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Wandering minds want to know…


Today, I’m going to answer the single question I get asked when people find out I work with EXIT Realty. How did you come up with the name of “EXIT Realty”? First of all, I have to admit that I didn’t come up with the name. All of the genius behind this name belongs to Steve Morris, founder and CEO of EXIT Realty.

What’s in a name you say? Well, let’s just ask Judas Iscariot or Jezebel. You don’t see many parents choosing these names do you? A name can produce an array of emotions – both good and bad. So, what does the word “EXIT” bring to mind ~ safe passage! And you see it everywhere! Along highways, EXIT 32, Airport next EXIT, McDonald’s even puts our name on their signs ~ McDonald’s next EXIT. All these signs give you peace of mind in helping you arrive at your destination.

Just think about it for a minute. Flight attendants point out EXITs before you ever begin flight. You can’t go into a commercial building without seeing an EXIT sign. Even our competitors are required by law to have our name posted in their building! Statisticians can’t even tell us how many EXIT signs there are in the country; however, we estimate there are over 1 Trillion EXIT signs in North America.

Now that you are beginning to see the big picture and the immeasurable value in our name, try NOT to notice the EXIT signs!

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**HOME OWNERSHIP MATTERS**

from {here}

While reading through the latest issue of REALTOR Magazine, I stumbled on an intriguing article entitled "Home Ownership & The American Dream". It seems that Americans are finding it less important to actually own their home, they do not see the value. However, when polled 96% of respondents felt that owning a home was a better financial decision than renting. This year, NAR (The National Association of REALTORS) has launched a campaign to remind Americans of the value in home ownership, and it's direct relation to the values and principles our country was built on. The best part of the article to me was a quote from Martha Stewart. She began by quoting Samuel Johnson, and then added her thoughts. :

"To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition. Our families and our homes are the center of American life. And everything we do is to make those homes--and the lives in them--more beautiful, more comfortable, more functional, and more full of life and light and joy for those we love. At the end of the day, that is the American Dream. All the rest is window dressing."

Thank you, Martha, for your beautiful words! THAT makes sense. 

The entire article can be found {here}.

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Cute, Cozy Home in Valdosta, GA

It's a breath of fresh air when you enter this lovely home in Valdosta, Ga. Located just off of I-75 in a Lowndes County neighborhood, it's quaintness makes it perfect.

Don't you just love the traditional feel with the classic, inviting red front door saying "Welcome, Come on in."?!

Beautifully designed and custom built, this home is more than you'd expect! It's all about style and class. Check out the great room with hardwood floors that flows nicely into the kitchen and breakfast area.

The kitchen is nice with lots of windows to let the light shine in, and cabinets for storage space.

This 3 bedroom, 2 bath jewel is waiting for you! Upgraded and already fenced, don't wait too long!

Take a look at this great back porch and well kept back yard!

Priced at only $129,000, she's ready to see what you'll experience in this beautiful home!

Click here to see a Narrated e-Tour!

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Ok, I'm not crazy. I promise to come at you live and in person ASAP. Technical difficulties are preventing progress now, but soon, it'll be my face on your screen! :)

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It's Gonna Be Me!

Ok, I've been taking a little hiatus, not to neglect but to revamp and refocus! It's been a month now, since my last post and I've done a lot of things in the last month. I've been to Dallas, I've listened to numerous speakers, I've hired a coach, I've prepared and nearly finished 2011's Business Plan, I've prayed, I've cried, I've been to Atlanta, I've investigated, I've been to Tallahassee, I've talked, I've listened, I've calculated. I've done a lot of thinking in the last month. Thinking about business, thinking about life, thinking about myself, thinking about people, thinking about what is truly important to me. And, I don't mean asking the question "What is important to me" just once, but SEVEN times and about the previous thought. Joe Stumpf taught me to do this. It's about getting to the root of who I really am and what I really want out of this gift I've been given, this responsibility I've been blessed with: LIFE.

As a part of this time of self-analysis, I've learned, and ultimately decided, that real estate is more about you and I than contracts and checks. Real estate is about developing relationships that matter, and helping people achieve their dreams and overcome their struggles. I'm committed now, in this blog, in my day-to-day interactions, in my emails, in my phone conversations, in my walk, in my speech and in every facet of my life to do my best to develop myself while touching people's lives. I, therefore, am committed to giving you a truer, rawer sense of Morgan Plyler. I am determined to be Morgan Plyler: Your Friend in the Real Estate Business.

I am so committed, in fact, that most of my posts from now on (fingers crossed) will be LIVE, IN PERSON! Yes, that's right live video of yours truly! :)

I'm so thankful for what I've been blessed with. I'm so thankful for my career. I am so thankful for the opportunities I have been fortunate enough to take advantage of!

So, looking forward, I warn you and, yes, borrowing a line from an old school NSync tune: It's Gonna Be Me!

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Monthly Market Report: September 2010

It's that time again! I've got the numbers for September, and I'm ready to...report.

In September 2010, Lowndes County saw just over at 18% decrease in combined dollar amount of units sold compared to that of August 2010. However, when compared to September 2009, the area saw about a 1% decrease of the same. In September 2010, only ONE unit less was sold in Lowndes County when compared to September 2009.

While we did see a decrease in number, 1% ain't too shabby. (if you'll allow my Southern expression) We expect a bit of decrease when we move to the cooler months. Folks get busy with homework, football games, PTO, and LIFE, and just find themselves a little too busy to worry about purchasing their next home. A large decrease between August and September is pretty regular and expected. The "Summer Selling Season" has officially ended, and the itch seems to subside for many people.

In Lowndes County last month, agents listed 5% more homes this year than last, but again, it's nothing to get your feathers ruffled over.

Now is the time to invest in real estate, now is the time to buy! House payments are cheaper than rent, and they make you money in the long run!

...Oh, and FYI: Lowest interest rate I've seen came to me this week:

                                    2.375%!

 Yes, that's right. Seriously, it's almost free!

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EXIT Realty Hits the World Stage in Istanbul

Company CEO on hand to address gathering at International Business Awards
Mississauga, ON – Steve Morris, CEO and Founder of EXIT Realty Corp. International joined a distinguished group of honorees in Istanbul, Turkey last week as the best in global business were recognized at the 7th Annual International Business Awards.

Nicknamed the Stevie® for the Greek word “crowned,” EXIT Realty earned a Distinguished Honoree medal in the category of “Most Innovative Company of the Year in North America”. The International Business Awards are the only global, all-encompassing business awards program honoring great performances in business.

 

Honorees were selected from more than 1,700 entries received from organizations and individuals in more than 40 countries. The Board of Judges and Advisors included Donald Trump, Chairman, President & CEO of the Trump Organization and Anthony Robbins, Chairman & CEO of the Anthony Robbins Companies.

“I had the special privilege of introducing single-level residuals to the real estate industry in North America in 1996,” Morris told the gathering. “Based on today’s economic pressures, it has proven to be a godsend to many REALTORS®. This award is a wonderful honor that wouldn’t have been possible without the help of three individuals here with me tonight; Tami Bonnell, President of our US Organization, Erika Gileo, Senior Vice President of Operations and my wife, Cathy Morris.”

About EXIT Realty: Founded in Canada in 1996, and taking the U.S. by storm starting in 1999, EXIT Realty sold over half of the regional rights by population in under 365 days, was named as one of the Top 10 Trendsetters of 2007 by the Swanepoel Trends report, and Steve Morris was named one of REALTOR® Magazine’s 25 Most Influential Thought Leaders. A portion of every transaction fee collected by EXIT International is applied to its charitable fund and to-date, $1.68 Million has been pledged to Habitat for Humanity in both Canada and the U.S. Please visit http://www.exitrealty.com/ for more information.

About The Stevie Awards: Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about The Stevie Awards at http://www.stevieawards.com/.


This article was taken from http://www.realestateindustryleaders.com/public/item/260760.

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The First Step in Buying a Home

Are you or someone you know thinking of buying a home?? Well, let's get right down to it and make sure you know what comes FIRST when looking into the process.

(here)

After the preliminary personal finances are worked out and you have come to the conclusion that this is the best decision for you, then comes the important part!

Before looking at homes, before deciding on a Realtor, before walking up and peering in someone's window...Go talk to a Mortgage Lender! This is so important to get done very early on in the process of purchasing a home. Many Realtors require that you have a Pre-Approval Letter available for them before they begin showing you property. While this may seem a bit annoying, think of it from our perspective. We could spend days, weeks, or months showing you properties all over creation, and then come to find out something is not quite right with your credit and you can't purchase a home for 6 months!! That is a lot of wasted time for the agent, for you as the buyer looking at homes that probably won't be available in 6 months, and for the sellers who had to get their home ready and get out so that you could view it.

When you sit down with the mortgage lender, they will be able to tell you how much of a home you can afford. They'll be able to break down monthly payments for you based on different price levels to make sure you feel comfortable with the price range that you are in. You may be able to afford a $250,000 home, but wouldn't want to spend that much on a monthly payment. So, it's best to lay it out and get a few details before looking at homes that you really would rather not purchase.

Once you have had the appropriate discussions with the lender, get a copy of the Pre-Approval Letter and find the Realtor that you would like to work with! Then, it's time to find the home of your dreams!

Just remember, First Things First: Talk to at least one Mortgage Lender BEFORE looking at homes! It makes the process easier for everyone involved and ensures you a much better experience!

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