<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">
  <channel>
    <title>Jacinta's Blog</title>
    <link>http://activerain.com/blogs/jacinta</link>
    <description></description>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/705097/pricing-home-too-high-a-seller-battle</guid>
      <title>Pricing home too HIGH! A seller battle</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;One of the biggest mistakes seller make, is pricing there home too high.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;What do you do when the seller says they want to price their home higher then what you suggest. How do you make them undestand.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Here are some ideas I got from watching an HGTV show:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Your home is worth simply what someone is willing to pay for it.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;It's important to be realistic with the purchase price.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you price it too high you're appealing it to the wrong market and the people who really should be looking at the house, aren't! Because they think it is too expensive and you may never be able to get them to come back to come look at&amp;nbsp; your house again even when it get's down to the right price.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Sold prices are what tell you where to list your home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Once you reduce your price it always looks as if there is something wrong with the house.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:35:18 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/705097/pricing-home-too-high-a-seller-battle</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/703213/avoid-this-scam-</guid>
      <title>Avoid this scam!</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Recently I received a call on one of my listing.&amp;nbsp; The guy told me he was in construction and was working on a local driveway.&amp;nbsp; He said he had &quot;extra material&quot; and that if the owner wanted he could do their driveway for $1600. I called my seller to just meantioned this.&amp;nbsp; My seller who is an experienced investor taught me something.&amp;nbsp; There are people out there trying to make money the unethical way.&amp;nbsp; It turns out these guys tell a false story to get you to give them the work.&amp;nbsp; They do a terrible job and then leave.&amp;nbsp; Everything is with cash and you can't get them on the phone.&amp;nbsp; I tried calling back just to test them out but the number would not even work.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;So beware and keep you, your neighbors, and sellers safe.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Thanks for reading!&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:04:40 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/703213/avoid-this-scam-</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681287/avoid-the-most-common-buyer-errors-</guid>
      <title>Avoid The Most Common Buyer Errors </title>
      <description>&lt;table cellspacing=&quot;0&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; cellpadding=&quot;0&quot; width=&quot;100%&quot;&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign=&quot;top&quot;&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Shopping for a new home is an emotional experience. It's also time consuming and&amp;nbsp; comes with a myriad of details. Some buyers, however, caught up in the excitement of buying a new home tend to overlook some items. Their home purchase turns into an expensive process. These errors generally fall into three areas:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul type=&quot;square&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Paying too much &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Losing a dream home to another buyer &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Buying the wrong home&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When you have a systematic plan before you shop, you'll be sure to avoid these costly errors. Here are some tips on making the most of your home purchase:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bidding without sufficient information&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What price do you offer a seller? Is the seller's asking price too high? Is it a deal? Without research on the market and comparable homes, you could lose thousands of dollars. Before you make that offer, be sure you have researched the market. A professional realtor, can offer an unbiased opinion on the value of a home, based on market conditions, condition of the home and neighborhood. Without knowledge of the market, your offer could be too much. Or worse, you could miss out on a great buying opportunity.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Buying a mis-matched home&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What do you need and want in a home? Sounds simple. Yet, clearly identifying your needs and bringing an objective view to home shopping, leaves you in a better position. Sometimes, home buyers buy a home that is too large or too small. Perhaps they didn't consider the drive to work, the distance to school, or the many repair jobs waiting for completion. Plan ahead. Use your needs list as a guideline for every home you view.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Unclear title&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;Before you sign any document, be sure the property you are considering is free of all encumbrances. As part of their services, a realtor can supply you with a copy of the title to ensure there are no liens, debts, undisclosed owners, leases or easements.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Outdated survey&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Before the purchase is completed, an updated survey is essential. This report will indicate boundaries and structural changes (additions to the house, a new swimming pool, neighbor's new fence which is extending a boundary line, etc.).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Unexpected repairs&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;For $300 - $500 a professional inspector will conduct a thorough inspection of the home. This way, you'll have an idea of the cost of future repairs. Make the final contract subject to a favourable report.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Shopping without pre-approval&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It only takes a few days to get financing pre-approval. When you are shopping for a home, this gives you more power. A seller is more likely to consider an offer from a serious buyer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Remember additional cost&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;Besides the funds for the purchase of a home, you'll need funds for items such as loan fees, insurance, legal fees, surveys, inspections, etc.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Rushing the closing&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;Before you sign, ensure that all documentation clearly reflects your understanding and conditions of the transaction. Has anything been forgotten? Don't rush. You could lose money, financing or even the sale.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:24:11 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681287/avoid-the-most-common-buyer-errors-</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681284/common-selling-mistakes-</guid>
      <title>Common Selling Mistakes </title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table cellspacing=&quot;0&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; cellpadding=&quot;0&quot; width=&quot;500&quot;&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mistake #1 -- Placing the Wrong Price on Your Property&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Every seller obviously wants to get the most money for his or her product. Ironically, the best way to do this is NOT to list your product at an excessively high price! A high listing price will cause some prospective buyers to lose interest before even seeing your property. Also, it may lead other buyers to expect more than what you have to offer. As a result, overpriced properties tend to take an unusually long time to sell, and they end up being sold at a lower price.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mistake #2 -- Mistaking Re-finance Appraisals for the Market Value&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Unfortunately, a re-finance appraisal may have been stated at an untruthfully high price. Often, lenders estimate the value of your property to be higher than it actually is in order to encourage re-financing. The market value of your home could actually be lower. Your best bet is to ask your realtor for the most recent information regarding property sales in your community. This will give you an up-to-date and factually accurate estimate of your property value.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mistake #3 -- Failing to &quot;Showcase&quot;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In spite of how frequently this mistake is addressed and how simple it is to avoid, its prevalence is still widespread. When attempting to sell your home to prospective buyers, do not forget to make your home look as pleasant as possible. Make necessary repairs. Clean. Make sure everything functions and looks presentable. A poorly kept home in need of repairs will surely lower the selling price of your property and will even turn away some buyers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mistake #4 - Trying to &quot;Hard Sell&quot; While Showing&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Buying a house is always an emotional and difficult decision. As a result, you should try to allow prospective buyers to comfortably examine your property. Don't try haggling or forcefully selling. Instead, be friendly and hospitable. A good idea would be to point out any subtle amenities and be receptive to questions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mistake #5 - Trying to Sell to Lookers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A prospective buyer who shows interest because of a &quot;for sale&quot; sign he saw may not really be interested in your property. Often buyers who do not come through a realtor are a good 6-9 months away from buying, and they are more interested in seeing what is out there than in actually making a purchase. They may still have to sell their house, or may not be able to afford a house yet. They may still even be unsure as to whether or not they want to relocate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Your realtor should be able to distinguish realistic potential buyers from mere lookers. Realtors should usually find out a prospective buyer's savings, credit rating, and purchasing power in general. If your realtor fails to find out this pertinent information, you should do some investigating and questioning on your own. This will help you avoid wasting valuable time marketing towards the wrong people. If you have to do this work yourself, consider finding a new realtor.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mistake #6 -- Being Ignorant of Your Rights &amp;amp; Responsibilities&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is extremely important that you are well-informed of the details in your real estate contract. Real estate contracts are legally binding documents, and they can often be complex and confusing. Not being aware of the terms in your contract could cost you thousands for repairs and inspections. Know what your are responsible for before signing the contract. Can the property be sold &quot;as is&quot;? How will deed restrictions and local zoning laws affect your transaction? Not knowing the answers to these kind of questions could end up costing you a considerable amount of money.