Archives of real estate blog entries for April 3, 2012

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Our Sellers Are Electing NOT to Respond to Your Offer..... - 03:18 AM
  Bring on the Sellabrations...the Buyers are Out ...the Buyers are Out !  It was an exciting weekend with multiple offers on several well priced properties.....and as you browse through MLS you see the "Active with Offer" indicators everywhere...HURRAY !!!
   Homes all dressed up and ready to sell...priced at appraisable prices...ARE selling....a wonderful welcome to spring...and a boost in recovery to the market.
    Along with the wonderful offers....written by agents and buyers who understand that some homes...even those recently listed ....ARE priced to SELL and not to sit....and with that in mind, got out their pens and put their … (174 comments)

Why Some VA Borrowers Get Money Back At Closing Time - 06:33 AM
One common question about VA insured home loans is the availability of money back to the borrower on a new purchase loan. We’ve gotten several questions recently about money back from new purchase VA loans. Can a borrower get money back by applying for a loan larger than what’s needed to purchase the home?
The short answer is no.
But some borrowers–including a reader or two submitting questions to us recently in our comments section–experience confusion over this issue because of things heard about other VA mortgage loan transactions. The reason? Some borrowers may receive a small amount of money at closing time … (25 comments)

I Love To Shop Local - Costello's Garden Mart! - 12:26 AM
I Love To Shop Local - Costello's Garden Mart!
“Is the spring coming?" he said. "What is it like?"... "It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine...” ~ Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
Just pulling into the parking lot of Costello's Garden Mart is enough to showcase the wide selection of items that are just begging to go home with you.  



Rocks, Rocks and more Rocks!







                                        … (19 comments)

Things to Know Before Buying Your First Home - 12:36 PM
Things to Know Before Buying Your First Home in Palos Verdes
1. The cost  of owning a home is more than simply the purchase price. There are several monthly fees and expenses in addition to your monthly mortgage payment that you need to be prepared for. This includes insurance, property taxes, utilities, and maintenance. However, the costs associated with owning your first home are bearable. 
2. Programs are out there for first-time buyers. A significant down payment is never a bad investment- it gives you instant home equity and a lower monthly payment. But, if you can't manage to get a larger down payment, you … (28 comments)

Is Solar energy really viable? - 07:37 AM
As reports come in on another government subsidized solar company's bankruptcy, I wonder is solar and wind energy really viable today? I want to take a trip off my usual path for just one day. I have a brother-in-law who is extremely bright and a born entrepreneur. Back in the mid 70's he started his own solar business. It was mostly water heaters at that time. They were bulky, huge and really didn't make as much hot water as was needed by a family. It might have been viable for just 2 people in a household, but that wasn't the case … (50 comments)

Tips for Winning Over Springtime Dallas Home Buyers - 01:31 PM
The season of Spring is generally the best time to sell Dallas Real Estate. Regardless of whether it is a seller’s market or buyer’s market sales activity generally rises in the Spring.  This happens because the largest number of buyers are actively searching for a new home during the months of April, May and June.  If your home has been sitting on the market since the holidays, or longer, take it off the market for a little while.  Wait at least a few weeks before putting your house back on the market.  Few buyers are going to look at your home … (7 comments)

Are Virtual Tours A Substitute For Previewing? - 08:31 PM
Today, I did a broker's open at a new listing, and while the traffic was pretty decent, I was struck by one thing.  Most of the agents who came by were highly experienced veterans.  And we started to talk about it.
We noted that a lot of the "youngsters" rely heavily on virtual tours and Google Earth as a substitute for previewing new listings.  With this hi-tech help, why bother with old fashioned previews?
Well, here are a few reasons to preview:
With wide angle lenses and Photoshop, a lot of the properties look a whole lot better online than they … (105 comments)

We Have a Winner in the 1st Annual ActiveRain NCAA Basketball Tournament Contest! - 10:59 AM
We Have a Winner in the 1st Annual ActiveRain NCAA Basketball Tournament Contest!
Well, my dear readers, #1 seeded Kentucky held on to beat #2 Kansas in the championship game of the NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament, and we have a winner in the  1st Annual ActiveRain NCAA Basketball Tournament contest!

