Archives of real estate blog entries for September 23, 2006

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The sharks have had their fill................... - 07:02 PM
I just got off the phone with Mr. Ive B. Screwed. Seems like a nice young man from South Florida, I could hear babies crying in the background. Mr. Ive B. Screwed bought a house in Poinciana, January of this year. He’s never been to Poinciana but based on advice, he received from one of his neighbors, he decided Poinciana would be a great place to purchase a new home, then turn around and sell it for a small profit. Well, unfortunately for Mr. Ive B. Screwed, he was connected with a builder, WeRipOff, Inc. who just happened to be building … (37 comments)

Windermere announces partnership with Google - 04:09 PM
Interesting news from our company newsletter this month. Windermere Real Estate has announced a partnership with Google. According to the newsletter, "This arrangement will provide content-rich Windermere listing data on the Google site and dramatically increase the online exposure for all Windermere listings." 
How does this work?
Effective immediately, all Windermere listings will be included on Google's database. 
Updated Windermere listing data is sent to Google daily. 
Users click on the link in the search results for more information and they are sent to the listing on the Windermere site. 
On Windermere.com, the listing includes detailed property information and the Windermere agent remains the first … (8 comments)

Back to School~Today's word...Disintermediation! - 10:57 AM

I live in Chico, California, which is the home to thousands of college students. From time to time, I have high school and college students call me up to ask me questions for a class project that they are doing. I LOVE these calls! To have a child or young adult that has enough in them to call and actually do their homework is inspiring to me. I know many professionals that can't  make such inquiries on the phone! Anyhow, I received a phone call today and I was asked if I knew what "disintermediation" was. Plain and simple! I was honest and said … (11 comments)

Advertising Abroad - 07:11 AM
We've advertised abroad in several publications, both in English and in German. Great distributions, great marketing, great for making your sellers happy about the extra exposure - but for us, no results (unless you consider calls from other international publications results). International business is about relationships and trust, as I've mentioned before. Remember Florida swampland sales? That's what people from other countries are afraid of.
Joining - and participating in - the CIPS groups, the international section, and FIABCI are ways of making contacts, but it's not just joining, it's really getting involved.  Trade shows can lead to relationships and business, but … (9 comments)

Lead$, Lead$, Lead$ - 10:19 AM
Being a new agent I don't have a lot of money to spend on advertising. There are no billboards in my near future, nor half-page newspaper ads. My advertising mainly consists of cost-efficient but effective ways of marketing myself to stay in front of the consumers eyes and on top of their minds if they need anything real estate related. Here is a brief overview of my current strategy, but I am looking for ways to expand. 1) Networking - talk is cheap! 2) Calling & direct mailing  my Sphere of Influence for referrals 3) A small business card size ad … (35 comments)

SEO help: Blogging for traffic - 11:36 AM
Some of us seem to have forgotten that AR is here to generate business for us. Some even have given me bad marks on posts about local conditions. That proves they don't get it.
If you want an idea of the power of AR blog posts check out this search for "Roselle Condos" 

#2 and 3 for this term from my posts on my Active Rain blog. Now currently that isn't a city that I target for my website so this is important. I now have 20% of the top ten results without having to add content to my site. It … (21 comments)

Chicken Soup for the Realtor's Soul - 09:11 AM
The first Wednesday of every month I meet with my friends Susie & Debbie to chat about each other's real estate business. We are not a real estate team, we're friends. We take turns at each other's homes & whomever has it at their home gets to decide on a subject. Then we bring everything we have at our fingertips regarding the subject to the table to share.
I remember having it be centered around the CMA & listing presentation once, where I picked a neutral address in our area & all three of us did a CMA on it & presented it to each other. … (14 comments)


Blog posts


Showing instructions - 04:00 PM
I've come across many situations where there are special instructions to show and access a property.  Today, there was one that got me stumped.  It's a condominium on 1st Avenue near the Pike Place Market.  The agent's instructions in the MLS stated "enter bg on Post Alley (1st left thru stairwell to elevtr)".   Post Alley is an alley between 1st and Western Avenues filled with shops and restaurants.
I was previewing the unit for a showing tomorrow afternoon.  I spent roughly 15 minutes trying to find my way into the building using the agent's instruction.  None of the doors were … (7 comments)

Godaddy For Cheap - 05:26 PM
Rich's post about expiring web domains was a call to action for me.  After reading his post I decided to check my Godaddy account and it turns out two of my domains expire next week.  They are now renewed.
I use Godaddy for all my domains as they're pretty good at domain registration.  Also, they always have deals going on.  One of the best places to find deals on Godaddy (and lots of other online merchants) is Dealtaker.com.  The Dealtaker Godaddy page show these great offers and promo codes.   My favorite Godaddy promo code is "CHRIS3" which discounts .com to $6.95 and … (5 comments)

