Archives of real estate blog entries for November 5, 2006

Featured blog posts


Disclosure and Material Fact : Environmental Issues, Meth Labs - 03:10 PM
Not long ago, rumor had it that toxic waste was being hidden on a sizable acreage in the dark of night. This acreage was listed for sale and was already under contract. Luckily, the Broker involved had suggested an environmental assessment (EA)  She knew how to assess the relevancy of environmental facts as part of her fiduciary duty to her clients to help them become informed, and stay clear of legal entanglements. She was able to respond to issues such as the above regarding “facts of special interest to the client” on a variety of environmental topics including air and energy, soil … (8 comments)

Is Refinancing Worth The Hassle? - 11:28 AM
Some homeowners may never re-finance while others may re-finance frequently. This is a decision which is largely a matter of personal preference. Sure there are some financial benefits which may result from re-financing but for some homeowners these benefits are not worth the hassle of going through a mortgage re-finance. For these homeowners the amount of savings overall or the opportunity to lower monthly payments is simply not worth the effort of investigating the re-financing options, comparison shopping for lenders and paying closing costs to obtain a re-finance.
Are Some Homeowners Just Lazy?
Yes, let’s face it we have all visited a … (6 comments)

Are You Considering a Refinance Loan - 10:56 AM
Homeowners who are considering re-financing their home may have a wealth of options available to them. However, these same homeowners may find themselves feeling overwhelmed by this wealth of options. This process doesn’t have to be so difficult though. Homeowners can greatly assist themselves in the process by taking a few simple steps. First the homeowner should determine his refinancing goals. Next the homeowner should consult with a re-financing expert and finally the homeowner should be aware that re-financing is not always the best solution.
Determine Your Goals for Re-Financing
The first step in any re-financing process should be for the homeowner … (3 comments)

Kristal Kraft reaches 100,000 point summit on ActiveRain - 12:21 AM
Congratulations to Kristal Kraft, a Berkshire Group agent from Denver, CO for reaching the 100,000 point level on ActiveRain! Kristal did it with 282 blog entries (including 42 featured posts), nearly 2000 comments, and by inviting 32 other members to ActiveRain. Kristal's blogs have run the gamut - from relocation, to arts and culture, transportation, and new construction - everything about Denver is there. She has let us tag along on vacations to New Mexico and New Jersey. And her contributions to improving our blogging and the ActiveRain community as a whole have been tremendous.
Kristal's writing style is both conversational and professional. It's been said she has a natural … (49 comments)

Are You Working Your Network.....OR.....Are You Missing Out??? - 08:17 PM
One of the things that I hear people in the Real Estate Industry talking about all the time is, how do we get more business?  What tools is everyone using to get more business?  What markets should we tap into to get more business?  Do you get the picture, we want more business.  We will search high and low to find to find it. Well may I suggest something, maybe we should start looking under our nose. Some of the best sources of business that I have are the ones that are a normal part of my life, and they do … (51 comments)

PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance); why you need it and the different types of PMI…… - 01:52 PM

I was reading through some blogs over the weekend and Mark Flanders Silverdale did a blog that gave definitions of PMI. What is PMI and can it be avoided. This can be such a confusing and sometimes misleading concept of why you must have mortgage insurance.
As Mark Flanders discussed, private mortgage insurance is not there to protect you, but to protect the lender in case of default. And the old rule is that you must have 20% or more down on the property to avoid this specific cost. I am only going to discuss the different types of mortgage … (31 comments)

The Pinelands, or Pine Barrens, of New Jersey - 10:52 AM
The beautiful and pristine New Jersey Pinelands area, also known as the Pine Barrens, is a region stretching from Brendan T. Byrne (formerly called Lebanon) State Forest to the Forked River Mountains area and out to Long Beach Island, Barnegat and Tuckerton along the shore.   It extends across eight New Jersey counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Monmouth (outliers), and Ocean. Spreading across the most densely populated state in the country, the New Jersey Pine Barrens remains a dynamic patchwork of open space and rural living. Cranberry and blueberry farms thrive in the sandy soils once deemed useless by 17th- … (12 comments)

