Archives of real estate blog entries for October 13, 2006 (Page 7)

Blog posts


The Race is on for the AR 100k Point Mark! - 05:19 PM

I've been eagerly waiting to see which Active Rain member will make it to 100,000 point first.
Let's see who's in the race, and review their background and point strategy:
Top 3 contenders:
# 1. Teri Isner - Current Total: 90,853



* Member since: 7/6/06 
* Not a significant amount of points from invitations 
* Religious 10+/day commenter
* Very rarely misses her 3 posts/day 
* Estimated date to hit the 100k point mark: Oct. 24th 2006 
* Conclusion: watch out!  With her consistent power blogging strategy, she is the favored to win.
# 2.  Jacqulyn Richey - Current Total: 89,780

* Member Since: 6/28/06
* Very large number … (8 comments)

FHA Advantages - 10:31 AM
My last blog on FHA I bashed them a little bit, even though they made the change, so I don’t want to leave the impression that I don’t like doing FHA loans because I do.  The reason I do is because FHA offers advantages over most Conventional Loans.  First there are all the advantages that Brian Brady mentioned in his blog FHA Modernization Act of 2006 will save the real estate markets  so I won’t mention them here again.  But there are a couple of other major ones that I would like to share. 
FHA loans are FHA insured, so … (3 comments)

I Don't Understand?? - 04:07 PM
There isn’t a lot of things that frustrate me, because I do a job that I love to do, and look forward to every day that I get to do it.  But one thing that does get to me is when I am dealing with a Borrower that plays dumb, and I know that they are not.  I am starting to come to the conclusion, that it is not that they don’t understand, but more of a case of selective hearing. If it isn’t what they want to hear,  they don’t understand.  I believe that I suggested on someone else’s blog … (9 comments)

Great Reward!!! - 09:31 PM
Phil Turner’s blog Babies & Buying a Home is the genesis for this blog.  While I have not been in the mortgage  business long enough to have experienced the satisfaction like Phil, of doing a lone a child that was born to a family that I have done a loan for.  I have had a similar experience that has given me as much satisfaction as Phil’s experience has given to him. A two months a go I did a loan on a young couple that I watch grow up since they were both in kindergarten.  Both of them went to elementary … (4 comments)

Our First Blog Post about Blogging - 05:54 AM
The codgers didn’t meet yesterday, we failed to reach a quorum with only Medford & I present. Later in the day, Med and I again got together to discuss what topic we’d place before our learned associate codgers, or Blog Food™ (thank you Teresa) for our AR blog.
Although we had some ideas, it appeared we’d have nothing for today. We were saved by another AR member, who provided sufficient Blog Food™ (thank you Teresa) for today.
“I enjoy reading your series.. who did you copy it from?” That comment, on our post “Monday, Early AM” made by Scott Daniels, appeared yesterday. Happy … (3 comments)

Secrets of Great Achievers - 08:04 AM
1. Create a mental picture of the image you will like to achieve, then hardcopy the image
2. Burn that image in your mind, see it every living day
3. Prepare a blueprint to achieve that image..things to do, time frame, failures, learning processes, refocusing,information gathering, persistance and the victory party
4. Prepare for failure. work at your goals with all your passion, let it be a burning desire
5.No matter what it takes, don't give up, keep going
6.Work smarter not harder, learn from people who have gone through that road
7. Success, goal accomplished, do it for every thing that you have the desire to … (0 comments)

For Sale By Owner - 06:23 PM
Where do you find FSBO? Go to WARNOCKS.COM. The name has changed to LANDVOICE.COM . This is a very good site to find all your FSBO's in your neighbourhood, but you must pay a subscription fee, approx. $ 30 mth
Every morning they email the New FSBO to you, but breaking through to them is a task. I am making great strides in finding their objections, go to landvoice and they have a lot of info on for sale by owner...Good Luck
… (0 comments)

We got the signed Purchase Offer now where are our sellers???? - 08:19 PM
 
We have clients that are separating. We listed their home 3 months ago.
Last month the wife got a job offer 2 hours away and moved out with her kids. Before she moved out, the husband was playing games. I guess he really did not believe she would leave him. He turned down a couple of good offers while she was away visiting her family and she had her cell phone turned off, so we could not reach her.
Wednesday, we got an offer less than the originals, but one they can live with, so they counter a little higher … (4 comments)

Breaking and Entering...A Big Oops from Show Homes - Part II - 08:23 PM
If you have not first read part I of this blog, please read part I before continuing...
After learning more about the story, I agreed to represent the tenants who had been placed by Showhomes into the home of a person that never contracted with show homes and did not want the tenants there.  My first action was to call the Showhomes office in Dallas.  I really thought that because it was a misunderstanding and an obvious mistake by Showhomes in Dallas that we could simply discuss the problem, cancel my clients' contract as tenants for Showhomes, get their money returned with a … (3 comments)

