Lisa Hill's Real Estate Blog

Making Changes

2010-12-29T16:52:41Z

Lisa C. Hill is a veteran real estate agent and Daytona Beach native with a background in sales, management, marketing and negotiation. With a likeable personality that immediately puts folks at ease, as well as a large sphere of influence that comes from being a lifetime resident of the Daytona Beach area, real estate has been the Smart Choice for Lisa. (Just ask one of her many satisfied clients!) But now there is more!

After 15+ years of selling real estate, and helping you find your perfect home; with sales, and success, awards, and designations, Lisa is now semi-retiring from the real estate industry ;-) and will mostly be working with friends and family, and partnering with other agents when helping new clients.

So what is Lisa's future endeavor? Well, Lisa will now be putting her many years of marketing knowledge to help for Security Force of America with their marketing and Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

So if you're in need of home security, home theater, or surround sound, or if you still need help with your real estate investments, as always you can make a Smart Choice and count on Lisa Hill.

Make a Smart Choice and put Lisa's lifetime compilation of knowledge on all things Florida to work for you. And watch for future posts on how to protect and improve your home and, real estate investements, with Security Force of America.

Contact Lisa Hill for all your real estate and SEO needs

My Favorite Subject - As Usual ;-)

2010-10-28T04:13:08Z

B was recently asked by a friend who is taking photography classes, if she would be her model. Of course, she said yes. So here's one of her latest shots. I have to admit, this group of photos is definitely not what I've become accustomed to seeing, when we get copies of the photos. But she's still my favorite subject, so I guess I'll still share ;-)

I guess I have to keep in mind that these were taken by a student. B said she got no instructions at all. But she learned a few things too. Number one was, next time she'll take more time to assess her outfit in advance, instead of relying on the photographer to tell her if it's not the most flattering ;-) OR, as in the wedding gown photo shoot, (here's something you didn't know) she may need to put clips down the back of the outfit, to cinch in any extra fabric. ;-)

BTW, for everyone who participated in my video footage from Rain Camp in Orlando (in August), yes, I have finally started putting all the pieces together and editing the video, and adding music... at least I finally started working on it >.<

Facebook Changes and Abuses Part 2

2010-10-23T22:46:43Z

Facebook Info/Warning. You read it on Lisa Hill's Daytona Beach - Port Orange Real Estate Blog.

My last post was a reblog of C Tann Star's post about recent changes on Facebook, that allowed random people to add you to groups without your knowledge. At that point, and up until now, I had not had this personally happen to me... that I know of. But just a few minutes ago, I was logged in, and a box popped up at the bottom of my screen, saying that *insert name* had just added me to the group "Please Join! Stop Bullying In Schools!!".

Well, that certainly sounds like a worthy cause, but the problem is, I did not add myself to the group. Someone else took it upon themselves to add me. To take this to an extreme, isn't that a violation of our Civil Rights? Of my own volition, that may be a group that I would choose to join. But to have myself added, without even a request by this person; now that just ticks me off. So I immediately followed the link, and removed myself from the group.

If you haven't read my re-blog post yet, please do so, and change your settings so this can't happen to you! (Instructions are in the post.) What if the group had been something offensive? And as Americans, don't we all want the right to make our own decisions and choices about where we decide to join the fight?

Well, I'm now going to stop procrastinating, and go change my settings ASAP! I suggest you all do the same; especially if you don't login and check your news feed every day. In that case, who knows what kind of abuses can take place without your knowledge, and actually cost you business if your name is showing up on an offensive list?

www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateSales.com

Another Stellar Opt Out Moment Brought To You By Facebook...

2010-10-10T11:53:31Z

Unbelievable! We all know Facebook has been making a lot of changes lately, but this one takes the cake. This is definitely a Need-to-Know item! I just wish I knew what Facebook's end-game goal was. Does anyone have the dirt on FB?

For now; so you can protect yourself, read Carolyn's post below.

Via C Tann-Starr (CarolynTannStarr.com TannStarr.net REMAX People Realty):

Another Stellar Opt Out Moment Brought To You By Facebook...

Yes, I am being sarcastic (LOL).

I love you guys but stop adding me to your Facebook groups without my permission. In case you found yourself wondering why you may also be getting some strange e-mails from groups your FB peeps unceremoniously plopped you into, here is how you make them go away:

(1) click on Account on the top-right of the Facebook interface, then select Application Settings...

(2) Find the Groups Application, then select click Edit Settings, then click the Additional Permissions Tab and uncheck the boxes that read Publish Content To My Wall and Adds You To A Group.

(3) Tell your peeps to quit it (LOL). ;-)

Whiney moment done. Back to playing in YouTube with the shorties. :-)

Disclaimer: Any comments and contributions provided on ActiveRain.com (or other electronic or print media) does not establish an agency relationship with any third party. Blog posts are intended to be informational only. Please be advised that real estate practices vary in regions and from state to state and market to market. The information contained herein does not constitute legal advice. All parties in need of legal, accounting, tax, or real estate guidance are directed to consult with the licensed professional of their choice. Please seek specific guidance from a retained professional in the specific field(s) required to service your interests. I and/or team blog writers make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this web site and its associated sites inclusive of but not limited to CarolynTannStarr.com MySpace/TannStarr 46486 NY Working Moms Examiner ActiveRain Group Club Chaos ClubChaosAgents.com CyberMinions.net CTannStarr Outside Blog CTannStarr Localism Blog TannStarr.net UberMental.com

© Carolyn Tann-Starr, 2008-2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the re-blog authors (when appropriate)and Carolyn Tann-Starr is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Carolyn Tann-Starr, (the re-blog authors when appropriate) and Wordy C's Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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Port Orange Family Days - Happening Right Now!

2010-10-02T12:22:47Z

Port Orange Family Days 2010 - You Found it on Lisa Hill's Real Estate Blog

I'm late on posting about Port Orange Family Days this year, since I haven't been blogging as much. And it's happening right now! But don't worry. It lasts all weekend. And so far we're having great weather for it!

