Archives of real estate blog entries for June 11, 2008

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Procuring Cause..... - 11:52 PM
Have you been in this situation...
A buyer who recently signed an Exclusive Buyer Agency form continues to look at homes but seems unsatisfied with the selection.  She keeps thinking about a house she saw and liked, but in another neighborhood, and may want to put an offer on it in the near future.  Great!
Problem is, before she signed the agreement with you, this same buyer put an offer on "dream house" with the listing agent.  There was no agreement signed to represent them as a buyer's, or a dual agent, so they were represented by the seller.  They obviously did … (31 comments)

Relocation: Does Your Website or Blog Reach Out and Make an Emotional Connection Across the Miles? It Needs To!! - 11:57 PM


I have to face it. I've moved no fewer than 12 times in 15 years, and I have lived all over California. And I'm getting ready to move AGAIN, BLECH...
It's a good move, but well, it's MOVING. Its RELOCATING. I'm starting over fresh in a new city, so once again I've been in "starting over mode"...looking for a place to live, schools, which are good ones, bad...and I have a sneaking suspicion that no matter where we choose to live, we will move again before getting finally settled. We aren't selling our current home, we will rent … (45 comments)

AnnArbor.craigslist.com - 11:46 PM
Have any of you checked out Craigslist in your location lately?
I post all my listings on Craigslist, every 45 days. I get more emails and calls on my rentals and lower priced homes.
Today I posted my new listings on 7185 Dell Rd, Saline, MI. which is the post right before this one. I really never take a look at all the postings there, I check out the one I just posted and move on to something else.  Today I decided to see how all the listings looked. (or so I thought)
So much self promotion from other agents, spam … (63 comments)

FHA DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UNDER ATTACK, AGAIN - 12:10 PM
An ActiveRain member, John S. of RealtorRatingz.com asked for a comment about the Wall Street Journal article about trouble with the FHA insurance fund.  
WASHINGTON - The Federal Housing Administration expects to lose $4.6 billion because of unexpectedly high default rates on home loans, officials said Monday.    

There isn't that much to comment about except that the "down payment assistance" programs are under attack again.  This comes up regularly. 
THE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE HAVEN'T COST THE PUBLIC A DIME.  Seems to me that the public is protected by the FHA MIP.  Home buyers pay into this fund and pay dearly.  … (46 comments)

Real Estate & The Wizard of Oz... - 01:20 AM

Pay No Attention To The Man Behind The Curtain, said the great and powerful OZ.  Why am I channeling ruby slippers and the yellow brick road?  Because what my customers don't see behind the scenes is the reason that they need me.
I had the pleasure of spending 2 days last week with a couple moving back to the Central Florida after living in Ohio for two years.  They missed the warm weather and couldn't see themselves living through another winter up-north.
They found me online, I'm hearing that more and more these days and we hit it off right away...  We had … (59 comments)

A Different Type of Rehab! - 11:47 PM
Understanding the specifics of Rehab Loans can be tricky.  Especially considering parameters and products often change.  If you get nothing from this post as a Prospective Investor, Seasoned Investor, or Real Estate Agent, I'll sum up the key to any Rehab transaction in my opinion.  Find the worst house in a decent neighborhood, that's probably going to be the ideal transaction for most Rehab Products. 
I have a couple of different outlets for Rehab Loans.  For a more conventional and less pricey product, check out this information on the post I did on REHAB LOANS a little while back.
There's another type of Rehab Financing … (40 comments)

Okay, So I do All of the Work and YOU want My Money? - 11:44 PM
Okay, So I do All of the Work and YOU want My Money? Okay, So I do All of the Work and YOU want My Money?


I've been working with a wonderful couple for several months, preparing for their move to Charlotte. The husband contacted me directly from my website, requesting information about the city. I provided that, followed up with a phone call and we've gone from there. During our initial conversation, I asked it they were working with a Realtor® or a relocation company. The husband said, "No" to both questions.

We communicate at least once … (47 comments)

HELP YOUR CLIENTS MOVE-IN--Before They WRITE AN OFFER - 12:13 PM
When showing property to our prospective buyers, our job is to help them imagine living in the home. The quicker you can get them to think about what it would be like to move into the house, the more quickly you'll help move them closer to their decision.  Any question that engages the buyer's imagination, is a good question. If the answer conveys negative feedback, then the home is probably not the right one for the buyer and you can cross if off the list and move on.
  To help in this process, I sometimes will ask questions (sample below) like:  
… (41 comments)

More, more, I wanted to see more! - 12:18 PM
I used AR as a consumer for the first time today.  My son will be going to an out of state university this fall.  I know nothing about the area.  I've already spent a lot of time on the university's web site.  So, today I decided to check out what AR agents in that area have to say.
I was very disappointed, because they were only posting listings on their blogs.  I wanted to see MORE than just listings.  I can find listings on a multitude of other sites.  I wanted to get a feel for what the area was like.  … (33 comments)

“FREE” is a Relative Term! - 01:10 AM
I wrote a post recently entitled Active Rain Bugs are Bad for Business!.  My contention was that consumers that are finding our blogs through Google searches are not going to keep checking back to see if the site started working again.  For those of you that are here for social purposes only, the outages might be a nuisance, but it won't cost you business.  However, those of us that use Active Rain as a lead generation tool, and as a marketing tool, are missing out on opportunities when the servers are down.
 
