It's a language, and new way of communication! LOL, L8R, and TTFN... :-)
2007-05-26 22:40:12
Have you noticed that many Bloggers, and other Internet users, have a very different form of communication
these days? It is the use of symbols, combinations of letters, and numbers on their Blogs, comments, text messages, emails and other forms of Internet communications. What do all these things mean? I happen to use " :-) " alot! Maybe even too much, but it means I am smiling, and I think that's a good thing. I also use (LOL) but only when I am really "laughing out loud". I had a Realtor friend in my area ask me just the other day, "what does :-) mean?" So I have decided to create a post about this "New Age Cyberspace Communication"! Do you know what these symbols and combinations of text mean? If you are a newbie at this, or even a veteran Internet user, you may want to know what each of these converts to, other than the fact th
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Kiwanis - Fundraiser a Success!
2007-05-25 00:19:30
Today was the annual Kiwanis Golf Tournament Fund-raiser held at Mare Island Golf Course at Mare Island in Solano County, CA. This is the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi. The efforts and contributions made today, helped to raise over $15,000.00 for local non-profit charities in and around Solano County. Four scholarships were given to Benicia High School students who had been selected by the Kiwanis based on certain criteria and accomplishments. These included, but were not limited to community service and events, GPA scores, and overall academic achievements. Donations were also made to the "RELAY for LIFE" charity where funds are used to research and develop a cure for cancer. This is a group on a mission. The Real Estate community in Solano County is a huge supporter of this worthy and much needed charity. Everyone has or knows someone who is affected by this terrible disease, we must continue to find a cure...a
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, Success
The Battle of the Bay!
2007-05-20 23:25:48
Today was the Giants vs A's game at the Oakland Coliseum (now called McAfee), and we were all suited up with tickets and ready to go. The truck was packed, kids were dressed, tickets in hand and we were off for a fun and exciting day. As we drove toward the stadium, I couldn't help but remember an historical event that took place when these two teams met back in 1989.Do you remember the 1989 earthquake that hit the Bay Area and levelled many parts of the city? I remember it clearly. The San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A's were meeting for the World Series Championship. At 5:05pm on a Friday October 17th, the BIG ONE Hit. 7.1 magnitude. I will never forget it. Being at the game today reminded me of that day back in "89" and how it pulled apart the Bay Area, but at the same time, pulled us all together, much like 911.The Bay Bridge had sections literally collapse, the Cypress Structur
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A Rare Photo... a life lesson!
2007-05-19 22:49:56
I have always wanted to capture a photo of a "hummingbird in flight", but it is almost impossible. If you're a photographer, you know what I mean. I went into the backyard this afternoon to help my son do the yard-work, and we noticed that the bougainvillea tree needed some trimming. As I got closer to the thorny limbs, I noticed a hummingbird sitting on the branch not two feet away from me. Getting a shot like this was like capturing lightning on film. Definately a rare photo opportunity.I slowly backed away, ran into the house, grabbed my Panasonic with the Leica lens, and managed to return before the bird had received clearance from flight control. This time, he let me come within a foot to capture this shot just before he flew away. These birds are FAST! In two seconds, he/she was gone!! I took 40 shots in burst mode and got a couple really good ones from different angles.&nbs
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, lesson
Active Rains Shortest Post - but it will live the longest in your memory!
2007-05-18 22:14:00
This affects 30,000,000 people a year Nationally!
Read more: Active
RELAY - The Baton has been passed!
2007-05-18 13:50:26
The Solano Association of Realtors is proud to now offer RELAY as a local member benefit. All Realtor membersof the Solano Association of Realtors are now entitled to a FREE RELAY account. The normal cost is $149.00 peragent, per year, if you are not a local member. What is RELAY?RELAY is the easy internet tool for real estate transactions. Realtors can complete transactions online using a secure, custom transaction website. RELAY is owned by both the California Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors and run by REBT. Document Management - Easily update, track and save the latest version of every document.Custom Branding - Your Brokerage Banner appears at the top of every transaction.24/7 Access- Securely access and manage your transactions from any Internet connection.Broker Sign Up!Sign up for your custom RELAY site. Whether you have one agent in your o
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, passed
Do You Have "ICE" on your cell phone?
