Archives of real estate blog entries for February 7, 2011

Featured blog posts


February is North Shore Restaurant Month - 05:16 PM
FEBRUARY - North Shore Restaurant Month Some cities do a Restaurant Week - but Chicago's North Shore communities have decided to do something extra - make February "Restaurant Month." Selected restaurants will be offering various types of discounts or free appetizers or desserts.  Forty restaurants throughout the North Shore are participating and showcasing their foods through the end of the month.  We have a wealth of culinary talent here on Chicago's North Shore and this is a great way to entice people to come out and try different venues. For a complete list of restaurants and to print out coupons, please see … (12 comments)

Is It Time To Turn Your Single Agent Business Into A Team? - 06:47 AM

There comes a time in every successful agents career when you step back …wipe your brow and think …I can’t possibly get all this done. Here are a few tips which will help you to recognize when it is time to bring someone on board to help you.
Become “self aware”: Are some of these happening to you?
1.     Having to work 24/7 just to “get it done”
2.     Experiencing Prospect Disappearance because you don’t have time to “get to them”
3.     Experiencing Client Disappearance  for unknown or unexplained reasons (but Oh… there is a reason)
4.     You feel as … (23 comments)

Who you calling "money grubbin' leeches"? - 11:04 AM
Who you calling "money grubbin' leeches"?
I was recently the recipient of a little vitirol from a consumer.  Not one of my Clients, not even someone I've ever worked with.  It was simply one of those instances where a person was told I was a REALTOR® and made a comment.
"You real estate agents are all money grubbin' leeches."
Really?  And you are basing this on what?  Personal experience?   Personal observations?  Something you read or heard?  Give me some specifics here.  Let's talk it out.  But be sure you keep an open mind -- 'cause I have hard facts to … (96 comments)

Winners of the Kodak/ActiveRain Video Contest - 03:06 PM
The voting is finished and has been compiled for the Kodak/ActiveRain Video Challenge. We are very proud of how many folks had the initiative to dive into video for this challenge. We were pleasantly surprised how many submissions we got. Many of you made great videos that you will no doubt be able to use in your business. Some of you made your first video and we hope this will be a catalyst to make many more. We promise, online video is here to stay and your customers will begin to expect this as part of your marketing when they hire … (77 comments)

Some Junior Lien Bank recovery departments will say anything to get you to send them money.......... - 11:40 PM
Some Junior Lien Bank recovery departments will say anything to get you to send them money..........
I have a client now, and have had others in the past, that have been short sale sellers who are involved in a short sale of their home, and/or have attempted to obtain a loan modification on their home.
In some cases there has been a second lender on the property who has taken the approach of the "collector" in the recovery department.
I have one client now who is going through that.
I am listed as a contact for them due to the 3rd … (30 comments)

SEO and Blogging - The Importance of Visibility and Placement - 09:55 AM
SEO and Blogging - The beauty is in the "Eyes" of the beholder
Last week we did a class called "Are You Invisible" and had a great turnout with guest speaker Gary Clayberg from WA.  One of the topics during the SEO and Blogging discussion was about heat maps that show and reveal how the "eyes" of your traffic and visitors see your site and the search engine results. It's absolutely fascinating when you think about it, and it most definitely should be thought about after you read this.
Think of how long you spend reading a blog post vs skimming, … (66 comments)

Do you have a mobile website? Maybe you should... - 07:50 AM
As many of you know, I just got back from Convention in Cancun.  We had many marketing sessions.  Of course after all my Active Rain training and ReBar camp, most of the training here was rather basic and repetitive. But one session was very eye opening and really got me to think in another way....Mobile Marketing.
Now, we all know QR codes are all the rage and in a year or two things will look very different.  Of course I have a QR code and like many of you, I have it but don't leverage it yet (nor do I have … (66 comments)

Guide to Carmel Indiana neighborhoods and subdivisions - 04:42 PM
Guide to
Carmel Indiana neighborhoods and subdivisions
$250,000 to $350,000
The first thing you should know about relocating to Carmel Indiana is that it’s pronounced like the candy, not the same-named city in California! The second thing you should know is that this popular suburb just north of Indianapolis cracked the top 20 in Money magazine and CNNMoney.com’s Top 100 Best Places to Live in America - and it's not the first time! And finally, you’ll want to know that you’re not alone. Carmel is the most-often requested northern suburb for people relocating to the Indianapolis area, making it a friendly, … (29 comments)

