EVEN THE CAT KNOWS TO STAGE THE REFRIGERATOR.  EVEN THE CAT KNOWS TO CLEAR THE MAGNETS OFF THE FRONT OF THE FRIG BEFORE SHOWING YOUR HOUSE TO SELL!     In this photo below, the cat is making the staging plan to clear this  refrigerator of its door magnets!                               NEXT the cat's staging PLAN is put into ACTION!  That magnet is COMING DOWN!!!!     OH, VICTORY IS SO OH SWEE EE TT!!!    ONE DOWN FOR SURE!  This is ONE magnet  OFF the frig!  Am I a STAGING CAT OR WHAT????           NOW just about 30 more to get down!!!.     NEED HELP WITH STAGING OR SELLING, CALL BEVERLY AND SHE WILL CONSULT WITH THE CAT!!! 09/24/2011

What you don't know about carrying costs can hurt you! WHAT ARE CARRYING COSTS?  CARRYING COSTS ARE THE COST OF KEEPING YOUR HOUSE ON THE MARKET AND READY TO SHOW WHILE IT IS FOR SALE. CARRYING COSTS INCLUDE: THE BIG THREE!  NO WIGGLE ROOM! 1.  MORTGAGE   2.  TAXES 3.  INSURANCE   SURELY THAT IS ENOUGH!   BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE?   4.  ELECTRICITY 5.   GAS 6.  WATER   DON'T EVEN THINK OF SKIPPING THE UTILITIES WHEN YOUR HOUSE IS ON THE MARKET, UNLESS YOU LOVE MISERY!!!   SURELY THAT'S IT  - NO THERE'S MORE - 7. LANDSCAPING UPKEEP.  (WHEN YOU DON'T MOW THE GRASS, SOME CITIES WILL FINE YOU)  8. HOMEOWNER'S ASSOC. FEES (FOR SOME)   YES, THAT'S IT, except ROUTINE MAINTENANCE still has to be done. and sometimes UNEXPECTED REPAIRS COME UP while the home is on the market like heating/airconditi... 09/23/2011

      My Favorite Abilene Chinese Restraruant is SzeChuans.  I  had lunch there today and feeling a little adventurous asked for medium spicy SzeChuan Chicken, but it was a little TOO SPICY for me.  NEXT TIME, I will stick with MILD! The weather was delightful today, and gave a great photo opportunity.  I think this restaurant could easily WIN the best ABILENE RESTAURANT CURB APPEAL REWARD, if there was such a thing.  AFTER the long hot neverending summer of heat and fires, this is such  cooling calming scene to view. The lunch specials are less expensive and come with soup and an eggroll and my lunch was  ONLY $10.01 before tip!  I have had the BEEF WITH VEGETABLES before.   It is VERY GOOD, comes w ith TEN VEGETABLES in a BROWN Sauce. My friend had Chicken With Vegetables and it look... 09/22/2011

Warning, what you are about to hear will shock you.  You may be thinking that this has nothing to do with you, but  check your ELECTRIC BILL anyway!   In July, I turned on the electricity at a rental for 6.9 cents per kilowat hour and paid $57 for the first bill partial month of July.  Imagine the shock I received when the very next bill was $290! for an empty house set on 78 degrees cooling only a few days of that period.  Upon closer examination, of this 2nd bill,  I noted that the charge per kilowat hour was: 26.2 cents per kilowat hour.    Thinking that there must be some mistake, I called DYNOWATT.  I was on hold 20 minutes and then they closed for the day (subject of a previous blog)    The next day I called again and was on hold for 12 minutes before a live person answered the ph... 09/21/2011