So if you live in the Port Orange/Daytona Beach areas, head on over to the Port Orange City Center. If you've never been before, you should definitely go! You can enjoy music, games, food (LOTS of food!), fun and rides at the midway! I rarely miss a year, so I'll be there tomorrow. (You'll probably find me on the rides.)

If you're interested in buying or selling real estate in the Port Orange or Daytona Beach areas, hunt me down tomorrow at Port Orange Family Days! I'm a Daytona Beach native, and experienced REALTOR® for all of east Volusia county. You can always just e-mail or call me too ;-) Have a great weekend! And make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill for all your real estate needs.

P.S. Tonight's live music at the amphitheater will feature Jim Van Fleet (FOX TV Weatherman) as the lead vocalist for Jim Van Fleet and "The Reign". (Curiosity alone would have me at that if it wasn't country music :-P ) The live show is from 7:00-9:00 p.m. tonight!

www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateSales.com

Life on Other Planets - What Do You Believe? Check This Out!

2010-09-30T02:38:11Z

Daytona Beach - Port Orange Real Estate Blog. By Lisa Hill, Daytona Beach Native and REALTOR®

I can't remember the last time a bit of news got me this excited. (I'll bet Vegas Bob is jumping up and down right now!)

If you haven't read about the most recently found planet in the "Goldilocks Zone", you have to check out this article... "Could Goldilocks Planet Be Just Right for Life?" What got me the most excited was this one quote- "...because conditions are ideal for liquid water, and because there always seems to be life on Earth where there is water, Vogt believes that chances for life on this planet are 100 percent."

I don't know about the rest of you, but I want to be first in line for a real estate license there :-P Any new-planet-real estate developers out there? Call me! LOL

Have a great day. And if you're interested in buying real estate on planet Earth... specifically, East Volusia County (Daytona Beach-Port Orange-Ponce Inlet, etc.) make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill for all your real estate needs.

Buy house or condo in Port Orange or Daytona Beach area

Sell house or condo in Port Orange or Daytona Beach area

www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateSales.com

*Lisa Hill's real estate logos are copyright protected. Do not copy.*

Central Florida College Fun! AND-Buy or Sell House or Condo in Daytona Beach Area

2010-09-21T06:02:24Z

Buy or Sell House or Condo in Daytona Beach-Port Orange-Ponce Inlet FL.

Central Florida College Fun

Yes, once again I've stolen a picture from my daughter's Facebook page. And this one really takes the cake. Her college (located in the Disney area, just over an hour from the Daytona Beach-Port Orange area) has Wi-Fi throughout the campus (supposedly so they can learn more).

Apparently, the general consensus is that this particular class is on the boring side. So during lectures, the kids all get on Skype. Of course they can't use their microphones during class, but they can turn on their web cams, and type into the chat portions. Oh, and they can take still shots too. (Evidence! lol)

The next time I hear her complain about her student loans, I think I'll just show her this picture :-P

If you're interested in buying a house or condo in Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Ponce Inlet, and all the surrounding cities in East Volusia County, make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill for all your real estate needs.

If you need a professional REALTOR® with excellent marketing skills to help you sell your house or condo in Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Ponce Inlet, or any of the surrounding cities in East Voluisa County, I'd love to help!

Lisa Hill-The Smart Choice for all your real estate needs

www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateSales.com

*ALL CONTENT IS OWNED AND COPYRIGHTED BY LISA HILL. DO NOT COPY*

Silly Saturday and Pirate's Booty!

2010-09-18T18:40:49Z

Shiver me timbers! Here's something silly and fun, and yer gettin a one-day advance notice fer it. Cuz Sunday, September 19th is "Talk Like a Pirate Day". (Arrrrr)

Yes, I'm serious. Of course it's true. It's on them thar internets! (lol) I would SOO love to see pirate videos... wait... not pirated video... Crap... I can't even correct that with the term "bootleg" videos >.< OK, so you know what I mean. Hmm... I'll bet Broker Bryant could make an excellent pirate video. OMG! How about Bertha as a pirate wench! O_O (I just went into shock on that one.)

In reality, "Talk Like a Pirate Day" is actually the launch of a new brand of groceries. But I'll take any excuse to have a bit of fun =) So lighten up and have a little fun this weekend. And follow this link to visit the Facebook page for Pirate Booty Day. And no, I'm not even gonna touch all the other jokes that come to mind. I'm sure someone will come up with something in the comments!

o_O

Brittany vs Dinosaur (part 2)

2010-09-08T14:21:59Z

Daytona Beach and Port Orange Real Estate Blog. By Lisa Hill, Daytona Beach Native and REALTOR®

OK, so this post is not about real estate, since I'm still enjoying the photo (and picture) blogs, and I do tend to get stuck on my favorite image subject... my fabulous daughter! (Biased? What makes you think that?)

On Sunday I posted a picture of my daughter "fighting" a big, bad dinosaur. *Gasp!* There was much deliberation over who would win. Well, according to this shot, I think my daughter showed the dino who's boss! he he. She took care of one and moved right on to the next one! (lol)

Umm... Notice the sign in the foreground? *sigh*

If you're interested in buying a house or condo in the Daytona Beach/Port Orange areas, or selling a house or condo in the Daytona Beach/Port Orange areas, I'd love to help! Make a Smart Choice and Contact Lisa Hill for all your real estate needs!

www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateSales.com

**ALL CONTENT IS COPYRIGHTED. DO NOT COPY**

<-- This copyright logo is Public Domain.

Brittany vs Dinosaur!

2010-09-05T17:35:05Z

Welcome back! (to me-lol) Ahhh... Been having a nice, non-blogging break... *yawn* (he he) Still not in a big blogging mood (not ready to jump back in the saddle yet) so I figured, what better way to post something simple, than to feature one of my favorite subjects (my daughter) being her usual, goofy, self. (I still say I have NO idea where she gets this personality!)

Who do you think will win?

Oh. And yes. Once again, I stole this off my daughter's Facebook page. LOL!

If you're here because you're interested in buying real estate, or selling real estate, I can help! Visit my real estate web site at www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateSales.com!

