Archives of real estate blog entries for August 10, 2009

Featured blog posts


Seth Godin talked about us yesterday . . . this message is worth a "listen" - 07:31 AM
Be careful what you claim if it is in ANY way a distortion of the truth!
Seth Godin says in his blog post (Link is below):
"Here's the danger: when the very first interaction we have is one where you are sort of not telling the relevant truth, where do we go from here?"
People are looking for AUTHENTICITY from Professionals.
Your "Public" has a VERY low tolerance for your delusions of grandeur.
After all, they see MANY REALTORS (and other businesses) bragging of "#1 Status".
How can ALL of us be #1?
The public just glosses over and checks out … (51 comments)

Your next potential client, soon to arrive... - 09:28 PM

There’s a group of extremely bright and tech-savvy young people coming up in the world that will be first time homebuyers in the very near future. Will you be ready for them?
Your next potential client, soon to arrive, will in all likelihood be a young person in their 20’s. They grew up with technology, and they have some rather sophisticated expectations about anyone they will work with.
 
Will you know how to work with them?    Will you know how to talk to them? 

 
My daughter (#2) will be 22 this month. She’s going to college, … (49 comments)

1000 Point Challenge For The Rest Of Our Members.....'The Series' - 07:29 PM
I have run a series of 1000 point challenges for our members over the past few weeks. The first one was designed to get everyone writing about 'Hyper Local Neighborhoods and communities' in their market. The current one, set to end Wednesday August 12th is designed to get our members out meeting local business owners and giving them some internet exposure.
Really, anyone could participate in these challenges, and we have many non real estate agents who have jumped on board and written about neighborhoods or local businesses in their market. I can certainly see, however, that these challenges are more … (661 comments)

Why Being a Father of Four Makes Me a Good Realtor - A handful of reasons to call me first - 07:24 PM
A few days ago, I was struck by the fact that my parenting skills actually make me better at my profession.  Some of these are learned behaviors, to be sure, while others are inherent.  Either way, if you choose me to represent your real estate interests, you are in good hands.  Here are a handful of reasons why:
 
I am patient With four children, ages 10, 8, 3, and 4 months, patience is something that makes my life a LOT easier these days.  Do I lose my temper?  Sometimes, but generally I am very even keeled.  This comes in handy … (56 comments)

Breaking News Network awarded Most Innovative Media 2009 at Inman Connect - 04:28 PM

The Breaking News Network was awarded Most Innovative Media 2009 by Inman News last Friday.

Everybody has been asking us - why is the Breaking News Network innovative?
Breaking News sites like Breaking San Francisco News aggregate the best Twitter feeds in a city. They filter the Twitter experience for the local consumer so they're not seeing the noise. These sites are powerful viral marketing vehicles - Twitter feeds @BreakingSFNews, @BreakingLANews and @BreakingNYCNews all have grown organically to over 2,200-2,500 followers in less than 3 months The Breaking News Network's grass roots application design makes it a unique media model. We give the template away to media/publishing companies and … (28 comments)

Race To 400K...What Are Active Rain Points Worth...??? - 11:36 AM
I remember a couple of years ago when I was hot and heavy into accumulating points...reflecting on the real worth of an Active Rain Blog...I had surmised that 100K points were worth about 2 #2 pencils...unsharpened...!!!Translated...what I was really trying to say was that it wasn't the points that were valuable, it was the 'Google Juice' and social networking aspect that matters...The points are a mere indication of where each blogger is relative to other bloggers...Make no mistake about it, racking up points is definitely exciting and a worthwhile endeavor, but it shouldn't replace the real value that a consistent and … (92 comments)

As a Dual Agent, are you like a Double Agent? - Dual Agency - Buyers Beware!! - 10:40 AM

 
Dual Agency can sound like a harmless word, right?  We are suppose to trust anyone in the real estate and mortgage industries, right? Sounds simple enough when the person representing you says that they have your best interests at hand. But wait, let's dig a little deeper, because not every realtor will explain it correctly to you, hoping that you truly don't understand both sides of the equation.
 
