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Home : Blogs : Isa Alwazzan : Isa's Blog Realtor Technology Center Spot Light EXIT Realty Boasts Two Finalists for the REALTOR® Technology Spotlight Award   Via The Team at EXIT Realty (EXIT Realty Corp. International): EXIT Realty is proud to have two exceptional individuals named as finalists for the prestigious REALTOR® Technology Spotlight Award to be presented at the National Association of REALTORS® Conference & Expo this November in San Diego.  Jeff Lobb, EXIT Realty Corp. International's Technology Specialist has been a REALTOR® for over 21 years and has more than 10 years experience in the internet and technology fields both with Fortune 500® companies and startup ventures. From a unique position of having been a real estate sales representative and EXIT Realty franchisee, Jeff travels across North America teaching EXIT Associates the skills they need to get ahead in the ever-changing world of real estate technology.     "It's an absolute honor being nominated for the 2009 REALTOR® Technology Spotlight Award," commented Lobb. "In our changing real estate landscape, technology is a driving force in the way we communicate and the way our business is being done. I look forward to the challenges of 2010 and the new technologies that drive it."   Trecia Cooke, a real estate agent with EXIT Realty Group in Tomball, Texas, received several nominations from her colleagues who describe her as a "technology guru and more" and appreciate the "tremendous impact" she has had on the office.  "I am so honored to receive this nomination," said Cooke. "I can't believe I am nominated with Jeff Lobb!  He is so fantastic!"   "I am honored to work with such talented people," said Tami Bonnell, President of the US Organization of EXIT Realty Corp. International.  "The agents who actually increased their business during the economic downturn did so through the use of technology and by building relationships - Jeff and Trecia are experts at both."   The Center for REALTOR® Technology Web Log describes the award as "focused at leading edge REALTORS® and/or their support staff who make them shine in the field. Outside of recognizing these industry innovators, this award is also intended to show other members and their IT staff what others are doing, and get them thinking of creative ways to make technology work for them." Lobb and Cooke were both finalists in the Advocate Category, described as, "The REALTOR® and Staff members who go above and beyond their call of duty to reach out and engage people with the information and knowledge they have about technology. These are the individuals that are making changes in the industry one person at a time." For more information on the Center for REALTOR® Technology please click here.     Posted by Isa Alwazzan on 09/22/2009 10:55 PM   Comments (0)   Realtor Technology Nominations in the ActiveRain Channel   technology   Announcement                      EXiT Realty Group Welcomes Lisa Foust To Our EXiT Strategy Team !!!   EXIT REALTY GROUP | 10110 Woodlands Parkway, Suite 100 | The Woodlands | TX | 77382     Associate Roster CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO VIEW AGENTS FROM EACH OFFICE  Woodlands ( Pkwy )Office ROSTER: Tomball (Main St) Office ROSTER:  Spring ( Rayford Rd ) Office Roster:  Magnolia (FM 1488) Office Roster:     Posted by Isa Alwazzan on 09/04/2009 07:47 PM   Comments (0)   Exit Realty Is Growing in the Real Estate Market Channel   6 Reasons why your house won't sell. Via Alan May, Coldwell Banker Evanston Realtor, North Shore Realtor (Evanston Real Estate, Evanston, IL): 1. Your photos are unimpressive. The vast majority of home buyers start their search for a home on the Internet, your house had better look great in print. Not just nice... downright fabulous.  Today we are considering internet views as a 'virtual showing'... if your house gets past that, then they might (just might) make an appointment to see it in person... We consider that your SECOND showing. Today's buyers are expecting good quality photos (and lots of them... just 1 shot from the street won't cut it!), a virtual tour, maybe even a floor plan, if applicable. 2. It's overpriced. You've got to view your own property as objectively as possible.  Look at the home like a "buyer"... if necessary, go out with your Realtor and view other homes that are priced comparably to yours.  Be objective.  Given the other options on the market (and yes, you DO have to include short sales and foreclosures on your list... your potential buyers are!), would YOU buy your home, over the others on the market? If no, then you either have to "update" your home to meet or beat the competition... or lower your price to adjust for it.  if you can't afford to sell for the price, that you KNOW it sell for, you may want to consider just removing it from the market. 3. It shows poorly. This could mean almost anything... from the barky, barky dog, to the smell of the diaper pail.  Maybe the carpeting is a bit worn, or the woodwork shows a lot of wear.  All things that don't show up on the internet, but whoa.... once you get inside the house... they show up, like a cat-urine-smell on a 95 degree day in New Orleans! 4. You're invisible. Today's buyer comes from the internet, almost exclusively.  