Archives of real estate blog entries for August 15, 2012

Featured blog posts


Lum Elementary School - a parent’s guide to internet safety - 09:32 PM
 
Lum Elementary School - a parent’s guide to internet safetyLum Elementary School has added a parent’s guide to internet safety for their children to their website.  The guide covers information on starter websites for children depending on their age.  The guide suggests some websites that are age appropriate.  
Lum Elementary School’s parent’s guide to internet safety cover browsers that are appropriate for children which in some cases offers a closed environment with no access to the wider internet.
The parent’s guide offers some dos and don’ts for your children to be sure they remain safe on line:“DoAsk your parents … (20 comments)

What documents are needed for my home loan approval? - 09:39 AM
Home buyers may have the perception that mortgage lenders have increased their documentation requirements. That perception has been encouraged by some sloppy media reporting, but for most buyers mortgage lenders have not increased documentation requirements.
The low and no doc loans are no longer offered, but for full documentation loans which have always been the industry standard, documentation requirements have not substantially changed.
Document income.
Document credit.
Document assets.
There has been an increase in fraud checks. Lenders have become more detailed about sourcing funds for closing. Credit is verified again before closing. Bank statements and paystubs may be updated. Borrowers … (7 comments)

Is Your House The Full Smokers' Package? - 01:22 PM
Is Your House The Full Smokers' Package?
The other day, I showed a house in a neighborhood that I was very familiar with, and I hadn't previewed the place first.  And it was not love at first whiff!
"Wow, Pat!" my buyer exclaimed.  "You found us the full smokers' package!"
The place has new paint and what looks like new carpet.  It's been vacant for a while now.  And still, it reeks, as if the lady to the right had just walked out the front door. 
While I know almost nobody who smokes, it's been my experience that people who do … (53 comments)

Embedding Videos On Your Website- Is It Copyright Infringement? - 07:53 AM
There is a well known court case. Are you allowed to take videos from a video site such as YouTube and place them on your website?  
There are two parts to the answer of this question. One is that YouTube has specific terms of service and use that cover state that by uploading a public video you are giving permission for others to embed that video on their websites. But YouTube is not the only kid on the video block. There are hundreds of video hosting sites. They may not all have the same TOS as YouTube has. 
The Flava Works … (85 comments)

Explore the Floor... - 09:49 PM
Great flooring translates to dollars when it comes to selling your home down the road. Buyers certainly do not want to have to spend the big bucks to remove, repair or update flooring.  It's one of the first things they notice upon entering a space so if you are getting ready to sell, an honest evaluation of your property's floors should be top of the list.
Smart flooring choices are the base of any home design.  Choosing that perfect surface for your floor can be a big task.  You must factor in practicality as well as design sensibility that fits your … (38 comments)

Annual Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival ~ Fiesta Gardens Austin TX - 05:41 AM
22nd Annual Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival ~ Fiesta Gardens Austin TX
It’s time for Austin to heat up the summer – the Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival is about to take place. This festival began in 1990 and has become the world’s largest, drawing as many as 15,000 spectators and more than 350 entries each year. This year’s event will be Sunday, August 26th at Fiesta Gardens. In the 22 years since it began, what started out as a small contest with just a few spectators has turned into one of Austin’s biggest and best-known annual parties, attracting visitors from all … (26 comments)

Why I recommend buying your next home before selling your current home - 07:49 PM

Why I recommend buying your next home before selling your current home
I know for many people outside of the Silicon Valley buying before selling sounds like a very dumb and unnecessarily stressful thing to do.  I have several reasons for making this suggestion; the first one is the lack of inventory to buy and second, the lack of rental options.  
Unless you have a relative or friend that is willing to let you move in with them why you look for your next home you could be out of luck finding a rental.  I had a conversation in the … (38 comments)

Stop, Drop and Roll! - 10:27 AM
There have been a handful of posts, lately, that have gone to that dark place.
I know, I know, it's an election year, and we're bound to end up in that dark place every now and then.  When folk start talking religion, politics, gun control, immigration or more, the flames are bound to fly.
So, what can you do to avoid being flamed (or worst yet, being the flamer?).
When you see someone scritching their igniter against the barrel of their flame-thrower, run, do not walk, to the nearest exit.  Someone in one of those narsty recent posts suggested that "by … (60 comments)

Why Your Computer/Smart-Phone is Wrong - 04:55 AM
Why Your Computer/Smart-Phone is Wrong
 
I’ve had a number of customers quoting me their opinions of market values of homes of late as a result of their research based on automatic online services and/or their phone apps.  Typically when I explain the factors involved in determining true market value, I can show why these numbers are sometimes misleading.  Unfortunately, it appears that some consumers just want to believe what they think benefits their positions, regardless of what the facts are.
Here are two quick examples:
The first:  A fairly new subdivision, waterfront with dock (though a long way from the Ocean).   The home is … (20 comments)

This is a topic that gets a lot of discussion, how do you feel about it? - 09:21 AM

This is a topic that gets a lot of discussion, how do you feel about it and what do you do?

