Archives of real estate blog entries for January 21, 2009

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ActiveRain from 97 feet up - 03:21 PM
ActiveRain moves fast.  So fast that I know of only a few people who really have a clear picture of everything that ActiveRain has to offer.  AR is now averaging a site upgrade at least once a week.  To put that in proper context, most software companies are on a quarterly or 1/2 yearly deployment schedule. 
We've done five separate deploys in the last 10 days alone, so I thought it would be beneficial to do a high level overview of the different products and services available on ActiveRain, while focusing on our core business components.
1. Blogging:  There is a … (102 comments)

Confidence Envelops You When You Care Enough to Make a Difference. - 04:39 PM

This post was highlighted by professional sales trainer and author of the book series, Selling with Soul , Jennifer Alan,  in her latest training seminar.
If you are like I was at one time, then you get nervous thinking about your appointment days before. For whatever reasons the butterflies show up in your stomach and you dread even knocking on their door. There was a time when I even would wish that appointments would cancel.
I began to wonder, what am I going to say that makes me stand out from the competition? All good agents had the same tools. … (42 comments)

The Foreclosure Snowball - 02:56 PM

August 2002 - Jim buys a personal residence for $200,000 because he wants to own a home.
2003 - Home prices rise so Jim has more equity in his home.
2004- Home price continue to rise. Everyone is a real estate genius. Jim's house is worth about $350,000 now.
December 2004 - Jim gets a line of credit on his home because he thinks that home prices will continue to rise and wants to get in on the action. After all, most of his friends have done it and are making lots of money.
March 2005- Jim pulls $40,000 from his line of credit to put … (59 comments)

Westwood, New Jersey | The Hub of the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County (LOCALISM FEATURED) - 07:25 PM
At the center of the Bergen County area of the Northeast corner of New Jersey, you will find the quintessential Family town of Westwood. This quaint town is one of the eight towns that comprise the area named "The Pascack Valley".
Westwood, was named the "Hub" because of it's location at the center of the County. People coming here from other areas will find a town rich in history and drenched in charm. Just ten miles North-Northwest of the George Washington Bridge, the Pascack Valley Train line has been a draw for commuters coming to enjoy the tranquillity of suburban life. … (28 comments)

Wow! What A Day! - 02:56 PM
Yesterday, we had yet another peaceful transfer of power, and one of the great things about living in Washington, DC is that you get a choice of watching it from your comfy family room or office, or you can go down and be in the middle of the whole thing.
So this time, I opted for the middle of the whole thing choice by volunteering to help at the Inaugural Parade.
Getting there was half the fun!  My sister, Bairbre, drove, and we managed to talk our way into the "No Drive" zone with my red hat and credentials.  At 5:00 … (69 comments)

Pregnant Client? Tips for smoother showings! - 02:56 PM
How to Treat Your Pregnant Clients: First rule - Don't ask!!!! If they tell you they are pregnant, fine, but don't assume!If you've never been pregnant or had kids, these may make no sense to you, but I promise it will mean a lot to your client!  I once won a client who was using two Realtors, they picked me because of how I treated her! 
 
Smells = puking!    Pregnant women generally are very sensitive to smells.  The slightest whiff of some things can make them gag or even start puking.  Not what you want to have happen when … (45 comments)

The newest Property Bailout - Will this really help? - 10:43 AM
Last week, it was announced that Maine would be receiving a 19.6 million dollar portion of a $4 billion dollar federal foreclosure bailout/neighborhood stabilization package.
According to a release in Mainebiz ( http://www.mainebiz.biz/news44028.html ), most of the money would be going to Lewiston-Auburn, Sanford, and Portland.
This package allows local governments to directly buy up distressed homes, rehabilitate them, and, as the article alludes, sell them to families that may not otherwise be able to afford homes, through responsible, low-cost loans and homeownership counseling. 
However, looking more closeley at the actual plan, it looks like a majority of the homes that are purchased by the state will not be … (22 comments)

A New Dawn… - 07:13 AM
Because life is too short to spend in the company of mediocrity.

… (41 comments)

NEWS FLASH! STEEP DECLINES IN METALS AND MINING STOCKS. . . I HATE TO SAY "I TOLD YOU SO", BUT . . . if only they had listened. - 07:38 AM
                                   * * * *  HARD CORE REAL ESTATE TALK  * * * *
WHAT'S THE HOT NEWS THIS MORNING?  METALS AND MINING STOCK IN FREE FALL! 
Copper prices fell 3.5% on Thursday as warehouse stocks rose and most industrial metals sank. Dismal economic data from the U.S. and Europe added to evidence of ever-weaker demand.      
Mounting fears of a prolonged recession in the US, triggered by grim jobless figures there yesterday, weighed on metal prices and mining stocks, and helped drive the FTSE 100 down for a second day.
"as the effects of global economic downturn caught hold, demand … (89 comments)

