Archives of real estate blog entries for October 20, 2009

Featured blog posts


10 Commandments Home Buyers Must Follow - 06:55 AM
These 10 Commandments home buyers must follow may seem like common sense to many. Buyers, however, can sometimes forget with all the excitement surrounding the buying of their new home. In the past couple of weeks, I have heard of two separate buyers who saw their home loan turned down, and their dream shattered, a few days before closing because they had bought furniture for their new home before it actually became their home. Both of them now have beautiful furniture with no home to put them in.
These two buyers were not my clients but it always hurts when I … (102 comments)

It really IS all about the database . . . - 06:39 AM
We've just brought in a few new associates who have Super-Star potential.
I honestly believe that EVERY person has Super Star potential in whatever they do . . .
as long as they understand that business is not a solo adventure.
You gotta build a strong TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) to get to the top.
In this economic environment, your ability to build a strong TEAM while likely define your ability to survive.
Building a team begins with building a database.
Each new agent I coach is sticking a toe in the water with a measure of trepidation aware of … (52 comments)

I Want to Start a Business Networking Group - 04:00 PM
Can I get some help from the experts?  I want to start a networking group.  So far, it's just me and my lender.  We want to meet once a week and have one person per profession, like some of the business networking groups that charge the high fees.  What other professions are common in these groups (finance managers, insurance agents, title agents, painters, seamstress, ...)?  Do they work better as breakfast meetings, or lunch?  Any and all tips and information is welcomed!  I think my biggest challenge is knowing where to get the people to join. 
… (31 comments)

How to get buyers off the fence in today's market - 12:26 PM
Many Realtors around the country are facing the same problem - how to get buyers off the fence and commit to buying a home!
I have had more luck recently conceding that prices may in fact keep dropping a little, but am able to show my clients why it can still make sense to buy now!  For example, stock brokers quit aspiring to help you buy low and sell high since they were always getting beat up for not buying at the lowest and selling at the highest!  They started telling their clients to just "buy now and sell higher later" … (29 comments)

WA Real Estate License Law Changes on the Horizon... - 05:12 PM
WA Real Estate license law changes are on the horizon. On July 1, 2010, will bring about significant changes in license law for all real estate licensees in Washington. The three most significant are education, change in names and fingerprinting and back ground checks.
 
New licensees will be required to obtain 90 clock hours prior to taking the state exam..They will also be required to take 90 clock hours before their first renewal. Those candidates wishing to complete clock hours so they will be able to be a designated broker, branch manager or office manager will no longer be required … (35 comments)

Get a Listing from Everyone You Meet - Part 2 - 11:53 PM
A common technique shared with job seekers is to prepare a 30 second commercial about themselves.  When they make a job call or meet someone they know, they are encouraged to work in the commercial as it give more insight them than saying, "Hi, I am John Jones. I have a degree. Please hire me."
As agents, sometimes we list all our credentials on our websites and flyers without really convincing anyone that we are the best agent for the job!
However, as a knowledgeable expert, you embody just what the name implies. You are more than your written credentials.  You … (42 comments)

I Had a Big Week for ActiveRain Results! - 09:24 PM
Over the past week or two, I had two referrals from my friends here at ActiveRain, AND one of the biggest closings we've had in months.  The closing came from a consumer who found my blog months ago and became a "fan".  He liked what I had to say about the area where I live so much that he and his wife bought a place about 3 minutes from my home.
One of the referrals, from my friend Trey Thurmond in College Station, was a listing that went under contract after four days!  The other referral is from Steve Shatsky in … (112 comments)

Previewing The New Good Faith Estimate - 04:08 PM

The new Good Faith Estimate makes its debut January 1, 2010.
Expanded from 1page to 3, the legislators responsible for the new Good Faith Estimate want it to be simpler for homeowners and home buyers to understand than the former version.
By most accounts, Congress will meet this goal. 
The new Good Faith Estimate includes plain-English explanations of every fee, charge, and interest payment involved in a purchase or refinance.  It also includes a section called "The Shopping Cart" in which applicants can compare lenders.
The new Good Faith Estimate is concise, too.  Using a series of "Yes/No" checkboxes on … (15 comments)

Improve Your Writing For The Web - 03:37 PM
If you are blogging, writing web pages for your websites, or engaging people online, it's very important to understand how people read the web. The #1 reason people won't read your information is because you aren't telling it correctly. Here are some tips to help you get more readership and increase your effectiveness on the web. 

