Archives of real estate blog entries for November 18, 2007

Featured blog posts


I Felt Responsible!!! - 10:43 AM
Realtors certainly have a glorious and superb occupation, but at times being a realtor could be distressing and tense.
There have been many occasions when I have cried with my clients, listened to their personal problems, and have become more than the Realtor who drives around town to show them houses. I have even become their personal decorator, shopper, and weekend buddy as I helped them sell their house.
I am not just their Realtor, I am their friend.
 
Last night I heard that a past client is planning to put their home on the market as a "Short Sale". As … (97 comments)

For Newbies Only: Where Do I Get Those Great Signs? - 10:43 AM
Jill Fuhrer, of the tag team Lehigh Valley PA Homes - Jill & Ron Fuhrer, commented on my blog this evening, and I went looking for a sign to spice up my comment.  Here it is on the left.
When I first started blogging on Active Rain, I had no idea how to find, make, size and insert these wonderful personalized images.
So for the Newbie Group only, here's the skinny.  Start using this, and you'll outshine some of the old-timers who have never mastered the Little Green Tree icon right up there at the top.
Go to IMAGECHEF.COM. 
The home page isn't intuitive.   … (138 comments)

Did This Realtor Lose Out? Or Did She Hit the Jackpot? by Feng Shui Long Island - 10:44 AM
I'm not sure how I would take this if I were a Realtor.  Yesterday was just another day; I had a list of errands and was going to get my hair done.  Michelle is my hairdresser; she was referred to me years ago by someone I know whose hair looked terrific.  She has a small salon a few towns away and I make it a point to go there because she's the type of hairdresser that just "gets it."  You tell her what you want and she does it, beautifully.  Michelle doesn't advertise in any way and over the years I've … (70 comments)

Do YOU Keep your 'Active Rain' a Secret? - 10:44 AM
I am a newer member to Active Rain, and I love it. Everyone is so willing to share their wealth of experience and knowledge. Pointers and suggestions for agents, laws and rules to utilize as an agent, advertising techniques-what works, what does not...you can learn almost everything here. I wish I could be affiliated with an office that employs all 'Active Rain' members. I find it ironic that so many agents are willing to share so much information, and yet so few agents I have ever met or worked with are as equally giving and helpful. This got me to wondering....
Most … (165 comments)


Blog posts


Seattle Condos - October Sales Performance - 06:01 PM
The good news about Seattle’s condominium market is that market values continue to reflect a strong increase over 2006. City-wide, the median sold price in October was $318,500, an 11.4% increase over October 2006. Queen Anne and Capitol Hill also reflected double-digit median price increases over the prior year as well. As has been the case all year, values have been increasing while the number of sales decline and the available inventory grows. In the course of 2007 we’ve moved from a seller’s market towards a normal market, based on the absorption rate. As the last two months are usually the … (0 comments)

Insignia Towers - Seattle - 06:34 PM
Joining Seattle's condo expansion, Vancouver-based Embassy Development plans to build the largest condominium complex in town.  The project, called Insignia Towers, will envelop an entire city block in the Denny Triangle district of the downtown core. 
Insignia Towers will feature two 41-story towers with 643 condominium homes, most of which, are expected to be two-bedroom units.  The developer anticipate homes will run about $750 per square foot.
But, Seattleites will have a bit of a wait.  Construction is not expected to begin until mid-2008 with occupancy sometime in 2010.
… (0 comments)

Seattle Lofts Development update - 06:39 PM
Gallery Belltown
Buyers speak with their pocketbooks. And, apparently buyers spoke loudly at Belltown’s Gallery Condominium project. When the Gallery project first came online it was touting its SkyLofts concept, true two-level loft homes with 18′ ceiling heights located on the upper floors that offered spectacular city and sound views. But, it seems buyers just weren’t ponying up the big bucks for these units and most of them are now history, replaced with 600 sq ft one-bedroom flats.
Stewart | Minor
The lack of loft living enthusiasts at Gallery hasn’t deterred the developers of the Stewart | Minor high-rise loft project … (0 comments)

Seattle Condo Market Trends - 06:55 PM
Where is the Seattle condo market heading? There’s lots of speculation but no one knows for sure. Though, we can look at what the market has done this past year.  In comparison to the prior year, the condo market has been the shining star of Seattle's real estate market this year.

