real estate: Top Micro City Winner-Greenville, SC - 03/13/10 03:25 PM
We're very proud to live in simple Greenville, SC especially in the northern burb of Travelers Rest. I did a great deal of research before we picked Greenville as our best place to live. Every week I run across something new to love about being here. South Carolina has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country but Greenville's unemployment statistically is the lowest in the state.
This is from yesterdays paper. Read more about North American Cities of the Future by clicking on this link and then download the pdf file.
Greenville is the top North American city of less than … (1 comments)
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real estate: Will you Survive the Coming Storm?? - 03/12/10 06:18 AM
For over a year now my office has been preparing for the coming storm. Some of you are already beginning to see the rip currents but still havent' experienced the tsunami. DOOM GLOOM...Nope..not if you're prepared.
What is the storm? The sarcastic side of me raises my eyebrow that you'd believe the media for one moment that the worst is over! Oh, but you say..I'm already doing great this year. Yup you will. So what's ahead. Now I'm no lender, market analyst or any such learn-ed creature. I'll tell you what I've been told and see if you agree … (30 comments)
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real estate: Hard Lessons Learned From My Clients-A True Story - 11/30/08 08:31 PM
Early this year I had the awesome experience of working with two of the brightest and sweetest clients in my Real Estate history. And I had the opportunity to sell them one of the most gorgeous homes in Greenville and the Upstate. But I also learned much from them that benefits all of you as well.
I'll make it brief as most of you, like myself, are high I personalities which means you have the attention span of a flea and love the high pace , personal interaction and relationship of each transaction. Not the numbers so much. Thus … (16 comments)
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real estate: IMPORTANT Advice for Your Investors and FHA Guidelines - 11/30/08 02:04 PM
If you're working with investors buying or selling properties, or if you're an investor yourself, be aware that it's becoming more difficult to move these properties. In the contentious lending arena in which we find ourselves, things used to be easier...not so now.
It's the old 90 day rule. We all should know as REALTORS that you cannot sell a property within 90 days if lending is involved due to transfer of the deed. Cash can still happen. Used to be that we could write a contract during this 90 day period and close on the 91st and all was well.
… (4 comments)
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real estate: Why I Boycotted Blogging....... - 11/30/08 06:04 AM
Love you guys.......But........ Sometimes you need a mental break from all things real estate. I'd reached a point where I"d read all I needed about rates, elections, staging and surviving this market. So I boycotted both Blogging AND the News. And guess what...my heart rate slowed greatly!
Now I"ve had my rest but continue to boycott the News. I'm hoping the last month of not blogging has filled my head with some extra sharp witted ideas and funny (cuz that's what I'm known for on this site IE: Redneck Realtors) remarks as well as revelations.
I've ended my AR sabbatical and … (4 comments)
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real estate: Feedback??? HELLO??? The True Professionals Do It...so should YOU! - 10/23/08 04:14 PM
Yesterday I blogged about the seeming plethora of unprofessional REALTORS out there who don't use Centralized Showings and you can't reach them to set appointments to show! Frustration no doubt! But what about those same REALTORS who show your listings and NEVER reply to any type of feedback!
Is it me, the market, PMS or a lack of professionalism (umm does used car salesman ring a bell?) that has REALTORS tripping over themselves to gain buyers and listings but generates a total apathy to the miracle that is the telephone or email. Is there an allergic reaction to feedback. We promise … (7 comments)
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real estate: Time Management:Keeping Margin in your life..no not MARGARINE..Margin! - 10/19/08 07:39 PM
Today was one of those messages at church that changed my life as a REALTOR, wife, mother and friend. It was about the Margin between work and the rest of your life. Time management in essence. It was so in my face, it brought tears and I hope that sharing it with you will help you keep your life within margin as well.
What does that mean? Sabbath: used to be a Blue day. Everything was closed, a time of rest, of prayer and for family. That's gone by the wayside much the way of Atari and typewriters, oh and Margarine … (6 comments)
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real estate: Postive Networking Means ... SHUT UP! - 10/15/08 01:27 PM
We're REALTORS. We love to talk! We love to talk about houses, markets, inventory, flips, you name it. But when it comes to networking the most mundane person you meet at the Chamber meeting is the person who tells you all about his business. BLAH BLAH BLAH
When you were trying hard for that first date, what did you talk about. YOURSELF. And guess what? Then you shut up and let the other person talk about THEMSELF. If they said something you didnt' like, they were off the "cool" list. But if you really were into that person you listened hard, … (3 comments)
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real estate: Not ALL Flippers caused this bailout and are not ALL Greedy! - 09/22/08 03:23 PM
How do I know. Because I"m a flipper. Albiet a novice flipper. We're on house #1 with one sold, one rented and one in renovation scheduled to hit the market mid-Oct.
I just read on lovely PMSNBC that "flippers" are part of the reason for the economic downturn in real estate. I do know many investors now that are really hurting, just like builders with too much inventory and few buyers out there. And the "fllippers" were labeled greedy.
Now you and I both know that business has been slower this year. Greenville, SC is still doing very well but … (3 comments)
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real estate: What Exactly Does Outside the Box Mean? - 09/22/08 02:54 PM
And whose box is it anyway? Where was the box manufactured? And how did we get in it to the point where we have to think harder to get OUTSIDE...LET ME OUT!
This blog is specifically geared toward those of you who are thinking and re-thinking and then thinking some more of what exactly to blog on. After so many brainstorming ideas on everything from buyers and sellers to moms and politics..the mind grows weary of trying to create something special to capture the attention of super ADHD REALTORS.