P.S. To all my Active Rain real estate blogging buddies: Yes; I know... I KNOW!!! I still have to edit and post all the video footage from the Rain Camp real estate conference in Orlando FL, from 2 weeks ago >.<

On the Spot at Rain Camp Orlando

2010-08-24T15:17:29Z

Fun with Attendees at Orlando Florida Rain Camp

At Rain Camp, listening to Ben Kinney talk about SEO. Meanwhile, cell phones keep ringing all over the room. I happen to be sitting near Neal Bloom, (new partner-in-crime?) who decided to ask a question. As he's asking his question, his cell phone rings. D'oh!

Way to go, Neal! Yes, I had to post this. You all know I couldn't resist something so tempting >=) I think you should all go over to his blog and give him an online pat on the back. :-P

Does Your "Professional" Photo Look Like A Facebook Picture?

2010-08-18T15:57:16Z

In the last few days, as I've been perusing and commenting on different blogger's posts, I happened to stop in my tracks, as I noticed far too many images that looked like they'd been taken by the same person, while holding the camera at arm's length. They looked more like a picture I would have on my non-business Facebook page. Is it just me, or do these pictures actually lower the level of professionalism on our blogs? Shouldn't a potential client see a quality photo that says "I'm a professional"?

Now I admit that I'm a very visual person. Half the time I build a blog post around a photo, instead of the other way around. But if I feel that way, then there are certainly many others who feel the same! If you only knew how much time I put into painstakingly getting professional-looking photos (not necessarily BY a professional photographer) that I feel are a good representation of my business persona, as opposed to the quick, and/or silly shots I place on my Facebook wall!

So again I ask, "Is it just me?" What are your thoughts on this subject? Don't you want your potential clients to see you as a professional and not just someone they might run across on Facebook? The only exceptions I can think of are my personal friends and family members who will do business with me regardless... and are already among my Facebook friends!

But that leaves out the other part of the equation... the people who will NOT automatically be my clients! What good does it do you to have good SEO, if when you're found, the first thing that is seen is... well... a Facebook shot that you probably took of yourself, with your arms extended, and a strange look on your face?

And all that brings me back to; is it just me? Or do some supposedly "business" pictures look highly unprofessional? And for the record, I'm NOT talking about the casual pictures we have taken with local scenery in the background, which are part of our personal branding.

If you're not sure what I mean, just use my own examples. Can you guess which pictures I use on Facebook, and which ones I use for business?

www.LisaHillRealtor.com

**PLEASE READ MY OWN COMMENT!! IT CLARIFIES SOME MISUNDERSTANDINGS.**

(Not) Wordless Wednesday - FROGGY!

2010-08-18T12:50:55Z

If you've paid attention you'll know that I have an odd love for frogs. I pick up every one I find. BTW, toads are frogs too. People gave them a different name to differentiate between the bumpy, fat ones and the sticky, big-jumpers, but according to my Animal Enclyclopedia, they're all frogs. How about that? You now know some more useless information! lol

Sooo.... to make me happy, my daughter brought me a little gift into my office :-D

(I think it's time to clean my keyboard and monitor. But isn't he cute? =) He was a bit hyper though...

LOL!

If you're moving to Florida, expect to find frogs! But take it from a native (me), they do not cause warts, and they're tons of fun! :-D

www.LisaHillRealtor.com

**ALL TEXT, PICTURES. AND LOGOS ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. DO NOT COPY**

<--This copyright logo is Public Domain

Sunday: Burning!

2010-08-15T10:22:50Z

Since I've recently shared with you all, that I've been writing a LOT, only it's not about real estate, I decided to share just a little something from under The Willow Tree. Whether you worship on Saturday or Sunday, we serve the same God; and I pray blessings, healings, miracles, and encouragement for all of you. (The following poem/prayer *possibly a song in the future, if I add to it*, was written about a year ago.)

BURNING

As we look up to the Heavens; His fire is burning and it glows.

May that fire falll upon us, and purify our souls.

Lift your eyes toward Jesus, See Him burning on His throne.

I fall on my knees in worship. Now He's burning in my soul.

Let's keep our eyes on Jesus; and let the whole world know

of His great love and power, as we let Him take control.

Just a spark can change a nation, with the fire of Heaven's glow.

Lord Jesus burn within me. I let go. Lord... take control.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for reading. I hope you have a blessed day. And although this particular post has nothing to do with real estate, I am a full-time REALTOR, and Daytona Beach native. I have experience selling all types of real estate in Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Ponce Inlet, Ormond Beach, and every city around and in-between ;-)

For all your real estate needs, make a Smart Choice and choose Lisa Hill.

www.LisaHillRealtor.com

(Willow Tree on Facebook)

**ALL content, including text, logos and images, is owned and copyrighted by Lisa C. Hill. Do not copy or duplicate in any manner!**

Contract Pending on Daytona Beach area House. Professional REALTOR® Advice for Consumers

2010-08-10T07:27:23Z

Contract Pending on Daytona Beach area House. Professional REALTOR® Advice for Consumers

I'm going to start this post with a bit of info about a sale on one of my real estate listings. But more importantly; I'm going to segue into some very important food-for-thought about how you, as a real estate buyer or a real estate seller, choose a real estate professional to represent you; and hopefully I'll educate you a bit, about the importance of how your REALTOR® handles the many intricacies that happen behind-the-scenes.

At this time, I have a bilateral contract on the house I have listed at 225 Arragon, located on the Holly Hill/Ormond Beach border (just 10 minutes from the Daytona Beach city limits). It's a very short drive to either the Seabreeze Bridge or the Granada Bridge, both of which lead directly to the ocean. I always love it when I reach the top of a bridge, and I can see the sun sparkling off the ocean, directly in front of me.

This affordable 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath home (with room for potential 3rd bedroom), is located in a great area, and conveniently located near all types of shopping; and it has finally found some happy buyers :-D These particular real estate buyers are getting their financing through FHA and we've already been through all the initial inspections. The sellers of this home are making some repairs, as required by FHA, and despite a few bumps in the transaction-road, things are still rolling along fairly smoothly.

