Archives of real estate blog entries for March 19, 2010

Featured blog posts


What Message Is This Realtor's Sign Sending To The Public - 12:57 PM
What message is this realtor's sign sending to the public?
I originally planned to use this photo for a Wordless Wednesday.  I find that I just can't do it.
I cannot let this go without commenting.
I've blurred out the realtor's information for the sake of this post, but it's clearly there on the sign for all the public to see.
 The sign actually looks much worse in person.  It's bent and damaged, shoved in between some rocks and propped up against the mailbox.
The lack of respect for a sign bearing their name and the neglected landscaping around the house sends a pretty strong message to … (196 comments)

Bank of America Short Sales Require More Than Just Waiting Around. - 03:24 PM
I have a Short Sale with Bank of America that I have been working on for a very long time. In fact we are on our 4th Buyer. This Buyer has been under contract since August and has been very patient. I won't bore you with the details but just suffice it to say that today was the day I needed to get some answers. So I fired off this email to a whole bunch of people in high places.
To who it may concern,
Bank of America's lack of response to this short sale is disheartening to say the least. … (114 comments)

Need to Get in Touch with Me? Here's How! - 01:20 AM
NEED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ME? HERE'S HOW!
While this may seem rather obvious, in this day and age of technology, and busy lives, it seemed appropriate to share how you can get in touch with me. 
Communication with prospective, current and past clients is key to being successful, and I know that being able to get in touch with me, for whatever reason, is a priority for you. 
Different forms of communication suit differing purposes and individual styles. So while I use all of them, it's important I communicate with you in a manner that works best and suits … (59 comments)

Real Estate Blogger Sued for $25 Million - 10:37 AM
Real Estate Blogger Sued for $25 Million.
I received an email today with this video clip which I believe is relevant to all Real Estate Bloggers.
I believe this issue deals with Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Expression which is an inherent human right. At the same time, I think it's critical that no-one abuses this right - what one says needs to factually correct.
So where should one draw the line between Freedom of Speech (and Freedom of Expression) and Defamation?
Should a Real Estate Broker who expresses his views on a Real Estate Development be liable for defamation? … (117 comments)

Success in the Rain - 04:03 PM
Its a beautiful sunny Seattle day....and no better time to talk about a few successes here at ActiveRain.
If you have yet to write your own success story, I urge you to do so.  Simply go to your profile page and click "edit: located next to My Profile (Edit). Scroll down until you see the spot designated for ActiveRain Success Story.  Keep in mind this will not show on your AR profile but will be available to view on the ActiveRain Success Stories link located on our home page.  Not only are all the cool kids doing it but you'll be … (41 comments)

Ash Creek Clean Up on Saturday, April 3 - 02:05 PM
We will be conducting our Annual Spring Ash Creek Clean Up at 9 AM on Saturday, April 3, which is low tide.  We'll meet at the driveway at 19 Eames Boulevard (19 Grovers Avenue).  Please wear a long sleeved shirt, long pants, and gloves because of the poison ivy along the banks of Ash Creek.   
Another group, Community Boating, will be holding clean ups at all beaches across Bridgeport, including Ash Creek, the Saturday before on March 27 at 9:30 AM.  There will still be a lot for us to clean up as their clean up is being held at … (14 comments)

So why don't banks make loans assumable??? - 06:16 PM
When starting my real estate career in back in the 80's, it was not uncommon for buyers to assume or take over existing financing. Just about every sale involved a wraparound financing and It was a perfect solution to sell a home in a rough market. There were no loan origination fees or points, and buyers were often willing to pay a little higher for a home that had an assumable loan.
 In todays market we are seeing large amount of foreclosed homes and banks negotiating short sales. There are still plenty of people who want to buy a home, but are … (148 comments)

FOR SHORT SALE SELLERS, IT'S OFTEN A MATTER OF "FIGHT OR FLIGHT". - 07:20 AM
HUMAN NATURE IS OFTEN HARD TO UNDERSTAND, especially when the human involved is a home owner faced with:
the loss of their home, the loss of their financial stability, the knowledge that their children's education will be disrupted, the reality that their credit is ruined for years, the fact that their dream of home ownership has been lost the loss of their dignity in front of their family, friends, neighbors, co-students, co-workers. IT'S NOT JUST A SHORT SALE.  Few experiences are as humiliating to an American family (can be a family of one) as the forced loss of their home through foreclosure, short … (67 comments)

