Archives of real estate blog entries for June 19, 2008

Featured blog posts


New Homes— the Good, the Bad and the Ecosystem - 01:00 AM
WHAT BELONGS HERE? YOU can enter your "Land Design and Development Sketch" in the ECO-All-Stars June Challenge Contest!
Following consumer demand, or just because they are smart eco-friendly developers and building contractors who've contacted me through Active Rain, have let it be known that they're seriously considering the value of healthy-built homes. So, in this fifth post in a series that looks at sustainability and the undeniable trend toward consumer demand for attractive, green-built homes, I want to say a word or two about New Homes- the "Good", the "Bad" and how this might all come back to an ancient notion … (53 comments)

The Mortgage Transparency Train Has Arrived - 08:41 AM
The Mortgage Transparency Train Has Arrived…
Anyone who’s read my writings either here at Active Rain or on my ‘outside’ blog The XBroker over the past 18 months knows I’m a pretty opinionated guy when it comes to how traditional mortgage (and real estate industry) business works.  It’s probably safe to say that I’m an outspoken critic too, but that’s because I’m very passionate about my beliefs and convictions. Although I’ve had my share of ‘run-ins’ and probably made a few adversaries along the way (as well as many many friends), my intent has always been to spur thought and compel … (155 comments)

Real Estate Agent In A Box, Brian Buffini May Be A Waste Of Your Money - 12:12 PM
There is a common myth in the real estate world. The myth seems to work this way; If I do things the same way as everyone else, I will be fine. This is why you can Google real estate education and find thousands of courses that will supposedly make you millions in ‘x’ number of years.
Out in the real estate world, agents are craving solid and innovative information. In their quest they discover the low-hanging fruit--the companies out there that want to offer you complete success in just 10 easy steps. Or how about this one, “buy this book and … (54 comments)

Poking my head out of the trenches - 06:30 PM

Contrary to some rumors that may be out there I'm still alive, just popping my head up to see what's going on.  As many know, ActiveRain had some, uh, pretty serious "technical issues" for a while which I've been helping to battle. Luckily things have stabilized quite a bit in the last week.  I'll try to give you the post mortem on this one, warning tech talk ahead.
Traffic to ActiveRain's site has been steadily increasing month over month, I think we're averaging somewhere north of 80k visitors a day and 15M page views a month.  Our servers were able … (46 comments)

Why I'm growing a garden this summer.......and why it has NOTHING to do with veggies! - 10:26 PM
I read a post by Jonathon Washburn today and it reminded me about something I have been trying to teach my children.
In his post, Jonathon said "...Real estate sales and business are still very hard. It has also been my experience that everything I attempted to do in business is always 300% harder than I thought it would be when I began."  I was glad to hear that things didn't work out exactly like he thought they would, but he didn't give up!  It seem to me that "quitting" has become an epidemic in our society today.  So that is why I … (46 comments)

Active Rain keeps percolating business - 12:48 AM
 I was one of the "oh so lucky" people who was called for Jury Duty last week in our County seat of Martinez. Now don't get me wrong I really don't mind doing my service and I am more than happy to put criminals behind bars even though trials can be very long and boring.  The thing is its June. June, June, June, one of the busiest months of the year for us stagers and to be called away from work to maybe sit on a jury for up to two or three months just doesn't work for me.
I tried … (33 comments)

Redfin Projected To Be Profitable This Year - 12:45 AM
Glenn Kelman, Redin CEO, likened what Redfin is doing in real estate brokerage to what Amazon did in book retailing in a USA Today article, published earlier today.  The Seattle-based company has attracted some $20 million in venture capital and projects itself to be profitable in all of the markets it serves.
Founded six years ago, Redfin rattled traditional brokers' cages when it hired Glenn Kelman as CEO.  Glenn adopted a "maverick" posture, debating Move.com's Allen Dalton and appearing on TV program 60 Minutes.  I met the man last summer, in the speakers' lounge at the Inman Connect San Francisco conference; … (15 comments)

Most Positive Experience: The Dream That Takes You Home ... - 12:47 AM
She was one of those clients that was truly a pleasure to work with.  Her peristence, patience, & steadfast pursuit of a dream ... became a magic moment in my Real Estate Career.  Though young, she was not living an unencumbered life.  With great motives and responsibility, she emerged from a struggle ... with a dream realized.
The name has been changed to protect the admirable.
Lucy came to me with a bundle of burdens in her credit history.  Her passion was simple, to sell the home she currently lived in and buy a new one.  She had made leaps and bounds in … (70 comments)

GRAB YOUR BOOTS AND LEND A HAND: A WEEK IN THE WISCONSIN FLOOD - 02:43 PM
 
Neighbors don't care about floods, they care about their neighbors.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

East Sherman homeowner waits for the rain to stop:Ft. Atkinson, WI: 061208
 

Volunteers sandbag on East Sherman in Ft. Atkinson, WI:061208
 

Volunteer sandbagging in the rain on East Sherman in Ft. Atkinson, WI:061208

Volunteers sandbag in the rain on East Sherman in Ft. Atkinson, WI:061208

Volunteers sandbag-over 4,000, bags- on East Sherman in Ft. Atkinson, WI:061208

Filling up the sandbags on East Sherman in Ft. Atkinson, WI.

