Archives of real estate blog entries for October 11, 2008

Featured blog posts


A Free Text Messaging Widget For Your Active Rain Sidebar (From Matt Rains) - 09:44 AM
I love Twitter. Matt Rains, of RETechBlog fame, sent me a private message on Twitter the other night, asking me to take a look at "something" he had built and to give him my opinion. That something was a text messaging widget and I liked it.

So, yesterday Matt and I met for the first time in a video conversation using Skype and he shared with me the reasons why he decided to create it. It made me smile, because his reasons for creating the widget are the same reasons why I sometimes create some tutorial videos. It's easier for … (131 comments)

AR News Wire: Rich Lauded as Local Hero! - 03:13 PM
Rich Jacobson, beloved Community Builder and consummate crabber, was rushed to the hospital late last night after a daring raid on an Upper Manhattan condo left him seriously injured. Police have refused to comment, citing the ongoing investigation, but our sources claim he was violently attacked with a set of bongo drums. In an unlikely turn of events, eye witnesses claimed to have seen Matthew McConaughey streaking from the scene.
Federal investigators are still questioning inmates and staff at the facility where Rich was being held. It is thought that he simply walked out after (politely) asking the guard to open … (73 comments)

Credit Market Update For The Week - Bond Market Dislocates - 05:35 PM
Sorry, I didn't get a chance to do updates during the week, things were moving so fast that I barely had the time to keep on top of them myself.  Pretty much everybody is fixated on the "crash" in the stock markets with major US indexes plunging about 17% on the week, but equity markets are just a symptom, it's important to look at the cause. 
The deterioration in the credit markets on a daily basis was simply stunning, and resulted in a near lock down of both intrabank lending and financial commercial paper markets by the end of the week.
… (27 comments)

How Do We Build Personal Relationships in an Automated World?-inspired by Sharon Simms - 08:43 PM
I have to thank Sharon Simms for putting it out there in the rain about whether having an auto-responder to take the place of you personally commenting and acknowledging all the Active Rain members and non-members who took the time to comment on your blog is really the way to go.  If you haven't had a chance to read Sharon's blog here it is:  Auto Responder for Blog Comments.  I highly recommend you take a moment and check it out.  She really gets you thinking about how we do business in the such an automated society that Sharon inspired this blog.
… (45 comments)

Is there a Statute of Limitations on Debt? - 08:26 PM
I'm of the firm belief that if you borrow money, you should pay it back.  Sure, life circumstances occur and you may not be able to do so anytime soon... yet fair is fair.  If I am given money from you, I should eventually pay it back to you.  That is the right thing to do. 
Yet, the loopholes are many.  If I had to do it all over again... and I just might, I would passionately study law.  I haven't been able to verify what I'm about to write (which is why I would make a bad attorney on paper), … (61 comments)

Multi-Million Dollar Producer-Do You Use This In Your Marketing? - 08:16 PM
Agents ask me all the time should I use Multi-Million Dollar Producer in my marketing?  I might get beat up right here in this post...but in most instances I tell them NO!  Our words are powerful and we can send mixed messages especially if..we are looking to grow our businesses.
When I see multi-million dollar producer I think good for you...yes..you definitely sold a few houses..as a matter of fact my views might be very different from the public perception.  Does it matter, public perception that is?  Of course it does, you aren't impressing me...it's the public you are going after..so … (60 comments)

Autoresponder for Blog Comments - 11:02 AM
This morning I commented on a blog by John Morell of TheStreet.com and was surprised to immediately receive this:
TSC Two Cents to me 
Thanks for taking the time to write to us with your feedback. We read all the mail you send to us, and we want to assure you that we are committed to providing you with the highest-quality financial and investing resources. We also provide an FAQ page at http://www.thestreet.com/tsc/commerce/faq/faq.html that you might find helpful in the future. Thank you again for emailing us. We always appreciate hearing from our customers.
I thought that might be a good … (74 comments)