Have you (or your agent) simply plopped the property on the MLS, and started praying?  Are you on all the websites...(Trulia, Zillow, Craig's List, Google Base, etc...) all the places that buyers are searching?  If not, you want to be. 5. Your listing is tired and stale on the market. Okay... yes, you overpriced your home initially when you first came on the market 2 years ago.  But since then you have reduced your price almost monthly... constantly chasing the market down.... Now, finally you're truly priced where you should be... but your listing is tired and stale.  Everyone looking for your type of property (ie: 3br/1.1 bath) in your area has already seen it, sometimes twice... and they remember that there was "something" about it that they didn't like... but what they don't remember is... what they didn't like.... was the price.   Time to take the listing off market.  Let it cool off (3-6 months), and bring it back on fresh in the Spring.  Yeah, you'll have 6 mos. worth of holding-costs... but you'll more than make up for it in your purchase price. btw... Avoid the temptation to bring the house back on at a higher price, than when you left the market.  Just "don't do it"! 6. Your house won't appraise. The house looks great... you've finally gotten someone to bring you a bid on your slightly over-priced, but beautiful pied-a-terre.  But the bank appraiser says it's worth $20,000 less than what they've agreed to pay.  Heavy sigh... bite the bullet.... negotiate with them.   If you have to drop the price $20,000 to make it work.... "make it work"... chances are, anybody else trying to buy your house will run into the same problem.   Posted by Isa Alwazzan on 08/20/2009 08:20 AM   Comments (0)   Real Estate Careers Still a Savvy Choice: The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television Reveals Why Real Estate Agents Still Matter Via The Team at EXIT Realty (EXIT Realty Corp. International): (Pompano Beach, FL)—Even though the economy has been in a slump, savvy investors are still pursuing the “American Dream” of homeownership, and that still makes the role of the real estate agent a very relevant one. To better understand the opportunities in this field and how real estate agents play an invaluable role in the process, The Balancing Act welcomes Tami Bonnell, President of the U.S. Organization of EXIT Realty Corp. International. The segment airs Thursday, August 13th, 2009. “We hear all the news reports about the housing slump,” says Bonnell. “But there are still millions of people who are buying homes this year.” According to research by Marissa Miley, a reporter at Advertising Age, despite record foreclosure rates and depressed home sale prices, the real estate industry anticipates selling 5.3 million homes this year, many to first-time home buyers. And while computers have aided in the search and sale of one’s abode, real estate is still all about the personal connection, and that’s why so many women are excelling in this field. “A good REALTOR® really is a partner in the process,” explains Bonnell, “You need to listen; really hear your client’s story and be a smart detective. Understand the why for the consumer,” she said. Consumers can find facts on a computer but only a real estate agent can offer the insights, advice, marketing tips and negotiation options that make a home sale or purchase a smooth and easy transaction. Many women, especially moms, have found great financial success and a balanced family life with a real estate career, and not just in the boom times. Taking it to the next step, EXIT Realty developed an innovative residual plan that allows REALTORS® to earn bonuses from the transactions of the new recruits they introduce to the company, creating an exciting financial opportunity from which many women have benefited. “The real estate market is about good deals and long-term benefits,” says Doug Campbell, Executive Vice President of Programming, BrandStar Entertainment, the producers of The Balancing Act. “Understanding the importance the real estate agent plays was indeed very insightful.” About Brand Star Entertainment’s The Balancing Act: The Balancing Act TV show on Lifetime Television is America’s only morning show about women, for women, trusted by women.  Celebrating life and all there is to accomplish, The Balancing Act inspires and empowers with entertaining and educational segments, placing women in the best position to achieve success in every area of their lives.  The show is produced by BrandStar Entertainment and airs on Lifetime Television 7 a.m. Eastern/Pacific (check local listings).  Additional information and each segment can be accessed on the show’s website, www.TheBalancingAct.com.  Each episode is also available on http://www.google.com/video and www.youtube.com.  Sign up for the show’s newsletter at www.thebalancingact.com/join.php.  For more details about BrandStar Entertainment please visit www.brandstarentertainment.com. About Tami Bonnell:  Tami Bonnell’s real estate career spans more than 25 years during which she was instrumental in building three major brands. Ms Bonnell has been featured several times in major industry publications, including Real Estate Magazine, Bay State REALTOR® and Frog Pond Communications. She is a much sought-after international speaker, addressing thousands at events such as RISMedia’s Leadership Conference in NY, Inman News Conference in San Francisco and the Top 500 Power Brokers at The National Association of REALTORS® Convention.  