Rate A Home Blog

Bust lines in business is the last thing all of us want to increase. The Bust Line in business equates to bankruptcy, out of business, done, over, nadda, whatever you want to call it, you are busted.

As our bust line gets closer the party is over in this case. Real Estate Professionals in most cases create their own bust line by not taking the B.R.A. approach. BRA? Now you are scratching your head I'm sure.

                                                                  (B.R.A.)

• *B = Being           
• *R = Real Estate
• *A = Active         

How to increase your Bust Line.

1. Don't learn how to Blog. Stay transparent to the general public.
2. Don't become part of a Free Real Estate Network, over 89,300 members have to be wrong, right?
3. Don't market yourself and your listings or products online. 80%+ home buyers start their search on the Internet, there's still 20% you can capture. Good odds! Plus, who would read these dumb posts anyway?
4. Don't add anything free to your web site or blog page. A Lead Generating Program could produce more clients, that means more work and time away from leisure activities to attend closings.
5. Don't further your Real Estate education. We all know it all anyway, we are licensed Professionals.
6. Don't Net Work with Real Estate Professionals outside of your area, you may learn something new that may delay your Bust Line.
7. Don't try any new programs that would save you time and expenses by removing wasted return trips to showings. Paying the large gas bills makes for a great write off on taxes! "Streamlining" the Buying Process is a naughty word when increasing the Bust Line.
8. Don't be a leader in your Profession. Leaders are so over rated, plus they have more clients which equates to more work, that leads to more income. Don't do it!
9. Don't help anyone else in your Profession with the knowledge you have, they might have an idea they can return that will hurt your goal in your Bust Line drive.
10. Don't ever read blogs again, it takes time and they give you idea's to better yourself, thereby increasing the Bust Lines delay.

There's two side to the Real Estate battle field, winners and losers.

Winners, love a Bust Line that has nearly consumed their lives. No new clients, No more showings, No more meetings, No more income, No more work, No more closings, but hey, free time on their hands.

Losers, hate the Bust Line. They have clients, public presence, closings, cash, and involvement with 89,299+ online Net Working Friends. What a miserable life!

This morning (10:58 am ET)an Aero-Med helicopter attempting to leave the heli-pad on top of Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids went into a spin and crashed.

The Grand Rapids Press has been reporting hourly on the mishap on it's M-Live blog page.

The Grand Rapids Press said "A Federal Aviation Administration official reports there were two people in the helicopter, a pilot and a passenger. Both escaped without serious injuries."

We are thankful for the safety of those involved and the quick reaction by area firemen and police officials.

The fire was under control within a short period of time.

Kudos to The Grand Rapids Press in their fantastic coverage (as always) of the situation.

Photo's by  Hoyt E. Carrier, II and Chris Clark of the Grand Rapids Press.

The LEAD GENERATING WISH LIST can now be added for FREE to your Web Site or Blog page on Active Rain. This is not your "Typical" Lead Generator. Your site produces the lead, you are the only one that receives the lead, and there are no fees involved at all.

If you look on the right side of this blog page you will notice the hyperlink that reads "CLICK HERE TO CREATE YOUR DREAM HOME............. FREE Online Wish Lists streamline your Home search. Wish Lists for Existing or New Construction Homes and Condominiums (High Rise Included) and Rental Dwellings."

A potential buyer completes a Wish List for their existing or (Builders or Agents selling NEW HOMES or CONDOS, NOTE) new construction home, condo or rental dwelling search from your link. Any Wish List completed from your personal blog page or web site generates a copy of the buyers Wish List into your e-mail box. Only you and the buyer will receive the Wish List completed from your site. (Rate A Home or any other competing Professional doesn't receive a copy of the Wish List.)The Wish List works excellent as a service to your clients. Agents, Builders, Mortgage Brokers, Home Stagers, or anyone in the Real Estate Profession can utilize this great tool.

Please feel free to test the wish list from my blog page. In the buyers name insert "TEST" then enter your e-mail address as if you are the buyer. Check only the items your wish to have as a feature to your "Test" sample home. Only the items checked appear on the wish list that will be e-mailed to you. Only Rate A Home's logo will appear on the wish list completed from our site, any wish list completed from your site will include your logo if you choose to upload it into the code. (Below). If you have a high spam setting on your e-mail, enter wishlist@rateahome.com as mail you are willing to accept.

