Mesa, Arizona Real Estate - Teri Ellis - Homes Arizona Real Estate

An ActiveRain Conduit - Toolbar for Your WEB Browser

Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:09:39 -0600

Anything Brad Andersohn posts is definitely worthy of a reblog.....awesome Brad. ;-)

Via Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain):

The ActiveRain Conduit - A Nifty Toolbar for Your Internet WEB Browser

This may be one of my coolest and greatest inventions EVER!! If you can believe that... lol~

ActiveRain members and even non-members should consider adding this toolbar to their Internet WEB Browsers. It will work with Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari. The toolbar gives you easy and instant access to some of the most viewed pages and important helpful tools on ActiveRain. I think you'll find it to be a very useful tool. Here's some of the features and cool stuff it has:

The ActiveRain Real Estate Network Toolbar - Will help you "Stay Connected" easily and instantly.

Access ActiveRain.com with a single click

Pull-Down menu to select from ALL Industry Affiliates

Search the AR Network for members or any topic

One Click Access to Important Member "Must Read" info

HELP Menu for Manuals, Guides, Training & Support

Easy Access to AR Features from an RSS menu

Link to Search and Sort ALL ActiveRain Blog Posts

One-Click Access to the ActiveRain Staff and Team

Live Updates, Announcements & ActiveRain Broadcasts

You can easily download the toolbar for your specific browsers and remove it just as easily if needed. Take a moment to try it out, see some things you may not have known existed, and let me know what you think? Once you download the toolbar and add it to your browser, you'll see how easy it is. Most likely, your "wheels" will start spinning and you'll be wondering how you can create a "custom toolbar" for your Site, Services, Blog, or Clients Browsers? I'll show you how, and the best part is that it's easy and FREE!

I hope you'll check it out, I'm really excited about this one... :-)

Select YOUR Browser below to Install the AR Toolbar

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here for New Member Discount
Real Estate RainCamp™ - "Because The Way We Do Business Has Changed!"
ActiveRain University - "The On-line Training Campus and Support Center for Members"

Google Teri Ellis

Mesa, Arizona Real Estate. Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. Feel free to visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com, MoveToMesaAz.com or MoveToSunnyAz.com. Or stop by my blogs at: MesaAzRealEstateVoice; Phoenix and Mesa Real Estate Blog; Phoenix Valley Real Estate Blog

Different Strokes

Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:37:01 -0600

I liked this post submitted regarding Short Sales in response to that of Amy Jones'

Via Tony Marriott, Associate Broker, CDPE, CRP, CLHMS, CRB, CRS ~ Phoenix AZ (Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners):

Amy Jones sparked a couple of great debates this past week with her blog posts:

Prequalifying the Short Sale

Don't bother me I'm a REALTOR

I was surprised by the number of Buyer Agents who insisted that the Listing Agents ought to do things the way the Buyer Agents want the Listing Agents to do things - or the Listing Agent is "bad", "unprofessional", "doomed to failure", etc., etc. The primary complaint had to do with whether or not a Listing Agent could be reached by phone, and what hours they could be reached.

Objectively, the purpose of a Buyer Agent contacting a Listing Agent should be to obtain information regarding a listing that is not ALREADY AVAILABLE IN THE MLS or ANOTHER RESOURCE that the information in the listing directs the Buyer Agent towards.

Where is it written that the ONLY way to make contact with a Listing Agent must be by phone, and that email, texting, and other commonly used means of communication are somehow inappropriate and therefore unacceptable?

One key element that technology provides is the ability for small organizations to be much more efficient and effective. If five Buyer Agents attempt to reach a Listing Agent at the same time, four of them will get voicemail if the Listing Agent answers the phone from the first caller. The other four callers have to wait until they hear back from the listing agent. If the information about the listing is included with the listing, all five agents can access the information on demand 24/7/365.

If after reviewing that information, Buyer Agents have questions that are not addressed, there is an email address to send specific questions, which is monitored during business hours and responded to by the Haven Express Support Team.

Questions such as "I know you have Seller Written Instructions not to......(fill in the blank).... but I need to know that information won't get (and don't deserve" a response of any kind.

I understand that some folks who have been in the business a long time are uncomfortable with the changes technology is bringing, and WANT to do things by phone. That doesn't mean that their way is the only "right" way.

