You Really Need to Read the Following

I spoke with Juan R and had a wonderful conversation.   He told me a little about his background and got choked up during our phone conversation.   His children had no presents last Christmas. He expressed how grateful he was with whatever they were going to receive this year.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to participate in the program. You always get so much more back than you give. It makes me feel very thankful for everything that my family has and I am so happy to share. I hope that you have a great Thanksgiving!

Tami Harsanyi

Please be sure to check below to see what families are still in need of gifts this year.  I do want to remind everyone that these families are all across the country.  The Juan’s family is located in New York.

Thank you Tami and everyone else who has adopted a family.

Once again Santa and I are teaming up with Our Military Kids in an attempt to bring some extra holiday cheer to children of our injured service members and their families.  We’ve compiled a Christmas Gift Wish List for these SUPERHEROES.  I’m hoping everyone will check out this list and consider purchasing one item, serving as Santa for an individual child or even sponsoring an entire family.  The latter is a great option for a company or office to consider.

The list below will be posted until Christmas and will be updated over the next few weeks.  Please give me a call or drop  an e-mail to: Santa@bobnelsonteam.com and let us know how you would like to brighten a family’s Christmas day.  Once you have done so, we will give you the contact info for the family to allow you to send your gift(s) directly to them.  I would also encourage you to click on the link above and visit the Our Military Kids website to learn more about this wonderful grassroots organization.

Hite Family:

(Adopted by the Wesbrook Family)

Davonate Hite (10):

Zipfy Mini Luge SKU ID #268227

Techno Gears Marble Mania Extreme 2.0 SKU ID #265211

Discovery Deluxe Touch Screen ATM Machine SKU ID #862

Jensen Family

(Adopted by Mary Burnette)

Halle (14)

A necklace

Tiani Family:

(Adopted by Shiner Roofing and Siding)

Olivia (13):

gift cards to various mall stores

Zeppie (11):

Wii games, Rip Stick G

Phoenix (9):

Zhu Zhu Pets and anything NASCAR

Rocco (6):

Cars Wii Game, remote control car

Joiebelle (5):

Strawberry Shortcake Doll, Pink scooter

Dax (newborn):

any clothes size 3 months and up

Vaughns Family

(Adopted through donations to the Bob Nelson Team)

Jordan (6):

Vtech MobiGo Touch Learning System

MobiGoCarrying  Case

MobiGoSoftware Games:  Toy Story 3, Disney Cars,

NASCAR,

Shrek, Mr. Men/Little Miss

John (10):

Nintendo DSI (black)

Dejah Miles (15):

Women’s UGG Australia Classic Short Boots,

Size 10, Color:  Black

Ellis Family

Jesse (16):

Nano Touch I-Pod – Gold

(Purchased through donations to the Bob Nelson Team)

Juliann (13):

New clothes/Gift card to Target, Pac Sun or Forever 21

Joshua (12):

(Adopted by Louis and Chris Wise)

Nano Touch I-Pod – Gray or Silver

Brown Family

(Adopted by Debbie and Robert Copito)

Dylan (8):

New Bright 1:14 Scale Mud Slinger – Hummer Sand

Stormer #075445  (*These are Toys R Us #’s)

Exclusive San Diego Comic Con 2010 Halo:  Reach 5 inch

Action Figure – Noble 7 #509096

True Heroes Helicopter Playset :786686

Mega Bloks Halo Wars Magnetic Warriors:  Silver UNSC Flame Marine (29679) #675418

Halo:  Reach Series 1 6 inch Action Figure – Jorge #819021

Halo Wars Collection 4.5 inch Action Figure – Sgt. Forge #592841

Madylan (2):

Disney Princess Super Play House Tent #073126

Disney Princess-edition Disney’s The Little Mermaid Sing Along Boom Box #517523

Yo Gabba Gabba Toodee Cuddle Pillow #434678

Disney Princess Shopping Cart #650555

Yo Gabba Gabba Toddler Blanket #434686

Yo Gabba Gabba Boom Box Theater #035020

Hill Family

(Adopted by the Nelson Family)

Makale (14):

