Archives of real estate blog entries for May 3, 2012

Featured blog posts


Why Wish Someone A Lovely Day ... - 06:27 AM
... when you can wish someone a lovely year!  Last week, I received a voicemail and a follow-up email from a fellow colleague I've never met.  He was inquiring as to whether or not I might be a good fit for a particular opportunity proposed by his company.  Feeling that I wasn't the right candidate, I immediately sent back an email reply and offered my regrets. In response to my reply, I received another email.  It was a very simple, pleasant email -- essentially thanking me for responding.  At first glance, I failed to notice anything remarkable about the email at … (43 comments)

RPR doesn't mean... Really Primo Realtor (but it could)! - 02:43 PM
RPR doesn't mean... Really Primo Realtor (but it could)!  Rarely do I endorse anything... I like to leave that up to individual preference and choice.  BUT today... I can't help but sing the praises of RPR.  If you're not using this program, it's quite possible you'll be snuffed out by your competition who is!
As the President of the Grants Pass MLS, I had the wonderful opportunity to see RPR up close and personal at a NAR Conference two years ago before the program went live.  I knew instantly I wanted it for our Realtor members.  RPR stands for Realtors Property Resource, a parcel-centric database comprised of 117 million properties across America.  The data is compiled from … (42 comments)

Learn how to stop worrying forever in only 15 minutes a day! - 05:44 PM
Learn how to stop worrying forever in only 15 minutes a day!

Do you worry about a lot of stuff?  Do you know people who constantly worry?  Worrying is such a waste of time. How many times has it been said that 99% of what you worry about never comes true.  And if you kept track of all the worrying you've done over the years I'd bet that number would be pretty darn accurate. 

An agent called me today and was worried about this and worried about that.  Even after I told her there was absolutely no reason to worry … (104 comments)

What do I do about a home inspection that's wrong? - 08:05 AM
I had a recent client buy a home where the termite inspection ordered by the seller turned out to be wrong.  The buyer, my client, had their own inspection done and it showed drywood termites - in contrast to the original report obtained by the seller.  The second inspection wasn't convincing and since the original inspection company had such a strong reputation, we all decided the termites probably weren't really there.
Big Mistake
My client decided to have the original inspection company come back and take a second look at the places termites were supposed to be.  The inspector CHANGED HIS … (23 comments)

Remembering My Dear Friend Karen Reilly - 06:05 PM
Remembering My Dear Friend Karen Reilly
On Wednesday morning, April 25,  I received a phone call that saddened me to the core.  I learned my dear friend and RealtyQuest associate, Karen Reilly, had passed away after a 15 year battle with breast cancer. 
Karen’s indomitable strength and courage was like no other cancer victim I have ever seen. For as long as I have known her, she struggled with her illness with recurrences, remissions, and probably every clinical treatment in the book.
 At no time did anyone ever see that suffering. Rather what we saw was a vibrant, gracious, and … (29 comments)

Treacherous Word “Market” - 10:15 PM
Treacherous Word “Market” It is such a beaten word that we all feel that we know what it means. In economic terms “Market” means “the coming together of a buyer and seller” So, if the Seller sells the property for certain amount and the buyer buys this property for this amount, it is a fair market. This would be true when we talk about big numbers, like regional market. For local markets it may not be always the case. Circumstances can play a big role. Take the latest twist in condo-hotel market in Daytona. Someone working for American Auction Network came … (24 comments)

Easy Mortgage Approval....Not! - 11:00 AM
I am sure you have heard the news that mortgage approval has become difficult in today's real estate market.
If you bought a home prior to 2007, when mortgages were given to just about anyone with a pulse and a credit score then getting a mortgage in today's real estate market will seem difficult.
So here is the "skinny"..... Mortgage Approval is EASY if you have all ducks in a row....
 
Duck 1- Work with a local and knowledgeable loan officer. Call your FHA Mortgage Lender @ 703-497-3936.
Duck 2- Gather W-2's and Tax Returns with all schedules for two years.
Duck 3- … (19 comments)

Bidding Wars, Declining Inventory, Rising Rents, Oh My!! - 03:33 PM
Bidding Wars, Declining Inventory, Rising Rents, Oh My!!  
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal on bidding wars is just one example of the increasingly positive news seen in the print and on-line media about shifts in the housing market.
 
