Third Coast Blog

I think this will be the beginning of a brand new old tradition, and a huge success!

When Saturday, May 16, 2009, 2 – 4pm Where Galveston Shoreline 33rd Street Jetty Details Islander By Choice™ (IBC) is proud to announce the resurrection of Galveston Island’s legendary Bathing Beauties Pageant May 16th at 2 p.m. Located on the historic Galveston shoreline, just east of the 33rd Street jetty, IBC will renew this “Island original” with two categories: contemporary swimwear and vintage-inspired. Attendance to the event is free. Dubbed the "Pageant of Pulchritude" by C.E. Barfield, the Galveston beauty contest began in the summer of 1920 and from then on marked the kick-off for tourist season each year. By 1928, the event (which had morphed into the "bathing girl revue") had become so popular, the Island's population was said to have tripled during the event weekend. These Island pageants are said to have been the beginning of what we know today as the Miss America Contest. IBC will renew this "Island original" with two categories: contemporary and vintage-inspired. The event is expected to last for roughly 2 hours, including the awards. Contestants must be over 18 years of age to enter, must complete a registration packet including release form, and all registrations will be completed before the event date. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winning contestant from each of the 2 categories. Islander By Choice will have exclusive rights to produce and sell the official event merchandise and apparel as well as the event and individual photos. IBC knows it’s time to dust this one off for the people of Galveston and for the Island to reclaim its rightful title as the "Playground of the Southwest.” Registration fee is $10. Link www.galvestonbeachrevue.com

I am soooo happy!  This is hands down one of my most favorite festivals EVER!  The Blue Crab eating is an event all it's own!  Buy a cardboard box top piled high with the highly seasoned, boiled Blue Crab, fresh from the Gulf, and don't forget your whacker, settle down on one of the picnic benches in front of the live music stage with your crab and a cold one and start whacking and picking!

Nothing better in the world!  Check it out, go down to Boliver this weekend and enjoy some crab and hug the necks of some of the locals still recovering from Ike.  You'll be a happier and healthier person for it!

Bolivar is back and the 24th Annual Texas Crab Festival will be held together this year with the Stingaree Music Festival at Gregory Park in Crystal Beach Be Back on Bolivar - MAY 29, 30 and 31st 2009 The 24th Annual Texas Crab Festival will be tied in with The Stingaree Music Festival this year for twice the fun!. You can enjoy some of the tastiest crab & seafood dishes on the Texas Gulf Coast or find the perfect gift among the many treasures offered by talented local artists, both professional and amateur vendors. Just pull up a patch of grass, sit back in your own lawn chair and enjoy some of the best live music in the Lone Star State! Food & Craft Booths, Crab Legs Contest, Texas Crab Fest Weiner Dog Nationals, Crab Races, Rides/Games, Volleyball and Horseshoes Tournaments, and a Kids Stage with free entertainment and fun activities for the "Little Crabbies!" We are still working on the schedule of events, but some of the artists include Sisters Morales, Jesse Dayton, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Hayes Carll, John Evans, The Magpies, The Crawdaddies, The Sanctuary Sisters, L’Angelus and more. Track Hayes Carll at Stingaree Music Festival Crystal Beach, Texas MAP to Gregory Park Crystal Beach Bolivar Peninsula Sponsorship packages will be awarded on a first come first serve basis. So, contact me quickly, Christy 409-692-9805 or Christy@swedesrealestate.com. Proceeds from this year's festival will go towards building a new baseball field at Gregory Park for the community. 2009 Sponsorship Packages Wristband Sponsorship - Sold $1,500 • Four weekend passes • Company name on all wristbands • Logo placement in all online Crab Festival advertisements ________________________________________ T-Shirts - Sold $1,500 • Four weekend passes • Company name/logo on all t-shirts • Logo placement in all online Crab Festival advertisements ________________________________________ Koozies - Sold $1,250 • Two weekend passes • Company name on all koozies • Logo placement in all online Crab Festival advertisements ________________________________________ Caps - Sold $1,250 • Two weekend passes • Company name on all caps • Logo placement in all online Crab Festival advertisements ________________________________________ Entry Gate Sponsorship $1000,000 • Two weekend passes • On-site signage at main entry gate with company name/logo • Logo placement in all online Crab Festival advertisements ________________________________________ Trash Can Sponsorship - Sold $1,000 • Two weekend passes • Company name on all trash bins • Logo placement in all online Crab Festival advertisements ________________________________________ Crab Cook-Off Sponsorship $1,000 • Two weekend passes • On-site signage at cook-off area with company name • Logo placement in all online Crab Festival advertisements ________________________________________ Schedule of Events Sponsorship - Sold $800 • Two weekend passes • Company name on all schedules • Logo placement in all online Crab Festival advertisements ________________________________________ Side Gate Sponsorship $300 • On-site signage on side fence (facing main road) with company name ________________________________________

