David's Seemingly Random Blog

The Art & Heart of Condo Living

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:12:52 -0700

I am re-blogging this post because it really made an impact on me. I'm not the biggest fant of pets (even though I got a chihuaha for my three kids and it sits next to me no matter where I go). However, this story is not only happy and sad, but could lead all of us to eventualy learn a better way to help our clients and customers when they have a pet and cannot get access to housing. Or, it could help them obtain a pet pooch even if they live in a "No Pet" building. There's a difference between "Pets" and Service Dogs. Read on - it's an interesting story.

Via Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL. FunCoast Realty, 386-405-4408:

A couple in their early retirement years leaves cold Michigan and moves to warm and welcoming Daytona Beach. They are downsizing, they sold their big home and bought a 2 bdr modest condo right on the beach, and they enjoy a nice ocean view from their balcony. The condo has “no pets” policy, and it is fine with the couple. They had dogs in their home in Michigan, but there was a large yard and dogs could roam it and they did not bother anybody. It is different in a smaller condo on the 17^th floor.

15 years of living in Paradise end with the death of the husband. The widow does not want to go back to Michigan, she is independent, so she stays in the condo.   But life is not what it used to be. She is very lonely, and depressed. Everybody say that time cures everything, but the pain of loneliness only became numb, but did not go away.

The lady lost weight, suffers from insomnia, loses interest in life, stops looking into the mirror. Her heart dries out. She does not like people around her any more, gets suspicious, avoids get-togethers, which she used to like so much before. Her life is on autopilot. She does not watch the time. It stopped. She eats irregularly, whatever she finds in the fridge. She rarely cooks now, and she used to be such great cook.

She stopped watching TV. Her husband watched the news and she would discuss it with him, but now it did not interest her and she forgot when was the last time she even turned it on. She still reads those books that are in the house...

One day she goes to the Mall to have something to eat at the Food Court, and there is an event run by the local Humane Society, and there are many animals. She comes closer. This puppy looks at her. He wags the tail… she comes closer and pats the puppy. The puppy is happy and licks her hand… and the lady’s heart starts melting…

She goes to her condo with the puppy, overwhelmed by this unexpected change in her life. The change that brings sense back to life. There is now a reason to wake up and go out, and she had been sitting inside for so long, the reason to do all the chores and be glad there are chores there. There is this warm puppy so happy to be with her every second, full with unconditional love and affection…

She feels younger and happier, she talks to the puppy… In the morning, when she wakes up, the puppy is patiently waiting for her, and start jumping and trying to lick her face. She takes him for a walk. When she comes back, there is a note on her door stating that she is in violation of condo “No Pet” policy.

What do they want from her? That she takes the puppy back to Humane Society? But this is her life, this is the only creature in the world that loves her, and she loves the puppy… How can they not understand?

She can sell a condo and move to a condo next door? She can’t even imagine it… Selling her unit, which she got used to in all these years, where they lived happily with her husband, buy another condo and move…

Why she can have her puppy in the next building, it is the same as this one? And why? It is a little friendly puppy… how can it be harmful for anyone?

Yes, she signed she knew the rules, but it was 20 years ago. Life has changed, why the rules can’t change?

Do you have an advice for the lady?

Do you know that there are 78.2 million owned dogs in the US?

Do you know that there are 86.4 million owned cats in the US?

Do you know that there are 77.9 million lonely people in the US?

Do you know that loneliness is detrimental to our health?

Photo by mikebaird via Flickr.com

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

March Madness GO BUCKS!

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:56:12 -0700

After having started the NCAA Tournament by treating my alma-mater like the young lasses they are, I am re-posting this ti give my best wishes to OHIO STATE to become national champs. If they win it all, I'll be glad that Loyola U of Baltimore was able to give them a nice warm-up.

Via US Mortgages:

March Madness GO BUCKS!!!

Just wanted to give out a big shout out of Congrats to The Ohio State University "Buckeyes" for their victory tonight over Cincinnati Bearcats.

Ohio State won the fourth round (sweet sixteen bracket) taking them to their East Brackets Championship game in the Elite 8.

The game Saturday eve against #1 Ranked Syracuse will be a grat game and I am thinking a close one but one that will show the Buckeyes coming out on top with a 5-7 point win. (JMHO)

Regardless of the outcome I give a huge shout out to all the teams who made it to the NCAA Tournament and the 16 teams that made it to this weeks games.

Go Bucks and bring on the orangemen!

1st Time buyers, if you are ready to stop renting, get the many benefits from home ownership, or maybe your a current homeowner looking to move up or maybe looking into what it takes to become an investor in this incredible market, that WILL create millionaires, and you are looking for a strategy, answers and direction, please feel free to call or email me. My 18yrs in mortgage lending and 27 years in finance gives me an in depth knowledge, critical to helping others and making their dreams go from dream to reality!

David Shamansky
"Positive reinforcer, promoter, success coach, entrepreneur, team builder, wealth builder, blessed individual, business leader and professional lender"

US Mortgages
1745 Shea Center Dr 4th Floor
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
720-524-8020
NMLS#245170
Equal Housing Lender

*photos used may come from my personal pictures or www.freedigitalphotos.net

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

If I had three hours a day extra

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:45:25 -0700

I am re-posting this blog written by Sheri Cambareri, Licenced Real Estate Agent of New York, resident of Long Beach, New York and past resident of Floral Park, Nwq York as well as Baltimore, MD and London, UK because I think it is awesome.

Someone with writing skills like this should not liimt themselves. The would be doing themselves a great service if they posted more frequently. Oh well, we can always either a) hope for more blogs or b) suck it up ahd re-post the existing ones.

Sheri: write more.

Via Sheri Cambareri (Village Properties of Mineola, LLC):

If I had three hours a day extra I would devote them to my daughter. Being a single mom and real estate agent in this poor economy has been tough. Juggling a busy work schedule and after school activities etc for my eight year old is a challenge. An average day in our lives goes something like this.

“Good morning Skylar wake you gotta go to school” After whinning she is too tired to go to school. I make her breakfast, pack her lunch, she gets dressed I walk the dog, drive her to school, head to the office myself, leave office at three thirty to take her to cheerleading practice, pick her up from practice and drop her off at moms to Babysit. I leave to show houses and apartment rentals. Mostly I show rentals to people with 2 or 3 eight pound dogs who don’t share that information until after we view the property. Head back home pick up Skylar do homework, eat, shower, Bed.

If I could have three hours a day where I am not telling my daughter to "be quiet moms on the phone with a client" that would be amazing. I would play games, go for a bike ride, and we could even hopefully squeeze in a manicure since my nails have been painted green since last Friday for a Halloween Contest. Heck I would even take three hours extra a week.

"This post is a submission to the DocuSign/ActiveRain Thankful Contest. It's possible I will win a prize for writing this post. You could win a prize too by going to the Contest Announcement and sharing your own story"

Sheri Cambareri

Licensed Real Estate Agent

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

Sands Point, New York -- Just one reason it is a great place to live and work.

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:42:27 -0700

I am re-posting this blog written by Tara B. M. Downing, Licenced Real Estate Agent of New York, resident of Sands Point, New York and past resident of Port Washington, New York as well as East Williston and Mineola, New York because I think it is awesome.

Tara - write more.

Via Tara B. Downing Mineola Port Washington homes for sale (Village Properties ):

Even though Sands Point is a relatively small town and we, as residents, tend to know one another more-so than in other communities, I notice something new and beautiful about our town every day. However, as a New York State Licensed Real Estate Broker working in Sands Point selling one-family houses and helping buyers find one-family houses, I think scenes like the photograph below make my job very easy. First, I love working here. Second, I get to show off beautiful views every day.

Take a look and realize that, as a real estate owner in Sands Point, you'd be one of the owners of it. This is Castle Gould on the Sands Point Preserve.

This is why I love working and living in Sands Point and I cannot think of a better place to raise my children.

