Yes, and on Superbowl Sunday. There shouldn't be a Mardi Gras anywhere on the planet on Superbowl Sunday! But FRESNO? I don't think the word Fresno and Mardi Gras should be in the same sentence. Add to that it was sprinkling and COLD - at least when it started - weather improved slightly.It was held in the Tower District which is Fresno's equivalent of the French Quarter. It WAS COLORFUL, I'll grant you that.    (see this blog for more on the Tower District)Note: I was running out from under cover so I wouldnt get my camera wet and failed to realize that my flash was not synced to the camera.  I had the flash on so I could get some fill light in and not have terrible high contrast images.  Well, I ended up with a bunch of crummy cantrasty jpegs which I was gonna just trash but decided t... 02/03/2008

Vision Attracts Provision And I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel." (Isa 45:3)Things are changing fast. Our paper dollar is sinking and gold is floating high. Real estate values turned out to not be not so real and their values are plummeting. They are predicting another 20% drop in home prices in SW Florida this year! But yet, if you have eyes to see and with a little planning, there are fortunes to be made. They are to be found hidden in the secret places. They are wrapped in darkness, even gloom.While our current economy is tanking and the personal wealth of millions is evaporating before our eyes, there are some who saw this coming and are beginning to step ... 01/16/2008

OK , Maybe they dont dazzle you but today I thought I would practice on taking wide angle shots.  I posted a capture that I got yesterday but it was done hand held and rather hastily processed.  Today I got out my tripod and  took my time taking these captures.  This dining room is only 14.5 ft wide so you can see the difference that wide angle makes.  They were processed on my mac so they will look a little darker on your PC then they do on my mac.  Since most people are viewing on a PC I will have to figure out a way to deal with this.For those who are interested these shots are taken with a Sigma 10/20 lens wide open.  As mentioned above a tripod was used and a flash for fill light.  I think a better shot could be produced with at least one additional flash.  so here you go - two sho... 01/15/2008

Well I just saw a news report that said the the median price of Fresno homes in December was $249,000.  In the update for November the median price was at $255,000 so the market saw another dip ~~~~~YAWN~~~~~ . As a reminder the peak was June of 2006 with a median price of approx $314,000 so prices are down approx 22% from the highs. 01/13/2008

Just about everyone who knows anything about Fresno knows that Fresno has a beloved Christmas Tree Lane located on Van Ness Blvd in Old Fig Garden. Old Fig Garden is known for its tree-lined streets with historic homes. Every year they string up lights on Old Van Ness and many of the homeowners decorate their homes and yards with lights ... and often much more.The other nite I was eager to see what I could accomplish with my new camera and shot the photos below. I dont really have a good night lens for what I was doing but that didnt stop from doing the best I could. © Randy "Lazarus" McAtee Owner / Broker Lazarus Realty 559-301-1647 Email Me 12/21/2007

 Have you been thinking about buying a home but don't know much you can afford? An important rule of thumb: financial experts suggest your monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 30% of your total income. Here at HIGH STANDARD REALTY  have a variety of loans programs to meet your mortgage needs.As a Real Estate and a Home loans Specialist looking foreword to assisting you with that new chapter in your life! Owning a new HOME! 12/17/2007

Apply for new credit in moderation Thinking about applying for a shiny new credit card? Think again. Every time you apply for a credit card, it's recorded as an inquiry in your credit report. The more inquiries you collect, the lower your credit score. Why? Opening a lot of accounts gives you the potential to overextend yourself, and creditors don't like issuing credit to someone they don't think can repay it. So just say no to those credit card offers you get in the mail and at retail stores. Doing these three things can help you improve your credit score. And that will help you improve your interest rates on loans...be approved for an apartment...even get a new job.I recived this on an email! pass it on! 11/21/2007

