Archives of real estate blog entries for February 7, 2012

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Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com and Real Time Search Results - 12:41 PM
Once upon a time there was a building that had a mouse problem.  They knew they had a mouse problem because they found mouse poop in the kitchen drawers.  “Ick!” yelled the cook, “Something must be done!”
So the smart people got together to tackle the problem.  One of them suggested getting a cat.  They would let the cat live in the building and it would take care of the mouse problem for them.  “The problem with that,” said one wise person, “Is that we’ll have to leave the cabinet doors open.  And we’ll have to feed the cat and set … (33 comments)

OMG … U DON’T HAVE ENUF FRIENDS!! - 10:45 PM
Today, I noticed that ActiveRain is having a webinar called “Dominate With Facebook” – learning how to use Facebook as a lead generator.  This prompted a discussion with one of my friends about Facebook and the potential benefits of using that social media platform for professional incentives.  So, after checking out my Facebook page, I received the above-referenced text message from my friend, which honestly described her assessment of my situation.  You see … I have a grand total of 62 friends on Facebook.  Actually, I only had 60 friends until 2 ActiveRain colleagues friended me recently (thanks, guys!)  The bottom … (51 comments)

SEO and Your Images - 11:10 PM
Have you stopped and considered SEO and Your Images?  
One of the most important things about writing for the web is to remember to write for the viewer and not just for the search engine.  It is critical to have a visually appealing site or your viewer will leave and probably never return.If you only use text, your page is not going to be very interesting so you should add pictures and/or images.
But search engines are not able to interpret your images. In a sense the search engine is just like a non-visual human browsing the web.  
… (40 comments)

It's Great When Real Estate Leads Find You - 07:03 PM
There are a lot of ways to find real estate leads, but it's always nice when the real estate leads find you.  Realtors are lured into spending a lot of money trying to "get found."  There are company and personal websites, click-through sites, homes-magazines, yellow pages advertising, overpriced online marketing companies that promise they can make you a Realtor goddess or at least deliver the moon and . . . ca-ching, ca-ching, ca-ching!
Ironically, a lot of these efforts are spent on the elusive online tech savvy buyer.  Approximately 89% of home buyers start their real estate search on the Internet.  That doesn't … (38 comments)

DOMINATE with Facebook! Another FREE ActiveRain University Webinar. Wed Feb 8th @ 10-11am PST. - 01:44 PM

It is time again for another AWESOME ActiveRain University Webinar hosted by Chris Alston!
This time, it is on learning how to DOMINATE using Facebook
Click here to register: --> http://bit.ly/y1ftR3 
We use Facebook daily to catch up with our friends, chit chat, look up the news, stalk our ex's and much much more.  But we seem to forget that in real estate, we are lead generators, and facebook allows us to accomplish this for FREE.
Learn how to get your friends to know you are in real estate. Learn how to NOT annoy your friends when you talk about real estate. Learn how to get MORE … (49 comments)

Most Attic Access Panels aren't Insulated Properly - 06:22 AM
For at least the last twenty years or so, the most common way of insulating attics in Minnesota is to use loose-fill insulation - either cellulose or fiberglass.  This is a huge improvement over fiberglass batts, because batts are nearly impossible to install in attics and they cost more money.  Despite the decline of fiberglass batts in attics, I still find a small section of fiberglass batting used above the attic access panel at about 90% of the homes that I inspect, even on new construction.
For the fiberglass batt to insulate the scuttle hole effectively, it needs to fill the entire … (42 comments)

What Does Real Estate and A Box Of Chocolates Have In Common? - 09:46 AM

What Does Real Estate and A Box Of Chocolates Have In Common?I will never forget the first time I prospected expired listings in September 2009. The very first door I knocked on had recently expired in Lindenhurst NY and had listed with numerous real estate agents over the last four years. I knew it was going to be a challenge but didn’t expect what I was greeted with.......It was just short of 11:15 a.m. and when I knocked the homeownerflew open the screen door and screamed at me, “do you know what F’ing time it is?!?!?” I replied, “yes, it’s … (93 comments)

Home Staging Tips in Palm Beach County- 4 Things to Do BEFORE Your Staging Consultation... - 08:18 AM
Home Staging Tips in Palm Beach County- 4 Things To Do BEFORE Your Home Staging Consultation.  (and 4 Bonus “Don’ts)Congratulations, you are taking the right steps you need to take to help get your home sold.  Investing in a Home staging consultation will give you the tools and information you need to prepare your home for sale. To help you make the best use of your time with your professional home stager, here are 4 things YOU can do before your Home Stager arrives:1.  Step outside the front door of your home.. take a few Yoga breaths... then open the door … (41 comments)

