Archives of real estate blog entries for May 8, 2011

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My Shortest Listing Presentation of All Time - 11:35 PM

 
A little after 9a.m. on Friday morning my phone rang and on the other end of the ringer was a  friend of mine  from my past life outside of real estate.  We hadn’t talked in a while and it was nice to hear  his voice.  He wanted to refer me to a former employee named “Archie” who was being relocated out of the area.He told me that Archie had spoken to another agent but the agent wasn’t excited about the opportunity.  Now why would an agent not be excited about a listing?  Could it be that the seller is … (124 comments)

I'M CALLING MY OWN SHOTS! Plus a Few Others that the AR Gods Missed this Week - 08:06 PM

 
Well, this week there were so many really great posts here in the rain by some of my fave bloggers as well as some newbie bloggers that I've recently come across.  First and foremost, I just want to give a shout out to my fellow rainers for their gold star features that I was happy to "call the shot" on them. 
I don't believe pre-approvals anymore, and it's partly my own fault by Alan May
It's Not You It's Me...Well Actually Maybe It Is YOU: How to Grow in "The Rain!" by Andi Grant
Working from Home is a CHALLENGE! by newbie … (33 comments)

Pollyanna meets Chicken Little! - 12:18 AM
 
Everyone seems to have an opinion of where the housing market is headed.  Unfortunately, no one seems to have a whole lot to back up their opinion! Whether it is the media, real estate agents, politicians,  the NAR, the public or even economists, there is just no opinion that seems to be prevailing and based on real facts! 
 
 
Now, we all know that real estate is very local.  What is happening in Florida has little to do with what is happening with the housing market in Spokane.  We didn’t reach the crazy highs here and have not experienced … (49 comments)

Hillsdale NJ Real Estate Report|April 2011' Single Family Homes Sold Report - 10:31 AM
Hillsdale NJ Real Estate Report|April 2011' Single Family Homes Sold Report saw Six homes closing in the popular town of Hillsdale as the Spring season begins ever so slowly.  With interest rates lower than ever, Buyers can take advantage of some wonderful opportunities to own a piece of Small Town America in this sought after town known as the town with a heart!  There's no place like A Home Sweet Hillsdale Home!
The town of  Hillsdale is constantly changing to keep up with the times while maintaining that desirable small town feel.  Residents can take advantage of the many amenities offered by this Pascack Valley town.

… (23 comments)

About Sending Listings to Other Agents - 10:41 AM
Maybe some agents are living under a rock and do not have access to MLS? I don't understand why some agents continually bombard me by sending spammy email flyers. Half the time there is no unsubscribe option. Isn't that breaking some law? They think nothing of sending a listing to other agents.
Consumers, end users, need to see your flyers, not other agents.
Even if some agents are sleeping in their cars, they can still park in front of Starbucks to get free Wi-Fi. They can go to MLS. See, the thing is if I'm looking for a home like the … (102 comments)

Ditch the 9s When Pricing Your Charlotte Real Estate - 03:13 PM
Ditch the 9s When Pricing Your Charlotte Real Estate
Most, if not all, Charlotte real estate buyers start with an Internet property search.  Even buyers who are working with real estate agents start the weed-out process via the World Wide Web. 
Because real estate has such a strong virtual presence these days, smart internet marketing (including price setting) is an absolute must for selling your home quickly.  Here are a few pricing techniques to maximize the number of potential buyers who find your home when they search for Charlotte real estate online:

The theory of the 9s - Most real … (81 comments)

Activerain is our community, let's make sure we keep it clean. - 08:56 AM
Activerain is much more than just a blogging site, it's a place to speak and be heard by thousands of colleagues, prospects and clients.  It's our little hang-out in the digital universe.  And yet, we get a few slobs who want to litter our hang-out with two kinds of junk: SPAM accounts and SPAM posts.
The SPAM accounts seem to be popping up much more lately.  They all look the same; no picture, no comment history, a phone number with way too many digits, poor description grammar, and only one or two posts.  Many of these accounts are offering us genuinely … (106 comments)

Short and Sweet...Just my Opinon on Active Rain - 09:24 PM
There is a lot of chatter on Active Rain management and their ability to keep the system up and working.
Do I care?  Sure…somewhat
Do I fret?   Only occasionally
Do I sling mud?  Nope and here’s why…I sell real estate, I manage a household, I have friends, I like to go out to lunch, I should exercise more…but you get the point.  I don’t sit at my computer reading blog post after blog post for my day’s activity.  I do it in my down time which I always have throughout the day.
I work it in when I can and lately … (71 comments)

Do You Door Knock or Walk Your Farm? Does it Work? - 06:02 PM

Do You Walk Your Farm or Neighborhood?

