Archives of real estate blog entries for August 24, 2008

Featured blog posts


Karen George, Rest In Peace - 06:09 PM
A day is coming when God himself will wipe our tears away.
We will turn the rifles into spades and the tanks into tractors.
Lions and lambs will play together in the fields.
And there will be no more cancer.
Thank you for doing my dad's home loan on his Arizona condo.
Say hello to Jesus for me.
… (88 comments)

More real estate inventory = more closed transactions? Summer's lemonade - 05:51 PM
When life give you lemons, make lemonade!  We've got some upcoming lemons that will be thrown at us:
Loss of down payment assistance, rising interest rates, less choices in lending programs, a tightening economy as a whole...
More inventory may start piling up?

So what if more inventory and more tightening means MORE LEMONS...

Enough lemons to make lemonade, lemon meringue pie, lemon soda, lemon pudding, lemon jello, lemon lifesavers, lemon chicken at HOUSE OF CHINA?  Yes, enough lemon chicken to eradicate hunger...
 
The lemonade glass is now half full!  Here's my perspective for the end of the year:
… (29 comments)

Ethics Is As Ethics Does! - 05:54 PM



Have you ever been accused of being unethical? I have. In fact, I've been accused many times. In ALL cases they were wrong. Here are some of the practices where I have been accused of being unethical. 
 
I received a larger check than the selling agent at closing. I actually had a Broker threaten to sue me over this!!  A Seller, who was currently listed, called me and I met with them and took a post dated listing.  I won't show a listing that has a less then adequate co-broke. AND...I'll tell my Buyer this.  A Seller, … (97 comments)

So Daddy......What Is It That You Do For A Living?? - 06:06 PM
Many years ago while sitting at dinner table, my now oldest son, posed the following question of me.  So Daddy...What is it that you do for a living?  I believe that he was 7 or 8 years old at the time. He was a very bright child with a higher than average IQ (not sure whose genes brought this about).  In fact, when he started the first grade he was already reading and comprehending at the fifth + grade level.  I attribute most of this to my wife (no, wait...all of it) as she starting reading to him prior to his birth.  This reading … (49 comments)

The Signs Say -WE BUY HOMES! - 10:51 PM

 
I know there's a lot of these "We buy houses" signs all over the nation...but right here on Oahu? 
We went out yesterday and within 10 minutes of each other there were signs for "WE BUY HOUSES".
One was right in our residential area and the other one right on the highway.
 
 
Now, we are always instructed to not place our Open House signs on the highways (and this is just for a couple of hours) so why do these guys get to have theirs up 24/7?
These advertising bits are all over the internet and on streets. … (108 comments)

Everybody Talks About the Weather - 11:31 AM
Everybody talks about the weather. And it appears that everybody is talking about real estate. Right now, the big story in the weather is tropical storm Fay. Right now the big story in real estate is how terrible the market is.
But that is where the similarity ends. Yes, everybody is talking about the weather. But everybody also realizes that all weather is local. Just because it is raining in Florida doesn’t mean it is also raining in California. People in Tallahassee aren’t looking at the weather in Los Angeles in order to determine whether to carry a bumbershoot or not.
… (45 comments)

Those good for nothing, lying, deceitful, group moderators on ActiveRain - 11:35 AM
They lie and tell you, that you've been featured and don't give you any points*  They boot YOUR fabulous content from the group (read the group guidelines and follow them) They allow other group members CRAPPY content to remain in the group They start new groups when there are already 4338 4360 groups They don't see your brilliance and feature (give a little pointless star, that is really just a pat on the back ) to each and every blogging nugget you share in the group  They don't moderate a group the way you want it moderated * it is all … (81 comments)

Agent fined $500 for asking seller why he wasn't chosen - 11:28 AM

So you go to a listing appointment, and before hearing back from the seller, you see the listing come up in the MLS.
Some agents think they can call the seller and ask why they were not selected in order to improve their listing techniques.  Not So!
You are not permitted to contact the client of another agent, except to show the property if that is the method used in your area. 
This month an agent was fined $500 for picking up the phone and calling the seller of a listed property for any reason other than to show the … (125 comments)

