Archives of real estate blog entries for January 4, 2008

Featured blog posts


The Drinks Will Be Flowing At This Year's Inman Bloggers Connect! - 06:58 PM
If only I was as creative as Bob Stewart to come up with  10 reasons why you should attend their Active Rain gathering on January 9th in New York....   
But it's Friday, I just had a painful root canal and have absolutely no creative writing skills at this point, so I'll just try to lure you to attend the Beer For Bloggers event sponsored by Zillow.com on January 8th, with free beer, free goodies and good company.  Hopefully one of those three things will appeal to you.
When- January 8th from 6:00pm -8:00pm
Where - Heartland Brewery (also know as the Chophouse) located at 127 West 43rd Street (between 6th and Broadway) near Times … (29 comments)

Selling the cost instead of the service. - 03:31 PM
Hi folks. Today I want to write a little bit about ABMs(Alternative Business Models) or "Discounters" as they are commonly called, not by me but by themselves and many others. Personally, I think we need to drop the term "Discounter" since real estate commissions are ALWAYS negotiable. I prefer the term ABMs.
First, I want to mention that I have NO problem with ABMs. In fact, I think the consumer should have options when it comes to who to hire and how much to pay. I welcome ALL business models and have done many transactions with folks that choose to work for … (68 comments)

Top 20 Bloggers? - 03:34 PM
Once Upon a Time...  
According to one of the best in the mortgage business,
The Mortgage Cicerone
Mike's Minute was voted one of the top 20!
The Storytellers:
Mike Mueller - A long time blogger that not only contributes at Lenderama, he maintains his own site at Mike's Mortgage Minute. His greatest asset however is his ability to use metaphors and parables to clearly explain complex issues and concepts. Mike never ceases to amaze me with his use of metaphoric devices to articulate daunting concepts...I wish he would have been my Calculus teacher in college!
Additionally, Mike is one … (32 comments)

"The World According to Google" Interesting Video - 05:44 AM
Tonight I watched a program called "The World According to Google" on my local PBS Station, KCTS in Seattle. 
I found the documentary very interesting because of my blogging and my ActiveRain induced interest in SEO.  If Google is important to you, then this is a must see video to better understand Google.
There was background on the birth of Google, its' growth, and some concerns for the future.  There are lots of answers, but just as many questions arise during the program.  
I love the company motto: "Don't' Be Evil".  The company's beginnings were so simple and innocent.  Now some people question how, if Google continues it's domination (has a 60% market share as a search engine) for collecting, indexing … (73 comments)

Week-in-Review: Six Undiscovered Gems That Should Have Been Featured But Weren't! - 05:18 PM
 Too bad everyone can't get a Featured Post. (I realize some folks are very motivated by the Gold Star.)
 So I announce my own Week-in-Review called The Six Undiscovered Gems of Active Rain.
 I'll only highlight six (6) blogs per week. It's against my New York nature to dilute recognition. Just six. I consider myself a discerning reader. Bravo if you made the Six, folks.
Perhaps by spotlighting these wonderfully creative and crafted blogs, my inclusion will put new (and old) Rainers on the radar for the moderators (who I affectionately call the Cloud People).
So next time they write an outstanding post,  they can receive a real … (58 comments)


Blog posts


Bringing Life Back Into Your Blog Posts.....It's Simple..Really... - 09:25 PM
Because of the New Year...I have been really taking a look at my posts. Looking at my posts and through their entire comment threads..  One of the things I noticed was often times...
I let the post die! 
Too many comments?????  Not enough time?????  Shame on me...for the person who takes their time in commenting on my posts...
Waiting for a simple courtesy........ a response back. Similar to a nod...an acknowledgment.
Want to keep your readership? It's just like a real conversation. You write...someone responds....and again...the interaction begins..in many instances...the beginning becomes the end.
Don't let it happen to you!
Recently a consumer commented on my … (36 comments)

Warm embers...cool too long....have sparked again. - 05:49 PM
Selected as one of the Lenza Six                        
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
I had some free time this afternoon, so I drove over to Arlington Cemetery. I visited the grave of Bobby Kennedy. You can't read the marker. It says:
 ""He who learns must suffer and even in our sleep, pain that cannot forget , falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes Wisdom to us, by the awful grace of God."
The author is Aeschylus.
In the spring of 1968, Martin Luther King was assassinated. Bobby Kennedy was scheduled to make a campaign appearance in Indianapolis. Everyone told him … (20 comments)

North Texas HOV Lanes Open - 02:36 PM
The main North and South Highway through North Dallas, Central Expressway (Highway 75), finally opened the well anticipated HOV lanes (High Occupancy Vehicles).  The lanes go for 14 miles from Highway 635 north through Allen and into McKinney.
You would think the HOV lanes would be a good thing.  On the surface, they're fabulous.  However, Donna not happy!!  When Donna not happy, everyone will hear about it!!  Plus, no one in Richardson should be happy because we got the short end of the HOV stick!
Here is part of what I wrote to my HOA president:
"I was wondering if you knew who we would … (2 comments)

