Archives of real estate blog entries for October 14, 2007

Featured blog posts


TO LIST OR NOT TO LIST THAT IS THE QUESTION - 04:36 PM
I have turned down more listings in the past few months than I have turned down in my entire 18 years in the real estate business.  Overpriced under motivated over extended sellers cost time and money.  Yes, but here is the rub, sellers in my market area actually believe the hype brought on by many  TOP PRODUCER ads that tell them that if you have the most signs and unsold properties you are the most successful agent in town. You know those "MARKET SHARE" propaganda ads that some like to run. What a crock.  The top producers in my area are only successful 1 in 12 times … (41 comments)

The Stairway to Heaven Needs a Ramp - 04:37 PM
Caught in a time warp between their kids finally finishing college and their elderly parents needing help, is that huge bulge in the population known as THE BABYBOOMERS. Although it remains to be seen how their retirement will change the face of our economy, I can tell you one thing for certain: They do not want 2 story houses with STAIRS.
Friday night, as my friends and I sat around the fire, listening to gently falling rain and sipping wine, the conversation (as usual) drifted towards real estate.  My friends, like so many others their age, are exasperated in their quest to buy real estate. 
Here was their RANT: "Where the hell are all the … (51 comments)

DOJ or NAR - Which do you trust? - 12:50 PM
I saw the headline on Inman News  the other day about the Dept. of Justice's new web site  attacking Realtor commissions.  Watching how this government agency seems hell bent on crushing Realtors, started me to wondering why.  I don't buy the "we're looking out for the defenseless consumer" bit.  Government actions are usually based, I believe, on accruing power.  So I started leaning toward the thought that the federal government wants to wrest control of real estate from the states, since it is such a huge portion of the economy, in order to control still more of the economy and find … (40 comments)

Two Wheels Earned Me $9600! - 12:59 PM
That's right, two wheels earned me $9600 in commission. Not a Beamer, Mercedes, Saturn, Tahoe, Lexus, Pick up, or any four wheel vehicles.
I'm not an ordinary Realtor, or matter of fact a plain guy. I like the following words/descriptions/thoughts to describe myself: Creative, Innovative, Motivated, Sensational, Speculative, Realization, In Motion, Caring, Loving, Just Pure FUN!
I enjoy technology to the fullest. Without technology, we're just ho hum average. But still, technology has to be used in a beneficial manner.
I invested in a Segway HT (Human Transport) two years ago as a marketing and fun tool. I started cruising on the Padre Island on my Segway studying … (11 comments)

Limited Powers of Attorney: Borrowers Beware! - 09:12 PM
I was recently asked by the National Notary Association to endorse one of its initiatives.  Borrowers, I've learned, are sometimes asked to sign a Limited Power of Attorney (LPOA) authorizing a title company employee to sign loan documents on their behalf. Though the request may originate from good intentions, it points to a path fraught with peril for unwitting consumers.  The practice, questionable at best and patently deceitful at times, raises substantive issues that need to be addressed.The National Notary Association has voiced its concerns by publishing two separate documents, Fact Sheet: Limited Powers of Attorney and Limited Powers of Attorney: … (80 comments)

New Twist on Closing Gifts - 03:17 AM
Dee Schultz with Keller Williams in Austin was one of the panelists today at the Leaders in Luxury conference, speaking on "How to Make Your Clients Love You Forever!"
Dee said that after a closing, she doesn't give her client a closing gift - but she does give the cooperating agent a closing gift.  Now that's a new twist on closing gifts.
Dee knows that clients may come and go, but she'll be working with her peers year after year, and she knows how important it is to be cooperating colleague instead of antagonistic opponents. Expressing her thanks and appreciation for their service … (63 comments)

Blog Writing Help - 03:09 AM
Here's something for those wishing to perfect their blogging style.  That includes me too.  This was written many, many years ago.  Before blogging, or computers were around.  It's still just as relevant today.
The following is taken from George Orwell's "Politics and the English Language" written in 1946, over 60 years ago!:
"Now that I have made this catalogue of swindles and perversions, let me give another example of the kind of writing that they lead to. This time it must of its nature be an imaginary one. I am going to translate a passage of good English into modern English of … (33 comments)

