Archives of real estate blog entries for January 1, 2010

Featured blog posts


The Many Uses of Direct Mail Marketing - 01:21 PM
Direct mail marketing is a "back to basics" method of finding business that I have been using for many years.  Since my niche is the listing end of the transaction, I use direct mail marketing to find new listings.  However, there are many other uses for direct mail marketing.  I also find 55+ age group buyers for my active adult communities by using direct mail marketing.  I mail to that age group throughout many towns in Norfolk County in Massachusetts to advertise 55+ condos.  It brings activity and transactions to that inventory. 
When I'm searching for a specific type of property, … (192 comments)

Fellow Active Rainer Goes the Extra Mile - Jane Peters - 01:13 PM
Fellow Active Rainer Goes the Extra Mile - Jane Peters I met Jane several months back here in the Rain.  I began to follow her blog by subscribing to her and watched this incredibly bright, new Active Rain agent bloom and grow into an amazing blogger.  She is one of the best reciprocating bloggers here--if you visit her blog, she comments back to you AND visits your blog too!  Jane has asked questions and with a quick answer, takes advice and instruction and just runs with it!  Jane has managed to come a very long way in a short amount of … (72 comments)

uberMental.com - 06:23 AM

                     http://TannStarr.net                                                http://uberMental.com
I own 35 websites. I am systematically destroying and rebuilding them because I want to do something new with my creative side. After hanging out in the Rain for a little over two years and reading Ewen Chia, Mark Victor Hansen, Robert G. Allen, Timothy Ferris, Penelope Trunk, Donald Trump and a host of Rainers, I have come to discover some fascinating truths about the Internet and Social Media: If you don't … (81 comments)

HUD to Help Homeowners with Defective Drywall - 04:22 AM
HUD has issued a press release stating that they are now offering assistance to homeowners with FHA loans who have defective drywall.
HUD has instructed FHA approved lenders to offer special forbearance to homeowners faced with financial hardship due to the effects of defective drywall.
“We’re instructing our FHA mortgage lenders nationwide to extend temporary relief to allow these families time to remove problem damaging drywall and repair their homes,” said FHA Commissioner David Stevens.  “We want to remove additional pressures for these families as they find solutions to allow them to return to a safe, decent and sanitary home."
HUD … (36 comments)

Once In A Blue Moon: Happy New Year! - 02:36 PM

New Year's Day 2010 ~ Last night marked the last "Blue Moon" on New Year's Eve for the next nineteen years.  I had planned to capture it before turning in, but the best laid plans...
This morning I woke at 6:45, grabbed the camera, and set off to capture that same Blue Moon before it disappeared over the western horizon.  As dawn broke, I was at the edge of Saguaro National Park and took this shot to share with you on the first day of the New Year.
Thanks for stopping by my blog; I expect that this will be … (88 comments)

Power to the People: RESPA Rules Change on January 1, 2010 - 02:57 PM
The Dawn of a New Decade brings the Dawn of Consumer Rights When Shopping for a MortgageJanuary First is typically a day when many new laws across the land become effective...and this year is no different.  The Department of Housing & Urban Development made one very important change to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 law that is known as RESPA in the industry is now mandating that ALL mortgage lenders provide the consumer with the same information in the same format.There is no doubt that this is too little too late for the homeowners who are currently at … (78 comments)

Are Realtors Ready for the New Self-Employed Borrower Guidelines? - 11:04 PM
 
For all loans this year where the borrower has ANY kind of self employed income feature, they will have extra steps to go through in 2010. This means that even if they have a very passive business or a rental property or anything like that, they’ll be put through the Spanish Inquisition of income documentation.
 
What’s more important as a Realtor, is that you’re working with a loan officer that is very proficient in tax transcript analysis and knows how to prepare an accurate Self Employed Income Analysis quickly (an example of this form is attached). The reality is … (62 comments)

Q: What does it take for change to take place? A: A Burning desire. - 02:39 PM
January 1st and people are calling me and asking me if I am ready to go back to work next week? Next week? I am already working on it. Someone asked me if I see great change in 2010 and I was fast to remind them that the change has to first start in me. My beliefs, my core beliefs, my vision, my goals, my passion, my risks; it all starts with me. It starts with a burning desire to make a difference; starting with me. As the year starts I think of some role models that will allow me to … (106 comments)

Kris & Kate's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Treats-St Joseph MO - 12:02 AM
Last week while showing homes to the Minton family who are relocating to St Joseph, 
      we took a break and visited Kris & Kate's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shoppe.
                   Their twin 5 year old daughters Tara & Cara immediately liked the
BIG PINK ICE CREAM CONE BUILDING and had quite a time in selecting which one of the
ice cream treats from the menu as their choice.

