Archives of real estate blog entries for June 20, 2011

Featured blog posts


Disconnecting For a Day - Is it Possible? - 10:48 PM

Disconnecting For a Day - Is it Possible?
Have you ever wondered what life was like before technology and before, cell phones, twitter, facebook, activerain and email?  We've become so used to being connected that we're afraid to step away from our smartphones and computers for even a minute, let alone a day.
I"m remembering a time not so long ago when I got my first view of what being connected would be like, of what the convenience of having a cell phone might translate into. 
I met a group of friends for a late lunch/early dinner at a nearby … (58 comments)

Four Headaches Under One Roof - Or Double Rent?! - 07:32 AM
One house, 4 bedrooms, near a major university.
Rented to a family - monthly income is around $1000. Rented to students - $2000 a month.
For some landlords - they see this situation as four headaches under one roof: having to deal with each tenant individually to collect rent; the "s/he broke that I didn't" repair calls; constant visits to the property to make sure the home isn't being destroyed; then there are the calls where you have to explain it's not your job to change a light bulb; and from time to time, the late night calls from the police!
But … (36 comments)

You can lead a REALTOR® to blogging, but you can't make them write. - 12:50 AM
You've probably heard the phrase "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink".  It means you can tell someone how to do something, how good it is, and how it will benefit them but there's no way to make them actually do it.  I've found this to be true with blogging.  I've trained many agents in my local market, some direct competitors, and many have fallen off the wagon...so to speak.  So, why do they give up?  What makes an agent who could do this stop?  I've got a few ideas:
Writing - It's hard to … (66 comments)

How to Use LinkedIn to Generate Real Estate Business - 02:28 PM

Updating my LinkedIn profile and tweaking it for optimization and SEO purposes seems to be a never ending (albeit fun) battle for me. I see LinkedIn as a unique resource and one that is an absolute must for anyone needing to give their online presence a professional ‘shot in the arm.’
With so many other online resources to choose from, why should you add LinkedIn to your social medial toolbox? In my opinion, one of the best ways Realtors® can use LinkedIn is to promote their business and brand. With over 100 million active members, LinkedIn is no longer just … (104 comments)

Essentials for Effective SEO Blogging - 02:52 PM
Blogging for personal reasons and blogging for business are two completely different things. You may need to get your thoughts out of your head and in black and white just to express yourself and then there are those blogs where you need to be found. You want someone to search for your blog and find you. This is where business blogging is so important. Although if you're not doing it right you may be missing a lot of traffic. Here are some basic essentials for effective SEO business blogging.
Relevant Title If your title is a catchy phrase or saying but … (62 comments)

Do you Door Knock in your Real Estate neighborhood? What do you give out that is valuable to the home owner? - 09:40 PM
Do you Door Knock in your Real Estate neighborhood? What do you give out that is valuable to the owner ?
Just the other day I was having a conversation with another agent about lead generation and what seems to work and what does not. Then she asked if I ever door knocked? My first reaction was "... I used to when I was new in the real estate business..." When I was a New Real Estate Agent, I listened to my Manger who told me that "Door knocking is the most effective way of making face to face contact". Then next … (90 comments)

TEXAS IS ON FIRE ~ BE SAFE ~ BE CAREFUL! - 11:27 AM
TEXAS IS ON FIRE ~ BE SAFE ~ BE CAREFUL!

Many acres of Texas land has been burning for months now.  The drought in the south Texas area is at an all time one of the worst on record and now the fires are hitting very close to home.  Just yesterday, parts of Grimes, Polk, Liberty and Walker counties experienced these devastating fires.
Entire sections of Interstate 45 in Huntsville, TX were closed as the fires raged along the highway.  This particular fire is believed to have been sparked by the brakes of an 18-wheeler.  That is really scary because … (27 comments)

Is Your Home Listed to Sell or Listed to Sit? - 12:49 AM
After a few days of showing, I think back on what my clients and I saw and how it reflects on the real estate market. Many homes are beautifully presented and competitively priced...these homes make it hard for a buyer to make a decision.
On the other hand, an awful lot of houses are listed but are just sitting. Maybe the seller isn't really aware of how much competition there is, or maybe she is tired, or maybe too beat up by too many negative comments for months. Or at a vacant listing, maybe the agent has turned on lights and … (116 comments)

Do You Stage Your Posts....You Should! - 07:37 PM
Do You “Stage” Your posts – You Should!
 
Like it or not, most of us are visual creatures with short attention spans. With all the posts being generated every day on Active Rain, you want yours to stand out, get noticed and read!
 
