Good morning. Yesterday my family and I visited Mt. Soledad in La Jolla, CA. It was the first time in several years I had been there and was surprised at the changes. This Particular site was the site of many battles over the separation of Church and State, all because of a 29 foot Cross that sat atop this hill overlooking the whole area.
Our Constitution is pretty specific about seperation of Church and State. I do not want to get into this debate, but suffice it to say that Mount Soledad had it's fair share of battles, because of 29 foot Cross that was supposedly erected in the 1950's as a Korean War Memorial. For 17 years the right of the cross to be on public land atop Mount Soledad was challenged in the courts, and the cross was ordered taken down.
The Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial
Battles over the Cross went on for over 17 years. But on August 14,2006 President Bush signed legislation effectively transferring Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial to the Federal Government.
Even if you forget about the Cross, Mt. Soledad is one of the most spectacular spots with 360 degree views of the area. During the battles to save the Cross, the Mt. Soledad Association was formed, and they erected 6 concrete walls to ultimately hold appx. 3,200 black granite plaques honoring veterans who served our country. Below is a show of a small sampling of the Memorial.
The next Monument that I found was in the Oceanside Harbor.....this one in commemoration of Pearl Harbor.
Fighting for our country, and honoring those that have is a large part of being an American. At least this is my opinion. I am a Veteran, as is at least one member of our family all the way back to the Civil War. So, today I leave you with a short show on the Mt. Soledad Veteran's Memorial......and the thought that whether we believe in Crosses on certain land, or in a particular war, the bottom line is Be proud to be an American!
***Our country, the People, and the choices we're given are what makes us great***
By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty ~ Blog: California Real Estate and Life
My California Real Estate and Life Blog has information on Military Matters, and Relocations. More Military Info will be added all the time.
How many times have we wanted a sale to go through only to lose it for some small reason, or because the Agents couldn't work together. I know Real Estate Sales are just that....sales, but aren't they also about negotiating?
Sale #1 - I closed today on contract that was only supposed to be 7 days....it was about 21. I had both clients, so I can't even say that it was issues with another Agent. It would be easier to blame someone else, but the fact is sometimes Murphy's Law just comes into play. You know that saying, "whatever can go wrong will." Anyway, my simple sale became like that when we added a 2nd Buyer that wasn't related to the 1st one. Whether they were related or not wasn't the issue, the issue was communication. We seemed to have a few issues of everyone being on the same page at the same time. But hey......with a little ingenuity, we got everything to Title this morning......and closed this afternoon.
Sale #2- My REO house......I had done a Brokers Open a few weeks back, showed it many many times, and even had written an offer on it. Nothing.....until last week. An Agent called and asked if there were any offers. a I told her that 2 different agents stated they were writing offers ....of course I never saw, nor heard from them again :) Anyway, I told her this, and she stated her client was interested....OK #3 now. But that's my job.....1,2,3, it doesn't matter. Tell the Agent what you know, and try to be respectful. They have choices too of what to show, or even how they present the information to their client. Everyone needs to work together.
Ok, so I tell this Agent what I can, and they write an offer. I present it, and my seller decides to counter. We almost lost the sale over this counter......and not because it was unreasonable by any means. But today, with all the choices of homes, and everyone giving some type of concession....the buyer wasn't happy. I could feel it, and I could feel our deal going south real fast.
What to do......Problem solving 101......I sent an email to the seller and told him how many homes were available around here, and gave him all the current stats, and told him my honest opinion. It wasn't worth losing the sale. A while later he called me, and told me to change that particular issue.....
The other Agent and I spoke several times during this process. I know in this sale I am the Sellers Agent, but that doesn't mean I can't work with the other Agent on issues that can kill a deal that everyone wants. And it sure is/was nice to work with another Agent that wasn't concerned with ego, being right, or being in control......neither of us had those types of issues.
So one closed, and one in Escrow.....both of which had some issues, but we worked through them. The Clients, and Agents working together for a win-win.......one person sells what they need to sell, and one person (or more) buys something they want to buy.