2007-05-17 23:28:51
We all carry our mobile phone
s with hundreds of names and numbers stored in the memory but yet nobody, other than ourselves, know which of these numbers belong to our nearest and dearest ones? In case we are ever involved in an accident, or if we had a heart attack, and the people tending to us get hold of our mobile phones, they don't know which number to call to inform our family members. Yes, there are many numbers stored, but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? For this reason, we must have one or more telephone numbers stored under the name ICE (In Case of Emergency) in our mobile phones. The concept of "ICE" is catching on quickly. It is simple, and an important method of contact during emergency situations. Cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, just store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency as "ICE"
Legislative Day 2007 - Arnold Schwarzenegger - Are You Coming?
2007-05-17 22:03:03
Hello everyone, I wanted all of the members, realtors, committee chairs and directors to have access to this in case you plan on attending this event. Hope to see you at the Region IV luncheon on June 6. If you are planning on attending the Leslie Appleton-Young luncheon June 7, 2007, you will need to register for the Expo and purchase tickets from CAR.org. There is a tentative Caucus Schedule for the business meetings being held that week in Sacramento. There will also be a Northern California Chapter CRB (Certified Residential Brokers) meeting and Luncheon at the Convention Center on Friday. I Look forward to seeing you there!
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, Arnold
, Schwarzenegger
Napa Valley - Where everybody Wines...
2007-05-15 00:29:20
Have you been to the Napa Valley
lately? We travelled to Napa on Mothers Day to treat "Mom" (my wife) for her special day. One of her favorite places to go is a winery that we like to visit regularly. We have both been so busylately, we haven't had the chance to really go visit in a while, so the kids and I decided to take her there.The one we really like, is just a few miles past Napa in a quaint little town called St. Helena, CA. If you ever makeit to the west coast, this area is a must see. Some of the best wines in the world come from right here off these vines. The Winery is called V. Sattui. They have a great deli withimported cheeses, deli meats, and a choice selection of wines that can only be bought at the winery, or shipped toyou if you're a club member. They have a great picnic area, with tables setup all over the property for guests. Mothers Day was packed. It was like every mother
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, Napa Valley
The Nor Cal Real Estate Expo - Solano County Fairgrounds
2007-05-13 03:44:18
I just spent 2 out of 3 days in a place where normally horses race, cows graze, clowns surround and balloons abound, but not this time. There were no carnival rides, pink popcorn, screaming kids or even petting zoos. That's because this was not your traditional Solano County
Fair! Instead, it was the very first ever..... Northern California Real Estate
Expo at the Solano County Fairgrounds held this weekend, May 11 -13. What an unbelievable event! No Kidding, this was like nothing any of us ever expected. There were some greatspeakers there, but a bit shy on the crowds. We got to see some of our favorite clients and co-workers, and I definitely ate too much food. I broke down our booth tonight because tomorrow is mothers day and you allknow what that m
Solano County Information Center
2007-05-08 23:46:56
If you are interested in relocating or moving into Solano County
, here is some great information for you.Solano County is a county located in central part of the U.S. state of California, about halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento and is one of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties. As of 2005 its population was 411,593. The county seat is Fairfield.Here is a link to more historyabout Solano, it's geography, cities and environment.Weather you work, live or are just visiting Solano County, here's a link you don't want to miss. Here is a list of links to important and valuable information about our County. You will find this to be very useful,even if you are a long time existing resident.Solano County Weather The Solano County Superior CourtThe Solano County Office of EducationSolano County Employment OpportunitiesSolano County Property Tax InformationThe Solano County Business DirectoryThe Solano County FairgroundsThe Solano Coun
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Outstanding "In Their Field"
2007-05-08 04:04:34
I have been wanting to do this for a long time. Here's my 75th post and Tribute! These are the #1 "Featured Agents" in the industries they serve, based on Active Rain points! Check out their blogs, there's some really great stuff here and some really awesome people. This post probably won't last more than 15 minutes before someone passes someone else, but here is your 15 minutes of Active Rain Fame! :-) These folks are "Outstanding In Their Field
s".