Part IPart II (Story 1)BEWARE WATER DAMAGE:Story 2I had the house rented to tenants that for all intents and purposes were good tenants: rent paid on time; trouble free tenancy. When the tenants moved out I noticed a small leak in the bathroom at the shutoff valve under the stool.  The tenants never bothered to inform me about this problem and the water was soaking in where the floor meets the wall.  The caulking around the tub was also faulty and this water, and water that escaped the tub when they bathed the kids, had soaked through under the tub.  The end result was serious water damage.I had to remove the toilet and tub/shower, tear out the floor, replace all the damaged sub-floor structure and then replace tub, toilet, and install new linoleum.Story 3House was rented to good tenant... 10/30/2007

 River Park Shopping Center in Northwest Fresno Friday night Oct 26 2007 at around 10:00 p.m. It was raining that evening so the combination of the wet walkways and neon lights was a visual feast. I didn't have my tripod.  Below is one of the pictures I took.  You can view a gallery of several of the photos I took that night by CLICKING HERE.   shot with a Nikon DX200 using an 18X200 Nikkor lens   10/29/2007

...well, maybe not. But Fresno California --- known to many as California's Poor Man's Paradise --- would be an excellent location for the pop diva to switch gears, slow down, and take time to smell the raisins. Britney, are you hearing me? For a couple of million dollars or less I can find you a posh home in a private gated community; a comparable home in 90210 would probably cost 8 figures. Once you get visitation rights, its only a 3.5 hour drive to L.A. to fetch the kids. I have 6 kids and I cant tell you Britney: Fresno is a good place to raise those ankle biters. Compared to L.A. you will LOVE the traffic. ( Although compared to what it was 19 years ago it really sucks!) If you need to get away quick we have an INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. Fresno has a small feel town feel with big town... 10/27/2007

Most homes are decorated WRONG if decorated at all. Since entering the decorating business in the early 80's, I can count on two hands how many homes I have walked into where the furniture was in the right place, the art was hung the right height, window coverings were flattering and functional, and accessories were exciting and fresh. I can count on one hand how many homes CLOSETS were neat and organized...smelling fresh, and towel bars were lint free and polished, dog dishes coordinated with the decor, and the beds were made properly. Another bugaboo of mine is seeing liquid soaps, shampoos, moisturizers, toothbrush holders, cleaners, sponges, laundry soaps, and squeegees all out in plain sight. This may sound very anal but when was the last time you walked into a model home and thoug... 10/25/2007

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT FRESNO On Saturdays mornings in Fresno there's just about nothing I enjoy more than strolling through the local Farmer's Market at Blackstone and Shaw. The San Joaquin Valley is one of the worlds richest and most abundant bread baskets and Fresno is right in the heart of it. And what better place to experience the cornucopia of the region than a Farmer's Market. I love the shirt on the girl in the background (above) You can view more of my pictures of the Vineyard Farmer's Market here. 10/21/2007

... at least not now, unless you absolutely have to. I've read several posts on AR in which the agents are making statements like: now is the time to buy; you dont know where the bottom is; interest rates are low; real estate is always a great investment if you're patient; etc.  DONT BUY IT -- and I will explain in the graph below why.If you ask me, ***now is a lousy time to buy and a WORSE time to sell.Dont get me wrong, if you're in the Fresno area and feel you really need a home to live in, I'd be happy to help you find one and get the best possible deal. I would encourage you to look at new homes because right now that's where you'll get the best bang for your buck. But if your not in hurry, then I would say just WAIT.If you're a seller, I pity you!  Sure, I can help you sell your h... 10/17/2007

The other day my wife and i were out looking at some Gary McDonald Homes and there was one in particular we really liked that was already sold ( for 2.1 million ). These are the homes that are being built right along the golf course. I think the name of the subdivision is Country Club At The Fort. NO, we aren't thinking of moving there: couldn't if we wanted to; wouldn't if we could. I wouldn't be able to afford the taxes and utilities bills on a 2.1 million dollar home, let alone the mortgage. Today I had some business downtown and happened to have my camera with me so I took a drive down G Street into another Fresno neighborhood that I rarely visit and got an eyeful of how life is at the other end of the food chain. This subdivision has no name. The homes are Forts of Different Sort. ... 10/09/2007

