Archives of real estate blog entries for August 17, 2008

Featured blog posts


CAUTION: Blogs may last Forever - 10:42 AM
   
 
      This is a cautionary note for all ActiveRain users: blogs may last forever.   Wonderful you say?  Maybe and maybe not. 
      As the young ladies who have been quick to share their bodies with the guy from Girls Gone Wild fame have found out, once an image is on the Internet, it is there forever.  So too may be your blog posts.  Or your comments on some of the discussion boards on any of a million topics.  So what?  Exposure is good, no? 
 
     A few posts ago one of the AR readers responded and cautioned me … (31 comments)

Your Blog Might Rank High on Active Rain... - 10:39 PM
...but does it smell like Crappie?
Lately I have been getting back into blogging and have noticed a lot of crappie blogs have taken over some high positions in states. Once again, the quest for points and the desire to be #1 has put a lot of terrible blogs at the top of the food chain on Active Rain.
I give them the benefit of the doubt and check them out. I mean, they have to be writing something good to get so high so quickly, right? But alas, upon clicking on their blog, I am transported to the common place of … (56 comments)

Want to keep ahead of the competition & stay informed? - 10:39 PM
Google Alerts. are  A MUST
I can’t remember when someone told me about them.   If I had to say I would say it was my favorite gal in West Virginia, Sarah Cooper that first mentioned them easily over a year ago.

I recently (finally) decided to put them into action.   
So Google alerts is a free (love free) service that Google has to offer.   Here’s the concept as I understand it.    You set up alerts bases on your specific search criteria and whenever that criteria is written about you’ll be sent an email with alert and link to the … (93 comments)

Seller and REALTOR Safety -- True Story happened this week - - 10:46 AM
We always hear the Safety Reminders
Copy of Buyers Driver's License Have Code Word Make Sure Someone knows were you are at at all times I admit I don't always keep myself safe. I am the first to admit this. So here is my Scary Safety Story....
This week I went to a listing to meet the seller, take interior pictures, and then the seller and I were heading to another piece of land I was to list.
I take the pictures, lock the front door, and then wait for the seller at the end of the driveway in my car.
… (56 comments)

Verbal Offers, I Don't Want To Waste Your Time! Guess What You Just Did! - 10:57 AM
I've been in real estate since the early 90's..and one thing is certain..I have seen agents attempt to reinvent the wheel...I don't mean marketing...I mean the basics..I mean in presenting offers..
Without a contractWithout a depositWithout the terms

Only words and you think your doing your customer a service?
How about mine? 
See I thought the intent was to sell a house..if that is the case give your customer a fair shot at it. 
Without a verbal offer but in writing, a written offer.
An offer they can visually see via sales contract. 
With a commitment which means a deposit … (149 comments)

SIF Week in Review Aug 10-16, 2008 "Summer Camp" - 10:44 AM
                                                     


 

A Guide to Camp Stageitforward By Head Counselor Kimberly Wester
 

Theory of 1% of Listing Price (Members Only) by Charlene Storozuk
Math Formulas for Perfect Lighting by Dane Caldwell
Stager Danger (Members Only) by Michelle Molinari
Building Your Brand & Marketing by Laura Monroe
Arsenal of Influence for Realtors by Karen Otto
Staging & Selling My Own Home by Katherine James
Why Home Staging is So Effective by Kathy Nielsen
Staging Terms by Heather Chotard
 


Denise Lough
Kimo Stowell
Cindy Bryant
Michele Hess
Teresa Meyer
 


Dance Lessons taught by Counselor Terrylynn … (36 comments)

Are You On The Video Bandwagon Yet? - 01:35 AM
Video is the future of the Internet and if you don't become a part of this revolution you may just get left in the dust.
Did you know that You Tube gets 16 Billion pageviews per month? That is pretty impressive and it has become so viral that those numbers are only going to shoot up.
Google has the universal search model which searches for video, images, web and news so now is the time to make sure you optimize your video for SERPS. For the best SEO make sure you are not only optimizing your content and websites but also … (78 comments)

