Archives of real estate blog entries for July 31, 2012

Featured blog posts


How to Write Your First Blog Post - 02:54 PM
To all those newbies out there that took the Orientation class...way to go!  You've jumped in, well maybe just your toes are slowly entering but hey, you're here and you're ready to write your first blog post.  Congratulations on doing it, many are too timid of the unknown to do so.  I promise you that it does get easier as you go and even our most seasoned members look back at their first post and laugh so this journey will be a fun and fruitful one.
For your first post there is no wrong or right way.  When you start targeting … (41 comments)

Pet Peeve #1- How can I reach you? - 07:09 AM
I am running about 20 listings with 70% of them being short sales.  I receives 10's of emails a day from agents with many of the emails having no signature.  I have no way of contacting you without spending valuable time looking up your phone number.  Many times my response may be more complicated then a simple email or I am in the car and it is easier to call you to give you a timely response.
Please when you send an email, include a signature with all of your basic information so I (and others) may respond in a timely … (59 comments)

Fact is... - 04:44 AM
Stranger than fiction or so it's said. As a home inspector in Connecticut, I happen upon the strange and unusual, and dare I say innovative, at least several times a month. The mind it is also said works in strange and unusual ways or am I mixing up my adages. No matter, the creativity of people will never cease to amaze me.
Take for example this nice little ranch house. You may be able to tell that this part is an addition. Nothing strange or unusual about that, right? But if you're sharp eyed you might be able to spot something … (30 comments)

Chompie the Shark has Returned to Downtown Silver Spring! - 02:08 PM
The Giant Inflatable Shark that seems to swim right through the Discovery Headquarters Building in Downtown Silver Spring is BACK!Nick named "Chompie", the beloved attraction first appeared in 2006 during Shark Week.  The shark was missing until Chompie Returned in 2010 !Today he is back for Shark Week 2012, the 25th Aniversary of discovery's first showing of Shark Week in 1987.  Shark week - 25 yrs premires on August 12th at 9pm on the Discovery ChannelI saw Chompie today, he's a little beat up - but as cool as ever!The best place to view Chompie is from Silver Spring's Red Line Metro Platform, … (11 comments)

Do You Ever Get the Feeling the Lender is Lying to You? - 01:38 PM
Do You Ever Get the Feeling the Lender is Lying to You? My buyer contracted with terms in the sales contract to get a conventional loan. The buyer has great credit scores, assets, ample retirement income and is putting 10% down.
I get a call from the loan processor saying that she needs the FHA Loan Addendum. Now wait a minute. This buyer is getting a conventional loan so you don't need that. She looks a little deeper into the file and tells me that the loan officer switched it to FHA and she had the FHA appraisal back in her hand.
Now of … (65 comments)

WHEN YOU PURCHASE A HOUSE YOU DONT OWN IT - 07:12 AM
How many times have we run into people or have we incorrectly stated that when someone brings up the subject of do you own or rent and the person is in the process of paying for their home do we say..OH, I OWN MY HOME. Well, you do not not own your home. Your thinking is sound and you mean well and without stretching too far, you are saying something that is happening but not finished
YOU CONTROL...BUT DON'T OWN
If you have bought a home, then you are on your way to owning it via paying for it in full. … (111 comments)

Who Are You and What Did You Do to My Blog? - 03:40 AM
Who Are You and What Did You Do to My Blog?I was wandering around the Rain today and noticed some words underlined in posts I was reading.   I’m so used to seeing words underlined, either for emphasis or as a link to another website that at first I just dismissed them.

But when I saw words underlined in my own post, I thought … senior moment?  Why did I place a link there?   And indeed it was a link to an ad that had nothing to do with the post.  
I saw a few more like these and … (115 comments)

Does anyone work this niche? - 11:31 PM
There's one real estate niche I haven't seen mentioned on any of the Active Rain posts I read. Of course I know somebody is working it, because somebody prompted me to write a prospecting letter set and once in a while someone else purchases that set, but it doesn't have the popularity of some of the other sets - like the short sale letters.
So I'm wondering - is this a niche that most agents avoid?
If so, is it because it deals with a subject that most people want to avoid?
What am I talking about? Listing … (44 comments)

What a Buyer's Agent Will Do For You - Winnetka and North Shore Real Estate - 12:22 PM
What a Buyer's Agent Will Do For You First, let's start with the idea of a Buyer's Agent - read my first post, Why You Need a Buyer's Agent on the subject to better understand your position in the lineup. Okay, then.  So now you ask why do I need a buyer's agent when I have done all this searching online.  I know the area, the prices, the general trend - what do I need an agent for? When I represent you in this substantial and complex transaction, I am working for, with, and alongside you to make sure your needs … (13 comments)

Iron Railings Need Repair and Replacement Too! - 02:16 PM
 
Iron Railings Need Repair and Replacement Too!
 

