Support Our Troops with Email our Military

Participating in social networking has opened up a whole world to me and lets me find the coolest toys like Twitter.  It was while wandering there that I came across the folks from Email our Military.

 I don’t know how many of you remember when Dear Abby used to organize an annual mail drive to get letters to troops, but that program, along with the ability to address mail to “Any Service Person”, stopped in 2001.  Since then, Email Our Military has stepped in to fill the gap.

From the website:

How It Works

Using eMail, eMOM provides a safe way for people to continue the tradition of “Any Service Member” mail with a much more personal touch. Service Members register with us for support and are matched with civilians who have registered to send and show their support to our troops.

With the holidays fast approaching, I can’t think of a better time to stay in touch with our troops who are so far away from home, friends and family and would appreciate the support from the people they are protecting on a daily basis.  The website has suggestions for gifts, cards, and fun, easy classroom projects for kids and scouting groups to create.

Please take a few minutes to visit the site and Email our Military - you’ll be glad you did.  You can follow along and get updates on Twitter as well: @mailourmilitary.

 Need a little push?  This video says it all…

 

Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living.  All rights reserved.

Ten Hut! Calling All Military Spouses

My good REALTOR friend, Jesse Clifton in Fairbanks, Alaska, recently wrote a post about the 2009 Military Spouse of the Year nominations.  With the New Orleans West Bank being home to both NAS JRB New Orleans and NSA New Orleans, I thought it was great information to pass along.

Although praise is deservedly lavished on military service members serving this country, we sometimes overlook their support system at home; their military spouses.

Long deployments to far away lands are no easy task. Military service members are in harms way and away from the family they love for extended periods of time. The wives and husbands left at home have an equally daunting task in that they’re charged with keeping the home fires burning.

In recognition of their countless contributions and sacrifices, Military Spouse Magazine is accepting nominations for the 2009 Military Spouse of the Year.

Read Jesse’s entire post here.

Do you know of a military spouse that is deserving of this award?  Heck, it could even be you!  Nominations are being accepted through October 8, 2008 at www.msoy.milspouse.com.  It only takes a few minutes of your time to nominate a spouse from any branch of the military, and civilians can nominate candidates too.

One of the coolest things about belonging to a national network of REALTORS is sharing information across the industry that can benefit not only the agents but our friends and clients as well.  If your next PCS takes you to Jesse’s part of the country, be sure to give him a call.

Welcoming the Troops Home to NAS JRB New Orleans

I was lucky enough to attend the Welcome Home Troops party this past Friday at the NAS JRB New Orleans base.  The celebration was held to honor all of the troops who have come and gone from the base for the past year and all of the stops were pulled out.

 

 

There were inflatables for the kids to play on, a rock climbing wall for everyone and some deliciously cold sno-balls…then there were the clowns and the visits from Dora, Diego and the mascots from both the Hornets and the Zephyrs were on hand as well.

A line of tents were set up with activities for the kids, including cookie decorating and face painting.

Our Last Hope is the name of the new band formed by members of the on base Teen Center and they kicked things off with 4 songs.  What a great job, especially since they have only been together for about a month!

After Our Last Hope was finished performing, local band Chicken on the Bone took the stage, which was located in an airplane hanger, to rock out…

After their performance, the band donated a special bass guitar to the MWR guys who were responsible for coordinating the entire event.

The lovely ladies from the NAS JRB Credit Union had a booth set up with information for the troops and they were also the sponsors of the fireworks that closed out the evening.

While the patriotic tunes were playing, the explosions of color across the sky were just awesome.

 

Thank you to the MWR staff for inviting us to attend and allowing me to have a chance to meet so many of the troops that are serving our country.  Thank you all for all that you do.

Does Your Agent Have a Client Bill of Rights?

Today required a trip to the urgent care center for my 12 year old son.  He has a small abscess on the corner of his mouth that started out looking like a pimple.  Nothing worth an emergency room visit, but he was uncomfortable enough to need to see a doctor.  When you are 12 and you can’t eat pizza, it’s time to go to the doctor.

As we were waiting in the exam room to see the physician, I noticed a Patient Bill of Rights posted on the wall, outlining the center’s goals for how all patients are to be treated.  I have to say that I was impressed by it, and started thinking…do my clients realize that they have something similar when they work with me? 

Since I’ve never put it in writing, they probably don’t! 

So, with credit to the Gulf Coast Urgent Care Center (thanks Dr. Thompson) for inspiration and the headlines, here is my

West Bank Real Estate Client Bill of Rights.

 

 

Information Disclosure

You have the right to receive accurate and easily understood information about buying or selling a home.  If you do not understand something, assistance will be provided to you so you can make an informed decision.  Communication is critical in real estate transactions.  Your REALTOR® must be able to explain the terms of contracts to you, whether it is a listing agreement or a purchase agreement.

