Archives of real estate blog entries for August 7, 2008 (Page 5)

Blog posts


Please shut off the lights....leave your card...lock the door and say good bye. - 11:20 AM
Most of the time I list property and other times I show other agents properties.
My last post was my reaction to a listing agents lack of response and how I've been trying to show their property so now I'll talk about the other side of the coin.
When I call for showing instructions the listing agent will also ask me to leave my card...shut off the lights and lock the doors. In my 12.5 years in the business I don't remember if I ever left a light on or lock a door when I leave. We all make mistakes but … (29 comments)

Buckle Up !!!! -- You think it's bad out there now? - 11:49 AM
I will be the first one to say that I hate negative news and the media that just misleads you with negative news from one point of view. But what about the reality of it?
Quick preview of the last years misfortunes.....
-- Many unstable markets & sellers panicking
-- Many mortgage programs dropped, especially most stated loan programs
-- Home values declined at one point, but more stable now, but still lower
 
 

Now, with more news about FHA loans, a possible 1/2% raise in monies needed for FHA loans from the borrower, and the possibility of the … (59 comments)

Should I Replace the Carpets? - 04:37 PM
Last night, I was meeting with someone who is considering selling their home.
One of the first questions I was asked was, "Should I replace the carpets or just offer a credit to the buyer?"This is actually a very common question.  And my answer is always the same:Replace the carpet!While you're at it, make any necessary repairs.Do everything you need to to bring your home into model home condition.
There is a lot of inventory on the market right now.  Buyers have a lot of homes to choose from.  You want them to choose yours.  How do you do that?Well, of … (11 comments)

4 reasons buyers are shopping your competition, not you. - 07:55 PM
According to the latest survey of the National Association of Realtors over 80% of home transaction began with the use of the internet. What is startling is that 28% of REALTORS working in this market have zero business from this lucrative market.
Listed below are 4 of the main reasons some agents do zero business from this market;
Value proposition - It is simply not enough to build a website. Like ALL marketing techniques, you must give the consumer a reason to work with YOU.
 Our Marketing experts at PropertyMinder, Inc consistently see agents with a slogan that has nothing to … (0 comments)

How did I become a featured Member? - 08:04 PM
Ok first things first, I AM NOT A REAL ESTATE AGENT! With that being said I am worndering how, in my city (Rocklin, CA) I am ranked at #2 and a featured member (as of today).
What this I think means is that 99.9% of agents in my area are not doing much with technology. AR seems to be a great place to add to your online credibility, blog (FOR FREE) and generate leads (which I have had 2 from AR and am not an agent).
So here is what I have done to become ranked #2 in my area;
1. … (9 comments)

Are you on the list - you better hope you are not - 02:12 PM
As of this week a lot of mortgage brokers are out of business or at least should not be operating in the state of Indiana.  The brokers were given a year to comply with a 2007 law to name a principle broker, a lot like our Real Estate brethren, and have that person pass a state exam.  In NW Indiana, more than 75 failed to comply. 
I will tell you that some have gone on to become a banker or just decided that they were done with it all.  If you feel that you are working with someone that is not … (3 comments)

Olympic Glory - 11:21 PM
It is here, it happens every two years now,  The Olympics.  I have always watched the Games at least since 1980 when the Americans beat USSR in Hockey, When Bruce Jenner was more that some hot chicks step-dad, and Mary Lou was every young boys dream date. 
What do you look forward to in the games?  I was a track and field guy with Carl Lewis breaking records and getting golds even when Ben Johnson, yellow eyes and all, was stripped of his gold.  When Dan and Dave fell apart and did not live up to Reeboks hype machine. 
To Greg … (2 comments)

Desalination Plant in San Diego ( Carlsbad) Receives OK to Begin Construction....Finally! - 10:13 PM
The  California Coastal Commission has now approved the revised plan for Poseidon Resources to construct the long awaited Desalination plant to increase the water availability in San Diego County. I wrote a post on this late last year " Poseidon - Is Desalination In The Cards For San Diego " and the obstacles have now been overcome, though there is always a chance of a late court action that could delay construction again.
Environmentalists are opposed to this plant for various reasons and the Poseidon Resources rendered numerous compromises that finally got approval yesterday, pleasing the proponents of the new facility slated for … (12 comments)

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Tavares, Florida Raises the Bar. - 10:17 PM
THE AUGUST $79 WEEKEND SPECIAL
Wow, the year has really gone by fast here at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites on the Scenic Dead River!

We have stayed very busy improving our product for our guests and visitors.
Just this month, we completed installing brand new carpet and padding in all of our guest rooms. In addition, all of our rooms are now equipped with brand-new Dove Quilt-Top Beds.

