Archives of real estate blog entries for July 16, 2008

Featured blog posts


New Active Rain Outside Blog - 10:58 AM
Tinkering with all the new goodlies on Active Rain these days could be become a full-time job.  It is so much fun to take a look around and see what others have done and then finally get your own ready for the "official" launch.   The new Active Rain outside blog is just another way for us to connect with our current clients and prospective clients who may be looking for information.I had an idea sometime ago about my the focus of my "next" blog but due to my schedule I haven't been able to implement it.  So the new AR … (58 comments)

Turn your BAH into Home Ownership – Stop Renting (LOCALISM FEATURED) - 03:04 PM
I am sure as a military member you have heard this phrase about a million times in the last several years. Interest rates have been so low for so long that home ownership has been easier than ever before for anyone and this especially includes the military population, who until recently didn't feel like they could or should purchase properties. Never before has the military population owned a higher percentage of homes.
 
The days of base living has changed drastically. With most installations switching over to PPV the climate has changed. The thought of waiting until retirement to purchase a … (20 comments)

“Not My Job” – How to Point the Finger, Pass the Buck, and Avoid Taking Responsibility. A Real Estate Industry Primer. - 12:17 AM
What would you say if you were shopping at your local home center, looking to purchase a certain type of light bulb.  You ask the first clerk you see where the light bulbs could be located and he replies "Not my department.  I work in Plumbing".  Maybe you are at a local supermarket and one of the employees witnesses a customer shoplifting.  Why didn't she intervene? "Not her job.  That's why the store hires security guards".  
The phenomenon of "Not My Job" is alive and well in the Real Estate industry these days.  The current hot topic seems to be figuring … (34 comments)

San Diego Treasure....Balboa Park (LOCALISM FEATURED) - 01:18 AM
One of the real treasures of San Diego is Balboa Park. As a part of my San Diego Treasures Series, Balboa park is the largest urban cultural park in the country.
Providing something for everyone, the more than 1000 acre park is home to 15 major Museums, renowned Performing Arts venues, The Botanical building , I call it the Arboretum, with beautiful Gardens through out the park and of course the San Diego Zoo, my personal favorite.
Whether you are a visitor ( Welcome to San Diego) or a resident, Balboa Park is a respot for a variety of attractions year … (58 comments)

LinkedIN: Who's On Linked In? - 01:16 AM
I'm a serial user of LinkedIn; I've been on it since late 2003.  It's been my oldest, most trusted, and most effective social networking site.  I received an e-mail from a connection who informed me that I was close to the 500 connections mark.  The urban legend is that lots of doors open up when you hit 500+ connections so I'm going for it.
Would you help me?
Please connect with me on LinkedIn if you have a moment.
UPDATE:
It took all of about 15 minutes thanks to the generosity of a few folks on Active Rain.  Thank you.  Now … (61 comments)

You Spend WHAT On Marketing??? - 03:15 PM
My first year in real estate I did what most new agents do. I spent it ALL!! Now, I'm not saying my family was thrilled with me..but I blew all the money I had put aside for my "big money making career" that  we're all promised when we choose real estate as a career.
Over the last few years I've discovered how to work smarter and cheaper.  When you are down to your last few dollars and you've just listed THE listing of the year and have no money to market what do you do?


Join Active Rain is … (162 comments)

Your Newspaper Advertising is as useful as Screens on a Submarine - 01:17 AM
I am constantly getting emails, telephone calls, and letters from our local newspaper to advertise in the Sunday Real Estate section. They even send me of "specials" to run an ad for a listing and get my open house published too. Whoopdefreakindo....Give me one reason why spending $75 for an advertisement that is available to the public for only one day is better than spending that money on so many other different advertising spectrums. I currently have 16 listings. For me to advertise all of my listings for one month in the newspaper it would cost me close to $4,800!
Do … (141 comments)

A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing : The Death of Fannie and Freddie - 01:20 AM
                                                