Every day I read and comment on quite a few posts, always the minimum 10 that I get points for, but many times it’s more like 20-30 posts that I comment on per day.  Some days more, some less.  I have over 250 blogs that I subscribe to, so I don’t hit all of them every day.  
 
Most of my posts get quite a bit of action too.  In a perfect world, I try to respond to each comment … (136 comments)

....here it is!!!............... My First Activerain Blog - 05:50 PM
 
....here it is!!! ...................My first ActiveRain Blog
 
     I just joined AR last week and looking forward to meeting all the wonderful Realtors and AR staff. Don’t know why it took me so long to join but I finally took the plunge and signed up. Maybe the reason it took me so long is because I see such interesting and great blogs written by other agents and thought that I could never do it.  But the main reason I signed up is because the AR community is so caring and helpful and so willing to help each other out.  There is … (83 comments)

I Lost the Listing But Earned a Client - 03:57 PM
I Lost the Listing But Earned a Client. It isn’t often that you lose a listing and come out way ahead. Years ago when I was working FSBO’s, I gave a very good listing presentation to some sellers. They called me back and told me that they were giving the listing to a “friend in real estate” and hoped I understood. The seller went on to praise my effort and enthusiasm and said he wished he could list with us both. I am glad to work with both buyers and sellers in the Clarksville TN real estate market and talking with FSBOs … (76 comments)

Can I get grab bars installed in my Sacramento shower? - 10:34 PM
 
Can I get grab bars installed
in my Sacramento shower?
 
There is a growing demand for the installation of grab bars in and around tubs and showers in Sacramento. Grab bars can be installed to help those that have difficulties getting in a tub or shower. Having something secure to hold on to while stepping into a tub can help to prevent injury in a slippery environment.

Important points to remember when installing grab bars in tubs and showers.
Mount the grab bars at an appropriate height – check with your local building department for suggested heights. … (28 comments)

STOP. THINK. DELETE. Or Do You Want That On Your Permanent Record? - 02:48 AM
STOP.  THINK.  DELETE. Or be prepared to suffer the consequences.  Your prerogative as a blogger and a commenter in the Rain and elsewhere to type and leave anything you want as long as it doesn't violate the site's rules.  First Amendment and all that jazz.  But just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD.No matter how many times we've seen warnings about being careful what you post, be careful what you comment, don't put up photos that will embarrass, etc., we still routinely see people type things that just make our jaws drop.  REALLY??  Did I just read what I thought … (119 comments)

You Can ONLY See This Kind Of Thing PRE-DRYWALL - 1 of 3 - 06:51 AM
You can ONLY see this kind of thing pre-drywall.  This is post 1 of 3 posts.
I am often asked by clients why a pre-drywall inspection should be done.  After all, the supervisor is there every day and the County (or other local jurisdiction) will also do inspections.
That is true, but they don't do what I do, nor do they look at what I look at.  And, sometimes, I find things the builders likely know about but do nothing about it.
Take, for example, this triple micro-laminate beam.
Micro-laminate beams are very strong.  Tripling them is extremely strong.  A triple … (32 comments)

READING FROM THE OLD POSTS HOME - 09:59 AM
I visited with some of my posts written from years ago or more recently. I like the comments both coming in and going out. I noticed that some of the comments that were controversial coming in had been removed. MM-MM Interesting. In the moment they were made, I didn't mind and even responded and here's why
COURTESIES OF THE HOUSE
When I discovered ACTIVERAIN and all that it offered, being so pleased I wanted to give back as much as I received. So, in addition to participating, I decided to comment to everyone who took the time to visit my post. … (48 comments)

How the size of homes has changed in last 50 years. - 04:34 AM
I have been licensed since 1992 and have seen changes in the size of homes over the years. When I first started and showed homes ove 30 years old they mostly had 3 bedrooms and one bath and a tiny kitchen  . The homeowners raised 3 or more kids in the homes and had no problems. The closets were really small. People cooked a lot and managed in those tiny kitchens.
Homes built in early 90s had 2.5 baths and bigger closets. These two things made buyers who bought a home  in the 90s want to buy these homes rather than buy … (75 comments)