So lets start with just that. ADHD. I'm it..end of blog. Ditto … (1 comments)
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real estate: Are YOU as well as your clients..buying in this market? - 09/18/08 08:29 AM
The economy is in turmoil as we all hear. Foreclosures and short sales at all time highs. It's been a great time for our buyers. But are you personally looking at this market for investments? If you're not, you could be cutting your nose off to spite your face.
Why? I personally just closed on our third investment home last week. Do I have a lot of money..no. But there are still ways to do interest only loans and use other media to do repairs. And whether or not you flip the house and sell it or use it for rental … (2 comments)
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real estate: Babies, Guns and Jesus...Hot Damn! - 08/29/08 03:23 PM
That's the exact quote Rush Limbaugh used today to describe Sara Palin for VP. I have to admit that I haven't fully been on board with McCain as a REALTOR as his immigration issues have really affected so many of my builders and contractors with illegals.
However, here comes a woman, with 5 children, the last of which is only 4 months old and has Downs Syndrome, a Christian and an active member of the NRA. Is this what the Republican party has been looking for? It seems so in recent polling which really has boosted McCain.
Last week if you'd have … (23 comments)
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real estate: You might be a Redneck REALTOR if your HAIR looks like THIS! - 08/27/08 08:24 AM
Like it or not we are called upon to portray to the world, our professionalism. That extends to your hair!! This may sound trite, but as I look through some of the profiles of my colleagues on this and other sites, it seems we may have a problem!! We're stuck in the 70's and 80's with our hair and make up ladies! And guys..this can run for you too. Here in the south where mullets are an acceptable banner of adulthood still...well it just doesn't work when you're trying to prove to your clients that you're a forward thinking and progressive … (7 comments)
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real estate: Television Ads Can Sell That House!! LOL - 08/21/08 03:15 PM
Ya know we see some crazy stuff out there. You know the local TV station that plays streaming video of the houses in your market with the droning voices of realtors-not actors- telling you about this or that beautiful house with this or that amenity or piece of granite and how it's a great find!
I'm here to tell you yes people do watch and some even call. Especially those late night ones who are finally tired of ordering nick nacks and thighmasters off HGTV. I do have a few examples of some of the wackiest ads seen on TV or … (1 comments)
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real estate: Learning to Bite the Bullet....and BUDGET! - 08/21/08 11:21 AM
I was reading an article on MSN this morning about housing prices nationwide and how the economic slump has affected all classes even the wealthy. This one statement jumped out at me:
In Denver:"Don't be fooled, Stan and Christine Penton say. Regardless of income, everyone has been hammered by the surge in gas, energy and food prices. They have friends with six-figure incomes whose power has been shut off over late payments." Six figures and they're sitting in the dark????!!!
What???? Ok it's called learning to live within or below your means. Writing a budget, not trying to keep up with the Jones', … (4 comments)
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real estate: We're COMPETITORS But this is NOT a COMPETITION! - 08/21/08 10:30 AM
I've learned a HUGE amount from AR this week and many of you have responded to my blogs. But there is a thread that runs through this industry that we need to address.
We are competitors but not in competition. How does that work? It is my humble opinion that there is more than enough business out there for us to do correctly. We all make mistakes and some people take advantage of others' weaknesses. Let's stop the madness!
In my former company, the focus was GO GO GO..without a lot of direction. Just shoot..then aim. Now with training and correct … (3 comments)
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real estate: Headlines: Keller Williams Wins the Gold!!! - 08/20/08 10:30 AM
I feel like Michael Phelps. I'm a Buyers Agent with Keller Williams and according to a national survey from JD Powers and Associates...we've just won the gold!
J.D. Power and Associates has surveyed customers about new-home builders, this study measured customer satisfaction of home buyers and sellers with the largest national real estate firms. Overall satisfaction was determined by examining three factors for the home-buying experience: agent (65 percent); office (21 percent) and services (13 percent).
Keller Williams achieves a score of 831 on a 1,000-point scale! GOAL!
65 percent of the experience was due to the agents! I … (0 comments)
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real estate: For All You Animal Lovers-Do Not Miss This - 08/10/08 07:38 PM
This is not a Real Estate Post. However it WAS sent to me from a past client who is a huge animal fan. She's involved with WWF...and no that's not Wrestling LOL. It's the World Wildlife Federation for animal conservation. I used to sponsor wolves through them..check them out if you like.
What it does tell me is that God put the fuzzy creatures here for our pleasure. Genesis refers to Adam naming all of the creatures. whether we eat them or love them,they are here for man to enjoy.
This video you may have seen before. I hadn't. Please click … (9 comments)
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real estate: My Buyers who Want a 70K Mansion!! - 08/10/08 05:56 PM
Why does it always seem that the lower the price point, the more difficult and unrealistic buyers are?
Same goes for the very high end ones as well.
I am blessed (we're all blessed to have any good buyer right now) to have a buyer at all that is qualified no matter the price point. They just seem to take a little more energy and want the things and quality of a $150K house in a 70K. I actually think I"ve found one but we'll see. I've coached them regarding the transaction, the choices, the areas condusive to good resale, the … (15 comments)
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real estate: Close them before they even realize it! - 08/09/08 06:50 AM
In a seminar I attended yesterday by a gentleman named Van Loudenbeck in Greenville, SC entitled Focused Productivity. The seminar will take me a while to process but I came out with an amazing time management system as well as a close that I know you'll want to hear. It's the 7 yes's of Real Estate.
Many of you may know this already. I've been to dozens of seminars from listings to buyers, to marketing but this one was unique in that it was technique driven. Mr. Loudenbeck had visited our office the week before with a "promo" for the … (6 comments)
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