Archives of real estate blog entries for August 22, 2007

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A Letter to the Banks from Sacramento California - 12:19 AM
The streets are full of your irresponsible lending practices. When checking the MLS this evening and  pulling up homes built from 2004 till now in just Sacramento County, there were 182 homes listed as short sales. This figure doesn't account for those homes that have already been repossessed and are now owned by the Bank, nor does it account for the homes that you have sold when hiring an auction company. The figure only accounts for today's actively listed houses that are new and in short sale.
The families that bought these homes bought them in good faith, thinking that they had a … (45 comments)

COURT SAYS MLS IS A FORUM FOR REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS - 06:53 AM
MUST READ - MLS IS for BROKERS TO SHARE INFORMATION - IT IS NOT PUBLIC INFORMATION[Decision]
Filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals, Florida June 21, 2007Appeals from the United States District Courtfor the Southern District of FloridaBUC Int�l Corp. v. Int�l Yacht Council Ltd. "The vessel listings in the BUCNET database were not available to the public; only BUCNET licensees had access to these compilations. BUCNET was thus a broker-to-broker multiple listing service6 (�MLS�), as opposed to a primarily retail-based website available to the public at large."~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Footnotes to the Decision~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~5 In pertinent part, the �BUC Marine Sales and Charter Management SystemMembership … (34 comments)

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH THE REAL ESTATE MARKET? VIEWS OF A CONTRARIAN - 08:36 PM
WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH THE MORTGAGE MARKET?  From what I see, NOTHING.  FHA, Conventional Conforming and VA loans are still being approved at about the same rate as before the Sub-Prime meltdown.  THE TROUBLE STARTS WITH REAL ESTATE AGENTSReal estate practitioners are often not sufficiently familiar with qualifying borrowers.  It's become routine to simply refer a buyer to a mortgage loan officer.  But, do you really know what was discussed?  Do you really know how that buyer was qualified??  Of course, many real estate agents and brokers are well experienced in evaluating a buyer's ability to get financing.  BUT, many are … (68 comments)

Website Content - How To Please Your Visitors *PART 1* - 04:42 PM
Website Content - How To Please Your Visitors!
      In the next two blog posts, I will lay out a ton of information on Website Content.  Most of you who have template websites have the information/content on your site that was provided by the website provider.  If you have a custom website nine chances out of ten your content is original or at least somewhat original (your web designer may have used some content on other pages)  but you should have at least some content original to your site.  I'm going to lay out what website content is, what to provide on … (47 comments)

OK, How About a Positive Look at the Real Estate Market - 03:07 PM
When I was growing up my Mother taught me many things, among them being that "Nothing happens without a reason" and " Look at things as a LESSON or a BLESSING".  These comments usually came after a disappointment or all out tragedy.  She would then tell me a story about her life and how she managed to pull victory out of the jaws of defeat.  I Miss My Mom.
Looking at the state of today's Real Estate Market and the doom and gloom surrounding the lending industry and economy I decided to take stock of the situation, focus on the positives and … (36 comments)

Winners of the ActiveRain "Carnival of Content" Round 3 for Staging Professionals - 11:50 AM
This past week's "Carnival of Content" contest for Staging Professionals attracted some really excellent entries from among our Stager members. All of the judges commented on the high quality of writing from our contestants and how challenging it was to select the Top 3 winners.
Before we announce the Round 3 Winners, let's briefly recap the rationale behind the Carnival of Content contests:
Mission Statement:   The ActiveRain "Carnival of Content" is a monthly contest to challenge, encourage and foster better and improved quality writing from among our membership.
This contest will accomplish several goals:
provides greater quality articles of enhanced value for Localism/Consumers challenges and fosters individual improvement in blog writing  provides excellent examples of … (30 comments)

So you want to hear feedback from your showings? - 07:22 AM
Here is a novel thought......agent feedback from the showing of your property.
I hear more agents complain that they can not get feedback from showings generated by their listings.  Why does an agent not offer feedback?  Here are some of the reasons...not in order of importance and some of them should be shot for even saying them!  (My humble opinion)
Let the agent do their own comps on the property!  If they don't know how to price it let them figure it out or get out of the business.  I heard that from a very seasoned associate broker....who needs an enemy with someone … (90 comments)

