Archives of real estate blog entries for July 3, 2010

Featured blog posts


Hey! Look Me Over!: The Buyer Broker Agreement - 05:40 PM
Earlier this week, I wrote Hey! Look Me Over! with advice on what to look for in a buyer broker.  So what happens after you interview a few agents and find one you think will be a good choice?
Most buyer brokers want you to sign some sort of agreement that formalizes your agreement - often it is a legal requirement of their jurisdiction.  And without a written agreement, there are no guarantees the agent who finds you your new home will get paid. 
Most buyer broker agreement say, in effect, that the agent will help you find a place, and … (53 comments)

FANNIE MAE SET TO COLLECT ON DEFICIENCY JUDGMENTS CAUSED BY STRATEGIC DEFAULTS. - 07:22 PM

HEY FANNIE MAE.  I HEAR YOU'RE PLANNING A COOKOUT FOR THE 4TH OF JULY.
GAMES FOR THE PARTY.  FANNIE MAE PLANS A TREASURE HUNT. 
Hey Fannie Mae!  I heard you're COOKIN' UP some new ways to bury the American home owner deeper into financial ruin.
YOU'RE PARTNERS AT THE FED AND TREASURY DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB WITH THAT "TARP" thing where you gave the investment banks, commercial banks and insurance companies about $2,000,000,000,000.  That's Trillion. 
Since you started this COOKOUT when you approved and purchased all of those sub-prime, Alt-A and other mortgage instruments that were securitized and sold by fat cat traders to fat cat investors on … (220 comments)

Community Curb Appeal - Encinitas, California (Anytown, USA) - 01:57 PM
As I run the streets of my local coastal town of Encinitas, Ca., I am disgusted by the amount of trash littering the streets.  Old Encinitas, west of I-5 along Coast Hwy. is strewn with thousands of cigarette butts, discarded food containers, wrappers and an abundance of miscellaneous garbage. And, it doesn't stop there!  Our city, in addition to the surrounding areas, including Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos & Escondido have a high visability of litter on the freeways, off ramps, vacant lots, business areas, schools and many neighborhoods.
Our home is located in a high traffic area leading to Moonlight … (23 comments)

BANKS BEGIN TO GO AFTER DEFICIENCY JUDGMENTS - FANNIE MAE POINTS THE WAY - 06:12 PM
Earlier this week I wrote about lenders taking the next step after a foreclosure.  Foreclosures happen from borrowers that "walk away" from their upside down valued properties, whether because of job loss, other expenses more important than the mortgage payment, or just a strategic default.  You can find the other article at MOTION FOR DEFICIENCY JUDGMENT - FORECLOSURE CONSEQUENCES.
An alarming event occured after I wrote that article.  In the past, there has been a pretty heated argument about whether the mortgage lenders are going to move on their ability to pursue deficiency judgments in foreclosure actions.  Many people say that it … (64 comments)

Carlsbad Farmers Market in Carlsbad Village, Carlsbad CA - 06:22 PM
A Visit to the Carlsbad Farmers Market in Carlsbad Village The Carlsbad Farmers Market in Carlsbad Village is a terrific place to visit for fresh produce, flowers and food.
We stopped in today to buy much of what we needed for the small dinner party we are having tonight, and we were not disappointed with the selection - getting there when they first open works best.
The Carlsbad Farmers Market is smaller than some other towns but offers a pretty good selection from local growers, along with other vendors - honey, seafood, fudge, tamales, and more.
One advantage is that they are … (26 comments)

My Favorite 4th of July memory - 02:47 PM
About a dozen years ago I was operating a real estate agency in our small town of Priest River, Idaho and I was bothered by the fact that the 4th of July celebration I remembered from childhood had somehow fallen by the wayside.
So I went to a Chamber of Commerce meeting and suggested that it might be time to bring it back. They said "Sure, go ahead and do it."
OK then - was anyone going to help? Heck no!
So I started out on my own to find out where to buy the fireworks, who could legally fire them … (46 comments)

Broker/Owners Can Help Their Own Cause.....But Do They??? - 08:07 AM
How much involvement should a broker/owner have in the plan and future direction of an agent?  I saw a comment in my last post titled "Every Day Is Game Day in the Real Estate Business" and it really hit home with me.  Thinking back to my early years in this business, I would have had a much easier time of organizing my business and planning for the future, if I had worked for a broker/owner who gave guidance and provided mentoring.
Broker/owners have many roles and their level of risk and liability in their business is to the nth degree.  It … (133 comments)

