Archives of real estate blog entries for April 16, 2010

Featured blog posts


Rookie Real Estate Agents - Revisiting Full-Time Versus Part-Time in 2010 - 06:46 AM

Whether or not one can succeed/survive in this industry doing it part-time is always a good topic for debate. Emotions run high, tempers flare, feelings get hurt. Bummer.
But it really is an important question, especially TO those considering entering the field.
I've been thinking about it a lot, so I'll take one for the team and open up that can of worms yet again.
For the record, I've always been of the seemingly obvious opinion that if you're going to do something, do it 100%. And in an industry where far more practitioners fail than succeed, it only makes … (69 comments)

Be tops in SEO? You need FUR! - 11:21 AM
Oh great! A mortgage guy is going to tell me something about search engine optimization, right! Actually, you may well flip that statement around and say "an SEO guy is going to tell me something about mortgages, right!"
Long before I was a full time, seasoned mortgage pro I was a computer science geek and owned one of the first hosting companies in Atlanta. As far back as 1988 I hosted a Mustang BBS service called UWDO and did my best to get my community interested in doing business online. Most BBSs back then were for gamers and porn addicts. UWDO was … (47 comments)

Charges Of Fraud And Strategic Default At Goldman Sachs - 05:52 PM
An article in the Wall Street Journal has reported that Goldman Sachs Group and one of its vice presidents, Fabrice Tourre, have been charged with fraud in a civil complaint filed by the SEC. The complaint alleges that Goldman failed to disclose to purchasers of CDOs, collateralized-debt obligations, that the selection of the underlying mortgage backed securities had been influenced by Paulson & Company. With the bursting of the housing market bubble, the CDO investors lost $1 billion, Paulson raked in profits of $1 billion, and Goldman earned $15 million for handling the transactions.
 
And while the stock market and … (110 comments)

My LIFE! By DESIGN - or as I like to think of it as God's design. - 05:24 PM
My LIFE! By DESIGN - or as I like to think of it as God's design.
 
Some of my earliest childhood memories...
I enjoyed this exercise that's in Tom Ferry's new book LIFE! By DESIGN – why?  Because as we get older I think we forget to go back and delve into what has made us who we are today.  Who made a direct design effect on where we are...  What course of events both  positive and negative influenced where we are...
For me - I believe very strongly in God’s hand in the people and situations that threaded … (16 comments)

Does Your Broker Make Money for You??? - 09:56 AM
Does Your Broker Make Money for You?
 
In my 35 years in the real estate business, I have noticed one simple truth time and time again. Some people are cut out for this business, and some are not.
For those agents that are not cut out for this business. They are not going to succeed regardless of who their broker is. On the other hand, those that are cut out for the business are most likely going to succeed in spite of their broker.
Granted, early on, we all need some guidance and maybe a little hand holding, and certainly … (41 comments)

What Men/Women Want.....How About An Article Called "What Realtors Want"? - 09:35 PM
Realtors aren't from Venus or Mars...although I've met some pretty spacey ones. We are just professionals with a few needs. Pick up any magazine and you will see titles like:
"How to ask for what you need from your partner""Put your mate first in the relationship and get much more in return""Be the qualities you wish your partner has....and he will respond""How to give your partner a great ****" oops.....how did that get in here. :)
But you get my point....no kidding, these titles are in magazines on my coffee table right now. But my Realtor magazine talks about technology and … (98 comments)

For Sale By Owner Tips for a Successful Transaction: Find a Good Realtor! - 07:17 AM
FSBO Tip #1: Establish a relationship with a good Realtor
I know you do not want to list your home and you want to save the commission but you should still establish a relationship with a Realtor for several reasons:
A Realtor can help you establish a fair market price for your home based on comparable sales in your area. A Realtor can help you prepare your home for a sale and give you some staging and marketing tips based on what is going on in your area. A Realtor can tell you which forms you will need to use throughout … (39 comments)

The Closing took Place, But Not Without Some Anxious Moments - 09:10 PM
A transaction that was cruising along just so well, almost too good to be true, and then right at the last minute while waiting for the clear to close, an underwriter decided to do some muscle flexing.
Ideal clients, with the house going under contract on Mar 21 and we closed on April 14. A 2300 sq ft Colonial sold for $296,000.
The buyers have their home under contract and were well enough positioned to be able to close on their new house before their current home got sold. The Inspection showed some minor problems, but not at all unexpected for … (78 comments)

