Archives of real estate blog entries for June 6, 2011

Featured blog posts


Two Amazing Realtor Productivity Tools - 09:56 PM
 
“Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens” may have been the favorite things of Maria in The Sound of Music, but in the 21st Century things are different. The 21st Century real estate agent needs to be focused on productivity. Agents need to be in several places at once, doing sixty-seven things at one—tweeting, returning phone calls, syndicating listings, blogging, and holding open houses (just to name a few). 
I’ve come across of few things that really increase Realtor® productivity. And, in an age where productivity directly impacts closings, productivity tools are a good thing, right?
Just two weeks ago, … (26 comments)

Can You Sell Real Estate In Shorts And Flip Flops? - 08:01 PM
How do you define professional? Is it what title you have behind your name? Is it what company you work for? Is it how your email address comes across? Is it what you drive? How about what you wear? Or is it a combination of those things?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, I hate to tell you this, but you're wrong. Big time, dead wrong! Professionalism is an action. It's a way of doing business and doing it properly. It's about doing the things that will create lasting success in any walk of life.
No matter … (132 comments)

Dear Consumer – I Have a Favor to Ask - 10:27 PM
Our first meeting didn’t lead me to believe we had a client-agent relationship.  Merely that you had some real estate questions, and that I promised to provide you with answers.
Our meeting may have been through an introduction by a common acquaintance, a chance meeting at an open house, or you may have contacted me through my website or my blog. I realize that I need to provide information in a professional and expedient manner in response to your inquiry.  And in doing so, I have the chance to earn your trust, and perhaps your business should a real estate-related need … (95 comments)

Hidden Meadow Subdivision, Perry GA 31069 - Perry Real Estate - 05:58 AM
Hidden Meadow Subdivision, Perry GA 31069 - Perry Georgia Real Estate Hidden Meadow Subdivision is located south of US 341 off Old Farm Road (entrance) in Perry GA 31069. Homes in the Hidden Meadow Subdivision are generally available in the $175K-$225K range. This Houston County GA subdivision consists of one and two story brick and vinyl homes. All homes have at least a 2-car garage and a few have pools. Hidden Meadow Subdivision in Perry GA is an established child friendly community with well-maintained neighborhoods and mature trees. This Perry community is conveniently located near restaurants, entertainment, and I-75. The Houston … (25 comments)

An Observation On Those Stone Throwing Glass House People - 10:51 AM
This is one of the posts where I explain my backwards view of the world or what may be enlightenment to myself but maybe common sense to everyone else but I came up with
An Observation On Those Stone Throwing Glass House People.
You know, don't throw rocks if you live in glass houses. Don't try taking the splinter out of your neighbor's eye when you have a plank in your own eye. That hypocritical behavior of people criticizing you when either they are doing the same thing or are even WORSE than you.
First off, why would people live in … (29 comments)

My first video- It's Friday RE/MAX Remix - 06:01 PM
OK, technically, its not my very first video, but it is my first music video.
A couple of months ago, a very annoyingly catchy song by 13 year-old Rebecca Black called "It's Friday" made the rounds on YouTube.

The song was so silly, funny, irritating, and liked and disliked by so many, that parodies were soon cropping up everywhere.
Naturally, this prompted me to create my own "real estate version" of the song.
It was alot of fun making the video. It shows me on a normal Friday/Saturday, waking up, getting my coffee, counseling and showing homes to clients. … (32 comments)

Rental Property Maintenance Tip in Bristol Tn Va - 07:40 AM
Rental Property Maintenance Tip in Bristol Tn Va

Just a quick tip for all those out there in The Bristol Tn Va Area that have rental property!
If you have rental property that is vacant you need to check it out everyday for possible problems! I have a good client who was in between renters and had failed to check the property for a couple of weeks and got a call from a neighbor yesterday that water was running out of the house.
It was a mess....no way to know how long the pipe had been leaking but it … (34 comments)

Mortgage Fraud On The Rise - 07:39 PM
Mortgage Fraud On The Risedue to more and more Borrowers not telling the truth when they are applying for a Mortgage.  Borrowers are lying about their intent to occupy the property that they are applying for a Mortgage on, and about the income they make.  As a result occupancy fraud has risen as much as 25%, and income fraud more than 70%
The qualifying guidelines are far stricter for investment properties, verses owner occupied property, also fewer Mortgage Programs are available as well.  Investment properties require a higher downpayment than owner occupied properties, as well as higher Closing Costs, because of additional points … (41 comments)

SO WHAT? YOU BLEW IT ~ MOVE ON! - 10:44 AM
SO WHAT? YOU BLEW IT ~ MOVE ON!

