Can I Reach 300,000 Points Before 2012?! - 12/31/11 07:41 PM
Hey can you help a sista out.  My girl Brenda Mullen has a lofty goal to achieve by year's end and she needs your help.  She's got to bust her chops (or in this case fingers) to reach this goal, but your input  could put her over the top.  Please go to Brenda's original post and comment and let's help her reach her goal of 300k by 2012.
Go Brenda. Go Brenda.  Go Brenda.
Via Brenda Mullen-ABR, e-Pro-210-807-0819 Selling San Antonio TX Area Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty):
Can I Reach 300,000 Points Before 2012?!  
So, for some reason an idea … (0 comments)

2011 DBC-21: Finding Royalty Free Photos - 12/30/11 09:49 AM
2011 DBC-21:  Finding Royalty Free Photos
Victoria has been on me about sending her pictures for my Bham WIiRE Realty homepage.  I don't have a lot of photos of my own that I want to use so I spent some time trying to find a source of photos online.
Vic had recommended iStock, but since I will need a regular source for photos, I thought the pictures cost too much and would not be cost effective long term.  Of course, I could make it my business to take my own photos, but unlike many of my AR cohorts, I'm not always in camera … (9 comments)

1 Bedroom Condo for Rent in Centerpoint - 12/28/11 07:01 AM
1 Bedroom Condo for Rent in Birmingham (Centerpoint) area.
 
Autumn Chase Condo … (3 comments)

Even Lovelier Than The Day I Received Them - 12/26/11 11:38 AM
Even Lovelier Than The Day I Received Them
I received these flowers last Thursday from an investor client that recently closed.  He's serving in Afghanistan and I appreciate him as both a client for his service to our country.

… (10 comments)

2011 DBC-17: Testimonials Discovered While Re-evaluating Trulia as a Resource - 12/22/11 08:57 AM
2011 DBC-17: Testimonials Discovered While Re-evaluating Trulia as a Resource
Recently I have been receiving a number of emails from "my" Trulia representative which is really funny because I didn't know that I had Trulia rep.  Anywho, yesterday I decided to take another look a the Trulia site to see what I might be missing.
My greatest find on Trulia were 2 testimonials that had been there since September 2011.  Shame on me.  Of course I made contact with them immediately to thank them for there kinds words and to see how things were going. 
At any rate here's what they had … (11 comments)

December's Season Of Celebration & Sharing, Toys For Tots, Huntsville Alabama, 35806 - 12/22/11 08:06 AM
Ole Saint Nick (Pappas) from Huntsville epitomizes the spirit of giving.  I'm spreading the word about this Christmas donation box at Providence Cafe in Huntsville, AL in hopes that more people will see it and be kind enough to deliver a toy to the box.  No kid should be left out at Christmas time.
Via Nick T Pappas - Madison and Huntsville Alabama (Assoc, Broker ABR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty, Huntsville AL):
December's Season Of Celebration & Sharing, Toys For Tots, Huntsville Alabama, 35806

I've shared a couple of posts recently about the Providence Cafe, a new restaurant and coffee shop here … (0 comments)

2011 DBC-15 Move in Prep - 12/19/11 08:53 AM
2011 DBC-15 Move in Prep
After closing on the condo unit on Thursday, the prep work for painting began immediately on Saturday and on Sunday, the painting began.
As of Sunday evening all of the walls and ceilings have been painted.  Doors and trim will be painted today as well as replacing the tile in the laundry closet. One draw has to replaced in kitchen, new lighting installed in the bathroom.
Final clean up should take place no later than Wednesday and on Wednesday evening, the carpet will be cleaned and ready for new tenant.

… (6 comments)

2011 DBC-14.2 SOLD 2 Bedroom Rental in Central Park - 12/16/11 07:44 PM
2011 DBC-14.2 SOLD 2 Bedroom Rental in Central Park This 2 bedroom rental will be available early in 2012.  It's going to make a really nice home for its new tenants.  More details to be provided later.
Congrats to my investor buyer for recognizing this gem for its potential.

