Archives of real estate blog entries for May 21, 2010

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A Taste of the Future of Marketing (No Crystal Ball Needed) - 08:36 PM
I’ve been somewhat heavily involved in social media marketing for several years, and involved in internet marketing for our company since 1997. I began my own online consulting business in 2009.  As such, I’ve seen a lot of changes take place over time.

Here are a few potential surprises, depending on how long you’ve been active online:
When I first started optimizing our website for the search engines, Yahoo was absolutely dominant, with something on the order of 65% market share.  If you weren’t being found on Yahoo, you weren’t getting a whole lot of traffic. 
Was Google in second … (133 comments)

Get ready to care about "EdgeRank" more than SEO - 04:07 PM
You've probably never hear of "EdgeRank." But if you're serious about online marketing, you need to get your mind around it quickly. It's more important than SEO and will make or break you on the most important place on the web: Facebook
SEO as a marketing strategy for Real Estate is dying.  Here's why:
#1) For the the vast majority of Real Estate agents and brokers it is already dead on arrival, and has been for several years.  
Let's face it, only 5-7 players consistently win on any local keyword string.  Are you one of those?  Long tail you tell … (194 comments)

I'm Not "That" Guy - 06:06 PM
Slick, Pushy, Aggressive, Cocky, Smooth...  
You know the type of salesman I'm talking about.  We've all met one at some point in our lives.  The real estate industry is no exception. From agents to lenders and from contractors to credit repair specialist, There are more than a couple of snake oil salesman out there.  
I'm not that guy.  
Surprisingly, some of these salesman have very successful and lucrative careers.  They brag about their accomplishments, irregardless of how they were achieved.  They let everybody know that they don't take phone calls after 5pm.  They let everyone know that they have … (97 comments)

Does Your Lender (or Agent) Leave You Out in the Cold Just Because You Don't Qualify Right NOW? - 09:15 AM
Does Your Lender (or Agent) Leave You Out in the Cold Just Because You Don't Qualify Right NOW?
So you're ready to buy a house and you do the smart thing and consult with a lender first.  You're already ahead of many just by taking this small but very important first step.  You've completed the application and your credit has been pulled (it's not completely warped, but just a few blemishes).  Your mortgage loan officers sends it to underwriting for review and analysis and as it turns out, you won't be able to qualify for a mortgage loan right now.
Disappointed … (72 comments)

Success in the Rain - 02:47 PM
Angels!!!  I have missed you.  There was no post last Friday because we were traveling to RainCamp Los Angeles.  The palm trees, the beach....aaaahhh!  I had the pleasure of meeting some familiar faces from the 'Rain...best part of my job!  
We had a plethora of Success Stories this week and you'll see just a few below.  This is powerful stuff people...you too can enjoy the same rewards!!!
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 … (27 comments)

I wasn't in the mood for Networking! - 07:20 AM
I wasn't in the mood for Networking last night, but a friend of mine insisted that I come along to a local chamber event in town."We won't stay long!" famous last words you really don't want to hear because you know that is not going to be the case.
We have all been to one of those networking events - the one that is really all about getting in front of as many people as you can, the one where everyone is handing you THEIR card and telling you about THEIR business and you don't have a chance to get a … (56 comments)

UNDERWRITING REALLY ISN’T THAT MYSTERIOUS BUT IT’S NOT STANDARD BY ANY MEANS EITHER - Part 2 - 11:50 AM
In Part 1, I discussed the trials and tribulations of trying to buy and/or sell a condo in a complex where the homeowners association (HOA) is in severe financial and legal distress and how underwriting a mortgage loan package doesn't have to be this top secret process shrouded in mystery that no one but underwriters and MLO's are privy to. 
While there may be a lot of lenders and even MLO's who may want you (Realtors & borrowers) to think that you aren't allowed to know what really goes on "in underwriter", I'm not one of those people. 
I think it's … (40 comments)