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mistake #7 - Signing a Contract with No Escape&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Hopefully you will have taken the time to choose the best realtor for you. But sometimes, as we all know, circumstances change. Perhaps you misjudged your realtor, or perhaps the realtor has other priorities on his or her mind. In any case, you should have the right to fire your agent. Also, you should have the right to select another agent of your choosing. Many real estate companies will simply replace an agent with another one, without consulting you. Be sure to have control over your situation before signing a real estate contract.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mistake #8 - Limiting the Marketing and Advertising of the Property&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There are two obvious marketing tools that nearly every seller uses: open houses and classified ads. Unfortunately, these two tools are rather ineffective. Less than 1% of homes are sold at open houses, and less than 3% are sold because of classified ads. In fact, realtors often use open houses to attract future prospects, not to sell the house.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Your realtor should employ a wide variety of marketing techniques. Your realtor should also be committed to selling your property; he or she should be available for every phone call from a prospective buyer. Most calls are received, and open houses are scheduled, during business hours, so make sure that your realtor is working on selling your home during these hours. Chances are that you have a job, too, so you may not be able to get in touch will many potential buyers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mistake #9 - Choosing the Wrong Realtor&amp;reg;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Selling your home could be the most important financial transaction in your lifetime. As a result, it is extremely important that you select the realtor that is best for you. Experienced real estate agents often cost as much as brand new agents. Chances are that the experienced agent will be able to bring you a higher price in less time and with fewer hassles.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Take your time when selecting a real estate agent. Interview several agents; ask them key questions. If you want to make your selling experience the best it can be, it is crucial that you select the best agent for you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:23:13 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681284/common-selling-mistakes-</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681276/is-anyone-knocking-</guid>
      <title>IS ANYONE KNOCKING?</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;It's been said that door knock in our industry is an effect way of increasing your business. But what do you say when you knock? What plan do you have in place to assure the biggest return on your efforts.&amp;nbsp; I want to take this chance to brainstorm with fellow professional.&amp;nbsp; Here is what I was think of doing:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;1st I will prepare a flyer (what it will say I am not sure yet)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;2nd I will map out a path of the neighborhoods&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;3rd I will start to door knock from 4 - 8 eveyrday&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;When some answers I will ask the &quot;who they know who is looking to buy or sell real estate.&quot;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;If no one aswers I will leave my flyer.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;i feel like I need a stronger plan so if anyone is doing this door knocking technique or has any ideas please do share.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Thanks!&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:20:18 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681276/is-anyone-knocking-</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681268/3-ways-to-assure-a-smooth-transaction</guid>
      <title>3 ways to assure a smooth Transaction</title>
      <description>&lt;table cellspacing=&quot;0&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; cellpadding=&quot;0&quot; width=&quot;100%&quot;&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr id=&quot;_ctl2__ctl11__ctl0_ct_2091097_2091097_t_tr&quot;&gt;
&lt;td id=&quot;_ctl2__ctl11__ctl0_ct_2091097_2091097_t_tc&quot; align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr id=&quot;_ctl2__ctl11__ctl0_ct_2091097_2091097_t_dr&quot;&gt;
&lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Buying a home can be an emotional, time-consuming, and complex process. There are a few things that you can do to help make the process go as smooth as possible:
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Check your credit.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Before you apply for a home loan, regardless of your credit, it's a smart idea to obtain a copy of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus and review the information. If there are errors or things that need to be addressed, it's easier to address them before you have found a house, than after you have found a house and are trying to close your loan.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you know that there are a few blemishes on your credit, let your lender know what they are, why they are there, and why you are a still good credit risk. Lenders look at your credit to determine how likely you will pay back the loan. If you had extenuating circumstances - like a loss of a job or medical bills - let them know so that they understand that it is not likely to happen again in the future.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Get approved before you buy.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;An approval means that a lender has reviewed your credit history, verified your assets and employment, and has approved your loan before you have found a home to purchase. As long as the home appraises for at least the purchase price, the loan should close.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Getting approved also gives you an advantage over other buyers. Your firm approval makes it easier for you to negotiate on the price of a home, than a person who is not approved or is pre-qualified.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;While getting pre-qualified may sound official, it is really just getting an idea of what you can afford. Its having a person plug in a few numbers that you give them - your monthly income and your monthly debt - and getting an approximate payment calculated. From the payment, the calculator can approximate the house price range that you can afford. No information is verified. Because your assets, income or credit is not verified, a pre-qualification has little value when purchasing a home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3. Find a great buyer's agent.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Traditionally real estate agents represent the sellers in a transaction. When you are not working with a buyer's agent, they are less likely to negotiate the best price or contingencies for you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A buyer's agent's job and fiduciary responsibility (meaning legal duty) is to you, the buyer. Before working with an agent, establish if they are a buyer's agent or a seller's agent. After spending a lot of time with a Realtor, it's natural to feel like you're a team. But if they are not negotiating for you, then they are not on your team.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:15:52 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681268/3-ways-to-assure-a-smooth-transaction</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681264/item-of-values-what-do-you-give-to-stand-out-</guid>
      <title>ITEM of VALUES...What do you give to stand out!</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;As professionals we need to show our clients why we benefit them and why they should use us.&amp;nbsp; So today I am sending out an shout out to ask other professionals to share their ideas.&amp;nbsp; Here are some of mind:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;CMA &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Market Status report &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Home remodel guide &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;energy saving guide &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;School reports &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Neighborhood events &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;investor tips and tricks &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;tips to make your home stand out &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;vendor list &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;credit score:&amp;nbsp; how to improve before buying &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;What ideas do you have to add to our list?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Thanks for sharing, I'm glad activerain is here to help me grow and help others do the same!&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:14:35 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681264/item-of-values-what-do-you-give-to-stand-out-</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681258/help-what-ideas-do-you-have-to-keep-in-contact-with-your-database-</guid>
      <title>Help! What ideas do you have to keep in contact with your Database? </title>
      <description>&lt;table border=&quot;0&quot; width=&quot;100%&quot;&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr valign=&quot;top&quot;&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I have recently started a database contacting system.&amp;nbsp; This is where I talked to people and then add them to my database and then do an 8 x 8 campaign to keep in contact with them.&amp;nbsp; But I am having a hard time finding the right things to say and do in the campaign.&amp;nbsp; Does anyone do this and do they have any suggestions?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Here are my catagories:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;FSBO 8 x 8 &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Just Met 8 x 8 (people I met during the day) &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Not Met 8 x 8 (internet leads) &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Sellers (thinking about puting house on market) &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Buyers &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Investors &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Vendors (companies I work with 8 x 8 to get them knowing me and referring business to me) &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Other agents &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Let's brainstorm together...here are some ideas I have already thought of:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;JUST METS CATAGORY&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Week 1: send an email talking about how I enjoyed meeting with them and letting them know they can use me as a resource if they ever need any vendors &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Week 2: send an email talking about what I do and how I do business &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Week 3:&amp;nbsp; Give them a call to see if they received my information and see where they are with me. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Week 4: Send an email with local weekend events in the area &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Week 5: News in the market &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Week 6: Call to check and see where they are. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Week 7: Give home improvement information &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Week 8: Call and make a decision whether to keep or take off database than put them on 12 x 12 campaign &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;What other ideas do you have...Thanks for the support.&amp;nbsp; I am trying to work my business right and want all the ideas I can get.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:10:58 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681258/help-what-ideas-do-you-have-to-keep-in-contact-with-your-database-</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681256/tips-on-buying-in-a-tight-market-</guid>
