| |
Concrete in Cary, NC: A spanking new driveway is a thing of beauty. - 04/30/11 01:46 PM
It was just time for a new driveway at home.
Like a lot of concrete driveways in Cary, NC, and the surrounding area, orignal workmanship was poor, and the driveway had failed in only 14 years. It was full of cracks, had started to heave, and since water laid on it, freezing and thawing over time had lifted much of the surface finish off. It trapped dirt and muck, and was just messy. This happens when a contractor guarantees emphatically, "All concrete will crack." And most of them make that guarantee, it seems. You can drive me crazy with the standard line, … (0 comments)
|
REBLOG OF Debe Maxwell: Self-Promotion = Self-Destruction - 04/29/11 11:46 PM
I believe folks visit real estate web sites seeking freely-given information. We have it:
Read more: Mike Jaquish http://caryrealestatesales.com/#ixzz1KyTmLa8L
And I believe that Debe nailed it with this post. Consumers are tired of constant self-promotion. They want value, facts, help, and attention. They want the spotlight. It is all about the consumer.
.
.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Via Debe Maxwell - Search Charlotte Homes for Sale - Charlotte NC Neighborhoods (Savvy + Company Real Estate):
Self-Promotion = Self-Destruction When Will We Learn: It's All About Me THEM! Before building a new website, I checked out, probably hundreds of real estate websites, and also took … (15 comments)
|
Signs of the Times. Active Rain/Kodak Sign/Flyer Challenge - 04/29/11 11:24 PM
I had my first real estate signs made almost 6 years ago and in hindsight, I think I did very little right. Well, I got my name spelled right. But... I used my office phone instead of my cell phone. I bought sign panels to fit used frames that were given to me. Cheap way to start, and a cheap way to look cheap.... Really cheap. The signs did not say "For Sale" on them and after I started getting rental calls, I realized I had to put "For Sale" riders on. And that required duct tape. Duct tape is a wonderful thing, … (6 comments)
|
The Love/Hate of Listing Flyers: Active Rain/Kodak Sign/Flyer Challenge - 04/29/11 11:24 PM
I use flyers on my listings. In flyer boxes, and of course in the home where I also offer a document package for the serious buyer to take along.. I'm not sure exactly why I do curbside flyers, but it feels like real estate marketing. And I know I do them better than a lot of other people.
I create my own flyers, using Microsoft Publisher, usually with 3 to 6 photos, a few QR Codes, and bullet points for the features of the listed property. And I print this on the back of an MLS Buyer Report. I never print … (4 comments)
|
NC Due Diligence Periods, and Deals Failing in Cary - 04/28/11 11:59 PM
I'm hearing more reports about contract terminations in Cary, NC, since the initiation of new standard forms revolving around the revised NCAR/NC Bar Offer to Purchase and Contract that we adopted as of 1/1/11.
We are in a transition.We are in the beginnings of a major change in selling and buying property in North Carolina.
One major goal of the Forms Committee was to press Buyers and Sellers to be better prepared for the oncoming transaction. Accelerate the process by doing some of the heavy lifting prior to entering into contract.That seems sensible to me.
Sellers should prep their property better for … (5 comments)
|
Just Say "No" to Puffery - 04/27/11 03:11 PM
TMLS # 1767689
"Remarks: WANTED: 1 Tractor Trailer Load of Treated Lumber, 1 Table Saw, 1 Radial Saw, 1 Circular Saw, 1 Skill Saw, 1 Cordless Drill, 1 Framing Square, 1 Level, 2 Hammers, 1 Air Compressor, 2 Framing Nailers, and Someone that Knows how to use them! You got the Tools BUT Do you have the Talent? If you DO NOT KNOW what all the Aforementioned Tools are then You DO NOT have ANY Business Here!!"
Whoa...No Stainless Steel appliances or granite?I may have just read the most straightforward Triangle MLS listing description I have ever seen.
… (4 comments)
|
On Line Privacy? What's that? - 04/27/11 12:39 PM
It's not like we have to give up all vestiges of privacy. We can hold back.
Some folks do. Many folks.
But Arlo and Janis today touched on a point that many of us hold near and dear. People really aren't interested in all our details. Not near as much as aggregators of information are.
