Archives of real estate blog entries for May 7, 2012

Featured blog posts


Square footage and livability. Sometimes the two have no relevance to each other. - 05:03 AM
I have never fully understood the obsession with square footage as a measurement of the livability of a house.
Determining actual square footage is an art and not a science and depends on who is doing the calculations and how the home is measured. Is there a two-story atrium, or an unheated storage area “under roof?” Has finished basement space been included in the total?
What about knee-walls and head clearance? Many a finished attic space allows as much “standing space” as it does floor space.
Has a closed-in garage been included or an unheated Florida room? Does ALL of the … (37 comments)

ActiveRain Poured Into Santa Fe NM - 07:03 AM
ActiveRain Poured Into Santa Fe NM On Saturday May 5th ,2012 ActiveRain poured into Santa Fe NM.  We had a small gathering of 4.75 ActiveRain members representing 3 different states at the fun and quite educational meet-up.


Thanks to local Santa Fe Realtor®  Emily Medvec for her efforts in finding a great restaurant to meet called the Rio Chama.  The ambiance was very southwest and very Santa Fe style.  Emily made a great choice in all areas including the quietness so we could enjoy the round table discussion with ease.


Ginny Gorman of Rhode Island made the … (52 comments)

Buyers Decide Within 8 Seconds Whether They Are Interested In A Home - 05:33 AM
I am a huge fan of Real Estate Agent and Mogul Barbara Corcoran. Barbara is a Real Estate Contributor on NBC's Today show and the wonderful addition to ABC's Shark Tank. Per Barbara:
"BUYERS DECIDE WITHIN 8 SECONDS WHETHER THEY ARE INTERESTED IN YOUR HOME."
I'm not surprised by this at all. It's the first impression when walking in and hearing "Wow, this is cute" or "Ugh, what is that smell?" pretty much sums of the next few minutes of the tour of that home.
I always tell my buyers that they will know when they walk in if this is … (96 comments)

Appraisals Continue to Be an Issue - 03:23 PM
Tens of thousands of homeowners continue to have trouble taking advantage of historically low interest rates. Real estate agents and home builders complain that between 10%-40% of their contracts either require modification or fall apart. The culprit? Real estate appraisals that fail to support value.   Are appraisers told to come in low? Is there motive? No and no.
The first thing to remember is that an appraiser does not set value, the market does. The indicated value of the appraised home is set by recent comparable sales in the same area, including short sales and foreclosures. Appraisers have explicit guidelines to follow … (16 comments)

I am buying a "NEW" Home. Should I do home inspection - 03:48 PM
 
I am buying a "NEW" Home.  Should I do a home inspection.
 
That is a really good question.  At the very least you should have the building inspected before the application of the drywall.  This enables the inspector to examine the details of the structure, items that would then be hidden by the drywall.  Item’s such as framework, support beams, electrical and plumbing rough out and roof venting just to name a few.  If a deficiency is noted, it can be repaired prior to the drywall being installed.
 
 
 

Some common deficiencies might be defective lumber, improperly … (30 comments)

The Voice! No It's Not a Reality Show..But You'll Want to Find It! - 03:43 AM
The Voice! No it’s Not a Reality Show...But You’ll Want to Find It!One of the many pieces of advice I’ve learned while reading “How To” posts here by seasoned bloggers was to write in your own voice.  Now.. what the heck does that mean?  For many here, it seems to come naturally.  You can read their post and come away with a feel for who they are.  My BARFF Roger Mucci is one who does just that.  Read what he writes, and he’ll readily admit it’s often about nothing, and you feel as if you’ve just had a conversation with him. … (48 comments)

A Huge Thank You to Erica Ramus, My SEO Sensei - 02:40 PM
 

 
Intrigued by the wonderful opportunity to mentor or be mentored, I chose to be mentored (Since I only started November 2011, I still am wet under the armpits so to speak). I put a call out to Erica Ramus, an ambassador and long standing member of active rain. I wanted help with SEO and hyperlocalism.