And now I want to go out of my way, to draw attention to something that is very important to a real estate transaction: Bear in mind that there are MANY occurrences that happen in YOUR OWN real estate sales, that the REALTORS® (or real estate agents) will handle, and you may never know the extent of the long hours, stress, and complexities that were involved. To tell our clients every detail we've handled would either bore you, or sound like we're complaining, or possibly even boasting. So we do our jobs quietly and efficiently so that you don't have to endure any more stress than you already have when buying or selling real estate. For me anyway, this is the most professional way that I've found to work for my clients. But suffice it to say, there's a LOT of work that's done, that never meets your eyes and ears. But before I get to that part, let me share my experience thus far, in the particular sale that I mentioned above.

I am the listing agent in this sale. The buyers, and their offer on this house (which is now a contract) were brought to me by another local REALTOR® (member of the Daytona Beach Area Association of REALTORS®, and subscriber of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics). This particular REALTOR® has been amazing to work with! It's a breath of fresh air when the listing and selling agents are working together in the best interests of their clients (it's part of our job to make sure things do NOT get personal!), and as the real estate professionals on each side of the transaction, we are being just that... PROFESSIONAL! So far, it has been my pleasure to work with this agent who, through my marketing efforts, detailed property description, and numerous photos, found my listing and went out of her way to pull the recent comparable sales (the same ones I used to keep the house properly priced while on the market) and presented this evidence to her buyers so they would know that it truly was properly priced!

Side note: If the home had not been properly priced, this agent and her buyers would have discovered that when they pulled the comparable sales data. This is another good reason for real estate listing agents and sellers to make sure their listings remain competitively priced, for the duration of the listing period, until they reach a successful contract and closing. And don't forget, both buyers and sellers MUST be willing to compromise, in order to negotiate on the many points where negotiation is a possibility. Money alone, is not everything!

To continue with my experience in this particular sale, and with the agent who is working with the buyers... I know that most of the general public are not aware that our REALTOR® Code of Ethics prohibits us from speaking negatively about another REALTOR®, no matter what we know about them! (Yes, sometimes our tongues are bleeding due to our biting so hard on them! Thankfully, NOT so in this case.) So I just want to emphasize how much greater the chances are of reaching a successful closing, while minimizing any undue stress to the real estate buyer(s) and seller(s) of a house/condo/vacant land, etc., when behind the scenes, the REALTORS® (or real estate agents) on both sides of the transaction are doing their jobs to the best of their abilities, and have good attitudes and a good working relationship with each other! Did you catch that? Let me repeat it!

I want to emphasize how much greater the chances are of reaching a successful closing, while minimizing any undue stress to the real estate buyer(s) and seller(s) of a house/condo/vacant land, etc., when behind the scenes, the REALTORS® (or real estate agents) on both sides of the transaction are doing their own jobs to the best of their abilities, and have good attitudes and a good working relationship with each other!

Now you're probably wondering how you can find out if an agent you're interviewing/considering, has a negative reputation with other agents; because yes, if they've been in the business for any significant amount of time, their reputation (either good or bad) WILL precede them among other! And I've already stated that our REALTOR® Code of Ethics prohibits us from speaking negatively about other REALTORS®, no matter what we know about them.

Unfortunately, I don't have a foolproof method for the public to know the secrets that only other REALTORS® know... unless you're not working with a REALTOR®. Remember, real estate agents (not REALTORS®) do not subscribe to the Code of Ethics; therefore they can say whatever they want about other agents. But the reason this rule IS part of the Code is to make sure no lies are told. After all, we all know people (in all professions and walks of life) who like to spread rumors, regardless of whether or not they're true. This is a very good reason to have this rule in the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. It prevents any "fabrications" from being told. My mother taught me "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". ;-)

So we're back to the question at hand. How do you protect yourself from being aligned with a REALTOR® who doesn't play well with others? Well, the good news is that most of the REALTORS® I've worked with throughout the years have done their jobs well, and have good reputations with other REALTORS®. But it's what you DON'T know that CAN hurt you, or in this case, it can hurt or completely end your sale! This means you have more homework to do than you originally thought you needed!

So how many of you are thinking you'll just trust your gut instinct about a REALTOR®? That's great if you have a strong instinct like that. I'm one of those people. However, just because you can meet with a REALTOR® and have an instant connection with them, this does not mean that REALTOR® generates the same response from other REALTORS®!

So on to Plan B. I can't offer any guarantees, but here are a few suggestions.

Here on Active Rain, we not only write blog posts that reveal our personalities in each post we write, you can also learn a LOT about a person through the comments they leave in response to those left by others. =)

Remaining on the same line of thinking, you'll also find that many of us form relationships with each other. And along with those relationships, we frequently do favors for each other by showing some "link-love". This simply means that we embed links to each others' blogs or web sites, along with niceties about each other in our own blog posts. But don't forget #1. Check what's in the blog of the person who's doing the recommending as well! Ever hear the adage that "you're known by the company you keep"? (Just some food for thought)

STILL on the blog subject; try following the comments we leave on other blogs. With Web 2.0, you can find just about anything you want to know, on any person you choose. And here on AR, you can find the comments we leave, as well as the posts we write. So go ahead; check it out!

Many of us have personal blogs as well as professional ones. And we have multiple real estate blogs too. Once again, check it out!

Many agents will tell you to Google their names. While I can tell you to do the same about me, unfortunately there's an artist in California with the same name, and she also does a great job of marketing herself online. So if you're going to Google me, just add Volusia County, or a city in this area. That will make it easy for you to find me =)

Finally, you can talk to past clients of the REALTOR(S)® you're considering, but if you talk to a seller whose property eventually sold, they'll be able to tell you it sold, and they may have even loved their REALTOR®. But they may have had several previous offers, or even contracts that fell through. And these may have Nothing At All to do with their REALTOR®! But then again, what if a bit of "attitude" or "laziness" (or worse) from their REALTOR®, directed toward the other REALTOR®, home inspectors, handymen, or other parties involved in the transaction carried more weight than any those sellers realized? What if their first offer could have resulted in a successful sale, if only their REALTOR® had been... well... "nice"? Quoting my mother again; "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar".