Is GOOG and Apple tracking and storing of information an internet privacy issue, or just a broad privacy issue?
Personal tidbit: I get a lot of good ideas from the funnies.
… (6 comments)
|
ActiveRain Foibles: So you miss your AR Leaderboard? Try this... - 04/26/11 08:27 AM
Yesterday's and Friday's server kerfuffles ruffled a few AR Members' feathers...
One item I saw mentioned a couple of times was that the Leaderboard was down. Can't check AR Rank. from my AR Home Page. Oh dear!
"How do I see who passed me?" Well, once we get past "Curiosity Killed the Cat," we have an alternative for the inquisitive AR Member.
At the top right of any AR page, in the header strip, between "Channels" and "My Home," you will see "States."
This does not refer to States of Confusion, Despair, or Disgust. It refers to the 50 US States, and adds Canadian … (19 comments)
|
Working for HyperLocal ActiveRain Blog Content is a Great Way to Learn HyperLocal Stuff! - 04/25/11 07:57 PM
Everyone in real estate seeks to be thought of as an Area Expert, a HyperLocal Guru, the Go-to Person for information in their local area. We have the benefit of a great amount of local content available from the internet, public and private web sites, news organizations, photo galleries, etc, all of which can help us learn about our area. That is great, as few of us can keep accurate track of hundreds of neighborhoods and services in our heads.
And I use that information. I use it as a stepping-off point. I do that before getting out into the local area I … (16 comments)
|
Cary NC: The sun WILL rise tomorrow! - 04/24/11 10:50 PM
We have a whole new week ahead of us.
I expect to handle some obligations, delve into some opportunities, and also work through the regular drudgery stuff. It's all part of the package when working in real estate.
With any luck, I will be able to eat lunch most days next week, but that is about time, and knowing that I can have a meal whenever I can find the time is a blessing to be remembered always.
Here's hoping Monday Morning starts the week off with a treat like this:
… (6 comments)
|
What's in YOUR Easter Basket? I got SPAM! - 04/24/11 11:50 AM
This stuff seems to run in packs. And out of the blue on Easter Sunday Morning, I find spam in my basket. A basket full, in diffferent accounts, at that. Including these two from "acquaintances," which makes me linger for a nanosecond longer.
The FBI has a tasty little attachment for me, zipped, even, but I think I will pass. If it had been signed by J Edgar himself? Still pass... :
Oh, yeah. I'm sure there is something in there about my "fund(s)."
A friend is in the UK, and needs me to wire money. Actually, I am fortunate that … (17 comments)
|
Cary NC: An Artistic Pedestrian Bridge connecting MacDonald Woods Park and Marla Dorrel Park - 04/23/11 11:12 PM
How to connect two beautiful parks when a 6 lane freeway separates them?
In 2007, Cary NC did it with the lovely Pedestrian Bridge over US 1/64. US1/64 carries over 80,000 cars daily, so it was not an easy installation, particularly as it was done in concert with widening of both sides of the highway.
But at 315 feet, and nicely decorated, it is a beautiful and functional addition that connects Marla Dorrel Park and Kids Together Playground with MacDonald Woods Park via the Hinshaw Greenway.
...
I very much like the application of the … (6 comments)
|
So I'm thinking it may be time to look for a new camera... - 04/22/11 11:56 PM
A new camera? Possibly a DSLR?
It is unfortunate, as my point and shooter, a Kodak P880, has a lot of features I have hardly learned to use. My favorite feature is the 24-140 zoom lens. That wide angle has been great help in real estate photo shoots.
But, it is a 2005 model, and there have been some advances in the last 6 years that are worth considering. And I think the P880 is losing some performance. Maybe that should be expected, as I am at nearly 10,000 actuations, on a camera I purchased used. It blacks out from time to time, … (21 comments)
|
Cary NC Cabinet Construction Quality: A peek in the drawers gives you a clue. - 04/22/11 10:52 AM
Cabinet Construction Quality is an item I try to assess when showing a home, and my Buyer shows interest.
I like solid wood, dovetailed drawer side construction. See how the sides of the drawers interlock with the fronts? That creates great durability:
I'm not crazy about drawers that are stapled together, or metal sides, or cheap drawer slides. I'm not sure about the metal sides. They just don't look as nice to me, particularly when you pull open a beautiful drawer front and see white metal. They immediately make me think of an apartment.
