Archives of real estate blog entries for October 29, 2007

Featured blog posts


All Hail the Turkey! Destroyer of the Market! - 02:53 PM
   Ahhh...the holidays.  Is there anything more enjoyable and satisfying about the holiday season than porking out on a bunch of turkey, stuffing, and pie?  I think not.  Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you to a good friend of mine: Tryptophan.
   I am sure that the vast majority of you are aware of this friend even if you have never been formally introduced.  You see, tryptophan is an amino acid found in turkey that is responsible for a rise in the level of serotonin, the chemical that causes relaxation and sleep.  In the past few years there has been some debate … (32 comments)

Sellers: Do You Know What Your Agents Are Doing? - 02:26 PM
Recently, a colleague told me that she was trying to set up an appointment to show a property to her buyer. The MLS sheet said "Call office for directions." So, my agent friend called the listing office.
Basically, this agent was given the run-around - there was nobody in the office able to give her directions to the property.
When the agent informed the buyer of this strange happening, he decided to call the office himself.  He said to the person who answered the phone: "Hello, this is Jim Buyer, and I saw this property on your website. I would like to drive … (55 comments)

The Pods Are Coming!!! - 02:56 AM
 
 
 TIPS FOR MOVERS
  I have been noticing those advertisements for Pod Moving. To the best of my knowledge it is relatively new to the New Hampshire area but I predict it will take us by storm!
  A recent client of mine moved here from Colorado. On closing day he had no truck or evidence of furniture and I asked him when his belongings were coming. He said they were already here , in storage, in a Pod!
  With the Pod moving system they bring a pod to your house or apartment and you fill it at your leisure. From what I … (93 comments)

Which Flavor of Fruit Filling Does A "Pop Tart" Agent Have? - 02:53 AM
Do you know what a pop tart agent is?  If you're a buyer a seller or another agent, you need to know if you don't know.  Here's the skinny:
A pop tart agent gets a phone call and runs out the door to let someone in a property know little to know information about a buyer, their history, their financial/creditworthiness or ability to buy.  Just like a toaster ~ Pop!A pop tart agent has car load of buyers and they drive by a home with a for sale sign and call while sitting in front of the home.  They want to see it … (75 comments)

Setting your goals high enough? - 11:19 PM

As the entire world knows by now the Colorado Rockies were victims of the Boomerang Broom (reverse sweep).  They lost the first four games of the World Series here last night. Read bummer!
It was a bummer for the Rockies of course, they tried but like deer frozen in the headlights they couldn't find their game. The Sox pitchers creamed them.
Mostly it was a bummer for the fans who wanted more of a contest; a game or two more.  Yes a stretch of the excitement. 
Today it hit me too as I  noted the vendors on the street liquidating their overstock of … (49 comments)

The Little Blog That Could... - 09:49 PM
For the last 18 months, maybe longer, a significant part of my job has been to disappoint people. I get to deliver messages that nobody wants to hear:
“Your home is not worth what you paid for it.”“You owe the bank more than your house is worth.”“Your neighbors got more last year than you will get this year.”“Buyers want PERFECT.”“Certain ’shortcomings’ will get you almost no showings.” (Location, location, location. Condition, condition, condition. Price, price, price. Marketing, marketing, marketing.)“I don’t know when…” It’s been rough. Honestly, I really don’t enjoy that part of the job. I don’t think anybody would.
It … (41 comments)

We can't give it to you if you don't ask - 10:00 PM
I just spoke with a friend today that has discovered something bizarre and he wanted me to know about it. A couple of years ago, he refinanced his house with an adjustable rate mortgage that was scheduled to reset in two years time. He told me they thought they would probably move before that time, so the lower interest rate was enticing to them. Last month that interest rate jumped up enough to make his house payment go from $1,350 to $1,825 - an additional $475 a month! When he called today, he confessed to me that his business wasn't doing … (57 comments)

