Bob's Bit's

Fw: DIVERSITY WITH REAL ESTATE

2011-10-30T05:27:00.001-07:00

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 5:18 PM

Subject: DIVERSITY WITH REAL ESTATE

I have long been interested in diversity in our real estate industry. I started getting indoctrinated into this facet when I was on a committee for fair housing over 30 years ago at the Phoenix Association. I found that clients present issues for agents that may require special training for an agent to have a better understanding of all issues on diversity. Tina Robbins was the very excellent chairperson at that time at PAR. Many years later around 2008, I attended a class taught by Tina and as always, it was an "eye-opener".

It was about 10 years ago that I obtained the "At Home With Diversity" designation from NAR in a 6 hour, in person class, which I later renewed 2 years later online. This was the most amazing class I ever attended and it makes a real believer out of attendees.

I recommend it for everyone and you will definitely become a much more versatile and accomplished REALTOR.

I have asked for stories from foreign born agents that they would allow me to publish. I am interested in how they got here and why they chose real estate as a profession. The discussions were very revealing and interesting which some of them shared with me.

Here is a really nice story about Claudia Morgado from Chile, now working in our Mesa office. She wrote it and I edited it very slightly.

I urge you to get to know all of our people on a personal basis, whether foreign or not. Last Friday I was talking to 2 ladies at the same time--1 from the Philippines and another from Sri Lanka. We have much representation from around the world at West USA and welcome all those who would join us.

If you have a story to share, please put it into writing for me and in fact, I will help you with it. Call me or email me bob@westusa.com

or 602-942-4200

Claudia's story is attached and is just 1 page but very enlightening!

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY

Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO

Managing Broker

West USA Realty

Fw: BEN STEINS FINAL COLUMN

2011-07-23T09:00:00.001-07:00

This was sent to me by Sally Barney-Gooby of the Scottsdale office.

A former school teacher and she always has something worthwhile! Thanks Sally!

----- Original Message -----

From: Bob Stephens

To: AAAABOB STEPHENS

Sent: Saturday, July 09, 2011 7:24 AM

Subject: BEN STEINS FINAL COLUMN

Ben Stein's final column --

For many years Ben Stein has written a biweekly column called
''Monday Night At Morton's.'' (Morton's is a famous chain of Steakhouses known to be frequented by movie stars and famous people from around the globe.) Now, Ben is terminating the column to move on to other things in his life. Reading his final column is worth a few minutes of your time.

Ben Stein's Last Column...

How Can Someone Who Lives in Insane Luxury Be a Star in Today's World?

As I begin to write this, I 'slug' it, as we writers say, which means I put a heading on top of the document to identify it. This heading is 'eonline FINAL,' and it gives me a shiver to write it. I have been doing this column for so long that I cannot even recall when I started. I loved writing this column so much for so long I came to believe it would never end.

It worked well for a long time, but gradually, my changing as a person and the world's change have overtaken it. On a small scale, Morton's, while better than ever, no longer attracts as many stars as it used to. It still brings in the rich people in droves and definitely some stars. I saw Samuel L. Jackson there a few days ago, and we had a nice visit, and right before that, I saw and had a splendid talk with Warren Beatty in an elevator, in which we agreed that Splendor in the Grass was a super movie. But Morton's is not the star galaxy it once was, though it probably will be again.

Beyond that, a bigger change has happened..? I no longer think Hollywood stars are terribly important. They are uniformly pleasant, friendly people, and they treat me better than I deserve to be treated. But a man or woman who makes a huge wage for memorizing lines and reciting them in front of a camera is no longer my idea of a shining star we should all look up to.

How can a man or woman who makes an eight-figure wage and lives in insane luxury really be a star in today's world, if by a 'star' we mean someone bright and powerful and attractive as a role model? Real stars are not riding around in the backs of limousines or in Porsches or getting trained in yoga or Pilates and eating only raw fruit while they have Vietnamese girls do their nails.

They can be interesting, nice people, but they are not heroes to me any longer. A real star is the soldier of the 4th Infantry Division who poked his head into a hole on a farm near Tikrit , Iraq . He could have been met by a bomb or a hail of AK-47 bullets. Instead, he faced an abject Saddam Hussein and the gratitude of all of the decent people of the world.

A real star is the U.S. soldier who was sent to disarm a bomb next to a road north of Baghdad . He approached it, and the bomb went off and killed him.