"You are the first Realtor with a short sale that is demanding the deposit up front ... " - 06:17 PM
Could you imagine asking for an escrow deposit from a Buyer?! Why would I ever do that?! Why would I want to protect my Seller? Am I crazy?!
Oh my, this has been the week for me from Agents and their Buyers from another planet. Where is their logic? I received a Short Sale offer today from a Buyer's Agent and they sent the offer without a deposit. I promptly responded that the Seller will need a escrow deposit now not upon the Seller's Lenders acceptance.  The Broker/Agent thought I was off my rocker and said,
 
"You are the first … (91 comments)

MORTGAGE foeclosure information - 11:10 AM
Here is great graph showing the great effect all the money that has been thrown at housing is having. If you missed the news yesterday delinquencies rose to 14.69%. Their highest level in the fist quarter of 2010. Which means foreclosures should also go to their highest  level probably third quarter of 2010 which then translate into a bottom of the real estate market 2nd quarter 2011 maybe 3rd quarter 2011 depending on how fast the lenders bring inventory to market. Right now the estimate is 4.3 million seriously delinquent loans if 50% are foreclosed on and brought to market each … (31 comments)

8 Weeks to a Better Blog and Social Media Strategy (Week 5, Day 1) - 08:03 AM
8 Weeks to a Better blog and Social Media Strategy
Week 5 Day one: Action Plan: We all get busy, Michigan is a seasonal market and this is our busy time of the year. Have you thought of using a guest blogger to help you out?  We all heard last week that mortgages applications were down 27%. Sounds like they have time. This action plane today is to invite one of your lenders write a post for you as a guest blogger on the mortgage industry. Have them pick a topic on loans, FHA loans, HAPA, rates, history....anything will help … (50 comments)

Say No To Dual/Multiple Agency Relationships - One Man's Opinion - 04:25 AM
There are two forms of agency (client-agent relationship) that buyers and sellers need to be aware of when hiring an agent or considering an offer on their property.  They are dual and multiple agency.  As you can tell by the title of this blog, I'm not a fan of either of these relationships.  For those of you reading this who aren't agents or brokers, you should know that this is a hot topic among real estate professionals and friendly discussions can get a little heated when debating over coffee and bagels.  To be fair, there are some brokers who try hard to make such … (73 comments)

Do You Attend Local Realtor Events? - 12:16 PM
So many functions, so little time.  How on earth do you pick and chose?  I don't  mean to seem so anti-social by admitting that during most of my real estate career I have usually opted out of Realtor functions - unless encouraged by my broker to attend.  
Having very limited time on my hands, I found myself prioritizing.  I never really believed that I would benefit from socializing with LOCAL agents.  And, maybe I still don't find these functions beneficial. Fun maybe, but not beneficial. I've even let people try to convince me. But, I am still not convinced.
For … (104 comments)

Being a detective to find out what's listed and by whom - 02:18 AM
Why, oh why do sellers make it difficult to find their property for sale?
It didn't show up on our local MLS.
It wasn't on the other MLS services on our MLS Alliance.
On REALTOR.com, it shows only the name of the listing broker and a phone number from a distant city, but doesn't provide any other way to contact them. 
Googled the company, found their website.
Checked on their listings, this property isn't on the list.
At least on their website, they have a list of their agents and email addresses and phone numbers.
By the way, the property is in … (48 comments)

Newbies on Active Rain Who Took the Plunge - 04:21 PM
Since I've been on Active Rain for a while, I take notice of some of the newer Active Rain members. 
All I can say is that I'm IMPRESSED.
Here are a few Newbie Active Rain members that have really done a great job.  They formatted their blog posts, have a great profile, include great content, use pictures, have a wonderful mix of Localism, Market Trends, and personal rants and/or raves!
Blogging (on Active Rain, or anywhere else) is not easy to begin. 
Quality blogging takes a lot of work.  Encouragement is needed to some who might think they can't -- but they can!!
 
