Flowers Around The House...

Rebate Hell

We are officially in rebate hell in The Davison Household. Over the past 7 months we have purchased many items that include a rebate, and we have gotten only 1 check back since then. Dana and I have both made several phone calls to the different rebate firms and can only seem to get uncaring individuals that have about as much interest in helping us as they do in donating a kidney. We are out over $700.00 as well as our time. Seems we are not alone in our struggles with rebates. Well enough is enough.

If you want my business in the future, don't try to get me to buy something based on price and then insult my intelligence by saying the low price is after a rebate, which we both know will never come. If you can't mark the item down in your store at the time of purchase, I'm probably going to buy from someone that will, or buy a different product that doesn't offer a rebate. We both know the rebate is never coming so why not buy the higher priced item, it's going to cost the same anyway. It's outright theft, and the retailers know it. Oh, and why not try to sell me an extended service agreement at the same time on an electronics purchase of $70.00 or less for $15.00, really insult my intelligence. Don't forget to try and sell me a magazine subscription as I'm checking out as well. That always cheers me up. Maybe your cashier is in Amway too and can get me into their down line and start making really big money like they are (this actually happened to me once) so I won't have to worry about the money I'm losing on rebate scams.

OK, off the soap box for now. It's time to feed the dogs anyway.

Tasty!

Dana has never cooked eggplant before, but last night we tried our own version of eggplant parmesan and it was INCREDIBLE! We prepared it with whole wheat pasta and my own concoction of pasta sauce and served it with Cesar salads. I was surprised that Kyle liked it, but he did and even had some of the leftovers for lunch with me today. Needless to say, we have a new top 5 favorite in our home.

We stopped by my sisters home for a while this evening to help her celebrate her 50th birthday!!! It's hard to believe she's 50, but it's even harder to believe I'm 41 as well. Lori, I'm glad you're my sister. We've been through a lot of good times and bad times, and we've always been there for each other. I'm glad we could help you celebrate your special day.

Monster Blue

The good folks at Monster Energy have a 10 calorie drink that rocks! I'm a coffee drinker (I don't do decaf, what's the point?) but lately even coffee isn't keeping me alert in the late afternoon. I've enjoyed Monster Energy drinks for the past few months, but cut back on them while trying to lose some weight. I knew they made a diet version but most of my local stores didn't carry it. Thankfully my local Marsh supermarket now has them in stock!

If you haven't tried their drinks, try one in place of a cup of coffee and see what a difference it makes. They taste great too. And no, I'm not paid to endorse their product.

iPhone But You Don't Answer...

OK, I've had this conversation with about 12 people in the past few days, and to set the record straight, I didn't run out and purchase an iPhone when it made its recent debut. I haven't even ventured to the Apple store to see what all the fuss is about.

Yes, I know, I talk about how much I love products from Apple to everyone that will listen. Yes, I think everyone should switch to a Mac (do you hear me in Redmond?). Yes, I will probably buy an iPhone at some point in my life. Just not now. My Motorola Razr does a fine job for me, and it has a great battery life. And, my trusty Palm Pilot is still alive and well, helping me keep my schedule and contacts with me at all times. Maybe I'm a bit nostalgic, but the day I get rid of my Palm Pilot will be a sad day. It's such a great tool that is truly user friendly. But, progress can't be stopped, and I love new gadgets. Sure, I could get rid of the Palm and do more with my Razr, but right now I don't want to. I like the larger screen it offers as well as being able to write on it.

By the way, did you know that the Safari web browser is available for Windows? I haven't downloaded it yet to try on a Windows machine here in the house, but I have read some good things about it, especially the speed it offers. Click here to be taken to the download site. Oh, just as iTunes is free, so if the Safari web browser. I use Safari and Firefox, but am slowly moving more towards Safari. I love Firefox and have used it for years. I can't see myself ever getting rid of it. It's tabbed browser is the best. As for Internet Explorer, I would rather eat dirt.

I'm A Real Estate Geek...

At least that's what Teri Lussier thinks when she mentions me in her blog The Brick Ranch and explains her decision to move to Exit Realty Partners. Hey, it's OK, I don't mind being called a geek as long as people realize I save them money on their commissions by being one.

Teri and I struck up a friendship after I found her BLOG. She has great content and I emailed her after finding it asking if she was interested in sharing ideas about technology and how it can be applied to real estate. I had no idea that she would move to Exit, but that's fine too. We are already chatting, bouncing ideas off each other. I have a listing coming up that I promised to take her on so we can both photograph the property and see the differences. It should be fun.