… (10 comments)
|
How many Home Inspections can a Buyer Afford before they are no longer a Buyer? - 04/21/11 10:52 PM
A new agent asked me, "Isn't it tough for buyers to pay for inspections on multiple homes until they find one that works out? What can I do?"
Me: "That is why they are hiring you, to help protect them, to help them avoid shelling out all their war chest on Home Inspections. And to help them negotiate repairs to make a purchase home acceptable, when possible, rather than just terminating and paying willy-nilly out the wazoo for multiple home inspections."
When I was a new agent, I had first-time buyers pay for an inspection on a home, and the inspection was an embarrassment … (11 comments)
|
Is your QR Code too Data-Laden to work? Keep it Simple! - 04/20/11 11:54 PM
Are your QR Codes just too dense to work? If so, you are wasting time, and worse, you are frustrating consumers who may be trying to scan them. A dysfunctional QR Code is comparable to having a broken link on your website. And we all know how frustrating and embarrassing that is.
This QR Code is a VCard for my Favorite This QR Code links to My No lender, Kevin Martini of Suntrust Mortgage: Hassle Property Search:
. .
The QR Code for Kevin's VCard will probably fail more often, because it is so densely packed with data, many older … (26 comments)
|
Cary, NC: Springs brings Strawberries. Already! - 04/19/11 08:36 PM
I walked into DJs Berry Patch this afternoon and asked, "Are these berries from Florida, Mexico, or California." They laughed. I laughed. And I walked out with a bucket of mighty fine sweet strawberry eating.
DJs Berry Patch is located at 1223 Salem Church Road, Apex NC 27523. You can see the field from Davis Drive.
Cary NC is about 500 yards away, and another mile to my house. Close enough to keep me stocked with fresh strawberries until sometime in June. You purists are allowed to pick your own. I tend to buy whatever they have on the … (9 comments)
|
Cary NC Tornado Aftermath: Now is NOT a Good Time to Learn to use a Chainsaw! - 04/18/11 05:42 PM
We have so many trees down in Wake County due to the extreme tornadoes Saturday. Obviously, fallen trees must be cleared from roadways, homes, or vehicles, and other fallen trees must be cut up and removed.
I imagine that chainsaw sales are robust right now, as there is so much work to do.
And this situation may be the very worst time for someone with no experience to try to learn to use a chainsaw.
Chainsaws are amazingly productive and efficient. And they are one of the most dangerous tools known to mankind! This is a post to caution folks, even to scare them. This … (8 comments)
|
Is your Home an Investment? How can you tell? - 04/17/11 11:39 PM
For years consumers were told that their homes were their largest investments.That real estate was a great investment.Unfortunately, some folks told consumers that home values only increase, believe it or not!I am a proponent of the disclaimer, "Past Performance is No Guarantee of Future Results," which warns stock market investors that success can be elusive. Obviously, real estate investment returns can vary over time.Now I see agents counseling that homes are NOT an investment. And in both instances, we need to disclaim our financial counseling skills, unless we are trained and possibly licensed.
What do you think? Is your home an investment, or merely an … (9 comments)
|
The Morning After... Tornado aftermath in Cary - 04/17/11 08:36 AM
We awoke this morning to brilliant blue clear skies. Birds chirping perkily. A glorious morning.
Went to the curb for the paper, and there is insulation in our street.
And on the roofs.
And Tyvek in the street.
And tiny shreds of roofing material in the front yard. Building materials dropped from the sky. From a home that was badly damaged many miles away from us. We had a neighbor who had a contractor working on his home Friday, and I wondered at first if this debris fell off his truck. And then I spotted insulation on … (15 comments)
|
Microsoft Pushing Internet Explorer 9, and my Key Applications don't Support IE9? - 04/16/11 11:31 PM
Whine. Whine. Fer IE9!! Can I tell clients how "Tech Savvy" I am, when my key applications do not support Internet Explorer 9?
I know. I know... They should all be using Firefox, or Chrome, or anything but Internet Explorer. But, that is not my decision to make. Heck, some of them are probably still using IE6, as hard as MSFT is working to stamp it out.
