If I or any one else for that matter, really new the answer to what the new year would bring, we would get rich. I am not going to pretend to know. I just hope I am still in business when it is all said and done and this recession is behind us. Really behind us. That recession that was supposed to be over in 2009, yet still looms large for many of us today.
I try not to talk politics with people most of the time, but I want to rant a little today. I am going to do this because I want to gripe about BOTH parties especially the Republican and Democrat leadership. I tend to be ultra conservative. I would prefer to get nothing that I did not work for. I wish the government would just get the hell out of my way and let me do my work.
As you might guess I was pretty happy with the election in November. It looked like my party was taking back control or at least going to inject what I consider to be some common sense back into Washington. I have not seen anything, so far, that looks like common sense is anywhere near Washington. Everything that I have seen on the news has shown that any of the bills that have passed are so full of pork and things that have nothing to do with the title of the bill, that they are of little benefit to ordinary Americans. I am not bashing any one side. BOTH parties are at fault.
I do think there are a few people in Washington that are trying to do a good job and some go by Democrat and some by Republican. I just think, for the most part, it does not matter who is in charge. Its the American people that are getting screwed. Pardon my French.
O well, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Gregg
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
HALF way there....
Greetings...
It is now less than two weeks until Christmas and the real estate market is slowing down. I hope this is only temporary, but time will tell. I am not terribly busy at the moment so I am going to take this opportunity to talk about some things I do for fun in my life.
I took my daughter (who is five years old) Christmas shopping last night. It was supposed to be a trip to Wal-Mart to pick something out for her mother for Christmas. Five year old daughters don't keep secrets very well. Jordan (that's the daughter) picked out an I tunes gift card for her mother, but then decided she wanted one for herself. I guess if I had been smart I would have gotten her one, because when her mom was reading Jordan her bedtime story she told her mom how she wanted an I tunes gift card because we had gone to Wal-Mart and gotten her mom one for Christmas. Ok... lesson learned.
Now to the title of Half way there. I took up running about nine months ago. I am currently training to run a half marathon at the White Rock- Rock N Roll Marathon in March. I have some friends that I try and get together and run with at least once a week. I came up with the bright idea that we would try and run a length of 13.5 miles this past Sunday. A half marathon is 13.2 miles. I am happy to report that three of us started at 5:30 AM on Sunday morning and ran and ran and ran. I believe it was about 30 degrees outside and I think the wind was blowing about 30 miles an hour and while it was cold for a while the stars where very pretty and it is pretty quiet that early in morning. My current pace is an eleven minute mile so that gives me about 2:30 hours to reflect on life and try and solve a few problems. Notice that I said try, it never really seems to work but it is nice to reflect.
Until next time, do what you enjoy and enjoy what you do.
Gregg Saxon
It is now less than two weeks until Christmas and the real estate market is slowing down. I hope this is only temporary, but time will tell. I am not terribly busy at the moment so I am going to take this opportunity to talk about some things I do for fun in my life.
I took my daughter (who is five years old) Christmas shopping last night. It was supposed to be a trip to Wal-Mart to pick something out for her mother for Christmas. Five year old daughters don't keep secrets very well. Jordan (that's the daughter) picked out an I tunes gift card for her mother, but then decided she wanted one for herself. I guess if I had been smart I would have gotten her one, because when her mom was reading Jordan her bedtime story she told her mom how she wanted an I tunes gift card because we had gone to Wal-Mart and gotten her mom one for Christmas. Ok... lesson learned.
Now to the title of Half way there. I took up running about nine months ago. I am currently training to run a half marathon at the White Rock- Rock N Roll Marathon in March. I have some friends that I try and get together and run with at least once a week. I came up with the bright idea that we would try and run a length of 13.5 miles this past Sunday. A half marathon is 13.2 miles. I am happy to report that three of us started at 5:30 AM on Sunday morning and ran and ran and ran. I believe it was about 30 degrees outside and I think the wind was blowing about 30 miles an hour and while it was cold for a while the stars where very pretty and it is pretty quiet that early in morning. My current pace is an eleven minute mile so that gives me about 2:30 hours to reflect on life and try and solve a few problems. Notice that I said try, it never really seems to work but it is nice to reflect.
