I think it is amazing how many people think Social Media is the only way togo these day. Places like FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, YOUTUBE, BRIGHTKITE  TWITTER are all the rage and people are joining up in masses. SO what do you do after you join and what is Social Media compared to New Media ? Im clearly not an expert by any definition but I can say I get it I love it and Im looking to use it in any way possible. TO me Social Media is well Social its where you can meet talk and share with your friends or people you are trying to influence. It is VERY SOCIAL and transparent to the reader. I get accused of being to transparent sometimes. I was told by a family member to NEVER post that I actually drank a bottle of wine one night. ( NO its not often that happens) I use Social Media to personally connect with people. I want them to see me in real life and I want them to understand Im a person. I think the social networks allow you to be HUMAN to prospective clients. I have said many people can walk away from a big box store but they might not always walk away from a friend.

Now how do I define NEW MEDIA ? Its everything else that include social New media in my mind are PODCAST, YOUTUBE, TWITTER. interactive sites. Some of the social media sites are not only social but they can be human interface portals to get to know what your clients are thinking. Its like getting a pulse so you know what direction to take. Twitter is a great new media site. You can post very personal and social items but you can also use it to drive inbound links , share and track conversation globally. AMAZING ! 

If your in Hampton Roads and your wanting to understand NEW MEDIA visit http://newmediaconventions.com. Im helping to plan a large event and would love to have you attend

I spent the day at a business planning session in Midlothian Va. I think my head is swimming with all the stats and numbers. I really need to get a handle on where business is going and where Im spending my money. Its been a great day and well worth the over night in Midlothian. Im feeling a bit overwhelmed about all that I need to do before the 1st of the year. Im looking at where business came in from and where Im spend money. Do you make a plan ? Everything you want to do in life needs a plan. What do you want to do in life and where do you want to go ? Its amazing how we go about life with out any directions. I think planning everything you can will help keep control your stress. I take time to plan meals , budgets, just about anything to alleviate the feel of loosing control. What plans are you willing to make to reduce stress in your life and business.

Im sitting here in Richmond Va with an Owner of a Keller Williams Real Estate Company. YES I know Im a REMAX FRIST agent and I bet your thinking why is she there ? I was invited by Owner/Agent to come to the MREA Business planning session for Keller Williams. It took me a few days to think about it and ponder. I thought first will my broker and team mates think I have defected ? Then after a few days I felt WHO CARES ! Im an independent contractor and now one will pay my bills but me. I decided YES I will go to the session. Im so excited to have been asked and its a great opportunity to learn from others. I dont consider it defecting I actaully think its pretty wise of me to check out the other people and companies. You just never know they maybe the Silver bullet training we have all been looking for.

I think yes CROSS company lines take every education chance you can. Learn and rub elbows with as many agents seeking knowledge as you can. That I think it is  THE SILVER BULLET we are all looking for.

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/local_wavy_franklin_paper_mill_announcement_expected_20091022

Read the link above.

Wow Im thinking what is Franklin and the surrounding areas going to do ? My family has extended family that work at the paper plant and have started to get very concerned about what is going to happen to thier family and home. Im at a loss of thoughts at this point. I know the surrounding areas are going to be grossly effected by this. So with the 1100 losing their job what will that do in the ripple effect ? Great news Tim Kaine is promising to help but who is going to help the surrounding cites and the local stores who will have to close up shop. RICHMOND, Va. — Calling International Paper Co.’s plan to idle its Franklin plant “a deep blow” to Virginia, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is promising help to the nearly 1,100 families affected by the closure. I hope this is not something that kill this little town. Places like Como, Courtland, Suffolk. are going to feel this as well. Kaine said Thursday that he would direct the Virginia Employment Commission to dispatch an economic crisis strike force to Franklin within the coming days. The world’s largest maker of cardboard box materials announced plans Thursday to cut 1,600 positions in four states as it brings capacity in line with sharply diminished demand. Besides the Franklin plant, the company plans to close plants in Albany, Ore., and Pineville, La. It also is permanently shutting down an idled mill in Valliant, Okla. SOURCE : http://blog.taragana.com/n/va-gov-vows-aid-to-1100-families-affected-by-international-papers-franklin-plant-closure-203983/

