Archives of real estate blog entries for January 10, 2007 (Page 8)

Blog posts


California B&C Lender Goes Bust - 01:42 AM
 
Harbourton Mortgage Investment Corp., Santa Rosa, Calif., closed its doors in late December, the apparent
victim of loan buyback requests that it could not handle. According to one correspondent buyer, Harbourton was
producing about $80 million a month. Harbourton's failure is just the latest in a wave of collapses that is
reshaping the struggling subprime sector. In December, OwnIt Mortgage of Woodland Hills, Calif., went bust, as
did Sebring Capital of Texas. As of MortgageWire's deadline, telephone calls to Harbourton's operations center
in Virginia had not been returned. The company was founded in 2001 and is a subsidiary of Harbourton Capital … (0 comments)

Buyers Don't Pay a Commission? Let's be Real! - 02:28 PM
We all say it when we are working with buyers. "You get my services as a buyer's agent for free. The seller actually pays my commission."   Technically that  might be correct.  But is that really an honest representation of what happens?
I submit to you that the buyer is the one who ends up paying for everything in the transaction. The buyer is the only one bringing money to the table. 
It's just like when the seller agrees to pay closing costs after the deal is negotiated.  Sure, the seller  will pay closing costs if the buyer pays a higher purchase price.  The buyer then has to … (4 comments)

Home staging techniques- adding emotional connection with flowers - 09:30 AM
Nothing quite adds to a home's appeal like fresh flowers. For one thing, they are special because they do not last long. That is one reason why we value them- their beauty is deep but fleeting. So traditionally, giving someone flowers coveys a certain sense that they are special enough to receive them. Fresh flowers in a home can also convey that sense of specialness. Adding fresh flowers to a staged home is just one of those finishing touches that bring it altogether.
The problem is that flowers can be an expensive prop. Most flowers these days will last longer than in … (10 comments)

Powerful Prayer - 12:09 AM
This is my first actual post to AR and it is quite appropriate that it be on the Spiritual Rain group, which I have just discovered.
For the past two weeks, my pastor has been preaching on the power of prayer, because our little church had a special anniversary.  It was not for 24/7 prayer at the church, but for 365 days there has been a prayer meeting.  It was a goal set last year, that we celebrated with awe....our little church actually did it!  Sometimes only two members able to make it at 5:30 a.m., but more often than not, 5, … (9 comments)

Men Are Just Happier People - 12:58 AM
Such a simple philosophy and way of life!!Men Are Just Happier People-- What do you expect from such simple creatures?    
Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can be President.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
The world is your urinal.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop … (12 comments)

LAWYERS SHOULD NEVER ASK A MEXICAN GRANDMA A QUESTION IF THEY AREN'T PREPARED FOR THE ANSWER. - 01:09 AM
Hilarious Story from a Client of Mine...... Hang onto your hats..... 
LAWYERS SHOULD NEVER ASK A MEXICAN GRANDMA A QUESTION IF THEY AREN'T PREPARED FOR THE ANSWER.
IN A TRIAL, IN A SMALL TOWN in TEXAS, A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY CALLED HIS FIRST WITNESS, A MEXICAN GRANDMOTHER, AN ELDERLY WOMAN TO THE STAND.
HE APPROACHED HER AND ASKED, MRS SANCHEZ,"DO YOU KNOW ME?"
SHE RESPONDED, "SI, I KNOW YOU MR. WILLIAMS."
I KNOWN YOU SINCE YOU WERE A CHAVALITO AND FRANKLY YOU'VE BEEN A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT TO ME.
YOU LIE, YOU CHEAT ON YOUR WIFE, AND YOU MANIPULATE PEOPLE. AND YOU THINK YOU'RE A BIG SHOT WHEN YOU … (5 comments)

Now THAT, My friends, is a Poker Player! - 01:22 AM
Great Customer Emailed this to me, This one is a little X rated so if it offends please do not read. But Oh what a punch line...... Read on if you will...... 
Two couples were playing poker one evening. John accidentally dropped some cards on the floor. When he bent down under the table to pick them up, he noticed Bill's wife Sue wasn't wearing any underwear under her dress!
Shocked by this, John upon trying to sit back up again, hit his head on the table and emerged red-faced. Later, John went to the kitchen to get some refreshments.
Bill's wife followed and … (3 comments)

Smart Alek Kids - 01:28 AM
An 8 year-old and 6 year-old are upstairs in their bedroom. "You know what?" says the 8 year-old. " I think it's about time we started cussing."
The 6 Year-old nods his head in approval. The 8 year-old continues, When we go downstairs for breakfast, I'm gonna say something with 'hell' and you say something with 'ass.' The 6 year-old agrees with enthusiasm.
When their mother walks into the kitchen and asks the 8 year-old what he wants for breakfast, he replies, "Aw hell Mom, I guess I'll have some Cheerios."
WHACK! He flies out of his chair, tumbles across the kitchen floor, gets up, and … (5 comments)

California Universal Health Care and Other BoonDoggle Discussion's - 01:40 AM
Well I am sure most of you may have heard that The Governor of The Great State of California is proposing Universal health care for all. By All he also means anyone that is illegally, Undocuemented or otherwise in this Great Country of Ours. Like many great society Programs  Initially it looks like he has some pretty positive ways in which to pay for this aggressive program.
Now my purpose of this Blog is to Open A Discussion on Government Give-A-Ways. In the past our Government with initially Good Intentions ( some maybe not so good ) has proposed initiatives like this … (7 comments)