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

Josh Evans Homes Mineola Ny

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:38:38 -0700

I am re-blogging this because it is the most recent Blog from Josh Evans. I'll be honest: I have no idea what it says, but I am 100% sure that if you read it, you'll be consufed, enraged, happy, sad, twisted . . .

and then you'll decide to look on.

He's a character and every post is comedic.

Via JOSH EVANS *JoshEvansHomes 516-655-5000 (Village Properties of Mineola, LLC):

Mineola, Carle Place, Williston Park, Albertson, East Williston, are my specialty. These are my areas of expertise. I sell a lot of homes in these 5 towns.

   These towns are a great place to live and raise your children. My office is in Mineola on Mineola Blvd. The heart of the town. It's a great place to work and shop as well. These 5 towns are in the center of Long Island New York.

   The Mineola Train Station is 34 minutes to NYC and 90 minutes to the Hamptons. Roosevelt Field Mall is down the road. One of the largest malls on Long Island. Mineola, Carle Place, Williston Park, Albertson, East Williston are very popular places to eat as well. Winthrop Hospital is in Mineola. There are public and private schools as well.

   When deciding a place to live you may always call Josh Evans from JoshEvansHomes.com/Village Properties. 516-655-5000 cell. I know the area and the people. I can be a huge asset to you whether buying or selling. I can help you.

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

what percentage of your home you use for business?

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:33:59 -0700

I was amazed to see an article of this sort. Since the first time I ever filed a tax return after I graduated college (and I did do a lot of work from a home office), my dad told me that it was the reddest of red flags to ever file for a 'home office'.

That's when my dad told me a famous IRS line - "E&T and home by 3."

It implied that if you hit someone's filing for their "ENTERTAINMENT" and "TRAVEL" it would be an easy job and an early day.

My dad is in his mid 80s. I would guess there are different expressions now...

Via dale taylor chicago illinois realtor chicago illinois homes townhomes condos (Re/Max All Properties New Lenox Illinois):

What You Can and Can't Deduct When You Work From Home

Working from home can offer many advantages including tax deductions. Just take care what you try to write off for your home office on your return says Donna Fuscaldo.

Passing the IRS litmus test

To meet IRS guidelines, your home office must be your principal place of business, or the place you see clients in the normal course of business. Parts of your home you use to store products or equipment for your business also count. That doesn't mean that all your work has to be done from home. If you're an outside salesperson, you probably spend most of your work time elsewhere. But if you do you billing and return customer calls primarily from your home, your home office should qualify.

You can also qualify for the deduction if your employer requires you to work from home, as long as you don't charge your employer rent. One big catch is that you must maintain the at-home office for your employer’s convenience, not your own, such as to complete reports at night or on weekends. Self-employed workers use IRS Form 8829 to calculate the deduction, which they list on Schedule C.

Measuring your home office

The amount you can deduct for your home office depends on the percentage of your home used for business. Your work space doesn't need to be a separate room—a table in a corner qualifies. But it has to be an area that's used solely for business. The tax break also covers separate structures on your property, like a detached garage you've converted to an office. Unlike an office inside your home, a separate structure doesn't have to be your main place of business to qualify for a deduction. That's because the IRS believes your family is less likely to use a separate structure as a part-time play area or den, says Mark Luscombe, principal analyst for tax and consulting at CCH.

To calculate what percentage of your house the home office occupies, divide your home office's square footage by the total square footage of your home. If your home is 3,000 square feet and your office is 150 square feet, for example, you'd use 5% to calculate your deductions. Not sure how big your house is? Check the documents you received when you bought your home—there's probably a detailed rendering—or measure the outside of your home and multiply length times width.

What can you deduct?

Once you've figured out what percentage of your home you use for business, you can apply that percentage to different home expenses. These include:

Mortgage interest

Real estate taxes

Utilities (heating, cooling, lights)

Home repairs and maintenance (painting, cleaning service)

Home owners insurance premiums

Just take each expense and multiply it by your home office percentage (the 5% mentioned above). That's the amount you can deduct as a business expense. So if you spend $150 a month on electricity, you can deduct $7.50 as a business expense. That adds up to a $90 deduction per tax year.

Save bills or cancelled checks to prove what you spent in case of an IRS audit. Take an hour a week to file them away. Also, only repairs can be expensed; improvements must be depreciated.

Don't forget depreciation

Depreciation is based on the idea that everything—even something like a home—wears out eventually. To figure home office depreciation, start by calculating the tax basis of your home: generally the purchase price plus the cost of improvements, minus the value of the land it sits on. Next, multiply the tax basis by the percentage of your home used for work. This gives you the tax basis for your home office.

Usually, depreciation deductions for a home office are figured over a 39-year period. There are caveats. For a crash course, read IRS Publication 946 or talk to a tax pro.

Keep in mind that depreciation deductions on your home office increase the amount of profit on a home sale that is subject to taxes. There’s an exclusion of $250,000 of profit if you’re a single filer, $500,000 for joint filers. Consult with a qualified tax professional on how depreciation deductions affect your tax liability when you sell.

This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but shouldn’t be relied upon as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Consult a tax professional for such advice; tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.

Have A Question? Please Feel Free to Call or Text Me At 708-439-0165. Find A Home or A Select Destination! Subscribing to My Blog Is Appreciated!

Find a home at http://dtaylor.illinoisproperty.com

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________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

4 Simple Strategies to Gain & Retain More Leads

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:03:20 -0700

Yes, I'm hitting up Rebekah again. Please post to her site. Everone one in my office waits for RR's Blogs like kids wait for new additions to the Harry Potter dynasty.

As we say in Brooklyn, NY - She Good!

Via Rebekah Radice Social Media Marketing, Management & Strategies (Manager of Industry Engagement, Better Homes & Gardens RE):

Your overall success is a direct result of your ability to network and not only generate new leads, but gain their trust and retain their business. The more leads you bring in, the more people you talk to, the more sales opportunities you create. The key is to proactively connect with the right people and then follow up consistently. Consistency builds trust and establishes you as the go-to professional within your market.

However, lead generation is not a task for the weak of heart. It is a daily commitment that can include cold calls, drip email campaigns, direct mail, search engine optimization and more.

Finding leads is only the first step. Gaining and then retaining those leads requires you to put detailed measures in place to stay in front of them by offering knowledgeable advice in an easy to receive format.

So where do you begin? Identify your strengths and what it is you have to offer that your target audience finds valuable. In real estate, that could be a multitude of things. The niche you specialize in, your long standing history within the community or your stellar sales team that offers unsurpassed customer service and support.

Recognize what sets you apart and then work to capitalize on that through four simple strategies to not only gain new leads, but retain them as clients.

1. Your Website and Blog

Your website and blog can be an excellent way to capture the attention of lookie-loos and turn them into leads and eventual clients. There are several ways you can ask visitors to take action:

Place widgets in the sidebar with a free giveaway and a clear call to action. Examples would be a webinar or seminar, free e-book or a subscription to your newsletter.

Include a chat widget that provides an easy way for leads to connect with you at the exact moment they are online.

Add the Facebook Like Box to your website and display your latest posts allowing visitors to LIKE your page without leaving your website.

The purpose of this method is to provide incoming leads a way to get to know you and your business while educating them on how you can assist in their home buying/selling process. This also supplies you with their contact information. Add them to your database and a drip marketing campaign so that when the time does come and they're ready to buy or sell, your name will be at the top of their list.

2. Start a Neighborhood Page

Create a Facebook page dedicated to a particular neighborhood or community. This idea takes the old marketing tactic of farming to a whole new level! Rather then sending drip emails or postcards, create a page on Facebook that caters to one specific group of people. This type of lead generation works best if you live within the area and are looking to establish yourself as the area expert.

