Las Vegas NV, MLS Stats as of 9-27-06 - 08:51 PM
And the "Buyers Market" here in Southern Nevada continues!!! As of today we are up over 125 more listings for the past week to a grand total of 21,627, that's a lot of homes!! The numbers seemed like they were slowing down but it doesn't look like it lasted very long. Check back next week for the new update! … (1 comments)
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Instead of commission - how about charging a $/hour? - 04:36 AM
Regardless of whether you're a buyer or seller's agent - what if real estate professionals charged their clients by an hourly rate? If you wanted to keep it contingent on closing a transaction (in other words, you don't get paid unless your client closes) - you could accommodate this in your client agreement.
How much would you charge per hour? How about expenses? Would clients value the service more or less? Is anyone out there doing this today?
Just curious.
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Research Nuggets - 09:31 AM
In a mood of curiosity, I searched “real estate blog” in the Google toolbar. At the top of the organic list was http://houseblogger.typepad.com/ , Tim O’Keefe’s Real Estate Marketing blog.
Some attributed nuggets:
1. Eight out of ten buyers who used the Internet to find a home, used an agent to help complete the transaction.
2. A September 2006 survey of consumers by Discover Small Business Watch found that 61 % of home sellers said they would prefer the services of an agent versus only 4 percent who said they would prefer an online service to help sell their homes. (What about the other … (4 comments)
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Harwinton Fair Oct 7 and 8 - 09:04 AM
Come join the fun and excitement at the Harwinton Fair. Country Fair with Horse pulling and shows, wood chopping contests,entertainment and MORE!Admission is $6, children under 12 FREELocated at Harwinton Fair Grounds, Locust Road off Route 4, Harwinton, CT.
See also Guide to CT Country Fairs http://www.ct2go.com/connecticut-fairs.htm
… (0 comments)
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Building a better blog - 08:35 PM
Neil Patel, from ProNet Advertising recently published a blog called "5 Ways to Building a Better Blog". With Technorati estimating that there are 75,000 new blogs launched every day, competition is fierce for readership. Patel's tips cover five categories:
ContentWrite consistent, quality content that is short and to the point, and participate in conversations.UsabilityYour blog should be organized, easy to navigate, searchable, and have an RSS subscription button that's easy for readers to find.VisibilityOptimize your blog for the major search engines and the blog search engines. Also link to social mediums like digg and del.icio.usUniquenessUse video, tools and your content to stand out … (1 comments)
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Taking my own advice - 09:54 PM
Las Vegas summers can be brutal on landscaping. After a couple of months of 105-degree temperatures, and watering restrictions due to our drought alert, there are always a couple of spots that need attention. With our daytime highs down into the mid-90s I thought this would be a great time to get out and work the soil. That plan changed after a quick conversation at the office:
John: Now that it's finally cooled down I can take a couple of days and get my yard back in shape.Rick: John, there are professionals that do that for you. They're called landscapers.John: I know, but I … (7 comments)
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A lesson from Sundance - 10:34 PM
Six-and-a-half years ago, I adopted a wonderful Sheltie named Sundance from the Henderson, NV Animal Shelter. In return for just food and shelter, he's given me joy, laughter, companionship, exercise, an ear to listen, unconditional love -- and he's even generated a couple of home sales!
The story below (author unknown) popped into my inbox about five years ago, and every day Sundance reminds me about these ideals.
If A Dog Were Your TeacherThink about what you could learn from your dog:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.When it's in your best interest, practice … (4 comments)
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Have You Ever Read...The Paradoxical Commandments...ROAR! - 09:28 AM
I have noticed the Members of AR seem to be enjoying Blogs containing inspiring tid-bits. While doing all the up-grades to my computer I have been going through old files and such while I wait for Programs to Install/Uninstall. During these holding patterns I ran across these in a file…I hope you like them!
People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered.
Love them Anyway. If you do good people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good Anyway. If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed Anyway. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do … (48 comments)
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Hell-O...Broker Bryant Is Funny...He Is...Click...ROAR! - 04:50 PM
As we all know…The Telemarketers now have all our cell phone numbers. When I asked Broker Bryant if he would like his number put on the “no call list” he said NO. I now know why he wants to answer these calls. He is enjoying messing with them. He lets these callers read their script and then he has his fun. Here is a short list of the things he says when they are ready for him to speak:
Amy…Wow I bet there‘s a waiting list for this deal…CLICK.Bob…That’s really interesting can I put that on my credit card…CLICK. Clara…You know I … (21 comments)
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NJ Homeowner's Selling to Cut Losses? - 09:54 PM
In my area of Northern NJ, we are looking at staggering inventories that rise on a daily basis. Currently in Ridgewood there are over 200 properties on the market; when I first got my license there were 60 and some of the more seasoned agents thought that was quite high. I'm wondering how many of these affluent homeowners are actually selling their homes to cut their losses. If you recall, just about when home prices began rising there were several lending institutions that began offering non-traditional loans. Many of the loan programs were intended for the saavy investor, things like flexible ARM's … (1 comments)
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Defending Negative Amortization Loans. - 01:45 AM
I'm going to defend this product, well, a little bit. Roberta Murphy, one of my favorite hometown Active Rain Realtors posted a blog about neg am loans calling for stricter underwriting guidelines. I essentially agree with her but want to explain a few finer points of neg am loans.
