http://askkathi.com/This blog is designed to connect YOU with YOUR Community! The focus is on The Woodlands and surrounding neighborhoods. Get involved and tell me what you think...what you want me to include in this blog...and what is going on in your specific community. Be sure to visit the radio blog at: www.TheWoodlandsTalk.comen-usThu, 12 Nov 2009 15:07:00 GMT10GDRSSFeeds v1.0http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/10/24/highest-and-best-usewhy-decide-now<h2 align="center"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS">You cannot have great results in your garden until you decide what you want to plant.</span></h2> <div><img style="width: 104px; height: 104px" border="0" hspace="10" alt="Highest and Best Use" vspace="10" align="right" src="http://askkathi.com/images/j0295181.gif" width="104" longdesc="How to get the best results by deciding in advance what may be best" height="104" /></div> <div>AND, likewise&nbsp;- You can't sell unrestricted property at the highest and best price and terms unless you first determine the highest and best use of the property.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>This analogy may sound a bit&nbsp;&nbsp;facetious when it comes to marketing and pricing real estate - but I believe it rings quite true.&nbsp; Let me see if I can give you a few examples that may drive my point.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>There is a piece of real estate currently on the market that I would love to get the opportunity to sell.&nbsp; It is listed by another agent so I cannot share specific information about this property.&nbsp; But it could be a dozen other properties that suffer from the same predicament.&nbsp; This listing has been on the market for more than a year - with two listing agents doing what they feel is right to sell the property.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Location is excellent because it is less than a mile from a highly restricted and highly desired community.&nbsp; It does not have frontage on a major road, but for the appropriate buyer that would be an advantage.&nbsp; It has more than 15 acres of unrestricted land with 5 acres of it a tranquil, scenic pond.&nbsp; The home was built more than 3 decades ago, so many prospective buyers would eventually pull down the house because it does not serve their purpose.&nbsp; The 6 rental units (mostly mobile homes) are very limited in value to most prospective buyers.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt"><span style="font-size: 10pt">OK - I might get myself into trouble here, but I am going to say it...</span></span></strong></div> <div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt">These listing agents have done it all WRONG!</span></div> <div align="center">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">The way this listing has been presented to the market&nbsp;is only slightly different than&nbsp;it would be marketed if it were in a remote location, poor neighborhood with bad access issues.&nbsp; The descriptions describe the residential and current cash flow benefits of the property.&nbsp; Yet the price is far above the range that would justify purely residential use.&nbsp; The method they are using is like planting green bean seeds and hoping that someone will pay them the price of endive.</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">I remember 14 years ago when I was learning commercial real estate around the conference table with some of Montgomery County's greatest commercial agents.&nbsp; One of the basic principles that was repeated over and over again is that you cannot establish a price or a marketing strategy until you have determined the "highest and best use" of the property.</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">I invite you to share your opinions about what the highest and best use would be for this property.&nbsp; I am thinking corporate training center, spiritual retreat, holistic healing&nbsp;community.&nbsp; The most likely buyer will be someone that wants the peaceful surroundings, yet places a high value on the fact that it is very near the face paced lifestyle of the nearby community.</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">What do you think?</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">BTW: If you might need a property like this, I can represent you as a buyer.&nbsp; If you own an unrestricted property in the Greater Houston area, contact me for a comprehensive Highest and Best Use Analysis.</div> </strong><P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/10/24/highest-and-best-usewhy-decide-now" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/10/24/highest-and-best-usewhy-decide-now#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/10/24/highest-and-best-usewhy-decide-nowThu, 12 Nov 2009 15:07:00 GMThttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/10/31/dont-let-texas-rob-property-owners<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 14pt" align=center><FONT face=#ce_temp_font#>I support protecting the rights of property owners</FONT></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=center>Even if it means that I don't make as much money!</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=left><FONT style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" size=3><BR> <EM>Why would I support Proposition 2 (HJR 36-#1) in next Tuesday's election if I know that it may take away some opportunity to make more money?&nbsp; The answer is simple to me...it is just NOT RIGHT to do otherwise.&nbsp; I have already voted and I encourage you to do the same.&nbsp; Let me tell you why you must <STRONG>VOTE YES for this Proposition on November 3rd.</STRONG></EM></FONT></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=center>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=center><IMG style="WIDTH: 460px; HEIGHT: 345px" alt="" src="http://askkathi.com/images/peaceful_creek_area.jpg" width=460 height=345></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=center>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=left><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" face=Arial>The picture above is the way it used to look in most of the area between Houston and The Woodlands only a few short years ago.&nbsp; Families enjoyed the peace and quiet of the trees and creeks.&nbsp; Their children grew up in this pastoral environment.&nbsp; They cherish the memories of being "out in the middle of nowhere".</FONT></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=left>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=left>Without the passage of this bill, these fine people may be forced to sell land that has been held for generations - just to pay the tax bill.&nbsp; </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=left>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=left>Without passage of&nbsp;Proposition 2 on the ballot November 3rd &nbsp;- if the "powers that be"&nbsp;decide that the "highest and best use" for the property may be a shopping mall or apartment complex - they will be able to&nbsp;assess the taxable value&nbsp;of the property according to that use.</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=left><IMG style="WIDTH: 342px; HEIGHT: 230px" border=0 hspace=10 alt="" vspace=10 align=left src="http://askkathi.com/images/traffic_congestion.jpg" width=342 height=230></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=center><STRONG>IT'S JUST NOT FAIR!</STRONG></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=center>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=left>Families that have been crowded out of their idyllic environment - only to face traffic congestion, unnatural smells&nbsp;and raucous noise - and the taxing agencies think of these residents as a new source of tax revenue!</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=left>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=left>Let them remain at home and pay taxes as a residence.&nbsp; I don't care if the market value of the&nbsp;residence is less than $100,000 and the actual market value based on the "highest and best use" is more than $1,000,000.