Archives of real estate blog entries for March 6, 2011

Featured blog posts


Northern Virginia: Examining Seller's Disclosure Obligations -(part 1) Latent Defects - 06:03 PM
Northern Virginia: Examining Seller's Disclosure Obligations Latent Defects
Many confusing circumstances have surfaced lately with prospective clients who wonder what their obligations are in disclosing and/or disclaiming matters regarding residential real estate in Northern Virginia.
This discussion is focused on Northern Virginia and is experiential in nature, given my 16 years in this business. This discussion is NOT intended to provide legal advise or guidance. I am NOT an attorney and as such you should contact competent legal counsel for that advise and guidance.
This discussion is simply an examination of what my sellers often have to deal with when selling properties … (11 comments)

Why do Realtors(R) still advertise the "FREE CMA"? - 12:58 PM
Why do Realtors(R) still advertise the "FREE CMA"? Sorry, but I shake my head every time I see this. It's always prominently displayed on billboards, bus benches, postcards, magazine ads... with the word "FREE" in bold, italics, all caps -- everything possible to draw attention to it.
Now I'm not even going to touch on the subject of whether we should be donating our time, energy, and money for CMA's -- there are good arguments on both sides. My question is about why we feel compelled to advertise it, as though this is part of our value proposition. Virtually every one … (110 comments)

It is only logical---even if it has “stood the test of time.” - 08:16 PM
As one can see through this window, the yard of this home is very nicely landscaped.
 
A Google Earth image of the property makes the place look like a European Estate with matching hedges, ponds and walkways all around the home.
But this post is not about the landscaping.  It is about the “view”---and in particular---THIS view.  You see, this is a window at a stairwell landing---and has been this way for about 90 years.  One would say that it has stood the test of time---or perhaps not.
As an inspector I am in a position where I more or … (49 comments)

Broadway on Broadway - 08:32 AM
Nearly a dozen Broadway productions will begin performances during March.

Anything Goes, the revival of the Cole Porter classic, tells the tale of true love, elaborate disguises and good old-fashioned blackmail aboard the S.S. American. Starring Tony Award winners Sutton Foster and Joey Grey, previews begin March 10 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.Robin Williams stars as a tiger in the new comedy Bengal Tiger in the Baghdad Zoo. The play follows two American Marines who roam the streets of Baghdad with an Iraqi gardener in search of friendship, atonement and a golden toilet seat. Previews start March 11 at the … (26 comments)

How To Create Your Own Newsletter in Less Than An Hour - 01:40 AM
 
How to create your own newsletter in less than an hour. 
After I wrote the post about creating your own newsletters and podcasts people requested that I post a tutorial on how I create the newsletter and podcast on our Macs.  This video tutorial is on how to create your newsletter in about an hour using Mac applications. The next tutorial will be on how to make a podcast.  If you don't own a Mac and you watch this tutorial I will warn you this may just be what gets you to go to your nearest Apple store and get … (47 comments)

I Give Up.....I'll Do It Your Way - 11:35 AM

 
My grandmother once told me a very solid truth;
"You aren't giving to someone unless it means something to them"
In other words....giving can be selfish also. It's important to see the need in the other person and then respond to that need....not just what you WANT to do. So....in that spirit, I'm changing my way of responding to Active Rain comments.
I have never meant to offend anyone, but it's clear (Thanks Cindy in Indy and Alan) that it matters to commenters that each and every comment is responded to personally.
So starting today....with this very post...I promise … (64 comments)

Would Wearing Two Hats Create a Conflict of Interest? - 11:19 PM
As a REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® I take pride with the knowledge, expertise, creative and aggressive marketing skills, compassion and my attentiveness (listening) skills that I give my clients. I continue to ‘upgrade' my knowledge with additional  classes and......I put all my knowledge into action and my clients are happy and appreciative when the transaction closes.  You just can't beat those rewards of smiling faces and gushes of thank you acknowledgements and hugs all around! 
There are other agents, home inspectors, loan officers, escrow officers, pest inspectors and many who are part of the ‘team' that are outstanding in their professions as well. I … (44 comments)

Reputation Architecture & Rating Systems - The Main Course - Part 2 of 3 - 11:23 AM
 
Repuation Architecture has been floating around the internet in recent months. Jonathan Washburn talked about it here. Reputation Architecture : How to multiply the effects of "Remarkable Service".  Yet there is no true definition for this phrase, but we can define reputation.  Reputation defined by Merriam is the overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general, a good name.
I wrote this post yesterday, Stop eating with your fingers - use your silverware - There are some good articles listed in my post that you should catch up on. Which will lead us into more details … (16 comments)

