Archives of real estate blog entries for February 21, 2012

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Another Agent Used Me...What Do You Think About That? - 05:03 AM

Funny how this business works sometimes. Another agent used me and sent me a thank you text! What do you think about that?
The other day I was researching some properties to show a couple from Chicago on Thursday. One of the houses had an intriguing exterior and was in the right area but had no interior photos. This particular listing agent is usually pretty good about providing lots of photos so I emailed him for more information. I told him I was interested in showing the house but without having a clue about the interior I wanted him to … (66 comments)

SPRING FORWARD IN 2012 CONTEST - 2012 Market Trends - 11:01 AM
Since 2007 we've been struggling with the public perception that real estate is not a good investment. We've also struggled to put the word out that the "bad market" is regional, & quite micro oriented. I know we've all been experiencing the unveiling of a beautiful 2012. Personally, my market has hot  & cold pockets, but in general, is warm.
The good news is, the market is heating up & the frost we've been experiencing is thawing. It's time to communicate  -  IT IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY or SELL!
Some of you participated in the "Hot or Not" … (185 comments)

Want to BUY a Home and not just a Deal but a Steal? Check out HUD Homes in Dallas County - 11:09 AM
Are you thinking about BUYING a HOUSE in Garland, Rowlett, Rockwall or other Dallas County, Collin County or Tarrant County city? Do you not only want a Deal but a STEAL??? Well then, might I suggest you take a look at HUD Homes.  HUD homes are not your typical Foreclosure or Short Sale home that has lots of issues or trashed by the previous owners ... Some HUD Homes are move-in ready while others aren't. HUD Homes also vary in price ... you can certainly find a HUD home for $100k or less, you can ALSO find a sweet $400k HUD home as … (22 comments)

Your Camera is Your BFF in Real Estate - 08:27 AM
Your Camera is Your BFF in Real Estate  
Your camera is a pretty important part of your real estate arsenal these days – true of many who are not agents, too.
 
Indeed, your camera just might be your BFF in real estate. For some it IS their business!
 
For sake of argument I’m including that camera that’s part of your Smartphone, but for some uses I think the digital camera is far better in terms of quality.
 
Yet, there are some who seem to have a fear of their camera, don’t like taking it anywhere in … (74 comments)

"I WANT TO LIST YOUR HOME--BUT ONLY IF YOU REALLY WANT TO SELL IT!"...A Bold, Fresh new Approach Is Needed Now! - 06:09 AM
"LET'S MAKE A PLAN!!"...."I Want To List Your House---But Only If You Really Want To Sell It!...A BOLD, Fresh and  new approach is needed now in this market--So let's make a Fresh Start with your home!"
This is what I like to say to the seller who is wavering about listing a property with me. I say: "Let's make a plan" because this is the way to get focused on the real need to sell or NOT to sell for the homeowner. It also lets the owner know that you have a lot of bold, fresh, new ideas to get their home sold and get the … (65 comments)

Dear Listing Agent: Your Listing is in The Wrong Town - 07:27 AM
Dear Listing Agent: Hi there, I'm one of the 20,000 or so agents in the Chicagoland area. I list and sell homes in St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and Wayne. I have a new buyer who might like your listing in Mill Creek, Geneva. 

So why I am writing to you today? My buyer sent me a list of homes to see this weekend, as well as a description of a yellow house in a particular neighborhood they saw when they were out driving around. It couldn't find it in the mls so I drove over there to solve this mystery. I found … (89 comments)

I am an Expert on Everything! - 04:10 PM
This is the second profession I've been in where I am expected to be an expert on everything. 
Years ago it was antiques, you were literally expected to have some idea of the value of everything!
In real estate my oddest one was gardening.  An email lead kept asking me gardening questions, I had no idea why but got the answers for her from my master gardener sister-in-law.  Eventually we figured out that she had her Kathys confused and we all had a good laugh. 
Today was sadder.  I had sold a house several years ago to a lady who has … (30 comments)

I'll Tell You What's Wrong With That Flipped House Without Even Looking At It - 03:11 AM
Home flippers buy dilapidated houses, fix them up, then sell them again as quickly as possible with the intention of making a tidy profit.  Flipped houses look shiny and new inside, but what's going on underneath all the new drywall, carpet, and paint?  Very few home buyers seem to trust flippers, and with the cheesy 'repairs' or 'cover-ups' I've seen over the years, it's easy to understand why.  Most of the quick and dirty home flippers take the same shortcuts when flipping houses; I've seen so many of them done the same way that I'm going to tell you all about … (85 comments)