&nbsp; We have no right forcing these families to move because someone has decided that the value of the property has increased ten-fold.</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=left>&nbsp;</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=left>Let's be reasonable - and fair - speak up for those who have lived here for generations.&nbsp; Give them a voice at the polls next Tuesday.&nbsp; It's the right thing to do!</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; FONT-SIZE: 12pt" align=left>&nbsp;</DIV><P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/10/31/dont-let-texas-rob-property-owners" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/10/31/dont-let-texas-rob-property-owners#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/10/31/dont-let-texas-rob-property-ownersSat, 31 Oct 2009 14:00:00 GMThttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/10/24/highest-and-bestwhat-do-you-mean<h2 align="center"><img border="0" hspace="10" alt="Highest and Best" vspace="10" align="left" src="http://askkathi.com/images/woman_happy_at_computer.jpg" width="190" longdesc="Woman is pleased to find that the highest and best offer resulted in a winning bid." height="198" /><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 14pt">Highest and Best...</span></h2> <div>It is a concept used in the real estate industry in many ways.&nbsp; As a residential specialist, it is most often used in relationship to a competing offer.&nbsp; Even in today's relatively tough market, we deal with competing offers on a regular basis.&nbsp; </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>When a listing agent (the one representing the seller) gets notification that more than one offer is being submitted, they will usually tell each of the buyer's agents to get the "highest and best offer".&nbsp; That way the seller knows that each of the prospective buyers have been given the opportunity to express the degree of interest in the property&nbsp;and give&nbsp;it their best shot.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div> <div>A good agent develops a protocol for handling multiple offers that maximizes the benefit to their&nbsp;client.&nbsp; Whether you are a buyer or a seller, you better hope that you have a strong negotiator working on your behalf if you find yourself faced with a competing offer.&nbsp; An uninformed decision about how to handle mulitple offers can lead to dissappointment and even the failure of the sale.&nbsp; (I could write pages in this blog sharing case studies of what works and what does not...and all the nuances where you have to simply take a chance.&nbsp; But that is not what I am posting today.&nbsp; Maybe sometime in the future.&nbsp; Let me know if you would like to see me share those case studies.)</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> </div> <div align="center"><strong>These competing offer situations happen primarilly in two scenarios</strong>:</div> <div align="center">&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><strong style="text-decoration: underline">* Foreclosures</strong>:&nbsp; When an asset manager places a residential property on the market, if it is priced right it will often have more than one person attempting to purchase it within a week or two.&nbsp; </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><em>Please Note: I am speaking about the real estate market in the Greater Houston area...specifically The Woodlands and Spring.&nbsp; If you would like to learn more about what is happening in your market, simply let me know and I will connect you with an expert for your neighborhood.</em> </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><strong style="text-decoration: underline">* Smart Sellers:&nbsp; </strong>Many homeowners simply cannot grasp the extreme importance of preparing their home for the market.&nbsp; They look to the agent to obtain a buyer at "the highest possible price, in the shortest amount of time, and with the least hassle."&nbsp; I make that statement in quotes because it is a common promise that agents make to prospective sellers.<u><br /> </u> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>When markets were hot, the agents did not always have to share the cold hard fact that the seller has a&nbsp;huge role in whether a house sells or not - AND - how much money they will make in the sale.&nbsp; When markets soften...buyers are able to become extremely picky.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Today's buyers are well informed with all the internet data available.&nbsp; They know a good buy when they see one.&nbsp; They also recognize that the <em>BEST </em>ones seem to sell very quickly, so they have learned to monitor the market and move quickly when something well priced, well staged and well marketed shows up.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>It creates two markets for the available inventory.&nbsp; The first market is full of "<strong><em>Smart Sellers.</em></strong>"&nbsp; This group of properties often sell in less than two weeks and it is not unusual for there to be competing offers.&nbsp; The second market is the ones that are not snatched off the market by the well-informed and ready buyers.&nbsp; Unfortunately, those properties often linger on the market for months and months.&nbsp; (The statistics are easily gathered to see how the market is working in each community, so don't hesitate to ask for the data.)</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>This is only one of many areas of real estate where we use the term "highest and best".&nbsp; Keep coming back to this blog to learn about a range of other uses of this phrase.&nbsp; Don't hesitate to call or email me with your questions.</div> </div><P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/10/24/highest-and-bestwhat-do-you-mean" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/10/24/highest-and-bestwhat-do-you-mean#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/10/24/highest-and-bestwhat-do-you-meanSat, 24 Oct 2009 11:16:00 GMThttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/05/21/wine-and-food-week-2009<p align="center"><font size="5"><font size="2">Food &amp; Vine Time Productions presents:<br /> </font><br /> 5th Annual Wine and Food Week 2009<br /> The Woodlands, Texas<br /> <font size="3">Tuesday May 26th - Sunday, May 31st<br /> <br /> With more than 40 events scheduled throughout the week, there is truly "something for everyone".&nbsp; This blog does not have enough space to cover all the events, so you are encouraged to visit <a href="http://www.wineandfoodweek.com/">www.WineandFoodWeek.com</a> to learn more.<br /> <br /> From seminars led by <em>Wine Wizard, Lettie Teague</em> to a <em>Kidz R Cooking </em>event in The Woodlands Mall on Saturday - you need to get your tickets ahead of time to assure the available of the particular fun event that is perfect for you and your friends/family.<br /> <br /> The best place to learn about all that is happening is on the website.&nbsp; However, if you need to contact someone, the number is (713) 557-5732.<br /> </p> </font></font><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px" height="0" alt="" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNDI5MzAwNDA*MTQmcHQ9MTI*MjkzMDA*ODMwNyZwPTQ1MDk3MiZkPSZnPTEmdD*mbz1lMjQ1YTA4MTY1OWY*YWZlYWFhZDFhMTI3OTI4OTI3NA==.gif" width="0" border="0" /><embed pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BTRPlayer.swf?displayheight=&amp;file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fTechieMomma%2fplay_list.xml?show_id=531188&amp;autostart=false&amp;shuffle=false&amp;volume=80&amp;corner=rounded&amp;callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&amp;width=215&amp;height=108" width="215" height="108" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" menu="false" wmode="transparent" quality="high"></embed> Listen to our radio show about the event here.<P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/05/21/wine-and-food-week-2009" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/05/21/wine-and-food-week-2009#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/05/21/wine-and-food-week-2009Thu, 21 May 2009 12:11:00 GMThttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/05/18/profit-from-technology<p style="text-align: center"><strong><em>Don't waste any time!