Visting the Edge of 2 Worlds - 08:22 AM

So I have been back for a week from my trip to China...and what a trip it was. While I went there because the  professional merchandising/design advice of "me" was needed, the personal "me" was impacted.
Since returning I have been asked questions like: "How was it?" "Did you have a nice time?"  "What did you think of China?' And each time I am asked, I am stumped for an answer.
Why stumped?  Well the above pictures are 2 views of China I had out my hotel room windows.  As I was taking them... I never realized they visually would capture the essence of my travel experience. They … (21 comments)

IS THERE REALLY COPYRIGHT CONFUSION? - 10:21 AM
WHAT IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED? 
There has been some blogging about copyright this week, so, although I AM NO COPYRIGHT EXPERT, I have some experience in the matter.   
If folks have any confusion about copyright, don't be concerned about what you don't know.  Just think about what you DO know.  A person may not know if a writing or image is copyright protected.  But, everyone KNOWS what they did write or create.  If you DID write or create it, use it.  If you didn't, don't.  That is so amazing simple. 
I believe that folks get copyright infringement education in the 8th grade Civics class. I remember quite well when I … (22 comments)

Shift Happens: Where is the best place to invest my time? - 12:49 AM
I have been thinking lately about the difference between working to learn as opposed to working to earn. I first learned of this concept while reading the Millionaire Real Estate Agent by Gary Keller. In other high paying industries, a person is required to "work to learn" before "working to earn" (i.e. Doctor, Lawyer, Pyschologist, ect...). In the real estate industry, we are permitted to go right to "work to earn" after a few short weeks of training but, what have we really learned about out craft at that point? Did we spend time seeking council on how to properly set … (41 comments)

How those years fly by. What did you look like 20 years ago…??? - 12:28 AM
UPDATE :    3/12/07   To NEWBIES  &  MEMBERS  of 2 months or so on here...   Don't be shy, read this and participate. It's a great way to get to know a little bit more about each other. Yes, the community is growing quickly, but you'll enjoy this and so will many of us seeing you.  Thanks, jeff 
 
I actually came up with this idea after I read a comment from Brian Brady in this blog titled The good old days???   by  Linda Davis.  Check out Brian’s picture from ….how long ago was it Mr. Brady?  LOL   I thought this was … (213 comments)


Blog posts


Manchester, New Hampshire - the state's largest city - 07:11 PM
Manchester NH is the state's commercial and industrial leader, as well as its largest city. [View the video tour of Manchester NH]
Population: 108,078Land Area: 33 square milesPopulation Density: 3,275Distance to Boston: 58 milesType of Government: Mayor/14 AldermenMedian Home Purchase Price: $156,762Web site: www.ci.manchester.nh.usDownload Profile of ManchesterManchester is the state's commercial and industrial leader, as well as its largest city and the home of nearly 10 percent of its population. The city first gained national fame in the 1800s as the home of the massive textile mill of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company. Nearly 5 million yards of cloth were shipped weekly from … (0 comments)

Nashua, New Hampshire Townhouse Condominium for sale - 07:37 PM
Georgetowne Townhouse, Nashua NH $314,900
#62 Georgetowne Drive
Nashua, New Hampshire
Tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac, abutting Sky Meadow Golf Course, this 5 year old townhouse sits right on the Massachusetts/ New Hampshire border, just minutes to Route 3 (40 minutes to Boston).
The largest three bedroom condominium unit at Georgetowne features 2,470 square feet of living.
The bright, sunny living room features a handsome gas fireplace to add warmth and ambiance to cool winter nights, with central air conditioning to keep you cool every summer.
A half bath is conveniently located on the main floor, adjacent to the dining area, which overlooks the back … (0 comments)

Longhorn Football - 04:42 PM
I have lived in the Austin area for almost 19 years.  Prior to that I had lived in San Antonio 6 times.  When I was young and in San Antonio my dad was a rabid Longhorn football fan.  Naturally, I followed, especially after getting back here.  Well this year the Horns have had me worried.    The didn't exactly come out swinging.  Each game seemed to challenge them.  They often fell behind big, but made later adjustments to come back and win.  The pass defense has been terrible compared to last season.  Granted, they have been a little beaten up at the … (2 comments)

Monte Montgomery - Austin's Acoustic Guitar Legend - 04:49 PM
Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World.  Why?  Talent flocks here.  Take Monte Montgomery for example.  This guy does more with an acoustic guitar than most do with an electric.  I've seen Monte do pull-offs, neck bends, slaps, harmonics and pick with more fingers than I thought he had on his hand.  If you have any ability to enjoy great live music, check out http://www.brushyland.com/monte/.  The videos aren't the greatest and the sould quality isn't the best, but scroll down to Little Wing and tell me what you think.  If you like Little Wing, try Romeo and … (3 comments)

