Archives of real estate blog entries for March 28, 2011

Featured blog posts


Renters HAVE Budgets Too! Expecting Landlords to Take Them into Consideration is UNrealistic! - 06:22 AM


I just showed a vacant townhouse to a man who is buying a business in the area and needs to move his family within a few weeks. He has viewed the property online and I met him at the property at 11A today and showed it to him...VERY CLEAN, he says!  VERY CONVENIENT to his new job, he says!  VERY GOOD LOCATION for his family and small son, he says! .....and * wait for it * the rent is OUT of his Budget.  I asked what his budget was and he said he wanted a $100 per month reduction.  … (157 comments)

Thank you William Johnson, I took your advice! - 12:22 AM
Thank you William Johnson for your suggestion. I took your advice! I love being able to see the squirrel's eye, the light through his/her ear, the individual hairs of the furry tail and the buds on the tree. All because I took your advice.
 
 
                         
 
 
This was a comment made by William Johnson about my Spring Robins in Baltimore.
 
''I am going to recommend you use a tripod. It is not always convenient so here is a better compromise. Buy a monopod. I have a really neat one ( light as feather with magnetic ball … (31 comments)

Do buyers need real estate agents? - 05:53 PM
In one of my recent blogs (http://activerain.com/blogsview/2193545/do-real-estate-salespeople-make-tons-of-money-), I debunked the myth that real estate professionals are millionaires.  However, salespeople are paid a commission to do whatever it is they do.  Both sellers and buyers often want to buy or sell a home themselves; why do they need an agent?
Sellers wonder what salespeople could possibly do that's worth paying for; after all, don't agents just throw the property in MLS and then unlock the doors so buyers can take a look?    
And buyers sometimes assume if they just go to enough open houses, they'll find the home they want, place … (160 comments)

Sellers: Don't let anyone look at your house without their Realtor and a scheduled appointment! - 11:39 PM
Bill Bein's recent post about Nine Security Tips for Sellers reminded me of an unfortunate incident that happened at one of my listings a while back.
Last summer, one of my sellers took a day off from work to get some additional staging and clean-up done around her house. Hubby was at work and the kids were at school. A very nice looking, well-dressed lady pulled up in front of her house and rang the doorbell. The lady said that she was just driving by, picked up a flyer from the flyer box, and just couldn't wait to see inside the house. … (68 comments)

RainCamp in Atlantic City - The Treasure Map To Success - 11:19 AM
This will be my first trip to Atlantic City and I'm really excited to be part of the new 2-Day extravaganza.  I've never been to Philly or New Jersey so this will be another great adventure.  After hearing there's going to be some special guests and some great stuff happening this year, I volunteered to come participate and contribute as well. 

The theme is Reputation Architecture.  I'm honored to be able to share some of what I have learned of this topic over the years. I also cannot wait to come see many of my old friends and AR family.  … (39 comments)

ActiveRain 'been there, done that' syndrome - 05:56 PM

There have been some posts recently regarding what I'll call the "been there, done that" syndrome or ActiveRain Topic reruns.
All I can say to that charge is "Well of course there is redundancy".  With over 200,000 members who share many of the same experiences in Real Estate, there are going to be posts that are similar. 
So, rather than complain about a topic that may seem to be a "rerun", please let each person have their say.  If you feel you can contribute to the conversation in a positive manner (even if you disagree), then jump right in. 
If … (72 comments)

Google Alerts: Keeping Track of the Competition - 05:33 PM
I used to Google a bunch of terms each week to see what people had published in my market.
That was a huge waste of time: it meant digging DEEP into the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) for new stuff and I would get distracted by the other junk that I wasn't actually looking for and be off in the weeds for hours.
Then I had a conversation with Bill Cobb, an appraiser in Baton Rouge who is a web marketing guru and he was surprised I wasn't using Google Alerts.
Do you use Google Alerts?
If not, you should.
In … (45 comments)

