A report was just released that reveals yet another dark cloud of reality over the state of Michigan. Apparently, Michigan was the only state in the nation in 2007 to have suffered both a drop in median income and also a rise in the rate of poverty in the state. I'm originally from Michigan. I grew up in the South Eastern Michigan area and most of my family still lives there. As I speak with my family members and friends in Michigan they're all quick to tell me how bad things are there. Every now and then I'll hear from someone who states with total confidence that "things will turn around for us here in Michigan", or "Michigan is coming back!". I've even heard people say that "Michigan will bounce back in 10 years!". Wow! I don't know how anyone could profess to know what will happen t... 08/30/2008

"Homebuyers Turn Screws On Desperate Sellers" This was the title of an article I read the other day on CNN/Money.com. As usual, this type of article is speaking in general terms, as if every real estate market in the country is the same. Is it a buyer's market right now? Sure! More than likely it is a buyer's market right now in most markets. However, what does it mean to suggest that buyer's are "turning the screws on desperate sellers"? We've got motivated sellers in Greenville, but I'm not aware of too many desperate homeowners who are allowing buyers to "turn the screws" on them. Transactions around here seem to be grounded in a healthy, sensible win-win reality, for the most part, even though it is a buyer's market. So, how about your local market? Does a nationwide news article wi... 08/30/2008

Now that we all know who the players are in the presidential race, it seems to me that regardless of all the hope, and dreams of change, the promises made, fingers pointed, accusations made and endless rhetoric, this whole thing will ultimately boil down to one single debate between Biden and Palin. When you think about it, most people are already sitting at home calling themselves devout Democrats or devout Republicans and they're just feeding off all the spin and rhetoric that is perpetuated daily throughout the mass media, and hunkering down in their party loyalty. For those people that truly are in a mindset to vote either way, and truly are undecided, I'm not so sure that McCain or Obama can say or do anything in particular to sway them before November. I suspect that the magic bul... 08/30/2008

McCain has chosen Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. Whoever wins this election, Republicans or Democrats, it will be a historical event for our great nation! The Dems are hard at work pointing out Sarah Palin’s lack of experience and they're trying to scare everyone with the question..."who would you rather have as a heartbeat away from the Presidency, Biden or Palin?". Sure, Biden has been around for a long time, but the irony here is that Obama has spent fewer days active, on the floor of the senate, performing his duties as a Senator than Palin has spent in an Executive leadership role as Mayor and currently as Governor of Alaska. So, no matter how you slice it, both sides can point fingers when it comes to "lack of experience" (certainly McCain and Biden both have the mos... 08/30/2008

Filmmaker Michael Moore just took the first place trophy for being classless and ignorant! He was on MSNBC, talking to Keith Olbermann, when he said if hurricane Gustav disrupts the Republican National Convention that this would be "proof that there is a God in heaven". Really? I didn't realize that God was a registered Democrat who takes pleasure in wreaking havoc with hurricanes, destroying cities and drowning people and animals all for the sake of disrupting the Republican National Convention. Fascinating information, Mr. Moore! I'll try to contemplate your wisdom while I'm in church tomorrow morning, praying that Gustav does not harm anyone in the Greater New Orleans region. 08/30/2008

This is a reminder notice for anyone who would either like to attend or who would like to send a friend or colleague to attend our Active Rain Blogging Workshop for beginners. The workshop will be held this coming week, on September 3rd, from 10AM to 12Noon at the Keller Williams Greenville Central office training room. Bring your laptop computers. Again, this is a hands-on workshop for beginners. Our offices are on Main Street in Simpsonville, SC. Please email me for more information. Thanks! 08/30/2008

Are you in peak physical condition? Are you ever sick and tired of the brain-rot television programs that you willingly subject yourself to? If you answered "No" and then "Yes" to the above questions...I guess you and I have a lot in common! For far too long, now, my wife and I have been toying around with the idea of turning off cable TV and committing to regular exercise with a membership to a local gym. Actually, the YMCA is closest to our house, and they've got all kinds of sports activities for the kids, a full gym, and an indoor swimming pool. It's not just a question of shifting dollars around in our monthly family budget, but rather a firm committment to "kill" our television so it no longer has a powerful hypnotic grasp of our minds in the evenings! The couch is so inviting, an... 08/30/2008