Natalie Portman--A Celebrity that is a Good Example - 10:41 PM

The "Parade" section of the paper that came in "The Seattle Times and "The Seattle Post-Intelligencer" yesterday, had Natalie Portman on the cover.  You will maybe remember her from the movie "Star Wars Episode 1" (1999)  Her story is entitled "What I've Learned (So Far).  Unlike some young women celebrities that have gotten a lot of negative press lately, Portman says she has "taken some time off to think about what I really want and how I define myself.  I've realized that some of the most important things I've learned have come through difficult experiences--and sometimes from my own mistakes."
She talks about how … (24 comments)

What is Active Rain? - 06:52 PM
This is not a post about guidelines, or how to instructions. There are plenty of those with all kinds of useful advice and help in other places on AR. This post is about trying to understand what AR is for me and why with time it is becoming an important part of my life.
Yesterday I found myself crying, when I read about Bruce Bourgault passing. I have never met the gentleman or even read his post until yesterday. I found myself telling my husband about his life. I never met or talked to Sarah Cooper. I don’t even remember receiving … (58 comments)

Hmmm . .. How Functional Is VACANT? - 06:32 PM
Remember, you are selling a HOUSE, a property; space. Disassociate yourself.
Okay, but what if . . .
What if the house you are selling is vacant?  Well, it becomes easier to disassociate yourself!  YEA!  After all, your belongings have already been removed and that, of course, is what made it home.
Now the problem becomes that your disassociation ; well, uh, is the very disassociation your vacant house is displaying to all the potential buyers.   Uh-Oh!
Let's step back and think about this problem.  Hmmm . . .
OKAY . . . When you are shopping for that new wonderful wide screen TV or any television for … (45 comments)

Negative People, turn them around...and don't be discouraged by the market...it's only as bad as your perspective! - 09:57 PM
Negative people bring everyone down...well almost.  Whenever I am in a situation where there are one or two people who have a bad attitude or who are just plain negative, I ask them why they feel the way they do. More often than not, it is not their job or the situation at hand. It is other situations they are dealing with in their lives.  Lots of times they just want someone to talk to, someone who will listen, and occasionally another person's unbiased opinion. Negative people come from all walks of life, most often we have a few co-workers that … (52 comments)

Marketing Budget??? - 05:43 PM
                                                                    
I have a quick question for all of you Real Estate Professionals...
How much do you allocate for your marketing budget?  I recently went to a seminar where the speaker said to plan on 7-10% of your total commissions earned being used for personal marketing, which would include website costs.
For example, if you plan on making $100,000 in total commissions in 2008 (I'm nothing if not optimistic!) you would budget $7-10,000 for your marketing.
What do you all think?  Is this a realistic number?  In one of my GRI classes I was talking to another Realtor who said she spent 31% on  … (49 comments)

Are You Sabotaging Your Listings? - 02:49 PM
There's not a day that goes by where when viewing properties online that I don't come across listings with no photos or listings with only 2 or 3 photos or others that should never have been put online.I even saw one yesterday that had snow on the ground and we haven't had snow in over 7 months. I'm sure it's a great listing!Now, locally in the Cincinnati market where I do business, we now have the opportunity to post up to 15 photos of a listing in our MLS and we can even do a slide show with up to 20 … (28 comments)

*Respecting the Community Guidelines: What a Concept!* UPDATE! - 05:56 PM
How many of you have ACTUALLY read the ACTIVE RAIN COMMUNITY GUIDELINES?  How could you miss it? It's right there on the HOME PAGE every single time you log on.  If you are a new member...PLEASE read these guidelines and any other useful Posting Guidelines - Real Estate Professionals Blog. Or how about subscribing to the The Official ActiveRain Blog so you can keep up to date with Community Updates.
The unsolicited emails to other members is rude and signifies the ME Syndrome. And it's part of the guidelines to not do so. (I've gotten a three in the last couple of days)
I have … (75 comments)

November Writing Ideas - 02:54 AM
Hard to believe that November is already here.  For those of you who are really wanting to get a jump on  the holidays December Writing Ideas is already published.
It is easy to write to fellow Real Estate Professionals.   We all have a common bond.  But we really need to be focusing in on consumer content.  How does one do that and keep it up?
Not always easy.  I know. 
Besides a monthly market report, on various segments of your community, information on your community what else can your write about?   It isn't always that straight forward.  What thing's you write about … (78 comments)