The Silliest Realtor Game In Town - 04:42 PM
With the inventory of homes for sale increasing in many areas of the country a high number of Realtors and consumers are constantly looking at new ideas to compete with the competition of homes that are out there.
One of my recent buyers asked me to investigate a new town home she was very interested in.  I gave her a consumer MLS printout of the property and she was curious why the listing said "20" DOM or Days on the Market.   She went on to tell me that she was sure she had seen that very town home for sale a year … (105 comments)

PLEASE DO WHATEVER YOU DO TO GET OUR HOUSE SOLD! - 01:05 PM
These words are music to my ears. But let me start from the beginning which might take a little convincing.
As I mentioned, I recently returned from a much needed Carribean cruise. While it is always hard to not think about work, I guess we as professionals are always speaking about our work. Such was the case at dinner one evening.
While friends of mine for many years, I guess they just did not think their house was in need of staging. So the discussion went. Here is the scenario. I have friends who recently moved to SC and prior to moving they … (26 comments)

I Sold My Home From Active Rain | Active Rain Sells Atlanta Homes | Active Rain Home Sales - 01:52 PM
We just sold our home in Atlanta from our Atlanta Real Estate Blog on Active Rain.  An Atlanta home buyer found our listing on the Internet within 2 days of writing a Blog on our own home for sale in Alpharetta, and made an appointment to see the home.
I originally designed the Blog as a real estate flyer in www.Postlets.com and then published it on our Atlanta real estate Blog on Active Rain.  Within 2 days we had an appointment from a buyer that made an appointment to see our home.  They viewed our own home, and at the end of the 2 … (72 comments)

Mortgage Market - The Panic of 2007... EXPLAINED! - 02:50 PM
I was just forwarded this article by my financial adviser.  At first I was hesitant to open.  Much of what they send out is canned and just a CYA thing.  However, this link proved to be dramatically different.  It is not only insightful, but (believe it or not) gives a nice basic introduction to some of the things going on.  While it gives you enough acronyms to choke on, it also tries to explain and categorize them.  Not sure if I've been reading this stuff too much, but this seems to clearly walk you through many of the technical aspects of … (18 comments)

Two Posts You Have to READ ! - 06:49 AM
There are TWO posts that I recommend you read if you read nothing else on Activerain.
Several months ago I had to stop checking the box, To Receive Comments, because I could NOT handle all the emails from the comment section.  Now I just stop back in from my home page to see if anyone responded to my comments. We all want to be recognized and so I have found that this very effective. Sometimes I want to continue the dialog and sometimes it is Friday night fun. These 2 posts, I never unchecked my box.
The first post I would encourage everyone to … (85 comments)

Sellers should answer this question...Do you want to own your home or do you want to sell your home? - 07:15 AM
Sellers are burying themselves...do they have a big enough shovel to dig themselves out? 
           
I have been selling Real Estate in South Florida for quite some time. I have seen a few changes in the market since I moved here in 1999.
Before that I was a Real Estate broker in N.Y. and at that time most properties were sold at a reasonable market price and there didn't seem to be many problems with appraisals and there wasn't a high volume of inventory.
Most properties were on the market an average of 45-90 days which seemed to be normal back in the mid … (71 comments)

HOME STAGING & SELLING – EXPLORING SHANGRI-LA EXPECTATIONS - 11:51 AM

What is your favorite moment when you arrive at a destination for vacation?  Is it the calm and refreshing feeling of being welcomed into the thoughtfully-appointed hotel lobby? Surrounded by warm colors and manicured greenery, are you lured into relaxing?  Possibly it is the mere inhalation of the sweet-smelling air from a clean room? Perhaps it is the attention to details which you casually note. Somehow, you felt embraced by the overall wonderful feelings of your first impressions and you relaxed into your own private Shangri-La.
Isn't this how we all want to happily relax after our day is completed? 
Each one … (50 comments)

