Drew's Liberty Missouri Real Estate Blog

Diary of a Real Estate Rookie by Alison Rogers

Drew Jelmeland (Keller Williams Northland Partners) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:31:26 -0500

I just finished reading Diary of a Real Estate Rookie: My Year of Flipping, Selling, and Rebuilding and What I Learned (The Hard Way) by Alison Rogers

Overall I enjoyed the book. I was looking for a book that was a diary of someone who was successful at flipping houses. Within those paramaters the book failed miserably.

If you are looking for some good information on how to become a realtor, flipper, or how to be a more successfull realtor I would choose a different book.

However, if you are looking for a touching, somewhat intimate look at someone's life who attempted to flip houses, and is now a Realtor it is very good.

Alison writes for Inman news and has a blog there. If you are looking for really helpful information you would be better served reading her blog.

My favorite quote "The four C's of Real Estate are:

Cost
Capacity
Condition
Convenience - Location"

Million Dollar Habits by Brian Tracy

Drew Jelmeland (Keller Williams Northland Partners) — Fri, 30 May 2008 10:28:36 -0500

I really enjoyed reading Million Dollar Habits: Proven Power Practices to Double and Triple Your Income by Brian Tracy. First of all, I would guess that most of you already know that you need to read everything you can by Brian Tracy. If you haven't heard of Brian tracy this is a great book to start on. There is something that will increase your success (if you seriously put it to use) in every chapter of this book. This is also a great book if you are just wanting a little "pick me up" to keep you going.

My favorite quote from this book is a quote that he got from Mary Kay Ashley the founder of Mary Kay cosmetics. "everyone wears a sign that says Make my feel Important!"

As a side note: Mary Kay is the #1 employer of women earning more than $50,000 a year, As a Realtor, or Mortgage broker your average product is 200,000 times more expensive than a Mary Kay agents. So, maybe you should talk to your local Mary Kay lady and find out what makes her so successful. A lot of books talk about your networking team. So one thing you could do to be more successful is to add your local Mary Kay lady to your networking team.

Start watching for the pink Cadilac's near you!

Drew

Self Directed IRA/Real Estate IRA - An income source you may have overlooked

Drew Jelmeland (Keller Williams Northland Partners) — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:52:58 -0500

Realtors:

How many more sales could you make if some of your clients converted their IRA's to self directed real estate IRA's?

Wouldn't it be great to turn some of your clients into real estate investors and help your investors increase their investments. With a little bit of research you could increase your income this year.

I welcome any questions or comments you might have.

Thanks

Drew

What is your favorite or most helpful Podcast?

Drew Jelmeland (Keller Williams Northland Partners) — Sun, 04 May 2008 18:20:12 -0500

I have just recently realized the wealth of information that is available in an easy to go format. How many times have I been sitting in the car, waiting for a client, etc. and wishing I could do something to enhance my career. Well now I can have some podcasts loaded on my phone.

Some of my favorites are

real estate investing 101
the real estate guys radio
Brian tracy
Master Real Estate course by Bill Fitzpatrick
Master Small Business course
Real Wealth Show with Kathy Fettke

So, my question is what are your favorite or your most helpful podcasts?

Home Security Value

Drew Jelmeland (Keller Williams Northland Partners) — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:48:42 -0500

I have some questions for the Real Estate community. Does having a security system in a house add value? How much value? Or, is it a factor at all? How much value does a gated community add? If you were to compare identical homes and one was in a gated community what would be the price difference?

We see so much on the news that is scary. Then I saw a news special about "lock bumping" or "Key bumping" and it really shocked me.

Warning!!!! Activerain Scam

Drew Jelmeland (Keller Williams Northland Partners) — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:00:27 -0500

As a missionary I would get these emails all the time. Reverend Drew we have millions of dollars we want to give to your ministry just...

But, some of you may not have received this type of scam before so here's your warning. Below in Italics is a copy of the email I received through activerain. This doesn't mean Activerain is at fault or responsible it's just the way they sent me the message and may have tried to contact you also.

Don't be fooled by the news links. I could show you links to news stories about a house that was destroyed in Katrina and give you a sob story and ask for help building a new house. That doesn't mean I own that house or that I am truly who I say I am. No matter how true the news story is.