Valentine Madness - 09:07 PM
Valentine Madness
 
 
Well, February is here, and that can mean only one thing. Actually, it could mean a lot of things, but I’m not talking about Groundhog Day or President’s Day or Fat Tuesday at Mardi Gras. I don't mean Ash Wednesday or Black History Month or even Super Bowl Sunday. All of these are fine occasions, but I’m talking about VALENTINE’S DAY!!!   
Truth be told, I am not a big fan of Valentine’s Day…for one, while it is a sweet day for lovers to proclaim their love, it is also a commercial racket that has blown out of reasonable … (21 comments)

American Made. Foreign Owned! - 11:44 AM

Hi folks. This article is my opinion based on what I see happening in my market area. Home ownership is declining in America. Past property owners have and are going through foreclosures and short sales and are no longer in a position to buy. Real Estate values are still declining in most of the major markets. Finally, real estate is affordable again. But who's buying? In my market, Central Florida, the answer is.....Foreign Investors.
Investors from the UK, Canada and other countries are taking advantage of the weak dollar and low property values and are scooping up properties that Americans … (38 comments)

So Easy Even A Caveman Could Do It - If He's Got a Good Real Estate Agent! - 03:55 PM
So Easy Even A Caveman Could Do It - If He's Got a Good Real Estate Agent! Are you thinking of selling your home and you don't know where to start?  It's easy... so easy even a caveman can do it.  We sell "caves" all of the time.. :)  
It's my job to know what to do so that you don't have to.. I've spent the last several years learning my trade so that it would be easy for you...at least as easy as I can make it. 
A lot of it is still up to you but we'll … (68 comments)

"I'LL SEND YOU OUR CRITERIA!" HA! THERE ARE OFTEN ONLY TWO CRITERIA, PRICE and LOCATION. - 08:11 AM
"I'LL SEND YOU AN E-MAIL WITH OUR CRITERIA!" 
This trip down memory lane is inspired by Patricia Kennedy's article this a.m. about contacts from buyers who know where they want to live and buy a home, but due to a lack of market knowledge, have unrealistic expectations. 
Sorry, Mr. Home Buyer, THERE ARE OFTEN ONLY TWO CRITERIA, PRICE and LOCATION.  Once you have your qualified price range, the next step is finding the area with homes in that price range.  THEN, and only THEN, when you have determined your area and price range, the remaining "criteria" may be irrelevant or worse, totally unrealistic. 
WHAT IS THE AREA??   I recently … (74 comments)

What I Learned By Tracking My Blog Topics for One Month - 06:12 AM

Have you ever tracked your blog topics?
As January came to an end, I decided to create a table listing my 42 Activerain posts for the month and categorizing them by topic.  I used an Excel spreadsheet to do this, thinking I might someday wish to sort them by topics with the mere click of a finger, or create a graph like the one you see here, using the Excel Chart Wizard.  You could track them in a table on MS Word, however, or even by hand in a notebook.
Reblogs (8) and original content (34) were tracked and categorized … (111 comments)

Code Compliance- Don't be Caught With Your Pants Down - 04:24 PM
One of the things that can make a closing a nightmare (or not occur) is finding out that the house is not in compliance with municipal code. It could be a deck, finished basement, extra bathroom, or any other improvement that the current owners have done or that they inherited from a previous owner. With the number of older homes we have in Westchester, this is not a rare issue. 
In past years, illegal improvements haven't been a huge deal 100% of the time. Most of the time they had to be corrected or made legal, but upon occasion a few … (24 comments)

Old and New, Big and Small, Repair or Replace? - 05:30 PM
We recently trekked to downtown Austin, just a little bit East of the main downtown area.
My wife wanted to take some photographs of doors and "architectural elements" around the small, really small, and really really small houses in an old neighborhood.
These houses are intriguing. Some are fixed up, some are very very vintage, and some have been mowed down and replaced by big, modern, boxy homes. Although most lots have houses on them, some are empty, weedy lots.  Many are adjacent to commercial property.
One thing for sure, each time we visit, we see more of them being fixed … (15 comments)

I Wasn't Eavesdropping...At Least Not On Purpose - 11:55 PM
This weekend I stopped at a Panera for a quick lunch. Three people sat at the table next to me and quickly launched into a very detailed conversation about an offer on their home...husband, wife and a Realtor. I tried to finish my lunch quickly so I wouldn't have to eavesdrop, however inadvertently.
But a lady I know stopped by my table and started the normal kids/school/weather chit chat. I wasn't "listening" to the conversation at the next table, but I couldn't help "hearing"...about their negotiating strategy, their finances, and what they would buy next.
Then the agent used the street … (92 comments)

