Writing my "Bio" for Inman News Bloggers Connect - 05/30/07 12:11 PM
It just gives me the "eeky-creepies" to write my own bio. I will utilize the advices regarding editing my existing Profiles around the Blogosphere that I received yesterday. But for the Bio, I decided to Google myself and see if maybe someone had already written my Bio for me out there in WebLogLand.
Here's what I came up with:
ARDELL DellaLoggia is an Associate Broker at Sound Realty in Kirkland, WA, located directly across Lake Washington, from the City of Seattle. She has the unique perspective of having sold real estate, since 1990, up and down both Coasts, in Cherry Hill NJ, Bucks County PA, … (19 comments)
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Need some help writing a Profile - 05/29/07 10:49 AM
I so hate writing my Profile. But Inman needs one, since I'm speaking there on August 1st and August 2nd.
I have one on here that I wrote very hastily. I have one on Rain City Guide that I just 'had to get up". I'm sure by now I have them all over the internet without paying too much attention to what they actually say.
I hate being the one to...look at this post already filled with "I this and I that", there's just no way to do a Profile without it being all about me. That just drives me nuts!
Seems when speaking as … (25 comments)
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Should You Have the House Inspected Before It Is Listed For Sale? - 05/28/07 09:15 AM
Home Inspections have clearly made life a lot easier for buyers. Whenever I hear a real estate agent use the words Caveat Emptor, I want to scream (and often do). We are no longer in the Age of Caveat Emptor when it comes to buying and selling real estate.
There is a process of Due Diligence, and merely relying on Seller Disclosure is not what a buyer should be doing. It is not reasonable for a buyer to expect that every seller really knows his property as well as the buyer needs to know it before buying it.
I am a firm believer … (41 comments)
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I'm Missing Kevin - 05/25/07 11:12 PM
Kevin is away on business.
We went over some new blog articles of his before he left, and he's supposed to post them tonight when he gets back and before this week is over.
It's amazing how close we've become, like agents in the same office.
You know how when someone in the office is gone for awhile and you keep passing his empty desk and missing his smile and jokes? That's how I feel today.
Hurry back Kevin. You are missed.
… (7 comments)
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I am very angry - but no blog post to you! - 05/25/07 09:35 PM
I am very, very angry at something that happened in a real estate transaction the other day.
Of course I'd love to blog and vent and rant about it.
Of course, even if I do it as a Members Only post, I take the risk that the parties in interest could somehow be affected by my rant.
So just as I smiled and took it like a man when it happened, I have to know that I can't blog about that topic, until much time has passed and the parties in interest cannot be affected by it.
Many years ago I was taught that you … (22 comments)
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I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream - 05/25/07 09:17 PM
I read this when I was very young. I don't remember the story, just the feeling of havng to scream and having no mouth.
Of course I have one of the biggest mouths that can in fact scream
But I just finished my Realtor ethics class. You know, the one where the answer in the test says a Buyer Agent cannot call the seller direct for an appointment. The correct answer is the buyer agent must call the listing agent and not the seller direct. It say if the buyer agent calls the seller direct, that is unethical. The answer is "unethical".
So even … (11 comments)
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The Mouse That Roared - 05/25/07 09:09 PM
I've been thinking about that Title for a Couple of Days.
I think sometimes it's the mouse that has the perspective to see it all, and yet lacks the power to do much besides find some cheese to eat.
I think sometimes it's the mouse that is frustrated by the men who made the maze, and not the maze itself, which they maneuver within fairly well.
I think sometimes it's the mouse that learns to be less afraid, maybe as they feel death nearing anyway, and wants to ROAR about all they have seen, in the hopes that having had roared, some good will come … (6 comments)
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What do you do when a Realtor/Licensee Uses Anonymity to Break Rules? - 05/25/07 04:14 PM
BLOGGING BRINGS NEW CHALLENGES, AND POSSIBLY SOME "NEW RULES" TO BE MADE.
