TONY MARTINEZ

This post was found on REALTOR magazine

Some U.S. cities with stable housing and diversified employment have been virtually untouched by the Great Recession.

Analysts say cities that are most likely to leave the recession in the same or better condition than they started it are those where home prices didn’t fluctuate wildly, which spared them the devastating effects of foreclosure, lost jobs, and lost productivity.

If there is a lesson to be learned, experts say, it is that families looking for long-term economic stability should settle in locales with diverse employment and minimal shifts in housing values.

To identify these cities, Forbes magazine ranked the 100 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas by employment rates, the conventional mortgage home price index, and the average days on the market for properties currently for sale.

The top cities on Forbes list were:

• Omaha/Council Bluffs, Neb.
• San Antonio, Texas
• Austin-Round Rock, Texas
• Pittsburgh
• Harrisburg/Carlisle, Pa.
• Dallas/Fort Worth
• Rochester, N.Y.
• Houston
• Raleigh/Cary, N.C.
• Baton Rouge, La.

Source: Forbes, Francesca Levy (11/19/2009)

This is a repost on a blog I saw today! I thought it was inportant that we hear this message during the holiday's

Matt Bennett

Curious about what goes on behind the scenes at a major animal shelter? Matt Bennett is the shelter manager at the Animal Defense League. He’ll give you an interesting perspective on animal welfare in San Antonio with stories about running the shelter and more!

Emily King is our hospital manager who has been with ADL over 3 years. About a month ago, she shared an experience with our staff that illustrates a very important message that I'd like to share with you.

These are her written words.

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As the hospital manager, I am required to make daily rounds through the entire shelter. Every day as I walk through the kennels, I inspect the animals for any health problems I might see. Over the months, I've become quite accustomed to our dogs personalities, or 'canine-alities.' Some dogs stand out in my mind. Mostly the ones that lunge at the gates and snarl, bark, or otherwise make a nuisance. I wonder to myself how many dogs we could save for that one dog that may very well spend his or her life as an ADL dog. Hundreds perhaps? It leads me to question our 'no-kill' policy. Are we doing them any favors by keeping them here? In my three years as an ADL employee, I've wondered and I don't know where the solid black line is between what is best from one animal to the next. So I base my opinions on dogs like Raider and what I see.
With Raider last week, I saw an aggressive ugly animal that is taking up space while thousands of cute friendly dogs die in kill facilities. I decided that Raider needed some cleaning up. We called him up to the hospital. He was placed under anesthesia. I had full intentions of shaving all his nasty dirty fur off and letting it all grow back, but he only had a few mats and his coat was not as bad as I thought it would be. We brushed him all out. He was covered with mud and dirt from just having played in the play yard. When he lunges at the gate, he drools excessively and had crusted stained areas on his chest and front legs. What an ugly dog, I thought. Why would anyone adopt this dog? After we cleaned his teeth and brushed all the loose shedding hair from his coat, we put him in a cage to wake up.
A couple of hours later, I passed by, he still looked dirty and ugly to me. We decided to bathe him as well. My assistant and I both agreed that we should have bathed him while he was asleep; knowing his personality. I was sure he would put up a fight. I tied my hair up, rolled up my sleeves, so to speak, and prepared myself for a struggle, equivalent to bull riding. The animal we put in the tub was a calm, docile dog. He sat patiently while we scrubbed and scratched and lathered. As we rinsed his head, I noticed something about Raider that I never have before. Every few seconds, his head would twitch. As I watched closer, I noticed that his jowls twitch also. This told me that he was very likely a survivor of one of the most deadly diseases I've seen: distemper. Raider came into ADL in 2008 and soon thereafter was diagnosed with distemper. He went into isolation along with his two puppies. Distemper wrecks the neurological system and the ones that are 'lucky' enough to live are left with the residual effects. When we finished his bath, I decided to take him for a walk so he could dry off. We walked towards the pet park. He seemed confused wanting to turn and walk to his kennel in Unit 3. He tried at least a half a dozen times to redirect our walk. How sad I thought, that the only normal life this dog knows is in a cage. I could tell he was uncomfortable out in the world. Every few minutes, I would stop and scratch his ears and pat him. He would lean into my hand to show his appreciation. I sat for a few minutes on a bench and he came up close to me leaning against my leg. He was so quiet and calm. He walked well on the leash. He loved getting petted and scratched. He even seemed to love his bath.
I took him back to his unit and had the staff put him in his run. All the times I had walked by his kennel, I had always said to myself that I would not walk into that run with that "mean, ugly" dog for anything! I stood and waited for him to start his barking and lunging. He did. As soon as he started, I flipped the latch and walked in. He immediately backed up, got quiet and started wagging his tail. I scratched and petted him and he was the same sweet dog I had taken for a walk.

At that moment I realized my own ignorance. So many times I passed by his kennel and scowled. I was walking right past a really great dog: affectionate, calm, and lovable. How many times had he barked as I went by and was saying "please somebody see me, please give me attention, please don't leave me in here. Take me for a walk."
Raider taught me a very good lesson. I will never look at him or any other dog the same way. He is simply a product of his environment. He's not mean, aggressive, or ugly. He's just an ADL dog waiting for his forever home.

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Emily shows us that every dog deserves a chance to be seen for who they really are. It is so important to understand dogs that spend a lot of time behind a cage door, don't always respond the way you'd like at first. But that even then, you are not seeing who they would be in your home. Think about the dogs you know, your own pets or a friend's. As they bark at the window when a stranger walks by or the mail man appears. Not so scary right? They're just saying hi. But replace that window with a cage and it looks a lot different. It's the same dog just saying hi and making some noise. Let's focus on what is important and give these animals a second look. They deserve attention and love equal to what they are willing to give. I say equal, because I doubt we could ever surpass what they have to offer.

Take time to visit a animal shelter for your next pet! They are looking for their forever home!

http://www.tmartsellshomes.com

we had a thanksgiving party today. It was great. I also found my self busy doing business. I even went out on a couple appointments today! I love helping my clients. I was able to get a couple homes in before a very relaxing rest of the day! Tomorrow is another fantastic day. I have a previous client that call and asked for my help.

Holiday spirit is everywhere! It's the season to buy and shop for great deals. If your a home buyer looking to find the home in time to get your tax credit. Now is the best time. Homes are on the market and folks are looking to deal!

log on to my web site http://www.tmartsellshomes.com

Now that Thanksgiving is here. I which all a happy holiday! Those that have had a good year in Real Estate, congrats. Those that had a bit of some issues, please know that you have weathered the storm! Keep your head up! See not only do you have your family to help you rally around what has happen this year but, you have us! Your fellow agents! Those that everyday encourage others to do better. Those who were in the trenches with you and weathered the storm with you! Top producers and folks that just got by, we have a lot to be thankful for. We are still in business! I want to take time to thank my broker! When I was down he helped me out! He picked up my pride and dusted of the negative thought. He encouraged and help me see the vision! After all my fellow Realtors, aren't we all family?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!!