The most common response to my post (for … (62 comments)

Around Town - 12:16 PM
These are some unplublished photos taken around town in St. Paul, Minnesota

Mears park at night, very well lit and always a great place for people watching.

The famous historic fountain in Irvine park.  The park is a square sourounded by homes.  Many people in the area have dogs and we all walk them in this park.  I always find it funny that we don't forget the names of the dogs but sometimes forget the names of the owners.

Taken from the bluff, the condo development along the Mississippi River.

The dowtown farmers market.  These are begonias.
… (37 comments)

Triple H Real Estate Attack Plan -- Team Manna's Week 3 Winning Entry - 01:16 AM

FROM BRIAN BLOCK, APPRENTICE
Well, another week is finished in the Makeover2Takeover contest as the competition heats up.  This week, Team Manna is excited to have garnered a first place victory in the Week 3 Challenge -- "Going for Broke. or 'Be' Broke"
When we first viewed the Week 3 Challenge last Monday, we both thought that it was deceptively simple and comparatively low-tech with regards to the other challenges that we had been issued so far in the first 2 weeks of the competition.
THE CHALLENGE:  The real estate business has fallen upon tough times.  Just when things seemed … (23 comments)


Blog posts


Woodbridge CT Market Report for May 2008 - 02:27 PM

AS OF June 11, 2008 IN WOODBRIDGE CONNECTICUT
 CURRENT ACTIVE LISTINGS: 105
NUMBER SOLD LAST 12 MONTHS: 76 (6.3 Sold Per Month)
NUMBER SOLD LAST 6 MONTHS: 25 (4.2 Sold Per Month)
NUMBER SOLD LAST 3 MONTHS: 16 (5.3 Sold Per Month)
CURRENT # OF MONTHS INVENTORY: 19.7To View a full market report for Woodbridge Connecticut click here.
 
 
… (0 comments)

MILFORD CT FIREWORKS & LIVE CONCERT FEATURING JOSH GRACIN 7/2/08 - 03:11 PM
FIREWORKS & LIVE CONCERT  At The Westfield Mall Milford CTWednesday July 2nd 2008
Sponsored By The Westfield MALL
Honoring Our Heroes 
 Celebration! 
3 Bands In Concert with  
AMERICAN IDOL SUPERSTAR
JOSH GRACIN
X
General Admission
$ 1.00 Adults ( collected at the door)
Kids under 10 FREE 
Concert & Fireworks For All AGES 
Family Amusements & Activities, Food, Drinks & More
 -----------------------------------------------------------
V.I.P.  ADMISSION
Includes Appetizers, Dinner,
New York Strip/ Orange Glazed Salmon 
Reserved Seating in VIP Tent Area 
Beer and Wine Available
Spectacular FRONT ROW View of Fireworks & Concert
 $ 50.00
 
For Tickets to V.I.P.
Call Catering By Christine
at … (3 comments)

Let's be fake to our customers! - 01:49 PM
We have a service here in Florida, supplied by the Florida Association of Realtors. It gives daily news (although often late) and sometimes business tips.
For the second time in as many days I read one which made me very uncomfortable. Today's is all about how you should end notes of congratulations to people who may have expressed an interest in using your services or who may have used them in the past.
Nothing wrong with that - IF YOU ACTUALLY CARE! You see the people who get those notes from me are my friends. They know they are genuine and … (15 comments)

Hi My Name Is Cheryl - 03:01 PM
I'm posting this to the group only....
This is how my mom came up with my name.....  She saw the name "Cheryl" is a newspaper story and thought "that's a nice name...."
My middle name, Anne, is for the doctor who delivered me.  Dr. Anne Rumsey, a female doctor.  Back in the early 1950s, a female MD was pretty rare!
Any other Cheryls want to share the story behind their name?
… (2 comments)

Five Topics to Discuss With Your Real Estate Agent When Selling Your Home - 04:06 PM

 http://AndrewBaumbach.com
http://MilwaukeeRealEstate4U.com
http://BayViewRealEstate4U.com
 
Thinking of selling your home? Before you place the "For Sale" sign in front of your house, there are a few things you should consider in order to maximize your home value and make the sales process smooth and efficient.  Be prepared to discuss the following subjects with your real estate agent when you're ready to sell your home and you'll be one step ahead in the market.
 