 

Choice of Providers and Plans 

You have the right to receive your own professional real estate representation - you don’t have to call the name on the sign.  You also have the right to negotiate any commission paid to your chosen professional. 

 

 

 

 

 

Access to Emergency Timely Services

Most real estate “emergencies” can be easily remedied and are not cause for panic.  But, everyone wants to know (and quickly) that there is a cure for what ails them.  When you are working with a REALTOR®, you have the right to expect a timely response to all of your real estate needs, including returned phone calls, emails and other communications. 

 

 

Participation in Treatment Real Estate Decisions 

You have the right to know all of your real estate options and to participate in decisions about your choices.  Your REALTOR® is your partner in the home buying or selling process, but you are in the driver’s seat. 

As a seller, you have the ultimate say so in choosing to accept, counter or decline any offers received on your property - your REALTOR® is there to educate you about the market and assist you in making the right decision that meets your needs. 

As a buyer, it is your call as to which neighborhoods you want to view homes in and what property you would like to purchase.  It is your REALTORS® job to educate you about the market and how the buying process works.  Additionally, buyers have the right to choose their own providers for financing, home inspections and closings.

 

Respect and Nondiscrimination

You have the right to considerate, respectful and nondiscriminatory care from your real estate professional.  Fair Housing Laws apply to all real estate practitioners, whether they are a member of the National Association of REALTORS® or not.  Fair Housing is an important issue, but, in my opinion, if your REALTOR® does not treat you with consideration and respect it’s time to find a new one!

 

Confidentiality of Health Financial Information

You have the right to talk in confidence with your real estate professional and to have your information protected.  One of the most important duties that a REALTOR® has to a client is a fiduciary duty - this includes loyalty, obedience to lawful instructions, disclosure, confidentiality, reasonable care and diligence and accounting of all funds entrusted to them.

You have a right to copies of all information in your real estate file.  Your REALTOR® is required to provide you with copies of all documents you have signed.

 

 

Complaints and Appeals

You have the right to a fair and objective review of any complaints you may have against your real estate professional.  If you are unable to work your issues out with your REALTOR®, these complaints can be addressed to the managing broker or to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission.

 

Related Reading:

5 Steps to Choosing Your New Orleans West Bank Real Estate Agent

 

  

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Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

Don’t Just Call The Name on the Sign

With several listings on the West Bank of New Orleans, I get a lot of phone calls from potential buyers looking for information.  They are driving around a neighborhood, see a sign, grab the cell phone and call from right in front of the house.

What’s wrong with this?  Too many times, when I ask if they are working with an agent, the response is “No, I’m just calling the names on the signs of houses I like”.

 

Let me get this right…what you are doing is driving aimlessly (wow - have you seen gas prices lately?) and contacting a bunch of different agents who are all working for the seller?  OK, let me explain to you why this plan is not in your best interest and show you a better way to find your new home.

 

When an owner decides to sell their home, they generally interview different agents and choose the one that they feel will work the hardest for them to get their house sold.  They sign a contract with the agent that outlines what the marketing plan will be and what the commission fee will be.  The agent is contracted to represent the seller in the sale of their home.  The home owner is paying for the services of that agent, who has a legal and ethical responsibility to get them the highest and best price for their home.  I know - this is exactly what I do for MY clients when I list their home for sale.

 

Now, you are cruising down the street and see that bright and shiny FOR SALE sign in front of a home that you just know would be the perfect one for you.  It’s fabulous, it’s terrific, it’s the one - you’ve just got to get in and see it right away.  Who do you call?  The name on the sign or a REALTOR® who is working for YOU, looking out for YOUR best interests?

 

In Louisiana, the cost of a buyer’s agent is paid entirely by the seller - it doesn’t cost you a single penny to use a professional to help you buy a home.  It is legal for an agent to represent both the buyer and seller in the same transaction.  BUT, in my opinion, this is a fine line to walk.  Giving both the buyer and seller confidentiality and superior service is very difficult (if not impossible) for most people to do and relationships are bound to be affected, even if it’s not intentional.

 

Why not take advantage of the services of a professional West Bank REALTOR® to provide your own representation?  Many home buyers don’t realize that they can interview and choose a REALTOR® just like home sellers do.  Read: 5 Steps to Choosing Your New Orleans West Bank Real Estate Agent. 

 

When you are ready to stop surfing the internet for homes and want to sit down and discuss finding your dream home, give me a call and we can talk about how I can make buying the right West Bank home easier for you.

 

Related Reading:

5 Steps to Buying Your New Orleans West Bank Home

 

 

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Copyright 2008.  Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

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