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darleen mccullen: Raleigh, NC: Richland Run - Light & Bright Condo in Great Location - 06/19/08 06:28 PM
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darleen mccullen: First Time Home Buyers - Using VA Loan - 06/12/08 09:57 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
When I saw that for this week's Makeover2Takeover Challenge Penny Robinson and I would be submitting a First Time Home Buyer's Packet-with a VA Loan twist-my heart literally filled with joy. Really, it did! Here's why...
It seems like yesterday that my former spouse and I purchased our first home using his VA benefit, and I must say that having it available was a blessing to us.
Many Veterans have been helped by this program over the years, and had it not been for the VA laon, I'm not sure we … (8 comments)
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darleen mccullen: Super 8 MeMe - It's Time to Tell It All :-) - 06/06/08 08:00 AM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
When I first received the requests for the Super 2008 MeMe from Cynthia Tilghman and Bonnie Westbrook, I immediately thought about this song about Toby Keith, "I Wanna Talk About Me". Don't ask me why! I guess it's that music is such a part of my life that I associate so much of what happens with particular songs or particular events in life. (Is that weird?)
Maybe...but it's a perfect segue to the first question on the list...
1. Who's your favorite musical artist?
I absolutely love music - so I don't … (11 comments)
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darleen mccullen: Why I've Been Missing in Action - We're in the Makeover2Takeover Contest! - 05/25/08 08:46 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
It has been awhile since I've posted a blog here - 18 days to be exact - but there is a good reason, I promise. Over the past few weeks, I've been busy working in my business, as well as volunteering for for Keller Williams Gives Back Yard Sale being held on June 7th in Raleigh. It feels so good to do something for others.
Also, my friend and colleague at Keller Williams, Penny Robinson and I were chosen to participate in the ActiveRain MakeoverToTakeover Contest - and we're soooo excited!!
… (18 comments)
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darleen mccullen: "That's Ms. Darleen, President of the United States" - 03/07/08 10:56 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
This is so funny - that I had to share.
Yesterday, I drove down to see my parents, who live about 1.5 hours away. I hadn't seen them in about a month because of my hectic schedule.
During the visit, I had the chance to see my 2 year-old nephew. As he was getting out of the car at my parents' home, my sister asked him who I was. (Children sometimes forget who people are if they haven't seen them in awhile. But not my smart nephew!)
He said, "That's Ms. Darleen, President of the United … (5 comments)
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darleen mccullen: Home Inspections: Should They Be Required by the Lender? - 03/07/08 09:51 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
The Big Question of the Day: Do you think Home Inspections should be required by lenders - just as hazard insurance is?
This particular question popped in my head today as I was out driving around in the rain.
I tend to solve quite a few of the world's issues - and think of lots of questions while I'm having what I refer to as Windshield Time (i.e. spending lots of time in the car.) For me, Windshield Time gives me time to think and mediate on things relating to my business, as well as my life … (36 comments)
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darleen mccullen: Do You Go Above and Beyond for Your Clients - OR Are You Just an Average REALTOR®? - 02/26/08 08:58 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
Do you find that you go beyond the Call of Duty for your clients - or are you just average - and do "just enough" to get by to get your clients to the closing table?
I would venture to say that most Buyers and Sellers are seeking a REALTOR® who goes the extra mile - and who is a Problem Solver and not just an Order Taker.
In 2008, let's all strive to exceed our clients' expectations by over delivering.
I have the perfect example of going above and beyond...if I may have I have … (7 comments)
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darleen mccullen: Should REALTORS® Take Monetary "Incentives" from Sellers? - 02/18/08 08:40 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
Should REALTORS® Take Monetary "Incentives" from Sellers?
I really struggle with this one. Today, with the housing market suffering the way it is, many sellers are offering Agent Incentives. I've seen everything from flat screen television to $10,000 in cash to Caribbean cruises.
We work hard, right? And sometimes, we don't see the fruits of our labor (i.e. the sale doesn't close for whatever reason!)
So, why not accept an incentive when it comes our way?
I recently overheard an agent talking about the fact that she received a significant bonus, which of course is disclosed to the … (12 comments)
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darleen mccullen: Mega Foreclosures in Wake County, North Carolina? Think Again! - 01/19/08 09:05 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
I don't know about you, but it is sooooo depressing to turn on the television or read about the record number of foreclosures in the United States.
I'm happy to say that the Sky is NOT falling in Wake County, North Carolina (where the 12 municipalities of Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon) are located!
In North Carolina, foreclosure rates are almost certain to climb. However, we are quite fortunate in Wake County. In 2007, fewer than 1,400 homes actually made it to the Courthouse steps as foreclosures, according … (9 comments)
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darleen mccullen: First Time Buyers: Not Using A REALTOR®? You May Wish to Reconsider... - 01/14/08 08:55 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
I see it all too often when I walk into the model at a new construction site ... Trusting Potential First-time Home Buyers who are not represented by a Buyer's Agent.
Inside my head, I'm screaming, "Run away from the on-site agent. S/he is working for the Builder and NOT you. The on-site agent may/may not be a licensed real estate agent!"
Don't get me wrong - I have nothing against on-site agents - and as a real estate agent, they treat me quite well. However, I, too, was once a First-time Buyer, and back then, … (15 comments)
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darleen mccullen: A Big THANK YOU to the Person Who Introduced Me to ActiveRain! - 01/05/08 06:29 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
Early last year, I had lunch with Kristin Little, a loan officer, who introduced me to the ActiveRain Network. That day, I had no idea how much of a blessing being here would be to my business!
