Inspecting Older Electrical Systems... - 10/29/11 10:19 PM
Licensed Home Inspector Michael Thornton discusses Older Electrical Systems.  Michael wants to ensure that, "...the electrical system meets acceptable industry standards."  In this blog, he shows a picture of an improperly wired circuit panel that could result in overheating, and a possible fire.
 

  
 
   
 
 
Tennessee Home Inspector Michael Thornton has completed over 4000 Inspections.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michael's concern is that many older systems do not have the capacity to meet modern energy needs.


He shows an example where a dangerous, illegal modification has been … (7 comments)

Advice for Sellers: The One Question You Must Ask Your REALTOR® - 10/29/11 09:31 PM
Sellers - what is the One Question that you should Ask your Realtor?  Peggy Chirico advocates "Pricing your House to Sell".  She states clearly and emphatically the reasons for pricing it right, at the time you put your house on the market.
 
     Peggy then overcomes the most common objections to Pricing it Right.  From "leaving room to negotiate", to "we cannot afford to sell for less", she systematically addresses these arguments.
 
     She respectfully states that, "If you aren't serious about selling your house this year at the right price, then wait until you are serious about selling … (1 comments)

What Buyers Do Wrong . . . They Talk Too Much - 10/26/11 11:49 PM
Regarding Home Buyers, Carla Muss-Jacobs says, "There is one mistake that can cost them money, or ultimately, weaken their negotiation position... Buyers Talk Too Much!". 
    Carla gives a classic example of a talkative Buyer at an Open House, who tells the Listing Agent for the Seller:  "Wow!  I can afford this!  I just got qualified online.  I'm good for $50,000 more!"   
    
  
 
 
     Carla Muss-Jacobs, an admitted "avid viewer" of reality TV Cop shows, reminds Buyers that they have the Right to Remain Silent.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Read … (11 comments)

Lighten Up-------Nobody Takes Facebook That Seriously Anymore, Do They? - 10/26/11 11:17 PM
Facebook!  Many people cannot imagine "Life Without Facebook".  But those embarrassing personal pictures, comments, and opinions - do they affect your life, and your business?  Deborah Stone advises everyone to "Lighten Up".  She concludes that, "Facebook is what it is - an open forum of friends, family clients, and X's". 
 

 
 
 
     Regarding the postings on Facebook,  Deborah Stone advises, "I say, let them read what they want, believe what they want, and decide for themselves".   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Read Deborah's Blog, "Lighten Up ------ Nobody Takes Facebook That … (3 comments)

Why Sellers Should Remove Wallpaper - 10/25/11 11:26 PM
 
Wallpaper!  It has been around since the Renaissance - examples dating back to 1500 exist.  But 500 years later, has Wallpaper become passé? 
 
      Tammie White Blogs about an Expired Listing that has Wallpaper that, "looked like something my grandmother would have hung in the '80s."
 
 
 
        What are your thoughts? 
     Is Wallpaper out of date?  Is it a Show-Stopper?  Are Listing Photos that show Wallpaper a Turn-Off for Potential Buyers? 
 

     Read Tammie's Blog, "Why Sellers Should Remove Wallpaper"

    Read the 150+ comments and responses from Realtors, Designers, … (7 comments)

Yeah, Buddy! 200,000 Points... Yee-Ha, Whoop! Whoop! Whoop! - 10/25/11 12:07 AM
Y'all excuse me if I get a little bit Southern-excited tonight, but the ticker shows that I have just passed 200 Large on ActiveRain! 

      I extend a cyber-handshake of gratitude to all of you on ActiveRain.

    Thank you Staff, thank you Ambassadors, thank you Rainmakers and Commenters and Newbies.   What a Great Experience it has been!
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
     YES! 
     We have crossed into the Land of 200,000 Points.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    I look forward to more fun, sharing, education, … (21 comments)

I Do Not Work 24 Hours, 7 Days Per Week - And I'm PROUD Of It! - 10/24/11 10:50 PM
Bill Kennedy, who authored this Blog, received a call at 9:15PM on a Saturday Night.  He explained to the caller that he was with family, it was too late to be working.  Bill would gladly call back on Monday.  The person on the other end became irate, and hung up the phone.
 

     What are your thoughts?  Would you have taken the call and "worked" anyway? Are you on call 24/7?  Or do you have set hours for "business"?
 

