Why Does the National Association want to give home value estimates? - 06/29/08 12:51 AM
This was my response to a blog written by John Elwell http:
//activerain.com/blogsview/569682/Isn-t-NAR-and.
Hi John,
I was on an advisory group for the NY State Association of Realtors regarding statewide datasharing.
THe group after much discussion came up with the idea to keep the Realtor in the forefront of the Real … (12 comments)
|
Inviting people to Active Rain - 06/28/08 10:45 PM
Just a few short months ago I started on Active Rain. I am really enjoying the comraderie and willingness to share information here.
I have even gotten to know some of the local brokers in my area better.
The other day I noticed someone shooting by me points wise, and … (19 comments)
|
Hearing the same thing from someone else. - 06/28/08 10:38 PM
I have seen it with buyers, I have seen it with sellers, I have seen it with agents.
You explain things to them, the actualities of the market, the inventory and how to neqotiate or even successful sales techniques and they don't always listen.
With a seller I had another … (12 comments)
|
Is your office wireless? - 06/26/08 11:43 PM
We are putting some wireless features in our office. People with laptops will be able to access without plugging in and we will be able to print on two of our printers wirelessly.
My Techie told me that you need to be careful with security on the wireless network, so … (23 comments)
|
Open houses, do they work? - 06/25/08 09:24 PM
They have for me!
A few minutes ago I was answering that blog question and I felt my answer was informational enough to post.
I sold 2 houses last year at my own open houses. One of them, was a lovely home and the seller called 10 min before I was leaving … (17 comments)
|
Taking better real estate pictures. II - 06/24/08 02:20 PM
In my years in Real Estate I think the biggest mistake people make is using some REALLY BAD PHOTOS.
I am all for potraying properties honestly, but I have seen pictures of tiny bathrooms with mildew on the shower curtain and wall. WHY WOULD YOU PUT THAT ON THE MLS?
Here's … (13 comments)
|
Taking Good Real Estate Photos. - 06/24/08 01:55 PM
This picture was framed well, but a sunny day gave dark shadows on the lawn & house.
Sometimes a cloudy day is better or get the sun shining on the house, not shading it.
If there is a tree or telephone pole directly in front of the house, take … (13 comments)
|
Happy Summer! - 06/20/08 09:13 PM
Today is the first Official Day of Summer. In the North East that means we have about 12 weeks of wonderful warm weather.
It is a short season that goes really quickly!
Don't waste your entire summer, blogging and doing Real Estate. Take some time, spend it with friends, … (19 comments)
|
It's all about the appointment. - 06/20/08 09:04 PM
When I teach agents to take up calls many when they start are a little nervous. I usually have them get a form in front of them and start by answering questions, then asking questions then asking for the appointment. It is important not to get in the habit of … (11 comments)
|
How do you get your Seller to listen to reason in a difficult market? - 06/20/08 03:01 AM
How do you get SELLERS to listen to your best advice?
The market has drastically changed in the past few years. We have to tell sellers that their house is worth less than they thought it was.
As professionals we have to give people bad news sometimes. Tell them … (13 comments)
|
Hire a local Realtor. - 06/19/08 06:02 PM
It has never been more important to have a real estate professional represent you than in today's difficult market.
I was driving in White Plains today and saw a few homes listed by out of town agents. They were for the most part not correctly priced, and they will sit … (11 comments)
|
Do you do a pre-closing walk through? What do you check? - 06/18/08 02:11 PM
Do you do a pre-closing walk through? What do you check?
Whenever I am working with the buyer, I strongly recommend that they do a pre-closing inspection of the property. It is pretty informal, but sometimes you actually do find some problems.
… (20 comments)
|
Why do you work in a small office instead of with the BIG Guys? - 06/17/08 02:46 AM
This is for all the agents who now work in a small office as opposed to a franchise or large office, and for those that left a small office to go to a large office.I have worked at large companies and small companies and I have to say I like … (29 comments)
|
Assessment, Appraised Value Why are these numbers not the same? - 06/16/08 09:33 PM
Many times when I am working with a buyer they will ask about this odd number on the listing sheet the assessed value. I have to explain that the assessed value is the number the assessor (The person in the town who figures the taxes on the property) uses to … (8 comments)
|
Why are you successful? - 06/16/08 09:01 PM
Or why not?
I just read Gary Woltal's blog on working hard. I had done a blog a while back entitled "Back to the basics"
How many of us are using a bad market as an excuse not to do the things that made you successful in the first place. … (8 comments)
|
Where are you spending your marketing dollars? - 06/15/08 01:58 PM
We spend so much money in advertising and marketing. It is probably the number one expense other than salaries and or commissions paid to agents, of any Real Estate office.
Our budget goes toward... Newspaper Advertising, Web presence, Yellow pages, Post card mailings, general advertising.
We have gotten a pretty … (18 comments)
|
Take someone out to dinner. - 06/15/08 01:40 PM
Are things a little slow for you in Real Estate? If so why not ask someone you like and respect out to dinner, or even invite them to your home for dinner. Talk to them about their life for a while and talk about your career for a while.It is … (7 comments)
|
What is your motto, do you have one? - 06/14/08 01:15 PM
"We help people make the best decisions"
We had an office meeting/pot luck dinner a few years age and thought we should come up wtih a motto.
