CCAR Holiday Breakfast

Good Production Class III

I would like to extend my appreciation to y'all for creating a plan and taking the action needed in getting your task accomplished...actually 2 plans with your blog and the "green theme".
Just enjoy your time in class and remember your involvement and actions taken within your time with TRLP will be a benefit to yourself and your peers...and more importantly to our profession.
Remember to always give the 1 degree of extra effort in all you do...especially when you don't feel like it and you will amaze yourselves when you measure the successes it will create.
First time I have ever blogged and it took y'all in Class III for me to consider such a thing !!
I look forward to seeing all of you again and to all a very relaxing and Merry Christmas !!
MJE

New Address for Soldier Cards

The address in Marys post below has decided that they cannot accept mail not addressed to a specific soldier, its a security issue. This address will work for those cards and notes you'd like to send to a recovering soldier.

Operation Holiday Thanks c/o E.D. Hill
FOX News Channel 1211 6th Ave. 17th floor
New York, NY 10036

Material World - National Green Building Program

As Green Building continues to gain momentum, the National Association of Home Builders recognized a need to establish a new program to meet the varying needs of builders and new home buyers nationwide. To read more follow this link:
http://www.sellnewhomes.com/remax/Newsletter/MaterialWorldGreenBuilding.htm

Green Committee Update

Yesterday the Green Committee met with Paul Le Roy who is the Commercial Recycling Coordinator for the City of Plano. Eight members of the committee were in attendance. We went over the program that Plano has and what materials we could contribute. We talked about how to implement the plan with CCAR personnel and guests. We also talked about where to place the dumpster, whether or not a screening structure would be needed and how quickly we could implement the program.

Tasks:
1. Mary Leidy is checking with our builder friends to see who would be willing to contribute the bricks and labor to put up the screening wall around the new dumpster.
2. Shelly is pricing "recycle" themed cans for the office workers and for the common rooms.
3. Bob will schedule a follow up meeting, probably after the holiday, to confirm the details of this program element which we want to have implemented by Jan 31, 2008. We will als discuss low-flow water solutions, rain-water capturing, and scheduling the realtor hybrid vehicles auto show at CCAR.

TRLP GRADUATION DATE-CORRECTION

The TRLP Committee met today and in the process of reviewing the 2008 calendar noted the date for Session 8 (Graduation) is in error. Graduation will occur on Friday, June 6. Please make note of this correction.

Christmas Party at Poor Davids

Dave Christensen of Class III and his Sole Poets will be performing their Christmas Party Holiday show, Saturday December the 22nd, at the Legendary Poor Davids Pub with 2 other Local Hero Bands. On Stage at 10 PM will be the Dead Pyrates with Joe Kennedy. At 11:15, Dave and his Sole Poets will take the Stage, and at 12:3o the Critically acclaimed local hero Donny Ray Ford will entertain. The new Poor Davids is located in the South Lamar revitalized Dowtown Arts district next to Gilley's and other music venues. If you have not been to the New Poor Davids you are in for dejavu. It is so eerily authentic to the Lower Greenville version it will amaze you, just bigger and nicer.

1313 S Lamar StDallas, TX 75215
(214) 565-1295
solepoets.com

poordavids.com

Adopt A Soldier

This is a very important subject to me and I am going to get my account set up immediately. I know someone who has done this and is very excited about it. I am also working with the USO with my NARPM organization to help the soldiers coming home. Please consider finding about about adopting a soldier. The support for things like this has waned as the War has drug on. Please think about it.

http://asoldierswishlist.org/index.php

Green Committee

Our first get-together will be at CCAR on Tuesday, December 4th at 10 am. We can look not only at the recycling, but also the lighting, plumbing, HVAC and other possible ideas. Also we can talk to CCAR about the best meeting to set up for the hybrid auto show for agents.

I also talked to Randy tonight at the mixer and he's said that the new building will have green elements like solar and wind energy. We can also look at rain water recapture systems for landscaping.

If anyone wants more information on any of these items just let me know. My partner and I go to the Texas Renewable Energy Roundup every year in Fredericksburg. The last roundup was in September and there's new information on hybrids, small wind turbines, micro hydro energy and lots of other topics. There's also a new energy company for solar that's unique called ReImagine where you let the company use your roof for solar and you just agree to buy the electricity produced. Lots of options.

Austin Trip in February

After our meeting today we sat around and talked about our upcoming trip to Austin. Gigi and Diane will probably post official information soon but many of us are planning on having our own rides down to Austin and going earlier than Sunday morning.

For anyone who needs it, the TAR Convention is being held at the Hyatt Hotel on Congress. Three groups of us have rooms at the EMBASSY SUITES right across the street.

The number for EMBASSY SUITES is 512-469-9000. Some of us are arriving Friday, Feb 22nd, others are arriving Saturday, Feb 23rd. Our day in Austin is supposed to be Sunday, Feb 24th.

Oh, rates for the rooms are $179 for two doubles, $189 for a king, and $149 for a small double room (??). If you're a member of AAA or AARP (as someone mentioned) you might get a discount. There are apparently no discounts for TAR Convention member.