Even if the buyer isn't ready to purchase today, your name and logo appears on each Wish List completed from your site for continued marketing. See sample below of Todd Piernatoni's logo. Todd has the wish list program on his web site, and gave us permission for anyone to "Test" from his site as well. Click here to visit Todd's web site.

Please Visit Us at www.rateahome.com

The Wish List goes on to display the buyers exact wants and needs for their home search all generated on-line.

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Agents, Mortgage Brokers, Builders, Etc. may want to display the link similar to Spring Developments on Active Rain.

Clarence Hebenstreit
Lansing, MI
More about me...
Spring Dev Co

Office Phone: (517) 322-3800
Email Me

CLICK HERE to CREATE YOUR DREAM HOME - Wish List

***************************************************************************************

Lew Corcoran - Amerisave Mortgage Corp.

Wish List of What You Want in Your Next Home

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HOW TO ADD THE FREE LEAD GENERATING WISH LIST PROGRAM TO ACTIVE RAIN BLOG PAGE OR WEB SITES:

First you will have to visit http://www.rateahome.com/Documents/AddLink.aspx and go to "WISH LIST - LINKING INSTRUCTIONS" to create your personal information code.

The code you generate will look similar to this example:<ahref="http://www.rateahome.com/Documents/Wishlist.aspx?email=youremailaddress@abc123.com">Click here to fill out a Wish List</a>

To add the wish list you have to go to your home profile page, click on "My Settings" and copy and paste the personal information code from http://www.rateahome.com/Documents/AddLink.aspx into "Blog Description"

Once the code is pasted into "Blog Description" you can change the wording to display on your Blog Page by eliminating the Click here to fill out a Wish List. (See bold print in example below) and inserting your choice of words to display on your blog page. Spring Development inserted CLICK HERE to CREATE YOUR DREAM HOME - Wish List. (DO NOT REMOVE THE >   < ON EACH SIDE OF THE TEXT.)

<ahref="http://www.rateahome.com/Documents/Wishlist.aspx?email=youremailaddress@abc123.com">Click here to fill out a Wish List</a>

Before you close out of the "My Settings" page, you must click on "Update" to save your blog settings. Your Lead Generating Wish List will now display on the "My Blog" page.

The Lead Generating Wish List Program is compliments of Rate A Home.

As a builder since 1978, I have replaced 100's of warped deck boards for customers where the ends have curled up.

Curling or warping is common in wood decking as the drying out process (curing) happens over time. We had one of our boards warp since winter has ended on our deck. The deck was installed two years ago with no problems until now.

My thought was to remove the board as I have done on so many other homes and replace it with a new one. At that point we would have a bright un-weathered board in the middle of the deck, not a good look. This morning after a heavy rain shower I looked out over our deck and the warped board was lying nearly flat. The moisture over night had flattened the warping. I installed new screws and the board looks like it did last fall.

My thoughts, if you have a home that you are marketing that has a warped board, try giving it a good soaking. Once the board is soaked enough, place a heavy object on the warped part, re-screw the end back down and allow it to dry.

The cost, 3 screws at approximately $1.00 and your time. I believe my subcontractors charge use to be $50.00 per board replaced including material. I could have saved the customer $49.00 each.

Guilty as charged!

Sgt. 1st Class Richard J. Herrema, 27, of Hudsonville, Mich., died April 25, 2006

A Fort Bragg soldier with one of the Army's most elite units was killed in a helicopter assault in Baghdad.

He placed only God above his family and loved life, and was a thoughtful man, doing things such as hiring a limo for his younger sisters prom.

He entered the Army in January 1999, and was assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. There he quickly moved up the ladder with his strive for being the best one could be.

The News & Observer report, described his last assignment as "a team member assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command." Herrema, who in 2003 was made a Special Forces instructor after just four years in the Army, had a long list of qualifications, even by Special Operations standards.

