100 Ways to Create Real Estate Leads - 06/30/10 03:40 PM
Endless ideas!
Via Karen Rittenhouse (Triad Residential Solutions):
100 Ways to Create Real Estate Leads.
How effective is your marketing? Until you start this important element of your business, your business will not really get started...
The key fundamental element in the first level of your real estate investing business is creating systematic and consistent lead generation. Have you focused on that area yet? If not, you do NOT have a business, you have a hobby and a dream. Your commitment to this area of your investing career is critical to your success. There are many different ways to create leads.
Here are … (1 comments)
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Buying A Home With A Pool? - What You Need To Know About Swimming Pool Safety - 06/30/10 03:23 PM
Via Phyllis Lerner (Legends Realty Group LLC):
Pools and spas can be lots of fun, but they can also be very dangerous-especially to children. The Home Safety Council encourages families to follow the safety steps below to avoid injuries in and around pools and spas.
-When children are in or near the water, a grownup should watch them very carefully. Do not take your eyes off them. Older children should not be left in charge of younger children in the pool area.
-If you have a pool or spa, install a fence that goes all the way around it. The fence should … (0 comments)
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Second Year Blogging Goals...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run - 06/27/10 10:34 PM
Second Year Blogging Goals...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run...Okay, I will hit about 250,000 points right as I hit the one year mark of blogging on Active Rain. July 11 is a year. I wanted to feel the fear and do it anyway. I wanted to learn clip art and videos and photos and the flow of blogging. I crank out ten posts a week and ten comments a day just about. Plus, I deliver about ten carefully selected reblogs a week.
Second Year Blogging Goals...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run..My second year has different goals. It … (4 comments)
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Riley Rover has a job to do...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run - 06/27/10 10:32 PM
Riley Rover has a job to do...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run...Come to think of it, Riley Rover has a job to do. So when I pick him up a few cans of tuna fish because he thinks that is the CATS MEOW of a dog treat, or I put some cheese or hamburger interspersed in his treasured Gravy Train, he has earned every mouthful.
Riley Rover has a job to do...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run...He is the Public Relations Department. Yep, that is his job. While I ramble on about technology and houses and … (0 comments)
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Why is that tangerine purse coupon on my desk...Ramblings of a Southern Md Realtor on the Run - 06/27/10 10:22 PM
Why is that tangerine purse coupon on my desk...Ramblings of a Southern Md Realtor on the Run..Okay this coupon on my desk is staring at me. It is for a tangerine colored purse in the exact style and vendor I like. I saw the purse before in my mind. I knew I wanted it before they made it. Yep, that's how ME this purse on the front of the coupon sitting on my desk seems to be. So what's the fun and fuss about this coupon?
Why is that tangerine purse coupon on my desk...Ramblings of a Southern Md Realtor on … (0 comments)
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Top Producer 8i Favorites...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Real Estate Agent on the Run - 06/27/10 10:12 PM
Top Producer 8i Favorites...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Real Estate Agent on the Run...I am slowly making a transition to a new Databse program. I used it as a backup and mostly for their CMA program many years. Now I am focusing more on it more because of the service they provide and also because of their new trendy tech tools.
Top Producer 8i Favorites...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Real Estate Agent on the Run...8i actually has an integration with Facebook and Twitter so I can see recent tweets and remarks from my friends and clients as I am talking to them on … (1 comments)
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Anyone have a Glitch on Agent Office Fixed...Southern Maryland Agent questions - 06/27/10 09:58 PM
Anyone have a Glitch on Agent Office...Southern Maryland Agent questions...I have been meaning to ask this question on Active Rain so here it goes. I have a glitch that is well documented by Agent Office for several years. They have not upgraded the program in that long so I am living with the glitch. Has anyone found a solution because their tech help says they are aware of the issue but have no remedy.
Anyone have a Glitch on Agent Office...Southern Maryland Agent questions...When you create an action or a to do item using the little feet symbol, the action item … (0 comments)
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Maryland Crabs Recipe for DareDevils...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run - 06/27/10 09:45 PM
Maryland Crab Recipe for DareDevils...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run...I don't think I have had crabs off the stove since I was a kid. Every summer there was a day or maybe two when you could smell the red tide when you woke up. That meant it was a crab war day. All the crabs rose to the surface and you could pick them off the top of the bay. It was the BIG day of the summer each summer. The excitement was explosive. Everyone had nonstop crabs for days.
Maryland Crab Recipe for DareDevils...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland … (0 comments)
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Do you have days that feel Technology Challenged...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run... - 06/27/10 09:29 PM
Do you have days that feel Technology Challenged...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run...Okay, maybe the norm is the challenge and the abnormal is when it all clicks and ticks. Just maybe. Let's see, I loaded Publisher 2010 this morning and uh oh got an error message right off the bat. Yikes. So I tried again and yippee skipee got it to load. Good thing I persevered before calling tech help.
Do you have days that feel Technology Challenged...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run...Then I decided to load my NEW and improved Listing Action Plan in 8i … (0 comments)
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My Staples Reward Check came in the mail...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run - 06/27/10 09:16 PM
My Staples Reward Check came in the mail...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run...So how long would it take you to decide how to use a hefty Staples Rewards Check? I had not realized how much ink and paper and supplies I had needed to purchase lately until my Staples Rewards Check came in the mail. I like both Staples in Annapolis and the Office Depot in Prince Frederick. As a RE/MAX agent, I even get an additional discount off my purchase at the end at the Office Depot chain. Anyway, how long did it take? Two seconds.
