Archives of real estate blog entries for April 30, 2012

Featured blog posts


Believe It or Not, I Started Marketing Your Home 10 Years Ago! - 02:20 PM
FADE IN FROM BLACK
INT. RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN TABLE – EARLY EVENING
A cheery home warmly lit and the long rays of the early evening sun streaming through the sliding glass patio door.
3 adults sit around the kitchen table, coffee mugs steaming in front of each of them.  A HUSBAND, WIFE, and REAL ESTATE BROKER engage in lively small talk.
With a break in the conversation, the REAL ESTATE BROKER leans forward with earnest intensity.
                   REAL ESTATE BROKER
Believe it or not, I started marketing your home 10 years ago!  As a matter of fact, I have been … (19 comments)

How you market your business should flow with your personality - 06:47 PM
I've watched a number of my real estate colleagues sign up for coaching from coaching professionals, and I've cheered them on.  I love seeing people succeed, and if coaching is what it takes to get someone over the top, I'm all for it.  Ironically, I've seen a lot of them months later, a six months later or even a year later and their coaching commitment is over and they are no longer following the coaching regime.
Why?  It's personal.  Success in business is personal.  You might even say it's personality.  As a matter of fact, success in business might be as … (48 comments)

How to Build and Engage a Loyal Blog Community - 05:49 AM
Building a loyal blog community takes time, energy and focus. Establishing relationships that transition casual readers into loyal blog fans will not happen overnight.
While maintaining a consistent flow of engaging content is vital, there are other key aspects that build credibility, trust and loyalty between you and your readers.
Newbie bloggers can find it frustrating to pour both heart and soul into a post only to receive zero feedback. But don’t be discouraged. There are sure-fire ways to take your blog from top-secret to daily destination.
  1. Post Consistently Posting consistently lends credibility to your blog.  However, finding inspiration on a daily basis can be … (32 comments)

Denton Texas Real Estate Sales were down 19% in March 2012 - 04:51 PM
Denton Texas Real Estate Sales were down 19% in March 2012 over the same month last year with 43 homes selling this month! For year to date, overall home sales were at 113 homes sold, a -3% change from last year.
The Texas home market for the first quarter 2012 in the DFW Metroplex is overall improved over the last year. With both prices and interest rates at historic lows, this is an idea time to purchase for both new home owners and current home owners moving to larger homes. It is key to have your financing and prequalification work in … (4 comments)

And The Winners of the Pet Project Contest Are... - 10:43 PM

Drum Roll Please! The judges and I agree that the Pet Project Contest has been an extraordinary experience. The sense of community and support was overwhelming. We were constantly reminded by participants that they were getting as much out of the contest as they were giving and enjoying getting to know the animal service resources in their own community. The level of concern and commitment for quality animal welfare was just off the charts.
Because we all tend to be familiar only with our own backyard, one of the most eye opening elements of this contest was that through localism … (51 comments)

Hyper-Local Blogging-Be Careful What You Ask For - 06:18 PM
We all hope our blog catches the attention of a potential client or two.  Sometimes while we are concentrating on our target market we are surpised by an unplanned outcome of our blogging efforts.Since the beginning of 2011 my blog posts on the Belmont Bay neighborhood in Woodbridge VA  has led to 15 rental listings and another 5 incoming rental clients under lease.  All without getting in my car or walking more than 1/2 mile to complete a transaction.  Now in my area rental transactions won't pay the bills by themselves but they do provide a nice way to fill in … (75 comments)

Knock, Knock. Who’s There? Sellers Beware! - 07:27 PM

I received a call this evening from one of my sellers. A potential buyer had showed up at her home, rang the doorbell, and asked to see the home. While this raised red flags for her, she let him into her home and showed him around.
The good news is that nothing happened.
It’s one thing to allow an agent with a keycard and who has scheduled an appointment into your home, but allowing a stranger off the street to do so could be a recipe for disaster.
Buyers off the street should always be referred to your agent. Agents … (56 comments)

