Archives of real estate blog entries for October 23, 2010

Featured blog posts


**Success Story** My first Listing via my blog posts, in less than 2 months! I OWE YOU ONE, ActiveRain! - 06:24 PM
I got a call this past Tuesday from a potential seller who had found me online, via my hyper local blog posts on ActiveRain. He quickly "qualified" me over the phone, and after speaking with him for about 45 minutes, we set up a formal meet & greet for today at the property. I really didn't know what to expect, as I felt I had sold myself and my brokerage over the phone very well, but you never really know what will happen until you formally meet, and go over everything from marketing materials, to active, pending, and sold comparables in … (62 comments)

HAVE FAITH and.......DON'T LET YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED..... - 09:44 AM
I am a firm believer that with every negative circumstance, with every problem...there is a solution and an upside or a positive ending. I base this on the fact that there are no accidents in life and that things happen for a reason. I would prefer to be contacted in a dream or by an Angel, but sometimes being stubborn prevents that
THERE IS A RHYME AND A REASON TO EVERYTHING...
I have trained my self to see and recognize problems for what they are. I want to understand them because I know the second part is coming after that....namely the … (87 comments)

Scammers Or Legitimate Buyers? - 11:37 PM
Scammers often contact real estate agents saying they want to buy properties. What they don''t realize is that there are multiple forums to check names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and even the content of previously written letters and emails.
How do we know if you are a scammer or a legitimate buyer? Well, first we check you out. But, beyond that, you can't just tell me you want to buy a property - you have to be qualified. Scammers can't qualify.
Not all emails that sound like scammers are scammers. There are legitimate buyers who contact me via email … (41 comments)

WordPress in Plain English... widgets - 06:03 PM

 Hi guys and welcome back to the WordPress in Plain English series. If you're new to WordPress or if you're just joining us, you should read the first few tutorials in this series to catch up before reading this section.
 In this tutorial we're going to take a t look at how to add widgets to your blog. Let's get started. As usual you'll have to login to your WordPress admin panel...
 

 Widgets are essentially little pieces of code that extend or add functionality to your Wordpress blog. To access the default widgets, go to the Appearance section … (60 comments)

If the House is a Rockin', Don't Bother Knockin' - 06:04 PM
OR: "Tips for Door Knocking Without Feeling Like a Doorknob"
When I first got into the biz, I remember interviewing with a small firm with just a few independent-minded agents.  (Read: Barely Working Agents)  The head cheese was a veteran agent of about 40 years and his advice for getting started was "knock on every door in your neighborhood and ask whomever answers if they know anyone who wants to buy or sell a house!"
The only way I would ever knock on a stranger's door is if their house was on fire.  I politely thanked him for the interview and moved on. … (140 comments)

Who Should Negotiate a Short Sale? - 05:32 AM
Recently, a listing brokerage instructed one of my agents to include a HUD-1 as part of our client's offer on that brokerage's short sale listing. To say that it was a peculiar request is an understatement; The HUD-1, which is a mandatory form in any transaction involving a mortgage financing, itemizes and documents all expenses for both buyer and seller. In New York, especially Westchester and the Metropolitan area, it is prepared by the seller's attorney in a short sale, with approval from the bank approving the short sale, the  buyer's attorney, their bank attorney, and the title company. Aside from the real estate … (79 comments)

Buyer Tip: Your primary residence should be a home first, an investment second - 02:52 AM
Disclaimer:  This is my opinion, and any and all readers are free to disagree, if not stone me in town square.  (We don't have a town square, so I should be safe)   I come across a lot of buyers who get so caught up in the mathematics and economics of the home price that they can never really pull the trigger.  Questions like: How much will this place be worth in 5 years? What if the market tanks? Am I going to be stuck in this home for years to come? Can I make 20% in "X" years, after closing costs? … (36 comments)

Working With A Realtor...How It Works. - 11:46 PM
Working With A Realtor...How It Works.
This topic could easily fill a few books, however, my intention is simply to clear up some misconceptions the public has about real estate agents and Realtors and the process in general of working with one.
Agents please feel free to add to the list of misconceptions you feel the public may have about working with a Realtor.
Misconception:
To begin; the term Realtor is a registered trademark of the National association of Realtors and only it's members are allowed to call themselves a Realtor.  Realtors have additional guidelines and a strict code of ethics to … (44 comments)