Get To The Point With Scannable Writing
I myself struggle with this a lot, and no matter how hard I try, it seems I want to add more words where they aren't necessary. What's my point? Ha! 
Be precise, get to the point quick, and explain later. 
… (70 comments)

It's Official! We're Holding A Virtual Real Estate BarCamp On November 17th - 10:55 AM
Some said we were crazy, but no one said it was a bad idea.
On November 17th from 9AM until 4PM PSTwe will be holding the first of its kind,Virtual Real Estate BarCamp. What is it?
In place of a rented venue, we'll be holding the event online. In place of break-out sessions in rooms, we'll we have simultaneous webinars, all day. In place of the hallways, we will be chatting on Twitter, Facebook, Backnoise and  TomatoChat. In place of traveling you'll be able to attend from the comfort of your home or office. In place of an impromptu calendar, we will be filling presentation slots all month. Attendance is … (76 comments)

SHORT SALES - KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE GOAL and GET THE DANG HOUSE SOLD! - 05:40 AM
SHORT SALES - KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE GOAL and GET THE DANG HOUSE SOLD!
A little cooperation and communication can make all the difference in getting Short Sales SOLD. 
Inspired by an article posted this a.m. "I'm Not Rude, You're Just Lazy". 
COMMENTS IN AGENT/BROKER REMARKS:
Do not call listing agent.  Fax offer to XXX-XXX-XXXX.  Earnest money to be held by listing broker.   
This is the essence of so many Agent Remarks that are one of the causes of Short Sales sitting and sitting and sitting. 
WHO IS THE CLIENT OF THE LISTING BROKER?  The client is NOT the owner's mortgage company.  The client … (101 comments)

Beacon's Reach in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina - 01:33 PM
Beacon's Reach in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina is not just property, but a Lifestyle
In 1953, Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. and her four children inherited a large piece of property that is now know as the Roosevelt Natural Area. The Roosevelts developed a plan for a town that would preseve the natural beauty of the area, Pine Knoll Shores. 
Beacon's Reach development began in 1978 on a couple hundred acres, just to the west of the Roosevelt Natural Area.  Sticking with the plan developed by the Roosevelts, Condos were constructed along landscaped trails and surrounded by Live Oak trees, saving … (12 comments)

How To Modify A Home Picture To Improve "Curb Appeal" - 05:43 AM
When I say improve curb appeal I do not mean
Altering featutres of the home or Adding and deleting plants, trees, high tension lines or anything else that would be deceptive. However, I take photos on cloudy or rainy days - my schedule does not give me the luxury to only take photos of homes on sunny days with a beautiful blue sky filled with clouds.  The photo below is a prime example - the row of town homes appears as bleak as the day the photo was taken.  They certainly will not enhance the appearance of an MLS entry or a … (55 comments)

A New Reason to Blog - 06:14 PM
I started blogging several months ago with the sole intent of moving up in Google's rankings. Clear and simple. No other reason. Nada pero esta (did I say that right?). Looking for leads.
I get a lot of raw leads, mostly sign calls. I like to refer to them as hit & runs. They call because they are sitting in the car in front of the house and they want to know how much it is. Let me say up front that I am NOT a sales person. In fact, I truly suck at selling. And that includes selling myself as … (83 comments)

You are NOT the boss of me! - 09:45 AM
I am the fifth child in a family of ten siblings.  A perfect training ground for getting along well with others. 
My best buddy growing up was my younger brother, Henry.  He was one year younger but we were more like twins.  I was a tomboy and the two of us explored, played and got into trouble together.  We live in different states now but I still count on him when I need help.
Since I'm a year older, I always felt that he should defer to me.  He, on the other hand, being male and bigger than me, thought he … (44 comments)