      <title>Tips on Buying in a Tight Market </title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;Increase your chances of getting your dream house instead of losing it to another buyer, with these easy steps.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol type=&quot;1&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Get prequalified for a mortgage. You'll be able to make a firm commitment to buy and make your offer more desirable to the seller. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol type=&quot;1&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Stay in close touch with your real estate sales associate to find out first about new listings that come on the market. And be ready to go see a house as soon as it goes on the market. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol type=&quot;1&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Scout out new listings yourself. Look at Internet sites, newspaper ads, and drive by the neighborhood frequently. Maybe you'll see a brand-new &quot;for sale&quot; sign before anyone else. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol type=&quot;1&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Be ready to make a decision. Spend lots of time in advance deciding what you must have so you won't be unsure when you have the chance to make an offer. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol type=&quot;1&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Bid competitively. You may not want to start out offering the absolute highest price you can afford, but don't try to go too low to get a deal. In a tight market, you'll lose out. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol type=&quot;1&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Keep contingencies to a minimum. Restrictions such as needing to sell your home before you move or wanting to delay the closing until a certain date can make your offer unappealing. In a tight market, you'll probably be able to sell your house rapidly. Or talk to your lender about getting a bridge loan to cover both mortgages for a short period. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol type=&quot;1&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Don't get caught in a buying frenzy. Just because there's competition doesn't mean you should just buy anything. And even though you want to make your offer attractive, don't neglect inspections that help ensure that your house is sound. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:09:53 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681256/tips-on-buying-in-a-tight-market-</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681250/web-site-resources-for-consumers-</guid>
      <title>Web Site Resources for Consumers </title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://activerain.com/blogsview/624844/Web-Site-Resources-for&quot; rel=&quot;bookmark&quot;&gt;Web Site Resources for Consumers&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Credit Union Consumer Facts&lt;/strong&gt;, http://www.cuna.org/data/consumer/advice/retire_home/hometoc.html&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;strong&gt;EnergyGuide.com&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;EnergyStar.gov&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Provides an easy way to assess energy use and get quick tips on saving energy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Environmental Protection Agency&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.epa.gov/&quot;&gt;www.epa.gov&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A one-stop shop for advice on testing for and mitigating pollutants, from lead paint to radon to mold.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Equifax&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.eqifax.com/&quot;&gt;www.eqifax.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A source of credit reports.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Experian&lt;/strong&gt; (formerly TRW), &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.experian.com/&quot;&gt;www.experian.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A source of credit reports.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Federal Citizen Information Center&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/results.tpl?id1=17&amp;amp;startat=1&amp;amp;--woSECTIONSdatarq=17&amp;amp;--SECTIONSword=ww&quot;&gt;http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/results.tpl?id1=17&amp;amp;startat=1&amp;amp;--woSECTIONSdatarq=17&amp;amp;--SECTIONSword=ww&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Offers a list of consumer articles about home sales, financing, and maintenance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ginnie Mae&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ginniemae.gov/&quot;&gt;http://www.ginniemae.gov&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Provides advice to buyers on affordability and homeownership, including calculators.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.hud.gov/buying/index.cfm&quot;&gt;http://www.hud.gov/buying/index.cfm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Offers advice to buyers on finance, fair housing, and more.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ImproveNet&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.improvenet.com/&quot;&gt;www.improvenet.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Provides links to contractors and architects for remodeling projects for buyers and repair services for sellers. For a small charge, buyers can use the site's Estimators to determine how much renovating a property they're considering would cost.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Moving.com&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Helps buyers and sellers with packing tips and timetables, online mover links, and places to store belongings so that homes look less cluttered.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;REALTOR.com&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Offers consumer information for buyers and sellers as well as home listings and links to service providers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council&lt;/strong&gt; (REBAC), &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.rebac.net/hbk.html&quot;&gt;http://www.rebac.net/hbk.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Offers a homebuyer's kit with useful information and checklists.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Trans Union Corporation&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.transunion.com/&quot;&gt;www.transunion.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A source of credit reports.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:08:30 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681250/web-site-resources-for-consumers-</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681247/atlanta-among-10-best-cities-for-rising-home-values-</guid>
      <title>Atlanta among 10 Best Cities for Rising Home Values </title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Business 2.0 &lt;/em&gt;magazine ranks the &lt;a href=&quot;http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/newrules_realestate/index.html&quot; target=&quot;new&quot;&gt;top 10 cities for buying property now&lt;/a&gt;. Experts say that while these locales may not be immune to the current housing malaise, eventually property values in these places, for a variety of reasons, are likely to zoom.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Here's the list, along with the projected gain in home prices:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Panama City, Fla.&lt;/strong&gt;: 72 percent projected gain in home prices over five years. A new airport that will be built next year will open the area to vacationers and residents.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Vero Beach, Fla.&lt;/strong&gt;: 64 percent. Demand for housing along with moderate property taxes and beautiful weather will drive growth.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3. Bridgeport, Conn.&lt;/strong&gt;: 63 percent. Proximity and the staggering home prices in other parts of Fairfield County are making this hardscrabble area appealing to New York City commuters.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;4. Lakeland, Fla.&lt;/strong&gt;: 59 percent. This growing area is only 30 minutes from Tampa via Interstate 4, but prices are 80 percent lower.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;5. McAllen, Texas&lt;/strong&gt;: 57 percent. A Hispanic baby boom and rising incomes are driving demand for bigger homes.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;6. San Luis Obispo, Calif.&lt;/strong&gt;: 40 percent. Compared to southern California, the prices here are low and the developing wine industry adds to the appeal.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;7. Wilmington, N.C.&lt;/strong&gt;: 37 percent. With great golf, mild weather, and its proximity to water, this area is a great retirement community.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;8. Manchester, N.H.&lt;/strong&gt;: 35 percent. This city was the winner of &lt;em&gt;Money Magazine's&lt;/em&gt; best place to live in America. It's within commuting distance of Boston, but home prices are a fraction, and there's no income or sales tax.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;9. Fort Collins, Colo.&lt;/strong&gt;: 28 percent. This winner of many best lists has great schools, low crime, and good jobs - plus 40 parks within the city limits.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;10. &lt;a href=&quot;http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/biz2/newrules_bestinvest/10.html&quot;&gt;Atlanta, Ga.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;: 24 percent. Commuting is a bear here and many newcomers to the area are driving up prices in close-in suburbs as the area's overall economic fortunes continue to rise.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:07:46 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681247/atlanta-among-10-best-cities-for-rising-home-values-</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681246/30-low-cost-ways-to-spruce-up-your-home-</guid>
