Archives of real estate blog entries for January 29, 2011

Featured blog posts


"SOCIAL" NETWORK--NOT SO "SOCIAL"?...Is The Real Use Of FB "Social" Or Is It A "Forum Of Unrest"? - 03:59 PM
Part III of a series about the real use of Facebook
Apparently the struggles FB has been having with privacy complaints is quickly changing the "face" of Facebook. I may be off base here but it is beginning to look more and more like use of FB has taken a radical turn...
The dialog about this huge website is turning defensive and I believe that the challenges in other countries right now, with the uprisings in Egypt and surrounding countries make this a more timely subject matter. The use of social networks has created a delicate balance between people--while these sites are used … (72 comments)

"How To" Add Flare to Your Blogs with Google Docs! - 09:44 AM
How to add flare to your blogs using Google Docs.....Seems like once new people have taken the plunge to blog the next thing they want to know is how to make their blogs look pretty!!  I have had this conversation I can not tell you how many times, and love it!! I just discovered that I can record video of my screen with Jing, Boy am I going to have fun with that!  So without further ado here is my vlog on “how to” create a blog using Google Docs!
Unable to display content. Adobe Flash is required. … (146 comments)

What I Learned About Home Staging in Las Vegas Won't Stay in Vegas!!! - 02:13 PM
What I Learned about Home Staging in Vegas Won't Stay in Vegas!
I have recently gotten home from Las Vegas (after getting delayed at airports for 29+ hours) and,although I should be completely exhausted, I am, in fact,unbelievably exhilarated. The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) Conference that I attended was inspiring,exciting ,informational and fun.
What more could a room full of some of the best stagers in the business want ???
How about a picture with the adorable and charismatic Mathew Finlason from the show The Stagers.

                     
And my new friend from California , Kathy Burke of Sensational Home Staging … (59 comments)

I Work 24/7/365, and I'm trying to figure out how to work even More! - 07:22 PM
I Work 24/7/365, and I'm trying to figure out how to work even More!
That's my new motto. From now on, I'll work 100% of every day. 24 hours - 1,440 minutes - 86,400 seconds. Every Day. Holidays, birthdays, you name it. I'm there for you.
I have a family. I have clients. I even have friends (which, until now, I was going to try to keep in touch a little more. read about that here)
I'm pushing them all to the side.
I want to be there for YOU.
You call me, I'll pick up the phone. Every … (34 comments)

Bed Rock Business...How to Thrive while Travelling the Tide of Shifting Sand! - 11:25 AM

Almost 16 years ago, I obtained my real estate Salesperson's license.  So much has changed!  I can still remember buying my first laptop computer.  I couldn't access the Internet and the dial up connection to the real estate MLS system was at best a hit or miss proposition when I connected via a land line. The listing agreement back then was two pages of text...today it is six! The leading real estate companies all advertised in the paper.  Hardly anyone had a website. No one had heard about a blog.
But in spite of the dramatic shifts in the business, I … (25 comments)

How To Market Yourself In a "Behind The Times" Town - 01:36 AM
When I got this email I had to look twice to make sure the lady wasn't writing from my own home town... because we're always ten or fifteen years behind times.
Here's what she asked...
Dear Marte,
I’m a real estate sales person in a small town that hasn’t caught up to the current century. Instead of searching the Internet for homes and agents, residents still read the local weekly newspaper and call on the phone or just walk into our offices.
I get a few leads from my website, but they are from out of town buyers.
I mail a … (70 comments)

THE QUESTION THE SELLER FORGOT TO ASK... - 12:59 PM
Sellers are very savvy these days.  They understand the essential process of interviewing Realtors and getting referrals from friends and family.  Sellers are getting better about understanding the critical decision to work with an Realtor who works and understands their neighborhood.  The message of working with a Realtor as opposed to an agent is also starting to be part of the decision making process (Realtors are held to a higher ethical standard).  They ask such questions as:
How long have you been selling real estate? How many homes have you sold in the last year? How are you going to market … (70 comments)

