Archives of real estate blog entries for August 9, 2006 (Page 3)

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Readeasily.com - e-Books Online for Partially Sighted or Visually Impaired - 05:34 AM
This is a very valuable site started by Gustavo Vega. A digital library for everyone, particularly for the partially sighted or visually impaired. With varying font color combinations and sizes to choose from, and operating under an interesting law called the Gutenberg convention which allows the free distribution of printed material, there is a nice small collection of books to read in several font sizes and contrasts to assist a large spectrum of visual disabilities. Freeware. (Source: tudogs.com)Every book has been formatted into HTML code, avoiding JavaScript and proprietary formats such as word, pdf and flash; which are widely present in … (0 comments)

Rumor Control - Hoaxes Debunked - 05:38 AM
Hoaxes, urban legends, email scams... We've all been tempted or even believed in them or had associates get exited about them and sound the alarm, firing off emails to seemingly everyone in the world. Some hoaxes or scams keep resurfacing over and over again. Before you or someone you know goes too far off the deep end in reaction to them, first do eveyone a favor and take a minute or two to check them out on one of the Internet clearing house sites to see if they are valid:Truth or Fiction - Check out rumors, inspirational stories, virus warnings, humorous … (3 comments)

Children Buy Homes! - 12:29 PM
Well, actually very few children directly buy homes however; the influence of children on home purchases is profound. 
The obvious impact is the importance parents place on the school district where the home is located.  I have seen parents not only research school test scores, visit schools and take tours, but even interview the principals.  
Neighborhoods are scouted for signs of play equipment or playing children.   The proximity to the kids' other activities such as dance classes, riding stables, karate, baseball fields, swim team practice... etc... is carefully factored into each home.  
Gated communities have become more attractive, giving a greater feeling of … (0 comments)

Be Prepared for Los Angeles Earthquakes! - 12:35 PM
Los Angeles Earthquake Information and Resources
The Los Angeles area is truely riddled with earthquake fault lines. There simply is no denying it.  There are, however many relatively inexpensive things that homeowners can do to prepare. 
The first steps are:
1.) Identify Hazards in your home and correct them.
2.) Create a disaster plan for all members of your family.
3.) Create disaster supplies kits.
4.) Identify your building's weaknesses
During an earthquake:
1.) "Drop. Cover and hold on!"
After an earthquake
1.) Check for injuries and damage.
2.) When safe follow the prepared disaster plan.
http://www.earthquakecountry.com/
Learn all about Earthquakes
Historic Earthquakes in Southern California www.data.scec.org/clickmap.html
Recent Earthquakes in Southern California www.data.scec.org/recenteqs.html
Southern California clickable fault map … (0 comments)

Not All California Appraisers are equal! - 12:40 PM
There are four levels of real estate appraiser licensing. An appraisers license number will start with one of the abbreviations below.  They are:
AT - Trainee License AL - Residential License AR - Certified Residential License AG - Certified General License  
Check the type, status and any violations of an appraiser online by visiting the State of California Office of Real Estate Appraisers by Clicking here!
Search for an appraiser on the California Office of Real Estate Appraisers website by Clicking here!
Appraisal Institute
Appraisers also have a trade association "Appraisal Institute" that offers additional training and designations based on additional training and course … (2 comments)

A little TLC goes a long way - 08:21 AM
Just thought I might share my experience with FSBO listings lately.  I don't really want to give up any trade secrets or anything, but needless to say they respond a lot better if you show them that you think they're worth your time.  Do something special for them.  It doesn't have to cost a lot of money.  It doesn't even need to take a lot of time.  As long as it's from you. 
Then, just listen to what they say.  Believe it or not, they'll often give you the ammunition that you need to close the deal.  So often we get … (3 comments)

Blowing Off Steam - 03:43 PM
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you want to scream?  The day isn't going at all as planned, and you're starting to get irritated?  Do you think it effects your work?
You bet.
Clients can hear the irritation in your voice.  Sure, you might be determined to sit at the phone and plug away at the calls until you make something happen, but your anger makes it less and less likely that you'll see a positive outcome.  The best thing to do is play golf.  Seriously.  Leave the office.  Change clothes, and go to the driving range.  No harm, no … (8 comments)

Happy Hour - 07:45 PM
Taking this topic from a comment on one of my other posts.  There is a lady in my office who swears that she generates all of her business from happy hour.  She goes to the bar, sits down next to any guy, and strikes up a conversation.  And, she's a top producer.  
That being said, I don't know if it will work for me.  I'm sort of an ogre, and I'd probably just scare people away.  My wife is cute, but I wonder about the ethics of sending her to the bar to generate business.  Just kidding.  What kinds of social … (4 comments)

Save the Earth and Save Money - 12:47 AM
 Not everyone is interested in going out of their way to save the planet, but ai have yet to meet someone is not interested in saving money when they can. In working with buyers who may not be all that concerned with environmental issues in their homes I always point out to them the green features that can save them money. The more efficient the heating and cooling systems are, the less fossil fuels they will use...the less they use the less they will pay. Daylighting saves on electricity use.Low flow faucets and toilets save money on water bills.
Perhaps the biggest … (0 comments)

