Tamara 's Green Real Estate Blog

Google Real Estate

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:10:19 -0600

I guess I'm a couple of weeks behind. Google has released this great feature of active real estate listings overlayed on their maps. Not only can you find the location, you can find all the details of the property (It appears they are pulling info through listinghub from the Tahoe MLS) price, pictures, beds, baths, etc. Very cool. For example my listing on Alder Creek. They didn't have the map address quite right and when you opened the page, on the right side, there was a very distorted pix of a house on the corner about a mile away, but the information feed and pictures were all correct.

Tamara Perlman Coldwell Banker Northern Marin, CA. Tamara represents buyers and sellers in Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and Napa CA. Please call: 530-550-1299 or email Tamara at tperlman@coldwellbanker.com for more information on either market or general real estate inquiries. Search listings at www.TamaraPerlman.com

Speechless Sundays: Glenshire Pond

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:30:26 -0600

Original photo copyright: Tamara Perlman. Any duplication without express written consent is prohibited. Tamara Perlman Coldwell Banker Northern Marin, CA. Tamara represents buyers and sellers in Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and Napa CA. Please call: 530-550-1299 or email Tamara at tperlman@coldwellbanker.com for more information on either market or general real estate inquiries. Search listings at www.TamaraPerlman.com

Speeechless Sundays: Ice Crystals in Tahoe Donner

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:24:37 -0600

Speechless Sundays: Snow in Tahoe!

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:17:18 -0600

VILLA MONTANA: $49 MILLION JEWEL

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:10:27 -0600

In 1986, I was exiled from WI. They used the excuse that I was lactose intolerant and therefore bad for the state's dairy industry. I think that was the ‘politically correct' thing to say. After all, if I were bad business, then they were justified, right?

For them to say that my loyalties were no longer 100% with the Packers would have raised eyebrows. To throw me out because cheering was heard from my house when the 49ers were playing would seem a little harsh. (Though I'm told exile for cheering for the Vikings was totally justifiable...)

I grew up during the Bart Starr/Packer glory years. The Ice Bowl is one of my earliest memories... I was passionate about football. Then came the day in January 1979, I was watching a college ball game. Not just any game, the Cotton Bowl to be precise. In the final moments of that game, I watched Notre Dame's quarterback slice and dice the University of Houston 's defense and ND won the game 35-34. I was blown away by this performance. I wanted the Packers to draft him (being a diehard Packer fan), but he was taken by the 49ers in the third round. That was the day I became a Niner Fan too! The young quarterback? Joe Montana.

Over the years, he impressed my football sensibilities again and again. From the "upstart" Niners victory over the Cowboys in the 1982 NFC Championship, to 4 Super Bowl victories and numerous awards and shattered records, Joe was not one to disappoint his fans.

THE NEWS?..... Joe is selling his Calfornia Wine Country Home: Villa Montana

Villa Montana continues that tradition. Not one detail was overlooked in the creation of this 9700 square foot Tuscan style masterpiece. The other amenities of the 500+ acre property are equally refined. Each element, every aspect coheres. Coherence is a challenge not many homes achieve. From ancient artifacts to hand crafted details, each element is one of a kind and they are pulled together in a symphony of light and love and energy. The conductor for this symphony is designer extraordinaire, Finn Jorgensen.

At a recent luncheon tour to introduce Villa Montana to luxury property agents from across the state, the same comment was heard over and over... "I've never seen a property with this level of detail." Someone said they knew of a couple of properties that came close, then on reflection said, no the others weren't in the same league.

I have an even deeper connection to Villa Montana than that of a fan or realtor. Finn Jorgensen is my partner of many years. He has worked with Joe and Jennifer over the past two decades to design three homes including Villa Montana. This estate is the culmination of their love affair with all things Italian, French, Continental. It contains the artifacts, antiques, art and energy of years of roving the world to acquire the treasures that now populate Villa Montana. Working with Joe and Jennifer, every stone, beam, grill, fountain, sculpture, chair, antique, and piece of forged iron has been sculpted to create what is the most singularly amazing California Wine Country Estate. No detail was left to chance. Villa Montana is a living, breathing organism formed as a home in which the parts span centuries and yet cohere as a singular living expression.

Qualified buyers are invited to contact me directly for more information or to arrange a tour of the property. Tamara Perlman Coldwell Banker Northern Marin, CA. 530-550-1299 or email Tamara at tperlman@coldwellbanker.com www.TamaraPerlman.com

Help with Your Facebook? It's just a Click Away!

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:13:27 -0500

More Help with Facebook settings from Larry Bettag at Cherry Creek Mortgage. Get more info at www.thefacebookinsider.com Thanks Larry!