Do You Take it Personally or Professionally ? - 06:34 AM
    When you elect to become a part of a community like Active Rain or blog anywhere that is a forum that allows comments...that is what you open yourself up to receiving. You hope (or I did/do) that there is a level of professionalism that will come with the members/readers/bloggers in the forum you have chosen.
   You don't get to choose the level....you can only hope.  You hope that if people choose to use comments and the re-blogging feature....that they will use it constructively......and respectfully....what I would define as professionally.  You can hope....But reality sometimes dictates that you have to … (82 comments)


Blog posts


But would we have Disneyland? - 12:43 PM
Think we don't need government help interfering with real estate?  It's not all bad!
Via Greg Cook (First Time Home Buyer Network):
Over the last few months the subject of government involvement in the real estate business has been debated on Active Rain at great length (talk about an understatement), and I don't expect to change the views or opinions who think that all government involvement in the Real Estate business has been a disaster.  
But, the fact is "it's just not true!", but what is true is the government has been successfully involved in the real estate business for more than 70 … (0 comments)

My New Outside Blog is up and running! - 01:55 PM
After days on end of tech issues, my new blog consumer blog about Lancaster Pa Life and Homes is up and running!  It will have regular real estate reports, trend analysis, news and information concerning the market conditions locally and nationwide, as well as guest columnists writing about helpful tips for homeowners!
Check it out at www.TheLancasterConnection.com and if you like what you see, subscribe, comment and forward to your friends!
… (3 comments)

Building a Strong Internet Presence by Blogging - Real Topics that Drive Traffic and Generate Leads - 10:41 AM
This is such a good article that I had to add it to my own blog.
Here Ryan, the author, does a great job of analyzing his own blog writing for the past year and looks at the different types of articles he has written.  Some he tells us bring lots of comments while some of his most profitable blogs (commissions earned) never receive a comment at all.If you have any questions about blogging...why we do it or how to get started, please take a few minutes and allow this post to resonant with your blogging being...
 

Via Ryan … (8 comments)

Good Mood Blogger Contest ! Please Support ME, AR AND ALL! Love, Bloggy-Anna! - 11:26 PM
OK Bloggers...we have been called into action once again to help one of our own.Apparently there is a "Happy Blogger" contest being sponsored by a Vitamin Company and one of our own ActiveRain Bloggers needs some votes - up to 1 a day for the next few days...so come on, click the link below...its easy and painless...
Via Candice A Donofrio, Broker Fort Mohave, AZ Txt 928-201-4242 :
For those who don't know, I entered the Good Mood Blogger Contest.
I've written professionally for two decades. I have written astrology (yes, I'm a trained astrologer) for many publications and have been on the … (2 comments)

Discovery Bay Housing Market Report for September 2009 - 01:48 PM
Discovery Bay Housing Market Report for September 2009.
This Discovery Bay Housing Market Report focuses on Home Sales in Discovery Bay California in September 2009 and compare them to sales in August 2009. It also provides information on Homes Currently for Sale in Discovery Bay California. This Discovery Bay Housing Market Report are based on Single Family Homes and taken from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) on October 12, 2009.
Contrary to popular belief Prices in East Contra Costa County continue to head up in each and every community. If the number of sales is down it is because there are … (0 comments)

In Search of the Elusive Blue Pumpkin - 02:20 PM
In Search of the Elusive Blue Pumpkin!
Last week I wrote about Blue Pumpkins and how great they are for cooking.  Some people thought I was joking.  Well Sunday I hauled my Five Pumpkins off to the Pumpkin Patch.  The farm on Clayton Valley Road is currently in it's Pumpkin Patch mode before being turned into the Christmas Tree Farm.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The boys got to play in the Hay Maze, the Bean Pools (Giant Plastic Tubs filled with Beans) and do rubber duck races at the water pumps.  The littler boys went on the … (5 comments)

