Archives of real estate blog entries for May 13, 2012

Featured blog posts


Golf And Real Estate Are A Lot Alike - 06:18 AM

Driving home from a listing appointment the other day in Lemont’s Ruffled Feathers subdivision I got to thinking about how Real Estate is much like a game of golf . The professionals hone their craft every day whether it’s a golfer getting up early to hit buckets of balls or a Realtor being in the office early and learning what the Real Estate Market looks like that day because the markets are always moving.A pro golfer has to know how to play in all types of different climates, hot, rainy, windy and sometimes very cold conditions.  A Realtor has to … (41 comments)

Google's Penguin Update: Zaps 1 million more sites. - 11:29 AM
Sorry the bartman has been away for a while. It seems that a few new clients have taken me away from my blog writing for ActiveRainers. 
If any of you watch ABC's SharkTank we picked up one of their companies that was invested in by sharks: Mark Cuban and Daymond John. The company is EzVip.com and it's essentially doing for night clubs and venues what Expedia.com is doing for hotels. 

About Google's Penguin. What happened?
It was bound to happen sooner or later. Google actually got around to (strictly) enforcing the laws that are on the books @ Google's Webmaster … (60 comments)

Short Sale Myth Exposed - Temecula Short Sales - 02:40 AM
Short Sale Myth Exposed - Temecula Short SalesThere’s been a rumor going around I want to expose the truth that if a homeowner hires a real estate agent and puts their home on the market as “short sale,” that will stop foreclosure.Sorry to break the bad news. Putting a home on the market as “short sale” will not stop foreclosure. The only way a short sale can avoid foreclosure is if the home is actually sold as “short sale.” This means the homeowner’s lender has to approve short payoff, less than what is owed on the mortgage.Short sales are paperwork intensive. … (23 comments)

Working with the "A Team of Real Estate" in Winchester, VA - 08:00 AM
I've blogged a number of times about a crazy contract I've had in escrow since February of this year.  It was an REO that looked like it would simple.  I do REOs all the time, so I wasn't concerned at all.  Over the past three months, some of the most bizarre things I've ever experienced in real estate have taken place on this sale.
There were days I even wondered if this property would make it to closing, but that was never really in question.  Why?  Because I work with the "A Team of Real Estate" in Winchester, VA.  Because of … (27 comments)

Know The Warning Signs of a Stroke...Last Night I Am Glad I Did - 07:02 PM
Know The Warning Signs Of A Stroke...You Could Save A Loved One's Life... Last Night I Did  
Saturday started out beautifully. A normal day, when I am not showing property, of some honey do lists for us both, phone calls for me, etc and then it was time to get ready for our trek across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to my oldest daughters for a cookout that afternoon. That is when I noticed my husband seemed quieter than normal. He seemed himself at the cookout so I did not think anymore about it. That evening, a few hours after we returned home, he said … (77 comments)

A Question about Real Estate Descriptions What Do You Think? - 05:54 AM
A Question about Real Estate Descriptions  What Do You Think?
As many of you know, I have been in the Real Estate business for 25 years.   Effective ad writing is an important part of our business.    Of course we are always looking at who is going to buy a property and why they should want this particular one.     I have always prided my self on paying attention to this and writing an emotional description of my listings.   In fact, I do remember years ago a Buyer saying to me after reading a listing description, "I knew it was … (54 comments)

Last Week's Favorites: May 5th - 13th - 09:36 AM
Let me start by wishing all of the Active Rain mothers a very happy Mother's Day. 
This week, I'm sure I missed a whole bunch of great posts.  I've been growling at the new Active Rain format!  I'm sure that by this time next week, I'll be used to it.  Oh well!  Here goes!
Carla Muss Jacobs:  The Super Moon Means Only One Thing . . . Super Crazy  Gee, Carla!  So that's it!  I thought it was just me.
Markita Woods:  Easy Mortgage Approval....Not!  Markita gives us the lenders' Easy Button. This is a good check list to give your … (44 comments)

We Won't Sell Your Home - 07:10 AM
We Won't Sell Your Home Probably.  That's right, the odds of Liz and Bill Spear of RE/MAX Elite actually personally escorting the buyer through your door if you list with us aren't great.  We're 10 to 1 longshots on us bringing you the buyer that writes the contract that leads to the actual sale of your home.  The odds are MUCH higher than one of the other literally thousands of other area REALTORS® will bring the buyer for your home. Now what we're NOT saying is to hire one of those other REALTORS® to list your home!  Because the truth of … (90 comments)

