Archives of real estate blog entries for October 29, 2009 (Page 8)

Blog posts


Being a Mom lets me be a Realtor(R) too! - 11:17 AM
The power of being self-employed gave me the abundance of opportunity to take so much presence in my son's life. This morning, we have Halloween at school and I got to be there because I could determine my schedule.
Had I continue to work in my corporate job as Business Development/ Structural Engineer, I wouldn't be able to be there for my son. To watch him thrive and to celebrate how far he's come.
Every day, I take him to school at 9am and my life starts right after drop-off. I learnt to work very efficiently, making sure I take care … (21 comments)

NAR UPDATE ON TAX CREDIT - 04:59 PM
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) sent the following update this morning regarding the extension and expansion of the $8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit being debated in Congress right now:
 
"We've heard from a lot of you this morning that saw news reports about the tax credit. The bottom line is that nothing has been voted on at this time.
 
Senate leaders of both parties, key Senate Finance Committee members and staff and Tax Credit Sponsors Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) have agreed on extending and expanding the housing tax credit.
… (2 comments)

Proof! Bank of America IS Streamlining Short Sales... I Have PROOF! - 08:04 AM
 
Short Sales In Maryland 
Great news for Bank Of America Short Sales.
We had a hard time negotiation these short sales with BoA and now there are reports that they are streamlining their short sales!
 
Via Foreclosure Specialist Andy Tolbert (HD Realty/Compass Real Estate Seminars):
A few weeks ago I wrote about the NEW streamlined process on short sales at Bank of America (If you missed it, CLICK HERE)  I also got lots of comments from people that just don't believe it!
Well, today it was confirmed.  We had a buyer fall out on one of my approved shorts and when I contacted BofA for … (6 comments)

Austin Takes the Top Spot for Increased Search Activity for Realtor.com! - 05:16 PM
I am happy to report that our company has been quite busy selling homes lately here in Austin, with the last quarter shaping up very nicely.  In fact, this has probably been the most active season for our company in about two years.
My friend Brian Block, who is a broker in the northern Virginia/D.C area, sent me a link to an interesting and encouraging article from Realtor.com, which states that Austin took the top spot in year-over-year search increase on Realtor.com, with a 91% jump from September 2008 to September 2009.  WOW!  This is clearly very exciting news for us.  Brian … (12 comments)

Using my ActiveRain Blog with Current and Potential Clients - 09:12 PM
I have been here on ActiveRain for two years and two months (sounds a bit like the old Chuck Woolery "2 and 2" quote).  During that time, I have been very pleased to see how many consumers have found my blog.  I've written over 900 posts, and most of those are "public", meaning that they are indexed by Google and the other search engines. 
 
One of my posts, Austin Texas Relocation Package, was the result of a contest that was the brainchild of one of my friends, Adam Waldman, and backed by Bob Stewart.  It has been at the top … (38 comments)

5 Short Tips on Short Sales (video) - 12:50 PM
In the following video Vicki Cox Colder (2009 NAR President-Elect) offers the following five tips on short sales: (1) Reach out to homeowners and be their advocate; (2) Find a HUD-approved credit counseling agency; (3) Read the listing carefully; (4) Educate consumers on length of time required to approve a short sale; (5) Find out whether seller has recourse loan or non-recourse. Worth your while. (More videos from REALTOR® TV: HERE.)


… (1 comments)

Utilizing Blog Post For Clients - 06:13 AM
In order to make better use of the  work that goes into writing a blog, I've been extending those posts into a form that I can store and access from my computer. 
This allows me to make use of them in various ways whether it's an individual post that answers a question for a client or a combination of posts on specific topics. 
I don't store the whole post. 
The first paragraph or so of certain blogs are copied and pasted into forms very similar to a newsletter format.  Each form or page is specific to a topic. … (64 comments)

Short Sale - Executive Custom 4 Bedroom in Batavia, IL - 10:31 PM
Mature landscaping, stucco-like exterior, 2 story family room with fireplace and so much more.  Custom 2 story with 4 bedrooms, full unfinished basement and 3 car garage priced thousands less than other listings due to cosmetic (paint, carpeting), deferred maintenance, and minor repairs.   Hardwood floors in ktichen and 2 story family room.  Huge master bedroom with see thru fireplace.  Great location near major transportation, minutes from major outlet mall, in an established subdivision.