Failure is not only an option, it is a necessity - 04:30 AM
Not only is failure always an option, it is often the best one. 
Weightlifters will tell you that taking sets to failure, that point where you can no longer perform additional repetitions with good form due to muscular fatigue, is the path to increased strength and growth.
Shrewd businessmen will tell you that they seldom lament the deals they didn’t do.  Rather, the ones that got away, where there was a breakdown somewhere in the process, are often saving graces.  The failure to come to terms on ill-advised transactions saving them from future losses and aggravation.
In general, failure is … (74 comments)

Let The Information Flow Through You and PULL Clients To You. - 02:56 PM
 
It's an interesting internet world these days.  To say the times are changing is a reality that's understated.  To say that moments are changing each and every day is closer to the truth. 
Illusions are becoming echos of the past.  Illusions have been the reality of real estate for over a decade.  Look where we all are now.
The freedom of information online is not a deterent to business, but when artfully executed, it is a moneymaker.  If you are just getting started in social networking and blogging I want to encourage you to let the information flow freely.  If … (78 comments)

Search The Real Estate Web ™ - 03:06 PM

During the weekend we released a fun and helpful service at http://search.realbird.com It is a search engine based on the Google Custom Search technology and indexes only real estate related websites. Compared to the regular Google Search, this service queries only verified real estate websites. 
The search engine is configured in a way that it will return results from not only the 6 sites listed below but from all the linked sites on those, that is, your outside real estate websites, custom blogs, virtual tours etc.
   
  
  
 
Sample searches
Searching for a real estate professional: Mirela Monte or Bill … (48 comments)

How To Create an ActiveRain Outside ActiveBlog - 10 Easy Steps - 10:45 PM
How To Create A New ActiveRain Outside Blog for an Individual, Group, or Team. I'll demonstrate how to set one up from scratch.  Following these steps correctly should have you setup in about 15 minutes including invitations out to your desired contributors.
1) Make sure you are Logged into ActiveRain. 
2) Click on the "My Home" link located at the top of your screen in the upper right corner.
3) Click on the "Outside Blog" link located on the left hand sidebar of your "My Home" page.

4) Next, Click on the "Sign Up" button:

5)  Just Fill out … (161 comments)

1500 Points: ECO -All-Stars CHALLENGE... WINNERS Announced Monday...Feb 2nd - 02:55 PM
UPDATE>>>>

WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED HERE

 http://activerain.com/blogsview/912635/Announcing-The-WINNERS-of-the-ECO-All-Stars-January-Challenge
 
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS CHALLENGE!!
 
 
1) http://activerain.com/blogsview/905766/Smart-Living-Use-what-we-have-now-and-Go-Green-Eco-All-Stars-January-2009-Challenge 
2) http://activerain.com/blogsview/887695/I-Dont-Have-Any-Hair-Left-But-I-Met-the-January-2009-EcoAllStars-Making-It-Right-Challenge 
3)  http://activerain.com/blogsview/899183/Wheel-I-am
4) http://activerain.com/blogsview/898198/The-New-American-Home-Made-Right
5) http://activerain.com/blogsview/901965/Eco-All-Stars-January-2009-Challenge
6) http://activerain.com/blogsview/902033/Yes-We-Can-Changes-are-Coming-Make-it-Right-ECO-Green-for-All
Place your choice for the 1st Place Winner in the comment section...

  
… (55 comments)

Active Rain Outside Blogs Will Rock The House With GOOGLE JUICE! - 06:11 PM

When Active Rain mentioned the fact that they would be introducing the new "raindexed" outside blogs and I listened to how it would be set up, I knew that I would be signing up immediately.
You see the way these blogs are organized they will indexed down to the local level for all your posts. This kind of Geo tagging is exactly what Google and other search engines love.
Listen up folks....the members who are wise enough to jump on board are going to be reaping the benefits of having a stand alone blog that is found locally in the … (168 comments)

Finding Balance Online - HELP??!!! - 03:32 PM

Active Rain has always been a great tool for getting ideas, tips and advice from the real estate community.  I'd like to throw something out there and hopefully get some help this time as well.
My concern is a workable schedule for online marketing efforts.  I'm talking about the whole sha-miel. 
How much time do you devote to Active Rain? How much time do you spend on social media sites? Which social media sites  and how often do you use them? What exactly do you put on those social media sites? How much time do you spend visiting other blogger's … (88 comments)


Blog posts


ActiveRain from 97 feet up - 03:21 PM
ActiveRain moves fast.  So fast that I know of only a few people who really have a clear picture of everything that ActiveRain has to offer.  AR is now averaging a site upgrade at least once a week.  To put that in proper context, most software companies are on a quarterly or 1/2 yearly deployment schedule. 
We've done five separate deploys in the last 10 days alone, so I thought it would be beneficial to do a high level overview of the different products and services available on ActiveRain, while focusing on our core business components.
1. Blogging:  There is a … (102 comments)

