Archives of real estate blog entries for December 19, 2007 (Page 6)

Blog posts


E-newsletters - 09:49 AM
We regularly send out e-newsletters on home inspections and home maintenance. We have had some discussion over whether or not it's better to write all original content and just include a couple links to additional information, or to find already published articles, do a review with a little original content and then forward people on to the original. How many poeple really want to read a book on cleaning their gutters, changing furnace filters, etc.? As Realtors, you must receive a lot of newsletters. Which ones will you read? … (0 comments)

How is the Buffalo Grove Real Estate Market Doing Today? - 07:22 PM
People ask me constantly, how is the Buffalo Grove Real Estate Market Doing Today? 
As a business person, I look at the statistics on a quarterly basis.  I give the truth about the current data. 
Not yesterday's data,  not tomorrow's data, but today's data.  Not 6 months ago's data, not last Spring's data, but this winter's data.   
In the past quarter , from October 1 until today, 37 units single family homes sold in Buffalo Grove, with an average price of $415,753.   The average market time of these homes was 165.
Let's compare these numbers with the last quarter data from 2006. 
In the last quarter of … (3 comments)

Elf Yourself! - 08:26 AM
If you are looking for a fun way to send a greeting to friends and family, check out the OfficeMax website to Elf yourself!  My son and I had so much fun putting one together we decided to do two.  Check out our four Elves'clips.
Hey, I just made a total elf of myself. Check it out by clicking the link below.
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1433785407
This elfin' greeting brought to you by OfficeMax®.
Hey, I just made a total elf of myself. Check it out by clicking the link below.  For all you Dog Lover out there!
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1434372155
This elfin' greeting brought to you by … (4 comments)

"Over the Limit, Under Arrest" - Impaired Driving Enforcement During the Holidays - 07:27 PM
The holidays are always a time of the year that everyone looks forward too.  Christmas trees, holiday cookies, Christmas cards, and of course, holiday parties.  However, with all of these holiday parties comes responsibility.  The Village of Ridgewood will be participating in a Statewide campaign, "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" to stop drunk driving.  The stepped up enforcement will be until January 2, 2008 with the goal being to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving through high-visibility enforcement.  As always, drivers who choose to drink and drive will be arrested.
This is a great program and I hope that onlookers … (5 comments)

Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green - 07:34 PM
Take the kids to see Santa and celebrate the holidays at the Morristown Green!
The month-long celebration will feature various activities including a train ride around the green, holiday concerts, and ice sculpting demonstrations. Of course, Santa Claus himself will be in his house and available to visit and have his picture taken with kids from one to ninety-two. Click the link below for more details.
http://www.morristown-nj.org/special_events2.html?id=1034272985
… (1 comments)

The 'GOOD DEED DOERS' of ActiveRain - 08:11 PM
There is a scene in "The Wizard of Oz" where the Wizard is speaking of people doing a Good Deed.  He can't quite remember the name of them so he calls them ‘Good Deed Doers.'  It was a wonderful lesson to learn way back then and it's always a wonderful thing to happen to you in YOUR life.  A ‘Good Deed Doer' will come by, help you with what you need and they never require even a Thank you....
Some of us on Activerain try to do good deeds; not because we were asked to, just because we want to.  And … (35 comments)

Are you a REALATOR??? - 02:03 PM
okay, I'm gonna rant a little. I can't help it!
Jay and I spent the last two days doing bank owned showing marathons...cold houses, un-shoveled walkways never mind un-plowed driveways. 
I always have mixed emotions when showing foreclosed homes... the houses just feel so sad. But thats not what my rant is about....Nope!
One house had signs all over it. The house has had showings...many of them and the listing agent has been in and out of the house. 
How embarrassing!
I couldn't believe my eyes so I had to take a picture of it!
One of my biggest pet peeves is the mispronunciation … (53 comments)

Incredible opportunity! 5 side by side one acre lots in East Hawaii's desirable Leilani Estates! - 09:01 PM
… (0 comments)

Not All Sellers Are Motivated - 12:33 AM
Earlier today I presented an offer for one of my buyers on a condo just outside of our planned community.
After pulling the comparable sales in that complex and a couple of neighboring properties of the same construction we determined the asking price was higher than what it should appraise for.  My clients really liked this one.  It had some upgrades and 2 parking stalls that were at the same level as the condo.  So after researching the numbers my clients settled on a price to offer the seller.
I submitted their offer to the listings agent.  Our offer was lower than the … (35 comments)

Who Gets the Benefit of the Doubt? Computers or Clients - 01:19 AM
Okay here's the story.  I have been a customer of a certain insurance company for 7-years for both auto and home insurance.  I have never filed a claim in that time.  The insurance company has only made a profit from me.
Well... I get a letter in the mail from the DMV stating they will suspend the registrations on my cars in one month.  I was quite perplexed.  I looked at my insurance cards in my wallet, and sure enough, they were expired, over 1-month ago.  It was about noon and I called my agent.  No one answered and on their message … (21 comments)