It is important that we check the railings around the exterior of our homes, apartment, and commercial building. The result of a failed railing can be a serious matter, so checking regularly is a maintenance item that should not be overlooked. Taking the time to inspect exterior railing can be quick and easy.
What to look for in exterior railings?
Check for strength. Strong support in both the downward and side to side direction is a sign of a well-built railing. There should be little movement when grabbed or leaned … (34 comments)

How To Separate Family From Work When Working At Home - 12:46 PM

People are finding it easier to be stay-at-home moms or dads while also employed at a job. Technology helps these people work from home with jobs like telecommuting or even a home business. 
This may seem like the best of both worlds for family women and men out there, but it may be difficult for some to balance out family work from job work.
Here are some ways to help separate work from family:
1. Create a specific workplace in your home
2. Create a schedule and design work hours
3. Understand when it is time to quit
Following these … (40 comments)

Haven’t Been Liked, Friended, Tweeted, Reblogged, Endorsed, Recommended, Reviewed, Plussed, Featured or Pinned? Here's What to Do! - 12:49 PM
Haven’t Been Liked, Friended, Tweeted, Reblogged, Endorsed, Recommended, Reviewed, Plussed, Featured or Pinned?!   Here’s what to do!  
It’s tough in the social media world, keeping up with protocol and unwritten rules we’re supposed to follow. Plus doing things to gain recognition on major social media sites, including AR, which will translate into business.
 
Here are some suggestions for social engagement to ensure YOU get the recognition you crave. I warn you it’s long, so feel free to complain, but if you don’t read it all you definitely will fail.
 
You are worthy - your therapist keeps telling you that … (40 comments)

Keeping Sellers Informed - 10:57 AM
Sellers have simple needs. They want their home sold. They'd like that to happen as quickly as possible and for as much money as the market will possibly bear.
Now I'm not saying that actually satisfying those needs is simple. Preparing, marketing and nursing a home through the transaction process can be time-consuming and difficult. But generally, sellers don't care about the details nearly as much they do the final result. That's where their focus is going to be.
And until that final result, they want comfort.
They want to know that their agent is doing everything possible to … (55 comments)

Is Too Much Social Media Costing You Business? - 06:05 AM


Hi folks. Dick Greenberg recently wrote an article about his Social Media strategy and how he needs to spend more time interacting with folks on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

His article got me to thinkin’. I don’t do much of that so thought I’d put my “thinkin’” in an article so I don’t forget what I thought. Hey I’m 55. Forgetting things is what we do.

Anyway, here are my thoughts on the topic.

I think the interacting part can work both ways. I am not good at interacting online. I am however very good at … (78 comments)

Dear Abby....(Active Rain) - 03:57 AM
Dear Abby (Active Rain)
I need your help. Each day I find myself more confused than the day before. I built my mortgage practice on the premise that to give is good. Lately that message seems to get lost in translation.
A little background might help. I began my real estate odyssey in 1974 as an agent through 1991 when I shifted gears to the mortgage side of the transaction. During the 17 years as an agent I helped several mortgage professionals reach their economic goals. During that same 17 years I was never given a single listing or buyer … (44 comments)

Blogging versus Writing for School - 01:23 PM
Blogging versus Writing for School. Writing for school made me feel so restrained. With writing for school, I never felt like it was good enough and you had to follow all the rules. If I got too creative, some teachers didn't like it. Of course the teacher's comments at the top of my paper and along the border didn't help to make me more creative. It only stunted my writing.
Enter the world of blogging. WOW... throw away all those high school misconceptions of writing. Put the fingers to the keys, baby, and let it flow.
The more creative you get, the more … (51 comments)