500 listings assigned to one agent - Are you kidding me? - 12:10 AM
Today I called an agent about a listing coming up in a neighborhood I drive past nearly every day in Livermore, CA. It’s been vacant for almost a year, and I’ve had several inquiries already, wondering if it will ever be on the market. On a street full of well-kept homes, this one with its missing fence boards and increasingly tall but brown landscape, has long been an eyesore.
It’s been curious as to why this would take so long to make it on the market. It’s in an area that sells well, is newer than many developments and its size … (274 comments)

Let's Get Soci@l And Do The iCon Shuffle. Roar. - 09:45 AM
Have you been paying attention? I hope so. Your deadline for Active Rain's "Let's Get Soci@l. Win A Free iPad" contest, is July 4th. This post, is my fourth, and final entry. Will I win the iPad? I might. I see no reason why the cream can't rise to the top, even in a hat. For my 4th entry I'd like to do The iCon Shuffle. If you know how to Blog, then you know how to do The iCon Shuffle. Shuffle 'em up, and toss them on your Blog. Giving your Blog iCons, with precise landing pages, is a smart … (48 comments)

Success through Blogging with ActiveRain! - 01:54 PM
Success through Blogging with ActiveRain!
I accomplished a couple of noteworthy things this week with the help of ActiveRain. In my opinion, one was more significant than the other was. I’ll let you be the judge.
I reached what I consider an ActiveRain milestone for me this week. I went over 300,000 points! I’ve read quite a few posts about points and I do believe they do have their place particularly when people first get started with ActiveRain. The ActiveRain point system is an ingenious way to fuel the competitive spirit within people when they first join. Then one day out … (65 comments)

The FEW, the PROUD the ACTIVE! - 11:47 PM
                                                                         
                                                There are 959 Arkansas Real Estate Profiles Show:
                                     There is a story here, for sure.
Naturally as a frequent visitor and contributor to ACTIVE RAIN I have questions. Questions  like this one.  What is the glue  that makes it work for some, but not so much or not at all for others?  Are we great because we gather here, or do we gather here because we're great?  Is it merely a mutual admiration society for egomaniacs or is there an an actual identifiable factor that brings us here and keeps us here?  Are we so into our jobs that we have to … (64 comments)

Scamming the system...one short sale at a time! - 02:02 PM
Scamming the system...one short sale at a time!
As most of you know I do a quite a lot of short sales in Marin County and Alameda County. I don't know why they land on my plate but I've been doing primarily short sales for the last few years. I am good at it, I have the temperment for it,  I beleive in working in partnership with my clients and helping my community.  It takes a lot to surprise me but lately I've been surprised not just by my potential clients but by myself and having the ability to say "Uh, … (93 comments)


Blog posts


Portuguese Villa Terraces Overlooking Atlantic Ocean - 06:58 AM
Villa with Sea Views … (2 comments)

Fourth of July in Oak Lawn - 04:32 PM
The Parade
I'm glad my 7 year old granddaughter will be home tomorrow so she won't miss the annual Oak Lawn 4th of July parade, which starts at 1:00.  Last year she spent the day with her father and had to miss it.   The parade is conveniently located yards from our home.  It goes down 95th St. starting at 51st Ave. and going west to 55th Ct.
The parade is always fun with plenty of candy being thrown out by parade participants.  You'll see a lot of sports mascots that also "shoot" t-shirts out to the crowd.
There are horses, … (4 comments)

Today I am 50! - 11:03 AM
I was born on July 3, 1960 in Oklahoma City and I have had a lot of birthdays sense then - most unremarkable.  As I have gotten older I do not think much of birthdays, not because I am trying to avoid age, but because I just do not like to make a big deal out of it. 
When my wife generally ask me what I want to do it is a small family activity.  Maybe a BBQ or her and I going to dinner.  As you might imagine often times at what ever 4th of July event I am at … (19 comments)

PODCAST: IN SEARCH OF THE AMERICA OF OUR FOUNDERS ON THIS JULY 4TH - 09:51 PM

 

At a time in our history when we seem to be losing our identity, I thought now was as good a time as any, to seek out the America of our Founders.
 
