transaction: Transaction or admin fees - 09/04/08 06:29 PM
I recently read a blog about transaction or admin fees charged to the buyer and/or seller at closing.
I am wondering if anyone has experienced this: a transaction or admin fee charged to the buyer UNLESS the buyer uses the broker's title company. Of course, the broker is affiated with the … (9 comments)
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transaction: Wanta Trade - 09/04/08 12:15 AM
Last year, while visitng Florida, I met an investor that invited me to his investment group -- the group turned out to be focused on trading properties. I found the meeting to be exciting and very informative, but never thought I would have the opportunity to use what I learned. Recently … (2 comments)
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transaction: SureClose Helpful Hint for Today (Online Document Review) - 09/02/08 02:00 PM
We've got a great new feature coming out this week that I think a lot of users will be excited about. How would you like to be able to review your purchase documents, inspection reports, seller disclosures, or any other documents that need your review online without the need for any … (1 comments)
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transaction: Slow Market Survival Guide: How to Survive in Today's Market - 08/28/08 05:24 PM
Slow Market Survival Guide
How to Survive and Prosper in Today's Slow Real Estate Market
By: Ben Curry
The news has been full of Doom and Destruction concerning the housing market. Is this really what's going on in the U.S housing market? Real Estate Agents had it … (5 comments)
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transaction: A birth story....or how I sold a house while in labor and how a team was born. - 08/19/08 01:32 AM
The last few months of my 3rd pregnancy were difficult, as I had preterm labor and a 2 other kids and a business to run as well. So once I had safely passed 37 week mark I was determined to finish as much business as I could so that it would … (40 comments)
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transaction: The Fun and Easy Deal! - 08/15/08 12:24 PM
With the increase in foreclosures, tightening from lenders, and general lack of consumer confidence it seems every transaction has it's fair share of challenges. When I have a tough day I think back on those quick and easy transactions. They still exist!
I had one earlier this spring as the listing … (1 comments)
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transaction: Ways to hold title? - 07/31/08 01:53 PM
Everyone who purchases real estate decides how to hold title to the property. The manner in which title is held could mean huge differences to an owner's estate or right of survivorship. It is important to know the differences between the various ways in which someone can hold title.
While it … (0 comments)
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transaction: Building Business Relationships - 07/31/08 10:05 AM
As real estate agents we are always in competition with other agents to get our fair market share. This is understood and accepted by all that work in our profession. But there comes a time when we need to work together and build positive business relationships.
There is nothing that … (7 comments)
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transaction: Advantages Of Forex | Sigma Forex - 07/30/08 10:48 PM
· 24-hour trading, 5 days a week with non-stop access to global FOREX dealers.
· An enormous liquid market making it easy to trade most currencies.
· Volatile markets offering profit opportunities.
· Standard instruments for controlling risk exposure.
· The ability to profit in rising or falling markets.
· … (0 comments)
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transaction: Lower Transaction Costs | Sigma Forex - 07/30/08 10:41 PM
It is much more cost-efficient to trade Forex in terms of both commissions and transaction fees. Most Forex Brokers charge no commissions or fees whatsoever, while still offering traders access to all relevant market information and trading tools. In contrast, commissions for stock trades range from $7.95-$29.95 per trade with online … (0 comments)
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transaction: Housing Bill To Provide Mortgage Relief... - 07/30/08 12:55 PM
Bush signs housing bill to provide mortgage relief
By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - President Bush on Wednesday signed a massive housing bill intended to provide mortgage relief for 400,000 struggling homeowners and stabilize financial markets.ipt"
Bush signed the bill without any fanfare or … (0 comments)
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transaction: It's not about me. - 07/22/08 10:41 AM
It's about my clients!
