realtors: TBWS Daily Report - 5/19/2011 - 05/20/11 03:26 PM
Sorry this is so later...Here is today's market update from the Think Big Work Small Guys. The discussion today is about the $40 increase in our NAR annual dues.  Agents are upset due to part of this money going towards mandatorypolitical contributions.  The boys also give Percentages concerning real estate agents and how 1/2 the agents are part time. 
Think Big Work Small
Disclaimer:  If you prefer reading your news over a cup of coffee in a relaxed atmosphere or your family's sense of humor gene skipped a generation, don't watch the video; these guys talk fast and are high energy.
Enjoy your … (2 comments)

realtors: Realtors Meeting With BP - 07/11/10 02:59 AM
Aren't we ever going to see and end to this situation. A meeting was held in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. yesterday with Realtors expressing they're frustration over the effect of the oil spill on business.  From what I read on floridarealtors.org, even though BP stated they would pay for lost contracts due to the spill, none have been paid.  John Harrell, president of Bay County Associationof Realtors, said "he knows 50 people who have filed claims, and none of them have been paid".  BP's statement of the claims process was "it is a complicated process and there is no cookie-cutter answer".  I guess this means Realtors … (12 comments)

realtors: DON'T MAKE ME TRACK YOU DOWN! - 06/28/10 01:33 AM
Today is the beginning of a new week and I am hoping two of the agents I am working deals with decide to make my week easier than last week.  Last week I tried to reach these agents to update them on the status of the short sales offers we are working on (these are my listings).  We all know how long it takes  banks to get back to you on your inquiries but how fast they expect us to get the information back to them - but I degress here. I emailed both agents - faxed both agents - and left messages for both agents, … (8 comments)

realtors: FAST MOVING - 06/10/10 12:26 PM
This has been a fast moving week, and here is why.
Last Friday a woman called me wanting an aggressive agent; she had stopped working with another agent who was not able to "get the job done" (her words).  After qualifying her needs and time frame I ruled out Short Sales and went for Foreclosures and Traditional sales.  She put an offer on a house which went to Highest and Best.  When she did Not following my recommendation and lost the bid she wanted another turn at the offer (the concept of Highest and Best alluded her).  The next day she got it right and got a house, … (2 comments)

realtors: PROXY ERROR - HELP! - 05/01/10 12:02 PM
Please Please Please - someone help me.  I am hoping someone with computer skill can help me fix the problem I am having logging on to AR.  I have been getting a "PROXY ERROR - The proxy server could not handle the request - Error reading from remote server".  The situation is getting worse; I did a little research and Deselected "Store Search history on my computer"; I am on but still get the message AND my picture is gone (can't blog without my picture).  My computer skills are very limited so what ever you do make it simple.
At the top of … (3 comments)

realtors: TAX CREDITS - A Little Incentive Was Better Than None - 04/29/10 06:29 AM
Do you really think the Tax Credit was the driving force behind home sales?  I feel it was a nice incentive (a little incentive is better than none) but didn't impact our market very much.  While cash buyers were a substantial part of the SW Florida market, low interest rates and great home values played the biggest role in motivating customers; especially the Baby Boomers, from other parts of the country, looking to take advantage of the opportunities to buy a second home in the area they hope to retire to and call Home.  Several of my closing this year were done with money from very low interest Equity lines. Most clients were aware of the … (0 comments)

realtors: Ambassador Program - 04/22/10 05:10 AM
I want to let those of you who read my blog, on the Citizen's Academy, called the Embassador Program, to know I just finished the 1 day a week, 12 week course.  We ended with a Mock City Council Meeting, where we acted out a proposal being put forward for a Nah Car raceway to come into our city. If I thought this exercise was going to be boring I was very wrong.  The presentation was given by members of the City Development Dept., who gave a professional and somewhat humorous proposal; but most of the fun was watching the board try and figure … (0 comments)

realtors: KNOW YOUR TOWN - 04/08/10 01:09 PM
I am taking a course called the "Citizens Academy" which is given by our town.  The reason I am taking this class is to learn more about how my town works.  We visit different departments and have representatives explain the functions of those departments.  Every department participates from Police - Fire - Planning & Development - Parks & Recreation- Charter Schools - Accounting, even the Mayor. I can't believe how much I didn't know, and how much I have learned.  The advantage of taking this course is not only to learn about my town but hopefully I am becoming a better informed agent for customers moving here.  … (5 comments)

realtors: I HAD TO SMILE TODAY - 12/29/09 11:40 AM
You have to be a Florida transplant to really appreciate this. 
Florida has beautiful weather and sunny skies most of the time; we moved here because of the weather.  This morning it was a little chilly (around the mid 60s); but for me it felt like the low 50s.  Now I'm from New Jersey where black ice and tempertures in the 20s and 30s are normal for winter.  When I lived up North I would have shorts on when the thermometer hit 60; this morning I had on sweats and Tony the Tiger fluffy slippers (my husband was thrilled!).  Later when I walked into the office I looked … (3 comments)

realtors: IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO! - 12/28/09 11:20 PM
WARNING - This is a short rant
Several days ago we finally got an approval on a short sale that was submitted back in early April; I don't have to tell you how much work went into hanging on to the Buyer. We only have several days to get the inspection done and approved by the buyer.  I checked with the selling agent to make sure the water and electric would be on and scheduled an appointment with the inspector.  By the time the agent contacted the electric company it was too late for the first inspection appointment; OK, the inspection is … (12 comments)

realtors: THIS IS WHY BUYERS ARE LIARS? - 08/01/09 02:22 AM
I have been working with these out of state customers for one full year, July 21st was the one year anniversary.  I work with them on Listing Book, checking out properties ect., they only come down here every 6 months, this was their third trip. So here is the situation; when they come down I give them a great deal of my time and enery, this time was no exception.  They changed their criteria for the home they were looking for along with the county they wanted to live in; I work both counties.  After showing them properties fitting their criteria … (10 comments)

realtors: I HAVE JOINED THE RANKS! - 06/15/09 11:03 PM
I think I have joined to ranks of AR agents who are being solicited by some dating or matchmaking on line service.  Last evening I read several posts from men and women on AR who have received messages similar to this one, although that solicitation was from a site in the UK.  The reason I say I think this is a solicitation is I am not sure it is.  Never having viewed any of those web-sites, and never having the need to (don't misunderstand me, I'm not cocky, just old), I am not sure what one looks like.
How do we prevent Active Rain … (7 comments)