South Austin Texas Real Estate blog: November 2007

Im feeling a bit like the MAD HATTER today, rushing around without enough time... I've realized I have gone forward on blogging and didn't know diddly-squat about what I am doing.

After reading many many blogs I wanted to try it out for myself, after all I have a few words to say too.

 And so there I went.. helter skelter going about doing my blogs, commenting, reading, reveling in the new atmosphere of the blog.  Wow this is great I said to myself and anyone else who would listen.

Then I started noticing a theme, its to attract new clients, referrals, better my business. 

 DUH.. of course I do it for those reasons, now I have learned that the real bloggers have a method, a purpose to everything they write. I think I'm missing the boat here.. SO off I went to gather more information ...

There is ..  http://www.pingmyblog/...  it adds yours to alot of other sites.    

there are consumer viewing sites.    Linked In..  Facebook.. My space.. 

Then the more experienced seem to mention..   DIGG THIS       and    del.icio.us... social networking places.

So now I have more work to do that I expected to do the rest of this year.     and it needs to be done NOW if Im to be effective.  Wheewww   so like the MAD HATTER .. off I go.

Another SCAM/SPAM attack today.  Although I have received many in my email accounts this is a new one.  I think they are asking me to do something rather illegal???  we will split what?  100% of nothing is still Nothing, isn't it?   

Just thought I would pass along the latest and greatest efforts of our scammers.  If it sounds too good to be true, guess what.. It USUALLY IS.  If you didn't work for it, earn it, sign up for it then how are they giving it to you?  back to work for me now.   Have a great day folks.

See complete email below. 

 ************************************************************************************************

Ryan Bolton
show details 9:02 AM (1 hour ago) Reply

My Dear
 
I am Mr.Ryan Bolton,a Fund Manager with Fidelity Investment UK and I handle all our Investor's Capital Project Funds that enables me to divert 1.2 Percent Investors Excess Return Capital Funds to our Magellan Trust Funds Account whereby anyone can be presented to claim the funds. On this note, the total sum of 19.8Million Great British Pounds GBP (Nineteen Million Eight Hundred Thousand GBP) has been diverted representing the 1.2 Percent Excess Return Capital Funds from the Investor Capital Project Funds for 2006/2007. I need a reliable and trustworthy person, That can work this deal out with me so that we can claim the funds as mentioned above.
 
There is no risk attached and the funds in question can never be dictated or traced. Our sharing ratio is 50:50. If you are interested, please send your direct telephone numbers through my home email address (ryanbolton07@yahoo.co.uk) for discussion of this deal in further details, Awaiting your REPLY.
 
Mr. Ryan Bolton.
Fidelity Investment UK
http://www.fidelity-international.com/ 

YEHAW, to think I could win something?  Just need to  call em..   whoohooo..  yeah right.

Statistics for Austin TX October 2007

Small Town America still exists in many places, I live in Austin Texas, a city of under 1 million, we have outlying areas of small towns, and within a 40 mile radius it can be very small town.  Sometimes we get busy in the citylife and forget how simple things can still be, Just this morning on the radio was a commerical that brought it all close to home for me.

"Playing at the Coupland Dance Hall this weekend is the wonderful Country Band, Asleep at the Wheel..  and the commerical went on to say,  Tickets are still available at the ____ Feed and Grain Store in Bastrop thru Saturday."

I don't know why I suddenly turned my attention to the commerical, because it mentioned the band I like? ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL featuring Ray Benson?  Or was it because of the ticket sales at the Feed and Grain Store? Which ever it was the commerical certain grabbed my attention, I thought this is what I need to do also, find a way to grab the attention of people who need my services, my skills as a professional realtor.

I do that everytime I hold another Open House, I do that everytime I put out seminar information, everytime I send another Note, everytime I update my website.  Its what we all do, we hope someone is paying attention, someone is listening, or reading.  Referrals are our best means of new business, we need to keep ourselves in the forefront of peoples minds when a referral comes up.  Its WHO DO YOU KNOW that may have real estate needs now? 

Sometimes its just the presentation of a statement, WHO DO YOU KNOW?