Many years ago I had a client who was yelling and cursing on the phone with me. He ranted and raved and I listened quietly. The market was slow, we had a very sophisticated buyer who had a 3 page checklist of things to be done that … (17 comments)
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transaction: SureClose Helpful Hint for Today (Beware of Deleting Roles with Auto-Notifications) - 07/18/08 03:04 PM
If you are taking advantage of the auto-notification feature in SureClose, you will want to read this very important tip. When notifications are established on the template level, they are assigned to the recipient role. When a file is created and the contact that is filling that role within the transaction … (0 comments)
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transaction: Is It Just Me, Or Is The Financial Sector Going Freakin Haywire? - 07/17/08 06:46 PM
So I've been doing all of these FHA loans on foreclosed properties lately. What I've been stuck with are escrow companies with illiterate staff, bad attitudes, and basic incompetence. I know all escrow offices don't run this way, as the ones I use when I get to choose, are some of … (5 comments)
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transaction: SureClose Helpful Hint for Today (Sending Text Messages from SureClose) - 07/17/08 02:03 PM
One of the most frequent questions I am asked is, "Can I access SureClose on my smart phone?". The quick and easy answer would be, "no", but lets explore this for a moment. What kind of access would be most beneficial on your phone? You've got a pretty small screen that … (6 comments)
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transaction: SureClose Helpful Hint for Today (New Print Driver With Upgraded Features) - 07/16/08 07:50 AM
Alert, alert, this is definitely worth your attention! Be on the lookout for our new and improved print driver. If you have used our existing print driver in the past, you will be excited with the features this upgraded version has to offer. If you haven't seen or used our print … (4 comments)
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transaction: Another Milestone.... - 07/15/08 09:35 PM
50,000 AR Points
Today, after 3 months of regular blogging, comments, localism posts and inviting people to blog. I hit 50,000 points with Active Rain.
I have learned a lot, I hope I have taught some and enjoyed meeting a lot of people, professionals from all over the country.
I … (40 comments)
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transaction: Is it illegal for title companies to force a buyer to close with them on a short sale transaction? - 07/13/08 05:34 PM
In my time I've written a few articles about short sales.
I've also read lots of others that people in the industry have written. Most of them talk about the process and the time frame it might take to complete the transaction.....the sorrows...the relief and finally the unknown. THE ANSWER.
This is on another … (24 comments)
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transaction: How is your "Bedside Manner." - 07/08/08 05:44 PM
How is your "bedside manner?"
As Realtors we are privileged to help people in their quest for a new place to live.
Young couples have the excitement in their eyes. Experienced buyers are looking for a larger home. Empty nesters are downsizing. More and more singles … (11 comments)
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transaction: Short Sale: Are they worth the wait? - 06/29/08 08:02 PM
Short sales, foreclosures: These are the inevitable allies in this market. And so it is not a surprise that I am now in transaction with a short sale. Because of the wait, I can just tell that the buyers are already nearing total impatience and borderline surrender. We are now counting five weeks from the … (2 comments)
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transaction: Introduction!!!!! - 06/18/08 12:47 AM
Hello, my name is Kim. This first blog is to introduce myself to you! I started up my Virtual Assistant business in 2006 because I wanted to spend more time at home with my kids but still be productive and do something that matters. I am a true believer in vision … (12 comments)
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transaction: Understanding Real Estate Terminology - 06/17/08 02:21 PM
UNDERSTANDING REAL ESTATE TERMINOLOGY
Purchasing a home can be a complicated and confusing process, especially for first-time buyers. Throughout the process, first-time home buyers will encounter a variety of unfamiliar real estate terms. There are several key terms associates with purchasing real estate that are helpful to learn.
… (2 comments)
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transaction: Less Leverage Equals More Stability - 06/13/08 10:40 AM
Inundated by a constant barrage of bad news over the past 12-18 months, the average consumer has really taken it on the chin. With soaring gas prices, rising unemployment, and price declines in the average consumer's largest investment, their primary residence, it has certainly been a rough ride. The cherry on top for the consumer's … (1 comments)
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transaction: Getting Your Home Under Contract.... - 06/12/08 04:56 PM
Getting Your Home Under Contract....
"The Valley of Flowers"
It's exciting for you, and for Stuart and Sally, when we find the property of your dreams, and you decide to go to the next step in the transaction process, by having us write a Buy/Sell Agreement. But what happens next?
