Archives of real estate blog entries for February 13, 2007

Featured blog posts


How To Make Your Profile Picture Really Stand Out With a White Background - Easy 5 Minute Tutorial - 01:18 AM
Make your Profile Photo or any Photo Appear to Hover on WebPages By Adding a White Background.
 
Who wants this?
 
When they could have this
                                      (Handsome Devil, eh?)
You can do this yourself.  First download a free photo editing software called PhotoFiltre.  Here's the link
http://www.photofiltre-studio.com/utils/pfs-setup-en.exe
After downloading and installing the software, open the program Select File, Open and locate the photo on your computer you want to edit.
You need to resize the image so that it's at least 1500 pixels wide.  Go to Image, Image size, change the "width" value to 1500 (the height value will … (76 comments)

Acid rain? - 05:53 PM
 
As the acid rain fell upon the leaves in the concrete city...
 

 
O.K. - We all know I'm fairly new to this "Active Rain" but admit it...
You must have called it "Acid Rain" at one point or another too!!!
I was at a "Negotiating Effectively" seminar today and just like all the seminars most skilled Realtors go to, you sit there saying in your mind "Yada-Yada-Yada", this seminar should have come with a fifth of scotch or a gun so I could shoot myself.
 But we all have to sharpen our tools, so we go.
I kind of … (22 comments)

St. Paul Real Estate Blog to host carnival - 10:50 PM
The St. Paul Real Estate Blog will be hosting the 3rd Carnival of Real Estate for consumer content.  This is different than the other real estate carnival in that we are recognizing content that is for consumers, not for other real estate professionals. 
Entries are due by 12:00 CST time on Monday Feburary the 19th and will posted on The St. Paul Real Estate Blog by noon on Tuesday the 20th. 
Follow this link to enter:
http://blogcarnival.com/bc/submit_1009.html
Check out the first two carnivals for examples of great consumer content:
Going on Parade with the Consumer-Oriented Carnival
Second Consumer-Oriented Blog Carnival is Off to the … (7 comments)

We Don't Need No Stinkin Valentine's Day - 08:02 PM
Do you celebrate Valentine's Day? Or are you a member of the 'anti' group!
If you DO celebrate, and are a procrastinator, and live in Cleveland, you might be up the proverbial creek this year if the weather folk are correct and we continue to get three inches of snow an hour until who knows when. Why do we spend our money on Valentine's Day? Where do we spend our money on Valentine's Day? In card shops and candy stores of course. Sweethearts Day makes me roll my eyes (and this was true even when I had a sweetheart). Valentine's Day has … (113 comments)

Lesson #5: The Revenue Line - 06:28 PM
I've just about tapped the FSBO inventory here, as well as nearly every expired listing within a fifty-mile radius.  I'm working now to build up my visibility in the area by meetin' and greetin' the local business owners.  As a "new again" agent, I don't have unlimited resources to market and promote, so now what?  Hmm... That got me thinking.  Is there something else I could be doing?  Am I missing something that might produce better results?  Is there a single formula that exists for success in this business?Honestly, I don't believe there is an end all, be all formula that … (28 comments)

How good are you??? - 04:00 PM
Step right up ladies and gentlement; test your real estate knowledge right here.
Self grading tests show you what you know as well as what you know that just ain't so. ;-)
Try your hand at:
RESPADO NOT CALL RULESREALTOR® Trademark usageCode of EthicsFair HousingLead Based Paint DisclosureStaging SavvyGut InstinctsAnd a whole host of topics designed to put your knowledge and skill levels to the test.
Each test is self grading so you'll know how well you did (or didn't do) immedately after answering these short (8-12 questions) questions.
No pass or fail and everyone wins because you can't help but learn somthing … (24 comments)

Who Says Us Guys Aren't Romantic? - 12:32 PM
 You Can Always Beat Him "Til He Loves Ya!!!
Guys, you better do the right thing and not forget Valentine's Day!
Does it mean you have to spend $1,000.00 because every kiss begins with Kay?  No, sure doesn't. Sometimes you have to look a lil' deeper. Unless of course he or she is materialistic.....then stick with the diamonds.
How about something different than your ordinary day? For X-mas I like to give my love a gift on every day for the 12 days of X-mas.  Sometimes it may be something small like a 5 x 7 photo frame with our picture in it or a picture of a … (32 comments)

