Archives of real estate blog entries for January 2, 2010

Featured blog posts


Is ActiveRain Helping the Real Estate Industry? You Bet It Is! - 10:58 AM
We all know that ActiveRain is an amazing social networking venue focused on the real estate industry. With 169,296 members as I write this, ActiveRain is an incredible voice in the real estate, and social networking, world, with significant power to influence change. 
Is ActiveRain helping the real estate industry? You bet it is! Here are just a few ways.
AR provides a forum for: 
Real estate agents/brokers, staging professionals, mortgage brokers, inspectors, title professionals and others in the industry to share ideas and learn from each other. Consumers benefit through their own increased education, as well as benefiting from more … (34 comments)

I just couldn't do it! - 06:55 PM
My husband and I own a commercial building in Gilpin County, CO. It was a model home for Appalachian Log Homes, situated on a great lot on a scenic by-way in the mountains west of Denver. It is zoned commercial and was my office for over 5 years when I was the broker/owner of Premier Mountain Realty.

Due to our partner's relocating, we pursued a lease with a contract to buy which would close 2 years later. 60 days prior to closing, the buyer walked, leaving us with an empty building in a very slow/dead market.
We are trying to sell … (145 comments)

Lessons of a Journey to 500K Points - 07:01 AM
What a way to start off a new year and a new decade - 2010. Can't think of anything better but to surpass the 500K point mile marker.
I love to celebrate my journeys. Points to me signifies as a blogger-in-the-learning. I've always enjoyed journeys rather than destinations. So, while I headed to my prized goal of 1 Million points, I will take baby steps to embrace each mile marker.

My journey on Active Rain began late November 2006. I wrote my first post in December. I didn't know what BLOGGING was about so I kept it as an online … (115 comments)

Is Blogging Worth Your Time? - 10:57 AM
 
This March will mark the 20th anniversary of my real estate career. I remember how excited I was just starting out. There was a whole slew of sellers and buyers out there just waiting to beat a path to my door...or so I'd thought.
Then I got my license went to work the first day and realized, hmmmm, maybe I'm going to have to actually do something to get some business.
Over the years I've been to many seminars,  spent oodles of money on new products and systems (much of which I'd love to have back right now) committed to long term … (76 comments)

Retro Renovation - Super Vintage Home Design Blog - 11:11 PM
As real estate agents we're often quick to agree with our buyers who see an older kitchen or bath and think it should be renovated. Too many people nowadays turn up their nose at a ten year old kitchen or a vintage tiled bath be it pink, or blue, or yellow.  And an older house with its vintage style intact is often dissed as "grandmother's house".
But if you like vintage house details, or are lucky enough to be working with buyers who do, there's a website you absolutely have to check out - Retro Renovation.
Retro Renovation focuses on houses and design … (57 comments)

How would you like to sell houses with this technique? - 10:47 AM
I found this video today that just blew my mind. The company, called NuFormer Digital Media, has a way to create 3-D images and project them onto a building using the building's multilayered features as part of the image. Now, it looks to me like you need a large surface area to make these projections, but I can foresee having this used on a smaller scale as the technology evolves. Can you imagine driving by a house at night to see one of these projections on the front of the house? Hmm. Enjoy.
 

Projection on Buildings from NuFormer Digital Media … (48 comments)

Want to Know One of My ActiveRain Guilty Pleasures? - 09:05 PM
C’mon, admit it.  What do you consider pure enjoyment?  Eating a whole pint of Ben & Jerry’s?  Trashy romance novels in a bubble bath?  Reruns of Roseanne on Nick-at-Nite?  We all have guilty pleasures and one of mine just happens to be here on ActiveRain.  It’s the Las Vegas Luxury Real Estate blog written by real estate agent and AR blogger Aaron Auxier.  Check it out and you will see that Aaron really is “Hollywood’s Connection to Vegas”®  
I have been reading (and watching) Aaron’s blog for over a year, and he and I have exchanged a few e-mails.  He’s a … (62 comments)

Be Bold and Courageous in 2010 - 03:27 PM
The wind was ferocious that day, blowing snow across the roads that were dry, and piling it up in surprise drifts that were quite deep. 
We decided not to go to Denver this Christmas Day, and to be safe instead.  There are still presents under our tree.
Experience has a way of tempering our decisions with wisdom.  
In years past there wouldn't have been anything to keep us away.  I remember one year we drove over Monarch Pass from Gunnison to Denver with my husband opening his car door to be sure he could see the road.  Now that I … (69 comments)

Calling All Agents, Answer Your Phone! - 05:50 AM
I read a blog at Word-press the other day written by a guy who apparently hates all Realtors.  It was a blog dedicated to FSBOs telling them how they don't "need" us to help them.  What caused my response to this person was the fact he called ALL agents "lazy".  While I am sure there are "lazy" agents (just like there are "lazy" people in all professions) I took exception to that and responded.
I listed all the things "good" agents do and said for a three letter word "all" was a big one.  I personally am not lazy.  I doubt … (122 comments)

