Archives of real estate blog entries for November 26, 2007

Featured blog posts


How To Build Your Traveling Marketing Book - 04:04 PM
For those of you who read my recent featured post, "Marketing Idea For Open Houses and More...My 100th Post" you might want to read the following "how to" guide to creating your own traveling marketing book.
I think it's important to note that your little traveling marketing book can consist of just about ANYTHING you want to get in the hands of buyers and/or sellers.  The opportunities are as vast as your imagination so put your thinking cap on, it's going to be a FUN ride!
1st rule  Keep It Simple- When I initially hatched my idea for my little book, my enthusiasm took … (87 comments)

Your Social Media Reputation - 06:49 PM
The buzz in the past 12 months has been about blogging, podcasting, online video…hundreds of ways for people to share commentary and talk about things. Regardless of how active you want to be with social media, the general population simply doesn’t care if you are in the conversation or not. They are going to blog about you, discuss the colors in your logo, comment on how customer service issues were resolved, and possibly even try to tell you how to run your business. The community at large may be your best friend or your worst enemy… The question on most business owners’ … (44 comments)

The Metrics of a Market Correction - 01:25 PM
The housing crises, as many of you know, has been the topic of recent interest on Active Rain.  I've weighed in with a couple of posts knowing full well that my opinions are far different than most who gravitate to this site.  My perspective is unpopular here.  Still, 2007 was a year of extensive travel that put me face to face with title agents and underwriter executives from many different states.  In one prolific instance, my meeting was with elected officials from across the land.  Unquestionably, the dubious creed of personal responsibility among borrowers is part of the problem.  But, let's … (72 comments)

Real Estate Correction: I Don't Want Help From My Government - 01:00 AM
Today's Active Rain front page Featured Posts included this title, by Lenn Harley: MASSIVE FORECLOSURES COMING? THE MARKET IS SPEAKING LOUD AND CLEAR.  You might want to read it, and the commentary it's attracted, before continuing.
By the time I read Lenn's post, almost eighty people had commented.  One comment, by my AR friend, associate and blog subscriber Kate Bourland, (also a lender with a focus on eliminating debt and creating wealth) prompted this exchange:
Kate:  "I think that what you are saying is that the free market system is broken.  The free market brought on the current real estate crisis.  Leaving it … (68 comments)

Activerain Week in Review 11/18/07-11/25/07 - 11:06 AM
Hello fellow Active Rainers it is time for the Week in Review 11/18/2007-11/25/2007.
I personally want to thank Neal Bloom for asking me to write this week's review. I have been a member of Active Rain since September of 2006 and I am ready to contribute to this community.  I had a great time reading many many blogs, I could have picked many more.
**I am a Mathematician so please forgive my grammatical errors.
Rebecca's Picks for the Week of 11/19/2007 -11/25/2007
Thanksgiving
Let's Say Thanks - (Support our Troops) Please... Published on 11/21/2007 by Charles McDonald  
Charles gives us a link to a free Christmas card … (35 comments)

When people post similar blogs, what can you do? - 05:41 PM
I have seen similar blogs posted....in fact recently I offended a fellow AR member when I posted a similar blog.  I personally do not do a search to see who has posted what....or when.  I probably should but that would alter how I run my personal blog.  I tend to write from the heart and head.
I think most of the bloggers on AR, not "ALL" work in a similar manner when writing posts.  IF I had to think of a subject instead of using daily events, my quirky lifestyle or business happenings I would have a blank page.  I am just not that … (159 comments)

COPYRIGHT - A CHEAT SHEET FOR ACTIVE RAIN MEMBERS - 04:50 PM
COPYRIGHT IS IN THE SPOTLIGHT AGAIN. 
Neal Bloom writes a helpful article today about copyright confusion, disclaimers, Active Rain copyright guidelines, and more.  So, I suppose it's time for another "cheat sheet".  I get mail every week from real estate friends asking whether or not someone has violated their copyright.  In almost every case, the answer is YES.  That would seem to surprise some folks.  Why are real estate professionals using content they did not create?    True, it's often a lack of understanding of the copyright laws.  However, I don't accept that as an excuse.  We are intelligent people.  After all, we … (118 comments)


Blog posts


Hawaii homebuyers - save money with a Mortgage Credit Certificate - 06:51 PM
Mortgage Credit Certificates for Hawaii home buyers
The Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) program was initiated by the U.S. Tax Reform Act of 1984. The program was designed for low and moderate income earners to buy real estate - usually their first home purchase. In Hawaii, the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp (HHFDC) issues Mortgage Credit Certificates.
What the Mortgage Credit Certificate does.
The MCC reduces your federal taxes, leaving more of your income available to qualify for a mortgage loan. Thus you can qualify to buy a larger home with the MCC, or you can stick to the less expensive properties and just … (2 comments)

