Archives of real estate blog entries for January 23, 2012

Featured blog posts


What do you do when a consumer get's angry at your blog? - 04:07 PM
Have you ever written an opinion on some topic, local or not, that struck a bad note with a consumer?  If you've been blogging at all and written anything that smacks of an opinion, you've probably been on the opposite side of a consumer opinion.  The consumer may write some scathing comment or they might just politely disagree.  Either way, they've put a black mark on your otherwise glowing stream of blog comments.  What's a blogger to do?
Don't retaliate Don't send a similarly scatching response Don't say anything you'll regret later Don't delete the comment Everyone is entitled to their … (52 comments)

Why Bother With an Inspection? - 06:32 PM
I'm a Realtor, not a home builder, but I certainly have a base-line understanding of home construction. I have watched how homes go up, how they are inspected, and how they have fallen down, literally.
When buying a re-sale home there seems to be a no-brainer mentality of inspecting a home, great! But when it comes to digging deeper or going new, there is a HUGE green barrier, called the dollar.
In Texas, our Inspectors are Licensed Real Estate Inspectors, just like I am a Licensed Real Estate Broker, by the Texas Real Estate Commission.
TREC Licensed inspectors for San … (43 comments)

How Can I Use a Virtual Assistant in My Business and Where Can I Find One? - 11:47 AM
You've probably heard or been told that a virtual assistant (VA) can be an invaluable resource for your business.  For most, that's probably as far as the discussion went.  What exactly does a virtual assistant do, how can they help me in my business, and where can I find them?  Some VA's are generalists.  Many are specialists in the services that they provide.
There are resources on the web that can answer these questions far better than I can.  So, I've assembled some links to help you answer these questions for yourself:
Why and How to Use A Virtual Assistant 
How … (34 comments)

I learned trust when it was the only thing I had. - 09:18 AM
In business, I have a group of professionals I use for just about every aspect of what we do, and I trust them.  I know that with a phone call, whatever I need will be taken care of, and it will be done as well or better than I expect, but this isn't where I learned trust.
My life is probably a little unique on Active Rain.  I've spent the largest portion of my life in hot spots that put me in danger on a weekly basis.  From 1978 through 1994 I spent a portion of every week behind bars.  My … (59 comments)

Florida Encourages Entrepreneurship and Small Cottage Business - 12:35 PM
Florida encourages entrepreneurship and small cottage business. Florida has many benefits for healthy living for both your body and your pocketbook. 
Florida just passed a new law that allows you to cook in your home and then bring those home-baked goods to your local green markets to sell them. 
We love going to the Wellington Farmers' Market weekly to discover all the new creative innovations and baked yummy goods from local entrepreneurs and local people who are looking for additional ways to make some money during these economic times. This is the spirit of America. 

When things get tough you figure out a … (26 comments)

A New Look and Feel on ActiveRain Launches on Tuesday January 24 - 04:14 PM
This will not be the last time you see changes here at ActiveRain. In fact, because we are fresh off a major overhaul to the underlying technology upon which ActiveRain is built, you should expect to see changes and updates more frequently. That's very exciting for us. But we don't want it to come as a shock each time something new is introduced, so Nikesh (click that link and subscribe to his blog) will often give you a chance to test it out and give us feedback before it goes live.
In fact, last Monday Nikesh introduced a new look and … (169 comments)

Chef T’s Garden Grill Lakeland Florida - Dining Experience Extraordinaire - 07:16 AM
Chef T’s Garden Grill Lakeland Florida - Dining Experience Extraordinaire 
This past holiday, I received a gift certificate from one of my clients to a restaurant I had no idea it existed.  Hmh, could there be a well kept secret in town that I had no clue after living in Lakeland Florida for such a long time Chef T’s Garden Grill even existed?
  
Curiosity struck me when I was told about the history of this historic home which was owned by Frances and Olin Chiles, uncle of the late Governor Lawton Chiles, Jr. - please click here to read more
Chef Terry Doner brought the … (17 comments)

DRILLED WELL ISSUES CONTINUED - 06:52 AM
Lenn Harley challenged my 5 gpm requirement for VA loans.  I have the greatest respect for her knowledge but this has been a 40 year given.  In her county 1 gpm wells were approved for VA loans.  My initial reaction was how can that be?  VA loans are federal loans.  The requirements should be the same through out the country.
I went onto the VA website to find out about private well qualifications.  The only requirement were setbacks from private sewerage systems.  I sent out emails to loan officers who do VA/FHA loans.  David Bremmer from Shamrock Mortgage gave me this … (44 comments)