 

 
Call for your personal showing....Dynamic Real Estate Network - 630-896-9999 -
… (2 comments)

Custom 4 Bedroom Executive Home - Short Sale Bargain - Batavia, IL - 11:07 PM
Located in an established neighborhood with other custom homes this 2 story, 4 bedroom home with stucco-like exterior is elegant and contemporary.  Original owners designed a large master bedroom suite with see through fireplace.  The formal living and dining room gives you plenty of formal spaces for entertaining while the 2 story family room with custom fireplace with 2 ceiling fans give you an airy informal space to relax and enjoy the view of your backyard through the 2 story windows.  Large secondary bedrooms, an unfinished basement waiting for your finishing touches - all this with the opportunity to own for … (0 comments)

November Texas Hill Country & Boerne Events - 04:31 PM
Be sure and check out the Free events below plus all the other fun things to do in Boerne.
 
November 7, 14, 21, 28  Honey Creek State Natural Area Guided Tour
November 7      1860 Style Vintage Base Ball - Boerne will host a home tournament called the Veteran's Cup at Herff Farm.  Come out with your family and friends to enjoy a FREE afternoon event of old time baseball.
 
November 13-15       2009 Kid N Ewe Festival  Celebrate the 21st Birthday Party for the Festival at the Kendall County Fairgrounds FREE
November 14            2nd Saturday Art & Wine 5-8 p.m. at the … (2 comments)

Senate Approves Extension of $8,000 Tax Credit - Phoenix Homebuyers Win - 01:46 AM
Senate Approves Extension of $8,000 Tax Credit - Phoenix Homebuyers Win
A report out of Washington DC by the Associated Press just announced that the US Senate has agreed to extend the $8000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers and to offer a reduced credit to certain move-up buyers. The tax credit had been set to expire on November 30. According to AP:
A spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said senators agreed Wednesday to extend the existing tax credit for first-time homebuyers while offering a reduced credit of up to $6,500 to repeat buyers who have owned their current homes for … (12 comments)

For The Dog Lover In All Of Us - 09:00 AM

New Dog Breeds
The following breeds are now recognized by the AKC:Collie + Lhasa Apso = Collapso, a dog that folds up easy for transportingSpitz + Chow Chow = Spitz-Chow, a dog that throws up alotPointer + Setter = Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas petGreat Pyrenees + Dachshund = Pyradachs, a puzzling breedPekingnese + Lhasa Apso = Peekasso, an abstract dogIrish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel = Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle
 
Newfoundland + Basset Hound = Newfound Asset Hound, a dog for financial advisorsTerrier + Bulldog = Terribull, a dog that makes awful … (49 comments)

$8000 Home Credit still in play? - 12:30 AM
Great information in a nutshell.
Via Shirley Cicero (Coldwell Banker North Metro):
Here's what's on the table...
First time home buyer tax credit
·Buyers must be in contract by April 30, 2010
·Buyers have 60 days from that day to close escrow to qualify for the tax credit
•Tax credit is $8,000 or UP TO 10% of purchase price
 Repeat buyers tax credit
 ·Defined as homeowners who have lived in their residence for five years
·Tax credit is $6,500
But wait, there's more! The levels for the home buyers were increased! Good news, indeed,
·Individuals earning up to $125,000, up from $75,000 for … (0 comments)

SW Charlotte NC Homes for Sale in Hamilton Lakes - 04:34 PM
 This wonderful KB Home community is one of Charlotte's hottest communities! It features a pool and cabana, lots of common open space, and a beautiful lake on property. In fact, you're only a short drive to Lake Wylie with all the boating, fishing, and water recreation that it has to offer. The homes range in size from a 1,400 square foot ranch to a 3,000 square foot 4 bedroom two story home with 2 car attached garage. Pricing ranges from the $150,000’s to the $230,000’s. Hamilton Lakes also features a great selection of shopping and entertainment which is conveniently located in … (0 comments)

Vacation time is fast approaching, do you plan on driving? Have something for the kids to do or it will feel like an even longer trip than it really is! - 12:11 AM


I love going on long drives with my family. We try to do it as often as possible, so we can discover new places. Lucky for me, my family all lives within 20 miles of my home, but if you need to drive this holiday season, let me share some of our longer trip games and things to do to occupy our kids.

Many new cars come with DVD players and much as I love them, I don't like to create zombies out of my kids. But, if we are driving for more than 25 hours, then a … (12 comments)

This WEEKEND in Lake Arrowhead October 30, 31 2009 - 08:12 AM
 This WEEKEND in Lake Arrowhead October 30, 31 2009
OCTOBER 30, 2009
 LAKE ARROWHEAD Classical Ballet Company will be having its Halloween Party from 4 - 7PM at the San Moritz Lodge in Crestline. OCTOBER 31, 2009
Trick of Treat in BLUE JAY starting at 2:00PM Join the fun at LAKE ARROWEHEAD VILLAGE's Halloween Party beginning at 2PM! WILDHAVEN RANCH invites you to their 1st annual "Howl 'O Ween" from 1 - 4 PM. … (1 comments)

An Autumn Day in North Carolina, Lake Wheeler Park - 11:19 AM
 A day at Lake Wheeler Park
Lake Wheeler Park, part of the City of Raleigh parks system, was developed in the 1950's and has grown into a wonderful place for families and friends to share the outdoors.
With many picnic tables and grills for free use for the public, as well as nature trails, fishing, and playgrounds, there is much to do here.
History:Lake Wheeler serves as Raleigh's secondary auxiliary water supply, and  this 800-acre lake park (650 acres of lake; 150 acres of park and land buffer) has rapidly become a favorite capital city getaway... . In 1958, Lake Wheeler was … (2 comments)

Not Many People Know This About Our ActiveRain Superstars Greg, Brad and Jason - 09:57 AM
Not many people know this, but…….

Before Greg Nino became the renowned Houston area Realtor that he is…...
Before Brad Andersohn became the ActiveRain guru that he is…..
Before Jason Crouch became the King of all things Real Estate……
They were the original Bee Gees!
That’s right folks!
They were the original Bee Gees!

Apparently, and forgive me here, but the story is a tad fuzzy as there is very little documentation on this topic, Greg and Jason met while singing at a karaoke bar somewhere in between their respective home towns of Houston and Austin, Texas.
… (58 comments)

Welcome to Our Home! - 08:08 AM

Does Your Home Say "Welcome?" There are many things that get buyers into a home other than price. For some the attraction is subliminal and for other signals are very tangible.  Buyers are usually drawn and attracted to a specific home.  In todays market it may be price that gets them on the hook, but the hook that sells homes is that your home says "Welcome!"   Once you have attracted a buyer there is a fatal attraction that must keep drawing the buyer into the home emotionally.  From the initial exposure of the the home perhaps from online marketing or a classified ad, the price, the … (86 comments)

Who Says it's Difficult to Get Bailouts or a Loan Modification Anyway? - 11:38 PM
Who Says it's Difficult to Get Bailouts of Government Aid? Who says it's difficult to get government aid?  Nonsense!  I just read a breaking news story about a house committee investigating California congresswomen Laura Richardson and Maxine Waters .  It seems as though Congresswoman Richardson lost her home in Sacramento which was sold in foreclosure and then Washington Mutual - who then foreclosed on the property... gave it back to her.   The committee is going to examine if she received preferential treatment!  EXCUSE ME???  Question her?? Why not arrest her?   That is a pretty good deal in my books, but it … (20 comments)

Related links

New Members for 2009-10-29

 Archives:

31 Oct
30 Oct
29 Oct
28 Oct
27 Oct
26 Oct
25 Oct
24 Oct
23 Oct
22 Oct
21 Oct
20 Oct
19 Oct
18 Oct
17 Oct
16 Oct
15 Oct
14 Oct
13 Oct
12 Oct
11 Oct
10 Oct
9 Oct
8 Oct
7 Oct
6 Oct
5 Oct
4 Oct
3 Oct
2 Oct
1 Oct
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006