Ask Laurel

2010-12-31T23:25:00.000-08:00

So why in the world am I spending time doing a BLOG? A real blog where you can tell me what you think? Or where you can ask questions! Well there are lots of reasons so let me try to list them!

I'm passionate about real estate education.
I love communicating with people.
I want to share some of what I know about real estate to agents
I want to share some of what I know about real estate to people who want to become agents.
I want to share some of what I know about real estate to people who may be interested in buying or selling real estate.
I want to share some of what I know about Wisconsin and specifically the area where I live.
I want to learn how to do a blog so I can teach people.
Because I CAN!

Not so many years ago I was making a location change and a very special lady where I was working gave me a stone plaque that said:

"Learn something new, then teach someone"

I love that!

Laurel Laurel Ston e School of Real Estate

Oh... and if you are a former student, please consider becoming a part of Linkedin and join my group created for former students to connect or be part of my page on Facebook!

Stay Focused on Your Dreams

2010-03-18T18:36:00.000-07:00

by Jack Canfield

“When you’re up to your ass in alligators, it’s hard to remember
that your initial objective was to drain the swamp!”

I just spent a day conducting my Success Principles Workshop for 200 unemployed men and women sponsored by the Workforce Institute in San Jose, California.

It was a very revealing day.

First, I was struck by the diversity of the people who have lost their jobs due to the cutbacks caused by the recession—computer programmers, salespeople, managers, artists, trainers, architects, landscapers, lawyers, actuaries, truck drivers, painters and teachers. Secondly, I was struck by the mood of resignation and depression that was present in the room when we began in the morning.

The prevailing belief was that there were not any jobs available and that it wasn’t going to get any better anytime soon. People were preparing their resumes, going to job fairs, going to interviews, but with little or no results.

I was reminded of Spencer Johnson’s book Who Moved My Cheese, in which he reports how rats in a laboratory maze are trained to press a certain buzzer with their noses, and once they are reinforced with a reward of cheese, will keep going back to press the same buzzer even though they are no longer receiving cheese for pressing the buzzer. Their noses will become bloody and they will eventually die rather than press a different buzzer. Human beings do the same thing. They will repeat a behavior that used to work over and over and over again, even though it is not producing the desired result, hoping that someday it will work again. There is something to be said for perseverance in the face of an obstacle, but sometimes you have to come to grips with the fact that a particular opportunity may never exist again.

In my book The Success Principles I teach a formula called E + R = O. It stands for Events +Responses = Outcomes.

If a certain response (job search) in the face of a certain event (the current economic situation in your area) is not creating the outcome (income) you want, you may have to change your response. You may have to try something different, which could include employing a more creative approach to presenting yourself, moving to a new location where the jobs are, changing fields (which might require retraining or re-education), becoming an entrepreneur and starting your own business venture, joining a multi-level marketing company, partnering up with other people to start a service of some kind—all of which may require you to step outside of your comfort zone.

A good example of what I am talking about is a woman I read about in USA Today. After losing her job she noticed that all the homes that were being foreclosed in her neighborhood were left in shambles, just as the angry people who were forced out of them. She called the local banks and offered to clean them for a fee so that they would be presentable when the banks tried to rent or sell them. Her little venture was so successful that she had to hire several other people to help. She now has a successful house cleaning business.

I saw a story on CNN about another jobless woman who opened a store to help buy and sell used furniture from the people who were forced to downsize as they were being foreclosed upon or forced to move to smaller apartments. She sold some locally and some on the internet. These are all examples of finding a need and filling it, of getting creative instead of sitting passively by, doing the same old behaviors that are not working.

By the end of the day in San Jose there was a different mood in the air—one of excitement and enthusiasm about pursuing all of the possibilities that lay before them. They had come in at the beginning of the day simply hoping to figure out how to find a job. By the end of the day they were leaving focused on how to create the life of their dreams. They had transcended the limited goal of getting back to ground zero and replaced it with a goal of “thrival” rather than mere survival.

No matter what is going on in the economy...

hold fast to your dreams,
visualize them with feeling twice a day,
keep your self-talk positive,
surround yourself with positive people,
read uplifting books,
trust your intuition,
take continuous action,
expect the best,
respond to feedback by making the necessary corrections,
and persevere until you get the result you want.

It’s a formula that always works.

After the workshop had concluded, one of the participants came up to me and said... “You know, I used to set goals and do the things you were teaching us today when I was younger. I guess I’ve just stopped doing the things that work.” Whatever you do, don’t stop doing the things that work. I promise you, if you work the principles, the principles always work.

Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul© and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life - STARTING TODAY!

2010-01-27T16:32:00.000-08:00

This isn’t a trick question.

Certainly you know the answer—the person who has been responsible for the life you live right now: YOU.

Everything about you is a result of your doing or not doing...Your income. Debt. Relationships. Health. Fitness level. Attitudes and behaviors.

I've often said that you are either creating or allowing everything that is happening in your life.

I think everyone knows this in their hearts, but often times people convince themselves into thinking that external factors are the source of their failure, disappointment, and unhappiness.

External factors do not determine how you live. YOU are in complete control of the quality of your life, by either creating or allowing the circumstances you experience.

When I hear people complain about the state of their life (be it their problems with personal finances, weight, their jobs, or general dissatisfaction), I like to help them see things differently.

If they feel “stuck” and unable to move forward for whatever reason, I ask them to scrutinize both what is working well and what isn’t working well in their life and see how they’ve arrived at where they currently are.

For example, if a woman tells me she’s unhappy with her weight—she travels frequently, and has no to time to exercise or seek healthy foods—I point out that her weight is not a result of her travels and schedule. It’s an outcome of what she chooses to eat and how she chooses to move, regardless of her daily agenda. Why not make a conscious effort to pre-plan healthy meals and snacks, even if it’s on the go, and sneak in 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there to be physically active (hey, I know some frequent flyers that make it a habit of running through airports!).

If you’re frustrated with any area in your life, then it’s time to take a little inventory.

Certainly there are wonderful things happening, whether it’s your job, your romantic relationship, your children, your friends, or your income level. Your accomplishments are just as important as your missteps.

First, congratulate yourself on your successes; and then take a look at what isn’t working out so well. What are you doing or not doing to create those experiences?

Watch out! If you find yourself beginning to complain about everything but the choices you’ve made, then you need to take a step back. See if you can stop blaming outside factors for your unhappiness.

When you realize that you—and only you—create your experiences, you’ll realize that you can un-create them and forge new experiences whenever you want.

How empowering is that!

You must take responsibility for your happiness and your unhappiness, your successes and your failures, your good times and your bad times.

All too often we choose to claim the successes and blame the failures on others or other circumstances. When you stop blaming, however, you can take that energy and redirect it to focus on shaping a better situation for yourself. Blaming only ties up your energy. Imagine roping all the energy into a positive effort.

Some ideas to make this happen:

1. Believe, Believe, Believe! Have unwavering faith in yourself, for good and bad. Make the decision to accept the fact that you create all your experiences. You will experience successes thanks to you, and you will experience pain, struggle, and strife thanks to you. Sounds a little strange, but accepting this level of responsibility is uniquely empowering. It means you can do, change, and be anything. Stumbling blocks become just that—little hills to hop over.

2. Take no less than 100% responsibility . Successful people take full responsibility for the thoughts they think, the images they visualize, and the actions they take. They don't waste their time and energy blaming and complaining. They evaluate their experiences and decide if they need to change them or not. They face the uncomfortable and take risks in order to create the life they want to live.

3. Stop complaining . Look at what you are complaining about. I’m fat. I’m tired. I can’t get out of debt. I won’t ever get a better job. I can’t stand the relationship I have with my sister. I’ll never find a soulmate in life. Really examine your complaints. More than likely you can do something about them. They are not about other people, other things, or other events. They are about YOU.

4. Make an immediate change. Are you unhappy about something that is happening right now? Make requests that will make it more desirable to you, or take the steps to change it yourself. Making a change might be uncomfortable for you. It might mean you have to put in more time, money, and effort. It might mean that someone gets upset about it, or makes you feel bad about your decision. It might be difficult to change or leave a situation, but staying put is your choice so why continue to complain?

You can either do something about it or not. It is your choice and you have responsibility for your choices.

5. Pay attention. Looking to others for help and guidance is helpful, but don’t forget to stay tuned in to yourself—your behavior, attitude, and life experiences. Identify what’s working and what isn’t. If you need to, write it all down. Then…

6. Face the truth and take action for the long term . You have to be willing to change your behavior if you want a different outcome. You have to be willing to take the risks necessary to get what you want. If you’ve already taken an initial step in the right direction, now’s the time to plan additional steps to keep moving you forward, faster.

Isn’t it a great relief to know that you can make your life what you want it to be? Isn’t it wonderful that your successes do not depend on someone else?

If you need just one thing to do different today, than you did yesterday, make it this:

Commit to taking 100% responsibility for every aspect of your life. Decide to make changes, one step at a time. Once you start the process you’ll discover it's much easier to get what you want by taking control of your thoughts, your visualizations, and your actions!

Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul© and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

* * *

Decide What You Want for Yourself in 2010

2010-01-20T08:34:00.000-08:00

In order to get what you want, you must first decide what you want.

Most people really foul up at this crucial first step because they simply can’t see how it’s possible to get what they want — so they don’t even let themselves want it.

What scientists now know about how the brain works is that you must first decide the 'WHAT' before your brain can figure out the 'HOW'.

Once you lock-in your desires, your mind and the universe can step in.

Are you ready to get started?

STEP 1: Decide to Dream BIG and Be Willing to Dream BIG Dreams

Big dreams not only inspire you, but they also compel others to want to play big, too. Don’t think you should only dream big during economic heydays. Dream big every day,especially during tough times.

As soon as you commit to a big dream and really go after it, your subconscious creative mind will come up with big ideas to make it happen. You’ll start attracting the people, resources, and opportunities you need into your life to make your dreams come true.

STEP 2: Set Goals That Will Stretch You

Another value in giving yourself permission to go after the big dreams is that big dreams require you to grow in order to achieve them. In fact, in the long run, this is the greatest benefit you will receive from pursuing your dreams — not so much the outer trappings of fulfilling the dream (an expensive car, impressive house, loads of money and philanthropic opportunities), but who you become in the process.

As I’ve seen many times over, the outer symbols of success can all be easily lost. Houses burn down, companies go bankrupt, relationships end, cars get old, bodies age and fame wanes, but who you are, what you have learned, and the new skills you have developed never go away. These are the true prizes of success.