Perhaps it’s not positive from the perspective of the buyers engaged in those competitive situations, and who may be losing out on the homes they are trying to buy.
 
That doesn’t make it bad or unwelcome news.
 
It’s not necessarily all good news, nor have things changed for the better everywhere, depending on what you … (28 comments)

Get ready for some more excitement as the Awards Ceremony continues! - 02:17 AM
Get ready for some more excitement!  


So far this evening has been quite exciting.  We are truly pleased with the turn out.  Photos were taken on the Red Carpet and can all be seen here:
The Winner(s)...with a Twist at The First Annual ActiveRain "Be The 'Star'of Your Own Movie"! Thank you for staying with us during the awards for Film Editing, Sound, Costumes, Lighting, Foreign Films, Animation and Documentaries.
We all hope you enjoyed the entertainment this evening.  Rehearsal time was cut a little short because of all of the entries we had to read before making … (97 comments)

REAL ESTATE AGENTS & TOILET PAPER - 09:17 AM
REAL ESTATE AGENTS & TOILET PAPER

Real Estate agents and toilet paper?  Yes, hang with me and hopefully I can help you understand this strange analogy!  Bear with me as  while I explain.  (Forgive the puns but couldn't resist!)
As I was contemplating life while "in dispose" so speak, I couldn't help but giggled as I stared over at the toilet paper and had these thoughts:  (I seem to do a lot of thinking in this room!)
Toilet paper is such a wonderful thing that I am sure we all take for granted.  A lot like real estate agents right?  We perform … (40 comments)

You can't read aloud to your prospects, so... - 04:52 PM
...so be careful about how you arrange your words – and where you put the punctuation.
I just read a headline that said:
"Apply your mineral makeup mess-free."
 And while I know they meant "mess-free" what hit my brain first was "Why do I want a mineral makeup mess – free or otherwise?" And… "What is a mineral makeup mess, anyway?"
I didn't find out. I'm not in a shopping mood and already have all the makeup I want at the moment.
But it did make me think about how easily we can be misunderstood.
What sounds just … (39 comments)

Playing in the "Rain" in North Carolina - 10:11 AM
 
Playing in the "Rain" in North Carolina                Over the last week, I have been lucky enough to view some of the most beautiful places and sites our country has to offer.          My wife and I decided we were going to take some much-needed days off and just drive.  Enjoy, relax, and see what we could see.  Through modern technology, I stayed in-touch with my clients, referral partners, emails, and office ... and never skipped a beat.  (Thank you portable WiFi ... Fantastic!)         Marilyn and I headed southeast from Chicagoland towards … (21 comments)

Buying a Wellesley Home? Don't Forget the Inspection! - 06:38 AM
Buying a Wellesley Home?  Don't Forget the Inspection! You’ve finally found the Wellesley home that is just right and made an offer and it was accepted. Now you just wait for escrow to close, right?  Wrong.
Now is the time to have the Wellesley home inspected to make sure you are aware of any possible issues in the home before it’s too late and the deed has been transferred. An independent inspector can evaluate your potential home on a structural and functional level and give you a full report, generally in under two hours. This report can help you feel at … (2 comments)

Lenn Harley: What You May Not Know - 07:10 AM
Lenn Harley: What You May Not Know
 I’ve blogged many times about the benefits of Active Rain – the abundance of Google juice it supplies to your website, the networking, lasting friendships born in the Rain, and learning just about anything and everything.  
However, today I want to talk about the mentoring that takes place in the Rain. When I joined Active Rain almost two years ago,Lenn Harley left a less than complimentary comment on my post, which prompted me to call her. Ironically, we became friends from that day forward and she’s been freely and generously mentoring me … (56 comments)

