real estate: Miami Real Estate Models for everyone - 11/14/07 03:23 PM
There are many different real estate models in Miami and as much I would like to say that one is better than the other, the fact is that different people (whether buying or selling Miami Real Estate) will have different preferences.
The idea is that each particular customer should study their options and identify their needs. Telling you that our full-above-and-beyond real estate services are your best choice would not be right since this may not be what you are looking for.
Just recently we were working with a Miami real estate buyer that was pre-approved, very motivated and ready to go. We had … (23 comments)
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real estate: Blatant Mortgage Fraud that we will not be a part of - 05/26/07 11:50 PM
You hear a lot of talk about Mortgage Fraud, how it is rampant, how banks are cracking down on easy loans, how the number of foreclosures is increasing......but the call we received today still has me in SHOCK!We have a couple of listings of homes that need a lot of work, are not only advertised as such, but the pricing also reflects that.
A gentleman who identified himself as a "real estate investor" called us today about one of these listings and this is what he had in mind. He said that he had an appraiser run a pencil search on the … (49 comments)
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real estate: V-flyer impressed me - 05/24/07 01:23 PM
Today I was so impressed with V-flyer. Not because they have a great real estate listing product, not because they have a cool customizable widget, not even because my listings are automatically populated into tons of real estate sites, but because I received a personal call from one of the founders, Oliver Muoto.
He called me to personally thank me for using his product, to tell me he had seen the widget being used here in Active Rain, to offer his help if I ever needed it, and to tell me they would love feedback.
THAT's what I call CUSTOMER SERVICE!!
So here's a cool … (61 comments)
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real estate: Real Estate Questions answered with conviction - 05/22/07 12:51 AM
Real Estate is full of questions, many of which we know the answers to , and others which need investigating. Just this week, I worked with some buyers that hired me for my architectural expertise, knowing I can help them identify design elements in a property, possible problems as well as answer questions about construction.
We walked into a great historic property that had updates and a master suite addition. While looking at the property, my customer asked the seller's agent if the new windows were impact resistant (impact resistant windows are extremely popular in South Florida now, after the busy Hurricane … (40 comments)
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real estate: MLS information - is it current? - 05/14/07 12:49 PM
A lot of Real Estate Agents do regular market reports of the areas they work in order to inform their customers and consumers of pricing, amount of inventory and current market trends. I can speak for myself when I say that I get this information directly from my area's Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
It has been common knowledge that some of the information on the MLS is not properly updated by listing agents, but what I have found lately is pretty frustrating. In South Florida, it is the responsibility of each listing agent to keep this information updated, but Brokers should be … (83 comments)
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real estate: Historic Preservation in Miami Shores - Mediterranean Revival architecture - 04/19/07 04:00 PM
A few years ago, while a board member of the Miami Shores Historic Preservation Board, I created, with the help of other board members, an educational brochure for our community. The brochure included the image shown as well as a brief history of Miami Shores and its development back in the 1920's.
The style popular in South Florida in the 1920's is now called "Mediterranean Revival" which was influenced by the architecture of the countries bordering the Mediterranean coast, namely Spain, France, Italy and North Africa. Historic architecture in Miami Shores is comprised of mostly Mediterranean Revival homes and we thought it … (34 comments)
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real estate: Why isn't my house selling? - 04/18/07 09:50 PM
Here in Miami Shores I get asked this question a lot? Why aren't houses selling? Well....Today Rick came up with this great article in MSN Money called 6 Reasons Houses Don't Sell by Bankrate.com. (yes, it was Rick...no chuckles please). Make sure you read the article, our own Lenn Harley was quoted!
The 6 Reasons Houses Don't Sell, according to Bankrate.com are:
1. Your home is overpriced
2. Your home doesn't "show" well
3. You're in a bad location
4. You have a lousy listing agent (I thought this one was a little harsh but really Laughed!)
5. You are battling competition or market conditions
6. You have ineffective marketing
All sellers should be looking at this article, … (22 comments)
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real estate: 10 tips for writing good Real Estate descriptions - 04/18/07 02:38 PM
I have compiled a list of tips to write good descriptions for real estate properties. Please feel free to add to the list.
