BILL CHERRY'S GREATEST DALLAS PARK CITIES REAL ESTATE BLOG: October 2008

Even though sad, this is a terrific story of faith --Bill Cherry

Cancer didn't stop Ike relief worker
By Bronwyn Turner
Correspondent, The Galveston County Daily News

Published October 29, 2008

GALVESTON - Two days after Hurricane Ike ravaged Galveston, Melinda Ann Davis learned cancer had surged through her body, leaving her only weeks to live.

She was determined to spend her days at a disaster relief project in Galveston headed by her husband's ministry. The project, based out of RVs parked in a funeral home parking lot, was one of the few stable supply sources on the island, helping hundreds daily.

"In her time of crisis, she reached out to help someone else in crisis," wrote her husband, the Rev. Jerry Davis, in an e-mail describing the woman who won his heart at her 16th birthday party. "The quiet, reserved woman always in the background was a powerhouse of faith and the solid foundation which kept her husband and family and friends grounded with her God-centered life."

Jerry Davis was at her side, softly singing "Jesus Loves Me," when Melinda died Saturday at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston. Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. today at Fellowship of the Woodlands Chapel in the Woodlands.

Challenging Childhood

The service, with the Rev. Frank Griffith officiating, will honor the quiet woman known for her servant heart. The 53-year-old grandmother of four touched many lives, even from an early age.

"Her childhood was challenging because her mother was never well," Davis wrote. "Melinda grew up quickly having responsibilities that normally fall to adults. She cooked and cleaned, nursed her mother and helped take care of her little sister."

Jerry Davis was the son of the new church pastor when he met Melinda at her 16th birthday party. Davis wrote he was "smitten for life." The couple married the summer after Melinda's senior year of high school.

In the years that followed, Jerry Davis worked as an itinerant preacher, and Melinda started a cleaning service with her sister. The money would go toward college educations for twin daughters, Tiffany and Andrea, now public school teachers.

The Davises began to focus their ministry on missions work in 1988, particularly in areas of natural disasters and wars. They worked in 61 countries in Jerry Davis Streetreach International Ministries, also called Good News in Bad News Places.

The ministry helped distribute humanitarian supplies and spiritual encouragement in crisis areas, including mission projects in Nicaragua and Honduras following Hurricane Mitch. Jerry Davis was also on hand to help after Hurricane Katrina, where he was nicknamed the "disaster pastor."

But Hurricane Ike would bring a disaster scenario like no other. Not only was the Conroe-based ministry in the midst of the hurricane damage, but the Davises were in the midst of crisis themselves.

Weeks To Live

Melinda was told Sept. 15 that her cancer was so advanced she had only weeks to live.

"She was in agonizing pain," Davis wrote. "Her liver was swollen with cancer. Ninety percent of her blood cells were cancerous. Her bones were full of lytic lesions."

But Melinda did not want to be bed-bound. She wanted to be near the workers and the mission of mercy in Galveston. She packed her bags. Her daughters and others gathered around her in prayer.

"The next morning, she stepped up into their RV coach for the trip, and the tortuous pain left her body," Davis wrote. The pain did not return.

Davis and other relief workers had already begun work in Galveston, searching for a facility where they could park RVs, distribute supplies and house home repair volunteers.

Rusty Carnes of Carnes Brothers Funeral Home quickly agreed to lend his parking lot and portions of his building for the project.

Volunteers slept on cots alongside casket displays. Truckloads of supplies were being distributed in the parking lot, while volunteers fanned out across Galveston to work on making homes livable.

Melinda stayed in the RV, her strength ebbing.

"She was watching and praying over us as we worked," said Paul Broussard, site manager for the project.

"She was the strength behind Jerry," he said. "She was sweet, quiet, a behind-the-scenes kind of person who didn't want to be in the limelight and just wanted to support her husband in his ministry and his work."

As far as a memorial for Melinda, Paul Broussard, site manager for the group at the Alamo Elementary shelter, suggested publishing the Web site of the project, now named Good News Galveston. Donations can be given online at www.goodnewsgalveston.org.

"That would please her no end," he said.

BILL CHERRY, REALTORS

DALLAS

OUR 44TH YEAR SELLING AMERICA

214 503-8563

1 800 314-7110

I'm not sure how I discovered him, but nevertheless I did, and I've been reading his marketing books.  You should, too.