How Well Do You Know Your Market? - 08:25 PM

•1.     How many active listings are there in your MLS system right now? •2.     How many of these are short sales or REO's? •3.     How many properties are auctioned off at your county level as foreclosures every month?  What percentage of total transactions does this figure represent? •4.     What are the absorption rates for homes, condos and land in your market?  •5.     Are the prices of inventory selling reflecting 2004, 2003, or 2002 pricing levels? •6.     What is happening to the Rental market in your area? •7.     How familiar are you with the quarterly figures for your market?  Can you … (45 comments)

This is The Time To Invest In Yourself . . . - 09:54 AM
Let's face it, times are tough for everyone.  Even if you are on an even keel, you are watching your money.  Being on commission can be exciting to say the least.  We have all experienced it over our careers.
Back in 1990, when the seller's market of the '80's dried up, I was pretty young and was not sure what to do.  People asked me, What are you going to do now?  It never occurred to me that I was "supposed" to go "do" anything else?  Real Estate was what I knew how to do, it was my career and I was … (73 comments)

What an interesting question to hear from a first-time buyer! - 09:46 AM
This afternoon, I was showing a handful of places to a couple who are looking to buy their first home.  This was our first meeting, and things were going smoothly, although the homes themselves were in less-than-desirable condition because of the price range and the fact that all of them are either short sales or foreclosures. 
He turned to me as we were leaving the third house, and asked,
"So, Jason, how long do you usually work with a client before giving up on them?" I have had this question posed to me in the past, but usually it comes from … (76 comments)

I Actually Like The Changes on AR - 09:45 AM
I just logged in to Active Rain about 10 minutes ago for the first time today and noticed the changes.  At first I was wondering what the heck happened, but after a minute or so I found the Dashboard. Then, right away I noticed that there were a few people complaining about the changes...
Well, I actually kind of like it.  At the top of the page I can now search by topic or go to my subscribed readers if I want to where before I would have to flip through endless pages of blogs to find something written a few … (53 comments)

Degage...Rebuilding the Heartside Community with the Mortar of Love & Dignity! - 09:56 AM
I am arrested by this poignant pictorial post about a home that once knew Love.  A home whose lovely bones bear witness to better times; moments when it's grandeur was acknowledged and admired.  C-Tann's simple statement says it all...'Someone once loved this home.'
To love a thing or someone is to proffer one of life's greatest gifts.  Love clothes life with dignity and respect.  Love grants us the courage to face life. When we loose the ability to give love to ourselves and others, our dwelling places also begin to reflect the winter of our despair.
Abandoned homes and abandoned people are … (31 comments)

Do You Remember When? How Do You Communicate? - 09:46 AM
Do any of you remember when the cell phones were these huge gigantic and awkward looking phones? When I first started in this business many moons ago, we did not even have fax machines! There were no cell phones, no personal computers, no texting, no phone company voice mail and no cordless phones! Can you imagine that - for those of you too young to have lived in those days or remembered. For those of us who do remember- we've sure come a long way in technology in a very short period of time.

I remember when the first fax … (70 comments)

Yard Sale could be a good prospecting opportunity - 08:20 PM
I am not a big fan of yard sale, my first and only attempt was a failure since I was disenchanted after just one hour.  I left a box on the table and it was my intention to have people help themselves and leave a contribution; well they did help themselves but failed to leave any money.
Tomorrow my neighbors planned to have a large yard sale, so I decided to give it a shot again.  This time I am prepared, I have my laptop, the latest market report and my 2009 calendar to give as a thank you to anyone … (58 comments)

Should A Buyer Put In Multiple Offers! - 08:37 PM
Give me your thoughts! 
I have always had an issue with a buyer that wants to put in offers on various properties at the same time.  I try to educate my client and tell them it is the wrong approach.  Recently, however, my client asked me to put in 4 offers at the same time on 4 properties they equally liked!  All were for the same price which was about $25,000-40,000 below the asking price.  Most of them had been priced pretty well for their locations as it was. 
I told my client we should disclose the multiple offer situation to … (57 comments)

