Laura Kombrink

Laura Kombrink of Kombrink Real Estate Group is happy to announce the move to RE/MAX Preferred out of Collinsville. As of Monday September 15th Kombrink Real Estate Group is operating out of the RE/MAX Preferred office located at 201-A Main Street in Collinsville, Illinois.

"I will still have the same website which is www.KombrinkMetroEast.com ," said Laura Kombrink. " I am very excited about the move and the enhanced service that I will be able to offer my clients."

The RE/MAX Preferred office is more centrally located to the area that Laura serves and will allow her to be more active in the community that she works in. To congratulate Laura, or to contact her for any of your Real Estate needs just call the office at 618-345-2111 or you can still reach her by cell phone at 618-363-2452. You can also email Laura at Laura@KombrinkRealEstate.com

Laura plans on launching some new services such as her Preferred Buyer's Program. Visit her website and follow her blog for regular updates.

In the recent weeks, Madison County has seen a rise in vandalism and copper theft in vacant homes. Although police have made some arrests, the vandalism has continued. What can you do to protect your property?

I recommend talking with your insurance agent. If your property is vacant make sure that you have the right coverage. You will need to make sure that you are covered for theft and vandalism. This may be something that you will need to ask for specifically.

Make sure that newspapers are not laying in the driveway and lawn. Consider keeping the electric turned on and putting lights on timers. Leave curtains in the windows and consider having a television or radio set on a timer as well.

Check on the property often. Many times when theives take the copper wiring this can allow water to run freely in the home and cause water damage. If you are out of town, ask a neighbor or someone you trust to walk through the home regularly.

You may also consider letting your local police department know that the home is vacant so they can drive by more often.

If you are selling your property yourself, you may want to consider hiring a real estate agent to handle this transaction for you. The sooner the property is occupied, the less likely you are to become a victim.

Laura Kombrink
Kombrink Real Estate Group
RE/MAX Preferred
201-A Main Street
Collinsville, IL

618-345-2111
618-363-2452

www.KombrinkMetroEast.com
Email: Laura@KombrinkRealEstate.com

I am a frugal shopper...ok...ok...I'm cheap. I hate paying full price for anything. Don't get me wrong. I love nice things...I just hate paying full price. I have spent much time looking for ways to cut my costs on the things that I have to buy. In the recent economy where gas and food prices have risen...I have had to be even more frugal than I normally am.

I have been frustrated in the past with my search for a cheaper way to buy groceries. I knew there had to be a better, cheaper way to shop, however I just couldn't find it.

Well, I'm happy to announce (and to share with you) a discovery that I made this week.

I found a warehouse in St. Louis that sells groceries to the public at wholesale prices! Beat that Walmart! This place is not luxurious. As a matter of fact, I would advice a pair of jeans and T-shirt for this shopping trip. I would also recommend taking a friend as they sell items by the case...so if you don't have much storage space, take a friend and split the cases. I intend to go with my daughter next time.

The place is is called Leon H Lewis and Sons, Inc. and they are located at 2600 South Second St. in St Louis. They have a website with a list of available items that they update daily. Click here to go to their website and learn more. I thought that I would need a tax number to shop there, so I almost passed this one up. However, I made a quick call and found out that they do sell directly to the public.

I had never been there before, so when I first arrived I was a little lost. The owner walked right up to me (I guess he saw the confused look on my face) and introduced himself. He handed me a price list, a pen, and a piece of paper. He invited me to walk through the warehouse and write down what I wanted to purchase. I was like a kid in a candy shop. I found spices, frozen foods, juices, canned goods, storage bags, you name it and I saw it!

As I was making notes, an employee approached me...it turns out he was the gentleman I had spoken with on the phone. He walked with me through the warehouse and got a good idea of what I wanted and even offered less expensive alternatives! He then told me to relax and walk around while he gathered my order together.

I spoke with the owner for a few minutes while the gentleman got my order. I found out that his father started the company 44 years ago and they began selling to nursing homes and coops when small grocery stores went out of business due to the larger chains. Next thing I knew...my groceries were stacked on the loading dock and quickly loaded into the trunk of my car by two very friendly employees.

This place is not a shiny clean grocery store full of beautifully arranged food items. This is a warehouse. However, I have to say that I was treated so well and saved about 75% on my groceries. I intend to shop there again with my daughter and feel so strongly about the experience that I've decided to write this post.

In a day of mega chain stores, where you check yourself out, load your groceries and have to put up with negative, self absorbed employees...this place was a breath of fresh air and will certainly get my business and recommendation!

I'm not usually one to talk about politics. (I did get caught up in one heated political discussion last week) I was always taught that one should avoid discussions about politics, religion, and salaries in a public forum. These subjects tend to generate a great deal of passion from people as well as confrontation. My mother considered it appropriate for polite society.

However, I have been known to stray from my mother's advice on occasion....O.K....I stray from my mother's advice more often than not. I love to have passionate conversations with people. I admire people who are passionate about their ideas and even more passionate about what they do. I tend to ripple the waters around me and love to get people thinking and re-thinking what they see around them and the ideas that they conform to.

This is why I was absolutely glued to Sarah Palin last night while she spoke. I sat in front of my television with a HUGE SMILE on my face. I laughed and I found myself nodding my head in agreement. I watched as she confronted in a very direct and acute manner her political antagonists. Head on and without worrying whether or not she was phrasing her words in a politically correct manner. She was strong, passionate, and amazingly eloquent without coming off as a "you-know-what."

As I sat there watching, she reminded me of my grandmother. My grandmother is the strongest woman I've ever known and true to herself and her values. My grandmother had a very hard life, however I don't remember ever hearing her complain or blame others for her situation. My grandmother broke the mold and did things that most others thought were in-appropriate for a woman to do, but she was the kindest, most honest person I've ever known.

I wanted my daughter to hear Sarah Palin with me, but she was in her own home. Sarah is an example I would be proud for my daughter to emmulate. A woman who can be honest...can be her moose hunting, corruption facing, successful mother and wife. A woman who has gotten things done and is clear and un-apologetic about it!

What does this choice for Vice President say about John McCain? I have to say that I am looking at him in a different light. I believe Sarah is much stronger than John in the public arena and he has definitely shown wisdom in choosing her as his running mate. I don't think she will be sitting in the background when this team gets elected. I can see her advising Mr. McCain in a very direct, honest and pointed manner.

I haven't voted in 20 years, but I guarantee you that I will be voting this year. I have been disgusted by our choices in the past. At least this year I don't feel like I'm choosing between the lesser of two evils. I feel I can walk into the voting booth and proudly cast my vote without reservation!

I am announcing that a link has been added to the home page of my website that allows users to do a search in their immediate areas for sex offenders. You can find this link at www.kombrinkmetroeast.com
on the right hand side. It is a simple tool for the public to use to help protect their families.

The site also includes safety tips for parents and their children. The link is free to use and is intended as a tool for families and schools to use for information purposes.

Laura Kombrink
Kombrink Real Estate Group/RE/MAX Preferred

618-345-2111
618-363-2452