Paul Campbell

Dear Move Up Buyers,

There has probably never been another time in history when you have such an opportunity as right now to buy a home. Interest rates are historically low. Prices have generally fallen and there is a large inventory of homes ready for you to choose from.

If you are thinking you will lose money on the home you bought you need to think again and read this very, very carefully.

Let me keep the math very simple to illustrate the truth about the market for move up buyers.

If you bought your home for 100,000 and it will sell for only 90,000 right now due to 10 percent deflation, moving up will make you money. If you buy a larger home that sold for 150 thousand before the 10 percent deflation your price will now be 135 thousand dollars. You may think you lost 10 thousand on your home but when you account for the greater decrease you gained 5 thousand dollars because the larger home decreased in value 5 thousand more than your home decreased.

If you wait to buy when prices are going up you will then lose money. If your 100000 dollar home increases in value 10 percent and a 150 thousand dollar home increases in value also at 10 percent your net loss will be 5 thousand dollars.

This basic economic principal is one reason the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Rich people understand that to buy when prices are going down is how to gain wealth. The rest of us usually get caught up in the euphoria of the emotionally charged up market and buy when prices are going up. Guess who is then selling. You got it! The Warren Buffets and Bill Gates of this world are selling when most people are buying and buying when most people are selling.

If you have been thinking of moving into a larger house do yourself a favor and give me a call for a consultation. If you know of someone who is thinking of buying a home please don't keep me a secret.

Bless You, Paul

This morning as I worked out at Kirklevington Park I was pleased to discover a group of young men playing flag football. It brought a smile to my face and caused me to reflect on my days at Ft. Riley in Kansas. The Big Red One had a flag football league. It was the only time I have ever played football competively. My claim to fame was catching a touchdown pass in one of the playoff games.

I do know in the Seattle area flag football on Thanksgiving is a tradition for many famillies and friends. So to discover this game of football here in Lexington brought a sense of joy and peace to my heart.

On the second time around of my workout I stopped and asked the players about the tradition of their game. They have been playing together for the past five years.

There were thirteen playing and they asked me to join them to even out the teams. That was very kind of them. Since I am pushing 60 I assured them I may be a liability. I was reluctant to join this group that ranged from about 8 years old to maybe 40. They assured me I would be safe. The first three plays I was wide open over the middle but the ball never made it my way. On fourth down we needed about a yard and I managed to get in the way of an 8 year old to help pick up a yard. Fortunately on of the latecomer friends arrived just in time to relieve me of my duties.

Professional football on Thanksgiving has been a tradition for many decades. I wonder how many flag football games have been played across our country during those same decades. Traditions are important. They help us build continuity into our lives. We live in a world that is filled with change on a daily basis. I the business world it is difficult to survive without continually retoooling our business. Our automobile manufacturers are great examples of what happens when we don't keep up with change.

Having occasions to celebrate traditions gives us a way to build a monument to the memory of past decades. Traditions say to us there are things about life that are worth not changing. Our family dinner today is a tradition. I know with what the table will be adorned. I know that I will be asked to carve the turkey. I am salivating as the smells of turkey waft through our home this very moment.

This is the first Thanksgiving weekend in which all of our family will be together since 1999. A compelling reason to move to Kentucky was to be able to celebrate traditions with all of our children and grandchildren. Tradition brings some stability to our lives and allows us the freedom to celebrate. May your day be filled with memories that create treasures for many years to come.

Today I went to the Fayette Mall to buy a trench coat. It is much colder in Lexington than I had anticipated. As I entered the mall and began to walk to Penney's a young lady at a kiosk approached me. She asked permission to demonstrate her product.

Young, beautiful, classy women have a huge advantage over guys my age. I was more than impressed with her persistance with pride of salesmanship. When I encounter a professional salesperson that is confident in their product and persuasive and yet gentle I am an easy sell.

I bought her product for my wife and both of my daughters. Occassionally they read this blog so I cannot divulge what I bought.... yet. I will tell you after Christmas.

I climbed into the car on my way to visit a For Sale by Owner client and reviewed why I do what I do.

