So... Ummm... The agent had my card and called for feedback, but I never visited that property. - 08/31/10 06:31 PM

Seriously!  Really...
I was talking to one of my agents and she had the most bizarre situation occur over the weekend, so I thought I would share with my ActiveRain Community to see what you all think...
So a listing agent from another company, in another city called our agent and asked her for feedback on his listing.  Apparently the listing agent said that her card was left at the house and was calling to see what she thought of the listing.  Our agnet has never seen the property, let alone visited that city with any buyers in years.
The … (132 comments)

Cupertino CA, Condo/TownHome Stats, MTD - YTD 8/31/10 - 08/31/10 05:33 PM
Click here for "Single Family Home" stats http://bit.ly/cKTEJU
Real Estate Statistics for the City of Cupertino, Year to Date and Month to Date (+/-).
The stats are pulled every morning, and compiled on a spreadsheet for distribution.
Active = The number of homes, that are currently for sale, and do not have a buyer in contract.
Pending= The number of homes that have a buyer in contract (with or without a close of escrow date...  includes pending short sales.)
Sold = The number of homes that have closed escrow within the last 30 days when the actual stats was pulled.
The … (0 comments)

Cupertino CA, Single Family Home Sale Stats, MTD 8/31/10 - 08/31/10 01:24 PM
Real Estate Statistics for the City of Cupertino, Year to Date and Month to Date (+/-).
The stats are pulled everymorning, and compiled on a spreadsheet for distribution.
Active = The number of homes, that are currently for sale, and do not have a buyer in contract.
Pending= The number of homes that have a buyer in contract (with or without a close of escrow date...  includes pending short sales.)
Sold = The number of homes that have closed escrow within the last 30 days when the actual stats was pulled.
The first chart shows the Cupertino market for Single Family … (0 comments)

Can Another Home Buyer Tax Credit Stimulate the Housing Sector? - 08/31/10 11:16 AM

This is an interesting topic that of course can generate enormous amount of passions...  For and against.  So I thought I would jump into the topic head first and see what my thoughts were, and hopefully illicit the responses from the ActiveRain community itself.  I enjoy debate, and am open to all points of view, as we all can learn by understanding other opinions and learn from others.
I have to admit, I am not a big fan of giving buyers  tax credits to encourage them to buy...  In my opinion it seems that we are only borrowing future home … (14 comments)

Motivational Monday - Quote by Thomas Jefferson - 08/30/10 06:05 PM

"Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like spirits at the dawn of day." Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dupont de Nemours, April 24, 1816
I have to say that I wanted to be a High School history teachier when I was younger.  I still teach today on different subjects.  The one subject outside of real estate that can keep me wanting more is our own US History.  It seems that our past is not taught as much as I feel it should.
I agree with this quote,  people seem to get mad or … (5 comments)

Cupertino Citywide Garage Sale, Sept 25/26 2010!!! - 08/30/10 01:27 PM
Are you thinking of doing a garage sale soon, and you live in the city of Cupertino?  Or just love to bargan hunt?  Well, the Cupertino City Garage sale is the time to do it! 
Local houses from around the city will be hosting thier very own yard sales Sept 25/26th.
Here is the link to the City of Cupertino site that shows the garage sale info.  http://www.cupertino.org/index.aspx?page=153

When you are on the site, here is where you register your house for the garage sale!

 
When youa are on the site, here is where you can get your … (4 comments)

11 Essential iPhone apps that Agents should use! (Part 2 of 2) - 08/30/10 12:22 PM
Click here to see part 1 --> http://bit.ly/c4uHid
You can search for these apps on your actual iPhone under the apps tab, or you can search for these on iTunes from your desktop (either PC or MAC).  I have added the name in brakets ( blank ) <-- to outline the actual "searchable" name from iTunes.
The 6th application that I wanted to share is the FREE First American Title application Agent First (AgentFirst Real Estate).  This application is great to get simple title searches done in a hurry!  It's like having your own title/escrow company in your little bitty hand!
   
The next FREE appliction I … (8 comments)

Speechless Sunday - Squaw Valley, CA - 08/30/10 12:00 AM
Squaw Valley, CA.  Home of the 1960 Winter Olympics.
The Cable Car runs every 1/2 hour or so, and goes right up the face!  Some get nervous when riding in the trams, since they rock in the wind.  In addition, they rock when they go over the supports.
 