These days, Buyers direct their Agents as to which listings they want to see. If the Buyer Agent advises the Buyer to scratch a property off the list because the Listing Agent chooses to provide information regarding a listing using technology other than being available 24/7/365 by phone, that Buyer Agent has just violated the REALTOR Code of Ethics.

Just writing this post has given me an idea, but means additional effort and only makes sense to implement if Buyer Agents see it as a value added service. We could have the information in Private Realtor Document 2 (which is attached to all our listings) available as an extension on our Proquest line, meaning that a Buyer Agent could hear my dulcet tones 24/7/365 if they wanted to. Perhaps a link in PRD2 to our website and they could download an MP3 of the same recording! (Screencasts are an upcoming feature of our web strategy going into place in February.)

More about Screencasts in a different post.

My philosophy is this. Real Estate, as with all industries, is continually evolving and integrating the latest and greatest technology. We design, implement, integrate and continually improve processes and systems to leverage technology to it's fullest, providing relevant and necessary information to those who need it, 24/7/365.

The concept is SCALABILITY! Whether there is one person or twenty people needing the information, they can all get it without having to "wait their turn".

it hasn't hurt our Sellers - every listing has Sold.

It hasn't hurt our business - it doubled in 2009 versus 2008, and is continuing at the same rate of growth so far in 2010.

All opinions and constructive criticism welcome!

Google Teri Ellis

Prequalifying that Short Sale Listing before showing...are you doing it? Questions you should be asking.

Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:07:46 -0600

Great discussion on short sales. Something for everyone.

Via Amy Jones (Chandler, Arizona RE/Max Excalibur):

We qualify our buyers before showing them a home, right? But are you qualifying the short sale listings you're showing them? If not, you may be wasting your time.

By contacting the listing agent and asking them a few basic questions prior to showing their listings you'll accomplish 2 things.

You'll save you and your buyers some and frustration time by not showing or writing an offer on a property that's not going to qualify as a short sale and consequently will never close.

Listing Agents will get a clue and finally start doing their homework before taking any listing and slapping "short sale" on it.

When I meet with buyers looking for a home in Chandler, AZ, my first visit with them will include some counseling about the types of properties available for sale in our area.

Traditional resales

New home construction

Short Sales

REO's

I will explain the process with each type of sale. When we cover short sales, I'll go over my list of questions that I will ask any listing agent prior to showing a short sale listing and explain the reasons for each question and I'll obtain the buyers approval to eliminate Short Sale listings based on my findings so we're not wasting time.

I will tell you that buyers agree 100% of the time. Buyers do not want to sit around waiting on a short sale that's not going to close and loose the opportunity to find one that will.

Here are a few questions I ask any short sale listing agent (and another reason why listing agents should be responding to inquiries in a timely manner. If they don't respond...I don't show).

Do you have any offers?

Have you submitted any offers to the lender(s)?

How many offers will you be submitting to the lender(s)? If it's more than one, the interview is over and I'm moving on to the next property.

Have you prequalified the seller and do they have a hardship?

Have you reviewed their financials and do they have an income shortfall?

Have you verified the parties on the Title and Deed?

What stage of foreclosure is the property in?

How many lenders are involved?

The answers to these questions will determine whether or not we'll look at the property. Some of the answers will give me an idea of how long the process will take and depending on how long my buyer is willing to wait, whether or not we'll look at the property.

The answers will also be a very good indicator of whether or not the listing agent knows what he/she is doing. I'm willing to help a listing agent along, if certain criteria are met, but if the agent has not done their homework, they've just flunked my interview and we're moving on.

________________________________________________________________________

Amy Jones, Realtor, ABR, CNE, EPro, CDPE
Chandler, Sun Lakes, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Tempe & Mesa
Named one of the "Top 50 Real Estate Agents" by the Phoenix Business Journal

RE/Max Excalibur
4921 S. Alma School Rd
Chandler, Arizona
Direct~480-250-3857

Visit www.AmySellsAZ.com for more information including free MLS search.
Visit www.PhoenixArizonaRealEstateBlog.com for a comprehensive Phoenix Area Blog.
Visit www.SunLakesBlog.com about living in Sun Lakes, AZ.

Google Teri Ellis

Speechless Sunday - Clouds With An Endless View!

Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:03:25 -0600

My Speechless Sunday photo - Clouds With Endless Views!

I think all of us love clouds! It's just something about their shapes, their seemingly pillow-like puffiness, and their beauty! I remember lying on the grass looking up at the clouds and guessing what the shape was! I do the same now with my grandchildren to entertain them in the car.

This photo was taken along highway 60 North from Globe to Show Low this past summer during our monsoon season. I love the view of the curving road heading to? where? who knows?

This is my first post in the Cloud Group! Just discovered that one! Enjoy!

Google Teri Ellis

The Phoenix, Arizona Valley and Outlying Cities - Recycling Christmas Trees!!!

Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:17:56 -0600

The Phoenix, Arizona Valley and Outlying Cities - Recycling Christmas Trees!!!

The City of Mesa, and other cities throughout Arizona are offering facilities to recycle your live Christmas Trees! Please do not just dump it in a landfill, take your tree to be recycled. I've provided a link of information for cities throughout Arizona including Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Goodyear, Glendale, Payson, Peoria, Flagstaff, ShowLow, Prescott, Scottsdale and more.

For complete details including times, addresses and more, click on RECYCLE!

Google Teri Ellis

7 Things You Can Do Today to Increase Your Blog Readership Plus 40 Blog Article Ideas To Supercharge Your Blog for 2010!

Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 20:14:56 -0600

Good advice from Jo!

Via Jo-Anne Smith- Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga Region Real Estate, Ont (Brekland Realty Group):

1. Sign up for a writing course! One of my favourite Christmas gifts this year is a 10 week writing course taught by book editor, writer and creative writing instructor Brian Henry .
The course starts in February and for a few hours per week of my time, I'll be polishing up my writing skills and learning new ones. I can't wait to start!

2. Make it a habit to carry your camera with you everywhere you go. Of course, many of the new phones have fairly good cameras built right in so you can always be at the ready if you see a photo with a story for your blog attached.

3. Take a photography course! Readers love to see pictures of the subjects we are writing about and professional looking pictures add to a blog immensely. This is an area I need to work on this coming year.

4. Subscribe to your local papers so that you'll always be up to date on local news. Some of the items you read may lead into a blog post so you're sure never to run out of ideas!

5. Spice up your blog! If you're in the habit of consistently writing the same kind of blog, vow to mix it up a bit for the coming year. Spicing up your blog keeps it interesting and has readers always coming back for more.

6. Give your blog a more personal touch with the odd blog about you and your family. This is how our readers get to know the real us, the us that goes beyond the computer screen.

7. Review this list of blog ideas and pick a few off the list every day so that you keep your blog updated regularly :

'On the Move'~ Write a post outlining the steps/things a home buyer/seller should be aware of or do leading up to moving day and on moving day itself. You could include 'making special provisions for pets', companies to notify of your move, etc.

Explain the 'essentials of the listing agreement' to the client in your area. Each area has it's own type of listing agreement and it may be helpful for a client to have a chance to review the listing agreement in advance of listing day and to understand what they will need to have ready, what questions will be asked, etc prior to the day they meet with you to do the actual listing.

Choosing the right neighbourhood is a very important aspect of the home search, if not the most important. Write a post guiding your client through questions and considerations they should acknowledge when considering the kind of neighbourhood they would like to live in.

Write a post about 'closing the deal' ~ ie. a post that outlines the steps, once a buyer has signed a contract to purchase and it has been accepted, that take place between then and closing day. Advise the buyer of his/her responsibility and things they'll have to remember to do along the way to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

Write a post about some of your favourite places to shop in your area outlining what is exceptional or special about each one.

Write a post about the company you work for and the benefits to the consumer of dealing with you and this company.

Write a blog about one of your community libraries (perhaps it could be the first of a series on the libraries in your area) detailing the history, what it offers, weblinks with special events and services offered, etc.

Write a blog post that incorporates the use of a google map that you have created. For instructions and ideas read Angie Vandenbergh's 10 Ideas for Localism Posts Using Google's New "My Maps" Feature.

If you live along or near a water body, write a blog about one of your local marinas.

Write a blog about special activities and events that are available/occurring in the coming week (eg. from this Friday to next Friday) in your area (this kind of post may require regular updating once you start it, or if you don't want to be updating it regularly, you could give various links to sites that tell of upcoming events for future reference ).