Argh !!! Why oh why when you really want to help the people we perceive to need the help most does it end like this. I met buyer A via my webpage. Wonderful sweet buyer with a nature willing to do what it took to be a home owner. We set A up with X lender and got the loan approval go ahead. Now the fun part looking looking looking. It took several weeks to locate a home that was in tip top shape as buyer A was not able to do anything to the home and needed it move in ready. I was so happy when I was given the name and number of seller from someone on my team. I called I met the seller and it was a perfect match a home that would be renovated from top to bottom in a great area for 92k. Buyer A was on cloud 9 and so was I . We opted to extend the closing by 60 days to give seller the time to do all the things asked for. During the that time Lender X was starting to falter with the loan app and asked for more and more information. I even had them telling me they though buyer A was not who they were via photos on the ID. I also faced the challenge of Lender X wanting to force new loan guidelines on buyer A because we had not closed yet. I was jumping through hoop after hoop and so was buyer A. I was getting more and more ticked as Lender X just kept coming up with more and more things they wanted. We know this was going down hill like a speeding truck. I asked Seller would they extend the closing to allow the buyer to get the loan approval. TO my disbelief the seller did . We needed early possession now too because buyer A had given notice to the apartments 2 weeks prior AFTER the bank requested a 2nd appraisal and it came in at value. We had no reason to think up to that point we would not close this loan. To end the story here is were we are. 1. buyer had to find a home 2. seller was not able to give early possession 3. lender will most likely issue a loan denial today after 60+ days 4. Contract will be released today In 8 years I can count on one hand my contracts that have not closed. It really tics me off this was only 92 k COME ON People is what I wanted to say . I feel horrible for the buyer she had to scramble at the last minute to find a home and the seller is not left trying to sell a 2 bed 1 bath house in this market ! THANKS LENDER X !!!! ( company that is not the person ) You know I think we did what we could. The only regret is not switching companies faster to see if its Lender X or the loan ?

Hampton Roads' Real Estate market is in good shape.

I'm a full time Realtor in the Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk sales market. I don't think Short sales and REO's are taking over the market. I do think there is a good inventory of homes to choose from of these types of homes but I also see a lot of traditional listings. Sellers are understanding the values and the market now and I think are getting used to offers that are asking for closing costs or price reductions.

If you're a buyer and you're still thinking asking yourself, "Is this the right time to buy?" I want you to consider this. The bottom may have been hit and sellers took about 1.5 years to say to themselves, "Hey, we are in a buyers' market."  Really, it's like a perfect storm for you .

NOW is the time to BUY! With the credits, the flexible sellers, and the inventory, you might just find your DEAL of the century. It was only a few years ago that people where kicking themselves because they did not buy BEFORE the values sky rocketed.

Will you be sitting there again saying to yourself, I missed it again? I'd love to talk with you. My team has over 60 listings, many are steals, deals and bargains. Let's get you loan approved and into a home before the sellers' market returns! 

Southside reports :

Active listings are above 2007 by 801, but down by 433 from 2008 levels. Listings are slowing, when the inventory drops you start to see a swing to the seller market. Demand goes up and prices do too.

Pending sales are up and settled sales are steady. I wonder if that is a reflection of all the short sales and REO's that still need to close?

Off market time increased by 12 days from 2008 and sold times increased by 13 days.
Membership for REIN is also down. I guess with the market, members might be looking at getting other jobs. 

Great, will my property taxes rise again?

I'm 2 days behind in reading the newspaper so this may not be new to some readers. WHAT? RAISE TAXES!!!!! That's what I was thinking when I read that the city is looking to build or improve some Bayside centers. Projects to be included are an animal shelter and a Bayside recreation center. I thought, "Wow, there is a really nice rec center on First Court Road. I wonder how full it is? I wonder if it's so full they need a new one?" I have to admit the animal shelter might be a needed project but with these new buildings comes additional expenses, staff, utilities. I don't think they are going raise the tax then lower the tax once the projects are completed. I wonder, can't they find the money somewhere within the system already?

Did you know?  If you are using FHA loans, you better be sure the home you have been eyeballing has been in the current owner's possession for at least 90 days. With all these short sales, investors are snapping them up and selling them within 30 days. When you walk into a vacant, updated home, always ask, "IS THIS A FLIP??!!!!" The last thing you want is to find out is that you cannot get your loan.

 Here are some red flags to keep an eye for:

RED FLAG 1. The home is vacant and totally updated
RED FLAG 2. The seller is an LLC
RED FLAG 3. The name on the tax record and the person selling it are different. ASK!

Currently, you cannot even contract on the home within the 90 days of a new owner purchasing the home. The best you can do is on the 91st day, WRITE THE OFFER!
You can still do a loan application and know you are set but you cannot contract on the home.

I would love to talk with you about other options if you have to have that home! 

What does a Hampton Roads realtor do all day?

