Subprime Loan Fallout >> The way to fix it - 08/31/07 09:24 AM
Yahoo News yesterday ran an article that stated millions of home owners are getting notices in the mail that the interest rate on their loans is going up, in some cases to double digits.
The article goes on to say that the hardest hit will be those with less that stellar credit and cannot afford to make the higher payments. This is because there are more risks with poor credit and lenders impose higher rates and restrictions.
A quote from the article states "The prospect of significant and growing losses has already rocked Wall Street and shaken up the broader mortgage markets. And, … (2 comments)
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RE/MAX Helps Military Spouses - 08/28/07 09:11 PM
In mid 2006 RE/MAX International launched a program targeted at matching military spouses with real estate positions either in sales, administration or other related fields. To date the program has included almost 1,000 RE/MAX Brokers and has attracted the attention of 500 military installations which are involved in the program.
Known as "Operations RE/MAX" the program has received nation wide attention. The trade magazine Military Spouse awarded RE/MAX 3rd place for it's innovative employment program.
Spouses who would like to have more information on Operation RE/MAX should contact the Spouse Employment Office or Family Center at their military installation. They also can log on to … (13 comments)
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Boise Idaho Home Buying >> The ABC's of buying a home - 08/28/07 12:16 PM
The news is loud and clear. Home prices across the country are falling and this has become a home buyer's paradise. Boise Idaho Real Estate is no exception. As of the writing of this blog there are 929 homes listed in Ada County between $100,000 and $200,000. This is the highest inventory of homes that I can remember in the 27 plus years I have been a licensed Realtor.
To take advantage of the opportunities that exist there are some things you must consider when you make the decision to become a homeowner.
1) Get loan approval, not just pre-qualified. There is a big difference between the … (2 comments)
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Boise Idaho Home Sales >> Are open houses and print advertising the answer? - 08/27/07 10:06 PM
Real estate has been on the news lately and the latest report today, Monday August 27, 2007 indicates the median price of homes across the country fell for the first time in years. Boise Idaho is no exception.
The National Association of Realtors stated home prices fell for the 1st time in 11 years and supplies of homes are at an all-time high. The report also states that home prices are expected to fall further through the end of the year.
Many Boise Idaho and other residents across the country are facing the dilemma of having no one look at their home, especially … (11 comments)
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Real Estate Domain Names >> Choosing the right one makes all the difference - 08/27/07 05:10 PM
Domain name articles have been written here on Active Rain and all over the web. The do's and dont's of using the correct domain name have been around for a while now.
Again I am living proof of what works and what does not. Active Rain member Karen George wrote about this topic and she was right on the button as always!
I created my first major website about 9 years ago. Not knowing any better I just chose tallabas.com For years and even until recently this was my domain name with one other domain name pointing to it which I will no longer do...read Multiple … (27 comments)
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Real Estate Advertising >> Don't give away the farm and more - 08/27/07 11:44 AM
Early in 2006 I read an email that came from Broker Agent News that talked about the power of Craig's List and how some Realtor were reaping huge profits from it while other saw no return.
The email went on to say that when we post our listings on Craig's List to use the template Craig's List provides or something very similar and to make sure to insert a link to your website in the ad. Give readers a reason to go to want to link to your website by saying something like "See virtual tour here".
Look at the ad I just … (29 comments)
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Multiple Domain Names >> What is the latest news? - 08/26/07 01:18 PM
I created a website back in 1999 with an Ihouse template and it worked well for some time. I of course wanted to get more exposure so I took Ihouse's advice and purchased some more domain names that pointed at this same site. Ihouse referred to this as "Mirror Domain Names". At one time I had 4 different domain names pointing at the same site.
With this and other things I did my site started climbing the search engine ladders. Then all of a sudden my site started falling from grace in terms of the search engines. I phoned Ihouse for ideas … (58 comments)
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“I just put my blinders on and cover my ears and refuse to participate in the negativity” - 08/24/07 01:25 PM
I took my nephew to the Caldwell Night Rodeo last Saturday night and had a wonderful time. This is one of the top 10 PRCA rodeos on the country.