Top Ten Things You Can Do To Succeed in This Market - 04:31 PM
On my way home to Flagstaff, AZ from the Star Power Conference last month, I complied a list of ten things my real estate team can do to pump up our performance in this market. My real estate team is Team Heitland at RE/MAX Peak Properties in Flagstaff. I've made a few minor changes to make the list more generic for this blog post. Here it is:
 
Top Ten Things You Can Do To Succeed in This Market
Learn new scripts that apply to this market. - work on scripts twice per week for one hour - not casual listening in the … (86 comments)

SEO Deep Linking From Your Active Rain Blog - 04:31 PM
One of the better things you can do for your Real Estate websites search engine strength is too make sure you deep link the interior pages of the site. It is great when the main page of your site is found in the search engines but it is even better when you can also get your sub pages to rank as well!
I wanted to offer everyone some real simple techniques on how to make your interior pages come up in the search engines which ultimately will create strength for your website as a whole.
As many of you know, from … (153 comments)

ActiveRain Week In Review - 8/10/2008 - 8/17/2008 - 10:16 AM
Settle back back for a Sunday read, I hope you enjoy these as much as I did!
Aloysius Donohue made me laugh when I read "Confessions of an Active Rain Parasite".  Al, I sooooo remember the days when I first discovered Active Rain and I really hoped no one else in my market area found it any time soon, but there is something about blogging on Active Rain and feeling the spirit of community that makes you want to share the power and soon you find yoursell evangelizing about blogging everywhere you go.  When you get bit by the bug,  hopefully … (32 comments)

The Greatest 100 Active-Rain bloggers (based on points) from all 50 states. - 01:35 AM
So i was searching the database here on Active Rain and low and behold, a topic i had just commented to not long ago came up again.
Brad Andersohn said:
"So someone accept the challenge and do this one for today, it will take you a while, I remember this one did for me, but it's a post that gives the recognition to all those that deserve it for all their efforts here in the rain. You'll have to go to ALL 50 states for this one. Have fun, and enjoy!! :-) "
I accepted and here now are my nominees. … (115 comments)


Blog posts


Highlands of Innisbrook Subdivision in Palm Harbor - 03:32 PM
Highlands of Innisbrook is one of the most prestigious communities in Palm Harbor. If you are looking for a breathtaking and luxurious home then these are the homes for you to see! Each of these estate homes has its own unique style and warmth. The perfectly manicured lush green landscaping shows these homes have sophisticated style. This community has two great golf courses. Located off Alt. 19, north of Klosterman, Highlands of Innisbrook homes are just minutes from the Gulf of Mexico and situated just across from the family friendly Wall Springs Park. These magnificent homes feature large gourmet kitchens, spiral … (0 comments)

Indian Bluff Subdivision in Palm Harbor - 05:11 PM
Indian Bluff Island is a sophisticated and prestigious waterfront community on the Gulf of Mexico. Located in the well sought after Palm Harbor University High School district, this community is on Oceanview, just off Desoto Blvd. from Alt 19. Built from 1957 to 2005, these homes vary in size from 1150 to 4600 sq. ft. and are from one to four story. All homes in this subidivision include a large dock, a boat lift, and deep water access to the bay and Gulf of Mexico. Most have enormous formal diningrooms and livingrooms, beautiful fireplaces, high ceilings, spacious bedrooms with walk-in closets, … (0 comments)

Lake St. George Subdivision in Palm Harbor - 06:36 PM
The community of Lake St. George offers affordable lakefront property, accessible from McMullen Booth Rd to west Tampa Rd, onto Lake St. George. The one and two story single family homes for sale are reasonably priced with approximately 797 to roughly 2082+ sq. ft., with one to four bedrooms and one to three baths for the small to medium single family homes and cottages. Many homes have large vaulted ceilings, fireplace, walk-in closets in the bedrooms, hot tub/spa, bright skylights, ceiling fans, and much much more! Most have one and two car garages and at least one property has a huge … (0 comments)

Verbal Offers, I Don't Want To Waste Your Time! Guess What You Just Did! - 10:57 AM
I've been in real estate since the early 90's..and one thing is certain..I have seen agents attempt to reinvent the wheel...I don't mean marketing...I mean the basics..I mean in presenting offers..
Without a contractWithout a depositWithout the terms