Itunes card

Call of Duty Black Ops for Xbox 360

Xbox 360 controller

Dreyson (7):

Lego Kingdom King’s castle (7946)

Lego Kingdom’s Prison tower rescue (7947)

Moriarty Family

(Adopted by Shiner Roofing and Siding)

all items from Toys R Us Big Christmas Book

Kaleigh (11):

Bop it Bounce Game – 6 slammin ball bouncing games

Teacup Piggies Fashion Runway

Lalaloopsy Blue Hair Doll

Digital camera

Madison (5):

Leapfrog Leapster 2 (pink)

Leapster Toystory 3 Game

Lalaloopsy Purple Hair doll

Barbie Pampered Pups Salon

First Act Discovery 30″ Acoustic Guitar (pink/purple)

Emerson (3):

Leapfrog Leapster 2 (green)

Fisher Price Grow with Me Cook & Care Kitchen (pink)

Cozy Coupe Shopping Cart (pink)

You and Me, My Kitty and Me Doll

Little Mommy Sweet As Me Doll

Rivera Family

(Adopted by Sonya Dervenis – Lavender Hill Interiors, Jack Legler- Legenter LLC; and Tami Harsanyi – State Farm Insurance, and Diane Hoyer – Women Helping Women with Finance)

Justin (16), Oseas (9), John (7):

Disney Movies, Tickets to the AMC Movie Theatres, Clothes from Old Navy; or whatever the donor would like to give to these boys

Schwartz Family

(Adopted by Jill Grossman – LSA Title)

Morgan (18); Allissa (17); Kaylie (12); Jeffrey (9); Isaiah (7); Lindsey (5):

Gift cards for clothing/gift for each child to Target, Walmart or Meijer.

Kuinileti Sele Family

(Adopted by Elizabeth Gaffney)

Peter (9):

Sony PSP G Handheld Game; black or blue

Serafina (7):

Sony Limited Hannah Montana PSP Entertainment Pack (used on Ebay $130.98); pink or purple

Kleopatra (4):

KidKraft 65156 Designer Dollhouse Doll Toy; multicolor is fine

Chism Family

(Adopted by Rick and Amy Buchanan)

Gavin (9):

Lightsaber Room Light

Death Star Planetarium

Lego Star Wars AT-AT Walker

Perez Family

(Adopted by Tim Heil – Keller Williams)

Yaniliz (6)

Barbie A Fashion Fairytale Horse and Carriage

Leapfrog:  Leapster Explorer with Tinker Bell and Sponge Bob Learning games (these gifts are in the Toys R Us Christmas Book)

Cummings Family

(Adopted by The Collingswood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center)

Gabrielle (10):

Ipod Nano with Multi Touch (pink or purple)

Maximus (9):

Ipod nano with Multi Touch (blue or boyish color)

Broesch Family

Bella (7):

Zhu Zhu Pets Hamsters Wild Bunch (set of 4)

Barbie Horse Adventure:  Riding Camp for Nintendo

Wii Uno Attack Game

Easy-Bake Oven and Snack Center with Classic Light Bulb Oven (mint green)

(Purchased by Jenni Blessman – Keller Williams)

Magic Tree House Books

Taylor (15):

Gift card to a clothing store such as Macy’s, Vanity or Maurices

(Purchased by Alison Sherman – Keller Williams)

Gift card for gas

Solia 1″ Flat Iron

(Purchased by the Bob Nelson Team)

Garcia Family

(Adopted by the Borland Family)

Rebecca (10):

Bed Bath & Beyond – Vanity Set (black)

Rachel (7):

Nintendo DSI (pink)

Jordyn (6):

Toys R Us – KidKraft Deluxe Wooden Easel Espresso (Item #819509)

Jenna (2 1/2):

Toys R Us – Just Like Home Parkview Modern Wood Kitchen (Item #230906)

May Family

(Adopted by Michael Vandergrift – Washington First Bank)

Chelsea (10)

Digital camera, Sony Cibershot Pink, Model #W310 (pink); available at Best Buy

Fasnacht Family

(Adopted by the Brugel Family)

Blake (3):