I’ve seen many great posts that were feature worthy not get recognized because they had no graphics, white space in between paragraphs or were a little too long to read with the daily time constraints we have to spend in the Rain.  
 
A blog post should be between 200-500 words to keep … (87 comments)

There is Another Reason Your House Has Not Sold! The Right Buyer has not seen it! - 11:49 PM
 
Quite a few posts have been written with reasons your listings won't sell. Alan May has blogged this subject several times. I am here to say...
There is Another Reason Your House Has Not Sold! The Right Buyer has not seen it!
When asked why the house has not sold or why it's been on the market so long...most people will say "It has to be the price". Everything will sell at the right price. List em right and they will sell.
Many times this is true, especially if you have, cookie cutter homes, in the same neighborhood with comps … (59 comments)

Killing trees one contract at a time! - 05:35 AM
Was the lucky recipient of a HUD winning bid the other day.  We're just beginning so I won't even congratulate myself yet.  So far I see way too much paperwork and idiosyncrasies just because we've won.  Has to be signed in blue ink - no exceptions, did you know that?  I guess according to HUD now, blue is the only ink color that counts so don't even try another. Can you say rejection? The bid was received with all the paper I could ever want which my poor little printer began to spew (73 pages). Title report, all foreclosure paperwork, full appraisal, and copies … (82 comments)

Buying a HUD Home? Don't over think it - logic will just frustrate you! - 02:27 PM
The main criteria about dealing with HUD is DO NOT TRY USE LOGIC.  If you do, you will need antidepressants!  For example:
1)  You have to be a HUD approved brokerage to sell a HUD home - although at least here in Idaho nothing on their form to become HUD approved is any more restrictive than getting a broker's license (I don't think they have ever turned one down unless they didn't include a form).
2)  Everyone including Realtor's have to sign in - Here in Boise, we use electronic lockboxes so it encodes the data and time of who opened … (28 comments)

Crystal Beach Florida Parade Of Homes - 08:44 PM
Crystal Beach Florida is an eclectic community of small bungalows that were built fifty or more years ago, enormous modern waterfront pool homes with all of the amenities and everything you can imagine in-between. Many of those bungalows are being purchased and upgraded but that spirit of independence lives on in Crystal Beach Florida.

People are drawn to Crystal Beach Florida because of the laid back atmosphere. There are no mailboxes, no traffic lights, no gas stations - and the few stores that we have are up on Alternate 19. Alternate 19 is also the dividing line between Crystal Beach … (14 comments)

Are You Updating Your Showing Instructions? YOU SHOULD! - 11:26 AM
I just got off the phone attempting to schedule the showing of 8 properties. To my surprise, 4 of those properties had outdated showing information. It wouldn't surprise me if these four properties were missing out on possible showings because the information being provided was outdated and misleading.
Buyers agents don't typically investigate the validity of showing instructions. We simply take what the showing service says as a legitimate request by the seller and their Listing Agent.
 
Here are some examples that I ran into this morning.
1. The first property I wanted to show demanded a 15 minute window … (83 comments)

Are you a Generalist or a Specialist?Red Doors? Brick Doors? Or Yellow Doors? - 03:13 AM
Are you a Generalist or a Specialist? Red Doors? Brick Doors? Or Yellow Doors?

Are you a generalist or a Specialist that was the question I was asked the other day? Being a Relocation Specialist, being an International buyer's specialist, being a Land Expert I was surprised by the question. More so I was having a difficult time answering, that I am both a generalist and a specialist.

As most of my readers know I live in Marina Del Rey, CA and my office is in Beverly Hills and I work for Coldwell Banker Realtors. Thanks to the advent … (38 comments)

Coming Up For Air Means You Are Already In Trouble - 04:16 PM
That expression that we jokingly refer to ourselves or others with too many things going on as "coming up for air" really means we
    Are Already in Trouble.
Think about that. By the time your stressed filled life is FORCED to cope or take some break you have taken yourself to the limit, and if you DON'T GET SOME AIR you won't survive. You can't fight nature.
So without getting too melodramatic about DYING due to stress what are some reminders since we all are busy to handle STRESS much better?
First we know what not to do? Procrastinate, zone … (31 comments)

Is The Blues Killing The Sale Of Your Home? Part 1 Laura S. Baker, Ready? Set,... Sell!, Home Staging & ReDesign, Jefferson County, Dane County, Waukesha County, WI - 01:16 PM
 
 
Is The "Blues" Killing The Sale Of Your Home?
(Part 1)
 
I heard a phrase the other day while working on a house; "That house is blue."  I was puzzled for a moment.  Then I thought about it.  The phrase meant, the house desperately needs "updating" to this era.  You know what I mean?  Blue hair/Blue house?  Yeah,... not exactly how I would put it, but the comment was right on the mark.  So, what makes this house so blue? 
 
