Archives of real estate blog entries for May 27, 2008

Featured blog posts


Why I Think Local Lenders Are Ignoring a HUGE Opportunity in My Community! - 10:54 PM
Every week, they arrive in my e-mail box.  There are variations on the theme, but all in all...they're the same.  Communications from lenders touting their products and opinions about the market. 
The trouble is, that like most real estate agents, I'm not interested in a weekly update necessarily.  Particularly when I'm getting it from several loan officers. 
It's not that I don't want or need information.  I do.  But not in the packaging that it's being delivered.  I suspect that most lender e-mails, like most mass mailings and advertisements are ignored.
But, when I do need the services of a lender, … (70 comments)

NAR Settles Lawsuit with Justice Dept - 10:49 PM
As the voice for San Diego real estate I am pleased to announce that in a just released news items, NAR has settled with the Justice Department. "REALTORS Settle Case with US" and " NAR,DOJ Agree on MLS Policy".
This settlement which I am sure comes as a relief to REALTORS and all concerned, will allow on-line brokerages access to listings that were denied in previous rules in the MLS Model Rules.
NAR feels that this is a win-win and will neither pay a fine nor have to admit any liability as part of the settlement. Dick Gaylord, our 2008 NAR President said "Thanks to … (71 comments)

You Commute. You Pay. Are You Doing a Cost Analysis for Your Clients? - 10:11 AM

 
 
I had a client come into town last week to make a final decision on a house to buy.  He will be working in the northern section of Virginia Beach and there are a lot of houses to choose from in his price range.  New construction was especially appealing to him; however, the commute would be about 40 miles each way (to Suffolk).  Let's look at the cost of this:
 
 
 
 
40 miles each way = 80 miles per day round trip x 5 days per week = 400 miles per week.
MPG of his … (45 comments)

Last years top producer is this year’s fry cook of the year! - 12:46 PM
I know it sounds far fetched, but I see more and more agents that have been in the business 20+ years leaving, as they just can't survive and aren't willing to change again.
                   
I recently read about someone who had 89 sales last year that this year, to date, has 2 and is leaving the business and going back to their previous profession and being in real estate part time only.
Is that really possible, to go from 89 to 2 in just 5 months? It amazed me and then the story continued that when he went back … (78 comments)

Price to Sell or Priced to Sit - That is the Question? - 12:47 PM
Today I met with clients to discuss Marketing their property.  I must admit the home was absolutely fabulous(custom built in 2005) and they had done some incredible updates to the home such as:
Plantation Shutters Added a coiffered ceiling in the downstairs formal living room Wet bar in the bonus room Dual Zone surround sound Hired an interior designer and custom painted the walls throughout the home Gourmet kitchen Office on the 1st Floor Added fabulous landscaping 10 Foot Ceilings on the 1st Floor 9 Foot Ceilings on the 2nd, except a 2nd bedroom w/12 foot ceilings That said, my potential clients needed … (58 comments)

The heart Beat to your real estate success and making millions!!!! - 12:47 PM
With round one of the Makeover to takeover challenge and the winning team announced  HERE  I wanted to go back and talk about the importance of a data base.
 YOUR DATA BASE IS THE KEY TO LONGEVITY AND REAL ESTATE SUCCESS
You don't believe me?   Well I can tell you that more than 70% of my annual income comes from past clients, referrals and my farm area.    
All of that is contained, maintained, updated and cherished in my data base.  It is the lifeline, the heart beat of my business.
Personally, I use Top Producer for the reason that is is … (53 comments)

Makeover2Takeover Competition: Week One Challenge Results - 12:10 AM
Well, here's the moment all of our M2T Teams have been waiting for - the results of our Week One Challenge.
(To find out all the details on the Week One Challenge, GO HERE)
I had originally planned to perform this announcement through a video blog, but simply ran out of time. I promise to do something fun and creative for next Week's Challenge.
Let me begin by saying, that overall, the responses from our competiting Teams was amazing. This is going to be an extremely difficult field to judge!
And unfortunately, as good as all the teams are, we inevitably … (64 comments)