A real star, the kind who haunts my memory night and day, is the U.S. soldier in Baghdad who saw a little girl playing with a piece of unexploded ordnance on a street near where he was guarding a station. He pushed her aside and threw himself on it just as it exploded. He left a family desolate in California and a little girl alive in Baghdad ..

The stars who deserve media attention are not the ones who have lavish weddings on TV but the ones who patrol the streets of Mosul even after two of their buddies were murdered and their bodies battered and stripped for the sin of trying to protect Iraqis from terrorists.

We put couples with incomes of $100 million a year on the covers of our magazines. The noncoms and officers who barely scrape by on military pay but stand on guard in Afghanistan and Iraq and on ships and in submarines and near the Arctic Circle are anonymous as they live and die.

I am no longer comfortable being a part of the system that has such poor values, and I do not want to perpetuate those values by pretending that who is eating at Morton's is a big subject.

There are plenty of other stars in the American firmament...the policemen and women who go off on patrol in South Central and have no idea if they will return alive; the orderlies and paramedics who bring in people who have been in terrible accidents and prepare them for surgery; the teachers and nurses who throw their whole spirits into caring for autistic children; the kind men and women who work in hospices and in cancer wards.

Think of each and every fireman who was running up the stairs at the World Trade Center as the towers began to collapse. Now you have my idea of a real hero.

I came to realize that life lived to help others is the only one that matters. This is my highest and best use as a human. I can put it another way. Years ago, I realized I could never be as great an actor as Olivier or as good a comic as Steve Martin or Martin Mull or Fred Willard--or as good an economist as Samuelson or Friedman or as good a writer as Fitzgerald. Or even remotely close to any of them.

But, I could be a devoted father to my son, husband to my wife and, above all, a good son to the parents who had done so much for me. This came to be my main task in life. I did it moderately well with my son, pretty well with my wife and well indeed with my parents (with my sister's help). I cared for and paid attention to them in their declining years. I stayed with my father as he got sick, went into extremis and then into a coma and then entered immortality with my sister and me reading him the Psalms.

This was the only point at which my life touched the lives of the soldiers in Iraq or the firefighters in New York ... I came to realize that life lived to help others is the only one that matters and that it is my duty, in return for the lavish life God has devolved upon me, to help others He has placed in my path. This is my highest and best use as a human.

Faith is not believing that God can. It is knowing that God will.

By Ben Stein

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY

Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO

Managing Broker

West USA Realty

New Campaign Jul 8, 2011 at 9:26 AM This is a test for Bob Stephens new e-mail to everyone at West USA Realty

2011-07-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

Untitled document

Attachments:

[ wusa_clr_jpg.jpg(148K) http://app.expressemailmarketing.com/CampaignAttachmentDownload.aspx?sid=207199742&caid=1095736 ]

This email was sent by Begin the Rest is Easy, 44177 W Canyon Creek Dr, Maricopa, Az 85139, using Express Email Marketing. You were added to this list as info22311.realtypower@blogger.com on 7/8/2011.

Express Email Marketing supports permission-based email marketing. You can change your preferences (http://app.expressemailmarketing.com/survey.aspx?id=108609&sid=207199742&campaignId=805843&SFID=108366) or unsubscribe (http://app.expressemailmarketing.com/unsubscribe.aspx?id=108609&sid=207199742&campaignId=805843) from this mailing list at any time.

MARICOPA LOCKSMITH

2010-01-04T05:42:00.000-08:00

Here's a guy named John that I found in Maricopa that changes locks and cuts keys etc.

Did a great job for me at a very reasonable rate.

Called him and he was at my house in 30 minutes and he took my credit card for payment.

I know that many of the agents have listings in Maricopa and may need a locksmith for REO's and of course, on a short sale, it is always a good idea to re-key for a buyer.

When you open the attachment, just reduce the size of the picture to 125 % for a clear view and then print.

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

Fw: "The WUSA Family" Performance by the Metro Office ladies

2009-11-07T06:57:00.000-08:00

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

----- Original Message -----

From: Bob Stephens

To: AAAABob Stephens

Cc: Doug Hodges

Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 7:39 AM

Subject: Fw: "The WUSA Family" Performance by the Metro Office ladies

Good morning---I am on vacation right now BUT still working for you!

This came from Doug Hodges and you can see what he does by his signature lines. A really nice fellow and he used to be an agent at WUSA Metro. He could do some nice stuff for you, if needed--just call him.

In any event, here is the last day at Metro and the skit that 10 of the agents put on for us.