&nbsp; This is a <a title="Profit from Technology" style="color: #0000ff" href="https://www.coachresources.ca/affiliate/redir.php?id=6" target="_blank">LIMITED TIME OFFER</a>!!! </em></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center">(I'll tell you about the limited aspect of this offer later in this post.)</p> <p style="text-align: center"><em><strong>Really, I know that sounds like a "come on".&nbsp; You have been in this business.&nbsp;&nbsp;You've seen all the scams and schemes being used to sell something to real estate agents.</strong></em></p> <div align="center">If I can convince you that this offer is legitimate, would you be willing to spend $19.95 to <span style="background-color: #ffff99">learn from nine of your fellow agent</span>s.&nbsp; These agents are sharing - no holds barred - what they have learned about technology and they want you to have the information.<br /> </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div align="center">You may ask what questions will be answered in this book.</div> <div><img title="Profit From Technology Authors" style="float: left; margin: 10px" height="450" alt="Author pics" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/6/3/4/7/ar12425920074369.JPG" width="450" />Reintroduce yourself to some of your Active Rain colleagues as I tell you what they have written for you.</div> <p>I will briefly tell you about each expertly written chapter - just to give you a glimpse of how groundbreaking this book can be to you and your career.&nbsp;</p> <p>Have&nbsp;you ever seen another book where other agents took the time to share what they know so <span style="text-decoration: underline">you can prosper?</span></p> <div><br /> &nbsp;</div> <div>You may already know you want the book.&nbsp; If so, <span style="color: #0000ff"><a title="Profit From Techology book" style="color: #0000ff" href="https://www.coachresources.ca/affiliate/redir.php?id=6" target="_blank">go to the order page here</a><a title="Profit From Techology book" href="https://www.coachresources.ca/affiliate/redir.php?id=6" target="_blank"></span>.</a>&nbsp; There is no reason to delay.</div> <p>An uncommon treasure trove of information is what you will find here.&nbsp; It is like having&nbsp;some of your favorite people sitting beside you and helping you undersand what needs to be done to take your business up to the next level.</p> <p>Let me begin introducing&nbsp;each individual author from the upper left side and circle round the perimeter of the group and end with a little about my chapter.&nbsp; (I'm in the center.)&nbsp; You will find more information about each chapter in the blog of the individual author.</p> <p><strong><a title="Missy Caulk" style="color: #0000ff" href="http://activerain.com/blogs/missycaulk" target="_blank">Missy Caulk</a> - </strong>If you have been attempting to sort out the advantages of different marketing approaches on your website...sit down with Missy as she downloads a wealth of&nbsp;experience into her chapter, <em>"Time vs Money (Organic Searches vs Pay per Click)".</em>&nbsp; This is not just a clever title or a quick teaser.&nbsp; You will find a complete analysis of the pros and cons of the two approaches to being found on the internet - instead of being buried like a "needle in a haystack" on the world wide web.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff"><a title="Colleen Fischesser" href="http://activerain.com/blogs/mvbrkr5" target="_blank"><strong>Colleen Fischesser</strong></a><a title="Colleen Fischesser" href="http://activerain.com/blogs/mvbrkr5" target="_blank"><strong> </strong></span></strong></a><strong>- </strong>If you were&nbsp;thinking that this book may be "too elementary my dear" - I want to assure you that you will learn a thing or two from Colleen.&nbsp; This veteran agent and prolific blogger teaches you how to "<em>Become the Master of Your Own Domain."&nbsp;&nbsp;</em>She compares template websites to a fully customized site.&nbsp; She invites us to accompany her in her evolution&nbsp;in becoming a webmaster and gives us the truth about the challenges...even some of the mistakes she has made along the way.&nbsp; Don't miss her 5 Essential Steps in building your own website.&nbsp; Miss one step on this list and you will&nbsp;get more frustration than success.</p> <div style="color: #0000ff"><strong><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong style="color: #0000ff"><a title="Brian Block" href="http://activerain.com/blogs/bablock" target="_blank">Brian Block</a><a title="Brian Block" href="http://activerain.com/blogs/bablock" target="_blank"> </strong></span></a>- <strong>He counts himself lucky to be the only man among&nbsp;eight brilliant women in this book.&nbsp; His chapter helps us move <em>"Towards 100% Online Lead Generation."</em>&nbsp; He explores specific strategies to move your business in the same direction as today's client - online!&nbsp; In a time where 87% of the potential buyers spend months on the internet before contacting an agent, he gives us great timely tips&nbsp;that will hep us to take control over lead generation. Learn exactly how to gain the trust of these "agent-phobic" clients...make more profit...and have fun doing it.</strong>&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</div> <div style="color: #0000ff"><strong><a title="Carol Smith" href="http://activerain.com/blogs/carolsmith2002" target="_blank"><br /> Carol Smith</a> -</strong> <span style="color: #000000">If you feel like giving up saying that you are too far behind to even try, you need to read Carol's chapter<em>,&nbsp;&nbsp;"Technology: Nemesis or Redeemer</em>?".&nbsp; She&nbsp;gives you a gentle&nbsp;nudge to break down the barriers that are holding you back and "take the plunge" into the internet.&nbsp; With her advice, you will step with confidence into the world of our internet-enabled clients and truly profit from it.</span> <div>&nbsp;</div> <strong><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong style="color: #0000ff"><a title="Joeann Fossland" href="http://activerain.com/blogs/joeann" target="_blank">Joeann Fossland</a><a title="Joeann Fossland" href="http://activerain.com/blogs/joeann" target="_blank"> </strong></span></a>- </strong>All these tech-tools can be wonderful!&nbsp; But they can actually be an impediment to creating profit in your business if you cannot control the time you spend on using those tools.&nbsp; Joeann, a renown and intuitive real estate coach, brings us face-to-face with the reality of time management.&nbsp; This chapter alone will be worth the price of the book.&nbsp; <em>"How to&nbsp;Avoid Burn Out or Addiction"</em>&nbsp;has 10 effective methods for lowering the risk of complete overload.</div> <p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong><a title="Sarah Reiter" style="color: #0000ff" href="http://activerain.com/cas" target="_blank">Sar</a><a title="Sarah Reiter" href="http://activerain.com/cas" target="_blank"></strong></span><span style="color: #0000ff">ah Reiter</span></a> - </strong>You may understand the value of all these technological advances...but how do you get it all done???&nbsp; The answer might be a REVA.&nbsp; Sarah's chapter, <em>"Virtual Assistants - The Future of Real Estate Support" </em>lists 7 primary areas where a REVA can assist in your marketing.&nbsp; She also gives us 6 reasons why a virtual assistant may be better than having an on-site assistant.&nbsp; Perhaps the most valuable part of her chapter is where she gives specific, step-by-step instruction about how to hire a REVA.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong><a title="Natalie Langford" style="color: #0000ff" href="http://activerain.com/langfordhomesales" target="_blank">Natal</a><a title="Natalie Langford" href="http://activerain.com/langfordhomesales" target="_blank"></strong></span><span style="color: #0000ff">ie Langford</span></a> - </strong>The old adage "List to Last" in real estate has a whole new meaning when you are expected to be everywhere and do everything for today's sellers.