Archives of real estate blog entries for March 26, 2010

Featured blog posts


Today is the tomorrow from yesterday that is supposed to be better! - 07:10 AM
 
Yesterday was one of the hardest days of my real estate life. Four separate “done deals” suddenly went south and I spent all day trying to get answers and resolutions.
And it’s not just about the commissions that are involved. It is about real people and how their lives are affected by arbitrary third party decisions or simple mistakes.
And it’s not just my clients either. The people on the other side of the transaction, and the people on the other side of their transactions are also deeply affected as everyone’s well laid plans are disrupted as all heck breaks loose.
… (95 comments)

Big brokerages will die a slow death via referral fees - 11:16 AM
Today Redfin was touting the merits of their agent partner program. They claim to to have 200 partner agents across the country in their program from big brokerages like Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Keller-Williams and John L. Scott. The program is pretty simple. Redfin screens for quality agents to join, they provide high quality referrals from their website, and agent quality standards are upheld via customer reviews. In return for the referrals from the Redfin website, agents pay a 30% referral fee from their commission. 15% is paid to Redfin for the referral, and the other 15% is given back to … (155 comments)

The WORST Open House I've Ever Visited - 06:54 AM
Let me set the stage...
Last week I was in Arizona speaking at the Tucson Festival of Books, and afterwards visiting my sister who lives there. On Sunday, we went to a Cactus League game and then to an art show. I'd forgotten to eat and we'd been out and about since mid-morning, so by the time we were heading home, this little introvert was hungry and pretty much out of social steam.
We stopped off at an open house in my sister's neighborhood. Cool, said Jennifer. I'm always up for a little real estate, even if I am ready for a nap.
Oh, my heavens. If … (133 comments)

Reading Seems One of the Secret Success in This Business - 10:45 PM
It's hard to believe that sometimes the most ironic answers to become successful in this business are as such:
(1) Pick up your phone when it rings(2) Read the darn contract(3) Own up to your mistakes(4) Don't just run away....
I'm so surprised how many of us in the industry DO NOT read the contracts. Essentially, the contract tells everything about the transaction. Yet, so many "professionals" resort to asking/ emailing questions that can be found on the contract. Quality time wasted because the other end may not be able to get back/ respond immediately. Licensees in the State of Texas … (61 comments)

About Momauguin East Haven CT- A Wonderful Beach Community - 06:26 PM
About Momauguin East Haven CT- A Wonderful Beach Community
Nestled along  the southern tip of East Haven Connecticut and bordered by the neighborhoods of Short Beach in Branford and Morris Cove in New Haven is the beach community of Momauguin.  Named for Sachem Momauguin, chief of the Quinnipiac, a native Indian Tribe, this lovely area is rich in history and its desirable shoreline appeal that is enjoyed by both its year round and seasonal residents.

 
Whether you're interested in a direct waterfront home, condominium, investment or vacation property, Momauguin has a unique blend of single family homes, condominiums, seasonal … (17 comments)

3 Things That Will Make for a SMOOTH Transaction - 10:50 PM
When I meet with a potential client, I can spend over an hour in a consultation -- detailing the current, local market, explaining the buying process, how my real estate practice is set up, etc.
During the conversation, I tell people that there are three key elements that make a transaction go smoothly:
1.  Having a knowledgable, effective real estate agent working for them -- in their best interests.
2. Having a knowledgable, effective loan officer/mortgage rep/lender working for them -- in their best interersts.
3. Having a knowledgable, experienced home inspector working for them -- in their best interests.
After reading … (55 comments)

Success in the Rain - 04:20 PM
Hello ActiveRain!!!!  I am in such a joyous mood.....it may be the wonderful success stories I have come across this week or it may be the fact that....It's My Birthday!!!!  Just back from a wonderful lunch (thank you Jonathan) and ready to share some great success happening in the 'Rain.  
If you have yet to write your own success story, my birthday present is for 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 … (46 comments)

100,000 Points in the Rain, Seattle RainCamp Unleashed My Inner Blogger - 09:35 PM
100,000 Points in the Rain, Seattle RainCamp Unleashed My Inner Blogger
Today, with this post I cross the 100,000 point milestone.  I originally signed up for ActiveRain a little over a year ago.  I received the daily newsletter and would read featured posts that caught my attention.  Dan Edwards an agent in my office and Brian Leavitt our broker both encouraged me to blog, so I wrote my first piece.  I was encouraged by some kind comments, but I didn't get it.  Why would anyone other than my clients be interested in my opinion?  Why would I share my "secrets" of … (56 comments)