Fixer Uppers - 09:33 AM
Fixer-uppers  
The often heard phrase "Buyer Beware" is never more appropriate than when considering the purchase of a fixer-upper.You really need to know exactly what you’re getting into before buying.It’s commonly believed that fixer-upper properties represent easy money that is ripe for the taking - that you can buy it, do a little work on it in your spare time, and then resell quickly for a large profit.  Usually, this simply isn't the case. Although, with proper planning and foresight, good profits can be made by buying "distressed" properties at less than market value, making appropriate improvements and repairs, and then reselling.  … (1 comments)

Why Wholesale? - 10:07 AM
Real estate investors choose to wholesale properties for a few reasons. They could be:
1. Quick cash - it is possible to turn a property around anywhere from 7 to 45 days and get cash in your pocket. If you need to get your hands on some cash quickly, this would be a reason to wholesale.
Or, you may not need the cash immediately. You might just want to build your cash reserves. Wholesaling is a good way to do this quickly.
2. Too many houses - maybe you're good at finding houses, but you find more than you need or can … (0 comments)

Why Wholesale? - 10:25 AM
Why wholesale?Real estate investors choose to wholesale properties for a few reasons. They could be:
1. Quick cash - it is possible to turn a property around anywhere from 7 to 45 days and get cash in your pocket. If you need to get your hands on some cash quickly, this would be a reason to wholesale.
Or, you may not need the cash immediately. You might just want to build your cash reserves. Wholesaling is a good way to do this quickly.
2. Too many houses - maybe you're good at finding houses, but you find more than you need or … (0 comments)

A Smarter Way to Invest in Real Estate - 10:28 AM
A Smarter Way to Invest in Real Estate
Foreclosures are easily one of the best ways to turn a quick profit in real estate investing.
Purchasing a property after foreclosure, or even better purchasing it while it’s still in pre-foreclosure allows you obtain a property for the balance owned on the mortgage loan.
Some people feel this is a little underhanded.
There is nothing illegal or unethical about it. The homeowner is unable to make the payments on the property, for whatever reason, and that property is going to be sold so the lender can recoup their losses.
Someone is going to get a great deal … (0 comments)

Wholesale Real Estate Investing - 10:52 AM
Wholesale real estate investing (i.e. "quick-turn" or "flipping" real estate property) is conceptually very simple. Here's how it works: First, "Investor A" finds a great real estate deal with a lot of equity. Typically, Investor A will have spent a significant amount of time, money, and expertise to find the deal, negotiate the terms, and get the property under contract. By putting the property under contract, Investor A now has control of the property, and the equity in the property.
(For this example, imagine that Investor A has found a property worth $200,000 and has set a purchase price of $115,000 … (0 comments)

Satisfaction Surveys, per requests - 10:47 AM
I send out a satisfaction survey immediately after closing.  We get about a 75% return rate on it.  No, we don't offer anything for free to get it back.  But we do include a self-addressed stamped envelope which I think does the trick.  Everything is hand-addressed.  AND what has increased our return rate is that we print the survey on HOT PINK paper.  So they can't lose it in the myriad piles that appear after you move!   I've copied and pasted it below (but if you want me to email you the file in Word, be glad to do so, just … (0 comments)

Need more listings? Or Buyers? - 10:51 AM
Had a long chat yesterday with an agent for whom I have served as a mentor.  She was crying the blues about not having any inventory-everything she had has sold (great problem to have, eh?).  And wanted to know the magic trick to increasing inventory and at-bats.
Best dialogue ever, I got from someone at StarPower (my apologies, it's been so long i don't remember from whom I stole it!).
"Hi client!  Do you have just a minute?  I NEED YOUR HELP.  All of my listings are currently under contract and I need properties to sell.  Have you heard anyone mention needing to … (1 comments)

What are you using for a CMA presentation? Suggestions? - 10:53 AM
I have tried eneighborhoods (data is too old and incomplete), Top Producer (eh), Agent 2000 (love the database but not thrilled with the CMA)...and keep coming back to building one by hand with MLS sheets, net sheet, state of the market.
Does anyone use a software program that's really good, looks professional, etc?
… (5 comments)

L.A. Real Estate Pioneer Dies. - 12:58 AM

Theodore Bartlett was the first African-American Realtor in Los Angeles County joining the Pasadena California board in 1955. It took this man another 8 years before he was able to join the MLS due to protests, I can't even imagine. It sounds like he was one heck of a guy, here's the clip.
Pete WillnerWho Will? Pete Will!Broker Direct Real Estatewww.petewill.com   
… (1 comments)

Quick, Quick, I need FSBO scripts and tips! - 11:41 AM
If any of you saw my blog yesterday, I posted about a FSBO I have been watching. Leigh Brown was kind enough to call me to the carpet on this one (thank you) and point out that I need to call on this. Here's my deal.........I've never cold called a FSBO.......I've spoken to plenty in person which is where I am most comfortable, but the phone game is a new area for me. I'm just looking for a few tips so I can formulate my game plan for this. I've set aside time this afternoon to do this and will have … (8 comments)

Weekend entertainment. - 11:41 PM

You can kill more then a few hours on a site like this, and if you're the curious type you can kill even more. The best thing about it is there is a ton of good information to be had. Click here to find out how stuff works, enjoy an have a great weekend!
Pete WillnerWho Will? Pete Will!Broker Direct Real Estatewww.petewill.com     
… (4 comments)

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