BILL CHERRY

A friend of more than 50 years called me today.

Seems he needed an appraiser to determine the value of his home and art gallery.

I don't know any Dallas appraisers because I've never seen the same one twice.

I searched ACTIVERAIN for Dallas appraisers.

I called the first one -- no answer, and no voice mail box

I called the second one -- the message said I needed to dial a 1 and then the number

I called the third one -- no answer, no voice mail box.

I called the fourth one -- the phone was no longer in service.

I called the fifth one. The guy said he would take care of my friend.

I called my friend and gave him the fellow's name and phone number.

I suspect I know four people who told their mates this evening over dinner that their appraisal business is lousey.

BILL CHERRY, REALTORS

DALLAS - PARK CITIES

Since 1964

214 503-8563

web

Some say it's because it's a seaport town.

Others say it was inevitable since it's an island dangling off of the south shore of Texas.

But no one disagrees with the universal opinion that Galveston, Texas has an overabundance of characters, now and always has.

The Night Owl by Christie "The Beachcomber" Mitchell with Bill Cherry chronicles the island's most famous public relations man, as he and his wife, Janie, weave their ways through the "What's Up" of Galveston during the '40s and '50s, and tell about it in Walter Winchell style through Mitchell's weekly newspaper columns.

Those were the times when social sins like gambling, prostitution, night time carousing through night clubs and casinos, and debauchery in general were the Island's tourists' drawing cards.

The Night Owl became available to the public July 10th. Amazon is reporting remarkable, brisk sales.

Bill Cherry is the author of Bill Cherry's Galveston Memories, published in 2000, which has sold thousands.

BILL CHERRY, REALTORS

DALLAS - PARK CITIES

Since 1964

214 503-8563

I WROTE THIS LETTER ON jUNE 22. THE RESPONSE WAS INTERESTING.

June 22, 2011

Texas Real Estate Commission
P. O. Box 12188
Austin, TX 78711-2188

Gentleman:

There is a 10 x 12 inch slick magazine called *REDACTED* that is published and distributed in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Its primary purpose is to advertise homes that are For Sale for prices in excess of One Million Dollars. The ads are primarily purchased by the listing agents.

I took the current issue and began looking to see which ones of those with salespersons' licenses abided by the regulation that requires them to properly identify their broker. I stopped after I had gone through less than one-fourth of the magazine because there were so many violations.

Here are ones I found, i.e., those with salespersons' licenses who did not properly identify the broker who was responsible for them, and the broker's license number:

*REDACTED*

There is also a full-page ad titled "*REDACTED*." There are sixteen agents' names and with their pictures there. There are no brokers identified.

I think the new regulation is important. Frankly, I would have taken it one step further and prevented anyone other than brokers from being able to have pseudonyms using their names.

I suggest you order a copy of the magazine; it's free, and to audit the ads for compliance:

Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

William Speakman Cherry
Broker # *Redacted*

ON JUNE 28TH, A STAFF ATTORNEY FOR THE COMMISSION'S STANDARD & ENFOCEMENT SERVICES WROTE THAT THE COMMISSION HAS NO PROCEDURE OR (POSSIBLY) JURISDICTION FOR MONITORING OR STOPPING VIOLATIONS WITHOUT A FORMAL COMPLAINT BEING FILED USING THE FORM ON THE COMMISSIONS WEBSITE, AND FURTHER, IT CANNOT BE AN ANONYMOUS FILING.

I wrote the following to State Representative Craig Eiland who I have known for a number of years.

July 12, 2011

Representative Craig Eiland
District 23
Texas House of Representatives
PO Box 2910
Austin, Texas 78768

Dear Craig:

I am enclosing the June 28, 2011 letter I received from Texas Real Estate Commission staff attorney, John Goehrs.

It is in response to the Commission on June 22, 2011, a copy of which I am also enclosing.

I complained about the violations of the recent License Act amendments

Salespersons masquerading as brokers by using company-style pseudonyms that include their names, and which do not identify that a broker is responsible for them, and his name.

Mr. Goehrs points out that the way the regulations were written, they are for all practical purposes, impotent, and further that the commission must rely on the published ethics of Realtors to police and enforce them. That doesn't address the multitude of licensees who are not Realtors.

