Archives of real estate blog entries for February 22, 2012

Featured blog posts


Dishwasher air gap device as “water-feature.” - 06:19 AM
It is not all that unusual to turn the dishwasher on and have water come out of the air gap device---such as this one where the hoses were hooked up backwards. 

This condition is immediate and is obvious as soon as the dishwasher starts to drain the first time.  It usually only occurs in new construction or newly installed dishwashers.
The other day I had one in a newly remodeled kitchen back up out of the air gap device at the middle of the draining cycle instead of at the beginning.  It was as if the drain could take … (58 comments)

What's the one thing every successful agent does in their business? - 06:45 AM
A lot of money is spent by new and old real estate agents and brokers trying to learn the next big thing in building or growing their business.  When it comes to sales techniques, marketing plans, and customer service methods, what works for one agent may not work for another or some techniques may not work in some markets or price points.  However, there is one thing every successful agent has that keeps them at the top of their game.
Repeatable Business Processes
There is an entire industry built on helping companies (and individuals) define and refine their business processes.  I'll … (41 comments)

How to Make MARKET REPORT GRAPHS - Accessories for your Reports - 09:18 AM
In today's media world we are VISUAL LEARNERS so anytime we can use charts, graphs, photos, or videos to convey our ideas we are better able to capture our audience. On that note, we should also write with our audience in mind. If you are doing reports for general consumers then it would look one way, if it was for a panel of economists or city officials, it might look another. Our writing should have the same philosophy. Know your audience.I'm providing 3 options for creating visual images for your market reports:  MLS, ChartGo, & Excel. Keep in mind that I'm … (50 comments)

The 4 P's to Selling Your Home - 12:58 PM
The 4 P's to Selling Your Home
Is your current real estate agent using what I commonly refer to as the 4 P's to selling your home?
What are the 4 P's you ask?
Put your home in the MLS Put a sign in the yard Put an ad in the paper Pray that it sells I also use the 4 P's to selling your home. However, you will find my 4 P's a lot more enticing. They include:
 
Price - I prepare a very thorough Competitive Market Analysis. I use information from active listings, recent closed … (49 comments)

If you were a product would people pick you off the shelf? - 04:25 AM
First of March is coming fast. The end of March will mark the end of our first quarter for 2012. Make sure your goals are set, your strategies are created and your action steps are complete.
 
If you were a product, how would you market yourself?
 
Would you be high-priced or marked down? Would you advertise yourself as the "best" or the "best alternative"? The "fastest" or the "longest lasting"? The "most convenient" or the "most exclusive"?
 
These are not idle questions. If you were introducing a new product or service, you could easily spend months and … (33 comments)

“We did not get the house!” I told my buyers - 10:48 PM
“We did not get the house!” I told my buyers“We did not get the house!” I told my buyers. I was disappointed for them and to be honest, for myself, as well. You see this is the third house we have placed an offer on and the third house we did not get.My buyers were not happy. We ended up in a competing offer situation and lost out. I told them, when we learned there was another offer, “Give your best offer, the one in which you say after all is said and done, I can live with not getting it … (124 comments)

Comparing Apples To Pears - 05:59 PM

 
I know...typically this would be apples and oranges, but the only graphic I could find has a pear instead. At first I thought, "this doesn't make any sense"! Then I started to think about it, and actually it's a pretty good analogy.
Every buyer wants to know if the home they are considering is a good value. Of course they do....but how to tell these days?
I hear all the time from these self-comping (is that even a word) buyers; they are using "comps" from Zillow, they are checking "solds" from Trulia, they are seeing "current" price-per-square-footage from Redfin. … (46 comments)

Are you on my list? - 04:17 AM
I am a list guy. I don't know when I started doing this, but at least for the past 4-5 years, I come in to the office every morning, make a cup of coffee, and review what I need to get done today. It is usually nice and quiet, allowing me time to think. Everything I can think of gets typed on to a Word document. printed out and saved. This document sits on my desk all day and I cross off the things on my list as I do them. There is a certain satisfaction to marking a line through … (51 comments)

The Birds, The Bees, The Woodpeckers and The Trees - 03:49 AM
This is not a life lesson for a young person with raging hormones, though it may sound that way. This is about flora and fauna for the homeowner.
Most every homeowner is at least casually aware that any plants, whether trees, shrubs or other vegetation should be kept at a distance from the house. Plants against or over the house create what inspectors call conducive conditions. Trees above the house for example block out sun light and diminish wind which in turn slows the natural drying process. Damp conditions promote the growth of microscopic plants and fungi, which can result in … (54 comments)

Custom Colors: What Paint Choice Reveals About Your Home - 05:11 AM
Looking to brighten up your walls with a fresh coat of paint? Or perhaps you just moved into a new home and are in need of some color? Before you slap paint on the walls, be sure to look into what effect colors can have on you and your home.

