Hello out there in BlogLand...;)
Weather generally crappy this week, but brightening Sunday for our Football Stadium Tailgate Party at Visions at the Shore...I know the change of seasons is supposed to be nice, but when it's dark at 5 pm, and you can feel the winter coming, I think how happy the people must be in San Diego, where it is 85 degrees all year.....just perfect except for the earthquake issue...;)
Thought for the Day, "The faintest pencil is better than the sharpest memory." Ben Franklin.
So true - if you don't write it down, it never happened, and you will probably forget it. Write your thoughts, ideas, plans, to-do items, and chores down on a list and cross them off as you finish them.
(FoxBuilder Confession: Since White-Out came out with the tape in the dispenser, I have become addicted to the neat, clean lines, instead of the harsh crossed off items on my lists. Neurotic to be sure, but I am comfortable with my neurosis, and they are mine after all...lol
On to matters near and dear to our hearts...the economy, and more particularly the real estate market.
I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT A FUNDAMENTALLY GOOD TIME IT IS TO BUY REAL ESTATE RIGHT NOW!!! Seems that our recent, diligent descent into communism hasn't been without it's murky benefits...believe it or not the commercial banks across the country have come to realize that if they want to keep borrowing money at the incredible rate of 1% from the Fed (incidentally, this rate is actually a negative real interest rate, since inflation is about 2% - a very odd, unsustainable situation) they're supposed to actually lend it back out to folks like you and I, and not just use it to make their balance sheets look pretty.
Perfectly simple reasoning for anyone working for a living but apparently difficult for the Big Brains to comprehend...but there have been definite signs recently that the retail credit markets are loosening up.
With interest rates as low as they have been since WWII, unemployment at 6.4% (historically near the low end of the scale - remember, folks, that means 93.6% of the people who want to be working are doing so), really low inflation (1.9% - remember the 13%, 14% 1970's anyone?), and incredibly low real asset values, Foxmoor is actively seeking property for acquisition and development, and retail homebuyers have been moving back into the market. I haven't seen values like this in a decade - as long as you keep the TV off, and don't listen to anyone telling you how the sky is falling, it is a buyer's market! Smart Buyers know that...
Anyway. in other news, Foxmoor Homes and Visions at the Shore are rolling out a No Payments until 2010! program across the entire Atlantic County area, over 5 different developments. If preliminary indications are telling, we have a real winner of a structure that helps people sell their old homes, and not worry about a mortgage payment until 2010. We're getting a great response and anticipate the first 7 available homes will be sold within the next several weeks!!
It turns out that the idea of adding $100 a month to your mortgage payment, and saving $18,000 - $20,000 over the next year, seems too much to pass up. We will see in the next few days.
Finally, we are having a Football Stadium Tailgate Party this Sunday with food, music, furnished models, and you are all invited...12:30 - 3 this Sunday in the Shoreview (Penthouse) model in the Atlantic City building. Only 3 homes left in that building - Welcome Lois Sanders!!!! First person to move into the Atlantic City Building and a great lady. Yeah!. Call 609 646 7791 for Colleen.
Stay positive - it's getting better.
Take care everyone...
Fox Builder
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Never Give In - Thank you Winston Churchill
Greetings to my fellow travelers…:)
Spike’s doing fine today if you’re wondering and he will be attending our Fall Fiesta on Sunday from 12-3 at Visions in Absecon…Spike is the fattest Chihuahua in canine history…:)
Weather was typical fall today…blustery, sunny, rainy, windy…all in the same day…hello New Jersey…70 degrees to 38 in one day…:)
Thought for the day…”Even if our efforts of attention seem for years to be producing no result, one day a light that is in exact proportion to them will flood the soul…” Simone Weil…
or “Cast your bread upon the waters, and thou shalt (eventually) have sandwiches returned to you – maybe even the good kind, with the foccocia bread, olive oil, garlic, proscuitto and sharp provolone with roasted peppers…” I may be paraphrasing slightly…:):)
These two thoughts should encourage us to keep on keeping on towards our goals and dreams…and not listen to all the reasons others think they are impossible…
I always say, “It’s not a question of if we will persevere and win…it is a question of how long it will take, and how much we will suffer.”
