Cheryl Willis, MO BROKER Mt Vernon, Monett, Aurora, Barry & Lawrence Co.

I received the nicest e-mail from a local gal. Jeannine is gearing up for another 'show' featuring local artists. Of course I am invited and am extending my personal invite to you.

This show will include a variety of works ranging from traditional to the un-traditional (you will have to see for yourself). Paintings, Print Work, and Photography will be displayed. The show begins at 7pm on Friday the 7th of August and goes into 9pm.

The Grafitti wall will be up for those that want to add to it- I love it- a CHERYL has been here moment.

Come out and see your favorites. Jared Ratley, Layra Alvaraz, Lindsey Anderson, Dianne Baum, Allen J. Miller, Steve Brock, Bob Logan, John Bremer, and Mandy Botlick.

The Gallery is located at 207 3rd street, downtown Monett. See ya this Friday at 7:00!- cw

"Memories of My Childhood Home"- Thanks to Jason Crouch, a favorite peer in the RAIN, I have a new writing assignment.

Rules are to write authenticity and share my story of where I 'grew up'.

First I have to say I am honored that Jason thinks that I have grown up. Now if I could just get that kind of respect from the agents around here. (just kidding) As a disclaimer, I have to confess that after the age of 40 I think I started to revert back to the simpler (is that childlike?) way of looking and participating in life.

As brick and mortar buildings go I have have several childhood 'homes' thanks to my parents and the governments rule about moving civil servants every four years. (Either that or dad had a hard time holding a job- sorry, not true, it was the Feds) As a Real Estate Agent in adulthood I wonder if back in the 60's and 70's there was some sort of stimulus program going for moving companies. (I meant the 1960's & 70's- we all know that even I was not around in the eighteen hundreds- don't go there)

I was born on Wake Island, I don't remember the birth, but I do remember growing up to the wise ole age of nine on the rock. Wake is an atoll in the Pacific Ocean, located southwest of Hawaii. If anyone asks when I get ready to run for President, I am a Citizen. Wake was a territory during the time of my birth and I have proven my citizenship when I applied for a passport. It only took, producing copies of both parents birth records and marriage certificate and my original micro film copy of the event. (If I remember I had to throw in my marriage papers too) Funny that I was citizen enough to work and pay taxes all those years but had to prove it to get ticket out of the country to visit our daughter in Japan.

When I first read about the writing assignment (contest) I had thoughts of going all mushy and break out the tissue-style. You know throw in the May-berry RFD and a fishing pole too. Truth is as an adult I have learned to think like an adult. It is hard to remember the childhood in real terms. I know that the good memories really weren't as good as I remember and the bad weren't as bad. Life just was, I learned, I grew, I grow-ed up a bit and start reproducing- there is nothing like having your own children to make your childhood seem more exciting.

In the spirit of moving every four years, I got to experience the lovely state of West Virginia for my upper elementary years. One classmate in particular is still a good friend, I met her the first day of school and could write a book about how much she means to me. Leaving Princeton, W VA the summer after 7th grade was bitter sweet. Personally I thought we should stay there forever, especially after I had to take state history. In hind site I was glad to go. The boys were all kids I knew from grade school and my new home in OKC, OK had way cuter Jr High 'young men'. It did stink when I had to take OK state history the following summer.

Good thing this post is not about adolescence b/c even I have a hard time putting a good spin on that. Only thing I can figure is the LORD knew what he was doing when he mixed the endorphins in our brains b/c seeing it again when my kids hit the teen years was an eye opener. Let's just say I called my mom alot and apologized. Oldest grandson is 5 so I should be getting those calls from our son in about 8 years.

Home is where your heart is. My heart has always been anywhere my family is. I have fond memories of places I lived as a child. I think that is one of the blessing of childhood. I couldn't tell you what the taxes are on those first homes or the mortgage payment. My parents did a wonderful job of providing for us in the sense that we never thought we were rich or poor. We were allowed to be children not have the worries of mini-adults. We didn't even know the sacrifices until we lived them loving our own children.

When I work with Buyers I stress that the HOME is not the structure, that is the HOUSE. Don't buy to keep up with anyone, past or present or future. When they hire me to help find the right place, they are getting my whole life experience and my two cents worth too. For me success is living within your means and having a life outside of the house payment. A home for your kids is (dare I say it?) not just the roof over their heads but the parents who love each other enough to meet the entire family's needs.

To cap it off, here's the life lesson: HOME = Relationships with loved ones + shelter from life's storms.

I can't wait to see what the next writing assignment is- be good cheryl

I have a blog, I post when I get around to it, I read more than I write and if it weren't for my peers I would not be near as accomplished as I am (even if it is in my own mind). That all being said (or rambled, depending on how you read me) I want to give a shot out to my mentors in Active Rain. When I say Mentors, I really mean the 150 thousand + that take the time to educate, humor, encourage, befriend, hi-jack, comment ,inquire, pray, call, refer to, and the list goes on and on..... I love you all.

My clients/customers/friends/people on the street/anyone with in ear shot are aware that I am a fan of AR. (if you are a peer reading my post and not a member please consider this your invite)

I don't have an ambassador button yet, but one day when I get a little more experience and start doing more than just high-lighting and cut and paste- I am going to be there!