… (5 comments)

2011 DBC-14.1 SOLD 1 Bedroom Condo Unit in Birmingham AL (Rent Ready January 1, 2012) - 12/16/11 07:34 PM
2011 DBC-14.1 SOLD 1 Bedroom Condo Unit in Birmingham AL (Rent Ready January 1, 2012)
This investor owned unit closed on yesterday.  The condo will be ready for rental January 1, 2012 and applications are being accepted immediately.
The condo is a 1 bedroom unit with living room and dining area with a wet bar.  The balcony faces the rear of the condo for the ulitmate in privacy.  Water, sewer and pest control are included in the rent and to top it off, the unit is totally electric so it's very economical.
 
 
 
… (0 comments)

2011 DBC-11: Investing Time With Investors - 12/13/11 06:13 AM
2011 DBC-11: Investing Time With Investors
As a real estate investor myself, I can't think of a better USP to build my investor clientele.  Afterall, no one understands the investor mindset better than another investor.
Today I will be reaching out to all of the investors in my database (whether by phone, mail or email).  My goal is to:
Keep  my name top of mind when they are thinking about buying in the Birmingham area Find out their investing goals for the coming year. Make sure that I have them set up on auto email for properties that meet their general … (5 comments)

I Got Mine. Did You Get Yours? - 12/12/11 05:37 PM
I Got Mine.  Did You Get Yours?

Thanks Todaro.
… (25 comments)

2011 DBC-10: All Fired Up About Consumer Centric WordPress Blog - 12/12/11 06:49 AM
2011 DBC-10: All Fired Up About Consumer Centric WordPress Blog
After my SEO training yesterday with Victoria Stankard, I was all fired up about my new WordPress blog.  After training, I took a short break and then I spent much of the day creating content for my site. And today is much of the same.  I am beaming with excitement.
Once GFN started working on my site a couple of weeks ago, Victoria had asked me to send her 5 posts so that's what I did and I had not sent her anything else.  Silly me, I was thinking that she only … (19 comments)

2011 DBC-9.1: Prepping for a New Rental Unit - 12/11/11 06:31 PM
2011 DBC-9.1:  Prepping for a New Rental Unit
After I finished my SEO training with GFN, I took a short break from the information overload of the one hour training.
I headed to Home Depot to pick up supplies for a condo unit that my investors are closing on this week.  They were in town on yesterday and went shopping for supplies.
As it turned out, once I arrived a Home Depot, I was able to save them a little bit of money.  They had originally purchase flooring for the condo's kitchen and after some discussion a week or so ago, … (9 comments)

2011 DBC-9: SEO Training - 12/11/11 08:31 AM
2011 DBC-9:  SEO Training
Today I'll be doing my SEO Training with Victoria Stankard.  I am about as excited about my new WordPress blog as I was about stumbing across ActiveRain.
I am just hoping that my brain can retain it all so that I do a great job of SEO. We'll see how it goes.  It's been said by a number of people that Michael and Victoria move too fast, but to date, the pace has worked for me.
Wish me luck and I'll See EveryOne on Page 1. 
… (8 comments)

2011 DBC-8: Looking for Faces in All The Wrong Places - 12/10/11 05:36 AM
2011 DBC-8:  Looking for Faces in All The Wrong Places
For me, Facebook has been that elephant in the room.  Without question, I see it, but I haven't known what to do with it.  I have not used it in a way that would generate the type of business that I'd like to see, nor have I targeted the demographic that I'd like to serve.
In 2012, I'd like to focus on getting my foot in the door of some local corporations. So what I've decided to do is make a concerted effort to find businesses on Facebook that have the potential to … (18 comments)

Another Happy Bham WIiRE Investor Just Closed on This Home Today - 12/09/11 02:38 PM
Another Happy Bham WIiRE Realty Investor Just Closed on This Home Today
This was such a great buy for my investor clients.  Whether they rent it or flip it really doesn't even matter.  Either way they go with it, they can expect that the ROI will be well worth the acquistion and rehab cost.
I am looking forward to their next venture, as they have made some sound decisions based on data that I have presented to them and they are definitely playing their "A" game.
What I really love about them is that they select properties in areas where people still … (7 comments)