      Kris and her daughter Erica offer a warm welcome to customers at the fun family oriented store. 
                  
Kris & Kate's Ice Cream shoppe offers special parking for Harley's, volleyball nets, sand-pits for the kids along with … (42 comments)

Our Personal Family Tragedy Leads to Hope for Underprivileged Kids-St Joseph MO - 01:55 AM
 January 8 it will be 6 years since we lost Mark.  I am posting this in Memory of Mark.
 
In 2004, the new year was just beginning for us.  The holidays were over, our two kids were safely back at their homes, and I

was starting to think that the Christmas tree needed to be tackled next...but it could wait a day or two...or maybe longer.
On January 9th, at FOUR IN THE MORNING, the doorbell rang at our home. 
My husband headed to the door thinking, "Who in the world is here at this hour?" 
Almost instantly, he … (49 comments)


Blog posts


VirtualRebarcamp.com Has a Goal of 3,000 Attendees - 12:42 PM
I have jumped on the bandwagon to help VirtualReBarcamp.com to achieve a goal of 3,000 attendees on January 4th, 2010.  It starts at 9:00 a.m. until 4:00p.m., so be sure to set some time aside.
This will be my first attendance and I must make sure I clear my day.  I've been very busy but I've marked my calendar so I can attend.
To help attain the goal of 3,000 attendees, ListingMoves.com is offering a contest as follows:

Anyone that writes/re-blogs this post on ActiveRain about VirtualReBarCamp.com being held January 4th will be entered in a drawing to win one of the … (0 comments)

10 for Oh-10: New Year's Resolutions That Will Blow Your Crabby Competition Away - 09:41 AM
Wonderful post, and great advice!!! Best Wishes for an awesome 2010 to all!!!
Via Janet Guilbault California Mortgage Banker/Broker:
We will remember 2009 as the year everyone was CRABBY and CUSTOMER SERVICE sucked. This was the year that  businesses behaved badly.
But here's the good news: In 2010, this has left the window of opportunity WIDE OPEN for anyone who wants to steal business from competitors. Here's why:
In the so called "new economy" of 2009, business strategy revolved around this miserable mindset:
Let's fire everyone we can, cut the pay of those left (they're lucky to have a job, after all), then try to … (0 comments)

REALTOR® versus Agent with Just a Real Estate License. - 10:56 AM
I suppose there will always be a bit of controversy between the differences of a REALTOR® and that of a licensed real estate salesperson.A REALTOR®, of course, is a member of the National Association of REALTORS as well as the State and Local Chapters.  For me, it is hard to imagine any professional NOT being a member of their industry national association - whether it be doctors and the AMA, Attorneys and the ABA, or any other professional trade group.The article below does a good job of talking about our "Code of Ethics"...and perhaps this is the most important reason for … (0 comments)

Short Sales: A Revised Strategy: Commission - 11:57 AM
I originally published this post in November 2007, about the time my REO business was really starting to pick up and I was weaning myself from Short Sales - perhaps those who read me regularly can detect some frustration in the article.For those of you who do not read me regularly, I have recently made the decision to pursue short sale listings once again and am re-emerging myself into the fold, revisiting all of my original short sale material as well as reading everything I can that is current with the market of 2010.I publish this today, because it was a … (11 comments)

Power to the People: RESPA Rules Change on January 1, 2010 - 02:57 PM
The Dawn of a New Decade brings the Dawn of Consumer Rights When Shopping for a MortgageJanuary First is typically a day when many new laws across the land become effective...and this year is no different.  The Department of Housing & Urban Development made one very important change to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 law that is known as RESPA in the industry is now mandating that ALL mortgage lenders provide the consumer with the same information in the same format.There is no doubt that this is too little too late for the homeowners who are currently at … (78 comments)

