Archives of real estate blog entries for February 1, 2010 (Page 5)

Blog posts


The un-American President of the United States... - 10:45 AM
My Bad!
I received an email from a colleague I know, trust and respect, containing an image and text that annoyed me so much I reacted by posting the information online.
In the past, I've fact checked sources before forwarding an email, but I failed to do my due diligence in this particular instance. Fortunately I was contacted by caring ActiveRain members who reoriented my thinking and pointed in the right direction, referring me to the appropriate fact checking resources.
Lesson Learned...
Thank you to those of you who have taken the time to read and respond... I hope you learned a valuable … (11 comments)

REAL Free Credit Reports - 12:11 PM
 

Via Doug Jones CMPS (Mortgage Magic):
The Free Credit advertisements on TV come across to me as misleading. The only authorized source to get a free credit report under federal law is www.annualcreditreport.com. This is an excellent service (informational) that you can offer your clients whether you are a Realtor or Lender or even an insurance agent. This is good advice. The web site has FAQ and instructs people how to order via phone, mail or the internet.
The Freecreditreport.com does post the proper information about free reports on their web site.:
When you order your free report here, you … (2 comments)

Staging Tips I Presented on HGTV.com - 12:31 PM
 
Via Rob Howard (Wood Realtors):
I was recently asked to give some tips on staging your home to sell for HGTV.com.  A link to the article:Staging Secrets: Top 10 Ways To Wow Potential Buyers At Every ShowingLearn from realtors how to prepare your home for resale. Start with these 10 simple and smart tips.
Some of the tips: Staging sells houses. If you can't hire a stager, there are several ways you can stay ahead of the curve and catch potential buyers the moment they step in your house. Broker Rob Howard has learned the importance of preparing for showings, … (0 comments)

It pays to listen... - 02:04 PM
Good listening skills are critical in today's competitive business environment. To ignore the fact is to risk costly errors, wasted time, ineffective teamwork, unsatisfactory service and misunderstandings at all levels... all which may affect your bottom line.
As the old adage states, "It pays to listen."
So why is it that listening is often at the lowest point of the hierarchy of communication skills taught?
Perhaps its because most of us assume we know how to listen, even when there is strong evidence to the contrary.
While most will invest time and effort to improve our reading, writing, and speaking skills, we … (0 comments)

Ecofriendly tips for sustainable living... - 03:01 PM
Whether you live in a hot or cold part of the country, one of the best ways to improve energy efficiency and comfort is to make sure the shell of your home - the outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors, and floors - is properly sealed and insulated. Many homes have air leaks and insufficient insulation which means it takes more energy to heat and cool the home. An ENERGY STAR estimate shows that homeowners who undertake a sealing and insulating project can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs.
Before adding insulation, a home should be inspected for air … (3 comments)

Thank you to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday on January 29th. - 07:36 PM
     This is a short video that I did yesterday while I was in my car. I was smiling while I was talking because I was happy I guess that sooo many people wished me a Happy Birthday. And why I sound different than the way I normally talk-Technology? Maybe. Bad enough that I don't like to be in front of cameras. But sometimes you have to do what you have to do. And I am practicing my video making so when its time to do my first independent or big budget movie for a major movie studio,I will be ready.
      And of course I … (13 comments)

Your Website is Your Storefront - 09:54 AM
Your Website is Your Storefront
A 2 part post in 1 part!
Part 1 - September 2008
In this age of technology many of us have opted for virtual storefronts on the web instead of the more traditional "bricks and mortar" presence.
Just as one would (I hope) keep a "bricks and mortar" storefront both presentable and functional, we must be diligent in doing so with our websites.  Easier said than done sometimes!
While hiring a cleaning crew, or grabbing a mop and bucket oneself, is relatively straightforward and inexpensive in a "bricks and mortar" storefront, the reverse is true for … (3 comments)

Mortgage Rate Indicators for Denver - 10:37 PM
Mortage Rate Indicators for Denver
Week of February 1, 2010
… (0 comments)

Mad Mortgage Machine Podcast - 12:13 PM
I had some issues over the last two weeks.  I was finally able to get the latest episode of The Mad Mortgage Machine out.  I had to redo it 2 times, but here it is in all of its glory.
The FHA Regs I have a lot of fun doing these and the response has been great.  Feel free to fill in the contact form for your free ID Theft Biz Booster.  I look forward to all of your comments and questions.  I have more Mortgage Mailbag coming soon.  I am getting a lot of great questions and some that I … (0 comments)

Evelyn Johnston, Elkhart Indiana's Short Sale Expert - 03:41 PM
I had the distinct pleasure of meeting one of Elkhart, Indiana’s premiere Realtors over a year ago at a friends wedding.  She told me then that she was shooting my then number 1 spot on ActiveRain.  I laughed it off at the time.  Well, I am not laughing anymore.  As I fell from #1 to #2 to #4.  While most agents and mortgage guys are here are blogging about the most asinine things in the all mighty search for more points.  Evelyn does not do not.  She gives pertinent information about not only Elkhart, but real estate matters as well, such … (3 comments)

5 Steps to Good Listening Skills - 04:04 PM
Some people are born listeners. Most of us aren't. However, that's not fatal because this is a skill that can be learned. There are the 5 Steps to Good Listening and today we'll start with #1.
1. Pay Attention: I can almost hear you saying "Duh!" Of course you have to pay attention if you want to listen. If that is so obvious, why is it that so few of us do it?
Multi tasking has been much maligned of late, and it's going to take another hit here. Most of us multi task. Even when we are engaged in a … (2 comments)

