Archives of real estate blog entries for September 24, 2011

Featured blog posts


He Ain't Heavy, He's My Hot Tub - 06:33 AM
Hot tubs are heavy.  You cannot put them anywhere you want.  You certainly shouldn't sing, "He ain't heavy, he's my hot tub..."
Clients often ask me how heavy a hot tub is.
A four person hot tub holds 300 gallons, or so.A six person hot tub holds 500 gallons, or so.And an eight person hot tub holds 700-800 gallons of water, or so!
A gallon of water weighs 8.35 pounds, if I remember my 9th grade lab science class.
So, looking at this picture, this is a six person hot tub and holds 500 gallons.
That's 4175 pounds of JUST WATER!
… (101 comments)

Lincoln NH - Fall Foliage fotos - 02:59 PM
As many of my regular readers know Lincoln New Hampshire is home to the Loon mountain Ski Resort, the nationally designated Kancamagus scenic highway, The Flume Gorge State park...and some glorious river frontage and hiking trails. Here are a few sights from today's ride around town. The First Stop was to check out the new trails being added to the South Mountain side of the Loon Ski Resort.

 The top of the mountain was completely obscured with fog today, but in the dim light the colors pop nicely.

This shot came from the parking area next to the children … (55 comments)

Views...they inspire and restore.... - 02:31 PM
What is it about a view that inspires us?

Is it that lifting of ourselves out of the humdrum parts of our existence? 

Suddenly, there we are, surrounded by amazing beauty of Nature, with the drama of a sunrise or a sunset, with a shimmer of water, a bell of sky...a reminder that we are part of something larger than our tiny circumscribed selves....

People write poems about views...photographers take inspiring shots that end up on cable network "frames"...films use views to set mood in their story lines....

Do the eagles in the trees, just out of … (42 comments)

Take The Garbage Out !!! - 08:56 PM
"Take the garbage out #5&**!!
I suppose there isn't a parent anywhere that hasn't yelled at their kids to take the garbage out.
I don't do garbage, with 5 kids and a hubby, just not my thing. 
But, today I did, not my house garbage but.......
My computer garbage or Trash.
I deleted over 40,000 emails in my garbage trash can. 
Every Sunday night I clean up my Inbox, and NO I have never gotten to that mythical land call "Inbox 0" but I do feel more organized starting a new week. 
I have a folder for each of my Buyers … (89 comments)

Multiple offer situations where the listing broker represents one of the offers: Can We Talk?.......... - 10:51 AM
Multiple offer situations where the listing broker represents one of the offers:  Can We Talk?..........
I think almost all of us at some point have been in a situation where you are presenting an offer for your buyers in a multiple offer situation.
And in some of those instances it may or may not be apparent that the listing broker may be representing one of the other multiple offers.
What's the politically or legally correct thing to do?
Of course it never hurts to ask, does it?  Or does it?
Is it a question that can be appreciated by the listing … (127 comments)

The Benefits of Using a Buyer's Agent When Buying a Los Angeles Home - 12:51 PM
There are some common misconceptions when you are buying a Los Angeles home that you can either do a better job yourself in sourcing a home for sale,  or that you are going to get a better deal if you approach the listing agent directly.  As I said, these are misconceptions.
Let’s paint a picture of a Los Angeles home buyer  trying to find a home on his own.  We will call him Mr. Homebuyer, HB for short:
HB starts his search online looking at every imaginable site out there.  I can already see the stress mounting.  
HB cannot find the phone number … (73 comments)

Pingdom: Take a Snapshot of Your Real Estate Website Performance - 05:51 PM
Been to Pingdom lately?
Yes, Pindgom, not the Magic Kingdom.
it is another one of those nifty little tools we all need in our real estate website toolbag - because you can use it to catch performance problems and nip them in the bud.
Take a quick second and open that site in another tab of your browser, then go to the "Tools" section and run a performance test on your real estate website.
It will show you elements of the page you test (usually your home page, for starters) that are loading slowly. Sometimes it is a big image you … (40 comments)

Will you help me battle the seller to get the price down? - 10:34 AM
The short answer is: no. Our job is providing an accurate, unbiased report on the condition of a home you are about to buy; and we  explain our observations, along with our opinions on conditions and defects, to you in a written report format with photos.You can use the report in several ways:1) To decide whether to buy the house, or walk away. If you decide to walk, the report can provide ammunition to prove to the seller that there were enough defects to warrant canceling your sale contract.2) To attempt to convince the seller that the home has such a … (38 comments)

