Archives of real estate blog entries for December 4, 2006 (Page 6)

Blog posts


Targeting Expired Listings - 10:11 AM
The other day I wrote a blog about getting a head start on Expired listings.  I was intrigued by the variety of responses to the post.  Some folks had either never heard of it, or didn't approve of it - others were interested in adding another "arrow to the quiver".  One had even encountered this approach and had developed a great "counter" technique to this aggressive, yet totally ethical, marketing approach.
The question I have is, if you are one of the folks who targets Expired Listings because you know that the owners want to sell (otherwise they would not have been … (5 comments)

New fancy emails from MLXchange - 03:03 PM
We had an office presentation this morning regarding a new company from Vancouver that is offering a way to jazz up the email REALTORs send via MLXchange. The company is called MLSjet and they offer quite an interesting product. Once you've signed up for their service all you have to do is add "mlsjet.com" to the e-mail address of any client you are sending a listing to. The client never sees that but it adds an HTML surround and background to the message and makes it look all nice. The offer a number of templates, many of which are awful, that are branded … (0 comments)

Buying One Quarter of a House or Condo - 03:30 PM
At our Monday morning meeting today there was a fellow from Intrawest (the former owners of Whistler Mountain ski resort) here regarding a new fractional, or quarter ownership, project that they are marketing called "evolution". http://www.myownwhistler.com/
The places start from $127,900 and for that price you get 13 pre-determined weeks every year (although the exact weeks rotate every year so you get the 2 weeks over Christmas once every 4 years).
If you do not want to use you weeks you can put them in the rental pool and they will look after trying to rent it out for you. Whether they rent … (0 comments)

New Group Confusion - Is It Getting Better or Worse? - 06:31 AM
Good Morning Everybody!
Last week Karen Hurst wrote a great post about Blog Confusion.
Even though a lot of people read it and responded I don't think enough people got the point of how to use the new Groups feature!
It never really bugged me until yesterday. I went to view new posts in several different Groups and I saw posts in that didn't belong there!
Not only didn't the topics fit with what the Group was about, you could see that the Blogger just uploaded the post to several groups without regard to where it should go!
Now keep in mind that I'm NOT commenting on the posts quality!  … (113 comments)

Should you even recommend a home inspector? - 10:53 AM
I was reading Joanne Brown's blog http://activerain.com/blogsview/24021/The-Real-Estate-Team this morning and started to comment when I realized my comment was getting way too long.  So I take it up here.
I recently took a training seminar that was adamant that you do NOT ever recommend a home inspector to your clients.  The reason being if something were to go wrong later the buyer could come after you saying that you told them to use that particular home inspector and are therefore responsible for any mistakes or problems arising out of that.  Makes sense right?
So I starting doing what I was told.  I told my buyers … (10 comments)

AR Groups 101 - Etiquette and Creating - 09:28 PM
I have seen several posts now that talk about the new Group feature of AR.  Earlier today, Marc Blasi, talked about the wrongful placement of posts within a group.  Others have talked about the confusion of the groups.  And still some debating of the good and the bad, and let's thrown in the ugly.
I am writing this post because I have not seen an official "how to guide" on groups.
So, let's  begin.
Step 1: Before creating a group, scroll through and see if there is already a group.  Chances are it has already been created.  For instance, I was one of the … (46 comments)

It looks like the cold weather finally is here: Some winter things to do in Litchfield County - 02:26 PM
FUN IN THE SNOW When snowflakes fall this winter, the place to be is Northwest Connecticut where there are so many ways to play in the snow. Here are eight great suggestions:1. HEAD FOR THE SLOPES Take your pick of three ski areas with guaranteed snowmaking and scenic surroundings. All three areas offer lessons for all abilities and night skiing. Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall, Connecticut's oldest and largest area, can provide plenty of challenge with five chairlifts and 23 trails across 107 acres for skiers and boarders, served by five speedy chairlifts. Beginners have their own lift, the Wonder Carpet. (860-672-6100) … (0 comments)

Interest Only Loans Pros and Cons - 04:05 PM
An interest only lona means you pay only the interest portion of your mortgage for a fixed term. Usually in 5 to15 years (depending on the initial interest only term set up when you set up your mortgage) you will need to start making principle and interest payments, refinance or pay off the loan in a lump sum.
Those who are regular wage earners who take out a moderately sized home loan and don't have a reliable investment stratergy aren't the best canidates for these loans.
However, if your income consists mostly of infrequent commissions or bonuses, you expect to increase your income significantly in the next … (0 comments)

30-Year Rate Hits 10-Month Low - 09:56 PM
The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate fell from 5.91% to 5.87%, the average rate for five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages declined from 5.99% to 5.95%, and the average rate for one-year Treasury-indexed ARMs decreased from 5.49% to 5.46%, Freddie Mac reported. Fees and points averaged 0.4 of a point for fixed-rate mortgages and 0.5 of a point for ARMs.
A year ago, the average 30-year and 15-year fixed rates were 6.26% and 5.81%, respectively, and the average hybrid and one-year ARM rates were 5.76% and 5.16%, respectively.
… (7 comments)

Out of The Box - 12:02 PM
Few people are comfortable playing 'out here'...Looking fwd to adding to this group...should be some great ideas created!! … (2 comments)

When the Sun Comes Up - 07:26 PM
               EVERY MORNING IN AFRICA, A GAZELLE WAKES UP.  IT KNOWS THAT IT MUST RUN FASTER THAN THE FASTEST LION OR IT WILL BE KILLED.
                                                                          EVERY MORNING A LION WAKES UP. IT KNOWS THAT IT MUST OUTRUN THE SLOWEST GAZELLE OR IT WILL STARVE TO DEATH. 
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER YOU ARE A LION OR A GAZELLE:
                                                                                               WHEN THE SUN COMES UP YOU HAD                                                                                                                                           BETTER  BE RUNNING    !
      
