Archives of real estate blog entries for October 23, 2008

Featured blog posts


Sleepless in Seattle: How I Made the Decision to Change Companies - 03:00 PM
I spent a sleepless weekend in Seattle.
In case you have never been to Seattle, let me explain that it is the perfect place to think things through.
With water views on all sides, weather so fickle you never know what to expect (disturbing only if you are a Californian and used to relentless sunshine), brilliant fall foliage, clean crisp air that smells like the surrounding conifers, and coffee at every corner, you have a mix that is ripe for inspiration and reflection.
Now you know why Microsoft and ActiveRain are both in Seattle.
And then there are those cute Seattle … (81 comments)

Sarasota Association of REALTORS - Who Does It Really Hurt?? - 02:57 PM
The Sarasota Association of REALTORS fulfills my Prediction from Long Ago - MY Predictions of What is NEXT
Laurie Manny of Long Beach Real Estate made a comment on Inman news concerning the Sarjacking of Marc Rasmussen's site that brought back memories of a Featured Active Rain Post I wrote about long ago. 
(For the record, it was me she was referring to in that comment of the Inman News post concerning the Las Vegas REALTOR that lost their domain name. The only correction I need to make on that comment is that I did not put up a fight to keep … (44 comments)

Leads from Blogging - Active Rain Works ! - 03:03 PM
In the last couple of weeks, Stephanie and I have received more calls or acknowledgement from Philadelphia buyers or sellers that have indicated that they came across us or contacted us due to our site - The Somers Team or our blog - the Philadelphia Real Estate Blog .
It is a testament that more and more people are doing their research and homework online.
Today we met with a group of investors at our office because they saw our recent blog on short sales in Philadelphia .  As a result of this meeting, I am excited about potentially working with some … (85 comments)

Beauty on an October Afternoon in Stillwater, Minnesota (LOCALISM FEATURED) - 03:05 PM
MEA weekend is very special in Minnesota. The third Thursday and Friday in October are always the Minnesota Education Association's convention which means a four day weekend to all families with children in Minnesota schools. Our family has almost always used this as a travel weekend as it is off season for many vacation areas. This year we had to stay in town but my husband took off work anyway and I put my real estate business on hold and we spent a family day enjoying the fall colors along the river in Stillwater, Minnesota.Okay Stillwater, Minnesota is not exactly a … (61 comments)

You Know How Much Money You Want to Make. But, Do You Know How Much Commission it Will Take to Make It.? - 03:01 PM
How much money do you want to make next year? $50,000.00? $75,000.00? $100,000.00? $1,000,000.00?
Let me rephrase that question. How much after tax profit do you want next year? Do you have any idea how much gross commission it will take to make that amount of money? Do you know how many sides it will take to make that gross commission? And do you know how many listing/buying appointments it will take to get that number of sides?
I do! One thing I understand is that the commission I make and the profit that I have at the end of the … (102 comments)

SELLING REAL ESTATE IS LIKE PERFORMING AT THE IMPROV! - 03:04 PM
REPUBLISHED BY LENN.
An interesting post today by Angela Lucaj , "Acting Classes?".  reminded me of something I wrote back on January 1, 2007. 
Enjoy.
                                                                   * * * * *
HOW WE ANSWER A BUYER'S QUESTIONS MAY DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT WE SELL THAT HOUSE, or ANY HOUSE.You've been out with a nice family for the past 3 weeks, every Saturday and Sunday from mid-morning until dark.  The buyers are hard working, need to buy a home and you've reached a point where there is nothing left to see in their price range.  You and the buyers are now touring their favorite house for … (83 comments)

Please tell me, what's the POINT? - 02:55 PM
 ENERGY.  Some people just "get it" and feel it.  In reading a wonderful Featured post the other day   Point whores on Active Rain... you don't have to be one!  by Jeff Belonger   I got to thinking about some of the many people on Activerain that I read.  Many of course are on my subscribed list and some I just read because they LOOK interesting. 
The difference in the posts we love, that make us feel good-or even sad is of course in the Energy of the person writing.  It is tangible, you can FEEL it which makes it an outstanding post.
Then … (123 comments)

Scoring points on AR - A Tutorial You Can Contribute to: - 02:54 PM
Call me competitive, I don't mind, I'll readily admit to it!  If I am participating in a race I expect to win.  Do I always win?  Nope, but I always give it my all.    I am trying to figure out the AR scoring system, because I noticed that three of my competitors are gathering points at a feverish pace and I will soon be left in the dust here, unless I uncover the magic secret to scoring points at an accelerated pace.  Watching others' performances here on AR, I've noticed that 10,000 weekly points are achievable, but how exactly do … (114 comments)