The "real" real estate market in lower Litchfield County CT - 10:17 AM
How's the real estate market in lower Litchfield County? We hear it wherever we go. It all depends. Location, condition, these are very important factors to consider.
How is the real estate market in Litchfield County? Let's compare Kent, Washington, Roxbury and Bridgewater. All 4 towns are in the "second home market", all 4 towns were hit by the market downturn, all 4 towns are small, fair to compare. (That's not to say that we don't have a good amount of "full timers" in these towns either.) Bridgewater and Kent have been hit hardest. Although you often cannot tell when moving … (11 comments)

What I Learned From Jeremy Blanton. It Had Nothing To Do With SEO, Twitter, Or Websites. - 04:30 PM

 
A year ago I was involved in a top secret group of Super Agents.  It was kind of like The Hall of Justice.  Kinda.  
One day I posted that my wife and I enjoy dining out.  A lot.  Not many wings and burgers, but more like salads and fish.  I said that we were always friendly with our servers, and that we always left a business card.  
Jeremy chimed in with something a long the lines of "DUDE.  Don't do that.  That's not cool.  Just be nice to your server, tip well, and be on your way." … (52 comments)

Cooperation - 07:15 AM
I have been fortunate to work primarily with amazing Realtors who make me proud to be one of their number.
 
I'm in the middle (end?) of a transaction with one such agent. We went under contract days after his previous contract on the listing fell through. My buyer, though a nervous first time home buyer, came pre-approved, and ready to move.  We all thought it would be a quick, simple transaction.
Unfortunately, murphy's law kicked in, and things got a little complicated.
Where the biggest issue has been is a grant that my buyer found. The city will give him … (25 comments)


Blog posts


Stanislaus County Short Sales - That was easy! - 05:23 PM
Stanislaus County Short Sales -  That was easy!
 
If you have your home listed as a Stanislaus County Short Sale you will find out that one step in the process will be pretty easy.   Right now the easiest part of a Stanislaus County Short Sale is getting offers.  Pretty much anyone can put a sign in your yard and get an offer or several offers with out even trying.   With the low inventory and great interest rates available homes are selling fast here in Stanislaus County.   Multiple offers are pretty much expected now.  
But once you receive all … (3 comments)

JUST SOLD - 3 Bedroom Ranch in Oxford - 129 Millbury Road - 12:26 PM
JUST SOLD by Best Option Real Estate with RE/MAX Professional Associates!  This lovely 3 bedroom contemporary ranch home located at 129 Millbury Road in Oxford Massachusetts SOLD on July 31st, 2012 for $350,000!  Congratulations to our sellers Ron & Maggie!
Sale Price:  $350,000Bedrooms:  3Bathrooms:  2.5Living Area:  3247 SQFT
If you are thinking about buying or selling real estate, we'd love to work with you!  Let Best Option Real Estate show you what we do to get homes sold fast and to negotiate the best price on your next home purchase.
If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Oxford, click the link to get started or give us a call.  We are happy to help.
… (1 comments)

Retirement Ahead? - 07:13 AM
Maybe you're not ready to move into it but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't take advantage of the present opportunities to acquire the home you want to live in during retirement. The combination of the low interest rates, reduced prices and lower competition may never be this good again in our lifetimes.
The rental market is strong and a tenant could pay for your retirement home. The cash flows are attractive and the yield is bound to be stronger than what you're currently earning. Even if you don't retire to this home, it could be a placeholder to control the … (0 comments)

Is Too Much Social Media Costing You Business? - 06:05 AM


Hi folks. Dick Greenberg recently wrote an article about his Social Media strategy and how he needs to spend more time interacting with folks on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

His article got me to thinkin’. I don’t do much of that so thought I’d put my “thinkin’” in an article so I don’t forget what I thought. Hey I’m 55. Forgetting things is what we do.

Anyway, here are my thoughts on the topic.

