Beyond The Sale

Read fine print, consider costs to determine if a

 service contract or extended warranty is right for you.

A Better Business Bureau national survey conducted by Kelton Research in 2007 found that 42 percent of Americans admit they do not look at extended warranty policies that come with their purchases. Forty-six percent of the consumers surveyed do not read service contracts.

 Extended warranties and service contracts for electronic and other products mean big money for retailers. Generally, the profit margin on the products themselves is slim, perhaps only a few percentage points. However, the margin on extended warranties can be 50 percent or more.

To make sure you get the most out of the deal, the BBB offers advice to help you decide whether you need to purchase an extended warranty or service contract.

Only you can decide if an extended warranty or service contract is worth the cost. Consumer Reports found that with a few products, such as computers and plasma TV s, extended warranties are a good safety net. The extra coverage can provide you with peace of mind.

 Though salespeople often use the terms "extended warranty" and "service contract" interchangeably, there is a distinction. An extended warranty is typically designed to protect you against manufacturing defects beyond the life of the manufacturer's express warranty.

 A service contract, however, provides varying degrees of maintenance and upkeep as defined in the contract.

 An extended warranty offers protection if your computer inexplicably stops working; a service contract might protect you if you spill coffee on your keyboard. Then again, it might not.

 Read the policy closely

As with any contract, you want to read the fine print of the manufacturer's express warranty and the extended policy. Usually you can take the policy home to read it closely and sleep on the decision.  Many extended warranties and service contracts don't have to be purchased at the point of sale and can be purchased at a later date.

 Know what you are getting

Make sure that you do not duplicate coverage. Some protection may already be in place for a specified time under what is known as "implied warranty" depending on state laws.

If you pay with a credit card, you might be eligible for an extended warranty through your credit card company.

 Shop Around

Different retailers offer different policies. If an extended warranty or service contract is important to you, visit several retailers and find out which offers the best value.

 Run the numbers

When pondering the purchase of an extended warranty or service plan, consider the cost ratio of the policy and the product. It really is not worth paying $50 for a policy to cover a $120 DVD player.

  You also should calculate what it would cost for average repairs durring the period of the contract, and compare the repair costs to the total cost of the service contract.

  If the product has a good track record for reliability, the service contract could end up costing more money than it's worth.

Going Green and the the Blue Label

 More and more home buyers are becoming interested in increased home energy efficiency, from the windows and doors, to heating and air-conditioning systems.  When homes are built according to Energy Star guidelines, they are awarded the designation of an Energy Star home. This certification states that a home or building meets strict energy efficiency standards, as stipulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.

To earn the certification, homes must be built or retrofitted to be at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to 2004 International Residential Code standards. Homes must also include additional energy saving features that typically make them 20- 30% more efficient than the average home.

What does the Energy Star label represent? Energy Star is a voluntary partnership between the government and other organizations, including over 3,000 builders. AU members pledge to protect the environment and improve quality of life through energy efficient practices and products. Products that have earned the Energy Star designation at present include windows, heating and cooling equipment, lighting and home appliances.  Any home three stories or less can earn the Energy Star label if it has been verified to meet EPA's guidelines, including: single family, attached, and low-rise multi-family homes; manufactured homes; systems-built homes (e.g., SIP, ICF, or modular construction); log homes, concrete homes; and even existing retrofitted Homes.  Energy Star qualified homes can include a variety of 'tried-and-true' energy-efficient features that contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, and to lower energy demand and reduced air pollution:

1.  Effective Insulation  

 Properly installed and inspected insulation in floors, walls, and attics ensures even temperatures throughout the house, reduced energy use, and increased comfort.

2. High-Performance Windows  

Energy-efficient windows employ advanced technologies, such as protective coatings and improved frames, to help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. These windows also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings.

 3. Tight Construction and Ducts

 Sealing holes and cracks in the home's "envelope" and in heating and cooling duct systems helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, and noise.  A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility and maintenance.

