It does not REPLACE the need for proper documentation during a transaction! I'm working with a couple of buyer's agents on deals right now, and one of them continues to email me emails from her buyers requesting an extension for inspection timeframes, but will not use the proper form for everyone to sign, and have the form included in the file for proper documentation. The other agent texts incessantly; I like texting, but at times, it just makes more sense to pick up the phone and CALL me so we can get the matter/issue/question resolved more efficiently. I love how technology can help us achieve so much more these days, but we need to keep in mind: we are still people, the buyers are still people, the sellers are still people, and sometimes the best thing to do is just communicate with... 12/29/2010

I love language - so much so I previously wanted to be a linguist, thinking this would give me the freedom to study languages of my desire forever, and get paid to do so. In reality, a linguist deconstructs sentences and sentence fragments, something that does not appeal to me at all (even though I'm the first to jump on another's verbal faux pas). As we end 2010, we all know we will be bombarded with these Best of 2010 lists, so I thought I would share these with the AR community, in case you had not heard of any or all of these. I had not heard of Belieber, for example, possibly you have. Happy New Year! http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/19/weekinreview/19sifton.html?hpw   12/28/2010

Card skimming is a new technological way for people to capture your personal financial 411. The challenge is these devices can be just about anywhere, how can you know when you need to be more alert? Many of us use our debit cards, linked to our checking accounts, for many other purposes, in many other areas: at Outback, for example, and the gas station.  I personally prefer to use credit cards, and only use my ATM card for withdrawing at my bank (which, by the way, does not mean I'm completely safe either). Some thieves install a faux card reader, which we cannot detect. Most skimmers use Bluetooth technology, and the skimmer is sitting within a few feet, in their car, stealing YOUR financial data. You can read the full article here: http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2010-12-26/story/... 12/26/2010

I found this poem and wanted to share with the AR Community on Christmas Day. Merry Christmas! The Real Meaning of ChristmasTwo thousand years ago the King of Kings was born.'The Lamb of God' later made to feel the thorn,If his words are accepted and not scorned,They will make us all reborn.Though God's grace, Joseph and Mary presentedA gift to the world that day, which we can all repay,by living the ten commandments each and every day.Try to remember and keep in your heart and mindJesus's gospel while here on Earth,Redemption not a life lived in constant mirth. Peace on Earth, good will toward manEveryone should try it, whenever they can.The Lord gave us the option and choice of 'free will,'Now it's up to us to fit the bill.So when you're Christmas shopping for family and friends,and m... 12/24/2010

Here in the Southeast, we have a little acronym, WDO, which stands for Wood Destroying Organism. It can mean wood rot, wood fungi, termite activity (past & present). Most of us are accustomed to it, but out of state lenders and buyers are not as familiar with it and we have to educate them as to how real estate is handled in our area. In our Northeast Florida Association of Realtors purchase and sales agreement, there is a "standard" 1% allowance built in, for the seller to take care of up to 1% of the purchase price to take care of existing WDO. It may not sound like a big deal, but it can be. If the WDO paragraph is not stricken from the purchase and sale, the lender can and very well may these days require a "clear" WDO as a condition of underwriting.  This can cause delays in closin... 12/23/2010

While parking may not seem like  a big issue, it actually is. Jacksonville Beach has more commercial space than either Atlantic or Neptune Beach, and we are also the largest beach community, so we get more tourism and more traffic than either of the neighboring beach communities.  Our city council has passed a measure that allows restaurant owners to reduce the "standard" number of required parking spaces. This will help Jacksonville Beach fill up some of our vacant commercial space, while giving new businesses an incentive to consider Jacksonville Beach. You can read the whole article here:   http://jacksonville.com/community/shorelines/2010-12-22/story/jacksonville-beach-council-approves-measure-will-let   12/22/2010

I went to a wine tasting party at a friend's house yesterday, and her in-laws were there along with their 100 pound Rottweiler, a two year old named Heidi. I love dogs, and have spent much time with large dogs. I've always seen dog clothing as an accessory for the smaller breed- apparently, I was wrong. They have started making outfits for the "plus sized" dog market! Here are two pictures of Heidi in her sequined holiday wear, that may have been a bit too small: Happy Holidays! 12/20/2010