Take a … (60 comments)

To Blog or Not - 06:13 PM
Someone said in a recent office meeting that Realtors go after the next shiny thing.  Empirical evidence says that's mostly true.  I can remember my first escrow close and that fabulous (I thought) check in my hand.  Payment that long deferred loses almost all meaning.  You forget that this is your salary and how many hours constitute the earning of that check.  You also think they will keep flowing.  Actually, sometimes they do.
Anyway, no sooner than I had that check in the bank than one of my associates came to me, catalog in hand, to sell me as many of the items … (70 comments)


Blog posts


Calling all 4 Legged Pets ~2d Annual Pawsitively Pets Expo - 02:12 PM
 
DONT MISS THE 2nd ANNUAL PAWSITIVELY PETS EXPO
WHERE:   Daniel Webster College - 20 University Drive (off Pine Hill Road in Nashua)
WHEN:     May 22, 2009 (rain or shine)
TIME:      10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.
IT IS A GREAT DAY TO ATTEND THIS PET EXPO
   All four-legged friends are invited to attend the 2nd Annual Pawsitively Pets Expo.
     This is a free event to attend but people are encouraged to bring donation for the Humane Society for Greater Nashua.Event highlights include:
- Pet Fashion Show organized by the students at Nashua High School North featuring local dogs.- Fortunate K-9 demonstration on group obedience training.- … (23 comments)

2010 BusinessWeek Survey Says Cheyenne is a Great Place to Raise Kids - 11:35 AM
BusinessWeek's fourth annual survey of the Best Places to Raise Your Kids only confirmed what we've always known - Cheyenne is a great place to live and raise a family. BusinessWeek partnered with OnBoard Informatics, a provider of real estate analysis, to survey and chose a winner for each state. The survey concluded that, in Wyoming, Cheyenne is the best place to raise a family.  For 2010, the second runner up was Casper.
From the survey,"Cheyenne, the state's capital and largest city, plays on its western roots, particularly with the annual Cheyenne Frontier Days celebration, which includes one of the world's … (1 comments)

5 To Dos Before Marketing Your Home - 12:20 PM

Via Kristen Ueckert (Ueckert Realty LLC):
1. Flower up curb appeal. Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Could it use more? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks? Does it smell like blooms or manure as you approach the front door? Are the windows clean? Is the paint peeling? Is the grass healthy? Weeds are green, too, you know, so by healthy I not only mean green, but I also mean no weeds. Does your front door have a fresh coat of stain or paint? Curb appeal can be a chore or a fun … (5 comments)

Open House! 6942 River Place Ct. - 01:31 PM
Sunday, May 23 2 P.M.-4 P.M. 6942 River Place Ct. College Station, Tx 778405
$459,900

Fabulous 5K built home ready for your family!Tuscan finished walls, art niches, gleaming granite counter tops and beautiful wood floor in living room are just a few of the amenities in this beautiful home. True gourmet kitchen with an island,five burner gas cooktop,and stainless steel convection oven.Study, gameroom, and four large bedrooms.Soaring ceilings in living, expansive master suite. MIL suite downstairs with high ceilings. Sitting on a beautiful, 1.76 acre lot in College Station ISD.
 

Gorgeous living room looking out onto the open … (6 comments)

St. Clair County Jail Bible Distribution - 03:26 PM
Dear St. Clair County South Camp Gideons and Auxillary,
I want to express my gratefulness to God for opening the door and thank each one of you that was willing to give of your time last evening and to begin our new journey into St. Clair County Jail future Bible Distributions and time to harvest from the promised land.
It is the land of Milk and Honey! God will provide the harvest and everything we need if we are faithful to him. Please pray that He will give us the words to testify as to his grace, and power to … (0 comments)