Instead of the usual two-man notification team from a local base, six soldiers from Fort Bragg, including some of Herrema's friends, came to Michigan to break the bad news Tuesday, he said.

Herrema was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star Medal for valor, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Purple Heart.

Rick we miss you and thank you for your services.

Please stop by and sign the families Guest Book for Rick.

Edit: One of the points I missed earlier when I wrote this was how God works in mysterious ways. My wife's sisters son Daryl, was a medic in Iraq and when Rick was transferred in to his unit, Daryl was there to take care of and process Rick when he noticed the name that was coming in. Daryl was able to comfort the family with the fact that Rick did not suffer in his passing.

My father in laws brother, was a gunner in WWII. Richard Herrema flew many missions with Bob Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton wrote of the crews experiences during that time, including photo's. There were tense times and times of joy that each men endured on their way to life long friendships that evolved. To each of them, and the men and women who have served and are currently serving our country for our freedom, a big thank you for all you have done and given.

A dramatized memoir of Bob Hamilton's experiences overseas as Navigator of a B-24 crew in the southwest Pacific in WWII as a member of the 5th Bomb Group. BOB HAMILTON attended Davidson College before joining the Army Air Corps in 1943. After the war, he flew the Pacific as airline navigator, earned degrees from University of California, taught history at three colleges, now lives with his wife, Jeanne, on the shore of a lake near Atlanta.

The book can be ordered here.

It's been just over 8 years since that dreaded day that changed the life of the entire World.

The day that life as we knew it, turned into death and destruction in an ongoing bases. Today, humans are still dying daily due to the inhuman thought process of fellow human beings. No fingers pointed, as there are always four fingers pointing back at the pointer.

I stop to reflect on the uncalled number of human life lost across the World. The ones, who lost their lives on 9-11, on US soil. The men and women from all nations who have perished fighting for a cause that may be out of their hands. Is human loss really necessary for any cause?

In this time of earth quakes and devastation throughout pockets of each country, the human side should join hands as one and help those in need. Don't foresee that happening in my life time.

As we near Memorial Day, take the time to think of all those around the World who have been layed to rest. May they rest in peace.

 REMEMBER!

If you have never attended the Waterfront Film Festival, here's your chance. Starting June 12-15 the City of Saugatuck, Michigan will be filled with film goers enjoy the 10th Annual festival.

In what has quickly become a tradition, the idyllic resort village of Saugatuck, Michigan comes alive each June with filmgoers, actors, producers and directors sharing the excitement as outstanding independent films from all over the United States are screened in casual, intimate settings. Entertainment professionals from Los Angeles, New York and Michigan created the Waterfront Film Festival in 1999 to provide a "middle coast" venue for independent filmmakers eager to show their work to sophisticated audiences. The festival has succeeded with growing support and recognition each year, and enthusiastic reviews from attendees. We invite you to participate!

Our festival is a fully volunteer run non-profit organization. All donations and proceeds from ticket and merchandise sales go directly to the operational budget of the festival. All donations are fully tax deductible and allow us to continue the tradition of the festival and to bring quality films and filmmakers to Michigan.

Waterfront Film Festival web site.

To view the past years attending stars, directors and movies.

The 2008 Films and Events will be announced no later than Memorial Day Weekend.

Please join their mailing list to be notified, compliments of The Waterfront Film Festival Organization!

Come to beautiful Saugatuck, Michigan to enjoy a fun Festival in a quaint town along the shores of Lake Michigan.

After spending a late night into the early morning being the voyeur I've become here on Active Rain, I was asked the dreaded question "Are you having an online relationship?" "Um, no honey", I quickly responded. She didn't buy that answer, darn! Digging deeper into my excuse file, I threw out a strong "Now why would you accuse me of such a thing?" hoping to take her edge away and gain the control of the conversation in my favor. Hhmmm, didn't work either as she discounted my, answer a question with a question tactic and demanded an answer. "Honey, I love you. Have I told you that lately?" my best positive, followed up by a question. Shoot, an "open" question giving her an "open" door to slam me. No response, instead I received "The Look". The Look gets me every time; we all have The Look and bestow it on the ones we love sometimes, not meaning any harm, right? 