I can't believe I have earned 500,000 Points on Active Rain. - 09:05 AM
I would like to thank all my associates, blog subscribers and all those who commented on my posts for helping me reach the 500,000 point milestone.
When I started on Active Rain , I did not expect to reach 100,000 points and here I am three years later with 500,000 points.
I enjoy writing about my community and sharing information about Real Estate with others. The main reason I blog is for Google ranking so customers will find me , and  for networking with agents for referrals,
I love to read posts by other members for the wealth of information I can … (98 comments)

Success in the Rain - 02:20 PM
Heeellllooooo ActiveRain!!!  Has it been a week already?  Wow, time flies!  I am SO excited for RainCamp Chicago happening this Monday. The ActiveRain family will be in town and I get to shake the hands of more of our fabulous members.  Best part of my job!  
I found some great success stories and I hope you find them as inspiring as I did.
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 … (16 comments)

America's Absolute WORST Selling Housing Markets... or maybe not - 06:55 AM
View Larger Map America's Absolute WORST Selling Housing Markets.. or maybe not
Forbes.com published an article naming the 10 WORST real estate markets on April 5, 2010.  Forbes.com America's Worst - Selling Housing Markets by Francesca Levy.
Denver Colorado made the Forbes.com list at number two and Kristal Kraft said "I don't think so...." actually what Kristal said speaking for her market when a previous article about the list was  posted on Agent Genius: 
"Denver says Horse pucky to Forbes reporting."
She also said someone at Forbes.com was smoking something...  The numbers are way, way off.
Some of the data … (61 comments)

I CALLED THE GOLDMAN CHARGES IN ONE OF MY RECENT POSTS; THE WHOLE STORY FOLLOWS: - 07:08 PM
I CALLED THE GOLDMAN CHARGES IN ONE OF MY RECENT POSTS; THE WHOLE STORY FOLLOWS:  I wrote this post 3 weeks ago after seeing the tragic results of what the banks are now doing to troubled homeowners---people who are suffering from what the banks created in the first place; the whole subprime mess was created by them as their "Hedge Funds" were all betting on a housing collapse!!!
Don't you ask yourself: "What is going on here?"....I have; I have asked as homeowners here in the Hamptons are being affected as never before by this massive failure of the housing market. I watch as solid citizens … (100 comments)

My Life By Design.....My Next Stage Of Life - 02:24 PM
This contest came along at a very interesting time for me....I've been doing some reflection the past few weeks and this couples nicely with that effort. I chose to work with the exercise on page 47 about my Lifestyle.
My life is changing....in great flux actually. I have spent my life as daughter, mother, wife. These were my primary titles. This past year, I've added Mother-in-law and all the other "in-law" titles that go with that. In addition, I have a step-son living in his own "pad," a daughter away at college who is planning out-of-state graduate school and a 14-year … (20 comments)

There's a Downside to Being Found on Google! - 08:12 AM
There's a Downside to Being Found on Google  What!!?? 
There's a downside to being found on Google? How can that be!?
After all, we have been told about the power of Google juice, and heard from countless webinars and articles about why it's important and how to make it happen. 

It does, of course, happen...I get found all the time. Bet you do as well. 
And therein lies a downside. 
It is fairly common that people do a search and end up on one of my blog articles. Thinking they found the resource they were seeking, they call and get … (74 comments)

Good Part time Agents & Bad Full Time Agents- What does all this really mean? - 12:30 AM
Good Part time Agents & Bad Full Time Agents- What does all this really mean? There has been a lot of controversy lately about this issue and agents coming down on both sides of the issue.  Many have stated the opinion that I share, and that is basically, it is not about how much time an agent spends at this business, but how well they do it and how available they are to the other agent.
Getting to the nitty gritty, here is what I (And probably a client as well.)need from the agent on the other side of the transaction … (34 comments)

My Life By Design - My Life, My Terms, My Way! - 10:51 AM
My Life By Design - My Life, My Terms, My Way! I never liked a 9 to 5 job. You are rarely appreciated and heaven forbid you call in sick without being read the riot act even though I hardly called in sick. I was the employee bosses and co-workers could depend on. Apparently, I was depended upon too much. I realized in my early 20's that I knew I was destined to run my own business but didn't know what type of business so I continued to sail the status-quo ship for over 20 years. When my Father passed away … (55 comments)

