Archives of real estate blog entries for January 11, 2007

Featured blog posts


How You Do Anything is How You Do Everything - 04:16 PM
Have you ever had new client show up for their first appointment late?  I bet most of the time those same clients continue to show up late most of the time after that.  They probably are also late in getting documents to the lender and late in everything else that they do.
My favorite recent quote is "How you do anything is how you do everything"  I read it in T. Harv Eker's book, The Secrets of the Millionare Mind I don't know if he is the first to say it but I find it to be so true, especially with myself.
In … (44 comments)

Guerilla Relationship Marketing - 04:18 PM
Guerilla Strategy:  Leverage existing networks
Example: Adult Baseball League
I asked my client what he liked to do in his free time.  He explained that he enjoyed playing adult league baseball; been doing it for 15 years.  I asked about the numbers; i.e. how many on a team, how many teams in the league?  Average team:  15 players; 18 teams in the league; that's 270 players in the network.
We started brainstorming ways to get the attention of all those players.  My client suggested a special tournament, with donated  prizes.  To make it happen:
He'd have to make contact with the … (29 comments)

Housing Bubble? Nah. Housing Crisis? You Bet - 11:57 AM
I have always been sensitive to housing issues, perhaps because of my experiences in other careers (my corporate roles, prior work at the New England Medical Center in Boston), places I have lived and traveled, my reading, people I have associated with, and more recently as a real estate professional. After reading several articles recently, and thinking more about the housing market we have experienced in the last few years, it seemed appropriate, if not necessary, to comment on the housing issues facing this country, and our individual communities. And to talk about what can be done, and IS being done, … (30 comments)

It's going get tougher to get a home loan in Minnesota - 09:03 AM
And it's not entirely a bad thing.  While the real estate market has had a boom over the last five years, mortgage lenders have been looking for ways to GIVE away money.  "Exotic" loans have become the buzz word in the mortgage industry.  These are the interest only kinds of ARMS that lower the monthly payments of the borrower.  These loans have made it possible for more people to quality for homes.  I'm not a mortgage officer, but here is what I have seen happen.  I have been meeting people who have been in there homes for 2-4 years, were unlucky enough to work … (17 comments)

Got your 'T' shirt yet???? - 09:07 AM
An expression I used to hear a lot several years ago when someone asked if another person had been to the latest vaction spot, visited the latest attraction, or generally done something was: "Been there, done that, got the "T" shirt.
The same coul apply to membership in our REALTOR® organization AND participating in those organizations whether it be national, state, or local.
Just using the MLS doesn't count as participating.
The REALTOR® organization is OUR organization, NAR, our state associations, and our local associations are all membership driven organizations that exist solely for the benefit of that membership, which is all 1,369,955 of us as … (33 comments)

The Commission Question - 02:46 PM
 
The question is why is there such a variance in what one agent charges over another agent? The reason for this is the amount of service they provide to you for their commission.What some people don't realize is that the commission isn't paid by the buyer. So a Real Estate Agents services are free to the buyer. You can have a agent represent you in a transaction for free. What most sellers don't understand is that not just your agent gets a cut of the commission. The listing agent gets only a portion, and the company he works for get … (22 comments)

Making The Rain Your Own - 12:54 PM
With all of the members and information available today on The ActiveRain Real Estate Network, it's easy to get overwhelmed and consumed. The goal however should always be to help you and your business grow.
As The Network has grown we've instituted tools to help you define your niche, your contacts, and refine your resources. These tools are there to help you make The ActiveRain Real Estate Network an even better resource for you.
The associates list is the first tool to help you shape The Network more in your favor. With the associates list tools you can create a list … (30 comments)

The ORIGINAL Realtor® value proposition - 04:52 AM
Disintermediation has become a heated topic among real estate agents in the past few years. For some/many, disintermediation is synonymous with the apocalypse experienced by the travel industry. Seemingly almost overnight, travel agents across the nation and the globe saw their livelihood dwindle to embers in a field that had seemed so certain.Within our society, fear has swept across the board and become second nature for even college graduates uncertain about the security of job stability. Fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers have been displaced by outsourcing, corporate reorganization, and the pace of the information age. Understandably, agents are scared that technology … (41 comments)

