Archives of real estate blog entries for November 1, 2009

Featured blog posts


I Want To Make 2010 The Best Year In Real Estate! - 08:12 PM
I NEED To make 2010 the best year ever. Here we are at the last quarter of 2009. I am reflecting back on my listings and sales.  I need to figure out what to carry over to 2010 and what to lose or improve that didn't work so well. 
First I needed to get organized. I started to use a nice simple three ring binder last week,  The ones that we had to use in school. This one has 4 pockets,I can put my notebook in it and I can use the front like a clipboard with a nice clip on the … (55 comments)

Poplar Estates is now VA Approved: A Philadelphia Condominium Success Story !! - 01:23 PM
Poplar Estates is now VA Approved:  A Philadelphia Condominium Success Story !!
I was thrilled when an offer came in after a few days on the market for a Northern Liberties condo we had listed that was in Poplar Estates.  However, when I saw that the mortgage would have to go VA my excitement disappeared quickly.  I thought it would be great for this deserved veteran to purchase this fab condo, but could the building possibly get VA approved ?
The more I thought about it, the more I thought that it could work.  After all, Poplar Estates met all the Fannie Mae … (17 comments)

A Lesson From Last Night's Most Memorable Trick-or-Treater - 11:17 AM
It rained last night in Northern Virginia.  Definitely not the kind of weather you want to see on Halloween.  Kids that were out were down because they had to wear waterproof garb over their costumes, or carry umbrellas.  Bummer.
There was one child that really stood out in last night's lackluster Halloween procession to my front door.  It was a little boy trick-or-treating with his sister, accompanied by his Dad.  This youngster had turned lemons into lemonade.  As I opened the door and greeted them, this young man (no more than four years old) put his little hand out with an upside down, fairly large frog … (97 comments)

Your team is only as strong as its weakest link - 09:34 AM
MLSs and Assocations are very lucky.  Generally they have loyal staffs that have worked together for many years.  Turnover is rare.  All of that can lead to cohesive teams that work well together, especially in crisis times. It also means they know the subscribers well and the customers know them too.
That’s the good news.  The bad news is that it can sometimes lead to stagnation.  We hear often about “that one” on the staff that has a bad attitude sloppy work habits, poor work ethic or worse yet provides very poor customer service. If you have one of those types … (39 comments)

Buyer says "Huh"? The importance of NOT using acronyms when speaking with clients! - 10:12 AM
Buyer says "Huh"?  The importance of NOT using acronyms when speaking with clients!

A few days ago, I was showing property to a first time home buyer.  We had looked at everything available in her price range and nothing seemed to fit her needs.  I told her that I would check on any "FSBOS" listed as soon as I got back to the office.  Her response, "HUH"?  I apologized and then explained that fsbos are For Sale by Owner properties.  I started thinking back and wondered how many times I may have used acronyms when I should be spelling it … (132 comments)

Is it time for more stringent regulation in the real estate industry? - 01:52 AM
This subject might not appeal to many real estate practitioners because none of us like regulations.  However, with the barrage of misleading information out there, I wonder if our lawmakers are paying attention.  After all, it was only in the recent past that we almost experience financial collapse.  Were there co-conspirators from the real estate industry?  Will we be on the radar screen in the foreseeable future?
As a consequence of the aforementioned crisis, the current administration is taking measures to reform the way business is done in the financial industry.  Yes, they are re-writing the rules of the game.  Considering … (50 comments)

Building A Real Estate Community Means Growing Your Internet Presence - 12:41 AM
Building A Real Estate Community Means Growing Your Internet Presence
Real Estate professionals are savvy to the fact that the majority of their consumers are online shopping for homes.  Now with the expansive presence that real estate professionals can have online through various forms of social media marketing and content strategies like blogging they can take a proactive role in engaging with consumers online.
Some real estate professionals question the viability and productivity of time spent prospecting, selling, and marketing online.  What they do not see is that at its core adding an aggressive online marketing strategy that is focused, … (84 comments)

How to change the background on your outside blog. Code tweaks for ActiveRain Freaks! - 07:17 AM
Melinda Peterson posed this question in a Saturday evening post. (Anyone get that?)
"Is it possible to customize the background of my Outside Blog?" The answer is a resounding yes, but it's going to take a little code tweaking on your behalf. To get started, you must know the URL of the image you want to use. The outside blog must "call" the image from the Internet because it cannot see your computer.
If you are currently using a background image on your inside AR blog and you need to know the URL, just:
Open your blog. Select "source" from the … (54 comments)

Last Week's Favorite Unfeatured Posts - October 25th to November 1st 2009 - 11:09 PM
OK, I don't have any gold stars to pass out.  But if I did, here are some posts that were posted last week would have received them:
1 & 2.  For The Dog Lover In All Of Us was my favorite post of the week.  I don't know how its author, Gary Woltal, comes up with this stuff, but I think it's brilliant.  I even re-blogged it.  If you missed this one, I strongly suggest that you click the link immediately, but make sure you are not eating or drinking anything that could wind up on your computer screen while you … (77 comments)

Another Activerain Listing in Crofton Maryland - 06:55 AM

It happened again this weekend.  Another Activerain listing!  It went something like this...
Friday afternoon - Ring, Ring.  Unknown number in the Caller ID of my cell phone.  I answer it anyway.
CALLER:  I 'd like to talk to you about listing my townhouse in Crofton.
After chatting with the caller for a while about his townhouse and his motivation for selling, I asked if one of my former clients had referred him to me.  His answer:
CALLER:  I read your blog. 
'Turns out that one of my Activerain posts came up first in his google search.
Within 24 … (62 comments)


Blog posts


Kool-Aid Anyone - 09:54 AM
I know many of my fellow Americans drank the Kool-aid this time last year...just in time for our National Elections...
Not sure what was in it, but just look at the promises that were made then and tell me where we are at today...