Early Mother's Day Outing - Fishing With my Kid on Blanchard Lake - 09:34 AM
When my husband suggested that I go fishing with our son Chad on Saturday I almost said no. It had been cold and windy all week and I didn't relish the idea of sitting in a boat freezing for a few hours.
But... I said yes, and the gods smiled on us. The weather was warm, the breeze was light, the fish were biting, and we had a perfect day.
The lake we visited is on private land, owned by the Poirier family - one of the founding families of the town of Blanchard, Idaho. To get there, you … (25 comments)

Has the Philadelphia Rental Market Gone Mad? - 05:14 AM
Has the Philadelphia Rental Market Gone Mad?
 
In the past, I would be upset when a current tenant would call and say they were leaving one of our investment properties that we owned.  I would be concerned that the rental amount might go down and even worse it might take a month or two to rent it out.  There is nothing worse than having a vacancy (or two) as a property owner!
However, in the last 6 months, when a tenant has said they are leaving, no worries!  In every single case, the property was rented out immediately, with multiple applications … (22 comments)

How To Win in a Multiple Offer Situation when you are limited on price - 08:28 AM
How To Win in a Multiple Offer Situation when you are limited on price
Well, it seems that we're back in the type of market where multiple offers are becoming common.
There's a mixed bag of buyers out there - conventional buyers, FHA buyers, VA buyers, and all-cash buyers and investors.
In a multiple offer situation, the offer price is probably one of the biggest factors when the seller is deciding which offers to entertain or accept.
But what do you do when you've reached your affordable max and can't really come up any more in price?
Here's just a few … (106 comments)

Should buyers be aggressive with their offer in this market? - 12:17 AM
Can buyers see they have to be bold and aggressive when writing an offer in this market?How can the real estate market have changed so drastically? And it isn’t just in Alameda , Oakland or Piedmont CA.Last year, my buyers were able to negotiate price, terms and conditions...Last year, my buyers didn’t have to compete against other buyers.Last year, there were more properties to choose from because buyers weren’t motivated enough to buy.But that was last year.Lickety-split, the real estate market turned. And buyers need to be aware that writing an offer for less than list price is insane, especially when … (36 comments)

I Learn Something New at Active Rain Every Day- May 6- May12, 2012 - 05:02 AM
I've Always Said I Learn Something New at ActiveRain Every Day and It's Time I Showed You.  May 6 -- May 12, 2012

May 6: Peter Buchsbaum- The Week Ahead... What PPI, Consumer Sentiment, and Wholesale Trade Mean to You!For those of you who missed that Economics class  or can’t remember any of it, check out Peter’s post.
May 7: Mike Cooper- Another Great Source of Blog Illustrations. Thanks to Lenn Harley we all know by now (or at least should know) that copyright should be a consideration when using clip art and photos, etc.  Mike offers some additional … (35 comments)

A call gone bad - 03:56 AM
Sometimes, an initial contact with a new customer doesn’t go quite well and I have to decide quickly whether it can be saved, or whether it’s best to just move on. Like most of you, I don’t celebrate losing a possible client. There are many reasons not to be able to work with a new customer. Their lack of financing is usually at the top of the list, but lack of respect for me, or what I do is right up there too.Mr. X called while I was on the phone Friday and left a message to call him back. He … (74 comments)

Just What We Need - Increasing Competition For Our Home Buyers - 06:37 PM
Just What We Need - Increasing Competition For Our Home Buyers

Naturally it depends on what side of Real Estate you are on as to whose Ox may be getting gored but for residential resale homes, the rental market is in greater demand for those that could and likely should be becoming home owners and not tenants.
I guess in many ways this is no surprise to anyone since the administrations own White Paper shifted emphasis from Buying to Investment/Tenant transactions. And with all the cash that has been accumulated, little wonder that a larger share of real estate buyers have … (56 comments)

