It's Great To Be Part Of An Amazing Team!

It's obvious that a lot of hard work and dedication certainly pays off ... although I have only been part of the Crye-Leike Blue Skies team for 6 months now, I am proud to announce that our office has achieved a top 5 ranking throughout the entire franchise network of Crye-Leike. Our company is #1 in Tennessee ... and although others claim to be #1 here in Jackson, due to sheer number of agents at their companies, it's clear that Crye-Leike Blue Skies is #1 here in Jackson, based on customer service and dedication! We're an awesome team!

Something To Aim For ...

With the impending release of my first novel;
'Sisters Of Mercy'
I am hoping that it will create the same
success that my first children's book;
'My Friend Old Ted'
achieved back in Australia in 1996.

Neill.

The Lighter Side Of Real Estate - This Is Really Funny!

The Lighter Side of Real Estate


A New Orleans lawyer sought an FHA loan for a client. He was told the loan would be granted if he could prove satisfactory title to the parcel of property being offered as collateral. The title to the property dated back to 1803, which took the Lawyer three months to track down. After sending the information to the FHA, he received the following reply:



(Actual letter): "Upon review of your letter adjoining your client's loan application, we note that the request is supported by an Abstract of Title. While we compliment the able manner in which you have prepared and presented the application, we must point out that you have only cleared title to the proposed collateral property back to 1803. Before final approval can be accorded, it will be necessary to clear the title back to its origin." Annoyed, the lawyer responded as follows:



(Actual Letter) "Your letter regarding title in Case No. 189156 has been received. I note that you wish to have title extended further than the 194 years covered by the present application. I was unaware that any educated person in this country, particularly those working in the property area, would not know that Louisiana was purchased, by the U.S., from Francein 1803, the year of origin identified in our application. For the edification of uninformed FHA bureaucrats, the title to the land prior to U.S. ownership was obtained from France, which had acquired it by Right of Conquest from Spain. The land came into the possession of Spain by Right of Discovery made in the year 1492 by a sea captain named Christopher Columbus, who had been granted the privilege of seeking a new route to India by the Spanish monarch, Isabella. The good queen, Isabella, being a pious woman and almost as careful about titles as the FHA, took the precaution of securing the blessing of the Pope before she sold her jewels to finance Columbus expedition. Now the Pope, as I'm sure you may know, is the emissary of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God, it is commonly accepted, created this world. Therefore, I believe it is safe to presume that God also made that part of the world called Louisiana. God, therefore, would be the owner of origin and His origins date back to before the beginning of time, the world as we know it AND the FHA. I hope you find God's original claim to be satisfactory. Now, may we have our loan?"



He got the loan.

Getting to Know The Aussie Realtor...

I am originally from Melbourne, Australia where I worked as a professional photographer for 20+ years. My portfolio encompassed several top-10 rock bands including, Men at Work, INXS and various other top Aussie 80’s & 90’s bands. Through the years, I discovered my true passion was travel photography. My photos have been featured on thousands of Australian post cards and souvenir memorabilia.

During the 90’s, I combined my love of photography with my desire to help children and created the “Celebrity Bear Project.” For this project, I teamed with the Make-A Wish Foundation in Australia. I commissioned Jenny Round, a renowned teddy bear artist, to have a bear specially made for the project. She created “Bertrand Bear,” named for John Bertrand, the Skipper of the yacht that won the America’s Cup the only year Australia beat the United States. I negotiated with various celebrities from around the world to arrange for them to have a portrait with Bertrand Bear. During the session, the celebrity would sign an autograph book, as well as, an accompanying photo mount. I had a tremendous response with this project and owe a world of thanks to various participating artists, Dionne Warwick, Phil Collins, Richard Marx, Michael Bolton, Pete Sampras, & Tom Jones, just to name a few, there were many, many others. The matted photos & autograph book were set in a series and auctioned at Melbourne’s Crown Casino during the Celebrity Gala Auction. The project was a success and $11,000 dollars was raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation! Bertrand Bear remains a part of my personal “Teddy Collection” to this day.

Being an avid lover of teddy bears, I began writing children’s books based on “Old Ted,” a one-legged teddy bear and his sidekick Edward Bear. Again, combining my love of photography, I illustrated the books, as well. It was my wish to create books that would appeal to the parent, as well as, the child to encourage more reading time. This was also a success and the “Old Ted” series is up to three books now!

After I completed my children’s books, I began looking for my next big challenge! I enjoyed writing and seemed to be pretty good at it so I tried my hand at writing a novel. My novel, ‘Sisters of Mercy,’ has been contracted with a publishing company and is set for release in late 2008! I'll keep you posted on the progress!

In 2001, I moved to the United States and married my “Southern Girl,” Christi, and we made Jackson, TN our home. We have three beautiful daughters, Danielle, Morgan and our baby Hannah. I began my Real Estate Career in 2004 and realized quickly that this was my Dream Job…my true calling!! I was able to combine all my favorite activities: Photography, Writing, Marketing, Negotiations and Meeting People! What could be better than that?? In my four years, I have assisted my clients in buying and selling 69 properties for a total of $8 million dollars in sales! I know each and every client & stay in touch with them all. To date, all my clients have become dear friends and I have increased my “circle of friends” tremendously! My clients know they will receive 110% of me at all times which is why my repeat business and referrals make up 80% of my clientele. I’ve helped clients move, stored belongings for them, painted rooms, raked leaves, mowed yards, cleaned gutters, cleaned & staged homes, etc…when my clients need ANYTHING – I am there! I am a 24/7 Realtor – Yes, I even work nights and weekends. As a matter of fact, I have had a call on a home at midnight before! You will have no trouble reaching me my phone is ALWAYS on!

Well that about covers The Aussie Realtor... Wow, I thought this first blog would be hard. I guess I had more to say than I thought! Thanks for coming along for the ride...I might get good at this! Until next time...

Your Realtor & Friend,

Neill Bartlett, "The Aussie Realtor"

"Earning An Excellent Reputation...One Client At A Time!"