Sign Up Today for a 30% Reduction in Monthly Payments!!!!! Hypothetically!!!! - 09/30/10 06:14 PM
Lets Face it, the real price of a home to buyers and consumers is the Down Payment and the Monthly Payment.  That is what they actually pay for the home since very few people pay all cash. Again this morning, it was announced by Freddie Mac that rates reached a new low, The average 15 year FRM (Fixed Rate Mortgage) slid to 3.75% from 3.82% the previous week.  The average 30 year FRM (Fixed Rate Mortgage) matched its previous survey record low of 4.32%.  These are great rates and the lowest in 15 year since records began being kept in 1991!!!!
… (3 comments)

This is the TIME~!!! Before Winter Hits, do your Annual Checkup - 09/30/10 12:00 AM
In Georgia, winter does not usually hit until early January, but the monsoon rains do hit and it is a good time to do your annual check up of your home before the brutal winter season!!!
Here is a good check list for both First Time as well as those of us who have been in our homes for some time:
Inspect the entire roof surface, or just get a roofer to do an inspection for your.  This includes the gutters, soffits, flasing, and eaves.  Repair the damaged areas before the brutal winter ice, water and snow hits. Siding - Clean, … (6 comments)

WAHOO, Blogging at AR ROCKS!!!! Diary of a Featured Feature!!! - 09/28/10 10:29 PM
Not only did I get a Featured Post Today, I also became Featured in my town of Roswell!!!   WAHOOOO!!!!!! Working my way up from the bottom of the heap I just signed up this year and just started blogging in July, it originally looked very hard.  In reality, it was fun and an amazing learning experience.  When you get to the number 2 spot in your community, you go to the top of the left column on everyone who signs in who is an agent in that community!!! It is a great way of promoting yourself.  For me it was really … (13 comments)

Move Or Remodel!!!! Over 85% of Americans Have Jobs!!! - 09/27/10 11:31 PM
Unemployment is high, but many people still have jobs and because of the dip in the home values cannot move but have desires for a more updated home.  So many people are remodeling their present homes to bring them up to the current enhancements and style of todays new homes.
Whether it is just staining a deck or putting a sunporch or major addition onto your house, there are some basic guidelines to consider when doing a remodel to your present home.
Make a Plan and set forth in writing exactly what you want to do, even if it is a … (5 comments)

How Fast Does Your Home Go From Zero To Sixty? - 09/26/10 11:56 PM
With the prospect of rising energy costs on the horizon, it behooves everyone to take a look at any savings in energy that they can muster.  This is a great tool for homeowners to use to determine their energy consumption and look for ways to save.
Via SarahGray Lamm~REALTOR~ 60K Hours of NC Real Estate Experience~ (Allen Tate Realtors Chapel Hill, NC 919-819-8199 ):
Do you know how many “miles per gallon” your home gets? Does it matter how much it costs to operate your home? Did you consider fuel cost when you bought your car? So why not evaluate your homes “fuel … (0 comments)

Bank Of America Forecloses On A House With No MORTGAGE! - 09/26/10 11:55 PM
What an amazing story in these amazing times.  It must be difficult for banks just to keep up with the sheer volume of foreclosures in this market.  What a shame and waste of time for the poor buyer who paid cash and had not mortgage to have to fight a foreclosure.  This is a great read.
Via Nestor & Katerina Gasset Realtors® Wellington Florida Luxury Homes (International Properties and Investments, Inc.):
Just when you thought you have heard them all! This one really had me wondering again, what planet are these lenders from? We should have a contest for the lender who does the … (4 comments)

What are Your Keys to Keeping Clients? - 09/26/10 11:53 PM
Great Article on the key points to keeping clients and this is even more important during these slower market times.  This is a great read for all of us.
Via Ted J Macy (Top Agents Atlanta Metro):
We work hard to acquire new customers / clients. What would happen if instead of looking at a client as a single commission, we looked at our clients as an annuity - a lead that keeps on giving - it makes sense to work just as hard on retention. If you work with a team or have employees working for you, here are some things you … (1 comments)

I Like a Buyer with a Clipboard - 09/26/10 11:47 PM
This is a great blog about really organized buyers.  We all need buyers who take an active part in the purchasing of what most times turns out to be their biggest investment.  Thanks for reminding us all that this is so important.  Good Post to Read.
Via Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360 (RE/MAX Moonlight Beach (CA DRE Lic. # 01490977)):
I really like a buyer with a clipboard.  I don't see it all the often, but when I do I am pleased. 
A buyer with a clipboard tells me that there is some seriousness about the process.  
The buyer … (3 comments)