Write a blog that outlines the steps a first time buyer should take when they have decided to purchase a home in your area.

Write a post detailing things to watch for when buying a country property. eg. wells, septic, etc.

Write a post 'spotlighting' a certain interest group in your area.

Pick a heritage/historical area or building in your region and write a post about it. Make sure and post it to the Heritage Properties, Historic Sites and Antiques Group while you're at it!

Write a post outlining the initial steps a seller should take when considering selling their property.

Write a post about the local flora and fauna of your area, in particular, bring to the reader's attention any dangerous/poisonous plants or animals that a newcomer should be aware of.

Continue on in a series that you've started in one of the previous weeks. For instance some people are writing about 'buying your first home' and would write another article in that series for one of this week's posts.

Choose a community within your area and do a post outlining what it offers, average property prices, etc. Perhaps you could include a google map where you've overlaid the community (please see previous category posts to learn how to create and embed google map).

Write a post about things to watch out for when buying an older or heritage home.

Write a post outlining the annual festivals your area is known for.

Write a post about home inspectors and reasons buyers should use one when purchasing a home.

Write a post about buying a cottage or waterfront property and all of the things the buyer should be aware of before making a decision. Many things, such as shoreline property rights, are particular to each geographic area and it's a wise buyer who researches and finds out about these things before buying.

Write a post about purchasing a condominium and include relevant information a purchaser should be aware of (eg. common elements, etc).

Write a post about the prominent sports teams in your area. (ok, Jeff Safrin, I know you've got this one nailed!).

Write a post about the climate of your area and when the various seasons arrive and what the average temps are, etc.

Write a post detailing the costs a seller can expect to incur when they decide to sell their property, starting at the point of pre-listing and taking them through to closing day.

This idea comes from a search someone recently did on google and ended up accessing one of my blogs. Their search keywords were 'kind of garden soil in Oakville, Ontario'. Write a post detailing the growing season in your area and the types of produce that are available.
Perhaps you could include something about the festivals that pertain to the fruit/vegetable that your area is known for.

Write a post detailing the best places to go swimming or fishing in your area. Include directions, features, costs, etc if you are able and also things that a new community member should be wary of when bringing their family there to swim or fish.

Write a post about the basics of preparing your property for sale. What improvements give the best payback and what things buyers are most concerned about when looking at a property.

Write a post about insurance issues in your area and things that buyer's/seller's should be aware of when considering selling/buying (since these may affect whether or not the property will be insurable by a new owner). These could include things like concerns over galvanized plumbing, aluminum wiring, wet basements, etc.

Write a post about service clubs and groups in your area complete with contact information. This post could cover groups like the Lion's Club, the Rotary Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Chamber of Commerce, etc.

Write a post for sellers with guidelines on how to prepare their house each time there will be a showing. This could include the reasons why it is better if they are not home during showings, things they can do such as turning on lights in advance for sales representatives and their clients, leaving summer pictures out for viewing, perhaps baking banana bread prior to a showing, etc.

Write a post detailing what takes place during an offer presentation and negotiations for either a buyer that you are representing, or for a seller.

Write a post that outlines the main features of a mortgage and talks about the types of mortgages available.

Write a post about your town or city's city hall, including it's history, what functions it serves in the community and perhaps a bit about the present city council/mayor, etc. Include pictures.

Write a post about septic systems including things to watch for when purchasing a property that is on a septic system and how to care for a septic system.

Write a post that details the conservation and recycling efforts that your community has undertaken to preserve and clean up the environment.

Write a post about the wildflowers that can be found within your region and when their blooming periods are. Perhaps you could include some traditional uses that the plants had in pioneer days and also some pictures if they are spring time flowers.

Write a post that details all of the bookstores in your region, including off the beaten track sources for books like The Salvation Army store or any used book stores and flea markets that newcomers might not be aware of.

Write a blog about the different kinds of mortgages and the advantages or disadvantages of each. Include links to your favourite mortgage companies or banks along with a rate table that updates regularly.

Ideas for blog articles are only limited by your imagination. Being a member of Active Rain gives the business writer a wealth of ideas and knowledge to utilize when planning a blog and keeping it stocked with fresh material daily.