Where do we disclose the snakes? - 06:18 AM
The question "Where do we disclose the snakes?"  could just as well be where do we disclose the
bedbugs?
skunks?
bats in our belfry?
Where do we disclose the ...?
The question is where do you disclose the presence of a pest or the treatment / removal of the presence of a pest to prospective buyers of your Ohio home?  Answer below... I want to share this video with you first.  Scared of snakes?  I am.
I am sure the snake story that is hot now is the same snake house that was in the news back in 2006...  Here's … (50 comments)

What is Absorption Rate and Why is it Important? - 11:57 PM
A question I often get asked? What is Absorption Rate and why is it important?
The simplest definition of absorption rate is the rate at which properties are sold in a given area. For example, there are currently 845 single-family homes for sale in Franklin TN. During December (the most recent month of closed data), 95 homes closed in Franklin.
If you take the current inventory of 845 homes and divide that by last month's closed sales (845/95), you get 8.9 months. That means if the current inventory stayed the same and the rate of closed sales remained the same, it … (67 comments)

Should You Rent Your DC Home That Just Won't Sell? - 11:41 AM
Should You Rent Your DC Home That Just Won't Sell? 
It's pretty common for sellers to respond to no or low offers by saying, "If we can't get what we want for our home, we'll just rent it out!"
Whoa!  Just a second!
It might sound like a good idea, but there are some issues to consider before you rent your Washington, DC home instead of selling it:
You must jump through a few hoops with the DC government to obtain a Businsess License, and then you must properly register your home with them as a rental property.  I have … (58 comments)

Google Changes Algorithm for Site Ranking. What Does This Mean To You? - 11:15 AM
In Google, Gadets and SEO Matt Honeycutt writes about the new algorithm that Google will use to rank websites and blogs.
"My post mentioned that we're evaluating multiple changes that should help drive spam levels even lower, including one change that primarily affects sites that copy others' content and sites with low levels of original content. That change was approved at our weekly quality launch meeting last Thursday and launched earlier this week. Google changed its algorithm which basically targets "content farm" sites (sites that aggregate content from around the Web and do certain things to out-rank sites that have the … (92 comments)

Drug Houses and Grow Ops. - 08:11 AM

All neighbourhoods can be locations for homes turned into Grow Ops and drug distribution.  To maintain the value of your current home (for now and future sale) and to make your area safe, it is important to know some of the signs and to phone the authorities if you have concerns.  Closing your eyes to these problems will not make them go away - in fact, you are assisting the perpetrators.
What should you notice? 
For drug distribution:
Look for a number of cars arriving at the house, staying for short periods of time, and then leaving. Maybe there is a lot of foot traffic going … (42 comments)

There's more to AR than just blogging... - 11:20 AM
There’s so much more than just blogging going on in Active Rain

 
 
There’s so much more than just blogging going on around here in the rain.   I know is known as THE place to blog if you’re involved in real estate but...  
 
 
 
 
Here’s the rest of my story... Wednesday night as I was making dinner I had my iPad (** more on that in a minute) opened and got the familiar sound that I had new mail.  I looked and there was a Google alert...
 


So I moseyed over to … (57 comments)

I am a Professional REALTOR® and I Don't Give Out My Cell Number - 04:51 PM

Valerie Osterhoudt's blog titled, "YOU ARE A REALTOR WHO HAS A CELL PHONE, BUT WON'T GIVE OUT YOUR NUMBER TO ANOTHER REALTOR??????" and the vast majority of comments had me fit to be tied. Valerie was upset because an agent she "needed" to talk to did not publish her cell phone number and she had to wait a couple of hours to get a return call. To her this was unacceptable and unprofessional.
I have a difference of opinion.
I'm a professional real estate broker. I have posted business hours and a staff to assist clients and agents during those … (311 comments)

Drawn Like a Moth to a Featured Post - 10:31 PM
I have seen it happen from time to time, but some days it just hits a nerve and pushes my buttons.  I am talking about know-it-alls, and for me, a know-it-all in search of attention just works my last nerve.
Now, please don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against dissenting opinions on blog posts or lively debate.  This is especially the case if opinions or information are presented in a non-attacking manner or in a way where they further and/or expand the conversation, but I have noticed several instances where know-it-all bloggers seem to be seeking the featured posts of … (120 comments)

