Five Pages You Must "Like" on Facebook Actually, a better title would be "Five of my favorite non-real estate pages you need to "like" on Facebook." Since I am addicted to Facebook, you can read that to mean: one, I have more than five pages that I like and  two, I have a whole list of real estate pages that I'll save for another day. So... let's get to it... 1. CRUSH IT! This page is based on the book by Gary Vaynerchuk, so aptly titled, CRUSH IT! The book is an awesome read - about finding your passion and then living out that dream. The Crush It! Facebook page has video, links, testimonials, tips and motivational tidbits. Gary is truly living his passion and the emotion almost jumps off this page! 2. Productivity Junkies The name probably gives the page and the matching web site awa... 09/04/2010

Whew! What a world wind week we've had! United Country VIP Realty has said good bye to their location of almost 20 years, on the east end of Elm Street in Lebanon Missouri. (It's amazing how many boxes it takes to pack all that STUFF!)                                         We've moved the office down the street, to 1518 West Elm, Suite D, Lebanon MO   The new location will better serve our Lebanon MO real estate clients and customers! Here are just a few benefits: Lots of parking in front of the building and in back No road construction in front of the building Individual offices for our agents Dedicated space for our transaction coordinator   Our phone number remains the same: 417-532-2031 Our website remains the same: www.UCMissouri.com More to come - photos of our office and a few ... 09/01/2010

  Open House, Saturday April 24th at 223 Steeplechase, Lebanon MO 65536 Located on Lebanon's south side, in a quiet, tree lined subdivision, this home deserves more than just a drive by! Four bedrooms, three full baths and a half bath. Open kitchen/family room with wood burning fireplace. Living room. Updated kitchen; newer roof and windows; master suite opens to back, upper deck. Shop building has hot and cold water, heat and air, phone service, cabinets and a half bath. Open this Saturday from 9 am until 5 pm - hosted by Debbie DiFonzo, Broker and Audrey Gregory, Realtor.                         Search Lebanon MO homes for sale Lebanon MO R-III School District Information         Offered for sale by: United Country VIP Realty in Lebanon MO. 417-532-2031 Office Phone We have two office... 04/22/2010

Last week, I closed on a great house for a gentleman who'd relocated to the Lebanon area for work...I wanted to take a minute to thank ALL of the wonderful people who helped make his move as smooth and easy as possible... Ed Lowther from Wells Fargo Tim Ray with CBI Home Inspections Chris Williams - appraiser Jeffries Abstract and Land Title in Lebanon Debbie DiFonzo - the listing agent I LOVE working with all of these folks and would gladly give you their information if you are in need of their services! 10/02/2009

Open for admiration! 2 Homes on Brook St. in Lebanon, MO. Saturday August 29, 2009 from 1-3pm. This is your chance to see two beautiful homes. 324 Brook St. Hosted By: Lissa Uder All electric 5 bedroom 3 1/2 bath home located on a corner lot. With over 3400sq ft. there's lots of room for everyone. A few of it's features include a finished basement, two fireplaces, formal dining, and several living areas. You won't want to miss this one! Priced to sell this weekend at $169,900   401 Brook St. Hosted By: Teresa Hough Better than new, this 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bath home has been completely remodeled with too many updates to mention. Just a few are a finished basement, all electric, 3 living areas, and a fireplace. Everything about this home is impressive with an unbeatable price! $159,500 From ... 08/24/2009

Thinking of selling your Southwest Missouri property? Wait no more - do it now!This week I've spent a great deal of time talking to people about the First Time Homebuyer tax credit being offered by the Federal government as well as the Tax Advance program being offered by the State of Missouri. There have been a ton of questions and I'm loving every minute of it!While it's still early in the program, the buying public has taken note and is looking into their buying options. Here are four reasons I believe now is a great time to list your home to SELL:1. New inventory will get noticed!  Many properties on the market today have been there for a long, long time. The issue may be price, it may be condition or perhaps even difficulty in showing the home. Agents have seen these properties and... 03/04/2009

The tradition continues this Sunday, March 1st, 2009 - opening day of trout season at Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon Missouri. Last year, the Park played host to 3,000 anglers on opening day, a Saturday. This year, Park officials expect the same, if not a few more. The weathermen are calling for cooler weather - but I don't think that will deter many. Trout fishermen and women are a dedicated bunch!If you're heading to Lebanon Missouri for trout season, here is a sampling of what you'll find:Ollie's BBQ and Steakhouse Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner Specializing in slowly smoked brisket Homemade pies daily! Closed on Tuesdays Hwy 64, Lebanon MO 417-588-8828Sand Spring Resort Restaurant Friday and Saturday night buffet Saturday and Sunday morning breakfast buffet Hunt Brothers ... 02/27/2009