Don't we all have those days, those clients, those deals that for whatever the reason, we just blew it?  We ALL have and we ALL hopefully learned a valuable lesson upon the blown deal or disappointed client.  What do you do with it?  Well, that is the key.
We all hope to make all of our clients satisfied 100% of the time.  The reality is that this will never happen.  Often times people are mismatched, perhaps the deal just wasn't meant to be or maybe you really did just drop the ball.
… (42 comments)

ACTIVERAINLAND...WHERE ALL THE RAINMAKERS LIVE, PLAY, AND WORK - 02:58 PM
I just finished watching a movie called Copland where cops all live in one little town and it becomes crime free and everyone plays a part in the town. Well, why not a place where all the Rainmakers live? Lets see, it would be a place that is clean, attractive, lawns green, with agents pictures on all the mailboxes...
Here are some of the residents and what they do...
Lenn Harley...neighborhood watch and Chairman of the HOA Barbara Todaro ...charge of the welcome wagon committee Kerrie...community traffic, appropriate signage and miscellaneous good news Pat Kennedy...Concerts in the park.. Nestor & Katerina...Chamber … (83 comments)

But I Really Just Want to See the House! - 08:29 PM
 
I have a beautiful cottage in the country, minutes from I-75 less that 30 minutes to Tampa (click the photo for the virtual tour or the link above for the details). It has an inground pool, fenced, two pastures,2.65 acres, outbuildings, affordably priced...sounds perfect, right? it happens to be located on a dirt road that is not county maintained, and the folks who live on the road do not have a written maintenance agreement.
So what does that mean? It means that the home does not qualifty for FHA or VA financing. I was inspired to write this after … (38 comments)

A Buyers Interest Can Fade As Quickly As A Season! Laura S. Baker, Ready? Set,...Sell! Home Staging & ReDesign, Jefferson County, Dane County, Dodge County, Waukesha County, WI - 07:03 PM
 
A Buyers Interest Can Fade As Quickly As A Season!
One of my most favorite seasons in my garden is the season of the Iris.  An Iris can be soft and cool in tone like the soft evening breeze. 

 
It can be bright and colorful like the playfulness of a child. 

 
It can be hot and rich like the fast burning intensiveness of a relationship built on lust alone. 

 
Sadly, An Iris fades quickly like the interest of a buyer in a home that shows poorly in the MLS or is overpriced, … (36 comments)

Facing Foreclosure- No Showings." Where do Buyers Come From?" - 06:06 PM
I recently received a call from an owner asking me if I could find a buyer for his vacation house. He said he needed a buyer soon or bank was going to foreclose. He gave me address so I could research price, market, etc. He said had been trying to sell for a couple years, gave up, then rented it out, tenants quit paying and took a few months for them to move out. Seller is now desparate. ( I did suggest the possibility of a short sale)
 Well, I go to look it up under " Withdrawn", or " Expired" … (23 comments)

I ain't no expert, confessions from a blogging dominatrix. - 09:57 PM
I hate to admit it, I am no expert when it comes to SEO. I start to read about it and my eyes go all bleary, I get a knot in my stomach and generally feel ill. I sell real estate, I don't build websites for a living. OK, I lied, I do my own websites, and it is part of my job. Yes, if it were a better market, if I was making more money maybe I would pay someone to do it for me. I don't think I would pay someone to blog for me though, I have come … (73 comments)

If The Ship is Possibly Sinking, When Do You Sound the Alarm? - 01:56 PM
We've all been there.  Everything in the transaction is going along fine when out of nowhere, something goes sideways with the mortgage and suddenly, the whole deal could possibly fall apart.  This happened to me this morning when one of my mortgage lenders called and said, "I'm about to make your morning really bad!"  He then proceeded to tell me the details of how a buyer whom I have worked with for a year and whom is finally under contract on a house had been denied loan approval.
Yep, that'll pretty much ruin your day. 
But then he went on to … (53 comments)