I help people buy and sell homes because I am passionate about helping people make what will be one of the most important choices of their lives.

I know from my own experience that home ownership has been my best investment the past 30 years.

I know my experience as a teacher, farmer, father, husband, realtor and leader in my community the past 35 years has prepared me for the role of consultant, negotiator and overseer of the many details involved in closing a transaction.

That encounter with that young lady at the mall gave me a renewed energy and bounce in my step. I had three cold calls in the afternoon and I had three new friends that are ready to continue a relationship.

One of my goals next year was to find a group of people that I can surround myself with that are powerfully motivated and love helping people. I hadn't thought of finding such people at a kiosk in a mall.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone. Paul

Today I picked up my car from Cockrell's Collision Repair Specialist. It was recovering from probably the most mindless piece of driving I have done in the past 42 years.

I pulled into the last convenient parking space at the office. Unfortunately the driver's side was right next to a telephone pole. I carefully opened the car door so as not to cause a dent and made my way to my office telling myself to be careful of that pole when I backed out.

You guessed it. As I opened the door to leave once again I told myself do not hit that pole. My intent was to make sure I did not turn too sharply before clearing that telephone nuisance. I had just began to back out when a car drove behind me. The driver was driving slowly but for a split second I glanced at the approaching car. That pole jumped out and caught my driver side fender. Really! Well yes I inexplicably managed to hit that pole even as I was thinking about not hitting it.

Paying the $840.00 today when I picked up the Buick generated much musing about how easy it is to really mess up in this world. There are times I am delusional and think I can control my life. How Foolish! My dad and two of my uncles have died of some form of cancer. Even if I do everything to control my diet, exercise diligently and avoid chemicals I still have that cancer gene pool. So does that mean I should give up and live a defeated life.

NO! I want to live my life expecting to enjoy every moment, every hour, every day and when the time comes that one of my mistakes does me in or my flawed gene pool takes me down to the mat I will know that I have "fought the good fight.

I also want to live being grateful for those people who rescue me from my stupidity. Melvin Banks is one of those people. I have used Melvin twice already since arriving in Kentucky on September. We have not been to an auto body shop in 20 years but after only two months we now have become quite acquainted with Melvin and Cockrell's. He is always so gracious and listens attentively to my story. I wonder how he can do it without bursting out laughing? http://cockrellscollision.com/

My car fender was fixed and the whole car had been detailed when I arrived to retrieve it this morning. The price was exactly what I had been quoted and the office staff was their usual pleasant selves. If you need a little body work done on your automobile be sure not to forget Cockrell's. Call Melvin Banks, 1056 Eastland Dr, Lexington Ky 40505

I just read a humorous post by Nancy Larsen about the value of having a dog as a friend. We have always had a dog and they do provide some fun and laughs.

However I am so thankful for the 37 years with my wife and here are just a few reasons why.

1) She gave me three children that I love dearly. My dog's gifts are hair, whine and feces.

2) Those children are now beginning to give me grandchildren. Being a grandparent is beyond description. The joy of watching and playing with Sam compared to playing fetch with a dog is like cowmparing the exhileration of climbing Mt Rainier to stepping over a mole hill.

3) Kathy's play on words, funny stories and general good natured teasing are a great source of stress relieve. Guarding my ice cream from Abby is a stress inducer.

4) Sharing a meal with Kathy is relaxing and refreshing. Our cocker Abby eats everything in one

5) My wife loves me despite my hair growing faster in my nose than on my head. My dog loves me when I give her a cookie.

6) The comfort received from my friend of 37 years during the loss of a loved one is beyond description. All I get from the dog is mournful eyes.

7) Sharing a good book, a story or something we learned is a great source of pleasure. Sure trumps any dog barking, whimpering or moaning.

8) I know Kathy always is ready to sacrifice for me. Abby is always ready to eat.

9) Kathy plays the piano and I fall asleep. Abby howls at the sirene and wakes me.

10) Kathy proofreads my writing. Not tonight. She is away babysitting Sam.

I am thankful for my best friend, wife and companion of 37 years.