 
 
 
 
Since I am a glutton for work, I wanted EVERYTHING. She very gracefully slowed me down and gave me two tasks after studying my website and blogging presence.
1. Make sure folks can view my blog without leaving … (27 comments)

Nothing But Agent Bullying - 12:32 PM
Nothing But Agent Bullying
Over the past several years the public has been informed and educated on the bullying found amongst youths primarily in our schools. .Although the behavior of bullying is not new our youth do not seem to possess the skills or wills to overcome the effects of bullying. It is heartbreaking that some of our youth have found no other recourse but to turn to suicide to end the effects of bullying on their lives.In my years of experience with real estate I have encountered only a few agents who attempt to utilize intimidation as a method of … (26 comments)

The Physician's Loan Program in San Antonio, TX - 10:36 PM
The Physician’s Loan Program in San Antonio, TXI recently read a post by Lenn Harley, What is the Physician’s Loan You Ask? Lenn gives us a very clear explanation and purpose of this loan. I did some research and discovered they are offered at a few banks in San Antonio, TX. The Physician’s Loan Programs recognizes the special financial needs of our professionals in the medical field.
The benefits of this Loan Program include:* 100% Loans* No Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)* Fixed or Adjustable Rates* 15 or 30 year amortization* Special consideration given on student loans* Gift funds are allowed* Available … (53 comments)

To You Grasshoppers: 10 Steps To Move Up To The Next Price Range - 12:02 PM
This morning, I checked out the Sensei Grasshopper Group looking for a mentee in search of a mentor.  And there was one post where I thought I might be able to offer some useful information. In her post, Mentor wanted, can you help?, Laura Flip asked for help in moving up to a higher price range.
I could tell from her post that Laura already has a lot going for her.  Last year, she did an impressive 51 transactions, so clearly she knows how to list and sell real estate.  But it was all at prices of under $100,000.  Now, I'm … (29 comments)

Manhattan's Final Frontier | The Hudson Yards Neighborhood - 08:13 AM
 New York City's Newest Neighborhood begins construction

Phase I Ready for Occupancy in 2015
While Londoner's will be proud this summer when they host the 2012 Olympics in London, Manhattanites can be proud that New York City lost the bid to London several years ago. The center piece of New York City's bid was a new Jets Football stadium to be built in midtown Manhattan at the Hudson Yards. Many Manhattanites neither wanted the stadium or the Olympics here.
So instead of a football stadium and the Olympics New York City is getting a new 21st century neighborhood. What was … (14 comments)

How Local Is Local Enough? - 02:01 PM
All real estate is local, right? But maybe our definition of local isn't narrow enough, and maybe it's focused in the wrong direction. Maybe, instead of thinking geographically, we need to think individually.
I was reading Scott Godzyk's What do you think of our current market Conditions? post this morning, about how the different agents he has been talking to have different impressions of their market, and I started thinking about how we all experience - and to some extent - create our own reality.
For some of us, this is a great market. Our marketing efforts are paying off - … (31 comments)

Real Estate Marketing - Special Reports Can Bring You New Leads - 03:32 PM
Offering some kind of special report is a good way to encourage website visitors to opt-in - so you can continue to market to them.
But what gift of information can you offer that has enough value to trade for that precious email address?
It depends upon your target audience, of course.
And there's no reason why you can't offer something different on different pages on your site. In fact, I think you should. For the most part, sellers and buyers have different interests.
Your niche market clients will almost certainly be more interested in something related … (24 comments)

Are Realtors® Really Expensive? - 09:38 PM
Are Realtors® Really Expensive?   Have you thought that Realtors® are expensive and wondered why they earn the big bucks?
Let me ask you some questions.
What would you do if someone offered you the opportunity to work 100 hours knowing that you might never get paid for that work? What if during that time, you had the opportunity to spend money on gas, marketing and other expenses again knowing you might never get paid?
What would be enough for you to take that risk? Would you take it?
This is what a real estate professional faces each day. We … (45 comments)

If There's An Accident, Breakage, or Theft; Who's Liable? - 08:07 AM
It's Monday morning and I'm going to ask some tough questions!  When one of my listings is being inspected I am there but I don’t get in anyone’s way, I bring a book and  I read, if the inspector, Buyer, etc. needs me for any questions, they know where I am.
 