I Really Don't Get It? - 01:31 PM
This blogging thing for me has been really hard to get.  Why would someone want to sit down at their computer and write a story(for lack of a better word) about personal stuff, their own business, their own feelings, etc?
I'm from the generation where you actually talk face-to-face about these things or talk on the phone to folks you know.  But I do know the world is constantly changing and I love to learn new things so I'm blogging.  And I  realize that blogging will increase tremendously the number of contacts I can make and the exposure I can get … (60 comments)

A GREAT MENTOR KATHY STREIB IS A PROFESSIONAL AND SUPPORTER FOR ME - 06:05 AM
A GREAT MENTOR  KATHY STREIB IS  A PROFESSIONAL AND SUPPORTER FOR ME
My Mentor Kathy Streib and I first met when she did a" Staging Presentation " at my office.
I was very impressed with Kathy and all the great information she was giving to realtors
in my office. She was very professional and even provided lunch for the office.
I joined Active Rain some months later and discovered Kathy Streib  was also a member.
I started leaving comments on her blogs, they were always very interesting. She covered a variety of 
different subjects , not just Staging.
On April 16 … (32 comments)

CouchSurfing All The Way To The Bank - 07:44 PM
Facebook and Twitter are the well known giants of Social Media and have helped enormously to bring the world together.  But there are other sites out there that are having a meaningful impact also.  One such site is CouchSurfing.org.  Last I heard, they have over 3 million members spread throughout 230 countries.
I signed up over 3 years ago and have since hosted over 40 guests in Miami Beach.  Yes, I had the same reservations most people have when they first hear of the concept, but luckily I overcame them at the urging of my younger sister, who had hosted travelers … (41 comments)


Blog posts


Writing Offers that get Accepted! - 10:16 AM
Writing Offers that get Accepted!
Lately the market is going crazy. There are 20 or more offers on some homes, many well over asking price. So how does a Buyer get an offer accepted. There seems to be two approaches:
The first approach is to keep writing offers that are very reasoned, with a price based on sold comps. Sometimes asking for closing cost credits and maybe 30 days to close. Many people will submit dozens of offers like this; and in this market they will all be rejected. These are not offers that anyone will take seriously.
In this market … (1 comments)

Dick's big grasshopper contest! - 10:47 AM
When I looked at this contest the thing I felt I needed to learn about was syndication and getting my blog out where more people would see it.
I did not get a lot of people jumping up to help me with this. Amy Hahn volunteered to help me with some things, like getting me hooked up with Facebook Directly. She provided me links to some instructions here for various syndication on ActiveRain.
I had trouble with some of the instructions as they seem to be dated or maybe I was not doing things right. I already had some links on … (12 comments)

Short Sales are Getting SHORTER.. Horary!!! - 10:31 PM
Short Sales in Brentwood.  
Here is a great post on Short Sales.  Short Sales are a big part of the solution to the housing mess, it is about time some reasonable requirements were put on the banks.
For more information on Short Sales in Brentwood or Beyond give me a call at 925-260-4321.
Via Stephanie Leon - Miami Lakes Real Estate Expert (Avanti Way Realty):
Just in New Short Sale Deadlines go into effect.
As part of a settlement with state attorneys general, the five largest mortgage servicers are adopting new requirements for short sales, which is expected to speed-up what has … (0 comments)

Time for some baseball - 10:32 PM
I am always posting stuff on my kids in Baseball, Football, Wrestling, or Royal Rangers.  Here are some great pictures of Todd Clark's little girl.  The pictures are great shots.
Via Todd Clark (Broker) (503)524-9494 (Beaverton, Oregon Real Estate Expert) (Knipe Realty):
Now, as if you can’t figure out that I love baseball, I’m here to tell you I do and lucky for me, so do my kids. This is my youngest and I’m proud to say the best one on her team, she can hit, catch and outrun anyone else on the team… She is a serious player!
Now, not all … (1 comments)

Why are so many Seniors undecided about downsizing ? - 10:34 PM
Summerset Homes in Brentwood
Summerset is a great Active Adult Community in Brentwood for those 55 or over.  This is a great post on some of the struggles people go through when deciding if they should move to Summerset.
For more information on Summerset Homes give me a call at 925-260-4321.
Via GITA BANTWAL, REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI BUCKS County & Philadelphia, PA HOMES (RE/MAX Centre Realtors):
I had over 30 open houses in active adult community in last 12 months. They were all well attended. It was always a pleasure to have an open house as I got to meet some wonderful people and chat … (1 comments)

Pace of short sales increases in Pensacola Florida. - 10:44 PM
Short Sales in Brentwood
Here are some stats on Florida Short Sales that pretty much reflect what is happening with Short Sales around here.
For more information on Short Sales in Brentwood or beyond give me a call at 925-260-4321.
Via Charles Stallions Real Estate Services :
Pace of short sales increases in Pensacola Florida.
 
