Weird, Crazy, Wisconsin Real Estate-get your laugh on!

There are those that say you can't beat weird for Wisconsin.
(and you can always say that real estate is crazy-everywhere.)

After living here ten years,-well, real estate is craziest in the Cheezehedd State.

You betcha.

Why ask why when it is so obvious?




(YouTube-WeirdUSTV)

And just when you think...
On second thought-No. Don't think about this guy who missed his ex-wife so much he was going to open houses and, um,
snooping in dresser drawers.

(...and even calling Realtors for private showings!)

Just remember while real estate and people are crazy-

You're (probably) not.

And don't forget to laugh!

Steve

shsworks@sbcglobal.net

920-691-6030

We could all use a laugh.....

Back for a bit-been busy and loving it!

Details later-in the meantime:

We could all use a laugh!



(YouTube - smaclenn)

Steven Stearns
Social Network Builder
shsworks@sbcglobal.net
920-691-6030

One more reason why real estate will remain crazy for a while...

Oooooookie dokie...

so, then-the FDIC wants to borrow money from banks:

(YouTube - Bloomberg )

I am not an economist, just another blogger-

but hey, I know the banks in my neck of the woods aren't doing so good.

More later.

Not borrowing, I mean-just blogging.

Steve

Living in Change

"Everything changes, nothing remains without change." -Gautama Buddha

Like anything else, there are different levels of change:

You can change your socks, what you have for breakfast and your address all in the same day.

Or are those choices, and not really change?

Maybe-just maybe-the difference between choice and change is if we actually do it.

(If is a funny word, too-but let's stick to change today and not sit too long under the Bhodi tree.)

So okay, there you have it: Change.

We are all past the point in our lives and work where changing is negotiable.

In fact, Change has taken on some Darwinistic flavor, and shoves us all back into considering the fear of the unknown.

We have to learn to live in change, not just change when circumstances dictate it for our economic, physical or emotional survival.

Living in change is always moving, always looking forward, watching the horizon come closer, fade-and become invisible at times.

We will sometimes lose our bearings and maybe get lost.

But look at what is happening all around you.

And be a part of it.

Start living in change.

Steve
shsworks@sbcglobal.net
920-691-6030

31 Ideas for Social Media Content or Updates

31

Ideas for Social Media Content or Updates

(...just a few thoughts to help things along for everyone-almost all of these can be either a photo, update item or a blog idea. Use common sense, get permissions and give credit when linking and have fun!)

1.) Your city parks and park board program schedules.
2.) Arts programs for kids!
3.) Recycling pick-up dates.
4.) Local prep high school scores of your favorite team.
5.) A local popular cafe-a great recipe from a great place.
6.) Got any street musicians out in the early spring weather?
7.) The dates property taxes are due.
8.) The owner of the pink or purple home.
9.) Oldest or historical home in the community.
10.) Volunteer efforts in your community.
11.) A local historical monument or location in your community.
12.) A listing.
13.) A market report.
14.) Bingo night schedule for seniors and everyone!
15.) The local notice of the blood drive.
16.) A local popular gift shop.
17.) A local popular coffee shop-different than a café…just work it.
18.) Community US Census information-population, ratio of men to women, household income, etc.
19.) Links to current or historical maps of the town or area.
20.) Community school news: kindergarten, elementary, middle, junior and high school reports:student population, number of teachers, number of graduates, those that went to college, etc.
21.) Dates/time/place of the local Farmer’s Market.
22.) There are 365 holidays in a year-which one is today?
23.) There are 52 weeks in a year-which one is this?
24.) Links to historical photos of the area or the county historical society.
25.) Housing trends and consumer RE news: first time buyer info, rehab programs, utility assistance programs, etc.
26.) Mortgage rates update.
27.) Schedule of local "dump day" or the hours of the community compost lot.
28.) Schedule of the local zoning commission meetings.
28.) Points in the fair housing law.
29.) Seasonal home maintenance tips.
30.) Home inspection and assessment tips and information.
31) Link to your favorite plumber, electrician, carpenter, mason or painter.

Steven Stearns

Social Network Builder

shsworks@sbcglobal.net
920-691-6030

Connect with me at:

Facebook:http://tinyurl.com/c7f27d
Blog:http://realestateisreallycrazy.blogspot.com
LinkedIn:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenstearns
Twitter:http://twitter.com/stevenstearns

Some quiet thoughts on home ownership....

