Archives of real estate blog entries for October 26, 2007 (Page 4)

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Block Party Weekend Active Rain Style (October 26-28th) - 09:13 PM
BLOCK PARTY WEEKEND!  (HALLOWEEN PARTY THEME)
 
 
It's time once again for the Block Party Weekend -- the official weekly group update for the new group Active Rain Block Party. 
 
 
 
Since last Friday, our party has grown from 35 members to 59 members.  Welcome to all the new members!  Additionally, we now have 68 posts in the group. 
 
Each week the Block Party Weekend will have a different theme.  I hope everyone enjoyed last weekend's cocktail party.  Some of us drank a bunch of six-packs (more on that later).
 
This week it is time for … (55 comments)

Finding Time To Blog - 09:26 AM
This seems to be a question I am asked all the time. It seems you have plenty to do and blogging looks like a huge investment of time!
As a coach, I hear this about lots of different tasks when I work with my clients. We live hectic, time crunched lives for the most part, trying to have it all. And, as I've noted, you can have it all...just not all at the same time!If you are struggling with this, rather than one of the blogoholics that could spend all their time on their blogs, here is a suggestion: Time block! This … (6 comments)

Leverage Your Networking - 10:32 AM
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Judgements and how they effect real estate sale/foreclosure auctions - 10:56 PM
I had a question for a local title officer, and he gave me an answer that I thought could be valuable for a lot of people. So here is some wisdom on  Judgements from Mitch Reid of Pinnacle Title: 
It's not necessary to go into great depth on the specific type of  court cases which could potentially end up in a judgment, but there  are a few judgments that can directly effect the non-judicial  (trustee sale) foreclosure process.  Before I get into that, I want  to explain a few different scenarios of foreclosures.  First of  all, you usually assume that the title … (2 comments)

How Judgements can effect the Real Estate Sale - 10:59 PM
I had a question for a local title officer, and he gave me an answer that I thought could be valuable for a lot of people. So here is some wisdom on  Judgements from Mitch Reid of Pinnacle Title: 
It's not necessary to go into great depth on the specific type of  court cases which could potentially end up in a judgment, but there  are a few judgments that can directly effect the non-judicial  (trustee sale) foreclosure process.  Before I get into that, I want  to explain a few different scenarios of foreclosures.  First of  all, you usually assume that the title … (1 comments)

SMOKE AND MIRRORS IN THE MORTGAGE AND REAL ESTATE INDUSTRIES - 10:43 AM
THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY WHERE TRUTH IS, INDEED,  STRANGER THAN FICTION.  MORTGAGE LENDING REPORTING - HEADLINE IN THE FINANCIAL NEWS THIS A.M. -
"Countrywide Financial Corp., the nation's largest mortgage lender, said Friday, it swung to a loss of more than $1 billion in the third quarter due to rising loan-loss provisions, writedowns and dwindling origination volume."HOWEVER, the company insisted it will be profitable in this quarter and in 2008.  A bit of restructuring should do the trick, Countrywide claims.Further, Countrywide claims that the third quarter loss of $1.2 Billionwas due to the report of an "earnings trough".  For the curious, … (15 comments)

This Kid Is Not Cut Out For Real Estate - 09:03 PM
Madison, WI
Choose your life's vocation carefully.
I'm on FaceBook.  Why?  Well, I was politely invited by a couple of AR-types I like and respect, so I did it.  My kids - aged 18 to 26, jumped all over it and now I'm getting immersed in their little sub-culture.  And now their friends - some of which are youth I advised in our church groups - are inviting my friendship as well, which I think is more for the kick than the contact.  But then again, as Dads go, I'm cool in a humorous, conservative kind of way.  Or so I imagine (which … (6 comments)

The Secret Talkcast - A New Beginning - 10:00 PM
Sebastian, Florida
The Secret will be tested by me - or vice versa.
Well, after a three month hiatus, mostly tied to home-selling (mine) moves, and all the stuff in between, I'm back On TalkShoe doing my podcast (called "TalkCasts" by TalkShoe) once again.  This time I've decided to start from scratch as I decide just what to do with my career down in the Sunshine State.  The move has made me a stranger in a strange land, and I need to do something while I ramp up real estate - or find another opportunity either long or short term.
So, I'm putting it before … (2 comments)

Toronto real estate. BE AWARE - NEW LAND TRANSFER TAX IN TORONTO! - 07:33 PM
Real estate buyers and sellers looking to hold onto their last dollar may be rushing to buy or sell their home before the new land transfer tax comes into effect at the end of this year.
The controversial tax, passed in a 26-19 vote by city council on Monday night, will be collected on purchases that are signed after Dec. 31.
The tax affects 0.5 per cent on the first $55,000 of residential property values, one per cent on the next $345,000 and two per cent on more than $400,000. First-time buyers do not pay on the first $400,000.
Buyers trying to avoid paying … (1 comments)

Citizens Financial Mortgage, Inc. - 03:36 PM
 
Citizensfinancial Mortgage, Inc. has the following breakdown to make it as easy as possible:
**85% split for all branch managers
**Abitity to get a 90+% with a full time accounting division providing valuable write offs
**$295 flat fee per file
**$225 monthly accounting and E&O fee
**Highest paid commissions on commercial loans(other companies pay a measly 25 bps)
**The ability to manage payroll with exciting software that can put you loan officers and telemarketers
    at whatever split they deserve.  You build your company and earn the profit.
**Highest industry standards in compliance.
**100+ lenders and the ability to use the reps you like.
**No penility to broker loans
**15 States … (1 comments)

CBS Evening News with Katie Couric - TONIGHT! - 03:00 PM

The story that was set to air on Wednesday (bumped due to the California fires) will be aired tonight on CBS at 6:30pm
The story (theoretically anyway!) is about using creative and innovative marketing to sell real estate in a soft market - featuring real estate video tours. 