1) Best Time of Year to Put Your House on the Market
Conventional wisdom dictates that spring is the best time for selling a home.  The weather … (1 comments)

6/11/2008 Greater Milwaukee Market Stats - 05:08 PM


This is something I do every 2 weeks to keep myself up to date on the numbers in the areas I work in. I thought I would post the results for you out there as well.
 These are for single family homes only in the areas I most often work in. I know there are other areas of Milwaukee that I am leaving out. If you have question on a particular area listed below or that I left out, please feel free to contact me.
The system I use is:
____ Active Listings
____ Sold in the last month
… (4 comments)

Poinciana Short Sale Deal. 675 Reindeer Dr Kissimme Fl 34759 - 03:22 PM

HOW ABOUT A DEAL TODAY ON A POINCIANA POOL HOME?
$119,000 > This is a SHORT SALE and will require 3rd party approval.   Beautiful pool home with ceramic tile flooring throughout, travertine in the master shower, updated fixtures, solar heated inground pool, family room, heavily landscaped lot, new roof in late 2004, new AC in 2001 and much much more. Let this be you own tropical paradise. A place to call home and to build memories. Act today!
COME ON DOWN TO TUTAS TOWNE!!!
MORE INFO FROM BROKER BRYANT... THE SOURCE FOR POINCIANA REAL ESTATE

Copyright © 2008 http://www.brokerbryant.com/ … (22 comments)

Wichita, KS real estate..... - 05:58 PM
Wichita is one of the few markets that is experiencing increases in home values in 2008.  The area was rated one of the top ten communities for growth over the next year and is ranked in the top 10% of the major U.S. markets for growth and activiity for 2008.  ERC ranked it the 2nd best city under 1.000.000 residents to relocate your family too. 
 
Commodities, Oil, hospitals and aircraft are the main income producers for the area.  Over 1/2 of all general aviation aircraft in the world are made in Wichita by Learjet, Cessna, Beech-Hawker, & Boeing.  There are over … (0 comments)

dAustin TX Foreclosure Market Keeps Real Estate Affordable - 08:51 AM
Austin Habitat for Humanity needs more land to build affordable homes. Austin struggles with affordability, so charities like Habitat are needed to create more home owners. Habitat for Humanity offers affordable housing to low income families. The charity uses volunteers to rehab these newly acquired foreclosed properties or in extreme cases, tears them down and rebuilds.
While many struggle to keep their homes and avoid foreclosure, rising national foreclosures have created a window of opportunity for charities like Habitat, who strive to keep home ownership costs low. This controversial topic has even reached Congress (read later).
The National Foreclosure Crisis Rescues … (0 comments)

Getting the Record Straight About the SubPrime Mortgage Crisis - 01:48 PM
The Washington Post published (6/9) a report, How HUD Mortgage Policy Fed The Crisis, subtitled, Subprime Loans Labeled 'Affordable'.  The article basically takes HUD to task for fueling the risky lending process, under the banner of "affordable" housing, that was characteristic of the subprime mortgage market.  It implicates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but focuses on HUD, starting under the Clinton administration. The next day (6/10), HUD fired off their response with a press release entitled, Setting the Record Straight, in which it states that "the Washington Post, citing former HUD officials and academics, claimed HUD's affordable housing goal requirements of Fannie … (0 comments)

Enjoy Jersey Fresh Produce and Even Pick Your Own - 02:59 PM
My daughter this past week went out to pick strawberries with friends at one of the many farms in South Jersey that allow customers to do-it-themselves, save money and have the satisfaction of obtaining fruits and vegetables that are as fresh as possible without expending all the effort and time by growing them yourself. Throughout the summer we will be enjoying fresh blueberries, melons, corn, beans, peppers, tomatoes and more. Whether picking them ourselves, or getting them just-picked at a roadside stand, you can't beat the freshness and tastes of Jersey Grown fruits and vegetables. South Jersey is a great place to be … (0 comments)

The Daisies Bloomed Today....thank you Dad - 03:28 PM
 
  I am repeating this blog today  thru  tear filled eyes and wishing sooo much my  Dad was here to celebrate  "his" day. For all of you lucky enough to have your Dad today......Celebrate it EVERY day....Happy Father's Day !
 