      <title>30 Low-Cost Ways to Spruce Up Your Home </title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;Make your home more appealing for potential buyers with these quick and easy tips.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;1.&amp;nbsp; Trim bushes so they don't block windows and cut down on light.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;2.&amp;nbsp; Buy a new doormat.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;3.&amp;nbsp;Put a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your porch.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;4.&amp;nbsp; Put new doorknobs on your doors.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;5.&amp;nbsp;Put a fresh coating on your driveway.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;6.&amp;nbsp;Powerwash your garage &amp;amp; then paint it with a garage paint kit from Home Depot. This makes it seems clean &amp;amp; new.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;7.&amp;nbsp; Powerwash your walkways &amp;amp; driveways. This does wonders &amp;amp; brightens up any home from the outside in.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;8.&amp;nbsp; Edge the grass around walks and trees.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;9.&amp;nbsp;Keep your garden tools, trash cans &amp;amp; storage out of site.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;10.Be sure kids put away their toys &amp;amp; pick up dirty clothes.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;11.&amp;nbsp; Buy a new mailbox or replace the numbers on the post.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;12. Upgrade the outside lighting around the walkways.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;13.Use warm, incandescent light bulbs for a homey feel.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;14.&amp;nbsp;Polish or replace your house numbers on your home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;15.&amp;nbsp;Clean your gutters. You can pay someone $50 to get this done.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;16.&amp;nbsp; Put out potpourri or burn scented candles.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;17.&amp;nbsp;Buy new pillows for the sofa.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;18.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Buy a flowering plant and put it in a window you pass by frequently.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;19.&amp;nbsp; Make a centerpiece for your table with fruit or artificial flowers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;20.&amp;nbsp;Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;21.&amp;nbsp;Buy new towels to hang in the bathrooms. A nice, new towel&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;22. Put a seasonal wreath on your door.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;23. Add some inexpensive patio or deck furniture to show a relaxing place for your buyers to rest at the end of the day.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;24.&amp;nbsp;Add hanging plants on patios to add color &amp;amp; a finishing touch.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;25.&amp;nbsp;Get a ladder &amp;amp; clean your windows on the outside of the home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;26. Organize your closets because clutter &amp;amp; disorganization scare some buyers that they home was not well maintained.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;27. Paint walls that have uncommon colors such as fluorescents, bright reds, blues or black.&amp;nbsp; Stick to light beige, cream or white.&amp;nbsp; Buyers can then visualize their things in your home a little easier.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;28. Put dirty dishes in your dishwasher each morning to show you pay attention to the details &amp;amp; you maintain your home daily.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;29.&amp;nbsp; Always make your bed!!!!!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;30.&amp;nbsp;Put dogs in crates in the garage to hinder buyers that are afraid of dogs from not entering your home. Even the smallest dog's bark can scare someone away.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:06:58 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/681246/30-low-cost-ways-to-spruce-up-your-home-</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/636504/real-estate-agents-and-olympian-athletics-their-vision-</guid>
      <title>Real Estate Agents and Olympian Athletics --&gt; Their VISION!</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;As I watched the Olympics this past weekend and reflected on what the majority of the athletics said they did to get ready for their race, I thought about my Real Estate career.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;Most of the athletics said the same thing, just in different words. But all of them said &quot;THEY HAD A VISION&quot; and &quot;THEY HAVE BEEN DREAMING IT ALL ALONG.&quot; &amp;nbsp;They also say they have a MIND SET.&amp;nbsp; If you view the swimmers before they get ready to go on the block, many of them have on head sets to block out all of the activity around they...so they can FOCUS.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;I really learned a great lesson from these athletics, I learned about dedications, focus, plan, mind set and the energy to really want it. &amp;nbsp;I learned if you want to be successful start your day early and everyday work towards that goal. &amp;nbsp;The Olympics is amazing because it reminds you what the human is capable of doing and in real estate we get so caught up in the news, our personal lives and everything else that we forget to focus on our real goal and want we are really capable of when you work towards it everyday.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;I hope this brings inspiration to everyone here at Activerain.&amp;nbsp; I also hope that during these next weeks when you turn on the TV to watch the Olympics that you think about and reflect on what you can learn from these great athletics!&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:01:19 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/636504/real-estate-agents-and-olympian-athletics-their-vision-</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/635003/real-estate-agents-and-olympian-athletics-their-vision-</guid>
      <title>Real Estate Agents and Olympian Athletics --&gt; Their VISION!</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;As I watched the Olympics this past weekend and reflected on what the majority of the athletics said they did to get ready for their race, I thought about my Real Estate career.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;Most of the athletics said the same thing, just in different words. But all of them said &quot;THEY HAD A VISION&quot; and &quot;THEY HAVE BEEN DREAMING IT ALL ALONG.&quot; &amp;nbsp;They also say they have a MIND SET.&amp;nbsp; If you view the swimmers before they get ready to go on the block, many of them have on head sets to block out all of the activity around they...so they can FOCUS.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;I really learned a great lesson from these athletics, I learned about dedications, focus, plan, mind set and the energy to really want it. &amp;nbsp;I learned if you want to be successful start your day early and everyday work towards that goal. &amp;nbsp;The Olympics is amazing because it reminds you what the human is capable of doing and in real estate we get so caught up in the news, our personal lives and everything else that we forget to focus on our real goal and want we are really capable of when you work towards it everyday.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;I hope this brings inspiration to everyone here at Activerain.&amp;nbsp; I also hope that during these next weeks when you turn on the TV to watch the Olympics that you think about and reflect on what you can learn from these great athletics!&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:24:20 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/635003/real-estate-agents-and-olympian-athletics-their-vision-</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624886/how-to-sell-your-home-for-top-dollar-fast-</guid>
      <title>HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME FOR TOP DOLLAR - FAST!</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Actually, most homes can be sold in today's market in a reasonable amount of time, generally within two or three months, and most sellers are getting close to their asking prices.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;There are nine steps in selling a home. If you're having a problem selling your home, review the following to try and determine where the problem lies:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;* STEP 1 - ANALYSIS: The critical element is to correctly predict the price your home will bring in current market conditions. When you get the expected value of your home wrong, you're in for trouble from the start. The typical problem is that a home is priced too high for the market. This is the case for the majority of homes currently for sale. It is either the fault of the agent, the seller or both. You decide.&amp;nbsp; However, a good agent will tell you if they think&amp;nbsp; you're asking too much!&amp;nbsp; As a seller, you need a different view point to be honest &amp;amp; helpful in your quest to sell.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;* STEP 2 - MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE WORDS AND PRICE: The data entered into the Multiple Listing Service computer will affect the number of times your home's information appears in other agents' computer searches of properties to consider. It will also determine whether your home will be shown to a prospective buyer. Carefully review the words and the price. Your agent should also be updating this regularly and post information to entice agents to show your property.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;* STEP 3 - TRAFFIC: A home needs at least two to three showings weekly in order to confirm that it is &quot;in tune&quot; with the market. If few agents call to show your home, the problem is certainly in steps 1 or 2 above.&amp;nbsp; However, showings do vary depending on holidays, school schedules &amp;amp; weather so this must be taken into consideration.&amp;nbsp; Slower markets should still be getting at least 1 showing a week.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;* STEP 4 - REMEMBERING: It is important that the buyer is able to remember your home. The flyer he or she has picked up in your home will help. It is critical at this stage for the buyer to rank your home among the best of the 30, 40 or 50 he or she has seen and to keep it under active consideration. Be sure your home's brochure is well prepared.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;*STEP 5 - RETURN FOR A SECOND VISIT: If the buyer decides to return for a second visit, either he or she has forgotten some detail or, more likely, your home is on his or her &quot;short list.&quot; It is most important to alert your agent promptly and to put your home's best foot forward at such a critical time.Your agent should be contacting these people immediately.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;* STEP 6 - THE OFFER: When you receive a written offer, your home is almost sold: At this point most buyers have decided your home is the one. But be careful: Many will have a second choice, and a good buyer-broker will not forget to mention this when the contract is presented. You usually have a short time to respond so it's best that you know what you're willing to accept.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;* STEP 7 - AGREEMENT: Assuming you have a serious buyer and you have avoided an emotional conflagration, you will come to an agreement. What is said during negotiations is often less important than how it is said. What is not said can be critical.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;* STEP 8 - REMOVAL OF CONTINGENCIES: Although you can hit a bump or two at this stage, they normally are not fatal. Possible problems that can surface very late in the game are a low appraisal or lack of loan approval. While these are serious problems indeed, especially in the week or two before settlement, they can usually be resolved with the help of experienced agents. If problems arise with the appraisal, your agent will ask for a copy and should share it with you.&amp;nbsp; If you feel the appraiser is completely out of place, order your own appraisal and compare the two.&amp;nbsp; If it determines the appraisal is going to ruin the deal, consider decreasing the sales price and not pay closing costs to offset the difference.&amp;nbsp; Don't let the appraisal kill your sale as it may be an issue with your next potential buyer in the future.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;* STEP 9 - FINAL INSPECTION AND SETTLEMENT: When you get to the settlement table, the only issue remaining is usually the result of the buyer's final inspection. Any findings are customarily minor. At this point significant problems are unthinkable, so relax and keep signing. If the buyer asks for things to be repaired from the home inspection, be willing to compromise.&amp;nbsp; If there are 10 items to repair, pick the cheapest 3 or 4 and repair those to make them feel that you are willing and ready to help this sale come to terms.&amp;nbsp; Not compromising and unwilling to fix even the smallest things puts fear in the buyers minds that you are unreasonable and that possibly the deal will fall through at the closing table.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:21:48 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624886/how-to-sell-your-home-for-top-dollar-fast-</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624884/atlanta-among-10-best-cities-for-rising-home-values</guid>
