realtors: An ACTIVE RAIN Member SLAMS REALTORS®...I'm Almost at a Loss for Words, BUT NOT QUITE! - 12/28/11 08:49 AM
An Active Rain member slams REALTORS®...I'm almost at a loss for words, but not quite and I'm more than happy to tell you why. I just finished reading a blog by an Active Rain member, Home Inspector Mike Chamberlain, telling home buyers that we are manipulative and liars. Excuse me?
Anyone that purports to understand REALTOR® Speak and yet so misunderstands it is pretty dangerous especially when they write a blog for buyers. Dangerous in the sense that it is far from accurate. Why am I writing this here and not in a comment on Mike's blog? Could be because he … (108 comments)
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realtors: WHAT MAKES YOU THINK REALTORS® ARE BETTER THAN USED CAR SALESPEOPLE? - 12/18/11 08:52 PM
What makes you think REALTORS® are better than used car salespeople? Seriously, I am getting sick and tired of so many people feeling superior to used car salespeople. Since when is there an entity determining a hierarchy of job positions that has declared this to be true? Why do some people feel the need to look down on a class of people (or in this instance a type of work) to make themselves appear "better'?
Some agents attempt to compare themselves with doctors and lawyers (notice they don't use beauticians or tutors or dental hygenists or any number of other professions) … (85 comments)
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realtors: Representation As A Buyer is A Good Idea - 05/13/11 11:18 PM
More than once I have posted about my feelings regarding Dual Representation. John and Kasey have done an excellent job and I am hoping many agents that practice dual agency will read this and re-think their position.
One of my posts on this topic asked the questions, "Who Really Benefits from Dual Agency?". We all know the answer to that and it is not the buyer and seller.
I am disabling comments as I have suggested that their post be featured. If you believe as they do perhaps you will consider suggesting it also.
Via John & Kasey Boles Boise, … (0 comments)
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realtors: Are You a Minimum or a Plus REALTOR®? - 05/03/11 10:36 AM
Curiosity has me asking that question. Having read Jessica Horton's post, Exegesis of the NAR Code of Ethics. Introduction, from 5/13/2008* I began to wonder the following:
How frequently must you renew your real estate license? How many continuing education credits are required in your state in order to renew your license? How many credits do you generally earn? Is it difficult finding the time to take CE classes? Do you believe the classes are worthwhile? If so, why? And if not, why not? What material do you feel should be required? Is too much time spent on the Code of Ethics? Not enough? Do … (4 comments)
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realtors: Bob Stewart's Latest Challenge and Many of You Have Earned Me 300,000+ Points - 02/06/11 03:26 PM
Bob Stewart's Latest Challenge and many of you have earned me 300,000+ points. This is exciting for me so I wish to thank all of you that have helped me along the way.
(I surprised myself...i got to 300,000 without counting the points from Bob's latest challange, which haven't been awarded as yet, although I am giving him credit because it helped spur me on.)
You have provided so much more than I would have ever guessed when I first joined. However, it did not take very long before I realized what a treasure trove Active Rain was and continues to … (14 comments)
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realtors: Will You Still Be in Real Estate in 2011? - 11/07/10 03:25 PM
Will you still be in real estate in 2011? This is a tough question and one that probably more than a few are asking themselves.
Although there has been some stabilization in the market in some areas the accumulative affect of the past few years leave many, that once made a "living" in real estate, now no longer able to. For some there comes a time when they can no longer avoid the reality of their situation. Savings are gone, debts have piled up, and business has virtually dried up. For others the future looks a bit brighter.
Which category do … (11 comments)
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realtors: WHO ARE WE KIDDING? WE ARE NOT DOCTORS AND WE ARE NOT LAWYERS. - 09/22/10 11:35 PM
Who are we kidding? We are not doctors and we are not lawyers. We are REALTORS®. Why do we try to equate our profession with medicine and law? I am a REALTOR®. What does that mean? It means that I took a real estate course for 10 days, passed an exam at the end of the course, and then passed another exam to obtain my license through the Commonwealth of Virginia. What follows varies from agent to agent.
As I read posts and comments, from time to time I see someone saying that we are like doctors and lawyers and should be treated in … (38 comments)
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realtors: HGTV'S Property Virgins Sets a Bad Example - 05/13/10 10:11 PM
HGTV's Property Virginis sets a bad example. Please don't think I'm a spoil sport but I think it sends the wrong message.
A couple of days ago I read a post expressing some very interesting points that had been learned from watching this show. They covered some things that are important to cover with prospective purchasers especially if this is the very first time they are preparing to buy.
Unfortunately, I believe there is one thing, and to me it is a very big thing, that this show promotes. From week to week the same agent shows properties, writes contracts, and negotiates contracts. … (19 comments)
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realtors: And Then What to My Wondering Eyes Should Appear... - 07/30/09 08:23 PM
but...
You've received a contact message from your Contact Form on the ActiveRain network.* If you ever think it's not going to happen be patient. You just never know when you will receive a treat such as this. Although I have been very busy with real estate, family, two new puppies (need I say more?), and have not posted in way too long, out of the blue came that welcomed request.
Within days the prospective buyers came down and fell in love with Lake Anna. Smart, discerning folks!
Today, less than two weeks later, my clients have a contract on a home that in the … (49 comments)
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realtors: Rain, Rain Don't Go Away - 04/14/09 07:42 PM
Do you find that you are sometimes resenting these rainy, cloudy days? March and April, here in the Lake Anna area, have been somewhat rainy. I'm loving it.