Toy Story 3 Blu Ray Combo Pack

Mater’s Tall Tales Blu Ray Combo Pack

Cars Piston Cup 500 Track

Cars Toon Monster Truck Wrastlin’ Playset

Summers Family

Amber (11):

Beginner snowboard, length 140-145 cm

Devan (10):

Beginner snowboard, length 132-137 cm

Tristen (8):

Beginner snowboard, length 135-140 cm

Plybon Family

(Adopted by Gene and Laura Smith)

Liam (13)

Fishing stuff from Cabelas

Three forks Fly Rod and Reel Combo with Fly Line, length: 7’6″, reel model 456, 3 pieces, line weight 3, rod model 763-3, handle 3

Halo video game Noble Map

Byrd Family

(Adopted through Donations to the Bob Nelson Team)

Nailah (14):

ITouch

Nia (13):

Kindle

Treacher Family

(Adopted by Laura DeSimone
DeSimone Health and Fitness LLC)

Nina (10):

Littlest Pet Shop Rescue Tails Center

Guesstures Charades Game

Zhu Zhu Pets:  Wild Bunch with Nutters hamster for Nintendo DS

Lego Harry Potter Hagrid’s Hut

Grant (6):

Paper Jamz Guitar

Paper Jamz Drumz

Creepy Crawlers Bug Maker & Refill

King Zhu with Tull Hamster for Nintendo DS

Lego Creator 3-in-1 Crocodile

Loopz Game

Mitchell Family

(Adopted through donations to the Bob Nelson Team)

Zac (18):

a Craftsman tool box, the one that stands up with a bottom box and top box

Jerret (8):

Nintendo DSiXL (blue or black)

Serenity (6):

A nice, portable DVD player, one that the screen flips and folds down; (Sony has one)

Miranda Family

(Adopted by the Hoernig Family)

Anthony 17:

Armani aqua di Gio

Gift Card to Express $75

I Touch 8 gigs

Angelina 15:

Ipod Touch

Baby Alive Bouncin Bubbles

Baby Alive Changing time baby

Baby Alive Baby all Gone

Cool pix camera with touch screen if possible

Footlocker gift Card $100

Joseph 13

Game Stop Gift Card $25

Safe to lock my stuff up in (cause my brothers steal my pepsi)

Remote for my xbox 360 wireless if possible

Headset for my xbox 360

Ricci 12

I pod Touch

Drum set

Lego City passenger plane

Lego City Police Headquarters

Mostly I want the I pod Touch

Cheri 10

Animal Planet Radio Control Black Spider

Baby Alive changing time baby

Phineas and Ferb alarm clock

Star Wars radio control Millenium Falcon

(All in the Toys R us catolog)

Thank you, Santa Tell Ms. Claus Howdy from Cheri!!

Gasca Family

(Adopted by Mark and Carolyn Stys)

Matthew (4)

Blue Vtech V Reader Reading System with the V Reader Toy Story

Leap Frog Reading System Tag with the tag book Sponge Bob

Lowery Family

(Adopted by the Hanscom Family)

Cameron (5):

Fisher Price Smart Cycle/Extreme Physical Learning Arcade System with game

Clothes:  Shirts Size 7; pants size 6 or 7 with adjustable waist

Damian (16):

Games for X-Box 360 or Gift Card for X-Box Live

Clothes:  Shirt Size medium (men); pants – skinny jeans; skating clothes

This Month’s Military Appreciation Mondays will be supporting the group Yellow Ribbon Fund. As always, the dinner will be held at the Old Brogue in Great Falls, Va. There will be two seatings at 5:30 and 7:30. I will have additional details in the next several days. Also, please watch for info on this years Christmas Gift Wish list which provides for a little extra “Christmas Cheer” for our nation’s SUPERHEROES, the son’s and daughters of our injured veterans.

A Recent Connections Newspaper Article

The local Great Falls Connections newspaper contained an article about Military Appreciation Mondays which they entitled “Paying Tribute” The writer Alex McVeigh really seemed to capture the essence of what we have been trying to do with the monthly dinners.  I was really worried about how well it would come out since he interviewed me in the middle of the dinner.  This while I was hold my granddaughter Reagan who insisted on being with her POP.  Please be sure to mark your calendars for this month’s dinner in support of the Yellow Ribbon Fund.