What if Toyota Bought GM ?? - 08:17 PM

This morning I was watching the news... and looking for something other than the continuing saga of the current political silliness... to uplift my spirits... or at least distract them.  
As I was watching the tube... the news about the idea GM and Chrysler merging came up.
While listening to this report... a unique thought came bopping into my mind.  As many of us know... none of the US auto manufacturers... Ford, GM and Chrysler... have done a very good job at building their cars TO the market.  They have built their cars... and then hoped, encouraged or … (46 comments)

Twittering on ActiveRain - 140 Characters even! - 10:21 AM
You know there have been a ton of changes happening and each morning we find some that we love and some well, we are going to have to get use to.  This morning I found the "Twitter" Module! Look at this!! Yep, I was brave enough to use it!!  Look at your page and zoom into the city you market to.  You will see that page has changed and the "featured" members are on the right side lower down. Localism is on the left side bar and all the current posts are the spotlight. Above those posts there is the "What' … (75 comments)

Missing Members - "A Reason, a Season or a Lifetime" - 09:48 AM
People come into and go out of our lives throughout our lifetime.  The reasons are many and various. 
relocation change of job divorce marriage misunderstandings or disagreements difference of interests This used to really bother me and caused me to worry why friendships and relationships did not last
People come into our lives and are there for different reasons and seasons.  But it does not change the fact that we miss them.  Some members that have not posted in the Rain in awhile and that I  miss: 
Rick Grand - Oregon Mortgage Broker
 
Julie Neerings - Lifting Heart, Building Dreams … (75 comments)


Blog posts


Credit Market Update For The Week - Bond Market Dislocates - 05:35 PM
Sorry, I didn't get a chance to do updates during the week, things were moving so fast that I barely had the time to keep on top of them myself.  Pretty much everybody is fixated on the "crash" in the stock markets with major US indexes plunging about 17% on the week, but equity markets are just a symptom, it's important to look at the cause. 
The deterioration in the credit markets on a daily basis was simply stunning, and resulted in a near lock down of both intrabank lending and financial commercial paper markets by the end of the week.
… (27 comments)

Multi-Million Dollar Producer-Do You Use This In Your Marketing? - 08:16 PM
Agents ask me all the time should I use Multi-Million Dollar Producer in my marketing?  I might get beat up right here in this post...but in most instances I tell them NO!  Our words are powerful and we can send mixed messages especially if..we are looking to grow our businesses.
When I see multi-million dollar producer I think good for you...yes..you definitely sold a few houses..as a matter of fact my views might be very different from the public perception.  Does it matter, public perception that is?  Of course it does, you aren't impressing me...it's the public you are going after..so … (60 comments)

Orland Park in Chicago Tribune - 01:04 PM
Friday's Home Section (10/10/2008) had a first-page article titled "A Tale of Two Orlands." It offers a little history, Orland Park amenities and a bit of Orland Park real estate info.
Judy Orr was interviewed for the article as her office, Classic Realty Group, is located in Orland Park and Judy has been selling real estate in the village since 1983. There were a few other locals interviewed for the article and it gives a nice community profile of this thriving village.
The article even mentioned that Orland Park has been on Money Magazine's list of the Top 100 Cities to … (2 comments)

Nashua, New Hampshire Apartment Rental (North End) - 09:29 PM
View the photo gallery and video tour! Great "North End" rental that has been completely renovated offers: two bedrooms, extra large 29 x14 master bedroom with a walk in closet, large living room with hardwood floors. New maple kitchen with new gas stove, microwave, dishwasher, refridgerator, new bathroom. Walk to Greeley Park or Downtown restaurants. 1 year lease! Credit check! No smoking! Pets to be approved by owner! Available now.

… (0 comments)

Texas Longhorns vs OU Sooners Red River Rivalry at the Cottonbowl - 08:13 AM
Are you ready?  Dallas is crowded, and I'm so glad we got back from Austin on Thursday instead of waiting until Friday to come back.  Who wants to be in that traffic?
Texas v OU weekend is here!
Here's an interesting stat, last year, OU broke a two game losing streak in the Rivalry beating Texas.  Also, it seems history shows the winning team is always the one who comes in ranked higher.  We'll have to see if this holds true as OU is ranked #1 with Texas currently ranked #5.
Both teams are undefeated, but someone has to lose this … (14 comments)