LISTEN CAREFULLY TO WHAT THE CALLERS SAY. . . . DON'T FORGET THE YIN AND THE YANG. - 07:16 AM
LISTEN CAREFULLY TO WHAT THE CALLERS SAY.  ARE THEY CREATING BARRIERS BEFORE EVEN LOOKING?  DON'T FORGET THE YING AND THE YANG.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU'VE GAINED A HOME BUYER'S CONFIDENCE AND TRUST?  When they don't quote advice from friends, relatives, bosses and girl/boy friends to YOU, but rely on YOUR advice to them.  
Inspired by Allison Stewart in her post today,  IS IT REALLY WHO YOU KNOW OR WHAT YOU THAT MATTERS?, I think about the initial contacts from prospective home buyers and our first line of conversation.  When discussing areas to search, financing opportunities, transportation alternatives, etc., does … (79 comments)

The Month of March ... Celebrating the Inner Irish in All of Us - Chapter 5 - 08:18 AM
The Month of March ... Celebrating the Inner Irish in All of Us - Chapter 5
To whet your appetite and help you prepare to celebrate the upcoming MAJOR INTERNATIONAL HOLIDAY, St. Patrick's Day, I thought I would share a few photos and a wee bit of the story about a trip we made to Ireland. I will post a wee bit each day until St. Patty's day. Hope you will follow along.
Wee Bit No. 5 - Growing up in New England, the sight of a stone wall was nothing out of the ordinary. You could find them almost … (23 comments)

When Showing Homes it is Best if You Have a Plan! - 05:57 PM
Yesterday I had a particularly good day of working with a buyer.  I left my house with a showing plan. I was feeling very good about how the showings went and how the relationship with the buyer was progressing.  As I analyzed the day, I came up with a list of what I did correctly and how I think this made a difference in my day.  I decided that because I went to work with the attitude of being "On Game" that it is how I won the day.
I went prepared with listings, listing data, alternate homes, and every possible … (76 comments)

Alive and, well...truant. Let the swan song begin: - 03:40 AM
I suppose one could define this post as a "BLOGEULOGY", albeit autobiographical.
In October, I took my first hit of Active Rain.  It was intoxicating, and I knew I wanted more.  I got more - far more than I bargained for.  The illicit Active Rain Drug offered me highs I did not know existed.  Features - well sure - features were exhilarating.  The numb sensation of knowing that I was held in a high enough esteem to be favored by the blogging greats, the blogging newbies, and everyone in between, well, I carried that tingling sensation around with me for days.  … (40 comments)

The realtor closed the door on us, Corona CA - 11:06 AM
The realtor closed the door on us, Corona CA
 
Alright, Spring is here. The birds are twirping. The weather is warming up. Homeowners are working in their yards and the market is really getting a lift. However, this should not mean that real estate agents are getting ruder as the market gets hotter! Today a realtor closed the door and would not let me show the house till she was done.... She did not have to do that. Unfortunately, this has become the competitive nature of the business.
2010 was a tough year for a lot of us. 2011 is now bringing its own … (87 comments)


Blog posts


Do you ever pull weeds while holding an open house? - 05:28 PM

Would it offend you if I held your house open and did some cleaning up?  I have been known to pull weeds in Wallingford, sweep porches in Green Lake and trim rose bushes on Mercer Island.  I am not doing it to make points with a seller, I am doing it because it will improve the looks of the home and I get very antsy when it is a nice day and I cannot be home taking care of my own yard!  And yes, it is strictly complementary!
What does it hurt..and it is very rewarding to see the plants … (3 comments)

OPEN HOUSES FOR SUNDAY MARCH 6 IN NORTHEAST LOS ANGELES - 06:38 AM
Listing of Sunday's Open Houses from I-Tech MLS
Featuring Open Houses in the 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)

The Diet Continues - Week 76 - No Damn Scale - 11:54 AM
I feel like I have been doing pretty good.  I still have a scale issue.
I had a great suggestion from someone though - I should go by Kaiser (the big HMO and my carrier) and just drop into the health and nutrition office and weigh my self when I am in the area.
I will do this.  The medical scale will give me a very good read, but it is hard to shed anything "extra" when you weigh in there.
For my low carb eats I have been buying bacon ends and pieces, cutting them up small and frying them … (11 comments)