Staying Active on Active Rain - still the best! - 04:14 PM
It's been a long time since we've been active on Active Rain so we decided to reconnect.  Staying Active on Active Rain used to be a daily and very regular part of our business.  Not because we were getting business from the system but for so many other reasons.  Active Rain was so exciting in it's infancy that we felt just blessed to be part of something so new and intriguing! 
As we learned all the rules and regulations of the network, we found it to be a very fun and yes, even entertaining place to hang out.  But we can't … (84 comments)

Why Drama in Your Blog Could Hurt Your Career - 12:38 PM

 
(Yes, dramatic title WAS used for effect! You are so quick today!)
We all know that the news, whether on TV, radio, in print or online, is not completely about NEWS. It’s about creating drama to capture a reader’s attention and keep them coming back. If you don’t come back, they can’t sell the ads that pay the bills.
Creating drama works to draw an audience. We want to get stirred up about something, to have an opinion that is either very much like or unlike the one presented. When we take a side on an issue, we begin … (86 comments)


Blog posts


Social Networking Is Global..Going Down Memory Lane- Music Included! - 11:49 PM

Create Your Own 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 Daytona Beach Real Estate Trainer and CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty. Midori Miller and CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community
… (20 comments)

Being MeMe’d - E-mail Chain Letters on Steroids - 06:44 PM
I just got meme'd, compliments Rich Jacobson, and since this is the second time I've been meme'd, I thought I'd just do it...
Question 1: Who is my favorite Musical Artist?
This is tough to narrow down, I am very broad-spectrum!!! It'd have to be a three-way tie between Luciano Pavarotti, Bono of U2, and Peter Furler of Newsboys.
Question 2: Who is my favorite Artist?
William-Adolphe Bouguereau, hands down. 
Question 3: Who is My Favorite Blogger?
My favorite RE blogger is Jessica Horton! And I love Kevin Tomlinson for the pure entertainment factor. Both exceptional people, btw!
Question 4: If … (15 comments)

Last Week for Website Raffle - 07:10 PM
Here's a reminder that this is the last week to win a Real Estate Webmasters (REW) website, free lifetime hosting and a core IDX solution worth more than $5,000.  Plus, by joining the raffle you will be donating to the Eco Preservation Society and helping endangered Costa Rican squirrel monkeys. 
If you've never seen a REW website please go to real estate websites to view the different templates that you can choose your colors with and more.  REW templates are known to be very search engine friendly.  I have two myself that share many different top search engine positions (many #1 … (1 comments)

"How do I get my foot in the door w/ REO's" - 01:32 PM
 
<script> document.getElementById('xg_no_javascript').style.display = 'none'; </script> Hello, you need to enable JavaScript to use this network. Please check your browser settings or contact your system administrator.
<script> document.getElementById('xg_jstrk_on').innerHTML = '<img src="/xn_resources/widgets/index/gfx/jstrk_on.gif" height="1" width="1" />'; </script>  
How do I get my foot in the door w/ REO's?? I get asked this question daily. 8 years ago I asked the same question to a well known agent in my office who did high volume and was the father of a girl I played soccer in High school with. He knew who I was but I think he looked at me as an … (9 comments)

6044 La Prada Street, Highland Park - 05:04 PM
6044 La Prada Street, Highland ParkLocation: Highland Park, CA6044 La Prada Street, Highland Park, offered for sale at $459,900.Lots of potential here! Situated on a wide, park-like street, this clean and practical starter home is set far back from the street on an extra large lot, zoned RDI.5-1 per DBS Parcel Report. The home has 2 bedrooms, 1 bath on the upper level. The bonus lower level is finished (without permit) into 3 rooms plus kitchenette and bath. InformationContact InformationContact Reply FormForward to a FriendView Other FlyersPricingAsking Price: $459,900.00Property Location4066 La Prada StreetHighland Park, CA 90042View MapFeaturesBedrooms: 2Bathrooms: 1Parking: YesYear Built: … (1 comments)

