activerain: Are Electronic Lockboxes Hindering Sales ? - 02/15/08 12:12 PM
A Realtor posed a question about the effects of using a different electronic lock box than surrounding Boards. A great question is this market and something all of us must consider when making the switch:
We saw the effects of this when our board switched to electronic boxes a few years ago. We are a small community that is completely surrounded by larger ones in all directions. Our electronic boxes are not the same as any surrounding community yet, all surrounding communities share the same. Our board decided on the change for various reasons yet, in my opinion, the change was made … (12 comments)
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activerain: Home Security Doesn't Have to Break the Bank - 09/07/07 01:45 PM
Can a few minutes of your time and less than $50.00 be all you need to protect your home?
You don't have to rush out and buy a home security system to protect your home and your valuables. Not unless you have a Million dollar art collection. If you do, there is no need to read on. For the rest of us, effective home protection does not have to break the bank.
Making certain that all of your windows and doors have working and properly installed locks is the first line of defense in stopping would be thieves. The #1 entrance … (2 comments)
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activerain: Redfin is Excellent for Home Sellers - 09/06/07 02:48 PM
Redfin and other "Hybrid" real estate service provider's "less is more" business models can help sellers realize higher gains on the sale of their property.
Some agencies, when seeing an offer presented by web based information companies like Redfin will cringe. Having an informational, rebate driven, company rather than a Realtor with personal involvement on the other side of a transaction does tend to create additional issues. Issues that must be addressed by a home seller and their real estate agent. Although both the seller and their real estate agent must be prepared for a little additional work, that work comes with … (5 comments)
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activerain: Mary Lost Her BMW! - What Might You Lose? - 09/05/07 06:09 AM
Since the beginning of the year, there have been well over 40,000 jobs lost in the mortgage industry. I hate to say, I will not lose too much sleep over it. Not that I am cold hearted, it is just that we tend to forget those that will be effected the most as a result of the current "opportunities" facing all of us.
The mortgage side?...40k is a ton of folks...most of the folks involved in the "front end" of the industry entered that job market in the past few years.....they did not migrate from lending...to lending. Most will go back … (9 comments)
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activerain: The Thomas Guide appoints Miss Teen South Carolina as spokesperson - 08/31/07 05:08 PM
Watch the video first. You will be glad you did."
Catlin Upton was named as spokesperson for the Thomas Guide Companies at an offical press conference today. The President and CEO of the Thomas group of companies stated that "Miss Uption is a role model to all teens and all U.S. Americans. It is with great pleasure that we are announcing her as our spokesperson and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship".
Miss Upton said in the press conference:
"I personally believe that U.S. real estate agents are unable to find like streets and … (35 comments)
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activerain: Internet......InterNUT !! Why the web wont work in real estate. - 08/30/07 04:25 PM
Top 10 reasons why a real estate agent should NEVER advertise on the web:
Advertising on the Internet is too expensive. It doesn't work....The Internet is just a fad. Everyone in the community already knows me. Everyone in the world already knows me. I already know everyone in my community. I already know everyone in the world. My clients don't want to be on the Internet...See #2. The homes I list have interest only to the people I know. See #3-6. The phonebook IS the ONLY place to be. Internet, what's the internet?
I heard a statement the other day … (33 comments)
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activerain: Are Our National Parks in Trouble? - 08/27/07 06:54 PM
It would seem so according to a recent news story.
Seems that we may soon see Corporate logos emblazoned for all to see on our Nations Treasures. Will we soon see the likes of:
Liberty Mutual's Statue of Liberty?The Mall of America's National Mall?Bill Gates' Golden Gate Bridge?Hanna Barbera's Yellowstone Park?The Alaskan Wilderness by Exxon Mobil?Taco Bell's Liberty Bell?The White House sponsored by Dubai World?Today's news story tells us that we are not to see advertising that shadows our National Treasures. It suggests "tasteful" advertising without co-branding but, leave it to the corporate giants to eventually find the loopholes left there for them by government … (11 comments)
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activerain: Churning Your Listings? - You Had Better be Making Butter! - 08/23/07 07:30 AM
After reading The Silliest Realtor Game In Town (A Great Post) by George Tallabas , I felt that we all may need a serious "Heads Up" with regards to the practice of re-listing a property in order to "freshin' it up" or whatever you might wish to call this practice.
The "Churning" of a listing is a breech of the Realtor Code of Ethics.
What is Churning? This is when an agent cancels or withdraws a listing from the MLS in order to re-list it back on the MLS in order to create the appearance that it is a new on the market. In many cases, re-listing will reset the … (52 comments)
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activerain: Free Designer Bracelets - Just for the asking ! - 08/19/07 07:54 PM
Yes, that's right folks. You too can have this seasons must have accessory. You have seen them worn by celebrities like:
-Paris Hilton-Yasmin Bleeth-Hugh Grant-Tommy Lee-Shannen DohertyAND MANY MORE!These are the same ones you have seen around town being worn by the stars of screen, television and music ! Want to look like a celebrity? Of course you do! Don't miss your opportunity to join the ranks of the elite. The process is easy and the bracelets are FREE!
Seriously folks. Business has been a bit slow in many markets. When times get a little tough, some will turn to less than ethical … (5 comments)
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activerain: Any Press is Good Press - 08/19/07 01:49 PM
Most of the time.
If you can control the press then any press is good press. A Federal indictment does not fall in the category of controlled press.
Controlled press is what you see in our industry every day. Designed and controlled by the press itself. Your "TrustMe" ads printed alongside "bad press".What we need is some "bad press" that we control. Not too hard to do but, you must plan well in advance. Fail to plan and plan to fail.
