Archives of real estate blog entries for March 19, 2008

Featured blog posts


A Very Unique Marketing Idea- Movie Madness!! - 01:45 PM
When I first started out in this business I was eager to get my name out there but I wanted to do it in a fun way. I wanted to be unique and have people remember me beyond the marketing dollars I would need to spend.
I went to  the local movie theater (Celebration Cinema in Grand Rapids) and rented an entire theater room and along with that, a premiere PG rated movie.At that time the movie premiering was Freeky Friday with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. It was perfect for all ages and all audiences. I also struck a deal with the manager that … (270 comments)

Let's Just Call This My Jerry McGuire moment...... - 01:41 PM
Well, here is my attempt to pass on a little motivation and inspiration to some of you.  If just one of you finds this useful or refreshing then I will know that I have somehow made a difference in a "stranger's" life today.
This is a post about passion!  It is a post about determination!  It is a post about finding what you love, pursuing it, refining it and growing both personally and professionally regardless of what that passion may be.  Whether you are new to the ever-changing and fluid world of real estate or you've been here a while you … (62 comments)

Real Estate Radio USA and Broker Bryant Solve World Peace. Or not!!! - 01:39 PM
Yesterday....I took a walk into the lion's den! I agreed to be interviewed by.... "The Sultan's of Short Sales, the Crusaders of Capitalism, and the Prophet's of Profit...Barry Cunningham and Barry Johnson", over at Real Estate Radio USA.
You may have had some encounters with their producer, Brett Wilson on ActiveRain. Brett posts quite a bit on ActiveRain about short sales and incompetent REALTORS®. He can sometimes come off a little aggressively and has a tendency to "stir up the pot". But that's OK. I actually enjoy heated debates and have enjoyed interacting with Brett. Sometimes I agree with him and … (126 comments)

Public Opinion: "Are you an Asset or a Liability?" - Community Guidelines Re-Visited - 01:15 AM
A Harris Interactive poll revealed that out of 11 of the most popular consumer-oriented service professions, real estate agents were one whose advice was least trusted, 2nd to last place, just above Stock Brokers.
Obviously, as an industry, we have a credibility issue. Or a perception problem. Or both.
In some recent blog articles here in the Rain, there's been an excellent dialogue concerning our collective value proposition and how we can best articulate/justify our worth to those we serve. You might want to hop over and catch the Bolen Brothers in action. It's really great stuff!
In our continuing series on gaining a better handle on the ActiveRain Community Guidelines, we're going to … (54 comments)

Want to be a Winner in This Market? Here's How - 01:22 PM
Ready to learn a few tips on how to be successful in this market, some of which are free?
Great, because you are going to learn from an expert who really knows about this stuff.
Not me, though. I’m just the intermediary, passing along these tips. But you can thank me anyhow.
Our Southern California Chapter of the CRS (Council of Residential Specialists) holds quarterly membership meetings throughout our region. One of the values of becoming a member of the chapter, in addition to joining the National CRS organization (which you need to do in order to use the CRS designation … (44 comments)

You Are Invited to an AR Gathering & BBQ - 01:35 AM
 
Hello, all my AR friends and hope to meet you soon AR friends!                          
      YOU ARE INVITED!     to an AR Gathering and Barbeque on  Saturday, April 12, 2008.   It will be held at the Pomarosa RV Park in Bandera, Texas.   The Pomasrosa is located at 3845 Hwy 16 South.  It is about 35 to 40 minutes from San Antonio.  There is a large recreation hall and the owners make the best BBQ I have ever tasted.  It is moist and so tender you can cut it with a fork.  The sauce is excellent.   We will begin gathering around 12:00 noon but the BBQ won't … (149 comments)


Blog posts


RE Licensing Schools Feeling the Pinch? - 09:57 PM

 
I had the great pleasure of sitting through a 3 day class at the local Real Estate Institute this week and was quite surprised to see it somewhat empty of students. There were quite a few people attending the Brokers Cram class I was in, but thats only because they actually merged it with the Agents Cram Class. There were perhaps a total of 20 people there all week preparing for the test to be new agents.
In the past, anytime I went to take a class there they were jammed full, and there were at least four classrooms … (7 comments)

