Archives of real estate blog entries for March 29, 2008

Featured blog posts


David Wilder (1958-2008) - See You Again Someday, My Friend - 08:52 AM
 
God took home a giant among men early this morning. 
My friend, David Wilder, whom I have written about extensively here on my blog, passed away around 4:15 am.  I just found out this evening. 
Although I have been aware of his prognosis for a few weeks, it still hit me pretty hard.  As is always the case when someone leaves us, I keep running through a series of memories that seem to have left a more lasting impact.
I remember riding in the car with David when I was about 25 years old, and he suddenly turned to me and asked, … (155 comments)

"Neighborhood" Open House Success Story - 08:56 AM
I've worked with a Real Estate Investor now on several of his properties for the better part of a year. We've developed a great working relationship and know working together often results in the successful sale of the property. I have to say he's one of my favorite clients. He gave me a chance before others did and he's just a good person and we have a good line of communication open. Occassionally, as most investors and Realtors know, the sale of a home, even if under contract, can be a dicey deal, especially in this market.
To make a long story not so … (76 comments)

Blue Ink vs Red Tape a.k.a. FHA vs Subprime - 11:29 AM
I've seen so many mixed opinions over the recurring strength that FHA Lending Programs are having and gaining in the current market and oddly to me as a veteran of HUD's programs the majority of those opinions are negative! 
It has always been my experience in the business that mortgage professionals are intimidated and annoyed by government lending programs and practices.  With easy money lying around in the sub-prime market why would they have extra disclosures signed and deal with specific appraisals and appraisers when they could just take the file elsewhere?  Well the idea that they could have made more … (37 comments)

Fear Factor - 08:53 AM
In looking at buyer's remorse, a common phase in the real estate purchasing process where for a brief moment of time, the buyer has doubts about what they are doing, it made me think of that show Fear Factor. You know, that's the one where the contestants are constantly asked to perform more and more challenging frightening assignments to be the last one standing and win the grand prize.
In life there are many things that can frighten us and I must add rightfully so. But we are implored in life to fear not. Easier said than done.
Just think in the employment … (40 comments)

Member Spotlight - Hard Core Real Estate Expert Lenn Harley- Bloggers Choice Selections April Fools Day! - 11:29 AM
To me Lenn Harley is a must read on the rain.  I love the fact she is hard core real estate.  Now when you talk to her on the phone..she will in fact tell you she writes hard core real estate and and she is hard core real estate.  Imagine the delight when she agreed to do the Blogger's Choice Selections.
* * * *   WARNING!  HARD CORE REAL ESTATE AND BLOGGING TALK  * * * *
What did you do before you became a real estate agent, Lenn??   "Raised five children.  Raising five children is not easy.  As a recent widow with … (54 comments)

Score One for the Active Rain Team! - 08:59 AM
I've searched and searched for a comic/clip art that reflects my exuberance regarding my client in search of the DEAL beyond DEALS!  My post, Dude, You're Wasting My TIME! brought insightful comments and advice from the wonderful support group here on AR!  You're all THE BEST!
After much ado and many home searches later, my client and I had a heart-to-heart while I shared (once again), market research on the area.  Finally, he realized that he was not going to be able to low-ball in the manner he had previously been doing.  We found a home that was listed below tax value … (70 comments)


Blog posts


Member Spotlight - Hard Core Real Estate Expert Lenn Harley- Bloggers Choice Selections April Fools Day! - 11:29 AM
To me Lenn Harley is a must read on the rain.  I love the fact she is hard core real estate.  Now when you talk to her on the phone..she will in fact tell you she writes hard core real estate and and she is hard core real estate.  Imagine the delight when she agreed to do the Blogger's Choice Selections.
* * * *   WARNING!  HARD CORE REAL ESTATE AND BLOGGING TALK  * * * *
What did you do before you became a real estate agent, Lenn??   "Raised five children.  Raising five children is not easy.  As a recent widow with … (54 comments)

Need Down Time? Power Off - 1 Hour Tonight-Earth Hour 2008! - 05:23 PM
Need a break? Power down tonight for Earth Hour, March 29th from 8p.m. to 9 p.m.

