South Beach Condo Blog

Rainer Coco Clayman Cook-Westside Los Angeles Agent-- Stars on Bravo's "Million Dollar Listing"

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:49:58 -0500

Coco Clayman-Cook, Westside Los Angeles Real Estate Maven stars in tonight's issue of Bravo's reality series Million Dollar Listing. As soon as I saw Coco Clayman-Cook showing LA's exclusive condos in the Wilshire Boulevard corridor, I said to myself, "she's an ActiveRain member."

So, congrats to 'Rainer Coco!

Highlights from tonight's show:

Josh Flagg persecuting his grandmother for her money when she dies. She's a holocaust survivor and all he cares about it getting all of her cash. Well, according to my GOD, The Real Estalker, Josh Flagg was jailed two weeks ago for allegedly stealing FROM HIS owner's homes. More at the Real Estalker's Blog
That bowl cut on Chad
Why does Chad feel that he has such a great skill in calming down "irate clients?" "Hey, Chad, you dork, don't p*ss your clients off in the first place--then they won't be "irate" with you, d*uchebag."
One more thing: what putz takes an overpriced 90 day listing? That's a hallmark of a successful agent.

Lastly, Madison was one of the apprentices in Project Blogger. Oh and one small thing: READ MORE HERE

Why I Love Omarosa!

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:17:23 -0500

I Really Need More Help---!!!

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:23:12 -0500

With all of this blogging/social networking/linked in/ Trulia Voices---I have so many profiles on the net.

I want to corral them and my passwords to keep them together.

Anyone have any ideas on organizing this stuff? Any technology out there to help with with this stuff????

POR FAVOR!

Rude People Annoy Me-More Than a Mini-Rant

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:12:39 -0500

When someone is having a conversation with me, the least I can do is give them my full attention.

Ines, is it a "Miami thing" that people are ALWAYS holding two conversations at once?

I'm adopting a new policy as of today:

I will no longer repeat myself when a person decides to take a cell phone call or simultaneously holds another conversation with another person.

It's rude.

Furthermore, in general, I find that social skills and manners are non-existent.

FYI, more times than not, I am completely not interested in your "other" conversation.

We should have cell phone booths, no?

I Have a Question About ActiveRain --What Do You Think?

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:04:26 -0500

Actually, I have two questions. Here in the Miami area there are a few AR members who constantly switch their profile from city-to-city. One day their profile is in Miami Beach, one day it is in Sunny Isles and the next it is, say, in Miami Gardens.

Do you think that's cheesy? I plan to defer my thoughts on this until at least a few people weigh in with some insight.

Last question: What is the purpose of members with more than one profile?

Collisions and the "Not So Rosy Side" of Listing Syndication: Trulia

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:31:02 -0500

My Broker supplies our listings feed to Trulia. Here is my listing on Trulia. Notice anything?

My Web address is not condo.com. Condo.com is another brokerage in the Miami area that is supplying select listings (usually the lowest priced listing in any condo building, from what I can see) directly to Trulia from their MLS feed.

There is my pretty face (only because I went to Trulia and "claimed the listing"). My broker notified Trulia (over three months ago) of this and:

Have not rectified the situation
Have no policy for "collisions"

This is the fly in the ointment for listing syndication. Trulia makes money from our content. Ok, good, no problem. Did you know: There is ABSOLUTELY nothing that prevents another broker from supplying a feed to Trulia (of the complete MLS) which would include MY listing.

Check your listings on Trulia. Nothing will change if we:

Don't know about the problem
Demand that they take a responsible approach to protect OUR content to the best of their ability
Demand to know about their "Collision Policy" before supplying the listings.

If Trulia wants my content, I believe they should feel a sense of responsibility to "clock" unethical brokers profiteering from my content. If they don't want to deal with it--we have a choice "to feed or not to feed" Trulia.

The reality, so far, is that they don't really seem to care as long as they are getting content.

I care. I think you should too.

Here's another little nugget: Set up a Google Alert (of the property address of the listing) everytime you get a new listing. It's INVALUABLE to know where your listing is being used.

ONE LAST SUGGESTION: Go to Trulia and claim ALL of your listings.

UPDATE: This post is in no way meant to dis Rudy. Rudy knows (and so does Trulia) that he's one of us--but as "The Donald" says: "It's not personal, it's business."

The One Thing I Hate About Bloggers: STOP THE MADNESS

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:35:46 -0500

...is the constant need for bloggers to pat oneself on the back, put it on-line, and expect others to share in the kudos that you just gave TO YOURSELF.