Being in the Google Top 10 Means Nothing - 11:31 AM
That's right, for all that work you put in optimizing your pages over the most competitive keywords, it means absolutely nothing.  It doesn't matter if you are #1 and there are 3,000,000 more people behind you in the SERPs, it just doesn't mean anything at all.  In fact it may give you bragging rights around town and may even feel good to say, but what is it actually doing for you?
Before Matt Cutts and the other powers to be at Google stop reading (at least that is my wishful thinking that they are reading) here is what I am talking … (66 comments)

Why would you do this to your Client!?!?! - 10:52 PM
                                          
Why on earth even put in a listing and have this come up in the search?!?!?!  Myself and my buyers will skip right on by this listing and the problem then is say you come back in a few days and then add your pictures well it no longer comes up as a new listing in the search.  My clients have had it on their preview list an passed it by so if they do remember anything about it, it will be that Oh yeah that address that did not have any pictures and poof your are gone no … (204 comments)

Week in Review - 8/17/2008 - 8/24/2008 - 06:00 PM
Do you know what the worst thing about doing the Week in Review is for me?  Well....  first, let me tell you what isn't.........
1.  Reading hundreds of blogs -----chances are pretty good if you posted a blog this week, I read it.2.  Lack of  time to post my own blog.3.  Trying to narrow the list of 75+ blogs I chose down to 15 or so
No,  it is the addition of new members to my subscribed list (like 138 isn't enough already!)  LOL!  You won't find any of the past week's Featured posts here,  you'll have to search those out … (60 comments)

If your Butt isn't pre-approved, you ain't getting in my car! - 11:32 AM
With the constant changes in the mortgage industry and increased restrictions on getting a mortgage, it is becoming even more emperative to have your clients pre-approved.  One of the things my BIC shared with us a few years ago, he said:
"If they aren't pre-approved, don't put their butts in your car & waste your time." Wow, that sounded rather harsh! But, in all reality, it is probably some of the best advice I ever received.  I know many of you think, that is not a great idea because you may offend potential buyers away from working from you.  However what … (112 comments)


Blog posts


DFW Real Estate - 03:42 PM
Another huge investment area is in Dallas. Dallas real estate is quickly becoming a must have for corporations around the world. The city of Dallas is home to several large corporations, including ExxonMobil, the biggest Fortune 500 Company. It seems that each week there are new corporate citizens bedding down in the city of Dallas. VIP Realty is North Texas' leading real estate brokerage firm. Do not hesitate to contact a friendly representative, of VIP Realty,  today.
 
Fort Worth is the fifth largest city in the state of Texas . In fact, Fort Worth is considered to be half of … (1 comments)

Dog saves newborn baby from freezing to death! - 02:55 PM
I'm not sure when I started enjoying these animal stories, but hot on the heels of Christian the Lion comes the story of LaChina in Argentina.
It would seem that a 14 year old girl gave birth to a baby and then abandoned it in a field. It is winter in Argentina right now.
Somehow LaChina left her own puppies and went out and picked up the baby and kept it with her puppies through the night. The farmer who owns LaChina found the baby in the morning.
The baby is doing well and the 14 year old mother has been … (12 comments)

I loved the Olympic Games but ( rant dead ahead ! ) - 02:23 PM
Call me corny if you want but as I watched these amazing Olympic games I was totally impressed with many of the outstanding efforts made by our teams.  Only one thing would have made it better for me.  When I see the U.S. athletes accepting a gold medal as our beautiful flag is raised above the others and our national anthem is played -  wouldn't it be terrific if all of our athletes at least attempted to sing ?  I know many of them are overcome with emotion but , by golly, lots of time, money and support went into preparing … (5 comments)

Hey Guys -- What Gives? - 10:13 AM

 
 
Ok, I come up to ActiveRain and I was not signed in.   Usually I see top performing Real Estate Agents featured.   But someone that has not supported the system, contributed nothing but their name and email address is a featured member?
And while I am at it...   What is with automatically having outside blog and re-blogging checked?  
… (17 comments)

Hey Zillow - If Real Estate is local then why is my franchise taking over my listings? - 10:32 AM
This is a rant!   I am annoyed!
Real Estate is local.  
We all know this.   I work very hard to manage my listings on the Internet!  
So if I do the effort to claim my listing on Zillow, why is my franchise taking my listing on Zillow?  Giving me a half done profile on Zillow.   I have a Zillow profile!   There is no way I can over-ride.  I have tried to claim the listing, but the next day, the franchise wins!
Don't get me wrong, I love being part of the ERA system, and Hunt Real Estate my brokerage.   And they do a great … (20 comments)

Ethics Is As Ethics Does! - 05:54 PM



Have you ever been accused of being unethical? I have. In fact, I've been accused many times. In ALL cases they were wrong. Here are some of the practices where I have been accused of being unethical. 
 