&nbsp; They know that the buyers are on the internet and they want to be assured that their listing has a prominent place on the web too.&nbsp; Her chapter, <em>"Using Internet Tools to Serve the Seller"</em> is a vital resource for you to use in meeting the expectations of sellers.&nbsp; Use her checklists for the 8 essential areas for superior online marketing presence.&nbsp; She offers one list of resources after another in this chapter to make it easy for you to see where you are and learn new ways to sell more homes with the internet.</p> <p><a title="Profit From Technology" href="https://www.coachresources.ca/affiliate/redir.php?id=6" target="_blank"><img title="Profit From Technology" style="float: right; margin: 10px" height="501" alt="3d cover" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/8/3/4/7/ar124260053874388.jpg" width="350" /></a></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong><a title="Sally Cheeseman" style="color: #0000ff" href="http://activerain.com/blogs/cheesemanhomes" target="_blank">Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman</a></strong></span> - </strong>In an upbeat and positive way that can only be offered by this Active Rainer, Sally shares her personal journey into blogging.&nbsp; Her chapter helps us to see "<em>Through the Eyes of a Real Estate Industry Social Media Blogger."&nbsp; </em>Beginning in early 2007, she has been a consistent, reliable source of that "Aloha" spirit and has attracted hundreds of fans from around the world.&nbsp; She invites us to use her 9 bottom-line points of advice...calling it "It all boils down to this."&nbsp; You can't miss this charming, personal&nbsp;and interesting chapter.</p> <p><strong><a title="Kathi Frank" style="color: #0000ff" href="http://activerain.com/blogs/kathifrank" target="_blank">Kathi Frank</a> - </strong>That's me!&nbsp; I readily admit at the very beginning of this book, "I am, without a doubt, the most technologically inept person involved in this book."&nbsp; However, I am hyper-aware of the changing expectations of the internet-enabled client.&nbsp; In my chapter, I try to help you <em>"Speak the Language of Today's Internet-Enabled Client".</em>&nbsp; All the tools and techniques will fail you if you speak to the clients in the same way you have been taught in the past - with scripts and dialogues&nbsp;that sort and qualify prospects in a way that is aggessive and outdated.</p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline"><a title="Profit From Technology" href="https://www.coachresources.ca/affiliate/redir.php?id=6" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="color: #ff0000">Now - The LIMITED OFFER!!!</span></span></a></span></strong></p> <div style="text-align: center">&nbsp;The first printing of the books&nbsp;have been ordered and will soon be available in print.&nbsp; You have the opportunity to get an <span style="color: #0000ff"><a title="Profit From Technology" style="color: #0000ff" href="https://www.coachresources.ca/affiliate/redir.php?id=6" target="_blank">advanced digital download of the entire 140 page book.&nbsp; <br /> Right <span style="color: #ff0000"></a><a title="Profit From Technology" href="https://www.coachresources.ca/affiliate/redir.php?id=6" target="_blank">NO</a><a title="Profit From Technology" href="https://www.coachresources.ca/affiliate/redir.php?id=6" target="_blank"></a><a title="Profit From Technology" href="https://www.coachresources.ca/affiliate/redir.php?id=6" target="_blank">W!</a><a title="Profit From Technology" href="https://www.coachresources.ca/affiliate/redir.php?id=6" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a><strong><em><span style="color: #000000"><a title="Profit From Technology" href="https://www.coachresources.ca/affiliate/redir.php?id=6" target="_blank"><strong><em>AT </em></strong></a><a title="Profit From Technology" style="color: #0000ff" href="https://www.coachresources.ca/affiliate/redir.php?id=6" target="_blank"><strong><em>NO COST TO YOU!&nbsp; </em></strong>This exclusive offer is only good until June 30, 2009.&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span></a></span><br /> </div> <div style="text-align: center">After that date, you will pay $12.95 for the digital book PLUS $19.95 for the printed book.</div> <p>&nbsp;You simply do not want to miss this amazing opportunity!&nbsp; Technology is literally changing the future of our business.&nbsp; Whether you are a novice, or a tech-expert in your own right, this book will help you take total control over your real estate business by exploring every facet of what needs to be done.</p> <p>You know?&nbsp; 211 degrees is pretty darn hot!&nbsp; But at 212, it is boiling and making steam!!!&nbsp; Only one degree, but there is quite a difference.&nbsp; While hot water is nice for taking a shower, boiling water has more potential.&nbsp; You can use it to cook, or to run a steam engine.</p> <p>I bet you are wondering why I am making this point.&nbsp; The point is - one&nbsp;degree makes a huge difference...just one.&nbsp; Take a look at your business right now.&nbsp; Are you getting all the profit&nbsp;you want out of your business?&nbsp;&nbsp;Do you have efficiencies in place that allow you to enjoy that profit?</p> <p>No matter how good you are at technology - or how happy you are with your business - there is always room for that extra degree.&nbsp; That one degree that takes your business from hot to steaming!!</p> <p>There is absolutely no doubt that you will get one great idea from this book that will make you $$THOUSANDS$$.&nbsp; You can <a title="Profit From Technology" href="https://www.coachresources.ca/affiliate/redir.php?id=6" target="_blank">get the book&nbsp;today in digital form</a>.&nbsp; In about 4-6 weeks, you will get the printed book.&nbsp; All for the price of the printed book alone.&nbsp;</p> <p>Imagine what it will be like to have the book on your computer as a resource when you have a question.&nbsp; With the click of your mouse, you can bring up the chapter that covers&nbsp;your question&nbsp;in an instant...NOW!&nbsp; Then, soon you will be able to carry the book around with you - making notes in the margins and highlighting the passages that you plan to implement into your business.</p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Why are you still reading this blog post???</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Haven't you placed your order yet?</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong><a title="Profit from Technology" href="https://www.coachresources.ca/affiliate/redir.php?id=6" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="color: #ff0000">Right now - you can get both the digital download of the book - instantly!</span></span></a></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong><a title="Profit from Technology" href="https://www.coachresources.ca/affiliate/redir.php?id=6" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="color: #ff0000">And the printed book in about 4-6 weeks at the low price of $19.95.</span></span></a></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Get busy!</strong></p><P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/05/18/profit-from-technology" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/05/18/profit-from-technology#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/05/18/profit-from-technologyMon, 18 May 2009 04:31:00 GMThttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/05/16/can-your-agent-write<p style="text-align: center"><strong><em>If you spend any time looking at the MLS, you know that many agents can't spell - much less craft a complete sentence or an accurate description of property they have listed. </em></strong></p> <p><img title="Writing well is essential" style="float: left; margin: 10px" height="200" alt="Realtor Writer" src="http://askkathi.com/images/j0422555.jpg" width="300" />Sellers&nbsp;have every right to demand that a prospective agent submit writing samples.&nbsp; After all, the listing agent is applying for the position of "Marketing Manager" for the seller.