 
 
The Comments and Responses to Bill's Blog were varied and interesting. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
… (9 comments)

Are Designations Worth The Cost....Are You Losing Money Without Them? - 10/24/11 10:28 PM
Barbara Todaro asks, "How important are designations after your name?"  Years ago, the designations were few:  GRI, CRS, and CRB.  Commercial Realtors could obtain the coveted CCIM.  Today, there is an "alphabet soup" of designations.  Does the Buying and Selling Public care? 
 
     Realtors spend hundreds of dollars to be certified this and accredited that.    Does the Realtor get a decent ROI for the hundreds of dollars and many hours spent obtaining the Letters?
    
   
 
 
      The comments that follow Barbara's Blog are varied: 
    The general consensus from the Commenters appears to be, "The Public … (6 comments)

Update For You On New Appraisal Stuff - 10/24/11 02:19 PM
Gary Woltal brings us up to speed on New Appraisal Guidelines that took effect on September 1, 2011.  In his Blog, Gary suggests that, "Appraisals going forward will take longer to complete, COST MORE inevitably, even in a down Economy with competition in the profession, and will require more Realtor input to get more information to complete them".
 
 
 
 

Ambassador Gary Woltal covers Appraisal Guidelines that you may not be familiar with, such as ULDD, 13 Categories of Property View, 11 Location Factors, and more.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

     Gary Woltal outlines … (0 comments)

Your Marketing Efforts Won't Work Unless... - 10/23/11 10:46 PM
Believe in What You are Selling, Believe in Yourself!  Marte Cliff has written a superb Blog that inspires you to take a serious assessment of your knowledge, experience, and personality traits.

 
     Marte says, "So if you aren't sure about real estate or your ability to help your clients, stop right now and have a good talk with yourself - on paper".

 
     Marte's blog inspired me to write out a "Why I'm Great List".  Seeing it in writing brought personal reflection, and an attitude change for the better.
     I encourage you to follow Marte's … (2 comments)

Stone Crab Festival this Saturday October 22 in St. Marks, Florida. Join Us for Great Seafood! - 10/21/11 10:16 PM
Enjoy Fresh Stone Crab Claws, directly from Florida Coastal Waters and onto your Plate.  The Stone Crab Festival in St. Marks, Florida is held on Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 10:00 to 6:00PM.  Admission is Free.  It coincides with the 21st Annual Monarch Butterfly Festival, held on the other side of the Marsh.
 
 

 
  These Stone Crab Claw Delicacies rival Lobster for taste and texture. 
     Quality claws can cost $28 to $38 per pound plus shipping from mail order websites.  But here at St. Marks, you can get your fill of Stone Crab Claws for much … (9 comments)

Donald Trump says, "It's a Great Time to Buy a House". Will his remarks get Buyers Off The Fence? - 10/21/11 06:19 PM
Donald Trump says, "It's a Great Time to Buy a House!"  Maybe Trump's remarks will Get Buyers off the Fence.  The Video Clip below is of Donald Trump being interviewed by Aaron Task of The Daily Ticker.
 
 



It's a Great Time to Buy a House! - from a Bank!" Maybe Trump's remarks will Get Buyers off the Fence.
 
 
Donald Trump has made a fortune investing in Real Estate, and achieved Celebrity Status in the process. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
     Trump says, "This time is a great … (8 comments)

How to Add that Subscribe Button & URL Link - 10/21/11 12:55 AM
Jerry Newman has written an outstanding Tutorial titled, "How to Add that Subscribe Button & URL Link".
 
       Jerry walks you through this important process step-by-step.  You need the Subscribe Button at the bottom of your Blog as a "Call to Action".
 

 
 
 
 
 
      Read Jerry's Blog (and the 90+ comments that follow it). 

    Then, increase the number of your Blog Subscribers by adding the Subscribe Button!
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Via Jerry Newman,REALTOR®,US Army Retired, San Antonio Real Estate & Military Reloc (Keller Williams Realty):
How … (3 comments)

Five Warning Signs Your Purchase Offer May Be Headed For Trouble - 10/20/11 10:34 PM
 
Liz and Bill Spear, more commonly known as "BLiz", have written a humorous yet all-too-true Blog about Unrealistic Purchase Offers that come in from Buyers and Buyer's Agents.
 
