Rate A Home Blog

Dreamaker: to search, provide valuable information, secure and present the Dream Home.

Every Agent is a Dreamaker! Sure, the availability of information for buyers on the Internet seems like all the buyer would need these days.

But in reality each of us can read up on surgeries, vehicle repairs, rocket building, you name it. I know I wouldn't do any surgery on the ones I love by following the Internet, or repair my cars engine, or think that I could be a rocket scientist.

Much of the Internet Real-estate information is vague enough to cover just about any state, county or city. When it comes down to needing the detailed information to make the right choice it takes a person that's been there and done that, a Real estate Professional.

Do your web surfing, it doesn't cost you anything and it will help you get the just of the real-estate process. But contact a Dreamaker before you get to far into the process to streamline your Dream Home search.

Smart moves up front will save you hard earned cash in the long run.

Dreamakers=Real Estate Professionals.

There are plenty of the Top Dreamakers right here on Active Rain.

Picture of design by www.92ee.com

I can still remember when I was young and loved playing with my trucks. I would spend endless hours with neighborhood friends, building fake cities in the sand box.

Hearing Mom call out my name when lunch was ready. Of course the lunch whistle hadn't blown on my construction site, but with enough prodding I would go enjoy a wonderful peanut butter and jelly sandwich Mom had made with love. Then back to my building project.

Then the dreaded day arrived where I was informed that my construction supervising job was being eliminated during the day shift. School I was told was going to be a fun and exciting venture. School? I had work to complete!

There was no negotiating my next step in life. Mother knew best! At least that's what I was lead to believe. So, for the next umpteen years she drove me to and from school. There I made an entire new group of friends.

My Dad owned a construction company and I was taught to work from the time I was 6 years old. Mom ran the office, Dad ran the field and my sister and I were the gophers. What a blast that was, we worked hard and played hard.

From the success of their company, Mom and Dad provided (OK, spoiled us kids) with fantastic trips, (all 50 states, and many other countries) and nearly everything a child could want in their life. My childhood was a dream come true, of course when you are young you don't realize this fact.

                                                                                                                                                                                                   My parents were able to retire at a young age, and my sister and I continued to run the business Mom and Dad put so much time and energy into. They provided jobs and a great living to nearly all the family members including brothers and sisters of our spouses. For that, they received very little thanks.

The business survived for 46 years, until the change of the Michigan economy caught us with our pants down. Heavy on unsold inventory and land took it's toll. Sorry Mom and Dad, we gave it our best shot.

I can't foresee the future and worry about them daily. Being in good health removes some of the fear, but as they sneak up in age I start to reflect back on those years. I recall Dad telling me "someday you won't believe how fast that time flies by". Of course when I young and in school, it dragged. Today I wonder where did the day go, where have the years gone.

My inspiration in life can be attributed to Mom and Dad. My teachers in life, my guidance counselor, sometimes my police, grin, my nurse, my house keeper (sorry Mom), my banker, but more importantly my Mom and Dad!

Thank you for all you have done in my past, present and future. I love you both.

Don't forget to hug your parents, without them, you wouldn't be here!

My ThemThem to the greatest people I know. 

Graphics provided by www.92ee.com

Before a buyer makes the decision to go house hunting they should do their "home work" first.

Utilizing a Personal Budget Calculator will help determine current expenses. These are the numbers that your mortgage lender will be looking for when you make the initial application for your mortgage.

Knowing your current expenses will help streamline the ability to maintain your new mortgage. Becoming married to a home due to previous debt eliminates the fun things in life. Getting your debt in line will eliminate the stress of home ownership.

Do your "home work" and reap the benefit in the long run

The Personal Budget Calculator is a Free use tool compliments of Rate A Home.

I just received a poem through my e-mail about Michigan winters. The author is unknown, but did a fantastic job. The poem pretty much holds true for this winter. Enjoy.

Our son recently started working with a commercial building company. He was working in our home building company where he was never off the ground more then 15 feet. Now he moved into steel erection. where he is walking around on 6" beams that would have me frozen in place. Of course as parents we worry about his safety daily, but he's loving it.

On the other hand our daughter is working for an accounting firm. Her biggest threat of injury is a paper cut. Much more relaxing as parents. Grin.