&nbsp; Any marketing manager understands the importance of writing clear descriptions that call potential buyers to sit up and notice.</p> <p>Since 87% of today's real estate buyers cruise the internet prior to contacting an agent (according to NAR's statistics), we can assume that the words we use have the power to attract those buyers to purchase.&nbsp; The Mulitiple Listing Service is no longer a place for agents to describe their listings to their colleagues.&nbsp; It is a much more powerful force in the dynamics of selling real estate.</p> <p>In fact, as I think of the future buyers of property around The Woodlands area and the Greater Houston area - I visualize the pleasure they are getting while looking at property descriptions and actually creating a fantasy about how it would be to live in those homes they are viewing.</p> <p>Since NAR also says that today's buyer looks on the net for 6 months before they are ready to purchase, I would suspect that they have been living in a fantasy written by creative writers for most of that time.&nbsp; If your description of a sellers listing is "ho-hum", these "would-be buyers" are not spending any time looking at your listing.&nbsp; By the time they are ready to call an agent, they have trained their eyes to only consider houses that are accurately and colorfully described.&nbsp;</p> <p>It takes some pretty good description to entice today's buyer.&nbsp; If sellers really want to maximize their equity, they will demand writing samples from any agent they consider to represent them.</p><P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/05/16/can-your-agent-write" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/05/16/can-your-agent-write#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/05/16/can-your-agent-writeSat, 16 May 2009 11:26:00 GMThttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/05/02/houston-area-water-clear-as-mud<h2 class="title" align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #008000"><span style="color: #008000"><strong><em>&nbsp; </h2> <h2 class="title" align="center"><strong><em>"<strong><em>What is a MUD and what does it have to do with me buying a home???"</em></strong></em></strong>&nbsp;</h2> <h2 class="title" align="center"></em></strong></span></span></em></strong>This is one of the fun questions we get to answer when someone moves to the Greater Houston area.&nbsp; You see, most everything about real estate development is different here.&nbsp;</h2> <div class="entry" style="text-align: center">We don't have zoning.&nbsp; But we do have ETJs and MUDs.</div> <div class="entry" style="text-align: left" align="center"><img title="Clear as MUD" style="margin: 10px; vertical-align: middle" height="258" alt="" src="http://thewoodlands.activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/3/1/1/ar121754241011334.jpg" width="345" /><strong><em>NO......not that kind of MUD!!!</em></strong><br /> <strong><em>We are talking about Municipal Utility Districts!!!</em></strong>&nbsp;</div> <p style="text-align: left">The majority of properties in the general Houston area are not within the boundaries of an incorporated city.&nbsp; And because of the lack of zoning, there are few restrictions about where a developer can create a new subdivision.&nbsp; Without the water/sewer services of a municipality, some kind of system needed to be created to provide those services.</p> <p style="text-align: left">Here comes the utility districts to provide that service.&nbsp; These districts are taxing authorities that levy a tax (just like a city would) for the specific purpose of providing and maintaining the&nbsp;water system.&nbsp; The MUD tax rates vary from under .50 per $100 of evaluation -to- more than $1.50 per $100.&nbsp; And these variances can exist within one subdivision if it has developed over a period of time.</p> <p style="text-align: left">The MUDs must approve and issue bonds to cover the cost of the water service for each district and each real estate transaction&nbsp;requires disclosure of&nbsp;the existence of a MUD, along with the tax rate and the bond information.&nbsp; It becomes more complicated when a buyer attempts to comprehend the differences in the 3 forms we use for disclosure - dependant on whether the MUD is in the city, outside the city and ETJ, or within the boundaries of an ETJ.</p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong><em>Clear as MUD - Isn't it???</em></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left">There is no way that I can make someone understand the complex system of MUDs in a blog post.&nbsp; Nevermind trying to explain the lack of zoning or the ETJ experience.</p> <p style="text-align: left">Suffice it to say - YOU NEED a good real estate agent, whether you are a buyer or seller, in The Woodlands, or any of the surrounding Houston metroplex communities.&nbsp;</p> <div class="meta"><a href="http://thewoodlands.activerain.com/post/618958/houston-area-water-clear-as-mud-">&nbsp;</a></div><P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/05/02/houston-area-water-clear-as-mud" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/05/02/houston-area-water-clear-as-mud#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/05/02/houston-area-water-clear-as-mudSat, 02 May 2009 12:29:00 GMThttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/04/28/are-you-afraid-of-being-yourself<div align="center"><img style="width: 263px; height: 207px" height="207" alt="Be Real" hspace="10" src="http://askkathi.com/images/coffee_ad.jpg" width="263" align="left" vspace="10" border="0" longdesc="Don't be anything but exactly who you are!" /></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div style="font-size: 10pt" align="center"><strong>What are you hiding from your clients?</strong></div> <div align="center">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">Too often, I think people make the effort to be something other than who they really are.&nbsp; In fact, sometimes I think that people have never taken the time to examine their strengths and weaknesses because they are so busy trying to be something they believe is better.</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left"><strong>I think that is rubbish!</strong></div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">One thing I have learned over the last decade or so is that people appreciate honesty - complete honesty...whether they really want to hear it or not.&nbsp; In fact, I think that my willingness to be completely open and honest with my clients is the primary reason they sing my praises.</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">As the advocate for real estate sellers (aka: listing agent), my role is not one of making friends and keeping the client "happy-happy".&nbsp; Instead, my role is one of an honest advisor, business expert, and truth-telling activist working to accomplish important goals with them as a member of the marketing team.&nbsp; Without complete honesty, it is impossible to serve their best interests.</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">The same is true for buyers.&nbsp; Most of my buyers have come from a real estate website&nbsp;about The Woodlands.&nbsp; When they ask me about the communities that surround The Woodlands, it would be a disservice to them to keep them focused on the one community.&nbsp; Sure, my life would be much easier if I kept their concentration narrowed to the premier master-planned community of The Woodlands.&nbsp; But instead, I keep their best interest at heart and answer their inquiry about the pros and cons of going to another area.</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">I will end this blog post with a quote taken from an <a title="ETR Newsletter" href="http:www.earlytorise.com">Early To Rise newsletter </a>today.</div> <div align="left"><em><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000033; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'"><br /> "Sincerity is an openness of heart; we find it in very few people; what we usually see is only an artful dissimulation to win the confidence of others."