I thought it might never come after the winter we endured, but Spring has arrived in Westchester County. As always, it is beautiful, with forsythia and cherry blossoms making their debut ahead of many other pieces of God's artistry. This is Gregory (who has stolen Mom's iPad) and his faithful Ma
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04/30/2011
Gizmos Drive Me Crazy. 16 short months ago, I bought a Netbook laptop with a 3g Internet connection. It made me a tech savvy guy. I would see a client at their home and watch their jaws drop as I logged onto the Multiple Listing Service and produced a market analysis right before their eyes. Th
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04/30/2011
I have barely had time to notice Active Rain's server issues because of a frantic past two weeks in my own little corner of the world. Among many things, I had to take two days and drive to Rochester, 300 miles away, to handle some business with some properties we own. Like any busy broker, getti
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04/26/2011
How to Submit a Low Offer on a New York Listing What is more compelling to someone selling a home when presented with an offer on their property: A voicemail or A well written offer sheet complete with a cover letter, proof of funds, pre approval and specific terms If you are like me, you'll
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04/21/2011
Is a sale any less valuable if a broker or manager steps in and helps? One thing I appreciate when I assist members of my firm in their transactions is that my guys truly care for their clients. It certainly shows in their actions, and I have the front row seat as broker to see how they approach
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04/16/2011
Like many associations across the country, our own MLS had a moment of silence at our monthly meeting yesterday in memory of fallen Realtor colleague Ashley Oakland. The news has been a bitter pill to swallow for agents all over the USA, and I can't fathom her loved ones' grief and suffering. To
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04/16/2011
If you haven't heard, another real estate agent has been murdered. 27 year old Ashley Oakland was shot twice while at a model townhome in West Des Moines, Iowa. Her company, Iowa Realty, has suspended all open houses. This tragedy sickens me as a father, as a broker, and as a human being. Here i
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04/10/2011
Two follow up pieces of news on topics I have blogged on recently: Ossining voters have overwhelmingly rejected the $69,000,000 bond proposal for the expansion and renovation of the school buildings. I wrote a piece voicing my own opposition to the proposal, and evidently, other school district
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04/10/2011
I read the NY Times far less because of the paywall, but today's editorial brings to light a new problem with big lenders embroiled in the robo-signing scandal: they are already making a backroom deal for a slap on the wrist and permission to continue with business as usual. The banks gameplan th
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04/10/2011
I seldom re blog posts from other authors but this piece by John Mulkey is sound advice that more people should consider. All too often, I'll show a home that was bought at foreclosure and rehabilitated in a manner that addressed cosmetics but left mechanicals and structural matters in a dubiou
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04/09/2011