Analysis: U.S. short sales in Jan. rose 33% and surpassed foreclosures for first time in Fla. and 11 other key states. Read more.
Short sales – which occur when a lender agrees to a home sale for less than what’s owed – were up 33 percent in … (0 comments)

Beautiful Pacific Coast Half Moon Bay California - 10:45 PM
Bob does a lot of great photography.  Looks like he was up in my neck of the woods.  The pacific coast can be very pretty, but is also very rugged.  The water is like ice too, but it looks nice.
Via VEGAS BOB (REALTY ONE GROUP - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 702.443.7156 ):
Friday, May 11, 2012 Beautiful Pacific Coast Half Moon Bay California 5-5-2012     Robert Swetz has been spending most weekends around the Pacific Coast south of the Bay Area. These beautiful photographs attached to this blog were taken around Half Moon Bay only 26 miles south of San Francisco. … (1 comments)

Google's Wild Animal Park's (not so) Secret New Weapon - 10:46 PM
How to do good SEO is one of my biggest challenges.  Here is a great post on SEO, now if I could only get the time to get a better understanding of it.
Via #1 on Google for Real Estate SEO Expert. Dave Keys 888-216-1231 (Real Estate SEO Expert, Web Marketing, Photography, Video):
Sometimes I think Google names their algorithms exotic animal names just to try to keep up Apple. After Panda and now, Penguin, Rumor has it their next or pending algorithm adjustment has already been named Leopard. 
Whatever Google chooses to call it, each of the algorithm updates and Google's as … (8 comments)

Motherhood Is The Highest Calling - 10:49 PM
Very nice post on Motherhood and the influence a mother has on her children and the world.  Read it and go to the original and tell the original writers what you think.
Via Nestor & Katerina Gasset Realtors® Wellington Florida Homes For Sale (International Properties and Investments LLC):
Motherhood is the most important calling given to women. Women who do not have children or who do not adopt children have many opportunities to serve as mothers in many capacities.
 
 I was blessed with having 9 children, 6 of whom I gave natural birth to and the other 3 are my children by … (1 comments)

Researching the Market . . . Putting My Thinking Cap On Saved The Deal - 10:52 PM
First Time Home Buyers
I have written a lot on not letting a few thousand dollars stand between you and your dream home.  This post describes a person who almost made a foolish mistake in this very hot market.
For more information on Buying a Home give me a call at 925-260-4321.
Via Carla Muss-Jacobs - Exclusive Buyers Agent Portland | Portland Real Estate | (503-810-7192 | BuyersAgentPortland.com):
Researching the Market . . . Putting My Thinking Cap On Saved The Deal
Background:  My clients were first time buyers.  Very, very skittish first time buyers.  Not sure if I can explain it, but … (1 comments)

Getting into the homeownership game - 10:57 PM
Buying your First Home
Here is a great post on putting yourself into Home Ownership.  Home Ownership is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family.
For more information on Buying your First Home or any home give me a call at 925-260-4321.
Via Adrian Willanger-Coldwell Banker Greater Seattle, Wa. (206 909-7536 TheHomeFunnel.com):
Getting into the homeownership game
If you thinking about buying your first Seattle home in a few years, you have to work out a budget plan to make sure that it happens. It’s hard to reach a goal when you don’t have a plan put … (0 comments)

M-O-T-H-E-R - 10:58 PM
Here is Fred Copes.  Thoughts on Mother.  Very good and original Mothers Day post.  Read it and go over to Fred's Original Post and let him know what you think.
Via Fred Cope (Reliant Realty in Nashville, TN):
M-O-T-H-E-R: Like No Other
 
No fancy artwork.  No beautiful picture.  Nothing to detract from a basic fact--today is MOTHER'S DAY.  There are not suitable words to fairly describe what MOTHER MEANS TO EACH OF US.
M is because She is MINE.  We hold the word Mother at an elevated state.  We seldom use it recklessly, and should never!  It is one of  our first words … (1 comments)

