Archives of real estate blog entries for January 2, 2007

Featured blog posts


Top Seller Mistakes - Exclusions - 10:03 AM
I've discussed various mistakes sellers can make when selling their home.  This is a favorite topic of mine, because I've found that when sellers and their REALTOR are willing to work together as a team, these issues can all be avoided.  All issues should be discussed up front and put to rest early, so we can move on the the final goal:  Selling your home.
Previous seller mistakes I've written about include overpricing, negligent housekeeping and failing to make repairs.
The next item of Top Seller Mistakes is making Exclusions to the sale of your home.
Exclusions could be something like:
Dining room … (43 comments)

To Loan or Not To Loan - That is the Question - 04:51 PM
A couple of weeks ago a prospective client called me re: refinancing his home for debt consolidation. We spoke for a while about his needs until his wife picked up on another phone -suddenly he became very quiet and asked his wife to hang up and he would explain everything to her when we were done. She asked what he was doing and he again asked her to hang up. After she complied, he went on to say that his wife wanted to move to Florida, but he loved his large house here in Columbia, SC and wanted to stay - … (34 comments)

Turn Your Blog Into A Lead Generating Machine - Realty Blogging Review #8 (Chap. 10) - 04:42 PM

For those of you who've been following as the Lovely Ladies of Rain read and review "Realty Blogging", this is a continuation of those reviews after a very nice Christmas hiatus.  This is the 8th review, with one more to follow!
Chapter 10 deals with making your blog work for YOU!  For your blog to be an effective marketing tool, it's got to create leads for you.  A blog is just a website, but one that constantly changes as you create and add new posts.  You want all that work to become a workhorse for you, don't you?
In order for your blog to … (122 comments)

Helping Buyers Make a Decision - 02:46 PM
You've all been there You spend a lovely afternoon showing houses. The buyers see several homes they like and seem to be encouraged, but at the end of the day they haven't made a decision. Worse yet, you can't remember which houses they liked, which they didn't, which had the skylight in the kitchen, which had the pool, and so on.
You look around in your car for clues. All you see is a jumble of listing information sheets, brochures, and virtual tour CDs among the chewing gum wrappers and cookie crumbs in the back seat.
I an effort to abolish clutter, I came up with a solution. … (25 comments)

Ethics: Truth vs. Loyalty - 02:15 PM

Code of Ethics: People think that following a Code of Ethics is some "be-all-end-all" branding of integrity.  It really depends on how you view the code, and for whom the code of ethics was written.
Truth vs. Loyalty is one of those Right vs Right issues.  Many erroneously assume the ethics is about right and wrong.  Right vs. Wrong is easy...it's baby stuff..it's kindergarten stuff.  True ethical dilemmas that we face as professionals in the real estate industry are about "Right vs. Right" and not right and wrong at all.  It is obviously right to tell the truth and it … (41 comments)

Changing the way you think ... - 10:01 AM
"I just can't".
"Its the market".
"I am no good at this".
"Everyone else has such good luck.  If I did not have bad luck, I would have NO luck".
"Nobody is buying right now".
"In the Spring, things will be better".
 "Why are you doing that blog thing - its just dumb".
Come on.. are we serious?  These are phrases - no let me change that, these are ditch digging phrases that I have heard in the past 5 days and it infuriates me.  Here is how I really feel.
If you can't - then move over for someone that can.  This is not a pity party … (46 comments)

Free, self-expiring phone number - 08:03 AM
Since the real-estate crowd seems to still use phones :) I thought some of you might be interested in CraigsNumber.  I have no idea how they plan to make money (a hallmark of the silicon startup culture) but they give you a free phone number that auto expires - perfect for things like Craigs List, eBay, online classifieds, etc. … (33 comments)

Manhattan Neighborhood Market Report: Greenwich Village Real Estate Guide - 12:08 AM
Greenwich Village, West Village, Meat Packing District, East Village
Manhattan's most famous neighborhood has always been a popular place to live. Greenwich Village is the city's largest historic district.
The Village is bounded to the South by Houston Street, to the North by 14th Street, to the West by the Hudson River, Sixth Avenue divides The West Village and Greenwich Village and east of Broadway is the dividing line between the distinctively different, East Village.
Commonly referred by most people that live in the Village: West of Broadway to be defined as "Greenwich Village", "The Village" or "The West Village" while … (41 comments)

