Archives of real estate blog entries for December 29, 2007

Featured blog posts


I Don't Care about the Monthly Payment! What is the Price of The House! - 05:28 PM
Who do we, as Realtors have the right to walk through someones home. The reason for our visit is to aid in the sale of a property. Therefore ethically, any time we tour a property, it is only for the sale of it. So we can only be taking a buyer through the property that is qualified to buy that property.
Where am I going with this? You must qualify buyers with a lender before you actually take them to see houses for sale. It's not just to save you from wasting your time, or your buyers time. It's your ethical obligation … (53 comments)

Why Real Estate is Better than Stocks. - 06:00 PM
The thing I love about real estate is that it allows you to leverage your money.  Here's what I mean.
Let's say that you have $40,000 to invest. 
Option 1.  You find an income producing property, maybe a little run down that is only $200,000.  You put 15% down, or $30,000 and still have $2,000 for closing costs and $8,000 for upgrades. 
Option 2.  You invest it into the stock market.  Say $20,000 in mutual funds and $20,000 into an aggressive stock.
Now, move forward one month.
Option 1.  The mortgage payment, even with PMI at today's interest rates is around $1070/month.  This home in … (50 comments)

HTML tips for blogging.... Possibly increasing readership !!! - 05:29 PM


So many of us are sometimes afraid of change, until someone gives it a try. And then we might like it. I have read that when writing while blogging, that you want to keep it simple and easy to read. I semi disagree, depending on your audience and depending on your message.
Just the other day, I wrote a blog about adjustable rate mortgages. I wanted to get a certain message across in regards to those that might not be getting the correct service when their loan is in processing longer than it should be. Here is an example of … (70 comments)

Who's Minding The Store While You're At The Trade Show? - 06:22 PM
We all want to have the latest toys.  New and improved?  Yeah, we want it. 
Will it get more traffic to my site?  I'm in. 
Will I get more leads?  That's what I want!
OK, so if our goal is to get more traffic, which will hopefully get those interested in our services to raise their hands and identify themselves why are we ignoring them after they do?
On Thursday I personally spent a few hours researching something I am in the market for and contacted 2 providers of those services via their websites.  I have yet to hear back from … (35 comments)

The CAR YOU DRIVE! Realtors, Honestly, What Statement Does it Need to Make? - 06:27 PM
Hope you're enjoying your last weekend of 2007, everyone!
Got a crazy question for you, and need your most honest opinion here.
How important is it to impress your clients, your staff, and other Realtors you work with, with the car you drive?
Now, we all know your car is an extension of your office.  It has to be comfortable, for you and your clients.  It has to be clean.  It has to be reliable.  But do clients and your peers judge you on the MODEL and MAKE of what you drive, even if they won't admit it to you?
Back in the day, it … (103 comments)

Ever Wish You Could Unsubscribe From Comments?? - 06:14 PM
I just noticed a feature this morning that's either new or I just missed it before, but I thought it was worth sharing, in case you might have missed it too.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed with all the emails that you get after you comment on a post and subscribe to comments? I mean, after a year of reading and subscribing to blog posts on AR, my inbox has gotten pretty crazy. Sometimes I get updated comments on posts from a year ago! By the time I read the new comment, I've totally forgotten what the original post was about. So I guess … (36 comments)

CARNAC and so it began......... - 01:34 PM

When I posted the first Carnac predictions on January 1 2007,  I had no idea I'd still be at it almost a year later.  Holy CRAP Batman!!   
We were a small group back then and I'd guess about 100 of us were really active. A year later with over 60,000 registered members, it is a lot harder.  In fact, last month a newbie commenter slammed the Carnac post as being too clickie.  Carnac is not Clickie.  I don't even know how to spell Clickie.  And I love everyone here.  Ok...I love everyone but 4 people here. 
Anyhoo....Besides the sheer numbers, another reason writing this post is harder … (201 comments)


Blog posts


Can HELOCs be "called in"? - 04:18 PM
Over the past several years HELOCs have been all the rage, as a way to take advantage of the equity in your house.  Huge numbers of people, including almost everyone I know with a house (including myself) took out a HELOC against their house.  One thing that most people don't realize almost all HELOCs can be called in by the bank.  It appears that for a primary residence TILA (truth in lending act) lists some criteria which could cause it, one being the property falls substantially in value.  For non-primary residences it's usually at the banks discretion.  Over the past several … (7 comments)

Hope to see you at bloggers connect - 05:37 PM
The first bloggers connect run by Inman (and co-sponsored by us) back in August turned out to be a surprising hit.  For being the first year of the event the turnout was surprising.  I'm surprised out how fast the next one is coming up on us, prior to this years Inman Real Estate Connect conference in New York. Can't wait to see who shows up this year...

