Realtor Call to Arms: - 02/28/09 07:18 PM
This letter from our NAR President was in my e-mail box today.  Just in case you missed it, I would like to attract your attention to it.   If we don't fight this, our uphill battle will intensify even further.  We are now 137,000 members strong.  Surely, we can organize and take action on this!  Please start contributing your suggestions about how we can combat this in the most aggressive manner possible!  The Politicians need to stop penalizing middle class America.
 
Dear Fellow REALTOR®,
You may have seen news reports about President Obama's budget proposal that was released today at 11:30 … (16 comments)

The Five Things We Should Be Teaching Our Children: - 02/28/09 04:48 PM
 
Most kids garner their education from schools.  The typical curriculum of English, math, history, geography, chemistry, anatomy, etc. is followed, but are our kids ready for the Real World armed with such perfunctory education?   Here are some subjects I thought we could add to the list mentioned:   •1.     Ethics.  Analyze case scenarios and have open discussions about what's ethically right and wrong and why.  How else are they going to know? •2.     Nutrition and Exercise.  With vending machines dispensing soft drinks now prevalent in schools, we are grooming the next generation of obese Americans.   We need to … (33 comments)

Absorption Rate - 02/28/09 01:50 PM

  The Absorption Rate is the ability of the real estate market to sell off all of the houses that are for sale. For example, if 100 homes are sold every month and there are 1200 homes for sale then it will take 12 months to sell all of those homes. If there are 2400 homes for sale then the absorption rate will be 24 months or 2 years. If you would like to sell in 12 months then you need to take the absorption rate into account. In the above scenario with 2400 homes for sale, we know that … (14 comments)

How Absorption Rate is Figured - The Definitive Answer using the KISS Method: - 02/28/09 01:16 PM
 
 
Absorption rate calculations seem to be shrouded in mystery, like a secret code one must work hard to break into.  People tend to complicate things.  I never understood the value of scratching above your right ear with your left arm wrapped around your head to get to that sweet spot...  Here's a novel idea: use your right hand!
 
It amazes me how people complicate figuring out absorption rates.  Here is an example of what I mean:
 
Puget Sound Absorption Rate - January 2009
 
Huh?
 
The following example seems a bit easier to understand:
 
Absorption Rate … (6 comments)

La-La Land is in Southwestern France. Its name is Biarritz: - 02/28/09 12:26 AM
Located in the French Basque territory, with Basque flags and symbols still prevalent throughout Biarritz, this charming Seaside Resort in Southwestern France is only a few miles from the border with Spain, on the Atlantic coast.   We arrived there at dusk and were immediately swept off our feet by its beauty, both of us falling in love with this idyllic place filled with mystique.  As the last rays of the sun bathed the ample beach and classic lines of the buildings, enveloping everything with an almost magical air, one could easily lose himself in reverie.  The faraway lighthouse on the hill, beaming its beacon … (15 comments)

Come With Me to Taipei! - 02/27/09 06:58 PM
 
What a delightful blog Bob wrote!  I felt like I was touring Taipei right alongside him.  His pictures capture the moments ever so eloquently and complete a great description of a day in Taipei. 
Please don't comment here.  Instead please go to Bob's Blog and give him your comments!  Let's encourage him to write more! 
What Makes Us Different From Them?
Mirela  Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Connection                                            Join Me on The Optimist Group!
 
Via Bob Dunn: Townhouse & Senior Expert (Keller Williams Valley Realty ):
Like most Realtors I have a keen curiosity about my fellow human beings. What makes us … (2 comments)

Optimist LOL Friday Joke: The Devil and The Old Man - 02/27/09 10:38 AM
    It's Sunday morning service at the neighborhood church.  All of a sudden, the front doors swing open with a big bolt of thunder and the Devil descends upon the congregation.  Everyone starts screaming and running away.  All, except for a little, old man, who sits in his pew as if nothing is happening.   The devil walks over to him and asks:   "Old Man, are you blind or something?"   "Nope, I can see just fine", says the old man.   "Well, do you know who I am?" the devil asks.   "Yup, I sure do", says the … (21 comments)

The Ocean Between Buyer and Seller - 02/25/09 10:29 PM
    I remember the good ol' days when the discrepancy between the Buyer's offer and the Seller's asking price was measured by mere thousands of dollars, signifying 1%-2% of the property's value.  That disparity was like a little puddle of water we used to quickly and easily jump over and put the deals together.   Today I presented an offer to the bank for $165,000 less than the original asking price, a 34% reduction in value.  Ouch!  My advice:  "Take the offer!"  With 20 other properties competing for the same buyers and only one sale effected within the neighborhood within the … (11 comments)

Persistence and Accomplishing Goals - 02/25/09 12:52 PM
    I wanted something last year.  I wanted it badly.  I studied everything I could get my hands on regarding the subject at hand.  This goal was on the back of my mind every day and I was learning something new about it every chance I had.  AR was instrumental in that regard.   It took a lot of guts, but I showed up unannounced at the CEO's office.  Without an appointment, of course, he declined to meet with me.  I am not easily dissuaded, and I am typically intrepid and resourceful.  Although I did not manage to see him … (18 comments)

Spontaneous social networking at it's best + featured posts - 02/24/09 11:11 PM

Via marti garaughty - The Blog Artist (The Art Of Marketing You):
 For the past week I've seen several people talking about a very cool idea that is essentially spontaneous social networking at it's best.
 New tools like Twitter, allow us to connect with people we never knew before to put together projects that would have taken months to set up in the "old days". The project I'm talking about is...
 