Ocean Front properties, whose is the Saltiest? - 10:24 AM
For all of you Realtors with Ocean Front Properties for sale here on the Atlantic Coast, did you know that our ocean is the saltiest Ocean in the world? It is true, our ocean has a greater salt content than any other. The Dead Sea is by far the saltiest body of water on Earth, but as far as Oceans go, the Atlantic takes the prize for being the most salty!What does that mean for our Ocean Front home owners???? Planting for one thing is different from the mainland property owners or people who own homes even a few blocks back … (22 comments)

Do Your Children Need Financial Help With A Home Purchase? - 08:51 AM
Remember when you bought your first home?  It was such a wonderful moment.  Of  course, prices in the mid ‘70’s, when we bought ours, were fantastic compared to now.  We needed some help with the down- payment, and my parents loaned us the money.  We repaid every penny.
Today, it’s a magic act for young people to get started with homeownership.  The costs are astronomical.  More are renting and missing the opportunity to take advantage of the low housing prices and low interest rates. 
Some parents are not willing to participate in helping their children financially, and that’s a personal … (39 comments)

Visit the 26th Annual St. Charles, IL Scarecrow Fest, October 7th - October 9th - 10:12 AM
    

     For the 26th year,  St. Charles, IL,  will be hosting its'  Annual St. Charles Scarecrow Fest.  This year's Fest is being held October 7th through October 9th. 
 
     Although this event is celebrated in many areas and locations of St. Charles, the central location for the Fest is to be found on the west side of the Fox River at  Lincoln Park.  This is where you will find the many hand-made scarecrows featured at the Annual St. Charles Scarecrow Fest.
 
     Once again this year, there's great entertainment and activities planned, a carnival, … (20 comments)

Who is the Most Awesome Person Today? My Version of ActiveRain's Daily "Member Spotlight" (Part XVII) - 10:15 AM
Who is the Most Awesome Person Today?
My Version of ActiveRain's Daily "Member Spotlight" (Part XVII)

It's that time of the week again folks!
As promised, I've decided to make 2011 a year in which I introduce you, my dear readers, to a Rainer who you might not know, but probably should.
ActiveRain posts a "Member Spotlight" in their "Daily Drop" newsletter. This is my version...
For this week's post, that person is ActiveRain's very own:
Kristine Ginsberg


Kristine is not only one of my favorite people here in the Rain, she's also an … (78 comments)

Brokers open are back and now they are offering even more! - 10:51 PM
Today, I got an email for a broker’s open on Tuesday and though I like to go to these because I like to see the latest inventory in certain neighborhoods today’s emails really got my attention. You see, 2 of the 10 invites I got for Beaverton said that everyone who attended would be in a drawing for an iPad.
Now, I remember a couple years ago when food was out and gift cards became popular. Now, it seems we have to bribe people with technology to get them to come to a broker’s open. Would you be more likely to … (46 comments)

Waterfront Living in Hernando Beach, Florida - Hernando Beach Canals - Canary, Blue Jay, and Hawk Canals - 07:43 AM
Waterfront Living in Hernando Beach, Florida - Hernando Beach Canals - Canary, Blue Jay, and Hawk Canals
Waterfront living in Hernando Beach, Florida, is more than just living in a house on the water. 
Waterfront living in Hernando Beach is a lifestyle that includes boating, fishing, swimming, and other water sports.
This is part of a series about the many canals in Hernando Beach that the waterfront homes of the community are built around.  Just like the streets, all the canals in Hernando Beach have names. 
The Canary Canal - The Blue Jay Canal - The Hawk Canal
The Canary Canal, the Blue Jay Canal, … (27 comments)

Five Charlotte Home Buyer Tips To Improve Your Negotiating Power - 11:39 PM
How to be a Savvy Charlotte Home Buyer Today, buying a Charlotte home can be both easier and more difficult than in years past.  Yes, it IS a buyer’s market, which implies that prices are lower, but it also means there is a large supply of homes for sale that you have to wade through to find your dream home.  Purchasing a home is a lot simpler when you know how to be a savvy Charlotte home buyer.Follow these five Charlotte home buyer tips to purchase the home of your dreams with less hassle and at a great price:
List your Charlotte home before … (20 comments)