Empty promises like these are the reson that most Americans don't trust politicians...regardless of what side fo the aisle they sit on.
… (12 comments)

Seven Ways to Use a Home Inspection Report - 10:08 AM
Home Inspections are an Important part of the Due Diligence that a first time home buyer or investor should undertake when buying a bank owned (or any other home, for that matter) home in the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley, in CA.The following report was first published by, Jim Bushart. one of my fellow ActiveRain Bloggers and a Missouri Home Inspector.  He points out several key reasons for a home inspection. 
If you visit his blog, you'll see I did ask a couple of questions that may be considered to be a negative...tell me what you think...
Jim,
This is a good … (4 comments)

Seven Ways to Use a Home Inspection Report - 09:54 AM
Good thoughts you should read from another great blogger.
Via Jim Bushart (Home Inspection Services of Missouri):
In random order, I present to you seven different ways in which a home inspection report can be used by parties to a real estate transaction for advantage and benefit.
1.  Buyers can consider the reported conditions of the home's systems to determine their ability to afford to maintain the property.  A home with a 12 year old water heater, an 18 year old furnace and a 25 year old composite shingled roof is going to need some costly investments in the near future.
2.  Buyers … (1 comments)

This Brokerage Has 750 Listings…..So they must be the best! (Part 1) - 09:58 AM
Here is some more good information for consumers from another real estate blog.  Let me know what you think.
Via Ruthmarie Hicks (Keller Williams Realty):
Does size really matter?  Do the number of listings or the size of the brokerage have anything to do with the ability of the agent to market and sell a home successfully? Is it the brokerage or the agent that is the determining factor?
What Does the Brokerage Bring to the Table? One of the biggest issues  I encounter on listing presentations  are questions regarding the brokerage itself.   Most questions revolve around marketing.  What does the brokerage do in … (3 comments)

Nice racks at Montana Hot Tub party!!! - 07:11 PM

… (16 comments)

THE INSANITY OF CONGRESS (not covered under Government health care) - 09:45 PM
It's 1,990 pages long. It weighs in at more than 19 pounds. It has 400,000 words and it is costed out at more than $2.4m A WORD! And even if you can convince your Representative to actually read it, they have NO CHANCE of actually understanding it as you can see from this example: "(a) Outpatient Hospitals - (1) In General - Section 1833(t)(3)(C)(iv) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395(t)(3)(C)(iv)) is amended - (A) in the first sentence - (i) by inserting "(which is subject to the productivity adjustment described in subclause (II) of such section)" after "1886(b)(3)(B)(iii); and … (24 comments)

USA Number One - 10:15 PM
Kevin is one of my favorite bloggers. This s one of the best.
Via Kevin Robinson Custom Home Builder (Crownline Home Builders):
Meb is my hero. Did you see him point to his jersey? Proud of it. No. Damn proud of it. No. He pointed to it more than once to get the crowd going. We were cheering for the man in our house. We already knew how he did, but we could not control our jubiliation. He even crossed himself more than once. The man is a Christian. He was so proud to represent America. It was good to see a person who came here … (3 comments)

Speechless Sunday - Donut on a String Contest - 06:27 PM

DONUT ON A STRING CONTEST
What a ton of fun it was to watch the kids participate in a donut on a string contest.  This was the first I have seen, and it was a riot!  James Jr. tied for first place.  Go James!  Enjoy this video of my 3 sons and their good friend Sarah going to town on their donuts!
… (7 comments)

Day 73: 100 Days of Central Mass Features Patriots' Day - 06:46 PM
 100 DAYS OF CENTRAL MASS FEATURES PATRIOTS' DAY
Patriots' Day is a civic holiday that we celebrate in Massachusetts that marks the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War.  Re-enactments of these first battles occur annually at Lexington Green in Lexington, MA around 6AM and The Old North Bridge in Concord, MA around 9AM.  On the morning of Patriots' Day, a mounted reenactor accompanied by a police escort retraces Paul Revere's ride, calling out warnings along the way. 
Patriots' Day is usually observed on the Monday closest to April 19th.  There is usually no school … (0 comments)

What do Sewing, Home Improvement & Real Estate have in common? - 06:33 PM
What in the world do all of these things have in common?  The answer:  details.   At my house, we're nearing the end of a master bath update/remodel.  (When you live in a house that was built in 1961, remodeling is a way of life!)  A contractor has taken care of the major items.    We now have new plumbing and lighting fixtures, new tile on the floor and in the shower.  The beadboard and trim boards are installed and partially painted.  We could finish the painting and stop there,  It would look "ok", but why settle for "ok" when a few little … (0 comments)

What's In Your Wallet (Business Card) - 12:37 AM
What is going to be your next business card?
Simple Minimalist or  Shiny With A Huge House?
Do we really need our picture on the card?
Do we keep it simple?
With the address or no?
What about the back of the card?
Thanks for this and that?
 