STORY #1:  Monday was a wonderful and wild day.  I was thrilled to meet my new clients. Our day started at 9:30 so that we could review buyer disclosures and purchase contract information. Next, we moved onto the part every client loves, HOME SHOPPING!!! My clients chose 9 homes they wanted to see - 2 were under-contract and 2 were short-sales. I also decided that while we were in the area I might as well see what else was for sale. I pulled an additional 32 homes and we settled on 2 more to see. With the tour ready and 7 homes to see that day, we set off to Hickory. It's funny as it seems a bit like a goldilocks story. TOO BIG, TOO SMALL, JUST RIGHT! After getting to Upton Farms and viewing the homes, we narrowed it down to the best 2. We drove to the office and I suggested my client go get something to eat and give themselves a moment to catch their breath and relax while I pulled market values and started the paperwork. 45 minutes later, we started the offer. There are a few key questions: money, deposit, closing date, closing cost amount, and home inspection. After reviewing the final documents we were all satisfied. I scanned copies for the client and sent the agent the offer. NOW, WE JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

STORY #2:  I met with Mrs. Buyer for the 4th time this week. I have to say this client has my heart. Max sales price of about $98K and needs help with closing costs. It has been a hard battle finding anything in a community where Mrs. Buyer would feel safe in. THEN, THERE IT WAS!!!!! A brick home in distress and the seller is offering closing cost assistance!!!!! (LIGHTS SHINE, ANGELS SING) WE found it. Mrs. Buyer and I parted ways with a little bit of homework - I have to research what will help her with her offer on the house and she needs to research her solid loan options. I'm confident we'll be writing an offer today.

STORY #3:  Even more on Monday....... I met with Mr. and Mrs. Buyers' family for the 4th time and get ready to set out for a 6 home tour. We started in Norfolk in a sweet brick ranch community. I pulled up and said, "WOW," this is it. I knew in my gut this was the right house. As we walked into the family room, I could see from their body language they felt into. 5 more homes that night and YES, we all agree the brick home in Norfolk is the one. Again we parted ways with some homework. I'm getting property values together and the buyer is ensuring this is the home they want. I think I'll be also making an offer on the home with them today as well.

STORY #4: Mr. and Mrs. Seller called to ask questions. Of course, with 20+ homes to show Monday there was no way I would be able to reply. So at 9 pm I made the call only to get an answering machine. I'm sure this will be 1st on the to do list today -  call MR. AND MRS. SELLER!

In the Virginia Pilot Living section today was a great moving list by Martha Stewart  ( Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia) www.marthastewart.com.

Below I have retyped and summerized the content as well as added a few bits I think are helpfull during the process.

Six weeks before you move get in to the QUESTIONS MODE !!! Ask about who others have used for moving what there experience was like and look at pricing. Ask if the quotes are binding , and if this includes insurance. Lastly about 6 weeks out get a good 3 ring binder to collect all the data.

Five weeks before you move start looking at all your items room by room. Record, photograph or video your valuable items, you can also get them appraised in case there is damage.Start clearing out items you will not be packing and give to charity. Have a YARD SALE make some extra money. Ask the kids to get involved in the clearing of old or unwanted items.

Four weeks before you move STOCK UP  boxes, tape, wrapping paper, labels, markers, box cutters, blankets. Ask grocery stores for boxes. Places like Costco sell bulk box's as well as Uhaul. Get color lables for the boxes to code rooms.

Three weeks before you move packing begins. Start with items you don't use everyday such as seasonal items, extra dishes and kitchen appliances, kids toys. Use color coding for each room so its easy to identify where they go in your new home. Call for utilities for the day after move out. Ask each member to hold out spcial items that might need to be found quickly and pack them in one box.

Two weeks before you move start to pack the bulk of your items, decorations, photos, wall decor. use color coding system or inventory list for each box so you can locate something quickly if you need to. Put all the list in your 3 ring binder. Fill out online address change forms at www.usps.com. Notify credit cards, banks and subscriptions of your new address. Through your own good bye party and ask the neighbors for help in packing  ( YOU COULD TRY )

One week before you move create an information sheet for the movers, include OLD address NEW address, directions to the new house don't forget to include all your contact numbers. have payments ready for the movers. Pack a personal suitcase in case your moving long distance. Ensure all your personal documents such as birth certificates and SS cards are with you and not in the moving van.

Moving day, Walk through ENTIRE HOME look in cabinets draws and any enclosed areas don't forget the attic. Turn over keys to new owners or Real Estate agent. Verify someone will be at the new house when the movers arrive. Inventory items as your belongings come off the truck. Inspect for any damage before you sign a release ( bill of lading)

Its time to enjoy your new home. TEST all the appliances, plumbing, lighting , smoke detectors, and security systems.

Congratulations YOUR HOME !

Id love to help you find your new home. find Alison Creamer at www.bzibee.com