Archives of real estate blog entries for July 19, 2009

Featured blog posts


Why look at US Census? - 07:21 AM
 

 
After looking at the US Census website:
see http://www.census.gov
I have found data that can be used for my buyers. 
At least a place for them to find information.
They have categories on:
People and Households (including Housing)
Business and Industry
Geography
Newsroom (press releases) and Special Topics.
If you have never browsed this site, put it on your list, there is a lot to learn!
… (55 comments)

Real Estate Sales Training - The Words and Philosophy of Yogi Berra - The Importance of Teamwork - 11:13 PM
Words and Wisdom of Yogi Berra
Over the next month, I will be taking a brief look at the words and philosophy of Yogi Berra as it relates to real estate sales training.  Prior installments of the Yogi Berra Real Estate Sales Training Series included:
Installment No. 1 - When you come to a fork in the road, take it - The Art of Making a Decision.  This installment focused on the need for decisive action and the need for making informed decisions. Installment No. 2 - It's never happened in world series history, and it hasn't happened since - The … (29 comments)

WATERFRONT HOMES IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA and the "WATERFRONT PRICE PREMIUM". - 07:19 PM
WATER FRONT HOMES IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, the waterfront premium has helped waterfront properties maintain value. 
AVERAGE PRICES FOR WATERFRONT PROPERTIES IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA.  Prices reflect Single Family detached residences except for Alexandria City which are town homes. 
Don't forget.  Natural waterfront is a finite resource. 
Alexandria City waterfront homes are located along the Potomac River across from Washington D.C. offering an average price of $1,653,056.  These homes are large town homes in communities with a view of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge to Maryland and the Ronald Reagan Airport across the water.  All townhomes in Alexandria City have an average … (22 comments)

If You Are Going Through Hell, Keep Going - 05:20 PM
Winston Churchill, in a quote describing how we should face adversity, said, “If you are going through hell, keep going.” Nothing better describes how we should best respond to difficult situations. Don’t stop; don’t waste time lamenting; just forge ahead.
 
There was once a time we lacked the very things that many now feel they have lost. We’ve all had setbacks, temporary reversals that may have thrown us off track; but such vexations are in no means a measure of success. And while we sometimes look to our accumulated wealth to judge our success or failure; possessions are not the … (92 comments)

Inspections, Appraisals & Reviews - oh my! What a buyers agent can do to help ease the process and the stress in purchasing your home. - 06:19 AM

If you've read anything about purchasing a home in Macomb County MI over the last few months then you've certainly come across many articles detailing the difficulty in getting the mortgage loans through the processing end of things.  Some of the areas in which your buyers agent (you do have one don't you?) needs to provide their expertise and help to ease the stress are with the inspections that you will have, and the appraisal & appraisal review process:
Your home inspection:  As a buyers agent in Macomb County MI , I will provide to you a list of … (33 comments)

Rub a dub dub - Field Mice in the Tub - and the Cautionary Tale of the Purse... - 06:28 AM
I was at the end of a very long day of showing rural properties to a family from out-of-state. This day came on the end of several very long days of showing property across several counties. (By the end of the week, I'd have over 800 miles on my car.) We went into the house and the 13-year-old daughter made it to the main bath before the rest of it. I heard her call out, "There's a mouse in the bath tub!" 
When I got there, I saw there were actually two mice in the bathtub... Well, one mouse and what … (44 comments)

Beaverton Oregon Real Estate and more: Unemployment insurance? Why can’t we do that for mortgages with a twist? - 12:10 AM

Beaverton Oregon Real Estate and more: Unemployment insurance? Why can’t we do that for mortgages with a twist? By Todd Clark
In the State of Oregon, every month an employer is required to pay in to an unemployment insurance fund so that if someone should become unemployed, due to something other than just being an idiot and being fired, then they can collect unemployment. So why can’t we do something like this with home owners and their mortgage?
Last week, I wrote a featured post that got heated at times about PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) and I guess it is … (11 comments)