CNN is Looking for Foreclosure Experts / Stories - 05:49 PM
Name: Amy Ambatielos (CNN)
Category: Business and Finance Email: query-19fn@helpareporter.comMedia Outlet: CNNDeadline: 07:00 PM EST - 9 June Query:Looking for homeowners, lenders, or people who represent eithergoing through any stage of the foreclosure process. If you arebenefiting from the foreclosures, if you have chosen to stay inyour home without paying the house loan, if you are part of aneighborhood/condo association really suffering. If you have acompelling story with facts to back it up, please email me withyour story. Thanks.
 
So if you want a shot at being quoted/mentioned on CNN, just contact Amy at the above email. Let's see if we can … (16 comments)

Understanding the "Players" in a Short Sale - 07:01 AM
 
Two of the Big Players in a short sale that agents and sellers need to understand is;
The Mortgage Servicer The Investor or Lender We often lump these two companies into one and call them the Bank. In most cases they are two different companies with two different motivations.
The Mortgage Servicer is obviously serviceing the loan on the behalf of the Investor. It is the Bank Name that we associate with the loan but is usually not the one making the final call. The Servicer is instructed by the Investor to follow certian guidelines in working with the agent … (22 comments)

I like to be prepared... - 08:22 AM
Has this happened to you? I was out yesterday showing a home when my clients suggest another home to go look at. It was 11am on Sunday morning and I knew the owners of the home had asked for a 24 hour notice if possible. I answered that I would like the chance to call the home owners in advance and give them some time to get ready for us. My clients suggested we just call on the way over and let them know we are coming. I refused. I did call and make an appointment later in the day. The … (57 comments)

Everyone's a Realtor............ - 09:39 AM
Ok...Has anyone else noticed...that every Buyer is a Realtor, now?
I have many clients who are not familiar with South Florida, yet they provide me with numerous properties they want to see.  Once they send me the long lists of addresses, I start my research.  Yes, some of the properties appear to be a bargain at these price points--however, the buyers do not understand the geographical areas. 
Then, many of my buyers go to trulia.com, zillow.com and all the other websites and by the time they email the properties to me, most of them are sold or a pending sale. 
Now, all … (55 comments)


Blog posts


New Hampshire - Named Most Livable State for 6th Year in a Row - 04:33 PM

 
If you are thinking about moving or relocating, the decision of where to move is easy….
Come to New Hampshire … the Live Free or Die State!
 New Hampshire was honored to be named the most livable state in America by CQ Press for the 6th year in a row.
The annual report by CQ Press takes into account 44 factors based on economic, educational, health, public safety and environmental statistics.  New Hampshire ranks No. 1 because it excels in numerous important quality-of life measures including low crime, low poverty, high income levels and a well-educated population. … (34 comments)

Stanislaus County Short Sales .... Use It Or Lose It! - 06:43 PM
Stanislaus County Short Sales .... Use It Or Lose It!
A couple of days ago I went for a ride on my bike.  I used to ride it quite regularly.  It was not unusual for me to ride up to 10 miles on a ride.  Have you ever heard the old saying "use it or lose it" ?   Well that saying is very true.   I rode about two and a half miles and thought I was going to not make it.  My legs were asking me just what the heck do you think you are doing old man?  The two and … (5 comments)

Buying a Home near Scott AFB - 05:41 PM
If you are looking for a home for sale near Scott AFB, then you should be considering homes for sale in OFallon, Freeburg, Mascoutah and Belleville (East High School) homes near the Scott AFB base.
There are currently 896 "re-sale homes for sale"
 
Displaying matches 1 through 121 of 121at an average listing price of $237,194.You may use my website www.southwestillinoishomes.com to view all active homes for sale in our market including homes in Mascoutah, Freeburg, O'Fallon and BellevilleI love to work with military home buyers and if you would like to have an experienced Realtor for your home purchase, … (0 comments)

A Sweet Aroma to God - 05:56 PM
2 Corinthians 2:14-15 New International Version (NIV)
 14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
 
The Message
14-16In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a … (1 comments)