… (2 comments)
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transaction: Oklahoma Uniform Contract for Purchase of Real Estate = second in a series - 06/08/08 08:22 AM
Oklahoma Uniform Contract for Purchase of Real Estate - #2
This past week I posted on “How Do We Go About Getting Property Under Contract” because that question is often asked. If you’ve never purchased property through an Oklahoma Real Estate Brokerage Office , such as Integrity Real Estate … (0 comments)
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transaction: Avoid Common Buyer Errors - 06/02/08 06:27 PM
Shopping for a new home is an emotional experience. It is, however, also a business transaction, and must be treated as such. Three of the most devastating things that can go wrong are:
Paying too much
Losing a dream home to another buyer
Buying the wrong home
When you have a … (2 comments)
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transaction: SureClose Helpful Hint for Today (Making the most of contact entries) - 05/01/08 04:35 PM
On the summary page of SureClose, your contact entry can look like this:
OR it can look like this:
With just a few extra key strokes, you can make a world of difference in your continued efficiency throughout the transaction. Look closely at the differences:
Adding notes will help you to remember key items … (0 comments)
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transaction: Buyer and Seller Agency - 04/28/08 04:14 PM
In many regions throughout the country, real estate law states that a licensed agent may represent either party in any transaction, and in some cases both parties or neither party. In addition, full disclosure of dual agency qualifies the agent for compensation on either side of the transaction...Confused yet?Countless closings have … (7 comments)
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transaction: SureClose Helpful Hint for Today (Sending the Terms Page as a PDF Attachment) - 04/22/08 08:23 AM
Last week during a demo of SureClose I had someone ask me, "Do you really think the terms page is that important?". I answered with an emphatic YES. How many times have you closed a transaction only to find out after the fact that an obscure cleaning invoice was overlooked or … (4 comments)
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transaction: The Most Personal Property Included in a Transaction - 04/11/08 11:35 PM
Anybody want to fight to claim to have had a transaction with the most personal property included as part of the sale?
I know I don't even come close because typically we seek to NOT have any personal property included as part of a transaction. Often, asking for personal property can hurt … (9 comments)
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transaction: Using The Right Tools - 04/11/08 09:19 AM
It's sunny again, and the snows of yestrday are only on the lawns. Welcome to April in Colorado. things look greener wrapped in a whit frosting, and the crisp air makes me move a bit faster, dressed in my signature cargo shrots, Hawaiian shirts, and Crocs. I love the chill that … (0 comments)
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transaction: Identity Theft - Too Close to Home - 04/08/08 12:01 PM
The other day, my wife and her sister went out shopping for my soon to be arriving nephew or niece (my sister-in-law is pregnant). When they got home, my sister-in-law realized that one of her debit cards were missing. I must have left it in the car she thought, so she … (5 comments)
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transaction: Be Prepared before buying an REO Property - 03/28/08 11:26 AM
Recent Foreclosure statistics for San Fernando Valley
There is a plethora of inventory available for bargain hunting homebuyers and
Investors oin the Sanfernando valley and sourounding areas which makes even
more improtant to educate yourself on the process and get expert advice from
a knowledgable Agent in order to … (3 comments)
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transaction: I Don't Want To Work Short Sales! - 03/15/08 12:58 AM
I've heard my colleagues complain about and flat out decline listing a short sale. The question I always have is...WHY? What's the big deal? The major complaints - They take too long, The bank cuts your commission, I get ridiculous offers, etc. Before you turn down a nice commission check, here … (1 comments)
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transaction: Consumers: Are you considering a short sale? - 03/12/08 04:16 PM
Many people are in the situation where their home is actually worth quite a bit less than what they purchased it for. When they bought the home, they were told that refinancing it would be no problem and that they did not have to worry about the bubble bursting in that … (4 comments)
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transaction: Steak and Lobster at Mama's Fish House - Don't you wish you were here? - 03/05/08 07:31 PM
CAN YOU TASTE IT?
And now for something completely different. After all the serious posts I've made lately, I need a breath of fresh air... so here it is.
