My daughter Ziplining in Ketchikan Alaska - 07/27/10 09:28 AM
My daughter Zip-lining in Ketchikan Alaska
We had a wonderful time and the scenery was beautiful!!! The eagles were around us in abundance- kind of like mosquitoes in the swamp;)  Check it out and add this to your bucket list! 
There were 7 legs on our zip line trip.  Which also had three rope bridges- if you are afraid of heights- this will really give  you a test of wits- I made it through and so did my parents.
 
 
… (9 comments)

Buying bank owned properties in Carmel Indiana - 07/27/10 09:04 AM
This applies in St. Louis and the surrounding areas too!
Via Beverly Fast Sinclair (Keller Williams Realty):
Buying bank owned properties.If you have questions give me a call. I live and work in Carmel Indiana and would be happy to help.
The Fast Sinclair Home Selling Team is currently servicing North Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers and Wesfield with Superior Real Estate assistance backed by years of experience.
Make it a great day!
The Fast Sinclair Home Selling Team Keller Williams Realty
14300 Clay Terrace Blvd, Suite 204 Carmel, Indiana 46032
Beverly direct: 317 846-FAST (3278)
… (0 comments)

Buying a house now could be the best hedge against inflation …EVER! - 07/27/10 12:35 AM
I wish people would catch on to this idea!  We would all benbefit from it- helps the economy and our personal pocket books- I am buying  a house that is twice as much as I owe on my current house and yet my payment is only changing by $250.00...  i wonder how many peope can figure out how I am doing this;) 
Via Richard Weisser Coweta Fayette Real Estate:
Most economists agree that recent rashes of government spending will ultimately lead to significant inflation. The constant infusion of cash that is intended as a short-term solution will eventually have a long-term effect on … (5 comments)

Still Posting Content Without Permission - Look Out! The Copyright Troll is on Your Trail - 07/25/10 11:05 AM
Just in case anybody missed this the 1st time around...
Via Mike Saunders - Athens, Ga & Surrounding Communities (Keller Williams Realty - Greater Athens):
I find it a bit amazing that with the guidelines here on Active Rain and the numerous articles about copyright violation, there are still some who will post content without permission. Well, if you are still doing it, here is something that might make you want to think twice.
According to an article on Wired, we now have "Copyright Trolls" similar to patent trolls. What's a copyright troll? you might ask. Simply stated, it is someone who purchases … (2 comments)

I Want To Be My Real Estate Agents Best Friend! - 07/20/10 06:06 PM
Excellent points made in this blog...  thought that I would share it again!
Via Carra Riley CRB, CRS, GRI (Author, Speaker, Consultant, Second Homes AZ LLC):
I Want To Be My Real Estate Agents Best Friend!
Being a serious seller takes participation on the real estate agents team.
If you want the real estate agent you select to have you on the top of their mind, you need to be the most cooperative seller they have! 
Think about it... an adversarial attitude about the agent does not help get the property sold!  You want to be on the same team and work together … (0 comments)

12 reasons why I won't comment on your blog entries - 07/20/10 04:14 PM
This is so true and I thought it would be a great idea to bring it back to the top again!
Via Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector (Russel Ray, Property Consultant):
I would love to comment on your blog, especially if you were kind enough to comment on mine, but I just can't. The following are 12 reasons why, in no particular order.
All of your blog entries are listings.I appreciate what you're trying to do, and that is to make a living helping your Clients buy and sell real estate, but let's see some of you, too! Sprinkle some of … (2 comments)

30 Ways to Save Money on Utilities - 07/20/10 04:38 AM
This helps the pocket book in the harder times and is better for our environment...  please take note and do what you can for the youth of today- also known as our future tomorrow!
Via Karen Rittenhouse (Triad Residential Solutions):
30 Ways to Save Money on Utilities
1. Check it out! In many areas, cable, satellite and utility companies compete for customers so you can save on some utilities by shopping around for the best rates and plans. (Or at least switch to basic cable!)
2. Use energy efficient light bulbs. This is the big buzz right now.  Simply replace incandescent … (0 comments)

SCHWAGSTOCK 44 - 07/11/10 10:52 AM
SCHWAGSTOCK 44
Date and Time:  Friday, July 23, 2010 at 10:00am through  Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 3:00am
Location: Camp Zoe  HCR 62 Box 389  Salem, MO View Map