Got the Blues? Light blue is a popular color for coastal homes, comparing with the ocean or a cloudless sky (try “Fountain” blue by Sherwin Williams). Painting a room in a light blue hue will create a tranquil atmosphere, while dark blue (“Naval”) can suggest deep meaning and insight (save … (58 comments)

It is a FACT - ALL REAL ESTATE IS LOCAL. Agents know. Will anyone listen??? - 03:58 AM
It is a FACT - ALL REAL ESTATE IS LOCAL.
Beginning with the introduction, ACTIVERAIN moves into the business of national real estate market statistical reporting:  "The largest real estate social network ActiveRain Corp surveyed 1,835 real estate agents and real estate brokers in the US and Canada to understand if the real estate market and economy are poised for recovery in 2012, both nationwide and in local markets."
SEE:  Real Estate Recovery Or Not? 2012 Predictions by the Pro's Infographic by ActiveRain.
OPINION vs. FACT BASED REPORTING:  I am of the opinion that statistical reports compiled by opinions of a small … (71 comments)

What's the "Real Value" of your home today? - 10:09 AM
I'm looking at all the properties on the market right now in my area of Weston Florida and I keep wondering when changes will come...not anytime soon. I don't need to keep reading how the media interprets whats going on in the Real Estate market. I already know what's going on. I'm a Realtor®....I better know whats going on or I might as well just get out of the business. I'm primarily a listing agent so my job can be very difficult these days. I remember when taking a listing was easy. You take it and it virtually was sold overnight. It didn't matter what the size … (26 comments)

Walking a Mile in the Shoes of a Seller - 07:54 PM
Today I took a few steps in the shoes of a Seller.  In Massachusetts, before selling a home, sellers must pass a septic system inspection (Title 5).  I suspected our over 30 year old system may not pass with flying colors as we prepare our home for sale but we found out quite quickly that the system would need to be totally  replaced.   Today was the day that the engineering firm, the septic system company and the Board of Health met to look at options for a replacement system and complete the Perc test.   At 8am trucks and equipment … (21 comments)

6 Tips to Improve Your Real Estate Video Marketing Results - 07:26 PM
Video has become an incredible way to trump all of your other SEO tactics because of the incredible importance that Google is placing on video right now.  This trend is not expected to end any time soon, so now is the best time to start your video marketing efforts.  Yesterday I gave you 3 ways to get over your fear of video marketing.  Today, I want to give you some tips on how you can improve your video marketing results. 
 
1. Be sure your videos offer great value to your viewers.  Don’t just do a video for the sake of … (23 comments)

Avoiding Dogmatism - 08:53 AM
… (54 comments)

How to Fall Off Google Page One - 07:01 AM


Don't be like me and neglect your local and neighborhood post and market reports. For the last 3 months or so I have been writing more agent centric posts and posting photos. Although this is worthwhile and builds friendships here in the Rain for referrals and fun, it has caused a serious drop off in Google page placement for my preferred search terms.
 
 
As more and more agents pay attention to the SEO of their websites, blog and use social media ....if you do not keep up your posting you will be blown off Google page one. … (142 comments)

How Much Are You Worth? - 05:45 AM
I got a very interesting hit on my website last night.
A seller from St Pete was looking to sell a property she owns in Indialantic, FL...her Mom passed away...so she told me she just wanted to sell it. I was very excited because it was in the direct neighborhood I work and farm...and as I always do I let her know how much I looked forward to working with her (sort of an assumptive close).
She gave me the facts about the property and told me she wanted to get it ready for sale in a month or so. She … (44 comments)

STOP! Don't Drink and Prospect! - 08:14 PM
My Team Leader, Tracey, had experienced a bizarre encounter with another real estate agent during a happy hour gathering with some of our KW Market center partners.  I wasn’t at the gathering myself but I asked Tracey to read and OK this before I published it.
Anyway...when  I came into Traceys office that morning there was a group of agents standing in a small circle staring incredulously at a napkin she was holding. When I asked her what all of the commotion was about she said, “Sit down Sam. You are not going to believe this”. 
She told me how the night before … (128 comments)


Blog posts


Ecuador Lots and Land - Isla Puná 3000 acres (possibly up to 8000 acres) sold in min. 500 acre Tracts - Ecuador Real Estate - 02:47 PM
Seafood Farming, Industrial, Pacific Island Community Possibilities - Oceanfront and Timber … (0 comments)

Snellville Georgia Input - 09:05 AM
The City of Snellville , GA., is looking for your input regarding its future Economic Development Action Plan. Please go to: www.snellville.org and participate in the survey.
 