2011 DBC-7: Come on Up to iPad - 12/09/11 06:27 AM
2011 DBC-7:  Come on Up to iPad
As many of you may already know, I won an iPad from RealBird last year.  It was shipped to me just before Thanksgiving.  It has been the best and most useful prize ever.  The only thing better would have been if it were 3G instead of WiFi only.
By all means, don't get me wrong, I love it so much I would marry it if I could, but it's time for me take the show on the road with iPad2 with 3G.  I use existing iPad in the field particularly with presentations using Keynote, but … (13 comments)

SOLD by Faye Morrow of Bham WIiRE Realty - 12/08/11 11:45 AM
SOLD by Faye Morrow of Bham WIiRE Realty
Congratulations to Faye Morrow and the new owners on the closing today.  This is an absolutely awesome home and I am certain that the owners will have many, many years of happiness in their new Vestavia Hills home.
For your next home purchase, be sure to call the WOW (Women of WIiRE) Team (205) 321-1200.

… (4 comments)

Another Birmingham Short Sale Success by Bham WIiRE Realty: Closed December 2011 - 12/08/11 05:59 AM
Another Birmingham Short Sale Success by Bham WIiRE Realty:  Closed December 2011
This short sale may be rightfully tagged the short sale from hell.  I thought it was never going to end.  This was a property that was foreclosed "by mistake."  I had actually listed this property twice (preforeclosure and again after it was discovered that is was forecloses "by mistake." Getting the deed corrected was the nightmare comparable to Elm Street.
Approximately 4 months after getting it listed, we sent a seller accepted offer to Wells Fargo to approve.  Great. No problem.  They approved it with the quickness.
You can … (9 comments)

2011 DBC-6: I Could Write a Book But I'll Settle For a Newsletter - 12/08/11 05:45 AM
2011 DBC-6: I Could Write a Book But I'll Settle For a Newsletter
Those of us that blog with a tremendous amount of frequency probably have enough information to publish a book (which is something that I have always wanted to do).  That would be a huge undertaking but what about a book in brief (a.k.a. a newsletter).
Beginning in January 2012, I have decided to take 3 to 5 of what I consider to be my best post from the previous month and compile them into a newsletter.  Even if I have previous sent a link to a particular post, … (5 comments)

RENTED: Pinson 3 Bedroom/2 Bath Garden Home - 12/07/11 06:11 PM
Previous moved out in a timely manner and the new tenant is ready to take immediate possession.  For fast, efficient and quality tenant placement, Bham WIiRE Realty is the property management company for you.
Call us today and we'll assess your income property for maximum profit and prepared a proposal tailored to your needs.
 
Rented December 2011 (1 year lease) … (2 comments)

2011 DBC-5: Tweet Me Your Facebook Page So I Can Get LinkedIn - 12/07/11 06:29 AM
2011 DBC-5: Tweet Me Your Facebook Page So I Can Get LinkedIn
Adapting to Social Media has not been something that I have embraced. As a matter of fact, it' been very frustrating in that I am sure that social media can be a great source of generating business. No I don't really expect it to be my sole source of bread and butter, but even the occasional lead is better than none.
I am on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and a few others I am sure. And while people may be looking for me there, I can't say that I have … (10 comments)

2011 DBC-4: My Database is My Business - 12/06/11 03:31 AM
2011 DBC-4:  My Database is My Business
KW agents will recognize that phrase right off the bat, as it is one that I picked up when I worked there.  If you don't have a database then I imagine that you're loosing out a tremendous opportunity to build your business (and this statement includes me as well).
I have a huge database and I use it often, but to me, I don't use it often enough to make contact with my clients (past and present) and friends, family and acquaintances.
For the remainder of the month of December, it's my goal to clean … (7 comments)

2011 DBC-3: The Christmas Card List - 12/05/11 06:31 AM
2011 DBC-2: The Christmas Card List
I send out Christmas cards evey year to current and past clients.  Usually I will send a calendar or bookmark or something of that nature inside the card.
This year I have not bought calendars or booksmarks as of yet, but for a select few clients, I am sending them an Entertainment Book.  When I received the books in the mail and browsed through them, I realized that I had not ordered enough and that this book would be a much used gift if I were to receive one myself.  So it looks like I'll … (10 comments)