Secondly, I learned that the law now requires people with Salesperson Licenses to have four years or more experience before they are eligible to sit for the broker's examination. The tenor of that idea is insane.

Broker's licenses renewal fee is $538. The Salesperson's license renewal fee is $134.25.

Meanwhile, the Commission has added "permission" for those with Salespersons' licenses to manage other licensees, for all practical purposes moving what should be the Broker's sole responsibility to a Salesperson.

These regulations are backwards. A salesperson should "intern" under a licensed broker for a short period, and then be required to apply for, take and pass the test for a broker's license. The goal should be for everyone dealing in real estate marketing that meets the definition of the law has to pay the same fees and have the same educational requirements and proof of competency.

The license fee for Salespersons should be, say, $538 and the Brokers $134.25.

As it is now, there is no reason for anyone to become a broker as long as he/she is able to get sponsorship by a broker.

I pass this on for your edification and consideration.

Sincerely yours,

William S. Cherry
Broker's License *REDACTED*

Copy: John Goehrs
TREC Attorney

NOTE: Salespersons license fees are $134.25.
Broker license fees are $538.00

SAMMY DAVIS, JR.

I don't remember when it was, but it was probably at least 35 years ago.

My wife then, Sandy, and I bought tickets to see Sammy Davis, Jr., perform at Houston's Arena Theater. For all practical purposes, it was theater in the round.

Sandy had magically gotten our two seats on the end of the fifth row. We were so excited that we were going to be able to see and hear him up close.

The orchestra began playing, the announcer said, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Arena Theater is proud to present, Sammy Davis, Jr." With that Mr. Davis started singing "It's Almost Like Being in Love" from the back of the theater.

He came down the isle that was next to us, and I saw him in person for the first time. He was a very skinny urchin of a man, and far from handsome.

"Sandy, I don't know as I am going to be able to look at Sammy Davis for a couple hours," I said to my wife. I really meant it, and she nodded somewhat in agreement.

Within moments, he had taken over the stage and the audience. I decided he didn't look like an urchin at all. And for the remainder of the show, we were in his hands.

I was thinking tonight about the great entertainers that have passed through my life. Who was the best? No doubt, Sammy Davis, Jr. was the greatest entertainer of my generation.

What did he have besides enormous talent? Enormous charisma.

BILL CHERRY, REALTORS

DALLAS - PARK CITIES

Since 1964

214 503-8563

Yesterday I wrote a blog...it was a challange to you professionals. The information is below. Here's the house.

What Would You Adivse the Owner to Do?

I've been thinking about doing this for a long time. Now I'm threatening to do it. In fact, I'm making up my mind right now. I'm going to do it.

And it'll involve you!

You see, almost always I take the same route from Patty's and my house to the grocery store. And for almost the entire way, there are homes, one after another, down the streets.

Nice homes.

Probably worth between $185,000 and $350,000. All are brick, the yards are well maintained, and I've never seen the hated tell-tale sign of a lousy neighborhood --- a car or truck on blocks in the yard or on the driveway.

There is a house on one corner that has been actively For Sale for nearly two years. The listing has rolled from one agent to another, all with well-known franchise offices....your Re/Max, your Century 21, your Ebby Halliday.

No one has been able to sell it. In between agencies, the owner has put his own sign in the yard. But within a couple of weeks, his sign has gone down, replaced by a Realtor's. And unless I've missed something, the appearance of the home has never changed.

Here are the basic facts: The subject house was originally listed for about $220,000 and the last reduction was to about $180,000. That equates to $100/sq ft. The interior was totally remodeled including new central air unit, etc.

I believe I know why this house hasn't sold, and it isn't price. And I believe it can be corrected.

I'm asking you to give your professional opinon. What do you think needs to be done by the owner for the house to sell? I think this will be a fun exercise.

And so you'll know, I don't have any intention of soliciting the listing because it is not in an area or price range that I specialize in. And I won't tell you the address or anything other than what is postged here.

This is going to be just for funzees.

BILL CHERRY, REALTORS

DALLAS - THE PARK CITIES

Since 1964

214 503-8563