ActiveRain Partners - Connecting with Real Estate Agents on ActiveRain - 04:48 PM
ActiveRain Partners Program
ActiveRain Partners Program  
In conjunction with the release of the new design of the 'my home' page, ActiveRain would like to introduce you to the ActiveRain Partners Program. We believe ActiveRain is a great way for non real estate agents to make connections with real estate agents. For many of you, as real estate agents, you have made some fabulous connections with service providers over the years using ActiveRain. The new version of the 'my home' page holds two advertising positions on the right hand side. One position will be dedicated to a brokerage and one … (30 comments)

Not Paying Your HOA Fees Is The #1 Killer of Short Sales and Deed In Lieu - 10:02 PM
Not paying your HOA Fees is the #1 Killer of Short Sales and Deed in Lieu. 
Many homeowners who are behind in their mortgage payments are also behind in their HOA fees. When we take on a short sale listing it is very important for the seller to understand the ramifications of NOT paying HOA fees. 
In the state of Florida the HOA can foreclose on you, they can lock you out of the pool and clubhouse, they can evict you after the foreclose on you and rent your condo or property out, they can deny you access through the gate. 
And … (48 comments)

Active Rain is built for community - play your part...Call a Shot today - 07:41 AM
One of the many aspects I like about the Active Rain community is that we all have a voice. Not only do we get to choose our content and comment freely (including the right to dissent...as long as it's professional/polite), but we also have the ability to help influence the feature board.
 
Are you a Called Shot Master?  Do you know what that is?  It simply means that you have successfully suggested at least 5 posts that made it to the feature board. (It's probably the easiest way to get a button under your profile picture...this is the purple star … (58 comments)

Have You Ever Completed a transaction with Owner Financing? - 12:47 PM
If you could offer owner financing on your listings or provide it for your buyer clients who may not qualify for conventional financing, how much could you increase you business?
 
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
… (45 comments)

I'm FAST, EASY, and CHEAP! - 11:58 PM
If we are what we eat... I'm FAST, EASY, and CHEAP!


 
 
 
 That's the TRUTH! 
I'm GUILTY!!! 
I ADMIT it!
 
 
 
Fast food SURROUNDS us!It's everywhere!On the road, in the stores, at the gas station, in our freezer, anywhere and everywhere!
Seems like we all try to fit so much in a day. Especially in this line of work! We're always on the Go! 

Is this the FOOD PYRAMID you have used for MOST of your LIFETIME?
We really need to take the time to take better care of ourselves.
… (66 comments)

Special Webinar Feb. 2nd: Changing the Course of Your Real Estate Career - 04:31 PM
6am: Groundhog Day. I'll assume you remember the movie. Bill Murray wakes up each day to repeat the same day over and over again. No matter what he does, he can't make any significant changes to his future...........because tomorrow he will wake up and it will be the same day all over again.
(If you have never seen this movie, stop what you are doing and immediately rent it, find it on Netflix, download it, buy it on Comcast.......do whatever you do to make sure you watch this movie.....it's a classic. I'm going to bet many of you have seen it … (105 comments)

Photographs in Comments . Are they considered to be spam? - 07:07 AM
We have a contest going on and one of the topics is about Active Rain guidelines and there have been posts about the topic.
One of the guidelines is that we should not spam other posts when we comment.
I was surprised to read a post this morning that posting pictures in the comment section is also considered to be spam. By the way I do not post pictures, However I did post a picture when I  wished members Happy New Year.
I love to see pictures in my comments . I have received pictures of flowers which are always welcome, picture … (74 comments)

North Kingstown RI - Poplar Point - 06:53 AM
North Kingstown RI -Poplar Point.  
Just a bike ride over the Wickford bridge heading towards the town beach one hangs a left onto Steamboat Avenue and onto the Poplar Point peninsula.  This is another waterfront North Kingstown community that is quiet , unique and hardly a diamond in the rough!  This is a multi carat (so to speak) neighborhood that when I show real estate clients they just become enamored with its location.
  Wickford boatyard is located here amidst the cottages, bungalows, traditional and luxury waterfront homes.  It truly is one of the most varied neighborhoods within the borders of Wickford RI.  From … (23 comments)

In your blogs and vlogs - Are you bragging, putting others down, or simply providing value to prospects? - 08:01 PM
Accomplishments by Celebrity Real Estate Agent Aaron Auxier.
In a time where Social Media is already becoming poisoned by the same brainwashing "force fed" advertisements that the invention of television created in the 1950s, when looking to turn potential Google Search, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, G+, or ActiveRain browsing customers into real estate clients, are you remembering to focus on providing value - especially when tooting your own horn?
It is a very fine line to be a good marketer as opposed to an advertiser, here is my solution (in below video) - to simply show some of my accomplishments, without bragging … (29 comments)