To understand what the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independance actually went through after they put their signatures on that historic document and after they had pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to the new United States of America. Happy Birthday America!  CLICK THIS LINK TO HEAR THE PODCAST.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

(Copyright © 2010 By Simon L Conway All Rights … (2 comments)

Have A Great Holiday Weekend Everyone! - 10:33 AM
Have A Great Holiday Weekend Everyone! I just wanted to take the time to wish everyone a safe & happy holiday weekend!  Hope it is full of fun, food and fireworks!  Remember to thank those that serve to protect our country's freedom putting us before themselves.
The Cooper Family will be celebrating with a daddy & son movie night tonight after dinner.  James will be taking James Jr. to see either the new Karate Kid movie or the new Avatar movie.
Tomorrow we will be heading to Danielson, Connecticut for a huge family cookout and graduation party for my … (11 comments)

Mom used to say ...Buy a 5th on the 3rd for the 4th! - 11:39 PM
Mom used to say ...Buy a 5th on the 3rd for the 4th!
 
     
                    It was another beautiful day in Baltimore and a perfect day to entertain friends Ira and Carol Serkes from Berkeley California. They were available at noon and had a 3:00 train. So where do we go.. lunch and what do we want to show off but our Maryland seafood. So off it was to the Bay Café..not a first, we took Allen Hainge, founder of the CyberStars™ a few years ago You Can Get There From Here…Baltimore's Bay Café  It is through the CyberStars™ … (24 comments)

Florida Retirement at it's best. SoliVita. Florida's World Class Active Adult Community - 10:09 AM
SoliVita. The place for active adults to enjoy all that Florida has to offer. Amenities include 2 par 72 golf courses at Stonegate Golf Club. The Riviera Spa and Fitness Center with full gym, indoor track, indoor aquatic center, 2 out door spas, heated pool, dance studio and much more.
Also enjoy the Village Center with its restaurants, 17,000 sq ft Starlight Ballroom, pool hall, ceramic and art studios and waterways for canoeing, boating and fishing. And as if that's not enough there are 11 heated pools through out the community.
And the new Palms Amenity Complex with it's state of … (12 comments)

Mount Prospect Condo Living - 01:59 PM
Everything you need to know about Condos and Townhomes in Mount Prospect, IL.

Currently there are 211 attached single family homes available in Mount Prospect.

The average sold price in past 12 months was $139,884.

As I type the average price of the condos and townhomes in Mt. Prospect, IL is $178,066.

Year to date there average market time is 186 days, while there are 35 attached single family homes under contract.
Here are few similar posts about condo living on my NorthOfChicago real estate blog in Morton Grove and Skokie, IL.
Condos in Niles
Morton Grove … (0 comments)

Buying Appliances Or Electronics In Chicagoland ? - 10:38 PM
I just read an article on how to buy appliances on the major Yuhu website. It gives us few choices on where to and all the major brands. What to look for, pluses and minuses of the items, bottom lines consumer rating and so on.
Years ago my wife and I were shopping for a big plasma TV. Plasma at that time just came out. I visited all famous stores and I left ABT store from Glenvew to be the last stop, since many of the locals told us that is the place to buy.
… (0 comments)

Top 5 Things to Consider when Looking at a House in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, by Jerome Jay Beams - 01:54 PM
During the home buying process when you're seeing house after house every day, the houses can sometimes seem to blend together. What exactly should you be looking for in a home? In this article, I'll go over the top 5 things you should look for based on my experience with Tuscaloosa homes and real estate.Factor #1  LocationThe most important factor in considering a home purchase is its location. You can always remodel the kitchen or improve the lighting, but the location can never be changed.Factor #2  The ViewFor many, the view is a key factor when purchasing a home. Does your … (0 comments)

Investing in Foreclosure Properties in Tuscaloosa, Alabama - 03:00 PM
The first man may lose something, but from his loss, the second man will profit.” This Latin proverb has been around for a very long time, and with reason. A good investor can take the difficulties and turn them into financial chances for themselves.Among the biggest portfolios builders over the past ten years or so is Foreclosure investing in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Which means the adjustable-rate, subprime mortgages handed out so readily in the past few years in Tuscaloosa, Alabama will be shifting up to a higher interest rate,the era of easy credit standards has finally come full circle. A large number of … (0 comments)