I received a larger check than the selling agent at closing. I actually had a Broker threaten to sue me over this!!  A Seller, who was currently listed, called me and I met with them and took a post dated listing.  I won't show a listing that has a less then adequate co-broke. AND...I'll tell my Buyer this.  A Seller, … (97 comments)

Five Ways to Cut Energy Usage & Save Money Around the House - 03:52 AM
It takes unimaginable amounts of energy to power the United States, and the needs is constantly growing. As global warming and fuel crises gain more and more public attention, people everywhere are now looking for ways to live a greener lifestyle. But this doesn't mean rebuilding your home to run on solar energy, or overhauling your current lifestyle. There are plenty of small, simple things you can do every day to help reduce your household's energy consumption (and even waste). Here are five effective changes you can make right now. 1.Turn Off the Lights We've all heard this a million times, … (2 comments)

Roller Derby, Austin Style - 03:56 AM
Ten women go whizzing past wearing wild fishnet hoses. Their colorful get-ups also include helmets and kneepads and flying scarves and the skates on which they are racing around the oval track. Elbows fly, legs lock, bodies go careening and sliding along the masonite track. Occasionally two shapely lovelies go at each other, swinging hard and fast, falling to the ground, rolling and grappling as the beer-soaked, capacity crowd roars in approval. It's Sunday afternoon at the roller derby bout; roller derby with a Texas twist. Austin, the city that likes to keep itself weird, has given birth to yet another … (0 comments)

Tips And Tricks For Home Staging - 04:06 AM
Staging a home can end up being a valuable tool in selling the house. Not only can it assist in selling a house, but it can also help the seller get top dollar. The amount of staging needed varies wildly from a small scale de-cluttering of a home to hiring staging professionals to the tune of several thousand dollars, but the goal is the same- creating a pleasant mood by making a house appear bigger, brighter and warmer while neutralizing the area so prospective buyers can visualize how their own furniture and belongings can be incorporated into the home. In a … (1 comments)

ANYTHING ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT - 05:22 PM
Real Estate Client Referrals LLC. Do you use them? Do you get real leats? Have you actually closed anything from a lead from them?
Judy Music
… (0 comments)

Business is picking up in Boise, Idaho - 07:03 PM
We can't seem to hold onto the listings we take.  When they are priced within the market, staged to look their best, clean and neat and void of most personalization, and smell good, the buyers like them.
We have listed and sold several homes in the last few weeks, in fact we list or sell a home every 2.8 days.
We have had to general contract lots of our recent listings with new central air conditioning unit, painting, new carpets, vinyl flooring and other fixes to put our listings in great shape.
Let us know your questions of how to get … (4 comments)

Has the "State of the Market" Stolen Professionalism? - 07:28 AM
   I
                                                                     
 
 
 
 
 finally got a showing cofirmation after 9 p.m. last night for a showing this afternoon. Better late than never...so I tacked it on the end of the tour. Off we went...my out of town buyer and her two children. We got to the house just before the late confirmation house and she loved it....so much that we got permission from the listing agent to prolong the showing and Mr. Buyer joined us at the house..a great lot for the planned in home day care...the hour got late. We were in the next county … (4 comments)

Seacoast New Hampshire Real Estate Market Update - Area Market Overview - 02:40 PM
Coastal New Hampshire Real Estate Market Update - January 2008 through August 2008
Real Estate Markets are really very local in nature, contrary to what all the media would have you believe.  Statewide market information isn't local enough, and really even looking at various markets by county isn't breaking the real estate market updates down enough.  Counties can, and do, vary greatly, and counties here in New Hampshire vary enormously.
The Seacoast area of NH is covered by parts of two counties - Rockingham County, which has all the towns right along the immediate coastline, and Strafford County, which is inland a … (0 comments)

