Are We There Yet? - Is There A Bottom To This Real Estate Market - 11/29/07 12:34 AM
Have you been wondering, when are we going to hit the bottom of this real estate cycle?
I know I have been.  Although I do not believe in fortune telling, I wish there was a crystal ball to tell us when things will change.  I have always been told that you can not tell the future of the real estate market.  However, we do know that a full real estate cycle is usually around 6-7 year.  It is like a roller-coaster ride, it has it's ups and downs.  Most of us are on the way down, but are we at the bottom, yet?
Each community is different and … (26 comments)

Hey You - Go Elf Yourself - Yes You! - 11/25/07 10:15 PM

Don't worry, "Elfing Yourself" is not a bad thing.  I would never tell you to Elf Yourself unless it was a good thing to do.  So take your hands off your ears and check this out.  It is a fun thing to do when you have time.  It is something to pass on to family and friends this Christmas holiday.  It is a craz that has been sponsored by OfficeMax the last couple of years as far as I know.
Why don't you spend some quality time with your family and friends this Christmas.  It will be fun Elfing Yourselves and making memories together.  You can … (42 comments)

REAL ESTATE AMERICA - REA : Television Advertisement - 11/22/07 05:37 PM
I thought I would put together a blog that gave a video introduction to REAL ESTATE AMERICA. Take a look at REAL ESTATE AMERICA's TV Advertisement.
Just click on the link provided:

 
This is the video that highlights the REA and it is a 30 second spot.


 
This is a shorter video, a 15 second spot that offers the opportunity to join REA.




This is a very short tag that last 5 seconds and basicly gives the company name and our phone number.



 
Ernie Cabrera, CEO
REAL ESTATE … (13 comments)

California Finds Some Relief & Help To Avoid Florclosure - 11/22/07 02:56 AM

I wanted to share a press release that just came out today November 20, 2007.  This is big news in California because there has been a steady stream of Foreclosures that have been flooding the real estate market for the last couple of years.  The outlook has also been negative with more foreclosures to come the next few years.
The continued forclosures brings the sales price lower as the REO are sold at rock bottom prices.  Buyers have just been waiting and the lack of sales drives prices down.
California's Foreclosure Rate Twice the National Average
The Governor of California with the cooperation of some … (8 comments)

Caveat Emptor: "let the buyer beware." - A Home Inspection Is Recommended - 11/22/07 02:16 AM
DO YOU HAVE A HOME INSPECTOR LOOKING INTO YOUR NEW HOME?
One of the major terms in most California purchase agreements is a home inspection by the buyer.  This inspection is recommended to make sure the buyer is fully aware of the condition of the property they are buying.
Caveat Emptor = "let the buyer beware." (Latin)
The buyer should examine the goods and/or property and buy it at his own risk, except for latent defects.  In California we practice "Full Disclosure".  The seller and the agents need to disclose any material defects or material facts know or discovered during a transaction.  Seller's who hide know defects from a … (11 comments)

Happy Thanksgiving From Ernie Cabrera and REAL ESTATE AMERICA - 11/22/07 01:50 AM
I want to wish everyone a great THANKSGIVING for 2007!  We have a lot to be thankful for!
I am thankful for good people like yourself!
To be able to live and work in the greatest country in the world!
For the opportunity to be able to help and serve people!
For a wonderful team of real estate professionals at REAL ESTATE AMERICA!
For being blessed with a great family full of love!
I thank God most of all for being a God of second chances and being full of grace!
I wish you and yours, much happiness and success in life and in business!
Ernie Cabrera
REAL ESTATE AMERICA
(916) … (2 comments)

Dual Agency is Illegal and It Should not be Practiced! - 11/18/07 01:19 AM
SOME STATE DO NOT ALLOW DUAL AGENCY, BUT WHAT IS THE PRACTICE?
We have been having a discussion on my blog on  Right or Wrong? Dual Agency  and it has been discussed that it is illegal to practice "Dual Agency" in some states.  I would like to open up this blog to the discussion on how the practice of real estate is performed in the states that do not allow "Dual Agency".  I am from California and we have "Agency" and can practice "Agency" with either buyer or seller or represent both parties in a transaction under "Dual Agency".  The "Agency Relationship" needs to be … (35 comments)

Denied! Do You Need A Second Chance? - 11/11/07 12:58 AM

I was just passing a bank recently when I saw on the window an advertisement which said, "DECLINED - Do you need a second chance?"  Wow, I thought to myself, that is good.  I sat there in traffic for a couple of minutes waiting for the light to change to green.  I sat there thinking, everyone needs a second chance.  I know I always do.  I know my clients who have been coming to me lately about their real estate problems with foreclosures, shot sales, not being able to refinance or sell, they need a second chance.  I just meet with a young man who had … (35 comments)

Don't Worry Be Happy - 11/10/07 11:14 PM
The Next Game Will Be Starting Soon!





Holly Dolly - Don't Worry, Be Happy! - Full Video
 
I know that this song can get on your nerves after awhile, but we have to be reminded, don't worry, be happy!
The real estate market is still down in many areas in the USA, but it will change. Consumer confidence is the key to the recovery. I am seeing many buyers and investors waiting for the bottom to hit. The news media has been bashing the real estate housing market and especially the sub-prime lenders. The sub-prime … (28 comments)

Right or Wrong? Dual Agency - What States Allows It or Not - 11/05/07 11:42 PM
 
REAL ESTATE AGENCY RELATIONSHIPS
How agents can represent their clients:
1) Fiduciary responsibility to a buyer
2) Fiduciary responsibility to a seller
3) Fiduciary responsibility to both the buyer and the seller
        Okay, it is like walking a tightrope!
DUAL AGENCY
Is this ethical?
What is the practices in your real estate market?
Is it possible to really represent a buyer and seller well?
Are you serving your clients well?
I NEED YOUR HELP TO COMPLETE THE LIST BELOW, PLEASE GIVE ME INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR STATE'S LAWS ABOUT DUAL AGENCY!
List of states/countries - what is the practice/law:
Alabama - dual agency is not allowed 
Alaska - abrogated common law agency, but dual agency is allowed
Arizona … (128 comments)

Open Houses - Great To Do In Down Market! - 11/03/07 11:51 PM
 
I have heard all of my life in the real estate business from other agents and trainers that open houses are a passive way to do business.  It takes 100 buyers to go through a home in order to get one to buy.  I have to agree it can be a passive way to do business, but I think it can be a tremendous tool to enlarge your business and to help our sellers.  Here is why I say that.
1) If you do enough open houses and get enough people through, you will find one who will buy it.
2) It is … (20 comments)

Wow, I Am Getting National Exposure & Leads Because of Active Rain! - 11/03/07 10:02 PM
                           WWW.REAREALTORS.COM
IT REALLY WORKS!
I have just within the last couple of months started to use the Active Rain Real Estate Community and it has proved to be a great source of help in many ways.  It has enabled me to meet real estate professionals all throughout the United States and Canada.  It has been fun communicating and learning from each other.  It is a great community to be a part of and it is definitely addicting.  I admit it!  I am an Active Rain Addict and proud of it!   {;o)
But, for me the biggest help Active Rain has provided me thus far … (28 comments)