Welcome Wagon – A newbie manual to Active Rain - 04:01 PM
This morning I took my camera and went around Wheaton, my hometown to take a few pictures for Localism.com It was a nice morning and the weather forecast predicted some rain in the afternoon, which it proved to be right again!   
As I was taking pictures of Blanchard hall - Administration Academic Departments in front of this beautiful building, it dawned on me how far my participation has come since I joined Active Rain back on 10/26/06.   It began by looking to be able to help, teach and to develop meaningful relationships with people that shared my same passion for this industry and … (150 comments)


Blog posts


Making The Rain Your Own - 12:54 PM
With all of the members and information available today on The ActiveRain Real Estate Network, it's easy to get overwhelmed and consumed. The goal however should always be to help you and your business grow.
As The Network has grown we've instituted tools to help you define your niche, your contacts, and refine your resources. These tools are there to help you make The ActiveRain Real Estate Network an even better resource for you.
The associates list is the first tool to help you shape The Network more in your favor. With the associates list tools you can create a list … (30 comments)

The ORIGINAL Realtor® value proposition - 04:52 AM
Disintermediation has become a heated topic among real estate agents in the past few years. For some/many, disintermediation is synonymous with the apocalypse experienced by the travel industry. Seemingly almost overnight, travel agents across the nation and the globe saw their livelihood dwindle to embers in a field that had seemed so certain.Within our society, fear has swept across the board and become second nature for even college graduates uncertain about the security of job stability. Fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers have been displaced by outsourcing, corporate reorganization, and the pace of the information age. Understandably, agents are scared that technology … (41 comments)

Thought - 05:20 PM
 "Men fear thought as they fear nothing else on earth-more than ruin-more even than death...Thought is subversive and revoutionary, destructive and terrible, thought is merciless to privilege, established institutions, and comfortable habit.  Thought looks into the pit of hell and is not afraid.  Thought is great and swift and free, the light of the world, and the chief glory of man." (Bertrand Russell, British philosopher, 1872-1970)
 
… (0 comments)

Jay Z's current apartment owner yields 72% ROI in under 3yrs - 06:54 PM
Jay Z (aka Shawn Corey Carter) has been renting a 4800 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 76th floor apartment, at Time Warner Center in NYC since 2005.  His rent has been $40K per month.  The unit is currently under contract for $27M.  The apartment's owner is, Michael Hirtenstein, a telecom big man; who purchased the unit in 2004 for $15.7M is smilling to the bank.  Michael's investment cleared him a 72% rate of return in less than 3 years.
Time Warner Center is 750 feet, (2 towers) multi-use complex that opened in February 2004 houses the Time Warner World Headquarters, a 250-room … (1 comments)

OT - Optimized Text: What is it and How Do you get It? - 12:26 AM
OT - Optimized Text:  What is it and How Do you get It?by John Occhi, Hemet REALTOR®Hemet CA Real Estate
I just read a great post in a newsletter on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) on the "Search Engine Guide" newsletter.  The article is titled, "Guide for Writing Optimized Pages" by Stoney deGeyter.  It turns out that this is not just an article that Stoney wrote, but part of his company's internal operations/job manual.
I am no guru when it comes to SEO, but I have been reading this newsletter since about last June, when I got my template Point2 Agent website.  Reading this … (5 comments)

Email Etiquette - Are You a Professional? - 12:29 AM
Email Etiquette - Are You a Professional?by John Occhi, Hemet REALTOR®Hemet CA Real Estate
Email is such an important aspect of both business and personal relationships in the year 2007.
That is so profound; I will risk saying it again, at the risk of losing interested readers...
Email is such an important aspect of both business and personal relationships in the year 2007.
So then why are so many emails butchered?  Why are the simplest of communications and the most important of communications confused by the sender?  Why can't those who want to do business, using email use it right?
I'm befuddled.  Let me share just … (1 comments)