While there I was fortunate to sit with some great friends from my office and one of my friends had invited some other younger friends that sat with us as well.
I started up a conversation with one young man who happened to be the son of a lady I used to Rodeo with in the 70's. Turns out this young man is a builder in the valley doing business as a corporation.
I asked … (47 comments)
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The Silliest Realtor Game In Town - 08/22/07 04:42 PM
With the inventory of homes for sale increasing in many areas of the country a high number of Realtors and consumers are constantly looking at new ideas to compete with the competition of homes that are out there.
One of my recent buyers asked me to investigate a new town home she was very interested in. I gave her a consumer MLS printout of the property and she was curious why the listing said "20" DOM or Days on the Market. She went on to tell me that she was sure she had seen that very town home for sale a year … (105 comments)
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Home Mortgages >> What You Are Rarely Told - 08/20/07 08:58 PM
Ever wonder what mortgage companies and other creditors want? Of course you do, we all do. They all want the same. They want you to:
Finance your new home purchase with themRefinance your home and take advantage of your equityBuy your vacation home through themTap into your home equity and buy the vehicle of your dreams (its tax deductible!)It's the American dream and everyone wants a piece of the American dream. I'm sure right after you hear the commercial encouraging you to use the equity in your home to buy whatever your heart desires you have heard this on the news: Credit … (22 comments)
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I need to build it so they will come - 08/19/07 12:48 AM
I have had the same template site for years and although it has made a decent return for me over the years I feel I can do better. I am going to have a custom site built down the road and have already spoken to a webmaster about it but for now I am interested in a Point2Agent professional site which I have already purchased.
My dilemma is that the learning curve and the talent it takes to build a quality site is quite extensive contrary to popular belief. I spoke to a Point2Agent user today that has a wonderful productive site. I asked him how … (57 comments)
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A Letter from Barb Schwarz - 08/16/07 09:44 AM
I recently wrote the post Barb Schwarz staging interview you must hear and I emailed a copy of my post to Barb. I was shocked today when I received this letter. I can't believe she would remember me from a conversation in the 90's! I was not going to go to the state convention but I changed my mind this morning! Everything Barb does she does it with a tremendous passion. It is no surprise she was a super star Realtor and no surprise she has been such a force in home staging.
Dearest George,
I am so happy to hear from you....
You are … (10 comments)
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Sometimes all the seller needs is a BAD OFFER! - 08/15/07 08:37 PM
An elderly lady phoned me a about three months ago and asked if I would come and look at her home and give her an idea of what it was worth to sell. I had never met her before. She said she had heard of me for years and would like to hire me as her Realtor.
I would go and look at Ellen's home and would end up falling in love with her. She is 76 years old, never driven a vehicle a day in her life, has 50% of her vision, and is one of the simplest, sweetest, kind, polite, humble, and honest individuals … (38 comments)
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One Little Act of Kindness Can Grow Into Something BIG - 08/13/07 08:57 PM
I didn't have a lot of time today for lunch so I decided to make a mad dash to McDonald's because it is 5 minutes from my office. The only thing I will eat at McDonald's is a Fillet O' Fish sandwich! So I head out of my office parking lot and within minutes I am pulling up to the McDonald's drive through area.
I could not pull in the same way I normally do because there were more cars than usual. I had never seen such a long, long line. So I got into the long line and ahead of me I could … (49 comments)
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My Open Letter to all Sellers - 08/12/07 09:36 PM
I'm sure you have read the newspapers and heard the news. Many areas of the country are experiencing a high number of homes on the market and in some areas inventories of homes on the market are at all-time highs. In some price ranges around the country there are as much as a 6 month to a year or more supply of homes.
This does not concern me as a Realtor because I strongly feel that any home can sell in any market if certain factors are in place. You cannot change your location or the floor plan of your home.
What you … (37 comments)
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My 300th Post >> Let it Rain For Karen George - 08/12/07 10:50 AM
When I joined Active Rain I was like a lost puppy and had no idea what I was doing. I wandered around aimlessly having no idea what what was the proper thing to do and how to do it. Then I started reading more and more of Karen George's blogs:
This Is A Lousy Title For My Post
Top Agent SEO: Make Your AR Profile Stand Out!