Does The Eliminination of The Origination Fee Really Benefit Seniors and The Reverse Mortgage Industry? - 02:04 PM
Just like any business, mortgage brokers have expenses to run their business. For reverse mortgage brokers, we have to cover the loan officer’s and staff salaries, administrative costs, business overhead including computers, office space, utilities, taxes, health insurance, marketing expenses, processing, underwriting, etc. (Note that processing and underwriting fees are generally additional fees on conventional loans but have to be included in the origination fee on FHA reverse mortgage loans.)
HUD regulates the fees that can be charged on the reverse mortgage including the origination fee. The guidelines are 2% on the first $200,000, 1% on the balance thereafter with a … (4 comments)

To Be or Not to Be a Realtor - 07:44 PM
     In my previous life, I studied acting. Obviously, Shakespeare was one of the classiccs we had to grasp.  The wording was always tough and the format was difficult at best, but when Shakespeare was done right, it was great.  As i now go through this time of life as a Realtor, it brings me to that special plea of Hamlet where he was contemplating his own existence.  What is better, to give in to life, or to fight against the "slings and arrows" that come our way and is o doing, to truly be the victors.
     Life as a … (58 comments)

The right attitude goes a long way. - 09:28 AM
Few days ago, I took my wife's car in for a brake job at one of our local Frisco TX mechanic. I have taken my other cars there before and like the owner and what they do. We got the brake replaced, rotors replaced and machine, got the car home on the same day.
The next day, she took the car out to meet a client. On her way, she noticed that they was a grinding  sound coming from the back. She check the back seat and trunk to make sure there was nothing that was making that noise. Then later it … (34 comments)


Blog posts


Great Places to Eat in Cheyenne Wyoming: Great Harvest Bread Company - 11:06 AM
Great Places to Eat in Cheyenne Wyoming:   Great Harvest Bread Company. On my way to work this morning, I stopped by The Great Harvest Bread Company located at 5249 Yellowstone Road.  If you have not stopped in there, you are really missing something. The staff is so polite and accommodating.  The breads are just wonderful. They use the freshest ingredients and whole wheat. In fact, they give FREE samples of their breads.  Not a teeny tiny bite, but a real slice of bread..with butter if you want.  I tried the 9 Grain Wheat bread. MMMMMMMMMMMM...so good!!

This family owned business does not … (0 comments)

Short Sales in Oakley California - 11:46 AM
Short Sales in Oakley California
Short Sales in Oakley California are the dominate part of the market. This report looks at single family homes currently for sale as Short Sales in Oakley California and compares it the pending and sales of Short Sales in Oakley California for the last 2 months.
Right now there are 50 Active Short Sales in Oakley California with an average price of $240,924.00 and a median price of $232,700.00. The average price per SF is $113.00 and they have been on the market an average of 53 days.
In February 13 Short Sales in Oakley California … (0 comments)

Short Sales in Brentwood California - 12:08 PM
Short Sales in Brentwood California
Short Sales in Brentwood California are the dominate part of the market. This report looks at single family homes currently for sale as Short Sales in Brentwood California and compares it the pending and sales of Short Sales in Brentwood California for the last 2 months.
Right now there are 78 Active Short Sales in Brentwood California with an average price of $324,381.00 and a median price of $309,450.00. The average price per SF is $135.00 and they have been on the market an average of 46 days.
In February 14 Short Sales in Brentwood California … (1 comments)

Active Rain Carries Weight with Me! - 12:27 PM
I am constantly bombarded with people that want to help me in my business by selling me products and services.
There are things I need and certainly some things that work for me.  However, I have trouble sorting out the good from the bad, and what I need from what I do not need.  I have trouble determining what will work for me and what is a great tool but not for me.  My biggest problem is lack of time to wade through this mound of material.  Every day I find myself deleting many e-mails from people un-read and cutting short … (5 comments)

Monkey Fisted Bankers - 01:28 PM
Monkey Fisted Bankers
I understand that one way to catch a monkey is to put something the monkey wants in a milk bottle.  The monkey will stick his hand into the bottle and grab what it wants then will be unable to get the hand out.  The monkey will be so intent on holding onto the prize that it will not let go to get away as the trapper come to get him/her.
I do not know if the above is true, but it shows what part of the problem is with the banks crises.  The banks have been bailed out, … (6 comments)

The joy of giving back - 07:13 AM

 
For five years my way of giving back to my community has been to coach High School tennis. I have often said it is the most rewarding three months of my year. My teams have always done well, but this year we have done exceptionally well.