Should loan officers be licensed? Do you know who your loan officer is? - 10:59 AM
I wrote a blog on accountability of lenders.   I am a Realtor and have been in the past a loan officer, acct. executive or loan originator what ever you want to call them.  Well guess what.  In the Arizona Republic  newspaper on Feb. 12th  2007 front page is a great article stating that there is a bill to be voted on.  It states that Realtors, Appraisers both have to be licensed and have continued education to keep their license. Loan officers don't. Only the mortgage broker has to be. He may have 50 loan officers working for him that are not … (15 comments)

Real Estate Investor Horror Story - 11:35 AM
I found this post on the web while doing some research on an investment club someone mentioned to me. The story was posted by an investor who apparently joined one of these investor groups that has the entire process all laid out via a pre-established "network". They tell you where to go, what to buy, which realtors and lenders to use, which builders to buy from, etc. And the network gets kickbacks (legal I suppose) from all of these people in exchange for bringing in busloads of buyers.
As I read it, I thought to myself "this is exactly why we try to keep … (22 comments)

Why I Just Passed on a Positive Cash Flow Investment Property in Austin - 10:58 AM
Now that the holidays are behind us and a new year has begun, the phones are starting to ring again and the email inquiries are coming in again from prospective investors who are considering purchasing investment property in Austin. The most common question we hear is, "can I buy a rental house in Austin that will provide positive cash flow with 10 or 20 percent down?". My answer is always, "yes you can, and those are not the houses you want to buy".
As tempting as it is to chase better cash flow, it's not a good idea to do so in Austin in … (8 comments)

How Home Buyers and Sellers Get Trapped in Straw Scams - 03:34 AM
Let's say that you've just gotten engaged and that you and your fiancee find your dream house.  But since you're just getting started on the rest life, you can't get a reasonably-priced mortgage. 
Your parents have a pretty good credit score and a strong income, so you ask them to buy the house for you and then transfer ownership to you using a trust deed.  You promise to pay them on the mortgage that you couldn't qualify for yourselves.

Your parents are acting as a "straw" through which you are getting ownership of a house.  This scenario seems relatively innocent, … (12 comments)

The Lead Gen Biz - Part One - 07:11 AM
So I caught a little flak over my explanation of the LTree and it's business model.LINKNo biggee.If I get this right, I am the "Flak-er", and they would be the "Flak-ees".The Flak-ees reactions ranged from the standard issue knee jerk "Duh", to eye opening wild disbelief.Let's do this in two parts:
Part One - the answer to the Dee-Dee-Dee side, (Carlos Mencia reference)...Some of the Flak-ees maintained that the Tree was and is doing what it needs to do to stay in business. In order for the Tree to continue offering the great services it does to us poor consumers, they need … (8 comments)

Consults and Staging and Marketing, OH MY!! - 11:25 AM
Hey all, do you remember the Wizard of Oz, Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh My?? Lately, that is how I have been feeling. A bit overwhelmed to say the least!! How does one keep up with everything that is involved with running a successful staging business?
With the Spring market rapidly approaching, sellers are realizing that they need to make their listing stand out from the competition. Thus...the word is out... STAGE YOUR HOUSE TO SELL!! With that being said, my phone does not stop ringing. While I am thrilled, my life is completely turned upside down.
How do you all keep … (11 comments)

Real Estate Bubble - 11:28 AM
Home Sellers Refuse To Give In
Right now sellers aren't selling. They are in denial - still waiting for Santa to deliver the asking
price on their homes, or close to it. My advice is to take the first reasonable offer your real estate agent
gets for you... and count yourself lucky.
A contractor who does some work for me is selling his house. He told me six months ago that it
was on the market. I asked him if he had any bites. He said he had one, but was offered $5,000 less
than his asking price. He said he'd wait it out.
I mentioned politely that … (14 comments)

House of the Future? Builders Show Off Ideas at Trade Show - 11:19 AM
House of the Future? BuildersShow Off Ideas at Trade ShowBy June Fletcher
What sort of lessons can a so-called "concept" house teach us?
At the International Builders Show, the country's largest trade event for the housing industry, it's hard to tell -- at least when it comes to the two major concept houses debuting at the Orlando, Fla., event.
million. Both houses were constructed with hundreds of thousands of dollars of donated materials, fixtures and appliances, so their prices don't reflect their true market value. How is a builder supposed to figure out how to reproduce a look if he doesn't know what … (7 comments)

Are Real Estate Buyers and Sellers Really This Stupid? - 10:49 PM
OK, this is somewhat of a rant. I keep seeing a lot of posts and discussion on AR about how important it is to be available at all hours of the day, 7 days a week, and return all calls almost instantly. Some of you really need to get better control of your lives and your time. I mean that in a nice way, as I would say it to a friend who's turned into a workaholic. Here are some quotes recent articles and comments:
· "Every call should be treated as an actual emergency"· "if you were not on the phone the second that … (25 comments)

Listen to Nancy...A Consumer Speaks! - 05:56 PM
Clients Who Have Disabilities - What Do You Say?  How Do You Say It?
                                                                                  
A few days I spoke about making my own appointments, and one of the many comments on  that post came from a lady named Nancy who pointed out some less-than sensitive terms we were using. We learned that she is not a real estate professional but rather a consumer who is visiting Active Rain to learn from us before she puts her own home on the market. 