Let's define Dual Agency. - Is when a real estate agent is representing both the seller and the buyer at the same time in the same transaction.
Since we are … (99 comments)

Reply! Inc. | Enhanced Clicks and Leads - 01:17 PM
… (39 comments)

The words that no real estate broker ever wants to hear: "... there's a problem with your real estate license." - 07:10 AM
I read Lynda Hester's featured post Can you sell real estate without a license? Big OOOPPS!! this morning and it reminded me of an episode in my past!
I had just taken over on my first job as managing broker at a downtown Atlanta real estate brokerage company when I got a call from the Georgia Real Estate Commission. The conversation went something like this:
"Mr. Weisser, there's a problem with your license."
"My license? What's wrong with my license? I'm quite certain it's active."
"Oh, your license is fine sir, but your firms's license expired two years ago."
"Oh goodness, the company's … (67 comments)

Marketing Mondays - The Power Of The Sign... - 11:38 PM
Part 3 - That Sign Really Does Matter!
The pendulum swings back and forth...One day all you want is buyers - the next you want listings.  Gary Kellers book was focused on the power of the listing and what that sign can do for you.  Over the last couple of years, no one wanted to have those listings.  Countless times I would hear from neighbors when we would service our listings about how long that sign had been in the yard.
So that gave me an idea.  If you walk around a neighborhood and visit the homes that have brochure boxes, … (25 comments)

What Kind of a Commenter Are You? - 07:46 PM
There are many different types of bloggers. That might also be said of commenters as well. 
What kind of a commenter are you? 
Or perhaps the question is...what types of comments do you make?
There are those who seem to be out for the points only (are they Pointers?), and seemingly have no interest in adding to the conversation other than to say...great post, or great job. Or to leave a smiley face

Perhaps time pressures prohibit them from saying more. Or they have nothing to say. Is this wrong? Well, maybe now and then it's OK but as a … (117 comments)

Building a Better Web Site Pt. 1: Finding a Name (Starter Level) - 03:20 PM
This is the first part of my series on building a better web site. To see all of the posts from this series please visit and bookmark this post.
Part 1: Finding a Name
Introduction
Why do I need my own site?
A site is beneficial for a number of reasons including:
- Easier to rank for multiple keywords
- Easy to get listed in local search
- Easy to measure site performance
- Easier to get links
- Easier to rank with a keyword rich domain
I can go into more detail but let's get to more pressing questions … (35 comments)

Are Referrals Just A Way To Get A Free Paycheck? - 02:36 PM
Yes I did just say that. What do you think? Are referrals just a way to get an easy paycheck? What makes giving someones name to another worth 25%+ of a real estate transaction? 
Have you ever received a referral from someone, and they asked for a 25% referral fee? More? What did they do to earn that referral fee? They gave you someones name, and contact information, right? What else?
Let's dig deeper. What about a referral constitutes a 25% referral fee?
I have been contemplating referrals recently, and I was wondering what others think. I have clients coming and … (79 comments)

Could it really be happening twice in one weekend - 06:36 AM
Well yes, it's true.  Another client had an offer out on the table.  You see I talked to the agent a few hours before we were going to submit the offer, you know, give a heads up that it would be coming and also get information on whether there were any other offers.  Well when the agent answered the phone it seemed to take her by complete surprise that I would have an offer for her (she had listed her own home too).  She scrambled to collect herself and then proceeded to tell me that she would be looking out for … (60 comments)

Foreclosure: What Happened to the Stigma, and Why Its Disappearance is Alarming! - 06:42 AM
Look around.  We are living in different times than just a few years ago.  We've seen so many things that I wondered if I would ever see.  Gas prices hit well over $4.00/gallon and have since receded to between $2.00 and $3.00 in most places.  We have witnessed the election of the first African American President.  Unemployment and job loss is at record levels.  This morning, I heard a statistic that the City of Newark, NJ has an unemployment rate of just under 15%.  And more and more Americans are losing their homes to some sort of distressed property sale or … (125 comments)