They give 5 great examples, from the Way Under-Priced Offer, to the Offer with No Pre-Approval Letter.
 

 
 
Read BLiz's Blog, "Five Warning Signs Your Purchase Offer May Be Headed For Trouble", and the 150 Comments that were generated.
 
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Via Liz and Bill Spear RE/MAX Elite Warren County Ohio: Cincinnati to Dayton (513.265.3004 www.LizTour.com):
Five Warning Signs Your Purchase Offer May Be Headed For … (2 comments)

How To Avoid Connecting With People - 10/19/11 10:37 PM

Steve Hoffacker has written a great Blog on how people are setting up pages on Social Media Networking and Blog Sites, then sabotaging their own efforts to Connect with People.
 
Steve's 3 Main Points are:
(1)  No Photo, or Irrelevant Photo
(2)  Useless Information in Taglines
(3)  Incomplete Profiles
 
 

 
 
 
Read Steve's Blog, and view the dozens of Comments that were generated.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Via Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates LLC):
Whether it's Active Rain, Facebook, … (11 comments)

I think it's "CRIMINAL" for Home & Property Values to go down, but Property Taxes Don't! - 10/19/11 01:08 AM

Vegas Bob posted a Great Blog on something that is occurring across The United States.  Property Values are plummeting, but Property Taxes are not lowered correspondingly.
     Bob suggests that it should be a "Criminal Offense" if Government Officials in States, Counties, Cities, and Municipalities collect Taxes based upon Property Values that are no longer justified.
 
   Be sure to read Vegas Bob's Original Blog, and look at the many comments that mostly agree with his premise.

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Via VEGAS BOB … (5 comments)

Kodak Email Print App and Google Cloud Printing could have Saved me Grief in a Long Distance Transaction! - 10/18/11 09:53 PM
A recent transaction involved a house in Florida, Sellers in a New England state, and a Buyer from a Western state.  Long Distance transactions like this have become easier over the past decade, thanks to Technology.  But not this time.  None of the parties were Tech Savvy. 
     The Buyer could not program a microwave oven timer (sorry, but it's true).  When I mentioned "Copies" to the elderly Sellers, they said, "Oh, you mean a Mimeograph!" 


  
 
 
 
Mimeograph, aka Stencil Duplicator, circa World War II
image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
 
 
 
 
… (2 comments)

Mobile Phone Bill Shock! Does It End Today? How about the $201,000 T-Mobile Bill for a Miami Woman?? - 10/18/11 01:54 PM
You've heard the Horror Stories of people getting monthly Cellphone Bills running into the thousands of Dollars.  A Miami woman received a bill from T-Mobile for $201,000 (that is not a typo).  "Bill Shock" may have ended today, with the Industry agreeing to send alerts when a user is approaching or exceeding the monthly allowance. 
 

 
 
 
How would you like to get THIS phone bill?
  Image courtesy of WSVN-TV
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Julius Genachowski, FCC Chairman on the New Wireless Carrier Guidelines:
 

 
 
     Bowing … (5 comments)

To Roof, or Not To Roof - That is the Question. - 10/17/11 10:21 PM
We will be Listing a 1985 house in Tallahassee, Florida.  The house will sold "As Is, Subject to Inspections".   The owner has moved out of the state, and does not wish to make repairs or upgrades.  However, I am suggesting that they consider installing a New Roof before selling the house.

 
 
 
 
 
What about the Original 26-year old Roof? 

Would you Replace it before Listing?






     Florida Real Estate Agents (and Home Owners) know all too well the stringent requirements of Insurance Companies.  A house with an out-dated … (5 comments)

Sure I Trust. But I Also Verify. - 10/17/11 09:23 PM
"Trust but Verify"   J. Philip Faranda has written a Convincing Argument for Verifying that a Buyer does indeed have the Funds or the Financing available to Close the Transaction.  It is not sufficient to take the Buyer or the Buyer Agent's word for it.
     "It is my job to verify... It is absolutely our [the Listing Agent's] business to ascertain that the buyer can perform", says Philip.
 
