Witness Protection Plan

Okay, so I did a little goofy header to try and get your attention. Yesterday Cynthia suggested we needed to get some new blood buyers to join us online. Frankly, a bigger list of visitors/members would help promote that, so yesterday I asked if anyone would be adverse to me contacting the local press. I thought a story on how and what this site is doing, especially with the number of buyers we have using the site of late would be one way of increasing traffic.

This morning I sent an email off to Jeff Grant of the Daily News Sun. I've gotten to know Jeff and like his writing style and coverage of the community. I have no idea if he will act on it and even less idea if any of you want to be part of the story. I've offered to help set up a contact with him or suggested he could log on to the site and contact you individually through the private message function.

Hope I didn't overstep my bounds, and if you don't want any part of this, just ignore me like my wife does layful:.

 

That didn't take long. Jeff got back to me with this answer:

Hi Bill,

Definitely interested. A worthy topic especially in light of the New Hovnanian project.

Please feel free to pass my contact info along.

Especially for those having just bought or are buying, but also for others interested, here's Jeff's email address: jgrant@yourwestvalley.com

This is a great chance to grow the TOSC community.

 

Oh no.....exposure! I'll have to dig out my big floppy hat, wig and dark glasses or only go out after dark.:anonymous:

Great idea to promote the site but I hope it remains as friendly and helpful as it's been up to this point. I agree that Jeff Grant has been a real asset to the Daily News Sun. We just renewed our daily delivery!

 

Not to worry aggie, at least one board member thinks you are Carole (said with a grin).

Okay, so at least one of the recent buyers contacted Jeff; hopefully others will as well. Hey Mullet, you're coming into town, how about an interview, be a star in the community before you even move in. Let me know and I can set it up, or better yet, feel free to contact him and I can stay out of it.

It would be a great way for the site to get a nice promotion and in a very positive way.

 

Oh no. You want to take away the cloak of anonymity provided by TOSC? I'm not opposed. I'm about to leave the motel for a first look at the condo. We'll see if I feel differently after that. layful: BP- I'll send you a pm.

 

We'll put one of those paper bags over your head Mullet; you know the ones they used to wear for the Cleveland Browns games (my guess is they'll be wearing them in Chicago for the/Da Bear's this year).

Too cool; Mullet has agreed to be part of the story. Still trying to line up some pictures (that bag will be a hoot) for the Daily News Sun with him and the Realtor in the next hour. The thing about Sun City is it's a community built around personal stories. Both our papers feature local news and individuals who make it special. Pictures are a way of life and getting TOSC that kind of exposure will help promote the site and grow the numbers of people accessing it.

I've heard from at least one other buyer who has touched base with Jeff. Hopefully others will do so.

See you in a bit mull-man.

 

Went over and met with Mullet a bit ago; great to meet him and a real treat to see the home he is looking at. Absolutely gorgeous, and oddly enough I knew the owners and the agent selling it. Go figure.

While there, I also met the home inspector and he came with the highest recommendations of the selling agent. In that people often ask about a good home inspector, thought I'd pass on this picture of him hard at work and his contact information.

John Phelps Pure Tech Home Inspectors.
623-693-0543.



I asked him to smile but claims he doesn't.

 

He did my home inspection. He did a great job and I had my report that night.

 

In one of those rare moments (at least for me), I'll let the picture do the talking...unless someone wants to jump in.

 

Beautiful kitchen.

 

Let me tap out a quick post before flying out.

Another trip to Sun City did nothing to dampen my excitement for moving here. The inspection went well. Hopefully, nothing stands in the way of closing in August. B and L Pearson extended their Sun City hospitality to this stranger from Montana. Thank you!

To support Emily's remarks, I sure hope any potential article highlights the importance the TOSC "old-timers" play in promoting the community to new, possible buyers. I would be fine staying anonymous but if identity is important to the process, I'll stand up and represent the number of new and potential residents this site helps through the decision making and buying processes.

To all of you: thank you for your contributions.

 

Yesterday at the Visitor Center a lady came in who is planning to move to SC.
She now lives in Phoenix and wants to be with people her own age.
It was refreshing to hear someone talk in a positive way about the senior citizens.

We talked for a very long time and I gave her lots of information.
It's a great place to volunteer and I always feel good when I can help someone.

She wants to buy a condo, live in one half, and rent out the other.
That might be difficult. Some associations do not allow renters.
Also, there are rarely adjoining condos for sale. But it does happen.

 

When we (Mullet and I) met with Jeff Grant yesterday we did in fact talk about Peg and several of the others of you.Peg was one of them that we focused on because she embodies our future; Residents taking ownership and giving back. TOSC is a microcosm of that mentality. The beauty of this site is it introduces potential buyers to the whole idea of a "sense of community."

I would hope anyone using TOSC would contact Jeff and give him your nickel's worth. If you send him an email, he will correspond with you like that, or if you would rather he would call you. The goal is to talk about the value of our online community and why it matters.

And thanks for the kind words E, but you and peg have far more posts that kept feeding the flames when it needed it.

 

Yesterday was pure joy for me. I walked in on several people in this condo I was dying to see. The garage door was open and I kind of just plowed in. M's Realtor was one I knew and the condo owner turned out to be a friend of my wife's and her husband and I had talked about Sun City on a number of occasions. Mullet and the home inspector were the only "strangers" but it took M and I 30 seconds to feel like old friends.

The condo he is buying is the best top to bottom remodel I have seen in Sun City. Coming in at 2000+ square feet, the layout is open and dramatic. These condo's are some of the largest in Sun City and anyone looking for space, without the hassle of single family living, they are clearly the answer. They're directly across from Lakeview Rec Center, so the location is wonderful.

Mullet and I had a chance to spend some time chasing around Sun City and I was delighted he didn't crash my golf car. We did stop at the show at Sun Dial last night. The group was great but I had to sneak out early. had some stuff to get done when I got home. Mullet hung around for a bit so hopefully he can give us a review of what he saw and heard.

Like Peg said, showing and talking to people about Sun City is something most of us living here love to do. It all comes full circle, as those of you coming after us, end up doing the same thing. It's one of the reason's Sun City has been as successful as it has.

 

As I sit in SLC waiting for a connection... Thanks for the kind words about the condo. Not that I can take any credit for it. I thought I'd offer something as a point of reference for those still contemplating the type of Sun City housing they'd like to live in. You may have seen Bill's $100/square foot price point for original condition single family housing. The condo is right at that same price point as a complete remodel. Of course there are other considerations, like HOA fees, etc. but it's interesting to look at the market comparison, in this case anyway.

Thanks to Bill for the "how to survive Sun City in a golf car lessons. :glee:

 

Is there a video or printed version of the golf car lessons?

 

Not from me, I had my eyes squeezed shut good and tight while mullet was freewheeling down the road.

 

We're going to need a "Golf Car Club".

 

Thank you Emily Litella!

 

Just curious BP, what's Mr. Phelps doing in the picture...measuring air flow?