Do You Hear It? The Buzz That Is! Cre8buzz...and You Can Too! - 11:01 PM
Recently Bill Gassett had invited me to Cre8buzz so naturally I had to try it out!  There are quite a few familiar faces on the buzz.  Some of my favorite reads.
Now recently "The Antman" and I have been corresponding a bit.  He is usually the first friend you will make.  Kind of like Tom from myspace but the difference is The Antman jumps around and I mean he really gets around visits and personally comments.  Not sure if Tom does but I only get system generated e-mails from him.
For me, I want my name everywhere on the net....I want … (32 comments)

My Hero--Ben Stein - 10:54 AM

Well Ben Stein has done it again, he wrote an article entitled "All Play and No Work Makes for a Poor Life" by Ben Stein that held my interest.  He talks about several people he knows that are educated and talented and for various reasons do not or cannot work.  He comes up with an innovative way for helping college students learn a good work ethic before they graduate.
Besides giving practical advice, Mr. Stein is one of my favorite financial advisors and he has given a tip:
Make Your Money Work, Too
By the way, let me say it again: I don't pick … (0 comments)

My Google Page Rank Went From 3 to 0--does it Really Matter? - 01:31 PM

Does it matter that my Google page rank went for 3 to 0, if when I go google "wallingford condos" my website still shows up high on the page?  The same with Yahoo and MSN.  The Inbound Links aren't bad either.  As I have said in another post that I have spent house working on my ranking.
This is quite perplexing to me! 
Please visit my site for information and support.  Seattle, Bellevue, Queen Anne, Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont and Ballard, Washington Real Estate Property Listings.
… (6 comments)

CNN's Rick Sanchez' Story - 07:50 PM

I went onto CNN.com/rick because I saw one of his stories about an illegal that came over from Mexico and found a little six year old boy that was alone and scared at 3:00 a.m.  The illegal made the choice of staying and giving comfort to the boy until he could get help.  In the morning some hunters came and got help and the illegal was deported.
Rick Sanchez is doing an informal poll of whether the illegal should later be given the opportunity to receive a green card.  While there to vote I saw another on of Rick Sanchez' stories about Thanksgiving pt. … (26 comments)

Properazzi Sighting: Distinctive Dome Dwelling Available - 01:40 PM
 
One of LA's most unusual homes: This pioneering work of vertically interconnected spaces defies domestic convention, using ideas once promoted in The Whole Earth Catalog now staples of architecture and sustainable design. Flexible live-work arrangements are accommodated within the lower levels, illuminated by a dozen skylights, earth sheltered and topped by a green roof for maximum thermal efficiency. The geodesic dome above shelters a vast interior studio volume for meditation, art, rehearsal, performance, or entertaining. Views of the valley and mountains from the house, decks and grounds are panoramic. Interior area totals approximately 1812 square feet on a site of nearly … (3 comments)

5 Tips for Overcoming Homebuying Hurdles - 02:12 PM

Recently media attention has been heavily focused on the difficulties home sellers face with the current glut of inventory and the tightening of the sub-prime mortgage market. However, according to a Fall member survey and report released by NAEBA in November 2007, home buyers are also facing new challenges. The report, titled "Under-Reported Home Buying Issues: How home buyers can overcome the latest buying challenges" contains survey results, case histories, and strategies buyers can use to best meet these challenges.
The report highlights many important issues for buyers, but the rising use of buyer agent bonuses and difficulties when buying foreclosed homes were … (1 comments)

The 4 Elements to Consider when Investing in Hemet Real Estate - 12:57 PM
In today's Hemet Real Estate market, it is truly an investors dream.  Seasoned investors and novices who felt as if they got squeezed out of the last market are all circling the current market and looking for the right opportunities, -which with today's short sales and bank owned REO properties - are abundant, if you know how to shop.
First you must remember that every single investor has their own personal objectives and situation which they must work from, so nothing that is "out there" will ever apply 100% to everyone who considers themselves a real estate investor... and what I publish … (0 comments)

Buying Bank Owned Properties - 04:20 PM
The current real estate market in Hemet California and throughout Southwest Riverside County and the remainder of the Inland Empire is full or Bank Owned properties, otherwise known as REO for "Real Estate Owned"..When someone wants to buy one of these properties it is not much different than buying a home that is owner occupied.  Yet, there are some very significant differences.  Lets take a look at some of them...Inspections, Repairs and the Appraisal:  Similar to a traditional owner occupied purchase of Hemet real estate, you will have the opportunity to perform your due diligence.  You have the right to a … (4 comments)