Power Lines Near Properties - 12:05 PM
Okay, I have to ask this question, "How does having power lines near properties effect the sale of that property?"  I'm asking purely out of curiosity.
I've always been leery of those big power lines near a house, and I personally wouldn't buy a house too close to any.  I attend weekly caravans, and there have been a few houses near power lines and every time people make comments.
"Wow, those look attractive, and that hum is even nicer."
"Are those power lines safe to live by, lets make sure the kids don't have three arms."
"I can run a line straight to my house … (12 comments)

College Education - 06:47 PM
A young farm lad from North Iowa goes off to College at the University of Iowa, but about 1/3 of the way through the semester, he has foolishly squandered away all of the money his parents gave him.
Then he gets an idea.  He calls his daddy. "Dad," he says, "You won't believe the wonders that modern education is coming up with!  Why, they actually have a program here at Iowa that will teach our dog Ol' Blue how to talk!"
"That's absolutely amazing," his father says, "how do I get him in that program?"
"Just send him down here with $1,000", … (10 comments)

That Which Makes us Stronger... - 12:54 AM
I usually stick to real estate topics when I write. My life since we started Realt-eTransAct has been pretty focused on work, but I am seeing a lot of struggling with the people that we work to support.  If the Realtors that we work with are struggling then, hey, we are struggling too.  Times seem to be tight for many people out there, and this got me thinking about a time in my past life when I personally faced a major struggle.
Most people don't know this about me but before my real estate career began, I was a competitive baton twirler.  Now don't … (2 comments)

The 12 Days of Christmas...for Christians -- Day 3 - 07:47 AM
I have asked my ministerial husband, Dr. John, to write a series on the 12 Days of Christmas in accordance with the Spiritual meaning of this famous song.  He has agreed, and sought and received permission from Dennis Bratcher, Executive Director of the CRI/Voice Institute, to excerpt and quote portions of the Institute's excellent analysis of The Twelve Days of Christmas.  I know you'll enjoy this series!
Here's an easy link to Day 2.
On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me - three French hens.  What do these three French hens represent?  The Trinity?  No.  What about the … (10 comments)

Improve your lead conversion, by improving your leads... - 01:00 PM

We all want "good" leads. I remember my years at my previous broker when we were driving 1,300 web requests a month (to the company - not counting direct to agent, office leads), we were closing around 4-6% of the requests for real commission dollars (*after appointments). We looked at our lead sources and consistently the "for sale sign" and Web were the biggest sources of "leads". Naturally, since they were the biggest sources, we tossed more money at them: bigger signs, easier to read, colored posts that could be sign miles away, larger budgets for keyword buying, site optimization, etc. … (31 comments)

UPDATED - Help My Wife Win Her Competition - 01:23 PM
For all of you who kindly tried to help and had technical issues I have now spoken to the competition organisers and they have provided a new link as they were indeed having problems. I have also provided the answers to be filled in each section.
Thank you once again and you never know you might win:
_____________________________________________________ 
My wife runs a craft website selling needlework products online and each year a competition is run for Online Retailer of the Year and Best Website of the year. For the last couple of years she has won runner up spot. With your help I would … (2 comments)

Las Vegas Real Estate Financing Challenges... - 11:48 AM
Las Vegas area is just like the rest of the country and we are seeing major challenges to financing a home purchase.  One of the best ways to gain entrance into your first home, right now, is to use FHA or VA financing.  Before you are go out searching for that home, New Construction or Resale you should get approved with a lender.  Your lender will help you determine your buying power.  Really good lenders will let you know what needs to be done to position yourself to buy a home.
There are several types of lenders for residential purchases, just to … (13 comments)

Us VS Them - 10:32 PM
I don't know why this has become a game of good vs bad or even doing your job vs trying to save your job.
It's everywhere you turn and the only way I can describe the end of the day is feeling worn out and beat up.  I wake up just the same every day, with a smile and an attitude to conquer the day and all the tasks that must be accomplished.
Unfortunately road blocks exist all around.  Agents who have an offer (double ended) on the table will take off a lockbox and conveniently forget to change it in the MLS.  … (28 comments)

Two ActiveRain women spent the evening in my arms.... - 09:28 PM
Well, at least for the duration of this picture.... ( That's me in the middle  )
I had the pleasure this evening to spend some time with Lorrie Semler and Karen Otto. As always, it is a pleasure to spend time with quality individuals who are committed to their segment of this wild and crazy industry.
 We got together for a Monthly Happy Hour at Carsons for a little Hump Day stress relief and conversation... courtesy of the Dallas Association of Mortgage Professionals Partiers! ( DFWAMP ). And good conversation it was, indeed. If you haven't met these two ladies, you should make the effort. They … (22 comments)

HIGH ENERGY COSTS GOT YOU DOWN? - 04:43 PM
 SHELL KNOB GETS REBATE
Energy costs are on everyone's mind.  Oil prices, gas prices, heating costs have gone up, and that results in everything we eat, drink or wear going up. 
As a Real Estate agent in Shell Knob, MO, I am always happy to brag about the Electric Co-op that services a great part of the Ozarks.  Carroll Electric Co-op has been rated A-1 by their members in most of the area they service.
This time of year, my electric bill normally goes down.  No need for the air conditioning, nor are there the usual summer lake time visitors. Everything except for … (1 comments)

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