Squeezing Lemons and Seizing Opportunity - 09/26/10 11:45 PM
Great Post about siezing the opportunities that are out there now in all areas of your life.  Thanks for this thoughtful post, a great read for all.
Via Christopher and Stephanie Somers - Realtors - Philadelphia Real Estate (Owner - RE/MAX Access):
Squeezing Lemons and Seizing Opportunity
How often have you come across someone that says I could have bought this property or that property for some absurdly low amount of money ?   And then they live in regret and tell the same "would of should of could of" story over and over to all of their friends.   And for you stock market … (0 comments)

In This Economy, There is One Place Where Your Dollar Goes Further Than Anywhere Else - 09/26/10 10:28 PM
This is a great point, your dollar does not go further many places, This is a great reason to buy now, prices lower than they ever will be and interest rates are also lower, read this post and then get out there and shop, shop, shop!!!
Via Chris Ann Cleland, GRI, SFR (Long & Foster, Gainesville, VA):
In this economy, it seems prices are constantly increasing, and what you get in return is shrinking.  Ice cream containers are slightly smaller, and marked up.  Same with cereal boxes.  Even bars of soap are slightly smaller and prices have increased.  Just about anything you can … (0 comments)

REALTOR, Heal Thyself - 09/26/10 10:22 PM
This is a great post about taking responsibility for your business and just moving forward in the face of it all!!! Sometimes you just have to shut out the media and all the noise and know that homes are selling and it may as well be you selling them.
Via Gary Woltal - Assoc. Broker REALTOR® SFR Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty):
With many real estate agents coming to grips with changing business models over the last few years with less sales, more distressed properties, and more buyers and sellers sitting on the fence with their decisions with uncertainty about the future, … (0 comments)

If Life is a Symphony, Sometimes You Need a Nice Oboe Solo - 09/26/10 10:10 PM
Life being in balance is something we all strive for, what if our live was as it was meant to be, out of balance.  This post makes some great points about balance and is a great read on the subject.  Maybe allowing some out of balance will put a different slant on worrying out being in perfect balance for you.  It did for me.
Via Kathryn Maguire (Rose and Womble Realty Company):
I have been thinking a lot about the balance in my life.  Daily I hear the steady drumbeat of people telling me that I need to have balance in my life. … (1 comments)

Why I Love Teams!!!! Thinking Positively in the Rain!!!! - 09/26/10 11:45 AM
I was inspired to write this blog because of the Why I Don't Like Teams! Post from yesterday.  My husband and myself have been a real estate team for 25 years.  We put our team together to focus on bringing the client and customer a concierge level of high quality service.
The one common complaint that sellers and buyers have is not hearing from the agent.  We really feel that having administrative tasks that are time consuming, but not customer centric, handled by assistants who love the detail work makes us more available to the most important part of our business … (4 comments)

Staying Safer While Using Facebook and Social Media - 09/25/10 09:42 PM
This is great information for your children, grand children and yourself!!!!  You need to be careful what you advertise online.  It is like sticking a NEON sign out front, come take everything I have, here is where I live and I am Oh by the way, out of town on vacation!!!!  or Whatever.  This is a good post from a colleague at Active Rain.
Via Myrl Jeffcoat (Real Living Great West Real Estate):

Real Living Great West Real Estate(916) 635-0420http://www.myrljeffcoat.com
 
 
… (3 comments)

ReBlog for Extra POINTS!!!! It is the Highest Form of a Compliment to the Community!!!! - 09/25/10 01:52 PM
As a newbie I did not understand Reblogging.  I thought it was a form of copying someone's work.  BOY, was I wrong.  Reblogging is the biggest gift in Active Rain that I have found (ranks right up there with all of my new friends and business that I am getting from AR)  I got up this morning to more comments on my Reblog than my Blog, so I really felt compelled to share the best of this with everyone who either is or isn't reblogging.
REBLOGGING ROCKS!!!!
REBLOGGING CREATES LOTS OF EXTRA POINTS!!!
RELOGGING IS LIKE HAVING YOUR WORK SYNDICATED … (41 comments)

No Commission Check? What were you doing 90 days ago? - 09/24/10 11:18 PM
We must constantly remind ourselves that the money we earn today is from what we did 3, 6, 12 or even more months ago.  So if you want to get paid next year, you better be working now.  There is serious lag time in this business.  If you don't know that, ask yourself the next time there is not business in your life what were you doing 90 days ago??
Via Gina Chirico, Specializing in Essex County and the Communities of West Essex (Lattimer Realty):
The other day Kristen Wheatley wrote a post An Appointment a Day Keeps the Bill Collectors Away.  Reading … (6 comments)

New Members: Why You Should Optimize Your Active Rain Profile for Better SEO Results - 09/24/10 11:12 PM
This is a great post on raising your position in Search Engine Optimization of your page on Active Rain.  This forum is such a great tool for everyone to really increase their web presence and this is a great blog on how to do that.
Via Florida Home Benefits:
New Members: Why You Should Optimize Your Active Rain Profile for Better SEO Results
Lately, I have been getting out of my comfortable office chair and pushing myself into areas outside my comfort level. 
I have been making it a part of my list to call at least two new members from Active Rain … (0 comments)

Listen Up, would ya? - 09/24/10 11:10 PM
People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care!!!  Listening creates great rapport and the below post is a great list of reasons to listen and keys to doing so.
Via Ilona Matteson (Quantum Training Systems/Coaching):
Keys to Good Listening
 
Want to increase your sales each year?  Learn to be a good listener.  We are probably all aware that we should listen more and talk less, but exactly what do you do to become a better listener?  Check out the ideas below.
 
