Archives of real estate blog entries for September 14, 2008

Featured blog posts


Go Ahead and Shoot Me. But I have to say it: your Web site ... - 05:00 PM

 
 
You know that awful feeling in the pit of your stomach when you know someone you care about is making a serious mistake?
Should you speak up? Will you make her mad? Will he resent you for butting into his business?
We've all been there ... between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Damned by the other if we do. Damned by our own conscience if we don't.
 
That's where I find myself today. But with this post, I've decided I'd rather live peacefully within the quiet of my own soul than to court the … (90 comments)

Controversy: Would Ya', Should Ya' Ask For The Money Back - 05:00 PM
While mulling over the Sunday newspaper today, my wife read to me an article from the serious part of the paper. Personally, I was too busy reading, and looking at photos of, Britney, Lindsay and Paris, to waste my time on the business section. Anyway, the wife had an interesting article which expanded my world perspective.
It was a real estate column by one of the nationally syndicated writers. Someone had written in to him stating that they had purchased a home inspection. The inspector had found mold and other problems so they had walked from their deal. They had gotten the … (40 comments)

Which comes first? Qualifying mortgage or the search for a home? - 08:08 PM
Just musing here about some thoughts that were brought to my attention .. which comes first.. Buyers qualifying for a home mortgage and shopping for a home in that price range... or search for a home and hoping they qualify for that one?
As an agent I suggest, advise, and urge a buyer to PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE speak to a lender first.  Get an idea of what you can afford, what it will take to be a qualified buyer.  Few folks have wide open pocketbooks that will allow them to start looking in any price range and pick what they fancy.  To … (45 comments)

The Shift or Shift Happens in Michigan - 04:52 PM
Last Tuesday Gary Keller spoke in Michigan. He was here speaking on his new book, The Shift. 
Russell Shawone of my favorite bloggers on Agent Genius, had an introduction in the book and said this,
"If this book doesn't light your fire, check your pulse. As always, Gary has found the unifying principles on which survival in a shift are based. This should be mandatory reading for any agent whether old or new."
The interesting thing to me was when Gary asked all the attendees to raise their hands on the length of time they had been in the … (69 comments)

Staged "Lite" and SOLD Within a Week - 08:09 PM
This gorgeous Franklin Village house sold in less time than it took to finish staging it!
Staged "Lite" with a small budget from a Relo company...meaning accessories (5 bathrooms!), an inflatable bed and 2 table/chairs sets only.  No major furniture anywhere.  The offer came in close to it's $675k asking price. 
The Relo company is happy, the Realtor is happy, and I am ecstatic!  Although this means I'll be destaging soon, and that's never fun.
Note:  Photos taken with my phone and not great--the colors are all off.  My camera had gone missing (darn teenagers!).
  
   
   
   
                                                                             ^This … (67 comments)

Are You Comfortable Showing Homes With Dogs? - 04:55 PM
I'm usually OK with showing homes where dogs are present. I've been around dogs my whole life and can generally develop a rapport pretty quick.  Sort of like a mutual respect and understanding. You leave me alone, I'll leave you alone.
My rapport was tested to the extreme showing a house the other day. Although the owner was home at the time the house contained five pit bulls and what I can only describe as a wolf (the seller told me it was a German Shepard but I've never seen a German Shepard this big).  He (it) was behind sliding glass … (52 comments)

A Day Trip from Mesa, Arizona - Route 66 - Holbrook, Az and The Wigwam Motel (LOCALISM FEATURED) - 05:03 PM
As many of my readers know, wherever I go, I take pictures. THEN I share them with my readers. Since there are so many, many wonderful places to see in Arizona, I will share as I see. This will be Part I of my trip to Holbrook, Arizona and to the Petrified National Park, located within four hours from Mesa, Arizona. Since Holbrook, Arizona is located on Route 66, there are lots of cool things to see.
Our first stop was at the The Wigwam Motel.  I took lots of photos, of course. This is such a cool place. As you … (46 comments)

ActiveRain Friends - 12:20 PM
With all the continued bantering about politics ONLINE I will just keep my opinion to myself. There is one thing today that is more important than your trying to convince me that one is better than the other and it's really none of your darn business who I am voting for anyway. My personal choice.
With all that is going on in the world with natural disasters I stopped to think. What would make a difference today? I picked up the phone yesterday and called long time ActiveRain friend and member Stephanie Edwards. It's been a couple of months since speaking to … (86 comments)

Why Can't We Eat Toothpaste For Dinner? - 12:20 PM
I have always been the curious type. That means if I am with you, you are going to get pummeled with questions. This can be good in Real Estate, because I am going to find out why you really want to sell that house. I will ask you six different ways to find the underlying motivation, or you will find me annoying and shoo me away.
In life have you ever wondered,
WHY CAN'T WE EAT TOOTHPASTE FOR DINNER?
I know, an innane question, but it could be possible.