The Definition of a Short Sale - 04:34 PM
 
So, what is a Short Sale?
The definition is simple.  A Short Sale is when your lender agrees to allow your home to be sold by accepting less then the amount owed against the home because there is not enough equity to sell now.  For example, a seller might have a loan balance of $100,000 and a buyer willing to pay only $80,000.  If the lender accepts the offer, he has agreed to “Short Sale” the amount owed by $20,000.  This means your lender takes the loss—not you.  Because not all lenders will negotiate a Short Sale and there is … (39 comments)

Lead Generation Services???...or a RIP OFF??? - 09:28 PM
Seems like almost every day the phone is ringing and this young lady or gentleman is trying to convince me I need to take part in their company lead service. "They have the best and proven system!!!"(And if your weak or in a down moment, it's almost tempting, especially in todays market) But how  would you even start to evaluate them unless you know someone who has personally had success or "disaster" with one. I must be honest and mention that I did get burned severely a couple years ago and therefore I am very gun shy and don't even want to talk with anyone. In … (64 comments)

Buyers Agent to pay $150 to Learn "How to Submit an Offer - Are You Joking? - 05:49 PM
Buyers Agent to pay $150 to Learn "How to Submit Offer" -  Are You Joking?
Guess what folks - this buyers agent is not going to pay $150 to learn "How to submit an offer". I've been selling a lot of homes for a lot of years (not to mention I am the designated broker). I think I've got it figured out pretty well by now how to submit a complete and detailed offer including whatever paperwork is needed/required!! Oh yes, and I teach this stuff too.
So here's the story. Super Bowl Sunday long time clients wished to see a few homes and … (79 comments)

IF YOU DON'T PICK UP HITCHHIKERS, WHY DO YOU LET STRANGERS IN YOUR CAR? - 07:10 AM
I wrote a post awhile ago promoting the book THE GIFT OF FEAR which teaches us how to stay safe everyday.  (Please read it again!) 
I also wrote a post about  WHY DO I HAVE TO MEET YOU AT THE OFFICE?
It seems that some Realtors are STILL driving customers/clients around in their vehicles.  Not to be sexist but it seems that it is mainly women still doing this, thinking they can develop rapport whilst driving!!!!!
Do you pick up hitchhikers too? 
What are you thinking?  Why would you invite danger into your car?  PLEASE STOP!
And while we're on the subject … (163 comments)

The People You Know & The People You Don't - 03:26 PM
When I first started out as a real estate agent my broker gave me and a handful of newbies a little speech.  He said, "there are only two types of people that you will ever do business with."  I thought to myself "cool! That should make it easy."  Then he said, "those two types of people are the people you know and the people you don't know!"  WTH!!  That's everybody!  
He then handed us a big binder with blank paper and told us to start charting our sphere.  Determine who your sphere is.  Categorize them based on how well you … (35 comments)

Real Estate Is A Real Job....Treat It Like One !!! - 05:50 PM
Today, I was asked what a listing agent would like to see from a buyers' agent who is marketing herself to listing agents for referral business or to join a team.  I thought that was a great question, and I had a very simple answer. 
I would always request an updated resume first.  If one were applying for a "real job" a resume would be emailed to human resources for review and to determine if the job fits the applicant before the first interview is scheduled.
What I would be looking for is education, experience and attitude toward business and money.  … (82 comments)


Blog posts


Farms for Sale in Clyde North Carolina - Luxury Homes Clyde NC - 05:46 PM
Carolina Luxury Home Gentleman's Farm … (1 comments)

Daytona Real Estate Trainer Says Bye Bye - 09:21 PM
This is really a test post but I must admit there is some truth in the title.  For as long as I have been on Activerain I've marketed myself as the Daytona Real Estate Trainer, in many ways I still am but I am moving...moving...moving...
Daytona Real Estate Trainer Says Bye Bye OK Online That Is - It's a Strategic Move and the Daytona Real Estate Trainer says bye bye to ActiveRain.  In the next coming weeks my online presence will change here on ActiveRain and so will my location.  Stay tuned as I plan to be #1.  I have enjoyed … (9 comments)

Winners of the Kodak/ActiveRain Video Contest - 03:06 PM
The voting is finished and has been compiled for the Kodak/ActiveRain Video Challenge. We are very proud of how many folks had the initiative to dive into video for this challenge. We were pleasantly surprised how many submissions we got. Many of you made great videos that you will no doubt be able to use in your business. Some of you made your first video and we hope this will be a catalyst to make many more. We promise, online video is here to stay and your customers will begin to expect this as part of your marketing when they hire … (77 comments)