1)    Take excellent notes. Write down important points that can be helpful to you … (6 comments)

The Monsoons are Coming!!! Are You Ready!!!! - 09/24/10 11:07 PM
Our summers are typically dry especially in the dryest months of the year, August, September and early October.  Make no mistake, however, the wet rainy fall and winter season will quickly be upon us and having leaks can be an expensive proposition for homeowners and cause significant damage before they are discovered.  Fall is the best time to check all your exterior roof and gutter components to make certain you are ready for the monsoon season.
Gutter maintenance is sometimes something that homeowners only think about after a problem occurs.  Poorly functioning gutters can not only cause roof leaks from backing … (2 comments)

Falling Into Winter!!! Save Energy with These Ideas!!!! - 09/23/10 11:37 PM
Temperatures are going to be falling soon (We really hope for that in Atlanta, it has been a hot summer)  With winter approaching it is a great time to focus on money saving tips for the colder winter months.
Here are some the some easy and often overlooked energy saving tips we have used in our home to save $$$
One of the biggest ideas that can give you the most savings and is free, is to simply lower your thermostat.  Reducing the temperature from 70 to 65 can save you as much as 15% on your heating bill.  At night … (2 comments)

Real Estate is Local, I repeat Local, National Stats never really matter!!! - 09/22/10 09:45 PM
The overall market has some, but not total influence on the local markets.  That being said the local market is even more fragmented by both price and age of property.  You cannot take National statistics and reflect the effect of them on a local market since there are too many factors to take into consideration.  No better illustration can be found than the medial prices from Realtors across the US. 
 
The median value is a mid-point figure: it means that half of the houses were priced higher and half were priced lower.  Nothing more.  These figures show that it is … (6 comments)

Secrets to Points-Active Rain Featured Blog!! Timing is everything! I cracked the Code!!! - 09/21/10 11:50 PM
I cannot help it I am logical analytical!!!  I keep reading the featured posts and am trying to figure out how some of them get featured when there are a lot of great posts that don't.  Oh Sure, the thing goes through my mind, are these people favorites, remember how in school there were "teachers favorites".  Is it because they already have a lot of points???  What is making these posts favorites, because it sometimes just does not make sense to me. 
Many times I think the most negative posts, where agents are just whining are the favorites!!!  And I … (20 comments)

Selling is not an Option!!! What not to do when Remodeling??? - 09/20/10 11:59 PM
In this tough economy there are still 90% of the people who have jobs and probably 80% of the population is not affected with a reduction in income.  Since they cannot move, they are remodeling to make their space feel better and to upgrade. 
The big risk with remodeling is Over-Remodeling, that is spending more than you can recover due to a lot of reasons.  Neighborhoods typically will not sell above a certain percentage of the median level of the neighborhood regardless of how much you put into your property.  You must remember that location, location, location.... is what drives prices!!!  … (3 comments)

Off The Wall!!!! Make it Happen!!! Save Money Now!!! - 09/19/10 10:54 PM
Clients constantly ask me about how the house will show without furniture.  My answer is usually the same, it always shows worse without the furniture (unless the furniture is really bad, and I have had some that showed better without the furniture).
The problem is that that every blemish and problem shows up when the furniture is removed.  Every scuff, every mark on the walls makes the house show worn and dingy.
Washing the walls before painting may make the home show much better.  The trick is to get everything to blend.  Here is a great tip,
Before washing wrap a … (1 comments)

Best Tech Ideas This Week!!! Does Free Work for You??? - 09/18/10 11:18 PM
 
I love time saving new technology that saves my time and is reasonable or free is even better.  Here is some great technology that I ran across this past week that I have either incorporated into my business or that I am still working to incorporate.  Thought my adventures exploring new ideas may be helpful to you.  Enjoy.
Check this out:
How to Identify Keywords for Your Blogposts Using Analytics.  Don't let the title scare you, this is great information on keywords and article titles that will help you with your blogs. Forms Plug In For Wordpress This is one … (9 comments)

Select Atlanta Area Museums to Offer FREE Admission on September 25 - 09/18/10 10:32 PM
 
Wonder if Museums in Your City are also doing this, would not hurt to check and blog to AR, is that a good blog idea??  Thanks Prospect Mortgage for this great information on Atlanta.  Free Admission on September 25 is a great opportunity to take all the kids and grandkids to a museum or 2.  I will think of you while we do this!!!!
 
