Archives of real estate blog entries for January 27, 2007 (Page 5)

Blog posts


Who Do You Want To Represent You? - 09:02 PM
When I first became a realtor, showing property was easy. I represented the seller, was compensated by the seller, with no relationship or obligation to the buyer. It was a "Buyer Beware" era. Several years ago, the Missouri Association of Realtors (MAR) made changes for the better, and today, in the state of Missouri, there are many ways to represent Buyers. So before I set out to show clients property, I start by going over the types of relationship between buyers and agents. The most common is to work for the buyer as a Buyer's Agent. Under this agreement, Broker is … (0 comments)

Is Your Real Estate Career Like Kristal's Post? - 11:10 PM
Watching the market the last few months in Springfield, I've wondered where all the buyers have gone. This time every year, there is a slow down, but I still continue to stress! But it always gives me time to reorganize and prepare for another great year in real estate. And, as usual, after the holidays, buyers start searching for homes once more. Kristal Kraft wrote a great post this week about her climb up the Active Rain ladder. I've thought of it several times this week and realize that real estate is a lot like her article.Kristal is one of my … (7 comments)

43% Of First Time Homebuyers Purchase With No Money Down…….Is This BAD??? - 09:52 PM
In an article in USA Today, Noelle Knox reported that according to the National Association of Realtors “43% of first time home buyers put no money down” on the purchase of their home. I would say that figure would be low here in Connecticut. My experience has been that probably more that 50% of my loans on first time home buyers are no money down 100% loans.
Mr. Knox sees this as a bad thing because he and his sources feel that housing prices are going to continue to drop, and that these first time homebuyers are going to find themselves … (73 comments)

Hello Active Rain - 10:08 AM
Another first post - I have David Abernathy sitting here with me showing me how active rain works - at least a summary!  He tells me this is a great resource and that I will find that it helps not only my internet presence, but also will be a great way to share with others in the business and build my network of agents across the state and country.
… (2 comments)

Top Beaches In The USA - Barefoot Beach, Bonita Springs - 07:17 PM
US Top Beaches
· Fleming Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii - National Winner · Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin, Florida· Ocracoke Island, Outer Banks, North Carolina· Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York· Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii· Main Beach, East Hampton, New York· Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts· Coronado Beach, San Diego, California· Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii• Barefoot Beach Park, Bonita Springs, FloridaThe sunset tonight at Barefoot Beach...

My trusted companion, Jack - Miniature Doberman in a back pack.  He goes everywhere with me!
and fade to black... 
 
… (5 comments)

The Killer FSBO Letter - 09:15 PM
 
Many moons ago I used a version of this letter (and a plan) to obtain listings from For Sale By Owners.  By special request (Michele Connors) I dug it out and updated it a bit.  This letter worked quite well.  I was able to easily convert FSBO listings to my listings.  I even received a few phone calls from homeowners that happened to be a licensed REALTOR in a different state.  They'd ask permission to use it themselves.
Basically, I sent the letter with an actual nickel attached to the page.  There are these little two sided tape tabs that are used to stick photos to an … (136 comments)

Cleveland: The Milan of the Midwest - 04:15 PM
Sound odd to you? Well, not odd to a group of people who formed a partnership to work on the Euclid Avenue Idea Design District for Downtown Cleveland. Businesses, Insitutes of Higher Learning, Design Award Winners and Cleveland's Government all sit as idea people for this .....idea about ......an idea center. Don't be confused, it's actually pretty cool. And it's bascially about Branding and Positioning, which we all know is near and dear to my heart.
Cleveland is already home to 40 of the top 100 brands like Moen or SAECO (which was started in Milan and I have a feeling … (20 comments)

930 Morningside Drive, University Park, IL - 10:10 PM
Welcome Home!
This 2-story three bedroom townhome awaits the right renter!  Could it be you?  If you want to get away from the congestion of city living, this could be the place.  Move right on in!   Private end-unit has two assigned parking spaces and extra spaces unassigned for guest parking. 
How about a bedroom balcony?  You got it! 
SNOW?  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow - snow removal is covered!  Maintenance-free living is all included in this rental package.  Pack your personal belongings, and leave the hardware behind.  All appliances are here:
Washer, dryer, range, and refrigerator........
Get away from it all........take a drive to … (0 comments)

Home Pricing in a Soft Market - 02:22 PM
This past fall in Dallas saw the market slow markedly and inventory rise as homes sat through entire listings without selling.  Though I do not believe the slow down is permanent, rather more like it was catching its breath before a big spring, I did notice that a lot of agents neglected a key element when pricing their listings.
Any agent can do a quick CMA on a property to determine a range of values in an area or subdivision with comparable homes.  Unfortunately, however, it appears that too many agents stop at the CMA and do not price according to the … (0 comments)

Let's Get Personal...Real Personal!! - 09:06 PM
When I first got into real estate I really struggled with an advertising campaign that would focus on my strengths but also address perceived weaknesses.  As an attorney I assumed most people would assume my strengths in negotiation, legal knowledge, ability to handle complex closings, and the like.
I really wanted to accentuate these perceived strengths while countering the negative assumptions of an attorney and real estate agent: namely that I might not be creative, am also male and thus not knowledge of interior design, might not be able to be trusted (though I was surprised that many actually trust me more … (2 comments)