Sex and the City: My Tribute

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:07:38 -0500

Photo: Reuters

Ok everyone who knew me "back then," knew I was a huge fan of SATC. ( That's an acronym that Greg Swann DOES NOT know, I'm sure.)

I was going to NYC about every 10 or so days from 2000-2004 BB(before blogging).

I have a picture of me sitting on Carrie's "stoop" in the West Village

So 1 week before the series finale (teary eye- very traumatic) I wrote an e-mail to EVERYONE IN MY OFFICE (can you believe that)? I happened to find the e-mail pinned to to the side of my desk tonight. So here it has and have a good laugh. BTW "Norby" is our office manager.

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

Date: 2/07/2004

Re: We must go deep within ourselves..during this trying time......

I know that all of you, like I, are having incredible anticipatory anxiety over Sunday's final episode of Sex in the City.

i'm having extreme difficulty with the following questions:

What if the group (carrie,miranda,samantha,charlotte) keep doing their thing in nyc and the cameras are not around to film it? Could you imagine walking into Brasserie (53rd & Park) and seeing the girls there? I would have to question everything that I know is real...or is it?????

Which (and I know there are many) Sex party do you go to on sunday? What if you choose the 'wrong' one? ...the fallout could be devastating and ruin you socially.....

Isn't it tragic..so many years of me hailing a cab...'carrie style' on 7th avenue..God I was good. By the way I'm giving tours this summer of carrie's brownstone on perry st. in the village.

Well miss you gals...

I'm currently in negotiations with Norby to sing a little number at Friday's awards banquet (norby must wear a pair of manolo's) . Something southern and soulful is appropriate. We'll all be wailing...gals wear your best shoes on friday for carrie!!!!

keep ur heads high!!

Carrie

Making Money in Today's Real Estate Market: Just How Hard Is It?

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:01:17 -0500

I was checking out Barry Cunningham's post over at BHB and the title of the post really caught my eye. I read his post because of the title. You must be saying "Why do you think the title is so special, Kevin," and I would tell you that my personal philosophy on the current real estate market is exactly opposite the majority (like 99.9%) of agents. That brings me to the reason I love the title.

When I tell most agents that I think the market s*cks and I can't wait for it to get worse (that's right), I am immediately met with great resistance, mostly in their body language -- but I can feel it.

"It's Gonna Be a Bloodbath"

...was one of my quotes from some article I was interviewed for. I was ridiculed for that one. "How could I say that to the media?" I thought to myself--"these agents just don't get it." Nope. None.

Let the Blood Flow Like a River!

The market can only correct itself when the healing process begins. Oversupply. Nasty, nasty word. Someone's gotta lose money. Someone's gotta HELP these people sell (if they really need to), might as well be me!

Back to Barry

I was reading his W.O.W. (he tends to write those heinously long posts) but he writes good stuff --so I decide to labor through it.

Reading.....Reading.....Reading.....and More Reading

I'm thinking to myself, "sh*t, it's the end of the world...and this post WON'T end"

Golden Nugget:

1. Answer the phone! If you are not going to commit to the business, please get out of it. There are buyers out there ready to pull the trigger on deals and they can't even get a hold of the agents listing the property. We hear this time and time again. We even hear it from other agents.

I'm Going on Vacation Tomorrow (now today)

and am at the office. It's about 9 pm. I look at my call log. A customer calls in and requests information on Canyon Ranch Miami Beach, which is a new outpost of the Lenox & Tucson spas. I so don't wanna make ONE MORE call tonight. My desk is clean. I'm on the road (in my head) to Key West. I'm not returning ONE MORE call. "Sheez these people need to understand that I need a break, too," I think out loud (as I kick the desk like a child).

See Above: Golden Nugget

I'm a pro! I'm gonna return that call!

She Buys the Joint!

It's not all that hard.

Thanks Barry!

Greatest Real Estate Agent in the World

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:40:03 -0500

My vote for

The Greatest Real Estate Agent in the World

goes to Ardell DellaLoggia over at RainCityGuide.com.

Her post entitled "Greatest Real Estate Agent in the World" is a great post.

New Active Rain Blog Design

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:41:33 -0500

Thanks to a new feature that Brad Carroll discovered, I now have a new AR blog design. Check out the Dakno Blog for instructions on how you can do it

I Smell a Blog War

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:28:19 -0500

over at RSS Pieces

Has Laurie Manny

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:00:41 -0600

been drinking the kool-aid?

Teri L. should have FUN with this one

Is BloodHound Blog over?