He's not as thought as you drunk he was.... - 10:43 PM
Our first home purchase - "The Life of the Unrepresented Buyer"

1985 We looked at a couple of condos alongside the El tracks in Chicago... nice places, great complexes close to everything... we were assured that we would "get used to the train" the screeching, the rumbling, the shaking... At $48,000 it seemed like a bargain and fit in our price range, but at the last minute we decided NO. The agent was disappointed, but she didn't have to show us much. She was really disappointed when we didn't buy the next house from her either, but we didn't understand how things worked, after all she … (56 comments)

Points, dashboard changes and other stuff... - 02:48 PM
Some of you (ok, many of you) already noticed some changes to the Blog Dashboard this morning and have noticed some changes to how blog posts are scored recently.  This is all part of our continuous evolution to try to keep things fair to members, both new and old.  Handing out points is our way or rewarding those who help built the ActiveRain Real Estate Network.  Having lots of points will result in lots of additional exposure on ActiveRain.com and Localism.com both to consumers and your peers.
While points result in a lot of complaints have also been one of biggest contributors to … (72 comments)

Active Rain Week in Review - 12/25 - 12/31 - from Ho Ho Ho to Happy! Happy! - 12:07 PM
Holy Cow! What a week! Bookended with holidays, family (and just a little business...) it was tough keeping up, there were so many wonderful posts and so many great ideas it was fun to look over the notes, bookmarks and saved files for my first week in review. Being that it's the first time that I've done this... I "appropriated" many categories and ideas from Jeff Belongers W-I-R posts last month. Thanks Jeff!
CHRISTMAS SPECIALS:
With a wry grin (or grimace)some of us start the holiday just like any other day...on Christmas day Reneee Burrows takes an Interactive Meeting
and Scott Daniels takes a call in New Generation of Realtors … (55 comments)

Remembering 2006 - 10:38 AM
A quick look back at some of the Real Estate happenings in 2006 
In February – the launch of Zillow.com provided the public with resources for home buying and selling “free and on your own terms” - it’s particular gem being Zestimates, an online home valuation tool. Despite backlash from the real estate community, including a complaint filed to the Federal Trade Commission by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition in October, Zillow continues to grow. In early December, Zillow introduced a new service that allows seller’s to post their listings on the Zillow website.
In February – Craigslist.org, the popular … (29 comments)

What Do You Mean "Viral Marketing"? - 09:42 AM
The phrase "viral marketing" has crept well into my vernacular. It is of its own a catchy phrase almost begging for further investigation. True viral marketing is the most powerful form of marketing there is and we have all known about it for years, generations and - those of us who are old enough - centuries! In fact, viral marketing is older than any of us.
So if viral marketing is so good why are we not all doing it? The answer is simply that we are doing it only we are not maximizing our strengths in this method. In other words … (19 comments)

OLD MEN & COFFEE SHOPS, Tuesday AM, Early Edition - 05:51 AM

OK! I overslept this morning and I BLAME Linda Davis for this! Her BEST POST of AR EVER (to date), kept me awake loooong after my usual bedtime of 8:30PM (I was laughing way too hard at the comments as they streamed in to even think about going to bed). I just have time enough to get in the requisite 50 words to establish this as a POST in all aspects (“all” means points).
This morning, I returned to the “BEST POST of AR—EVER (to date),” and read through the comments that arrived after I finally toddled off to bed. Besides … (34 comments)


Blog posts


Free, self-expiring phone number - 08:03 AM
Since the real-estate crowd seems to still use phones :) I thought some of you might be interested in CraigsNumber.  I have no idea how they plan to make money (a hallmark of the silicon startup culture) but they give you a free phone number that auto expires - perfect for things like Craigs List, eBay, online classifieds, etc. … (33 comments)

test - 09:05 PM
… (0 comments)