How to Use the Page:

Shoot video around the neighborhood displaying unique attributes

Talk about upcoming events and ask neighbors to post pictures after the fact

Talk about homes that are on the market and discuss property values within the community

Throw a housewarming party for homes you sell within the neighborhood and promote it on your community site inviting neighbors to join in as welcoming committee

Talk about community concerns in a positive light and ask for feedback on how to solve the challenge

3. Word of Mouth

Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the least expensive, but most effective forms of marketing. While many of our lead generation tools and methods may have changed due to the Internet and social media, this concept remains the same. Connect with people who know, like and trust you. Continue to provide value and eventually they will become advocates on your behalf.

Third party word-of mouth referrals add instant credibility to your business. They also bring you back to the core of real estate marketing by tapping into your sphere of influence. This is a basic foundational pillar that should be included in any real estate professionals marketing plan.

4. Get Online & Network

Just like in-person networking events, networking amongst your peers and other professionals online will help you:

Build your personal brand

Establish yourself as the local expert

Generate referrals from others around the country

Real estate is more than listings and commissions; it's about relationships and allowing others to get to know who you really are. Interact with professionals across the country by commenting on their blog, sharing on Facebook, retweeting a relevant link to your community on Twitter or saying congrats when you see a change in status on LinkedIn.

Show anyone you come in contact with why you love where you live and what they can look forward to when working with you.

Last but Not Least: Be Patient!

The downside to any lead generation strategy is that it takes time and work. It could be months before you see the fruits of your labor, so make sure you pick an idea you enjoy and believe in. If you don't like being online; creating a blog, website or Facebook campaign will only frustrate and eventually defeat you.

The upside is the exponential growth you can see within your business if you manage your leads correctly. Remember: anything worth your time and energy will require sacrifice. Be willing to go the extra mile for your leads and the systems you put in place.

4 Simple Strategies to Gain & Retain More Leads was written by Rebekah Radice.

Subscribe to Rebekah's Blog for Social Media Marketing, Blogging and Business Success Strategies that Help You STOP Those Time Sucking Activities and Maximize, Prioritize and Monetize Your Online Efforts! Just Click SUBSCRIBE!

Want to know more about me? Just Google Me!

T: 719.387.1368 | Email: rebekah@rebekahradice.com | Website: http://rebekahradice.com

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | Manager of Industry Engagement

Get the Scoop on All Things Real Estate!

Find Me Online!

Recent Articles from Rebekah's Blog

Creating a Social Media Strategy that Doesn't Suck

You Can Be a Referral Magnet

6 Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Website or Blog

How to Use LinkedIn to Generate Real Estate Business

Top 5 Reasons You Should Blog on Active Rain

3 Easy Ways to Customize Your Active Rain Blog

Get the Itemized List of Posts!

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

6 Ways to Grow Your Network & Build Your Brand with LinkedIn

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:59:36 -0700

This could become an easy way to make a joke againt people from Long Island or NY.

It would start - how many people from NY does it take to copy blogs from another person with better talent? Just one, as long as they know nobody else is doing the same thing.

Post your comments to Rebekah's site - she has more than earned them!!!!!

Via Rebekah Radice Social Media Marketing, Management & Strategies (Manager of Industry Engagement, Better Homes & Gardens RE):

As the Internet buzzes about with social media activity, identifying what sites provide the best networking opportunity is simply a mouse click away.

While LinkedIn may be viewed as an online resume, it moves to the top of my list for professional networking. Look outside of your preconceived notion and you will see that LinkedIn provides visibility for the business professional looking to establish themselves as a subject matter expert.

While Facebook, Twitter and other social sites build familiarity and awareness for your personal brand, LinkedIn is unique in its business focus. LinkedIn is a society designed to connect business professionals, marketers and vendors interested in building a community.

LinkedIn's growth over the last several years also builds a strong case for utilizing this site for more than a static resume. With over 150 million users, LinkedIn is growing at a speed of more then 2 new members per second according to LinkedIn statistics. That translates into a lot of missed opportunity if you haven’t taken the time to connect with professionals within your community and across the country.

LinkedIn: Your Online Networking Connection

Before diving in, make sure your personal LinkedIn profile is complete. There’s nothing worse than attempting to connect with business professionals with an incomplete bio and resume. If this is you, take a quick moment to log into your account and walk through each step until you’re 100% complete! Do not proceed until this is done. Once you have entered all of your information from past employment to contact details, begin finding ways to connect and be seen.

1. LinkedIn Groups

Join groups on LinkedIn and start a conversation or comment on topics relevant to your niche. You will find groups by by searching keywords or topics to identify groups with similar interests.

Click on Groups and then “Groups Directory”to research featured groups that offer content that you find interesting.

You can create your own Group in a few easy steps. Think about who you are trying to attract or who your target audience is. Do a little research and see what other Groups might already be out there and what they are doing right or wrong in your opinion. How can you improve upon it and add value to the community?

2. Ask and Answer Questions

Click on the "More" tab:

Choose “Answers” to ask or answer questions relevant to your industry. Navigate to the "Advanced Answers Search" toolbar and choose your topic or enter your keyword. You can choose to view only unanswered questions or view all questions within that category.

Answering questions is another great way to establish your presence within the community and in your industry.

3. Check Your Skills

Click on the "More" tab:

Choose "Skills” to locate top professionals in your area of expertise. You can establish connections with other experts in your niche from anywhere in the world or choose to focus on a particular city or region.

The skills section also gives you an advantage by aggregating information from top professionals within your field. Stay ahead of your competition by researching skills required to succeed in todays market.

4. Find Events in Your Field or City

Click on the "More" tab:

Choose "Events" to find local, regional, and national events based on your interests no matter the location. LinkedIn will also identify events they believe you might be interested in.

If you are ready to "get local" and engage with your community face-to-face, locating events is a great way to do it!

5. Make Your Connections Count

LinkedIn is an excellent way to connect with like-minded business professionals. There are, however, a few rules you must abide by and a few "don'ts" you must avoid.

Don't send requests to connect without customizing the standard LinkedIn email verbiage. Whenever you send a friend request, LinkedIn will by default send your request along with this message: "I use LinkedIn to keep track of my professional network, and would like to add you." Sounds great, right? Wrong!

That cookie-cutter message does not give any indication of who you are or why you want to connect. Spend a few moments scripting out a short explanation of why you are interested in connecting, who you are and what your business is all about.

6. Get Networking

The ideas above barely scratch the surface of the limitless possibility you have to make connections on LinkedIn. If you are ready to expand your reach, then capitalize on this burgeoning community.

If you are willing to put in the time, LinkedIn truly has the ability to establish credibility, open doors of opportunity and expand your personal brand.

6 Ways to Grow Your Network & Build Your Brand with LinkedIn was written by Rebekah Radice.

Subscribe to Rebekah's Blog for Social Media Marketing, Blogging and Business Success Strategies that Help You STOP Those Time Sucking Activities and Maximize, Prioritize and Monetize Your Online Efforts! Just Click SUBSCRIBE!

Want to know more about me? Just Google Me!

T: 719.387.1368 | Email: rebekah@rebekahradice.com | Website: http://rebekahradice.com

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | Manager of Industry Engagement

Get the Scoop on All Things Real Estate!

Find Me Online!

Recent Articles from Rebekah's Blog

Creating a Social Media Strategy that Doesn't Suck

You Can Be a Referral Magnet

6 Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Website or Blog

How to Use LinkedIn to Generate Real Estate Business

Top 5 Reasons You Should Blog on Active Rain

3 Easy Ways to Customize Your Active Rain Blog

Get the Itemized List of Posts!

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

What Motivates People? The Answer Might Surprise You

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:52:10 -0800

Leslie wrote a wonderful Blog here and I thought it would be nice to a) give it additional attention and b) hope that my co-workers might see it. I know I'll accomplish part A!

Have a great weeekend and, if you want to leave posts, connect to the original post at

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2773632/what-motivates-people-the-answer-might-surprise-you

Via Leslie Ebersole, REALTOR® Chicago's Western Suburbs (Baird&Warner Fox Valley):

Every day we make choices. As the world becomes ever-more complex and more stimulating, how you chose to spend your time becomes more fraught with consequences. For every choice that you make, you are simultaneously choosing not to do many other things.