I think the interacting part can work both ways. I am not good at interacting online. I am however very good at … (78 comments)

Stowe Vermont - After the Storm Photo - 07:25 PM
Stowe Vermont - After the Storm Photo
The Stowe, VT area had some severe thunderstorms last Sunday night - July 29th, 2012.  They hosted some strong winds, very dark and fast moving clouds, lighting hitting so close that you are scared to look to see if anything was hit, and thunder so loud you feel the house shake. 
 Actually, I like thunderstorms - unless they are in the middle of the night.   They usually mean the end of a heat wave.  What I find so incredible though is "after" the thunderstorms.  The clouds, the smells, the various shades of color in the sky after … (12 comments)

"The House Smelled Like Bacon, So the Showing was Short" commented the Selling Agent - 04:53 AM
  "Good Golly Ms Molly !"....to quote our Keller Gal Pal, Janna Scharf in the great state of Idaho...this comment from a "seasoned"....apparently not of the smoked pork kind....agent....really floored me.  Like a lot of agents, we use a showing company to set appointments for our listings.  We have found this to be very effective for a number of reasons.....but that's another blog...What this company does more efficiently and effectively than we can do ourselves, is get showing reports from agents who have completed the on line comments and promptly returns them to us in email.The email "report" on the morning … (21 comments)

A Little About Dana Ehrlich - 03:35 AM
*If the video doesn't show, please hit the refresh button.

 
Hello, I’m Dana Ehrlich, Los Angeles real estate agent and short sale specialist.
Here’s my story.
I’ve been a professional real estate agent since 2003. I found my true calling in real estate and I’ve been unstoppable in my mission to help as many homeowners as possible. I was named Rookie of the Year in 2004 and I’ve been in the top 10% of agents throughout the entire westside of Los Angeles...continue reading
… (2 comments)

Perfect Time to Invest in Rental Properties – Yardley, Newtown, Bucks County, PA - 07:21 AM

Whether you are a regular real estate investor, or you just want to take advantage of all of the current market opportunities, purchasing rental real estate is a great decision right now.
Rock bottom mortgage interest rates allow for less expensive entry into rental investment, and strong rental demand allows for steady and strong income. And with home prices still recovering, it is the perfect time to invest in rentals.
A quote from an article on the MSN real estate website states that, “When the money is cheap to borrow and the houses are cheap to buy, it’s absolutely the … (0 comments)

TODAY is Chick Fil A and I hope to see you there. - 08:18 PM
TODAY  is Chick Fil A and I hope to see you there. I will be spending the day at Chick Fil A today in support of business and against Tryanny and Government controled bias. It will be time spent with friends as 33 of us have agreed to have lunch there. Tonight I will be at the other one in town with my family having dinner. You can read more by going here and maybe you will go and show your support as well. Rahm Emanuel threw Chicago under the bus by denying a business that employs 91 people Mutiply that by the 12 … (10 comments)

Chompie the Shark has Returned to Downtown Silver Spring! - 02:08 PM
The Giant Inflatable Shark that seems to swim right through the Discovery Headquarters Building in Downtown Silver Spring is BACK!Nick named "Chompie", the beloved attraction first appeared in 2006 during Shark Week.  The shark was missing until Chompie Returned in 2010 !Today he is back for Shark Week 2012, the 25th Aniversary of discovery's first showing of Shark Week in 1987.  Shark week - 25 yrs premires on August 12th at 9pm on the Discovery ChannelI saw Chompie today, he's a little beat up - but as cool as ever!The best place to view Chompie is from Silver Spring's Red Line Metro Platform, … (11 comments)

East Village - 06:50 PM
Map these properties   Powered by RealBird.com … (0 comments)

Delaware County real estate market June 2012 - 01:42 PM
Delaware County real estate market June 2012 would have been brought to you about July 7 or 8th... by Maureen McCabe of Real Living HER but... 
 
 
 
June is missing. 
June 2012 was missing... June is missing.  Will July 2012 show up? 
Delaware County, Ohio real estate market
Delaware County, Ohio real estate market - May 2012 - focus on home prices
Delaware County, Ohio real estate market  - April 2012 - focus on homes for sale (inventory)
Delaware County, Ohio real estate market - March 2012 - focus on home sales
There was a rhythm...  June 2012 on Columbus Ohio real estate would have been... … (0 comments)

The Library at Lake Zurich - 10:33 AM
The Library for Ela Township is in Lake Zurich
The Ela area public library is found at 275 Mowhawk Trail, Lake Zurich, IL, 60047. That's just off Old Rand Road south of Route 22. Phone number is: 847-438-3433.
If you want to know what's available at the Lake Zurich Library, their calendar of eventsis the place to go.
Library Hours Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm Friday 9am-6pm Saturday 9am-5pm Sunday 12pm-5pm Check their website before you go, just in case they've changed since I posted this. Let's get reading.
… (0 comments)