A house.

A yard.

Family-Mom, Dad, Kids, Pets.

Neighbors.

Home sweet home.

9 million people slated to get help.

It's a start:

Special thanks to the gang at Trulia for going out,

talking to the public

and getting these quiet thoughts together for us-

in the midst of all the clamor.

Saving one home is a good start.

And Realtors are there to help:

with their knowledge of local markets

and other knowledge they can find and share,

they can help guide almost any homeowner

to what is practical and possible in their own unique situation.

Steve

twitter:

@stevenstearns

Don't throw up on your market...

...or on anyone else.

Really.

It's just good etiquette

to keep it down after you have cleared your plate.

Learn how to do it:

Now:

Take a deep, deep breath.

Exhale.

If you are still feeling queasy, uneasy and confused-

imagine how your consumer feels.

Face your market. Listen. Learn.

(And don't forget to pick up the tab once in a while-:)

Steve

shsworks@sbcglobal.net

facebook: http://tinyurl.com/c7f27d

twitter:@stevenstearns

blog: http://realestateisreallycrazy.blogspot.com/

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenstearns

Preaching to a mute choir.....

You know you can hear...

...so why aren't you singing ?

The housing consumer is dying to hear your song:

"...95% of consumers between the ages of 18 and 44 who bought a home last year used social networking sites at least a few times a week, and a majority used them daily...."

"according to NAR...44% of all buyers use social networking every day."

-from matthewferrara.com

Your audience, your market, is standing in the front row.

They are filling up the seats in the auditorium.

They have their ticket and are standing in line waiting

for the next sold-out performance.

And they are bringing their friends, neighbors and yes-their kids!

So...

Are you going to the show?

Why aren't you on the way to the stage?

Why aren't you singing your lungs out?

...or at least tuning up.

The world is all ears.

And waiting to hear from YOU.

The neighborhood expert.

To sing the praises of the schools, parks, coffee shops, beauty salons,

restaurants, pubs, libraries,

-and that great listing you just grabbed.

Do it.

Don't wait for the fat lady.

Steve

shsworks@sbcglobal.net

920-691-6030

YOU FOUND ME!...(again)

(graphic from http://andrewmargolis.com/blog)

Well, thanks for stopping by!

Sorry about the confusion and the boxes, but what I can tell you is this:

I am still here.

Well, so is most everyone else!

Ready to listen. To create and share ideas. To market some of my own, hopefully, (and have something to share with the wolf...)

But most of all, to keep it real and keep it crazy.

And of course, it will be great to see some new scenery.

So-

How can I help you? Just wire me!

Steven
shsworks@sbcglobal.net
http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenstearns

Hey Gang-HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON!

...and don't hate me-I am in FLORIDA!

Our Holiday Sale is still on through the end of the month-scroll down

and check it out!

And right down there, too, is great news-

you can place your listings in over 40 social networks

with our Obeo HomeSite!

...have a great holiday!

I will be out of the office and out of Wisconsin on vacation from December 20, 2008 through January 1, 2009,

returning to work January 2nd, 2009 in the a.m.

I will be returning urgent emails and phone calls as necessary.If you need any other assistance with Obeo, like immediate help to set up your account, order a tour or need technical/email support, please call Obeo at 1-800-729-6236.Also,

Obeo is having a holiday sale on Obeo services!

Get your promotion info for Wisconsin at:

http://obeoman.blogspot.com

For information on the Obeo Holiday Sale outside of Wisconsin, please call our toll-free number.At Obeo, we know Realtors ROCK!- and we want to keep you rolling.Follow this link to our Microsite for info and to demo our products:

HomeSite, StyleDesigner, SpaceDesigner and ObeoConnect:

http://clients.obeo.com/Microsite/

...and this link to great videos about how Obeo works for you-http://tinyurl.com/3vgzed

Have a great holiday season!

Steven Stearns

Obeoman

steven.stearns@obeo.com

http://www.obeo.com/

262-325-8687

Obeo Sales-Tech Support: 800-729-6236

Dodging bullets, blizzards and the blues...

First, I just wanna say

I am SO glad

my blog did not wind up on this list,

and out of gratitude, we are offering discounts

on all Obeo marketing packages- the promo code is below!