Let's take a look;

Part 1,  Could it be the wall paper?  That is part … (66 comments)

Thou Shalt Not Mug the Buyer Agent - 04:44 PM

I just got off the phone with the listing agent of a home I showed a buyer client this past weekend.
Wow. I feel like I got mugged. 
After the initial salutations and memory jogging of who the agent was and the address of the property in question, she went into this rapid fire, question-answer-rebuttal exchange with me where I was rendered speechless, a rarity for me. Apparently, no objection as to why the house does not feel like home for my buyer stopped her from batting back answers like a 1975 encyclopedia salesman. 
My client needs a yard for … (71 comments)

Property Manager CAUGHT in the Short Sale SNAFU! - 06:06 AM
EVERYTHING I know about Short Sales I have learned HERE...on ActiveRain....EVERYTHING.  One of my departing residents has been on me for 3 months to allow them to go month2month on their lease because they are trying to buy a home that is a Short Sale. First they wanted a week extension from their Friday, June 17th end date and I agreed to a week extension....then they wanted to go month2month because the house purchase was taking too long to get through the bank. I had to say NO.  I want to control the AVAILABLE DATE for prospective residents without the entire … (47 comments)

If I don't know you, you must be an idiot! - 02:57 PM
Real Estate is an interesting business. There is a wide range of personalities, formal education levels, real estate education, industry experience, full-time, part-time,  those"trying it out"- the list goes on and on. Most of us working in real estate are entrepreneurs and independent contractors. We have worked hard to develop a team of vendors that we work well with and feel confident in their abilities to close a transaction smoothly. From time to time, this perfect little world we have created gets thrown off balance with the addition of another party; someone we have never hear of- another agent, a lender, … (74 comments)

Listing Agents... here are 7 Reasons why your listing won't sell! - 09:58 AM
Last year I published a post called Seven Reasons why your house won't sell, that was targeted primarily at the home owner.  Today, I'm concentrating on real estate agents, and outlining a handful of reasons why your listing won't sell.
While most real estate agents understand these points well, there are still some who just don't seem to get it, and they keep giving all of us a black-eye.  This is an attempt to educate those outliers.
Reason #1 why your listing won't sell:  You don't return my calls.  I have called, and called to try to make an appointment, and … (200 comments)

Have you ever fired a client or shied away from a prospect? - 11:05 PM
Although it is important to continue to attract prospects and cultivate clients, I am valuing my own time (and safety) a lot more.
When I was a newbie, it was all I could do to jump in a car after receiving a call to show property to a client before I even pre-qualified him/her to see if he/she is a good prospect.  Many years and many transactions later, I think I have learned my lesson.

So many reasons and episodes where I either walked away or shied away from a prospective client.Refusal or hesitation to meet first before seeing property.
… (51 comments)

Dump the head trash and show property the right way! - 09:29 PM
I got the best text message from a buyer today. "I went to go view one of the properties you sent me via email and found out the neighborhood was a HOT MESS (her words, not mine). I am definitely glad I went by there before wasting our time setting an appointment to view the inside". Of course it was in about 3 messages since it was so long, lol. 
Typically I set my clients up on a search and have it emailed to them automatically. Then I tell them to contact me about the properties they are interested in viewing. … (33 comments)


Blog posts


4951-4953 Baltimore Street, Highland Park - 06:17 PM
4951-4953 Baltimore Street, Highland Park
 

4951-4953 Baltimore Street, Highland Park, offered for sale at: $292,000
Investment opportunity: Side-by-side easy-care duplex in central Highland Park location. Corner lot. Long term tenants. Close proximity to coffee shops, restaurants and shopping on York Boulevard.
For more information, please visit:  http://4951baltimore.bob-taylor.info/
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 about our intensive marketing strategies for selling your home … (0 comments)

Perception is their reality. - 11:50 AM
 
Selling a Home for top price is an art.  If you want to get the best when Selling a Home it has to show the best.  This is a Post of Staging and how it will help when Selling a Home.
If you want more information on Selling a Home or a Free Home Evaluation go to HomePointRealEstate.com.
 