Tenant rights superceed!.... don't care if it is an approved short sale! - 03:31 AM
Tenants living in the property is not as easy as the close of escrow!  Tenants have "Tenants Rights" and those right must be observed.  You would hope that the homeowner (especially with a short sale) would have already updated their tenants on what is going on and how much time they have.  It is especially important that the agent make sure that the tenants have been advised in the proper way - according to the state's laws.  If this is done in the proper way... it could cause some serious "after closing problems" that I am sure neither the agent, the … (14 comments)

Why doesn't 2+2 = 4? It doesn't. It's all screwed up. - 04:24 PM
Something is going on.  I can't figure it out.  Maybe you can help.  
I use to buy home at the court room steps and flip them.  We would purchase them at a 70 - 80 % of comp value.  Put them on the market and make some cash.  
 
BUT THIS IS NOT WORKING ANY MORE.
 
Today the homes at the court room steps are selling for and even above the comp values.  People seem not to care what the price is.  It's getting crazy.  I've heard rumors that there are billions of dollars in the market scooping … (36 comments)

Auction! Auction! Auction - 08:55 PM
We have an investor in town buying out cheap condo-hotel units in droves. The condition on the contract is that they can film the unit and market it on the Auction site. So, I got several offers on the units I have listed in the Fountain Beach Resort and Oceanside Inn. On one of them I already got a call from the gentleman, who claimed that he bought it. I got suspicious, as I knew the buyer was a woman, but he explained to me that he had bought it at the auction. Cool. Especially considering that we have not closed … (40 comments)

Auxiliary Drip Tray For Air Conditioning Systems That Is Separately Drained Outdoors - 03:25 AM
Oftentimes HVAC units are put in the attic and the best practice when this is the case would be to include an auxiliary drip tray for air conditioning systems that is separately drained outdoors.
An HVAC system in the basement or garage will typically have one condensate drainage system.  It can send this condensate into a floor drain or an electric pump to eliminate what it removes from the air.  On a hot and humid day a large system can remove many gallons of water from the air every day, perhaps 10 or 12.  That water has to go somewhere!  If … (23 comments)

Contest - Creative Solutions That Saved the Deal - 07:52 PM
Most Active Rain members list learning as one of the key reasons they are active on this site. You don't have to be a blogger to read and benefit from the posts of agents throughout the country, many whose experiences may be very different from your own.  The willingness to be candid, share and collaborate is one of the best things to come out of our daily habit of reading, commenting and blogging.
Agents who've been around for many market cycles tell tales of how difficult the last 5 years of real estate has been. Hurdles exist now that never have before and … (106 comments)

What Not to Do When Buying a Home in a Seller's Market - 07:02 AM
It goes without fail. If I want to see more action than I ever hoped for all I need to do is go out of town. It's like I kick-started the offer stream for my Sacramento short sales and opened the door for short sale approval letters as well. 24 hours. That's all I was gone. 24 hours and the offers rolled in. Plus, I received 3 short sale approval letters. What are bank negotiators doing working on a Friday night? It's not like they have Mondays off because they're all crawling around my email inbox this morning.
I felt a … (33 comments)

SOUTHAMPTON VILLAGE, NEW YORK IS THE DESTINATION FOR HOME BUYERS... - 04:36 AM
SOUTHAMPTON VILLAGE, NEW YORK IS THE DESTINATION FOR  HOME BUYERS...
The Head line reads: "A Walkers Guide to Home Buying" --and then the rest of the Wall Street Journal article goes on to describe the "amenities" or "places" they were referring to: Restaurants, movie theaters, drugstores, Grocery stores etc....Small wonder then, that Southampton Village, New York is THE destination for home buyers! Buyers, looking to buy here in the Hamptons are looking for "proximity" more than anything else right now.
 Wall Street Journal Article: Home Buyers Look For Homes Within Walking Distance To Everything!
The article ran in the Wall Street Journal in … (19 comments)

THIS is why you have a home inspection! - 04:50 PM
THIS is why you have a home inspection!

