Archives of real estate blog entries for September 13, 2008

Featured blog posts


Adding Forms To Your Blog Post - 10:53 PM
How do you create a lead sheet, a contact form, a questionnaire, a call to action in your post?  Google Docs allows you to not only create private forms, spreadsheets, and presentations, now you can embed them into your Website or Blog.  You also have the choice to share those forms and docs with others.  You can even invite others to view or collaborate on your work.  This could be a great tool, it has the potential to take your readers from being a viewer to being a potential lead.  Here's a sample of one I did creating a suggestion box.
… (199 comments)

Partnering with the Seller: Staging a Vintage Home in Portland OR ~ Before & Afters - 11:34 AM
Room Solutions Staging in Portland OR was recently selected to stage a charming vintage 1941 home. The homeowner first contacted us to ask for a Consultation report and we provided a detailed "To Do" list of cosmetic repairs that we felt were necessary to make this home market-ready.  After he completed his work, we came back to stage this vacant home. We staged the main impact rooms to emphasize the focal points in each room as well as to make it appealing to the target buyer.  Here are a few Before & After shots ...








Homeowners & Realtors, partner with your … (64 comments)

How To Get An Offer On Your Home In A Slow Market - 11:47 AM

How To Get An Offer On Your Home In A Slow Market


The past few years have been great to get houses sold for a good price. There were even multiple offers everywhere. What I noticed overall was just HOW houses sold faster.
It wasn't because: the agent was brilliant, the marketing was spot on, open houses were held every weekend or even that there was more than one prospective buyer.
What sold the house fast was that sellers took out unnecessary stuff and added paint then cleaned it up!
Now we are in a buyer's market and … (40 comments)

A some point you have to get started - 11:31 AM
Preparation is vitally important for being a success in real estate or any other endeavor. Imagine Michael Phelps just showing up at the pool and setting a new world record without any practice or even warm-up prior to the event. Clearly it wouldn't happen.
On the other hand, what if he never competed but just spent hours and hours each day, for weeks on end, swimming and training and practicing? We'd never know how good he was except for what we saw in practices, and the world would never get to appreciate his talent.
Take any profession or pursuit. There is … (35 comments)

LENN HAD AN EPIPHANY THIS MORNING. They are not just loans, they are mortgage "PRODUCTS". - 11:46 AM
                                      * * * *   HARD CORE REAL ESTATE TALK  * * * *
IT'S BEEN A ROCKY 2-3 YEARS.   Many real estate agents are working twice as hard for 1/2 the money, and they're the lucky ones.   Many loan officers spend weeks documenting, getting approvals only to have a loan denied funding the day before closing.  No one ever really learns why but the implecation is always that the borrower didn't qualify for one reason or another, more documentation, more money to close, house in wrong location.  I love that last one, house in wrong location.  A few years ago, many of these loans … (57 comments)

My Listing Agreement Has Expired Do I Still Owe Commission? - 11:39 AM
Last night got a phone call from a friend, out of  the Central Virginia market area, who had their home listed with another agent.  They told me that when the house was first listed the agent showed the property a lot, but in the past three months, there has not been any activity.  In the beginning, the agent held open houses, but the last few months has not been in contact.
The listing agreement expired and soon after that, someone contacted the seller and made a verbal offer.  Seller would like to accept but does not want to have to pay … (45 comments)

Marion's Dressing Room - A Unique Vintage, Designer & Resale Clothing Boutique - Chilliwack, B.C. (LOCALISM FEATURED) - 01:10 AM
 Step off the street, climb up the long narrow staircase and  you'll be transported into a bright and amusing, poetic trip into your grandmother's attic!  This boutique will take you on a journey back into time where you can look for  your own special treasures.  Vintage, Retro, Designer gently used clothing.......

 
Marion Marks is the creative owner and artistic fashionista that's made
Marion's Dressing Room a one of a kind destination in downtown Chilliwack
 
Saunter through and take a peek at the amazing Hat Collection

Peruse the Vintage Clothng Collection and Memorabelia set amidst an amazing collection of antiques

Looking … (39 comments)

Where Did All My Readers Go? "The Activerain Pickle" - 10:54 PM
Well, I am in a bit of an Activerain pickle. How did I get here? What's the deal (or should I say "Dill") pickle? I started my blog strong, like bull. I was pushing out blog after blog, trying to top myself each time. Well, you know what happened. I got burned out. I tried to come back and post and I noticed something was missing....my readers. Of course, there were about two or three soldiers that remained.
Where did they go? Can you blame them? They had gotten so used to me pushing out blog after blog and POOF. I … (66 comments)