I'll end my suggestions here. I'm sure my commenters will have some other suggestions. And PLEASE do not think that every problem that de-rails a real estate sale can be blamed on the REALTOR(S)®! There are many parties to a real estate transaction, and many ways to prevent a closing. And sometimes these problems are unavoidable. But there's always that "what if" to consider. So think about that when you're shopping for your next real estate professional. And try doing a little bit more homework. I understand that making more phone calls, and doing more research is probably the last thing you want to do when you're already feeling the stress and/or pressure of needing to move. But just a little bit more time could quite possibly lead you to the best real estate experience you've ever had. And you might just end up with a life-long friend as well!

For all your real estate needs, make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill. I'm a Daytona Beach native with experience selling ALL types of real estate in EVERY city in East Volusia county and beyond. (And I play well with others too) ;-)

www.LisaHillRealtor.com

**This post is written by a Florida REALTOR®, with the understanding of Florida real estate laws and "Agency". Florida REALTORS (and real estate agents) work primarily as "Transaction Brokers" rather than "seller's agents" or "buyer's agents". Also, the scenario described herein is partially focused on a real estate transaction taking place in Volusia County Florida, in the Greater Daytona Beach area. Be sure you consult local and state laws and procedures in your own locale before proceeding with the advice offered here.**

**ALL TEXT AND PERSONAL LOGOS ARE OWNED AND COPYRIGHTED BY LISA HILL. OTHER IMAGES ARE PUBLIC DOMAIN, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS ON THE REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF THE REALTOR® LOGO.**

From a Central Florida REALTOR® - "AAAAAHHHHH!!!!" and "AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

2010-08-02T20:27:07Z

Buy Daytona Beach Real Estate. You're Still Close to Lots of Orlando Fun!!

Have you ever been to Blizzard Beach? (It's a Disney theme park in Orlando, FL: only an hour or so away from the Daytona Beach area!) And have you decided to ride the 90 foot drop that actually gets you airborne on the way down?

When you're at the top, your given strict instructions to keep your legs and arms crossed. Why? Well, when you land in the pool at the bottom, can you say "Super Wedgie!!??" LOL And since there are always a number of pervs standing around, just waiting to catch a glimpse of whatever "escapes" on the way down.... Keep those arms and legs crossed! >.<

This is my daughter, just after her launch. Can you see that she's already screaming? (Mwa ha ha haaa) At least she's in the right position! I can't say the same for her friend... (see the next image) >.<

Worst position ever!! --->

(And yes, I stole these off my daughter's Facebook page again.) >=)

If you're interested in purchasing real estate in Central Florida, did you know that you can live in beautiful Daytona Beach, just minutes from any beach in East Volusia county, or even in a house or condo directly on the beach, and still be only an hour or so away from the Orlando theme parks and attractions?

If you're interested in moving to Central Florida, and buying a house or condo in the Daytona Beach area, I'd love to help. Make a Smart Choice and call Daytona native, Lisa Hill for all your real estate needs.

Contact Lisa Hill

www.LisaHillRealtor.com

**ALL TEXT AND IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHTED. DO NOT COPY**

<-- This copyright logo is Public Domain.

Speechless Sunday-Snow in July? ... in Florida!!??

2010-07-25T23:19:09Z

Can it be!??

No, of course not. It's just a Snowy Egret :-D My brother took this photo. And I think he did a great job on this one (except for the date stamp), so I decided to share it. (This is from the bro who took those crazy weather shots over the ocean!) But this one's much more peaceful. And this little guy doesn't seem to mind if his feathers are getting ruffled.

If you're interested in buying or selling real estate in the Daytona Beach area, I'd love to help. I'm a Daytona Beach native, with experience selling ALL types of real estate in every city in east Volusia county, and sometimes beyond those boundaries.

I hope you all have a great week! And for all your real estate needs, make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill.

**ALL TEXT, LOGOS, AND IMAGES (except copyright symbol) ARE COPYRIGHTED. DO NOT COPY**

Fender-Benders and Hoopties

2010-07-24T13:23:54Z

Since this is Silly Saturday again... >=)

Last night my daughter got rear-ended on I-4, somewhere between Kissimmee and Orlando, while coming home from college for the weekend. She's fine! (Praise the Lord... must be all those angels I pray to surround her car.) Anyway, as she kept calling and my husband and I were walking her through the process of an accident, we began to pick on her a bit. (I know. You can never imagine me doing anything like that, right?)

As she was waiting, she expressed her concerns about her laptop which was in the trunk, and she couldn't open trunk. I told her to ask the police officers if they had a way to open her trunk, and we could just use bungee cord on it later... and she could have a Hooptie! >=) (Child was not amused.)

She continued to get off the phone, then call us back several times. Each time she called, she had a different concern. She mentioned that when they had all moved from the side of the interstate, to a gas station parking lot, (which made me feel better... Thank you, Orlando police officers!) ...the car was making a weird, scraping sound. I told her a fender was probably scraping a tire. (Officers helped with that) =)

Next call... Daughter (Brittany) is now concerned that "fender" will fall off while driving home. So hubby and I are trying to differentiate drama from real concerns, and asked her what the officers said. She said they told her she "should be able to make it to Daytona if she drove slowly". o.O (What the heck does that mean!?) Through many questions *SIGH!* we determine fender is fine. However, allow me to share the general feel of these conversations...

Me... "If the fender is really loose, and you can easily remove it, just throw it in the back seat." B... (wait for it...) "But then I won't have a license plate!!!!" >.< Me..."Brittany, that's your bumper!" B... "Oh. well what's a fender?" Me... "It's on the side by the tire." B... "Oh...... well shat should I do?"

