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consumers: So Where it the Logic?
- 06/20/08 10:56 PM
In the real estate market we find ourselves in now with profits for sellers shrinking, there is the temptation for some to try to sell on their own. Sunday's New York Times has an article about a couple in White Plains who are trying to sell on their own. They are internet savvy, researched how to a sell a property and now believe they can do it themselves. The article states that the owner is an Insurance Agent. I am wondering what he would say if I, a professional realtor, needing insurance, would start to research buying insurance on the internet … (5 comments)
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consumers: Blogging and Lurkers, Beware!
- 07/14/07 04:58 AM
Well, I guess this blogging thing is not always as innocent as one would like or think. It seems that the CEO of Whole Foods has been lurking on various web sites around the internet anonymously for the past 8 years. He has made comments about his own company and disparaging comments about other companies that he may want to buy. I guess that the motivation of bloggers, the motivation of people who comment and the identies of those you meet on line is not always what you think. This is something that Zillow and other sites should consider when having … (7 comments)
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consumers: Open House, June 24, 1pm-4pm 6 Deerhill Lane, Scarsdale, NY 10583
- 06/21/07 06:55 AM
Drastically Reduced to $675,000
I have a listing on the market for the past six weeks. This house is an Estate Sale. The roof was redone a few years ago, the kitchen is updated, the deck was recently refurbished. The bathrooms and windows are original and there is some noise from a nearby highway. This is a high ranch. Upstairs is a living room with floor to ceiling brick fireplace, dining room and eat in kitche. There is a master bedroom with bath, two more bedrooms and another bath. Downstairs there is what is now being used as a bedroom, bath and … (0 comments)
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consumers: Why Oh Why
- 06/21/07 06:40 AM
We all have pet peeves where we work whether we are Real Estate Agents, Brokers, teachers, whatever. There are certain things that occur during our day that are just inexplicable. I am taught that I can't change my surroundings only my reactions and the way I deal with what goes on. There are times when this just becomes totally impossible. Sometimes some of the most simple things just get on your nerves, the straw that broke, etc.........
So,
1. Why do listing agents that presumably want to sell their listings make it virtually impossible to show the property?
2. Why are some of the most important things about a … (3 comments)
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consumers: NAR Response to 60 Minutes
- 05/15/07 07:06 AM
Well, here is the press release from the National Association of Realtor highlighting the inaccuracies in the 60 Minutes program that aired on Sunday night. Personally I think the show left an awful lot out, was inaccurate and really I found it surprising as to the amount of information that wasn't in the segment. Read it for yourself:
NAR Response to 60 Minutes
Hi, I'm Leslie Stahl. I have my house for sale. I just made up the flyers and am running around my neighborhood distributing them. Call me if you have any questions. I am available to show my house to you … (3 comments)
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consumers: Open Houses - Is that the best way to see houses?
- 05/14/07 10:15 AM
In the real estate market we find ourselves in with more inventory to look at it seems easier for some buyers to spend Sunday afternoons going from house to house previewing properties in their price range. Seems less complicated. Sign in and look around ask questions if necessary and go on to the next. So what is wrong with doing it this way? Nothing if you understand the ground rules. So......
1. You need to understand that the agent at the house works for and represents the seller of the property.
2. You need to understand that when you ask questions the agent will propably not … (0 comments)
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consumers: Redfin, 60 Minutes and a Changing Real Estate Industry
- 05/13/07 12:05 PM
I just watched the 60 minute segment on Redfin and the real estate industry. 6% was mentioned often as the going rate which is news to me. I have been under the impression that commission's are negotiable and there isn't any particular number that is "across the board". Aside from that the discussion on Redfin was interesting. A young couple was coached by Redfin in the pricing of their home which they sold within $10,000 of the price Redfin placed on the property. They claimed that they saved $26,000 in commission. They saved commission by paying Redfin a flat rate on … (9 comments)
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consumers: New Report From the FTC and Department of Justice - Hot off the Press
- 05/08/07 11:41 AM
Hot off the press today:
Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Justice Issue Report on Competition in the Real Estate Brokerage Industry
Agencies Make Recommendations to Maintain Competition and Protect Consumers from Anticompetitive Conduct
The Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) today issued a joint report, "Competition in the Real Estate Brokerage Industry." The purpose of the report is to inform consumers and others involved in the industry about important competition issues involving residential real estate, including the impact of the Internet, the competitive structure of the real estate brokerage industry, and obstacles to a more competitive environment.
"Home ownership is … (0 comments)
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consumers: Dogs and Rentals in Westchester County, New York
- 04/27/07 11:23 PM
Down in New York City 93% percent of buildings allow dogs and that number has tightened over the years. In Westchester County it is difficult to get an owner of an apartment or house who is renting the property to agree to pets, especially dogs. I now have several properties for rent on the market and one owner will consider a dog under 10lbs if he has to. Another owner prefers no dogs. As a listing agent with a few rentals at the moment I get called from loads of agents whose clients have dogs and larger dogs.
"The dog is wonderful, the … (0 comments)
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consumers: Radon - Important Links and What You Need to Know
- 04/07/07 10:58 PM
Radon exists in Westchester County, New York. The following two maps of northern and southern Westchester County show the short term radon levels throughout the County.
What is Radon? Should I be concerned? How does it get into a house?
Radon is a radioactive gase, which comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in all soil. It moves up through the ground and into houses through:
Cracks in solid floorsConstruction jointsCracks in wallsGaps in Suspended floorsGaps around service pipesthe water supplyThe danger of radon is that it is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and overall radon is … (4 comments)
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consumers: Moving?
- 04/05/07 07:31 AM
There are two types of moves. Intrastate where you stay within the same state and Interstate when you move from one state to the other. There are some do's and dont's that apply to both types of moves:
DO's
Get three estimates;Have the mover come to your home and look at what you are going to move;Check references and consumer complaints;Take an inventory of everything you will be moving;Make sure the company has liability insurance and how much you would be insured for;Allow at least six weeks prior to your move to get the estimates and check out the companies.DON'Ts
Let the mover tell … (0 comments)
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consumers: Basics of Foreclosures - Westchester County, NY
- 03/28/07 11:27 PM
Everywhere we turn we are hearing about foreclosures and that many homeowners are now in a terrible situation. While the real estate market was escalating and values increasing the equity these homeowners had in their properties was increasing and if the properties were sold the amounts the seller's were paid would cover the loans. Now with home prices stabilizing and adjusting downward this equity is no longer there. Many individuals can be paying mortgages on properties that are now worth less than what they owe.
Individuals who did not "put down" money at the time of purchase and financed at 100% or … (2 comments)
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In the real estate market we find ourselves in now with profits for sellers shrinking, there is the temptation for some to try to sell on their own. Sunday's New York Times has an article about a couple in White Plains who are trying to sell on their own. They are internet savvy, researched how to a sell a property and now believe they can do it themselves. The article states that the owner is an Insurance Agent. I am wondering what he would say if I, a professional realtor, needing insurance, would start to research buying insurance on the internet … (5 comments)
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