Archives of real estate blog entries for March 15, 2010

Featured blog posts


How To Create HyperLinks to Anchor Text - 02:28 AM
How To Create HyperLinks to Anchor Text

Many of our Members and Bloggers have heard, read, or been told that it's not good to include links in your Blog posts to other sites.  Nonsense!  In this post, I'll share my difference of opinion, then show you how to do it.  Creating Hyperlinks to Anchor text can be very powerful and beneficial to your Blog for multiple reasons. Useful and informative links bring more value to your readers and targeted audience, they increase your SEO, and they drive traffic back to your blog from those who you are linking to.
According … (115 comments)

What You Do on Facebook Matters - 09:00 PM
If you're like me, you probably spent a lot of time on Facebook marketing yourself and selling houses.  If you're not on Facebook, you're missing an excellent resource for real estate marketing and farming.  But that's another discussion.
I noticed recently that one of my competitors is on Facebook a lot.  But they aren't on Facebook talking to people or posting their Active Rain blogs.  They're on there playing Farmville.  And you can tell from all their Farmville postings that they play the game a lot.  Now, there is nothing wrong with enjoying yourself with things like Facebook Farmville or other Facebook … (144 comments)

Animoto API is now integrated with RealBird for easy listing video publishing - 05:20 PM

Ever since Animoto was launched, we have been waiting for a way to integrate their amazing service with RealBird. With their recent release of the Animoto API, we are glad to let you know that RealBird is now integrated with Animoto for easy, high-impact video creation that can be shared on websites, blogs, social networks and even on YouTube for maximum exposure.
What is Animoto ?
Animoto has a technology that takes your photos, music and other, optional media content such as texts and existing videos and mixes them together into a very attractive and highly unique video presentation. Transition effects are based on … (46 comments)

Actually Kermit, it is EASY being green...paperless that is - 02:14 PM
Actually Kermit, it is EASY being green...paperless that is
I had a very strained relationship in my business.  Paper and I just do not play well together.  I maintain a very orderly home, keep the garage clean, and my vehicle is always presentable.  Then there's my office desk.  Oofta!  Many trees have been slaughtered senselessly to achieve the level of disorder that is known as my desk.
I have shown many signs of improvement however.  A year and a half ago, I'd had enough.  I purchased a tablet PC.  I settled on a Lenovo X61 ThinkPad.  I didn't know if I made … (31 comments)

The Ex Factor… What do you tell a buyer’s agent when they ask about the divorce? - 08:44 AM
By Todd Clark (Broker/Sales Coach) 503-524-9494

Last month I closed on a house, but there was something about the sale of this house I didn’t advertise because I didn’t want it to affect the sale. What was the issue? The sellers were in a nasty divorce and one thing is when buyers see divorce and they see a house for sale, they know that this could be the final step in the divorce and they low-ball offers hoping that the sellers just want to get the sale over with, so they can move on with their lives. (For the most … (72 comments)

Is Broadband the New Running Water? - 02:29 PM
Take a think of this: unemployment has been hovering around 10% (underemployment has been even higher - around 17%) for a while. Now, imagine you are either unemployed or underemployed. How would you go about looking for a job? Would you ask your family and friends or perhaps take a look at the local classifieds in the morning paper?Or, if you're like most of us, would you hop onto your computer and head over to monster.com or careerbuilder.com?But what if you didn't have access to the Internet?Last Tuesday, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan discussed the importance of broadband access for all. Arguing … (33 comments)

Will I Get a Better Interest Rate with a Higher Credit Score? - 07:34 PM
Will I Get a Better Interest Rate with a Higher Credit Score? by Steve Kappre, NJ Loan Officer
The simple answer: Maybe, but there are many variables.
As a rule of thumb, the higher the credit score the better the rate you will receive (or the less fees you will pay). This is most relevant when talking about conventional loan programs. For the best rates and options you want a credit score of 740 of more.
What can make my rate higher?
Credit scores below 740 A property's status: Second home or investment property loans Type of property: Condo vs. single family vs. … (44 comments)