Via Rodney Mason - CMPS FHA 203K / REO / USDA / HomePath Specialist - GA / AL (Prospect Mortgage, Atlanta, GA):
Museum goers can visit select Atlanta area museums for FREE on Saturday, September 25th.  … (3 comments)

Cheap magic for sellers....... - 09/18/10 10:20 PM
 
Wow, I never thought of Magic Eraser for my shower.  It works great on wall scuffs and it is really cheaper than repainting.  Inexpensive and cheap are two different things.  This is great information.l
 
Via zeta cross (elfant-wissahickon realty):
No, I don't own stock in Procter and Gamble. I just love their product: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Maybe it is because I am not a very good housekeeper that I had never heard of it. I read about it in stager Starr Osborne's go-to book Home Staging that Works ($11.95 at Amazon). I give that to all my sellers too. … (3 comments)

A checklist of things a Seller can do before the home inspector arrives - 09/18/10 10:16 PM
This is a great list of things for the seller to take care of before the home inspection.  Thanks to my friend at AR for providing such a through list.
Via Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector (Russel Ray, Property Consultant):

A checklist of things a Seller can dobefore the home inspector arrives
Doing as much as possible before the Buyer's property inspection helps ensure that escrow goes more smoothly. Following is my "checklist" of items often found during the course of a property inspection that a Seller could do or could easily hire a general handyperson to do.
OUTSIDE
Check … (3 comments)

11 Tips To Prepare For A Home Appraisal... And Don't Assume The Appraiser Knows... - 09/18/10 09:55 PM
This is a great list for sellers to help prepare for an appraiser and especially important during these times when many appraisers may be from further out of the neighborhood and area because of HVCC.
Via Phyllis Lerner - Realtor / Broker (Legends Realty Group LLC):
If you're selling your home, you know that a home appraisal is a necessary step in the process. An appraisal is not to be confused with your seller's agent giving you a comparative market analysis (CMA) which helps you to establish a realistic asking price for your property for sale.
A property appraisal is ordered by the buyer's … (1 comments)

Be Prepared for the Weather Ahead - Fireplace Safety Tips! - 09/18/10 09:49 PM
This is a great checklist for the Fall for Fireplace Safety and something we may overlook which could have disasterous results.  Not a year goes bye here in Georgia where a house does not burn down because of cracks in the fireplace box.
Via Leesa L. Finley -Wake Forest NC REALTOR® Wake Forest NC & Raleigh NC Real Estate (Circa Properties - Your Wake Forest NC Homes Specialist):
Winter is the time of year for most of us that we like to light the fire in the fireplace, curl up with a good book, a glass of wine and forget the bitter cold … (1 comments)

How To Brand Your YouTube Channel to Match Your Website or Blog - 09/18/10 09:43 PM
Wow, this is great information, I am new to Video and You Tube, so this article will be something that will help me to do it right.  Thanks to Active Rain for this Blog!!
Via Steve Schwartz, Charlotte's Premier Real Estate Videographer and Photographer (AmazingVideoTours.com):
If you're getting into video for real estate and you've got a YouTube Channel, then you'll want to seriously consider carrying your branding from your website and/or blog (and other social media platforms for that matter) to your YouTube Channel.
It's really not that hard to do, but optimizing it for different screen resolutions can be tricky.  The … (2 comments)

Mr. Mayhem & Homeowners Insurance - 09/18/10 09:41 PM
This is great information on Insurance.  We have a whole section devoted to our buyer check list on CLUE and investigating Homeowner Insurance during the due diligence part of the contract.  This is a good Post by a Fellow Real Estate Agent.
Via Joan Cox, Denver Real Estate (Metro Brokers - House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate):
 
We all need homeowner's insurance on our homes.    To be sure that "Mr. Mayhem" does not come into your life unexpectedly, here are a few tips to keep your insurance bills reasonably priced.
At renewal date, check InsWeb.com and NetQuote.com to see … (1 comments)

Sellers- 10 Things To Do Before You Move! - 09/18/10 09:39 PM
This is a great list of things that many sellers would not think of and it will be a big help to them to have it.  Sellers want to sell their house and the little things make a big difference.
Via Actively Raining Thoughts-Kathy Streib- Stager-South Florida - 561-914-6224 (Room Service Home Staging):
The hard part is over. You've sold your home.  Now all you have to do is pack up and begin your new adventure in your new home.
But what are some things you can do to help the new residents of the home?  Nothing?  In some states you may have … (1 comments)