Why I'm not afraid of the DOJ... - 04:37 PM
I just finished ready Steves' article on the DOJ vs. NAR.  There are many things I like about NAR, but I agree with Steve that their "perpetually sunny outlook" does not make Realtors® look very professional.  Despite the fact that NAR is part of their lawsuit, the fact is that some states, including my own of Oregon, have some business practices that are anti-competitive, and not all agents are Realtors® and don't subscribe to the COE.
If agents are really honest with themselves, as a group, the DOJ lawsuit has some legitimate points. 
The fact is that some agents behave unethically by … (28 comments)

Buyers are Liars... or not so much - 03:15 AM
I know, I know.  It is one of those pervasive statements in real estate.  Everyone in the business says it. 
Buyers are liars.
But, are they really?  I don't think so.  My buyers tell me exactly what they want, and then they buy it.  When they don't, I eventually figure out I'm not listening.  Occasionally, I figure out that they really don't know what they want... or maybe they know, but just don't know how to communicate it.  
Usually, when I fall back on the "Buyers are liars" line, I find out that I am putting my desires in place … (42 comments)

Active Rain Week in Review - 10/7/07 - 10/14/07 - 04:34 PM
When Neal Bloom asked for volunteers to write the Week in Review, I did what I always do - raised my hand and said, "I'll do it!"  (I fall off the Just Say No To Volunteering wagon with fair regularity.)  I was given the instruction to keep it to 15 blogs - BOY, was that one hard to do, took as much time as the reading, it seems.  I had to leave out a lot of great stuff.  But I got it done.
I wanted to make my Week in Review an Active Rain crazy quilt, as each of the posts and … (30 comments)

Mr. Personality never sold a house! - 11:03 PM
I watched a very personable popular individual come into the real business.  They seemed to have all the tools.  Looks, personality, education.  I thought they should do well.  I bumped into him yesterday.  I asked how he was doing in his real estate career.
  "Oh, I quit that about three weeks after I started"!  Hey you guys work to hard and the costs are to high.  I am selling cars!  We continued our small talk for a bit and he did hit me up to see if I needed a car and then we parted company.
I started thinking over the reasons … (94 comments)


Blog posts


Unrealistic sellers, death stars, design, feature creep - 07:05 PM
… (2 comments)

My letter to congress - 04:32 PM
I spent much of this weekend on a letter writing campaign to congress, over an issue that has deeply disturbed me as of late surrounding the US financial markets and has a huge impact on the real estate industry.  My most recent letter is below...
Dear Sir,
I've written previously about very disturbing events currently taking place in the US banking and financial system.  Articles published in the last two days in both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times point to a new and even more disturbing development.  First to give some background...
During the previous five years … (7 comments)

Importance of current financial market events to the real estate industry - 05:14 PM
Over the past couple weeks I've done a lot of writing about concerns I have related to events transpiring in the financial markets.  They important to me because I do care about the future of this country but also they hold a particular significants to the real estate industry. 
During the last five or so years we've gone through one of the greatest modern day real estate booms.  The major factor in this was low interest rates and lending standards that were extremely lax by historical standards.  You can blame the lenders or you can blame the people taking out the … (5 comments)

Wisconsin Man Stabs Dog 8 Times - 01:22 PM

It is a pretty alarming title--isn't it?  Wisconsin Man Stabs Dog 8 Times.  This was the title of a piece on FOXNEWS.com that I read this morning.  It said:
"A 43-year-old man who repeatedly stabbed his dog in a drunken rage will spend the next two years in prison after his probation was revoked.
According to court records released Friday, Robert J. Dent of Two Rivers was also sentenced this week to two years extended supervision and fined $1,361.
Dent had been on probation for his seventh drunken driving charge when he stabbed the family dog eight times Aug. 15. … (5 comments)

Retiring outside America: For many, it's a dream come true - 02:33 PM

If you haven't read The Seattle Times this morning, you missed the article by Lisa Bonos (with The Washington Post) entitled "Retiring outside America: For many, it's a dream come true."  The article focuses on three families and their retirement experiences in Panama, the Philippines and Britain.  Some of what the story says:
"They're lured to distant climes on the promise of a higher quality of life. Often they discover a lower cost of living, stunning natural beauty and a sense of community.
But relocating overseas isn't all fun in the sun, retirees and experts caution. A weakening dollar, the … (9 comments)

I enjoy being kept Up-to-Date with Pictures! - 03:47 PM
 
My daughter and son-in-law took my grandson to another pumpkin patch this weekend--it is some place in Washington State.  They went as an outing with another family. 
My son-in-law's hobby is photography (can you tell) and I am always very happy to see his new pictures.  I have mentioned before that he posts them on blogspot.com.  I am always telling new parents that  this is a great way to keep friends and family up-to-date. 
 