 ...and then you have to go check on your … (37 comments)

"I made my first million dollars in real estate." - 12:48 AM

"...I'm making a switch from a market research sales career into real estate and I'd really love any advice you have to offer as to how you've been so successful..."
The answer that immediately comes to mind is simple: Just keep pushing forward.  I remember the period of time from when I was 18 until I was about 25 that everything seemed so hard.  I worked too many hours, and there were many times that I felt like giving up and getting a salary-type job. During those times, I had two silly things I would do to help provide the … (58 comments)

"YOUR NEED DOESN'T CHANGE THE MARKET VALUE OF THE HOUSE" - 01:06 AM
Sellers are confused and frustrated by the amount of uncertainty in todays' housing market. Price adjustments reverting to the 2002-2003 pre boom levels are wide spreads as more bank owned properties emerge at discounted liquidation prices. Much to the chagrin of needy sellers in dire situations so desperately seeking to achieve sales.
As quickly as prices rose during the Real Estate Boom to these sellers they seem to be dropping like rocks. However, the housing market overall has significantly changed since the boom.  Namely in the high number of Bank Owned Properties.  
 "Your need doesn't change the market value … (55 comments)

My first Referral through ActiveRain and Twitter! - 03:19 PM
I get a call yesterday evening while working on my Makeover2Takeover week 5 challenge when I get a phone call from Marc Grossman It was great just to get to speak with him. We have been Twittering for a while now. If you are not on Twitter I suggest you get there. I have gotten to know so many on a personal level, and because of Twitter I have actually picked up the phone to speak with others!
Getting off track here. So Marc and I talked for a bit and then he said the real reason I am calling is because … (51 comments)

Attention Active Rainers with Less Than 1000 Points -- We Want to Hear Your Voice! - 12:51 AM
As the Active Rain network sprints towards reaching the milestone of 100,000 members, there's much excitement.  Throughout posts and comments, many members praise that we are a community of over 92,000 unique and individual voices.
I only wish that were true!
In delving into the underbelly of the Active Rain point system, I took a look at the numbers of people who have reached various point levels.  (Before I continue further, please note:  I am by no means a points snob.  In fact, although I have over 200,000 points, I have never nor do I plan on ever writing a post … (119 comments)


Blog posts


Poking my head out of the trenches - 06:30 PM

Contrary to some rumors that may be out there I'm still alive, just popping my head up to see what's going on.  As many know, ActiveRain had some, uh, pretty serious "technical issues" for a while which I've been helping to battle. Luckily things have stabilized quite a bit in the last week.  I'll try to give you the post mortem on this one, warning tech talk ahead.
Traffic to ActiveRain's site has been steadily increasing month over month, I think we're averaging somewhere north of 80k visitors a day and 15M page views a month.  Our servers were able … (46 comments)

"I made my first million dollars in real estate." - 12:48 AM

"...I'm making a switch from a market research sales career into real estate and I'd really love any advice you have to offer as to how you've been so successful..."
The answer that immediately comes to mind is simple: Just keep pushing forward.  I remember the period of time from when I was 18 until I was about 25 that everything seemed so hard.  I worked too many hours, and there were many times that I felt like giving up and getting a salary-type job. During those times, I had two silly things I would do to help provide the … (58 comments)

New database servers online - 11:21 PM
About 7pm tonight we made the last update to our server platform by adding two new database servers, both about 4 times faster than the last ones.  Right now ActiveRain is loading ridiculously fast. Or as Jorgen, one of our developers, puts it: "We went from a leaky dinghy to a multi-million dollar speedboat".
Now that we got all that server stuff out of the way maybe we can launch a couple new products (HINT HINT).  Stay tuned over the next couple weeks.
… (20 comments)

Survival of the Family (a Realtors tale from Iraq) - 12:13 AM

As the housing crises take it's toll on so many family's, I was especially impressed recently as I witnessed natures ability to keep the family unit intact. Having now been working in Iraq for one month, I've had to endure some of the harshest weather one can imagine. The winds are fierce, and the sandstorms pound us daily. Last week during an especially brutal sandstorm, I was supervising about 40 workers (in a large pole building) when a tiny bird tumbled down into the middle of the jobsite, all work stopped as if our own child had fallen.
The tiny bird was a pigeon, and there's no … (9 comments)