¿ǝuıɯ ʇı sı ɹo ɹǝʇndɯoɔ ɹnoʎ ɥʇıʍ ƃuoɹʍ ƃuıɥʇǝɯos sı - 12:19 AM
It looks like this may be my final post for 2009, it sounds so weird saying that. Where did the year go? Anyway....
I am a technology Widget-Gadget-Gidget-Whatchamacallit-Sidebar-Addict.  There, I said it!  I love all those little tracking tools, the neat little links, the fun social networking buttons, cool graphics, icons, HTML objects and embeds, and all that other techy widget stuff.  How selfish of me though, what have I done?  Did I break your browser?  What?  I locked up your computer all these years? Oh No!!
Well it's time to clean house for 2010.  (and it's long overdue)  You might … (144 comments)

I Ain't Settin No Stinkin GOALS for 2010! - 09:58 AM
There...I've said it. I'm sure I'm not alone in this. This maybe the only blog post that doesn't spout some system or outcry for you to set your goals for 2010. (some of you readers may need goals though and this isn't for you!)
That's just not the way I roll with my life or realty business. 
I do believe my thoughts become my reality and people come into my life when they are supposed to.
Clients even appear when they are ready to buy or sell something! Imagine that!
I don't set yearly goals and never have since being in real … (121 comments)

Are You Sabotaging Your Buyers? - 11:58 PM
Are You Sabotaging Your Buyers and Sellers?

The personality it takes to be a successful real estate agent varies, but can veer to the strong side, if you know what I mean. It's not a profession for 'Casper Milquetoast' type of people. But what happens when you unknowingly sabotage your buyers?

What's Your Reputation IQ?
Even in a large city, every profession is a 'small town.' Realtors gain or lose their reputation one transaction at a time. Word travels fast about the 'difficult' Realtors, the 'lazy' Realtors, the 'unethical' Realtors, and the 'control freak' Realtors. Just mentioning these types … (69 comments)

Procrastination – One of the 7 Deadly Sins Known as Sloth - 04:46 PM
Procrastination - One of the 7 Deadly Sins Known as Sloth
Today my only goal in my business is to make some phone calls.  So, this afternoon, I sat down with a cup of coffee and started making my calls.  Within 45 minutes, I had dialed 9 numbers, and actually spoke to 2 people.  They were both old friends, so the calls were longer than they would have been had I been speaking to a prospect.  I do tend to speak longer to people in my Sphere of Influence. 
So, after those calls, I decided to take a short break.  I … (114 comments)

I Won't Wear Your Shoes, If You Don't Wear Mine - 12:59 AM

As Realtors, our profession is tied into other professions on a daily basis. We deal with mortgage professionals, attorneys, home inspectors, builders, insurance professionals just to name a few. Most times these professionals, except for real estate attorneys, will not give real estate advice because it's not their profession.
But why is it that some Realtors have this bad habit of wearing different shoes? How can we be so knowledgeable about all things including real estate? It's impossible. We can't allow ourselves to be a Jack-Of-All-Trades, Master-Of-None.
Don't tell your client that the warped floor in the living room is … (82 comments)

Top 5 Technology-Meets-Real-Estate Trends for 2010 - 04:38 PM

BuzzBuzzHome BuzzBuzzHome's Blog Wow. We're already into the second decade of the twenty first century. How did the last ten years go so fast!
Well, as fast as the last decade past us by there is something moving even faster... Technology. Technology is picking up speed. It's getting faster and faster. If you thought 2009 was dizzying with Twitter, Google Chrome, Iphone 3Gs and the Amazon Kindle then fasten your seatbelt. 2010 is turning things up a notch. The following are five technology-meets-real-estate trends that are gonna make an impression... 5. Tablet PC's - Get ready for browsing real … (62 comments)

Is My Active Rain Blog Delivering the Goods? - 08:33 PM
When I first joined ActiveRain I vowed to give blogging a 6 month try before analyzing the results. I realized that blogging would take time to work, that results would probably not happen overnight.
Now that I have been here on Active Rain for 6 months I thought I would pull some numbers to see what kind of ROI I'm getting.
Measuring my success-transactions
There are many different ways to measure a blogs success, so I should define what blogging success is to me. Ultimately, success comes in one form-contracts. That's easy to measure. Two contract so far. I could probably … (37 comments)


Blog posts


FREE Real Estate Listing Presentation - 02:11 PM
Last year Jeannette and I sent out hundreds of samples of our Prelisting Presentation that we created during the Makeover2takeover.  While we only sent a sample of the presentation, we are still recieving many requests. 
2010 is going to be a fantastic year and I am truly excited.  There are many changes for me and I am sure I am not alone. Our business is changing and the tools required are changing!
One thing we can do to improve our business is change and/or upgrade all of our real estate tools. If you continue to do the same things over and … (8 comments)

Our goal is to reach 3000 registered attendees to VirtualReBarcamp.com! - 10:21 AM
 
I just wanted to pass this message along to my AR friends.  This looks like an extraordinary opportunity.  I have signed up and I hope you will too!  Happy New Year.
 