Let's Get Blogging - 101+ Ideas for Your Real Estate Blog (Part II) - 09/18/10 05:54 PM
What a great post on Blogging Ideas.  This is an amazing list and will help me get through the rest of the 30 in 30.  Thanks Kerry for your great post.
Via KERRY LUCASSE - Your Intown Atlanta Real Estate Consultant (Keller Williams Peachtree Rd):
The battle with "Blogger's Block" is officially OVER!  
Thanks to all of my fellow ActiveRainers, we now have list of not 101 ideas for your blog -- but 125 fantastic ideas!
Sometimes it can be difficult to break through our writer's block and come up with new things to write about.  Now, there are NO EXCUSES! 
Ideas for … (4 comments)

What did you do today to make your Garden bloom??? - 09/15/10 11:39 PM
Every day my mom made it a point to learn a new joke to tell everyone at the nursing home. She daily went to get the day old bread to feed the birds in the patio area and prayed for all of us.  I was filing in my personal office today and ran across the page below.  For Christmas one year when Mom could not afford to do anything else she gave us each this poem in our card. 
As I read it today I remembered how much cheer Mom brought to everyone every day regardless of how tough the road … (6 comments)

Why are you NOT Meeting your needs first!!!! Come ON!!!! - 09/14/10 10:02 PM
I have had the extreme opportunity and pleasure to meet my deepest needs in the 25 years I have been in Real Estate because I could set my own schedule and still meet the needs of my customers and clients!!!
My big secret is that I volunteer in areas that I believe impact peoples lives and allow me to do what I am passionate about.  The one company that has really allowed me to consistently improve my life and create a future from who I am being in the present is Tony Robbins.  I have worked as a trainer for Tony … (3 comments)

Help At Last for the Over 35 Group!!! Never Spend Hours in the Celler or Closet Again!!! - 09/12/10 11:58 PM
Have you ever went into your closet or your cellar to look for a photo of vacation, someone's baby photo, a memorable day and spent literally hours going through the photos to find it and then avowed to get all the photos scanned someday. Someday never gets here and it is a daunting task to scan all those photos and decide on names and put them on the disc.  Like everyone over 35 we have photos dating back decades of relatives, holidays, memories and family gatherings most hidden away and seldom viewed if not effectively forgotton.  Many of these photos were … (8 comments)

Buyer's Guide - Your First Steps - 09/12/10 11:51 PM
Great Blog for First time Homebuyers to start a plan to buy.  Many times buyers just fall into an emotional response to a house instead of a well thought out plan to buy their home.  Homes are big purchases and buyers need a real plan.  This is a good post.
Via David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive):
Buying a home for the first time can be daunting.  Selling your home and moving to your next can be just as challenging as the average person only buys a couple of homes in their lifetime. 
Your first step is to choose a Buyer's Agent … (0 comments)

The Best of Times and the Worst of Times - 09/12/10 11:42 PM
We can either be a victim or be proactive.  Listening to the news can bring you down, or make you prepared.  We need to be compassionate counselers to people in dealing with their largest investment.  We cannot bury our heads in the sand and not deal with the news, but we also need to be aware of the opportunity that current events create to assist people in getting through these times.  This is a great post.
Via Claudette Millette - Metrowest Mass Buyer Broker (The Buyers' Counsel):
The Best of Times and The Worst of Times   
A new survey shows - 3 out … (1 comments)

How's the Market? - 09/12/10 11:39 PM
This just makes sense to be prepared to answer your most asked question professionally and enthusiastically.  This is a good post and a great thing to ask yourself the first thing every morning before you start your day so you will be ready to respond.
Via Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360 (RE/MAX Moonlight Beach (CA DRE Lic. # 01490977)):
How's the Market?  How often we get this question! And it a beaut! 
It seems to come up every time you meet someone and they learn you are in real estate. It comes up over dinner with friends, at parties, or … (0 comments)

Moving - Packing smart will make the first arrival day tolerable. - 09/12/10 11:36 PM
This is a great packing and moving blog with a wonderful list of things to put in last and mark to open first.  Being organized can certainly make moving more tolerable.
Via Sally Dunbar Fair Oaks Homes for Sale (Lyon Real Estate, Fair Oaks ('burb of Sacramento) CA):
I just moved my late-80's parents. My Mom had packed their entire home herself . (Bless that woman.  Can you imagine?)  When their stuff arrived, there was a tower of boxes to unload - some labeled - some not. Criminy... now which one has my down blanket? Hmmm.
For a week she was looking … (0 comments)