How often do you (should you) communicate with your Sellers? - 04:35 PM
Writing my outside Blogs and Creating Seller Reports is usually my Monday; it’s a day I rarely look forward to embracing.   As an Accountant in a previous life…my creative juices run dry very quickly.  And in this market, creative is needed!  lol
So the question is how  often do you communicate with your sellers.  My sellers get their tour factory stats once a week.  They also get a report from me showing their traffic on Realtor.com and Trulia (I pay the premium for showcase status on both of those).  I snap a picture of the graphs and paste it into an … (64 comments)

reBlogging is back! - 01:38 PM
We are happy to announce the return of reBlogging! We have been working hard to get this feature fixed over the last few weeks. After hearing from many of you recently about how much you loved the feature and how much it was missed, we doubled our efforts to get the last few kinks worked out with reBlogging. Our members feedback is vastly important in making decisions about the community.
A little background on what went into the decision to pull reBlogging down initially.
Let me take a moment to share with you one of our priorities. In fact, it's our … (101 comments)

You Really Think Buyers Will Use Their Imaginations When They See Your Cluttered, Unstaged House? - 03:04 PM
You really think buyers will use their imaginations when they see your cluttered or unstaged house? 
Well, some might.  In fact, there are some buyers who actually seek out these diamonds in the rough.  They are usually shrewd professionals looking for something to buy cheap, then fix up, stage, then resell for top dollar. 
But your buyers who are looking for their Dream House are in a whole other category.  While their agents may be able to spot a great home that, with a little elbow grease or great decor could be fabulous, many buyers looking for the place they are … (117 comments)

Understanding When Someone Tells You MAYBE What That Means - 02:05 PM
              WHAT DOES A MAYBE MEAN??????
There are not all that many ABSOLUTES in life. Sure in laws of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Spiritual Laws of right and wrong. But since all other times we live in such GREY AREAS you have to play the odds with what things mean and go with trends or empirical evidence. Take the word MAYBE. You should
Understand When Someone Tells You MAYBE What That Means.
I will frame this in the business world but it can be extended to your personal relationships as well but it is more dependent on really knowing that particular … (48 comments)

I'm the Number One Realtor in the Universe! - 12:23 PM
I received an offer on one of my short sale listings from an agent who shared with me in our first conversation that it would be her first short sale. These transactions aren't easy- I asked if she would be getting assistance from anyone in her office with more experience, perhaps her broker. She assured me that she was being assisted by the short sale superstar of her office, who was the top short sale Realtor in the county. 
Interesting. 
Who is this person? I am a fairly knowledgable about the players around Westchester. The name was unfamiliar to me. Was … (71 comments)

Why I LOVE being a Real Estate Salesperson! - 03:03 PM
 
Why I LOVE being a Real Estate Salesperson!
I was recently speaking with my 18 year old son about the importance of going to college.  Now, I know what you’re all doing…looking to the right at my photo and saying to yourself, “She doesn’t look old enough to have an 18 year old child.”  Well, you’re right.  I’m really NOT old enough as I started (on accident) very young.  I also started my real estate career very young as well.  Anyway, back to the point!
Because I had a child at a young age, schooling became a challenge.  I was … (40 comments)

Did you pick the right Office? Lesson Learned, the lucky way! - 12:12 PM
As a newer agent (part way through my 2nd year), I am seeing the value of being in the right office. Most of it was luck, but some of it was calling broker's and seeing what they have to offer you. You don't need to go to an office just because they are willing to take you on!
 
Coming out of the Real Estate Agent classes, I think I was only one of 2 (maybe 3) that went all they way to get Licensed. I believe the class started out with 14 and finished with 9 or 10 still attending. There … (43 comments)

Compassionate Professionalism - 06:01 PM
 
I heard a Realtor speak today about his listings for properties which are owned by a gentleman who is approaching the end of his life. This very seasoned agent was teaching a class for newbies about the sales side of real estate, pricing a home, marketing, etc. 
He talked about his client for whom he had brokered several transactions for over a span of many years and now the client is making decisions about settling his affairs.  The client is working closely with his agent, making choices that will simplify the months to come.  A difficult time is made a … (50 comments)

Never Underestimate the Power of the Yard Sign - 07:55 AM
I did an open house yesterday.  In keeping with my usual policy I asked all the guests how they heard about the event.  To my surprise 75% saw the yard sign.  Most of the time the majority of the attendees at my open house events come from a combo of the MLS & Internet, followed up by their agent sending them( but that really is the MLS too), rarely do I get the report that the signs attracted them.  So I was surprised.
 
In remembering the stats I think the reported number of buyers that are captured by the street … (90 comments)

Does instant gratification and technology ever get in the way of your showing houses? - 12:56 AM
I was a marathon showing spree this week with some California clients.  The tour was going great and I felt as if I was on top of my game.  I felt that each listing we viewed built on the trust and my professionalism.