Earl Park
… (0 comments)

Great Values for Land in Timberlakes, Mason County WA - 10:02 PM
Great Values for Land in Timberlakes, Mason County WA
Bring the RV and the boat! Enjoy your weekend/vacation get away. Water skiing, or fishing on Timberlakes two lakes or crabbing and fishing,on Timberlakes private saltwater dock and boat launch that is located on Pickering Passage. The Community Parks feature a sports court for basketball, tennis, a picnic shelter, and disc golf course.

$ 6,000 - Annas Ct. (camping lot)
$ 8,000 - 41 E Willopa Place (possible owner financing)
$ 9,000 - E. Agate Rd (possible owner financing)
$ 9,000 - 1290 E Lakeshore Dr (possible owner financing)
$10,000 - … (0 comments)

Lakeway Resort and Spa - 12:10 PM
I used to take my oldest daughter to the pool at the Lakeway Inn years ago.  That is where I taught her to swim.
Later the Inn was sold and one of the pools was closed.  As a result, Lakeway residents were no longer welcome at the pool.
Still later, the place was sold again.  It became the Lakeway Resort and Spa.  New pools and a water slide were added, but these sere for guests.
A 5,000 glass ballroom overlooking Lake Travis was also added.  What a fantastic places for meetings and weddings this place is.  I will follow this with … (1 comments)

I'll Tell You What's Wrong With That Flipped House Without Even Looking At It - 09:00 AM
Buying a Home in Brentwood Ca
Here is a great post on buying a flipped home.  Often these homes look very nice and sometimes they are.  But you really need a good home inspector to make sure you are getting the quality you are paying for and not just a shiny paint job.
For more information on Home in Brentwood or beyond give me a call at 925-260-4321.
Via Minneapolis Home Inspections - Reuben Saltzman (Structure Tech Home Inspections):
Home flippers buy dilapidated houses, fix them up, then sell them again as quickly as possible with the intention of making a tidy profit. … (0 comments)

Creating Jobs is a Matter of Making a Bigger Pie - 09:13 AM
This is an insightful post on economic growth and attitudes toward success.  I think people are too weighed down with fear and not optimistic enough about their own abilities.  Government is often an obstacle to people's success too.  But this is a great post.
Via Mike Cooper (Winchester Real Estate Sales, Cornerstone Business Group Inc):
When my son celebrated his birthday this past Sunday he had two cakes.  He didn't need two cakes, but last year there was so little cake left that he didn't get seconds.  Every birthday boy should have a second piece of cake.  It's the Cooper house rules, along … (0 comments)

Does the Price Always Reflect the Condition? - 09:23 AM
Brentwood Home Prices
Often times two homes will look that same on paper but be very different when you see them.  This little post covers some of those issues.
It does not pay to over price a home.  Sales price is more likely to reflect condition.  
Via Jerry Newman,REALTOR®,Texas Agent San Antonio Real Estate & Military Reloc (Keller Williams Realty):
Does the Price Always Reflect the Condition?This past weekend I showed two homes that were priced the same, but the condition for each one was as different as night and day. Therefore, one could only conclude that the price does not always … (2 comments)

So you want my Loan Referrals? - 04:08 PM
So you want my Loan Referrals?
I know a lot of great people here in the rain; including some great lenders. I also understand people like referrals – I know I do. I wish I had so much business I could send referrals to all of the great lenders I know here.
I have a lender partner here on ActiveRain that I am pretty loyal to. I will explain latter how he became a lender I use and continue to refer all the business I can to him.
I see a lot of talk on ActiveRain about what is takes … (13 comments)

Video - New Construction Home Built from the Ground Up - Falconhead West Austin TX - 03:13 PM
For a couple of years, the view outside my office window was a vacant lot across the street. The builders had not put a house there yet.  I thought it would be fun to capture the entire building process on video, so I waited and waited for them to start "moving dirt", as they say.  One day, I finally saw the dumpster appear. That means they're ready... Each day that there was some type of progress on the house, I went out and shot a very short video from approximately the same spot each time. I then stitched all the videos … (10 comments)