 
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 … (31 comments)

Our goal is to reach 3000 registered attendees to VirtualReBarcamp.com! - 10:12 AM
ReBarCamp is just a couple of days away.  Personally I have been looking forward to this since I missed out on the last one, several months ago.I think it is going to be great - top agents from all across the country hanging out together, attending a series of informative 45 minute classes on all sorts of great relevant topics to help us move ahead in our real estate businesses for the coming year and beyond.Hope to share a virtual cup of coffee with you there...and if you can't be there for the entire day, that is OK, too - come … (0 comments)

Words that you shouldn't use - 01:37 PM
ActiveRain is a Community like many others - people come and go.  some are forgotten and some memories live on long after the last blog has been posted.Well, doing some housecleaning in my "Associates" I have come across numerous bloggers with whom I have enjoyed many hours reading their collective works...only to have them disappear and vanish from the Rain...In tribute to these fallen but not forgotten bloggers, I thought I would look at their most recent posts and share some...maybe we can urge them back for all to enjoy, once again.So take a look down memory lane with me and … (2 comments)

RESPA - New ActiveRain Group - 02:00 PM
RESPA has been a mine field on the Real Estate landscape since 1974.  It is legislation that was created to keep us all honest and protect the consumer.  Since that time, there have been a number of changes to the rules of RESPA - many of which have been met with resistance from one segment or another of the real estate industry...if not the industry as a whole.Well, on January 1st, 2010 the rules changed again and there is now a 'standardized' good faith estimate and a new HUD-1 - both of which are intended to further protect the consumers of … (19 comments)

RESPA Rule Changes - 02:24 PM
I have published a couple of Articles on RESPA over the last couple of days and found there was so much interest in the topic, I went ahead and filled a gap in ActiveRain by creating a RESPA GROUP.In order to jump-start the group, I've gone through the search function to identify other articles on the subject, asking them to join us.Well here is an artilce that just cuts to the chase with several pages of questions, in an FAQ format - please enjoy...

Via Jake Planton (www.JakePlanton.com):
I just recieved this list of FAQ's on the new RESPA changes.  It … (4 comments)

Replay of NAMB FHA Webinar - Explaining RESPA/ GFE Reform - 02:39 PM
In my quest to invite ActiveRain bloggers who have written articles on the topic of RESPA, some really posts that I have reviewed really stand out.Here is an hour long video webinar hosted by NAMB (National Association of Mortgage Brokers) talking about this very topic.Now if you don't want to watch the whole hour, there is a table of contents with Video Minute Markets to help you find a place that is of interest.Do yourself a favor and bookmark this valuable resource.John
 

Via Mortgage U - Advisory Services and Training:
For those of you unable to attend or listen, attached … (1 comments)

Lessons of a Journey to 500K Points - 08:56 PM
An inspirational story that I am taking to heart.  You see, I have been asked to conduct a 45 minute class for my LOCAL board next month - and as much as I enjoy teaching...I just imagine looking out at a room full of my competitors and even my own nemesis...The answer is to pay it forward and not look back because what goes around comes around.Thank you for this Loreena,
 

Via Loreena Yeo - Broker|Realtor(R) of Frisco-TX-Homes (214) 783-2210 (3:16 team REALTY):
What a way to start off a new year and a new decade - 2010. Can't think … (3 comments)

The Diet Continues - Week 17 - Slow down - 05:53 PM
I only lost .6 pounds this week.  I had to take a few weigh ins today to get that good.  However, not going to get down on myself.  I had a lot of salty foods that have probably added to water weight.  And I have not been doing much this week except cleaning house, helping my wife who is tired with the baby coming, and watching football.
… (5 comments)

The BCS Should Go! - 06:13 PM
Not only do I not like the BCS I do not want a playoff system.  We should go back to the way it used to be.
I love tradition and college Football is about tradition.  I love watching college bowl games at New Years, but here are the practical arguments:
These are not pros.  A playoff schedule will take too much out of the players.  I know they do it in basketball, but basketball is not football.  Football takes a lot more out of the players. These are amateurs.  With a playoff system there will be one winner.  With 30 some … (4 comments)