 4. Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment

 In addition to using less energy to operate, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems can be quieter, reduce indoor humidity, and improve the overall comfort of the home. When property installed into a tightly sealed home, this equipment won It have to work so hard to heat and cool the home.

 5. Efficient Products

 Energy Star qualified homes may also be equipped with Energy Star qualified products ~ lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans, and appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines.

 6. Third-Party Verification

With the help of independent Home Energy Raters, Energy Star builder partners choose the most appropriate energy-saving features for their homes. Additionally, raters conduct on-site testing and inspections to verify the energy efficiency measures, as well as insulation, air tightness, and duct sealing details.

Shawn.murray@remax.net

As we all know Social-networking Web sites can be a great way to network, find old friends, classmates and even make new friends. However; hackers have learned how to use sites like Facebook to load viruses and steal identities, making your life a living hell. If you do not know what I mean, try reestablishing your identity once it has been abused.  You don't want to go there.

The popularity of social-networking sites has grown tremendously in the last couple of years. If you do not know what I am talking about, you may be some of the few who have not taken advantage of the new technology out there.  Guess what, you are missing a ton of business and social opportunities.

Facebook was growing at a rate of 500,000 new users a day and is soon approaching 150 million active users.  Plus its users spend more than 2.6 billion minutes on the site every day. That is a lot of time.  In my day it was the television. 

Of course the scammers are also seeing this as an opportunity to make money and generally create KAOS. 

Those who are on facebook do so because it is an easy way to connect with people we know and trust.  This is where the scammers take advantage of that trust.  They will masquerade as a co-worker or friend and load a virus unknowing to you that will steal your personal information.  You will never see it or know that it is there unless you are religiously running antivirus software.  And even then, they are coming up with new ones every day.  

I just want to share with you some social-networking schemes

• "Friend in distress" scam 

At first it was a phone call, then it was an email, and now it has made it to Facebook.  As a facebook user you may receive a distress message from a friend who is out of the United States and needs to have some money wired to them.  Hello, if they are one of my friends why did they have access to a computer and not a phone?  Seems to me that just about everyone I know owns a cell phone.  The whole goal of this scan is that the recipient of the message does not know that the friend's account was hacked and the request for money is coming from scammer and not the actual friend.

• Phishing friends 

The Koobface virus has made the rounds of many social networking sites. In Facebook, the victim receives a message from a friend that says "You look awesome in this video" or "You look funny in this video." This message also includes a link to an outside Web site. By clicking on the link a window will open up stating that you need to download an updated version of Flash. After you unknowingly agree to this by clicking yes, a virus is loaded onto your computer that is designed to monitor all of your Internet activity and potentially stealing your personal information. This is a nasty virus, to the point where people had to get a new hard drive because it was so embedded into the operating system.

• Viral wall post 

Another Facebook scam takes advantage of a social networker's fears that the pictures and information posted on the site could be made public.  The facebook user gets a post on their wall (from a hacked friends account) stating that your facebook picture and info is all over the web.

You should never ever post anything on the internet that you would not be embarrassed to show your mother.  Follow this rule and you will never have to worry about someone reposting your information or pictures. 

Here is how you can be safe in the Social network

• Be wary of messages from friends or strangers that direct you to another Web site via a Hyperlink.
• Before you wire the money to a friend in a trouble, always contact your friend outside the social networking site.
• Ensure that your computer's operating system, antivirus software and firewall are up to date.
• Keep important information to yourself.
• Always be selective when choosing friends on social-networking sites.

 My two cents   

I do not write this to scare anyone into not using facebook or any other social networking web site.  I just want to make sure that you are using common sense when you are on Facebook.  It is a great place to keep in touch and make new friends.  Please just use it wisely and think before you hit that enter button.  Once it is out on the web, you can never take it off.

shawn.murray@remax.net

I am seeing more clients who wish to use multiple buyer agents.  I recently had a prospective client in my office and was interviewing them to see if they would qualify for a loan.  I then asked them who they were working with & they said that they had a couple of real estate agents that were out in the field.  My next question was why would yo use more than one agent.  Their response was that if I have more agents looking for me that they would get what they want.  Clearly the other agents did not explain how the system works.  After I explained to them how I would work for them, they immediately called the other agents up to inform them to not to bother calling them back.  We need to be as helpful in helping people find homes as well as educating them on the service we provide.  If we fail to do this, we are not truly earning the fee we charge.  So, if you are out there looking to purchase a home, make sure that the agent who is assisting you clearly explains what we as real estate agents do to help you find or sell your next home.