We went back and forth on a lot of different phrases and ideas and came up with a motto that we all seemed … (12 comments)
|
Flag Day 2008 - 06/14/08 12:34 PM
Happy Flag Day!
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands,
One nation under God. indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Take a moment to think, today, what our flag means to so many people. The … (7 comments)
|
Dumb Little Man isn't so dumb. - 06/13/08 11:32 AM
http://www.dumblittleman.com/
I know we all get too much mail, but my sister Maureen told me about this website.
It is really a life-improvement website, you get an e-mail every day with life tips.
The e-mails are varied and cover topics as diverse as how to keep from getting fired,
more … (8 comments)
|
I am selling my house what should I do? - 06/12/08 03:21 PM
So much is written for the first time home buyer, few people talk about the first time home seller.
The first thing you should do is talk to some neighbors and friends and get a few Realtor recommendations. Call any Realtor that regularly sends you mailings and also Google your … (7 comments)
|
Real Estate Advice - 06/11/08 07:07 PM
It is really interesting to me that many people, both buyers and sellers don't always listen to professional advice.
In my 25 years experience as a Realtor, it happens time and time again. You sit down with people discuss their situation and advise them based on their wants and needs. … (12 comments)
|
How much should I offer on a house? - 06/10/08 09:16 PM
How much should I offer on a house?
It is always interesting to me when someone likes a house and automatically offers ten percent less than asking price. It is usually because they read in a Real Estate Book or article that that is what you are "Supposed" to do.
… (11 comments)
|
The requested URL /action/agents_secure/my_home was not found on this server - 06/10/08 03:07 AM
Not Found
The requested URL /action/agents_secure/my_home was not found on this server.
Apache/2.2.3 (Red Hat) Server at activerain.com Port 80I have gotten at least 10 of these in the past half hour, when I try to go to different areas or post a comment.
And a few of these...Is it me, … (12 comments)
|
Why Blog? - 06/09/08 01:27 PM
Why do you blog?
People blog for different reasons.
Some people blog who really should author books.
Some are inspirational and uplifting.
Some share Real Estate knowlege & experience.
Some just for the AR points - Saw a few who even talked about their post was just for points.?
Some … (13 comments)
|
2000 a nice guestimate. - 06/08/08 01:27 AM
My friend Ken from Naperville Illinois did a post How I made $2,000,000 in Real Estate.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/541221/HOW-I-MADE-2
It is a future based blog. I feel he can get there.
After 25 years in this business I don't think I have made $2,000,000, but think I have made 2000 relationships. Almost … (12 comments)
|
Do you end up in the Basement? - 06/07/08 12:56 PM
How do you show a house?
Most of the homes in our area have basements.
Many agents start showing on the main floor then go upstairs, then end up in the basement. So when the buyer has seen the whole house they end up talking about it in the basement. … (21 comments)
|
Another milestone WOW! - 06/06/08 03:11 PM
I just noticed that I hit 30,000 points. Wow, I haven't been on that long and I know I have a friendly competitive streak, but I am really excited to have hit this mark.
It's not just the points, I feel that many of my blog's have contributed a little to … (15 comments)
|
Why buy now when the market is slower? - 06/06/08 02:20 PM
Why buy a house now?
The inventory is up and the prices are down some. The homes on the market now are a little more realistically priced then they have been in the past You have more choices!
The interest rests are some of the best we have seen in … (3 comments)
|
What do you do when they ask for some of your commission at the closing? - 06/05/08 06:38 PM
What do you do when they ask for some of your commission at the closing?
$$$
You are at the closing, the listing never mentioned the window air conditioner the seller wants money for them, the buyer expects them. The attorney looks at you and asks if you would be … (17 comments)
|
Are you up for a physical challenge? - 06/05/08 05:37 PM
Brian Solinsky, ABR of Puyallup, WA came up with a running challenge for Realtors to get in shape,
you can be a part of it by going to his link Active Rain Running Challenge
I think this is a terrific idea, I won't be running, but I am going to commit … (1 comments)
|
Buying a listing! - 06/04/08 04:06 PM
Buying a Listing!
When I say "buying a listing" most Realtors know exactly what I am talking about. It is when an agent wants a listing, he or she puts an estimate of price higher than the market will bear, to get the listing instead of being … (22 comments)
|
Did you give away a car today? - 06/03/08 02:01 PM
When you price a home, you should try your best to price it correctly from the outset!
When we ask someone for a price reduction very often we think of it as a percentage of the sale. A $20,000 reduction is only 5% off the selling price of a home … (15 comments)
|
What do you like to read in a blog? - 06/02/08 01:09 PM
I try to read at least 15-20 blogs a day. It is always interesting to me all the different subjects that come up and very often I will get INSPIRATION for my own blog. Sometimes there are questions that I can help answer, sometimes there are blogs that stir up … (18 comments)
|
;)
;)
;)