Shame on You for Crossing That LINE! - 10:21 AM
I recently had a call from a Real Estate Agent from anther state who said his fiancé wanted to sell her townhouse in Hawaii. Would I mind going to preview the property?  Sure, give me her phone number and I’ll make an appointment.   
He then starts getting into the price, commission and so forth and while I’m ‘listening’ I’m pulling up the property only to discover his fiancé is still on title with her ‘ex husband’.  I let him know I would be contacting her to make an appointment.
Fast forward a couple of hours. After taking my Sunday morning to whip … (115 comments)

My seller gave “Going Postal” a whole new meaning - 06:04 AM
My seller gave “Going Postal” a whole new meaningI feel pretty confident the majority of Realtors® have noticed that often times when a seller's home goes under contract and the process begins to move along that often times a piece of mail will arrive in the sellers mailbox addressed to the buyer.  This type of mail is typically something from the insurance company involving a quote or possibly something from the title company, alarm or cable company.  Those sending the mail are simply using the pending properties address since that is the property involved  No big deal right! The gracious seller … (130 comments)

Rainmaker vs. free account - 09:12 AM
I've read a couple of posts recently that inspired me to write this today.  One was Want to be Read? THEN you need to expose yourself.  Kathy Streib was talking about "exposing yourself to groups" there by more ActiveRain members.  Great idea.
I also red Bob Crane's Is ActiveRain worth $40 a month?  I gave him my opinion, but today Kathy's post made something click in my brain and I did a little digging.

Look at the difference in views of my "members only" posts and my Public posts.  The members only numbers are the ones highlighted in yellow.
And … (74 comments)

ACTIVE RAIN AND SNEAKERS - 01:12 PM
Don’t hit the report a concern button, I am not selling sneakers.  If I was selling sneakers this sneaker below would be the one to purchase.  If you look closely you will see it is a Google sneaker.  How cool is that, get your Google juice in your Google sneakers.
 
This post was inspired by Tammy Lankford.  She did a post about how many hits she gets on her public posts and I thought I would share this story.
 
A week or so ago I was at home when my cell phone rang and it was a local number … (30 comments)

Recent Changes to Craiglist Posting Methods - 12:47 PM
Love it or hate it, Craigslist continues to endure as a popular platform for Real Estate Agents to advertise for buyers, sellers and rental tenants. I have experimented with using Craigslist off and on over the past three years with mixed results.  I will admit my big mistake was lack of consistency in posting.  The Golden Rule seems to be that we must maintain a continued presence on Craigslist and post multiple ads each day and every day in order to reap the results we want.
When I frst started,  the actual process was a bit tedious and I struggled to … (51 comments)

It Thunderstormed On Active Rain Today And We Saw Red - 02:10 PM
It Thunderstormed On Active Rain Today And We Saw Red  Usually every day we have our morning brew with you, the members of Active Rain. We think of you as friends. Even though we have been splashing around here in Active Rain for a few years now and getting soaked, we signed up the first ever Active Rain Boot Camp.  The first class was today and we still learned stuff we didn't know. For example where to find new members to Active Rain so we can hop over and welcome them to the family. We always thought the points we accumulate … (32 comments)


Blog posts


Golf Supreme, Augusta, GA 30901, Hotel for Sale - Commercial - Georgia USA Economy Flag Hotel - Price Improvement - Augusta GA Real Estate - 03:26 AM
Good Income, Seller Financing with $500k down, Georgia Economy Flag Hotel … (1 comments)

Sell the Cars – Buy a House! - 07:23 PM
Sell the Cars – Buy a House!
OK this is my creative close we did last year. Client had lots of money but lots of debt. He wanted the house. Debt to Income Ratio was looking bad.
We are in contract and due to close in a couple of weeks when Loan Officer calls me. He tells me that the buyer had written off a lot of expenses on his auto usage that was not reimbursed by the company. Underwriters said the DTI did not work.
Now I am not sure of all the ins and outs of my clients relationship … (10 comments)

What would I do without my ActiveRain? - 07:55 PM
What would I do without my ActiveRain?
My first thought on what I could not do without jumped to all the items Bob said are excluded. Then it jumped to positive attitude but that is not in the categories.
So this will be my ActiveRain Success story as well as why I cannot do without ActiveRain.
I had been in the same business for about 25 years and was self employed. After 9/11 we lost some big clients. I figured I had been through the down times before and I would find some new clients. But the internet was also changing … (9 comments)

