Archives of real estate blog entries for September 19, 2007

Featured blog posts


Blogger's Choice - Michelle DeRepentigny Shines The Spotlight On: - 03:28 PM
… (28 comments)

Unfeatured Posts Are Best - 12:55 AM
I don't know if I'm the only one who thinks so, but I've developed a distinct preference for the unfeatured posts, the ones you get at if you just click the blogs link up there on the top menu bar.
The featured posts are OK, but they tend to be a bit heavily focused on the usual suspects, as the Casa Blanca line calls them.  Now many of the usual suspects are very nice people, of course -- and no, it's not my intent to damn them with faint praise.  It's just, there they are again.  Often the posts focus on our … (72 comments)

Chestnutsssssssssssssss Roastingggg on an open fire!!!!!!!!!!!! - 01:26 AM
..............Jack frost Nippin at yourrrrrr
Oh I am sorry... Let me put my professional hat back on :::clearin' throat:::
With my suggestions for Thanksgiving complete....  
Now on to my favorite holiday of all Christmas   
As an office we used to do a day of "Photos with Santa".  We as agents would invite a handful of clients to the office via personal invitation.   The only thing we asked for in return was a donation to Children's Miracle Network.  Its always a successful event, but for me was lacking the "personal" contact I wanted.
I took this a step further last year.   I hosted the event at … (87 comments)

Tech-Know-Babble - 02:49 PM
I'm looking for a bumper sticker that says, "My other car is a Brand Spanking New Model 2.0 Blog." Many of you know that I am a total gadget, widget, and techy kinda guy. When I'm not out trying to find title orders and escrows, or helping my clients find buyers and sellers, I like to dabble with "new" technology, and try to find ways to increase my clients marketing skills with all that's available out there in the cyber-world.
This past week, I have spent most of my extra time creating an outside Blog. One that will focus on Technology … (91 comments)

Real Estate Branding - Rick and Ines Style .....continued - 02:44 PM
In PART I of Real Estate Branding - Rick and Ines Style, I told you how our real estate branding efforts started and gave you some examples of what we were producing.  I explained how being consistent was key to our marketing success.  Now I'd like to tell you about change.
I can't explain if it's instinct, or just luck, but after a couple of agents started utilizing our colors and we no longer stood out from the rest, I knew it was time to change.  I also have to admit that the white type on the black background was not always … (79 comments)

Beware of Yelp: Keep Your Distance - 03:21 PM
It is common practice on sites like Active Rain, our websites, etc for us to post not only information about ourselves, but testimonials from clients as well. So when I discovered Y___.com, I assumed the same practice could be followed.
By the way, I do not plan on using their name anymore than necessary nor giving them any further traffic...so they will be known in this post as Y_ _ _.
We join community groups and try to promote our businesses and name. I am no different. I read a blog that has since been changed but had been written suggesting sites to join and … (95 comments)

Top 11 things to STOP doing immediately! - 02:46 PM
I was attending Joe Stumpf'sMain Event in Burbank, CA and he was talking about the guidelines for developing a referable behavior. 
I'm sure that we all have some items on the list below that we can work on so here goes:
STOP exaggerating!  Tell the truth, no matter what.  If you make a mistake, admit it quickly.STOP being late!  Be on time.  Be respectful of other people's time.STOP assuming!  Ask as many questions as you can.  What's important about _____________ to you Mr. Client?  Get deep with the answers.STOP trying to be interesting!  Be more interested in your client.  Listen more, talk less.STOP … (145 comments)

A Meningioma Redirect Dilema for a REALTOR - 12:59 AM
How many of us self-employed REALTORS and Loan Officers have taken a huge gamble in the last year or so to save money?  Have you shorted yourself by not having health insurance?  I bet you thought something like I did about myself . . .  I've been pretty healthy, it'll be OK for a short time . . .
WRONG!  I had no idea I was as sick as I actually was. . .  Who needs tests?  Take a couple aspirins for those headaches and you'll just be fine . . .  PLEASE take care of yourselves.  Please believe that you … (39 comments)