Since becoming President of the US Organization for EXIT Realty Corp. International, her focus is on growth and profitability for Regions, Brokers and Agents.  Ms Bonnell is available for interviews.   Posted by Isa Alwazzan on 08/14/2009 12:48 AM   Comments (0)   RECOVERY 247,000; Jobless Rate Dips! Comments (1)   US employers cut just 247,000 jobs in July; jobless rate dips, strong signal recession ending                        By Jeannine Aversa, AP Economics Writer  On Friday August 7, 2009, 9:30 am EDT WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. employers throttled back on layoffs in July, cutting just 247,000 jobs, the fewest in a year, and the unemployment rate dipped to 9.4 percent, its first decline in 15 months. It was a better-than-expected showing that offered a strong signal that the recession is finally ending. The new snapshot, released by the Labor Department on Friday, also offered other encouraging news: workers' hours nudged up after sinking to a record low in June, and paychecks grew after having fallen or flat lined in some cases. To be sure, the report still indicates that the jobs market is on shaky ground. But the new figures were better than many analysts were expecting and offered welcomed improvements to a part of the economy that has been clobbered by the recession. Analysts were forecasting job losses to slow to around 320,000 and the unemployment rate to tick up to 9.6 percent. "There's clearly been a turn for the better. The worst is behind us in terms of layoffs. Now we need to see more hiring," said economist Ken Mayland, president of ClearView Economics. The dip in the unemployment rate -- from June's 9.5 percent -- was the first since April 2008. One of the reasons the rate went down, however, was because hundreds of thousands of people left the labor force. Fewer people, though, did report being unemployed. All told, there were 14.5 million out of work in July. If laid-off workers who have given up looking for new jobs or have settled for part-time work are included the unemployment rate would have been 16.3 percent in July. That's down from 16.5 percent in June, which was the highest on records dating to 1994. Also heartening: job losses in May and June turned out to be less than previously reported. Employers sliced 303,000 positions in May, versus 322,000 previously logged. And, they cut 443,000 in June, compared with an earlier estimate of 467,000. The job cuts made in July were the fewest since August 2008. The slowdown in layoffs in part reflected fewer jobs cuts in manufacturing, construction, professional and business services and financial activities -- areas that have been hard hit by the collapse of the housing market and the financial crisis. There also were fewer layoffs in the temporary-help industry, which analysts watch for clues about future hiring. Retailers, however, cut more jobs in July. Those losses were blunted by job gains in government, education and health services, and in leisure and hospitality. The worst of the job cuts have passed. The deepest job cuts of the recession came in January, when 741,000 job disappeared, the most in any month since 1949. Since the recession began in December 2007, the economy has lost a net total of 6.7 million jobs. Slower job losses are occurring because companies aren't cutting investment and spending as drastically as they had been during the depths of the recession which came in the final quarter of last year and carried over into the first quarter of this year. With companies feeling a bit better about the economy's prospects and their own, they boosted workers' hours in July. The average work week rose to 33.1 hours, after having fallen to 33 hours in June, the lowest on records dating to 1964. And, employers bumped up wages. Average hourly earnings rose to $18.56 in July, up from $18.53 in June. Hourly earnings were stagnant in June. Average weekly earnings, which fell in June, rose to $614.34. Those gains raised hopes that consumers -- whose spending accounts for the single-largest slice of economic activity -- will feel more confident and more inclined to spend in the months ahead, thus helping the recovery. Other recent barometers have shown some improvements in manufacturing, housing and construction activity. The government reported last week that the economy shrank at a pace of just 1 percent from April-to-June, another sign the recession is winding down. Many analysts predict the economy could start growing again in the current July-to-September quarter. And, the Fed recently observed that the economy is finally showing signs of stabilizing in some regions of the country -- especially in parts of the Northeast and Midwest -- bolstering hopes of a broader-based recovery this year. Even with the improvements, it will take time for the jobs market to fully heal. The Federal Reserve has predicted the unemployment rate is likely to top 10 percent this year. Some Fed officials think it could rise as high as 10.6 percent in 2010. The post-World War II high was 10.8 percent at the end of 1982, when the country