Jane Peters wrote a post To Door Knock or Not to Door Knock? That is the Question. Here is the Answer!  I have a bit of different take on it. I think we all have a varied marketing program, and walking the neighborhood is a way to remain visible in your farm. Whether or not you farm in your neighborhood is up to you. There are pros and cons to that.
I do walk my farm, and walk my dog in my farm (more like marlin fishing).
As a result of that, the residents … (80 comments)

My Client’s Comment Got Me Thinking…… - 10:39 AM
I had dinner with a past client this weekend, and she said something that was very thought provoking. We met at an open house and got to chatting. She and her husband had just started looking for an investment property – one her son and his wife could move into and rent. She had some very specific criteria for the area of the property, so I collected some information to set up a search alert.  Later that evening, I set the search up and sent a ‘nice to have met you’ message as well. Now that we are on ‘friend’ terms, … (79 comments)


Blog posts


I Need A Little Help From My Friends - I Love You Mom - Cullman Alabama Tornado Victims - 09:05 AM
Its been some time since I posted but I can't help to think this is the perfect place to send my mom Mothers Day wishes and ask my friends for a little help.  This Mothers Day is really different with a lot of happiness and a little sadness.  I have to share and want my mom to know just how much I love her.
My mom and dad took us in when we were little and raised as their own.  They had 5 kids of their own and gave us all a good life but it seems my mom and dad … (4 comments)

So what is a Good Buy! - 04:49 PM
I have a client e-mail and tell me to put in an offer way below asking because he wants to get a "Good Buy."  He did not define how much that offer should be or the other particulars.
Here is a portion of what I e-mailed him in response:
A good deal is defined as what you pay for a property compared to the rest of the market, not how much you can get the price down on an already under priced property. Trying to get a already low priced property much lower may give a sense of pride, but often … (3 comments)

I like Old Houses! - 06:48 PM
Many will think when I say I like Old Houses I am talking about classic Victorians or some other vintage type of home, but I am just talking about old homes in general.
Now some old homes can be very scary, but if kept up properly an older home can have a lot of appeal. 
The first thing that strikes me is the smells.  I am not talking some of those smells that set of a problem alert or say something is dead here.  I am talking about the smell of wood, maybe a twinge of smoke, even cedar maybe from … (3 comments)

Five Great Westerns! - 06:59 PM
A common insult directed at Americans and George W. Bush in particular was the term "Cowboy."  East Coast and Left Coast Liberal Snobs see it as a put down.  However, the vast majority of Americans admire the Cowboy way and to be called a Cowboy is to be called a man of Character.
The Cowboy mythology is about loyalty, standing up for what is right, going it alone in the face of long odds, friendship, and determination.  If you want to understand America and the values of Middle America you need to understand the Cowboy.  Here is my list of 5 … (5 comments)

The Diet Continues - Week 85 - Back on Induction - 07:12 PM
Well we are both being bad.  Monday we start on induction again.  I have not gone over board with being bad, but I really need to shock my system back into some good habits.
Perhaps induction will get off to some good weight loss for the first week to two too.
 
… (0 comments)

You have to ask yourself, "Do I feel lucky?" - 07:20 PM
For those Buying a Home I am always recommending a Home Inspection.  Here is a great Home Inspection story and an example of why you need a good Home Inspector.
For more information on Buying a Home go to HomePointRealEstate.com.
Via Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com):
While it is not quite on a par with Dirty Harry, every home inspection brings with it the question of, “Do I feel lucky?”  There are instances where it is often better to be “lucky” than “good.”  A nice mix of the two keeps most inspectors out of trouble.
Today’s story has … (3 comments)

How to prepare for your home to be inspected. - 07:32 PM
For those Buying a Home here is another great post on Home Inspections.  I cannot say enough how important this issue is.
If you are considering Buying a Home go to HomePointRealEstate.com for more great information.
Via Coral Gundlach (McEnearney Associates, Arlington Virginia):
Home Inspections can be a daunting experience for both buyers and sellers.
Buyers: If you are about to go through one, remember  that it will be difficult to find out everything "wrong" with the house you are in love with.   You know you love the flow, location, room sizes and updates.  But now an inspector is going to go through it … (1 comments)