Cinco De Mayo
2007-05-05 14:23:50
Cinco De Mayo might mean many things to many people. Regardless, I wanted to wish you all a safe and happy May 5th, 2007. As I work more and more with many people and cultures, I have come to respect and appreciate ALL cultures, their lifestyles, and their ways of life. We are surrounded by a wonderful world of ethnic diversity. I find it fascinating, and think it is important to understand how the Real Estate industry can better understand and support the needs of all nationalities, colors and race. There is so much to learn about ALL people, their upbringing, their beliefs and lifestyles. Working with a company that puts a great amount of research and money into emerging markets, I feel fortunate and blessed to work with and learn about different cultures and people, and be able to make a living while doing it. There are so many products and services online that will teach you about cultures, languages, and even the holidays
Alternative Credit Reporting for Consumers - Anthem Scoring
2007-05-05 10:38:05
What is Anthem Scoring and why should you know about it? It's an alternative to "No Credit" or Low FICO scores.If you have a small amount of traditional credit information, such as credit cards and loans, you have what the industry refers to as a "thin" credit file. In the past, this would have prevented you from getting a loan, even if you paid all your bills on time and had a substantial amount of money in savings. Today, there are more options for people who do not have traditional credit files, so they too can enjoy all the benefits of homeownership.These are the 3 commonly used National Credit Bureaus:Equifax Information Service Center - http://www.equifax.com/800-685-1111P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241Trans Union Corporation - http://www.tuc.com/800-888-4213Post Office Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022 Experian Information Solutions, Inc. - http://www.experian.com/888-397-3742P.O. Box 2002, Allen, TX, 75013You are entitled to a free copy of your credit r
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, Reporting
Computers and your HEALTH!
2007-05-02 02:01:53
Did you know that there can be Health hazards from computer use? We use computers so much these days. Booking trips, buying cars, researching certain subjects and websites, uploading listings, creating contracts, managing our websites, reading and replying to emails, uploading photos and now you're Blogging too?!? I did some research and found some great sites and tips to share with all of you! Your Health is #1! I hope you'll take a moment to review this, then take the necessary steps to ensure your continued healthy Blogging and computer habits. If you type "Computers and Health" in google.com, you will find over 226,000,000 pages related to the subject, these are the ones that I found, researched, and wanted to share. There are some things you can do and should know to reduce your risk of injury. This is not to alarm you, only to help educate you. The U.S. Department of Labor - OSHA - Computer Ergonom
TAKE A VACATION!!!
2007-05-01 10:12:03
Are you due? I know I was!! How can you tell if you are? Just go on one and you'll know. You Are Due!!I just spent the last 5 days with my Family at Disneyland (the happiest place on earth besides AR) We hadn't been there in almost 10 years. WOW! What a change! The trip was unlike any other vacation we'd ever had before. This one was "THE BEST EVER!" It went like this, if you're interested in knowing why our vacation, made us feel that life is definitely worth living.The 6 hour drive to Anaheim, CA. - (long, but worth it)A day at Newport Beach enjoying the surfChicken Dinner at Knott's Berry FarmSwimming at the Desert Inn with the kidsThe drive to Hollywood (never made it all the way...have you seen traffic in LA?)A drive to the (John Wayne) airport to pickup the oldest sonA full day at Disneyland 10:00am - 12:00 midnightThe Disney Fireworks and Music Show (like nothing we've ever seen)&nbs
The Real Estate Market - Have you hugged yours today?
2007-04-15 15:35:45
Do we know where our markets are today? Can you tell where it is going tomorrow? Are we ready to accept the challenges we face in any market? Should we determine what's driving the market and it's destinations? Do you feel that sometimes you're just hanging out there on a rope? I have good news. In my experience, the market tends to change based on a variety of issues, and has a track record of being cyclical. However, If we focus too much on what is driving the market, we might miss it's destination. I'm not saying "don't be in the moment", just that I'd rather be there to meet it, rather than chase it. I am no expert in market predictions, nor can I tell you where this market is going, but projections I can give. When the tax season passes (traditionally), I believe it will spark the market again as
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, Market
A Post Title, About Post Coverage...Post!
2007-04-15 13:14:18
Eagle Policy Coverage
I was asked to do a post explaining what our "Eagle Policy" Covers and what the difference is between the ALTA Residential and CLTA Standard Policies. Letting your buyers know what they are getting when it comes to title insurance coverage is important. You may not realize, but title companies do issue different types of policies. This may seem like major boring stuff, but your insured clients will thank you for being informed and for helping them make the right choice when it comes to selecting a title insurance policy.To see the differences between the three, click here for a comparison.Here is what's exciting about the Eagle Policy....POST-POLICY PROTECTION FOR COVERED RISKSSeveral important new risks are now covered on a post-policy basis. This means that some defects in title that did not exist at the time the insured purchased the property, but are now asserted by others, are covered.These post-policy covered risks involve cas
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The Short Sale - Can be a Long Sail...