There was a decrease in the city-wide condo median price from September to October…does that mean the sky is falling and bargains are to be had? Well, not exactly. The 2007 median price has outperformed 2006 levels all year long. Buying activity increased in October and the median price surpassed … (1 comments)

Seattle's "Midtown" Gets a New Look - 08:02 PM
Over the next few years Seattle’s “Midtown” district may experience a spate of new construction activity from several new high-rise developments under proposal. "Midtown", a name created by a condo marketing executive, is roughly the area where Denny Triangle, Belltown and the Retail District converge. One of the projects in particular will provide a refreshing change to Seattle’s skyline.
1. Escala: 30-story upscale condominium. Developer: Lexas Companies.

2. Pagoda Tower: 40-story hotel/condo with 200 hotel rooms, 200 condos, part of a 1/2 block $900 million development. The 500′ project includes a 9-level hotel, a 30-level condominium and ground-floor retail space. Developer: … (2 comments)

My 3 Week Online Experiment and a Few Practical Things I Learned! - 11:12 AM
Preparing for a training requires a lot of work. While the computer scientist helps along the way in placing me in the right direction, he cannot help me in my presentation or my words or even much of the research.
My results at the end of the 3 weeks were awesome but most importantly taught me I need to make some adjustments once again.  Let me share a few practical things I have learned....
As a profession,we sometimes hurt our own images by what we put out into the public.  I have read more posts, looked at more outside blogs … (18 comments)

Shilshole Bay Marina -- Seattle - 02:23 PM

This is a picture of a sunset at Shilshole Bay Marina in the Ballard area of Seattle.   We do love our boats here!  If you want to see some "up close and personal" the Seattle Boat Show will be Thursday, January 24th - Saturday, February 2nd, 2008 "1,000 boats for every budget, designed to meet every recreational need are featured at Qwest Field Event Center, plus another 200 watercraft on the water at South Lake Union for the 2008 Seattle Boat Show. The show, the largest on the West Coast, features a free shuttle service between the two venues. For more … (0 comments)

Real Estate Virtual Assistant Directory - 11:10 PM
Virtual Assistant Directory Finding a Virtual Assistant in your area has never been easier!
If there is not a Virtual Assistant listed yet in your state please contact us directly. 
Below you can:
Locate a Virtual Assistant in your state/time zone Browse Virtual Assistant profiles, specialties, testimonials, and years in the business Submit a Request For Proposal (RFP)  Click here to Join Our VA Directory  … (1 comments)

And Now....the rest of the story - 07:23 AM
UPDATE: The continuing saga of a fat hand in a cookie jar. Now, from the highest point of Mount Wife, echoes of "Hmph, I told you so" will ring down on me.
I spent a couple more hours going back and forth with the couples lender. He had sent a letter over that included the terms  :purchase price $499,000. combined loan amount $419,500, CLTV 80%, qualifying rate up to 8%. Those terms were inside the typical "You have a pulse and if I can verify anything you told me during our phone call, you might get a loan" letter. The buyer's … (12 comments)

Go Patriots! - 08:41 PM
We are sitting in the timeshare watching the Patriots game.  Hoping they will go for a perfect season this year...would fit in well with the Redsox winning the World Series.  I am actually not a football fan, but James comes from Dallas, TX and loves the Cowboys.  We typically route for opposite teams and he's not really a baseball fan.  The only sport that we really both find a common enjoyment for is basketball and we like to watch the Celtics and the Mavericks every year.  We will be watching some more Cowboys on Thursday....I'll be routing for the Jets!  GO … (6 comments)

Top Reasons Why You Should Buy A Home - 09:06 PM
Everyone is back and forth about buying a home right now.  Some think that prices will continue to fall, while others are taking advantage of some of the best home prices we have seen in a long time and low interest rates.  Here are just some of the inecentives to support purchasing a home this year: 
1.) Great Investement - Buying a home is a great financial investment.  If you hold onto your home long enough, it'll be sure to rise in value the more equity you build into it.  Home values rise with time so if you are planning on keeping … (5 comments)

Finally, some good news !!! - 06:32 PM
Century 21 Had a regional promotion whereby anyone stopping at any of our " OPEN HOUSES " over the weekend could register to win free gas for one year !   Some of my visitors did not seem too excited about the offer, most did.  Our agents had quite a few of our listinjgs open on either Saturday or Sunday.  Most reported better turnout than in recent weeks.  Of those attending my opens I really felt the quality was much improved !  Hope all of you are seeing improvements in your markets !!!   Good selling to you. … (9 comments)

