Archives of real estate blog entries for April 14, 2009

Featured blog posts


All Hail The TwitterQueens! - 10:27 PM
Sound the bugles...roll our the red carpet....prepare the curtseys and bows, the TwitterQueens are coming!

 
Join us in NYC for our Inaugural Event!  Visit our site at http://www.twitterqueens.net for more information!
Visit Twitterqueens
… (61 comments)

Negotiating Multiple Offers. A Tutorial. - 10:16 PM
Hi Folks, If your market is saturated with REOs, as mine is, you may be incountering multiple offers quite frequently. This article, I wrote a couple of years ago. may help you deal with them.
Negotiating multiple offers. 
I don't know about you but I love things in multiple. Multiple zeros on my bank balance, multiple listings, multiple closings and of course, multiple offers. Multiple offers, are one of my favorite things. It really places my Seller in the driver's seat when it comes to negotiating and normally means we will be able to get a higher price for the house.
… (81 comments)

Fair Housing Lawsuit Settled Today for $280,000 + Retrofitting Costs - 05:39 PM

Here is another example of a recent settlement of a Fair Housing Act lawsuit brought by the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”). I try to post case summaries in order to provide timely updates to real estate agents and brokers about the "dos and don'ts" under the Fair Housing Act, since fair housing is such an important issue.
This afternoon (April 14, 2009), the DOJ settled a Fair Housing Act lawsuit that was brought against twenty-five defendants (individuals involved in the design and construction of various multi-family housing complexes) for failing to provide required accessible features for persons with … (30 comments)

NEW HOUSE BILL VOTED ON TO END THE DEPARTMENT OF RE!!!!!! - 06:37 PM
From California Association of Realtors Legislative liasion Amy Steele. 
ATTN:  ALL CALIFORNIA REALTORS
THERE IS A BILL BEING VOTED ON IN OUR LEGISLATURE TO ABOLISH THE DRE.  Below is the text of the legislative alert.  You all need to immediately email or contact all representatives at the House and Senate levels here in California to voice your extreme opposition to doing away with our livelihood.  It seems that this is a way of trying to get banks back into real estate.  I would also recommend emailing and flooding the office of the congressman who drafted this bill.  The congressman is Pedro … (51 comments)

The Squeeze Play...In Baseball Or Real Estate...!!! - 04:29 PM
There's a play in baseball they call the 'squeeze play'...rather than explain it with Xs and Os...Let me just say that it contains elements of surprise, bunting, quickness, timing, and a whole lot of luck...  
When it works (about half the times it's tried) it looks impressive and ingenious and results in a run scored...when it doesn't work, however, it looks awful, stupid, too risky, bush league, and desperate...  
Now, let's look at real estate...  
Real estate is often like that...there are many 'squeeze plays' in real estate...when the risks seem to outweigh the advantages...but a lot of … (37 comments)

I Just Met The Nicest Rainmaker - 09:46 AM
Rainmaking with Jim Cheney I took a little time yesterday and looked through some of the new members and found a really wonderful new Active Rain member with over 40 posts and over 15,000 points since last month.  I wanted to formally introduce him here because he also has a shiny new Rainmaker account.  All forty something of those posts now have the ability to be indexed by Google so that the consumer can see them and benefit from Jim's hyper local knowledge of his market.  Check out his latest if you get the chance and make sure and welcome him … (39 comments)

MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE - DEFEATED! AND HOW I DID IT - 08:11 AM
UPDATED - SEE NEW CASE THAT SUPPORTS THIS THEORY - VERIZZO V. BANK OF NEW YORK
Today I used a new technical defense to successfully defeat a motion for summary judgment for foreclosure and I wanted to pass it on to other attorneys (or those who know attorneys) helping homeowners in foreclosure.
This happened in Florida, but other states' rules could provide the same type of relief.
The bank filed its foreclosure some months ago and the homeowner tried to represent himself and did a poor job of it because there were several deficiencies in the pleadings filed by the bank.  Then I … (58 comments)