VIP TICKET GIVEAWAY - ONE PAIR, ONE WINNER - http://www.iclips.net/contest/ss44-giveawayTWO DAYS AND NIGHTS OF MUSIC @ BREATHTAKING CAMP ZOEFEATURING TWO NIGHTS OFMUSIC OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD WITHMEMBERS OF DARK STAR ORCHESTRA, JGB, & THE SCHWAGSTU ALLEN : guitar & vocals ---- MELVIN SEALS: hammond B3 & piano ---- DINO ENGLISH : from Dark Star Orchestra on drums ---- MIKE MARAAT : former Dark Star Orchestra member on rhythm guitar & vocals … (9 comments)

Soulard Market Park Arts and Crafts Fair July 17, 2010 9:00am - 3:00pm - 07/11/10 10:44 AM
Soulard Market Park Arts and Crafts Fair
Date and Time: Saturday, July 17, 2010  9:00am - 3:00pm
Location:  Soulard Market Park On the corner of 9th and lafayette
Come join us for the third Soulard Market Park Arts and Crafts Fair. Over 60 local artists with hand made goodies. Purses, Jewelry, Candles, Soaps, Oven Mits, Pet goodies, Photography, Fine Art and tons tons more. There will be face painting, Live music yummy foods and drinks! for more info visit www.pastecrafts.com

… (2 comments)

THE BATTLE of THE SEXES Fundraiser/Game NIght for BiG BROTHERS BiG SiSTERS of ST. LOUiS - 07/11/10 10:37 AM
THE BATTLE of THE SEXES Fundraiser/Game NIght for BiG BROTHERS BiG SiSTERS of ST. LOUiS
Date and time: Thursday, 7/15/10  6-9:30 Location: Rue Lafayette - Coffee and Dessert Cafe Address: 2026 Lafayette Avenue, St. Louis Mo. Donation: Adults: $5. Kids under 18: $2 http://www.CitiTalkLIVE.com/
Summary: A Party/Quiz Game "Team Decathalon" to determine the "SUPERIOR" Gender in several fun team contests... and to raise funds for BiG BROTHERs BiG SiSTERS of ST. LOUiS THE OFFICIAL "Decathalon of GAME" events (you can sign up for more than one):1. Jenga (best-of-3-game series)2. Spades3. Connect4 (5-game series)4. Dominoes5. Operation (best-of-3-game series)6. Taboo7. UNO8. Twister9. Musical Chairs10. … (1 comments)

Free 7-11 Slurpee Day 2010 - 07/11/10 10:28 AM
Free 7-11 Slurpee Day 2010
FREE SLURPEE DAY!Come get your free 7.11 oz cup of Slurpee from 7am to 11pm on July 11th, 2010!*No coupon is needed!* Usually 7-Eleven's have the tiny cups you're supposed to use at the front counter in a huge stack. No coupon, just the 7.11 oz cup!Also, Happy Birthday to the 711 people who have said July 11th is their Birthday!
 

… (5 comments)

4th Annual Charity Volleyball Tournament for Autism Speaks - 07/09/10 10:36 AM
Charity Sand Volleyball Tournament
Date and time: Saturday, July 10, 2010 10:00am - 6:30pm
Location: Graham's Grill Parking Lot, 600 W. Woodbine Ave., Kirkwood, MO
4th Annual Charity Volleyball Tournament for Autism Speaks; 5 person format, coed or not, unlimited substitution, double elimination, $100 Team Fee. This is a Family Event with kids games & activities, refreshments, adult beverages, entertainment, raffle items & more. Teams need to register in advance. For details call 314-965-2003 and ask for Devin, Pam or Dan.

 
… (3 comments)

Federal Tax Credit Extension Approved by the House of Representatives - 07/07/10 08:08 PM
Just in case anyone missed this!
Via Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company Realtors):
Inman News has just reported that the House of Representatives has passed a stand alone bill that would extend the settlement deadline on the $8000 Federal tax credit for first time homebuyers. 
The bill must now go to the Senate because it's not the same bill that the Senate already passed, and Senator Byrd's death will probably delay passage.  Still, I would be amazed if the Senate didn't pass it soon and send it off to the White House for the President's signature.
There were a lot of buyers, especially … (2 comments)

The Top 17 Features Generation Y Looks For When Buying A Home - 07/07/10 08:00 PM
Here is some great information in this blog if you are going to list your house!
Via Bea Fields (Bea Fields Companies, Inc. ):
I want to start this post by saying that, as with all demographics, not all Generation Y home buyers are going to want the following list in a home.  But, the trends with this age group seems to be leaning in the  direction  for certain amenities and features when buying or renting a home.
I also will just add that as Generation Y begins to marry and have children, a few of these desires may change, but we still … (3 comments)

