Archives of real estate blog entries for July 31, 2011

Featured blog posts


A Sunday Drive to Waterford, Loudoun County VA - 07:37 AM


Waterford VA is unique. Not only in Virginia but in the US. Only 4 blocks long and 1 block wide surrounded by rolling meadows, vineyards, and treed hills this village founded in 1733 is a National Historic Landmark District, one of only three in the country. Waterford is beautiful.








  Here is more from Waterford's website:

Why Waterford was Designated a National Historic Landmark District?

Today, visitors to Waterford, Virginia, experience many of the same views as residents in the 19th century. Waterford preserves the ambiance and many … (14 comments)

To List Or Not To List? - 08:19 AM
To List Or Not To List?
 
 
There are 2 very different approaches when it comes to listing inventory.
 
One is to list as many properties as you can, work them the best that you can, and play the numbers hoping they will produce enough leads. This approach supports the concept that “the agents who control the inventory control the marketplace”.  
The second is a lean and mean approach. List only properties that are priced correctly. On the surface, it certainly seems to make sense & most agents will likely jump in & say that’s the way that … (61 comments)

3 Things Every Home Buyer Must Do Before Buying - 05:57 PM
3 Things Every Home Buyer Must Do Before Buying1.    Get a loan pre-approval, and that means more than a pre-qualification. A loan pre-approval means income and assets have been verified, and you know exactly the purchase price for which you are qualified. At this stage, all your lender will be waiting for from you is the property you intend to purchase.
2.    Add together your future, monthly mortgage payment and cost of homeownership. Once you know the purchase price for which you are qualified, your lender will most likely be able to tell you approximately the amount of your new mortgage … (46 comments)

As A Keller Williams Agent Why I'm Stickiing with Docu-Sign - 09:41 AM
A few months ago, Keller Williams released a new software program called E Edge. It recently won the Innovator Award at Inman Connect in San Francisco.
Included in E Edge is Dot Loop. It is similar to Docu-sign in that it does electronic signatures and is part of the package we pay $15.00 a month for.
I'm sticking with Docu-Sign
I started using docu-sign a year ago and have used it to write an offer for a buyer who lived on a sail boat in California, he loved it.
That was my first experience and he loved the fact he didn't … (49 comments)

One of my pet peeves about realtors - 01:58 PM
Over the years, I have turned into a listing agent. I still like buyers but over half of my business is listings.
One of my pet peeves about realtors who send offers on my listings is that they do not call ahead to tell me the offer and coming and to discuss the offer and services. Out of the blue at least 3 times a week I get offers that are beyond ridiculous with no explanation. Then when I call them back, they do not answer the phone. I feel it makes all of us look like idiots when we get … (108 comments)

Sellers – What To Do With a Low-Ball Offer - 01:37 AM

 
 
It’s difficult, but try your best not to be insulted by the offer.
 
I know it’s hard!!  But buyers listen to so many ‘experts’. Economists. Friends and neighbors. National or state news reports that may be far different from your local market.  Sometimes it’s wishful thinking on their part, hoping they’ll find someone who is at the point of desperation. Sometimes it’s trial and error. And occasionally, it  may be that they are lacking buyer’s comps for the property they’re considering and don’t really understand the value of the homes in your neighborhood.
 
First communicate....... … (153 comments)

Why Mold Remediation Companies Love Banks, Short Sales and Loan Modifications - 12:46 PM
Banks often turn down valid short sale offers, then turn around and send the house into a 2 year foreclosure tailspin. Banks also yank sellers around with loan modification processes that take a year for denial, then turn around and foreclose on the borrowers who are willing and able to make monthly payments.
Months of Vacancy Can Be Conducive to Mold Growth
While all these bank inefficiencies are dragging out, those pesky things called water, humidity and laws of nature keep working on the house. Banks can cite "policy" and file lawsuits against borrowers, but they can't serve papers on Mother … (20 comments)

I’M CALLING MY OWN SHOTS! Plus a Few Others that the AR Gods Missed this Week - 01:46 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. 
Dual Agency - Listing Agents Representing the Bride and the Mistress? by Andi Grant 
 
Do You Take Your Cell Phone with You to the Bathroom? by Brenda Mullen   NEW RULE? Buyer's Agent Commissions Paid out … (43 comments)

Gentlemen, Replace Your Divots - Fixing What You Repair - 05:57 AM
When repairs are made to anything, you have to complete the job! 