Making a Name For Yourself-Part III - 01:42 PM
Smart Agent Branding Strategies from Some of Today's Top Agents
By Julie Escobar, Director of Corporate Marketing, ProspectsPLUS!
You may recall, in last month's article we started to dive into some of the unique ways top agents "Make a Name for Themselves." We shared the story of Short Sale Specialist Bob Daniel and his powerful approach to building and owning that niche in his market area. Before that, we learned from one of real estate's Top 50 REALTORS® on the Rise in 2008, Kathy Casarin, who shared her terrific strategies for marketing to FSBOs and Expireds. If you missed the February … (26 comments)

Blurring the thinking and some clarity about Buyers Agency in Michigan - 05:30 AM

 
I love phone calls from readers and especially phone calls that ask questions about how agency relationships work in our area (Macomb County MI).
Recently a young lady called and told me a story that is all too common:   She called the agent on the sign in front of a home requesting information about it and to make an appointment to view it.   The agent asked all the questions we would expect:  Are you pre-approved for a mortgage?  Are you just looking or ready to purchase? 
The agent however forgot to ask one question:  Are you working with … (35 comments)

At Home With Diversity Training - 04:42 AM
I had never heard of the At Home With Diversity certification until I was taking a multicultural course as part of my GRI classes.  However, I was immediately on board.  Who doesn't want to express their commitment to better understanding buyers in our marketplace?  Whether you like it or not, we live in a rapidly changing multicultural environment.  America's a melting pot.  It's who we are and what makes us a strong nation.  We value each other's difference.  We learn from each other and work together toward a better country. 
I challenge every REALTOR® to take a multicultural course.  It was fascinating … (8 comments)

What are the REWARDS of Working from your Virtual Office at Home? - 05:52 AM
Thinking of working from home? 
Already have a Virtual Office?
More and more business pros are saving the overhead expense and working from home.  In the real estate industry, that includes real estate agents, mortgage lenders, home stagers, inspectors, appraisers, transaction coordinators, virtual assistants, and more.
I just started a new blog "Virtual Office Biz Pro" for those business professionals who work from their home office, or work while traveling on the road.  http://virtualofficebizpro.wordpress.com
Take a peek and answer my POLL:
http://virtualofficebizpro.wordpress.com/2009/04/14/survey-says-why-do-you-work-from-your-virtual-office
I've been working exclusively from my home office for 7+ years now.  So many real estate agents and other professionals are … (62 comments)

ActiveRains On-Line Training Webinars - Welcome To Session One - 12:32 AM
ActiveRains "First" On-Line Training Webinar - Welcome To Session One
First, I want to thank all of you who have been waiting patiently for these webinars.  I just received a comment on my post from Cathy Tishhouse which reminded me, and made me realize that we need to get these training webinars under way.  We have just setup our very own AR On-line Training room, and we're ready to do our first session.  Our goal in session one is to help AR members get their Outside Blogs created and setup so they can benefit just like Cathy has.  There are now … (60 comments)

Ten Tips to Bring Visitors to your Blog - 08:29 AM
Most of us invest a lot of time in writing our blog posts for many different reasons. Some of us want AR "points", others want to get the beloved "google juice", and still others want to attract prospects! Personally, I WANT IT ALL!
Whatever your reason for blogging, these are my suggestions to attract and keep loyal followers:
 Tip 1: Add great content and write often.
A blog is only as good as the content. If you want to be recognized as an expert in your field, create original posts that sets you apart from everyone else. Think you don't … (156 comments)

BE AFRAID!! BE VERY AFRAID!! - 04:58 PM
Have you ever participated in a political gathering?
Have you ever written your local newspaper with a letter to the editor about a political matter?
Has anyone ever tagged you with the label "right wing extremist"?  Homeland Security may be watching.
To compound this attack on our Bill of Rights, it appears that Homeland Security is targeting returning veterans as potential radicals, easily recruited by "right wing extremists".
MISSION OF DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
"This Department of Homeland Security's overriding and urgent mission is to lead the unified national effort to secure the country and preserve our freedoms."  More. . . … (122 comments)

The Art of Presenting an Offer - 05:09 AM
Your listing is priced at $400,000, asking right around where the last comp closed a month ago.
An agent shows your listing and calls to follow up.
"Is your seller negotiable?"
"Everything is negotiable.  My seller's are prepared to consider every offer in it's entirety."
"Ok great, but will they consider $320,000?  Because my client can only spend $320,000, not a penny more, and I don't want to bother putting it in writing if your seller won't even consider it.  You know another home closed in this neighborhood for $310,000.  And you know there are a ton of homes on the … (52 comments)