It is tempting to save money when buying a house by skipping inspections. This is a perfect example of why you should have a home inspection.
I had a showing today at a cute little home that had some nice upgrades and a nice deck off the kitchen. This is a picture of the support system under the deck. It was only view able if you looked between the boards. I don't believe the homeowner was trying to deceive anyone. This deck project was most likely a do-it-yourself job. Which sometimes means that it … (43 comments)

Where Is My Bidding War? - 10:51 AM

 
Where Is My Bidding War?
 
The Orange County Real Estate Market is so confusing for a seller....heck, for buyers too. Our transition from a Buyer's Market to a Seller's Market happened so quickly that few consumers were ready for it, on either side.
So now that sellers should have the upper hand, they should still be careful about playing games.
There is a property I've been watching which seems to be doing just this. I don't know if it's the agent's strategy or the seller's but they are trying to create a bidding war, and not being very … (36 comments)

What I learned in Real Estate this Week! - 08:03 PM
Honestly, I should title these "What I learned in Real Estate LAST WEEK" because when I sit down to write them it's a big brain purge of stuff I learned the week before.  You say tomato, I say tomato.......
Anyway, here I goooooooooo:
When dealing with short sales (yes, again!) if you explain yourself UP FRONT with details like "You must be patient, your buyers must be patient" to a buyers agent who might not have experience with a SS can save you some grief in the long run. ActiveRain brings you cold hard cash.  It is true my friends.  Trust … (20 comments)

What do you mean my FULL PRICE OFFER wasn't Accepted? - 06:33 PM
What do you mean my FULL PRICE OFFER wasn't Accepted? I was recently contacted by an agent who submitted a full price offer on one of my listings and their client wanted to know why their offer wasn't accepted. It is important for buyers to understand a full price offer doesn't mean the seller will pick their offer or has to pick their offer.  While a seller may initially focus on price there are so many other terms in a contract that can easily be a deal breaker, like a request for seller concessions, little or no money down in escrow or … (30 comments)

Homeowners and Real Estate Agents Paying for Questionable Services - 03:17 PM
Homeowners and real estate agents are paying money for questionable services. Virtually every day I receive a solicitation for “forensic audits” “quiet title” actions (frequently performed by non-attorneys and this is unquestionably the “unauthorized practice of law” in all 50 states), “mortgage or note trail,” etc. 
 
Many of these services provide a legitimate service and they actually produce the results that they promise. The problem is……how will this help a distressed homeowner or real estate agent??  Let’s suppose that an investigation is conducted into all phases of the distressed homeowner’s acquisition and loan of their property.  We can further … (5 comments)

The Main Reason I Blog....So Potential Clients Will Find Me....And They Do!! - 08:05 AM
There’s a reason for everything we do, and I want to share one of the many listing success stories that I’ve had with my online marketing on ActiveRain.  Today was a busy blogging day for me, and with all of my pie charts and production posts I use the keyword phrase “free market analysis franklin ma.”  If you’re affiliated with a top producing office or if your office is #1 in the area for a certain phase of real estate or if you are the top agent of top team in your area or office, offer a free market analysis somewhere within … (47 comments)

The Risks Of Taking An Overpriced Listing - 06:45 AM
The Risks Of Taking An Overpriced Listing So I know there are many of you out there that say "Oh, I would NEVER take an overpriced listing" and good for you! For the rest of us that have on occasion agreed to list a home that we new was higher than it should be, why did we take it?
It's kinda like after dinner when they bring out that cheesecake (or insert your fave dessert here). Every one is sitting around taking their yummy looking slice and there are just two left. You've been on a diet for a while … (108 comments)

Stop Fishing For A Buyer and List The Darn Property - 12:18 PM

 "Hey Doug, we would like to see the home for sale at 123 Maple Street". Calls like this often result in a paycheck. When these buyers request a showing they are serious. I could already taste the Memorial Day in Destin Pina Colada. But where's this mystery home?
 The benefit of a small market is keeping up with inventory is a breeze. I wasn't aware of anything for sale on "Maple Street", but as my wife points out I'm often wrong... A quick tour of the MLS showed no active homes on Maple Street.
 Time to drive the neighborhood, … (37 comments)


