Show Your Thanks

Monuments at Annandale Memorial Park | Photo by Mary Christen

We are remembering our veterans and service men and women today!

Be there for military families by visiting www.thanksforbeingthere.com and sharing a heartfelt thank you. During this week, from Nov. 8-14th, State Farm will donate $1 to Fisher House for every thank you sent.

“Fisher House is a military support organization that is there for military families whose loved ones are undergoing treatment at military or Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers throughout the country and overseas in Germany. They will receive a donation of up to $50,000.

The goal of Fisher House Foundation is to ensure families of wounded service men and women have a “home away from home” on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers, enabling family members to be close when their loved one is hospitalized for an unexpected illness, disease or injury. There are 43 Fisher Houses located on 18 military installations and 13 VA medical centers in the United States, and all homes are operated and maintained by the Army, Navy, Air Force or Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2008 alone, these comfort homes saved military families more than $12 million in lodging expenses.”

Homebuyer Tax Credit Incentive Expanding

Horray Buyers! An extension and expansion of the Homebuyer Tax Credit is iminent. Both the House and Senate passed the bill with overwhelming majorities and it is anticipated that President Obama will sign the bill today.

The links below will provide you some information on how it has changed and answer some common questions!

If you have further questions, give our office a call and talk with your Realtor®!

Tax Credit Changes FAQ

Tax Credit Changes Overview

Happy Halloween!

Despite the wind, rain and falling temperatures… the Trick-or-Treat event in town was still a success. We had a variety of characters visit our office yesterday afternoon for some goodies!

“You’re not in costumes!” We still gave the Cross Country Team treats — fuel for their run and a break from the nasty weather!

The last two photos are some of the ghouls belonging to our Oak staff!

Happy Halloween night everyone!

Community Businesses Trick-or-Treat!

Just a reminder that we’re welcoming trick-or-treaters at our Annandale office tomorrow afternoon from 3-5 p.m. as a part of the annual Chamber of Commerce Halloween event! Come on by with the kids! A list of participating businesses can be found in this week’s Advocate, or by looking for an orange pumpkin poster hung in business windows!

Have a safe and spooky Halloween!

Mystery Decorator!

Someone recently had some fun decorating the Oak truck on the North side of Lake Sylvia for fall … but it wasn’t any of us!

We enjoy the fun the trucks have brought to each area they are in, and kindly thank whoever gave some holiday attention to this one on 80th street!

Fall is Here!

Did you feel the wind here yesterday? Yes, that was FALL. Not kindly knocking on the door, but blowing it over and bitterly announcing its arrival. Fortunately we didn’t need to dwell on summer’s departure for long… today’s crisp sunshine welcomes what many of us feel is the most beautiful season in the Heart of the Lakes.

There are endless ways to enjoy this area and the fun fall brings. Get out and hike an area park, drive your favorite back roads and enjoy the colors, visit Stumpf’s Pumpkins and Fairhaven Farms, and don’t miss the final weekends of Swappers Meet and Annandale’s Downtown Farmer’s Market. Check out new locations for harvest goodies like Dan & Stacy Mol’s, and the first annual Fall Festival at Pioneer Park this Saturday, Oct. 3rd. Free this Thursday night? Stroll Main & Cedar Streets and  from 6-8 p.m. for the popular Downtown Art Crawl!

While you’re out and about this weekend, we invite you to tour Pintail Ponds, an innovative new development located just South of downtown Annandale.

Learn what a BayHome is… how coving benefits the residents in this new neighborhood… consider building on choice single family lots in a fantastic location, just a mile south of Hwy 55 on County Road 5! Improved pricing and Contract for Deed options makes a home in Pintail Ponds worth exploring! Tour our completed model, and pick out a free pumpkin too!

Lastly, I’ve got to ask, have you tried a SweeTango apple yet? … Yummm! Be sure you do!

A Nicer Day to Golf

Team Justin, Angie, Gary and Amy represented the office at the Annual Chamber Golf Tournament, held at Southbrook Golf Course on August 24th, on a much nicer day after being rescheduled due to a rainout!

Our carts stood out among the rest! Nice work on the decorating guys!

“That’s a Wrap!”

Were you in the Heart of the Lakes yesterday? Did you feel the perfect temperature? Drive by the glassy lakes? Admire the perfectly puffy white clouds? It was beautiful. In a phrase, it was the very reason we all chose to live here.

Fortunately, we had plans for morning that involved showcasing the area at its best…and we couldn’t have hand-picked a nicer day for the project.

So, what is Justin doing in this photo, with the camera’s turned on him? You’ll have to wait and see. It won’t be long. In the  meantime, consider making the Heart of the Lakes your vacation or year-round home. Or…take a moment to be thankful you already do!

Celebrating 35 Years – Part II

Oak stickers have been on our cars for many years!

Oak Realty's first office on Oak Avenue, Annandale's Main Street

In the lake for some creative marketing!

Our billboard has changed over the years... remember this one?

New office under construction. Oak moves to Highway 55!

In Part III, take a look at Oak today and where we are headed. A lot has changed for our industry in the last few years. We’ll share our insights on the local market, new trends in marketing that we’re following, and how we approach the challenges today’s buyers and sellers are facing. Until next time!

Celebrating 35 Years – Part I

Oak Realty marks its 35th year in business in 2009. We’re running ads and raising a glass, but the real fun in anniversary’s is taking a look back at where it all started. We opened the office archives to recall (for some of us) and see (for some of us) what real estate in the Heart of the Lakes was like three decades ago!

We think you’ll enjoy reading these old ads! Tomorrow… some old photos!

Ad in the Annandale Advocate, late 70's/early 80's.

The Annandale Advocate - May 28, 1981

The Annandale Advocate - Late 80's. Photos!