Archives of real estate blog entries for October 10, 2008

Featured blog posts


I DON'T DO RENTALS. YOU CAN'T MAKE ME. YOU CAN'T SHAME ME INTO HANDLING RENTALS! - 09:27 AM
INSPIRED BY A POST THIS A.M. REPRIMANDING AGENTS FOR NOT TAKING A RENTAL REFERRAL.
NO APOLIGIES:  I am a real estate broker/owner of a "for profit" company.  I am not a public service organization with a government grant.  I have many years of experience.  I prioritize my business focus based on the market and profitibility.  There is no profit in rentals.  Rentals are a "LOSS LEADER" offered by listing companies. 
The problem is not that most agents who have any experience or business do not want to handle rentals.  The problem is that they are asked to handle rentals.  By … (161 comments)

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes! Turn and Face the Rain, Ch-Ch-Changes! - 07:11 PM

(For your listening enjoyment as you peruse my Friday afternoon musings, I give you David Bowie)
Jorgen Hahn, our resident Rollerblading Expert and Matthew McConaughey impersonator, was taken into protective custody earlier this morning by Federal Agents after receiving a number of vicious death threats stemming from the abrupt removal of the BLOGS link button on the popular real estate network, ActiveRain. Though we could not confirm or deny, anonymous sources revealed that Mr. Hahn has been enrolled in a witness protection program, and is now an employee of the Best Buy store in Dubuque, Iowa, working for the Geek … (250 comments)

SHERIFF SHOOTS 4700 FORECLOSURES BACK TO BANK - 09:29 AM
Finally! A HAPPY HEADLINE is found in this morning's news, coming out of my hometown of heroes--- CHICAGO! A great town with 2 great baseball teams (although only one of them ever actually wins), a wonderful stock of humanity, excellent leadership (I'm recollecting the decades of Mayor Daley Sr and currently, his son), culturally diverse and architecturally rich, and NOW, today, a sheiff, TOM DART from Albany, IL has taken a historical stand, I believe, as he is refusing to foreclose on 4700 properties, bringing to the forefront the underlying problem of too many rent-paying tenants and their non-mortgage paying landlords. He was quoted as saying "We … (84 comments)

Twitter and Twitter Tools - 07:20 PM
Twitter Tools For Twitter Users It has taken me nearly a year to finally take the plunge and join the most talked about social network of our time, Twitter. Not because I did not believe the words of my fellow Active Rainers, but because I was troubled by the thought of spending more time on my computer. As it is my family complains about the amount of time I spend on my blog and the Rain, but I think the paychecks every now and then keep them happy. :0) Anyway, I digress. Like any other adventure in my life, after joining … (79 comments)

The Pink Ribbon Tour to promote awareness of breast cancer; wear your pink Oct. 25th, 26th and 27th!! - 10:24 AM
The Pink Ribbon Tour to promote awareness of breast cancer; wear your pink Oct. 25th, 26th and 27th!!I recently went to visit my daughter in New York City.  My sister flew in from Colorado and we planned a girl's weekend.  It was great timing as I flew in on September 17th which was a welcome relief from dealing with Hurricane Ike in Houston.  Mind you this was a planned trip but WOW it could not have had better planning.
The only thing we had totally planned was to see Wicked on Broadway.  Before going to Wicked we had reservations at the … (50 comments)

I Got Called Into The Principal's Office . . . - 07:13 PM
I got called into the Principal's office.  Not that Principal, my Principal Broker's office.  I got a phone call from Michelle, one of our staff members.  It was so official.  Audrey, can you meet with Ken, our broker, on Wednesday around 2:00?  Um, yeah, sure, what is it for? 
So I wondered for a couple of days what it could possibly be?  I didn't have any drama going on in my business?  I never do.  I didn't have any drama going on in the office?  I don't pay enough attention to the "goings on" in the office to care.
I went … (73 comments)

I'm NOT #1 and I Don't Care! - 07:21 PM
I am not #1 and I don't care.
The reverse sentiment might be - I AM #1...So What?
Being #1 is pretty important for anyone who is competitive. The real estate field is filled with competitive folks. And a good number of them claim to be #1. How many #1s can there really be?
Being #1 can be defined in so ways, and plenty of flyers, ads and signage can make this claim depending on how it is defined, or even if the notion exists in the eyes of the would-be beholder. Ho hum. Being #1 seems a bit, well, meaningless.
… (108 comments)

How Humiliating I was stood up...part 2 - 07:28 PM
Funny how things happen. Last week I got an internet lead and immediately recognized the name. I had this customer back in June of 2007 and wrote a post about the experience on my other (inactive) Active Rain blog. I'm thinking that I really shouldn't even bother with her but a part of me wants to help her out. Another part says...fool me once- shame on you- fool me twice- shame on me.
Oh what to do???