When you see spots on the floor you usually only have to look up to see why they are there.
These clients asked me what was causing these spots.  I said, "Look up."
The cause of the dripping, which caused those spots, was easily seen.

Air conditioning low pressure lines carry the very cold coolant back to the indoor AC coils to cool the house.
As this line gets so cold it has to be insulated.
Typically that insulation is a thick, black, foamy rubber insulation.  It … (43 comments)

Last Week's Favorites: July 24th - 31st - 09:50 AM
Last week was a busy one.  Between triple digit thermometer readings (and those were not just in my oven), getting a new (un-airconditioned) listing ready for market, and helping with the Why I Chose Real Estate Contest, it's been quite a week.  So here are my favorites:
1.  Carla Muss-Jacobs: Simple Advice for Buyers and Sellers -- KEEP YOUR PAPERWORK!!  This one struck a chord because a dear family member hid some!  It was not pretty.
2.  Barb Szabo: Location, Location, Location...Not So Much Anymore....Price, Price, Price!  Oh, and don't forget timing, timing and timing! 
3.  Loreena Yeo: Blogging from my … (33 comments)

Things to Do in Rockwall | Summer Camp | Claws, Codes, Comets | Rockwall - 08:34 AM
 Things to Do in Rockwall  | Summer Camp | Claws, Codes, Comets | Rockwall
Out & About Rockwall
Rockwall Summer Camp - Claws, Codes, Comets
A Good Time Will Be Had By All.....At Rockwall Summer Camp!!
Our little Out & About Rockwall Boys say, "WOW, wish we were old enough for this one! Just get out & about in Rockwall and attend Summer Camp!"
This Rockwall Summer Camp offers a new look at the world around you and opens doors to many new experiences.  A few things you will learn when you attend Claws, Codes, Comets at Rockwall Summer Camp:
Create codes so you can pass secret messages … (22 comments)

Schools in Houston County Georgia - 2011-2012 School Year - 07:02 AM
Schools in Houston County Georgia - 2011-2012 School Year
The school year in Houston County Georgia officially starts on Monday August 1st, 2011.
Take a look at the Houston County School Calendar for the complete public school year schedule.
This past year, the public schools in Houston County GA scored better on every indicator tracked by the Georgia Education Scoreboard than the state as a whole. The scoreboard is a state-wide indicator that shows whether the district is meeting state education goals. Among other things, it tracks graduation rates, on-track rates, attendance, and science achievement.
Georgia law requires students attend a … (28 comments)

Jacksonville, Florida's Sales Tax Holiday 8/12-8/14/11 - 07:32 AM
 
We once again have a tax break from sales tax for a finite period of time. The tax break eliminates the 6 cent sales tax as well as the 1 cent Duval County tax, saving you roughly % on qualifiying items. What is exempt and what is not? here is a list to help you take advantage!
Exempt Items Include:
Backpacks & bookbags Crayons & erasers Notebook filler paper Clothing defined as: any article of wearing apparel, including footwear, (does not include skis, swim fins, rollerblades, and skates) intended to be worn about/on the human body (this is from the … (10 comments)

Why Won't the Agents Showing my House Say Something? - 11:28 PM
As Yogi Berra says, you can see an awful lot by watching. And as a broker who oversees 20+ agents, 50+ listings and who still works in the field with select buyers, I do see both sides of an issue that sellers often bring up in the discussion of listing and selling their house. 
Many of the people who list their home for sale with me already experienced failure with a prior broker. They often tell me in our preliminary interview that they were frustrated with the lack of "selling" they witnessed with the agents who showed their home when they … (71 comments)

Dealing With The Crying Baby Syndrome in Negotiation - 09:44 AM
In negotiation you will often encounter something akin to a "crying baby". Observing this syndrome strong arm tactic, the other side is trying to tug on you with the symptoms of a very loud person, whining, making YOU feel like you are in the wrong or the bad guy. It is an almost no move stubborn stance they seem to be in. Think of a crying baby and the word TANTRUM.
The defense and the way to move forward from these crying babies is to have none of it. Move away from them, do not accept their loudness and whining and see them … (42 comments)