Who is John Galt? - 08:05 AM
Who is John Galt? Atlas Shrugged was written by the Ayn Rand in the 1950’s.  It is a long 1168-page novel. I just finished reading it and it took weeks to get through it.
The longer I read the more engaged I was as I realized so much of what Ayn wrote is pertinent for today.
When I was at Borders and picked it up, the clerk said, “We sure have been selling a lot of these books this year.”
Atlas Shrugged is now at the Top of Amazons’ Best Selling Classic books and is the story of what happens in … (102 comments)


Blog posts


A Case of The Mondays? Get Ready For This! - 06:02 AM
You had a fantastic weekend...maybe you stayed up too late..or are still in summer vacation mode!  The alarm goes off..and you hit snooze once again...dreading getting out of your bed...and facing the day.  You got a case of the Mondays?  Too Bad, get ready for this!
Monday's seem to be an active day for most and one of the hardest to resume our business activity.  Feeling a little foggy and not sure what to do...regardless of what you might think...there is always something to do especially if you are in real estate and are active:
You have buyers and sellers counting … (14 comments)

When My Fly Is Down I Like When Someone Tells Me! - 07:34 PM
Today I received an email from a very thoughtful ActiveRain member.  You see they thought they were helping me by critiquing my writing.  While it was not my writing it was my use of punctuation...it would be my dot...dot...dot!
I have to ask does my dot...dot...dot bother you?
 
OK so I understand all of the scholars..the professional writers and the critics.
For some reason customers do not have a problem with this and I think if I were to have a customer say to me...I am not going to list with you because of your dot...dot...dot. 
I think there … (50 comments)

Black Diamond Games - 04:46 PM
Black Diamond Games.
Black Diamond Games is a unique store in Concord Ca. They specialize in strategy and family oriented games. The store is at 1950 Market Street, Suite E; in the same strip mall as Fry’s Electronics. You can give them a call at 925-681-0600.

Black Diamond Games has some of the old classic style war games like Advanced Squad Leader that I wrote on earlier. Black Diamond Games also carries most of the popular (and not so popular) role playing games, and collectable card games that kids like.
My kids have gotten into a popular series of … (1 comments)

The Iron Cactus Restaurant - One Horrible Experience - 07:31 PM
I don't normally post negative things about different places I visit, but I recently had such a bad experience, I'm hoping someone in higher management at the restaurant sees this and helps retrain the wait staff.
I waited tables and bartended through college.  I was a head-wait and also a trainer. That means, I trained people how to treat people when they came into my restaurant.  With that, I never expect to get wonderful service when I go places because no one trains people like I do, but I expect somewhat decent service.
This was my experience at The Iron Cactus … (22 comments)

Welcome to my Fort Myers Beach Blog - 12:46 PM
Hi and Welcome to this blog devoted exclusively to Fort Myers Beach, Florida !
I have been a licensed Realtor with Century 21 Tripower here on Fort Myers Beach for 5 years.  My family and I are from Muskegon, Michigan.  Our daughters and dog " Pepper " love the friendly feeling of the island and enjoy having friends and family visit us.
This blog will be an open dialog between myself and anyone who stops by with a question or comment.  It is primarily meant to help those looking to buy or sell real estate on Fort Myers Beach and surrounding areas.  I love … (3 comments)

From Baltimore,Maryland......Over the Bridge to Kent Island, Maryland - 08:43 PM
When you live in Baltimore, you are never far from so many different settings. They call this state "America in Miniature" for good reason – we have the sea shore at Ocean City, we have the largest estuary in the United States with the Chesapeake Bay, we have flat farmland on the Eastern Shore, and the mountains of the Appalachians in the west. Not long ago we took advantage of the possibilities by driving over to Kent Island for lunch.                                                
  The Bay Bridge from a moving car.                                                                     Th

When you cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge you also cross from the … (7 comments)

