Archives of real estate blog entries for September 1, 2007
Featured blog posts
Labor Day Weekend - Lets look at some of the Hardest Working AR Members - 08:24 PM
Here are some interesting thoughts... As of today, here are the top 10 point earners here at ActiveRain.
Let us look at the breakdown:
Four out of the ten are from Florida, currently there are 5,786 members from Florida. Florida is by far the most competitive of all the states!Together the Top ten have written a total of 4,239 posts!!!The top 10 is equally divided between the men and women -- 5 Women/5 Men!Six out of the ten joined in July 2006! Two of the have lost a significant amount of weight since joining ActiveRain -- guess they didn't have time to … (49 comments)
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Getting Serious In The Rain - 12:26 PM
I have known for some time that I have been enjoying Active Rain way too much. The many friendships I've fostered take time and stopping by buddies' posts and seeing how they're doing is part of my week. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Likewise, I love it when my buddies stop by and check on me. It's one of the best parts of participating in the Rain!
I enjoy writing to my peers much more than I enjoy writing market statistics, community information or general consumer advice posts. But let's face it, I need consumers contacting me!
I have neglected my consumer … (59 comments)
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A Smile for You today - 05:43 PM
I just received this on email. This happens to be one of my favorite songs and the show is just adorable. Just wanted to share it with all of my friends here on Active Rain.
I hope this makes you
Best Shadow Puppet Show Ever / A wonderful world
… (68 comments)
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Unexpected Thoughtfulness - 12:23 PM
Our broker, Rick Brown with RE/MAX Metro in St. Petersburg, Florida, has seen revenues and profits decline as nearly everyone has in a market with less closings, more inventory, and decreasing prices. He has also seen how these conditions are affecting his agents. When we got our monthly bills today he gave each of us a $500 credit - to help in our own financial situations. I call that caring about your agents and their families.
Thank you, Rick, for your generosity. We appreciate it.
Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay … (62 comments)
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Blog posts
Seller's agent and Buyer's agent - why is this so difficult to understand? - 06:46 AM
Hundreds of blogs and thousands of comments have been written on this subject in ActiveRain. I did so just recently and so did many others like Lenn Harley.
Why is it that so many consumers do not get the distinction between the Seller's Agent and the Buyer's Agent?
Four Reasons:
HistoryTerminologyAgent EgoInternet1. History
There used to be just one agent. The role of the Buyer's agent is a fairly recent creation. When we bought our first home in 1982 we had no idea that the agent we worked with did not represent our interests.
2. Terminology
The consumer can understand that Seller's Agent and Listing … (4 comments)
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How Many Real Estate Portals Are Too Many? - 07:05 PM
If you want to find out, join REPIP... more about it further down the page.
Today I received yet another email to post my listings on a real estate portal. This one is called ListingVue. I checked it out briefly. Searched for listings in Seattle - two, that's it. Checked out Google Page Rank. Fat zero. Must be new.
This gave me an idea: there are now over 45,000 members on ActiveRain. How about if we take collectively an inventory of real estate portals, characterize them (purpose, content, strengths, weaknesses) and rank them by a few criteria (presentation, navigation, useful, timely, etc.)
What's … (3 comments)
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Automated Communication can be an Automatic Embarrassment - 08:12 PM
It all started so innocently with cut and paste...
The automating of our communications can be a good thing. Starting with cut and paste. But there the trouble starts. I've sent out an email (more than once) where I forgot to replace "Dear Lisa" with "Dear Ludwig." I've received proposals from people where the "document property" in word revealed a different author and a different client. Computers are stupid. I need to stay alert. Check it and check it again.
and grew to endless possibilities of mistakes with the "help" of templates.
This sort of automatic mistake gets worse when you outsource your … (1 comments)
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Labor Day Weekend - Lets look at some of the Hardest Working AR Members - 08:24 PM
Here are some interesting thoughts... As of today, here are the top 10 point earners here at ActiveRain.