Mailing Lists in Realist Are A Breeze - And FREE too! - 03:23 PM
Here's a helpful tip for those of you looking for a way to easily create mailing lists for your farm area.  In the past I've had to use companies like Quantummail.com and their postcards/flyers to mail out my farming materials and it can get pretty expensive.  
Then I discovered that our very own Realist Tax system provided by our MLS has a great feature that allows you to create mailing lists and exports.  I know a lot of agents here on Activerain use Realist to pull statistical data for their markets.  Now you have another handy tool in your toolbox.  The … (46 comments)


Blog posts


My take on the FED rate cut and mortgage rate effects - 12:32 PM
As pretty much everybody knows the FED cut the overnight lending rate by 50 basis points as well as the rate at the discount window 50 basis points yesterday.  The question is, what does it actually mean and what will it accomplish.
My take on the cut 
Personally, I was very surprised at the cut, in my mind it was even split between the FED holding steady and a 25 basis point cut.  The reason being is that we are facing some very significant inflationary pressures right now ($82/barrel oil anyone) and also the US dollar which is hanging precariously at all time lows.  Interest rate … (2 comments)

The Same Mistakes..Why...Customer's Deserve Better! - 12:48 AM

As I was leaving this morning for work I noticed the house on the corner had a new for sale sign up.  This would make listing agent number three.  
Three different companies had taken that over priced listing. It's been a year and a half and still no sale!
Did the seller really believe that if they changed the real estate sign  their property would have a better shot at selling?
Do you think these agents really believe they had a shot at selling it with this property listed at 2004's prices? 
Are people so desperate for business that they would … (36 comments)

Vacaville Open House Sun 9/23/07 - 03:52 PM

             VACAVILLE OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 9/23
This beautiful 4 bedroom 3 bath home is located on a quiet court with NO through traffic!  Some of the features include:
open floorplangreat-room conceptformal dining room AND breakfast roominside laundry roomnewer paint and roofdual-paned windowsprivate fenced back yardwired for security systemclose to shopping and schoolsCome see for yourself THIS SUNDAY 9/23/07 from 1-4pm.  You will fall in love with this beauty!
                                           210 Powder Court  Vacaville, CA   95687
If you cannot make the open house just call Patty Hopkins, realtor for a private showing or more information.                                                   707-685-5478 www.PattySold.com
… (0 comments)

Do You Have "MOTIVATED" Listings? - 11:34 AM
Do You Have "MOTIVATED" Listings?  There have been numerous studies analyzing the trends of real estate homes listed for sale in the MLS and the language REALTORS® use to promote them.
I recently wrote an article What Language Do You Write Your Listings In? referencing one such study that showed words like MOTIVATED are used in MLS listings that take up to 15% longer to sell then the norm.
                                                                       
I even conducted my own study based on the local Hemet-San Jacinto MLS regarding the use of pictures in a MLS listing and found that pictures do sell, when I wrote The Importance … (30 comments)

They say "It's a numbers game" ...I bet that's what they tell all the boys. - 04:49 PM
You often hear that real estate success is easily reduced to a numbers game. Numbers are bandied about and used to show that if you just follow any system, you can not fail. The numbers also indicate that 8 out of 10 do fail.There is no truth to that statement that if you follow any system you will be successful! The truth is found when you understand what the numbers are and how they truly relate to what you are analyzing and if the system you choose is something that caters to your strengths as an agent.If you are blind folded … (16 comments)

Plano TX Divine Consign Sale - 09:04 AM

THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER!!!
This is where I spent my evening last night.  Plano's Divine Consign is like a huge garage sale for parent's to get rid of their kid stuff without having to worry about organizing a garage sale or haggling prices.  I had never heard of this before, but why should I have when I haven't had kids before.
A friend told me about this a couple of months ago, so I registered as a First Time Mommy.  First Time Mommies were allowed in the sale last night at 9pm (sept 18) before the general public today (sept 19).  It … (0 comments)