      <title>Atlanta among 10 Best Cities for Rising Home Values</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Business 2.0 &lt;/em&gt;magazine ranks the &lt;a href=&quot;http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/newrules_realestate/index.html&quot; target=&quot;new&quot;&gt;top 10 cities for buying property now&lt;/a&gt;. Experts say that while these locales may not be immune to the current housing malaise, eventually property values in these places, for a variety of reasons, are likely to zoom.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Here's the list, along with the projected gain in home prices:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Panama City, Fla.&lt;/strong&gt;: 72 percent projected gain in home prices over five years. A new airport that will be built next year will open the area to vacationers and residents.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Vero Beach, Fla.&lt;/strong&gt;: 64 percent. Demand for housing along with moderate property taxes and beautiful weather will drive growth.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3. Bridgeport, Conn.&lt;/strong&gt;: 63 percent. Proximity and the staggering home prices in other parts of Fairfield County are making this hardscrabble area appealing to New York City commuters.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;4. Lakeland, Fla.&lt;/strong&gt;: 59 percent. This growing area is only 30 minutes from Tampa via Interstate 4, but prices are 80 percent lower.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;5. McAllen, Texas&lt;/strong&gt;: 57 percent. A Hispanic baby boom and rising incomes are driving demand for bigger homes.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;6. San Luis Obispo, Calif.&lt;/strong&gt;: 40 percent. Compared to southern California, the prices here are low and the developing wine industry adds to the appeal.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;7. Wilmington, N.C.&lt;/strong&gt;: 37 percent. With great golf, mild weather, and its proximity to water, this area is a great retirement community.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;8. Manchester, N.H.&lt;/strong&gt;: 35 percent. This city was the winner of &lt;em&gt;Money Magazine's&lt;/em&gt; best place to live in America. It's within commuting distance of Boston, but home prices are a fraction, and there's no income or sales tax.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;9. Fort Collins, Colo.&lt;/strong&gt;: 28 percent. This winner of many best lists has great schools, low crime, and good jobs - plus 40 parks within the city limits.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;10. &lt;a href=&quot;http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/biz2/newrules_bestinvest/10.html&quot;&gt;Atlanta, Ga.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;: 24 percent. Commuting is a bear here and many newcomers to the area are driving up prices in close-in suburbs as the area's overall economic fortunes continue to rise.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:20:59 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624884/atlanta-among-10-best-cities-for-rising-home-values</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624874/buying-your-home-appraisals-market-value</guid>
      <title>Buying Your Home - Appraisals &amp; Market Value</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is the return on new versus previously owned homes?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Buying into a new-home community may seem riskier than purchasing a house in an established neighborhood, but any increase in home value depends upon the same factors: quality of the neighborhood, growth in the local housing market and the state of the overall economy.&amp;nbsp; One survey by the National Association of Realtors shows that resale homes do have an edge over new homes. The trade group's figures show the median price of resale homes increased4.3 percent between 1999 and 2000, compared to 2.8 percent for new homes in the same period.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What's a house worth?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A home ultimately is worth what someone will pay for it. Everything else is an estimate of value. To determine a property's value, most people turn to either an appraisal or a comparative market analysis.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; An appraisal is a certified appraiser's estimate of the value of a home at a given point in time. Appraisers consider square footage, construction quality, design, floor plan, neighborhood and availability of transportation, shopping and schools. Appraisers also take lot size, topography, view and landscaping into account. Most appraisals cost about $300.&amp;nbsp; A comparative market analysis is a real estate broker's or agent's informal estimate of a home's market value, based on sales of comparable homes in a neighborhood. Most agents will give you a comparative market analysis for free.&amp;nbsp; You can do your own cost comparison by looking up recent sales of comparable properties in public records. These records are available at local recorder or assessor offices, through private real estate information companies or on the Internet.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What standards do appraisers use to estimate value?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Appraisers use several factors when estimating a home's value, including the home's size and square footage, the condition of the home and neighborhood, comparable local sales, any pertinent historical information, sales performance and indices that forecast future value. For detailed information on appraisal standards, contact the Appraisal Institute at 875 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60611-1980; (312) 335-4458.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can I find out the value of my home through the Internet?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You can get some idea of your home's value by searching the Internet. A number of Web sites and services crunch the numbers from historic public records of home sales to produce the statistics. Some services offer an actual estimate of value based on acceptable software appraisal standards. They also depend on historic home sales records to calculate the estimate. Neither of these services produce official appraisals. They also don't factor in market nuances or other issues a certified appraiser or real estate professional might in assessing the value of your home.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is the difference between list price, sales price and appraised value?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The list price is a seller's advertised price, a figure that usually is only a rough estimate of what the seller wants to get. Sellers can price high, low or close to what they hope to get. To judge whether the list price is a fair one, be sure to consult comparable sales prices in the area. The sales price is the amount of money you as a buyer would pay for a property. The appraisal value is a certified appraiser's estimate of the worth of a property, and is based on comparable sales, the condition of the property and numerous other factors.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What are the standard ways of finding out how much a home is worth?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A comparative market analysis and an appraisal are the standard methods for determining a home's value. Your real estate agent will be happy to provide a comparative market analysis, an informal estimate of value based on comparable sales in the neighborhood. Be sure you get listing prices of current homes on the market as well as those that have sold. You also can research this yourself by checking on recent sales in public records. Be sure that you are researching properties that are similar in size, construction and location. This information is not only available at your local recorder's or assessor's office but also through private companies and on the Internet. An appraisal, which generally costs $200 to $300 to perform, is a certified appraiser's opinion of the value of a home at any given time. Appraisers review numerous factors including recent comparable sales, location, square footage and construction quality.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How do you determine the value of a troubled property?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Buyers considering a foreclosure property should obtain as much information as possible from the lender, including the range of bids expected. It also is important to examine the property. If you are unable to get into a foreclosure property, check with surrounding neighbors about the property's condition. It also is possible to do your own cost comparison through researching comparable properties recorded at local county recorder's and assessor's offices, or through Internet sites specializing in property records.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What is the difference between market value and appraised value?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The appraised value of a house is a certified appraiser's opinion of the worth of a home at a given point in time. Lenders require appraisals as part of the loan application process; fees range from $200 to $300.&amp;nbsp; Market value is what price the house will bring at a given point in time. A comparative market analysis is an informal estimate of market value, based on sales of comparable properties, performed by a real estate agent or broker. Either an appraisal or a comparative market analysis is the most accurate way to determine what your home is worth.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:19:21 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624874/buying-your-home-appraisals-market-value</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624844/web-site-resources-for-consumers</guid>
      <title>Web Site Resources for Consumers</title>