The Short Sale That Took 11 Months... - 09:17 AM
The Short Sale Story  Back in February 2010, I received a call from someone who had been on my Ann Arbor home search site. They had been on the site for 868 days.
I have written in the past about your old leads being your best leads.
A home that had been on the market in their community was reduced to Short Sale Status and they wanted to take a look on the inside.
We did and they wanted to submit a offer.
My buyers did not understand the Short Sale process and had tons of questions on the process.
… (123 comments)

My Cell Number? I Could Tell You, But I'd Have to Kill You - 09:32 PM
My Cell Number?  I Could Tell You, But I'd Have to Kill You
There are two great posts on this subject already:
I am a Professional REALTOR® and I Don't Give Out My Cell NumberYOU ARE A REALTOR WHO HAS A CELL PHONE, BUT WON'T GIVE OUT YOUR NUMBER TO ANOTHER REALTOR??????
So I thought I'd beat a dead horse.  Please don't call PETA.  But once my comment exceeds four paragraphs, I think I should do my own post!
Let me begin with the fact that I certainly respect agents that have boundaries.  Even if they are not my boundaries.  … (127 comments)


Blog posts


Bryson City NC Commercial Properties for Sale - NCRealEstate - Property in Bryson City NC - 04:30 PM
North Carolina Lodging for Sale for $695,000 … (0 comments)

2200 Maiden Lane, Altadena - 05:45 PM
2200 Maiden Lane, Altadena
 
 

2200 Maiden Lane, Altadena, offered for lease at: $1,850.00 per month
2200 Maiden Lane in Altadena is a wonderfully spacious mid-century ranch style home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. The large living room with fireplace opens out to a private back yard. Ample kitchen and dining area. 2 car attached garage.
The Bob Taylor Properties Network of informative blogs and websites  
Bob-Taylor.com Our original website BobTaylorProperties.com The company blog NelaLive.net Community events and opinions EclecticAngelino.com A headline newsfeed from around Northeast Los Angeles TaylorHotSheet.com Real Estate Market updates and Open Houses WeMarketRealEstate.com Learn … (0 comments)

Setting your Price. What are comparables? - 08:50 PM
Here is a really good post on setting the right price for your property.  Often those that overprice end up getting less than if they had priced right from the start.
For more info on selling a home or to get a free home evaluation go to HomePointRealEstate.com or e-mail me.
Via Valerie Zinger (Royal Lepage Gale Ottawa-Ontario-Canada):
How do REALTORS® and people selling privately determine the price of a property?  The key element is to research the market and find comparable properties.  Making comparisons is a blend of good research and market knowledge.  Some basic guidelines to finding comparable homes (both sold … (4 comments)

Why Many Realtors Should Refer Their Short Sale Listings To Specialists - 08:53 PM
This post is on why it is so important to use an agent who understands Short Sales to do your Short Sale.
For a Free Short Sale Booklet go to ShortSalesinBrentwood.com.
Via Dave Halpern - Louisville Short Sale Expert (Louisville Short Sale Expert Realtors (502) 664-7827):
If a Realtor is not a short sale specialist, he/she should refer their short sale to a local Realtor who is.
The client-centric reason: It is the responsible thing to do for the client.
The Realtor-centric reason: Someone else does the stressful heavy lifting and the referring Realtor gets paid a referral fee.
The Importance of a … (5 comments)

The Diet Continues - Week 71 - Great Return - 09:09 PM
I have been on induction all week - getting started with my diet again.  Except for one glass of unsweetened De-cafe tea (which is permitted) all I have drank is water. 
I was talking about no diary and no yeast, but there was not very much left to eat on Atkins.  Almost everything has vinegar in it and that has yeast.
Anyway week one back saw a drop of 10 pounds.  I plan to stay on induction at least another week.
… (12 comments)

