Archives of real estate blog entries for July 25, 2007

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LoW BaLL, aFtER LoW bAll, AfTeR LoW BaLl… - 08:01 PM
I realize WE ARE IN A BUYERS MARKET! How can you not. But let's get a bit more serious with our offers here people!
Now I do appreciate the fact that more of my listings are being shown and activity seems to be increasing here in the Treasure Valley of Idaho. I hope all of you are or will soon be experiencing the same.
But enough already with the ridiculous low ball offers.
As primarily a listing agent I strive to make sure that the listing price falls well in line with the comps (solds) for the area. I also take … (83 comments)

Calling all Contract Lovers - 01:34 AM
From the start, let me warn you that I am writing about one of my pet peeves.  My hope here is not to offend, but to bring to light certain responsibilities that we as real estate agents have when it comes to representing our clients.
I was reading Tisza's post about two agents (both co-listed a property) who made a very costly mistake - a $17,000 mistake.  Their mistake was not reading the contract fully and carefully prior to presenting it to their clients for acceptance.  They, unfortunately, missed a line or two where the buyer was asking the seller to pay … (84 comments)

More on the referral exchange - 07:01 PM
Yesterday we launched a major new piece to ActiveRain that we've had in planning for quite a while.  The Referral Exchange provides and hub to assist members in the process of referring business to one another. 
                      
I hear all the time from members that ActiveRain already provides one of the best places around to make and pick up referrals because of the large number of active agents here.  But sometimes this process can be a little time consuming for the person trying to place a referral so we thought;  Why not provide them a place to post the referral and let … (58 comments)

Decisions, Decisions ... - 10:24 AM
If you have decisions to make, go somewhere beautiful.  Trust me on this.  If something is weighing heavy on your mind, take yourself somewhere you love, look at whatever it is that gives you peace, and THEN think it all over.  It helps, it really does.  (And don’t forget to ask your friends for their opinions, they’ll see things from another angle.)
I realized some things in the past few days.  I guess nothing I came up with was new, I just needed to be reminded.
First, my husband is crazy about me.  After 16 years, who would have known?  Get … (76 comments)

You can't help everyone... Because, not EVERYONE wants to be helped! - 01:45 AM
True story:  (1997) I was referred to a couple wanting to sell their home by a friend of mine that was selling new homes at the time.  They wanted to price it OVER market, to give them room to negotiate don't you know?  I refused, they agreed to my price & hired me.  We sold their home in a reasonable amount of time & they bought a new home from me.
A few years goes by, they decide they don't like the new community they purchased.  They wanted to list it & price it OVER market, to give them room to neogitate don't you know?  I … (66 comments)


Blog posts


More on the referral exchange - 07:01 PM
Yesterday we launched a major new piece to ActiveRain that we've had in planning for quite a while.  The Referral Exchange provides and hub to assist members in the process of referring business to one another. 
                      
I hear all the time from members that ActiveRain already provides one of the best places around to make and pick up referrals because of the large number of active agents here.  But sometimes this process can be a little time consuming for the person trying to place a referral so we thought;  Why not provide them a place to post the referral and let … (58 comments)

test - 02:12 PM
Opening Disclaimer
I want to make it clear that I am offering things up as I see them. These are my opinions as a somewhat educated observer. I am not saying I'm better by any means. An extra pair of eyes on anybody's work, can offer up information that perhaps was once not fully considered. I myself and guilty of a lot of errors, and there's a lot of room for improvement in what I do. While blogging is not about being perfect, continuous improvement through constructive feedback can help everyone be more successful. I hope that my criticisms are seen … (0 comments)

NoCoHub Will Soon Connect Crossroads, Centerra & 2534. - 01:22 AM
The nocoHUB is growing and the ability to get from here to there will soon be a lot less challenging. The long wait will soon be over as 2534 & Centerra will be connecting to Crossroads Blvd. Shoppers will soon have easier access to the Promenade Shops & 2534 (not to mention the future Grand Station development).  Eagle Crossing appears to be moving forward as the widening of Crossroads Blvd is in full swing.
Crossroads Blvd connecting Centerra Blvd
Crossroads Blvd street widening.
The Promenade Shops  & 2534 will be an easier commute for those coming from the north.
 