A hand shooting up by me is a question. But a … (69 comments)

Women are the Best !! - 04:22 PM
Women have not only reached the top of the real estate leadership pyramid, they are proving themselves to be great leaders. Bold words, coming for a man, but my research shows that in the last couple of years women have moved into the #1 or #2 positions at many of the country's largest real estate companies.

When compared to many other professions and industries, real estate has long been one where women can more easily achieve success and equality with men.  The National Association of Realtors profile even put the number of all sales agents at 65% female. But that's … (50 comments)

I'm Sorry Mr. Buyer....the Moon Does NOT Come with the House - 08:02 PM
I've noticed a trend with Buyer's offers I've seen, reviewed and heard about recently which encompassess more than aggressive negotiating, it's bordering on outright mean-spiritedness.
Don't get me wrong, I completely understand buyers doing their due diligence and making a strong, even aggressive offer on a property in today's market. I would do the same if I were buying. In fact, I've helped buyers I've represented write some fairly aggressive offers this year.  However I think there's a line which is close to being crossed in my area and I wonder if perhaps it has been crossed in other markets worse off than the Seattle area.
When … (94 comments)

32 Ways to ask for a price reduction and get your listing SOLD - 08:09 PM
Market value  is market value.   How  to get there.
 
1.Get it priced right when you list the property. Tell the seller the truth about the price. Be compelling and convincing in your conviction about the price. Make the seller understand that the other Agents want the listing and will beat them up on price later. They merely want their sign in the ground. You want a sale and a satisfied client and you are willing to tell them the truth up front to get that.
 
2.when you ask for  a price reduction always use a different subject to start … (46 comments)

TOP NEIGHBOR--How does this really work? Cuz' it AIN'T workin for ME! - 04:54 PM
UPDATE!!!!  THIS IS THE RESPONSE I RECEIED FROM BRAD:
Kat - it's all about contribution and content.  Top neighbor is based on the most content, and the ones whom contribute the most to that area.  This includes, posts, photos, etc.  You can call me anytime if you need some tips and ideas.  Sponsored communities are great, being a top neighbor is awesome, and having posts and content keeps you on the front page of your community.  All 3 are areas to be utilized in providing, again, content.  Hope that helps, look forward to hearing from you if not.  :-)
 

… (65 comments)

Avoiding Legal Issues with Buyers Years Later - A True Story - 04:56 PM
Back in 2001, I was working with a couple that had chosen a home that was built in the late 1970's to write an offer on.  The property had been a horse farm that a builder had acquired. He had split the main house onto a beautiful 3.32 acre lot, and created 4 additional lots that were about 2.5 acres each.  
The property with the house and 3.32 acres included a small pond. A large stand of Jack Pines offered a buffer between the building sites to the South of the property.  We walked the property with the listing agent, noted … (31 comments)

My Million Dollar Vacant Staging - 12:21 PM
This post I am making "Members Only" just to give you all a peek into what I did.  It's funny how excited I am to share these pictures, and yet my confidence seems to wane when I think of all the beautiful jobs everyone else does!  I am going to move the paper that is on the floor when the photographer comes, and then put it back in place when she's done.  The floors are a beautiful wood throughout, with carpet in the two bedrooms I did.  This house has been on the market for a year - vacant.
I will be … (71 comments)


Blog posts


Do You Think You Appeal To The People On The World Wide Web? - 06:16 AM
I've been reading a lot of junk recently...yes in my not so humble opinion it's junk and in the grand scheme of things really so much of it is so unimportant! 
Yes I know it's important to get our messages across..its important to make our own marks on the net and we try very hard to get our share of the web..but are you really? 
With extreme opinions...extreme rants...and extreme public views... you think you are opening doors when in reality you may be shutting many because you fail to remember it is the world wide web.