(Now the fun starts...) Hubby... "Is it dragging on the ground?" B... "NO!" Me... "I'm heading for Wal-Mart right now. Don't worry. We'll get plenty of bungees for your new hooptie" >=)

Now hubby has more questions (God, help us. I know that look on his face.) Mark... "What kind of car is that lady driving?" >=) B... "A stinking Honda, 2009!!" Mark... "Hmm. Not bad." B... "She doesn't have a stinking scatch on that thing and I can't even open my trunk!" (he he he) Mark... "Well, come home and just don't text like that lady was doing when she hit you!" (No. We have no idea if lady was texting. But score points for hubby for tossing that one out there!) Mark... "And I'll go get you a neck collar and some crutches for you to wear for the next 6 months." ...(No, we really couldn't resist... And again, child was not amused.)

OK. Long story short... Brittany made it home safely, but car is in worse shape than we thought. Cop actually mentioned the word "totaled". CRAP!!! Oh, and it DID end up with a bungee cord on the trunk! (That happened when she headed straight for her friend's party before coming home!)

So, just for Brittany; because I'm a very caring and considerate mother, who wants her child to feel better about her hooptie car issues... B! This is for you! (Make sure you listen to these words!! ROFL!)

Yeah baby! B got a hooptie! >=)

Photo Friday - Above the Chicago Skyline

2010-07-23T23:31:32Z

Today is not one of my usual photo days, but a friend of mine who frequently travels to Chicago insisted on e-mailing me this photo today. He said I HAD to see it. I warned him that if I liked it, he knew where it would end up. He didn't care. Sooo.... ENJOY! Isn't this amazing!?

BTW, a lot of the photos you see on my blog, if taken by my friend Nick, are from Chicago, where he lives =) But this one happens to be from a REALTOR right here in Port Orange, who has family in Chicago. So you can all thank John for letting us borrow this shot :-D

Now if any of you in Chicago would like to move to Florida (Just wait til winter. That's when you'll get the urge), I'd love to help! I'm a Daytona Beach native with experience selling all types of real estate in every city in East Volusia county and beyond. Make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill for all your real estate needs.

www.LisaHillRealtor.com

Hey Lady! You're Rich Because You Sell Houses....Right?

2010-07-23T07:21:58Z

I guess I'm on a re-blog kick today. I just found this incredible post by Sally Cheeseman. Her statements are so accurate, in accordance to what so many people mistakenly believe to be true. Read her post below.

I love her comparison of REALTORS and real estate agents being like small business owners rather than CEO's of large companies! We can't afford what people think we can!

www.LisaHillRealtor.com

Via Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate (Century 21 Liberty Homes):

Many people will tend to look at the success of others by their status, title, label or how financially stable they are. The career choice of an individual just starting out in the work force most likely is an employee who works for a monthly salary or paid by the hour.

During the course of our lives we settle in to a ‘job' (career) that we enjoy...or at the very least one that we make a good living so as to support ourselves and families. We may change paths frequently or we remain on the ladder of success or just a routine to pay the bills.

I'm getting to the story....bear with me.

The CEO of a company most likely makes a lot of money (right?) He/She has worked their way up the ladder and became so successful that they are head of the company and have many others working underneath them; therefore, they most likely have a BIG income.

On the other hand, there are the Independent Contractors who are Small Business Owners. Bob's Pizza's owner is Bob. Bob is well respected in the community for his deep dish pizza with homemade sausage on it. His status is OWNER so he of course he makes a bunch of money. Right?

I changed career paths a few times during the course of my life. I was Administrative Assistant for a Family Law Attorney for many years and did the same for a non-profit program for structured living. I've waitressed in fine dining and volunteered for youth centers.

And then I chose the path of Real Estate.

I remember often the five second conversation I had with a client's 10 year old boy a few years ago. He asked, "You're rich because you sell houses, right?" I politely said, "No, I'm not rich but I do get my bills paid." What else do I say to a young boy who ‘heard' that all real estate agents are rich?

Well, here's a bit of info for all:

The market is slow, prices are up and down and there aren't as many closed sales as previous years. (I really wish I were "rich" like in those days lol)

I live in Hawaii where cost of living is a bit higher than many other states. (But I go to Costco just like anyone else to ‘get a deal')

Homes for sale or rent are higher than many states. Therefore, my morgage is higher than most too; so I'm not exempt from payments either.

I have to pay federal, state and Hawaii General Excise Tax every quarter on all money I make. (So contrary to popular believe I am not exempt to taxes)

I do not get that whole % commission you believe I get..... because both the buyer/seller brokerage get their cut (on top of franchise fees, Errors and Omissions Insurance and so on and so forth...not to mention if it's a short sale and the bank hacks the commission ....or else)

ALL expenses come out of MY pocket and I do not get a salary or hourly rate to cover ANY of these expenses. (I've had a couple clients flat out tell me that I can stop and buy them lunch because I can deduct it)

I can't really ‘afford' to hand out money, time and incur a lot of expenses (lunch, gas, gifts) to be your tour guide because you're bored that day. (or so you can get all the info you can to list your house FSBO...Good luck!)

So, in the end what am I left with?

Taking care of my client's needs and respected for a job well done.

I'll remember to tell that 10 year old boy the next time we meet.....

That yes..... I am rich.

PLEASE Don't Pee in the Pool!

2010-07-23T07:10:25Z

I was just visiting Jeff Dowler's blog (one of my favorite bloggers) and found this post. I HAD to re-blog it! And so there's NO misunderstanding, I even took the liberty of using my own mental thesaurus to let it be known, EXACTLY how I feel!

Here is the comment I left on Jeff's post... Great title. Especially considering that even without ever asking, you just KNOW some people will always pee in the pool! We need the red dye that's shown in the new Adam Sandler movie for when the ADULTS pee in the pool, and the kids are telling them not to do it!

And..."Being rude, sexist, ridiculing, telling lies, name calling Stealing"... *SIGH!!!* I know of some people who are actually proud of being this way! So let me RE-name them a bit... "Obnoxious, Ignorant, Insecure, Untrustworthy and Unethical, Thieves". Did I cover them all? If I could stoop to their level, I'd go post this on their blogs. But I have more class than that. However, I do believe a re-blog is in order!