Did You Watch the House Hunters Show About Buying a Short Sale in Sacramento? - 08:50 AM
My husband and I watched HGTV's House Hunters last night because the show finally aired that I filmed last summer with my clients, Lali and Chris. If you missed it, HGTV will show it again in April and May. The show was about buying a short sale in Sacramento. Now, I often watch House Hunters even when I'm not on it. My husband doesn't understand this. He says, "Why would you watch a show about showing homes to buyers when that's what you do all day?" Um, because maybe I LIKE what I do?
I'm not really the star of this … (69 comments)

What Makes a Short Sale Specialist? - 02:03 PM

When I closed my first short sale in 1998 I had no idea that 10 years later I'd be doing them with any regularity. At that time, short sales were uncommon; they remained uncommon through 2006. Even in 2007, other agents needed to be educated about what a short sale was, how long it took to close, and what process the negotiation would entail. 
Having closed dozens of short sales in the period since 2007 in Westchester and the surrounding counties, I now see a larger number of agents who are familiar with short sales. I also see a higher … (93 comments)

A True Story - 11:06 AM
This is a true story....
I have a home under contract that my clients had built several years ago. They have never moved, but their children are gone and they wanted to down-size.
After their home was under contract we went looking for them a home and found them a nice lake home (foreclosure) around the Ann Arbor-Pinckney area.
They met with the lender this week, have mid 700 credit scores...no worries.
Ahhhhhhhhh....
The lender notices there is a foreclosure on their credit report from GMAC on the house they are living in and have never moved from. They have never … (99 comments)

Don't Believe The Myth Of Go For The Low Hanging Fruit! - 06:36 AM
 
Don't Believe The Myth Of Go For The Low Hanging Fruit!
Admit it. You paid good money to listen to some business guru give you tips on increasing your business. Among other things he told you to "go for the low hanging fruit" which implies making changes that have the lowest implementation cost and the greatest impact. In other words pick the easy obvious tasks first. This sounds good on paper, but does it really work?
The danger is we can spend everyday doing tasks that are easy or urgent and never get around to doing what really matters. Maybe … (38 comments)

Living in the 19th century until Con-Ed restores power… - 05:24 PM
Early Saturday evening,  much of Westchester NY was plunged into darkness by a major storm.  The storm was severe enough for me to cancel my last appointment.  It was nothing short of treacherous on the road.  I made it home safely and  counted my blessings. Then suddenly – ZAP!!! All the lights went as well as the heat (which is triggered electrically) As the storm raged on I heard an ominous THUD in the front yard.  A tree that I had had scheduled to be removed this next week had decided to beat its executioner to the punch and came down … (46 comments)

ActiveRain Newbies Challenge — Follow-Up — 03/15/2010 - 07:59 PM
ActiveRain Newbies Challenge — Follow-Up — 03/15/2010
On Feb. 21, one of my blog posts issued a challenge to ActiveRain Newbies. (Click to take a look)
I was honored when it became a Featured Post, and am humbled by the overwhelming amount comments I received on the subject — 60 and counting!
Many of the comments were from fellow ActiveRain Newbies, while some were from AR veterans who said they appreciated the gentle prodding that we all need from time to time. Thank you all.
Now it's time to hear from those of you who took the ActiveRain Newbies Challenge and … (38 comments)

Am I absurd? I'm still advocating the use of recorded messages to resonate with distressed homeowners... - 08:26 PM
With so many upside down and distressed homeowners, getting more short listings in the funnel is an undeniable way to grow your business. Yet as I stated in many earlier posts, many of these homeowners are gun shy, and not may not initially open up to a stranger. The reality is, this business takes people skills, and business will not fall in your lap. A CDPE made a memorable comment... she viewed her efforts as "social work." An adept investor or realtor that can empahthize with the homeowner during this difficult period of their life and help them build memories will … (45 comments)

AGENT PICTURES....IS THAT WHAT YOU REALLY LOOK LIKE? - 03:04 PM
Fellow Professionals:
How often I have noticed over the years the pictures of agents on their web sites, business cards and emails only to find that you really do not look like that in real person. I apologize right here and now to those that are easily offended. Now I took a picture of myself regular like and I have taken a picture of myself all properly prepared. The one that was properly prepared is not how I go through life, it is only how I give my best pose for pictures. Couple of things come to mind....
1. Why do … (126 comments)