Houses and friends, houses as friends. - 10:51 PM
 
Houses as friends. They can be good friends. Houses provide things friends also provide. At times when I have guests in my home it feels like I'm introducing my house the same way I'd introduce a treasured friend. You know, when you come visit me here I'll likely tell you about the nice things I've done for 2 Echols St. How I've cared for her, and thus I'm insured of her returning the favor for years to come. You'll see that I'm proud of 2 Echols like I'm proud of my friendships that I've cultivated over the years. You'll  hear that I'm humbled by … (37 comments)

600,000 Points - What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been - 03:00 AM
600,000 Points - What a Long, Strange an Amazing Trip It's Been
 
I realized that I just hit 600,000 points here in the Rain and that led me to pondering the experiences that have brought me to this point.
 
This is not a point I would have ever believed I would reach when I started here; I had an extremely slow start.  It wasn't even a crawl.  I joined AR back in May 2007 and manage to do almost nothing other than create a profile.  I then came back in September of 2007 and managed to comment on a whole 8 … (101 comments)

Are you Pumped Up ? - 07:58 AM
Are You Pumped Up ? In those offices where the office energy level is high, deals are being made and negotiations are constantly going back and forth.  In this environment, Realtors can thrive and learn and their talent level and learning curve can shoot up quickly.  In offices where this is not the case, it is dreary and depressing, phones are barely ringing, Realtors are staring at the phone, or maybe they are on Facebook posting an update.  No money is being made.  It is outright depressing.
Obviously, the more successful people that are in an office, the more that will help that … (36 comments)

RainCamp Charlotte is OCT 28, 2010 - Are YOU Ready? - 11:17 AM
 
RainCamp Charlotte is OCT 28, 2010 - Are YOU Ready? Coming to THE QUEEN CITY- Charlotte NC - October 28, 2010!  
So, are you headed to Charlotte for RainCamp?   We have quite a list of extraordinary members already planning to attend (hint, hint) and I promise you, you’ll learn at least one thing that will essentially PAY for your trip--and then some!Who can resist joining fellow ActiveRain members for a full-day conference that is not only chocked full of THE most useful tricks of the trade AND the opportunity to connect with our virtual friends?  NOT ME!  Implement what you learn immediately or tweak your business plan for 2011--social media, networking, … (50 comments)

Newbies.....Have You Thrown An Active Rain Party And No One Came? It'll Happen....Keep Blogging - 10:11 PM

 
 
 
Everyone has been new to Active Rain at some point! Yep....it's true! Doesn't seem like it when you are trying to get your blogging feet wet, does it?
I remember! I remember spending hours, agonizing over a post that I just thought was "brilliant" only to find no comments waiting for me in my Inbox. None....
But I kept blogging...and you need to also. You also need to keep in mind that the purpose of the blog post is OUTSIDE CONSUMER EXPOSURE! And Google doesn't care if you are just starting out. Looking through some of my … (61 comments)

Good Economic News for Plano Texas - 06:52 AM
There's some good economic news for Plano and Collin County, Texas.

Phil Dyer, Plano City Mayor, recently told a group of real estate professionals that the city cut $14m from the 2011 city budget for fiscal year 2011 beginning October 1, 2010. Even better was that this was done without raising local taxes.
In other good news, economic development is alive and well in Plano and Collin County. Collin County is on the short list for a number of corporate moves:
Cigna facility opening bringing in 1000 new jobs Tech Tronics – 450 new jobs Wallway Tech – leasing 1.3m square … (16 comments)

RESPA Section 9: How do You Spell V-I-O-L-A-T-I-O-N and the Required Use Rule - 01:29 AM
RESPA Section 9: How do You Spell V-I-O-L-A-T-I-O-N and the Required Use Rule
Thanks to Dr Gary Lacefield, President of Risk Mitigation.  Risk Mitigation offers RESPA training and compliance programs for industry banks and realtors.  You can hire him and his staff by visiting Risk Mitigation on the web.  Read more about Dr Gary Lacefield at HomeFinancingNinja.com
Overview: How the Required Use Rule, RESPA, Section 9 is commonly and illegally used by builders and real estate brokerages.
THE PROBLEM: In the builder and large real estate brokerage world, it is common knowledge and a very sore spot between mortgage bankers vs … (10 comments)