Belltown Neighborhood - 06:19 PM
The Belltown neighborhood is generally considered part of downtown Seattle, though it's primarily a residential area just north of the downtown retail district.  Along Belltown's broad streets are an eclectic mix of people, businesses and art.  Not to mention the snazzy offices of John L. Scott Real Estate.
Belltown combines seedy with hip, retirees with urban youth, fast track executives with day laborers and posh penthouses with cardboard boxes in stoops.   Stroll along First Avenue where many trendy restauranteurs hone their  craft right along side street vendors, mom and pop cafes and the newest nightclub.
It was ground zero for … (1 comments)

Marketing 101 continued - 11:38 AM
Many of us know the new ways of marketing have little to do with the individual and a lot to do with the internet.  This is a very smart way to go, but it is not the only way to go.  People sometimes need a shove to get going in the right direction.  Your potential buyer may not think he can buy a house.  In a slower market, we must react to the demand, but we must also create demand.  Talking about what is on the market and the lower interest rates will put the seed into many peoples "garden".  Use … (0 comments)

SEO help: Supplemental Results - 10:22 AM
Toby asked: "Is there a way you can check to see if pages are in a secondary index?"
Thought that a little talk about "Supplemental Results" would help everyone better understand why some pages aren't ranking and others do. 
Is a page in the Supplemental Results? 
First to see if a page is a Supplemental Result all you have to do is look at it in Google. Toby's site will be used as an example for this demonstration. 
First search site:www.barnettassociates.net Next look at the page in the results to see if they are in the supplement results You can see in the green text at … (29 comments)

SEO help: Blogging for traffic - 11:36 AM
Some of us seem to have forgotten that AR is here to generate business for us. Some even have given me bad marks on posts about local conditions. That proves they don't get it.
If you want an idea of the power of AR blog posts check out this search for "Roselle Condos" 

#2 and 3 for this term from my posts on my Active Rain blog. Now currently that isn't a city that I target for my website so this is important. I now have 20% of the top ten results without having to add content to my site. It … (21 comments)

Hoffman Estates, IL - Market update - 11:55 AM
Here is a quick overview of the single family market in Hoffman Estates, IL. There currently is about 12 months of inventory.
currently on the market: 255 currently under contract: 73closed in the last 90 days: 62est. inventory: 12 months (same as 7/31 update)lowest price: $244,900 highest price: $949,000
Here is a quick overview of the condo market in Hoffman Estates, IL. There currently is about 12 months of inventory. This is an increase of 50% over the last update on 7/31 and shows that the market is slowing.
currently on the market: 90 currently under contract: 18 closed in the last 90 days: 22 est. inventory: … (2 comments)

What no Tru lia or Zill ow posts? - 08:30 PM
For a while, it seemed that every other post was about Zill ow or Tru lia. Some people love'm, some don't. Personally, I'm on the fence. On the one hand, both offer some fairly valuable services, such as mapping features, listings ect. However, they also are starting to show up in local market searches, taking potential clients away from individual realtor sites.  So the question becomes should realtors help promote these sites by blogging about them or using their services on their own personal sites?  So which side do you fall on? -Charles … (2 comments)

Traffic from Active Rain - 09:12 PM
I was wondering now that the site has aged a bit (and we have a ton of new members) whether or not you are seeing an increase in traffic to your personal website from Active Rain. I have a listing on Max's directory, ibsteam.net/wsnlinks and so far this month have received 50 hits from the site.  In contrast, I've received 10 from Active Rain. I'm curious to see what others have recieved.  -Charles
… (7 comments)

Online Classifieds - 11:55 PM
Has anyone had any experience (good or bad) with using online classifieds websites to promote their listings/services?  There are tons of free and paid online classifieds. I know quite a few members use Craigslist and have had varying degrees of success. Does anyone recommend any particular sites or using say the local area newspaper and putting a live link in the ad? -Charles
… (6 comments)

Deja Vu, All Over Again - 06:01 AM
I noticed this book in my office library the other day, and pulled it off the shelf.  "Crisis Real Estate Investing" by Hal Morris.  Sub-Title:  "Increase and Protect Your Assets from Potential Disaster".  The copyright date is 1982.
The blurb on the dust jacket starts:  "During the late 1970s, real estate skyrocketed with values increasing 15 to 20 percent annually.  Suddenly the real estate boom slowed, appreciation stopped, interest rates climbed and homeowners, buyers, sellers, lenders and borrowers scrambled to refinance, bail out or somehow take advantage of their neighbor's misfortune."
Or how about the first paragraph on page one: "It came about … (9 comments)