With all the excitement of meeting Ann Cummings tomorrow I almost forgot. We opted to stay home and participate and will drive to Orlando tomorrow! I need a break, do you? If so take a break and power down and participate in Earth Hour tonight!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by The Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Midori Miller AKA The Daytona Real Estate Trainer and CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty. Midori … (9 comments)

Bill Moyer's Journal -- The Kerner Commission 40 Years Later and Newark Mayor Cory Booker - 12:38 AM
 
I have spoken about Bill Moyer’s Journal before when I saw something particularly interesting.  Tonight he had “The Kerner Commission 40 years later,” the Kerner Commission Report, which blamed the violence on the devastating poverty and hopelessness endemic in the inner cities of the 1960s and includes an interview with former Oklahoma Senator Fred Harris, one of the last living members of the Kerner Commission.  This was very eye opening.
Moyer also had a segment with the Mayor of Newark, Cory Booker, a 38 year old mixed race man that is stubborn and full of hope for his city.  He wants … (0 comments)

Get Involved--Why Not Run for Office - 06:43 PM
 
Is this a face you can trust--would you vote for this person?  I went to a caucus today and got voted in as an alternate delegate to go to the State Convention.  I am so excited about going.  While attending the caucus they were asking people to consider running for office this fall.  I decided I may want to throw my name into the hat and run for a State Representative position.  I look at some of the things that have been going on in government and, frankly, like my ethics a whole lot more then many of them--also like the … (3 comments)

New Hampshire - MOST LIVABLE STATE IN AMERICA - 10:44 AM
 

New Hampshire has been ranked the MOST LIVABLE STATE for the 5th consecutive year in a row by CQ Press. 
New Hampshire ranked #1 for lowest crime rate and #2 for healthiest state.
What makes New Hampshire the MOST LIVABLE STATE?
Its Quality of Life
  - low crime   - low poverty   - high income levels   - well educated citizens   - no income tax
  Visit New Hampshire and enjoy its natural beauty. 
     To see how your state ranks check out the CQPress web site.  Let us know how your state did in the comment … (15 comments)

Market Conditions: January 2008 – Hemet, CA - 04:29 PM
Market Conditions: January 2008 – Hemet, CA
The downturn in the local real estate market has been dramatic in Hemet CA.  The good numbers are down and the bad ones are up. In January, 2007 the SoCalMLS reports 57 closed residential sales with an average price of $307,936.  January 2008 saw a report with a sharp decline in both the number of closed real estate transactions as well as the value of the sales.
January 2008 only has 26 residential properties that closed escrow for an average value of $250,073.  The Hemet, CA real estate market suffered a 52% drop in … (3 comments)

Buy Low - Sell High - 10:46 AM
We have all grown up hearing the term "Buy low - Sell High"; great words of wisdom for the stock market, but in real estate that doesn't always work.  If you sell high, you end up having to buy high.  If you buy high in the stock market, you can set your account to sell if your stock drops beyond a preset percentage. In real estate, most of us are living in our investment and cannot just set a sell point when the market drops. If you are tired of riding the real estate market, you can choose to just cash out, take … (0 comments)

This week's Home Team Radio Show - 10:00 AM
This week on The Home Team Radio Show, we we will be discussing property tax - AGAIN! It seems this item of news simply will not go away.
Apart from new proposals from the Budget reform and Tax Commission - a body that meets once every 20 years (yep - TWENTY years), we also have economists battling it out over the potential impact of any changes
We take a long look at the money situation in the country and will pay particular attention to Hillary Clinton's proposals regarding lenders
There's plenty of good news out there if anyone is interested! Existing home sales rose … (4 comments)

The Simon Conway Radio Experience - 12:34 PM
It';s going to be a great show today at 4pm Eastern on 1520 WHIM. First up we have Florida Congressional GOP candidate, Todd Long. He is challenging the incumbent who apart from anything else, promised the voters he would be gone by now. A big fan of term limits apparently until it actually had an effect on him!
Todd tells us he is different - and we will have a long enough time with him today to find that our for sure.
Also on today's show, should we get rid of the electoral college and replace it with one person one vote? I … (17 comments)

Hillary - lies, lies, lies, yeah yeah! - 09:06 PM
I played this entire piece on The Simon Conway Radio Experience today and so for those who missed it, I thought I'd dig it out and give you a second chance. It is perhaps the most telling example of how bad she was, because this is in answer to her already being bustyed and before the "misspoke" garbage she fed us later!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Copyright © 2008 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)
Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit … (26 comments)

Obama apologists still out there - 10:01 PM
Another interesting moment on my radio show today was when I was talking about Obama's appearance on the View this week and the excellent Elizabeth Hasslebank who was about the only one who asked him a tough question. The rest of it was a love fest which really should have had Barry White behind it the entire time. Anyway - I got a call from a woman who was completely serious when she suggested that the Senator might have missed the controversial remarks because there's more than one service on a Sunday and maybe the rev Wright made his comments at … (20 comments)