suffered through a severe recession. An elevated unemployment rate could become a political liability for President Barack Obama when congressional elections are held next year. The last time the unemployment rate topped 10 percent, the party of the president -- then Ronald Reagan's Republican Party -- lost 26 House seats in the midterm elections in 1982. Obama has urged Americans to be patient and give time for his $787 billion stimulus package of tax cuts and increased government spending to take hold. Most of the money will flow in 2010. When the economy is healthy, employers add a net total of around 125,000 jobs a month just to keep the unemployment rate stable. To get the jobless rate down to a more normal 5 percent range, it would take stronger job growth -- of at least 200,000 jobs a month. Economists say it might take until 2013 to drive down the unemployment rate to 5 percent.     As reported by   Post a comment... AUG 7Mortgage Minute with Mark: Cherry Creek Mortgage Update     Mark Chaney Senior Loan Officer Cherry Creek Mortgage Phone: 832.428.5004 Fax: 713.456.2550 mchaney@ccmclending.com www.ccmctexas.com August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009      The Clock Is Ticking! Government Actions Mandate Time Sensitive Decisions These are new times in the mortgage business. Government involvement comes to those who need it, those who want it, and those who didn't ask for it. Some of the government's actions bring rewards for those who act soon. If you are going to be seeking financing in the next few months, here are some things you need to know. Keep Reading »      Save or Pay Down Debt? Get Rid of High-Interest Debt Before You Start Setting Aside Cash By Cameron Huddleston Kiplinger.com Should you be putting money in savings or investments at the same time you're paying off a loan? That's one of the most frequently asked questions we get at Kiplinger, and the answer isn't always obvious. Keep Reading »      What Does the Internet Say About You? Simple Steps to Improve Your Online Persona Before Potential Employers See It Your online persona is a lot like your credit score. It's already out there whether you check it or not. And other people-important people who make decisions about your future-can review it at any time. Keep Reading »      I Scream, You Scream We All Scream For French Vanilla Ice Cream By Kirk Leins Sweet, creamy, decadent and refreshing; is there any dessert more satisfying than a bowl of French vanilla ice cream? The only thing that tops it for me is when the ice cream is homemade. Follow along as I show you how to prepare this classic treat, as well as a few desserts that feature it. Keep Reading »      Don't Leave Home Without This! Subjects to Address with Your Undergrad-To-Be The college fall semester is right around the corner and for most incoming freshmen it will serve as a maiden voyage for living away from mom and dad. If you're a parent who's facing this situation, here are five topics that are a must to discuss with your undergrad-to-be. Keep Reading »      Get Organized Before Summer Ends! 5 Projects, Plus Proven Strategies from a Professional Organizer It happens to the best of us. We're so busy with our summer events and daily to-do lists that things get a little out of place and out of hand. Before you know it, summer's over-and the unresolved clutter from one season starts spilling over into the next. Keep Reading »      Go Swimming! Your Guide To a Water Workout There are two types of people, those who exercise on a regular basis and those who don't do it nearly enough. Regardless of the category you fit into, swimming is an exercise that can benefit everyone. So, grab your swimsuits and head for the water. We're going swimming! Keep Reading »      You are receiving a complimentary subscription to YOU Magazine as a result of your ongoing business relationship with Mark Chaney. While beneficial to a wide audience, this information is also commercial in nature and it may contain advertising materials. Powered by DB Nurture © Copyright 2009. All About News, Inc. Provided by: Mark Chaney Cherry Creek Mortgage 9595 Six Pines, Suite 8210 The Woodlands, Texas 77380 Post a comment... JUL 28Mortgage Minutes with Mark: Cherry Creek Mortgage Co.   Mark Chaney Senior Loan Officer Cherry Creek Mortgage Phone: 832.428.5004 Fax: 713.456.2550 mchaney@ccmclending.com www.ccmctexas.com   Higher Rates for Employees If your kids are taking on seasonal work this summer, good news. Despite the tough economy and an unemployment rate reaching a 26-year high in June, the Federal minimum wage was increased on July 24th from $6.55 to $7.25 an hour. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, this will impact 29 states, as employers are required to pay the higher rate between the Federal and state levels. 14 states and Washington D.C. already have a higher wage in place. This includes most of the western states, Vermont, Connecticut, Ohio, Illinois, and Rhode Island. In San Francisco, a city that imposes its own minimum wage, the rate is currently at $9.79. And while the increase is good for millions of workers this summer season, the increase may be a double-edged sword for the economy and the job market. Many experts believe that a higher minimum wage leads to a more stable and productive work force with less turnover and less reliance on public assistance, but with so many layoffs and payroll cuts in retail and the restaurant sectors, the increase could make a tough job market even tougher in the coming months.    