DO NOT TRUST RENTALS ON CRAIGS LIST- YOU COULD BE GETTING SCAMMED. - 07/07/10 07:57 PM
I thought this was a very informational blog- i am about to put my current house on Craigslist to rent out....  I will be careful through my process!
Via Ellie McIntire Real Estate in Howard County Maryland (The McIntire Team of Long & Foster):
If you are a potential tenant searching for a rental property online in the Howard County area, be VERY VERY AWARE that a huge portion of rentals listed on Craigslist are a complete scam. THIS IS MY LISTING FOR SALE AND IT IS NOT A RENTAL Yesterday I received a call from a very nice man from New York who … (2 comments)

BANK OF AMERICA AND SHORT SALES - THEY DO UNDERSTAND - WATCH WHAT THEY DO, NOT WHAT THEY SAY. - 07/07/10 07:25 PM
I always cringe when I get asked to list a short sale by Bank of America...  Wells Fargo is getting to be about the same too...  I had to submit the same file 3 times because they told me they were missing something that they had and closed the file without contacting me- I call on the progress of my short sales every other day... 
Banks are going to kick themselves for treating agents like they do...  I am now rethinking taking short sale listings...
Thanks for a great post Lenn!
Via Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate:
WHAT DO SHORT SALES … (0 comments)

Your Buyer Broker's Job Description - 07/07/10 07:09 PM
This is a great example of the difference between someone that works for you and someone working for a commission...  I will work for you!
Via Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company Realtors):
Your Buyer Broker's Job Description
As with real estate listing services, there are a lot of price/quality options for people looking to buy a house or condo.  There are no hard and fast rules about what agents do and how much they charge.  But here are some of the differences between the services you can expect to be provided by the bare bone companies (limited service agents) and full service buyer … (1 comments)

Buying a Condominium Requires Doing Your Homework - 07/07/10 06:59 PM
I have a client looking at condos and I came across this- I thought it was great information and a wonderful reminder!
Via Claudette Millette - Metrowest Mass Buyer Broker (The Buyers' Counsel):
Buying a Condominium Requires Doing Your Homework
 
Helping a client with the purchase of a townhouse recently has reminded me that a condominium purchase can actually be more involved than buying a single family home.  This is partially due to the fact that you need to be concerned, not only about the unit you are buying, but also with the strength and stability of the entire condominium complex. 
 
Before … (0 comments)

5 Things to Do After June 30th to Grow Your Business ! - 07/07/10 06:34 PM
I thought this was worth the re-blog and a good one to set back to the top of the readers list!
Via Christopher and Stephanie Somers - Realtors - Philadelphia Real Estate (Owner - RE/MAX Access):
5 Things to Do After June 30th to Grow Your Business !

If you are like us, we have been incredibly busy due to the Tax Credit stimulus.  The weeks leading up to April 30th were crazy getting buyers under contract and having the majority of our listings fly off the shelve, several with multiple offers.  All of those deals have either already settled or will … (2 comments)

Home Staging DOES NOT mean Deceiving the Buyer! - 07/07/10 03:20 AM
I thought this was an excellent post for all to read...  buyers, seller, agents, etc... 
Via Shar Sitter; Home Staging in Minneapolis, MN (Rooms With Style; Home Staging in Minneapolis, St. Paul ):
Home Staging does not mean deceiving the buyer. There are times during a home staging consultation that I have been asked how to hide something. Don't hide it, fix it!!
Home Staging can get a bad rap as many buyers, as well as Realtors, think things have been covered up, painted over, or a chair conveniently placed in front of an eye sore. Home Staging does NOT mean deceiving the … (4 comments)

Home Buyer's Spoiled By Low Rates - 07/07/10 01:02 AM
Buyers are blessed with wonderful rates right now- this is a great time to take advantage!!!
Via Traci Marra (Keller Williams Real Estate - Media):
Home buyer's have become jaded by consistently low rates over the past 10 years. To a current home buyer's the interest rates hitting 4.75% is no big deal and does nothing to create a sense of urgency in their home search.Any of us who were in the market prior to the year 2000 know exactly what I mean. Back in the 90's when I purchase my first home I was able to get a fantastic rate of 7.25%. Just … (2 comments)

Obedience means I might have a bad connection and our call gets dropped. - 07/06/10 10:03 AM
I don't know that I could ever ignore a call for 3 days...  but kudos to Amanda for knowing her client;) Interesting story and definatly something to think about....
Via Amanda Hall * FORT WORTH TEXAS Real Estate Broker * (Hall Team Homes ):
If you are on the phone with me and suddenly discover that you are talking to dead air then one of two things just happened. 
1.  The call was dropped due to a weak cell signal.
2.  The call was dropped because I just knew you were about to say something you'd regret.
Mary Lou is an incredibly nice lady with a nose … (1 comments)