Sellers, Tell the Obvious Truth! - 06:05 PM
Today as I was showing homes in Lexington we visited a home with obvious structural problems.  You could see the corner of the house drooping when we drove up.  Walking in the sloping living room confirmed the first impression.
A two story house in need of upkeep.  The seller's disclosure had nothing about this obvious problem.  This home has now been on the market most of a year.  Does the owner really want to sell?  It is not a bank owned home, it is not a short sell.  Why would anyone ignore such a problem?
Sellers it is to your advantage to … (38 comments)

Just how did you price that house? - 04:53 AM
I got a call from an appraiser yesterday wanting to know how I came up with the list price for a house I had previously listed. Now here is the funny thing, the appraiser thought my price had been too low! Let me say the appraiser also said that contacting former listing agents was not what he did on a regular basis. He also didn't find any of the other listings on the MLS that had expired with other agents. I don't know why not, but there were at least 3 other expired listings out there. The lender was NOT willing … (63 comments)

Actions on Housing Policy Will Make or Break Recovery - 04:44 AM
Although we have many reasons to feel optimistic about housing, lawmakers have the POWER to either continue helping or risk hurting our economy further with their decisions , both in the Senate and in the House.
Past –due mortgages and foreclosures have been trending down in recent months. Inventory is also shrinking. This affects the law of supply and demand. The lower the supply and the higher the demand, helps prices trend upwards. Interest rates are lower than ever and home prices are beginning to stabilize…..but progress is still fragile.
The only appropriate focus for legislators is helping families who are … (14 comments)

Just Because You Think It's So, Doesn't Make It So! - 06:21 AM
Just Because You Think It's So, Doesn't Make It So! Yesterday afternoon our copier/printer flashed "NO TONER" in the middle of a big print job.  No problem, open up the bottom storage and pull out a new toner cartridge and........ Aaaaack!  NO TONER is right, nothing in there!  Now I could have sworn that we had one left, but nope.  No gots, nada....  Fortunately early enough in the day to visit our copier service company and get toner cartridges, so no harm done. However, in this case, thinking we had a toner cartridge didn't make it so did it?
We encounter … (121 comments)

Constant Communication - 07:39 AM
A recent Trulia question, asking what people considered the most important traits in a Realtor, came up with "communication" as the most noted trait.  Big surprise, right?
The most common complaint, according to the national association of Realtors, of the average consumer, was not that their agent was a poor negotiator, it was not that the agent didn't sell their home, or find them the right property.  People complained that their agent didn't keep in touch with them, and let them know what was going on.  They felt left in the dark.
In todays world of email, cell phones, auto MLS … (86 comments)

MAR PROFILE OF 2011 BUYER - 03:29 AM
The Mass Association of Realtors released a profile of the typical buyer in 2011.  94% (NINETY FOUR PERCENT) of all buyers and sellers worked with a real estate professional.  What an awesome number - 94%.  This is a 12-13% increase.  Nationally the number is 89%.
Interestingly only 3% of sellers indicated they were selling because they couldn't afford the home.
Reasons they bought: 36% desire to own a home; 9% wanted a larger home; 9% a change in family situation; 7% because of affordability and 7% becasue of a job related relocation.
Survey said that 97% of sellers sold under normal … (30 comments)

Masonry Foundation Repair - Steel Posts - 02:26 AM
This photo is the masonry foundation repair of the front wall of a 45 year old house.  It is one of many techniques that can be used for such a repair.
The masonry foundation had been suffering from horizontal cracking.
Around here a big factor contributing to this problem are expansive clay soils.  Certainly soil/water pressure is the culprit, but clay soils can shrink when very dry and then, when wetted, can expand with greater force than normal.
Such force works on these walls, over time and even quickly!
When it happens, and if there has been enough movement, a structural … (40 comments)

Does this house make me look fat? - 01:54 PM
 
How often have you been out and noticed someone in an outfit that just looks BAD on them? It’s not that it’s ugly or out of fashion or even the wrong size - - it’s just not right. Perhaps it’s the wrong color for them, or just emphasizes parts of their body that should not necessarily be emphasized. I always wonder why there isn’t at least one person in their life that will tell them the truth – to say, “oh no – you shouldn’t wear that color”.
 