Four Factors That Affect Your Offer Price in Tuscakloosa, Alabama - 03:07 PM
When you've found a home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama you like, one you could see yourself living in for the foreseeable future, the next step is to make an offer on the home. You might be tempted to offer a price lower than the seller's asking price, simply because you've heard that you're supposed to negotiate the price. However, there's more to an offer price than lowballing the asking price. The price that you offer on the home will be influenced by several factors.
Property Condition
After viewing the home, you should have an idea of how it compares to other homes … (0 comments)

In My ActiveRain World It's More About The Journey Than The Destination - 07:48 PM
In the ActiveRain universe, much as in life, it's more about the journey than the destination.  We all might have goals that hang like amorphous clouds in the blogosphere,
… (0 comments)

Another Working Holiday Weekend - 09:28 PM
Though it wouldn't have been my first choice of time, I had a final walk-through this morning on a listing that will close late in the week.  Normally we do them sometime within 24 to 48 hours before the closing but these buyers requested specifically it be today.  It wouldn't have been bad since it was scheduled for 10 a.m.  Typically they take 15 to 20 minutes and they're done.  Not this one.  I should have known we were in for the long haul when one of their party went out to get coffee.
I had hoped for something of a … (16 comments)

2010 Mid-Year Idaho Real Estate Report - 01:25 PM
… (3 comments)

New Berlin Wisconsin Celebrates July 4th - 04:01 PM
   The residents as well as folks from far and near are celebrating July 4th all weekend long in New Berlin, Wisconsin ....and here are the activites for just the 4th....
 
SUNDAY, July 4:                        Malone Park                        
12noon – Grounds Open
10:00-11:45am – New Berlin National Dash Check-In @ Schoeneck Containers Family Tent
12noon – New Berlin National Dash 2M Run/Walk or 5K Run sponsored by New Berlin Jr. Woman’s Club
12noon-11:00pm – Spectrum Carnival
12noon – 4:00pm – Spectrum Carnival wristband special ($16 cash at Park & Rec before July 2/ $20 at gate)
12:30-4:30pm – Rabid Aardvarks … (11 comments)

Helen Ga Real Estate "Great weather for the Fourth" - 08:12 AM
Helen Ga is experiencing some unseasonably cool nice weather in the early mornings and late evenings, come on to Helen and enjoy it!  How nice to walk before 8 AM and feel the cool fresh air.  One of the blessings of living in this area is indeed the cool fresh air.  It is so nice to walk down a country road and seldom (can't say never) have car exhaust fumes bombard you!  Now I have to admit there is a trade off if you live on a dirt road...some people don't  give you the courtestly of a slow down when passing … (0 comments)

Who has the largest Fireworks Display in the Chicagoland area? - 12:48 AM

Itasca!  Are you in holiday mode?  I must admit that I am.  I am going to digress a bit from my usual blog entry and tell you about where to find the largest Fireworks Display this weekend.
Since the City of Chicago has split up the Grant Park Fireworks display into 3 locations, Itasca now has the largest display.
This event has always been one of the best around with music synchronized to the display.
This is the 25th Year and this year the theme is A Tribute to the US Army.The festivities start at 4 p.m. on Sunday July 4th … (2 comments)

June 2010 Homes Sold in Sea Isle City NJ - 12:45 PM
 
  The following homes have sold in Sea Isle City this past month according to the Cape May County Board of Realtors MLS.  This information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
There are currently 28 homes under contract in Sea Isle City.
Looking for a market snapshot report?  Visit Sea Isle City Homes
Call Geraldine "Gerri" Rescigno, RE/MAX BEACH HOME REALTY, 4200 Landis Avenue, Sea Isle City, NJ at 609-263-3600 x 122 for sales and rentals in Cape May County.
… (0 comments)

Shooting from the roof - 07:26 AM
I do some photography for the St. Paul Visitors bureau.  It is a simple arrangement we share some links, and they get me some opportunities that I would not ordinarily get.  A couple of my photos are in a calendar and a few are used by explore Minnesota on posters.  Last week I got to shoot from a roof.  I don't much like heights and this roof wasn't exactly what I would call safe but once I start shooting I don't pay much attention to where I am.

I didn't take this one. :) Behind me there are a bunch … (5 comments)

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