Gary Thompson Team

We’re not just fixtures on this earth for time here is determined,
some by ourselves, some by God, and the rest – maybe by others.

What’s not however known by any is what we can discover.
For NOW to us is here to sculpt whatever we can be.

There is no such thing as “living in the past” for the past
is always gone. And the future we may never see, for it
will never come.

The Only time we have is NOW to make out what we’ll be.

So today start living in the NOW, and focus on REAL living.

…I’m grateful for the time called NOW to live here in the present
It’s up to me, I now clearly see, to determine what I’ll be.

What is forever? I’ve heard it spoken and oft’ proclaimed
that some things are Forever.

But if Forever never comes, what then really is Forever?

Is it Now?, and does Now just continue on? Or is it something yet unraveled?

And if all Time unfurls to Always, will Forever then be Now?

I think to say a thing or two about this earthly station, It must be that
progressive state where New turns into Old, and sets about to lead up to
the Now that’s called Forever.

Until I get there, I’m still uncertain of how it all will play, but
passing through this temporal zone can only lead to Forever.

So in my mind and present self, all Time I see is Now. And when it’s done
and I still exist, that then will be Forever.

Posted by Garbones at 6:45 AM 0 comments
Thursday, August 13, 2009

One of the most intriguing types of properties that I get questions on from clients, friends and family are HUD homes. “What exactly is a HUD home?” And “is it true that I can buy one of these for a huge savings?”

First, a HUD home is any property from 1 to 4 units, residential, that was insured by FHA (Federal Housing Administration) and has now been foreclosed and acquired by HUD. (The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), not a lender but a governmental Administrative agency which oversees the FHA, which insures home loans in specific areas of the country from default.

Yes that is a mouthful but in a nutshell, these are FHA insured homes that have been foreclosed upon and are now available for sale.

The answer to the second part of that question, “Can I buy one of these for a huge savings” is yes! I have personally helped clients take advantage of these types of homes and they have been able to purchase these homes at tremendously reduced prices.

How can I be sure I am getting a bargain? Is another question I get, and with the help of an experienced real estate agent who knows the process, and can offer you current market comparisons and/or broker price opinions, one can quickly determine how the value compares to the market value of the property (what it should sale for based on attributes, condition, size, age, location and current marketing times.)

When compared carefully you can then be much more confident if savings are to be had.

For more information I regularly include information on this subject in my monthly eNewsletter, you can subscribe here.

You can also subscribe to my regular tweets regarding HUDs and Bank owned properties.

In addition, you can find more links and information directly at my website GETUTAH.

To generations of Northern Utah, and Box Elder County residents, the celebration of harvest time has always been capped with the long standing tradition of “Peach Days.”

In fact the arrival of it calls people back home, many that have since left this small town area for work, school or other callings. And returning again they come, for the Parades (two of them in fact) one on Frday afternoon known as the “Children’s Parade” and then on Saturday morning a large parade with miles of floats from all over the state show up to move in persession down Main Street. (It is one of the state’s oldest continual running parades). There is also a 5K race, rides, booths, food, and performers, even a hypnotist, yes everything is almost “Big City” but with a small town charm and attitude.

One year there was even a “Fly-over” from a nearby airforce base, as F-16’s flew low in formation over the crowd all the way up the parade route and then pulled up and soared away at the end – I think that was one of the most stunning things I can recall.

With all the politics and rhetoric being thrown about these days, the government hanging by a thread, and people’s attitudes about the economy as bad as I can ever remember, it’s a nice retreat from the everyday banter to let it all go and just enjoy the celebration of another Fall season, the close of the Summer and have gratitude for the prospects of a good harvest.

If I let my mind linger on the season long enough, I can also think of football games, playing golf in the crisp air, even some fly fishing in a nearby stream, all of these things call to me, like from a previous life when I was younger and those things were a priority and a passion.

Most times now, we are in a hurry to survive we look beyond those things that remind us of who we are and where we came from – the traditions that keep a sense of community in tact and these are the very things that cause us to hope and to look for joy.

As I look forward to the events of this weekend’s “Peach Days” activities I’m going to try harder to forget about all the folley being played out on the national screen and just look for the good in local folkes and local events and find a cause for celebration, another bontiful harvest season! If you are looking for a place to call home, and feel at home maybe “Peach Days” or something like it will fit the bill.

Here’s hoping you find your place and can feel at home there! Make it a great one, remember your traditions have gratitude and look forward with hope!

Information About Peach Days: Peach Days is traditionally held the weekend after Labor Day. More information about Peach Days and Brigham City can be found at the following web sites:

http://www.bcareachamber.com/pages/peach-days-schedule/
http://GetUTAH.com

With the arrival of this morning’s cool breezes and some temporary relief offered by some cloud cover and even a few showers, Mother Nature seems to be signalling that changes may be on the way.

It only seems that Summer had just arrived because of the prolonged rain and even snow that hung on until late Spring this year, but after several weeks of hot, breath-like weather pushing into my face, and getting scorched as I got into my car, I am personally ready for cooler weather, some nice breezes and even some rain.

Fall is my favorite time of the year, in fact I would love it if by some magical power we could arrange to add another 3 to 4 months onto Fall.

Maybe I like it best because all the hassles of Summer have ended, all the youth camps, and projects and time altering activities that cut into work time and add additional expense, and cause stress to an already rough time of the year when it’s really hard for me to focus on doing my job which is selling real estate.

And after all in the Fall, there are Bear Lake raspberries, (Raspberry Days and Pickleville Playhouse), Peach Days (Brigham City), the Box Elder County Fair (Tremonton) and here comes football! – oh yeah I almost forgot about that! Then fly fishing starts to get good again, and Golf is much more enjoyable in the cool weather (except it’s harder for me to find my ball amongst the fallen leaves on the course). I can probably name at least 10 more great things about Fall!

And come to think of it, they also cost money, cut into work time and cause stress.

So, maybe it’s just me, or maybe it’s just the weather, or the fact that I don’t know if I’m winding up or winding down.

Either way I do enjoy the changes of the seasons, and am grateful for all the challenges, activities and opportunities I have while living in such a great place and at this most incredible time.

With all the negative talk going on out there it sometimes is very difficult to keep your mind and attitude focused on positive things. I’ve found a few ways to do that and thought I would share those here.

First, I make it a point to find good books, I look for good reviews by peers and by speakers as well as often go looking online to see what books are available that can reinforce or even motivate and inspire me to keep mentally alert and positive. An example of a good book I just found and devoured was “Leadership and Self Deception” by Arbinger Institute. A great read with plenty to help keep me focused on making my inner-self better able to fend off some of that bad stuff that’s out there floating around.

Second, I use positive affirmations to reinforce my goals. I know there has been a lot of making fun of this process even back to the “Saturday Night Live” bunch but in reality when I write them out everyday, I find it does help me focus more on my purpose as I go through the day.

Third, I take time at the beginning and at the end or each day to enjoy some quiet meditation time. I first tried this when it was suggested in the book “Seven Spiritual laws of Success” by Deepak Chopra. First it was hard to get through the uncomfortable silence, but I soon came to enjoy it and I now look forward to this time.

And finally fourth, a great retreat for the mind is a regular exercise routine. Ya I know there is a lot to be said about that, and I’m certainly not the definitive word, but when my body is feeling the affects of a vigorous workout, my mind is clear and free from other entanglements.

By keeping alert and mentally active, by making time for both quiet and exercise,  I can deal more effectively with all the clutter out there. Give it a try! All you have to loose may only be stress.