Archives of real estate blog entries for July 14, 2010

Featured blog posts


Facebook Shuts Down Page with over 47,000 Fans over NAR Trademark Violation in Vanity URL - 05:03 PM
A Facebook Page, run by Jonathan Rivera was recently shut down by Facebook due to a complaint of the use of the vanity URL and the use of the trademarked term REALTOR®.  He had been made aware of the violation after selecting his vanity URL, but as Facebook’s guidelines state: “You will not be able to edit or transfer this username once you set it.” The irony of this story is that when Jonathan was made aware of the violation he tried to reach out & contact Facebook to correct it, but was unable to do so. He tried desperately to … (79 comments)

My love, our angel Marianne has gone - 06:22 PM
My Angel Marianne has left this earth. 
Marianne passed away today quietly, with family members, and friends crying by her side.  But I can't say that about her life.   She lived her life as an ordinary person, but she made a huge impact on so many lives and touched so many people deeply.  God has taken her and her golden heart to make an angel to watch over us.  No more pain, no more struggle, just peace.
 
She was a friend to all that knew her.  Words such as sincerity, kindness, special, happy, best person I know were the words … (146 comments)

Five FHA facts agents and buyers need to know - 11:11 AM
The home buyer sees an ad on the internet for guaranteed 5 day closings, no minimum score and stated income from a "lender". Oh the hilarity! Unfortunately it can also end with a home buyer, home seller, a couple of real estate agents and their brokers, and a few other people doing a lot of work for nothing. Many outrageous claims are made by lead generation companies who sell the information to dozens or more loan officers who will call, email, fax, or email.
If it sounds too good to be true and every true mortgage professional is telling you there is something … (25 comments)

Are you a Problem Solver or a Solution Seeker? - 02:42 PM
Are you a Problem Solver or a Solution Seeker?
Seriously, what do you focus on?  Do you focus on the problem or do you focus on the solution? There is a big difference between these seemingly similar approaches.  Here's my take....
Let's say the home inspection didn't come out quite like your seller/buyer wanted it to. Some agents get their shorts in a bunch and 'blame' the clueless inspector as if they're the problem and other agents get busy finding solutions to what needs to be fixed and working with the home buyer/seller.
Which agent is bringing better energy to the transaction?  … (58 comments)

Promoting Your Community Promotes You - 09:13 AM

One of the most obvious ways to promote yourself in your community is for you to promote your community.Local business - not an S&P 500 firm, but the small businesses that provide you with the level of service you provide your clientsRecreational venues that make your community an ideal place to call homeCommunity service represents the commitment people in your community make to its' citizens. It's an opportunity for you to participate in the effort and to be known as an involved citizen.Bob Stewart, Brad Andersohn and the AR staff have always stressed the need to include these items as an … (76 comments)

This Is A SHOP Light! And That Is An EXTENSION Cord! - 07:14 AM
The key word in shop light is "SHOP!"
It is a light intended for the basement shop, or the garage shop, or the unfinished room shop, or the WORK SHOP!
It is not intended for under the deck!
Or any outdoor place for that matter.
Do you see the wiring?  That is an extension cord!
The key word in extension cord is "EXTENSION!"
An extension cord is for temporarily extending the cord for a tool or appliance to gain an outlet it cannot reach otherwise.  It is NOT to be used for permanent wiring. 
The other end of this extension cord … (56 comments)

You Are A Hardworking Real Estate Agent, Broker, REALTOR But Folks Get Upset, Irritated With You. - 08:38 AM
The little things, events that happen in a real estate day to day you have no control over but that reflect on you and can make your buyer, seller not so happy, apt to jump up and down with your performance. I'm talking about the situations where a buyer and seller is not smiling and the spotlight, focus comes back on you. When an real estate agent, broker, REALTOR does mess up, that is one thing.
Quickly see the error of your ways, or how you dropped the ball and crank up the attention to detail times ten on a performance … (30 comments)