YIKES, ANOTHER WIND STORM IN SEATTLE - 11:35 AM
 
I only stopped by for a minute.  We, in the Seattle area, are having another wind storm--last time our power went out at 10:30 one night and didn't come back until 2:30 the next day.  Some folks, across Lake Washington in Bellevue, had their power out for over five days.  It was pretty bad because we were having freezing weather at the time.
Well, the reason this has to be brief is that I have a property showing today and the lights are flickering--I must get in the shower.  I do not think the client (I have not previously met) would be … (0 comments)

Points, dashboard changes and other stuff... - 02:48 PM
Some of you (ok, many of you) already noticed some changes to the Blog Dashboard this morning and have noticed some changes to how blog posts are scored recently.  This is all part of our continuous evolution to try to keep things fair to members, both new and old.  Handing out points is our way or rewarding those who help built the ActiveRain Real Estate Network.  Having lots of points will result in lots of additional exposure on ActiveRain.com and Localism.com both to consumers and your peers.
While points result in a lot of complaints have also been one of biggest contributors to … (72 comments)

$700M of Luxury in Rum Cay - 07:49 PM
I had to post this once I read the artcile.  I recently married the woman of my dreams in Nassua Bahamas this past September.  Heather and I walking on the beach below.
Rum Cay of the Bahamas (1 of of over 700 islands in the Bahamas) is getting some new real state.  Montana Holdings a development company from Nassau Bahamas is building a $700 million mixed use community consisting on 3 phases on 900 acres on Rum Cay.  Phase 1 will be The Cataluna Residences at Santa Maria ranging from 1278 to 1876 square feet, with impact-resistant doors and windows; a must during Hurricane season.  … (0 comments)

Variable Rate Commission - Is it a Good Thing? - 11:35 AM
Variable Rate Commission - Is it a Good Thing?by John Occhi, Hemet REALTOR
Often times a listing prospective client will ask the agent in front of them, "If you sell the home yourself, will you take less of a commission?"
On the surface, that is a very legitimate question and one that you would think that the agent would jump on, to get the listing.  But, let me tell you, that this is a question you should never ask, nor do you want your agent put in that position.
Why, you ask?  Because, you (the home seller) are doing yourself a disservice.
Let me explain.  … (6 comments)

Is it that time of year again? - 08:51 PM
Is it that time of year again?By John Occhi, Hemet Realtor
Well the spring awards season is here - the one thing you can count on with the beginning of every New Year is a new season of awards to reward and promote the events and accomplishments of the prior year.  2007 is no different...
Or is it?
2007 will go down in history as the first year that real estate blogs have the opportunity to compete and receive their own award ; introducing the REBA or the Real Estate Blogging Award.
It's true.
The nominations have all been made - Yet it is not too … (1 comments)

44240 Alsace Lane, Hemet CA 92544 - SOLD in 14 DAYS - 11:18 PM
44240 Alsace Lane, Hemet CA 92544
Offered by John Occhi, Hemet REALTOR & Keystone Real Estate Services
SOLD in 14 Days!

Offered at a range of $299,900 to $309,900
3 Bedroom 2 Bath, Living room, dining Room, Family Room plus 200sq foot builders' bonus room not included in the square footage.
The home has been freshly pained - inside and out and definitely shows the pride of ownership.
This home has the largest yard for the entire tract.  Beautifully landscaped in low maintenance rock scape and cactus - front & back.
There is a private entrance in the master suite to … (2 comments)

The Year was 1906 - 11:47 PM
  … (0 comments)

411 29th Street - Newport Beach CA - $3,295,000 - 02:00 AM
Home | Site Map
For more information, photographs and other available properties, go to :
Orange County coastal real estate in Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach & Newport Coast
… (0 comments)

518 West Oceanfront - Newport Beach CA - $4,495,000 - 02:10 AM
Home | Site MapFor more information, photographs and other available properties, go to :Orange County coastal real estate in Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach & Newport Coast
… (0 comments)

