Archives of real estate blog entries for December 18, 2008

Featured blog posts


Holiday Acceptance CONTEST WINNERS! (ActiveRain Community Support) - 11:52 PM
Not everyone may celebrate the Christmas and New Year's Holidays although it was my sincere wish for all of you to gain insight, some inspiration and whole lot of Holiday Acceptance through this contest and all of the entries.  As the New Year of 2009 approaches we will bring prosperity and happiness to others and ourselves because WE  create our joy and happiness. 
Acceptance. Understanding acceptance starts with awareness, identifying the need through our gut feeling that it's time to move on from a situation or circumstance that is negative or uncomfortable.  Often times it becomes "The Art of Letting Go" … (60 comments)

Free Marketing Ideas any business can use to grow their business - 03:05 PM

 
My  3 New Years Resolutions
1. Form partnerships with like minded people 2. Think big, go for it - try new things - not be afraid of failing 3. Provide exceptional customer service  
How do my new years resolutions relate to the topic of "free marketing ideas?"  Well for one they're free but more importantly they're things that I know I can follow through on.  Yes, it will take time and effort on my part to make it all happen but in the long run my clients and business will both benefit. 
As I said in a previous … (49 comments)

Managing Your Google Alerts by RSS - 03:03 PM
Back in May 2007, I wrote a post on Google Alerts Stay Informed. Since then I have been using Google Alerts to stay up on certain search terms that I want to follow for my area Ann Arbor and Saline, Michigan.
When you sign up for Google Alerts from you GMail account, (which is the starting point for any of FREE Google apps), you can set it up to receive the alerts two ways email or RSS.  Until my lunch with Steve Holden, I didn't know you could subscribe by RSS Feeds.  
If your not sure what an RSS Feed … (53 comments)

For me 2008 was a Knock down,drag out fight to survive! - 03:10 PM
As the end of the year approaches,it`s really time for many of us to reflect what transpired during the course of the year!
By far 2008 was a strong test of wills. The market drastically changed as we watched many of our competitors either close their offices or walk away from the business entirely.
2008 was the year in which many of us dealt with a new species of Real Estate that involved a true test of wills in attempting to close "Short Sales,Foreclosures and REO" properties. Often, I kept wondering was it really worth it to continue? In July I … (55 comments)

The Cheapest Trick in the Book! - 03:02 PM
An Agent Told Us She Had a Buyer So We Listed Our Home With her ... We've Never Seen The Buyer!  
We recently received a call from a property owner in our community who had an unpleasant situation occur with another local agent.  The agent told the property owners that she had a buyer for their property but needed to have a listing to protect herself before she actually showed the home to the potential purchaser.  
Our response ... You are likely the victim of one of real estate's oldest and cheapest tricks.  An unscrupulous agent will use this ploy to … (51 comments)

I'll Take the High Road and STILL Get the Listing! - 03:08 PM
Those who know me know that I am a big believer in karma.  Some people think it is hokey but I think you can do the right thing and be an effective sales person!  It has worked for me for years! Here is a little story that has a karmic ending.
I entered into a relationship with an out of area agent to help her market a great home she had listed in the charming neighborhood of Golden Hills in Fullerton, CA.  We agreed that I would do the marketing, signage and showings while she handled the paperwork with the bank (short … (67 comments)

Taking A Harder Look At That Person In The Mirror! - 03:12 PM
I had one of those defining moments in my life last month.  In the emergency room, filling out a patient sheet, one of the questions was "hair color".  I wrote "brown".  When my name was called, the young person, while reading my sheet said, "Are you Gabrielle?" YES.  "Rhind?" YES!  She then said, "Oh, I was looking for someone with brown hair - yours is sorta more gray/brown." (Dang soccer kids - see previous post!) As I sat there thinking about my hair, I looked around the waiting room at people -- some in wheelchairs, some who couldn't afford co-pays, many who looked like they had not eaten in months. 
At that … (46 comments)