Why Invest Time and Money in Training? - 07:22 AM
When I logged in to ActiveRain this morning, the first featured post on the dashboard at the time was Jeremy Blanton's Use the Activerain Search Button to Save You Thousands!!!
It is an excellent tutorial on using the ActiveRain "Search" function for people, blogs, groups, etc., and I encourage everyone to read it because there's a lot of good information there.
I had a hard time concentrating on the content, however, because my attention was distracted by a question asked early in the post that put me on the defensive:  "Why do you need to pay someone thousands of dollars to … (62 comments)

SEO tip for rankings in YAHOO - 07:41 AM
I know many of you have read a number of posts I have written about how to come up more prominently online. It has been a while since I have done a helpful SEO type post for my subscribers. Well the drought is over:)
While Google clearly is the leader in online search traffic Yahoo is number two and should not be overlooked as a source to potentially get business from your blogging efforts.
The Active Rain platform and our Active Rain outside blogs can and will do very well with Yahoo if you follow a few tips I am going … (162 comments)


Blog posts


Buyer Beware-Listing Agents Should Become Familiar With Their Inventory! - 06:50 AM
I remember early in my career I had the title company pull title on a unit...supposedly my listing.  As we got closer to closing...it was revealed the title company pulled title on the wrong unit!  Guess what I paid...and paid heavily.  It was my mistake and I admit it...we closed on the correct unit.  No harm done...just me being out a couple of hundred dollars..it wouldn't have been so bad but the condo sold  for under $20,000.
It was my mistake...I paid..why wouldn't I?  Ever call an agent who is so busy getting new listings that they are not aware of … (23 comments)

Are You a First Time Home Buyer in East Contra Costa County - 12:21 PM
Are you a First Time Home Buyer seeking to Buy a Home in East Contra Costa County? Did you want to find a home in Bay Point, Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, Discovery Bay, or other smaller communities. Maybe you need to know about Bank Owned Homes?
This information is primarily for the First Time Buyer, but many of them are things all buyers should consider. Each Market is local and Real Estate and Lending Markets are constantly changing. For the most current and up to date information please contact me directly at 925-260-4321 or Gene@AskGene.info.
Things to Consider:
• Know what … (1 comments)

Negotiating Multiple Offers. A Tutorial. - 10:16 PM
Hi Folks, If your market is saturated with REOs, as mine is, you may be incountering multiple offers quite frequently. This article, I wrote a couple of years ago. may help you deal with them.
Negotiating multiple offers. 
I don't know about you but I love things in multiple. Multiple zeros on my bank balance, multiple listings, multiple closings and of course, multiple offers. Multiple offers, are one of my favorite things. It really places my Seller in the driver's seat when it comes to negotiating and normally means we will be able to get a higher price for the house.
… (81 comments)

Things I Can't Do.... - 11:13 AM
The other day a friend of mine was discussing her need for perfection.  Everything had to be perfect...her house, her dinner, her boyfriend...everything. She won't settle for less than perfect!  That got me thinking about all the things I can and can't do.   There's a whole list of things I can't do!  For example, I can't....
1. Sing.  Nope....can't carry a tune in a bucket, as they say. 
2. Keep a houseplant alive.  My outdoor plants are gorgeous, but give me a houseplant and I'll kill it  every time.
3. Drive a stickshift- Don't even get me started on this one
4. Grasp the whole … (0 comments)

It's a Beautiful Day in Maine! - 01:23 PM
Greetings from Maine!  Oh what a beautiful day it is today.....temps should reach close to 60...there's a light, salty breeze coming off of the ocean...the osprey are back..and the birds are singing!  People are thankful that the long winter is finally over, as evidenced by the ear-to-ear grin on everyone's face!  It's a perfect day to walk on Popham Beach, have a picnic at the waterfront park in Bath, or simply sit on the deck and soak up the sunshine!  Oh....and of course it's a perfect day to check out the homes for sale in Mid Coast Maine!
Now is the time … (3 comments)