North Texas HOV Lanes- How do I get on? - 02:54 PM
Did you read my previous blog about how unhappy I was about the new HOV lanes that have opened on 75 Central Expressway through Richardson TX?
Even though I'm very unhappy with the way they did the lanes, others will need to know how to access the lanes.  You would think that you could just drive and be in the left lane and wait for the openings, as this is how it is on all of our other highways and freeways.  However, you would be wrong!!
For the main entrances into the HOV lane, you must actually exit off 75 Central Expressway … (4 comments)

Cut property taxes NOW - 08:19 AM
Yes there is a way to cut people's property taxes and it can be done without the need for a supercomputer and also without the need to go out and hire a Math professor to explain it all.
Property taxes in Florida are an extremely serious issue and the Amendment that will be appearing on the ballot on January 29 doesn't deliver anything meaningful at all. In fact it is my opinion that it is dangerous for the people of Florida to pass it because it could lead to the Governor and the Legislature saying "we delivered tax relief and now we're … (31 comments)

An inconvenient ice age! - 05:56 PM
While the country was in the grip of a super freeze this week; and while Daytona Beach Florida saw snow flurries and Florida's citrus farmers and strawberry farmers had to stay up all night to keep their crops safe, Al Gore was telling the world again how bad global warming was.
Now this is not as simplistic as it sounds. This is not me going "ohhhh - isn't it cold.....how can we possibly be in the grip of Global Warming?"
Tempting as that may be, this is not that.
This is the news that highly respected scientists are once again warning us of a … (37 comments)

Fort Myers Beach " OPEN HOUSE" Friday Jan 4, 2007 1 PM Reduced $100k - 09:32 AM
 
Fort Myers Beach " OPEN HOUSE "   Friday  Jan 4  , 2007     1  :00  -       Reduced $100k
 Wouldn't this put a smile on her face !
Gorgeous 3/2 direct Gulf front home. Totally decorator furnished home.  I will be hosting this New Years Day starting at 9 AM .  If you have been looking for a move-in ready beach front this is it.   If you are on Fort Myers Beach New Years Day morning stop in and and say " HI".  This beautiful home is a real charmer with light. bright beachy colors and decorator upgrades. Furnished and ready for you to move in !  Just reduced $100k to $1,695,000 .   Call me … (1 comments)

Builders are mixing it up - 02:34 AM
It seems to be a growing trend in new communities in Las Vegas. While many builders have slowed down considerably or switched to commercial projects (has anyone been to the strip lately?  There are still cranes everywhere), there seems to be a growing trend in new projects and those that are still selling well---mixed use. Probably the most successful mixed use project to date in the Las Vegas valley is the District, located in the master planned community of Green Valley.  To be fair, it was built and sold during the boom. However, it has spawned several similar communities across the valley … (6 comments)

Friday Classics: Bruce Springsteen - This Little Light Of Mine - 05:50 AM
How's this to start the New Year on an upbeat note... Bruce Springsteen and The Seeger Sessions Band performing This Little Light Of Mine....
 
 
I'm not a religious person, but I think you could probably do worse than adopting the song's chorus as a New Year's Resolution. 
… (7 comments)

Installing WordPress.org On GoDaddy - Yes! It Can Be Done! - 09:05 PM
Printable, downloadable PDF version of this post here. 
Usual Disclaimer:  I am new to WordPress.org.  As I figure things out, I am posting my notes here, mainly so I can find them again after I foget how to do what I just did.  I do know TypePad pretty well, but hey, a well-rounded blogger should be versed in more than one platform.
Sorry, this is long post.  I wanted to be sure to include plenty of screen shots.
----------------------------------
Lots of folks have hosting accounts on GoDaddy.  However, I was disappointed to discover that GoDaddy does not offer One-Click WordPress installation with Fantastico.
But it turns … (17 comments)

FED LOOKS TO INCREASE MONEY SUPPLY STORY...what do you think? - 12:19 PM
Hi everybody...I just read an interesting article with the following heading 
The Federal Reserve is looking to increase the amount of money it is making available to banks through a new auction process meant to combat the severe credit squeeze.
Here is a link to the full story ...it was written this morning
http://webcenters.netscape.compuserve.com/pf/story.jsp?floc=DC-headline&sc=1333&idq=/ff/story/0001/20071223/1409606791.htm
Let's talk about this...
Don Lantier
http://www.lantierrealty.com/
… (2 comments)