Google Views ActiveRain as Even More Valuable Now - My SEO Perspective - 07:56 PM
I don't want to make this post overly rudimentary, but I would like to start out (for those of you who are complete newbies) by stating that "SEO" means "search engine optimization".  Each time I have written a post with SEO in the title, someone inevitably asks.
Now that we have that out of the way, I wanted to provide some anecdotal evidence for you that Google is indexing ActiveRain more frequently. 
First, I need to explain that I have Google Alerts set up for a number of keywords and phrases that I am interested in, such as "austin texas homes" … (121 comments)

ActiveRain Gathering 2008 - "Our Final Social Networking Party" - 02:42 AM
Come Play In The "RAIN" with us!Here's the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How
Click On The "Sign" for Location and Details...all members and guests are welcome  RAIN Radio    "Live" PARTY Chat"   Call In #347 677-1643  Listen To Show   Send To A Friend   RSS
IF YOU MISSED the PARTY, CLICK HERE, DON'T MISS THE BROADCAST … (127 comments)

Need Help on Active Rain? Join the Group! - 03:17 PM
  The Help/Faq Group, that is.  At the bottom of EVERY AR page, there is a link labeled "HELP/FAQ", which will take you to AR ANSWER HEAVEN, an amazing compilation of blogs explaining exactly how EVERYTHING works on AR.    You need help understanding how points work?  No problem!  AR ANSWER HEAVEN will explain it.   You need help posting your blog, or links, pictures or video?  No problem!  AR ANSWER HEAVEN is there for you, guiding you every step of the way.    Convert Your Blog To Audio in 60 Seconds   How to Use The Flip Video Camera with … (53 comments)


Blog posts


Yahoo Real Estate-Free White Pages! - 07:01 AM
Yesterday while doing my daily research I found something so interesting and useful on Yahoo Real Estate.... I found some incredible market research and you can get it for FREE!

“Embracing the Online Real Estate Market” White Paper -Get insights into how real estate consumers behave online and how you can align your online marketing strategies around four key consumer segments. “Online Engagement Influences Agent Selection Process” Research Study-Learn how the web is changing how real estate consumers are selecting an agent and how you can improve your marketing presence to win more clients. Yesterday I was reading online and … (25 comments)

Panama City Real Estate | Latest information - 08:23 AM
In an effort to provide my visitors a single source of information I've decided to consoliate my blog posts to my primary blog: Panama City Real Estate
To help my visitors navigate to these sources they find most useful, I will be providing links to the articles so they can select the information most important to them "at a glance".
Not only is this feature currently available on my blog by selecting a category, the information is also available on my site by category.
Without further ado, here are my most recent blog posts:
Panama City Real Estate Auction Updates
Panama … (0 comments)

4 score, 3 score, 2 score, 1 score............who's keeping Score - 01:57 PM
You went to bed last night, thinking that maybe it is time to buy a home. Maybe, you own a home and went to bed thinking, maybe it is time to take advantage of the market and sell and move up.
Then the sun came up and that queasy feeling returned.
You are not alone.
Do you feel like you just woke up from a restless sleep and the world is upside down?You look out the window and the sky is below you and terra firma is up? You check the calender to discover...yes it is 2008. 
You venture forth and … (1 comments)

Welcome home soldier! - 01:14 PM
I just love this - and I know you will too. This is how a couple of dogs greeted "daddy" after he had been away from home for 14 months!
What a wonderful piece just in time for the Holidays! I have to confess that I'm a little surprised that they remembered him in this way after he had been away for so long, but I do know that this will put a huge smile on your faces.
Dogs = pure and simplistic love. I think they are also saying "THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!" Enjoy!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________
… (13 comments)

A brief history of Christmas - 01:37 PM
My buddy Hugh Krone sent out an e-mail recently asking for REAL Christmas posts for his group - Walking by Faith in the Rain. So not wanting to be the one person who let him down, I went in search of video. Couldn't find any!
And then a blinding flash of light and a few claps of thunder later, I suddenly remembered that my old buddy Glenn Beck once produced "A brief history of Christmas" in cartoon form.
This was perfect, I thought and so with a smile on my face and a dig in Hugh's ribs, I present … (9 comments)