Drum roll please...
Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the 1st Annual ActiveRain NCAA Backetball Tournament Contest is....
None other than Denver, CO's very own
Dawn Fabiszak

Dawn is the proud winner of a $100.00 Gift Card (furnished by ActiveRain), and a brand new copy of my brother … (36 comments)

What the Heck Does SOAP have to Do with SEO?? - 04:44 AM
What the heck does SOAP have to do with SEO?If you’ve spent any time on Active Rain at all you know how much we’re encouraged to write posts about our local area....events, neighborhoods, local restaurants and stores.   You are providing something of value to your readers as well as setting yourself apart as the expert in your area. And as many of you who write these have experienced, we often get the “out of the blue” call from someone asking us …..
“Can I bring my dog to the orchid show?”“ I’m in for the season.. .is this the tea … (40 comments)

33 Steps REALTORs® do to complete a Purchase - 03:43 PM
 
33 Steps REALTORs® do in order to complete a purchase residential sale from start to finish. That’s right there’s at least 33 steps. Never say no one told you so. You curious on what it is WE do to earn our commission, well here it is.  For us REALTORs® this is nothing new, so please bare with me, you probably have your own methods of how you do it but it’s usually all the same. 

I primarily work as a Buyers agent, however there are times when I do represent a seller and that my dear, the tasks are … (59 comments)

Don't just treat the symptoms, go after the problem itself! - 11:44 AM
 It all started with a strange smell coming from the furnace room of our cabin at Hartstene Pointe.  Now all of us know in our heart of hearts that a smell in the furnace room permeates the whole house.  I am not a bloodhound however after smelling the same raunchy odor from more than one forced air register, I knew where to start my search.
As I opened the furnished room door the commotion began.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw a raccoon leaping towards the door I had just opened.  Screeching (not just me)! I did not … (15 comments)

Be Willing to Admit You Made a Mistake, Apologize and Ask for Forgiveness - 03:35 PM
One of the members of my Sunday School class is a deaconess. She is perfectly suited to this task because her life exemplifies the gift of mercy.
On Sunday morning, she put out a call to our class to participate in an upcoming service day. The work would entail cleaning gutters, weeding, painting and various physical jobs that the elderly don't have the ability to do for themselves.
The age demographic of our Sunday school class is between 50 - 65. Many of us have some physical limitations, myself included (bad knees). Our class has stepped up on many occasions … (41 comments)

Market Reports Aren't Just For Your Blog - 05:47 AM
Market Reports Aren't Just For Your Blog Are you getting full value from your market reports?  Yes, we know market reports may be kind of dry and boring to write, that is SEEMS like no one reads them, but IF you're going to do them, why not get the maximum out of them?  We're certainly finding them more powerful than we first expected!  Once you've invested the work into them, why not leverage the effort? We're pushing them beyond just the blog post itself:
Take a print copy to your next prelist appointment.  You're providing objective evidence that you know … (78 comments)

A New Industry. Trolling for Plagiarizers. Just because it says FREE, doesn't mean it's available. It may be a TRAP!! - 01:31 PM
A New Industry.  Trolling for Plagiarizers.  Just because it says FREE, doesn't mean it's available.  It may be a TRAP!!
DANGER WILL ROBINSON - There's more to the Notice of Copyright Infringement letter you received than one photo
Richard Iarossi identified a little known or little acknowledged risk in using photos, images or content that you did not TAKE, CREATE OR WRITE.   Images found on the Internet just may be a TRAP.
RICHARD DID NOTHING WRONG.  However, he identified a potential TRAP for others.
See the letter Richard received and keep it in mind when tempted to use property that YOU … (58 comments)

I'm sorry, I just can't help you sell your house in New Milford CT - 08:30 PM
The house had been listed before, for a long, long time. It had chased down the market, but like a dog chasing their tail and never quite catching it, the price had never been close to the current market. Andrea, can you help us sell our house, please? So my business partner and I pulled the comps together. I knew, we knew, that we wouldn't be listing the house, we knew the last list price was still way to high. We knew it as the owners were telling us about the special cabinets, how much it cost them to build. I … (56 comments)

Unfair Taxation? You Be the Judge - 07:55 AM
 
This Property Tax is for the Birds!
 
