Another great transaction: trust sale

We have had many great transactions lately, but helping our friend Mr. Crumby was such a pleasure. Thank you for your business. A trust sale and a smooth transaction. Thank you for your business Mr. Crumby.

Looking to sell your home? Give us a call. Let us make it an easier transaction. See how we advertise a listing for you by clicking here.

Where has Steve been?

So where is Steve the last month? He has been a busy man. He was nominated to the C.A.R. (California Association of REALTORs®) Board of Directors and is now on the Board of Directors for S.A.R. (Sacramento Association of REALTORs®). A great honor. Steve's hard work has paid off. S.A.R. Steve enjoyed thoroughly his C.A.R. trip to Indian Wells this past week.

Not only that business has been fast and furious. We thank you all for your referrals. We are so lucky to be surrounded by so many wonderful people, family friends and clients. We have many of you looking solely at Bank-owned (aka REO, REPO, REPOSSESSED) homes only ... don't forget there are homes out there that are great deals and interest rates are at a near all time low. If you have been sitting on the sidelines as a 1st time home buyer, set up a myREalerts account and just go for a free viewing spin of your that meets your realistic dreams. Find a home that functions for you. Some may be hidden behind some dust and eye sores, but explore the options.

So social life isn't there ... but we are here. Give us a call 916-308-2446. Or instant message us on AOL: RosevilleRocklin Yahoo: RosevilleAndRocklin

I, Heather, have been helping out Steve a lot more because of the increase in work. I am also behind on sending out my JUST SOLD postcards. Eek! So I am MIA also. Websites, advertising and paperwork and my girls are keeping me buried. I have a lot of people ask me if I do our website, and the answer is yes, I do it all by myself. It is luxury of having a great salesperson to work with and an in-house graphic/ad design department. I think this is why we are doing so well right now. From attending his CAR trip, he learned how technologically advanced our team is! So great news.

BUT as Steve always says, "HE is NEVER too busy for YOU!"
Steve always answers his call whenever he can.

Short sale update!!!

Just in case you missed it and you are involved in a personal short sale of a property. Please take the time to read this SacBee article. Only applicable to those involving one's primary residence.

http://www.sacbee.com/103/story/595007.html

Also if you haven't heard, Bank of America is in the process of negotiating the deal to purchase Countrywide Loans.

http://newsroom.bankofamerica.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=7956

Instant whaaaat?

So many of you I communicate with via Instant Messenger.
Instant What? Instant Oatmeal?

Do you use AOL, Yahoo, Google, Jabber or Meebo?

We do our best to communicate in what ways makes best for you.
Steve and I are committed to staying updated on technology that improves our customer service commitment. Here are few things we have added over the past year or two.

We also use
RELAY a program and server to house all of your electronic documents that YOU can access throughout your transaction.
myREalerts: state-of-art-home search engine notification

AOL instant messenger (IM): RosevilleRocklin
Yahoo IM: RosevilleAndRocklin

And yes that is my goldfish on my icon! You simply must have a good IM icon. Right? Generic options cannot do.

Speaking of Instant Messager: I have also recently added Meebo to our informational site: www.RosevilleAndRocklin.com. IT is an instant messaging service directly on our site. Requires NO software. Check it out. Give us an e-ring.

So it's been awhile ...

First of all, it has been some time since my last post, I realize now.

Well c'est December and the Holidays. It was a great time and for us, quite busy thankfully. Keep moving forward.

Speaking to our in-house loan person, I hear that interests rates are at near all-time low. Don't dispel this as not an opportunity to invest or find that retirement home. Have equity in your home to afford moving up? Maybe something to consider.

Well I am personally quite happy today, we have made it to the holy page 1 of Google. Thanks to all who have made our website a success on the search engines. We have been given wonderful people to work with and it makes life so much easier.

So where do you start? Do you prefer email? Do you prefer IM? Or the phone (Steve's favorite)? Give us a call, run over your thoughts and concerns. The media has reported repeatedly depreciating values in certain areas (but NOT all are suffering as reported). But, buyers are moving this market. Homes that are well-priced and presented accordingly to their price and area bracket are moving. Bank-owned and short sales are on the rise. (Short sale=home is listed at less than what is owed on the home and may or may not be approved by the appropriate involved financial institutions — it is NOT the home selling in a SHORT amount of time). Don't laugh I don't think everyone knows what a short sale is ... this is just me repeating thoughts of others.

Bank-owned are at the curiosity forefront. You see the signs you wonder "REO" "Bank-owned" and "FORECLOSURE"... some homes are gems others show their wounds of sadness of angry former owners.

There are deals to be made. Try our search engine at www.MakeTheJumpWithUs.com. SIgn yourself to just observe and doesn't cost you anything. We can help you with setting you up or drive all on your own. LEt us know if you have questions.

WE know the buyer is expecting more of their REALTOR (Steve Ostrom) and I think that is why we are fairing so well during these times. We do our best to ease your transition and/or transaction. I only handle marketing (yes I am a graphic designer) and electronic communications. I also assist in home preparation.

Steve Ostrom: Great in '08

Okay I want to boast about how great my hubbie is ... Steve has been asked to speak at a Monday morning motivational meeting labeled "Great in '08."
I am proud of you Steve Ostrom. Not only a great husband, dad and friend, but a great salesperson. I love you and I am so proud of how well you are doing. Thanks for letting me be along for the ride.

What the flyer says:

About our Presenters
Stay ahead of the game and plan
today for a Great 2008! Our panel
presenters will provide for you
terrific business ideas that have
worked for them this past year to
consistently produce business!
pictured from top left:
-- four other names removed for privacy ---
• Steve Ostrom- roseville
granite bay office

Other snippet:
"The internet has changed the way consumers shop for
a home; we must be prepared to get them through
both doors: the front door as well as the one on the
internet.
Be prepared to communicate first by LISTENING.
Listening is comprised of the following:
o Body Language (mirroring)
o Intensity Level (play the part- be ‘there’)
o Notes (taking good notes)
o Determination to Understand Consumer
o Eye Contact
o Readiness to Respond with Dialogue/ Scripts

What the Shell!?!

So for all of these years from reading household tips here and there INCLUDING a well-known home network, I have read that putting your egg shells down the disposal either cleaned/aided a faltering disposal and/or sharpened the blades. All these years here I thought I was doing an innocent task of throwing my little shells down the drain and chopped those bad boys in the disposal was helping and not creating problems ...

So we had a friend of ours visit recently who works in the water waste treatment industry and has informed me that I should NOT put those shells in the disposal. I should put them in the trash as well as coffee grounds (or for you compost types, you know what to do). I don't know the exact reasons why, but supposed the egg shells don't break down as they need to happen.

I knew coffee grinds were not good for the drain as well as potatoes, but now I happily add egg shells to my list.

Don't believe me google: egg+shells+disposal
I don't know all the literal reasons WHy it is bad to do, I just trust my buddy it is as he is in the industry and he seemed pretty passionate about it. SO I am running with it. Typically I ask TOO many questions, but I knew we were heading in a chemical and processing issue direction and at that point I took his word for it.

I hear the egg shell remedy often so I thought sharing this info may help you too! Help the waste water people out (they have enough &*^% on their plate-pun intended)