</span></strong></em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000033; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></span></div> <div align="left"> <p style="text-align: center" align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000033; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">Francois de la Rochefoucauld</span></strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000033; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div><P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/04/28/are-you-afraid-of-being-yourself" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/04/28/are-you-afraid-of-being-yourself#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/04/28/are-you-afraid-of-being-yourselfTue, 28 Apr 2009 06:21:00 GMThttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/04/09/what-do-you-notice-every-day<div align="center"><img alt="" src="http://askkathi.com/images/ironing_board.jpg" width="128" align="left" /></div> <div>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-size: 18pt"><span style="color: #008080"><span style="color: #008080">How much do we really observe<br /> &nbsp;in our lives?</span> <div>&nbsp;</div> </span></span></span></div> <div align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-size: 18pt"><span style="color: #008080"><span style="color: #008080">How much simply <br /> goes without noticing?</span></span></span></span></div> <div align="center">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">I recently got a mini-lesson in observation in my own life.&nbsp; Sure, on the surface, it is not a ground-breaking "ah-hah" moment.&nbsp; But it did make me think about how many things become so common in our lives that they can go completely unnoticed.</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">Several months ago, I don't even remember how long ago, I set up the ironing board in my bedroom.&nbsp; I assume that I brought it out of my storage spot to iron...but I don't do that often, and I do not remember.&nbsp; From that moment on, the ironing board became a place where things were parked until they went back to their proper place.&nbsp; It became the place where my washed, dried and folded clothes sat in the basket.&nbsp; It had shopping bags and clothes hangers and other things waiting for my attention.</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">I never noticed until I drug the ironing board into the living room to do some (it really is rare) ironing.&nbsp; When I went back to my bedroom, it looked much nicer.&nbsp; It was more spacious and neat.&nbsp; It was more attractive.</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">What dawned on me is that we all have things that interfere with our pleasure that we never even notice?&nbsp; What things have become virtually invisible because we chose to ignore their existence, yet they take away from our joy and sense of beauty?</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">Good question?</div><P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/04/09/what-do-you-notice-every-day" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/04/09/what-do-you-notice-every-day#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/04/09/what-do-you-notice-every-dayThu, 09 Apr 2009 05:52:00 GMThttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/17/people-magazine-features-kathi-frank<div><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px" height="0" alt="" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMzcyOTI1NTA*ODkmcHQ9MTIzNzI5MjY3NTU4MiZwPTM1MjYwMSZkPSZnPTEmdD*mbz1hM2IyMWUwYzI*NmM*MTQ*ODIxNjU1MjdiZTk2ZGEzNA==.gif" width="0" border="0" /> <a href="http://apps.new.facebook.com/myfuncovers/my_covers/cover_detail?cover_id=2" target="_blank"><img height="300" alt="" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/myfuncovers/user_images/1158563/fun_cover-1158563-250x325.jpg" width="230" border="0" /></a> </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><strong><em><font face="#ce_temp_font#">How many FUN things can you do on Facebook anyway?</font> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><a title="Facebook friend" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1254588131#/home.php?ref=home">Click here </a>to&nbsp;become my friend on Facebook?</div> </em></strong></div><P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/17/people-magazine-features-kathi-frank" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/17/people-magazine-features-kathi-frank#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/17/people-magazine-features-kathi-frankTue, 17 Mar 2009 05:29:00 GMThttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/16/video-real-estate-update<div align="center"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: Georgia"><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="color: #ff0000">Realty Times Video Newsletter</span></span></span></div> <div align="center">&nbsp;</div> <div align="center">This is a great way for you to learn what is really happening in today's national real estate market.&nbsp; Take the time to watch the entire show, or pick the segment&nbsp;where you have the most interest.</div> <div align="center">&nbsp;</div> <span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="color: #0000ff"><a title="Video Real Estate Update" href="http://realtytimes.com/reuv/KathiFrank"> <div align="center"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="color: #0000ff">Click here to see the show!</span> <div>&nbsp;</div> </span></a></span></span></div><P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/16/video-real-estate-update" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/16/video-real-estate-update#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/16/video-real-estate-updateMon, 16 Mar 2009 17:59:00 GMThttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/16/montgomery-county-emergency-notice<div align="center"> <div><span style="font-size: 12pt">Montgomery County Residents now have a </span></div> </div> <div style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: Georgia" align="center"><span style="color: #ff0000">CodeRED Emergency Notification System</span>.</div> <div align="center">But you must enroll in order to have the protection for your family.</div> <div align="center">&nbsp;</div> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial" align="left"><strong style="font-size: 10pt"><span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #c00000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #000000"><span style="font-family: Arial">This sophisticated early warning notification system is designed to save lives but it is only effective if everyone in your community is enrolled.&nbsp; See the press release below for information.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt"> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial" align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial" align="left"><span style="color: #000000"></span>&nbsp;</div> </span></span></span></span></div> </strong> <div align="center">&nbsp; </div> <p align="left"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></strong></p> <p align="left"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">For more information:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> Gordon Lopez, Executive Director&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p> <div align="left"></strong><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Montgomery County Emergency Communication District</span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">(936) 523-5915</span></strong><strong><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">&nbsp;</span></u></strong></div> <p align="left"><strong><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">9-1-1 ANNOUNCES WEATHER WARNINGS</span></u></strong></p> <p align="left">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">The Montgomery County Emergency Communication District [Montgomery County 9-1-1] is pleased to announce that it has funded and initiated a local emergency notification system with CodeRED for Weather Warnings that provides telephone messages, by the National Weather Service, to residents of Montgomery County during emergency weather situations.