The First Day of Summer & My First Kiss!  Today is the first day of summer and it reminded me of some events that happened a long time ago.  I call them my 'first moments.'  My first kiss, my first boyfriend, my first car, my first love, my first child... moments that define who I am. My first kiss happened in the 6th grade.  It came from a cute Oklahoma boy named Bobby Jones who had the most adorable accent.  He planted one on me when I least expected it and it was delightfully sweet and tender.  A moment I'll never forget.  I've often wondered how he came to be such a good kisser at such a young age... lots of practice I presume. My first  boyfriend was  6 foot tall and a handsome beachcomber blonde named Jami.  He was a wild child (PK kid) and an exceptional athlete.  He charmed me b... 06/21/2011

The planning committee finally approve the criteria for the proposed riparian corridor and has passed this information along to the City Council for their vote on July 7, 2011.   Below is a re-cap of what i think happened:    Last fall the Medford Planning Commission was told by the ODFW that 6.9 miles of creeks within the Medford city limits needed to be added to the Riparian Corridor AND that they were increasing the corridor to 50 feet from top of bank instead of the current 25 feet.  At that time the Planning Commission was also considering incorporating an additional 12+ miles of other creeks that were not mandated by ODFW.  RVAR submitted a letter to let them know we were not opposed to what ODFW was mandating but that we didn't support the additional proposal.  When  I attended t... 06/21/2011

Marshmallows... Anyone?! I love them baked, or sandwiched between a smore, or melted in fudge, or even in my hot chocolate or coffee... but I hate to eat them at room temp.  Strange, huh?!  Here's what really made me think of marshmallows... All the lovely posts about Dads on Father's Day.  I attached a link to A Tribute To My Dad on Facebook, and the comments from my friends made me a little teary-eyed.  I've always had a pretty tough exterior... friends and family will tell you they've rarely seen me cry.  But lately... oh my gawd... this girl is becoming a sappy marshmallow.  What's with that? I suppose as we get older, we become more sensitive... at least I'd like to think so.  I've experienced a lot of loss over the years... love, loved ones and lovely things.  Feelings of loss can... 06/20/2011

I Was Touched By An Angel Today... Two in Fact!  I had the lovely pleasure of reconnecting with two old friends this morning for breakfast.  We've been friends for more than 20 years, we've laughed and cried together, raised our children together and even traveled afar together.  They are kindred spirits indeed. Today was very special... as my friends were passing through Grants Pass Oregon, they stopped to tell me about their recent trip to Kenya.  It was a trip that I so wanted to accompany them on, but couldn't due to time constraints and my own civic responsibilities.  While I wasn't able to go, my heart made the journey in spirit.  My friends are not missionaries per say... they're actually two very successful business people who run a commercial landscape company in Southern Calif... 06/12/2011

Prostituting for a Paycheck... Right or Wrong?  Have you done it... considered it... regretted it... or have known someone who has?  It's certainly not as glamorous as Julia Roberts portrays in the movie, Pretty Woman.  But, it appears to be a growing trend in our industry, which causes me to pause and ask the question... Is turning a cheap trick for a paycheck an act of ignorance or a necessary evil?    Some say, desperate times call for desperate measures... but that's not the reference I'm making here.  I'm talking about someone who throws their moral compass out the window to score a deal.  Is it ever right to do so? Fortunately, I've never found myself in that kind of position.  Although, I've witnessed several who have and I'm always perplexed at the fleeting and momentary satisfa... 06/09/2011

Hey!  I Want You To Want Me.... I need you to need me.  I'd love you to love me.  I'm beggin' you to beg me.  Can you hear me ok?  Should I repeat it?  Or, did you catch it the first time? Sometimes, you just gotta ask for what you want!  Never assume that the person on the other end knows what you want... they're not mind readers, and they might be a little slow on the uptake, if you know what I mean.  So, just go for it.  Shine up those shoes.  Put on that swanky shirt... and ask.  What's the worst anyone can say... No?  Perhaps.  So what?!  They could also say... Yes!  Either way... you gotta put it out there first and see where the chips fall.  Sometimes, we just want our clients to want us, need us and love us... and we don't want to have to beg for it... but we will, if we must :)... 06/02/2011