"Is Google Evil?" - 12:58 AM
"Is Google Evil?"by John Occhi, Hemet REALTOR®Hemet CA Real Estate
Danny Sullivan has long been an icon when it comes to Search Engine Optimization (SEO) as a former editor of SEARCH ENGINE WATCH and now running his own site/business at SEARCH ENGINE LAND.
Danny posted an article on January first about the different troubles that Google has encountered through the years.  Being the industry leader that he is, Danny has some great insight and access to many top internet leaders.
His article reads like a chronology of bumps in the road for Google.  Prior to February 2001, Google was pretty much a media darling … (2 comments)

Whooo Hooo - Page 1 GOOGLE RESULTS - You Can Too! - 02:15 AM
Whooo Hooo - Page 1 GOOGLE RESULTS - You Can Too!by John Occhi, Hemet REALTOR®Hemet CA Real Estate
Well, I was ready to call it a night and I thought I would do a quick check on Google to see where I am ranking on a couple of my favorite key phrases, such as ‘Hemet Real Estate', ‘Hemet Realtor' and the coveted Hemet CA Real Estate.
Now please realize, I just started my website in June of 2006 - a template site from Point 2 Agent.  I did some tweaking and some link exchanges.  I followed advise that sounded good - … (17 comments)

How ActiveRain Took me to Page 1 on Google in 15 Days or Less and you can too! - 11:26 AM
UPDATE:  CHECK OUT MY RECENT ARTICLE:  ACTIVE RAIN COMMENTS ARE INDEXED BY GOOGLE
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
How ActiveRain Took me to Page 1 on Google in 15 Days or Less and you can too!by John Occhi, Hemet REALTOR®Hemet CA Real Estate
Last night I got pretty excited.  Just as I was ready to shut down for the night, my last act was to check Google, I don't know why other than just because I had not checked it in the last few days. (Yes, I have been accused of being obsessive, but so what)
I was very pleasantly surprised when I found my most sought after … (75 comments)

Dallas Restaurant Accepting Pesos for Cash - 08:39 AM
This is amazing!  Pizza Patron claims that 60% of their customers and 45% of their franchisees are Latino and that accepting the Mexican Peso in place of cash is going to benefit their customers.  However, they will not accept peso coins, only peso bills.  Each cashier will be given a chart with the conversion rates on it and will give change back in American money.
I'm not sure how I feel about this.  On one hand, this is very common along the border where people are constantly going back and forth.  Dallas is the furthest known city from the border to accept … (46 comments)

The Secret To Developing Real Estate Blog Content - 11:02 AM
Blogging at it's finest is when it is an extension of your everyday business relationships.I am frequently asked where I come up with content for the Tomato, and specifically for the blogging advice articles that I have written.  I think that the better question is, where should one look for content for their own blog that is going to persevere as much as it is going top impact their target audience?  When doing business as a real estate agent, your role is much more than that of an educator... but to your clients, this role can often be the most important.  … (8 comments)

I would like to create an E-Book - 09:27 PM
I was thinking today of different ways I could promote myself. I remember reading something a while back about writing an E-Book. I was wondering if any one has ever attempted such a thing. Also does anyone know where I could get a program to make an E-Book?
Daniel Lowery, Certified Negotiation Specialist (CNS)REALTOR® Broker/Sales Coldwell Banker Gordon Co. Realtors Direct: (573) 291-1819 Office: (573) 761-3312Email: daniel@daniellowery.comWebsite: www.daniellowery.comWhen Service Matters Call Dan!
Visit my website http://www.daniellowery.com for FREE information.
… (2 comments)

Real Estate Seller’s Agent - 11:16 PM
A seller's agent is a real estate agent who represents the seller and promotes the interests of the seller. The agent's loyalties are with the seller and the agent's duty is to share any information about a buyer with the seller that will help the seller make decisions about the real estate transaction. 
Daniel Lowery, Certified Negotiation Specialist (CNS)REALTOR® Broker/Sales Coldwell Banker Gordon Co. Realtors Direct: (573) 291-1819 Office: (573) 761-3312Email: daniel@daniellowery.comWebsite: http://www.daniellowery.com/When Service Matters Call Dan!
Visit my website http://www.daniellowery.com/ for FREE information.
… (0 comments)

