Archives of real estate blog entries for February 7, 2012 (Page 5)

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Buyer Rebates from Real Estate Buyer Agents - 06:36 PM
Buyer Agent representing buyers in Michigan have to create a buyer agency agreement.  There is no secret what the buyer agrees to pay.  We put it in writing and both the buyer and buyer's agent know what is going to be paid by whom.
If a buyer's agent does not have this agreement signed they don't have a buyer agent relationship even if they are showing the buyer houses!  So, if a buyer has been working with another agent meets me, and does not disclose the former agent, even when asked.  I discuss with the buyer the importance of the buyer … (9 comments)

10 REASONS NOT TO STAGE YOUR HOME - 12:21 PM
Thanks to Janet Jones from Hawaii on this delightful insight into home staging. Today's real estate market is much different from home-selling in years past. It's extremely competitive and sellers must do everything possible to put their home's "best foot forward."
Via Janet Jones, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii Home Staging/Interior Redesign (Just Your Style Interiors, LLC):
1.  We want to test the market for 90 days.  And on the 91st day?  Price reduction--and 90 days worth of potential buyers who have already eliminated your property. 
2.  It costs too much money.  I have never seen a home where the staging costs would have … (1 comments)

It's 300 miles to Tooele, but only 30 miles back! - 02:52 PM
300 miles to Tooele, but only 30 miles back. This was the (approximate) tagline used by Steadman's Recreation (the greatest motorcycle, snowmobile, 4-wheeler retailer anywhere!) for a long time to let people along the Wasatch Front know that Tooele wasn't actually that far away from the big city. It was very effective in getting the message out that all the best deals could be found off the Wasatch Front, a mere 30 minutes away.
The reason I bring this up, is that I was reminded just yesterday that we often really are off the beaten track, at least in the consciousness … (0 comments)

Risk Determines RATE... - 06:40 PM
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 have a higher interest rate. FICO … (0 comments)

Brian Head Market Overview 2/7/2012 - 04:00 PM
As I have mentioned in some of my other blogs, we enjoy working in several smaller communities besides Cedar City.  Today I am highlighting Brian Head.  Brian Head is a resort town, Brian Head Ski Resort is the main reason for the town. 
Brian Head has the distinction of being the highest city in the State of Utah.  At 9800 feet above sea level, it is in the clouds!  Just kidding, Brian Head is more than just a ski resort.  It is also a great summer destination to get out of the heat! 
Brian Head, unfortunately has been hit … (6 comments)

Are Buyer's Agents Allowed to Talk to the Seller? - 09:22 AM
I received an offer last from a buyer's agent for one of my short sale listings in Sacramento. This is a home that just came on the market in a high demand neighborhood. The agent gushed and cooed about how much her buyer loved loved loved this home. He loved it so much that he offered 90% of list price. This is not even worth a comment. But you can't help but figure the agent had a hand in it.
Some agents are struggling with buyers. I hear from those, too. They have a hard time explaining the market. When they … (8 comments)

9/11 Boatlift in Manhattan - 01:13 AM
 
This video of events during 9/11 will ‘grab’ you. 
 
I never knew this . . . . amazing how people can get together for the sake of each other....just like many Rainmakers do every day by “reaching out” to educate and assist  fellow Rainmakers.
 
Eleven years have passed since that terrible day and this is the first I’ve known and seen of what took place on the waterfront of Manhattan.  An evacuation of a half million civilians by water craft – the only way out for those who were there. 
 
Quite likely, you may have seen … (0 comments)

Uncluttered Closets Help Sell Homes - 08:59 AM
Selling a home and living in your home aren’t the same. When you are ready to sell your home, it’s important to unclutter every room in the house, including the closets and garage!Let’s start with the closets: If you are like many, you’ve probably held onto that old jacket, dress or sweater “just in case” you might wear it again, and in some instances, fit into it again. The rule of thumb here is “if you haven’t worn it in the past 12 months, then get rid of it.” Take it to your favorite thrift shop or hold a garage sale … (3 comments)

Shopping for a Chicago Condominium - 01:37 PM
Home Ownership is one of three major decisions you will make you in your.  When making such a decision, it isn't about the
 
 
 
 
… (0 comments)

Shadow Creek Ranch- Top 20 Master-Planned in US - 02:41 PM
Shadow Creek Ranch is a beautiful 350 acre, lake-themed, master-planned community with something for everyone.  It is located along the 288 corridor which means a quick commute to the Texas Medical Center and Downtown Houston.  Homes start in the 150s and continue up to the 1 millions.  This community has everything.  There are walking paths, gorgeous lakes, pools, a clubhouse and an Elementary school within the community.  These fantastic amenities and the easy commutes, have pushed Shadow Creek Ranch into the 19th spot on MetroStudyReport.com's Top 20 Master Planned Communities this quarter.  That's right, Shadow Creek Ranch is 19th in the … (0 comments)

Protect Your Home From Termites - 02:44 PM
Termites are a common pest in our area and they are particularly active right now.  Most home-owners live in fear of these pests, but they can be effectively removed if necessary by using a licensced termite specialist.  I'll leave the treatment details to the experts, but here are some simple steps you can take to reduce the possibility of having a termite infestation.
1. ELIMINATE WOOD CONTACT WITH GROUND Experts recommend that all wood on a home (door frames, window frames, lattice work, decking, etc) be 6 inches above the soil.  If you check your home and see places where there … (0 comments)

