While there isn't much to like about most politicians I have to admit a lot of them just aren't very smart. A travel agent for thirty years in our nation's capital has this to report:"This is why we're in trouble! I had a New Hampshire Congresswoman ask for an aisle seat so that her hair wouldn't get messed up by being near the window. I got a call from a candidate's staffer, who wanted to go to Cape town. I started to explain the length of the flight and the passport information, then she interrupted me with, "I'm not trying to make you look stupid, but Cape town is in Massachusetts. Without trying to make her look like the stupid one, I calmly explained, "Cape Cod is in Massachusetts, Cape town is in Africa." Her response.( click).   A senior Vermont Congressman called, furious about... 04/20/2012

In the city of Tracy California, the number of available properties has reached a critically low point. In the under 200K price range the competition is fierce and multiple offers (as in double digit multiple) is the norm.   Recently while showing one of these properties, another agent and her clients walked in on us. She handed me her card and said “hope you don't mind” but we are in a hurry. Truth is I did mind. I have always been taught that if you go to show a property and another agent is inside, wait in your car and once the door is locked and the key returned to the lock box it is your turn to show the property.   Then, another agent walks in, says she is from the Bay Area, doesn't have lock box access but she is going to show the property anyway. I am now freaking out inside but... 04/17/2012

One of the things we like at the offices of Crown Key Realty, Tracy CA are visitors. However, Personally I prefer people to our most recent visitor. Our most recent visitor is a BLACK BIRD.  Yep, she has flown in through the vent in the roof and out the register in one of 2 office. Scared the heck out of me... especially when she flew out the heater vent that was missing the register cover.  I screamed, she aimed for my head, then flew straight back into the duct. I, promptly went and bought new register covers, screwed them in and voila no more bird IN THE OFFICE..... except, she is ONE UNHAPPY bird.  I spent the afternoon listening to her peck and peck on all the register grates, flapping through the ducts. Now my concern is will she die in there, stink up the office, or since she fou... 04/16/2012

I love kids jokes. The humor is refreshingly simple and and watching kids laugh is a great simple pleasure.  So for the kids I offer this: What do you call a sleeping prehistoric monster? Answer: A dinosnore! For the adults out there, I have this Best Things to say if Caught Sleeping At Your Desk... "They told me at the blood bank this might happen." "This is just a 15 minute power-nap as described in that time management course you sent me." "Whew!  Guess I left the top off the White-Out You probably got here just in time!" "I wasn't sleeping!  I was meditating on the mission statement and envisioning a new paradigm." "I was testing my keyboard for drool resistance." 04/16/2012

A man died and went to The Judgment, they told him , “Before you meet with God,  I should tell you — we’ve looked over your life, and to be honest you really didn’t do anything particularly good or bad. We’re not really sure what to do with you. Can you tell us anything you did that can help us make a decision?” The newly arrived soul thought for a moment and replied, “Yeah, once I was driving along and came upon a person who was being harassed by a group of thugs. So I pulled over, got out a bat, and went up to the leader of the thugs. He was a big, muscular guy with a ring pierced through his lip. Well, I tore the  ring out of his lip, and told him he and his gang had better stop bothering this guy or they would have to deal with me!” “Wow that’s impressive, “When did this happen?” “A... 04/13/2012

  Open Saturday 4/14/2012 from 1 - 4 144 Hancock Park, Mountain House, CA want to see more homes for sale in Mountain House.... 04/12/2012

   I woke this morning with a startling suddenness. My heart was pounding in my chest like the kettle drums in Also Spake Zarathustra. My bed was soaked with perspiration and my hair matted down and damp (OK, I don't have hair I am just taking literary license). I struggled to the bathroom and the mirror reflected a face fill with fear and a ghastly shade of pale. I forced two aspirin down without water as I have heard that in an emergency this can help. Now I was in a waiting room and I struggled to fill out the forms that had been handed to me. Then they began asking questions and entering data about me into their computer. Final I was ushered into a quite room and told to wait. Then, suddenly, the door opened and a bright light filled my eyes. Bill stuck out his had and said good new... 04/11/2012