Comments On Active Rain- What Kind Of Commenter Are You? - 11:20 PM
Are you a two-faced commenter or a commenter that just changes her or his mind from post to post of opposing viewpoints?   Or do you suffer multiple personality disorder?  Or perhaps you are just the all pleasing personality that agrees with everyone and therefore has no personal opinion any longer? This question has been in my mind for a while because I see the same commenters on opposing viewpoint posts agreeing with both of the bloggers.  How does that work? What goes on in the mind of person who takes no stand and agrees with whatever people say? For instance someone … (112 comments)

Women and Girls . . . and MONEY! . . . OR . . . The Council on Women and Girls to Host Women in Finance Symposium - 04:14 PM

On March 29, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The Council on Women and Girls is hosting a symposium which will include a lot of heavy hitters of the financial world.
Partnering with the U.S. Dept. of the Treasury, this event is a great opportunity for involvement -- especially . . . well, for women and girls.
"Administration Invites Next Generation of Women Leaders From Across the Country to Submit Questions, Gather via Watch Parties for Event Webcast"
"On Monday, March 29, 2010, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in partnership with The White House Council on Women and Girls, will … (13 comments)

A Message to Active Rain Members on Community Guidelines - 08:35 PM
A message to Active Rain Members on Community Guidelines.  Initially I was typed "Newer" in the title and than realized that it may not only pertain to new members.  If there are others that have been here a while and the guidelines have become a little fuzzy this may serve as a good reminder of where to go to refresh their memories.
This is an e-mail message I sent to a member this evening. While writing it I realized that it might be a helpful post  so here it is.
I hope you are finding your time on ActiveRain to be very beneficial.  There … (59 comments)

What Would You Do? Mortgage Guy Not Reciprocating Referrals... - 05:44 PM
When working with a Mortgage professional, should customer service be the only thing that's important?  I've got a dilemma that I'm trying to work through... I have this mortgage guy who I have given several referrals to. Each time, he gets prompt approvals and docs to the title companies way early. Most recent case and point is I contracted a house last week.  He emailed me saying he got an approval in three house.  WOW!  That never happens! We're set to close on April 2, and he just emailed me saying he's already sent instructions to the title company and they're … (157 comments)


Blog posts


Lancaster Inspector’s Corner – How Does a Heat Pump Work? - 09:15 AM
Welcome Back Readers!  Thanks for coming back, it's time for another installment of The Lancaster Inspector's Corner with Matt Steger of WIN Home Inspection!  This installment is a little late, I meant to have this one out last week but between being busy with the world of real estate and a few technical difficulties, it just didn't happen. 
Either way, here we are again and Matt brings us a great article on how a heat pump works (Warning, Science Content!), it's the start of a 3 part series.  It's full of great info, read on for more and remember, if you'd … (0 comments)

Monday Lancaster Fit Bit - Walking isn't Enough - 09:27 AM

Welcome Back Readers!  It's time for another Lancaster Fit Bit with Mickey Glick, owner of Body and Soul Fitness Studio in Lancaster! 
Walking, we all do it, it's long been known that more walking leads to a  healthier lifestyle and walking has numerous benefits to your overall life.  Did you know though, that walking isn't enough?  Mickey will tell you all about it, see you on the other side!
*******************************************
 As reported in the June 2009 edition of
The Physician and Sports Medicine, walking alone does not result in enough physiologic stress to be considered a significantly benefi-cial exercise. Our … (1 comments)

OPEN HOUSE: 225 North Avenue 57, Highland Park - 06:03 PM
OPEN HOUSE: 225 North Avenue 57, Highland Park
 
OPEN HOUSE, SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
 
 
Front 1 bedroom unit in a fourplex garden courtyard setting. Short walk across the street to Tierra de la Culebra, a large community art park home to a sculputral 500 foot long serpent -- La Culebra -- murals and a coffee shop; a 150-tree urban forest and gardens, pond, sculptural amphitheater, and many other sculptural landscape components, all of which are used for youth arts programming, cultural festivals, art classes and community events.