Yesterday was miserable hot so we spent the majority of the day hibernating in the air conditioning. Kyle had a friend over and with the exception of going out to dinner, we stayed in. I spent part of the day watching "The Real Estate Pros' on television. One episode in particular involved Trademark Properties opening a retail outlet in Charleston, SC. It was a neat idea, and one that I think other firms will be following in short order. I think our office could benefit from this idea, maybe we will change our office format in the future to allow something like this. It's really consumer friendly from what I saw.

I finally moved my Palm Pilot over to my Mac yesterday as well. It was quite painless, as everything has been using the Mac. The only thing that I haven't started converting are the databases I have on my PC. I plan on purchasing FileMaker Pro in the near future to see how difficult it will be to move Access databases. If it works as well as it's advertised, I should be able to say goodbye to Windows forever.

10 Things I'm Thankful For

With the recent loss of my mom, I've spent a lot of time thinking about my own life (I'm sure everyone does that with the loss of a loved one). My mom wouldn't want me to stop living and enjoying life with her passing, so I thought about the 10 things I'm most thankful for and thought I would share them here:

1. I'm thankful for my family, immediate and extended. I don't know how I would have gotten through the past month without them. Dana, Kyle, Dad, Lori & Rick, and Ray & Bev are my support system. Our extended family has been great, especially with their concerns for my dad and making sure he will be OK.
   
2. Friends. You never realize just how many people care for you until there is a crisis. I'm fortunate to be friends with so many great people.
3. Our pets. Maybe they should be included as family, but I think they deserve their own spot. Their love is unconditional.
   
4. A career I love. Work is the best therapy for me, and getting back to work has been a real blessing. It's not something I dread, and I feel sorry for those people that have to get up and go to jobs every day that they hate just to pay the bills.
5. Home cooked meals. So many people brought food to my dads house so we didn't have to do a lot of cooking or go for take out, it will be tough to eat out as much as we do.
6. Music. I would gladly give up watching television if I had to make a choice between it and music. It's an important element in my life, whether listening or playing. I can't imagine a life without music.
   
7. Apple Computer. They make great products that I use every day and make my life and work just a little more enjoyable.
8. The Internet. It's helped keep family and friends close and let us share pictures, emails and videos in a way that was never before possible.
9. Comedians. Life is serious enough, take time to laugh often and laugh loud.
10. Bookstores. If I were independently wealthy and never had to work another day in my life, I would spend several days a week at the various bookstores around the area reading, drinking coffee. and buying book cases for all the new books I just bought.
    

Sad News

On Tuesday, June 26th, my mom lost her battle with liver cancer. She passed away peacefully at home with her family around her, which is what she wanted. In lieu of flowers, mom requested donations be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Battered Womens Shelter or Hospice of Dayton.

Thursday

Sorry I haven't posted a little more frequently, but those of you close to me know that my mother is very ill and is getting Hospice care.

Thanks for all the calls and emails from everyone out there. My family and I appreciate it very much.

Frampton Rocks!

Say whatever you want about this guy, so long as you remember to say he's one of the best guitar players out there.

Dana and I and some friends of ours went to The Fraze Friday night and saw Peter Frampton with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. What a show, and what a showman! Talk about someone having the best job in the world, this guy has it. He has fun on stage, and you can tell his band has a great time as well. One of the nice things about Frampton is that he gives everyone in his band the chance to perform in the spotlight.

Whoever was responsible for writing the parts for the Cincinnati Pops to play along with did a great job and deserves a lot of credit. It was a great evening filled with great music.

Get A Free Home Listing Kit!

Are you interested in listing your home for sale and not sure where to start? My new home listing kit is for you, and it's FREE!

This listing kit is filled with helpful information that every home owner should review before putting their home on the market. It's a buyers market out there, and I can help you get your home sold if you follow the advice and tips in this packet, along with my unique Digital Marketing Solution.

It also contains my updated Interactive Business Card on CD that has become so popular. You can view it from any computer that has a web browser. You can also search for properties right from the Interactive Business Card if you are connected to the Internet while viewing it. How cool is that?