This week, not one but 2 agents in my office have come to me after being approached by sellers. The Sellers are not asking my agents to cancel thier listing, instead they are asking my agents HOW they can cancel the listing they have with another agent.  They have a year long short sale listing... with no apparent way out.   YIKES, this is a slippery slope.  RESPA, don't interfere with another agents client.   Advise: Call your agent and let them know you are not happy. RESULT - the listing agent is NOT answering the phone, they won't call me back, they aren't doing anything.. that is why we want to cancel. CALL YOUR AGENT: RESULT - I called Bank of America, and despite signing a buyers purchase contract 14 days ago the contract has still not been uploaded to Equator.  BofA rep told "me... 04/10/2012

I Have Been a member of the Jokes and Anything Funny group for a while now and but have never posted a funny myself. I ran across this one the other day and decided to post it. I tried it out on a good friend who happens to be a minister and after he laughed he said "God will forgive you I promise". So excuse the small amount of profanity and just remember an actual minister gave it his stamp of approval. A man went to church Easter Sunday and afterward he stopped to shake the preacher's hand. He said, 'Preacher, I'll tell you, that was a damned fine sermon. Damned good!' The preacher said, 'Thank you sir, but I'd rather you didn't use profanity.'The man said, 'I was so damned impressed with that sermon I put five thousand dollars in the offering plate!' The preacher said, 'No shit?' My... 04/09/2012

If you don't like sports today's blog is not for you. I have been a sports fan all of my life. Not at the expense of other interests but along with them. Today though, its sports. This weekend saw what is arguably the number one golf tournament of the year, The Masters. How big is the Masters? It's big enough that NASCAR takes the weekend off. The Masters is by invitation only which means that each year some very good and well know players are left out. This years biggest name to not make the grade was Ernie Els,. Ernie, known as the Big Easy, has won three majors including two U.S.Opens and a British Open. Poor play in the past few years caused him to be left off the invitation list for 2012. The tournament is played in Augusta Georgia on the most beautiful, and detailed golf course in... 04/09/2012

Last night I posted on Face Book and twitter how enjoyable it was for me to see and hear a thunderstorm in Tracy California. I grew up in North East Ohio where thunderstorms are quite common. A pilot once told me that its one of the area of the country weather actually forms, so a nice day can turn violent quickly. Now I live in Northern California and have for over 17 years. In this part of the country a true thunderstorm with the loud claps of thunder and lightning are rare. Last night a very brief one move through the area and made quite a racket. I loved it. God's wonderful mother nature reminding us that she is still capable of being heard when she wants to be.  My name is Dale E. Bledsoe with crown Key Realty and as always I may be reached at 209-481-6031. You may also visit me on... 04/06/2012

That is my son's car...... My son, 17 had enjoyed the Senior Prom the night before. He was driving to his girlfriends to pick up cupcakes for his sister's birthday. The sun was in his eyes, he closed them for a second too long and hit the big rig that was parked inches off the road. Thankful Thursday! He walked away, a few scratches, a bruise on his knee, a stiff neck that did not prevent him from playing baseball. We are Thankful there was no passenger. Sometimes life sneaks up, smacks you, and you are reminded what is important. God decided Shane was still needed here on Earth, Angels protected him. 04/05/2012

NEED A GRAPH? When we say there is very little inventory we mean it. Buyers who find a home they like have NO TIME to think, if they want the house they need to be prepared to write an offer immediately. More Tracy Stats.... 04/04/2012