While at an inspection I looked up from my book and I see the Buyer, a 72 year old man, following the inspector up the ladder to the roof!!!  This was a pitched tile roof!  I immediately got up and went to the Buyers agent to let her know what was going … (66 comments)

Steps Toward Leveling the Playing Field for MLOs - 04:01 PM
Steps Toward Leveling the Playing Field for MLOs
If you want to be a hair stylist in the state of Georgia, you have to graduate from a cosmetology school or complete an apprenticeship program, take and pass an exam, pay fees and complete five hours of education every two years.  
Let’s say the law changed and if you worked for a large chain salon you no longer had to be licensed. No more exams, fees or continuing education. You are doing the same job as someone in a small independent salon but requirements are different for you. That hardly sounds … (14 comments)

I Was Only Joking... Couldn't you Tell? - 01:39 PM
Recently I signed up for a service called Happy Grasshopper, recommended by several folks on Active Rain.
The first couple of emails I sent out got a few responses. This morning another went out and I've gotten LOTS of responses. The funny thing is, though, it was a lighthearted email poking fun at a company called Brainiacs from Mars. Basically, they will pay your mortgage if you let them turn your home into a billboard. And apparently there's an exit clause that allows you to ask them to repaint your house back to the way it was after a month. So … (19 comments)

Are YOUR Hyperlocal Posts Timeless? - 11:30 AM
Are YOUR Hyperlocal Posts Timeless?  
I listened in on a portion of the Social Media Marketing Camp the other day hosted by Ross “No” Hair on my phone while out running around and taking care of issues at a listing that is about to close.
 
The information from the famous Bob Stewart on hyperlocal posts was pretty compelling. So was Philip Faranda’s but that’s for another post. Hopefully we will get the recordings coz I want to listen again – it was that good.
 
Lots of us write hyperlocal posts…hasn’t hyperlocal been a key buzzword recently?…and know the … (44 comments)

I am Forming a New Organization: The ASPCR (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Realtors®) - 06:13 PM
Hey, Realtors® are people too.I don't know why the general public think it is O.K. to abuse us.  That's why I am forming a new organization, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Realtors®.  We need protection.And by abuse, I mean emotional abuse.  At least if they beat us we could bring in the police.  But our abuse is insidious.  We are generally the only ones who would notice it.I have been fairly lucky lately that I haven't wanted to check into a mental institution to see if it is me that is nuts, because I have had some … (92 comments)

Spring Cleaning, Active Rain Style! - 03:49 PM
It's time for Spring Cleaning, Active Rain style!  
I need to clean out my "closet" and get ready for a "yard sale".  I've got TOO many bookmarked posts that I'm saving.  Why so many?  Some I save to re-blog and some I save because they are great ideas for future posts of my own.  I have 150+ posts saved!  I would really like to get that down closer to 100.  

I've also noticed that I have quite a few DRAFT posts in my View Drafts "folder".  How many you might ask?  Thirteen as it turns out.  Perhaps I need … (39 comments)


Blog posts


8355 Connelly Springs, Carolina Blue Ridge Mtns Foothills, Morganton, NC 28612, Commercial/Business Investment Real Estate for Sale - Morganton NC Real Estate - 11:32 AM
Rehab/Health, School, Spiritual, 60,000+/- s/f Lodging/Dining/Conference - 48 acres of Quiet and Green, Special Purpose Use - Retreat … (0 comments)

What a Party ! A Tribute to Anita Rozenel - 08:09 PM
                      What a Party! A Tribute to The Music Lady   My Friends Sam and Anita Rozenel  have done so much for our community. They are the founders of Kids Helping Hopkins. This past weekend friends and family paid tribute with a retirement party for this wonderful teacher, affectionately called..The Music Lady. Instead of telling you too much...enjoy the photos.   Along with family and friends, Anita loves teaching, children, Hopkins, Elvis, Mickey, Minnie and Rock and Roll. Her loves filled the room of this party!  
                … (9 comments)

