Archives of real estate blog entries for March 18, 2008

Featured blog posts


Are You Leaving Rosetta Stones in Your Loved Ones' Memory? - 02:23 PM
I took these photos seventy two hours ago in Mantoloking, New Jersey and Barnegat Bay. I came across the crabbing sign and it "uncovered" such a provocative memory.  
When I was eight years old my father and a few neighbors packed their station wagons and drove down from Staten Island to Toms River Township to go crabbing on a public pier.
My father was a self-professed workaholic. Even in his "leisure" time he wore a uniform fashioned from his own Code as an entrepreneur: carpenter jeans, blue short-sleeved cotton shirt, work-boots.
They say Einstein wore the same thing everyday so he didn't expend mental … (52 comments)

Am I a professional stager, a hobbyist or a dreamer? - 12:18 PM
Hello and welcome to my first blog!
I have recently discovered Active Rain, and after reading some of the stagers’ blogs I kind of pushed myself into writing my first. Please have mercy:) I have to admit, I am impressed by the amount of information I find on this site and I wish I would’ve found it sooner. I do find that people here are genuinely nice and helpful, but I must say, the more I read, more confused I become, and I have more problems in defying myself. I don’t know who I am anymore: a professional stager, a hobbyist … (58 comments)

Are you using MAGIC words in your listings? - 12:21 PM
There's nothing like getting in the car, cruising and listening to the John Tesh radio show. (Intelligence for your life). Today he caught my attention by mentioning real estate listings. We all have them and we've all had to write them. Most of us are only allowed so many characters to describe the home and hook, line and sink'em. His thoughts created my own and as soon as I got home, I decided to do a little research on real estate listings and the magic words that make them work.
 
There was a study done in and around Canada. It … (83 comments)

Will I cut my commision? No!.... Next question. - 12:20 PM
It should be that easy, but it isn't! My value as a REALTOR to you the home seller is well worth my professional fee. You the home seller, need to know the answer to my most frequently asked question.  In your mind the question is "Will you lower your commission?"  In my mind I hear, "Will you work just as hard representing me and my property even though I don't want to pay you what you, your skill and time is worth?"
Hmm... how would you feel if you go to work one day and hear these words from your boss, … (342 comments)

Overpriced Listings-What's in it for you? - 01:08 AM
Today my buyers got a big fat REJECTED from a seller on their offer.  Not even a counter-offer.   Was it something we said?  To give you a little background the home that we made the offer on has been on the market for over a year.  No kidding a year and change.  Is the property over-priced?  Absolutely!  Has it been listed with the same agent for the entire time?  Yep.So what gives?  The agent seems to be willing to defend the over pricing of the property with the standard "have you looked at the comps" question.  Yes have you?  We made … (81 comments)

I didn’t want to cancel the showings but I’m not going to work with someone like you - 12:19 PM
Horrible title I know, but I had set up appointments to see six homes for tomorrow with my clients that I had sitting next to me. We were discussing what they wanted to see and what was on the market. As the case with homes that are occupied it is just common courtesy to call in advance and set up an appointment to see the property, even if they ask for only an hours notice.
My client thought that was fine, but two of the six properties required me to call the listing agent and my clients asked, "Why they would … (88 comments)

Stagers why do you throw out the baby with the bath-water? - I'm on a Rant - 01:06 AM
I've been troubled for some time with the concept of 'staging' being marketed as something 'anyone' can do. From the 3 day training programs to be 'certified' to stagers offering homeowner's seminars on staging in the hopes of drumming up clients.
Staging is not something anyone can do, in fact it is something most can not do; as evidence...go to a few open houses regardless of whether or not they were staged...by the L.A., the L.A.'s sister-in-law...or the homeowner.
The majority of properties on the market that have been 'staged' are by hobbyists or homeowners...the L.A. if cornered will confess...yes the property … (76 comments)

How much are you worth? - 12:22 PM
I have some feelings to share. There are some agents out there that believe that we are only worth 2%. I feel insulted and angry. And, what is worse is the agent that is offering 2% will turn around and sell my home and think he is every bit worth 3%. How is that fair? Shouldn't we pay what we are being offered? 
I am now in a situation that I don't want to be in.
I have a client that I have been showing homes off and on to for almost a year. During that time I drove them around and worked on two offers for them. Both were not excepted … (103 comments)

Where Is The Respect? - 01:15 AM


I received a call from a possible buyer that was driving by a home for sale; the subject house was thirty miles away in the town I grew up and in an area I am very familiar with. The house was listed by another agency which struck me as peculiar. How did I end up with the inquiry?
The caller seemed anxious. She said she and her mom had found the listing on the Craig's list and she was eager to make an offer. She wanted to see the property right away. She wanted to know if the seller was in distress and whether any … (123 comments)