Blog posts


Beautiful Smoky Mountains - 470 foot riverside turnkey "Mom and Pop" lodging property including a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home. NC Real Estate - 01:35 PM
Enjoy life while earning money - All year or Seasonally - North Carolina Riverfront Lodging for Sale for $695,000 … (0 comments)

How Cheap Can you Get? Borrowing my Watch to Sell the Time! - 02:39 PM
How Cheap Can you Get? Borrowing my Watch to Sell the Time!
There is an old joke that a Consultant is a person the Borrows your watch to tell you what time it is.
Well the joke is on me this time – I think? I just had someone register on my web site to view homes. Of course I called her back. She was very flustered and did not want to me now. But it seems she came to my site as her Broker sent her a link and told her to look at my IDX to find out what … (10 comments)

Today...I Am Not Writing a Blog Tonight! - 09:49 PM
         Today...I Am Not Writing a Blog Tonight!                                                                   
 
Not because there is nothing to say! Not because I am lazy! It is time to put into practice WIN...What's important now!  

Today... I was at the gym early in the morning! Today... I  met an appraiser! Today... I negotiated a home inspection! Today... I made a bunch of appointments! Today... I showed my … (19 comments)

3465 VICTORIA PINES DR # 220, ORLANDO FL 32829 Victoria Pines - 03:57 PM
3465 VICTORIA PINES DR # 220, ORLANDO  FL 32829                                                      $$$ 65,000 $$$
Short Sale. Transeastern style condo with large loft area. Silestone/Corian countertops, upgraded 42' cabinets with crown molding, appliances excluding washer & dryer, Move in ready unit!  Victoria Pines sits among the beautiful setting of east Orlando. State Road 417 (Greenway) and the EastWest Expressway (SR 408) puts the east side area within minutes of downtown Orlando, area attractions, airports, and major roadways, also close to dining and shopping.  What are you waiting for?
For the latest status on this property and many more in the Orlando Area, contact Steve Glose … (0 comments)

13415 BLUE HERON BEACH DR # 1506, ORLANDO FL 32821 Blue Heron - 04:01 PM
13415 BLUE HERON BEACH DR # 1506, ORLANDO FL 32821                                                $$$ 93,900 $$$
Beautiful 1 bedroom fully furnished Lake front condo near Disney World and other local attraction. Granite counter tops, tile floor, large balcony overlooking pool area and lake. Sleeps 6, great locations near restaurants and outlet mall. Great for vacation home, 2nd home or holiday home.  Property management on site for you and your guest.  Great investment opportunity at a great price.  Come see what you have been missing on your vacation!
For the latest status on this property and many more in the Orlando Area, contact Steve Glose with … (0 comments)

4016 VIOSCA PL, ORLANDO FL 32837 Chartres Garden - 04:05 PM
4016 VIOSCA PL, ORLANDO FL 32837                                                                         $$$ 136,000 $$$
SHORT SALE.Location is simple amazing, enjoy the very desirable area of hunters creek today in your own townhouse, walking distance to new shops,banks, dinings,medical offices and much more here at the Villages, just come to see it,it wont last. All offers must be on(( AS IS Farbar contract))..  Short Sale; approval of the seller's lenders(s) may be conditioned upon the gross commission being reduced, any reduction will be split between brokers, Pre-Approval letter is a must have for financing or PF for cash buyers. Buyers are responsable to turn utilities on for … (1 comments)

490 CHICAGO WOODS CIR, ORLANDO FL 32824 Meadow Woods - 04:08 PM
490 CHICAGO WOODS CIR, ORLANDO FL 32824                                                                 $$$ 159,900 $$$
This amazing 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home needs to be on your must-see list today!  Your front porch is waiting for you, perfect for a porch swing and a glass of iced tea in the evening.  Step inside your foyer, and your spacious great room beckons you in, with 2 story ceiling, art niches, and pass through window to your stylish kitchen.  Your updated counters offer plenty of space for all your culinary endeavors and a breakfast bar to enjoy your confections.  Your sunny breakfast nook offers the perfect place to … (0 comments)