Where is the Philadelphia Condo Market Going ? - 09:09 AM
Philadelphia Condos: Where is the Philadelpia Condo Market Going ? Straight to the dogs some might say !  Chris and I talk about this 24/7. We live in a Northern Liberties new construction condo right now, I rented in the Art Museum for years, and we moved from Old City where we still own one of our old condos for investment purposes.  So, when I speak with our "opinion", I am doing so having much of our own hard earned money invested in these areas of the city.  Not to mention we have experience as modestly successful Realtors. The Center City Philadelphia … (30 comments)

Would You Like A Side of Spam with That? Of Course Not!! - 08:20 AM
I don't know exactly what else to say other than, I'm sorry. 
(Hi. Whatever you fear most has no power - it is your fear that has the power. Help me! Could you help me find sites on the: Wash hookless shower curtain. I found only this - spotted shower curtain. Nice! Love the shower curtain good choice, and this one will probably last longer than the one from target. Hookless shower curtain ezinearticles. With best wishes :rolleyes:, Neta from Tajikistan.)
If you are reading this, you probably have been swamped today from a ton of spam comments. We are doing everything … (219 comments)

What's Your Networking Personality Type? - 02:01 PM
What's Your Networking Personality Type?
I was privileged to be invited by Vicki Christensen to give a presentation (Want to Charge More? Write That Book!) to her In the Flow Marketing group yesterday in Scottsdale. Vicki explains the reasons she created In the Flow this way: "I realized that most marketing and networking groups didn't meet my needs. Most in attendance were self-absorbed with hard sales and endless 30-second pitches, which left me feeling 'flat' and uninterested.  There weren't any authentic connections made with other people."
Isn't that the truth? Although a networking event is really like a dance or an old-fashioned … (30 comments)


Blog posts


I need help please, how do I protect our designs!!!! - 04:21 PM
There is a company that is hosting a couple of designs for our clients.  We no longer work with this company, and see that the links were not put up properly or not at all.To protect the clients I am not mentioning who this company is.What recourse do I have for intellectual property rights if they do not put our information up or not correctly?This is not Advanced Access, as I have resolved this with AA and they assure me that this is not a problem and my links have been put up on the AA sites that I requested.Cherie YoungOnline … (3 comments)

NORTHEAST LOS ANGELES: OPEN HOUSES FOR SUNDAY JULY 19 - 07:46 AM
Listing of Sunday's Open Houses from I-Tech MLS Listing of Sunday's Open Houses from Combined L.A. Westside MLS
Featuring Open Houses in the Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon.
… (0 comments)

My New Hummingbird Friends - 07:55 PM
Alyssa got her Daddy a Hummingbird feeder for Father's Day, however we just hung it a few days ago.
Look at the visitor we had!  The Hummingbird is actually blurry because of the speed of the flapping of the wings, but I tried to get a picture as in-focus as possible.
How do they find the feeders?  The internet says they cannot smell it, and to not worry about coloring the water because they can't see it.  How did these hummingbirds know the feeder was there?  They appeared within an hour of putting it out in the tree.


**Are … (12 comments)

Speechless Sunday- Smiles Say it All! - 08:04 PM
 First time with Sidewalk Chalk.

 
**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®RE/MAX Austin Skylinewww.DonnaHomes.comDonna@DonnaHomes.com
Austin, TX real estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, Westlake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Whether you're buying or selling, I'll be with you through the entire process.
… (13 comments)

Kids Have No Fears - 08:51 PM
Kids have no fears... She walked right up, planted her feet, and jumped right in...
 
It was getting out that was the hard part!
Hoppin' House in Lakeway, TX turns 1 years old and they're throwing a huge, FREE party on August 1. Hope to see you there! **Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®RE/MAX Austin Skylinewww.DonnaHomes.comDonna@DonnaHomes.com
Austin, TX real estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, Westlake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Whether you're buying or selling, I'll be with you through the entire process.
… (5 comments)

White House says economic free-fall has ended! - 07:51 AM
Well we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Thank goodness that's all over!! It was rough for a while there, but the White House's top economic adviser - Larry Summers - has now been able to tell us that the free-fall is over and boy he has the statistics to prove it!
Well if he doesn't have them, then by golly he sure knows where to get them - GOOGLE!!
Yes in an unprecedented move, Summers was able to tel Politico, that his proof for the end of the freefall comes in the form of Google searches. Apparently the search … (15 comments)