Are You Tired of Peeking Out of the Window to See Who's New Here? - 03:21 PM
Are You Tired of Peeking Out of the Window To See Who's New Here?
I wrote a post introducing new member Debbie De Marco yesterday to Active Rain and to the world of Staging.   My friend and fellow Stager in Hawaii, Janet Jones wondered about a New Member List so we could welcome new members here.   Well guess what.... there is a place right here on Active Rain to see who's new... not only that you can play around in there and see "Who Was" or even when they were... You can go back to the beginning to see … (57 comments)

New to Blogging or in a Funk? Here Are Some Blogging Topics! - 02:50 PM
Many people do not know where to start when blogging or how to find their “blogging voice”.  I found mine in a “hit or miss” fashion.  It didn’t happen naturally for me at all!
To me, a real estate blogs are about the “law of attraction” – write real estate blog content about whatever types of buyers, sellers or renters you want to work with and they will come!    Think of real estate blog marketing as an open house 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Here are ideas for real estate blog content & … (49 comments)

A Referral Gone Wrong - Lessons Learned - 12:32 AM
For those of you who remember my rant about a referral gone wrong, I thought you might want to hear how that referral ended up...The agent in question was fired by my client, one week into a 3-month escrow which continues without him.Understand that this ended up being a $1.5M all cash referral which required a couple of showings before an offer was made and accepted.  This agent did no work other than make the initial appointments - one day's worth - and drove my clients absolutely insane.  He was described as a disaster by them.
There is a lot more to … (141 comments)

I guess that’s two questions, isn’t it? Uh oh, a third question! - 10:20 AM

Every day I read and comment on quite a few posts, always the minimum 10 that I get points for, but many times it’s more like 20-30 posts that I comment on per day.  Some days more, some less.  I have 150 blogs that I subscribe to, so I don’t hit all of them every day.
 
Most of my posts get quite a bit of action too.  In a perfect world, I try to respond to each comment individually.  If I don’t have the time to do that, I always leave a general response that indicates that I have … (72 comments)

What About "Short" is Hard to Understand ? - 05:56 AM
          One of the things that happens in the more rural parts of our market area, is that within 30 days of closing, there are tests done on water, well and septic systems to have the buyer assured that everything is in good working order and passes the requirements established by government agencies giving the systems their stamp of approval.
     A co-broke who has demonstrated little or no understanding of short sales...and no real interest in learning..fired off an email that the water test on a short sale would demand that the well be chlorinated for which she will happily … (44 comments)


Blog posts


Brand New Southern Portugal Luxury Villa with Garden Views - Portugal Real Estate - 01:54 PM
Brand New Southern Portugal Luxury Villa with Garden Views … (1 comments)

My First Success with Docusign - Contract Executed - 08:38 AM
Docusign is a very interesting tool. It seems so easy, yet it still confuses the not-so-tech-savvy people.  Just today, I wrote a contract and sent it to both the buyers and the seller through Docusign.  I was out showing properties all day, and I didn't want to delay sending it to the seller so I clicked the button where it doesn't send to one party until the other party signs, but I didn't have to wait for one to sign before sending it to the other. The buyers did their part, easy peesy... the seller received the email for her part, … (9 comments)

NEW PRICE - 4 Bedroom Colonial For Sale in Leicester - 306 Pleasant Street - 12:38 PM
Large 4 Bedroom Colonial For Sale in Leicester … (3 comments)

What NOT to Do During Your Mortgage Loan Process - 11:35 AM
What NOT to Do During Your Mortgage Loan Process
What You Need to Know If You’re Buying a Home!   This entry was posted in Buying, Mortgage and tagged buying, mortgage by Tim. Bookmark the permalink.
… (0 comments)

Parting With Point2Agent is Such Sweet Sorrow - 12:02 PM
All good things must come to an end.
I think it was May of 2006 when I selected Point2Agent to host our personal real estate website. We started with the standard membership but quickly upgraded to Professional within a couple of weeks due to the many extra tools and features it afforded.
I don't think that we ever regretted either decision. 
At that time, I knew very little about websites. I certainly knew nothing about SEO, HTML, ActiveX, FLASH, etc. ...but I learned. I started my learning journey by reading through the Point2 User Manual, asking questions on their forum (as … (5 comments)