Until a few weeks ago, I had never heard of Donkey Basketball. I know, I know, where have I been? Putting together a post last week on free or nearly free activities in Lebanon Missouri, I realized Donkey Basketball was coming to Lebanon as a fundraising event. Donkey basketball? You mean real, live donkeys? people ride the donkeys? in the gym? I had to see this! I can assure you this was worth more than the $6 ticket price - joining the donkey's were students and business men and women from Lebanon. It was rather fun to see a few of our local bankers out there on the floor, trying to ride a donkey in the middle of a gym. If you have the opportunity, donkey basketball is an inexpensive way to have a few laughs while raising money for a good cause. If you're looking for a community fundr... 02/22/2009

FREE and Low Cost Events in Lebanon Missouri * The Lebanon High School Magnetic Theater Company Presents: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, show times are Saturday, February 14 at 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, February 15 at 3:00 p.m.   * Donkey Basketball will be held on Thursday, February 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Carr Gym at Lebanon High School.  Tickets are $6 in advance and $8 at the door.  All proceeds go to LHS After Prom 2009.   * LHS Project Grad will hold a Snowball Softball Tournament on Saturday, February 21, 2009 at Atchely Park in Lebanon MO. Entry fee is $100 per Team. For more information or to register your Team, contact Sam Judy at 417-532-9754 or 417-664-4710.  * Ladies’ Night Out, a FREE, educational and fun evening for women of all ages. February 19th, 2009 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. ... 02/13/2009

US News & World Reports recently released a list of the seven worst states to start a business. While I won't give away which seven states made the list, I will tell you this: Missouri was not one of them. In fact, Missouri ranked #14 as a top state to start a business. (You can read the full report by the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council here:  Small Business Survival Index 2008.)If you're thinking it's time to be your own boss, if you're thinking it's time to Find Your Freedom, take a look at just a few of the opportunities waiting for you in South Central Missouri:Shop Rite Grocery and Grill, Plato MOLocated a short drive from Fort Wood, one of the largest Army installations in the United States, Shop Rite Grocery and Grill in Plato Missouri is the perfect family operation... 02/02/2009

The February / March 2009 issue of the Lebanon Missouri area real estate guide is now on-line, live and ready for you! You no longer have to wait until the first Friday of the even numbered months for your print copy of the real estate guide! Don't forget, all the links in the book are HOT - web addresses and emails alike.Don't forget, United Country VIP Realty can assist you with any listing in the MLS.Don't forget, my office serves Laclede, Dallas, Wright and Webster Counties in Missouri.Don't forget, United Country VIP Realty can assit you if you're buying or selling property in Missouri. 01/30/2009

Yesterday,  I wrote a post talking about 5 tips when considering the short sale of your home. The post was written after a local home owner, wanting to move back to their old home state, considered a short sale or even allowing their home to go back to the bank via foreclosure.This homeowner never mentioned hardship or an inability to re-pay his loan. He merely wanted *out* of his current home.I've given this some thought over the last few days - I'm not sure why this home owner thinks a short sale or a foreclosure is an easy answer. Perhaps the media hasn't done a good job of talking about the ramifications of these acts. Perhaps real estate agents haven't done a good job; perhaps mortgage brokers and loan officers haven't talked enough about the years to come after a short sale or a f... 01/28/2009

A day doesn't go by that I don't see a media report, hear a radio clip or read an Internet story regarding foreclosures and short sales. So far, in Laclede, Webster, Wright and Dallas County in Missouri (four main counties that I serve), foreclosure properties, bank owned homes and short sales are not driving our market. Real estate agents, Sellers and Buyers in the area know that could change any day. Needless to say, I hope our market does not see the day when we are listing and selling more foreclosures and short sales than we are traditional transactions. But that doesn't relieve me of my concern: there is a ton of mis-information floating around out there.Today I received a call from a homeowner in the area. We had helped him and his family relocate to Missouri from a warm weather ... 01/27/2009