5 Important Safety tips when showing a house - 09/12/10 11:34 PM
Real Estate ranks as one of the most dangerous businesses in the world right up there with police and fire.  These are important safety tips to pay attention to.  This is a good blog post.
Via Pam Crawford, Owner-RE/MAX Prof. Assoc.,CDPE (RE/MAX Professional Associates):
I had one of my agents call me today very shaken.  Apparently she was showing a vacant house and came upon a homeless person occupying the house.  I wanted to share these safety tips, as this could have been anyone of us.  Luckily, my agent and friend was able to get out of the house without harm.
5 Important … (0 comments)

Does your GPS take you for a ride? - 09/12/10 10:56 PM
I at one time did a 5 mile detour just to end up a block from where I started.  The below post is an excellent article about your GPS taking you for a ride.
Via Pacheco Realty & Financial Services:
My GPS has been my constant companion whenever I do BPOs or whenever I have to wander into unknown territory. Given my poor sense of direction, it has been a heaven sent device that talks to me when I need to hear where I'm turning, or how far before I reach the freeway, or when I have reached my destination. It is … (1 comments)

The Forgotten Rooms When Staging Your Home for Sale: The Garage - 09/12/10 10:53 PM
Garages are important, people see your house as their house when they are buying.  If the Garage is cluttered and not open to put a car in, they believe they will probably have the same problem and that the house does not have sufficient storage.  This article vividly points out the advantages of cleaning and clearing the garage.
Via Donna Dazzo Home Stager in the Hamptons & New York (Designed to Appeal, LLC):
Many home sellers think that it's perfectly okay to leave their garage "as is" when selling their home, or worse, think it's okay to move items out of the … (0 comments)

Rise in Complaints From Senior Citizens - 09/12/10 10:47 PM
Everyone needs to be especially skeptical about offers.  Free and easy could mean scam.  If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it is a duck.  This blog post outlines some of the most prevelent scams.
Via Dorie Dillard: Canyon Creek & NW Austin Living (Coldwell Banker United):
I was reading over Gene Mundt's blog "Scams..Don't Be A Tomato Ripe For The Picking" and it reminded me of some information I came across on the rise of complaints from senior citizens in 2010. 
In Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas according to the Better Business Bureau there … (0 comments)

What's An "Encroachment" And How May They Affect Me? - 09/12/10 10:44 PM
This is a great article on encroachments and something that most buyers and homeowners do not understand.  This is the perfect case for title insurance and a survey when you buy property.
Via Jeff Geoghan MBA, Green - Lancaster PA Real Estate Expert (The Jeff Geoghan Realty Group, Coldwell Banker Lancaster PA):
We should always be concerned about "encroachments"; whether the seller’s use of those five square feet of the neighbor’s property for a garden is a problem?  Can we expect that the neighbor will continue to permit it?  It is a problem and we cannot expect the permissive use to continue.
If … (1 comments)

Congratulations, you missed the $8,000 tax credit - 09/12/10 10:34 PM
This blog accurately presents a picture of why it was actually better to not get the tax credit and to buy now in todays market.  It presents a good case to consider.
Via Jim Lee, REALTOR®, Knoxville, Tennessee (Realty Executives Associates):
No, I'm not being facetious or implying you're a dummy because you haven't bought a house yet.

 
In fact, just the opposite; waiting until now to buy has saved you thousands of dollars more that than measly 8 grand credit a lot of your friends got earlier this year. Here's how.
Let's take a look at the facts and mortgage … (1 comments)

Another 9/11 Anniversary - 09/11/10 11:29 PM
The events that unfolded on 9/11 are still on my mind and I am old enough to remember the anniversary of the Kennedy Assination and know exactly where I was at that time also.  This is another rememberable event of my lifetime.  What ranks up there is the change and impact on the paths of many people that this event has had in both their personal and private lives.
I was afortunate enough today to work with a past client who happily moved to Mahatten several years before 9/11 tragedy to pursue a career promotion. They still live close to Manhatten … (0 comments)

Make those Quick Fixes Now and End up with extra $$$$ - 09/10/10 11:26 PM
I show houses all the time that could garner a lot more interest and dollars with just a few quick fixes by the owners.  Here are my top 5 for homes to sell faster in this cooling market:
 
Clean up the front door, it is the main focal point on the house.  Polish the brass, at least remove the cobwebs and leaves.  Repaint the front door if the paint is fading.  Add a new doormat update the mailbox and put out a fresh pot of flowers.  Mums are great this time of year on either side of the door. You … (6 comments)

Savvy Buyers are Buying Now!!! - 09/09/10 11:46 PM
Former Clients from The Northeast called me this Week!!!   We love to come back to Atlanta to visit our relatives and would love to get a good buy so we have a place to stay when we are in Atlanta and so we could get the advantage of buying something in this market. 
These are savvy buyers.  They are slightly older, so they understand the trends of up and down markets and the advantages of buying when the market is down.  This is the contrarian view.  It is so hard to instill this on a first time homebuyer who has never … (0 comments)