Nancy's comments started a discussion about how we need to be sensitive to the effect of the words … (37 comments)

Multiple Profiles on AR: R-E-S-P-E-C-T Find Out What it Means to Me! - 11:30 AM
First off, I would love to thank everyone instrumental in creating Active Rain & Localism. This is an incredible platform which gives me the opportunity to be the original and out of box agent that I am and aspire to be. I read all professional posts - daily - and gain so much insight and so many ideas that my creativity has been allowed to flow into depths I have never imagined before I created my profile in November 2006!
Through my daily reading, I have noticed some people who have taken advantage of the generosity of the creators of AR/Localism and … (60 comments)

Thoughts on FSBO no call list for Buyer Agents - 11:45 AM
What are your thoughts about calling FSBO's?    I just received in my Broker Agent News email an announcement by the NAR legal department that it was okay as a Buyer Rep to call a For Sale by Owner if you are calling for your buyer.
Here is the text. (cut and pasted!)
"Can you call a FSBO without violating the federal 'Do Not Call' legislation??NAR does not see any problem with a buyer's representative contacting a FSBO owner whose number is listed in the Do-Not-Call registry about aclient's potential interest in the property, as this call is not a telephone solicitation by the … (40 comments)

Caution! How Can A Crappy Cubicle Inspire Greatness? - 08:38 AM
 A Crappy Cubical Cannot Inspire Greatness. We explored Realtor Depression, Cause and Effect, Attitude, Environment, and Achievement. The blog  Are Realtors Suffering From Depression? had a tremendous response.  We (Jeff Turner and I)  also explored Intention Manifestion Can we See The Port in The Storm?  We as Realtors face many challenges in a changing market. How we structure our environmental conditioning, contributes directly to the success we can achieve. We agreed universally that Attitude will contribute directly to our overall productivity and ultimately our success. So I ask you...How can a Crappy Cubicle Inspire Greatness? 
It can't. 
Most often new agents are … (31 comments)

You Need To Lose 25 Pounds And Your Blog Is Dead - 10:59 AM
The 6 Reasons You'll Never Make It.The holidays passed months ago, and so did your New Year's resolution.  It's getting harder to lose the weight you used to need to throw around.How many of us know that we will lose this weight that we find no comfort in? The answer is hard to swallow.  The answer is almost none of us.  Not on our own, at least.Creating a successful business blog is as difficult as getting back in shape after years of sofa-loafing.The dedication, focus, confidence and effort it takes is not for the weak spirited and easily distracted.  Below is … (7 comments)


Blog posts


Affordable Housing and Builder Priorities. - 04:10 PM
Freakonomics Blog pointed me to an interesting story on affordable housing on Boston.com today.
Harvard Professor Edward Glaeser in Boston.com delves into problems with Massachusett's affordable housing law Chapter 40B. A number of builders have used somewhat less than legal means to get around the law's requirements while still reaping it's benefits.  Glaeser argues that builder incentives should be in the removing profit caps on such projects and instead instituting a flat fee per non "affordable" unit produced under Chapter 40B.  According to Glaeser,"A flat fee for each non affordable unit would give builders incentives to make their units more attractive, so that … (2 comments)

The danger of blogging - 02:46 AM
 
 This blog entry was at first not accepted because it did not meet the criterion of being 50 words. This last sentence was 19 words so by the time I have finished this sentence I should be, let's see, right 42 words. Let's add a few blah, blah, blah, blah, and that should do it. I get 200 points. Yepehh! (sp?)
© 2007, Gerhard N. Ade
 
… (16 comments)

Press On........... - 09:52 PM
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan, 'press on' has solved, and always will solve, the problems of the human race." Calvin Coolidge … (4 comments)

