Kathy McGraw's Real Estate and Life Blog

Is it a good time to sell land in Riverside County?

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 20:24:08 -0500

I get asked this question a lot from sellers of land in the Whitewater area of Riverside County, CA. A couple years ago I told all the people that contacted me how much the value of their land lots had gone down, and if they didn't need to sell to hold off.

That was in 2008-2010. Now here we are in 2011 and people are again asking me if it's a good time to sell their land. My answer before was if you didn't have to sell, then I would suggest waiting. My answer now is things are getting better and people are again looking at land. Not like they were in 2004-2006, and not at the same inflated prices, but people are looking. So, if it was my land I would go ahead and list it, but at today's prices. Forget what I told you a few years ago, that time has passed.

Kathy McGraw- Broker CELLing Realty (951) 849-7249

Race For a Cure - This Sunday, Temecula - Inland Empire

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:08:35 -0400

Just saw this-so anyone in the surrounding Temecula area might want to check this out. Dianne Hicks is a local REALTOR in Temecula, and knows about giving back to her community. And what better way than to promote this Race For a Cure for Cancer during October, Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Via Dianne Hicks (Tarbell, Realtors):

Race For a Cure - This Sunday, Temecula - Inland Empire

It's that time and as in every year, this Sunday at the Promenade Mall in Temecula, The Susan G. Komen race for a cure is on. As always, a big turnout is expected hoping to raise 2 million dollars.

As you know we have had big changes to our mall this last year. Due to this they have changed the location for the expo and staging area, the event will be in the parking lot between the new and old Macy's department stores.

Please be aware that the following streets in Temecula.... Ynez Road, Overland Drive, Margarita Road and Solana Way will require some partial or full closures from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday 10/18/09. The mall's ring road will also be partially closed for the event.

If you have not registered yet, you can still register on the 2nd floor of Macy's. If you do not get the chance to register before Sunday, you will be able to register on race day, beginning Sunday at 6:30 a.m.

Here is the Schedule for Sunday's Race for the Cure
6:30 a.m.: Registration opens

6:30 a.m. to noon: Expo and Kids' Expo

7:15 a.m.: Survivor photo

7:30 a.m.: Parade of Pink, a tribute to survivors.

8 a.m.: Timed 5K run for men, women and survivors

9 a.m. Team/co-ed 5K run/walk

10 a.m. Family 1-mile run/walk

10:45 a.m.: Survivor awards, pledge prize drawings and kids' art contest winner announced.

Please this website for donations and knowledge regarding this race for a cure
http://ww5.komen.org

Dianne Hicks
Tarbell, Realtors e-PRO, Reo/Short Sale Certified
email diannehicks@di4homes.com or di@di4homes.com
phone (951) 514-5709
website http://www.di4homes.com
The Realtor You can Expect More From!!!

Monday Morning.....the Gifts of marti garaughty that keep on giving :)

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:10:25 -0400

Designing a website or blog.....Pitfalls encountered when we aren't focused and lessons learned.

About a month ago I wrote a Blog Titled: Get out of your comfort zone and learn something....Blogs 101. How premature that desire was to have someone design a new Blog for me. Heck I wasn't even focused enough to be able to articulate what the Blog would be used for. Oh sure, I could say anything, but the reality is without being focused, how does the Designer know what to do for you? How do they know how to maximize your site for your benefit? And what do you do when you can't seem to get what you think you want?

What do you do when your Blog doesn't fit into the proverbial "box"?

What do you do when you can't articulate Who you're marketing to? During the past few months I have been trying to get an "Outside Blog" designed and functioning. One of the biggest problems appeared to have been thinking it had to fit into a certain mold of who to market to. Was the Blog to:

Focus on the consumer
Offer Hard Core Real Estate
Focus on Neighborhoods, or
Provide Market Reports

Here are the Lessons I learned while trying to get my new "Outside" Blog online.