If you have been following the parking issues in the beaches cities, now is your chance to speak up for your opinion regarding Jacksonville Beach.  The city did a trial run last summer with paid parking in several city owned lots.  Public meetings will be held today, 12/16/10 at 2pm and 7pm at City Hall, 11 North Third Street.  The concept includes the flat fee lots, and possibly parking meters.  If you want your opinion to be heard, this is a fabulous time (even with short notice) to get to one of the two public meetings.    12/16/2010

As many of you are aware, we are experiencing freezing temps here in Northeast Florida, including the beaches, and this is not the norm for us. We had a very cold winter last year, and I lost about half of my hibiscus hedge, which was 7 feet tall - and they are pretty cold hardy, but with 3 or 4 days last year with freezing temps at the beach, they were impossible to cover. One of the ways some people, particularly citrus farmers, protect their plants is to water them prior to the freeze so ice forms all over the plant, which actually helps protect the plant from freeze. Locally, someone did just that with their tree/shrub plant, not sure exactly what kind of plant, but I had to take a picture of it:    12/14/2010

I, by the generosity of my grandmother, have been investing in Ford Stock for my entire life. She set up an account to purchase shares of the stock, starting the year I was born (nope, not gonna share it here, suffice to say I'm old enough to know better!), and I have had the dividends re-invested ever since then. Stocks, like any market commodity, are driven by demand. When the stock is performing well, demand is high, and prices are high. Conversely, when the stock is not performing well, demand is low, and prices are low. This is very similar to the current real estate market.  It' economics: when market supply exceeds demand, there is an excess of inventory, and prices wane. When market demand exceeds supply, there is a lack of inventory, and prices skyrocket.  I had considered sell... 12/13/2010

I have not yet succumbed to the iPhone swarm, for a variety of reasons: I still like my Palm Pro, and the OS. It works with our local boards E-key data, meaning I can open lockboxes with my Pro. Yes, I can now open lockboxes with the iPhone, but it does require an additional gizmo and fee for said gizmo.  My phone is only about 2 years old, and while I've noticed the battery life is waning, I tend to make business technology decisions more on the patient side; if the technological advance does not work well, or harms my business, I'd be unhappy with my decision. However, applications are not being written as frequently for my Palm Pro, meaning I'm lagging behind on the app front, which is somewhat frustrating, although I believe I'm probably saving myself both time and money. This artic... 12/13/2010

I modified this recipe for the second time last night, and was very pleased with the results. It's a healthy, low cost recipe that comes out impressive! Here's the receipe, along with my improvisations: 8 oz fresh skinless salmon fillets (I used frozen, wild caught salmon) 1 cup cannellini beans, rinsed and mashed with a fork to make a paste 1/4 seasoned fine dry bread crumbs Nonstick cooking spray 2 TBSP Extra Virgin Tri-color fingerling potatoes Fresh arugula   Salmon: oven broiled (low), starting flesh side up, with salt/pepper/rosemary, about 5 minutes per side, until salmon flakes with a fork.  When cooked, break into pieces. In bowl, mix cannelini bean mash, with bread crumbs. I added 1 TBSP EVOO to help make the ingredients form more smoothly. Add salmon and combine with cannelin... 12/12/2010

I have been involved in the Red Kettle campaign to raise funds during the holiday season for a few years now, both with the local Chamber of Commerce, and the local Realtors Association. Why do I do this? Several reasons:   I do this at my local Publix, so I get to see people I know inside and outside the store, plus all the customers deliver fabulous people watching.  I wear my holiday sweaters and antlers (or other fun head gear) to attract attention to myself (works great with little kids!) I enjoy wishing people who donate Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas - it varies based on nothing. I know the Salvation Army does good work for people who need it, and there seem to be too few organizations do this these days.   It's not too late to get involved, whether it's here in Jacksonville B... 12/11/2010

Thanks to one of my favorite artists, Sheryl Crow, for this blog post topic, based on her song Soak Up The Sun. I realized a few years ago just how very true this statement is.  If you have what you want, you will be a more complete, happier person. I'm not suggesting you don't strive for improvement (notice what I said), I'm just saying, be thankful for what you already have and appreciate it. I am so grateful for: My friends and family. Can't be replaced. The roof over my head with heat and hot water and 3 furry friends to share it with. The feather bed on my mattress - makes my bed feel like a nest on chilly winter mornings here in Jacksonville Beach, FL (yes, it does freeze here, Virginia!) My physical ability - I may have a few dings and dents from the years, but I have full capaci... 12/10/2010