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:10:32 -0600

So much has gone on over at the BHB lately, all of which I have learned today (don't tell Greg, he will call me some mean names). Writers are leaving, everyone in the RE.NET has HAD IT with "him."

We all know that GS at the BHB likes to create drama for web traffic (he ACTUALLY TOUTS IT).

People are running, screaming, quitting, unsubscribing in droves.

Could this be the end for a once-revered re.net blog?

There are some jaw-dropping threads at 4realz.net and Sellsius. Pop a bag of popcorn, grab a diet coke and enjoy.

Also, props to my sista over at the Rain City Guide for winning the Greatest Real Estate Agent in the World competition

Why My Valentine, ARDELL, Is The Greatest Real Estate Agent in the World

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:50:35 -0600

As you know, ARDELL has this annoying trait of "having scruples." I don't get it -- frankly it sorta bores me.

I live by two mottos:

1. Know the Rules; Play to Win (Joan Rivers)

2. I ain't here for my looks

So ARDELL is competing fiercely in some competition about SEO. I'm sure she is up late scheming until the early hours of the morning. I know this because I get calls at like 5 am EST! from ARDELL; she seems wigged out on caffeine, sort of slurring her words. Last night all I could make out from her babble was "I'm gonna bring those MF'ers to their knees" and then she hung up on me. It was a little scary, but funny too!

ARDELL IS THE GREATEST SEO REAL ESTATE AGENT IN THE WORLD

Hi, My Name is DiZ Claimer

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 03:39:16 -0600

When I started blogging in March of 2007 (disclaimer: I am NOT stating this, and if anyone sues me please note that I am not stating this "for the record"), I did not know who or what a Redfin was; understand that I am a east coast boy (clarification: actually, Ohio but I now reside in sunny South Beach). I did not know what a Zillow was (sorry, David G. from Zillow) or for that matter even a Trulia (Dear Trulia, I'm not slighting you by not mentioning some fabulous blogosphere celebrity, please feel free to let me know who your front man/woman is in the comments. Thank you.).

I thought a "transparency" was something my fifth grade teacher put on the overhead to teach us math. (Whew! I'm thankful that "transparency" is a word, because I'm sure an attorney would find "transparency" and engage him/her as a client and sue me for something, I'm sure).

I did not know what "disintermediation" was. I'm so thankful that Pat Kitano is a liberal (disclaimer: because I am an artist, I am taking a little artist freedom--so just go with me here. PAT, DON'T SUE ME). I think Pat likes me-so I'm sure he'll let go of the FACT that I, infact, did not know what "disintermediation" was when I became a blogger (sometime in the last 12 months, but I am not committing to a date). BAD BLOGGER

I used to get so annoyed with AR and all the moderators here because anytime ANYONE mentioned the following words:

REDFIN, ZILLOW, TRULIA, DISINTERMEDIATION, TRANSPARENCY, that Kelman guy (again, east coast guy here), Web 2.0, WIDGETS, TLW, BB, LENN HARLEY--BAM: FEATURED POST!

So I have to deliver the bad news to all the above Active Rain "slam dunk" featured post subjects:

New HOT BUTTON featured post subject for 2008: DISCLAIMER

DISCLAIMER: To all the people/companies above, I am so sorry. Please feel free to sue the h*ll out of me!

Should the NAR defend Lechuga?

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:46:03 -0600

Agent Genius posted an interesting article that states that this may be a case for NAR to gain credibility with the consumer by defending Lucas Lechuga in his battle with a Miami developer.

Considering that AR is a blogging platform, I would imagine that the membership here would be quite interested in the outcome of this, given the fact that it could be any one of us in this position.

Buying Short-Sales & Foreclosures--I Need Help!

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:36:13 -0600

Hello All

I want to do an informative link post on my blog with including only the BEST OF THE BEST posts on short-sales and foreclosures. My idea is to have it as a reference posts that people can refer back to for advice and information so I don't have to say the same thing 200 times before this whole thing is over!

My thought is to have 3 - 6 posts to be included on MY blog post to explain the processes/pitfalls and what to expect when buying one of these types of properties.

ARDELL did one of the best ones I have seen so far on RCG. So I ask for your help to please guide me to what you think are GREAT posts on the buying processes (pros & cons) for short-sales and foreclosures.

ANYONE can chime in, even Brian Brady or the lovely Laurie Manny and paydirt would be "T".

If there are any consumers that have any good reference information PLEASE feel free to leave the link in the comments!

Please feel free to leave any/all links in comments EVEN if they aren't YOUR posts.