Use Your Blog Links for Better Search Engine Placement
The Importance of Headers (in your AR profile)
And on and on and on......
All of a sudden I realized that my Active Rain profile was a powerful marketing tool if I knew how … (76 comments)
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Where Did My Localism Post Go? - 08/10/07 04:14 PM
About a week ago I wrote some blogs that I sent to Localism in Idaho. The following day I looked for them and looked for them but they were no where to be found. The next day I emailed Active Rain Support and told them what happened and that I was confused because I had posted the information as I always had in the past.
This is the response I received from Active Rain Support:
In the past one would post a blog to Localism and it would go to the top and work it's way down as new blogs were posted, not anymore. … (39 comments)
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My Open Letter To Realtors - 08/10/07 01:42 PM
I have been in the real estate business for over 27 years and have seen a lot of marketing ideas come and go but one I adamantly endorse is that of home staging. We place a lock box on our listings, place full color brochures, beautiful signs, ads in the newspaper and magazines and every website known to man. We have open houses and can't wait for qualified buyers to come through.
What most of us don't realize is the house is screaming at us "What have you done for me"?! The problem with sellers telling us they can arrange their own … (54 comments)
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Barb Schwarz staging interview you must hear - 08/09/07 09:00 PM
I first was introduced to Barb Schwarz back in the 80's as a fellow real estate broker. I read many articles about her in the Realtor Magazine and always felt she gave some great advice. She always was very articulate and passionate about real estate and I can just imagine the passion she now has with home staging. Barb also wrote articles about Realtors and nutrition in the mid 90's which were fascinating. I once called Barb to discuss her nutrition article and she spoke to me like I was a long lost friend. She is simply an amazing woman.
I was … (37 comments)
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Sometimes we just need the toothless smile of a child - 08/09/07 08:04 PM
The car didn't start this morning
Someone cut in front of you on your way to an appointment
The appraisal didn't come in and your sale isn't closing
Your seller is cancelling his listing with you and trying someone "Fresh"
Your computer froze and you can't finish your contract
Teacher called and your child doesn't feel good
The guy at the express line has 18 items instead of 10! (You know because you counted them!)
No, I didn't have any of those things happen to me today. My day actually went pretty darn good thank God. I receive hundreds of emails each day just like everyone else. I delete … (45 comments)
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Selling Your Home On-Line >> Please log on and make your voice heard! - 08/08/07 10:22 PM
Earlier today Yahoo posted a story about a couple that saved $26,000 dollars by selling their home on-line and not using a Realtor. A video was posted on the front page of Yahoo and interviewed the couple that saved the money by selling on-line and avoiding a real estate commission. That video can be viewed by clicking the comment button below where you can also post your opinion.
Yahoo has now followed up by asking readers to voice their opinion about the pros and cons of selling thier home on-line and the use of a Realtor.
The headline on Yahoo News reads:
Tuesday, August 7, 2007 … (14 comments)
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Real Estate Photographers - Listen Up! - 08/08/07 06:09 PM
I love photography and I have read everything I can about photography over the years. I recently purchased the book "The Digital Photography Book" by Scott Kelly on the proper use of Digital SLR cameras and in that book Kelly mentions the name of B&H Photo in New York. Kelly goes on to say that he has shopped at a lot of photography stores but B&H Photo in New York is the crème de la crème when it comes to photography stores and he said he "Trusts" them which is a biggie for me.
Earlier this year I wrote a blog "The big camera that can't - Please help!" … (64 comments)
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The Owyhee County of Idaho - 08/07/07 09:07 PM
Everyone has a place that is special to them. When you are there you feel something special. For some it is the Ocean and for some it is a Mountain top. We all have a place like this that makes us feel special and it warms our heart. We visit these places and don't want to leave.
For me, this is what Owyhee County in the S.W. corner of Idaho does for me. I go against the flow from most Idahoans. Most Idaho residents and visitors seek the high forested mountains of central and northern Idaho and the beautiful canyons of eastern … (16 comments)
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Silver City of Idaho >> An Idaho Treasure - 08/06/07 01:37 PM
One of the best little drives one can take if you live in the S.W. corner of Idaho were I do is to the historic town of Silver City. If you are around my age you will remember Bonanza and The Rifleman, two of my all-time favorite T.V. Shows. Those two shows remind me of Silver City.