 
                               
 
   My Dad isn't here to read this blog....he could fix anything and everything...could refinish wood better than any finished carpenter or painter...helped us finish all the woodwork when we built our house and was there every day for months at 7 a.m.  in the heat at age 76....and would not have had it any … (8 comments)

Have You Missed A Mortgage Payment ????? - 07:43 PM
                                                     
   It can happen..you have missed one...two....or more...and you are hoping to get that new job or an extra job...and another week goes by and then before you know it, the month has disappeared and it's the first of the next month and yet another payment is due. Hoping things will change, positive thinking are all good things to do...but sometimes, they just aren't enough. While you wait for the winds of the job market to change, you are sinking further and further into debt. You have to put gas in the car, you have to eat, you need the … (2 comments)

Providing Showing FeedBack - 12:04 AM
Imagine if every agent who showed your listing provided useable showing feedback from their buyer (without revealing confidential information).  If every agent provided showing feedback with comments beyond "Liked another house better" or "just started looking" we would have something we can actually use that could help the seller understand how their home rates and if the buyer had any interest at all.  Remember, without the seller willing to pay real estate professionals to market, service and sell their home there wouldn't be much in the way of inventory for us to show and sell.
 
… (17 comments)

148 Columbus Road, Fredericktown Ohio 43019 (off market) - 06:28 PM
Wonderful updated home with a very nice and open great room feeling

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Attractive ranch home located in a wonderful neighborhood This is a nice easy care ranch style home with lots of updating Large living room, spacious kitchen and dining room combo The living area is a nice and open great room to the kitchen Kitchen includes the appliances and has a breakfast/eating bar Relaxing sun room that has access to the partially … (0 comments)

Green Dreams - 08:33 PM
I have been dealing with sleep issues lately so I have been particularly interested in 'greening" the bedroom. As one of the many people who suffer from sleep apnea in this country, I am always interested in making the most out of the sleep I do get. Thankfully, I will have new equipment in the next week or so and my husband will be quite gateful that he can sleep undisturbed again!
The bedrooms are always of concern to buyers, especially the master bedroom or, any mor, the master suite. They seem to be getting larger and more complex as we … (4 comments)

New Tampa Homes Offer a Unique Setting - 08:37 AM
New Tampa is a residential area that encompasses a twenty four square mile area within the city limits of Tampa and a section of Hillsborough County. New Tampa is one of the largest areas in Tampa, as it has rapidly expanded with the growth of the Tampa area. New Tampa homes for sale offer a wide variety of opportunity and affordability not seen in other areas of Tampa. There is no question as to why this area has seen such growth; it is close enough to Tampa to circumvent a long commute, but just out of reach to be considered an … (0 comments)

Sharp, Large, & Beautifully Up/Dated SF Home - 05:46 PM

624 Jenna Dr., South Elgin IL 60177
3 Bedrooms/2.1 Bathrooms MLS# 06923115
WOW! BEAUTIFULLY UPDATED SHOWS GREAT. LG HOME 2STORY FOYER SUNNY EAT IN KIT W/OAK CABS & PERGO FLRS, PANTRY,NEW APPLS. SLIDING DRS OPEN TO HUGE NEW DECK 36X16 LG YARD PRIV.FENCE JUNGLE GYM, 6 PANEL WHITE DRS & TRIM. PROF. PAINTED NEUTRAL ENORMOUS MB,W/PRVT BATH & W/I CLOSET, NEW LIGHT FIXTURES 2 CAR GAR, BSMT, SHARP & LARGE. COME TAKE A LOOK!!!!
Click on the link below for more details and pictures:
http://www.realestate4Uonline.com/s=active
RE/MAX Territory 847-956-2800
 
 
… (0 comments)

Former Builder’s Model on Extra Wide Lot - 06:36 PM

10431 Auburn Ct., Huntley IL 60142
3 Bedrooms/2 Bathrooms MLS# 06921110
WOW! Former Builders Model w/all the bells and whistles! Fabulous extra wide lot on the only court in Huntley Meadows! Hardwood floors, waincoting,cathedral ceilings, 3 finished levels PLUS A SUB-BASEMENT! Wonderfully decorated by an Interior Designer! white 6 panel doors-the latest decorator hardware & fixtures! Tons of Trees, Cement Patio & Shed. OH MY!Hurry!!!!!!!! Wonderful Park District.
Click on the link below for more details and pictures:
http://www.realestate4Uonline.com/s=active
RE/MAX Territory 847-956-2800
 
 
… (0 comments)

CPHL - Rates For June 11th, 2008 - 03:22 PM
The Department Of Energy forecasts that oil prices will stay well above $100 a barrel and gas prices will stay above $4 a gallon through 2009.
Oil:      $136.38/barrel
Dow:    -205.99 to 12,083.77
10 yr. Yield:    -0.030 to 4.07%
 
Conforming loans
6.125%    @    1.750 points    
Investor Loans (w/20% Down)  
6.500%    @   1.875 points    
Jumbo loans $625,501 - $1,000,000    
6.500%    @   1.250 points    
Jumbo loans over $1,000,000-$2,000,000  
6.750%    @    1.250  points    
*Certain restrictions apply.  Not valid with any other offer.  This offer may be revoked without prior notice.  For Jumbo Loans, borrower must agree to have new mortgage payments automatically deducted from … (2 comments)

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