Elf Yourself for the Holidays, You put in your face and if you chose your voice it makes a cute video you can email to friends.

www.elfyourself.com

 Its a bit of fun and you can email it to friends, family and associates. Its free and a good way to start the holiday cheerfully.  Enjoy.  Brought to you by Office Max.

Here is my elfself with 2 of my grandsons and GOOFY from disneyland.  Don't fall off your chair laughing now.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9583364071

Ok OK. im going back to work now .. :)

Today is the eve of Thanksgiving... a busy day for shopping, preparing, last minute cleaning and shining the china, the silver, the chandeleirs... all those things that make a festive place.

But this is a special holiday to many, its a reflection of what life is.  All those things I'm thankful for, the obvious, my daughter and grandchildren and wonderful son in law , my sisters, neices, nephews and the whole list of my relatives far and wide.

The not so obvious things, the car I take for granted that I get into each morning and it just takes me where I need without hesitation and with minimal maintenance.

I'm thankful I was added to my friend KarenSue's  active rain invitation list.,.. I have thoroughly enjoyed the Rain, I have met some incredible people here and learned much more than I ever thought I could in such a short time.   In the Rain I have learned how to make graphics and signs, Put a Christmas Clock on my site, link to places, make postlets, use all sorts and kinds of tools that are FREE here online. And I have expanded my real estate knowledge with all the wisdom here at AR.  Today I am thankful for many many things but i didn't want this opportunity to say thanks to all of you slip by.

Just what are some builders and their designers thinking?  Does TOO TALL LIVE HERE?

Last week i went on a property tour of homes in the $1.7 to $3.4 million ranges here in Austin Texas..  quite impressive I assure you.  BUT and here is the thing I can't get over... 

THE CENTER ISLAND in the KITCHEN..  beautiful stone and granite. but the hummer is about 5ft wide, now, I grant you I'm just 5'2" and many are taller but I'm definitely not an odditiy or of unusually short stature....  I could NOT for the life of me reach the center of those counters.  HOW does one clean it? or even use it???  These particular homes were not the only over ONE MILLION DOLLAR homes I've been in this year, but they are the ones with the same featured center island that is unusable for many homeowners.

Please designers and builders make a functionable item just that functionable..  unless you are building a custom home for a particular client, use some averages for appliances and countertops.  Oh this group of homes were "spec" homes... not for a particular buyer but for a buyer looking in that price range.

Design, beauty and functionality are all a part of a successful product,. or a form to function.

Am I being too critical?  Please AR'ers let me know if I'm off base here .... or should we put a friendly bug into the builder's ear?

this is just a test to see if the copy paste for the Christmas Clock thing was successful.  I have no idea what Im doing sometimes,,  i think this is one of those times.  :))

Real estate is not a J O B.. .its a life..  a passion..  a reason for ... its caring and sharing in all sorts of things, here at AR we have some folks who share their skills and information with us constantly..  here is another example of their selfless sharing. 

Today I came across  a blog that talked about and showed some great signs, inside the blog,.   I hunted around until I found where it came from and ... lo  and behold.. it was from Mike Jones'  of Tucson, Az. ... where did you get that great sign.

I would put his link in here but I haven't gotten to that part of blogging yet. :0

But this sign stuff is simple easy and a no brainer even for OLD LADIES..   so here are some examples of my new cool signs.,.. happy sign making everyone.

www.imagechef.com

I hope everyone enjoys making their new signs and stuff from this too cool toy.. oops.. TOOL  ..

'       Twas the night of Thanksgiving,
I just couldn't sleep,
I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep.   The leftovers beckoned,
the dark meat and white,
but I fought the temptation
with all of my might.
  Tossing and turning
with anticipation,
the thought of a snack
became infatuation.
So, I raced to the kitchen,
flung open the door
and gazed at the fridge,
full of goodies galore.
I gobbled up turkey
and buttered potatoes,
pickles and carrots,
beans, and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling
so plump and so round,
till all of a sudden,
I rose off the ground.
I crashed through the ceiling,
floating into the sky,
with a mouthful of pudding
and a handful of pie.
But, I managed to yell
as I soared past the trees...
happy eating to all
...pass the cranberries, please.   Hope You and Yours Have A Wonderful Thanksgiving---

this is a handmedown from an internet friend, thanks lizzieb.