  From what I've seen/read, over 10,000 messages in the past 2 weeks have been posted on various social networks like...
- JobAngels on Facebook
- JobAngels on … (2 comments)

Is it now Cheaper to Own Than it is to Rent? - 02/24/09 10:30 PM
Carla Zeineh and her husband recently discovered that it was cheaper for them to buy a home than to rent one.  With a 5% mortgage rate, and 20% down payment, their monthly cost on a $350,000 home would be less than the $1,800 per month they now pay on their rental condo.   More and more people are finding that it is now cheaper to own their own homes than it is to rent and are following in Carla's footsteps of embarking on their quest to Home ownership.   Using data that measures average home prices and rent payments for 54 metro … (13 comments)

Free MLS-friendly Virtual Tour - grab it during the next two weeks - 02/24/09 11:35 AM

Via Real Bird (RealBird Inc.):
Listing presentation courtesy ofBrenda Magness, Brenda Blaser & Pam Yoakum Realty GroupAs many of you may know, the RealBird Listing Publisher service is one of the leading single property websites and listing syndication services. It is a completely free service with an extensive set of features that make it easy for you to market your listings online: through search engines, on classifed sites and social networks. Many of you may also wonder how we actually make money to support the free service. In short, we are selling optional add-on services such as street address domain names, map-based … (4 comments)

Street Real Estate 101 - 02/23/09 11:09 PM
 
 
Today's brand new Real Estate Agent has a tough uphill battle.  Those brave souls who've decided to jump into this exciting career couldn't have picked a better time for it.  If you can "cut your teeth" in this market, you will most certainly be a long term success in the business.  I have proposed a class for our local board's new graduates that I offered to teach pro bono, as a goodwill gesture of support and to give something back to my Real Estate community.  Please let me know what you think about the proposed syllabus:
 
•1.     Where … (15 comments)

Media, Listen Up! The Truth from the Trenches of Real Estate: - 02/22/09 03:32 PM
 
 
With over 136,000 Members, our voice is now strong.   Many of you are signaling an extraordinary increase in business for the past several weeks.  Here are some of our voices on the subject of a Real Estate Market in the midst of a major transformation:   Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela Monte:  I just pulled numbers on Oceanfront Condos in North Myrtle Beach.  What I found made my hair stand up: 24% of the North Myrtle Beach Oceanfront condos are now "Pending Sale".  24%!!!  Twenty-Four Percent!!!  Compare that with the typical 2.5% activity per month and you start … (10 comments)

Princeton Place in Little River, SC - Real Estate Historical Sales Data - 02/21/09 11:58 PM
 
Princeton Place - Sold in 2009: ZERO sold 1 active listing:  2BR/2BA, 1,200 sq.ft listed for $129,900 and on the market since May of 2008. Princeton Place - Sold in 2008  1 Sold:  2BR/2BA, 1,200 sq.ft. home sold for $137,500 in February 2008.   Princeton Place - Sold in 2007  1 Sold:  2BR/2BA, 1,200 sq. ft home sold for $143,000 in December 2007   Princeton Place - Sold in 2006
 
Mirela Monte, Your Little River SC Real Estate Connection                   
… (2 comments)

Seven Websites To Help You Determine If The Neighborhood is Right For You: - 02/21/09 07:20 PM
  FamilyWatchdog.us  furnishes maps with exact locations of registered sex offenders.  Just fill in the neighborhood you are thinking of buying into, or the address of the home you are considering and the site will provide you with exact locations of any registered sex offenders in that area.   Crime statistics:   This CityRating.com was eye opening for me.  It's certainly worth a look.   National Crime Prevention Council   Home and neighborhood Safety tips by the National Crime Prevention Council.   Neighborhood Safety Network   Provides tool kits for your family's safety - everything from crime prevention to product recalls, fire safety, pool … (20 comments)

Agents Using Cheap Lockboxes: A Legal Liability Waiting to Happen? - 02/21/09 02:17 PM
Our MLS lockboxes are very expensive - they cost just above $100.  They are computerized lockboxes that take a reading of every agent showing the property.  The listing agent can get on the Supra Website (the Lockbox Vendor) and ascertain exactly when the property was shown and the agent who showed it.    The agent's name, telephone number and e-mail address is included, so the listing agent can quickly follow up on the showing and see how it went.  Staying on top of the showings has been very beneficial to me as a listing agent.  Possible problems are ascertained early on … (28 comments)

Have You Ever Wondered... - 02/21/09 01:26 PM

Via Scott Owens - REALTOR® (Prudential Property Specialists):
You  know, I have always looked at the world just a little bit differently than most; because of that, I usually question a lot of things that I see and hear.  The following are questions that have intrigued me at one time or another during my life:
 Have you ever wondered...
if all the world is a stage, where is the heck is the audience sitting? how can a "slim chance" and a "fat chance" be the same, while a "wise man" and a "wise guy" are opposites? if Wal-Mart is lowering prices every … (0 comments)

Never Underestimate the Power of a Kind Word: - 02/21/09 10:00 AM
   Our words are powerful.  What we say to people DOES matter.  We impact each other much more than we think.  To illustrate this, here is a letter I just received from a young girl who was my favorite cashier at my local grocery store:  (I took out the particulars to retain her anonymity)   Hello Mrs. Monte, I'm not in ______, I emailed you I guess you didn't get it. I finally got out of the "miserable" world of _______ (grocery store). I am now a U.S. Marine and I'm stationed in ________, _____. I got tired of being in … (14 comments)