Another HomeRome Listing Under Contract 6202 Ivymount Rd 21209 - 10:45 PM
 
Another HomeRome Listing is Under Contract 6202 Ivymount Rd. Baltimore 21209 Contemporary White Brick Rancher 
  You know I  Really Like Saying 'Another HomeRome Listing is Under Contract'.
This rancher is in one of my favorite areas of Baltimore City... named "Pill Hill" because of the all the doctors and pharmacists who originally lived in the area. I took the listing in June after it had been on the market, without success, for the prior six months. I really like this home and what it had to offer and did not think it was overpriced. I felt  The Right … (5 comments)

Is Your Short Sale Flipper A Scammer? - 08:51 AM

 
 


This site is owned and operated by REGrow, LLC
Wendy Rulnick and
Bryant Tutas
Brokers of Record
A Licensed Florida Real Estate Brokerage
407-873-2747
628 Grand Canal Dr
Poinciana FL 34759
ShortSaleSuperStars@gmail.com
… (8 comments)

Paying It Forward - In Search of a Future - 10:48 PM
My love of animals was as natural to me as responding to the warmth of the sun.  There are certain things in this world that just are, and for me, love of these purest of God's creatures, are part of my DNA.  About a week ago, my office threw a midsummer party at a restaurant in Freeport.  I arrived early, just as the much needed rain began tapping at my windshield. 
Few people had arrived yet, but a friend and kindred spirit had beat me to it and sat at a small table by the door.  She couldn't wait to tell me she … (6 comments)

What About "Short" is Hard to Understand ? - 05:56 AM
          One of the things that happens in the more rural parts of our market area, is that within 30 days of closing, there are tests done on water, well and septic systems to have the buyer assured that everything is in good working order and passes the requirements established by government agencies giving the systems their stamp of approval.
     A co-broke who has demonstrated little or no understanding of short sales...and no real interest in learning..fired off an email that the water test on a short sale would demand that the well be chlorinated for which she will happily … (44 comments)

Speechless Sunday - 7/31/11 - Sunset on the Upper West Side - 09:47 AM

Sunset on the Upper West Side of Manhattan between the two art deco towers of the Normandy, the Hudson River, New Jersey and beyond. The Normandy built in 1938 and designed by the esteemed architect Emery Roth is a landmarked building on Riverside Drive between 86th and 87th Street divided into two wings North and South with separate elevator vestibules. The Normandy is a full service coop. Available apartments range from an alcove studio to a 3 bedroom from $449,000 to $2.5 million.
 
iPhone Photo courtesy of:
Mitchell Hall, Associate Broker, The Corcoran Group
Manhattan Apartment Seller Manhattan Apartment … (9 comments)

Help my Worthington real estate blog - Worthington Old and New - 11:01 AM
 
Are you a member of Empire Avenue?  Please help my Worthington real estate blog,  Worthington Old and News.
I am MoColumbusOH on Empire Avenue.  I need my blog endorsed. 
 
Thanks to Missy Caulk and Courtney Cooper and the kindness of some strangers I only need one more endorsement on my Worthington real estate blog, Worthington Old and News.
Waiting for one endorsement....
 
What's a blog? 
Empire Avenue says:
"Only "Blogs" count towards Share Price and earnings activity and please read how activity earnings are calculated for blogs. Spamming blogs will not help you! Please read FAQ on what … (5 comments)

About That Debt Ceiling Thing ... - 11:42 PM
Relax.
"In the best of times, our days are numbered anyway. So it would be a crime against nature for any generation to take the world crisis so solemnly, that it put off enjoying those things for which we were designed in the 1st place: the opportunity to do good work, to enjoy friends, to fall in love, to hit a ball, and to bounce a baby."
~Alistair Cooke~
For those of you who have no clue on what I'm writing about, good for you.  I don't necessarily consider you wise because of just that, but the hype this whole "Debt … (28 comments)