One of the Big Boys has tricked us (I mean me) into not only learning new stuff, but trying it and making it work. For the computer types out there, this is a no brain-er, your debates over whether to long-tail (hyper-local) or not have been fought and won. (Although I am not sure which side won- but for the sake of conversation, let's pretend it was the side you are on.)

I took the challenge and stayed up past my bed-time and wrote a post using 'neighborhood' words. Not my sandbox of greatest accomplishments but a start. Real Estate is a little different in rural areas, we are 15 miles between towns and neighborhoods as a marketing or target area just don't do it for me. There is always going to an agent that has lived there longer, went to school with a family member or played ball with a friend. I totally want my readers to work with those agents if you 'know' them from birth. There is something to be said about working with dad's golf buddy, no awkward pauses in conversation there when you get financially naked with them.

My buyers (and sellers- b/c I am a Broker and will work with either or both) are typically not the locals. I am a transplant (only been her 15 yrs- if you know small towns, you know you are not from here until you get ready to move away- just kidding) I am Crazy about Real Estate and my favorite deals are the ones that are worked with clients moving in to our lovely part of the state. (check out my website so you can preview properties before you get here- www.OzarkCastle.com)

There will always be someone who is a neighborhood expert- and that just may be the next big IN-THING to be labeled (we are about the branding aren't we) However, I am going to stick with what I know works for me: I don't want to know everyone or everything. I want to know the things I am suppose too. The things that are going to help me help you find what you are looking for.

I want to meet and work with people who want to work with me. Customers and Clients that are looking for homes. I love being a part of the process. I told a client the other day that it never matters to me IF they buy a house, what I want is for them to let me help find the home they tell me they want. I love the story, the quest, the hurdles, the laughs, the hurry up and wait, signing on the dotted line and the hug for a job well done.

The high-fives are OK too. This past year since I have been blogging, I have to say the referrals have been fantastic and every client is one I enjoy. (I wonder if people are behaving b/c they know I may write about them if they don't- lol) I know this is kinda long just to test the theory of being hyper-local, or long-tailing but you know what-- it works for me! If I don't get points for that, maybe there are a few points out there for being hyper-transparent!--

See ya in the RAIN. be good cheryl

I got to do a little running around with semi-favorite clients (I down graded them b/c we didn't brake for any yard sales!) In full disclosure, they were aware that my client from yesterday had moved up a couple of notches, one by finding the home to make an offer on, and two, not making fun of me when I bought a bike for grand-daughter age 2!

I believe a little healthy competition between clients is a good thing b/c now I am sure that today's semi-favorite status is going to rise after being assured that we will make a "yard-sale date: after they close on the home they selected today.

Only "PROBLEM" with perfect house, perfect property, perfect location and perfect clients is I know they are going to be enjoying their life there so much that yard sale is going to be low priority!

I know there are a couple of more homes going in on small acreage in the area, several are about 45 days from completion. If you know anyone looking for it all, nice house, country living and low traffic for yard sales, please give me a call. I would love to help find the perfect neighbors for my semi-favorite (and status raising) clients.

Walnut Acres in Marshfield ,MO. New homes will have a fantastic view of the valley from the back deck. The one my FHA buyers fell in love with has wood floors,and knotty alder cabinets through out the home. Their son told me when they walked in the door that he knew this was the one! He even had his bedroom picked out. I told him that was wonderful b/c it gave the builder time to paint it PINK--(OK, not funny to an 9 yr old boy)

The three acres surrounding the home will allow for plenty of outdoor living adventures and the kiddo has already stated that he knows he will get in some bow & arrow time! No hammers on this one- totally turn-key and at least a year with no Honey-DO's. Don't you just love a good builders warranty.

I know at least two more new homes will be available this year, and then the buying public is going to have to wait, I can't imagine much turn-over once a person gets settled in out here. This is the type of place one dreams of and doesn't leave easily. (even for a good yard sale!)

thanks for letting me share- be good cw

Shouts out to buyers in Willard, MO. - another home is going under contract!

I got the nicest call yesterday from a couple looking to purchase their first home (we love first time buyers!) If I could clone the perfect clients, these kids would be it.

First they had driven the area with a family friend and taken notes on homes that were for sale.

Second they researched on the Internet in general and my website in particular, and had a pretty good idea of what they were looking for. (www.ozarkcastle.com)

Third they touched base with the lender of their choice and got a pre-approval (not to be confused with a pre-qual, but that's topic for another post)

Forth, they called me to schedule to see their favorites. (This part was important and could have been the first step -IMHO!) I pulled details on the 6 they liked, (four had gone UC this week) and I pulled up a couple more that were just hitting the MLS (and made a few calls to get addys of soon to be listed)

To make a long story short- their offer is on its way to the seller and we expect it to be accepted.

To the other residents of this great neighborhood- get ready to meet a new neighbor! I am sure you all are going to enjoy this young family as much as I have.

Today was almost as much fun as getting a day to quilt (seriously more fun!) be good cw