BEWARE ! Do NOT Pick up Plastic Bottles !!! - 03:46 AM
             Kids are putting Draino, tin foil, and a little water in plastic drink bottles and capping it up - leaving it on lawns, in mail boxes, in gardens, on driveways etc. just waiting for you to pick it up intending to put it in the trash, but you'll never make it!!!   If the bottle is picked up, and the bottle is shaken even just a little - in about 30 seconds or less it builds up enough gas which then explodes with enough force to remove some of your extremities. The liquid that comes … (15 comments)

30-year mortgage hits record 3.84% - 06:10 AM
  May 4, 2012 – Average U.S. rates for a  30-year and 15-year fixed mortgages fell to record lows this week, offering more incentive for Americans to buy and/or refinance homes.Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the rate on the 30-year loan fell to 3.84 percent. this is the lowest rate  since long-term mortgages began in the 1950s. That is below the previous record rate of 3.87 percent reached in February.The 15-year mortgage, dropped to 3.07 percent. The previous record of 3.11 percent was hit three weeks ago.The average on one-year adjustable rate loans also dropped to a record low of 2.7 … (1 comments)

Mount Vernon Ohio Ranch Home at 802 Newark Road and Located in Twin Oak Elementary School - 02:56 AM
Buyers today want clean homes that have been well maintained and this home will match the needs of most homebuyers!!! It's clean, nice, neat, in "Move In" condition and it is priced at only $110,000.  802 Newark Road in Mount Vernon Ohio
If you like to looks of this home and would like to view additional listing info and to see the virtual tour be sure to visit 802 Newark Road in Mount Vernon Ohio.  You can view and compare all of our Mount Vernon Ohio homes for sale and we have organized them in price order for easy viewing.  
Sam … (5 comments)

Why You Should Choose to Work with a Real Estate Agent - 09:42 AM
One of the best things you can do for yourself when you’re either looking to sell or buy a house is to enlist the professional help of a real estate agent.
Even those who insist that they will be able to do it themselves eventually find themselves feeling overwhelmed.
House selling is a lot of work, and it’s all about who you know, so who better to trust than a real estate agent?
Plus, with the power of the internet, finding the help you need when it comes to enlisting a trusted real estate professional is incredibly simple.
Searching for Real … (1 comments)

2243 Beurket Street -- $39,500 - 12:15 PM
… (0 comments)

7338 Regina Royal Blvd #72 -- $174,000 - 12:17 PM
… (0 comments)

1220 Doris Drive -- $169,900 - 12:19 PM
… (0 comments)

2412 Nassau Street -- $360,000 - 12:21 PM
… (0 comments)

Affordable Multi-Family Home In #Bronx #NY for Sale! - 07:28 AM
… (1 comments)

Brokers Open on 29 Lamp Post Rd. Doylestown PA - 08:25 AM
Jeri will be serving her award winning Chili tomorrow Tuesday from May 8th from 12 to 2 PM on
29 Lamp Post Rd, Doylestown PA 18901

Come and say hi and discuss current market conditions.
 
Did you ever walk into a home and it just wraps it's arms around you? MINT condition and loaded with charm inside and out! Updated kitchen features white cabinets, hardwood floors, island, corian counters and pantry. The living room and dining room are filled with light and look out over the spectacular patio and back yard. Living room has built-in bookcases and cabinets with … (0 comments)

Facebook is going Public, Thanks Mark! - 12:45 PM
Facebook is going public. The Expected Pricing Week of: 05/14/2012 for337415352 Shares Common Stock seems to be: Price Range: $28.00 - 35.00 according to MORGAN STANLEY | J.P. MORGANGOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. I just love it.
I started using FB early on to try and determine the real name of my leads. I would then “friend” them and I would start and continue all our communications through FB. I thought it was a better way to stay in touch, I would have their photo which made our relationship warmer since I felt I knew who I was talking to, and it also … (1 comments)