Communication- This is paramount to success. Many Designers have their own ideas, and just as often they forget that we might not understand how their business actually works. Keeping someone informed, and working things out in a timely basis is important.
What one person says is "no problem" might just be one.
The learning curve for different blogging platforms is never ending, or so it seems.
Keep it simple.........clean and simple far outweigh flashy. With Simple the content stands out.
If you don't know what you want, no one else will either.
Availability- what do you do when you have issues and need to get a hold of the person helping you. For me I like having someone that answers emails quickly, and doesn't work 9-5 M-F.....that doesn't fit my needs. I found it is very important that my needs are met, since it is my site :)
Blogging is a commitment- I learned here on Active Rain to have a schedule for posting. You might not always follow through, but a schedule helps keep you focused. The lesson I learned here on Active Rain, I will take to my new Blog also.......
Choose a Domain Name that will identify your Market
Know who you are Marketing to~ It's OK NOT to have a conventional site, (If you're the Broker it's much easier as you don't need permission nor risk censorship)
Patience........Patience......Patience...........
Listen to Lenn Harley!!!! You can't go wrong learning about blogging success's, and what to write.

This is the Initial Header I was going to use, on the blog I was having designed.

Guess it isn't too hard to guess who designed the Header. Anyone who knows his work can recognize The Blog Artist marti garaughty who also Founded and Moderates the Art of Marketing You Group .

Here are some of marti's recent or relevant Project Designs:

Margaret Rome book cover: http://www.homerome.com/book/index.html

website design: http://ladamedragonserviceslinguistiques.com/

Real Estate 411 page header: http://realestate411.ning.com/

Midori Miller blog header: http://activerain.com/blogs/midori

Pam Winterbauer blog header: http://www.activerain.com/blogs/winterpam

Brad Andersohn blog header: http://www.activerain.com/blogs/bandersohn

Linda Scanlan blog header: http://www.activerain.com/blogs/lindascanlan

Here are some contact links in case you don't already have these :) I know that I am very happy with marti's work. His communication is top notch, his designs are clean and simple, his prices reasonable, and to top it off I love his personality and his work:) :)

artwork:   http://garaughty.com
graphics:   http://TheBlogArtist.com
marketing: http://TheArtOfMarketingblog:

blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/garaughty

And finally I would like to Introduce my new Outside Blog that marti came to my rescue and designed for me. This is my new outside Blog: http://californiarealestateandlife.com

I worked very hard to launch this new Blog, and would love it if you would come by and leave a comment on any of the Posts....especially if one doesn't have a comment :)

Yep Active Rain spoiled me for comments....so just for this day, just for this time, I am asking you each to come subscribe to my new blog and leave a comment.

All Feedback welcomed here.

California Real Estate and Life A new Real Estate Blog By: Kathy McGraw ~ CELLing Realty

Almost Wordless Wednesday Kathy Style #5

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:54:12 -0400

I was making a Word Press Blog to practice some of the things I learned and found a great theme for Photos called Monotone. Since the name of the Blog is called Sunset Art Works of course I had to upload some Sunset Pictures. This is one I got a real kick out of, and had fun with it on Twitter. Hope you get a smile out of it. Some things don't really need an explanation, and if you live in North County, San Diego you've probably seen it along Highway 101.

Are You a Follower or a Leader......Which Road Did You Choose

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 06:59:43 -0400

The other day I commented on a Beautiful Post by Ginger Wilcox and as all good Bloggers do Ginger commented back. Sometimes we read what we are feeling into someones words, and sometimes we gain solace from what we read. Ginger's comment "The Road Less Traveled can be very, very lonely.." made me think. I thought about it for quite awhile as I more often than not do indeed travel down that lonely road that others choose not to.

Life is full of choices.... Some we have the power to make, and some we don't. Choosing the path we want to travel isn't always within our total control. Some decisions are made from so far within that we might not be conscious of the reasons. Some decisions are made from anger, righteousness, responsibilities, fear of rejection, or fear of the unknown.

Some people are Followers, and some are Leaders. We've all seen stories of people that follow and don't really know why, but others did it, so they do it too. We've seen stories of "Mob Mentality" where a perfectly rational individual morphs into "action" without any thought of the consequences...they react to the moment.