For Gen Y, Tiny Is the New Small - 12:50 AM
Condo and apartment developers in cities nationwide are thinking small in an effort to keep prices low and satisfy Gen Y buyers who are more concerned about location than they are about spacious accommodations.
The more expensive a city, the smaller the new developments. In San Francisco, there are a number of complexes where units range from 250 to 350 square feet. In Vancouver, British Columbia, there is a "micro-loft" building where apartments are 270 square feet.
"For Gen Y, the home is a place to live out of, not to live in," says John McIlwain, a senior fellow for housing … (18 comments)

West Babylon NY Coops - The Steps Taken Before Getting To The Closing Table - 08:04 AM

West Babylon NY Coops - The Steps Taken Before Getting To The Closing Table You do not own a co-op. You own shares. You are responsible for the interior. There are rules to follow that have been set up by the co-op board. Some are stringent, others are more flexible. Some close in 90 days. Some in 60. It really depends upon how fast the management company and the co-op board move. Before making an offer on a co-op, make sure your Real Estate Agent knows co-ops and also your Real Estate Attorney. If not, the process could take longer. … (15 comments)

Broker Bryant and Harris Real Estate University Talk Shop. - 06:34 PM
Hi folks. This Friday at noon Eastern time Tim and Julie Harris of the Harris Real Estate University(HREU) have invited me to be this week's Superstar Interview!!!
If you are not familiar with HREU then you must live in a cave. HREU is......well here's a snippet from their website:
"HREU is the largest online Real Estate Training and Coaching University in the world. Join the tens of thousands of real estate professionals from nearly all 50 states and 7 countries as a HREU Student."
So I guess the question is....."Why in the world would they want to interview Broker Bryant?" Well … (33 comments)

The Dramatic Story about Christian Louboutin - 04:49 AM
In 1963 Christian Louboutin was born in a worker’s family in Pairs. Now all his glories began with his special experience when he was a Child. Remarkably!  Christian Louboutin shoes Rank the First in the List of Most Lovely Stocking Stuffers for Sweet When he walked past the Oceanic Art museum in Paris once, he noticed a notable picture, on which a pair of conical high-heeled shoes were elided by two thick lines. the picture was aimed to warn women to take care of the engraved flooor board inthe museum. Watching that pair of beautiful high heels, he, 13-year-old boy, was … (33 comments)

Best market to learn; what’s your niche? - 10:17 AM
Yesterday I listened to an agent explain all the reasons why he was not achieving at a level to sustain himself.  His reasons were well thought out and plausible.  He was able to back them up with statistics and examples.  He was convincing to himself and to many others.  He had been successful at one point and needed to have answers why he was not at this point.  It occurred to me that all the time he spent formulating reasons and ideas on why he was not able to do what he wanted; why he was in the position he is … (40 comments)

Coffee and Change: A Lesson in Selling Your Home - 07:11 PM
Fourteen years ago a gorgeous woman walked up to me at a concert and asked if I would like to go out for tea sometime. Why tea? Well, this lovely lady did not drink coffee. Ever. She later explained that coffee didn't make her feel very well. It made her jumpy. It hurt her stomach. We started dating and I bought her loose leaf tea, tea strainers, and other tea related gifts. Fast forward thirteen and 1/2 years. My formerly coffee-hating wife Teresa decided to try a little coffee one morning. Just a small cup with a lot of sugar and … (19 comments)

I Keep Your Goals in Mind - Even When You Don't - 08:01 PM
I Keep Your Goals in Mind - Even When You Don't.  Everyone knows that when buying a home, Buyers often get carried away with emotion.  But you may not know (until you are in the situation yourself), that the same can be true for Homeowners when they are selling their home.  On the day that their home is listed (nearly) every Seller would like to get the most amount of money possible.  But oh how quickly that can change....
Right now I have 3 Sellers that are all in a similar situation.  They all have been on the market for a … (33 comments)