The only problem we had the entire two days was the interruptions from the Sellers and the listing agents.  Oftentimes I don’t answer my cell phone while with a client however the showings all had needy Sellers.  For instance;
One seller kept calling to see when we’re going to be at the house Another seller could not … (35 comments)

How to use Active Rain in your listing presentation. - 07:15 AM

 These days sellers google  agent information and already know a lot about the agent prior to the appointment. When the sellers called me for  the listing in Jamison, the sellers asked me what the points meant. I did not know what they talked about for a minute and then realized they meant Active Rain.I mentioned my Blog .
At the appointment I explained more about AR  and how I can promote the listing and network with others.
I did not have the above clicks and view information  at the appointment so now I have decided to show them the above information … (42 comments)

Take the time - 01:43 PM
Lately I have been witnessing so much evidence on the value of taking the time. Naturally, we have all seen quite a few agents in this business that don't treat this as a profession. They don't treat this as a business. They don't treat this as a career. They treat it more like a part time hobby.
I know of an agent that recently took some floor time and answered a call. That person then listed their $6,000,000 home with that agent.  The agent then sold it to a buyer that had seen the sign. Do the math. That's $360,000 gross … (43 comments)

"The Feeling is Mutual!": Disrespect and insults in the Rain - 01:51 AM
We hear all the time about the public's poor perception of real estate agents, and like everyone else, it gets to me. It's unfair, it's discouraging, and it's insulting. With that being said, I'd like to point out that IT'S IN NO ONE'S BEST INTEREST to communicate to our clients that the feeling is mutual!
I doubt anyone here would disagree, yet Sunday, on a FEATURED POST, the comments contained the following descriptors regarding people who ask us to discount our earnings -- which, by the way, includes most of the general public:
"clueless""tool""backward""stupid""aggravating""maddening"
And, of course, our clients' all-time favorite:"People … (84 comments)

Does craigslist Work? Well, What Do You Want it to Do? - 11:12 AM
I've been a skeptic of craigslist for a long time.
I've used it personally to sell some household items, and it certainly worked well for that (and kept me from having to do a yard sale!), but, I never thought it would have any real benefit for a broker trying to selling a listing. I've seen some of those ads, and they aren't very appealing to me.
Worse, I've been afraid of craigslist because of my experience with how it can be misused. I've fielded so many phone calls from scams on craigslist where some person has stolen a listing from … (63 comments)

Goodbye FSBOs ... I Will NOT Miss You - 06:11 PM
After weeks of trying to get some FSBOs in my area to list with me, I am finally giving up on them. They are the most unpredictable bunch, and I don't want to have anything to do with them in the future.
One of the FSBOs decided to list with her previous Realtor.  After her listing with the other Realtor expired, she decided to enter the FSBO route.
I spent lots of my time providing her with comps and tips on improving her chances, hoping she would remember me when she decided to list her house. Last week, when I was driving … (120 comments)


Blog posts


Texas Real Estate - Hotel for Sale Texas - Business for Sale Texas - 07:15 PM
Texas Hotel for Sale for $8,500,000 - new in 2010 … (0 comments)

reBlogging is back! - 01:38 PM
We are happy to announce the return of reBlogging! We have been working hard to get this feature fixed over the last few weeks. After hearing from many of you recently about how much you loved the feature and how much it was missed, we doubled our efforts to get the last few kinks worked out with reBlogging. Our members feedback is vastly important in making decisions about the community.
A little background on what went into the decision to pull reBlogging down initially.
Let me take a moment to share with you one of our priorities. In fact, it's our … (101 comments)

REAL ESTATE MARKET STATS 03/20/2011 - 03/27/2011: NORTHEAST LOS ANGELES - 09:22 AM
New listings entered
Price reductions 
Reported pending
Reported sold and closed 
These zip codes include the Northeast Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon.
… (0 comments)

Bathrooms, Prices and Square Footage (home size) Drop in Great Falls Virginia!!! - 10:26 AM
Home Prices and Square Footage Come Down for Homes in Great Falls Virginia  
 