… (30 comments)

11 Essential iPhone apps (applications) that Agents should know about (with pictures) PART 1 of 2 - 08/27/10 04:07 PM
You can search for these apps on your actual iPhone under the apps tab, or you can search for these on iTunes from your desktop (either PC or MAC).  I have added the name in brakets ( blank ) <-- to outline the actual "searchable" name from iTunes.
The first is Facebook (facebook).  We use facebook to search to make contact with potential clients when they only give us email, or to chat with them, or access our FB personal/fan pages on the run.  This is a FREE app.  It supports your online version of Facebook, and can support your fan pages as well.

… (12 comments)

What's Your Truth? Amazing video, great motivation! - 08/26/10 06:13 PM
What a great video. You need to watch all of it, as opposed to watching just the first part. It's only 2 minutes long, and makes you think about the things you say... And if you just turned them around, what COULD they say. I have watched it a few times now, and it makes me think every time! I would love to hear your thoughts in regards to the video. It can be found by typing "What's Your Truth" on YouTube, if you want to see it on that site. :) Enjoy!!! … (10 comments)

The buyer wants to sue because of raccoons in the backyard... Part II - 08/26/10 02:50 PM

Click here to read part one --> Raccoons Blog, Part I
In California, the buyer makes a decision to purchase the property based upon the current and future intended use.  This is based on the desirability and value in the eyes of the buyer based on the disclosures obtained from the seller, and the buyers own inspections...  The seller is required to disclose all material facts that can affect the value and desirability in the eyes of the buyer.  The seller is required to do this, but only things that are KNOWN to the seller, at the time of the … (13 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - I wonder why trains make me lonesome - 08/25/10 02:33 PM

It was a cold dark nightWhen I drove her to the depotThere were tears in my eyesAnd a ticket in her handAnd as we stood there by those tracksI knew she wasn't comein' backSo I turned and walked awayBut I still miss her today
I wonder why trains make me lonesomeIt happens every time that enginge moan's someAnd when I hear that whistle blowWhy it makes my heart sink lowAnd I wonder why trains make me lonesome
By George Strait.  Great song, even if you don't like country music!
I took these pictures out in Truckee, CA.  Over 54 trains … (10 comments)

The buyer wants to sue because of raccoons in the backyard? Part 1 - 08/25/10 01:52 PM
A seller sold to some buyers a home near a creek...  After moving in, the new buyers noticed that their trash cans were being pushed over, and trash everywhere...  They first assumed that the neighborhood kids were playing around, so they set up a camera...  They soon found out the culprit, raccoons!
Racoons!  The furry little bandits out there, hiding in the night...  Crawling out of storm drains, and charging down the hills!  Masks on, waiting for the time to strike!  Ummm... yeah...

Wikipedia lists raccoons as: The raccoon is usually nocturnal and is omnivorous and trash-ivorius (HAHA)
 In looking … (24 comments)

Diwali Festival of Lights. Cupertino CA. Saturday, October 9th 2010 10-6pm - 08/24/10 07:54 PM
The Cuperitno Chamber of Commerce, Asian American Business Council present the 8th annual
"Diwali" Festival of Lights...  A Multicultural Event.
This awesome event will be at Memorial Park (at Stevens Creek/Mary).
Admission is free and parking will be at De Anza College (Lots A, B & C)...

If you are planning on going, arrive early to get a great parking spot!
-Chris
 
 
… (0 comments)

The Other Agent did WHAAAAT? - 08/24/10 12:16 PM

Have you ever submitted an offer/counter offer/request for credit/repairs and had the listing agent say, "oh, my seller will never agree to this" or they say, "I am going to recommend my seller reject this" or they say, "Are you serious, you expect the seller to do this, there is no way...  You should send me something better than this!"
What are the problems with these statements?
The biggest problem is that it is not up to US as agents to decide what the seller wants before talking to the seller.  In addition, we should not use our own opinions … (14 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - Catching crawdads at Lake Tahoe, CA - 08/18/10 09:26 PM
Never would have thought you could catch crawdads at the lake...  I was up in north shore this weekend with my son, and started moving rocks and there they were!  I never would have thought of catching them in such large lakes...  The area was shallow, and warmer.  lots of shad in the water, and lots of rocks, big and small.