I had … (0 comments)
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I'll stick with the Kindle, the Nook is a tougher book...Ramblings of a Southern Md Realtor on the run... - 06/27/10 09:00 PM
I'll stick with the Kindle, the Nook is a tougher book...Ramblings of a Southern Md Realtor on the run...Well, I decided I wanted to see if there was a good Dummies book on Google Ad Words or some recent release that I could learn more about them. Since I live in rural Southern Maryland, and a good book store is a 35 minute run to Annapolis on a Sunday, you can realize quickly why I have a Kindle and a Nook. Today, though, I made a decision I had stalled on making. I like the Kindle better. I am not going … (2 comments)
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Everything else you wanted to know about Active Rain Blogging and were afraid to ask...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor - 06/27/10 08:48 PM
Everything else you wanted to know about Active Rain Blogging and were afraid to ask...I called Art and Karen Kruschka this weekend to ask a few more questions about a comment Art had made while on the blogging panel at the D.C. Rain Camp.
Everything else you wanted to know about Active Rain Blogging and were afraid to ask... My question was as simple as where do you find the words that you want to have for long tail searches. More questions were as simple as how do you acquire the recreation, transportation, schools, churches, shopping information...i.e. which websites do you … (0 comments)
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See what your Facebook friends "like" and "share" on real estate websites and blogs - 06/27/10 08:46 AM
Another action list item!
Via Real Bird (RealBird Inc.):
Here is a widget that shows which content your Facebook friends "Like" and "Share" on different real estate websites and blogs. (We selected a few ones with no particular preference other than including the "Likes" and "Shares" on our own RealBird property websites). The page is inspired by LikeButton.me but with the focus on real estate.
You can grab the widget if you want to share it at the bottom of the post, bookmark the page hereand of course you can create your Facebook Listing Page for your properties on RealBird
Just another cool … (1 comments)
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Simple and powerful sharing of your RealBird property websites on Posterous - 06/27/10 08:38 AM
On my action list!
Via Real Bird (RealBird Inc.):
This tutorial is for people who also use Posterous as a blogging platform besides ActiveRain and other solutions.
We at RealBird have 3 blogs:
ActiveRain our corporate blog on Typepad and a Poserous blog ActiveRain is our most active one in terms of engagement and communication and we use it - just like with this post - to reach out to real estate professionals with tips, tutorials and announcements, and not just about RealBird but also about other related technologies and trends. Our RealBird corporate blog is mostly for RealBird related posts and is … (0 comments)
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Your Buyer Broker's Job Description - 06/26/10 04:53 PM
Great overview!
Via Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company Realtors):
Your Buyer Broker's Job Description
As with real estate listing services, there are a lot of price/quality options for people looking to buy a house or condo. There are no hard and fast rules about what agents do and how much they charge. But here are some of the differences between the services you can expect to be provided by the bare bone companies (limited service agents) and full service buyer brokers.
The Buyer Interview: this is a meeting where you and the agent meet each other, size each other up, and decide whether … (1 comments)
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Strategic Default Vs. Strategic Short Sale And "Verifiable Hardships" - 06/26/10 02:30 PM
Strategic default is...
Via Robert G Hertzog (Summit Home Consultants):
Strategic Default Vs. Strategic Short Sale And "Verifiable Hardships"
The new "buzz phrase" in our industry is "Strategic Default".
Recently, University of Arizona professor Brent White wrote an article dealing with the issue "Strategic Defaults". In the article, he basically justified the idea of "walking away" from your mortgage, based on the fact that it was a "business decision" on the borrower's part, just as the bank made a "business decision" when they decided to loan the money for the residence.
60 Minutes even decided to run a story on "Strategic Defaults".
… (1 comments)
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Have You Googled YOU?? - 06/25/10 10:56 PM
Interesting information!
Via Cara Marcelle Mancuso (Tierra Antigua Realty):
Have You Googled You?You might be surprised what turns up. Sure, you've registered on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and maybe a few business accounts. And, you have your web page. But there are other sites that might just have your information too. Information you didn't realize was out there.A story on AOL caught my interest today and I wanted to share some high points in summary.
The official term is "aggregator". An aggregator, according to Wikipedia, is the name given to a web site, or software that collects, filters and organizes specific information, in this … (7 comments)
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Why Add Hyper-Local Info To Home Tours? - 06/25/10 10:51 PM
I like their ideas!
Via Karen Kruschka - Prince William, Fairfax ,Stafford County VA Real Estate Service (RE/MAX Olympic Realty):
You can't be active on ActiveRain without being aware of the term "Hyper-Local Post". You may have read about it in Brad Andersohn's "How To Create A Blog Post" or maybe you accepted Bob Stewart's "Hyper-Local 7,000 Point Challenge". Then again you may have attended a Rain Camp such as Rain Camp DC which my husband and I did where "Hyper-Local" was discussed in great detail.
Arthur and I are firm believers in the concept and have now completed hyper-local posts on more … (2 comments)
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I'm Not Buying Your House - I'm Your Listing Agent - 06/24/10 05:54 PM
Great post!
Via Bethesda Real Estate ~ Bethesda Homes for Sale (Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.):
Some days I feel like banging my head against the wall.
I heard a friend say recently that she didn't understand why her neighbor's house had not sold. After all, they went with the Realtor who gave them the highest price. Said just like that. Never once crossed her mind how inconsistent with success that was and she had no understanding whatsoever that her neighbor was likely "bought" with a too high price that the agent knew he couldn't bring in.
Thus the head banging. How … (2 comments)
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Buying a Condominium Requires Doing Your Homework - 06/24/10 02:58 PM
Great overview!
Via Claudette Millette - Metrowest Mass Buyer Broker (The Buyers' Counsel):
Buying a Condominium Requires Doing Your Homework
Helping a client with the purchase of a townhouse recently has reminded me that a condominium purchase can actually be more involved than buying a single family home. This is partially due to the fact that you need to be concerned, not only about the unit you are buying, but also with the strength and stability of the entire condominium complex.