SEO: Google Toolbar Update (PR) - 04:59 PM
So it looks official there is a PR update going on. That little green bar that way to many real estate agents obsess about is having it's quarterly update.
So how can you check what changes are happening? Here is a nice little tool that will help see what many of the data centers are currently showing.
Now one thing to remember about the update, it isn't current data. This data is a little over 2 months old and I can prove it...sort of.
You can look at an authority blog or two and get a real quick idea when the cut off … (9 comments)

Pups On Parole - 03:20 AM
As some of you may know, we are very involved in animal rescue in the Las Vegas area. Several years ago we were watching a program called "cell dogs" about a training program in Carson City.  The inmates there were allowed to train and rehabilitate dogs as part of their rehabilitation.   We mentioned it to our friends at Heaven Can Wait Sanctuary.
They started their own version of the program at the Jean Women's correctional facility a few years ago. Today, they are also in the Southern Nevada Correctional Facilities as well. The inmates who apply and are accepted into the … (5 comments)

Microsoft Research Group Shot - 09:20 AM
Well, I'll be darned if this doesn't sound interesting:
http://research.microsoft.com/projects/GroupShot/
This free MS software says it can import two or more pictures of a same subject, and then merge them using only the parts that the user prefers.
I think I'll download it later today and play around .....
… (6 comments)

Continue Education - 07:21 PM
The New Jersey Association of Realtors is pleased to announce the graduating class of 2006 who recently completed the GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute) course.
This year's GRI graduates received their certificate and pin at the Triple Play Realtor Convention & Trade Show in Atlantic City in December. Pictured are Kathleen Moore (Marketplace Realty), Debbie Colubiale, (Apex Realty), Audrey Porter (Re/Max Avalon - Stone Harbor), Lerena Mullen (McIntyre Real Estate), Kathy Peck (Marketplace Realty), Adam Fewell (Sticks ‘n' Dirt), Mike DiStefano (Apex Realty), Alex Iannone (Freda Real Estate), Michael Carr (Chris Clemans). Not pictured are Edward Connolly (By the Sea Realty), Brian … (2 comments)

Marco Island Sea Walls 101 - 04:56 PM
Marco Island is a boating community and has lots of canals...  There are three types of seawalls on these canals:  Original Deltona, T-Pile and Replacement Wall. 
Original Walls Designed by Deltona - these walls are over 30 years old and are normally 10'-12' in depth and 5'8' width and 4"-5" thick.T-Pile are 20'-22' poured concrete pilings;panels are normally 10-12' depth 5'-8' wide and 4"-5" thickReplacement Wall are generally thicker and better made, 14'long 6"thick, 5'wide and 5' into the berm.Some Terminology you might want to be familiar with:
Seawall Cap - Ties the panels together at the top -- there are two … (2 comments)

South Beach Beach Re-nourishment Almost Complete! - 05:05 PM
Big news -- all that work is almost done!  Read all about it from today's papers:
Marco News - complete with photosMarco Island Sun Times Completion expected January 15th and the improvements are highly anticipated!   This just makes our spectacular beaches even that more wonderful!  Some of the condos that will benefit are those at Cape Marco and Apollo to name a few.
This information is provided by Colleen Kulikowski, Realtor for EliteOne Fine Properties.  If you need more information about the Naples/Marco Island area, please feel free to contact me at (239) 821-3063 or colleen@paradisereport.com.
 
This information is provided by Colleen Kulikowski, Realtor … (2 comments)

Southern Fried Chicken Tenders - 10:11 AM
If I know that we're going to be particularly busy on a weekend (and ALWAYS on weekends when we're putting up hay!), I'll make a double or triple batch of these.  They're good hot or cold, and they're easy to grab for a snack to keep you going.  No, they're not the healthiest thing on the planet, but when you're putting up 500 square bales in 108 degree temps, along with a big glass of Sweet Tea, they're more restorative than just about anything! 
1      pound  chicken white meat -- cut in cubes
1      cup  buttermilk
2/3   cup  beer -- dark
1      cup  cornmeal
1      cup  flour, all-purpose
1/2   cup  rice flour
1      tablespoon  paprika
2      tablespoons  salt
2      tablespoons  black pepper -- freshly ground
        Peanut … (9 comments)

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