Archives of real estate blog entries for July 26, 2007

Featured blog posts


My First Clients from Activerain just Bought a Kentucky Home - 07:03 AM
WoW!!!!
I'm just amazed at the power of Activerain! I met some wonderful clients,Tom, Peggy & Griffin that researched here on our website and then contacted me. They wanted to relocate to Kentucky from Illinois. It was Tom's dream to own a horse farm or just get as close as they could to that dream. Since Lexington is the Horse Capitol of the World, it's going to get you in the mood to be around horses!
On the second day of our tour they stepped into a fabulous house that backed up to some quaint farmland. The day we took a look, a farmer … (64 comments)

THERE AIN'T NO BUGS ON ME - 08:44 AM
 
 
 
 
      I don't know if this has ever happened to you, but this was a first for me!
    I was showing a home in Merrimack, New Hampshire to a young couple and their two year old son who were relocating to New Hampshire.  We will call their son Kevin.  The Buyers were interested in the home so we were there for a little over a half an hour.  This was the first home on our list.
    Kevin announced that he needed to make a pit stop so we decided to go the the McDonalds that had a play station … (88 comments)

Should Real Estate Sales Prices be Public Information? - 07:55 AM
I just finished writing a post about Florida's "Sunshine Law" which grants public access to all meetings pertaining to anything even remotely governmental. You can read that post here, at Florida's Government and the Sunshine Law.
While I was writing that post, my mental wheels were turning about related real estate issues (of course).  And I accidentally ran across some information that addressed the fact that real estate sales prices are not public information in all states. Well consider me floored. I never knew that. Since Florida gives everyone access to everybody else's business, and I've only sold real estate in the … (55 comments)

The Power of the Note! - 11:12 PM
I had a client about a year ago that needed to get her home sold.  To say the least it was not an easy sale.  Lots of damage to the house and the parts that where fixed where not so attractive.  The day before closing she had 2 broken down cars towed to the property.  She said she just had to buy them over the weekend.  But she was moving the next day and had no where to store them.  Somehow she thought that the seller would let her store them at the property for a couple of weeks.  It is amazing how … (32 comments)

Active Rain Friendships - How Great to be Here! - 07:50 PM
I just returned from a GREAT vacation in the mountains of western North Carolina.  My family has had a cottage in the mountains there for several generations, my sisters and I will be the fourth generation in our family to be part of this "home sweet cottage". 
The little town of Mountain Home, NC is home to our special little cottage.  Mountain Home is nestled between the towns of Hendersonville and Asheville. 
What a beautiful area that is - lots of gorgeous towns that began as second home areas to those wanting an escape from the heat of Florida and other hot … (62 comments)

This Post is Not About Cars - 02:32 AM
For ten years in Ann Arbor, MI, I drove a mini van,  I hauled around my five kids to every sport imaginable. It was great to have all that extra space and be able to travel comfortably to visit the grandma's and grandpa's.
But, the kids grew up and I went into Real Estate and I wanted something a little more, shall we say professional to drive my clients around in and after ten years I was ready for a change.
I thought I wanted a Lincoln LX, it was a sedan and so I set up an appointment to drive one … (78 comments)

Showing Scheduling and Feedback Service - 03:27 PM
I just learned about a new service for scheduling showings and obtaining feedback from those showings and wanted to share the information.
 
The point in this post is two-fold:
I have NOT used this service and at this time am not either recommending it or not, but I am simply passing on the information. The service is being used successfully in a number of other geographies (but it is new here on the west coast).I thought it would be useful to get feedback from those of you using either this service or a similar one (pros and cons) - I certainly have some … (73 comments)

Public Image - 07:02 PM
How is your Public Image/Behavior?  Do you think about how you act in public and who might be watching you?  
 ALL of the Public are Potential Clients - it is important to uphold your Public Image.  You wouldn't believe how many people know who YOU are, even if you have no clue who is around you.  This is especially true if you have your picture on your marketing.  Big Brother is out there... watching and listening to how you conduct yourself.
I felt this would be a good topic after so many of the celebrities have made the news for their so-called "bad … (24 comments)