I am faced with a situation where a Realtor Member and Real Estate Licensee is performing Acts of Misconduct as an "anonymous" commenter around the internet.
He admits he is a licensee, but doesn't give his real name or a link to his identity, though we can tell by his IP address which company he works with, so we know he is both a licensee and a Realtor Member. He may in fact be a she, since the name is fictitious.
Yesterday this person went to a competing website and posed as … (112 comments)
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199 Emails to Kevin Tomlinson - My Apprentice - 05/24/07 09:40 PM
I was just cleaning up some of my "disk space" by deleting some emails in my various files.
When I sort to delete, I first go to "subject" in my Inbox, and delete emails to me from the various blog sites telling me someone made a comment. Since I can see the comment on the site, I don't need to keep the email notifications.
Since my computer was complaining that it was on overload, I went to my sent file, which had 1,400 emails since I last cleaned it, which doesn't seem that long ago. I decided to sort these by TO - who I sent … (15 comments)
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How to be a GREAT Blogger - 05/21/07 12:32 PM
Anyone can blog...well, maybe not. Let's change that to anyone can HAVE a blog.
Having a blog and being a blogger are not one in the same.
So here's a couple of steps to being a GREAT BLOGGER vs. "having" a blog.
1) Listen to your clients and post about things your clients care about
2) Stop talking to agents unless what you are saying to agents expresses a consumer concern that you are helping to fix
3) Say all the things generically to consumers that you privately tell your clients
When you write the top five things buyers should know, make them the top five things … (22 comments)
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"Stream of Consciousness" Blogging - 05/21/07 11:56 AM
Before I begin my second round of selecting the one article of each Apprentices Blog that would possibly cause me to hire them, I would like to say a few words about "Stream of Consciousness" blogging.
When I wrote the first round of six apprenctice blogs I opened each blog as I was writing the post. I scanned through as a consumer would, meaning I only went as deep into the blog as a consumer might before leaving the blog.
Actually in this case, I stayed longer than a consumer would, looking for a specific type of post. A consumer might not give you … (9 comments)
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On the Radio Again - There's a Catch - 05/20/07 12:29 AM
Same info as last time: "Real Estate Today" The radio show runs from 11 a.m. to noon, Sundays (Pacific time) and originates from KTTH-AM 770, in Seattle. Please call, toll-free...during that hour at 1-800-465-8770 or 1-866-606-TALK (8255). The show can be heard live on the Internet at http://www.businesstalkradio.net/
Tom Kelly asked me to do the radio program again tomorrow. There's a catch. Tom won't be there! Just me and my partner in the studio pushing buttons and winging it! LOL
The producers will be in the two outside booths giving us clues and cues. But we have NO advance training and won't … (14 comments)
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I LOVE YOU, NANA - 05/19/07 04:46 PM
Isn't it great when you check your voice mail and the message says:
I LOVE YOU, NANA!
I miss you, Nana.
Then I hear my daughter whispering in the background, "Ok say goodbye". And the baby whispers into the phone very softly "Goodbye". Then my daughter whispers "Louder" and the baby Whispers Louder, but still whispers.
I wish I could save that phone message forever, but I think I only get to keep it for a couple of weeks. I'll listen to it often for as long as I can.
… (20 comments)
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We can make it all better - Real Estate Commissions - 05/19/07 04:26 PM
I'm not talking to agents or about agents who sell property that is listed for $300,000 or less.
I'm talking to people who are selling property where a large percentage of inventory is $500,000 or more.
The public is crying for someone to understand that commissions of $50,000 or more are just too much.
They really don't get how someone can justify commissions of $50,000 and more on a residential sale that sells in a week or two, with a straight face.
It's time to give an inch. It's time to at least say that SOME amount is TOO MUCH. Saying it is NEVER, EVER … (86 comments)
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McMansions - 05/19/07 04:20 PM
I had a chance to visit the Puget Sound Archives over at Bellevue Community College yesterday. By appointment, you can go view all of the historical photos of your house and get copies.