… (1 comments)

1001 N Cottonwood Dr, Richardson TX 75080 - 09:10 AM
                                    
This is a FABULOUS House in the popular area of Richardson Heights in Richardson, TX.  It feeds into the award winning Richardson School District including Arapaho Elementary School, Richardson West Junior High Magnet School, and Richardson High School.  This 3/2/2 with 2 Living Areas can be yours for ONLY $146,500.
CLICK HERE for the Visual Tour!
  
The Front Living area has fresh paint and newer wood lamanate floors with a tile entry.  The front window brings in quite a bit of light.  You can also see in the second picture how it leads right back to the back area of the … (10 comments)

Part 2- ReNegotiating an Executed Listing Agreement - 01:41 PM
Last week, I blogged about a situation I had where one of my sellers decided he wanted to try to renegotiate an executed listing agreement that is already in place.  His main point was that he was now taking a loss on his investment and I needed to take a loss as well.  My point to him was that he's the investor and when you invest in real estate, you take the risks.  He risked losing money.  I did not invest in this real estate, so why should I take a loss?  He gets a tax write off for his loss, … (27 comments)

Traffic Conditions for August 27th in Brazos Valley....AWFUL!!! - 02:01 PM
After one of the longest summers in recent Brazos Valley history the new school year is only a little more than a month away.  Both Bryan and College Station ISD's, as well as most of the private schools, begin their school year August 27th.  In past years school typically began around mid August with more breaks during the year.  Plan on the kids hitting the books hot and heavy this year, with a more intense and crammed in schedule for the school year.
To make things even more intense this year Texas A&M University as well as Blinn College open their semester on … (12 comments)

The Real Estate Industry Does Not Understand Real Estate Blogs - 01:59 PM
The Real Estate Industry Does Not Understand Real Estate BlogsBy Teresa BoardmanOur industry is made up of over a million Realtors and some other people too.  When it comes to blogs our role models and industry experts seem to be a collection of technology and media companies that are some what removed from the business of buying and selling real estate.  They understand how blogs work and even have awards for innovative blogs like the Tomato.Even though this tomato blog is not a real estate blog it is considered an industry leader.  I would agree, mainly because Jim is one of the … (1 comments)

Funny Signs - 08:44 PM
Spotted in a toilet in a Chicago office:  TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW 
In a Laundromat:  AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT
In an office:  WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK   OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN
In an office: AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON   THE DRAINING BOARD
Outside a secondhand shop: WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING   YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?    
Notice in health food shop window: CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS 
Spotted in … (31 comments)

Photoshop Elements: Drawing on Photos - 08:46 AM
ARDELL asked about this a few days ago and got some excellent responses in the comments. 
Although, my favorite tool for Drawing on Photos is Snag-It (yes, it does more than screen captures), here is how to do it in Photoshop Elements 5:
Open your image.
Click on the Elliptical Marquee tool.  If the Ellipitcal tool isn't visible, right click on the Rectangular Marquee, and you'll see it in the "fly-out" list.
Click and drag to draw a circle (or oval) somewhere on the image.  Not quite the right place?  Hit Escape and do it again.
Hit Select -> Modify -> Border
 In the Border Selection dialogue box, … (18 comments)

This Is My 100th Post Here On ActiveRain!!! - 10:18 AM
Well, I've finally made it to post #100!  It didn't really take me long to get here either...I think less than 3 months since I've done the majority of my posting since I came back here in May!  I tend to be someone that always has something to write about so I don't usually have any problems finding things to blog about.  In fact, I have a huge list of things I have been meaning to blog about, but have yet to do.  Many of the posts are for Localism that I just haven't gotten around to writing yet!  If only … (22 comments)

Celebration Florida | Celebration Golf Course - 08:16 AM
… (2 comments)

Celebration Florida | Carlyle Residences - 08:23 AM
… (2 comments)

Orlando Florida | Home for Sale | Dr. Phillips - 08:55 AM
Room to Grow! 
                                  
