Archives of real estate blog entries for October 13, 2006 (Page 8)

Blog posts


Transaction Organization - 09:41 AM
Just looking for some ideas on how other agents, transaction coordinators organize and maintain their files for active and pending files.  Currently we use legal size folders.  Blue for listings and red for sales.  I have a 4 tab organizer with tabs that read Escrow & Settlement, Inspections, Purchase Documents and Listing Documents.  I am interested in expanding these categories a little more and was hoping I could get some ideas.  We were actually thinking about using binders for each transaction. I would love to have some input!
… (2 comments)

Blogs and Podcasts - The New Wave of Marketing - 09:14 AM
I know that there are numerous posts about blogs, heck we all know the importance of blogging in regards to marketing (I think).  But how important is it and are we missing other valuable ways to market ourselves?
Reports say that blogs have become one of the most powerful mediums for business marketing communication today.  It is a great way for us to reach the community for considerably less money than sending out marketing pieces.  They also offer real-time evidence that the direct interaction between real estate bloggers and their readers are visible "proff"that such responses help build your brand and increase … (10 comments)

Mortgage Interest Tax Deductability - What Are The Limitations? - 03:43 PM
Ok, I know I am not a tax advisor per se, but this is one area that I know a lot about since it is a huge part of my profession.  I am willing to bet though, that none of you (well there might be a few) have thought about this topic and that they may be taking too much of a deduction.
Let me explain...
Mortgage interest is deductible in two main ways, but primarily limited to your priamry residence and qualifying second home.  One is acquisition indebtedness and the other is home equity indebtedness.  Failure to understand these definitions may have … (14 comments)

My Friday Message - 08:54 AM
The ideas and information on this site are unbelievable.  If you haven't taken time to sit down and go through this site and see all that it has to offer you are really missing something special.  My prediction is that this will be one of the largest realestate and mortgage blog website in less than a year.  Just my thoughts.  Have a great weekend. … (3 comments)

Hutchinson Island Paradise Condo Community - 04:15 PM
  Ocean Village Golf Community.
Looking for a property with a Golf Course View, minutes from the ocean? Look no further. This beautiful 3/2/1 golf Lodge property comple with garage, Lush tropical landscaping on Hutchinson Island. 3000 sq. feet of private beach. Amenities include Golf Course, Tennis Club, Exercise Room, five heated swimming pools, jacuzzi, sauna, tiki bar and clubhouses. Enjoy the restaurants  on the property or just relax in this paradise. Only $399K
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Virtual Closing Coordinator takes off in Asheville and South Carolina - 01:06 PM
Since we started in October of 2005, we have doubled in size.
We offer the very best in closing services in a 1200 mile radius.
Be part of our team today!!
The national statistics show that the average realtor spends 16 hours on a contract to close.  That is time you could be prospecting and gathring more business.
 Let us work for you today!!
 
Transactions Made Simple, LLC
http://www.tmsimple.com/
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Virtual Closing Coordinator - 01:13 PM
THE CLOSING of every real estate transaction requires the actions of at least 10 people: 2 Real Estate Agents; 2 Attorneys; 2 Paralegals; 1 Inspector; 1 Lender; 1 Underwriter; 1 Appraiser; 1 Insurer, etc. Coordination and communication to achieve a common goal (the closing) has been a challenge …UNTIL NOW.
The real estate industry has undergone tremendous changes. We are continuously subjected to many new Federal and State mandated requirements and disclosures. The sheer volume of tasks that must be dealt with and constant demand on time can make life for real estate agents, buyers and sellers very difficult … UNTIL NOW.
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Your Virtual Assistant for Closings - 01:15 PM
We are the first company in a 1200 mile radius of North Carolina to offer a paperless transaction coordination service for both sides of your contract. We also have the most experience in this field. www.tmsimple.com
Do not be fooled by other companies claiming to have "written the manual" on transaction coordination. 
 Our Mission Statement is simple. To provide our clients with superior personal service and State of the Art Technology. Let us handle the volume of calls that need to be made in order to ensure a house gets closed.
Do you find that once you have a new contract … (0 comments)

Virtual Closing Coordinator Services - 01:17 PM
We are working for realtors and attorneys in 7 states.  Just think, no need for your client to worry about locating that HUD or documents. Just login and print it up from the system or from the CD-ROM.
(Short Sales are $200.00 per file)REGULAR REALTOR CLOSINGS: $200.00 per file if you are on the Listing and Buying side or Buying side only with up to 60 faxed in pages. Plus you get one CD-ROM of the transaction for your client.Listing side only would be $85.00 with up to 60 faxed in pages and one CD-ROM of the transaction for your client.(All … (5 comments)

