Archives of real estate blog entries for April 21, 2010

Featured blog posts


Fundamentals of Blogging Comes to ActiveRain University April 22 at 10AM PST - 12:41 PM
Fundamentals of Blogging Comes to ActiveRain University on April 22nd at 10AM PST. 
I am excited to announce that tomorrow morning at 10AM PST (1PM EST) I will presenting the Fundamentals of Blogging at ActiveRain University.  In this one hour session we will discuss 5 Critical Keys to Successful Blogging.
I will share some of the basic fundamentals that I have implemented in my own blogging strategy over the past few years.  Since I began my blogging career, I have written for several national publications, as well as being asked to be a writer for my local newspaper.  In addition, … (27 comments)

Beware the Home Inspection! - 03:17 PM
What?  Home inspections are a good thing aren't they? 
Of course home inspections are a good thing.  Any smart buyer would get one.  It only makes sense to make sure you understand the condition of a purchase as big as a home.  Why beware?
Because, your lender could require a copy.  Again, this is not automatically a bad thing.  The lender is concerned about the condition of the collateral on your loan.  They want your home ownership to be successful, and not end up as one of the many that are being foreclosed on.  They also don't want to end up paying … (40 comments)

Leaving Money on the Table - 11:44 PM
I've been leaving money on the table for too long. For years we've received incentives, invitations, and coupons for discounted and even free products. Seldom have I taken the time to use the offers. What an idiot--this is free stuff, or at least reduced price stuff. Had I grown up in the era of my parents or grandparents, the Great Depression, I would have known better. Every dollar saved in one area of life can be put to use in another area of life.One of the things I noticed generally about people who actually experienced the Great Depression was their thriftiness, using … (55 comments)

Doesn't Under Contract Mean Sold? - 01:42 PM
Once an offer is accepted most sellers breath a sign of relief. After sometimes months of marketing, their wait is over! Or is it?? When my sellers sign that buy/sell agreement I let them hug, cry, scream, etc... then we have "the talk".  Let's look at what can go wrong between signing that contract and closing.
1) The Home Inspection--Sooo mr seller, did you know air conditions are supposed to blow COLD air?? That's probably going to need fixing. A listing of mine that went under contract last week needs a new roof due to a recent hail storm. Let this list get … (76 comments)

The Road to RUIN or Success in Real Estate – YOU CHOOSE - 03:16 PM
Honolulu County IS the island of Oahu. We're just one island of the chain of Hawaiian Islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  In other words, we aren't a huge state like the vast Continental United States and obviously it's not hard to run into people we know from time to time.
I don't know about some, but many of us in the Real Estate Industry REALIZE that our reputation is all we have on such a small island. Stepping on another's toes, giving phone call slaps or virtual smacks for the sake of being "competitive" is a no-no ....in … (60 comments)

What’s The Significance Of The Goldman Sachs Case? - 08:33 AM
With the recent reports of fraud on Wall Street, what most want to know is: What’s the significance of the Goldman Sachs case? Will it bring about meaningful financial reform? Will the SEC investigation expand to other companies, and will the guilty parties suffer more than a proverbial “slap on the wrist”?
 
Here are, I believe, some of the important points in this case:
 
The case revolves around the sale of collateralized debt obligations or CDOs and the failure of Goldman to disclose a major conflict of interest. While a court may ultimately decide on the legality of the … (26 comments)

Inna Hardison and HaMedia Group Rock! And Why What You Say on ActiveRain Counts - 10:36 AM
Fellow Rainer Inna Hardison of HaMedia Group rocks!  She and hubby Jon Hardison, owners of HaMedia Group, did the concept, design and printing of a new postcard that I'll be sending out in my real estate territory of Kirkland, Quebec.  
There's been a lot of talk lately about postcard campaigns: Do you or don't you?  And if you do, how do you do it?  Consistently, the advice has been that if you're going the postcard route, make sure it looks great and grabs attention, and make sure you're consistent -- as in, just one mail-out won't cut it.
So, I was looking for a company that could … (69 comments)

ActiveRain University - Stop Monkeying around on Facebook! - 02:12 PM

photo credit: superba_ I've been asked to hold another session on ActiveRain University. Instead of covering the same old stuff that’s been covered time and time again – I thought we’d Go Gorilla!
(yeah I know it’s supposed to be Guerrilla, but it fits with the title) Here’s what we’re going to cover Easy ways to add content and get others to comment How to make your page rank higher than competing pages in search (even if they have more fans!) How to tag people, groups, and other pages from your page Streaming video and podcast on your wall … (55 comments)