And remember, a lot of Realtors talk about all the technology they use, but how is that putting money in your pocket? I'm the only agent I know that is offering a maximum commission of 4.75% when listing a home or single family investment property. I also offer commissions as low as 2% (see the packet for details and see which of these full service options fits your needs). I can do this because I have used technology to lower my costs and provide superior service so I pass this savings along to my clients. Let me put The Power of Technology to work for you!

Call or email me and I'll send one to you immediately. I can also email you the packet in PDF format so you don't have to wait.

Market Comment

Mortgage bond prices fell last week pushing mortgage interest rates considerably higher. The weakness followed Fed Chairman Bernanke’s remarks indicating inflation risks are on the upside. Global economic growth, inflation fears, and the European Central Bank rate hike resulted in a diminished appetite for US backed securities from foreign central banks. This initial selling pressure snowballed resulting in US based fixed income securities taking a beating. For the week, interest rates on government and conventional loans rose by about 1 full discount point.

The consumer price index Friday will be the most important event this week. The Treasury auction, retail sales, Fed “Beige Book”, producer price index, industrial production, capacity use, and consumer sentiment data will also be important.

Bad News For Realtors Charging High Commissions

I came across this article on The New York Times website and thought I would share it. Click here to read the story. Yes, if you are a Realtor charging 6 or 7 percent (some are even higher in this market, can you believe that?) you are in for a very rude awakening, and a lot sooner than you think.

I leave it up to you out there in cyberspace to make up your own mind. My business model of charging a maximum commission of 4.75% seems to be making more and more sense. But, you'll never get other Realtors to agree. They have to protect their 'Turf' and keep charging those high commissions.

Look at what the Internet has done for Amazon.com, E-Trade, and Geico. These are terrific examples of what technology can do. They have lowered their costs by using technology and pass the savings along to the consumer. That is my business model as well. You hear a lot of Realtors bragging about all the technology they use (sorry folks, searching the MLS isn't exactly something to brag about, my 12 year old can do a lot better than most of you) but how is it saving you money on a real estate transaction? That's the real question.

I'm a Citizen Journalist!

Happy Friday everyone!

For those readers of this BLOG, I wanted to let you know that I'm now a Citizen Journalist for The Register Herald in Preble County. Click here to see my articles section. I just posted my first article and anxiously await it to come up on their site.

If you have anything you would like to share with the members of the Preble Lifestyle community, let me know so it can be presented here. I seem to always have a camera with me and love to post pictures.

Have a great week-end!

Dana asked me to post these...

...and I always do what she asks me to do, well, usually.

4.75% Maximum Commission

Good morning and happy Tuesday!

I am pleased to announce that I am now able to offer all of my clients the ability to list their homes for sale with me with an absolute cap of 4.75% on the listing commission. Because of my extensive use of technology to operate my business, I have been able to dramatically cut my costs and I am passing the savings on to the consumers in the form of lower commissions.

Here's a quick breakdown of my services and fees:

• Option 1 - 2% + $500.00 (1% goes to the buyers brokerage)
• Option 2 - 3% + $500.00 (2% goes to the buyers brokerage)
• Option 3 - 4% + $500.00 (3% goes to the buyers brokerage)
• Option 4 - 4.75% (3% goes to the buyers brokerage)

These options are all FULL SERVICE PLANS. I will personally place the yard sign, then photograph and color correct each photo to make it stand out on the Internet. Your home will be listed in the Dayton Area Board of Realtors MLS system, along with Realtor.com as well as my personal website. But that's just the start. I also advertise your home on a multitude of other websites, giving your property greater exposure on the Internet. I use websites that are proven to attract buyers. My unique digital marketing campaign will reach a larger audience of qualified buyers, not just mass marketing to uninterested, unqualified buyers.

Don't let another agent try to tell you why you should work with them and pay a 7% (or higher) commission, or believe they can do more to promote and sell your home. I provide full service with lower prices. Other agents just don't have the technology skills required to be able to pass this savings along to their clients.

Call me today to schedule a personal consultation at (937) 609-5388.

Realtor Open Houses

A new agent in our office was sponsoring a Realtors only open house today in Clayton. I stopped by for a while and chatted with her and got a tour of a rather impressive house with over 4,000 sq. ft. of living space, not including the basement. Shortly after I arrived, another member of my firm stopped by as well.