More Tracy CA Stats click here 04/04/2012

I have come across many people that ask if the market has bottomed out or if the rates are going to drop more? No one can really answer these questions, but what we do know is that rates are at historic lows and the prices of homes in many places are up to half of what they were 3, 4 even five years ago. So what is it that could be holding you back from purchasing a home? Is it your credit? Your income? Your job? Or are you waiting for the perfect moment?  For example in 2004 a 5 bedroom 3 bath 2,900 square foot home in Tracy, CA sold for $492,000. That same home is on the market today for $274,000. The interest rates in 2004 were between 5.3-5.8%. In this present market the rates are in the 3’s and 4%.(Rates vary and depend on each person’s qualifications). So just for example sake let... 04/04/2012

Part 3 – Victor Victim   As the Owner & Broker of Crown Key Realty, it was not surprising that I got an IRATE phone call from Victor Victim.   Victor Victim's sons had wired $1500 to the owner, to his South African account 3 days prior and the keys had no arrived. I didn't ask the ages of his sons, I felt very sorry for them. I did however tell him to call CraigsList, the FBI and the Police, there is NOW a victim.   I wonder how many others sent money to Scoundrel Scam Artist, how many other places does he target possible renters? The local paper in Tracy, the Tracy Press had an article today, stating someone sent $500 to Nigeria to rent a property in Tracy, CA.   The moral of the story, DO NOT SEND MONEY to South Africa, Nigeria etc. Most likely you do not have a relative who recently ... 04/03/2012

Scoundral Scam Artist – Part 2   Roxie Realtor immediately did the following as did Polly Possible and Olivia Owner. They each contracted Craig'sList, not as easy as it sounds. They called the FBI and left a message with details, and they called the Local Tracy Police Department. Roxie also put a notice in the window of the property stating that the homes was NOT FOR RENT, and that any ad on Craig'sList was a scam.   It took Craigslist 48 hours to remove the ad. During which time Roxie Realtor had numberous more phone calls regarding her house for rent in Tracy, CA.  Roxie also changed her listing to Pending, and put in the comments that this house is NOT for RENT no matter what CraigsList states.   8 Days and counting, no word from the FBI, the local police need a victim and even then ... 04/03/2012

The listing is NOT for RENT, no matter what CraigsList states.... so please Do NOT send money to a landlord in South Africa   Roxie Realtor enters her home for sale in Tracy in the MLS.  The property is vacant, shows well and should be easy to sell.  The home is priced right, and after 24 hours and 6 showings she has mulitple offers.   What Roxie did not expect was Polly Possible's phone call.   Polly calls wanting more information on the house that is for rent.  Roxie explains to Polly that the house is absolutely not for rent but it is for sale.  Polly says, “I'll forward you the Craigs List ad that shows it for rent for $1500/mo.”   Roxie gets the ad expecting some cheezy silly ad.  NOPE it's a slick professional looking Craigs List ad that clearly explains all of Polly's questions. ... 04/03/2012

I think my common sense has gone defective on me. It seems now like things that seem like common sense to me are not to others. Or, maybe some elements of America have gone mad and will challenge anything they don't like, right up to the Supreme Court. Each year in our wonderful United States of America of 13 million individuals are admitted to jail. Some for minor offenses to be sure, but serious enough that the Police Officer on the street, our first line of defense, decided that an arrest was in order. Today, our Supreme Court in a 5 - 4 vote determined that anyone being admitted to jail may be strip searched. Seems like common sense to me. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy stated that their should be no second guessing the officials at the jail. He said that they have no way of knowing whi... 04/02/2012

Spent some time trying to come up with funny comparisons for this blog. Things like some agents fly into the office, accomplish nothing and fly back out. Not funny at all. So this is the straight of it. I was the first to arrive at the Crown Key Realty office yesterday. After unlocking the door and stepping in I heard a commotion that took me surprise as I was expecting to hear nothing. I looked in the direction of the noise and there was a small bird banging into the window trying to get out. Lot of noise for such a small creature I took off my jacket and began to access the situation. First question was “how did the bird get in here”?. The bigger question was how do I get it out? I sent a text message to the owner/broker Susan and said we have a small problem at the office and told he... 03/28/2012