The Child and Dependent Care Credit Many parents who work or are looking for work this summer must arrange for care of their children under 13 years of age during the school break. With this in mind, here are a few facts about a tax credit available for child care expenses straight from the IRS. The credit is called The Child and Dependent Care Credit and is available for expenses incurred during the summer and throughout the rest of 2009. The actual credit can be up to 35 percent of your qualifying expenses, depending upon your income. You may use up to $3,000 of the unreimbursed expenses paid in a year for one qualifying individual or $6,000 for two or more qualifying individuals to figure the credit. The cost of day camp can count as an expense towards the child and dependent care credit. Expenses for overnight camps do not qualify. If your childcare provider is a sitter at your home or a daycare facility outside the home, you'll get some tax benefit if you qualify for the credit. For more information, check out IRS Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses. This is available on the IRS Website, www.IRS.gov, or by calling 800-TAX-FORM.   Graduate with Honors and Equity According to Trends in College Pricing 2007, published by the College Board, room and board costs at private schools average $8,595 for the 2007-2008 school year, up 5 percent from the previous year. For public schools, the average cost for room and board rose 5.3 percent to $7,404 for the 2007-2008 school year. And this is nothing compared to off-campus living expenses, if your children aren't staying with you at home. With this in mind, many parents are taking advantage of lower home prices, low interest rates, and government loans to purchase a home instead of paying out additional funds for student housing or rent. With an FHA loan, for instance, homes can be purchased for as little as 3.5% down - and what a great investment. If history teaches us anything, it's that home prices won't stay this low for long. In four or five years, when your child graduates, you just may have some equity in this home while other parents are racking up a lifetime of debt. For a few buyers, depending on your circumstances and financial status, you may even qualify for a portion of a special first-time home buyer tax credit of up to $8,000 which expires on November 30, 2009. Either way, give us a call. We'll run the numbers and see which scenario makes the most sense for you and your family.   Social Media Slip Ups With corporations making an effort to be more visible in the social media space, the term social media résumé suddenly has a new significance for employees and potential employees. With so much competition for each job opening, employees need to be careful about how they present themselves online. For potential employees, be aware that Human Resource departments do visit your social media sites when considering you for a job - and not just LinkedIn® - all of them. They're browsing through your photos, your blogs, your updates, your Tweets, so make sure that anything available to them is something that you would be willing to share or discuss in an interview. For current employees, more and more stories are being reported about workers being fired by their companies for their use of social media sites like LinkedIn®, Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. If you're going to post on these sites, be careful what you post, especially during work hours. Experts suggest avoiding announcements about interviews, raises, or new jobs. Avoid badmouthing your current and previous employers. And, last but not least, don't mention your job searches while you're still employed.   Courtesy of: Mark Chaney Cherry Creek Mortgage 9595 Six Pines Suite 8210 The Woodlands, Texas 77380   Post a comment... JUL 28Free Webinar Today: Register Now for Effective Real Estate Business Practices for Real Estate Agents     July 28, 2009 Excerpt from:  Real Estate Industry Leaders Speak Out Free Webinar Today: Register Now for Effective Real Estate Business Practices for Real Estate Agents Tami Bonnell's free webinar series starts today Visit www.exitrealty.com/live_events to register for the 4:00 or 7:00 ET session today to learn effective business practices for real estate professionals.  Regardless of your company affiliation, you'll learn tips and tools to help with your real estate career. Today's webinar kicks off a professional series to be held live on the 4th Tuesday of every month.  Hosted by Tami Bonnell, President of the US Organization of EXIT Realty Corp. International, this series is open to the public and geared towards real estate professionals across North America.  Space is limited so register early! For more information, please contact us  Topic Tags:  effective business practices, EXIT Realty, free webinar, real estate, real estate career, real estate professionals, Tami Bonnell by The Team at EXIT Realty Contact Us   Email to a Friend  www.exitrealty.com  888.668.3948 by exitrealty    comment    ?top    link to this