You Opened it, surely you can Lock it! - 12:14 AM
You Opened it, surely you can Lock it!While touring about thirteen homes today with a young lady seeking out her dream home I  encountered a home where the front door was UNLOCKED!  Uh oh, I pause, this is supposed to be locked and vacant.  I am forced to stop, put up my defense shield and wonder who the heck may be here? The lock box produced the key so I know it wasn’t being shown by another agent.  So, I have to politely ask my client to stay outside while I go investigate.  I yell out “Is any body here? Realtor … (118 comments)

"RUDE CUSTOMERS" How Do You Handle Them??? - 10:18 AM
What do you do when you have a Rude and Nasty Customer on the phone??
They're upset because they want to speak to the Office Broker and the Broker is with a client. They DO NOT Want to hold and start cursing at you because they feel you're not being helpful!! It's Stressful to hear an unhappy client, but at the same time I can only do but soooo much because they did not want to deal with any other agent except me!!  
OH BOY!!! It isn't a positive way to start the day!!!
 
… (77 comments)

I answered my phone - 07:43 AM
As I was meeting with some customers on Friday, my phone rang. Of course I apologized to the folks across the desk and answered it. After a brief conversation, I assured the caller that I'd get back to them promptly. I began to engage my customers again. About 10 more minutes of searching the MLS, narrowing down the possibilities of potential homes, my phone rings again. I follow the line of protocol as the first. Before continuing with our search on the computer, my phone once again alerts me. (It's almost like Murphy"s Law). Brief conversation, promptly returned call, shortly.
The … (135 comments)

The New HUD! Opportunity Abounds! - 12:42 PM
Like every other agent, my mettle has been tested as I struggled to stay alive in the “new” real estate market.  Fortunately, I bit the bullet and took on foreclosed properties head on.  Over the last 25 years of my career, there have always been foreclosures.  They were usually pretty icky properties and a busy agent could elect to not participate.  These days it’s sink or swim.  I started swimming!
 
HUD properties aren’t so icky anymore. Some are actually move-in ready.  Some are investors’ dreams. Some are a god send for owner occupants who have the ability to remodel because … (26 comments)

"There's No Crying in Real Estate!" - 01:09 PM
Really!  Excuse me while I grab another box of tissue.  During my 25 years of experience as a real estate agent there have been times when there were tears of joy. However, in the current market the tears are those  of frustration and disappointment.  We are all experiencing the pain of the homeowner now unable to pay the mortgage coupled with the other issues in their life that have brought them to this point...a  lost job, medical issues, divorce, failed investments, etc.   How often have you sat with them as they shared their plight and their tears while you explained the long and frustrating … (45 comments)

Feeling Overwhelmed and Encouraged Simultaneously - 03:33 PM
It is 39 days after an entensive (expensive) 2-day workshop on building/improving my real estate career.  There was WAY too much information and WAY too many choices about which directions to go.  I've implemented several of the suggested tools, none of which have been perfected. It takes a great deal more time ... and energy/focus ... to go from learning to doing to success.  However, every once in a while I see a glimpse of a rainbow and it's just enough of a carrot to keep me from just crawling in bed and pulling the covers over my head.  The last … (43 comments)


Blog posts


Boutique Hotel with 10 Years of Profit History for Sale - Seller Ready to Retire - Mexico Real Estate - 10:55 PM
Mexico Beachfront Boutique Hotel … (1 comments)

A New Look and Feel on ActiveRain Launches on Tuesday January 24 - 04:14 PM
This will not be the last time you see changes here at ActiveRain. In fact, because we are fresh off a major overhaul to the underlying technology upon which ActiveRain is built, you should expect to see changes and updates more frequently. That's very exciting for us. But we don't want it to come as a shock each time something new is introduced, so Nikesh (click that link and subscribe to his blog) will often give you a chance to test it out and give us feedback before it goes live.
In fact, last Monday Nikesh introduced a new look and … (169 comments)

ActiveRain Partners - Connecting with Real Estate Agents on ActiveRain - 04:48 PM
ActiveRain Partners Program
ActiveRain Partners Program  
In conjunction with the release of the new design of the 'my home' page, ActiveRain would like to introduce you to the ActiveRain Partners Program. We believe ActiveRain is a great way for non real estate agents to make connections with real estate agents. For many of you, as real estate agents, you have made some fabulous connections with service providers over the years using ActiveRain. The new version of the 'my home' page holds two advertising positions on the right hand side. One position will be dedicated to a brokerage and one … (30 comments)

Lemont Homes Supply and Demand 2011 - 11:08 PM
The following chart shows the market report of suppy and demand for all of 2011 for single family Lemont homes.
 