Speechless Sunday - Sunset in Brookfield - 07:48 PM


My husband just took this photo on his walk this evening after a long day of open houses.  This is what the sunset looks like out here in Brookfield, Massachusetts.  Have a wonderful evening!
kathleencooper@jckcrealty.com , cooperagents@charter.net , 508-523-8632 www.activerain.com/jckcrealty, www.JCKCRealty.com,  www.CentralMAListings.com, http://www.realtor.com,  www.MassachusettsHomeLocator.com, http://www.facebook.com, www.trulia.com, www.myspace.com/kfcooper,  http://jckcrealty.postlets.com/ , www.loopnet.com,  http://twitter.com/jckcrealty
If you are ever looking for a Buyer's Agent or Seller's Agent in Worcester County,  Hampden County, or anywhere in Central Mass, please don't hesitate to contact me, Kathleen Cooper at kathleencooper@jckcrealty.com .  Please make sure to visit my website at http://www.MassachusettsHomeLocator.com and find everything you need from market snapshots, Buyer … (11 comments)

Day 8: 100 Days of Central Mass Features Zorbas - 08:27 PM
Tonight we are featuring Zorba's Pizzeria & Tavern in Charlton, MA and it's so fitting since that's what James surprised me with for dinner tonight!  This is a great place, you must try it if you like Greek food or pizza.  We love to order the Atlas pizza which is topped with all kinds of meats, Greek Salad and their Garlic Feta Dipwith Pita Bread.  The atmosphere is casual and nice, but our favorite part is the DRIVE-THRU!  With 4 young children, it's very convenient to be able to call and order our food and pick it up at the drive-thru window on our way home.  Their menu features … (0 comments)

Short Sale Basics, Session III--Just What I Needed Today!sh - 06:57 AM
 
Debe Maxwell is one of Short Sale Basic's students and has this to say about session 3. Thanks Debe!!!!
 
Via Debe Maxwell, Realtor® Let's Talk CHARLOTTE! (Helen Adams Realty):
Short Sale Basics, Session III--Just What I Needed Today!Our own Bryant Tutus (BB or Broker Bryant) & Wendy Rulnick just hosted their third, short sale webinar today and boy, was it a jam-packed lesson in short sales!  The information gleaned from this series has just been incredible.  I have taken courses on short sales and their presentation is just so much more informative and I have learned an enormous amount from … (10 comments)

It a new day and a new company - 07:10 PM
There is always something new in residential real estate sales and sometimes you have to make a choice: should I stay or should I go? After being recruited by some companies and interviewing with three I decided to go with a company that best fit my needs and my clients needs. I decided on RealtySouth. I am not proud that this is my fourth company but I feel confident in saying that this is my last company. I just moved my real estate license on Thursday night and went by my new office on Friday and everyone was so welcoming. My new … (6 comments)

NAR survey of members regarding new HVCC and impact on sales - 06:10 PM
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently put out a survey to members asking what impact, if any, the new Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) has has on the real estate business.
From the preliminary data received it appears that the HVCC is having a negative impact on real estate sales across the country.
Realtor and appraisers members of NAR are reporting that:
75% of Realtors representing buyers or sellers said that the time to obtain a completed appraisal increased after May 1st (when HVCC took effect). 69% reported an increase of over 8 days. Lost sales were reported by … (2 comments)

Have you "Tynt"ed your blog yet? - 11:55 PM
What if evertime someone copied a snippet (or your whole blog posting) your blog platform automatically put a link back to your blog on the end of your material?
Think that would help your SEO? Get credit for your work? Increase your page views and traffic?
Now you can with Tynt. Tynt will create a little bit of javascript code you can paste into your blog platform (works with Blogger, Ning Network, Typepad, Wordpress, WebsiteWorks.com, and Register.com

If someone copies for example, the following from my blog: "The Second Quarter of 2009 real estate sales figures are out now along … (22 comments)