Before entering into the purchase of a condominium there are some important questions that need to be researched.
Monthly … (0 comments)
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Top 10 Reasons to Post on Active Rain - 06/23/10 06:14 PM
Ten and counting!!
Via Lake Livingston Real Estate by Deb Brooks:
Active Rain and its staff have provided us with a resource equal to "Guaranteed Success". Now, of course this means that for it to work you have to work it. That's the down and dirty truth about just about everything we do. We can talk the talk but to become successful we must walk the walk.
If you are sitting at your desk in your office waiting for the phone to ring or for someone to walk in off the street to "give" you business then WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE! … (2 comments)
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Buying A Home? Like Your Realtor Choose Your Loan Officer Wisely - 06/23/10 04:08 PM
Very good points made here....
Via Martha Brown Annapolis and Anne Arundel County RE (Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.):
Buying A Home? Like Your Realtor® Choose Your Loan Officer Wisely So you have decided to purchase a home. Great!! It's a smart move in any market but especially now with inventory abundant, prices competitive and interest rates....well interest rates are beyond outstanding.And you have done your homework. Like 92% of Buyers out there you started your search on the Internet, checking out homes and locations. You know the importance of working with a Realtor® and have chosen one that is both knowledgeable and professional, who has … (1 comments)
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They're Coming to D.C.! - 06/22/10 04:56 PM
Check this out for sure!
Via Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate (RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President):
Forbes has an interesting interactive mapping tool that lets you see how many people are moving in or out of any county or area of the country. I stumbled upon this or rather was directed here by Lani Rosales of Agent Genius magazine.
The site provides a map of the United States and then allows you to click on any county. It will then display a series of black and red lines of various thicknesses. Black means net inward migration to an … (2 comments)
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Back up Basics...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run... - 06/20/10 08:43 PM
Back up Basics...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run... It is easy as 1-2-3-4. Okay, just do it this FOUR prong way and save yourself some heart ache later...
Back up Basics...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run...Whether you run a real estate business or any business or even for your important photos and files at home, BACK up a few ways is the name of the game. Try Carbonite or Mozy for data all the time. Then take a flash drive and do your important files and financials and contact manager information. Then. use an Iomega … (0 comments)
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New Tech Tools for Real Estate Listings in Southern Maryland - 06/20/10 08:33 PM
New Tech Tools for Real Estate Listings in Southern Maryland...It's T Day. Not D Day. T Day or more appropriately stated, Tech WEEK or T Week. I am running all my listings thru some new tech tools and systems. It will be one huge learning curve all week after I write an offer on Monday on a short sale I showed this weekend.
New Tech Tools for Real Estate Listings in Southern Maryland...The main products are Top Producer which will mean 24/7 client websites, service reports, new flyers on line, new zip code comparisons on line etc. The next product is … (0 comments)
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We have our clients fix up and declutter, so what about us, too? - 06/20/10 08:22 PM
We have our clients fix up and de clutter, so what about us, too? BUSTED, yep busted big time. I throw two client and or family/ friend events a year. One is a Wreath Party after Thanksgiving and the other is a July Third Fireworks event. The Town of Chesapeake Beach hosts a Fireworks display over the Chesapeake Bay and that means Mosquito Gulch is a hot spot among friends and family and clients because yours truly has a rare commodity...aka PARKING. Even being airlifted by bugs is not enough to keep anyone away from this breathtaking yearly display.
We have our clients … (2 comments)
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Learning Tips for Top Producer 8i...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run - 06/20/10 08:08 PM
Learning Tips for Top Producer 8i...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run... I have been learning 8i to slowly start using it more and more instead of Agent Office, Agent Office has not had an upgrade in years from version 10 or so and this means the cell phone is the OLD Palm instead of any of the new technology. Uh oh. I have a feeling the Top producer folks are working on an iphone application.
Learning Tips for Top Producer 8i...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run...So I have been learning 8i on the Roku. RE/MAX … (0 comments)
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Holiday Chatter in Southern Maryland,,,Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run! - 06/20/10 07:54 PM
Holiday Chatter in Southern Maryland,,,Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run! When you pick three dozen crabs for a Father's Day Celebration, you can cover some chatter. Our conversation turned to what are your earliest childhood memories. This stumped me at first but about a mouthful of crab later, I was warming up. Steaming up, just like the crabs.
Holiday Chatter in Southern Maryland,,,Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run! I remember the light in the room and Mrs. Behlke telling us about President Kennedy and asking us to pray. I remember the moment as clear as … (0 comments)
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Fathers Day Fun in Southern Maryland...the Rest of the Story.... - 06/20/10 07:38 PM
Fathers Day Fun in Southern Maryland...the Rest of the Story....Well, one dozen hot spicy crabs later, not to mention a piece of fresh cake and lots of cheese and crackers later, I got to see Google Chat in action. I have it set up on my laptop but have not used it yet. How cool! You get to see and talk to your missing family member live and watch and see them in their environment. Can you spell Panera or Starbucks with the free wifi? It was Star Trek and I loved it.
Fathers Day Fun in Southern Maryland...the Rest of … (1 comments)
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Press Releases Are Valuable Marketing Tools - 06/20/10 07:24 PM
I missed this blog the first time round!
Via Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance):
Quite often overlooked as an SEO tool, press releases are very valuable for marketing yourself. Press releases aren't just for celebrities, government agencies and news forums. They are amazing ways to market an upcoming company event, open house or any other announcement you may have. Press releases are crawled by search engines, which, in turn, can help drive traffic to your website and/or blog.
One great place to create a press release via PRWeb.com. They have several different news release distribution packages ranging from … (0 comments)
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How Can Google Wave Help Your Business - 06/20/10 07:13 PM
I want to check out the phone and web conferencing extensions mentioned here.