The question I have is if Open Houses really work? I have sold one home that came from a Sunday Open House in the entire time I have had my license. I have attended a few Realtor only open houses and didn't see a huge turn out. But, for some strange reason, the public is under the impression that an open house will get a home sold quickly. My personal observation is that you usually get the nosey neighbors that want to see inside your home and your possessions. They are so reluctant to sign the register, a lot of times, they never come through, afraid you will know they were walking through your home.

I hold precious few open houses. If a client asks me to, I will, but I will explain the realities of an open house and they usually agree not to have it open. Most times, open houses are held for the benefit of the Realtor, not the clients selling the home.

Proof you don't need Windows!

MLS on my MacBook
Originally uploaded by David A. Davison

Here is the photographic proof of my MacBook running the MLS software without installing Windows. If you're a Realtor in the Dayton Ohio area and are interested in getting a Mac for your business, don't buy Windows just to access the MLS. I can help you get this running in about 5 minutes.

MLS on my MacBook!!!

OK, deep down, I know I'm a geek. It's been quite a few years now since I was paid to write software for a living, but since I write a lot of my own code still for my real estate business, I guess I will never lose my passion for technology.

Cut to may 29th, 2007. I was on the verge of having to break down and install (UGH!) Windows on my new MacBook. The thoughts of doing so were almost unbearable. I bought the Mac because of all the problems I have seen in our office with Vista, and the MLS only supports MS Internet Explorer. After getting the same old song from the local MLS, I contacted the software vendor directly in California to complain. Well, it seems that the good people in California like the Mac as much as I do, and also support using a Citrix Client that I can use with OS X! Oh happy day! After about 10 minutes on the phone, my Mac was running the Citrix Client and I was logged into the MLS without issue.

Now if we can just get them to support FireFox and not have to run through Citrix, all will be right in the world. But for now, Citrix is working great and I didn't have to dumb-down my Mac by installing Windows!

Happy Birthday Dana!

Today is my wife's birthday and I am very grateful to have such a wonderful woman for my wife.

I Love You Sweetie!

Happy Birthday!!!!

New Lead!

New Lead!
Originally uploaded by David A. Davison.

I'm always smiling when I get a good qualified lead. I was working the phones at home after spending the morning at the office when I took this photo from my MacBook.

I have a new marketing campaign coming out late next week so be sure to check my website for some news that could save you thousands of dollars when you list your home with me!

Why Join Exit Realty?

I've had several agents over the past few days talk to me about making a move to Exit Realty Partners. I thought this video might help answer some of your questions.

Tuesday Ramblings

Well, Dana is safely in Phoenix for our niece's graduation. I miss her already, but am glad she is there, visiting and having fun.

Lots of stuff going on this week. It's Kyle's last week of school and he can hardly wait for it to be finished. I was the same way at his age, didn't really like school until I went to college. But, when you're 12 like Kyle is, you can't wait for summer to get here.

Real estate is keeping my busy. Working on a new marketing campaign and will start rolling it out next week. Would love to share some of it now, but just can't. Sorry.

Well, back to the grindstone. Have a great day!

60 Minutes & Realtors

Just got home a short while ago and I am exhausted. I feel like I could sleep for a week. Being the good Realtor I am, I came downstairs to my home office to check email and check on tomorrows schedule before heading to bed, and I had yet another email concerning the 60 Minutes piece on Realtors & real estate commissions.

Let me first start by saying that I honestly believe a big part of this problem falls on the NAR (National Association of Realtors) and the lack of advertising that promotes the benefits of using Realtors services. Good Realtors earn every dime of their commission. Unfortunately, we are also in an industry with high turn over that gives consumers legitimate cause for concern. Couple that with the part timers who have a hobby business in real estate and you can see why so many people have a low opinion of Realtors.

A bigger part of the blame falls on Realtors that don't keep up with technology. Yes, I am lucky to have come into this industry after spending almost 2 decades working for technology companies, but there is no excuse for not knowing how to cut and paste! If you can't get the digital pictures out of your camera and into the MLS, maybe this isn't the career for you (and a camera phone is NOT an acceptable means of photographing a property). Ours is a very personal business, but technology is quickly making it a tech business, not touch business. This is going to be a vastly different industry in 5 years. Realtors don't want to admit this, but the technology skills are going to be much more important as it gets more competitive.

The biggest part of the blame falls directly on consumers. How can I say that? Because the majority of people out there never interview an agent to find one that's right for them and their needs. They think we all do things the same way. It's just not true. Most people out there think that properties advertised as "For Sale By Owner" are simply trying to avoid paying a commission. I talk to these people all the time, and by far, the number one reason is that they have had such a bad experience previously with Realtors they would rather try to sell it themselves than have to deal with all the hassles of a bad agent.