Now isn't that really what Real Estate is all about?
By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty
DISCLAIMER: Neither myself nor CELLing Realty are responsible for the accuracy or content from anyone other than myself.The opinions expressed in my Blog by The Activerain Network and it's members and anyone providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Kathy McGraw
Ahh, what is on everyones mind....the client. Guard them, protect them, treat them right so they will eventually either buy or sell a home with you. Isn't that what Real Estate is all about? We help people get into or out of a home, and get paid for knowing the in's and out's of the Profession. So if this is the case why would you want to tell your clients about my Virtual Open House?
Misty Lackie CEO Go Smart Solutions came up with a great idea of a Virtual Open House in a recent Marketing Contest on Active Rain. I wrote this Post Want a Great Marketing Idea......I got mine by Judging an Active Rain Contest .
Well, I just wanted to tell everyone that Jason Sardi- Mortgage Broker with First Choice Equity Group, Inc. of Allentown Pennsylvania made a comment on that Post about wanting ideas for Lenders too.
Ask and you shall receive.....the Virtual Open House Idea was modified to include a chat and call box for both a Lender and Realtor.
Earlier this week we had already done some online advertising, and sent out Post Cards to Prospective Buyers....
Now the last thing to do , but certainly not least, was to make fliers and distribute them to other Agents. The fliers have updated information for the Lender that agreed to be a part of this Project. Ricardo Bueno ~ Mortgage Broker with World Wide Credit Corp graciously agreed to volunteer his time to answer any Mortgage Questions. Having a Lender available increases the benefit of this online Open House Experience.
Someone had suggested that we have a sign in, a way to capture peoples information, and offer a prize for people that sign-in. But that idea just didn't sit well with me, it's not the way I run my business.......I want people to feel comfortable, and to be totally Anonoymous if they want. " We will not solicit your client, no sign in information is required that captures their information. Our Goal is to sell a Home, not take your client " :)
Please join us on Saturday and see how this new way of Marketing can be a win-win for everyone :)
So what do you think, if you were a buyer would you feel comfortable?
and if you are an Agent will you feel comfortable ?
***UPDATE 4/6/08 Virtual Open House.....It's Over and I would say a rousing Success :) See how it all came out :)
*** Home is in Serrano Del Vista, Banning, CA
By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty
DISCLAIMER: Neither myself nor CELLing Realty are responsible for the accuracy or content from anyone other than myself.The opinions expressed in my Blog by The Activerain Network and it's members and anyone providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Kathy McGraw and/or CELLing Realty.
Saturday afternoons I used to watch old cowboy movies ~ The Rifleman, Roy Rogers, John Wayne, and so many others. I loved watching these movies. So today when I was making my Real Estate Show on land for sale in Riverside County, I chose the Western Music. I enjoyed listening to it so much that I changed all the Picture Titles to complement the music :)
I love the tune, it makes me want to get in my car and drive back out to all the Properties I have listed for sale.......but it's 1:30 in the morning, so I think I'll just listen to the show again :) I hope you like the catchy music. You can find all the info on these lots on my website www.CellingRealty.com. We get new ones all the time. The Old West ~ and Land......I don't have a covered wagon for a land rush, but I do have todays technology for Marketing it.
By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty
DISCLAIMER: Neither myself nor CELLing Realty are responsible for the accuracy or content from anyone other than myself.The opinions expressed in my Blog by The Activerain Network and it's members and anyone providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Kathy McGraw and/or CELLing Realty.
Last month I wrote about People that are losing their homes Losing Your Home.....Your Hopes and Your Dreams. That Post didn't have any answers, and there were a couple people that wrote in about their own circumstances. They needed something: advice, answers, hope.....
Today I heard about Operation Hope......a Non- Profit Organization in Los Angeles,that has a Mortgage Hotline that is supposed to help California Homeowners that are at risk of losing their homes to Foreclosure. Everyones situation is different, but it is worth the effort to at least try...it is an alternative when we have run out of answers.......especially since it is stated that 1 in 8 California homes are either in, or in danger of going into foreclosure.
