Real Estate Information

High-tech crosses boundaries

(Springfield, Missouri) May, 2010, Murney Associates, Realtors®  once again have been named in the Top 100 real estate brokers, ranking 88th in the U.S., as released in the 2009 Power Broker Report and Survey.

The Top 100 Ranking was determined by the number of closed transaction sides in 2009. As the only Missouri based broker making the Top 100 list, Murney Associates had 4,130 closed transaction sides and a closed sales volume of approximately $615,728,000.

“We are always excited to receive this kind of national recognition. We are extremely proud of our associates who have put forth such tremendous effort during a year of tough times,” said Patrick Murney. “They deserve all the credit for our success. Whereas location, location, location was the mantra in simpler times for real estate companies, we have always believed in the value of strong relationships. Our investment in the client centered resources continue to benefit home buyers and sellers alike.  Whether expanding facilities for customer convenience or increasing exposure to listings through our web site, the focus of our business is always on the customer.”

RIS Media’s 2009 Power Broker Survey is distributed by RISMedia, publisher of RealEstate magazine. The annual survey ranks brokerage firms according to closed sales volume and closed transactions side. The ranked companies, accounting, auditors and/or franchises verify results.

Many years ago, in a country far away, a ruthless dictator terrorized his prisoners. On their execution day, each prisoner was summoned for an audience with the cruel dictator. Standing face-to-face, the dictator gave each condemned man a final choice - to either face the firing squad - or go through the "black door."

Having experienced countless episodes of torture and cruelty already, the prisoners invariably chose death over the unknown terror that they imagined must lie beyond the "black door." Finally, the day came when the dictator himself lay on his deathbed. Curious, his inner circle of advisors asked him, "What lies beyond the 'black door'?" His answer? "Freedom!"

People are still making that choice today - choosing lives dampened by fear, rather than taking a chance on the unknown beyond the black door. That awful, scary feeling that comes from "fear of the unknown" is often just enough to keep us from breaking out into the clear light of day that illuminates our success.

The next time an opportunity presents itself, yet fear threatens to smother success, take time to understand your fear. Make a list of what you fear may happen. Write down the worst that could happen. Next, make a list of the benefits you would reap by taking positive action. When the benefits exceed the risks, the decision will become clear.

Get in the habit of setting clear, concise daily goals for yourself. As you set and achieve them, you will notice that "fear of the unknown" begins to fade. You will accomplish more in a day than you otherwise would in a month.

Finally, remember one of my favorite and often used quotes: "Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No one was there."

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

We’ve been a big part of family relocations for some time, and we’ve accumulated a little list of tricks we’d like to pass along to help smooth your next move:

1. When your home is up for sale, combine the chore of clearing out clutter (for showing) with sorting and packing. First, get rid of the things you'll sell, give away, throw out. Then get a head start on packing by boxing off-season clothes, unneeded books, etc.
2. Keep a personal moving book (3-ring binder plus pocket dividers) for keeping track of what's where – receipts, mover information, running daily notations, checklists, etc.
3. Expect a certain amount of stress and be as patient as you can be – with yourself and everyone else. Listen carefully.
4. Involve the whole family (down to the smallest member) in the move from start to finish. Get everybody making lists, planning, timing, packing, working as a team.
5. Make moving as much of an adventure as possible. Find out all you can about your new surroundings – what's useful (shopping, transportation, etc.) and what's fun (swimming, theater-going, etc.). Get pictures, maps and guidebooks of the new town to help plan future explorations. Visit the new place, if it’s not too far away. Plan parties at both ends of your move.
6. As soon as your home is sold, start rerouting subscriptions, handing out notices for cancellation dates for deliveries and utilities, transferring bank accounts, school and medical records, and notifying friends.
7. If possible, renovate any floors and walls that need it in your new home before you move in. This will save your having to move things around after you're settled.
8. Pack slowly and carefully, time permitting. Doing a little at a time staves off exhaustion. Making lists of the contents of every numbered carton saves hunting through several boxes for one needed item. To save space (and money), pack lightweight things in bureau drawers and other empty containers.
9. Pack a care package to take care of all those small family needs at the new home on the first day: light bulbs, a bar of soap, tissues, children’s toys, sauce pans, canned food, powdered drinks, radio, etc. Mark the box "UNPACK FIRST" and put it on the van last so it can be the first off upon arrival.
10. Give yourself plenty of time to recover, unpack and settle in. Unpack the kitchen first and sit down for refreshment. Go out for dinner, you deserve it! Remember a home isn’t built in a day.

You want family and friends to be able to enjoy the pool this summer. So if you haven’t already done an annual safety check, don’t delay. Take some time to inspect the pool for damage or safety hazards to help protect everyone from accidents, particularly children.

Check Conditions

All pools should be inspected for trip hazards, rough surfaces, slippery surfaces, sharp edges, rotted wood decking, rusted ladders and stairs, and damaged diving boards. All electric components, pumps, motors and filtration equipment should be checked and serviced. A qualified individual should also confirm that the intake covers (grates) on the filtration returns are fitted with the proper type grate to prevent entrapment hazards. There should be no wiring (including extension cords) or receptacles anywhere near the pool and receptacle outlets supplying electricity to the pool areas and equipment should be protected with a special safety device called a Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter.

Consider Accessibility

To reduce the risk of drowning, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends using as many layers of protection as possible. Of primary importance are self-closing, self-latching gates and suitable fencing that completely surrounds the pool to prevent unsupervised access by young children. If the house forms a barrier for part of the pool area enclosure, install alarms on doors leading to the pool area or special water alarms. A safety cover over the pool is also something to consider. Proper supervision is still the most important safety practice when it comes to pool safety for children. Drowning can occur in minutes. Many drowning incidents occur when young children are not expected to be near the pool area. And even when parents or childcare providers are around, don’t be misled into thinking that if a child falls in the water, you will always hear them splashing and screaming, and will be able to come to the rescue. Many times, children slip under the water silently.

Danger Comes in All Sizes

Accidents can happen in any pool. According to the CPSC, drowning incidents involving portable or inflatable pools are rising. Many are often purchased by consumers without consideration for the critical safety features necessary to help protect young children from danger. These pools often fall outside the scrutiny of local building codes that require significant fencing or barriers.

Be Prepared

It is important to always be prepared for an emergency by having rescue equipment and a phone near the pool. Also, all parents and childcare providers should learn basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

For more information about pool and spa safety, including recommendations on barriers, equipment hazards, and entrapment hazards go to the CPSC’s web site at www.cpsc.gov and do a search for “pool safety”