A Life Raft for Sellers in This Shallow Pool of Buyers - 11:51 AM
Last week I was invited to visit a wonderful woman named Deanne at her mother's home in Dover, New Hampshire for a home staging consultation. Her Mom had died fairly quickly from an aggressive brain tumor, and it had only been a week since the funeral. Deanne was raw with sadness and understandably nervous about the job of selling this home. Soon she would fly back to her home in the Midwest, and finish the selling process from miles away. She was open to discussing a detailed plan that will help the house to sell faster. And she was smart to … (128 comments)

But I'm representing the transaction. NOT!!! - 08:26 AM
I have heard that so many times, I thought I best try and clarify, what being a "Transaction Broker" means. In Florida all Realtors are presumed to be "Transaction Brokers" unless disclosed differently. Personally, I think this was a great change in how we as Realtors are able to "represent" our customers. There I said it "represent our customers." Yes, folks "Transaction Brokerage" IS a type of representation.
This seems to be the biggest misunderstanding amongst Realtors and the general public alike. Let me repeat it again, so all Florida Realtors that are reading this post will get it, "Transaction Brokerage" is … (46 comments)

What The Heck Is A Reverse Mortgage? - Part 1 of Reverse Mortgages - 12:05 AM
I don't do Reverse Mortgages, however I do get a lot of questions regarding them. While not a Reverse Mortgage specialist, I have studied and learned a lot about them over the years. Hopefully this series will prove to be both helpful and informative. It is based on the most common questions my clients have asked over the years.
What Is a Reverse Mortgage?
It's for:
Individuals age 62 or older.Own the home they live in (property in which reverse mortgage will be attached). Owe either a minimal amount on their mortgage balance (or) Own it free and clear. For homeowners fitting this criteria, a reverse mortgage program can be a powerful … (17 comments)

Beware the Short Sale - A Victims Story - 04:17 PM
A few weeks ago Bill Roberts of Oceanside created a post on Short Sales.  I posted this story in response to his blog and he encouraged me to create my own post on this issue.  Because of the personal nature of it I've resisted.  I just read an agents blog on short sales where she was offering advise on presenting short sale offers to banks.  It struck a cord and I knew that now is the time to post this.
If you are an agent who is looking at Short Sales as an opportunity to build your business, please  read this story and develop your … (41 comments)

For those with Writer's Block -- September BLOG Ideas - 03:30 PM

Now that you have taken the Laurie Manny Challenge, time to use some of it! 
How about finding some things to write about in your community?  Drawing a blank?  Well here are some ideas to get your started at September Writing Ideas. (opens in a seperate window)
Happy writing!  Don't forget the Laurie Manny Challenge when you find that you are at a loss as to what to write...   A little exploration might just bring you back to write some great posts!
 
                                                    
… (34 comments)


Blog posts


Good clients make it all worthwhile. - 01:11 AM
What makes a "good" client?
The simple answer is one who appreciates what I do. But there's more to it.
I'm currently working with a seller who has done a superb job in preparing the home for sale. This good client made my job so much easier. I'm closing on a listing with a client who reduced the price when I presented the data that supported a price reduction. This good client trusted my advice. After considering to make an offer on a home I enumerated several reasons why making an offer was not a good idea. I suggested to … (5 comments)

Buy a Home With Zero Cash - 05:50 PM
Buy a Home With Zero Cash
                                                                                                        
The Zero Cash Down payment program offers you a way to buy a home with no down payment. That's right zero down payment. You may have owned a home before and are presently renting, or are a first time home buyer and need a way to break into the housing market but held back because you thought you required a substantial down payment. Or you may be in the position where you do not want to liquidate your financial assets to use as a down payment on a home. Regardless of your present situation, you want … (0 comments)

No Shame Here - I'm looking for Agents to Join us! - 08:18 PM
There are lots of ways to do this that are much more subtle, soft-sell and time-consuming, but I have always felt honesty is the best policy, so here it is...
I'm looking for agents who want to take their business to the next level but find themselves stuck or unsure how to do it.  I'm looking for agents who are open to looking at an alternative.  The alternative I'm talking about is Keller Williams Realty.
Now I know what the rumors are; the pyramid scheme or Amway mentality, high fees, the corporate kool-aid and teams.  All I can say is I've worked with … (12 comments)