Who are the people (businesses) in your neighborhood? - 08:16 AM
On my website I have a list of the top ten employers in Sarasota County. Do you know who the top employers are in your city/county? If you don't you probably should. Here's my list.
Sarasota Board of Education-Education-4,417 employees
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System-Health Care-3,400
Publix-Grocery Stores-3,300
Sarasota County Government-Government-2,500
Bon Secours-Venice Hospital-1,428
PGT Industries-Manufacturing-1,350
Wal-Mart-Retail-963
Charter One Hotels-Hotels-950
FCCI Insurance Group-Insurance-862
Sarasota Herald Tribune-Publisher-600
 
… (0 comments)

Taxes... - 02:10 PM
Last year several agents in our office got a surprise. They weren't out of their checks to cover taxes. I think they just figured they would take it out of the last couple checks of the year. Well....those last couple checks didn't come because of slow down in the market and they were in a bind.
I take a certain percentage out of each check and put it in a separate account for taxes.
Do you all do something or do hope for a few big sales before tax time?
… (4 comments)

Does everyone know your name? - 02:11 PM
My manager is always on my case to wear my name tag. I usually just don't wear it. She says I should wear it everywhere I go: the grocery store, restaurants and all around town.
Sometimes I think, when I'm shopping I don't want to get in a discussion about real estate.
Do you think it is a good thing to wear you badge all the time? Do you get stopped in the stores and around town when you're wearing it?
… (8 comments)

The best timeshare closing company in Orlando....... DvcKinn's opinion - 05:08 PM
Here is contact information for the best title company in Orlando for timeshare closings.
Nancy Spohn, Lic. Florida Title Agency # E091491
Owner Timeshare Title & More, LLC.  
Over 20 years experience in the legal field, specializing in real estate law, the last 13 years in timeshare/vacation ownership.Experienced in timeshare registration, closings, document preparation, escrow, title searches and title insurance policies.Disney Vacation Club cast member for 7 years (1992-1998); was on the "opening team" for DVC Vero Beach, DVC Hilton Head Island and DVC Boardwalk Villas; worked at DVC as Quality Assurance Manager (handling closings with one-on-one contact with new members) and as Product … (1 comments)

Sitting here typing comments on AR.... - 10:33 PM
I am sure all of you only read blogs that you find interesting or by certain authors. As of late I have seen my number of comments on my blog postings hit all time highs and I thank you for it, fellow agents. I guess it pays to be original and fresh in your postings. Agents, just like most people, can smell a blog that is not fresh or does not have an interesting topic.
I personally stay away from some bloggers on this network. Some just post listings, or just promote themselves or their services. Some post meaningless blogs about how … (3 comments)

How long do you wait for a buyer to purchase? - 10:39 PM
I am wondering again ~~~~ how much time do you give a buyer to purchase a home when they have come to you and said they wish to make a purchase?
How long (time wise) do you take them out on house showings, brokers opens, Open houses, etc.? 1 month, 4 months, 6 months, 1 year ~~~~~ longer?
Do you stick with them if they need to sell their current home and it takes longer than 6 months for a buyer to come across their doorstep?
What are your parameters and how did you determine them?
… (10 comments)

More on Insurance - 09:33 AM
As a small step toward solving the Florida insurance crisis, the legislature approved a Florida Comprehensive Hurricane Damage Mitigation Program. Basically the state of Florida has set aside $242,500,000 for matching funds to help homeowners hurricane-proof their homes. Owners of homes up to $500,000 can get up to $5,000 in matching funds for items such as storm shutters, and roof connectors, according to an article in the St Petersburg Times. Every little bit helps, I guess, but I'm not sure this will do much of significance to insurance rates. The insurance companies do give a small credit for storm shutters. … (1 comments)

Offer Subject to "sale of home at..." - 09:41 AM
Most of our sellers are willing to accept an offer subject to the closing of a property, since that's a fairly common need. Many buyers are making offers subject to the sale of their property. Generally a seller is not going to accept this in a market with so much inventory, since he has no control over that transaction.  If he does accept it, he's likely to have a kick-out clause, and also to have a higher price than they'd accept if it was a clean offer, knowing that the seller could move in 30 days.  So, while it's good to … (2 comments)

Multiple offers in a buyer's market? - 09:49 AM
Yes, indeed, much to the surprise of even local agents. Here in St. Petersburg, Florida. with an absorption rate of 10.5% on single family homes and a 6.2% absorption rate on condos, when a property is priced right, we do still - occasionally - have multiple offers (which again says the most important item in listing a property is pricing it right).  When two or more offers are very close in price, it's sometimes the loan to value ratio that makes the difference to the seller.  It's also extremely important to have the pre-approval letters at the time of the offer … (7 comments)

GET THIS... real estate staging is NOT interior design! - 07:40 PM
So in the last week now, twice I have had clients that want to tell ME how to stage their totally vacant properties.  That is like going to the dentist and telling him you know how to drill our own teeth... and asking for the drill while he watches.  Real Estate staging is NOT interior design. The work we do is NOT a reflection of the seller's life, tastes, hopes, dreams, or wishes.  It IS a cohesive and UNDERSTATED expression of what the LARGEST home buying demographic segment would find appealing.
To date we NOW have over 2OOO props in our … (5 comments)

Hawaii Market is now a BUYERS market! - 06:22 AM
We have now come to that point, where Hawaii is now a Buyers market. This means that Buyers now have choices and they have the upper hand in negotiations.
Do you have a friend, family, work friend who you think might want to invest in Hawaii. Let me know! Id be happy to help them out while you sit there and collect the referral fee.
… (0 comments)

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