Please don’t give me free marketing for my condo property... - 10:50 AM
What is wrong with some people??????????? As you know with the launch of the all new condoDomain 2.0 we have a “free level” of service (well self service) for our condo developers. It’s free forever and there are no catches. Now, don’t get me wrong, you don’t get nearly the exposure you do of our paying clients, however its free advertising to thousands of people shopping for condos daily in your local market, online!
(PS - Could this be a Trulia Cat?)
Scenario that happened today at 11:17 a.m. A call went out to an onsite sales and marketing manager for … (3 comments)

Cell Phone Safety Update - 09:02 AM
Cell Phone Safety Update  by John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTORReal Estate, Hemet CAThis is not another article telling you to be careful when you are driving - we all know we should.  Nor is this an article telling you that you are sucking in alien electro-signals into your brain and the third generation of your offspring will be born green - or worse that you yourself will end up with cancer of the brain.
No, just a little bit of useful information that I just came across that I thought you needed to be aware of.  I have one tip that is … (11 comments)

The Bible & My Real Estate Business - James 1: 22-25 - 10:00 AM
The Bible & My Real Estate Business - James 1: 22-25   by John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTORReal Estate, Hemet CAThis is a continuing Bible study of the Book of James and the lessons it teaches Christians and how God speaks to me about my business, applying these lessons.  If you have not yet seen any of my previous posts, I suggest that you read this one first and then follow along in the next several studies that I have published here on ActiveRain.
JAMES, Chapter 1, verses 22-25:  But be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (23) For … (0 comments)

rate EXCHANGE!!! - 12:11 PM
Exchange an Adjustable Rate for a Fixed Refinance RateWhen interest rates are low, adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) are the housing market's darlings. However, as interest rates increase, that adjustable rate may not look as sweet. It's also possible that you opted for an ARM because your financial future was less secure, or you weren't sure how long you'd stay in your home. If, however, you've become financially stable and know that you'll be staying in your home for several years, it may be beneficial to swap that fluctuating adjustable rate for a fixed one. You'll have more security knowing that your … (0 comments)

Get paid to blog! - 05:35 PM
Love real estate? Love technology? Love blogging?
Want to get paid for it?
Realty.com is looking for four practicing real estate agents to blog for them on a new, as yet unnamed, real estate web site.
Apply over on the The Future of Real Estate Jobs.
… (0 comments)

TEXAS Facts You Should Know - 03:37 PM
Below is a list of Facts about Texas.  Some you'll know and remember them from elementary school.  Others, you might look at them and think, where did they come up with that?!
And if you're relocating here to Texas, these are some things you should know about your future new home!!
Name: From Tejas, Indian word meaning friendly
Capital: Austin
Motto: Friendship
Bird: Mockingbird
Tree: Pecan (how do you pronounce this word?)
Flower: Bluebonnet
Gem: Topaz (I did not know this)
Stone: Petrified Palmwood (huh?)
Dish: Chili
Song: "Texas, Our Texas"
Insect: Monarch Butterfly (I would have thought mosquito!!)
Fabric/fiber: Cotton
Dance: Square Dance
Fruit: Texas Red Grapefruit (I had no idea!)
Fish: Gualalupe Bass
Large Mammal: Longhorn … (6 comments)

You Need To Lose 25 Pounds And Your Blog Is Dead - 10:59 AM
The 6 Reasons You'll Never Make It.The holidays passed months ago, and so did your New Year's resolution.  It's getting harder to lose the weight you used to need to throw around.How many of us know that we will lose this weight that we find no comfort in? The answer is hard to swallow.  The answer is almost none of us.  Not on our own, at least.Creating a successful business blog is as difficult as getting back in shape after years of sofa-loafing.The dedication, focus, confidence and effort it takes is not for the weak spirited and easily distracted.  Below is … (7 comments)

Commercial Mortgage Brokers and Lenders Directory for Active Rain - 08:39 PM
Active Rain Commercial Mortgage Brokers and Lenders
See the Active Rain Commercial Real Estate Directory
Too deal with expected growth and the recommendation of Lawrence Yerkes - we have created a seperate directory for Commercial Lenders and Mortgage Brokers
Our goal here is to create a list of who works where, what market niches we work in, and how to contact us?
If you post your information in the comments section, I will keep editing to keep it updated.  My suggested format follows:
Lender Name - Team NameBrokerageMarket ServedSpecialtiesPhoneE-MailWebsite 
ALABAMA  
Dirk S. WilliamsPorter Bridge Loan Co.Birmingham, ALMarket Served: AL, GA, MS, LA, AR, FL, SC, NC, TN, KY, … (102 comments)