Weight Loss Challenge- Final Posting - 01:35 PM
Since January 1, many of you have been following my post-pregnancy weight loss challenge.  It started out with over 30 people wanting in on the fun, and it ended with just a couple of people.  That didn't stop me.  I continued to post and I continued to lose.  I thought the challenge would help others as well, but we can only help as much as others will take the help in.
I haven't posted in a few weeks because I have been sick.  For a few days, I had no energy to do anything, and because of that, I'm also about … (20 comments)

Charging for Info to Fight Property Value - 02:11 PM
Has anyone ever sent out a message to their database that you would do a CMA good enough to help someone fight their taxes for a charge? 
I receive tons of leads online.  I have a little mini-CMAs for brief, basic information, along with a wide price range, it's basically useless to use for those sellers coming in wanting to know their value only to fight their recent tax appraisals.  If someone's house was valued at $200k last year, and this year it's valued at $210k, but I gave them a range of $190-220k, that doesn't help them since it fits into their … (3 comments)

Fight Your Dallas area Property Tax Appraisals - 02:25 PM
I'm sure you have received your 2008 Property Tax Appraisals by now.  If not, you need to call your county appraisal district.  Some areas only send out the noticed if your value has changed.  If you are planning on fighting your value, you have less than 1 week, as you need to send notice by June 2, 2008.
If your value increased by more than $5000, it would be a pretty smart idea to inquire about the increase.  If you would like specific information going on in your neighborhood, I would be more than happy to help you out.  In most … (1 comments)

Countrywide's chairman shows his contempt for borrowers! - 06:25 PM
It was going to happen sooner or later, but Countrywide chairman Angelo Mozilo, finally let slip - almost literally - what he really thinks about his borrowers who have found themselves in trouble.
You see Mozilo received an e-mail from one such borrower - essentially saying "I'm in trouble - how can you help?" and instead of hitting "forward" to send his answer to another executive at Countrywide, Mozilo hit "Reply". And this is what he said:
"This is unbelievable. Most of these letters now have the same wording. Obviously they are being counseled by some other person or by the … (13 comments)

Getting Spanked by the State! - 06:12 PM
       
Wow what an eye opener!  I was made aware that a out of area Real Estate Company was possibly doing some wrong things, like practicing dual agency when it's not allowed by creating false Real Estate Companies, offering kick backs, and a few other things.
I figured since this is all hearsay and I wasn't party to this transaction that there was no need to interfere.  Well I guess I am wrong.  The issues were brought to a Title Companies attention and I got a call from the State wanting to know why I didn't report this.  I explained … (8 comments)

Fort Myers Beach " OPEN HOUSE" Single family home Wednesday 9 AM, 2008 Reduced $100k - 03:49 PM
OPEN HOUSE" Direct Gulf front Sunday May 18, 9 :30 AM, 2008 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  listing on Sunday starting at  9:30 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 … (0 comments)

Looking for Palmdale, CA Agent - 06:43 PM
Anyone here in the Palmdale, CA area?
I have a seller referral (short sale, unfortunately) 
Thanks!
… (1 comments)

Outer Bank Beach Named Top 10 For 2008!!! - 12:31 PM
The beaches of the Outer Banks has once again made the famous Dr. Beach Top 10 Beaches in the USA. Last year Ocracoke beach claimed the #1 on the list. Once a beach has made it to #1 it is then taken out of the running. So this year it was Cape Hatteras National Seashore beach that made the list at #8.
It seems that for the last few years an Outer Banks beach has made the list. That is one of the reasons that millions of people come to the Outer Banks to vacation and buy 2nd homes or to retire. … (0 comments)