Farmers Markets and Fruit Stands in Stanislaus County - Part 1 - 06:32 PM
Farmers Markets and Fruit Stands in Stanislaus County - Part 1
In my part of the world here in California we are world famous for the variety of crops grown here.  Northern and Central California including Stanislaus County is among the worlds leaders in several crops.   Among the crops grown here are almonds, walnuts, peaches, apricots, nectarines, cherries, strawberries, pistachios, melons and lots and lots of other things.
Another thing we are famous for are many road side fruit stands and several farmers markets.  In this part of the state you can go to a different farmers market almost every … (3 comments)

If I could only pick one ...Indispensable..I Can't Live Without...best tool! - 08:35 PM
If I could only pick one ...Indispensable..I Can't Live Without...best tool!  There is an ActiveRain Contest  and it deals with technology. My first post back in 2006 was about technology.   That post is a bit outdated. A pen and paper is all you need to list and sell a house...but our technology tools sure make things a lot easier.                                      
What could I not live without in my business?
I could name quite a few but this contest is asking for one... not an easy task. At … (25 comments)

Can You Defeat The Mortgage Insurance Company? - 05:01 AM
 
… (5 comments)

Giving Back...Paying it Forward to The Women's Center - 04:57 AM
  Thursday, May 10th was RED Day for Keller Williams agents around the globe....our day to Renew Energize and Donate. The Market Center in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin chose to have an open house at our new location: 11225 West Bluemound Road and  invited clients, vendors, friends and neighbors to a buffet and silent auction. We also had a fortune teller who got rave reviews for her "insights" !  (Note to self...make an appointment with Fortune Teller.)
      We had over 60 auction items which ranged from restaurant certificates to home inspections, radon tests, and bushels of baskets twith a variety of themes … (15 comments)

You Know Her, An Americam RE Broker Story. Pass this on. - 08:51 PM
This womon I know, she divorced her husband 15 years ago to give her kids a better life.  She had little work experience but got her RE license and forged ahead. Rookie of the year the first year! The kids were little and she juggled the weekends with sitters making it work for all.  Slowly her reputation grew and the repeat clients kept coming back. 
Must have been like 2003 she hit 250k and bought her little dream sports car for cash.  Not much, but a talker witih a Audi TT, Red!!!! Every year taking the kids on a great vacation. … (1 comments)

In Honor Of Mothers Day - "The Meanest Mother" - 01:53 PM

"The Meanest Mother"
     I had the meanest mother in the whole world.  While other kids ate candy for breakfast, I had to have cereal, eggs or toast. When others had cokes and candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich.  As you can guess, my supper was different than the other kids' also.      But at least, I wasn't alone in my sufferings.  My sister and two brothers had the same mean mother as I did.      My mother insisted upon knowing where we were at all times.   You'd think we were on a chain gang.  She … (4 comments)

Average loan amount grows: Market thaws in Pensacola Florida? - 06:21 AM
Average loan amount grows: Market thaws in Pensacola Florida?
 
Capital Economics: The average mortgage approved rose by $20,000 in the last three months, going from $215K to $235K. Read more.
Besides the increase in average mortgage amounts, analysts also point to other positive signs shaping up in the housing market, including a 20 percent drop in the home inventory the last 18 months.
 
Today's Prayer Dear God, You know how I love a sunny day! But I want to also thank you for rainy days that replenish the earth and clean the atmosphere. Likewise, I love the sunny, happy … (0 comments)

Investors eye REOs as a 'gold rush' in Pensacola, Pace and Gulf Breeze Florida. - 06:26 AM
Investors eye REOs as a 'gold rush' in Pensacola, Pace and Gulf Breeze Florida.
 
Buyers pounce on foreclosure bargains and turn them into rentals, taking risks and learning tough lessons along the way. Read more.
Diane Gozza, the executive vice president of Integrated Mortgage Solutions in Houston, recently wrote in an article for National Mortgage News that investors are eyeing the properties similar to how those risk-takers did back in the 1848 California “Gold Rush,” who also had dreams of striking it rich.
 
Today's Prayer
Dear God, "To live is Christ, to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). I want … (2 comments)

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