ActiveRain Home Tours Video Contest 2008 Winners - FINALLY!!! - 10:24 AM
Nearly a month ago, we unveiled the 2008 ActiveRain Home Tours Video Contest. The deadline for submissions was May 25th, and the Winners were to be announced May 27th.
Well, we (Me, Myself, and I) dropped the ball BIG TIME on this one. We've had so many other pressing projects vying for our time and attention (the New Localism release, Outside Blogs, AR Video Platform, Makeover2Takeover, etc.), that we (Me, Myself, and I) neglected to judge the entries, and select the Winners. My sincerest apologies to all those who submitted entries, and for those of you who patiently awaited the contest … (0 comments)

New Hampshire Ushers in Summer with Strawberry Festivals - 01:55 PM
 
                                    Strawberry Festivals greet Summer

  If you love strawberries then you are in for a treat.  There are 2 strawberry festivals in the Greater Nashua -Manchester Area this weekend.
  Hollis, New Hampshire - The 59th Annual Strawberry Festival will take palce from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, June 22nd.  The event is located at Monument Square in Hollis and is hosted by the Hollis Women's club.
  The festival will feature locally grown stawberries, music and crafts. You can enjoy homemade strawberry shortcakes.  Doc Davis ice cream will be dishing out ice cream, as well as strawberry frappes and chocolate-dipped strawberries.
… (26 comments)

Vacaville Open House Sat/Sun 6/21 & 22 1-4pm - 07:17 PM
Come Home to Fine Country Living!Location: Vacaville, CALocated in the sought-after Pleasants Valley area of Vacaville you will find this large spacious home sitting on a flat tree filled 3/4 acre. Backing to a seasonal stream, serenity is yours whether you gaze towards your orchard of fruit and walnut trees or your beautiful mediation garden. The home has been almost totally remodeled, but still retains some of it's vintage charm. The living room features an old fireplace and pillars which were re-built by craftsmen when taken from a historic Vacaville hospital that was demolished.Some of the home's features include newer windows, … (1 comments)

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished! - 09:23 PM
Want to spend about an hour a day on the phone with your seller 7 days a week (during the week always after 7 pm)?  Take on a inexpensive house for a bargain commission.
Twice in this past month I have been in a situation of being asked for the lowest price, with the clients threatening to go to someone who will market their house for a bargain. 
In both cases it has been a nightmare!  Seller A called 6-7 times a day with updates on how someone slowed down in front of her house and how Realtor A stopped with … (10 comments)

Staging Your Home for Success...And Enjoying It! - 09:46 PM
Staging your home is a very important component for a successful home sale.  The right colors on the walls, the right features and your home will sell faster and for more money.  It's pretty obvious in going through photos of different condos that I've had throughout the years.  With these conforming properties staging is the only difference to make.  You definately can figure out which unit would be chosen over another.
Here is an example of a vanity area in a one bedroom, one bath condo unit that sells for under 50K

Unfortunately I couldn't find pictures of the "normal" ones.  … (3 comments)

Upgrading a Home to Energy Efficient Appliances and Air Conditioners - 09:54 PM
Does anyone know of a good site out there that will calculate what it will save you in energy consumption to say upgrade from a 10 year old refrigerator to a brand new one?  Or, even better, upgrading from a 10 SEER A/C to a 14 or 16?  I know that I have questions about the length of time that these improvements take to pay off and I imagine that my clients are wondering the same thing currently.
With gas and oil prices skyrocketing everyone is interested in saving money and helping the environment.  Good sources of information would be appreciated!
… (1 comments)

Hillary supporters not going anywhere soon! - 12:35 PM
If you thought it was over, then think again because a large number of Clinton supporters are not happy. To the point where they have launched their own group - Hillary Supporters For John McCain. And they say they will be organizing against Obama even if Hillary is on the ticket.
In an open letter destined for the Chicago Sun Times, the group says:
"This is an open letter to inform you that we will not be backing, supporting or voting for Obama in November at the General Election.   We have heard all of you say that we are "FEW" … (52 comments)

Dems to 'nationalize' big oil? - 10:08 PM
Now I have to admit that although it would be extremely serious, it would also be incredibly funny to watch Government figure out how to lose money from running an oil business!
But that does not take away from the fact that the dems are seriously talking about this now. They are not joking and we should be paying serious attention to this right now.
First up we had Maxine Waters telling oil executives that 'this liberal' would socialize oil companies, and now we have House Democrats proposing nationalizing oil refineries.
There was a press briefing on Capitol Hill today - and during … (36 comments)

Free Movies In The Park & Other events - 09:30 PM
Operation S.A.F.E. This year the Lake in the Hills Police Department is starting a new safety awareness program titled Operation S.A.F.E. (Safety Awareness through Fireworks Education).  Each year beginning in the month of June, and through mid July, the Police Department receives numerous complaints from residents about the illegal discharge of fireworks.  Operation Safe is intended to inform the public of the hazards of fireworks, as well as stating the Police Department's zero tolerance policy on the possession and discharge of fireworks within the Village. For more information contact the Police Department at 847-658-5676.  
Movies in the Park Lights, Camera, … (0 comments)