Question about posting- HELP! - 03:41 PM
If this is a dumb question...sorry in advance. 
I am having difficulty posting to Localism.  Can someone give me the steps involved?  Also, if I want something posted to both Localism AND AR do I have to copy my blog entry and post it twice?
(I have tried to "search" for this info but can't seem to find it)
Thanks all for any help you can give me!
… (6 comments)

What is Happening in the World Economic Arena? - 11:55 AM
What is Happening in the World Economic Arena?by John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTOR®Hemet CA REAL ESTATERecently I had been involved in a debate here on ActiveRain about a REALTORS® role in the financing process when a buyer wants to buy a Hemet home for sale.Because I have taken the position that lending is not my job and because I do not get paid for it, that it is in my best interest and the best interest of my real estate clients that I do not try and be a jack-of-all-tradesand pretend to have expertise where I do not have any. (By … (6 comments)

Original Owner Crystal Beauty - SOLD - 10:16 PM
… (0 comments)

Brooklyn Center MN Homes For Sale - 10:22 PM
… (0 comments)

Texas is Out of the Top 10 of Foreclosures!!! - 03:22 PM
All Texas cities are finally out of the top 10 areas for foreclosures.  What a huge jump.  Texas, as a whole, has been at number one and number 2 a few times...
Dallas is ranked 17th and FtWorth-Arlington area is ranked 13th.  So, we're not out of the top 10 by very far, but it's definitely a turn in the right direction!
Compared to the first half of 2006, Texas filings were actually down by 13%.  All major Texas big city areas were down, except the Ft Worth- Arlington area, which was up 5%... again, it's the lower end properties where the people are typically first time … (2 comments)

I finally did it - 09:34 PM
I was just on google and I typed in the keywords home selling jefferson city. For these keywords I am in the number one position on google two spots higher than Re/Max. For the keywords jefferson city home selling I am in position number two right below homegain but again higher than Re/Max. As you can tell I am pretty excited about this. Now I need to keep my rank. Just a quick question how do I keep my ranking, and how do I maintain my ranking when new bloggers enter the blogging world?
Daniel Lowery, Certified Negotiation Specialist (CNS), e-PROREALTOR® Broker/Sales … (5 comments)

Get a Back Stage Pass and Become a VIP Member to the HOTTEST Real Estate website in the area! - 11:06 PM
Visit vip.daniellowery.com to get a back stage pass to the hottest website in the Jefferson City Missouri area. Right now, you can take your first-step in educating yourself on Home Buying and Selling. Start exploring the real estate landscape and instantly access our exclusive, rich-media library of special reports and resources. You can also personalize our VIP site according to your needs and wants.
Simply visit vip.daniellowery.com today to get started.
Daniel Lowery, Certified Negotiation Specialist (CNS), e-PROREALTOR® Broker/Sales Coldwell Banker Gordon Co. Realtors Direct: (573) 291-1819 Office: (573) 761-3312Email: daniel@daniellowery.comWebsite: www.daniellowery.comWhen Service Matters Call Dan!
… (0 comments)

The Supremes' Greatest Hits - 06:44 AM
Here's another book for Maureen Henry's bookshelf. 
If you order Plato and a Platypus (Book MEME / Challenge , This Book Will NOT Appeal To Everyone ) from Amazon, chances are Amazon will also offer you The Supremes' Greatest Hits in a package deal.  Take the deal!  Buy it!
No, it's not about Diana Ross and the Motown Sound.  It's about the 34 Supreme Courts Cases That Most Directly Affect Your Life.
It's not a big book.  It is fascinating.  And easy to read.  The cases are presented in a kind of "conceptual order", not chronological order. 
Each case is presented in 5 or 6 … (12 comments)

