Archives of real estate blog entries for July 31, 2010

Featured blog posts


The biggest myth of the 1970’s was that by the year 2000, we would become a paperless society! - 09:26 AM
As the 1970’s brought both environmental awareness and exponential technological growth, many pundits predicted that by the year 2000 we would become a paperless society.
Obviously, something went awry somewhere. When I started selling real estate in 1984, a purchase and sale agreement was a single sheet of paper. It contained all of the essential elements: legal description of the property, method of payment, earnest money deposit and seller’s concessions.
The only dates indicated were the date of the contract and the date of closing. And that seemed to work for everyone and we closed on a lot of houses.
Fast … (67 comments)

Just Do It.... What's Your Story? - 12:14 PM
How many times have you been planning to post your story and never did it? Then one day somebody posted it...
 
I admit I only read posts that are featured. That's why my dream is to have my first post being featured. I waited and waited till I have a good story and experience to tell that I think would be worth  featured, but guess what?  That story never came. In my mind, the story I thought about is not good enough. Then one day somebody wrote the same thought and experience that I had and got featured.... and then … (33 comments)

Attn Distressed Homeowners & Listing Agents-BEWARE OF THE NEGOTIATOR/INVESTOR! - 10:01 AM
Attn Distressed Homeowners & Listing Agents-BEWARE OF THE NEGOTIATOR/INVESTOR!
If you are a Real Estate Agent who specializes in helping homeowners through the Arizona pre foreclosure process by helping them short sell their home, you've undoubtedly received phone calls from investors.  Usually, the conversation starts off with the caller asking for details about the home (i.e. price, any offers yet, etc.).  Eventually, they get to what I call their "punch-line", and it goes something like this...
"I'd like to make an offer on your listing, but, I must tell you that it will be well below what you have the home listed … (70 comments)

I Am A Local Real Estate Expert - Zillow Is Not - 12:06 PM
I Am A Local Real Estate Expert - Zillow is Not Whether you are thinking of buying a home or possibly selling your home you more than likely have stumbled upon Zillow and thought you hit the mother-load of real estate information!  It's a fancy site with Zestimates, has homes marked on a map that are either currently listed or have recently sold, and you can spy on your best friends home on the other side of town to see what it's worth and that's cool, right?  Wrong!  Well, if spying on your neighbor is cool to you then that's your … (216 comments)

Create Your Landslide by Blogging on Active Rain - 03:31 PM
I recently posted a blog in which I said I successfully closed 51 transactions in 2009.  One of my readers asked me for my statistics.  I do not have buyers or sellers agent, I'm a one person operation and I'm too busy to keep statistics on where the lead came from. 
Blogging has a landslide effect.  An example is that a few years ago I obtained a listing from a gentleman who read my blog.  He was moving to Texas and wanted to work with me since both he and I have a project management backgrounds.  I listed and sold his property within 3 months.  About 1 year later … (83 comments)

An Active Rain Newbie Contest - Come Get Some Jump in your Step - 07-31-10 - 10:08 PM
 
Hey NEWBIES It's time to showcase your talents - JUMP
 
 
 
Click here for Jump Video - (not sure why HTML didn't work for this video)  AR gods?  Anyone?  Bueller?
 
 
Before we start, here is what I feel about Active Rain, about blogging, and what contests like this allow....
It's a chance for new members to show their talent. If anything, a chance to possibly find your blogging voice. Overall, blogging gets you recognized online & in your local area.
And keep in mind...The great thing about this community, in regards to Active Rain, there are … (23 comments)

Life Just Slapped Me In The Face - And I'm So Glad! - 02:01 PM
Sometimes life has a way of slapping you in the face.  As REALTORS®, we've all been guilty of neglecting our own families to serve the needs of others.  In this business, clients don't care if you have a life of your own.  When you're working with THEM...your time is THEIR time.  THEIR family is what matters....not yours. Thursday, I was showing property to a new client.  We had 7 homes to look at.  Between homes #5-6, I received a call from my ex-husband who was watching my son.  "Logan has a nosebleed and I can't get it to stop.  There's so … (89 comments)