The Other Side Of SEO: Using Clues From Search Engines To Present Contextually Relevant Real Estate Content - 10:51 PM
You've done all of the SEO stuff that the gurus talk about. Lots of people talk about the "help search engines find you" part of interaction with website visitors. Far less people talk about what to do once the visitors arrive.
It only makes sense that visitors come to your site looking for something since they are using search engines to find new content. That visit may be the first and only time that they visit your site and that "something" they are looking for may still be posted but now resides on a different page or mixed in with other … (16 comments)

My Thoughts On Part-Time Agents in Today's Market - 10:52 PM
In Emily Lim's first blog, she asked IS THIS THE RIGHT TIME TO GET INTO REAL ESTATE?. 

My "Mother Hen" hat appeared out of nowhere, and my comment listed some helpful ideas about things she could do to make the most of this down market.  Two days later she posted a follow-up, PLEASE HELP A PART-TIME REAL ESTATE AGENT...., to mixed reviews.  Comments ranged from a huge and bold font "No, you can not be a PART timer..." to "I think part-time is a state of mind."  (Congratulations on this featured post, Emily!)
This begs the question, WHAT IS A PART-TIME AGENT?  Do you … (89 comments)

Grammar and spelling - a refresher - 11:36 AM
You know who you are. You know you need to read this, because your posts will be around forever (theoretically), and you don't want people thinking you are a numbskull, do you?
I have only written one post before now that is not related to real estate, but I'm fed up. This is not comprehensive, but should help some, and it will certainly make me feel better.
The first thing you can do is simply press the spell check button. You know, the little thingy with ABC and a checkmark? Real simple - just click it before you publish your post. … (53 comments)

Not an Ending But a Change - 01:01 AM
Change is one of those inevitable things in life.  Today brings yet another one of those inevitable changes, as I am officially moving on from my current role with ActiveRain.I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the ActiveRain team, and all of the members, to build ActiveRain to what it is today.  Right now, I have an opportunity in front of me that is too good to pass up.  I will be founding a new, yet-to-be-announced social networking/media startup outside of the real estate industry.  Similar to with ActiveRain and real estate, I see a very large market that has some unique … (65 comments)

What Questions Should I Ask A Brokerage Firm Before Signing Up? - 01:21 AM
This issue is probably one of the most important both new and seasoned real estate professionals should consider before starting their hunt for a brokerage. Here are some of the questions we've collected; what others belong here as well?
How much business do you do a year?
How many agents do you have?
Where are your sales offices located?
What sales statistics can you share about your business?
What is the commission split?
What are the requirements for a new agent?
Do you have teams within your organization?  How are they sat up?
What kind of incentives do you offer agents?
Where … (33 comments)

Team, Partner or Solo? - 01:16 AM
Team, Partner, or Solo--which best fits YOUR needs? Team, Partner or Solo?  

Which best fits YOUR business?  My experience with team, partner and solo business plans have been varied and at times, complicated.  Now, I'm relieved to have uncomplicated my business and thought I'd share with you my experiences with the various 'plans.'

PARTNERSHIP:  Years ago, I started in this business working as a partner purchasing corporate housing, renovating, then immediately 'flipping' the homes.  We had a fantastic time doing it and I was in the best shape of my life!  My partner moved and I wound up … (51 comments)

Thinking of down grading my Point 2 site, unless someone can help! Does not rank well, blog posts do not show up on Google Alerts - 01:07 AM
I have taken some time and spent a little bit of money working on my Point 2 website: Find Your Freedom Missouri.
I have:
 a customized domain name  local area photos  changed much of the "canned" Point 2 script  have tried to register my site with various portals  accepted most handshake offers, having over 130 complete  tried taking an Active Rain post, tweaking it, putting it up on Point 2 - still nothing I have tried Suzanne Stephens suggestion to blog and even looked at where the site is hosted: Canada, which cannot be changed - it's a Point 2 site. … (51 comments)

What's Wrong With My Lock Box? - 10:51 PM
Ever have a lock box not open?  The eyes of the party you're showing the home to are burning a hole into the back of your head...   We've all been there.
 
In Florida we have a different issue.  The surprise of the unexpected. I stopped by a listing just to check up on it and such.  I have my own keys but used the key box just to make sure it was functioning correctly.  Opened like a charm, put the key in the lock, put my thumb on the thumby thing and grabbed the handle to push it open.
 
