A good agent will look out for your interest, explain market value, point out property upgrades, review and assist with property disclosures, and help you prepare and negotiate your offer.  While not all transactions are easy, an experienced agent is familiar with all aspects of buying and selling and he or she knows how to handle each situation.  Agents know how to handle buyer and seller concerns and can help bring a transaction to completion.  

What’s the agent’s most important role?  It is to educate you, counsel you and provide important market information such as info about schools, flood plains, evironmental concerns, neighborhood analysis, tax and utility bills, and obvious repairs.  An agent who does his or her job properly will help you avoid costly mistakes.  We hope you will call us when you are ready to make your next purchase or decide to sell your property.  We will be glad to give you our wise counsel and save you time and money.  Our focus on helping you!

Few properties are good investments these days!  Taxes, water bills and maintenance have skyrocketed.  So for some people renting may be a better alternative.  What should you invest in?  Noone seems to know these days.  The economy is unstable and here we go with another election year.  What will be the outcome?

My advice:  Devise your own plan that motivates you!  Think it through!  Make wise choices!  Where will you be two or three years from now?  Where should you put your money?  Should you get a roommate?  Many ideas, but the one who prays will see the picture more clearly.  Need help?  Call on me and I will provide some answers.  We love to help you!  Best wishes in 2012!

Jesus said (as is recorded in the book of John):  I am the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except by me!  I can confidently say there is no other way to God except through Jesus Christ or God’s word would not be true!  Christ is the Messiah and He will be returning again.
 
Letting go, and fully surrendering to God and receiving the Holy Spirit is what connects us to have a relationship with God.  Are we carnal, livng in the flesh?  Or do we have the Holy Spirit in us?   We find truth by seeking truth.   And we can begin to understand truth as we become a new person in Christ.
 
Romans 12:1-2  says not to be conformed to this world….that is not to live a worldly life.  The world cannot offer you what God has to offer you.  God offers us eternal life.  Satan offers you a different plan and your soul is invited.  But we must protect ourself by putting on the full armor of God.  Ephesians 6:10-17
 
So why would God allow anyone to suffer, to go through trials and tribulations?  (see the book of James for the answer)  The Bible says we can expect to suffer, and as we do, we come to appreciate what our Lord went through.  It is often through suffering that we better understand life’s meaning and find our own purpose in life. 

To perish means we choose not to put our faith in God.  Putting your faith in Christ is a wise decision.  Jesus’ going to the Cross was for everyone.  As we are transformed, our friends, interests and passions will change.  Are ye in Christ?
 
I wish you the Happiest of Holidays.  Take a step of faith and believe in Jesus and see what God has in store for you!  Peace be with you.

Christmas is a time whereby we can gather around and give thanks to our Lord.  His birth is significant and His ministy is everlasting!  As we think about Christmas, let us focus on Christ and what He came to do for everyone !  He came to take away our sin and offer us eternal life with Him.  His ministry on earth was loving, humble and unselfish.  He made the world, transformed the world and He oversees the world today.  O What a God!  Aren’t you glad you have rest in Him?  

As you reflect on the birth of the Lord Jesus, remember His kindness and spread peace and goodwill towards others.  Christ is our Saviour and His love is neverending.  Let us praise and worship Him and let our hearts be transformed as we focus on His Lordship this Christmas! 

May all of our hearts be made merry as we celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas.  Do something nice for others, give someone a hug, encourage them, help them and love them as Christ first loved you.  Love can heal more hearts, so share God’s love with others!

Proverbs 16:9 says:  A man’s heart plans his way but the LORD directs his steps.  If you haven’t put your trust in the Lord yet, then I urge you to do so.  God is overall, His creation of the universe and all matter demonstrates His might, power and glory!  He wants us to worship and give praise to Him.  He wants us to seek Him with our heart, mind and all our strength. 

