Stewart Title tops HBJ title companies list

Houston Business Journal - by Diana McKinney, HBJ Research Department

Date: Friday, April 22, 2011, 6:30am CDT

Stewart Title ranks No. 1 on the 2011 Houston Business Journal list of the area's largest title companies.

Stewart Title has held on to the No. 1 spot on the 2011 Houston Business Journal list of the area's largest title companies.

The list, which appears exclusively in the April 22 print edition, is ranked by number of 2010 closings.

Stewart Title had 46,631 closings, followed by Chicago Title Insurance Co. and Startex Title Co. Charter Title Co., at No. 4, and Texas American Title Co., at No. 5, switched places from last year’s list.

The Accurate Group of Texas LLC holds the distinction of being the largest positive mover, from 13th to 10th.

There are four new companies that cracked the list this year with Alamo Title Co. joining the list with the highest ranking at No. 6.

Think you belong on a list? Please contact Diana McKinney, List Researcher, at dmckinney@bizjournals.com

At Stewart Title Galveston County it is our goal to not only provide you with the very best service but we make adding VALUE to your business... our business.

As always it is my pleasure to serve you and please feel free to contact me if there is anything I can do to assist you.

Kind regards,


Heidi Crenshaw
Business Development
Stewart Title Galveston County
281-853-5530
heidi.crenshaw@stewart.com
www.heidicrenshaw.com
www.facebook.com/stewarttitlegalvestoncounty

Relocate While Interest Rates Are Still Low and Before Gas Prices Skyrocket!

Ted C. Jones, Ph.D., Chief Economist, Stewart Title, says "it's good time to relocate because of low interest rates and foreof oil prices rising dramatically in next 35 months. Move closer to work and play before gas jumps to $5 a gallon".

If you are considering a move NOW is the time.  You will be able to take advantage of the incredible interests rates still available on Residential Home purchases.  One major thing to keep in mind is while relocating you will want to consider your move to be closer to where you work and play as the gas prices continue to be on the rise and we have indication that it will continue to do so at a rapid pace.

For more information or to read more about this and other Economic Foreyou can follow Ted C. Jones, PhD Blog at blogs.stewart.com and it will keep you up to date on Market Trends and Real Estate Forecast.

Click Here to View YouTube Video on this Topic:

Kind Regards,

Heidi Crenshaw
Business Development Officer

Phone: (281) 853-5530
Fax: (281) 332-6418
Email: heidi.crenshaw@stewart.com
Blog: http://blogs.har.com/hcrenshaw
Web: http://www.heidicrenshaw.com
FB: www.facebook.com/heidicrenshaw
Twitter: www.twitter.com/heidi_crenshaw

www.facebook.com/stewarttitlegalvestoncounty

Stewart Title Galveston County's April Closing HINT of the Month

DETERMINATION OF SELLER’S MARITAL STATUS

At times you will find a requirement on the title commitment which requests information regarding the marital status of the seller.  When title appears in only one person’s name, it is necessary to determine whether or not the person is married and if the property represents their homestead.  When the property represents their homestead it will be necessary for the spouse not in title to join the other spouse in the conveyance of any of their homestead and/or community interest in the property.

When a spouse holds title to property by themselves which is NOT presently their homestead and has NEVER been their homestead, then the law allows for the conveyance of same without the joinder of the other spouse.  However, the spouse not in title will be required to sign a Non-Homestead Community Property Disclaimer Affidavit.  When at all possible, the title company prefers to have both parties simply execute the deed.

If you have any questions concerning marital status, please feel free to give me a call or email and I will get you an answer according to your unique situation.

As always, it is a pleasure to be of service to you.

Kind regards,

Heidi Crenshaw
Business Development Officer

Phone: (281) 853-5530
Fax: (281) 332-6418
Email: heidi.crenshaw@stewart.com
Blog: http://blogs.har.com/hcrenshaw
Web: http://www.heidicrenshaw.com
FB: www.facebook.com/heidicrenshaw
Twitter: www.twitter.com/heidi_crenshaw

www.facebook.com/stewarttitlegalvestoncounty

A Realtor's Night Before Christmas



'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse;

The sign was stuck in the lawn with care,

In hopes that the buyers soon would be there;

The Realtors at open house had all been fed,

While visions of commissions danced in their heads;

But the first buyer who saw the house on a map,

Had between what he had and the list price a gap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

It was buyer #2 - the Mad Hatter!

He had made a great offer with savvy and flash,

Tore open his briefcase and threw out the cash.

