INVESTMENT CORNER    Steve Trosclair BBA Accounting MBA Finance Licensed Realtor® since 1987    Add a Nest Egg To Your Portfolio                                                    $150,000 LOAN AMOUNT 30 year fixed rate mortgage                              YEAR                                     1981                1989                2009             Interest Rate                             18%                  9%                   7%                         Monthly Payment                                  Principal & Interest                   $2,260             $1,260             $997   Looking at our national financial history and analyzing the current economic data, most financial experts agree that inflation is projected in the next few years.   Inflation plays directly into... 06/02/2009

Arguing with a fool proves there are two. Doris M. Smith Be courteous to all, but intimate with few;and let those be well-tried before you give them your confidence. George Washington Look to be treated by others as you have treated others.Publius Syrus Success in life, in anything, depends upon the number of personsthat one can make himself agreeable to.Thomas Carlyle Never part without loving words to think of during your absence. It may be that you will not meet again in this life.Jean Paul Richter http://agentrecruit.com http://kwtyler.com 06/01/2009

    The year was 1992 and a group of ultra liberal Senators and Congressman Lead by the pompous Barney Frank decided everyone deserved a home.  So that very year they mandated that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac begin to loan money for housing to less qualified borrowers with higher debt to income ratios than ever before. Add to this both Fannie and Freddie agreed to take lower down payments from these less qualified borrowers. Lawrence B. Lindsey who was a member of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve stated in 1992 that "The regulatory issues in the 1990s will not be limited to safety and soundness, but will increasingly emphasize fairness: whether or not banks are fulfilling the needs of their communities."  Sounded like a quota system to those of us looking in from the outside... 06/01/2009

If you love birds the Tyler Texas zoo has some very colorfull pairs. Red is one of my favorites. I watched these 2 birds for about 20 minutes and they entertained me well. Wild life that is outdoors always brings me a calmness. As I have said before take a child or a loved one to a zoo near you and have some real fun!   http://agentrecruit.com http://kwtyler.com 05/28/2009

This big felow, was just looking around. We had a great day at the zoo. I really love seeing animals in open space. One of the most rewarding days I have had in a while. If you get a chance, take a child or a loved one to the zoo or a museum. You will be amazed at the joy you geat from it.     http://agentrecruit.com http://kwtyler.com   05/26/2009

My new Best friend. The Tyler ZOO has some wonderfull animals and this big lion is just one example. I sat for hours watching this majestic animal just nap and enjoy a great day in the low 80 degree range. If your ever in East Texas stop by and see the animals. Hope you enjoy the picture.                         Visit us at: http://agentrecruit.com http://kwtyler.com 05/26/2009

One thing a lot of business owners forget about is customer service. Today I would like to share with everyone something that happened to me several years ago when I lived in Fort Worth, Texas. Today I only carry Samsonite luggage and it all stems from the service I got from a young woman in the Denver service center. You see for years I carried a gray fold out type garment bag all over the world. I could literally pack everything I needed in that bag and a briefcase and take off. Well after 8 years or so it finally just came apart at the zippers and had to be replaced. Well I found a really great looking black one just like it with all the new upgrades. I was ready to hit the road again. On my second trip with the new bag it came apart at one of the zippers. I was disappointed to say t... 05/20/2009

Just up the road from my home is a field with two horses in it.  From a distance, each looks like every other horse.  But if you stop your car or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing.   Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind.  His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.  This alone is amazing.  If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell.  Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.   Attached to her halter is a small bell.  It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.  As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowl... 05/19/2009

This coming Saturday, May, 16, 2009 at noon, Mayor Barbara Bass and the City of Tyler will host the ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of the extension of the South Tyler Hike and Bike Trail. This is an extension of Rose Rudman Trail and is directly behind Premier Fitness at Rieck Road and Donnybrook.  Tyler, Texas.  The ceremony will be followed by a walk along a portion of the new trail as well as an activity for children 12 and under.    The Tyler area is continues to experience growth. 05/15/2009

Harry Truman, from Missouri, was a different kind of President.  He probably made as many important decisions regarding our nation's history as any of the other 42 Presidents.  However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House.   Historians have written the only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Independence Missouri.  On top of that, his wife inherited the house from her Mother. When he retired from office in 1952, his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year.  Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an 'allowance' and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.   After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove... 05/14/2009

Well, Tyler Texas is now home. Denise and I love it here. The area is beautiful and we love the people. The office is beginning to hum and I love the associates that we have. I really count this move as a great blessing. I have gotten to the age, where I love to help others grow and obtain their dreams. Keller Williams in Tyler affords me the opportunity to really do just that.   Thanks to all that made it possible.   Terry   05/11/2009