What was Curlys Point? - 12:57 PM
 
Remember the movie City Slickers? Billy Crystal and his friends go to New Mexico for a cattle drive - "Like in a truck". Part way threw the movie the Trail Boss Curly asks Mitch "Do you know what the secret of life is?" and held up one finger.
I've been using the tag line "Do the Right Thing" for almost a year now. On occasion somebody will ask me what that means. Once in awhile they will ask me about it in a defensive tone.
"Do the Right Thing" means to me a combination of at least two things.
The Golden … (5 comments)

Why they need us! - 05:14 PM
WHEN A real-estate agency hadn't sold our house, we decided to do it ourselves. I placed ads in the local papers, spray painted a "For Sale" message on a sign board and posted it outside.When my husband came home that evening, he told me, laughing, that my sign was the most truthful one he had ever seen. Confused, I rushed outside to take a look. In my haste I had printed - "For Sale by Ower."
Author unkown
… (6 comments)

Give to Get / Old Fashioned Networking - 07:33 PM
I'm a big believer in the old rule there is no free lunch. And if you give you will get, it may not be immediate or direct, but it will happen.
Keep your and fellow business peoples business cards handy.I keep a notebook with divided plastic pages sectioned by occupation. Carry the notebook with you. When the conversation turns to a need you open your notebook and hand them a card. Carry fliers and coupons with you.Offer to hand out new hair salon fliers or tax service coupons in return for the same. Leave your fliers and coupons at hotels and … (4 comments)

Feds Investigate Home Builder Mortgage Programs - 07:27 PM
Most American home builders don't need new problems at the moment, but they just got one: Federal regulators confirmed last week that they are aggressively investigating allegations that builders around the country are pressuring or requiring purchasers to use their mortgage financing affiliates illegally.
Under the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), builders and realty brokers are prohibited from requiring customers to use their own affiliates or subsidiaries for mortgage, title or other settlement-related services. They can recommend affiliates -- provided they also disclose the relationship -- but they cannot force consumers to use them.
Enforcement officials at HUD, which … (0 comments)

NAR Fears "Trigger Lists" - 07:35 PM
Real estate brokers and agents are beginning to worry about "trigger lists" being sold by the three major credit repositories to lead generation companies which repackage them for sale to lenders and brokers.
The National Association of Realtors has already discussed the issue with the Federal Trade Commission, which has said it doesn't see anything wrong with the practice, according to members of NAR's Conventional Finance and Lending Committee.
But the 120,000-member trade group, the nation's largest, isn't so sure, and plans to meet with the consumer watchdog agency again before the year is out.
NAR's main concern is that its … (1 comments)

What is BNI? - 08:10 PM
BNI - Business Network International is the world's largest business networking and referral organization. Founded in 1985, it has close to 90,000 members in 4,200 chapters in 26 countries. Only one person per profession or specialty is allowed per chapter. For example, a chapter can have only one residential real estate agent and one commercial real estate agent, one banker, etcetera. That enables members to grow their businesses without competitive pressures. To me, BNI is thousands of successful business people who have created strong sales and marketing teams - their BNI chapters. For more information, please visit www.bni.com or e-mail bni@pinehurst-nc.us.    Why … (0 comments)

Thanks to Active Rain - 09:52 PM
I just had to say thanks to Active Rain.  I've been on here for several months, but I had a great experience this week, and it's 100% due to my presence here.
Over the last couple of weeks, I have been putting together my website.  It's not the greatest, but it's got quite a bit of information about my Home Inspection business.  It's on a free web host, and I'll be changing that soon, to get my own domain and such.  I just wanted to "test the waters", so to speak.
So, on Sunday night, I put a link on my Active Rain … (0 comments)

Syracuse (15-5) at Louisville (14-6) - 03:30 PM

 
 
 
 
      AT
 
 
Lousiville can't look ahead in regards to their schedule. I think with a win today, they will be listed in the TOP 30...    As I have said before, I think at least 6 teams come out of the Big East in March for the big DANCE.
My prediction:    Louisville 71    Syracuse  64
… (7 comments)

Own Your Own Drive-thru Espresso Business In Moscow, Idaho - 12:09 PM
The opportunity you have been waiting for!! 
Busy drive through espresso building located on Pullman Highway between Moscow and Pullman!!  The building is plumbed, complete with bathroom!  Has electric heat and A/C.  Business will be sold with a fully stocked inventory and the current owner will train you!!
What are you waititng for???
… (5 comments)

Re: Answering Recent Questions in the Rain - 11:01 AM
This started as a comment but....
As someone who as been a part of some ugly controversy within this community and openly accused of unfounded and damaging actions, I would like to offer the following suggestions/ make the following comments:
 
AR is primarily a social community that happens to be full of real estate professionals.  The dynamic is what it is. Since AR is a community, it should be governed by it's members for it's members in a 100% open fashion.  If members cannot, or will not privately work their issues out, a (members only) private Group area should be created.  Within this Group, … (11 comments)

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