Kapolei Knolls homes - 12:25 PM
I recently spent a few days looking at homes with customers in Kapolei Knolls.  Homes at Kapolei Knolls were developed by D.R. Horton. 
This is a newer neighborhood by Hawaii standards, many of the homes for sale are just a few years old.  Homes here average about 2,000 square feet interior with about 5,800 square foot lots.  Kapolei Knolls is a great place for large families that desire modern homes.
Another interesting factor is the pricing.  Many of the homes in Kapolei Knolls for sale now are listed for substantially less than what the owners paid for them.  It's not uncommon to see owners losing $150,000-$200,000 … (2 comments)

Shut Up I'm Wearing My Rose Colored Glasses-Do You Need A Pair? - 08:54 AM

 
There are days where I just want to scream, SHUT UP! 
That's right...Shut Up and listen to yourself...
Rather than complain about everything wrong on the planet....  take a minute and listen to what messages you send!  I know many people like this...and they don't realize...the cause and effect that occurs! 
It's like a disease...spreading...infecting...and the next thing you know...someone else is joining in the conversation!
Yesterday while going through my email...a question was posed to me....Should I stay or should I go now?
My response was..don't listen to others if the company and it's programs are working for … (21 comments)

WILLOW BROOK DR - 4 bedroom/2 1/2 bath home for sale - 08:19 AM
This 1578 sq foot 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home features a stone entryway leading you into the open floor plan living room area.
These homes are centrally located, and will appeal to those wanting to be near the military bases, hospitals, shopping, and the area's top rated schools.
For additional photos, pricing and more information, please view the listing
Contact Wanda directly (850) 596-1205 for information on this or other Panama City homes for sale.
I have buyers looking for homes - So sellers if you've been considering selling your home - contact me today for a free no obligation … (0 comments)

My Tacoma Haiku - 01:30 AM

Tacoma beaversrunning amuck on the streetsflat tailed vandals all
… (3 comments)

Cooperation Does Not Equal Compensation - 09:36 AM
Last week, I sat in the Professional Standards & Grievance Committee training class as everyone on the committee in their respective states must now retake the class every year instead of every two years.  Seven hours of more roll playing...
I guess they make us take it so often because even though you go over the same stuff over and over again, every once in a while, something new sticks in your head.  I had that experience last week.
Cooperation verse Compensation.  Did you realize those are two different things?
You can agree to Cooperation with another broker allowing them to … (31 comments)

Mirabella In Palm Beach Gardens - 04:30 PM
Mirabella In MirasolMirabella is a gated community located in Palm Beach Gardens. Here you will find homes built by Kenco, and spectacular amenities. Along with its peaceful environment, it has a great location and beautiful houses.    With your wishes in mind, these homes have been built with exquisite passion and amazing styles. Choose the best for you from 12 diverse floor plans. Some offer large patios, and panoramic lake views.     Although its location is convenient to the Gardens Mall, Palm Beach International Airport, and the beautiful Florida Beaches; there's a lot to do inside the neighborhood. Enjoy the heated swimming pool, … (0 comments)

New Active Rain Menu Bar - 07:34 AM
I like the new Active Rain menu bar.  Looks good.  I think this one's a keeper, guys.

 
P.S.  And even more important the navigtation links all work.  Even on customized blogs (at least all the ones I tried)  :-)
… (10 comments)

A cry for help!!! - 06:24 PM
OK folks. I need help and I need it bad. I'm looking for a few good Buyer agents that want to work. No part timers. Full time agents with technology skills. I have leads. Lots of leads.
I'm losing business because I can't get to them all. But Broker Bryant how many leads can you possibly have? Well let's see........yesterday alone I received 53 international buyer leads!!!!
On an average I'm getting from 10-20 buyer leads a day and I expect that number to rise quickly. Being that they are International buyers they do take some time to germinate and hopefully … (42 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - 07:24 AM

… (16 comments)

Growth Leader Yields 3 Real Phone Numbers but No Go Buyers - 09:35 AM

 
 
 
 
As an initial beta tester for Growth Leader I've been excited to be asked to participate in this program.  I must admit I've been following up with leads in hopes to report success.  Unfortunately I can only report I do get "leads" but they are one way inquiries that more than often don't provide adequate contact information.
OK now admittedly we all know internet leads are less than forthcoming with information.  It is understood they typically need extra time to incubate. In reality, we don't know what they are looking for and if in fact they … (12 comments)

January 2009 Housing Market - 04:37 PM
Buyers are in the catbird seat again this month, that is, if they can get a mortgage. Prices take a slide but credit is still tight even though rates are the best they've been in awhile.It's too early to tell, but Denver's real estate market may be showing signs of life. More homes sold in December than sold either in December of 2007 or in November 2008. The uptick over 2007 was slight, just .47%, But the gain over November was a surprising 10.75%. For single family homes the mix of sold properties was evenly split between homes selling under $200,000 … (1 comments)