I recently worked with some clients who had spent a lot … (74 comments)

Do We Buy A Long Island Home Without A Basement? - 04:32 AM
 
Do We Buy A Long Island Home Without A Basement? We're working with out of state clients from Mississippi who asked, "should we buy a Long Island Home without a basement"?   Here on Long Island it is not uncommon to have a basement, however there are homes that do not have them. Some communities do not have basements due to a mulitiplicity of factors like where it's located, when it was built, the extra cost that was involved, type of home, if it is too close to water levels, etc. A key important question is how does it compare to other houses in the neighborhood? … (24 comments)

Tips For A Successful "Drive By Comment" - 08:13 AM

 
 
I get it....we're all busy! Active Rain is just one of many "to-do" items we need to get off our list. It's not about interaction, or attracting new clients, or learning something....It's about points.
Get themGet them quickGet them without a lot of work
We used to see lots of drive-by comments clearly being copied-and-pasted on ten different posts. You know the ones:
"Thank you for your post today. I learned something new"
A perfect 10 word response which is almost always applicable to any blog post. Not a spare word to be found in that one.
But over … (143 comments)

Finding The Path - 11:14 AM
A friend who is an AR newbie recently asked me for some advice. He hadn't been active here for a couple of weeks and was, I think, looking for some motivation to get him going again. And my discussion with him clarified something that had been rattling around in my head for a while:
You have to have a good reason to be here on AR.
Being here takes time and effort, and it takes those away from other activities, so there has to be a justification. And for most of us with bills to pay and mouths to feed, and … (46 comments)


Blog posts


Nicaragua Condos, Casitas and Land - Oceanfront Resort Community - Pacific Tropical Paradise - Nicaragua Real Estate - 06:30 AM
Oceanfront Nicaragua Condos & Casitas … (0 comments)

Real Estate Recovery Or Not? 2012 Predictions by the Pro's Infographic - 12:09 AM
Real Estate Recovery or Not?2012 Predictions By the Pro’s Infographic Data, data everywhere, but what should you believe?  Are we on, in the middle, or at the tail of a deflating real estate bubble?  Is there a Florida real estate bubble?There is A LOT of conflicting data emerging about the 2012 real estate market and 2012 real estate transactions.  Case-Shiller has emerged as the leading index of real estate values.  The Q4 2011 S&P/Case-Shiller index (1) shows continuing declines in real estate values with quarter over quarter declines of 1.1-1.2% and annual declines of 3.0-3.4%.   RealtyTrac is the leading source of … (161 comments)

To Beat or not To Beat? That is the Question! - 03:53 PM
To Beat or not To Beat? That is the Question!
Yesterday I wrote a very tongue in cheek post on a serious issue of child discipline. I tried to approach the subject with a lot of humor and maybe a little exaggeration.
I did make some funny remarks about the old days of wooden spoons and leather belts and how effective they were for my father. Although the post was well received and got some good comments there was some negativity about the use of Spankings and other physical discipline.
There is no doubt things have changed, even for those of … (12 comments)

$295,000 for this is like robbing a bank without a gun - 08:11 AM

$295,000 ?
         $295,000 for this 4 bedroom, 2 and 1/2 bath home less than two miles from the city dock in Annapolis is like robbing a bank without a gun. Sure the home is approaching it's silver anniversary but anyone with a smidgen of knowledge knows that homes built 50 years ago were done so by craftsman.  The kitchen has been upgraded and hardwood floors are throughout the house.  Remember, this home was built when floors were floors and not plywood covered with shag carpeting!  There are three fireplaces in the house, one in the living room, the … (0 comments)

Donna Harris Earns Real Estate Short Sale CDPE Designation - Helping Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure - 01:34 PM
 
Donna Harris Earns Real Estate, Short Sale Designation to Help Homeowners in Danger of Foreclosure
Austin, TX – February 21, 2012 – Donna Harris of RE/MAX Austin Skyline in Austin has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert® (CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance, with a particular emphasis on short sales. At a time when millions of homeowners are struggling with the possibility of foreclosure, the skills and education amassed by Harris will help benefit Austin-area residents and communities.