Via Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance):
Last August, I wrote about how Google Wave was a new way to communicate online. Up until recently, Google Wave was trying to figure out how exactly it could work for people and was only available by invitation. Now that it has been made available to the public, how can Google Wave help your business?
While it's not going to balance your checkbook or pay your bills for you, Google Wave does offer some interesting possibilities. … (0 comments)
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Real Time Reputation Management Through Yext Rep - 06/20/10 07:11 PM
Going to check this out!
Via Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance):
With the proliferation of businesses interacting online through blogs, social media and websites, it is important to keep an eye on your online reputation. There is now a brand new tool for real time reputation management: Yext Rep.
Yext Rep is a free tool to manage all your online accounts in one central site. You simply enter your social media and other online accounts, which then generates a feed. This feed is updated every time there is activity on one of your online accounts. For example, when … (0 comments)
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Real Bird Gives Real Estate Listings Wings - 06/20/10 07:10 PM
Great synopsis on why I like Real Bird, too!
Via Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance):
I am constantly amazed at all the opportunities Real Bird gives real estate listings wings to promote themselves and their listings in creative and amazing ways. Their free account allows you to create two listings at any given time. However, for just $89, you can create as many listings as you want for an entire year. And the promotional possibilities that come with each Real Bird listing are endless!
With each ad, you receive a single property website link that you can use on promotional materials, websites, blogs, etc. On this … (0 comments)
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Happy Father's Day in Southern Maryland...Ramblings of a Calvert County and Anne Arundel Realtor on the run - 06/20/10 05:35 AM
Happy Father's Day in Southern Maryland...Ramblings of a Calvert County and Anne Arundel Realtor on the run..So let me paint a picture of Father's Day in Southern Maryland. First, think picnic. Specifically, think crab feast. Think big pile of steaming hot, spicy crabs and you are really getting the mural. Then, add salad fixings and fresh baked yellow cake with chocolate frosting and you are really hot on the trail.
Happy Father's Day in Southern Maryland...Ramblings of a Calvert County and Anne Arundel Realtor on the run...I am not sure whether my Dad is going to like his surprise homemade lemonade or his … (4 comments)
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You know you've been blogging about Southern MD Real Estate a while when.... - 06/20/10 05:24 AM
You know you've been blogging about Southern MD Real Estate a while when....You can glance at your points on Active Rain and know you have made ten comments in a day without counting. OR, you randomly think throughout the day about the two blog posts that would be interesting as a Southern Maryland Realtor on the run. Or, you look for photo ops in everything you do when cameras used to be just for shooting houses.
You know you've been blogging about Southern MD Real Estate a while when....you recognize bloggers names and market places from around the country and can … (1 comments)
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An Alternative to Photo Bucket - 06/18/10 01:16 AM
Cool Beans!
Via Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance):
Recently, my virtual assistant team and I needed to find an alternative to Photo Bucket for online photo storage and sharing. We were creating some custom ads to jazz up a client's Craigslist marketing. We created beautiful custom ads, full of color with great graphics and, at the end of the day, we were very happy with what we came up with. So, we uploaded them to our client's Photo Bucket account so that we could use the image source code on the Craigslist ad. Imagine my surprise when Photo … (1 comments)
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Double Jeopardy! Now Lenders Need A Second Credit Report Right Before Funding - 06/18/10 01:12 AM
Good tips!
Via Janet Guilbault California Mortgage Banker/Broker:
Please, whatever you do, don't go out and put $8000 worth of kitchen appliances on your Home Depot account BEFORE your loan closes.
I don't care if it is 0% financing and the payments don't start for 6 months. Just don't do it.
You may have your loan approval in your hot little hand. You may have signed your closing paperwork. But that bird is not going to fly anymore if you have added debt, all thanks to the new Fannie Mae Loan Quality Initiative that took effect yesterday, 6/1/2010.
Lenders are now required to run a second credit check right … (1 comments)
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Looks like copy machines are something else for us to worry about - 06/18/10 01:01 AM
This is something to certainly remember!
Via Jim & Maria Hart ~ Charleston, SC Real Estate (AgentOwned Realty):
Do you remember the last thing you had copied, either for yourself or someone else?
You probably do. It could have been someone's driver's license for your client file, a HUD statement, an earnest money check, tax returns for a mortgage broker, or a contract. How about your insurance card at the doctor's office or your social security card for a job you just accepted?
These are just a small sample of what we copy on a daily basis. But did you know that the copy … (1 comments)
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Adding Color And Larger Text In A Blog Post Is Simply Simple - 06/16/10 09:22 PM
Cliff notes for code and blogging!
Via Karen Kruschka - Prince William, Fairfax ,Stafford County VA Real Estate Service (RE/MAX Olympic Realty):
When I first started blogging I saw two choices for entries - WYSIWYG and HTML. Since I didn't know HTML I chose WYSIWYG and the text in all my posts looked like this unless I added bold, italic or a combination
Then I noticed there were people with larger and more colorful entries. It only took a few seconds for Arthur and I to decide this was easier to read and "way too cool".Being our team leader I delegated the job … (2 comments)
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Let's get Soci@l - Win a FREE IPAD - 06/16/10 08:59 PM
It cannot get better. I LOVE the IPAD, I love the AR Points, and I already read the book! The book really reinforced what I just learned at the DC RainCamp!
Via ActiveRain Corp.:
Every time we announce a new RainCamp location, multiple people request that we bring RainCamp to Florida, NC, Kansas City, Kentucky, the Northeast, the Southwest, the Midwest.........(you get the idea)
So we have!