Post a comment... JUN 24All the Ways Your Laziness Is Costing You Money by Daniel Adler
Monday, June 22, 2009provided by

A collection of financial improvements you can make right now - minimal sweat required.

Brewer, abolitionist, social reformer and English Member of Parliament Sir Thomas Buxton said, "Laziness grows on people; it begins in cobwebs and ends in iron chains." Poet and philosopher Samuel Taylor Coleridge had an even darker take on the avoidance of work: "The love of indolence is universal, or next to it."

Indeed, laziness has been a scourge of humanity for millennia. In Christian mythology, sloth was one of the seven deadly sins, and the price was heavy. Transgressors were fed to the snake pits in Hell.

Better yet, why not just fleece them? These days countless businesses make hay by taking advantage of our collective indolence - everything from not bothering to spend 15 minutes surfing the Web for a better rate on a savings account to not taking half as much time to mail a $50 rebate on a new laptop computer.

Forbes asked a slew of experts, in fields ranging from personal finance to health care, to estimate the not-so-hidden costs or our laziness, and to demonstrate what little you can do - because in many cases that's all it takes - to turn things around. Here are some highlights.

Not Choosing the Best Rate on Your Savings Account

Many Americans are content to keep their money in traditional brick-and-mortar banks. Put less charitably, they're too lazy to root around for a better interest rate offered by online institutions. According to Justin Pritchard, banking expert at About.com, the best annual percentage rate you'll get at a traditional bank is about 0.75%, while Internet banks such as EmigrantDirect and Doral Bank Direct can easily offer a 2.25% APY. May not sound like much, but it all adds up. On a $100,000 principal, compounded monthly for five years, the higher interest rate yields an additional $8,000. A quick search for a good rate at an FDIC-insured bank plus the few clicks to set up an account can take under 30 minutes. "People are creatures of habit," said Pritchard. "If their money is somewhere, and they're busy doing other things, they don't necessarily try to do better. But if people have a decent chunk of change, it's worth it."

Not Opening a Retirement Fund (As Soon As Possible)

Twenty-somethings aren't necessarily in touch with their own mortality. Take a hint: Old age comes quick, and you'll need a serious retirement stash if you want to ride it out in any kind of style. Too bad for those who don't bother to set up a 401(k) account - one that can automatically draw a certain percentage from each pay check without you having to lift a finger. Consider: If a 40-year-old starts saving $5,000 annually at 6% interest per year (a conservative assumption based on historical returns for the stock market), he would have $291,000 at age 65; if that same person started saving that much 15 years earlier, at 25, he would have amassed $821,000, three times as much. How to set a up 401(k)? Simply call your company's human resources department - you'll be enrolled in a matter of minutes.

Not Sending in Rebate Offers

Department and electronics stores often advertise goods at post-rebate prices, assuming most customers will be too lazy to mail in the rebate, which could save them up to 10% on big-ticket items such as dishwashers, refrigerators and computers. At Staples, a $650 laptop from Hewlett-Packard carries a $50 rebate. Don't let them get away with this. Filling out and mailing the rebate takes all of 15 minutes. Says Tod Marks, senior project editor at Consumer Reports: "Anyone who walks away from rebates is giving money away."

Not Paying Attention to 0% Financing Deadlines

Ah, the Siren song of "no money down." Many stores offer 0% financing for a length of time, allowing customers to pay in installments without incurring interest charges. Great deal, right? Only if you remember (or bother) to pay in full by the end of the no-interest grace period. Fall short and the often very steep interest rate that kicks in applies not to the remainder of the debt, but the entire original purchase price. Example: Electronics retailer P.C. Richard & Son sells a $3,200 television with 0% financing for 18 months. Say you've paid $3,100 at the 18-month mark; one day later, you will owe an additional $800 - the $100 you hadn't paid yet, plus the $700 in interest (22% of the entire $3,200). Not getting burned is as simple as reading your statement and sending in the bill.

Waiting Until the Last Minute to Send Mail

Overnight mail isn't just for cubicle warriors - it's also for procrastinating sons and daughters who forgot about Father's Day. Drag your feet and you'll pay a premium for speed. Overnight delivery at a U.S. Post Office starts at $13.05 for items up to half a pound and within two "distance zones" (there are eight zones in all) - prices escalate quickly based on distance and weight. Say you're sending a four-pound care package four zones away; in that case, the shipping fee jumps to $33.75. Meanwhile, regular delivery, which takes two to eight days, starts at $4.95. Saving that money takes no extra time, just a little extra planning ahead.

Not Taking Advantage of Corporate Wellness Incentives

With health care costs rocketing through the roof, more corporations are willing to pay you to be healthy - or even just to try. According to Fiona Gathright, president of Wellness Corporate Solutions, a wellness consultancy, plenty of companies are happy to pay employees $50 to $150 per year to take a 30-minute health-risk assessment and biometric screening to determine health risk factors. (Talk about money for nothing.) Tack on a lunch-hour health seminar and you could pocket another few hundred clams. "[Encouraging participation in] wellness programs is common, and becoming more common," says Gathright. "Because companies are trying to control health care costs, they will encourage people to change their behavior."

Not Bothering to Negotiate a Better Deal

"It never hurts to ask" isn't just a bromide - it's a serious penny-pincher. According to a recent poll by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, roughly 80% of haggling Americans were able to win better deals on hotel rates, cellphone bills and clothing; more than 70% paid less for electronics and furniture. Landlords? They're ready to negotiate too, especially in this nasty real estate market. What are you waiting for?