Jay Seville: Hi, I’m Jay Seville, owner of Just New Listings.com realty had a branched off from Remax a year ago and brought my team with me to open my own company. And things have been going pretty well, 38 transactions last year. I wanted to give you a big update on the Great Falls real estate market. It’s been a few month since I looked at it this in depth for you and we’re trying to be better each week when the short video blog … (0 comments)

What Would Mike Royko Do? - 01:23 PM

Mike Royko was a great Chicago Newspaper columnist from the 1960' until his death in 1997.  He was an old school Chicago Democrat often attacking the corruption in the Richard Daly Administration and Chicago in general.  Mike Royko was everything Chicago gruff and tough, and certainly not politically correct. 
Living in the San Francisco Bay Area we had the more touchy feely and gossipy Herb Cain (I got a mention in Herb Cain's column once which I considered a big honor), but on occasion when they printed one of Mike Royko's columns I ate it up.  He was funny and … (9 comments)

Stanislaus County Short Sales and Baseball - 04:45 PM
Stanislaus County Short Sales and Baseball
The sun is shining today.  After what seemed like a hundred straight days of rain it looks like spring outside.  Another sure sign of spring is that Major League Baseball will be starting up this week.  Finally some games that count.
As I start another busy week of working with Stanislaus County Short Sales I am counting down the days to that first pitch.  I am a life long Oakland A's fan and even with that other bay area team winning it all last year I am still standing by my A's.  I … (8 comments)

Video: 30 Under 30 - Me & Hailey Say Thanks Supporters! - 09:50 PM
Video: 30 Under 30 - Me & Hailey Say Thanks Supporters!  Hailey and I just wanted to say THANK YOU to all of our awesome supporters out there!!!  You guys ROCK!  Keep up the voting push.  6 more days to go!   You can vote by going to www.VoteForKC.com Please share with your Facebook friends & Twitter followers if you are willing to show your support.  Thanks!   
… (9 comments)

Swansea Illinois New Construction Homes For Sale - 05:45 PM
… (0 comments)

Joyful Obedience - Dying Love - 11:42 PM
John 15:9-17 (GOD’S WORD Translation) 9“I have loved you the same way the Father has loved me. So live in my love. 10If you obey my commandments, you will live in my love. I have obeyed my Father’s commandments, and in that way I live in his love. 11I have told you this so that you will be as joyful as I am, and your joy will be complete. 12Love each other as I have loved you. This is what I’m commanding you to do. 13The greatest love you can show is to give your life for your friends. 14You are my … (2 comments)

Din Din A Go Go Comes to Highland Park - 09:39 AM
Din Din A Go Go is a gathering of some of the best local gourmet food trucks, each week, every Tuesday from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

The trucks are stationed in the parking lot on the corner of Avenue 63 and Garvanza, just east of Figueroa Produce Market.
Tomorrow's participants: 
AhnJooLA
LomoArigato
GrillEmAllTruck
Don Chow Tacos
Great Balls on Tires
Royko Gourmet Ramen
mambojuicetruck
The Sweets Truck
 
… (4 comments)

Need to Sell! 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath, 3 Car Garage Home in Sandia Heights, Albuquerque! - 01:37 PM
… (2 comments)

Preserve, Protect, Defend the Mortgage Interest Deduction - 09:12 AM
***This is an open letter to congress. Just copy and past it and put in your reps name and address.***
Representative Pete Olson
Cannon House Office Building, Room 312
Independence Avenue and 1st Street, SE
Washington, DC 20515-4322

Dear Representative Olson,
As both your constituent and as one of more than one million members of the National Association of REALTORS, I remain steadfast in my belief that economic recovery depends in large measure on recovery in the housing market. That recovery is by no means complete and, in fact, the market is still quite weak.

I understand that throughout … (2 comments)

Boston Real Estate News - 09:04 PM
Area Real Estate Market Reports Boston Market Report
Current Market Conditions for Boston NY Single Family homes March 28, 2011 There are 28 active single family listings [Read More]
Hamburg New York Real Estate Market Report
Current Market Conditions March 28, 2011 There are 246 active single-family homes in Hamburg for sale with an average [Read More]
Real Estate Report March 2011 for Pendleton NY
Pendleton is a town in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 6,050 at the 2000 census. The Town [Read More]
Buffalo Luxury Home Sales
Erie County Million Dollar Homes For Sale March … (0 comments)