#1  Pier One is  a good source of Wicker, seaasonal decor items and tableware such as placemats, napkins and  napkin rings.  All it takes for a seasonal look is for a round decorative plate placed on a plate stand with a silk plant and a candle to stage a kitchen counter vignette.   #2  Target - Target is best for candles and 3 white candles were 5.99 last year, but I  just noted that the  same 3 candles have gone up to $6.19 this year.   This is the best price for white candles  in town (trust me I have looked around) unless you catch a closeout or clearance somewhere you won't do better on price.  White candles go anywhere anytime but are especially effective for the spa look in Master Baths.   And if you sign up for a "Red" Card  (debit card) at Target, you save an additional  5 per... 09/20/2011

How long is too long to keep customers on hold?   I once worked in an office and waa expected to pick up the phone before the 3rd ring.           Now it seems that an electric provider that I called today hasn't gotten the same phone etiquette instructions. After being on hold for 15 minutes for customer service, I hung up and redialed and waited for 5 minutes hung up again and now it is 6 pm. When I dialed the number the 3rd time, the recording stated they closed at 6 pm. Interesting they are very efficient at closing promptly but not prompt at answering the phone.      If anyone wants to have a similar fun time waiting on hold really about as much fun as waiting for paint to dry, THEN  call Dynowatt at  1-877-DYNOWATT To find somebody else other than Dynowatt for an electric provider ... 09/19/2011

VACANT DOESN'T MAKE IT; STAGE IT! ONE EMPTY BEDROOM LOOKS JUST ABOUT ANY OTHER EMPTY B EDROOM.  ONE MAY BE A NEWER OR OLDER CONSTUCTION, BIGGER OR SMALLER CLOSET BUT A LOT OF BEDROOMS ARE NEUTRAL BLAND WHEN LEFT EMPTY.   EMPTY BEDROOM LOOKS LIKE MANY OTHER ROOMS - (except for the ladder that sneaked into this photo)                               WHEN STAGED THE ROOM SAYS LOOK AT ME!!!!       This room is staged with a Queen blowup bed with decorator rounds as night tables and lamp shown is a $10 lamp from IKEA. The entrie room's furnishings came out of the trunk of MY car.  You just never know what is in a stager's trunk!       IF IT'S VACANT, STAGE IT!!! 09/18/2011

I DIDN'T DECLUTTER, I DEJUNKED!   BACK 4 MONTHS  ago in MAY,  PRIOR TO THE MARATHON 100 DEGREE DAYS, I HAD A  person help me rearrange my stuff and  have a small garage sale,  BUT I NEVER FINISHED DEJUNKING AND it was always too hot even at 7:00 in the morning!   Yes, you guessed some stuff went back in the garage, because usually when I leave stuff sitting out it rains!  Heck my stuff could have sit out for four monts this  year, but I care what the neighbors think even if they don't. ORDINARILY  I WOULD PUT A PHOTO IN MY BLOG HERE, SO JUST IMAGINE A PHOTO OF JUNK  HERE! PHOTO OF JUNK COULD GO RIGHT HERE! TODAY I  hired a high school student  for 3 hours and she and I worked hard OR at least I know SHE DID, pulling  stuff out, and sweeping and cleaning shelves in the garage.  Much prog... 09/17/2011

Downtown Photos taken 9/16/2011. The Paramount is on the left  just past N 3rd and Cypress.       The Grace Musuem is on the corner of the N lst and Cypress and is an Abilene Historical Landmark.   The musuem is the previous Grace Hotel.    The Grace could be Abilene's best attraction.  There is something for everyone, Art, Abilene history displays, and really fun for kids -  a children's musuem!      What is life without some CHOCOLATE?   Here it is right downtown!     and Wouldn't you know it?  Another sculpture...    NOW THE pink flamingo is still my favorite, but in Texas w here every thing is bigger here are some Texas sized ANTLERS!     By the way, that is a real train on the tracks going pretty fast.  Didn't know my camera was that good, the train is not blurry!   The train track... 09/16/2011

