Monday, December 20 Read Isaiah 7:10-14 Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God;let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,and shall name him Emmanuel. Jesus, you are a sign to us of how much God loves us. Because of you, God is with us and lives in us. You have torn down the wall between us so that we can hear your voice and follow you.  Thank you for giving us the chance to love each other as we love you. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/19/2010

Sunday, December 19-Fourth Sunday of Advent Read Psalm 24:1-6 Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?or who may stand in his holy place?One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,who desires not what is vain. Yes, Lord, we love you and we seek your face. Help us to prepare for your coming and to open wide our hearts to you. Enter in, Lord Jesus, and make your home in us and in our whole family. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/18/2010

Saturday, December 18 Read Jeremiah 23:5-8 Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;As king he shall reign and govern wisely,he shall do what is just and right in the land.In his days Judah shall be saved,Israel shall dwell in security.This is the name they give him:"The LORD our justice." Jesus, you are the righteous Branch. It is only as we are grafted into you, as branches are grafted onto the vine, that we are made righteous. You reign forever and ever! Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/18/2010

Thursday, December 16 Read Psalm 30:2,4-6,11-13 Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,and give thanks to his holy name.For his anger lasts but a moment;a lifetime, his good will.At nightfall, weeping enters in,but with the dawn, rejoicing. Lord, you are our helper, our guide, and our strength. Help us to recognize and rejoice in the many ways you show us your faithfulness and mercy. And help us to love and to rejoice in one another. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/16/2010

Keys to Running a Smooth Short Sale Business This topic may be covered in many books, tapes and seminars, but nothing completely prepares you for setting up and operating a short sale business until you actually do it. Or know someone else who already done it. From my personal experience running such a business, I would like to share a few key pieces to have in place for a smooth-running short sale business. 1.   Get your marketing in place. Create your marketing materials, then get them automated to sell your services-whether for an Investor or distressed homeowner. Use such systems as a video distribution site to deliver your videos to many video hosting sites. This will help drive the calls into your office. 2.   Set up your office online. Paper files are passé. Having the ability to... 12/15/2010

Wednesday, December 15 Read Isaiah 45 I am the LORD, there is no other;I form the light, and create the darkness,I make well-being and create woe;I, the LORD, do all these things.Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above,like gentle rain let the skies drop it down.Let the earth open and salvation bud forth;let justice also spring up!I, the LORD, have created this. Lord Jesus, we look forward to the day when you will come again in glory. And we rejoice that right now you come into our hearts each and every time we come to you in prayer. Reveal your wonders to us, Lord. We await your coming! We know that you are the Lord. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/15/2010

Tuesday, December 14 Read Psalm 34 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him. Lord, we praise and thank you for your grace and mercy, which follow us all the time. Thank you for lifting us up when we stumble and for freeing us from the power of sin and death. We rejoice in you! Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/14/2010

Advising Investors on Short Sales v REO's Property deals abound right now for real estate investors. However, knowing the ins and outs may keep both you and your investors from being surprised by things like hidden fees (penalties, unpaid taxes, etc.) as your property sale moves through the closing process. REO or bank-owned properties have completed the foreclosure process and may be in worse condition than a short sale property. While they often close faster than a short sale, lenders are sometimes not willing to negotiate the price down very much. Even worse, the generally out-of-state bank is sometimes out of touch with exactly how much home values have dropped in a given area. It can then be an uphill battle to get the bank to get real on pricing. Other times, the bank wants to rec... 12/14/2010

Fannies Five Predictions for 2011 Do you wonder what Fannie and Freddie think the new year has in store? Although their track record of success isn't exactly impressive, real estate agents and investors alike should still take notice when Freddie decides to make a prognostication if for no other reason than to understand the mindset at work among clients and the media at large. Analysts for the big duo point to five key predictions they believe will drive real estate during 2011.  1. Continuation of low interest rates. Although interest rates saw a dramatic increase last week, Freddie analysts predict a continuation of low interest rates throughout most of next year with a 30 year fixed below 5% and 5/1 hybrid ARM's below 4%. Will they be right? Only time will tell. 2. Escalation of pri... 12/13/2010

Do You Meet the BPO Agent? There are a lot Realtors and agent's knee deep in short sales. Are you one?  Do you meet the BPO agent at the property? If your answer is "no, not unless I have to" response. Why? A simple transition of meeting and speaking with the BPO agent could lead to more closed sales, better recognition in your short sale field, and enhanced specific knowledge, associated with truly knowing what you're talking about. Accomplish the following (after receiving a reasonable contract of sale):1.    If the property is being marketed on a lockbox (vacant or non-vacant): Change all forms of marketing from "lockbox" to "Call Agent." Most BPO agents are Realtors or agents, just like you, thus, having access to the lockbox key system. This will eliminate them from going direct (w... 12/13/2010