How Much Will You Cut Your Commission If I Find a Buyer? - 12:00 AM
Every so often I get a call from a home seller asking me a variation of this question:
What will the commission be if I find my own buyer?
It could be a seller client or someone considering listing their home with my company. Typically, the discussion that follows reveals that the questioner
either wants a complete exemption from commission because it is "their" buyer or:  a steep discount because they think most of the work is now done.  This shows a fundamental lack of understanding of the role their broker plays in the sale of their home. 
To backtrack: … (78 comments)

San Diego Event: Successful Aging Expo - 03:41 PM
Successful Aging Expo
Saturday and Sunday February 11 and 12th9:00AM to 3:00PM
 
There will be over 90 exhibits with advise and guidance on Financial and Legal Services, Health and Fitness, Caregiving, Home and Garden Ideas and Memorable Vacations and Travel.
Each Day of the Expo, there will be 16 different speakers with a wide range of  topics from "Using the Internet and e-mail", "Easy Fitness and Exercise programs" , " The Aging Brain ", "Living Trusts or Living Nightmare" , "Diet and Nutrition for the Aging Body", "Avoiding Scams and Frauds ", to  " Life's a Journey, Not a Destination". … (44 comments)

A bargain is only a bargain if it fits! - 12:28 AM
February is a great month for bargains! Who doesn’t love  to find the perfect piece of clothing on a clearance rack at their favorite store? How about shoes marked down 65 to 85% with another 15% off if I buy them now? Count me in! 

But sometimes, the clearance items just don’t work.  The shoes pinch my toes! OUCH! Or they are too big! Flop, flop, flop.  And if they ARE just the right size, the heels are way too high or they are . . . .well . . . downright hideous! 

Sometimes those bargain shoes just don’t fit! They don’t fit my … (63 comments)

Image or Immediate Action: Lessons From Super Bowl Advertising - 12:24 PM
In the wake of Super Bowl advertising madness, a thought came to mind.  Ok, it wasn't my own thought... it was pointed out to me by someone who analyses this stuff.  Still, the idea was about how there are basically two types of advertising:  "Image" advertising and "Immediate Action" advertising.
Immediate Action is the stuff of late night TV.  You know what I mean "ACT NOW!!! And get a SECOND set of Pajama Jeans - FREE!!!  Just pay separate processing..."
The kind of advertising usually done during the Super Bowl is Image Advertising.  It emphasizes an Image the company is trying … (44 comments)

First Signs of Spring - 06:23 PM
Yay! Signs of Spring are showing up all over town. I enjoy watching these Bradford Pears bud. By the end of February/first of March these trees will look like snowballs with their blossoms fully open and the green leaves are right behind. Come on Spring!
 

 
If you or someone you know are looking in Collin County, Northeast of Dallas there is a home waiting for you. And I am ready to help you find it.
… (45 comments)

The Importance of Written Proposals - Clarify things up front! - 06:03 PM
Have you ever had a situation where what you said and what someone else heard was not anywhere close to the same thing? My parent’s favorite quote after 52 years of marriage is “I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.” (Robert McCloskey)
In the past, we relied on emails and phone calls to clarify information and then sent an invoice once we came to terms and hoped to be paid when we arrived to shoot the virtual tour. While this worked … (29 comments)

Screwing Up The Gutter - Repair Or Replace? - 06:13 AM
As regards screwing up the gutter - repair or replace?
Homeowners must ask themselves this all the time!
First of all, this is not the first time the gutter on this vacant house has been "repaired."
How can you tell?
The soffit and fascia material has been caulked and painted, although not recently.
And the gutter has some kind of material, what I don't know, oozing out the seams.
But obviously it had come apart again.
So, this time they decided to screw it up!
Literally!
There are 12 sheet metal screws visible in this photo.
There are more on the … (60 comments)

Short Sale Epiphanies from Short Sale Superstars-It's Like a Lightbulb Went On! - 07:51 AM
Short Sale Epiphanies from Short Sale Superstars-It's Like a Lightbulb Went On!
So, I finally did it.  I found myself in the position of having to learn about short sales.  I have avoided it for as long as possible, but...as luck would have it, I have a seller who I may need to help with a VA Compromise Sale.  What is a VA Compromise Sale?  It's VAs version of a Miltary Short Sale for those who purchased their home with a VA Loan.   Now, eventually I will be blogging about VA Compromise Sales because, quite frankly, I need to be the expert in this … (81 comments)

What does your Mailbox say about you? - 06:05 AM
What does your Mailbox say about you?

Each morning as I drive to the office (yes, I go to the office everyday), I feel blessed that when I look to my left, I see the Atlantic Ocean and to my right are glimples of Bogue Sound.  Life on an island is pretty special (even in Hurricane season).