For a moment of serious thought, consider the speech Prime Minister Winston Churchill gave at the Harrow School in England, in the darkest days of the Second World War. The most famous segment of his speech was as follows…
“Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
So it was then, and in the most difficult days throughout history, and so it is now.
It is easy to lie down and rest when you are so close to victory…truly, and unfortunately, it is the most common occurrence.
It is so tempting to be numbed by recent events…and forget that we need a larger house for a growing family, or a smaller house to downsize, or a new home with a basement and garage.
Oddly enough, it’s easy to forget that we are still in a strong Buyer’s market, and what you are supposed to do in a Buyer’s market…..is buy!
Sounds simple right? Along the way, we are swayed and influenced by so many negative influences…we have doubts about the economy, our jobs, inflation, interest rates, who is going to be our next President….and we forget about what’s really important - to never give in and never stop working toward your dreams…
Enough of that deep stuff. You either got the message by now…or are sick of it…lol.
Anyway, we had the second week of Foxmoor Football…great for team building and spending time with great people, but really, really unpleasant physically…:) I was trying quite hard to slide my way out of it (crush of work responsibilities and all that crap) and was reminded that I started this and it wouldn’t be too cool if I only lasted a week…at the end, I was quite happy today…down to 2 pulled muscles, a sore back and a strained pinky (no wine tastings for a while…;)) from the torn hamstring, 4 muscle pulls, and assorted scrapes and bruises from last week. All this so I can get in better shape and live longer…wow…I am thinking I like the shape I’m in right now...:):)
If ever one was in need of comic relief, one could find it at 4 on Tuesdays…sometimes we even last an hour…lol…Thanks Jimmy for guilting me into going today…Thanks Colleen for not showing up (not our fault you wore a skirt to work – you should’ve planned ahead…lol)
Farewell faithful readers…all 3 of you please tune in tomorrow for more ramblings from the edge…:) Comments are appreciated…I feel like Robinson Crusoe sometimes…:)
FoxBuilder
Spike’s doing fine today if you’re wondering and he will be attending our Fall Fiesta on Sunday from 12-3 at Visions in Absecon…Spike is the fattest Chihuahua in canine history…:)
Weather was typical fall today…blustery, sunny, rainy, windy…all in the same day…hello New Jersey…70 degrees to 38 in one day…:)
Thought for the day…”Even if our efforts of attention seem for years to be producing no result, one day a light that is in exact proportion to them will flood the soul…” Simone Weil…
or “Cast your bread upon the waters, and thou shalt (eventually) have sandwiches returned to you – maybe even the good kind, with the foccocia bread, olive oil, garlic, proscuitto and sharp provolone with roasted peppers…” I may be paraphrasing slightly…:):)
These two thoughts should encourage us to keep on keeping on towards our goals and dreams…and not listen to all the reasons others think they are impossible…
I always say, “It’s not a question of if we will persevere and win…it is a question of how long it will take, and how much we will suffer.”
For a moment of serious thought, consider the speech Prime Minister Winston Churchill gave at the Harrow School in England, in the darkest days of the Second World War. The most famous segment of his speech was as follows…
“Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
So it was then, and in the most difficult days throughout history, and so it is now.
It is easy to lie down and rest when you are so close to victory…truly, and unfortunately, it is the most common occurrence.
It is so tempting to be numbed by recent events…and forget that we need a larger house for a growing family, or a smaller house to downsize, or a new home with a basement and garage.
Oddly enough, it’s easy to forget that we are still in a strong Buyer’s market, and what you are supposed to do in a Buyer’s market…..is buy!
