Step By Step  you can own the home you've been dreaming of.  You've really wanted that home in your world.  So it is Step by Step.  Listen to your REALTOR®.  They will guide you through the process.  It's just a matter of time! We will walk you through the contract negotiations, the loan process, the closing and even help you with the moving plans too.  We've got the know how!                                                             STEP BY STEP                                                                                              Thank you, New Kids On The Block Why wait, call your REALTOR® today.  Don't have a REALTOR®, call me! Ricki Eichler Real Estate, your Texas Hill Country connection                         www.reretx.com 511 Junction Hwy                                ... 01/25/2011

Another Day, Another Dollar, that's what my Mom used to say about a day's work being over.  Way back then, I'm sure the purchasing power of a dollar was a lot more than it is today.  I still like that saying.  It feels good to say it when I finally get home from a hard day's work.  To look back at the day and realize the accomplishments I've gained or to count the number of times I prevented disasters from occuring or the number of questions I answered makes me know how hard I worked.  Friday mornings I do training for my agents.  Today we had a guest speaker first thing and he brought breakfast tacos.  Then, after he left, we studied buyer representation.  We delved into the differences of having a customer versus a client.  When people understand the difference they have no trouble si... 01/21/2011

What do you do "when your joy is gone?" Ever thought about it?  Joy is what keeps us humming.  Joy is what keeps us getting up in the morning, going after our goals, motivating us to try harder.  Joy is a word we usually associate with Christmas carols but "Joy" is so much more. Joy comes from deep inside us.  I say "Joy" comes from God living in us.  It is something deep that actually transforms our countenance, our outlook on life, our productivity and even our thoughts.  Joy is the hope that gives us the extra umpff to make it through difficult days. We all have days that we think will never pass and the inner joy, the hope of life itself gets us through it all.  Without "Joy" we would all die.  We would stop caring for ourselves and others.  We would stop trying.  Nothing would mean... 01/16/2011

This is an old saying you have probably heard many times.  "Out with the Old and In with the New" That describes our office this year.  Out with the old ways of doing things and in with the new.  We are open to learning new things and new ways to do business.  I believe that change is something we all should embrace.  Doctors say it will help you to live longer if you embrace change.  So for our office, we are looking at things that did not work or did not work as well as they should have and we are pitching them out! Our trash cans are overflowing!  We are organizing, re-organizing and becoming even more efficient.  Time is money and the more efficient we can become in our systems, the more profitable we will become as well.  We are looking at how to save steps and save time.  Even if ... 01/13/2011

Can you believe it?  Where has the time gone?  It seems like yesterday we were making New Year's resolutions and preparing for a great 2010 and now the time has run out and 2010 will be in the history books in just a few days. Thinking back about our accomplishments in our office, the days were well spent.   We started with a plan to increase the size of our office.  We did that.  We wanted more agents.  We did that too.  We needed our agents to be better trained.  Our training program did that.  We asked our agents to obtain designations and certifications.  They did that.  We wanted to increase our listings and market share.  We did that.  We wanted to increase our sales. We did that.  We wanted to grow our brand and our reputation.  We did that also.  We wanted to give back to the co... 12/19/2010

With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, parties, banquets, breakfasts, lunches, gift giving, decorating, volunteering, showing houses, remembering past clients, prospecting, paperwork, shopping, cooking, traveling, planning, arranging, pet sitting, house sitting, making lists and checking them twice; Are you tired yet?                                                                                      Make a quiet time for yourself.  Put it on the schedule, go ahead and write it down.  You deserve it and you need it.  You need a little time to just be by yourself.  You need a cup of tea or a relaxing bath.  Soothing music, a delicious treat and some vitamins. If you need help, ask a family member to help you.  If you can afford it, hire someone to clean, to wrap gifts, to cook.... 12/09/2010

Have you ever done something you had never attempted before and were surprised at how well it turned out?                                                                                                                                               Yesterday was the Christmas Party for the Hill Country Youth Ranch and it went wonderfully well.  It was amazing to see how my office accomplished everything we set out to do.  The whole program ran smoothly.  Everyone had a great time and the children were well behaved according to the counselors.  They were even surprised at how their attention was held and how well everyone followed directions. Our office, Ricki Eichler Real Estate, wanted to do something good for the community and back in September we began to plan this party.  In October,... 12/04/2010

Thank you for Helping and Giving! Christmas is just around the corner.  Our first Christmas Party this year will be for the children at Hill Country Youth Ranch in Ingram.   Our office decided to make this a year of giving and what better way to give than to give to children who live at the Youth Ranch.  Hopefully, we will make their Christmas a little brighter. Our party will be this Friday and we will have lots of food and homemade goodies.  Each of our agents are making homemade cakes, cookies, pies, and candy.  We will have those kids sugared up!!!! We will have great entertainment provided by Lorraine Limon' doing interpretive dance and Pastor Del Way singing.  Many know Del Way as a popular recording artist.  He has many CD's on the market and we are so excited to have him at our ... 11/30/2010

I received my ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) designation today.  I know I should have had it a long time ago since I've been in the business for such a long time.  Years ago, it was not easy to get the training we can get today especially when you lived outside of large cities.  It also was never considered that important years ago in my circle to obtain designations and certifications.                                                                                                                   Today it is different.  The public is much more knowledgeable about real estate and every other subject.  With technology and the pace we live our lives, continued education is not a luxury.  It is a necessity.  I highly support my agents in furthering their education and I try to lead... 11/16/2010

Is it too much to ask the listing agent to bring the keys with them to closing or to drop them off at the title company if they are not going to be there?  I just closed a home in San Antonio, which is not my normal area of doing business.  When I asked for the keys, the closer told me the listing agent had not brought them by and that was the normal way of doing business in San Antonio. Being used to better service in Kerrville, I was shocked to hear this.  Most of the REALTORS® in Kerrville try to cooperate and make the closing simple and easy for both the buyer and the seller.  I asked, how do my buyers get the keys?  Am I supposed to go to the listing agent's office to retrieve them myself?  If so, why was I not told this by the listing agent before I got to the closing table. Poor ... 11/14/2010

Lynn Crosby wants to know what's for dinner?  Well, Lynn, I looked in the refrigerator and just used what I had handy.  An easy, inexpensive meal is what this day is about.  So we will start with some boneless pork ribs.  Add a little salt, pepper, garlic powder of course, and my favorite sauce.  Woody's Cooking Sauce is a phenomenal flavor.  If you have never tried it, go get some.  On pork, it is awesome!   Cook these on the grill until done.  Pork needs to be cooked through thoroughly.  Test often so you do not overcook though or they will be dry and tough.   Next we prepare some red potatoes.  Any kind will work but red ones are a little sweeter than the white ones.       Cover with water and boil until done.  Season with salt, pepper and lots of butter.  Cook until soft.   The wate... 10/31/2010

My website  www.reretx.com  never fails to amaze me.  It has so much information and it is easily navigated.  I have had many clients and friends tell me they use it everyday for one reason or another. Looking for a home or a piece of land in the Kerrville area?  No problem.  Looking for a business or commercial property?  No problem.  Looking for real estate in Hunt, TX or Ingram or Center Point or Bandera or Leakey or Medina or Lake Hills or Fredericksburg or Comfort or Harper or Mountain Home or Junction or Rocksprings or Utopia or Vanderpool or Pipe Creek?  (I hope I didn't miss any area.) No problem, all the listings are there.      (Do click on these links for more information about these wonderful Hill Country towns) Looking for a mortgage or a mortgage calculator, it's there.  ... 10/30/2010

Have you heard the Texas Attorney General sent a demand letter to various mortgage companies demanding them to stop pending foreclosures, delay closing on foreclosures currently under contract, etc.?  Until their procedures can be righted or investigated for possible violations like not reading the information that could have saved the property from foreclosure, this order will stand. According to information we received, there were 30 companies that received these letters. Hopefully, you are not the victim of this tragedy but hopefully, you are not in the process of trying to buy a foreclosure either.  If so, your transaction may be on hold for a while.  No one knows how long this will take.  Seller owned homes are looking better for buyers now. Most of our clients in the process of bu... 10/10/2010