Speechless Sunday (almost!): Flowers for you on Mother's Day! - 07:46 PM
Here are some pictures of some nice Mother's Day flowers.  I hope you all had a great Mother's Day today.
Wanda is always posting great pictures of South West Utah.  Todays picture is a little different.
Via Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - St. George, Utah Realtor® (Prado & Kramer Real Estate, St. George, UT 435.632.9374):
When I think of Mother's Day, many words come to mind; nurturing. loving, caring, it's those exact actions that mean the most. A person who is nurtured, loved, cared for tend to show others the same. Moms come in all sizes, shapes and personalities but one thing is sure, … (4 comments)

But It's Your Job To Show Houses!! - 07:46 AM
 
It seems that many consumers really just don't know how real estate agents get paid. Many don't seem to understand that real estate agents are self-employed and receive no salary and no benefits whatsoever.  As such, the savvy business-minded agent is going to do what any other savvy business person does - hold the line on non-essential expenses.  Running around showing homes to unqualified buyers definitely ranks in the top 3 non-essential expenses.  
Agents are (or should be) consultants and, as consultants we are here to assist buyers in determining if they qualify for a loan prior to beginning … (2 comments)

What does it mean to be a mother? - 11:03 AM
Even though my oldest is almost 20 years old, I can still remember when I was pregnant with her. Of course, I didn't know "it" was a girl. This was 1991 and even though many of my friends were getting ultrasounds to find out the sex of their babies, my doctor was old fashioned and said it was an unnecessary medical procedure. I remember wondering what it would be like to be a mommy, I couldn't imagine it, it just seemed unbelievable.Once she arrived, I couldn't imagine NOT being a mommy. We also have a 17 yr old son, we had … (5 comments)

Boy, All of This Down Time Is Aggravating! - 05:05 PM
I sure do hope that whatever is wrong with the Active Rain servers gets figured out soon. All I can think of are all of the hundreds of thousands of Google Hits that people cannot make b/c the site is down.
I checked myself by googling some of my key-words. Sure enough, my pages came up on google, but the links were dead. What if I had been a client? Lost business for sure!
 
… (11 comments)

North Sarasota County, Waterfront Condo & Villa Listings - Florida Gulf Coast Real Estate For Sale! - 06:05 PM
You know you want to live in Paradise! What Are You Waiting For? Pristine white sands, crystal blue waters, and cool gulf breezes! Begin your FREE Florida Gulf Coast Property Search Now!

 
CLICK HERE for North Sarasota County, Waterfront Condo & Villa Listings
 
North Sarasota County, Waterfront Condo & Villa Listings - Florida Gulf Coast Real Estate For Sale!
People are flocking to the lush and inviting communities up and down the Florida Gulf Coast in order to take advantage of historically unprecedented real estate bargains! If you are looking for a great deal on a waterfront condominium … (0 comments)

South Sarasota Waterfront Single Family Home Listings - Florida Gulf Coast Homes For Sale! - 06:07 PM
You know you want to live in Paradise! What Are You Waiting For? Pristine white sands, crystal blue waters, and cool gulf breezes! Begin your FREE Florida Gulf Coast Property Search Now!

CLICK HERE for South Sarasota County, Single Family, Waterfront Listings
 
South Sarasota Waterfront Single Family Home Listings - Florida Gulf Coast Homes For Sale!
The bargains never end! To find a great deal on a South Sarasota County, single family, waterfront property all you have to do is click on the link to begin your search!
Search the entire South Sarasota multiple listing service (Realtor® MLS) just … (0 comments)

QuickFreeMLS.com - Florida Gulf Coast Real Estate Listings For Sale - Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Lakewood Ranch, Siesta Key, Palmetto, Parrish - 06:10 PM
You know you want to live in Paradise! What Are You Waiting For? Pristine white sands, crystal blue waters, and cool gulf breezes! Begin your FREE Florida Gulf Coast Property Search Now!

CLICK HERE to Start Your Free Search NOW!
 

