Archives of real estate blog entries for August 17, 2006

Featured blog posts


"My Beautiful House will Sell" - 06:25 AM
I normally walk my dog around the block each night. Along the way I see my neighbors I stop to say hello! Many times it`s funny, I remember the kids names, the dogs names but not my neighbors name! I always make it my business to send Football Magnets,Calendars, American Flags during the 4th of July, so my neighbors know that I`m in the business of selling  Real Estate.  
While walking my dog last night one of our neighbors stopped me, asking if I had a chance to answer a few questions.   She told me her home has been … (16 comments)

Couple goes berserk in our office... - 08:15 PM
Three weeks ago one of our agents has been helping this nice couple look for a 3bed,2ba,2CG SFH . They just relocated from NYC. They`e looking at a home in a nice area with a pool and lake!  Easy!   They fell in love with one home in particular it was priced at $445,000. We offered $425,000. The Seller countered @ $440,000 and we countered back @ $429,000 which I thought was fair and equitable for both parties.     The Sellers agent presented our final counter and told me that the seller  accepted. Inspections set for 5 days, appraisal could be knocked out within 7 … (26 comments)


Blog posts


Scams - 02:32 PM
OK, so there you are minding your own business and an email comes in from a stranger.  They have a lot of money.  They need to move it but they can’t on their own.  They need it transferred, and they need your help.
In exchange for help, you will be rewarded with a significant sum of cash.  All you have to do is give them your personal information.
This is a multi stage scam.  Many potential scamee's play along knowing full well what's going on.  You can check out one such exchange posted here.  It demonstrates one way in which the … (2 comments)

Phone Number Scammer Directory - 12:05 PM
I recently received a phone call from a phone scammer. This one was related to domain name renewal. But as you know there are many others out there: mortgage scams, insurance scams, etc.
I did a reverse search on the phone number and found some interesting links. This includes forums where other people have received the same call. One of the best resources I found was Who Called Us.
Who Called Us is a sort of reverse directory of "UNAVAILABLE" phone numbers. It's better than a typical reverse phone search because it includes phone numbers of scam artists (not normally listed in … (6 comments)

Save the world by asking questions: phone scam protection - 01:25 PM
Whether it's a phone scam, Internet scam, or some other type of scam, you need to know how to protect yourself.
One way to protect yourself: Don't give out any information.
One way to protect others: Stay on the phone and ask a lot of questions. Here's a few that I like to ask. These are used for those special people that call my personal phone number (that's on the National Do Not Call Registry).
What's the weather like where you are? Then go on to talk about the wonderful conditions where I live. It's a great opportunity to sell them on your area.Where … (6 comments)

I'm taking another designation course - 03:39 PM
The Seniors Real Estate Specialist course to be exact.  I think education is paramount, and I am always looking to learn new things that will help me in my business.  I've taken a hefty load of courses, and though you won't see letters behind my name ( that's just a personal thing with me and probably something for another blog entry) the more I can learn the better.  So with the aging population I thought this would be a great course to take.  And it is.......but wait...I'm a baby boomer myself, and I'm learning all sorts of things about myself I … (2 comments)

Dallas Real Estate - HouseValues' Agent of the Month - 03:01 PM
WOW, what a surprise.  I was nominated as the HouseValues' agent of the month for the second time.  Last year, July 2005, I was called with a warning about the announcement.  Today, I found out as I was checking my emails and going to the HV forum and saw a post congratulating me.  I'm like, what?  No way!
I can't believe no one let the cat out of the bag.  I even spoke with someone at HV for over 45 minutes yesterday, and not a peep out of him.  I guess I know who can keep a secret!
Last year, getting the HV … (4 comments)

