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Enjoying my time in Chicago - oh by the way - it’s the gold coast, not the golf coast!  My test are over and looking forward to returning to Orlando.

At breakfast this morning in The Drake Hotel, (www.thedrakehotel.com) which is a favorite, I was reading today’s issue of  USA TODAY.  How nice to receive the daily paper to enjoy with your morning coffee.  After all the news regarding the Pennsylvania Primary and the road to Indiana and North Carolina - did I ever mention on my last trip to Chicago who I ran into, why Mr. Obama himself.  That must have been an interesting site - me at 4′8″ and he at 6′ plus feet, anyway, he did stop and speak to me.  He was wearing a brown velour running suite and baseball cap.  Anyway, back to breakfast at The Drake.  Great article, Page 11A April 24, 2008.  Did you know that the psycological reaction to losing $1000 is much greater than winning $1000?  That many people would rather just remain stationery in a bad situation rather than risking the change and decision making process it takes to get out of that situation because it may be recognizing a loss and by not doing anything there is a dream that what the have is somehow much better?  This all ties back to our housing issues we have in the US.  The article goes on to quote Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein of the University of Chicago who are authors of NUDGE: IMPROVING DECISIONS ABOUT WEALTH, HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.  I can vouch for this!  Folks love the devil they are with, and really scared about the devil they don’t know.  In housing I see it everyday.  Some folks would rather go through all their life savings, max their credit cards, spend their children’s college education funds, borrow from family members and so on before they understand that they should have lowered their price 15 mos. ago and lost the money they had hoped to make.  Time and time and time again we see this.  The article does encourage Americans to go back to the ideals of the 20th century, when the goal was to pay-off a mortgage and to make sure that investment stayed whole.  It also stressed the importance of reality - what do I need to do to sell my house NOW!  Review every offer as if it was your last and are you willing and ready to walk away from that opportunity to sell today.  Great article, read it if you can.  Now I am off for a brisk walk on Michigan Avenue - it is in the 60’s today and I am loving it!  BB

Up here to see some fabulous doctors.  It was short trip via United from Orlando to Chicago and I am lukcy to be staying at The Drake Hotel and this morning overlooking Lake Michigan and The Chicago Golf Coast!  The weather is magnificent - in the 60’s.  Nonetheless, I would not trade even this for my hometown - Orlando, FL.  Here the freezing weather will make any Chicagoan an Central Florida enthusiast from around October to March on an annual basis.  Speaking of which, what a great idea.  Spend just half of the year here and the other half of the year in Sunny Orlando!  Today there are fabulous buys available from $250 (that’s for a great 2nd home).  Contact us to see some of these wonderful properties!  Stay Well and Enjoy!  BB

Going Green Makes Sense - Here is a new chart that will show you the benefits from eating a healthy diet.  Take care of yourself, if you don’t who will!

An_Excellent_Food_Chart.doc  

I just opened my e-mail this morning and there were so many wonderful messages from friends from all over the world.  I have a dear friend in Manila that had studied with me in Neuchatel, Switzerland.  She was just checking in.

Another friend in real estate and buisness in New York.  Just checking in.  Then I have a dear old friend in Caracas, Venezuela.  She was just checking in and, of course, I have a very, very dear friend in Harker Heights, TX home of Fort Hood and our wonderful army!

 She sent me this e-mail and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did while listening and tearing up looking at my monitor!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS57j284

Then I opened this e-mail that my friend from Texas sent and for my Dad and all those that served our great nation in WWII, here is another wonderful song and I hope you pass it along to others before they go!

Before You Go

http://www.managedmusic.com/Music/PlayBeforeYouGo.php

Have a safe and wonderful Day!

Thanks, BB

What a great luncheon and meeting!  The Latino Market is one of the fastest growing group of consumers in the United States of America.  This is a group of agents and affiliates that continues to nurture that market.  I was a guest speaker commenting on marketing techniques that I have successfully used.  We also heard from the Orange County Tax Assessor’s Office and we received an easily understood explanation of the new tax portability features of the amendments that passed just this past January in Florida.  It is amazing but a seller may take his tax savings based on “Save our Homes” which caps tax increases at 3% per annum and transfer that to a new primary residence in the State of Florida.  So if you own a home with an adjusted value of $300,000 and you are paying taxes based on only $150,000, the difference of $150,000 may be applied to another home that you purchase that is greater than $300,000 plus you will receive not $25,000 in homestead exemption, but $50,000 in homestead exemption.  That is a significant savings in taxes.  Also investment properties now have a cap in increases of not more than 10% per annum.  If you want us to compute your portability savings, we will be glad to do that for you.  Just e-mail me at Barbara@TheBarbaraBradyTeam.com.  This is for residences in the Central Florida Area.  If you are outside this area, I can provide information that will assist you in figuring out this wonderful tax advantage if you are considering moving and staying within the state.  There are some variations in this amendment based on buying a less expensive home.

We will be glad to help!  Oh by the way, it is glorious in Orlando today! Bright Blue Skies, Crisp Cool Air!  Life is Good!  BB

I mentioned that the weather has been glorious here in Windermere which is situated just SW of Orlando, Florida - today it is 79 degrees F, and the flowers are blooming like crazy. Pity the folks with allergies! Bumble Bees are extremely happy, too! Here is a picture of my Yellow Tababullah Tree in my front yard! I just planted it when one of my Oak Trees suddenly died. I love the blossoms and the message they send - the seasons are changing. Landscaping is so important to add value to your home. I always think of it as a frame around a picture. The frame really accentuates the photo, doesn’t it. Need the name of a great landscaper? Let me know and I will provide you with several names! Hope you are warm and comfortable and maybe basking in the sun that we have today in Windermere. Also enjoy the sun setting over Lake Down of the Butler Chain of Lakes that I saw yesterday at 6:30 p.m. As I said, Life is Glorious here in Windermere! Barbara

Heard Richard Smith, CEO Realogy, speak and he said This Residential Economy is starting to FIRM UP! By the last quarter of ‘08, housing supplies should start correcting and the good days for buyers may become more balanced for both buyers and sellers! He said, “Buy Now!”  Wow, I can tell since our buyer calls are up, the phone just doesn’t stop ringing!  It was a cool Coldwell Banker Convention as I got to introduce our President and CEO, Jim Gillespie!  Awesome experience.

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