Bank Owned Homes 94565 - 09:37 PM
Bank Owned Homes 94565
Right now many Real Estate Investors are buying up Bank Owned Homes.
Bank Owned Homes are some of the best bargains for Real Estate Investors and traditional home buyers in years. This report looks at Bank Owned Homes in 94565, Pittsburg California, by comparing the current active month with the sales from the last two months. This report only looks at Single Family Bank Owned Homes, not condos and townhouses.
Right now there are 74 Bank Owned Homes on the market 94565 with an average list price of $174,925.00 and a median list price of $167,900.00. The … (1 comments)

Bank Owned Homes 94509 - 09:45 PM
Bank Owned Homes 94509
Right now many Real Estate Investors are buying up Bank Owned Homes. Bank Owned Homes are some of the best bargains for Real Estate Investors and traditional home buyers in years.
This report looks at Bank Owned Homes in 94509, Antioch California, by comparing the current active month with the sales from the last two months. The 94509 ZIP Code represents the more established parts of Antioch featuring many fine Investment Properties, Single Story Homes, and Classic Ranch Style Homes. This report only looks at Single Family Bank Owned Homes, not condos and townhouses.
 
Right now … (3 comments)

Central Ca Short Sales - HAFA is Broken!!! - 05:32 PM

It's time for me to vent a little bit.
With an estimated nearly 11,000,000 homeowners now underwater on their mortgages you would think that the Governments Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative program would be helping.  You would think that by now this HAFA program would be helping people all across the country get out of their financial bind.  You would think with the Billions of dollars thrown at this crisis that people are being helped.
WELL THINK AGAIN!!  So far the HAFA program has helped 661 people accomplish a Short Sale.  These figures come from this CNBC article.
Meanwhile thousands … (6 comments)

Granite City Illinois Homes for Sale, 3408 Terrace Ln, 62040 - 06:46 PM
… (2 comments)

OPEN HOUSE TODAY and SUNDAY 125 EAST PEPPER DRIVE, LONG BEACH - 07:32 AM

Ann is holding her super-sexy new listing open today and tomorrow! OPEN HOUSESaturday January 29, 11:00AM – 3:00PMSunday January 30, 11:00 – 2:00PM  
125 EAST PEPPER DRIVE LONG BEACH, 90807
 
http://www.125EastPepper.com

Perched high above the street, this gorgeous tri leveltransformed, contemporary loft style home, withunobstructed views of Palos Verdes and Long Beach Harborhas been tastefully updated and remodeledwith an emphasis on urban modernism.

Wait until you see the stone fireplace, views,landscaping and backyard pool area, alongwith separate barbeque area.

This showpiece will satisfy the most discerning buyer seeking refuge.
This home features complete new kitchen, … (4 comments)

Keller Williams Leads the Pack Yet Again - 10:28 AM
Keller Williams Realty leads the pack yet again... Keller Williams Realty is launching something that will system that will take the real estate industry by storm. You can afford not to be at Keller Williams any longer... **************
Keller Williams Realty to Launch eEdge, the Real Estate Industry’s
First Comprehensive Agent Business Platform
Seamless Solution Available to Network of More Than 80,000 Associates in February

AUSTIN, TEXAS (January 10, 2011) – Keller Williams Realty announced  today that it will launch the real estate industry’s first complete lead-to-close business solution for every agent in the company, eEdge. The first phase … (1 comments)

Pearland TX Real Estate Market Treands Dec 2010 - 01:33 PM
Pearland Texas Real Estate Market Trends
 
It is time to look at the real estate market in Pearland, Texas. I am going to give you a two-year look at how the housing market is holding up and what I think the market might do, and what you as a home buyer/seller should do in the Pearland, Texas market.
 
First, let’s look at the market dynamics of something called sales absorption. This shows the trends of how the market is doing and where it might go. The chart below indicates that we have fewer homes being sold in Pearland in … (0 comments)

Motivated Seller at 1514 Wavecrest Ln - Now $138,000 Call me 713-581-4702 - 07:43 PM
Call me to set an appoitment to see this fine home... It is priced to sell and I would love to show it to you.  It is now below market price and will not last long.