I have watched as high rise buildings were built before my son became involved in the business. It always amazed me on how these steel workers moved with ease, but once I had a family member involved in the industry I gained more respect for the safety of these dangerous jobs.

I stop and reflect on the families who have loved ones over sea's protecting our country. The painful worrying the families must endure daily for their loved one has to be mind boggling.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families who are unable to have daily contact with the one involved in a dangerous job, just to hear their voice and know they are safe.

Photo provided by www.freepicturesweb.com

Peterson Mill in Saugatuck has been beautifully maintained.

 When you visit Saugatuck, take the time to ride by and snap some photo's of this historical site.

Peterson Mill was a grist Mill back in its day.

Today ducks and geese make the pond near the mill home.

History is rich in the Saugatuck area.

Photo taken by Ted Swoboda

Lately Saugatuck Michigan has been experiencing winter wonderland. We have a break in the weather for a day or so, with more snow on the way Sunday.

Here are some photos the Ted Swoboda of Swoboda Images recently took.

Walkway over looking Lake Michigan.

Steps to the beach on Lake Michigan at Oval Beach. You can see how far into Lake Michigan the ice has built up according to the two small wood pilings in the center of the photo. That is the point the waters edge usually starts.

Flying over the ice caps on Lake Michigan

Saugatuck is beautiful even in the dead of winter.

How would you like to remove the biggest obstacle in selling, bidding and building new homes and condominiums?

One of the most frustrating parts for the agent and builders, is bidding a new home for a client that is getting multiple quotes.

Unlike commercial construction where the spec sheets are completed by architects, engineers and interior designers, home building spec sheets are figured out as one goes along. Home builders and agents gather information from the potential client by asking questions, writing the buyers needs down and then trying to produce an accurate quote.

The problem arises when each builder isn't bidding apples to apples. If the client neglects or forgets to tell one builder a major component they would like in the home then a price difference in quotes happen. Or on the other hand a builder doesn't include certain features the client has asked for in the quote may win them the low bid, and once the home is started the change orders go into effect.

Majority of builders would prefer to bid fairly against their competitor on a same feature bases. It rarely happens unless the client is organized and presents a detailed spec sheet to each builder. This is where a detailed "New Construction Wish List" works the best. The client completes their wish list before meeting any builders and presents each builder their detailed wish list of features they desire. Make the wish list a part of the addendum to the contract (signed and dated by both parties) so there are no questions on whats included in the quote.

Real-estate Professionals and Builders can add the New Construction Wish List to their web site for Free. The wish list works as a lead generator as well. Any wish list completed on your web site produces the lead only to you. Please test the wish list at Todd Pierantoni (Remax)web site. Simply enter "Test" in the buyers name and your e-mail in the buyers data box. This way a copy of the test wish list will automatically be e-mailed to you, as if you were the buyer. Notice how Todd's logo, name and information appears on the wish list. When you add it to your web site, your information would be in place of Todds.

Click here to add the FREE Lead Generating Wish List to your web site.

When I first joined the Active Rain Family it was a bit confusing and overwhelming for me on what to do. I found that I surfed the blogs pages, reading and commenting before I got the courage up to try my first post. That was on October 16, 2007 and it was basically all text. Since then I back tracked and added a photo to spruce up the blog.

The encouraging part of being the new kid on the block was when I received my first three "Associations" postings from Active Rain Members. It felt like there was some kind of acceptance to the family.

My "ThemThem" thank you to my first three "Associations" that added myself to their associates list!

(See ThemThem definition at the bottom of this post)

My first Association post:

Came from Amy Barrutia of Idaho Home Loans 
Nampa, ID
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Although I haven't seen Amy post for some time, it was still a great feeling to receive my very first association from her. Thank you Amy.

My second Association post:

Came from Jeff Kessler 

I enjoy reading Jeff's blogs. Jeff has provided a lot of information through his posts. Jeff thanks for sharing your knowledge and input.

My third Association post:

Was from Julie Neerings
Salt Lake City, UT
Keller Williams Salt Lake City

I follow Julie's post as well. She has a creative approach in her posts, I enjoy the content she provides. Thank you Julie.