Starting At Ground Level.....A Test Of Determination - 10:57 AM
After reading a post by Harry D'Elia titled "Are you associated with a winning real estate brokerage" I was inspired to share my opinion on this topic.  I've only made three office changes in 32 years, and each time I changed, it was not because I was unhappy.  It was because I needed a new challenge.  You see, my office changes were always to an office that was at the "rock bottom" of the list of real estate offices. 
My theory has always been that it's up to me to learn and execute the proper methods of prospecting to gain market … (50 comments)

When Will You Stop Wasting So Much Time? - 07:36 PM
A very dear one I know is always chiding me to quit "PLAYING" on Facebook. Well for those of you working that social media or others, many can be addicting and with too much time, wasting your time. In all areas of our life
      When Will You Stop Wasting So Much Time?
Truly our lives are finite minutes and seconds and without being a time management freak, let us look at the top seven time wasters and get more minutes out of our day.
Commuting/Traffic/Red Lights - drive different times of the day out of the rush if possible, know alternate routes, … (71 comments)

ActiveRain Signatures - Part 4 - A Signature Makeover - 10:39 PM
In this series of articles, we have been looking at how to use the signature option in ActiveRain (click that link if you need to go back to catch up). AR gives you the opportunity to create a signature, or footer, that will display at the bottom of each of your blog posts. To recap - a signature is a nice way to leave your reader with a snippet about WHO you are, WHAT you do and give them a way to connect with you further (whether by tel, email, or links to your website or other social pages)
If you … (59 comments)

There’s a Little Control Freak in All of Us - 11:29 AM
There's a Little Control Freak in All of Us  We hear from some folks that they are "control freaks."
Some people we are quick to describe as "control freaks." 
My suspicion is there is a little bit of Control Freak is all of us, whether we want to admit it or not. 
Sure, some people take it to an extreme - they micro-manage, want to make every decision...even the teeny tiny ones... to know every little detail, and get bent out of shape when things do not go according to plan. Things have to go their way, or else. Then they … (67 comments)

Is Your Lender Leaving Money On The Table? - 07:40 PM
Has Your Lender Left Money On The Table?
 
I recently had a Realtor introduce me to a client who her in-house lender had turned down
because the client didn't have 2 continuous years of self employment, only 1 year.  The client wanted to buy a home and did not have a lot of money to put down.
When I interviewed the client, I found out she currently teaches classes for an online University teaching professionals in the field she previously worked in for 7 years as an independent contractor.
It made sense to me that she was a good … (44 comments)

Taking the dread out of a price adjustment. - 01:07 AM
Time soothes all wounds...but not when it comes to sellers. For sellers, time is the enemy. I mean, really...why is it taking you so long to sell their house, anyway?  All they hear is the clock ticking since they've rarely heard from you since the sign went up.
You know how it is. Sellers start out loving you the day the listing paperwork is signed but day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute...Tick Tock Tick Tock... and before you know it you look less like like prince charming and more like the troll under the bridge to your sellers.
… (23 comments)

When an REO listing needs repairs, who should pay for them? - 05:59 PM

If the house is an REO listing, roof and siding issues can pose a problem for the buyer with a conventional loan and limited closing cash. The buyer sees the low priced REO as the only one he can afford. The buyer says, "The house is great, only the garage needs work. I want to make an offer."
The bank has offered the listing to be sold "as-is" and perhaps might be waiting for a cash offer for a house that is not financeable.
The lending process for the buyer has become much more stringent for the house itself. The most affordable homes are … (37 comments)

You Disparaged That Broker...Now Pay Up! - 01:45 PM
We all know about The Realtor® Code of Ethics and the part where we NEVER disparage another Realtor® regardless of what our opinion might be...right?
So hypothetically we have Broker A who has been promised a listing from Seller A.  Broker B was interviewed in Seller A's due diligence process of determining with whom he wanted to list.  In the end Seller A informs Broker A that she would be getting the listing.  End of the story?  Nope.