Words are not enough to describe what blogging has done for me.
It:
Enables me to do something I love to do: Write!I am a journalist by training, but since I began my real estate career, I had gotten away from the thing that I love to do most outside of real estate. Write for fun! And believe … (17 comments)
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darleen mccullen: A Little Inspiration to Keep You Going... - 01/03/08 02:30 PM
Posted by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
For quite some time, I have been inspired by quotes and have been known to put them in the signature portion of my emails. It's amazing how many comments I received from email recipients.
Here are some quotes that have moved me:
"Mediocrity is a place and it is bordered on the north by compromise, on the south by indecision, on the east by past thinking, and on the west by lack of vision." ~ John Mason. The message: Let's not be mediocre. Excellence is the only option. Recently, I saw comedian Steve Harvey on … (8 comments)
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darleen mccullen: Just Got Your License - And You're Ready to Go, Right? Hold Your Horses! - 01/01/08 01:27 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
You've taken the classes and passed the real estate exam. And now you'd like to jump feet first into a real estate career. Hold your horses, my friend! There are some things you may may wish to consider first.
From the outside, real estate seems like a glamorous industry filled with monstrous commission checks and living large. Here are 5 things I wish someone would've told me:
1) Have at least 6 to 12 months of living expenses saved. You may need it! Since real estate is a 100% commission business, there will be up … (34 comments)
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darleen mccullen: Why Do You Do Real Estate? (What's Your Big 'WHY'?) - 12/22/07 05:53 PM
My Team Leader at Keller Williams posed an interesting question recently, "What's YOUR Big 'Why'?"I started thinking about why I really get up each day to do thiswork versus something else, and wanted to pose the question to everyone here on ActiveRain.
Some REALTORS®, would say that they "do" real estate because they need to pay the bills. But really, is that enough? There must be more to it!
With the national real estate market overall in a slump, we must reach deep down inside of ourselves to answer this question - sometimes on a daily or moment-by-moment basis.
I'll share my Big Whys with … (9 comments)
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darleen mccullen: Durham/Triangle, NC: A Great Place to Live and Get Educated! - 12/20/07 06:17 PM
It's nothing new that the Triangle area of North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, and the surrounding towns) has long been known as a great place to live and work - and recently, Forbes.com named Durham, North Carolina as one of the Top 20 Places to Educate Your Child (#20).
The magazine ranked each city in five areas, and here is how Durham fared: Public School Support, B; Private School Options, B+; Library Popularity, A; College Town, A+; and College Options, A.
Anyone wishing to receive an education can certainly find a place to call home in the Triangle. Choices include:
Duke University, … (2 comments)
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darleen mccullen: We Work Hard, Let's Take Time to Relax! - 12/19/07 09:47 PM
With only a few days remaining in 2007, it's time to review what we've accomplished this year, and set goals for 2008, right? Right! But it should also be a time for taking some time out for ourselves, as well as our families.
A few months ago, I wrote a blog called "We Take Care of Our Clients, BUT... " where I talked about the things I've committed to do more of such as exercising, massage, yoga, and eating right. Recently, I discovered a new place, Massage Envy at Brier Creek, in Raleigh, NC - and I just HAD to share! (When I find a … (6 comments)
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darleen mccullen: I've Been Away for Awhile...But I'm Back!! - 12/18/07 09:42 PM
Hi everyone!
It has been awhile since I've posted a blog, but I've been busy! Busy doing what, you ask? Handwriting all100+ Holiday cards I'm mailing this year. I should've started in October, LOL, but you know how it is! Business and Life have a way of getting in the way.
In this business (and in every business for that matter), people like to be touched in a personal way. And while I think that postcards and services that automatically send out cards have their place, I just didn't think it was the right way to reach out to my past clients, family, friends. (Yes, … (13 comments)
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darleen mccullen: A Closed Mouth Equals a Closed Business! - 12/02/07 10:15 PM
I absolutely love quotes. And I am always reading them and looking for little bits of inspiration as I go through my day.When I am having a less than stellar day (we all have 'em occasionally, right?!), I draw from these quotes.
I remember something that my mentor said to me once (which is applicable to any business): "A Closed Mouth Equals a Closed Business." This is oh so true!
Shannon Lefevre, reminded me of this in her post: Do I Know You? No, But You Should! She started talking about her business to a stranger on the phone and could potentially have $2.5 million … (17 comments)
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darleen mccullen: Do You Follow Up with Clients After Closing? OR Drop Them Like a Hot Potato? - 11/25/07 09:27 PM
I often hear complaints from clients and potential clients that they liked their former real estate agent but never heard from the agent after the transaction. I wonder why?
Could it be that the agent is more focused on the next transaction - rather than building a long-term relationship with current clients? This doesn't make too much sense to me!
After a closing, I always follow up with my clients either on moving day or the day afterwards to see if there is anything they need. (Chances are, they may have questions about something in the house once they've moved in.)
I also follow up periodically to … (64 comments)
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darleen mccullen: Tomorrow Just Isn't Promised: How'd You Spend Your Dash? - 11/23/07 11:39 PM
It's been awhile since I've written anything in my blog. (I've been busy getting ready for real estate closings I had earlier in the week, as well as preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday.)
This time of the year, many of us begin to reflect on the previous 11 to 12 months and look forward to the upcoming year with such anticipation and hope.
Each day, when I open my eyes to embrace a new day, I realize that I have so much for which to be thankful. We all do! Each time I am able to spend time with my family; fill … (8 comments)
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Darleen McCullen, Broker-Raleigh, NC Real Estate
Raleigh,
NC
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