Thanks

shawn.murray@remax.net  HOUSESINOMAHA.NET

Writing Great Content for Your Blog

Real estate is all about location and your BLOG is about Content. 

Please do not get caught up in hiring SEO Company who promises top search engine positions in a hurry. A few may be able to do some good, but the tactics used are almost always discovered by the search engines, and your positions suffer quickly.


The search engines are constantly changing their criteria and algorithms. They are getting better all the time at locating the most relevant content for the search term entered. Part of that is your site's overall coverage of that term and related terms that they have identified. 

Google has created "related term" lists for "real estate." They are secret, but likely include terms like title insurance, deeds, surveys, etc.  Your site will begin to gain attention from the search engines over time with your content. That's content about all kinds of topics related to your area and real estate. 

You need to write about:

• Your local real estate
• Title insurance and binders
• Homeowner insurance concerns
• The valuation of the home
• Regulations and building codes
• Mow to use the MLS home searches
• Schools information

 What you need is an ever-growing body of content that is related to living in your area, and buying and selling real estate. Your future income from the Internet is dependent upon it. 

Remember that your customer is the site visitor, not the search engine. All content should be written for that visitor, easy to read, and full of information. Then, just try to work in your key words and phrases in page titles and in the text. Remember, visitor first, search engines second. If you don't do it this way, you may lure a visitor from a search, but they won't stay long enough to become a client.

If you agree that you need lots of quality content, where in the world will it all come from? You don't have to write it all. You may not be able to or want to write any of it. Get an assistant with spelling and writing skills, hire a friend and give them your notes and ideas. Use freelancers from sites like eLance.com and Guru.com who are bidding to write real estate content. Those are all ways in which to get quality articles for your site. But, there are other ways, and they are free and you will do little or no work to get them!

Associations and Subdivisions - The average person is well aware of the value of Internet exposure, and subdivision or neighborhood association officers are no different. Especially if they have their own website, they are willing to write announcements articles about their association and neighborhood for you. The link back to their site is the lure, as well as spreading the word. Go out and network with them, offering to put up their articles, and to enter their announcements and events. They'll email them to you for insertion.

Business owners and vendors - This is a great resource for you. How many movers, electricians, plumbers, home inspectors, furniture store owners, home repair people and others can you contact. Virtually anyone who has anything to do with the home is a great resource for articles for your site. They'll write how-to's and advice for your site visitors, and they'll do it for a link to their site. If they don't have a site, they will do it for a mention of their business, phone number and email address. These articles will be full of relevant key words for a real estate site. And, your visitors will get good homeowner information as well.


Get out and start generating content because if you build it, they will come.

I just ended a meeting with a fellow ative rain member.  I just want to say WOW!  This person, Connie Watts, took the time to sit down with me to show me how to use this great tool.  She spent almost 2 hours going over Active Rain and other internet realted information that I heard about but never understood how to use it and how it applied to my business.  I can now honestly say that now that I can better market my client's homes to help them reach their goals.  Great JOB Connie.  You should check her out in AR.  She has some great posts.  CONNIE WATTS

When Your Selling Price is too High, Beware!

Meeting With Realtors

So you've decided to sell your home and have a fairly good idea of what you think it is worth. Being a sensible home seller, you schedule appointments with three local listing agents who've been hanging stuff on your front doorknob for years. Each Realtor comes prepared with a "Competitive Market Analysis" on fancy paper and they each recommend a specific sales price.