This month’s Military Appreciation Monday’s dinner will be supporting the Yellow Ribbon Fund.  This is our second time raising money to help out this great grassroots organization.  Please be sure to click on the above link to learn about what they are doing to support our nation’s bravest men and women.  They do us proud.  As always, the dinner will be at the Old Brogue in Great Falls with seatings at 5:30 and 7:30.  Be sure to call from reservations since we have had overflow capacity at several of the dinners.  Last month we had a 110 percent match.  Please let me know if you would like to sign as a co-sponsor (10 percent match) of the dinner tab.

Current cosponsors are:

Baran Family

Nelson Family

Norman Family

Carillon Capital

The Old Brogue

Julius Fleishman

Grossman Family

Gary Kaihara, DDS

Chris Melnick – LSA Title Services

Taylor Allgyer – First Savings Mortgage

James Gaudiosi – Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Five Reasons You Should Sell Your House TODAY!

Selling your house in today’s market can be extremely difficult.  It is for that reason that every seller should take advantage of each and every opportunity that appears.  Each fall, such an opportunity presents itself.  This fall, that opportunity may be just too good to pass up.

Below are five reasons you should consider pricing your house to sell in the next 90 days.  Meet with your real estate agent and mortgage professional today and see whether it is the right move for you and your family.

1. Entering this time of year, the buyers are more serious.

We all realize that buyers are not quick to pull the trigger on the purchase of a home today.  There is no sense of urgency with the supply of eligible properties at all time highs.  However, at this time of year, the ‘lookers’ are at the stores doing their holiday shopping.  The home buyers left in the market are serious and are more apt to make a purchasing decision.  Less showings – but to more motivated purchasers.

2. If you are moving up, you can save thousands.

The Chicago Tribune stated in an article last week that sellers who want to ‘trade up’ should act now:

It could be a bigger house, different neighborhood or a better school district, but it comes with a higher price tag. Do the math; this might be the right time.

A home that was once worth $300,000 may now be worth $240,000 in a market where prices have fallen 20 percent.  Wow, you think, the seller is taking a bath.  But that seller may also be a prospective buyer who wants a house that once was valued at $400,000. With an equivalent market drop and a realistic listing price, that house may now sell for $320,000.  So, in effect, the person is losing $60,000 on the sale of one home but coming out ahead $20,000 on the purchase of another.

Keep in mind the spread may be even greater.  There’s a smaller pool of potential buyers for more expensive homes, so sellers may be more willing to cut their price to get a deal done.

3. Interest rates just fell again – to 4.19%.

Professor Karl E. Case, the founder of the Case Shiller Pricing Index in an article in the New York Times last month actually did the math for us:

Four years ago, the monthly payment on a $300,000 house with 20 percent down and a mortgage rate of about 6.6 percent was $1,533. Today that $300,000 house would sell for $213,000 and a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with 20 percent down would carry a rate of about 4.2 percent and a monthly payment of $833 … housing has perhaps never been a better bargain.

4. You beat the rush of inventory that is coming next year.

Every year there is an increase of inventory which comes to market from January through April as homeowners put their houses up for sale in preparation for the spring market. As an example, here is the number of listings available for sale in each of those months in 2010.

-  January – 3,277,000

-  February – 3,531,000

-  March – 3,626,000

-  April – 4,029,000

You won’t have to worry about this increasing competition if you sell now.

5. You have less ‘discounted’ inventory with which to compete.

This year, sellers of non-distressed properties have been given an early holiday present. With banks declaring a suspension on the sale of many distressed properties (foreclosures), there has been a large supply of discounted properties removed from competition.  No one knows how long this self imposed moratorium will last.  However, while it does, every homeowner has a better chance of selling their property.

Bottom Line

If you are looking to sell in the near future, there may not be a more opportune time than this fall. Serious buyers, great move-up deals and less competition from foreclosures creates the perfect selling situation. Don’t miss it!