This home features:
Spacious 5 bedroom 2.5 bath home.Enjoy the warmth of a double wood burning fireplace in the family room/office5 bedrooms 2 car garage inside utility room with a half bathOffice (that could be used as a 6th bedroom)The master suite is spacious yet intimate  
               
This home has over 2200 sq feet, is concrete block, has slab foundation and shingle roof.  The lot is approximately 105 X 128, with low taxes currenly only $2,720.00 and there is an "optional" hoa fee of $100 yearly.  The large fenced in back yard has a beautiful in ground pool for casual poolside … (2 comments)

Orlando Florida Communities | Hot Air Balloons over Davenport Florida! - 10:47 AM
 
The Great American Hot Air Balloon Ride ~ Good Morning Davenport!
A good friend woke me very early this morning with a phone call.  While on the phone I heard this strange noise in my backyard... 
Open up the shades and there were two Hot Air Balloons flying rather low in my backyard!  Never one to miss an opportunity to feature something on my BLOG, I run grab my camera and take a bunch of photos.  Only after I sit down to look at my photos do I realize I was waving to the people in the balloon in my nightgown, hair not … (14 comments)

Local vs. National Housing Reports - 01:04 PM
Well, once again, the morning news (GMA) is ruining my morning coffee by pouring gasoline on a pile of burning tires: sensationalizing, in very general terms, the "struggling" housing market.
Yes, the housing market is in a "slump" - nationally.  Do they take the time to say "check with an agent in your market area for specific data?"  Come on, that would cut ten seconds out of their advertiser's time.  So, to satisfy the statistician that lurks within, and as a sweetener to my high octane home ground and brewed Starbucks (the check better be in the mail for the plug...) I decided to take a peek at … (3 comments)

All Those Questions About Marion County Taxes? - 02:01 PM
If you live in the Central Indiana Area, specifically Marion County - Indianapolis, IN than you've probably heard all the turmiol over the recent property tax bills.  Paula Henry wrote a post Property Taxes in Indianapolis~A Solution and another Lockerbie Square For Sale in Indianapolis regarding the problems and reactions to the recent increases.
Well as many of you've heard, we are to pay the 2006 semi-tax amount.  But what is that amount and will we receive a new tax bill?  Well there's a few ways to get the 2006 tax amount if you are unable to find last year's bill. One way … (4 comments)

Short Sales - 07:06 PM
Why do so many sellers think all they have to do is tell their agent their home is a short sale and do nothing else?  I get several calls a day saying exactly that and when I ask if they've contacted the lender and received their confirmation of a short sale, they give me the lender's name and phone number!  What's up with that? … (4 comments)

Did you know? 15 random thoughts from Broker Bryant. - 03:07 PM
 
Hi folks. Today I want to do something a little different. The title of this post says it all "Did you know?". These are random observations from me, Broker Bryant, that I hope will make you smarter, or at a minimum, make you think. Please feel free to add to the list in the comments. And by all means, correct me if I'm wrong.
Did you know, that if you use Real Estate Shows, you can Google your listing by house number, street name and zip code and your listing will show up in the #1 position and may even have a … (86 comments)

Austin Stats for June Released - 03:04 AM

So the stats for June were released today. Central Austin real estate is doing much better than the suburbs. While their are more houses in the greater Austin area on the market than last year if we look in central Austin their are less houses on the market. Here is a breakdown of the central Austin MLS areas.

Ki Gray is a realtor in the Austin Texas Real Estate. His webpage has a description of the different Austin Condos going up in downtown. … (0 comments)

Mind block - 02:26 PM
I have been trying to think of some topics to blog about but right now it seems that writers block is all I keep getting. Hopefully I haven't exhausted all my brain power in the early stages of blogging and have nothing else to say, please say it isn't so.
As a way to help me I am just writing this one completely off the cuff in hopes to spark a thought or an idea where the creativity and topical information flows the Nile. The mental block could be caused by the fact that I am writing a lot more than in … (6 comments)

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