Amazingly, a couple of the Realtors have come up with prices that are lower than you expected. Although they back up their recommendations with recent sales data of similar homes, you remain convinced your house is worth more. When you interview the third agent's figures, they are much more in line with your own anticipated value, or maybe even higher. Suddenly, you are a happy and excited home seller, already counting the money.

Which Realtor do you choose?

If you're like many people, you pick Realtor number three. This is an agent who seems willing to listen to your input and work with you. This is an agent that cares about putting the most money in your pocket. This is an agent that is willing to start out at your price and if you need to drop the price later, you can do that easily, right? After all, everyone else does it!

The truth is that you may have just met an agent engaging in a questionable sales practice called "buying a listing." He "bought" the listing by suggesting you might be able to get a higher sales price than the other agents recommended. Most likely, he is quite doubtful that your home will actually sell at that price. The intention from the beginning is to eventually talk you into lowering the price.

Why do agents "buy" listings? There are basically two reasons. A well-meaning and hard working agent can feel pressure from a homeowner who has an inflated perception of his home's value. On the other hand, there are some agents who engage in this sales practice routinely.

Fixing Up Outside the House

Most real estate advice tells you to work on the outside of the house first, but unless there is a major project involved, we believe it is best to do it last. There are two main reasons for this. First, the first steps in preparing the interior of the house are easier. They also help develop the proper mind set required for selling - beginning to think of your "home" as a marketable commodity. Second, the exterior is the most important. A homebuyer's first impression is based on his or her view of the house from the real estate agent's car.

So take a walk across the street and take a good look at your house. Look at nearby houses, too, and see how yours compares.

Landscaping

Is your landscaping at least average for the neighborhood? If it is not, buy a few bushes and plant them. Do not put in trees. Mature trees are expensive, and you will not get back your investment. Also, immature trees do not really add much to the appearance value of the home.

If you have an area for flowers, buy mature colorful flowers and plant them. They add a splash of vibrancy and color, creating a favorable first impression. Do not buy bulbs or seeds and plant them. They will not mature fast enough to create the desired effect and you certainly don't want a patch of brown earth for homebuyers to view.

Your lawn should be evenly cut, freshly edged, well watered, and free of brown spots. If there are problems with your lawn, you should probably take care of them before working on the inside of your home. This is because certain areas may need re-soding, and you want to give it a chance to grow so that re-sod areas are not immediately apparent. Plus, you might want to give fertilizer enough time to be effective.

Always rake up loose leaves and grass cuttings.

House Exterior

The big decision is whether to paint or not to paint. When you look at your house from across the street, does it look tired and faded? If so, a paint job may be in order. It is often a very good investment and really spruces up the appearance of a house, adding dollars to offers from potential homebuyers.

When choosing a color, it should not be something garish and unusual, but a color that fits well in your neighborhood. Of course, the color also depends on the style of your house, too. For some reason, different shades of yellow seem to elicit the best response in homebuyers, whether it is in the trim or the basic color of the house.

As for the roof, if you know your house has an old leaky roof, replace it. If you do not replace a leaky roof, you are going to have to disclose it and the buyer will want a new roof, anyway. Otherwise, wait and see what the home inspector says. Why spend money unnecessarily?

The Back Yard

The back yard should be tidy. If you have a pool or spa, keep it freshly maintained and constantly cleaned. For those that have dogs, be sure to constantly keep the area clear of "debris." If you have swing sets or anything elaborate for your kids, it probably makes more sense to remove them than to leave them in place. They take up room, and you want your back yard to appear as spacious as possible, especially in newer homes where the yards are not as large.

The Front Door & Entryway

The front door should be especially sharp, since it is the entryway into the house. Polish the door fixture so it gleams. If the door needs refinishing or repainting, make sure to get that done.

If you have a cute little plaque or shingle with your family name on it, remove it. Even if it is just on the mailbox. You can always put it up again once you move. Get a new plush door mat, too. This is something else you can take with you once you move.

Make sure the lock works easily and the key fits properly. When a homebuyer comes to visit your home, the agent uses the key from the lock box to unlock the door. If there is trouble working the lock while everyone else stands around twiddling their thumbs, this sends a negative first impression to prospective homebuyers.