Just this past Tuesday, I called on an expired property that had been off the market about a week to see if they might be interested in letting me list their property. It had been through 2 different agents previously. Both agents talked about all the wonderful updates the home had, but the first agent took just one photo from the outside. The second agent simply copied the same photo when they got the listing!!! They didn't even take the time to put a new picture in. Then, I was told by the property owner that they had re-listed the home the past Thursday, even though it still hadn't been placed into the MLS the following Tuesday. Chances are, that agent will use the same outdoor photo that two other agents already used. Did the consumer question the tactics of their agent and request changes? Probably not. They weren't even aware that their home was off the market until I brought it to their attention. So yes, consumers have some responsibility here as well.

Our industry is a dynamic thing, and as a full time agent, I look forward to these changes. If I can use technology to lower my operating costs and can pass that savings along to the consumer, I don't see that as a bad thing. I'm sure most of my fellow Realtors don't share that point of view, especially the part timers.

Thursday Morning Emails

David Emailing
Originally uploaded by David A. Davison.

Good morning!

Couldn't resist the chance to try out the Photo Booth software and my iSight camera that comes built into my MacBook. Yes, I'm a Realtor and I get up before noon each day to work, imagine that. On a typical day, we are usually up and running around 5:30 am in the Davison household. Oh, for those of you who saw the 60 Minutes story about Realtors, I have to confess, I didn't see it, but it has a lot of people fired up about it. I read the story online, but haven't had much time to think and comment about it. I think the lazy Realtors (yes, there are a lot of them) and the part-timers (again, a lot of them) are the ones most upset about this. Full timers like myself who can actually provide value for our services will have to react to changes, but I welcome change, and using technology just makes it better for those of us who know how to utilize it and can make a difference for our clients.

I have to confess, I have not had the chance to play with a lot of the iLife software that came with my Mac (too bad for me). Dana is heading to Phoenix on Monday for our Niece's high school graduation so maybe I will get in a few late night session on the machine while she is gone. I can't wait to hook my guitar into Garage Band and try it out.

Have a happy Thursday, and every day!

Mac Daddy!

Hi everyone! Wow, what a week it has been. Seems like Dana and I have 100 things all going on at the same time and get hit face first with one when we try to take a minute to rest. We are finally making some progress on our yard work and getting our poor, neglected gardens back into shape. We trimmed shrubs last night and I had to dig one out that had been killed in the last cold snap we had. It was a chore.

I have to tell you, I now understand why people LOVE their Macs! This machine has really been a pleasure to work on. I have plugged every peripheral into it that I own, and they just work, no drivers, no blue screen of death. And the help screens are great (I'm still working on how to do things differently than on a PC) and easy to understand.

Well, it's Mothers Day Week-end, so to all the moms, stepmothers, foster moms, and mothers of our four legged friends out there, I salute you! You certainly deserve more than just one day a year for all your efforts!

Mac & Windows PC Peacefully Coexisting

Mac & Windows PC Peacefully Coexisting
Originally uploaded by David A. Davison.

I can just hear all the Mac users out there gasping that I got my new MacBook so close to a Windows PC, but hey, they get along very well and play quite nicely together. I guess It's because I haven't put Vista on the PC (and have no plans to ever move to it).

So far the Mac has been pleasure to work with. I'm still getting used to how it does things vs. how I have always done them on Windows. NeoOffice is working great as is FireFox.

My New MacBook!!!

I have said again and again how much I admire Apple and their products, when it was finally time to replace my old laptop, I decided to take the plunge and get away from Windows. Vista just didn't impress me, and the security issues, don't get me started.

So here it is! A big thanks to my wife Dana for making me stick to my guns and go with the Mac. I'm glad she was there when I was deciding what machine to buy! I Love You Sweetie!

When Cartoons Were Funny

Enjoy this classic clip!

OpenOffice.org 2.2 is now available!

If you haven't checked out OpenOffice.org as an alternative to MS Office, you need to click here and see one of the best alternatives out there. Oh, and did I mention it's FREE!!! Yes, a great program that works on multiple operating systems, is compatible with MS Office so you don't have to worry about converting your previous documents, and is VERY stable. I have been using this software for close to 2 years now and love it!