Grapevine TX Divine Consign Sale- Sept 25-26 - 09:20 AM

Grapevine's Divine Consign is happening on Sept 25 from 9am-8pm with the half price sale following the next day on Sept 26 from 8am-noon.
It's held at the Grapevine Convention Center. 1209 S Main Street, Corner of Main and Vine.
I went to the Plano one yesterday and there was so much stuff.  This is definitely the place to go to save some money, especially if you're wanting duplicate items for Grandma's house!  Get there early or all the good stuff will be gone!
… (0 comments)

Arlington TX Divine Consign Sale Oct 5-6 - 09:23 AM

Arlington's Divine Consign is happening on October 5 from 9am-8pm with the half price sale following the next day on October 6 from 8am-noon.
It's held at the Arlington Convention Center. 1200 Ballpark Way.  This is between Road to Six Flags and Convention Center Dr.
I went to the Plano one yesterday and there was so much stuff.  This is definitely the place to go to save some money, especially if you're wanting duplicate items for Grandma's house!  Get there early or all the good stuff will be gone!
… (1 comments)

Frisco TX Initiates Teen Curfew - 06:25 PM
The city of Frisco, TX has noticed more and more crime these days.  Their solution? Get the teens off the streets and see if that helps.
The curfew is for anyone under 17 years of age, Sunday through Thursday at 11pm with Friday and Saturday going until 12 midnight.  What about those high school kids who are 18?  They're considered adults, but yet, they're still in school.  Maybe it should be extended to also include 18 year olds who are still in high school?
There are a couple of other cities that already have curfews, and I don't recall ever seeing any results … (3 comments)

Great College Station Condo!!! - 05:02 PM
This gorgeous College Station Condominium is on shuttle route, features a security system and is very affordable!  At only $99,900 this is the solution for your student or small family!  No carpet in this unit!  Tile downstairs and gleaming wood laminate up.  Newer A/C, dishwasher and dryer.  Comes with all appliances!

For more College Station Condos visit my website at www.ChrisTesch.com or www.TexasHomeAnswers.com!
… (16 comments)

Brazos Valley Animal Shelter Sponsors Wiener Fest - 08:25 PM
October the 13th at Veterans Park the 1st Annual Wiener Fest will take place.  There will be a pet costume contest, pet parade and the wiener dog races.  Fun should be had by all as there will be vendors, food and drink, a hot dog eating contest and music by Chris Austin Martinez.  There will be a Kids Zone with tattoos, face painting, moon jumps, obstacle course and coloring contest.
All dogs must have proof of rabies shots and the entry fe for the race is $15.  For more information visit www.brazosvalleyanimalshelter.org. 
Better yet, stop by their location at 2207 Finfeather Road … (6 comments)

I'm Disgusted!! (A RANT) - 07:43 AM
The following comes from a Florida Association of Realtors press release today.
TAMPA, Fla. - Sept. 18, 2007 - Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Gov. Charlie Crist, Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) President Nancy Riley joined forces with other supporters Monday to launch a bi-partisan group, "Yes on 1 - Save our Homes NOW," urging Floridians to vote for the largest tax cut in the state's history on Jan. 29, 2008.
Now I am disgusted on all sorts of levels - not least of which is that I don't know a SINGLE REALTOR who actually believes the passage of this amendment is a good thing. … (9 comments)

Everything you wanted to know about Orlando but were afraid to ask! - 10:22 PM
The city's nickname is "The City Beautiful".  The city of Orlando is the county seat of Orange County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 185,951 (metropolitan area 1,644,561). A 2004 U.S. Census Estimates population count gave the city had a total population of 205,648 (metropolitan area nearly 1.8 million). It is the sixth-largest city in Florida, and its largest inland city. It is also at the head of the state's third-largest metropolitan area, behind Miami-Fort Lauderdale and Tampa-St. Petersburg. Additionally, Orlando is home to the second largest university in Florida, the University of Central … (1 comments)