I ordered the front and back sides of my 1921 home taken by the Counter Assessor's office in 1939. I passed onthe one taken in 1945, as it looked about the same. I bought the one taken in 1992, just before the massive addition was put on, expanding it from 900 square feet to over 3,200 square feet.
My house still looks like a little bungalow from the front, … (3 comments)
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How much should a fine be? - 05/19/07 04:12 PM
Of course everyone is talking about our NWMLS giving Redfin a $50,000 fine. You kind of have to be in Seattle to see this from all sides of the equation.
Clearly Redfin can't do what they are doing, though buyer consumers love it and don't undertand why not.
Clearly reviewing other agent's listings is not just about the proprietary business relationship regarding the office's chance to sell that listing. It is about the seller's right not not have any licensee posting negatively about an MLS listing.
Many don't get that. Seller's don't pay us the Big Bucks to badmouth their most valued assed, and … (13 comments)
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Some weeks being in this business is like a ride on a Roller Coaster - 05/19/07 04:05 PM
Property comes on market at 11 a.m.. Fabulous view.
Client leaves work and runs over and calls from outside the house.
My partner runs over to get him in the house, already one offer in hand.
My partner and client come in and say they want to write and offer, but they want me to see it first.
We all go back to the house together...I have an appointment in a couple of hours.
We rush back and write a very strong offer with no contingencies and an escalation clause.
Call agent, still one offer in and two more expected.
Client signs offer and I tell him … (2 comments)
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Localism Photo Question - 05/16/07 04:20 PM
We have some awesome views here in Seattle, like Mt. Rainier when we're lucky enough for him to be out when we cross over the 520 Bridge. But Mt. Rainier is ofte white against a light blue sky, and it is hard to capture the essence of what we are seeing in a photo.
So here's my question. Can I use photos that I purchase for the blog and for Localism? I'm sure it would be a lot better and cheaper for me to buy the photos from real photographers, than to get the equipment and training needed to take great view … (8 comments)
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Are commissions too low? - 05/16/07 11:32 AM
I'd be interested in any stories you may have where you needed to throw commission dollars at problems.
Have you ever had to use commission dollars to bridge a gap between a buyer and seller during negotiations where they just couldn't come together?
Have you ever had to use commission dollars to make a home inspection repair?
Have you ever had to use commission dollars to buy an appliance, like a washer and or dryer when the buyer needed it and the seller refused to leave it behind?
Have you ever had to use commission dollars to help get a house ready for market or … (28 comments)
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My First Days as a Blogger - January 2006 - 05/13/07 04:21 PM
What is the "Standard Fee" for selling my Home? 11:38 a.m. 1/1/06
My agent says there IS a minimum fee to list my house? 11:58 a.m. 1/1/06
Why do I need money if I am a Zero Down buyer? 12:09 p.m. 1/1/06
Can I as a buyer, negotiate the Buyer Agent Commission? 12:26 p.m. 1/1/06
Do I need to sell my house before I buy a new one? 12:44 p.m. 1/1/06
Any tips for first time investors? 1:12 p.m. 1/1/06
Building Permits & Neighborhood info - Kirkland 9:23 a.m. 1/5/2006
Predatory Lending - Don't be a victim 9:58 a.m. 1/5/2006
Staged to sell townhome 11:23 p.m. 1/6/2006
Silly but useful Home Seller Tips - … (20 comments)
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Happy Mother's Day to All You Mothers!!!! - 05/13/07 02:03 AM
When I was a kid, some wiseguy in the neighborhood always came out and yelled that on Mother's Day. Actually, I think it was one of my brothers.
Normally on Mother's Day I think about me as mother to my children and My Mom, and that's about it. But on this Mother's Day, I find myself thinking about all the Mother's. My clients who were pregnant when they bought their homes, and now have little babies. The mothers here in Active Rain who are so proud of their children at graduation and other rewarding life events.