I've Got A Movie Date Again This Weekend. Woo Hoo! - 12/04/11 10:51 AM
I've Got A Movie Date Again This Weekend.  Woo Hoo!
Last week I really enjoyed my movie date with Tristan.  He was such fun.  We went to see Happy Feet Two and although he enjoyed the movie, he did kind of talk a lot during the whole show.
This week he's taking me again.  Only this time, we're going to either see Arthur Christmas, or The Muppets.  Who knows, if all goes well, going to the movies every weekend may just become our tradition (just mine and Tristan's).
He's got a curfew so we'll have to take in an early movie.  I'll … (9 comments)

2011 DBC-2: Clients Are a Gift to Us So Why Gift to Them - 12/04/11 07:29 AM
2011 DBC-2: Clients Are a Gift to Us So Why Gift to Them
This post is not about closing gifts. Rather it is about ways that we can let our clients know that we continually appreciate the fact that they decided to do business with us.
As part of my 2012 business builder, it is my goal to send random gifts to the people who have allowed me to serve them at their home buying or home selling real estate agent of choice.
I'm not talking about anything expensive or extravagent. Sometimes the simpliest gifts are the most appreciated.  I remember … (10 comments)

What is your email address saying about you? - 12/04/11 07:24 AM
I don't agree with Andre in the very least.  People want to know how to contact me and that's all they care about when they have something to say to me, ask me or whatever.  A Google search for Charita Cadenhead yielded this:  Search About 35,200 results (0.30 seconds).
Although I did not click the link results, I'm willing to bet that the person needing to reach me won't have trouble doing  so and that's all they want.
Via Andre Morris (my PC Techs | seenBEST Web Design):
What does your email address say about you? Probably a lot more than you think. And … (22 comments)

2011 DBC-1: Working With Words for WordPress - 12/03/11 07:01 AM
2011 DBC-1:  Working With Words for WordPress
A couple of weeks ago I posted It's Time For Me to Get Found NOW! about my decision to let Get Found Now create a new website/blog for me.  Thus far the development has been very exciting as Victoria and Michael Stankard work quickly and tirelessly to get me up an running.
The real challenge for me begins when they are done and I take over the blog.  On ActiveRain, I just blog about what comes to mind. It's a mixed back of member driven post, random thoughts, as well as consumer driven post.
I have not done … (13 comments)

Day 1 of 31 Days of December Challenge-Reviving Dead Leads - 12/03/11 06:16 AM
Lanre is participating one of the many December challenges and this post is about breathing new life into dead leads.  I really like the email that he crafted.  It's pleasant and not pushy and it provides a link to a very useful article. 
Via Lanre "The Real Estate Farmer" Folayan Buy a home in Washington DC (EXIT Advance Realty-Buy a home in Washington DC):
Day 1 of 31 Days of December Challenge-Reviving Dead Leads. Since we have to write about something every day that we are doing to promote our business or do something that will make you successful in 2012,what I decided to … (4 comments)

And I Thought I Wasn't Athletic - 12/02/11 04:52 PM
And I Thought I Wasn't Athletic
I have always been tall, so when I started middle school, the basketball coaches thought that they had hit pay dirt. That is until they discovered that I couldn't put the basketball through the hoop even if I stood on a ladder eyeball to rim.
But if they could see me now.  Who knew that real estate would make an athlete out of me.  Hell, now I can
Run with the best of 'em Shoot hoops and jump through them as well Balance an act Play offense and run defense And change lanes in an … (7 comments)

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA Short Sale Success: SOLD 12/02/2011 - 12/02/11 01:59 PM
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA Short Sale Success:  SOLD 12/02/2011
This short sale happened pretty quickly.  From listing to closing day was just under 54 days.
The negotiator was literally unavailable so I was told by the CSRs that the offer had been rejected.  But here's the kicker:  one CSR revealed that GMAC's latest estimate of value was actually less than the offer.  You heard me right.  The offer was for more than GMAC's estimate of value. 
Call me crazy, but rejection of the offer defied logic to the nth degree.  My response:
"You mean to tell me that GMAC's estimate of value is … (9 comments)