(...dodged that one...!)

(...if you would like to nominate me next time,

well, that is up to you.)

Huge obvious update:

The market is a little chilly.

That kind of chill can make you blue.

Obeo says so what-let's turn up the heat:

Promotion Dates: Dec. 8th - 31st, 2008

To order your Obeo tour,

please call our toll-free number (1-800-729-6236)

to take advantage of the extra discount on multiple tours.

Simply mention the 'Obeo Christmas Gift' to your Obeo customer service representative to receive your discount.

Agents!: President of RE/MAX Preferred Dennis Midthun approved this offer!

Even though Winter may be back-

(and my back is out-a little...)

snowy mornings are beautiful,

as long as the snowblower starts when you want it to!

(Old Faithful-Thanks, Dad for moving to a condo!)

Let's all dig out!

Steve

Obeoman

steven.stearns@obeo.com

262-325-8687

Obeo National:800-729-6236

Clients for life...why not?

Are you a client for life?

Think about it-you probably have a favorite brand or two;

some boots, clothing, apparel, auto or an appliance you just will not do without.

Now-what about YOUR clients-

Think about them.

How are you making them yours?:

It's easy.

Give them a reason-a good one-and they will stick with you.

Sounds like a win-win!

Thanks for stopping by,

(by the way, you can play with the StyleDesigner here!)

Steve

Obeoman

262-325-8687

steven.stearns@obeo.com

Obeo National:800-729-6236

WRA 2008 FALL CONVENTION:Survived!But now-Golf for CHARITY?

The WRA convention was great.

The mood was realistic, but not down.

There was plenty of talk about

staying safe on the job,

what to do with expired listings,

and how to keep sellers thinking logically.

I just recovered!

And now....

(http://www.webweaver.nu/clipart/sports-golf.shtml)

I am going golfing tomorrow.

I don't golf, but my RE/MAX

clients do.

Thank Heavens it's for the

Childrens Miracle Network!

In the meantime, you better back up a bit...(!)

I will be at a RE/MAX GOLF event through Thursday evening, September 11th.

If you need immediate help to set up your account, order a tour or need technical/email support, please call Obeo at 1-800-729-6236.

I will be returning emails and phone calls on Friday, September 12th.

At Obeo, we know Realtors ROCK!- and we want to keep you rolling-

Follow this link to our Microsite for info and to demo our products:

Homesite, StyleDesigner, SpaceDesigner and ObeoConnect.

...and this link to great videos about how Obeo works for you!

FORE!

(...details later tomorrow.)

Steve

Obeoman

steven.stearns@obeo.com

262-325-8687

Obeo in your area:800-729-6236

www.obeo.com.

WRA FALL 2008 CONVENTION:View from the booth

I love my clients.

Realtors.

...and I mean it.

Aside from keeping the roof up

(and making sure I am fed and watered)

they provide me with an endless stream

suggestions for continuous improvement.

And in these times, who does not need to

keep moving, keep changing, keep up

-just keep on keeping on.

I have yet to see a Realtor in the past three days-

or just about as long as I can remember-

that did not smile when they talked about their profession.

Oh sure,there were some sad smiles.

Exasperated smiles.

Toothy grins.

(Some, topped with a wink!)

Thanks, gang-the view from the booth is great.

And I am glad I do not have to wish you were here!

Come by and say:

"Have a nice day."

and get a free Obeo Homesite-I have two today.

Better still, if you buy an Obeo Homsite, we will

give you a free Obeo StyleDesigner!

And the best news: Verl Workman is here

to help you get your geek on with Free RE tech seminars all day!

Stop by!

Steve
Obeoman
steven.stearns@obeo.com
262-325-8687
Obeo National:800-729-6236

WOW-WRA! What a day and a night and a morning......

Speaking easy comes naturally to Realtors, I think.

There sure were some fancy dancers!

...and all that leads to WOW!

Off the golf course and outta the classes.

Get a thousand Realtors together and stand back!

You might even do (a little) business while you have fun.

There was no prohibition on either at the Roaring 20s Icebreaker.

A lot of people dressed to the nines or better,

getting reacquainted, introduced,

hugged, laughed at and with.

A whole lot of joy.

Add some good food and drink...