I caved in and started flapping my jaws, "YES, I am." I had to confess to my bride and apologize for my indiscretion. "Darling", I paused fishing for the best way to let her down gently "there's more than one other". Now The Look turned into The Lock as her eyes fixed directly on mine hinging on the next words from my mouth. "Sweetheart, you know you are the only one for me!" Of course when the backs against the wall, all the nice words we call our spouses come out in a time like this. "And Baby, believe me when I tell you my online relationships have been inspiring, its a long distance affair, but we have become so close through a Network.... Did I tell you that I loved you lately?" That's right; she didn't answer that one before.

"Cutie Pie, I need you to sit down for this one, some times I'm in a group with numerous amounts of people. I can't help myself when I'm online because these people are so cool. There's actually a Post that we all watch, we call ourselves "Members or Family". Some are Post Free Lancers, some are Post Dancers, some are Post-traumatic, some are considered a Poster Child, and they go by newbie's. It's much like a foot ball game Sugar, we all go from Post to Post."

My online relationship has grown to a large circle of friends and family across the World thanks to ALL of you on Active Rain.

While my beautiful bride doesn't understand the blogging thing, she is supportive in my online addiction. Grin.

 Honey, I love You, thanks for bringing some humor into your question, you were just kidding, umm right? Wink.

I would like to introduce Diane Griffin, our newest Active Rain member.

Diane is a phenomenal Broker with Keller Williams in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have had the pleasure of doing business with Diane, and her attention to detail and a focus on service is second to none. Diane is driven, but always has the time to stop and chat like a human without the feeling that she is rushing the conversation. Its one of the great traits she possesses.

Please take the time to visit Diane's profile page as well as her web site

Thank you in advance for welcoming Diane to our Active Rain Family.

Duane

I wanted to thank Dee Dee Hanson for going above and beyond her call of duty. Dee Dee helped myself and another fellow Active Rainer, (Todd Pierantoni) out when we ran into a pinch. My fax machine has been down and Dee was gracious enough to come to our rescue. Todd, is located in Grand Rapids and Dee Dee is in the Saugatuck area. The option was to make a road trip to Grand Rapids, nearly a 40 minute ride or find a fax machine near by.

My first thought was fellow Active Rainer, Dee Dee. Todd, contacted Dee Dee and her response "No Problem". Dee Dee took the time to fax, scan and e-mail the file over to Todd, even though she had nothing to do with the deal.

The power of The Rain and the networking of online friends is amazing. The helping hand I've experienced online and off from Active Rain members is unbelievable.

We turned an Active Rain double into an Active Rain triple, for members working together.

Dee Dee, to you I raise my glass and toast your service and friendliness! I'm glad we were able to meet one another, I enjoyed our talk. Thanks for Raining on me.

Thank you,

Duane

Dee Dee is Broker with CB Woodland Schmidt in Saugatuck-Douglas, Michigan. Please visit Dee Dee's web site you have to see her mascot on the home page, it's worth taking the time.

ThemThem Group, the place to post your public Thank You and Admiration's to the ones who have touched your life in one way or another.

Many of us have someone in our family tree that has served our country in WWII. Some of have lost family members that we never had the opportunity to meet due to a war that we only read about in the history books.  

I have talked to men who served in this war and listened in amazement about the conditions they endured. After watching this amazing video and song my mind wandered back to these times and I'm embarrassed to say, I don't recall thanking them for their services. Shame on me and no excuse. But its not to late to let them know they are not forgotten.

Dr. Sam Bierstock, and John Melnick, of Pompano Beach - a member of Bierstock's band, Dr. Sam and the Managed Care Band - have written a song  Before You Go Please take the time to view the video, it's well worth your time in honor of our veterans. It's a heart warming song and video that pays tribute to the WWII Veterans who served our country. You can also purchase this video at the web site which would be a wonderful memorabilia to our fore-fathers and mothers who gave unconditionally for our freedom today.

"Before You Go" does more than salute those who fought in WWII. It encourages people to go out of their way to thank the aging warriors before they die," says Bierstock.