When you drive south of the city of Nampa on Highway 45 you will eventually cross the Snake River of Idaho. You then turn due south on State Highway 78 and you will follow the Snake River for a few miles before you turn do west … (20 comments)
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Creation vs. VFlyer - What is best for Active Rain? - 08/05/07 11:06 AM
I recently had a conversation with a wonderful Active Rain member that has been with AR since it's inception. This member has been very instrumental in the direction AR has gone and is a true professional in every sense of the word. This member told me that Active Rain is all about "Creating" blogs and writing new and unique information.
I asked about the growing use of vflyer or postlets to create flyers for use in Craigs List and now Active Rain. She was quick to tell me what Active Rain was based on which is "Writing and Creating". This friend said "As wonderful … (85 comments)
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Palm Download for Real Estate - Free download that is cool - 08/05/07 10:41 AM
In 2002 I was at the National RE/MAX Convention in Las Vegas NV. While at the convention I signed up for a class given by Steven Canale. It was the most sought after class and was "standing room only". Realtors were even sitting in the isles! It was one of the most interesting tech classes I have ever been to. When I returned home I immediately signed up for his newsletter which is awesome. I have implemented several of Mr. Canale's recommendations and they have been right on.
One of the FREE downloads available on Canale.com is the "Canale Calculator" which is … (26 comments)
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How To Raise Your Credit Score 100 Points in 45 Days - 08/03/07 11:49 AM
Sound too good to be true? Not as much as you'd think. Try out these five simple steps to improving your own credit score...you could see dramatic results! As a real estate veteran of nearly 28 years I was surprised to find out that closing old credit cards was not a good idea. After all, we have all been told that "Less is Better" when it comes to credit cards...right? Work on getting your credit repaired and then call a Realtor to get started hunting for your dream home. Not sure what your credit score is? Read Help the Buyers that … (33 comments)
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Selling Your Home - Time Tested Selling Tips - 08/02/07 06:20 PM
Buyers buy homes based on emotion - how a home "feels" to them. Many factors come into play, many that the buyer isn't even aware of. Buyers buy what they see. Ask your friends and neighbors to view your home through "Buyer's eyes" and give you their honest opinions. In general: cleaner is better, brighter and more open is better, no odors is better, and neutral colors are best. Make you home as appealing and uncluttered as the home you would like to buy. Remember that you live in your home differently than when it is time to sell. When it … (29 comments)
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Realtors - What Message Does Your Car Send? - 08/02/07 10:32 AM
Ever thought it really didn't matter what kind of car you drive when showing real estate? I had never gave it a whole lot of thought until this:
In the early nineties Realtor Magazine wrote an article about a Moses Lake Washington Realtor who was a veteran of over 20 years in real estate and had been very successful. She had a large sphere of influence a great repeat business. She decided she would treat herself one year and decided to purchase a brand new Lincoln Continental. It was not long that she saw her business start to drop off and soon people … (53 comments)
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Real Estate - How Low Will It Go? - 08/01/07 09:42 PM
Having been in real estate for nearly 28 years living through many cycles and I have seen a lot of real estate investors and home buyers make A LOT of money in real estate.
Now with yet another cycle before us here in 2007 another question is being asked by buyers of real estate: "How low will it go?" and "Is it a good time to buy?". My response has always been: "If you can afford it, buy it!"
My experience has been that those that wait for real estate values to hit rock bottom rarely ever buy real estate and don't make the … (16 comments)
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Why Should I Hire You? - 08/01/07 05:52 PM
How many times have you heard a seller or buyer ask you: "Why Should I Hire You?" If you have not heard it many times, chances are real good you will hear it many times in the months to come. Are you prepared to answer that question when it comes up?
Stop and think about it. Why did you decide to buy your last vehicle from the car salesman you purchased it from? Why is a certain department store your favorite store? Why do you go to the same gas station every time even though the gas may be a few … (29 comments)
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