Short Sale Agent Training Webinar - 06:26 PM
After much consideration Wendy and I have decided to make Short Sale Basics Agent Training Webinar available for $197.. This 5 part Webinar series walks you through a Short Sale Transaction from beginning to end. The course also includes a complete Short Sale Listing Package.
Listen to a sample of the webinar:

If you are working Short Sales now or want to work Short Sales in the future then this course is a must. This is what our Students are saying:
"I had the fortune to be part of your short sale basics webinar. I want to express my gratitude … (1 comments)

Do You Defend Your Defaulting Buyer? - 08:31 PM
 
Good stuff from Wendy!!!
 
Via Wendy Rulnick "Its Wendy!" Destin Real Estate -Florida (Rulnick Realty, Inc.):
 


In the last few months, I have had three incidents of buyers defaulting on purchasing my listings.  In each case there was an earnest money deposit held in escrow at a title company.
 
Case #1:  Buyer defaulted because he said he did not want to own three properties. 
Case #2:  Buyer defaulted because he wanted to pay $10,000 less than the contract price the day before closing.
Case #3:  Buyer defaulted because he found a new home he wanted to … (6 comments)

The Small Community of Hutto, Texas - 11:20 PM
Hutto, Texas is a small community located seven miles east of Round Rock and northeast of Austin, Texas. The current population of Hutto is estimated at around 17k residents, and Hutto has been a very fast-growing city since the construction of State Highway 130, also called the Trans-Texas Corridor.

In the census of 2000, the population of Hutto was just over thousand people, but the recently built toll road has dramatically increased the population and the city is expected to continue expanding in the next few decades, as the highway nears completion.

Hutto was founded in the year 1876 … (1 comments)

Mortgage Rates Stay Even - 11:23 PM
The saying "No news is good news" might be applicable with the recent trend with mortgage rates. For the last 2 or 3 weeks for the most part rates have stayed pretty much unchanged. The reason why this could be considered good news is that the economy and stock market seem to be improving. There was a lot of discussion that an improving economy would lead to inflation and in turn higher interest rates. While I still think we are eventually headed to higher interest rates it's nice that at least that is not happening now. This week the 30 year … (1 comments)

The Clarksville Dog Park in Austin Texas - 11:27 PM
Clarksville, which is a historic neighborhood in central-west Austin, has a hidden jewel few people know about: the "Dog Park", as it has been known for years. Clarksville is a very eclectic community in the central Austin real estate market, in fact some would say eccentric, but very unique, and the residents love their pets.

Between 9th Street and 10th Street, and a few blocks east of West Lynn, there is a beautiful, green park, shaded by huge, old trees with green leafy canopies covering most of the park, and many of the locals regularly bring their children and dogs … (0 comments)

Mortgage Fraud at All-Time High - 11:29 PM
From sea to shining sea, lenders struggle with costly mortgage fraud. Although, the fraud itself is not new, a recent FBI report reveals that the numbers are mounting and the methods used by scammers are becoming more, well, creative.

From 2007 to 2008, the FBI's annual report showed that the industry experienced an increase of more than 83.4 percent in actual mortgage fraud dollars. Last year mortgage fraud cost lenders in excess of $1.4 billion in liability, says the FBI report, and higher figures are expected for the 2009 fiscal year. Just through June of 2009, fraud figures exceeded … (2 comments)

Floor plans for your listings - 08:02 AM
I have long thought that providing floor plans for your listings was a good idea but only two things kept me from it.
1. I can't draw worth a darn, and
2. It was expensive to have someone else draw them for me.
First I tried drawing my own with a ruler, compass, pencil, and several erasers. Never did get the professional look I was after. Then I bought a program to draw them for me. Never could make it draw a straight line either.
Finally I stumbled across a firm called Diakrit; here's some information about them: "Founded in 2001, … (15 comments)

Spacious Home w/ guest house all on 1 full acre lot! Great Views and Location! - 01:25 PM
… (5 comments)