This post doesn't take away from my other 74 Associations that I have been very thankful to be a part of their worlds. Thank you to each and everyone of you. I'm enjoying the learning experience and networking here on Active Rain.

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What is a "ThemThem": ThemThem's are similar to MeMe's but here you can post about people who deserve to be recognized and thanked by you. The eagle in your eye. It may be a spouse, family member, a co-worker, anyone from the general public, or an Active Rain member who may have inspired you through their posts. It's the site to give a "ataboy" or "atagirl" pat on their back.

If you are not a member of the group already, please join us at "It's all about them (ThemThem)"

I would like to thank Matt Heaton, Jonathan Washburn and James Hillyerd and the entire Active Rain Team. The site they have developed and graciously allow all of us to utilize, to better ourselves, our businesses and network with our counterparts across the world is FANTASTIC!

The Teams vision for the need to bring together the Real-estate Professionals in one forum is remarkable.

Thank you!

ThemThem Group

I wanted to welcome all the new members that signed up for the "ThemThem" Group.

I would normally send a welcome to each individual that joins a group. But with 38 new members in one day I felt a group thank you would be the quickest remedy.

The new members are the Who's Who of Active Rain. WOW what a line up!

I look forward to reading all your posts of "ataboys" and "atagirls" for the people who are the eagles of your eyes!

Again, THANK YOU and WELCOME to the ThemThem Group.

BTW: Our group grew by 61 members in a 24 hour time frame. Thank you to all the new members.

Update: 133 Members involved as of 02.13.08 WTG Group Members!

Update: 152 Members involved as of 02.14.08 Thanks to all our new members.

Update: 219 Members joined as of 02.15.08 Thank you to all our new and existing members.

Update: 248 Members joined as of 02.16.08 Welcome aboard to the newest members!

Update: 279 Members joined as of 02.17.08 Thanks in part to Yvonne Root for promoting our group in her blog.

Please feel free to join us, we look forward to having you as part of the ThemThem Group.

Eagle photo by Ted Swoboda of Swoboda Images, Saugatuck, Michigan.

I started a new group today called "ThemThem" that is similar to "MeMe's" but here you can post about people who deserve to be recognized by you, and a pat on the back from the Active Rain family.

It may be your spouse, family member, co-worker, someone from the general public, or an Active Rain member that has been an inspiration through their posts.

MY ThemThem:

It's to my beautiful wife in honor of Valentines Day. Her name is Joyce, and she has been my rock through thick and thin. We have been married for 3 years now. While I'm going through some tough business times, she has never faltered in her support or love.

She's a people person who will step up and help anyone in need.

Her positive outlook on life is one I wish I could adopt even 10% of it. Being positive has helped me take the high road in many cases. When I am down and just want to throw in the towel, there she is with comforting words of encouragement.

I watch in amazement how she takes other people under her wing and helps them through encouraging words to show them the light that they are unable to see.

Her love for my children is unwaivering. She told both of my kids after the divorce to their mother that she "wasn't there to replace their mother, but there as a friend who loved their father." Wow, what a statement!

Becoming and instant grandpa to five beautiful grandkids that her children had, showed me the nurturing and great love she provided as their mother and grandmother. She did an awesome job raising a beautiful family.

I'm glad that God has blessed me with such a wonderful person. And her saying is that "People don't come into ones life for no reason" holds true more then ever. I'm a lucky man, and I have my beautiful bride to thank.

Thank you for all you have done. I love you and always will. 

She decided to move with her blanket of snow. As I look out of the window she continues to display what she feels is a work of art.

We're looking at 6"-12" of more snow. The fourth snow storm in the past seven days.

The news just reported 1155 closings of events, schools and businesses already.

Because this is a "blind date" I would like to offer anyone (not within a 50 mile radius) the right to invite Mother Nature to your home. Please take her away and send over her "hottie" sister.

You read it right, 37,000,000 Americans currently don't have health insurance.

That's a scary number. My wife and I have become a statistic since we closed our building company. I guess were not alone in this frightening gamble of life.

The cost of health insurance is keeping many Americans from obtaining one of the more important needs in life.

As independent contractors find the expense of business undaunting, we look towards the larger expenses to cut from our personal budgets.