CBS Special Undercover Investigation: Foreclosure Scams - 04:42 PM
< < < E D I T > > > I have posted the link to the article on the CBS website.  You can follow this link to find it< < <   E N D   O F   E D I T   > > >I saw a segement on TV last night about a special segment CBS will be airing on the 11:00 p.m. news - I am hoping this is a national segment - but at least it will be aired out of Los Angeles.
The segment will be focusing on scam artists who are looking to take advantage of those who are facing … (2 comments)

One Day trip, Lots of answers - 11:44 AM
It is so hard to double post blogs. I have a blog and I have active rain. I try to put the same on both. Last May, I forgot to post here what I posted there.....www.jmacsays.com
From May 7, 2007....but relevent to today.
I finally reached my limit yesterday. I have been spending weekends attending to the needs of buyers and assisting my growing group of clients attempting to sell their home. It may sound impossible, but I think it is likely, we can not see the forest for the trees.
Let's face it, the market is still sluggish. (note: sluggish is fancy … (8 comments)

No Negative waves man! - 01:40 PM
Wayyyyyyyyyy back in 1970, one of my all time favorite movies was released. Kelly's Heroes is the tale of a group of WWII soldiers who discovered there was a lot of German gold being kept in a French bank.
The movie starred Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Donald Sutherland and others.
The link here show's you ten minutes of the best clips from the movie, but I want you to pay particular attention to the four minute mark and the six minute mark. Here you will find Donald Sutherland (Oddball), who plays a kind of hippie tank commander, talking to his sidekick with the … (12 comments)

Updated Photos Of The New JCKC Office in Sturbridge, MA! - 10:22 PM
We got back from our Florida trip late last night and went to the office site today to check on the progress of the build out.  Here are some updated photos of the framing that has been done and some pictures of the exterior.  Wednesday we are meeting with the builder and the electrician to get a quote on the electrical work.  The office is really coming along.  We are aiming for a Grand Opening in January and to have the construction completed by December 15th on the office.  This will give us enough time to organize, decorate and order everything … (2 comments)

Sonoran Foothills - Great Location - Great Amenities - 09:39 AM
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Fletcher Heights - Peoria's Best Kept Secret - 09:43 AM
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The Trouble With FaceBook - 07:21 AM
Here's my FaceBook rant, and I'm pretty sure it is an annoyance for other people as well:
Everytime you install a new FaceBook application, the app asks you to invite all your friends.  And I think most folks just click OK without giving it much thought.  Hence, all the FaceBook join this new app/join that new app emails.  The apps all offer a "Skip" option, but I'm not sure many people notice it.
Here are some other rumbles of discontent,
Trent Adams here:  http://trentadams.com/2007/08/27/facebook-apps-killing-me/
Buzz Network here:  http://www.buzznetworker.com/facebook-applications-the-new-spam-part-1/
Bogle's Blog here:  http://thebogles.com/blog/2007/11/are-facebook-apps-killing-facebook/
Guy Kawasaki linked to this in his twitter stream:  http://truemors.com/?p=18202
ResPres (AKA Jeff Turner) replied to Guy:
More:
Tech Crunch: … (8 comments)

Trivia Teaser - 07:45 PM
Trivia Teaser PAGES QUIZ: CRIME SCENE
1. What lawyer defended thrill killers Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold?
a-F. Lee Bailey, b-Clarence Darrow, c-Alf Landon, d-William Jennings Bryan
2. Literary character Hester Prynne was punished for what crime? a-Adultery, b-Treason, c-Gambling, d-Robbery
3. In what state did lawmen ambush bank robbers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow? a-Texas, b-Louisiana, c-Ohio, d-Georgia
4. Newspaper heiress Patty Hearst used what alias when she accompanied the Symbionese Liberation Army on a bank robbery? a-Storm, b-Valerie, c-Solaris, d-Tania
5. What was the real name of the convict nicknamed "The Birdman of Alcatraz?" a-Isaac Parker, b-Henri Charriere, c-Robert Stroud, d-Harry Orchard
6. What Wild West … (2 comments)

Italian proverbs - 07:47 PM
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Quotes - 07:48 PM
Quotes Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction.
Erich Fromm
 
Leadership is daring to step into the unknown.
Stephen Hawking
 
If we should deal out justice only, in this world, who would escape? No, it is better to be generous and, in the end, more profitable, for it gains gratitude for us and love.
Mark Twain
 
Life is not a static thing. The only people who do not change their minds are incompetents in asylums, and those in cemeteries.
Everett McKinley Dirksen
 
Without organization and leadership toward a realistic goal, there is no chance … (0 comments)

The Adventure - 07:49 PM
… (1 comments)

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