Of course Broker B calls to see if he is getting the listing and when he hears that Broker A is getting the … (40 comments)


Blog posts


USA Hotel for Sale for $3,500,000 - Southeast Hotel for Sale - Florida Hotel for Sale - 12:46 PM
USA Hotel for Sale for $3,500,000 - Florida Hotel for Sale … (2 comments)

I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains... - 01:27 PM
photo from http://www.myhamshack.com/HamShackPictureViewer/887/Haywood-County-NC.aspx You hear the story over and over. It is my story too. Perhaps it will be yours. I had a new job in the greater Asheville area. My wife and I went house hunting. In short order we settled on a house between Clyde and Lake Junaluska in Haywood County. As I got ready to drive back to the city I was moving from, I thought I'd go back out to the house for one more look. I hoped I would remember the way. After winding around for a brief time, I found I did remember the way. … (1 comments)

Southern New Hampshire Home Sales - 09:53 AM
 

Disclaimer: Information herein may come from various sources, some of which may not be reliable and may change without any notice. Joan Whitebook does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information on this blog represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author.  Joan Whitebook (c) 2011, BHG the Masiello Group, Andrew White Managing Broker.  License in NH  Photos Copyright © 2010 By Joan Whitebook, can be used with written … (0 comments)

Sweet Berry Farm - Marble Falls TX - Fall Harvest 2010 - 11:08 AM
Yesterday, Alyssa and I played hookie and went to visit Sweet Berry Farms in Marble Falls TX. We had never been there before. We had plans twice before to go, but things always came up.
Since it's Fall, as much as it can be Fall when it's 85 degrees, it was time for their Pumpkin Patch and Hayride stuff.

We had a group of about 35 people and had a blast!  We got to pick our own pumpkins. We got to paint those pumpkins. We got to feed the goats. We rode a hayride to a maze and then had … (10 comments)

Mandarin - Jacksonville, Florida - Sugar Mill Condo for Sale - 02:08 PM
div id="rb-wrapper" style="width: 490px;"> Fabulous - Beautiful Mandarin Condo Move in Ready … (0 comments)

Trends for the home - Home Decorating Ideas - 03:17 PM
Are you needing decorating ideas for your home?

I am not much on decorating a home, probably as most guys! My wife does the decorating, and I can say this, but she is not much better than I am. In the article above (click link above) it mentions how you may find some good ideas for old pieces of furniture, or whatever.
But, I am always amazed at some homes, all of the great decorating ideas that I see. I many times think that I could do that, or I will remember that great idea, and then....puff, it's gone.
The … (1 comments)

Is there room in your Garage for your Car? - 03:27 PM
Here is a very important article that many people do not think about. I remember my Dad (boy I must be getting old), but He would say that my sister had a $20,000 vehicle sitting outside the garage and a $1 worth of junk filling up the garage and she couldn't even park inside the garage.
Well, my Dad was full of wisdom, and when I show homes being marketed for sale and you can't even make a pathway thru the garage (and it's not because the sellers have been packing), it always make me smile and think of my Father, … (3 comments)

Collection of Quotes - 05:05 PM
I always enjoy quotes from famous actors, past presidents, or authors.
Here are a few that I've collected. I hope you enjoy:)

If God had wanted us to vote, he would have given us candidates.  - Jay Leno
It takes too much energy to be against something unless it's really important.  - Madeleine L'Engle
If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.  - Rene Descartes
Great part of being a grownup, you never have to do anything.  - Peter Blake
Success … (3 comments)

7th Annual Halloween and Mourning Tours & Scary Movie Night at Heritage Square - 07:38 AM
7th Annual Halloween and Mourning Tours & Scary Movie Night 
On Saturday and Sunday, October 23rd and 24th, experience Halloween in a whole new light at Heritage Square Museum's Seventh Annual Halloween and Mourning Tours. 
Discover the very different traditions surrounding death and mourning as they were practiced 100 years ago. Mourning Tours are made possible thanks to the support of sponsors like METRO, Los Angeles Family Magazine, 100.3 The Sound,  Pasadena Weekly and Citizen's Trust (a division of Citizens Bank). Additional support provided by Councilman Ed Reyes/CD1, Trader Joe's of South Pasadena, Superior Warehouse and Licha's Flowers.   This living history program puts … (1 comments)

Custom-Built Victorian Style! - 11:09 AM
… (0 comments)

So you want to be a WNY Realtor®… - 10:28 AM
So you want to be a WNY Realtor®....
Congratulations on wanting to join a really great group of people! There is not a more dedicated group! Here are a few things they don't tell you at the Pre-licensing course or you might choose not to hear from the brokers that you interview with.
This is not a 9-5 Monday through Friday job Your broker doesn't pay for your advertising, your dues, your training, your phone bill, your health insurance or retirement What worked today, might work tomorrow, but think twice You may be the boss, but you still have to follow … (0 comments)