Make sure to incorporate a business blog into your 2010 business plan!

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©2009JoSmith

Jo-Anne Smith, the author of this article, is a REALTOR® with Brekland Realty Group, Oakville, Ontario and welcomes your real estate inquiries. To contact her, visit www.Oakville-BurlingtonHomes.com

Google Teri Ellis

How to Put Listings in Your ActiveRain Blog Sidebar

Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 20:13:29 -0600

Via Fran Gatti - Realtor®, RDCPro®, Crescent City CA Real Estate (RE/MAX Coastal Redwoods):

How to put listings in your ActiveRain blog sidebar -

I have had many emails from AR folks asking me how I put the listings in the sidebar of my blog. I know there is another post out there in AR land saying how to do it because that is how I learned, but rather than go look for it, here it is, my way.

I use www.postlets.com for my sidebar listings, plus I use postlets to post listings as a blog post and to syndicate my listings to many other websites. I use the free version of postlets (I always use the free version in everything I do on the net if one is available).

Create an account if you don't have one, then walk throught the steps to create a listing.

On the last page, postlets gives you the HTML to paste your listings in various venues. I use the medium HTML code pictured here. Copy this code, be sure to scroll all the way over to the right to get it all...

Click on the "My Home" link in the top right hand corner of any AR page. Scroll down the page and on the left hand side you will see the settings link. Click that link.

You are going to paste the postlet code in the "Blog Description" box. As you can see here I have several in my box because I have a lot of listings in my sidebar. I put a space between them so it is easier to add and remove listings as needed.

You have to go to the postlets website periodically and renew your listings or your sidebar will have some error messages in it where the listing should be. Also, if you change a postlet listing, for instance, add new pictures, postlets automatically updates your sidebar listings, so you do not have to repaste this code after you update a listing.

I hope I made this tutorial easy to understand. If you run across any problems, please do not hesitate to email me.

Thank you.

Thank you for stopping by. Your comments on this post are welcomed and appreciated.

Brought to you by Fran Gatti at
No one works harder for you!
Bus: 707-464-5400, Cell: 707-218-8162
Email: frangatti@remax.net
Website: Fran GattiHomes.com
My Blog: Fran's Blog
RCDPro®

Google Teri Ellis

Holiday Rain blog header, REsources and winter!!!

Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 20:10:51 -0600

Via marti garaughty (The Art Of Marketing YOU):

Hi guys, this morning I looked out my window and saw that...

So to ease us into the holiday season, I put together a new Rain blog header that will fit perfectly on your standard and/or outside Rain blog.

preview image

You can see the full size version or download it here. Now I better go and make some hot chocolate. Enjoy...



To save you time, here are some of my favorite resources that I found on the web this week. Unless otherwise indicated, these are all freebies!

How to Tap Into the Power of Social Networks... A conversation with the authors of Trust Agents: Chris Brogan & Julien Smith

Date: December 15, 2009
Time: 11:00 a.m. EST
Price: Free for all friends of Chris Brogan & Julien Smith ...register here

Create a font from your handwriting with FontCapture

Maximize uptime with BinaryCanary.com a free website monitoring service

Do you have a sense of humor? Icons to comply with new FTC blog disclosure rules at LouisGray.com

Finding all the cool, useful stuff on the web can be a major pain. Here are some of my favorite reads from the past few days.

Debunking Common SEO Myths @ Website Magazine

The process of SEO has changed, and quickly. Buying keyword-rich domains, writing a few articles and tweaking the titles will no longer net a top position on the search engine results pages. read...

_________________________

Lessons From Twitter Spam by Brian Kelly

On Saturday morning I received a number of Twitter messages informing me that my Twitter account had been hacked, with a number of spam messages being sent from my account. The message (which I deleted as soon as I spotted it) read "see if your iq is higher than mine. take the iq quiz here". read...

_________________________

Twitter Japan to introduce micropayments by Emma Barnett

Twitter Japan has acted like a testbed for the company and operates differently to other versions of the site around the world. The Japanese version of the site is understood to be introducing a tiered payment model that will charge audiences to view tweets from premium Twitter accounts. read...