California New State Laws Go Into Effect - 03:15 PM
Californians should be busy today catching up on some of the new laws that take effect on this New year Day of 2010.Do you realize that it is now against the law to display a hangman's noose?How about that you can no longer cut a cow's tail?Here's a couple that I may not agree with...but it is now the law of the land...California will now recognize gay marriages performed in other states where they are legal and we now have a State recognized day of recognition on May 22nd for a Gay Activist.Some that I think are long overdue now make … (3 comments)

Our goal is to reach 3000 registered attendees to VirtualReBarcamp.com! - 01:46 PM
For your information.
Via Real Estate Tomato (Real Estate Tomato):
Our goal is to reach 3000 registered attendees to VirtualReBarcamp.com!
The event is free being presented by 28 of the top minds in RE technology and social networking. Currently we have 1500+ registered attendee.  To reach our goal we need your help.  Fortunately, we have a ringer in our pocket: The generosity of ListingMoves.com.  ListingMoves.com is going to be running  a contest for everyone that helps us attain our goal.
Anyone that writes/re-blogs this post on ActiveRain about VirtualReBarCamp.com being held January 4th will be entered in a drawing to win one of the … (0 comments)

Alien Ship or Last Night's Blue Moon? - 02:01 PM
Did you get out and see yesterday's Blue Moon in the sky?I posted a picture of the Blue Moon here on my previous post, but I also wanted to show you some of the other pictures I captured.  As I mentioned, I had tried taking pictures with every different "scene" I have on my camera like, night time, fireworks, sunset... but I couldn't get anything to work well. I wonder if the Blue Moon was being taken over by an Alien Ship.  I mean, how else can you explain the shape of the moon when we all know it's round...

… (11 comments)

Day 96: 100 Days of Central Mass Features Springfield Union Station - 06:48 PM
 100 DAYS OF CENTRAL MASS FEATURES SPRINGFIELD UNION STATION
Springfield Union Station was built in 1926 by the Boston and Albany Railroad.  Amtrak took over the train station in the 1970s when money was in shortage for railroads.  Springfield Union Station is currently the 5th busiest in the state servicing over 310 passengers per day on average.
Springfield Union Station primarily services the New Haven - Springfield Shuttle trains.  The station consists of 6 tracks, 3 that service the B&A Main Line and 3 serving the Amtrak Springfield Line. 
To learn more about Springfield Union Station, visit Wikipedia.  If you are … (0 comments)

Victorian Mansions at Heritage Square, Los Angeles, Available for Location Shooting - 08:05 AM
Are you a location scout in Los Angeles?  Do you need a vintage Victorian Mansion for film or TV location shooting?
Please consider Heritage Square Museum!  The museum staff is industry & location savvy. 
The Eastsider LA reports that with the decline in local on-location filming, revenue for the unique museum has taken a serious hit.

Heritage Square Museum is also available to host private rental opportunities, including weddings, parties, portrait photo shoots and small corporate events upon request. 
For more information on rentals, portrait photography or commercial filming to the Heritage Square Business Offices at (323) 225-2700, Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. … (5 comments)

Our goal is to reach 3000 registered attendees to VirtualReBarcamp.com! - 08:46 AM
I still don't know what a ReBar Camp is (I have been wondering about this) but I'll try to atttend.
Via Real Estate Tomato (Real Estate Tomato):
Our goal is to reach 3000 registered attendees to VirtualReBarcamp.com!
The event is free being presented by 28 of the top minds in RE technology and social networking. Currently we have 1500+ registered attendee.  To reach our goal we need your help.  Fortunately, we have a ringer in our pocket: The generosity of ListingMoves.com.  ListingMoves.com is going to be running  a contest for everyone that helps us attain our goal.
Anyone that writes/re-blogs this post on ActiveRain … (0 comments)

Survival Tips for Holiday Parties - 02:09 AM
Holidays are busy times with social calendars filled to the edges. While some people can effortlessly engage in the endless amounts of small talk required of party-goers, others would rather walk the hot desert barefoot than have one more conversation with a stranger about the weather. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, these tips will help you enjoy chatting at the next office party or neighborhood potluck.

Start by doing some homework. For the office party make a quick mental list of what has been going in the lives of co-workers. Has someone traveled lately or recently had … (1 comments)

Mortgage Rates Continue to Rise - 02:14 AM
Mortgage rates jumped up again this week with the 30 year rate moving from 5.05 to 5.14. In the last month mortgage rates have risen rapidly moving from 4.71 on December 3rd to 5.14 today. The other major mortgage products have risen over the same time period but not as substantially as the 30 year rate. Below are rates from the weeks from Dec 03, 2009 to Dec 31, 2009 and rates from July 2, 2009.