A Momentous Occasion - 02:30 PM
On June 9th, 2008 my wife and I will celebrate our Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary.
We married in Corning NY the day after I graduated from Alfred University in Alfred New York.  My wife Carol was attending nursing school at Alfred and was studying at Corning Hospital.
We left NY state and have been all over the world since then.  We have lived in many states and many countries over the past 50 years and are now settled (for the time being) in Fredericksburg VA.
Lots have changed in 50 years and I am afraid my classmates will not recognize me.  Fifty … (6 comments)

Fluid Search: More on Unified Search and a Better Search Experience - 01:01 AM
My last post was about unifying search across multiple domains to create a better search experience for your visitors. It’s no secret that real estate businesses typically have multiple domains, so I thought it fitting to write about the challenge of unified search here at Active Rain. However, any business with two (or more) domains is challenged to create a unified search experience, so this series of posts is important to every business segment.
At MyST we spend more time innovating than any other activity including selling; our CFO reminds us of this all the time. But we’re on a never-ending … (0 comments)

Google Alerts/Active Rain In Synch? - 04:46 PM
Some time ago, a number of folks were complaining that Google Alerts concerning ActiveRain content were not working. It seems that either Google fixed something or they were never broken to begin with. I have always received alerts and my recent post was picked up by alerts just 4 hours after writing it.

Note the query I use - site:activerain.com "Bill French". I'm interested in hearing if other people are still experiencing problems.
… (4 comments)

All 80,000+ AR RSS Feeds Still Busted - 04:58 PM
Last year I called out to the developers at AR recommending that they fix the RSS feeds for all its members, but all 80,000+ member feeds still remain invalid as of today. I wrote about this problem here, and here and in many comments and groups.
Unfortunately, my platform requires valid XML or it can't parse the content. I suspect many AR members are losing exposure opportunities on portals and other Web 2.0 services that index or syndicate feeds. I also have a hunch that some search engines bypass invalid XML documents.
Valid XML is a key success factor for content sharing … (2 comments)

Medford Lakes Community Events: Memorial Day 2008 - 09:43 PM
Yesterday, Medford Lakes celebrated with it's traditional Memorial Day Parade lead off by the Shawnee High School Marching Band, followed by herds of kids in their decorated bikes, and then followed by local honories, officials and a long line of police, fire and emergency vehicles from Medford Lakes and the surrounding communities of Medford, Southampton, Shamong, Evesham and Tabernacle townships and the Forest Service. It was quite a large group of kids that participated, Medford Lakes owes a lot of it's vitality to the youth and young families in the community as well as those who are raised families and are … (0 comments)

Medford Township Community Events: Memorial Day 2008 - 10:48 PM
Yesterday, Medford Township celebrated the holiday it's annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies.  It was lead off by the Shawnee High School Marching Band, followed by kids in their decorated bikes, local honorees, officials, community groups and a long line of police, fire and emergency vehicles from Medford and the surrounding communities of Medford Lakes, Southampton, Shamong, Evesham and Tabernacle townships and the Forest Service.   At the conclusion of the parade, the traditional wreath laying ceremony was held at the War Memorial.VFW Post 7677 hosted the activities in conjunction with Medford Township officials.Mr. William F. Bielec, World War II veteran and 30 year resident of … (0 comments)

100 GRINNELL PL, Celebration FL 34747 - 07:09 PM
 
 MLS# S4638191     100 GRINNELL PL, KISSIMMEE FL 34747    $$$ 464,000  $$$

Simply charming Arabella Victorian located in quaint Celebration North Village. Bright Family room with impressive rear and side views of landscaped grounds, gives easy access to rear textured patio.  Newly Painted inside.  Open concept Kitchen, family room with abundance of windows. 
For more information on this property in Celebration and many more like it in the Central Florida area call Steve Glose with Keller Williams Realty direct at  407-616-7286        or visit www.thefloridalivingteam.com
 
… (1 comments)

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