This Is What I Expect When Sending You A Referral - 11:26 AM

This Is What I Expect When Sending You A ReferralIn the past 2 weeks, I have had the opportunity to send out 12 separate referrals to Active Rainers throughout the U.S. The results have been mixed. Unfortunately, they are SO mixed that I feel the need to publish this list of expectations.Client contact - I expect the referred client to be contacted within 15 minutes. If that is not possible then tell me when you will contact them and I will decide whether or not I will give it to you. In my book, it is unacceptable to take a … (94 comments)

My "To Do" List Keeps Staring at Me! - 11:05 AM
My "To Do" list keeps staring at me!
I hear it screaming at me, "Just write something down and check it off. I need a check mark!" It just won't leave me alone.
Sure, I can add to my "To Do" list things like: straighten desk, call the Smiths, write 3 "thinking of you" cards. And ... I can check those off. That's easy.
But there's that part of the list that never gets checked. You know ... those things that are never finished. Always more to do. I bet your list looks like mine.
Post to Active Rain.Update web site.Change status of listings.Follow … (66 comments)


Blog posts


REAL ESTATE MARKET STATS 03/07/2010 - 03/14/2010: NORTHEAST LOS ANGELES - 07:02 AM
New listings entered
Price reductions 
Reported pending
Reported sold and closed 
These zip codes include the Northeast Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon. 
… (0 comments)

DOM ... Daze of Madness - 09:46 AM

Time flies.  Back in April of 2006, I wrote a blog about pricing .  Back then it was my contention ( I still believe it) that agents had developed a practice of pricing homes like they were fruit in the local grocery store.  Everything was hitting the market with price points that ended in 900 or 999 (i.e. $349,900 or $349,999).
This may have been the result of the old marketing technique that was developed purporting that .99 cents seemed like less than $1. Well it is. It is one cent less.  Visually, it appears to be more. The effect is … (7 comments)

Not Exactly ... - 10:52 AM
Wow... talk about a confusing process.  You take an average person that decides...Now is the time to buy a home. This is not an easy decision. It is influenced by the "American Dream(?).  This person wants information. They boot up and head out on the good old information super highway.  A lot of them start at Google.  One of the first places listed is HUD's website.  Seems like as good a place as any to start.  HUD lists 9 steps to buying a home.
Nine steps to buying a home Figure out how much you can afford Know your rights Shop … (14 comments)

You're Invited to Consign My Closet's Spring Event! - 01:21 PM
 
EVENT DETAILS
WHEN:  March 18th - March 21st, 2010WHERE:  Boxboro Holiday InnADDRESS:  Route 110, Mass AveBoxboro, MA
Consignor HoursWednesday 10 am - 9 pm drop-off, by appointment onlyThursday 10 am - 9 pm drop-off, by appointment onlyFriday 9 am - 4 pm drop-off, by appointment onlyFriday 6 pm - 9 pm Exclusive Pre-Sale Event for Consignors and Volunteers
Shopping HoursSaturday 9 am - 8 pm Sale open to publicSunday 9 am - 3 pm Sale open to public
Consign My Closet is a place where families can find great deals and help benefit the environment by recycling at the same time.  You … (3 comments)

Replace Microsoft Office with a FREE Office Suite - 08:57 PM
Hello while I was reformatting my father in laws computer and installing all his software that came with the computer I saw a program that had openoffice.org on it. I never heard of this site and since I am a computer techy and love open source software I decided to look it up on the net. I was amazed when I found out open office is a free open source alternative to the high priced Microsoft Office suite. I have researched open office and found great reviews on it. Open office is developed by Sun Microsystems and can be downloaded from http://www.openoffice.org … (0 comments)

Volunteer at the Plum Creek CDE and Have a Blast! - 05:56 PM
 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE UPCOMINGPLUM CREEK CDE WHO:     ANYONE INTERESTED IN HAVING A WONDERFUL DAY OR WEEKEND OUTSIDE WITH HORSES AND CARRIAGESWHAT:    VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR DRESSAGE, CONES AND MARATHONWHEN:    APRIL 17TH-18TH, 2010 (VOLUNTEER FOR ONE DAY OR BOTH!)WHERE:  AGARITA RANCH IN LOCKHART, TX   www.pccss.org WHY:      IT TAKES A "VILLAGE" OF VOLUNTEERS TO PUT ON THIS EVENT  Plum Creek CDE is again looking for volunteers to help us put on this event next month.  If you haven't been able to get your equine ready for the event, then consider volunteering.  Or, if you're not a CDE competitor but enjoy horses, then consider volunteering. Once … (2 comments)