Sounds simple right? Along the way, we are swayed and influenced by so many negative influences…we have doubts about the economy, our jobs, inflation, interest rates, who is going to be our next President….and we forget about what’s really important - to never give in and never stop working toward your dreams…
Enough of that deep stuff. You either got the message by now…or are sick of it…lol.
Anyway, we had the second week of Foxmoor Football…great for team building and spending time with great people, but really, really unpleasant physically…:) I was trying quite hard to slide my way out of it (crush of work responsibilities and all that crap) and was reminded that I started this and it wouldn’t be too cool if I only lasted a week…at the end, I was quite happy today…down to 2 pulled muscles, a sore back and a strained pinky (no wine tastings for a while…;)) from the torn hamstring, 4 muscle pulls, and assorted scrapes and bruises from last week. All this so I can get in better shape and live longer…wow…I am thinking I like the shape I’m in right now...:):)
If ever one was in need of comic relief, one could find it at 4 on Tuesdays…sometimes we even last an hour…lol…Thanks Jimmy for guilting me into going today…Thanks Colleen for not showing up (not our fault you wore a skirt to work – you should’ve planned ahead…lol)
Farewell faithful readers…all 3 of you please tune in tomorrow for more ramblings from the edge…:) Comments are appreciated…I feel like Robinson Crusoe sometimes…:)
FoxBuilder
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Is it Really Stealing?
Hello...
Thought for the day..."Our life is frittered away by detail...Simplify, simplify..." Thoreau
Isn't that the truth? Remember - no one who loves you will care how much work you got done that day, when you are gone...let's get rid of some of the stupid activities in our lives that waste time for no reason and remember to enjoy the trip...play a little, just like our kids do...;);)
Cloudy, cold, windy, and generally unpleasant today...great day to venture out of one's warm, cozy home....and look for a brand new house! Yeah!
That might be a bit subjective coming from me, but it's still true...;)
Sitting here with my killer attack Chihuaha Spike, pondering some of the deep mysteries of modern life (Spike is pondering when he will get a handout, a walk, or a nap)...and so I shall attempt to shed light on one of them... "Is it really stealing when you take scrap lumber from in front of a home under construction? "
Having been in this business for a decade and a half, I have some thoughts I would like to share with my faithful readers... (currently numbering in the low single digits...lol)
Please note - when the pieces of wood are 3'-4' long, and piled in the front of the driveway neatly in a box, you can be reasonably certain that is scrap, and not only should you take it for your craft projects, but you are saving the environment, since it doesn't have to be discarded and sit in a landfill....:)
However....14' and 16' pieces of 2"x10", engineered trusses and structural paralams are definitely not scrap and are part of the house...lololol...
I mean really folks - does anyone not know that? Having spent a number of years being robbed, I realize most people are well intentioned and won't take what they shouldn't....however, there are always a few bad apples in the bushel... ;)
It's like you leave the house to go to work in the morning, and someone removed the wheel from your car (not just the tire - the whole wheeel)...Sure, you'll get to work eventually, but it is a bit of a pain...:):) So hard building the 2nd floor without the structural support lumber...
Not feeling too inspired this morning, and am hoping for greater words of wisdom later in the day...I may venture out to look at the ocean...or I may stay in and do a press release for our Fall Fiesta next Sunday at Visions (we are having a tarot card/fortune teller lady do readings and donating the proceeds to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission)...or work on the loads of email crap I need to catch up on....
Who else hates email sometimes? Feels like the Sword of Domacles...hanging by a thread over your head...uhhhhhh
I may also do none of these things and read a book...
More later (maybe - but who would notice? Like the tree falling in the forest thing...lolol)
Anyway, get outside and go to the zoo or play with your kids....and stop sitting in front of your computer...it doesn't love you and won't miss you when you're gone...;)
FoxBuilder
Thought for the day..."Our life is frittered away by detail...Simplify, simplify..." Thoreau
Isn't that the truth? Remember - no one who loves you will care how much work you got done that day, when you are gone...let's get rid of some of the stupid activities in our lives that waste time for no reason and remember to enjoy the trip...play a little, just like our kids do...;);)
Cloudy, cold, windy, and generally unpleasant today...great day to venture out of one's warm, cozy home....and look for a brand new house! Yeah!
