Archives of real estate blog entries for January 25, 2007 (Page 5)

Blog posts


Florida AG Puts Out Warning on ID Theft - 03:06 PM
Below is the complete news release regarding the Florida Attorney General's Consumer Warnign regarding ID Theft from FLorida Stores.  I know it doesn't directly relate to Real Estate, but those in Florida need to be watchful of their identities if their's may have been compromised.
Attorney General Urges Caution in Wake of ID Theft from Florida Stores
TALLAHASSEE - Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued a consumer alert following the recent theft of data involving customers'
information from numerous Florida stores. Consumers who may have used credit cards at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, AJ Wright or HomeGoods stores between May 2003 and December 2006 should … (0 comments)

You're In! - 01:27 PM
Hello Everyone!
Don't you just love Active Rain and the whole "group" idea is awesome!  We're looking to establish a strong "Referral Network" this year.  Part of our business plan for 2007 is to send at least 4 outgoing referrals a month to YOU out there.  People's lives are on the go and we often come across somebody who is moving out of our area and into your towns.  We'll be placing Active Rainers in our preferred list for outgoing referrals! 
 Look forward to doing business with each of you.
Chris & Maria Jeantet, Redding CA (the Northstate Jewel)
www.shastaliving.com
… (3 comments)

Real Estate Investments in York Pa - 02:56 AM
You know I have and have helped clients invest in apartment rentals in and around York,pa and surrounding cities through out my carrier I get one question most, often which is a better rental a single family or multi-unit, and my answer is always the same. "It depends on your strategy" and your goals and time available. It can be no different than assessing risk in the investment market . If you are apt for more risk and are generally looking for immediate cash flow then I would (depending on the property) recommend a multi-unit situation if your newer to investing and don't want to take … (2 comments)

Saturday..... a great day for College Basketball...... - 12:02 AM

 
                           AT
 
 Saturday the 27th at 4 pm      Villanova Wildcats  14 - 5 (3 -3)  and  # 22 Notre Dame   16 -4 (4-3)
The fighting Irish came to Nova on 1/17/07 and the Wildcats won.   Villanova 102   Notre Dame  87
 As I said in another post, I see 6 teams from the Big East getting into the field of 64/65 tournament. There could be 7, but so many of the top teams play each other down the stretch, that one will be let out.
I'll write more on this later, but if Nova can win this game, it will propel them into the top … (14 comments)

Subprime Borrowers At Risk.... - 12:37 PM
According to recent reports, more than 6 million subprime mortgages obtained from 1998 through 2006 of those more than 2.2 million are at risk of foreclosure.  This will cost homeowners a loss of more than $164 billion in home equity.  Some that are at risk are those who had interest-only loans and payment-option adjustable-rate mortgages.  It was reported that these types of mortgages accounted for more than 1/3 of all U.S. mortgage originations in 2006.
In Central Florida area alone there are currently more than 50 homes per month running into foreclosure.
… (0 comments)

Possibility of Eminent Domain... - 01:07 PM
That was the message that some local residents in Kissimmee receive in a letter from the FDOT.  Well, why did they receive such a letter?
The department of transportation and the federal transit administration held a public hearing at the Kissimmee Civic Center in which they discuss the plans for the $646 million commuter rail system that is slated to run from Deland south to downtown Orlando, and then on to Kissimmee and Poinciana.  This rail system is also slated to reach the Four Corners by 2012.
This somewhat positive news comes at a cost to local residents - more than 7,000 who … (0 comments)

Double Homestead Exemption... - 01:22 PM
Gov. Crist's plan calls for doubling Florida's homestead exemption to relief property tax burdens on residents.  This would mean residents would mean if residents currently have an exemption of $25,000, they would now see $50,000.
This exemption applies to properties that are used as primary residences and allows owners to exempt $25,000 of the property's value from being taxed.
This idea of Crist is not welcome news by officials who believe his plans would hurt revenues.  However, residents would love to see a cut in their property taxes which just saw an increase recently.  Polk County residents saw the largest tax increase in the … (1 comments)

We Need Infrastructure...... - 02:16 PM
That's the message that many Florida Residents want to get across to local officials.  With this in mind, South Lake County is about to construct a 15-building medical complex in the Clermont area.  This office park building which will be built on 16 acres at Citrus Tower and Oakley Seaver Boulevards will consist of 15 buildings ranging from 2,500 square feet to 30,000 square feet.  The majority of the complexes are expected to be physicians' own according to it's sales representative who is handling the marketing of this complex.
This complex is said to be the first of its kind in the … (0 comments)

Florida Home Sales Down & Foreclosures Are Up Slightly... - 02:35 PM
Nationwide during the past year, it was reported that foreclosures saw an increase of 42 percent nationwide and an increase of 2 percent here in Florida.  This according to a national survey conducted by RealtyTrac, a California-based company that keeps track of foreclosure filings.
Florida ranked third as far as foreclosure filings were concern.  During 2006, Florida had more than 124,721 filings during the year which is the equivalent of 1.7 percent of all households in Florida.
Next to Florida, Texas had 156,876 homes file for foreclosure status last year.  For them, this is up 14 percent and represents 13 percent of the … (0 comments)

Lead Based Paint – Two Common Problem Areas in the Home - 01:33 PM
 
I have had buyers purchasing homes that were built prior to 1978 the year the EPA banned the use of lead based paints in residential dwellings (it is still used in commercial/industrial structures). Often times the Lead Based Disclosure form is treated somewhat lightly since if all paint looks to be in good condition, buyers assume that the home is safe from lead exposure.  Few ever get the house tested for lead levels.
Recently, there was a presentation on this topic in one of our Eco-Agent Certification classes. The presenter highlighted the fact that the two most overlooked areas where lead dust … (6 comments)

Brookfield, CT Home for Sale: Ranch with Private Lawns - 08:36 PM
Brookfield, Connecticut Real Estate
Home Sold in Brookfield, CT 4 Pocono Ridge Road, Brookfield$400,000
SOLD 3/21/07

3 Bedrooms 2.5 Baths Spacious Eat-In Kitchen Large Windows Overlooking Private Lawns Huge Walk-Out Basement with Lifetime Guarantee to Stay Dry      
Enjoy this wonderful ranch home just waiting for your personal touches.
Huge walk-out basement with tons of potential.  
View the Virtual Tour Today!
 