Tour of Apogee South Beach-Miami Beach Real Estate

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 23:38:59 -0600

Newest Addition to the Miami Beach Real Estate Scene: Apogee South Beach

I recently took a tour of Apogee South Beach with clients. I have to say the overall finish of the building is stunning. It is very understated and elegant; it is the antithesis of ICON South Beach.

It looks as if closings will be happening toward the end of December.

Click here to take a tour of Apogee South Beach at the South Beach Condo Blog

South Beach Luxury Condos-Market Report-Miami Beach Real Estate in 33139

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 23:05:28 -0500

With the real estate market in a state of flux, absorption rates are increasingly used as an indicator to assess how long it would take to sell ALL the existing condos in each condominium, assuming the rate of sales stays constant and no new listings are added to the inventory. Additionally, absorption rates are the best way of tracking market performance. They are usually used to indicate "overall real estate market performance," or how an entire market is doing.

To calculate monthly absorption rate, I have taken all the condos that are currently on the market in each building in the South of Fifth Street (SoFi) neighborhood of South Beach, and divided them by the number of listings that have sold in their respective condo in the past six months and divided that number by six. Many people compute absorption rates by using the number of sales in a one month period, but I use a six month sales average so it "smoothes" the seasonal "peaks and valleys" to gauge the true overall activity.

The data was based on information from the Southeast Florida Regional (SEFR) MLS or from the associations participating in the SEFR for the period 1/1/07 through 9/3/2007.

Here's the math for South Beach condos-market statistics:

View the market statistics for Miami Beach condos at The South Beach Real Estate Blog

FSBO vs Realtor Statistics: What Are They?

Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:22:56 -0500

I was watching Property Ladder on TLC earlier this week and the host, Kirsten Kemp, was giving property sales stats on FSBO vs. agent-handled sales. Here are the stats she gave, I was riveted:

"Stats show that the median selling price of a FSBO are 15% lower than a house that is listed with a Realtor. Homes listed with Realtors sell in less than half the amount of time than FSBO's"

My question: Does anyone know where she/they got these stats? I'd love to (as we all should) have these stats at my fingertips.

Mortgage Meltdown Leads to Fire Sale of Key Biscayne Real Estate

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:30:17 -0500

It seems that Key Biscayne hedge fund manager John Devaney, CEO of United Capital made a bad decision by investing in the mortage market right before it collapsed.

According to TheStreet.com, Devaney put

"one of his most prized possessions-a 142-foot Trinity yacht dubbed Positive Carry- up for sale along with his $16.5 million second-home in Aspen, CO. The house, called Sardy House, is the site of the nations' largest living Christmas tree."

Read More About "Scarface Home Goes on Market for $38.5M" at The South Beach Condo Blog

Will Apogee South Beach Condo Be All That You Desire?

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 19:29:10 -0500

Apogee South Beach

The Related Group's Apogee South Beach in the sexy SoFi neighborhood of South Beach marketing slogan is "More than you need. All that you desire." It seems that Related seems to "need" to net a little more out of the crown jewel of the developer's portfolio.

According to the Miami Herald:

Dellacasa, a maker of kitchen and bathroom cabinets, sued developer Related Group and the project's general contractor John Moriarity & Associates, claiming they sought to steal its designs and oust the company in order to ``replace it with a cheaper, low-end contractor.''

Kevin says: This has got to be a tad bit mortifying for the Related Group who has touted the luxury condominium to be the "very best of the best."

I'm sure that the buyers who trusted the developer's promise to deliver the very finest in condominium living will be "checking the labels" on all the finishes making sure that what was promised is delivered.

Apogee South Beach is slated for completion in December.

Canyon Ranch Living Miami Beach: Update on Closings

Sun, 12 Aug 2007 21:46:28 -0500

Photo taken 6/25/2007

The first phase of Canyon Ranch Living Miami Beach closings are expected to start after Labor Day. The first units to close will be floors 7 -10 in the south tower. From what I have been told, the center (Carillon building) tower will start closings about 60-90 days after that, so probably right around the end of the year.

The Canyon Ranch Living Miami Beach resort hotel should be operational right around the beginning of the new year.

The project has been extremely successful. The first phase (south & center towers) is sold out and north tower still has exceptional units available. Units start around $1M. Re-sale units are available in the south & center towers as well.

To Continue Reading "Canyon Ranch Living Miami Beach: Update on Closings" Please follow our link to the South Beach Condo Blog

It's over--Project Blogger/Active Rain in San Francisco--The Dirt on the players!

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 03:35:41 -0500

UPDATE: I decided to do pics in the comments. If anyone has any pics they want to upload to share......feel free!