How Many Inspectors Does It Take to Inspect a Home? - 08:44 AM
How Many Inspectors Does It Take to Inspect a Home?
It all depends on what they don't know.
What exactly does that mean you ask? Well if one inspector doesn't know his electrical very well it can take at least two.
I quite recently inspected a home that had been previously inspected about a month before by another, more experienced inspector. When I say experienced I mean the other inspector has been in the inspection business longer than me.
The home was fairly new (2001) and well kept. Both agents made a point of mentioning the previous inspection. As my inspection … (25 comments)

Knock Out The Nightmare Of Identity Theft - 03:09 PM
From all accounts from what I heard if you think getting spam in your email box is bad, or unwanted phone calls at home, think about Identity Theft. We need to
Knock Out The Nightmare Of Identity Theft.
It is a nightmare, because someone poses as YOU with social security number and credit card information in hand or BLANK CHECKS with your name on it and wreaks havoc on your financial life. Some safeguards to protect yourself from this beast:
Burn or shred any financial papers, mail or credit reports that contain personal information. Never recycle that paper. Get on the … (44 comments)

Should lenders put us into conforming mortgage molds? - 10:01 AM
Jeff Belonger wrote a post about Florida homeowners now on FHA do not need meet minimum credit score qualifications for loan. I can see one or two soon-to-be FL homeowners jump in joy when they see this misleading headline, as Jeff have forewarned.
I do not call myself as a Mortgage expert to know the ins and the outs of mortgage qualifications. But as a real estate professional and a volunteer financial counselor, I want to ask, "Why lenders put each borrower into their conforming mortgage molds?" - Bigger question: Should we let them?
Every borrower is different, especially borrowers with … (17 comments)

Photos of the Stewart-Caulk Wedding - 01:24 PM
I know everyone has been harrassing asking me to get these up.
Actually, the last of our guests left yesterday so been busy.
There are more photos on facebook here and here, taken by others. These are not the professional ones but from us, friends and family.
The live ceremony that was streamed will be ready tomorrow so you can watch it if you want to.
I know I do!
Bob and Christa left yesterday for their honeymoon, 10 days in Southern Mexico. No phone reception, GOOD.
Marriage is a covenant, a promise made between two people, it is the joining … (88 comments)

Forever is composed of nows. - 02:19 PM

"I don't feel comfortable about committing to ActiveRain, or any other platform that I don't own. What if ActiveRain gets bought by Google or they change the price or terms?"
First off, thank you Harj Gill for bringing up this issue and addressing it in your own blog post today. I'd like to echo your statements, and add some of my own.
"With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the future. I live now." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
We are in the midst of the worst housing recessions in history. The actual job of selling real estate in today's … (67 comments)

The (OTHER) 6 "Phases" of Foreclosure - 04:30 PM
On Real Estate MSN there's an article: The 6 Phases of Foreclosure -- which should not be confused with the 7 Stages of Grieving, although I'm sure any family going through foreclosure is in grief.
Personally, I have problems with articles that omit the human factor.  There's a family, or a single homeowner, or SOMEONE living in that house.  Oh, it's "Just a Phase"
Yeah . . . right!
Do you ever wonder how a society can become DESENSITIZED?!?  Do anyone even care?!?
In this article, the steps are outline quite nicely.  And yet . . . in my head I can hear … (27 comments)

Can't?!...can't!?... CAN'T don't GET IT! Can does. - 12:05 PM

Can't?!...can't!?... CAN'T don't GET IT! Can does.
I hear the word can't everyday in conversations and read about people who say they can't. They limit themselves by saying they can't do this and can't do that.
AND THEY ARE EXACTLY RIGHT!
By using can't as part of an everyday vocabulary, fantastic opportunities are missed because people get stuck on that little 4 letter word! It's amazing the power that simple word yields for some people!
Can't get there in time...right, you will be late! Can't do anything right...correct and this has nothing to do with being left handed! Can't find … (42 comments)

One Year in Jail and a $10,000.00 fine? - 12:09 AM
One Year in Jail and a $10,000.00 fine?
You heard it!  That is the price for mortgage fraud.
I don't know about you, but my red hair clashes with orange!
                     