Can't you see it coming? Somebody's pulling the wool over your eyes.
Could this attempted government buyout of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae actually be an attempt by the government to end the privatization of the oversight of mortgage backed securities and merge the two private corporations into one government owned corporation that we call "Ginnie Mae", the Government National Mortgage Association", and thus take control of housing financing?
After all, Freddie and Fannie control over 5 trillion dollars worth of 12 trillion dollars of the total U.S. housing financing market. That buyout would give the government control of the industry, a … (74 comments)

Activerain Success Stories – The more you encourage, the more we will see! - 01:23 AM
Yesterday I commented on someone's post that they wanted to hear more Activerain success stories. I was excited to tell them about a great place in the rain that highlights every one of those Activerain success stories.
But, then it got me to thinking how do we truly get more Activerain success stories? One of the ways is to tell people about Activerain, but I am finding more and more agents are not telling people about it because they say they want to keep it to themselves.
I say "WHY?" There is plenty of business out there and you aren't going … (62 comments)


Blog posts


Modern Day Robbery - 08:01 AM

Now that the banks are locking their doors and the magnitude of the lending fraud is becoming clear, I thought I would share this letter that was sent to a lender requesting a short-sell by a straw mortgage participant. This gives you all an idea of how things were playing out in many of these little mortgage companies that popped-up, and then vanished overnight.
The writer of the letter is cooperating currently with the DA's office, and was previously a client of mine (she did ask me to post the story so people will know how such things happen). I in fact … (7 comments)

Fremont Oktoberfest (Seattle, Washington) - 05:21 PM
 
I attended the Fremont Chamber of Commerce meeting today.  Seattle Council Member, Nick Licata was there talking about the Mercer Street Plan.  After that there was information given about  the upcoming Chamber of Commerce's Fremont Oktoberfest.  "The mission is to promote the Fremont neighborhood, area merchants, and to provide funding for local art groups, schools, and community events."  
The Fremont Oktoberfest, "was voted as one of the Top Ten Oktoberfests in the world by USA Today."  They do some serious microbrew beer tasting!
Check out the link for more information and click on the little Oktoberfest icon.   By the … (4 comments)

Unique, Eclectic, Fun, Large, Country Home...7109 Pleasants Valley Rd Vacaville, CA - 06:15 PM

Looking for an affordable, customhome where you can let your creative juices flow?  Nestled in the hills outside of Vacaville you will find this 4/3 custom home sitting on a tree laden ¾ acre that backs to a seasonal stream!  Use the huge barn/workshop for a studio, or perhaps the meditation garden will inspire you more.
 Almost everything in the home has been remodeled, including the roof, kitchen, bathrooms, windows, and yet the charm of the original home has been maintained.  Architectural details abound, with pillars, posts, and a brick fireplace all salvaged and re-constructed from an old Vacaville hospital … (3 comments)

How much trouble is McCain in? - 01:35 PM
Here in Central Florida every day and numerous times a day on numerous TV stations we are seeing commercials for Barack Obama - so far nothing for McCain.
BUT - that may not be his only problem. In an entirely non scientific poll carried out by The Glenn Beck Radio Program, Beck posed a question about a ficticious presidential race.
Simply put, if you had a choice between Obama, McCain and GW Bush, who would you vote for. Now if we accept that Beck's audience automatically will not contain many Obama supporters, then it will not be a shock to discover … (33 comments)

Obama Presidency = war with Pakistan? - 02:45 PM
On a day when Obama removed all references to him being against the troop surge in Iraq from his website, it would seem that the media has yet again given him a free pass - not just on that, but on his warmongering in relation to Pakistan.
"We cannot tolerate a terrorist sanctuary, and as president, I won't," he said. "We must make it clear that if Pakistan cannot or will not act, we will take out high-level terrorist targets like (Osama) bin Laden if we have them in our sights."
Now let me say that I do not disagree with … (32 comments)

The wisdom of George Carlin - 09:21 PM
With the recent passing of George Carlin, the nation lost a master jokester. But within those jokes, there was philosophy.
And today via my e-mail I was reminded of some of the great questions posed by Carlin and some of the sage advice he used to deliver as well.
He will be missed.
George Carlin's Philosophy Class
  1. Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.2. One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.3. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.4. If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?5. The main reason Santa is … (11 comments)