STEP 3: Service to Others

As you pinpoint what you want to go after, think about how you can be of service to others. When your dreams include this element, you’ll find yourself speeding along the path to accomplishing that goal. People want to be part of something that makes a difference.

STEP 4: Turn Your Dreams into Goals and Objectives

Once you are clear about what you want, you must turn each item into a measurable goal. By measurable, I mean measurable in space and time, how much and by when. Don’t just say that you want to lose weight, for instance. Be specific, push yourself to higher limits, and set dates. Say something like, “I want to lose 50 pounds by summer and participate in my community’s 10K for charity by the 4th of July.”

Similarly, your boss, your friends, your spouse, your brain — God, the Universe — can’t figure out what you want unless you specifically tell them what it is.

What do you want — exactly — and when do you want it by?

Step 5: Write Your Goals Down

Write your goals down in detail, and read your list of goals every day. This will keep your subconscious mind focused on what you want. For an even more powerful approach, close your eyes and focus on each goal and ask yourself, "What is one thing I could do today to move toward the achievement of this goal?" Write down your answers and take those actions.

I recommend writing down a minimum of 3 goals in each of the following 7 areas:

1. Financial Goals
2. Career/Business Goals
3. Free Time/Family Time
4. Health/Appearance Goals
5. Relationship Goals
6. Personal Growth
7. Making a Difference/Contribution

If you want help getting started, I have some handy worksheets and even more guidance for you that models this formula, including examples. Click here to access this FREE Audio Training and Action Guide to start creating all that you deserve in your life!

Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul© and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Can field now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

Acknowledge and Appreciate Yourself TODAY!

2009-12-17T20:11:00.000-08:00

by Jack Canfield

With the year coming to a close, it's time to acknowledge and appreciate yourself for everything you've accomplished today, throughout the year, and in life.How many times have you succeeded in the past month? Are you able to recall your successes as well as your failures and missteps?

Many people under-appreciate the little things they accomplish every day. And yet they can recall in detail all the times they have failed or made mistakes. That's because the brain remembers events more easily when they're accompanied by strong emotions. You might recall graduation, losing 10 pounds, winning an award, or landing a highly sought after position.

But do you include in your successes how you had a really great talk with your spouse, how you spent quality time with your teen, how you got all your list of things done for the day, how you learned to change your own oil, or got your fussy child to take a nap?

If you don't acknowledge your successes the same way you acknowledge your mistakes, you're sure to have a memory full of blunders.

Toot your own horn and don't wait for anyone else to praise you! If you only remember the mistakes and failures, you won't be as ready to take risks that will lead to your successes. Build your self-esteem by recalling ALL the ways you have succeeded and your brain will be filled with images of you making your achievements happen again and again. The more you acknowledge your past successes, the more confident you become in taking on and successfully accomplishing new ones.

Take time to write your achievements down.

To really convince yourself that you're a succcessful person who can continue to achieve great things, I'd like to challenge you to list 100 or more of your life successes. Start when you were very young and think of all your achievements since then. Don't just pick the big things, write down all the things you take for granted. Thinks like, learning to ride a bike, singing solo at church, getting your first job, or leading a fund-raising campaign. You should also begin to create a Victory Log of your daily successes and review it anytime you are faced with a new challenge. By writing it down everyday, you're securing it in your long-term memory, which enhances your self-esteem and builds your confidence.

Surround yourself with reminders of your success.

We know from research that what you see in your environment has a psychological impact on your moods, your attitudes, and your behavior. Your environment has a great deal of influence over you. And here's an even more important fact: You have almost total control over your immediate environment. Put up pictures, articles, trophies, awards and other symbols of your past achievements that remind you about your past successes. Make a special place - a special shelf, wall or section of your home or office that you pass by every day and fill it with your success symbols. This will have a powerful effect on your subconscious mind and will subtly remind you that you are someone who has consistent success in life! This is also a great thing to do for your children. Proudly display their success symbols as well. People like to be around those who have a healthy self-esteem and who are achieving their goals. Commit to acknowledging your achievements and your brain will begin to tell you the truth... that you can do ANYTHING! Taking just 30 minutes to complete this activity will become your positive springboard into 2010 for even more successes.

Calendar

2009-10-30T17:45:00.000-07:00

Return to the Laurel Stone School of Real Estate website.

Chunk-Down that Goal and Get Out of Overwhelm

2009-09-26T19:38:00.000-07:00

Sometimes our biggest life goals seem so overwhelming.

We rarely see them as a series of small, achievable tasks, but in reality, breaking down a large goal into smaller tasks—and accomplishing them one at a time—is exactly how any big goal gets achieved.

After you have decided what you really want, with specific deadlines, the next step is to determine all of the individual action steps you will need to take to accomplish your goal.

How to Chunk It Down

There are several ways to figure out the action steps you will need to take to accomplish any goal. One is to consult with people who have already done what you want to do and ask what steps they took. From their experience, they can give you all of the necessary steps as well as advice on what pitfalls to avoid.

Another way is to purchase a book or manual that outlines the process.

Yet another way is to start from the end and look backward. You simply close your eyes and imagine that it is now the future and you have already achieved your goal. Then just look back and see what you had to do to get to where you now are. What was the last thing you did? And then the thing before that, and then the thing before that, until you arrive at the first action you had to start with.

Remember that it is okay not to know how to do something.

It’s okay to ask for guidance and advice from those who do know. Sometimes you can get it free, and sometimes you have to pay for it. Get used to asking, “Can you tell me how to go about...?” and“What would I have to do to...?” and “How did you...?”

Keep researching and asking until you can create a realistic action plan that will get you from where you are to where you want to go.

What will you need to do? How much money will you need to save or raise? What new skills will you need to learn? What resources will you need to mobilize? Who will you need to enroll in your vision? Who will you need to ask for assistance? What new disciplines or habits will you need to build into your life?

Another valuable technique for creating an action plan for your goals is called mind mapping.

How to Use Mind Mapping

Mind mapping is a simple but powerful process for creating a detailed to-do list for achieving your goal. It lets you determine what information you’ll need to gather, who you’ll need to talk to, what small steps you’ll need to take, how much money you’ll need to earn or raise, which deadlines you’ll need to meet, and so on—for each and every goal.

When I began creating my first educational audio program—a breakthrough goal that led to extraordinary gains for me and my business—I used mind mapping to help me “chunk down” that very large goal into all the individual tasks I would need to complete to produce a finished product.

To mind-map your own goals, follow these steps as illustrated in the example:

1.) Center circle: In the center circle, jot down the name of your stated goal—in this case, Create an Audio Educational Program.

2.) Outside circles: Next, divide the goal into the major categories of tasks you’ll need to accomplish to achieve the greater goal—in this case, Title, Studio, Topics, Audience, and so on.

3.) Spokes: Then, draw spokes radiating outward from each mini-circle and label each one (such as Write Copy, Color Picture for Back Cover, and Arrange Lunch.)

On a separate line connected to the minicircle, write every single step you’ll need to take. Break down each one of the more detailed task spokes with action items to help you create your master to-do list.

Next, Make a Daily To-Do List

Once you’ve completed a mind map for your goal, convert all of the to-do items into daily action items by listing each one on your daily to-do lists and committing to a completion date for each one. Then schedule them in the appropriate order into your calendar and do whatever it takes to stay on schedule.

Do First Things First

The goal is to stay on schedule and complete the most important item first. In his excellent book, Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time, Brian Tracy reveals not just how to conquer procrastination but also how to prioritize and complete all of your action items.

In his unique system, Brian advises goal-setters to identify the one to five things you must accomplish on any given day, and then pick the one you absolutely must do first. This becomes your biggest and ugliest frog.

He then suggests you accomplish that task first—in essence, eat that frog first—and, by so doing; make the rest of your day much, much easier. It’s a great strategy. But unfortunately, most of us leave the biggest and ugliest frog for last, hoping it will go away or somehow become easier. It never does. However, when you accomplish your toughest task early in the day, it sets the tone for the rest of your day.

By chunking down your goals, and then taking daily action on them, you create momentum and build your confidence, both of which move you farther and faster toward the achievement of your goals.

Now go take some action!

Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul© and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

Acknowledge and Appreciate Yourself

2009-09-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

Pop Quiz: When was the last time you acknowledged and appreciated yourself?

That’s right: YOU. Not your spouse, not your children, not your boss, co-workers or friends. Just YOU!

Seriously, think about it!

And if it’s been too long since your last pat on the back, then I want you to take the time right now to acknowledge and appreciate yourself for everything you've accomplished today, throughout the year, and in life.

Ask yourself: How many times have you succeeded in the past month? The past year? The past 10 years? Are you able to recall your successes as easily as your failures and missteps?

This is not a selfish or egotistical act in the least. By taking the time to stop and appreciate who you are and what you’ve achieved—and perhaps learned through a few mistakes, stumbles and losses—you actually can enhance everything about you!

Self-acknowledgment and appreciation are what give you the insights and awareness to move forward toward higher goals and accomplishments.

In working with top leaders and thought philosophers of our time, I will tell you that among their secrets of success is a regular practice of acknowledging and appreciating what they have.It can offer an oracle into the future because it not only tells you where you are but it also helps clarify where you want to go in life. Whatever that might be. The road then becomes easier to navigate—easier to see from the distance and walk confidently step by step.

Don’t forget to think about both big and little accomplishments. Many people under-appreciate the minor things they do successfully every day . And yet they can recall in detail all the times they have failed or made mistakes. That's because the brain remembers events more easily when they are accompanied by strong emotions.

For example, you might vividly recall a graduation, losing 10 pounds, having a child, winning an award, or landing a highly sought after position. But see if you can identify just as many minor, more subtle successes, such as your intimate conversation with your spouse last night, the re-connection you established with an estranged friend last month, the quality time you were able to spend with your children today, how you checked off all your list of To-Dos for the weekend, how you learned a new task at work, or got your kid to school on time.

These may seem like minor acts in the grand scheme of life, but they are what make us feel whole, happy, and accomplished along the journey toward those larger, and much more deeply satisfying moments.

Acknowledging your mistakes also has it pluses, but we often don’t have trouble recalling or mulling over those. The point is, if you don't acknowledge your successes the same way you acknowledge your mistakes, you're sure to have a memory full of blunders. And a mind stuffed with negative chatter about the gaffes of life won’t fuel your energy, nor your confidence, creativity, and motivation to keep going.