Wait, what? You must be saying. You came to my neck of the woods and I missed it?.......well, Kind of. You see, just after we began doing RainCamps, back in October of 2009, the eBook Soci@l … (0 comments)
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The Skinny on the IPAD in Southern Maryland...how it works with MLS and other neat stuff... - 06/14/10 07:30 PM
The Skinny on the IPAD in Southern Maryland...how it works with MLS and other neat stuff...Okay, I have been on a mission to learn about the IPAD. I read a few blogs on Active Rain about how agents are using it while showing houses to pull up MLS. Then they are pulling up Google maps. Then they are using it to carry around their Kindle Books not to mention their iTunes collection. It is one stop shopping in that you can toss it in your purse and go but this one device provides many services while this yours truly Southern Maryland Realtor is in a … (6 comments)
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This and That Remnants from DC Rain Camp...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run - 06/14/10 07:10 PM
This and That Remnants from DC Rain Camp...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run...I left off some important stuff I learned at the D.C. Rain Camp this week. So just like in a quilt, sometimes the scraps that are left over make up the best and prettiest pieces of all.
This and That Remnants from DC Rain Camp...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run...Think of the impetus of social networks when you log the fact that a word of mouth recommendation has 200 times the effect of an ad. Yowza! When you think about long tail phrases, … (2 comments)
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Job Picture in Southern Maryland-Calvert County and St. Mary's County - 06/14/10 08:30 AM
Good points!
Via Susan Thompson (Century 21 New Millennium):
Job Picture in Southern Maryland-Calvert County and St. Mary's County -With the focus on economic recovery being tied to jobs, data from April 2010 indicates that Calvert County, Charles County, and St. Mary's County are tied for Maryland's third lowest unemployment rate at 5.7% with only Howard County and Montgomery County's being lower. While the average unemployment rate in the country is 9.9%, Maryland's unemployment rate is significantly lower at 6.9%.
The bases at NAS Pax River and Indian Head, Constellation Energy, Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, … (2 comments)
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Alan's List of Internetiquette Rules - 06/14/10 08:14 AM
Great points and tips!
Via Alan May, Coldwell Banker Evanston Realtor, Evanston Real Estate (Evanston Condos, Evanston Homes, North Shore Homes):
Here on Active Brain we are fairly civil to one another, but on many other sites, (such as those that rhyme with Pillow, & Foolya as well as others), they seem to be a little bit of the Wild Wild West, with little, ineffective or no moderation at all.
Commenters and questioners are often subjected to, how shall we say, colourful language, sarcasm and outright attacks by semi-anonymous posters, with little else to do but hang around waiting for their next victim … (3 comments)
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Brainshark Gives Your Presentations Bite - 06/13/10 03:38 PM
This is way cool!
Via Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance):
We all know that video is an extremely popular medium to promote yourself and your listings. Static photos alone just don't cut it anymore. While a slideshow is lovely, a virtual tour is even better. But, if you're looking to create a professional looking presentation with photos, documents and even a vocal track, you are going to want something bigger. And I have found it: Brainshark. Brainshark gives your presentations bite!
Recently, I was trying to find a program that would convert PowerPoint presentations into video so that … (4 comments)
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Please don't ask me to make a quick decision. It's not like I can ask for a refund or an exchange. - 06/13/10 03:28 PM
I love the life span of memories concept Martha Brown mentions in her post. How true.
Via Martha Brown Annapolis and Anne Arundel County RE (Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.):
I was reading a post written by Richard Weissner asking us how we would define a normal in our real estate today. As I read through the comments I came across one from a buyer. In part her answer said:
'Please don't ask me to make a quick decision. It's not like I can ask for a refund or an exchange.'
This answer sent me into thinking and you know what...she is right. She … (0 comments)
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Getting Ready For The Summer Market - 06/13/10 03:27 PM
I think this bears repeating. The cool temperature really sets the stage for some positive reactions to a home on the market in the Southern Maryland HUMID Summer Season.
Via Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company Realtors):
If you are planning to have your Washington, DC home for sale during the next three or four months, there is one very important step you need to take right away.
First, have your air conditioning system checked to make sure it works - really, really well. And that it will continue to work really, really well over the next several months.
You want your house to … (0 comments)
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Expanded GUERRILLA MARKETING Campaign !!! - 06/13/10 03:22 PM
This is fantasticly FUN!
Via Sheldon Neal -- That British Agent -- (Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited):
After enjoying getting some creative juices flowing in Russel Ray's recent 'Guerrilla Marketing Contest, I decided to build on our entries and put together a whole campaign !
We are planning on sending one a month for the next year ;o)
... here are some from our collection !
What ya think ??????
We are still deciding whether we can get away with this 'cheeky' choice !!!!
… (1 comments)
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Rain Camp DC-A Snippet of The Day's Events - 06/13/10 03:17 PM
Here's a well done video of Rain Camp to add to the lists of data and sites I have posted this week!
Via Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (RE/MAX Allegiance #1 RE/MAX Company in the World):
Today was my second Rain Camp and just like the first the day was packed with information, a chance to meet more Active Rain members face to face and learn from our peers. For those of you who haven't made it to a Rain Camp yet make sure you put one close to you on your calendar. If you want to see more … (0 comments)
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Rest of the Best from DC Rain Camp...Ramblings of a Southern MD Realtor - 06/12/10 10:01 PM
Rest of the Best from DC Rain Camp...Ramblings of a Southern MD Realtor...So go figure, I met a team of agents that I had referred my Best Friend's folks to many moons ago. Then I got to touch an ipad an figure out that MLS does work on the Apple device. Then there is more. I got top lists of top tech tools. We reviewed long tail keywords. Then there is more.