That might be a bit subjective coming from me, but it's still true...;)
Sitting here with my killer attack Chihuaha Spike, pondering some of the deep mysteries of modern life (Spike is pondering when he will get a handout, a walk, or a nap)...and so I shall attempt to shed light on one of them... "Is it really stealing when you take scrap lumber from in front of a home under construction? "
Having been in this business for a decade and a half, I have some thoughts I would like to share with my faithful readers... (currently numbering in the low single digits...lol)
Please note - when the pieces of wood are 3'-4' long, and piled in the front of the driveway neatly in a box, you can be reasonably certain that is scrap, and not only should you take it for your craft projects, but you are saving the environment, since it doesn't have to be discarded and sit in a landfill....:)
However....14' and 16' pieces of 2"x10", engineered trusses and structural paralams are definitely not scrap and are part of the house...lololol...
I mean really folks - does anyone not know that? Having spent a number of years being robbed, I realize most people are well intentioned and won't take what they shouldn't....however, there are always a few bad apples in the bushel... ;)
It's like you leave the house to go to work in the morning, and someone removed the wheel from your car (not just the tire - the whole wheeel)...Sure, you'll get to work eventually, but it is a bit of a pain...:):) So hard building the 2nd floor without the structural support lumber...
Not feeling too inspired this morning, and am hoping for greater words of wisdom later in the day...I may venture out to look at the ocean...or I may stay in and do a press release for our Fall Fiesta next Sunday at Visions (we are having a tarot card/fortune teller lady do readings and donating the proceeds to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission)...or work on the loads of email crap I need to catch up on....
Who else hates email sometimes? Feels like the Sword of Domacles...hanging by a thread over your head...uhhhhhh
I may also do none of these things and read a book...
More later (maybe - but who would notice? Like the tree falling in the forest thing...lolol)
Anyway, get outside and go to the zoo or play with your kids....and stop sitting in front of your computer...it doesn't love you and won't miss you when you're gone...;)
FoxBuilder
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Too Sensitive to Negativity - Part 2
Oh when I figure Blogger out I am going to be scary...lolol...tried so hard to edit my last post, but gave up and just made this one a continuation of the last...
Continuing on, there is a fine line between negative and realistic...too much "realism" (read: pessimism) can put a damper on anything...really, does anyone think Columbus' peer group thought he was rowing with all oars in the water when he left to sail off the side of the earth?
Yes - sign me up for not wanting to hear things presented badly !! Yes - Tell me good news! Think of the positive side of something first before dumping it on me! Why do otherwise anyway? How much fun is it being negative? Zero.
Optimists and Pessimists have been scientifically proven to be correct equal amounts of time (I may be exaggerating about the scientific part) but Optimists have loads more fun, seem to smile more and have better digestion...lol
Google health as it relates to happiness and find loads and loads of stuff about laughter and a positive attitude being far and away the best medicine for most anything...
Some nice avocado and tomato salad, black olives, spinach and crumbled feta with balsamic vinegar helps a lot too when you're feeling down...lolol
So let's start thinking about the bright, positive side of anything that we are about to spit out into the world...if everyone did that once a day, we might not be in the apathetic morass where we currently find ourselves economically...
Remember - it's not a problem if you can fix it with money.
Comments please. Feeling lonely out here in Blogland...
Regards,
FoxBuilder
Continuing on, there is a fine line between negative and realistic...too much "realism" (read: pessimism) can put a damper on anything...really, does anyone think Columbus' peer group thought he was rowing with all oars in the water when he left to sail off the side of the earth?
Yes - sign me up for not wanting to hear things presented badly !! Yes - Tell me good news! Think of the positive side of something first before dumping it on me! Why do otherwise anyway? How much fun is it being negative? Zero.