What is fueling Green growth in Nevada? - 02:27 PM
Southern Nevada has always had several major home builders that consistantly built only Energy Star rated homes. Most of those have been doing so for the last several years, but now we are starting to see green projects pop up as well. You can read the rest of the article here. -cr
… (2 comments)

Twitter Is Scary - 08:15 AM
This Twitter thing is scaring me.
I signed up on Twitter a few days ago, mainly to follow events at the NAR convention in Las Vegas.  Jeff Turner, Kristal Kraft, Daniel Rothamel, and others provided incredible minute-by-minute coverage.
I also decided to "follow" the "twitter-streams" of a few other folks that I find have interesting things to say.  One of those folks is Guy Kawasaki.
To my absolute horror, :-) Guy followed me back.
Oh, shoot. Aw, jeeez.  Now I feel obligated to occasionally tweet out something halfway intelligent.
 
… (13 comments)

About Shipps Landing on Marco Island - 02:11 PM
Shipps Landing  
Shipp's Landing is a community at the Southeastern tip of Marco Island affording wonderful views of the 10,000 Islands.
This community was built in three stages I, II & III
I consists of 54 units and was built in 1979. II consists of 48 units on seven floors and was completed in 1980. III is a 10 story building that was completed in 1983. All three sections allow for monthly rentals and amentities include: activities room BBQ, Fitness Center, Pool, Spa, Tennis, game room and fishing docks.
… (0 comments)

A simple question.... Where is Key Marco? - 02:26 PM

Background of Key Marco
Rich history from the Calusa Indian civilization with the 15 shell mounds that remain on the Island to the pirates and entrepreneurs who settled the area.
The island was originally named after Captain John F. Horr who used the area as his vacation home and pineapple plantation in the late 1800's. The island has 546 acres with 134 home sites and 375 acres set aside as preserve. Just minutes from all the amenities of the city of Marco Island.
Community Fetures:
Attended gatehouse Outdoor veranda with grill and kitchen Tennis courts 3.5 miles of biking, hiking, jogging, and strolling paths … (0 comments)

Barrel of Monkey's II - 02:45 PM
Sunday Fun - ActiveRain Barrel of Monkey's  (Members Only)
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.
 

 
Last week we had a lot of fun with Sunday Fun - ActiveRain Barrel of Monkey's.   
 
This week, let's start a new Barrel, but this time instead of ActiveRain Posts, let us venture outside ActiveRain and use our Outside BLOG's. 
The first letter of … (10 comments)

You Can Get There From Here - 12:16 PM
Having and using the GPS in my car has made a big difference for me. Now I can get most anywhere by just programming in the address. It simplifies traveling so much, and takes a lot of the stress out of getting around. What I want to do now is make it that easy for buyers to see the possibilities in the homes they are looking at, especially when they already have ideas about what kind of location they "need."
Buyers usually ask the "where is it?" questions, often with, "is it close to _____?" or "my kids need to go to __________," … (11 comments)

Check out your competition - 06:43 PM
If you have never checked out "googlefight.com" it's kind of fun & be careful, it becomes addictive too!  Just check out www.googlefight.com and type in anything vs. anything & it will show you the number of associated items on the WWW for each.  For instance:  Ford vs. Chevrolet, or REMAX vs. Coldwell Banker.  It's more or less a popularity contest, but it's kind of fun when you type in things like "my dad vs. your dad".
Just a little fun research.  I hope you enjoy!  Whenever you know of anyone looking to buy or sell Idaho Real Estate, please send them my way … (0 comments)

Instant Text info to your customers - 06:51 PM
I'm just getting this up and going, but for those of you who haven't heard about this service!  I think it will be awesome & something that is "cutting edge" for our industry.
www.agiletexter.com
A prospective buyer drives up to one of your listings and reads the sign that says: "For FREE Info on this home, text "11" to "REALTY" or (732589).  First, they will receive an instant text message to their phone of the proeprty information, price, SF, beds, baths, etc. (whatever you put in), simultaneously, you as the agent, will receive a text message with their cell # to follow up … (3 comments)

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