The Number to call is 1-888-388-HOPE (4673) ........phone hours are 6am to 6pm M-F, and 9-6 Sat. PST (California time).....Be prepared to wait as there are many people calling.... So please be patient.
call now....what do you have to lose? It's FREE.....I hope this information helps the next person that is at a loss for an alternative to being Homeless.
By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty in Riverside County
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S. Calif. Real Estate specifically the Pass Area, Banning, Cabazon, Desert Hot Springs, N. Palm Springs and Whitewater. Calif Blog: http://CaliforniaRealEstateAndLife.com CA DRE LIC#01445865
Live, love, laugh are the 3 most important things in life.
Real Estate Transactions can be stressful, and if we don't enjoy what we do then there's no reward. My suggestion is for everyone to find someone they are comfortable with, someone that will listen to them, and someone that will understand their situation. This makes life easier for everyone involved, and then we can all live a little more, laugh a lot more, and love everything more.
Real Estate is a people business, and both Buyers and Sellers look to their Agent for advice, counseling, and help with negotiating. Both Buyers and Sellers as well as other people involved are at times confronted with issues that need to be resolved. This can be stressful. This isn't the time to choose Aunt Sally just because she has a license. You want someone that has a variety of skills, and will always keep your interests first. Someone that works with you to help you meet your needs.
Our office is in Banning, CA. This office serves the San Gorgonio Pass Area and other communities including Whitewater and Cabazon. This is the main Office, but we are not limited to any physical boundaries, as the Internet allows us to help anyone in California with various needs. Right now Foreclosures and Loan Modifications are the biggest thing our clients need help with. We have developed a Program to help anyone that needs it, but be prepared not everyone will be able to save their home, get a loan modification, or do a short sale. We will have information available for you on one of our other sites.
I have over 25 years experience counseling ~ Domestic Violence, Suicide Prevention, School Counselor, Developed a Community Counseling Center, and a program for Family Counseling. Former Peace Corps Volunteer (1997-2000) Community Development and Management Specialist, Degree in Administration of Justice, and many continuous education classes in Business, Advertising, Marketing, Sales,etc. I also am involved in my community, and have donated many hours to various Youth Organizations, Community and Senior Activities.
I believe in the philosophy that you get out of life what you give, and that by helping each other we make this World a better Place. Most of my "jobs" and Volunteering have been done with this in mind, including my present Real Estate Career.
Many of my Blog Posts will give you an idea of who is the Person behind the Sold Sign, and you decide if I am the kind of person you want to work with. I can guarantee you though that my style and personality isn't for everyone, but if you value tenacity, honesty, and integrity then give me a call.
I am the Broker and Owner of CELLing Realty and have my e-Pro Certification (Internet Technology Specialist) , TRC- Member of ICREA (International Consortium of Real Estate Associations) as well as a bunch of continuining education classes. I try to keep updated with all the new laws from both the Federal Government and the State of California; this helps me help you.
In light of the nature of Blogging where anyone can put comments on a Blog I felt it necessary to include a Disclaimer to let anyone reading my Blog know that I am not responsible for what others think, say, and do.I am only responsible for my own opinions and how I express them. I try to always be respectful, but the nature of Society is that we cannot please all of the people all of the time. So if anything I say offends you, please know that it isn't meant to. Many Real Estate people and others are writing Blogs, and after a lot of thought I decided that mine would give you an idea of who I am while attempting to give something of value to the people that read me more than once (Subscribers).
Anyway here is my DISCLAIMER: Neither myself, Kathy McGraw, nor CELLing Realty are responsible for the accuracy or content from anyone other than myself. The opinions expressed in my Blog by The Activerain Network and it's members or anyone providing comments (including Active Rain Staff and Management) are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Kathy McGraw and/or CELLing Realty.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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