Just wanted to express gratitude for simple things - 07:00 PM
Just want to express how grateful I am for a few simple things.
It's been a beautiful day today I have a great husband My dog, who is old (16+yrs. old) is feeling better after a few days under the weather The company I work for has allowed me to know some great people I have many friends and family who care about me People who can disagree with other people but keep it civil I feel I am good at my job My Mother is still active and alert in her 80s I don't have the flu & got my flu shot to prevent it Women friends who support … (4 comments)

No One Will Disagree With Me On This Subject! - 11:49 PM
Today I received flowers and  I bet  no one will disagree... they are just beautiful. The arrangement looks  good on my coffee table. He Did it Again! I love them both... the roses and TLH! 
 
But yesterday's post about my print advertising did not have everyone agreeing. Take a look...within 24 hours, there were 75 comments on this feature   So forget print advertising ?.... NOT at this time.
Phil Faranda made this comment.. "Margaret- do what works. If I got results from hiring a town crier or taping my card to the inside of men's room stalls, I'd do it.If … (17 comments)

I Had An App For Real Estate - 01:04 AM
Few days ago I was with a client in Niles, IL and I had an app for that.

While I was showing a home, my client saw a sign of a home for sale across the street and wondered: "How much is that home?" I had that cool moment with a big smile: " It's this much, with that many rooms, bathrooms .... check the pics with app for this. This particular app is so cool. It shows all homes on the market from your spot. The closest one first with all the info you need. I felt like a … (3 comments)

Planning for Social Media - 11:36 PM
Planning for Social Media
As I am working on my business plan for 2011, http://goo.gl/Opro  I am declaring 2011 as my year for the Internet. I want to make all of my Internet website, blogging, advertising, social networking become a viral method of marketing.
I am adding blogging on Active Rain. I have been posting every day since August 28 and want to continue to do this. I got some great comments on my blog post and one of them talked about a "retreat" to work through their plan for next year. I think this is a great idea. It would … (14 comments)

Old Bethpage Village Restoration - An 1880 Halloween To Remember - 12:00 AM
One of my favorite places on Long Island is the Old Bethpage Village Restoration.  The minute you park your car, you find yourself in a time warp.  You've left the 21st century behind for the charm and quietude of a country village in the mid 1800s.  This recreated typical farming community of its time sits on 209 pristine acres.   With 51 historic buildings and seven reconstructions it offers a realistic representation of life in a rural setting at the time.
If you're looking for a different way to celebrate Halloween, why not get in your car and bring the family to the village to experience an … (4 comments)

This Isn't a Popularity Contest....OR IS it ? - 08:13 AM
  Go Ahead...you can admit it....You look at the -
Caller ID Open House Register Book E-mail and there it is.....the name you have been dreading..... Realtor Suzy or Sales Agent Sam You take a breath, squint and answer the phone, read the e-mail, check the comment.  It's the agent that you can count on for something negative to say...do....It's the one who is a buyer's agent who knows it is her/his duty to beat you up....and try to take your Seller down the black hole of demands....the same one who does not adhere to deadlines on their side of … (8 comments)

Paying it Forward...One Meal at a Time... - 08:57 AM
    I love Ralph Gorgoglione....(David knows...it's ok ) Pay it Forward Group on Active Rain....in case we forget...in case we need ideas....if we have spent too much time working for us and not enough giving back or remembering that there are people who with very little effort can be rewarded with the basic needs we too often take for granted.    Every area has rules concerning "overstocks" of groceries...dated food that may have a week to expire before it has to discarded.  This weekend...make it your mission to talk to your local grocery store...find out the policy for produce, canned goods, … (10 comments)

Mount Vernon Ohio Luxury Ranch - 02:08 PM
201 Adamson Street in Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050
Contact Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty (740) 397-7800  Mount Vernon Ohio Homes For Sale
 
 
… (1 comments)

Kenyon College and Mount Vernon Nazarene University Location - 02:16 PM
16919 Glen Road in Mount Vernon near Kenyon College
 
Contact Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty (740) 397-7800  Knox County Ohio Real Estate
… (0 comments)

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