If only our country ran this way.  I thought this was great!

Subject: SHERIFF JOE IS AT IT AGAIN! You all remember Sheriff Joe Arpaio of  Arizona , who painted the jail cells pink and made the inmates wear pink prison garb. Well.........  SHERIFF JOE IS AT IT AGAIN!  Oh, there's MUCH more to know about Sheriff Joe!  Maricopa  County was spending approx. $18 million dollars a year on stray animals, like cats and dogs. Sheriff Joe offered to take the department over, and the  County  Supervisors said okay.  The animal shelters are now all staffed and operated by prisoners. They feed and care for the strays. Every animal in his care is taken out and walked twice daily. He now has prisoners who are experts in animal nutrition and behavior. They give great classes for anyone who'd like to adopt an animal. He has literally taken stray dogs off the street, given them to the care of prisoners, and had them place in dog shows.  The best part? His budget for the entire department is now under $3 million. Teresa and I adopted a Weimaraner from a  Maricopa  County shelter two years ago. He was neutered, and current on all shots, in great health, and even had a microchip inserted the day we got him. Cost us $78.  The prisoners get the benefit of about $0.28 an hour for working, but most would work for free, just to be out of their cells for the day. Most of his budget is for utilities, building maintenance, etc. He pays the prisoners out of the fees collected for adopted animals.  I have long wondered when the rest of the country would take a look at the way he runs the jail system, and copy some of his ideas. He has a huge farm, donated to the county years ago, where inmates can work, and they grow most of their own fresh vegetables and food, doing all the work and harvesting by hand.  He has a pretty good sized hog farm, which provides meat, and fertilizer. It fertilizes the Christmas tree nursery, where prisoners work, and you can buy a living Christmas tree for $6 - $8 for the Holidays, and plant it later. We have six trees in our yard from the Prison.  Yup, he was reelected last year with 83% of the vote.  Now he's in trouble with the ACLU again. He painted all his buses and vehicles with a mural, that has a special hotline phone number painted on it, where you can call and report suspected illegal aliens. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement wasn't doing enough in his eyes, so he had 40 deputies trained specifically for enforcing immigration laws, started up his hotline, and bought 4 new buses just for hauling folks back to the border. He's kind of a 'Git-R Dun' kind of Sheriff.  TO THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH JOE ARPAIO  HE IS THE MARICOPA ARIZONA COUNTY SHERIFF  AND HE KEEPS GETTING ELECTED OVER AND OVER  THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY:  Sheriff Joe Arpaio (In Arizona ) who created the ' Tent City Jail':  He has jail meals down to 40 cents a serving and charges the inmates for them.  He stopped smoking and porno magazines in the jails. Took away their weights Cut off all but 'G' movies.  He started chain gangs so the inmates could do free work on county and city projects.  Then He Started Chain Gangs For Women So He Wouldn't Get  Sued For Discrimination.  He took away cable TV Until he found out there was A Federal Court Order that Required Cable TV For Jails So He Hooked Up The Cable TV Again Only Let In The Disney Channel And The Weather Channel.  When asked why the weather channel He Replied, So They Will Know How Hot It's Gonna Be While They Are Working  ON My Chain Gangs.  He Cut Off Coffee Since It Has Zero Nutritional Value.  When the inmates complained, he told them, 'This Isn't The Ritz-Carlton......If You Don't Like It, Don't Come Back.' More On The Arizona Sheriff:  With Temperatures Being Even Hotter Than Usual In Phoenix (116 Degrees Just Set A New Record), the Associated Press Reports:  About 2,000 Inmates Living In A Barbed-Wire-Surrounded Tent Encampment At The Maricopa County Jail Have Been Given Permission To Strip Down To Their Government-Issued  Pink Boxer Shorts.  On Wednesday, hundreds of men wearing boxers were either curled up on their bunk beds or chatted in the tents, which reached  138 Degrees Inside The Week Before.  Many Were Also Swathed In Wet, Pink Towels As Sweat Collected On Their Chests And Dripped Down To Their PINK SOCKS.  'It Feels Like We Are In A Furnace,' Said James Zanzot, An Inmate Who Has Lived In The TENTS for 1 year. 'It's Inhumane.'  Joe Arpaio, the tough-guy sheriff who created the tent city and long ago started making his prisoners wear pink, and eat bologna sandwiches, is not one bit sympathetic. He said Wednesday that he told all of the inmates: 'It's 120 Degrees In  Iraq And Our Soldiers Are Living In Tents Too, And They Have To Wear Full Battle Gear,  But They Didn't Commit Any Crimes,So Shut Your Mouths!'  Way To Go, Sheriff!  Maybe if all prisons were like this one there would be a lot less crime and/or repeat offenders. Criminals should be punished for their crimes - not live in luxury until it's time for their parole, only to go out and commit another crime so they can get back in to live on taxpayers money and enjoy things taxpayers can't afford to have for themselves.