… (66 comments)

My First Earnest Money Fight - 11:35 AM
I've been in real estate a year and 9 months and it finally happened.  I'm getting dragged to a hearing over $500 earnest money!
Check this out.  My clients were the sellers in this deal.  The buyers were brought to us by another real estate agent.  Somewhere along the way, we got suspicious that the buyer might not be able to buy the property.  You know how those things go, right?  It all starts out so nice and then you begin to "sense" that something might be wrong...
Anyway, we got a supplemental agreement signed by both sides that said the … (26 comments)

PLEASE HELP A PART-TIME REAL ESTATE AGENT.... - 01:18 AM
Hello All. I was wondering if one can be a successful Real Estate Agent by doing it only part-time.  I am a new agent who enjoys the business but cannot financially afford to do it full time.  I have always known that the amount of success we are rewarded with depends on the amount of time and effort we put in.  My question is, how can I do this successfully when I can only do it on a part-time basis?
You see, I enjoy working the Open Houses and having the opportunity to meet new prospects.  Training has taught me to 'close' towards an appointment or get to the next step when meeting potential clients … (62 comments)

Can any (AR) members help me find my son? (your advise please) by Robert Swetz - 01:04 AM

 This is a photo of my father, my son and his girlfriend taken August 17th 2006 in Minnesota.
 The last time I have saw my son was when he was 8 years old and this was in Minnesota. I went through a terrible divorce and my x-wife would not allow me to see him for reasons unknown.
 I would pay an attorney money for so many years and he was unable to help me. Then my son's mother changed his name from Jefferey Alan Swetz to Zachary Killingbeck.
 I moved up to Northern Minnesota and continued to pay full child … (71 comments)

Top 650 Most interesting Active Rain Groups - 11:47 AM
Today we spent a lot of time going through all 179 group pages and found the following groups the most interesting.
 
TOP 650 GROUPS (IN OUR OPININON)
 
POLITICS

Note to Active Rain staff: There were a lot of multiples (group names created by members who made duplicate accounts). Check our broker's list.
 

 

… (70 comments)

Smart Cost Cutting - Like Slicing Bread - 01:33 AM
All of us have x amount of money that we spend on marketing, leads, office fees, supplies, what have you. Now that many of us are working harder than ever, keeping track of every penny counts. And if there is a way to cut down on cost - the not-so-necessary costs, it's time to do it. Of course we will always have to pay for certain things and if you can, now is the time to wisely market yourself, especially when many others are completely stopping most if not all of their marketing, branding and/or advertising. Cutting Cost may not be as … (35 comments)

SEX AND EXPIRED LISTINGS??? Who Starts A Business Call With "Are you in bed?" - 11:42 AM
Thought I'd share this from one of my recent sellers, I received this yesterday.
About 4 weeks ago I had a listing that was about to expire. These were repeat clients who after returning home from vacation and 4 months of marketing decided to stay put for while. In their absence my cell number was added to field calls for showings. While they were in Hawaii I wanted to know who was coming and going from their home.  (The house had already been left unlocked once before by an agent who failed to lock the door and took the  key with … (46 comments)


Blog posts


Not an Ending But a Change - 01:01 AM
Change is one of those inevitable things in life.  Today brings yet another one of those inevitable changes, as I am officially moving on from my current role with ActiveRain.I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the ActiveRain team, and all of the members, to build ActiveRain to what it is today.  Right now, I have an opportunity in front of me that is too good to pass up.  I will be founding a new, yet-to-be-announced social networking/media startup outside of the real estate industry.  Similar to with ActiveRain and real estate, I see a very large market that has some unique … (65 comments)

2008 Market and Economic Predictions - UPDATE - 03:54 PM
I was just going through post blog posts and I saw one I did right at the start of the year with ten predictions for the new year mostly related to markets and the economy.  I forgot to do a mid year update, but thought I'd revisit it now as I'm now feeling pretty confident I'll be batting 10 for 10 when the new year rolls around.  My current comments on each prediction are below, and you can find more commentary in my original post.
1. The fear of inflation is misplaced, deflation is coming...
This one has now proving out … (13 comments)

Rubbernecking at the Lehman Brothers train wreck - 08:45 PM
Hot on the tail of the governments massive bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac another crisis (actually several) has now taken center stage is it appears very unlikely Lehman Brothers the nations 4th largest investment bank will survive through the weekend or at least EOD Monday.  They were the obvious candidate next inline to blow after Bear Stearns failed back in the spring.  They both had a very similar, and relatively undiversified business model, sat atop a literal mountain of bad mortgage debt, and were significantly under capitalized and over-leveraged.  To be fair almost all the investment banks have been … (5 comments)