Need some CDs? - 06:05 AM
I found a great place to buy bulk CDs and mailing labels. www.neato.com  They also include coupon codes with your order so you get even more money off on your next order.  The prices are the best I have found so far so I thought I'd pass the website along so you can save money too!! … (6 comments)

Sweetbay Opening Aug 25, 2007 - 06:14 AM
The doors are finally opening for the new Sweetbay in Riverview on Big Bend Road.  We will finally have another choice in grocery stores in our area.  It looks to be like one of the bigger stores with a lot more choices in produce than some of the other stores they have.  It is the anchor store in a stip mall that will have several more stores in it as well.
Sweetbay also has a drive through Pharmacy, something the other grocery stores don't have.  That will surely be a big appeal to those who are coming home and don't feel like … (0 comments)

BOOK MEME - 08:26 AM
Dan Cummings - Connecticut's Running Real Estate Agent decided that I needed to share my favorite book choices... 
So I decided to share some of my favorite entries from here at ActiveRain:

 
 
 
Alright, so I need to share and tag a couple of people to participate...
Leah Ross ~ Tampa, Florida Mortgage Tampa, FL More about me...
Eric Webster Grand Rapids, MI More about me...
Gary Miljour, Mortgage Planning and Guidance Tempe, AZ More about me...
When finished:  Tag = MEME  Group = MEME's 
… (10 comments)

For those with Writer's Block -- September BLOG Ideas - 03:30 PM

Now that you have taken the Laurie Manny Challenge, time to use some of it! 
How about finding some things to write about in your community?  Drawing a blank?  Well here are some ideas to get your started at September Writing Ideas. (opens in a seperate window)
Happy writing!  Don't forget the Laurie Manny Challenge when you find that you are at a loss as to what to write...   A little exploration might just bring you back to write some great posts!
 
                                                    
… (34 comments)

Getting Back In The Saddle - 11:28 AM
Tomorrow, I'm doing something that I should have done years ago. 
A little background:  a few years ago, I was knocked down by a yearling filly back in the pasture.  Simple enough, except that there's an entire hour missing from my life, during which time I traversed 500 yards, through two chained gates, down a hill, across a creek, and into our house - I have no memory of that time at all, and likely never will.
I didn't ride, then, for some six months, due to recurring dizzy spells (don't want to have a dizzy spell on the back of … (6 comments)

Third MeMe's the Charm? - 02:56 PM
I've been meme'd again!  Michele Connors meme'd me a while back, and I've only now found time to respond.  Now, I must come up with five MORE things you don't knkow about me!  This will be hard, as I'm pretty much, at this a
I used to be an excessively picky eater - I reached age 20, growing up in Texas, without even tasting Mexican food or BBQ.   Now, I'm a chef and, while I won't eat just anything, will at least try most things. I cannot abide the taste of beer (tastes and smells like rotten bananas to me).  Likewise, not … (6 comments)

153 Finch Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860 UNDER CONTRACT! - 05:23 PM

… (6 comments)

Connecting and Re-connecting in the Rain - 08:49 PM
AUCTION SEPTEMBER 20TH  11;00 AM 
It happened again. Active Rain made possible a new connection for me, and a reconnection for one of my favorite clients. The other day I received an email through AR from a woman who used to live in Maryland and was a customer of Tatiana, my client with the fabulous historic church property.  This woman has retired to Albuquerque and knew that Tatiana had moved to New Mexico as well. She had purchased a lot of Tatiana's wonderful pottery while in Maryland and wants to buy more. Did I have an address, phone, or email for … (9 comments)

But I'm representing the transaction. NOT!!! - 08:26 AM
I have heard that so many times, I thought I best try and clarify, what being a "Transaction Broker" means. In Florida all Realtors are presumed to be "Transaction Brokers" unless disclosed differently. Personally, I think this was a great change in how we as Realtors are able to "represent" our customers. There I said it "represent our customers." Yes, folks "Transaction Brokerage" IS a type of representation.
This seems to be the biggest misunderstanding amongst Realtors and the general public alike. Let me repeat it again, so all Florida Realtors that are reading this post will get it, "Transaction Brokerage" is … (46 comments)

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