So proud of my baby! - 11:47 PM
It has been a strange week. On Thursday I had planned to blog about my youngest daughter (the baby of the family), but then my mother-in-law had a heart attack and I have been away fro a few days. You can read about that in "A Tribute to my in-laws".
But on Thursday Rachel Conway was accepted to both of her back up Universities. According to her guidance councillor, these were very fast decisions and she should be extremely proud. She did not ask for early decisions and even though these are both great universities it is unlikely she will go … (11 comments)

The Obama birth certificate controversy - 11:53 PM
There has been a spirited debate on my blog over why Barack Obama will not produce his long form birth certificate for a court of law following a law suite filed by Phillip Berg Esq.
WHo is Phillip Berg? - "(Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania - 08/21/08) - Philip J. Berg, Esquire, [Berg is a former Deputy Attorney General of Pennsylvania; former candidate for Governor and U.S. Senate in Democratic Primaries; former Chair of the Democratic Party in Montgomery County; former member of Democratic State Committee; an attorney with offices in Montgomery County, PA and an active practice in Philadelphia, PA..."
… (93 comments)

Long Beach California Sales Report for September 2008 - 09:24 AM
While the stock market is having it's ups and downs during the past week, our phone is ringing with people who want to buy homes in Long Beach, California and surrounding cities.
Today, I released the numbers for home sales of single family homes city wide in Long Beach and discovered some interesting things.  Sales were down but prices were up?  Hmmm...
View the numbers for sales at Long Beach real estate home sales report on our local real estate news blog.
… (0 comments)

Tree House Workshop - 12:57 AM

For the first time in it's ten year history, the annual Treehouse Conference will be held in Fall City, WA (25 miles east of Seattle), at Treehouse Point on October 10th, an events facility owned by Pete and Judy Nelson, the folks who own Tree House Workshop. (Peter Nelson is the author of a series of great Tree House books.)
Treehouse Workshop offers full design and build services for your treehouse project, but they also help you if you want to design and build it yourself.
Their workshops will equip a homeowner with the skills needed to design and build … (1 comments)

Margaret Rome Live Radio Sunday 12noon-- All ABOUT REAL ESTATE - 11:12 PM
Margaret Rome Live Radio Sunday 12noon-- All ABOUT REAL ESTATE


 
… (3 comments)

How's the Real Estate Market in San Jose's Almaden Valley Area? - 10:17 PM
How's the market?  In the Almaden Valley area of San Jose, there are mixed signs. Let's have a look at the absorption rate to begin our analysis of the San Jose real estate market in the Almaden Valley area (zip code 95120).
The absorption rate is the rate at which homes are selling. It factors in the current inventory vs the closed sales for any given period of time. It could be months, weeks, or even days of inventory. If no new homes were to come on the market and properties continued selling at the current rate, how long would it … (0 comments)

Another Neat Thing that Picnik Can Do For Your Photos - 10:30 PM
Today I was volunteering at my church's annual "country fair" (a huge fundraiser for the parish and school) and had the opportunity to see a lot of very cute kids. One of them was just so darling that I had to ask the parents if I could take a photo. Unfortunately, all I had on me was the Treo. It's better than nothing but the quality just isn't great. And to make matters worse, I was so busy being charmed by this little cutie and her pink sunglasses that I didn't notice how many shadows were on her dimpled face. By … (7 comments)

When Buying A Ludlow VT Home Makes Sense - 03:36 AM
When Buying  A Ludlow VT Home Makes Sense
 
The housing market has never been better for many potential Ludlow VT home buyers. In fact, more often than not, it is less expensive to own your own home rather than rent.
 
The National Low Income Housing Coalition reports that in 57 out of the 100 most populated metro areas, renting a three-bedroom home is more expensive than monthly costs on a six percent mortgage for a typical low-priced house in the same area.
 