 
Read the Original Blog, and be sure to review the 100+ Comments in response to Philip's premise.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Via J. Philip Faranda … (2 comments)

A line drawn in the sand is often washed away by failure. - 10/17/11 02:14 PM

Richard Weisser makes a solid case for "Give and Take" in Negotiating.  Stubbornness, refusing to budge, "Drawing a Line in the Sand" will often result in Failure to reach an Agreement and bring a Contract to Closing.
Richard suggests that "even the smallest compromises can keep the lines of communication open".
 

 
 
 
 Be sure to read the many comments - and several dissenting opinions - that accompany Richard Weisser's  Original Blog.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Via Richard Weisser Coweta Fayette Real Estate:
In every negotiation, there has to be some give and take. … (0 comments)

10 Ways To Make Sure That Your House Won't Sell. - 10/17/11 12:23 AM
 
Jared and Amanda Christiansen have posted a humorous, yet all too true Blog about the obstacles that Sellers put up, and the difficulties that they create, when attempting to Sell their house.




This really is a Great List. 

Anyone who has been in Real Estate for a while can relate to a number of these "10 Ways to Make Sure That Your House Won't Sell".







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Via The Christiansen Team (RE/Max Home Connection Fort Wayne):
10.  Keep it cluttered!  Put up as many pictures … (7 comments)

Spam - A Thorn In My Side - 10/16/11 11:44 PM
Spam!  It's a sad part of the Internet.  Unless Draconian Laws are enacted or enforced, it probably won't go away any time soon.  ActiveRain posted a great "Questionnaire Blog" about Spam:  should ActiveRain Require Full Registration (no more Consumer Comments), should they use a Captcha, or should they Leave it Alone?

     Gotta go - I need to buy a pair of Ugg Boots while they are still on sale, and I need to share the secret of how my Mom made $7922 in one week, just spending a few hours per day on her Laptop!
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Via … (0 comments)

This isn't about a Political Statement, it's about the state of America today. My Son! - 10/16/11 10:42 PM
Sean May, a Front Desk Supervisor at Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine, Florida was Fired last week.  The Reason for his termination?  He was wearing an American Flag pin on his jacket - the same Pin that he had worn for the past 2 years.

Sean May is the son of Realtor Kevin J. May of Naples Florida, who posted the original Blog.


 


    This Story is drawing National and International Attention.  It is featured by multiple News Organizations, including USA Today, Fox News, and Drudge Report.

 



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Notes about … (11 comments)

The Economist who can Fix America's Broken Housing Market is Adam Smith. Let's Return to a Free Market! - 10/15/11 10:08 AM
How can we Fix America's Broken Economy?  How can we Restore the American Dream?  America must return to Adam Smith's proven Free Market Economic Concepts:  "The Invisible Hand" and "Laissez-Faire".
 
     "Adam Smith laid the intellectual framework that explained the Free Market... he is most often recognized for the expression, 'The Invisible Hand,' which he used to demonstrate how self-interest guides the most efficient use of resources in a Nation's Economy," says Lucidcafe.
 
      
 
 
The American Heritage Dictionary states,
     "The Invisible Hand is an economic principle, first postulated by Adam Smith, holding that the greatest benefit … (7 comments)

Ouch! Google Software Engineer calls Google+ a "Pathetic Afterthought", a "Knee-Jerk Reaction" - 10/12/11 09:48 PM
Google Engineer Steve Yegge vents about Google+, on his Google+ Account!  He takes on Google Founders and Senior Execs by name in his rant.   Steve spent 6 years at Amazon, and 6 years at Google, so his comments carry some serious weight. He voluntarily deleted his Public Post... but too late!  It is all over the Web.
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Sydney Morning Herald article on Google+ as a "Pathetic Afterthought", per Google Engineer Steve Yegge
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 From Steve's Post:
     "Google+ is … (5 comments)

Why is Blackberry Crashing Worldwide? Is it a Conspiracy? What is Really Going On? - 10/12/11 12:54 PM
Blackberry is crashing worldwide.  Wall Street Journal reports, "Disruptions to Research in Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry service continued around the world for a third-consecutive day, with problems spreading Wednesday into the company's giant North American and Asian markets".  RIM blames the problem on a failed switch or backup, according to CNET. 
 
 



 
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     What is causing the Blackberry Crash? 

    Are World Governments conspiring to Take Down RIM?