Dec 31, 2009
30-fixed 5.14 15-fixed 4.54 5-yr ARM 4.44 1-yr ARM 4.33

Dec 24, 2009
30-fixed 5.05 15-fixed 4.45 … (0 comments)

Home Loans - Use a Mortgage Lender or Broker? - 02:22 AM
Some people just have a preference based on experience and others need to research as to whether they want to use a broker or lender. There are some distinct differences between the two, and it is always good to be informed before you buy. Before subprime lending bit the dust, it used to be a greater advantage to use a mortgage broker. Today, that may not be such an advantage.

When you use a lender to finance your home loan, you are being loaned money for your mortgage out of the lender's own reserves, out of the lender's own pocket. … (1 comments)

Home Building Recovery Predicted for 2010 - 02:29 AM
Single-family construction is expected to be at the top of the list of new construction recovery by 2010. Economists from Freddie Mac, IHS Global Insight and National Association of Home Builders all agree that new home construction will begin to recover by the third quarter of this year and increase dramatically into 2010.

Kermit Baker, chief economist for the American Institute of Architects (AIA), noted that the current state of the economy is sending mixed messages. Housing upstarts are up, but consumer confidence is down. He said that this is typical when nearing a turning point in the economy. … (0 comments)

Our goal is to reach 3000 registered attendees to VirtualReBarcamp.com! - 06:59 PM
It's a brand new year, in a new decade.  Time to shake off those winter doldrums and sow those seeds that will energize your business and hopefully teach you some new tricks.  Come on New York, let's show them what we're made of. 
As for me, I'll be there with bells on.
Via Real Estate Tomato (Real Estate Tomato):
Our goal is to reach 3000 registered attendees to VirtualReBarcamp.com!
The event is free being presented by 28 of the top minds in RE technology and social networking. Currently we have 1500+ registered attendee.  To reach our goal we need your help.  Fortunately, … (2 comments)

Most Affordable Time to Buy Idaho Real Estate - 01:49 PM
As the economy starts to show signs of recovery, many have suggested that the major real estate markets have bottomed out, while signs may indicate an uphill battle still lies ahead. 
With a positive view, we know real estate is still relatively affordable, consumer spending is trending in the right direction, real disposable income is on the rise, consumer confidence is at a three-month high, new-home construction is low, and home sales are improving.  These are all optimistic factors that influence supply-and-demand and generally push prices up. 
However, it is more likely that foreclosures and the demise of government funding will put a … (0 comments)

All Your New Year's Resolutions Rolled Into One Number - 02:06 PM
Gary always has a great perspective on life & balance. He's a great writer & comes up with the best photos! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Via Gary Woltal - Associate Broker REALTOR® Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty):
I always thought each year people making new year's resolutions was kind of silly. Why didn't they start making them on April 20th or October 7th? This time thing of endings and beginnings and our age on our birthdays is all man made you know. It is purely arbitrary with the calendars we design. If you are into resolutions stick with them for 21 … (2 comments)

Jump into the new year........................ - 03:35 PM
There's nothing like taking the plunge! Is there something you're afraid to do in 2010? Like they say, "...the first step is usually the hardest!"
I encourage you to take action on what will bring you the most satisfaction this year. It might be a new marketing plan, technique, a new niche to tackle or a personal goal to reach.
No matter what your desire, get on the right path, wake up & JUMP into it! … (6 comments)

15841 CHARTER OAKS TRL, CLERMONT FL 34711 - 02:50 PM
 
 MLS# O4953428                   15841 CHARTER OAKS TRL, CLERMONT FL 34711     $$$ 132,900 $$$

Purchase this property for as little as 3 percent down! This property is approved for HomePath Mortgage and HomePath Renovation Mortgage. Fantastic home in a quiet neighborhood located in the rolling hills of Clermont. Open and bright floorplan with spacious rooms throughout. Fantastic great room with lots of windows provide plenty of light and an open kitchen to the living area would be great for entertaining! Come see this property today before it is gone! *If exact square footage or room size is a concern, unit should … (0 comments)

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