Best Kept Secret in Roswell Georgia The Amazing Parks. - 09/07/10 11:53 PM
We have had the opportunity to live in many communities from Chicago to Dallas, and then 25 years ago we came to Roswell.  There are a total of 18 Public Parks in Roswell on 800 Acres of Land.  Our kids were early teenagers at the time and little did we know what a great community Roswell was with the 79 Park at the Center of the Community for Everyone to Enjoy from Seniors to Toddlers.  The park literally has something for everyone in the community and is a gathering place for many activities.  Our kids did everything from sports to learning … (1 comments)

Live in the Center of MidTown Windward Wired Technology Area with Great Schools. - 09/06/10 11:42 PM
This amazing rental home just came on the market and is such a great value for anyone wanting great access to schools, restaurants and shopping.  It is on a quiet treelined street with a walking trail to the elementary school.  This is a large home with 9' ceilings on the main level and maintenance free hardwood floor product throughout the main level.  This home is on a quiet culdesac lot that is privacy fenced and has an amazing backyard with room to run and play and has great private space with park area and walking trail behind the home.  You can … (1 comments)

Dogs Are Cool, So Keep Your Dog Cool!!! - 09/06/10 10:49 PM
One of the highlights of my career is the great dogs that I get to see when I am showing homes and to come home to my great dog!!!  It has been a hot, hot summer here in Atlanta and my Dazy Dog has found new ways to stay cool and asked me to share some Dog Gone Good Dog thoughts with you.
You can assure your dog will stay cool during the hot dog days of summer by:
Avoid Strenuous activity with your dog during extremely hot periods of the day. As you can see from the picture Dazy enjoys … (4 comments)

Owning a lot of domains: the untold story of SEO and SEM - 09/05/10 11:43 PM
Owning multiple domain names that are properly utilitized is a very small price to pay for the huge benefit of placement through SEO and SEM.  The Internet is the new Yellow Pages for Consumers and you cannot be enough places and on enough Page 1 searches.  This post is very well written and adds clarity to the subject of multiple domain names.
Via Bryan Robertson, Broker Associate (Sereno Group - Los Altos):
I read two articles recently.  The first written by Richard Weisser entitled "My name is Richard and I'm a domain name addict..." and the second written by Renee Burrows entitled "What … (4 comments)

Inattentive Driving... - 09/05/10 11:36 PM
It is so easy to get distracted when driving with all that goes on for a Realtor and especially when showing clients homes.  We must keep our attention focused on the road and Realtor Safety Week (which I agree should be month) is a great time to refocus on the following Safety blog. 
Via Stan Stepak Avon Lake Ohio Real Estate (Avon Lake, Bay Village, Westlake, OH) (Howard Hanna Gold- Avon Lake, OH):

Just released from the congress on safety, Each day, more than 16 people are killed and more than 1,300 people are injured in crashes involving a distracted driver.1 Distracted … (2 comments)

A Surprise Breakfast - 09/05/10 11:34 PM
This is a heart warming story of a Father and Son and it is a great read.  Stories like this take us to a place where we need to remember that the present is a gift and we should treat it like that.  Thanks to ghe blogger for sharing this moment.
Via Jay Markanich (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC):
I got a call late last night from my Marine son saying that he had the weekend off and was coming up from Camp LeJeune for a visit.  He recently returned home from his latest visit overseas (third one), and we had not … (2 comments)

Who’s watching? It may not be BIG BROTHER….. - 09/05/10 11:31 PM
I am a Grandma and I love keeping up with the kids and grandkids lives on Facebook and Twitter.  So who is watching you, something to consider.  This is a good Post.
Via Jack Mossman, The Nines Team in Stockton (The Nines Team at Keller Williams):
So who's hitting Facebook and other social media sites in larger and larger numbers?  The Pew Research Center's Internet and America Life Project reports that 92% of those between 50 to 64 and 89% of those 65 and older send and read email.  It's just a click away to other social media avenues ... and it … (1 comments)

Dare We Say, Good Real Estate News? 15 Year Mortgages, The Silver Lining - 09/05/10 11:29 PM
With these low interest rates and being able to get even lower rates with a 15 year product, this is a timely post and one that is great for buyers, sellers and realtors to consider. 
Via Scott Hayes (Austin Real Estate Agency):
News of historically low mortgage interest rates is everywhere these days. Prior to the real estate meltdown, rates below 5% were typically achievable only through variable rate mortgages. Home buyers and investors gobbled them up. But similar to a game of musical chairs, when the music stopped, the low payments did as well, contributing to a group of homeowners who couldn't afford their … (0 comments)