_________________________

How To Create the Perfect Facebook Fan Page by Jesse Stay

Marketers love Facebook. With 350 million+ users, a self-promoting and natural way to have people promote your product. If you had any doubt, just go on over to their stats page and see for yourself why it is something you want as part of your marketing strategy. read...

_________________________

If you have ??? about marketing YOU, blog design/graphics or building web presence, let me know and I'll try to answer them in a future post!

If you'd like to participate in any of our upcoming marketing partnerships or to stay on top of all the new graphic goodies we'll be giving away . . .

You can also connect with me at...



For more info about how we can help you stand out from the crowd, contact GiselleStCyr@garaughty.com

garaughty.com          TheBlogArtist.com

Google Teri Ellis

Setting up Gateway Netbook LT2044u & AT&T Lightning USB Connect

Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 20:05:25 -0600

I don't use this, but thought I'd pass the word!

Via Cheryl Johnson, Bob Taylor Properties, Inc., Los Angeles, CA:

Bob and Mabel gave me a new Gateway NetBook (THANK YOU!) model LT2044u. Teresa Boardman convinced us this netbook is a good choice because of the eight hour battery life.

This netbook is great! I love it! But there was an issue while setting up the AT&T Lightning USB Connect card.

I am posting this information, to save anyone else with the same issue some grief (This all took place December 23, all is fine now):

Although Los Angeles is a Big City, good wifi hotspots are not always available. So I bought an AT&T USB air connect card. Should be simple, right? Plug it in, go online. It didn't work.

Spent about 2 hours on the phone with AT&T. The rep had me uninstall and reinstall the AT&T communication software a couple times. She had me take out the SIM card and try it in a cell phone. She had me plug the air card into a different computer, where it worked fine. Wouldn't work with the netbook. Nothing.

The AT&T rep set up a conference call to Gateway tech support. As you know, Gateway's first level support center is based in India. The first Gateway rep worked down her script screen to asking about the communication switch in the front of the keyboard case. She was clueless when I told her that the switch slides only to the right, and then it moves back when I release it. I finally hung up to find out what I could online.

After finding some diagrams of the netbook's communication switch online, and exchanging emails with Teresa, I called Gateway tech support back.

This time, the Gateway rep in India told me the netbook did not have G3 wireless capability.

Somewhere around 5:30 PM I finally put up the $59 to talk with the U.S. based Answers-by-Gateway and spoke with a young woman, Laura, who ACTUALLY knew what she was talking about.

She was a little shocked to learn that the support rep in India had said that the LT2044u did not have G3 capability.

She had me plug the network into a hardwired broadband connection, so she could access my machine with shared connection software.

We kinda poked around together until she realized that the driver for the air card included with the air card was not functioning with the starter version of Windows 7 installed on the netbook. Solution: Poking around the card manufacturer's (Sierra's) web site until we located a compatible driver.

7:00PM: Netbook and air card finally working sweetly together.

I would like to call AT&T back and tell the solution for the benefit of other customers. I figure that would be useless. And I think the off-shore support centers that most of these big companies like Gateway employ probably do more harm than good. I could have broken that little communication switch trying to force it to move further to the left.

And if I would have listened to the second guy in India, I would have probably decided to send the poor little netbook back. :-)

All is fine now. All's well that ends well.

Google Teri Ellis

Merry Christmas To All!

Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:29:10 -0600

Tomorrow, on Christmas Day, 2009, many will be celebrating with their families and with their loved ones.

I want to personally wish all of you Merry Christmas and best wishes for a wonderful, happy and prosperous New Year in 2010!

I know many have and are struggling, but remembering the precious reasons for this holiday can rejuvinate our spirits and help us to push forward.

I wanted to find a video that I felt would reach and touch our hearts this Christmas season. I suspect most of us have seen this, but I still managed to have a lump in my throat after watching the story of the "little Girl's Christmas Wish Comes True."

Google Teri Ellis

Have You Ever Tried To Take a Drink From a Firehose?

Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:29:17 -0600

Have you ever tried to take a drink from a fire hose?

Reading from Active Rain is JUST like trying to take a drink out of a firehose!

This week, I have been skipping around reading different posts by different Rainers just trying to get some insight into who's HERE!

My subscriber list is HUGE, and I comment and exchange conversations and ideas back and forth with them on a frequent basis. I have noticed, however, that many of them have "disappeared" from the Rain. I miss them!