2007-04-15 01:38:42
What is it and how can it work for you?In a Short
Sale, you have to negotiate with the bank holding the mortgage, and get them to accept less than what the seller owes. We are seeing a lot of transactions like this in the current market. Your buyers and sellers may have questions regarding the advantages and dis-advantages of the Short Sale. One thing for sure, you might have to be in it for the long sail.In my humble opinion, I think it's better to do a Short Sale, than a foreclosure or bancruptcy. I feel that the advantages of the Short Sale far out-weigh the advantages of a foreclosue or bancruptcy on your record. A foreclosure does affect your credit and the ability to purchase another home anytime in the near future. I'd like to share some notes I took from last weeks seminar regarding these transaction types. You can also go see the short sales expert.Why do banks negotiate and accept
Save $$$ On Your Property Taxes
2007-04-14 10:14:08
Claim your homeowner's exemption. What is the homeowners' exemption? Property taxes are based on the assessed value of your home, which is determined by the County Assessor's Office. In this post, I am referring to Solano County in California. If the home is your primary residence and you are not receiving another property tax exemption of greater value, you may qualify for a homeowners exemption which will reduce the tax you pay. Once granted, the exemption continues from year to year.To obtain the full exemption you must make a timely filing (usually by February 15) of a simple form with the County Assessor. A partial (80%) exemption may be granted for homeowners who file a late affidavit and claim for exemption with the assessor between February 16th and December 10th. To find out more information, contact the Solano County Assessors Office at (707) 784-6210. Or write: Assessor Recorder675 Texas Street. Suite 2700Fairfield, CA 94
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Thinking OUTSIDE the box... you're welcome to come IN
2007-04-06 01:33:34
A "Virtual Office" Just Point and Click! It's Not just the next best thing to being there, It's BETTER!I got this idea from Craig and his "new door" idea for the Active Rain Network. I've often dreamed ofan office that was equipped with everything I would need to do business, yet not have to be there physically. This is a photo of my office (and desk), that used to be located in Benicia. When I moved to a new location in Vallejo, some clients were worried about not having access to me or my office. Hmmmm....... Well.....here was my solution. You know what they say, "Take a picture, it lasts' a lot Longer!" and today...I'm still only a click away!
Purchasing Investment Property Married - Does Spouse Need To Sign?
2007-04-04 13:16:27
This question comes up more often then you think. This applies to California Real Estate purchases. I recieved this email from a fellow member of the Active Rain Network last night and wanted to share.QUESTION?Greetings Mr. Andersohn, I hope this message reaches you doing well. I came across your Blog on Active Rain, great info - thank you! Recently a borrower called asking me if she could buy an investment property in her own name. Sure, I said...asking if she was married. She said she is married, then I proceded to say that her husband would sign the interspousal transfer deed, thus removing his interest in the property since he is not going to be a party to the mortgage. She then advised that her 'attorney' said she could own this investment property as her own, without having him sign anything since the "funds" for the down payment, etc are from non-comingled funds. WOW!. I advised that I had not he
Read more: Purchasing
, Spouse
Safety and Security in our Industry
2007-03-31 13:50:34
This is NOT to scare or alarm anyone, but it is rated PG. Yesterday was another great class put on by First American Tile - in Vallejo, CA. This class focused on Realtor Safety
and Security Awareness. There were quite a few things that were shared, and some of them may help you from becoming a victim or target of a crime.The reason we sponsored and put this event together, was partially because of an article I received. A Realtor in Texas assaulted and robbed. Two days later, an email came from a client in Vacaville, who had just experienced a setup, and almost became a victim herself. Mornings on 2, (a local news station) announced, a person (offender) was targeting the Real Estate Community in Pleasanton. This was all the inspiration and motivation I needed! Safety should always come first! "The best way to avoid a crime or prevent yourself
The Gathering Place - The Farmers Market in Benicia, CA
2007-03-30 01:35:36
The Benicia Farmers Market
will begin on the Last Thursday of April , and go trough the end of October. The hours open to the public are 4-8 p.m. (October hours 4-7p.m.) This is one of the largest and funnest events you will ever attend. The Farmers Market is put on by the Benicia Main Street group and they do a fantastic job! You have to come by and see why the Benicia Farmers Markethas established the reputation that they have, as being one of the "BEST" in Northern California. The Farmers Market takes place at the end of First Street. The road is closed to all vehicles and the whole end oftown is dedicated to this spectacular event. Hundreds of locals and visitors flock the
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, Place
The Benicia Spotlight - What A City!!
