Archives of real estate blog entries for December 21, 2006 (Page 4)

Blog posts


Christmas Memories are made in Old Bridge, NJ - 08:06 PM
Hi Fellow Rainers...I hope that you are taking time to enjoy some of the festivities in your town besides dodging people at the mall.
I have lived in Old Bridge (Matawan), NJ now for the past 20 years. When I first moved here from Staten Island I felt as if I moved to the country. Life in Old Bridge was lived at a much slower pace and the people seemed kinder and friendlier. One of my first jobs here in Old Bridge was teaching aerobics (remember my former life as an dance/aerobics instructor in my Meme), at a local gym. The friends … (4 comments)

My Best Real Estate Investment was a Rental (as a Renter) Property. - To Marjatta a true love story(explained later) - 10:44 AM
As a Canadian from the great white north sometimes we have a different opinion then our friends in the United States to the south.  Lately as I access the internet, blogs, TV shows every one emphasizes the financial return from a real estate investment.  Sometimes however, financial considerations are not the only way to measure a real estate investment as illustrated by a true real estate investment that I personally made over 30 years ago.  To date this ranks as the best investment (real estate or other) I have ever made and surprisingly it was a rental.
Unlike most modern real estate … (4 comments)

How to Resize Images - 07:39 AM
While reading some blogs here, I've noticed that the images included in a few posts tend to look disproportionately large compared to the space the text takes up, sometimes causing the image to spill over into another post.  It occurred to me that perhaps this was because the blogger didn't know how to resize an image.  There is more than one way to resize an image and I will explain two of them here.
On ActiveRain, after clicking on the "insert/edit image" icon (the one that looks like a tree), then browsing and finding an image to upload from your computer, followed … (52 comments)

MLS Issues Group - It's About Your Livelihood! - 01:40 PM
To those 17 members who have already subscribed to the MLS Issues Group... thank you!
I'd like to suggest some MLS & MLS-related topics we can blog about that should lead to further discussion:
Photos or photo related issues including copyrights, watermarks, etc. MLS vendors - pros/cons - your experiences MLS rules & regulations - how violations are handledShould local MLS/associations combine to become a regional MLS?Will there ever be a statewide MLS?  Should there be?Improving how we market listings on the MLSData integrity on the MLSDo auctions belong on the MLS?MLS policies - what works, what doesn'tMLS security issuesMLS frustrations / pet peevesWhat … (9 comments)

2007-"Have a Little Help From My Friends" - 11:43 AM
2007 is so fast approaching and I have a head full of goals.  The challenge, we all know, is doing what needs to be done to achive those goals.  I always have believed we all know what to do, it is just the how we get hung up on.  So that is why I have decided to turn to AR in 2007 and get a little help from my friends.  I was completely inspired by Sara Lipnitz(yes, related)and by reading her past blog enteries, that I had to act.  I have always been as excited about our work and industry just … (7 comments)

Farewell Rocky - 03:07 PM

Last night felt like a chapter of my childhood was coming to an end. Being born in 1979, I grew up with Rocky as an idol. Not like those fake American Idols we have today on Reality TV!  A real idol, like Babe Ruth, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and Superman are....
Rocky holds a piece of every American in him. The underdog that comes through, showing that tenacity and hard work can make your dreams come true...The American Dream! To one day be able to say that your life was good and you worked hard to get what you want out of life. I grew up with him as though he … (1 comments)

1099 Reporting For Real Estate Commissions - 03:40 PM
Uncle Sam is going to be knocking on everyone's doors again soon...Well, atleast for this year..And you only have a few days left in December to get in all of those receipts and transactions that you need/want to for the 2006 Tax Year. So, with taxes on the mind, I figured that I would include a PDF file link to the 1099 Reporting For Real Estate Commissions. It breaks down how and who reports based on your end of the transaction. I'm sure that it will help many plan in the months ahead for the big man.
Here is the PDF link, … (3 comments)

Active Rain Pet PEEVE - 10:04 AM
What is up with all these blog posts that have a chart with no commentary at all.  It's like the author ( I use that term loosely) takes their mouse, takes the cursor, copies the content, and pastes it in the entry area and hits submit.  WHY? WHY ? WHY ?  And another quesion, Since when did Active Rain become an MLS database ?
I guess I can just skip these posts, but can someone who does this please explain WHY?  Are the points you gain worth the time cutting and pasting? 
Anyway, just alittle Pet Peeve, I know some people … (5 comments)

So, how much time are you on AR? -or- No, really, I'm working! - 10:31 AM
I'm sure someone has brought this up before, but for me this is a rather new phenomenon.
I'm actually clocking my time on AR and I am amazed.
I have grown so accustomed to leaving a tab open just for AR (Netscape) that I am referring to it sometimes when I speak with clients.
Case in point, there is a very informative entry that has been going on by Broker Bryant now for two days.  If you want to read it here is the link.
CPR needed on a dying deal!!
But I'm reading not so much for the … (4 comments)

The "Foreclosure Factories" Vise - Business Week - 03:03 PM
I know. It's just one more article about foreclosures. But this one is fascinating.  This one is written from a completely different perspective. The link to the article is here. It was originally posted at Business Week, but I've seen it at MSNBC also. It's a long read, but the last four paragraphs are very insightful. If you have the time, there are pearls of wisdom here for everyone.   Enjoy, … (0 comments)

Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) - 07:44 AM
In this time of celebration, festivities and indulgence many of us take a moment to think of others less fortunate. We may donate to our local food bank, The Salvation Army or Operation Christmas.I just wanted to take a moment to let everyone know about another great organization, one that is less know because it relies on word-of-mouth. This organization is known as Sleeping Children Around the World.There mission is simple, to supply children with bedkits because every child deserves a good night sleep every night of the year. Each $30 donation (Canadian funds) provides a bedkit that consists of a … (4 comments)

Property Rights Under Attack in Cherokee County - 09:45 AM
2007 will bring a new Chairman to the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, Buzz Ahrens. The board is also in the process of appointing new members to Planning and Zoning Commission. It's these appointments that most concern me and many long-time Cherokee County natives about the future fairness for property rights in Cherokee. Here is a copy of a letter from another concerned citizen of Cherokee County...
Dear Commissioners,I wanted to write to you regarding information I have recently read in the Cherokee Gazette stating that Mary Catarineau-Ware will be appointed to the Cherokee County Planning and Zoning Commission. I am greatly … (1 comments)

I've Been Memed - 05:09 PM
Until receiving an email from Kay Van Kampen I had never heard of being memed.  What a funny concept.
Five things to know about me.....
1. First and foremost in my life is my family. David and I have been married for almost seven years. Thomas is a senior at Creighton University majoring in Finance and Theology.  Amelia is a senior at St. Teresa's Academy and waiting each day to see which universities extend an acceptance.
2. I enjoy cooking, gardening, and cycling (outdoors...not in class.  Though, I do take spin class 3-4 times a week and can honestly say if it were not for … (9 comments)

"Personal Photos in Real Estate Marketing" - the Debate Continues! - 02:37 PM
The Blog Journey Continues! Over the past several days, I have been enjoying some very intriguing and thought-provoking discussions over the use of personal photos in real estate marketing.
It all started with a blog I posted entitled, "Profile Pictures on ActiveRain." With over 125 comments, the resultant conversations are still lingering on.
Russ Perlowski of Exit KG Realty in Tampa, Florida, branched off with a related  blog entitled, "Why a Personal Photo on Your Business Card?" which fueled further healthy discussion and debate.
There appears to be two primary camps as it relates to this issue - those who support the use of … (31 comments)

The Price of Admission - don't be afraid - 02:43 PM
The Price of Admission.
People who browse on realty websites often ask.... "Why do I have to give my name?"
My website is like a family general store.  We have all the free items for public consumption in the front of the store.  Our store is divided into two parts.... the public part.... the other is a tiny little spot at back part of the store ....and this is the portal that opens up to where we keep our treasures........these are the tools that put people into the home of their dreams...........the things that help us pay our bills.  Our knowledge, advice, and information access.   When you … (2 comments)

What Homebuyers Dread: The Fear and the Fix. - 06:40 PM
Homebuyers who come into contact with me the first time are interested in property.  They are not looking for a relationship.  Like me or anyone, they are not looking to hand out personal information to A SALESMAN!.
It helps to understand what they dread...how to beat the fear ...fix the dread....then give them the help they need...
We are all wired the same way.  People dread the outcome of talking to a stranger who may hurt them.... Maybe they are feeling iNSECURE....FEELING EMBARRASSed...SHAME - about a PERSONAL SITUATION
Maybe they don't have their financing in order.  downpayment....debts....credit..... feel bad about that?
Maybe they don't want … (1 comments)

Active Rain? More Like Active Flood! How I Stay Afloat - 06:29 PM
There are simply too many good blog posts, too many good blog authors and now with the groups I feel simply overwhelmed. I come here to get educated, ask questions, discover news or trends before everyone knows them. I want to be entertained, informed, learn a new trick and find out about something I knew once and forgot. I enjoy the cooperation, the synergy, the energy and the cammeraderie. Who know appraisers from Florida and Loan officers from Seattle could find so much in common.
But lately I've felt like building an ark to survive the flood of great blogs. I'm … (6 comments)

Let's Help Each Other Do This - 08:02 AM
I never thought a post like this would be necessary, but I've been a little frustrated this week, so I thought I'd share...

How many of you are still trying to do business this week, this month?  I know a lot of the folks in our businesses are taking December off, for whatever reason (holiday, or the belief that the market is awful, it makes no difference), but there are some of us who are still working and trying to get deals done.  I am starting to run into situations where a person I need to talk to is "gone", but … (7 comments)

More Cape Coral Wildlife Fun - 01:03 PM
A while back I posted a story about a client of mine who found a diamondback rattlesnake in his yard in North Port. Well he has found another since!
But here's onto my newest story. I know that we have Nile Monitor Lizards here but I have yet to see any. My new neighbor & I were chatting the other day & he told me that there is at least one living in the canal here. He said it eats anything it can - including small pets. Well I have a little dog so I was a bit concerned. He told me … (1 comments)

NEW REALTORS MAKE THE ROUNDS - 06:30 PM
I enjoyed meeting two newly minted Realtors today.  They are joining an experienced Realtor in the area to set up a team.  The experienced Realtor set up appointments for them to join him in visiting lenders that he does business with.  My responsibility was to speak to them about the approach that we take to working with our prospective clients.  I emphasized to them that no matter how many mortgage programs they hear about, the basics are that their prospective client still needs to be qualified or approved before they begin the home search in earnest. 
It is important that there … (2 comments)

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