Inexpensive "THANK YOU" Gift ... Post Holidays! - 12/31/09 04:16 PM
I know most of us concentrate on buying gifts, saying thanks to business partners / vendors before now. December 31 may seem like an odd time to discuss gifts.
I disagree. It's the PERFECT time to buy gifts for people you want to THANK in your sphere of influence or vendors you use regularly / referral partners.
Think about it. In November/December we all run around giving and getting gifts. Then in January, it's quiet. We settle in under the blankets, and moan about how business is slow. We pay the piper when the credit card bills arrive. And we wait … (12 comments)

SHIFT Matters! - 12/28/09 10:03 PM
SHIFT MATTERS!
 
I am a total book freak. Seriously. You should see my office and home. I have so many books, I take the overflow to the office so my husband doesn't know how many I have. My office has 3 wall to ceiling bookshelves filled with books. Not only do agents in my office borrow my books, but agents NOT in my firm have been known to stop by and borrow my reading material.
This is not a post reviewing SHIFT. At this point there are tons of those on this site. But this is more of a testimonial … (4 comments)

New Years Eve in Schuylkill County, PA - 12/27/09 05:34 PM
Once again, New Year's Eve approaches, and as usual there is a TON of stuff to do here on New Year's Eve on Schuylkill County, PA. So, for all our Localism / local readers .... here we go summarizing what there is to do on New Year's Eve here in our little corner of Pennsylvania.
 
New Year’s Eve at the Lazy Dog Coffeehouse -- Lazy Dog Coffeehouse, 18 E. Sunbury Street, Minersville. Mr. Z and the Nightshift. By reservation, only. For information or reservations, go to www.lazydogcoffeehouse.com. 570-544-4800.
New Year’s Even Ball Drop -- Downtown Tamaqua at the ABC Tamaqua … (3 comments)

Pre-Home Inspections: What Every Seller Should Consider ! - 12/27/09 04:51 PM
Sellers really should consider getting pre-inspections done, to avoid surprises later. Read below, what the Somers Team wrote about seller's pre-listing inspections.
 
 
 
Via Christopher and Stephanie Somers - Realtors - Philadelphia Real Estate (Owner - RE/MAX Access):
Pre-Home Inspections: What Every Seller Should Consider ! Chris and I are Realtors so our opinion is obviously one from that perspective.  But, that perspective was pierced last year when we helped my mother sell our family home of 35+ years located in Bucks County. It was a really slow market at that time and we wanted to sell the home in a … (1 comments)

Every Household should have a Plan B, sometimes even a Plan C - 12/23/09 07:35 PM
My friend Loreena wrote this excellent article on financial planning! I am proud to post her work here... 
 
 
 
Via Loreena Yeo - Broker|Realtor(R) of Frisco-TX-Homes (214) 783-2210 (3:16 team REALTY):
So, you have been unemployed for 2 or 3 months now. Or you may have just received news that your position will be eliminated after the New Year. What should you do?
Many households exist without a BUDGET. Money comes in, money goes out - sometimes thousands of dollars exchange hands in a single month with nothing to show for. Names were left off to protect the innocent. Then, there … (5 comments)

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Seller, Your Absence Is Appreciated... - 12/17/09 02:34 PM
Please, if your house is listed for sale, you really should attempt to leave the house for all showings. You don't want to be inside when buyers show up, and you certainly don't want to tell them your motivation/anything that might hurt your negotiating later.
 