2157 Lake Lotela Drive -- $135,000 - 06:13 PM
… (0 comments)

Rivercrest Riptide Swim Team Sign-Ups - 04:56 PM
Please join us for our 2009 Kick-Off Meeting on Sunday, April 26th, at 3:30 pm at the Cascades Library. Come Meet your coaches, get a meet schedule, and register for the swim team. Your NEW 2009 Speedo Suit with the Riptide custom logo will also be available for purchase.
Note: The registration fee for this year is $115 per swimmer. For any registrations received between May 10-June 2nd, there will be a $25 per swimmer late fee. No registrations will be accepted for the 2009 Swim Season after June 1, 2009. There are no refunds on registration fees.
Evening practices begin … (0 comments)

Loudoun Sheriff’s Deputies Among Those Recognized at 2009 Valor Awards - 05:04 PM
Loudoun County, Virginia- Four Loudoun Sheriff's Deputies were among those recognized Tuesday afternoon at the 2009 Valor Awards ceremony held at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne.
Deputy Sean McCormack received a Lifesaving Award for his efforts on April 25, 2008. Deputy McCormack came upon a disabled vehicle on Route 28 near Sterling Boulevard. Outside of the vehicle was a woman on a cell phone in obvious hysterics. McCormack approached the vehicle and discovered an infant inside the car suffering from a medical emergency. The baby was blue and shaking, as if it was having a seizure. McCormack repositioned the baby … (0 comments)

8 Low Cost Fixes To Getting Your Montgomery Home Sold - 05:57 AM
If you have a home that only you can love, you will benefit for these 8 low cost fixes to getting your Montgomery home sold quickly. We don't live in a house the way we sell a house. Buyers aren't interested in seeing dirty socks lying around or dirty dishes in the sink. Below are a list inexpensive things, from Realtor Magazine, that you can do to make buyers fall in love with your Montgomery home.1. Move it. Simply rearranging the furniture can reenergize a room. Add and remove furniture, lamps, rugs, and accessories from other parts of the house to create a … (0 comments)

Avalon Park Real Estate Market Update 04/14/09 - 09:12 AM
This is the market information for Avalon Park Real Estate, located in East Orlando Florida. 

The properties labeled with a "B" stand for Avalon Park Bank Owned properties that sold and the property with "F" illustrate a short sale that sold in pre-Foreclosure.To date there are currently 16 bank owned homes for sale in Avalon Park and there are also 165 short sale opportunities in Avalon Park. Considering there are 165 out of the total 307 properties for sale in Avalon Park, which equates to approximately 54% of the properties for sale in Avalon Park are foreclosures. This does not mean there are … (0 comments)

Just Reduced Bayfront listing - 09:19 AM
    Enjoy bay views and fantastic sunsets from this four bedroom, three bath townhome.  Listed by Jack O'Brien.
Call Gerri Rescigno, RE/MAX Beach Home Realty at 609-425-1775 for more information or visit Sea Isle City Sale and Rental Listings.
… (0 comments)

Client Loyalty - 05:54 PM
It's always good to start a day with GOOD NEWS.
One of my sellers called me this morning - one whose listing was due to expire in 2 days - to say he had found a buyer for his property. They'd negotiated the price, it was a cash sale, quick closing, and could they all come in this afternoon to do the paperwork?
Some regular winter vacationers at his condo complex heard about his unit, saw him moving furniture, went to see it, and made him the offer.
It would have been easy - if your ethics allowed - to say, … (17 comments)

Cincinnati Ohio Real Estate Market Report 24 hour update 04/14/2009 - 11:39 AM
Call me about the 8000.00 Stimulus package for first time home buyers!
Here is a daily MLS update of activity in the Cincinnati area.
 There are 18851 properties for sale in the Cincinnati area.