Consider this, too: if you only remember the mistakes and failures, you won't be as ready to take risks that will lead to your successes. Build your self-esteem by recalling all the ways you have succeeded and your brain will be filled with images of you making your achievements happen again and again.

Give yourself permission to toot your own horn and don’t wait for anyone to praise you. Here are two suggestions:

1.) Record Your Personal History. Take time to write your achievements down. Start when you were very young and think of all your achievements since then. Don't just pick the major milestones; write down all the things you take for granted. For example, if you list your college degree, write your appreciation for having the opportunity to go to college and forge friendships that will last a lifetime.

You can also create a log of success every day and review it when you are faced with a new challenge. By writing it all down daily, you're securing it in your long-term memory and it will become a part of what makes you tick. It can even become a source of positive reminders and affirmations for when you’re feeling down, as well as a personal record of you that becomes your legacy.

2.) Celebrate Yourself with Mementos. Surround yourself with reminders of your successes. Put up pictures, articles, trophies, awards and other pieces that bring your attention to your success. Make your environment speak to you about your achievements. Be proud of them!

By the way, showing appreciation for yourself and accomplishments has many rewards that go far beyond boosting your own self-confidence.

Appreciating yourself creates a cascading affect—your heightened confidence will spill over into other aspects of your life. Watch what happens when you gain that special trust in yourself. You’ll attract opportunities, experience more fulfilling relationships, and have no trouble reaching loftier goals.

Remember, people like to be around those who have a healthy self-esteem and who are achieving their goals. Commit to acknowledging your achievements and your brain will begin to tell you the truth: that you can do anything!

Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul© and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

Wisconsin Real Estate Magazine - August 2009 Issue - Offer to Purchase Revision on the Horizon

2009-08-21T10:05:00.001-07:00

Wisconsin Real Estate Magazine - August 2009 Issue - Offer to Purchase Revision on the Horizon

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Where are Your Habits Leading You?

2009-08-03T11:36:00.000-07:00

You are an accumulation of your habits. From how you get out of bed, how you shower, how you dress, how you walk, sit, and talk, how you respond to the world, how you act in front of others, and how you think; you're living out your habits.

Habits are necessary.
They free up your mind so you can concentrate on how to survive day to day. You don't have to think about how to drive your car so you can be on the lookout for danger while you are driving. You don't have to think about how to walk so you can concentrate on where you're going.

Unfortunately, habits can also keep you locked in self-destructive patterns, which will limit your success.
To become successful, you will need to drop bad habits and develop new ones that are in line with the life you want to live.

People don't suddenly appear in the life they want to live... their habits determine their outcome!

What are the habits you have that are keeping you from achieving your goals?

Really be honest with yourself here... Are you always running late? Do you return phone calls within 24 hours? Do you get enough sleep? Do you follow through on your promises? Do you plan out your day?

Imagine what your life would be like if all your habits were their productive counterparts!

What would your life be like if you ate healthy meals, exercised and got enough sleep?

What if you saved your money, stopped using credit cards and paid cash for everything?

What if you stopped procrastinating, overcame your fears, and began networking with people in your field?

Would your life be different? I bet it would!

So, my suggested action step for you is to write down some productive habits you could adopt and visualize in your life, step two is to 'act as if' you were living these new habits right now!

I'd like to help you get moving toward creating more successful habits, so I'd recommend you develop four of your new success habits each year, one for each quarter.

Once you pick the new habit you're ready to adopt, next you'll want to create a method that will support your new habit.

Here are some ideas... You could write it down on a card that you keep with you and read several times a day. You could make it a part of your daily visualization. You could also enlist the help of an accountability partner who has habits to change, or work with a personal coach who can keep you on track.

It's important to make a 100% commitment to your new habit, so be specific about the steps that you're willing to take in order to drop an old habit and adopt a new one. Don't be vague about how you will change your habits. Spell it out for yourself so you can recognize situations that motivate you to act out your new habit.

Just developing four new habits a year will dramatically shift your life to be more in line with your vision.
And the more in line it becomes, the easier the other habits are to replace because your perspective is shifting and you can see more clearly how your old habits aren't serving you anymore.

Make the decision. Make the commitment. Then watch your new, positive life unfold!

I'll see you in another two weeks in the next edition of Success Strategies. In the meantime, take the time to implement just one of the strategies discussed in today's issue.

Thanks Silver Stone Mortgage!

2009-07-17T20:52:00.000-07:00

A little rain couldn't stop the fun we all had at the Fish Fry hosted by Silver Stone Mortgage! And the food....couldn't have been better! It was awesome seeing SO many of my former students! My guess is that there were at least 20 from all of the people who attended! FUN night!! Enjoy the slideshow!

Waupun – The City of Sculpture

2009-07-09T07:04:00.000-07:00

Founded in 1839 by Seymour Wilcox who chose to stake his claim in the Rock River Valley, part in Fond du Lac County and part in Dodge County, Waupun grew up out of the lush wilderness lands inhabited only by Indians. An ethnic mix of Irish, English, Scots, German, Norwegian and Dutch settlers soon followed.

In 1851, Waupun was chosen as the site for a state penitentiary because of the great abundance of limestone and the close proximity to the proposed Rock River Valley Railroad. Seymour Wilcox donated 20 acres of land to the state for the construction of the prison that opened its doors in 1852. This magnificent structure is located in the heart of the city with all of the original building in use today.

On the National Register of Historic Places are: Waupun Correctional Institution (also on the State Register of Historic Places); Waupun Heritage Museum; the post office; the Dahl residence and two of the city’s sculptures — “Recording Angel” and the “End of the Trail.”

Waupun’s rich history gives it the character and substance that is evident today in the ethics, principles and values that drive the progress of the city.

City of Waupun

Chamber of Commerce

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Utilizing The Law of Attraction

2009-07-06T21:48:00.000-07:00

The law of attraction states that you will attract into your life--whether wanted or unwanted--whatever you give your energy, focus, and attention to. You are constantly giving off vibrations of energy when you think and feel. These vibrations can be picked up and received by other people. That's why people say, "he has good vibes," or "he gives off bad vibes." You are constantly giving off vibrations -- literally!

If you're feeling excited, enthusiastic, passionate, happy, joyful, loving, appreciative, abundant, prosperous, relaxed and peaceful, you are giving off positive vibrations.

On the other hand, if you're feeling bored, anxious, worried, confused, sad, lonely, hurt, angry, resentful, guilty, disappointed, frustrated, overwhelmed, stressed out, or depressed, then you are giving off negative vibrations.

The law of attraction states that the universe responds to whatever you are offering -- by giving you more of whatever you are vibrating. It doesn't care whether it is good for you or not; it simply responds to your vibration.

If you saw the film The Secret, you saw this explained in great detail.

The problem is that most of the time, you are not aware of what vibration you are offering. You are simply responding to things outside of you--current events, the news, how people treat you, the stock market, how much money you are making, how your children are doing in school, whether or not your favorite sports team wins--and then having a feeling that is either positive or negative.

When you are simply responding unconsciously to what happens around you, you tend to stay "stuck" in your current condition. This is why most people's lives never seem to change very much. They get stuck in a repeating cycle of recreating the same reality over and over by the vibration they are sending out.

It works like this... First you observe what you currently have and are currently receiving in your life. You call this your "reality." You respond to what you observe with a feeling, positive or negative, which then gives off that vibration to the universe. The law of attraction then responds to this vibration and brings you more of what you were vibrating. This keeps the cycle going over and over, until you choose to change it through the exertion of your will. You are a victim of your lack of awareness of the law of attraction.

The Process of Intentional Creation

It is possible to get out of this vicious cycle and create what you want instead of continually recreating what you already have. It is a simple, three-step process that you can begin immediately. If you've been implementing the action steps I coach you through in The KEY to Living the Law of Attraction, you have already begun this process.

Step 1: Identify what you truly desire & eliminate the negative

It is important to focus on what you want rather than what you don't want. You must state it in the positive and filter out the words don't, not and no. Remember, your mind works in pictures and if you say I don't want to be mad, you are creating the picture and thus the vibration of being mad. You must create the opposite of what you don't want.

Step 2: Raise your vibration level

Your job in stage two is to create a vibrational match for that which you say you want to have. How would you be feeling if you already had those things--the perfect job, the perfect relationship, the amount of money that you want to have? Your job is to identify what makes you feel good and do more of it, then learn not to tolerate your negative feelings.

Affirmations are an important component in raising your vibrational level to what it is you want. Remember, the law of attraction does not respond to the words you use or the thoughts you think. It simply responds to how you feel about what you say and how you feel about what you think. For information on how to create even more effective affirmations, review chapter 10 in The Key to Living the Law of Attraction, where you'll find my guidelines for creating effective visualizations.

Step 3. Release it and allow it.

In this third step, you simply release your affirmation, your vibration, and your feelings to the universe to take care of your "request" or "order" as I call it. But you have to abstain from any doubts. If you doubt you can have it in any way, then you are not allowing it. You are pushing it away and you end up with contradictory messages to the universe.

It is only when the contradictory thoughts, talk, and images are removed that your desired results will manifest. The faster you remove your resistance, the faster your dreams can be realized.

When Success is Slow, What Can You Do?

2009-07-06T10:23:00.000-07:00

Pop Quiz:

Can success be sped up?
Is there an antidote to slow outcomes despite arduous planning and actions taken?
What's the secret for seeing huge results right now?!

I get versions of these questions frequently from people who feel frustrated at sluggish progress in their success journey - despite all the know-how and principles they rigorously employ.

Let's get one thing straight...

When we admire someone's success, or even our own, we often focus on the end result and not so much on the effort (and time) that it took to get there. This can cultivate unrealistic expectations, especially the idea that overnight success can happen through careful strategy and an execution of sound advice.

The truth be told, success typically follows a series of little events and achievements that can seem to take an eternity, that include a few disappointments along the way, and that challenge everything about you to the core - your stamina, courage, integrity, and even your willingness to keep going.

If you focus on what's not working, guess what: You're likely coming from a place of aggravation as your mind wraps around all that is wrong.

You may even have negative thoughts like "I'm not good enough," "It will never work," or "Something must be wrong with me."

What this mentally does is engender more of these counter-productive feelings. And given what we know about the Law of Attraction, you attract what you are feeling. So negative experiences, people, and results will beget more negative experience, people, and results. There's not much success in that.