Rest of the Best from DC Rain Camp...Ramblings of a Southern MD Realtor..Check out hittail.com. Key in site:www.yourwebsite.com. Also, Googlelink:www.yourwebsite.com. Check out the product called Market Leader. Learn the difference … (2 comments)
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Other Cool Cat Concepts from D.C. Rain Camp...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor - 06/12/10 09:41 PM
Other Cool Cat Concepts from D.C. Rain Camp...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor...One of the cool cat treats hard to beat from Rain Camp was that I got to see and momentarily touch an ipad long enough to know that MRIS or the MLS system worked on it. Yippee Skippee. I am reading on blogs how agents across the country are using it in lieu of paper to look up homes while showing them. Also, they are using the ipad to demonstrate powerpoint presentations in a flash rather than wait way too long for a laptop to load up. I jotted down … (2 comments)
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When in a crisis, latch on to a TV Producer...or a Realtor...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor.... - 06/12/10 09:18 PM
When in a crisis, latch on to a TV Producer...or a Realtor...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor....I saw this Oprah show quite a few years back that always stuck with me. A comment was made that in a crisis, the person would have latched on to a TV Producer. I remember thinking, and still do, that I would have latched on to a Local Realtor. So here's the what, why, when, where, and how of that belief.
When in a crisis, latch on to a TV Producer...or a Realtor...Ramblings of a Southern MarylandRealtor....First of all, Realtors have an over, under and … (0 comments)
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Cool Websites mentioned at D.C. Rain Camp...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor - 06/12/10 08:48 PM
Cool Websites mentioned at D.C. Rain Camp...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor..Pens were running out of ink at the D.C. Rain Camp so here are just some of the websites mentioned to utilize for your Blogging Pursuits or Real Estate Business.
Cool Websites mentioned at D.C. Rain Camp...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor..Check out www.Wordle.com for a cloud of your blog topics. Check out www.klout.com to understand why businesses may check your score someday when about to provide notable service to you as their client. Check out www.Wiggio.com for collaborative groups. Check out www.photosynth.com for the camera buff in you. Visit www.Goldmail.com which embeds video … (0 comments)
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D.C. Rain Camp Top Dog List :Priceless Pedigree Dog Food Video and More - 06/12/10 08:28 PM
D.C. Rain Camp Top Dog List : Priceless Pedigree Dog Food Video and More...My brother and his wife at Christmas would let the kids look at the Sears or Penney's catalogs, then close them, then ask what each of their favorite items were from memory. So without further delay, here is the off the cuff couple of items that surfaced rapidly as my Rain Camp Treats.
D.C. Rain Camp Top Dog List : Priceless Pedigree Dog Food Video and More...NOW anyone who brought a new notebook for class notes that had three golden pups wolfing down dog food on the front … (0 comments)
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Breezing thru the D.C. Rain Camp Day...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run - 06/12/10 07:23 PM
Breezing thru the D.C. Rain Camp Day...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run...The day started with some cool videos that I had noticed over time from different posts. I really liked the aquarium and the elevator videos. I also heard a slew of tech tool websites that I have read about over time in the different posts. One of my favorite parts was that they said they would post items on Twitter after wards and i have found some very cool Realtor Top Tech Tools recommendations tweeted.
Breezing thru the D.C. Rain Camp Day...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on … (0 comments)
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When do you consider the refrigerator BARE...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run - 06/12/10 07:11 PM
When do you consider the refrigerator BARE...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run...there is probably a lot of regional differences in this question. There probably is a lot of discrepancy based on whether you are on eat healthy mode or not. Well, my version of what an empty refrigerator means has changed over time. Now it means that I need to rev up the Jeep and go to Rolands in Chesapeake Beach for an emergency stop if which items are missing in action?
When do you consider the refrigerator BARE...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run...Well, it starts … (0 comments)
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Southern Maryland Graduation Party...Ramblings of A Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run! - 06/12/10 06:47 PM
Southern Maryland Graduation Party...Ramblings of A Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run! After a listing appointment and after a Speed Open House with a Monthly Seller Update Meeting yesterday, I ran the roads to get to a very neat Graduation Party late last night. It was really well done. There was a banner for the Graduate at the driveway. There was food galore and a Graduation Photo on the table. There was a sampling of Southern Maryland cooking and true blue to the area, here is what was served...Pork and Macaroni and Cheese and lots of fresh fruit and salad PLUS brownies and … (0 comments)
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New Systems mean New Stuff for the Realtor NEW Systems - 06/12/10 06:24 PM
New Systems mean New Stuff for the Realtor NEW Systems...First, it started with making a decision to change from a hanging file folder system to a notebook system for Sellers and Buyers. I switched my paper to three hole punch in both my fax and printer to accommodate the change. Plus, I take notes in a notebook about all calls each day which are also entered into my contact manager. But the other supplies also needed ramping up for the total systems change.
New Systems mean New Stuff for the Realtor NEW Systems...I needed some NEW Office Depot Wilson Jones View … (0 comments)
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Top Free Internet Websites Great for Realtors via Brad Andersohn following Rain Camp - 06/12/10 06:07 PM
I heard the Rain Camp Guys mention at the beginning of Rain Camp in D.C. this week that they would tweet some good stuff afterwards. I think I heard the word tech tools so that is all it took to get me to remember without even writing it down. Boy, is this a cool list. I just followed all the links on the presentation and then bookmarked them to delicious.com so I can find them while on any laptop. Even the runner up sites are good that are noted in the bottom left corners. It took hours to track them all down. … (3 comments)
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Showings Are "Hot" in The Summer - Is Your Home the "Cool" One? - 06/09/10 04:31 PM
Clever article and cool tips!
Via Leesa L. Finley, REALTOR®/RE Strategist Wake Forest NC Real Estate and Area Info (Circa Properties - Your Wake Forest NC Homes Specialist):
Showings Are "Hot" in The Summer - Is Your Home the "Cool" One?