Manhattan's Final Frontier | The Hudson Yards Neighborhood - 08:13 AM
 New York City's Newest Neighborhood begins construction

Phase I Ready for Occupancy in 2015
While Londoner's will be proud this summer when they host the 2012 Olympics in London, Manhattanites can be proud that New York City lost the bid to London several years ago. The center piece of New York City's bid was a new Jets Football stadium to be built in midtown Manhattan at the Hudson Yards. Many Manhattanites neither wanted the stadium or the Olympics here.
So instead of a football stadium and the Olympics New York City is getting a new 21st century neighborhood. What was … (14 comments)

ARG duking it out with the likes of Zillow! Pull up a chair for this one folks! - 12:09 PM
I have to say that I'm a fan, I want to be a convert.  Listen to this video from ARG in San Diego and tell me how you feel about it's valid points regarding syndication.  If you are not aware of the controversy ARG pulled out of all listing content for Zillow & Trulia about 30 to 45 days ago.  This video also tells the lengths that these syndicators will go to in order to justify their cause and obviously their existance.

Zillow .... look out!
Trulia .... better watch out too!

We're on to you & hopefully others … (15 comments)

How to Write A Short Sale Offer In A Competitive Market - 03:47 AM
Tni LeBlanc of Santa Maria, CA give some great advise on offers for short sales in a hot market.  If one asks for lots of concessions on an offer which sends signals to both the sellers and the lender that it will be a difficult transaction, they will most likely accept a competing offer that is clean ans simple.

Via Tni LeBlanc REALTOR® Santa Maria CA Homes Central Coast:
How to Write A Short Sale Offer In A Competitive Market
 
The local real estate market in Santa Maria and Orcutt California is currently dominated by bidding wars and multiple offer … (2 comments)

Exhibit A Why We'll Always Need Real Estate Brokerage - 03:48 AM
J Philip Faranda of Briarcliff Manor, NY makes some excellent points about why traditional real estate brokerages are not going to disappear any time soon.  Real Estate remains a complicated business and the Internet is no substitute for local knowledge.  Another case in point was a call I received last week where the customer wanted to make an offer on what she perceived to be an excellent deal in our area.  She was unaware of the fact that this home had defective drywall, toxic mold, as well as some other issues.  Not quite what she had envisioned from the less than … (0 comments)

“Lots of fres hair” - Hair Raising MLS Bloopers - 03:49 AM
I love reading Gwen Bata’s series on MLS bloopers as well as her comments about them.  And often enough, I go back and check my listings to make sure that I don’t get featured in this series!

Via Gwen Banta (Sotheby's International Realty):
The Blooper Scooper is back, folks. Bad-spelling-while-selling seems to be an epidemic. Thanks to Jane Peters and Bruce Walter for sending me some great contributions this week. These are from all over the country, lest you think all the nuts are here in L.A.  Check these out:
Splitting Hairs
“Lots of fres hair” (Let me guess... How to identify … (0 comments)

Naples FL Real Estate Terms - Did Your Real Estate Agent Just Buy Your Listing? - 03:49 AM
Ellie Penaranda from Naples Florida writes a great post about something Realtors see daily.  It’s so easy to be swayed by some one telling you they can get more money for your home, but more often than not you are just being bought.  And in the end, it will still sell for at or near the true market value.

Via Ellie Penaranda - Naples Florida Real Estate - Waterfront & Beach Cottages (239.776.5077 Downing-Frye Realty ):
What does it mean to “buy a listing”?
So you are seriously thinking of selling your home and you do the right thing by calling an agent you … (0 comments)

Senate Banking Committee Raises Concerns With FHA - 03:50 AM
George Souto of Middletown, CT alerts us to more potential difficulties looming with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA.  It looks like we’re still a long way off from being out of the woods in the lending mess.

Via George Souto NMLS# 65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages Connecticut:
At the forefront of the Senate Banking Committee's hearing yesterday were talks of reforming Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA.  But since it is unlikely that anything will be done to reform Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac before the election, the talks mainly centered on FHA.
The concerns with FHA is that their portfolio … (0 comments)

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