 
This is serious folks!  How many of you have had clients who were CLEARLY buying an investment property, but obtained financing as an owner occupied home?  Ok none of us want to admit it, but let's be honest.  This happened ramp-idly in the past, but NO MORE!  If caught, it comes with a mandatory $10,000.00 fine and one year in jail.
You can not as the realtor … (33 comments)

How much time would you spend “proving” your local knowledge to a client? - 08:10 AM
We all get the calls from the prospect that is seeking a particular property, with very specific criteria. And they always have a specific price point in mind.
And that’s a very good thing, because it is easy to service a client that knows exactly what they are looking for. That’s the first step on the long journey of a successful transaction.
But what if the property that is sought does not exist in the desired price range? Or what if there isn’t one available regardless of price?
How much time and effort will you spend “proving” that the client will … (43 comments)

Blueberry Pie Guy – My Door Knocking Success - 01:51 AM
Don’t be impressed – I only have the one success story. You see, door knocking isn’t for me. But before I determined that, I took a stab at all the tried and true ways promoted by the guru of my first real estate training course. The idea was distasteful to me to start out, but I needed to find clients, and walking a farm to find a home seller in Livermore, CA seemed like a reasonable thing to do.
In this particular case, the homeowner wasn’t there, so I just dropped my postcard. A short time later, I received this voice … (60 comments)

Dare To Let Go and You Just Might Be Surprised...... - 06:52 PM

Everyday we are challenged in our careers.  EVERY day.  I have been selling real estate since the early 90's and I can say that the market is slower than usual.  That may not seem like a long time to many of you that have been doing this since the 80's or even 70's but it is long enough for me to have seen cycles in the market and been through some ups and downs.  While the market, as a whole, may be slow I AM NOT! What I have learned in my almost 20 years is that regardless of the … (58 comments)

Hey Realtor At Starbucks..........................."We Can ALL Hear You!" - 03:30 AM
I get a bag of coffee from Starbucks for x-mas every year. Occasionally I'll get a gift card. Earlier today I slid into the local sit on couch and play on laptop Starbucks. I elected to stand by the gift area and people watch. Hard not to be too obvious considering I'm 6'4" and extremely interesting & even more bold than their coffee. (making sure you're reading).
 
Anyways,
 
As I'm standing there I hear .... "yeah, earnest money this, earnest money that." My head stayed straight as my eyes shifted to the right....
 
It was one of those … (51 comments)

Realtor Vacations & The Don't Tell Policy - 09:38 AM
Once upon a time a real estate agent went on vacation. She didn't tell her very demanding client that she was leaving town for fear of rocking the boat that was already taking on water. 
The real estate agent spent hours in the hotel lobby working on the computer and begging the nice people at the front desk for use of their fax machine.  Laying on the beach was replaced by standing on the balcony talking on a cell phone facing just the right direction to get reception. 
By the time the "vacation" was over, the contract was binding, and the demanding … (94 comments)

If We Want To Be Treated Like Professionals We Need To Treat Ourselves Like Professionals First! - 11:47 AM
I was recently responding to a post from Carol Culkin about her vacation and whether or not she should have told her clients she would be away. She told some clients about her trip and didn't tell others that were already along in the purchasing process and wouldn't likely need her. In her post she made the point that real estate is a 24/7 business.
Although I agreed with most of her post and didn't feel she did anything wrong (when an issue arrised she was able to speak with her client, satisfy his needs without ever knowing she was a … (32 comments)