 
 
How would you like to pay property taxes on land you technically own, but are forbidden to use?  This is a new one for me!
 
My clients are purchasing a home on 4.2 acres here in San DiegoCounty.  They have six horses that they have rescued, so having adequate space is essential.  There is no home behind the property - just open space where people can ride their horses. The entire property appeared to be fenced, so that was a big, cost-saving plus.  The home is a foreclosure, so … (49 comments)

300,000+ points I finally made it! - 10:26 PM
 
 300,000+ points  I finally made it!
 
When I first started blogging in February 2011, I was awed by the Rainers who had more than 500,000.  All those posts filled with wonderful content inspired me.  I set my sights on reaching 300,000 points by my first anniversary on ActiveRain.  Some months it seemed easy and the points kept increasing.  Some months I dragged my feet struggling for interesting topics to write about.  I followed Tom Arstingstall and his climb up the point scale.  He reached 300,000 way before the end of his first year.  At the rate he is going, he’ll … (84 comments)

All they Want to DO is Argue About the Closing Time? - 03:20 AM
All they Want to DO is Argue About the Closing Time?  I have a negotiation that has been going on for over 3 weeks now which is not that unusual.  Yet, what really fries me is the way the real estate attorney started the ball rolling down a swift hill by first wanting a final commitment letter from the buyer's lender received 6 weeks before the closing.  I told him he was unrealistic.  Where has he been doing his real estate closings.  Although a MA attorney he is licensed in RI.  I can not believe lending practices are any different between the … (77 comments)


Blog posts


Commercial/Business Investment Real Estate - Residential Real Estate - Carolina Mountains Farm & Luxury Home - Waynesville NC Real Estate - 05:54 AM
Carolina Mountains Luxury Home & Farm … (0 comments)

Play Ball! Part one. - 04:09 PM
Play Ball!  Part one.
 
Every year the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants play their last 3 spring training games against each other. This has become known as the Bay Bridge Series.  This year the first game was April 2,2012 at AT&T Park in San Francisco.   I was there along with over 40,000 other fans, most of them wearing the orange and black of the Giants.  My self I was wearing the green and gold of the A's.

 
It was a cool and bit windy night for a baseball game.   AT&T park has got to be one … (8 comments)

Kath's Happy Tuesday Real Estate Report - Video - 04:08 PM
Happy Tuesday everyone!  Sorry I missed my Happy Monday video but I made up for it with a special Happy Tuesday episode!  Lots of great things going on this week.  Technology Expo was AWESOME this morning followed by a great wine tasting CEU event tomorrow afternoon at Jillian's.  Working on lots of offers and a few new listings.  Thanks for watching & have a GREAT week!  
… (2 comments)

What Do You Put in a 1/2 Car Garage? - 08:14 PM
 What Do You Put in a 2  1/2 Car Garage? It is listed as a 2.5 Car Garage? What does that mean? A two and a half car garage? Do they make half cars?  If they did which half would you park?                                                               
 
                                                                              
                          … (19 comments)

Buying Your First Home in Anchorage - 12:32 PM
Buying your first home in Anchorage is probably one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make.  Real estate times have changed over the last few years, however.  Just a decade ago, it seemed that all you needed to buy a home was a handshake and a smile.  Nowadays, however, you're going to need a decent credit score, a steady source of income and around 20% of the Anchorage purchase price for a downpayment to get the absolute best deals (and there are still plenty of those to be had).  There are several programs available if you don't quite have 20% down, so … (0 comments)

Custom Cedar Home in Snohomish County - 08:52 PM
… (0 comments)

Another Web Project Complete while Working Hard - 09:13 PM
Challenging has it maybe, I have continued to work hard and make things happen. While Mickie and I have been busy putting 11 transactions in escrow, I was hired by a friend to build him a one off custom wordpress site for his window cleaning business in Redmond. It has been a cool project and the one item left is a tool similar to what real estate brokers use, the IDX, and its a window cleaning estimate tool - I'm waiting on access to the back end system to implement the estimate tool.
Since the site has rolled out the improvement … (3 comments)