 
Last week and for the first time since 1999, both the boys and girls Dr Phillips High School teams won the Metro Conference Titles - going through the season unbeaten against Metro competition.
 
Yesterday we went out for the second day of a two-day tournament and both of my teams … (12 comments)

Just Sold! 84 Haynes Hill in Brimfield (01010) - 07:18 PM
 Just Sold! 84 Haynes Hill in Brimfield (01010)

List Price:  $289,000Sale Price:  $280,000Bedrooms:  5Bathrooms:  2.5Living Area:  2460
This 4-5 bedroom home is perfect for your family, no matter what size! Privacy and tranquility surround you on this manicured 1.78 acre lot featuring pool,outdoor shower w/hot water,fire pit,deck and farmer's porch. Minutes to all major routes. Two 1st floor bedrooms, 3 season room, ceramic tiled entry & baths,gleaming hardwoods in kitchen and living room! Partially finished walk-out lower level. Wood furnace helps cut oil costs!
Congratulations to Tracy and Brenda Earnest and their family on the sale of their home.  We … (1 comments)

Birthday Fund - 09:57 AM
Donate
… (0 comments)

How High?!? | Raising the Bar - 11:14 AM
The wide ranging discussion on how to raise the bar (#RTB) in real estate continues.  Many are asking questions, many are making suggestions... some are even taking action.  Today, consider that a stake has been driven into the ground.  The gauntlet thrown down, if you will.
Step Up Here at Professional One, we have recently introduced our list of standards we believe will not only create a professional image in the mind of the consumer, but confirm that perception with reality.  The full post explaining the why and how of this list can be found on the Professional One site. 
In … (44 comments)

St. Augustine Amphitheatre - 03:18 PM
The best place for concerts and events!!
1340A A1A South, St. Augustine, FL, 32084 (904) 471-1965 -
The St. Augustine Amphitheatre was built in 1965 to commemorate St. Augustine's 400th Anniversary as our nation's oldest permanent European settlement.Fixed Stadium Seats: 3,402; Handicapped seating: 91; Covered Stadium Seating: 2,427; Grandstand Seating (not covered): 975
… (1 comments)

Sherwood Gardens is Abloom in Baltimore, MD - 11:36 PM
The time is now: Sherwood Gardens is Abloom in Baltimore, MD with its annual show of flowering trees and plants. I love this time of year when we make our annual visit to the gardens begun in 1927 by John Sherwood. Gardening was his hobby then, and over the years his private garden has become public; it is now owned by a neighborhood association in Baltimore City. Over the years, Sherwood Gardens has grown to become one of the largest tulip gardens in the country with over 80,000 bulbs planted each fall. After they bloom, many are dug up and sold … (24 comments)

Skokie, IL Real Estate Market Trends 2005~2009 - 11:09 PM
I collected all the data about Skokie, IL from MLS and made this easy to understand chart so we can see the real estate market trends for the past five years.
As we can see below, there were 463 properties sold in 2009 in Skokie, IL with an average market time of 154 days. Average sold price was $268,605. Before the bubble burst, the home value was 38% higher in 2007 comparing with today's average home value in Skokie, IL.

Few other local reports on my blog:
Glenview, IL real estate market trends 05-09 Morton Grove, IL real estate market … (2 comments)

Love Idaho Real Estate - 10:04 PM
 Love Idaho Real Estate
One evening I was working late at the office, being very "geeky" and decided to search for available Domain Names.
Uh...I should have known better. Next thing you know, I spent over $300 on buying more domain names.
It can become addictive and maybe I need help,but I ended up buying the domain name of LoveIdahoRealEstate.com
So, this evening I finally put it to use and activated LoveIdahoRealEstate.com
As with any other blog site, it is a work in progress and I plan to add many features along with Idaho MLS search-ability.
I am looking for ideas … (3 comments)