People who work in this hybrid sales-service business of real estate have an unbelievable number of things they might do in any given moment. You can make a phone call, learn how to code a table in html for your blog, or stop by Facebook to see what all the other real estate agents are doing.

For all but the most menial and mechanical of tasks, the old model of thinking that people are primarily motivated by money has been scientifically disproved over and over again. As what we do to be successful real estate agents becomes more sophisticated and more complex, how we are motivated fundamentally changes. Paradoxically, as we become more motivated by autonomy, mastery and purpose, we think about money less but actually make more.

What we do in real estate matters if we believe that it matters. I know that I believe this is good and useful work. We put people into the homes they live in. We help them move from bad situations to better, or we smooth the way for life transitions. Other than feeding people, what could be more important than helping people with housing, with shelter?

If you've made it this far and strongly disagree, then you might see this business as a set of tasks you can automate, script, plan and program. Perhaps you're always looking for the next coach, or next seminar, or next new product to somehow make the magic happen for you. I think that if you see this business as just a money making effort based on churning and burning leads, making appointments and closing deals, well, I don't think you'll last very long or be very successful.

You need to believe in the work that you do and know that it is interesting, valuable, and useful....and that's when the magic happens...that's when you get motivated to think harder, try new things, take risks, and care.

This 10 minute video Drive from RSA Animate is worth watching over and over. Dan Pink is an incredibly bright and engaging guy. Watch it here or go to RSA and look at the entire library of lectures and videos. The people at RSA also care about making the world a better place.

This post was written by Leslie Ebersole of Baird & Warner Real Estate.
Use or reproduction of the material published on this site is expressly prohibited
without the express written permission of the author.

My Email leslie.ebersole@bairdwarner.com

My Mobile (630)945-7935

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

I increased my efficiency by hiring a Virtual Assistant

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:41:43 -0800

I am re-blogging this for my co-workers (and of course anyone else) as an idea of how to get our office back in gear. Let me know what you think - if you ever read what I write!

For anyone with comments (other than co-workers) - add them to Debbie's post at:

http://activerain.com/action/blogs_admin/reblogging_new/2995803

She's already received 50+ responses, but she deserved them.

Via Debbie Gartner - Westchester Flooring -Hardwood Floors Carpet Tile Refinish - (Floor Coverings International Westchester NY & Stamford CT):

Yes, it's true, and it was one of the smartest business decisions I ever made!

Two and half years ago, I started to get really busy, and I couldn't keep up with all the phone calls. Many of them would happen while I was in appointments with customers (and I didn't want to answer then), and I would find my voicemail would constantly fill up. Then, if it was full, I was always in this dilemma...should I answer (and interupt the person I was with) or let it go. If it was a private number, I wouldn't even be able to call them back.

The other issue I had is that I used to have many paid leads (coming from places like Service Magic), which required calling someone right away - within 5 minutes. (although calling within 60 seconds was much better). I couldn't be present everywhere, and I found this frustrating and stressful.

So, I was contemplating hiring an answering service. I had one previously, but at the time, it just didn't seem worth it as I wasn't getting enough calls to justify the cost. But, now things had changed and I really needed help. And, I needed more than what a typical answering service could provide...I needed someone to answer the phones + call the leads + set up appointments.

So, what did I do?

I took a risk and hired a Virtual Assistant! I figured I would try it for 2-3 months and see how it worked. I did the math to figure out how much extra business I needed to justify the cost and it meant a bit less than one incremental appointment per week, and this to me felt very achievable, so I gave it a shot..

The person I hired was actually someone I knew who had the right sort of phone voice, professionalism and can do attitude. She's a mom who had some extra time and wanted to do a bit of extra work, but she would not be available to be in the office (given her kids). And that was fine. At the time, we guestimated that the time spent on the phone would be 5-8 hrs per week altogether. The calls would come at all different times, so it was spread out, and this seemed to work. We got her a cell phone (we split the costs because she needed a cell phone so it saved us both money) and this allowed her to answer the calls wherever she was (without spending time and gas coming to the office) and it allowed me to have someone being available for the majority of the week.

We forwarded the office # to her cell. (We can do this online since I use optimum online and I can even swith it to my cell during holidays).

Well, this worked smashingly well. Within a week, she was already booking more appointments for me...and she was freeing up my time, so I could be more focused on closing sales and focusing on the customers. It was amazing and worked out much better than I imagined. We booked an incremental 2 appointments a week - more than double the goal + my close rate improved +20%. It was a true win win.

As I started to close more sales, I then had more work that was needed and more money that I could pay an assistant. (Previously, that money had not existed). So, we later moved her extra hours to 10 per week, then 15, then 20...and now it's around 40 hours a week

It has really been a virtuous relationship. My customers love her and she does an amazing job. I've been able to delegate more and more work to her which has been excellent. As we go along, I train her more and more...and vice versa (she gives me plenty of advice, too). She is now great at sizing up the customer - understanding what they need, where they are in the decision making process, what they're looking for. She now helps set me up for success with the appointments and this has really helped.

I'm so glad I took this risk. And, now, looking back, it doesn't feel like it was really a risk at all.

This is a submission for the March contest: Eliminating Inefficiencies In Real Estate - A Contest. You can enter, too.

Hardwood Flooring - Carpet - Tile/Natural Stone - Laminate - Refinish Hardwood - Backsplashes

Debbie Gartner, President and Owner

"The Flooring Girl"

Floor Coverings International: Westchester NY/Stamford CT

You can download our free flooring guide. Or, visit our flooring selector - 2,000 options for hardwood flooring, carpet, tile. Call us for a free estimate 914-937-2950.

"We bring the store to your door."

If you enjoyed what you are are reading, feel free to to my blog.

WC19920-H07, HIC619252

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

20 Incredibly Easy Ways to Use Pinterest in Your Business

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 18:28:44 -0800

I rarely re-blog, as you can easily notice. However, this, like almost all of Rebekah R's posts is timely, informateive and - well - cool.

Via Rebekah Radice Social Media Marketing, Management & Strategies (Manager of Industry Engagement, Better Homes & Gardens RE):

As social media continues to evolve so do the tools. Stepping up to the plate with a fierce vengeance is the new social media darling Pinterest. Haven’t heard of it? Let me give you a quick description before we dive into the “why” behind using Pinterest within your business.

What is Pinterest

Pinterest is a simple way to capture and save any picture you find on the web. Now before you think it’s just another version of Facebook, let me explain. Pinterest is at its core a visual experience. It takes magazine clipping online by offering a way to explore the web, consolidate your favorites and then share your eye-catching photos with your network of followers.

While Facebook has a wall, Pinterest has “boards” that are nothing more then buckets of similar content. For example, you might create a board titled "Kitchen and Bath Designs" and then add content by pinning (capturing) pictures of kitchens or bathrooms that you find attractive. As you pin items onto your boards, anyone following you is able to see that pin and either LIKE it (sound familiar?), comment on it or re-pin it onto their own board.

Being used to capture pictures and articles on everything from planning a wedding to your next vacation; Pinterest has an endless amount of uses!

Why Use Pinterest for Business

If you’re currently using Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn for business marketing, Pinterest is a new tool you will want to strongly consider. Growing at lightening speed, Pinterests numbers are impressive to say the least. According to recent statistics, Pinterest has over 10 million registered users, nearly 12 million monthly unique visitors each month and over a fifth of their users connecting through Facebook.

Oh, and did I mention that each "pin" leads you directly to the website where the pin originated? Think of the possibilities!

Pinterest Marketing for Real Estate

Tell a story about your city - This is a great way to use pictures you’ve taken around your city and highlight some of your favorite locations. Give buyers relocating into the area a good look at what certain neighborhoods or communities in your city look like.

Home Styles & Architecture - Architecture and style are so different from one state to the next. Whether the homes in your area are New England colonial, Spanish Revival or Cape Cod, providing pictures will allow buyers to connect with the look and feel of your city.