15 Marble Sands - Newport Beach CA - $2,725,000 - 02:21 AM
Home | Site MapFor more information, photographs and other available properties, go to :Orange County coastal real estate in Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach & Newport Coast
… (0 comments)

Texas Real Estate License Plates - 07:59 AM

These brand new license plates are now being offered in Texas for $30 (in addition to regular registration fees).  I'm definitely getting one.  However, for another $40, you can customize the 5 letters. 
I need help trying to figure out something catchy that wouldn't already be taken. I assume REL8R is already taken, though I'll still try for it.  Does anyone have any other ideas for 5 letters relating to real estate??
… (32 comments)

Blog Dashboard Rankings - 08:06 AM
I noticed that there has been a change on the Dashboard, and I haven't seen another post mention the change, so I'm asking...
Where is the "average score" coming from?  It used to be the average rating where people could rate each post as a 1 through 5.  Now, it's an average score.  I have noticed that on my points summary, the past week I've received some odd scores for my posts, so I would assume that's where the ranking is coming from. 
If this is true, how are you deciding to score the posts since the score now comes from AR … (16 comments)

Setting Goals - 07:28 PM
Ok, we're all at that time of year when we can give a big sigh of relief and slow down for a few days.  Time enough to enjoy a couple of days of rest after the Christmas and New Year rush and then sit down and take a good look at our business for the year.
What good are goals?  Without them how would we ever know we hit the mark?    Without the target we're just shooting in the woods!  The key is how you set your goals.  Setting a goal like "I'm going to sell more houses this year" is just … (1 comments)

The Great Well of the ActiveRain Pictures - 07:39 PM
I'm searching for something just as important as Ponce DeLeon's Fountain of Youth.  I'll pursue it until I find it, or die trying...  It's my mission in life right now to find out where all the wonderful pictures on AR come from.
I've searched website and found free clipart.  Most of it revolves around animals.  Unless I am content writing posts about which I know nothing for the rest of my life, or studying the Brazillian white tailed leopard, which is an option, I need to know from which fountain these flow. 
I've found stock galleries at a reduced cost of $500 … (7 comments)

National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents - 07:45 PM
Who, amongst our community, is in the ranks of the NAEBA?  I was visiting with another broker the other day, I shared the power of AR, he shared the power of the NAEBA.  He told me that he regularly gets 3-4 deals a year because of his membership.
I've checked into it and membership for an individual agent is $300/year.  For those of you that didn't know about this the website is www.NAEBA.info.  You can email naebahg@naeba.us for more information or call 1-800-786-1570.
Can anyone else share their experiences with this forum?  Good, bad, or indifferent would be appreciated!!!
… (3 comments)

For Sale By Owner Jefferson City Missouri - 04:07 AM
Are you thinking about selling your house and you would like to know what your house would sell for in today's Market. Are you afraid to call a Real Estate agent because you fear you might be hassled into listing with that agent? I'm different. I would like to offer you a FREE No obligation market evaluation on the value of your home. You maybe wondering why in the world I would waste my time and energy preparing a market evaluation for you and not even get the listing its simple really. By assisting you with the value of your home I … (2 comments)

How many blogs do you maintain? - 12:52 PM
Over the last few days I have been looking into new ways to promote my Real Estate business both online and offline. My offline marketing remains the same. Print ads in the paper, open houses, talking to people etc. My online marketing has always and will always continue to change. I have tried Pay Per Click, link exchange, website submission to the search engines, profiles on sites like Active Rain, and more recently blogs.
I have heard of blogs and even spoke with people who maintain them. I understand the basic concept but I often thought I would not have the time … (2 comments)

Buying leads VS Generating your own - 10:35 PM
Have you found yourself wondering if you should buy leads from online lead generators? I am sure a lot of you have received either a phone call or an email from these companies. When I got into real estate a year ago I found a company who sells online leads. I thought to myself oh boy this will be great.  I spent well over $2000 and I never seen a return on my investment, I am still in the hole on this one. I am no longer buying leads instead I have decided I will try to generate my own leads. … (5 comments)

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