Via Janice Ankrett Burlington Ontario Accredited Staging Professional (Janice Ankrett Home Staging):
 
Staging is all about presenting a home to buyers. Staging helps the buyers see the home's features in  a positive light. We stage the home to highlight the … (3 comments)

The Active Rain Real Estate Company! - 12:24 PM
I just got to reading Chris Cleland's great post - Active Rain to the Rescue.  It got me thinking about what role does Active Rain plays in my business and life.
I have been primarily a small business man most of my life, even before real estate.  Before I had my own business I worked best on commission and with little supervision.  Today I own a very small Real Estate Firm - I am the Broker - Listing Agent - Buyers Agent - Short Sale Department - and sweep up the place (sometimes).  Of course I have different vendor partners I … (5 comments)

5 Reasons You May Not Want to Counter That Offer - 12:35 PM
 
Selling a Home involves a lot of negotiations and can become rather involved.  This post offers some cautions on how (or when) to negotiate when Selling a Home. 
For more information on Selling a Home or a Free Home Evaluation go to HomePointRealEstate.com.
 
Via Tni LeBlanc REALTOR® Santa Maria CA Homes Central Coast:
5 Reasons You May Not Want to Counter That OfferIt never hurts to ask, right?  How many times have you heard that expression?  However, as a real estate agent, I have a front row seat and back stage pass to home buying and selling action, and … (3 comments)

New Construction Home For Sale SAVE $15,000 IF PURCHASED THIS WEEK BEFORE 06/26/2011 - 03:35 PM
… (0 comments)

Save $15,000 Off Listing Price This Week prior to 06/27/2011 New Construction Home For Sale - 03:39 PM
… (2 comments)

CCA Texas Meeting TONIGHT - Bay Area Chapter - 02:53 PM
 
Just A Reminder for tonight
CCA Texas
Bay Area Chapter General Membership Meeting TONIGHT!

COME HEAR SHANE BONNOT FROM SEA CENTER TEXAS SPEAK TO OUR CHAPTER!!
Monday, June 20th at 7pm
Mario’s Pizza on Nasa Rd. 1
Ya’ll come on out and join the good time we will be having at Mario’s Pizza on June 20th.  We’ve got Shane Bonnot from Sea Center coming to talk to us about his flounder work and cool facts about Sea Center and how it impacts our Texas bays.  Sea Center Texas is a one-of-a-kind marine fish hatchery and Visitor’s Center located … (0 comments)

This Left Us Speechless This Sunday, But Motivated For Monday! - 05:28 AM

Motivated for a new Monday.  As Russel Ray suggested, I took at look at this great blog from Al and Peggy Cunningham. 
I don't always watch every video people suggest, sometimes I'd never get anything else done.  If you're like me, just watch this one, it's short and will surely put a smile on your face.
Via Al and Peggy Cunningham, Brokers Voted Best Real Estate People Brampton (RE/MAX Realty Services Inc. Buying or Selling):
This Left Us Speechless This Sunday, But Motivated For Monday! You just have to take a few minutes and watch this amazing little boy. Yes, he is … (0 comments)

A Calming Experience...Watching a Fish Tank - 05:37 AM
Suggested as a feature worthy and rebloggable read by Russel Ray, I took a look and agreed.  This must be why our dentist has a huge aquarium in their waiting room.  I do enjoy watching fish and someday hope to have an indoor aquarium again.For now, my husband and I have a small garden pond with some goldfish.  We actually bought the cheapest fish, feeders, last summer.  They were near death when I brought them home, we figured they would all die.  If you've never had a new aquarium/same with a new pond like ours, you have to get the right … (3 comments)

RE-BLOGGING and BEYOND - 02:28 PM

Following is an excellent post by Richard Yates about the benefits of reblogging. I am the tenth person to reblog at this moment and I am doing this to get it back into the newbie group. Apparently even if a post is featured in a group if it is edited after the feature, it goes back to its original place in line.
Via Richard Yates, REALTOR Orange County, CA Homes For Sale (Coldwell Banker Real Estate):
RE-BLOGGING and BEYOND
 
We all understand the purpose of a RE-BLOG.  Right? 
To RE-BLOG or NOT, that is the question.  
If we like … (19 comments)

There is Another Reason Your House Has Not Sold! The Right Buyer has not seen it! - 11:49 PM
 
Quite a few posts have been written with reasons your listings won't sell. Alan May has blogged this subject several times. I am here to say...
There is Another Reason Your House Has Not Sold! The Right Buyer has not seen it!
When asked why the house has not sold or why it's been on the market so long...most people will say "It has to be the price". Everything will sell at the right price. List em right and they will sell.
Many times this is true, especially if you have, cookie cutter homes, in the same neighborhood with comps … (59 comments)