If you were on Maui you could be eating this delicious meal at Mama's Fish House Restaurant in Kuau. Their website is a … (12 comments)
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transaction: Open Houses Can Work - 02/28/08 09:31 AM
I have lately read quite a few posts on Active Rain that have said that it is not worth an agents time to do an open house. What are the benefits of doing an open house, besides to reassure the home owner that you are doing everything possible to sell their … (10 comments)
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transaction: An observation - Why I love the real estate profession - 02/25/08 11:56 AM
Over the weekend I was thinking ...
Why I love being a real estate professional.
Every person, every transaction, every showing, every house, every inspection ... is different. As realtors, we never do the same thing twice. It is like snowflakes - each one unique.
Many professions are repetitive. Even in my previous sales experience … (0 comments)
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transaction: Closing Gifts...What's Your Take? - 02/11/08 06:59 PM
When you close a transaction, do you give your client a closing gift? If not, you should. It is a great way to say "thank you" for the sale, and it's just good business. But, what do you get them? I remember when I was first starting off in this business. … (1 comments)
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transaction: Are you spreading yourself too thin? - 02/06/08 03:46 PM
Have you ever heard of the saying: Addition by subtraction? What does that really mean and how is it relevant to you as an agent in times like these?
When the market is slow, it is more important than ever that you carefully and continually evaluate what is working for you and … (12 comments)
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transaction: Exceptional - 02/05/08 09:30 PM
A tip to making "Life-long clients": BE EXCEPTIONAL. A client's concerns always take precedence over our own. Always put your clients first. Go ahead, be exceptional.
It's that simple. You know, it feels greater-than-great seeing a client's face light up immediately following a closing. I'll never get tired of it. But … (8 comments)
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transaction: Woodland Hills California Real Estate - Short Sale Process - 02/05/08 06:10 PM
In woodland Hills Ca. like in other parts of the country there are short sales, this is the first blog in a series of blogs which will explain what you can expect when you make an offer on a property that is selling in a short sale.
The short sale process can … (1 comments)
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transaction: Brokerage Office Management - 02/03/08 10:42 AM
I'm researching brokerage office management options. Preferably internet base so it can access when I'm on vacation, traveling for business, etc.
Does anyone have experience or preference? I am considering http://www.realtybrokeroffice.com/. Does anyone have any experience with them?
I have also looked a settlement room. It seems good for managing the … (0 comments)
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transaction: Working with Clients as an Exclusive Buyers Agent in Salt Lake - 02/02/08 11:28 PM
Tell us a about your philosophy of customer service.
First, if we get along, we will both have a good time. I do my best to educate my clients and let them stay in control over the decisions that are made. I do my very best to assure that my clients are … (0 comments)
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transaction: Paperless Transactions?? - 02/02/08 10:27 AM
I've recently been doing some research on the possibility of doing a closing with little to no paper involved.
From what I understand, the forms are hosted online with log-in capabilities for all parties involved and some sort of e-signature program verifying the "signatures." This creates a much "cleaner" process with no … (5 comments)
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transaction: Realtor Caught in Cash-Back-at-Closing's Crosshairs - 02/01/08 09:14 AM
Realtor Caught in Cash-Back-at-Closing's Crosshairs
by Ralph Roberts
According to Realtor Lori Polin, she was totally unaware that what she was involved with consisted of real estate and mortgage fraud. If ignorance of the law was an appropriate defense, she could be off the hook. Unfortunately it's not. According to a … (7 comments)
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transaction: Take a Look at SureClose Personal Edition - This is worth your time - 01/12/08 08:38 PM
I must admit, I have been a bit skeptical about SureClose Personal Edition. I have always said that simplicity is not the key to adoption when it comes to transaction management programs. SureClose is complex but it is also the most inclusive and thorough program that I found that will allow … (12 comments)
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transaction: Bank of America....Countrywide....What's up? - 01/12/08 11:06 AM
Bank of American announced that it is in the process of buying Countrywide Mortgage. There are many differing opinions on this transaction. There are many questions that have not been answered.
I leave the hard stuff for the pundits to banter.
