Monday, August 20, 2012

Tucson Storm Clouds

Photographed by Bryce C., 10th grader at BASIS Tucson North

Highlights from the "Walk with a Doc" Program

1) Our longevity depends on three factors: genetics, environment, and behavior. It is our behavior that is most problematic and that has lead to the leading causes of death (cardiac disease, cancer, and stroke) in the U.S.
2) The most preventable factors of premature death are tobacco use and physical inactivity. In 2004, a "tipping point" occurred with tobacco, when the number of ex-smokers outnumbered the number of current smokers.
3) The death rate for a fit 80 year old is lower than that of a sedentary 60 year old.
4) Exercise is a "wonder drug" and everyone should take it.
5) Our insurance industry needs to change. Why is it that insurance will pay to refer a patient for bariatric surgery, but will not pay to refer a patient to an exercise specialist?
6) We need to move from a treatment-oriented society to a prevention-oriented society.
7) Seven out of ten Americans will die from a preventable disease.
8) Childhood obesity is our number one health problem in the US. For the first time in our history, our youth will have a shorter life span than adults, which is a terrible, embarrassing comment on our nation's current health.
9) Each of us can play a key role to increase exercise in the U.S., starting by being a fit personal role model.
10) Healthy food choices and lifestyle choices need to be part of the solution for healthy living.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Long Cares Foundation - Habitat Home Building Sept.11

Building Freedom Day - Habitat Home Building September 11th

     Long Cares Foundation has decided to build another Habitat Home this year. The first build date will be Sept. 11. More information is to follow as to how to sign-up for that build date and subsequent building days in the coming months.

     After building 13 homes, this has now become a wonderful Long Realty family tradition. It takes a lot of effort and money to build a home. But the payoff is not just building "a" home or helping "a" family to own a home. It has been proven over time and has been documented in many studies that home ownership changes families, neighborhoods and entire communities. The Habitat family is not just given the home. First, they put in many hours of sweat equity building a home for a different family and then after they get their home, they become a mortgage holder and payee just like you and I. But they have obtained the American Dream --- the dream of Home Ownership.

     Lives change when a family moves from a dismal living condition to becoming a homeowner. The family becomes more involved with the community, volunteering, getting involved with issues, voting. Children do better in school and parents are more involved with the educational process. There is a documented reduction of crime activity in the neighborhood because a homeowner cares about what is going on and they are involved. And, they become a tax paying resident of the community.

     We are a Real Estate Company. Every day we get the opportunity to assist families in obtaining their dream of how they will shelter their family. This is our business and this is how we earn our livelihood to support our families. It is only appropriate that this Real Estate Company and all of our employees and agents give back to the community by building community.

     See you on Sept. 11 - Building Freedom Day!

For more information on the Long Cares Foundation visit http://www.longrealtycares.com/default.asp


Saturday, March 17, 2012

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Warren Buffet on Housing

"Housing will come back you can be sure of that. Over time, the number of housing units necessarily matches the number of households (after allowing for a normal level of vacancies). For a period of years prior to 2008, however, America added more housing units than households. Inevitably, we ended up with far too many units and the bubble popped with a violence that shook the entire economy. That created still another problem for housing: Early in a recession, household formations slow, and in 2009 the decrease was dramatic.

That devastating supply/demand equation is now reversed: Every day we are creating more households than housing units. People may postpone hitching up during uncertain times, but eventually hormones take over. And while “doubling-up” may be the initial reaction of some during a recession, living with in-laws can quickly lose its allure.”

- Warren Buffet on Housing