&nbsp;</span></p> <p align="left"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">If you receive a CodeRED or Weather Warning message, listen carefully. The message will be brief and not repeated. Follow the instructions given. You may be directed to a commercial TV or radio station for further information. Do not hang up until you have heard the entire message. You may miss important information. Do not call 9-1-1 for further information unless directed to do so. You will only tie up emergency lines.</span></p> <p align="left"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">CodeRED Notification:</span></p> <p align="left"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">* Listen Carefully<br /> * Follow Instructions<br /> * Do not hang up until you hear the whole message<br /> * DO NOT call 9-1-1 unless instructed</span></p> <p align="left"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">To receive these warnings you must enroll. Please go to <span style="font-size: 12pt"><strong><span style="color: blue"><a href="http://www.mc911.org/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none">www.mc911.org</span></a></span></strong> </span>and click on the CodeRED button and enter your contact information. If you do not have internet access or have questions about CodeRED and its operation please call the Montgomery County Emergency Communication District at 936-523-5900.</span></p> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div style="color: #0000ff" align="left">&nbsp;</div><P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/16/montgomery-county-emergency-notice" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/16/montgomery-county-emergency-notice#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/16/montgomery-county-emergency-noticeMon, 16 Mar 2009 17:57:00 GMThttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/16/is-your-agent-just-competant<div><img height="135" alt="" hspace="10" src="http://askkathi.com/images/blue_money_and_key.jpg" width="170" align="right" vspace="10" border="0" /></div> <div align="center"><em><strong>Do you know the difference between </strong></em></div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"><em><strong>Competance and Mastery?&nbsp; </strong></em><br /> </div> <span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-size: 14pt"> <div style="font-size: 12pt" align="center"><br /> </div> <div style="font-size: 12pt" align="left"> <div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt"><strong>Malcolm Gladwell and Michael Masterson say it takes 1,000 hours of doing something to become Competant and 5,000 hours to become a Master.</strong></span></strong><br /> </div> <strong></strong></div> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt"><strong></strong></span></strong> <div style="font-size: 8pt" align="center"><span style="color: #ff9900"><span style="color: #ff9900"><strong><em><a href="http://EarlyToRise.com"><span style="color: #ff9900"><span style="color: #ff9900"><em>(You can read the entire article here)</em><br /> </span></span></a></em></strong><em><a href="http://EarlyToRise.com"><br /> </a></em></span></span></div> <div style="font-size: 12pt" align="left">What I believe that means is that if your real estate agent does not have the experience of 5,000 serving buyers and sellers, you are working with someone who is "just" competant.&nbsp; Is that good enough for you?<br /> </div> <div style="font-size: 12pt" align="left"><br /> </div> <div style="font-size: 12pt" align="center"><em><span style="font-size: 12pt"><em><strong>EXPIRED Listings are becoming more common...</strong></em></span><span style="font-size: 18pt"><em><strong>WHY?</strong></em></span></em><br /> <em></em></div> <em><span style="font-size: 18pt"><em><strong></strong></em></span></em><span style="font-size: 14pt"> <div style="font-size: 12pt" align="left"><br /> <span style="font-size: 12pt">I have the good fortune to have a lot of clients who know me, trust me and recommend me to their friends and family.&nbsp; It is a reputation that I have developed over decades of working with real estate buyers and sellers.&nbsp; When they have the opportunity, they will always "spread good rumors" about me.</span> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div style="font-size: 12pt">Lately, I have had much of my business come from home sellers that have already been listed with other agents.&nbsp; While these home sellers may doubt the competancy of the agents who were not successful...according to the definition by Gladwell and Masterson...they may fit the level of competance.&nbsp;</div> <div style="font-size: 12pt">&nbsp;</div> <div style="font-size: 12pt">However, in today's market, home sellers need MORE than just competance!&nbsp; In order to do the things that are necessary to sell a home today an agent needs at least a decade of working with clients every day.&nbsp; In addition to this experience, the agent should also be keeping up with today's technology.&nbsp; Few agents offer both.</div> <div style="font-size: 12pt">&nbsp;</div> <div style="font-size: 12pt">* YOU Deserve the VERY BEST Agent available to You.&nbsp; </div> <div style="font-size: 12pt">&nbsp;</div> <div style="font-size: 12pt">* Have you done your homework to see if&nbsp;Your Agent&nbsp;qualifies?</div> <div style="font-size: 12pt">&nbsp;</div> <div style="font-size: 12pt">&nbsp;</div> </div> <div style="font-size: 12pt" align="left">&nbsp;</div> </span></span></span></span><P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/16/is-your-agent-just-competant" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/16/is-your-agent-just-competant#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/16/is-your-agent-just-competantMon, 16 Mar 2009 10:00:00 GMThttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/09/not-a-bad-ideakeep-all-news-good-news<div style="text-decoration: underline" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><strong><em>Reporting Negative Economic News May Be Banned!!!</em></strong><br /> <img alt="" src="http://askkathi.com/images/money_bag.jpg" width="110" align="right" /></span></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;I don't know about you, but I think it is a pretty good idea.&nbsp; When I read&nbsp;this post <a href="http://budurl.com/p84p">http://budurl.com/p84p</a>&nbsp;saying that the UAE is considering a ban on bad economic news, I was quite pleased with the idea.&nbsp; I know it sounds like I am advocating secrecy of the facts.&nbsp; But that is not my position at all.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>This is what it says in the post on Boing Boing: ""The United Arab Emirates is considering legislation that would criminalize publication of anything that would "harm the economy." "</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>At least this one governmental agency - although they are on the other side of the world - recognizes that the news media is hurting us each and every day.&nbsp; All efforts made by our government to make things better is being neutralized by the self-interest of the media to keep the "Chicken-Little, Doom-and-Gloom" stories filling their pockets with listeners addicted to the fear mongering.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>What do you think?&nbsp; Would the economy improve by simply banning the media from carelessly "harming" us with the constant, contrived and biased bad news?</div><P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/09/not-a-bad-ideakeep-all-news-good-news" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/09/not-a-bad-ideakeep-all-news-good-news#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/09/not-a-bad-ideakeep-all-news-good-newsMon, 09 Mar 2009 09:34:00 GMThttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/07/today-is-a-day-to-garden<div align="center"><img style="width: 105px; height: 105px" height="105" src="http://askkathi.com/images/j0295181.gif" width="105" align="left" alt="" /></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div align="center"><strong style="font-size: 14pt">There is a Time for Everything!