9 questions to ask about 2007

1. What is the greatest lesson you learned this year that you never want your kids to forget?

2. How might you have behaved or acted differently in 2007 if you had to do it over again?


3. Looking back over the year, what did you set out to do that you didn’t do and why?


4. What key discipline did you live out this past year that had a significant impact on your life? What was the impact?


5. What are you most proud of this year?


6. What were the key surprises (good or bad) that happened this year?


7. Which relationships in your life grew this year and which regressed?


8. If you could go back to the beginning of this year, what piece of advice would you give yourself? Why?

9. Looking back, what was the overarching theme for the year?

New Year's Resolutions

The beginning of a new year brings a lot of resolutions. You may want to get on that treadmill and lose those extra pounds, make a budget for your family or just want to be a better person all around. One of my resolutions this year is to get more organized around the house. I just can't seem to get rid of anything and it's starting to drive me crazy! Just think of how much easier it would be to move if your home was totally organized. Maybe once you get organized, you may just want to make a move. I know that I couldn't even think about moving right now because my closets are so cluttered and packing up all of the things to move would just be a nightmare. Maybe your home just doesn't have enough storage and moving into another home could help you stay more organized. That's one of the good things about Turner and Son Homes, the massive amount of storage and closet space. If you want to take a look at how big the closets are just give Darcy Oviatt a call at 274-5667 and he can give you a tour. You don't have to make resolutions, but making a move is a fresh start and a good way to get more organized. Happy New Year and good luck with your resolutions!

Mandy Stansberry

Atchley Group Marketing Manager

Oklahoma Bucks National Trend, Home Prices Rise!

The Atchley Group wanted to share the GOOD NEWS for the Oklahoma housing market that doesn't seem to get the media it deserves.

Government reports are showing Oklahoma's residential real estate market is NOT reflective of what is going on in the national scene where there is declining home prices in much of the country. According to reports from the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight released last week, home prices increased 2.12 percent in Oklahoma in the July/September period compared with the previous quarter and were up 5.54 percent for the year.

Yes, nationwide home prices have dipped which is the first quarterly decline in 13 years. The same report states that Oklahoma showed a relatively low number of foreclosure filings, amounting to about 1 percent of total households over the last five quarters. Economist Andrew Leventis from the agency said it best, "Some of the price correction we are seeing is an unraveling of excessive price growth that occured earlier. Many of the areas we are seeing the decline are the same areas that had posted the largest increases a couple of years ago during the housing boom."

What do you want to learn from the Atchley Group? Real estate is a local market!

Call us to get details that are about your home, your neighborhood, your school district -- research about how your home stacks up to the market that exist locally is the only way to determine if this IS the BEST time to make a move. Call 330-2626 and ask for a member of the Gary Atchley team at Keller Williams Realty to discuss your options.

Thanksgiving Greetings To All

The Gary Atchley Group is celebrating Thanksgiving 2007 with home buyers and sellers who have purchased or sold homes in the past 12 months. The season is commemorated with a special donation to four local charities to honor and recognize those families and individuals who have been a blessing to our business.

"We are so blessed to have the privilege of working with amazing people who entrust us to serve their real estate needs," says Gary Atchley. "Finding or selling someone's home gives us the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with central Oklahoma's finest!"

This year's Atchley Group Thanksgiving recognition program will benefit Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, City Rescue Mission, Children's Medical Research Institute and Sunbeam Family Services.

"There are so many well-deserving local charities that serve the Oklahoma City community," Gary adds. "These charities seem to focus on what matters most -- serving the needs of families!"

All members of the Atchley Group "encourage everyone" to remember charities in the community that work hard to serve those in need. Funds this time of year are usually stretched so every donation is very important. "We have so much to be thankful for -- join us in donating to charities who really make a difference in our community."

Online Newsletter About Local Real Estate

We get calls from folks wanting to know more about what is going on the real estate market in a format that is helpful and more importantly “on-line”. Monthly we are adding this to our blog to cover information and home sales market statistics for Edmond, Deer Creek, Northwest Oklahoma City, Piedmont and Yukon areas. Just a quick click and you are there . . . . http://realtytimes.com/108/DebAtchley Enjoy!