The Breaking News Network is Non-Marketing Marketing - 01:49 PM
Sounds clever doesn't it. But the revolution caused by the internet opening up media is more than clever, it is a change in the rules of engagement. First, we all are now familiar with pull marketing versus push marketing. Push is what we used to do, cram real estate down people throats. After the internet the game changed as well as our sense of control. Now we had to ask permission, but that has not stopped Realtors from schlepping the old ways onto platforms like Facebook with zero success. Now with informative blogs and targeted IDX solutions we can invite people … (52 comments)

Sunday Markets in May: Headhouse Square and the Piazza Farmer's Market - 01:03 PM

Miss the Saturday farmer's market madness in the Piazza? Now you get a second chance. Starting May 2, some of Saturday's vendors have decided to stick around for Sundays. Here is the list of Sunday vendors thus far:
Beechwood Orchard (starting 5/23)
Big Sky Bread
Flint Hill Farm (goat cheese and yogurt)
Earth Spring Farm (organic vegetables, starting 5/23)
Arbol Coffee
Natural Meadows Farm (pastured beef-pork-chicken and pastured cage-free eggs)
Barbie Lu's Sassy Salsa
Hillside Nursery (plants and cut... flowers)
Sweet Rose's Twisted Lemonade
Many merchants are already committed to the Headhouse Farmers' Market at 2nd and Lombard streets, with … (6 comments)

The Appraiser Wanted to Know . . . - 05:30 PM
Got a phone call this morning on a transaction that closed a few weeks ago.  It was an appraiser, and they wanted to know if the seller paid any "concessions."
I stated my client's transaction wasn't a part of the appraisal they were conducting -- on another property in the area -- so I wasn't authorized to disclose the details of the transaction. 
The appraiser informed me the information was required.  I was informed that the "Attonrey General" made it mandatory that I disclose what "concessions" the seller gave my client, in order to ensure that price wasn't inflated. 
I asked:
… (102 comments)

Will the Real SEO Bloggers Please Stand Up? - 04:44 PM
Will the Real SEO Bloggers please stand up?
 
 
How has ActiveRain helped your search results?  We need help in creating a presentation for our Newest AR members. We will be sharing this presentation with real estate professionals that have not yet started blogging. We will be taking this presentation across America (RainCamp, conventions, RE BarCamps etc).
 
What we need: SEARCH TERMS for Blog post, Localism or Outside blogs that are ranking on the first page of Google for your target area.
 
Please be sure to include the URL or hyper link for the Google Search results page … (42 comments)

A request for a free home staging consultation – at last it’s happened to me. - 03:35 AM
Hello again my AR friends. I write this latest post because I'm in a quandary. Well, sort of. I and many other professional home stagers have a well established policy regarding the ‘free consultation'.  In other words; the request is met with an emphatic "thanks, but no thanks."
Well, now that request has come my way. In this case the request has been made by what I'd call a progressive real estate agent who'd like for me to be the stager he calls in on all sales listings in his portfolio.
As a stager, that's an appealing arrangement by itself. The … (61 comments)


Blog posts


Spring in New Hampshire brings Positive News for Real Estate - 08:51 AM
 
Spring came early to New Hampshire  and with spring came good news for the New Hampshire Real Estate Market. 
Peter Francese, a respected demographer for the state of New Hampshire, reports it is time  for New Hampshire to celebrate!
Home sales in New Hampshire are up 13% while condominium sales are up 30%. 
Overall, the prices are up over the first quarter of 2009.   Median prices home prices have risen 6 % statewide and are up in seven of the 10 counties.  Condominium prices are 4% above the first quarter of last year.
 
     Half of the counties in New Hampshire experienced … (32 comments)

Fort Myers Beach bank owned canal home - 10:17 AM
Fort Myers Beach bank owned canal home for sale.    This 3 bedroom 2 bath home is bank owned and just reduced to $330k.  Located mid island and within walking distance to just about everything. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Split floorplan and open kitchen/eating area.  One of the few Fort Myers Beach listings with a fireplace !

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currently in the weekly rental program this would be an excellent rental property or an island retreat for the owner.  This property will benefit from your good taste in decorating.  Location is two … (4 comments)

Fort Myers Beach Gulf front condo short sale ! - 12:43 PM
Gorgeous Fort Myers Beach Gulf front condo  short sale !  Pouint Estero is one of the nicest buildings on Fort Myers Beach and this unit is located on the 15th floor !  From the 15th floor you look oput over the top of nearby buildings for an umbelievable panorama including the Gulf of Mexico and back bay !  Large 2 bed 2 bath condo comes tastefully furnished in laid back island style.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This is a condo hotel and generates approx 28 - 30K gross rental annually in the optional rental program.  It is … (5 comments)

Is your realtor too busy? - 04:50 PM
In the past few months, I've been contacted by several buyers who started a relationship with a realtor and watched them disappear quickly with no warning. One of my most recent buyers was extremely well qualified and looking to purchase a home within a matter of weeks. They had been emailing back and forth with a realtor and even spoke with her by phone. When it came time to look at properties, they called and emailed her, but she was no where to be found! (This is the most bizarre to me - why turn away from a good client?)
Now, it may … (1 comments)