Until next time, do what you enjoy and enjoy what you do.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Get to the Point!...
First of all.. Merry Christmas. I hope you are ready because it will be here before you know it.
All kidding aside all of us with Saxon Surveying would like to wish you a Merry and Joyous Christmas this season. We are blessed to still be here to serve you in this tough economy and chances are that if you need our services, then you are doing okay too.
When we get orders, the first question from the client is usually how much. I will gladly put an estimate together for you, but I need a little information first. The most useful thing is a copy of the deed or a previous survey that has a metes and bounds description or the property. This lets me know what I am up against and what I am likely to find in the field. The estimate is then based on the amount of time that the job is expected to take, taking into consideration the liability and complexity involved. The State Board of Professional Land Surveying sets minimum standards that all surveyors are supposed to follow so what may look very basic and simple to the untrained eye may involve a lot of research and liability on the part of the surveyor.
A plat of survey is generally going to show what is marking the property corners, the acreage of the property, and the improvements on the property. It should also show the source of the description for the property and the source of the description for the adjoining properties. The surveyor is required to mark the corners of the survey on the ground.
Do you need the property line marked to put up a new fence? Are you and the neighbor at odds over where the property line is? Do you need to divide the property? A competent surveyor can help you with these things if they know what you are needing. It helps greatly if these things are discussed when the work is originally ordered. Yes it is the surveyors job to ask questions to help determine what you need, but you might be surprised how hard it is to find out what a client is truly needing. A lot of services can be done for little additional cost if we know they are needed, but the cost can increase greatly if additional trips on site are required to perform services not originally agreed to.
For survey examples and some useful definitions you can view our website at http://www.saxonsurveying.com/
Merry Christmas
Gregg Saxon and everyone at Saxon Surveying, Inc
All kidding aside all of us with Saxon Surveying would like to wish you a Merry and Joyous Christmas this season. We are blessed to still be here to serve you in this tough economy and chances are that if you need our services, then you are doing okay too.
When we get orders, the first question from the client is usually how much. I will gladly put an estimate together for you, but I need a little information first. The most useful thing is a copy of the deed or a previous survey that has a metes and bounds description or the property. This lets me know what I am up against and what I am likely to find in the field. The estimate is then based on the amount of time that the job is expected to take, taking into consideration the liability and complexity involved. The State Board of Professional Land Surveying sets minimum standards that all surveyors are supposed to follow so what may look very basic and simple to the untrained eye may involve a lot of research and liability on the part of the surveyor.
A plat of survey is generally going to show what is marking the property corners, the acreage of the property, and the improvements on the property. It should also show the source of the description for the property and the source of the description for the adjoining properties. The surveyor is required to mark the corners of the survey on the ground.
Do you need the property line marked to put up a new fence? Are you and the neighbor at odds over where the property line is? Do you need to divide the property? A competent surveyor can help you with these things if they know what you are needing. It helps greatly if these things are discussed when the work is originally ordered. Yes it is the surveyors job to ask questions to help determine what you need, but you might be surprised how hard it is to find out what a client is truly needing. A lot of services can be done for little additional cost if we know they are needed, but the cost can increase greatly if additional trips on site are required to perform services not originally agreed to.
For survey examples and some useful definitions you can view our website at http://www.saxonsurveying.com/
Merry Christmas
Gregg Saxon and everyone at Saxon Surveying, Inc
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
But I have a survey, why do I need a new one?
I get this question all of the time. It is not easy to answer, but I will try.
How old is your survey? The statute of limitations is generally four years, so if your survey is over four years old, no one would be liable for a problem with the survey. Lets face it, this is all about liability. The title company and the lender are using the survey to decide if the property is unemcumbered.