All of his books are titled No B.S. Sales Success the Ultimate No Holds Barred Kick Butt Take No Prisoners...Guide"  For an example, here the complete title of one, so you can get the idea: No B.S. Sales Success the Ultimate No Holds Barred Kick Butt Take No Prisoners & Make Tons of Money Guide."

Dan Kennedy is a guy who claims to be rich (probably is) and made it with his talent for writing ads, giving marketing seminars, and direct mail.  He enjoys telling stories about how he is so much in demand that he doesn't read or answer email, only talks to people who have pre-arranged the telephone call with his gate keeper, charges a big fee for his advice as well as demands a participation in the profits of the sales increase, etc.

But I forgive him for his egomaniacal behavior because his advice and his methods have value to me, and they will to you, too.

So far I've read three of his books.  I have no idea how many more titles there are, but I'll bet there are at least three more.  I've bought mine at Half-Price Books for about four bucks a piece. 

BILL CHERRY, REALTORS

DALLAS

OUR 44TH YEAR SELLING AMERICA!

214 503-8563

1-800-314-7110

Patty and I have been on an information gathering journey with an experience at the end of each chapter.  We decided that I would share those experiences with readers because they had to do with home repairs and remodeling.

The age old question that faces everyone is this one.  It has three parts:  Who knows what they are doing, will they do a good job, and will they charge me a fair price? As a result of our experiences, we were able to provide some good information for you to use.  (Those articles are in previous blogs)

The single most costly expense we had was replacing our central air-heat system.  Out of some seven contractors that gave us bids, we chose Quigley, and it was definitely a fine choice.

Now it's several electric service bills later, and I want you to know that it is obvious the savings in electricity usage that we have gained from the new system will pay for it in full in less than three years.  On top of that, since it came with a warranty, we will save an additional $600 a year that we were spending on repairs to keep the old one running.

What's my point?  It is simply this:  If your AC system is five years old or more, you probably ought to evaluate if you should change it out now.  It's highly possible your energy bill savings will pay for it.

BILL CHERRY, REALTORS

DALLAS

OUR 44TH YEAR SELLING AMERICA!

214 503-8563

1-800-314-7110

Many years ago I traveled as a dining room pianist, playing hotels throughout the United States.  Most of the time the bookings were for six weeks, then I packed the trunk of my Cadillac and moved to the next town.

Back then the IRS had a ruling that a musician could not deduct as a business expense the cost of the clothes he or she dressed in for the performances.  Well, that's not exactly true.  You could deduct costumes and clothing if it was obvious they would be inappropriate attire elsewhere.

That, by the way, was the genesis of spangled tux coats and yellow suits and goofy shoes and the like that rock ‘n roll singers began to wear.

It was why female singers wore gowns so tight that they could prove that they couldn't sit down in them.

But there was another factor that was involved.  When you're on the road and on the move, it is difficult to find a way to get clothes to the dry cleaners and back before you are leaving for the next town.

And on top of that, dry cleaning the outrageous costumes and the spangled tux jackets was usually unsuccessful. 

There was a mail-order uniform company called Saxony.  Their spangled tux jackets were less than $50 a piece, and the tux pants were about $20.  Most of us adopted this approach:

We would order ten sets of jackets and pants and have Saxony send them to the hotel that was next on our list.  So when we would leave the previous place, we would leave behind the wardrobe we had worn there. 

That solved the dry cleaning problem and having to pack unnecessary volumes in the car trunk.

The latest criticism of vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, is a large wardrobe bill that was paid by the Republican Party.  That's unfair criticism, really, since she's faced with the same problem I was:  She's moving constantly and she's somehow got to have enough clean outfits for her appearances.  The only way to do it is to have a lot of them.

The difference is that she performs for free and for the benefit of the Republican Party.  Why would anyone think it inappropriate for the party to reimburse all of her expenses, including the wardrobe?

BILL CHERRY, REALTORS

DALLAS

214 503-8563

1 800 314-7110

Now in Our 44th Year Serving America

I don't like the phrase "custom home," and I hate "professionally decorated" even more.  Very often they both mean "next to impossible to sell."

Architects and spec homebuilders do their best to design product that will appeal to a significant part of the buying market.   That's why they are careful to not go off half-cocked with custom colors, weird room sizes and arrangements and accruements that don't add perceived value. 

If you buy one of these homes, and you don't go wild repainting the rooms and imposing your own eccentric taste in how its decorated, you can be reasonably assured that if you decide to sell it, that it will sell within a reasonable period.

