Archives of real estate blog entries for January 31, 2009 (Page 6)

Blog posts


Things aren't always as they seem - 07:02 PM
 
I was just 'introduced' to a new real estate agent in Canada by an AR friend of mine, Liz Moras.  Her name is Jennifer Beckstrom, and below is her first post on ActiveRain.  Does she have potential, or what!?!?!  I hope you enjoy her story as much as I did.   :)

 
Via Jennifer Beckstrom - Realtor Keller Williams Valley Realty (Abbotsford and Mission):
Ah the other day, my boyfriend Brendan and I were out walking our dog, Belle out by Ruskin Lake, Mission. The snow was melting away, but the path still had about 6 inches of snow! Now it … (3 comments)

Missouri Bond Money - First time Home Buyers changes to the MHDC Bond program 1st half of 2009 - 11:54 PM
There is alot of confusion and alot of changes to this program for the first part of 2009 and I thought I would update this program here.  MHDC has rolled out a program called TCAL or the Tax Cash assistance Loan financing option.  This option allows first time  home buyers that would normally receive a bond grant - get an advance on the IRS loan that first time home buyers qualify for under the stimulus package that was passed in 2008.
First time home buyers that have purchased a home have the ability to get a tax credit Loan for up … (0 comments)

Truth or Dare? Time for the truth! - 07:27 PM
Truth or Dare!  Ever play that game?  Well it has come time for the TRUTH! 
The West Michigan market has seen it's share of "Short Sale" and "Foreclosure" homes with some bargain priced and others less of a value because of the extensive repairs needed to bring them back to a livable home.
I have buyers that entrusted their faith in me and my knowledge as a HUD broker.  I have agents within my company that list "Bank Owned" and "Short Sale" properties.  I list and sell "Short Sale" properties myself...which means knowledge and understanding of client situations and the knowledge … (54 comments)

ALERT ~ Protect Yourself - 10:59 AM
 
… (4 comments)

Smelly Mail - 02:03 PM
 
… (20 comments)

SEO Testimonial from a recent article I wrote... - 06:15 PM
I recently put together a bunch of info about the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit and included the IRS form to submit along with your tax return.
I just got an email that I have copied below.... It speaks for itself. 
 
 
 
THANK YOU!!!!!! For days I have been attempting to find out how to claim the tax credit for the house I purchased in December. Using the "freedom" turbo tax on-line service does not prompt one to answer a query regarding a recent home purchase. Reading through the 1040 form does not either.   After being placed … (8 comments)

Amherst NH area 2008 market performance - 05:35 PM
The housing market in the Amherst NH area was down in 2008. The market saw some stabilization at the beginning of 2008 through summer. Not to say the market was good, but at least prices were not falling drastically.
Sold prices in the area were flat, the asking price to sell price ratio was stable, days on market was stable. All good signs of the market perhaps getting some support and getting some balance.
 
Unfortunately, late 2008 brought more bad news for the economy.  Job losses and news that American auto manufacturers were in deep trouble seems to have triggered … (0 comments)

8 New Ways To Get Leads - 04:11 PM
(This article was published in RIS Media this morning, but without the links.  Thought you'd like the links to get places.)
 
8 News Ways to Get Leads
 
I decided that this week the best thing I could do for you would be to offer you new ways to acquire leads.  Hopefully, you'll get at least one new idea from this article to help your business. ActiveRain If you're blogging, then kudos for you!  But are you getting the most you can out of your blogging?  There are benefits to where you blog.  Blogging on your own site is great … (38 comments)

Highlands Ranch CO Homes sales - under $300,000 - 02:23 PM
Homes for sale in Highlands Ranch CO - activity  under $300,000There is enormous amount of activity in Highlands Ranch CO for homes priced under $300,000. Currently there are 144 homes for sale in Highlands Ranch below $300,000. There are 54 homes under contract / sale pending in this price range!In Dec. 2008 and in Jan. 2009 a total of 42 homes sold in Highlands Ranch for under $300,000. The average days on the market was 75 days, but that number is a bit misleading. The days on the market was actually less - for "regular" sales. There were a few short … (0 comments)

Growth Leader by Market Leader - Week 2 - 10:28 PM
Week 2 of the Growth Leader.This week we managed to get the Vision online class completed. The class presenter from Market Leader was very good. She obviously knew what she was talking about and what the idea of the whole concept is. They have studied what makes people sign in, look at listings, etc. etc. So even if some things don't make sense to the agents or the agents would like things different - we understand that there is a reason for things being the way that they are. So lets go with it.This week our area was sorted out and … (3 comments)

It's ALL in the Processing - 03:14 PM
I have had a "short sale" on the market since September. In December I found the sweet spot for listing price and got 3 offers. Followed the instructions to a T and submitted the offers.
Right away, Wells Fargo sent out 2 Realtors to get 2 BPO's (Broker Price Opinions)completed.
They were going to work with the best offer and told me not to send over anymore offers unless they were better.
The processor was fabulous, she emailed us right away, called me once a week to give me updates, I was thrilled.
The buyer agent who brought the offer … (99 comments)