      <description>&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Credit Union Consumer Facts&lt;/strong&gt;, http://www.cuna.org/data/consumer/advice/retire_home/hometoc.html&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;strong&gt;EnergyGuide.com&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;EnergyStar.gov&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Provides an easy way to assess energy use and get quick tips on saving energy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Environmental Protection Agency&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.epa.gov/&quot;&gt;www.epa.gov&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A one-stop shop for advice on testing for and mitigating pollutants, from lead paint to radon to mold.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Equifax&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.eqifax.com/&quot;&gt;www.eqifax.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A source of credit reports.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Experian&lt;/strong&gt; (formerly TRW), &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.experian.com/&quot;&gt;www.experian.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A source of credit reports.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Federal Citizen Information Center&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/results.tpl?id1=17&amp;amp;startat=1&amp;amp;--woSECTIONSdatarq=17&amp;amp;--SECTIONSword=ww&quot;&gt;http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/results.tpl?id1=17&amp;amp;startat=1&amp;amp;--woSECTIONSdatarq=17&amp;amp;--SECTIONSword=ww&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Offers a list of consumer articles about home sales, financing, and maintenance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ginnie Mae&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ginniemae.gov/&quot;&gt;http://www.ginniemae.gov&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Provides advice to buyers on affordability and homeownership, including calculators.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.hud.gov/buying/index.cfm&quot;&gt;http://www.hud.gov/buying/index.cfm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Offers advice to buyers on finance, fair housing, and more.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ImproveNet&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.improvenet.com/&quot;&gt;www.improvenet.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Provides links to contractors and architects for remodeling projects for buyers and repair services for sellers. For a small charge, buyers can use the site's Estimators to determine how much renovating a property they're considering would cost.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Moving.com&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Helps buyers and sellers with packing tips and timetables, online mover links, and places to store belongings so that homes look less cluttered.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;REALTOR.com&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Offers consumer information for buyers and sellers as well as home listings and links to service providers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council&lt;/strong&gt; (REBAC), &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.rebac.net/hbk.html&quot;&gt;http://www.rebac.net/hbk.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Offers a homebuyer's kit with useful information and checklists.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Trans Union Corporation&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.transunion.com/&quot;&gt;www.transunion.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A source of credit reports.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:09:38 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624844/web-site-resources-for-consumers</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624838/30-low-cost-ways-to-spruce-up-your-home-</guid>
      <title>30 Low-Cost Ways to Spruce Up Your Home </title>
      <description>&lt;h1&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;Make your home more appealing for potential buyers with these quick and easy tips.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;1.&amp;nbsp; Trim bushes so they don't block windows and cut down on light.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;2.&amp;nbsp; Buy a new doormat.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;3.&amp;nbsp;Put a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your porch.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;4.&amp;nbsp; Put new doorknobs on your doors.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;5.&amp;nbsp;Put a fresh coating on your driveway.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;6.&amp;nbsp;Powerwash your garage &amp;amp; then paint it with a garage paint kit from Home Depot. This makes it seems clean &amp;amp; new.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;7.&amp;nbsp; Powerwash your walkways &amp;amp; driveways. This does wonders &amp;amp; brightens up any home from the outside in.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;8.&amp;nbsp; Edge the grass around walks and trees.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;9.&amp;nbsp;Keep your garden tools, trash cans &amp;amp; storage out of site.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;10.Be sure kids put away their toys &amp;amp; pick up dirty clothes.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;11.&amp;nbsp; Buy a new mailbox or replace the numbers on the post.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;12. Upgrade the outside lighting around the walkways.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;13.Use warm, incandescent light bulbs for a homey feel.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;14.&amp;nbsp;Polish or replace your house numbers on your home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;15.&amp;nbsp;Clean your gutters. You can pay someone $50 to get this done.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;16.&amp;nbsp; Put out potpourri or burn scented candles.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;17.&amp;nbsp;Buy new pillows for the sofa.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;18.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Buy a flowering plant and put it in a window you pass by frequently.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;19.&amp;nbsp; Make a centerpiece for your table with fruit or artificial flowers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;20.&amp;nbsp;Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;21.&amp;nbsp;Buy new towels to hang in the bathrooms. A nice, new towel&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;22. Put a seasonal wreath on your door.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;23. Add some inexpensive patio or deck furniture to show a relaxing place for your buyers to rest at the end of the day.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;24.&amp;nbsp;Add hanging plants on patios to add color &amp;amp; a finishing touch.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;25.&amp;nbsp;Get a ladder &amp;amp; clean your windows on the outside of the home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;26. Organize your closets because clutter &amp;amp; disorganization scare some buyers that they home was not well maintained.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;27. Paint walls that have uncommon colors such as fluorescents, bright reds, blues or black.&amp;nbsp; Stick to light beige, cream or white.&amp;nbsp; Buyers can then visualize their things in your home a little easier.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;28. Put dirty dishes in your dishwasher each morning to show you pay attention to the details &amp;amp; you maintain your home daily.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;29.&amp;nbsp; Always make your bed!!!!!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;30.&amp;nbsp;Put dogs in crates in the garage to hinder buyers that are afraid of dogs from not entering your home. Even the smallest dog's bark can scare someone away.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/h1&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:07:45 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624838/30-low-cost-ways-to-spruce-up-your-home-</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624831/lifecycles-to-real-estate</guid>
      <title>Lifecycles to Real Estate</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;There are 4 phases, or lifecycles, to real estate and here is how it often goes.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Phase 1:&lt;/strong&gt; You will see new construction, bright shiny homes popping up, landscaping contests, baby strollers and tricycles in the neighborhood. This is probably going on in the suburbs of the city, as new growth tends to radiate out at a pace of one mile per year from growing and prosperous cities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Phase 2:&lt;/strong&gt; The same neighborhood now 10-15 years later has aged a bit and now you see basketball hoops and 2-wheel bikes, as the kids are older and want more mobility.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Phase 3:&lt;/strong&gt;The kids are grown and gone with families of their own and now the parents are riding their own 3-wheel bicycles, trikes to the hip grannies. Here in Phase 3, you're looking at 25-35 year old homes, where some people are passing away. Others are just hanging in and some are moving in with the kids or going to an A.L.F. (Assisted Living Facility). No doubt, you have outdated homes, deferred maintenance and some repairs to be made. Here is the beauty of this whole thing. These are my cosmetology candidates. Here's why! The formally elder owners lived there and they needed everything to work. They didn't update it. They just fixed things that needed repair in order to maintain a level of comfort. They had pest control and the Sears man come annually and piddled around. So things were kind of looked after in that manner. Buy here!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Phase 4:&lt;/strong&gt; That's what happens as a result of you buying your ripe- for-rehab fixer-upper in Phase 3 neighborhoods. Odds are, you will rent it out, lease-option it or sell it to a young family when it does sell, and guess what? Yep, out come the tricycles and baby strollers and it starts all over again.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Tricycles&lt;br /&gt;Bicycles&lt;br /&gt;3-wheel bikes (buy here!)&lt;br /&gt;Revitalization&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Determine what cycle different neighborhoods are in! Follow cycle #3.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Isn't that a beautiful story; isn't that the truth? Think about your own parents and your own childhood. Now I also want you to think about that brand new young family that is counting on you to treat them fairly and give them a trouble-free home when they buy or rent from you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The harder and smarter you work, the better quality and value you can provide to others. Don't rip them off. Don't take advantage, don't scrimp and for Pete's sake, do your best to do your level best. You need education and help from others to achieve these heights of excellence.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:05:24 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624831/lifecycles-to-real-estate</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624827/your-residence-the-ultimate-tax-shelter-understanding-the-new-rules-of-the-game</guid>
      <title>Your Residence - The Ultimate Tax Shelter? Understanding the New Rules of the Game</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Thanks to legislation enacted during 1997 and subsequent guidance issued by the IRS, the rules of the game have been dramatically changed relating to the sale of a principal residence. There are significant tax planning opportunities in the new rules, but some taxpayers will be worse off. Many of the old concepts have been repealed, so we need to adapt our thinking to the new rules.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Goodbye to these familiar old rules!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For example, previously we were concerned with replacing the residence with another residence with a purchase price equal to or exceeding the selling price of the former residence within a certain time frame. That rule has been repealed. No replacement residence is required. Each residence stands on its own.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Previously, &quot;fixing up expenses&quot; were a factor in determining the deferred gain with respect to a principal residence. Fixing up expenses are no longer part of the computation under the new rules.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Previously, taxpayers age 55 or over were eligible to exclude $125,000 of gain from the sale of a principal residence. Under the new rules, taxpayers age 55 or over are treated the same as other taxpayers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Some winners, some losers. &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Sometimes there are winners and losers of tax changes. There will be some losers in Silicon Valley under this provision. Members of Congress couldn't envision middle class homes appreciating more than $500,000, as some have here.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The new exclusion amounts.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Under the new rules, an individual may exclude from income up to $250,000 ($500,000 on a joint return) of gain realized from the sale of a principal residence.