This was such a neat well loved older home that we had absolutely no problem finding a buyer right away. We actually had our first offer on the house within 24 hours of the listing agreement being signed.  Overall, it took about 10 days to get a solid contract on the home. 

Plans were made for a big yard sale and movers were hired to finish the packing on the day of closing.   The closing went like clockwork.  The movers were finishing up at the house.  The keys were dropped off at my office to be delivered to the proud new owner and my client was on her way to a new life in a new city with family just a few blocks away.  We had hugged goodbye, made sure that every thing was wrapped up when my clients daughter came back into the office.   She was tired after a day of packing and emotional because this had been her home as well.  It didn’t help that we were having an unseasonable heat wave and the temperature outside was over 100 degrees.  But when she walked into my office I knew immediately that something wasn’t right.  She said as she was pulling onto the highway her mother had suddenly called out “Oh No! We’ve forgotten Cricket!”  From the look on my face the daughter realized more explanation was needed.She told me that several years ago after her father had passed away the family had suggested her mother get a dog for company.  This was Cricket.  Cricket had been her mother’s constant companion for many years until he’d passed away.  She had Cricket cremated and buried near the back steps of the house.  One of the conditions of her making the move had been that Cricket would go with her when she moved.

It had been such a whirlwind getting her home sold and making arrangements for her new home that she’d almost left town with out Cricket.

I asked them to go back over to the house and wait there for me.  Without hesitation I jumped into my truck, went to my house, retrieved the right tools for the job and headed over to meet them.  Within a few minutes “Cricket” was put into the car to make the 4 hour drive to his new home along with my client.

Although it was well over 100 degrees and the ground was hard as cement it would have broken my heart to see my client leave here without her cherished companion. 

While someone was leaving a well loved home filled with memories another person was moving in to make memories of their own.  

I love my job!

city-wide survey. Results show that Houston residents

like our community’s quality of life.

   More than 80 percent of respondents gave positive

ratings to Houston as a place to live and raise children.

About 77% thought Houston was a good place to retire.

About 95% said they felt safe in their neighborhood

during the day.

Nearly everyone wants the city to encourage existing

businessess to expand and seek out new businesses.

Overall, the survey proves what we’ve known all along -

Houston, Missouri is a great place to live!

Locally, the Raymondville Picnic starts this week.  The 59th annual event is held in the small village of Raymondville, Mo.  It’s always a great time for the kids since there are carnival rides and games and for adults who gather for gospel music, country music, dancing,crafts, food and fun.

Then begin the 4th of July celebrations.  June 25th the Houston Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a fireworks display at the fair grounds.  This is always a good time. 

This year the “Wall that Heals” will be in Cabool, Mo. beginning July 1 thru July 4th. The half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be located at the Cabool High School football stadium and will be open 24 hours a day.  Freedom Celebration fireworks display sponsored by Cabool Park Board begins at 9:45 p.m.

Every 4th of July we are reminded that we are privileged to live here, raise our families here and celebrate with our neighbors the freedom to enjoy living in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks.

Happy Summer everyone!

                                                           God Bless America

Missouri has over $45 million in single family housing direct funds to lend.

This meeting will help educate realtors on how to inform perspective buyers of this additional  option when  applying  for home loans.  

Time is running short as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will expire September 30,2010.

Try to attend and learn how your clients can make the most of this program before the deadline.

Agents from our office plan to attend so that we can better serve our clients with all of their real estate needs.

For more information you can contact USDA Rural Development Houston, MO. 417 967-2028

Housebuyers may work with an approved lender of their choice to gain approval for guaranteed financing.

We were also reminded that 100% guaranteed financing is not just for first time homebuyers.

For more information on this type of loan you can go to www.rurdev.usda.gov/mo/grhpage.htm or give us a call and we’ll walk you through the process.

I can’t think of one realtor that will be sorry to see  the end of 2009. 

Recently, we had a speaker who referred to all in the room as  “survivors”.  For some reason that term really encouraged me.  Even though the room had fewer attendees than the year before, it was still filled with realtors who had weathered the worse housing crisis in American history.  Each and every one in attendance had their own version of the same story and none of it was pretty.  Still we survived.   Nothing good has come out of this situation other than a store of  tragic stories to tell our grandchildren with survival being the happy ending.

Goodbye 2009!  Welcome 2010!

We wish everyone a safe, happy and prosperous New Year!

Remember, you are a survivor!

Deer season in southwest Missouri is one of the major elements in the holiday season. First comes Halloween, then DEER SEASON, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Two weeks until the season opens and you can rest assured hunters are marking their calendars.

The street is blocked off to traffic so little ones can safely trick-or-treat on both sides of the street.

This activity has proven to be a safe and fun time for all involved. The little ghosts and goblins are rewarded with treats while the adults can be assured their children are having fun in a safe environment.  This program has worked out great for merchants and participants alike.

The National Realtors Association and local realtors associations are urging members to contact their local lawmakers to extend the first time home buyers credit. It’s even been suggested that Congress might pass a bill to offer home buyer credits to all buyers.

It’s evident the impact the housing market has on our economy. Any movement in a positive direction gives us hope that we may be seeing daylight after a long dark recession.

The National Association of Realtors says sales of existing homes climbed 9.4% in September. Much of the credit is given to the First Time Home Buyers credit.

We’ve finally found something that really works to stimulate the economy.  Let’s encourage our law makers to continue this program and keep the economy growing!