Archives of real estate blog entries for November 11, 2007

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Veterans Day 2007 : Tributes in the Rain ! - 05:59 PM
 This is a post to help compile all of the 2007 Veterans Day Tributes here in the Rain.
Touching stories and moments of rememberance inspired me to start this post.

 My Veterans Day Tribute to Grandpa  Michele Connors
Let FREEDOM Ring-Thanks to Our Veterans  Ann Cummings
Veteran-Canine-Troops   Kay Perry
Thank You Veterans   Midori Miller
 Vietnam Nurses are Veterans Too...  Michael Nelson
Veterans Day Reminder  Doug Lindstrom
In Flanders Field  Art Blanchet
The American Flag Thru The Eyes of A Veteran Jan Evett
Have You Thanked a Vet Volusa County ? Lysa Napolitano
To All Veterans, We Honor You Karen Moorehead
To All Veterans Drew /Riley
Soldier--Hero--Tribute Jessica Horton
… (22 comments)

To evict...or not evict..THAT is the question! - 06:11 PM
A few of my clients (myself included) have rental properties & are having a hard time with the renters paying their rent on time.  We would LOVE some insight as to tips you may be using, or heard of, for increasing the frequency of rents received.
I'm truly a nice guy... How does a nice guy enforce rents without producing "bad karma"??!  I purchased a triplex SOLELY for a Liberian Refugee Family to have a place to live.  We've spent A LOT of $$$ getting the home renovated for them & they absolutely love the place.  They're paying on time, but my … (66 comments)

Veterns Day & Google -- Remembering all who served & still serving!!!! - 08:53 PM

 
Veterans Day in my opinion is not only a day which we remember those that served are Country, giving us the freedom that we have today, but those that serve us actively as I speak. If you don't know much about Veterans Day and how it came about, please read this from Wikipedia: Veterans Day
I have been very fortunate to have never lost anyone close to me during War time or even during 911. My thoughts and prayers go out to those loved ones lost during these emotional times.  For many of you that know me, I am … (47 comments)

Pay Up, Or You'll Be Sorry! - 12:31 AM
The phone rings, and you pick it up.  It's another agent from somewhere not immediately local, but still within driving range (in rural Minnesota, I'd say within 60 miles or so.).  You do what every agent would do.  (At least in Minnesota!)  You greet them cheerfully, and ask them how they are, how business is, and finally, what you can do for them.
The line is quiet for a few long seconds, and then you hear...
"I was wondering if you could offer a bigger payout on your listing."
Okay, I can work with this.  This is negotiable.  No big deal. 
"If you don't … (109 comments)

Zoom Zoom! Zero to First on Google in 60 Days! - 12:27 AM
This post won't teach you anything about HTML meta tags.  Active Rainers have already paved that street.  This post is a success story for my brand, Mike in Tucson.  Three things converged to bring about that success:  
the genius of the Active Rain business model, Active Rain members who read and comment on my blog, and little things called "tags." I found Active Rain in July.  Inman News did an article on AR's explosive growth.  I signed up.
Writing is right up my alley, but I didn't know diddly about how search engines work, why a particular result comes up first on a Google … (157 comments)

The "I'm Sending Over An Offer" Call - 06:01 PM
The "I'm Sending Over An Offer" Call
I get them all the time now. "I am going to write on your listing and send it over". OK - great I say. Please feel free to call me at any time, with any questions. Here is my fax and my email, and again, I am always available for any questions.
And that is the last I ever hear of it. Is there some point to this? Are they testing their cell phone signal at my expense? Do they think I will get all excited, then do an emotional crash and burn when they … (80 comments)

Buyer's Shake it up!! - 12:32 AM
… (58 comments)

Sunday Fun - ActiveRain Barrel of Monkey's - 12:36 PM
Well it is Sunday morning and thought we needed a little fun and a tour of some articles around ActiveRain.    The week in review is great but it happens to be just one person's opinion and it is limited to just this week.
Do you remember the children's game Barrel of Monkey's?  The concept is easy dump the twelve monkeys on the table and try and make a chain of them.  How many can you get in a chain? 
Well I would like to suggest an ActiveRain twist.  Instead of Monkey's let us use our ActiveRain posts.  And instead of linking arms, … (86 comments)

ActiveRain Week in Review 11/04/07 - 11/11/07 - 08:48 PM
  … (62 comments)


Blog posts


FEEDBACK, FEEDBACK, FEEDBACK!!! - 05:43 PM
Feedback, feedback, feedback! In today's slower market it seems like every time I spend a day showing homes I'm expected (by every listing agent who's home I showed) to spend my evening filling out questionnaires.  I also get called by just about every one of them to grill me for input and to let me know not to be shy about writing a less than full price offer. Seems like the word "Motivated" is also getting beat to death these days. On those weekends when I've shown a dozen homes, the volume of questionnaires are a bit much.
Sometimes as I show homes I feel like … (14 comments)