I am thinking of my Grandmother and what … (12 comments)
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What is your favorite Blog Article of YOURS? - 05/08/07 03:03 PM
When Sellsius posted I Am Woman Hear me Roar noting the How I REALLY feel post of mine, I realized the power of BlogVoice. I didn't "create" my voice any more than Seinfeld or Juliano really "creates" their voice.
There is really no getting around the fact that we always write to various audiences. Sometimes we beg an industry to get better. Sometimes we ask consumers to turn perception into reality. Sometimes we just talk for our own benefit.
What is YOUR favorite post that from your perspective is YOUR SHINING EXAMPLE OF YOUR PERSONAL BLOG VOICE?
Which post of YOURS, if people only read … (75 comments)
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Seattle Condos - 05/07/07 03:13 PM
Belltown - I went to a birhday party in Belltown this weekend and was amazed at the new construction
Week last I was at a Christening in the corrider between Belltown and Capitol Hill and saw a great complex featuring T1 Ready.
Clearly Downtown living and condos close to Downtown are many and varied as to location and costs. Someone said "Do we really have enough people who want to buy these things?" I think we are all starting to ask that question.
Then I had a young man over to do some work at the house and he is renting a TWO BEDROOM … (1 comments)
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Rainers should take advantage of this special offer! - 05/07/07 03:02 PM
Did you see this post today?
What a generous offer for Free Online Coaching and an idea to set up a netork of Coach Support.
Now THAT is a FABULOUS use of Active Rain. If every experienced agent took on a new agent from their area, that would be something worth writing home about!
Talk about giving back to the community! Maybe people could pair up after the Online Coaching gets well on its way some of us could go in there and physically coach some of the locals.
Not sure if that post will get featured, and sorry for not mentioning the people who … (0 comments)
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Kirkland Open Houses - 05/07/07 02:40 PM
Downtown Kirkland, East of Market and West of Market. I found some time yesterday to visit some Open Houses in Kirkland.
Saw one on 9th Avenue that will likely be in escrow within 10 days. Will be interesting to see if I'm on the mark on that one. Odd floorplan, so it could go either way. But I'm betting on the "in escrow" by next week.
Saw one around the corner that clearly should not sell at that price. Interior finishes are a huge turnoff and floorplan and view considerations are not enough to compensate.
The surprising one was West of Market. Seemed like … (1 comments)
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Condo Buildings In Redmond - 05/07/07 02:36 PM
New Construction Condos in Redmond and Condo Conversion Projects in Redmond, clearly deserve consideration.
Walking to Redmond Town Center and Downtown Redmond is at least as appealing as walking around Downtwon Kirkland, except for the Lake thing. So if being near Lake Washington is not a huge draw for you, and if you can't afford a condo with a Lake view, I would definitely check out everything within walking distance to Redmond Town Center.
For those not into hiking the Trails, walking through Redmond Town Center and around the town is good exercise with something pleasant to look at AND a safe environment.
The conversions seem to be worth … (0 comments)
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Happy Birthday Kevin Tomlinson!! - 05/06/07 12:56 PM
My Apprentice, Kevin Tomlinson, has been a bit under the weather this week and today is his Birthday.
I promised him a "Fortune Telling" for his birthday, lucky for me his fortune came out to be VERY POSITIVE, so that it is a "good" birthday present. I probably should have checked that it would be positive before I made the promise...but y'all know me...in my brain out my fingers. So here goes.