You've received a contact message from your Contact Form on the ActiveRain network.

Message details:
From: Muda
Email: muda112@myway.com
Subject: FUND FOR INVESTMENT

Hello,

I am contacting you via your email address to keep our discussions private and confidential. The purpose of my contacting you soliciting your assistance is because you live in a country with a stable economy where one can invest.

I am Muda from Brunei. My family have being the target of scathing criticism by conservatives in our country whom are opposed to my father opening up Brunei, one of the world's last remaining absolute monarchies to Western modernization and developments. In year 2000 a court ordered the seizure of my father's conglomerate (Amedeo Development Corporation) including all bank accounts and private properties belonging to us. In May 2006, my father lost an appeal to retain our properties, assets and bank accounts which the security operatives want forfeited to the government.

See websites below:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/670959.stm

http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/magazine/2000/0310/nat.brunei.jefri.html

http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/y2k/May2006/230506.htm

I want to transfer US$40 Million cash which you are going to receive for investment. The money was packaged in a Box which is sealed and locked before it was deposited in a private warehouse in Europe. Due to the events in my country, it has become absolutely necessary for the Box to be transfered into your custody so that you can investment the money US$40 Million into your country economy as the best way to safe guard the money.

Therefore, you would be required either to travel down to the warehouse in Europe to take delivery of the Box for onward transfer of contents into your private bank account or on the alternative we have made arrangements for the Box to be delivered to your contact/resident address. Whichever the option of your choice from above, to commence with the procedures for the release of the Box, i would need you to send me the followings:-muda114@myway.com
YOUR FULL NAMES

YOUR CONTACT/RESIDENT ADDRESS

YOUR DIRECT PHONE NUMBER

Upon receiving the above data from you, i will forward your data to the private warehouse in Europe for legal documentation prior to the release of the Box. If however, you are not disposed to assist, kindly introduce me to a reliable friend, relative or associate whom you deem fit and capable to assist me retrieve this funds.

I am counting on your absolute confidentiality and trust while I await your prompt reply.

Sincerely,

Muda.

Email sent from IP: 72.3.137.83

Predatory Lenders or possibly Predatory Real Estate Agents.

Drew Jelmeland (Keller Williams Northland Partners) — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 18:24:23 -0500

I have a borrower at the moment that has had to fire three real estate agents. They have specifically told them they could only afford $200k. (In our market that is difficult to find) The agents, knowing that they were pre-approved for $250k, were only showing them houses in the $225k-250k range. When they were confronted they said "well I'm sure you could find a couple extra hundred dollars if we find the right house for you."

If a buyer comes to me, applies for a loan, I can't legally deny them a loan that they qualify for, even if they have told me they can only afford to pay a certain amount per month, and this loan would be $200 more per month.

So Now, who is being predatory?

I often here this same scenario where the real estate agent is showing people homes $10k-50k over what they were told they could afford.

I realize that there are predatory lenders but this problem can't be solely placed at the feet of the lending industry.

Why do you agree or disagree?

*Update* This was originally written when it was still a sellers market and offers were above listed price not below.

Broadway Street Celebration and Sidewalk Sale

Drew Jelmeland (Keller Williams Northland Partners) — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 13:00:59 -0500

If you're looking for a little bit of culture and block party this weekend come to NE Broadway.

AFRICAN ART SHOW Proceeds go to the NAPE Foundation for Women and Children in Africa

