Does anyone have any experience with the Homes.com websites?  I just switched from point2 agent and so far I am gettting a lot more leads than Point 2 did. The only thing I don't like is that the website feels very basic.  Someone from homes.com called offering customization services for between $700 and $5000 depending on what I wanted to do.  I liked the idea and look of the customized sites.  but left the phone conversation feeling like they might purposely have very basic templates just to make people want to pay the extra money to customize!  Many of the customize sites still had a similar look to each other so i don't understand why they can't just upgrade the templates.  i know with the custom sites they do add custom local content as well , which could be very helpful considering I can't seem to find the time to do this and everything else i am supposed to be keeping up with to get myself and my listings out there in this very digital socail networking detailed world we now live in as real estate agents!

Does any one else have any comments or suggestions on the Homes.com Websites?

For several years I have performed BPO's for an asset management company in the hopes of getting REO properties.  I have done hundreds upon hundreds of BPOs and only had about 6 REO properties, most of which were more trouble than the measly commission I received on them.  I think the BPOs are taking away from the rest of my business and that I could be making more in the long run by focusing on listing and selling but just can't quite seem to give it up.  Those little checks always seem to come in when we really need a little extra!  I hate to burn the bridge for the connection I have but think I should focus more on business.  is there a way to put yourself on "hold" with these asset companies without burning the bridge?  

I have a listing that is a short sale that has a fast approaching court date for the judge to set the date for foreclosure. The seller wants me to go with her to please with the judge on how hard we havebeen trying to get this home sold and how we had an offer that the bank would not accept but no one in three months has offered what the bank wants.  in desperation I lowered the price incrementally and hope to get an offer tomorrrow, but the court date is in three days.

Does anyone have any experience going to the courthouse with the seller to try to forstall the sale?  ill the judges even listen to a real estate agent? 

Wonderful 4 bedroom pool home with a pond view! All appliances in the home including washer, dryer and water softener.  Large screened pool with pool service included and a fenced backyard are just perfect for enjoying warm summer evenings! Close to Tampa for an easy commute! You will love the tranquil setting of this small neighborhood that is so close to everything! Home is available for move in on October 1st!

This is great! RE/MAX is the best for giving us so many useful tools!

For my Floida Real Estate Buddies.  This is great!

Very interesting news!

Lake St Charles is located in north Riverview ,Florida- just south of Bloomingdale Rd off of Highway 301.  What makes this neighborhood so great?  Well, the first thing is it's proximity to the interstate!  it is Just a couple minutes to the Riverview entrance of I-75 and from I-75 you can get to to the other interstates to get where you need to go very quickly.  Downtown Tampa, Macdill AFB, St Petersburg, Bradenton and Sarasota are all a short drive away! But Lake St Charles doesn't just have the interstate access going for it, the neighborhood itself is a wonderful place to be!  The amenities are awesome- a two and a half mile biking and jogging trail is a safe place for my family to ride their bikes or walk the dog.  There is also a dog park we can take the dog to to let her run around.  My kids love to meet their friends at the community pool and play the afternoon away.  On the cooler days the hot tub is great! Sometimes we grab the tennis rackets and go down to the courts to play a little tennis- they are even lighted for night time use!  here is also sand volleyball, basketball, baseball and soccer fields.  We have so much to do we don't even have to leave the neighborhood!

In addition to all of our wonderful amenities, our community fees are much lower than many other newer neighborhoods so it costs less to live in Lake St Charles.  The schoold are close by with several options to choose from, including local Charter Schools and we have a grocery store right at the front of the neighborhood for those quick trips to get somehting we forgot!

Oh did I mention the wildlife?  From foxes to rabbits to sand hill cranes and eagles, we have it all.  there is nothing like seeing a den of baby foxes playing in the distance as we walk the trail!

In addition to having lived in the neighborhood for the past ten years, I also sell homes here!  If you are thinking about buying or selling in the Lake St Charles area, please give me a call or visit my website at http://www.Riverviewhomes.com. And if you just moved to the neighborhood, Welcome Home! You'll love it!

Wow, a long road this contract has taken.  We first went under contract December 5,2009 and now here we are almost 5 months later and we are finally closing. A few things I learned from this transaction:

1. Yes, technically is was not a short sale but they still take just as long! Don't beleive the timeline on the website!

2. HAP does not want to talk with real estate agents.  It is good to have a very pro-active seller.

3.  There are two different programs, the purchase and resale method or the give a check at closing method.  The purchase and resale method seems to take longer that the check at closing type.

4. HAP , being the United States Government, will not pay Doc stamps.  It is better to just put it in the contract that the buyer is paying those costs and the seller is giving the buyer "x" amount in closing cost assistance.

Any other thoughts or words of wisdom on the HAP program out there?

In the last few weeks I have seen a huge upswing in people looking for rental homes, as well as owner's deciding to rent their homes rather than selling in the present market.  Despite all the news reports of people "walking away" from their homes, there are many people who do not want to destroy their credit (or their security clearances) and choose renting their homes and hiring a property manager as an alternative.

Conversely, so many people are afraid to purchase with the uncertainty of the current market that renting has become quite attractive.  If an owner prices their home competitvely we can often get it rented within just a few weeks or less- it becomes a win- win situation for both parties!