THANK YOU LADIES, IT WAS WONDERFUL!

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

----- Original Message -----

From: One Stop Tours & Imaging

To: rstephens@onmbb.com

Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 6:02 PM

Subject: "The WUSA Family" Performance by the Metro Office ladies

As promised here is a link to the youtube video of the farewell performance at the Metro Office final meeting.

I think you'll get a kick out of it, please feel free to forward it on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD67SLz4mPo

Doug Hodges

One Stop Tours & Imaging

"Specializing in residential virtual

tours, professional listing flyers

& 1-On-1 Computer help."

Office: (623) 322-9824

Cell: (602) 741-9535

Fax: (623) 218-9008

Email: dhodges@onestoptours.com

Website: www.OneStopTours.com or www.TechnologyForRealEstate.net

"I work by referral so if you know of anyone who can use my services please tell them about me. Thanks!"

Fw: a picture for you

2009-09-01T07:56:00.000-07:00

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

----- Original Message -----

From: Bob Stephens

To: AAAABob Stephens

Sent: Tuesday, September 01, 2009 7:23 AM

Subject: Fw: a picture for you

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

----- Original Message -----

From: Bob Stephens

To: AAAABob Stephens

Sent: Tuesday, September 01, 2009 7:17 AM

Subject: a picture for you

9-11 is upon us! I have been sent many emails suggesting that everybody fly their flag before and during this sad event in history.

This is a picture of my house and as you can see I fly mine every day. I even flew it when the HOA told me to take it down and about that time the Az. legislature made it OK to fly in HOA's in a bill sponsored by Barbara Leff.

So, in any event, fly your flag every day and be proud of it.

I am also sending you an account of a gift from Russia after 9-11 that is very interesting.

You have been sent 1 picture.

100_1978.JPG

These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google.
Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/

Fw: ALS INFO WAS VERY INTERESTING TO TINA

2009-08-06T05:20:00.000-07:00

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

----- Original Message -----

From: Bob Stephens

To: AAAABob Stephens

Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 6:01 PM

Subject: ALS INFO WAS VERY INTERESTING TO TINA

Here's a great comment from Tina Beecroft regarding the communique from Leo Hernandez

WOW Bob! My dad died a few years age of ALS and he was a vet! He got it when he was 56. I have never heard of this connection before. . . .We were just discussing this last night, wondering if the ALS was genetic or not. I told the kids that no one in our family tree had ever had it before! I find this info VERY interesting, thank you Bob!

Tina Beecroft

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

Fw: Subscriber Complaints Spur ARMLS Message

2009-08-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

----- Original Message -----

From: Bob Stephens

To: AAAABob Stephens

Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 6:39 PM

Subject: Fw: Subscriber Complaints Spur ARMLS Message

STOP--Don'tDoDat!

Read the following that Jon sent to me!

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

----- Original Message -----

From: JON KICHEN

To: AAA Bob Stephens

Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 2:04 PM

Subject: FW: Subscriber Complaints Spur ARMLS Message

Bob,

As we discussed, this really needs to go out to the agentswe see and hear about this practice every day.

Jon Kichen

Vice President, Associate Broker

West USA Realty

602-942-4200

602-863-4602 (e-fax)

-----Original Message-----
From: communication@ARMLS.com [mailto:communication@ARMLS.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 9:53 AM
To: Jon A Kichen
Subject: Subscriber Complaints Spur ARMLS Message

Don't Share the Lockbox Code with Your Buyer

ARMLS is receiving numerous reports of agents using non-electronic lockboxes on their listings (sometimes called mechanical boxes or contractor boxes) and publishing the combination code in the REALTOR® Remarks of the listing. The practice of publishing the code in the REALTOR® Remarks is not a violation of ARMLS Rules and Regulations. The problem arises when a buyer's representative gives that combination to a potential buyer to look at a house on their own. Such practices create huge potential liability for the listing broker, the selling broker and the buyer's agent. Sellers look to REALTORS® as protectors of their property. Such unaccompanied visits by buyers could result in property damage, theft, or bodily injury. Do you want to be responsible for causing a seller such a loss?

ARMLS Rule 13.4 states, in part, that Subscribers may use a lockbox to enter a property only with the consent of the listing agent, subject to the listing's showing instructions. A listing agent may give the combination to a contractor to access the property for bids on repairs or the actual repairs.