Just how "Active" is ActiveRain? ...and how worthwhile? - 02:19 PM
Just how "Active" is ActiveRain? ...and how worthwhile?
I signed up with ActiveRain as a RainMaker about two months ago, only a few days after receiving my Realtors licence. The initial thrill quickly faded as I found the site (in comparison to other blog sites I've used) quite cumbersome and slow.
Even posting seems quite a chore - again, compared to other blogs I use. Posterous and Blogger are so simple and intuitive to both set-up and use - posting by simply sending an e-mail.
I suppose ActiveRain has a lot of features I'm not yet familiar with yet. But the … (67 comments)

Real Estate Coaches & Be Like Me Seminars - Are You Sick Of Them? - 02:06 PM
I've never met, spoken to, or chatted with a single agent whose "made it big" by using some huge, be like me seminar. I have however spoken to MANY folks who've paid a lot of money for coaching, seminars, audio tapes and conferences.
As I type this blog I'm listening to a "FREE" 90 minute seminar online about making it huge in the short sale market. 30 minutes into it & I haven't learned a single thing. All they are talking about is how other people have "made money" off their monthly coaching. It's a lot of sales chatter, nonsense, and used car … (95 comments)


Blog posts


Wyoming CRS Chapter with a Heart Project - 01:50 PM
Wyoming CRS Chapter with a Heart Project.  Every year the CRS (Certified Residential Specialists)...choose a project to give back to our communities.  This year theWyoming CRS Chapter has decided to collect donations for GPS units to be given to some of our rural community First Responder units.  Not all of our rural communities have these units and our CRS Chapter would like to alleviate this. 
Almost all of us have had a family member or friend that has had a serious medical condition and needed an ambulance to assist...whether a medical emergency or an accident, these First Responders are the first … (1 comments)

OPEN HOUSE: 6043 Delphi Street, Highland Park - 05:08 PM
OPEN HOUSE: 6043 Delphi Street, Highland Park
 
OPEN HOUSE, Saturday, March 27, 2010, 12 Noon - 3:00 p.m.
OPEN HOUSE, Sunday, March 28, 2010, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
 
6043 Delphi Street, Highland Park, offered for sale at: $419,000
Enjoy spectacular views from this immaculate and light-filled contemporary home. Open floor plan downstairs with kitchen and living room and 1/2 bath. Two bedrooms, full bath, plus master suite w/full bath and large balcony on second floor. The lush, multi-level & private back yard has two patios and a "secret garden" at the very top with views forever. Two car … (0 comments)

Rose Garden Homes in Brentwood California - 01:27 PM
Rose Garden Homes in Brentwood California
Rose Garden Homes in Brentwood California are very nice affordable properties in an upscale Planned Unit Development.  Prices for Rose Garden Homes are very competitive.
Currently there are only 3 Rose Garden Homes for sale with an average price of $313,333.00 and a median price of $300,000.00.  These homes have been on the market an average of 52 days and are priced at an average of $145.00 per SF.
However, there are 34 Pending Rose Garden Homes, 30 of these are Short Sales which accounts for the high number of Pending.  These homes have an … (1 comments)

OPEN HOUSE - 5 Fairview Park Sturbridge, MA! Sunday 3/28 12-2PM - 07:50 AM
 OPEN HOUSE - 5 Fairview Park Sturbridge, MA! Sunday 3/28 12-2PM

YOU'RE INVITED!
OPEN HOUSE SUN. 3/28 12-2PM! Welcome home to your lovely townhome style condo featuring 2 good sized bedrooms, large living room with plush carpeting, kitchen with appliances & dining area leading out to a nice deck for entertaining. Large backyard featuring privacy fence. New vinyl siding and windows throughout. Lots of storage! Basement with newer washer and dryer. Great commuter location just minutes from I-84 and Mass Pike. Must see!
Call James and Kathleen Cooper for more information at 508-868-4291!  Hope to see you there!
Enter to … (2 comments)

JUST LISTED - 5 COOPER ROAD STRURBRIDGE, MA (01518) - 08:06 AM
 JUST LISTED - 5 COOPER ROAD STRURBRIDGE, MA (01518)

JCKC REALTY IS PROUD TO PRESENT 5 COOPER ROAD, STURBRIDGE FOR SALE! 
Young contemporary home with all the fine details you can appreciate. Kitchen has Stainless Steel appliances, granite counters, hardwd floors throughout leading to dining area, formal living room w/cathedral ceilings & skylights, 1st floor bedroom & full bathroom w/laundry. 2nd floor has 2 large bedrooms, master bath w/jetted tub & shower,master bedroom features large walk-in closet.  Peace & serenity surround you w/babbling brook running through the land leading to the pristine pond great for kayaking & fishing.  Enjoy your … (1 comments)

Friday Foto - Biker Chic! - 08:47 AM
  Friday Foto - Biker Chic!
 