225 North Avenue 57, offered for lease … (0 comments)

Austin Round Rock TX - Forbes' Top Spot for the Recession Easing - 11:50 AM
Austin Round Rock TX - Tied Washington DC area for Forbes.com number 1 spot for the "Cities Where the Recession is Easing."  Just another reason why buyers should be getting off the fence and moving on with their lives instead of worrying about the National News!!

Between December 2007 and December 2009, when the rest of the country was having lots of job losses, Austin TX jobs increased 0.98%.  The estimate of job growth prediction over the next three years is said to be just over 8% with Dallas TX just behind at a little over 7%.  This is great … (4 comments)

What Would You Do? Mortgage Guy Not Reciprocating Referrals... - 05:44 PM
When working with a Mortgage professional, should customer service be the only thing that's important?  I've got a dilemma that I'm trying to work through... I have this mortgage guy who I have given several referrals to. Each time, he gets prompt approvals and docs to the title companies way early. Most recent case and point is I contracted a house last week.  He emailed me saying he got an approval in three house.  WOW!  That never happens! We're set to close on April 2, and he just emailed me saying he's already sent instructions to the title company and they're … (157 comments)

HEAR THE CONTEMPT CONGRESSMAN MORAN HAS FOR YOU - 09:42 PM

I hosted Afternoon Drive on News Radio 1140 WRVA/Richmond this week and I interviewed Democrat Rep for the 8th District of Virginia, Jim Moran. We talked about Health Care and I simply could not believe what I perceived to be the complete contempt he has for the American people. He hasn’t read the Bill – in fact he said he never does “I don’t have time for that”. He wanted to play word games when it came to forcing health care through without a proper vote on the subject and he had some interesting views on YOU – when I asked him … (15 comments)

Parrish Community Reports - 04:16 PM
This is a great way to get the community reports for Parrish Florida.  Some of the information you will get is:
Arts and Entertainment
Shopping and Groceries
Public Services
Places of Worship
Recreation and Leisure
Food and Drink
School Information
 
To get started finding out about the Parrish Community, just click on the Community Reports button below.
… (0 comments)

Eye Candy for Artists – Baltimore ACC Craft Show - 07:30 PM
So much has happened over the past few weeks that I haven't had a chance to write about the delightful few hours spent at the American Craft Council's Baltimore Craft Show. It's an annual treat for me and my friend/publisher Peg Silloway. We both have spent part of our lives working in crafts, and this one day is a chance to recharge our creative batteries and see what's happening in the world of fine handcrafts.

There are some old favorites we always check in with, like glass artist Josh Simpson. His work is exquisite and Peg is a collector. This … (22 comments)

Bank of America Short Sales Require More Than Just Waiting Around. - 03:24 PM
I have a Short Sale with Bank of America that I have been working on for a very long time. In fact we are on our 4th Buyer. This Buyer has been under contract since August and has been very patient. I won't bore you with the details but just suffice it to say that today was the day I needed to get some answers. So I fired off this email to a whole bunch of people in high places.
To who it may concern,
Bank of America's lack of response to this short sale is disheartening to say the least. … (114 comments)

Rental Income: If I Own A Outer Banks Beach House When Do I Get It? - 09:23 AM

This article is a continuation of 2 previous articles on what you can expect when purchasing a rental property on the Outer Banks. This article deals with how rental income is dispersed to the owners.
Many guests begin looking and pre-booking their vacations for the following year while they are on vacation. They are required by most rental companies to send in a small deposit to hold that week. Management companies then send out the rental agreements in January/February to all the renters who have pre-booked weeks for the upcoming rental season. A deposit of 50% of the rental amount at … (0 comments)

Think Spring! Pueblo West Xeriscape Class, Colorado State Extension Yard and Garden Upcoming Classes - 01:06 PM
As I'm writing this week's blog, it is about 74 degrees outside.  However, I know that by the time you read the blog, it will be far colder with the incoming storm possibly bringing Pueblo some snow.  Hard to believe that Saturday is the first day of Spring, but I'm ready for Winter to be over!
Nan Black, my favorite plant expert over at Seufer's Nursery, tells me that flowering plants will be blooming about 2.5 weeks or maybe even 3 weeks later than last year. 
So, you still have time to get ready for Spring planting!  Here are some sources … (0 comments)