What does "Waiting On MI Approval" Mean? - 01:51 PM

Hi Broker Bryant. What does MI stand for? And why am I waiting on MI approval?
MI stands for Mortgage Insurance. The Mortgage Insurance Company is a major decision maker with a Short Sale. They are the ones insuring the loss. There are usually 3 entities involved in the Short Sale decision making process.
The Lender/servicer:
The Short Sale request is submitted to the servicer (lender). This is Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo etc.. This entity is the one that lent the money or bought the servicing of the loan later. This is who Borrowers/sellers make their … (13 comments)

A Well Deserved Thank You - Ocala Honor Flight - 09:13 PM
We live among heroes in Ocala, The Villages and surrounding areas and some of these well deserving heroes, our World War II veterans, were honored recently with a flight to Washington, DC to visit their service memorial.  They were guests of Ocala Honor Flight which is part of the National Honor Flight Network.
Honor Flight Network was established to honor America's veterans for their service and sacrifices.  This not-for-profit organization transports veterans to Washington, DC to honor them and provide a chance for veterans to visit their memorials in an atmosphere of reflection and appreciation of others for their sacrifices. Preference … (0 comments)

Mount Vernon Ohio Upgraded Ranch Just $120,000 - 10:25 AM
If you are a fan of Corian counter tops and hardwood flooring you will smile when you step inside this super clean, nice and neat Mount Vernon Ohio home for sale at 1213 North Mulberry Street.
To view additional listing details and to view our extensive virtual tour photo slideshow be sure to visit 1213 North Mulberry Street in Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050.  We have also created a special link which features all of our available Mount Vernon Ohio homes for sale and organized in price order.
Sam Miller Team at REMAX Stars Realty (740) 397-7800  Knox County Ohio Real Estate
… (1 comments)

Historical East Gambier Street Location in Mount Vernon Ohio - 04:58 PM
It is super rare to find a home in such a nice Mount Vernon Ohio location for only $50,000.
You can view additional listing information and an extensive virtual tour slideshow by visiting 707 East Gambier Street in Mount Vernon, Ohio.
Sam Miller Team of REMAX Stars Realty (740) 397-7800  Knox County Ohio Real Estate
… (3 comments)

Country Home with Acreage and Only 3 Minutes To Kenyon College - 05:20 PM
 
Desirable country setting with lots of garage space, outbuildings, covered picnic shelter and located on 3.25 acres of land.  This home is ideally located just east of Mount Vernon and within only a few minutes of Gambier Ohio and Kenyon College.
You can view additional listing details and an extensive virtual tour photo slideshow by visiting 11937 McManis Road in Mount Vernon.  
Sam Miller Team of REMAX Stars Realty (740) 397-7800  Knox County Ohio Real Estate
 
… (4 comments)

The Best Ways To Look for Pre Foreclosure Listings - 08:50 PM
Where to find foreclosures and pre foreclosure listing
There’s basically several ways you can look for a pre foreclosure listing. Be reminded though that you’re not the only one looking for this information. So putting a little effort on your methods goes a long way especially in finding a great pre foreclosure listing. Here are some methods:
1. Public Records: The Notice of Default (NOD), Lis Pendens or for a Notice of Sale would be the records you need to ask your County Clerk at your County Recorder’s Office. This is a foreclosure list that is already in the courthouse and … (1 comments)

How Do I Find Relief at the Virginia Gas Pumps? - 11:21 AM
How Do I Find Relief at the Virginia Gas Pumps?

We all have been looking for this answer as of late. With gas prices $1 more than where they were last summer, it has many of us screaming "UNCLE!" when it comes to filling up our gas tanks! And, with summer travel just ahead of us, it is looking like there is no relief in sight. Or, maybe not!
Recently Holly Thomas wrote a column in the Washington Post with some fantastic tips to save you that hard earned cash the next time you are at the pump. Below are … (5 comments)

5179 New Hope Rd , Buckingham TWP. $50,000 price reduction!! - 12:50 PM
Very Motivated seller went from  $799,900 to $724,900 and now
$674,900
Great price for this Contmporary in Buckingham Pa.
http://postlets.com/res/5567581
 
 
 
… (2 comments)

A Realtors Alternative to Hair Loss - 09:52 AM
Hello & Welcome to the 4th week of June 2011 from your friends & partners here at (FTA) Franklin Title Agency,
Are you tearing your hair out every day in dealing with your ‘In-House' Title Company?
 Here at Franklin Title Agency - We'd love to be your alternative to your ‘In-House' title company as we treat every client as if they are the only client providing you with same to next day turn times on title orders as well as closings literally anywhere-anytime at flat fees every time!
 
A Great Title & Closing Company can make a Realtor and … (0 comments)

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