Only words and you think your doing your customer a service?
How about mine? 
See I thought the intent was to sell a house..if that is the case give your customer a fair shot at it. 
Without a verbal offer but in writing, a written offer.
An offer they can visually see via sales contract. 
With a commitment which means a deposit … (149 comments)

The Nashua Farmer's Market - held every Sunday on the Main Street Bridge - 11:15 PM
… (0 comments)

"Art in the Park" - Art exhibition and competition held at Greeley Park - 11:18 PM
… (1 comments)

ALZA, Paisanos, Meet City Hall - 07:03 AM
The intersection of Aldama Street and Milwaukee Avenue in Highland Park is primarily a residential area, a mix of apartment buildings and modest single family homes.

There are, however, two small mom-and-pop style markets on Aldama.  The larger of the two markets is Los Paisanos on the corner of Milwaukee and Aldama.
Until recently, Los Paisanos was painted white, and its owners, the Antonios,  state it was often a target for graffiti vandals.
Then, in an effort to combat the tagging, the Antonios contracted with ALZA for a paint job and his trademark graffiti style signage.  Whatever else can be said of ALZa, … (3 comments)

Realtor Boards Take Out Full Color Print Ads - 01:24 PM
I found this interesting.  In today's Los Angeles Times (Sunday Edition) there are two full page, full color ads  evidently paid for by local realtor associations.
The title of the first one reads "In my line of work, the market changes every day.  It was nice to work with someone who could relate.  This one was "brought to you by" a list of 12 different Boards of Realtors.

 
The second one is titled "60% of the average homeowner's wealth comes from their home's equity.  It's like a savings plan you didn't know you had."  This one was sponsored by … (13 comments)

Dover NH Real Estate - Market Update July 2008 - 09:35 PM
Although, the housing market has slowed, Housing Predictor, an independent real estate market forecaster says that the next 12 months will be the best time to invest in the U.S. housing market.  I know what you're thinking...just another real estate agent telling me to get into the market.  BUT, veteran real estate investors know that when it looks bad, that is the time to pull the trigger and buy real estate to have the highest probability of making top profits. 
With this said I'm hoping you can do me a favor...if you hear of someone who might like to take advantage … (0 comments)

Barrington NH Real Estate - July 2008 Market Update - 09:40 PM
Although, the housing market has slowed, Housing Predictor, an independent real estate market forecaster says that the next 12 months will be the best time to invest in the U.S. housing market.  I know what you're thinking...just another real estate agent telling me to get into the market.  BUT, veteran real estate investors know that when it looks bad, that is the time to pull the trigger and buy real estate to have the highest probability of making top profits. 
With this said I'm hoping you can do me a favor...if you hear of someone who might like to take advantage … (0 comments)

Rochester NH Real Estate - July 2008 Market Update - 09:46 PM
Although, the housing market has slowed, Housing Predictor, an independent real estate market forecaster says that the next 12 months will be the best time to invest in the U.S. housing market.  I know what you're thinking...just another real estate agent telling me to get into the market.  BUT, veteran real estate investors know that when it looks bad, that is the time to pull the trigger and buy real estate to have the highest probability of making top profits. 
With this said I'm hoping you can do me a favor...if you hear of someone who might like to take advantage … (0 comments)

Portsmouth NH Real Estate - July 2008 Market Update - 10:04 PM
Although, the housing market has slowed, Housing Predictor, an independent real estate market forecaster says that the next 12 months will be the best time to invest in the U.S. housing market.  I know what you're thinking...just another real estate agent telling me to get into the market.  BUT, veteran real estate investors know that when it looks bad, that is the time to pull the trigger and buy real estate to have the highest probability of making top profits. 
With this said I'm hoping you can do me a favor...if you hear of someone who might like to take advantage … (0 comments)