Optimists and Pessimists have been scientifically proven to be correct equal amounts of time (I may be exaggerating about the scientific part) but Optimists have loads more fun, seem to smile more and have better digestion...lol
Google health as it relates to happiness and find loads and loads of stuff about laughter and a positive attitude being far and away the best medicine for most anything...
Some nice avocado and tomato salad, black olives, spinach and crumbled feta with balsamic vinegar helps a lot too when you're feeling down...lolol
So let's start thinking about the bright, positive side of anything that we are about to spit out into the world...if everyone did that once a day, we might not be in the apathetic morass where we currently find ourselves economically...
Remember - it's not a problem if you can fix it with money.
Comments please. Feeling lonely out here in Blogland...
Regards,
FoxBuilder
A Slight Delay in Posting and Are We Too Sensitive to Negativity?
So it's been about a year and a half since my last post, which isn't really too bad...same decade, right?
After some conversation with several well meaning friends, I am going to take their advice and stop trying to compose War and Peace every time I blog...lolol...I've been telling people for years to lighten up and stop taking yourself so seriously, and maybe I should listen...
I am going for the short, direct, concise, humorous, sarcastic, educating...blog....right, sure...5 out of 6 isn't bad...;)
Further, all of my team members will be adding to this blog, whether they know it yet or not...there will be views from the field that are very entertaining, in a dark kind of way...kind of like watching footage of the war someplace...
Hope all my faithful readers (in the high single digits, I bet) are doing well, and surviving, in our (still) challenging market...Foxmoor is still building and selling homes all over Atlantic County, and we are really moving at Visions at the Shore in Absecon...welcome to our new homeowners Lois, Jocelyn, Billie, Ellie, Morris, Lew and Lee...!
Today we are sheetrocking our clubhouse over at Visions...it is amazing...11,800 square feet, indoor pools, fountains, really beautiful...currently we are only about $500,000 over budget and a year behind, but diamonds take time to cook, and the Sistine Chapel took Michelangelo 13 years or so...4 years on his back, so I can't really complain...we are in the home stretch now anyway...
Every time I get cranky, moody, worried or morose, they drag me outside and make me sit in front of a fountain and I calm down...;)
So are we all (me specifically) too sensitive to Negativity, or that excuse-for-an-explanation-of- negativity, Realism?
NO, NO and NO!
We can't be too sensitive to Negativity - it should be s
After some conversation with several well meaning friends, I am going to take their advice and stop trying to compose War and Peace every time I blog...lolol...I've been telling people for years to lighten up and stop taking yourself so seriously, and maybe I should listen...
I am going for the short, direct, concise, humorous, sarcastic, educating...blog....right, sure...5 out of 6 isn't bad...;)
Further, all of my team members will be adding to this blog, whether they know it yet or not...there will be views from the field that are very entertaining, in a dark kind of way...kind of like watching footage of the war someplace...
Hope all my faithful readers (in the high single digits, I bet) are doing well, and surviving, in our (still) challenging market...Foxmoor is still building and selling homes all over Atlantic County, and we are really moving at Visions at the Shore in Absecon...welcome to our new homeowners Lois, Jocelyn, Billie, Ellie, Morris, Lew and Lee...!
Today we are sheetrocking our clubhouse over at Visions...it is amazing...11,800 square feet, indoor pools, fountains, really beautiful...currently we are only about $500,000 over budget and a year behind, but diamonds take time to cook, and the Sistine Chapel took Michelangelo 13 years or so...4 years on his back, so I can't really complain...we are in the home stretch now anyway...
Every time I get cranky, moody, worried or morose, they drag me outside and make me sit in front of a fountain and I calm down...;)
So are we all (me specifically) too sensitive to Negativity, or that excuse-for-an-explanation-of- negativity, Realism?
NO, NO and NO!
We can't be too sensitive to Negativity - it should be s
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