Archives of real estate blog entries for May 5, 2010 (Page 11)

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Penelope Cruz, Call Me... We Need To Talk! - 10:58 PM
Penelope Cruz, call me...We need to talk!
Penelope Cruz just listed her Hollywood Hills home for sale for $3,695,000 according to Realtor.com. If you click on the link, you can see photos of the home. According to reports I've read on-line, Penelope hasn't spent much time time there, as its been leased out and is available for film shoots.
OK, here's why Penelope needs to call me: take a look at the photos of the interior of her home. The home is beautiful, as are most of the furnishings, but its crying out for some accessorizing, plants and artwork, in my … (25 comments)

How To Use Google's Wonder Wheel - 09:18 PM
The Google Wonder Wheel Keyword Research Tool
...is a keyword research utility that was created by Google Labs and allows users to discover keyword searches that are popular and built around certain specific keyword terms.
Google's wonder wheel could be a great tool for helping writers to find new topics. The wheel can also help you dominate specific keywords and phrases in the search engines because it helps you write about the things that are the most searched for on the web using the most popular keywords or terms.

Here's How It Works:
Create your search in the Google … (86 comments)

Wordless Wednesday (Almost)--Hobby Farm Heaven in Columbus MN! - 09:59 AM

Living in the country in Anoka County Minnesota can be like a little slice of heaven especially in the springtime when everything is just starting to bloom again! This beautiful red polebarn photo is one of the pictures I took for my new listing in Columbus (just west of Forest Lake). 35 Acres to call your own near Carlos Avery Wildlife Management area. Want to see more photos? Take the tour by clicking HERE!
… (23 comments)

Coldwell Banker Extends Tax Credit - 09:09 AM
A couple of weeks ago, my dad moved to Tulsa.  This was during the time when Active Rain was moving their data to new servers.  Because the Proxy Errors were so bad at the time, I didn't blog about his move.  I will soon. 
Yesterday, I went to check up on my dad and to see how he is doing getting moved into the new house.  On his breakfast table was the local "Woodland Glen Times."  This is the farming piece that two Coldwell Banker agents publish and distribute in the neighborhood each month.  The lead article headline is, "Buyer Bonus Program".  "Hmmm.  … (12 comments)

America's Top Places to Live for 2010 - 07:35 AM

Via Kim Bregman (Optima Properties):
RISMEDIA, May 5, 2010-The three most important things to remember when moving and buying a new home are: location, location, location. As potential home buyers start looking for new homes, RelocateAmerica.com, a leading website in providing relocating consumers access to resources for their upcoming relocation, has released its 13th annual list of "America's Top Places to Live for 2010."
The "Top Places to Live" list features several breakout categories such as the Top 10 Recovery Cities, Retirement Cities, ‘Earth Friendly' Cities, Recreation Cities and Small Towns.
New for this year, the Top 10 Recovery Cities focused on … (4 comments)

Celebrating "Cinco de Mayo" - Southern Oregon - 08:49 AM

Via Melinda Peterson Grants Pass Southern Oregon Real Estate Cafe (Real Estate Cafe):
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo - Southern Oregon.  Today marks the celebration known as Cinco de Mayo, or "May 5th", in Spanish.  Although many people have heard of this holiday - and even join in the celebrations with gusto - plenty of folks are not aware of what this holiday is all about.  And most people don't realize that the event being commemorated may have actually played an important role in shaping the United States of America.
What Does Cinco de Mayo Commemorate?  Many people believe that Cinco de Mayo is the … (2 comments)

Budget Priced Home Inspectors Don't Always Save You Money... - 08:55 AM

Via Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.):
Budget Priced Home Inspectors Don't Always Save You Money...     Everyone loves a bargain. And, why not? You've worked hard for your money and there are a lot of "hidden" expenses involved when purchasing a home. In order for folks to conserve funds, most shop the price of ancillary services such as home inspections.       Most folks have the attitude that home inspectors are a dime a dozen. They all provide the same service. The cheaper the better. Hiring a cheap home inspector is the equivalent of purchasing a car … (2 comments)

Portfolio Investment Property Purchase Loans Available - 10:44 AM
Portfolio Investment Property Purchase Loans Available
INVESTOR ALERT
With the large number of lender owned foreclosures available for investment purchasers, it is truly a good time to increase rental portfolios.  However, many real estate investors have been blocked out of the market by lender restrictions that frequently limit the number of outstanding mortgages to four or five loans. We received a call from Joel Epstein at 1st Commonwealth Bank advising that they can now accommodate real estate investors with more than five current mortgages.
 Spring is blooming for Maryland investors
The following are the guidelines Joel provided:
***More than … (0 comments)

Foreclosure Solutions - 11:38 AM

Via Eva Aliaga Realtor® Delray Beach, Boca Raton & Coral Springs Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty of Boca Raton):






The current U.S. housing market and national financial crisis has caused untold stress and heartache for many families not only in South Florida, but across the country. Foreclosure is one of the most devastating financial challenges that a family can face and one that, many times, can be avoided. The options available to Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Coral Springs & Boynton Beach area residents for foreclosure are many. The following is a brief explanation of these … (0 comments)