Got cash? Want house? Does a 10% return do anything for ya? - 04:26 PM

Want to be a landlord? If you answered "yes" then my next questions is ...Why? Why deal with collecting rents and tenant issues. Why let property taxes, insurance, management fees and repair costs cut into your money?
Here's another option that some of my Investors have been doing. Instead of becoming Landlords they are becoming Lenders. Owner financing is making a come back. It's difficult for folks to get mortgages right now and offering financing can make the property worth more money.
For example: We can find you really good rental properties right now for $90,000 to $100,000. … (18 comments)

Parker, Colorado’s Wildlife Experience is a Must-Visit Destination - 11:08 PM
It’s hard to believe that Parker, Colorado’s Wildlife Experience is nestled in the southern Denver suburbs! Its sheer size and cultural opportunities make it seem more like an urban facility. TeamCox Realtors has a fondness for Wildlife Experience since RE/MAX International was the first major sponsor of the museum and continues to support it. This summer, RE/MAX is presenting the annual Wildlife Cup, a golf tournament held at the Sanctuary Golf Course in Sedalia to raise money for it.If you haven’t been to Wildlife Experience, it’s definitely worth the trip, especially since it has added its new addition – Globeology. The … (0 comments)

What's Fair? - 11:12 PM
What's Fair?
I'm just curious to know what is reasonable to pay another agent on a short sale referral.  They typically know how much work and pain is involved in the process and yet to share the reward without the pain... ouch!
So, how much (percentage) do you pay or receive on short sale listings?
I usually pay a standard 25%on referrals that come my way, but when there is so much more work involved, I'm almost afraid to take it on.
Let me know your thoughts...
 
Thank you in advance!
 
… (9 comments)

No Greater Love... - 11:22 PM
No Greater Love...
Nampa Idaho First Church of the Nazarene puts on a fabulous passion play, "No Greater Love," every year with outstanding props, talent and music!
The production has been going strong in the Treasure Valley for decades!
You often times will see men in the community growing their beards out months in advance to play their special part of the Easter program.
This year's performances run from March 30th through April 4th (Easter Sunday).
If you're looking for a fabulous performance with a message that can stir your heart, visit Nampa, Idaho and the No Greater Love performance by Nampa … (2 comments)

Mount Vernon, Ohio Historical Home Located at 504 East Gambier Street - 12:19 PM
Beautiful Historic Home  in Mount Vernon! For a showing call Sibley Poland of the Sam Miller Team of RE/MAX Stars Realty. 740-397-3145 or www.BuyInKnoxCountyOhio.com
Via Sam Miller (RE/MAX Stars Realty):
An impressive quality home with gorgeous hardwood flooring and beautiful woodwork
View details, photos and the virtual tour by visiting 504 East Gambier Street in Mount Vernon, Ohio
Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty (740) 397-7800  (740) 397-7800  SamMiller.com
… (2 comments)

So You Want to Buy Investment Properties - Evaluate with me - 11:15 PM
Pensacola, Florida: My best of the best series of articles on different real estate topics beneficial to Pensacola Investors, Landlords, Tenants, buyers, sellers in Pensacola, Pace and Gulf Breeze, Florida.  This weeks topic is on the Investor and who wants to be the next millionaire in Pensacola, Pace, Gulf Breeze, Florida. With a well know, little used strategy we can make you the next millionaire. Unbelievable, put me to the test and see.     I hope you find this series to be educational as well as informative. Call me to discuss the use of the of this little used strategy and to discuss how we work and if it will benefit you here in Pensacola, … (2 comments)

Real Estate Investing Secrets with James Harner - 11:16 PM
Pensacola, Florida: My best of the best series of articles on different real estate topics beneficial to Pensacola Investors, Landlords, Tenants, buyers, sellers in Pensacola, Pace and Gulf Breeze, Florida.  This weeks topic is on the Investor and who wants to be the next millionaire in Pensacola, Pace, Gulf Breeze, Florida. With a well know, little used strategy we can make you the next millionaire. Unbelievable, put me to the test and see.     I hope you find this series to be educational as well as informative. Call me to discuss the use of the of this little used strategy and to discuss how we work and if it will benefit you here in Pensacola, … (2 comments)

