fairbanks realtors: OOH-RAH! Go Marines!
- 01/31/08 11:24 AM
Well, I made it through most of the day today feeling pretty good. One accepted offer this afternoon and possibly another one tomorrow. No complaints there. As I sit down at the computer an email comes through from a friend linking to a ContraCostaTimes.com article. Apparently the Berkeley City Council has passed a resolution telling the US Marines that their recruiting station "is not welcome in the city, and if recruiters choose to say, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders." As if that wasn't bad enough, the liberal wackjobs granted the even wackier Code Pink group a designated parking … (9 comments)
fairbanks realtors: Cogs in the progaganda machine...
- 01/30/08 04:13 PM
Time to get serious... In yet another timely post by Poinciana's finest, Broker Bryant clues us in to what some of his readers are saying regarding NAR's "It's a great time to buy" campaign. If you haven't read his blog click on over and have a gander. TLW has issued a challenge of sorts to counter NAR"s sunshine-pushing position with a dose of reality. Well, here it is. While I realize the importance of a positive attitude I believe it's critical to not let hype override reality. Take NAR's campaign, for example. It may very well be a good time for … (47 comments)
fairbanks realtors: Ummel vs. Little; Does the case have merit?
- 01/27/08 08:54 PM
By now everyone has heard of the case of Vern and Marti Ummel; the Carlsbad California couple who is suing their buyers representative, REMAX agent Michael Little. I read a blog last night that asks the question of whether it will matter if the Ummel's prevail. Is the outcome irrelevant? Personally I think there is still a lot of information we, as the general public, don't know. After selling their home in San Rafael, the couple began house shopping in Carlsbad in order to be closer to their grown children. The ultimately purchased a home in late May 2005 after firing … (22 comments)
fairbanks realtors: PCS Military Relocation - Ft. Wainright & Eielson BAH Rates
- 01/20/08 05:04 PM
2008 BAH Rates Fort Wainwright & Eielson Air Force Base Are you using your BAH benefits to your best advantage? If you're in base housing or renting off base, you should consider using your BAH to build equity while you're stationed in Alaska. The average price of a new/newer single family home in North Pole is $232,400. Factoring in local property taxes and hazard insurance would bring your mortgage payment to $1,680+/-. Why not let Uncle Sam make your mortgage payment for you? Assuming a modest growth of 3% per annum, at the end of your tour, your home would … (2 comments)
fairbanks realtors: Commission Splits: An Alternate View
- 01/10/08 04:55 PM
Ok, since I wrote the Avoiding Antitrust Violations blog I've come across more commission discussions and commission split discussions that I can shake a stick at. Seriously, folks, this is not an area to even flirt with unless you're prepared for some extraordinarily serious consequences. In the latest blog, the author mentions taking a verbal beating for not offering what a selling agent thought was a 'traditional' commission split. Again, there is no such thing as a standard: commission rate, co-op fee, listing term, cancellation fee, etc. No, No, No. Everything is negotiable. Period. For those who are feeling a little … (13 comments)
fairbanks realtors: Addressing Buyer Broker Fees In An Offer
- 01/10/08 09:34 AM
This is a continuation of an earlier post Buyer Representation Fees/Commission Splits which I wrote in answer to several questions from my Avoiding Antitrust Issues blog. At this point you've already determined what your time is worth, which we'll refer to as M (as in money) and from that determined your target buyer broker fee to be X. Now that your buyer is responsible for paying a portion of your fee, it's important to make them aware when and if a particular listings co-op fee doesn't cover your representation fee. You never want to get to closing and surprise the buyer … (15 comments)
fairbanks realtors: Buyer Representation Fees/Comission Splits
- 01/10/08 06:38 AM
I recently wrote a blog on antitrust violations that generated several private emails asking for clarification on dealing with commission splits. Since a couple of people have asked, I thought a blog might be in order in case there are others who have the same question. The basic issue it seems people are having is coop commissions aren't being paid at an acceptable rate; as always it's too low. I don't think I've ever heard anyone complain because the coop was too much. If you've read the other blog, you'll understand why I'm not using specific numbers for commission rates/splits. No … (3 comments)
fairbanks realtors: They're Back....
- 01/09/08 08:25 PM
Not that long ago I posed a blog about the wolves that had been hanging around our area. Well, it looks like they're back. Two residents at 9.5 Mile Chena Hot Springs Road spotted the wolves in their driveways. The first report was of two very large black wolves; the second sighting was only one. One, however, is quite enough. Please be diligent when letting your pets out or when you're outside. Although the wolves haven't shown any aggression toward humans, they have shown that they aren't afraid of us. The last sightings in early December had several in a driveway … (9 comments)
Well, I made it through most of the day today feeling pretty good. One accepted offer this afternoon and possibly another one tomorrow. No complaints there. As I sit down at the computer an email comes through from a friend linking to a ContraCostaTimes.com article. Apparently the Berkeley City Council has passed a resolution telling the US Marines that their recruiting station "is not welcome in the city, and if recruiters choose to say, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders." As if that wasn't bad enough, the liberal wackjobs granted the even wackier Code Pink group a designated parking … (9 comments)
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