This Is Gonna Be Fun - 10:10 AM
I might have to close up our office on Tuesday, September 26,  so I can follow this.
Greg Swann, Bloodhound Blog, and Ardell DellaLoggia of Searching Seattle have accepted the
Sellius 101 Blog Post Challenge: http://blog.sellsiusrealestate.com/?p=2161
Reported here first by Jon Ernest:  http://activerain.com/blogsview/Its-a-Blogoff-?10030
… (0 comments)

Change In California License Law - 11:39 AM
I do hope the typo in the date was made by Downey Association of Realtors that sent out this announcement.  If it's part of the Bill, it might never ever go into effect: 
Governor Schwarzenegger signs AB 2429 into law; measure enhances licensing requirements in real estate industry
LOS ANGELES (Sept. 22) – California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed AB 2429 (Negrete McLeod), “Real Estate Salesperson Licensure,” into law.  The measure was sponsored by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. AB 2429 will require salesperson applicants, after Sept. 31, 2007, to complete all three of the Department of Real Estate-mandated pre-license courses prior to … (2 comments)

Optimum Viewing - 12:50 PM
If you haven't yet tried a tabbed browser, the Blogging Marathon between Gregg Swann and Ardell DellaLoggia would be a good reason to give tabbed browsing a go.
I plan to run Sellsius in one tab, Ardell in another, Greg in a third, and Jon Ernest's play by play in a fourth.  Oh, and if a client happens to call for information on September 26, I can open a fifth tab and work on whatever the clients needs.
Like this:
Mozilla Firefox
Internet Explorer Version 7
… (4 comments)

Lateral Pass - 01:47 PM
I saw this post http://activerain.com/blogsview/New-to-Blogging?10076 when browsing through All Blogs, I looked at the member's profile http://activerain.com/keenan, and web site http://www.libertasholdings.com/ and found myself puzzled and intrigued, but too tired to post a comment.  Besides I actually have some work to do.
So this is a lateral pass.  Another Rainer can run with this ball.
… (0 comments)

NASCAR-Harvick wins in New Hampshire! On to Dover, DE... - 09:15 AM
Last week I posted about the first event in NASCAR's "Race to the Chase" in Loudon, NH.  I did so because I live in New Hampshire and because I love racing.  I promised an udpate.  Well, after Kyle Busch, driver of the #5 Kellogs Chevy led the majority of the laps at Loudon it was Kevin Harvick, driver of the #29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet who led the field at the checkered flag.  He also took over the points lead in the 10 race shootout to win the coveted Nextel Cup.  This weeks race is tomorrow in Dover, Deleware.  Dover is a one mile, oval … (0 comments)

Unit 5 Inland Homes - Market Update September 2006 - 08:34 AM
I have a beatiful home listed at 2031 San Marco Road.  Great larger property, newer construction pool home.  Priced right in the range it should be.  Everyone that has seen it loves it, and they really like the privacy in the yard.  Negative is that it is on San Marco Road, which is a busier street and we priced that in consideration. 
So I decided to drill down to the numbers and take a look at historically what has happened in this community of Marco Island.  This area is off the main area of Marco on the way to Goodland.  There … (0 comments)

Rental Properties on Marco Island - 09:54 AM
This is the time of year people are looking to secure their rental properties for season.  So since a couple of people have asked me where to go, I thought I would share with the rest of you that this is a first class operation.  They make things right if they are wrong -- trust me I have been called to solve a problem or two over the years.  So if you are looking for your place to stay in Paradise, please check them out.  Oh and they have expanded to South Carolina too!
My son's father runs a rather successful … (0 comments)

Mirage on the Gulf - Market Update September 2006 - 10:20 PM
Here is a link to my prior report on Mirage on the Gulf as of August 9th.  Since that report, a unit has closed in this building.  The unit listed for $1,249,000 and closed for 1,125,000 on August 11th.   There are currently 6 units for sale with an average list price of $1,164,000.  Which if you apply my pricing theory to this condo we are in alignment with what is going on in the market.  We have seen sales volume drop by 50% from 2005 and approximately an 18% decrease in average sales price.  Which again reflects that the market is … (0 comments)

Time to Blog - 05:25 PM
I don't know about the rest of you, but I spend an inordinate amount of time on this site.
My husband keeps making little comments like "blogging again?', or "What are we having for dinner?", or "are you walking the dog tonite?"
Now here's the thing. We are all able to see each others posts, points, profiles, etc., so I already know that my blogging is practically nil compared to some of you.
I may spend quite a bit of time "commenting" but to actually get an idea, and a blog, and a photo going, sometimes three times a day, really amazes me!
I … (26 comments)

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