Wow, what a strange day it was yesterday! It yesterday were the high school prom, I'd have egg on my face, let me tell you! I got stood up twice in one day! I was supposed to meet a Realtor at my office who was considering joining Keller Williams. He called in at 12 Noon sharp to say he wouldn't be coming (after I made a trip across town to meet up with him). Then, I had a showing for a buyer on the South side of town at 4PM and  he didn't show up at all, and failed to call me. I hung out for a while, waiting patiently, but finally gave up and went home. I'm not whining, because the truth is that this is the first time this has happened to me. I've been lucky, I guess. But twice in one day? Ouch! Too bad I can't send them both an invoice for my time and for the gas for my Yukon XL! Oh w... 08/30/2008

The cat is out of the bag! McCain has chosen a Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. Whoever wins this election, it will be a historical event! The Dems are hard at work pointing out Sarah Palins lack of experience and they're trying to scare everyone with the question..."who would you rather have as a heartbeat away from the Presidency, Biden or Palin?". Sure, Biden has been around for a long time, but the irony here is that Obama has spent fewer days active, on the floor of the senate, performing his duties as a Senator than Palin has spent in an Executive leadership role as Mayor and currently as Governor. So, no matter how you slice it, both sides can point fingers as per "lack of experience" (certainly McCain and Biden both have the most time in Washington and related experi... 08/30/2008

Wow! What a day for breaking news! The news just announced that Republican Presidential candidate, John McCain, has picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for his Vice Presidential running mate. Now, the big question is whether this choice is incredibly strategic on his part, or if it will ultimately hurt his chances of winning the White House. What do you think?   08/29/2008

Well, last  night was the big crescendo, the big, historical moment for Mr. Obama and the Democratic party. The big question on may people's minds is "how effective was his speech at the convention?". I guess ultimately a good indicator is to tune in to the various polls that the news media orchestrate and observe whether or not Obama has gained any percentage points in the polls that ask "who would you vote for if the election were held today?". Another critical indicator may be the responses derived from the honest, intelligent, patriotic Active Rain members who read this blog! So, how about it? How effective was Obama's speech last night?   08/29/2008

Looking for property near Furman University. 8 acres of prime land with 100 road frontage.  This property has it all, and only 2 minutes to the back entrance of the main campus.  What a investment.  This property has woods, pasture and views of the wild life reserve.  Room for 5  home sites, zoned R 15.  92,000. www.kathysellsgreenville.com  864 349-6217 08/25/2008

Well it has been a good few weeks now since I joined Facebook with the intention of building yet another online networking source to grow my business. I was worried it would be anything but that and turn out to be a crazy high school reunion. Facebook has turned out to be an online high school reunion. And at this point, I have decided that it is OK and I'm actually having fun with it. I have "let down my guard" and I have decided to enjoy it for what it is. I've altered my serious, business-only attitude and allowed myself to enjoy the fun, social, entertaining aspects of Facebook. Facebook can truly take on a life of its own. Once you get started, you send friend requests to people you know, and some of the people they know. Before you know it, you've got 60, 80, 120 friends in your F... 08/23/2008

Bill Kennedy | Keller Williams Realty | 864-990-1224 105 Mauldin Road, Greenville, SC Great Investment Potential! 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $99,000 Year Built Unspecified Sq Footage 1,500 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking Unspecified Lot Size 0.33 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Investment potential is here! Three bedroom and two bath home - one bedroom and one bath are in a separate apartment. Owner says to bring all offers. If this property isn't perfect for you, see these: FREE HOME BUYER WORKSHOP: For info and the date for our next seminar, visit http://www.SCHomeSeminar.com For a free list of foreclosure properties with pictures, go to http://www.CheapDistressProperty.com To obtain daily emails of all listings that match your home buying... 08/23/2008