Violations of the lockbox rules can result in a fine of up to $2,000 for a first offense, up to $15,000 for multiple offenses and suspension from the MLS from 30 days up to one year.

Letting a buyer go to a listed property without an agent is an open invitation for mischief. Don't risk your career or jeopardize your financial future. NEVER give out the combination to a lockbox to a buyer or vendor.

To unsubscribe, send a BLANK email to:
leave-8304353-96818794.652bad15ca5f19127d6580cfa702bbdb@mk1.netatlantic.com

You are currently subscribed to all-subscribers as: jkichen@westusa.com
Add communication@ARMLS.com to your email address book to ensure delivery
Forward to a Friend | Manage Subscription | Subscribe | Unsubscribe

Fw: CARDINALS TICKETS FOR SALE

2009-08-02T16:05:00.000-07:00

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

----- Original Message -----

From: Bob Stephens

To: AAAABob Stephens

Sent: Sunday, August 02, 2009 4:01 PM

Subject: CARDINALS TICKETS FOR SALE

CARDINALS TICKETS

I have 2 extra tickets for sale!

Entire season of 10 games--starts on Sat. Aug. 22 with San Diego at Cardinals.

The Cardinal Schedule is attached.

The seats are in Section 123 in row 41, seats 3 & 4, which is the handicap section. No, you do not have to be handicapped!

Plenty of room to stretch out--no one is behind you and you can see over the person in row 40 even when they stand up, you can stay seated and enjoy the game. There is an iron rail around you and the food is right behind you. This is on the main floor of the entry to the stadium---no stairs up or down!

This also includes a parking pass in the gray lot right up close to the building!

Price for the season is $2000.

Call Bernadette-480-251-5353

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

WUSA--TOP 24 OF 50

2009-07-27T06:29:00.000-07:00

In case you missed it, here are the Business Journal's top 50 agents in the valley and 24 of them are WUSA agents.

Nice work, ladies and gentlemen!

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

20 years at West USA Realty

2009-07-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

Fw: 20 YEARS AT WUSA
BEGIN--THE REST IS EASYBob Stephens CRB e-PROManaging BrokerWest USA Realty
----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Stephens To: AAAABob StephensSent: Monday, July 20, 2009 6:25 AMSubject: 20 YEARS AT WUSA
WHEN I COMPLETE THE DAY ON JULY 23, 2009 I WILL HAVE SERVED 20 YEARS WORKING at WEST USA REALTY for CLAY FOUTS, THE BEST BOSS I HAVE EVER HAD WHOM I ALSO CONSIDER TO BE A FRIEND.
HOW DID I GET HERE? AN AGENT THAT I KNEW, WORKED FOR WEST USA AND CAJOLED ME INTO COMING OVER AND TALKING TO CLAY.
Some more of the story is in the attachment!
BEGIN--THE REST IS EASYBob Stephens CRB e-PROManaging BrokerWest USA Realty

Fw: ARMLS PRESENTATIONS AT OUR OFFICE MEETINGS

2009-06-30T07:19:00.001-07:00

Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

From: "Bob Stephens"
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:17:26 -0700
To: AAAABob Stephens<rstephens@onmbb.com>
Subject: Fw: ARMLS PRESENTATIONS AT OUR OFFICE MEETINGS

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

----- Original Message -----

From: Bob Stephens

To: AAAABob Stephens

Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2009 11:10 AM

Subject: ARMLS PRESENTATIONS AT OUR OFFICE MEETINGS

Here is the ARMLS calendar for us in July, 2009

Below is what I have added to my calendar-doing all your offices in July. Let me know if the dates work for you. Also, 30 to 40 minutes for me is perfect. Thanks-Chris

Thursday July 9^th 9:00am Metro address is 11022 N. 28^th Dr., Phoenix. Just off I-17 and west on Peoria to 28^th Dr. and then north.

Friday July 10^th Mesa Friday meetings are at AMERICAN TITLE—2266 S. Dobson Rd. (same location as the WUSA office.

Starts at 9 AM

Wednesday July 15^th Scottsdale (Kierland) meetings are on Wednesdays at the D. R. HORTON offices 16430 N. Scottsdale Rd. in Scottsdale, just south of Frank Lloyd Wright. Starts at 9 AM! 2^nd floor—follow the signs.

Thursday July 16^th 10:am Arrowhead is 16150 N. Fountain Center Drive in Peoria—Bell Rd. just east of 83^rd Ave. (East of Loop 101) This one is kinda' hard to find but it is south of Bell Rd. and IN about 2 blocks on Fountain Center Dr.