5314 N. Figueroa Street, Highland Park - 05:51 PM
5314 N. Figueroa Street, Highland Park
 
 
5314 N. Figueroa Street, Highland Park, reduced to: $599,999
5314 N. Figueroa is an extraordinary mixed used (commercial-residential) property consisting of an office space, a retail store space, a bonus studio unit, all on the ground level, and a tastefully renovated 3 bedroom apartment unit on the upper level. Additionally, there is a separate bedroom house in the rear with private yard space. There is ample open parking. The retail space & the rear house are currently leased. The upper 3 bedroom unit will be delivered vacant. The office space may be delivered … (0 comments)

Barnes and Noble - Hill Country Galleria - Cat in the Hat - 11:02 AM
Barnes and Noble at the Bee Cave TX, Hill Country Galleria presented story time with the Cat in the Hat over the weekend.  There were lots of kids ranging in all ages from as young as my Landon of 9 weeks old to about age 8.
Here are a couple of pictures.


The first Saturday of every month, the Hill Country Galleria Barnes and Noble in Bee Cave Austin TX presents a different story and different character. We try to make it every month. Come on out and meet us there!
**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®RE/MAX … (7 comments)

Mr/Ms Central CA Short Sale Seller - What your agent is (or isn't) doing to get your home sold! - 05:50 PM
So you have decided that you have to sell your home.  Like a lot of people in Central California you owe more money on your home than it is worth.  You are having a hard time making the mortgage payments or you are not making them at all.  It is probably time to list your home with a Central Ca Short Sale Specialist like myself.
Of course you are free to list your home with anyone you want to.  I hear your best friend's, next door neighbors cousin sells houses.  Has he sold he any Central Ca Short Sales? Anyone can … (3 comments)

Feel The Pleasure Rather Than Avoid The Pain - Live It In All Areas of Life - 09:28 AM
Feel The Pleasure Rather Than Avoid The Pain - Live It In All Areas of Life Co-mingling at a REALTOR Affiliate Appreciation Night I got to talking with some friends of mine.  In our discussion one of them mentioned a quote by Anthony Robbins that talks about people doing things for 2 reasons:  to Feel Pleasure or to Avoid Pain.  Now I've recently heard this another time, but it's what he said after that really sunk it into my brain. In real estate we have to map out what we will and will not do to earn a living and  establish our … (12 comments)

Fort Myers Beach " Art on the Boulevard " was a huge success ! - 11:54 AM
Fort Myers Beach " Art on the Boulevard " was a huge success !  The 2011 Fort Myers Beach " Art on the Boulevard " doubled attendance over last year.  The weather was perfect for a  stroll on Estero Boulevard and locals and visitors alike were out in force !  Official hours were Sunday, Feb 6 from noon to four pm. 

 
Art lovers started showing up much earlier.  The Art  Association members were on hand to answer questions,  show their artwork and mingle with visitors while enjoying a glass of wine !   Century 21 Tripower Realty was again the … (11 comments)

Wood floors come in a variety of materials. - 11:19 AM
 

Wood floors come in a variety of materials. When it comes to choosing the best floor for your needs, consider the room it will be used in, the subfloor/existing floor, preferable design and cost.
Solid Hardwood Floor lasts the longest and can go through many refinishing cycles. Hardwood is an excellent design solution and comes in materials such as oak, maple and ash.
Engineered Floor provides all the benefits of hardwood but does not require a subfloor. It can be refinished and installed on any surface. Engineered flooring is made of wood, but is not solid. It is a … (2 comments)

Belleville IL Homes for Sale, 11 S 44th Street - 07:53 PM
… (4 comments)

Question about our National Anthem - Anyone know the answer? - 11:31 AM
I tossed this out to my FaceBook friends, but haven't found anyone who knows the answer yet.  Maybe one of my Active Rain friends will know.
Christina Aguilera fumbled the lyrics of The Star Spangled Banner. Meanwhile, Lea Michele's performance of America the Beautiful was lovely.  But, Michele had a full military choral backup....
So that's my question. How did the tradition of a SOLO, UNACCOMPANIED National Anthem come about? Anyone know?
… (6 comments)

Vickery Place Historic Homes in Dallas, Texas - 11:43 AM
Within Dallas, TX you can find several areas conserved from the past, all home to new and exciting people within the city. Vickery Place is home to several Dallas residents with a reported 1,400 residents in 2008. The neighborhood, however, has gone through great development and changes since its establishment in 1911, bringing the urban renaissance of the city right to the residents of the community.
Vickery Place is located a mere 4 miles from Downtown Dallas, perhaps bringing forth the great popularity and convenience of the neighborhood. All the great Downtown sites and attractions are easily accessed by the residents … (0 comments)