Our guests have been enjoying our weekly manager's reception on Tuesday nights, where we offer complimentary wine, beer, and appetizers in the evening for our guests.  To read more … (0 comments)

18 Springfield Avenue - Cranford NJ Condo For Sale Downtown! - 02:56 PM
Fabulous Condo in Downtown Cranford - Lots of Space, Move in ConditionLocation: Downtown CranfordWOW! Fantastic, pristine 5th floor (top floor) corner unit condo in Cranford Towers in downtown Cranford! HUGE Rooms 2 BR, 2 FULL baths, fantastic views of Cranford downtown and partial river view. Superb downtown location in secure elevator building that's walking distance to train station and NYC bus stop. Newly refinished HW floors, updated oak cabinets and floors in the large eat in kitchen, new tile floors in both bathrooms. The unit boasts a formal DR, master bedroom complete with full bath and walk in closet. Tilt out … (0 comments)

News Not in the Newspaper - 07:45 AM
Since the newspapers don't like to focus on good news, I will. The much reported Standard & Poor's Case-Schiller home price index shows that home pricing in seven of the largest markets, including Atlanta, is actually UP.
Furthermore, the overall economy continues to grow, albeit slowly, and thereby not turning into the much anticipated recession. In 2008, the first quarter showed growth of .9%, and the second quarter grew by 1.9%. By definition, a recession is 2+ quarters of negative economic growth (decline). I have not seen any retractions in the media about their recession stories yet, but maybe soon...
… (0 comments)

Does Staging work??? Yes it is the same room! - 05:14 PM

… (0 comments)

Reuters News Video: Pending home sales rebound - 02:58 PM
According to Reuters, signed contracts for pending home sales rose in June!

Watch the video for more...




Good news for the housing sector!! … (2 comments)

Finish Grade - 09:30 AM
Finish grade is the surface elevation of the ground. In home inspections, it can be referred to as lot grading. The grade, or height, and slope of surface materials surrounding a structure are important because water from precipitation moves from areas of high elevations to low elevations on and off a property. A correctly-graded lot drains surface water away from structures to help prevent water damage.
Correct drainage is achieved in a number of ways. The ground can be sloped away from the home. Swales, or hollow ditches, can divert water around the house. Catch basins, sometimes located in the yard … (0 comments)

Remote-Controlled Lighting - 09:43 AM
In the past, if you wanted automated-controlled lighting or the ability to raise, lower and turn on or off lights in your home, you would have to either upgrade all of the wiring in your home or use the existing power lines to send messages to specially equipped light fixtures and other "smart" devices.
Because of improvements in wireless and power-line technology, it's now easier and more affordable to control all of your existing lighting from just about anywhere, according to www.thisoldhouse.com. You can turn on table lamps, dim overhead lights and spotlight a specific photo or artwork in one easy step.
There … (1 comments)

Looking for Ways to Sell Your Home Fast? - Tip 34 - 04:50 PM


… (0 comments)

Missing Money in Illinois - 07:39 AM
Do you live in Illinois?  Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias is urging us Illinois residents to check our local newspapers this month to find out if we are the proud owners of millions of dollars in lost wealth.   I think that's better than playing the lottery... don't you?
More than 70,000 new names will be published in county-by-county listings in local newspapers statewide between August 10 and 31. The listings feature residents and businesses that have lost at least $100 in cash or any value of stock or safe deposit box contents turned over to the State Treasurer's Office since February … (0 comments)

When Scripts Suck - 08:38 AM
I have a friend who recently got her real estate license and dutifully went out looking for her Very First Broker. She found The One and excitedly signed on. She was promised all sorts of training and support and mentoring... yee haw!
Well... fast forward two weeks and my friend is ... shall we say... disillusioned. She's barely even seen her broker, much less received any semblance of training, support or mentoring. In fact, her broker actually said something like "Try not to bother me with too many questions." My friend is a self-starter and is comfy taking responsibility for her … (38 comments)

The Joys of Using an REO Listing Agent's Escrow Company - NOT - 01:58 AM
Okay, here's the setup; we are about to close on a lovely REO property this last Monday.  My client is signing loan docs at the Listing Agent's chosen Escrow Company. This is not a small escrow company, but more than likely this is a discounted project for them and they are overwhelmed or undermanned or unorganized or all of the above. They have not been highly responsive throughout the escow. Our close date had already been bumped from July 30th because they were overwhelmed with month-end closings. I can accept that ... sort of. But Monday morning, around 10:30, I received an urgent … (3 comments)

A New York Feng Shui Consultant at The South Street Seaport - Manhattan - 07:10 PM
A New York Feng Shui Consultant sees the South St. Seaport- Manhattan
The South Street Seaport in Manhattan...if you've even taken a trip to New York City, it's likely you've made it a point to get to The Empire State Building    Real Estate Blog - New York Photos & Feng Shui: A Bird's Eye View ...   and, hopefully, Central Park Back to Nature--Central Park in New York City! by Feng Shui Long Island or Central Park and New York City.....Beautiful Every Time! .  I'm hoping that you didn't miss another one of our wonderful attractions, The South Street Seaport.  A quote from their … (21 comments)

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