Tony & Darcy Cannon - The C Team

As many of you know I am a baseball junkie. I can't get enough baseball. I read an article somewhere on the internet where a computer program was fed statistics and computed that Derek Jeter was the worst fielding shortstop in the major leagues. Sportswriters have voted him 3 gold gloves during the course of his career, yet the computer doesn't lie, or does it?

I am not going to argue that Derek Jeter is the best shortstop in baseball, and I am sure that he has plenty of detractors, playing for the Yankees and all. In fact, I am not sure that he is the best shortstop on his team, but he is the starting shortstop. The thing that makes this entire argument ridiculous is that it doesn't factor in the plays that he makes that no one else does.

I do think that he isn't the most gifted fielding shortstop that I have ever seen, I grew up watching Ozzie Smith make plays that as a baseball fan left me speechless. I have also Derek Jeter make plays that I wonder if even Ozzie would have made. The great play in the playoffs against the Oakland A's where he race in, picked up an errant throw and threw out Jeremy Giambi at home plate comes to mind. That is instinct that a computer cannot factor into any equation, I don't know that the great Ozzie Smith would have made that play, (although if anyone else could have, it would have been him) yet according to the raw statistics, Derek Jeter simply isn't a very good fielder compared to his peers.

There are a number of other plays that he has made that made me wonder how he knew where the ball was going even before it was hit. The other factor not accounted for, is that I have never seen him not play hard. I can't say that about every player that I have ever watched.

The point that I am trying to make early this morning, is that the human factor can never be removed from the equation, even in Real Estate. There are some things that the Internet, and brilliant photography cannot replace, and that is the Realtor. There are just some things that a good Realtor does, that aren't measurable by raw data. The impression that one gets while showing a house that the couple may tell you that they are looking for one thing, when in reality, they really want something a little different. They may not know that they want something other than what they have said, but once you, as a Realtor show it to them, they love it.

A Realtor also has the human element of negotiating the best possible solution to allow people to realize their dream, and make the largest purchase that most people will make in their lifetime. They also stay on top of the paperwork to allow as smooth a transaction as possible until the deal gets done. A Realtor has the ability to think outside of the box to make sure the inevitable snags are ironed out and that the deal gets done. There are too many more traits to list in a single blog that a Realtor does, that tools and equipment just can't do.

What I am saying is don't sell yourselves short. Fancy computers and fancier software are only tools, they aren't the whole show. They are like the baseball glove or bat, they aren't what makes a baseball player. I am not saying that we shouldn't use these and other tools to the best of our abilities, just that we don't lose sight of what makes them work! Have a great and prosperous weekend!

I have blogged several times on the availability of great starters and especially "move up" homes in our market. I have been neglecting the one area that we really have a great variety to choose from, land. Whether it is large parcels or smaller builiding lots, we have a great inventory. There is a good selection of building lots available in the more exclusive areas and in almost all of the other areas in the city or out in the county.

We, ourselves have several good listings of raw land and subdivided lots, some of which would be good investments over time. So if you're looking to build, Cedar City is a great place to do so! Come on up and see if you want to build your own ranch, estate or just house! Now is a great time to build that dream house in Cedar City. Have a great week!

I don't know how many have seen the Time Magazine article from 2/19/2008 saying that now is the time to buy a house if you're a 1st time home buyer. With prices and interest rates low, if you have good credit, there is no reason to wait. I am not going to quote the article, you can read it for yourselves www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1713483,00.html

I found it an interesting read, and like it or not, it is the best time to buy if you are planning on staying in the home at least 5 years. This goes along with what a lot of Realtors have been saying and writing for weeks, now is the time! Before you lose the advantage of a lower payment should interest rates rise, buy a house! If it looks like I believe that you should look at buying, you're right, but now one of the investment guru's agree with me and the others!

My little sister emailed me this list. I will admit that I just copied and pasted, I do not know who the author is, but thought that it might be worthwhile to incorporate into my life, maybe someone else will find it useful!

Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life!

1.) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.

2.) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3.) Buy a Tivo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4.) When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to________ today.'

5.) Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6.) Play more family games and read more good books than you did last year.

7.) Always pray, read scriptures, and make time to exercise.

8.) Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of Six.

9.) Dream more while you are awake.

10.) Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

11.) Drink plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12.) Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13.) Clear your clutter from your house, your garage, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14.) Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15.) Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class .......but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16.) Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a princess.

17.) Smile and laugh more.

18.) Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19.) Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20.) Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21.) You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22.) Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

23.) Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24.) Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good china and wear the fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Everyday is special

25.) No one is in charge of your happiness except you

26.) Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

27.) Forgive everyone for everything.

28.) What other people think of you is none of your business.

29.) Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!

30.) However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31.) Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch with them.

32.) Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

33.) Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. God provides remember?!

34.) The best is yet to come.

35.) No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

36.) Do the right thing!

37.) Call your family often.

38.) Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: 'I am thankful for __________.' Today I accomplished _________.

39.) Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

40.) Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass.

You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH. LIFE'S A GIFT ... UNWRAP IT! Have a Blessed day.

Have a great week!

We learned some more good news for business and industry here in Cedar City. Our newest industrial development, Port 15 got some great news as the plans to create a rail loop to service most of the lots in phase II of the development. This should make the option to start or relocate a business or factory here in Cedar City much more attractive to potential developers. Once the spur and the truck route from Interstate 15 are completed the entire project should really be an attractive option.

I hate to keep banging the same drum, but now is the time to buy in Cedar City, before all of this happens and prices go up with demand. We are still a beautiful area with a lot of great inventory. We enjoy 4 Season of the year, and boast the famous Shakespearean Festival, the Utah Summer Games and many other festivals and events. All in all, it is a great place to live and raise a family! Come up and see for yourselves, Darcy and I would love to meet you!