New Orleans Real Estate - Economic Stimulus Package - 12:21 PM
How Bush’s new economic stimulus package effects New Orleans Real Estate Yesterday, President Bush signed a $168 billion economic stimulus package into law. That is a ton of money but will it have any real effects on our economy? Let’s first start with the details:
Tax rebates of $600 to individuals who make $75,000 or less, and $1,200 to couples who make $150,000 or less. After those income limits, recipients get 5 percent of however much their income exceeds the limit. Tax rebates of $300 for individuals and $600 for couples who make at least $3,000 from income and Social … (1 comments)
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Ask The Underwriter: Finger Pointing - 06:22 AM
Today's underwriting subject is Finger Pointing. I know most of you are asking "What mortgage product is that? I've never seen or heard of that condition? Do you mean when the Underwriter is finger pointing?"
I had a few good underwriting questions I wanted to share with you guys this week. I wish I could write to you about them today, but the truth is I can't. I have to get something off my chest. I've been interviewing Account Executives for the past few weeks now and I've been hearing some very disturbing ideas on why the industry is in the … (3 comments)
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Jenison MI Has Its Very Own Historical Mansion-The Hiram Jension - Miller Home 930 Port Sheldon-Jension, MI. 49428 - 11:59 AM
I grew up in the Jension MI area, have lived here most of my life and this Mansion has always been of great interest to me for I have always found myself drawn to homes built during the 1800 and early 1900 era's. If you lived/live in Jension, you will find this home has always been know as the Jenison Mansion by our local people. In 1994 the Mansion was up for sale and I found myself fortunate to be able to go through and view it during one of the open houses being held. At that time it had fallen … (16 comments)
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Street View From Google: A Time-Saving Tool - 03:31 PM
Ever get a call from a listing prospect and you want to have an idea of what the house looks like before you get there? Or wonder if the home has good curb appeal?
Well, now there is Google Street View. Simply type in an address on the Google search box and a map will appear. If your home's street is highlighted in blue then there should be a photo box that you can click on. Click on that photo and you'll get Street View.
It's pretty handy. And pretty cool. But a couple warnings;
Not every street is available.Not every view is … (7 comments)
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The Economic Stimulus Act is now a LAW - 10:06 AM
The Economic Stimulus Act is now a LAW
On February 13th, 2008 the President signed into law the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, or as it was also known; HR 5140
While this package contained verbiage about tax rebate checks the important to most people was the portion that detailed the increase to the maximum conforming limit that the two main GSE's, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The old limit was $417,000.
The new limit is up to $729,750
"So what's my rate today for my $650,000 conforming loan?"
Not so fast. Did you notice the "up to" ? … (5 comments)
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Andy Kaufman is my Valentine! - 07:49 PM
Ok, not really.
But it was valentines day and Andy wanted to try out an interesting idea.
So he called me and we had an unrehearsed conversation about the Economic Stimulus Package.
By the look on his face, I'd say he was shocked! : )
Here's his post: http://myeastbayagent.com/2008/02/14/call-an-expert-feb-14th-edition-mike-mueller
… (1 comments)
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Tennessee State Parks...White County, Tennessee - 10:16 AM
White County Tennessee is home to Sparta, Tennessee which is a lovely small town pop. 5,032 as of 2002. The county population surrounding Sparta, Tn is just over 26,000. Centrally located between Chattanooga and Nashville, its a great hot spot for retirement and easy living!
White County and surrounding Counity's are also home to some of Tennessee's most beautiful and natural state parks!
ROCK ISLAND STATE PARK
Twin Falls
The Great Falls Gorge, located along Rock Island's northern shore between the Great Falls Dam and the dam's powerhouse. The gorge includes Great Falls, a series of plunge and cascade waterfalls that spill into the … (3 comments)
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Signs of a Stroke - 12:00 PM
A couple weeks ago a friend of mine got up in the morning and had issues with keeping her balance and walking. Her husband immediately called 911 (even though she didn't want him to) and she was rushed to the hospital where a doctor specializing in stroke victims just happened to be on call. He immediately diagnosed the problem as a stroke. Charlene was immediately rushed into surgery. There is a new surgery out that if the patient is operated on within 4 hours of the stroke chances of a full recovery and/or survival are very high. Charlene's stroke happened on a Wednesday … (8 comments)
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Quit Claim Deeds and Warranty Deeds - 11:50 PM
A quit claim deedis the legal way that one person (the grantor) transfers real property, such as a house or land, to another person (the grantee). For example, a divorcing husband may quit claim his interest in a house, rental, land, etc to his ex-wife. While the concept is simple and straightforward - relinquishing all ownership claims to a particular property - it's also important to note what a quit claim can't do.
In renouncing claim, the grantor makes no guarantee or promise that the property is free of debt. Another important distinction is that the grantor makes no promise that no one … (6 comments)
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Is God Testing Me? - 12:26 PM
There used to be a time when I went on a listing appointment that I felt I had an 80/20 chance of getting the listing by the time I walked out of the house. I prepared well, had a great presentation and I'm a nice guy, to boot.
Lately, though, I've been striking out at every turn. My last three appointments have either ended in "I've changed my mind" or "I think I might rent for a few years until the market turns around." or " We're getting ready to go into [a local retirement village] but our unit won't be ready … (8 comments)
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Happy Valentines Day Ladies - 02:58 PM
The day in and day out grind of Winter has been taking its tole. Today I got up and quickly made my way to Car Wash where I had my poor little Volvo Thoroughly Washed and Cleaned. When I approached the Car I could have swore I heard a Sigh of Relief.