As you can easily see, like most southwest Chicago suburbs, there is a big discrepancy between the amount of homes available for sale in Lemont vs. those that went under contract or sold and closed.  The month with the highest amount of active listings (the red line) was April and the lowest amount of inventory was in December.
The lowest months that homes went under contract were September, December and January.  February had the least amount of homes that … (2 comments)

Amazing Austin Waterfront Communities - 03:22 PM
There are two waterfront communities in the Austin area I want to feature today.  The first is The Reserve at Lake Travis.  This is an exclusive waterfront and equestrian community west of Austin on Lake Travis.There are currently 2 villas and 2 single-family homes for sale in The Reserve at Lake Travis.  They range in price from $600,000 for a 2,487 square foot villa to just under $1.6 million for a home with 3,697 square feet on almost 1.3 acres.  Neither has Lake Travis frontage, but the community has around 3.5 miles of Lake Travis frontage.The Island at Mount Bonnell Shores … (1 comments)

So What is a Newbie! - 07:57 PM
So What is a Newbie!
When you have been around sense 2006 and very proactive and involved sense 2009 a lot of people seem like Newbies.
So what makes a Newbie – to me it seems that it is anyone who has been around less time than I have. That could include a lot of people. But then sometimes I still feel like a Newbie. Of course I am 51 and have 6 kids and am still trying to figure out what I will do when I grow up.
There is one member who first made me not feel like … (6 comments)

Baltimore County's Newest Historic District ...Fieldstone - 01:59 AM
Baltimore County's Newest Historic District ...Fieldstone. 8930 Church Lane Historic Fieldstone Randallstown, MD 21133                               
 
 
                                             
                                               
                                       All Brick Colonial on half acre lot.  
                                             
                                                                     
                                  Master Bedroom with gleaming oak floors.  
                                             
                                                           
                          Separate Dining Room is spacious enough for a piano.  
                                             
                                                      
… (10 comments)

Deductible Is the Point! - 12:20 PM
 
Points refer to prepaid interest on a home mortgage and can be fully deductible by the buyer in the year paid if the right conditions exist. The points must be used to buy, build or improve a taxpayer's principal residence but not all fees charged by the lender are necessarily deductible.
 
 
According to IRS Publication 936, "The term 'points' is used to describe certain charges paid, or treated as paid, by a borrower to obtain a home mortgage. Points may also be called loan origination fees, maximum loan charges, loan discount, or discount points. A borrower is treated … (1 comments)

$75,000 Home For Sale at the Apple Valley Lake - 08:57 PM
This is one of the nicest and most affordable homes for sale at the Apple Valley Lake and you will be seriously impressed with the brand new kitchen!!!  The monthly payments on this house should be significantly cheaper than paying rent for a comparable sized rental property.  Why would you pay rent when you can own a nice home for less?  If you like the looks of this home be sure to visit our additional listing details and our extensive virtual tour photo slideshow at 207 Hasbrouck at the Apple Valley Lake in Knox County Ohio.
You can also view all of … (3 comments)

Quick Weekly Santa Monica Real Estate Market Update – January 13 to 20, 2012 - 07:03 PM

Santa Monica Real Estate – Single Family Homes:   Active Listings: 64* Short Sales – 3* Bank Owned/REO – 1  
Of the 64 active Santa Monica homes for sale, 17 had their List Price decreased, and 2 of them actually increased in list price...continue reading
… (0 comments)

Five Finger Discount – Almost! - 01:09 PM
Five Finger Discount – Almost!

The price of this beautiful Ashburn home, located at 20362 Flushing Meadows Court, has been slashed to just $459K! Go ahead and steal it the legal way by taking advantage of this short sale! Schedule your tour by calling your Loudoun County Real Estate experts at Ask Gina & Company today!
Property Description:
Your search is over! Come home to this beautiful brick front colonial in charming Ashburn, VA!
Just inside you are greeted with a fabulous two-story foyer in a warm, neutral color and lovely hardwood floors. The hardwood floors continue throughout the first … (4 comments)

Gainesville FL Home for Sale Near UF - Adorable Cottage Style! - 09:37 PM
This home for sale in SW Gainesville sits on a quiet oak canopy street off Williston Rd on the south side of the University of Florida and Shands Hospital.
The large lot 100' x 148' is beautifully landscaped with screened rear porch, fenced back yard and courtyard area for entertaining.    Don't miss this adorable cottage style home that is biking distance from UF, Shands or the VA Medical Center!
Take a moment and watch the virtual tour to get a feel of the comfort and relaxation this home brings.  This home shows pride of ownership!
MLS# 325957 4013 SW … (3 comments)