… (9 comments)

2008 Real Estate Party Has Started-Happy New Year! - 02:16 PM
I joined CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty August of 2005, our Real Estate Sales for our 3 offices were $118 million + estimating 60 Florida Licensed Real Estate Professionals.

I don't think we had one that was not a multi-million dollar producer.
Just a few days ago the Volusia/Flagler Business Report came out with their 2008 Book of Lists. As I skimmed through the magazine..looking for Real Estate...anything real estate...I came across the Residential Real Estate Firms ranked by residential sales within Volusia and/or Flagler Counties in 2006.
Imagine that CENTURY 21's 3 Award Winning Offices were ranked #5 leading in residential real estate … (13 comments)

TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE(L) IT! - 09:48 PM
 
 

PLEASE TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE(L) IT!
  We have had over 30 inches of snow in the greater Nashua, New Hampshire area and it makes showing homes a real challenge.  (pain!)
Here is an example of one of the homes I wanted to show a buyer -  After I took this picture, we had an additional 8 inches of snow!   The seller is gone -- and the snow keeps piling up!
I must admit that during the winter as sit drinking a warm cup of hot chocolate and watch the falling snow, sometimes I just feel like saying: 
"Take this job … (27 comments)

As An Investor...Do You Really Want the Nicest Home in the Nicest Neighborhood? - 11:22 AM
The Hemet - San Jacinto Valley has recently been hit very hard with foreclosures and as a result there are some great REO properties available for the savvy investor to buy in Hemet CA.I have been blessed, because I have been able to attract multiple investors from outside our area to find me to help them find the best real estate deals in all of Hemet.When I initially interview my prospective new real estate investor clients, I of course want to find out their motivation, their exit strategy and of course their opinions of what makes a great investment property.It appears … (2 comments)

Maple Grove Market Update - 07:07 PM

Here is a new real estate market snapshot report for Maple Grove from the Minneapolis Association of Realtors®.  Single family home listings are up 54.8% from 2006 with 342 total listings through November.  With so many homes to look at, the selection is great.
Call me if you'd like to see some great Maple Grove homes for sale.
… (0 comments)

Plymouth Market Update Nov 07 - 07:15 PM
 
Here is a new real estate market snapshot report for Plymouth from the Minneapolis Association of Realtors®.  Sold activity is down 18.6% from last year and new listings are down 8.5%.   There are lots of nice homes to choose from with the number of single family home listings up 34.1% from 2006.
… (0 comments)

So you want to buy a bank owned home? - 04:59 PM
So you want to buy a bank owned home? 
Bank owned homes can be a good buy.  You may also hear the term REO (Real Estate Owned), or Foreclosure home. They all mean the same thing. 
I have sold about a half dozen bank owned homes in the last few months and for the most part it has been a good experience.  Here are some things you should know about buying a bank owned home.
Banks almost always sell as is.Most of the time you will not be provided any inspectionsYou will not receive all the disclosures that you would if you … (4 comments)

What's YOUR ringtone? - 09:29 AM
I had a funny moment this morning. I was having one of those sleep in moments when you feel like you've been hit by a truck and then the noise started - but more of that in a moment.
The other day my wife was out shopping and she heard this hysterical baby laughter. She and a lot of other shoppers were looking around for the baby when this woman nearby pulled out her cell phone and answered it. Yep - that was her ringtone!
I have heard football anthems, favorite songs and for a while my son even had this real red … (37 comments)

It's still all about Me'me! - 04:34 PM
I'm not sure I should use the word, but "thanks" to Alexander Harb who has me'me'd me! This is my second go around and you can read the first installment here - OK - so now I know what the heck a MEME is!
I thought I'd expand on a few things from last time. I had wanted to be a journalist since I was 9-years-old. Very focused then and very focused now too. And please remember that I have always been successful at everything I have attempted. So I am living in Israel at the age of 16 because of health … (18 comments)

Advice to agents who want to buy client lists - 07:23 PM
So the thing is there are a lot of agents currently leaving the business because they can't make a living in their own matrkets.
Some of these agents are attempting to sell their client databases to other agents who are in for the long haul and there are certain things that you need to do if you are either the buyer or the seller of such a list.
This week Dan Gooder Richard of RIS Media put together a list of the top six things you must do. And this list was published in the on line version of Realtor magazine. if you … (8 comments)