Central New Jersey Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - 07:47 AM
Plainfield has created a week long celebration to honor the Dr. King. The schedule covers a wide gamut of subjects, from business to social consciousness raising.  The first day of activities begins on Friday, January 12th with a Business Forum at the Mohawk Lodge #307 located at 1325 West Third Street to be held from 6:00 - 10:00 PM (This event is sponsored by Mohawk Lodge #307). On Saturday, January 13th there will be a program entitled Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - With A Tribute to Education at Hubbard Middle school located at 661 West Eight Street to be … (2 comments)

Westfield New Jersey's Monthly Multifamily Property Market Analysis - 01:34 PM
Westfield has very few multifamily properties, so it stands to reason that there are few available for sale. However, what Westfield lacks in numbers it more than makes up for in character and charm. the multifamily homes afford their owners the same rich architectural detail enjoyed by owners of single family residences.
There were only three properties available for sale in December, with an average list price of $716,000. That's slightly higher than 2005 by about 13%. The average days on market were roughly 66, nearly half of 2005 for the same period. Interestingly enough, there were no new listings in … (1 comments)

Home Staging Tip #3 - Bed in a Trunk! New Picture. - 09:07 AM
How many times have you come across a junk room or an empty room that needs to be staged as a bedroom? In minutes you can have a beautifully dressed bed in any size including king...all from the trunk of your car!
What you will need:
2 air mattresses - Uhuh, this is the instant bed in a trunk - $80 1 bed-in-the-bag (Bed-dressing ensemble includes dustruffle, comforter, 2 shams, 2 sheets, 2 pillow coses) $50 4 bed pillows - $2o Decorative throw - $20 Misc. decorative pillows - $30 For the bed frame use 4 boxes - Use office filing … (89 comments)

The Newly Formulated "Detachment and Evaluation Phase" of Home Staging - 09:02 PM
Things are changing very fast at Stage It Forward thanks to the many talented and creative members involved in elevating the essence of it's Image. As a direct result of our discoveries sparked by Judy Kincaid's blog I am rewording what was once the "Decluttering Phase" of Staging a Property for sale. I have decided to call it the "Detachment and Evaluation Phase" because that is exactly what it is. I have about 75 pages I need to thumb through and rework so it will take a few days. 
Before I get started, I would like some input as to renaming any … (13 comments)

Helpful Google Alerts. - 09:41 PM
I have been experimenting with keywords in Google Alerts. When I put in for sale by owner Fresno County CA, a lot of information comes up regarding foreclosures as well as individual listings. I am also looking at others but this one might be a good resource for new business opportunities. Anyone else doing this?  … (10 comments)

Every Day is a Holiday - 06:01 PM
Did you know that virtually every day is actually - officially - a holiday of some sort?  It's true!
When my girls were preschoolers, I stumbled upon a list of obscure and bizarre holidays that are truly real, established holidays.  I would pick from this list on random days to keep my girls occupied.  We celebrated many things like National Plant a Flower Day , Be an Angel Day, National Sea Monkey Day, and my personal favorite Chocolate Cake Day (it's January 27th, BTW).  It was a great resource to use for activities and fun - especially when I was at my wits end as to … (11 comments)

No News Is Good News - 10:29 AM
I recently made the decision that I would stop watching news coverage on TV and stop reading the newspaper (except the comics, of course). As a result, I've rarely felt better.
Don't get me wrong - I know that a republic functions best with informed citizens. But at this point in my life, I'm tired of being so informed. I've met a lot of people that don't know where Macedonia is, who don't know who the Secretary General of the United Nations is, and who don't know the current price of a barrel of west Texas crude oil, and they all seem … (8 comments)

Increase Sales Price by Looking Under Your Feet - 10:14 AM
Today's tip of the day features a suggestion from my guide: 10 Low-cost Fixes to Help Your Home Sell - The Indoors and talks about something some sellers often overlook - the condition of the flooring. Whether you have hardwood, carpets, vinyl, ceramic or pergo, your floor should look tip-top for buyers in order to maximize your sale. To get the full guide and find others that might help your sale or purchase, visit my Illinois Real Estate website.
1. Look Down, Look Down
This is an important factor for many buyers - what type of flooring you have and most importantly, what its … (0 comments)

Do you Digg? - 03:58 PM
I just signed up for an account with Digg and was playing around with it. It looks like another social bookmarking site like all of the others, but has some nice user-interactivity. Proclaiming true user-generated content, it allows people to either "Digg" up a site or "Bury" one that is seen as "spamy". I went and "Dugg" up a couple blog posts I thought were worthy but hadn't gotten much exposure. The news sources with the most "Diggs" gain increasing importance on the site. This "vote" model is an interesting concept on the 'net but isn't without it's abuses. For example, there … (0 comments)

Market Trends - Batavia Illinois - 08:44 PM
Batavia Real Estate Market Trends
December Market Conditions Detached Style Single-Family Homes The median price of homes on the market in Batavia has remained flat most of the fall. It currently sits at $365,900 - just $900 up from its September value of $365,000. However, the average sales price of homes sold this fall has leaped around dramatically. It currently sits are $359,000 - the third highest median attained in the past 2 years. The number of units on the market continued to drop during the month of December, from 208 units to 183. However, during that time, the number of homes sold … (0 comments)

Oswego Illinois History and Community - 08:54 PM
Oswego Real Estate 
Real estate in Oswego is centered on three main areas - the Boulder Hill area, the downtown area along the Fox River and farther east near the intersection of Douglas Road and Wolf's Crossing. The Boulder Hill area features nearly 4,000 homes and is shared by the three communities of Aurora, Oswego and Montgomery. Homes in this area started being built in the 1950's and new homes continue to be added to this day. Real estate in the downtown section of Oswego along the Fox River features many older homes dating back to the turn-of-the-century. Due to the separate … (0 comments)

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