Members Only Blogs - 12:40 PM



We're not new to blogging and I'm not new to ActiveRain blogging, or so I thought.  Publishing our Wordpress blog on Active Rain and about20other sites got real boring fast.  So we stopped blogging all together.  Then a Realtor*/friend of my sisters in the Clearwater area sent me a Facebook message that said, "you're great realtors why aren't you ActiveRain blogging"?  That was just a few short months ago and we've been furiously blogging on ActiveRain exclusively ever since.
                                                          Ok, I get it.  It’s not clogging it’s BLOGGING.
So, we don't really know what we're doing.  Clicks … (47 comments)

Making new members feel welcome and how to find new members - 01:30 PM
I'm creeping in on my 4 year mark at ActiveRain.  Less than a month.  My first blog post only had 4 comments.  One from someone I knew IRL and three strangers.  All 4 of them said "welcome to ActiveRain and congratulations on your first blog post"  I can still remember that feeling of encouragement.  I also remember the first few blogs I commented on and those who replied to me in their comment thread and how great that made me feel.  I felt like a contributor and not a lurker.  For all the time I have been here I have tried … (51 comments)

Watch out for the negative buyer with a game plan - 09:53 PM
 
Watch out for the negative buyer with a game plan  
 
 
You get a phone call. Lots of questions. Usually the person has just enough information to be dangerous. If your radar’s up, you’ll be able to see fairly quickly that they are setting you up. If you are a listing agent, what they will do is downplay all of the amenities of the home, and have a punchlist of negatives.
 
 
 
These types of buyers have been around real estate and know how it works, to a degree. They often think they know more than … (60 comments)

It's Dirty Work... But Somebody's Gotta Do it! - 03:37 AM
It's Dirty Work... But Somebody's Gotta Do it!

I am the proud mommy of a seven year old little boy!  He LOVES to get dirty, and I enjoy watching him have fun, so it's all good!  A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure (or was it pain) of working as a den leader for Cub Scout Camp, and we are talking about a whole lot of dirt!
 
As a REALTOR®, It seems that I am sometimes expected to do peoples' dirty work.  I'm not talking about the illegal, unethical type, I'm talking about the dirty, stinky, yucky … (39 comments)

The Tale of an Almost Sale - 10:11 AM
There once was a home buyer who traveled with Realtor in tow from home to home, searching for the perfect abode.  She looked and looked but in every instance, the home was either too big or too small, too close to the road or too secluded, too dated or too modern……..you get the picture.  Her habit was to look through each home, mulling over its faults, both large and minute.  Her Realtor would extol and rave about this diamond in the rough or that grand possibility.  One day, the buyer happened upon a true jewel.  In her eyes, this was the … (26 comments)

Want To Know How To Work With Builders..Here's My Version..It's Proven - 04:31 AM
 
The new construction market is gaining strength every month.  We are seeing more new starts and new pending sales long before the home is complete.  There is a shortage of resale homes in our area and that makes new construction more desirable. 
Many agents would love the opportunity to list new construction but they don’t know how to begin the process.  Real estate agents need to understand that working with a builder is not like working with a homeowner.  The two have nothing in common other than the desire to finish their journey at the closing table.
The first … (74 comments)

Are you leveraging Answers.com? - 06:25 PM
I just started using Answers.com based on a blog post from Michael George:  Sometimes the best SEO is no SEO 6 tips you can use right now.  If you haven't read it yet, head on over as there is some great advice in it.  Michael suggests that one of the ways to help your SEO is to help build your trust profile in Google's eyes (e.g. utilize Google +). 
 
He also mentions that it's good to set up an Answers.com account as well and link it to your Google profile.  And, you can tie this to your Google + account.  … (44 comments)


Blog posts


68 Units, Lot: 1.55 Acres, Florida Mid-Scale Flag Hotel For Sale - 01:32 PM
Florida Mid-Scale Flag Hotel for Sale … (3 comments)

Nashua New Hampshire Celebrates 59th Greeley Park Art Show - 01:47 PM

   Enjoy the 59th Greeley Park Art Show to be held on Saturday August 18 and Sunday August 19 at Greeley Park which is located on Concord Street in Nashua, New Hampshire. 
 ! 
     The show is presented by the Nashua Area Artists Association and will take place from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on both days.   
Parking and admission to the show is FREE
 
     The Greeley Park Art Show draws displaying artists from across New England.  On display will be artwork in diverse mediums such as oils, watercolors, acrylic, pastels, drawing, mixed media, jewelry, sculptures, photography and … (10 comments)