Writing Real Estate Letters: First, Know Your Audience - 09/05/10 11:28 PM
Knowing your audience is really true for any kind of correspondence or conversation be it email, letters, blogs or just plain old talking.  This is a good post to review with that in mind.
Via Marte Cliff (Marte Cliff Copywriting):
Your real estate letters can do more harm than good if you send them to the wrong people!
People – all of us – want to be seen as individuals. And your prospects are people.
If they’ve taken the time to sign in at an open house or ask for a special report on your website, they’ve given you some insight into who … (0 comments)

DOES YOUR JOB DEFINE WHO YOU ARE? - 09/05/10 11:26 PM
This post brings up some great questions about how we all spend our time and what we will look back at when we retire.  It is well written and a worthwhile read.
Via Paula Hamilton (BANDIER REALTY PARTNERS, LLC):
DOES YOUR JOB DEFINE WHO YOU ARE?  I was at dinner last night with some friends and actually ran into another friend who was celebrating a co-worker's retirement.  We got into the discussion of what his day would look like on Thursday when he woke up as a retired professional.

The conversation certainly got me thinking about our careers and what it is … (0 comments)

Why owning a home may no longer make economic sense??? Time Magazine Sept 6 - 09/05/10 01:59 PM
I now know why I no longer read any newsprint nor listen to the news.  Have you seen the Time Magazine Cover for September 6??? RETHINKING HOMEOWNERSHIP Why Owning a Home may no longer make Economic Sense!!!  The Article starts out with "Homeownership has let us down"  What kind of thinking is this?? This is the time to make a buy of a lifetime with low prices and low interest rates.  Buy low, Sell high?? Right!!!  Time should be telling people this is the best time to buy.
Have these people lost their minds??  Our country was built on Freedom one … (15 comments)

THE END OF THE MORTGAGE “BROKER” - 09/04/10 04:41 PM
 
Realtors need to pay attention to this, the shifts in our country and business are subtle but can have major impact.  Many of these large lenders now list their properties with large management companies who are direct listing with the MLS systems and taking offers through online bidding services.  The Realtor community could be hit next by Government Regulations seriously impacting our ability to make a living and have a life. 
This is an extremely interesting and well written blog post and the discussing following is a lively and of interest to anyone in our industry.
 
Via Phil Stevenson … (3 comments)

Including an MLS Number in Your Home for Sale Blog is Important! - 09/03/10 12:21 PM
This is a Great Point that Bob is making.  The more information you can link to your listing such as MLS number, neighborhood name, schools, parks, highways, anything that may be a google search function will really increase the listings opportunities to be found by buyers.
Via Bob Haywood, www.BobHaywood.com (McGraw Realtors):
Including an MLS Number in Your Home for Sale Blog is Important!
You see blogs marketing homes for sale all the time here at Active Rain, right?  But of all those blogs, have you noticed how many of them often to do not include the MLS number of the listing?  To me, … (0 comments)

Loan Mod VS. Short Sales!!! Which is Better for Taxpayers & the Economy??? - 09/03/10 12:04 PM
News is just breaking that Loan Modifications just passed the 1 million mark at 1.2 Million Modifications completed in 2010 YTD. 
Buyers that do not qualify for HAMP modifications can apply for proprietary modifications through their loan servicers.  HOPE Now says for the month of July alone "proprietary" modifications topped 120,000.  So contrary to what we may believe that no one is getting their loan modified, some people must be delaying or hopefully stopping foreclosures this way instead of just going for short sales!!!
I know on my last blog about modifications I got a lot of feedback that no one … (1 comments)

How much can you afford to tolerate?? Buyers, Renters & Pets - 09/02/10 09:48 PM
Homeowners who cannot garnish enough equity in their homes to sell them in this tough market are having to revert to renting in larger numbers with the fall and winter markets approaching.  These are sellers who had no choice to but move to other areas and are left in many cases with homes that have been fixed up with new carpet and paint and are ready to sell.  The biggest fear of these sellers is pets.  Many of them have never had pets in their homes and if they did have pets, were able to personally manage something that will now … (7 comments)

School is In, Time for Cold Weather Prep for that Landscape!!! - 09/01/10 10:40 PM
The signs of fall are showing up all around us:  shorter days, falling leaves (yes already in Georgia from dry hot weather) and cooler temperatures (Thanks you mother nature, we have had a really hot summer). 
As we prepare for months ahead, landscape is really important to the winter preparation.  It is not time to quit mowing yet, in fact in our area, mowing is a 8 month of the year workout process.  And with mowing comes lawnmower maintenance.  Dont forget to drain the mower at the end of the season, because if you leave the gas in the mower all … (0 comments)

 
Mary_redo

Mary Macy - Top Agents Atlanta Metro

Roswell, GA

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Top Agents Atlanta Metro

Address: 300 Colonial Center Parkway #100, Roswell, GA, 30076

Office Phone: (770) 992-2300

Cell Phone: (678) 412-5906

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