Pat O'Brien

Many times you use a company because of a relationship. I have been selling real estate for 15 years and had a first last night. I got home at 10:30 after doing a presentation for the Lonestar Chapter of the National MS Society (my yearly personal Charity, CMN is my work Charity) and found a very toasty house and a panting little Schnauzer.

Long story short after checking all the knuckle head things, my compressor is DEAD. 3 or more years ago Glenda Shulz, with First American, explained why I not only needed to sell her Home Protection Plans, but get one for my house. I signed up and paid what now seems like a very reasonable fee and never made a call. Last night, I made my first call and emailed Glenda to let her know! The company wasn't able to fit me in today, but after a call from Glenda's office I am first on their schedule tomorrow. With the heat, there are stories of people waiting 2 to 4 days to get an AC checked.

Glenda, although it is still toasty, knowing that they will be here first thing really helps.

I will continue to update the progress, but to all you out there that own homes, especially if you are agents that encourage your clients to get these plans, right now the piece of mind that my bill will not exceed, $55 makes it not seem so hot in here!

Thanks Glenda for being a great sales person and for the long term relation ship you have had with both of my offices!!!! Glenda works the San Antonio Market.

As the Chair of the local chamber I write an article in our weekly paper. This is my draft for my Monday deadline. I usually am positive and try to find the good news about our area, so this will be a departure. Thought I would put it here too. Although not real estate related this type of gubernatorial veto doesn't put us into a great light with the rest of the world. In Texas the veto is final because only the Governor can call a special session to overturn his veto. Don't see that happening.

Draft of this weeks article...

I have written mostly positive articles for over a year now about both our region and our state. Last week, the Christian Science Monitor published a report that San Antonio is the MOST recession proof city in the country and that four of the top five recession proof cities are in Texas. Yet, something else last week overshadowed this good news. Gov. Perry vetoed SB488, the safe passage bill which would require motorists to give 3' of clearance to pedestrians, wheelchairs, cyclists, etc. He did this at the end of the day Friday, so many of you may have missed it. There are people who don't believe that the roads are for anything other than trucks and cars. As a cyclist, I have been shot at (yes, I heard the pop out of a truck and the thud in the embankment next to me,) I have fought dogs that the police and sheriff's office don't have the resources to go after, and have had people yell and throw things at my friends and me. My brother has suffered broken bones from getting hit. This last weekend, on the kick-off ride for the MS Valero Ride to the River, a driver pulling a 40+ foot long trailer came within one foot of my single file group, and we watched as this driver did the same to two other groups.

This is not just about a recreational activity. Our children ride bikes, and many commute on foot, bicycles, motorcycles and mopeds to help the environment, exercise, or for any number of reasons. This bill protected them, too, as taken directly from the Governor's Website: "These vulnerable road users would include pedestrians; highway construction and maintenance workers; tow truck operators; stranded motorists or passengers; people on horseback; bicyclists; motorcyclists; moped riders; and other similar road users." I hope all in these categories join the cycling community in demanding an explanation of this veto!

The metro area is getting great accolades, yet to the rest of the country, this will be complied with the articles proclaiming San Antonio one of the fattest cities in the country and start to erode all the great press and truly wonderful aspects of living in this area. Gov. Perry has announced that he wants to be re-elected. We need to remember this if he decides to run again for governor (or another office) or throws his support behind someone else. For the record, Senators Wentworth and Zaffirni both supported this bill. Please reach out and thank them!

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I am posting this for a few reasons. First, just to see the response before I push send on the editors copy. Second, to promote awareness, I don't understand that less than 50% of the people in this country vote. Third, to get the word out on an issue that I am passionate about. I involved in many cycling activities to include helping the MS society and their local ride.

All comments welcome

What great news to send you mid-week:

Study: San Antonio is America's top recession-resistant city

At the midpoint in a busy week, after moving the Chamber, having company in town and all the rest, I have loved how busy real estate has been, too. Offers are coming in, and our inventory of homes is dropping. While we never were as bad as the rest of the country, we still had a much different market this year than we had experienced in eight or more years.

I think the challenge now will be dealing with the mortgage industry. Things just seem to change on a regular basis and with the resurgence of FHA loans, it seems much longer underwriting times and escrow time frames are the norm. If there is any dark cloud in our market, it would be financing. But, I am very hopeful that this will be more like a speed bump and not a brick wall.

More great news is in the link below. A new study finds that San Antonio is America's top recession-resistant city and that four of the top five recession-resistant cities in the country are in Texas. Even with some financing hiccups, we seem to be in great shape. If any of us were frustrated that Texas didn't allow many of the "new" "latest and greatest" mortgages and the lines of credit up to 125% of the property value, we should all be very thankful now!

To see the article, follow the link below!

See article at http://features.csmonitor.com/economyrebuild/2009/06/17/study-san-antonio-is-americas-top-recession-resistant-city/

There is a book "Whale Done" about training killer whales. They are at the top of the food chain, so to train them, they are always in the dominant position. It is all done with rewards and patience. I can't imagine training even my dog, if she was not clear that I was the alfa member of the household.

Next time you feel stressed think about working with animals that think of you as a snack...and then this trainer taking a break on the belly of the KILLER WHALE!

Just wanted to add my welcome to:

Active Rain Blogger and...

Featured Real Estate Agent:
Jeanna Martinez (RE/MAX Access)
Score: 16223
Schertz

She caught my eye when I logged in here and found myself as #2 in Schertz! It is great to have the number 1 and 2 bloggers in the same office.

Jeanna...that doesn't mean that I am not going to still try to get my first place back!

WELCOME AND THANKS FOR JOINING THE TEAM!