Archives of real estate blog entries for September 9, 2006 (Page 5)

Blog posts


How to Prevent Disintermediation, Part 1: Relationships - 05:20 PM
This is the first in a series of blogs aimed at raising awareness about the growing concern for disintermediation within the real estate industry, and to emphasize some positive aspects of our business that can serve to reverse this trend.
Wikipedia defines it this way:
In economics, disintermediation is the removal of intermediaries in a supply chain: "cutting out the middleman". Instead of going through traditional distribution channels, which had some type of intermediate (such as a distributor, wholesaler, broker, or agent), companies may now deal with every customer directly, for example via the Internet. One important factor is a drop in the cost of … (7 comments)

Big Island Median Sales Prices Drop 14% - 08:29 PM
Here are a couple of interesting articles about the Hawaii market.
http://starbulletin.com/2006/09/08/business/story01.html
http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2006/09/04/daily47.html?surround=lfn
Aloha
… (0 comments)

Hello ActiveRainaholics! - 12:55 PM
I've enjoyed reading all the blogs and comments from the ‘Rainaholics' around here. We started hearing about ActiveRain from Bonnie Cox to a few of our employees and then started talking about it in our private forums from Ken, Toby, Max, and a few others. Our own forums are filled with what seems like family members, and it's nice to see many of them over here as well. The sense of family that can be formed so quickly is amazing. It looks like a wonderful community that was started by Matt & Caleb though. While I have never met them I have enjoyed … (4 comments)

Closing Wheatland, Opening Peterson - What to do? - 11:28 AM
Indian Prairie Unit District 204 is expected to consider cloing Wheatland Elementary again and that's when officials will again consider options for opening Peterson Elementary, newly built on Naperville's far-southwest side.  Wheatans is the smallest and oldest elementary school in District 204.... so the newest one Peterson....didn't open this year because development in the Ashwood Park, Ashwood Creek and surrounding subdivisions hasn't produced enough students to justify it. Projections show there may not be enough children next year, either.   More details … (0 comments)

Be Prepared - I-88 Construction - 11:34 AM
If you have recently travelled along the I-88 corridor in and around Naperville..you're well aware of all the construction.  Boy, has it been a real mess...  Still the construction is very much needed.  Beginning early Sunday morning... tommorrow the long anticipated project at Naperville Road and I-88 is slated to begin.  It is expected it will take approximately 8 months fopr this one portion to be completed....  More Details … (0 comments)

Fire Prevention Week... Coming Soon - 11:44 AM
Fire Prevent Week in our area will soon be upon us!  Slated for the week of October 8-14,2006, The Naperville Fire Department, one of the nation's finest, if not the finest already will host the event.  This year's theme is "Prevent Cooking Fires: Watch What You Heat."  Apparently more fires start in the kitchen than in any other part of the home - and teaching families and kids how to keep cooking fires from starting in the first place.  More Details … (0 comments)

Too Many Passwords !!! Part II & other Software - 10:05 AM
With several responses to my blog Too Many Passwords!!! yesterday, and if you didn't check it out you should.  I would also like to write about another program that helps me in my daily real estate/computer needs.  It is Picasa     ( picasaweb.google.com ).  Picasa is a very good digital picture program that can be downloaded free from the above site.  I can take my real estae pictures and put them into picasa and then touch them up as needed for lightning and such and then publish them to the web.  I have tried many photo programs and, with my wife being … (9 comments)

Real Estate Agent's Attitudes - 02:41 AM
Hey colleagues,
I am here writing again something very important that concerns me about some "Real Estate Agent's attitudes", I will share some experiences that has happened to me with some of them (real estate agents).
When I was in the Mortgage Business as a Loan Originator / Mortgage Broker, I have deal with many Real Estate Agents, usually older than me, well, as We know, we need keep in touch in a regular basis with  Mortgage Brokers  or they buyer's Lender when we are doing a deal as agents right?
Well, in my case they were dealing with me and in my 35% of … (1 comments)

Always Looking best interests of my Colorado Clients - 12:33 PM
Always Looking the Best interests of my Colorado Clients.Real Estate Single Family Residence (SFR) Colorado Homes comparables / Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) 
I have seen around that some Colorado listing agents neglect to make a decent research about the  Colorado market value estimation of the same comparables in singles family residences to advise their clients what would be the best options, etc.  I have seen astonishing over priced Colorado homes, I am not an appraiser, but  I always do my own research with at least 3 different automated companies that we use for comparables for Colorado homes sold on the same subdivision, up to 6 months old, 1 … (1 comments)

How often do you sell your own listings? - 08:27 PM
I had a conversation with one of my sellers today & she mentioned her dissatisfaction with a Realtor who showed her house yesterday. Typically my sellers leave for the appointment but this agent was adamant about having the appointment right after my client gets home from work so....
Anyway, my client mentioned that the agent didn't even say anything about the house & pretty much just let the buyers 'wander' around on their own. This house has lots of upgrades & features that should definitely be pointed out. This is just one instance, I'm sure there are many more where the agent … (7 comments)

