Nate's Bright Ideas: November 2011

Monday, November 14, 2011

An Attitude Of Gratitude: Meet Mr. Keith Laytham

Mr. Laytham formed a group called Poinciana Residents For Smart Change in 2008. He formed the group initially to help oppose a planned development that would have overwhelmed Poinciana’s already struggling road system. However, since 2008 Mr. Laytham has spent his time and energy on being an advocate for Poinciana’s youth and pushing for changes in Poinciana that would make it a better place to live. He and his group have pushed local, county, and state governments toward providing adequate youth programs and facilities in Poinciana. They have also advocated for major road improvements, to include the proposed Poinciana Parkway which would connect Poinciana residents to Interstate 4.

Pocket Park in Village 7, is another of Mr. Laytham’s success’s in moving the group’s agenda forward. A few months ago Polk County also approved a 20 acre youth sports facility that will be located in Village 7 as well. Village 7 is missing the infrastructure and commercial services that the rest of Poinciana has access to and Mr. Laytham is helping to change that.

I’d like to personally and publicly thank Mr. Keith Laytham for the hard work he and his group are doing to make Poinciana a better place to live and work. I think we all owe him a round of applause.

For more info about the good work that Mr. Laytham is doing for our community please visit these links:

http://www.ongo.com/v/1044054/-1/DC43BF3576E46F63/ex-ibm-executive-pushes-change-in-poinciana

http://poincianasmartchange.org/

http://www.theledger.com/article/20110602/NEWS/110609868

http://www.theledger.com/article/20110930/reporter/109305011?tc=ar

Image courtesy of Tatters at Flickr

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I Would Like To Thank Those Who Thanked Me!

My Marine Corps Days I woke up this morning to a great surprise. I had 15 facebook messages, 6 emails, and even a few phone calls from friends and family thanking me for my service in the Marine Corps. I have honestly never felt so appreciated as I do today. For that I wanted to thank all of you who thanked me.

Looking back on my 14 years in the Marine Corps I can tell you it made me the man I am today. When I went in I was just like thousands of other young men who join the military, naive and wet behind the ears. I learned quite a few basic behaviors that still serve me well today. I learned discipline, hard work, self sacrifice, courage, and compassion just to name a few.

When people thank me for my service I always think to myself “thanks, but it was no big deal, I did what I wanted and needed to do”. But you know what, it is a big deal and I’m proud of the fact that I did it. I thank everyone who has served in the armed forced; past, present, and future. There is no higher calling and I have the utmost respect for the men and women who are still serving. Have a great Veteran’s Day everyone. I know I already have!

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With My 3 Extra Hours I Took My Kids To The Movies; Thanks Docusign

When I was a kid I didn’t get a chance to go to the movies very often. But when I did it was a magical time. I can still remember going to see The Never Ending Story and wishing Falcor was real. It was a huge part of my life as a child. It was also some of the best times I had with my Mom and Dad. There is nothing like going to the theater with the whole family and being engrossed in a movie to the point where you just don’t want it to be over...ever.

I signed up with Docusign about a month ago and boy has it saved me a lot of time and trouble. A couple clicks and BAM! your contract is signed and sent back. It literally saves me at least a half hour every time I write up an offer. So what to do with all that saved time? Why take the family to the movies of course!

This time we saw The Thing, which is a remake of a classic horror movie. It’s just dark enough to scare the older kids. That’s always fun! I’m really hoping it is as much fun and as engrossing for my kids as it was for me when I was growing up. I probably won’t know for sure until they are a little older. But in the mean time I can’t think of a better thing to do with the 3 hours a week Docusign saves me. So thanks Docusign!!!

***This post is a submission to the DocuSign/ActiveRain Thankful Contest. It's possible I will win a prize for writing this post. You could win a prize too by going to the Contest Announcement and sharing your own story.***

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

I Would Hate For Someone To Think I'm Unprofessional Because I'm A Good Dad...

Me and my little buddy I saw a question on Zillow yesterday where a first time home buyer was asking whether it was a good idea to fire her real estate agent and find someone new. The short version is: the buyer is using financing, they are in a pretty low price range (60k-85k) where the competition is mostly cash buyers and they keep getting outbid, the buyer wants the realtor to show them homes as they come on the market immediately, as in: at 7pm with 10 minutes of advance notice. The buyer is upset that their offers keep getting out-bid and that their agent can’t show them homes immediately when they pop up on the market.

Both of these things are unrealistic expectations. The fact that they need financing to buy a home is not something that their agent can control. The fact that their competition is made up of cash buyers who’s offers are more attractive to sellers is also something their agent can not control. The fact that their agent can’t just show up at a seller’s home is, again, not something their agent can control. Agents normally have to make appointments to show homes to a buyer. The seller may not want someone tromping through their home during their dinner meal. Or the buyer’s agent might have a family and already have plans for the evening.

The buyer called the agent out for being unprofessional because their offers weren’t being accepted and they couldn’t go immediately to see homes when they popped up in the MLS. All in all it sounds like there is likely a failure to communicate somewhere in this situation. It’s a team effort and for a team to function all of the team members need to be communicating.

It sounds like the agent is doing a good job to me. Please keep in mind that your Realtor may have a family, other commitments, other appointments etc. We all try to be as available as we can. But we do also have a life outside of real estate. I'm the father of 4 beautiful kids and the husband of a wonderful wife. If at all possible, I try to spend my evenings with them. I would hate to think someone thought I was unprofessional because I do my best to be a good husband and dad. Just something to think about....

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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

The 9 Cheapest Home For Sale In Poinciana, FL

Many investors all over the world know that Poinciana, FL is home to some of the best deals on homes anywhere. This market was hard hit by the housing and mortgage collapse. What you might not know is that the Poinciana real estate market is on the mend and there are still some awesome deals on homes available.

So without further ado here is a link to the 9 cheapest homes for sale in Poinciana, FL:

9 Cheapest Homes For Sale In Poinciana, FL

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Monday, November 14, 2011

An Attitude Of Gratitude: Meet Mr. Keith Laytham

Davenport, FL Homes For Sale By Neighborhood

I Would Like To Thank Those Who Thanked Me!

With My 3 Extra Hours I Took My Kids To The Movies; Thanks Docusign

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

I Would Hate For Someone To Think I'm Unprofessional Because I'm A Good Dad...

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

The 9 Cheapest Home For Sale In Poinciana, FL

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