Can An Unpermitted Addition Count in Your Heated Square Footage? - 08:47 PM
I was recently asked by a client if an unpermitted addition can count in your heated square footage.  I thought this was an excellent question so I sought out the answer from a local, trusted appraiser, Shannon Julian. 
In my State, North Carolina, the Real Estate Commission's position is that, "unless the upgrade is"legal," any additional square footage as a result of an illegal addition can not be listed in the MLS as heated square footage.
In contrast, the North Carolina Appraisal Board takes the position that, "if the additional square footage still results in zoning compliance, the square footage can … (7 comments)

We are Now Certified Distressed Property Experts (CPDE) !!!! - 05:51 PM
 

    Today we completed an intensive course in better serving real estate sellers in Southeastern Wisconsin as Short Sale Specialists...now with this designation. ...a Certified Distressed Property Expert.  We flew from Wisconsin to Palm Beach, Florida and spent the last several days learning and studying to further be able to help sellers who are upside down with the mortgages through some hardship and no fault of their own. All of the 80+ realtors who were a part of this training were there and paid their way from various parts of the country because we all care....care about saving home … (5 comments)

An Appraiser Called..... - 07:12 PM
 
 
The other day I got a call from an appraiser....she wanted to know why I would price a"perfectly good" property that had closed recently for a little OVER ASKING as I did.....all the other homes in the area had been $20,000 or more than our listing had been listed for...for what appeared to be fewer updates, worse condition, etc. I asked her to look at the days on market....."Oh....your listing sold MUCH faster !" No...it wasn't a short sale...or a foreclosure...it was a home in good condition...that we staged, had freshly painted, had "all dressed up and ready to … (2 comments)

1500 Points: 1 Week Left & a Big (green) Thumbs-up for the JANUARY CHALLENGE... - 08:53 PM
I want to help call attention to this contest. The people who have donated their talents and time to creating these designs have given much already. Perhaps you can come up with a reason they need share with your community as well. Whether you can or not, I'd like to encourage you to contribute to the House that Active Rain Built at Make It Right Giving is the best way to get back so if you want to convince Brad Pitt to share the design wealth, helping the AR community build one of the houses there in New Orleans might be persuasive.
Via Asheville's GREEN … (0 comments)

What's In a Name? and A Reminder about NATIONAL HUGGING DAY - TODAY!!! - 09:12 PM
Recently, I've been noticing that bloggers misspell names! One of my pet peeves (I've shared another one or two this past week) is misspelling "my" name. Because it bothers "me," then I'm particularly careful about looking at the name (right there before my eyes) and making sure I respond back with the correct spelling! I know, I know....but if you don't pay attention to those little details, what about your client's names when you put them on a contract? Our names are important to us for many reasons, and our clients feel the same way...SPELL THEIR NAMES CORRECTLY!
Just a little … (29 comments)

Montgomery Among Top Best Performing Cities - 01:27 PM
Montgomery Among Top Best Performing Cities
Amidst the gloom and doom, there's some good news to report about metro Montgomery. Among large metro areas, Montgomery ranked 38 in the Best Performing Cities in 2008 survey conducted by the Milken Institute/Greenstreet Real Estate Partners. The Best Performing Cities ranking depicts those U.S. metropolitan areas that are recording the top economic performance.Cities were ranked according to how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. The ranking depicts those U.S. metropolitan areas that are recording the top economic performance for wage and salary growth.Nationally, Montgomery ranked #38 in wage and salary growth for 2008, moving up from … (0 comments)

Morning in America - 05:34 PM
I watch every inauguration because I'm a pomp and circumstance freak. But as I watched history unfold with millions of other Americans yesterday, I couldn't help but be awestruck by the occasion on so many levels.
Watching the sea of Americans on the Mall witnessing history made me wish I was there, and reminded me of an earlier family trip we made to Washington DC.
Besides the many monuments we visited, Arlington National Cemetary was our destination on Memorial Day where President Clinton was to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns and give the annual address. … (8 comments)

Get Set for the 27th Plymouth MI Ice Sculpture Spectacular - 10:54 PM
If it's going to stay as cold as it is this year, we might as well enjoy an event that celebrates it. The Plymouth MI Ice Sculpture Spectacular comes to Kellogg Park in Downtown Plymouth this weekend.
Starting at Noon on Friday, January 27th and running through Sunday, January 29th, the event features ice carvers from local high schools, colleges, and professionals from around the United States and some from as far away as Japan.
Over 100 sculptures are expected to be carved, mostly from single blocks of ice weighing over 300 pounds. Several sculptures will be constructed using between … (2 comments)

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