I went to my "regular"  Beaches Realtor meeting which was much fun (heading into the holidays!) Got my hair trimmed at 10am (very overdue and necessary) Pulled into my office parking lot at 11am, and....apparently ....blew....out....my RACK & PINION...not just my power steering as I  originally thought... Called  AAA....LOVE THEM! Trucked to AAA destination to determine fix... Got ride from  MOST compassionate associate in my office. to my Salvation Army Bell Ringing at the Marsh Landing Publix to find my 5 gear Mustang "borrowed ride" for  a few hours....to end up at my Association Holiday party wearing what I wore from 8am this AM. To,  my Association party, at the end of a  VERY LONG DAY. PRICELESS= my friend "gifting me her  5 speed Manual Tranny Convertible 'Stang =THANKS And drivi... 12/09/2010

As I blog REALLY late tonight, my only thought is the soon to be freezing temps here at the Beach in Jacksonville  Beach, FL - and we typically do not get many nights of freezing temps, nor freezing temps the entire night.  Last year, I lost my 7-8 year old Hibiscus hedge, which averaged 6-7' tall - so, you can tell, we've had some tough winters recently, at least for us. Right now, I have 2 of 3 cats in the house, and will be checking for the straggler - I'm sure he will want to be in the house tonight! 12/05/2010

As I sit here in my "green room", now post-Thanksgiving, I thought I would give you an update of how fabulous my trip has been so far.  My friends met and/or exceeded my wishes in almost category!  And, they had so much fun with it, they shared the list with several of their friends!  I was greeted with a private town car to pick me up from the airport (not on my list, and not something they planned, it was just a timing issue since I landed at 5pm), which was a very nice touch. The driver, Kimberla, was someone I had met on prior trips so we had time to catch up on the 45 minute drive.  My "suite" had two bottles of Voss on my bedstand table (extra points here too!) More than enough of my food stuff requests, and an incredible Thanksgiving meal. There was ZERO retail shopping, which I... 11/29/2010

One of the best things about the holidays here in Jacksonville Beach, FL is the boat parades that kick off the holiday season - where I grew up in New Jersey, we had nothing like this.  Boaters decorate their boats, and homeowners decorate their docks, usually in themes for this annual event.  To encourage greater participation, this year there is a grand prize of $2500 and a weekend trip. Each boater get s a prize, including local restaurant and spa gift certificates.  There are about 400 homes on the Intracoastal, so quite a few people turn out to view the parade, which is 12/18/10.  Spectators can watch from one of the four eateries along the ICW, including the Bridge Market & Bistro, Barbara Jean's, Palm Valley Fish Company and Lulu's (listed from most southern to most northern).  ... 11/27/2010

As I'm sure most of us know: Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. While it may have been religious in origin, Thanksgiving is now primarily identified as a secular holiday. This is the portion that is new to me: The precise historical origin of the holiday is disputed. Although Americans commonly believe that the first Thanksgiving happened in 1621 at Plymouth, Massachusetts, there is some evidence for an earlier harvest celebration by Spanish explorers in Florida during 1565.  I live and work in Jacksonville, Florida, which is right up the road from St. Augustine, the nation's oldest city, which makes me wonder if that could have been the site of the Spanis... 11/25/2010

As you may be aware, the "Green Room" is the prep room before a celebrity goes on a television show, or a concert. It's a place for them to relax, and feel at home. Consequently, there are many famous acts/actors/celebrities that have requirements for their "Green Room", items like 24 packages of a particular bubble gum, specific brands of beverages, specific types of foods. Some acts are infamous with their demands. I'm visiting my very good friends in Texas next week for Thanksgiving, and decided I would send them MY "Green Room" requirements for my stay as a joke....kind of.... Here's what I requested: As you are both familiar, “famous people” regularly demand/require certain items/foodstuffs in their (my) area for the duration of their (my) stay: (listed in no particular order) Lemo... 11/19/2010