Are You a Realtor who will Mentor a Real Estate Investor? Why would a Real Estate Investor refuse a Mentor's help? Why would a Realtor refuse a Mentor's help? A mentor can make a big difference. After all, a mentor is often worth their weight in gold (literally!) thanks to experience, education and expertise. So why don't more people take advantage of all that knowledge?  Find out the top reasons real estate investors and others refuse to use a mentor - and how you can make the most of their mistakes! 1. Fear of Failure - It might seem like common sense to use a mentor in order not to fail but for some people, the fear of failure is only outweighed by the fear of public humiliation. They literally cannot stand the thought of letting anyone else know they tried and didn't succeed. Set th... 01/08/2011

Saturday, January 8, 2011 Read 1 John 5:14-21 Beloved:We have this confidence in himthat if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask,we know that what we have asked him for is ours. Jesus, thank you for your heart of mercy!  Thank you continuing to bless me and my family. I know I can ask in faith and I will be blessed. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 01/08/2011

Friday, January 7 Read Luke 5:12-16 "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said,"I do will it. Be made clean." Lord, thank you for setting me free and healing me.  By your Spirit, make me a force of unity.  Help me bring people together in your name. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 01/07/2011

Thursday, January 6 Read Luke 4:14-22 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed meto bring glad tidings to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captivesand recovery of sight to the blind,to let the oppressed go free,and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Lord let this be a year acceptable to You.  Open our eyes to see you at work in all of us.  We want to embrace your call, confident that you will fulfill all your promises. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 01/05/2011

Tuesday, January 4 Read 1 John 4:7-10 Beloved, let us love one another,because love is of God;everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Father, how boundless is your love for me!  I know you have placed your seed in my heart.  I trust in your love for me, and the power of that love.  May it flow out of me to more and more of my brothers and sisters. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble,TX 01/04/2011

Monday, January 3 Read 1 John 3:22-4:6 Beloved:We receive from him whatever we ask,because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.And his commandment is this:we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,and love one another just as he commanded us.Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,and the way we know that he remains in usis from the Spirit whom he gave us. Holy Spirit, the world around me is filled with confusing and conflicting messages.  Please help me discern which ones I should listen to!  Then let me guided by what you tell me. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 01/02/2011

Sunday, January 2 Read Isaiah 60:1-6 Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,the glory of the Lord shines upon you.See, darkness covers the earth,and thick clouds cover the peoples;but upon you the LORD shines,and over you appears his glory.Nations shall walk by your light,and kings by your shining radiance.Raise your eyes and look about;they all gather and come to you: Father, I look forward to the day when all your children will come to worship you as one.  Increase my longing for that day, and show me what I can do to hasten its coming. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 01/01/2011

Saturday, January 1, 2011-New Years Day Read Number 6:22-27 The LORD said to Moses: This is how you shall bless the Israelites.Say to them:The LORD bless you and keep you!The LORD let his face shine uponyou, and be gracious to you!The LORD look upon you kindly andgive you peace! Jesus, open my eyes to people in need of your grace so that I can shower them with your blessings.  Thank you continuing to bless me and my family. Look upon those who are faithful to your word. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 01/01/2011

Friday, December 31 New Years Eve Read 1 John 2:18-21 Children, it is the last hour; .....But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One,and you all have knowledge. Lord, I trust in you.  When I start to get fearful, help me to remember that everything was made through you, and that you will see it through to the end!  You are my solid foundation! Blessed New Year to All! Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/31/2010

Thursday, December 30 Read 1 John 2:12-17 I am writing to you, children,because your sins have been forgiven for his name's sake. Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world,sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life,is not from the Father but is from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever. Lord protect me from the snares of this world.  Help me remember today who you are and all that you have done in me.  Jesus, I want to know you even more. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/30/2010

Wednesday, December 29 Read 1 John 2:3-11 Beloved:The way we may be sure that we know Jesus is to keep his commandments. Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his commandmentsis a liar, and the truth is not in him.But whoever keeps his word,the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked. Jesus, all praise and glory belongs to your holy name!  I am so blessed to have seen your salvation.  I am so honored to have received your redemption.  I want to sing aloud about your marvelous deeds!  Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever! Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/28/2010