NEED TO RENT OR LEASE - CARLSON PROPERTIES CAN HELP YOU!   Today, all my properties are leased; HOWEVER, as some of my units are month-to-month, it never hurts to check in with me from time to time.  I have several nice homes that I manage from modest to executive-sized, so it never hurts to check with me about current availability.  I also cooperate with other property managers in town.  I can help you find a rental property.    A sign of a good property manager is that their own properties stay rented!    Examples of Carlson Properties that are recently managed and leased:  4 bedroom                             2-3 bedrooms and studio on the right bottom. 09/15/2011

    This is a rattan tray, plate, pitcher with 2 pear candles and some greenery to round the corner of the kitchen counters.  WITH PLATE WITHOUT PLATE     SIMPLEST OF ALL. GREENERY AND 2 PEARS AND PITCHER..  OF COURSE FRESH FRUIT WOULD BE NICE, BUT DOESN'T WORK FOR A VACANT HOUSE.   THE PITCHER WOULD BE NICE WITH A FEW FRESH FLOWERS,    09/14/2011

NESTLED IN A DOWNTOWN CORNER of Cypress and N. 2nd, there is a surprising waterfall that charms and soothes with the sound and sight of cool water falling.     The City of Abilene website says that Vera Minter- Memorial Park at N 2nd and Cypress was the site of one of Abilene's first businesses, Fulwiler's livery stable.  The park honoring Vera Hall Minter's community work, was developed after a community fundraising event.     ANOTHER SURPRISE IS THE METAL SCULPTURE WHICH SEEMS TO BE GRINING AT THOSE PASSING BY.  NOTHING LIKE A GRINNING FLYING PIG METAL SCUPTURE TO AMUSE!     OF COURSE, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT LOCATION TO GET SOME MORE PHOTOS OF THE KIDS.  YES, THERE ARE A FEW BENCHES TO SIT AND ENJOY THE WATERFALL.       JUST ACROSS THE STREET IS TEXAS STAR A good place to pick up a W... 09/13/2011

It is time for Fall Activities!  The Taylor County  Fair is going on this week, and I haven't been yet, but I just might particularly if that would make it rain. One of my favorite places to visit in Abilene is the ZOO!  One year we went on the 4th of July and the temperature wasn't too bad.  Here we are clear to September, and not been to the ZOO this year.  September will be the month to go.  A highlight of the Abilene Zoo is feeding the giraffes There is a foot bridge that gives you the advantage of being above the giraffes and you just hold out your hand the giraffe sticks out his tongue and grabs the food.  These giraffes are not shy at all!             The gift shop has neat photographs of the animals that are available for framing.  I got a zebra print one  year and have even sta... 09/12/2011

I admit it I'm addicted to "Get It Sold" Reruns.  Today I decided I would listen close and see where this $650,000 AND 3 bedroom 2 bath house was located for sale. NOW I listened hard but the show narrator didn't bother to mention what city the  home was in.  I wonder why that is,  hmmm.   Obviously this 3 bedroom 2 bath is NOT in TEXAS !!!!  The house sold at full price $650.000 after "GET IT SOLD"  STAGED it. I  have  finally figured out that Sabrina doesn't do EVERYTHING.  I wonder sometimes what the other bedrooms and bathrooms really look like!!!!   hmmmm.  The show uusally works on only two to three areas.    Back to WHERE WAS THIS HOUSE?  It is somewhere in the U.S.  All the narrator says is that the house is in a major metropolitan area.  What is with the BIG  mystery?   Is it t... 09/11/2011

SAN ANGELO makes a great quick getaway day trip if you live in Abilene, and that is what a friend and I did today! We both had San Angelo errands to run, but even if  you don't have a reason, San Angelo makes a great day trip, and don't tell anybody, but the Mexican food is just better in San Angelo than Abilene. Only 90 miles a way, SAN ANGELO MAKES a perfect outing for lunch and some antique shopping. We ate at Fuentes, a Mexican restaurant at the corner of Chadbourne and Beauregard. I had the cheese enchiladas special for only $7.49 and the fresh side bowl of green salad and freshly brewed ice tea were included!!   Needless to say I recommend Fuentes. It was my daughter's pick for a family dinner at her college graduation. Initially I had just planned as a quick trip, but the weather... 09/09/2011