2007-03-30 01:13:45
Benicia, CA., once known as the State Capitol of California, is a very quaint and beautiful town! The spirit of community and brotherhood abounds. Benicia offers many historic landmarks that make up it's unique geography. Downtown Benicia Landmarks include the Historic Clocktower, The Camel Barn and the Train Depot, which is one of my favorite places to chill and enjoy the cool breeze from the straits, and smell that fresh salt air!Benicia has a great harbor loaded with vessels, bayliners and yachts. The ambiance in downtown is like no other. The local people and businesses are the most friendly people on earth. You feel a real sense of "pride of ownership" when you're visiting the downtown.There are good schools, great shopping, historical landmarks, plenty of antique and specialty stores, great restaurants, and even a new Starbucks down by the pier. Benicia is a town that you feel right at home when passing thro
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Like, Trust and Satisfaction - Priciples of Life
2007-05-29 06:37:56
I once heard someone say, "If they like you, they'll listen to you, but if they trust you, they'll do business with you." It didn't really hit me until recently, when I was at a campground with my family, and we found this to be very true. We realized how much we LIKE Pinecrest Campground, We TRUST it's safe there, and we are always SATISFIED, and have a blast when we go each year. We even make reservations 6 months in advance, because they are so booked up. When you really think about it, every decision, we as humans make, is based on these 3 principles:Like TrustSatisfaction
Everything that we do in life is ALL about liking it, trusting it, and being satisfied. Every choice you make on a daily basis, starts with "like". Your job, your car, favorite restaurants, hair stylist, your clothes, your vacation, favorite drink, food, and even your husband or wife. If you didn't
Why Do You Blog? - What's In It for You?
2007-05-21 17:43:43
If you select other, please explain in your comments.
The Ultimate Tool Box
2007-05-17 11:10:26
How does your tool box look these days? A good tool box, and the tools in it, are crucial to getting any job done right! What tools do you need for yourself? How about your buyers and sellers? Is your toolbox available online? What new tools are available?This is my ULTIMATE ONLINE TOOL BOX. It is for YOU to use. If you're a Realtor, Lender, Buyer, Seller, Broker, Builder or Investor, there are tools in this box for you!| About Us:Strength and StabilityThe CorporationWhat's AvailableThe Homeowners ClubWhy First American Title?Meet The TeamWhy The Vallejo TeamOur Family of CompaniesCompare our Eagle PolicySee What's CookinStrategic MarketingEscrow, How It Get's DoneThe OnlineTool Box
:Online Customer ServiceFASTWeb - Property ProfilesAgent First - Online Transaction ManagerFATCO.biz - NOD's, NOT's, REO'sBlank Forms - Deeds, Quitclaims, Interspousal etc.Title Fees Schedule - Calculate fees in any StateReal Estate Cal
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Photos and Graphics and Clip-Art Oh My...
2007-05-05 22:31:10
Some of the best posts and blogs I have ever viewed, stood out more because of the photos and graphics. Many of my posted photos are taken by me, but what about some of those awesome graphics and clipart you see in many blogs? Where do these people find these creative and post-related cool graphics? Some photos and images are protected by copyright laws and SHOULD NEVER be used in your blog or on your website. However, there are many websites that also offer FREE graphics, photos, backgrounds and clipart.Search google for a specific item, and then only select images, graphics and photos that are public domain and not copyright protected or stamped by an author, website, or company. Since we all have camera phones with digital cameras, and many of us take our own photos, it would be nice to have a place on Active Rain that allowed members to contribute and access graphics and photos for their posts. Until then, there is plenty out there to choose from.&
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100th Member was Invited and Joined Today!!!
2007-04-18 02:41:32
Today, at 3:15 pm, I had my 100th member sign up on Active Rain. His name is Zack. He and his wife Christine are an awesome couple who do very well in the Real Estate Business. He mentioned a couple of keywords today that made me think of Active Rain, and why I should invite him on board. He talked about referrals, networking and marketing. I told him and his wife about "The Network", and he signed right up. I really like this couple, they were warm, welcoming, very professional, successful, and they called "out of the blue" to meet with me today. I was honored to be the one to introduce this to them, and now, I am honored to introduce them to you.Please join me in welcoming my 100th guest, Mr and Mrs. Zack and Christine Childress. (the crowd roars) I didn't even realize until I got home this evening and started responding to comments, that they were number 100. Where has the time gone, it was j
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, Today
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