Beautiful 4-bedroom, 3-bath Carefree Crossings, Phoeniz, AZ home - 12:41 AM
Prequalify for this beautifully updated, spacious two-story, three-bath home at 2427 W. Eagle Feather Road, in north Phoenix, Arizona 85085. Let Doreen Drew, top area agent, tell you all about it, at www.daisymountainrealestate.com, or call 623-879-3277. The location is "country quiet, city close" with restaurants, bookstores, and everything you need nearby, including easy freeway access to the greater Phoenix metro area. Subdivision is the sought-after Carefree Crossings in north Phoenix, Arizona, which is in Deer Valley Unified School District - Desert Mountain Elementary and Middle Schools and Barry Goldwater High School.
This comfortable home – 2427 W. Eagle Feather Road, Phoenix, … (0 comments)

Sparkling pool, great location, 3-bedroom, 2-bath upgraded Anthem, AZ home - 01:27 AM
Bring your swimsuits to this perfect family home with sparkling pool, extensive upgrades, three-bedrooms, two-baths, and 2,109 square feet on a 9,110 square foot lot. 3110 W. Spirit Drive in Anthem, AZ, offered by top Anthem agent Doreen Drew at daisymountainrealestate.com, features a pool and great location backing common area, as well as a three-car garage for extra storage or workspace, with epoxy floor and built-in cabinets.
Interior features of 3110 W. Spirit Drive, Anthem, AZ, include three bedrooms, two baths, custom paint, den with French doors, kitchen island with updated cabinets, updated tile and carpet flooring, wood blinds, laundry room with … (2 comments)

Beautiful, five-bedroom, four-bath Anthem, AZ home with Amazing Back Yard - 02:04 AM
Amazing back yard amenities at 3644 W. Denali Drive, Anthem, AZ, a 3,366 square foot, five-bedroom, four bath, two-story Anthem home on a 7,321 square foot lot - and your own private putting green. A happy home for a growing family, offered by top Anthem agent Doreen Drew at daisymountainrealestate.com, phone or text 623-879-3277.
Custom outdoor features of 3644 W. Denali Drive, Anthem, AZ include desert landscaping in the front and in the back... a wooden bridge over a stream through your own five-hole putting green, a complete built-in barbeque in a cook’s island/bar, custom outdoor fireplace, above-ground spa, and covered tile patio. Interior features … (1 comments)

Thank you William Johnson, I took your advice! - 12:22 AM
Thank you William Johnson for your suggestion. I took your advice! I love being able to see the squirrel's eye, the light through his/her ear, the individual hairs of the furry tail and the buds on the tree. All because I took your advice.
 
 
                         
 
 
This was a comment made by William Johnson about my Spring Robins in Baltimore.
 
''I am going to recommend you use a tripod. It is not always convenient so here is a better compromise. Buy a monopod. I have a really neat one ( light as feather with magnetic ball … (31 comments)

The Power of Information Video Goes Viral - 02:32 PM
A new exclusive vidio was launched through Rismedia.  It is called the Power of Information and is great. Apparently they have it offered branded to many company sites but as of yet I cannot see  how to get this.  The video is about the impact of social media. You can read the full article by following this link:
http://rismedia.com/2011-03-28/breaking-news-rismedia-and-rrein-release-powerful-new-social-media-video-formerly-only-available-to-exclusive-network/
and you can watch the video at this link:
http://rismedia.com/rrein/power-of-information/25122/
And as always, if you need real estate in Fairfield County, CT, I hope you will think of me!
… (0 comments)

Great Attendance at This Multi Million Dollar Open House - 02:48 PM
It's heating up again!  Yesterday we hosted an open house at this amazing waterfront home in Stamford, CT.  Fabulous turn out with over 14 sets of people attending and most were real buyers.  No offers yet but we are definately hopeful.  So if you know of anyone for this home, send them on over.  They can view it at:  www.ShippanPointCTWaterfronthome.com
If you are not getting out to open houses, you are missing out!
… (1 comments)

Your Blog Statistics - 09:19 PM
I tend to get competitve with myself.  That is how I built and continue to revamp my website. Always trying to increase my hits and I check here too.  But I never noticed before that when you go to your statistics page, at the top it says how many times you have been viewed.  Like this:
Your profile has been viewed 10240 times
I think this is interesting.  It is one thing to blog, to want AR points, but how many people want to know about you?  More than points, this to me is the number to focus on because this … (5 comments)

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