FREE Face Painting Bring the kids! Sun 11-4

SIDEWALK SALE July 20th • 21st • 22nd 20% - 70% OFF

Participating Merchants

Airbornne Pure International Skin Care • Formulated in Switzerland. Made in the USA • 503-998-6157
Art House • Your complete papercrafting source! • 2129 NE
BroadwayBroadway Books • Great books, spectacular service • 1714 NE Broadway
Broadway Floral • For your home and Garden • 1638 NE Broadway
Footwise • Devoted to your well being • 1433 NE Broadway
Furever Pets • Furever your neighborhood premium pet food and supply store! • 1902 NE Broadway
Goodnight Room • Furniture & accessories for a child's home! • 1517 NE Broadway
Great Wine Buys • Finding your great wine deals since 1985 • 1515 NE Broadway
Hallmark Opticians • Quality and service since 1960. Locally owned! • 1911 NE Broadway
Halo Shoes • Excellent Shoes • 1425 NE Broadway
Here We Go Again • Coming Soon! • 1515 NE Broadway
Kitchen Kaboodle • We make your house a home! • 1520 NE Broadway
McMenamins On Broadway • Sponsor for the event! • 1504 NE Broadway
Mimi & Lena • Women's and bridal • 1914 NE Broadway
Mimi & Madre • Specialty and local jewelry, Pandora charms, handbags & gifts • 1512 NE Broadway
Mountain Shop • Expert service since 1938 • 628 NE Broadway
Oh Baby Lingerie • Passion accessorized! • 1320 NE Broadway
Sofa Table Chair • Custom, affordable, beautiful furniture! • 1916 NE Broadway
Soho Boutique • Hip women's boutique • 1605 NE Broadway
Starbucks on Broadway • Sponsor for the event! • Wide range of gifts & products for your summer days • 1510 NE Broadway
Timmco Insurance • Insurance for all your needs: business, home and auto • 1615 NE Broadway
Trade Roots • Not your ordinary import store! • 1831 NE Broadway
U-Store Self Storage • Sponsor for the event! • For all your storage needs! • 419 NE Broadway

Restaurants, Salons and Services Discount does not apply at all restaurants and services

BJ's Restaurant & Brewery • Chicago style pizza grill & brewery • 825 NE Weilder
Collosso • Spanish Tapas Bar with sheik stye and sublime drinks • 1932 NE Broadway
Equity Builder Realty • The gold standard in real estate! • 1901 NE Broadway
La Muse • Inspiring beauty! • 1320 NE Broadway
Milo's City Cafe • Everybody loves Milo's! • 1325 NE Broadway
Pastini Pastaria • Italian Bistro and Classic Pastas! • 1426 NE Broadway
Thai Pod • When you just don't have time to go to Tailand! • 2015 NE Broadway

Mortgage brokers & Loan officers. 3 most common frustrations for Realtors

Drew Jelmeland (Keller Williams Northland Partners) — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 11:09:03 -0500

I have been working on empathizing with my clients. Making sure I at least know the common reasons why they are looking to refinance.

Then I started wondering. What are the most common frustrations for Realtors when working with a mortgage broker or loan officer? Since I am a rookie I have been asking every Realtor I meet for some advice. I usually ask "what are some bad habits I should avoid, and what are some good habits I should start?"

The 3 most common answers I have received are...

Answer the phone, and return your calls
Close the loan by the closing date.
No Surprises at closing.

My first thought on this is DUH! That should be the bare minimum. But I guess a lot of lenders skipped the chapter on "first things first" in 7 Habits of highly successful people.

As a Realtor, what are your other most common frustrations with mortgage brokers or loan officers?

Portland Pioneer Courthouse Square

Drew Jelmeland (Keller Williams Northland Partners) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:14:50 -0500

Are you ready to have fun Downtown.

Are you looking for a Free Concert?

Noon Tunes Presented by Volkswagen

The Noon Tunes Concert Series Presented by Volkswagen will have performances by some of the best local and regional talent. The Noon Tunes will be held every Tuesday & Thursday at noon.

July 10th - The Vintage Mink
July 12th - Jon Koonce and One More Mile
July 17th - Black Tangerine
July 19th - Sweet Lou
July 24th - Free Will Band
July 26th - The Jim Mesi Band
July 31st - The Dimes
August 2nd - Brett Dennen
August 7th - Johnette Napolitano
August 9th - Barbara Lusch
August 14th - The Imprints
August 16th - Patrick Lamb
August 28th - Stephanie Schneiderman
August 30th - Rye Hollow

How about a Free Movie?

Flicks on the Bricks Presented By SmartPark

The series begins on July 20th at dusk and will continue every Friday until August 17th and includes:

Batman - July 20th
Grease - July 27th
Mission Impossible - August 3rd
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - August 10th
Stand By Me - August 17th

To find out about the fun happenings and festivals in the center of downtown Portland, Oregon check out their site.

Pioneer Courthouse Square

Have Fun!

NW Drew

Bluetooth Headset laughs

Drew Jelmeland (Keller Williams Northland Partners) — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:07:55 -0500

I love my blue-tooth headset. It makes my life easier all the time.