 
Not all … (19 comments)

Sumner Building Lots - 12:47 PM
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Anderson Island Real Estate - 12:49 PM
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Successful Staging for a Really Specific Market - 09:19 AM
In 2004, when we decided to relocate from the northeast to the southeast due to a job offer, I knew that staging a home was central to a successful sale but I did not realize how REALLY significant this field would become.  Now, in researching this blog, I have tremendous resources from which to learn about the staging process coupled with cable TV programs dedicated to just this particular topic.  But what I have not read or seen recently is how to directly stage a home for a particular market, which is what I was able to accomplish when we sold … (6 comments)

Conrad Romo Reading at Cypress Park Library September 20 - 06:56 AM
Announcement: Cypress Park Branch Library hosts a reading by two writers, one from the community.
Contact: Conrad Romo, (323) 931-1200, www.tongueandgroovela.comBranch Librarian Patty Rostomian, (323) 224-0039
LOS ANGELES - Most of the attention the working-class, largely Latino community of Cypress Park northeast of downtown receives from major media comes from spasms of gang violence. The fatal shooting in August of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy. The February shooting outside Aragon Elementary School.
But the community is much more than that.
The Cypress Park Branch Library, a hub of community activity at 1150 Cypress Ave., will showcase another side of the … (0 comments)

I Finished My Book! Now To Finish the Rest…. - 09:50 PM
I just reached an important milestone – the chapters of my book are done! 
At least for now, that is. My publisher tells me there's lots more to do, but I'm celebrating getting to the point where there's no more writing, just rewriting, for Real Estate the Right Rome Way.
The Type E in me says we're done, and I'm ready to have that finished book in my hand now. Peg says, "Not so fast." Next stop is the professional editor, then designing the pages, creating an index, and finally the printing. Of course, I already have a fantastic cover … (31 comments)

The Los Gatos Townhome and Condo Market: How's it Faring? - 05:43 PM
A discussion of the Los Gatos condo and townhome market
The landscape for Los Gatos condos and townhouses is varied and truly runs the gamut from simple shelter close to freeway walls and train tracks to newer or fully remodeled luxury homes with gorgeous views of Lake Vasona, the coastal mountains or Silicon Valley.  Prices range from possibly as low as $250,000 to well over $1,000,000. At this writing, one townhome is being offered for approximately $1.3 million.  read more...
… (0 comments)

How to Write Your Agent Bio: Tip # 2 - 06:51 PM
In mid-August, I wrote a post here on Active Rain entitled "How Do You Write Your Agent Bio? Put Your Best Foot Forward & Write Something Unique (Lose the Boilerplate!)"  My Rule # 1 was this:  When you write your agent bio or promo pieces, find your own way of expressing why you have strengths that should be factored in favorably.  I'd like to go back to the "how to write an agent bio" topic and expand on it a little more. Once we're past the copy & paste mentality, what next?  Along those lines, but more focused, I would add … (6 comments)

Santa Clara County - August 2008 - Real Estate Market Report - 03:43 PM
Overall, the news is actually pretty good for Santa Clara County. While the inventory numbers still remain high, new listings are down and sales are up. Also keep in mind that a HUGE portion of the homes in inventory are foreclosures or short sale properties (nearly 4000!) In fact, the general trends all seem to support the idea I have been sharing that we are either right at or very near the "bottom" of this market. Watch this months video for all the data and details!
 
 
… (0 comments)

Morgan Hill - August 2008 - Real Estate Market Analysis - 03:48 PM
 
Morgan Hill is still feeling the pinch of the down market. However, there are signs that we are just about at the bottom of the dowturn.
Average price is down, but not as dramatically as some previous months. Inventory is up, but this is to be expected as we work foreclosures and short sales out of the system. Other numbers, like total sales and homes added to the market are actually looking up.
 
 
 

NOTE: This is a MARKET ANALYSIS. In order to provide complete information, all homes sold are listed for the noted community. No claim … (1 comments)

A Day Trip from Mesa, Arizona - Route 66 - Holbrook, Az and The Wigwam Motel (LOCALISM FEATURED) - 05:03 PM
As many of my readers know, wherever I go, I take pictures. THEN I share them with my readers. Since there are so many, many wonderful places to see in Arizona, I will share as I see. This will be Part I of my trip to Holbrook, Arizona and to the Petrified National Park, located within four hours from Mesa, Arizona. Since Holbrook, Arizona is located on Route 66, there are lots of cool things to see.
Our first stop was at the The Wigwam Motel.  I took lots of photos, of course. This is such a cool place. As you … (46 comments)