How Humiliating...I was stood up today! Originally posted June 12 2007

I can't remember when the last time I was stood up, … (79 comments)

Relationships- the core of a successful real estate business. - 10:17 AM
Yesterday I was having a conversation with my father, who got started on a down and out rant on the real estate industry.  I love my father, a man who's been a home buyer and seller many times.  He is the first person I have sought to discuss the state of the economy with...but we draw very different lines in the sand when it comes to the real estate industry.
So my good old dad started telling me how real estate agents are only driven by the money of real estate.  That home buyers are driven by emotions and that the … (86 comments)

Can you be fair and balanced in a multi offer situation? (If one of the buyers is yours) - 10:10 AM
Over the past couple years I have closed many transactions where I am both the buyers and sellers agent and act as a neutral party for both in the transaction. It has worked out well and truly a win-win for both parties and both parties have walked away happy.
But, what about a multi offer situation where one of the offers is yours? This is one situation that I have always handed the offers to another agent to present. I never wanted my hope to get both ends of the transaction to possibly influence the seller into taking the offer from … (113 comments)


Blog posts


NAR Convention, What's The Scoop? Is There An Activerain Get Together? - 07:18 AM
Just wondering if there is a definite time, place and event lined up for an Activerain get together.  I've been checking regularly and want to make my arrangements.  I know I am not alone as I've had a few conversations with Rainers wondering the same thing. Rather than email..maybe someone has the answer.  November is a busy time for many and we need to make the proper arrangements.  Any insight would be appreciated..and hey if you are going to NAR..let me know.. My plan...Network...Network..Network..Meeting Many of My Online Friends! Midori Miller and her team service all of Flagler and Volusia county … (16 comments)

Hermon - 06:14 AM
Hermon is situated in a half square-mile valley with chaparral-covered hillsides, bordered by the Arroyo Seco and the historic 110 freeway to the west, Monterey Hills to the south, and South Pasadena to the north and east.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Hermon was cut off from nearby Los Angeles and Pasadena for much of the year. A wintertime trip from Hermon to downtown Los Angeles required fording the Arroyo Seco on foot.
In 1903 landowner, Ralph Rogers, donated the land of the Hermon tract to a group of Free Methodists, conservative Christians who cared little about the … (0 comments)

Montecito Heights - 08:50 AM
The community of Montecito Heights, located between Los Angeles and Pasadena overlooking the Arroyo Seco River, boasts huge tracts of open wilderness areas, historic homes and magnificent views. This picturesque district possesses a rich history as one of the oldest and most fascinating sections of Los Angeles.

Montecito Heights, due to its spectacular beauty and incredibly convenient location, has attracted creative and artistic Angelenos since the turn of the 20th century.
Many Montecito Heights residents have the rare luxury of being able to pretend that they live in the secluded countryside. Due to the hills on which the community is … (0 comments)

My Illinois foreclosures for early November - 03:52 AM

Posted by Vicki Watzlawick, Broker Owner, CERTIFIED Foreclousre expert, LITH, IL www.vickisdreamhomes.com … (0 comments)

Lee County & Fort Myers Beach sales stats for agents - 03:52 PM
The following stats are year to date sales figures for Lee County, Florida.  Stats come from the Board of Realtors and/or the MLS:
5,353 Realtors in Lee County
3,403 Realtors sold no homes
1,950 Realtors sold at least one home
309 Realtors sold more than $1,000,000 in homes
40 Realtors sold more than $3,000,000
A couple of years ago these numbers would have been unthinkable ! 
… (6 comments)

FHA Hope For California Homeowners Loan Program - 07:40 AM
Brian Brady of WorldWide Credit is to Go-To Guy to information on the FHA HOPE Program.
If you are struggling to hold on to your home in Northeast Los Angeles,  you could do worse than to turn to Brian for advice.  Brian's office telephone number is (858)- 777-9751
==================================

Via Brian Brady- America's #1 Mortgage Broker:
The FHA Hope for Homeowners loan program was released this month. The stated goal of the plan is to help homeowners, who are paying mortgages that are significantly more expensive than when they bought the home (due to rate adjustments), get a home loan they … (2 comments)

Blog Gone It - 03:27 PM
Did everyone else lose the link to the Blogs dashboard?

I don't see another way to get to my list of subscribed blogs....?
 
 
… (14 comments)

Shhhh...Listen to the Buyers....Only Then Will You Know the Right Questions - 02:13 PM
If there's one thing to do when buyers see a home and show interest, it's Listen, Listen, Listen, so you know the right questions! What are buying questions?  How about:
Where will you be placing the big screen TV?
Where will your huge aquarium be - in the lower level or the first floor family room? Hey kids, have you picked out  the color for your room? Will your laundry area be in the upstairs bedroom area or in the lower level? Do you prefer to cook with gas or electricity? How long will it take you to get to your work/school/hospital  from … (16 comments)

Is Broker Bryant Full of Hot Air? - 05:05 PM
Hi folks. Earlier this week, Aloysius Donohue wrote an interesting featured post titled, "Active Rain's Top Bloggers Ranked by Actual Real Estate Sales Productions.........And Creepy Larry" . OK, first I just have to say.......that is one crappy title!!! Sorry Aloysius...just my opinion. Anyway, the topic of his post is:
"I follow the advice of AR bloggers all the time but I often wonder who I am taking the advice from.  I always think to myself "this person is very interesting but I wonder if they do any business".  
Al started a great discussion and has close to 100 comments already. If you haven't … (37 comments)

October, 2008 Economic Update for the Wichita, KS MSA - 02:24 PM
October, 2008 Economic Update for the
Wichita, KS MSA
 
Local plane makers at the NBAA  convention in Orlando Florida are continuing to see orders grow for business jets made in Wichita.  This year over 70% of all new jet orders have come from over seas.  Cessna Aircraft has now over 900 Cessna Citation jets in Europe and is building their second service center in Spain.
 