<br /> </strong><span style="font-size: 10pt"><br /> Many in the real estate business&nbsp;are in a state of panic right now.&nbsp; The world as we know it has gone away and it is hard to see how we will make it as the&nbsp;"new&nbsp;world" shows up.&nbsp;</span></div> <div align="center">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">But that is one of the benefits of being a little older.&nbsp; Life becomes a little more of a "been there, done that" place and I have learned that fretting over the lack of cash flow will not bring me into prosperity.&nbsp; Instead, what I have learned is that we are now in the gardening phase of our business.</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">I know that&nbsp;a lot&nbsp;people know and trust my expertise.&nbsp; Gone are the times where just "any real estate agent" could do the job well.&nbsp; People are looking for someone who has the expertise, knowledge and caring to advocate real estate sellers and buyers in this market.&nbsp; </div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">So, I am focusing on those friends, clients and connections that have already been established.&nbsp; I am "gardening" in those areas of my life with the certainty that they will be my source of business during the coming months (or years).</div><P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/07/today-is-a-day-to-garden" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/07/today-is-a-day-to-garden#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/07/today-is-a-day-to-gardenSat, 07 Mar 2009 06:28:00 GMThttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/06/secrets-of-how-rich-people-think<h4>Linda Ballesteros - Mpower Financial Solutions </h4> <div class="blogblurb">What a show yesterday!!!<br /> <br /> Linda and I had a wonderful conversation about how rich people think and how YOU can pattern your life to follow in their example.&nbsp; Take the time to listen to the show.&nbsp; There is no doubt you will find useful information.<br /> <br /> Or simply contact Linda directly.&nbsp; Her email address is: MpowerFinancial@sbcglobal.net.<br /> <br /> REMEMBER THE DATE: April 19,2009.&nbsp; Money Week Houston is partnering with the FDIC to bring you the information you need to thrive in the upcoming year.&nbsp; Go to: <a href="http://www.moneyweekhouston.org/">www.MoneyWeekHouston.org</a> to find out more.<br /> </div> <div class="blogblurb">&nbsp;</div> <embed pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BTRPlayer.swf?displayheight=&amp;file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fTechieMomma%2fplay_list.xml?show_id=439390&amp;autostart=false&amp;shuffle=false&amp;volume=80&amp;corner=rounded&amp;callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&amp;width=215&amp;height=108" width="215" height="108" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" menu="false" wmode="transparent" quality="high"></embed><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px" height="0" alt="" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMzYzNTc5MDcyOTMmcHQ9MTIzNjM1NzkyMDY3MCZwPTQ1MDk3MiZkPSZnPTEmdD*mbz1lMjQ1YTA4MTY1OWY*YWZlYWFhZDFhMTI3OTI4OTI3NA==.gif" width="0" border="0" /><P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/06/secrets-of-how-rich-people-think" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/06/secrets-of-how-rich-people-think#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/06/secrets-of-how-rich-people-thinkFri, 06 Mar 2009 08:45:00 GMThttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/03/designated-as-an-epro-today<div align="center"><img src="http://askkathi.com/images/ePRO.jpg" width="300" align="left" alt="" /></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div align="center"><strong><em>There it is!&nbsp; My designation!</em></div> <div align="center">&nbsp;</div> <div align="center">Last night I finished the coursework and when I came back to the home office this evening, an email told me that a proctor had validated my assignments and that I was now an officially certificated ePro designee!!!</div> <div align="center">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">Sometimes these designations don't have a lot of meaning in real estate.&nbsp; It can be simply a matter of sitting through a day or so of lecture - then paying a couple hundred dollars of "payola" each year to maintain the designation.&nbsp; </div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">But this one is different.&nbsp; First, it requires much more time to complete the coursework - with field trips to websites and endless terminology to learn.&nbsp; Secondly, the vast majority of ePro designees are young and inexperienced.&nbsp; My belief is that less than&nbsp;10 of the 43 ePro designees in The Woodlands, Texas have a great deal of real estate experience under their belt.</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="center"><strong><em><font face="#ce_temp_font#">YOU Deserve a Tech-Savvy Agent with Decades of Experience!</font> <div>Insist that your representative and advocate show you evidence of both.</div> </em></strong></div> </strong><P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/03/designated-as-an-epro-today" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/03/designated-as-an-epro-today#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/03/designated-as-an-epro-todayTue, 03 Mar 2009 16:41:00 GMThttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/02/today-we-begin<div align="center">&nbsp;</div> <div align="center"><strong><em>Greetings to all my friends &amp; neighbors!</em></div> <div align="center">This blog is for you...so let me know what you want to see.</div> <div align="center">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left"><img height="187" alt="" hspace="10" src="http://askkathi.com/images/towne_center_009.jpg" width="250" align="left" vspace="10" border="0" />The Woodlands Waterway is one of the first parts of our community that is seen by visitors from around the world.&nbsp; Sometimes, because we live here, we take all the wonderful things about our home town for granted.</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">But in our hearts, we know that this place is special.&nbsp; We know that the combination of close proximity to Houston with all the medical facilities and cultural offerings, Bush Intercontinental Airport, Sam Houston National Forest, Jesse Jones State Forest, Lake Conroe and all the other fabulous features of our area are a unique and wonderful combination.</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">As many of you know, I started a new radio show in January 2009.&nbsp; My goal was to provide a media to our community leaders for explaining their programs.&nbsp; I do not get paid a dime for producing this show.&nbsp; Instead, I get a great deal of satisfaction knowing that I am providing information to my community that is valuable.&nbsp; If you haven't heard any of the first seven shows, you can listen to them at any time.&nbsp; Just visit the website: <a href="http://www.TheWoodlandsTalk.com">www.TheWoodlandsTalk.com</a>.&nbsp; There, you can listen to the show on your computer, or download it as a podcast to listen at your convenience.</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">This blog is designed to be a compliment to the efforts of the radio show.&nbsp; My goal is to give you even more information here than you can find on the broadcast show.&nbsp; If you have a question, do not hesitate to ask me.&nbsp; That is why I have named this website: <a href="http://www.AskKathi.com">www.AskKathi.com</a>.&nbsp; Because I want you to ask...and I want you to be confident that I will do my best to merit the confidence you placed in me by asking.</div> <div align="left">&nbsp;</div> <div align="left">Let's get started!</div> </strong><P><a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/02/today-we-begin" target="_blank">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/02/today-we-begin#comments" target="_blank">Comments</a></P>Kathi Frankhttp://askkathi.com/blog/2009/03/02/today-we-beginMon, 02 Mar 2009 18:56:00 GMT