Short sales allow the distressed homeowner to repay the mortgage at the price that the home … (5 comments)

Another HomeRome Listing Under Contract....1 Clipping Tree Lane-Greencroft-Hunt Valley 21030 - 07:49 PM
 
Another HomeRome Listing Under Contract.... 1 Clipping Tree Lane-Greencroft-Hunt Valley 21030 We have found the perfect buyers for this  beautiful Greencroft  home in Hunt Valley. Rarely available...this exciting custom built brick, stone and cedar five bedroom two story contemporary sits  on a 2.15 acre lot and  has the right combination of lawn, landscaping and wooded areas. Being a landscape Architech, the new buyers love the home as well as the land.  There are many luxury upgrades in this property. This serene community  is filled with friendly neighbors and activities for children and adults. There is tons of open space, a … (10 comments)

Election Workers Needed in Anchorage - 11:04 AM
Election workers are needed in Anchorage.  The City of Anchorage will be holding it's municipal elections on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 and they need people to help organize and process election day paperwork.  Even though seasoned election workers are always available and willing to pitch in during election times here in Anchorage, there is always a shortage.  Encouraging younger people to become an election worker is one way to get them more involved in local government, as well as showing them that they really can make a difference.
Anchorage election workers will be required to work from 6am to 10pm on the day of the election … (0 comments)

Hartland Colonial Short Sale Open House Sunday Noon - 2pm - Be There ! - 08:40 PM
                                                                                               684 Bradford Way
                                                                                         Hartland, WI 53029-2503
                                                                                                MLS 1239334
                                                                … (7 comments)

You Can Enjoy The Amenities of the Apple Valley Lake Yet Live On A Country Setting - 07:37 AM
Overlooking a rolling country setting with a wonderful rural feeling yet you have access to all the amenities that the Apple Valley Lake offers as a property owner.  If you like the looks of this home be sure to view the additional listing details by visiting 13541 Magers Road at the Apple ValleY Lake in Howard, Ohio.
You can view more listing info about this home at 13541 Magers Road at the Apple ValleY Lake in Howard, Ohio.
We have also created a unique real estate listing link so that you can view and compare all of our available Apple Valley Lake homes … (1 comments)

Another Apple Valley Lake Waterfront Home SOLD By The Sam Miller Team of REMAX Stars Realty - 12:09 PM
Homes at the Apple Valley Lake are selling and not just the less expensive homes.  The winter season is a great time to buy and or sell a waterfront home at the Apple Valley Lake in Knox County Ohio.  If you have an Apple Valley home that you want to sell you may want to consider listing your home on the market before spring arrives.  This will position you  ahead of other competing homes and this can be a big advantage.   
You can view all of our Apple Valley Lake waterfront homes for sale and we also have an amazing lakefront … (2 comments)

Encouragement Corner....with Jay McHugh - 04:12 AM
 
 
 
ENCOURAGEMENT CORNER...   Challenges to Pursue by: Jim Rohn   Review your performance. Here’s what my father said, "Always do more than you are paid for to make an investment in your future."…Review your performance—your language with your children. Say, "Have I been too harsh, too strong, too stubborn? Should I have learned to be easier and mixed more compassion with the tough stuff I have to deal with?" And yes, prayer will help. Ask for help to say the right thing, not to ruin it all by poor communication.   Face your fears. That’s how you conquer … (8 comments)

4 bedroom Home For Sale In Washington Crossing Feels Like A Retreat - 02:06 PM
Welcome home to 105 Glenwood Drive in Washington Crossing

Located on a 0.75 acre lot in Washington Crossing, this home will win you over with it's charm!
Soft, warm colors throughout, with natural light in many rooms allow this home to feel like a peaceful retreat.

A sun-filled kitchen boasts an abundance of cabinet and counter space. You will enjoy the breakfast room which overlooks the landscaped backyard!

Relax in the comfortably-sized family room, enjoying the brick fireplace as well as each other's company.