BUT, some funny things have happened also.

I was in office depot when i got disconnected. no big deal it happens in big stores like that with concrete walls. So, I went to call them back and realized I had left my phone on the passenger seat of my car. I was kind of impressed at how much wandering around the store I was able to do before I got disconnected.
I was talking to my boss and he was telling me that his daughters cell phone was just stolen. then I heard a women talking. I thought he had conferenced in his daughter so I said sorry your phone got stolen. The woman on the phone started freaking out and said "is this a hold up or something?" Somehow I had picked up someone else's telephone conversation and I had to call my boss back.
I picked up my cell phone and said hello a couple of times and they hung up. The phone rang again and the same thing happened. The third time I realized my headset was still connected even though it was at the other end of the house charging.
I thought I had hit the button to finish a call after leaving a message. Several minutes went by and all of a sudden I heard the hang up sound. Then I was in a panic trying to think if I had said anything stupid over the last couple of minutes or been singing along to the radio, etc. I called back and apologized for the super long message.

Do you have any funny cell phone or headset stories?

Have you ever said anything stupid?

Drew Jelmeland (Keller Williams Northland Partners) — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 16:32:19 -0500

Yes I have and since I'm married I'm sure my wife even has proof.

The point I would like to make is you have to be very careful with anything you post, comment about, email, etc. Once something is on the Internet it is there forever. I have archived most of the emails I have received. I actually have emails from 10 years ago. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one. When I googled myself I found a comment I made back in 2003.

I think one of the things my boss is always saying would fit in here perfectly. "Never go negative!"

Have you ever posted, commented, or blogged something you now wish you hadn't?

Troutdale, Bluegrass, Dancing in the streets, and you can join in the Jamming

Drew Jelmeland (Keller Williams Northland Partners) — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 23:40:23 -0500

Troutdale Bite and Bluegrass Festival July 14, 2007

Old Time Acoustic Music Concert featuring...

Start your own jam session or join one already in progress.

Food ~ I wish I could eat festival food every weekend.

Dancing in the street. That's when you know your having fun!

Have Fun!

NW Drew

Top 10 Oregon Destinations?

Drew Jelmeland (Keller Williams Northland Partners) — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 16:04:39 -0500

My in-laws are coming in August. I grew up in Oregon so I have some of my own favorites. But I could really use some help.

What are the best places to visit in Oregon and SW Washington?

These are some places that I have been thinking about...

Columbia Gorge Waterfalls
Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach
Mt St Helens
Japanese Gardens
IKEA (my wife has been waiting for this for many years)
Fort Vancouver
Portland Saturday Market
Lincoln City
OMSI
Potland Zoo

What is your to 10 places to visit in the Portland area?

How to add communities to Localism?

Drew Jelmeland (Keller Williams Northland Partners) — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 15:51:39 -0500

How to add communities to Localism is the question I am actually asking. I have seen many people talking about it. but I havent found out how.

So, if you know of a walkthough, or have a minute to show a newbie how to do his part please post it.

Thank you

NW Drew

Edit

"You can still do it but you don't get any points for it. When you make a blog entry click on localism, then choose a state, county, and city. When it then asks you for a neighborhood choose "Add New Neighborhood". " Claes Green

"You can also add a neighborhood directly on localism too. Go to localism.com and login with the same user name and password you use for ActiveRain. Then select your state, then the county you want, then the city you want and then under communities just select "add" to add an additional community. You then type in the name of the community and mark on the map where it's located at. Then click on add community and you're done." Becky Troutt

Amazing information & advertising BUT, can everyone read it?

Drew Jelmeland (Keller Williams Northland Partners) — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 15:08:19 -0500

I was just checking out another members profile and their lettering was very small. I still have very good sight but like most people I didn't take the time to read it because it was too small.

One of the hints I recently found was, make your advertising readable. A majority of the people we work with can not see as well as they did in their 20's. Your advertising and marketing not only needs to be big enough to read but it needs to have enough contrast to make it easy to read. I picked this hint up in a book called Why we buy : the science of shopping by Paco Underhill.