The custom home and further, the custom home that has been professionally decorated doesn't get this market share.  The average buyer, regardless of price range, will not seriously consider purchasing a home that will require removing "the custom, professionally decorated."

Consequently, it seems odd to me that people who gravitate to wanting their new home to be "custom and professionally decorated," also go into the deal knowing that in all likelihood they will want to sell the home within, say, five years or so. 

In reality, a "custom and professionally decorated" home needs to be the owner's home for life...or nearly that long, anyway. 

The only salvation for these owners is a fine stager, and that advice will most assuredly be accompanied by resistance and some hard feelings.

Copyright 2008 - William S. Cherry

BILL CHERRY, REALTORS

DALLAS

214 503-8563

1 800 314-7110

Now in our 44th Year Selling America

A longtime friend, a retired CEO of a major life insurance company, sent this "compare and contrast" accounting to me. Because of the source, I assume it is correct although I have not personally verified it. 

The two proposals regarding new taxes for home ownership are interesting, and are the primary reason I am posting this here.

10-29-2008:  A couple of correspondents have said that the Obama position below is incorrect.  His correct position is on his web site.  What needs to be noted is that Obama's position has changed many times throughout the campaign.

Proposed Changes by the Candidates in Taxes after 2008 General Election

October 21, 2008

CAPITAL GAINS TAX  

MCCAIN 0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples) McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax.  

OBAMA 28% on profit from ALL home sales. How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.  

DIVIDEND TAX  

MCCAIN 15% (no change)  

OBAMA 39.6% increase How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes.

INCOME TAX  

MCCAIN (no changes) Single making 30K - tax $4,500                                       

OBAMA (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)

• Single making 30K - tax $8,400
• Single making 50K - tax $14,000
• Single making 75K - tax $23,250
• Married making 60K - tax $16,800
• Married making 75K - tax $21,000
• Married making 125K - tax $38,750  

Under Obama your taxes will more than double! How does this affect you? No explanation needed. This is pretty straight forward.

• Single making 50K - tax $12,500
• Single making 75K - tax $18,750
• Married making 60K- tax $9,000
• Married making 75K - tax $18,750
• Married making 125 K - tax $31,250  

INHERITANCE TAX  

MCCAIN 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)  

OBAMA Restore the inheritance tax   

NEW TAXES BEING PROPOSED BY OBAMA *

• New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet
• New gasoline taxes
• New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity)
• New taxes on retirement accounts
• New taxes to pay for socialized medicine

The news of the destruction and attempts for recovery after Hurricane Ike struck the Gulf Coast has dwindled to a snail's pace.  Galveston is a fun place, but after all it doesn't have anywhere near the notoriety of New Orleans.  That reality doesn't help.

You see, the destruction is of the same intensity and magnitude.  People's homes are no longer standing; others have been told theirs can't be repaired, but their insurance won't pay for the total loss that FEMA has arbitrarily put on them.  What to do? 

How does this happen in America? they ask.

Thousands are homeless and substitute housing is very tight, to non-existent.  Garbage, animal carcases and former yachts are piled all together in skyscraper-sized landscape art.  Hundreds of people are missing.  It's feared many of their bodies are also in those piles of debris.  Cadaver dogs are searching.

You read about my lifelong friend, George Helmond, deciding to leave when it was too late.  He drowned in his truck.  It made the national news.  There were many others who died, too.  They didn't make the news. People shouldn't die like this. 

So here's what I would like for you to do...two things:

• Add the people of Galveston Island and County to your daily prayers
• Ask that your church add the Island and County to its church services' prayer list.

Please contact your church right now while you're thinking about it.

And if you know in your heart you should make a financial contribution to help those who are in need, but are afraid to send money for fear that a big part of it will go for administration, here's what you can do.

Make a check payable as follows:

• Rector's Discretionary Fund - IKE
• Trinity Episcopal Church
• 2216 Ball Avenue
• Galveston, Texas 77550

I'll guarantee you that sent to this church that 100% of your contribution will be used to help victims, and it will be tax deductible as well.

Thanks.

BILL CHERRY, REALTORS

DALLAS

214 503 8563

1 800 314-7110

Our 43rd Year Selling Texas

BILL CHERRY, REALTORS

DALLAS

214 503-8563

1 800 314-7110

Our 43rd Year Selling Texas

For a number of years I traveled back and forth from Houston to New York City, doing business primarily with the fashion industry.  My purpose was to prospect them as tenants for retail outlet malls.  Parenthetically, it was fun.  I got to meet and know well many of the stars of the industry -- ones whose designs are named after them.