Sometimes... Silence is Golden!  Here's a picture I took of a sign located at John F. Kennedy's grave site at Arlington National Cemetery.  It speaks volumes.  There were approximately 50 of us, mostly strangers who had never met, standing in complete silence out of respect for those who had fallen.  It was strange... you could hear a pin drop... a golden moment indeed and one that I will never forget.  As I looked out over the fields of white grave stones, I was reminded of how great this country really is... and thankful for those who paid a price for me to be here.  Today, on this Memorial Day, I got to witness a fly by (over my office) of two F16 fighter planes.  It was a lovely tribute to the men and women of service who gave their lives for me and you.  Let's never forget!  Someti... 05/30/2011

Come tour this beautiful 5 bedroom with additional bonus room, 3 full bath home, 2644 sqft, hardwood floors, granite counter tops, jetted tub, walk-in clost plant shelves, 2 gas fireplaces, island in kitchen and pantry.  Offerd at $289,900 with possible Owner Carry Terms. Open House    June 5th, 1-4pm 05/30/2011

"Let us cross over the river and rest in the shade of the trees." These were the last words of General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson as he lay dying on the battlefield. On this Memorial Day, I like to feel that all of our fallen warriors are gathered together and resting peacefully under the shade of the trees.   05/30/2011

I've Crash Landed... A Few Times!  I've always been a bit of a thrill seeker... perhaps it's an insatiable desire for spontaneity and adventure.  I also have a short attention span... which is why I gravitate to new experiences quickly.  I've crash landed a few times in my life, many of which were painful experiences. In my early 20's, I sailed to Mexico for a lovely vacation.  I was strongly urged NOT to parachute sail, as it was considered a dangerous activity in Mexico.  Being the risk-taker that I am, I was the first to sign up.  When the guide gave the boat the go ahead, my parachute went up and hit a gust of wind and abruptly came down... with me, head first on the beach, eating sand, as the boat continued to drag me for several yards.  I brushed myself off and said, 'let's do it ... 05/24/2011

Experience Luxury Living for Less Home Tenders Inc. seeks responsible Home Tenders to live in and properly maintain unoccupied homes. Our Home Tenders are carefully screened and selected to move into a quality home with their own furniture on a temporary basis. Home Tenders can expect to pay $400 - $1500 a month in exchange for taking excellent care of the residence that would normally rent out for $800 - $3000 (and up). What Will Be Requested Of You? The home will be on the market for sale, so you will need to keep the property in "show to sell" condition since it will be visited by prospective buyers. The property will be staged with the assistance of a professional staging consultant using your furniture (additional furnishings available as needed and at the Home Tenders expense.) T... 05/24/2011

The World Ends Today - May 21 - Wanna Dance?  It's been predicted by some (crazy as it sounds), that the world is going to end today at approximately 6pm.  This  got me  to thinking...   If true, who would you want to spend your last moments with... and doing what?  I've given it careful consideration and I'd like to take this opportunity to ask you to dance. We've tiptoed through the tulips, we've experienced some crazy salsa moves, we've even slow danced a few times.  I may have even stepped on your toes a few times (I can be a klutz).  But, we've never danced the tango, and you know, it takes two to tango!  So... given the sense of urgency, and the revelation that this may be our last day together, I have to ask... Wanna dance?  You're HOT, and I'm READY!  You've got MOVES, I've got ... 05/21/2011

Dumbing it Down... to 10 Cups of Coffee.  After attending NAR's 2011 Mid-Year Legislative Conference, and sitting in the room with many intelligent agents from all over the country, I was a bit dumbfounded.  Not by the enormity of the issues facing REALTORS today, but by the giant elephant in the room which no one wanted to tackle. Many REALTORS have been complaining about the $40.00 increase in NAR's annual dues.  Fellow rainer, Lyn Sims, posted an interesting blog about it, NAR says 'Come closer Little Red Riding Hood!'.  Others like Kurt Thompson, have a passionate opinion too, The Survival Initiative - A Wake Up Call.  Sadly, many of the these voices were never heard, or better yet, were ignored by NAR.  The initiative passed with a deafening silence. Perhaps it's a matter of dumbin... 05/17/2011

This Medford Oregon Short Sale is a great property with a BEAUTIFULLY remodled kitchen!!  3 bedroom 2 bath, 1,760 sq ft home on .39 of an acre. Real fireplace in the sunken family room. His and hers closets in the master bedroom. 2 Year AHS Home Warranty! Great decks in both front and back of the home...and a WONDERFUL view!! $199,000!!!! Short Sales are getting easier so don't let this opportunity pass you by.      Take advantage of the opportunity to get a gret home in an established East Medford Area!! Call or email today...   Joe Yates Real Estate Broker The Atlas Group 2240 Tower East -Suite 100 Medfod, Oregon 97504 541-944-9700   WWW.MedfordOregonAgent.com WWW.TAGBrokers.com Souther Oregon- Short Sales, REO / Foreclosure, Distressed property Specialists   05/16/2011