The Rise of The Apartments - 04:20 PM
As downtown Seattle's condo boom becomes tempered from its peak due to rising inventory and economy woes, new apartment construction is on rise.  More than 10 projects, many of which are luxury high-rises, are planned or are  currently under construction in the city core.
The Olivian

Location: 8th & Olive Building: 27-story, 224 units Developer: The Hanover Company Architect: Carrier Johnson Other: Under construction, occupancy slated for Spring 2009 Website: www.theolivian.com
The Aspira

Location: 1823 Terry Avenue, corner of Stewart & Terry Building: 37-story, 326 units Developer: Urban Partners Architect: LMN Architects Other: Under construction, Green built, 11th floor amenities (fitness center, library, … (1 comments)

New Construction Price Guarantees - 04:29 PM
The uncertainty of the condominium market has prompted two major projects to offer new buyers a pricing guarantee.
In Seattle, The Olive 8 / Hyatt Hotel project is ensuring that buyers in Seattle’s tallest residential tower receive the lowest price possible as the market continues to fluctuate by offering a price guarantee to new buyers. Should the same floor-plan within Olive 8‘s remaining inventory sells for less than the current price prior to closing, the buyers who contracted for a higher price home will benefit at closing with the equivalent discount to their price.  Olive 8 is currently 80% sold with completion … (1 comments)

February 2008 Condo Update - 05:13 PM
February performance results exhibited the buoyancy of Seattle’s condo market. As we’d expect moving towards Spring the market is beginning to pickup with increases in the number of sales, closings and median price. Compared to January there was a 20.7% increase in the number of properties going under contract (pendings), a sign of buyer’s confidence in the market. As a result, the median price showed an upward movement of 3.1% over January to $314,500.

Looking at year over year figures we get a different picture. In comparison to the same period last year, the market reflected a slight decrease in citywide … (4 comments)

Buyers and Seller's Need Real Estate Soldiers! - 06:40 PM
A little dose of inspiration is sometimes in order.  Today I had an incredible day.  Very busy and very productive.  Funny thing I didn't feel that way just a few days ago.

Now the agents in my office are working hard, harder than ever before but I see the discouragement, the disappointment and the unknown, you can't miss it's written all over their face.  
I sometimes have days where I wonder why bother? Who cares? They don't...Why should I?
But for some reason I keep plugging away. I keep learning...and fighting and trying new ways. One of the things I learned … (23 comments)

Words Worth Reading - 12:01 PM
 
Today I received a poem from a cousin's wife via email.  She lives in Montana and plays the organ and sings at church and said that in the last 10 days she was asked to sing or play at eight funerals. She commented on how much we learn from out elders and she passed this poem along with her message.  I thought I would share it because I can see parts of it in our lives also.  She didn't say whom the author is.
 
Around the corner I have a friend,
In this great city that has no end,
Yet the days … (5 comments)

Shh! Can You Keep A Secret? This is a Hidden Little Gem of a Condo. - 01:27 PM
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Outstanding House + It's a Horse Property too! - 01:30 PM
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Bloomfield Beauty! - 01:36 PM
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Big, Beautiful Home in Burlington, CT - 01:38 PM
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Bilingual or Buy Lingual or Bye Lingual......... - 10:31 AM
                                                                 
Silly sign. It makes a point though. I was recently bemoaning my limited ability to speak a second language. Oh, I have made efforts in the past. I can still recite my first French dialogue. It is useless unless I am chatting with someone named Marie (and she has a headache) and a pal name Paul walks up.
I listen to Spanish language cd's in the car. Over and over. It is taking months to sink in and I still butcher the word cocina. Seems that the word for kitchen in spanish is cocina and in italian it is similar but … (11 comments)