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A taxpayer may elect to recognize the gain from the sale of their residence. A taxpayer could decide to do this if the gain was small and the election enabled the taxpayer to claim the exclusion for another residence within the two-year period with a bigger gain.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Frequency of sales limit - ownership and use tests&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The exclusion applies to one sale or exchange every two years. Sales before May 7, 1997 are not taken into account. The home is not required to be the principal residence at the time of purchase or sale, it only needs to meet the ownership and use tests.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Under the ownership test, the individual must have owned the residence as a principal residence for a total of at least two of the five years before the sale or exchange. Effective for sales and exchanges after October 22, 2004, the residence must have been held for more than five years after the date of acquisition if the property was acquired in a tax-deferred exchange. For example, this would apply if property acquired in a tax-deferred exchange was initially used as rental property and was later converted to a principal residence.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Under the use test, the individual must have occupied the residence as a principal residence for a total of at least two of the five years before the sale or exchange.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The ownership and use tests may be met at different times, provided both tests are met for the five-year period before the sale.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ownership and use of prior residences. &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For principal residences not acquired in a tax-deferred exchange, taxpayers may include the periods of ownership and use of principal residences with respect to which gain was rolled over to the current residence under the old rules.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For example, in 1995 Jack sold a residence he bought in 1980. He replaced the residence under the old rules in 1996. In applying the tests for testing holding periods under the new law, Jack is considered as acquiring the replacement residence in 1980.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Incapacitated taxpayers. &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A taxpayer who becomes physically or mentally incapable of self-care is deemed to use a residence as a principal residence during the time which the individual owns the residence and resides in a licensed care facility. In order for this exception to apply, the taxpayer must have owned and used the residence as a principal residence for at least one year during the five years before the sale or exchange.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Divorced taxpayers. &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The ownership and use of a spouse or former spouse are attributed to a taxpayer to whom a residence is transferred incident to a divorce.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Widowed taxpayers. &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The ownership and use of a deceased spouse are attributed to the surviving spouse.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Married individuals. &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Married persons filing a joint return will qualify for the $500,000 exclusion on a joint return, provided (1) either spouse meets the ownership test, (2) both spouses meet the use test, and (3) neither spouse is ineligible for exclusion because he or she made a sale or exchange of a residence within the last two years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Married persons who don't qualify for the $500,000 exclusion may still use the $250,000 exclusion, or a prorated exclusion, if either spouse meets the ownership and use requirements.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When a surviving spouse sells a residence, he or she will generally only be eligible for the $250,000 exclusion on his or her tax return filed as a single person, head of household or surviving spouse. It appears he or she may be eligible for the $500,000 exclusion if the residence is sold during the year of death of his or her spouse, provided the sale is reported on a final joint return. Since there is usually a basis adjustment to the fair market value of the residence as of the date of death for the decedent's interest in the property (100% for community property or the separate property of the decedent), no tax benefit will be lost unless the residence is the separate property of the surviving spouse.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Gain recognized for depreciation. &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Gain up to the amount of depreciation allowable for the rental or business use of the property after May 6, 1997 will be taxable and not eligible for exclusion.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Exclusion prorated. &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For principal residences except for residences acquired in a tax deferred exchange after October 22, 2004, if a taxpayer does not meet the ownership or residence requirements, a pro-rata amount of the $250,000 or $500,000 exclusion applies if the sale or exchange is due to a change in place of employment, health, or unforeseen circumstances. The amount of the available exclusion is equal to $250,000 ($500,000) multiplied by a fraction equal to the shorter of the number of months of (1) the total of periods during which the ownership and use requirements were met during the five-year period ending on the date of sale, or (2) the period after the date of the most recent sale or exchange to which the exclusion applied divided by 24 months.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For example, Jane had to sell her residence during 2004 because she had to move for a new job. She is a single person. She bought her residence on January 1, 2003 and sold it on January 1, 2004. Her available exclusion is $250,000 X 12 / 24 = $125,000. If Jane realized a gain for the sale of her residence of $100,000, the entire amount would be excluded from her taxable income.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The IRS has issued regulations that explain many alternative scenarios that are eligible for the exclusion prorate. They make it clear that taxpayers who want to upgrade their residence because of an improvement in their economic status do not qualify. Otherwise, the regulations are surprisingly liberal, including allowing taxpayers to prove they are eligible for a hardship exception because of their &quot;facts and circumstances&quot;!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Certain expatriates. &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Nonresident aliens who gave up their US citizenship for the principal purpose of avoiding tax are not eligible for the exclusion.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Involuntary conversions. &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The destruction, theft, seizure, requisition or condemnation of property is treated as a sale or exchange of the residence. Any gain in excess of the exclusion amount may be deferred by purchasing a replacement residence under the involuntary conversion rules.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Observations. &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Now California seniors can get a significant exclusion of gain from the sale of their principal residences and can exclude retirement benefits from California tax when they move out of state. These are significant incentives to move to a state with no income tax, such as Washington and Nevada.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;It will still be important to keep records of the improvements to your residence and your original escrow when it is likely you will sell the home for an amount over the exclusion amount and for California reporting.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For those who would have a substantial taxable gain under the new rules, it may make sense to convert the residence to rental property to be eligible for a tax-deferred exchange.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Remember that a residence that is inherited receives a new &quot;tax basis&quot; (cost to determine gain or loss) as of the date of death of the decedent. A residence that is held as community property is eligible to have the entire basis adjusted. However, this step-up in basis will be severely reduced if the estate tax is repealed. See your tax advisor.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Remember also that the tax basis of a residence that was a replacement residence for a pre-May 7, 1997 sale is reduced for any deferred gain from the previous sale.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;An estate or trust does not qualify for the exclusion for the sale of a principal residence. As explained above, there should be little gain provided the sale takes place shortly after death.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The IRS issued rules that are surprisingly liberal for home offices. Although gain must be reported up to the amount of accumulated depreciation for a home office located within the main residence structure, it will otherwise qualify for the exclusion. A home office located in a separate structure from the main residence structure is not eligible for the exclusion. However, a separate structure home office may qualify for a tax-deferred exchange. (Rev. Proc. 2005-14.) See you tax advisor for details.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The new rules open up a whole new playing field for real estate investment on a tax-free (or minimal tax) basis.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;&amp;middot;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; At retirement, a taxpayer could sell his or her principal residence, move to his or her vacation home, and sell the former vacation home after two years, qualifying for another exclusion of gain.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;&amp;middot;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; An investor could move into &quot;fix up&quot; homes every two years. The rehabilitated homes could be sold every two years tax free (up to the exclusion amounts)!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;bull;&amp;middot;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Suppose a taxpayer wants to retire to another location, and has a rental property in addition to a principal residence. The taxpayer could sell the principal residence and claim the exclusion amount. The rental property could be exchanged for another income property in the taxpayer's new location. The replacement rental property could be converted to a principal residence after it has been &quot;aged&quot; to insure the exchange. Then the former rental property could later be sold after the qualifying period of use as a principal residence (five years) and the exclusion claimed for the sale.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&amp;copy; 2006 by Michael C. Gray, CPA&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:04:34 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624827/your-residence-the-ultimate-tax-shelter-understanding-the-new-rules-of-the-game</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624823/tips-on-buying-in-a-tight-market-</guid>
      <title>Tips on Buying in a Tight Market </title>