____________________________________________________________

Hello, Hello

Ok! Here's the down and dirty on all the AR & Blogosphere celebs:

1. Mary Pope!!!

She won! We love, love, love her. Such a truly nice person--it is almost scary. Thanks for the tour of SF. I tip my hat to you (and your ghosts).

2. ARDELL!!!

I met her on a street corner. So nice and charming. Warm and she has a little sexy spark to her. Looks better in person than her pic. Tisza has a pic of us meeting from the first moment. Good thru and thru. Love this woman.

3. Caleb

Well-spoken, educated guy. Nice teeth. Great guy, we bonded. Did you see the nice thing he said about my week 3 post! I can't wait to see the apprentice wrap-up video on the Rain.

4. Matt Heaton:

Very genuine guy. Kinda quiet. Seems like he likes to be out of the spotlight.

5. Jonathan

Looks exactly like his pic. Perfectly polite and good people.

6. Tisza

Just like her writings. Boy, this girl can talk! Wait to you see the interview. Very into it. Lots of great, great pics. Thanks for the prompt pick-up in the Prius. Much love, girl.

7.Dustin Luther.

Nice guy and bouding with energy. Refreshing. Looks like his pic.

8.Jeff Turner:

Better looking than his pic. Nice, nice guy. Took a dorky pic at the awards---I'll live with it!

9. Laurie Manny

Love the b*tch. Silent and deadly. Don't scr*w with her. I have pics of her walking barefoot in the streets of SF---I'm not afraid to post them when I get back to Miami---! Seriously, she has nothing but luv to give.

10. Noah Rosenblatt

What a player! I was at a panel he was speaking on. Very, very impressed with him. Learned from him. Looks better in person.

11 & 12--Joe & Rudy

Good time guys! I like that about them. They don't take themselves so seriously---which is great. Great info.

We had fun in the van from Zillow party to the Trulia party.

13. Jim Cronin.

Real commanding in person.

14. Teresa Boardman

Great hair. Well spoken. Pretty.

15. Genea from Sacramento (pronounced Gina):

So nice to me. I just met her. Well-respected.

16. Sharon Simms

So willing to help. LOOKS better than her pic. Sharon GET A NEW PIC.

17. Brian Brady

Sharp guy--impressive. Suspenders.

18. Dan Green

Sharp and honest. Kinda reminds me of me. No surprise that I like his style. I just learned of him today. Just subscribed to his feed.

19 Drew from Zillow

Nice. Knows his stuff. Quiet. Looks just like his pic.

20. Frances Flynn Thorsen

The other-half of the winning team. I wanted to hate her (it's my style) but I can't.

Pat Kitano

Real quiet guy. Sophisticated, smart & I like him; we'd get along--exact opposites.

Greg Swann:

Didn't get to meet him. Not in SF. My loss.

Adam Koval: Socketsite

Wow. Heavy hitter. Integrity. He's on my "list".

Kevin Boer:

Well-spoken. Kevin: YOU WERE A GREAT MODERATOR. I love how you "shusshed"' the panelists into the mic. I can do a perfect imitation of the "shussh"

Joel Burslem

YOUNG. Knows his sh*t. Great moderator.

Miss Editor Jessica Swesey

Little sex pot.

Mary McKnight:

It's weird because she doesn't "look" like the type of gal who would be into "geeky" type stuff. Great, great info. She's on my feed now.

Anil Dash-(Six Apart)

Never heard of him before. Wow-very intelligent guy. The kind of intelligence that is intimidating.

Kris Berg:

She makes the list because she thinks I'm good-looking. I'm a simple guy--that's enough for me!

OK--So I'm from the east coast so we don't have the REDFIN drama. We don't know of Redfin or their business model. So my next dish is on Glenn Kelman.

Smart guy. He was a bit nervous at the beginning of his KEYNOTE SPEECH. He got his groove on AND gave incredible information; quite possibly some of the best info of Bloggers Connect. Why am I supposed to not like Redfin? Subscribed to his feed.

UPDATE: I forgot to mention Marc Davison. He was one of the judges who took a lot of heat (especially from me but form the other apprentices as well). He is a great, great guy. Remember he was the one who likened me to Paris Hilton? Thank god it wasn't Lindsay Lohan! What a sharp guy. We met. In his picture that I once saw somewhere he looked crazy like that mug shot of that drunk actor (not Mel Gibson)...But, anyway, he looks much better in person than his pic. Marc----get a new pic. I send you the $100 bucks---that is something Paris Hilton would consider VERY IMPORTANT.

DICEY PICS TO COME.