"If we had lost that particular war, our whole way of life would have been shot," says Bierstock, who plays harmonica. "The WW II soldiers are now dying at the rate of about 2,000 every day. I thought we needed to thank them."

Thank You to our the American Men and Women for their Heroism, and to Dr. Bierstock and Mr. Melnick for opening my eyes to Our Great American Hero's!

Robert Brown is an excellent blogger who pays it forward. If you look at his comments made he has doubled the comments received. Looking over many Active Rainers, this is a rarity I have found.

I have never met Robert "yet" I feel as if I know him personally.

Robert is a man of faith who loves and cherishes his Mom and daughters. He has paid some nice ThemThem tributes to each of them.

Robert and I have become the basket ball game of Active Rainers in Michigan, exchanging leads in our rankings almost daily. I know he motivates me to jump online daily, although it's not all about points, right? Grin.

Robert's Profile Description pretty much says it all, it reads: Reliable, honest, courteous, dependable. Expect a high level of service and commitment. Without the public we have NO business!! That show me, Robert has pure respect for people.

If you don't know Robert or have never visited his profile, do yourself a favor and get to know this Man.

Robert, thank you for all of your comments and net working in The Rain. Keep up the great job. And enjoy your time with Mom this week, she's in my thoughts and prayers.

Duane

Robert's Point Summary

Please join me in welcoming one of newer members to the Active Rain Family. Mark Vonderheide of Vonderheide Architects is from Saugatuck, MI. He a good friend with some awesome talent.

Mark recently lost his office in a fire which destroyed a beautiful building housing businesses and loft style apartments. No body was hurt, but the quickness that Mark and his team recovered, relocated and back in business to service their client was unbelievable. His new office is awesome. Great job Mark!

Mark, welcome to the Active Rain Family.

Some the work Mark and his Team have done. Visit the Vonderheide website to view others.

PS. Mark hasn't been able to load a profile photo with the recent blip in the AR system. But he continues to try daily.

Hal-Sea-On House

If you are looking for the special vacation home to make your escape, The Hal-Sea-On House in beautiful Glen Arbor Michigan is your answer.

Six bedrooms/four baths. Shared frontage on Lake Michigan in Glen Arbor. Accommodates sixteen. King bed in master bedroom; queen bed in second bedroom; king bed in third bedroom; full/twin bunk bed and sofa sleeper in fourth bedroom; full bed in fifth bedroom; two twin beds in sixth bedroom; full futon in reading room. Two kitchens; two living rooms; two fireplaces; washer/dryer. Gas grill. Screened in porch. Deck with lake view. Four kayaks available. Linens and towels provided. Nonsmoking. Summer rentals are Sunday to Sunday. | Glen Arbor

Lake Michigan Access

With direct access to Lake Michigan. Lounging on the deck allows a beautiful view of Lake Michigan.

Swim, Kayak, sun bathe and never have to get in your car to drive.

Glen Arbor is a short walk, where you will find shopping, dining and wine tasting to top your leisure days off.

At night the stars seem like they are a few miles away.

Joyce and I have had the pleasure of visiting the Hal-Sea-On House, and would highly recommend this as a great place to vacation.

One of the unique features of this home is a separate wing that features bedrooms, baths, kitchen and a great room leading to the deck.

The home is set up to allow privacy for numerous couples or a family.

With the large rooms and the lay out of the home it's a perfect corporate retreat to plan for the upcoming year as a group.

Be it vacation or business make it the Hal-Sea-On House.

Check on the availability for your vacation or event.

I would like to give Gary White a big ThemThem for his extravagant and fun writing skills he possesses. If those two words can ever be used within the same context, Gary has achieved it.  His blogs are always creative and informative.

Gary has started Flexit Realty in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He must endorse the Active Rain Network within his company as I see many of the Flexit agents posting here as well.

Gary is excellent on responding to comments left on his post, plus he goes out of his way to Rain on others posts as well.

I've never personally met Gary even though we are from the same city, but I feel like I know Gary personally as he has a knack of bringing comfort to those he responds to.

Gary congratulations on reaching the 200,000 point level and thank you for the kindness you have shared through your comments and posts.

What is a ThemThem?