QuickFreeMLS.com Allows You Unlimited Searches Of Florida Gulf Coast Real Estate Bargains - Sarasota, Siesta Key, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Bradenton, Venice & More!
Now is the time to find fantastic bargains on Florida Gulf Coast real estate and QuickFreeMLS.com is the place to find your dream property! You can search for:
Condos Villas Townhouses Single Family Golf … (4 comments)

South Sarasota Waterfront Condo & Villa Listings - Florida Gulf Coast Homes For Sale! - 06:12 PM
You know you want to live in Paradise! What Are You Waiting For? Pristine white sands, crystal blue waters, and cool gulf breezes! Begin your FREE Florida Gulf Coast Property Search Now!

**CLICK HERE for South Sarasota County Waterfront Condo & Villa Listings**
 
South Sarasota Waterfront Condo & Villa Listings - Florida Gulf Coast Homes For Sale!
Now is the time to find fantastic bargains on South Sarasota (Including: Venice, Laurel, Nokomis, North Port) Waterfront Villa and Condominium properties! If you are looking for a great deal on a waterfront property in South Sarasota County Florida all you have … (0 comments)

Siesta Key Waterfront Single Family Listings For Sale - QuickFreeMLS.com - 06:14 PM
You know you want to live in Paradise! What Are You Waiting For? Pristine white sands, crystal blue waters, and cool gulf breezes! Begin your FREE Florida Gulf Coast Property Search Now!

**CLICK HERE for Siesta Key Waterfront Single Family Listing Bargains**
 
Siesta Key Waterfront Single Family - Florida Gulf Coast Homes For Sale!
Fantastic bargains can currently be found on Siesta Key Waterfront Single Family properties in tropical Sarasota County! If you are looking for a great deal on a waterfront property in Siesta Key Florida, all you have to do is click on the link to find … (2 comments)

Siesta Key Waterfront Condos & Villas - Florida Gulf Coast Real Estate For Sale! - 06:16 PM
You know you want to live in Paradise! What Are You Waiting For? Pristine white sands, crystal blue waters, and cool gulf breezes! Begin your FREE Florida Gulf Coast Property Search Now!

**CLICK HERE for Siesta Key Waterfront Condo, Villa, and Townhouse Listing Bargains**
 
Siesta Key Waterfront Condos & Villas - Florida Gulf Coast Real Estate For Sale!
Fantastic bargains can currently be found on Siesta Key Waterfront Condominium, Villa, and Townhouse properties in beautiful Sarasota County! If you are looking for a great deal on waterfront real estate in Siesta Key Florida, all you have to do is … (3 comments)

Manatee County Waterfront Single Family Listings - Florida Gulf Coast Real Estate For Sale! - 06:18 PM
You know you want to live in Paradise! What Are You Waiting For? Pristine white sands, crystal blue waters, and cool gulf breezes! Begin your FREE Florida Gulf Coast Property Search Now!

**CLICK HERE for Manatee County Florida Waterfront Single Family Listing Bargains**
 
Manatee County Waterfront Single Family Listings - Florida Gulf Coast Real Estate For Sale!!
Now is the time to find fantastic bargains on Manatee County (Including: Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach, Longboat Key, Parrish, Palmetto, Ellenton) Waterfront Single Family properties! If you are looking for a great deal on a waterfront property in … (2 comments)

Manatee County Waterfront Condo & Villa Listings - Florida Gulf Coast Real Estate For Sale! - 06:20 PM
You know you want to live in Paradise! What Are You Waiting For? Pristine white sands, crystal blue waters, and cool gulf breezes! Begin your FREE Florida Gulf Coast Property Search Now!

 
**CLICK HERE for Manatee County Florida Waterfront Condominium & Villa Listing Bargains**
 
Manatee County Waterfront Condo & Villa Listings - Florida Gulf Coast Real Estate For Sale!
Now is the time to find fantastic bargains on Manatee County (Including: Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach, Longboat Key, Parrish, Palmetto, Ellenton) Waterfront Condo & Villa properties! If you are looking for a great deal on … (2 comments)

Bird Key Single Family Listings - Florida Gulf Coast Real Estate For Sale! - 06:22 PM
You know you want to live in Paradise! What Are You Waiting For? Pristine white sands, crystal blue waters, and cool gulf breezes! Begin your FREE Florida Gulf Coast Property Search Now!

 
**CLICK HERE for Bird Key Florida Single Family Listing Bargains**

 
Bird Key Single Family Listings - Florida Gulf Coast Real Estate For Sale!
Now is the right time for you to find some great bargains on Bird Key Single Family properties! If you are looking for a great deal on Bird Key Florida, all you have to do is click on the link to find … (32 comments)

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