Archives of real estate blog entries for February 11, 2009

Featured blog posts


Stimulus Bill Passes, but the $15,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit is Wiped Out - 08:19 PM
  Minutes ago an agreement was announced on a $790 Billion stimulus plan.  Unfortunately, the $15,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit was effectively wiped out in order to accommodate the new, lower overall limit of the bill.    Large corporations will get the money, but the average Joe will not get a tax break when buying a home.    Done!    I'm sorry!   Thank you for your efforts in trying to help sway your legislators to keep this on the final bill!   It did not make it, but it wasn't for lack of trying.  
What do you think about this outcome? … (185 comments)

Mail campaign. Does it work? - 04:05 PM
The other day I was chatting with another mother while our kids were playing in a park.  I casually introduced that I am a real estate agent and she started talking about it on her own.
She was not in the market to buy or sell, but was quite upset at a local agent that sends her just sold listings every month. Calendars and etc..
If I do sell my house some day, I will never use her., she said.
There is an old lesson from "How to Win Friends and Influence People" that people do not care what you want.  … (113 comments)

I am Starting with the Man in the Mirror, I am asking him to CHANGE his Ways...(This will apply to Real Estate...Trust Me) - 01:13 PM
Scarface - Great movie, all-time favorite.  Right up there with the Disney classics; Aladdin & Lion King.  Well, On second thought maybe not, but there is a great lesson that we can take from Al Pacino in Scarface and APPLY it to our Real Estate Careers.      
AT THE END OF THE DAY, ALL YOU HAVE IS YOUR NAME AND REPUTATION.
Are you proud of the name you see on your business cards?  For Sale Signs?  News Paper Ads & Billboards?
I am not writing this blog because I am perfect and most certainly do not want to come across as though I … (55 comments)

Does your FSBO have S.O.T.T.? - 11:33 AM
For a while I was finding FSBOs that I was in contact with were tired and ready to listen to the advantages of working with an agent, Now, I'm finding more and more of them with a bad case of  S.O.T.T. (SELLING ON THEIR TERMS) again.
I talked to one the other day that had actually taken a couple pages from a bank owned property contract and made it conditions on which to sell their house.
One I thought was amusing was directing title and escrow to an out of state entity for no particular reason. Others were;
Requiring pre-inspection prior … (55 comments)

No Chicken On Sundays - 11:43 AM
I always seem to have a craving for Chick-fil-A on Sunday. The only reason I think this happens is because Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays. Have you ever noticed that you crave something more when you can't have it?
We are a 'give it to me now' kind of society. Most companies want to give their product/service the way the consumer wants it. Burger King says "Have It Your Way," 7-Eleven stores are open 24 hours a day, Sprite tells us to "Obey Your Thirst," or how about this one...."I Want My MTV!"
Only a handful of companies have been able … (46 comments)

Where You Hang Your Hat Says A Lot About You! - 07:20 AM
We real estate agents have an interesting life.  Most of us are independent contractors yet we are often part of a brokerage which may have many other independent contractors joined by the umbrella of a principal broker.  This can make for some interesting working environments.  An office can turn into a place of secrets and sometimes it can get down right nasty.  It doesn't have to be that way.  I chose to hang my hat at my broker for many reasons - here are my top ten.

Top Ten Reasons I Enjoy Being An Associate Broker With RJ Smith Realty A … (77 comments)

Darryl & His Brother Darryl: A case study about "Long Tail" and Real Estate Marketing - 10:42 AM
I know I'm preaching to the choir with most of you on Active Rain, but this is for the benefit of the Realtors on my team - most of whom have never blogged, so bear with me.
I was positively esctatic last night…
I talked a couple of the agents on my team into doing some hyper-local blogging, and they each started a blog 6 days ago. Yesterday evening, I got a Google alert about one of those agents’ posts, and when I searched Google, I found that his very first post is in the #1 position on Google for several … (46 comments)

It's 9 a.m. and Time to Log Out - 04:44 AM
"Real" Real Estate vs. "Virtual" Real Estate - How to fit BOTH into a 24-hour day...
Most people on ActiveRain will agree that "Virtual" Real Estate CAN lead to new business in "Real" Real Estate (i.e. income-producing business) - It certainly has for me! It also CAN be addictive.  It CAN detract from other priorities in our lives like family time (Is ActiveRain Your Significant Other?) and doing activities that directly produce income, like prospecting, follow-up and showing property.
So this is the question we all face:  How can an ActiveRain member be a valuable contributor and participant while maintaining balance … (91 comments)

Marketing Ideas for Exclusive Buyer's Agents - 03:36 PM
One of the disadvantages to being an Exclusive Buyer's Agent is that you don't have the same opportunities to generate business as listing agents do. How do you get the exposure in your marketplace without listings?
I started my company in 2001 and have learned that it all boils down to marketing.
Many creative EBAs have put "Just Bought" signs in yards and tried to mimic other traditional forms of marketing employed by listing agents... Geographic Farming, Sphere of Influence Farming, Mailers, Flyers, Seminars, etc. etc. etc. And some of these methods DO work. But some EBAs today are saying that … (27 comments)

Are Short Sales the Wild Wild West? - 11:31 AM
One of my Buyer Agents wrote and offer on a Short Sale in the middle of December. No problem, she said the listing agent said it would get accepted the other offer is NOT as good.
The seller signed the offer.
We find out in January that the listing agent had NOT submitted our offer.
How did we find this out?
The listing agents office now has a "Short Sale Negotiator" and when my team member called the negotiator she said she did not have the offer from the listing agent and had just submitted the first offer.
After much back … (76 comments)

Growth Leader Update- The Power of the Unearned Compliment - 04:08 PM
I'm not used to receiving unearned compliments. "What?" you may ask. Like several bloggers on Active Rain, I've been using Growth Leader. It's a combination web site / lead generator / client contact management program. I've written about the client who found me and is now happily living in his new home. I've also written about the steady stream of leads- I have 69 so far and I've been at it for a couple months. What I haven't covered is the contact management aspect. Growth Leader offers the ability to create customized letters that go out to the clients. Some of … (34 comments)


Blog posts


Are You Working In Reality? I Am In Survival Mode-Game On! - 08:42 AM
It seems the every day tasks required to complete a real estate transaction...seems to take much longer.... but back in the day with beepers and MLS books, Polaroids and only 1 photo per mls listing (yes I am saying it!)
 
The delivery of a smooth transaction seemed to be of the utmost importance...back then....its where people said thank you and I'm sorry I don't have answer and yes we are closing on time and you could really count on it! 
While it never has gone out of style for some strange reason...I find in just about every aspect of life..
… (11 comments)

Judge Ruled Short Sale Extension-Thanks Your Honor Another 60 Days! - 07:05 PM
If you recall I posted about attending court on behalf of a seller...fortunately for us...the attorney did not show..we now have submitted our short sale package...and if it gets accepted we have little to worry about.

 
Last week our top producer called me...she has a beautiful listing..and with an offer...but the bank gave her a hard time..and the offer was not accepted..
As she finished her story I reminded her I had gone to court for my customer..  When she heard this...her ears perked up she could not wait to hear the outcome because a date had been set … (10 comments)

Team Meeting today... - 07:36 AM
I've a few things to bring up at our team meeting today, mostly how the leads are being handled as well as the technology being used.
Good thing Jessie will be there to assist with the technology.
I know some of my agents tend to be wary and a bit skittish when it comes to technology, but hopefully they will over come that and embrace it.
There is so much more to technology then having a computer.
My agenda for today:
Old business Touching Leads Status of current leads New business New sales opportunities Open floor  
… (2 comments)

2791 Bayshore Drive - Newport Beach CA - $2,995,000 - 12:57 AM
Home | Site MapFor more information, photographs and other available properties, go to :Orange County coastal real estate in Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach & Newport Coast
… (0 comments)

Ambition - 12:23 PM
This is for everyone out there weathering this market condition. I came accross this Zig Zigglar quote which really hit me in the core. People often tell me that I was ambtious. I just don't feel like one lately.
Your business is never really good or bad "out there,"Your business is either good or badright between your own two ears.
The real opportunity for success lies within the person and not in the job.
It is easy to get to the top after you get through the crowd at the bottom.
Success is not a destination, it's a journey.
The most practical, … (2 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - 08:34 PM
… (13 comments)

$15,000 Tax credit---will this work? - 12:25 PM
The Senate has truly attempted to bring a kick into our somewhat slower real estate market.
This tax credit is not limited to first time home buyers, but all buyers in 2009.  It is said to affect at least 500,000 buyers which should stimulate the market everywhere.  It is a very powerful incentive and should get things going all around the country.  As we have seen, the slowdown in the housing market has greatly affected all industries as it truly has become a trickle down throughout the economy.  This will be a tax credit available to all purchasers of a principle … (4 comments)

They Can't All Be Wrong! - 09:04 PM
Looking for some good news?
Since January, three independent sources have rated Denver's residential real estate market in terms of risk for Denver investors and Denver homebuyers.  And all three companies rated us well in comparison to other MSA's (metropolitan statistical areas) in America.
HomeVestors, the "ugly house" people, issued a list of the top ten real estate markets. The short list included Denver as a key area to invest in real estate in 2009.
Additionally, The PMI Group published its 2009 Winter Index. The index predicts that over half of the nation's MSA's will see further declines in housing prices through 2009 and into … (1 comments)

A Salute To the Women of Flight 1549 - 08:07 AM
 
 
          I had to keep my eyes pried open after a long day to watch David Letterman and "meet" the women who crewed Flight 1549 to a safe landing ont he Hudson River.  Everyone will long remember the name of "Sully" for his heroic landing, quick thinking and truly putting THEM first...
       How about...Sheila Dail, 57, with 28 years' experience with US Airways; Doreen Welsh, 58, with 38 years' experience with US Airways; and Donna Dent, 51, with 26 years' experience with US Airways.
        What struck me was in their discussion how in a very short time, they … (2 comments)

More Guts Than Brains Real Estate Marketing.... - 09:46 PM
 


This morning I was working away in our home office when our personal phone lang rang....
  "Hello this "Joe" I recently listed a house close to your neighborhood on "Maple Avenue", it's a 4 bedroom and 2 bath home and and it's priced at $XXXX,  wondered if you knew anyone who might want to buy this home." 
   "Gee Joe....that house expired at that too high price after it was listed for over 6 months...it won't sell for that...."
   "Oh....but it's in "Imperial Estates !"
    "Yes I know, I am a realtor and have … (5 comments)

Short Sale Tales....Another Realtor told Me My House Was Worth.... - 10:12 PM
   All too often when we are called by a seller....he/she/they have done what they believe is the prudent thing to do...and I would agree...and they want to interview one than realtor...their mother, sister, neighbor recommended...they were a FSBO and were oh sooo flattered when every Tom, Dick, Susie and Linda called them and said they would be honored to list the house.
    "Did they provide a market analysis?" I ask....Oh sure they did...they showed them other homes just like...not as nice...as theirs and they sold for sooo much money it woud more than cover what they owed even if … (6 comments)

Is the snow killing your sale? - 09:53 AM
We just had a snow storm four days ago and got about 8 to 10 inches of snow around the area.  While driving around the neighborhood I saw numerious vacant homes for sale and the snow is still in the driveways and on the sidewalks and entrances to the homes.  I learned a long time ago that keeping the snow off the walkways and driveways helps the potential buyer and their agents get into the homes.  So keep your driveways and sidewalks clear of snow if you want them shown. 
… (0 comments)

Educating the Public - 10:01 AM
We are gearing up for the Home and Garden show in March of 2009.  This years show will be held on 13, 14 and 15 March 2009.  We will be putting on two special educational classes at the show to educate both home buyers and sellers.  The buyer's program will focus on the home buying process and the traps and mistakes to avoid.  The seller's program will focus on the 6 steps to getting their home sold no matter what type of real estate market they are in.  The buyer program will be on 13 March at 6:00 PM at the Golden … (0 comments)

The Current Clearfield Market - 11:27 AM
There are currently 156 active listings and 31 under contract properties in clearfield.  That give us a total of 187 properties currently for sale since the under contracts have not closed yet.  By dividing 31 by the total number of properties available your answer is 16%.  If the percentage is greater than 25 then it is a seller's market and if less than 25% it is a buyers market.  That means the overall market in Clearfield at this time is a buyers market.
… (0 comments)

Are you Utilizing Your Channel/Category Sections? - 09:04 PM
Hopefully by now, everyone has gotten the hang of the "CHANNEL" section below "My Groups." By being "sorted" into "CHANNELS" our post has more meaningful search value. The next section to be sure to utilize is the "Category" section. All of these options are open to each of us and put there for a good reason.
NOW, for the REAL reason for this post! For those of you having written myriad posts, and you've been here for a long time posting wonderful blog posts about your community, etc., did you realize?
You can go back to the beginning of time and … (16 comments)

What would happen? - 09:33 PM
Since it is obvious that Washington could care less what the people think. What if we played the same games? Just think if Americans with held their income tax. Nothing illegal mind you, just file for extensions.
Here's the effect we would have it would shut the government completely down. Where do you think they get the money to operate. Then we would get their attention long enough to probably think.
Also if they shut down the government think of how much money we would save on a daily basis. If you think this is silly, think of what a lot … (6 comments)

What price do you put on loyality? - 09:59 PM
The wife and I decided we would take a cruise in April. Now we have used the same Travel agent for the past ten years. Here's the challenge the last cruise we went on we signed up for the cruises e-mail alerts. What a way to steal clients ? anyway I had called our agent and once again she found a great seven day cruise at a price a lot lower than last years.
But the cruise line has been e-mailing us with these fabulous trips. Anyway the one we want we ran by the cruise lines web site and the … (9 comments)

How to Get Thousands of People To Follow You On Social Networking - 06:33 PM
They say social networking is the best way to meet new people and make more sales soMy friends and  I am always on our  computers trying to learn more...but sometimes it can drive you crazy!  I just found some news I wanted to share with you so you can learn more too!


 
This is my special link to help you
http://tweetergetter.com/ginnylee7
 
"What If You Could Press Just One Button & Automatically Start Getting 1000's Of Legitimate New Twitter Followers On Autopilot... Even If Nobody Knows Who You Are Now?" ... And You DON'T Have To Start
… (6 comments)

Westminster Communities expands retirement options in St Petersburg Florida - 06:39 PM
Overvue condominiums near downtown St Petersburg Florida never made it to completion, so the once assisted living community of Northshore is about to reture as retirement apartments. Westminster Communities, which currently has 3 retirement communities in St Petersburg, including one, Westminster Palms, just a block away from this, has purchased the high-rise building through the bankruptcy court for $9 million.
Westminster Communities has issued bonds for $15 million, which will cover both the initial purchase and the renovations. They plan 135 retirement apartments - a higher density than the 72 condominium units planned by Overvue.
The building at the lower right … (2 comments)

Dog salons abound in St Petersburg - 07:25 PM
It's rather interesting to see all the new businesses opening in a declining economy. Here in St Petersburg Florida there are a number of dog salons opening.
The Tampa Bay Business Journal this week wrote about the opening of "Gone to the Dogs Boutique & Grooming on Corey Avenue in downtown St Pete Beach Florida. Recently Best Buddies Dog Boutique opened at 400 Beach.
This week Wags Dog Salon, Grooming and Day Care opens next door to us, ALVA International, Inc. a real estate brokerage, on Beach Drive NE in downtown St Petersburg.
… (8 comments)

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