Blog Topic #3, Real Estate Technology - 09:59 PM
There is no doubt that real estate business can be conducted without using the technology available, but every tool the agent can use to market property more effectively is a good thing.
The digital camera is an essential tool. If every agent cannot own a camera, the brokerage should have one available to take to listing appointments or for follow-up photography appointments.
Take a few pictures at the listing appointment.  Also ask the seller if they have photos you can use. These can make your life much easier.  These first pictures will let you get the property information onto the MLS quickly and … (0 comments)

New London Being Renovated House By House - 07:55 PM
Homebuyers in New London are taking advantage of a CHFA program called Urban Rehab to complete renovations on 1-4 family homes in the city of New London.  The State of CT has made funds available for improvements to homes for buyers that work in the city.  The money has been used for furnace replacement, roof repairs, new windows, siding, etc.  The best part of this program is that the money does have to be paid back if the home buyers stay in the house for 5 years.  Between the first time the progarm was released in 2002 and now in 2006, 27 home … (0 comments)

Reators - We're On Your Side! - 07:40 AM
I am a Stager here in Northern NJ and sometimes find it a very difficult thing to convince Reatlors that I am ON THEIR SIDE and want to HELP THEM SELL HOMES.  Is it just that Staging is still relatively new in this area, or is there some attitude toward Stagers I am not aware of yet?
Staging is a proven method for improving the appeal of a home to buyers.  Statistics show that Staged homes sell faster and at a higher price, and what ever the price of the Staging - it is SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER than reducing the price of the home! 
 Any tips from … (9 comments)

Money Saving Tip for Home Sellers - 04:05 PM
Selling your home?  Here's a tip that can save you money.  If you are selling a home or condo that you purchased less than six or seven years ago, you can turn in your old title policy for a discount.  Even when selling a home you have to purchase a title policy.
Its not too late if you didn't keep the original policy.  You can usually contact the title insurance company for a copy.
Questions?  You know how to reach me.
… (0 comments)

Some New Statistics - 06:14 PM
In reference to one of my earlier blogs...
I was just reviewing a recent Barron's article about real estate.  In the August 21, 2006 issue they state that over 25% of homeowners nationwide owe either what their home is worth or, even worse, more than their home is worth.  25% - unreal.  I'm going to post some Blogs about my opinion on different financing options soon.  All of the financing options available are good tools, some just need to be used with discipline.
… (4 comments)

Risky Financing, Preface - 11:11 PM
Before I post my comments about the available ways to finance a property, I want to make clear how much I am glad these programs are available.  Let me explain...
Anytime a person can break out of the rental cycle and become a homeowner, thus putting money back in their pocket, is a great thing.  These risky programs, 100% financing or interest only, are truly excellent tools.  The problem is they require extreme caution.
For instance, you have to be ready to live in the home for an extended amount of time.  Realistically, probably a five year minimum.  Why? To build enough equity … (1 comments)

Websites - Simply Put - A MUST - 11:47 PM
To practice real estate today is a difficult job; I'm not expecting any arguments here.  But to do so without a website is an uphill battle.
Okay, so this is an intro to my side business - Custom Web Design.
Please, even if you don't buy from me, don't waste money on cookie-cutter sites.  These sites are easy to spot and despite the appearance of low cost are very expensive.  They have no individuality, none.  The only way to survive in this business is to be an individual, not blend in.
Enough of the caveat, feel free to peruse my website, http://www.aarontherealtor.com. Notice the … (0 comments)

Stage your home or reduce the price? - 10:42 PM
After showing many homes to a client today I sit in front of my computer and wonder why so many homes are being reduced rather than selling in a particular neighborhood. I already know the answer. Sellers are not being coached by their agents (yes, I know some sellers won't listen)! A little prep work can go a long way and save a sellers thousands of dollars, time and aggrevation. Staging a home, touching up paint here and there and adding curb appeal are just a few items that can make the difference between a home selling or sitting on the … (4 comments)

September Market Conditions Update - 12:23 PM
For the second month in a row, the Outer Banks real estate market appears to be stabilizing and rebounding.
Some highlights of the reports you will find below.
In June/July we were continuing to post negative numbers in terms of properties being sold (closed).  However, we did continue to post postive numbers in terms of properties going under contract. 
Some really important market indicators are listed below.  NOTE THE STRONG COME BACK OF HOMES SOLD FROM JUNE/JULY TO AUGUST.  THIS IS A 72.34% INCREASE! 
We can expect this trend to continue because of the strong market conditions in terms of properties continuing to go … (1 comments)

CoreyOnTheCoast - 03:49 PM
I'm your Real Estate Professional.  Log onto my website at www.CoreyOnTheCoast.com  … (3 comments)

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