Are you Squatting or Just Showing the House? - 08:11 PM
Are you Squatting or Just Showing the House?
I am not sure what the etiquette is here, but just how long should an agent stay in a house with clients if others are waiting to get in?
Generally I take a cue from my clients. Some don't mind others looking at the house with them and others want complete privacy. But if I know we are going to be a long time, I do suggest we let others that are waiting in or to come through.
Today I pulled up at a house just as an agent and his client were … (9 comments)

YOU'RE INVITED - USDA CEU Wine Tasting Event May 24th With First Eastern Mortgage - 12:16 PM
USDA CEU Flyer … (1 comments)

9 Steps Of Every Los Angeles, CA Short Sale - 04:51 PM

If you find yourself unable to avoid foreclosure, and cannot find any other option – loan modification, refinancing, etc. – getting your lender’s approval for a short sale may be the best alternative for you. However, the short sale process is sort of complicated, and changes depending on your specific situation and your lender’s requirements. Here are the basic steps you need to go through in order to get a lender-approved short sale. By following Step 3 (hiring me), I will help and guide you in preparing all the required documents for your lender and will directly follow-up on your … (1 comments)

HUGE PRICE REDUCTION! FORECLOSURE LOOKING FOR OFFERS - 04:25 PM
… (0 comments)

What’s Happening in Landisville Hunt, Buckingham PA - 08:05 AM
 
April 2012 Newsletter           
         What’s Happening in Landisville Hunt
 
ACTIVE: 4261 Arbor Lane — A Columbia model, 4 bedrooms, 3 full & 2 half baths, full, finished basement. Started at  $710,000. Reduced to $695,000. On the market for 190 days.
WITHDRAWN: 4273 Arbor Lane — 4 bedrooms, 3 full & 1 half bath. Listed for $749,000. On the market for 171 days.
PENDING: none     SOLD: none
… (0 comments)

Santa Clarita real estate bidding wars! - 02:39 PM
Santa Clarita is reflecting the national trend of bidding wars. Santa Clarita home buyers and Investors are sometimes shocked to learn that many homes on the Santa Clarita real estate market are seeing multiple offers, many above the asking price in a resurgence of the bidding wars we saw a couple of years ago. Home buyers are asking, “Why is this happening now?” The answer is manifold: Many national and local Santa Clarita home buyers feel that the market has reached something close to the bottom price-wise and are deciding to ‘strike while the iron is hot’. And when they do, … (0 comments)

Why The In-House Title Insurance Company? Why? - 09:09 AM
The In-House Title Insurance Company has been my biggest competitor since day one in the Title Insurance business ...well, since being in sales in the business I should say.
I hear so many Realtors within Real Estate companies with In-House Title companies complain about service, pricing, and turn times yet still continue to use them so, I ask myself - why? Why do they feel so compelled to use this In-House Title company if they are not meeting expectations for them or their clients? Why?
So, beyond this blog - I have been asking Realtors that I serve on boards and committees with, Realtors I meet at networking … (0 comments)

Follow up after The Closing Table with Clients for 5 Years - 09:25 AM
The key to long term success in this business is to master the game of follow up... follow up after the closing table especially.
The potential for referrals and repeat business for years to come is not only endless but, it's priceless if you plan to be in this business for a long time.
Here at Franklin Title Agency - We've partnered up with Continuity Programs offering you a streamlined Co-Marketing process to follow up with your clients after closing table for 5 years http://www.continuityprograms.com/partners/franklin-title-agency/ 
We plan to be here for a long time as well so, we know we … (2 comments)