My iPad Adventures: Chapter 1 - 09:11 AM
As many of you know, I purchased an iPad for my birthday; with the help of many generous friends who contributed via PayPal to my Birthday Present Fund.  :-)
I visited Pasadena Apple Store on my birthday, May 3; but since iPads were out of stock, I signed up for the NotifyMe list; and I was finally able to pick up my iPad on Tuesday, May 18.
As I learn stuff about using this lovely little device,  I will post my findings and commentary here on Active Rain.
First Tip:
The iPad ships with a default background image of a lake … (2 comments)

The Importance Of "Liking" and "Sharing" on Facebook - 09:19 AM
Just in case you missed this:
Via Sara Bonert {Real Estate Internet Marketing} (Zillow):
This week Active Rain announced they added the "Like" button to blog posts.  While this is just plain cool, it is really significant as it allows others to easily talk about your posts on their Facebook walls.  That is a huge part of social media, to get OTHER people talking about your business. 
Along this theme, people often ask, "should I tweet and post" my listings?  That answer is debatable, but one thing's for sure, it is even more effective if OTHER people are tweeting and posting your listings.  Let … (4 comments)

Surviving Storefronts - 01:40 PM
Recently my wife and I spent a half day with a couple who own a storefront for more than 25 years. I wanted to write this little story for a couple reasons: I grow up around a small business in the old country. I'm always happy to see a successful local business that is not a franchise. How are they making it in this tough economy? The answer is: NOT EASILY. But thanks to the online giant, they are able to stay in the game.They love the storefront, but in my opinion they are still OPEN because of the web.
… (0 comments)

Home for Sale in Merrick, Long Island, NY - Stately Tudor on Cul De Sac - 08:59 PM
… (2 comments)

Be the First! - 11:10 PM

There is a certain camaraderie between motorcycle riders who often times are complete strangers.
As the weather changes, I see more motorcycles on the road and on occasion, I will ride my son's bike.
It's always a pleasure to wave and receive the "motorcycle wave."
It's a friendly gesture that we could all take a lesson from.
Proverbs 18:24"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."
When riding the bike, there is gratification in both waving and receiving the wave. I've tried to make it standard practice in … (6 comments)

Greetings from SUNNY Arizona...CDPE....Momentum 2010 - 10:07 PM
  Sunshine has a whole new meaning today when you are from the sometimes frigid midwest...and greeted with temperatures nearing 100 yesterday and today people are complaining it with ONLY be 85....that is just fine with us.
    We began the conference with the ever dynamic Alex Charfen, who founded CDPE and has seen some tough times himself financially....proving if you have the attitude and the willpower, you have no limits to what you can achieve...at many points, men and women....all CDPE experienced agents....were seen to be drying a tear while giving him the applause he so richly deserves.
   The … (12 comments)

Helen Ga Real Estate "365 Things to DO" - 10:00 PM
Are you in Helen GA?  Are you going to be here this weekend?  Do you like to visit to play golf?  Check out Innsbruck's Sunday Scramble!  Check it out!!  You must be resgistered by 2 pm on Saturday May 22, though give a call the the Pro Shop  706 878 2100 if you are interested!
Want to enjoy our area more and more?  Plenty of good buys abound within walking distance of downtown Helen.  If you don't want to drive in the long line of cars often seen on the weekends (everybody knows Helen is a great place to be) just … (0 comments)

Mohave Valley AZ Real Estate - Victoria Gold Mines - Six Patented Mining Claims - 91.58 Acres Off Route 66 - 02:44 PM
  . . . Happy to report this WONDERFUL piece of Bullhead City AZ area real estate is back on the market.
  . . . Historic Route 66 is the stuff of legends. Along this 2381 miles stretch, if you can imagine it, it has probably happened--or will.

Perhaps even finding GOLD. (or so they tell me!)

Route 66 from Golden Shores/Topock, through the east part of Mohave Valley AZ and the historic mining town of Oatman, AZ to Kingman, AZ is known as the "Oatman Highway."