Are You a Bump on a Log? - 06:58 AM
Are you a bump on a Log?  or are you a power house of real estate knowledge that ignites in a challenging environment...this is the time when a picture is worth more than words...well who wants to be the bump on the log or even the log?  It is all about the inner you, the Y, and actually taking charge of your business and not just thinking about what you need to do.  It is about the doing of all of it. The creative strength of content, titles, links and social media can all be too much for many but it … (53 comments)

Panera Bread NOT USER FRIENDLY - 03:23 PM
Panera Bread NOT USER FRIENDLY 
My house is often full of confusion.  People are always coming and going, and sometimes it’s hard for me to concentrate because they want to ask me “just one more question.”  A 90 year old mother, a developmentally delayed daughter, nieces, daughters stopping by, grandkids.  I love them ALL . . . but sometimes I just want to be alone to WRITE.  I tend to deal best with life issues if I can write about them and really understand and get to the bottom of them, and right now there are a few of those … (105 comments)

The Rise and Fall of AR Superstars - A Look Back in Time (Updated for 2011) - 12:03 AM

ActiveRain is a galaxy of stars, some of which get bigger and brighter than others, and continue to grow and others who fade away. New stars rise up through the point rankings and it's easy to forget the stars of the past This is my way of remembering them.     There are no historical rankings on AR, but my research background came in handy when I joined AR February 2007 and decided in November of that year to jot down the top 50 AR stars (in terms of point values). I ran across this list in November 2009, two … (120 comments)

Farmers Markets: Concord & Harrisburg, NC Harvest Gala - 07:02 AM
Piedmont Farmers Markets
Harrisburg location – 
6960 Robinson Church Rd. behind restored Post Office next to train tracks 




Come see what's fresh in locally grown produce, eggs, pastured pork, grass fed beef and a variety of hand-crafted items and baked goods! Buying locally grown food gives you fresh flavor and health benefits .... it also boosts the local economy.  Chat with the people that grow your food.  Find that plump juicy tomato like Grandma used to love.  Enjoy melons, peaches, corn and squash fresh
 
 
Mondays, 4pm to 7pm (or until no buyers)
 
The Winecoff Market
… (8 comments)

They Fell In Love & Couldn't Close - 10:20 AM
He was filled with anticipation, the newness was exciting. She was dreaming about their future together and couldn’t stop thinking about the possibilities that lay ahead. He couldn’t believe he’d finally found the one. He was most certainly ready to commit, his mind was made-up. She was beyond infatuated and ready to settle down. They had fallen in love; in love with the home of their dreams. They notified their landlord who promptly found new tenants to take their place. They filed a change of address form with the local post office. A deposit was placed with a moving company and … (70 comments)


Blog posts


USA Economy Flag Hotel - 114 Units on 1.65 Acres - for Sale for $1,600,000 - Augusta GA Real Estate - 02:46 PM
Georgia Economy Flag Hotel … (0 comments)

Cheyenne Cowboy Humor - Technology Touches us All! - 12:03 PM
So much technology has changed the world. We can now take our phone conversation further than the kitchen without a curly cord. We can drive electric cars. We can see folks in other countries on our computer screen and plan meetings!
Out West here, though, I thought we were slightly less touched by technology....I guess not! I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did. It really is Cowboy Humor, but it's great for a laugh for everyone!

Please feel free to share your technoloyg funnies with me! This is a great way to see how far we've … (3 comments)

Pittsburg Ca Deep Water Dock Homes - 11:10 PM
Pittsburg Ca Deep Water Dock Homes
People don't often think of Deep Water Dock Homes when they think of Pittsburg Ca.  Well if you drive through the wonderfully redeveloped Old Town Pittsburg down towards the water not only will you find a Marina but you will find a community with Deep Water Dock Homes.
Pittsburg sets right on the Sacramento River just before if flows into the San Francisco Bay and is ideal jumping off spot of boating, fishing, water skiing or touring the delta. 
These Deep Water Dock Homes are very affordable and with the revitalized Pittsburg Ca downtown I … (0 comments)