If your home is currently on the market then this is a post for YOU! While I am SURE your Realtor® prepared you for what to do when you have scheduled showings like lights on, soft music, etc there are some special touches that you can do for a showing in the summer that just might make your home stand … (3 comments)
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Should Realtors® be the First Line of Defense Against Sexual Predators? - 06/09/10 04:10 PM
Good websites listed...
Via Claudette Millette - Metrowest Mass Buyer Broker (The Buyers' Counsel):
Should Realtors® be the First Line of Defense against Sexual Predators?
The issue of sexual predators weighs heavily on the minds of many perspective home buyers these days. And, it is not without some justification.
Megan's Law which was instituted in 1994 brought to the forefront the dangers that children face and requires anyone convicted of sex crimes against children to notify law enforcement of the address and status on a continual basis.
The law was inspired by the case of seven-year-old Megan Kanka, a little New Jersey girl who … (0 comments)
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Rain Camp Washington DC June 10, 2010 Woo Hoo!! - 06/09/10 04:01 PM
Looking forward to meeting you all Thursday at Rain Camp!
Via Martha Brown Annapolis and Anne Arundel County RE (Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.):
Rain Camp is Coming To Washington DC June 10th
Are you signed up to attend? I sure hope so because I sure would like to meet you!!Think about it...What a great opportunity to not only learn but to meet other Rainers. Did I mention meeting other Active Rainers? It's a Rain Party and you just gotta be there.Ok....I guess you get the picture.
Rain Camp in Washington DC is Thursday June 10thRegistration starts at 8amBut you need … (0 comments)
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HOW TO PLACE AN IMAGE ON YOUR BLOG - 06/08/10 09:33 PM
I have always wanted to do this so here are some instructions!
Via Val Vista Lakes Gilbert Homes for Sale Bill Travis (Remax Homes & Investments):
HOW TO PLACE AN IMAGE ON YOUR BLOG
Recently someone was having a difficult time working with the image insert forms to properly place images on the page. There are people on the forum who are much more experienced with this than I am, but I do know how to do it so I'll attempt to explain my method.
Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde … (1 comments)
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Five Ways to Upgrade and Put the "Bam" in Your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page (Part IV- THE FINALE) - 06/08/10 09:20 PM
Rebecca always has good tips!
Via Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing Consultant (Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision):
Five Ways to Upgrade and Put the "Bam" in Your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page (Part IV- THE FINALE) Let's recap our delicious Facebook Fan Page offerings for a moment. If you have followed Part I, Part II, and Part III of this Facebook Fan Page series you now know how to: 1. Customize for your Real Estate Facebook fan page using the static FBML application. 2. Get rid of extraneous tabs on your wall (with the exception of the "wall" and "info" … (1 comments)
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Fourth of July Fun in the Sun in Southern Maryland - 06/06/10 11:56 PM
Fourth of July Fun in the Sun in Southern Maryland..I am plotting a few days off over Fourth of July. I think a good book is in order. Maybe I will hit the newspaper pile, too. Maybe take Riley Rover for a swim or walk on the Boardwalk. Maybe listen to some good itunes stuff.
Fourth of July Fun in the Sun in Southern Maryland...One thing for sure, there will be Fireworks at Mosquito Gulch. I have parking space in the town so my friends and clients and coworkers always come here for a good view. They also bring a dish … (3 comments)
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Went toBest Buy to play with the IPAD again.... - 06/06/10 11:48 PM
Went toBest Buy to play with the IPAD again....Here's what I learned this time. The MRIS MLS system does not totally work with Apple Products in Southern Maryland. Uh oh. I am reading in blog posts how agents are using the IPAD in homes to pull up listings around the country. Plus, I have seen a Powerpoint Presentation brought up in a flash and look remarkable. Then I realize at the next flash upgrade I can have itunes plus my Kindle and Nook Books all on one device that fits in my purse. So, back to the apple issue. I called … (5 comments)
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New Listing Systems Notebook Style in Southern Maryland.... - 06/06/10 11:38 PM
New Listing Systems Notebook Style in Southern Maryland....Okay, it looks like an Office Depot around here. One stack of Avery Labels with ten tabs. One stack of Wilson Jones one inch white binders ready for paperwork. One confused Golden Retirever wondering what all the fuss is about.
New Listing Systems Notebook Style in Southern Maryland....I decided to bail on my hanging file folder system and move to notebooks. Every fax and printer has three ring paper so the system will work. My old system used colors and the same colors will be used. The Paprework got over the top so I … (0 comments)
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Any Tips for a Southern Maryland Realtor going to FIRST Rain Camp? - 06/06/10 11:31 PM
Any Tips for a Southern Maryland Realtor going to FIRST Rain Camp? My first question is do the seats have electric plugs for laptops? What's the scoop for lunch break? What access information do you need to enter the building?
Any Tips for a Southern Maryland Realtor going to FIRST Rain Camp?Any other tips from Veterans who have been before to a Rain Camp? This is my first but I doubt it will not be my last based on the amazing blog posts I have read from attendees.
Any Tips for a Southern Maryland Realtor going to FIRST Rain Camp? This … (4 comments)
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Eastern Shore Fundraisers coming up... - 06/06/10 11:25 PM
Eastern Shore Fundraisers coming up...My friend, Agent A, is married to a Senator on the Eastern Shore. Sure enough, that means I pack up once or twice a year and head across the bridge for some Eastern Shore fun. There is a crab feast in the early Spring and a Paddleboat Cruise in July. The food is always exceptional and the ride is gorgeous.