Worthington's Historical Treasures - May Opportunities - 11:51 AM

Worthington's Historical Treasures - May opportunities to see history in your backyard
"May is National Preservation Month" according to PreservationNation.org:"May is National Preservation Month and this year’s theme is “Discover America's Hidden Gems.” Communities from coast to coast are filled with unexplored historic treasures—and May’s the month to celebrate them!" 
If you are in central Ohio you can discover history on the streets of Worthington:  Discover Worthington's Hidden Gems (many out in the open.)
Worthington Historical Society
Visit the Worthington Historical Society online for information about the museums and historical sites in the City of Worthington including:
Orange Johnson House  … (0 comments)

Olentangy Schools News - 03:22 PM
 
 
 
Olentangy schools redistricting for the 2012 -2013 school year.
… (0 comments)

Market Summary Chart for Eastside Costa Mesa for April 2012 - 04:53 PM
Below is the chart for Eastside Costa Mesa, CA for April 2012. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me and I would be more then appy to help you out.
 
Based on information from the CRMLS as of 05/03/2012 and /or other sources. Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
… (0 comments)

Codbag Hit Counter - 06:34 AM
Website Hit Counter Codbag Basic is free and easy to use to help keep track of your results & traffic.  They are having a CraigsList feature coming soon! Use on your AR blog or any site that you want to monitor your visitors.
   
… (8 comments)

FOR GOOD REASON, HVCC IS BAD FOR HOMEOWNERS - 07:16 AM
This is something we deal with on a regular basis.  In the past year it seems to have gotten really bad.  It's crazy that an appraiser would feel like they have to "appraise low" in order to continue to get business because those low appraisals are causing sellers to either have to come down in price, bring cash to the table, do a short sale or stay in their homes, unable to move.  
 
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To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, … (0 comments)

Custom Palm Cove Golf and Yacht Club Pool Home with New Price - 04:42 AM
Custom Palm Cove Golf and Yacht Club Pool Home with New Price Spacious and Private custom Pool Home with Lake and Golf Course views, now $695,000!More information and pictures for 93 SW Palm Cove Drive

This Custom Palm Cove Golf and Yacht Club Pool Home with New Price is located on one of Palm Cove’s premier lots, this beautiful McNamara custom built home shows attention to quality and detail throughout. Expansive lake, preserve and golf course views, adjoining Custom crafted wood doors open to elegant living room with coffered ceiling, crown molding. French doors to the covered lanai and gas heated pool. Formal dining … (5 comments)

Open House in Newer Spacious Harbour Pointe Lakeside Home - 02:46 PM
Open House in Newer Spacious Harbour Pointe Lakeside Home Join us on Sunday May 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. to see this exceptional Open House in Newer Spacious Harbour PointeLakeside Home!
Location and Directions


Spacious master suite upstairs with a connecting junior suite that can be a nursery, office, or a 5th bedroom. Two additional bedrooms on 2′nd floor (one oversized – and possible to split in to 2 for a 6th BR). Utility room is conveniently located upstairs. Modern kitchen with breakfast bar and dining nook overlooking the screened lanai with hot tub (stays) all with serene lake views. 8′ … (7 comments)

See you at the wall. A word of encouragement - 01:17 AM
I have been stirred in my spirit all evening and found myself working on any number of projects and watching lightning strike every few seconds outside my dining room window. Hearing the thunder and pouring rain outside while I am sitting in my cozy warm house. I became overwhelmed by the love of Jesus toward His people and got to thinking about all that the Lord has done for me, and all that He has forgiven me of. How He died on the cross for me even though I was SO un-deserving of the grace that he poured out to me while … (3 comments)

Bonney Lake Lake Tapps Livin~365 Things to do-DAY 226 - 01:48 PM
Bonney Lake Lake Tapps Livin~365 Things to do
DAY 226: Bonney Lake Lake Tapps Livin~365 Things to do
Sumner High School’s 2012 Spring MusicalOnce Upon a Mattress: A comic love story, set in fairy tale times
If you thought you knew the story of ‘The Princess and The Pea,’ you may be in for a walloping surprise! Did you know, for instance, that Princess Winnifred actually swam the moat to reach Prince Dauntless the Drab? Or that Lady Larken’s love for Sir Harry provided a rather compelling reason that she reach the bridal altar post haste? Or that, in fact, it wasn’t … (0 comments)

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