 
43 of the pending properties are priced at 120,000.00 or less!
To search for your new home in Southwest Ohio you can click on the link below.
http://www.find1home.com/more_listings.php?id=4123
… (0 comments)

What You Ought To Know About People Reading Your Blog - 07:06 AM
Incase you missed this post, here it is again.
Via Lisa Udy Realtor Utah Real Estate Specialist (Logan Utah Real Estate Youngblood Real Estate LLC):
We all know the people on ActiveRain that read our blogs, they leave comments and we get to know who is reading them. But what do you know about the consumer who is silently reading your blog? Do you even know who is reading your blog? Do you know how they found your blog? Do you know where the people live that are looking at your blog?
I do, and so can you. 
Here's How:
 I'm sure you all know … (0 comments)

Do You Qualify for the $8000 Tax Credit - 10:18 AM
Most have heard about the $8,000 tax credit for first time homebuyers. Here are a few tips to see ifyou are eligible and how to go about claiming it.Full Story:  http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20090410_mrktconditions.htm 
When wishing to take advantage of this credit make sure you get financial advice before buying or doing your taxes.
 
… (0 comments)

Real Estate Markets and Mortgages - 12:08 AM
I encountered a unique situation today that will likely become more frequent in the near future.  A buyer purchased their Charlotte Home 2 years ago.  They purchased their home with a 80/20 loan.  Both of their loans were made via Countrywide.  No problem.
They have had financial difficulties in Charlotte.  They did not make the expected income that they had anticipated (based on previous employment else where in the same capacity).  Ultimately the bottom line is they are in financial trouble.  Here is the problem:
Country wide sold their loans to 2 different lenders.  They are behind on their 2nd mortgage but … (3 comments)

freddie mae freddie mac title insurance QUESTION? - 11:07 AM
Hello fellow Activerain Members - I have a quick question:
Yesterday I had a Realtor client ask me if he could choose the title company on BOTH ends of the transaction when dealing with a freddie mae freddie mac transaction after hearing rumors that now you could - Is this correct?
Thank You,
Keith Stonehouse - Franklin Title Agency
… (2 comments)

"Move to the #@%$ing country" - 05:37 AM
That's the advice of the first person who commented on Tanya Hutchins story about a Grandview Heights teen who wants to raise chickens...
Teen Puts ‘Pet Project’ In Front Of Council
In the Reader Reaction to the story on NBC4i.com "Sprockets" said:
"There are very good reasons why farm animals are called “farm animals” and not “suburb” or “city animals.“  In fact, there are several reasons.  So what if this guy wants to keep chickens?  Let him grow up, get a job, and move to the freaking country."
"Sprockets" mentions also he lived next door to someone who had … (4 comments)

Southern Rock Fans Read On … or … “Ramblin’ Man” Come Home (Auction Sale, San Rafael (Marin County), CA) - 11:17 PM
The former home of Southern Rock legend Gregg Allman is being auctioned off on April 21st. This is a big home (a "vacation-like retreat offer(ing) a remodeled 4BR 2.5BA main residence with approx. 2,671 sf and a state-of-the-art kitchen and walls of glass, fabulous guest house with great room and separate BR/BA, former professional recording studio has been converted into multi-use space. Luxurious pool and spa, waterfall, tropical gardens, amazing views, 2000+/- sf decks - all on over an acre private paradise)," according to the description on the auction site.

Further, this home was "[b]uilt in 1978, the architectural elements of … (0 comments)

FSBO'S in MLS a blessing in disguise? - 07:36 AM
Hey everyone!  I have read many posts about agents against FSBOs listing in the MLS.  I look at this as a "great" benefit.  Since I market to FSBO's, here's the way I see it:
1) Most agents will not "show" FSBO's listed in the MLS.
2) The FSBO, by listing, is showing they are willing to "co-op".
3) I do a search for all the FSBO's in the area codes I work, in the price range I work.  The system does the "finding" for me.
4)  Usually there are multiple photos.  This allows me to get an idea of the condition … (6 comments)

Related links

New Members for 2009-04-14

 Archives:

30 Apr
29 Apr
28 Apr
27 Apr
26 Apr
25 Apr
24 Apr
23 Apr
22 Apr
21 Apr
20 Apr
19 Apr
18 Apr
17 Apr
16 Apr
15 Apr
14 Apr
13 Apr
12 Apr
11 Apr
10 Apr
9 Apr
8 Apr
7 Apr
6 Apr
5 Apr
4 Apr
3 Apr
2 Apr
1 Apr
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006