Eastern Shore Fundraisers coming up... I learned there's one in a few weeks. Can't wait. Love to head out for a day trip over there. It's funny to hear them call us the "Western Shore." There's a Starbucks … (0 comments)
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Free Flea is the Way to Be.... - 06/06/10 11:15 PM
Free Flea is the Way to Be....I have a High School Friend who routinely would give away stuff she had not used in a long while. So, I did not entirely create this concept. I adopted the routine that if I had not used something in the past year to give it to someone who would use it. So, this makes house and closet cleaning kind of fun. You get to enjoy them enjoy your stuff. Plus, one person's trash is another person's treasure. So, you know what is coming down the pike soon. I do this once or twice a year. … (1 comments)
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Southern Maryland Snack Time...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run - 06/06/10 11:04 PM
Southern Maryland Snack Time...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run...It took a lot of work, but since about last Fall I have revamped my snacks. It was "Back up Jack" on snacks. Now they are healthy and border on one Southern Maryland Realtor being unbelievably well behaved. Incredibly.
Southern Maryland Snack Time...Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run..Snacks now are yogurt for under 100 calories. Sugar Free apple sauce for under 60 calories. Fruit and veggies of all kinds on the run. A handful of peanuts will truly do. Also, a fruit smoothie with oats and nuts … (0 comments)
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Have you considered training CD's and a Kid for a Tutor...Tech Tips from a Southern MD Realtor on the Run - 06/06/10 10:50 PM
Have you considered training CD's and a Kid for a Tutor...Tech Tips from a Southern MD Realtor on the Run..I consider Technology my crossword puzzle of the day. I am always trying to conquer one thing or another. I figure if the average agent is in their fifties and the average client is in their thirties, we have to speak their language with ease. So , since I am to please in Southern Maryland, I try to overcome at least one tech product or project a work day.
Have you considered training CD's and a Kid for a Tutor...Tech Tips from a … (0 comments)
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How many hours do you spend on the average Listing? Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run... - 06/06/10 10:37 PM
How many hours do you spend on the average Listing? Ramblings of a Southern Maryland Realtor on the Run...I think if my memory is correct that they said about 100 hours in a CRS Class a few years back. I have been thinking a lot about it this weekend because I have three NEW listings to process in Southern Maryland. Plus, I wanted to modify my action list at the same time and add a lot of my new tech tools and Social Networking Skills. So, while revamping, I have mentally been adding it up. I'm curious what your average time … (0 comments)
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What Gravy Train and Active Rain Have in common...Ramblings of a Southern Md Realtor on the Run - 06/06/10 10:25 PM
What Gravy Train and Active Rain Have in common...Ramblings of a Southern Md Realtor on the Run...Riley Rover does not have much of an appetite. He munches here and there and basically he has me trained to mix some hamburger in his dog food so that he will eat at all. He is one lean boy. Snacks, nope. No treats except chicken chews which are on my to do list. So, when my folks dropped him off some Gravy Train to sample, imagine my surprise when I noticed him rambling over for Gravy Train snack mouthfuls throughout the day with no burger mixed … (0 comments)
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Mining For Property Records - Do You Know Where Yours Are? - 06/05/10 11:46 PM
Interesting!
Via Cynthia Larsen - Sonoma County Real Estate, CA (Safe Haven Realty):
This afternoon I attended a seminar that was presented by one of our go-to guys for permit research. He also helps home owners through the process of "righting" their violations of unpermitted work. The room was packed with agents from all over the County.
The first 15 minutes was worth the price of admission! While agents have been visiting our County permit department and re-learning how to operate fiche machines every time we do permit research, some of the BEST property records have been elsewhere all along.
Our County assessor's … (1 comments)
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I Loooove PT Cruisers! - 06/04/10 12:46 AM
My Jeep has Golden Retriever paw prints and nose prints everywhere, but donkey prints everywhere?
Via Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~303-589-2022 (The Berkshire Group Realtors):
Here's a guy who isn't afraid to show his feelings!
The Donkey population in Custer State Park, S. D. are most friendly. This one gave me a thrill by showing his affection for the car behind me. My car is now covered with Donkey nose prints.
Animals are wonderful!
Kristal Kraft
Broker Associate, ABR, CIPS, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNGThe Berkshire Group, REALTORS3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400Denver, Colorado 80210303-589-2022 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax
… (5 comments)
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Summer in Nashville Tennessee - Fun things to do in Nashville on the Cheap! Part 1. - 06/04/10 12:32 AM
Not to self: Send this to my Nephew for the school year!
Via Connie Harvey Realtor Nashville TN Real Estate (Prudential Woodmont Realty):
Summer in Nashville Tennessee - Fun things to do in Nashville that won't bust your budget!
With Memorial Day weekend behind us, summer has officially started here in Nashville, like most places around the country. The pools are open, the kids are out of school and the weather is balmy!
Summer in Nashville doesn't have to bust your budget either. One just has to look around to keep themselves busy. There is truly something for everyone. I'm kind of a … (1 comments)
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ActiveRain's NEW "Suggest For Feature" Button - 06/02/10 02:02 AM
Yahoo!
Via Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager (ActiveRain):
Today we launched a new button on ActiveRain. The "Suggest Feature" button.
With the volume of great content and fantastic Blog posts being submitted daily from our RainMakers, we have created a new and powerful tool that allows members of the community to make suggestions for posts and articles they feel should be featured on our home page. This is a very powerful new tool, and with great power, comes great responsibility. :-) It is similar to the new Facebook "LIKE" button that we recently added.
As long as I can remember, the controversy of … (5 comments)
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What Do You Do When the Appraisal Comes in Low ? - 06/02/10 01:56 AM
School is cool!
Via Christopher and Stephanie Somers - Realtors - Philadelphia Real Estate (Owner - RE/MAX Access):
Just recently, I have had 2 appraisals come in low. Both properties were in the $200K range. One came in $17K low and the other came in $55K low. With the wrong agent involved, these deals can easily blow up. I recommend keeping your cool and begin to do some of the following:
Request a copy of the appraisal report and review - It is important to see the report so you can analyze it, assess it and see where they may have been errors. … (2 comments)
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