I saw many, and grabbed this one, so I could show my son, and take a great picture for the photo album.  Then I thought, it would be fun to share!
As long as you grab them from the … (18 comments)

Have you ever been fired by a seller...? I was happy about it! - 08/17/10 12:17 AM

Yup, it happened to me... (15 years ago!)
Sometimes there are those listings that you just shouldn't take...  Should touch, shouldn't try and shouldn't even think about doing...  This story is about THAT listing that I took!
The listing was overpriced...
The sellers were the parents of a childhood friend...
They still looked at me as that little snot nosed, wet behind the ears kid that they used to yell at...
They thought that open houses will sell their overpriced home...
They thought it was in the best condition in the neighborhood because of their Pergo floors... 
It was in … (35 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - Fishing on the Californa Delta - 08/11/10 12:07 PM
We all get to take some time off, and one of the things I love to do is FISH!  Now, we all know that all fisherman lies start with "You will never believe this, but that fish was THIS BIG"
Well, I am not showing you the picture of the fish I was catching, because the bass were as small as crappie...  And no matter HOW I angled the camera, they were still small...  (I can imagine Michael Scott commenting on that, and making me laugh in the process...).

I was in Stockton, California fishing off of a dock before we … (23 comments)

OMG, he is clueless in regards to Real Estate, yet has 15 listings!!! Urrrrg... - 08/10/10 01:18 PM

Know one of ‘em?  Those agents that have tons of business yet seem to lack the finer point that is required to keep out of trouble.  You get into contract with them, and want to immediately bang your head against the wall working with them.  They can't fill out the contract, they ask you questions on what to do next, and they miss important deadlines...  Yet they have more business then they know what to do with...   Why is that?
It's a pretty easy answer...  Real Estate is a people business.  It's making sure that when your sphere of influence … (23 comments)

"How to Be a Smart Buyer/Seller" Event in Sunnyvale, CA 9/25/10 FREE - 08/09/10 03:47 PM
The Silicon Valley Association of Realtors is hosting a great event on September 25th, 2010 from 12:30-4pm.  Located at the Sunnyvale Senior Center 550 East Remington Drive, Sunnyvale. (California).  FREE
If you would like to learn more about the smart way to achieve the American Dream of home ownership, this is for you!
This event will cover things topics like:
How to Be a Smart Buyer from 12:30-1:15pm
How to Be A Smart Seller from 1:30-2:15
Myths and Misconceptions About Distressed Properties from 2:30-4pm.

For more information, contact SILVAR directly at 408-200-0100 or rmeily@silvar.org
 
 
… (2 comments)

Out of sight, out of mind! You forgot about me... (great story!) - 08/09/10 02:44 PM

Take a minute and close your eyes and think of a vacation that you took several years ago...  Well, actually don't close your eyes, keep reading... lol...
Think about that trip.  Where did you go?  How long do you go for?  When did you go?  Who did you go with?  Did you take tons of pictures?  Can you think of some of the things that were so awesome in regards to that trip?  Did you get a great sun tan?  Did you visit a foreign country?  Think about that.
Think about how that trip made you feel...  Happy, excited, crazy???
… (119 comments)

Ever sat at an open house, and lost a buyer? - 08/06/10 10:15 PM

Seriously!  Several years ago, when I was selling real estate...  I met a buyer while I was doorknocking.  We hit it up great, and looked at several properties.  He was a mountain guy.  Wanted rural property, out in the sticks.  Away from everyone and everything!  The trips out to view property took several hours, due to the travel time. 
I had to drive my big Chevy to make it up the dirt roads out there.
We visited a particular home several times, and he was really interested...  But wanted to wait.  I had talked to the listing agent, built up … (16 comments)

New commercial that I thought was cool from YouTube (showing the advance in technology) - 08/05/10 03:26 PM
So I was sitting watching TV the other night.  It seems like a luxury these days.  I have a TIVO, but I always want to find something "on" TV that night, and if all else fails I watch something that was pre-recorded.
When I watch someting on the DVR, I fast forward through the commercials like most of us do.  This night, I was watching something on regular TV, so I couldn't fast forward...  AND I was tired, so I didn't get up and do something during the break as well.
And...  This commercial caught my eye.  Now, I have an … (8 comments)

Computer History Museum interview of Mark Zuckerberg (Video) Founder of Facebook - 08/05/10 12:34 AM
Finally!  I was able to find the video of the interview with Mark Zuckerberg over at the Computer History Museum http://www.computerhistory.org/.  From some of my previous posts about this video, I am curious as to what you think about the actual interview as well.
When watching, tell me what you think about the Author to his left, and the guy from NPR on the right.  I really enjoyed Mark, but was very disappointed with the two that were with him
Part 1 of 2 (my blog about the interview) ß This is my first post, check it out. 
Part 2 of … (4 comments)

Load my listings on LinkedIn? Really? - 08/04/10 11:49 AM
Load my listings on LinkedIn?  Really?