I'm Looking For a New Circle of Friends - 11:17 AM
I'M LOOKING FOR A NEW CIRCLE OF FRIENDSToday I have decided that I'm going to expand my search for a new circle of friends in the Rain.  I find myself associating with the same intimate group of people, but I'd like to expand my network some, and what better place to do that than ActiveRain? To start, I'm going to go through the list of people that subscribe to my blog that I may not be subscribed to.  I'm going to watch closely who is commenting on my posts and interacting with me, and I'm going to start trying to reciprocate … (40 comments)

Should I Tell My Clients I Will Be At The BEACH On VACATION? - 01:44 AM
Although I planned my vacation in March, I purposely didn't tell many people until just before leaving.  Something about an upcoming vacation makes people clingy and can shut down my pipeline for upcoming referrals. I do not usually announce an upcomig vacation until just before leaving and in some cases, not at all. 
In fact, this time I told most of my clientele but there were a couple of clients who didn't even know I had ever left town because I didn't want them to fret and feel helpless.  Not to worry, they were past the inspection stage and the contracts were being … (79 comments)

Managing Expectations - 11:50 PM
I pulled up to the second house I'm going to list since I've become a REALTOR.  The owner is a woman I've shown a lot of properties to, but we just can't find the right one, yet.  She has been a tough cookie.  The house is her one rental property and she's had it for sale by owner for a while.  Now, she's ready to list it with me. 
I park my truck in the driveway and she comes up to it.  The first words out of my mouth, "You like to challenge me, don't you?"  She laughs.
The tenant is … (28 comments)

Retainer Fees. Do you charge them? - 07:23 PM
I have been selling real estate in Northern Colorado for about five years now and one of my best practices that I was taught early on in my career was to charge a retainer fee for my clients. Now, I realize that many of you are probably reading this thinking that I am just a greedy REALTOR.
May I submit that that is not the case at all. You may ask why would I charge a retainer fee then if I didn't just want to "Line My Pockets." Well, the truth is that I have found that charging a retainer fee … (103 comments)

Better find out who your competition is before you try to win a listing - 10:44 AM


I went on a listing appointment yesterday and walked out with a listing in hand and it was all thanks to the agent before me. I didn’t even have to do a listing appointment, they sold me to my newest clients. They talked about their sales, they talked about their marketing, heck they talked for two hours, and then they decided to show their online marketing. (Which was what these people were most interested in.)
This agent put in search term after search term that he clearly had done his homework on that he would come up on the … (146 comments)

If You Want Your House to Sell, Just Go Find a New One! - 09:50 PM
This has happened to me more than once.  Since I am primarily a relocation specialist, I am often dealing with buyers that are living in a hotel while they wait for their current home to sell out of state.  It can be frustrating at times.  My buyers are stuck...they want to look and see what is out there, but then they don't want to look because they cannot make an offer right now. 
After 2 months of living in the hotel, I called the wife and I said, I am picking you up at noon tomorrow and we are going to … (30 comments)

ActiveRain Gratitude Dance - Gift of Loyalty and Appreciation! - 11:59 AM
I've been hearing so much negativity about AR lately. It is always amazing to me that when a person is given something of great value for free there is a phenomenon that occurs of not valuing the gift. Having been a collaborator for 20 years and finding it basically impossible to get anyone to understand the concepts of team and the removal of the (I) quality in TEAM, I know and understand what occurs.
People don't easily get beyond their need to concentrate on their own needs and their success.
Social networking is as amazing as the Internet on the … (43 comments)

I Love "The Kill"....Don't You?? - 11:35 AM
Thinking back, today, about all of the different aspects of the real estate business that have always held my interest, there were two elements that were very important to me.  First and foremost, we are all in this for the money, and there's nothing I dislike more than to hear someone say they are in the real estate business because they like people.  I like people also, but I dislike many of them when we have to do business!!
The other element that is most important to me is "The Kill."  I love "The Kill."  Those moments when I'm up against … (78 comments)

