA is 12 miles from Bremen and West Georgia Technical College is 2 miles away.

Remember that this is a small town.........really small. Citizens of Bremen enjoy a laid back, quiet lifestyle among families that cherish schools and friends. It's a true rare jewel in a perfect spot in the world. I'm telling you how wonderful it is, but please don't tell anyone else. We want to keep Bremen a secret. If you'll contact me, I can tell you many more reasons why you want to live here, just don't spread that around! We want to keep the secret of Bremen all to ourselves!

Remember to call me when you are ready to come our way. Ann Hobbs 770-365-2935

Ann Can! ASSURE DYNAMITE SERVICE, DAZZLING RESULTS! .