Firstly, let's start calling these products by their true names: either deferred interest loans or negative amortization loans. Why am I being a stickler for that? The "Option ARM" name was coined about 8-9 years ago by Washington Mutual in order to downplay the "negative connotations of the product's real description". Countrywide … (3 comments)
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What To Do When the Discounter is Your Own Company - 05:47 PM
Full-service real estate brokerage is becoming a more difficult business. There are firms who market themselves as discounters and charge as litle as $299 to list the property in the Multiple Listing Service. Franchises like Help-U-Sell, and companies like iPayone have exploded in popularity these past 4-5 years as the market got hot.
"Full-service" real estate brokerages have gotten in on the act, also. Big names like REMAX, Prudential, Century 21, Keller Williams, Realty Executives, and Coldwell Banker. Not true you say? Very true, I report. Here's how they're doing it and here's how it affects you. Many of these firms' … (15 comments)
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CNN Finally Admits the Bubble Has Burst! - 06:47 AM
Why might anyone not admit or refuse to believe that the bubble has burst? For the past year, I’ve been talking about the bubble bursting and for the year leading up to it, I’ve been warning that a “correction” is imminent.
All we need to do is look back to the stock market in 1999. Everyday I would wake up and sit at my computer, looking at the stock market from the day before. Then when the market opened, I would buy a stock or two and sell it an hour latter. I’d make between $3,000 and $5,000 every morning and … (4 comments)
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More Listing Appointment Tips & Techniques! - 07:19 AM
I’ve blogged before about listing appointment tips and techniques. Here’s some more things to consider that I haven’t shared in prior blogs:
1) Use a digital/sonic measurer. Not because you can’t look at a 10x10 room and know that it’s 10x10. Use one because your prospective client will look at the device, wonder what it is, and when you tell them in a very matter-of-fact way, they will presume that you are very technologically astute!
2) Take detailed notes! Ask a lot of questions! As you walk through the house, write down everything you can. Talk out loud. (“Oversized refrigerator with ice … (9 comments)
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Service is So Important! - 07:46 AM
I recently stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Our group of friends (business associates if the IRS is reading) was taking 4 rooms. When I made the reservation, I requested foam pillows (my son and I are allergic to feather pillows). I also asked that the hotel have at least one of the 4 rooms available so that we can move all of the luggage into a room so we can get at things we needed.
The short of the story was that they had no rooms available until 4pm (we got there at 11am). … (3 comments)
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When your Hobby makes you MONEY - 08:11 AM
My hobby if anyone who reads my blogs can tell is motorcycles. I love my time off to take a ride and enjoy the wind through my hair. My hobby makes me money. I have my logo on both sides of the motorcycle. My riding has produced much results in my Real Estate Business. To date I have made over $80,000 and currently have listings amounting to 3,307,000. Introductions on the rides have made me a lot of extra income. And the best thing is how much I enjoy it and get paid too do it. So if you havea hobby … (4 comments)
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Advertising on your vehicle - 12:28 PM
For many years I had a PT Cruiser with my ads done on the side of this car. I had this big flame running down the sides and it got me well known in the community. I drove it everywhere I went. To expensive restuarants, hotels and even on vacations. It was a great way to advertise and get business. After being one of the first to have one of these cars more and more came into the market. I felt like the wow factor was gone. Like I said in another blog I have put some advertising on my Harley … (4 comments)
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Are People with Money happier than people without? - 02:18 PM
I was reading the story on Terrell Owens today and had a thought. Are people with money happier than people that don't have money? The article started:
DALLAS (Sept. 27) - Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens flashed a thumbs-up as he left a hospital Wednesday, hours after the release of a police report saying he tried to kill himself by overdosing on pain medication.
Here is a guy with a 25 million dollar three year deal showing us that money is not everything. I thought about this for a while and said I would rather be unhappy with money in my pocket, … (5 comments)
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What's the Point of Active Rain? - 01:12 PM
I invited the Broker of a major Real Estate office to the Active Rain network recently. At the MLS meeting today, he asked me, "What's the point of the website?" I went on to explain all of the benefits of the website. I wonder if Active Rain can put a link onto the homepage which gives a foundation for the website. What are the benefits of the website? When potential members and even worse off...potential clients don't understand the point to the website, I feel as though we are missing out on something!
Any thoughts or opinions by Active Rain members?
Scott GormleyBroker/OwnerOak … (3 comments)
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Getting Past the Gatekeeper! - 01:15 PM
There is one term that has been used over the years in a Real Estate office. What is that? The "gate keeper." The gate keeper is the person at the front desk that either:
A: Allows you into the office to walk around
or
B: Doesn't!
Over the course of time, I have noticed many tricks in order to get past the gatekeeper. Can I get any thoughts, funny stories or opinions about the topic?
Thanks,
Scott GormleyBroker/OwnerOak Valley Mortgage2006 Chico Assoc. of Realtors Affiliate ChairmanDirect: 530.592.8362Fax: 530.267.5555Website: http://www.CALoan.com
"You find the perfect home, we'll find the perfect loan!"
… (2 comments)
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