marketing: Home Owner Affordability Act 2007 - 04/05/07 07:14 AM
Would getting a twenty percent downpayment gift from family and friends make it possible for more first time home buyers to purchase homes? Representative Dave Weldon thinks so. Weldon plans on introducing legislation that would allow family members to give tax free cash gifts equivalent to a twenty percent house down payment provided … (6 comments)
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marketing: Smokers Sale or No Sale - 03/27/07 08:16 AM
Times have certainly changes. Bi Levels are no longer $14,000, gas is not 70 cents a gallon, the avergae wage is no longer $50 a week and most people don't smoke anymore. It used to be a socially accepted activity. times have changed.... Are you a smoker who feels that smoking has negatively impacted … (14 comments)
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marketing: HOW TO NOT BE AVOIDED - 03/22/07 03:07 PM
The problem we sometimes have is impatience leads to avoidance. Persistance is not the same as being pushy. Assertive does not mean aggressive. Avoid injury to to your career by watching your step. Real Estate sales is a process. It is a lot of waiting and communicating and from time to time knowing … (9 comments)
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marketing: America Is Changing? Hable Espanol? - 03/21/07 09:36 AM
Did you know that Fourteen percent of the population in America is now of Latin Origin. Latinos represent the largest group of minorities. Their projected spending this year will exceed eight BILLION dollars. Latino buying power has increased with their numbers as well. Latinos are making their mark in television, print, … (6 comments)
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marketing: Real Estate or Bust - 03/20/07 08:43 AM
Are You Breast Dressed or Best Dressed in the office? You want to be perceived as a "professional" not a "pro". Is your client distracted? Not making eye contact? Focused on the "wrong" thing instead of getting the close, it may be your clothes costing you the sale. Packaging yourself as a professional … (44 comments)
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marketing: Pull Your Business Up By The Boot Straps - 03/16/07 07:46 AM
Revisiting Boot Camp, Why would an active Realtor go back to Boot Camp? Simply to hear one of my favorite speakers Steven David. A top notch professional who in 1984 was CEO of C-21. He eventually sold out to Cendant who also owns Sotheby's, Coldwell Banker, and Stirling. One of the … (6 comments)
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marketing: Will It Be YOU or ME? - 03/09/07 07:06 AM
You Or ME ?
Who is more likely to put a customer at ease faster You or me? When arriving at a listing presentation who is more likely to be welcomed in by the homeowner with a smile? You or Me? Who is going to get to the kitchen faster? You or … (36 comments)
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marketing: Choosing One From the Bunch - 03/07/07 07:53 AM
So Many Realtors...is like trying to chose one banana from the bunch. While they all basically look the same, there will one which appeals to you. How to be the top banana? I was talking with Marc Blasi yesterday, and he "picked" my brain for some marketing ideas. You'll probably see sa … (37 comments)
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marketing: Are You Squaking or Talking? - 03/06/07 06:01 PM
All too often we hear the complaints. This is not right, or that is not right, or buyers are not fair, or sellers want too much. Loans cannot get approved...we didn't close. You name it someone is squaking about it. Like the Macaw...a few words can get a lot of attention … (3 comments)
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marketing: Is Harmony The Community of the Future? - 03/06/07 06:34 AM
Harmony-Located 7 miles East Of CR15 (Narcoossee Rd) Lushly Landscaped, A Championship Golf Course, Community Club House, A Wonderful Restaurant. And A great public school. This community of 625 families is growing everyday. The custom built homes line the golf course. Venture down any of the side streets, and it is … (0 comments)
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marketing: No Buts About It - 03/05/07 08:42 AM
The Market in Osceola County, Central Florida is picking up. At last. For months we heard "I like it But..." "I would buy it.....but" "I would like to sell But..." "Find Me A Buyer! ...But" There are "no buts" about it. If the price is realistic and the terms are reasonable it will … (4 comments)
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marketing: Are You Climbing The Ladder of Success? Or Are you A few rungs short? - 03/03/07 02:01 PM
Are you climbing the ladder of success or are you a few rungs short? Is making it to the top your goal or just a passing thought? How are you measuring your success? Is the next rung just out of grasp?The ladder is comprised of several rungs. Mastering the lower level … (29 comments)
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marketing: YOU ARE SPECIAL-Spelling It Out - 02/28/07 09:24 AM
Sometimes we just need it spelled out for us. Deal Making is an art. Taking the pieces and putting them together so they make sense. One task at a time. We have a way of measuring who we are by what we have accomplished. We determine our self worth based on … (6 comments)
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marketing: DO YOU WALK THE FINE LINE? - 02/27/07 07:10 AM
The closing...careful now...almost there...watch your step! Inching your way to the table. Is it a Balancing Act? You bet it is!We all know the pitfalls that prevent us from getting to the other side. How many times we have heard the dreaded words...it is not going to close today! The factors … (28 comments)
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marketing: What is YOUR Meter Reading? - 02/26/07 04:54 PM