Let us look at the breakdown:
Four out of the ten are from Florida, currently there are 5,786 members from Florida. Florida is by far the most competitive of all the states!Together the Top ten have written a total of 4,239 posts!!!The top 10 is equally divided between the men and women -- 5 Women/5 Men!Six out of the ten joined in July 2006! Two of the have lost a significant amount of weight since joining ActiveRain -- guess they didn't have time to … (49 comments)
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Hemet Home Sellers – Are You Prepared to Sell Your Home? - 12:00 AM
Hemet Home Sellers - Are You Prepared to Sell Your Home? by John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTOR® Mission Grove Realty FOR MORE ARTICLES FROM THE "BACK TO THE BASICS" SERIES, CLICK HEREAs a REALTOR® with Mission Grove Realty, serving my local market, the Hemet San Jacinto Valley, I have the opportunity to talk with many local homeowners who think they want to sell their home, but really have not put much thought into the process. When I sit down and meet with a potential listing client, responding to the call, "Help me sell my Hemet CA home!" I must make … (3 comments)
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Hemet REALTOR® asks, "Are there an Good Listing Clients Left?" - 12:30 AM
Is there such a thing as a "Good Client" in Hemet, CA? The Hemet San Jacinto Valley is a unique real estate market with many unique individuals. I guess we are all the same in that we are all different - just like every other real estate market in the country. It is composed of individuals with individual wants and needs and most importantly we all have our own individual personalities...which are good...right?
It turns out though that no matter how good a REALTOR® I am or any of my peers selling real estate in the Hemet San Jacinto CA market that … (11 comments)
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Back to the Basics: Mistakes that Cost Sellers Money - or What to Never Say to a Buyer - 10:10 AM
Back to the Basics: Mistakes that Cost Sellers Money - or What to Never Say to a Buyerby John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTORMission Grove Realty
FOR MORE ARTICLES FROM THE "BACK TO THE BASICS" SERIES, CLICK HERE After a recent meeting of the agents and management of Mission Grove Realty in Hemet CA, we decided that we know there is more than enough business for us - as we are a lean talented team of professional REALTORS®, without and dead weight holding us down. Everyone of us has a positive "can-do" attitude, which is critical in holding our heads up and … (15 comments)
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Back to the Basics: 90 Ways to Sell Your Home FASTER & For More Money! - 08:27 PM
Back to the Basics: 90 Ways to Sell Your Home FASTER & For More Money!by John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTORMission Grove Realty FOR MORE ARTICLES FROM THE "BACK TO THE BASICS" SERIES, CLICK HERE
“Back to the Basics” is my way of helping myself and others who are looking to refresh their skills and marketing materials by going back to what has worked for them in the past, selling real estate in Hemet CA, The Inland Empire, Riverside County or anywhere else in Southern California or the rest of the country. I have mentioned in my earlier “Back to the Basics” article … (16 comments)
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Today was the most unusual day I have ever had in real estate. - EVER! And it could only happen in Hemet CA - 10:28 PM
Today was the most unusual day I have ever had in real estate. - EVER! And it could only happen in Hemet CA By John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTOR®Mission Grove RealtyToday was the most unusual day I have ever had in real estate. - EVER! And it could only happen in Hemet CA
Not only was it extreme - it had two opposing extremes for me. Amazing.
This is a tale of two investors...two very different investors.The first investor likes small deals that she can get in and get out of in a hurry...and she does this pretty good. A week ago we found … (11 comments)
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Pending Sales in Bryan, Texas - 07:31 PM
Pending sales in Bryan appear to be in great shape and leave no doubt behind our market being a robust one!
Currently there are 118 sales (not including contingency contracts) in Bryan pending. These are offer pending signature, under contract, option contract, and under contract with backup. There are currently 467 active listings in Bryan. This showcases our healthy market currently.
Of the pending sales in Bryan we have the most expensive being a $885K home with 4,300 square feet and four bedrooms/three and a half baths in Traditions subdivision. Three of these pending contracts are over 500K. Nine of these 118 are over 300K. … (1 comments)
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Pending Sales in College Station, Texas - 07:43 PM
Pending sales in College Station were a slightly less robust rate of 98 total currently. The pending sales are offer pending signature, option contract, under contract and under contract with backup. I am not including contingency contracts in this analysis. The most expensive was a home listed at $959,900 in Pebblecreek subdivision. This home was a 4,156 square foot home on a little more than a half acre of land.
There are currently 410 active listings in College Station.
Two of the pending sales are over 500K. Four were over 300K. Twenty of the pending sales were in the 200 to 300K category … (1 comments)
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Luxury College Station real estate - 07:56 PM
Come view this gorgeous Rike Home nestled in the prestigous Williams Creek Subdivision. This beautiful home is 3,440 square feet and features a gourmet kitchen for the most discerning cook. A commercial cooktop, huge island and stainless steel microwave are perfect for this brand new home. The living room features hand scraped wood floors, and the master bedroom has a sitting room straight off of it.
Modestly priced at $484,900 and sitting on one acre of land, this home is sure to please! Zoned to Pebblecreek Elementary School, Oakwood Intermediate, A&M Consolidated Middle School and A&M Consolidated High School.