Oversleeping (But Not for Reasons You May Think)

Lying in bed too long is laziness defined, but the price you pay is not as obvious. Sleeping the day away can lead to insomnia, and that can be costly to treat. "This can be fairly common when people don't have a regular schedule, if they're on vacation, or unemployed," says Dr. Michael J. Breus, WebMD's sleep expert. "They pull themselves out of an overall routine, and that leads to a form of sleeplessness." The insomnia borne of oversleep can lead to obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension; co-payments for related medications run $30 to $40 per month. Sleep aids like Tylenol PM run another $15 a month. And being up all night in the Internet age can lead to torching an extra few dollars on books at Amazon.com or downloads at Apple's iTunes store.

Who knows? When you get back to sleep, you may dream of snake pits.

Copyrighted, Forbes.com. All rights reserved Post a comment... JUN 16EXIT REALTY'S FINEST VISIT THE HOUSTON REGION! Exit Realty Houston Region welcomed Tami Bonnell, US President of Operations and Jeff Loeb, Technology Guru for EXIT Internation LTD. at the Greenspoint Marriott in Houston Texas on Tuesday, June 16, 2009.

Jeff started by giving a history of his background in technology as well as informed the captivated group on how to use the many tools available to EXIT Associates and how to relate them to their real estate business.  Jeff gave key points and tips on FREE programs that are available to the agent and how they can be implemented right now. 

Tami Bonnell shared her prespective on mindset for the real estate agent.  How you can use A-T-T-R-A-C-T-I-O-N as your basis for a new prespective in not only your business, but 5 other areas of your life.  She shared from the heart her real life examples that all could relate to.

Tami and Jeff have both been touring the Texas Region spreading the good news about EXIT and its growth.  The event was open to any EXIT Associate and their guests.

For further information on EXIT Realty visit: www.exitrealty.com or www.TreciaCooke.com


Photo: from Left to Right:
Susan Mack, Realtor - Exit Realty Group, Tami Bonnell, President of US Operations - EXIT International, Ltd.,  Jeff Loeb, Technology Expert - Exit International, LTD., Trecia Cooke, Realtor - Exit Realty Group, Sharon Hart, VP of Operations - Exit Realty Group Post a comment... JUN 3CNN UPDATE: FHA BACKS AWAY FROM NO DOWN PAYMENT LOANS...  

Update: FHA backs away from no down payment loans

After announcing a plan that would have allowed first time homebuyers to use a special tax credit to cover the 3.5% required down payment on an FHA-insured loan, the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development apparently had second thoughts.

Late last week HUD released a newly remodeled plan that does not allow the first-time homebuyer tax credit to be used for the down payment. Seems there was plenty of push back that allowing borrowers to land a mortgage without any "skin in the game" was not exactly a great idea. What's amazing is that the proposal even got floated in the first place; the notion that taxpayer dollars would have been on the line for mortgages that required no down payment was a bit of a head spinner.

What HUD finally settled on was that lenders can essentially advance qualified home buyers the value of their tax credit today to reduce their mortgage costs, but only if the borrower can bring a minimum 3.5% down payment to the table. Approved uses of the tax credit include paying for closing costs, making a larger down payment (to thereby reduce the monthly mortgage cost) or buying down the interest rate by paying points. The real value of the new rule is that eligible homebuyers can now "use" their tax credit today, rather than having to wait to recoup the value of the credit when they file their 2009 federal tax return in early 2010.

Basically, if you meet the eligibility rules you can now get a maximum of $8,000 advanced to you to buy a home. Single homebuyers with income below $75,000 and married couples who file a joint return with income below $150,000 are eligible for the max tax credit. (A limited credit is available for individuals with income between $75,000-$95,000 and joint filers with income between $150,000 and $170,000; the credit completely phases out above those income levels.) Anyone who has not owned a primary residence for three years is considered a first-timer but to grab the tax credit you must close on an FHA-insured loan before December 1 of this year.

- Carla Fried

» Read full article on[Money Features] Post a comment... JUN 3The American Dream: Alive and Well during Homeownership Month! Press Release:  

To Dream the American Dream

 

The dream is alive and well during Homeownership Month

 

Is it still reasonable to dream the dream of home ownership? Although the white picket fence comes in many forms nowadays, from condos to co-ops, from townhomes to bungalows, the dream is still a realistic one for American families this June, Homeownership Month.

"It's not just a platitude to say that this is the best time in years to buy real estate," says Tami Bonnell, President of the US Organization of EXIT Realty Corp. International. "The National Association of Homebuilders recently announced that housing affordability has jumped to its highest point in the past 18 years and the National Association of REALTORS reported that existing home sales rose in April."