Florida scores big in "top ten clean cities" - 07:37 AM
 
Forbes has announced its top ten cleanest metros in the United States and Florida takes no fewer than four of those top spots - including Number One - Miami.
In addition to that, Jacksonville comes in at Number Three and Orlando (above), Number Four with Tampa-St Petersburg rounding out the four at Number eight.
According to Forbes, in recent years, Florida's Department of Environmental Protection has launched programs aimed at providing power plants with the equipment needed to scrub out harmful emissions before they're discharged. The agency has singled out the Tampa Electric Co. for going beyond federal and state requirements on emission … (18 comments)

Fort Myers Beach " OPEN HOUSE " Thursday March 20, 2008 9 AM Reduced $100k - 09:46 PM
" OPEN HOUSE " ,  Thursday  MARCH 20, 2008  9 AM   Reduced $100k Just finished on the annual " Parade  of Homes " !
 Wouldn't this put a smile on her face !
Gorgeous 3/2 direct Gulf front home. Totally decorator furnished home.  I will be hosting this Thursday starting at  9 AM .  If you have been looking for a move-in ready beach front this is it.   If you are on Fort Myers Beach  Thursday  stop in and and say " HI".  This beautiful home is a real charmer with light. bright beachy colors and decorator upgrades. Furnished and ready for you to move in !  Just reduced $100k to $1,595,000 … (1 comments)

Mold: Prevention and Control - 10:36 AM
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SNUG WATSONVILLE COTTAGE - 01:39 AM
Click to see more pictures of 15 Broadis, Watsonville View more Watsonville Real Estate Listings
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Give it the Old College Try! 3/2 Ranch Home on about 1/2 an acre - 01:40 AM
Click to see more pictures of 64 College Road, Watsonville View more Watsonville Real Estate Listings
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HOME BUYER ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Act on FACTS, not MEDIA HYPE!!! - 11:37 AM

 According to Bankrate.com interest rates have dropped more than a quarter percent in the last 2 weeks.  Potential Buyers should really be looking for that home right NOW!  With the lowest home prices in years and the current interest rate, potential buyers would be foolish to not be looking for that home NOW.  A quarter percent on a 30 year fixed mortgage means a savings of  (rate 3 weeks ago was 6.02% and currently is 5.65%) $56.20 amonth or 674.40 a year.  For the Buyer who has a great credit history and pays bill diligently a 7 year fixed rate … (1 comments)

Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Niagara Falls - March 26, 2008 - 09:51 AM
If you are interested in joining us for this walk, here is the information about the tour:
March 26, 2008
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Meet at 1st Presbyterian Church
311 Rainbow Blvd. | Niagara Falls NY
Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes as we will be walking through Downtown Niagara Falls.  In case of rain, alternate date, will be Friday March 28th, same time and place.
Are you interested in becoming part of the Historic Walking Tour Committee?  Do you have information regarding the many historic homes in Niagara Falls?   Then join the next meeting of Niagara Rises date and time of next meeting will be … (5 comments)

12 Most Common Mistakes Buyers Make - 07:04 AM
Just posted at www.highlandsranchrealestateblog.com are 12 common, frustrating, time consuming, and costly mistakes buyers can make when buying a home. Mom & Dad mean well but geeze, they bought their last home how many years ago? Did the internet even exist then? The world has changed and sometimes we don't even see it. But here are 22 years worth of mistakes to avoid.
 Dreaming about that first home? Stop by www.denverrelocation.com and see how we can help you.
… (0 comments)

Real Estate Radio USA and Broker Bryant Solve World Peace. Or not!!! - 01:39 PM
Yesterday....I took a walk into the lion's den! I agreed to be interviewed by.... "The Sultan's of Short Sales, the Crusaders of Capitalism, and the Prophet's of Profit...Barry Cunningham and Barry Johnson", over at Real Estate Radio USA.
You may have had some encounters with their producer, Brett Wilson on ActiveRain. Brett posts quite a bit on ActiveRain about short sales and incompetent REALTORS®. He can sometimes come off a little aggressively and has a tendency to "stir up the pot". But that's OK. I actually enjoy heated debates and have enjoyed interacting with Brett. Sometimes I agree with him and … (126 comments)

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