I’M NOT LEAVING NOW, RESCUE ME LATER! - 11:07 PM

 
It never ceases to amaze me when disaster is imminent, and warnings to evacuate are given, some just sit there. Many say the same brave words "If the Lord wants to take you, he will". Yet it seems when the Lord comes knocking on the door, they call 911.
That's what irks me the most when these disasters strike and tens of thousands of homeowners loose everything they've worked for. At a time when resources are already stretched thin, they have to be stretched further to accommodate those hardheaded holdouts that have such bravado in the beginning, and none … (12 comments)

Members Only? Only For The Lovely Wife- Wild Thing...ROAR! - 09:42 AM
I've been on the network since June 2006..yes..an original player..with many big dawgs..and so many of them truly impacted me.  It was amazing...to learn...to share...and grow..today it is no different..and sometimes I believe there were points in the early days..I was going to quit blogging.. just another on line fad.  Who would have known right?

 
December 2006..something amazing happened...I received a comment from the Lovely Wife..that comment kept me on the network. 
I was really questioning the whole blogging thing...up until that moment...when she wished me a Happy Holidays. 
It was that day...blogging took a whole new meaning to … (11 comments)

Hollis, New Hampshire "Old Home Days" parade and festival - the perfect day in New England! - 07:17 PM
… (0 comments)

Is this the best home for sale in Windermere, FL? - 10:15 PM
  
Real Estate in Windermere, Florida is simply some of the best that Central Florida has to offer. And now we have this great home in a guarded, gated community just waiting for you to come home to. Once you step inside you will know you've arrived home.
Four bedrooms, three and a half baths and almost three thousand square feet in this stylish courtyard home.
The tensions of city life are simply unknown in Windermere, an Orange Country jewel only fourteen miles southwest of downtown Orlando. Here, the sun rises over beautiful lakes and the mists create a … (0 comments)

Waterfront home for sale in Ormond Beach - 10:18 PM

NOT A SHORT SALE!!!! NOT BANK OWNED!!! JUST AN OWNER OFFERING AN INCREDIBLE BARGAIN. $400,000 OFF PREVIOUS LIST PRICE!!!! PLEASE CALL TODAY!!!!407 876 8200!!!!!
There is no doubt in my mind that this is one of the very best homes out there on the Intracoastal in Ormond Beach. Sunsets from your hot tub at the end of your dock before retiring to your beautiful home - and all this can be yours.
It's time to take a few steps outside the back of your house, across the paver walkway surrounded by lush grass and you will find yourself on your … (0 comments)

Amazing Dr Phillips home for sale - 10:22 PM

As the customer service award winning Realtor for Orlando and an expert in the Dr Phillips area, it is wonderful to be able to introduce you to this spectacular listing.
When it comes to finding an exceptional home to live in, it is hard to imagine looking much further than South West Orlando. And within South West Orlando, it is hard to imagine anying as good as Phillips Landing. You simply have to Check out the virtual tour 
This is truly the best home for sale in this exceptional community - it could be the best piece of Dr Phillips Real Estate out … (2 comments)

Second Saturday: Art Gallery Night in Northeast L A - 06:31 AM
The second Saturday of every month is Gallery Night in Northeast Los Angeles:  Your opportunity to explore the Galleries, Shops, Restaurants and Nightlife in the historic and eclectic neighborhoods of Northeast Los Angeles.  Maybe even purchase art for your home or office.

 
Tour participating galleries this Saturday, September 13, from 7PM - 10 PM.   Wrap up the evening with food and drinks at La Casa Blue or Mr. T's Bowl. 
September  Highlights:
José Vera Fine Art & Antiques
Saturday, September 137:00pm - 900pm
2012 Colorado Boulevard, Eage Rock CA 90041
is pleased to present its Hispanic Heritage Month Exhibit, which features … (1 comments)

Looking for something to do this Saturday? - 07:04 AM
Looking for something to do today?
Here's just a partial list of events happening in Northeast Los Angeles on Saturday, September 13:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8:30 - 10:30 am  - Audobon Center in Debs Park:  Family Bird Watching Walk en Español For families with children ages 4 and up. Join an Audubon naturalist in looking for birds in Debs Park. This walk will teach you how to identify birds that live here. Bring your own binoculars or borrow some of ours. Coffee and pan dulce will be served. This program will be presented in … (0 comments)

I Will NEVER Show That REALTORS(R) Listings!!! - 07:43 AM
Hi folks. Have you ever had such a bad experience, working with another REALTOR(R), that you swore you would never work with them again? I know I have. It can be difficult but we must remember that our job is to help Buyers and Sellers achieve their objectives.
It's tempting to not show a REALTOR'S(R) listings or suggest to your Seller not to accept a deal from a particular REALTOR(R) who we have had a bad experience with. However, as difficult as it is, we must not  hold the Buyer or Seller responsible for their REALTOR'S(R) incompetence.
The reality is, the Seller just wants … (61 comments)