Central Florida Real Estate Happenings --- The Market report for central Florida July 2008 - 07:09 PM
 
 
 
 
Well, things keep getting better and better in central Florida!
The median home asking price has declined to $207,500 from last months $216,000. (It is 17% lower than last year at this time.) The affordability index rose to 103.8% which means the median Florida home income has MORE than enough to afford a home in central Florida. The July 2008 inventory of homes is 4.9% lower than it was last year at this time. (That means there are FEWER homes on the market than last year.) Since January the supply of homes for sale has been decreasing … (4 comments)

Homeowners Be Careful What You Store Near your Clothes Dryer - 10:06 AM
 
Sunday morning on ActiveRain and the hot topic is dryer vents! I agree you need to be aware of your dryer vent but gee whiz!
 
Do you think about dryer vents?  Mr. Maupin surely does.  Think of this sort of like the greatest hits of Mr. Maupin album:
The Warning Signs Your Clothes Dryer is in Trouble
The Do It Yourself - Cleaning Out Your Dryer Vent Tips
What We Need to do for Clothes Dryer Fire Prevention
As Consumer how do you really clean the lint filter on a Dryer?
Good Clothes Dryer Maintenance to Keep Bugs Out … (19 comments)

Those good for nothing, lying, deceitful, group moderators on ActiveRain - 11:35 AM
They lie and tell you, that you've been featured and don't give you any points*  They boot YOUR fabulous content from the group (read the group guidelines and follow them) They allow other group members CRAPPY content to remain in the group They start new groups when there are already 4338 4360 groups They don't see your brilliance and feature (give a little pointless star, that is really just a pat on the back ) to each and every blogging nugget you share in the group  They don't moderate a group the way you want it moderated * it is all … (81 comments)

New Orleans Weather is almost Tropical, Growing things green is easy! - 03:26 PM
    New Orleans rarely gets cold but can get hot. You do not need a large sapce to grow things but small areas.  I guess that is why courtyards were developed to contain the growth and manage nature. Once we hit Feburary it time to think Spring. The leaves fall sometime in December and many time the new leaves are soming as the old leaves are falling. We do have seasons like hot, hotter and cool.  However humid cool can easily become cold. 
   Weather in South Louisiana is great for growing things.  Plants, insects and fish are all included.  However I … (5 comments)

A different kind of MEME, shake that ass and watch yourself;-) - 04:17 PM
Do you want an introduction?  To hell with it, get to know yourself.  Get to know me.  I know, I know... it's difficult when doing so over the internet and God only knows how that person really is compared to their profile, pics, or voice.  None the less, this is something I saw and loved... so I will participate.  It's an excercise in self expression.  Off the cuff and in the rear... here it goes...
I am - God's way of saying, "I truly give a damn."I think -  way too much.  Then again, there are those who think way too little.I can … (27 comments)

I didn't know you much... - 09:25 PM
and God knows there will be posts out the ass of your passing.  There should be. 
Tears swelled in my eyes when I heard,
I didn't know what to think, couldn't say a word.
Cut....screw this.
Karen,
You are no longer with us in the way we are with eachother on a day to day basis.  Perhaps, you are with the stars... where you belong. 
I can't believe how much I cried when I found out, how much I'm still crying right now.  I never even knew you, I just knew words and the immense accomplishments that applied to this network.
This … (15 comments)

Hunter Biden and Joes Brother sued for fraud? - 08:31 PM
The News Journal www.delawareonline.com
 Sen. Joe Bidens son and brother are being sued for defrauding a former business partner of millions of dollars court records show.
Hunter Biden and James (Joe's bro) have been part of legal actions since 2007 when a former partner in a hedge fund accused them of misrepresenting their experience and recommending a lawyer with felony convictions.
Hunter Biden was bringing home 1.2 million a year before that he worked at Washington law firm Oldaker, Biden & Belair, which earned $1.76 million in lobbying revenue in the first half of 2006, according to Congressional Quarterly's CQ MoneyLine.
… (11 comments)

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