We have had a number of rainy, cloudy days and I'm delighted. Someone complained to me about it today and I replied that we need every drop of rain we can get. We had almost no snow this winter with the one and only bonafide snowfall happening on March 1.
Living at a lake, a drought creates not only the usual problems with water shortage, it drops the water level and we end up with … (3 comments)
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realtors: Why Split the Difference? - 03/18/09 05:04 PM
Since I started in real estate back in 1986, there's been this prevailing view that when negotiating price you split the difference.
Buyers and Sellers are not the only ones that seem to be buying into this. Many REALTORS do also. I cannot tell you the number of times, while negotiating, this comes up. If so and so offers such and such we'll split the difference and go to such and such. The other party than says: If so and so offered such and such we'll split the difference and offer such and such.
Please raise your hand up high if you have been party to such … (10 comments)
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realtors: Why the Delight in Fewer REALTORS®? - 02/23/09 09:55 PM
As the market has become more challenging I am seeing more and more posts dealing with the diminishing number of REALTORS®. I find it interesting that some of these seem to be grateful, in fact downright delighted, that some REALTORS® have had to leave the field. Comments often reflect similar sentiments.
Why?
Please do not tell me it is because we are losing the "bad" agents. Yes, I am sure we are losing some of them. However, we are also losing others that are as good at the business as you and I believe we are.
Do you really delude yourself into … (53 comments)
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realtors: REBar Camps Are Way Too Popular - 02/11/09 12:47 PM
This is certainly a case of good news...bad news. The good news is that the Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® (FAAR) is hosting a REBarCamp in March.
The bad news is, it is filled up.
Given the huge response we had shows how popular this event is. If at any time there is a REBarCamp coming to an area near you and you have an interest in attending my advice to you is sign up quickly. As soon as registration is announced, do it.
An event like this does not happen every day or every where. Be mindful and do … (7 comments)
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realtors: Localism at Work...Active Rain is Not Just About Real Estate - 01/19/09 08:18 PM
About an hour ago I called Tina Merritt, a fellow member of Active Rain. I needed help. Tina came to mind because I know she knows her area. Reading her posts taught me that.
I contacted Tina because I had a call from my brother-in-law in Connecticut. Bill is trying to find someone that was flying to Haiti and had a medical emergency in flight. The plane landed in Norfolk, VA and the passanger was taken to a hospital.
Bill is a pastor of a church in Wallingford, CT and has done extensive work in Haiti. The passenger taken sick is … (14 comments)
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realtors: My Christmas MeMe - 12/15/08 07:44 PM
I received my CHRISTMAS MEME "invitation" from Charles Buell a [big] number of days ago.
The terms of the "contract" are:
.... to "ask" for something you really want for Christmas....And, no, it's not one of those, "I want world peace" kind of things. We all want that. This one is for that one hedonistic thing that you'd ask for if money or the law didn't stand in the way!!!
A Mac Air*
So, now who to meme, who to meme.......I think in the spirit of Christmas I will tag some Newbies.
Sharon Kelly
Susan Oliver
Brad Lovejoy
… (2 comments)
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realtors: Active Rainers...Please Think About YOUR Gross & Net $$$$$s - 12/07/08 09:45 PM
Some time ago I realized that it made sense for me to think in terms of gross income and net when I was contemplating an expenditure.
Now most of us really don't want to think about either when we want something but times have changed for many of us and for some the change has been very, very dramatic.
My suggestion is that you think of how much money you need to earn in order to pay for an item. By that I mean, if you are thinking of purchasing a plasma TV that costs $600, do not think of the cost … (57 comments)
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realtors: You Too Believe in Sharing the Wealth - 10/31/08 09:41 PM
I truly believe in redistribution of wealth. Truth be told, it is quite apparent to me that many of you believe in it also. After all, you willingly take part in it.
I am a big proponent of sharing what I have especially when it comes to my opinion.
Should you be interested I will certainly give you my two cents worth. I have probably been the grateful receipient of your two cents worth more than once. I appreciate your generosity and hope you will continue to share your wealth with me.
Isn't it amazing how easy it is to give … (16 comments)
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realtors: My Secret Weapon - 10/29/08 12:28 AM
Hopefully everyone has something that gives them a pick me up when a transaction doesn't work out for your buyers or your sellers.
It would be interesing to know what it is that puts everything in the proper perspective for you. I have my secret weapon. It is my children and my grandchildren. Come to think of it, it includes all the members of my family and my friends. However, for this post I will concentrate on my grandchildren. By that I mean I would like to share photos of some of my grandchildren that I have taken.
… (24 comments)
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realtors: Patience Prevails - 10/13/08 10:24 PM
One of the most needed qualities to have when working in this real estate market is patience. Fortunately, some of us live in areas where patience is part of our everyday real estate experience.
Resort and second home communities are great places to learn patience if it does not come to you naturally. Most folks buying property in these areas are not in a rush. When I say not in a rush, I am not talking about days or weeks. I am talking about months and years.
This is great preparation for the type of market we are in right now.
When … (5 comments)
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realtors: Does Your Post Do the Side Step? - 08/23/08 10:59 PM
Hoping that it is not my computer, I would like to know if you ever have any problems reading some of the posts. Every once in a while I go to read a post and the text has done the side step.
Definition of sidestep according to YourDictionary.com:
sidestep Definition
☆ side·step (-step′)
transitive verb -·stepped′, -·step′·ping
to avoid by or as by stepping aside; dodge to sidestep a difficulty
intransitive verb (Is this how I am using it? Hope so! It's nice to be right once in a while.)
to step to one side; take a side step or side … (30 comments)
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