9520 PINE TERRACE CT, WINDERMERE FL 34786 Silver Woods - 04:11 PM
9520 PINE TERRACE CT, WINDERMERE FL 34786                                                                  $$$ 225,000 $$$
Great house in a great location. 4/2.5 single story  home sits on a dead end street in Silver Woods subdivision Dr Phillips. Over 2000 square feet of living space, two car garage, low HOA fees and A+ schools.  Ready to close. Not a short sale or bank owned. Only 15 minutes to Disney, Dr Phillips restaurant row, Lockheed-Martin, shopping and I-Drive attractions. This house is ready to move in to with large bedrooms and two and a half's baths. This large house is located on a cul-da-sac in a great neighborhood. … (0 comments)

6504 ARUNDEL DR, ORLANDO FL 32818 - 04:14 PM
6504 ARUNDEL DR, ORLANDO FL 32818                                                                                $$$ 305,000 $$$
This enchanting 3 bedrooms 3 bathrooms home is sitting on 1/2 to 1 acre has oversized rooms and plenty of storage place. This property is located just off of Colonial Dr. It's in great location, walking distance from shopping centers and restaurants. With a long private drive way, large front yard an even bigger fenced back yard and has a large screened porch. Inside you will find a floor plan perfect for entertaining and family living. A large family room flows to a dining room and bonus room. Off the dining room … (0 comments)

8450 OAK PARK RD, ORLANDO FL 32819 Windermere Heights - 04:18 PM
8450 OAK PARK RD, ORLANDO Fl 32819                                                                             $$$1,190,000 $$$
Welcome home to your own family compound in the heart of Dr. Phillips.  The private gates open to reveal a secluded estate with 1.5 acres of manicured grounds, majestic palms, and mature landscaping -- creating the perfect setting for this stately and traditional brick residence.  The home has been loving cared for by the original owners and includes a formal dining room, separate living, two family rooms, and an eat-in kitchen with large family dining area.  The kitchen has granite countertops, cherry cabinets, and offers direct access to the garage.  The first-floor … (0 comments)

657 SILVER BIRCH PL, LONGWOOD FL 32750 Crystal Creek - 04:22 PM
657 SILVER BIRCH PL, LONGWOOD FL 32750                                                                     $$$ 140,000 $$$
Short Sale: 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,629 sq ft home on an oversized pie shaped lot that backs up to a conservation in the quiet, kid friendly neighborhood of Crystal Creek. Laminate wood floors, stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, updated light fixtures. New A/C in 2011 and new roof in 2005. Close to shopping, dining and great Lake Mary schools
For the latest status on this property and many more in the Longwood Area, contact Steve Glose with Keller Williams Realty direct at 407-616-7286 or visit www.thefloridalivingteam.com. For a faster reply … (0 comments)

565 SHINING ARMOR LN, LONGWOOD FL 32779 HIGHCROFT POINTE TOWNHOMES - 05:49 PM
565 SHINING ARMOR LN, LONGWOOD FL 32779                                                              $$$150,000 $$$

Short Sale.  Spacious & Lofty 3 bed / 2.5 bath townhome.  Features include large 20x20 rear deck with pavers, walkway to 2 car (wow!) garage, all bedrooms on upper lever, 10 ft ceilings, corian countertops, stainless steel appliances, 42 inch cabinets and knock down ceiling.  Nice sized property and great community!
For the latest status on this property and many more in the Longwood Area, contact Steve Glose with Keller Williams Realty direct at 407-616-7286 or visit www.thefloridalivingteam.com. For a faster reply you can also email me at steve@thefloridalivingteam.com. Prospective U.K. Buyers … (2 comments)