Thank You Veterans! Happy Veterans Day... - 04:12 PM
One of my fondest memories as a little girl was selling poppies for the American Legion.  As a little girl I would hang out there with my grandparents.
I would stand in front of the building and talk to every person that would come in and ask them to buy one of my poppies.  Because I was so darn cute, who could resist? I sold lots and lots of poppies. 
Sometimes I would get a glimpse of someone in uniform.  The sight of a soldier in uniform seemed to comfort me.
I would get goosebumps..imagine that a human being willing to … (12 comments)

Panama City Florida needs a Dog Park... - 08:11 AM
Some background...
We relocated from California to Panama City several years ago after owning a vacation home.  We loved coming here for vacation and decided Panama City was where we wanted to be.  We left our jobs in California, packed our bags, bought a new home and started a new business (Real Estate).
One thing I miss terribly though is having a dog park in our neighborhood.  
In California, there were many free dog parks in many communities and I loved taking our dogs to one close to our home.  It was a great opportunity to not only meet new people, but also to keep our dogs … (6 comments)

Redwood Avenue - Panama City Florida Real Estate - 08:28 AM
Another listing brought to you by Jennifer Mackay
This 4 Bedroom, 2 bath homesites on a corner lot. Freshly painted and remodeled with new:
Kitchen cabinetsAppliancesCarpetA privacy fenced backyard complete with an above ground pool and 2 storage sheds make this a welcoming family home.
Come and look!
Buyer incentives:
Seller to provide a 1-year home warranty  3% seller consession toward buyer's closing costs.All information taken from tax rolls. Sizes and dimensions are approximate-please verify accordingly.
   For additional information please view the listing.
If you enjoy reading my blog posts, please...
Contact me directly at 850-774-6582 for a marketing package, additional information or … (2 comments)

Why do you blog on Active Rain? An inquiring mind wants to know... - 10:17 AM
I've been reading many many blogs over the months on Active Rain, and I have to wonder...
Why do you blog on Active Rain.
Is it for the points? Is it for the recognition on Localism? Or is it a way to communicate with and help others in an informal, friendly non-commital forum?
I've read many posts filled with helpful information not only about real estate, but many other topics as well.
Likewise, I've read posts that contain quite a bit of nothing.  Now, I'm not passing judgement either way, for whatever reason someone decides to blog here.  I simply ask why blog here on … (16 comments)

Another open house - more leads - 04:57 PM
Well, todays open house went well (Front Beach Road).  I had quite a few visitors, many of them neighbors, many of them vacationers.
Some were just browsing, while a few others were renters in the complex interested in purchasing.
A few of the HOA Board members came by to say hello as well.  It's always pleasant to see the neighbors coming by to an open house. It gives me a chance to show off, and update them on the market.
Hopefully, I'll get a few solid prospects out the visitors today.  Time will tell.
I spoke with Jessie today, and he … (1 comments)

Moral Question? Or...matter of opinion? - 06:07 PM
 
First off, I am a born-again.  You guys know, one of those who use the Bible as THE ultimate truth.  Most issues in life are pretty easy to judge using the Bible as your standard, I mean the "big 10" are simple enough for schoolchildren to understand!
But what about this scenario, what would you do?                
Our church bulletin has a monthly classifieds section.  In this section you can pay to offer services, sell merchandise, look for a babysitter, etc.  There is a church member, fellow Realtor, who advertised for something that I feel is a little sketchy.  Without naming the name, he … (12 comments)

Veteran's Day Reminder - 02:55 PM
Just a reminder as to why today, Veterans Day should be a reminder to us all just how how much our vets and active duty should be respected for their sacrifice, commitment and love of country. I don't give a crap about your feelings on the war in Iraq. Make some time to thank a soldier for all that they have done for our country. … (6 comments)

BabyHarris Update 11/11/07- Spent Night in Hospital - 09:42 AM
Yesterday, I started having some pretty good contractions.  About 9pm, I noticed they were about 6-7 minutes apart.  I called the on-call doctor since mine is out of town.  She told me to give it an hour.  I gave it 2 hours...
At midnight, we gathered all the stuff needed, and we headed to the hospital.  Contractions were coming 1-2 minutes apart and 4-5 minutes apart... but didn't dilate past 2cm, so they just sent me home.
Being sent home was good because I can actually eat something as I'm starving, but I don't like being sent home because the contractions are so … (9 comments)

Born in the USA - Born To Do Real Estate! - 10:22 PM
I love this competition. I could do 100 of these!!, but for now, here is my entry - sung to the tune of Bruce Springsteen's Born In The USA please. Because if you don't do that, it kind of loses something!!
Oh and finally, I wasn't born in the USA, but I was born in London, England as the first line of my re-written song suggests! ENJOY!
Born down in old London Town
The first pic I took was of a birthday clown
I wandered in the fog with my shades misted up
And I spent half my youth just inventing stuff
[chorus]
Born to do real estate
Born … (12 comments)