One of the best things about it, besides it's MS compatibility, is it's ability to work with Google Documents. Upload and download from Google and never worry about compatibility issues. Two great products that are free. Isn't technology great?

If you don't have access to a high speed connection (The windows version is 108mb's) please feel free to contact me and I will have a copy waiting for you at the Exit Realty Partners office at 7649 North Main Street - Dayton, OH 45415.

Enjoy the rest of your week-end!

Parenting 101

Hi everyone!

I don't want to get on a soapbox here, but have you heard the voice mail message Alec Baldwin left for his 12 year old daughter (click here to listen to it, and beware, it's not for the faint of heart!)? I have a 12 year old son myself, and would never talk to him this way.

I will be honest, I don't care for the man. He's a hot head, and a marginal actor at best. This just re-enforces my opinion of him. I was a single parent for many years (until I met my wonderful wife Dana!) and I can tell you this man needs help.

Maybe if he wasn't such a jerk to his child, she would want to take his calls. If it's one thing Kyle and I do, is communicate. We laugh, we talk, and I honestly think I know what's going on in his life and how he's feeling. I have a career and pressures as well, but I make sure Kyle knows how much I love him and make time for him each and every day. Hey Alec, wake up and get yourself into some anger management classes. You SERIOUSLY need a life!

My Goofy Dogs

Quick video of our boxers - sorry, no sound.

Me with Aunt Patty & Uncle Charles

Me with Aunt Patty & Uncle Charles
Originally uploaded by David A. Davison.

What a great week-end we had! The weather was perfect.

We spent some time at my parents house on Saturday and had a nice visit with my Aunt Patty & Uncle Charles, then I went home and mowed the grass. For those of you who know me very well, you know I love to get on my tractor and mow our grass.

Spent some time working around the house today by putting up a new ceiling fan in the master bedroom, installing a pet gate in the basement, and putting up Dana's under counter Sony radio/CD player in the kitchen that Kyle got her for Christmas. When Kyle got home, we chipped some golf balls in the side yard for a while, it was fun.

It's Hump Day And...

Get Your CD And See What The Buzz Is All About!

Click here to order my interactive business card on CD and see why I should be your Realtor. If you are serious about selling a home in this market, you need a Realtor who understands and implements a unique digital marketing solution to help you sell your property at the highest possible price in the shortest amount of time to your complete satisfaction. I provide Service & Digital Solutions you can depend on!

Coffee Card at Barney's

Check out the new coffee cards I am supplying to Barney's Restaurant & Deli in West Alexandria. We love going there for meals, and especially the ice cream. Stop by and tell them David sent you!

My New Business CD Is Ready!

My new Interactive Business Card is ready and I'm really proud of it. If you are interested in receiving a free copy, call me at (937) 609-5388 or email me at TheDavisonGroup@Yahoo.com and I will send you a copy. If you are serious about buying or selling a home or investment property, you need to check out my CD!

Kyle, Grandma, Grandpa, & an F-86 Sabre Jet

Kyle, Grandma, Grandpa, & an F-86 Sabre Jet
Originally uploaded by David A. Davison.

Spent a large part of the day visiting my parents. Kyle is on spring break this week, too bad the weather is so cold. This is when we are getting ready to leave. Kyle is holding an F-86 Sabre Jet model he built and wanted to show his grandparents.

I Thought Friday Would Never Get Here

This seems like it has been the longest week this year. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for the week-end!

Someone told me that I never post pictures of our cats on here, only our dogs. So, by popular demand, here's some before and after shots of Tiger and Apple. You can click on any of the pictures to enlarge them. I adjusted the light and color using Adobe Photoshop. Apple is a little bit bigger now than when these pictures were taken, but not a lot.

Dana's father celebrated his 65th birthday this week. We took him to Chilis by the Fairfield Commons Mall for ribs. Mmmmm, they were delicious! Then we went back to his house for a while so he could open his present from us and visit for a while. It was a fun evening.

Well, I got another house under contract this evening, so all is well in my part of the world! Hope you all have a great week-end!

When Friends Get Together

Wow! What a day yesterday was. My phone didn't stop ringing for 5 minutes. Usually that's a good thing in real estate, and yesterday was no exception.