Don't Use The Market As An Excuse To Fail - 02:57 PM
   
 
 My wife has always said that one of her favorite things about me is that I have no excuses.It doesn't sound like much, but stop and think about it for a moment. I don't make any excuses for how and when anything goes wrong in this life. I just look towards making things better, and how I can do that. Not how someone else can do it for me, but how I can change what my own problems are at a given time.
 In our industry and our economy as a whole, we are experiencing troubles to say the … (102 comments)


Blog posts


How Many Activerain members Network on Facebook? - 09:06 PM
Are you an Active Rain member that uses Facebook for Networking? | BuzzDash polls
If you are not maybe you should be, tapping into your past could be a great source of income. In less than 2 months I found close to 150 frieinds from High School that are scattered all over the world and know I continue looking, I am sure that more than one of them will be doing business with me. and the best part is they already now me. I am also enjoying the mental excercises remembering names and things we did. It is a great … (36 comments)

How's the economy doing in your neighborhood? - 12:35 AM
I live in Hawaii and things have slowed down.  Aloha Airlines went out of business earlier this year, followed by ATA.  That reduced seat capacity to Hawaii and took a hit on tourism.  High airfares due to fuel prices also had an effect.
Overall, I think we're not doing too bad.  Hawaii banks didn't get involved in subprime loans.  We do have foreclosures and short sales, it seems like almost all of them involve mainland banks.
On the news, I see people being interviewed, talking about not being able to find a job, even with college degrees.
My question to Active … (0 comments)

Another internet scam to watch out for - 06:28 PM
I just received a message from Jennifer and I'll share it with you below:
My name is jennifer. it is my pleasure to write you after viewing your profile today at activerain,i will like to know you the more,and i want you to send me an email to my email address so i tell you more about myself and a picture for you to know whom i am,Here is my email (removed). believe we can move from here!I am waiting for your mail to my email address above,(Remeber the distance or colour does not matter but love matters alot in life) hoping … (9 comments)

FREE Admission To NAR Expo - 10:30 AM
Today I was on the Florida Association of Realtors Website and they are offering FREE admission to the NAR Expo...the trade show! 
I imagine other Associations have this opportunity posted as well. I'll be attending the expo and will be back and forth...because of one of our own...Denise Sutphin...will be getting married Saturday, November 8th at 4 pm.  
If you are going to NAR look me up...would love to meet as many people as possible...and remember..check out the free ticket to the expo and I hope to see you there!
Midori Miller and her team service all of Flagler and Volusia county … (11 comments)

2672 Circle Drive - Newport Beach CA - $5,995,000 - 07:43 PM
Home | Site MapFor more information, photographs and other available properties, go to :Orange County coastal real estate in Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach & Newport Coast
… (0 comments)

Are Guys Chicken When it Comes to Length of Listing Agreements? - 12:34 PM
Yesterday, I wrote a blog that mentioned how men are overconfident in their abilities and like to take more risks.  Along those same lines, there is another study in the Tierra Grande that says, "Male brokers tend to take shorter listing contracts compared with female brokers."
What do you think of this?  What is the average listing agreement you agree to?
For the past couple of years, I have only taken one listing that was not a 6 month contract.  I listed it last Thursday and the sellers were adamant about a 90 day listing period.  I fought hard to extend … (24 comments)

Why Should I Blog? - It's About the Value of Being Seen as the Expert in Your Niche - 01:23 PM
As I was standing at the podium at the Christie’s Global Conference talking about the marriage that is Real Estate and Content, an idea struck me that at the time I only had an opportunity to touch on... knowing it deserved more.
The audience I was speaking to deals mostly in incredibly high end luxury homes.  We're talking mansions, castles, villas and the like.  What struck me was the idea that if you were to break down the value of their time when applied to working with one of these listings, you're easily looking at several hundred dollars an hour... and … (15 comments)

Yes 100% Financing is still available in Western New York! - 07:25 AM
Yes it is true Western New York!
A no down payment, 100% financing mortgage is still available!  No, it is not a typo... it it's not a VA mortgage....it's the USDA Rural Development Housing Loan Program.  Don't let the word "Rural" fool you.  In this program, the word rural is used very loosely, for it incorporates many new suburban areas throughout the country!
The program is designed to provide more opportunities for families to purchase a single-family home or condominiums in specific outlying areas around our existing cities and towns.  Thus promoting the growth of these semi rural areas.
Read the … (2 comments)

USEFUL TOOL FOR REALTORS: FAQ's About The First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit (By Nima of LADD Financial 203.913.6016) - 11:21 PM
Nima Presents:
Frequently Asked QuestionsAbout the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Law
(Forward this email to all of your Current Clients, Past Clients, First Time Home Buyers & Anyone that can use this information)
The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 authorizes a $7,500 tax credit for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing homes on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009. The following questions and answers provide basic information about the tax credit. If you have more specific questions, we strongly encourage you to consult a qualified tax advisor or legal professional about your unique situation.
1.                  … (1 comments)