Blog posts


Puff of the Year Award! - 08:03 PM
As I was looking through a few listings today for some clients, I ran upon one that just took my breath away. Can't tell you where it is, or anything about it (don't want to get into trouble), but I'm pretty sure it's the home Jed Clampett lived in prior to hitting black gold, oil that is, Texas tea,..(you know the rest).
It's the Puffed up description that got my attention, and the price; yes, you can get this lovely home for just under 200k!
So the The Creel Deal- Puff of the Year goes to this anonymous agent for making the best … (17 comments)

More Condos at Green Lake - 12:38 AM
A couple of new condo developments are coming to Green Lake. With significant revitalization projects underway on the Northeast end of the lake, it’s good to see new developments on the West side. Information is sparse, and subject to change, but this is what I’ve been able to gather so far.

Tyee At Greenlake
Currently under construction at 7201 Aurora Avenue N, site of the old Twin Teepee’s Restaurant, is Tyee At Greenlake. The 4-story project will include 24-units plus commercial space on the ground floor. Note: early information referred to Tyee as apartments but the developer’s project summary report … (0 comments)

Hyatt Place Hotel (& Apartments) - 12:43 AM
When originally conceived, the project at 6th & Denny where Greg’s Japanese Auto used to be was going to be the newest addition to the hotel & condo hybrids popping up in the city. Instead, work is now progressing on a hotel & apartment project. The developer has opted to switch to apartments given the current condo market conditions.
The 160-room hotel and 56-unit apartment will have separate lobby entrances, elevators and amenities, but will share a common wall. The building is being constructed to condominium quality, opening the door for a future conversion. The switch to apartments will keep 56 … (0 comments)

Seattle Condos Win National Awards - 12:48 AM

The National Sales and Marketing Council announced its 2008 “The Nationals” Gold Award winners in 59 categories with Seattle projects among the winners.  The awards honor new home sales and marketing homebuilders, developers, associates, and consultants. From among the 1,400 entries, Seattle winners were represented by Escala and Veer Lofts (Vulcan):
Best Buyer Retention Program - EscalaBest Sales or Information Center - Vulcan’s Discovery Center at SLU Best Attached Home Plan, High-Rise - Escala Best Attached Community of the Year - Veer Lofts Other awards include:
Best Website - EscalaBest Logo - Veer Lofts … (0 comments)

Downtown Seattle Condo Development Updates - 12:53 AM
Seneca Towers The DJC reported that Laconia Development (formerly Levin Menzies) plans to start work on Seneca Towers this summer and anticipates completion in the summer of 2010. Seneca Towers, located at 8th & Seneca, will consist of 294 units in two towers.
Icon Tower The other project Laconia is developing in Seattle is the sleek & slender Icon Tower at 6th & Wall. Laconia expects to start construction in August. Completion is slated for the first half of 2011.
Insignia Towers Work on Insignia Towers (5th between Bell & Battery) may begin as soon as next month according to the … (0 comments)

Keep It Simple! Like The Common Craft Show! - 09:30 PM
Recently I have been trying to improve our web placement. Sometimes during my findings...it causes me to send an e-mail out to the company. One of the things I have learned through time is that sometimes...you just have to put your foot down...sometimes it has to be in your face to cause some change. Now our associates have been pretty good when it comes to Internet marketing and WEB 2.0 but just like the rest of the world there are some who just can't grasp it. Some.... well have to be encouraged...as a trainer that is what I am paid to … (14 comments)

WPA (Works Progress Administration) History and Washington State Projects - 11:42 PM
 
The Seattle Times today had a very interesting article entitled "The WPA story: FDR, its workers and its great Northwest projects," written by John Hartl.  Hartl is discussing a book American-Made: The Enduring Legacy of the WPA: When FDR Put the Nation Back to Work, written by Nick Taylor (published by Bantam Books).
In case you didin't know what the Works Progress Administration (WPA) was, it was called the New Deal program "which President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed into law as a response to the Depression, the Golden Gate Bridge was completed, the Statue of Liberty was saved from erosion, countless roads … (2 comments)

Plainville, CT - Nice 1 Bedroom Unit in Good Condition - 01:57 PM
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REO – Secure the Property - 11:26 AM
When a REO property is assigned to The REO Team, in Hemet CA and The REO Team has determined that the REO property is vacant it must be immediately secured to prevent unauthorized entry and trespassing by either the former occupant or anyone else who may want to occupy the property, for any reason. Step 1:  Rekey All Exterior Doors It is important that all doors are re-keyed.  Depending on the Bank or Asset Manager, we may be instructed to use a certain key code.  If not, it is best to have your own unique code for all of your assigned … (6 comments)