Historic Locations – Historic locations such as buildings, churches and monuments are a fun way for anyone new to your area to better understand the history. What “insider” details can you share that offer unique insight into your towns past?

Local Business Spotlight – Create a board that shares your favorite vendors such as local supermarkets, gas stations, hairdressers, pet store, auto repair, plumbers, electricians and more!

Top Things to Do in Your Area - Spotlight fun things to do or attractions to see within your area. Choose the top sites exclusive to your neck of the woods.

First Time Homebuyer Tips Pin your blog posts or links back to pages on your website. What questions do first time homebuyers have? Answer those on your blog and you have ongoing content for this Pinterest board!

Tips to Prepare Your Home For Sale - If you are selling a home, what do you need to know? Help prospects make an informed decision by answering questions about prepping their home for sale, how the appraisal process works, specifics about the community and how to correctly price their home.

Curb Appeal – Curb appeal means different things to different people. Pin colorful landscapes, cascading waterfalls and lush gardens to display the various looks within your area.

Staging Tips - Pin pictures of stunning before and afters that encourage re-pinning (think of retweets on Twitter) and paint a vivid picture of what a sellers home should look like to offer maximum appeal to buyers.

Mortgage process – The stages of the mortgage process can leave anyone swimming in a sea of questions. Offer answers to FAQ about the loan application process, what to avoid and how to make an informed decision.

Guide to your city – Create a guide by pinning your favorite parks, museums, neighborhood restaurants and nightlife . This can be anything you deem awesome enough that someone new to the area would want to visit.

Pet friendly locations – As a dog lover and someone who frequently travels with my two little guys, I am always on the lookout for pet friendly places to hang out. Pin restaurants, hotels, coffee shops, bars, dog parks and any other pet friendly location in your community. Believe me, they will love you for it!

Decorating on a dime – Everyone is looking to save wherever they can these days. Offer home decorating “do it yourself” tips that are easy and affordable. You can also pin shops within your area that sell unique but inexpensive home décor.

Home improvement ideas - From a complete kitchen makeover to DIY; pin home improvement projects that inspire and advise!

Gardening tips - For new homeowners, learning basic gardening skills is important to the care and upkeep of their home. Provide tips on how to cultivate a stunning garden and landscape.

How to make a move with children - If you look at moving as an exciting adventure full of fun and new possibilities, your children will be more apt to get on board. Help clients moving into your area go through this change minus the drama by offering the how-to's of a smooth move.

Cool coffee shops in your area - As a self diagnosed coffee addict, I am always on the lookout for local coffee shops with a cool, funky vibe. I love anything with big, comfy chairs and a quiet atmosphere. Where do you enjoy spending your time? You can bet your clients will too!

Moving day tips - When you're making a move, you can use all of the tips you can find. From checklists to supplies, planning a move is a huge undertaking. Pin tips on how to find free boxes, how to best pack breakables and how to budget for all moving expenses.

Things to do for free within your city - What sites can newcomers enjoy for free in your city? Whether it's a museum or a beautiful garden in the heart of the city, pin colorful pictures of your favorite locations.

Pictures of annual activities - Pin pictures of popular annual events such as fundraisers, school events and town hall meetings that someone new to the area might be interested in attending.

Most importantly, have fun with it! While we all know that using social media as a business-marketing toolis exciting, injecting 'you' into your social efforts is vital. Yes it's great to connect with your past clients and prospects in an environment where you lead the conversation, but simply "pushing" out business info isn't enough.

Pinterest gives you one more way to find and connect with your target audience and offers a little insight into your personality. What are your likes, your hobbies, your passions? Don't be shy to share!

Get Started!

Request an invite to Pinterest or comment below with your name and email and I will send you an invite!

Don't Forget! Follow me on Pinterest!

20 Incredibly Easy Ways to Use Pinterest in Your Business was written by Rebekah Radice.

Subscribe to Rebekah's Blog for Social Media Marketing, Blogging and Business Success Strategies that Help You STOP Those Time Sucking Activities and Maximize, Prioritize and Monetize Your Online Efforts! Just Click SUBSCRIBE!

Want to know more about me? Just Google Me!

T: 719.387.1368 | Email: rebekah@rebekahradice.com | Website: http://rebekahradice.com

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | Manager of Industry Engagement

Get the Scoop on All Things Real Estate!

Find Me Online!

Recent Articles from Rebekah's Blog

Creating a Social Media Strategy that Doesn't Suck

You Can Be a Referral Magnet

6 Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Website or Blog

How to Use LinkedIn to Generate Real Estate Business

Top 5 Reasons You Should Blog on Active Rain

3 Easy Ways to Customize Your Active Rain Blog

Get the Itemized List of Posts!

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

I have Split Personality Syndrome According to Active Rain . . .

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:38:29 -0800

Out of curiosity, I wanted to check my ranking in New York State. I clicked on the number on 'My Home" on Active Rain. I was a little surprised with what I saw. Obviously, it's a malfunction, but it's been like this now for a few hours. I hope they error in my favor when it's corrected and the two numbers are added together! That would be a nice kick. See below:

Has anyone seen this before, other than just as a 1x glitch? Again, this has been the same for hours.

By the way, I've tried to hit the 'submit' button numerous times, but that's not working either.

OK - Now it's 5 hours later, and my ranking went back to normal, but I'm still concerned that I haven't been able to post. Here goes nothing . . .

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

Enjoy the Celebration, but don't consider it a Coronation, just yet . . .

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:49:56 -0800

Yes, Mitt Romney might have won Florida yesterday and he may appear unbeatable at this point. On thing worth noting is that, so far, he has far less than 10% of the delegates necessary to win the nomination. On the other hand, 90% of the delegates are still to be chosen. Did you know that Florida has only about 50 delegates

Where does that leave us? I'll tell you that it is my wish that the Ron Paul message would be heard more clearly and that the MSM and most of Fox wouldn't marginalize him. He is the only candidate who has been consistent for his entire 30+ years in Congress. He is a physician who has taken the oath to 'Do No Harm', which is no longer even administered to medical school grads these days. (It's optional, but it's watered down even if you choose to attend the separate ceremony to take the Hippocratic Oath.)

His message is clear and it is that the United States Constitution is what has helped make our nation great. Due to our Founding Fathers, we were among the most competitive, wealthy countries on the planet within 50 years of proclaiming our independence from the UK. On the other hand, world superpowers have all failed when they have embraced other forms of government, especially those forms where the government chooses what will be produced and how much will be produced (see Solyndra vs. Keystone Pipeline). Governments have never picked winners in any country and at any time in history. Why? The public officials always have their judgment clouded by - yes -- money. Who has received all the money from Obama over the past 3+ years? His donors.

Who would receive all the future government contracts if Obama is re-elected, or Romney or Gingrich win? I would guess only the names would change, but the results would be the same.

If Ron Paul wins, who would be gaining from his presidency? Well, we all would, because we would be splitting the trillions in savings from a fiscally prudent president. I don't think he'd change his stripes at this age, and he'd owe his presidency to people willing to work for him for free, not billionaires cutting him checks. Further, individuals in the military and family members of those in the military donate to him at a rate of 3 to 4 X that of any other candidate. What does that tell you? No, Paul would not cut our national defense. He'd make our country safer, by stopping our armed forced from being the world police and guaranteed protector of many nations. What are we really getting in return.

Oil used to be a major concern, and I would say that a lot of national policy was correct in the past. However, now we know for sure that we have enough natural gas, coal and oil underground in the US and Canada to last the next hundred years. It's time we dealt with other countries in a way that benefited our citizens more than theirs.

It's just my opinion, but when all media say he's crazy, but honest, brilliant people know he's right, they are obviously scared of his ideology and what it would mean for their personal income. In reality, this election isn't over taxes or spending, as all three of the highest rated candidates will surely raise both. It's between their ideals, which are running our country into the ground, and our Founder's ideals, which are being espoused by only one man.