Biggest Mistakes Buyers Make in a Hot Seller’s Market - 01:45 PM
Brentwood Ca Homes for Sale If you want to look at Homes for Sale in Brentwood Ca you have to understand that right now it is a Seller's Market.
This is a great post on getting your offer accepted in a Seller's Market.
Click here for more tips on Homes for Sale in Brentwood Ca or Beyond, or call 925-260-4321.
Via David Grbich Realtor® Orange County Real Estate (Ventana Coastal Properties - www.FindCARealEstate.com):
In the current seller’s market that exists in many parts of the country, buyers need to perform near perfectly to attain the home of their dreams. In South Orange … (1 comments)

Vistas at Lakeway - Prominence Homes - New Construction Homes for Sale - 11:07 AM
Real Estate in the Lakeway TX area, out by Lake Travis, is booming with sales.  Preowned homes for sale as well as New Construction homes for sale.  Single Family Homes for Sale as well as Condos for sale. There is even an Active Adult community in Lakeway for ages 55 and older with many new homes going up.
One of the communities in the City of Lakeway that is starting to pick up again is the Vistas at Lakeway. This is a condo community that started about 5 years ago. Just over a year ago, the community was taken over by … (2 comments)

Stanislaus County Home Sales - July 2012 -Patterson Ca - - 07:05 PM
Stanislaus County Home Sales - July 2012 -Patterson Ca - 
 
The sales figures for Patterson Ca for July 2012 are in.  The totals below are for single family homes sold in Patterson.
 
Total Sales - 28  (40 Homes sold in July 2011)
Bank owned Sales - 6  which was 21% of all sales.
Short Sales - 10 which was 36% of all sales 
 
Overall, distressed sales (Bank owned and short sales) made up 57% of all sales.
 
The lowest price home sold in Patterson during July 2012 was $35,000.   
The highest price home sold in Patterson … (3 comments)

105 S 8th St Belleville IL 62220 Home For Sale - 01:11 PM
… (0 comments)

Baltimore Humane Society's Pets Of The Week - Meet Charger and Sonny - 07:52 PM
 
     Baltimore Humane Society's Pets Of The Week-Meet Charger and Sonny                                             
 
 
   
 
       Baltimore Humane Society's Pet Of The Week-Meet Charger and Sonny  
                        
                                                        
 
 
                                              
Search All Active Listings  
… (16 comments)

Take A Trip Back in Time and Visit A Historical Mount Vernon Ohio Home - 04:21 AM
Historical Knox County Ohio showplace located on a tree lined street at 105 East Gambier Street in Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050
Mount Vernon Ohio homes for sale and organized in price order for easy viewing
Sam Miller Team of REMAX Stars Realty 740-397-7800 Knox County Ohio Real Estate
… (4 comments)

42 Acre Country Mini Farm in Knox County Ohio - 04:33 AM
Additional listing details available by visiting 15501 Lower Fredericktown Amity Road
You can also view and compare all of our Knox County Ohio homes with acreage and larger lots.
Sam Miller Team of REMAX Stars Realty 740-397-7800 Knox County Ohio Real Estate
 
… (2 comments)

Mount Vernon Ohio Brick Ranch at 305 Marita Drive - 04:40 AM
Additional listing details and you can view an extensve virtual tour of this property by clicking on 305 Marita Drive in Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050
If you would like to view other available Mount Vernon Ohio homes for sale and compare what is available in each price ranch be sure to visit this Mount Vernon Ohio homes for sale listing link which contains our Mount Vernon Ohio homes for sale organized in price order for easy viewing.
Sam Miller Team of REMAX Stars Realty 740-397-7800  Knox County Ohio Real Estate
… (6 comments)

Luxury Home on the Edge of Mount Vernon Ohio at Summer Lane - 08:14 PM
Listing details and an extensive virtual tour at 10574 Summer Lane in Mount Vernon, Ohio
You can view and compare all of our available Mount Vernon Ohio homes for sale and we have organized them in price order for quick and easy viewing.
Sam Miller Team of REMAX Stars Realty 740-397-7800 Knox County Ohio Real Estate
… (2 comments)

4040 GRAND VIEW BLVD #40, LOS ANGELES - 01:34 AM
Wonderful Remodelled Townhome For Sale … (3 comments)

Quick Weekly Santa Monica Real Estate Market Update – Aug 3-10, 2012 - 03:18 AM
Santa Monica Real Estate – Single Family Homes:
Active Listings: 57* Short Sales – 1* Bank Owned/REO – 0
Of the 57 active Santa Monica homes for sale, 20 had their List Price decreased, and none of them actually increased in list price...continue reading
… (0 comments)

Foreclosure Affects More Than Just the Montgomery AL Real Estate Market - 02:18 PM
While much has been written about the impact of foreclosures on the Montgomery AL real estate market and the economy, little has been said about the personal effect of home loss on families, especially displaced children who are so often the invisible victims of the foreclosure crisis. Mortgage records do not tell how many children are in owner-occupied homes, and it is even harder to estimate the number of children in rental properties. Yet foreclosure affects not just the homeowner or landlord, but also the children living in the foreclosed properties.
According to a recently-released report by the Brookings Institute, an … (0 comments)

Cornelius NC Home - Price Reduced to $312,500 - 4 Bedroom - Waterview - 01:42 PM
Finally Peace & Quiet! Convenient! Lake Norman Access with Water View! Tired of Close Neighbors? Large Lot. Tranquility at its Best! Deck Surrounded by Mature Trees in a Natural Setting. Want Space? 4 Bed 2.5 Bath. Open Kitchen with Granite and Stainless Steel! Family Room with Fireplace & Wet Bar! Living Room w/Bay Window & Huge Dining Room.  Hardwood floors throughout main level! Views of Community Boat Ramp &  Dock. Oversized Bedrooms! Huge Closets. Boutique Community w/only 21 Custom Homes, Walking distance to 2 Parks! Memberships Available to Jetton Cove Swim Club! Holiday Marina across cove!
Downstairs
Downstairs has all the … (1 comments)

OldGuard MustGo wants to play... - 05:50 AM
OldGuard MustGo wants to play on the ActiveRain but does not want to identify himself / herself

Welcome a New Member* on ActiveRain? 
Username on ActiveRain is mlsbusters
Name on ActiveRain.com is...
Avatar is a cell phone ...  maybe that is an iPhone? 
ID'd self as located in New York, New York.
Anyone want to play with OldGuard MustGo?  I have more pressing matters, personally. 
As an ActiveRain Ambassador I need to offer these tips.
1. Finish your profile.  A profile that says:
"Use this section to write about your specific area of expertise..."
is not going to be … (0 comments)

Colonial Hills Elementary School: Back to School 2012 - 11:02 AM

Worthington's Colonial Hills Elementary School -  Back to School 2012 - 2013!
Colonial Hills Elementary School is at 5800 Greenwich Street, Worthington, Ohio, 43085.  The first day of school according to the sign out front of the school is August 22, 2012.
The Colonial Hills Elementary School website says:
"Check your child's school calendar for first day details"
First day may vary depending on grade...
The Colonial Hills Elementary School website (link above) has the 2012- 2013 school supply list as a .pdf now.
Worthington City School District
Worthington Schools are Excellent
Worthington Schools are NOT Included
… (0 comments)

Evening Street Elementary: Back to School 2012 - 04:52 PM

 
Evening Street Elementary School - Back to School 2012
Evening Street Elementary School is at 885 Evening Street, Worthington, Ohio, 43085.
Back to School Day?
Opening Day?
First Day of School? 
It's a little more complicated this year.  The Worthington City School District site and the Evening Street Elementary School website say :
"Check your child's school calendar for first day details"On the bottom of the Evening Street Elementary School website (link above) it says "Click here for Opening Day Information"  The "School Supply Lists" for different grades at Worthington's Evening Street Elementary School are available on the website also.  … (3 comments)

10 Killer Lead Generation Ideas, by Bob Corcoran, Corcoran Coaching - 10:24 AM
10 Killer Lead Generation Ideas: How to Turn the ‘Faucet’ On By Bob Corcoran, Corcoran Consulting & Coaching By Bob Corcoran, Corcoran Coaching
Full Blast for All the Leads You Need
Picture in your mind a bucket – not an ordinary bucket. Think of this bucket as one you must keep full – full of leads so that your real estate business doesn’t dry up.
The good news – directly above this bucket are 10 faucets. We can call them “lead faucets.” The bad news – many agents don’t use them. That’s unfortunate because each lead faucet has powerful potential. A … (0 comments)

Chelsea Real Estate Market Inventory Down – 8.7 Months Supply - 11:31 AM
The Chelsea Real Estate Market Report  provides Buyers and Sellers with more than just statistics – The report provides direction as to where the Chelsea real estate market is currently.  This report breaks down Days on Market in smaller market segments.  The information in this report tells buyers whether inventory is high or low depending on their particular bracket and whether this is a good time to put your house on the market and likewise a good time to purchase a new home.
For instance – Absorption Rate is an interesting statistic that indicates to buyers and sellers whether the real estate market … (0 comments)

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