Where's Donald Trump When I Need Him? - 07:13 PM
Have you ever "fired" a seller?  Well, I'm about ready... 
I took a listing back in March that didn't become active until April so the sellers could get it "fixed up."  The "sellers" don't actually live in the house but have supposedly made it "clear to the occupants" that the work needs to be completed ASAP as the house is being S*O*L*D.  We lead the occupants to believe the house was "on the market" immediately and the sign went up 2 days later. 
The sellers promised to have it "READY" as well as "SHOW READY"  so I took the listing.  NOW...it's been "active" for 106 days.  We've had "0" … (51 comments)

Are you a 24 7 agent? - 07:50 AM
1.  Do you go running for your phone every time it rings-- even if it's 9:00 on Saturday night?  How about 9:00 Sunday morning? 
Or even better, is your phone right there next to you at all times?    
      Do you take it to dinner with you? 
      Into the doctor's office?                                                     
      Into your child's swim practice, field trip or production?                 
       Family get-together?
2.  How many times per day do you check your email?
3.  Do you access your email via phone?
4.  Do you find yourself doing CMA's and property searches half the night?
5.  Have you vowed to take one full day off a … (82 comments)

Is this guy a PROFESSIONAL? I think not! - 06:53 PM
                         Well..... maybe not in the traditional sense of the word.
                           
The first time I met my friend Dwight here, I promptly called his broker (I didn't know, but it was his MOM!) and gave her an earful about how unprofessional he was.
Not being a Realtor myself at the time, I of course had all sorts of preconceived notions about how a Realtor should conduct oneself.
                    (Hang in with me...  this story has a VERY powerful message.)
I was a young mom, and had a precious day off work.  My son was 5, my daughter was 6 months.  Relishing my time, … (72 comments)


Blog posts


This Weekend in Seattle - 12:02 PM
Let's have a Parade
With the annual summer long Seafair celebrations under full swing, Seattle's largest parade will wind through downtown on Saturday, July 28th.  The 58th Annual Torchlight Parade starts at 7:30 PM from the Seattle Center and heads south on 4th Avenue to Qwest Field.
Feed YOUR Inner Viking
Ballard hosts the SeafoodFest this weekend as part of the Seafair festivities.  There'll be plenty of food and entertainment.  Captains Larry Hendricks and Sig Hansen from the Deadliest Catch will be on hand.
Saturday 11 am to 8 pm
Sunday 11 am to 7 pm 
… (0 comments)

THERE AIN'T NO BUGS ON ME - 08:44 AM
 
 
 
 
      I don't know if this has ever happened to you, but this was a first for me!
    I was showing a home in Merrimack, New Hampshire to a young couple and their two year old son who were relocating to New Hampshire.  We will call their son Kevin.  The Buyers were interested in the home so we were there for a little over a half an hour.  This was the first home on our list.
    Kevin announced that he needed to make a pit stop so we decided to go the the McDonalds that had a play station … (88 comments)

Listing Marketing + Transaction Management--Combined - 02:19 AM
As a response to current market conditions, earlier this year we launched our Listing Marketing package.
This package enables you to generate buyers while maximizing your online/community exposure for your listings—keeping your sellers happy!
Now you can add all listing marketing tasks to your transaction management task list and have your coordinator handle all marketing as well as all of the administrative details of the file once there is an offer. Read more about our Online Transaction Coordination.
We will coordinate your purchase deals too at a lower rate!
How does this 2-in-1 service help you?
You don’t pay … (1 comments)

Real Estate Transaction Management--Include On HUD - 02:30 AM
Did you know you can put transaction management services on the HUD as a cost of doing business and pass a % or the whole amount onto your client as part of processing the transaction?  Then the virtual assistant just invoices the title company at closing instead of the agent.
Learn more about Real Estate Transaction Management
… (7 comments)