With the election year in full swing I hope the candidates think about the small business person and their families. Granted "Big Business" has to be viable for the economy. But this country was built by the small business entrepreneurs.

Photo compliments of www.92ee.com

Personal and business success from being involved with the Active Rain Real Estate Network is no Urban Legend.

The links below are just a few of the success stories from Active Rain Members that were generated by simply being involved with this great site.

The Real Estate Professional that isn't involved in networking and blogging these days is like the Professional without a cell phone, computer or any other modern day technology.

My hopes are, that any Professional involved in the Real-estate industry will read this and be inspired to join the Active Rain Network.

WARNING: Joining may result in the success that others are already enjoying from being involved.

Get involved and watch your information building blocks shoot into infinity across the Worldwide Web. Search engines pick up the Active Rain posts highly in the rankings. Personal blogs are ok, but the results from teaming up with the Active Rain family are second to none.

How to achieve success on Active Rain by Lance Winslow.

If any of the Active Rain Members have success stories, I would be happy to add them to the links below. I did a search and posted from the first few pages. My apologies if your story was overlooked.

Success Stories on Active Rain

http://activerain.com/blogsview/332173/Two-new-clients-from posted by Jeff Kessler  

http://activerain.com/blogsview/156672/My-First-Clients-from posted by Lizette Fitzpatrick

http://activerain.com/blogsview/180864/I-Sold-My-Home posted by Jim Crawford  

http://activerain.com/blogsview/322807/Building-on-My-2 posted by Margaret Woda  

http://activerain.com/blogsview/337719/My-first-sign-of posted by Marlene Scheffer  

http://activerain.com/blogsview/362890/MY-FIRST-ACTIVERAIN-CLOSING posted by Jennifer Dahl

http://activerain.com/blogsview/361095/Thank-you-to-you posted by Adam Bearup (60% increase in website hits)

http://activerain.com/blogsview/369208/Active-Rain-listing-finds posted by Donald Bradbury

http://activerain.com/blogsview/376382/I-struck-AR-gold posted by Ben Kolkman

Picture of Design compliments of www.92ee.com

Have you ever stopped to wonder why "Blog", "Blogging" or "Blogger" isn't in the spell check system yet?

With the increase of these three words being used daily and becoming common words it amazes me that they haven't made the cut into the system.

Maybe, just a personal thing for me, but every time I do spell check with the hopes of getting a "No Misspellings Found" report, poof, there's that little red squiggly line under those three words. No gold star, no smiley face on my spelling test. Dang!

Maybe someday I will arrive at a perfect spell check. 

$102,000,000.00 to be drawn on Fat Tuesday, February 5, 2008.

Think of the good one could do with that kind of money.

When I fantasize about winning that amount of money, it almost sends chills down my spine.

To think that I could donate to the homeless, help the needy, pay the huge amount of taxes helping our nation recover (OK, that part doesn't excite me) it's a good feeling thought.

Think of the new friends you would have. Relatives you never even knew would come out of the wood work. You would be a Rock Star in your town.

I have to be honest, I would have to do some special things for myself and family. Maybe that trip to Greece that I've always wanted to go on. A new car. Some new duds.

What would you do with $102m?

You can check out the Mega Millions web site for your winning numbers.

Well, I was watching the Today show this morning and that little critter Phil seen his shadow. That means we will be enjoying 6 more weeks of winter, argh. The Today show reported the largest crowd turnout ever. I watched the reporting and it looked like a fun gathering for families. You can check out photos posted today at Groundhog.org

Keep the long johns out, were gonna need them!

Winter in Saugatuck, Michigan can be beautiful. The channel from downtown Saugatuck to Lake Michigan is currently frozen over.

The lakeshore is starting to ice up nearly 100 yards out from the shoreline. Last year I watched in amazement, as people walked on the ice over the lake. I didn't try it personally and wouldn't recommend trying this, but it has to be a weird feeling knowing they are on Lake Michigan.

These photo's were taken by Ted Swoboda a local photographer last year.

You can see the waves busting over the light house on the pier. This year the same scene is repeating itself.

The sunsets are still gorgeous and more spectacular with the snow. Some of the cloud formations are awesome as it gets colder.

Another photo of the waves crashing over the ice build up. You can see how far past the pier head the ice was built up.