Time to Yank it Off? - 11:56 AM
"We think maybe we should pull the house off the market and wait until next year...?" Many of our sellers are opening their weekly reports and wondering if waiting until next year would get them a higher price. Showing activity has dropped off and the number of price changes on hotsheets far outnumbers any new sales. Sellers are frustrated after a long hot summer of keeping the house clean and showing ready. We know we've been doing great marketing, so if the house is in good shape and staged to perfection, then price drops are the only thing left to do … (109 comments)

Never Underestimate the Value of a Good Comment - 10:38 PM
Never Underestimate the Value of a Good Comment
I recently met with a new buyer client and held the traditional hour long home buyer consultation at my office.  At the end of the presentation I asked him how he originally found me. 
He said that it was through the Internet, to which I asked, "Do you mean from my website or my blog?"  
"No, I found you through a comment that you left on someone else's blog." 
I thought this was an important revelation since I always pay so much attention to detail on my blog posts making certain that they are pretty, peppy and … (107 comments)

Referral or not? - 07:47 AM
Just a little post to put my two cents in.......
I know as a Real Estate agent we hear all the things we should do to get clients and sell homes, but let me ask you a question... do you like it when other people are constantly asking you to referr them to your friends and family? I know I don't mind at first, but when everytime you see them it's all about their business and work and not enough about just sharing conversation and enjoying the moment. I am a big fan of Jennifer Allens..."Sell with Soul" method of doing things. … (74 comments)

I wanna be a shot caller! The top ten reasons to call that shot! - 09:21 AM
        
       The top ten reasons why you should call that shot.  1.) Training and tips on AR: If you learned an invaluable blog, HTML, video, graphic or writing tip then you should click the suggest button so others can learn also.


2.) Ground breaking Industry News. News Alert!!! We all need to know that latest ground breaking report from Wall Street or that newest ruling from HUD.
3.) Morals & ethics in Real Estate and lending. A reminder about dual representation, a fair housing situation not to discuss, like the word family or a mediators ruling. … (76 comments)

Paying for INTERNET Exposure for your listings? Please rate the results. - 10:08 AM
Like many of you, I have been shelling out pocket books full of cash every month for Internet exposure for my listings. Can you help me rate these services? Since I normally carry 25 to 30 active listings, I am looking to get as much exposure as possible for these homes and get them sold for my clients and for my business health. 
I am taking a hard look at how I am spending my dollars right now and would appreciate any feedback you have on an informal poll of the services I am currently using,
Here is a breakdown of the services I … (129 comments)

Should You Be A Backup Contract? - 10:53 PM
Last week, I was involved in a multiple offer situation.  From what I can see, my buyer was a whole lot stronger than the other buyer, but her offer was for a bit more money.  The listing agent sent back my guy's paperwork, countered as a back up. 
OK, this is a house with issues.  And the other offer is from a single woman buying her first place.
The house, a 1920's vintage bungalow, is a short sale, and it is beautifully staged and on the surface, it shows very well.  But just below the utterly charming surface there are more … (53 comments)

One in a million................chance of a lifetime..................have you had yours? I did............. - 08:02 AM
About four years ago I was working for a company that owned apartment buildings in several different states.  Being their Operations Manager, I traveled every week from Monday through Friday and returned home on the weekends.  Basically all I had time to do on the weekend was visit my parents, go through my mail, pay bills, do laundry and pack to leave again on Monday morning.
This has absolutely nothing to do with my story!
Well, in a way it does, because this story has to deal with my "dream" job.  It was a decorating job for the woman who was … (86 comments)

When Was the Last Time You Changed Your Avatar? - 07:11 AM
When Was the Last Time You Changed Your Avatar?     It a given. Real estate agents have their smiling face pasted on their business cards. Some are quite interesting. I glace at the card, eyeball at the agent and then peek back at the card. Musing thoughts meander through my mind as my focus shifts from the conversation to: what decade was this shot taken?      Rifling down the blogroll, I can't help but notice how many mug shots haven't changed. Like the "glamor shots" that were so vogue, they linger as vain reminders of who we once were but are not … (90 comments)


