Talk of Tallahassee

Happy Father's Day!

Today is Father's Day! We celebrate Father's and all they represent to us.

I was researching Father's Day and found the history interesting. But then I found my true inspiration for this blog issue.

It is believed that the idea for a "fathers' day" started in 1909 when Sonora Louise Smart Dodd, after hearing mass on Mothers' Day, realized that fathers like her own dad, William Jackson Smart, should also be honored. William Smart lost his wife after she gave birth to their sixth child. After her death, William Smart raised all his six children, a huge responsibility for any single parent. It is because of William Smart's selfless love that Sonora thought of having a "fathers' day" and this idea spread throughout her Spokane, Washington hometown.

On June 19, 1910, the first celebration of Fathers' Day occurred which was also the birthday of William Smart. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge would further support this day and in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared that Fathers' Day be celebrated every third Sunday of June. Finally in 1972, President Richard Nixon made Fathers' Day a permanent national observance.(Wikipedia)

Every now and then things fall into place. I was wondering all week what to put in the next blog update, and this time it was easy. The perfect story fell into my lap,.. actually phoned by cell phone.

This weekend I was contacted by a new customer. While on the phone with him, I learned he was the father of 2 and 3 year old little ones. He had made the decision to move his family to Tallahassee because he felt it was the best place to raise his children and where he could travel knowing he was leaving his family in what he felt was a safe, nurturing environment. This Father put the needs of his family first. He told me what was important to him, spoke of his wife and what would make her happy, and what they desired in a home. Of course, that immediately won a place in my heart.

Then, in the same conversation one of the babies was just waking up, and he triumphed again in my mind as he excused himself and welcomed her to the morning with gentleness, sweetness and love. I was privileged to hear that, and it made my day,.. heck it made my week.

Over the next few weeks I will begin working to help this family find a house they can call home. This is the best part of my job, matching people with more than just a house, but a home. The present, and the future will become a part of that home. Memories will be made there, and I will smile every time I ride by or think of my time with this family and all the others I have helped over the years.

Congratulations to Kevin.. and his family as they plan for their move to Tallahassee. Welcome.

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there,..especially to my dad for always making sure his family had not just a house, but a home. At 47, and in my own home I still feel safe thanks to him.

A lullaby kinda sums it up,.. and I'm sur he appreciates it because it's bluegrass.

How Are you Spending your Memorial Day?

Today is always a special day to me. Most of you know, I have a grateful heart when it comes to those who serve our Country and who have sacrificed ot give us the freedoms we enjoy.

As we enjoy new homes, our family's heritage of home ownership, land ownership, .. as some of you search now for a way to acheive your dream of  home ownership, it is easy to forget that  in many countries owning a home is an impossiblity. In many countries, homes are taken by force, destroyed in the name of oppression and government control. In some countries, there is little hope of any kind of freedom.

Those who have battled for the freedoms we enjoy deserve our thoughts, not just this day, but every day.

As you enjoy your day take a minute to reflect on a video I found to be one of the best to express my gratitude and to remind us all of the sacrifices made for us.

GOD BLESS AMERICA and OUR HEROES!

  Red Velvet Cake and Mother's Day

To all the Mom's out there, Happy Mother's Day!  My girls are at the beach with my Mom, and my sisters who are indeed the surrogate Moms today and many days.  As many of you know I am a single mom now for 13 years. When they say it takes a village to raise a child,.. I can truly say I have been blessed by "the village."  Many times when I was working late.. or working with customers in the evenings and on weekends, The Village helped me take care of my two beautiful girls.

My morning began with meeting a Mother (and Father) who drove 4 hours to see the home that their daughter would call her "first home" in a few weeks! She thanked me for taking time from my Mother's day.. however, it was she who made mine. In reflection of Mother's Day as I now sit in an open house, I think of not what I have given up for my girls, but of what my mom, my sister, and my  parent's given to me so that I could follow the path of life I've lead in order to provide for  my children.  Many an urgent call was made to pick up kids from school, to make dinner or help with school projects,...less urgent but equally important were the calls to host sleepovers and birthday parties, because they were always more fun at Nana and Papa's house. I love my parent's for those times, for that support. For my sister who cares for my girls truly like her own (sometimes she can have them), there are no words. For my aunts who raised my beautiful cousins and kept us close, and for my surrogate mother, Dottie.. you are all the best part of my life. Happy Mother's Day!

I think about the extended village, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews often. The best part of my family is that we are indeed a family. I've got special memories of them all. All filled with the love of family. Today however,.. I can't get past the craving for Red Velvet Cake. No one makes it like my aunt...my mom's a close second.  My girls are on the way back from the beach.. and tonight.. it's Red Velvet Cake.

Whatever you have done on your Mother's Day... I hope it was filled with love.   ............ Happy Mother's Day.

The leading economists say that our economy is expected to recover in 2009. Not that it should be a surprise given that the American people are hard working and resourceful, but good news in any case!

The past few months statistics show us locally and in Florida that real estate market has been recovering. We are seeing record numbers of showings. If your home is not being shown, we should talk! There are increases in sales not only here in Tallahassee, but enormous sales in South Florida.

"Florida’s existing home sales increased in March, making it the seventh month in a row that sales activity demonstrated gains in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). March’s statewide sales also increased over the previous month’s sales level in both the existing home and existing condo markets." (Florida Association of Realtors, April 23, 2009)

Here's the nuts and bolts of the recovery.  More than ever before, property values, interest rates, incentives from builders, the government and efforts of those in the industry are enticing people to consider real estate as a long term investment. Realtors are helping customers make educated decisions, choose properties that not only fit their needs, but that will have long term value.  More buyers and sellers are working with Realtors because they depend on not just their knowledge of marketing, but for analysis of every aspect of complicated lending issues, and negotiation entanglements that used to be breezy and easy. Ask any Realtor who is working full time and they will tell you, today's transactions are often snarled and tangled and requiring much effort to get to a successful closing. Personally, I am working about 90 - 100 hours a week at present. for every three contracts I write, one may come to fruition. It's a myriad of reasons actually, but the most often common comes down to the financial terms of these complicated contracts. Whether short sales, foreclosures, lender guidelines or inability it is increasingly difficult for sellers and buyers to reach a meeting of the minds, not to mention the domino effect of failed closings from homes that must close before a second, third or even fourth contract can be completed.

Thinking of investing? Couldn't be a better time really. But educate yourself first! I still get buyers looking for the "flip." Most have no idea how to do it,.. it still just sounds good because it happens on HGTV, you know? Rule of thumb: If you are considering "Flipping Property," you must be educated and financially fluid enough to assume a potentially long term payment. Click that link and read on... is it legal,... or not? The market is just too volatile, and the "flip" must have enough equity to not only cover your tax liability, initial investment and rehabilitation costs, but it must appear "better than all the rest" of the properties or be prepared to sit and support it like a bad habit. Sounds good in principal, but it takes guidance and close analysis before entering these transactions. 

So if you could buy, what would you buy.. and how do you want to buy it?  That is my question to you today, comments and questions please!  Given some of the best terms available in over 30 years, how much do you know about a home purchase, an investment property or contractual obligations?  If you want guidance.. long term or immediate, give me a call. 850-212-0440.

Yes, first time home buyers are cashing in on the $8000 tax rebate... there is still time if you purchase before the end of the year.

Click here to read more. 

Breathe In.... Breathe Out... and Call Your Real Estate Professional