Jeff's post is below...

Via Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360 (RE/MAX Moonlight Beach (CA DRE Lic. # 01490977)):

Please don’t pee in the pool!!

You were probably told that in one way or another as a kid. However it happened, in some way you learned it was not a cool thing to do. So too, with social media.

Don’t pee in the pool.

I can’t take credit for this title – the inspiration comes from a talk I heard at Sellabration in Las Vegas by Brian Copeland. But I thought this quote was worth repeating, with some cautions about what not to do in the social media pool.

The difference, I suppose, is that you could get away with it as a kid – who would know unless you fessed up? And if you did, well, other kids can be pretty cruel. And the parents would not be pleased either. And it’s just crass.

But in the on-line world, everybody will know. You’re putting it right out there.

Folks don't like it and may tell others. And they might ridicule or ignore you. Not cool.

It sorta defeats the purpose of being there if you pee doesn’t it? And it ruins the water, so to speak.

So what goes on the peeing list?

Spam commenting and spamming others

Selling yourself (OK there is some of that allowed I suppose)

Blabbing about YOUR listings, YOUR open houses, WHY folks should call you, yada yada yada ad nauseum

Being rude, sexist, ridiculing, telling lies, name calling Stealing – you know, articles, photos, videos, and so on

You get the idea. And perhaps you have other thoughts – why not help us make a list?

You learned not to pee in the pool. That ought to ccarry over to the pool of folks we call the social media network.

Capiche?

**************************************

If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, the housing market, or otherwise assist you, friends or family in a home search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

Serving Carlsbad, Encinitas, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside and San Diego

Carlsbad Breaking News ~ Oceanside Breaking News ~ Encinitas Breaking News

Have You Seen the New Look of Localism?

2010-07-23T06:06:50Z

Localism Has A New Look. WOW!

Have you seen the new Localism layout? I LOVE it! In my last blog post, which was a Localism post that primarily focused on the city of Port Orange, FL, I decided to add a link to my own Localism blog posts. So I clicked the "States" button as I usually do, and.... SURPRISE! Localism has a whole new look! And it's so professional!

Take a look for yourself. Click on the "States" button on the bar above. (If you have a black bar and didn't change your text to a lighter color, you can't see the buttons.) Running down the center is no longer a list of agents and points (which was probably very confusing to the consumer anyway!) We now see blog posts that focus on (for me anyway) FLORIDA Real Estate. What a brilliant idea! And now the agents have been moved to the right side, still in order by points, but the points don't show anymore (great idea since consumers were probably confused by that anyway). Seriously, I really love this new look. From the consumer's point of view, I'm sure it's a much better layout. And by the looks of it, I'd venture a guess that we'll get better SEO as well! YES! Isn't that what it's really about?

To show examples, click here to see the state of FLORIDA on LOCALISM. If someone is searching Florida real estate, this is brilliant! Now, for my own county, check this out... VOLUSIA COUNTY FLORIDA REAL ESTATE. Again, No More Points are showing, and content is key.

Looks to me like Localism is now an SEO gold mine! (And I guess this explains why we couldn't upload photos to our posts a few days ago? The AR gusy are officially forgiven in my book :-P)

If you don't normally write Localism posts (IE: Posts about your local area), now is the time to start! Actually, years ago was the time to start. But it's never to late. So get going! Consider me your cheerleader ;-) Feel free to let me know if you've written a Localism post and I'll be happy to comment on it. THAT is one thing that is usually missing from our Localism posts. I admit, it's hard to comment on something when you know nothing about that area. BUT, you CAN easily pick out key words from that specific post, and add a bit of encouragement in a comment. It will look good to consumers, and it's encouraging to each other.

We're all here together on this fantastic network of real estate professionals. We need to show our professionalism by supporting each other. So here's looking forward to some fantastic new Localism posts! And if it's not about real estate, that's OK. Potential buyers will want to know about the area as well. Just a couple of days ago I wrote a post about the Daytona International Speedway being re-paved. My line of thinking is; If I found it interesting, (and I write in an interesting manner) then there's a good chance that others will find it interesting too. As a matter of fact, I'm so fond of these types of posts that long ago I created a group just for them. If you'd like to join, and post to the group, and comment on each others posts (I would love you for that) ;-) it's the Things to Do/Places to Visit Group. YES, you can add your header and/or footer on your posts for this group, but it is NOT for real estate functions, listings, or open houses. Just read the group guidelines and see if it's a good fit for you. Just read the 2 posts I have linked to this one and you'll have a good idea of what the group is about.

And go check out the new Localism look! Hurry up! GO! Do it now! :-D lol I'll be watching for those fabulous new Localism posts. After all, I'm sure you won't want to get left off that page when the consumers are reading the posts that are there! Let's do our jobs well. Keep potential real estate buyers and sellers informed about area events and interesting facts. They'll appreciate you for it.

Spread the word! And Happy Localism Blogging!

(P.S. I hope it was ok for me to use the Localism banner for this post? I can create something similar if necessary.)

Summer's Almost Over. Are Your Children Enrolled in a YMCA Summer Program?

2010-07-23T04:00:56Z

YMCA Programs and Real Estate Info for Port Orange-Ormond Beach-Daytona Beach

It seems like summer (in terms of children and school) can fly right by. Before you know it, your children are back in school and a grade higher (hopefully) ;-) But to families where both parent's work, or in single-parent homes, summers can be a stressful time. And you don't want your children sitting idle and bored. You probably want something your children can enjoy, while you can have some peace of mind while you're working to support your family! So I ask, have you considered your local YMCA?

When my daughter was younger (she's now in college and chose to work in the admissions office for the summer, to reduce her costs and gain some other college-related benefits next year) I enrolled her in the YMCA which has SO many different things for children to do! I remember how my daughter used to bring home her projects she had completed each day, and how she looked forward to their swim-time in the olympic-sized pool, and being amongst friends from school, as well as making new friends who attended other local schools. And when you're in the Port Orange YMCA, you can't miss the many signs that hang from walls and ceilings; filled with positive affirmations and encouragement, to build confidence in all who enter.