IE9 has been around for over a year, in beta, and now live. Now, Windows Automatic Updates is calling IE9 an Important Update, and will install it automatically if that is the user's setting. I … (12 comments)
|
Cary NC: Grateful for having been spared the wrath of today's tornadoes! - 04/16/11 10:59 PM
Where we live in Cary, NC, we were really just outside the edge of some pretty intense weather activity today. We were concerned, as the skies and the air turned ominous just when the WRAL Doppler images told us that the most intense activity was nearing. We were tense, and had our hiding places selected.
But, tornadoes spared most of Cary as they tracked well east of the center of town, far east of our home.
We are grateful.
We are grateful for having been inconvenienced by brief power outage. Over 70,000 North Carolina Residents are without power.
We are grateful … (10 comments)
|
Sunshine, Blue Skies, Put the Ball in the Seller's Court - 04/15/11 10:41 PM
On days like today, I like to tell folks, "If a house can't look good on a day like this, it never will look good."
Conversely, on a dreary gray day, I sometimes say, "If a house looks good today, we can figure it will look GREAT when the sun comes out."
But...
When the sun is shining bright in that blue North Carolina sky, and the trees and shrubs have their new greenery on display, When the grass is fresh green, and the azaleas and dogwoods are putting on a show, When the entire setting is gorgeous and alive, it's just … (13 comments)
|
North Carolina Contingent Sales Addenda Revised Completely in 2011 - 04/14/11 05:27 PM
Putting the good stuff right up front:
1. For once, a two-page real estate form has been reduced to one page!
2. Something else new? There is no longer a kickout provision in NC Association of REALTORS® Standard Form, 2A2-T, Contingent Sale Addendum, which is a major switch from 2010.
If Buyer and Seller come to terms on a property, the Standard Form no longer provides the Seller with the right to demand Buyer to vacate sale contingency to remain under contract.
As changes come and go, in the general scheme of things, that's a big one.
Will Martin, General Counsel for NCAR goes … (4 comments)
|
REBLOG OF JAY MARKANICH: Can You Identify Poison Ivy When You See It? - 04/14/11 03:40 PM
Jay Markanich'w blog on Poison Ivy applies to the Cary NC area as well as anywhere.
Great photos and descriptions help readers identify poison ivy plants and vines.
And it seems to pop up overnight. I have also read that changes in climate have helped poison ivy become more potent, and more hazardous to those who, like me, are highly allergic.
.
___________________________________________________________________________
Via Jay Markanich (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC):
I do this a lot on home inspections. I ask my clients, "Can you identify poison ivy when you see it?"
You can see poison ivy on and around houses, … (2 comments)
|
April 14th: On this day in history - 04/14/11 08:50 AM
If you like historical trivia, significant historical activity has occurred on April 14th.
1775: Benjamin Rush, and others, founded the first anti-slavery society in America. Way late, but they were ahead of their time.
1828: Noah Webster's Dictionary hit the scene for the first time
1865: Abraham Lincoln was assassinated
1912: The Titanic hit the iceberg, 99 years ago today.
On a lighter note:
1910: President Taft inaugurated the custom of the Prez throwing out the first pitch at a baseball game.
1912: The Titanic had a one-nighter with the iceberg, 99 years ago today. Ship's heart was broken. Iceberg was cavalierly cold about it. … (12 comments)
|
Keller Williams Market Center, Cary , NC: Social Media Mastery with Liz Landry. - 04/13/11 10:05 PM
We had about 50 people in class at the KW Cary training room today for 6 hours or so as Liz Landry held forth on Social Media.
And all I can say is, if you are struggling with social media and have the chance to attend one of Liz's classes, don't miss it.
Topics included Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, YouTube, LinkedIn, some SEO tips, and some etiquette guidelines. I just gotta do something with my FaceBook Fan page....
Attendance was mostly KW Cary associates, but was open to other real estate professionals. AR members Cathleen O'Hannigan, Kevin Martini, and Eleanor Thorne were there. I had … (6 comments)
|
Cary NC Market Report: 2 Homes Closed Today in Cary - 04/12/11 11:46 PM
Two. (2) Two home sales closed today in Cary NC. According to the most current Triangle MLS data.
So far, that is. Listing agents have two days to enter status changes into the MLS.
It is not yet midnight and not near the end of the month, when most closings take place. It is still very early in the season.