What does it mean to the consumer and the real … (6 comments)
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transaction: Unsophisticated? - 01/07/08 02:43 PM
Are homeowners unsophisticated or has the homebuying and mortgage lending process just become too complex? Should all potential homeowners have to spend years learning the ins and outs of buying a home, how to avoid fraud etc? Should all potential homeowners be required to purchase a financial calculator and learn how … (12 comments)
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transaction: How to select a Realtor for today's buyer - 01/06/08 10:00 PM
TIPS FOR SELECTING THE PROPER REALTOR FOR TODAY'S BUYER:
Make sure agent has gone over agency and what each agency may or may not mean for you. Don't feel scared by the term "BUYERS AGENT", because it does not mean that the cost of the home will be more (having a professional … (0 comments)
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transaction: Death of a Title Company - 01/04/08 11:00 PM
As many of you have heard Alliance Title Company has closed its doors in the Central Valley of California. It came as a shock to everyone including the thousands of people that it employed. Why is this such big news?, it was the largest company and handled a large amount of … (3 comments)
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transaction: Even the Public Schools are Doing it! - 12/17/07 08:33 PM
Ok, so our school district hasn't gone completely paperless but they have taken a very big step. My oldest son started middle school this year and any of you that are parents know that this is a huge adjustment. There are many more classes, a lot more work, and organization is … (20 comments)
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transaction: When the Cat is Away...the Cat Will Still be Working - 12/16/07 06:44 PM
I'm really looking forward to the holidays this year. I'm going to be spending them in Dallas with my family. We usually spend Christmas in California with my husband's family, so this will be the first time in 17 years that we'll be back in Texas with mine. Once again, I … (9 comments)
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transaction: No Man is an Island - 12/15/07 12:43 AM
Have you ever heard of sayings like, "there is strength in numbers" or "united we stand, divided we fall"? There is real validity to these statements. If you are living in a bubble, it is eventually going to burst...just ask the people who live in the Bay Area of California, right? … (3 comments)
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transaction: SureClose Helpful Hint for Today (use a generic file for your multiple passwords) - 12/12/07 10:37 PM
Since our company works with so many different real estate agents and offices, you can imagine the number of logins and passwords we have to use on a daily basis. We wanted a secure place that all team members could easily find websites, logins, and passwords quickly. So, we created a … (0 comments)
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transaction: Real Estate is a cycle, you have to keep pedaling even during the slow times - 12/12/07 09:40 PM
I talk to Realtors each and every day. I have the unique opportunity to have an insider's view into their operations and their business decisions. Unfortunately, I'm am witnessing disturbing trend: Realtors that are choosing to "live in the moment" - Good or bad they are choosing the option to try … (19 comments)
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transaction: The coolest closing ever! - 11/30/07 03:08 PM
So, today we closed a very special escrow. This was our first transaction where the cooperating agent, that was NOT a client of ours, was also paperless and communicated with us throughout the transaction through our online system and instant messaging. This was a grand experiment and I am happy to … (11 comments)
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transaction: Part Time Loan Officers - 11/28/07 09:43 AM
I am a full time loan officer, although I know a lot of part time loan officers that do mortgages as a second job. I am writing to get everyone's input on this and what they think of the situation.
As a loan officer, I deal with a few part time … (26 comments)
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transaction: Crash Course! - 11/26/07 02:41 PM
When you're buying a home, who do you think is the most important person in the transaction? YOU, of course! That doesn't mean you won't need experienced professionals for guidance and assistance, but quite frankly, if YOU choose not to buy, the entire process comes to a halt.
While home ownership is … (0 comments)
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transaction: Hiring an Arizona Transaction Coordinator Allows For Easy Transistioning Between Brokers! - 11/10/07 05:25 PM
Just in case an almost paperless process was not enough to sell you on the idea of working with an online transaction coordinator we'll let you in on another added benefit...easy transitioning if you decide to go to a different broker.If you are currently utilizing an office coordinator that rests under … (1 comments)
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transaction: Are Employees the Best Expenses to Cut In Times Like These? - 11/05/07 02:49 PM
A few weeks ago, one of the title companies that we often use laid off 26 employees in Santa Clara County. Last week, we hear of more layoffs at that title company and the same followed suit at several others. It is a shame to see good escrow employees be dismissed. It is tough … (16 comments)
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transaction: Helpful SureClose Hint for Today (Posting Public Disclosures) - 11/05/07 02:01 PM
SureClose has made a recent modification to their software that only allows public access to Active Listings. The public disclosures section used to show listing that were both active and pending status. Now, only listings that are indicated as Active on the Summary page will pop up under the public search.