Many of the mailboxes I pass are a reflection of life at the Crystal Coast... Pelicans, Egrets, Sailboats, Flamingos (although I have never seen an actual flamingo here), Lighthouses, etc.  Yesterday, I drove around and captured a few of my favorites, and … (75 comments)

Never Assume - 09:31 AM
 
 
1) Never assume you know your clients. Even if they ask to do things verbally, put everything in writing and make sure they sign it.
 
2) Never assume that other agents ( appraisers, associate brokers and brokers) will do the ethical thing.
 
3) Never assume because you do your job the way it should be done that everyone else does theirs the same.
 
4) Never assume that just because you have a relationship with a client that they will remain loyal.  
 
5) Never assume that you know it all.  In this business there are people … (60 comments)

Home Stager's Letter to Your Seller - 06:27 PM
 
 
 
           Dear Homeowner/ Seller:
 
 
I am writing this so you will know how important it is that your house looks fabulous before it goes on the market. You have one chance to make a great first impression.  I care about you and getting your house sold.
Here is the situation today, which is most likely very different from the last time you sold a house.
 
1) As you know, there are many houses on the market from which to choose, so the buyer can be very particular about what he likes.
 
2) The average age of … (39 comments)


Blog posts


USA Fine Home, Residential Rental - Excellent Income History - Nearly Panoramic Mountain Views - Private and Secure - Maggie Valley - Waynesville NC Real Estate - 09:33 AM
Offer Improvement: Fine Home For Sale or 1031 Exchange - For Your Own Home or As Income Property … (0 comments)

Summerset Homes in Brentwood Ca – Your Purchasing a Lifestyle! - 01:50 PM
Summerset Homes in Brentwood Ca – Your Purchasing a Lifestyle!
Summerset Homes are a great 55+ Community in Brentwood Ca. I avoid the term retirement community as many people in the community are not retired. At 55 many people still working consider Summerset Homes in anticipation of retirement and although they are still working they are also ready for the down sizing, less maintenance and a nice single story home.

When you do retire your Summerset Home is more than a Home it is a Summerset Community. Summerset Homes offer a social environment for people at the same stage … (0 comments)

Brentwood Ca Real Estate - It is not the Size of the Company – It is the Size of the Service! - 04:22 PM
Brentwood Ca Real Estate - It is not the Size of the Company – It is the Size of the Service!
If you are considering Buying a Home or Selling a Home in Brentwood Ca 94513 or any where in East Contra Costa County there are many Real Estate Firms to choose from. Many of those firms will try to impress you with their size.
For example let's talk about “Goliath” Real Estate. They will have many agents and be sure to tell you about them. They will have teams and big numbers of sales. They will dazzle you with … (4 comments)

JUST LISTED - 4 to 5 Bedroom Home For Sale in Putnam CT - $135,000 - 09:21 AM
Your Huge 4-5 Bedroom Home Awaits! … (2 comments)

JUST LISTED - Charming 4 Bedroom Cape For Sale in Leicester - $139,900 - 03:35 PM
Charming 4 Bedroom Cape For Sale in Country Setting … (2 comments)

Mobile Device Security:Best Practices and Tools - 12:29 PM
Most real estate professionals own a mobile device that stores contacts and emails, and that provides access to social media and other online accounts. However, some real estate professionals may not realize the sensitivity of the documents they receive via email as part of the closing process. Mobile devices create an information security risk that needs to be addressed. There are two basic categories of risk management when it comes to mobile devices: practices and tools.The first practice is to physically protect the device. Information on the device is sensitive; don’t leave it sitting around unattended and unprotected. But that’s not … (0 comments)

What Does A Property Look Like On The MLS? 1 Clipping Tree Lane Greencroft 21030 - 11:26 PM
 What Does A Property Look Like On The MLS? It is not as pretty as a blog or a full page of description with lots of photos but this is what all the agents are looking at when your property goes on the Multiple Listing System...MLS.                                                                   
… (12 comments)

Short Sale Epiphanies from Short Sale Superstars-It's Like a Lightbulb Went On! - 02:49 PM
Well I just have to re-blog this post from Brenda Mullen. An excelent unsolicited endorsement of our hhtp://shortsalesuperstars.com site.
We'd love to have you come join us.
And thanks Brenda!!
Via Brenda Mullen-ABR, e-Pro-210-807-0819 Selling San Antonio TX Area Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty):
Short Sale Epiphanies from Short Sale Superstars-It's Like a Lightbulb Went On!
So, I finally did it.  I found myself in the position of having to learn about short sales.  I have avoided it for as long as possible, but...as luck would have it, I have a seller who I may need to help with a VA Compromise Sale.  What is … (3 comments)