                    DID YOU SLEEP IN THIS MORNING?
… (3 comments)

The Information Age - 08:33 PM
Do you want to know something? Do you want to know something in the real estate field?
Where do you look? Try International Real Estate Directory: http://www.ired.com/
… (0 comments)

1704 Cypress Ct., Eudora, KS 66025 - 09:41 PM
SOLD, But I've Got More!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Visit www.MoveToEudora.com or www.MovetoLawrence.com
NOTE:  This blog was written in the past about properties on the market at the time of the blog being written and should not be considered as active listings beyond the date of this blog.
http://www.1704cypressct.com/ will take you to a 3BR 2BA ranch Visual Tour.  Be sure to see the wonderful sunsets!  $160,000 is the asking price.  The home has two to three non-conforming bedrooms in the finished basement which gives over 1800 sq ft living space.  Move in ready.

Thanks!Rob Lang, ABR, ePro, GRI Realtor®Realty Executives, Hedges Real Estate300 … (2 comments)

3421 W. 9 Ct, Lawrence, KS 66049 - 09:53 PM
  House was built in 1973 on the south side of a quiet dead end street and is located on the west side of Lawrence.  Sunset Hill Elementary, West Junior High, and Free State High are the schools.  All window coverings stay with this 1,438 sq ft (according to the county), 3 BR home that has 2 BA, 2 car garage, and basement.  New in 2003 - carpet main level, kitchen sink, counter tops, range & vent, exterior paint.  Wood burning fireplace with gas starter (not warranted).
NOTE:  This blog was written in the past about properties on the market at … (3 comments)

809 Elm, Eudora, KS 66025 - 10:10 PM

NOTE:  This blog was written in the past about properties on the market at the time of the blog being written and should not be considered as active listings beyond the date of this blog.
http://www.809elm.com/ is move in ready with new countertops, new carpet, and new ceramic tile.  This 1900 home lists for $95,000 and is 3BR, 1BA, 1420 sq ft.  There is plenty of room on this property to add a garage.  The lot is zoned commercial so a business could use the home as an office building and rent out office space.  One of the oldest Eudora … (5 comments)

Skagit County Life….. KartTrak – Indoor Raceway! - 02:03 AM

http://www.karttrakraceway.com/(360) 848-1635
If you live in or around Skagit County, you've probably driven by KartTrak.... Its just off I-5 South of the Anderson Road Exit (#225).  This is a place where you can get in a go-cart and race!  These cars go like mad!  They do several different track configurations through the week (check their web-site for the different track configurations and their scheduled days...)
I've gone there and raced a few times now and am rapidly becoming hooked on racing! It's a fun and reasonably safe place to go for kids of all ages! - There is even a "Tot Track" up-stairs for the … (0 comments)

Our "Bubble-Proof" Market... According to CNNmoney.com - 12:10 PM

According to CNNmoney.com, Seattle has joined an elite class of "Bubble-Proof" markets.
The National average annual home price appreciation from 1949-2006 was 2.3%. San Francisco came in #1 in the country at 4.2% annual appreciation, Los Angeles came in #2 with 3.7%. The BIG NEWS for us is that the fine Seattle market had the third best market in the country for over half a century at 3.2%.
Thats huge!!
Nice to see more confirmation that the only "Bubble" we'll see will come from a Champagne Bottle!
Read the CNNmoney Article for Yourself...
… (1 comments)

Our Growing Numbers - 06:17 AM
  Congratulations Group!  We are Number 1!
… (0 comments)

Will The Market Find Its Way Clear? - 07:54 AM
 It is a complicated Market at present. Buyers and Seller in a Stand Off a waiting game. How low will prices go? What is the least a seller is willing to take? Will they qualify for funds and at what rate?  What good is having X amount of listings if NOTHING is selling? Should I work with just buyers? Where are all the buyers?  When will it pick up?  Many of you have questions. There is no absolute correct answer-experts are observing and noting changes in the economic forecast. Unfortunately we don't have Realtor Doppler just yet!  Wouldn't that be nice? … (6 comments)

Appreciation Cap & Low Income Purchase - 07:23 AM
            This question came to me last week, it's a great one.  The individual is trying to get out of a property that he originally purchased for under market because of the program.  He was going to get a 5% annual increase in appreciation.  In the last 3 years he owned it, that didn't happen.  Now to get out of the property he must sell it for more than the five brand new ones currently available in the complex. He was under the impression that he would get 5% no matter what.  Now what?
            My guess is anyone looking to get … (0 comments)

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