The Bowling Bears, the only four person team from Ezard Elementary in Conway MO, took Second Place in the Bowling Buddies League at Starlite Lanes in Lebanon MO.The first half of the 2008/2009 league ended in a tie for Second Place. After a bowl-off, the Bowling Bears walked away with the trophy. The Bowling Bears play, learn and compete at Starlite Lanes in Lebanon, MO.  All four of the kids had bowled only a few times before joining the league - none of them were overly skilled in the art of bowling. It's been interesting to watch them learn the game and take direction from the coach's (and their Dad's). They've been learning the art of a Team, the concept of showing up at a certain day at a certain time and doing their best - much like what will be expected when they get a job. Shh..... 01/11/2009

Representative Darrell Pollock will be introducing legislation in the upcoming 2009 Missouri session that would change the due date for personal property taxes from December 31st to June 30th of each year. Personal property taxes are paid each year on your "personal" items, such as motor vehicles, boats, trailers, livestock, farm machinery and business-related equipment. While the amount is usually not as large as other taxes, such as income taxes and real estate taxes, the timing may not be good for many Missourians. (For 2008, mine where under $300 for the year.) Currently coming at the same time as real estate taxes, just after the holidays and in the winter - moving the due date of personal property taxes to a June due date could relieve some stress on some families.     If you thin... 01/09/2009

I am getting wimpy.At first I thought it was old age - I did turn 40 this year, you know.But, I think I have decided it's not the age, it's the location.Having grown up in Naperville Illinois, about 32 miles south west of Chicago, we had some cold, wet winters. The wind would not only blow, it would whip. The snow would not only fall, it would keep on falling. And, once you had snow "up North" it stayed until spring. I've lived in Missouri for almost nine years. Seem strange to type that - the time has gone by so very fast. The first year I was here, people would tell me not to worry about the weather - it was constantly changing. It didn't take me long to figure out: they were right! The weather here in South Central Missouri can change in a matter of minutes.One of the first years we ... 11/29/2008

I've been romping around in the Rain tonight and recently read Katerina's post:  Contest Time! Win With Your 20 Million Dollar Listing Presentation! Updated!Two lines in that post really caught my attention. They beat to the heart of something I've been mulling for a few weeks now: Remember, you must visualize and be prepared for your dreams to come true. Before you can receive you must believe ... Every time you listen to the news, listen to a talk radio show or pick up any newspaper, the news is all the same. Doom and Gloom.Yesterday it was Meet the Press, this morning it was The Today Show. The American people have lost confidence in their government. The people have lost confidence in the economy. It is a Buyer's Market. Real estate prices have not bottomed out. There are no jobs, d... 11/24/2008

My words of wisdom have fell on deaf ears for years...      Buy land, I would say.           Buy land, I still say today.Over time, I have received a lot of strange looks and eye rolling. But today, United Country Real Estate released some interesting statistics:Rural land (non-Urban) values have increased by more than 27 percent, since 2006. Based on United Country's closed land sales data, the national price per acre average increased from $1,691 in 2006 to $2,142 in 2008. When compared to a roughly 35% decrease on Wall Street since 2006, land investment has become an attractive option. What does this mean, exactly?If Investor A put $100,000 into the stock market back in 2006, he would have roughly $64,000 today - perhaps even less based on the closing bell this week.If Investor B pu... 11/14/2008

100,000   100,000 pointsWow!I knew it was coming, knew it was right around the corner. Yet I missed it! I have Don Rogers to thank for pointing it out to me - I had turned the corner on 100,000 points. I made it!So... what to say in my celebratory post?I have no idea.Google, help me!If you Google "100,000" all sorts of pages come up, with all sorts of articles and posts. Not all of them good. I quickly skipped over those. But one entry did catch my attention -The United States of America printed a one hundred thousand dollar bill!High denomination bills were printed in the US starting in 1929. The $100,000 bill featured Woodrow Wilson and was the only high denomination bill not printed in green. High denomination bills were last printed in 1945 and officially discontinued on July 14, 19... 10/25/2008

I wasn't planning on writing a post tonight. However, I just finished reading Sheila Moran's post, Need some inspiration? Let me help. If you haven't read the post, go ahead and do so now. This can wait... Great you're back... Sheila quoted a great man, Theodore Roosevelt. Teddy has brought inspiration to Sheila and I do believe the words she shared will uplift all who read them. But, my inspiration doesn't come from Teddy, but Richard. You see, I am a huge fan of Richard Nixon - which is another post all by itself. I have collected Nixon memorabilia for over twenty years. I do believe we can find inspiration from Nixon in these troubling times. If you go back in history, Nixon struggled, more than most, his entire life. Here are a few of my favorites. I hope they inspire, sooth and may... 10/20/2008