Brentwood Short Sale Homes for September 2009 - 04:37 PM
Brentwood Short Sale Homes for September 2009.
This Brentwood Short Sale Homes Report focuses on Short Sale Home Sales in Brentwood California in September 2009 and Active Short Sales. If you think you might need to Short Sale Your Home or if you are considering Buying a Short Sale this in formation is for you.
If you thinking of Buying a Short Sale Home you can get our Free Report Fifteen Facts about Buying a Short Sale Home.  Or if you might need to Sell Your Home in a Short Sale you can get our Free Report Nineteen Things You Need … (0 comments)

Tax Strategies – Real Estate Investing – Part 14C - The 1031 Exchange I - 06:09 PM
Tax Strategies – Real Estate Investing – Part 14C - The 1031 Exchange I
This is Part 14 of my Real Estate Investing Series. You can view the first 13 Parts here:
Are you planning for your Future? Real Estate Investing – Part 1
Starting at Home! Real Estate Investing – Part 2
Maintain Your Leverage! Real Estate Investing – Part 3
Picking Your Investment Property – Real Estate Investing – Part 4
Location * Location * Location – Real Estate Investing – Part 5
Cash Flow Analysis – Real Estate Investing – Part 6 A
Cash Flow Analysis – Real … (1 comments)

City of Bee Cave TX - Bee Cave Central Park - Finally Opened! - 09:09 AM
The City of Bee Cave TX finally opened their long-awaited Bee Cave Central Park.  Bee Cave's park was actually completed several months ago, but because of the drought in the area, the City of Bee Cave decided to postpone the opening. They wanted to allot enough time for the grass to grow in and the trees to take root so it wasn't very muddy.

 

Just in time for this past weekend, the City of Bee Cave made it happen!!  For the occasion, my mom's group of friends decided to have a playdate at the Bee Cave Central Park.  … (8 comments)

Why Are you Marketing Your Broker's Company and not Yourself? - 04:52 PM
Why are you marketing your broker's company and not yourself?  People join brokerages because something jived at the moment, and they liked the company.  A year or five or ten later, you jive with another company and decide to make a switch. Is it easy to start over with another company?  It should be.  Why is it so hard for many people?  Because they always branded their company on every marketing thing they did instead of branding themselves. I'm with RE/MAX.  I can wake up tomorrow and decide not to be with RE/MAX because I brand myself and my website, www.DonnaHomes.com.  … (56 comments)

Three million pink slips sent to Congress! - 07:19 AM
 
As I write this at 8am on Tuesday 20 October, 2009, some THREE MILLION pink slips have been sent to members of Congress individually addressed, personalized with senders name and address and delivered to all members of Congress by Fed Ex.
Three million after just THREE WEEKS since the campaign started.
The idea was conceived by Janet Porter of Faith2Action and a WND weekly columnist. "They didn't listen to the Tea Parties and the Town Halls; maybe they'll start listening when they're tripping over boxes of Pink Slips and stacking them from floor to ceiling!" she said
"We need to … (25 comments)

It's Official! We're Holding A Virtual Real Estate BarCamp On November 17th - 10:55 AM
Some said we were crazy, but no one said it was a bad idea.
On November 17th from 9AM until 4PM PSTwe will be holding the first of its kind,Virtual Real Estate BarCamp. What is it?
In place of a rented venue, we'll be holding the event online. In place of break-out sessions in rooms, we'll we have simultaneous webinars, all day. In place of the hallways, we will be chatting on Twitter, Facebook, Backnoise and  TomatoChat. In place of traveling you'll be able to attend from the comfort of your home or office. In place of an impromptu calendar, we will be filling presentation slots all month. Attendance is … (76 comments)