Active Rain Week in Review 10/21/07-10/28/07 - 11:37 AM
Greetings Active Rainers!  When I received an e-mail from Neal Bloom earlier this week, inviting me to do this Week in Review, I must say I felt rather humbled.  The task is everything you may have heard from previous Week in Review Rainers.  This is quite a monumental challenge and for someone like me who hates reading (oops! did I say that out loud?), it was overwhelming!  But with over a year of reaping the benefits from the Active Rain network, it was an excellent opportunity for me to "Give Back". 
With the upcoming Holidays fast approaching, I felt the "Spirit of Giving" would be an appropriate theme for my … (56 comments)


Blog posts


Better Planning Through Technology - 09:59 PM
 
In the latest issue of Time Magazine there is a insert entitled "Make your Money Last a Lifetime" by Walter Updegrave and the editors of Money Magazine.  There is an article called "Better Planning Trhough Technology," that gives five different websites you can go to for very helpful calculators.  Some of these calculators, I have seen before, others I have not.  I was thinking some of this information would be good to put on a postcard mailing.
To estimate you life span NMFN.com has the Northwestern Mutual's "Longevity game."  Go to the "Learning Center" tab.   (I am suppose to live to 85.)Calculate how much cheaper or more expensive … (2 comments)

Natalie Portman--A Celebrity that is a Good Example - 10:41 PM

The "Parade" section of the paper that came in "The Seattle Times and "The Seattle Post-Intelligencer" yesterday, had Natalie Portman on the cover.  You will maybe remember her from the movie "Star Wars Episode 1" (1999)  Her story is entitled "What I've Learned (So Far).  Unlike some young women celebrities that have gotten a lot of negative press lately, Portman says she has "taken some time off to think about what I really want and how I define myself.  I've realized that some of the most important things I've learned have come through difficult experiences--and sometimes from my own mistakes."
She talks about how … (24 comments)

I have a blogging Question - 11:09 PM

On the 20th I saw a note that I had gone over 10 posts in a week (this has never happened to be before).  So, my question is, does Active Rain start the count on a specific day of the week?   Are people rushing to some deadline to get their blogs in before the clock resets?  Just curious!
 
Please visit my site for information and support.  Seattle, Bellevue, Queen Anne, Wallingford, Fremont and Redmond, Washington Real Estate Property Listings.  
… (8 comments)

Panama City Fl Real Estate - Mortgage Information and Website Updates - 08:28 AM
Hello everyone,
Many interesting things are occuring in Panama City and Panama City Beach Florida. I've written about a few sample items in my other Blog: Real Estate for the Unfamiliar, and hope to present more in the next coming weeks.
In the meantime, I've updated my website to include some Quick Glance items.
Visitors can now quickly Search by price for...
Panama City Homes and CondosPanama City Beach Homes and CondosCallaway Homes and CondosBay County Commercial Real EstateOther updates include:
Mortgage Update NewsletterUp to date schedule of my open housesWith all the exciting new features Panama City Florida has to offer: Commercial and Residential developments and … (0 comments)

Marketing Budget??? - 05:43 PM
                                                                    
I have a quick question for all of you Real Estate Professionals...
How much do you allocate for your marketing budget?  I recently went to a seminar where the speaker said to plan on 7-10% of your total commissions earned being used for personal marketing, which would include website costs.
For example, if you plan on making $100,000 in total commissions in 2008 (I'm nothing if not optimistic!) you would budget $7-10,000 for your marketing.
What do you all think?  Is this a realistic number?  In one of my GRI classes I was talking to another Realtor who said she spent 31% on  … (49 comments)

Now is the Time to Refinance - 10:35 AM
 
Rates on 2 million mortgages are scheduled to rise by the end of 2008. If yours is one of them, consider refinancing now - if you can. Even if your loan isn't going to reset soon, there are reasons not to wait. MSN Money's Liz Pulliam Weston says sinking home values eat into your equity, making it harder to get a new loan. Full story
… (0 comments)