Obamas Aggressive Mortgage Recovery Plan is Unveiled - 02/21/09 12:46 AM

Via Jeff Corbett (ActiveRain):
Details regarding President Obamas $75B plan to stem ‘The Housing Crisis’ are out, or as I shall call them: Obamas Mortgage Economics or MObamanomics.
I openly laud some of the principles behind MObamanomics, such as:
“It will not help speculators who took risky bets on a rising market and bought homes not to live in but to sell” and “It will not reward folks who bought homes they knew from the beginning they would never be able to afford.”
Speculators should understand and realize the risk of riding an asset up and down.
MObamanomics looks to be far … (1 comments)

Picnik Tutorial To Customize Your Active Rain Or Outside Blog Header - 02/21/09 12:45 AM

Via Donna Bigda Realtor® CDPE ABR SRES e-PRO Branford Connecticut Real Estate (RE/MAX Alliance):
Today I finally got around to upgrading my outside blog and wanted to change my header on Active Rain and my outside blog.  I had heard of Picnik as a great tool to use for uploading and editing photos but had never taken the time to really see how it worked till now.
It was so incredibly easy and I just had to share it with everyone who has not yet had the opportunity to customize either their Active Rain or outside blog headers.
Step 1 -  Go … (8 comments)

Brookgreen Gardens, Myrtle Beach, SC - The Most Enchanting Outdoors Museum in the World - 02/19/09 07:09 PM
BROOKGREEN GARDENS:  Located between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, Brookgreen Gardens is a National Historic Landmark and a display garden with the World's most extensive collection of figurative sculpture by American Artists in an outdoor setting. Brookgreen has the only zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums on the Carolina Coast. Brookgreen Gardens offers tours, programs, and archaeological sites for visitors to explore.  I have a yearly membership to this majestic place and it is my number one recommendation for your visit to Myrtle Beach.  Beautiful gardens adorned by enticing sculptures, this place is unlike any other you've ever seen, an exquisite … (19 comments)

I'm in Better Hands Now... - 02/19/09 06:25 PM
 
  It's hard to stand on shifting sand. It's hard to shine in the shadows of the night. You can't be free if you don't reach for help... And you can't love if you don't love yourself. There is hope when my faith runs out, ‘Cause I'm in better hands now...   For all of us with heavy hearts, missing loved ones lost...  This song will bring a tear or two, but somehow still manages to put it all in the right perspective.  Priscilla and Deirdre...  I'm thinking of you.  This song is for John...   Mirela  
… (5 comments)

Snapshot of the Real Estate Market: Let's Take Control of This! - 02/19/09 04:52 PM
    How is your market today?    Generalizations don't work.  We get enough bad news from the media.  Our politicians don't seem to understand the Reality and Ramifications of Real Estate Activity either.  We are fractioned and confused.    Let's change all that!  Let's get together and create our own accurate data.  Here is my proposal:  Let's answer the following questions on a monthly basis.  We can create our own Real Estate Forum and measure the Real Estate temperature of various areas.  These questions will help you understand your own, unique market and allow the rest of us to have … (76 comments)

Dear Realtor Mother: - 02/19/09 04:08 PM

  
You've had the baby and you are finally ready to embrace your Real Estate Career once again.  
  
Just how do you do that?   Motherhood is a full time commitment and Real Estate is... let's not go there...  What would be the correct term for "above and beyond full time"?
  
Not to worry; there's help for you right here on AR.   Here are the three groups where you will garner valuable tips that will help you cope with your full load of responsibilities:  
Agent Mom 
Family Ties
Diary of a Realtor
The Optimist  (this last one will … (4 comments)

Academics confirm what we already knew: homeowners are delusional - 02/18/09 11:10 PM

Via Spencer Rascoff (Zillow):
I've written in the past about how homeowners are delusional when considering what their home is worth. Zillow analyzes this perception gap quarterly, and agents live it daily. Who among us hasn't struggled with an unrealistic seller who just can't accept the fact that their home is worth less than they'd like?
Well an economist friend from Deutsche Bank sent me a link to an interesting report today -- an academic study from June titled "How well do individuals predict the selling prices of their homes?". No surprise: not very well.
From the study: "We find that homeowners, … (2 comments)

My thoughts on the housing bailout plan - 02/18/09 11:03 PM
This illuminating post so beautifully written by Zillow's Spencer Rascoff, is well worth reading.  It presents some interesting facts and raises important questions.
Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection                                  Join The Optimist Group!
Via Spencer Rascoff (Zillow):
Prepping for my CNBC appearance tonight forced me to dig into the housing bailout plan in a way that I might not otherwise have found time to do. I find this stuff really fascinating because it's at this beautiful intersection of several of my favorite disciplines: politics, economics and real estate. I majored in Government as an undergrad at Harvard, and studied Economics there as well, … (4 comments)

They Are Already Drafting The NEXT 1 Trillion Dollar Spending Bill! - 02/18/09 07:44 PM

Via Nestor & Katerina Gasset Realtors® Wellington Florida Luxury Homes (International Properties and Investments, Inc.):
Today it was made clear to all Americans that the Spendimore bill is still not enough. In fact, before the ink was even dry the house has already begun the drafting of their next so called stimulus bill that will be another 1 trillion dollars.

 
"Give them cake"- NO MORE! No thank you!
 