      <description>&lt;h1&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;Increase your chances of getting your dream house instead of losing it to another buyer, with these easy steps.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol type=&quot;1&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Get prequalified for a mortgage. You'll be able to make a firm commitment to buy and make your offer more desirable to the seller.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol type=&quot;1&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Stay in close touch with your real estate sales associate to find out first about new listings that come on the market. And be ready to go see a house as soon as it goes on the market.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol type=&quot;1&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Scout out new listings yourself. Look at Internet sites, newspaper ads, and drive by the neighborhood frequently. Maybe you'll see a brand-new &quot;for sale&quot; sign before anyone else.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol type=&quot;1&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Be ready to make a decision. Spend lots of time in advance deciding what you must have so you won't be unsure when you have the chance to make an offer.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol type=&quot;1&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Bid competitively. You may not want to start out offering the absolute highest price you can afford, but don't try to go too low to get a deal. In a tight market, you'll lose out.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol type=&quot;1&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Keep contingencies to a minimum. Restrictions such as needing to sell your home before you move or wanting to delay the closing until a certain date can make your offer unappealing. In a tight market, you'll probably be able to sell your house rapidly. Or talk to your lender about getting a bridge loan to cover both mortgages for a short period.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol type=&quot;1&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Don't get caught in a buying frenzy. Just because there's competition doesn't mean you should just buy anything. And even though you want to make your offer attractive, don't neglect inspections that help ensure that your house is sound.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:02:37 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624823/tips-on-buying-in-a-tight-market-</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624441/homeownership-helps-consumers-legally-avoid-taxes</guid>
      <title>Homeownership Helps Consumers Legally Avoid Taxes</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;One of the benefits I love the most about homeownership is the ability to avoid taxes. My house is a wonderful provider of deductions that save me thousands of dollars each year on my tax bill. Here are some deductions and tax reduction strategies you should be aware of as you approach April 15.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mortgage Interest:&lt;/strong&gt; Oh yeah -- here's the biggie. Homeowners with a mortgage should have received a Form 1098 from their mortgage service provider. If you have been making payments to an owner financier, then you need to make sure the note holder fills out this form and sends it to you. On my mortgage, this is going to turn into a $13,000-plus deduction right off the top.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Government statistics reveal I'm in good company: Nearly 36 million taxpayers claimed the deduction in 2001, providing a cumulative deduction of $330.7 billion -- or about $9,100 per taxpayer. This one deduction represented more than a third of all itemized deductions. Since 1980, the amount deducted has been growing at about 8.5 percent each year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Points:&lt;/strong&gt; If you bought or refinanced a house this last year (and with the low interest rates, nearly half of all homeowners refinanced), you now have some deductions from the points you may have paid in the financing process. A point is a fee paid to the mortgage originator equal to one percent of the loan. If you bought your house last year and financed the purchase, you may deduct the full value of the points paid at the time of the purchase. For those who refinanced, the points are amortized over the life of the loan. Also, if you refinanced and are deducting a fraction of the points over the term of the loan, once you sell the house and pay off the mortgage, the remainder of the points are fully deductible.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Real Estate Taxes:&lt;/strong&gt; My real estate taxes paid through the mortgage company are also listed on the Form 1098 and they total more than $3,500 for the year. Combining this figure with my mortgage interest I have a $16,500 deduction. Woohoo! Kind of takes the pain out of writing that monthly payment (well, just a little).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Home Office:&lt;/strong&gt; If you are making money through a home-based business, you can reduce your taxable income from that activity by deducting expenses connected to a home office. (This deduction is also available to renters, not just homeowners.) The home office opens up a lot of expenses on the house that would not otherwise be deductible. For instance, if you carpet the whole house and your home office makes up 10 percent of your living area, then 10 percent of the carpet job is deductible. Don't overlook this valuable deduction.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Capital Gains Roll Over:&lt;/strong&gt; For my real estate investor friends, don't forget that you can avoid capital gains taxes when you sell one investment property and buy another property. This is called a 1031 Exchange or Starker Exchange. It allows you to roll over all the gain from one property to the next without paying capital gains taxes. An investor MUST use a qualified intermediary for this process, which ensures the investor does not gain access to the funds during the transaction. If the investor gains access to the funds before settling on the replacement property, then capital gains taxes are required to be paid. (After settlement, however, the investor can refinance with a cash-out program to gain access to the equity.)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Monitor Your Basis:&lt;/strong&gt; Tax time provides a great opportunity each year to keep up with the ongoing growing basis of your largest investment. The basis is the bottom line number you'll use once you sell your house to determine if you own capital gains taxes. It is the combination of the acquisition cost of buying the house, plus any capital improvements over the years, which can include items such as:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul type=&quot;disc&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Adding a new foundation or facade. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Installing new floors or replacing current floors with tile. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Replacing or reshingling the roof (but not repairing the roof). &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Installing a fire escape. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Installing new wiring (but not replacing old or defective wiring). &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;New Capital Gains Tax Rates:&lt;/strong&gt; If, through the sale of real estate you experience capital gains, your tax bill was reduced thanks to the 2003 Tax Act. The new rates are now 15 percent and 5 percent, depending on your income.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For details on any of the above, you can search &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.irs.gov/&quot; target=&quot;_new&quot;&gt;www.irs.gov&lt;/a&gt; for tax helps, forms and publications.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:02:26 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/624441/homeownership-helps-consumers-legally-avoid-taxes</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/617102/help-what-ideas-do-you-have-to-keep-in-contact-with-your-database-</guid>
      <title>Help! What ideas do you have to keep in contact with your Database?</title>
      <description>&lt;table border=&quot;0&quot; width=&quot;100%&quot;&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr valign=&quot;top&quot;&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I have recently started a database contacting system.&amp;nbsp; This is where I talked to people and then add them to my database and then do an 8 x 8 campaign to keep in contact with them.&amp;nbsp; But I am having a hard time finding the right things to say and do in the campaign.&amp;nbsp; Does anyone do this and do they have any suggestions?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Here are my catagories:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;FSBO 8 x 8 &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Just Met 8 x 8 (people I met during the day) &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Not Met 8 x 8 (internet leads) &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Sellers (thinking about puting house on market) &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Buyers &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Investors &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Vendors (companies I work with 8 x 8 to get them knowing me and referring business to me) &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Other agents &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Let's brainstorm together...here are some ideas I have already thought of:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;JUST METS CATAGORY&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Week 1: send an email talking about how I enjoyed meeting with them and letting them know they can use me as a resource if they ever need any vendors &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Week 2: send an email talking about what I do and how I do business &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Week 3:&amp;nbsp; Give them a call to see if they received my information and see where they are with me. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Week 4: Send an email with local weekend events in the area &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Week 5: News in the market &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Week 6: Call to check and see where they are. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Week 7: Give home improvement information &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Week 8: Call and make a decision whether to keep or take off database than put them on 12 x 12 campaign &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;What other ideas do you have...Thanks for the support.&amp;nbsp; I am trying to work my business right and want all the ideas I can get.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:36:42 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/617102/help-what-ideas-do-you-have-to-keep-in-contact-with-your-database-</link>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid>http://activerain.com/blogsview/617097/tip-of-the-week-for-prospecting-who-do-you-know-looking-to-buy-or-sell-</guid>
      <title>Tip of the Week for prospecting: WHO do you know looking to buy or sell? </title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;One thing I have been doing on a regular bases is whom ever I talk to I ask &lt;strong&gt;WHO do you know looking to buy or sell real estate?&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp; The who is important because they can't just say yes or no.&amp;nbsp; I say this to everyone I meet and then I get there information and stay in contact with them.&amp;nbsp; The following week I ask them the question again.&amp;nbsp; This has made me lots of money.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;What do you do that is very profitable?&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <dc:creator>Jacinta Lujan (Georgia Elite Realty)</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:34:27 -0500</pubDate>
      <link>http://activerain.com/blogsview/617097/tip-of-the-week-for-prospecting-who-do-you-know-looking-to-buy-or-sell-</link>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>