Our Sellers Are Electing NOT to Respond to Your Offer..... - 03:18 AM
  Bring on the Sellabrations...the Buyers are Out ...the Buyers are Out !  It was an exciting weekend with multiple offers on several well priced properties.....and as you browse through MLS you see the "Active with Offer" indicators everywhere...HURRAY !!!
   Homes all dressed up and ready to sell...priced at appraisable prices...ARE selling....a wonderful welcome to spring...and a boost in recovery to the market.
    Along with the wonderful offers....written by agents and buyers who understand that some homes...even those recently listed ....ARE priced to SELL and not to sit....and with that in mind, got out their pens and put their … (174 comments)

Quick Weekly Santa Monica Real Estate Market Update – March 23 to 30, 2012 - 06:02 PM

Santa Monica Real Estate – Single Family Homes:
Active Listings: 64
* Short Sales – 2
* Bank Owned/REO – 0
Of the 64 active Santa Monica homes for sale, 13 had their List Price decreased, and 1 of them actually increased in list price...continue reading
… (0 comments)

Looking for someone will to work with me on getting into the REO business - 06:20 PM
I will even pay a 25% referral fee on all business generated from any REO properties I sell or list for one year. I have do so many BPO's averaged 25 a month and got no listings. I will do whatever the mentor says and have the money to do so. I have all the contractors and workers needed. It just seems the business is hard to break into.
Would you like information on buying or selling Foreclosures / Short sales CLICK HERE or Search All Pensacola, Pace and Gulf Breeze Area MLS Listings CLICK HERE for Rentals and Homes For Sale.
Sellers … (5 comments)

Third Annual Loudoun Bluegrass Festival - 04:13 PM
Third Annual Loudoun Bluegrass Festival
 
The festival will feature Bluegrass Band of the Year “Lonesome River Band”, as well as “Big Chimney,” “The Hot Seats,” and the “Chance McCoy Band!” The day will also be jammed packed with contests, fabulous BBQ, kids’ shows, workshops, open jam sessions, and more!
 
Tickets are $15 in advance and all profits will benefit deserving local students with scholarships! To reserve your tickets or receive more information, please visit: BlueGrass Loudoun
 
And, if you see the Ask Gina & Company team, be sure to yell “Howdy!”
 
Ready to get down in the … (1 comments)

Millecento – New Condo Project in Miami, FL - 10:06 AM
A new, luxury condominium project is underway in the financial district of Miami.  Millecento, located at 1100 South Miami Avenue in Brickell, will feature 382 condos across 42 floors.  It is being designed by the internationally celebrated architect, Carlos Ott and developed by Related Group, a company with over 30 years experience.
The ninth floor with include an elevated pool deck, state of the art fitness center, and a movie theatre for private viewings.   The 42nd rooftop will boast an infinity pool with private cabanas.  The amenities and interior will incorporate luxury with livability, dressed with exotic woods and Italian leathers … (0 comments)

Montgomery AL Foreclosure Trends - February 2012 - 08:40 AM
There were 874 Montgomery AL foreclosure homes for sale with 1 in every 1,181 housing units receiving a foreclosure filing in February 2012. The average selling price of a Montgomery AL home was $97,803 and the average foreclosure selling price was $69,578, a $28,225 savings according to RealtyTrac.com.
Montgomery AL Foreclosure Activity and 30 Year Interest Rate
Montgomery interest rates averaged 3.89% in February while the number of foreclosed homes dropped from 117 to 80.

Foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings – default notice, foreclosure auction notice or bank repossession – each month. Interest rate is based on the average 30-year fixed rate from … (0 comments)

Mortgage Rates Are Rising! Or Are They Falling? - 08:44 AM

 
Are your Mortgage Rates OK?
When mortgage rates began to rise in January, it caught the attention of a lot of future Pelican Bay homebuyers. If they had been enticed by the record-breaking low mortgage rates that had been headline news for so long, many of them began to reconsider their leisurely home-hunting pace.  Now we have an interesting turnaround: last Tuesday, the FHFA reported yet another reversal. They say that rates fell again: either nine or ten basis points, or --depending on how it’s reported-- five.
It may seem a little difficult to sort that one out.  … (0 comments)

Beware Of Scams With Credit Repair Companies - 11:30 AM
Here is some great ADVICE for YOU to protect yourself from scams in today's economy.  Thanks for this great post Gary Wortal's blog!  I am happy to pass this one along too :)
Via Gary Woltal - Assoc. Broker REALTOR® SFR Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty):
Oftentimes those seeking a rental home, people with erratic income, folks coming out of divorces, some first time home buyers, people just in difficult life circumstances, they have a dinged up credit report that needs some work on it. But in finding a reputable company to assist them
Beware Of Scams With Credit Repair Companies
Watch … (2 comments)

Longview - Kelso Easter Egg Hunting Places - 10:39 PM
Longview - Kelso Ester Egg Hunting Places
Looking Easter egg hunting places in Longview or Kelso Washington? Here are few places for kids to have some fun this Easter.
Longview, Washington:
St. Rose Catholic Church Easter Egg Hunt at 701 26th Avenue Longview, WA 98632. The Church is inviting all children ages 2-8! Come join the fun on Saturday, April 7th at 2:00 p.m.
KLOG/KUKN/The Wave - Fibre Federal Credit Union Easter Egg Hunt at Roy Morse Park Way Longview, WA 9832. Saturday at 11:30 for four age groups 9 and younger, candy and prices.
Easter Carnival and Egg Hunt at … (0 comments)

Is your site mobile perfect? Howtogomo.com - 07:25 AM
Go to http://www.howtogomo.com/en/d/
Answer a few questions and then learn what you can do to make sure you are ready for mobile leads.  We just went live with www.HomeSearchAnnArbor.com and need one more tweak to make it perfect.  How about you?
According to the ATT annual report, mobile is a revolution and they expect more than 8x data traffic from today's levels, after increasing 20,000 percent in the last 5 years.
Are you ready?  The consumers are there now.
I hope this tool helps you assess your site.
 

… (2 comments)

Michigan Short Sales - Important Update: Offers Denied During Redemption Period - 07:40 AM
Freddie Mac has new servicing rules that should not start until June 1, 2012.  Why are they being implemented now? Referencing Bulletin - Freddie Mac Bulletin-1207. So what is really going on? Here, in short, are the answers.
Another Mortgage Industry Issue.  The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) is getting involved once again along with the Michigan Association of REALTORS (MAR) to get a clear understanding on the new policy brought forth by Freddie Mac.  A policy that should not get underway until June 1, 2012.
At this point NAR is trying to get their arms around the immediate decision of lenders … (0 comments)

This Spacious Willoughby Golf Club Pool Home has Sold - 04:03 AM
This Spacious Willoughby Golf Club Pool Home has Sold Please welcome the happy new owners of 3481 SE Doubleton Drive in the Willoughby Golf Club.

This Spacious Willoughby Golf Club Pool Home is Pending. It is an impeccably maintained, beautiful, and very spacious golf course home featuring 3 BR, 4 BA (plus cabana bath) with 2.5 car garage, with a screened heated pool and spa. Bright open spaces, high ceilings, an included entertainment system, custom built ins, wet bar, summer kitchen (grill included), office, electric hurricane shutters, immense storage and much, much more. Large lanai with ample room for casual … (2 comments)

Island Dunes Condos on Hutchinson Island - 01:34 PM
Island Dunes Condos on Hutchinson Island  
Located on the unspoiled Barrier Island of Hutchinson Island in Jensen Beach, Florida in Saint Lucie County is a complex of five separate condominium buildings with a common thread.  All of these units belong to the Island Dunes Country Club.  This unique arrangement offers golf, tennis and a deep water marina, just steps from your condo without having to travel to the mainland. The five buildings from North to South are the Island Dunes Oceanside I & II, the Admiral, the Regency Island Dunes and the Regency Island Dunes Two.  All of these buildings … (4 comments)

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