The Victoria Gold Mines, a 91.58 acre parcel just off Oatman Highway between Oatman … (4 comments)

Paint Your Shoes and help Morean Arts Center - Chihuly style - 11:10 AM
Paint your shoes and help Morean Arts Center in St Petersburg by attending one of their Paint Your Shoes sessions:
Saturday, May 22nd  10-3 Thursday, May 27th  5-7 On July 11th the Morean Arts Center will open The Chihuly Collection on Beach Driove. The suggested donation for attending one of the above paint sessions is $5.
Why paint your shoes? What does this have to do with Chihuly? Chihuly is known for his glass work, but he also does splatter painting, which generally results in his shoes always being aplattered.
What a great time to show your creativity. Bring in a … (9 comments)

NEW PRICE Grand Mariner Marina and Mariner Restaurant 6036 Rock Point Rd Mobile, AL 36605 $2.4 M - 03:24 PM
Marina, Marine Services Business, and Restaurant for Sale … (2 comments)

'The' What's Happening in Metro Detroit - 12:25 PM
Hello & TGIF!  
THANK YOU for another Great week here at Franklin Title & The Short Sale Negotiators!   Dropping by wishing you a Great Weekend ahead - Here are some links to Detroit local events, games, and weather around Metro Detroit.  
Looking forward to another Great week ahead as well as closing out May 2010 with a bang!  
Metro Detroit Music: http://eventful.com/detroit/events/may  
Metro Detroit Business Events: http://www.crainsdetroit.com/section/events#  
Detroit Tigers: http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=detnews&page=mlb/teams/032/schedule.aspx?team=032,season=  
Detroit Weather: http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/48201    
Thanks again and have a Great Weekend,      
 
Keith StonehouseVice PresidentFranklin Title Agency, LLChttp://www.franklintitleagency.com  
Short … (0 comments)

Realtors Golfing for a Great Cause - 12:52 PM
Hello,
Dropping by this afternoon letting you know about some great events around Metro Detroit that we are apart & would love to have you apart of as well:
The Boys & Girls Clubs upcoming Golf Outing August 16th (still looking for foursomes, event sponsors, hole sponsors, etc.) $600 Foursome includes breakfast, lunch, drink tix, dinner, and prizes   The Women's Council of Realtors Golf Outing June 10th (still looking for foursomes, event sponsors, and hole sponsors, etc.) The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Auburn Hills June 5th - We need cancer survivors to celebrate their lives - The cancer survivors are … (1 comments)

Choosing your Title Insurance Company - 01:45 PM
Title Insurance is very cut & dry but then again depending on the transaction and situation title insurance can be very complicated ...as you already know.
The easy part is choosing a title insurance and closing company to work with on your transactions. The hard part is choosing the right one for your transactions.
How do you choose your title company for your files? Is it ease of ordering or their reasonable fees? Is it the Rep that you know and or just met and liked? How about the technology offered or is it maybe you chose them for their quick turn … (3 comments)

Ahwatukee 5 Bedroom Homes - 5 Bedroom Homes Ahwatukee - 07:00 PM
Ahwatukee 5 Bedroom Homes is now being featured on our luxury home website www.AzLuxuryLiving.com Some of the great features of the Ahwatukee community are the golf courses, mountain views, proximity to the freeways, schools, shopping, and so much more.
In addition to all of the information we have on Ahwatukee 5 Bedroom Homes we are also providing Ahwatukee properties for you to search such as:
Ahwatukee Golf Course Homes, Ahwatukee Short Sale homes, and Ahwatukee Foreclosure homes
We specialize in "view" properties.
You will also have the ability to search all Ahwatukee resale homes with the click of a mouse.
We are also providing numerous ways to search the … (0 comments)

5739 N. High St. Worthington OH 43085 - Open Sunday - 07:03 AM
5739 N.  High St. Worthington OH 43085 - Open Sunday May 23, 2010,
Open 2:00  to 4:00 PM
Hosted by Maureen McCabe Real Living HER Worthington
 
Map of 5739 N. High St. Worthington OH 43085 a Riverlea condominium
View Larger Map
 
… (0 comments)

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