Keep Pearland Beautiful announced new recycling options for the citizens of Pearland - 05:36 PM
Keep Pearland Beautiful announced new recycling options for the citizens of Pearland. Residents living in single family homes and residing inside the city limits of Pearland, are able to recycle more products curbside. Waste Management added these new items for collection in your curbside bin: Recycling just got even easier! Effective immediately, Waste Management will now accept curbside these additional items for recycling:                     • Magazines        • Catalogs• telephone books• printer and copier paper• cereal boxes• mail (i.e. junk mail) is acceptable• Cardboard (flattened)• Plastics all codes (1,2,3,4,5,6 & 7)To make the recycling process more efficient:
• … (0 comments)

Paper-less Challenge - J.A. Michailidis, GRI, CRS, JD - 12:17 AM
"I've been thinking about taking my office paperless for some time now and have been implementing in dribs and drabs. I think it is high time that I "take it all the way"!
So far, I have eliminated the conventional fax machine and do all of my faxing via an online fax service I subscribe to.  I also scan all transaction documents and store them as .pdf files on my desktop.  I've been reading up on so called "cloud computing" and will be working on figuring out how to store my documents "in the cloud" as opposed to on my desk-top, … (12 comments)

Good Times and Good Memories Were Made in Baltimore - 06:02 AM
Good times and good memories were made yesterday and it all started when I found out Mary Yonkers was coming to Baltimore.
Here is a  sampling of the delicious lunch enjoyed by the Rainers.
We wound up with a total of twenty five people and most of their photos are below except for Bridget McGee, Charlene Perry, Papa Razzi, Tony Demchak, Peg Silloway and Phil Marcus. You will find them in some of the other posts.
Sorely missed were dear friends Gail and Rich Harris. Hope you two are feeling better!!
 
 
 
              … (16 comments)

This is a REBLOG..Rain in Baltimore Did Not Deter ActiveRainers. - 06:04 AM
This is a REBLOG. Please click on Ellie McIntire's Picnic Show below. Who do you see?  Please go comment on Ellie's blog. Rain in Baltimore did NOT deter Active Rainers. Rain in Baltimore did NOT deter Active Rainers.Yesterday, Saturday February 5th 2011, sandwiched in between new Buyers in Elkridge and a military family relocating to the area and wanting to purchase in Ellicott City, I had the incredible pleasure of joining a hearty bunch of people from Active Rain for Lunch at The Suburban House on Reisterstown Road in Baltimore. Margaret Rome was our gracious and generous hostess. Last year in … (6 comments)

This is a REBLOG by C-Tann Starr...You Missed the Bixler Church Open House - 09:53 PM
This is a REBLOG This is the best post ever about my very special listing at 3736 Bixler Church Rd in Westminster. This entire article was written by Carolyn Tann-Starr who made the Open House on Sunday such a treat. While I was showing the property to prospective buyers, C Tann was photographing the house and the natural beauty of the 28 acres. Please read and comment on Carolyn's post. Half my gear is packed. I'm happy to be procrastinating...
Half my gear is packed. I'm happy to be procrastinating... I am waiting to Skype with the wee people before … (5 comments)

American Made. Foreign Owned! - 11:44 AM

Hi folks. This article is my opinion based on what I see happening in my market area. Home ownership is declining in America. Past property owners have and are going through foreclosures and short sales and are no longer in a position to buy. Real Estate values are still declining in most of the major markets. Finally, real estate is affordable again. But who's buying? In my market, Central Florida, the answer is.....Foreign Investors.
Investors from the UK, Canada and other countries are taking advantage of the weak dollar and low property values and are scooping up properties that Americans … (38 comments)

I Was Browsing; And You ? - 12:55 AM
On more than one occasion I asked people around me if they browsed, searched, looked up ...  did they use the word Google, Yahoo or Bing in their sentence.
Why am I even writing about this? The answer is simple. Most of the articles and blogs out there are so fixated with the word Google. Why are you pushing this word, bro? Or should I say don't taze me with this word bro.
Don't take me the wrong way, I love Google and the products they have. Analytics, Webmaster tools, iGoogle and Gmail are the ones I use a lot.
Gmail … (6 comments)

Los Gatos, CA Real Estate Market Update for Feb 2011 - 10:51 AM
While most of Santa Clara County (which makes up most of Silicon Valley) is seeing slippage in sales prices and a tougher market, houses in Los Gatos (95030 and 95032 zip codes) are faring better than most.  As with most of the region, though, condos and townhouses in Los Gatos do continue to struggle.  Homes in the Los Gatos Mountains (95033 zip code area) often have a hard time selling even in a "hot" market and they are really having a difficult time now.
A lot of variables can swing the market for this town: short sales and bank owned homes … (0 comments)

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