Open House - Sunday, July 20th 2-4PM in Southbridge, MA! - 04:20 PM
*OPEN HOUSE* SUNDAY, JULY 20TH 2-4PM - 133 DENNISON HILL ROAD SOUTHBRIDGE, MA 01550GO TO:  http://www.133DennisonHillRoad.com  for more info and photos of this lovely home!
Details: Bedrooms: 3Bathrooms: 2
Large ranch style home in desireable neighborhood in Southbridge.  Home features 2 fireplaces, eat in kitchen and separate dinging room with sliders out to deck, finished basement with inlaw possibilities and a large level yard.  Call JCKC Realty at 508-523-8632 or go to http://www.MassachusettsHomeLocator.com for more info on this listing and many more.

… (0 comments)

Beyond the call of Duty? - 02:18 PM
Sometimes I feel like Clients do not appreciate how far we go for them. A fellow agent in our office and I co-listed a home. We secured a buyer and a issue came up in the inspection and we were at a stalemate. So in order to not lose the sale we did the easiest thing, we cut our commission and did a hold back at escrow. Thats not the issue. On our final walk thru, the buyer brought up an issue, the dog poo in the backyard. I am not a dog person and neither is my fellow agent. The seller … (1 comments)

Fort Myers Beach 2/2 OPEN HOUSE July 17,2008 9:30 Reduced $59k - 08:38 PM
on Fort Myers Beach !  Thursday  July 17, 2008 Reduced $50k
 
If you are looking for a great Fort Myers Beach home for under $400k this is it !   Very charming 2/2 just across the street from the Gulf.  Two under building parking spaces, nice lot with room for a pool, rear deck and nice views.
This association owns a private Gazebo on the Gulf and a small dockage on the bay for the use of owners.  Very nice neighborhood !
Priced at $319k this is one of the best values on the island !  Stop  by and say " … (0 comments)

Dog Days of Summer at Hermon Dog Park - 06:31 AM
Council member Jose Huizar, Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council, Friends of Hermon Dog Park Again Sponsor Major Eastside Pet FestivalLow-cost Health Check-ups and Services for Animal Companions FeaturedHermon (Los Angeles) -- If, as the saying goes, every dog is destined to "have its day" then this summer's "Dog Days of Summer" family festival on July 19, 2008, in the Northeast Los Angeles community of Hermon, may just be that day for dozens of dogs (and cats) -- along with the people who take them home.For the third year, Sycamore-shaded Hermon Park will be the site of a FREE pet event featuring fun … (6 comments)

MiraBay in Apollo Beach, Florida - 08:21 PM

If you want to live in a gated community, on the water with a Key West style home, MiraBay might just be the community you're looking for.
MiraBay sets right alongside Tampa Bay in Apollo Beach. 
There are a variety of different types of homes available in MiraBay.  Townhomes, villas and single family homes.  Townhomes start at 1,943 sq ft and go up to 2,627 sq ft.  The villas start at 1,518 sq ft and go up to 1,966 sq ft.  Single family homes start at 2,252 and go upwards of 4,200 sq ft.
MiraBay offers a lot of different amenities:
A junior … (0 comments)

Chelsea Oaks Parrish Florida - 08:00 PM
Chelsea Oaks is located in Parrish FL on Old Tampa Road, east of 301 and minutes from I 75.  Chelsea Oaks is a gated community with no CDD fees.  This beautiful community is centrally located to Palmetto, Bradenton, Sarasota, Tampa and St Petersburg.
Chelsea Oaks will contain 212 homes, many lakes and preserves give space and serenity to this Parrish community.  A community pool is provided making this a great place to meet your new neighbors.  The community center includes a basketball court and a playground area.
If you are looking to live in the country but able to keep the … (0 comments)

FoxBrook Parrish Florida - 08:02 PM
Looking for acreage and a large home?  Then you just might want to call Foxbrook home.  Located on the outskirts of Parrish Florida is Foxbrook, Huge executive homes on lots from 1 to 5 acres.  Most homes have their own pools and a couple of them have their own tennis courts.
Foxbrook in Parrish Florida is horse friendly, making this the perfect place if you are a horse lover. 
 