Tuesday July 28^th Ahwatukee meetings are on Tuesdays at the office at 4505 E. Chandler Blvd. # 200 Starts at 9 AM!

Christine DeWald

Industry Relations Liaison

Arizona Regional MLS, Inc.

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

Fw: Maricopa seeing signs of new beginning

2009-06-28T14:41:00.000-07:00

Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

From: "Bob Stephens"
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:31:54 -0700
To: AAAABob Stephens<rstephens@onmbb.com>
Subject: Fw: Maricopa seeing signs of new beginning

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

----- Original Message -----

From: Bob Stephens

To: AAAABob Stephens

Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2009 11:15 AM

Subject: Fw: Maricopa seeing signs of new beginning

Here is first page news from the Az. Republic for those that did not see it. Good article!

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

----- Original Message -----

From: bob@westusa.com

To: rstephens@onmbb.com

Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2009 6:44 AM

Subject: Maricopa seeing signs of new beginning

You have received a link to azcentral.com content from bob@westusa.com.

To access the content, click the link below or copy and paste the full address into your Web browser:

Maricopa seeing signs of new beginning

http://www.azcentral.com/php-bin/clicktrack/email.php/8816188

Fw: Sam Wercinski UPDATE

2009-04-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

From: "Bob Stephens"
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:28:01 -0700
To: AAAABob Stephens<rstephens@onmbb.com>
Subject: Fw: Sam Wercinski UPDATE

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

----- Original Message -----

From: Bob Stephens

To: AAAABob Stephens

Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 6:34 AM

Subject: Sam Wercinski UPDATE

Good morning!

I received a call on Monday from Sam Wercinski, Arizona's former Real Estate
Commissioner. In my 36+ years of being licensed by the ADRE of Az., Sam
Wercinski was, by far, the best commissioner EVER.

I was glad that he called and he gave me an update on what he is now doing.
The highest priority on his list is running for Secretary of State of Az. in
2010. Based on his fantastic record as our commissioner, I am supporting him
because he has shown that he sets goals and accomplishes them by getting
people together and building consensus for real results. We benefited from
his leadership and I know the entire state would too.

For years, one of my pet projects was a 4 year license renewal. Just three
months after becoming commissioner, Sam made it happen, thereby saving the
state a lot of money and reducing unnecessary regulation on our industry. I
will let you in on Sam's ADRE Successful Agent Mentoring program that is on
hold right now but hopefully is in line to become a rule in the future, but
that will be in a different email to you later.

Now I don't know what your politics are, but Sam has shown he works for
everyone. I urge you to support Sam. If you make a contribution, the
on-line deal works the easiest. Just click on this link:

<http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/22097> Supporter of SAM

AND, I have attached his bio for your review. You may forward this, if you
wish so that all Realtors receive this info.

Thanks for your consideration of Sam as Secretary of State.

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

FW: BOBS CONTRACT CLAUSES

2009-04-10T17:56:00.001-07:00

Several people have asked me for a copy of Bob's Contract Clauses and here is where you can find it. Go to my web site and here's the link. www.realtypower.us

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

FW: Phoenix Firm helps renters avoid homes in foreclosure

2009-04-09T12:08:00.001-07:00

Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 5:56 AM

Subject: Phoenix Firm helps renters avoid homes in foreclosure

You have received a link to the following content from bob@westusa.com:
(The email address of the sender has not been verified.)

To access the content, click on the headline below or copy and paste the full address into your Web browser:

Phoenix Firm helps renters avoid homes in foreclosure

http://www.azcentral.com/php-bin/clicktrack/email.php/8694806

FW: CULTURE PASS AT YOUR PARTICIPATING LIBRARY

2009-04-09T11:46:00.001-07:00

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

----- Original Message -----

From: Bob Stephens

To: AAAABob Stephens

Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 5:53 AM

Subject: CULTURE PASS AT YOUR PARTICIPATING LIBRARY

Good morning---Samantha sent me this great link that tells you how to receive FREE admission for 4 to many events such as the Az. Science Center, Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo, just to name a few.

Add this to your newsletter and your web-site. This is good until April 1, 2010.

Samantha? She is from the Arrowhead office and always has something good for me to distribute. Thanks, Samantha Goodman!

http://www.showup.com/culturepass

BEGIN--THE REST IS EASY
Bob Stephens CRB e-PRO
Managing Broker
West USA Realty

:end