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Comments By Jimmy @ Friday, May 01, 2009 10:53 AM Is there grass yet at the beach? Should we bring some from our house? Are there any places open yet that sells grass? Thanks. By tricia @ Tuesday, May 05, 2009 2:59 PM we have been waiting for a long time and we are looking forward to this the gang from orange By Crystle Wise @ Monday, May 11, 2009 7:02 AM You need to post the times. Thanks. By Crystle Wise @ Monday, May 11, 2009 7:09 AM I found the times. Thanks. Looking forward to being there. By Bolivar After Ike @ Wednesday, May 13, 2009 4:26 PM Comments from the following blog entry: Music and crab fest needs volunteers, located at: http://blogs.chron.com/bolivarafterike/2009/05/music_and_crab_fest_needs_volu_1.html ByHeather @ Thursday, May 14, 2009 12:14 AM I can't wait! My Dad (Bobby Anderson) wasn't sure if it was going to happen this year but we were both optimistic!! By Jessica @ Thursday, May 14, 2009 3:42 PM A baseball field is a good idea, but my friends and I were hoping proceeds would go to help families or businesses in the Boliver area that might need help due to Ike. i haven't been down since the hurricane, but I have heard the area is still bad and there hasn't been a whole lot of government assistance. There are a lot of us that want to come. We just wish it were for a better cause. By rgeeagle @ Monday, May 18, 2009 2:02 PM There is no mention of prices for admission. Please post an update on the agenda and prices. By Mike Gallaher @ Monday, May 18, 2009 2:48 PM Who do I contact to rent a booth to sell home made jewelry? By DONNA @ Wednesday, May 20, 2009 12:39 PM Who is the contact person for craft rental spaces? By Still Standing @ Sunday, May 24, 2009 10:09 PM Yes, there is grass! The area is still a little torn up but for the most part things look great. The proceeds are going to a baseball field but this is something that WILL help the community substainally. Come on out and enjoy the cold beer, live music, and the GREAT people that are still here. By Jessica @ Sunday, May 24, 2009 10:12 PM Super excited about this happening this year. Especially since the "storm" and the community will have its chance to show hell or higher water the party must go on. Can I get some pricing information? By Janet McKewen @ Tuesday, May 26, 2009 1:34 PM what time does the SANTUARY SISTERS gospal gig begin.? By Amy @ Wednesday, May 27, 2009 1:18 PM Who do I Contact about craft booth. i have handbags,wallets and flip flops. thank you By rpool @ Thursday, May 28, 2009 7:37 AM how do i enter my dog in the weiner dog races? By Roger @ Saturday, May 30, 2009 8:07 AM They need to post prices... no one seems to know them... that's rediculous for large families trying to come to not let us budget

This is reblogged from an associate on Active Rain.  Good information here.  I am going through the CDPE course now and highly recommend it to all my Realtor friends.

Jerri Schick, e-PRO Realtor and soon CDPE certified

Don't Sell the SHORT SALE Short

How to handle pre-foreclosure and short sale properties is still a mystery to many real estate agents. We certainly didn’t learn about short sales in real estate school, and when the foreclosure crisis reared its ugly head, many of us buried our own heads in the sand.

Short sales are not going away. Negative equity has overtaken the American real estate landscape. It certainly has in Orlando, Florida. What started as an isolated problem pinned on subprime mortgages has escalated into a full-scale war. And now, with the economy in turmoil and unemployment affecting more and more homeowners, the war has turned into a battle royale.

Sellers need you. And so do buyers. As a Realtor®, you may as well face the problem, roll up your sleeves, and go out there to lend a helping hand.

For those who can afford the time and money, check out these Short Sale designations that can be earned through formal in-class or online study.

• Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE)
• Certified Short-Sale Professional (CSP)

For those who can’t afford the money but can afford the time, there’s always self-education. Right here on ActiveRain, many veterans of the Short Sale Wars are happy to impart their wisdom, methods, and madness. They’ve already been through the trial-by-fire route, and the experiences they relate are extremely informative. By using their advice wisely and well, you’ll be a step ahead of your peers!

In the end, only experience gained firsthand—by listing and selling short sales—can turn inexperienced agents into full-fledged experts.

When agents represent homebuyers, they should understand the pros and cons of purchasing Short Sales and advise accordingly.

When agents represent homeowners, they should treat the Short Sale property as they would any other house for sale. They shouldn’t skimp, shortchange, or sell short either the seller or the hoped-for buyer.

1. Marketing - Market a short sale the same way you would a regular listing. That means multiple photos, a virtual tour, direct mail, and everything else. Buyers still need a reason to see your listing as opposed to the one down the street. If this means literally showing dirty laundry, do it. The price will justify the condition of the house.
2. List Price - Run a comparative market analysis and list the house at current market value. It doesn’t matter if the house is a Short Sale. It’s still a property with value. If it’s in a bad way, reflect that in the list price. If it shines as a move-in ready house, reflect that as well. Whatever you do, don’t throw a dart or deliberately try to undercut every other house in the neighborhood, not unless the condition of the house warrants it. A low price may generate interest, showings, and offers, but it doesn’t necessarily get the mortgage lender to approve the Short Sale package.
3. MLS Listing Information - Don’t skimp on inputting full information. Include ALL details and description that you would normally include for a regular listing. Sellers deserve no less for the house they call their home. Likewise, buyers deserve no less for the house they want to make their home.
4. Apply an Aggressive Short Sale Strategy to the List Price - Once the house has been listed at a price reflecting current market value, don’t let the price hang out there in limbo forever. Homeowners facing foreclosure don’t have time to wait. If the house doesn’t immediately get showings, lower the price. If the house doesn’t get an offer, keep lowering the price. There’s no reason a Short Sale house can’t be sold in a reasonable amount of time, not unless the mortgage lender rejects the offer out of hand.

Well I was all excited.  And I wrote this nice blog with links and everything.  And when I went to post it, everything disappeared.  And of course I didn't have anything saved or written down.  So now it is all gone.  And I'm having a hard time working up the same enthusiasm that generated the first masterpiece!

So this will be short and just a test.  It's me, it's got to be me.  I'm sure I pressed the wrong button or something.

Okay, here goes :-)

That time it worked!