Now that we are used to and desensitized to billions of dollars it is on to trillions of dollars. This is the biggest government spending in all of history of our … (1 comments)

Good Morning Myrtle Beach! - 02/18/09 07:34 PM
  In Myrtle Beach the sun rises above the ocean.  Around this time of year that happens right before 7am (6:50).    Watching a Myrtle Beach sunrise should be on your list of things to do in this lifetime.  ...But don't take my word for it; here is the spectacular evidence:     What do you think?  When are you coming to Myrtle Beach?   Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection                    Join me on The Optimist Group! … (9 comments)

Join me here! You'll learn a lot. It's free, but it's worth many thousands... - 02/16/09 10:10 PM
  This was the message on the Active Rain invitation I sent my investment banker friend earlier today.   I think those words will become my standard AR invite from now on.   In my AR tenure of almost a year and a half, I have invited well over 70 people to AR.  Some heeded my advice, some were already members, but forgot they had signed up, and some just can't seem to find the time to do it (coincidentally those are the very same ones who've had to find other jobs).   Out of the 70 people invited, 38 did join … (22 comments)

Subdivision Signage Rules - 02/16/09 07:56 PM

Via Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta):
A new twist in marketing real estate during the last few years that have not existed before.  The first oneis conforming signage for a neighborhood.  All listing agents or even for sale buy owners must use the same style signage that is usually made buy only one signage company.  Personally I believe these rules can be very counter-productive.  Too bad the signs are probably all made my someone in the HOA brother-in-law. Don't laugh, I have already found this to be true on several occasions. The signage is actually very costly, and limits competition from … (0 comments)

Bank Owned Charleston Style Home on the River in Georgetown, SC - 02/14/09 11:27 PM
  Beautiful Home in pastoral setting only steps from the River and the Marina.   This one year old, 2-story Charleston style home boasts the finest in workmanship, with distressed oak flooring, gas brick fireplace, stainless steel appliances, wall oven, gas cook top, upgraded fixtures and a bonus room.    With 4BR/3.5BA and 3,400 sq. ft. of space, with lots of windows and porches taking advantage of the great views, this home is truly a delight.   Located in Georgetown, about 40 minutes to Charleston and 30 minutes to Myrtle Beach.   Priced at $564,900.  Bring all offers!  This is a … (17 comments)

Waterway Bank Owned Home in Myrtle Beach, SC - 02/14/09 10:58 PM
All Brick, 4BR/3BA Masterpiece is located in the fine Myrtle Beach Waterway Community of Carolina Waterway Plantation.    This brand new, 4,000 sq. ft. home has access to the Intercoastal Waterway and it is remarkable in every way: 16 ft. ceilings, hardwood floors, double fireplace, custom tile work, 50 year shingled roof, huge walk in closets, 2 car plus golf cart garage, spacious gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops.    Located in the heart of Myrtle Beach with easy access to every major freeway, this home is bank owned and will not last long.  Hurry!   Priced at $489,900                   … (4 comments)

Maison Place - The Perfect Beach Condo in The Arcadian Section of Myrtle Beach - 02/14/09 07:45 PM
   Maison Place - The Perfect Beach Condo in The Arcadian Section of Myrtle Beach     This immaculate, first floor 2BR/2BA Beach Condo is mere steps to the Blue Atlantic.     Located in a tranquil, verdant area, with the marsh right behind it, this superior condo has everything you need in a second home at the Beach.    Although a few short steps to the Ocean, Maison Place does confer special golf cart parking.  With extra storage, a spacious screened porch, a delightful kitchen, this condo is a perfect second home in Myrtle Beach!   Myrtle Beach Real Estate by … (3 comments)

Happy Valentine's Day to All You Non-Believers! - 02/14/09 05:37 PM
  I've been reading the blogs here and it seems that some of you have wonderful, amazing relationships.  Congratulations!  You are in the minority.   The majority of people are either:   •a.                 not in a relationship, but hopeful for the future; •b.                 not in a relationship, and cynical about the prospect of ever finding "the right one"; •c.                  in a relationship, but hoping to be in another relationship by next Valentine's Day; •d.                 in a relationship, and counting the minutes till "D-Day".   Valentine's Day is yet another holiday reminding those of us who are lacking in the romance department … (25 comments)

Google, Yahoo and Microsoft are staging the Web - 02/14/09 03:01 PM
 
Via Maureen McCabe - Central OH homes (Real Living HER - Worthington office):
We talk about staging homes here on ActiveRain, a big part of home staging is de-cluttering. The good news Google, Microsoft and Yahoo are getting together for some spring cleaning and de-cluttering of the web.
"Google, Yahoo and Microsoft Collaborate to Clean Up Web" by reporter Miguel Helft in the Bits Column on the New York Times site quotes Matt Cutts:
"There is a lot of clutter on the Web and with this, publishers will be able to clean up a lot of junk,” said Matt Cutts, an … (0 comments)

They Hacked my WIKI! - 02/14/09 02:59 PM

Via Mike Mueller (Mike Mueller, Inc.):
And they could have hacked my WordPress blog or most any of my other blogs.
Have they hacked yours?  Would you know?