Now Is the Time We Truly Earn Our Commission - 08:10 AM
I was in church this past weekend and before we started our warm-ups with the choir, one of the choir members started to chat me up about what was going on in real estate.  I talked about how things had slowed and that the market was definitely in flux but people were still buying and selling houses.  The market is tough but if you price the home correctly and make sure it is in great shape, it will sell.  He then looked at me and asked, "With the market so tough, have you had to cut your commission to make up … (60 comments)


Blog posts


Forever is composed of nows. - 02:19 PM

"I don't feel comfortable about committing to ActiveRain, or any other platform that I don't own. What if ActiveRain gets bought by Google or they change the price or terms?"
First off, thank you Harj Gill for bringing up this issue and addressing it in your own blog post today. I'd like to echo your statements, and add some of my own.
"With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the future. I live now." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
We are in the midst of the worst housing recessions in history. The actual job of selling real estate in today's … (67 comments)

Mobile VA Lender Needed - 10:25 PM
I need to speak with an experienced, VA lender that can close a loan on a mobile home on it's own land for a VA buyer with a 618 mid score AND needs an escrow holdback (from buyer funds) for a new roof.
Purchase price is $200,000, holdback is roughly $4500 needs to close prior to Aug 13th, but buyers want to close ASAP. 
If you think you might be able to get this done...I'm sorry but you are not who I am looking for. 
I need someone with the experience and knowledge to pull this off.  Check with your underwriter before you … (0 comments)

Tacoma Condo for Sale | Sunset Plaza - 10:38 PM
We've just listed a top floor condo in beutiful Sunset Plaza!  Located just off 6th ave, Sunset Plaza is a gated complex with park like grounds.  Almost reminds me of Pt Defiance.  Sunset Plaza has a pool, tennis court, clubhouse with work out room and several walking trails.  It's a real convenient place to live offering access to the 6th ave night life, minutes to TCC and on the busline to Downtown.

I noticed the buildings and grounds were in excellent condtion as I drove into the complex.  The mature landscaping and well kept grounds show a real pride in the complex.  … (0 comments)

Nashua NH ranks in top 100 Places to Live in America! - 04:44 PM
 
 Money Magazine named Nashua, New Hampshire as one of the top 100 best places to live in America.
Moreover, Nashua, New Hampshire is the only city to get the No. 1 ranking as the BEST PLACE to LIVE IN AMERICA in Surveys by Money Magazine twice (1987 & 1997). 
The Nashua-Manchester corridor was ranked # 9 by Forbes in April 2010.  It was noted that the Nashua-Manchester corridor had low crime rates and low unemployment rates.
In 2007, the Morgan Quinto Press ranked Nashua as the 27th safest City in the US and in 2008 New Hampshire was selected as the most LIVABLE STATE!
     The … (7 comments)

Congratulations AHMSI Short Sale Department... You Just Bought Your Investor Another House! - 02:27 PM
This is a great post by Bob Hertzog over at Active Rain.  This will give you an idea of some of the problems with Short Sales.
Via Robert G Hertzog (Summit Home Consultants):
Congratulations AHMSI Short Sale Department... You Just Bought Your Investor Another House!
The only thing I hate more than reading "rants" by agents is actually writing them myself.  That being said, I'm about to write what many will consider to be a "rant".  I'd rather justify it in my own mind as being a way to share my experience with other agents, in hopes that they have a better sense … (1 comments)

Shocling and Dramatic Unemployment Map - 02:32 PM
Take a look at this!
Via Sam Chapman (Private Label Realty):
"A picture is worth a thousand words" could not be more appropriate when it comes to viewing this map.
Viewing it only takes a few seconds.
The darker the color, the higher the unemployment. 2009 was absolutely BRUTAL.  Watch the changes in the map from Dec. 08 to 12/09 - SHOCKING 
This is  a startling map.  Hard to believe! 
No more words are needed.  Click HERE to view the map.
Feel free to share.
 
