Archives of real estate blog entries for January 3, 2007 (Page 4)

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MLS rules throughout the country - Please leave feedback - 02:26 PM
On a conversation I had nationally with some other real estate professionals.  One gentleman came up with this question:
I have noticed on some websites in my area that the Real Estate agent gives cleints a password and they can acess our mls?? is this right ???
Responses have varied.  Here are some of the answers that have been received:
Check your board's regulation information for this.  My board offers a free website that I can use to allow people to see what is available.  Typically you cannot give out private information and if the password that is being given out is private, or shows private data - … (11 comments)

My resolutions because you want them - 11:18 AM
Colleen Kulikowski memd me for my resolutions and so here, goes
A little bit about myself first, I am 21 years old was born in Meridian Mississippi. I have lived in 4 different states in my life and have been in most of the lower 48. Right now I am looking into the possibility of relocating to Jonesboro. AR with this in mind I resolve to;
Step out of my comfort zone and take more chances in life
To try and learn as much as possible about the real estate world and how it works nation and world wide.
Spend more time with my family … (0 comments)

Question Of Ethics And Changing Listing Agents - 11:16 AM
This morning’s e-mail had this question from a visitor to one of our websites:
The contract with my realtor expires on Jan 20. I’m looking for another realty company; why should I choose Keller Williams?….
These inquiries always make me suspect and so I go to The Realtor Code of Ethics to make sure I handle this appropriately. So a quick scan of The Code leads me to an adequate answer:
 
Standard of Practice 16-6 When REALTORS ® are contacted by the client of another REALTOR® regarding the creation of an exclusive relationship to provide the same type of … (2 comments)

Harford County Market Report - 12:34 PM
The following information was derived from our Multiple Listing Service (MRIS) for Harford County and shows the statistics for the month of December:
Active Listings:
Total units available:            1482Average Price:                    $392,593Average Days on Market:       128Under Contract:
Total Units under contract:     112Average Price:                     $366,650Average Days on Market:       110Sold:
Total Units Sold:                   220Average price:                     $294,534Average days on market:       76Commentary:
The active listings are the numbers for todays date, average days on market seems to be increasing at this time.  Average sales price is also increasing indicating that property values are still slightly on the rise.  In December 2005, there were 290 closed transactions which means that December of 2006 showed a decreased … (0 comments)

Expired Listing Leads… Everything Must Go Regardless of Loss, Cost, or Value - 06:36 PM
It's the new year and everybody is having a sales.  In real estate this applies to many of the vendors of different services; including those that help identify expired listing leads.  I am of course speaking of the RedX expired listing lead service that interfaces with your MLS to provide a daily list of expireds that have been screened through the do not call registry.  My friends at the RedX contacted me with a great offer and an invitation to let everybody know.  For the time being... (February 15 to be exact)  They are waiving both the setup fee (this saves … (5 comments)

Sequel to How to Buy a House - 12:04 AM
Why the list on how to buy a house at this time?  Because I've worked with Mr. Hurry Up and Wait for a year.  He  considered himself to be my client but refused my offer to show him a house 3 weeks ago.  He had wanted the foreclosure down the block and it was sold, but when I asked if he wanted to see the 5 or 6 others on that street, he said he wouldn't be ready until February and gave me a lengthy dissertation on his finances and why February was the date.  So New Year's Eve when my phone was off and … (9 comments)

Moving Holdouts - 11:48 PM
There are ups and downs about moving and if you haven't done it recently, you really should give it a try.  Moving yourself gives your clients' stress about moving a whole different meaning.  
It's been 2 years since my move and my easy transitions are done.  My hairdresser remains the same because she's a client and I believe in loyalty.  Church changed.  I believe in community.  Medical doctors changed.  Shopping is being learned.  Restaurants are being discovered still (I'm told this could go on for the rest of my life because St. Paul has such a variety of family owned places to eat.).  The two … (2 comments)

The Tribe Has Spoken: Carnival of ActiveRain's Memorable Posts of 2006 - 05:41 PM
First, let me start off by thanking everyone who participated in the Carnival, either by nominating someone or by voting.  You gave us all a bunch of great posts to revisit, all 'winners' in their own right.  There were 49 posts nominated, and the Rainers whittled the list down to 11 of their favorites. A three way tie for 8th caused us to expand this list from 10 to 11.
No one can accuse us of being a shallow or insensitive group.  When I look at all of the top 11, I see compassion and passion, both about our profession and about our concern for others.  If … (40 comments)

MARKET UPDATE FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD - Days on Market - January 2007 - 05:07 PM
Relationship between price and days on the market in Montgomery County, Maryland. 
Montgomery County, Maryland offeres homes for sale in prices from about $350,000 to about $4,500,000 although, from time to time, during the year, there will be homes priced higher than $4,500,000.  In December, 2006, the lowest priced homes sold was priced at $370,000 and SOLD for $315,000. 
 
