Rick Frissell- Realtor Brandon Florida Area

I'm not usually a violent man...

I have never been much for violence. As a matter of fact I don't even own a gun or rifle. Now I am not one that is against the NRA or anybody that owns a gun.

As a matter of fact, I had to borrow a gun from a friend of mine so I could protect my property. I borrowed a 410 Shotgun from Jim. I distinctly remember the conversation.

Me: Jim, I need to borrow one of your guns.

Jim: You need a gun?

Me: Yeah, for tonight.

Jim: What's going on?

Me: I want to shoot my neighbor.

Jim: What for?

Me: I found out this morning that he and his family were in my backyard last night.

Jim: Well, you want a .22? It's not likely to kill him, but he'll know your serious.

Me: No, I want to kill him and any of the rest of his family I can get at the same time.

Jim: Your going to need my 410 Shotgun most likely, but you'll want to be within 30 yards of him.

Me: Oh, I'll be within 30 yards. I just need to wait for him and his brude to start coming up my backyard and BAM!

Now anybody that has been following my blogs knows I love River Hills here in Valrico and I have loved my neighbors up until now. Those that follow my blogs may recall that I live on a conservation area. Eleven hundred acres of natural Florida woods split in the middle by the Alafia River.

But, now there is a problem neighbor.

Hogs have come from the woods and torn up about a third of my backyard.

Now, the truth is I really am one of those non hunters that respect the rights of others to hunt. But, I am going to call a trapper to solve this problem.

I suspect I will learn a few things about pigs and how to keep them from destroying my backyard.

But, a little help from my friends will be accepted. So what should I do?

Rick Frissell ~ Diamond Dwellings Realty ~ Valrico, Florida.

813 340 6828

Closing Escrow

The final phase of purchasing a home is called closing escrow or "The Closing" as real estate agents call it. The closing has six steps leading to the completion of the process. All of these steps are important and they are as follows:

STEP #1 Opening the Title Order

An "escrow" or "sales" contract (agreement to purchase) starts the process.

STEP #2 Processing the File

Processing the file is when tax information, loan payoffs, survey if necessary, homeowner/maintenance fees, inspections/reports, and hazard and other insurances as well as legal papers are ordered and title commitments/preliminary reports are reviewed and sent out.

STEP #3 Title Search

Search made of the public records. Records searched include deeds, mortgages, paving assessments, liens, wills, divorce settlements and other documents affecting title to the property.

STEP #4 Title Examination

Title examination is the examination of the documents found during the title search that affect the title to the property. This is when verification of the legal owner is made and the debts owed against the property are determined.

STEP #5 Document Preparation and/or Request to Produce

Review lender instructions/ requirements, review instructions from other parties to transaction, review legal and loan documents, assemble charges, and prepare closing statements and set closing.

STEP #6 Settlement/Closing the Transaction

Escrow/Settlement officer oversees closing of transaction. Seller signs deed, buyer signs new mortgage, Old loan is paid off, new mortgage is signed. Seller, real estate agents, attorneys and other parties to the transaction are paid. Documents are recorded in the county in which the property is located.

If you have any questions concerning the closing of escrow or any other real estate related topic, please give us a call.

Rick Frissell- Diamond Dwellings Realty

813-653-1241

SALES COMPARISONS 2007 to 2008

Statistics As Of: 11/09/2008 From Mid-Florida Regional MLS

Rick Frissell- Diamond Dwellings Realty 813-653-1241

Free Florida MLS Search

Original Post on Brandon Dwellings Real Estate Blog

Now is the chance to view spectacular art by nationally known artist John Costin. Mr. Costin has been recognized across the country with awards for his outstanding bird portraiture. His talent for art is through his skill of the Intaglio Printing Process.

In addition to viewing his artwork, John Costin will be available to explain his process. Make plans to attend and "Meet the Artist."

Rick Frissell ~ Diamond Dwellings Realty

813 653 1241

Ah yes, this day has finally arrived!

I actually love voting day. This is the best day of the election process. Yes, a lot has to do with the fact that this morning is the beginning of the end of campaigning and campaign television ads. But, there are a couple of fundamental reasons I love this day other than the end of campaigning.

The Bedside Alarm Sounded Early

The alarm went of at 5:00 AM this morning, but it was not required. Since I rise early, this mornings alarm was for security reasons. Although I seldom have the alarm as my wake up notification, I knew that minutes either way this morning would put me way back in the line to vote. There are a lot of ambitious neighbors in River Hills.

Our precinct for River Hills, in Valrico, is at the clubhouse. If your early, as I usually am, you get to sit on a chair next to the entrance doors of the poll. As the second person in line, I know that my wait to vote is limited to exactly one hour. Polls open at 7:00 AM and so the wait time for me is now established.

But, the best part is sitting with neighbors for each election. I always meet someone new in our community and I always am sitting with someone I know.

This year I met Nancy for the first time. Nancy is a Dermatologist with her office in Brandon. Her issue is health cars, "of course" she adds. She is also active in mission trips, in particular to Haiti and Dominican Republic. Missions work is a topic of great passion for our family as four family members go to different parts of the world to serve those that have tremendous needs.

Ken lives on the same street and he was there. Ken and his family moved in this past summer and is enjoying the opportunity to be a part of our community.

Ruth from a couple of houses down the street was also there. "Yes, we got hit by the hogs!" I told her.

Her family and our family live on a beautiful conservation area that backs right up to River Hills. There are plans to submit a separate blog on "Life Backed up to Conservation" at a later time. As positive as our experiences over the last 10 years have been, we woke to a backyard uprooted by wild hogs. Stay tuned for that very next blog on that story!

7:00 AM and the line is alredy beginning to build!

But besides catching up with the neighbors and meeting new neighbors, this is a great day for a greater reason. I get to cast my vote!

That statement seems so simple and cliche. But, the candidates can not be more opposed in views than we have had running for the office of President in many years. I guess in the past having my candidate win was stressful. This election I don't feel the stress.

Oh, it is not because I am not passionate about my vote. I am! But I probably have more faith in my fellow Americans then ever before. So as this day ends and the votes are counted, I could find my candidate is "President Elect" or I could be on the losing side.

But, regardless of what side I end up on, I feel good about our process as much as I always have. Sometime tonight we will have one man concede and the other accept. And our country will continue to be great. And that is why, each time I vote, I know it is another vote for our freedoms.

Rick Frissell ~ Diamond Dwellings Realty

813 653 1241