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National Association of Realtors (NAR) has just confirmed that short sales are still anything but 'short', stating an average time frame for a short sale taking 16.6 weeks! This fact on top of the startling statistic that less than 3 of 5 short sale transactions are ever coming to completion makes it crystal clear why most buyers and buyer agents steer clear of short sales.
My eight year old's Sunday School teacher just couldn't resist letting us know how much fun Parker is to have in class. She started the conversation by saying, "Parker always tells it how it is".
I’d always get a stinging feeling of dread in my stomach when my boss told me I had to find a real estate expert for a housing story. Not because I had anything against real estate agents. Actually, I think they’re amazing, interesting people. Love them enough that I gave up my job as a television anchor and reporter to partner with them in providing real estate videos.
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, Morrison, Colorado
Pretty much all the agents we work with have done HAFA short sales where the lender first saw the deal when the contract was submitted by the agent and then a BPO substantiates the FMV for the contract and the sale goes through. HAFA has certain benefits to borrowers in that the deficiency is forgiven and there is often a move out bonus (although we often find it to be of dubious value once the closing fees are adjusted by the lender).
I know many Realtors who focus on either the buyer or listing side of the business, and they seem surprised when I say I still sometimes show rentals.
Today I met Carl. Carl's story is one of many, unfortunately. Carl owns a magnificent home on a beautiful lot in a rural area in Montgomery County, MD. It's a wonderful location with gorgeous scenery yet close to the city. We watched deer out of his kitchen window moving along without a care in the world. Carl has been trying to short-sale his house for over a year now. It's the house he built 20+ years ago, a Tudor-style for which they traveled to England to research. Carl's wife stained all the woodwork/doors. Carl's wife had an art room in which … (58 comments)
We have been keeping an eye on REO and short sales in Tallahassee, wondering if there was going to be a gradual rise in distressed property sales as the year comes to a close. Our list of REO and short sale homes for sale in Tallahassee has remained fairly stable, but the same cannot be said for closed sales. The summer months saw a turn-away from these types of sales, as the percentage of non-arms-length home sales declined after a 3 year run of growth.
I just read an article in the Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal by Eli Segall titled "California Labor Commissioner sue Zip Realty (for more than $17 million). 
Don't Sabotage Sales Many real estate practitioners fail to take the basic steps needed to get from signed listing agreement to closing. October 2011 | By James L. Katz Eleven years into my real estate career, I can still hear the words of my first boss like it was yesterday, “Even if you’re just a sock folder, be the best sock folder you can be!” I’ve made it my practice to follow that advice—and share it with the many agents I’ve mentored over the years.
Recognizing that not all markets are the same and that we as brokers have an obligation to disclose material facts, my thoughts are centered on practices here in my home market of Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Simply put, I am not sure that marketing listings that are short sales as short sales first and foremost is the best approach. I have actually stopped the practice almost entirely, especially in cases where the home is still occupied. 
Too Low Then Too High
When can the appraisal be ordered? Today's winning question by Michele Fuxan Jones of Home Real Estate addresses that issue. Michele receives a $25 Starbucks card and gets her contact information sent to the 6,600 people on our contact list. We also list her contact info on our blog (10,199 visits for the first 6 months of 2011) and on our blog at Active Rain, a real estate blog with more than 210,000 members. Michele's contact info follows:Michele Fuxan Jones Jones Homes/HOME REAL ESTATE 303-995-2866FuxanJones@realtor.comMichele's question is: I’m noticing that appraisal deadlines are moving ever closer to the closing date. Perhaps … (23 comments)
"To blog or not to blog" has been a question I have constantly asked myself lately when getting online. I remember when I first started blogging,I thought I was becoming obsessed. I wanted to blog every listing, every real estate subject and every closed deal. I learned how effective blogging was with touching and reaching the masses and was online every night after my daughter would fall asleep. Trust me, blogging with a 5 year old on your lap, asking questions or rushing you to get off the computer to play with her or look at ICarly with her is not possible. Blogging had … (35 comments)
Let me get this straight, you want what from me?
So far this week, two favorite clients who sold homes a couple of years ago contacted me asking for help with IRS audits on the real estate transactions. And they didn't even get the federal tax credit, and there were no issues with short sales or foreclosures. These were "normal" transactions.
When I was a boy my mother would tell me fairly often, to this day I can’t reason why, to clean my room. I never thought it was that messy. Sure there were a few things out of place, yes my clothes did belong in the laundry hamper, but I knew exactly where everything was…most of the time. In the world of real estate and construction when a house is sold, new or used, it is to be tidied up. The phrase I hear most often is “broom clean”.
