"A Decidedly Different Stage" - 11/30/06 08:03 PM
"Our newest data confirm last quarter's data that the housing market is in a decidedly different stage," said OFHEO Director James B. Lockhart in a statement. "With U.S. house prices growing less than 1 percent during the third quarter, it provides more evidence that the long-forecasted national deceleration in house prices … (6 comments)
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What About the Furniture? - 11/27/06 11:27 AM
When your clients shop for a house, do they consider that the house style may wreak havoc with their current furniture? I know first time buyers often plan to buy furniture for the first time with their new house, but what about your move-up buyers? Sometimes they realize they have to have … (9 comments)
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Shopping: A Style for Everyone - 11/26/06 10:13 PM
Unlike TLW, I hate shopping. I hate it with a passion. That doesn't mean it's a bad thing to do, I just don't like doing it. I'd much rather sit down at my computer and shop on-line. I can get it done in 1/10 the time and not have to hassle with … (13 comments)
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Christmas Is Coming AKA Black Friday - 11/25/06 09:35 PM
I never shop the day after Thanksgiving so when I heard the term Black Friday, I was surprised. Black Friday? What on earth? I had to Google it to find out what it was. My first assumption was that it was the time when merchants finally started to make money that … (10 comments)
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Rules Are Meant to Be Broken - 11/20/06 12:15 AM
Some rules are meant to be broken. I don't recommend it for rehabbers, but I'm as susceptible as the next person when it comes to emotionally buying. Breaking the rehabbing rules can cost money, however!
This little house is an example of broken rehab rules. It's the latest project on my rehab screen. … (12 comments)
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One Down, One to Go - 11/19/06 10:48 PM
This should be a staging post or one on rehabbing. I couldn't resist putting the after shots up for those who followed my vacancy from an 18 year chain smoking tenant.
Row 1: I'm thrilled this unit is done. Note the bathroom is fresh, clean (sorry the toilet seat is up), and newly … (4 comments)
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Pop Tart Showing - 11/15/06 04:03 AM
It became my turn to do a pop tart showing last Friday. My broker fielded the call from someone wanting to see a specific house at 3:00 Friday afternoon. He asked the woman if she had an agent who could show her the property, and she hesitated ever so slightly before answering … (4 comments)
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If the Public Only Knew What They Don't Know - 11/13/06 11:02 PM
An exercise in fantasy thinking for wishful thinkers!
If the Public only knew what they don't know:
They would not call the company listed on the "for sale" sign in front of the house to arrange for a showing of that house.They would interview agents to find out who takes agency seriously instead of … (17 comments)
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Fiduciary vs. Functionary - 11/13/06 06:23 PM
I've known since I took the CBR (Certified Buyer Representative) class that fiduciary is the most important value I bring to a real estate transaction. When I switched from being an exclusive buyers' agent (working for a company that did no listings) to being a traditional agent I saw a different … (6 comments)
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Toot My Own Horn! - 11/12/06 12:06 AM
Jamie Ramos commented on my post "Why Hire a Real Estate Agent?". I had to check and see if Jamie was a man or woman so I didn't make the embarrassing faux pax of calling her a he when she was a she! Her comment stood out for me because it's … (6 comments)
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Why Hire a Real Estate Agent? - 11/10/06 08:34 PM
Why hire a real estate agent to market or find your home? This thought has been germinating for two days since I've been challenged by a local competitor to read the "red book" by Gary Keller. (For those who don't know, that's The Millionaire Real Estate Agent.) I love to read. . … (15 comments)
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Minneapolis Saint Paul Real Estate - 11/10/06 12:56 AM
Even though all this year's facts aren't in yet for the 13 county area of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, I find the comparison of real estate sales from 2000 which was the very beginning of our feeding frenzy to 2006 to be interestiing. The media and the associations are hyping that … (7 comments)
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Reflections on Senior Transitions - 11/08/06 05:31 PM
Lisa Dunn's recent posts on seniors transitioning from houses to retirement settings has reminded me once again about Gordon and his wife. When I was young, the old scared me. I'm not sure why. It may have been because they seemed frail or because I was afraid of where I would end up … (13 comments)
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Market Musings - 11/07/06 01:52 AM
A referral was given to me from another real estate forum last spring. Mr. Buyer came several weekends and we did the usual relocation shuffle with lots of houses, lots of time, and lots of stress. Mr. and Mrs. Buyer had a home to sell in Leesburg, VA. I believe Leesburg … (5 comments)
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Blogging Friends - 11/06/06 02:18 PM
Caleb Mardini asked Active Rainers to write about the friends they have made on Active Rain. Not having searched for the "Friends at Active Rain" tag yet, I'm not sure if any others noted this request. The thought intrigued me before I left for the deer hun'ing weekend and my intent … (26 comments)
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Minnesota Real Estate - 11/03/06 12:32 PM
Minnesota has a typical slow period in the winter months starting with deer hunting opener. So many people participate in deer and fishing opener weekends that Minnesotan's could almost declare two more holidays. Extra days are taken from work. The freeways are clogged with traffic all to get a glimpse and … (3 comments)
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sold - Shafer, Minnesota - SOLD - 11/02/06 01:07 AM
I love going back to list homes that I sold to clients, especially in situations like this one where the clients purchased a home with good bones but not so pretty decorating. These clients have improved their home so much that I'm excited to present it for sale. The views are … (8 comments)
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