Houston Real Estate Data and Trends for Jan 2012 - 02:41 PM
HOUSTON – (February 21, 2012)
The Houston housing market held to positive territory as 2012 began, with January marking the eighth consecutive month of increased home sales. The year also opened with a continued decline in active property listings and growth in pending sales—a combination that signals a healthy market with a balanced supply of housing inventory, and that puts Houston on enviable footing compared to many other markets around the U.S. that are slowly recovering from the housing downturn.
January sales of single-family homes climbed 9.2 percent versus one year earlier, according to the latest monthly data prepared by … (0 comments)

New Mableton~Georgia Home Search engine - 12:20 PM
Lantier Realty and HouseTour4you.com productions present theNew Mableton, Georgia Homes for sale search engine website With the increasing number of well priced single family homes and townhomes that have come on the market in the Mableton, GA area it has become essential to create a site dedicated specifically to some great value homes in the Mableton, Georgia area.  Mableton is located south of Smyrna~Vinings, GA and extremely accessible to the major network of highways to downtown Atlanta and the surrounding area. As the building boom of  early to mid 2000 saw new housing develop all over the Smyrna~Vinings area alot of new housing … (0 comments)

I Go Nowhere Without My Camera! - 07:29 PM
 
I Go Nowhere without my camera. Just read a featured post by Jeff Dowler ... your camera ...a best friend.  This is especially true in real estate.                                                  
My camera goes everywhere with me and it is definitely my best friend.  I remember to keep a charger with me at all times. Just today on a listing appointment, after taking photos of the Baltimore home, my camera was a portable copier. Took a photo of the plat and driver's license so I would have seller's ID in my file. Then I went to a lecture and took photos of … (16 comments)

Wichita, KS business and Real Estate update for Feb., 2012 - 01:07 PM
 
Wichita, KS metro area Real estate, Business and Financial update for February, 2012
 
Data from the South Central Kansas MLS shows that Home sales have stabilized in the last year and will increase in 2012. In 2011 there were 4.1% less existing home sales than 2010.  The 1st month of 2012 shows a 18% increase in sales compared to January, 2011. 
 
There were 12,759 new residential properties placed on the market in the MLS in 2011.  This was 11% below the amount listed in 2010.  In January of 2012 there were 1128 homes placed on the market, … (1 comments)

Spectacular Upgrades Throughout This Affordable Mount Vernon Ohio Homes - 07:34 AM
This home is super clean, stylish and it is very affordable to own at only $89,900.  If you like the photos of this home be sure to view the additional listing detail and the virtual tour at 509 East Burgess Street in Mount Vernon, Ohio.
We have additional listing info available at 509 East Burgess Street in Mount Vernon, Ohio.  You can also view and compare all of our available homes for sale in Knox County Ohio that range in price from $100,000 and below.
Sam Miller Team of REMAX Stars Realty 740-397-7800  Knox County Ohio Real Estate
… (3 comments)

Colonial Hills Homes in Mount Vernon Ohio - 01:32 PM
Impressive upgrades and recent enhancements make this one of the absolute best homes available in Colonial Hills especially at only $130,000.  
If you like the photos of this home and would like to view some additioanl details be sure to visit 424 South Edgewood Road in Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050.
We have an extensive virtual tour and additional listing info available at 424 South Edgewood Road in Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050.  We have created a unique listing link so that you may view and compare all of our available Mount Vernon Ohio homes for sale and they are organized in price order.
… (4 comments)

2204 S BENTLEY AVE #102, LOS ANGELES ,CA 90064 - 11:11 AM
Wonderful Short Sale Condo! 2204 S BENTLEY AVE #102, LOS ANGELES ,CA 90064 … (1 comments)

Things To Do In Santa Monica | Come and Taste The Delectable Goodies of PPLA’s Food Fare 2012 - 05:46 PM

On March 8, 2012, the celebrated Planned Parenthood Los Angeles’ (PPLA) annual Food Fare even will be held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, and will host more than 150 of Los Angeles’ finest restaurants, caterers, wineries, florists and entertainers...continue reading
… (0 comments)

Beautiful 3-Unit Family Home For Sale in Middletown, New York - 10:10 AM
A great opportunity to own and be financially free of a mortgage! One unit is 3 bedrooms, 1 bath and the other is 1 bedroom 1 bath. Additional space available for an office setting. This property is residential/commercial zoned. Minisink schols. SHORT SALE being sold as is. … (2 comments)

LOCATION,COMFORT & BEAUTY WISE HOME FOR SALE IN SPRING VALLEY, NY - 11:32 AM
… (1 comments)

OWN YOUR FIRST HOME NOW FOR LESS!!! - 01:02 PM
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