Check these 3 things when your home won't sell! - 02:48 PM
So, your home has been on the market for a while and you're not sure what to do.  You can start by evaluating three things that may be interfering with receiving offers on your home!
1.  Is it overpriced?The market value of a home changes constantly depending on what is happening with other homes in the area.  A home that is priced higher than comparable homes in the area may be overlooked by potential buyers.  Most buyers in todays market begin their search on the internet.  They may never go to see your home if it is priced higher than other … (5 comments)

Sienna Plantation still at number 14 on the Top 20 master planned communities list - 02:52 PM
Sienna Plantation is one of the nation’s top-selling communities, according to RCLCO, a leading independent real estate advisory firm. It also sits at number 14 on the MetroStudyReport.com's list on toe Top 20 Master Planned Communities (in the United States).  It is located off highway 6, just minutes from the Fort Bend Parkway in Fort Bend County, Sienna offers homes from the $160,000s to the millions. The community offers extensive acreage dedicated to park lands, recreation areas, lakes, greenbelts and nature reserves. Sienna Plantation Golf Course, the 12-acre Club Sienna recreation complex, Brushy Lakes Fitness Center and the 160-acre Camp Sienna … (0 comments)

Houston has 7 of the top 20 master planned communities in the country! - 03:04 PM
MetroStudyReport.com named the Top 20 Master Planned Communities for th quarter and 9 are in Texas with 7 being in the Houston area!  You'll notice a couple of my favorites (Shadow Creek Ranch and Sienna Plantation) are on this list!
You may be wondering what a master planned community is.  It is simply a large community comprised of smaller sections that is planned from the beginning to the final stage of construction.  It has amenities specific to the community (pools, walking trails, clubhouses, etc) for the use of the people that live there and it usually includes commercial spaces so that … (0 comments)

The Beautiful Community of Edgewater in Webster - 03:07 PM
Edgewater is a beautiful master-planned community located off of I-45 and Nasa Parkway Bypass.  This community was designed to make full use of water's edge living with a quick and easy commute to major employment areas.  Located just 30 minutes south of downtown, I think they have accomplised that goal!  I love the waterways and miles of nature trails complete with interconnected boardwalks and bridges that are in this fantastic neighborhood.  You get the peace and tranquility that comes from living by the water, but you don't have to sacrifice the conveniences of life in the city.
Edgewater is a unique … (0 comments)

Spotting Possible Foundation Problems - 03:09 PM
We all know that it's hot.  We know we're in a drought, but we often feel removed from the serious nature of this historic drought.  Water comes out of our taps, we still wash our cars, we water our plants and lawns.  This makes it easy to forget how serious the situation is.  The lack of rain has made the ground very dry and is causing foundation problems throughout our area so I wanted to share some information on spotting possible problems.  I think this is useful information for any homeowner, but especially for anyone looking at buying a new home. 
… (0 comments)

Useful Real Estate Wordpress Plugins (Part 2) - 11:05 AM
I listed the Wordpress plugins in this post that I find helpful during my journey of creating and designing my own site. I hope you will find it useful too.
Note: I used the Genesis Framework, Agentpress Child theme.
(1) Genesis Simple Hooks
One of my favorite plug-ins. It is powerful. It is used to override the basic, generic Genesis footer. I created a Custom Footer and a Signature/ Call-to-Action after every post/ page for the site.
(2) Genesis Simple Sidebars
This plugin allows you to customize your sidebars for individual pages or posts. So, if you have articles or sections … (20 comments)

Silver Spring Market Report for January 2012 Homes For Sale 22905,22902,22904 - 10:58 PM

 
A Sample of nice Homes that SOLD In
Silver Spring 22905, 22902, 22904
Silver Spring takes its name from a spring discovered in 1840. Francis Preston Blair likes the area so much that eventually bought much of the surrounding land. The area called Acorn Park in the south side of Silver Spring is believed to be the site of the original spring.
One of Silver Spring's most distinctive characteristics is that it has many churches, synagogues, temples, and other religious institutions, including the World Headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The major roads in Silver Spring … (6 comments)

East End Valentine’s Day Specialties - 11:20 AM
With just one week left until Valentine’s Day, if you would like to do something sweet with your sweetheart, now is the time to plan ahead! There are endless great ideas for ways to celebrate the day, from elaborate dinners to a quite night at home with a good movie. Sometimes simple is best: if you are looking for something sweet try a cupcake. East End Cupcakes in Portland Maine’s East End neighborhood has a great selection of flavors from carrot cake to bacon, so even if opposites have attracted the great thing about cupcakes is that you can pick your … (0 comments)

Sandy UT Homes For Sale-New Listings in Salt Lake - 01:53 PM
Sandy UT Homes For Sale-New Listings in Salt Lake Lots of Sandy UT Homes For Sale and New Listings in Salt Lake of Condos & Townhomes ready to buy in the Salt Lake Metroplex. There are Foreclosures, Pre Foreclosed Homes, (short sales), New Construction Homes & HUD Homes.
If your in the Market for a home or condominium in SLC, check out these Sandy UT Homes For Sale just Listed in Salt Lake.
 
Our Website's New Listings for ('Sandy') within the last 7 Day(s) from ($1) to $50,000,000Results Limited to 100 properties.Click here to perform another New Listing Search … (0 comments)

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