Here’s how to find out.  Go to Google and enter “site:http://YOURSITENAME.com ” obviously inserting your site name.  Mine currently shows about 250 pages.
That will show you every page Google has indexed of yours.  You can sift thru all those pages or…
Now add  “+spamword” to the search. That’s how I found the above hacked page. Now try a different word, as in Viagra, and another…
OK, how did this happen? In my … (2 comments)

Senate Passes Stimulus Package (By 60 To 38 Vote) - 02/14/09 02:31 PM

Via Pederson Properties, Inc. (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage):
Late yesterday evening, the U.S. Senate passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 by a 60 to 38 vote. Earlier yesterday, the stimulus package passed the U.S. House of Representatives in a 246 to 183 vote. Yesterday's votes followed several days of negotiations by the House, Senate, and White House, with the final tab for the stimulus bill coming in at $787.2 billion.On the housing front, the good news is that the legislation resets the conforming loan limit cap at $729,750, up from $625,500. Numerous counties in California experienced a marked decrease in their … (0 comments)

Valentine's Day History - 02/14/09 02:17 PM
  Flowers, dinners and candy...  The day of romance...  A celebration like no other; a cause of joy for jewelry and lingerie stores everywhere...  14 Billion dollars worth of sales for retailers... maybe not so much this year, because of the economy...   Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day and what is the history behind it?  Here is a short and educational video for you:     Happy Valentine's Day!    Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Connection                    Proud Optimist! … (4 comments)

AR JOKESTER Plus: Women Drivers... - 02/14/09 10:59 AM
  My daughter has been taking driver's training for the past several weeks.  She will be done with the mandatory driver's course and will obtain her license in two months when she turns 16, but she is still not allowed to drive until she takes the BMW course.   This extraordinary class offered by BMW in Greer, SC, takes the driving novice through a very intensive all day training.  All driving conditions are simulated and proper indoctrination of technique and car knowledge is disseminated.  The beginning driver thus graduates with a solid understanding of what the car can and cannot do … (17 comments)

Are you using Google Friend Connect? - 02/12/09 10:34 PM

Via Mike Mueller (Mike Mueller, Inc.):
Let me rephrase that. 
Are you really using Google Friend Connect or did you just join a site and forget about it?

It’s that box that appears on blog and website sidebars.  If you’ve joined a site you should see your picture there.  Visually you might think of it a lot like MyBlogLog.
I’ve recently been adding the GFC module to client blogs and websites and came to realize many people don’t know what it is capable of.
Here’s how Google introduces the product:

I have a slightly different take.

You did complete … (13 comments)

When You Find The "Almost" Perfect House, But Want To Make It Home. - 02/12/09 10:33 PM

Via Jason Sardi, Mortgage Banker (FHA-VA-USDA-Conventional-Pennsylvania Loans):
This should lead it off quite nicely:)
Back in my early days of lending, I recall quite vividly the very first Rehab Loan I did.  While I did some legwork in actually knowing the ropes of that particular product before advertising the bejesus out of a very niche loan, I still was caught like a reindeer in some oncoming car's speeding headlights when trying to get them closed in a streamlined sort of fashion.  And then, I had it mastered.  As my particular luck would have it, most of those programs disappeared shortly thereafter.
The echoes in … (1 comments)

THEY'RE ALL WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. The American Citizen Is Not Fooled by the "Feel Good" Sound Bites. - 02/12/09 10:27 PM

Via Lenn Harley Homefinders.com MD & VA Real Estate:
What is it about the members of the media, the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Office of the President that makes them believe that the American public still believes in smoke and morrors?
     They continue to claim that "it (the economy) is all about "confidence".
     They say that the American consumer needs a "signal" that the future will improve.
     One Senator claimed yesterday that the American public doesn't care about "little pork" in the stimulus bill.
     We're heard the word "change" ad nauseam for two years.
     Congress believes … (0 comments)

I'm Still Laughing... - 02/12/09 06:32 PM
Growing up in communist Romania, where information was censured, Religion was barely tolerated and one's ability to visit the outside world was curtailed, I learnt early on the benefit of asking the right questions - like "How do I get out of here?"   I left the country early - at the age of 15.  My memories of Romania are filled with images of very joyous and hospitable people who valued laughter above all else.  "Faci haz the necaz" was a popular saying which means: "Make fun of hardship", something Romanians did quite well.    Since they were not free to … (21 comments)

The Landmines Within - 02/12/09 08:50 AM

Via Michael Tarabotto (Certified Appraiser) Santa Clarita, San Fernando, Westside (California Appraisal Solutions Corp.):
Conventional wisdom says that once a home has gone through foreclosure, the sooner it is listed and sold the quicker the lender will recover losses.  This logic follows that expediency of the process maximizes a lender's recovery rate in areas where prices are rapidly falling, avoiding greater losses later. 
Well, we'll soon find that what is in a lender's best interest often defies our most basic conventions. 
More than a year ago I began pairing Realtytrac's foreclosure database against MLS inventory stats for every neighborhood I would appraise.  … (0 comments)

Types of Roofing - Shingles, Shakes, and More - What Costs Least and Lasts Longest? - 02/12/09 08:47 AM

Via Stanton Homes - Penny Hull Raleigh NC Custom Home Builders (Stanton Homes - Triangle NC New Homes):
New Home Builders Raleigh NC
Types of Roofing - Shingles, Shakes, Metal and More How to Keep Costs Down and Appearances Up for Your New Home Considering buying or building a new home?  The types of materials used in building your new home can make a major difference in appeal, versatility, maintanence, and cost.  Here are some of the basics:
Asphalt Shingles - Types of Roofing in New Homes Asphalt shingles are the most common kind of roofing used today.  This roofing material is … (9 comments)

Stimulus Bill Passes, but the $15,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit is Wiped Out - 02/11/09 08:19 PM
  Minutes ago an agreement was announced on a $790 Billion stimulus plan.  Unfortunately, the $15,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit was effectively wiped out in order to accommodate the new, lower overall limit of the bill.    Large corporations will get the money, but the average Joe will not get a tax break when buying a home.    Done!    I'm sorry!   Thank you for your efforts in trying to help sway your legislators to keep this on the final bill!   It did not make it, but it wasn't for lack of trying.  
What do you think about this outcome? … (185 comments)