The key, then, is to focus on what IS working. To do so, I recommend two simple practices: journaling and meditation.

Maintaining a journal (I call it an Evidence Log, Results Journal, or Gratitude Journal) is a great way to steer your attention to the positive and continually renew your vision for yourself.

Start each day with reflections on what you are grateful for in your life (list them out!) and end each day with notes on what went right (again, write them down), however small they may seem.

Spend time each day in quiet contemplation, prayer or meditation.

Meditation can be powerful tool for arriving at solutions to problems and shifting your attitude so you can attract success sooner rather than later. The magic of meditation is its ability to essentially shut down the outer layer of your judgmental, highly-critical brain and allow your unconscious mind to take over. This is where you enter a deeper state of inner peace and joy, tapping into a higher level of creativity that will help usher in the results you want. (Don't know how to meditate? Lots of books and materials are available to guide you this practice. It's easier than you think. )

Let's say you're doing ALL these things, but you still aren't happy with your results...

I'll ask you then, are you taking real ACTION?

You may be taking the actions you are used to taking. But if you keep doing what you've already done, then you'll keep getting what you've always gotten. It's a matter of practicing some new behaviors. Shake things up a bit and see if you can take new actions or modify existing ones.

Remember the Rule of 5.

Every day do five specific things that take you toward your goal. Change up the five actions regularly and be open to feedback so you know when you're off course.

Lastly, I want to remind you about patience.

It's natural to underestimate how long a certain goal can take, especially a profound one. When I set a goal to become a millionaire the year was 1983. How long did it take? Eleven years. It took time for Chicken Soup for the Soul to hit the bestseller lists. You could say our tenure on the New York Times list was more than a decade in the making. That's a lot of patience for someone who initially wanted overnight success.

So, yes, patience is a virtue. But keep at it, and in no time, you'll be only one week, or one day away from your ultimate success.

Remember... be grateful, reflect on what IS working and continue to take ACTION!

Act to Create It

2009-06-21T18:33:00.000-07:00

If you want to live a dream life, not only must you decide what you want, turn your dream into measurable goals, break those goals down into specific action steps, and visualize and affirm your desired outcomes -- you must start taking action! I recommend making the commitment to do something every day in at least three different areas of your life that moves you in the direction of your goal.

If one of your goals is physical fitness, make a commitment to do some sort of exercise -- aerobics, weight training, stretching -- four to five times a week for a minimum of twenty minutes. I read recently that if you simply go for a 30 minute walk four times a week, that would put you in the top 1% of those people getting physical exercise!

If your goal is financial independence, start saving and investing a portion of your income every month with no exceptions.

If your goal is to write a book, write for a minimum of one hour every day.

DON'T LET FEAR STOP YOU

Most people never get what they want because they let their fears stop them. They are afraid of making a mistake, looking foolish, getting ripped off, being rejected, being hurt, wasting their time, and feeling uncomfortable. Fear is self-created by imagining catastrophic consequences that have yet to happen. It is all in your mind. In fact, you can actually scare yourself by imagining negative and harmful images. But simply stop the catastrophic thoughts and images, and the fear goes away.

REJECTION IS A MYTH
One of the biggest fears that stops people from asking for support, guidance, advice, money, a date, a job, the sale, or anything else is the fear of rejection.In fact, it's been known to literally paralyze people. They become tongue-tied and refuse to reach for the phone or get up and walk across the room. They break out in a sweat at the mere thought of asking for what they want.I have come to realize that the whole concept of rejection is false -- that rejection doesn't really exist. Think about it for a moment. If you asked someone to join you for dinner, and they said no, you could tell yourself that you had been rejected. But think about it. Did you have anyone to eat dinner with before you asked them? No! Did you have anyone to eat dinner with after you asked them? No! Did your life really get worse? No. It stayed the same!

ACT AS IF

One of the secrets of success is to start acting like a success before you are one. Act as if. If you had already achieved your dream, what kinds of clothes would you be wearing? How would you act? How would you treat others? Would you tithe a portion of your income to your church or favorite charities? Would you have more self-confidence? Would you take more time to spend with your loved ones?

I suggest that you begin to do those things now!

When I decided that I wanted to be an "international" consultant, I immediately went and applied for a passport, bought an international clock that told me what time it was anywhere in the world, printed business cards with the words "International Self-Esteem and Peak Performance Consultant," and decided I would like to first go to Australia. I bought a poster of the Sydney Opera House and placed it on my refrigerator. Within one month, I received an invitation to speak in Sydney and Brisbane. Since then, I have spoken and conducted trainings in over 30 countries and continue to expand my business around the globe.

Start acting as if you already have everything you want.

Most people think that if they have a lot of money, they could do the things they want to do, and they would be much happier. In fact, the reverse is true. If you start by creating a state of happiness and abundance, then do the things you are inspired to do from that state of being, you will end up having all the things you ultimately desire.

BE, DO AND HAVE EVERYTHING YOU WANT... STARTING NOW!

Remember, the proper order of this is to start now and be who you want to BE, then DO the actions that go along with being that person, and soon you will find that you can easily HAVE everything you want in life--health, wealth and fulfilling relationships.

How well do you know Wisconsin towns?

2009-06-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

This is a TEST! What cities, towns or villages are known by these names? No cheating by looking them up! Put your curser over the link and you'll have the answer. More will be added as towns and water towers are featured!

The City of Sculpture

Your Home Port

??? on the Wolf

Settle into ???

??? on the Water

Your Bridge to the Future

OARS

2009-06-10T06:22:00.000-07:00

OARS…. What comes to your mind? Boats probably. That’s what I think of when I think of OARS.

But now OARS has a new meaning! Orphan Animal Rescue and Sanctuary.....

I stopped last night at a Fundraiser for this great organization and saw a group of dedicated people who are making a difference!

Orphan Animal Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc. is a no-kill, volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is dedicated to changing the lives of homeless pets and helping people in need in Northeast Wisconsin.

They were founded in September, 2008 by six animal lovers who saw the need in the Fox Cities community to save the lives of more homeless pets and set in motion the steps needed to ensure a future in which there are no more homeless pets in Wisconsin.

They primarily help cats, kittens, dogs and puppies, but also help and other small animals such as bunnies and birds, as they have the capacity available.

The pets they help primarily come from other local rescue groups and humane organizations when they need help or are over capacity. They often have a waiting list of pets in need. Receiving no funding; they rely completely on donations to save the lives of the homeless pets in their care.

Their hope is to spread our compassion to the community to inspire action that will make an impact. Through the development of educational and outreach initiatives, they will reach the community and beyond with our message about the importance of spaying and neutering and treating animal companions with respect and dignity.

So what is a focus right now… a permanent location! An Adoption Center! Click here to read about it on their site!

Was the Romp a success? You bet! The event at Holiday's Bar and Grill in Neenah raised $1234.50 which will be put toward their Adoption Center.

Enjoy the photos and DO keep track of this group and support their goals! Click here to go straight to the album!

Good Things Come to Those Who Ask

2009-06-05T22:12:00.000-07:00

Asking for what you need is probably the most underutilized tool for people. And yet, amazing requests have been granted to people simply because they've asked for it!

Whether its money, information, support, assistance, or time, most people are afraid to ask for what they need in order to make their dreams come true.

They might be afraid of looking needy, ignorant, helpless, or even greedy. More than likely though, it is the fear of rejection that is holding them back. Even though they are afraid to hear the word no, they're already saying it to themselves by not asking!

Do you ask for what you want or are you afraid of rejection?

Consider this: Rejection is just a concept. There is really no such thing as rejection! You're not any worse off by hearing no than you were before you asked. You didn't have what you asked for before you asked and you still don't, so what did you lose?

Being rejected doesn't hold you back from anything. Only YOU hold yourself back. When you realize that there's no merit to rejection, you'll feel more comfortable asking for things. You may just need a bit of help learning how to ask for what you want.

How to Ask for What You Want

There's a specific science to asking for and getting what you want or need in life. And while I recommend you learn more by studying The Aladdin Factor, here are some quick tips to get you started:

1. Ask as if you expect to get it. Ask with a positive expectation. Ask from the place that you have already been given it. It is a done deal. Ask as if you expect to get a "yes."

2. Assume you can. Don't start with the assumption that you can't get it. If you are going to assume, assume you can get an upgrade. Assume you can get a table by the window. Assume that you can return it without a sales slip. Assume that you can get a scholarship, that you can get a raise, that you can get tickets at this late date. Don't ever assume against yourself.

3. Ask someone who can give it to you. Qualify the person. Who would I have to speak to to get...Who is authorized to make a decision about...What would have to happen for me to get...

4. Be clear and specific. In my seminars, I often ask, "Who wants more money in their life?" I'll pick someone who raised their hand and give them a quarter, asking, "Is that enough for you?" "No? Well, how would I know how much you want. How would anybody know?"

You need to ask for a specific number. Too many people are walking around wanting more of something, but not being specific enough to obtain it.

5. Ask repeatedly. One of the most important Success Principles is the commitment to not give up.

Whenever we're asking others to participate in the fulfillment of our goals, some people are going to say "no." They may have other priorities, commitments and reasons not to participate. It's no reflection on you.

Just get used to the idea that there's going to be a lot of rejection along the way to the brass ring. The key is to not give up. When someone says "No"-- you say "NEXT!" Why?

Because when you keep on asking, even the same person again and again...they might say "yes"...

...on a different day
...when they are in a better mood
...when you have new data to present
...after you've proven your commitment to them
...when circumstances have changed
...when you've learned how to close better
...when you've established better rapport
...when they trust you more
...when you have paid your dues
...when the economy is better
...and so on.

Kids know this Success Principle better than anyone. They will ask the same person over and over again without any hesitation (can you relate!).

Getting a good perspective on rejection and learning how to ask will make a world of difference for you as you work toward your goals. Practice asking and you'll get very good at it! You'll even speed your progress by getting what you need, or improving yourself in order to get it later.

Make a list of what you need to ask for in all areas of your life, and start asking.

Remember, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE... if you dare to ask!

It’s Monday Morning!!!!

2009-05-27T15:15:00.001-07:00

Ask the Experts:

Home Mortgage Specialist Cindy Behm from Silverstone:

Question: I went for a mortgage to buy a house and the lender said I have to pay a point. What's that?