Dome Home Suvives Again! - 11:18 AM
The MonolithicTM Dome is the most disaster resistant building that can be built at a reasonable price without going underground or into a mountain. And this Dome of a Home, in Pensacola Beach, Florida, has survived its third serious hurricane in a year.
If you are interested in building your own Dome Home, you can visit other Monolithic Dome homes at the Monolithic Dome Institute Web site. These homes are located throughout the U.S. and other parts of the world, and some are for rent and for sale.
… (0 comments)

Dallas TX Showing Strong Numbers Despite National News - 03:10 PM

The latest numbers have come out from the largest Association of REALTORS® in the DFW area, MetroTex.  The numbers show some very interesting information that should be very useful, especially to people who are relocating to the area thinking they're going to get a "deal" and even the investors who think they can come to our area and scoop up tons of properties at dirt cheap prices...
Here's what the numbers tell us:
2007 DFW Single Family Home Sales (so this excludes condos, but DOES include townhouses):Year to Date compared to same period last year
Number of Sales: 61,746Percent Change: -6%
Average Price: $204,813Percent Change: … (6 comments)

DFW REALTORS® Annual Turkey Bowl 2007 November 8 - 03:16 PM
The annual Turkey Bowl for the entire DFW area group of Realtors is going to be help on November 8, 2007 at the Plano Super Bowl in Plano TX at 2521 Avenue K, east of 75.
The cost is $35 a bowler.  The event will be from 2:30-5:00pm.
The proceeds will benfit the Genesis Women's Shelter, Open Arms Home, Inc., and REALTORS® Fighting Fires.
I will not be able to participate as I won't be able to pick up a turkey, muchless roll one down a lane... well, maybe a 3 pounder, but that wouldn't even knock any pins down!
If you would like more … (0 comments)

Teleflip.com Converts Emails into Text Messages - 04:24 PM
This is very cool.  I just read about TeleFlip.com.  This is a service that allows you to send an email to some one's cell phone number and it will convert it to a text message. 
For me, it's so much easier to type an email than use the itty-bitty keys on the Treo, but I can't always do it because I don't know what service they use.  Is is tmomail.net or att.net or cingular... or whatever.  This Teleflip.com will find it and send it.  Also, if the person hits reply, the answer goes back to your email inbox since you're stilling … (4 comments)

Frenchmans Creek Homes For sale - 02:45 PM
Frenchmans Creek is perhaps the top selling Luxury country club in Palm Beach Gardens.  Knowing that it is the top selling Palm Beach Gardens Golf Community - we just created a website dedicated to marketing Frenchmans Creek Homes For Sale.
See the current Frenchmans Creek Homes For Sale.
Welcome to Palm Beach Gardens Florida             A Golfers Paradise!!!
For more information about Frenchmans Creek contact the Ocean 30 Marketing Group;
David AbernathyPortfolio Properties561.628.0128Abernathy@ocean30.com
Visit our other luxury community websites Admirals Cove - Royal Palm Yacht Club
… (1 comments)

I Spoke Too Soon - 06:53 AM

Yesterday afternoon I was celebrating my new contributing author thingie on http://www.Nelalive.net .  I spoke too soon.  While the sidebar thingie looked great and worked just fine, the individual author landing pages turned out to have some issues with Firefox.  They worked great in Internet Explorer.
I think I can see the issue; but can't quite put my hands on the solution.  It has to do with the way Typepad header modules expand,  and when the expanded code is copied into a new page, somehow FF doesn't render the new page as a web page, FF just displays the html code.
I deleted yesterday's post, … (5 comments)

November Writing Ideas - 02:54 AM
Hard to believe that November is already here.  For those of you who are really wanting to get a jump on  the holidays December Writing Ideas is already published.
It is easy to write to fellow Real Estate Professionals.   We all have a common bond.  But we really need to be focusing in on consumer content.  How does one do that and keep it up?
Not always easy.  I know. 
Besides a monthly market report, on various segments of your community, information on your community what else can your write about?   It isn't always that straight forward.  What thing's you write about … (78 comments)