Kerr County is a great place to live and work.  This is even more indicated by today's jobless report.  We have 1,490 jobless workers.  That is not a good thing for them but the percentages for Kerr County versus the rest of Texas or the nation is quite impressive.                                                                                                                                                   The county rate in August was 6.2 percent                                                                           compared with 8.4 percent for Texas                                and 9.5 percent for the nation.   Kerrville is a small town with conservative values and Kerr County is a beautiful place located in the Hill Country of Texas.  It is only an hour's drive from San Anton... 10/02/2010

So what is a serious agent?  No, not one that never laughs or smiles or has fun.  Of course, not.  A serious agent is one that is ambitious and motivated and can focus on the job and not be constantly distracted by outside influences. As a broker, I am always looking for these kind of individuals.  A person that knows they want to succeed and is willing to do whatever it takes legally and ethically to get there.  I love to train these kind of people.  The motivation has to be there.  Everything else can be learned but we must have people who will get up and go and get it done!                                                                                                                                       I love real estate and everyone I meet wants to talk real estate when I tell th... 09/25/2010

You won't want to miss this year's Medina Lake Cajun Festival.  They are celebrating 30 years of the best food, music, dancing and Gumbo!  Yes, many varieties of gumbo and you willl want to try each one. Don't forget the Bread Pudding!  It is the best!  The Music and Cajun Dancing is fun for all.  Lots of dancers travel all the way from Louisiana for the event each year.  Everyone is welcome to try.  The last Saturday of September each year year from 11 AM until 10 PM.  Go to PR 37 in Lake Hills and follow the cars!  You will be shuttled from the parking lot of several parking areas.  The shuttle is FREE and provided each year by volunteers.  This is truly a community wide event for all of Medina Lake and surrounding communities.         For more information call Larry Watson at (210) 6... 09/18/2010

Pineapple is one of my favorite fruits.  I wanted to share a few of the benefits of eating pineapple with you.  Pineapple is the only edible fruit from the bromeliad family.  Each little segment on the outside of the pineapple is a flower.  The more flowers the sweeter the pineapple. Pineapples are versatile and can be eaten fresh as a snack or side dish or can be added to many different recipes.  Add some pineapple chunks to your favorite salads.  Just like grapes, pineapple gives everything a fresh, sweet taste.  Or try putting pineapple in casseroles.  Be creative, anything with an Asian or Cuban sauce will work well.  I am making a cold salad today with brown rice, scallions, Pineapple, celery, nuts and a touch of soy sauce.                                                           ... 09/12/2010

Everyone knows that with every downturn in the economy, some people seem to get richer. Why is it?  What do they know that you don't know?                                 I've been saying for a long time now, that this is the time to buy.  Interest rates are lower and prices are softer than they have been in years.  It 's not going to get any better than this!  Buy now for your future. I was so pleased to meet a nice family today that came into look at property.  They were young and had young children.  They own their home already.  They also own a rent house.  And they understand what a bargain time this is.  This is the time in their lives to prepare for their future.  They are looking for another rent house;  one they can do some small repairs to in order to increase the value and th... 09/09/2010

Oh, I hope not.  Summer went too fast this year.  Of course, the weather was nice.  We had lots of rain in the Spring and the flowers were beautiful all along the highways in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.       Then the first weekends on the "Market Square" around the courthouse was fun.  Shopping all the vendors goods from jewelry, to tye dye t-shirts to funnel cakes and roasted corn.  The Fourth of July celebration in Louise Hays Park was spectacular as always with fireworks in the evening, bands in the afternoon, and food booths and face painting.  It was fun for all!   Swimming with friends, cooking on the grill.  Swinging on the porch, listening to the sounds of the night. River parade on the Guadalupe in August brought out many visitors and lots of creative engineering.  Summe... 09/05/2010

When it's time to move closer to family, I hope you will call me and let me help you.  This is what I tell my friends that are getting older and thinking they need to be closer to family. I had the privilege of listing two homes today owned by widowed ladies in their 80's.  Both of them are in good health and very active. Both are very sweet and beautiful ladies.  I enjoy helping others and I know helping these two ladies get their homes sold, will relieve them of a lot of stress.  Helping them with all the details so all they have to do is pack or call the movers, is a big burden off their shoulders.                                                                                                              One of these clients has been my client before and this is the second transacti... 08/26/2010