Blog entries

Obesity, Car Crashes and Real Estate

tstone

I had an interesting phone call from a lady I meant a little while ago. She was discussing her home (normal conversation) and just before we get ready to say goodbye she makes a comment that just hit me. She was trying to compliment me, but I was awestruck .

The comment was something along this line. "Tammy, I just wanted to let you know how proudI am of you for losing all that weight. It's tough when us females get older and you have done s [...]

Follow the Yellow (I mean GREEN) Brick Road

tstone

Lately, I had the priviledge of being interviewed in the Business Review. It's a little bit intimidating especially since you don't know exactly what or how your words were interpreted, but it came out pretty well. I, of course, kept a copy of the newsprint for my records which contained my pretty little picture but thought you might want to read the online version (which doesn't have my pretty little picture but one of Kari Bliss, a great REALTOR for Bazzani th [...]

Great Lakes Green Makes Debut in Grand Rapids

tstone

Thursday was the official start of Great Lakes Green 2008 that is open to the public and will run through Saturday night (August 21-23, 2008).

The intention of the show is to bring a "greater awareness about residential green building programs and technologies". (http://www.greatlakesgreen2008.com/). Sponsored by Green Built Michiganand many builders, the show will offer professionals and the general public a chance to view some of the products and services that are part of t [...]

Buyer's Beware... The Opportunity May Be Diminishing...

tstone

I've been saying to people that NOW is the time to buy. My sense from buyers in general is that they have all the time in the world to buy a home. [...]

Grand Rapids Area...Rapid Growth Article: Purchase or Rent?

tstone

My duty to you is to keep track of what's going on in the market. And like I've mentioned as well as others, NOW is the time to buy! Here's what Rapid Growth had to say in an email I received this morning...

"A national study has found that Grand Rapids is one of only 66 major housing markets nationwide where purchasing a home could cost less than rentingan apartment... "

Here's the link to read more:

http://www.rapidgrowthmed [...]

Real Estate Survival Guide Source

tstone

There are so many sites and so many places to look when trying to decide whether or not to buy or sell. I've done some of the work for you and am providing a great link, that I think you'll love. This one is called the REAL ESTATE SURVIVAL GUIDE.

Get your Real Estate Survival Guide Information online and through this site. Some really great videos and information to get you started. My action plans to finish the job whether or not you are [...]

"Carp rid human feet of scaly skin" GR Press Headline

tstone

If you haven't noticed, I do like the "GREEN" philosophy... specifically the reduce, reuse, recycle mentality.� I just believe that if we can, recycle we should!�

Anyway, thought this was interesting in the Grand Rapids Press.� "

;Carp rid human feet of scaly skin".� You can check� it out in July 27th edition, front section.� Talk a [...]

Sound Off... Cable Companies NEED to Bend the Rules.

tstone

I really like this new Sound Off column... I have to be nice most of the time but hear I can complain and tell me opinion about some of the (for lack of a better word) crap that goes on in business.

I used to think that businesses actually wanted business... now I'm not so sure.� I can't believe all the hassle you have to go through to actual get a bill taken care of or adj [...]

High Gas Prices Could Be Good for the Economy...

tstone

All one has to do nowadays is take a look at the headlines in the paper and "see" what the Michigan people are thinking.� Front page of the Grand Rapids Press, Sunday July 27th edition's headline is "Tipping Point Tough Times Shortchange Workers on Gratuities".� The article shows a picture of two waitresses counting their money from tips at the Bull's Head Tavern in downtown Grand Rapids.

The Business section of the Grand Rapids Press reads "Sch [...]

Sound Off...How do you rate in Customer Service compared to Your Competitors?

tstone

Hey everyone, I decided to write about something that I really wanted to write about... things that just aren't right.� That really make me mad.� It usually has to do with being treated unfairly or someone else's customer service... so I thought I would create this column to SOUND OFF!

Recently, I was in another real estate office for a closing on a home.

[...]

What I Learned in Business, I Learned from Life

tstone

I was very flattered recently when someone I just met offered me a position with his company. From the few interactions that we've had, he was impressed with my honesty and my personality. It was such a great compliment to me that he felt that I was honest and ethical, had a likable personality and was aggressive enough in sales to help out his company. The questionthat he had was whether or not I had the passion for what he was doing.

Actually, it was [...]

Life is Busy, Gas Prices Will Stop When? and What About the Housing Market?

tstone

WOW! It's been a long time since I blogged on my site.� So sorry to my avid readers!� Life is busy, there is real estate, more real estate and oh yeah, don't forget about life in general... kids, kid's baseball games, activities, maybe supper once in awhile.� You get the drift... life just gets hectic sometimes.

Good things have been happening and greater things

are right around the corner.� Right now, if I could give you my perspective on things and answer�my [...]

7 Rules for Success

tstone

I'm always reading articles about how successful people are "successful" and today is like no other. Ironically, these articles always come in handy and happen to hit when I may need it the most. Here's what "successful people" do. Are you doing them?

Be True to Yourself - Basically, listen to the little voice in the back of your head and do what it says. It's hardly ever wrong. I've also found that when I try to be s [...]

Some Retailers Still See Opportunity in the Michigan Economy

tstone

Michigan's economic struggles always seem to be in the forefront of the media and on people's minds. And rightly so, all business sectors have struggled and many people have had to make moves that would be right for their family. Interestingly enough, as others have moved out of state, Johnny's Lunch has decided to Move Into Michigan. ; Can you believe it?

Johnny's Lunch sees Michigan and Grand Rapids in particular as an opportunity. Johnny& [...]

As Gas Prices Rise, More People Are Conscience of Saving Money

tstone

The weather used to be the common conversation.� Nowadays, our conversations focus around the high gas prices at the pump.� You'll listen to the talk radio as they discuss the oil prices per barrel and then how it affects us, the consumer.� The other day, I heard talk on the radio about how bike sales were now on the rise.� Maybe, with the higher gas prices we'

ll have a now physically fit America?� OR we could do a lot of complaining about the prices, start walking more, buy [...]