...for some people this morning it was a little more like

.0w

Present party included.

If you would like a free tour,

come see me in booth 65,

and say:

"Ow."

It won't hurt.

I promise!

Thanks for stopping by,

Steve
steven.stearns@obeo.com
Obeoman
Obeo WI:262-325-8687
Obeo National:800-729-6236

WELCOME TO THE WRA FALL 2008 CONVENTION!

REALTORS ROCK!

Welcome to your YOUR convention!

Your time to get some CE done,
get reacquainted with your friends from across the state,

stay up a little too late,
(get up WAY too early;)

and celebrate another trip around the sun.

The past year?

Incredible:

-nearly a third of the state is a FEMA disaster area touched by flooding and storms,

-nationally, 500,000 Realtors made no money last year-

and the market is being eaten by the Bear(s)(!)

But you are still here.

Celebrate it-

REAL ESTATE IS CRAZY, BUT YOU'RE NOT!



(Check back here every day during the convention.)

To help out the celebration,

Obeo will be giving away free Obeo tours and StyleDesigners

EVERY DAY-STARTING SUNDAY, SEPT. 7th

Just find the magic words at this blog, come see me at our booth,

-and they are for the first two Realtors there-first come, first serve:
one free Obeo Bronze HomeSite and one free Obeo Styledesigner!

(I'll be at the booth 4 p.m.on Sunday.)

...Oh, the magic words for Sunday are:
REALTORS ROCK!

And Obeo wants to keep you rolling-

Follow this link to our Microsite for info and to demo our products:
Homesite, StyleDesigner, SpaceDesigner and ObeoConnect.

...and this link to great videos about how Obeo works for you!

See you at my booth at 4 p.m. on the 7th!

Steve
Obeoman
steven.stearns@obeo.com
262-325-8687
www.obeo.com.

O-B-E-O-Oreo with a B, okay?

My boss, Obeo CEO Glade Jones,

gets part of his fifteen minutes at Inman

from the guys at broker IP TV.com. He also

gives them a spelling lesson more than once on our name:

Glade Jones at the NYC Inman Connect 2008 - The best free videos are right here

...geeze...No Oreos?

Get a taste of our non-fat, no-cal pixels!

They don't bite!
I gotta go make some MORE phone calls!

Steve

Obeoman

Obeo WI: 262-325-8687
Obeo Nationwide: 800-729-6236

We interrupt this blog to bring you...

Hi!

I will be out of the office July 17-20th returning Monday, July 21st,

in the morning.

If you need to place an order, have a question about your account, email or technical support, please call Obeo directly at 800-729-6236.

Our Obeo demo site is located at:

http://www.obeo.com/Public/Solutions/ProductIndex.aspx

There, you can see and experience all our great products:

Obeo HomeSite-an interactive wesbite with your listing and great statistical reporting.

Obeo StyleDesigner-redecorate a listing online-fun and buyers love it!

Obeo SpaceDesigner-interactive floor plan-move furniture without the backache.

ObeoConnect-bilingual lead capture tool-connect direct with your buyers.

I will be returning emails and phone calls on July 21st.

Thanks,

Steve

www.obeo.com

steven.stearns@obeo.com

262-325-8687

Obeo Customer Service: 800-729-6236

Pump it out, clean it up, cry a lot....

...it's not over yet.

It's just moved a bit downstream.

Everyone is going to need help.

Last week I went out to check out where

the sandbags and sand were-this is the sign I saw:

I got out and did what I could.

The rest of the story is here-a long week in the flood!

Let's all pull together.

...It's not over yet.

Steve

Obeoman

Welcome to the flood...I mean blog...STAY SAFE!

(Sign from http://www.transit.govt.nz/)

Obeo and I extend our thoughts to all of those who

are injured or hurt, have lost a home, are suffering property damage,

or loss of work because of the flooding catastrophe in Wisconsin,

and other parts of the country.

Gov. Jim Doyle has declared a state of emergency in 30 Wisconsin counties,

and the list is growing.

He has also requested assistance from FEMA.

What began late last week as hard rain will not end soon.

More rain is coming today, Wednesday,

and many rivers have not yet crested.

It will be at least seven to ten days before waters begin to recede.

May all the volunteers and emergency workers stay safe!

Steve

Obeoman