Fixing Up the House Interior

Plumbing and Fixtures

All your sink fixtures should look shiny and new. If this cannot be accomplished by cleaning, buy new ones where needed. If you don't buy something fancy, this can be accomplished inexpensively and they are fairly easy to install. Make sure all the hot and cold water knobs are easy to turn and that the faucets do not leak. If they do, replace the washers. It is not difficult at all.

Check to make sure you have good water pressure and that there are no stains on any of the porcelain. If you have a difficult stain to remove, one trick is to hire a cleaning crew to go through and clean your home on a one-time basis. They seem to be wonderful at making stains go away.

Ceilings, Walls and Painting

Check all the ceilings for water stains. Sometimes old leaks leave stains, even after you have repaired the leak. Of course, if you do have a leak, you will have to get it repaired, whether it is a plumbing problem or the roof leaks.

You should do the same for walls, looking for not only stains, but also areas where dirt has accumulated and you just may not have noticed. Plus, you may have an outdated color scheme.

Painting can be your best investment when selling your home. It is not a very expensive operation and often you can do it yourself. Do not choose colors based on your own preferences, but based on what would appeal to the widest possible number of buyers. You should almost always choose an off-white color because white helps your rooms appear bright and spacious.

Carpet and Flooring

Unless your carpet appears old and worn, or it is definitely an outdated style or color, you probably should do nothing more than hire a good carpet cleaner. If you do choose to replace it, do so with something inexpensive in a fairly neutral color.

Repair or replace broken floor tiles, but do not spend a lot of money on anything. Remember, you are not fixing up the place for yourself. You want to move. Your goal is simply to have as few negative impressions upon those who may want to purchase your property.

Windows and Doors

Check all of your windows to make sure they open and close easily. If not, a spray of WD40 often helps. Make sure there are no cracked or broken windowpanes. If there are, replace them before you begin showing your home.

Do the same things with the doors - make sure they open and close properly, without creaking. If they do, a shot of WD40 on the hinges usually makes the creak go away. Be sure the doorknobs turn easily, and that they are cleaned and polished to look sharp. As buyers go from room to room, someone opens each door and you want to do everything necessary to create a positive impression.

Odor Control

For those who smoke, you might want to minimize smoking indoors while trying to sell your home. You could also purchase an ozone spray that helps to remove odors without creating a masking odor.

Pets of all kinds create odors that you may have become used to, but are immediately noticeable to those with more finely tuned olfactory senses. For those with cats, be sure to empty kitty litter boxes daily. There are also products that you can sprinkle in a layer below the kitty litter that helps to control odor. For those with dogs, keep the dog outdoors as much as possible. You might also try sprinkling carpet freshener on the carpet on a periodic basis.

Costs of Repairs

Do not do anything expensive, such as remodeling. If possible, use savings to pay for any repairs and improvements - do not go charging up credit cards or obtaining new loans. Remember that part of selling a house is also preparing to buy your next home. You do not want to do anything that will affect your credit scores or hurt your ability to qualify for your next mortgage.