Altavista, VA

The Habitat for Humanity is a great organization. This weekend in my quest to find Scary Halloween decorations that folks put up in their yards I was able to get some great shots of the blitz build in Altavista Va. There are some regulars that are always there.

The impact this organization has on people's lives is not possible without the help of a lot of people. The spirit of the people is inspirational.

As a Realtor helping people reach the dream of home ownership is the core of my passions. It is one of my greatest joys in my life to hand the keys to a home to a new homeowner.

I don't get an opportunity to volunteer as much as I would like. I volunteer with Big Brothers and Big Sisters. I enjoy making a difference in people's lives. I wish I could do it more. However, my creditors do not appreciate my generous heart unless it is directly directed to them so I must also work. One day I hope to be in the position to do much more volunteering.

But let me be clear that this is not about building houses. This is about the people. People connecting to other people and reaching out to help others. This is about being a pivotal difference in someones life. I remember those that have been a part of the turning points in my life. It is just my way of trying to give back. Do you have a way you are giving back?

My name is Rosie and I am a Lab and Golden Retriever mix. I have been adopted by Nannette Saunders. Of course, now I am in the process of training her, so things can be done my way. I am 11 years old and I was born in a nice home in Lynchburg Virginia. My mom was a beautiful Golden Retriever and dad was the black Lab down the street. I have several brothers and sisters. One day Nannette came to visit - I played it real cool (didn't want her to think I just had to go with her) and next thing I knew she came to pick me up.

I love riding in the car and sitting with her in the living room and really enjoy going for a walk together. I have three boys to play with as well. I really love they way they talk to me when they stoke me on my stomach - Nannette's husband Mike is pretty impressed with me as well. I also like to be hugged and hug back. When Mike is around I can usually get anything I want from him (he is a mush). Nannette is a little tougher, but I know she loves me and will eventually give in - which she does.

Nannette is an Assocatate Broker. I think that is pretty neat. I keep trying to tell her to take me with her when she meets her clients and customers, but so far no luck (I'll keep trying though). I mean, when you think about it, who can reisist my fae and I am so good. The other thing is that i am a true Virginian - I was born here and that has to count for something.

Nannette has this neat office in the house with a bed for me, which I just love to sit on - I just fit. This way if she needs my help I am right here.

I am going to tell my friends to tell their families that if they are looking to buy or sell real estate in the Central Virginia, Roanoke - New River Valley or Danville area they should call Nannette - after all I do have to eat!

September 11 is a somber day for everyone in the United States but for me and my fellow EMS & Fire brothers and sisters it is a time of remembrance. We have a duty to act when the pager alerts that our fellow mankind is in need of our helping hands. We get up in the middle of the night, walk out of our houses never thinking this may be the last time we see our families. We choose to do this because we have a desire to use the skills god gave us to make a difference in just one life.

On the eve of September 11 I remember and thank god for each and every Fire Fighter and Emergency Medical Technician and their families who paid the ultimate price for their selfless duty to act. Tonight I say the paramedic's and fireman's prayer in their honor. May god bless the families they left behind.

"A Paramedic's Prayer"

As I perform my duty, Lord,
Whatever be the call
Help to guide and keep me safe,
From dangers big and small.

I want to serve and do my best
No matter what the scene,
I promise to keep my skills refined,
My judgment sharp and keen.
This calling to give of myself,
most do not understand,
But I stand ready all the time
to help my fellow man.

A word of thanks I might not hear,
but knowing is enough,
That I have helped just even one
To go on to live and love.

"Firefighter's Prayer"

When I am called to duty, God
Wherever flames may rage
Give me the strength to save some life
Whatever be the age

Help me to embrace a little child
Before it is too late
Or save and older person
From the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert
And hear the weakest shout
And quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling
And to give the best in me
To guard my every neighbor
And protect his property

And if according to my fate
I am to lose my life
Please bless with your protecting hand
The loved one's in my life

A lot of folks think that Realtors work for free and they take tons of money to promote a property. (How those two things could possibly be true at the same time is a mystery.) But if it were true, that Realtors work for free, that would be a great deal for the homeowner. If it were true that selling a house was easy, more folks would be doing it.

Selling your home without a Realtor could actually cost you money. Why is that? Because the buyers searching out For Sale By Owners (FSBOs) are looking for a bargain. They don't just want to save money on commissions but they want a bargain too.

So if you have a home that should be listed for $200,000 and a Realtor charges $X the seller thinks, I can sell this on my own and save $X. So comes along the buyer, who takes the price the seller has determined, and takes $X more off, which is what they determine the seller would pay if it was listed, and make an offer. In the buyers mind the seller is netting what they could have gotten if they were using a Realtor.

You have probably heard the phrase, "An attorney who represents himself has a fool for a client." The reason this is because usually if someone is personally involved they usually makes mistakes.

If the negotiations turn into a ratified agreement the seller has to do all the work in ordering the inspections, drafting the property documents etc...

The Realtor brings to the table a sense of objectivity. If a seller uses a Realtor the Realtor does all the negotiations for you. Realtors have been trained to negotiate. Most folks sell less then ten homes in their lifetime. Successful Realtors sell hundreds and thousands. Doesn't it make sense to rely on an expert?

If that is not a good enough reason, here is another one: Realtors have more available resources. Selling homes is a numbers game. The more buyers you can get through the door the more likely you are going to sell your home for the most money, with the least amount of inconvenience to you. Realtors get the most exposure on the homes we list. Homeowners do not have the marketing tools that a professional has.

I personally market all over the internet. My market is global. I have a database that grows in the hundreds every month. I talk to several people all over the country every day who want to buy or sell and are considering relocating to this area.

So in other words the seller who is selling their home FSBO is missing out on the best, cream of the crop buyers. This is a perfect example of how professional marketing tools can get more exposure for a house and therefore a higher price.

If you or anyone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate or relocating to the Central Virginia area, give me a call, text me or email me. I would be happy to show them how I can expose their property to the best buyers and show buyers the best homes in the area.

When we first bought our home on Myrtle Lane in Altavista I had no intention of living in it. Due to the market changing we ended up moving in, in May of 2007. By then we had done over $100,000 in renovations on the property and actually I started liking the area.

So many people have asked "Where do you live?" and I say "On Myrtle Lane." They say, "Oh.... you live on Myrtle Lane...." It seems that the locals seem to have a high respect for the street. I admit that it is probably the prettiest street I've ever seen. There is a median that runs down the center of the street and the street is lined with trees. Folks walk their dogs and kids ride their bikes in the evening. Neighbors come out to chat and be neighborly. It is the kind of street that everyone knows each other. They even have block parties and neighborhood barbecues. One would not think of driving down the street without waving and saying hello to the neighbors as they sit on their front porch or walk down the sidewalk.

I have heard say that many folks have waited for a house to come on the market on this street just for the opportunity to live on this street. I am proud to live on Myrtle Lane