Bombardier Learjet is expanding their production facilities in Wichita and Mexico because of the introduction of the Learjet 85.  Bombardier will hire almost 100 new engineers for the Wichita facility and will hire an … (0 comments)

The Santa Clara Real Estate Market Update - 04:21 PM
The housing market in Santa Clara, CA, is showing some signs of improvement. Let's first look at the monthly absorption rate, which is a ratio between current inventory and closed sales during the month. It's a way of understanding the health of the market and is a hypothetical figure of how fast the current inventory would be sold off if no new homes came on the market and properties continued to close escrow at the present rate.
The absorption rates for condos and houses in Santa Clara, graphed below, shows that single family homes have enjoyed a rate of less than … (0 comments)

Why Choose to Live in Santa Clara, California? - 04:41 PM

Santa Clara is a higly desirable city within Santa Clara County, where the largest city is San Jose and the area is generally referred to as "Silicon Valley".
The city of Santa Clara is home to high tech and to history. The north side of Santa Clara is full of biotech and high tech companies as well as the Great America Theme Park (and possibly will some day also be the home of the 49ers football team). The oldest areas of Santa Clara include the El Camino Real (which connects the missions), lovely Victorian homes, an old Carmelite Monastary, Mission Santa … (1 comments)

Downtown Los Gatos - Fun Event This Weekend - The St. Mary's Country Fair - 06:39 PM
The St. Mary's Country Fair in downtown Los Gatos is back for another great weekend - starting in just a few minutes and running through Sunday afternoon.
The fair includes carnival rides, arts & crafts, talent shows, raffles (a smart car is being raffled), food and drink as well as goodies to buy. Wine, beer and margaritas are available in the evenings.Tonight and tomorrow night there will be free live music and dancing (tonight it's the Joe Sharino Band and tomorrow evening it'll be The Cheeseballs) - no cover charge!
Sundays usually include pony rides and a petting zoo.
The food … (0 comments)

Reflecting on a milestone: 100,000 points, 250 posts on Active Rain - 10:23 PM
Earlier today I completed a post and then realized that I'd gone past 100,000 points and hit my 250th entry here on Active Rain. That really pales in comparison to many of the top bloggers here. In California, we have "The Jeffs"  - Jeff Dowler at 377,287 points and 852 posts and Jeff Turner at 334,223 points (and 241 posts). (What is really cool is that they are both just nice guys who are low ego, pleasant, knowledgable guys.)  THere are many more, too, who are way, way ahead of me.
But getting back to me, I wondered if there was something I … (1 comments)

Solar Power will drive us to a new future- Go GM and Tesla - 09:46 AM
Solar power is one of those intriguing things.We have been using the sun for warmth for millions of years. Without it we don't exist, too much of it and we are toast. With the new administration, which ever one it is, an energy policy will finally be a focus. This past year has been a pivotal year for many things to come. Regardless of the outcome the saying that comes to mind " to the victor goes the spoils." Unfortunately President Cheney has left us a pile of do do all over the world and a heap of debt. Solar energy … (0 comments)

What do you do when you Never Heard of the Lender ???? - 07:31 AM



                                                              

  We just got an offer....in less than 30 days...99% of the asking...supposedly a VA loan....and the lender's pre-approval didn't even have an amount on it !  We have called to discuss it...see how much experience this mortgage broker in another county we have not heard of or had experience with has had....voice mail...no return calls...have to respond by tomorrow....
   We have voiced our concerns to the sales agent...she sort of "gets it" and says she has talked to the buyers but they "like" the lender as she was recommended and she can't and … (7 comments)

Four Features You Might Not Know About in Single Property Sites - 01:07 PM
 

We get a lot of feedback from users about features they'd like to see included in Single Property Sites, and we're always looking to enhance our product. But occasionally we find some features customers request are already included in our ProSPS system! Here are four different things you can do with your SPS account that you might not know about yet. We try and update our blogs frequently, so add our RSS feed, join us on ActiveRain or follow us on Twitter (we'll return the favor) if you find this article helpful.
1. Embed a Video in Your Single … (2 comments)

Kids - Creepy Crawly Night - 10:56 AM
New Page 1 Hey kids, do you need a night out made especially for you?
Explore with flashlights on the Nature Center trail!
Pig out on Pizza!  Munch on Popcorn!  Watch a Movie!
Top off the night by creating your own dessert!
Friday, October 10th   6 - 10 pm
Ages 5-12
More Information & Sign-up
… (0 comments)

Immaculate, MUST-SEE home in Leesburg, VA - 12:44 PM
… (0 comments)

Lovely home in desirable Herndon! - 01:03 PM
… (0 comments)

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