Insurance - Condominiums - 07:41 AM
In an earlier post to my blog, I noted that commercial insurance carriers were either significantly increasing premiums, no longer writing policies, or pulling out of the state of Florida.
The impact of this is now being seen by many condominium associations.  A friend of mine that is a mortgage broker recently told me that her association was assessing the association members a rather large assessment in order to pay the premiums on the renewal of the association's insurance.  The increase was about 50%.
Prior to a recent closing, during the review of the settlement statement (HUD-1), I noted that the proration of … (0 comments)

Is your home inspector keeping up with the times? - 11:58 PM
Technology has taken the real estate world by storm.  It seems like every other day some new tool or gadget has come on targeting the real estate market.  Most of this new technology is embraced by the industry and implemented.  But what about the industries you rely on?  Are they keeping up?  Is your support network keeping up with the joneses?  I used home inspectors in the title of this piece as just an example.
I have used the same inspector since I got my license.  Last year he went paperless. All of his inspection reports now come on disc in adobe … (1 comments)

Professional Development Follow up - 09:02 AM
Thanks to everyone for their input of ideas for our up calendar year.  I just returned from our meeting and it was a lot of information and I am happy to report we had a few new faces join the committee.   It is always great to have new ideas!  Our calendar for next year will be great.  
Does anyone know of an instructor that is able to teach the difference between Palms?   Especially the 650 & 700 and the possibility of a newer version.   Or of a great article that covers that information?  Our members are asking lots of questions.
One other thing that came … (0 comments)

So You Want to Be A Realtor - 10:57 AM
Congratulations on wanting to join a really great group of people!  There is not a more dedicated group of professionals!   Here are a few things they don't tell you at the Pre-licensing course or you might choose not to hear from the brokers that you interview with.
This is not a 9-5 Monday through Friday job Your broker doesn't pay for your advertising, your dues, your training, your phone bill, your health insurance or retirement What worked today, might work tomorrow, but think twiceYou may be the boss, but you still have to follow a strict set of rules in this businessYou will need to put together … (7 comments)

Seawinds Market Update - August 2006 - 07:30 PM
Currently there are 8 active units ranging in price from $749,000 to $1,149,000.  There have been no closed sales in 2006 and only two sales in 2005 which closed for $865,000 and $895,000.
If this condo is not what you are looking for, please give me a call and I can assist you with finding the right property for you!    
 
This information is provided by Colleen Kulikowski, Realtor.  Colleen writes about the Florida lifestyle and Real Estate in Western New York.
Celebration Florida Homes  Paradise Report Website  Marco Island Homes
Western New York Real Estate & MortgageParadiseReport@gmail.com
(407) 288-0017
… (0 comments)

New Window Usage - 02:22 PM
This is really a "how to" since so many times I click a link and it takes me out to another window. If you add a link to the blog please choose the selection "new window"  that way when someone cancels out of the link they will still be at active rain.  This is the second choice you have on the link tab.  For those of you that want to know how to add a link just insert your web addressin the  blog highlight it and hit control X you will see the link disappear.  Next highlight a selection of text … (0 comments)

Picasa - 02:25 PM
If you store alot of photos on your computer try a program called picassa. It is easy and you can download it at picasa.com  or click here.
A great way to organize all your photos and who knows you mayeven find photos on your hard drive you forgot you had.A great tool.  Give it a try and experiment.
… (6 comments)

DISC Request Answered - 02:27 PM
I was e-mailed off line and asked to write about the S type of the DISCSo here goes, remember S is about 70% of the population.
Build credibility for yourself by the following:Sell yourself first.  You must win the High Sas a friend.  Take a sincere, personal interestin the buyer as a person.  Take the time to build a relationship, find common interests.Develop trust, friendship, and loyality.Communicate regularily and make repeat visits.
Build credibility for your product by:Talk security, service, safety, dependability, backup.Emphasize that the product or service won't disruptthe way things are done or have been done.Focus on why the product or … (4 comments)

