Archives of real estate blog entries for February 15, 2009 (Page 2)

Blog posts


You Can Do It Cheap, Or You Can Do It Right - 05:58 PM
 
This story from Jay Markanich a home inspector in Virginia shows one investor (flipper's) viewpoint on how to get the job done and Jay's differing opinion. 
Something to think about when buying a home an investor has "redone" even if it all looks new and shiny, have it inspected by a good home inspector.  And sadly if the investor and their "contractor" has this attitude there will be things a home inspector can't see for you.
This is a re-blog of Jay's post.
 
Via Jay Markanich (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC):
An entire inspection of a foreclosure recently was … (5 comments)

Restore Omaha Conference and Exhibition - 09:10 PM
 Restore Omaha Conference and Exhibition

 
Do you like tinkering with old homes?  Does it sound like something you would be interested in but don't know how to start?  Do you love 1950 era homes?  If so, this Restore Omaha conference is for you.
The conference will be held on Saturday, February 28th from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Metropolitan Community College's South Omaha Campus, located at 27th and Q Streets.  Registration is from 8-9:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Industrial Training Center.
Kelly Sutherland McLeod, will be the keynote speaker at the 11:15 luncheon discussing the … (4 comments)

I'm not here to tell you how much your property is worth......... - 10:01 PM
I'm not here to tell you how much your property is worth.........
 
Thank you to Broker Bryant Tutas, with Tutas Town Realty, Inc., for this terrific article, one that I was fortunate enough to hear first hand on the teleconference.  
Via Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc (Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc):
Hi folks. Last week I was invited by Jennifer Allen to participate on a teleconference on "How To Price Your Listings Right......With a Persuasive CMA". The teleconference was awesome and I believe we had close to 1,000 people listen in. Since then I have had numerous emails asking me … (1 comments)

What Is Your Opinion of the Impact of the Federal's Call for Foreclosure Moratorium on Future Short Sales? - 10:39 PM
Thank you to Jim McNich, with Trademark Loss Mitigation for this insightful article on the future of Short Sales. 
Via Jim McNinch Houston TX Short Sale Specialist (Trademark Loss Mitigation Houston TX):
So far, several banks including Citi and Bank United have posted statements of postponing foreclosures as a result of the Federal Government's request:
A key member of Congress and a federal regulator encouraged financial institutions to suspend home foreclosures, as Washington's debate continued Wednesday about how to save an economy weakened by a moribund housing market.
"I would ask all of you now to please make sure that we have a moratorium … (0 comments)

Gel pen can stop check fraud - 07:12 AM
A crook could steal outgoing checks from your mailbox. All it takes is a swipe of acetone (found in nail polish remover) to wipe away what you have written. It could be that easy to clean out your bank account.
Only one type of ink is counterfeit proof to acetone and other chemicals used in "check washing." The ink used in gel pens is the answer. Recommended is the $2 uni-ball Gel Impact pen sold at chain stores.
… (10 comments)

Keyless locks: safe, convenient - 07:15 AM
Here ís one way to reduce the wad of keys in your pocket. Install a keyless entry system at your place.
They are convenient for front door, back door, and garage door. The keypad by the door is also a plus for parents whose kids forget, or lose their keys.
The systems are actually more secure than a standard deadbolt says James Dulley in his column Sensible Home. When you press the ìLOCKî button, the deadbolt always fully extends. If a thief destroys the keypad, the deadbolt remains in place.
… (4 comments)

Another bank-owned home in Riveview, never lived-in, built 2005 - 11:48 AM
 Here is another home, victim of greed.
Here are the numbers:
The investor bought this house for $250,000 in 2005. Tried to sell it in 2006 for $315,000, missed the market and lost the house.
This house has never been rented or lived in since it has been buit.
 
The home right now is for sale at $189,900
Market Value according to Zillow.com : $219,500
 
More info: Riverview, 4BR, 2.5BA, 2CG on a pond, 3111 sq.ft.
More Tampa Bay bank-owned homes
Builder inventories
 
 
… (0 comments)

Real Estate and The Fair Tax - 11:31 AM
The fair tax and home ownership

I believe that there would be benefits to the entire economy by implementing the fair tax. Just imagine the economic power of every American keeping 100% of their paycheck! ....Plus every American getting a "prebate check" every month to off set the tax on essential items.  

But what about my home interest deduction?

As the  Fair Tax relates to residential real estate this is the question that always comes up.  Here is the condensed answer.  Under our current tax system we make our mortgage payments with after tax dollars.  That is, … (5 comments)

HOW TO REVERSE THE REAL ESTATE "BUYERS' MARKET" AND CREATE DEMAND FOR HOMES. Agents have the MOJO! - 06:50 AM
BUYERS WILL NOT GET OFF THE FENCE! BUYERS WILL NOT PULL THE TRIGGER! BUYERS ARE SO SKITTISH! BUYERS ARE NOT MAKING REALISTIC OFFERS! How often do we read or hear all of the above day after day?  The only folks who will really predict the end of the real estate industry recession or depression, depending on your location, is the NAR or some agents who believe that if they think good thoughts reality will follow. 

YES, we, REAL ESTATE AGENTS, can force a reversal of the buyers market in many communities across the country. 
Come on Lenn, get real.  Our inventory is … (110 comments)

How to upload your videos to Facebook - 08:57 PM
… (36 comments)

Making the Scene: How to create new public Scenius scenes - 08:11 PM
I’ve written a ton about Scenius scenes, but, until lately, we’ve kept the scene creation praxis fairly close to our vests. I had documented the process very early for the folks who were involved in the original discussion of the Scenius idea, then shared that video how-to with other folks by email. But we’re doing things differently than we were last November. And I took up the topic of scene creation in public in Seattle both Thursday and Friday. On Friday, I promised to cook up newer, better documentation by Monday.
I’m a day early. Click on this link to be swept … (0 comments)

Real Estate BarCamp Seattle 2009... a very in person cyberspace blast. - 10:58 PM
Some coverage of the BHBUnchained and Seattle REBar camp Video clips of Redfin.com CEO Glenn Kelman from the BloodhoundBlog Unchained preview event in Seattle Living that Seattltude: Bloodhounds listening above the Sound
Via René Fabre IT Marketing (Ticor Title Company):
The barcamp event this past Friday (2/13/09) in Seattle at Zillow HQ was an absolute winner.
An awesome free flowing day exchanging ideas and experience on most every topic imaginable that had to do with technology, social media, blogging, SEO, SEM, and marketing real estate.
Creativity, openess, passion, and discovery permeated the spaces all day!
A very special event that was so … (5 comments)

3 Changes to the First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit Program! - 11:55 AM
The 3 changes to the first-time home buyers tax credit program include: 
 
 
The Tax Credit is for home buyers (either spouse if filing jointly) who have NOT owned a principle residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.  Ownership of vacation property or rental property does not disqualify home buyers from this program. The maximum credit is $8,000 or 10% of the home purchase, whichever is less. The credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 31, 2009.  To qualify for the full tax credit, married couples' modified adjusted gross income … (0 comments)

How to Write a Winning Blog for Relocations and Win Clients - 10:38 PM
Jeff Dowler is by far one of my favorite 'Local-Content' bloggers. If anyone ever asks me "What should I write about to attract consumer clients?" I just point them to Jeff's blog. His posts provide the definitive 'How-to's of creating effective 'Hyper-Local' content!
Via Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360 (RE/MAX Associates):
I've done a bit of relocating (not just casual moves but significant distances) so I know a fair amount about what it's like, things you need to think about, and issues that can arise. I know how to move with pets, kids and multiple cars, and how to … (15 comments)

Gambrills Area Teens Battle Two Opponents on the Court - 08:34 PM
Arundel Wildcats Varsity boys basketball team is playing Northeast H.S. on the courts Tuesday, February 17, but that's not all.  They're also taking on the battle against Cancer as part of a larger school effort to create awareness and fight the disease.
They're  asking fans to make a donation to the American Cancer Society at the door for the Senior Night game. Arundel Wildcats Varsity girls wear new uniforms, with a splash of pink as a reminder of the fight against breast cancer. A mural is being created to honor friends and family members of students who have been touched by … (3 comments)

Marketing YOU in "Hot Trends", cellphone wallpapers + featured posts - 05:08 PM
.

 
 OK, so I'm fully caffeinated and finally found a bit of time to blog. I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day and is full of love and chocolate! I had a busier than busy week with a thousand things going on at once but it's all good, actually great stuff and I'm totally buzzzzzzed!!!
 My PC was overdue for an upgrade and I've been shopping, thinking, etc... and finally decided to
- make the BIG move from Windows to the Apple Mac
- I've also decided to ditch my phone company for a VOIP phone service
- … (68 comments)

Help I am meeting an asset manager - what do I do? - 09:33 AM
Can someone help me?  I am meeting an asset manager on Tuesday to try to become their preferred REO agent.  This is my first attempt at listing REO properties.  I need to know what I need on my resume and how I can prepare for the meeting.  Any input from the ActiveRain community would be so appreciated.  I want to land this business and I am unsure of exactly what I need to do. 
… (0 comments)

First Time Buyer's Final Credit Explained! - 07:10 AM
We now know what the credit is for potential first time home buyers only!
Please review this link for the exact details!
http://www.wra.org/pdf/government/homebuyercredit_21309.pdf
Now is the time to find that first home!  Plenty of options and good deals are out there.
Make sure you have a good agent to help you navigate through all of this info.
Deals are out there but you must really have the help of a buyer's agent to assist you!
 
… (4 comments)

Carlsbad Real Estate - Bluwater Crossing Live-Work Lofts are Nearing Completion in Carlsbad by the Beach - 10:39 AM
Excitement is mounting as the time for these fabulous condos at Bluwater Crossing nears completion and the public will be able to tour them...and of course buy.

The first phase of 11 live-work loft condos at Bluwater Crossing will be coming on the market very soon, with two model homes to tour. If your vision is to own urban-like loft with space for your art gallery, boutique, design store or similar business, within walking distance to the beach and commuter rail, you will fall in love with these new Carlsbad homes and the vision of the community.
READ MORE: Carlsbad … (7 comments)

How to Write a Winning Blog for Relocations and Win Clients - 09:54 PM

I've done a bit of relocating (not just casual moves but significant distances) so I know a fair amount about what it's like, things you need to think about, and issues that can arise. I know how to move with pets, kids and multiple cars, and how to go about home searching in a community I have never seen before in a different part of the country. 
I also write fair amount about relocation: Relocation A to Z. Indeed, relocation is a focus of my real estate business, and the majority of my buyer clients are out of the area … (32 comments)

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