With all the news these days concerning the economic crunch and these tumultuous economic times, you might … (3 comments)

OPEN HOUSE 5141 NEKOLE DR MILTON, Florida 32570 charles stallions active rain - 07:39 PM
OPEN HOUSE OPEN HOUSE **    SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 1 PM - 4PM ** OPEN HOUSE OPEN HOUSE
FREE FOOD AND DOR PRIZES REGISTER TO WIN DINNER FOR FOUR @ RED LOBSTER
WE SELL YOUR HOME $1495 FLAT FEE... CALL NOW 478-8811 CHARLES STALLIONS REAL ESTATE SERVICES INC.
--Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed--Copyright: 2008 by the Pensacola Association of Realtors, Inc. Prepared by CHARLES STALLIONS of CHARLES STALLIONS RE SERVICES on 10/11/2008 7:34:00 PM
… (2 comments)

OPEN HOUSE** 720 S N ST PENSACOLA, FLORIDA 32501 OPEN HOUSE - 07:50 PM
OPEN HOUSE** 720 S N ST PENSACOLA, FLORIDA 32501 OPEN HOUSE
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 1PM -4PM
WE SELL YOUR HOME $1495 FLAT FEE... CALL NOW 478-8811 CHARLES STALLIONS REAL ESTATE SERVICES INC.
… (2 comments)

OPEN HOUSE 5640 COLLINSWOOD DR MILTON, Florida 32570 charles stallions active rain - 07:54 PM

OPEN HOUSE OPEN HOUSE **    SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 1 PM - 4PM ** OPEN HOUSE OPEN HOUSE
FREE FOOD AND DOR PRIZES REGISTER TO WIN DINNER FOR FOUR @ RED LOBSTER
WE SELL YOUR HOME $1495 FLAT FEE... CALL NOW 478-8811 CHARLES STALLIONS REAL ESTATE SERVICES INC.


 
… (2 comments)

Taunton Massachusetts Subdivsion Approved 12 house lots- Developers Opportunity - 09:27 PM
 
 
Builders, Investors, Developers and others: Take Advantage of this opportuntiy to capitalize on what can be a lucrative real estate  income opportunity.
Winding River Estates is a subdivision in Taunton Massachusetts. The lots are 1.6 acres+ per lot. Perced and Engineered.
Road need to be installed, utilities and other site improvements.
The property is about 1/2 mile to the golf course, off North Walker Street.
Listed at $650,000


Lori Lincoln is a Realtor/Partner with Keller Williams Realty. She sells homes in Taunton, Seekonk Rehoboth, Assonet, Somerset and surrounding cities and towns in and around Bristol County
 
… (0 comments)

Taunton Massachusetts- Don't Worry, its a waste of time - 10:34 PM
There are several mixed messages about real estate lately. If you are confused, you are in the company of many.
The Rescue/Bail-out plan has been approved, but the way the funds will be used will take some time.
One thing we cannot do is sit an worry about the economy, housing, stock market etc.. It is a waste of time.
You can only control what's in your power to control.
Live your life as if you have always lived it.
As for your finances, you know what to do
1. Cut back on unneccesary spending
2. Save your money
3. Look … (1 comments)

Sea Isle City Homes Sold for the Week of October 4 to 11 - 10:29 AM
The following homes have sold this past week in Sea Isle City:
 313 57th Street sold for $700,000 with the asking price of $795,000 and 200 days on the market.  
119 49th Street, West, new construction sold for $675,000 with the asking price of $829,000 and 529 days on the market. There are  four homes that are now "under contract" this week with closing dates of October 30, October 31 (2) and Jan 2.
Call Gerri Rescigno at RE/MAX Beach Home Realty, 4200 Landis Avenue, Sea Isle, at 609-263-3600 for all of your real estate needs.
This information is compiled from … (0 comments)

Autoresponder for Blog Comments - 11:02 AM
This morning I commented on a blog by John Morell of TheStreet.com and was surprised to immediately receive this:
TSC Two Cents to me 
Thanks for taking the time to write to us with your feedback. We read all the mail you send to us, and we want to assure you that we are committed to providing you with the highest-quality financial and investing resources. We also provide an FAQ page at http://www.thestreet.com/tsc/commerce/faq/faq.html that you might find helpful in the future. Thank you again for emailing us. We always appreciate hearing from our customers.
I thought that might be a good … (74 comments)

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