1652 BOMI CIR, WINTER PARK FL 32792 Tamarak - 05:53 PM
1652 BOMI CIR, WINTER PARK FL 32792                                                                     $$$ 170,000 $$$
Great opportunity to own a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in Winter Park.  This charming home has so much family fun space including a living room, dining room, spacious kitchen with breakfast bar and a great Family Room with plantation shutters.  The Master bedroom is an owners retreat and the Master bathroom is wonderfully undated.  The two additional bedrooms are well sized with ample closet space.  Walk out the back door and you are in a lush paradise with mature trees and a screened in swimming pool.  This private sanctuary needs … (1 comments)

Great Graphics....Give your Look a Lift ! Get Groovie ! - 03:29 AM
 I got emails and comments about the great graphic design of my post card/blog that I wrote last week:http://activerain.com/blogsview/3205653/brookfield-wisconsin-homes-sold-quickly-by-the-hansons-  Where did I get such a great look ? We are very very fortunate at our Keller Williams Market Center to have a resident IT/Graphics person that has such talent...Introducing...Mr. Alex Herrera...and his company: Groovie Graphics.  Alex has a keen understanding and obvious remarkarkable creative graphic talent.  Whether you want a business card, a brochure, flyer, website, banner....for all things graphic...just give him a call...you will find smiling service....and great results.  
   Put the POP in your Power Point....the BOOST in Blog … (7 comments)

Another Mount Vernon Ohio Home SOLD by Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty in April 2012 - 06:02 PM
509 East Burgess Street in Mount Vernon Ohio just SOLD and this was a FANTASTIC home that was offered to the market with a competitive listing price!!!  You can view and compare all of our available Knox County Ohio affordable homes for sale that are listed for $100,000 and under.  
Sam Miller Team of REMAX Stars Realty 740-397-7800 KnoxCountyOhio.com
… (0 comments)

April Home Sale in Mount Vernon Ohio - 06:15 PM
Home sales are on the rise in Knox County Ohio and this home is no exception because it went under contract within weeks of being listed for sale.  We have created a unique real estate listing link that features all of our available affordable Knox County Ohio homes for sale that are priced for $100,000 and belows so just click this link to view and compare..  
Sam Miller Team of REMAX Stars Realty 740-397-7800 Knox County Ohio Real Estate
… (2 comments)

Mount Vernon Ohio Home For Sale For $41,000 - 06:35 PM
This home at 104 Columbus Road in Mount Vernon, Ohio is very affordable and it is a serious opportunity for most any buyer at just $41,000.  The monthly payment on this home is much less than renting a comparable sized home in Mount Vernon.  
Sam Miller Team of REMAX Stars Realty 740-397-7800 Knox County Ohio Real Estate
… (0 comments)

For Sale Signs and How They Help You Sell Your Home - 01:39 PM
If you are putting your property on the market then you might be wondering how a simple “For Sale” sign could impact your listing.
While some people aren’t too keen on putting up such a sign, it does have a number of advantages. Now, in some neighborhoods such signs are forbidden, while other communities sometimes place restrictions regarding the size and the placement of the sign.
In order to find out how to pursue signage for your home, you should make sure you are following regulations put in place by your local homeowner’s association.

Homemade For Sale Sign – Some sellers … (1 comments)

Quick Weekly Santa Monica Real Estate Market Update – April 20 to 27, 2012 - 05:53 PM

Santa Monica Real Estate – Single Family Homes:
 
Active Listings: 65
* Short Sales – 3
* Bank Owned/REO – 0
Of the 65 active Santa Monica homes for sale, 17 had their List Price decreased, and 1 of them actually increased in list price...continue reading
… (0 comments)

Why would anyone want to use a Land Trust when buying real estate in Pensacola Florida or anywhere? - 09:00 AM
 
This is no way to be taken as legal advice as I am not an attorney, do not stay at hotels or inns and you should always get your legal advice from qualified lawyer.
Why would anyone want to use a Land Trust when buying real estate in Pensacola Florida or anywhere? I do quite a few divorce cases for local attorney’s that refer customers to me for a referral fee. One such case recently where the husband and wife fought for eight years trying to settle a life that had taken thirty three years to build, guess when … (8 comments)

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