DesPlaines Illinois Immaculate rental - 09:36 PM
Immaculate Tri-level homeLocation: Lake OpekaImmaculate Lake Opeka Tri Level. Lots of hardwood floors. 6 panel doors, new trim, new carpet and freshly painted. Spacious sunny kitchen with additional built in cabinets. Nice sized Family Room. Fully applianced with new refrigerator and newer washer & dryer. Close to Shopping, Metra & 90. Overlooks lovely professionally landscaped yard with patio. 2 car garage. One block to boating/ golf/ concerts/ parks/etc. InformationContact InformationVicki Watzlawick847-854-3800Contact Reply FormForward to a FriendView Other FlyersPricingRent: $1,950 per monthAvailable Date: Sat Jun 07, 2008Deposit: 1950Property Location2133 WestviewDes Plaines, IL 60018View MapFeaturesBedrooms: 3Bathrooms: 2Parking: GarageSubdivision: Lake OpekaLot Size: 55 x … (0 comments)

2133 Westview, DesPlaines Illinois Immaculate Rental - 09:42 PM
Immaculate Tri-level homeLocation: Lake OpekaImmaculate Lake Opeka Tri Level. Lots of hardwood floors. 6 panel doors, new trim, new carpet and freshly painted. Spacious sunny kitchen with additional built in cabinets. Nice sized Family Room. Fully applianced with new refrigerator and newer washer & dryer. Close to Shopping, Metra & 90. Overlooks lovely professionally landscaped yard with patio. 2 car garage. One block to boating/ golf/ concerts/ parks/etc. InformationContact InformationVicki Watzlawick847-854-3800Contact Reply FormForward to a FriendView Other FlyersPricingRent: $1,950 per monthAvailable Date: Sat Jun 07, 2008Deposit: 1950Property Location2133 WestviewDes Plaines, IL 60018View MapFeaturesBedrooms: 3Bathrooms: 2Parking: GarageSubdivision: Lake OpekaLot Size: 55 x … (1 comments)

Fort Myers Beach " OPEN HOUSE " Friday June 20, 2008 9:30 AM - 03:45 PM
Myers Beach " OPEN HOUSE "  Friday June 20, 9:30 AM Reduced $50k
Come see this absolutely immaculate 2/2 direct Gulf front condo.  Very well maintained friendly building.  Located in the Gateway Villas, 3rd floor, north corner ( sunset view ) on the preferred north end of Fort Myers Beach.  Newly pavered parking area, newly redone pool and located on one of the nicest stretches of white sandy beach our island has to offer !  Only occupied during winter months.  Rentals in this building produce $25k +.  Sold furnished.  Direct Gulf view, master has ( 2nd ) lanai with Gulf and … (0 comments)

CSS Library - 07:36 AM
Quick -- I need to put this bookmark somewhere permanent before I lose track of it:
http://www.dynamicdrive.com/style/csslibrary/category/C1/
I was working on some CSS navigation menus and I came across the CSS Library.  There's a treasure trove of useful copy-and-paste code here.
 

 
 
Here are a couple CSS links for anyone looking to get started
CSS for Dummies And no, its not by the Dummies books people.
Cascading Style Sheets in 7 Easy Steps
… (9 comments)

Perfect 3/2 Starter Home in Salinas - 01:58 AM
Click to see more pictures of 644 Donner Way, Salinas … (0 comments)

Hello! You have a cell phone, but do you use it? - 08:04 PM
I am so irritated with agents that don't return phone calls!  I had a buyer from the UK email me 2 days ago wanting room measurements for a listing I sent him from the MLS.  Of course the agent didn't take the time to add them in the MLS, so I called the agent to see if I could get them. 
I called yesterday and no answer.  So I left a voicemail asking the agent to please call me and let me know if they had the room measurements.  Yesterday passed and no phone call back.  So I called again this … (1 comments)

Manatee County Market Stats For April & May - 08:46 PM
Below are the stats for properties that SOLD and closed in April & May for Manatee County:
May 2007# of single family homes SOLD = 248Avg SOLD price for SFR = $368,228Median price for SFR = $309,500Average Days On Market = 106# of condos SOLD = 81Avg SOLD price for condos = $243,872Median price for condos = $185,000Average Days On Market = 104
May 2008# of single family homes SOLD = 207Avg SOLD price for SFR = $318,821Median price for SFR = $245,000Average Days On Market = 113# of condos SOLD = 86Avg SOLD price for condos = $205,662Median price for condos = $152,000Average Days On … (0 comments)

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