 
Please visit my site for information and support.  Seattle, Bellevue, Queen Anne, Wallingford, Fremont and Redmond, Washington Real Estate Property Listings.
… (2 comments)

Highlands Ranch Rules of Thumb - 05:17 PM
Don't let the name fool you; Highlands Ranch is not a cow town.  It's a 22,000-acre master-planned community just twelve miles south of Denver with a population of over 80,000.  Highlands Ranch is a place where commerce and community, work and play, families and singles live and work together under about three hundred days of sunshine. As host to tens of thousands of single family homes and condos, there's something there for just about everyone. That's where COhomefinder, Colorado's most popular real estate site for Colorado properties, comes to your service. 
Not only can you use browse new Highlands Ranch listings … (0 comments)

50,000 points and counting - 08:28 AM
So I'm doing some work on the computer yesterday, just minding my own business. I was reading through the blogs, looking to pick up tips or help where I could. I blogged myself - AR Cheats use comments to Game the system! proved to be very popular and Closing the door on Open Houses? provoked some interesting discussion.
The main thing I was doing was preparing today's radio show which airs at Noon Eastern on 540WFLA and if you are not in Central Florida, then you can tune in at www.540wfla.com I blogged about that too - This week's radio show
Anyway … (29 comments)

Jefferson City Missouri – Buyers always get a home inspection - 12:32 PM
If you're currently in the process or you are thinking about buying a house one thing to keep in mind is get the house inspected. A home inspection can help you determine if the house has any problems and what the problem areas are. If there are any serious problems with the house you can negotiate with the home seller to correct these problems, if the seller is willing to fix them great, if not then you have the option to terminate the sales contract.
If you want to buy a house in Jefferson City Missouri or surrounding areas please look … (0 comments)

Why would you work with the top producer in your office as a Buyer’s Agent? - 11:39 PM
I have a question I have always wanted to ask. Why would you work as a buyer's agent for the top producer in your office? Yeah you will have a ton of buyers to work with but think long term. If the listing agent turns the buyers over to you what do you accomplish? You get really, really good at working with buyers when they are handed to you. You never really polish your skills when it comes to prospecting to find new leads. Not to mention the fact if you are 100% of the time a buyer's agent, you don't … (2 comments)

Palm Beach County Luxury Homes for sale - no photos - - 08:11 PM
This weekend I started implementing my new Custom IDX to provide a better experience for visitors to my website.  While i was adding the listings by city across Palm Beach County I was blown away at how many luxury homes did not have even 1 photo on the MLS.  When you sit back and think about how important photos are in how Realtors select which properties we show to our prospects and then realize that 80% of buyers are out searching on the Internet and for the most part what they are looking for on websites like Realtor.com and hundreds of … (2 comments)

Thinking About Hosting WP.org - 07:28 AM
Dear Bob Carney,
Recently you mentioned setting up a WordPress.org blog on BlueHost.  
As I was browsing around the web, reading information on setting up and configuring a WP.org blog, I came across these excellent articles on setting up WP on GoDaddy
http://www.marialanger.com/?p=793
http://www.marialanger.com/?p=804
The author is a freelance technical writer, commercial helicopter pilot, and photographer.  A fascinating woman.  And a damn fine tutorial writer, if I do say so myself.
Regards & See Ya Soon,
CJ
… (8 comments)

Restoring Balance - 03:05 PM
I fiddled with WordPress so much the past few days, I was feeling a bit off kilter.  Time to return to my TypePad roots. 
So, this morning, I made a new design in TypePad for NelaLive.  http://www.nelalive.net 
Nothing too extreme.  Just a little tease and fluff.  A new improved banner, a fluid main content column.  I still need to tweak the archive pages, but that can wait a bit.  And I still need to code up a contributor widget.
In another week or two I'll tackle http://www.taylorhotsheet .
… (5 comments)