Denver Real Estate Market Heading Into Fall - 11:08 AM
September 2008 Market Conditions
Denver's real estate prices continued to drop in August. Single family home median and average prices were 12.6% lower than August 2007, while condos and townhome median prices dropped 8.2%. The number of homes sold in August was down 9.34% from last year, and 11.34% from July. The only good news for sellers is that 20% fewer homes were on the market than were available for sale in August 2007, and that 4.98% more homes went under contract than a year ago. Average days on market for both single family homes and condos/townhomes remain virtually the same … (1 comments)

Guidelines and Welcome to the Commercial Real Estate Services and Products Group - 07:41 PM
Welcome to the ActiveRain Commercial Real Estate Services and Products Group!This is provided for those that want to announce or find providers of services and/or products related to the Commercial Real Estate Industry. These can include, but are not limited to, Commercial Real Estate agents or franchises, Commercial Loan Brokers or any service provider connected in anyway with Commercial Real Estate. Note: DO NOT add as comments to this post...   instead, create a new blog article(s) about your service/product  then continue and follow instructions below...Only entries related to Commercial Real Estate services and products will be allowed.  Title should include a [very] short description of the type of service or product, along … (0 comments)

PODCAST: The Investors Lament - 09:21 PM
Well, the lending industry is failing another one of lifes little inteligence tests. Just when you thought they would have gotten some smarts on the heals of really dumb decisions vis a vi the subprime fiasco, they make the same idiotic mistakes, in the opposite direction. This time, they are restricting the ability of real estate investors to purchase properties. If they had a good reason, that would be fine. However, their reasoning now is as adlbrained as the logic that let them fund so many subprime loans in the first place. Listen to the whole show for the rundown.

… (0 comments)

Holiday Lake Estates - Aug. 2008 Activity Report - 09:25 PM
 
Holiday Lake Estates has seen very little action in recent months. However, we can finally see that some homes are at least getting attention. Unfortunately, in the month of August, only one home went pending. Here is the data
 

NOTE: This is a MARKET ANALYSIS. In order to provide complete information, all homes sold are listed for the noted community. No claim is made that I represented either the buyer or the seller in ANY of these transactions. The homes sold are reported simply to provide complete information on what homes have sold during a specific period of … (0 comments)

PODCAST: Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae - 09:29 PM
 
Big news this week is about what is going on with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Take a listen for some good info and a link to a youtube video that can lay it all out for you. Plus, some of the latest market numbers and some big names out there that confirm what The Rebel Broker has been telling you all along!
 
Listen To The Podcast!
… (0 comments)

New Listing in Ludlow Vermont - 07:27 AM
 
ZONED RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL -
 
Front of Building  
 Wonderful renovated Office building on Main Street Ludlow.  Was Doctors office, now just waiting for your ideas.  First floor has reception area, plus 4 offices, upstairs 1 cute and comfy office.  This property was updated 7 years ago and has many uses - plenty of off street parking - walk outside and see Okemo Mountain.  This was once a single family home and is zoned res/comm.  Don't miss this opportunity!  Just think about it - work and play at Okemo!
 
 
 
 
… (2 comments)

A Day Trip from Mesa, Arizona - Route 66 - Holbrook, Arizona - Part Two - 11:35 PM
Located just four hours north and east of Mesa, Arizona, is Holbrook, Arizona. Lots of history here, and I will share.
As my husband and I drove into Holbrook, we pulled into a gas station on the corner of 77 and Route 66. As he was putting gas in the car, I happened to notice a restaurant across the street that I had seen on Arizona Highways. I grabbed my camera, snapped some photos, and made a mental note: we would stop there for dinner after our tour of the Petrified Forest National Park, just about 18 miles east of Holbrook.
… (9 comments)

Pace Florida Real Estate Market Conditions for August - 10:46 AM



Pace, Florida Real Estate
We here at the Charles Stallions Real Estate Services continuously monitor local real estate statistics to keep our clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends.  Below you will find Pace, Florida real estate statistic for last months numbers scroll down.
A Snapshot of the Pace Housing Market  
Available Homes                         = 351
New listings this month                =64
Current Homes Under Contract    = 34
Homes Sold In Last 30 Days       = 29
Average Dollar Per Square Foot   = $82.23
Average Days On The Market      = 171
Latest Assumption Rate             = 12.10 months
Average Sales Price                   = $171,841
List Price to Sales Price              = … (3 comments)

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