Inverness Illinois Property - Market In Review 2011 - 02:24 PM
Inverness Illinois Property - My Final Market Report for 2011 We are three weeks into 2012 and my Inverness Illinois Property report is my last to wrap up the year for 2011. As I have compiled the data it has shown some interesting facts. If you have the time and desire to read all my reports they can all be found in my market report category. Now back to Inverness Illinois property data.
Inverness has both single family homes and attached homes so I'll break the report down so we can get a true feeling for what's going on. I'll lump the … (1 comments)

Create - 04:32 PM
From the possibilities, you can create. From those things you create, come many more possibilities.
You can take what is, and make it into what has never been before. Starting with just an idea, you can create objects, expressions, and experiences that flow from that idea.
With what you are able to create, you can make a positive and meaningful difference in the world. With what you create, you can bring great fulfillment to your own life and to the lives of those around you.
The amazing ability to create is an ability that has no limit. No matter how much … (0 comments)

Need Some Great Marketing Tips? - 11:36 PM
Any successful real estate professional (including your REVStaffing virtual assistants!) needs an eclectic library of proven, strategies from which to draw inspiration. Augmenting your repertoire isn’t just good business – it’s necessary in order to remain competitive in the market. Let’s take a look at three leading-edge marketing ideas.
READ MORE HERE...
Selection of a marketing strategy is just one of many business decisions you make as a busy real estate professional. Another important decision is this: Do you continue to struggle with managing everything yourself, or do you grow your business with professional help? Remember, in the real estate business, … (0 comments)

Time Is Not Money! - 06:26 AM
Read this post from Rob Spinosa of RPM Mortgage in Mill Valley, CA and you can start to understand why it's so important to have a good local mortgage professional on your side when financing a home in this difficult lending environment.
Via Rob Spinosa, Marin Mortgage Professional (RPM Mortgage, Mill Valley, CA):
… (0 comments)

Drone Attack Coming on Mortgage Interest Rates - 06:26 AM
Harvey Collier is a Home Loan Consultant from the greater Fort Lauderdale, FL area.  In his post, he alerts us to the unfortunate fact the government backed loans will go up some in April of 2012 because of additional fees that will be charged.  Ant this comes without any rise in interest rates, which will also happen, sooner or later.
Via Harvey Collier - Home Loan Consultant Greater Fort Lauderdale FL (Primary Residential Mortgage dba Sterling Asset & Equity):
There's a drone attack coming on mortgage interest rates that's flying under the real estate radar. Watch out, as this stealth action will … (0 comments)

Why the Arm’s Length Affidavit Protects Short Sale Sellers - 06:27 AM
Pamela Seley from Temecula Valley California does a nice job of explaining the purpose of the arms length addendum that accompanies just about all short sale transactions these days.  My take on this addendum is that the banks or lenders want to make sure that the seller (nor any Realtors) benefit in any way from the loss they are taking on this note.
Via Pamela Seley, REALTOR® Temecula Valley California Homes (REALTY EXECUTIVES):
Why the Arm’s Length Affidavit Protects Short Sale SellersOn the surface, the arm’s length affidavit appears biased (some may say unfair) because the short sale seller’s lender prohibits the … (0 comments)

Reasons Why Buying or Selling a Home Can Be Like Online Dating - 06:28 AM
I have to re-blog this post from Dawn A Fabiszak of Aurora, CO, since it's not only funny and cute but also so true.  I never realized that real estate sales could be compared to on-line dating, but here it is:
Via Dawn A Fabiszak, CRS, GRI, SFR, CNE Servicing Arapahoe County over 18 yrs (Keller Williams Real Estate ( Denver metro area, Colorado):
** Buying or Selling a Home Can Be Just Like Online Dating **

I have to give credit to one of my clients for giving me the idea of writing this post.  I was showing houses to … (1 comments)

Garbage disposals. Do you have one. Do you know how to use it correctly? - 06:29 AM
Many or possibly most of us have garbage disposals.  And, if you're like me, you take them for granted.  Until they fail and make a mess out of your kitchen.  Clint McKie of Desert Sun Home Inspections in Carlsbad New Mexico does a nice job of letting us know how to use these little gems of technology.
Via Clint Mckie Desert Sun Home Inspections Home Inspections in Carlsbad New Mexico (Desert Sun Home Inspections/ Energy Audits):
Garbage disposals. Do you have one. Do you know how to use it correctly?
There are a lot of home out there with garbage disposals.
… (2 comments)

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