New Chair and Commissioners Appointed to the Texas Real Estate Commission - 07:54 AM
Governor Rick Perry has made four appointments to the Texas Real Estate Commission: Broker member Avis Wukasch, currently serving as a broker member of the commission with a term to expire January 31, 2013, was appointed to serve as the Chair. Governor Perry also newly appointed broker member Bill L. Jones and public member Weston Martinez, and reappointed broker member Troy Alley, all three with terms to expire January 31, 2017.Avis Wukasch is a real estate broker and team leader with Keller Williams Realty in Round Rock. She earned a B.S. in political science from the University of Texas at Austin … (3 comments)

Are you Doing Short Sales? Better Learn This First - 11:14 AM
 
MARS is circling YOU, if you perform Short Sale Services. On January 31, 2011, the Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) final rule went into effect.  The rule is primarily focused on companies who offer loan modifications to consumers, however the rule also impacts real estate licensees who represent clients involved in a short sale transaction.  You may have experienced some unscrupulous people in your area taking advantage of consumers in distress sale situations, this rule was designed to protect the consumer.The rule requires three disclosures at various stages of the short sale process.  A disclosure is required if a real … (2 comments)

Contemporary Home In Owings Mills/ Reisterstown Area of Baltimore County - 06:18 AM
… (12 comments)

New HomeRome Listing...Pill Hill -Mount Washington, Baltimore, MD 21209 - 09:45 PM
New HomeRome Listing...Pill Hill -Mount Washington
 
6202 Ivymount Road                                                 
Baltimore, Maryland 21209
Mt. Washington- Pill Hill
$274.944
 
 
Here is one of my favorite areas in Baltimore, also known as Pill Hill  and part of the   Mount Washington   area of the city. Easy access to downtown via I 83 Jones Falls Expressway. This certainly does not look like a city location with all its lush wooded greenery.

6202 Ivymount Road in Pill Hill

White Brick Contemporary Rancher.

Screened porch runs the length of the living and dining room.
 

Patio off the … (12 comments)

Is Your Short Sale Lender Delegated? - 01:56 PM

Delegated? What the heck are you talking about Broker Bryant. I'm glad you asked because it makes a HUGE difference with your Short Sale negotiations. With Short Sales delegate means exactly what it means:
DELEGATE-transitive verb to entrust to another <delegate authority> to appoint as one's representative If you pay your mortgage payments to Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Nationstar or any of the other "lenders" these entities are normally what we call servicers. Even though they may have lent you the money they have subsequently sold your loan to an Investor. So now all they do is collect your … (8 comments)

Kitchens aren't just for cooking! - 02:59 PM
… (7 comments)

D Day, The 6th of June - A Brilliant Plan, A Decisive Blow - 11:17 PM
In an audacious, risky and meticulously planned attack on Normandy, 24,000 airborne troops began landing shortly after midnight, with a massive amphibious landing of infantry and armored divisions descending on the coast at 6:30 a.m.  It was well orchestrated and the largest amphibious invasion in world history.  I have to wonder what fears accompanied those brave men who touched down on that soil on that momentous occasion.  By the time night fell on June 6th, 1944, 9,000 allied soldiers were dead or injured, but more than 100,000 made it to shore to begin the march across Europe to defeat the Nazis.
We do well to remember those stalwart … (4 comments)

3 Bedroom home in Rogers Ranch Laveen AZ 85339 - 01:23 PM
Pre-Qualify for this 3 Bedroom home in Rogers Ranch Laveen AZ 85339 with Bud Levey, at www.bud.amerifirst.us or call 602-721-6814. This specific 3 Bedroom home in Rogers Ranch Laveen AZ 85339 features 3 Bedrooms and 2 Bathrooms with 1314 Sq Ft along with a 6863 Sq Ft lot. The front of this 3 Bedroom home in Rogers Ranch Laveen AZ 85339 has grass and a watering system and features a 2 car garage. This 3 Bedroom home in Rogers Ranch Laveen AZ 85339 is situated in the Phoenix Union School District, the High School is Cesar Chavez and the Elementary School … (2 comments)