Truly a fitting for a Car Wash as todays Weather here in Portland is Bright and Sunny with a low to mid 50's temperature.
To top it all off it's Valentines day and all is well. Spring surely must be just around the corner.
So with the spirit of the Holiday in mind I wish … (5 comments)
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Happy Valentine's Day Active Rain Buddies! - 02:08 PM
I hope everyone has a nice day somehow. Even if you just get a nice smile from your Valentine and nothing else. I find that as women we just naturally expect too much form our men. If we don't get so wound up about it then chances are we will enjoy holidays like Valentine's Day even more.
Especially in our business now money is tight so don't feel like you have to go out an spend a bundle. Just do something nice for each other like a romantic back rub or bubble bath! Just don't be like my friend Charlie Brown … (3 comments)
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Anti War and Anti-American. Not The Same. But Close - 01:00 AM
Nicholas Goglucci's post Terrorist Leader of Hezbollah Killed in Syria caused different reactions. Chris Fisher came with strong statements, that 'our current "leaders" mis-using our troops and lying to us', that 'this war isn't really about fighting terrorists' and so on. I am getting really annoyed by this BS.
Celebrating the new millennium I remember proposing a toast and I said that we were incredibly lucky that we did not have a major case of terrorism. I said that this was not going to last long. Unfortunately, I was right.
A few years ago (before the Iraq war) I read that 6 leading Russian scientists-chemists who were working … (37 comments)
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If I Were an Adviser to the President, What Would I Suggest - 11:51 PM
We all imagined ourselves being a President. We know what to do, the goals are clear and we have both the power and the will to steer the right course. Getting older brings some bitter understanding that things are more complicated than we think, and that being a President may be not that much fun (maybe except for Bill Clinton).
However, when the Army stopped short of taking Saddam out in 1991 Iraq War, I thought it was a dire mistake. I thought America needed to finish what was so successfully started (at that time I was still in Russia). Well, things are more complicated … (30 comments)
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A Valentine's Day Lancaster, PA Active Rain Luncheon - 07:36 PM
A very pleasant luncheon was shared today by Brian Schulman, Jeff Geoghan, and Jeannie Kontis, all Lancaster, PA Active Rainers!
We met at the Symposium, a Mediterranean restaurant in western Lancaster, PA. There actually wasn't a break in the conversation the whole time, as we discussed the housing market, real estate technology, Top Producer, marketing, and many other relevant local topics.
Our waitress was kind enough to take pictures of us with all three of our cameras...
We're hoping that we can do this again every once in a while, to compare notes and try a new and interesting local restaurant!
Copyright2008BrianSchulman©
… (6 comments)
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My observation of AR - 10:18 AM
I love ActiveRAin. I love coming to read what people have written both real estate related or not. It's an outlet for me. Sometimes like this blog I will just write about what I feel for the day or whats on my mind. Im not usually witty or at least I dont think I am. Sometimes I post helpful tips that I have learned being in the market or sometimes it information for localism. Most of what I try to do is to help my google ratings, but also to provide pertinent information on my area.
I have received numerous emails … (5 comments)
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Art of Negotiation and making a deal come together - 10:52 AM
I have been working on a deal for some time now. Here in Florida we are transactional brokers and can represent both sides.
My seller owns a condo almost outright so she will net a nice penny. She has already moved out of state but left her furniture behind. My buyers love the property and offered a lower price and asked for the furniture around the new year and which time my sellers said she would leave everything but two dressers but wanted them to come up $10,000 in price. We have gone round and round.
Finally this week my buyers … (3 comments)
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Romeo, Romeo, Where Art Thou? - 08:16 AM
Juneau is a small town (30,000) built at the edge of the wilderness. The only way to get here is by boat or plane and bad weather can and will change your plans. We are completely surrounded by huge mountains and the ocean. There are more miles of forest trails than roads. Tourist ships bring tens of thousands of people to Juneau every day during the summer. One of our main attractions is the Mendenhall Glacier.
In winter, long after the cruise ships leave, the frozen lake is popular. Cross-country skiers, photographers, dog walkers and parents all love to walk around the … (13 comments)
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Branson Hilton Convention Center On The Road To Success - 12:55 PM
Bookings for the Branson Convention Center have exceeded 2008 projections with over 200 events scheduled so far. According to a 2003 feasibility analysis done before the convention center was built, it would take 177 events to keep the convention center viable. Many of the events booked thus far have been multiyear, which means those planning to attend this year have made plans to come back the following year. Of the business booked thus far, over 60 percent of that is new groups who haven't held events before in Branson. That's great news for local businesses who hoped the publicity and advertising … (0 comments)
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Big Brothers/Big Sisters Annual Bowl-A-Thon - 12:57 PM
The team that plays together stays together! Gerken & Associates has again formed a bowling team to participate in this year's Big Brothers / Big Sisters 8th Annual Bowl For Kids' Sake held at the Millennium Bowling & Entertainment facility in Branson West. By building relationships with other family-oriented, kid loving organizations, BBBSB continues to strive for the mission of serving kids and their families not only by increasing the numbers served, but by increasing the quality of its programs.
… (0 comments)
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