Active Rain is not only active...it is everywhere and everyone is getting wet. The search engines are flooding with Active Rain Blogs and I got my first big phone call yesterday! So what is wrong? Nothing really...but a big lesson has been learned...and maybe some of you already know this but for those who don't... Here is the lesson #1: You are what you write about! If your posts are full of complaints, your name will pop up in the search engines when someone is looking for "The Biggest Complainer". If you want to whine and nag everyone to death with your bloging then before you know it...you will be called to be on the Maury Povitch show. If you post about food and recipes, Martha may be trying to reach you.If you are the highest earning real estate agent in your city but you blog abo... 10/05/2007

It has been so blazing hot this summer that I have not been able to enjoy the simplest of things outdoors. I live on a corner and both streets have been under construction and torn up for months and the grape vineyards once enjoyed have been torn down to make way for a subdivision of 125 homes across the street. Gotta love it if you are in this business but not so good when your in the middle of it! Every day my house fills with dirt if I leave a door or window open, my patio is covered in it and I get my blower out every morning to remedy the situation if only for a few hours. my grass has died from from all the loose blowing dirt and they have only begun. Usually evenings and mornings are the best here in the San Joaquin Valley but not for me this year. This is the view from my offic... 09/22/2007

As popular as the Mojito is, why not announce your open houses with a menu describing what you are serving. Try this one:Majito Shrimp MarinadeIn a medium bowl combine    20 chopped fresh mint leaves (easy to grow in your garden)   1/2 cup sugar   1 thinly sliced shallot    Pound with a wooden spoon to coarsely crush.    Whisk in 1/3 cup light rum    3 tbsp fresh lime juice   1 tbsp vegetable oil   1 tsp freshly grated lime zest   and 1 tsp coarse kosher salt. Whisk until salt dissolves. Makes about 1 cup, enough for up to 1 1/2 pounds shrimp. Marinade shrimp for 15 - 20 minutes.Tip: Don't marinate for more than the recommended time or the rum and lime juice will cook the shrimp and ruin their texture. Cook: Arrange shrimp on skewers and baste with marinade and grill for 1 to 2 minutes... 07/20/2007

Many of you know that I have been a decorator forever and love every aspect of the biz including staging homes for resale which is how I found AR to begin with. (breathe) Creating my own path...I went to the school of Ladders and Chutes and have always run the other direction when groups and structure loomed in the distance. Active Rain is my first real life group that I feel like I am a part of.  I have had the distinct pleasure of being guest moderator for the Stage It Forward group the month of June and it opened my eyes to the strength of the stagers who make up this group. New names are popping up every day and getting to know them in such a supportive environment is really very special, something many never experience. I did not write posts in June because I wanted to let the life... 07/02/2007

Sometimes in performing the normal tasks of running a business, you will come across an idea that really hadn't occurred to you before and it is like putting a banana on top of your head, so to speak. It's like "What is this?" And as amazed as I am it makes perfectly good sense... The Dinner Party Planning Site is one of my busiest affiliates, if not the busiest. This gal is a go-getter and is doing all the thinking for her customers by using 'out of the box' techniques like home staging instructions as guidelines for the preparation of a party. I get more hits from her site than any other and she is not even in the real estate or decorating business so go figure.My hats off to you Joanie Williams and here is a big thank you from me. I hope you get lots of hits from this post.  06/09/2007

  I was really thrown looking for the next step to take in my bedroom after the phenomenal success of my Feng Shui'ed "Love Stone's"  Well...a couple of flirtations at best but still a sign of good times to come.The next logical step to me would be to move my bed (which I cannot and I will tell you that story if I ever find that part again) and then the issue of the master bath door opening is running in the back of my mind, or the color of the walls...surely there is more information as what to do for my Chi! Is it too much to expect a logical sequence of events to occur? Surely they know who they are talking to don't they?Nada! If you want to turn the heat up in your south east sector bedroom (without turning it into a full blown brothel - see Bagua below...my bedroom is in the money ... 06/04/2007