Archives of real estate blog entries for March 25, 2007

Featured blog posts


Why would someone use a new Agent? - 09:32 AM
This is in response to Julie Akyol's post about Past and Current clients. It made me question why someone would use a New Agent vs a Seasoned Agent.
Seasoned Agents have spent a lot of time building up a referral network. They are busy, involved and usually "know their market" because they are working in it daily! Perhaps they have a "database" or a million name SOI to draw from. Does this make a Seasoned Agent better than a New Agent? Not necessarily.
Obiously there are Good and Bad agents no matter what their experience. When I read someone who's only … (249 comments)

Find your passion and excel in life! - 08:32 PM
I don't know if I'm weird or not but did you know I really enjoy paying bills? It gives me a great feeling of accomplishment. Maybe it's because there were times in my life where I couldn't pay the bills. I wanted to, but one ingredient was missing. Money! Didn't have any and didn't know where to find it. I was always a hard worker and very motivated but unfortunately I just couldn't seem to make ends meet no matter how hard I tried. My biggest mistake was, I underestimated myself.
When I was young my family didn't have much money and … (85 comments)

#1 Killer of real estate deals - 01:43 AM
Buyer's remorse is the #1 killer of real estate deals.  It is often an untreatable malady that often has no cure.
How ofter do buyers succumb to remorse you say?  Often, in fact the slower the market the more choices of homes the greater the instance of buyer's remorse.
Decisions are hard to come by when the choices are endless.  Buyers find themselves with too many homes to think about.  Additionally, there is typically more than one person involved in the process of making that decision.  Two people or more tend to talk each other in and out of making a strong … (75 comments)

Plagiarism or Plagiat - Out the Newbies : Dumb & Dumber - 09:13 AM
People that know me quickly come to realize I am a man integrity.  They understand my giving nature and willingness to help. They learn my thoughts on boundaries and rules. They know deep down I am a WILD MAN that cannot be caged.
With that said my challenge today is to have my fun, extend the boundary, bend the rules but remain a good citizen within the ActiveRain society and not personally attack my PERP. To conceal their identity I will only refer to them as Dumb & Dumber.
Last night before heading out for the evening I logged onto ActiveRain to find an email from a friend informing me that he … (86 comments)

Great Blogs , Posts and Dialogues : Is your's One ? - 02:24 PM
Great Posts and Great dialogues is the very essence of Blogging. As I wander the halls of AR searching through the archives for relevant information or reading through many of the posts that are written throughout the day that never become featured I ask WHY?
Why is that Post more relevant than another? What are the elements that seem to push one to popularity over another. Indeed I can read through my very own posts and can not seem to come to any logical conclusion. Indeed many of theBloggers that I love to read and that I have subscribed to have written fabulous … (56 comments)


Blog posts


King County Sales Tax to increase April 1st - 02:26 AM
The King County Sales Tax, within the Regional Transit Authority, will raise from 8.8% to 8.9% on April 1, 2007.  For restaurants, bars and coffee shops, the rate will increase to 9.4%.  The extra .5% is to pay off Safeco Field debt.
The .1% increase is a result of the voter approved tax increase to expand metro bus service.
As a note to new residents, the Washington State Sales tax is 6.5%.  However, County and City municipalities append their own taxes to that rate.  Therefore, the sales tax rate will differ between municipalities.
… (2 comments)

Unusual real estate market ahead - 01:49 AM
We appear to be heading to an unusual period for the real estate market.  In the past, buyers who wanted to purchase with little down would be required to purchase mortgage insurance to cover part of their loan if they went into default.  A few years ago, many mortgage companies started offering "80/20 loans", this eliminated the requirement to purchase insurance while still allowing buyers to purchase with no money down.  Unfortunately many of these loans were at adjustable rates.  In addition, since many of these buyers were at the top end of their budget, they were also offered an interest … (0 comments)

NEW HAMPSHIRE BUYERS ~~~HIRE A BUYER AGENT - 11:02 PM
 
 CAN YOU GUESS WHICH AGENT IS THE EXCLUSIVE BUYER AGENT? 
Buyers -- BEFORE you begin to search for a home, hire an agent that specializes in the representation of buyers.  
Selecting an agent to represent you should not be left to guess work.  Not all "Buyers Agents" are the same.  
  Make sure that the agent that you select is working for YOU!
  To insure that the agent you hire is looking out for your best interrests, make sure that your are working with an Exclusive Buyer's Agent.  
     Only an agent who works in an office that does not practice "disclosed … (14 comments)