Call today for your private showing!
… (5 comments)
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Country towns south of College Station Pending - 08:09 PM
Navasota, Anderson, Bremond, Brenham and Iola have a total of 77 active listings. There are currently 11 pending. The most expensive is a Southwest Home built in 2000 on 14 acres in Navasota. This 3,931 square foot home boasts five bedrooms and 4 baths.
Of the eleven pending only one is over 300K. None are between 200-300K. Four are 100-200K and 6 are under 100K.
As you can see, the southern areas past College Station can offer a huge value for buyers. For more information on these properties call today, or go to http://www.christesch.com/.
… (2 comments)
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Towns North of Bryan Pending Listings - 08:19 PM
There are 118 active listings in the towns of Buffalo, Caldwell, North Zulch Madisonville, Franklin Hearne, Calvert and Normangee. There are currently sixteen pending listings. The most expensive of these was listed for $295,000 and is a 1985 built 3/2 on more than 1/2 acre in Normangee. This 3200 square foot home has a view of both the golf course and the water from the back yard.
Of the pending listings five are 200-300K. Six are 100-200K and only five represent listings under 100K. Many of these properties sport acreage as well.
For great prices on acreage listings, or turn of the century housing … (3 comments)
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Solds in area north of Bryan to 9/1/07 - 08:34 PM
There have been 108 closed sales in the areas of Caldwell, Franklin, Calvert, Madisonville, North Zulch and other areas north of Bryan so far in 2007.
The most expensive closed sale was listed at $675K. It was a 4,470 square foot, Southwest Home built in 1992. This home was nestled in 67.6 acres in Caldwell. This acreage boasted three ponds one stocked with bass. This gorgeous estate sold for $635K after 203 active days on the market.
Of the 108 sales only one was over 500K. Two were above 300K,. Eight were between 200-300K and thirty six were between 100-200K. Sixty three were … (2 comments)
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Solds in areas south of College Station - 08:46 PM
Solds in areas south of College Station (Navasota, Anderson, Bremond, Brenham and Iola) have numbered 67 so far this year. The most expensive property was a 220 acre estate with a 2,380 square foot home in Navasota. It was listed for 2 million and was active on the market for 138 days. This acreage featured a 10 acre lake and sold for 1,800,000.
Of the 67 sold only three were over 500K. None were between 300-500K. 200-300K were two homes. 100-200K repreesented the largest group of thirty two homes. Under 100K were properties with mobile homes and small recreational homes and numbered … (3 comments)
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Yahoo Vs. Google - What's Up?? - 08:51 PM
My Google scoring is what I truly look at. Not to disparage Yahoo, but I believe that Google has a wider base. After all, we don't "yahoo" someone, we "google" them.
That doesn't mean that I don't want to score high in both search engines, and also MSN and the other players as well. I was using a tool that showed where I stood in Google rankings, and it also included Yahoo and some of the other players. I was scoring well in Google, but not even on the board with Yahoo and MSN.
Is this something to do with my website … (12 comments)
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First Football Weekend - 08:58 PM
For those of you visiting College Station the first time this weekend please realize that traffic isn't nearly this bad typically! This is our first football weekend and our 9th annual First Yell. First Yell is a Aggie tradtion welcoming the students back and infusing them with Aggie spirit!!!
This tends to be one of the heaviest attended games of the year, with the exception of the rival football game between UT and A&M. If you're out there in traffic please realize that football weekends can be very hectic and that our beautiful city isn't typically this crazy! Drive safely and … (8 comments)
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Very short poll on a Saturday ... - 11:14 AM
Hi all AR folks. Before I get to the poll I want to wish all of you a terrific and safe weekend. Now, on to the poll: I noticed that from time to time people post about sellers being present during a showing. Poll question: Do you allow your sellers to remain in the listing during a showing ? During an " Open House " ? Votes and comments, and horror stories, welcome. … (11 comments)
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Three Types Of Digital Cameras - 08:12 AM
People often ask for advice on choosing a new camera. That's not easy advice to give. Much depends on the intended use of the camera (OK, for many readers here that would be taking interior and exterior photos of homes), and even more depends on a user's personal preferences, the "brain-fit" of the controls, the camera's fit and feel in your hands.
And since some folks here just might be new to digital photography, I thought it might be a good idea to take a quick look at the differences between the three major types of digital cameras.
Pocket-Size Point-and-Shoot
These cameras are small, … (41 comments)
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