Home Pricing for Sellers - 06:11 PM
Too many home sellers think they are better off with a higher asking price so that they have more room for negotiations. And then they wonder why home buyers are not at least making an offer. Home buyers are telling the seller (without talking to them) each time a potential buyer comes thru the home and does not make an offer, they are saying they are going to pass and continue to look for another home they feel is priced closer to market.
Many times, even after a seller lowers the price and eventually gets it priced right, they are too … (2 comments)

Upside Down on Your Home? – Here’s Your Playbook - 09:18 AM
 
Here is a great guide written by Charles Dailey  discussing the options a homeowner may have when they are underwater.
 
Via Charles Dailey (iLoan):
In my home state of Minnesota, Minneapolis and Saint Paul have nearly 39 percent of homeowners under water.   I've had the question, "I'm upside down on my home, what are my options?" so many times that I wanted to prepare a menu of options for people to reference.  This article briefly outlines 9 potential solutions that may serve you well.  The target audience here is not necessarily someone who's in default on their loan but simply one who … (0 comments)

Doors Open Denver - 10:06 PM
This past weekend over 80 businesses and buildings opened their doors to the public.  We were invited to come in, take a tour, look around and in some cases take photos.
I led a MeetUp Group of about 18 people, starting at the Daniel and Fisher Tower on the 16th St. Mall. From there we toured Hotel Teatro in Denver's Theatre District.  You can see how lovely this classic Hotel and Bar is from my photo. 
A walk down 16th Street, we toured the old Paramount Theater with it's elegant red velvet trimmings.  Later we visited the Denver Consistory where the … (8 comments)

5318 TORTUGA DR, ORLANDO FL 32837 - 07:02 PM
 
MLS#  O4976775                     5318 TORTUGA DR, ORLANDO FL 32837   $$$ 214,900 $$$
 
Short Sale.  Immaculately maintained 2-story waterfront home, approx. 2700 living.  Upgraded kitchen, solid surface countertops, upgraded cabinets, nice flooring, neutral colors and more.  4 true bedrooms plus a den/bonus rm, covered porch and more! Complete appliance package and more, this one will not disappoint!  Will not last, take your best buyers to this one!
For the latest status on this property and many more in the Orlando area, contact Steve Glose with Keller Williams Realty direct at 407-616-7286 or visit www.thefloridalivingteam.com. For a faster reply you can also email me at steve@thefloridalivingteam.com.
… (1 comments)

14037 FAIRWAY ISLAND DR # 225, ORLANDO - 07:10 PM
 
 MLS# O4976692                14037 FAIRWAY ISLAND DR # 225, ORLANDO FL 32837   $$$ 69,900 $$$

 
For the latest status on this property and many more in the Orlando area, contact Steve Glose with Keller Williams Realty direct at 407-616-7286 or visit www.thefloridalivingteam.com. For a faster reply you can also email me at steve@thefloridalivingteam.com. All information is deemed reliable on the date posted
… (0 comments)

8112 CLAIRE ANN DR # 206, ORLANDO FL 32825 - 07:14 PM
 
 MLS# O4975466              8112 CLAIRE ANN DR # 206, ORLANDO FL 32825    $$$ 50,880 $$$

Purchase this property for as little as 3 percent down! This property is approved for HomePath Mortgage and HomePath Renovation Mortgage. *If exact square footage or room sizes are a concern, unit should be independently measured. This is a great location 2 bedroom and 2 bath, balcony, very cute!
For the latest status on this property and many more in the Orlando area, contact Steve Glose with Keller Williams Realty direct at 407-616-7286 or visit www.thefloridalivingteam.com. For a faster reply you can also email me at steve@thefloridalivingteam.com. All information … (0 comments)

Givers and Takers - 05:33 AM
   The more life experience you have...the more you realize that people are either givers or takers and you aren't likely to change one to the other.  Takers are blind to the benefits of giving...even for themselves and often blindly plow ahead without vision of the big picture...taking what they can get and mooooving on to the next thing.
   Givers are not concerned about the return on their investment of time, money, talent....part of their energy is derived from the act of doing...not necessarily getting in return.
    Sometimes you have to step back from relationships...givers have to decide if … (8 comments)

Sellers! Now is The Time to Maximize Your Outdoor Space & to Maximize Your $ - 11:02 AM
Many would-be home sellers are concerned about reduced housing prices, and those who are highly motivated are pulling out all the stops to make their homes more stand out from the competition.
If you're preparing to sell this spring/summer but aren't in a position to invest in ambitious renovations, such as a kitchen remodel or new baths the best advice is to look to the "bonus" spaces in and around your home and maximize them.
Decks, patios, sunrooms and porches have always been popular with home buyers, and real estate agents say that too often those spaces are neglected or not used to their … (0 comments)