Just Listed! - 3 Bedroom Ranch For Sale in Holden MA - 01520 - 08:55 PM
Just Listed! 3 Bedroom Ranch For Sale in Holden MA - 01520 JUST LISTED with Kathleen Cooper RE/MAX Professional Associates!  This 3 bedroom 1 bath ranch is being offered as a short sale in Holden located at 101 Jamieson Road. WILL NOT LAST! Single story living being offered in the beautiful town of Holden. This ranch style home features 3 bedrooms, fireplaced living room, hardwood floors, newer roof with architectural shingles, one car attached garage, eat-in kitchen, sliders out to deck overlooking huge level backyard. Minutes from the center of town with shopping, restaurants and easy access to I-190. Call for your private showing today! … (7 comments)

SO EXCITED!!! My First of Many Paperless Contracts Signed This Past Week - 09:13 PM
SO EXCITED!!!  My First of Many Paperless Contracts Signed This Past Week I am very pleased to announce that I signed on my first 100% paperless listing contract last week thanks to a ton of research!  I bought an Apple iPad when they first came out in hopes to use it for my business.  I take it out from time to time to use it for Keynote presentations in my office or to take notes on at a seminar, but it was not an everyday tool of mine until now.   I used to use TrueForms online software to do all of my contracts … (9 comments)

Showing Mercy - 07:15 PM
 
Matthew 5:7 (New International Version, ©2011)  
7 Blessed are the merciful,    for they will be shown mercy.
If you have received mercy, then you should also show mercy towards others. This is an a call to action or a call to serve others. You see Jesus saved us not only from a certain death and a seperation from God for all of eternity. He saved us to DO something, that is to express His life through ours as we serve others and demonstrate His mercy.
How do we show mercy towards the world? It is to become involved in our … (5 comments)

A Can of Tuna Makes a Perfect Omelette - 11:47 AM
In FREAKIN' FABULOUS ** devotes a chapter to making a perfect omelette.
 To summarize **'s instructions
Thoroughly beat a couple eggs
Pour the egg mixture in a pan
As the eggs begin to set, tilt the pan so one side is lifted up from the stove burner, and the other side remains on the burner
Plop in some filling on the side of the omelette that remains on  the burner
Let it continue to cook for another minute or so
Slide the omelette out of the pan so the upper side kinda flops over on to the filling side
So here's where the … (0 comments)

Property Owners in Country Club East Gain Foreclosure Relief Thru Short Sales in Lakewood Ranch Florida - 12:49 PM

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Property Owners in Country Club East Gain Foreclosure Relief Thru Short Sales in Lakewood Ranch Florida
Many Country Club East homeowners have found foreclosure relief by making the smart choice to Short Sell their homes. In fact, property owners throughout Lakewood Ranch and Manatee County are avoiding the foreclosure trap through Short Sales.
A Short Sale occurs when a lender agrees to allow the sale of a property for less than the full mortgage balance owed. The typical Short Sale scenario involves a homeowner who for one reason or another … (0 comments)

The Lake Club Property Owners Benefit From Short Sales In Lakewood Ranch Florida - 12:53 PM

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The Lake Club Property Owners Benefit From Short Sales In Lakewood Ranch Florida
As is the case throughout Florida, residents of the Lake Club subdivision in Lakewood Ranch have been touched by the Foreclosure crisis that is plaguing the rest of the nation.
Just as Florida Gulf Coast housing prices had soared during the height of the boom, the "bust" has caused local property values to plummet precipitously. This, combined with the general decline of the overall economy and increase in the area's unemployment rate, has created a situation … (0 comments)

Residents of Greenbrook Ponder Short Sale Option Instead of Foreclosure in Lakewood Ranch Florida - 12:56 PM

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Residents of Greenbrook Ponder Short Sale Option Instead of Foreclosure in Lakewood Ranch Florida
Foreclosures have come to the Greenbrook Village community of Lakewood Ranch as they have elsewhere in Florida. Many residents have considered, researched, and ultimately concluded that a professionally managed Short Sale is the best, least damaging option to take when faced with foreclosure.
Surprisingly most banks are eager to approve a Short Sale, so long as their guidelines are followed and time-lines are met. They are willing to Approve Short Sales, because in the long-run they … (0 comments)

Founders Club Property Owners Brace for Foreclosure While Pondering Sarasota Florida Short Sale - 01:00 PM

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Founders Club Property Owners Brace for Foreclosure While Pondering Sarasota Florida Short Sale
Homeowners at Sarasota's prestigious Founders Club community are finding that they are not immune to the Foreclosure pressures impacting the rest of the Florida Gulf Coast region.
Lenders are increasingly realizing that a Short Sale is in their best interest vs. Foreclosure, and property owners throughout Sarasota County are benefiting from this fact.
The SaraMana preForeclosure & Short Sale Assistance Team has successfully helped numerous area homeowners to navigate the Short Sale process and Avoid Deficiency … (0 comments)