Lately I've been trying to find new (to me) bloggers to enjoy and to share. Now that we have over 168,673 members (as of this moment in time), it feels like a HUGE mountain to climb. BUT along the way, I've found interesting people, great looking blog posts, and some new friends.

So? what do we think? How many Active Rainer's will be here next year? How many more will I know?

Google Teri Ellis

Wordless Wednesday! A Purple Wildflower in Northern Arizona!

Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:56:17 -0600

Wordless Wednesday provides me with the opportunity to share some of my favorite photos I've taken. This one is one that I took of a wild flower on one of the many trails along the Mongollon Rim in Northeastern Arizona, a day trip from Mesa! I fooled around with the options on my camera and came up with the background blurred and the flowers clear. I hope you enjoy the picture! This is one I've actually printed and framed.

Google Teri Ellis

Creating Better Holiday Photos when you Don't Know your Shutter from your Aperture!

Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:50:43 -0600

I love this great post on tips to apply to our photography. I, for one, appreciate it since I have one of those fancy type cameras. Thanks Deena! ;-)

Via Deena Cottingham, Home Stager & Photographer (GreenApple Staging & Images, Calgary Staging & Photography):

I recently enjoyed a post by Michael Thornton in which he gave some useful tips for creating better holiday photos. Like many shutterbugs, Michael shoots with a D-SLR. I personally love the quality of my photos from my Canon 50D.

But what if you're like most people, and just have a regular ol' point and shoot? Are you doomed to poor photos? Of course not!

Here are a few quick tips that anybody can apply to their photography and have pictures that live up to their memories of the moment.

1. Be prepared!

Kind of obvious, but before an important photo event (especially one that cannot be repeated), charge up the batteries . . . how about having extra batteries . . . re-format your memory card, and have all other bits of equipment at the ready in your camera bag (lens cleaner, anyone?).

2. Get Down

Why do we get in the rut of just taking pictures from where we happen to be? Most often, this is from a standing position. But when photographing kids and pets, taking the picture from way above creates a disconnect with the subject. Move your self to an angle that is flattering to your subject, bend your knees, get to eye level with your subject, zoom in, and then press the shutter! The results will be much more intimate and pleasing.

3. Move your Subject Off-center

Placing the subject of your photo dead center in the frame, is, well . . . kind of boring . . . static. Start to think about composition in a new way by moving your subject off-center and balancing it with other things in the environment.

But, to ensure that your point and shoot camera focuses and meters correctly, keep your subject in the center of the viewfinder while pressing the shutter only half way down. With your finger still lightly holding the shutter, move the camera slightly to the side and then release it. This will create a more dynamic composition.

Here's an extra tip on this point . . . most cameras can display a grid on the LCD screen that helps you compose your photos using the "rule of thirds". It is most often accessed by pressing the display button and cycling through the options, or in a menu related to display options.

4. Keep 'er Steady

Often holiday photography involves low-light conditions. The quickest way to ruin a great photo-op is to blur the picture with camera shake! It doesn't matter how many mega-pixels your camera has if you don't hold it steady. Instead of "free-handing" it, rest the camera on a piece of furniture . . . or what about that tripod collecting dust in the closet? If neither of these options are available, the least you can do is tuck your elbows in against your body, jam your camera up against your face if you have a view finder to look through, and snap the shutter after you have inhaled, but before you exhale.

5. Use fill flash . . . Outdoors!

Yes, especially on a bright sunny day! This seems really counter-intuitive, but in harsh lighting conditions, your subject will have really harsh (and dark) shadows, while other areas will be too bright. Bring balance to the lighting conditions by manually forcing your flash to come on. You may need to shoot in a "Program" mode (P mode) in order to be able to do this.

6. Make use of your Camera's Features!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. No matter what kind of camera you have, read the manual! You have the ability to choose from many built-in scene programs that will help the camera determine the best settings to choose. Among these settings is choosing the correct White Balance, helping the colors in your photos look more true. Learn it, know it, use it!

Lastly, the best way to ensure that you have great photos of your special events is to also take lots of them! Digital cameras make it so easy to take tons of pictures, and sort through them later. When in doubt, just click it!

Happy Holidays!