First and foremost I am very happy to report that "The Year of the Fire Pig" is an EXELLENT year for Kevin and his business. Since the Year of the Pig … (14 comments)
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Got Geek? - 05/03/07 02:16 AM
1: CREATE PROC [dbo].[GetMedian] 2: ( 3: @Col varchar(100), 4: @Table varchar(100), 5: @SqlWhere varchar(1000) 6: ) 7: AS 8: BEGIN 9: 10: DECLARE @Count AS INT, @MiddleRow AS INT, @Median AS INT 11: DECLARE @SqlAll nvarchar(MAX) 12: 13: SET @SqlAll = 'WITH MLSSTATS AS ' 14: SET @SqlAll = @SqlAll + '(' 15: SET @SqlAll = @SqlAll + 'SELECT ROW_NUMBER() OVER (ORDER BY ' + @Col 16: SET @SqlAll = @SqlAll + ' DESC ) AS RowNum , ' 17: SET @SqlAll = @SqlAll + '(SELECT COUNT(*) FROM ' +@Table + ' ' 18: SET @SqlAll = @SqlAll … (9 comments)
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Split Entry Homes - 05/03/07 01:49 AM
Here in the Seattle Area we have "split entry" homes. These are basically ramblers with a daylight basement, but the front of the house is raised up so the windows from the basement level are showing at ground level. You have to walk up steps from outside to get into the front door. When you get in the front door, you have to walk up some more steps to get up to the main living area. The bedrooms are on that same floor as the kitchen and living room.
In New Jersey we called these "raised ranchers".
In Bucks County, PA we called … (7 comments)
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$100,000 appreciation in 18 months - 05/03/07 01:44 AM
I just met a very nice young man and his Dad. I had shown his condo about a month ago. My buyer client bought a different condo, but while I was there, I admired his furniture. He called me when he was moving to tell me he decided not to move it with him and gave me a great deal.
Often we can find furniture to stage homes while showing homes. Or we can even barter with our clients and exchange furniture for a break on the commission.
I was so happy with the chairs, end tables, coffee table and dining table … (2 comments)
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Who's Your Lender? - 05/02/07 04:10 PM
Seriously. People spend way to much time worrying about which lender to use and not nearly enough time on which loan program to use.
If you have a credit score of 750, 20% down and your loan ratios are in line with lender expectations, you can choose from any lender who has the best costs and rates.
However, if your credit score is 640 and you have no money down and no money to pay your own closing costs...DIFFERENT STORY! You are now looking for the type of lender who can protect you against sub-prime loan practices.
It really is not a case of … (5 comments)
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Living Close to Microsoft - 05/02/07 03:55 PM
I recently wrote a blog article on Rain City Guide highlighting the fact that Microsoft Area Properties sell 5 times faster than other property in the area.
I am happy with the appreciation rate here in Kirkland where I live, as I have a "view property" and view property will pretty much alway do well relative to non-view property.
But if you don't have a view or can't afford a view, clearly buying property near Microsoft is always going to be a good investment. Everytime I turn around, Microsoft is adding more office space and more employees. Even if they someday downsized, enough people would … (1 comments)
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Rent vs. Buy - Home Ownership and YOU - 05/02/07 03:49 PM
We read so many articles regarding "Rent vs. Buy" scenarios.
Honestly, it's all moot isn't it? For most people, renting vs. buying is not about whether or not it makes financial sense at all.
When people are look for a property to buy, RARELY if ever do they consider renting instead of buying. Most people who have ever owned property consider going back to renting property.
We're just too used to doing whatever we want with our properties. We're just too used to being home owners.
Unless we find ourselves "in between" such as just after a divorce or a new job, renting really isn't an … (4 comments)
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The Price of Real Estate - Residential Real Estate in the Seattle Area - 05/02/07 03:05 PM
A Rambler without a basement - First Tier
A Rambler with a basement - Second Tier
A Rambler with a DAYLIGHT basement - Third Tier
A small "tri-level" - Fourth Tier
A "split entry" home - Fifth Tier
A "split entry" home with a walkout basement - Sixth Tier
A 2 Story Home - Seventh Tier
A 2 Story Home with a full basement - Eight Tier
A 2 Story Home with a full Walkout Basement - Ninth Tier
A 2 Story Home with a full Walkout Basement and a 3 car Garage - Tenth Tier
All things being equal as to location, homes should value in this manner. Somewhat because … (0 comments)
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