I was reading a few sites this morning and came across a new application for LinkedIn.  I supposedly connects your listings to your LinkedIn profile.  In doing some searching, here is what I was able to discover...
Real Estate Pro is the name of the application for LinkedIn.
Linked in doesn't have that many applications, as opposed to Facebook that has tons!  Here is the site to see what applications are available on LinkedIn.  Rofo is on the bottom, on the right on this site.
http://www.linkedin.com/static?key=application_directory
I have added the link for the actual … (14 comments)

Wordless Wednesday - Wild Blackberries - Ready to be Picked! - 08/04/10 12:52 AM
Wordless Wednesday - Blackberries!  Ready to be picked.
Walking down the driveway where I live grows patches of wild blackberries, ready to be picked!  I headed down this last weekend and found a few that were ready to plucked, piled in a basket and ready for me to enjoy them... 

After I picked them, most were ready to eat but some were a bit too sour.  So I am headed back down next weekend to grab some more.  (had to dodge a few spiders, lol!!!)
These bushes grow wild in the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve.
I hope everyone has … (24 comments)

To live a large life... (inspirational thought) - 08/04/10 12:39 AM

To live a large life...  focus on what matters - what REALLY matters.  Most people go out and try to make it too big...  To have a larger life, narrow your focus. 
Find what it is about being successful in real estate can give you...  Focus on THAT.  For some of us, that is what will help us roll out of bed in the morning and get going!
When we try to take on too many things all at once, we never really become experts at any of them.  We spend too much of our time on everything, and not … (20 comments)

Cupertino CA, Homes Sale Stats, YTD - 08/02/10 08:24 PM
End of another month, and time for the stats!  I compile these stats on a daily basis to help understand what the market is doing.
There are several numbers that I collect.  Active homes represent homes that are active on the market as of that date.  The "pending" catigory are homes that are pending sale.  And the SOLD numbers, are the sales (escrows that closed) on the MLS for the last 30 days. 
Can have a margin of error (+/-).
Single Family Homes, Cupertino through the end of July

Common Interest Units (Condo/Townhome), Cupertino through the end of July

… (6 comments)

Motivational Monday - Small balloons can only get soooo big! - 08/02/10 03:46 PM
Motivational Monday - Small balloons can only get soooo big!
 
Small balloons cannot be blown up larger than their capacity...  So don't spend all your money on small balloons... 
Go buy the biggest balloon and go learn how to blow it up!
Gary Keller
 
...Rings true with so many things.  Sometimes we limit our success by thinking we cannot do something that maybe we could do, if we tried.  Never let someone esle tell you you can't either.  You truly will not know the limits of your own abilities until you try.  There may be times that you try … (16 comments)

Networking, blogging, microblogging, location based microblogging, media-sharing, review sites... Where do I start??? - 08/01/10 04:11 PM

It seems that I get this question every time I teach a social media class.  The student's get so overwhelmed with all of the "stuff" you can do, that they don't know where to start...
Networking with sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace and Plaxo.  Used primarily for networking, that is getting to know the people in your sphere of influence better.  Talking, listening, connecting, cultivating...  This can be done with minimal effort and great for beginners.  Easy to post info and pictures for sharing.
Blogging with sites like ActiveRain (my favorite!), Blogger, Wordpress, etc...  Blogging is used to help position … (13 comments)

 
Chris Ambassador_large

Chris Alston (Silicon Valley, California)

Cupertino, CA

More about me…

Chris Alston (Keller Williams Realty, Cupertino California)

Address: 20230 Stevens Creek Blvd. , Suite E, Cupertino, CA, 95014

Office Phone: (408) 850-6955

Cell Phone: (408) 921-4711

Email Me

Helping Real Estate Professionals learn new ideas and thought to help them in their business... At the same time, comments from our community help me in my classroom setting.


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog