Archives of real estate blog entries for December 28, 2006 (Page 4)

Blog posts


We Are Marshall - 10:00 AM
I went to see this movie the day it opened and I have to tell you I would highly recommend it for everyone.  I will have to say that the theater must have have been awfully dusty, because everyone's eyes seemed to be watering.
Seriously though, think about it.  If you have ever played any kind of team sport, imagine that all of a sudden all of your teammates are gone.  Or if you have a favorite team, imagine that in an instance they are all gone.  The will of the students and the town to go on is amazing and I … (1 comments)

BANKRUPTCY AND FORECLOSURES ARE NOT NEW - 05:32 PM
FORECLOSURE AND BANKRUPTCYSure, we hear about it a lot these days.  But, are there really more foreclosures than in times before?  I don't really believe so.  I believe that we hear and read more about foreclosures and bankruptcies these days with Internet blogs, forums, news articles and web sites advertising "Bad credit? - No problem".   Fact is, bad credit IS a problem.WHAT IS CAUSING THESE FORECLOSURES?  In my opinion, the cause of foreclosures today is no different from the cause over the last 30 years, which is, home buyers who do not have discipline and an interest in maintaining a good … (25 comments)

Today Show features "How to be an Auctioneer" segment - here's the link - 07:07 PM
The Today Show had a feature today on "How to Be an Auctioneer". It shows an industry that's part of the fabric of our economy - and "not your grandfather's auction" anymore.  Suited business folks, women!, well articulated comments - all help show new faces of the industry.  No longer stereotyped to tobacco-chewing cowboy hat/boots fast talking auctioneers selling livestock and farms.
After opening the attached site go to the "How to be an auctioneer segment. They filmed for nearly four hours to show less than 4 minutes.
I'd enjoy hearing your feedback on the video clip.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032633/
 Linda
… (0 comments)

What a beautiful dog, can you put him on a leash?! - 06:59 AM
Dear Rainers,
Looking for opinions on a touchy subject.   
I`m showing a property last night to my client. The seller was told in advance that we`d be there. When we knocked on the door, a huge German Sheppard jumped up on me and than my client who needless to say wasn`t thrilled.
The Sellers saw that the buyer wasn`t thrilled yet did nothing to grab the PUP.
As we started to view the home, the Sheppard again starts to jump all over us, this time, my buyer walks out, visibly upset.
The Seller starts yelling obscenities to us as I excuse … (11 comments)

NEW BECOMES OLD FAST - 03:36 PM
I recently bought one of my favorite ice cream items.  It was just brought out last year and was large filled with lots of m&ms.  Now it costs more, smaller, and less m&ms. 
That scenerio made me think about how I sell mortgages.  Am I giving the client THE BEST at all times?  We always want to put our best foot forward when we are excited about something.  Now when things are harder we tend not to give our all.  I was dissappointed when my treat wasn't all that I thought I should have had when I ordered it last time.  … (3 comments)

As a Home Stager I Should Have Known Better...Less is MORE! - 11:45 PM
Taking my cue from Maureen Henry about her Press Release, I wanted to also send you the Press Release that I was sending out last May. I wanted to do this because after you read Maureen's and then read mine, you will see that the one I sent last year IS WAAAY TOOOO WORDY and NOT SPECIFIC..do you all agree? See even you don't want to read it, right?
Maureen's is great! As stagers we must remember, LESS IS MORE!! Thanks Maureen! Here was mine...
CONTACT:
Phyllis Pafumi, Home Staging Expert
Restyled to Sell- www.Restyledtosell.com
(732) 995-3425
ReStyled to Sell Home Staging Company Boasts First of It's … (23 comments)

Add 'Giving' to your 2007 business plan - 12:55 PM
Ask most any real estate agent to tell you about their business plan and they'll talk about listings taken and sold, buyer sales, gross commission income, their marketing budget and maybe some tax planning. There's one more element to your plan that can have a huge impact on your results - Giving.
The great thing about giving is that even the smallest amounts can make a big difference. Amber Riviere, a virtual assistant in Baton Rouge, LA is working on the CARE MORE Giving Circle Challenge. Here's a sampling from Amber's blog of what CARE can do:
$50 can send an Afghan girl to … (19 comments)

Don't worry about it! - 09:58 PM
A study done by Dr. Walter Calvert, funded by the National Science Foundation, revealed some startling statistics about human beings and worry. Here's what he found:
30% of our worries are about events in the past40% of the things we worry about never happen12% of our worries are unfounded health concerns10% of our worries are over minor and trivial issuesOnly 8% of our worries are real, legitimate issuesWhat can we take from this study? Don't dwell on the past, it's over. Don't agonize over the future. Just live in the present, and focus all of your energy, talent, commitment and compassion on the moment. And … (12 comments)

What would happen if I ran my business like..... - 03:14 PM
Hello It always amazes me when I come in contact with companies that operate like what I just experienced.....
I have an offer in on a short sale at WAMU ( I represent the buyers). I have had this offer in for 2 months...yes thats TWO months and they have not responded to ANYONE on it. Now I know that it takes a while for the BPO and the appraisal etc but two months just to communicate that you even got it or don't like it or? Really.
So I decided to call them my self to see what is up at Washington … (2 comments)

TLW's New Year's Last Laugh...The Joke Is On Them...ROAR! - 03:32 PM
Warning This Post Is Rated PG 13 And Some Of The Links Are Rated R. Get ready to smile.
Just so you know you need the links to experience the entertainment value of this post.
I am bored and very disappointed that Broker Bryant does not want to go out on New Years Eve. So I have decided that if we must stay home then I am going to throw a TWISTED New Years Eve party. I am going to invite people that don't like us to my house for a New Years Eve celebration. As my party is going to … (97 comments)

What Have You Done For YOUR Real Estate Agent Today? - 12:31 PM
Here's my topic of the day....
What have you done for your Real Estate Agent today?
I'm a firm believer that it's hard to ask for something without first offering something. With that statement...it's simple! I wouldn't ask for a lead from an agent, until...I offered a service to them first.

Simple enough?
Maybe...
Many of my competitors beg,plea,buy donuts,give agents more paperwork that they don't need,pass on stupid trinkets that are "crafty" but often useless enough to end up on next year's Christmas Tree.
And some...Give KICKBACKS...Ohhhhh 
Money talks..Bull S*&! walks...It's illegal, I won't do it...If that's the way you operate as an agent, I don't … (8 comments)

Transparent Mexican Real Estate - 02:11 AM
Friday's Inman's article (Inman non-subscribers see here) reports on the trend of lenders offering mortgage loans for the purchase of investment and second home properties in Mexico. The new real estate investors, educated by the Donald Trumps and Real Estate Investment Expos over the past few years, still believe in the power of real estate investment... the political assurance of pro-American investment policy by the new Mexican administration combined with the ease of getting loans to purchase Mexican properties will definitely spur sales activity.Enough Americans already know Mexico as a favored tourist destination - close to home, relatively inexpensive and a … (1 comments)

Another example of the Media's views on our industry - 07:41 AM
According to MedicineNet.com, Bipolar Disorder symptoms are defined as:   Sometimes the mood switches from high to low and back again are dramatic and rapid, but more often they are gradual and slow, and intervals of normal mood may occur between the high (manic) and low (depressive) phases of the condition. The symptoms of both the depressive and manic cycles may be severe and often lead to impaired functioning.   If that doesn't describe the info that goes out about our industry, I don't know what does.  To illustrate this point, please read the headlines on the image I took this morning of … (2 comments)

