Bzibee Real Estate News , Alison Creamer : thoughts

Will international paper shut down kill Franklin, VA ?

Alison Creamer — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:30:00 GMT

Will international paper shut down kill Franklin, VA ?

24Oct09

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/local_wavy_franklin_paper_mill_announcement_expected_20091022

Read the link above. Wow Im thinking what is Franklin and the surrounding areas going to do ? My family has extended family that work at the paper plant and have started to get very concerned about what is going to happen to thier family and home. Im at a loss of thoughts at this point. I know the surrounding areas are going to be grossly effected by this. So with the 1100 losing their job what will that do in the ripple effect ? Great news Tim Kaine is promising to help but who is going to help the surrounding cites and the local stores who will have to close up shop.

RICHMOND, Va. — Calling International Paper Co.’s plan to idle its Franklin plant “a deep blow” to Virginia, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is promising help to the nearly 1,100 families affected by the closure.

Kaine said Thursday that he would direct the Virginia Employment Commission to dispatch an economic crisis strike force to Franklin within the coming days.

The world’s largest maker of cardboard box materials announced plans Thursday to cut 1,600 positions in four states as it brings capacity in line with sharply diminished demand.

Besides the Franklin plant, the company plans to close plants in Albany, Ore., and Pineville, La. It also is permanently shutting down an idled mill in Valliant, Okla.

SOURCE http://blog.taragana.com/n/va-gov-vows-aid-to-1100-families-affected-by-international-papers-franklin-plant-closure-203983/

Why I hate to Blog

Alison Creamer — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:37:00 GMT

Okay here we go all the reasons I hate to blog !

1. SPELLING

2. FORMATTING

3. MAKING SENSE

4 GRAMMER

5 TO MANY THINGS TO BLOG ON

There you go I laid it all out on the line. I think I have ADD and I have a hard time getting all the thoughts together . Im not a very good blogger and the post seem to be very simple and to the point. I wish I could organize my thoughts better. I have tons of stuff to blog on. Im very active with Real Estate. Our team holds 40+ listings with in all price ranges . I could do a blog daily on the calls the promotions and the contracts. I closed 4 homes last month. I would be able to blog about how I met the client the process and the rewards and crises on each. I could blog about Social media and how it has given me a new edge. Im part of a social media class for hampton roads www.newmediaconventions.com. Just that little tid bit could give me tons of content to talk about. If you add in all the fun stuff I like to do like rubber stamping, Making movies and all the books I try to read the information is limitless. Really I think what stops me from blogging is just the fear of not coming across as an educated person. Really I am I just do so much better in PODCAST and Video than typing. So there you have WHY I DONT BLOG MORE ! I prefer video. I love to connect eye to eye with my audience. No worries on grammar spelling or how the words are being read. Its so much easier to convery feeling and context with a video.

No the part i hate the most PROOFING this stupid blog. Im sure I will miss something.

Why are we in the Real Estate business ?

Alison Creamer — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:40:00 GMT

WHY are we in this business?

We ask ourselves this on a regular basis. As I sat in my business planning session today at RE/MAX Allegiance we all pondered this question. It's a tough situation for buyers, sellers and even agents. Everywhere I look it seems someone is being affected by this crisis. We hear about layoffs, Stock Market drops and the bust of the housing bubble along with a credit crunch. As business we spend the same amount if not more in this market on advertisements, fees, dues and associations. Now we have tech tools, websites, and a multitude of other expenses to keep ahead of the competition. There are days I wanted to shut down and scream doom and gloom just like everyone else. Instead I spent my time thinking wow I should be thankful I am successful. And I have been the past few years. I never in a million years would a thought I would earn a 6-figure income. Me, yes me the average student in school who had the hardest time not typing anything with out a misspelling or a grammar issues. (I still do) I did not go to collage or business school. I just have drive and determination. I choose to be successful. YES I think you can CHOOSE what you are and are not going to do in this world. I find my self-looking at basic skills. Door knocking, Open houses, ANSWERING my phone when it rings. Its time for us to get back in the game. Put those rose colored glasses on. You know the ones you had when you got your license. It seems that all we see is doom and gloom. I want to go back to the bliss of the unknown. I don't know what is going to happen. I have no idea if Ill still be around in a year or two. I can tell you this. I’m not quitter. I have no one to blame but my self if I don't get up and make something happen everyday. I just know I’m still willing to do what I can to be successful in any market that comes our way.