The master bedroom is spacious, and offers ample closet space as well as … (1 comments)

Back Yard Idea's - 02:11 PM
Back Yard Idea’s.
Don’t have a lot of money to landscape your backyard.  Here is an idea that is fun , pretty and under $50.  A 12x12 cement paver stone is around $1.30 at your local building center. You need 32 of them.  Simply remove the sod and place the stone so they are ground level so you can mow right over them.  You can use simple black and white pillows for checkers or you can purchase a giant chess set if that is your game. 
Cinder blocks are about $1.50 each.  You can design a planter, planter wall, or a vertical … (7 comments)

Selling short and your FHA appraisal came back too high. - 03:18 PM

You want to sell your home short and your FHA appraisal came back too high.  What should you do? 
When you decide to sell your home short, especially one with an FHA insured mortgage, you learn quickly that FHA has unique policies that must be followed.  The seller or seller's agent works with the bank to submit a short sale package initially.  The bank responds with an appraisal request to determine fair market value of the home.  An FHA mortgage requires the appraisal be done by an FHA approved appraiser.  This small community of approved appraisers typically covers a large … (3 comments)

SPRING FORWARD IN 2012 CONTEST - 2012 Market Trends - 05:36 PM
I'm working on this one, join in and help grow your business at the same time.
One of the most important things you can offer is knowledge about your market and current trends!
Via CATHY BUREAU, MBA, GREEN, EcoBroker, SFR San Antonio, TX - Real Estate Broker (www.GreenHomeRealtySA.com):
Since 2007 we've been struggling with the public perception that real estate is not a good investment. We've also struggled to put the word out that the "bad market" is regional, & quite micro oriented. I know we've all been experiencing the unveiling of a beautiful 2012. Personally, my market has hot  & cold pockets, … (2 comments)

Showing Restrictions? - 11:50 AM
The last few days have been hectic. I've been working with a few new clients that are either buying or looking to rent a home and scheduling can sometimes be a challenge...
 
where are you going to be at a particular point in time so that you don't inconvenience a seller/landlord anymore than you have to. HOWEVER, sometimes that inconvenience is handed off to the buyer/tenant in the form of a SHOWING RESTRICTION.  
 
Here is a few that I've encountered recently:1. No showings until further notice--
2. No showings until 6 PM (not always terrible, but right now, it's … (4 comments)

Because I can't re-blog the damn thing. - 08:04 PM
I love the way this gal writes.  And I love her.  We had a 30 minute debate on why this (the following blog) wasn't or was a big deal.  I don't think it is and find any resemblance to an issue very debatable.  Still, hard to argue with the gal that folds your dirty underwear.  In fairness, it is also hard to argue with the guy that cleans wood floors on his knees.  Should a deleted post be handled differently? To Tell The Truth  (Members Only) I used to watch this show when I was young. It was wonderful and clever. … (1 comments)

You are invited Feb 29TH to Buyer Class in Ann Arbor - 05:33 AM
Buyer Roundtable Event – Feb 29, or Mar 21, 2012 – Sign Up Today! Ann Arbor Real Estate By Ann Arbor Real Estate Experts <!-- .entry-meta --> To register, call Jennifer at 734-845-8888or Register Below We welcome all questions and this is an open forum for all to learn.  
… (0 comments)

Dexter, MI Thornton Farms Stunning 2 Story home for sale - 05:37 AM
By Ann Arbor Real Estate Experts  
8383 Redwood Trail Dexter, MI 48130

Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2.5 Square Feet: 2174 STUNNING CHARLEVOIX MODEL. GORGEOUS CENTER ISLAND KITCHEN OPEN TO FAMILY ROOM AND NOOK W/ SLIDER TO OUTSIDE BRICK PAVER PATIO LUXURIOUS MASTER SUITE, NEUTRAL DECOR, FRESHLY PAINTED MOVE IN CONDITION, LOW LIMA TAXES, CLOSE TO I-94. COMMUNITY POOL, CLUBHOUSE, PLAYGROUND. DON’T MISS THIS WONDERFUL DEXTER REAL ESTATE! Related LinksSee Extra Photos for 8383 Redwood TrailPlease visit our website for a complimentary MLS search
Additional DEXTER REAL ESTATE Listings
3860 Lake Vista Drive7086 N. Meadows Trail  
Click here to search … (0 comments)

Washtenaw County Foreclosures Trend Down - 05:42 AM
By Ann Arbor Real Estate Experts Per the chart below, the highest number of recorded foreclosures for the months of January over the past 10 years, there were 113 recorded foreclosures and if we compare that to the month of January 2012 there has been a 24. 2% drop in number of recorded foreclosures. Now, comparing last year 2011 to this year 2012 for the month of January there was a 3.3% increase in the number of foreclosures. Overall, this is a minor change in the number of recorded Washtenaw County foreclosures.
Foreclosures are still a part of the Washtenaw County Real Estate … (0 comments)

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