Top 10 Predictions for 2010 - 06:36 PM
Top 10 Predictions for 2010
In this crazy world I know longer try to make too many predictions but here are my top 10 predictions for 2010.  You be the judge as to how on target I am:
A well know figure in the entertainment industry will die of a drug overdose. A conservative politician will get caught in a Sex Scandal and driven from office. A liberal politician will get caught in a Sex Scandal and will call it a lifestyle choice lowering the standards for all. A first round draft pick in a major sport will get a gazillion … (10 comments)

Israeli jets strike at Gaza terror tunnels - 07:37 AM
It was around a year ago that Israel invaded Gaza after months of provocation from the Jihadists of Hamas which had been firing rockets into Israeli towns and cities on a daily basis. The point of the attack was to push those launchers back from the border between Israel and Gaza. It was largely successful and despite international criticism from the anti-semetic socialists and communists around the world, Israel quite rightly stayed on task and increased the security of its people.
I remember at the time asking what those on the loony left who criticised Israel thought the United States … (13 comments)

Israeli jets bomb Jihadist tunnels - 08:07 AM
Having seen more crazy ramblings from the left on AR about Israel, I posted this in SM, Tea Party and other places. Those people are certifiable!
It was around a year ago that Israel invaded Gaza after months of provocation from the Jihadists of Hamas which had been firing rockets into Israeli towns and cities on a daily basis. The point of the attack was to push those launchers back from the border between Israel and Gaza. It was largely successful and despite international criticism from the anti-semetic socialists and communists around the world, Israel quite rightly stayed on task and … (6 comments)

Goodbye 2009...Welcome 2010! - 12:43 PM
 GOODBYE 2009...WELCOME 2010!
Last year was such a year of growth, maturity and learning for myself and the JCKC team.  In a market that some would call "bad", we managed to stay on track and to successfully take care of our many clients both buyers and sellers. 
I am very excited about what 2010 has in store for us.  There are many things in the works and JCKC is going to thrive this year.  I welcome the new changes and challenges with open arms.  This year is a year that I will focus on education and follow up.  I consider those … (2 comments)

Day 97: 100 Days of Central Mass Features Hebert Candy Mansion - 11:33 PM
 100 DAYS OF CENTRAL MASS FEATURES HEBERT CANDY MANSION
Since 1917, The Hebert Candy Mansion located in Shrewsbury, MA has been known as New England's chocolatier.  First started by Frederick Hebert, The Hebert Candy Mansion was just a man with a dream of making delicious premium chocolates for the locals.  The history known is that Frederick Hebert purchased just a copper kettle, knife, thermometer, table, marble slab and stove for just $11 back in 1917.  He used to sell his candy at local stores.
When the demand grew for Hebert Candies, Frederick purchased a Tudor style stone mansion in 1946.  This Tudor … (2 comments)

Manually Updating WordPress MU - 07:45 AM
I've been working with WordPress MU (Multiple User) for about a year now.  The Multiple User version of WordPress allows an unlimited number of separate, different, individual blogs to all co-exist within one WordPress installation.  For me, it is an ideal solution for creating single property web sites, and most recently individual blog/sites for each agent.
For some reason, the automatic upgrade button in MU wasn't working for me.  (And I found this discussion on the WPMU forums http://mu.wordpress.org/forums/topic/13506 after I already performed a manual update on 3 MU communities).
For the record, here is the system I use for manually … (7 comments)

8.5 Months of Inventory for Nampa Idaho Homes - 11:20 PM

I've heard it said that when there is less than 6 months of inventory in any given real estate market, that it is a "Seller's Market."  If there is MORE than 6 months of inventory, it is a "Buyer's Market."
After running the data for year end, 2009, for Nampa real estate, there were 1533 homes sold in 12 months time, there is an average of 128 homes sold each month.  Seeing that we have approx. 1103 homes currently for sale, that calculates to approx. 8.5 months of inventory available. 
In order for any one of these homes to sell within the next 60 days, it must … (4 comments)

Seller Pays for the Appraisal? - 11:37 PM
In our area, it has been common practice for the seller to pay for the appraisal fee.  Is this common in your area? 
With financing changes and tightening regulations, lenders are beginning to ask for the appraisal to be paid for in advance. This places the seller in a difficult situation, especially with a short sale transaction.
As a seller's agent, lately I have placed the following verbiage in the contract: "Seller paid appraisal fee shall not exceed $400 and shall be paid from proceeds of the sale at time of closing."
This certainly helps protect the seller from paying out … (17 comments)

Off Market - 12:11 AM
 
Listing Details for Fredericktown home located at 21 East Fifth Street 
Call Sam Miller at RE/MAX Stars Realty (740) 397-7800 SamMiller.com
… (1 comments)

Country Mini Farm with 8 Acres and Horsebarn at 9207 Tucker Road - 01:40 PM
Call Sam Miller of RE/MAX Stars Realty (740) 397-7800 Knox County Ohio Homes with Acreage
… (0 comments)

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