We … (2 comments)
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transaction: Earthquakes and Real Estate Transactions - 10/31/07 09:39 AM
What happens if you're buying a home and an earthquake strikes?Last night, we experienced a "moderate" quake in the San Jose/Silicon Valley area of California. This was nowhere as big as either the Northridge Quake of southern California or our local Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989.At Live in Los Gatos, I … (2 comments)
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transaction: How does that compute??!?? - 10/29/07 11:57 AM
The growth of information technology in real estate has provided benefits to both agents and consumers. Not only are buyers and sellers better informed and more demanding, but real estate agents are also able to offer a higher level of service.
When computers and the Internet first came to prominence and use … (0 comments)
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transaction: The Perfect Purchase Transaction - It All Starts with a System - 10/24/07 10:02 AM
The Perfect Purchase TransactionIt All Starts with a System
Have you ever wondered what the Perfect Purchase Transaction would look like? Close your eyes and dream about it for a minute Few inbound phone calls. Your cell phone never rings. Clients leave so ecstatic with your service that they hand you … (1 comments)
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transaction: Time to See The Light! - 10/24/07 09:47 AM
You've listed your home and accepted a full price offer. Is it time to celebrate? Not quite yet. At least not until some important details are addressed to help speed your transaction toward a successful closing.
Even seemingly uncomplicated contracts can run into last-minute delays that could cause the whole deal to … (0 comments)
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transaction: Commission Split 50/50? - 10/21/07 08:27 PM
I am thinking out loud! How is it that the SELLER in a real estate transaction carries the burden of the cost of both sides of the real estate commission? Why isn't it split equally between buyer and seller's agents and distributed at the close of escrow? Wouldn't that help level the … (7 comments)
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transaction: I Just Walked Away from $19,000! - 10/17/07 07:09 PM
For the first time in my real estate career, I had a buyer who wanted to purchase a house I was selling. Rather than write the contract, <I>double end</I> the deal, get twice the brokerage fee, and somehow convince each party that I really had its interests paramount, I handed my … (0 comments)
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transaction: Realt-eTransAct October Newsletter - 10/15/07 01:40 PM
… (0 comments)
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transaction: FREE, Informative Webinar This Thursday - 10/15/07 12:58 PM
… (0 comments)
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transaction: Helpful SureClose Hint for Today (You can now file emails directly to the status page) - 10/11/07 11:53 PM
If you are currently using SureClose, you may have noticed this new feature with the latest system upgrade. You can now file emails directly to the status page. How does this come in handy? The agents that we work with typically use their own email (Outlook, Top Producer, etc.) They very … (5 comments)
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transaction: Real Estate Marketing/Office/Transaction Manager Position Desired In Arizona - 10/10/07 01:52 PM
Attn: Real Estate Hiring Managers:
Many of you may already know me, especially in Arizona as a virtual real estate support specialist. However, in Arizona I have the luxury of being very interactive within the real estate community.
I personally attend local real estate mixers, listing tours, charity events, and am an affiliate … (1 comments)
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transaction: Deal Number Three! Thanks Active Rain...YOU ROCK! - 10/07/07 10:58 PM
Just a short note to the skeptics...blogging WORKS! I don't know why I don't do it more often because I KNOW it works. I am closing my THIRD Active Rain deal in 9 months due to the fun practice of blogging.