Finally, if you haven't read Atlas Shrugged, you really should. It would help you to understand what will happen as the rewards for hard work disappear, and people who have worked hard to gain wealth are hated. Could you ever imagine a world where one Republican candidate woul be bashing another for making lots of money in his career? Isn't that the reason our ancestors risked their lives to make it to this country? Didn't we want economic and religious freedom to abound?

Ask someone from the former Soviet Union or Communist China what they think of communism or socialism. Then vote for Ron Paul.

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

All Things Real Estate Roundup: Success in the New Year

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:39:18 -0800

This post was originally written by Rebekah Radice on her Blog called All Things Real Estate Roundup: Success in the New Year ...

While everything Rebekah writes seems to hit the nail on the head and to be great advice, this one is especially thorough and a good way to start 2012.

Via Rebekah Radice Social Media Marketing, Management & Strategies (Manager of Industry Engagement, Better Homes & Gardens RE):

This weeks roundup of All Things Real Estate offers a mix of marketing ideas, social media strategies and professional development tips that will help your business rock in the New Year!

Sit back, grab your cup of coffee and enjoy our real estate roundup of top tweets, posts and blogs from this last week!

Industry News

The 18 Cities Where Housing Is Worse Than It Was Last Year: The Case-Shiller housing price numbers for October are in and only two cities posted positive numbers.

60 Genius Brands to Watch in 2012: 2011 was a year of growth and innovation for many companies and 2012 looks to be equally as exciting! Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate is honored to be mentioned in the AGBeat list of 60 brands poised to dominate in 2012!

Will Housing Market Finally Rebound In 2012?: Housing prices hit a low in 2011 not seen since 2002, but one analyst believes 2012 is looking better.

The New Year Could Bring Opportunities For Home Buyers: With interest rates and home prices remaining at all time lows, 2012 could be year of major opportunity for both home buyers and agents.

Professional Development

How to Introduce Yourself in a Memorable Way: If you are a part of a networking group and have sat through dozens of same old, tired introductions then you know the importance of standing out among the crow. As Terry points out, "sameness will kill you."

A 7 Step Process to Achieving Your Goals: A step-by-step process that will guide you through evaluating all of your current activities and then wiping out everything that doesn't advance your key goals.

Why You Need to Make More Mistakes: Successful people tend to have a different view about mistakes than most ordinary people. Not only are they more tolerant of them (in themselves and others), but they often embrace them. How do you face your mistakes?

Marketing

How to Market a Real Estate Open House Online & Get More Clients: According to Realtor.com, 45% of home buyers are still using an open house to find their new home. Is this a strategy you can afford to miss out on?

You Don't Have to be a Naked Cowboy to Stand Out in 2012: Is your brand consistent across all your marketing channels? Do your Twitter, Facebook, Google plus and all your other online profiles reflect a consistent and recognizable brand?

4 Reasons Why Prospects Fear Cold Calls: Do you detest cold calls? Well so do your prospects. This article doesn't discuss how to overcome the objections, but does provide valuable insight into the "why" behind them. Understanding the why allows you to craft your next call in the hope of overcoming objections and fears before you face the wrath on the other end of the line.

Marketing Strategies: 5 Tips to Turning a Resolution into a Reality: 90% of all New Years resolutions fizzle by the end of January due to a lack of planning, determination and visualization. Prepare now and become a part of the 10% that succeed!

Social Media & Blogging

Tweet Late and Email Early: Using Data to Develop a Social Media Strategy: Do you have a Twitter calendar or even an idea of when the top times to tweet are? How about an email marketing plan? Get the scoop on where to start for a solid strategy in 2012!

How to Generate One Year Worth of Content Ideas in One Hour: Do you find yourself hitting a content brick wall? As bloggers, we all struggle to find valuable topics that make post worthy blogs. We also struggle to find shareable content to spread across our social networks. You will never need to worry again after reading this helpful article!

10 Ways to Refresh Your Digital Life in the New Year: It's a New Year and time for a fresh start. Get your digital life under control and organized in 2012!

P.S. Don't forget to join us on our new Facebook page for All Things Real Estate! Build your business through strategic planning and learn from top professionals across the U.S. and Canada!

All Things Real Estate Roundup: Success in the New Year was written by Rebekah Radice.

Subscribe to Rebekah's Blog for Social Media Marketing, Blogging and Business Success Strategies that Help You STOP Those Time Sucking Activities and Maximize, Prioritize and Monetize Your Online Efforts! Just Click SUBSCRIBE!

Want to know more about me? Just Google Me!

T: 719.387.1368 | Email: rebekah@rebekahradice.com | Website: http://rebekahradice.com

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | Manager of Industry Engagement

Get the Scoop on All Things Real Estate!

Find Me Online!

Recent Articles from Rebekah's Blog

Creating a Social Media Strategy that Doesn't Suck

You Can Be a Referral Magnet

6 Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Website or Blog

How to Use LinkedIn to Generate Real Estate Business

Top 5 Reasons You Should Blog on Active Rain

3 Easy Ways to Customize Your Active Rain Blog

Get the Itemized List of Posts!

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

Since we are only a small group, I want to invite you all to join a new group . . .

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:24:22 -0800

Hello Members of the Appraisal Group:

I thank you for joining the appraisal group, and I will start posting more to it. Their have been a lot of really great posts on here, but they all seem to be to be from Lenn. However, it would be great to get others involved in the appraisal group. I'm still thinking of topics about which to write.

In the mean time, I am inviting you (and anyone else who might find it fun, even though it sounds a little twisted) to join The 2012 Dead Pool. I hope you'll be an active participant, but you are also welcome to simply be a spectator or commentator. The group site is: http://activerain.com/groups/deadpool

We usually kick-off the festivities on January 1st of each year. Each player gets a week (or 2) of extra time to submit. However, if your late, you cannot submit your list with anyone who has already died (which is pretty fair).

If you are going to do it, it's easy to research by going to www.stiffs.com. That website has thousands of entries from around the world. If you take the top picks from the top players, you'll do well. Also, checking the news and Google will allow you to think of creative search phrases that will bear fruit. Searching Google.com with terms like "Diagnosed with cancer" in the "News" section seems to help. Also, believe it or not, has a number of helpful pages, like "People with Stomach Cancer". It's twisted, but that's what makes it fun.

I hope you join. It's good, somewhat clean, fun. Even my 82 year old dad plays. Not only does he play, but he laminates his list and keeps it in his wallet. I guess you could see why I'm a little wacky.

I will promise to not look at anyone's list until I post my own. I will probably pick early just so that I cannot be accused of wrongdoing. You can also steal ideas from my list, but then you cannot win, because we'll have the same picks. While we may play for cash in our little group, the AR version should have some award, or I can send the winner a check for $25, as a congratulatory win. Anyone with ideas on what the winner should receive, please throw me your ideas.

I will post entries from participants who are not on AR. This will make the competition a little stronger. But, again, the rules are: Send a list of 20 celebrities (famous enough to have their deaths noted in the NY Times - or famous enough to be in any 'Hall of Fame' - for instance, we consider any member of the ML Baseball Hall of Fame to be famous, even if they are 100 any you and I don't recognize their names.)

For the 20 celebs or famous people, you just have to give us their name and major role in life (i.e. Fidel Castro - Cuban Dictator). Then, rank them from top to bottom . Picks 1 and 2 are worth 20 points, 3 and 4 are worth 19 points, etc. You last two picks will be worth 10 points.

There are 3 bonus categories this year, while we usually only have 2. The first to pick any 3 famous people under the age of 40. All of these picks are worth 20 points. (Notable past winners have had Chris Farley and Anna Nicole Smith - who died at 39 and several months, and a few others.)

The 2nd bonus category is that we usually, for fun, pick an old professional wrestler. (For 2011, we have a winner with Macho Man Randy Savage!) However, in light of the real estate motif, we'll go with anyone in the world of real estate as a 21 point bonus. Donald Trump, Dave Liniger (founder of Re/Max), Barbara Corcoran, or any other real estate person who is known outside of their own hometown will qualify. I like Sam Zell for my pick, although he's so loaded he could be kept alive for years.