During my term in the Peace Corps I had a lot of evenings to fill, and one way was to read. On a cold snowy night it didn't matter to me what I read, as long as it would carry me away from the solitude of the night. Books in English were hard to come by, but one day someone gave me a book of Poetry. I had never really read poetry before, but as I said, it was in English so I read it. One of the poems was The Road Less Traveled by Robert Frost. I read it several times, thinking of different parts of my life where I had indeed taken the road less traveled.

Many years ago I worked at Sylmar Juvenile Hall, a Juvenile Detention Facility in Los Angeles County. I was full of optimism. Basically a loner, somewhat insecure in my position, and trying to do my best; I was proud of my accomplishments ......but then I got called into the Directors Office. He was very professional, but his words were like a sledge hammer into my soul..... He stated, "We have no room for Individuality in this Department." It's been more than 30 years since I heard those words, but I can hear them like it was yesterday.

No room for Individuality...Follow the Crowd even when you don't know why, or don't agree. Or stand up for what you believe in. That is a hard choice for many of us to have to make. There are consequences for both choices, but one of them has a lot of company while the other one can indeed be very, very lonely.

But wait...many people are so afraid to go into the unknown that they never get to experience all the wonderful adventures of traveling along a different path. If we plan everything, and follow just to follow we miss so many opportunities that we didn't even know existed. It's all about the journey, and what we want from life. How many people travel with us isn't as important as how we feel while going down that road...the one that others were afraid to take.....

By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty

Holiday Balance: Giving the Gifts Worth Giving

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:29:54 -0500

This morning I awoke to the most beautiful Sunrise; pinks, oranges, turquoise and yellow. The sun was not visible yet, but the scattered clouds were changing colors as the sun slowly rose over the horizon. A crescent moon sat boldly in the sky , a reminder of the night that just passed.

The Grand Canyon.... a flaming red sun coming out of nowhere making the land appear to be on fire as it reflected on the desert floor...a sunrise, not too long ago over the Colorado River...beautiful, majestic, the dawning of a new day. These are my memories, my gift to myself.

This morning's sunrise brought these memories back, filling my heart with beauty and peace. I sat on the front steps just feeling the morning, taking in every sight and sound, storing it, and marveling at the beauty. The birds were chirping, and then a Rooster made a few lonely crows...the world was awakening.

Ten years ago I was House Hunting, and the Agent had shown me probably 50 homes.... but nothing felt right. There appeared to be just that one thing that I didn't like, that one thing, in each house that prevented a sale. Of course I had criteria, my "wish list".... fireplace, large rooms, you know the usual things; but I couldn't find it.

The day before I was leaving town, disappointed and tired of looking, the phone rang; it was the Agent. Another house had just come on the Market and did I want to see it? Well, what did I have to lose but a little time, so we made an appointment for that morning.

We pulled up to the house, and the Agent unlocked the door. Within 5 minutes I knew this was it.....everything felt right. I could see the mountains out of every window, and the large back yard was perfect. No, there wasn't a fireplace, instead there were flowers and trees. I could hear the birds, and see the beauty of life. This was my house, I could feel it. Oh the rooms were small, the whole house was small, and nothing in it fit my "wish list." But I bought the house. I loved the yards, and the mountains. I loved the feeling of life, the majesty and beauty of the mountains, Sunrises to the East, and Sunsets to the West. This would be Home.

I would have to say I am very blessed right now. No, I don't have enough Escrows to cover our expenses, and no I don't have money to buy Holiday Gifts. But that's not what's important to me. What's more important are the sunrises, and the sunsets, and the beauty of choices life gives us.

What's important is enjoying life....I will drive hours to a clients home and marvel at a blue sky, cloud formations, and just about everything around me. I am anticipating my drive to our office on the River tomorrow morning with pleasure. The scenery calms me, and gives me uninterrupted time to think, to put everything into perspective.

Nature brings balance to me. Just sitting outside and watching the day awaken reminds me that no matter what happens, no matter how much money I may or may not have, that tomorrow the sun will rise again for all of us, rich and poor alike.