My first one was when my husband signed me up on … (9 comments)
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transaction: A Tale of Two Closings: - 09/29/07 07:10 PM
I had two signing appointments yesterday. The first appointment was with clients selling their property in Alameda County. This is what is known as a "Buyer Pay County" which means that the buyer and his agent chose which title company would be used for the transaction. Since our transaction management team is … (14 comments)
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transaction: Do You Think This Whole Technology Thing Is Going To Catch On???? - 09/28/07 12:21 AM
I still have to laugh when agents ask me, what do you do when a client doesn't have access to a computer. Come on now, even my 77 year old mother-in-law uses our Yahoo! family group to get updates on all the grandkids. My mother (I will not print her age because … (9 comments)
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transaction: You Can Get By With a Little Help From Your Friends! - 09/27/07 10:34 PM
OK, let's get real...if you were on a diet, would you hang out with your friends down at the Baskin Robbins? If you were training for a marathon, would you surround yourself with people that sit around and eat pizza on Friday nights or people that were willing to train along … (9 comments)
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transaction: Have you Gone Green yet??? - 09/27/07 11:43 AM
Today is trash pick up day in our neighborhood. This morning, as I drove my son to school, I passed all the recycling bins placed out by the curb. Everyone is recycling these days. Being "green" has become a very hot topic. So, are you green in your business? If you … (10 comments)
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transaction: If it is Broken, FIX IT...Do You Have a Plan B???? - 09/15/07 08:10 PM
I talk to so many agents on a daily basis that are in a state of despair over the lack of transactions they have. Yet, they have made no real effort to change their business. In California, estimates are that there will be about 550,000 licensees by the end of this … (9 comments)
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transaction: *** Come join the fastest growing real estate company – EXIT Realty! - 08/29/07 08:25 PM
… (6 comments)
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transaction: 8 Ways to Increase Your Bottom Line - 08/23/07 06:17 PM
We all know how to MAKE a buck, but with the number of transactions shrinking daily, now is the time to figure out how to make the most of each commission check that comes your way. I hate to sound like your mother, but "A penny saved is a penny earned"!
So, … (11 comments)
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transaction: Give Them What They Want! - 08/21/07 05:30 PM
On July 31st, CAR published an informative article in their Research Highlights titled 2007 INTERNET VERSUS TRADITIONAL BUYERS SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS. The statistic that jumped out at me was stated that 72 percent of home buyers in the state of California originate their home search on the Internet. The study also found that … (8 comments)
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transaction: Relocation Transactions? - 08/19/07 02:29 PM
Have you ever had the opportunity to do a relocation transaction? How different and difficult was it?
I had a relocation transaction as my very first real estate transaction. It was very difficult communicating with someone from another state because the real estate laws were so different. I look at it this away, if I ever go through another … (3 comments)
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transaction: Have you ever done this? - 08/19/07 12:37 AM
Have you ever told your clients that you didn't have time for them? I have gotten quite a few clients because their agent told them that they didn't have time for them. They were NOT high maintenance at all. They were very motivated to buying a house. I worked with this … (8 comments)
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transaction: Technology Works Both Ways - 08/09/07 02:32 PM
These days, we are all working so hard to find the best way to receive emails and access the Internet on our phones.