Do we really need all these phone books? - 12:23 PM
 
 When is the last time most of us have used a paper phone book? If you do, fine, but for those of us that do not, we should not be forced to take a new one every few months. I just put them in the recycle bin, but the energy to make these books need never have been used up and wasted in the first place!
Here is a great question. "Why do we get three to four pounds of paper dropped on our front door, four to six times per year, by various telephone directory companies and how are we … (13 comments)

Characteristics of Top Producers. - 01:40 AM
Most top producers share important traits that would be beneficial for each of us to emulate.
1. Planning/Vision:  Most top producers take a long-term approach to their career.  These long term plans include written business plans with specific marketing objectives and tasks.  Along with this it is important to have a long-term perspective, this is not a get rich quick business.  It is important to remember that as people leave this business there is a portion of market share to be picked up by someone.
Another part of this planning and vision is the fine tuning and ongoing evaluation of what … (7 comments)

Social Media - 03:26 AM
So I have been trying to set up my facebook page and get it the way that I would like it to be, and I have noticed that I know a lot of people both in and out of the Real Estate industry.  This is a good thing, although I am thinking that I have joined too many things because my Blackberry never seems to quit buzzing with all the new emails generated from Facebook.  I am afraid that I will become too casual when that happens and may ignore something that is important, I mean that would directly generate income.
… (2 comments)

Who is Protecting the Geese and Ducks in William Land Park? - 10:02 AM
Poaching, theft and senseless cruelty against our geese and ducks in Land Park has been going on for a long time now, but it seems to be getting worse. Residents are reporting that more fowl are disappearing or they're finding them with broken necks. It's not just happening in Land Park, either, but seems to be fairly common in East Sacramento's McKinley Park and along the waterways in the Pocket.
The Sacramento City Parks and Recreation Department has put up warning signs, but the activity continues. Please, residents of Land Park, McKinley and Pocket, and visitors to our parks, please call … (13 comments)

Listing Router: Will Somebody Please Just Poke Two Fingers in My Eyes? - 10:55 PM
Today I took the advice of Jo Soss in Bremerton, Washington, and I upgraded my outside blog: Land Park Blog. She said: Just Do It.
Maybe it's my age, but until I get comfortable using a new online tool, I seem to struggle with it. The site looks OK, but I have unanswered questions.
Well, I found a few answers about the Listing Router, but I still don't understand it. Doesn't mean I didn't sign up for it, though. Yeah, I'll just throw $50 up in the air and hope it lands somewhere profitable.
It seems that if a visitor lands … (20 comments)

Freddie Mac offers more relief for homeowners and tenants in trouble - 07:55 PM
The agency is making life easier for mortgage borrowers and tenants facing foreclosure evictions. It has had its problems lately, including being taken over by the government last year because its portfolio of home loans was collapsing under failing mortgage paper, but is now making pro-active decisions to help out the severely challenged real estate market. They are pitching in. Looks like the new management team understands well what the word responsibility means.
The current eviction order suspension would expire today, January 31, 2009, but now it runs up to the end of February, 2009, as was announced by the agency. … (4 comments)

FAQ ~ Blogger's Choice Group: What You Always Wanted to Know But Didn't Know Where to Ask. - 10:43 PM



What is the Purpose of the Blogger's Choice Group?
Blogger's Choice Group has been formed to highlight Blog Posts that are NOT Featured on the Active Rain Network Blog dashboard but which You feel are Significant, Important, Interesting, Well Written & an Example of A Good Blog Post.  
As the Active Rain Network experiences continued phenomenal growth, the task of evaluating all the posts is expanding.  We recognize & applaud the hard work of the Active Rain Moderators in reading hundreds of posts each day & having to determine which posts to select.  They do a phenomenal job!  
However, the reality … (5 comments)

Empowering the Blogger! Blogger's Choice...Where You Make the Selection! - 11:00 PM
Where can you find an Abundant Supply of Quality Content?
What's the "Secret Hangout" for many of Activerain's most prolific Bloggers?
Is it Possible to Get a 'Second Chance' Feature on a worthy post?
You'll find the answer to ALL these Questions here...

A BRIEF UPDATE:
Bloggers' Choice is a group that is almost 2 Years Old!  Today, the group features almost 300 members.  Midori Miller is the Group's popular moderator and Lola Audu, the Group Founder. 
It's a place that many enjoy visiting.  For one thing, it's a drama free environment in which you can enjoy incredible posts which … (10 comments)

Chicago's Chill - 12:55 PM
As most of you know, most of my decisions are made between the hours of 2 and 3 o'clock in the morning.  Pad and pen right on my night stand.  Last night I thought about how chilly Chicago has been.  You see, I love walking but this chill is clinging to my bones and so I took it to bed with me.
What tripped this post was one of my clients had a gas bill of $442.46 for the month of January.  Two months ago I had told her that I thought I smelled gas in the basement by the meter and … (6 comments)

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