Industry insiders know this is good news but it has left consumers with many questions. In order to address those questions, Ms Bonnell will be holding two free, half-hour webinars for the general public on Wednesday, June 24^th at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET. There will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions during the sessions. Now anyone can ask an objective, experienced real estate executive for the real scoop - and get a straight answer. This is a must-attend event for anyone who is thinking of buying or selling real estate or wondering about where the market is going.

To participate, visit www.exitrealty.com and click on either the 4:00 link or 7:00 link to register. You will need an internet connection and speakers to participate.

Tami Bonnell's real estate career spans more than 25 years during which she was instrumental in building three major brands. Ms Bonnell has been featured several times in major industry publications, including Real Estate Magazine, Bay State REALTOR and Frog Pond Communications. She is a much sought-after international speaker, addressing thousands at events such as RISMedia's Leadership Conference in NY, Inman News Conference in San Francisco and the Top 500 Power Brokers at The National Association of REALTORS Convention. Since becoming President of the US Organization for EXIT Realty Corp. International, her focus is on growth and profitability for Regions, Brokers and Agents. Ms Bonnell is available for interviews.

http://exitrealtypress.blogspot.com/2009/06/to-dream-american-dream.html
Post a comment... JUN 2EXIT IS GROWING...REALLY!   EXIT REALTY GROUP is on the verge to be Top 100 Listing Broker in HAR/MLS (OVER ALL-ALL AREAS) out of over 2600 FIRMS! (data from HAR  ACTIVE LISTINGS)  {05/28/2009}.   This is in addition to 14 In-House PENDINGS!

Rank

Office ID

Office Name

Listings

Volume

Average

% Total

 

106

EXRG01

Exit Realty Group

102.00

$20,489,988.00

$200,882.00

0.20

    Comments (1)

Magnolia, Texas

                                                               CHAMBER POWER

 

EXIT REALTY GROUP is a member of The Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce that serve Montgomery County and the Magnolia-Tomball area. As we work to improve our community through quality economic growth and infrastructure, we also provide many services to the residents and the business leaders, as well as visitors to the Magnolia area. You can contact the Chamber www.MagnoliaTexas.org   CLICK TO SEARCH FOR HOMES,LAND, RENTAL, COMMERCIAL AND INVESTMENT PROPERTY www.ExitRealty-Group.com   Miss Magnolia 2009 Here are the results from the 2009 Miss Magnolia Scholarship Pageant held on Feb. 14, 2009. Miss Magnolia: Breanna Noland First Runner Up: Carter Ingram Second Runner Up: Ashley Kyle Third Runner Up: Alex Romano Fourth Runner Up: Corinne Strong Pictured (l-r) are Fourth Runner Up, Corinne Strong; Second Runner Up, Ashley Kyle; Noland; First Runner Up, Carter Ingram; and Third Runner Up, Alex Romano. Miss Magnolia 2009 - Breanna Noland Click here to download the routes if a mandatory evacuation is ordered.

Each office is independently owned & operated

 

EXIT REALTY GROUP

 

FM 1488 / Magnolia, Texas Real Estate

Wow...What growth. Over 110% in just 8 years. EXiT Realty Group teaming up with our local Chamber of Commerce to better serve local growth.  EXiT Realty Group & Magnolia Parkway Chamber of Commerce  are located at 7301 FM 1488 (Magnolia Parkway), Magnolia, TX 77354.

Community News

Honea-Egypt realignment may finish by the summer.

Residents are happy to see work has started on the realignment of Honea-Egypt Road and the relocation of its railway crossing south of FM 2854.

The road realignment and relocation of the traffic signals to the new intersection are expected to relieve traffic congestion and prevent accidents occurring as a result of the road's current curve near the railway. The project should be completed by the summer, Precinct 2 Commissioner Craig Doyal said. 

Click here to read the entire article.  This article comes to you courtesy of  HCNOnline.com. 

 EXIT REALTY GROUP Offers full service Real Estate Brokerage services....Call (281) 419-3948 or click on www.ExitRealty-Group.com .

 

Event at Exit Realty Group FM 1488 MPCC Reception

Location7301 FM 1488 Magnolia, Texas 77354 New Office view a map Date/Time InformationFriday 6 -8 PM Contact InformationIsa Alwazzan Intercolus@aol.com

 

Isa Alwazzan

The Woodlands, TX

More about me…

EXiT REALTY GROUP

Address: The Woodlands, Magnolia, Spring & Tomball

Office Phone: 281419EXIT

Cell Phone: (832) 473-8819

Email Me

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