If you are ever looking for a Buyer's Agent or Seller's Agent in Worcester County,  Hampden County, or anywhere in Central Mass, please don't hesitate to contact me, Kathleen Cooper at kathleencooper@jckcrealty.com .  Please make sure to visit my website at http://www.MassachusettsHomeLocator.com and find everything you need from market snapshots, Buyer and Seller information, property searches, my blog and more! 
kathleencooper@jckcrealty.com , cooperagents@charter.net , 508-523-8632 www.activerain.com/jckcrealty, www.JCKCRealty.com,  www.CentralMAListings.com, http://www.realtor.com,  www.MassachusettsHomeLocator.com, http://www.facebook.com, www.trulia.com, www.myspace.com/kfcooper,  http://jckcrealty.postlets.com/ , www.loopnet.com,  http://twitter.com/jckcrealty
I am proud to be a full time real estate professional and Massachusetts Realtor.  I am happy for the … (5 comments)

Short sale canal home on Fort Myers Beach for sale - 01:10 PM
Fort Myers Beach is a barrier island snuggled along the coast of Southwest Florida.  It is approx 8 miles long and barely a third of a mile at it's widest.  The beautiful beach and amazing sunsets make this a favorite among U.S., Canadian and international buyers.  While there are some distressed properties here our market has weathered the current challenges much better than most.  Fort Myers Beach is a very diverse island community and has an easy going rythem all it's own.  Life here is measured by the number of beach walks and sunsets you can pack into your winter vacation.  … (1 comments)

3952 Silver Springs - Fort Worth, TX - 04:26 PM
We just recently listed the home at 3952 Silver Springs in Fort Worth, Texas. This is a beautiful 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home with all the ammenities you could want. Open floor plan features wood flooring in the entry, a study with french doors, family room with corner fireplace, and a huge kitchen perfect for the chef with tons of cabinets, countertop space, an island, and a desk! All bedrooms are oversized with walk-in closets. This is a great home priced at $159,000. Make it yours today.
View photos and additional details on my website, http://www.soldbyphelps.com.
… (0 comments)

Tara in Bradenton Florida - 09:04 PM
Heritage Harbour homes for sale in Bradenton Florida - Bradenton Homes and Real Estate by Communities.
This is an MLS search for: Tara Homes, in the Bradenton Real Estate market of Bradenton FL. School information, Buyers tips and relocation guide for homebuyers available.
We're your Bradenton Realtors with experience, knowledge, and dedication to service. Here you will find listings in the Tara community / subdivision but may include Bradenton townhomes, condos, and villas on a custom MLS search.
… (0 comments)

Choosing to Live in Baltimore, Md. Johns Hopkins Hospital…Ranked #1 in the US - 11:44 PM

 Choosing to Live in Baltimore, Md.  Johns Hopkins Hospital…Ranked #1 in the US
For the 19th year in a row, Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD is ranked #1 in the U.S. according to the U.S. News & World Report, "America's Best Hospitals 2009-10." Those of us who live and work in Baltimore know about "The Hop," but sometimes we forget what a remarkable institution it is.
There are four academic and community hospitals, four suburban health care and surgery centers, and 18 primary health care outpatient sites under the Johns Hopkins Medicine umbrella. Best known of these are The … (12 comments)

Easy To Show - 06:04 PM
My current client saw a home that was very easy to show. He saw that property easily.
You know the story right? Lock Box, code, courtesy keys are located at, etc ... 
I do read the descriptions and the agent remarks and I do try to follow the description and so on. Need 24 notice, not a problem. Between this and that hour, not a problem. Tenant will be present, I will show the home even if the tenant is present. 
Since I'm a full time Realtor, it's easier to show the properties at any time.  Of course, it is up … (6 comments)

Parker Offers a Peaceful Lifestyle - 09:47 PM
 
   
 
Colorado Lifestyles - Focus on Parker  
If you are moving to the Greater Denver area, you might want to consider relocating to Parker, Colorado.  It's a stone's through from the Denver Tech Center yet offers a wide variety of lifestyles.
People who enjoy evergreen trees, expansive blue skies and elbow room like to call Parker their home.
Parker is located in Douglas County in the SE Denver metro area and transcended from being an old stage coach stop, to a modern  bedroom community in the suburbs.  Today Parker is a full-fledged town, with both a new … (6 comments)