How to Pick the Perfect Tags and Photos for your Blog Posts - for Free! - 02/11/09 05:31 PM

Via Liz Moras- Team Leader & Managing Broker Keller Williams Valley Realty (Serving Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley & Fraser Valley):
So this morning I decided to 'Time Block" some time and spend a couple of hours researching all those Bookmarks......and "Shortcuts" I'd placed on my Desktop........Do you ever do that?  Bookmark something because it sounds interesting but you don't have time to read it in that moment?  And then you promptly forget about it...........unless something 'twigs' and you think.........'hmmm I remember reading something about that! 
Well I was reading up about Zemanta.. and oh my word!  Seriously! (click on the logo)  automatically suggests the targeted … (2 comments)

Signs of the Bottom of the Housing Market? - 02/11/09 04:00 PM

Via Frank & Sharon Alters, ePRO, GRI Fleming Island FL Real Estate (Watson Realty ):
The Real Estate industry is a leading indicator of economic cycles. We are the first into a down cycle and also the first out. There are signs that the market is bottoming. There are other factors that could skew a recovery, but the activity reported by some agents on Active Rain throughout the country and in our own market is worth considering.
Historically, real estate values cannot be sustained long without income rising accordingly. This fact was lost in the boom years between 2003-2007 (in some … (0 comments)

HOW FORECLOSURES AFFECT EVERYONE AND WHY - 02/11/09 02:00 PM
Allison did a fabulous job on this one.  Kudos! 
Foreclosures impact us all...
Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela Monte
 

Via Allison Stewart REALTOR ®St. Cloud Florida (Florida Pines Realty, Inc):
These days it is not uncommon to know someone who is or has lost their house to foreclosure. These turbulent times, uncertainty in the job market, foreclosures in record numbers in the housing market and no immediate quick fixes at hand make people wonder how they are impacted by the foreclosure mortgage market mess.
   SUDDEN STOPS AT HIGH SPEED
     Just when everyone thought the ride would never … (0 comments)

How to be search stupid: Working hard to hardly rank in Google with orphan and dead end pages - 02/09/09 09:14 PM

Via Mary McKnight (Sacrilicious Marketing):
The first rule of understanding Google is that Google is not psychic.  It doesn't know where your website or new pages are unless it can find them by following a link from a site already in its index to your new page.  (yes, you can ping and submit a sitemap, but direct access from Google is not the same thing as a crawl!) So, now that you get someone else to link to you and Google has found your site, you need Google to crawl, index and begin to trust your site.  That means YOU need to … (6 comments)

Top 10 Free Programs and Websites I Can't Live Without and You Shouldn't Have to Either - 02/09/09 09:13 PM
 
Via Mary McKnight (Sacrilicious Marketing):
Alright, it's the weekend and I totally don't feel like talking geek, SEO, blogging or real estate.  So, here are some of the things I have found on the web that I couldn't imagine living without.  These things either greatly entertain me or make my life/job easier and I think you should know about them too.  Oh yeah, these tools are also totally free, which rocks, 'cause I'm cheap.
1.      Hulu.com - watch streaming TV shows and movies for free Hulu is just cool.  Watch your favorite TV shows and movies online for free.  Totally legal … (14 comments)

It's The Eleventh Hour: Do You Know Where Your Money Is? URGENT CALL TO ACTION!!! - 02/09/09 05:43 PM
  The much awaited $15,000 Home Buyer Tax credit may be in jeopardy.  Due to the maneuverings in the Senate over the weekend, there are rumors that the Senate may want to scale back the tax credit.     The $15,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit (click here for details) should infuse new life into our Real Estate Market.    This could be the most important phone call of your career.  Please take 5 minutes and make your voice heard.   PLEASE CALL NOW!!!   1-866-924-6242   The system will ask you for your zip code, then it will connect you with your Congressman … (64 comments)

It's The Eleventh Hour: Do You Know Where Your Money Is? URGENT CALL TO ACTION!!! - 02/09/09 05:30 PM

  
The much awaited $15,000 Home Buyer Tax credit may be in jeopardy.  Due to the maneuverings in the Senate over the weekend, there are rumors that the Senate may want to scale back the tax credit.  
  
The $15,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit (click here for details) should infuse new life into our Real Estate Market. 
  
This could be the most important phone call of your career.  Please take 5 minutes and make your voice heard.   PLEASE CALL NOW!!!
  
1-866-924-6242
  
The system will ask you for your zip code, then it will connect you with your … (6 comments)

Is your URL a little too long for your Britches, I mean, your Browser? - 02/07/09 06:19 PM
  Do you have URLs that look like this?   http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?ovi=1&mqmap.x=300&mqmap.y=75&mapdata=%252bKZmeiIh6N%252bIgpXRP3bylMaN0O4z8OOUkZWYe7NRH6ldDN96YFTIUmSH3Q6OzE5XVqcuc5zb%252fY5wy1MZwTnT2pu%252bNMjOjsHjvNlygTRMzqazPStrN%252f1YzA0oWEWLwkHdhVHeG9sG6cMrfXNJKHY6fML4o6Nb0SeQm75ET9jAjKelrmqBCNta%252bsKC9n8jslz%252fo188N4g3BvAJYuzx8J8r%252f1fPFWkPYg%252bT9Su5KoQ9YpNSj%252bmo0h0aEK%252bofj3f6vCP   With the click of a button, you can now shorten that mega URL into something a lot more compact, such as this:   http://tinyurl.com/6   Now you can do just that: shorten your mega URL into a bite size URL with a couple of clicks.   TinyUrl.com is where you do it.  Check it out!    Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Connection                    Join Me on the Optimist Group! … (15 comments)