 
Via William James Walton, Sr. Greater Waterbury Real Estate (Century21 Access America):
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Seller, Your Absence Is Appreciated…

 
          When people are selling their homes, there is sometimes an unnecessary presence. Sellers (and sometimes their agents) remaining in their homes during a showing to potential buyers. I cannot fathom why any … (4 comments)

Triple Play Convention: Atlantic City 2009 - 12/06/09 02:52 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
Just packing to head out to Atlantic City tomorrow. Triple Play convention runs December 8-10 in Atlantic City, as it does every year.
I missed last year, due to a bunch of settlements I had scheduled that week (a good reason to skip!) and so I'm twice as excited this year.
Are any Rainers planning on attending??? Realtors from NY, NJ, PA and neighboring states attend normally.
Here's the details: http://www.realtorstripleplay.com/
 
 
 
 
… (7 comments)

'Tis the Season: Holiday Selling Tips - 12/06/09 02:11 PM
Some sellers choose to pull their houses OFF the market during the holidays. Here is a good post telling you what to do to help sell your house during the holidays, and why it's a good time to stay on the market.
Via Debe Maxwell, Realtor® - Charlotte NC MLS - Charlotte NC Neighborhoods (Helen Adams Realty):
'Tis the Season:  Selling During the Holidays During the holiday season, the focus for many turns to home and family.  Many buyers cease searching for a new home during this time; however, there are many others who have no choice--they must continue their search because of … (2 comments)

Cool Beans! Freaky Number Coincidences - 12/05/09 09:37 AM

 
 
I just posted a prior blog post on here about lenders / buyer's agents responsibilities (Stop the Madness!) and noticed my graphic / points score had hit a freaky kind of milestone.
This post has no deep thoughts behind it. I just looked at the number and thought, COOL BEANS!
 
 
Then I remembered the other day I deposited a bunch of checks in the bank (4 total) and the total amount of my deposit was $1919.19. The teller even checked my math to make sure it was right.  I couldn't have done that again if I … (9 comments)

Foreseeably Harder Approvals: FHA gets tough - 12/05/09 08:53 AM
This is a great post about FHA loans and how they might be more expensive to get in the near future. Many Schuylkill County home sales are funded through FHA loans, so this is important in our market.
Via Ken Cook, FHA Home Loans 678-439-8683:
For many years home mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) have made home ownership possible for millions of home owners. During the "boom" FHA loans lost a lot of ground in the marketplace because non-conforming loans were often easier to get and cost the borrower less scrutiny and often less out of pocket. (More on Examiner.com … (0 comments)

Selling Your Home - Understanding CMA – Comparable Market Analysis - 12/04/09 06:42 PM
If you are sellign your home, you need to understand what the CMA is and how to use it. This is a great explanation.
Via Anthony Stokes-Pereira (Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty):
No two homes are alike, which is why pricing a home for sale can be so challenging. You may have an idea of what your home is worth on the open market, but in order to sell it, you'll have to support your price to buyers with comparables - other similar nearby homes that have sold recently or are currently for sale.
To help determine the right asking price for … (1 comments)

New Agent Coaching/Training Programs? - 12/03/09 10:27 AM
Looking for advice on which program out there is "the best" for coaching new agents / rookies.
 
I am looking into Carla Cross's Up & Running in 30 days program ($99) for a new agent who is coming on board.
 
Any other suggestions out there? What have you tried with success (or not such hot results)???
 
Do any of you brokers use a coaching program for new agents, or have you developed your own system?
 
Would love to hear what other firms are doing ... the new agent / rookie stage is CRUCIAL. Without a good foundation, … (5 comments)

Is a Seller's "pre-listing inspection" a good idea? - 12/01/09 02:50 PM
I am asked if a seller should get a pre-listing inspection quite often. I do recommend one, as it can never hurt to know what you're up against if a buyer wants a home inspection. We work with several home inspectors who will provide this service for a reasonable fee.
Via Athina Boukas (Keller Williams Realty):
Lately, I have been recommending to most sellers that they pre-inspect their home prior to putting it on the market.  This often comes with resistance because at first, it doesn't seem like the expense will be recouped on the sale.  I advise that this is a good … (6 comments)

 
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Erica Ramus - SchuylkillRealEstate.com - Schuylkill County PA Real Estate

Pottsville, PA

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Erica Ramus - Ramus Realty Group - Pottsville, PA

Address: 300 Mauch Chunk St. Suite A, Pottsville, PA, 17901

Office Phone: (570) 622-6006 x 301

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