Optimism is more than a word, it is a feeling, a belief that all will be right in the world. Negative attitudes are self-defeating, but an optimistic one brightens the day. It is like a sunrise of the soul, and everyone can feel it around you.

Tomorrow, or sometime during this Holiday Season, I might just help someone find that new house; the one that will come on the market.....The house that feels right for them. The House that will become their Home for the Holidays.

The Holidays are for Sharing, Caring, Family and Friends. It is a time for Love, and It is a Time for Giving. What better to give than a Positive Attitude, and a Love for Life and all the Beauty in it.

These are the true gifts, the Gifts Worth Giving..... and all of us can give them no matter what our circumstances are..........

By: Kathy McGraw- CELLing Realty

Real Estate: Finding Your Home in an Emergency

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:52:31 -0400

Address or House Numbers.....something most of us don't give much thought to, but they can be very important in an emergency. Older housing tracts don't always have sequential numbering....in fact the house next door to me is 1135 while I am at 1159 and across the Street is 1146. Imagine if you were trying to locate a particular address by today's standard....all odd on one side, and all even on the other side in sequential order. That's easy, but older housing tracks, or rural areas often times are different. In an emergency it's important to have Clear Reflective House Numbers.

Some places require the Address's House Number to be displayed on the Mailbox with Reflective Numbers.

By: Kathy McGraw-Real Estate Broker in So. California

Real Estate Agents: What are you doing to survive

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:17:46 -0400

A long time ago, in a far off place Real Estate used to sell. Phones were ringing, computers were writing contracts instead of Tweeting, and ATM's cards were used to get money....that green stuff, out of the Bank. Oh and that's when the word Bank used to mean the place that we put our money in, now they just take what little we have, and give Real Estate Agents headaches.

Our Parents used to talk about walking 5 miles in the snow....using an old typewriter, and black and white TV. They loved getting a gold watch and a pension after retiring from the same job. And Real Estate Agents were mystical and magical in knowing where houses were for sale, and how much they were worth if you wanted to sell yours.....they called it a CMA. Yep, those were the days, in a far off land. The land of yesteryear.

Recently in a close by place, Real Estate sales have taken a beating. People bought a decent home but then lost their job, or the mortgage was one of those that greedy ogres pasted with honey to hide the stench of their deceptive practices. And across the street people were planning what to do with all the money they were making. Life was good....

In the past 3 years many Real Estate Agents, Lenders, Stagers, and others have joined the other people that have lost their savings, their homes, and many have been hanging on by a prayer. This must be a special place because many of the Real Estate People have helped each other and I know that to be true. I know how a helping hand, a hand up, or just someone listening can help these Real Estate people, actually all people. This is a special place, a place of compassion.

Today these words are the Golden Watch..." You have completed your Re-payment Plan." These words are the ones that anyone behind in their mortgage tries so hard to hear. And it can be done....I just hung up the phone from my lender, and have effectively saved my house from Foreclosure. How did I do it with no closed Real Estate transactions.....ahh that's the essence of this story. I did it with a little help from my friends. A kind word here, and a dollar there...but most of all it was accomplished with what John Wayne called "True Grit."

Some people think others in the Real Estate Field shouldn't take a second job.....how can we service our clients if we are working a paying job. But there are ways to earn a dollar and have flexible hours. Thinking outside the proverbial box, fun jobs that are flexible and recession proof can get us through. After 3 years I finally took the plunge and had to get some of that green stuff they call money to save my house. Depending on others to rescue me only goes so far. Then the "but how am I going to pay them back, and what about tomorrow kicked in......

As has been stated by people I respect, including my own inner voice......There is no shame in an honest dollar whether we get it selling Real Estate or.......Becoming an Ice Cream Man :)

Hope and Optimism along with a Positive Attitude can go a long way.

Knowing what questions to ask,

and a Helping Hand from others are what helps all of us survive in todays world.