Contact Don Fabrizio-Garcia today for your private showing203.746.1199don@FabRealEstate.comwww.FabRealEstate.com
Brookfield Connecticut Real Estate
Presented byPrudential Connecticut Realty109 North StreetDanbury Connecticut
… (0 comments)

What is the REAL MEAT of our job? - 10:14 AM
I have read several posts lately about our jobs, right out of the gate, being mostly lead generation, prospecting, finding folks to buy homes, and helping them to find us with as little money spent as possible.  One comment to a post said, "lead generation, that is the real meat of our jobs."
One of my CRS instructors last fall said that "we are prospectors.  That is what we do."
I agree, if the business isn't there then we don't have a business so I give that to you, however, the meat of our jobs is so much more than that. I firmly … (1 comments)

Why I like living in Asotin, Washington - 11:10 AM
Last summer I relocated from Lewiston, Idaho to a quaint little town calledAsotin, Washington.  Asotin is just across the snake river from Lewiston,so it wasn't like I moved far away.  In fact, I can look out my front picturewindow and see the city of Lewiston, as well as the city of Clarkston,Washington.In my community, the Snake River separates Washington and Idaho.  I am licensedto sell real estate in both states.  Living here, a Realtor almost hasto have a license in both states-even though I know successful Realtors that do not have both.
A lot of people ask why I moved to Asotin..well … (6 comments)

America's Promise Best Communities for Young People - Scottsdale, Tempe and Chandler - 10:25 AM
Today, America's Promise - An Alliance for Youth ( http://www.americaspromise.org/ ) released their 2007 list of Best Communities for Young People.  Once again, there were three valley cities on the list.  Scottsdale, Tempe and Chandler all ranked in the top 100 cities in the nation as a great place to raise kids.  America's Promise was founded in 1997 by Colin Powell as an effort to improve the lives and potential of all children.  America's Promise works on the 5 key strategies (promises) -
caring adults safe places a healthy start effective education opportunities to help others It is once again nice to know that … (0 comments)

Group Guidelines - 09:58 AM
This group is intended for articles related to Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  Please keep your posts on topic.  Off-topic posts or comments will be removed.
If you have any useful links to information about Bucks County, or events within the county, there will be a post to add the link to.
Discussions of Municipalities within the community, as well as advertisements regarding homes for sale are also welcome.
… (0 comments)

Links to Useful Bucks County Links - 10:11 AM
by Rich Schiffer, Weichert Realtors 
The Suburban Realtor Alliance, serving Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties has put together an excellent resource for information about the municipalities within those counties.  It provides an interactive map, and detailed information about each municipality.  They include information about any restrictions on For Sale and Open House signage, which can save you from inadvertantly violating a local ordinance.
SRA also provides information valuable to Consumers looking to purchase property in the area.  Their Consumer Page contains valuable information.
This is a link to the official Bucks County website.
Information on Bucks County Real Estate Sherrif Sales can be found … (2 comments)

Educating Sellers about Market Value - 12:32 PM
by Rich Schiffer, Weichert Realtors
Sellers are often affraid that they are going to get less money for their home than it is worth.  So in their minds, the best thing to do is price it high, so when they accept a lower price, they will "be ok with it."   This leads to properties that get few showings, spend many days on the market, and many headaches for sellers and their agents, as they try to market a home to a consumer that is likely looking in another (lower) price range.
To address this, we need to better educate our clients.
Someone once said, "Use … (17 comments)

Keep Your Website Updated - 02:33 PM
 
I just was looking at several stagers websites, and I couldn't help but notice that one site had a "What's New" section on the home page.  The two entries that are there appear to be from early 2005.
Here is some completely free, unsolicited advice from someone who is looking for top quality stagers in my area:
By including a "what's new" feature you are telling prospective clients that you are "on top of" things and well-informed about new trends.  This is a good thing.The drawback to this is that if it is not updated regularly, the public perception shifts to a negative one.  They … (11 comments)

Choosing your listing agent - 05:25 PM
When you invite 2 or 3 agents to your home for the "listing" interview, keep some of these thoughts in mind.  Some agents will say "I will sell the home myself!"  Usually not true - - with 5,000 some agents in the metro area 5,000 to 1 tells you statistically that your listing agent probably won't bring the buyer and may not even show it.  Your listing agent has the job of telling the other agents about your property and promoting it and getting the showings to your home. 
Be sure your agent has a strong sense of fiduciary responsibility to … (0 comments)

T.A.P.S - Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors - 05:29 AM
Last night on the news (ABC I believe) I found out about a great program that has been around since the mid 90's:
T.A.P.S - Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
Founded by Bonnie Carroll, T.A.P.S mission is to aid Family members that have lost a Loved One in Military service.
The following is an excerpt from their main web page- it sums things up well:
"Each year, hundreds of American families face the tragedy of the death of a loved one serving in the Armed Forces. The families left behind include loving parents, siblings and young spouses and school age children. … (4 comments)

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