I saw a good example of this last week. I was driving by a nice restaurant overlooking the Sandy river a little bit east of Troutdale, Oregon. It was new so I wanted to know the name so I could find some information about it. I was driving by at about 25 MPH and could not read either one of their signs. The reason; the building had a nice stone facade and the lettering for the sign was a trendy copper. The lettering blended into the background making it unreadable. the tag-line of one of the companies in my local chamber of commerce is "A business with no sign is a sign of no business." In this case I have no name to look up in the phone book, or google. What are my chances of calling and making a reservation, or finding out the hours they are open?

So, that really cool really cool picture and gold lettering on the front of your business card may mean no one reads your business card. What about your website is it easily readable by your 60 something customers?

Hopefully this is good information and will help you be more successful.

Along those same lines I realize that in these blogs it doesn't seem like you can change the size of your text. However I know you can within the HTML coding. The other button at the top of your blog input box. I just don't know the coding.

So if someone knows of a site or post with some basic HTML information so that we can make our writing bigger and easier to read so we can reach all of our audience Please post it.

Feel free to also post any stories you have about not being able to read someones sign, advertising, etc.

From Thailand to Oregon

Drew Jelmeland (Keller Williams Northland Partners) — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:29:46 -0500

I wanted to start out by introducing my self. I was a missionary for the last seven years and didn't make any other plans for a career. Last year in Thailand my wife and I decided that my son was getting to far behind in his speech development and since we couldn't get help for him where we were we needed to move back to the US.

When we got back a good friend of mine (mortgage broker) encouraged me to get my license and start a new career as a banker.

Now that I've started I love it. I love being able to truly help people. I love getting out and meeting new people. I love having an avenue to funnel money into the needs of people all around the planet. And I really love it when I get the opportunity to rescue people from a really bad loan, an incompetent loan officer who couldn't get their loan done by closing, etc.

Since I'm new I've been asking for advice from everyone I meet in the real estate market. One of the things I've been asking is "what does/did your favorite lender do to become your favorite. 90-95% of them have said. 1. They close the loan. 2. They call me back. This has been such a total shock for me. I was looking for those special, out of the box, cool ideas people were using to be the best. But I have found that their are so many terrible lenders out there that most Realtors are just wanting someone to do what I think of as the bare minimum. It blows me away that so many lenders aren't even accomplishing the basics.

Obviously I didn't make it to the top 1% of my field as a missionary by getting by on the bare minimum. So, I'm definitely looking forward to being very busy as people find someone who is not only trustworthy, and hardworking but, also does the extras to be the best.

In my effort to learn everything I can to be the best I came across this site. It is such a treasure chest of helpful information I had to join.

I would love any advice you can think of and Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with.

NWDrew

Drew's Liberty Missouri Real Estate Blog

Diary of a Real Estate Rookie by Alison Rogers

Million Dollar Habits by Brian Tracy

Self Directed IRA/Real Estate IRA - An income source you may have overlooked

What is your favorite or most helpful Podcast?

Home Security Value

Warning!!!! Activerain Scam

Predatory Lenders or possibly Predatory Real Estate Agents.

Broadway Street Celebration and Sidewalk Sale

Mortgage brokers & Loan officers. 3 most common frustrations for Realtors

As a Realtor, what are your other most common frustrations with mortgage brokers or loan officers?

Portland Pioneer Courthouse Square

Bluetooth Headset laughs

Have you ever said anything stupid?

Troutdale, Bluegrass, Dancing in the streets, and you can join in the Jamming

Troutdale Bite and Bluegrass Festival July 14, 2007

Dancing in the street. That's when you know your having fun!

Top 10 Oregon Destinations?

What are the best places to visit in Oregon and SW Washington?

Columbia Gorge Waterfalls Haystack Rock, Cannon BeachMt St HelensJapanese GardensIKEA (my wife has been waiting for this for many years)Fort VancouverPortland Saturday MarketLincoln CityOMSIPotland Zoo

How to add communities to Localism?

Amazing information & advertising BUT, can everyone read it?

From Thailand to Oregon

I would love any advice you can think of and Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with.

Columbia Gorge Waterfalls
Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach
Mt St Helens
Japanese Gardens
IKEA (my wife has been waiting for this for many years)
Fort Vancouver
Portland Saturday Market
Lincoln City
OMSI
Potland Zoo