1. Don't over-describe the property - you will only disappoint customers when they come face to face with realily. (Creating false expectations is the worst thing you could do for the property).
2. Don't under-describe the property - in this case "less is not more," leaving it up to the imagination is not a good strategy.
3. Be honest - builds confidence and attracts customers.
4. Avoid discriminatory "buzz words" - (The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to advertise any preference or limitation or encourage … (67 comments)
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real estate: How to register your customers and show absolute insecurity - 04/18/07 03:51 AM
Something happened to me today that I wanted to share, share so we can either learn what not to do, or share to show how desperate some agents are right now. Either way, here's the story.
I received a telephone call from a real estate agent wanting to show one of our listings in five minutes. I happened to be close by, in between appointments, the house is vacant and told her I could definitely show her the property. She arrived with her customer, looked at the house in detail, including the back yard, asked very intelligent questions about the area and the condition … (61 comments)
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real estate: The waiting game - YAWNnn - 03/02/07 06:33 PM
We ALL know it is a buyers' market, but does that mean buyers have the right to keep you waiting? Being a seller in a buyer's market means that:
you need to be flexible you need to be available you need to be VERY PATIENT Just today, with 4 different showings this is what happened.
Showing number 1: scheduled for 12:30 PM - I called the buyer's agent to confirm and they said they were running on time. At 12:40 PM they were still not there, when I called to see if they were close by the agent was very belligerent and told me to wait. … (22 comments)
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real estate: Above and Beyond - where to stop - 02/25/07 06:06 PM
We recently sold a listing of ours and had to do certain things that go beyond the duties of a real estate agent. It's what Rick and I are about, we go beyond our duties, do it to help our real estate customers, do it gladly and with no regrets.
Scenario - one of the contract conditions by the buyer was that everything be removed from the garage, including an old refrigerator. The sellers had already moved out of town, agreed to clear the garage the weekend before the closing and the garage would be ready by the walk-through date. The closing … (64 comments)
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real estate: 9281 W Bay Harbor Drive, #6 - Bay Harbor Islands, Florida 33154 - SOLD - 01/18/07 12:55 PM
9281 W. Bay Harbor Drive #6 - Bay Harbor Islands, Florida 33154
SALE PRICE $ 215,000 **SOLD**
Ground floor unit in sought after Bay Harbor Island. This spacious 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom unit has been updated and has a beautiful kitchen with butcher block counter tops, mosaic-tile backsplash and chrome hanging rail system. Features include: crown molding, new appliances, tankless water heater, new air conditioning units, renovated bathroom with Kohler faucets and Restoration Hardware fixtures and lots of closets.
Perfect for a picky buyer looking to be centrally located, in Bay Harbor Islands, just steps from Bal Harbour Shops, restaurants, and the beach. It has … (33 comments)
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real estate: Emotions FOR SALE - price negotiable - 12/26/06 03:51 PM
Buying or selling real estate can be extremely emotional. You often hear that "you must detach yourself emotionally from your home when selling" or "not to make an emotional purchase". This is very easy to say, and is something we have been hearing for decades, but WHY??
Usually people are making the biggest purchase of their lives when buying a home and are making the biggest sale of their lives when selling, so why can't you be emotional??
Emotion usually clouds the senses and your judgment. Emotion usually helps you make irrational decisions.Emotion puts LIFE in our world.So here's what I think. Without emotion, buyers … (119 comments)
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real estate: 9201 Collins Avenue, #226 - Surfside, FL 33154 **RENTED** - 12/20/06 10:17 AM
9201 Collins Avenue, #226 - Surfside, FL 33154
Waverly at Surfside Beach Condominium
FOR SALE - $ 399,000 **Least expensive unit in the building**
This property is Ranged Priced. The seller will consider offers between $399,000 and $429,000 with $429,000 being a full price offer.
Beachfront condominium in Surfside, just steps from Bal Harbour Shops and restaurants. Feel relaxing ocean breeze from private balcony while looking at the waves. This spacious one bedroom / one bathroom condo unit has washer and dryer inside, walk-in closet, central air conditioning, spacious kitchen, and great distribution.