Resources for Your Unwanted Items - 05:07 PM
Cleaning out the house when you are getting ready to move can be a challenge.  So many places today will not take those useful but unwanted items that you held onto for so many years!Putting good smaller items on the curbside the day before trash pickup can be simple - seems there's always someone to pick up useful items for their den or garage. This is actually my favorite method of recycling! I love seeing an eager soul jump from their car to snatch a tricycle or lamp or small table, knowing that my castoff is still useful to someone.For other … (1 comments)

Suggestion for new checkbox beneath Comments - 10:41 AM
There is currently an optional box to check after we comment, "Notify me of new comments".
Often I want to know if the blogger post another comment, whether in response to me (which encourages conversations) or in response to others, but not to have 30 or 100 comments from others coming to my e-mail or My Home.
Could you add a second box as an option,
                                               Notify Me When the Blogger Comments?
 
Would anyone else like to see that choice?
… (12 comments)

Do you use google docs? - 11:13 AM
Brad Andersohn posted about how to use the forms feature in google docs and how to insert it into your blog posts. I thought that would be a good opportunity to
test whether his instructions worked
and
see who uses google docs
so here is a form I did in google docs in just a few minutes:
Loading...  
9/19/08 - just to update you, it's pretty neat to check the responses on the spreadsheet. 71% of the respondents use google docs, 19% do not. 
… (16 comments)

The Presidential Election & Your Real Estate Holdings - 10:30 PM
The media is inundated with political pundits and reports surrounding the upcoming Presidential election so it might be a good time to review how your Tampa real estate holdings are likely to be impacted. Here is a brief overview of the major proposals most likely to result in meaningful revisions to current law as presented by each candidate; keep in mind, a proposal is just that…whichever candidate is finally elected to the White House will still need to obtain the approval of the overwhelmingly Democratic Congress before any of the following become reality.Cap GainsMcCain: According the McCain plan, Capital Gains taxes … (0 comments)

Chicken Reuben - 04:42 PM
Chicken Reuben                    
Layer in Pam coated baking dish in order as listed-
4 whole chicken breasts
Salt and Pepper to taste
Top with 1 can sauerkraut - (drained)
Top with 4 long slices Swiss Cheese
Pour over 1 ¼ cups Thousand Island Dressing   (equiv. to 1 small bottle of dressing)
Cover with foil.Bake 350 for 1 ½ hours.
This dish is super easy! Cooks up like something special. The spices in the thousand island just melt down and do something special to the flavor of this dish. 
… (7 comments)

Dawn's Book of Impossible Things - 09:26 AM
Are you like me? I have a list of things that I absolutely cannot do on my own. I don't even have enough faith to pray constantly for these things to come to pass.
But I do belong to a God who is much bigger than I am, and here is one way that I give these impossible things to Him.
I learned this from a missionary who was itinerating and raising funds. Her name is Heidi. She told us of her list of Impossible Things - the stuff that needs done, but is too big for her. She would write the things … (6 comments)

Free Centro PLUS Bluetooth Headset! - 10:58 AM
I have said before that I LOVE my Centro and now.....
you can get one for FREE (my favorite 4 letter "F" word!)NAR sent out a message last week announcing:
You can get a Centro PLUS a Bluetooth headset for FREE from Sprint, Verizon or AT&T with a 2 year contract!What's not to like? It will open your keysafe in many areas. I use it as a modem for my Tablet Computer and save the monthly charges for an aircard! It has all the functions my TREO had and does it better.
And, did I say the price is RIGHT???? So … (5 comments)

A New GRI CLass in Arizona! - 11:14 AM
I love helping people become more proficient with technology and am excited that I have so many opportunities this month!The Arizona Association has just approved
Advanced Customer Care Through Technology
It is the 320 Elective Class and offers 7 hours of General Credit.
It will be offered for the first time on
SEPTEMBER 30 in Scottsdale!!!!
Learn advanced email techniques, blogging, social networking (yes that will include using Active Rain!), ways to increase your use of photos and videos and podcasting!
 
Come join the fun. Sign up here
Even if you already have your GRI, you may want to attend … (0 comments)

ePRO Workshops in AZ,NM, & CO - 12:20 PM
I'll be traveling in the Southwest this month helping real estate agents tweak their technology skills and learn about NAR's ePRO Certification! If you are near one of these areas, I hope you come by and meet me. I promise you'll get tips to help your business as well as receive a $25 discount on the ePRO Certification and a free website!Here's the schedule:

 
And if you aren't close by or can't arrange your schedule to come, you can still find out about the course and get a $25 discount by visiting this page.
And, you can still get … (0 comments)

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