It is Tuesday, and Thursday or Friday will bring more, as folks want to move in over the weekend.
Et cetera....
But.... 2? In one of the healthiest markets in the USA?
Tiny voice says, "ouch."
… (14 comments)
|
Spotted in Cary, NC: Privacy Statement on Trash Cans... - 04/11/11 11:44 PM
Who comes up with this stuff? For cryin' out loud
We can go on line and spill all our personal sordid details, and the Facebooks and GOOGS and Yahoos soak it all up, but, by golly, we need to be warned about what we throw in the trash down at the drugstore.
LOL
This lovely decorative sticker was on top of a trash can at one of Cary's newer CVS drugstores, at the corner of High House Road and Davis Drive.
Thank goodness!
Until I saw it, I was fixin' to toss my birth certificate, passport, AAA … (15 comments)
|
Now Playing: There's G-O-L-D in them there Righteous Pointeroos! - 04/10/11 12:08 AM
Who dat wit dem Pointeroos?? Another insightful installment of "If You Ain't Havin' Fun, You're Bloggin' Wrong!!"
YessirreeeBob, Gold! A bounty to be earned every month by mining a rich vein of ActiveRain Righteous Pointeroos!
"Righteous Pointeroos? " Yes. As in "Birth Right" and "Divine" and "Oh, fer cryin' out loud, don't take this point thingie too seriously." But... But... All of a sudden, it got serious. Very serious, indeed. Moolah is the essence of "serious." You can now make money like picking up aluminum cans. Cha-Ching!
What is the cash value of a Righteous Pointeroo? Last week, it was mere Braggin' Rights.
Now, it … (16 comments)
|
"We don't allow digital signing. We have to have 'wet signatures.'" - 04/09/11 09:51 AM
Hey! Can I borrow a Pen? Wet signatures just don't have that same cachet they did in the past. Anybody can wield a pen, apparently.
Wonder if we should go back to wax seals? Maybe a thumb prick and a spot of blood to provide a DNA trace on docs?
The next time someone from a bank tells me they or their firm require wet signatures, it will be all I can do to not guffaw explosively into their face(s). See, the value of a wet signature has been diminished to the point of little or no value. By the banks. Just … (8 comments)
|
REBLOG of ACTIVERAIN: It's Time For Us to Give Back: RainMaker Price Breaks - 04/09/11 12:00 AM
It's not about the points. It's not about the points. It's not about the points.
It's not about the points. It's not about the points. It's not about the points.
Or something along those lines.
I'm being a wiseguy, but I truly think this is a great incentive to participate!
.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Via ActiveRain Corp.:
Our active members and their generous contribution to our Community makes ActiveRain what it is today. In the spirit of recognizing our most dedicated members we are introducing new reduced RainMaker pricing. Members who are constantly blogging, commenting and inviting new members are adding to the … (11 comments)
|
A Keller Williams Referral, with an assist credited to Active Rain! - 04/08/11 11:32 PM
ActiveRain works!
I had been in correspondence with a young family planning a move to the Cary or Apex NC area. A move without a specific time, but it was getting time to move. From far out of state.
And I got an email one Saturday night in January. An email that positively oozed stress.
"My husband took a job in Greensboro. He starts next week. Can you work with us there? (I was honored at the request!) He is flying in Monday..." I feel your pain. It is palpable..
And I can help. Since Greensboro is 4 counties and an hour and a half … (11 comments)
|
Cary, NC: Stalking the ubiquitous Azalea and the lovely White Dogwood - 04/08/11 10:53 PM
Today was a great day for stalking azaleas and dogwoods in Cary, NC. The
White Dogwoods are at their peak, and just past, so some are showing their lovely layers of blooms,
while others are turning green. The best thing about White Dogwoods, the North Carolina State Flower, passing their peak? The Pink Dogwoods
are taking over and next week I'll have photos of them.
I came upon a house as the owner was leaving, and she invited me to shoot everything I cared to, and even pointed out
the best angles. We agreed that the … (10 comments)
|
Prepping for a listing appointment, with internet access down. Ouch. - 04/07/11 11:57 PM
"Sure, I can come by in the morning and take a look at your home. Glad to. Let's see what it might take to fetch a great price in the current market. It's certainly a great neighborhood. See you in the morning."