The Abundant Post - 12:31 AM
It is absolutely amazing to me the wealth of information that we find on sites such as these,  in seminars such as Howard Brinton's, or on other real estate sites as well.  It seems to me that a few years back other agents wouldn't give you the time of day and now people have become much more receptive to "paying forward" in this field.  Through this site I'm learning of newer marketing methods, having fun, and just being able to express my opinions (which I find mildly theraputic!!!).  What an awesome community!  Thanks all you ActiveRainers!!!  May your rain always be … (0 comments)

Selling Your Home - 10:27 AM
There are several steps to selling your home for the most money and in the shortest time possible.  Why a short time?  The faster your home sells the higher the price typically.  Once a listing gets "stale" potential buyers automatically assume they can get a deal.
This will be a several step article with this post being the first one.  The first step in a successful sale is choosing the right agent.  Interview several potential agents and find out about their marketing practices.  How much do they spend on internet marketing (where 79% of our buyers are coming from)?  What other methods … (0 comments)

Selling Your Home Part Two - 10:44 AM
The second step to a successful home sale is to stage and clean your home.
Staging is a process where you eliminate clutter and maximize floorspace.  Look around and find what you can pack away.  DO NOT make the home too sparse, that is almost as bad as too cluttered.  Pack away non-essentials, clean off the countertops and declutter the refridgerator (the kids drawings are wonderful, but not for selling a home) take off every last magnet, coupon, and newsletter.  Take the family pictures down.  What we are going for here is a home that shows like a model.  Clean, decluttered, non-personalized. 
Look … (0 comments)

Michigan Real Estate - 11:02 AM
On a recent trip "back home" I was brought into focus on the housing bubble.  Here in Texas (my home for the last twenty two years) we do have a small oversupply of homes on the market and things are taking slightly longer to move.  A decent house in good condition still has a very short shelf life however.  I went at the end of September to my hometown of Lapeer, Michigan for my nieces wedding.  It seemed as though every other house was for sale and, as we drove down the street, my brother would point at  a house and … (1 comments)

Networking - 11:12 AM
I love ActiveRain, but absolutely crave networking opportunities where I am face to face with clients or other business professionals.  I try to maintain an active presence in my town but it is difficult because, in addition to working more than 50 hours a week, I have three children and a husband and an aging mother in law.  One of my best opportunities to come along in a long time has been ABWA (American Business Women's Association) and the sister chapter LWEN (Leading Women Express Network).
I started out in LWEN.  It is a once a month meeting that runs from 11:30-1 … (0 comments)

The Media created nightmare! - 01:33 PM
There is certainly a glut of homes available currently, with more being added daily, yet interest rates are still relatively low and as a matter of fact, at levels of 5 years ago! Creative financing is almost as readily available as it was a couple of years ago. Yes, it is true that the subprime market is a mess and a scary element causing some confusion...qualitative word being confusion (that state caused by a lack of understanding). So what is one very large cause of this slowed market?...the MEDIA! I unequivocally beleive that the largest creators of this current situation is … (1 comments)

Collier County Growth Projections - 12:57 PM
In My Previous Post about Collier County I gave you information that I found checking out the website that is a cooperative effort funded by the Collier County Tourist Development Tax with Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades. 
I just got the October edition of the Business Currents which is the print magazine for the http://www.napleschamber.org/ and in it gives some very interesting projections for what Collier County will look like in 2026. 
So what does this mean?  Well it means that the prices we are experiencing right now are not going to stay low for very long.  In fact those … (0 comments)

Single Family Home Listing - Marco Island - 01:30 PM
2031 San Marco Road
Listed at $599,000
3 Bedrooms/2 Baths/2-car Garage/Pool & No need for Flood Insurance
 
This home is definitely the exception to the usual here on Marco Island.  Custom built by FCI and has elegant touches throughout this well maintained southern exposure pool home!Kitchen has tumbled Turkish marble backsplash, custom wine rack, marbelized columns, a large pantry, new stove, white appliances, under counter lighting.There is crown molding throughout this home, Berber carpeting and 18" tile.  There is Faux painting details throughout.  Oversized lanai with large inviting pool with Keystone pool deck glazed for protection from mold/mildew.  Beautifully landscaped yard with … (1 comments)