Blog posts


Mexico Pacific Coastal Resort Hotel - 07:03 PM
Mexico Resort Hotel … (1 comments)

Waiting for the Right Buyer Summit Chase Townhouse-30 Stablemere Ct- Baltimore, MD. 21209 - 09:09 PM
… (7 comments)

NON-Negotiators Negotiating Short Sales. A Recipe For Failure! - 08:39 AM
Title Companies handling Short Sale "negotiations" is the new trend in my area. I quote "negotiations" because they don't really handle negotiations at all. Instead they do what Title Companies do....shuffle paperwork. Here's an excerpt from one National company's solicitation to agents.

Now folks there may be Title Companies that are doing a good job with Short Sales but I have yet to experience one. I guess the issue is that handing your Short Sale over to a Title Company is handing it off to a 9-5 Monday through Friday hourly employee. They are NOT going to spend the … (55 comments)

Selling Your Home or Just Plain Tired Of It? Invest In A Can Of Paint - 06:27 PM
Whether you're thinking of selling your home on Long Island or just feel in need a low cost, easy change for your space, consider repainting the walls.  Start with one room that you like to spend time in, or the one that might be in a time warp.  The longer we live in our homes, the less we notice how the world tends to change around us and our place often remains the same.
If your reason for staging your property is the proposed sale of your home, you should call in a staging professional to give you advice.  Many of you … (14 comments)

A Letter We Hope You Never Have to Write....But... - 07:17 AM
 
  This a letter that we have had to write to several people we know….and if you are a Realtor, we hope that you do not have to write a similar letter…..
                                    we are afraid you might…..
This is a difficult letter to write Joe,
      And yet if we didn’t write it….things will only get more difficult for you and we don’t want that to happen.  In doing some other research, we came across the Notice of Default in the  County Court records.   We are so sorry….and since the notice is quite new, you may have a number … (11 comments)

Sea Isle City Weekly Events for August 2 to August 9 - 02:55 PM
EVENTS  IN SEA ISLE CITY - AUGUST 2 - 8, 2010 
SUMMER CONCERTS - JIMMY & THE PARROTS
Monday, August 2nd, 7:30 pm, Excursion Park, Info: (609) 263-8687
 SEA ISLE REVITALIZATION CRAFT & FARMERS MARKET
Tuesdays, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm, JFK Blvd. & Pleasure Ave., Info: (609) 271-8989 
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION GUIDED BEACHCOMBING
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:00 - 11:00 am, Adults $1, Children $.50
Tuesdays: 29th Street & the Promenade, Thursdays: 94th Street & TI Waterfront Park Pavilion
Info: (609) 263-9643 
BOBBY WOODS SHORE BASEBALL/SOFTBALL CLINIC
August 2 - 6, 2010, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Ages 6 - 13, $175, … (0 comments)

Delawanda Park the neighbors.... - 07:07 AM
Delawanda Park is a Clintonville community.  Delawanda Park the neighborhood is west of High Street, south of Graceland, north of Old Beechwold, and east of a City of Columbus park called both Kenney Park and Delawanda Park. The park is along the Olentangy River.
Who are your neighbors in Delawanda Park:
Deer 
Great Blue Heron
Bullfrog
I wondered if this white thing I saw on Girard Rd. was a salt lick...  Actually the white thing is in the strip of trees between the road at the back of Graceland Shopping Center and Girard Rd.  I resisted an impulse to lick it … (2 comments)

short sale or foreclosure? Impact of adverse credit - - 08:14 AM
Impact of adverse credit
 
… (0 comments)

I Am A Local Real Estate Expert - Zillow Is Not - 01:49 PM
 
Thanks to Leesa for this informative post about ZILLOW.COM.   I wanted to share this with our Gainesville Market readers.   Please know that "REAL ESTATE" is a very "LOCAL" issue.  Zillow is a good site for general info, but YOUR LOCAL Gainesville Realtor is your best source of true information and statistics on your neighborhood.
 