Tuesday, December 28 Read Matthew 2:3-18 A voice was heard in Ramah,sobbing and loud lamentation;Rachel weeping for her children,and she would not be consoled,since they were no more. Father, teach us how to build a culture of life on the earth. May every child be loved and welcomed into life! Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/28/2010

Monday, December 27 Read 1 John 1:1-4 Beloved:What was from the beginning,what we have heard,what we have seen with our eyes,what we looked uponand touched with our handsconcerns the Word of lifefor the life was made visible; Holy Spirit, open my heart to the word of God! As I read and pray through Scripture, help me reflect the goodness and mercy of Jesus, the living Word. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/26/2010

Sunday, December 26 Read Sirach 3:2-14 God sets a father in honor over his children;a mother's authority he confirms over her sons.Whoever honors his father atones for sins,and preserves himself from them.When he prays, he is heard;he stores up riches who reveres his mother. "Heavenly Father, help me to bring your love into my family. I don't want to stand outside the flow of your grace! Let us cloth ourselves with love, patience and kindness." Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/26/2010

Friday, December 24 Christmas Eve Read Luke 1:67-79 "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;for he has come to his people and set them free.He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,born of the house of his servant David. Jesus, as the dawn breaks each morning, let your light break into our lives in a new way this Christmas. As we come to you each day in prayer with our burdens and our needs, help us to comprehend more fully your mercy and love. Give us hearts like yours. Merry Christmas to All! Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/23/2010

Mortgage Monikers (First blogged by Chris McLaughlin) As lending experts attempt to redefine today's borrowers, the need for new monikers within the mortgage market has resulted in a few less than flattering client categories. Keep reading to find out how the banks really view prospective clients and how real estate pro's can use this information on behalf of homeowners and prospective buyers. Distressed Homeowners - These borrowers are simply broke. Not only are they underwater on a mortgage they cannot afford but they are often deep in debt with credit cards, car loans and even educational expenses. The likelihood of repayment is slim to none so banks should be more willing to work with a serious short sale buyer that is able to demonstrate a record of success. Credit Abusers - They a... 12/23/2010

What's Better - Short Sales or Muni Bonds? Blog by Chris McLaughlin ShortSaleRichesOnce considered the darling among investors, muni bonds have enjoyed an ongoing level of popularity among those searching for above average returns, tax advantages and a "safe" investment. However that is changing. As state and local governments across the nation continue to cut payrolls, reduce benefits and increase taxes many investors are wondering if muni's are the safe haven they have been led to believe. Today we are going to take a look at short sales versus muni bonds to compare and contrast the pros and cons of each in order to help the reader make an informed decision about where to park your hard earned cash.Muni Bonds DefinedMunicipal or "Muni" bonds are typically issued by city, state and loc... 12/23/2010

Thursday, December 23 Read Malachi 3:1-4,23-24 Thus says the Lord GOD:Lo, I am sending my messengerto prepare the way before me;And suddenly there will come to the templethe LORD whom you seek,And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.But who will endure the day of his coming? Holy Spirit, we want our hearts to be ready to receive Jesus. Open our eyes to see our sins and the areas in our lives that need to change. Purify us so that we can give Jesus a pleasing offering of our lives. He is worthy! Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/23/2010

Wednesday, December 22 Read Luke 1:46-56 "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;my spirit rejoices in God my savior.for he has looked upon his lowly servant.From this day all generations will call me blessed:the Almighty has done great things for me,and holy is his Name. Lord, like Mary, our spirits rejoice in you. Give each member of our family the grace to magnify you, just as Mary did. Like those before us, we call Mary "blessed" for her complete surrender to your will. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/22/2010

Tuesday, December 21 Read Luke 1:39-45 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,the infant leaped in her womb,and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,cried out in a loud voice and said,"Most blessed are you among women,and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Lord, by filling Elizabeth with the Holy Spirit, she was able to recognize your Son in her midst. Although we feel as unworthy as Elizabeth, pour out your Holy Spirit on us as well so that we may recognize you in one another and in the poor and needy, Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/21/2010