By: Kathy McGraw- Real Estate Broker with tenacity and a lot of determination, and some darn good friends :) Thank you......and you know who you are :)

Lil Devil and Lil Angel: Passionate about Kids

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:39:27 -0400

I am writing on a Real Estate Network because my profession is Real Estate. The Members of this network are involved in Real Estate in some form or another, and many times I've read about how passionate people are about Real Estate, but that's not my real passion, it's what I do, but not what I am most passionate about.

Right now the Lil Devil is fuming ....but it's not about Real Estate. This is one of those times where the Lil Devil has completely silenced the Lil Angel. In fact all parts of my personality are integrated when I think of the atrocities that some people do to each other, and especially to children.

I just read that Human Trafficking has moved to the #2 spot for most profitable illegal trade.

Born to Fly International, Inc. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is one I found on Twitter. As most of you know I have spent the majority of my life working with and for children, and when I read some of the things from this Organization, as well as others on Human Trafficking, my passion just boils over.

You may see me Re-Tweet several of their messages, especially from an Organization that tracks prominent people that get arrested for Crimes against Children. Anyway Diane Scimone of Born to Fly International stated they will be redoing this Video to show the change from #3 to #2.....in most profitable illegal trade. Disgusting, just disgusting that they would even have to change this Video that is apparently only 6 months old, to reflect this change.

Is the Lil Devil Angry....you bet he is!

By: Kathy McGraw- Veteran, Former Peace Corps Volunteer, Former Little League Manager, Pop Warner Commissioner, Rotary Member, Foster Mother, Mother, Grandmother, Artist, Writer, and Photographer.....in other words someone JUST LIKE YOU that sells Real Estate in Riverside County CA.

Do you know if kids are allowed in an ice cream truck?

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Thu, 28 May 2009 23:13:11 -0400

What happens when you ask a question, or make a comment, and the person that is supposed to know the business makes a statement that isn't what you want to hear? Oh I think most of us, or our clients have dealt with this one. But what do you do really.....Do you accept what the expert says....or do you investigate on your own to ascertain the validity of the statement?

I was talking to someone yesterday about my new venture, and while filling out the paperwork I mentioned how excited I was that my Grandkids and I would be doing this for the summer. That's when the bomb dropped and the owner told me that kids aren't allowed in Ice Cream Trucks! What? That just ruined all our plans in less than 5 minutes!

Well, I listened, and thought there has to be a way, maybe she's wrong. If she isn't then there has to be another way to accomplish the objective of spending the summer with my Grandkids selling ice cream. So, I came home and went online Googling " DMV rules for Ice Cream Trucks." That gave me some info, but not what I was looking for. I then went to "Are Kids allowed in ice cream trucks" and a host of other things.

Zilch.....couldn't find anything about kids in ice cream trucks. I think I have read everything there is online by now, and still not getting an answer.....but I need one, so once again there has to be a way to get it. Then it hit me: Go to the source!

And that's exactly what I did....I drove over to the local California Highway Patrol Office and asked them, "Are kids allowed to be in an ice cream truck?"

And the answer is: "There is no law against kids being in an Ice Cream Truck!" That answer just saved our summer plans. It does pay to question and do our own research no matter who says what, and no matter what position they have. Sometimes it's OK not to take NO for an answer :)

Even the experts can be wrong, and if it's something we really want to do, or know, then it's worth the effort to verify for ourselves.

By: Kathy McGraw - Real Estate Agent who will be enjoying the summer with her Grandkids on their own Ice Cream Truck. Look for us in the Cabazon, Whitewater, North Palm Springs, and Palm Desert areas this summer.

Homes for Sale in Serrano Del Vista, Banning CA

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Fri, 08 May 2009 02:32:45 -0400

So often we see a listing for a home for sale, but have no idea what the neighborhood looks like. If you are looking for a home for sale in Serrano Del Vista, Banning Ca then this Virtual Tour will give you an idea of what the community has to offer.

Click on the play now button, and also don't forget to click the details button to see more information. Hope you enjoy this Video, and if you want more information please visit California Real Estate and Life under the Serrano Del Vista Category.