       According to Wikipedia, "Some countries have expressed reservations about BlackBerry's strong encryption and the fact that data is routed through Research In Motion's servers, … (2 comments)

Florida Voters Get Ready! The Presidential Primary is January 31, 2012. Less than 4 Months away. - 10/10/11 12:18 AM
The State of Florida will hold its "Presidential Preference Primary" on January 31, 2012.  The Democrats have already chosen Barack Obama as their Candidate. This Primary Election will largely be a Republican Nomination for the Presidential Candidate.  Some Floridians are confused about when to Vote...

 
 
      What is the Presidential Preference Primary on January 31, 2012? 
     How is that different than the Primary Election on August 14, 2012?
 
     The Florida Presidential Preference Primary on January 31, 2012 is the Vote that matters for Republicans.
 
     This is when the Republican Party members of … (2 comments)

Fannie and Freddie Drag New Lawyers into Florida, to Pick Up Where David Stern Left Off - 10/06/11 01:15 AM
David Stern and Ben-Ezra and Katz are on their way to Bankruptcy Court, and possibly to Prison.  Their Foreclosure Mill Antics brought down the wrath of Florida Judges.  Shoddily prepared Court Documents, Robo-Signing, and False Affidavits, will probably keep them in Criminal and Civil Court forever.   
 
     Meanwhile, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the Big Banks are bringing in the Replacements... 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Law Firms from outside the State of Florida, and a few from Florida, are being brought in by the Money Lenders.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
… (7 comments)

RIP Steve Jobs: a World-Changer and a Great Visionary has Passed Away. - 10/05/11 09:19 PM
According to a statement issued by Apple’s Board of Directors, company Co-Founder and longtime CEO Steve Jobs has passed away.  TechCrunch reports, "Apple has put up the following website in memory.
     Apple is asking for “thoughts, memories, and condolences” to be shared by way of this email address:   rememberingsteve@apple.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Just a month ago, Steve Jobs stepped down as CEO of Apple. 
 
    "I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the … (8 comments)

Rumor: Is ActiveRain For Sale? Is Market Leader (LEDR) Looking for a Buyer for ActiveRain? Or is it Just a Rumor? - 10/04/11 11:29 PM
Is something afoot at ActiveRain?  Is Market Leader (formerly known as HouseValues) prepping ActiveRain for a Sale or Transition?  "Daily Limits" appear to have been lifted.  The "Google Juice" is not flowing like it once did, according to more than a few RainMakers.  The ActiveRain University Webinars are now Recorded, and available 24/7 (that's a good thing).  

   Update 10/05/2011 -  NOT TRUE!      ActiveRain is NOT For Sale
   Thanks to Niki Parekh and thanks to Bob Stewart for putting this Rumor to rest (see their comments below).
 
     Some are wondering, is Market Leader planning to sell … (15 comments)

RIP, Don Lapre - Infomercial King, Tiny Classified Ad, Get Rich Quick, "Greatest Vitamin in the World" - Dead at 47 - 10/03/11 08:56 PM
From DonLapre.com  "Never Stop Dreaming.... I tried to create the best product on earth, paid out millions, made very little trying to make it a success, had attorneys review my entire company, paid out millions in refunds, tried to make the commission and products better every single year, and in spite of all that, I have been accused of something I did not do.
 
     Donald Lapre, age 47, was found Dead in his cell at Florence State Prison in Arizona, according to Fox 10 News of Phoenix.
 
     
 
 
 
Don Lapre was famous for the … (5 comments)

Bank of America was Hacked by Anonymous et al on September 30 to Protest the $5 Debit Fees - 10/01/11 12:02 AM
Did you try logging into your Bank of America Account on Friday?  Service was intermittent all day long.  The Bank could not be accessed by Mobile, nor by Cable Internet, nor by Wireless HotSpot.   Bank of America is in Denial, but it is obvious that Annoyed Hackers took it down.

     Those who "Love to Hate B of A" were amused to see the Bank's Website crashing and unavailable today.  But those trying to access their account were terribly inconvenienced.  Bank of America went into Full Damage Control, issuing the usual statements of "Website Maintenance" and "Upgrades". 
 
     … (17 comments)

 
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Fred Griffin, Tallahassee Florida Real Estate Broker

Tallahassee, FL

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Fred Griffin Real Estate

Address: 4828 Anhinga Lane, Tallahassee, Florida, 32309

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