Who did your survey? The average age of a surveyor in the State of Texas is close to the retiremenet age and I have seen about three companies close due to the economy over the last three years just in my area alone. If the surveyor that sealed your work is out of business or retired, who will be liable if there is an issue?
A survey has a natural copyright. Like software or games or movies, copies should not be made or used except for the initial transaction. If you reuse the survey, you will likely waive any liablity or warranty the survey carried. Saxon Surveying certifies to one entity for one transaction. We also carry professional liability insurance which is very expensive, but it protects me and protects my clients.
A current survey by a registered professional land surveyor that carries professional liability insurance and a current title policy with the survey deletion ( this means the title company is insuring the property that is described by the current survey) is the best peace of mind you can have when you purchase real estate.
Saxon Surveying, Inc
No Shortcuts
http://www.saxonsurveying.com/
How old is your survey? The statute of limitations is generally four years, so if your survey is over four years old, no one would be liable for a problem with the survey. Lets face it, this is all about liability. The title company and the lender are using the survey to decide if the property is unemcumbered.
Who did your survey? The average age of a surveyor in the State of Texas is close to the retiremenet age and I have seen about three companies close due to the economy over the last three years just in my area alone. If the surveyor that sealed your work is out of business or retired, who will be liable if there is an issue?
A survey has a natural copyright. Like software or games or movies, copies should not be made or used except for the initial transaction. If you reuse the survey, you will likely waive any liablity or warranty the survey carried. Saxon Surveying certifies to one entity for one transaction. We also carry professional liability insurance which is very expensive, but it protects me and protects my clients.
A current survey by a registered professional land surveyor that carries professional liability insurance and a current title policy with the survey deletion ( this means the title company is insuring the property that is described by the current survey) is the best peace of mind you can have when you purchase real estate.
Saxon Surveying, Inc
No Shortcuts
http://www.saxonsurveying.com/
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
What is your title policy worth?
A lot of people do not want to spend money on a new survey when buying property yet they would not dream of buying it without a title policy. Did you know that a title policy is like insurance and it is the only type of insurance that is planning on never having to pay?
Don't get me wrong. I am not knocking title policies. If you have a mortgage the lender is going to require that you have a title policy. I would not by property without one, but lets look at what the title policy is doing for you.
The title policy guarantees that the person selling you the property has the right to sell it to you. For example, If I sell you a piece of property the title policy guarantees that I actually own it and have the right to sell it. It does not guarantee a quantity of land being sold and it does not identify any conflicts that might exist on the property.
A survey will take a legal description from a deed and identify that property on the ground. The deed may call a property to be 5.00 acres but when the survey is conducted on the ground it may be more or less than 5.00 acres. It could be a very old description that was not surveyed well or there could have been a mistake on a previous survey. A survey can also show any conflicts between the subject deed and adjoining deeds and can show easements on the ground and those that are described on paper. The title policy will identify these items on thier schedule "B".
The smart money is to combine a current title policy and a current survey. That way the title policy will guarantee that a person has the right to sell and a current survey gaurantees what is being sold. A title policy without the current survey may not be worth a whole lot.
Thanks
Don't get me wrong. I am not knocking title policies. If you have a mortgage the lender is going to require that you have a title policy. I would not by property without one, but lets look at what the title policy is doing for you.
The title policy guarantees that the person selling you the property has the right to sell it to you. For example, If I sell you a piece of property the title policy guarantees that I actually own it and have the right to sell it. It does not guarantee a quantity of land being sold and it does not identify any conflicts that might exist on the property.
A survey will take a legal description from a deed and identify that property on the ground. The deed may call a property to be 5.00 acres but when the survey is conducted on the ground it may be more or less than 5.00 acres. It could be a very old description that was not surveyed well or there could have been a mistake on a previous survey. A survey can also show any conflicts between the subject deed and adjoining deeds and can show easements on the ground and those that are described on paper. The title policy will identify these items on thier schedule "B".