FREE Cookbook Offer - 07:13 PM
First I want to say happy holidays and hope everyone has the best of times during this holiday season.
Second, my way of saying thanks to everyone I have met in the real estate business is to pass on this free Cheesecake Cookbook. Since it is the holiday season, I figure this is the best of my cookbooks to pass on.
So click on the link below and get your copy today and enjoy making and eating those Cheescakes during the holidays!!
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY OF THE CHEESECAKE COOKBOOK
… (0 comments)

Let It Snow, let It Snow Let It Snow...in Houston! - 05:17 PM
 
Just about the time my books arrived I also received a note from some special clients. I worked with them twice over the years they were in the Baltimore area, once to buy and fix up a home, and then again when they sold it and moved to Texas.
It was nice to hear from the Richardsons again, especially with this email (reprinted with permission):
 
Yesterday, to the sheer delight of many, many Houstonians (including Alex & Alyssa) snow fell for several hours in Houston, TX. That's right, Houston TEXAS!! It was a really enormous deal here. Snow comes … (31 comments)

Real Estate Brainstorming Sessions Rock - 11:13 PM
I just returned from Columbus, OH where I participated in a brainstorming session with a small but high  powered group of Realtors.  The common factor between us was Real Pro Systems; either we use them as our web provider or we were thinking about using them.  Real Pro Systems has just rolled out its Web 2.0 version of its product.  We met to discuss tools and systems we are using in our business and to trade ideas on what is and is not working.  It was an awesome day.  I highly encourage you to consider reaching out to agents you have something in common with. Get together … (11 comments)

"We have met the enemy..." yadayadayadayada.... - 02:47 PM
 I opened up my INMAN message this morning, and one of the first paragraphs caught my attention.  It proudly, wisely proclaimed how, if we wish to survive and thrive in this industry through the current challenging market and beyond, we need to make some changes.  They begin by saying:
Consumer Trust. Certainly, "recovery" must mean that we have transformed our relationship with the consumer into one in which we are trusted as adequately trained financial advisers in the purchase and sale of real estate.
Looking at that email, nearly right next to the message above appears:
Never put a buyer in … (5 comments)

Short Sale Tales Part 28...Buried in Medical Expenses - 07:36 AM
Those of us who choose self employment also pay a penalty for not being able to be a part of a large group with reasonable health insurance premiums.  Our health insurance premiums for 2 people is over $1,000 a month.  If you have ever had ANYTHING....ie high blood pressure (who hasn't if you are over age  ___) you will not be accepted by any reasonable without a ton of exclusions....and those are among the primary reasons you need coverage !
        We are seeing more and more SHORT SALE seller candidates forced to consider a short sale due to mountains of medical … (3 comments)

A Heartwarming Christmas Carol - 10:11 PM
   We were honored to be chosen by Susan and Ann Ploetz to sell the home that belonged to their parents...next door to where my Grandparents had lived. It was a charming cape cod...steps from Lake Michigan....a master bedroom on the first floor...two large bedrooms upstairs...a just the right size backyard with patio....2 car brick garage.
   The house has the record for the most offers we ever received....on the first day from someone who had a FSBO in Mississippi....and wrote $20,000 under....and a grade school classmate claiming to be a member of my fan club...probably not now...who had contingencies … (2 comments)

The Day After - 10:42 AM
When I was growing up, the excitement that built up before Christmas was an important part of the holiday fun. My brother and I spent hours imagining all the wonderful things Santa would bring us, and when my little sister came along, we played our parts in that happy fantasy. I helped bake cookies galore and my brother did his part to keep the tins from overflowing. Day by day the anticipation built until we were just about jumping out of our skins.
Then it was here!
And then it was over.
The day after Christmas was quiet and slow … (3 comments)

One Thing Guaranteed is CHANGE! - 11:03 AM
 
Life is always changing. Our industry is forever changing. Usually the changesare for the best. In looking back when we purchased our first home in 1970 weapplied for a VA loan. Believe it or not the spouse’s income (my secretarialsalary) was not used to qualify. I was told I might get pregnant, lose my job andhave no income. CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS? Yes it is true. We qualified on myhusband’s $650/mo salary. When we applied the interest rate was 8%. From theday of application to the date of closing, the rate dropped one full percent and wegot 7% interest for … (1 comments)