Answer: This is a great question. 1 point is 1% of the loan amount - On a $100,000 loan, the point would equal $1,000. 2 points would be 2% of the loan amount - therefore on a $100,000 loan 2 points would equal $2,000. The point(s) are a type of fee paid to the lender. There are two different kinds of points that can be charged to the borrower - Origination Point(s) and Discount Point(s). The first type of point is an Origination Point - Origination Points are charged to recover some costs of the loan origination process. The second type of point is a Discount Point - Discount Points are used to "buy" your interest rate lower. This is known as a rate "buydown". These points typically lower the interest rate for the term of the loan unless otherwise disclosed.

Home staging expert, Nan from First Impressions Staging and Design:

Question: Do you have stats about staged home?

Answer: In 2008 occupied homes in our study that were previously on the market an average of 57 days as un-staged properties, had not sold. Those same homes were taken off the market and staged and re-listed. Those properties on average sold after 6 days on market after they were staged, which is 89% less time on market. Based on information gathered by RESPA.

Quote of the Week:

In essence, if we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions. It's not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently." Tony Robbins

Water Tower and Town of the Week: Omro

Omro, built along the banks of the beautiful Fox River, offers visitors and residents alike the perfect combination of business and residential amenities. With population 3,300, Omro retains a small-town feel, but presents a big-city attitude.

Located eight miles west of Oshkosh along the Highway 21 Corridor, Omro is the gateway to recreat

ion and relaxation throughout the state. The city's central location and close proximity to Lake Winnebago and larger urban centers, such as Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, and Ap

pleton, allow residents and visitors a w

ealth of shopping and entertainment opportunities.

City of Omro

Town of Omro

Chamber of Commerce

Photo of the Week:

Spring really has SPRUNG!

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Laurel

Laurel Stone School of Real Estate

Omro: Your Bridge to the Future

2009-05-27T15:07:00.001-07:00

Located eight miles west of Oshkosh along the Highway 21 Corridor, Omro is the gateway to recreation and relaxation throughout the state. The city's central location and close proximity to Lake Winnebago and larger urban centers, such as Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, and Appleton, allow residents and visitors a wealth of shopping and entertainment opportunities.

City of Omro

Town of Omro

Chamber of Commerce

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Putting Fear in Its Place by Jack Canfield

2009-05-15T06:38:00.000-07:00

As you move forward on your journey from where you are to where you want to be, you are going to have to confront some of your fears. Fear is a just a natural part of living.

Whenever you start a new project, take on a new venture, or put yourself out there, there's usually some fear involved. Unfortunately, most people let fear stop them from taking the necessary steps to achieve their dreams.

Confronting your fears is a very necessary step in achieving success.

There is simply no other way. Fear can be a helpful emotion, as it tells you when you need to be extra careful, keenly aware, and cautious. Fear is not an emotion that is telling you to stop. In fact, it's telling you just the opposite! Acknowledging your feelings of fear helps you know when you are stepping out of your comfort zone. It points your awareness to areas where you could improve and grow.

There is simply no other way. Fear can be a helpful emotion, as it tells you when you need to be extra careful, keenly aware, and cautious. Fear is not an emotion that is telling you to stop. In fact, it's telling you just the opposite! Acknowledging your feelings of fear helps you know when you are stepping out of your comfort zone. It points your awareness to areas where you could improve and grow.
Successful people also feel fear. Yet they don't let it get in the way of anything they want to do--or have to do. They understand that fear is something to be acknowledged, experienced, and taken along for the ride. They have learned, as author Susan Jeffers suggests in her must-read book, to "Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway®."

Fear is more of a signal that we should stay alert and cautious. We can feel fear, but we can still move forward anyway.

Think of fear as a 2-year-old child who doesn't want to go grocery shopping with you. Because you must buy groceries, you'll just have to take the two year old with you. Fear is no different. In other words, acknowledge that fear exists but don't let it keep you from doing important tasks.

Also realize that so many of our fears are self-created. We might frighten ourselves by fantasizing negative outcomes to any activity we might peruse or experience. Luckily, because we are the ones doing the fantasizing, we are also the ones who can stop the fear and bring ourselves into a state of clarity and peace by facing the actual facts, rather than giving in to our imaginations.

If a fear is too great for you to overcome, try breaking it down into smaller challenges.
Try starting out by doing the parts of the project that don't scare you so much. You need to give a speech in front of a large group? Try giving your speech in front of a small group of people who care for you. Work your way up until you are able to feel the fear but still move forward. As you do you will build your confidence and eventually you won't feel fear surrounding those issues because you'll have done them enough to count it as a skill.

As you move toward your goal, don't attach yourself so much to the outcomes.
Keep moving toward your dream doing everything you can to create what you want, then let it go and see what shows up. Sometimes the universe will have a better idea in mind for you and present a better opportunity when you were expecting something completely different. Don't let fear keep you from moving forward. Even if the horrible outcome that you imagined happens, the universe will always provide for you another way to succeed. So be on the look out!

Trust that no matter what occurs, you are smart enough and strong enough to keep looking for, and attracting, opportunities.

If you are willing to try new experiences in spite of your fears, then more new experiences will present themselves for you to try. And the more you try, the more you are likely to succeed!
© 2009 Jack Canfield
Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul© and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

It’s Monday Morning!!!!

2009-05-11T12:43:00.000-07:00

Ask the Experts:

Home Mortgage Specialist Cindy Behm from Silverstone Mortgage:

Question: Dear Cindy, I went for a mortgage to buy a house and the lender said I have to pay a point. What's that?

Answer: This is a great question. 1 point is 1% of the loan amount - On a $100,000 loan, the point would equal $1,000. 2 points would be 2% of the loan amount - therefore on a $100,000 loan 2 points would equal $2,000. The point(s) are a type of fee paid to the lender. There are two different kinds of points that can be charged to the borrower - Origination Point(s) and Discount Point(s). The first type of point is an Origination Point - Origination Points are charged to recover some costs of the loan origination process. The second type of point is a Discount Point - Discount Points are used to "buy" your interest rate lower. This is know as a rate "buydown". These points typically lower the interest rate for the term of the loan unless otherwise disclosed.

Home staging expert, Nan from First Impressions Staging and Design:

Question: Hi Nan! I have a large picture window in my living room? Any suggestions?

Answer: When you have a large picture window to work with do not put any furniture in front of the window as it gives depth to a room. Also, whenever possible do not put the back of living room furniture facing the door. You want to create a bright open area especially near the door.

Quote of the Week:

"Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation." Brian Tracy

_____________________________

Water Tower and Town of the Week: Winneconne

Winneconne is a village in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,401 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Winneconne. The Wolf River runs through the village.

In 1967, as a result of the town name being inadvertently left off the official Wisconsin road map, a secret committee formulated a plan to secede fromWisconsin, set up toll gates on local roads, begin annexation o nearby communities (starting with the city of Oshkosh) to form a Sovereign State of Winneconne, and declare war on the United States. As an alternative plan, annexation by another state, preferably one with better weather, was sought. The deadline for secession was July 21, 1967. A proclamation was issued, naming village president "James Coughlin to be president of the new state of Winneconne; Vera Kitchen to be prime minister and custodian of Vera’s Kitchen Cabinet". Wisconsin Governor Warren P. Knowles entered into negotiations with the former village officials; as a result, Winneconne rejoined the State of Wisconsin at 12:01 AM on July 22, 1967. An annual Sovereign State Days celebration commemorates the event.

Photo of the Week:

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Laurel

Laurel Stone School of Real Estate

Winneconne on the Wolf

2009-05-11T08:05:00.001-07:00

Winneconne is a community of friendly people working together to create new and better opportunities for its young people. It is a thriving small town bustling with business and recreational activity . . . anxious to welcome visitors, eager to support local business, and striving to attract new business and industry.

Winneconne is located in the very heart of a four season recreational wonderland and becomes a bee hive of activity early in the spring during the famous walleyed pike run in the Wolf River. People gather from all over Wisconsin and many from outside the state for this annual event.

I found 2 water towers in Winneconne and I chose the older one to feature here. Check the photo album for the other one!

Winneconne Area Chamber of Commerce

Village of Winneconne
Town of Winneconne

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Mother’s Day Past….

2009-05-10T07:07:00.000-07:00

House Styles

2009-05-09T09:17:00.001-07:00

Quick! Describe to me what a Neoclassical style of house is! What about these: Art Deco; Second Empire; Shingle; Stick; Tudor; Monterey or Greek Revival????

Look at the styles pictured here…can you name them???

Most of us can’t but there is a resource that describes each one of these and MORE!

The Architectural Home Styles has this information and MORE so check it out when you want to know what type of home you’re looking at to list or buy!!

______________________________

So the answer to the question of what styles are pictured here is from top down:

Art Deco
A vertically oriented design includes flat roofs and metal window casements.

Neoclassical
Neoclassical homes exist in incarnations from one-story cottages to multilevel manses.

Bungalow
A forerunner of the craftsman style, you'll find rustic exteriors and sheltered-feeling interiors.

Prairie
Originated by Frank Lloyd Wright, this style can be house boxy or low-slung.

CLICK ON THE HOUSE STYLE AND IT WILL TAKE YOU TO A MORE COMPLETE DESCRIPTION.

It’s Monday Morning!!

2009-05-04T20:04:00.000-07:00

Ask the Experts:

Home Mortgage Specialist: Cindy Behm from Flagstar:

Question: What is included in each mortgage payment?

Answer: This could vary depending on how you and your lender set up your mortgage. Discuss this with your lender prior to signing your final documents to ensure there are no surprises after the closing. Your payment could consist of the following:

· Principal - The amount that reduces what you owe to the bank.

· Interest - The amount of interest due the bank for the prior month.

· Mortgage Insurance - If you have a loan that requires mortgage insurance, this will be part of your payment.

· Property Taxes - If this is not included in your payment, you will need to pay it to your municipality when due.

· Insurance - Home Owners or Hazard Insurance. If this is not included in your payment, you will need to pay it when due

· HOA Dues - If you have a Home Owner's Association, you will probably have some type of dues. If this is not included in your payment, you will need to pay when due.

Again - make certain that you know what is included in your payment to ensure that you don't have any surprises when your Home Owner's Insurance, HOA Dues or Property Taxes are due. If your Home Owner's Insurance, HOA Dues and/or Property Taxes are not included in the monthly payment, you will need to come up with the cash when they are due.

Home Staging Expert: Nan from First Impressions Staging and Design:

Question: Hi Nan! I’m thinking about putting my house up for sale. What can I do to get started before that?