The Enchanting Lightness of Being... - 02/07/09 03:46 PM
  1.  I am NOT the navel of the World. 2.  I am human.  I am very flawed.  I make many mistakes.  So does everyone else. 3.  Since I don't even understand why I do some of the things I do, it's virtually impossible for me to understand why others do what they do.  4.  Sometimes I'm in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Someone's wrath, although seemingly directed at me, is really the result of someone else's doing.  I just happen to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time.  5.  Treating people lovingly, even when they don't deserve it, … (25 comments)

Mirelaisms... Life Lessons Learnt... - 02/07/09 03:25 PM
 
That which we love is our greatest source of joy, but also our greatest source of pain.     Victory with humility; Defeat with grace.     If you are not there when I need you, I don't need you when you're there.     A dream is something you wish for. A goal is a dream you work for.     Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection               Join The Optimist Group! … (12 comments)

The Seven Spirtual Laws of Success Saturday/ The Law of Dharma - 02/07/09 01:17 PM

Via Tom Ski ~Social Networking WebSites (Down Stream Investments, Inc. ):
The Law of Dharma: Everyone has a purpose in life . . . a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals. I will put the Law of Dharma into effect by making a commitment to take the following steps:
Today I will lovingly nurture the god or goddess in embryo that lies deep within my soul. I will pay attention … (1 comments)

BPO Overload: Why Are Inept Agents Carrying All These REO's? - 02/05/09 03:19 PM
  Certain Agents in my market area have established strong connections with Banks and they are getting the bulk of REO business.    Their listings are not marketed or serviced properly and many of them are not even selling.  They are just sitting on the market without utilities and proper care and they are rapidly deteriorating and just adding to the glut of available housing.   When they do sell, they are reduced so drastically that they are creating even more of a problem in our market.    Some of these agents who carry all these BPO's are so limited on staff, … (22 comments)

Proposed $15,000 Tax Credit For Home Buyers - URGENT CALL TO ACTION: WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! - 02/05/09 10:29 AM
 
Last night the Senate voted to give a tax break of up to $15,000 to home buyers, in hopes of revitalizing the housing industry.  Click here to see the entire AP article.   The proposal would allow a tax credit of 10 percent of the value of new or existing residences, up to a $15,000 limit. Current law provides for a $7,500 tax break for the purchase of new homes only.   Here is what I learnt yesterday from Kabir Mahadeva, FHA Lender:  a first time home buyer (someone who has not had an ownership interest in real estate for … (13 comments)

Setup your WP Blog? Part 2 - 02/04/09 09:51 AM
 
Via Mike Mueller (Mike Mueller, Inc.):
Image via Wikipedia This is Part 2 – The Outside Applications
Read Part 1 – Paying to setup your WP Blog?
I started compiling this list when I started setting up my newest site, http://AreWeConnected.com
WordPress.com says
Takes seconds, costs nada You can get a blog started in less time than it takes you to read this sentence.
And that’s true.
But to fully get the best results out of WordPress you need so much more.  So I put on my consultant hat and thought about what needs to be done and … (1 comments)

Asking for Recommendations - 02/04/09 09:49 AM

Via Mike Mueller (Mike Mueller, Inc.):
I just started reaching out to my LinkedIn Connections for their recommendations. With a present roster of 861 LinkedIn says I can reach a audience of over 4 million! That’s a lot of humans.
Ever conscious of spam I am only wanting a recommendation from people I know or have helped in some way.
I’m sending the following email to a selected few:
Help!
I’m building a page of people who have taken the time to write something nice about me. You can find it here: http://cli.gs/Recommend It’s part of my "Find Mike a New … (0 comments)

HELP! Thinking of switching from PC to MAC. Should I? - 02/04/09 09:45 AM
 
Via Pacita C Dimacali, Alameda & Contra Costa CA real estate (Gallagher & Lindsey, Inc. 510 748 1148):
Whle visiting the Apple Store, I fell in love with the new MACs. The person I spoke with at the store was so knowledgeable and so personable (maybe I fell in love with HIM?).
Anyway, I'm still on the fence....but getting close. Should I switch?
I saw this site on "Geeks Are Sexy" that featured 5 Reasons to Switch from Mac to PC. But I need a real estate professional's perspective. And Apple has its Why your next PC should be a MAC  … (4 comments)

Want to stay busy? Proove that staging sells - in living color! - 02/04/09 09:36 AM

Via Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.RedesigningCharleston.com (First Impressions):
I was doing a little prospecting last week in some familiar territories.  These were areas that I knew we had staged homes and had great success.  Some of the homes that are currently for sale were for sale last year when we staged our homes.  This definately meant that we needed to reconnect with these agents and show them why they needed us.
When we started really looking at the stats we found some really interesting information....
our staged homes sold for 2% more than the non-staged homes in this neighborhood & sold an average … (0 comments)

Love That Localism! Here's How to MAXIMIZE it: - 02/03/09 09:55 PM
 
Via Rich Jacobson ~ ActiveRain Community Builder (ActiveRain Corporation):
E-mail Ping-Pong and Inappropriate Content
For the last couple of days, I've been playing 'email ping-pong' with one of our valued members over the issue of what constitutes 'acceptable' or 'inappropriate' content being published on Localism.