Foxbrook is a very quiet community so if you are looking to escape the city and come to the country but have the luxuries of the city, then you need … (0 comments)

Harrison Ranch Parrish Florida - 08:10 PM
Looking for a community that is self contained?  Want to live in the same type of community similar to Lakewood Ranch?  Then you need to visit Harrison Ranch in Parrish Florida.  Harrison Ranch consists of 234 acres of homes and amenities.  Located off of US Hwy 301 and Erie Road makes this neighborhood convenient to Bradenton, Palmetto, Tampa and St Petersburg.
Harrison Ranch will consist of 476 single family homes and 30 multi family residences.  Here is a list of some of the amenities you can enjoy if you decide to become a resident of Harrison Ranch in Parrish Florida.
 Harrison … (0 comments)

Kingsfield Parrish Florida - 08:13 PM
Looking for a community that is convenient to Bradenton, Palmetto, Tampa and St Petersburg?  Well you just might want to call Kingsfield home.  This is a great first time homebuyer choice.  Playground, tennis, and a swimming pool are great ways to come home and unwind at the end of the day with the family.
Centex homes built these homes and as always, you get a great home for the money.  Homes range from around 1200 sq ft and up, making this a great choice for your first home.
Kingsfield is located in Parrish Florida off of Old Tampa Road.
… (0 comments)

Kingsfield Lakes Parrish Florida - 08:15 PM
What a great place to live, close to Bradenton, Palmetto, Sarasota, St Petersburg and Tampa. Right next door to Kingsfield in Parrish FL and across the street from River Wilderness, a beautiful gated community, making this a convenient place to live.  A new shopping center is going up at the end of Old Tampa Road in Parrish, this will make running to the grocery store very easy. It use to be that you had to drive for miles to get to anything, not the case anymore. The development has arrived and shows no signs of slowing down. So if you are … (1 comments)

Lakewood Ranch Florida - 08:21 PM

Located east of Sarasota and just off I-75, Lakewood Ranch is a 7,000-acre master-planned community located on the Sarasota/Manatee county line on the southwest coast of Florida. Set on the 30,000-acre Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, the community is comprised of five residential villages divided into neighborhoods with a great deal to offer. 
Fifty percent of the land at Lakewood Ranch has been set aside for recreation and open space, including lakes, preserves, and nature and activity parks. Additional amenities include a private golf and country club, with two championship Palmer-designed golf courses; town center with shopping, restaurants, and hotels; state-of-the-art athletic center; medical facilities, … (0 comments)

Longboat Key Florida - 08:24 PM

Homes were built on the north end of Longboat Key in the early 1900's, some of which are still standing.  In the 1920's John Ringling bought hundreds of acres on the south end and planted Australian pine trees along Ringling Boulevard (now Gulf of Mexico Drive) from one end of the island to the other.  He also built the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on New Pass, which was started in 1926 but never finished; it was torn down in 1962 after Arvida bought the land.
The area is popular among retirees and is also a popular resort and second home community.  Longboat … (7 comments)

Please......pay me for all my hard work!!! - 04:20 PM
Hi there. Today I'm going to write a little bit about short sales and commissions. Jack Lewitz wrote a post yesterday and in it he mentioned a Broker at one of his open houses who said "I don't like showing short sale properties because I don't know if I am going to get paid my commission!" 
Well....OK then.....that's not a good thing. Getting folks to look at short sales is difficult enough due to the time involved in getting them approved. You certainly don't want to give your peers another reason to not show them. 
If you have ever been involved … (30 comments)

Knoxville Tennessee area June 2008 Real Estate Sales Report - 05:07 PM
The figures are out today; here's the June sales report for the Knoxville Area Association of Realtors
Home Sales Report Beginning 06/01/2008, Ending 06/30/2008 … (0 comments)

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