So Easy a Caveman Can do it.... - 11:04 PM
So Easy a Caveman Can do it....
I know it's not quite April 1st yet, but I have a practical joker, attorney, friend next door who likes to mess with my marketing just a bit too creatively!
Last month he super-imposed William Shatner's photo over my face on the cover of the Home Buyer's Guide Magazine.
Today, I was on a Trek (no pun intended) in Canyon County Idaho to a small community about 25 miles from my office, Wilder, Idaho to take a listing.
I wanted to make one stop to get the listing, take photos, place the lockbox and … (44 comments)

414 Fairoaks Circle -- $172,600 -- SOLD IN ONLY 5 DAYS! - 06:55 PM
… (0 comments)

Grant Park English - Walkscore of 75 - 01:01 PM

… (0 comments)

Apple Valley Lake in Howard, Ohio Ranch Home For Sale - 11:53 PM
What a great buy at Apple Valley Lake!! Call Sibley Poland 740-397-3145 of the Sam Miller Team at RE/MAX Stars for a showing. Visit www.BuyInKnoxCountyOhio.com for a virtual tour on this and all our listings.
Via Sam Miller (RE/MAX Stars Realty):
755 Daffodil Drive at the Apple Valley Lake in Howard, Ohio
Sam Miller of RE/MAX Stars Realty (740) 397-7800  www.AppleValleyOhio.com
… (0 comments)

Let's start the weekend with humor - 06:15 AM
No. I am not talking about the condition of the real estate market.
Here are a few actual ads that were published in newspapers:
FREE YORKSHIRE TERRIER 8 years old. Hateful little bastard. Bites!
FREE PUPPIES 1/2 Cocker Spaniel, 1/2 sneaky neighbour's dog
FREE PUPPIES Mother, A Kennel Club registered German Shepherd. Father, Super Dog . . . Able to leap tall fences in a single bound
JOINING NUDIST COLONY! Must sell washer and dryer £100
WEDDING DRESS FOR SALE Worn once by mistake . . . . Call Stephanie
And the best one:
FOR SALE BY OWNER Complete set of … (10 comments)

Helen Ga Real Estate "See Helen GA in 365 Ways" - 03:01 PM
Blogging is a fun way to enchance your real estate busines.  You are never sure of how many people actually read your blog so I have done some "tests" in the past to see if I get comments.  Today will be no exception, can you tell me if you are coming to Helen Ga this weekend for fun?  It is not going to be snowing, the weather is supposed to be beautiful at least until Sunday evening, so say the weather w________  (fill in that word).  This will be a wonderful time to start your excursion of the northeast Georgia area.  … (0 comments)

Are You Using Twitter To Advertise your Open House? Why Not? - 05:33 PM
This a really good idea, I had two that came from me tweeting last week and I am doing it again today and in the morning and hope for even better results.
Via John Alesi (Orange County California Real Estate) (Century 21 Superstars):
Although many people use Twitter as a "real time / in the moment" notification tool, there is significant activity that indicates that people are searching the Twitter stream long after tweets are posted.
While the Twitter search tool is fairly rudimentary it is still powerful and can net good results.  What we need to do as REALTORS (R) and real … (4 comments)

In God We Trust AND Under God NOW OK by the 9th Circus Court of Appeal!!! Thank you W! - 05:47 PM
I have mixed feelings about this, but even if you don't believe wouldn't it be better if the Ten Commandments were the law of the land and what does it hurt to have folks pray does that not instill team work getting along with your fellow man.
The morals and filth that we as people just accept as OH WELL. People act with the dog mentality nowadays. It is as sickening as it is frightening. If we did half of what we accept as theactrics from Hollywood, we be no different from the animals that Hollywood thinks we arrived from.
The … (2 comments)

How would you like to help thousands...at no cost to you. - 11:16 PM
You have probably read or heard about the 50 million dollar Pepsi giveaway for a worthy cause.
Please click and vote for this very worthy cause. Yes it will ask you to sign up but as long as you don't check any boxes you will not be contacted. Several of us did this a few weeks ago and have not recieved any spam or even an e-mail for Pepsi or the others. This is such a heart wrenching cause and this will go a long way to help and it is FREE.
 
United Way of Escambia County seeks your help to … (3 comments)

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