With subprime products going by the way side at a rapid rate it will be paramount to make sure your buyer’s are getting pre-qualified or pre-approved by a lender that you can trust. Know that their knowledge of our changing market is in step with the times.

KGTV-TV in San Diego looked at concerns that a growing number of people are becoming addicted to technology like emails, cell phones and PDAs. There are now programs and professionals dedicated to helping people better manager this aspect of their lives.

How bad is the addiction? A growing number of people admit they’ve sacrified relationships and jobs because of obessions with chatting on their cell phones or computers. The station reported that some major hotel chains are now offering programs where they offer to lock up their guests’ cell phones and gadgets so they can be disconnected from the electronic world and relax during their stay. Psychologists and counselors are hosting retreats where people spend a day or a weekend without access to technology. Experts say technology addiction is as real as any other, and in the end the only cure or treatment involves self-constraint.

Watch the story - click here >> “Are You Hooked On High-Tech?” KGTV-TV, March 28, 2007

A few agents have asked me for an easy way to resize their digital photographs after taking pictures of a listing. Most of the time you would use software to do this… but what if you don’t have any photo editing software? No problem. This is your solution.

Resize.it is an online resize website utility developed for digital camera owners, webmasters, people travelling, or anybody who quickly wants to resize a digital image for email or publishing on a web site. No need to open a photo editor to do this!

If you want to see what I’m talking about, click >> here!

There are two types of Internet users, those that use RSS and those that don’t. This video is for the people who could save time using RSS, but don’t know where to start.

Have you heard the terms “RSS,” “Feed” or even “Reader” but you’re confused about what it means? In simple terms, you can use a free place on the internet called a “reader” to automically gather news and information from websites you like to visit on a regular basis. It saves you the hassle of typing in the web addresses each time and hitting ‘enter.’

I found a pretty easy-to-understand video explanation of what you need to get up and running with a reader. To watch the short explanation video, click here >> http://www.blip.tv/file/205570/

The Modesto Police Department is joining with Modesto City Schools and several other local organizations for a gang awareness presentation on May 3, 2007 from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. The presentation will be at Hanshaw Middle School located at 1725 Las Vegas Street in Modesto.

Former gang member Richard Santana, aka “Senor Chocolate,” will be speaking about his life experiences and the changes that occurred to help him succeed as a Harvard University graduate and a youth educator. There will also be presentations from Modesto Police Officers and local youth leaders.

Attendees can also expect performances by the Fairview School Ballet Folklorico, the Modesto High School No Limit Step Team and the Salida Middle School Drummers. Several community based organizations will be providing information on available community resources during the event.   Click “read more” button >>
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The annual Realtor Softball Tournament will be held at Rainbow Fields (corner of Claus and Claribel - Modesto) on Friday, June 1st. This is a fundraiser, benefiting the Children’s Crisis Center and raffle tickets are on sale - lots of great prizes. Raffle tickets can be purchased from Jeannie MacDonald ext 1218, Heidi Johnson at ext 1317 or Ben Allustiarte at ext 6226.

If you have any interest in playing, please contact Ben Balsbaugh at ext 4602 or email ben@pmz.com, there is room for everyone!  Don’t miss this great event!

This is so cool awesome! I stumbled across a web site hosted by the world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology that allows you to take their courses - for FREE! That’s right, their actual college courses that don’t cost a cent. It’s called OpenCourseWare and it’s a large-scale, Web-based electronic publishing initiative. Here’s the goal of the website:

• Provide free, searchable access to over 1,550 courses published MIT’s course materials for educators, students, and self-learners around the world.

There’s video and audio lectures, course notes and slides and multi-media presentations on dozens of subjects including Economics, History, Political Science, Aeronautics, Literature, Womens Studies and a whole lot more. They are continually publishing new materials from virtually all of MIT’s undergraduate and graduate courses. So if you’re a self-starter and want to learn on your own, this is a great resource for you.

Check it out >> click here.

SuTree allows you to find video lessons from all over the web in one spot. You can search through the various categories to find the lesson you’re interested in. Lessons include anything from how to draw Lisa Simpson to tips on how to find an book a hotel in Chinese. Instead of going to one of the other video lesson kinds of sites to find what you’re looking to learn, try SuTree, because there’s a much greater chance they’ll have what you’re looking for, since they aggregate videos from multiple sites, giving you more options and variety. While you’re perusing the site, check out the random lessons that appear on the right side of each page for a lesson on something you’d never think to check out… www.SUTree.com

Tyler & Ryan Blood/Marrow Drive
Saturday, April 28th
12 noon to 6 pm
Brenden Theatres - 1021 10th Street, Modesto

This is an urgent call for help by two of our Ripon agents Patti Gallegos and Lori Souza.  This is what Patti wrote in her e-mail, “Our two little cousins who live in Southern California have a rare life threatening disease that will require them to have bone marrow transplants. There is a bone marrow drive being held in Modesto this month. Attached is a flyer with the information. Could you possibly post this to get the word out for those who may want to be tested and possibly help save the lives of these two little boys. Thanks so much!”

To find out more details >> bonemarrowdrive.pdf

As the summer approaches, it’s time to dust off the clubs and round up the tees as the PMZ & Friends Golf Tournament is quickly approaching.  PMZ Agent Pam Giusto is excited to announce that this year all proceeds benefit the Make A Wish Foundation.  BUT, there won’t be any proceeds unless you get involved!  She’s in dire need of raffle prizes. Got a connect to restaurant gift certificates? Perhaps you have some fine wine bottles you might want to part with?  How about picking up a couple of Starbucks gift cards.  Or… just sign up as a hole sponsor or as a player.  It’s easy. Call Pam at (209) 544-1199 or e-mail a PGiusto@pmz.com for more information.

 Johnny’s wish - Meet Jeff Gordon
 Alicia’s wish - Have a hot tub
Jonalya’s wish - To be a firefighter