Creating Relationships of Land and Life!  It's my personal mantra and my office motto.  Last week, the words of that motto personally came to life in Washington DC, as I enjoyed a sense of camaraderie with my fellow Oregonians on a trip to NAR's Mid-Year Legislative Conference.  My traveling companions included two men and a total of six women... outnumbering the men 3 to 1 (which they didn't seem to mind).   We walked many miles together, we attended numerous meetings together, we did the touristy thing together, we cried together, we dined together, we partied together and some of us even danced together ;)  There were pockets full of conversation, including lively debates and a whole host of laughable moments.  The energy, in and outside the room, was warm, inviting, engaging and sim... 05/16/2011

Home Tenders Incorporated Live Staging Our free service offers homeowners a smart way to protect their vacant homes while still keeping them ready to show to potential buyers. Home tending started years ago when contractors (not renters)  would move into a vacant property and use their own furniture to stage and maintain the home. The idea is simple, you invite a home tender to stage, maintain, clean and watch your vacant home so that it is always ready to show to potential buyers. Benefits Of The Home Tender Service... Higher Selling Price Don't reduce the price, increase the appeal! Statistics prove that a well maintained home with attractive furniture and accessories tastefully arranged, mean a quicker sale. A comfortable (warm in winter, cool in summer) decorated home enables poten... 05/16/2011

I will be visiting with the Southern Oregon imortgage team at the Medford Branch Friday morning at 10AM to discuss all the Home Buying opportunites in the current market and how as Mortgage Originators and Realtors we need to do things differently today than a few years ago. Mike Towery the Branch Manager has established an All Star Team and I look forward to the brainstorming session with some of the area's best and most experienced Loan Originators! The Southern Oregon Economy, Postive Attitudes, Staying ahead of the Market and Social/Biz Media (AR) will all be addressed and I look forward to posting what the "Take Aways" are from this session! Stay Tuned! imortgage in Medford can be reached in their newly remodeled 3389 Crater Lake Hwy location, 541-646-3020.     Joe Yates Real Estat... 05/12/2011

I Saw A Curious Thing On The Way To The Office... Every morning, my route to work takes me by an Ambulance Company.  I see guys outside very diligently washing the ambulances each morning, getting them ready to transport precious cargo.  Today, something struck me as odd.  One man was using a large scraper to squeegee a small side-view mirror.  I wondered, why doesn't he just use a towel?  It seemed like a lot of effort for a small task. It was a curious picture which made me think of how we sometimes 'Major on the Minors' and 'Minor on the Majors.'  It's easy to lose sight of the big picture when we get bogged down with details.  And boy do we have a lot of details in this business.  Everything seems so monumental at the time, but as we all know, when time passes the picture broadens a... 05/05/2011

Something Good Is Brewing At Real Estate Cafe!  Accepting Active Rain's May Challenge to post a blog everyday, I've decided to dedicate my first post to my daughter, Rachael Peterson Suarez.  For without her, Southern Oregon's Real Estate Cafe would not have become a reality. Rachael was my real estate partner for 7 years in Grants Pass Oregon.  We moved to Southern Oregon 12 years ago and immediately got our real estate licenses.  We started with a regional Pacific Northwest franchise called Windermere.  Fortunately, our dynamic duo quickly outgrew our cubicle there, so we  'graduated' to a private office at RE/MAX.  After thriving there for several years, our cafe idea was born.  Unfortunately, the real estate market had other ideas.  We watched and waited as our local market began to... 05/01/2011

The 24-Hour Rule...  I've been practicing the 24-Hour Rule for decades and it works beautifully.  For the most part, it has saved me from the embarrassment of saying or doing something that I might regret in an emotionally charged situation.  Here's how the 24-Hour Rule works:  If someone pisses in your cheerios, don't respond directly to that person for 24-Hours.  It's okay to rant to a neutral 3rd party, but not to anyone who is closely tied to the situation... and especially refrain from any online rants (as they become a permanent record). Typically, you won't feel as emotionally charged the next day.  However, in rare cases (after applying the 24-Hour Rule), you still feel exceptionally passionate about your position, then I recommend the 48-72 Hour Rule.  You'll be amazed at the c... 04/27/2011