Bill Kennedy | Keller Williams Realty | 864-990-1224 17 La Juan Drive, Greenville, SC BEAUTIFUL HOME PRICED @ $10,000 UNDER CMA VALUE FOR A QUICK SALE!!! BRING ALL OFFERS! 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $99,900 Year Built 1976 Sq Footage 1,547 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 1 Car garage Lot Size 1,547 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Check out this great buy on a safe, fenced lot with a relaxing in-ground pool! This contemporary home has a great open floorplan. The large living room feels quite spacious with vaulted ceilings and a cozy, woodburning fireplace. A separate laundry room runs off of the kitchen for peace and efficiency. The master bedroom is on the main floor, with two closets and a full bathroom. Upstairs there are two large bedrooms... 08/23/2008

We finally did it! Before the kids went back to school, we packed up our Yukon XL and took the family to Jellystone Park camping resort in Marion, NC. It was absolutely wonderful! We stayed in brand new, wooden cabins that were fully featured with a screened porch, air conditioning, a full kitchen, a full bathroom, dining table, satelite TV, a master bedroom and a futon for the kids and an upper loft for adventurous kids with sleeping bags. We had our own fire ring outside our door. We enjoyed campfires each night and the kids loved roasting marsh-mallows! I even played my guitar by the campfire! The park had it's own lake, put-put range, volleyball, paddle boats, dock for fishing, kayaks, swimming pool, huge triple-loop water slide, and much more to do. Each night after the campfire, m... 08/23/2008

My wife is seriously excited about the notion of having a screened porch built on the back of our house. I had assumed that we would call the same builders that my neighbors used for their screen porch as they were happy, and it looks great and it's made of wood. The thought to consider other building materials never crossed my mind. Then, I decided to have a local specialist who builds aluminum screened porches come over and give me a quote. He certainly impressed me with the price, the look, the notion of low maintenance, etc. I guess since I have never gone through this process before, I figured I would send out a request to my colleagues on Active Rain for any pearls of wisdom on this topic. Wood-framed or aluminum-framed screened porch on the rear of my house? What do you suggest? 08/23/2008

Well, now that Obama let the cat out of the bag on his pick of Biden for his V.P., the news channels are burning up, going non-stop with talk of the duo. The only topic that seems to be in second place on the news channels is big question of who McCain will pick for his V.P. There was no shortage of heated debates this past week as there was speculation and/or rumors that McCain might pick Joe Lieberman as his V.P. Rush Limbaugh was on the air stating in no uncertian terms that such a decision by McCain would destroy the Republican party! So, who should McCain pick as his V.P. ????? 08/23/2008

OK, log this one under "off topic-humor"... After having spent almost the last 20 years of my life in California, first living in apartments, then a condo and then a townhome, I never had a formal dining room. Thus, my wife and I only owned a nice sized kitchen table with six chairs. When we moved to Greenville we suddenly had a large home with a formal dining room...and no formal dining room set. Being the frugal person that I am, I convinced my wife to wait, and hold off on the investment in a decent formal dining room set. We visit relatives in North Carolina anyway, for most "sit down and eat" type holidays, and our six person kitchen table still works just fine! I eventually snuck a Foosball table into the dining room, as well as a synthesizer keyboard for the kids to play with. To... 08/23/2008

"Due to popular demand..." Ok, I just had to say that! Sorry. But seriously, I will be teaching a repeat of a hands-on workshop for Active Rain newbies on September 3rd at the Keller Williams Greenville Central office training room. If you happen to be a Realtor in the Upstate, SC region please do not hesitate to come on by and enjoy the class! Even if you're with another Keller Williams office, or if you're with Remax or Century 21, or Caldwell, or Prudential....I don't care! I'd love to have you stop on by and enjoy this comprehensive, hands-on workshop! Just shoot me an email if you'd like to attend: kirk@kwrealtyagent.com Thanks, hope to see you there! 08/23/2008