GRI Scholarship - 07:48 PM
I'm gonna toot my own horn here.  I recently applied for a scholarship through Louisiana Realtors.  The scholarship was open to applicants from all over the state.  I worked hard to present a good application and to show my professionalism.  And today I found out that I was awarded the scholarship to achieve my GRI.  It's an intensive certification course that requires 96 hours of instruction.  I had already taken a couple of courses on my own.  Now, I have the benefit of the scholarship to nudge me on to the finish line for my GRI (Graduate of the REALTOR Institute).  … (3 comments)

Mobile Master Plan Website - 06:46 AM
The City of Mobile has released its master plan.  Please visit the comprehensive website that outines the details - Mobile AL Master Plan website,
Before this plan, the last master plan was prepared in 1996.  It is standard practice for a community to update its plan every 10 to 15 years to keep pace with new market, neighborhood and government conditions as well as advancements in technological, environmental, transportation and land-use planning.
The Master Plan is expected to be an extensive and forthright assessment of the potential and liabilities of Mobile's continued development for the next 10 to 15 years. The … (0 comments)

Columbus Best Place to Grow Old - 11:57 AM

Columbus tops the Forbes.com list of America’s Best Places to Grow Old

Forbes.com says “Topping the list of second-act must haves? A place with affordable housing, low cost of living and decent job prospects.”
 
Yes, Forbes.com is talking about Columbus.  I thought I recognized the skyline in the photo of the article written by Maurna Desmond. Different photo than the one I am using here, but the same skyline.
… (2 comments)

Columbus mischaracterized as "river city"? - 12:32 PM
We have rivers, two of them, but does that make Columbus a "river city"?
Forbes.com called Columbus Ohio a river city in it's recent article when they named our fair city "Columbus Best Place to Grow Old"
The Best Place to Grow Old article by Maurna Desmond  says: 
"... Columbus, Ohio. This river city tops our list of cities where your nest egg goes farthest, thanks to reasonably priced housing relative to income and a 4.5% inflation rate that allows a buck to stretch a little further than other quickly growing areas."
"This river city..." I thought right away. "Is Columbus … (2 comments)

Bookworm MEME - 03:36 PM
I was tagged by Tanya Venable in her blog My 1st Bookwarm MEME . Wow a Bookworm MEME, I've not seen this one before, but I think it shall be quite interesting. Here are the directions (as listed in Tanya's blog)
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 56.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next two to five sentences.
5. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book or the intellectual one. Pick the Closest.
6. Tag five people to do the same
*The one book that this can not … (1 comments)

The MeMe monster is getting Snowman Poop in her stocking. - 05:08 PM
Thanks Pat Preston. Snowman Poop for your stocking!  
 MeMe:  Seven Things You May Not Know About....Sherry Scales
I was tagged by Pat Preston  for this Me Me.
These are the rules:
Create a blog post with a link to the person(s) who tagged you. List these rules in your post. Share seven facts about yourself in the post. Identify seven of your friends or contacts whom you will "tag" to be part of this meme. At the end of your post, list their names and the links to their blogs. Let the friends whom you tagged, know that they've been tagged.  … (14 comments)

Hamilton Landing and Hamilton Marketplace Win Regional Recognition - 03:28 PM
Projects associated with Novato's Hamilton Field continue to rack-up recognition -- Hamilton Landing (a robust business hub now occupying the former hangers (circa 1930) of the Hamilton military base) and Hamilton Marketplace (a diverse new shopping center with a mega-deluxe-Safeway (and associated gas station), Peet's, Starbucks, Jamba Juice, banking, restaurants (still to come), pet supplies, and more) were named “Top Projects in the North Bay” by the North Bay Business Journal. Both feature unique architecture and green building elements. Hamilton Marketplace also incorporated solar power.  Barker Pacific Group acquired the Hamilton hangers almost a decade ago and has shepparded the renovation of … (0 comments)

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