Get Hosed... Well, it looks as if our ‘ol buddy, ‘the Flipper’, has been hard at it playing plumber once again. <sigh> While inspecting a “flipper” in the Nashville, TN real estate market, once again, I good laugh at the expense of the "remodeler". (Term used in the loosest sense of the word) If you want to see how not to install the drain line for a dish washer, feast your eyes on the picture below! I believe in "repurposing" building materials as a way of keeping stuff out of our land fills, but this one takes the cake! … (68 comments)
We all have that certain someone who pushes us when we think we can't trudge on any longer. Someone who inspires, excites and amazes us in their ability to accomplish and believe. This mentor may have changed throughout the years or it may be that same math teacher that didn't let you get away with anything less than your full potential. 
Back by popular demand, the highly acclaimed Live ActiveRain University webinar:
Whether you’re selling a home or dwelling in one, porch appeal is always a plus! So I decided to punch up my own last weekend. The weather was great and pumpkins were at Walmart for $3.88 each. But not only because I found cheap pumpkins… It’s my favorite time of year too. I also relish the idea of having passersby enjoy the view of my home on their morning or evening walks. I love looking at my neighbor’s homes as well and what they do and I hope to invigorate and inspire them too. The same sentiment should be said about prospective home buyers too.
Casey's Pumpkin Patch has sold pumpkins in Frisco TX for several years now. This year (2011), Casey's Pumpkin Patch is bigger and better than ever!!!
I entered the world of Real Estate Sales a little over a year ago.
I recently inspected a rather modest, nice looking home for some clients. They had hired me after having inspected the home they have listed for another client (but that's another story for another post). This home had 4 bedrooms, a nice master suite, finished walkout basement, and almost an acre of land sitting in a nice suburb of a metropolitan city. But through all the apparently nice features, lurked a very large monster waiting to rear it's ugly head.
"A rude nature is worse than a brute nature by so much more as man is better than a beast: and those that are of civil natures and genteel dispositions are as much nearer to celestial creatures as those that are rude and cruel are to devils." - Margaret Cavendish 
Seller Financing Possible - Retreat - Resort Western North Carolina - Full Hospitality/Re-Position Hotel … (1 comments)
New Hampshire is THE place to be in the fall. Flowers and produce are colorful and plentiful. Apples are at their peak!
Short Sales in Brentwood Ca 94513
Texas Property Tax Homestead Exemptions just got a little more in-depth. It used to be "easy" to file your Homestead Exemption in the state of Texas. Each county has their form online and it usually takes under 2 minutes to fill it out. Some counties required it to be notarized while others don't. A Property Tax Homestead Exemption means you live in the property as your Primary Residence, more than 50% of the time, and this allows you to get a small reduction in your property tax value. Each district is different, so I can't tell you what your exact discount … (7 comments)
Stanislaus County Short Sales - Why do I Need All That Personal Information?
Hi everyone! Please come on over to our Facebook Short Sale page and join in the discussion "Short Sales". I'll be answering any questions you may have, and maybe a few you don't!
The Best Kind of Pay Check is a Thank you Note! Remember that a small gesture goes a long way. How many notes of appreciation have you received lately? It's easy to take a few minutes to show gratitude for someone who has made your day a bit better? This is what came in the mail today..a beautiful handwritten note... "You were so patient with us throughout the entire process. Your constant encouragement and positive outlook really helped us maintain faith that we would eventually find the house that was right for us......You really are our "fairy godmother" and really have … (13 comments)
David A. Sayas might have said that he was a "Fixture" in Wisconsin Real Estate Education....and indeed he was...a respected attorney, founder of the law firm, Sayas, Schmuki, Rondini & Plum and Royalty Title Corporation. Almost anyone who has taken continuing education classes in real estate in the last decade or two would have had David Sayas as an instructor at one time or another. Many agents studied his class schedule to be sure that they were part of the classes that enjoyed his quick wit and "You might want to remember this ....just in case it would be on … (3 comments)
This is one of the cleanest ranch homes that is currently available at the Apple Valley Lake and it has a finsihed walkout with a gorgeous covered patio. You won't believe how nice this home is for only $125,000!!!
Just Remember you have to live in Pelican Bay or Bay Colony To Take Advantage of all these Great Fitness Opportunities....If you don't live here Call Ginny Lee at 239-591-3225 or Visit her website at Http://www.PelicanBayHomefinder.com
When my husband first told me we could relocate to Chicago Illinois in the USA it sounded intriguing but I was not sure. Move ahead a few weeks and we had decided that relocating to Chicago Illinois was on the calendar. The funny thing was we weren't actually relocating to Chicago, that's just the place I knew how to find on a map. My husband was going to be working for Motorola in Schaumburg. Were we relocating to Schaumburg? Read on you'll find out.Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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