Silicon Valley Home Buyers: Discover Any Property's "School of Attendance" and API Scores with SchoolAndHousing.com - 09:55 PM
Home buyers in Silicon Valley often shop not just for a nice home in a nice area, but for schools as well.  Sometimes buyer clients tell me the API scores that they want to enjoy with the local schools.  Until recently, this was very challenging to research.Now, however, some very bright minds put together a website that enables consumers to search for homes by API scores (academic performance index, scale of 1 - 1000 with larger numbers being better and 800 being the county's target for success): SchoolAndHousing.com. Brilliant!  Adding to that, it's free and very intuitive!  Not only that, consumers … (0 comments)

Is the interest rate always certain? - 04:51 PM
It depends on lots of factors! 
Regardless of what a lender quotes on mortgage rates, the actual rate paid by a borrower is based on a number of variables. Lenders determine whether to loan money and at what rate based on the risk involved with the transaction.
Factors that increase the risk that the loan will be repaid will proportionately increase the interest rate charged to the borrower. If the risk becomes too high, the loan will not be approved.
Loan amounts - conventional loans for more than the conforming limits set by Fannie Mae are considered jumbo loans and generally … (0 comments)

Anchors Aweigh Boat Show in Anchorage - 03:42 PM
Beginning this Thursday, February 9th and continuing on through the weekend until Sunday, February 12th, 2012, the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center will be hosting the Anchors Aweigh Boat Show in Anchorage.  The Alaska Marine Dealers Association and the Coast Guard are just a few of the organizations that will be on hand offering safety and education classes throughout the event.  Several financial institutions will also be available to discuss payment options for buying your very own boat through one of the many specials going on at the boat show.
I know how long the winters here in Anchorage can be.  … (1 comments)

2 Elliot Park, Dover, NH 03820 - 08:22 PM
… (1 comments)

Because it IS "All About the Party" ! Welcome AR and Keller Agents !! - 08:40 AM
 
 


It really IS all about the party…life is…real estate is…envision life as you desire it…you CAN have it….you deserve it…see it your mind’s eye and go for it !
     We have in our travels, have  had the great good fortune to meet AR members live and in person ….From Arizona to California….and now on to Orlando…..we’re sooooo excited !!

               
   While this isn’t exactly, my 800,000 point blog…it’s just a squidge past…..and how fitting that it is “All About the Party” !
    We wish you all could be there…in the absence … (7 comments)

Northbridge MA Real Estate Report January 2012 - 07:30 AM
Great information here...I suggest local agents take a look and consumers act on what you read......
 
thanks Bill for a great report and summary.....
 
cheers...- Jay
Via Bill Gassett Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate (RE/MAX Executive Realty):
                                     Northbridge MA Real Estate Market Report for January 2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In January of 2012 there was 3 homes that closed within the month for Northbridge Massachusetts. This is the same amount of units as there were 3 homes that closed in January of 2011.
The Average list price for the homes that closed in Northbridge … (1 comments)

Open House TODAY, 2/7/12 from 5PM-7PM: 129 Fort Evans Road SE # B, Leesburg - 01:04 PM
Please join us today, Feb. 7th from 5PM-7PM to tour this fantastic 3 bedroom rental in desired Fox Chapel! We will also have a loan officer on hand to answer any questions you may have - perfect for the first time home buyer considering their rent vs. buy options! Hope to see you there! Fabulous Fox Chapel Rental with Fantastic Amenities! … (1 comments)

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 20 Mountainview Drive Montgomery, Al 36109 - 10:36 AM
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Midtown Montgomery Real Estate Market Trends - 2010 vs 2011 - 11:58 AM
Environmentally friendly features have become more important to home buyers according to the 2012 Home Buyer and Seller Profile published by the National Association of Realtors. The importance of various features such as heating and cooling, energy efficient appliances and lighting, landscaping, and an environmentally friendly community differ by region.

Commuting costs and environmental efficiency have increasingly factored into home buying decisions due to higher energy costs, but also due to overall concern for the environment. Factors that are most important to buyers are those directly related to the buyers’ pocketbook. Heating and cooling costs were at least “somewhat” important to 87 percent … (0 comments)

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 2143 Madison Avenue Montgomery, AL 36107 - 04:39 PM
… (0 comments)

Montgomery Real Estate For Sale: 908 Highpoint Road Montgomery, Al 36109 - 06:09 PM
… (2 comments)

Does cash matter when buying a home in St Petersburg Florida? - 09:22 AM
Yes, cash does matter when buying a home in St Petersburg, Florida. Historically, sellers didn't give price concessions for cash unless time was critical to them. For most sellers, it didn't matter if their proceeds came from the buyer or the lender.
Today, well priced properties in St Petersburg will often have multiple offers. In most cases, the St Pete seller will accept the cash offer rather than the highest price. Of course it depends on the difference in price as well as other factors. The mortgage process is taking longer, a preapproval letter means less when "The Underwriter" adds conditions … (6 comments)

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