Want to find homes on the MLS in the Serrano Del Vista area that are either for sale, or have already been sold? This information can be useful whether you are buying or selling a home by letting you see when prices change, and what homes in your neighborhood are selling for. You can compare them yourself.

Almost Wordless Wednesday Kathy Style after Roadtrip

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:18:53 -0400

Apparently Wordless Wednesday is for something that tells it's own story, something that we can just look at and without anyone telling us anything get some sort of feeling. Is this it? I'm not sure since I never read the rules, but after just coming back from a trip to Oregon I had several Wordless moments. There are places and times that just take our breath away with their beauty, mystic or sometimes something just feels right for that particular moment. It can't be explained, and many times someone had to be there to truly grasp the experience. There is so much natural beauty, and man made beauty in this world.........

By: Kathy McGraw- Veteran, Former Peace Corps Volunteer, Former Little League Manager, Pop Warner Commissioner, Rotary Member, Foster Mother, Mother, Grandmother, Artist, Writer, and Photographer.....in other words someone JUST LIKE YOU that sells Real Estate in Riverside County CA.

Lil Devil on Video Technology

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 02:25:00 -0400

"We change as we grow, and as we learn." Oh but how do we change? We like to think of everyone as equal, and that what one can do, so can another, but that's just not the case. We aren't all equal! Reading Blogs on Active Rain, plus so many different outside ones, it amazes me how many people know an awful lot about the technological parts of blogging, vlogging, and all the other 'ing things. But do we know how to do it.

1) Learning to take Videos- First step is the camera: The Flip is one of the most poplular and is easy to use, and download onto the computer.

Lil Devil-Yea sure it's easy. I didn't even know where the batteries went in the camera,how to record or anything, let alone how long to make a Video. After taking the Video I knew I could use the USB on the Flip to upload it, but after that I was lost. Utterly and completely lost. Thank Gawd I was following someone called Flip_Video_Tips on Twitter........

Lil Angel- It's OK, not everyone knows how to do all the tech stuff. At least you know where to find the info you need, and if you can't figure it out you know who to ask.

2) Ok now you took the Video, and learned to upload to You Tube all on your own-but did you edit it?

Lil Devil- I can't believe after all this time that I still didn't know how to edit a Video! He** I didn't even know what program to use, let alone how to do it!

Lil Angel- Oh I am so glad that I have some good friends that I can ask. We all learn at a different pace. And you did learn how to post to You Tube, so that's something. One thing at a time :)

Imagine this first Video with an extra 3 minutes of shots of the ceiling and audio of a phone conversation. After asking online how to edit, several people told me they used Windows Movie Maker. To show you how all of us are not equal, I couldn't even find the program because I was looking under programs for Movie Maker (starting with an M). It wasn't until I told them I didn't have the program that I realized it was listed under the W's.....Windows Movie Maker. Yea we aren't all equal when it comes to understanding technology.

This Video is only 1 min and 17 seconds after editing-and I have learned that People that watch Videos's want them short. The average Video is about 3 1/2 minutes long, so I'm good with this considering the subject material.

This next Video is one where I learned that you shouldn't drive and shoot at the same time-it can be hazardous to your health :)

Lil Devil- Yea but I can still see parts of your car, and why did you move the camera to take a picture of the birds?

Lil Angel- One thing that is very important is to be yourself. If you are excellent with technology so be it, but don't make a Video that oversells the neighborhood, or whatever you are shooting. People want to see what's "real". So, don't worry about perfection!

I made this Video specifically for people looking for Foreclosures in Serrano Del Vista. This Video is a little over 4 minutes long, a little longer than the average, but if someone really wants to know about the neighborhood they'll watch it. I also learned to add those cool frames with words that I put Kathy McGraw CELLing Realty on. There's one at the beginning, and a different one at the end. I wanted to make sure that anyone looking for a home in this community would know how to contact me. Anyway, bottom line is although there are a few issues with this, it serves it's purpose. I was able to do it in Windows Movie Maker, then upload to You Tube. For now I'm pleased with my 2nd editing as each one is a little better than the other one....and that's what learning is all about. Improving each time.