1826 West Balboa Blvd - Newport Beach CA - $1,249,000 - 05:38 PM
Home | Site Map
For 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)

It's starting to get REAL interesting! - 09:39 PM
The race for the White House is starting to get really interesting. With Obama's poll numbers dropping and those viwing Hillary unfavourably outnumbering those who view her favorably, it is no wonder that John McCain is now leading both of them by six full percentage points.
Here is today's Rasmussen Reports Presidential Tracking Poll. 
Tuesday, March 18, 2008<!-- -->
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday again shows John McCain with a six-percentage point lead over both potential Democratic opponents. McCain currently leads Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton by an identical 48% to 42% margin. Among White voters, McCain leads Clinton by fifteen … (14 comments)

Historic Belton Home for Sale - 01:48 AM
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Anderson Home in great Area - 10:06 PM
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Another reason behind the housing crunch - 09:29 PM
You may have seen this in the news (especially you live in Las Vegas). The state has formed a Mortgage Fraud Task Force to deal with the high number of foreclosures in Nevada (2nd in the nation :( ). There have been several scam artists arrested already this year, some for preying on homeowners facing foreclosure, another for embezzlement, but nothing compares to the latest. You can read the post here.
I did a google search and these types of cases are popping up all over the country. Upsetting to say the least. -Charles
… (2 comments)

Jim Cramer on Bear Sterns - 10:08 AM
Anyone remember the outcry from the real estate industry about Jim Cramer's comments on the housing market back in September?
Here's a link to Ricardo Bueno's Active Rain blog with the video, to refresh your memory.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/219755/Jim-Cramer-says-Don
Well, if you found that exciting, you just have to watch this clip from March 11 of Jim discussing Bear  Sterns.  :-)
 
… (12 comments)

Westbury at Vinings...A newer Pulte Townhome community in smyrna, GA - 08:28 PM


Westbury at Vinings is a newer Townhome community located on Church Lane between South Cobb Drive and Atlanta Road in Smyrna and still building new. The exteriors are a mix of stone and brick fronts in a classic style. Pulte, the builder has had great sucess with their contemporary floor plans designed around todays living.  One interesting thing about the Pulte floor plans, of which there are two with some modifications to each, they have been building the same floor plan since 2000 which gives longevity to those built in the eary years of 2000 because they are still being built. The difference … (0 comments)

Here is an interesting story... Free House to a homeowner... - 02:13 PM
  Interesting Article at Buffalo Rising - Free House to a Home Owner
I saw this over on Buffalo Rising and thought this is interesting. What an idea — give the house away to someone who will rehab it and live in it. Well it is happening in Buffalo NY. “So what does the house need? There is some fire damage, and it’s boarded up. So it will need new mechanicals and plumbing… and windows. If done right, it could be an amazing home for someone…”
The story is significant, but the 90+ comments are worth going and checking out. The debate at … (2 comments)

Stella Niagara " Our Environmental Destiny" - 09:56 PM
 
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be at Stella Niagara, New York on Saturday April 26, 2008. 
This free and open to the public presentation requires reservations.  To register for this event call (716) 754-2193.
Hot to get to Stella Niagara:
Take I-190N 
Take Robert Moses Parkway NORTH to Fort Niagara
Stay on on Robert Moses Parkway past the Lewiston exit to Pletcher Road
Turn left at exit
Go one mile to Stella Niagara, follow signs for parking.
 
Books by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 
The RiverkeepersTwo Activists Fight to Reclaim Our Environment as a Basic Human Right A modern-day David and Goliath tale, The Riverkeepers is an impassioned firsthand account … (3 comments)

HOW READY ARE YOU TO INVEST??? - 04:59 PM
Today I found a great deal in Highlands Ranch. over 1900 square feet, 4 beds, 3 baths priced under 260k. And it is bank owned! So if you are ready to make a great deal, your loan is approved, you have some cash and are willing to invest about 15-20k, you should call me today!I would be happy to represent you in the purchase of this property and get it in to "production" of cash flow.
… (0 comments)

Knoxville Tennessee area February 2008 Sales Report - 09:19 AM
Home Sales Report Beginning 02/01/2008, Ending 02/29/2008 
The monthly, quarterly, and annual greater Knoxville area real estate sales statistics are always available on my website, www.KnoxvilleHomeCenter.com.
… (0 comments)

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