Monday, December 13 Read Psalm 25:4-9 Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;teach me your paths,Guide me in your truth and teach me,for you are God my savior. Jesus, you show us that the paths of the Lord are paths of mercy. We no longer need to be afraid to confront our sin and weakness, for through your Incarnation and death on the cross, you have saved us. Your mercy is our constant companion, and your love is never-ending. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/13/2010

Sunday, December 12-Third Sunday of Advent Read Matthew 11:2-11 Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out to the desert to see?A reed swayed by the wind?Then what did you go out to see?Someone dressed in fine clothing?Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Lord, like John the Baptist, we turn to you. Give each member of our family the grace to recognize and proclaim you as John did. Give us the grace and wisdom to follow you joyfully all the days of our lives. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/11/2010

Thursday, December 9 Matthew 11:11-15 Jesus said to the crowds:"Amen, I say to you,among those born of womenthere has been none greater than John the Baptist;yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Jesus, you came from your holy dwelling to live in us! What can we say but "yes"-we want you to come into our midst. We love you, Jesus, and we praise you. We open our hearts to you! Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/08/2010

Wednesday, December 8- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Read Luke 1:26-38 "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."..."Do not be afraid, Mary,for you have found favor with God....for nothing will be impossible for God." Father, you promised that nothing is impossible. We entrust to you the problems and areas of our lives that seem impossible. We trust your word to us. You are an awesome, mighty, and infinite God!  Thank you for hearing us! Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/08/2010

Tuesday, December 7 Read Isaiah 40:1-11 A voice cries out:In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!Every valley shall be filled in,every mountain and hill shall be made low;The rugged land shall be made a plain,the rough country, a broad valley.Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,and all people shall see it together;for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. Holy Spirit, show us the uneven and rough places in our lives. We repent for wanting our own way or thinking only of ourselves. Deliver us so that the glory of the Father can shine in us. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/07/2010

The Strangest Secret & Short Sales Success In 1956 a young radio broadcaster by the name of Earl Nightingale wrote and recorded a message which became known as "The Strangest Secret". It quickly went on to sell millions of copies without advertising and limited marketing. Today, more than 50 years later, Nightingales secret remains a top seller in the personal development market and has earned the distinction of becoming the largest selling non-entertainment recording in the industry.  Obviously Nightingale's secret was more than mere hype; it has withstood the test of time and become the foundation of an entire information empire due to a few simple to apply strategies that work in nearly any field or endeavor including short sales and real estate investing. The Problem The basis of Ni... 12/06/2010

Monday, December 6 Read Isaiah 35:1-10 They will see the glory of the LORD,the splendor of our God.Strengthen the hands that are feeble,make firm the knees that are weak,Say to those whose hearts are frightened:Be strong, fear not! Father, you know everything and watch over all creation! We are not ashamed to admit that we are weak and rely on you for strength. All day long you care for our families and give us all that we need. Let us continue to share your strength with others. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-GreaterHouston Homes-Humble, TX 12/06/2010

    Effective Marketing with QR Codes   Thursday, December 9th, 2010   11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon           Join us next Thursday at our Atascocita office!   QR codes are all the buzz today - Do you know what they are and how to use them effectively in your real estate marketing?  Join Jeff Lobb, EXIT Realty's technology expert as he explains how to effectively use QR Codes to drive more exposure for your listings, your business and lead generation. Did you know that EXIT Realty has added over 1200 offices and 50,000 agents across North America? Scan the QR code to the left with your smart phone's bar code scanning app to find out why!  Or watch the video below (or click this link:) The Greatest Story Ever Told In The History Of Real Estate         Our office is located at 3824 Atascocita Ro... 12/05/2010

Sunday, December 5-Second Sunday of Advent Read Matthew 3:1-12 For I tell you...I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.I am not worthy to carry his sandals.He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. We could never be worthy of you, Jesus, but through Baptism, you are now our brother, and we are sons and daughters of your Father. Your love is extravagant! You have more for us than we can ask or imagine. Be blessed, Charles gardner. Realtor-Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/04/2010

Scripture for Friday, Read Psalm 27:1,4,13-14 I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORDin the land of the living.Wait for the LORD with courage;be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD. Lord, there are many things we think we need to do. But our real peace and fulfillment come from you alone and from spending time with you. Having you present with our family in every moment is our greatest treasure. We praise you and we love you! Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 12/03/2010