Centerra Has A New Retailer - 01:48 AM
The Marketplace at Centerra will soon be home to Maurice's Fashions. Maurice's neighbor to the west, Pay Less Shoes opened earlier this month. The official grand opening for Maurice's is set for Friday, July 27th. The Marketplace at Centerra is home to many great retailers and restaurants including Target, Old Navy, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Mimi's Cafe, OLd Chicago, Chili's and many more.
… (0 comments)

It's REDFIN again.....OK - 01:44 PM
I was asked about the fee for service company on a board where I post. I thought I would share my answer in my blog.
I posted the following:
This is from their website:
"Our Limits We are primarily an online service, so we are not for everyone. In competitive situations, we present offers in person, and visit the property for inspections and appraisals, but otherwise our agents work from our offices. Contractors typically access the property during an inspection or after closing. We meet with clients in our offices, but primarily work with you via e-mail, facsimile and telephone."
I think the statement sums … (3 comments)

How long Foreclosures take in your State - 09:54 PM
 
Our State says 7 months..but it is more like 10 to 12 months.  I'm thinking the longer time is taking the 90 days of preforeclosure into consideration.  Wow..those poor people in Alabama only have 30 days!
… (11 comments)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - 06:27 AM
I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Tuesday morning.  Wow.  The book lives up to all the excitement and anticipation.   It is an excellent story.
Harry is on a Heroic Quest to destroy some objects of Dark Magic before Voldemort can recover them.
There are glimpses of Arthurian legend and archetypal symbols.  There are great battles and great sacrifices.  And some characters do die, more than 2, in fact.
The Potter series can stand with the classics.  Good job, Ms. Rowling.
… (8 comments)

VFlyer Convert - 08:51 PM
As you might remember, a few months ago, I played around with using AlaMode's ListingXpress as a "listing-content managment system" on our web site:  http://www.bob-taylor.com/index-listingexpress.htm
It wasn't bad, but I didn't like the load time, and I didn't like the large toolbar at the top, and I couldn't figure out a way to hide it.
So I tried Vflyer instead.  Take a look at http://www.bob-taylor.com/ now, and compare.  Yep, that's what I wanted.
The tool used:  An Inline Frame ("IFrame")  http://activerain.com/blogsview/114881/I-Frame-You-Frame  Aaron of Vflyer very graciously removed the pagination feature for me, so all the listings display in one continous list.
Five stars, and thumbs up for … (9 comments)

Are You SELLING Your Home, Or Is It Just "For Sale"? - 08:54 AM
If your home is listed with an agent, you need to be asking yourself this question.  Am I SELLING my home, or is my home just "For Sale"?
Let me first explain to you the difference between the two so that you can better answer that question.
Someone that is SELLING their home, has a home that is always clean & has been depersonalized and de-cluttered, the lawn is always maintained, the home can be shown at a moment's notice, you leave during all showings and there is a lock box on the door for agent access.
A person that has a home For Sale has … (12 comments)

Hello! New Set of Questions - 04:36 PM
Now that I have started to push up to page one  
 I need to know how to add/change the following Robots and Author Tags (yes I know they are optional, but I want to have access to this. Can I add Google Analytics to my site and if so how?In the dynamic side section of my post it will not accept Google Adsense.  Is there a trick I am missing?  It keeps stripping it away. ps...  several major kewords -- my site is now ranking on page 1.  It is possible, a lot of work, but possible...
Thanks!Colleen
 
… (1 comments)

Project Blogger Voting: Vote for CARE! - 06:25 PM
As it has been said several times, in many ways, everyone who's participated in Project Blogger is "a winner". We've all learned a ton, made friends here, and grown as people and as bloggers. My Live in Los Gatos Blog is vastly improved over where it was on April 1st of this year. It's been tough for us and also for the people who have been running it. In another week, it really will be over because then the official by-the-books winner will be announced at Blogger's Connect in San Francisco. Frances Flynn Thorsen and I have been in the lead to date, … (4 comments)

Make a Note RE: Permits - 06:59 AM
… (0 comments)