Woods of SpringCreek- Social Committee - 07:22 PM
The Woods of SpringCreek held their first Social Committee meeting for the year.  We have decided to concentrate on the National Nite Out for August 7.  We will be holding our next meeting on Monday, April 9 at 7pm.
This event is very important to our neighborhood because we currently have the Crime Watch signs posted throughout the streets.  In order to keep the Crime Watch signage, we must have a particular amount of people in attendence to sign the roster at the event.  We had a great turn out last year, and we're looking forward to a larger turnout this year.
During … (0 comments)

Using Technology Effectively in Cyberspace - 12:09 AM
Why would your sellers choose you over another agent?  Why would buyers work with you?
For most of us on AR I think the answer is simple.  We are probably the most advanced agents out there.  From V-flyers, Craig's List, Agentopolis, Real Estate Shows, to keeping up with leads via the internet we are not afraid to embrace new techniques.  Maybe a little hesitant, but not afraid.  I somehow doubt that the pioneers of the United States didn't face the future with a few butterflys in the stomach and a general wonder of "do I really know what I'm getting into".  Same … (5 comments)

Excellent Investment Property in College Station - 12:31 AM
This duplex located less than two miles from A&M campus is one of my latest listings.  Two large bedrooms and a decent bath on each side with a good yard, able to accomodate a renters needs await you.  Both sides are available as of the end of May and many updates have been done to the properties.
One side is rented out for $550 and the other is rented for $505.  Quiet neighborhood, shuttle route and listed at only $116,000.
Call today for more information about this fantastic investment opportunity.
… (0 comments)

Drawing Lines - 12:48 AM
I'm at a pivotal point in my career.  For the last few years I've just been so glad to be one of the producing agents in my area that I took just about any job and worked just about any hours.
I am about to start my 6th year.  My kids are growing fast and I expect to have grandkids within the next 5 years.  I think it's time to define my business.  I doubt that I'll ever become an agent that doesn't show in the evenings, as I think I do need to bend to my clients needs when possible.  I … (5 comments)

New Juno Beach Bicycle Shop - J Town Bikes in Jupiter and Juno Beach Florida - 11:18 AM
J-Town Bike shop - Watch for the Grand Opening of the Juno Beach Store in the next few weeks. 
I like to keep up with the local businesses in our area.  And yesterday I was pleased to find that J-Town Bikes had opened a new Bicycle Shop in Juno Beach.
The new shop is located just North of the intersection of A1A and US1 on the South Side of Juno Beach.  For people that know the area it is just to the North of Captain Charlies Reef Grill and the French Connection restaurants.
They already have a good inventory and they are more bikes on the … (3 comments)

Palm Beach Boat Show - March 2007 - Downtown West Palm Beach - 11:48 AM
Palm Beach County 2007 Annual Boat Show
Yesterday we stopped by the boat show to visit with friends and see what is new this year. Unfortunately the sun was not out so the photos are not what we wanted - If the sun comes out today we will go back!
Any way here are some of the photos from the event -
 
 
With hundreds of yachts and boats, fishing gear, electronics, clothing, and almost anything related to the waterfront lifestyle - the Palm Beach Boat show had another great turnout.  We enjoyed the several hours talking with friends and some of the new vendors … (3 comments)

Power Play High Performance Boats - Florida's new Speed Boat Manufacturer - 12:09 PM
While walking around at the 2007 Palm Beach Boat Show - we had the opportunity to meet the new owners of Power Play Boats.  These performance boats had sharp designs looked like they were built with quality as job one.  This new innovative Pompano Beach Boat manufacturer should be a consideration if your are in the market.  They will be at a number of Florida Boat shows and also participating in a number of Poker Run type events. 
There performance boat was one of the most attention getting boats at the show! When we started looking in more detail we liked what we found...
We are going to go … (6 comments)

The New York Times Discovers Northeast Los Angeles - 07:17 AM
New York Times Journalist Lisa Chamberlain recently visited NELA.  Her article published in today's New York Times profiles Northeast Los Angeles
Local residents featured:
Shannon Bedell and Shawn Bishop
Apryl Lundsten and David Spancer
Charles Fisher
Bob Taylor
 
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/realestate/25nati.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin
… (0 comments)