Thank you Barry Hurd! - 05:48 PM
 

Do you ever feel that you have painted yourself into a corner and you don't know how to get out of it?  I have been feeling that way for weeks now with my writing.  And yesterday I cam across a BLOG that really changed me and for the last 24 hours I have been a writing machine.  I share this with everyone because it was an amazing thing to have happen to me.  Barry Hurd's post about Brain Storming came as I was struggling to write a Market Update.  Instead of writing I was reading BLOGS.  Thanks to Barry … (6 comments)

Is Your Home Ready For Winter? - 07:39 PM
Living in Indianapolis, Indiana we will experience some cold winter days.  Before they hit, now is the time to make sure your home is ready.  Here's some helpful ideas to prepare your home.  
Check windows and rechaulk any broken sealsDrain garden hoses and store away for winter.Check foundation for cracks.Clean the outside of the house.  Remove any algae and dirt that may have built up during the warmer weather.Remove debris from gutters and in the yard.  Cleaning it up now will be much easier than when it is weighted down from being wet and then frozen.Have your heating systems serviced and change the filters regularly.  If … (0 comments)

Buyers, Children and Car Seats - 10:02 PM
At one of our Tuesday sales meetings, the question was asked; "When showing homes to couples with children in car seats what do you do?  Do you put the seats in your car and drive everyone to the house?  Do you have them meet you at the office and then drive to the showing?"
So out of curiosity,what do you do?  I personally have the parents meet me at the showing or office.  I am uncomfortable about the liabiility.  Also, by the time I put two carseats and parents in my car, there's no room.  Another thing I've noticed, is most parents don't like going … (0 comments)

Are You Considering a Refinance Loan - 10:56 AM
Homeowners who are considering re-financing their home may have a wealth of options available to them. However, these same homeowners may find themselves feeling overwhelmed by this wealth of options. This process doesn’t have to be so difficult though. Homeowners can greatly assist themselves in the process by taking a few simple steps. First the homeowner should determine his refinancing goals. Next the homeowner should consult with a re-financing expert and finally the homeowner should be aware that re-financing is not always the best solution.
Determine Your Goals for Re-Financing
The first step in any re-financing process should be for the homeowner … (3 comments)

Benefits of Refinancing - 11:03 AM
There are a number of benefits which may be associated with re-financing a home. While there are some situations where re-financing is not the right decision, there are a host of benefits which can be gained from re-financing under favorable conditions. Some of these benefits include lower monthly payments, debt consolidation and the ability to utilize the existing equity in the home. Homeowners who are considering re-financing should consider each of these options with their current financial situation to determine whether or not they wish to re-finance their home.
Lower Monthly Payments
For many homeowners the possibility of lower monthly payments is … (0 comments)

Is Refinancing Worth The Hassle? - 11:28 AM
Some homeowners may never re-finance while others may re-finance frequently. This is a decision which is largely a matter of personal preference. Sure there are some financial benefits which may result from re-financing but for some homeowners these benefits are not worth the hassle of going through a mortgage re-finance. For these homeowners the amount of savings overall or the opportunity to lower monthly payments is simply not worth the effort of investigating the re-financing options, comparison shopping for lenders and paying closing costs to obtain a re-finance.
Are Some Homeowners Just Lazy?
Yes, let’s face it we have all visited a … (6 comments)

Refinancing to Reduce Interest Rate - 12:43 PM
Yahoo! The rates are dropping! But you've still got 3 years on your mortgage and you're paying a couple percentage points more than the going rate.
What to do?Your best option is to approach your current lender and try to get an 'early renewal' on your mortgage.
Some lenders will charge a penalty for early renewal. You will have to determine if the cost of the penalty is less than the savings you will get with the new mortgage. If not - you'll be best to wait.
Some mortgage lenders will renew early without penalty, but will give you a 'blended rate'. What … (0 comments)

Refinancing for Credit Problems - 12:45 PM
Unfortunately, in this day of high consumer debt, more people than you'd like to think will find themselves with this problem.
Refinancing is one tried and true remedy for the problem of high interest costs on credit card or other consumer debt. And frankly, once you have submitted a payment late on a credit card, the level of interest you pay can be truly punishing. I've seen examples of almost 30% interest when a person was late on as little as one payment. You really have to read the fine print with credit cards.I've known many people who have gotten into … (1 comments)

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