A Title Tale - 11:41 PM
A Title Tale
I love competition and the open market.  I also love my Title Company; Old Republic Title in Brentwood Ca.  Mind you I have no particular preference for Old Republic Title, I could not tell you how they stack up statistically against any other big Title Company, but I can tell you CeCe and the crowd over at ORTC are always a big help to me.
That's right - I like to work with people not companies.  Those people just happen to work for a company.  If they moved I would probably move with them.  Now they know they … (3 comments)

Austin Water Utility Wants Home Owners To Let St. Augustine Grass Die - Install Bermuda or Buffalo Grass - 09:26 AM
The Austin Water Utility is asking for home owners with St. Augustine grass to let their yards die and replace it with an option that takes less watering, like Bermuda or Buffalo Grass, especially in times of droughts. Austin Water has a plan in place that will pay home owners $10 for every 100 sqft of yard.  I chuckled for a couple of reasons when I saw that number.  The first being, it's ten bucks...  Do you know how much it costs to put down a new yard? Anywhere from $60 to $75 for each 100 sqft, depending on whether you … (3 comments)

Price Reduced Lebanon IL, 7 McKendree Park, Homes For Sale - 05:53 PM
… (3 comments)

Short Sale - New Price - O'Fallon IL 62269 - 05:59 PM
… (2 comments)

Castle Hills in San Antonio, TX for Secluded City Life - 02:49 PM
What once stood as a missionary outpost settled by the oil rich families of Texas now remains as one of the more desirable neighborhoods within San Antonio, Castle Hills. The area was prime for settlement, with a closeness to the railroad and commerce traveling through, which helped the development of the area in building homes that are still found erect today. The homes of Castle Hills tell the history of the neighborhood, with some deemed of historical significance, of which the community strives to preserve.
Castle Hills today is a booming neighborhood, also termed a city within a city, which … (0 comments)

A First Showing... Using My New iPad! - 01:47 AM
A First Showing...Using My New iPad Today we had our first showing on this very large and spacious condo located at 4001 Old Court Rd. Pavilion in the Park. This beautiful condo is larger than most homes with over 2600 square feet. And it is unbelievably bright with huge windows on three sides. But today was a day of liquid sunshine  even though others would call it a rainy day. The condo was still bright even before the lights were  turned the lights on and the drapes opened.. I heard the buyers OOH-ing and  AHHH-ing over the size of the kitchen, … (23 comments)

Life is a Struggle but.....there's always Hope! - 07:52 AM
Hi folks. I was going through some of my older articles this morning and came across this one. It reminded me of how we  get caught up in our own struggles sometimes and forget that others have it much worse.
Originally written in April 2008
Life is a Struggle...but.....there's always Hope!  This post is not about real estate. BUT.....it's something I have to write. It will also not be politically correct so you have been warned.
TLW's last post mentioned one of our tenants that was shot and killed by the police department this past Thursday. This post will delve into … (14 comments)

The British Invasion - at Stowe, Vermont - September 16 - 18, 2011 - 04:47 PM
The British Invasion - Stowe, Vermont, September 16-28, 2011
Since 1990, Stowe, Vermont has hosted a favorite event known at The British Invasion.   It is known as New England's Largest British Automobile Show and Celebration.  This year marked the 21st anniversary.  The event was greeted by perfect September weather - sunny and 60 degrees with a touch of foliage starting to peep through.  As a "local", this is one of my favorite events because I love seeing the English sportscars driving along the Rte 100 and 208 and I love the month of September. 
Also, the Town of Stowe goes all out … (2 comments)

If we Short Sale Our Home...What will the Neighbors Think/Do.....??? - 07:42 AM
   We went to a listing appointment the other day...and there is often a concern on the homeowner's part about what the neighbors will think...say....feel if their home is priced....and sells for below market prices.  No one wants a sign that says "SHORT SALE" and no one that lists with us gets one...not a practice of ours or generally in this area.
    Who would know it's a short sale ? The seller wanted to know ...We explained that it was a requirement that the listing indicate short sale status in MLS but that we would not have a sign that … (14 comments)