Prostitute's Would Be Good At Marketing Real Estate - 08:22 AM
I just came across an article that was posted back in September on the Sellsius blog titled 10 Marketing Tips You Can Learn from a Prostitute.  It was pretty funny!  My favorite tip?
"7. Promise quality and good customer service. The promise may get you a one-time sale but good customer service will have them coming again back."
and of course....
"There is, however, one thing you should avoid in marketing and sales: Screwing your customer."
Funny how you can learn so much from a prostitute, huh?  LOL....
This funny post even won them a Humdinger Award! 
However tie for first place for the Humdinger Award … (14 comments)

Free, personalized websites that support and connect loved ones during critical illness, treatment and recovery. - 09:45 AM
I came across this website after someone sent me an email and asked me to set up a free website for 2 year old Lexi Antorino.  Since I am not related to her or even know her family, I didn't think it was right for me to set up a website for her.  Maybe someone in her family will after reading this.
If someone does set up a website for Lexi Antorino, please feel free to post the link to the website here so we can follow up on her condition.  It is getting harder to find updates on how she is … (2 comments)

Not All Rural Property Is Horse Property - 01:25 PM
Take one of our neighbors across the road, for example.  No horses on his place (one of the few that doesn't have at least a couple).  But he does love his sheep!  
I was driving into Georgetown the other day, pulled out of my drive, and had to pull over and take this shot.  He had put out a big round bale (grown on this very pasture,as it happens - he pulls the sheep off of this one periodically and lets it grow and hays it, so they're eating hay made from the same grass they graze the rest of the … (10 comments)

A Newbie Group Review - 11:39 AM
 
I have tried, in numerous ways to give out the information for the Newbie Group. I suspect this will be neverending. Is that a word?
We have very few guidelines. The reason we have guidelines is because we sincerely want this group to be an addition to Active Rain. A place where all can come for information about Active Rain.
I urge you to take a moment and actually READ THE GUIDELINES.
Here are the basics, but please read the link.
1. Introduce yourself if you are new to Active Rain
2. Ask questions about Active Rain, how to do things
3. Write posts about … (10 comments)

technical question to AR tech gurus - 06:47 PM
I need to know how to search by tags. For instance Jonathan Washburns contest on 2008 business plans, he is having everyone tag with 2008 business plans.
I wanted to read these business plans so I did a search. However the regular search has business plans from 06 and it will take me hour to get through them all.
If these are used as tags, then there must be a way to search for them. And if someone has already written about this, please forgive me.
Anyone know the answer?
… (3 comments)

Selling the cost instead of the service. - 03:31 PM
Hi folks. Today I want to write a little bit about ABMs(Alternative Business Models) or "Discounters" as they are commonly called, not by me but by themselves and many others. Personally, I think we need to drop the term "Discounter" since real estate commissions are ALWAYS negotiable. I prefer the term ABMs.
First, I want to mention that I have NO problem with ABMs. In fact, I think the consumer should have options when it comes to who to hire and how much to pay. I welcome ALL business models and have done many transactions with folks that choose to work for … (68 comments)

WHY MEME? - 04:35 PM
Crap!  I was tagged by Allison Werner and Laura Monroe .       
 1.  At almost 5'10" tall, I was a star basketball player during my high school days at Sacred Heart High School in Pittsburgh, PA.
2.  I once broadcast the weather from a hot air balloon for local radio station, 106.5, WBMW in Ledyard, CT
3.  Late for my plane, I was able to get a police escort to T.F. Greene Airport in Providence, Rhode Island in February, 2003.
4.  I have had a concealed weapons carry permit for the State of Connecticut for 12 years.
5.  I once shared a cab with Terry … (43 comments)

The Los Gatos Real Estate Market: Is Now a Good Time to Sell or Buy a Home? - 10:58 AM
It's January, it's pouring rain and the wind is howling here in Silicon Valley as a giant Alaskan storm is dumping water by the bucket. This is the largest storm since 1995.  We are thankful for the water since precipitation has been low and there's talk of a drought and rationing by next summer. But how does this, or even "normal winter weather", impact real estate sales? Does it make this a better time to buy or sell? The obvious answer may not be the correct one!  With the inclement weather, there's an opportunity - for both buyers and for sellers … (0 comments)

What's the Difference between a Belief and a Fact?..... - 09:32 PM
A friend of mine, Wayne Roland wrote this little article and I find lots of truth in it... It's a good time to reflect and maybe take a look at how others may see you in 2008. 
Ancient Methods Muddy Mental Waters
Here's a fresh look at an old topic. 
How do you know the difference between a belief and a fact? 
Fact is, we hold some truths to be self-evident that can add up to little more than mass assumption.  That's reason enough to master the mental skill of observation.  The setting aside of biases, beliefs, judgments, and preconceived ideas ... … (0 comments)

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