I thought the appraiser might value too low,

I'm just a Realtor - what do I know?

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But an acceptable contract and a lender no fear.

With a termite inspector so thorough and quick,

I knew in a moment, I wouldn't be sick.

More home inspections that all sound the same,

We whistled and shouted and called them by name; 

"Now ROOFER! Now, GARDENER! Now, PAINTER a mixin,

New carpet, new vinyl new hardwood we're fixin.

To the top of the stairs! To the top of the wall!

More estimates, more bids, now more contractors call!"

And then, in a twinkling, I heard such good news,

After fretting and worrying, this I could use.

As I lifted my cell phone and dialed, I found,

the loan docs are here, with nary a sound.

Her eyes how they twinkled! Her dimples how merry!

Escrow instructions with her she carried.

Closing costs didn't seem too low,

But I reminded the buyer sometimes we don't know.

The cashiers' check held tight in his teeth,

My buyer was calm his nerves underneath.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his home

I gave him the house keys no more to roam.

As we compose this real estate Christmas prose,

Alas this is not how each escrow does close.

With your Buyers and Sellers just give us a whistle,

At Stewart Title we'll keep you out of the thistles.

We’ll take care you and feel free to call,

"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!"

Happy Holidays From
Heidi Crenshaw
Business Development
Stewart Title Galveston County
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Using the Power of Visualization to Achieve Your Dreams
The power and keys to make all your dreams come true is within us all. 

Visualization and positive attitude have been used for years to create and achieve success. With the power of visualization they have been able to achieve beyond a measure of what they ever thought was possible.  Athletes have been using the power of visualization to gain an edge and confidence over their opponent for centuries.  Wanting to win is one thing, but visualizing, feeling, seeing to the level of believing before you even start is what takes you to the reality of winning. 

Ask.com says this about athletes
"Many elite athletes routinely use visualization techniques as part of training and competition. There are many stories of athletes who've used these techniques to cultivate not only a competitive edge, but also to create renewed mental awareness, a heightened sense of well-being and confidence. All of these factors have been shown to contribute to an athlete's sports success and achieving their dreams. "

So if the power of visualization and positive attitude works in sports than why wouldn't it work across our lives in every area.  You will not receive or achieve your dreams if by what you are doing now has not already gotten you there.  If you keep doing the same things expecting a different result you will never get there.  In fact it will only set you further back as the frustration and negative attitude finds it's way to you each time you begin again or fail. 

Kay Miller the Author of the Seven Keys To Miracles says this about changing what you do and how you think to gain a different result.

"In order to experience the positive changes you desire in your relationships, finances, career, marriage, and health... you must decide on a new vision for your life by installing a set of new slides in your carousel.  You have to get a new vision/self-image for yourself, your life, and your family.  Remember, you can go anywhere from here because nothing is impossible with God.  Get a new vision of you and your family as healthy, happy, victorious, successful and prosperous: all living the life of your dreams, sharing an abundance of good times together.  Once you have your new and exciting vision clear in your mind, don't ever turn loose of it and don't ever be willing to settle for anything else."

You must begin to "feel" the joyous and victorious experience of having your new life by imagining it over and over again in your mind.  Remember, victory against all odds is now your only option.  The miraculous attainment of your new life is your new destiny and there are no other possibilities.  You are now on the course to your new life.  There is no turning back.  It is so important for you to paint a new vision for your life, because if you don't, you are going to keep getting exactly what you have been getting.  Is that what you want?

Consider this example... If you have a "slide" that says you can only earn a salary of $40,000 per year and then you start to earn more money than that, you will experience a myriad of setbacks to protect your existing slide that will keep you at your set point.  These setbacks are not happening by accident.  They are happening by design.

You may also have set points or "strongholds" that are holding you back from achieving success with your weight, relationships, career, health, and degree of happiness and peace.  These set points or strongholds act like invisible walls or glass ceilings that are holding you back from achieving your goals and dreams. 

To experience permanent change, you need to select a new vision or self-image.  Once your new victorious self-image is selected you will need to work on driving it into your subconscious storehouse and accepting the new image as "the new you."  As soon as you have fully accepted "the new you," before it is true in your reality and you start to feel a sense of victory against all odds pulsing through your veins, God's creative light will begin to project your new vision into reality."

So create your vision, imagine it and see it until you feel it and then achieve it.  It doesn't matter what your current circumstances are and how low you are, the power and key to all your dreams is within us all to make it happen.