"It's always darkest right before it goes completely black."                                                                            ~Terry Miller       Have you ever wondered how some people even survive with the attitude they poses? You know the type. They're the one that if they won the lottery, they would complain about the taxes. I will give you some advice about people like that. Run, I mean run away from them as fast and as far as you can. Negative people thrive on the destruction of other people. Your business life depends on you being ready and positive at all times not down and depressed. Never wish anyone ill will when it comes to life or business. It is simply a waste of your time and energy and no one is worth that amount of attention from you. I have found in life and b... 05/11/2009

Given the state of the country, I have to say one thing loudly. BUY!!!! Some of the greatest fortunes have been built in times of chaos and crisis. The greatest leaders this world has seen, have come when the world was in total chaos. If you are serious about your future, now is the best time to think and grow big. Look back the companies that came out of the great depression. Strength is built in times of adversity. If you wait for the change, it will pass you and you will be playing catch up. Plan today for your future, then go out and achieve it. I don't need a bailout, I just need good old American know how and elbow grease. I am ready, come join me. See you at the top! 05/11/2009

During last month's Trustee sale at the courthouse, I gained a new listing but for me nothing comes easy.  The property is an estate and the family members that are living in the home decided not to pay the mortgage.  Now I am tasked with getting them out, ASAP!  Naturally, I offered Cash for Keys.  Cash for Keys allows the homeowners or tenants (in this case) to move out (leaving property "broom swept") and received up to $1500 after turning over the keys.  This saves face for the homeowners and allows them to have money for a deposit on a new place or to pay for moving expenses. The tenants haven't acknowledged my attempts to contact them and apparently don't need the money to move on so the next step is the eviction process.  During the eviction process, the constable will accompany ... 05/04/2009

It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, "Always do what you are afraid to do."Ralph Waldo Emerson Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash.George S. Patton If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes.St. Clement of Alexandra We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.Ralph Waldo Emerson 05/04/2009

We have all heard about the Seven Wonders of the World. Can you name them? Today there are so many things that the discussion gets wide open very quick. I have way more than seven and they cross over from ancient to modern and even man made. I will give you my top seven and then move on to what I consider the seven wonders of the business world. The Great Pyramids in Egypt. The Great Wall of China. The Grand Canyon The Internet The Dead Sea The Rain Forest The Northern Lights I know I left out some of your favorites, but I did say I had a lot more than seven but these are my top seven. In business I also believe that there are seven wonders of successful business people. Yes there are more but if you key on just these seven you will be great in everything you do in business and in life.... 04/27/2009

"The difference between good and great can barely be measured. But, it most definitely can be seen!"                                                             ~ Terry Miller     A winners pledge! Let us all aspire to be great in our chosen markets. Let the competition and the customers see what a winner is. No more licking our wounds and whining, just good positive business plans. I will be better prepared and educated than my competition every day. I will be here for you and you will be there for me. Together we are invincible. Join me on the road to the top!     Terry Miller  http://yournowwhat.com 04/27/2009

"If it's not fun, I'm not going to do it"                                                                               ~Terry Miller  I am assuming that if your reading this you are in the real estate business and it's because that's what you chose to do. If I could give you one piece of advice it would be to figure out what your passion in life is and figure out how to succeed financially at it. I absolutely love having a real estate business and think motivating and training new Realtors is some of the most fun anyone can have. I feel rewarded everyday that I can help someone improve their business. A Golf pro once told me to put my golf clubs in the closet at home for one month. I ask "why would I do that"? He simply said "if you don't miss them, then quit the game". You see I wasn'... 04/27/2009

When is the last time you got your hands dirty? I mean literally dirty? I had an occasion to witness something and carry the experience with me to this day. I did a transaction with an agent one time that had a buyer that loved rose bushes. Her closing gift was 3 very nice rose bushes. After closing when most agents are running to the bank to get the cash, this agent went to the couples new home and took out a pair of cotton gloves and a small hand spade as well as a bag of miracle grow potting soil. And guess what? Yes, you knew it, she helped the customer plant those rose bushes around their new home. I was there because I was picking up my sign and lock box and witnessed the entire thing first hand.  To say I was impressed would be a great understatement. I learned something about cu... 04/14/2009

    One thing that you as a business person should always focus on is other services or products that you can offer your customers. You see there are front end types of products that get you started or "introduced" to your customer. Well, "NOW WHAT?" Of course you will email them and talk to them but are there other services or products you could provide them with that you could profit on? This is called backend sales and can be more profitable than the first or "front end" sale in some cases. For example, on more than one occasion we have sold homes to executives that were coming into our market to take over a business and expand or grow it. During the home buying process it was learned that they would be looking for commercial space in the area for expansion. In every case they had co... 04/14/2009