DON'T SELL BY SQUARE FEET! THAT ADVICE IS SIMPLE RISK MANAGEMENT! - 11:53 AM

Via Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate:
BOB HAYWOOD provides some authority for advice I've given agents for decades - "I'm Sorry, But I Can't Tell You How Big the House is..."
DON'T SELL HOME BY SQUARE FEET. 
About 20 years ago, I read a case law report of a lawsuit by a buyer against their agent.  THE AGENT LOST.  The square feet given the buyer by the seller was 100 square feet lower than that included in the appraisal report. 
Since that date, about 20 years ago, I have never sold by square feet.  We sell by … (0 comments)

Growing Tomatoes in Maryland - 01:27 PM
Growing Tomatoes in Maryland
What types of tomatoes are best for a Gaithersburg, Maryland garden and where do you purchase the plants?
What are your successful tomato growing tips?
 Spring is blooming
… (1 comments)

$7,500 Grants for first time home buyers - 01:42 PM
PRESIDENTIAL BANK MORTGAGE  
A Division of Presidential Bank, FSB
$7,500 Grants for first time home buyers
Presidential Bank Mortgage is an approved lender for this program just released on April 19, 2010. The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBA) participates with approved lenders to offer First Time Home Buyer Grants to purchase properties and the money can be used for down payment and closing costs.
 Spring is blooming for first time home buyers!
Highlights:
1.       Available to first time home buyers only (not owned a home for 3 years)
2.       Owner occupied properties only
3.       Income restrictions- 80% of Area … (0 comments)

How to Beat Home Warranty Companies at Their Own Game - Part II - 02:19 AM
(The following information and advice applies to American Home Shield. Whether or not the advice applies to any other home warranty company is unknown.)
I recently observed a trial in which AHS was being sued for denying a claim. After the trial, I had an opportunity to talk with the attorney who had represented AHS. The attorney advised me that AHS always settles the lawsuits or pays the claims when sued. Regarding class action lawsuits, whether the person remains part of the class or opts out is not relevant to the outcome of the case; AHS does not use a pending … (3 comments)

Renters: Mortgage interest on your apartment is deductible - 12:11 PM
Most apartment buildings and other residential rentals have mortgages, and the interest on that loan is deductible for federal and most state income tax purposes.  Isn't that wonderful?  Well, it's wonderful for your landlord.  The same guy who won't let you have a dog is enjoying tax benefits from your rent payments.  Too bad you're not your own landlord.
Wait, maybe you can be your own landlord!  It may be easier than you think, and I can help you.  Call me today at 612-916-3033 to arrange a free, no obligation home buyer preliminary consultation and orientation.  There's even a possibility of … (2 comments)

Did The Sky Fall on May 1st for Northern Virginia Home Sales? - 08:14 AM
There has been a lot of gnashing of teeth and pulling of hair in the Northern Virginia real estate market as the deadline for the tax credit came to an end.Were sales going to stop?  Would the market crash?  Would buyers go back to sitting on the fence?
If the numbers for the first 4 days of May are any indication then the answer to all of those questions is NO.  Contracts are still being ratified thoughout Northern Virginia.  In fact 205 contracts have been ratified (MRIS Data) across Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William Counties since May 1st.  This … (8 comments)

Department of Defense HAP is Working for Nothern Virignia Military Families - 08:19 PM
A sure sign of spring in Northern Virginia is the steady stream of PCS orders military families are receiving to head to their new duty station. This year’s PCS orders bring a different level of stress than in former times.  Families who purchased a home when they arrived 4 or 5 years ago now are faced with a home that has lost value.  Deciding whether to sell or rent their home becomes a difficult decision. For military families who purchased (or contracted to buy) their home prior to July 1, 2006 the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) is one … (6 comments)

Just Reduced Move In Condition, 231 Thaddeus Ave, Aqua Vista Danbury CT 06811..Open House May 8, 2010 12-2 PM - 02:54 PM
… (2 comments)

8038 Hwy 79, Wichita Falls - New On Market - 11:11 AM
8038 HWY 79, Wichita Falls, TX
Priced @ $274,900
19.99 acres - fenced with pasture and stock tank
3 beds - 2 baths  - 2 car garage - 2 carport - Pool
New to the market, this home has everything one could want in the country. If you love fishing, it has a tank full of huge catfish. Do you own horses??? This has a fantastic 4 stall horse barn. Want a pool??? You can find that too at this wonderful suburban property.
Located just minutes from Wichita Falls, Holliday, Archer City, and Sheppard Air Force base.
See the video below … (0 comments)

LEAGUE CITY EXCLUSIVE BUYER'S AGENT WAS "ON TARGET" - 10:00 AM
It is truly rewarding to know that you are doing a great job by getting a great testimony from your clients. Being an Exclusive Buyer's Agent constantly rewards the dedicated representation we provide.


James Potenza was on time and on target in helping us find a great house in the limited timeline that we presented him with. He was with us every step of the way, from negotiation to closing, and always ensured that our best interest was a top priority. We ended up with a great house in a great neighborhood and couldn't be happier! A buyers agent is … (0 comments)

The Silent Generation (NOT) - 05:08 PM
 
I just finished a course to receive my SRES designation.According to the authors...I'm a member of the "Silent Generation"....(you do the math!)I am described as cautious, conformist, risk averse and unimaginative.....
Here I am, only a month or so armed with my new knowledge, and already I disagree!
Now the Boomer description is more to my liking...ambitious, optimistic (??), individualistic, a careerist, hard working, competitive and nostalgic about childhood.I think I'll own that one...(I'm right on the cusp anyway!)
~~~~I'm not embarrassed to confess that the Real Estate downturn has taken its toll on me. I consider myself a great … (14 comments)

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