… (8 comments)

Cape Coral Pool Home- Reduced to $179,000 - 12:00 PM
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Washinton State grants awarded for local arts & cultural development - 02:23 PM

The state has awarded grants to: the Whatcom Museum Society, Whatcom Film Association and Mount Baker Theatre.
The Whatcom Museum Society will receive $1 million for the construction of their expansion project: an art museum and children's museum.
The Whatcom Film Association also received funding from this program and grant. They are presently building their new theatre "The Drewam Space"
The  Mount Baker Theatre was awarded $13,500 over a two-year period. In 2008, the Mount Baker Theatre will make vital upgrades to its sound system, electrical system, and heating and air conditioning
… (0 comments)

Smoky skies in Las Vegas - 07:34 PM
On an ordinary day in Las Vegas, you could look to any of the mountains that surround our valley and see all different shades of red and brown reaching into clear blue skies. Today those colors are muted under a hazy, light gray sky.
This is a beautiful sight!
It means that the winds in California have shifted, and are now coming in over the ocean bringing much needed humidity. Fourteen of 23 fires are reported as 100% contained and firefighters are making progress on the others.
Hopefully this signals that the end of all of the devastation is close at hand, and southern Californians can … (3 comments)

Financing content misses the mark - 09:14 PM
With all of the news lately about mortgage fraud and mortgage reform, short sales and foreclosures, I decided to stop by the Loans & Financing section of MSN Real Estate tonight to see what they were saying.
The lead story was "Your 5-Minute Guide to Home Loans." Five minutes is great for a cup of coffee or to check your email ... but can anyone really understand the complexities of a mortgage in less time than it takes to microwave dinner?
The next item that caught my eye was a large Lending Tree ad offering $200,000 for only $938 per month. Sounds enticing, so … (6 comments)

Ten cities for real estate investors - 11:47 PM
The October issue of Business 2.0 Magazine lists ten metro areas that they expect to bounce back in 2008. Based on affordability, appreciation, employment, and income, the magazine feels these cities present some great possibilities for real estate investors, with expected 2008 appreciation of 4 - 7%. Texas placed three cities on the list, while there were none from either coast.
Here's the list:
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TXIndianapolis, INNew Orleans, LAAtlanta, GAMontgomery, ALMemphis, TNMobile, ALAustin, TXHouston, TXSt. Louis, MOIf you are an agent in one of the top ten cities, tell us more about your housing market and local economy. What are the best opportunities for … (22 comments)

Inventory of active available homes drops below 2000 first time in a while that.... - 10:49 AM
Greeting all, the active available homes on the market today has dropped below the 2000 mark. This is the first time it has been below 2000 in quite some time. What does mean? Many Sellers that have expired listings or that have been on the market for 6+ months and didn't sell are letting there homes sit and cool off. As we head toward the holiday season Seller's traditionally don't want to have their homes on the market and have to deal with the stress of keeping the home clean and all the presents around the tree etc.
Many Seller's then put … (0 comments)

People who may be doing a short sale read up on this one...Theres a new bill that is out that..... - 05:59 PM
For all the people out there that may be having to do a short sale on their homes there is a new bill out there that will really benefit many people if it is passed. It is called HR3648 and it basically makes the difference between what you sell for and what is owed and makes that amount NON taxable. Currently your lender can issue you a 1099 at the end of the year and you will have a huge tax bite potentially!
Here is the link to this bill if you want to review it and see what it says yourselves.
Of … (0 comments)

Survey for real estate agents / brokers - 11:21 AM
 
If you could have a comprehensive book on one topic, what would you want it to be about? What would you want to know more about at this exact moment in your life and in your career. It doesn't matter if you are brand spanking, shiny new or you've been doing this since man lived in caves. There must be something that you wish you could find in a book that will tell you everything about it.
It would be titled, "The Ultimate Guide to..."
… (14 comments)

Why Use an Agent ?... Why Wouldn't You Use a Agent? - 01:12 PM
 
On my post a few days ago... South Bay-Beach Cities: Buyers Vs Sellers ... the comments turned out to be very interesting... It's funny how sometimes comments take on a life of their own and become almost another post.I found it fascinating that questions about using or not using an agent were posted on an agent blog. I don't think you pose those questions if you are not looking for answers. As I read and responded to the comments a few things struck me that seemed worth writing about.Unless a buyer plans to buy directly from an owner (FSBO)... at some … (16 comments)

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