Defending your mailbox - 10:09 PM
Not talking about your email mailbox. This is the real deal. What should you do when you catch some moron attacking your mailbox in a "Mailbox Baseball" style attack? Well, if your this guy, you head on out with a baseball bat of your own and hit the morons on their noggins.
The downside, is that in this case, it looks like the victim in this case is supposed to just stand by and watch carefully as these folks walk away so that they will be good witnesses when the cops finally show up. But, since he did not do that, he … (0 comments)

THE HIGH C PERSONALITY - 06:04 PM
My most difficult client to work with and understand has always been the High C.  Since I am the complete oposite it was hard for me to "read" this customer until I spent the time to understand them better.  The information on the C personalities has made mr thousands of dolllars this year and hopefully it can do the same for you.
The High C are the analytical problem solvers of the world, whose attention to detail and task-oriented approach will keep things  running smoothly and accurately.General CharacteristicsHigh C personalities are described as compulsively meticulous (i.e., anal). They are diligent in making sure they … (5 comments)

Active Rain Friendships - How Great to be Here! - 07:50 PM
I just returned from a GREAT vacation in the mountains of western North Carolina.  My family has had a cottage in the mountains there for several generations, my sisters and I will be the fourth generation in our family to be part of this "home sweet cottage". 
The little town of Mountain Home, NC is home to our special little cottage.  Mountain Home is nestled between the towns of Hendersonville and Asheville. 
What a beautiful area that is - lots of gorgeous towns that began as second home areas to those wanting an escape from the heat of Florida and other hot … (62 comments)

Looking for floor plans in Rio Rancho, NM - 10:17 PM
Does anyone out there have floor plans from the original models of AMREP homes built in the 1960's and 70's? I have the Whitney but there are several other common ones especially in the Vista Hill, Western Hills, Cedar Hills and Star Heights areas.
I tried going to AMREP and they claim they are in a warehouse somewhere on microfiche and no one is exactly sure where. I am going to keep asking different people there but I was thinking that this might be a good place to ask. Many of these homes have not been remodeled much so the plans would actually … (4 comments)

A Room of One's Own--Small house living - 11:14 PM
 I was musing the other day about small space living. A friend who lived i a 25 foot fifth wheel trailer for a couple of years pointed out that it really felt like he had much more space because he spent so much time outdoors. Another small house (650 square feet) dweller said that just having a 36 inch tall bookcase as a divider behind the desk and chair at one end of the living space was enough give him the sense of having a separate office  space of his own, even when the rest of the family was in the room with him.
We are used … (4 comments)

First Time Sellers - 03:11 PM
We've all had clients that were 1st Time Buyers, but what about 1st Time Sellers?
I had a previous cleint call me the other day because they liked the way I walked them through their First Time Home Buying process.
Now a few years later they are making plans to put their first home on the market and just didn't understand how they could buy another home of their dreams when they had their current home.
I took a little time to explain the process to them and they really appreciated it and totally understood the process by the time we finished.
Obviously being a 1st … (2 comments)

Lead Generation and Liars - 06:09 AM
    I do not pay for lead generation and never will. I feel that my marketing money is better spent promoting myself and my services rather than promoting a third party and allowing them to pass on to me whatever they can generate in my area.
  That said I received an interesting email from a lead generation company that promises costs that occur at closing.
"If I had a way to drive motivated customers to you with costs that occurred when you actually closed a transaction, would that interest you?"
  So far the program sounds interesting so they have a good hook … (57 comments)

Related links

New Members for 2007-07-26

 Archives:

31 Jul
30 Jul
29 Jul
28 Jul
27 Jul
26 Jul
25 Jul
24 Jul
23 Jul
22 Jul
21 Jul
20 Jul
19 Jul
18 Jul
17 Jul
16 Jul
15 Jul
14 Jul
13 Jul
12 Jul
11 Jul
10 Jul
9 Jul
8 Jul
7 Jul
6 Jul
5 Jul
4 Jul
3 Jul
2 Jul
1 Jul
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006