Day 65: 100 Days of Central Mass Features Harrington Memorial Hospital - 11:23 PM
 100 DAYS OF CENTRAL MASS FEATURES HARRINGTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Located in South Central Massachusetts in the city of Southbridge is Harrington Memorial Hospital.  Harrington is a non-profit institution that opened it's doors in 1931.  The hospital provides healthcare to 17 towns in South Central Mass and parts of Connecticut and about 350 square miles.  Harrington Memorial strives to provide outstanding care and seeks donations from the community to expand and grow.  This modern facility now has 113 beds. 
Their Mission Statement:
The mission of the Hospital is to provide high quality healthcare services to our patients in a safe environment and … (0 comments)

Google Wave Collaboration - 06:44 AM
Here's a link to an post on Integral Web Solutions
 {{ http://www.stumbleupon.com/s/#8mPuGH/www.integralwebsolutions.co.za/Blog/EntryId/421/Google-Wave-collaboration-on-steroids.aspx/ }}
that does a good job of explaining what can be done with Wave. 
Then, on the other hand, if you'd prefer a video demonstration, there is this:
(Warning:  Keep in mind this Pulp Fiction satirical video features "adult language" and is not exactly "safe for work" (SFW) )
 
… (2 comments)

Florida REALTORS(R) needed!! - 03:41 PM

Are you an experienced REALTOR(R) looking for change? Are you tired of going to the office? Are you wanting to step into the exciting new world of WEB.2 technology? Are you looking for a way to generate leads and substantial income while working from your home office? Are you looking for a Broker who's available to answer your questions and help you become the best that you can be? Are you looking for individual coaching and training designed to fit your personal needs? Are you wanting a compensation plan that makes YOU money? If you answered YES to any of … (14 comments)

I am teaching about Blogging/ActiveRain tomorrow!!!!!! - 07:31 PM
Hello friends,
I am teaching the fellow Realtors in my office about Blogging with a great deal of coverage on ActiveRain!! This is the second lunch and learn series I have done for my office with my first class on Facebook being a huge success.
 
Wish me Luck!!!!!!!!!
… (5 comments)

Santa Cruz not going up in smoke- Smoking ban in effect - 09:40 PM
Santa Cruz has like many cities always had a healthy ideal, but getting everyone on the same page is difficult. Many know they should quit or not do things, but do so anyway.
So in SANTA CRUZ, Calif., starting Monday, a new smoking ban goes into effect that is fairly tough.
Smokers won't be allowed to light up within 25 feet of doors and windows of public buildings. - No smoking on the following streets: Pacific ( this is the Pacific Garden Mall), Beach street( by the boardwalk), and West Cliff as well as the wharf, parks, and outside dining. This … (2 comments)

90 second "Lightning Round" of home selling tips - 08:06 AM
All of us have probably at one time or another watched one of those TV game shows that feature a “Lightning Round” of fast paced questions.
I applied that concept to selling your Knoxville area house with a 90 second “Lightning Round” of tips to make it more appealing to potential buyers and bring a higher price.


Read more great "Lighting Round" home selling tips at Knoxville, Tennesse Real Estate Blog.
… (3 comments)

Do You Take it Personally or Professionally ? - 06:34 AM
    When you elect to become a part of a community like Active Rain or blog anywhere that is a forum that allows comments...that is what you open yourself up to receiving. You hope (or I did/do) that there is a level of professionalism that will come with the members/readers/bloggers in the forum you have chosen.
   You don't get to choose the level....you can only hope.  You hope that if people choose to use comments and the re-blogging feature....that they will use it constructively......and respectfully....what I would define as professionally.  You can hope....But reality sometimes dictates that you have to … (82 comments)

10 Commandments Home Buyers Must Follow - 07:04 AM
This is a great list that all buyers should use....and one in the excitement of the moment that it's easy to forget....all things in good time...Have a good time buying that new house !  - Hansons Both
Via Dr. Chantal Saucier (Keller Williams Realty Acadiana):
These 10 Commandments home buyers must follow may seem like common sense to many. Buyers, however, can sometimes forget with all the excitement surrounding the buying of their new home. In the past couple of weeks, I have heard of two separate buyers who saw their home loan turned down, and their dream shattered, a few days before … (8 comments)

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