Hampton NH Real Estate - July 2008 Market Update - 10:12 PM
Although, the housing market has slowed, Housing Predictor, an independent real estate market forecaster says that the next 12 months will be the best time to invest in the U.S. housing market.  I know what you're thinking...just another real estate agent telling me to get into the market.  BUT, veteran real estate investors know that when it looks bad, that is the time to pull the trigger and buy real estate to have the highest probability of making top profits. 
With this said I'm hoping you can do me a favor...if you hear of someone who might like to take advantage … (0 comments)

Kittery/Eliot ME Real Estate - July 2008 Market Update - 10:21 PM
Although, the housing market has slowed, Housing Predictor, an independent real estate market forecaster says that the next 12 months will be the best time to invest in the U.S. housing market.  I know what you're thinking...just another real estate agent telling me to get into the market.  BUT, veteran real estate investors know that when it looks bad, that is the time to pull the trigger and buy real estate to have the highest probability of making top profits. 
With this said I'm hoping you can do me a favor...if you hear of someone who might like to take advantage … (0 comments)

How Many Showings Does It Take to Sell a Home in Silicon Valley Now? - 12:50 PM
Santa Clara Valley homesellers know that in most parts of the region, it's a buyer's market. As they get ready to sell their homes, or perhaps have homes lingering on the market, a few questions arise:
How many buyers will have to see your Silicon Valley home before it sells? How many days, weeks, or months will it take? Is there a rule of thumb? If your San Jose area home is not selling, why is that the case? What can you do about it? The national average is 10 showings for every offer. But what if there are only a … (7 comments)

Mesa, Arizona Library Information! Most Recent Favorite Book!!! - 09:40 PM
Libraries seem to be more on the minds of those living in Mesa, Arizona these days. I think that many people are getting back to a simpler/less expensive life.
As a child and as an adult, there are few places that I love more - than a library. There are so many interesting things to learn, so many really cool books. When I was very young, my mom would take us to the library to check out books. I LOVED that experience. I would check out the maximum number of books to read. Being the oldest of eight children, in order … (10 comments)

What's with these new icons? I see an Active Video Icon and a Preview Icon! - 11:16 PM
Okay, just a head's up and a question too. What's with the two new icons? One for Active Rain Video and one for Preview. Didn't they just get added today? I've not seen them before. AND I notice when I'm switching to HtML, (or am I imagining it) that it doesn't warn us that you will lose everything not saved?
That's one of the thing I love about Active Rain! The guys are always adding, changing, fixing and sharing new stuff. Am I the only one that noticed these? Or have I missed a post that told us about them?
Well, … (13 comments)

First Time Homebuyer Alert, Part 1 - 10:57 PM
If you've been on the fence about whether or not to buy your first home, NOW is definitely the time--before October 1st! The Mortgage Relief program recently passed by Congress goes into effect on that date and eliminates downpayment assistance programs. In fact, many mortgage lenders have already eliminated the option in anticipation for the October 1 deadline. After that date, the only assistance buyers will be able to get is through their family or friends in the form of gift funds.

Another perfect first time buyer option ends September 30th. Any HUD home purchased by an owner occupant buyer … (4 comments)

Bank Strategy Puts a Damper on Home Prices - 02:32 PM
This is not so great news for home sellers, but great news for buyers. I also will add, that we aren't in a bad market, we are in a buyers market. People are still buying and selling real estate. The greatest long term investment around.
Via Howard bell:
 Bank strategies are forcing lower even prices on existing homes for sale
Realtytrac.com reports: “Bank repossessions, or REOs, continued to be the fastest growing segment of foreclosure activity in July, posting a 184 percent year-over-year increase — compared to a 53 percent year-over-year increase in default notices and an 11 percent year-over-year increase in … (1 comments)

Tampa Culture-One More Reason to Call Tampa Bay Home. - 07:33 AM
Tampa is a strong cultural-based community that offers a wide variety of options to visit exhibits and artwork on display. The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, the Henry B. Plant Museum, and the Tampa Theatre are just a few of the sights to see. The Museum of Science and Industry opens doors to children and offers a variety of activities for anyone of any age. Recently named a "Top Arts Destination" by the magazine American Style, Tampa Bay is an inviting city with inspiration rarely found in a large city.
The Tampa Bay Performing Art Center-The Performing Arts Center opened … (1 comments)

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