Emelyn Morris-Sayre, CRS, REALTOR Lakewood/Denver 303-517-5116

The Air Force Memorial soars into the sky. This striking and very simple memorial immediately draws your eyes up to the sky, a very fitting tribute to the men and women who have served or are serving our Country in the Air Force. The site overlooks the Pentagon, parts of Arlington National Cemetery and Washington DC in the distance.

Today, I made a very solemn visit to Arlington National Cemetery. Having been raised in Arlington, VA, this sacred place is very dear and near to my heart. I was here when JFK was assassinated, when MLK was shot down and experienced many other life-changing events. Every time I come back to see my family I make a point to re-visit some very special places. The day was overcast and chilly with the forecast of rain. Here area few photos I took today:

The many wreaths on the gravestones were very touching....so many.....

There is a great deal of discrepancy about between the real world and what the media is saying about short sales and loan modifications nad foreclosures. A few days ago , I was listening to the Today Show and an expert was telling the stressed out public that if they are considering a loan modification or short sale that the lender is wrong to tell them that they won't do anything until they are in default.

EXCUSE ME?????? As a REALTOR, I hear nightmare stories from sellers who have been contacting their lenders daily to try to get loan modifications to save their homes. Others, who have been trying to sell their homes with no luck, trying to get lenders to work with them with answers such as "unless you are behind in your payments, we don't want to talk to you'.....what is so wrong with this picture? So once you are behind, whether you had to move for work or just financial reasons, the lenders have you over a barrell....you now are in default, you are in behind your payments (although they won't talk to you unless are?)....what a quagmire this has created, and our Congress is absolutley at a standstill...to our Country's downfall!

So, experts, whom do our clients call?

Competing for ranking in ActiveRain makes us all better! My primary market is Lakewood, CO., and I have achieved a great position in my local market place on ActiveRain. I am second only to a home stager...and my use of "only" is not to diminish my collegue who has worked hard to get into the position of #1, but to make others aware that it is important to move up the ladder and attain the best possible visibility you can.

With that said, my goal is to work up the ladder in Colorado. I consistently place 62 and 63 in the rankings, thanks to a Realtor in another market (not my competition at all!) who is determined as I am to move up the ranks. He is steadfast in blogging to add points to his site just as I am to match his input and to create interest in my site. I absolutely love this.....why? Because it makes us focus on putting out information regularly (and with us....daily), and the result is going to be a benefit for all of our customers and possible clients.

The bottom line is that the public wins... we have fun competing and the ActiveRain members who have been sitting on their laurels, had better watch out....we are heading your way and will start competing for your prestigious standings. We have such a wonderful venue through ActiveRain....let's make it proud!

Having a good title company makes for a smooth transaction. I have been a Realtor for 15 years and having a good, professional title company can make the difference between a difficult transaction and one that moves through like a sharp blade on smooth ice.

I have two companies that I use regularly....depending on the location of the property for sale. My last sale was a home in Denver, Co., and I used Fidelity National Title Company to handle the transaction. From the time I got under contract to the passing of the keys, Fidelity was there to provide professional, timely and expert service. A special thanks to Lin Furlong, my closer, who responded to all of my questions in a timely fashion. A special thanks to all of her peers and support staff that supported me in my sometimes irregular requests. You were awesome. Thank you for your great service.