Seminars to Train Loan Officers as Mortgage Planners...... - 11:38 PM

I have read several blogs in the last several days in regards to loan officers and their ability to actually helping the client with concrete and correct decisions. Those decisions that I am talking about are not those that would put money in your pocket quickly, because the client tells YOU, the loan officer, what they want. Sure, I believe in giving clients what they ask for, but if it could hurt them than help them, then are you truly doing your job?
ABC (American Brokers Conduit) is actually sponsoring 3 day training seminars which covers such concepts as financial market … (11 comments)

Real Estate Network - 09:56 AM
Not to complain....but I have read with interest some blogs that appear to have zilch to do with real estate.  As Active Rain positions itself as a Real Estate Network, I wonder why those off topic blogs unrelated in any way to real estate are posted in this forum?  Being new to blogging, perhaps it is all part of the normal etiquette and I should venture out in that direction as well - after all - I do have a First Edition collectible book business in addition to our real estate business! … (2 comments)

Blaming the market - 10:01 AM
It never ceases to amaze me to hear agents who aren't doing as well this year as last "blaming the market" for their woes.  Not that they gave credit to the market for their success last year when as long as you could fog a mirror and had a license you could make some money!
It all comes down to taking responsibility for running your business like a business. Master the basics - self-discipline, accountability, action plan, goals and doing the activities necessary to create business, and you will thrive regardless of "the market". 
Blaming the market is akin to saying you have … (1 comments)

Getting down to business - 10:05 AM
OK - so you saw my mini-rant about folks blaming the market in a previous post.  So what are the options to get on track?  Well, dragging out and actually READING a copy of Gary Keller's book "Millionaire Real Estate Agent" would be a good start.  If you really have some "down time" - sign up for continuing education classes - many are sponsored by local title companies so the are "free" and network with other agents, looking for referral opportunities.  The point is, make a list of activities that could result in producing business, pick one or two, and take action! … (1 comments)

Knowing the mortgage market as well as the real estate market - 01:46 AM
 
 
Buyers beware!
It is safe to say that there is a percentage of first time home buyers who are not well versed in the finer points mortgage financing.  Real Estate agents and brokers therefore have a responsibility to guide first time home buyers through what can easily become a tangled maze.  If you are thinking of buying a home and you are not pre-approved, you need to do so right away.  If you feel that you are not equipped to make a final decision you should be able to use your Real Estate sales professional as a spring board for questions, key points and direction.
 Real … (0 comments)

Why Maine? - 01:59 AM

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Timing is everything - 02:21 AM
When it comes to getting back to customers or potential customers, five minutes is too long let alone 8 hours.  First and foremost real estate professionals are in the business of lead generation--at all times.  This means that we most always, always put our clients and customers above our own good and wellbeing.  There is something so basic about this concept that sometimes it gets over looked.
by being there for the clients whenever they need us to be there, gives the impression that we are going to be there for them at a drop of a hat (which we mostly likely … (0 comments)

High Tech Real Estate Practitioners - 10:26 AM
I think what I like most about Active Rain so far is the willingness of people to share their good and not so good experiences with various tech products and services on the market.  With so many to choose from, networking as a group with other like minded folks enables me to cut way down on the amount of time it would take me to do "due diligence" for each and every offering that comes across my desk.
I know there are forums here at AR (which I haven't checked into yet).  That goes on the list for the weekend!
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Luxury Homes - 10:29 AM
Well, we're off to Atlanta in November to attend the CLHMS class needed to secure the CLHMS designation.  We have plenty of transactions for both my husband and I to meet the designation criteria - the hurdle has been the availability (or lack thereof) of the class that must be taken in order to receive the designation.  Few and far between.
Wish they had a home study version - and yes - I know it's on RSN - should have taken it there before we switched to KW.
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Luxury Homes - Referral Networking - 10:33 AM
Once we have the CLHMS designation (November 2006) we plan to network heavily with fellow designees both national and international.  I would be interested in hearing of effective marketing strategies fellow CLHMS designees have used to garner referrals in their markets.
We typically send an announcement email with a link to details of our referral program, followed by a phone call to each agent.  We try to avoid spending $$ on print and postage, but don't have any metrics to confirm which approach has better conversion ratios.
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Tip for More Effective Blogs- - 10:34 AM
Take this with a grain of salt - it's meant to help!!
I've noticed a problem with some of the comments on AR and on other sites' blogs also.  I always brushed it off until a friend of mine called yesterday to complain about something - the SAME problem I'd noticed.
To put it simply:
READ THE ENTIRE ENTRY   B E F O R E   COMMENTING / ANSWERING!!!
Replies that don't addess the topic are annoying and useless!
Now, I am not saying we shouldn't expand and add some info - new viewpoints are great!  But if someone asks a question at least make sure to respond … (7 comments)

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