The smart money is to combine a current title policy and a current survey. That way the title policy will guarantee that a person has the right to sell and a current survey gaurantees what is being sold. A title policy without the current survey may not be worth a whole lot.
Thanks
Friday, November 19, 2010
I run therefore I hurt
For those of you that don't know me I am 43 years old and 4 years ago I broke my right femur snow skiing. I would like to say I was doing some incredible trick at the time, but truth is I was basically on a bunny slope. Anyway, after 2 surgeries and a year on crutches and then 2 more years to get to feeling normal, I had gained about 50 pounds. Even at 6'2" tall, 265 pounds was no fun.
In March I started walking every morning before work. I had a friend walking with me at first but he chickened out after a few weeks. The walking became jogging and then the high school track just got boring. I started running on the roads around town and mile or two became three and then six. I can do ten miles now on my long days. I ran my first 5k (bout 3.1miles) a few weeks ago. I am currently training for a 1/2 marathon (13 miles).
I always heard the saying that when I see someone smile while they run I might consider taking it up. I know why no one smiles while they run. It can hurt. It usually takes me about 3 miles before I start to loosen up and feel good, but by that time my legs are pretty much numb. That is when the runners "high" starts to kick in and that does feel good.
Call me a masochist. Running can feel so good and hurt so bad at the same time. I am down to about 210 pounds now and I feel great so I guess I will take the pain.
Later
www.saxonsurveying.com
In March I started walking every morning before work. I had a friend walking with me at first but he chickened out after a few weeks. The walking became jogging and then the high school track just got boring. I started running on the roads around town and mile or two became three and then six. I can do ten miles now on my long days. I ran my first 5k (bout 3.1miles) a few weeks ago. I am currently training for a 1/2 marathon (13 miles).
I always heard the saying that when I see someone smile while they run I might consider taking it up. I know why no one smiles while they run. It can hurt. It usually takes me about 3 miles before I start to loosen up and feel good, but by that time my legs are pretty much numb. That is when the runners "high" starts to kick in and that does feel good.
Call me a masochist. Running can feel so good and hurt so bad at the same time. I am down to about 210 pounds now and I feel great so I guess I will take the pain.
Later
www.saxonsurveying.com
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Yes surveying is expensive
I get calls all the time wanting to know the cost of a survey like there is one price that covers any situation. If you are going to a ask a builder how much it will cost to build a house, don't you think he would want to know a few things about what you want to build?
There can be a lot to doing even a simple lot survey. You need a copy of the plat from the courthouse. You might need to look up seperate restrictions. Does the title company need the schedule B on it showing all the restrictions? What is the size of the lot. Is it a recent plat where you would expect to find corners or is it old and likely that there will be no corners there?
If you are calling to get a price and the company is not asking thinks about the job... beware. Is the surveyor using current equipment, has it been calibrated recently? Are his crews professional are is it just some kids that will work cheap. Is the company insured, liability, auto, workers comp and professional liability. Do they have an office that is staffed and are the phones ansewered? These things cost money, but it can save you in the long run.
Saxon Surveying-we ask questions, we are insured and we are here to serve you.
Thanks
There can be a lot to doing even a simple lot survey. You need a copy of the plat from the courthouse. You might need to look up seperate restrictions. Does the title company need the schedule B on it showing all the restrictions? What is the size of the lot. Is it a recent plat where you would expect to find corners or is it old and likely that there will be no corners there?
If you are calling to get a price and the company is not asking thinks about the job... beware. Is the surveyor using current equipment, has it been calibrated recently? Are his crews professional are is it just some kids that will work cheap. Is the company insured, liability, auto, workers comp and professional liability. Do they have an office that is staffed and are the phones ansewered? These things cost money, but it can save you in the long run.
Saxon Surveying-we ask questions, we are insured and we are here to serve you.
Thanks
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