More as the trip approaches.

Election Committee

Matt & Joey:

The election committee needs to set the calendar for group "booth" activities and determine where they will be held. Diane Donley handed out a calendar today that will help with important dates/deadlines in terms of the 2008 election. I will forward the demographics of population versus registered voters by city to you via email.

Let me know if you have any questions -

Thanks!

Legacy Project Committees

Hey Guys:

Thanks for a great session today - here is a list of the committee members. I will see the Green members at CCAR on Tuesday, December 4th @10:00 am for the meeting with Paul Le Roy, City of Plano Commerical Recycling Coordinator.

Election Committee

Matt Hilton - Co Chair
Joey Herald - Co Chair
Susan Quante
Diane Hausler
Andrea Cusey
Larry Millson
June West
Rodney Rowan
Kay Alton
Marybeth Tiemeyer
Dave Christensen
Shelly Rogers

Green Committee

Bob McCranie - Chair
Russ Parker
Wade Oehler
Joey Herald
Coyle Beard
Leisa Kiper
Bob Shaw
Cheryl O'Hagan
Mary Leidy
Tony Kukreti
Dave Christensen
Shelly Rogers

Borrowing Costs Increase

Borrowing cost increase in 2008
I have spent a long Thanksgiving weekend reading emails as to the increased cost to consumers for mortgage loans. It seems as the public will have increased costs to borrow as the transaction relates to down payment and credit scores.

Three of the "agencies" involved in the securitizing and insuring of single family home loans are going to institute risked based pricing into the lending models. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA announced this month that to deliver loans with lower credit scores and smaller down payments will increase to required LLPA's (LOAN LEVEL PRICING ADJUSTMENTS) and /or Risked based premiums.Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac increases will go into effect 3/01/08 and FHA risked based premiums are effective 1/1/08.

It seems that the new benchmark for credit scoring will now be a representative score( middle score of the lowest of 2 borrowers) of 680 and with a down payment of 10%. Any transaction with criteria less than this will have adjustments. Try to educate some of your fence sitters as to the need to get that transaction underway prior to these increases.

Chistmas Cards to Soldiers

The following is an address to mail cards to recovering soldiers:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20307-5001

Wouldn't it be great to share our blessings and spirit with a soldier.

Thanks, Mary

Title Info

Hello TRLP3....I had lunch today with Dave Christensen and Bob McCranie....and Bob asked me if we had any new title insurance rate cards. The title insurance rates changed this year in February so if any of you are still carrying around old ones, please let me know so I can give you the new one. I also have calculars, key chains, pens, etc......if you need them. We should be getting 2008 calendars soon but I don't know exactly when. Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving with your families and friends. God Bless....

Green "Stuff"

Minimizing the FUEL Crunch...

The busy summer travel season may be over, but for REALTORS, maximizing fuel economy is important year round. Fortunately, AAA has some tips for conserving gas and making your car more fuel-efficient.
SLOW DOWN. Every vehicle burns more fuel the faster it travels.
EASE OFF THE BRAKES. Sudden stops and starts burn fuel and take on vehicle components. Maintain a steady speed.
GO EASY ON THE A/C. Most vehicles have recirculation or economy settings that reduce the amount of air that needs to be cooled, using these will save energy and gas.
CHECK AIR AND FUEL FILTERS. Dirty filters increase fuel consumption.
INFLATE YOUR TIRES. Underinflated tires are a safety hazard and they cut fuel economy by 2 percent.
KEEP TRACK OF YOUR GAS MILEAGE. If you notice a decrease in fuel economy, your vehicle may not be operating at its peak. Get it serviced.

WCR Speakers Wanted---2008 Calendar

Hello TRLP3...... Rodney Rowan here.... I am the Program Chair for WCR Metro East Chapter for 2008. These luncheons have been known for having GREAT speakers..... I wanted to ask IF you had a contact with any local --or-- national talented speaker(s). Our class has so much experience, I thought I would ask for your input. Thank You....... the DATES have been set - - just need speakers to fill the dates......

Walk and Talk Chat Room

Hello all. This is good place to set some rendezvous with the your fellow scholars. I have one set for the 20th. They may not mind some more Company........ I am looking forward to getting with you all.

e-PRO is a great designation

Through 11/30 e-PRO® Offers Course Discount and 2-month Extension
In honor of NAR's Designation Awareness Month, REALTORS® are invited to take advantage of a special $25 discount offer if they enroll in the e-PRO® course by November 30. These registrants can also take up to 8 months to complete the course, providing an additional two months over the regular completion requirements. The e-PRO® certification provides REALTORS® with the tools necessary to effectively assist consumers in the purchase or sale of real estate using technology and the Internet. Join the over 50,000 real estate professionals who have already registered for the only technology and internet certification course recognized nationwide and offered by NAR. To register at the discounted rate of $334, REALTORS® must register at: Read more...
http://www.realtor.org/realtor_benefits/benefits_partners/e_pro.html?&WT.mc_t=LS110707&WT.mc_n=Educ

Time Management

Who can recommend a course or books that are very effective Time Management sources?