While I loved the general excitement of Manhattan and all of it facets, I did my best to make sure that on each trip I did something different...something to make the trip have an expectation of excitement.

I was waiting for my barber in his shop one afternoon in Houston.  I picked up an Architectural Digest that was on the table, and began thumbing through it.  Lo and behold, there was a story with many photos of a young designer and his partner who had converted an upper-east side brownstone into an elegant boutique hotel.  In its lobby was even a 4-Star restaurant, the copy writer gushed.

I jotted down the hotel's name and address because I had decided this would be my next Manhattan adventure, even though it was very expensive.

When I got there and was taken to my room, I realized the entire place was nothing but an elaborate stage set!  I'm serious.  The furniture, for an example, was primarily second hand junk that had been black lacquered and had fancy pulls put on it.  The walls were actually stretched canvas stage flats.  Behind them were crumbling plaster walls...the room's real walls.  The bed was a Footon on the floor sitting inside of a frame someone had nailed together from cheap lumber.  The Kmart Martha Stewart Collection bedspread label had been overlooked.

Access to the upper floors was by a rickety teeny staircase.  There was no elevator.  I frankly decided the place was a giant firetrap, although I did keep my reservation for my entire visit in the city. I was too lazy to move.

The restaurant was its only redemption.  It was wonderful, I have to admit.  And I met the chef.  He worked in Ralph Lauren slacks, dress button-down shirt, polka dot bow tie and alligator loafers.  He definitely knew his way around a kitchen.  He gave me his card.  It was engraved with his name, and under it was "Friend to All People."  His address and phone number were there, too.  There was no mention that he was a chef or worked at the hotel.

My point is that I learned from that experience that things very often photograph differently than they really are.  Like architectural Glamor Shots. 

For an example, much of the renovation work that is featured on the home channels is, in actuality, poor craftsmanship and the painting is atrocious.  On TV it does its best to look well done.  If you look carefully, you can see the flaws.

However, one designer and her finished product stands out.  In fact, I am convinced she is one of the most talented interior designers in North America.  It's Candace Olson.  Her HGTV show is titled Divine Design. 

Ms. Olson is a Canadian who traveled the world playing volleyball for the Canadian National Women's Volleyball Team while she was working on a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Calgary.  Soon after, she attended the school of Interior Design at Ryerson University.  And then she began her career, opening her own studio in 1994.

If I were ever to be in a position to hire a residential interior designer, and all of the Stars lined up like they should for me as a Gemini, Candace Olson would be the one I'd retain.

Architectural Digest should consider featuring some of Ms. Olson's work and leave those whose work is nothing more than stage sets to finally disappear without notice.

BILL CHERRY, REALTOR

DALLAS

214 503-8563

1 800 314-7110

Our 43rd Year Selling Texas

Copyright 2008 - William S. Cherry

Every year, Saint James Episcopal Church on Audelia at McCree, a few blocks north of Northwest Highway, stages its famous Pumpkin Patch.  Thousands of fresh pumpkins will be sold.  Pumpkins of every size and shape.

This is a joint venture between the church and a New Mexico Indian tribe.  The Indians plant, grow and harvest the pumpkins, and then they are shipped in two big loads to St. James where they are sold by volunteers.

The entire net portion of the sales retained by Saint James goes to fund its youth ministry, which not only includes its Dallas activities, but its missionary trips.  The youth director, Doug Horton, advises that enough money is raised by the venture so that the church does not have to subsidize the youth program.

In addition to the thousnds of pumpkins that are delivered in two loads, about two weeks apart, there are picture boards and staged photo shoot areas so that parents and grandparents can take Halloween pictures of the kids, and take them without charge.

The Saint James Pumpkin Patch is open from 10AM to 7PM, Monday through Saturday, and on Sundays, it opens right after the last church service....say about 11:30 AM.

If you want to talk about real estate, the economy, the bail out, Galveston or life in general, I'd love to be one side of that conversation.  I have an extra chair at the table waiting for you, and I personally will be holding court every Thursday until Halloween from 1PM to 4PM.  Please stop by.

BILL CHERRY, REALTORS

DALLAS

214 503-8563

1 800 314-7110

                                           Our 43rd Year Selling Texas!