If you are reading this and don’t believe in God, or you haven’t put your faith and trust in Him, then you are missing out on the blessings that God wishes to give you.  You are His workmanship, created for Him.  See the book of Ephesians for more about your true identity and why you are here.  Find your ultimate purpose in life by reading Romans 12:1-2. 

God breathes life into all of us and He offers us eternal life.  He has given us certain spiritual gifts and wants us to use those gifts according to His will.  He showers us with His love and He commands us to love one another and to seek Him first, above everything else.  Reading the Bible daily helps us get a better understanding of God’s true nature and helps us live a God centered life.  He is our shield and strength!  Live your life for God in ways that will please Him.

Your eternal destiny is dependent on the relationship you establish with God.  Your life’s purpose is learned during time of suffering, is specific, involve others, is gradually unveiled, and is the legacy you will leave behind to help others.  Understanding the purpose of your life can be found in the book of Colossians.  Colossians 1:16  All things were created through Him and for Him.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I wish to share the greatest message with you.  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for you and me!  He died to take away the sin for all, not just one person, but all!  When we understand this sacrifice, we renew our relationship with God, our heavenly Father, and we come to appreciate God in a born again way!  Receive Christ in your heart and move forward with your life.  Do not be discouraged by the father of all lies, the devil, for Satan could not overcome the love that God has for all His children.  God loves you, no matter what you have done, no matter how terrible your past may be! 
Come to God and ask Him to forgive your sin.

His Grace is sufficient for all of us!  Let your heart be transformed by the love of God. 

If you need prayer, please do not hesitate to call me.  I will pray for you and your situation.  God loves all of us no matter what we have done and He is always willing to forgive our sin.  Come to God and experience His love and tender mercy towards you!  Begin living a life in obedience to God.

May your Holidays be blessed and your family’s too.  Find joy in life, life eternal with God!

Other questions to consider:  What will be the development or renovation costs?  Will the property fit your needs such as amount of interior space, handicap accessible, parking, lot size and room sizes.  Is the location desirable?  It is near an airport, hospital and major highways?   Is it located in a suburban,  urban or country setting?  Do you want a loft, townhouse, multi-family, or single family home?  How much are the future carrying costs such as taxes, utilities and mortgage payment?  Is the property in a floodplain or will hurricane or special insurance be required?

Working with an experienced agent who knows the market can be a real plus!  Make sure the agent understands your needs and can advise you properly about pricing and  will work efficiently on your behalf!

Have a question?  Email us and put the pros to work for you!

Tomorrow’s investment may be worth more or less than you pay as we have learned from the recent housing bubble.  Bank financing is now more difficult to obtain.  In other words, if your credit isn’t good, you probably won’t get a typical bank financed mortgage.  Gone are the days of no documentation loans.

Our advice is to study your housing budget carefully and write down your actual needs before you shop.  Did you ever go to Sam’s Club or Walmart without a plan?  If so, I bet you spent more than you intended.  Such is the case with many buyers.  You need to evaluate things carefully before you act.

If you need our assistance in finding the right home or establishing a household budget, give us a call.  It is always best to be an informed buyer or seller.   We can help you make smart choices so you can live comfortably.

A couple of years ago, I accepted the Lord into my life.  Did I know completely what to expect?  Of course not, but I knew it had to be better than the road where I was headed.  Pursuing God’s word and developing a relationship with Him has completely transformed me and my way of thinking.  When we submit ourself to God’s will, great things will happen in our lives.

We can always find reassurance in God’s word, gain greater stability in our life and we can become more effective with our time.  We come to realize as a member welcomed into God’s Kingdom that no matter what happens to us, God is with us when we choose to live life by faith and abide in Him.

If you want to learn more about living Life by Faith, visit www.fbcchurch.net and listen to a few of the sermons by Pastor John Treischmann that discuss the biblical book of Romans.  To live in a sinful state before God is unrighteous, not holy, and has its consequences, both now and eternally.

Why not open your heart to God and let Him transform you?  The Blessings you receive from God will be well worth it!

May the Lord bless all of us as we submit ourselves to Him!  Become a faithful servant!