Helen Ga Real Estate "Doings around Helen and Northeast Georgia" - 03:05 PM
Nothing new to do?  THink you have seen it all?  I'm just sayin..you probably have not taken a Basic Buck and Flatfoot dance class have you?  And I bet you have not entered a pie baking contest?  Have you?
Well, if you are coming to visit or live in the area, you might want to consider both of these events just to make life a little different.  Basic Buck and Flatfoot dance classes start on May 3, in Clarkesville at the Georgia Heritage center for the Arts.  Six weeks of instruction by Jennie inglis, 706 348 7542
Now if your flatfoot … (0 comments)

Loudoun Bed & Breakfast Guild's Annual Open House and Self-Guided Driving Tour! - 09:07 AM
Tour the charming and elegant Bed & Breakfasts of Loudoun County during the annual B&B Guild Open House on Sunday, April 25, 2010 from 1-5pm. This self-guided driving tour provides guests the opportunity to visit a selection of unique and beautiful places in the heart of Loudoun's horse and wine country, located just about 40 minutes from Washington D.C. Experience Loudoun's warm hospitality as these gracious hosts invite you to tour their homes and sample products from local restaurants, caterers and wineries. Touring guests are also eligible to win more then $1,000 in overnight stays, restaurant gift certificates and other special … (1 comments)

Willow Valley Marina On The Colorado River - Mohave Valley AZ 86440 - 11:45 PM
Willow Valley Marina On The Colorado River in Mohave Valley AZ 86440 ~ a tiny inlet off the Colorado River in the deep water area (translation: no killed propellers!) of Mohave Valley, AZ 86440, 5 miles south of the Avi Resort on the AZ side is a unique area in that there is no other full service marina on the Colorado River for around 100 miles on either side.

This private, gated marina serves only the homeowners in about a 3 square mile radius. The Willow Valley HOA dues are . . . hope you're sitting down . . . … (0 comments)

Awesome Restaurant near Homes For Sale in Johnson Ranch - 01:03 AM
AWESOME RESTAURANT Near Homes for Sale in Johnson Ranch: The Queen Creek Olive Mill!   http://queencreekolivemill.com/ Not only is this an active Olive Mill where you can buy fresh, locally produced olives, olive oils, tapenades, pistachios and more, but they have a Tuscan Inspired Eatery, del Piero. The food is incredible! Plus you can pick up a bottle of wine and sit out among the Olive trees and relax with friends. View Larger Map … (0 comments)

House for Sale near Johnson Ranch Elementary School - 02:32 AM
This is a great house for sale near Johnson Ranch Subdivision. This includes the Johnson Ranch Elementary School and Walker Butte Elementary School, both in the Florence School District. You cannot beat the price for this house in Johnson Ranch, in Pinall County, Arizona. This home for sale would be perfect for First-time home buyers or the seasoned Investor. View Larger Map … (3 comments)

While I am away... - 02:55 PM
Hello,
I'm dropping by letting you know that I personally am going to be out of the office on vacation to Kentucky & Tennessee visiting the caves and the Smokey mountains returning Wednesday.
If you need anything from ordering title (which you can also do on our website at www.franklintitleagency.com) to getting title updates, to scheduling closings, etc please feel free to contact my Processors Norm, Kim, or Chelsea who will be handling all my files while I am away at: 248-564-4022 ornorm@franklintitleagency,com
kim@franklintitleagency.com
chelsea@franklintitleagency.com
Thank You so much for your business and have a great week & weekend ahead... look forward to … (0 comments)

Still Shocked that you don't know! - 03:08 PM
I just did a 1 hour presentation for a large bank's management team discussing title insurance and how it affects the deal, when it is applied, how it is applied, who pays for it, etc etc...
I was shocked that the majority of the management team (that deals in mortgages as well) had no clue what title insurance is and how it works!
Are you running into the same thing in dealing with title insurance?  
… (0 comments)

Worthington Schools - NOT - 03:26 AM
Worthington Schools - NOT
I found a "Hot Worthington listing" on Zillow in the Columbus  Ohio 43235 ZIP code* or NOT. 
The "listing" on Lorraine is in The Gables.  The Gables is a lovely, sought after northwest Columbus neighborhood in the Columbus City School District. 
Search for The Gables homes for sale or other Northwest Columbus neighborhoods
search by neighborhood or subdivision search by Central Ohio school district 
Zillow shows a home in "Worthington" for sale for $119,000 but it's not
It is not for sale It is not priced at $119,000 It is not in the City of Worthington.... … (0 comments)

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