Passionate About Parakeets - 08:51 AM
Northeast Los Angeles is home to several flocks of Wild Parakeets.  That's right, they're Not Parrots, They're Parakeets. 
Whatever the name, they are delightful.  They thrive in the palms and seed-bearing trees of Northeast Los Angeles.  They squawk and squabble and clown around.  They're social and loud and sometimes obnoxious.  What's not to love? 
They have been one of my favorite Photography subjects for the last few years.
Here are a couple of my photo galleries:
http://www.bob-taylor.la/nela-parakeets (from 12-11-2005)
http://www.bob-taylor.la/nela-parakeets11-25-2006/
More about Wild Parakeets from National Geographic
(Those small, colorful birds in the pet shop, are more properly called Budgerigars - or "Budgies".)
… (1 comments)

Why would someone use a new Agent? - 09:32 AM
This is in response to Julie Akyol's post about Past and Current clients. It made me question why someone would use a New Agent vs a Seasoned Agent.
Seasoned Agents have spent a lot of time building up a referral network. They are busy, involved and usually "know their market" because they are working in it daily! Perhaps they have a "database" or a million name SOI to draw from. Does this make a Seasoned Agent better than a New Agent? Not necessarily.
Obiously there are Good and Bad agents no matter what their experience. When I read someone who's only … (249 comments)

:) - 04:38 PM
:) … (0 comments)

Find your passion and excel in life! - 08:32 PM
I don't know if I'm weird or not but did you know I really enjoy paying bills? It gives me a great feeling of accomplishment. Maybe it's because there were times in my life where I couldn't pay the bills. I wanted to, but one ingredient was missing. Money! Didn't have any and didn't know where to find it. I was always a hard worker and very motivated but unfortunately I just couldn't seem to make ends meet no matter how hard I tried. My biggest mistake was, I underestimated myself.
When I was young my family didn't have much money and … (85 comments)

What Sellers Should Know About Real Estate Commissions - 09:54 AM
You want to sell your house and walk away with the most money possible. So what commission rate should you pay?
Let's start with a little background. Up through 2003, almost every listing was at 6%. So, when escrow closed the listing broker and agent earned 3% of the sales price and the buyer's broker and agent earned 3%.
In early 2004, the San Diego real estate market superheated - virtually everything on the market sold quickly and agents had to spend little time and money on a listing. So, the objective became to get the listing at any price.
Agents began taking listing at 5% and offering 2.5% to … (3 comments)

Mothers and Sons - 12:43 PM
My cousin gave this to me after the birth of my two sons, they were born in 1979 and 1981. I have carried this piece of paper in my wallet since then, I've copied it, given it to others and just wanted it close to me. The edges are tattered and worn, the wording almost rubbed off, but I want to share it with those of you that have sons.
"No Greater Love" By Washington Irving
 "There is an enduring tenderness in the love of a mother to a son that ascends all other affections of the heart. It is neither to be … (3 comments)

#1 Cause of Upset Clients - 11:41 PM
I just read a fine post by  Kristal Kraft   regarding the #1 Killer of Real Estate Deals .  It made me think of something I was discussing at a class I was teaching a week or two ago on disclosure obligations in my home state of California, that doing the disclosures upfront averts surprises. And surprises are, without a doubt, the #1 thing that causes anxiety, doubt, fear, and anger. I would say that unpleasant surprises are the things that ultimately ruin real estate relationships!!When we have the sellers as clients, it is customary in my area to do a few things before … (0 comments)

San Jose Duplex - Los Gatos Border! - 11:48 PM
5169-5173 Oxbow Court, San Jose (Cambrian Park)Fabulous duplex, nicely updated and in great cul-de-sac location, on huge lot, just one block from Los Gatos! It is just a few steps to Union Middle School, Alta Vista Elementary School, and to restaurants and shops at nearby Downing Center. Wonderful tenants want to stay. MLS # 714087
5169 Oxbow Court
2 Bedrooms1.5 BathroomsLiving Room with fireplace and view of large side yardSpacious Kitchen with newer Stove/Oven and Microwave, newer Dishwasher and Refrigerator and newer vinyl flooring as wellDining Area in Kitchen with rear yard accessPowder Room (Half Bath) downstairsFull Bath, Jack & Jill style, upstairsBedrooms … (1 comments)

#1 Killer of real estate deals - 01:43 AM
Buyer's remorse is the #1 killer of real estate deals.  It is often an untreatable malady that often has no cure.
How ofter do buyers succumb to remorse you say?  Often, in fact the slower the market the more choices of homes the greater the instance of buyer's remorse.
Decisions are hard to come by when the choices are endless.  Buyers find themselves with too many homes to think about.  Additionally, there is typically more than one person involved in the process of making that decision.  Two people or more tend to talk each other in and out of making a strong … (75 comments)

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