Fort Myers Beach " OPRN HOUSE " Sunday Nov 11, 2007 10 AM - 1 PM - 08:47 AM
 
Fort Myers Beach " OPEN HOUSE " Sunday Nov 11, 2007      10 AM - 1 PM
OPEN HOUSE Sunday  Nov 11, 2007     10 AM   - 1 PM   on Fort Myers Beach !!! Gorgeous 3/2 direct Gulf front home. Totally decorator furnished home.  I will be hosting this Sunday morning starting at 10 AM until noon.  If you have been looking for a move-in ready beach front this is it.   If you are on Fort Myers Beach Sunday morning stop in and and say " HI".  This beautiful home is a real charmer with light.bright beachy colors and decorator upgrades. Furnished and ready for you to move in … (0 comments)

Photoshop Elements: Darkening The Sky - 07:04 AM
Yesterday, I brightened up a Possum here:  Photoshop Elements: Screen Layers (It's easier than it sounds)
There's one problem with the final image, though.  The sky is too light.  How many Possums do you see out in bright daylight?
Here's a quick technique to intensify the sky in any image.  Open the image in Elements:
Click on the Magic Selection Brush.
Click on the possum and roughly follow his outline, then "doodle" over the rest of his body.  The idea is just mark over all his color variations.  The purpose of this?  We're going to apply some virtual "masking tape" over the possum, so … (14 comments)

Photoshop Elements: Fast And Easy Blue Skies - 04:06 PM
The technique I posted earlier is handy for making the sky darker, but what if you want is a cheerful, bright blue sky?
The quickest route to a bright, blue sky, is simply replacing it.
This technique takes a little prep work.  You'll need to shoot some photos of bright, blue skies.  (Note to self:  Next time I'm in Tucson, I need to take some more sky photos.)  Or find some sky images on a royalty-free/creative commons web site.
OK.  Once you have your sky photo, open it side by side with your property photo.  Both images should be the same size.  Resize one (or … (41 comments)

Handyman Services in Apollo Beach FL area - 04:58 PM
Looking for a handyman?  Call Roger at 813-516-0294.  He does the following work:
Tree Work
Pressure Washing
Roof Cleaning and coating
Painting
Landscaping
We all seem to be always trying to find a handyman to do those chores we don't have to so give him a call and get that list done without having to nag the hubby.  Especially since football season is quickly approaching.
… (0 comments)

Another Milestone Hit 90,000 Points - 05:02 PM
Well I have hit another milestone, 90,000 points.  Won't be long until I am at 100,000 points.  I must say I would have been there sooner but with my ailing father it has made things a bit tough.  I will keep at it and eventually get there.  It is amazing that I have thought of that much stuff to talk about!! 
 Well here is to the next 90,000 points and hoping it brings more business my way!
… (0 comments)

Market Snapshot - 05:06 PM
You just have to go check out Market Snapshot, it is the coolest tool.  I just subscribed to it a couple of days ago and sent the link to everyone in my database.  It is flushing out people that have been on drip campaigns and they are commenting how cool the tool is and how much they like it.
I just got my first listing appointment from it because it gave the potential sellers enough information that they believe they might be ready to sell.
I find this will be a very powerful tool to help capture and get people to keep coming … (6 comments)

Sunday Fun - ActiveRain Barrel of Monkey's - 12:36 PM
Well it is Sunday morning and thought we needed a little fun and a tour of some articles around ActiveRain.    The week in review is great but it happens to be just one person's opinion and it is limited to just this week.
Do you remember the children's game Barrel of Monkey's?  The concept is easy dump the twelve monkeys on the table and try and make a chain of them.  How many can you get in a chain? 
Well I would like to suggest an ActiveRain twist.  Instead of Monkey's let us use our ActiveRain posts.  And instead of linking arms, … (86 comments)

Everything You Need to Know About Celebration Florida! - 07:42 PM
Celebration was designed by the best architects in the World, who studied  variety of urban development throughout the United States before designing Celebration's plan. Situated in Osceola County, Florida just next door to Walt Disney World Resort, Celebration is close to everything Orlando Florida has to offer!
 
… (1 comments)

Rent to Own in Warwick Rhode Island - 07:01 AM
Buyers, this is your opportunity to buy a brand new home. This home has been totaly rebuilt from the bottom up!
Central Air, new heating system, laundry area, fenced double lot, hardwoods and wall to wall. There are 2 good sized bedrooms. Close to Narragansett Bay. Ready to move right in. Affordably priced at $198,900.
Seller will consider Lease with an Option. Base rent is $1000 per month. First and last months rent and credit check.
Home is located in the heart of Conimicut. Click here for a Virtual Tour of lthis property.
Don't let this pass you by.
Conctact Karen Hurst, Broker Associate, ABR … (16 comments)

"The Code of Ethics is our friend." Did you know that? - 12:52 PM
Good morning fellow Rainers. This post was inspired by Joslyn Panka's post "Pay up, or you'll be sorry". If you haven't read her post please take a few minutes to do so. It's a well deserved featured post and managed to get my mind working this morning. While I don't agree with Joslyn's take I certainly appreciate her passion towards her work. Passion is always a good thing.
Anyway, this post is to clarify a misconception that some REALTORS® have relating to Buyer's Agent asking for a higher co-broke before they will show your listing.
First, I want to say that everyone is … (57 comments)

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