Single Family Detached, Fee Simple  Homes in Montgomery County Maryland Days on the Market Active Listings January 3, 2007.
$350,000 to $400,000            86 Days On Market$400,000 to $450,000            95 Days On Market$450,000 to $500,000            107 Days On Market$500,000 to $550,000            112 Days On Market$550,000 to … (0 comments)

Google cracking down on duplicate content - 07:19 PM
Many people are not aware that search engines, in particular, the almighty Google, don't reveal to the public what it takes to get a highly ranked website.  However, by listening to many SEO experts out there, you would think they had published a book of the rules! 
The reality is, there is very little FACTUAL information regarding what the search engines look for in ranking a website high in the SERPS.  There is some basic information on Google's website for webmasters.  Matt Cutts, a Google representative has a blog and some videos that do answer some questions, but they are very … (16 comments)

Nanaimo Real Estate, RSS Feeds - 06:23 PM
RSS feeds for Nanaimo Real Estate Listing
The new technology (RSS feeds) featured in the new version of Internet explorer is now up and running on my site. http://www.dougbelcher.com/ .
You need an RSS reader or download internet explorer 7 to view and subscribe to them.
RSS stands for really simple syndication and is a way of posting your online-newsletter or blog so that interested parties can subscribe to it.
RE/MAX is always ahead of the curve in using new technologies last year we were the first in our area to introduce the use of GOOGLE mapping in our websites.
Web 2 technologies are … (0 comments)

Website Design - 06:30 PM
RE/MAX agent website design
If you are looking for a non cookie cutter website design. I am planning on doing a few projects over the winter slowdown. I will not have time as of February.
I use Dreamweaver to manage the site and can help you with you learning how to edit your own.
Technologies Available
BlogsRSS feedsCSS formattingGoogle MapsSEO ranking consulting, my site is one of the top ranked sites in North America.
Send me an email if you are interested in expanding your marketing to include a website.
http://www.dougbelcher.com/
doug@dougbelcher.com
… (0 comments)

Selling a home in Whatcom County - 04:18 AM
Get the latest information on selling a home in Whatcom County by going to links on the right.  We will be discussing all the details of what is involved in selling your own home or using an agent.  Be sure to link up to stay in touch! … (1 comments)

Time to Organize and Recharge, are you ready? - 01:10 PM
First let me start by wishing everyone at AR a Happy, Healthy and Properous New Year!
My goal for New Year's day was simple. I was determined to organize all my receipts and get my books ready for tax time. Well after 10 hours, yes 10 hours, my work was accomplished. I strongly advise all to start sorting and organizing for two reasons.
1. When you see how much you actually spent on marketing and accessories, this will cause you to revamp your marketing strategies as well as shop a little more savvy for accessories.
2. The relief, after the shock wears off, … (25 comments)

When is Enough, Enough? - 09:15 AM
A couple of days ago it was announced that the U.S. troop death toll had reached 3,000.  Most of us will probably recall that the number of people who died as a result of the events of 9-11-01 also reached about 3,000.  It is a sad day, indeed, that those two numbers should match. 
I wonder if they will ever make a memorial web site with tributes for those troops as they have for the 9/11 victims. 
When I heard the news again this morning of the number of troops that have died so far, my mind asked the question "when is … (11 comments)

Limited Project Review - 10:25 AM
Here in MA, there has been a glut of multi-family to condo conversions, as well as a large number of condos in general.  For the first few years of my career, condo docs presented a cause for concern, as did the owner occupancy and investor concentration.
In came "Lmited Project Review".  A wonderful DU enhancement which basically says we don't care about O/O ratios, investor concentration or any of that, provided a few conditions are met.  All we need is a condo questionaire, to answer those "few conditions".
Here's the question/dilemma.  My investors are now allowing ME, as the broker/lender to warrant the condo … (2 comments)

Only Clubnetters?? - 11:16 PM
Fran,
Are we the only clubnet members in here?  I actually just invited a couple of members to active rain. I'll refer them to this blog too. See you in FL!
… (4 comments)

TLW Does Not Want To Do This...Do It Anyway...ROAR! - 05:21 PM
Alright. I give in. It's obvious that I am not going to be able to skirt around doing the Meme thing. I am saying that sarcastically. The Meme, about Me, doesn't do it for Me. Now I am grinning. That was a good one.
George Souto has dragged Me into Meme kicking and screaming. He knows that. He also knows I will not say NO to him.  I care about Mortgage George. He is like a big brother to me. So, to make him happy I am going to.......Do It Anyway......I must thank Jason Price for this one. Gee. Thanks Jason as you … (42 comments)

Has your office become a cave of despair...... - 12:29 PM
New Years, what a time to reflect on the previous year!  We sit down and come up with new goals, resolutions and reflect on what went well and didn't go so well from the previous year.  This past month has been one of my highest production months but like some of you who have done the same, you may have noticed that CHAOS multiplies as each closing is completed.  I've always thought having a office would be a great thing, but at times I've felt like a prisoner.
Yesterday I had to travel over a 120 miles for a closing, and when … (3 comments)

Know your number - 12:44 PM
Again, it's New Years resolution time and I was listening recently to an interview with Joe Stumpf, founder of By Referral Only.  He was being interviewed by Steven Marshall of Strategic Equity, and basically he talked about the fact that the most successful real estate agents and mortgage loan officers were the ones that knew their number.
Having gone through Joe's training and some of you who read this may have done the same, but how often do we lose site of the big plan?  Do we sit down like a normal business each month and have our own board meeting?  Do … (21 comments)

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