Rick Scott, Charles Stallions, Pensacola Short Sales and Forclosures. - 09:27 PM
I have been watching with lots of interest on this post on FB with Michael C. Bonnici basically about our Governor here in Flordia Rick Scotts Dicision. Here is the just of it, I am not lawyer and by no means stayed at a holiday inn last night ( referring to the commerical)
Rick Scott, GOP to consider taking courts out of foreclosure process.TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Sept. 22, 2011 – The push is on in Florida to cut the courts out of the foreclosure process. 
and to read the post here is a link to Michael FB page. http://www.facebook.com/michael.c.bonnici/posts/2292879114231#!/michael.c.bonnici
Anyone that … (10 comments)

Buying a Short-Sale - A few things you should know... - 09:44 PM
Have you considered buying a short sale in Pensacola Florida, why not check out all your options including how to write an offer that will be accepted the first time, title insurance and why it is even more important on a short sale in pensacola plus lots more.
Would you like information on buying or selling Foreclosures / Short sales CLICK HERE
Charles Stallions, CRS, CSP, CBR, CDPS, SREE, EREI - 800-309-3414, a leader in real estate investing, buying and selling. Lead Real Estate negotiator for several investment clubs as well as investors throughout the US. Call Charles for a list of references before … (3 comments)

What’s a Short Sale - 10:03 PM
Here is a good article on what a short really is and will work for Pensacola Short Sales as well. Contact us for information on buying or selling a Pensacola Short Sale.
Would you like information on buying or selling Foreclosures / Short sales CLICK HERE
Charles Stallions, CRS, CSP, CBR, CDPS, SREE, EREI - 800-309-3414, a leader in real estate investing, buying and selling. Lead Real Estate negotiator for several investment clubs as well as investors throughout the US. Call Charles for a list of references before buying or selling you what some consider being their largest investment.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
THOUSANDS OF … (1 comments)

Ice Out Hunger – SUCCESS! - 08:19 PM
Ice Out Hunger – SUCCESS!

We always knew it, but the Loudoun County community PROVED it last weekend by raising $2,600 and over 260 pounds of food at the Keller Williams Realty charity event, Ice Out Hunger, sponsored by Champion Title! Proceeds went directly to our local food bank, Loudoun Interfaith Relief, and one of our younger neighbors, Mitchell Sylvain, who suffers from Periventricular Leukomalacia and Lennox-Gestault syndrome.
A BIG THANK YOU to those who attended the event and to our very generous sponsors, which included:
Catoctin Wildlife Preserve & Zoo, Ace Adventure Center, River Riders , Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington … (6 comments)

Advise From A Great Attorney He Wanted Me To Pass Along - 09:14 AM
 
WATCH OUT FOR INTERNET SCAMS   Both realtors and attorneys are still falling for internet scams.  If you receive an unsolicited email from someone outside the country indicating they are interested in one of your listings sight unseen, do yourself and the attorney you work with a favor and do not respond. Over the past twelve months I have been contacted by countless realtors who received unsolicited emails from prospective purchasers wanting to buy property in Southwest Florida.  Almost all initial contacts start the same.  The individual is interested in MLS#12345 (or whatever the listing may be).  The purported buyer … (6 comments)

Listing Time in Naples : Get Ready to Stage and Sell - 05:57 PM

How many times have you walked into a listing where the shutters are closed, the AC or the heat (depending upon your market) are not sufficient and the lights are off. The home, lovely as it might be smells musty and has a kind of feeling of neglect. Nothing is really wrong, but your prospective buyer turns around and says, no, let’s go see that one down the street.?
Frequently if my experience counts for anything, and now, with so many underwater properties it will be even more frequent. So.... What are the inexpensive, reasonable steps one takes in staging … (0 comments)

13 Sandy Hill Road, Raynham (East Taunton line) only $188,800 - 05:29 PM
… (2 comments)

Free Museum Day in St Petersburg Florida - 01:04 PM

 
Today is Free Museum Day in St Petersburg, Florida. 10 am to 3 pm today there is free admission to:
Museum of Fine Arts
St Petersburg Museum of History
The Dali Museum (sorry - this is free only for Pinellas County residents)
Great Explorations Children's Museum
Morean Arts Center Galleries
and more
The photo is taken from the front door of our officee, looking across some of the outside tables at Tryst looking at the entrance to the Museum of Fine Arts.  Don't we have a great location for our real estate office?
And did you know?  The American Style Magazine for … (6 comments)

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