Lead-Based Paint - New EPA Rules for Renovation, Repair, and Painting - 07:08 PM
If you own a home or income property built before 1978 and are considering doing some renovations, repairs, or painting, you need to be aware that there are some changes that take effect April 22, 2010.
Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint.  Lead is harmful to people and pets and is especially dangerous to children under 6 years of age.  Exposure to lead can occur either through ingestion or inhalation of lead dust or fumes.  Exposure to lead can affect the brain, nervous system, and other parts of the body.  The use of lead-based paint was banned for residential … (3 comments)

Sitting at the Rotary Table - 10:41 PM
 Sitting at the Rotary Table

I must admit, for being a Nampa Rotary Club member since 1997, I have missed a lot of meetings lately!
I attended the lunch meeting at noon on Tuesday at the Brick 29 Restaurant here in Nampa, Idaho.
While sitting at the table, we laughed and joked and interacted like school kids giggling during a quiet church meeting.
It occurred to me that the interaction at the table is really where most of the networking takes place!
Since I hadn't been there in several weeks, one of the members at my table mentioned he keeps receiving … (0 comments)

Nampa Idaho Horse Property - 10:57 PM
Nampa Idaho Horse Property
6203 W Lake Hazel Road  Nampa, ID  83687
Located in the Kuna area, Kuna Schools and a south Nampa address, this wonderful, quiet country setting offers a single-level home with 1660 SF along with a 76 x 30 Metal machine shed / shop!
It also features a 12 x 18 Storage shed & a 60 x 60 Metal roof Hay storage shed with 3 horse stalls!
Offered at $265,000 with 1.69 acres, this is a great buy!
Adjacent land is also for sale with an additional 14 acres or a total of nearly 36 acres!
           
… (3 comments)

New Luxury Miami Condos For Sale...ICON Brickell HALF OFF - 09:43 AM
New Luxury Miami Condos For Sale...ICON Brickell Half OffMiami, Florida That's right...you heard it here first.  Today I will begin a series of articles about the newest luxury condos that have been repriced and reduced to half of the asking price from the peak of the boom.  I am talking about brand new, luxury Miami condos that are located on the water with outstanding views, all amenities and style and priced to go...."mark 'em down and move 'em out" as my retail friends like to say. The views at ICON Brickell condos in Miami are truly outstanding.  The crown jewel of … (1 comments)

BEWARE,.....BE SAFE ! - 01:00 PM
  These are desperate times for many people and we have heard two reports recently of gang related activity that has resulted in serious injuries, near death, robbery, etc. and wanted to report to anyone and everyone what these situations look like...identify them and report them if you see them in your area.
 
Several things to be aware of .. gangs and robbers are now plotting different ways to get a person to "stop" their vehicle. There is a gang initiation reported by the local police department that gangs are placing a car seat by the road...with a fake baby … (8 comments)

A Stroll thru Elm Grove, Wisconsin....A Visit to the Village - 06:33 PM
 
Elm Grove, Wisconsin has a storybook "downtown" Village that you can stroll thru and find anything from flowers to pastry...candy and cake....the feel of a small town just outside the "big city" of Milwaukee with all the advantages of a village lifestyle just 15 minutes from the night life, theatre,  arena and stadium for all things cultural and sports related.
The population of Elm Grove is just an estimated 6200...not too big, not too small...just right as Goldilocks would say.  It is at the eastern border of Waukesha County and prides itself as part of the Elmbrook School District, … (5 comments)

Another Credit Building Tool! - 01:18 PM
Now, not just our clients can obtain lines of credit that sucessfully report to the bureaus!  We can offer this service to anyone that may need a few point increase to their score for 6 months in order to qualify for a mortgage, car loan or other funding where they may fall short!
Click on the link below & simply follow the prompts.  We recommend the $295 up-front version (you receive $295 worth of products!!) where you enroll, order products and forget about it for 6 months!  You can also choose to make payments on a portion as well.
Just another … (1 comments)

Colorado Real Estate Commission Update - 05:12 PM
Today a little more is known about what exactly is going on with The Colorado Real Estate and the administrative leave that Erin Toll received.  The complete story is below, posted on insiderealestatenews.com
Erin Toll today came out swinging, filing a whistle-blower complaint alleging that her boss involuntarily placed her on administrative leave as head of the Colorado Division of Real Estate Division.  She said she being investigated for her actions in the wake of a public dispute with State Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch. Toll claims that Harvey may have misused his power and engaged in unethical behavior. Toll also … (1 comments)

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