Creating a Landing Page - Your Feedback is Appreciated! - 04:12 PM
Do you use landing pages in your business? If you haven't heard of them, they are pages on your site or blog to which you drive targeted visitors. For instance, you could want to get first time homebuyer leads in your town or city, so you could create a page intended for that group. It could be any niche or target, from a type of buyer or seller (first time, luxury, move up) or property (view homes, condos, REOs). I decided that I want to find more Los Gatos home buyers so set out to create a landing page for that … (11 comments)

Advanced Tax Time Tips - 11:14 AM
1. Change in marital status:A marriage or divorce can alter the amount of tax refund or balance due. Tax rate schedules, exemptions, and standard deductions all change depending on filing status.
2. Birth of a child: You cannot clam a child as a dependent until a social security number is obtained. A child born on the last day of the year, with a social security number, qualifies for the 100% exemption allowance.
3. Planning for a child's college education: There are several tax-favored options available for college savings, e.g. Coverdell ESA and a Qualified State Tuition Plan.
4. Death of … (0 comments)

11673 Hannah Drive, Conifer, CO - 05:55 PM

Gawk at Pikes Peak All Day Long!
11673 Hannah Dr, 1864 SqFt, 3BD/2BA, 2 car oversized garage on 0.53 acres, built in 1983. Great room living captures huge views and has wood stove and large kitchen penisula. Enjoy other features as well--pellet stove, jetted tub and bonus room.
 
$253,0000    Kings Valley Custom Resort    Conifer

 
 
 
 
Sweet Home with Even Sweeter Views!
www.11673Hannah.com
Darling mountain contemporary home will have you breathlessly staring out your great room windows. The living area captures Pikes Peak views and offers wood-burning stove with moss rock surround, vaulted ceilings and deck … (0 comments)

15895 Wintergreen Dr. in Caldwell. Spacious Home on 1 Acre with Guest House! - 12:04 PM
… (3 comments)

How to Sell Your Home in a Challenging Market - 09:23 AM
In our current economy we are facing many challenges. The housing market has been hit hardest yet many people still have to sell their homes for a variety of reasons. With so much housing inventory on the market how can you compete?
The key to aggressively marketing your home is to be flexible and competitive. Being willing to offer the buyers a great incentive, keeping things simple and by being willing to make a deal can make the difference on whether you sell or don't sell.
Here are a few ways you can be competitive and stand out:
1.) Get an experienced … (2 comments)

Hello Group....Let's Show Everyne WHY we are America's Best Agents ! - 08:04 AM
    Thank you Ginny,
for your invitation to this new group. I am sure it will grow as the organization does. To make the participation meaningful...why not have members blog about what things they do to be one of America'sBest Agents...what makes you stand out ? What are the extra professional touches you provide that bring you referrals from your sphere...from this group...Active Rain and other places ?
    Let's make this group active and help each other by making the BEST even BETTER !

… (0 comments)

Hello Group....Let's Show Everyne WHY we are America's Best Agents ! - 08:04 AM
    Thank you Ginny,
for your invitation to this new group. I am sure it will grow as the organization does. To make the participation meaningful...why not have members blog about what things they do to be one of America'sBest Agents...what makes you stand out ? What are the extra professional touches you provide that bring you referrals from your sphere...from this group...Active Rain and other places ?
    Let's make this group active and help each other by making the BEST even BETTER !

… (1 comments)

I DID Listen to my Little Voice....But What's a Gal to Do.... - 11:35 PM


   
                                                                           

Just a couple weeks after our lovely brick cape cod went on the market we got a full price offer...our notes in MLS approved by our sellers say "Pre-approval from local lender required with all offers." When the offer came...no approval...no lender....no profile sheet from the buyers....called the agent...oh yes, she knew that and I would have it the next day..she talked with the lender...the were qualified for $20,000 more than they offered....she knew she had been working with them.
    Got the letter...called the "not so local" lender....a 45 minute drive for … (4 comments)

Updated Tudor - 05:33 PM
… (0 comments)

Home Improvements for Energy Efficiency - 04:59 PM
The first step should be to make sure that you have adequate insulation and weather stripping in place. That low cost improvement can save an amazing amount of utility money by itself.
It may take a bite out of your savings, but upgrading your HVAC system can be  a no-brainer from a financial standpoint. Installing energy efficient furnaces and air conditioners for example can cut a home's energy consumption by 50% if you have, like I did, the original 30 year old furnace that came with the house. New energy efficient windows can save a homeowner $300-$400 a year. A programmable thermostate can help accomplish … (2 comments)

2430 LAKEVIEW DR -- $389,900 - 01:34 AM
… (0 comments)

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