It doesn't matter what you've heard... impossible is NOT a word... it is just an excuse not to try... God is the answer and you hold the power and the keys to unleash and achieve your dreams.  Think it, visualize it, feel it, believe it, and live it!

Many Blessings,

Heidi Crenshaw
Business Development Manager
Stewart Title Galveston County
heidi.crenshaw@ymail.com
www.heidicrenshaw.com

Are You A Human "Doing" or a Human "Being"?

Are you busy being a human "doing" or a human "being"? Well it did not take me but a second to answer this question for myself. I have recently had several people in my life that have told me that I needed to slow down and do something for myself for a change. Now you know you are busy being a human "doing" when not one but several people in your life are seeing that you don't take any time for yourself. This really made me stop for a second and take a look at my life and what it was that they saw. It was a nice thought but something I did not have time to think about.  So, I then quickly got back to what I was doing and did not give it another thought.

Until... not more than three days later I had someone who was really a stranger as we had only quick correspondence and not really someone who knows my life. Yet through a few emails he realized that I really needed to take some time for me daily and just be. He told me that I reminded him of himself and that he had someone in his life share the concept of being a human "doing" vs being a human "being". Wow, was that a slap in the face that maybe I need to really listen and explore what it was that everyone was seeing in my life. That I was spinning my wheels in service to anyone and everyone but me! So I decided to look into this idea of human "being" vs. human "doing" and apply it to my life.

In my journey of learning what it meant I have learned that living my life as a human "doing" could have serious affects on my life.  That by living my life in constant mode of human "doing" and not taking time for me could have stress and health issues down the road. It is so easy to get in the race of doing everything that requires our attention at the risk of not making any appointments or time for ourselves. Even something as simple as time to just breath and take a moment to refresh for the next task at hand. My life does not allow for such pleasures as five minutes to take a breath because I need that five minutes to get to the next activity.

It would seem that there is not enough time in the day to accomplish the required needs for my two extremely active teen daughters, five branch offices, and the endless needs of taking care of the clients in all five territories, much less taking time for me. Somehow at the end of the day I don't have time to spare for anything I wanted to fit in as I still have items on the "to do" list for that day.... which of course just carry over till the next day which of course I start on the run.  I am so busy "doing" all things for others so they have more time to do what they would like to do that I have forgotten that I am also important. I love doing for others and my true happiness is based on doing things for others with a happy heart but if I lose myself, health, or sanity in the process I guess I am good to no one in the end.

It seems that we live in a world that measures quality by the speed of how things operate. Technology is always working towards giving us something faster, quicker, and instant gratification is what we all expect from our products and services. Even our communication with one another is quicker and all of our words are now acronyms and shorten sentences to type faster and quicker correspondence. Just trying to keep up with technology and the expectation of "now" service is a rat race all by itself.

Worst than that one of the services I provide to my clients is education on technology products that save them time and quicker responses and ways to do what used to take all day. So I spend my time working on giving them more time in their day for themselves and yet I do it at the risk of all of mine. Irony at it's best for sure. Maybe I should be my own client... Haha! I pride myself on adding VALUE to my clients and yet don't even value my own time. I have made several appointments for myself to do many things that I would enjoy but somehow those are appointments I don't have time to keep. I couldn't imagine breaking an appointment with my children or my clients as I know their time is valuable and something I will always respect. Yet I don't even respect own time or myself enough to even take the time for 5 minutes to just take in a breath of fresh air. I am one that does notice and enjoy the simple pleasures in life, and love to stop and smell the roses but it is when I am pointing it out to my children and to my clients, never is it when I have time with myself or time to just BE a human "being".

So this is something I have made a decision to change. As much as I receive pleasure of living a life of service to others and working to be a catalyst of positive change in their lives and businesses,  I have decided to schedule time to just BE.  I have started my day by just taking 10-15 minutes a day to stop, be still, clear my mind, breath, open myself to receive, and time to just BE! This time spent with myself allows the rest of the day and scheduled events to seem so much smoother, easier.  I am even more valuable as a giver to others because I will have also given to myself. I can be even better at servicing others because I have more to give.

By just slowing down to rejuvenate and receive clarity to be able to give 110% to all that I do for the rest of the day. I have only been at it for a week and I have been amazed at the additional quality of giving I have been able to give. By taking this 15 minutes with myself and opening up myself for the Lord to speak to me and by being a human "being" has transformed my days and will transform my life as I continue. This process has reminded me that all of our answers all come from within and our ability to trust those answers and pay the insite of them forward.  It really allows me the opportunity to reclaim the power to create a life I choose while still being able to live a life in service to others.