For Sale/Sold/Pending Sales for Green/Uniontown Ohio - 11:37 AM
… (0 comments)

WE'RE GETTING THE BAND TOGETHER! - 03:54 PM
At the urging of a couple of ROCKIN' AR pals . . .
I'm starting a new group for REALTORS and RE Practitioners of all kinds (including INVESTORS)
who have ROCK AND ROLL in their SOULS . . .
~~I ROCK, THEREFORE I AM~~

Agents, Brokers, Investors and Vendors who ROCK!
 
If thinking for yourself and pushing the envelope on occasion is how you roll If you are a musician, DJ, artist or creative type (by marriage is OK too! I married a Shredder myself!) If you see your work and life as an ART FORM and There's a … (9 comments)

WE'RE GETTING THE BAND TOGETHER! - 04:08 PM
At the urging of a couple of ROCKIN' AR pals . . .
I'm starting a new group for REALTORS and RE Practitioners of all kinds (including INVESTORS)
who have ROCK AND ROLL in their SOULS . . .
~~I ROCK, THEREFORE I AM~~

Agents, Brokers, Investors and Vendors who ROCK!
 
If thinking for yourself and pushing the envelope on occasion is how you roll If you are a musician, DJ, artist or creative type (by marriage is OK too! I married a Shredder myself!) If you see your work and life as an ART FORM and There's a … (0 comments)

What The Heck Is BOUNCE Radio? Radio In A Rubber Suit? The Super Ball Of Internet Radio? Well, Kinda . . . - 04:12 PM
ONCE UPON A ROCK AND ROLL TIME . . .
Some friends decided to start a radio station online, just to broadcast to their friends and have fun:
A 'terrestrial radio' DJ in Kentucky. A recording engineer and a student in Arizona. A Floridian DJ. A hobbyist in Canada. And another, from the BBC across the pond. They decided to call it BOUNCE Radio because as each of them broadcast from their home studio, they would 'hand off the stream' to the next DJ and thereby 'bounce' all over the globe.
 
They had no idea what would take shape in … (15 comments)

Mobile AL Real Estate Market Snapshot - 03/12/2010 - 09:43 AM
Below you will find a table that contains the Market Activity report for 03-12-10 activity in the Mobile AL Real Estate market according to the Mobile Association of Realtors MLS system.
This information is derived daily directly from the local MLS System. For more free Mobile AL real estate information, reports, and statistics, please visit http://www.GulfRegionProperties.com or http://www.AlabamaBestHomes.com. Please e-mail me or call 251-215-9382 if you would like additional information on any of the listings shown.

Mobile AL Real Estate Market Snapshot 03/12/2010
Single Family Homes and Condominiums
Looking for a new home? Below you will find a link to … (0 comments)

New Subdivisisions Going Out of Business - 11:28 PM
I continue to see more and more subdivisions in the greater Charlotte area struggling to develop.  It appears as though many developers jumped into our market without realizing what they were really doing.  Developers purchased land 1n hour plus from Charlotte and felt it would be a great investment to develop.  Yes and no.
In 20 years the population will be out that far.  The greater Charlotte are is very rural in nature and people considering property that remote were seeking land and space.  Developers on the other hand were building high density developments (many with lots of .08 acres) in … (2 comments)

Why are you showing my listing when they CAN'T afford it???!!! - 05:36 PM

Via Holly Lynch (Keller Williams Greenville Central):
So the story goes.
 Realtor shows house to buyer client, client loves house, client lowballs (seriously lowballs) an offer, seller rejects and counters, offering closing costs if they'll be realistic. 1 week goes by, Realtor shows house to same client AGAIN, buyer make another (little better) lowball offer. Seller says X marks the spot and don't bother me with ridiculous offers when we're getting showings and 2nd showings out the wazzoo!
 
Today 4 days later. Realtor calls AGAIN. Seller still lowballing close to 30K. Now this is a moderately priced home folks-192K not the … (5 comments)

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