Bidding Wars??? Isn't this a buyers market? YES and NO. - 09:33 AM
Yes, there are several bidding wars going on now particularly on homes that are well located, in good condition and are priced right. I thought this was just temporary , until time and time again in recent months, I've seen and experienced this with my clients first hand.
Many buyers, especially first time buyers  feel that they are being bamboozled by a slick salesperson when they hear statements like:
"Won't last""Multiple Offers""Priced to sell" "Highest and Best" 
I am telling you.. it is TRUE!!
All of the statements above have become true for me and my buyers, other buyers agents are touting … (4 comments)

Speechless Sunday ~ BYOB - 05:37 PM

I'm full blooded Italian and was taught how to do great pizza from scratch . . . Gramma taught Mom who taught me. When I was a kid, the neighborhood kids would trade me pretty much anything for some of Gramma's pizza. (I think I learned negotiating back then) When she passed in 1997, she left a freezer full of her pizzas and calzones--as if to make sure we were fed for a long time. :)
My husband calls this 'Job Security' but it's very easy.  :)
The front pizza is hot sausage. The back one is half sausage and jalapeno … (11 comments)

Got Lactate? - 09:07 PM
 
As many of you know, I love to run -- as in lace up the Nike's, Adidas, etc. and shuffle quickly forward while breathing heavily and sweating profusely.

I re-started my running life a few years ago after ballooning to more than 220 pounds and knowing that I was on track for disaster.  I took up running to lose the excess weight and I got hooked on the endorphin rush of running.  Having success losing the extra weight didn't hurt either. 
I've had some tough times along the way with an over-scheduled calendar and a variety of injuries mostly … (0 comments)

SMART BUYERS ARE COMING OUT NOW!! - 12:38 PM
Even though the market is considerably down.....homes are still selling on the North Shore!  There are many amazing deals and SMART BUYERS ARE COMING OUT NOW!!  Considering the entire U.S. is full of foreclosures and short sales we've had our share too....but Sellers in this area do understand the market and are pricing their homes accordingly.  If you home has been sitting on the market and there are NO showings...it's the price!!  If you home is sitting on the market and you're getting lots of showings and no contracts....it's the price!  Everyone coming out wants a bargain...so know your market statistics … (1 comments)

South Charlotte Subdivisions - 12:20 AM
Homes in South Charlotte continue to be popular and the economics behind South Charlotte Homes for Sale remain strong.  South Charlotte has a wide variety of Charlotte housing options.  There are apartments, townhomes, single family homes and estate homes.  There are currently several new subdivisions being constructed in South Charlotte but man of these homes are in extremes.  That is not a critique of Charlotte builders but a reflection of the property values; either you a building South Charlotte Townhomes (to get as many homes as possible on the Charlotte Property or many very large homes.
Property values are cyclical but … (0 comments)

Mother Nature Provides the best photo oportunities - 08:57 AM

The giant blue hosta that grows on the side of my house.
 

Lake superior, near Grand Marais MN. I went up there last fall and just found this photo last week.  I guess it didn't stand out and I didn't process it. I hope to go back up to the lake soon.
 
 

They call these mild weed. I let a few grow each year becasue they are an important plant for the Monarch butterfly and I like butterflies.
These were all framed using Picnik.com but I had to take the photos first.   They were all … (15 comments)

Manhattan Monthly Market Snapshot: June 2009 - 07:47 AM


 
Courtesy of: Mitchell Hall, Associate Broker, The Corcoran Group
(click above for the Latest Corcoran Report)
… (2 comments)

Columbus Board of REALTORS® Consumer Information - 07:22 AM
The Columbus Board of REALTORS® is a trade group for those in the real estate industry in Central Ohio.  The Columbus Board of REALTORS® maintains the multiple listing service for it's members.
Real estate agents are licensed by the state of Ohio.  We join real estate associations (or boards) locally.  It's been that way for a long, long time.
The Columbus Board of REALTORS® is sometimes referred to as CBR.
Columbus real estate blogs
I know when I started the original Columbus Best Blog (renamed Discover Columbus at some point)  back in 2005 the only Columbus real estate blog I could … (0 comments)

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