Trust me when I say that if you asked 10 ActiveRain members their opinion on this issue, you'd probably get close to 10 different views or responses. The definition of good, relevant local 'consumer-oriented' content can be different for many of us.
But surely there must be obvious instances where certain types of content are … (2 comments)

New ActiveRain Widgets for ActiveBlogs - 02/03/09 09:54 PM
 

Via Brad Andersohn ~ Community Builder (ActiveRain):
He won't admit it, but Rich Jacobson is addicted these little things so I have to keep testing them out and requesting them for HIS Blog!  This isn't the first time I've written about Widgets and Rich, and it won't be the last.  haha!  Those who know me well, know all about my Widget World fetish.  lol~
Seriously, while most of you were sleeping and the other late night Bloggers were posting...(like me), our AR Tech MASTERS released another update for the Outside ActiveBlogs.  I had said earlier that these were coming and … (3 comments)

One Chance for Many First Impressions: The Photo As An Internet Marketing Strategy - 02/03/09 08:32 PM
 
Via Mike Jones (Tucson Mortgage Company, LLC):
Time is the scarcest commodity, especially when you may have a part time job to supplement your income as a Real Estate Agent so that you can stay in the Real Estate business.
Here's the way you might look at your listing obligations. 
Make the listing appointment.  Get it signed.  Get it into the Multiple Listing Service.  Double check for accuracy.  Make sure the photos show the features that make this home special to the potential buyer. Choose an exterior photo for the first impression. Done. Let's say I'm your potential buyer.  I've got a … (3 comments)

A Ray of Sunshine for you Today: The Optimist Week in Review - 02/03/09 06:51 PM
  Chuck Willman posted some interesting observations about the Banks' Modus Operandi with regards to their REO's.  This is an interesting blog to read and one we should all add our own observations to:  "The First Ten Days" and other Bank Owned Property Rules of Thumb   Just how do you handle confrontation?   Rebecca Cole posted an intriguing article about it:         How Do You Handle Confrontation?  Lara O'Keefe penned an endearing tribute to her mom, who is currently helping raise a beautiful grandchild:   Growing Like a Weed!   Jim Valentine discusses a type loan well suited for today's foreclosed properties.  Don't … (28 comments)

Can We Buy A Bank-Owned Property In Disrepair With A New Loan? - 02/03/09 04:09 PM

Via Jim Valentine (RE/MAX Realty Affiliates):
Many homes for sale these days are owned by a "bank", properties that were taken back by the lender for non-payment.  With their "floors of attorneys" it is natural that the banks are to be protected when they sell their assets.  As such, when you buy a bank-owned property it is As-Is ... no disclosure, no repairs, no liability for condition of the home.  That is understandable as they have no knowledge of the specific property, but the very nature of their situation and ownership has worked against them. 
When a bank takes over a property … (0 comments)

ActiveRain - Now iPhone Compatible - 02/03/09 02:37 PM
 
Via Brad Andersohn ~ Community Builder (ActiveRain):
It's true.  If you own an iPhone, you can now interact with the ActiveRain Real Estate Network of friends and business partners from anywhere your iPhone browser works.  This is not an iPhone application, it's a browser enhancement from our AR developers. (great job guys)
At 2:00am, we deployed a fix that will now allow you to post, and comment on ActiveRain Blogs using your iPhone.  Members have been waiting for this upgrade and I'm glad to announce it is finally launched.  It's great.  We're also working on an iPhone application that will be … (3 comments)

Incredible, but True! You Heard it Here First! - 02/02/09 10:57 PM
 
In 2005 I told all my Investors to stop buying Oceanfront.  I've always been able to see patterns in numbers.  I didn't like what I saw, so I blew the whistle.  I moved my investors on to other products like single family homes in the path of growth.  We did well.  The Clients who listened and sold, fared quite nicely.  The ones who didn't, now wish they had...   I am now blowing another whistle: the BUY whistle.  With prices at an all time low and inventory still ample, now is the time to start delving in.  There are … (27 comments)

Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Slaughter Fest: - 02/02/09 09:31 PM
 
Here are some current "Deals"... Oceanfront condos practically given away for a fraction of the price they used to sell for.  All of these are "distressed property transactions", either Short Sales (Pre-Foreclosure), or Bank Owned (After Foreclosure).   Ocean Villas:        2BR/1.5BA now priced at $139,900.                                     2005 sold comp: $232,000!!!   The Palace:           2BR/2BA now priced at $139,900.                                 Same units sold in 2005 for $279,900!!!   Beach Colony:      2BR/2BA now priced at $179,900.                                  Same units sold in 2005 for $430,000!!!   Prince Resort:       2BR/2BA now priced at $210,000.                                   Same units sold in 2007 for $570,000!!! … (12 comments)

Face it Tweety: Plaxo Linkedin MySpace! - 02/01/09 07:54 PM
   
 
Facebook, Twitter, Plaxo, LinkedIn, MySpace.   Did I miss anyone?  The social networks are in and they are taking over the Internet with a vengeance.    Many of us are using one or two of these social sites to stay in touch with friends and to network for business and pleasure.  My teenage daughter uses MySpace and so do all her friends.  I use Facebook as do many of my friends.  I noticed that many of you use Twitter.  LinkedIn and Plaxo seem less popular, but still have a presence among the top Social Networking Sites.    There are … (32 comments)

 
Ambassador_large

Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela Monte

Myrtle Beach, SC

More about me…

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection

Address: BUYERS' CHOICE REALTY, 702-3 Sea Mountain Hwy., North Myrtle Beach, SC, 29582

Office Phone: (843) 280-7283

Cell Phone: (843) 251-2378

Email Me



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog