Lara O'Keefe's Blog

Facts About Aquamarine: Aquamarine is light blue, blue-green and dark blue. The color is determined by the amount of iron. Top quality Aquamarine is transparent. It has a hardness of 7.5. Aquamarine will fade if it is stored in the sun.  Aquamarine is often heat treated and commonly irradiated. A...

One of historic downtown McKinney's best kept secrets is Goodhues Wood Fired Grill. It has a unique, warm and cozy atmosphere and provides a fine dining experience for any occasion.  The service is always excellent, you will often run into friends and neighbors, and it has a historical charm to ...

Lucky bamboo is believed in Asian cultures to bring you success and wealth.  The very first bomb dropped by the Allies on Berlin in World War II killed the only elephant in the Berlin Zoo.  The phrase "rule of thumb" is derived from an old English law whichstated that you couldn't beat your wife...

The Fishes (February 20 to March 20) Traditional Pisces Traits: Imaginative and sensitiveCompassionate and kindSelfless and unworldlyIntuitive and sympathetic Adaptable and imaginative The Shadow... Escapist and idealisticSecretive and vagueWeak-willed and easily led Neurotic and obsessive/compul...

Because metal was scarce, the Oscars given out during World War II were made of wood. During the chariot scene in Ben Hur, a small red car can be seen in the distance and Charlton Heston is wearing a watch. Sherlock Holmes NEVER said, "Elementary, my dear Watson."  Weatherman Willard Scott was t...

The Oscars are approaching quickly and it is time to brush up on who's who! I have a secret weapon (maybe not that secret) that I am willing to share with you. It is www.IMDB.com it stands for Internet Movie Data Base. You can look up movies, TV shows, or the actors themselves. It is an online re...

On Monday, the police in Pottsboro, Texas seized 22 dogs in a car, locked in and the driver woman inside. Pottsboro is just outside Sherman and about 70 miles north of Dallas. The 22 dogs were crammed in a station wagon type of car. The owner refused to open the doors when a constable tried to s...

Being naturally curious is human nature and it is a great way to get to determine your clients' needs! If you act like Curious George and ask well intended questions, then you can better help your clients find the right home for their family and stage of life.  How will you live in your next home...

FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT As Modified in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Major Modifications Italicized February 2009 FEATURE CREDIT AS CREATED JULY 2008 APPLIES TO ALL QUALIFIED PURCHASES ON OR AFTER APRIL 9, 2008 REVISED CREDIT - EFFECTIVE FOR PURCHASES ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2...

Finally some good news for the housing industry! The economic stimulus bill passed and is awaiting President Obama's signature on Tuesday, February 17th. First-time buyers can claim a credit worth $8,000 or 10% of the home's value, whichever is less on their 2008 or 2009 taxes. The credit is refu...