I had the privilege of representing my friends Dewey & Alicia Kirk on the purchase of an investment property (we're going to have to start calling him 'The Dewey' with all the property this guy owns) and I was able to introduce them to some of my friends in the real estate industry that were able to help us close another successful real estate transaction! Seated left to right are Angela Richardson from US Bank, Kristen Schilder from The Talon Group, and Dewey & Alicia Kirk. I've known the Kirks since I was 19 years old, and Dewey is responsible for getting me started with golf.

I must be a good Realtor based on all the smiling faces, so don't forget to call me first before you start any real estate deal!

Purple Barney?

When you think of a purple Barney, you probably think about the dinosaur. Well, Barney Fife got hold of some bad acid from Goober in an undercover sting. Since they didn't have a lab to test it in, Barney tried it out on himself in yet another episode that was cut by the network censors. Click here to see todays clip.

It's Monday...

Wow, what a nice week-end we had. Yesterday was beautiful. I'll be mowing grass again in the next few weeks if we can get some dry days.

I was going though some old pictures and thought I'd post this one of Kyle with one of his 'N' scale trains. He still loves trains, I hope he never loses that passion for them. He is also developing a strong interest in military aircraft and reads a lot about them. I guess the Air Force Museum is having an affect on him.

If you enjoyed the Barney Fife video from last week, click here to see another famous scene that was cut by the network censors.

Barney Fife Cuts Loose!

Happy Friday everyone!

I saw the funniest video late last night, but for some reason I can't get it to post here so I'm providing you with the link to watch it (click here to watch video). It stars everyone's favorite deputy, Barney Fife, and was originally taken out by the censors (of course it was the 1960's) before the episode aired. It shows the incredible talent that Don Knotts had and his ability to perform, uh, under pressure. His professionalism comes through though as he was able to get this scene down in the first attempt, although I'm sure he practiced quite a bit at home. Enjoy!

Randy Rhoads-Mr. Crowley (After Hours)

25 years ago this month, Randy Rhoads was killed in a tragic plane crash. He may be gone, but his music will continue to inspire guitarists throughout the world.

This Week Is Flying By...

Hey everyone!

Sorry I haven't written more about what's going on, but things have been busy, and I've been sick the past week and haven't felt like writing much here. Business is going VERY well though, so life is good.

I have had more people tell me the 'Sue Teller Mashes it up' posting made their day, so thanks to everyone who emailed or called me. I love funny stuff like that. I'll continue to post funny, clean videos like that one as I find them.

Keep checking for more fun stuff right here!

Funny Dogs

Enjoy this short clip. There's no sound on it, but still worth the time to watch!

The Guy Who Blogged Me

I couldn't resist this.

Randy Rhoads at After Hours

My guitar hero showing why he was the best! He is truly missed.

Notice The Guitar Port I'm Using?

Notice the Guitar Port?
Originally uploaded by David A. Davison.

If you see my monitor, you'll see the software running the Line 6 Guitar Port I'm plugged into. It's hard to believe all the features this little thing has in it, and it all runs off a USB port. I'm using headphones so I don't wake Kyle up, otherwise it runs though the speakers sitting at the bottom right side of the screen. It sounds better than any amplifier I've ever owned, even my Line 6 amp. Ramble on!

We visit the US Air Force Museum

Kyle and I took his friend Joseph with us to the US Air Force Museum today. It was a good way to spend a cold afternoon. It is incredibly dark in there, and I am not happy with the way these photos came out, but I didn't take an extra light (didn't want to lug it around) so I guess I have to live with them. Check out the pictures of 'Vittles' the flying dog and his owner, Lt. Steber. Since we have Boxers we always look forward to this display. He flew during the Berlin Air Lift and fortunately never had to use his parachute. You can check out all of the photos from our visit by clicking here to go to my Flickr site.

Sue Teller Mashes It Up

This is TOO funny. Check it out.

Chick Peas, Check Please!

Had lunch with Sham Reddy today. Sham and I are becoming fast friends. We are working on a real estate deal together and have found out we have a lot in common. He is on the board at the DABR and we have had many great conversations about technology and real estate. I was able to talk to him about not being able to use FireFox to access the MLS, so he is going to check into it for me. Anyway, we had a long talk about a lot of things, but we always seemed to drift back to technology and how to apply it in this industry. I also showed him OpenOffice.org 2.1 running on my laptop and he is going to try it and see how it works for his business. I think he'll be very happy with it. I have been using it for over a year now and can't ever see myself going back to the more expensive option from a certain company in Redmond.