Google Search Results, Is it Possible - 11:39 PM
Yesterday I was on google messing around with some keywords just to see where my site ranked. For the following search terms jefferson city missouri home buying, and jefferson city missouri home selling I was ranked in the number one spot. Today I thought I would check it out and see if I am still ranked number one. Today I am ranked number two and number three. Is it possible to be in the number one spot today and down the next? The reason I ask is because I would like to run an ad in the homebuyers guide reflecting my number … (7 comments)

Credit Repair Springing Up in Naples - 01:06 PM
Are you credit scores low? What can your credit score impact? Many people are not aware that their credit scores could affect their employment or employability. Now the a once quiet cottage industry (several have popped up in the Naples real estate area) - credit repair companies are starting to appear on the horizon. Is this a solution for you? Are the results guaranteed?
Read more about Credit Repair Scams >
… (0 comments)

Homefeedback.com - 05:49 AM
If anyone is looking for a good feedback system check out www.homefeedback.com  They are very inexpensive and it automates the whole process of getting feedback.  What I like about it is it keeps the seller in the loop so they know you are trying to get feedback so if the other agent never provides it, you don't get blamed anymore.  Check it out. … (6 comments)

Upcoming "Green" Events in Central Texas - 09:22 AM
 
Austin and Central Texas being the "green zone" that it is, there are frequently green events in the area.  Upcoming ones are the City of Austin's Green City Fest at City Hall.  Speakers from Mayor Will Winn and the City Council  to John Dromgoole (Natural Gardening Guru to Austin) to topics from food to rainwater collection to wildlife.  And, of course, music.  And food.  Wouldn't be a festival in Austin (heck, wouldn't be an event of ANY kind in Austin) without the latter two, though the food at this event is mostly a list of the many restaurants within a short walk … (2 comments)

Maintain Your Lawn Or Go To Jail! - 09:52 AM
I'm sure there's a "rest of the story", but this article on CNN today caught my eye and gave me chills.
Seems a 70-year-old woman didn't water her lawn (had the water turned off, in fact, even though she was still living there), and it is against the law in Orem, Utah, not to "maintain your landscape".  So the police showed up, she declined to give her name, they arrested her, there was a struggle in which she fell and bloodied her nose.
Which has me thinking, what the heck country do we live in now that this kind of thing … (7 comments)

Art and Chocolate Benefits Georgetown Animal Shelter - Mark Your Calendar! - 10:54 AM
On September 30, 2007, the Georgetown Animal Shelter and Georgetown Animal Outreach will put on Art for Animals, a fundraiser for the animal shelter.  Desserts from local restaurants Chantal's Bistro, Down the Alley Bistro, Laurie's Too, McAllister's Deli, Monument Cafe, Nonna's Cucina, Village Inn, and Wildfire, music by a quartet from Georgetown's Southwestern University, coffees from Cianfranci Coffee Company accompany live and silent auctions of artworks done and donated by artists ranging from the animals of the animal center to a Dahlhart Windberg print and more.  Other items include a golf package, stays at various lovely inns around Georgetown, and gifts certificates … (5 comments)

A Meningioma Redirect Dilema for a REALTOR - 12:59 AM
How many of us self-employed REALTORS and Loan Officers have taken a huge gamble in the last year or so to save money?  Have you shorted yourself by not having health insurance?  I bet you thought something like I did about myself . . .  I've been pretty healthy, it'll be OK for a short time . . .
WRONG!  I had no idea I was as sick as I actually was. . .  Who needs tests?  Take a couple aspirins for those headaches and you'll just be fine . . .  PLEASE take care of yourselves.  Please believe that you … (39 comments)

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