… (2 comments)

May You Live in Interesting Times - 04:08 PM
"May You Live in Interesting Times" as I understand it is a Chinese curse.  Yet I think it applies to us in our times:
We have a government and especially a President on a collision course with a mounting deficit, unemployment, and the American Public. Our infrastructure is very vulnerable to attack and sabotage. Our President is too (Fill in the Blank) to change direction.  Love him or hate him at least Slick Willy could tell which way the wind was blowing. We have an opposition party that is rapidly becoming the defacto alternative and yet for the most part the … (8 comments)

Top 5 Tech Tools We Need! - 04:46 PM
In this day and age of rapid advancement in technology often times products are brought to us that are not fully thought out.  Here are some ideas that might make life easier and increase our enjoyment of our high tech items:
The phone cord.  How often have you lost your household phone or had it disappear into a kids room?  With phone cord you can attach the phone to the base station so you can always find it.  Furthermore your kids will not be able to take it into the bedroom for long unmonitored phone calls. Built in TV Controls.  How … (7 comments)

Is 7 a lucky number for the kids waiting for your help? - 11:37 PM
 

Yes, it is me again
If you have been keeping track, I have been promoting a fundraiser for the Children's Miracle Network.  I have begged, pleaded and in some cases cajoled folks to help out with this cause. The response has been heart warming.  Lots of you have said you would support the cause.  I had a plan that folks would sponsor me at ten cents a hole. I also added that the cost would go up if I parred the hole or did better than pay.
I will be honest, my goal was 72 holes.  I figured I … (6 comments)

RMV MOVING BACK TO SOUTHBRIDGE (01550) - 09:54 AM
RMV MOVING BACK TO SOUTHBRIDGE (01550) The Registry of Motor Vehicles closed up next to Big Bunny in Southbridge last August and reopened in Charlton off the Mass Pike.  There has been much controversy as to why the move took place and how safe it really was.  I, for one, really didn't like the people turning on a busy 4 lane road to get into the RMV in Charlton.  It wasn't safe at all.  After a 8-1 vote on Monday, June 28th, a 10 year lease was approved to bring a new branch of the RMV into the Casaubon Senior Center … (1 comments)

I'm Looking For a New Circle of Friends - 11:17 AM
I'M LOOKING FOR A NEW CIRCLE OF FRIENDSToday I have decided that I'm going to expand my search for a new circle of friends in the Rain.  I find myself associating with the same intimate group of people, but I'd like to expand my network some, and what better place to do that than ActiveRain? To start, I'm going to go through the list of people that subscribe to my blog that I may not be subscribed to.  I'm going to watch closely who is commenting on my posts and interacting with me, and I'm going to start trying to reciprocate … (40 comments)

OFallon IL Home for Sale, 1010 W Nixon - 11:19 AM
Looking for a foreclosure home for sale

74,500 - 1010 West Nixon Drive, OFALLON
4Bedrooms2Baths1,643SQ. Feet0Acres Home sold "As Is", "Where Is" and "with All Faults". Without warranty or representation, express or implied. No warranty available. Buyer to do his own due diligence. Home will not pass city inspection.
Essential Information
MLS® #:3010068 Price:$74,500 Bedrooms:4 Bathrooms:2.00 Full Baths:1 Half Baths:1 Square Footage:1,643 Acres:0.00 Year Built:1973 Type:Residential Sub-Type:BI-LEVEL Status:Active Community Information
Address:1010 West Nixon Drive Subdivision:WESTBROOK City:OFALLON County:St Clair State:IL Zip Code:62269 Amenities
Parking:ASPHALT Garages:2 CAR GARAGE, ATTACHED GARAGE Waterfront:NONE Interior
Appliances:NONE Heating:FORCED AIR Cooling:CENTRAL AIR Exterior
Exterior:ALUMINUM Roof:COMP SHINGLE School … (1 comments)

Metro East Illinois Home Searching - 09:59 PM
Are you looking for a home for sale in Belleville, IL or moving to Scott AFB?
Please use my website www.metroeastareahomes.com to search for homes for sale througout the Metro East Illinois area. We are located 20 Miles east of downtown St. Louis, MO and we service military home buyers moving to Scott AFB.