 
Well this is my new business card. Any opinions?
 

Homes By Haris
… (8 comments)

Choose Your Forever..... - 06:59 AM
 
                                                    People, Places and Thing that Change Your Life Forever
 
 This may be a series…it may not…forever is such a long time…and it would take forever to write about each person, event, thing that has influenced me “forever” .  There are many things that fall into this category…personally, in business…with health, wealth…relationships…Forever is a long time…your power in the scope of the whole universe to change forever is limited to some degree….not as much as you may choose to have it limit you…there is almost always a choice…in real estate and in life.
There are schools of thought/philosophy that … (3 comments)

That Agent "Stole My Buyer" she Cried ! - 08:33 PM
   We got a call from an agent who was screaming "He stole my buyer...He Stole my buyer !" Now.,now...calm down...how did that happen....the story continued...the agent had done just what we had cautioned her not to and stored her buyer's information in a place where everyone....including other agents in the office could see it.
    Enter other agent....who just got a listing in the same condo complex.....soooo he cleverly "researches' the buyers who have  been to our screaming agents' lisitng....lowers his price and Voila...Sale !
  Should Agent Screamer have had a Buyer Agency...?  Maybe....and maybe the buyer didn't want … (4 comments)

Short Sales and Divorce... - 10:24 PM
  Since a part of our practice is devoted to short sales, divorce can be one of the situations we find prevalent. It can be that the lack of finances due to unemployment or underemployment has put a strain on the family's finances.
     Often, one member of the couple "knows' that if she/he just asks one more realtor....they know the equity they imagined...they wanted, they needed to start over will be there somewhere....after all the "assessment is....the appraisal was....they got the home equity loan for...so it HAS to be true....that same bank that gave them the loan can't now say … (6 comments)

I am so proud of you! - 03:24 PM
I have been away a few days and you are all doing so well with all your posts!
Thanks for covering for me!
You are The BEST!

… (0 comments)

You had me at hello... - 04:36 AM
What's your style of welcoming new people to ActiveRain?
"Hello"
"Welcome"
Throw  a little ticker tape parade?
Ignore them to see if they come back?
I stopped paying attention to new members when the comments on the brand new members blogs started being a series of cut and paste Welcomes with links to a Welcome page on the members blog.  Nothing personal. Nothing sincere, 
Long before that I had a group on ActiveRain for welcoming new members.  The spammers (internal) and pointHounds started using the group so I shut it down,  
I saw a great headline on a post and … (0 comments)

Columbus homes sales rise 10% - 06:28 AM
The Columbus Board of Realtors announced homes sales rose 10% in September 2009
Columbus home sales rise 10%
The Columbus Board of REALTORS® covers more ground than I do.  I work primarily in northern Franklin County and Southern Delaware County - Maureen McCabe
How much did home sales rise in your area?
Clintonville home sales (mls area)
+ 20.5% home sales in September 2009 over September 2008Average Clintonville home sale price $187,000
Dublin home sales  (Dublin Schools)
+ 70.4% home sales in September 2009 over September 2008
Average Dublin home sale price $267,000
Gahanna home sales (Gahanna Jefferson … (0 comments)

Your cheating heart.... are you cheating on ActiveRain? - 07:32 AM
 
I wanted to title this My cheating heart but I think the classic song is "Your cheating heart" 
I was amused by a comment on one of my posts  that Re-Blogging is cheating...
Isn't Re-Blogging for consenting adults?  Who's getting cheated on?
ActiveRain?
The real estate blogosphere?
The Blogosophere?
The www.  ?
The Internet in general?
Who am I cheating with? - Re-Blogging content for consumers
Michael Thornton provided readers of my outside blogs with information about fireplaces - fireplaces hidden dangers
Regina P. Brown about bathtubs....  Warning do not paint your bathtub
June Piper-Brandon about fall planting - … (20 comments)

Real Living HER Open House List - the show must go on... - 08:56 AM
Of course there are open houses today... Real Living HER Open House List
There are 128* open houses on the Real Living HER Open House list today. 
Search for open houses by community.
The Real Living HER open house is the best place to find an open house each and every week in Central Ohio! 
The link above is to the Real Living HER open house list on my website.  Each Real Living HER agent has (or can have) the open house list on their website.
Search for Central Ohio homes
The list is in real time,  the number is … (0 comments)

Ohio Issue 3 Gambling - 05:58 PM
On the ballot Tuesday - Issue 3 is casinos in Ohio.
Four casinos in the state. One casino each in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo are what we are voting for or againtst. 
 
Vote here first. Vote for real on Tuesday.
… (8 comments)

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