So, although we aren't all created equal either Windows Movie Maker

or Photoshop Elements (the newest one) can help us edit the Videos we make.

Active Rain is one of the best resources for California REALTORS-ask CAR

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:45:03 -0500

Everyone that knows me knows I'm basically honest, and wouldn't endorse anything I didn't believe in. I believe we should never blindly follow anyone, I don't care how important everyone else thinks they are. Personally I want to make sure that my choice fits my own needs, and those of my clients. Well, today I am very happy with Active Rain, and especially a couple people that showed me the right way to use this great resource.

This morning I sent out a Group email to the members of SO CAL Pass Area Communities and other Interests thanking them for their participation and asking if they knew of anyone else that wanted to join. I personally have done business with 3 of the Group Members, and have talked to almost all of them.

This Group was started at the suggestion of Laurie Manny a longtime Active Rain member and former Moderator. Months ago I had called Laurie to ask her opinion on how I could better utilize Active Rain's resources. Her suggestion was to start a Group, a Local One. We all know we have several Groups for Franchises, States, and about 5,000 other things, but there wasn't a hyper local one for me :)

Anyway, after Laurie's tutelage (that's a word for you Jason ) I tried to get members that were in my area. Not just my small area, but everything in this part of Riverside or San Bernardino County. I truly admire Laurie Manny, and her opinion so I made the group, but expanded it to include people we could refer to, or do business with...like Sally Cheeseman for Military or other Relocation's to Hawaii.

Our local Active Rain Group now includes:

2 stagers from the City of Temecula
2 RE Companies in Banning
1 RE Company in Temecula
1 RE Agent in Temecula
1 REALTOR in Hawaii-a great referral for Military Relocation's
1 Palm Springs REALTOR
1 Home Inspector in Rancho Cucamonga
and someone in Texas that keeps us on our toes (Linda Scanlan)

These are the people that have been active, that have added value to all of us that work in the Real Estate Profession in California. We all have our specialties, and our areas that we like to work, but the common thread is that we all saw the value of Active Rain and working together through our Group.

And if you don't believe in the Power of the Rain, I actually felt validated in my choice, and my decisions when I opened up my California Association of Realtors Magazine and it mentions Active Rain under technologies to help CA REALTORS, and about webinars to teach you how to use this resource. How good is that :)

It felt good to know that I was on the right track, and for the right reasons : Networking, and Tools for my Real Estate Business.

So, my suggestion would be not to worry about who has more points, who has the biggest Subscriber List, Who knows more about Widgets, or SEO.....concentrate on what will help YOU help your clients. Use all the tools that Active Rain has and find a group of local members and work together.

After all it is only by working together that we will all benefit.

Monday Morning Gifts... perfect with your coffee :)

Kathy McGraw, Riverside County CA Real Estate (CELLing Realty) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:16:16 -0500

Good Morning, it's Monday again, and today I have another gift....something for Spring. The weather has been crazy and some of us have seen Spring type weather much earlier than normal, but then again we saw snow one day and 80 degree weather the next. But it's March now.....and it's time for the weather to change.

Spring is in the Air.....

Morning Gift #1 Martisoare

March is named after the ancient Roman God Mars. It is the beginning of Spring in many Countries, and in Romania there is a tradition of wearing a small trinket called Martisoare. This trinket was a symbol of spring and good luck.

I made several of these for people when I lived in Romania. These trinkets are pretty much only given to Women.

So.....close you eyes, and pretend you are being given a little trinket with a red and white string, maybe a ladybug, a four leaf clover. that is your Good Luck Symbol for this Spring.

All of us could use a little Real Estate Good Luck right now.

Morning Gift #2- A little fun, sort of like a Horoscope. What's the Part of You That No One Sees? Just click the link, and then click a picture as directed. Oh, you don't have to do the Personality Test, just the picture one. It's short and eye appealing like a Garden, a nice variety of choices.

I remember Spring as having to open up windows and wash everything in the House, in other words WORK....and it is even more important for people selling their homes to plant, clean, and wash windows....in other words, yep work.

By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty