Archives of real estate blog entries for February 24, 2009

Featured blog posts


Groups - Groups - more Groups - 06:20 AM
As of this writing, there are 5317  groups on Activerain ranging from the funny and entertaining to the technical and specialized.  All of them contain interesting facts and educational materials.  I admit, I'm overwhelmed.  
Even if trying to search within the subcategories, sometimes it's difficult to find a group or even just to figure out if a group by a certain topic already exists. I like to explore new groups but don't know half the time where to start. I tried the group search functions and got lost.  
So I started a new approach to finding new groups by looking at those that others have joined.  Whenever I look or … (51 comments)

If You Don't Like The Active Rain Fees- There's The Door! - 04:34 PM
If You Don't Like The Active Rain Fees- There's The Door! I have been reading a lot of posts about the new Active Rain  monetizing plans and the new changes for brand new members that just start on Active Rain. This is the rule if you are not clear on it. If you are already on Active Rain actively blogging before February 16 then these new changes do not effect you. If you are new to Active Rain after this date then you will be able to have a members only blog and access to the most awesome coaching, teaching, training … (142 comments)

America 2.0 - 05:28 PM
 
The American spirit of ingenuity is as unprecedented as the irrepressible nature of her citizens is incontrovertible.  I am reminded of it daily and often seek solace in its truth.  It is a well chronicled phenomenon that these soils cultivate resourcefulness and determination that is uniquely coded into our collective double helix.  When faced with a challenge, regardless how daunting, we roll up those shirt sleeves and let our true greatness resolve into perfect clarity for all the world to see … and envy. 
“America, f’ yeah!”
Ah ... Myopia can be a wonderful place.  Just be mindful that … (70 comments)

Recipe for Consistent Income in Sales - 01:05 PM
Even after decades in the real estate business, I sometimes need to pause and make sure I’m on track for consistent income.  Some factors are out of my control, of course, such as the economy, politics, war or peace, competition, and sometimes even weather conditions.  It’s important, however, that I do take control of whatever I can.
One of these is a constant flow of three ingredients (or sources of business) feeding simultaneously into and through a funnel to produce consistent income:

 
FUTURE CLIENTS – Prospecting, prospecting, prospecting is to success in sales what location is to real estate. 
Did you ever get … (55 comments)

Death of a Salesman - 07:42 PM
I decided I needed to get a new pair of shoes.  The ones that I have are a couple years old and, quite frankly, a bit worn out.  So, I decided to head to the local ShoeEmporiumMart and get myself some shoes.  I knew exactly what I wanted...and in what section of the store to find it.  As I entered the store, I saw a couple customers browsing and 3 sales attendants by the cash register. 
As I stroll past them, one of them says, "Hi. I will be right with you."  Assuming she was discussing something important and required time … (133 comments)

Oh, If only I could remember his name... - 10:26 AM
Do you struggle with names?  This has personally plagued me for years and is a constant struggle in a people business where we meet new potential clients on a daily basis.  However, I also know that there is no quicker way to impress someone than to remember their name, especially after a long time has gone by.
Here's a tip from a memory master (and yes, I paid dearly for a seminar that I am boiling down to a 30 second email because I am all about, say it with me, helping you make more money, make it faster, and with … (66 comments)

Can you say your Newsletter is one of your most effective Marketing Tools? - 11:04 PM

Sure anyone can have a newsletter but to be truly effective you need to consider if you have the time to plan out its content, produce it and maintain it AND provide one that has relevant content that will have your readers saying "I can't wait for the next newsletter." 
Here are six areas for you to consider and focusto ensure you can make this long term commitment and your newsletter will be a truly effective marketing tool and not just a representation of time you've spent behind your desk and not out in your market.
Who are you writing for? … (42 comments)

What IS good for your soul? - 08:14 AM
I've been thinking a lot about what this country needs.  If you haven't, where have you been?  I know that the leaders are not going to give me a call to ask for my advice, so maybe if I blog it, it will find it's way to them.
We need to remember how to laugh.  We need to have a good hearty, tears rolling down the cheeks laugh at least once a day.  We need to return to a sense of humor and stop taking every little thing so seriously.
Oh, I don't mean to suggest that these aren't hard times.  … (31 comments)

Transaction Broker Agency - do you sell your own listings? - 05:51 AM
We've had this topic before and things got a bit out of hand (not like that!) because many confused Transaction Broker with Dual Agency, which is  NOT the same, no interchangable terms. I'm in Florida, Dual Agency is illegal, Transaction Brokerage is not.
I'm not sure about other states...if your state allows for Transaction Brokerage, do you sell your own listings?
I have done it twice so far. Both on mobile homes on rented land (our office is licensed for it). It never crossed my mind that I would NOT be on neutral ground. I have limited fiduciary duties to both parties. … (34 comments)

My Name is Bond... - 05:38 AM
My name is Bond. Although I am not as famous as my counter part, James, I can just as deadly as any of 007's gadgets or his beloved 7.65mm Walther PPK. No I am not in Her Majesties' service, nor do I have the opportunity to see exotic places, kiss the pretty babes or hobnob with the rich and famous like James. No, I am stuck at home and put in the position to protect you and your loved ones from potential danger and even death. My name is Bond - Panel Bond. My purpose is entirely for safety/emergency purposes only. … (30 comments)

7 ways to keep moving forward - 05:44 AM

 
The news is always so negative.  Sometimes I wonder if we will ever pull out of this slump.  How will this economic disaster change my life?  What do I need to do everyday to position myself for the changes ahead.  Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?
Now is the time we have to adjust to the changes ahead.  The market will change.  Don't focus on the negative news but instead imagine what the future will look like. The way we do business will change.  We cannot assume that anything will be the same when we … (30 comments)

Things I've Forgotten On The Journey...!!! - 08:45 AM
Yesterday, I wrote about things I've learned on the Journey. Today, I'm going to try to remember some things I've forgotten on the Journey...  
I've forgotten how to remember...I'm not talking about the normal effects of aging...forgetfulness...no, this inability to remember I'm alluding to is more like being too myopic...looking only forward...when I know that remembering fond memories has the capability of making them present...like recalling the good old days brings with it a fondness and joy almost as great as when we first experienced those events...CONCLUSION: Make and take time out to remember...!!!  
I've forgotten that we must … (37 comments)

What IF??? ....Will This House Fit Your Future Needs? - 10:20 AM
I am not a clairvoyant, but I tend to look into the future when I am working for home buyers, especially first time buyers.  People tend to get so caught up in the excitement of buying a home that they sometimes forget about practicality.  I hate to be a killjoy.  But, I have a tendency of reeling buyers back to reality.  My job is to help my buyer clients make smart investments and I take this part of my job very seriously.  Being that many of my clients have become repeat customers, I find that it's better to point out the good and bad of each … (32 comments)

Dear Diary, My Passion is for Living...and Returning the Favor! - 11:13 PM
Many years ago when I worked in the construction industry, I had a laborer on my crew who used to tell me, "Everyday, when I wake up the first thought in my mind is "thank you for another day" followed by "Damn, now I gotta go to work"! I always thought that was a funny mix of gratitude and resentment but the first part stuck with me and over the years I eventually adopted the same attitude. Each morning when I wake my first thoughts are "thank you for this day" followed by a list of the people and things for … (116 comments)

Do You Do AR? "Do~AR" " Diary of A Realtor " Contest Results! - 06:06 PM
D O  ~  A    R     Diary of a Realtor.
We had a spectacular turn out for our Diary of a Realtor Contest.
Our theme is:
"Dear Diary, my passion is..."
Passion means something different to each of us as individuals. If you have a burning desire that is etched into your soul for any one thing I would call that passion.
I recommend reading each and every blog post that was submitted for the contest as it will allow you to get to really "know" our members.
 
WINNING CRITERIA
Consistent posting to Diary of a Realtor Overall quality Creativeness Content Aesthetically pleasing … (50 comments)

Time to Bridge the Generation Gap - 02:28 PM
Last weekend, I was visiting an open house - not with clients, but to preview a new listing. While there, I ran into a few other Realtors. My etiquette school teacher would have been proud of me. I was polite, but genuine. I was witty, but not silly. I was knowledgeable, but not egotistical. I smiled and listened. I opened my mind and heart, because as a newer agent, that is what you do.
But what I experienced was not reciprocity. I was met with cold shoulders, looks of judgment, and a somewhat condescending tone. Why, you ask? I was … (49 comments)

Who Wants a Contact Me Button on Outside Blogs? Raise Your Hands! - 03:20 PM
Imagine, if you will, searching for an agent through Google, landing on that agent's blog -- which just happens to be an Active Rainer's Outside Blog -- and discovering there is no "contact me" button for emailing the agent.
Sure, if you poked around with the mouse long enough, you might discover a link to that agent's website or maybe a link that will direct you back to the Active Rain blog belonging to that agent, but how many of us have that kind of patience?
How many times do we want to click?
It used to be 2 clicks, but … (99 comments)

Sometimes it's not just about "GET THE LISTING !" ... - 03:57 PM
I had a listing appointment recently, where if I was so inclined, I could have 'got the listing' with no problem - it was a past client who trusts me, and she was in a vulnerable predicament.
This past client bought a home with me just over a year ago but recently said she's not happy and wanted to sell. She said it hadnt worked out as she had expected, and she felt chained to the house, wanted out, and to go to a place closer to her family.
I immediately told her I was now in this with her, and would be shoulder to shoulder … (125 comments)

Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Home? – Please Respond to this Post - 09:05 AM
The question is this - is now a good time to buy a home?  What should you say to a fence sitter to get them to buy?
This question was posed to me at a training session I was conducting the other day.  Yes, I have a response to this question, but I want to try a little experiment here.
Please let me know how you would respond to that question.  As a sales person, we all need to ask questions and listen to answers, so I am asking the question and hoping you will answer.
And just think, we can … (74 comments)

Are You A Real Estate Master? - 05:48 AM
 
Are You A Real Estate Master?
 
Sam Murphy is a student success coordinator at Oregon Institute of Technology.  He was a presenter at the College’s ROAD seminar this summer.  My husband and I attended with our daughter Kelsey.  Much of the information pertained to new and college transfer students, but he made some excellent points about transition in to college life that relates to real estate and business.  His words encouraged these students dig deep within themselves and find the discipline to study and move from just enough studying to pass a test to mastering the class information.  Sam … (23 comments)

Fashion and Split Pants - Overheard at ActiveRain HQ - 06:02 AM
Today, I was sitting with Jorgen and Mike, our developers, in the conference room, eating a lovely Bento lunch, and one of them reminded me that I needed to pick up denim patches.  My current boyfriend bought those "trendy" jeans that have holes pre-made in them, and one of those holes got bigger, showing of a tremendous amount of thigh flesh beneath.  So I grabbed up a pen and jotted "patches" on my hand, explaining to the guys what had happened and why I was writing things on my hand (again - it seems to be perpetual).
Suddenly, Mike sits up … (385 comments)


Blog posts


Customers Deserve Better-Bring Leadership To The Table! - 07:06 AM
Zeroing in on problems can only make the focal point very small!  Your customers deserve better...you deserve better!   This is no time to bury your head in the sand..or look the other way...regardless of how we feel about the economy or our careers... we are committed...many of us took an oath..bring leadership to the table...make it a great selling week!  
 
(22 comments)

59 Old Course Drive - Newport Beach CA - $1,825,000 - 02:35 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)

42 Old Course Drive - Newport Beach CA - $2,595,000 - 09:56 PM
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)

Awakening! - 03:00 PM
You know I had this strange awakening today. I was talking to a good friend of mine who is a mortgage lender. We were just chatting about this and that to be honest.
Anyway during the course of the conversation he let me know that in addition to trying to make a living in the mortgage business, he is currently also waiting tables. I am currently also working the 2010 census.
It dawned on me that we can't change who we are. For my friend and for me it is simple. We need to be self-sufficient. We need to pay our … (31 comments)

So you want a million dollar home... - 05:59 PM
Million Dollar Homes For Sale Market Report
Posted by Colleen Kulikowski
There are not a lot of million dollar homes for sale in Erie County.   In fact there are only 10 active listings  at this time ranging from $1,150,000 to $1,700,000.   There are currently 2 pending sales this year and there have been no closed sales of Million Dollar homes.
In 2008 there were 7 closed sales with an average closed price of $1,726,557 ranging from $950,000 to $3,300,000.
37 Middlesex Road | Buffalo NY 14216 - Sold for $1,400,000 and spent 155 days on the market 121 Nottingham Terrace … (1 comments)

Selling your home is not Rocket Science! - 06:09 PM
Preventing Costly Home Selling Mistakes is a lot easier than you think. But it is a lot of work. Proven systems, strong internet coverage and a dedicated team is what you need! Colleen Kulikowski & Associates is that team! What we are doing is what has to be done in today's highly competitive Real Estate Market. Selling a home takes a concentrated effort and a lot of hard work!
Additional Real Estate Home Sales Articles of Interest
General Real Estate
My Buffalo home is about to expire! Choices too much for today's home buyers? Why Use A Realtor® for your Buffalo … (4 comments)

The Importance of a Home Inspection - 06:26 PM
Home Inspection Reports
Home Inspection Reports Explained
In the early years of the Home Inspection Industry, Home Inspection Reports consisted of a simple checklist or a one or two-page narrative report. In the inspection business, descriptive phrases are called "narratives".
Both checklist and narrative reports are still in use today. From the point of liability, narrative reports are widely considered safer, since they generally provide more information and/or state information more clearly. Many liability issues and problems with the inspection process are due to misunderstandings about what was to be included in the report or about what the report says.
Take … (3 comments)

3405 Terrapin Rd Pikesville, Maryland 21208 - 12:01 PM
(5 comments)

Strathmore Towers 6210 Park Heights Ave #701 Baltimore, Maryland 21215 - 01:10 PM
(5 comments)

Subprime lenders, liars, cheaters and "The Man". Revisited - 04:19 PM

OK you're going to like this one. First posted March 15, 2007. This was the day the market crashed in Poinciana Florida. Check it out:
 Subprime lenders, liars, cheaters and "The Man".
Hey, has any one heard about the subprime lending crisis? OK, I guess you probably have. From what I understand, this crisis, we are going through right now, is due to all the low life, lying and cheating Mortgage Brokers that had saturated our business over the last few years looking to pad their wallets with the blood sweat and tears of the working class. They have been … (17 comments)

What is a Short Sale? - 01:47 PM
A few minutes ago I received an email from a very faithful client.  Sold their home for them, sold them another home and sold that one when they purchased the third home.  In addition, I sold one of their daughters and her husband a home.  Very nice and loyal couple.
Here is the entire email: "What does 3rd party approval mean?"
Simple question but perhaps deserving of a complex answer.  Responded saying that it meant that the seller of a home was not really the seller of a home and needs someone elses permission to sell.  Think that was a good explanation?
(1 comments)

Wichita housing and economic update - 03:36 PM
Wichita housing and economic update
  
  
Kansas ranked 6th in the nation for new jobs in 2008.  Only 14 of the 50 states had an increase in total jobs with the majority being located in the central United States.  Texas had the largest increase in jobs surpassing all increases in the other 13 states.
  
Unemployment in November was 4.7% in the Wichita metro area. This rate is well below the national unemployment rate and well below the 2003 unemployment rate of 8.3% in 2003 caused by the 9/11 terrorist strike and subsequent reduction in commercial aircraft orders.  The recent … (0 comments)

Taking advantage of the new $8,000 1st time buyers tax credit - 03:38 PM

  
Taking advantage of the new
$8,000, 1st Time buyers Tax Credit.
 
How would you like to own a new home for free?
 
Let's say you are a renter paying $950 a month to rent a small home.  I can sell you a $110,000 home with payments $125 below what you are paying for rent, give you a tax deduction on the interest and taxes you are paying and reimburse you your initial down payment and closing costs.
 
How is this possible?
 
The federal government is giving 1st time buyers or folks who have not claimed … (2 comments)

Update on Federal Economic Stimulus Plan - How it Affects Snohomish County - 02:09 PM
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are restricted by law to purchasing single-family mortgages with origination balances below a specific amount, known as the "conforming loan limit." Loans above this limit are known as jumbo loans.
The national conforming loan limit for mortgages that finance single-family one-unit properties increased from $33,000 in the early 1970s to $417,000 for 2006-2008, with limits 50 percent higher for four statutorily-designated high cost areas: Alaska,  Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2008, legislation was passed that temporarily increased the one-unit limit to up to $729,750 in certain high-cost areas in the continental United States. That legislation, … (0 comments)

Washington & Snohomish County Real Estate Asbestos Prevention - 02:53 PM
 In the world of real estate, there can be an overwhelming amount of items on the agenda. Having the assistance of those in the industry can be a big part in accumulating the right information to making the crucial decision. The path to home ownership is a great accomplishment that will also make for additional responsibilities. Many homes will also require repairs or remodeling. Washington and Snohomish residents seeking to buy or remodel a home built prior to 1980 should be aware the potential for asbestos laden materials remains a possibility.
This by no means should make you incredibly frightened because … (0 comments)

2332 75th Ave. S. E. Everett, WA - 10:00 PM

(1 comments)

Terrific country home on 11 acres; Cumberland Plateau of east Tennessee - 11:34 AM
Here's your own private domain on 11 mostly cleared acres. 3,000+ square foot cedar sided home is looking for a new owner.

A "Featured Home" at KnoxvilleHomeCenter.com
I use www.BudURL to track traffic to specific links such as listings, posts I write on my blog, etc.. That let's keep up with who's looking at certain things and what part of the country they're coming from.
I recently posted a budURL link to this new lising on Twitter and Facebook. This listing has received 22 unique visitors in the past 30 minutes from just those 2 sources. I rate that as … (4 comments)

Come on Over to our Pottery Barn Short Sale OPEN HOUSE in Mukwonago....! - 09:12 PM
  Here's your invitation....bring your pre-qualification letter and come on over to our Short Sale Open House in Mukwonago this Sunday, Feb. 29th  Noon- 1:30 p.m., 223 McKenzie Road, Mukwonago, WI
    Short Sale  Affordably Priced: $237,500
          4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car att. garage
   There are Short Sale Realtors who will tell you that you should just "let the price sell the house"....and then again...their short sale was not listed with the Hansons...Come on over and enjoy this wonderful 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath 10 year new home...great back yard...eat in kitchen...You can get a peak from the pictures … (2 comments)

Exeter NH Homes | Stratham NH Homes - Real Estate Market Report - 2008 Recap - 07:47 PM
Exeter NH Homes | Stratham NH Homes - 2008 Market Report Homes Sold
 Real Estate is also a topic of great interest for almost everyone, and especially these days.  With media outlets continually highlighting their perceptions of the real estate markets across the country, it makes is imperative to consult with a local professional REALTOR to get the real straight facts about your local real estate markets.
Here in the NH Seacoast real estate markets, some of our towns have fared better than the media would have you believe, while other towns haven't fared as well.
Thie market report deals with the Exeter New Hampshire … (18 comments)

What the Heck Is a Short Sale? - 01:00 PM
I can promise you that it's anything but a short transaction!
Simply put, a short sale (also referred to as a ‘pre-foreclosure'), involves the sale of real estate whereby the proceeds from the sale fall short of the balance owed on a loan secured by the property. In a short sale, the bank or mortgage lender agrees to discount a loan balance due to an economic or financial hardship that exists on the part of the owner/borrower. This negotiation is all done through communication with a bank's Loss Mitigation department.
The home owner/borrower sells the mortgaged property for less than the … (0 comments)

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