Robert L. Brown~Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Michigan

Mostly for the people on the Lakeshore of Michigan

I had the opportunity to meet a professional tow truck driver who came to Grand rapids to pick up a couple cars I had sold to someone on Craigslist. The buyer contracted Harold’s North Shore Service LLC to come here to pick them up. It was a brisk cold morning here in GR and the driver who came had a great attitude and you could see he liked/loved what he does for a living.

We have to ALWAYS remember we are serving the public in this profession and ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING. His name is Carl and the company number is 231 744 0469. I did call his office and complimented them on how professional he was and I told them he was an asset to them. The lady sounded surprised (I would have been) to hear because most people wouldn’t take the time to do so. This is the same as getting a referral. If someone thought that highly of you the end result could be a possible referral to you as well. So remember people are always watching our every move. In 2012 let’s ALL try to be on our best behaviour.

The 25 “WORST” passwords of 2011.

What a coincidence coming on the heels of being HACKED myself last Friday this article lists the worst ones on the list to have. After my horrendous situation ALL my passwords have been changed and hopefully to be more secure in the future. To think there are people who spend their day(s) trying to gain access to things which DON’T belong to them. Someone else’s privacy.

There should be stricter laws with stiff fines and penalties to whoever is engaged in this. It’s not a joke, it’s not that they were bored, it’s not that they stumbled upon this. These are people who do this for a living to only make YOUR life miserable. We ALL have to take precautions and be extremely diligent here on the internet. Look through the list (enclosed) and if you by chance have one of these as your own I suggest that you CHANGE IT!!!

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/25-worst-passwords-2011-revealed-202955980.html

Looks like the “MERS” mess is behind us.

For anyone who had/has a transaction with MERS (Mortgage Electronic Recording Services) involved it looks like help is on the way in the form of a decision from the Michigan Supreme Court. I remember at the MAR (Michigan Assoc of Realtors) Convention Greg McClelland (Attorney for MAR) touched on this very subject (as well as others) and if I remember correctly said a decision hopefully would be forthcoming. I assumed we would not know anything until next year.

I know several realtors who had to cancel closings and listings because of this situation. Maybe now a little more of the backlog will free up and people can get back on track. It’s nice to see the “wheels” of law move ever so quickly on a situation that has affected so many people. So if you have some of these on the fence it’s time to get them to the closing table. Christmas season is around the corner. Who among us could not use a few extra commission checks? I know I could.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/17/foreclosures-michigan-supreme-court_n_1099586.html

New Mobile Carrier in the game. Republic Wireless.

All cellular companies are not alike (as we all know) and there we are trying to find the best deal possible for our mobile dollars. This may be the alternative that we were waiting for. Republic Wireless based out of North Carolina. We definitely need new players in the cellular game. I’ve been a loyal Nextel/Sprint customer for over 8 years. Same number too as well.

I may have to give them a try to reduce the high cost of my bill. And at 19.00 per month it seems you couldn’t beat it.One would think as a valued customer they would try their level best to keep me. Maybe it’s time to upgrade to a smartphone too. Read the enclosed article. This may be helpful to you as well.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technology-blog/wifi-minded-carrier-offers-unbelievable-19-unlimited-phone-204810215.html