We met for lunch at Amar India by the Dayton Mall. They have a lunch buffet that has to be one of the best in the Greater Dayton Metro Area. If you like Indian cuisine, this is the place to go. And if you've never tried it and are curious about it, I suggest trying the buffet since they have such a variety. Dana and I usually eat there at least once a month, and I can honestly say that I've never had a meal I was disappointed with when dining there. Oh, and the service is fantastic. Click here to view their menu. And, no matter what you order, I suggest you try a cup of the Dal Soup. Man, now I'm getting hungry again just thinking about it!

Well, back to the salt mines for now. Have a great week-end!

Yes Deer

While I was in the office this morning, a group of about 12 deer wandered into the field next to our building. It was so amazing to watch them! By the time I got my camera out, they had already started running (right across Main Street - they all made it safely!) but I caught a few of them before they went out of view. Please forgive the blinds and screen in the window when I took this picture.

Dana and I spent a large part of the day yesterday with my parents. We hadn't seen them in a while so it was nice to relax at their home and chat. Mom is doing OK and dad is taking swimming lessons at the 'Y' a few mornings a week. I showed him a few funny video clips from YouTube and expect he will spend some time surfing and looking for other ones to tell me about. My, how technology has changed the things my dad and I talk about.

Ankle Pain

Don't quite know how I did it, but I did something to my left ankle yesterday evening and this morning I could hardly walk on it. Don't know if I somehow twisted it when Dana and I took the dogs out to play in the yard but it really hurts.

Kim and I had a listing appointment this evening and then met Dana at Fiesta Charra again for dinner. Kim had never been there and really liked it. I got the Rancheros Cinco (as usual) and a taco. So much for eating better this week!

I love my new RAZR phone so Dana and I went this morning and got one for her. Her Nextel contract will expire shortly so I took her to Cincinnati Bell Wireless to get a new service & phone. I just hope we don't get them mixed up.

Open Office 2.1

Just a quick note to remind everyone that OpenOffice.org 2.1 is available for download. Click on the OpenOffice.org logo to be taken to the site. Oh, if you're on a dial-up account, don't even attempt this. It's a little over 90 megs. If you want a copy of the software, I would be happy to make a CD for you that you can pick up at our office. I only ask that you share it with someone else who might be interested in it and is tired of the high prices of other Office Suite packages.





OpenOffice.org is one of the best kept secrets out there. It's a great Office Suite that is compatible with MS Office, and is totally free! I have gotten rid of all my MS programs with the exception of Windows and Access (which is a great database tool) and moved to OpenOffice.org.

Have a great week-end!

What a great day!

With the great weather we are having today, I decided to treat myself to lunch at a fairly new place here in West Alexandria called 'Barney's'. All I can say is that the food was really good and you need to stop in and try it for yourself. I'm going to see if I can talk Dana into stopping by there this evening for ice cream (one scoop since we're eating healthier).

Angry Wheaties

Is it just me, or does Kyle look like he's mad at his bowl of Wheaties this morning? I know he's not much of a morning person, but it looks like he could chew nails!

Had a busy day today running all over the place, working on different deals. It's exciting but tiring. I have cut back on my coffee intake and started drinking Monster Energy drinks. They're good and remind me of the Jolt Cola that I used to drink in college (the official drink of the elite hacker!). I picked up a case at Sam's Club after my open house on Sunday. After 4 days, I do notice that I'm not as worn out in the evenings and don't need that 4:00 cup of coffee. I also started going to a chiropractor last week, and it has made a difference. I was always a bit skeptical about going to one, but after starting, I wish I had done it years ago. I noticed after the second visit that I was already sleeping more comfortably. If you're skeptical like I was, try it if you have any kind of back pain. I am a believer now.

iTunes Rocks!

Finally had a little free time this evening and went out to the iTunes online store to download some more music. My wife is the best, she buys me iTunes cards when she's out shopping so I always seem to have money on my account. We were coming home from dinner tonight (went to Fiesta Charra in Eaton) and heard an old song on the radio by The Cowsills (remember them?). I downloaded Indian Lake and Bad Love by Eric Clapton, I do have and unusual taste in music.

Check out the iTunes screen, how many of these do you listen to?
(Click to enlarge)

February's Longaberger Winner

Congratulations to Sarah Webb of Englewood for being February's Longaberger Basket winner! Thanks to everyone who entered, and remember to enter again for the March drawing.