30 Days to Consciously Buy American Products - 11:07 AM
I'm going to practice this next month .... What about you?  This was sent to me originally in an email, possibly you have received it to.  Did you forget about it? Hopefully this post will remind you to participate over the next month to buy American products.  Once you get used to looking it's not really that hard to do.  Make a decision to buy American.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------August 1st to September 1st ~Well over 50 years ago I knew a lady who would not buy Christmas gifts if they were made in China. Her daughter will recognize her in the following.Did you see … (8 comments)

Are you Using Social Media in Your Home Shopping? - 11:16 AM
Do you think buyers are using social media to buy homes?
Social media can help you identify areas where you may ‘feel comfortable’. Facebook, Myspace, Google Plus are good places to start.  You can find information related to schooling, public transport, crime rates, traffic problems, shopping malls, just to name few. Social media can often present a more realistic view of an area compared to the glossy view provided by real estate sellers or the doom and gloom view sometimes provided by media.
Social media can be an ideal place to find information to help your home buying decision and it can be … (5 comments)

Real Estate Recovery in Martin County Florida: Is it time to jump in? - 08:26 AM
Real Estate Recovery in Martin County Florida: Is it time to jump in?

Many Stuart, Florida buyers are still on the fence. Thinking that home prices will fall further by a few percentage points, maybe by even 10 points though that's highly unlikely for Martin County, where some areas have actually started increasing. But, even if this decline materializes, the current low interest rates can make up the difference.
Interviewed by Bottom Line Personal, Metrostudy CEO Mike Castleman, Sr., he gives this example of the impact of low interest rates.Say you decide not to buy a home this year because you are … (11 comments)

End of July Nostalgia - 09:18 PM
End of July Nostalgia, this time every year Brenda and I get very nostalgic!
The last week of July is the Annual Experimental Aircraft Association Convention. It’s over today for 2011, we weren’t there, actually we haven’t been there since 1984. 8>(

I went to my first EAA convention in 1970. Truth is I went to Rockford where they had held all the conventions I’d heard about, but they had moved! It seem the town Fathers had not renewed their contract with the EAA. The merchants were so mad no one would tell me where they went. I went to … (6 comments)

The Resident Chef's Latest Listing. 2320 8th Street Saint Cloud, Florida - 03:17 PM
  … (4 comments)

One of my pet peeves about realtors - 02:49 PM
DON'T TALK TO ME ABOUT THE BUYERS OFFER, PRESENT IT, THEN WE'LL HAVE SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT.
It may be a "pet peeve" but I am of the opinion that agents talk to each other too much and to the buyers and sellers to little.
Lori wants offers presented orally before sending the written document.  That presumes that the price is the only component of a written offer.  For me, the price is just the beginning.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Via Intero Real Estate Services:
Over the years, I have turned into a listing agent. I still like buyers but over half of my business … (17 comments)

HORSE FARMS IN LOUDOUN COUNTY VIRGINIA, EQUESTRIAN PROPERTIES - READY FOR YOUR HORSES AND THERE'S A HOUSE FOR YOU TOO! - 05:58 PM
HORSE FARMS *  EQUESTRIAN PROPERTIES * HORSE FRIENDLY PROPERTIES * ACREAGE * BARNS * RUN-IN-SHED HORSE STABLE * CORN BARN * CENTER AISLE STABLES
Horse Farms in Hamilton, Leesburg, Middleburg, Purcellville and Waterford in Loudoun County Virginia, Horse Country.
Western Loudoun County is a rural area with small villages and town and a low population density suitable for farms, farmettes and equestrian facilities. Three acres are required for horses. Loudoun County has the highest horse population in the State of Virginia.  The horse population in Loudoun County is estimated to be approximately 20,000 head.
Shows of all types are popular … (10 comments)

Val Vista Lakes Home Sales Summary for June 2011 - June Home Sales in Val Vista Lakes - 01:16 AM
The report on June 2011 home sales in Val Vista Lakes is Now Available! With a total of 11 home sales in the month of June, the average price per square foot on sold homes in Val Vista Lakes was $95.45 with an average of 83 days on the market. This report should be viewed as a trend report. Since all homes are unique and factors such as condition and location will affect value, a home evaluation from a professional is recommended before taking any action on your home.  The website includes some of the following features:
VAL VISTA LAKES HOMES FOR SALE VAL … (0 comments)

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