We have our cell phones with us at all times. But, all communication is not digital - your phone is still your phone, right????? So, what is happening with your … (12 comments)
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transaction: Can Your Paper File Do This? - 08/08/07 11:51 PM
Ever have someone (agent, client, escrow, lender) tell you, "I never got that" or "I didn't see that"? Sure, you can ask everybody to sign every page for proof down the road, but signatures can be forged and called into question. I want to share a little secret with you. On … (6 comments)
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transaction: Completing a transaction, have you been taught or have you just winged it? - 08/08/07 09:10 AM
I have seen to many agents give up on deals that have an opportunity to have a successful close of escrow. Just as buyers and sellers get fustrated so do agents. I suggest that if you are in a transaction you must remember why you are there. Weather you represent … (4 comments)
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transaction: What happens for you when a team member tells you they are moving? - 08/08/07 01:10 AM
One of my key transactional team members let me know today that her husband has received a promotion that will include relocating from Arizona to St. Louis. Now, in the past this is what the next part of that conversation would be:
"So, when will your last day be? Let's get the … (5 comments)
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transaction: There Is Nothing Like Repeat Business!!! - 07/30/07 07:36 PM
There are some things better and many things worse but repeat business is really where it is at in real estate. It is the easiest business to work with if you have it and it can serve as an incentive for those who are new in this field to make sure … (3 comments)
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transaction: Home Buyer's Time Line - 07/28/07 05:39 PM
Here is a handy time-line for reference when you are house hunting! Once you find a Realtor to work with and a lender to get a loan from you are going to go through each stage of this process. I know it seems like it is an overwhelming process but if you take … (12 comments)
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transaction: Do You Feel A Draft In Here??? - 07/27/07 01:31 AM
When we begin our work with real estate agents, we build their transactional templates in our online transaction centerand then process their files according to those templates. In order to maintain control of the transaction, we process the online transaction while giving the agent full access. That means, the agent can … (11 comments)
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transaction: Breakthrough the Limits of Communication - 07/26/07 11:57 PM
Have you ever been in an appointment and found your mind wandering with worry of how many people are trying to reach you and how long it is going to take you to answer all of their voicemails? I have found over time that the more accessible you can be, the … (7 comments)
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transaction: Real Estate Transaction Management--Include On HUD - 07/26/07 02:30 AM
Did you know you can put transaction management services on the HUD as a cost of doing business and pass a % or the whole amount onto your client as part of processing the transaction? Then the virtual assistant just invoices the title company at closing instead of the agent.
Learn more … (7 comments)
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transaction: Listing Marketing + Transaction Management--Combined - 07/26/07 02:19 AM
As a response to current market conditions, earlier this year we launched our Listing Marketing package.
This package enables you to generate buyers while maximizing your online/community exposure for your listings—keeping your sellers happy!
Now you can add all listing marketing tasks to your transaction management task list and have … (1 comments)
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transaction: How Is Your Team Fighting the Daily Battles? - 07/26/07 01:50 AM
When working with a team it is imperative that you work together through the thick and the thin of all circumstances. We have a saying in our office that is the first rule that new team members learn and are expected to practice from the moment they start: NEVER throw a … (5 comments)
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transaction: Houston, We Have A Problem!!! - 07/23/07 10:52 PM
I write about online transaction management all the time. It is what I do. It is what I know. For the past few years, it has become a huge part of what I am. Most of the time, when I write about online transaction management, I fear that most agents are just reading … (9 comments)
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transaction: We've Come A Long Way, Baby! - 07/23/07 04:15 PM
Today, I am sitting on my living room couch enjoying pure chaos around me. My 13 year old niece is visiting from Texas and watching her with my kids is pure joy. What, time with the family?? But IT IS A WORK DAY!!
Ah, this takes me back to the days where … (12 comments)
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transaction: SureClose Helpful Hint for Today (emailing pages as attachments) - 07/20/07 11:53 PM
Did you know that you can email the Summary page and the Terms page from your file as an attachment? I would love to think that all parties to each transaction diligently log in to SureClose to find the information that we have so carefully entered into the file. I am … (2 comments)
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transaction: The Scales of Justice Swing Both Ways - 07/20/07 10:44 PM
I don't like to rant. I like to stay positive, I like to educate, I like to contribute to the betterment of the people around me. Some days that is harder than others.
We currently have a transaction that my transaction team is processing that I was called in to assist … (11 comments)
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transaction: How Colorful Are You? - 07/19/07 12:19 AM
Have you ever completed a paint-by-numbers picture? Until it is entirely filled in, it isn't complete. It just doesn't look right until all the numbers with their corresponding colors are shaded.
What if your transaction were a paint-by-number picture?
Realtors = 1-Blue
Escrow Officer = 2-Red
Lender = 3-Green
Buyer/Seller = 4-Yellow
Inspectors = 5-Purple
Each color is … (12 comments)
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transaction: Interaction versus Transaction - 07/17/07 01:33 PM
This applies to anyone that serves clients, Agent, Inspector, Home stager, mortgage lender, contractor or lawyer. If you do something for someone and then get paid for it...here's something to ponder.
It occurred to me the other day, during an inspection that what truly makes the experience of buying a home "memorable" … (4 comments)
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