The Latest Sarasota and Bradenton Florida Foreclosure and Mortgage Delinquency Rates Are Out, and They're Not Good! - 01:04 PM

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The Latest Sarasota and Bradenton Florida Foreclosure and Mortgage Delinquency Rates Are Out, and They're Not Good!
As shown in the chart below, both the "Foreclosure Rate" and "90 Days Delinquent Rate" are up as compared to last year:

… (0 comments)

Sarasota & Manatee County Stop Foreclosure & Short Sale Assistance (Video) - 01:09 PM
 
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Sarasota & Manatee County Stop Foreclosure & Short Sale Assistance (Video)
 
Yes, being in a situation where you are facing foreclosure and have to contemplate a short sale of your home is not fun, nor is it insignificant, but I promise you . . . it's not the end of the world! Too many people allow their foreclosure problems to cloud their judgment and ruin their spirit.
 
Folks! I PROMISE you, in five years you will look back on things and realize that they are not so … (0 comments)

Residents of The Country Club Subdivision of La Cantera Discover Advantages of Short Sale Over Foreclosure in Lakewood Ranch, Florida - 01:14 PM

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Residents of The Country Club Subdivision of La Cantera Discover Advantages of Short Sale Over Foreclosure in Lakewood Ranch, Florida
The national Foreclosure Crisis has hit the Florida Gulf Coast in a big way and the residents of LaCantera in the Country Club at Lakewood Ranch are not immune.
Rather than allowing their homes to go into foreclosure, thus having to endure the long-term financial hardship that having a foreclosure on one's financial record brings, La Cantera residents are turning to Short Sales as a viable alternative.
Most lenders … (0 comments)

Summerfield Homeowners Seeking Foreclosure Relief Opt for Short Sales in Lakewood Ranch Florida - 01:18 PM

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Summerfield Homeowners Seeking Foreclosure Relief Opt for Short Sales in Lakewood Ranch Florida
Summerfield homeowners are facing the same Foreclosure issues that the rest of Florida Gulf Coast property owners are facing. As incredible as it may seem, nearly 50% of Manatee County homeowners are "upside-down" on their mortgage balance -- meaning the remaining mortgage balance is higher than the current resale value!
Given the staggering numbers, Short Sales are becoming increasingly popular with both owners and lenders as a viable and less costly alternative to Foreclosure. Less costly … (0 comments)

Riverwalk Residents Confronted With Foreclosure Embrace Short Sale in Lakewood Ranch Florida - 01:23 PM

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Riverwalk Residents Confronted With Foreclosure Embrace Short Sale in Lakewood Ranch Florida
As is the case throughout Manatee County and Lakewood Ranch, Foreclosures and Short Sales have become a hot topic. That's because nearly 50% of area homeowners find themselves in the precarious situation of owing more on their homes than their properties are currently worth.
Short Sales allow homeowners to avoid the negative impact of foreclosure, almost always avoid the long-term, overhanging debt of a Deficiency Judgment, and move on with their lives without the stigma and embarresment … (0 comments)

Florida Watch, February 27, 2011 (Video) - 01:27 PM
Why Short Sale? – FREE information on Foreclosure Defense, Mortgage Modification, Tax Consequences, Deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosure, Short Sales, Deficiency Judgments, Bankruptcy Referrals & more.
John Michailidis, SaraMana Properties – Phone: (941) 822-5221
 
CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar  
"Florida Watch" is the only locally produced political talk show from the Manatee & Sarasota County areas.
In this week's episode the panel discusses government employee unions and their impact on Florida government, and the Florida Republican party's desire to move up the state Republican primary.
 Florida Watch February 27, 2011 from The Bradenton Times on Vimeo.

… (0 comments)

Time To Arrange the Roses Again. - 11:53 AM
 
TLH brought home roses this afternoon. They looked quite pretty in the kitchen sink but I knew I couldn't leave them there much longer.
                            
 
 
               
Just finished arranging them into vases. That's more than enough work for today. A couple photos and that will be my post for today.
I never get tired of writing about my special gift of  flowers.  
 
… (16 comments)

Weekend Update From www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com - 06:40 AM
 

 
… (5 comments)

HAFA short sales with Bank of America are failing - GRADE = F - 03:48 PM
We all celebrated the new HAFA short sale months ago when it was introduced, as with many programs, it sounded good at the time.  Of course I'd say we all had reservations knowing how anything the government had their hands in was going to be doomed...
The reality is that I remained optimistic as long as I could, but now, I give this program a big fat "F," for FAIL. 
Bank of America has especially fallen fall short of anything even resembilng acceptable with their HAFA program implementation and for the most part has outsourced all their HAFA deals.  I have … (2 comments)

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