Deena Cottingham

GreenApple Staging & Images
Serving Calgary and Okotoks, Alberta

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Sunland Springs, a 55+ Retirement Community located in Mesa, Arizona.

Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:22:53 -0600

Sunland Springs, a 55+ Retirement Community located in Mesa, Arizona.

In Mesa, Arizona, especially East Mesa as well as Apache Junction and Gold Canyon there are a plethora of retirement communities. Many of our winter visitors come here for a visit and then end up purchasing their winter home returning year after year to enjoy our wonderful Arizona weather.

The retirement community of Sunland Springs Village is located on the far eastern edge of Mesa, just south of Baseline and east of Signal Butte, and is very popular with our winter visitors. Sunland Springs is complete with a club house, swimming pool, tennis courts and three beautiful golf courses. My favorite golf course in this community is Four Peaks, probably named after the mountain range Four Peaks directly to the north. There are always lots of fun things to do at the club house, or if you choose to just sit and watch, that's fun too.

Any time of the day you will see joggers, fast walkers, strollers, and lots of friendly people enjoying the warmth and the sun. Since I am from Arizona, during the winter I don't wear shorts, but on the putting green or the driving range and on the golf courses themselves, lots of our winter visitors are wearing shorts. I'm bundled up unless it gets into the high 60's.

Mountain ranges are evident all around; however, the mountain that I particularly love to see is Superstition Mountain just nine miles east of Sunland Springs Village. To the north are the Goldfield Mountains, and to the south the San Tan Mountains.

There are still new homes being built as well as resale houses available. If you're in the market for a second home, or are thinking of retiring, I am available to show you these beautiful homes in a wonderful and peaceful area.

Located near hospitals, shopping at Superstition Gateway East and Superstition Gateway West, theaters including an IMax theater, Coldstone Creamery, Super Wal-mart, Kohl's, Staples and lots of places to eat, this might just be a great place to settle in.

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Cut Your Losses (if you have any): It's Time to SHIFT into 2010

Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:53:47 -0600

I personally love reading about "ideas and insights that others have learned. Our market has changed, and I'm open to discovering anything that can help me along the way. That's why I'm reblogging Melissa's post.

Via Melissa Zavala Realtor® North San Diego County Homes (Broadpoint Properties):

For those of you who do not know me personally, I'm a reader. I have a college degree in English, an advanced degree in English, and I was even an English teacher (I know; you're rolling your eyes). I've read quite a few books. In fact, one of my biggest pleasures vices is buying books over the Internet. It's a lucky thing for the Realtors® who work in our office because I have the largest local lending library of real estate related books. And, believe it or not, the book that is borrowed more than any other is SHIFT: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times, by Gary Keller with Dave Jenks and Jay Papasan.

There's no doubt that real estate agent readers gravitate towards this book because of the title. After all, these are tough times in real estate! But Keller (who also authored The Millionaire Real Estate Agent among other titles) does a wonderful job in outlining the twelve steps and strategies required to make a SHIFT and improve upon the agent's approach to his or her own real estate career.

In the text, Keller reviews such topics as lead generation, lead conversion, and creative financing. But, I'm fairly confident that right now the most finely combed tactic reviewed in this book is "Master the Market of the Moment."

There are many veteran and novice agents for whom this new market has been a challenge. After all, there were no questions about our unique and challenging market on the real estate exam and there were no chapters about getting a lender to approve a short sale in the Real Estate Principles class. Keller reviews what he calls the Market of the Moment and provides tips and tools that can help agents develop mastery.

Personally, I'm always up for a challenge. That's why the market of the moment has been so much fun for me and that's why I have embraced so many of the practices reviewed in this book. With 2010 just around the corner, there is no better time than right now to lay out a business plan and move forward-perhaps even making changes (shifts) in previous sales techniques and tactics.

Author and Philosopher Joseph Campbell said, "We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come." This means that you must shed the dead skin (or unsuccessful business tactics) in your business plan and move forward to try new things. If you use the tactics outlined in Shift: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times, I'm confident that you will see some new and pleasing results in your real estate career.

(By the way, if you have not read SHIFT, you can purchase the book by going to http://giftofshift.com/activerain)

Broker, Realtor®
DRE #01324959
Broadpoint Properties, Inc
San Diego County Short Sale Specialists
Short Sale Expeditor®

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