It's scary out there! - 09:13 AM
I participate in another Real Estate forum and some of the questions that I see make me wonder if some Realtors are in way over their heads. Here are a few examples:
1. If I do a lease/option contract when do I get paid?
2. As a Sales Associate can I represent a Buyer in a business transaction? (if you have to ask the question, you shouldn't be doing the deal)
3. The transaction didn't close on time. Can I file an Ethics complaint against the other Realtor? (my personal favorite)
4. I'm going on my fist listing appointment. Besides the "purchase contract" what other … (12 comments)

You're how old?? - 10:49 AM
Did I tell you my lovely wife just turned 49? Oops! Wait a minute. "Yes dear?" "#**&*%#@ *&%$@" "Uh ok." Did I tell you my lovely, exceptionally smart wife just turned "plenty nine"?
My wife and I started out in this business together 12 years ago and worked hand in hand opening Tutas Towne Realty, Inc in 1998. It just got me thinking how important it is to have support from your spouse in this business. Sometimes, our working hours can be a little over the top, and our family may suffer because of it. My wife has been retired now for … (9 comments)

Want to Share? - 06:10 AM
Something that has always been a bit intriguing to me is why people get into real estate sales.
I followed my wife (we've been married since 1958 and don't ever let her know I gave that date because you might figure out her age) into the real estate business.  She began her career when our youngest (of five) started school.  She has shared this comment with many "There is no better way to make money for a woman without a degree."
In one of the first classes I attended after getting my license to practice (and I still am practicing and hope to … (2 comments)

93% Full and still going - 09:54 AM
It is truly time to look at our business from the right prospective which the media seldom does. We hear all the bad news about the job loss and negative impact on the market and our economy and we see the attitude of our prospective customer and clients go south.
With 7% unemployment goes 93% employment and lots of folks still working, making a living and buying what they need on a daily basis. These folks would continue to do what they need to do if the media did not keep hitting them with tons of negative press and the idea … (8 comments)

Measure and visualize...measure and visualize... - 08:33 PM
I can recall the sales trainer voices of the past chanting...."When they start placing their furniture, you need to have your pen ready for the contract!"  It's true, of course, once buyers have perceived their ownership of the space, they are ready to make their mark. 
During my sales days, I was never without a good old fashioned tape measure or a new fangled, digital range finder (as I like to call them).  We'd measure and visualize, measure and visualize ...and then verbalize ... and measure again and then go round and round about what would fit which-way and where.  Can you see … (0 comments)

Fish Tales - 09:19 PM
I just returned from the local seafood market with some fine selections of fresh fish. The local fish market in our town is on Manasota Key adjacent to Englewood Beach. It has all the wonderful smells and sites that you would expect to encounter at the island fish market on a hot and humid evening. It is also, very often, a place where you can find local real estate being discussed and hence, you will almost always run into another Realtor.
Realtor's come in all shapes and sizes; personalities and attitudes and those "specialties" are what most of them are known for...if you know … (0 comments)

Let's shake on it! - 09:39 PM
First impressions last forever. One of the very first steps we take when meeting others is to smile and extend our hand in greeting.  It's a wonderful custom, but a simple handshake can make or break others' first impression of you.
I believe your grip speaks volumes to the receiver....do you realize that? A limp handshake suggests hesitance, weakness or mousiness.  A bone-crushing grip can seem domineering, overbearing and might be painful to the receiver, especially if they wear rings.  A medium firm grip conveys confidence and authority. 
What kind of handshake would others say you have? Have you ever been honest with yourself in … (2 comments)

Related links

New Members for 2006-08-17

 Archives:

31 Aug
30 Aug
29 Aug
28 Aug
27 Aug
26 Aug
25 Aug
24 Aug
23 Aug
22 Aug
21 Aug
20 Aug
19 Aug
18 Aug
17 Aug
16 Aug
15 Aug
14 Aug
13 Aug
12 Aug
11 Aug
10 Aug
9 Aug
8 Aug
7 Aug
6 Aug
5 Aug
4 Aug
3 Aug
2 Aug
1 Aug