Remember 2006? Wasn't exactly a banner year for us in Central Florida, but we held firm and waited patiently. We aadvised our clients (sellers) they needed to adjust their prices based on the market conditions, and slowly, very slowly.... we saw less had expired and more offers were being made. Offers … (3 comments)
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marketing: The Market Has Done You Dirty. - 02/08/07 06:25 AM
It is hard to imagine living the American Dream- You thought it would last forever.One day you are living the life royal and the next waking up to realize it has become a nightmare. Trapped in a house you can no longer afford. Creditors calling day and night, bills piling up and … (1 comments)
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marketing: AM I YOUR DOG? When Being A Realtor Can be Helpful - 02/02/07 06:37 AM
This adorable pup was lost in our neighbor. No collar, no tags, no ID of any kind. Being a Realtor is helpful. I posted several signs like this one all over the area. Later that evening, we retraced the path my girls were riding their bikes on when he was found … (6 comments)
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marketing: Does The Weather Affect You? - 01/25/07 09:18 AM
It is Raining here today in Central Florida. Does the weather affect you? It is Soothing? Depressing? Reflective? Having athritis, makes my body a pretty good barometer. I hurt before it actually begins to rain. Once it rains the pressure changes and generally I feel better. So I tend to be more task oriented when it … (4 comments)
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marketing: Arg! You Can't Shiver me Timbers Matey! - 01/23/07 12:01 PM
ARG! Ya thought the days of Piracy was behind us didn't ye? Nah not the the kind all the flap jawing has been about...the dirty, low down, listing type. You know the market has been anything but smooth sailing lately. The winds have shifted-they have! Ya have captured the bounty haven't … (28 comments)
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marketing: Hiring An Expert IS What We Are Selling Above All Else - 01/13/07 05:56 AM
We face these issues every day. Sellers with unrealistic expectations of what their house is worth. It defies reason most of the time. You can prepare the Comparative Market Analysis to show a prospective seller what has sold in the last three to six months, what is currently for sale and what has been "market … (16 comments)
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marketing: Is Your Realtor A Hoover? - 01/11/07 01:01 PM
My Realtor _________s! (You fill in the blank) If they don't return clients calls for days... chances are they are a Hoover. If they fail to get extensions in on time...chances are they are a Hoover. If they don't seem to care .... chances are they are a Hoover.
Realtors are … (1 comments)
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marketing: House Morphing - 01/07/07 09:04 AM
The Road to finding the perfect House can sometimes be a long one. Agents will compile a list of houses to view based on the needs and wants their provide to them matching criteria of price, size, ammenties and location. A common phenonmenon from viewing too many homes is "house Morphing" … (1 comments)
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marketing: Limited Representation Are Buyers signing their Rights Away? - 01/03/07 11:31 AM
"Limited representation means that a buyer or seller is not responsible forthe acts of the licensee. Additionally,parties are giving up their rights to undivided loyalty of ther licensee." We have all seen it. It is standard language on a FAR Brokerage Relationship Disclosure. So ponder this... Why would a Buyer want … (0 comments)
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marketing: Patience - 12/22/06 07:00 AM
With just a few days left until the holidays draw near, many of us are likely scrambling to make our final days of 2006 as productive as possible. Last minute deals, extensions, negotiations, listings, and of course holiday preparations. One word. Patience. If you are trying to close before the holidays … (5 comments)
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marketing: Keeping On Track - 12/20/06 07:37 AM
Well the final count down to 2007 has begun! We are rushing to complete last minute paperwork, working with our lenders, and title companies, trying to get the last house sold before the New Year while, attending holidays festivities, and in between still looking for listings. Yes in all, a hectic time … (2 comments)
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marketing: Checking for a Pulse...CLEAR! - 12/11/06 02:55 PM
Checking for a pulse. For months we have been blogging, and here in Florida checking the housing market for a pulse. Under 200K the beat was OK...Over 250K the beat was less regular. With the holidays fast approaching, the health of our economy certainly impacts our abilities collectively to provide the kids, … (4 comments)
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marketing: New Media Messaging Upbeat for Housing Market - 12/11/06 01:47 PM
So many mixed messages. No wonder Buyers are confused. The latest news to break this morning is according to NAR (National Association of Realtors, and leading economists the housing market is headed for an upward trend mid 2007. This may help ease the sluggish and in some parts stagnate market. Compounded … (0 comments)
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marketing: Home for the Holidays.... Are You Sold? - 12/03/06 06:25 AM
Just like the Old Song goes...there is no place like Home for the Holidays! Market activity is awakening as many homes buyers have waited until the end of the year to get a better gage on home prices. Curb appeal this time of year is a factor. People tend to … (8 comments)
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marketing: AGENTS BEWARE KB MODEL HOMES TARGET OF AGENT THEFT - 11/28/06 04:22 PM