P.T. Barnum was, arguably, the best marketer and promoter this country has ever seen. I am not an advocate of creating a … (8 comments)
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activerain: Are you marketing to the right people? - 08/19/07 11:05 AM
Lets just say that everyone in America lost their home to foreclosure. All would be dead in the real estate industry wouldn't it?
Where would we all live? In tents....down by the river? Lets just say we did. A new economy would be created:
Tents would be in short supply creating a surge in tent prices.Material suppliers would scramble to meet demand.A shortage workers would increase wages.The effects would be far reaching.All those tents would create sanitation problems that would require facilities enhancements. Port-a-potty suppliers would be scrambling to meet demand. The Port-a-Potty industry would boom and they would have to invest … (19 comments)
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activerain: It is all a simple misunderstanding - All is well with real estate! - 08/19/07 10:24 AM
I took this headline by combining the text from 3 different real estate Blogs here on Active Rain. Not an actual quote but, take a word here and a couple of words there, rearrange them and Voila! I have fixed everything! No finger pointing....no whining....Just though I would do my share. You can thank me later.
Agents:Be ready, I have done the ground work for reform and it is only a matter if minutes before you have clients lining up at your door. Is your cell phone on...and charged? Those that have bailed out or thinking of it....You had better get back in the … (13 comments)
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activerain: The Recipe For Loan Fraud - The Anarchist Cookbook - 08/18/07 06:43 PM
If George Heyduke were to have written the Anarchist Cookbook today, it may have contained a chapter or two about mortgage fraud. It may have looked something like this:
Gather the following:
2-3 homes. They can be yours or someone elses. 1 must be a home that you have the ability to actually sell. You can find an accomplice who wants in on the scheme that owns a home or it could be a home that you have aquired using the techniques explained in chapter 12 (Straw Purchasing for Fun and Profit). A real estate license (easy to get in most states for less than $100) or … (17 comments)
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activerain: Mortgage Reform - A Long Road Ahead - 08/17/07 11:18 PM
Rate reductions, loosened lending guidelines, An increase in the FHA maximum?
Will any of this change the market?
I DON'T THINK SO!
The re-education of the American home buying public will have to come first. When we continue to see, on the front page of MSN and in every major media, advertisements claiming that someone can "BUY" a $500,000.00 home for less than $1500.00 per month SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG.
No one, and I repeat....NO ONE can "BUY" a $500,000.00 home for only, less than, or somewhere around $1500.00 per month. Rent one....maybe but not "buy".
Advertising this type of loan should not be allowed and confuses … (29 comments)
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activerain: FED slashes 1/2 percent - Just Announced - 08/17/07 07:37 AM
This morning the FED approved and announced a 1/2 point rate reduction.
Many have been waiting for this news feeling that a reduction will spur home buying and possibly reduce fears of a failing mortgage market.
The problem is that, even with the FED's rate reduction, there will continue to be fallout in the mortgage market and continued tightening in lending guidelines.
Although this mornings announcement should help ease some fears and add a small boost to the housing industry, lenders such as Countrywide have a long way to go towards their recovery.
… (15 comments)
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activerain: Irregardless of that.......I apologize - 07/28/07 06:11 PM
If one word could make the difference....would you use it?
In my blog (rant) about The Rise and Fall of Common Courtesy I wrote of the shift from "you're welcome" to "no problem" as a common response to a "Thank You" which brought some interesting replies.
I do feel that we alienate our "older" clients, associates and friends when substituting a Thank You for No Problem. I feel that it discounts, in some way, the "validity" of their offer of thanks. Something that I feel we should all be aware of and sensitive to. We do not want to alienate anyone in this highly competitive … (15 comments)
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activerain: Homes.com - Your take on a NAR supported company - 07/18/07 12:23 AM
All of us here are believers in the power of the Internet.
The effect it can have on our business can be positive and negative.
One of the biggest positive aspects is having a billboard all over the world with your name on it, your phone number and hopefully.....some really great content.
This is also the biggest negative.
Every solicitor in the world (For the Europeans, I am not referring to Attorneys) has all of your information too. We already get enough junk mail to occupy an entire day of work per month just to filter through and get rid of it. Our … (8 comments)
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activerain: Real Estate Professionals - Are you looking to advance to the next level? - 07/10/07 12:06 PM
Are you a tech savvy Realtor frustrated with your offices lack of technology or understanding of the Internets power?
At Mission Grove, we do understand what it takes to help you, and your clients, achieve success through the use of advancing technology.
It takes owners, brokers and agents with a true desire to succeed and a thorough understanding of technology to stay competitive in the future of modern real estate and Mission Grove would like to speak with agents who also share in the desire to succeed in the future of real estate.
We serve clients throughout Southern California from our Hemet - San … (2 comments)
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activerain: 3133 Elder Way - Hemet, CA - FOR RENT $950.00 55+ Community -LEASED- - 06/27/07 08:17 PM
… (0 comments)
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activerain: Thank You - The rise and fall of common courtesy - 06/26/07 04:35 PM
I don't know about you but, this one really bugs me.
A simple Thank You can go a long way in any business or relationship. We all know this. It is a very basic principle taught to most of us and used on a daily basis....or should be. Common courtesy.
My problem is with the response to this basic phrase. It seems that there has been a shift from, what I believe to be, the most common and acceptable response of " You're Welcome" to "No Problem".
What do you think of when your sincere thanks comes with a response of "no … (34 comments)
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