Artopia – An Art Auction and event with a purpose. Big Bend Cares Charity Auction 2010

Big Bend Cares is the primary AIDS service organization providing HIV/AIDS education in this mainly rural region in and around Tallahassee, Florida. Big Bend Cares exists to provide education and comprehensive support to people infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. My friend Kevin Hattaway, has been involved as a sponsor and fundraiser for years with Big Bend Cares and I have been to several events and fundraisers over the years. Having lost a loved one to HIV/Aids, Kevin is dedicated to the support of education and awareness that Big Bend Cares provides.

What impresses me most is the attitudes and generosity of  the caring, cooperative volunteers and people involved in Big Bend Cares. Some have lost loved ones, others struggle with HIV/Aids even now. It’s an ongoing battle and it’s why the fight to educate must continue. Big Bend Cares has many events throughout the year equally as fun.

My daughter and I are still reeling from this great art show and auction! I did not win any of my bids, however, she walked away with four pieces that I am still envious of! In my opinion, she was the winner of the deal of the century. A local artist,  Shea Murphy’s, first piece, which he donated to charity. It took over a year and a half to produce and when he is famous, which I am sure he will soon be, she will have in her possession a work of art that is even more meaningful and valuable!

Shea Murphy is a quiet soul, a giving soul. That much we learned when we talked to him after the auction. Shea works for Home Depot and is a contractor and loves hosting the “how-to” sessions for kids. He also has a passion for introducing art to kids. He works with handicapped children, introducing not just the how-to of art, but the vision that anything is possible. Children with severe physical handicaps learn from Shea that anything is possible and that art comes from within. I can’t wait to learn more about Shea. I am sure  that my daughter and I will be keeping in touch with this wonderful man.

Watch for next year’s show. You really don’t want to miss this great opportunity to purchase art from local artisans, to mingle with the artists and hear their stories and passions and to share your love of art and Tallahassee’s wonderful Big Bend Cares volunteers with friends in Tallahassee, FL.

Artopia 2010 Gallery: View it on Facebook or join the Facebook Community and become a “fan” of Big Bend Cares for future postings and events! If someone you know and love has been affected by HIV/AIDS consider making a  Donation to Big Bend Cares.

Just click here: DONATE

If you are thinking of selling your home.. and you believe it could be a candidate for a first time home buyer…and you want to move up… do not miss your opportunity! the 2010 Tax-credit for first time buyers, along with other first time home-buyer monies are about to come to an end. When that happens, it may be some time before you can expose your home again to the numbers of people that are buying right now!

The deadline for a first time buyer to be in contract is April 30th. The deadline for that buyer to close is June 30th. that leaves you about 2 months now to get your house on the market and get it sold!  If you are thinking of moving up.. do it now!! The chances of selling your home after these two months are decreasing every day! The economists are not optimistic on what will happen with no credit and tightening home-buyer qualification processes. Don’t delay. Click here for a FREE HOME VALUATION today!

This is what happened this week.. a first time home buyer came to me in search of a home..under $110,000. (In my experience most of these buyers are purchasing homes under $150,000 and using down-payment assistance programs.) The buyer came to me pre-qualified (which can take weeks or months for some buyers who have credit issues or verification issues). Within a few days we had “virtually” previewed these homes and after feedback from me on many that I had already seen with other first time home-buyers, we set out to see homes that would work for these buyers.

Granted,.. in Tallahassee, it is RARE to find a property under $110,000 that is is great shape,.. and “woo’s” the buyers. We found that property. It had been on the market just 17 days.. and probably did not sell because the pictures did not do it justice on the MLS. What a thrill, and the buyers saw it near the end of their search, after seeing other properties that needed much work. Getting a home ready to sell makes all the difference in a quick sale and a tired, unseen listing?

This contract went well, buyer and seller negotiated with the help of their REALTORS what I feel like is a fair transaction, no one having an advantage over another and we are on our way with the steps that follow.

We will use Tallahassee Lender’s Consortium for available down-payment assistance funds because I recognized that these buyers qualify based on their income for the use of these funds. We negotiated for a portion of closing costs to be paid by the seller and the buyer’s could not be more appreciative to have this purchase opportunity. using these funds will enable them to keep their down-payment money in their pockets for furnishings, for a roof replacement reserve, (upon my advice), and moving expenses.

We are on our way! I am thrilled for my first time home-buyers!

Buyers, if you want to know where to begin.. take a look at these 9 Steps To home Ownership and make an appointment today to meet with me to plan your next move! Register for your FREE Buying Guide!

Happy last day of 2009. For many, this is a year they’d like to forget… for others it’s a year to remember.  What ever your reflections of 2009 may be, I wish you health, happiness, and success in 2010! I decided to highlight a few things about real estate,. and a few things about my life in general this year. Good bad or ugly, these are the things that influenced my life this year.

Wishing you success in 2010

In the real estate industry there have been lots of changes, not all for the good, but these were HOT topics of discussion, success and challenges of 2009:

• Tax Credits: The most tweeted about, discussed and rediscussed issue of 2009 in real estate. It is what helped first time home-buyers acquire homes in 2008 and what sustained many down-turned market area, including mine!
• Tax Credit Extensions: maybe redundant.. but deserves two slots in the top 10. Again, this extension and the credit for current homeowners was pivotal in 2009 for many home-buyers and the trickle effect of sales and tax rebate money was felt in many areas including Realtor commissions, home repairs, supplies, furniture sales, etc. Give people money, they will spend it.
• Social Media Marketing Infusion into real estate marketing plans. Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn, Zillow, Trulia, blogging and sometimes public flogging..it certainly has emerged into a part of every forward thinking, insightful, and creative marketing professional. Here’s Mashables “10 of the Best Social Media Tools for Entrepreneurs”. Like it or not, technology is going to grow… and fast.
• Video: In my opinion video has opened the doors again for marketing, for communications, for sales and service. It’s a two way portal to the future and to every aspect of business and our lives. Look for more video Emails, Marketing, Postings, Documentation than ever before in 2010 as well!
• Foreclosures:  If you can see, hear and have picked up a paper or magazine,you know the dilemma our nation has faced with the number of home foreclosures on the books. What you may not know, is how it has affected our markets… If you really want to know, ask someone who has a home for sale right now. Homes sold below market value simply because of overstock supplies have devastated equity nest eggs of those who have attempted to sell their homes in less than 7 years.  Short term investments have lost money, just as the stock market and other investments.  I agree with this article that Foreclosures in 2009 will top 2008. We can only hope that  re-addressing ways to counsel those who have suffered losses and repair credit issues for those affected will be a focus of 2010 so that they can purchase again in good faith and with a renewed spirit and ability to own a home in the future. Seven years can seem like an eternity.
• Short Sales: There have been more short sales classes in my area and in my State than any other continuing education classes. As difficult as banks have been in handling these issues, some Realtors have been equally as difficult. Either they are uneducated.. or the rules keep changing. It’s really a little of both. However, you would think we have a duty as Realtors to “consult” with customers. Really? Who forgot that from real estate 101 anyway?  for most Realtors who are sticking by their industry and who have a sense of the core of their industry, this is not new,.. it is simply an adjustment to business as usual. Sometimes we work harder than others, it’s just that simple. I’m amazed at those who say, “I won’t work with short sales.” That’s a bit elitist if you ask me. Get out there and let’s deal with this so we can all move on.
• Politics and the real estate industry. How about politics and every facet of our lives. All I can say on this.. is GET INVOLVED.  If you want to say anything to me at all about politics, tell me first that you have told someone, preferably and elected or appointed official, about it first. Otherwise, you are part of the problem.

On a lighter note, there were a few really funny things that made me smile, and laugh, a lot in 2009!

• Sometimes you just have to take a break.. and YouTube certainly provides a few laughs. Several funny videos came to mind,.. or my mind at least, as you may not see the humor. Nothing cures a bad day like humor, and in most cases you have to laugh to keep from crying.. but these were particularly inspiring…. JK Wedding Entrance Dance, Bacon Is Good For Me!, and Susan Boyle’s success story.  Lessons:  Dance like there is no tomorrow, have your bags packed just in case things don’t work out,.. and never judge a book by it’s cover.
• Then there are the moments that inspire.. funny, most seem to come from children. The latest.. I have worked with customers for 7 years.. before this young man who is now 5 was born. So, when we finally see each other and begin our home search a priceless moment arrives. I hug mom first at our greeting, .. then little man,.. and he looks at me and says,..”What about him?”, pointing to dad…of course.. a hug for dad too!
• Of course, there are the moments that you have to laugh at yourself. I could probably write a book on dumb Realtor mishaps, but nothing takes the cake this year like the day I was previewing, alone, a house for a customer. Rule #1 always check locks before you let a door slam behind you. As I entered a second story porch, with no exit, the door slams behind me only to lock me out of the house. Oh, I am smart, I have a key, but the key doesn’t work for that lock. Thank God I have my phone,.. and I can call another Realtor who can come to my rescue!  There are others I am ashamed to put to print, at least until I retire and need money for a comedy film or book.

A few really great things that happened, of course, center around the people I have met throughout the year. Not all are in person yet, but all have made a difference in my career and in my personal life.

• The “Twitterqueens” Twitter of all things opened the door that was partially cracked open for me early in 2009. In my quest for like-minded professionals I stumbled upon @HeyAmaretto and @LesleyLambert early in the year, and the adventures unfolded from there. We spoke many times on a personal basis, and many more times on twitter. I have learned from them, we have walked through some storms together, and we keep the lines of communication open for ourselves and others that are truly growing their businesses and social networks. My days and evenings usually involve a few shout outs to the ladies and gents of the Twitterqueens and often a few toasts for things unspoken.
• REBarCamps: I attended my first this year in Miami in September 2009. After following many of the speakers and social media presenters for months, I was able to make it to Miami for a day of networking and learning that brought all that I had been trying to accomplish together for me.  My connections to these folks have gotten deeper, and my understanding broadened as a result.
• Ultimately,  My website re-design and re-focus of my business and the scope of community that I was trying to accomplish all rolled together after this meeting and is on it’s way to being a great resource and a lot of fun for those looking not only for real estate in Tallahassee, but who want to know more about our community. It’s a work in progress, but it is my life. If you want to know about the Tallahassee, FL and surrounding area, give me a shout.
• And lastly..Cancer.  Just the word makes me shake. This year, in May I celebrated my 7th year remission from breast cancer with people from my Board of Realtors at the Tallahassee Relay for Life.  I walked beside survivors and I walked hand in had with my dear friend David,  facing a struggle which took his life in September. By far, the most honorable, yet hardest task of my life to date, was speaking at his service. My father fought liver cancer this year and won his battle.. my Board President fought lymphoma and is winning his battle thusfar, and yet many more are still suffering. This is the one constant in life that we just can’t seem to shake.. the loss of those we love.. the battle with cancer. All we can do is fight, give..continue to research and come up with treatment that prolongs our time with those we love. If you gave towards this cause, I thank you,.. if you continue to give, I thank you.. and if you promise to give in 2010, you will receive thanks tenfold.  If you remember nothing else about my ramblings today, remember this.. life is precious, it is to be sucked up, invested in our bodies, minds and spirits and those gifts are meant to be shared with others. Let none of us forget what we owe each other, what we owe this thing called life.

Happy 2010 Everyone!

From Debbie Kirkland… @FloridaSunSales