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons … (0 comments)

Crawfish Cornbread - 08:38 PM
I have had so many people ask me for my WORLD FAMOUS crawfish cornbread recipe today... So I thoust I would put it out to the masses... Enjoy
Crawfish Cornbread
1 stick butter½ cup white onions chopped2 Jalapeños chopped, (opt) remove seeds
1 bunch of green onions chopped, I cut off most of the white part of the onion.
¼ tsp. salt, (opt)1 lb. crawfish tails
1 6oz can white crab meat; Like the Bumble Bee tuna can
2 boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix
2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese
1 tbsp crawfish/crab boil (liquid)2/3 cup of milk3 eggsSauté all of the … (1 comments)

Time To Slow Down ....Like This Week in Baltimore - 11:54 PM
There are times that you just have to slow down a bit...like this week in Baltimore.
After reading  Gary Woltol's post , I found the reason for driving through the cemetery yesterday. It was time to sloooow down, to enjoy the beauty and not worry about the other cars or the narrow lanes or traffic or getting somewhere.
The peace and quiet.... awesome and the snow was gently falling...again.

 
As Gary says...."Life does not have to be zoom zoom. Slow down. You'll get there."
The feathered critters were still there and some  literally walked on water. I thought for … (14 comments)

Is Paying a 3rd Party Negotiator In A Short Sale. Legal? - 08:16 AM


It depends. In Florida you have to have a real estate license to be compensated for a real estate transaction. There are a couple of exceptions (F.S. 475.011) but they do not include negotiators.
Florida Statutes Chapter 475 state:
You must have a real estate license if you are........
...a person who, for another, and for a compensation or valuable consideration directly or indirectly paid or promised, expressly or impliedly, or with an intent to collect or receive a compensation or valuable consideration therefor, appraises, auctions, sells, exchanges, buys, rents, or offers, attempts or agrees to appraise, auction, or … (16 comments)

Which Social Networks Do You Use? - 08:42 PM
Which Social Networks Do You Use?Over the past month, I have been expanding my BranchOut network on Facebook. I have had a lot of people that have joined my network and I'm watching it grow. It is a new venture on Facebook and I really haven't figured it out yet. I just decided if it is on Facebook, I need to go with the flow. There are so many social media networks out there, it is hard to know where to put your time. I am on Twitter and LinkedIn along with Facebook, but don't use them very often. I spend … (13 comments)

The Long Island Housing Market, The Mirror Has Two Faces - 05:53 PM
There appears to be a wide chasm in the Long Island housing market.  Based upon statistics reported in Newsday, home prices for the North Fork/Hamptons market on Long Island's east end rose during the final quarter of 2010, while the rest of the Long Island housing market declined.
With a median $730,000 price, in the higher end sector,there was, reportedly, a 4% increase from the previous year and a 17% increase from the prior quarter.  Comparing that with the rest of the island is a little like comparing apples with oranges.  With many of the homes in the Hamptons owned by … (2 comments)

Eagle Idaho Market Report for Two Rivers Subdivision - 08:52 PM
Eagle Idaho Market Summary for Two Rivers
 
 
From January 1, 2010 through January 1, 2011
 
15 homes are currently for sale
     Average Price $774,346
     Average price per SF $162
     Average Days on Market 138
 
 29 homes have sold in 2010
     Average price $350,710
     Average price per SF $109
     Average Days on Market 80
 
2 homes are currently pending sale
     Average asking price $586,950
     Average price per SF $131
     Average Days on Market 225
 
 Great buy on 2495 SF Home at 1260 S Island Glenn Way
 
… (2 comments)

More John Wooden Quotes... - 09:04 PM
“Don’t worry about whether you’re better than somebody else, but never cease trying to be the best you can become. You have control over that; the other, you don’t.”
 
“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.”
 
“The leader who has a fear of failure, who is afraid to act, seldom will face success.”
 
“Contentment with past accomplishments or acceptance of the status quo can derail an organization quickly.”
 
Nampa Area Weather
Search Nampa Idaho Homes for sale
… (3 comments)

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