IT'S A BRAND NEW ROOF COMPLETED TODAY. The old gray shingles are history!  Mike at Ace Roofing, who also is a military veteran,  was true to his word and DONE in ONE Day! I would recommend talking to Mike if you need roofing done.   Amazing, 2 layers of roofing came off, new felt laid down and then BRAND NEW TAN shingles. Then the yard was cleaned up good of debris.  The roof looks great and done in one day!  The cupola  (looks like a little house) with a weather vane on top that sat on the top of the roof is NOW  down on the ground looking rather sad and forlorn as it had to come off the old roof due to some rotten wood.  I may have it refurbished because I thought it was part of the charm of the old house.      Another view close up of the roof:     Since I was in and out  today more ... 09/08/2011

Tried to think of a CATCHY TITLE but couldn't come up with one.  It's too boring just to call a blog "CATCHY TITLE"!  I will just cut to the c rux of the matter.   In a buyer's market you don't have to ponder this question of should you REDUCE THE PRICE OR STAGE IT? The good news is no long pondering is needed to make a decision,  The answer is DO BOTH, reduce the price and STAGE IT!  The bad news is that if you don't reduce the price and stage it,  your house is going to sit there longer than you think is humanly possible  to endure.  What you need to know now in a buyer's market is that you are going to need to do BOTH  --                                REDUCE THE PRICE                                and STAGE IT!     NOW I KNOW this information is about as endearing to sellers as ant... 09/07/2011

  THIS PLACE MATTERS!   "ONE OF THE EARLIEST FINE HOMES BUILT IN ABILENE IN 1903 IN COLONIAL REVIVAL STYLE BY  DR. JEFFERSON MAGEE (1861- 1935)" IS WHAT THE OFFICIAL HISTORICAL MARKER STATES.   THIS IS THE HOME ON THE CORNER OF N 3RD AND CLINTON STREET. TRAGICALLY THE HOME CAUGHT ON FIRE A WHILE BACK AND CURRENTLY HAS A CONDEMMED NOTICE POSTED TO IT.  HOWEVER THE ABILENE PRESERVATION LEAGUE IS SEEKING TO PRESERVE IT.  THERE IS A BANNER ON THE HOME THAT STATES:   "This Place Matters"    "THIS PLACE MATTERS"      THIS PLACE MATTERS!   09/07/2011

  F i N A L L Y, A LITLE COOLER WEATHER.   LABOR DAY WAS ONLY 81 degrees F AND was idyllic  weather to take a little walk downtown.  This is Everman Park which is on N First  across from Cypress  Street.         The green of Everman Park on N. 1st and Cypress is a sight for sore eyes.  Thank you Abilene city planners for this oasis of calm with fun scuptures and a flowing fountain and greenery  and pink flowering shrubs.      Then as  light of dusk dimmed, the sun was a spectacular orange ball on the western horizon.         It was a pleasant day to end a long hot spell of 100 degree days this summer.   Earlier today, I saw some kids climbing the buffalo sculpture also on N First at Grape Street. It was great to see that kids think it is fun to sit in the saddle of a buffalo!! 09/06/2011

    Today on the Nate Berkus television show, Suze Orman, a financial planner,  advised not buying a house unless you were going to live there 7  years, put 20 percent down, and have an eight month emergency fund.   Im thinking hmmm, maybe Suze might as well add ...... make sure you win the lottery first! .....   This may be a no risk financial plan, but does it help prospective homeowners to get into their first home? Who really knows for sure that one is going to stay in a place for seven years!  What about the time value of money if inflation comes back even a little bit, you are swimming upstream trying to accumulate your 20 percent  I am not saying it is not a good plan to have a lot of money in the bank. However, one thing for sure is that you have got to live somewhere, and it wi... 09/05/2011