I earned my license (YES EARNED) it in 2002, Heck no one gave it to me. I had to work for it. At that time I had no idea of a doom and gloom market. I was a hot tamale ready to jump in the car to every home. I was a team leaders dream. I was young aggressive and willing to soak in loads of time to make money. I knew nothing of the stress or the worries that comes with real estate. What happened to us? I think anyone who has been in this field for at least 4 years for some reason thinks we are all supposed to sit and wait for the calls to come in and the sale to just happen. I’m seeing now that was GRAVY and if you want to stay in this business its time to WORK

What are my feelings about 2009 Market? It’s going to be a crazy roller coaster. I have to be at the top of my game. Work more earn less but be 100% in it. I am not going to find the freedom of what I do anywhere else. I love my job. I love my clients. And I love the feeling of success after a closing.

What does a Realtor( Alison ) do on a typical day ?

Alison Creamer — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:12:00 GMT

Humm now I think this is an interesting question. I hear so many answers I thought maybe I would blog about what I do all day. Or most days. I find my self always thinking I need to be doing more. I need to be making headway. Im wondering what people would say about my in ability to stick to one thing. I tracked my day back in August and thought wow. I need to stay more focused. So this we an average day for me. I wonder what your day would look like in Virginia Beach and a Realtor ?

7am- email answers

718 print out HBI from listing

725-735 look over home josh wants to see in Ocean lakes

735-745 get appointment with new listing in norfolk

8am off to curves to see what they have to offer

8-930 sign up at curves and return dog food

930 check email update plaxo file

950- answer new lead from 1800 # Kandy send field stone information and my website

1030- down load listing information for open house

1045- took time to talk with M. Underwood lender with wells fargo and open house

1110- continue getting open house stuff ready

1120 talking with sister about family issues

1125 talked with home inspector about HBI.

1200 working on flyers in tp for open house

1215 email matt D a new loan lead for listing

1225 check voice mail answer calls

1240 shower

100 dictate email to client about hbi progress on sherwood

110 set tour for josh c call lender to talk about rehab loans and non traditional lending for these homes

120 finish getting open house information ready /write seller offer

200 helping Autumn find homeowners insurance

210 moisture and termite inspect @ Sherwood forest

320 return check mail and try to set appoint with Sherwood seller for hbi negotiations

400 take a break grab food and drink/make dinner

430 look for signs for open house

500 prepare hbira for Johnson

525-dinner relax

625 negotiation HBI with johnson

800 home for the night

And that wrapped up my day .

Alison Creamer, REALTOR, RE/MAX Allegiance 757-652-8880

Posted by Alison Creamer on 10/09/2008 02:29 PM

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VHDA short sale experiance (edit/delete)

Blogging today is a blank !

Have you ever thought what the heck am I going to blog about. I mean afterall everything I have to say is what we all know already. Bail outs, meltdowns, seller screaming , some days I just can't take it. I love what I do and when it goes smooth it goes smooth !!!!

Oh yes I know I can blog about myshort sale experiance. I have to say it was smooth as butter !!!!! Yes I mean really it did.

I listed a home in Aragona, Brick ranch with 3 beds no AC and in as is condition. I put a price of 175k on it. This was a VHDA shortsale and it was my first one. with all the short sales you would think there would be more knowledege out there. I spent hours and hours reading blogs and more blogs trying to make sure I get all the loose ends wrapped up. I asked my clients for complete access to the lender I think this was the 1st and best step I could have asked for.

VHDA set an apprasial and the value came in at 170 as it. I lowered the price and with in 2 weeks we got 2 offers both at around 154 one asked for money the other did not. VHDA was very prompt in replying. I was given instructions to the listing the offer and process. It was that simple ! The buyer did there inspections we removed the contigency and closed. It was amazing !!! As a listing agent I expected a night mare I figured the worst, it was such a surprise. The buyer was hapy the seller was happy and both agents were happy.

Now Im off to figure out how to do a shortsale with countrywide, Ocwen, and Citibank. I dont think it is going to be as easy.

Im one happy gal tonight just picked up the closing check and delivered it to the office

Stock Market !!! Whats up with that ?

Alison Creamer — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:10:00 GMT

Hello Readers,

I just need some insight ! Are you worried about the stock market ? Or are you worried about what others are worried about ? I see some changes here in Virginia Beach. I see $2.89 gas and A gallon of 2% milk at 2.88 at Kroger. Im trying to see what is all the fuss. I know I to have talked with my husband about the economy. I see my own income drop 50% this year but expenses are up. We are doing things like lowering the water heater, not wasting any food, and my all time favorite we will be using the wood stove a lot more this winter. Im concerned but I have to say I think Im more worried about things that are not really hurting me right now. Yes I have lost savings in the stock market and Im experiencing a shortage in the my wallet each month but its not so bad that if I tried to live a more simple life I would have plenty to live on . I think we are so lazy I think we expect so much excess !

Thats my 2 cents today

Alison Creamer

RE/MAX Realtor