Is This Dumb? - 08:53 AM
OK, Brian, Guys, you tell me.... this seems like a really dumb move  ....
San Diego Chargers Coach Marty Schottenheimer fired....
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/cs-0702130265feb13,1,4398884.story?coll=cs-football-print
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/sullivan/20070213-9999-1s13sullivan.html
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6468762
But maybe somebody can tell me why its NOT a dumb move?
… (6 comments)

Why I really love Marco Island May through November! - 04:28 PM
 
Or another title for this could be "Shopping Survival Tatics in Southwest Florida" 
I crossed the SS Jolley Bridge yesterday on what is best called a shopping adventure.  Why is this little trip significant?  Well it is season and driving around here when all the snowbirds are here becomes a challenge.  Each day it gets a little more difficult with the influx of the snowbirds.  It also makes me start counting the days until Easter, when most flock home.
Read the Rest of my Story about Driving in SouthWest Florida, visit my Marco Island Blog
 
This information is provided by Colleen Kulikowski, Realtor
Celebration Florida … (10 comments)

February Winter Storm System in Indiana - 03:37 PM
If you're in Indiana today, you know that the big news story is our winter storm moving through.  This is a picture taken on my street just a few moments ago. 
I live in the central part of Indiana and we've received about 5 inches which is now mixed with sleet and freezing rain.  The wind is blowing the snow around quite a bit and making open areas hard to keep clear of the white stuff.  Intil last month, the weather for this winter had been fairly mild.  I never complain because I'm not that fond of snow and cold. 
It will be a difficult drive … (2 comments)

Thoughts on FSBO no call list for Buyer Agents - 11:45 AM
What are your thoughts about calling FSBO's?    I just received in my Broker Agent News email an announcement by the NAR legal department that it was okay as a Buyer Rep to call a For Sale by Owner if you are calling for your buyer.
Here is the text. (cut and pasted!)
"Can you call a FSBO without violating the federal 'Do Not Call' legislation??NAR does not see any problem with a buyer's representative contacting a FSBO owner whose number is listed in the Do-Not-Call registry about aclient's potential interest in the property, as this call is not a telephone solicitation by the … (40 comments)

Oh What a Beautiful Morning in Baltimore! - 10:51 AM
 
The weather called for snow and ice and rain etc. Most of the schools are closed but it is a most beautiful morning in Baltimore. Yes, it's still snowing and it will probably freeze. But right now it is so pretty. A light snow that is covering the trees and grass but the streets are clean and safe.  This is a special snow day. Here is a photo taken without leaving my house. This picture is not so clear because of the snow. I am enjoying this beauty!
www.HomeRome.com
Baltimore,Md
… (5 comments)

Tuesday February 13th A Pretty Snow in Baltimore - 11:05 AM
What a beautiful way to wake up in Baltimore. Yes it is snowing.... Fresh pretty snow that just covers the shrubs, grass and trees a bit. Just real beauty... leaving the streets clear and safe, at least for the moment. Temperatures are dropping and they are calling for ice.  Appointments have been canceled and I am enjoying the scenery from the inside. … (4 comments)

Listen to Nancy...A Consumer Speaks! - 05:56 PM
Clients Who Have Disabilities - What Do You Say?  How Do You Say It?
                                                                                  
A few days I spoke about making my own appointments, and one of the many comments on  that post came from a lady named Nancy who pointed out some less-than sensitive terms we were using. We learned that she is not a real estate professional but rather a consumer who is visiting Active Rain to learn from us before she puts her own home on the market. 

Nancy's comments started a discussion about how we need to be sensitive to the effect of the words … (37 comments)

Do Get the Publicity Hound's Tips Newsletter? - 05:57 PM
Today I received my first issue of the Publicity Hound's Newsletter.  Articles featured included tips, tricks and tools for FREE PUBLICITY.  This issue was all inclusive writing book reviews, American Idol, a valentines quiz, research keywords, promote an automobile Association and help the hound.
I have no idea when I signed up for this but here is a link to where you can start recieving the tips and tools too.
 If you go to the site it will pop up and ask you if you want to learn how to generate thousands of dollars using her tips and tools.
… (2 comments)

Feng Shui Tip for Law of Attraction - 06:06 PM
Oprah featured a dvd called The Secret which was also suggested by Feng Shui expert Suzee Miller to learn the law of attraction and how to manifest health, wealth, love and good fortune.  Basically like a self fufilling prophecy if you believe it will and can happen it will.  What we hold in our consciousness makes a huge difference in what we accomplish.
So what do you focus on and what energy do you radiate by what you are thinking is it positive or negative?
… (3 comments)

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