I believe it also bears mentioning, I know personal experience, from teaching aerobics at the YMCA, that ANYONE who works at a YMCA, in any capacity at all, must be finger-printed, bonded, and be currently certified in basic CPR and First Aid. The YMCA takes the safety of the children very seriously. And they have plenty of staff on hand as well.

In addition to the above-mentioned requirements, everyone who works at a YMCA (even aerobics instructors) are expected to keep an eye out for the children, and help if they see the need. (There's a specific protocol involved for each situation.) So if live in, or want to move to the Port Orange or Ormond Beach areas (I've taught aerobics at both facilities), I highly recommend enrolling your children in their summer programs. And although we're well into the summer season, sometimes families move to other areas, and children are withdrawn from the programs, creating vacancies. (This happens when REALTORS and real estate agents sell homes to the many families who are moving during the summer, before the next school year begins.) Try getting your children on a waiting list if you need a safe, fun, friendly environment for them. (And there are after-school programs as well!)

And don't forget, even if your children are not enrolled in a YMCA, full-time summer program, there are still other options. When I was a child, my brothers and I all learned to swim at the YMCA. I have fond memories of advancing through the levels as we learned to tread water, kick more powerfully with legs in proper positions, swim and breathe by turning your head to the side, learning different strokes, etc. We advanced to each level by properly demonstrating our ability to execute each portion of learning to swim. (My daughter was taught to swim while she was still in pre-school, in a summer program taught by local lifeguards, in the pool of a local hotel.)

If you live in or near the Port Orange area, the Port Orange YMCA is located at the Port Orange City Center. If you're a regular reader of my "Localism" blog posts, you may have noticed many events in Port Orange are held at the Port Orange City Center. Stay tuned for more upcoming info about the Port Orange City Center, and more family-friendly events for ALL ages.

If you're interested in buying a house in Port Orange, I'd love to help! Make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill for all your real estate needs.

Lisa Hill-Daytona Beach and Port Orange REALTOR, and Daytona Beach Native. <-- About Lisa Hill

www.LisaHillRealtor.com <--Real Estate Info for East Volusia county

www.PortOrangeRealEstateSales.com <--Info for City of Port Orange FL

Need real estate info? Contact Lisa Hill today! <--Contact Lisa Hill

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<-- This copyright logo is Public Domain. Everything else in this post may NOT be copied!

Wordless Wednesday - Getting All My Ducks in a Row

2010-07-21T23:58:59Z

It's time for another one of my (not) Wordless Wednesday posts =P And I haven't tapped one of my friend Nick's shots in a while so I figure we're due. I hope you like his ducks. They're so perfectly aligned... in a row =D

If you're a real estate buyer, or real estate seller in the Port Orange/Daytona Beach/Ponce Inlet areas (and all of East Volusia County), I'd love to help. Make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill for all your real estate needs.

www.LisaHillRealtor.com

To order prints of Nick's photos <--click here.

**ALL TEXT, LOGOS, AND IMAGES ARE FULLY COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. DO NOT COPY**

Get A Piece of Daytona International Speedway. Repaving Happening Now!

2010-07-21T08:06:58Z

News for NASCAR Fans and Daytona Beach Real Estate Buyers

Daytona Beach area residents and visitors, here's some interesting news for NASCAR Racing Fans. The Daytona International Speedway is currently being repaved... a one year project that began right after the "400". What's interesting about this repaving are a couple of key points.

This is the first time the track has been re-paved since 1978; only the 2nd re-paving since it was built.

Fans will have an opportunity to own a piece of the old track. This idea came from the behaviors of passionate Dale Earnhardt fans who began digging up turf from the infield after his historic 1998 win at the Daytona 500. Those who have already purchased 2011 season tickets will automatically receive a piece of the old track.

For those of you who are interested in reading more information about the re-paving, and the speedway itself, here are some interesting links...

Waltrip Brothers Help Repave Speedway - Darrell and Michael Waltrip at Daytona International Speedway 07/12/2010

Daytona International Speedway Repaving

Daytona International Speedway to Mine Asphalt for Souvenir Gold

Grab Your Piece of Racing History

On a personal note, I once participated in a bike-a-thon on the 2.5 mile track. I can assure you that without a racing car, that track is a beast! It's breath-taking to actually BE ON the track, and see the steep incline that surounds the edges of the track (where the cars actually race). It looks almost like a wall in and of itself. You MUST have a race car to ride on that incline. It actually requires those unbelievable speeds, in order for gravity to do it's job.

Some last tidbits of information for this post...

Apparently the Daytona International Speedway has been receiving complaints from drivers for several years now, although it has always held a certain infamy for it's bumpy turns. It's been part of the challenge, and the draw for the drivers who race there. It's why it's one of the highest honors when a driver wins on this particular track. It will be interesting to hear what the driver's think of the finished track when it becomes a bit smoother after it's completion.

In the interim, there's MUCH work to be done! Before the new pavement goes down, the list of prep-work is quite daunting. Just consider the sheer height of the turns, as well as the 57 light poles, the barriers, and the safety-fencing on the high-bank turns. And that's not the part that's even started yet. For now, they're beginning with the 8,300 linear feet of "Safer" barrier. And guess who has been there to help with the beginning of the removal of 17 million plus pounds of asphalt and lime rock? How about... Darrell Waltrip and Michael Waltrip?

According to Bob Zeller; Motorsports Editor, before the new pavement goes down, there's a lot of preparation work to be done. Recently, workers began removing 57 light poles, the safety fencing in the high-banked turns and 8,300 linear feet of SAFER barrier.

So to all you Daytona Beach NASCAR racing fans, we'll see you next year, as racing is done on a brand new track! And if you'd like to obtain your own piece of history as the old track is removed, just follow the link to the DIB web site.

If you're interested in buying real estate in Daytona Beach (which could save you money on the astronomical prices of hotel rooms during special events), I'd love to help! I'm a Daytona Beach native, and experienced REALTOR®. Make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill for all your real estate needs.

www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateSales.com