Archives of real estate blog entries for November 23, 2009

Featured blog posts


Perfecting Your ActiveRain Profile: A 6-Part Series for Newbies (Part 6) - 12:57 PM
Perfecting Your ActiveRain Profile: A 6-Part Series for Newbies (Part 6)
Your ActiveRain profile is key. Do NOT overlook this step or "wait till later" to do it. The more thorough and detailed you make your profile, the better a prospective shopper who finds you on the Internet will know you and the more likely they'll want to work with you! Also - you get extra points for a really good profile!
Make sure you fill in the Description Box with the SEO friendly keywords that you'd like the search engines to find. This is the info that shows up on … (56 comments)

Real Estate Tech Gadget - Using ClipNabber to Download Videos from the Internet - 11:32 PM

On occasion, it may be permissible to download videos from the internet for use under the "fair use" doctrine.  There are several tools available to capture and download videos from the internet.  However, none is easier to use then www.ClipNabber.com.  ClipNabber makes it easy to download videos from the internet in three simple steps.

Step 1 - Go to the video source.  Copy the URL for the video source.  Note:  For YouTube.com files, videos designated as "private" or "embed disabled" cannot be copied or downloaded using ClipNabber.com.  Also, if the video is embedded, go to the hosting source to obtain the URL. … (47 comments)

Never Compromise Your Core Values - 11:21 PM
I wanted to write today about something that is related to the real estate business but more importantly, the life business.
What I mean is, the values you carry into business more than likely are carried over from your personal life.  What you stand for and who you are should be the cornerstone of your mission statement, your business practices and the person people see.
I had a rather eye-opening experience today that I want to share with you.
Now, I won't get into details but the basic story is, today after a very important meeting, I realized that I had … (49 comments)

Oh No! Do I Have Subscription Addiction on Active Rain? - 09:49 PM
Let's face it! If you are here, you are probably in love with Active Rain. I speak from experience.
If you blog here, you'll get business...sooner or later...I speak from experience!
If you hang out here, you will learn more cool stuff and tricks than your little head can absorb. I speak from experience.
And if you read as many great blogs as I do here, pretty soon, you'll have Subscription Addiction. I speak from experience.
So much so, I know I'm missing YOUR blog! I'm currently up to 77 subscriptions....is this an addiction? Hmmm, now I CAN'T speak from expericence.
… (79 comments)

Are you *Fun* to work with? - 05:15 PM
In the past 8 years I have been enjoying a steady and sucsessful real estate career. I have had all kinds of buyers and sellers, closers and lenders.
I have worked with some really stressed out people, and I must say, those crab apples are missing out!
I enjoy the journey, not just the rewards. I get involved in a fair amount of messy details in people's lives which could be an opportunity to be crabby.
I make a conscious effort to be fun to work with. Now what does this mean?
Take it easy. Get your ego out of the … (78 comments)

Wanted: Eye-Catching (Creative) Images for Blogs - 05:12 PM
Where-o-where do you go for cool clips for blogs?  Are there sites that specialize in real estate art?
I've Googled, Binged, and fumbled around on my own looking for sites that provide images for bloggers.  I've found a few goodies (single images) by sheer luck.  Most of my time has been spent in misery, though.  My searches have taken me into a jungle of animated and advertisement-laced sites that I quickly escape fearing spyware or some hidden yet deadly computer virus.
I need guidance here folks.  Can anyone suggest a few great resources for blog images or downloadable clips.  Free would be ideal....but reasonable fees are ok, too.
Thanks in advance … (83 comments)

Existing-Home Sales Up, But Not All It's Cracked Up To Be! - 05:00 PM
Did you hear? Existing-Home Sales Jump To Highest Level in 2-1/2 Years as reported early this morning. According to the official release from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) existing-homes sales surged a surprising 10.1% in October.
The only thing surprising about this number is the fact that many in the real estate industry had not expected or anticipated such an increase. What's even more surprising is that with the new peak in existing-home sales report that forecasts are being revised for the recovery of the housing market effective today.
Let's rewind and figure out what today's report really means and how the real estate industry … (31 comments)

I'm Sorry...But What did you Just Say?!! - 05:43 PM
Each industry does this, including Realtors, lenders, home inspectors, builders and attorneys. Perhaps its time we step back and learn to tone it down a bit when speaking our professional lingo into the glazed eyes of our client(s). Similar to a Doctor's bedside manner, terminology needs to have its professional "speak" mingled with "regular" kind of talk.
No wonder we have a train wreck out there...PMI, MIP and closing costs, (what down payment?), Escrow, HVAC, Fiduciary, FHA, HUD, FICA...Stucco, EFIS, I'd have to say, when I got into the business, I was confused just trying to learn the lingo, let alone the communities … (71 comments)

Motivational Monday: Bouncing Back - 02:29 PM
These are trying times for many people and some people bounce back from disappointment and disaster easier than others. 
When I was little, my brother had a Joe Palooka punching bag. It sat on the floor and was weighted on the bottom. We'd punch that thing, and it would always pop back up for more. Old Joe was a pretty tough guy.
Being resilient and being able to bounce back may be genetic according to a recent article I read in AARP magazine.  If you don't have the magazine, go visit some old people and borrow it, I know they would … (87 comments)

Choose Your Words Carefully......AGAIN! - 07:46 AM
I wrote a featured post recently about choosing your words carefully when it comes to an agent's tag line and how to make that better. As I was writing that post, I kept thinking to myself.....Well, what about all of these listing ads??  Why not write about them as well??
I see examples all the time of bad MLS photos. But, what is more prevelant to me is the incredible lack of decent COPY in these same listing ads.
See...One of the more routine activities of a Realtor's job is to write copy for the ads that are used to support … (126 comments)

"I'm Your Friend, So I'll be Honest with you...!" - 05:12 AM
Couldn't sleep last night. Got up, turned on the TV, flipped thru channels until I landed on HGTV. When I can't sleep, HGTV tends to be my go-to channel since they usually have SOMETHING on besides "paid programming."
Anyway, I got my first taste of The Property Shop with real estate goddess Tatiana. I'd heard that she wasn't exactly the warmest, fuzziest real estate broker on the planet... and, indeed, I doubt she's often accused of being a little ray of sunshine.
This particular show's overall theme was the difficulty of working with friends and family. Okay, fine. You have my … (116 comments)

Twitter Works! - - And So Does "Active Brad" - 07:14 AM
First, my heartfelt thanks to Brad Andersohn (aka - Active Brad).  His proactive, selfless approach to Activerain and us, the members, makes our online / blogging lives better every day!
It all started with a feeling of being overwhelmed and a bit frustrated at all of the blogging possibilities - and this Tweet:

Brad must have nothing else to do (Ha!) other than read the tweets of all 165,00+ Activerainers, because in less than 48 hours, I received an email from Brad offering to help.  Well, of course I immediately accepted that offer!  :-)
As it turns out, he also … (62 comments)

Active Rain Works...My Challenge - Can We Prove It? - 11:11 PM
Some time ago, Bob Stewart challenged us with a reward of lots of points. What did he want from us? He just wanted us to share ' How ActiveRain was helping us stay connected.'
 If you think about it, we should have been “paying” Bob for lighting the fires under us. This was my rather simple post…Blog...The Gift That Keeps On Giving  which was featured, received over 60 comments and a boat load of points. Thank you, Bob!
Why am I blogging? Why are many of you blogging?
 For me, other than the fun of connecting with so many bright and creative minds, … (59 comments)

Do You Have 9 Inches Or More? If So, Please Justify..... - 07:58 PM
 

When I type a blog I'm finished. If you want to know who I am all you have to do is look to the right of the screen. You'll see my name, a link to my profile and many other details.
Have you ever tried watching your favorite TV program only to be bothered by the annoying advertising on the bottom of the screen? Well that's how too many blogs are on Active Rain! The bottom 9 inches or FOOT is blasting the readers about their ENTIRE profile ALL OVER AGAIN!
Consumers only like commercials during the Superbowl. Besides … (76 comments)

Quit Your Whining, Do Your Job and Bring Me a Dang Offer!!! - 06:14 PM
Okay, so I'm not perfect, I do not know everything and I am pretty darn sure I have made a mistake or two.
I am a REALTOR®, I work hard, I do my job and I always try to go above and beyond for my clients. When I received a phone call from a fellow REALTOR® today who had a buyer that was extremely interested in one of my listings, I was excited.  My seller (as with most sellers these days) is ready to sell his property...he is anxious to  move on. The other agent asked me how motivated my seller … (149 comments)

Shift mode in real estate land.... - 05:36 PM
Have been reading new posts, and reviewing my lengthy bookmarked ones...some underlying questions about what "works" keep popping up, as a kind of "theme".   
Is it a big brand company?   Better to be niche oriented and part of a boutique enterprise?    Both scenarios probably work for those in the two differing systems, although it's normal, always, to assume the grass is greener on that other side!
I actually think, though, that the business has changed so profoundly in just the past year, that this question about where to be working out of, whether a big brand company or a niche boutique, … (35 comments)

Do you subscribe after commenting? - 02:32 PM
After you make a comment on a blog, do you typically subscribe to be notified of other comments... JUST IN CASE the author of the blog makes a comment back to you?
Is it considerate to do so, and then to make yet another comment if you are called on by name, or would you be monopolizing the post? Not sure if there's an etiquette here, but wanted to get a consensus on what is SOP for you???
You know what might be a better question, is whether you write and run? Do you typically go back and respond to the … (93 comments)

I Ain't A Snooty Realtor ...Because This Ain't A Glamorous Business! - 02:58 PM
Upon entering into the real estate business, I had no idea about specialty markets.  The firm I had started with was not exclusive to marketing any particular property type.  Of course, I would have jumped at the opportunity to market luxury homes back then, but as a new agent I took whatever opportunities I could get and I didn't put my eggs all in one basket. 
Years later, with many closed transactions under my belt - I still do not have a specialty market.  It sort of reminds me of when I was in high school and I refused to belong … (52 comments)

When Should You Give Up Converting A Contact To A Client??? - 11:52 AM
Okay, so we are all familar with the 3 C's of real estate. Contacts are to be converted to clients and then to closings. Seems pretty simple in theory, right?
Since the year is winding down, I recently took the time to review my database or SOI and I noticed DOZENS of names that I have been reaching out to for literally 2 years or more. Within the 2 years, these people have only remained contacts. I systematically call, send emails, provide useful information and include their names on e-blasts. To date, they have not utilized my services AT ALL.
Some of … (49 comments)

Is This Home Buying Spree Just Another Bubble? - 06:22 AM
You must be tired of hearing the ‘experts’ saying that NOW is the best time ever to get into the buying spree. And I must tell you that the statistics generally tend to support this statement. Just by looking at the rise in short sales and foreclosures it’s obvious that investors have more opportunities flowing in as loan delinquencies increase.
Let’s check the stats for the first two quarters of this year. A Federal Housing Finance Agency report suggests that short sales rose by 45 percent between April and June 2009. In 2008, the total number of short sales was reported … (73 comments)


Blog posts


Lanikai home sells for $5.5 million - 12:28 PM
A lovely home at 822 Mokulua Drive in Lanikai just closed on Friday, November 20th.  Built in 2003 and on the water, it's a very desireable property.
The house is gorgeous.  It's on the water, with a rock wall and stairway leading down to the ocean.  Hardwood floors and walls, a nice yard with swimming pool and a garage are some of the features.
Five bedrooms, three and a half baths, 3,900+ square feet interior and an 11,000 square foot yard.  MLS 2911713.  If you'd like to see the MLS info for this sold house send me an e-mail.
When it was … (0 comments)

Thank You Mailinator-Let Them Eat Spam! - 07:02 PM
If you are like me you might have joined a few social networks you know with a blogging platform and no matter what you do..those darn notifications that someone left you a comment keep rolling in..you know cases and cases of spam comment notifications overload your email.  OR-
Maybe you joined many social networks you know trying them out possibly getting a FREE Trial and you really don't want to give out your email address but you need an email address to sign up..and the next thing you know..your email box is overloaded with tons of spam? Can you relate to … (15 comments)

San Jacinto, CA | Market Report | List vs. Sold | 12 Month Snapshot - 05:14 PM
San Jacinto, CA at the north end of the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley has been one of the hardest hit areas in the country when it comes to foreclosures and the loss of value in residential real estate.  For those who review the data on a national level, the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley is in the Southern California Region known as the Inland Empire which consists of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.The MLS data shows that there have been 1,841 homes added to our inventory over the past 12 months (November 2008 thru October 2009) of which 1,501 homes … (0 comments)

SAN JACINTO, CA | REO/BANK OWNED | 12-MONTH MARKET REPORT | LIST vs. SOLD - 05:51 PM
The Housing crises is no stranger to San Jacinto, CA, located in the Inland Empire region of Southern California (Riverside County & San Bernardino County), one of the hardest hit in the entire country.The market has been dominated by the sale of bank owned real estate with 80% of all closed transactions reported to the MLS have been bank owned - or 1,202 of the 1,501 sales that closed escrow in the last 12 months (November, 2008 thru October, 2009).
         
Although there are numerous ways to look at and consider these numbers, I am not trying to be philosophical … (2 comments)

SAN JACINTO, CA | MARKET SNAPSHOT | SHORT SALES GATHER STEAM - 06:24 PM
The tides are changing in the local San Jacinto, CA real estate market as short sales take on a greater number of closed escrows each month, over the past 12 month period (November, 2008 thru October, 2009).Prior to June, 2009 the most Short Sales to close escrow in a month was 6, in April.  December and January saw 4 and 5, respectfully and November, February and March only saw either 2 or 3 closed short sales.  June reached the level of 8 closed short sales in a single month and after that we have been in double digits every month...with an … (4 comments)

Ways to SAVE Money - 06:53 PM
In the current economy we are all looking for ways to save a nickle...or even a dollar.So here is a list that was put together by one of my fellow ActiveRain bloggers where she saves tips to use while at work, tips for your electronics and perhaps the biggest category of tips in this article has to do with saving at the grocery store.So take a look and add your own suggestions and maybe I'll turn it all into an original post with your suggestions...
Now have fun...
Via Gena Riede, Real Estate Broker Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699 (Riede Real … (8 comments)

SNL, China, The Pres & Real Estate...Must Watch Video - 09:21 PM
OK, so we are getting more and more video everywhere we go. I have actually taken some of my nightly relaxation time in from of the TV and shifted it to gel in front of YouTube...as evil as that sounds, I am guilty.More often than not I end up laughing much harder than when watching The New Adventures of Old Christine or It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - two very funny shows.So, tonight is no exception.  Here is the opening skit from Saturday Night Live (SNL) where the make believe President Obama is at a press conference in China with the … (4 comments)

Sommerset in Brentwood - November 2009 Market Report - 01:06 PM
Sommerset in Brentwood - November 2009 Market Report
Sommerset is a dynamic community in Brentwood California for people 55 plus.  This Sommerset Market Report focuses on Sommerset, Summerset, and other 55 plus communities in Brentwood.
Sommerset Communities feature single family homes and duplexes.  This report focuses on the Current Sommerset Market and the homes sold in the Sommerset Communities in October and September.
Currently there are 21 homes for sale in the Sommerset Community.  The average asking price of those homes is $459,406.00 and the median asking price is $439,950.00.  The currently active homes have spent and average of 68 days … (0 comments)

Gut Check - Another Bank Screwing - 01:13 PM
I picked up a prospect on Active Rain and have exchanged e-mails with her and spoken a few times.  I suggested she needs to get pre-qualified and offered to refer her to a lender if she needed one.  She told me she had someone in mind.  Today I get this e-mail:
Gene, my bank has a program that provides me with $1240 at close of escrow if I work with a Realtor affiliated with the bank. Therefore, I will be working with another Realtor. Thank you for your help. (name deleted).
I fired back a quick response:
This is money they … (9 comments)

Things I am Thankful for and the Holiday Weight Challenge - 01:47 PM
Things I am Thankful for and the Holiday Weight Challenge.
With this Post I kill two proverbial Turkeys with one stone.  Posting on thinks I am thankful for and weight loss tips.  Many of you on Active Rain know I post my diet struggles on the member side and use this as a place for accountability.
In our instant information and fast food culture we often do not enjoy food as it was intended.  Food and eating is a very intimate thing and that is being lost in our culture.  We eat on the run, we rarely eat as a family, … (2 comments)

348 Jennifer Lane Roselle Illinois - 10:32 AM
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7712 Blackberry Lane Willowbrook Illinois - 10:54 AM
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406 Mallard Drive Unit 406 Deerfield Illinois - 11:12 AM
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1802 Woodside Dr Woodstock, Illinois - 11:25 AM
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11611 2nd Street Woodstock Illinois - 11:37 AM
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118 Potawatomi Trail Unit D Lake Zurich Illinois - 11:56 AM
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4500 W. Brownstone Way Waukegan Illinois - 12:09 PM
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7968 S Kildare Ave Chicago Illinois - 08:51 PM
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1089 Prescott Drive Roselle Illinois - 09:09 PM
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2425 Daybreak Court Elgin Illinois - 09:18 PM
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