Answer: Define the space. Start packing up anything you aren’t using on a day to day basis. Do this job early, so it doesn’t overwhelm you, and then get the whole family involved. Avoid storing excess gear in the garage if you can. A better option is a storage facility. Some storage companies even bring the storage to you so you can load it, they’ll store it, then deliver it to your new place when needed.

Quote of the Week:

Energy is the essence of life. Every day you decide how you are going to use it by knowing what you want and what it takes to reach that goal, and by maintaining focus. Oprah Winfrey

Water Tower and Town of the Week:

Lomira

Lomira was first settled by the Indians in 1840. White settlers, mostly from New York and various European countries, followed in 1843.

In the early years, stagecoaches provided transportation to Lomira on the historic Yellowstone Road, now Highway 175. In 1871, a railroad built just east of the original village brought more growth.

When the Village of Lomira was incorporated in 1899, it covered 530 acres and had a population of 433. At this time, Lomira consisted of a hotel, brewery, cigar factory, general store, drugstore, fish hatchery, furniture factory, shoe factory, blacksmith shop, campground, and hat shop. Unfortunately, most of these businesses ceased operations during the Great Depression.

As part of Wisconsin's dairy land, Lomira's economy has always been strongly linked to agricultural industries. The area has an abundance of surface waters, numerous wildlife refuges and preserves, and excellent hunting and fishing.

Photo of the Week:

Joshua…. Been with me since 1980!

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Laurel

Laurel Stone School of Real Estate

Monday Mortgage Update

2009-05-04T09:01:00.000-07:00

CindyBehmsMondayMortgageUpdate8.17

Lomira

2009-05-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

Lomira was first settled by the Indians in 1840. White settlers, mostly from New York and various European countries, followed in 1843.

In the early years, stagecoaches provided transportation to Lomira on the historic Yellowstone Road, now Highway 175. In 1871, a railroad built just east of the original village brought more growth.

When the Village of Lomira was incorporated in 1899, it covered 530 acres and had a population of 433. At this time, Lomira consisted of a hotel, brewery, cigar factory, general store, drugstore, fish hatchery, furniture factory, shoe factory, blacksmith shop, campground, and hat shop. Unfortunately, most of these businesses ceased operations during the Great Depression.

As part of Wisconsin's dairy land, Lomira's economy has always been strongly linked to agricultural industries. The area has an abundance of surface waters, numerous wildlife refuges and preserves, and excellent hunting and fishing.

Chamber of Commerce
Lomira - Then and Now

View Larger Map

What’s happening out there?

2009-05-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

I’m talking about the real estate market.

Last Friday I stopped by Century 21 Acre Realty in Appleton and the parking lot was full. When I came in the office I said “What is going on?” Answer… CLOSINGS! woohoo!

So now I’ve asked some more agents and have received general answers like “it’s hoppin”, “it’s improving”, “it’s kinda crazy”, “it’s pickin’ up some”, “ lots of first time homebuyers out there” and the best I got from an email is:

"Doing well! It is crazy out there at the moment! I have been non-stop running. 3 A/O's this week so far. I have about 30 houses to show this weekend."

So as we head into warmer weather there is optimism!

My student inquiries and student enrollment has substantially picked up from a month ago

So I’m asking you – What do YOU think?

Fond du Lac - Your Home Port

2009-04-27T07:44:00.000-07:00

Fond du Lac is a beautiful and thriving community of 43,460 located at the foot of Lake Winnebago. Fond du Lac is a wonderful place to live and work with recreational opportunities second-to-none. In addition, Fond du Lac is only one hour away from Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Madison and all that those communities have to offer.

Fond du Lac - Your Home Port

Convention and Visitors Bureau

Association of Commerce

View Larger Map

It’s Monday Morning!!!!

2009-04-27T06:41:00.000-07:00

Ask the Experts:

Home Mortgage Specialist: Cindy Behm from Flagstar:

Question: Dear Cindy, how much downpayment is required for a home loan?
Answer: Another great question - the borrower does not always get a straight answer on this question until the lender knows more about the borrowers finances and credit. There are many factors that actually go into this answer. The first factor is what loan types does the bank or mortgage broker offer. Not all lenders have the same products. There are still some products that allow for 100% financing, meaning no down payment is required, while other programs require a 20% down payment. For the average person buying a owner-occupied property, that can prove their income a 3.5% - 5% down payment is quite common. There are other factors to consider, such as: interest rate, mortgage insurance, etc. Don't be misled by the interest rate, sometimes a higher interest rate could mean a lower monthly payment. Check all the details and learn about the loan that you are getting into.

Home Staging Expert: Nan from First Impressions Staging and Design:

Question: Hi Nan! I’m thinking about putting my house up for sale. What can I do to get started before that?
Answer: Define the space. Start packing up anything you aren’t using on a day to day basis. Do this job early, so it doesn’t overwhelm you, and then get the whole family involved. Avoid storing excess gear in the garage if you can. A better option is a storage facility. Some storage companies even bring the storage to you so you can load it, they’ll store it, then deliver it to your new place when needed.

Quote of the Week:
Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some…. Robert Fulghum

Water Tower and Town of the Week:

Fond du Lac - Fond du Lac is a beautiful and thriving community of 43,460 located at the foot of Lake Winnebago. Fond du Lac is a wonderful place to live and work with recreational opportunities second-to-none. In addition, Fond du Lac is only one hour away from Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Madison and all that those communities have to offer.

Photo of the Week:

To remind you that summer isn’t to far off….

ANSWER TO LAST WEEKS QUESTION: WINNECONNE
Where are these people fishing? (Answer next week!)

Are they REALLY attaching their poles to the rail right under the sign that says not to??

Have a wonderful week everyone and don't miss the Eagle Cam in the sidebar!

Laurel Stone

Laurel Stone School of Real Estate

Sturgeon Spawning

2009-04-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

From Sturgeon Spawning

What ARE these people watching????

In the car, cameras in tow, I was going to check out what is making the headlines here in Northeast Wisconsin right now... sturgeon spawning!! I've lived here 25 years and never observed this annual event!

That was yesterday... I got as far as the gas station by my house (2 miles - I live in the country) and it started raining and even though it is very warm today... yesterday was cold! And the rain pushed me over the edge. Knowing that it wasn't a one day event, I put it off until today when the temperature passed 80 degrees.

What I discovered was like a small town picnic... kids running around.... dogs on leashes.... harley riders....people sitting at a picnic table eating lunch! It was amazing and it was a Friday afternoon! what happens on weekends!! Of course, the fact that today is supposed to be the only nice day could have had something to do with the turnout! I know it affected me! Kids would yell.. there's one! Look Mom! I clicked away with my camera and put them all in a slide show so enjoy the pictures of these prehistoric fish!

Here are some facts:

The DNR says in any given spring about 20,000 sturgeon from the Lake Winnebago system come in to spawn. That is just about half of the adult sturgeon population.

The average female sturgeon lays more than 400,000 eggs. Of that, only about eight will become fish.

Sturgeon are Wisconsin's largest and longest-lived fish. Females live longer than males; 97% of all sturgeon over 30 years old are females.

Males arrive at the spawning sites ahead of the females, cruising in groups of eight or more, often so close to the surface that their tails, backs, or snouts are out of the water.

A female sturgeon reaches sexual maturity when she is 24 to 26 years old and about 55 inches long, and will spawn once every four, five, or six years thereafter.

Lots more info here at the DNR website: http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/sturgeon/sturgeon_spawning.html

Clutter......

2009-04-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

Clutter - we talk about it in many ways... our house is cluttered: too much stuff! Our garage, our closets, etc. All of those things we talk about to home sellers. You're home will show better, sell faster, etc. with less clutter.

Clutter can also happen on our desks and in our minds! Evey few weeks I get an article from Jack Canfield and the one today really hit home. With permission, I'm printing it below and hope you'll get as much out of it as I have!

The Cycle of Completion: Making Way for Success
by Jack Canfield

Do you live in a state of mental and physical clutter? Do you have a bunch of unfinished business lurking around every corner?Incomplete projects, unfinished business, and piles of cluttered messes can weigh you down and take away from the energy you have to move forward toward your goals.

When you don't complete tasks, you can't be fully prepared to move into the present, let alone your new future.

When your brain is keeping track of all the unfinished business you still have at hand, you simply can't be effective in embracing new tasks that are in line with your vision.

Old incompletes can show up in your life in lots of different ways... like not having
clarity, procrastination, emotional energy blocks and even illness. Blocked energy is wasted, and a build up of
that energy can really leave you stymied.

Throw-out all the clutter and FEEL how much easier it is to think!

Make a list of areas in your life (both personal and professional) where you have incompletes and messes, then develop a plan to deal with them once and for all. Fix and organize the things that annoy you.

Take your final steps in bringing closure to outstanding projects.

Make that difficult phone call. Delegate time-wasting tasks that you've let build up.

Some incompletions come from simply not having adequate systems, knowledge, or expertise for handling these tasks. Other incompletions pile up because of bad work habits.

Get into completion consciousness by continually asking yourself...What does it take to actually get this task completed?

Only then can you begin to consciously take that next step of filing completed documents, mailing in the forms required, or reporting back to your boss that the project has been completed.

The truth is that 20 things completed have more power than 50 things that are half-way completed.

Finishing writing a book, for instance, that can go out and influence the world is better than 13 books you’re in the process of writing.

When you free yourself from the mental burden of incompletes and messes, you'll be AMAZED at how quickly the things you do want in life arrive.

Another area where you'll find incompletes in your life is in your emotions. Are you holding on to old hurts, resentments, and pain? Just like the physical clutter and incompletes, your energy is being drained by holding on to and reliving past pain and anger.

Remember, you'll attract whatever feelings you're experiencing. So, if you're stuck in revengeful thinking and angered in muck, you can't possibly be directing energy toward a positive future. You need to let go of the past in order to embrace the future. Letting go involves forgiveness and moving on.

By forgiving you aren't releasing the other person from their transgression as much as you're freeing yourself from their transgression. You don't have to condone their behavior, trust them, or even maintain a relationship with them. However, you DO have to free yourself from the anger, from the pain, and from the resentment once and for all!

When learning to forgive, make sure to complete the cycle.

Acknowledge your anger, your pain, and your fear. But also own up to any part you've played in allowing it to happen or continue. Make sure to express whatever it was that you wanted from that person, and then see the whole event from the other's point of view. Allow yourself to wonder what that person was going through and what kind of needs he/she was trying to fulfill at the time.

Finally, let go and move on. Every time you go through this process you're learning how to avoid letting it happen again!

I'll be back in two weeks with another edition of Success Strategies. Until then, see if you can discover ways to immediately implement what you learned from today's message.

Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul© and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com.

It’s Monday Morning!!!!

2009-04-20T08:29:00.001-07:00

Ask the Experts:

Home Mortgage Specialist: Cindy Behm from Flagstar:

Question: Dear Cindy, I went for a mortgage to buy a house and the lender said I have to pay a point. What's that?

Answer: This is a great question. 1 point is 1% of the loan amount - On a $100,000 loan, the point would equal $1,000. 2 points would be 2% of the loan amount - therefore on a $100,000 loan 2 points would equal $2,000. The point(s) are a type of fee paid to the lender. There are two different kinds of points that can be charged to the borrower - Origination Point(s) and Discount Point(s). The first type of point is an Origination Point - Origination Points are charged to recover some costs of the loan origination process. The second type of point is a Discount Point - Discount Points are used to "buy" your interest rate lower. This is know as a rate "buydown". These points typically lower the interest rate for the term of the loan unless otherwise disclosed.

Home Staging Expert: Nan from First Impressions Staging and Design:

Question: Hi Nan! I’m thinking about putting my house up for sale. What can I do to get started before that?

Answer: Define the space. Start packing up anything you aren’t using on a day to day basis. Do this job early, so it doesn’t overwhelm you, and then get the whole family involved. Avoid storing excess gear in the garage if you can. A better option is a storage facility. Some storage companies even bring the storage to you so you can load it, they’ll store it, then deliver it to your new place when needed.

Quote of the Week:

The most practical, beautiful, workable philosophy in the world won’t work - if you won’t…..Zig Zigler

Water Tower and Town of the Week:

Oshkosh on the Water. Oshkosh is a city in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, United States, located where the Fox River enters Lake Winnebago. The population was 62,916 at the 2000 census; it had a metropolitan area of 159,972 people. The city is located adjacent to and partially within the Town of Oshkosh.

Photo of the Week:

Where are these people fishing? (Answer next week!)

Are they REALLY attaching their poles to the rail right under the sign that says not to??

Have a wonderful week everyone and don't miss the Eagle Cam in the sidebar!

Laurel Stone

Laurel Stone School of Real Estate

Social Media

2009-04-15T22:54:00.000-07:00

“How do you eat an elephant – one bite at a time!” We’ve all heard that phrase about goal setting and breaking the goals down in to bite size pieces so they can be achieved one at a time. The truth of the matter is that often things in life seem overwhelming and, I don’t know about you but when I get overwhelmed, I often come to a complete stop.

To someone who is not familiar with “social media” it can seem like a daunting job to learn about it. However, here is where that breaking it down into pieces comes in. You don’t have to do it all right away. Start with something comfortable.

Join LinkedIn and see all the groups that you can join. (This is a shameless plug for my group called… drum roll…. Laurel Stone School of Real Estate) You can just watch for a bit but eventually you’ll want to get involved. If you’re in real estate in Wisconsin, the WRA has a group. The National Association of Realtors also has a group in addition to other real estate groups like Active Rain and Real Estate Total Eclipse. If you’re in Northeast Wisconsin, you might be interested in the New North Connection, Appleton Downtown Cool or Link Greater Green Bay.

Go to Facebook or Plaxo and get on board. Create your own blog… blogger is free so you can experiment and it won’t cost you anything. Join a Yahoo discussion group. START a discussion group. Just do something. Check out the videos below for some plain English explanations then take that first bite and you’ll find that it’s not so overwhelming. And…. you may find that you really like it and are connecting with people that you know!!

Foreclosure Dogs

2009-04-13T13:25:00.000-07:00

There is a new kind of dog out there. We all have heard of the mixes of 2 breeds of dogs and they call them “new” breeds….. goldendoodle, cockapoo, labradoodle… you’ve heard of them. Well, this new dog could be any of them or it could be your German shepherd, black lab, poodle, golden retriever, yorkie or pug. In fact, it could be any breed of dog or any mix. The new dog is the Foreclosure Dog. Dogs abandoned by owners who lost their home. Some were turned over to shelters but MANY were just left to fend for themselves in the locked house the people left behind. Often, real estate agents are first on the scene and discover the dog, sometimes alive, sometimes not.

Below is a list of links to this ever growing problem that if you weren’t aware of, you are now and hopefully somehow you’ll get involved in your community to help these dogs.

Dogs Abandoned in the Foreclosure Fallout

Sign of the Times - The Foreclosure Dog

LIL' BUDDY'S BLOG - UNSUNG VICTIMS OF FORECLOSURE - Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets!

Cats and dogs are hidden casualties of foreclosure crisis

Owners lose home, and pets suffer, too

Mortgage crisis bites pets ….Animals lose families as owners lose homes

Dogs & Cats: The Silent Victims of Foreclosure - Introducing Help Foreclosure Pets

Foreclosure Crisis Affects Pets Too

The foreclosure dog's letter to his person.....

"You bought a house! You finally had a yard so you decided it was time for a dog. You chose me out of all the other dogs. As a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and I made you laugh. You called me your baby and carried me closely. Despite some chewed boxer shorts and a few broken mini-blinds, I became your best friend. Whenever I was “bad,” you’d shake your finger at me and ask “How could you?” but then you’d relent, and roll me over for a bellyrub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your secret dreams. I remember running in your new, big backyard. I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, and BBQs. I took long naps in the backyard sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work to get paid for overtime. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through the bill-paying frustrations and the debt collector's calls. I never chided you about bad decisions, I never cared about your FICA score, and I never threatened to garnish your wages or repossess your car.

The letters kept coming. The phone kept ringing. Your employer froze wages and stopped giving overtime. Your new second job helped, but is wasn't enough. You stroked me kindly when they took away the car. You told me you'd buy us a new one and that everything would be OK.

Then the bank took the house."

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few months, you just answered “yes” and changed the subject. I had gone from being “your dog” to “just a dog,” and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now you will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You’ve made the right decision for your financial future and your family, but there was a time when I was your family too. There was a time when I wasn't just a backyard accessory, I was your "baby."

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said “I know you will find a good home for him.” They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with “papers.”

You had to pry your son’s fingers loose from my collar as he screamed “No, Daddy! please don’t let them take my dog!” And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a goodbye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably got in over your head. They shook their heads and asked “How could you?” They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind that this was all a bad dream…or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking, happy puppies, I retreated to a far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears. She told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.

She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. She said she never got used to this. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured “How could you?”

Perhaps because she understood me, she said “I’m so sorry.” She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn’t be ignored or abused or abandoned or have to fend for myself. A place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my “How could you?” was not directed at her. It was you, My Beloved Person, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.

What is WITH the Water Towers?

2009-04-12T09:25:00.001-07:00

As I was driving yesterday I sighted a water tower and thought…hmmmm….. wouldn’t it be interesting to take pictures of water towers in Wisconsin and link them to the area they serve!! I was driving north on Highway 41 so I saw towers in Lomira, Fond du Lac and Oshkosh from the highway that I could easily photograph (by getting off the highway, not from my van...just to clarify that! :)). Then I did research this morning and …wow… I had no idea of the variety and creativity of the designs so I put those in a slide show. THEN I found WaterTowers.com and thought I’ll just send you there!!! What a great resource that site is!

This then, is my plan. I will take pictures of water towers in Wisconsin as I come across them and post them with a link to the community. I hope you’ll do the same and email the picture to me at asklaurelblog.gmail.com. Let’s see how many communities we can get represented!

For a list of towns that have been featured in alphabetical order, scroll down on any page and you'll see it.

Here are the some of the towns that I have photos of the water towers that were not yet featured.

Greenville
Hortonville
Kaukauna
Little Chute
Shioctin

Nan’s Page

2009-04-11T11:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Nan’s page where you will find answers to questions asked about HOME STAGING.

If you’d like to submit a question please do so at asklaurelblog@gmail.com.

If you would like to discuss staging your home with Nan, you can contact her at 920-427-0414 and please CLICK HERE for a printable copy of her information.

Question: Do you have stats about staged home?
Answer: In 2008 occupied homes in our study that were previously on the market an average of 57 days as un-staged properties, had not sold. Those same homes were taken off the market and staged and re-listed. Those properties on average sold after 6 days on market after they were staged, which is 89% less time on market. Based on information gathered by RESA.

Question: Hi Nan! I have a large picture window in my living room?
Answer: When you have a large picture window to work with do not put any furniture in front of the window as it gives depth to a room. Also, whenever possible do not put the back of living room furniture facing the door. You want to create a bright open area especially near the door.

Question: Hi Nan! I’m thinking about putting my house up for sale. What can I do to get started before that?
Answer: Define the space Start packing up anything you aren’t using on a day to day basis. Do this job early, so it doesn’t overwhelm you, and then get the whole family involved. Avoid storing excess gear in the garage if you can. A better option is a storage facility. Some storage companies even bring the storage to you so you can load it, they’ll store it, then deliver it to your new place when needed.

First Impressions

2009-04-11T07:22:00.000-07:00

FirstImpressioNEW

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Brochures & Catalogs

Easters Past…..

2009-04-10T19:12:00.001-07:00

I was thinking as we’re heading into Easter weekend about years ago… I mean …YEARS ago ….when my girls were small of how we dressed! A trip to the photo albums and through the magic of a scanner and email we had what we were looking for! How CUTE are these girls!!! Candace, my oldest daughter was 17 months older than Sharon so everything was hand me downs for Sharon. Actually it was hand me downs from a neighbor for Candace! We watched that yellow coat span a few years as did the blue outfit and the long dress! Don’t you just love the purses!! What FUN!!!

Happy EASTER!!

The 3/50 Project

2009-04-10T14:16:00.000-07:00

I’m on Linkedin, joined a few groups and get regular emails from them. Today one was from Appleton Downtown Cool and John Ranes from The Frame Workshop of Appleton titled The3/50 Project – Saving the Brock and Mortars Our Nation is Built On. He described it as a business marketing program started only a couple of weeks ago. When I read about it I jumped on the bandwagon. Links to the website are on this blog and my school website. Here is a press release detailing the exciting project…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact:

Cinda Baxter, (612) 435-0423
press_inquiries@the350project.net

The 3/50 Project Goes Viral

Small business owners unite behind a simple concept, creating a nationwide wildfire
Minneapolis,

MN, April 6, 2009 — What began as an off-the-cuff blog comment may well be one of the fastest spreading promotions in small business history.