This just in...The news has reported several Real Etstae Agents were victims of theft in Seminole County as two suspects pretending to be clients asked for tours of model homes. When the agent left with them to tour the homes, a third suspect took their purses from the office. Agents inthe … (1 comments)
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marketing: A Realtors Survival Guide - 11/28/06 03:53 PM
BANG HEAD HERE AND REPEAT- A Realtors Holiday Survival Guide (Members Only) OKAY, WE ALL KNOW THE MARKET HAS BEEN SLOW! The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone. More demands on your time, your money and family. So here are some helpful coping tools to get you through … (2 comments)
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marketing: What To Do With a Cloudy Crystal Ball-Buyers Demands Falling on Deaf Ears - 11/28/06 06:12 AM
Colleen Kulikowski's blog on "Help My Crystal Ball is Cloudy" asks some interesting questions. Are we to try and predict which housing type will be hot? Perhaps by taking a different view of the market, predicting which pins are hot and which ones are not is too risky. The huge amounts … (2 comments)
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marketing: Avoid Financing Your Real Estate Business on Credit Cards - 11/26/06 09:30 AM
Before you know it, you have become a prisoner of your debt. Financing your "business"as a newcomer to this industry can have some lethal side effects. It is never a good idea to over extend yourself breaking into the business. There are some significant expenses once you have gotten your license. … (6 comments)
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marketing: DOES REAL ESTATE HAVE THE FLU? - 11/25/06 07:55 AM
IT'S HERE! We all know someone who has it. We heard the kid in the grocery store line hacking and coughing like a 20 year smoker but they are only 2. Stock up on the Lysol Y'all and by all means spray those door knobs! Tis the Season, to be people … (1 comments)
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marketing: IS the Market Finally starting to Take Off? - 11/25/06 07:35 AM
We have been pondering the "WHEN" for a long time. The press has done a fine job convincingwould be buyers we have a S L O W market. The wait and see, has left many Realtors struggling. An influx of sellers have joined the market, many hoping to get out … (24 comments)
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marketing: Battling the Giants - 11/22/06 08:16 AM
Do Big Corporations Make you feel small and unable to compete? Broker Byrant is a sole practioner and he has done quite well. So have so many others. While Corporations offer excellent training opportunities for newcomers to Real Estate, there are certain drawbacks as well. Often new agents are recruited … (17 comments)
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marketing: Are the Holidays Putting a Squeeze on Your Living Space? - 11/22/06 07:13 AM
The holidays have arrived! And with them comes the usual influx of family and friends. The Real Estate Reality sets in... the house suddenly feels a lot smaller than it did before.
The kids are forced to give up their rooms and share them with your guests from out of … (3 comments)
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marketing: Real Deal Realistically priced Investment Opportunity 34769 - 11/17/06 06:20 AM
This is an investment opportunity. The "children" are on Social Security and cannot afford to fix up their parents place.
The lot is great 50 x 140 located in the heart of town, close to everything.
This one is in need of WORK not a little TLC. The … (4 comments)
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marketing: Is the Pressure of Real Estate Starting to get to you? - 11/14/06 08:15 AM
Your "Roving Realtor" Reporting here... Is the pressure of making sales starting to get to you? Once a beautiful mountain Mt. St. Helens blew her top. Scientists monitored the subtle changes as the lava dome began to increase gradually at first, pressure building slowly... geometric meters (much like our economic … (2 comments)
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marketing: Looking for Signs of Buyer Life - 11/14/06 07:40 AM
Have you ever noticed after a total disaster like a volcanic eruption, eventually there will be signs of life rising from the ashes? It takes years for the rejeuvenation process to begin. While in Oregon this summer, I made a point to visit Mt. St. Helens. To remind myself that after the … (8 comments)
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marketing: Keeping Your Head Above Water! - 11/13/06 09:17 AM
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marketing: No Mo' BORING Blog Title... - 11/08/06 08:06 AM
My Blog Name was B O R I N G. Unimaginative, uninspiring, "The Lovely Wife" has the monopoly on "Lovely"even though she calls me "Lovely Allison" I don't think she would take to kindly to me slipping that one on for size! But, she however, inspired me to come up with something with … (0 comments)
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marketing: Osceola Stats By the Numbers... - 11/06/06 06:59 PM
As a Realtor perhaps the number one question I hear is..."How is the Market doing?" The answer may surprise you. I usually smile widely and say only one word.... "UNbelievable". The numbers are most interesting. I have previously written blogs about Osceola County, why it is a great place to live, … (1 comments)
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marketing: Buyer Market- Barren - 10/27/06 08:17 AM
In a climate of cooling house sales, caution should be the word of the day. As many of you have experienced, closings today are becoming more and more difficult to achieve. Lenders are scrutinizing loan applications, appraisals, and every detail. The industry at large is suffering a "Tsunami effect" as the … (2 comments)
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