GetFreePropertyValues.com - 05:24 PM
Looking to find out what your house is worth in todays market?  If so, click HERE!  Our website, GetFreePropertyValues.com, provides a way for you to obtain a no obligation, comparative market analysis on your home or property absolutely FREE!      All you need to do is provide us the details on your home in the link above and we will examine properties similar to yours that have recently sold, went under contract, and/or are currently available for sale.  We will then email you a rough estimate of what your property is worth.  Getting an estimate on your home couldn't be easier!
Once … (3 comments)

Active Rain Week in Review - 10/7/07 - 10/14/07 - 04:34 PM
When Neal Bloom asked for volunteers to write the Week in Review, I did what I always do - raised my hand and said, "I'll do it!"  (I fall off the Just Say No To Volunteering wagon with fair regularity.)  I was given the instruction to keep it to 15 blogs - BOY, was that one hard to do, took as much time as the reading, it seems.  I had to leave out a lot of great stuff.  But I got it done.
I wanted to make my Week in Review an Active Rain crazy quilt, as each of the posts and … (30 comments)

Patriots Rock!!!!! - 06:59 PM
Okay, this is not Real Estate Related. I just can't help myself:)!!!!
Undefeated so far!
… (38 comments)

Snohomish County Market Update - Know the Facts - 12:23 PM
The foreclosure rates today are the same as they were 10 years ago.
Fewer than one percent of martgages end in default in Washington State.
As of mid-June, subprime, adjustable rate loans represented 20 percentof loans nationally, but just 6 percent of home loans in Washington.
Why Washington is different -- The home market isn't keeping pace with the growth of the state's population, which is continuing to increase at 1.8 percent per year. The State's population will increase by nearly one million over the present decade and reach 6.8 million by 2010.
What about inventory? The key to stability in the residential reas estate … (0 comments)

Snohomish County Cooking - Part One - 08:15 PM
Hello all, for those of you that don't know me, I love to gourmet cook in my spare time. Years ago a friend of mine (I'll name her "Julia") followed Julia Childs as our children were young and we were "mommies at home". We watched her TV shows, bought her books and followed her autograph sessions.  We would take turns cooking once a month - we got so good we invited others to our dinners.  And as years passed we became darn good.  This friendship has spanned over 28 years and we still call each other "Julia" when we answer each … (2 comments)

Real Estate Cartoon For Attracting Buyers (continued) - 08:44 AM
Yesterday I talked about the idea of using cartoons to lighten up the stressful real estate market.  I appreciate the comments and the support of this idea and it sounded like the everyone thought the cartoon would get attention with some humor.  The "See Dick" theme is a memory peg of the past and for most it will be recognizable.  If you missed yesterdays cartoon here is a link: 
http://activerain.com/blogsview/236062/New-Creative-Real-Estate
THe cartoon I posted yesterday was focused on sellers and helping them sell their home during a time when homes may not be selling so well.  Today the cartoon is focusing on buyers because buyers are … (11 comments)

Podcasting Using Photos or Audio Only? - 12:13 PM
I have been doing some podcasting for nearly 2 years and it brings in buyers and sellers that may not have contacted us without the podcast.  I am considering adding a second format that would be identical to my first format with the exact same audio but would feature photos of the topic I am discussing (not video due to file size).  I am wondering if I add the photos will I see any beneifts or would I just be going through the motions and effort for nothing?  What do you think? 
Here is my current podcast:  http://www.KnoxCountyOhioPodcast.com/
… (7 comments)

Related links

New Members for 2007-10-14

 Archives:

31 Oct
30 Oct
29 Oct
28 Oct
27 Oct
26 Oct
25 Oct
24 Oct
23 Oct
22 Oct
21 Oct
20 Oct
19 Oct
18 Oct
17 Oct
16 Oct
15 Oct
14 Oct
13 Oct
12 Oct
11 Oct
10 Oct
9 Oct
8 Oct
7 Oct
6 Oct
5 Oct
4 Oct
3 Oct
2 Oct
1 Oct
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006