Great Cape in Waukesha...! - 06:48 PM
 
 
                                                      906 Harding Avenue                                                            Waukesha, WI                                                                MLS  1205641                                                                $127,749 This 4 bedroom, 2 bath cape cod really IS larger than it looks. Living room opens to a dinette overlooking generously sized, well landscaped backyard.  The updated kitchen has hard surface counters, lazy susan and built in microwave. All appliances are included....the windows are newer ...the roof is not even a month old...and the furnace and central air are newer as well ! Two bedrooms and a bath on the first floor and the second floor.    This wonderful home comes complete with a one year warranty generously … (12 comments)

Stamford's Downtown Farmers Market is Back! - 11:18 AM
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Banapalooza in Stamford! Live Bands! - 11:22 AM

Bandapalooza on Bedford Street in partnership with Dos Equis, Newcastle Brown Ale and 95.9 The Fox 
Enjoy live Music from the Semi-Finalists from Bandapalooza who will compete for a chance to open at Alive @ Five.
Here are the bands that won Battle of Bands and when they will be performing at Bandapalooza on Bedford  Street. Three of these bands will go on to open at Alive@Five this summer:June 2 The Woulda Coulda Shouldas versus Black TaxiJune 9 Stalking Sally versus The Mike Cusato BandJune 16 The Adam Currie Band versus The Mad Things featuring The Good Doctor
Dine in our extended sidewalk cafes. … (0 comments)

McHugh Open August 12, 2011 Jay@JayMcHugh.com with any questions... - 10:56 AM
 
 

McHugh Open August 12, 2011
George Wright Golf Course
8:00 am sharp Shot Gun
 
 
McHugh Open scheduled for August 12, 2011....moved my plans and so should you so not to miss this .. Neely House Benefit in memory of Mom and Dad...spots filling up per usual .. more details Jay@JayMcHugh.com enjoy the great weather...cheers...
 
 
 
… (0 comments)

Some words on a Monday worth Sharing..... - 12:06 PM
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

ENCOURAGEMENT CORNER...
Six Personal Gifts to Control Your Own Destiny and Stay Great
Mike Marino
 
Never give your power away. You have six personal gifts to control your own destiny and stay great.Greatness is being responsible, and doing what is expected of you. To be in control of your own destiny you must be pro-active. Life takes place in a decision. When you take action to make something happen, stuff is going to happen. What to do about what happens, after you make something happen is where you take control. When stuff happens that you did not … (1 comments)

Update Your Icing to Sell Your Cake! - 04:02 PM
 
Have you ever thought about how much the roof on your home is like icing on a cake?  For example, if you see a beautiful home with a sharp looking custom roof, you automatically assume that what's under the roof is just as well maintained and beautiful as the roof is.  Just like when I see a beautifully frosted cake I just know that the inside will be delicious as well! But if you see a home with a scruffy, poorly maintained, outdated roof...you immediately begin to wonder how much the interior has been neglected as well.  Just like when … (2 comments)

Loudoun County Second Richest County in America - 11:45 AM
Loudoun County Second Richest County in America

With a median annual household income of $112, 021, Loudoun County once again joins the ranks of the wealthiest counties in America according to Forbes. Citing a strong technology center and close proximity to Washington D.C., Loudoun County is second only to the City of Falls Church whose annual median income is just slightly higher at $113,313. Coming in third is fellow Nova neighbor Fairfax County with an average median income of $104,259.
Want to be part of such an elite community? Contact your Loudoun County Realtors at Ask Gina & Company today … (2 comments)

Kahena St : Great View of Mountain!!! - 11:18 AM
914 Kahena St, Honolulu, HI, 96825
3BR/2BA Single Family House
offered at $778,000
Year Built 1984
Sq Footage 2,001
Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial
Floors Unspecified
Parking 2
Lot Size 16,181 sqft
HOA/Maint $0 per month
DESCRIPTION
SF DIFFERS FROM TAX RECORDS. LARGE MASTERBEDROOM WITH WALK-IN CLOSET. HAS MOUNTAIN VIEWS. YARD IS TERRACED AND HAS DECK TO SIT AND ENJOY THE YARD. HIGH CEILING AND SPLIT LEVEL FLOOR PLAN MAKE FOR NICE ISLAND LIVING. SEE REAL VIDEO IN PICTURE SECTION. NOT SLIDE SHOW OF STILL SHOTS. Please click the link below or cut and paste to a new … (1 comments)

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