Here are a few ideas and ways that I have used to get myself in the mode of being able to just BE. I have taken time to take a long breath of fresh air and feel alive, I put my mind in the focus of the now and the moment, listened to happy rejuvinating or soothing music, sitting in nature or near water, keeping my priorities straight and making myself one of those priorities, learning how to say No, and last but not least I have realized that I have to stop trying to be the modern superman (which is a woman btw...). Taking this time to go within myself will not only improve my life but in such a short period I have realized it is the key to living the life I choose and succeeding at all of my goals.

It is truly possible to have harmony between being a human "being" and a human "doing". We are the masters and captains of our own vessels and if our vessels breakdown or are not healthy then our vessels can never set sail. We have the power of creating a true balance of living our lives with purpose and passion and not allowing others and events to choose our paths for us. I am a work in progress and still have a ways to go with not feeling guilt for stopping and taking time for myself... but I am already reaping the benefits of it and oddly enough so are my children and my clients. By being better to myself and taking time for me to just BE, I am being able to give so much more to my children and clients, but now I have so much more to give.

Thank you Gary for your insite and keeping true to living a life as a human "being" vs. a human "doing" and for recognizing that I needed to do the same. You have made a difference in my life by just simply pointing out that I needed to take a look inside in order to be of better service to the Lord and to others.

Many blessings,

Heidi Crenshaw

HAR.com Has Rolled Out A New Search Feature For Houston Historical Districts and It Is Being Presented in Video By The Mayor Annise Parker.

Consumers can now search for listings within Houston Historic Districts on HAR.com:

Houston currently has 15 city historic districts, plus the Old Sixth Ward Protected Historic District. These historic districts are representative of a variety of time periods and architectural styles of Houston's past, dating back to the mid-1800s. The historic district properties listed for sale on this site include both historic and non-historic properties, all of which are subject to the City of Houston Historic Preservation Ordinance. However, only those properties classified as historic may be eligible for city property tax exemptions and discounts on permit fees. The City has also designated many individual historic landmarks, which will appear on this site only if listed for sale and located within an historic district.

Click Link to See Video By Mayor Annise Parker:

Best Regards,

Heidi Crenshaw
Business Development Manager
Stewart Title Galveston County
heidi.crenshaw@stewart.com
www.heidicrenshaw.com

New HAR Tool That Makes It Simple to Resize Your Images

Are your listings and profile photos always coming out distorted or being kicked back because the resolution is too high?  HAR has now rolled out a new Image Resize program that is easy to download and even easier to use.  It will allow you to save in the perfect resolution to come out looking great when uploading to your listings.  Here is a link to the new tool and explanation of how to use it. 

If the link does not work properly for you then you can log into your HAR member page, click on Tempo and look to the left and click on the sidebar and it will open links to the downloads for your specific operating system you are using.
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***INFORMATION BELOW TAKEN STRAIGHT FROM THE HAR.COM NEW IMAGE RESIZER TOOL DOWNLOAD NOTIFICATION LINK. 
For more details log onto your HAR.com membership Page.
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If you are having difficulties uploading photos it is likely due to the photo file being larger than the 700KB size limit now being required due to a recent security software upgrade. If your photo file size is larger than 700KB you will need to resize the photo before uploading to MLS. Below are instructions to assist you in reducing the file size of photos for MLS.  This will also allow you to upload 16 photos at one time.

1. Determine which version of Windows is installed on the machine.If unsure, click here to learn how to identify which version of Windows is running. 

2. Click on the appropriate link to download and install the Free Image Resizer for your operating system:

Click here to download Image Resizer for Windows XP

Click here to download Image Resizer for Windows Vista and 7 32-bit edition

Click here to download Image Resizer for Windows Vista and 7 64-bit edition

3. After installing the image resizer, you will be able to right-click on any image and choose the option ‘Resize Pictures’.  You can even select all of your images and resize them all at once. You should perform any cropping or editing of your photos before resizing them.


4.  After selecting ‘Resize Pictures’, a new window will open with options to resize the resolution of the selected images.  The default selection, ‘Small’, is the optimal size for the MLS.  Click ‘OK’ to resize the image and the system will make a new file with the same name with (Small) added to the end. 


5. Make sure to use the new file with (Small) at the to upload to the MLS.
 

Best Regards,


Heidi Crenshaw
heidi.crenshaw@stewart.com
www.heidicrenshaw.com
www.linkedin.com/in/heidicrenshaw
www.facebook.com/heidicrenshaw
www.twitter.com/heidi_crenshaw