My 2008 Predictions - 11:39 PM
It's that time of year my friends and so here they come. These will be political, environmental, sporting, AR and off the wall (there are two of those!).
1. The Beijing Olympics will produce street demonstrations and a cyber attack!
2. The New England Patriots will find a way NOT to win the Superbowl. Instead it will be Brett Farve and the Green Bay Packers who will claims the championship and Brett will retire with the trophy in his hands (yes I'm a romantic)
3. The New York Yankees will win the World Series
4. Hilary Clinton will win the Democratic nomination but will have … (11 comments)

Good quality virtual tours or videos? - 11:44 PM
SO which do you use? I actually use two different VT companies who provide me with different levels of service. One os for my regular listings and the other for my $1m Plus listings.
The second one uses high definition; has multiple panoramas and really excellent photography. They also have a brochure service and many other add-ons too.
One of their add ons is a video tour of the home. It comes with either their commentary or mine.
Does anyone do this? Does it have an impact? Do you think YouTube listings work?
I'm really looking to educate myself here so come on Rainers … (8 comments)

HOME FOR SALE IN WORCESTER - NEW PRICE! - 10:33 AM
Lovely home in Worcester located in a great neighborhood on quiet dead-end street.  Home has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and a nice size lot.  Great access to hospitals and all major routes.  Ready to move in!  Price just dropped to $185,000!  Visit http://www.8Brookdale.com for more info and photos or call 508-868-4291 to setup an appointment.
… (0 comments)

Fort Myers Beach " OPEN HOUSE" Sunday Dec 30, 9 AM Reduced $100k - 04:13 PM
Fort Myers Beach " OPEN HOUSE " Sunday Dec 30, 2007 9 AM Reduced $100k
 Wouldn't this put a smile on her face !
Gorgeous 3/2 direct Gulf front home. Totally decorator furnished home.  I will be hosting this Sunday morning starting at 9 AM .  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 !  Just reduced $100k to $1,695,000 .   Call me direct … (0 comments)

Embedding A YouTube Video In Your Active Rain Blog Post - 09:30 AM
Ardell DellaLoggia (one of my favorite people) posted this comment on my Friday Classics blog yesterday  "All I want for Christmas is...for CJ to give me the "Embedding YouTube into your Active Rain Post"...the "For Dummies" version. "
I know several Active Rain members have already covered this topic, but let me see if I can do some screen shots, and parse it down to "entry level" stuff.
This post will cover working with videos that are already on YouTube.  If anyone needs help getting their own personal video uploaded to YouTube, we can tackle that one a little later.
OK.  First … (68 comments)

Elvis Presley-You Ain't Nothin But A Hound Dog - 02:28 PM
This blog will make no sense whatsoever until you read Dan Cumming's comment on my blog post here http://activerain.com/blogsview/320389/Embedding-A-YouTube-Video
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Marco Island List of Topics - 09:26 AM
There are times that it is hard to find topics that might interest you. To make it easier, here is a list of Topics of Interest on the Marco Island Real Estate-Homes and Condos site:
Food, People, Places & Businesses on Marco Island
Marco Island is a wonderful boating community in Southwest Florida.   There is a lot of places to choose from where you would want to live, hundreds of things to do and many fine restaurants to dine in.  Here you will find what I have written about in alphabetical order about the food, people, and places on Marco Island:
Food, People, … (10 comments)

Are Your Signs Legal? The Stakes Have Gone Up. - 11:02 AM
 
If you're a real estate agent in Austin (evidently with at least one notable exception, according to the article), you're no doubt aware of the sign laws regarding placing signs on the public right of way.  Perhaps you thought that if you paid someone to put out your signs, you were safe (albeit breaking the law), because the city could only go after the person placing the sign, not the person advertised on the sign.
Well, things have changed, statewide as well as in Austin.  Now the city of Austin (and other municipalities) can go after the person on the sign. … (11 comments)

"I'm not touching you!" - 11:55 AM
"I'm not touching you!" If you have children or remember your childhood you have probably heard this one before. I can just picture our twin boys, when they were about nine, with Paul's finger ¼ inch from Nathan's face saying these exact words, "I'm not touching you" "PAUL!! Leave your brother alone!!!!" "But I'm not touching him". Then of course TLW would run in the room and smack him upside the head. It didn't matter if he was "not touching him" at all. He was annoying him. And he was annoying us with his incessant whine of "I'm not touching him!"
This … (74 comments)

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