Three weeks ago, retail consultant and blogger, Cinda Baxter, tossed out a suggestion that consumers actively support three locally owned businesses, then asked that they commit $50 per month to them. “Letʼs call it the 3/50 Project,” she quipped, before hitting the send key and filing the idea away. A few days later, the idea bubbled up again, this time in the form of a free flyer business owners could download, print, then hand their customer while thanking them for patronizing their establishments.

A week after that, a 2-page website went live, “to control the amount of email I was receiving, asking what the next step was,” according to Baxter. “There really wasnʼt a lot of forward planning involved...yet.” In its first 24 hours, the mini

scule site had attracted the attention of 350 visitors, according to Google Analytics. Based on the interest, she spent two days creating a full-blown, multi-page site. One week after it went live, the number of “absolute unique visitors” hitting the350project.net had ballooned to more than 7,500. “8,600-plus if you count repeat visits,” reports the Projectʼs founder. “When Twitter and Facebook users found us, well...it was a done deal. We went viral.”

The movementʼs success is attributed to the simplicity of the message, and the form in which itʼs delivered. While most Buy Local campaigns rely on terminology about “local living economies” and “sustainable micro-economics,” The 3/50 Project answers questions consumers are likely to ask in the language they speak at the dinner table: Whatʼs it going to cost, and how will this help? This plain English approach appears to have worked, given the passion with which both business owners and consumers have embraced it. Baxter explains “Thereʼs no telling how many people out there are actively behind this. The fire began to spread early on when
business owners started emailing the flyer to everyone they knew.” Thus far, several hundred supporters have registered with the Project, but she adds “Itʼs not inconceivable that for every supporter we know about there are ten or fifteen more.”

About The 3/50 Project:

Created to build loyalty and increased revenue for independent, locally owned businesses, The 3/50 project relies on a simple message: “Pick 3. Spend 50. Save your local economy.”

*****Pick three locally owned businesses youʼd hate to see disappear, then return to them.
*****Spend $50 per month in locally owned businesses. If half the employed U.S. population did so, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.
*****For every $100 spent in locally owned businesses, $68 returns to the local community. When spent in a big box, chain, or franchise, $43 remains. Purchases made online return nothing.

Supporters have access to free materials that publicize the message, including a downloadable flyer that can be printed on any color printer, then handed to customers while thanking them for their patronage. Additional items include a window banner, a countertop sign, member badges for websites, graphics for newsletters and blogs, a movie screen panel for theaters, and window clings bearing The 3/50 Project logo, donated by The Chicago Market—one of the movementʼs most proactive fans.

The 3/50 Project can be found online at http://www.the350project.net

About Cinda Baxter:
Cinda Baxter understands retail from the inside out. Recipient of two national Retailer Excellence Awards and frequent press coverage ranging from Minnesota Monthly to Modern Bride, she now “pays it forward” to retailers and vendors through her consulting company Always Upward, as a Contributing Editor for Gifts and Decorative Accessories Magazine, and as founder of The 3/50 Project. Widely recognized as an expert in the gift and stationery industry, Cindaʼs resumé includes seats on distinguished boards: AmericasMart Atlanta, the National Stationery Show, Retailer Networks Incorporated, and the Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA), where she also served on the Board of Directors. Her most recent appointment to the Gift for Life Board of Directors is of particular note. Sheʼs been a featured speaker at numerous trade shows, including the Hong Kong Gift and Premium Show, the New York International Gift Show, the Los Angeles Gift Show, and the National Stationery Show—and at several regional marts, including Dallas, Chicago, Seattle, and Boston.

As founder of acclaimed online communities RetailSpeaks (independent gift and stationery retailers) and Brilliant Ink (professional stationers dedicated to original design), Cinda is considered a pioneer of social networking in the retail industry—a reflection of her passion to help community based business survive and thrive for years to come.

Graphics
Available by request; contact press_inquiries@the350project.net

Cindy’s Page

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Welcome to Cindy’s page where you will find answers to questions asked about real estate financing. In addition to being licensed in real estate, Cindy has an extensive background in mortagage lending.

If you’d like to submit a question please do so at asklaurelblog@gmail.com

Question: I went for a mortgage to buy a house and the lender said I have to pay a point. What's that?

Answer: This is a great question. 1 point is 1% of the loan amount - On a $100,000 loan, the point would equal $1,000. 2 points would be 2% of the loan amount - therefore on a $100,000 loan 2 points would equal $2,000. The point(s) are a type of fee paid to the lender. There are two different kinds of points that can be charged to the borrower - Origination Point(s) and Discount Point(s). The first type of point is an Origination Point - Origination Points are charged to recover some costs of the loan origination process. The second type of point is a Discount Point - Discount Points are used to "buy" your interest rate lower. This is know as a rate "buydown". These points typically lower the interest rate for the term of the loan unless otherwise disclosed.

Question: Dear Cindy, how much downpayment is required for a home loan?

Answer: Another great question - the borrower does not always get a straight answer on this question until the lender knows more about the borrowers finances and credit. There are many factors that actually go into this answer. The first factor is what loan types does the bank or mortgage broker offer. Not all lenders have the same products. There are still some products that allow for 100% financing, meaning no down payment is required, while other programs require a 20% down payment. For the average person buying a owner-occupied property, that can prove their income a 3.5% - 5% down payment is quite common. There are other factors to consider, such as: interest rate, mortgage insurance, etc. Don't be misled by the interest rate, sometimes a higher interest rate could mean a lower monthly payment. Check all the details and learn about the loan that you are getting into.

What is it about the Crocus?

2009-04-09T17:06:00.000-07:00

I saw some crocuses (or as I found out you can also call them croci) today and had to take some photos... what is it about this beautiful little flower.... a promise of spring maybe??? Enjoy!

Hmmmm.... I really need more colors so I called my neighbor... her's aren't blooming yet but will be soon and there will be LOTS of colors!

About Me

2009-04-09T16:12:00.000-07:00

So… who the heck AM I??

I’ve been asking myself that for years. Other people have been wondering for years! Just ask my kids – they’ll tell you! I know I need to write something and it needs to be something other than the blurb on my Laurel Stone School of Real Estate website that makes people think that I must be 100 years old! I mean, how many Realtors out there have been in the business since 1977? My guess is that lots of readers weren’t even BORN in 1977….. YIKES!! I remember when I was in grade school I thought I’d be really, REALLY old when the year 2000 came and, even if I was still alive, I probably wouldn’t remember it!! My, how differently we look at things as we age!

As I sit here at home writing this a dog has just dropped a slimy kong on my lap knowing that the treats that are usually inside of it really come from me. I'm surrounded by dogs right now.... have 4 and I love them all but I really want 2 which is a perfect number. Someone asked me recently after I made that comment if I was going to find homes for 2 of them... no... couldn't possibly do that. I'll just wait a few years because 2 are older and the thing about dogs is that they really don't live long enough for us. Enough about dogs... you can find out more here on their blog called Laurel and her Dogs (creative, huh? :))

I used to race sailboats and if any of you reading this know them... it was a J24 and if any of you are from Neenah, the name of it was Duck Soup. No, I didn't get the name from guys named Marx and, no, I don't cook ducks. It's a slang word - here .....copied from the internet: a slang term for something easily accomplished, equivalent to "a piece of cake" .....ok....so it wasn't "duck soup" but it WAS lots of fun! ....and I made some great friends!

More to come... gotta go fill a kong...

OK....back a day later to finish this up. I have a friend here and we think the best thing is for her to just ask questions and I'll answer them:

When's your birthday: May 13th
Where were you born? Brooklyn, New York
Where have you lived? Hanover (mostly - I was raised there) and York Pennsylvania and Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Winneconne and Winchester, Wisconsin
Other than sailing and dogs, what have you done in the past for fun? Tennis, Tae Kwon Do (a LONG time ago), Pottery, Macrame (ok...that dates me), Scrapbooking (before it was called that) and photography.
Do you have children? Yes, 2 girls, Candace and Sharon.
Do you have grandchildren? Yes, Candace and Sharon each have a son and a daughter.
Do you have sisters and brothers? Nope... a spoiled.... only child!
What is your favorite food? Hmm... it's a toss up betweena peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a grilled cheese sandwich WITH sliced tomatoes....oh... and PIZZA
What is your favorite ice cream? Peanut butter ripple hands down!
What's your favorite movie? Well the last time I went to the movies was when Home Alone came out which was awhile back but I have seen some DVDs. The Secret is most likely my favorite but in a more entertaining vein I like Forrest Gump.
We know you have dogs... what have you done with them? I compete in dog sports and have put over 40 titles and counting on 5 dogs over the last 7 years in Herding, AKC and UKC Obedience, Rally, Schutzhund, PSA (Protection Sport Association) and SDA (Service Dogs of America) Tracking. In addition, all my dogs have been therapy dogs and I've been an evaluator for Therapy Dogs, Inc. in Cheyanne WY.
Did you ever have a nickname? No.. my mother wouldn't hear of it!
What is your favorite quote? Hmm... so many.. I guess the one I say to myself often is: "It's not what happens to us, but how we react to it that counts".
Finally, tell us about your real estate career. .....NO... that's well documented at my real estate school site. No sense repeating it here! :):)

So there you have it! Thanks to my friend for asking the questions and my appreciation to anyone who actually got this far with reading this post. I would have stopped paragraphs ago!!

Continuing Education

2009-04-07T23:57:00.001-07:00

For better reading use full screen mode, zoom in or click through to Scribd.

Continuing Ed Offered by Laurel Stone 2009-10

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Brochures & Catalogs real estate wisconsi

Mission

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AskLaurel.com was created to offer the best information on a variety of topics, whether real estate related or not, to real estate agents in Wisconsin, people who may be getting into the real estate industry or people who are just interested in learning a bit about the industry.

Oshkosh on the Water

2009-04-04T07:04:00.000-07:00

Oshkosh is a city in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, United States, located where the Fox River enters Lake Winnebago. The population was 62,916 at the 2000 census; it had a metropolitan area of 159,972 people. The city is located adjacent to and partially within the Town of Oshkosh.

Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau

EAA The Spirit of Aviation

Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce

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