Last, if you want, pick a date of death for each player. If you get the date exactly right, you get a 5 point bonus. If the person dies within a week of your date, you get a 3 point bonus, and within a month, you get a 1 point bonus.

So, that's that. I will publish my list by tomorrow and the rest will trickle in as time goes by. You can also make a team name, like 'the Nearly Departed' or anything else you find to be clever.

So, everyone, tell your friends. We'll have 1/2 dozen subscribers by tomorrow and should have a total of about 10 entries.

Good luck and write me with any questions. Happy New Year.

David

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

SEO & Linkbacks - How Else Do I get them onto my AR Personal Blog

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:40:16 -0800

I am confused and looking for some help.

Having this Blog show up on Active Rain will automatically get some hits from the AR community. However, I've noticed two things. First, when I post a Blog to AR, it will get about two dozen views - on average. Second, when I click the button to have it also feed to "My Outside Blog", which is on a website I bought just to have this blog feed into it, I see that I get 500 or more hits, on a pretty regular basis.

Our office has many properties for sale. They are all listed on our local Multiple Listing Service, and I assume this is the case for most readers who are brokers or agents. However, "My Outside Blog" doesn't seem to have a linkback to Active Rain, nor does it link directly to my office website(s).

Our main office website -- www.livillageproperties.com is now under the final stages of reconstruction.

Our old/backup website - - www.longislandvillageproperties.com

One of our agent's site is - - - www.joshevanshomes.com

And, I'd like to link back to my 'home page' on active rain, which is - - I believe -- www.activerain.com/dvfco

As you can see, I am using this blog not only to ask the question, but also to see if it helps answer the question itself as I will click the Post to My Outside Blog button. But, there should be a better way to get it done and make it look a lot better.

I also seem to have problems adding almost anything to the website other than what comes through this feed. Does anyone have any advice on how to improve or expand my website? It is www.mineolavillageproperties.com

Further, I am about to add these RSS-type feeds to the Active Rain Accounts for my other agents. This way, they will all have a neighborhood name with villageproperties.com following their hometown, or the town in which they do the most business. I just don't want to get started without a little more knowledge in the field.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, even just a kick in the right direction.

Thanks,

David

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

Mineola Penthouse Condominium - Only 2BR and 2 Bath Available - Best Deal in Town

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:22:09 -0800

NOW IS THE TIME – OWN A SPECTACULAR CONDOMINIUM IN MINEOLA – A PENTHOUSE THAT YOU CAN OWN FOR THE SAME PRICE AS IT WOULD COST TO RENT! - $339,000

Active Bidding in the Condominium Sector makes it a great reason to buy a Condo over a Coop. Wouldn't you prefer to own in a place you could rent if you decided to move (and make a monthly profit - including the mortgage), have a pet, not have to deal with a creepy co-op board, etc,? Yes, that's why condominiums sell at tremendous premium to co-ops

CALL DAVID V. FARRELL FOR APPOINTMENT

OR COME TO NEXT OPEN HOUSE THIS WEEKEND

This is perhaps the most beautiful apartment I have seen in Central-Nassau County in the past decade. The owner has the ability to control their own heat. They have a private basement garage space which is just steps from the elevator. It is the perfect apartment for almost any age group. It makes a great starter apartment and is quite affordable. In addition, even as a retirement unit, or pied-a-tierre, it offers so many desirable amenities. It has complete handicap access as elevator access to all levels.

OPEN HOUSE - SUNDAY - 12-11-11 FROM NOON TO 2 P.M.

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

Going, Going - almost gone in Mineola, New York

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:56:11 -0800

NOW IS THE TIME – OWN A SPECTACULAR CONDOMINIUM IN MINEOLA – A PENTHOUSE THAT YOU CAN OWN FOR THE SAME PRICE AS IT WOULD COST TO RENT! - $339,000

CALL DAVID V. FARRELL FOR APPOINTMENT

OR COME TO NEXT OPEN HOUSE THIS WEEKEND

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

Wikipedia - Why I just made a small donation and why I think you should if you can.

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:08:20 -0800

I just shot a $20 donation to Wikipedia and was writing to say why. I am not bragging (at all - I'd brag if I was able to give them $100 or $1,000 - that would be much different). While using the site to learn what "Archimedes Paradox" is, (a useless fact on which they had about a 1,000 word explanation) I realized I use the site several times every single day to research everything from very important facts for work, to useless facts about which I am curious.

Is Wikipedia perfect? No, not at all. However, it is an amazing, free, ad-free, un-biased asset shared by the entire digital world. It has a great method of self governance. It appears to have 1,000 times the information that Microsoft's old Encyclopedia. In fact, Wikipedia is so great a source, I can't remember Microsoft's encyclopedia program that they sold.

Wikipedia had a fundraiser and put an appeal from the founder at the top of the page. However, it didn't get 'in your face', it didn't obfuscate any results, and it didn't require anyone to become a 'member' or to sign-in to an account. Where else can you get that? Unlike PBS stations, where I'd rather they simply play commercials than to break up their few very high quality show with 15 minute fund-raising breaks. This fundraiser has zero negative impact on anyone using the site who doesn't want to donate, and made donating a one-minute issue.

Think about it. If you use Wikipedia, it might be a good idea to throw them a few bucks. Why? Well, without donations, they may eventually have to close or, more likely, be sold to a 'for-profit' company. While that doesn't sound too bad, (who cares if they make a profit from it?) it would really destroy the site. Once a 'for-profit' company took over, it would become impossible to trust the veracity of the pages. It would, necessarily, become biased. Finally, contributions from authors would stip, once they felt they were working to make money for someone else. Who would write to make a profit for a company they don't own? Now, people write for a not-for-profit where they can explain something that is their passion and about which they might be one of the most knowledgeably people in the world. So, maybe my donation was actually selfish, as I just want to see Wikipedia succeed in the very long term (i.e. in perpetuity).

So, I'd suggest it in the same way they do on their site:

If everyone reading this donated $10,
we could end the fundraiser today.
Please read a personal appeal

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

BEST MINEOLA CONDOMINIUM - COME SEE - BEST VIEW IN THE VILLAGE

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:50:01 -0800

NOW IS THE TIME – OWN A SPECTACULAR CONDOMINIUM IN MINEOLA – A PENTHOUSE THAT YOU CAN OWN FOR THE SAME PRICE AS IT WOULD COST TO RENT! - $339,000

CALL DAVID V. FARRELL FOR APPOINTMENT

OR COME TO NEXT OPEN HOUSE THIS WEEKEND

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

Contests on ActiveRain - Suggestions for Participants and Sponsors

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:14:32 -0800

I am re-blogging this post because I think it is excellent. I entered a contest and was confused the whole time while it was going on. In the end, I received 3,000 points and had written 3 Blogs that received the most views and clicks of any blogs I've ever written. So, I got to 'win-win' and was very appreciative. I just think the ideas expressed below would make it easier for both the particpants and the sponsors. Once again, thanks to those who think up and sponsor the contests.

Via Fred Griffin Real Estate LLC:

Contests on ActiveRain! They are Fun, they are Creative, they are Inspiring, you may get Extra Points and can Win Prizes. But sometimes, there is Confusion. When does the Contest End? When do I get my Points? Who Won?

     There is an ActiveRain Contests Group (you should join it).   There are typically 3 or 4 Contests running at any given point in time.

     Many of the Contests involve posting Photographs or Videos.   Some want Inspirational or Motivational Stories or Experiences.

________________________________

________________________________



Participants:

     Read the Entire Contest Page BEFORE posting your Entry.   Know the Rules.

    When is the Deadline? If there is a time of day stated (for example, ends at 8:00PM), what Time Zone is that referring to?



     What EXACTLY do you have to do, post, Blog, or achieve?

     Is more than one Blog required of you (a current contest requires 9 Blogs over 3 months).

