The Memorial Day 2008 Super MEME by Anthony Clark - 05/29/08 11:03 AM
First of all, Memorial Day was days ago, so I feel like I have the right to overlook being tagged.  For 18 months I've escaped the dreaded MEME.... but I will play along just so I don't get kicked off of the playground by some of the bullies around A|R.  I was tagged by my new pal Steve Shatsky.  Many of the MEMEs I've read lately somehow trace back to Jason Sardi, so he is to blame at least in part.
Update:  Tagged again by Jennifer Dahl.
1. Who is your favorite musical artist?  This is impossible just like naming my absolute favorite book, … (19 comments)

HGTV ruined my life - 05/19/08 10:36 PM
HGTV is the devil.  Okay, that might be a little harsh ;)
As a real estate professional I find it interesting how HGTV (and other home and DIY networks) has really changed the way Buyers and Sellers see the home buying and selling processes.  At just about any time of day we can turn on the television and see shows telling the average Joe (or Jane) just how to do it.
Buyer expectations are often times ridiculous.  They see shows like House Hunters and expect every home to be absolutely fabulous with granite, stainless steel appliances, updated fixtures and hardware, high-end flooring, a glistening … (15 comments)

So much for my contribution to the environment - 05/18/08 08:19 PM
I recently surfed over to the website for Peroxyl, my favorite mouthwash.  Although the mouthwash comes in a recyclable bottle, that bottle is sold in a box.  I thought I would suggest to Colgate that they start selling the product without the box - less packaging.
I thought I was doing something good for the environment.  I thought I was giving corporate America some much needed feedback.  However, it resulted in more waste.
So here I am doing my best to save the world.  I am recyling, trying to consume less, changing my driving habits, heading up a "green initiatives" committee at my … (10 comments)

ActiveRain has hit a Ceiling? - 05/16/08 09:52 AM
Let's start with this:  I love ActiveRain.  Lately, however, I have felt that ActiveRain may have hit a ceiling.  I felt affirmed in my thoughts when Jonathon Washburn posted How can ActiveRain be more than itself?  In my opinion he's basically saying "where do we go from here."
Initially I thought the answer was to make it more consumer-centric.  However, if you go to the About Us page on ActiveRain you'll find this: "....ActiveRain Real Estate Network, a free social network and marketing platform for real estate professionals. This network helps agents to create business relationships both within the industry and with the … (99 comments)

You work for me now. No, we've never met. - 05/13/08 05:57 PM
Lately it seems that this is how the average Buyer is approaching me.  Whether they call from a yard sign or ad, email from a website, or are referred by a past client, today's Buyer doesn't seem to understand the importance of consultation and pre-qualification. 
Unless you've been living on another planet the past 12 months, you know that the U.S. has gone through a housing downturn due to the mortgage "meltdown."  
All the more reason it's important to pre-screen Buyers in my opinion.  I have had two conversations in the last week alone with Buyers who just simply could not … (43 comments)

Thank God for Gmail - 05/10/08 12:26 PM
I've been wanting to write about Gmail and how incredible it is for a while.  So here I am using the crap out of the free wi-fi at a coffee shop while on a weekender.  I have a few minutes to kill so I thought I would write a quickie: 
Before I left home yesterday I commented on the most recent Carnac post.  Big mistake right before leaving for an extended weekend, knowing you'll return to hundreds thousands of "New Comment" emails, right?  Unless.... you've got Gmail.
One of the best features of Gmail - besides being web-based and having mobile options - is that … (7 comments)

Interview with Andy Kinslow, architect & University of Arkansas alumni - 05/07/08 07:25 PM
Andy Kinslow is a principal at Kinslow, Keith & Todd, Inc. and a graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Architecture.  He was recently named Small Business Person of the Year by the Tulsa Metro Chamber.  I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kinslow last year after an acquaintance of his read one of my posts on modern architecture which featured his personal residence.  The acquaintance put us in contact, and Mr. Kinslow was gracious enough to invite me to his home for a tour.  Unfortunately my camera crashed and I lost every photo from the tour.  Below are excerpts of an email interview Mr. … (6 comments)

Who says the Seller can't write an offer to a Buyer? - 05/07/08 11:23 AM
This is a tip for others in the real estate industry, but a home seller can appreciate this as well.  Last year I attended a MasterMind (2000+ mega-producers) in Austin where we brainstormed the question "How to sell a listing in a slumping market."  I have pages of notes from the session but here is the gem.... 
Scenario:  Great listing, multiple showings, no offers!
Solution: when an agent shows your listing twice to the same buyer and still does not bring you an offer, sit down with your Seller and draft an offer to the Buyer.  That seems so simple, but no one in my market … (19 comments)