More Casa Candy - 09:46 AM
Montjoie, Estate of the Day Posted Dec 25th 2006 1:00PM by Deidre WoollardFiled under: Estates
                  Today's estate is one of those Santa Barbara beauties that was created in the 1920s. Behold Montjoie, an estate created in 1928 by architect Edwin Hill Clark for James Ward Thorne, the heir to Montgomery Ward. The mansion is a two story home with over 10,000 square feet of space. It has Renaissance and Beaux Art details and much of the home's original glory has remained intact. The home's classic look has made it a popular location … (2 comments)

Mortgage Brokers - these are cool. - 06:17 PM
If you have just a few minutes left in your day go here:
Click
This guy has written some amazing calculators. Simple and to the point, just like they should be.
To have these on your site is very expensive (mostly) but I've never seen this many in one location.
Mortgage Brokers all have their favorite, but I think I just found my new favorite. :)
Enjoy,
… (2 comments)

What to tell your foreclosure customer - or - What I tell mine, anyway. :) - 10:57 PM
This was originally sent to Bryant, in regards to his post titled; Three blind mice, three blind mice.........blah, blah, blah. He asked if I could show him some examples of how I explain some harsh financial realities to my foreclosure customers.  So here is most of it... Ethics aside business is business.  But it can still be done with compassion.  I always think of the mortician analogy; they're not working with people they work with bodies, but they still have compassion for the people still alive.     But enough with macabre references - however I will include what any linguist will … (2 comments)

Triangle Market Is Still Healthy and Strong - 01:31 PM
The staff economist for the National Home Builders Association, Michael Carliner, says that the Triangle (Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Orange and Wake Counties of North Carolina) is "perhaps the healthiest market in the United States."  Area job growth is exceeding the national average.  New people means more buyers and it certainly doesn't hurt the demand for apartments either.  In October, on a year to year basis, jobs increased nationally 1.5%, the Durham area increased 2.2% and the Raleigh-Cary metropolitan statistical area increased 4.4%. 
As reported here before, the Triangle housing market has not been immune to the hit the national market has taken.  For the most part … (1 comments)

Cutting Commissions-What Consumers Don't Realize - 01:40 PM
For those of you who may have a home on the market or are about to do so a gentle reminder - you get what you pay for.  When you discuss the commission rate with any agent/broker if might be helpful for you to know that the agent/broker, in almost every cases, is an independent contractor and has an independent contractor agreement with the firm he or she is with.  What this means is that from the commission that is made they pay:
Income taxesMedical InsuranceLife InsuranceDental InsuranceMLS feesE&O InsuranceDues for NARNCAROffice RentAdvertisingMarketing ExpensesContinuing Education coursesSignsLockboxesOffice EquipmentCell phoneCell phone billVehicle GasMaintenence on vehicleInsurance on … (43 comments)

ActiveRain Addiction: "It could happen to YOU!" - 04:52 PM
For the most part, real estate professionals are an extremely focused, hard-working, highly motivated, high-energy bunch. We're relentless in the pursuit of our client's best interests. We refuse to allow anything to come between them and closing. The words "no" and "can't" are not to be found anywhere in our vocabulary!
As such, when we take on some new task, we do so heartily! We invest ourselves fully, 110%! We will succeed! It's in our nature!
So, when we access an amazing networking platform like ActiveRain and find the "Point" gauntlet has been thrown down, like every competitive Type A personality who has … (57 comments)

New Hampshire Mortgage Bankers Association to Join National Mortgage Brokers - 10:48 AM
New Trend in Mortgage Trade Organizations?
The New Hampshire Mortgage Bankers and Brokers Association voted unanimously to align their organization with the National Mortgage Broker's Association beginning in 2007. The New Hampshire organization has long been a member of the National Mortgage Banker's Association even though the composition of the state chapter includes both bankers and brokers.
As is common in most states, businesses which are licensed to be mortgage bankers are eligible to broker loans to other lenders. With the increase in sub-prime and ALT-A lending and a more competitive industry, mortgage bankers have to look to alternate loan programs and the … (0 comments)

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