     Where do you have to Post the Blog? Some Contests require that the Blog be posted on Facebook, or on Twitter, or on a specific ActiveRain Blog Page.

     Remember, many Contests are "Volunteer Work" by your Fellow ActiveRainers.   Please be patient; they are doing this in their off-time.

________________________________

Sponsors and Judges:

     The Deadline should be prominently stated at the Top of the Contest Rules.

     If the Deadline is extended or changed, can you please Update the Contest Blog, showing the new Deadline, prominently at the Top?

     When the Contest Ends, can you Update the Contest Blog and Clearly State that "The Contest has Ended as of This Time This Date", at the Top of the Contest Page? We have seen many instances where people keep posting to a Contest, days after it is over.

     When the Deadline passes, can you Update the Blog with a Statement that "The Judges are Reviewing the Entries; a Decision should be reached by This Date, and Points and Prizes will be Awarded at that time".

   Keep the Link to the Contest posted Prominently near the Top of the Contest Group Page, until all Points and Prizes have been awarded, and the Contest is completely over.

________________________________



   In Conclusion:

          I entered a Contest weeks ago. I never got the Points, I have no idea who Won the Contest. The Link is gone from the Contest Page, and I have to do a search to find it. I entered one of the Video Contests, same story. Maybe one day the Points will magically appear on my Page.

           The suggestions that I have listed above would take away some of the mystery and confusion surrounding Contests.

________________________________

     Thanks to the Sponsors, to the Volunteers, to the Judges, to Kerrie, and to the other AR Staffers!

________________________________

________________________________

Fred Griffin, Social Media Consultant and Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

Time to say "Goodbye to the Real Estate world"

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:57:30 -0800

Why have our MLS groups declined by 1/3rd recently? Here's one example. Good luck Maria. Enjoy some time off. Find something you love - or maybe come back when the industry starts again thriving.

Via Maria Salvaggio MA North Shore REAL ESTATE (Century 21 North Shore):

It has come time to say" Thank you for wonderful memories and wonderful people I have met in the past 8 years". It is no longer in my family's best interest to continue with this career choice. I love what I do and dreamed about being a Real Estate Agent since I was just a teenage girl. I made that dream come true when I was 34. I invested my heart and soul into the industry since 2004. With the decline in sales and clients my dreams and drive has come to a crashing hault. I can not afford the Board dues,MLS fees and so on.

I will continue to hold my Real Estate license in Mass and take a one year break. I wanted to say how lucky I have been to meet some extrodaniary Agents, Clients a made new friends along the way. I will refere out any possible sales/listings to agents in my current company.

Thank you everyone who has taught me how to be my best. I wish all you associates the best of luck in the year to come. Take care and be well.

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

What's the Best Weather for an Open House? Any Thoughts?

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:28:32 -0800

Open Houses, to me, are like playing roulette. You place your advertisements on MLS and all over the web, add it to the office list, begin preparing printing, etc. That's like placing bets. Then, the wheel starts spinning and a little more work gets done - usually finishing on Thursday. Then - "No More Bets". Whatever work has been done, bets have been placed, etc. all fall into the hands of Lady Luck or Mother Nature. When the weekend day comes for the Open House, it can be hot, cold, raining, snowing, etc. In fact, in New York, we probably have the 36 options like on the Roulette wheel. There could be a nor'easter, a clipper system snow storm, a 70 degree day sunny day (like today) in mid-November, etc.

OK – You’ve Picked Your Day – You’ve Advertised Your Listing

You’ve Prepared All you Open House Photos and Documents

You are Ready to Go – and what will you get?

I’d love to hear people’s opinions on this one. And, if someone writes to me from Santa Clara, CA or Los Angeles, CA, I’ll be very annoyed. Yes, we all know that its 78 degrees and always sunny with low humidity there 98% of the year. (No, I don’t understand why everyone in the US hasn’t tried to move there.) I’d like to hear from people in the parts of the country that brutally hot, cold, wet, etc. What weather do you seek? If you say a prayer, for what type of weather what are you praying? For example, I know people in Rhode Island are famous for saying, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 15 minutes.” It’s seems true there as well. Either way – what brings people out? We had a sunny, beautiful weekend and poor turnout this weekend.

I think fair to poor weather is best. When it is gray, looks like rain, is about 55 degrees and it won’t get any nicer, then I think people say – “Why not look at houses today?” However, we’ve had good and bad on those days as well.

I’m flummoxed! Any thoughts?

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

Mineola's Best Condo in Best Building can be had for the price of Renting!!!

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:45:16 -0700

NOW IS THE TIME – OWN A SPECTACULAR CONDOMINIUM IN MINEOLA – A PENTHOUSE THAT YOU CAN OWN FOR THE SAME PRICE AS IT WOULD COST TO RENT!

CALL DAVID V. FARRELL FOR APPOINTMENT

OR COME TO OPEN HOUSE – SUNDAY 11/6 – 2-4P.M.

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com

With this post and several comments VEGAS BOB hits "One Million Points" at the ActiveRain Network ... ;o)

David Farrell Licensed NY State Real Estate Broker (David V. Farrell Co.) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:19:09 -0700

What I'd be celebrating if my co-workers didn't have 'other things to do'.

It's kind of a joke - as 1,000,000 points is a milestone. However, 16,000 points after 1/2 year is not!

Via VEGAS BOB (REALTY ONE GROUP - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 702.443.7156 ):

It's been a long haul for VEGAS BOB at the ActiveRain Network and when he first joined ActiveRain back in January 1st of 2008 he had no idea what he was getting himself into. VEGAS BOB was turned on to ActiveRain by one of his web designers, back in late 2007 she mentioned the AR network, blogging, and SEO connections.

When VB's web designer mentioned "Blogging" ... VB asked what is blogging? She explained what a blog was and the rest is history.

The AR network is by far one of VB's favorites ... he has formed hundreds of Friends & Associates at the AR network across the United States, Canada, Mexico and other countries around the World.

Along with VB's Commercial Real Estate Business he also works with huge Commercial Projects in Las Vegas Nevada, dabbles with Real Estate Investments, Travels, takes photographs & videos around the World.

Born an Artist, VB is a painter, writer, photographer, entertainer and his number one LOVE is taking "Videos" ...

VEGAS BOB purchased this shirt in the photo (above) before he went down to the "Halloween" celebration down on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas. There were hundreds of thousands of tourists & locals dressed up for the event, along with some great entertainment by a local group ...

'Frank and his Steins'

VEGAS BOB shot 45 minutes of some of the BEST video on Fremont Street that he has ever taken. After VB shot his video many people came up to him asking if the video was going to be on television, and VB's business cards.

VB will be loading around 10 of the BEST videos ever taken on Fremont Street to YouTube later tonight and will be sharing several with the AR network.

Robert (Vegas Bob) Swetz 11-1-2011

Photographs & Videos by Robert (Vegas Bob) Swetz ©All rights reserved - All photographs for sale

Direct: 702.443.7156

If you are interested in Investment Properties in Las Vegas and the State of Nevada I can help you with all your needs.

Las Vegas continues to be a very fast growing city with some great opportunities for employment, retirement and much more. Las Vegas is surrounded by many other places & cities of interest like Lake Mead, Salt Lake City, Zion National Park, Arches National Park, Grand Canyon, Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, San Diego, Reno, Phoenix, Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe and more.

"Have a Wonderful Day"

www.VegasBuildingsForSale.com     Las Vegas Real Estate

www.VideosByVegasBob.com    Videos by Vegas Bob

www.youtube.com/user/swetz777    Videos by Robert Swetz

Videos By Vegas Bob ...

http://www.youtube.com/user/VideosByVegasBob?feature=mhee

Robert (Vegas Bob) Swetz

________________________________________________________

David V. Farrell, Broker/Owner

Long Island Village Properties

NYS Certified General Appraiser - #46-16371

David V. Farrell Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers

167 Mineola Boulevard

Mineola, New York 11501

p. (516) 741-7350

c. (516) 987-3329

e-mail: david@davidvfarrell.com