Easy-Peasy. Nothing to it. Figuring I can work that stop in after the other stop by to check on the clients who are moving stuff to storage to prep for listing next week.
I just upgraded to TimeWarner Cable RoadRunner Extreme Internet access this morning. Zoom Zoom! 30 MB download and 5MB upload. Speedy! Easy quick access for reference to … (6 comments)
|
Due Diligence Periods. Due Diligence Fees. Due Diligence DOH!! - 04/06/11 11:12 PM
Selling? Make the Buyer Feel Good About It! We are still early into our transition to a Due Diligence Period using our new NCAR Standard Forms for Offer to Purchase and Contract in North Carolina. I hear a lot of talk in Cary about Due Diligence, reasonable fees, and other fundamentals of real estate transactions since 1/1/11.
One school of thought is that since the Listing Agent is taking the house off the market (SAY WHAT?!) when an Offer is accepted, the Buyer should pony up non-refundable cash equivalent to a month's mortgage expense for the opportunity to perform Due Diligence. $1000. $1500. $2000. Whatever. Really. Can you believe it, … (5 comments)
|
Cary, NC: Photos from a little stroll after lunch - 04/05/11 05:17 PM
The new Keller Williams Cary office really enjoys the classic "Park-like Setting" that we see so often in MLS descriptions.
And with the gray skies giving way to bright blue with fluffy white clouds, I just felt compelled to take the old Kodak for a stroll around campus after lunch. The wind was blowing hard enough it was nearly impossible to catch blooms and blossoms still enough to catch a great image, but the snapshots in the slide show will give you a pretty good idea of the beauty in an acre or so in the Heart of Cary, NC. Dogwoods, Azaleas, … (16 comments)
|
Apex, NC: Losing Borders Books is a Sad Development - 04/04/11 10:00 PM
Good-Bye to Borders Books I remember the first time my wife, the obsessive reader, saw a huge bookstore. "Kid in a candy store" comes to mind. Wide-eyed, slack jawed Joy!
There is nothing like a good bookstore. Nothing smells better. Intrigue and Information abound at arms' reach at every step. Thousands and thousands of books for the buying, or for just taking the cheapskate perusal.
And losing a bookstore is a sad event. I was in Beaver Creek this evening, and popped into Borders to check out the Store Closing sale.
The deals on a couple of books were OK, … (10 comments)
|
Can "Winning" an Internet Tinkling Match be the Most Expensive Use of Your Time On Line? - 04/02/11 11:41 PM
I have a few sabre scars from a few internet duels. Probably wouldn't have 'em if I learned to KEEP MY YAP SHUT. They don't lend my profile the character I would desire. So, I'm not very adept at the give-and-take of web-dueling. So it goes.
So, I wanted to draw on others' experiences with a few questions:
How do you know if you ever really got in the "last word?" Do you have to go to a funeral to be sure?
Can you actually "win" an on line squabble?
Is there a scoreboard? Whose keeping the score? What's the goal? Are there "rules" … (20 comments)
|
TrainWreck Realty: When Getting There is Half the F-U-N! - 04/01/11 07:35 PM
TrainWreck Realty
Why Settle for "More" When "Whatever" will kill any deal?
Managing Broker Flora Poli documents the typical TrainWreck Realty transaction management execution:
TrainWreck Realty's 10 Points of Failure Destined to Create a Memorable Client Experience:
Apathy is Under-Appreciated
Persistence is Over-Rated
RUN! Save Yourself!
Is it PayDay Yet?
Last Call is our Best Call!
Friends don't let Friends use TrainWreck!
Over-Promise! Under-Deliver!
Open House? Huh?
Lethargy!
Staging? Whatever.
… (7 comments)
|
|
|
|
Mike Jaquish 919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate
Realty Arts
Cary,
NC
More about me…
Realty Arts
Address: 109 Saint Lazare Drive, Cary, NC, 27513
Cell Phone: (919) 880-2769
Email Me
Cary, NC, blog. I'm in Cary, North Carolina, writing about Real Estate, including Cary, Raleigh, Apex, Wake County, NC, and around the USA..
 Listings
Links
Archives
|
Connect. Share. Learn.Welcome to ActiveRain, the #1 social community for real estate professionals.
;)
;)
;)