 
Via Leesa L. Finley, REALTOR®/RE Strategist Wake Forest NC Real Estate & Wake County (Circa Properties - Your Wake Forest NC Homes Specialist):
I Am A Local Real Estate Expert - Zillow is Not Whether you are thinking of buying a home or possibly selling … (0 comments)

I Am A Local Real Estate Expert - Zillow Is Not - 05:16 PM
If you want to know if Zillow is a good way to value your home consider the information contained in my colleagues post.
Via Leesa L. Finley, REALTOR®/RE Strategist Wake Forest NC Real Estate & Wake County (Circa Properties - Your Wake Forest NC Homes Specialist):
I Am A Local Real Estate Expert - Zillow is Not Whether you are thinking of buying a home or possibly selling your home you more than likely have stumbled upon Zillow and thought you hit the mother-load of real estate information!  It's a fancy site with Zestimates, has homes marked on a map that are either … (1 comments)

Real Relief ... New Stiff Restrictions Coming For Debt Relief Companies - 08:19 PM
Gene Mundt explains the new stiffer rules surrounding debt relief agencies. No more upfront fees to pay by consumers.
Via Gene Mundt (Chicago Bancorp):
     When asked by a customer about debt relief counseling or services, I always take the time to thoroughly examine and determine exactly what the nature of the person's debt is ... and how severe.  Many lenders will do the same, and proceed in assisting those customers that they feel equipped to counsel and assist at no cost to the customer. 
     I do this to help straighten out debt and benefit credit scores for present customers, and … (1 comments)

Understanding Cash on Cash - Real Estate Investments - 01:55 PM
 
Clear explanation of Cash on Cash - Real Estate Investments and how it is calculated .
 
Via Martin Rodriguez - Senior Loan Consultant (Prospect Mortgage):
There are many ways to analyze the performance of a real estate investment.  Cap Rates, Gross Rent Multipliers, Cash on Cash and many other performance metrics can be used by investors to determine the specific performance and value of a real estate investment.   Individually these performance measurments can help the investor isolate their investment goals, but collectively they can provide a macro view of the overall value of an investment.  
In this post, we're going to look at one of my favorite … (0 comments)

I Am A Local Real Estate Expert - Zillow Is Not - 01:16 PM
Looking on Zillow for real estate information? Not really accurate information provided or did you not know that?
That's OK, the secret is out now. 
Please enjoy this post from an agent in North Carolina, Leesa Finley.

Via Leesa L. Finley, REALTOR®/RE Strategist Wake Forest NC Real Estate & Wake County (Circa Properties - Your Wake Forest NC Homes Specialist):
I Am A Local Real Estate Expert - Zillow is Not Whether you are thinking of buying a home or possibly selling your home you more than likely have stumbled upon Zillow and thought you hit the mother-load of real estate … (6 comments)

No Nudes is Good Nudes - 04:57 PM
This is a funny but true post - No Nudes is Good Nudes!  If you are a seller ditch any of the 'racy' photos you might have or any unclothed pictures, photos, statues of ANYONE in your home.  Why make buyers feel uncomfortable if they are overly conservative?
What would be your purpose? Buyers expect that from the Art Institute but not from Joe Homeowner in the suburbs.
 

Via Richard Strahm (RE/MAX Realty Group - Harleysville, PA):
I’m not a prude. I promise.
But I always wonder what’s up when I show a home that has nude paintings and photographs … (10 comments)

Meadowbrook Village Ann Arbor, MI 48103 - Walk to Whole Foods - 05:32 PM
Ann Arbor Real Estate: Meadowbrook Village Subdivision, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
View Larger Map of Meadowbrook Village
Meadowbrook Village is known in Ann Arbor as one of the best neighborhoods in the area. This subdivision boasts a wealth of amenities inside and out.  The average sales price is $184,633 this year for 3 sold homes. Square feet of homes range from 1155 to 1600.   Homes were built starting in 1982; exteriors are brick, vinyl, or wood.  Many homes have vaulted ceilings.