… (0 comments)

Broker Bryant and Harris Real Estate University Talk Shop. - 06:34 PM
Hi folks. This Friday at noon Eastern time Tim and Julie Harris of the Harris Real Estate University(HREU) have invited me to be this week's Superstar Interview!!!
If you are not familiar with HREU then you must live in a cave. HREU is......well here's a snippet from their website:
"HREU is the largest online Real Estate Training and Coaching University in the world. Join the tens of thousands of real estate professionals from nearly all 50 states and 7 countries as a HREU Student."
So I guess the question is....."Why in the world would they want to interview Broker Bryant?" Well … (33 comments)

"Hot Deals"-Outer Banks Real Estate Listings From Corolla To Hatteras - 04:54 PM
I know everyone is looking for the best deal in their price range on the Outer Banks. I am working hard to find it so you don't have to. So that is why I came up with a "HOT DEALS" page. 
Here is how this page works:Once you click on the town and location the properties will be in price order. Each property will stay on the page until its status is changed, meaning under contract, sold, or withdrawn. Every week this page will be updated with new "HOT DEALS" so bookmark the page and check back often. The one or more criteria for making the "HOT DEALS" page are: Priced below current … (0 comments)

Social Marketing, when do I have time.... - 04:40 PM
For the last two days I have been in Kansas City, MO at a Social Meeting seminar for RE/MAX agents.  Yesterday we covered Linked-in and Facebook and today we covered Twitter, You Tube and blogging. (yes we are talking about Active Rain).  My question to everyone is where do we find the time to do this RIGHT?
I have had these accounts before this Class but now that I have cleaned them up I will feel obligated to actually use the,  This means record a video too......I have gone out and found a number of videos that I have added to … (2 comments)

I Think I'm In Love - Meet My New Partner In Real Estate - 11:41 PM
The part of me that loves to find new toys, my alter ego, constantly in search of a better way to share my love of Long Island and its real estate with those who may not have been here before, I think I've found the perfect partner.  This is my first test drive with it and I see so many applications for it in the future.
Let me know what you think.
 
… (24 comments)

Five FHA facts agents and buyers need to know - 11:11 AM
The home buyer sees an ad on the internet for guaranteed 5 day closings, no minimum score and stated income from a "lender". Oh the hilarity! Unfortunately it can also end with a home buyer, home seller, a couple of real estate agents and their brokers, and a few other people doing a lot of work for nothing. Many outrageous claims are made by lead generation companies who sell the information to dozens or more loan officers who will call, email, fax, or email.
If it sounds too good to be true and every true mortgage professional is telling you there is something … (25 comments)

No YOU could be using Facebook wrong - 08:42 PM
I think this is the same Jonathan Rivera in the video.  Rivera wrote: You could be using facebook wrong! on ActiveRain with a huge dramatic
"STOP, You could be using facebook wrong! "
No, STOP,  YOU Could be the one using facebook wrong!
It's not like it's a secret that if you use  the word REALTOR incorrectly in blog titles, urls etc. NAR tells you to STOP.
It's no secret you can't change a Facebook vanity URL...  or it shouldn't be a secret if you are a social media expert... he's Tech... Real-TechGuy.com
Tech fella used the Facebook URL socialrealtor
There … (18 comments)

I do it for the love, not the money. And that's my first mistake... - 12:30 AM
This should do it ... :)
Somebody walked by my area of the working world today and inquired on what website I was exploring.  I introduced them to AR and considering they knew my job history, it should of ended there.  But it didn't.  They wondered why I was still involved and participating in such a forum when I would be getting no monetary benefit from such.  I consider that a fair question.  Here's my fair answer:
If I had utilized it the way maybe I should of, perhaps things would have turned out differently.  As it sits, I write and … (26 comments)

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