7234 Dillman Drive Hudson OH 44236 - 08:51 PM
Fine Hudson Home! … (0 comments)

Five Political Thoughts As The Presidential Election Grows Closer. - 08:12 PM
If you are anything like me, you probably need a new psychologist.  And considering that you may do business on this forum, the chances of you wanting to eliminate potential business by expressing Political Views that may not digest with someone with the opposites view ... is probably low.  That's where I come in.  Nor am I a Democrat or Republican, Liberal or Conservative.  I have my leanings, of course, but they are issue dependent more so than "I'll gladly drink the Company Tea".With that, I recite my particular five thoughts today in no particular order at all:
Capitalistic We owe … (28 comments)

Article Marketing for Real Estate Businesses - 12:44 PM
Looking for ways to get more traffic to your website and build backlinks? There are multiple ways to achieve this goal, but many website owners experience success with article marketing. Read on to learn some article marketing basics and discover how it can help your real estate business.
What Is Article Marketing?
Article marketing is the creation of articles targeted towards a particular industry and then submitted to article directories. Article directories accept these types of submissions and typically sort them into subject-specific categories. Visitors to article directories can read your articles, and if interested, follow the links in them back … (1 comments)

Orchard River Hills Home For Sale in Dexter, MI 48130 - 05:18 PM
Dexter Real Estate: 7089 Wilson, Dexter, MI, 48130 By Ann Arbor Real Estate Experts
Bedrooms: 4      Bathrooms: 2.5      Square Feet: 1967 Immaculate former builders “Showcase Home”. Premium fenced lot in Orchard River Hills Sub. 2 story welcomes your guests. Immaculate kitchen w/ dining area leading from door wall to custom deck to enjoy your ice tea. Lovely master retreat with shower, jacuzzi tub, vaulted ceiling and walk in closet. Freshly painted, new roof, siding. Walk to shopping, schools and parks. 6 miles to Ann Arbor to U of M Campus. Immediate Occupancy. This is a great opportunity to own a … (0 comments)

Hamburg Lakefront Pinckney, MI 48169 - 05:21 PM
Hamburg Lakefront  Tharp Dr., Whitmore Lake, MI, 48189 Pinckney Schools: Ann Arbor Area Real Estate By Ann Arbor Real Estate Experts 7624 Tharp Drive Hamburg Lakefront

Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Square Feet: 2,235 Spectacular home with a million dollar view located on 112 feet of frontage on Hamburg Lake. Only minutes from Brighton or Ann Arbor this charming home has been the labor of love for over 40 years of the present owner. Enjoy the beautifully landscaped yard with brick paver sidewalks, large majestic trees, perennials, and a professionally designed koi pond and waterfall. Inside you will be delighted … (2 comments)

8855 Highcreek Court Saline, MI 48176 - 05:26 PM
Ann Arbor Area Real Estate: 8855 Highcreek Ct, Saline, MI, 48176 By Ann Arbor Real Estate Experts  
8855 Highcreek Court: Saline Home For Sale

Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Square Feet: 2,730 Great cul-de-sac location ranch home that is close to everything. Beautiful hardwood floored kitchen with plenty of counter space and cabinetry with a bay windowed breakfast nook. You will enjoy quite days or evenings in the sun room overlooking a treed back yard. Enjoy the great room with gas fireplace opens up to the foyer, kitchen, nook and sunroom that makes this home great for entertaining. The master … (0 comments)

Chelsea, MI Real Estate Trends - 05:40 PM
Chelsea Market Trends: 7/30/2012 Total Properties Listed: 202 Month-Over-Month Change: +2.54% Average List Price: $243,863 Month-Over-Month Change: -.05% Median List Price: $175,000 Month-Over-Month Change: -2.23% Typical Property Single-Family Home3.32 Bedrooms2.4 Baths$243,863 Average List Price$134/SqFt Average Price per SqFt. Average Price by Bedrooms: 1 Bedroom: $129,950 2 Bedrooms: $181,908 3 Bedrooms: $241,176 4 Bedrooms: $382,223 5 Bedrooms: $812,266 Top 5 Most Viewed Properties 857 Maximilian Drive 5 beds / 5.5 baths $3,300,000 13733 Orchard Ridge 4 beds / 2.5 baths $260,000 616 Grant Street 3 beds / 2.5 baths $152,000 620 N Main 4 beds / 2 baths $110,000 4731 Cottonwood 3 … (0 comments)

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