Fort Myers Beach " Shrimp Boil ", Sat March 29, 2008 - 10:58 AM
Fort Myers Beach Saturday March 29, 2008 St. Raphael's Episcopal Church, located on 5601 Williams Dr on Fort Myers Beach is having their delicious Shrimp Boil Saturday March 29, 2008 from 5-7 PM.  The dinners feature wild caught Gulf shrimp. cole slaw, corn bread, baked beans, coffee, beer, wine and ice cream for desert.  If you like shrimp, the real kind direct from the Gulf of Mexico, you owe it to yourself, family and friends to try this eating experience.  Cost is $15.00 and payable at the door.  Dress is casual.  Just bring your appetite and a smile !     … (0 comments)

Fort Myers Beach " OPEN HOUSE " Sunday March 30, 2008 9 AM Reduced $100k - 10:16 PM
Fort Myers Beach " OPEN HOUSE" Direct Gulf front Sunday March 30, 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 Sunday 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  Sunday  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 … (0 comments)

Is Anyone Else Getting Tired of All The Complaining? - 08:19 AM
Okay, I suppose this is another COMPLAINT but I've just got to say it.
I'm sick of all the COMPLAINING about everything under the sun.  It seems that we have turned into a nation (perhaps a world) of WHINERS and COMPLAINERS!  Whatever happened to the CAN DO SPIRIT that once prevailed in our society?
It seems that our society simply thrives on negative news and loves to complain... but it seems that few people are willing to MAKE DECISIONS to do anything different!  Not only that but we seem to think that it is the GOVERNMENT'S responsibility to make our lives better.
THE GOVERNMENT … (14 comments)

March Madness: My Two Cents - 06:31 AM
Every March, I say this at least once, and I think most people just politely ignore me.   However, I think I shall say it again, just in case.....
The annual college basketball tournament has a couple catchy phrases:  "Sweet Sixteen" and "Final Four". 
The phrase usually used for this week in between Sweet Sixteen and The Final Four is usually called "Elite Eight".  Say Elite Eight out loud.  I think it falls pretty darn flat.  Not only that, it's a bit of a tongue twister.
However, just reverse the two words, and I think it can hold its own with the other two … (9 comments)

Pearland TX: 1104 Chelsea Lane in Riverwalk is Sold! - 11:33 AM
1104 Chelsea Lane in Riverwalk is Sold!  

SOLD Real Estate in Riverwalk, Pearland TX -  The single story at 1104 Chelsea Lane has been SOLD.
Danny Frank of Keller Willilams has SOLD another house.  Do you have real estate in Pearland TX you need to sell? Call me and I will get it SOLD for you fast... Put a SOLD sign on your house instead of a for sale sign with my help.  Call me at 713-569-8102 or visit my site at http://www.danfrankrealty.com/
Property information
… (0 comments)

Pearland TX: 2103 North Austin in Old Pearland Townsite is Sold! - 11:37 AM
2103 North Austin in Old Pearland Townsite is Sold!
Old Pearland Townsite, Pearland TX  -  The single story at 2103 North Austin has been sold.
Danny Frank of Keller Willilams has SOLD another house.  Do you have real estate in Pearland TX you need to sell? Call me and I will get it SOLD for you fast... Put a SOLD sign on your house instead of a for sale sign with my help.  Call me at 713-569-8102 or visit my site at http://www.danfrankrealty.com/
Property information
… (0 comments)

Buffalo Homecoming 2008 - 10:31 AM
Buffalo Homecoming 2008
 
Buffalo NY is having a four day celebration to have those that left find a reason to fall in love with Buffalo all over again. June 26-29 there will be a career fair, happy hour, tours, sunday brunch and so much more! Above is the video of the press conference announcing the event!
Check out their website at www.buffalohomecoming.com for more informtion!
… (2 comments)

Twitter, Twitter and more Twitter.... - 01:31 PM
 
Thanks Brian Brady for the introduction to Twitter....
Read Also:  What is Twitter?
I attended the first Buffalo Tweetup yesterday.   It was fun, and ActiveRain member get togethers are not the only one that find people taking tons of great pictures and friendships strengthened.  There were videos and podcasts.  I meet several great people and learned a few things while I was there.  
Several ActiveRain members have already written about Twitter here, but I thought you might want to know about Twitter secrets:
Twitter Blocks -- see the relationships between people and find new people.   My Twitter block is:  http://explore.twitter.com/blocks/#propertydiva which I found Missy Caulk at … (14 comments)

Georgetown, Texas, A Great Place to Live and Work - 08:52 AM

 
We may sometimes seem like a sleepy little Texas town to some, but there's a lot going on underneath the surface!  Fortune has named Georgetown #2 in its list of Best Places to Live and Launch because they've discovered what's going on here.  
 
 
Georgetown is a great place to live because of the beauty, the variety of homes available from Old Town to Sun City to new subdivisions to country estates just out of town, our historical district, our trail system for hiking and biking, golf courses, Lake Georgetown, the San Gabriel River, Southwestern University, and much, much more.  But it's … (2 comments)

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