Developing your Localism Strategy - 02:38 PM
 
I had an interesting comment on my last post, November Writing Ideas by Peter Thompson - Chicagoland Mortgage Insight who wrote:
                                        "Great ideas. I'm still trying to come up with a localism strategy, and this helps."
That got me thinking...
How does one come up with a strategy in the first place?  How did I come up with mine?  Had I the opportunity to look back upon my experiences, what would I do differently?  What exactly makes a successful strategy for writing for the consumer?
First off -- I have come upon mine by a series of Trail and Error. And may I place … (54 comments)

Wichita, KS MLS stats for the 3rd quarter, 2007 - 05:53 PM
             
Data from the 3rd quarter of 2007 is still showing our West office leading the city in listings sold.  Our 30 agents are out producing offices with well over 100 agents.
Our company with around 45 agents was the #2 company in listing sold.  The company that beat us had over 300 agents.
All the RE/MAX offices (120 agents) were #1 in listing sold for franchises.
RE/MAX agents made up 26% (7) of the top 27 agents while only having 5% of all agents.  CB, KW and Prudential who have agent counts of 150+, 170+ and 320+ only had 3, 1 and zero … (0 comments)

Setting your goals high enough? - 11:19 PM

As the entire world knows by now the Colorado Rockies were victims of the Boomerang Broom (reverse sweep).  They lost the first four games of the World Series here last night. Read bummer!
It was a bummer for the Rockies of course, they tried but like deer frozen in the headlights they couldn't find their game. The Sox pitchers creamed them.
Mostly it was a bummer for the fans who wanted more of a contest; a game or two more.  Yes a stretch of the excitement. 
Today it hit me too as I  noted the vendors on the street liquidating their overstock of … (49 comments)

Skagit County Horse Property - 01:14 PM
22016 SR 534, Mount Vernon, WA 98287
Status: Active
Price: $529,950
MLS#: 27171621
Listing Agent: Mickie Barnett
Call: (425) 750-9090 - Map it
Traveling north on I-5, past Marysville, Arlington and Stanwood, off exit 221, in Skagit County, point your direction east on SR 534 to south east Mount Vernon and you will find this spacious equestrian home for sale.
Interior: Upstairs there is an open floor plan that is just as inviting as it is spacious. Vaulted ceilings and a large family room connect to the kitchen and dining room which is easy to get around and … (2 comments)

Are Lenders Playing Us For Fools ? - 02:38 PM
I recently read an article about the state of the "Short Sale / Foreclosure" market and while it appears that the banks are pushing forward to get these homes off their books the reality seems quite different. Ask any Realtor who has had to work with a loss mitigation representative from the bank on how difficult it is to get a real person on the phone or how long they have had to stay on hold waiting for a rep and one might think that the Banks could care less about moving destressed properties. No one is denying that the process of a … (7 comments)

KEEP GROWING! - 05:54 PM
I just returned from our annual convention at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs Colorado. Though EXIT throws a world class event, what I really want to get across in the importance of attending these events with the companies you work for.  I could have come up with a million reason why I could not attend this year from the money and time it takes to attend, to I have already been to 3 others before with EXIT and even though they were all outstanding events did I really need to go to one more?   After deciding to to "FIT IT IN THE SCHEDULE" once … (4 comments)

Discounts For Your Clients--Another Sam Miller Perk - 09:06 PM
Your buyers and sellers are the lifeblood of your business especially if you have been selling real estate as long as I have.  Why not negotiate discounts on products and services that your buying and selling clients will appreciate and can benefit from?  Here's an example:
 
 
 
 
 
 
I have many perks for my buying and selling clients but this client perk and discount has been generating far more business buzz than I expected it would.  I negotiated a 15% discount with my favoriate local furniture store in Knox County for all my past and present clients.  The deal we struck is a real win / win for everyone involved and … (14 comments)

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