Quasi-Retirement - 10:20 AM
April 15, 2010
Big things have changed since I opened my Active Rain account: I retired from Gabriel Publications the end of 2007; closed my office in Sherman Oaks after 11 years; completed a swap of apartment buildings with my business partner through a real 1031 simultaneous exchange; and moved all my business operations to my home with my assistant. My work week is now down to about 35 hours and I just manage my apartment buidings. I get to sleep in to 7 am, ride my bike in the morning, play with my dogs and see my cat daily. My … (0 comments)

Job Searchs in the Stowe Vermont Area - Resources - 04:19 PM
JOBS and EMPLOYMENT Opportunities in the Stowe, Vermont Area
This is an attempt to locate all possible web sites and sources to help you find employment.  It does seem that word of mouth is still the best method for many of the local jobs.  Hopefully, this will be a good starting point for you. 

 Stowe Reporter - comes out every Thursday 

  Monster.com  

JobsInVT.com  

  News & Citizen - out of the Morrisville area.  Comes out every Tuesday 
 
  Waterbury Record - Comes out every Thursday  

  Burlington Free Press - Daily Newspaper
 
  … (0 comments)

Bank Repossession in Utica, Ohio 43080 (Sale Pending) - 01:32 PM
 
 
BANK OWNED and listed for about 40% of what this home sold for in 2003!  This property is an exceptional value but obviously needs some repairs.  It has a nice living room with a brick fireplace, the dining room is large and has an open staircase, cute kitchen that has been opened up with a pass through, convenient main level laundry/mud room/enclosed porch, low maintenance vinyl sided exterior, 45 x 155 level easy care yard, oversized older style garage, this home actually sold in 2003 for $84,900, we are selling it in “as is” condition for only $31,900.
More listing details … (3 comments)

What To Do Around Orange County? - 06:24 PM
April 16, 2010 - April 18, 2010
America's Family Pet Expo
Touted as the world's largest pet and pet product expo with more than 1,000 animals including dogs, cats, birds, fish, llamas, pot-bellied pigs, reptiles, miniature horses and more on display in stage shows, competitions and demonstrations. Pet products, animal experts, pet adoptions, hands-on petting and learning opportunities also featured.
OC Fair & Event Center ~ All Grounds
Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission: General $12, Senior (60+) $10, Child (12-6) $6. Children under 6 are free.
Parking: General $5, Preferred $8.
For more informationAmerica's Family … (1 comments)

Helen Ga Real Estate "What Cha Gonna Do?" - 08:52 AM
Okay you are on your way to northeast Georgia and Helen in particular, for his great weekend of good weather and fun things to do!  It is Friday so get away early.  Plan to give me a call with any questions about homes in the area, not only Helen, but Cleveland, Batesville, Clarkesville, Sautee, Lake Burton and Clarkesville.  Let's talk. 
You can have fund on Saturday in Cleveland at Mountain valley community bank on North Main Street, they will have a great annual Car Show for the guys with door prizes! It benefits White Co. Relay for Live.  Now the gals don't … (0 comments)

Helen Ga Real Estate "For the New to the Area" - 09:00 AM
It is Friday, a beautiful Friday in Northeast Georgia, we are expecting a wonderful weekend.  Are you coming to Helen?  Wondering what to do?  Does the guy in your life want to go to the car show but you not so much?  Check out the Mountain Laurel Antique Maill on Hwy 129 South.  Lots of Fun there, it is open from 10 - 6 pm on Sat. and from 1-6pm on Sunday.  Or, if you are looking for an investment and a weekend getaway at a great price, please give me a call, let's talk!
… (0 comments)

Ashley Brown to perform with the Pensacola Symphony Saturday 4/17 and Sunday 4/18 - 04:30 PM
Ashley Brown, graduate of Gulf Breeze High School and proform on both dates. She has been to Broadway and an alumni of Pensacola Childrens Chorus. While she is no football or boxing legend, she is a local hero with as many fans to boot.
While she will be showcasing her talents to benefit both the Symphony and Pensacola Childrens Chorus, it is sure to be like ole home week.
Her other Broadway credits include Belle in "Beauty and The Beast," and she has also starred in the national tour of Disney's "On The Record." She originated the title role of Mary … (1 comments)

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