Shea North Estates Homes for Sale – Homes in Shea North Estates - 10:45 AM
The Valley Solutions Team at Solutions Real Estate is proud to announce their newest website featuring homes in Shea North Estates in Scottsdale Arizona. The new website can be viewed by clicking this link Shea North Estates Real Estate and Shea North Estates Information and features Shea North Estates homes for sale, Shea North Estates real estate, a special search for Shea North Estates bank owned homes, Shea North Estates foreclosures, Shea North Estates short sales and a special service where people can even request copies of Shea North Estates floorplans. There is also a page that provides a real time … (0 comments)

Sherwood Heights Homes for Sale – Homes in Sherwood Heights - 10:48 AM
The Valley Solutions Team at Solutions Real Estate has just launched their newest website that features homes in the Sherwood Heights Sherwood Heights in Scottsdale, Arizona. The new website can be viewed by clicking Sherwood Heights Real Estate and Sherwood Heights Information and features Sherwood Heights homes for sale, Sherwood Heights real estate, a specific search option to find Sherwood Heights bank owned homes, Sherwood Heights foreclosures, Sherwood Heights short sales. There’s even a special service where people can request copies of Sherwood Heights floorplans. If you’re looking for newly listed or a prior home you’ve had your eye on that … (0 comments)

It just dawned on me - We pay people not to work, and tax the people that do work. - 10:03 AM
Listening to the Fox Business channel about this $3.8 trillion budget, with a $1.3 trillion annual deficit that adds to the $1.4 trillion from last year, and the $1.2 trillion for 2011- we are going to be in debt to the tune of almost $5 trillion dollars. The consensus is that it is simply a train wreck about to occur.
An out of work friend called me over the weekend who just got his unemployement benefits extended again - he was laid off 13 months ago. Getting rewarded for sitting around, as I write checks to the IRS for 4Q/2009 taxes.
… (3 comments)

EVER WONDER ABOUT THE LOGIC OF "POLICY" REGARDING BANK OWNED PROPERTIES? - 08:31 AM
EVER WONDER ABOUT THE LOGIC OF "POLICY" REGARDING BANK OWNED PROPERTIES? 
Real Estate is not cut and dry like it used to be. Some buyers feel there is chicanery in the processing of offers and bank owned properties. They wonder how they can sit languishing, fail the short sale process, end up as liabilities on the books of banks, and are returned to the lender as foreclosure to be re-listed placed back on the market as "Bank Owned" have a huge price reduction and then multiple offers, where contracts are negotiated even after a full price cash offer is received.  
Yes, … (3 comments)

1916 Beverly- New Gorgeous Buffalo Listing in Rolling Hills Subdivision - 09:07 PM
1916 Beverly- Rolling Hills  Buffalo Grove-  offered at $649,000 
 
1916 Beverly  is situated on a quiet street in the elegant  Rolling Hills Subdivision of Buffalo Grove
From the moment you walk in the  two story foyer you will be amazed by all this home has to offer   The light and bright living room and dining rooms are  perfect for entertaining.
The gorgeous new kitchen features ceramic flooring ,cherry wood cabinets, top of the line stainless appliances, decorative center island , granite countertops, and an exquisitie  backsplash.
The master bedroom suite includes a wonderful spacious walk in closet, and  luxurious … (4 comments)

Week Three of the Blitz! - 03:12 PM
Here we go! 
The hustle and bustle in the real estate market is caused by the Buffini Members who are earnestly working away at their business, because of the Buffini Blitz.  The systems only work, for those who participate fully in them.  True, you can miss a day, here and there.  I have known members who have actually missed weeks, yet still, caught up and performed.  They are all successful and having a good year, already!  Catching up, counts!  It's twice as much Work!
The effects of this first 90 days, will change your business, for the rest of this year.  Don't … (4 comments)

The 2010 Real Estate Cyber Convention & Expo - Guess Who's a Keynoter?? - 06:18 AM

(Before we officially get started, I must note that as of this moment, I have 999 subscribers to my blog... who will be Number 1,000?!)
Now back to our regularly scheduled program...
Last year, I "spoke" via video at the 2009 Real Estate Cyber Convention & Expo about my favorite topic - "Selling to Your Sphere of Influence - No Sales Pitch Required!" It was my first ever such project and while I, of course, saw all the flaws and flubs and fly-away hair-do's, it apparently went over quite well.
So well, in fact, that the Real Estate Cyber Society (the … (19 comments)

15 Things We Should be Learning from this Economy - 11:56 AM
simple but but very good ;-)
Via Karen Rittenhouse (Triad Residential Solutions):
What are we learning in this economy that will protect us in any economy?
1. Save more than you spend.
2. Don’t expect the good times to last forever.                                            
3. Watch for emerging opportunities that will work if the market changes.
4. Don’t put all of your eggs into one basket.
5. Be flexible and ready to change direction.
6. Have more than one exit strategy in your business.
7. History tends to repeat itself – watch for trends that have happened before.
8. Be aware of areas you can improve.
… (0 comments)

Home Inspection Video Blog - Scary Door - 01:18 PM
Some things I find in the field while performing home isnpections are down-right scary.  So you've read the title and are probably thinking to yourself, "How can a door at a home inspection be scary?"  Well, you'll just have to watch the video and see for yourself.  To give it a dramatic effect, I added a "scary" voice in the video (my own voice).  So this home inspection video blog is a little scary and hopefully a little funny (my 6-year old really laughed at it).
 
 
I hope this gives you a little more information about a professional home inspection … (13 comments)

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