The location of the Meadowbrook Subdivision is just as important as its amenities.  It is off Main Street South … (0 comments)

The Uplands of Scio Ridge Ann Arbor, MI 48103 - 05:42 PM
Ann Arbor Michigan Real Estate: The Uplands of Scio Ridge Community, Ann Arbor, MI

The Uplands of Scio Ridge is a fantastic subdivision of 140 homes constructed between 1990 and 2001 by Steuer & Canvasser, Inc as well as various custom home builders, with floorplans ranging from 2000-3200 square feet and at least 6 standard models this community has it all!
The Uplands homes are kitted out with luxurious features, including 9 foot ceilings, 3 car garages and more! Properties range in architectural style, but look fantastic in the community which benefits from a playground and lush landscaping, which includes 90 … (0 comments)

Arbor Hills Subdivision Ann Arbor, MI 48105 off Green Rd - 05:54 PM
Ann Arbor Real Estate: Arbor Hills Homes off Green Rd Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Arbor Hills Subdivision off Green Rd Ann Arbor, MI 48105
View Larger Map of Arbor Hills Arbor Hills off Green Rd is a unique area of 200 homes built by Guenther in Ann Arbor from 1995 through 1997. These homes feature main floor laundry on both ranch and 2 story floor plans, with square footage varying from 1146 - 2156 and typical lot size of 0.18 acre or 63′ x 150′. The brick and vinyl sided exteriors provide excellent durability and low maintenance. This subdivision contains street … (0 comments)

Pregnancy and the Mortgage Application, Time to Clarify Some Miss-Information in the rain - 11:08 AM
 
Good information about the effects of obtaining a loan when pregnant and/or on maternity leave:
 
Via Robert Rauf (REMN The Real Estate Mortgage Network):
 There have been numerous blogs this week that discuss pregnancy and the inability to get a mortgage. The blogs make it seem as if banks are sending pregnancy test kits with the disclosure documents and after reading more than one blog, and the comments, I felt the need to set things straight. First off this has nothing to do with pregnancy. There is nothing new here at all.  We are talking about good old fashioned mortgage … (6 comments)

Central Stuart, Florida - The City of Stuart - 08:30 PM
Central Stuart, Florida - The City of Stuart Stuart, is the only true city in Martin County.  It is the home for the City and the County Government of Martin County.  In 2007, the census bureau recorded a population of 15,964 for the City of Stuart. 

The City of Stuart totals 8.5 square miles of which 2.2 square miles is mainly navigable waterways.  Average rainfall is 58 inches per year yet there is also an average of 236 sunny days.  The average high temperature in July is 90 degrees while the average low temperature in January is 55 degrees.
… (6 comments)

Adding up the Cost: How to Avoid being House Rich and Money Poor (good advice for buyers) - 10:16 AM
 

The money it takes to maintain a home is as important as the money essential to get into one. One of the first measures of deciding how much house you can afford is adding up the cost of your expected monthly expenses. Once you get a monthly mortgage quote there are a few other things to consider.
1. Homeowners Insurance Premiums and Taxes: Be aware that most online mortgage calculators do not factor in homeowners insurance premiums and taxes when they spit out a monthly number. You can decide to roll these into your monthly mortgage payment (called escrow) or pay them … (0 comments)

Related links

New Members for 2010-07-31

 Archives:

31 Jul
30 Jul
29 Jul
28 Jul
27 Jul
26 Jul
25 Jul
24 Jul
23 Jul
22 Jul
21 Jul
20 Jul
19 Jul
18 Jul
17 Jul
16 Jul
15 Jul
14 Jul
13 Jul
12 Jul
11 Jul
10 Jul
9 Jul
8 Jul
7 Jul
6 Jul
5 Jul
4 Jul
3 Jul
2 Jul
1 Jul
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006