Waterbury, Vermont Home Sales on Track with 2008 vs. 2009 Statistics - 07:03 AM
Waterbury, Vermont Homes Sales on Track with 2008 Home Sales
The well located town of Waterbury, Vermont is holding it's own through the downturn in the economy.  Waterbury is located just off I-89 and is in the crossroads of major communities such as Burlington, VT to the northwest, Montpelier, VT to the east, the Waitsfield/Warren Sugarbush area to the south, and the Stowe, VT ski resort area to the north. 
Waterbury is also home to some major employers such as the State of Vermont, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream.
The two charts below show in 2008, there were … (0 comments)

Potential Home Defects to Watch For - 02:19 PM
No home is flawless, but some physical problems can be very expensive. When buying a foreclosure the history of the property is not know so this information can save you lots of money in the future.  You should always have a home inspection prior to buying a home but here are a few things to watch for:
Water leaks. Look for stains on ceilings and near the baseboards, especially in basements or attics. Shifting foundations. Look for large cracks along the home's foundation. Drainage. Look for standing water, either around the foundation of the home of in the yard. Termites. Look … (0 comments)

Completely Updated Ranch on Large Lot! - 10:58 AM

727 Skyline Dr, Barrington IL, 60010
3 Bedrooms/ 2 Bathrooms MLS#07294038         
COMPLETELY UPDATED 3 BEDROOM / 2 BATHROOM RANCH ON A LARGE LOT! MODERN KITCHEN WITH BEAUTIFUL CHERRY CABINETS & STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES. REMODELED BATHROOMS. HARDWOOD FLOORS & CERAMIC TILE THROUGHOUT. FAMILY ROOM FEATURES A STUNNING WOOD BURNING FIREPLACE & SLIDING DOORS TO DECK. NEWER: ROOF, WINDOWS, FURNACE, A/C, WATER HEATER, ELECTRIC & PLUMBING. WALK TO TRAIN, DOWNTOWN, JEWEL & MOVIE THEATER.
Click on the link below for more details and pictures:
http://www.realestate4uonline.com/s=active
RE/MAX Territory 847-956-2800
… (0 comments)

Columbus Countdown to OSU Buckeye 2009 Season - 06:52 AM

Columbus is a football town.... or football city, really.
I was talking to a friend who manages a "restaurant" in the campus area who is counting down the days to the first football game at Ohio State.
Saturday, September 5th, 2009  Navy is in Columbus to play the Ohio State Buckeyes....
The USC game is the following week.  The Columbus Dispatch had a front page article Saturday that tickets for that game are going for as high as $4800? 
The official schedule - Ohio State Football Schedule 2009
 
OSU
Columbus where the guys are
Columbus College Hunks
… (4 comments)

ActiveRain loves Redfin - 12:55 PM
"AR and Redfin sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g... first comes love then comes marriage... then comes Redfin with the baby carriage...."
Do you believe ActiveRain, Inman and 60 Minutes (the TV show)  love Redfin more than they love REALTORS®?  Does that make you feel down?   Excuse the childish taunt....  I could not help but chime in.  On Matt Goyer of Redfin's post "How Redfin Listens to Our Customers - Inman Connect    one of the first comments on Matt's post  from Darin a loan officer  with One Source Mortgage, LLC in Wisconsin:
"I think if they are going to Feature posts like … (6 comments)

Worthington Ohio homes for sale - August 2009 - 04:16 PM
Worthington Ohio homes for sale - a market report   The homes represented by this graph are in the City of Worthington or the Village of Riverlea...in the Columbus Board of REALTORS® MLS (multiple listing service) lumps Riverlea in with the City of Worthington.  This does not include all the homes in the Worthington School District.   There is a separate market report for the Worthington Area (the homes in the Worthington School District.)
Central Ohio school districts including Worthington School District  - Maureen McCabe Real Living HER

Worthington Ohio market report - for July 2009
108 homes for sale 17  homes sold … (0 comments)

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