You can walk right unto the Waverly Beach Club from this second … (8 comments)
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real estate: 821 NE 99th Street - Miami Shores, FL 33138 - 12/12/06 01:49 PM
821 NE 99th Street - Miami Shores, FL 33138
FOR SALE $ 650,00 **REDUCED**
Charming home in private area of Miami Shores within walking distance to Country Club, Golf Course and Tennis Center. Imagine yourself in this 4 bedroom / 2 bathroom home that has been meticulously cared for. Features include hardwood floors throughout, large bedrooms with lots of closet space, split bedroom plan with master suite on one side and 2 bedrooms with bathroom on the other, wood blinds in every room, updated electrical, large 4th bedroom over the 2-car garage is perfect for an office or playroom. Large eat-in kitchen, Family … (7 comments)
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real estate: What has Active Rain done for me? - 12/01/06 08:47 PM
I joined this network not really knowing what to expect. Would it help with Search Engine Placement, could I really network with other real estate professionals around the country? Would I fit in with a group of snobby "know it alls" that don't want new blood? Would I join a group and notice participation is a chore?
Well....I was in for a big surprise - it was nothing like I had imagined. First, I wrote a quick post and started reading and commenting. Almost immediately I began seeing intelligent discussions, I found a couple of blogs by the blogmasters themselves: Bryant Tutas and TLW, Kristal … (50 comments)
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real estate: 70 NE 94th Street - Miami Shores, Florida 33138 - SOLD - 11/30/06 10:59 PM
70 NE 94th Street - Miami Shores, Florida 33138
LISTED FOR $ 550,000 - SOLD
JUST REDUCED - LISTED $45,000 UNDER APPRAISAL!
Florida Home Buyer Dream House! This ageless beauty built in 1939 not only features an oversized 12,800 square foot lot with plenty of room to grow, but you will not be disappointed with the numerous details throughout. Features include Pecky Cypress Beamed Ceilings, archways, French doors, wrought iron pass through, new bathrooms, spacious family room overlooking large covered patio, 2-sided fireplace ....and much more.
This property has served as a home to a family of 5 for the last 20 years - has … (15 comments)
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real estate: Bay Harbor Islands, Florida - 11/25/06 09:16 PM
The town of Bay Harbor Islands is located in Miami-Dade County, Florida, near South Beach, the Bal Harbour Shops, Downtown Miami and other areas in Miami-Dade County. It's comprised of a group of islands within walking distance to the beach.
Its Real Estate varies from fine waterfront homes to condominiums, and apartments. The town is also home to an "A" rated elementary school, retail shops, restaurants, professional offices and many other businesses. Its location makes Bay Harbor Islands and exclusive place to live.
The Town of Bay Harbor Islands has one of the lowest crime rates in Miami-Dade County and the State … (13 comments)
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real estate: KEEP IN TOUCH - THE RIPPLE EFFECT - 11/11/06 08:44 PM
Most real estate agents' main source of income is repeat clients.
It is so important to maintain contact with past customers and there are many ways to do it. Some print companies offer customer follow-up programs where you can order 5 years worth of personalized postcards (with the customer as well as agent's names) and send them every 3 months. These postcards can include any holiday, birthdays, house anniversaries, etc.
We have used http://www.colorforrealestate.com/ (AGENT-FOR-LIFE) in the past. The only down side to this system is that you have to be organized and have to remember to send the cards before each … (31 comments)
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real estate: Detecting Mortgage Fraud - 10/25/06 08:43 AM
I know Mortgage Fraud has been a really sensitive subject around AR lately, and I wanted to share with you what we went over at our office meeting yesterday. Scott Daniels had an outrageous case a couple of days ago and Bryant Tutas wrote a fabulous post on this same subject. As some of you may know, Rick and I received 2 fraudulent offers this past week and as common as this may be, it’s important for Realtors, as professionals, to be able to identify fraud and report it. Here are some red flags that will help you identify questionable transactions:
… (18 comments)
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