Via Larry Bettag - Cherry Creek Mortgage:

I was browsing my Facebook, account today and got some good information from my friend, Lyn Scalzitti. She pointed me to a web page entitled "How To Set Your Facebook News Feed And Wall Settings." Needless to say, the page is a 101 on getting beyond the basics of Facebook. Check out:

www.thefacebookinsider.com/2009/10/how-to-set-your-facebook-news-feed-and-wall-settings

The Face Book Insider

Has so many things to offer. The biggest thing for me was to control what comes down on my wall.

Here's the post from today's "Facebook Insider:

Today Facebook released their new homepage design and while it can be beneficial for those just wanting updates from close friends and family, it is not so friendly for those who have a large number of regularly updating friends.

One major beef that many are having already is the automatic posting onto your news feed of almost everything you do - that now ALSO appears in the news feed of all your friends.

I don't know about you, but I really don't need to know who became friends with who, and other people definitely do not need to know who I suddenly became friends with!

If you are want to stop these updates from posting to everyone's news feed, follow these few simple steps:

Select the Privacy Settings link from your Settings Menu

Select The News Feed & Wall link

Uncheck each of the boxes that automatically post to your news feed, wall and your friends news feed.

You may have also noticed that you have "Live Feed" and "News Feed" links at the top of your homepage. The difference between the two at this point is all jumbled.

However, your Live Feed may be blocking much of want you actually WANT to see. Scroll down to the bottom of your Live Feed page and click on Edit Options:

NOTE: If you have never put a friend or application on HIDE, you will NOT see the Edit Options link at the bottom of your page. Simply pick someone, click on the HIDE button that will appear in the top right corner of their update, then unhide by clicking the "x" beside their name in the steps below.

Make note of the line "Live Feed automatically determines which friends to include based on who Facebook thinks you want to hear from most." I am a little unsure as to how Facebook thinks they know me and my friends and family so well, but....

Also, if you have more than 250 friends and family, you will see that Facebook either selectively, or randomly (we are not sure which yet), cuts them off at 250. You will want to change this number to accommodate your friends total, as shown below. We recommend putting it up to 5000.

Following the above steps will help reduce the amount of mumbo jumbo appearing everywhere. I am sure Facebook felt the split feed was a step in the right direction of reducing clutter for some, but it may have slightly backfired on them at this point...

UPDATE: Some people seem to be experiencing a problem seeing the correct Edit Options pop up when they are trying to change the number of friends shown on their Live Feed. We have found a solution, albeit a goofy one, but it works.

If you do not see the correct pop up as shown above, follow these steps:

1. Make sure you are on the Live Feed tab.
2. If the pop up is only a list of friends, close it.
3. Switch to News Feed.
4. Click the Edit Options link at the bottom of the News Feed, then close it.
5. Switch back to Live Feed
6. Now when you click the Edit Options link again, it should be the correct window.

UPDATE #2

We would appreciate everyone sharing this page with their Facebook friends to help spread the solution around. Thanks guys!!
Larry Bettag - Regional Vice President, Midwest Region

Illinois FHA Specialist

630-417-7172

An Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee

Napa by Satellite Map

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:59:14 -0500

Here is a map of the beautiful Napa Valley. Zoom in, zoom out and see why this area is considered by many the jewel of Northern CA. Get driving directions and more. If you have any questions about the neighborhood, don't hesitate to call or email!
View Larger Map Tamara Perlman Coldwell Banker Green real estate in Napa, Truckee and Lake Tahoe For details on inserting maps to your blog or website: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1289123/how-to-embed-a-google-map-into-your-blog-or-website

Tahoe by Satellite

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:46:45 -0500

Here is an interactive map of the Lake Tahoe area. I've found the "trick" to linking to maps and thought I'd share my favorite areas with you. You can get driving directions, zoom in and out, and see the terrain. Enjoy getting to know my little corner of the world!
View Larger Map For all your green real estate needs in Truckee/Lake Tahoe/Napa Tamara Perlman Coldwell Banker 530-550-1299

Vacation Homes With as little as 10% down: PMI Companies finally relax guidelines

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:08:35 -0500

This comes from Robert Rauf--Mortgage Banker in New Jersey. Check out his blog for a ton of mortgage information! Or his website

Great news for the second home market in Truckee/Tahoe/Napa!

Via Robert Rauf (REMN The Real Estate Mortgage Network):

Finally, some good news in the form of relaxed guidelines.

This is some great news. PMI Companies have caused many of the guideline changes we have experienced over the past few years since they were not willing go offer PMI on anything that had risk at all.

Just a few weeks ago we got news that we can do 10% down second homes. Here are the requirements:

720 Minimum credit score

$417,000 Max Mortgage

Even if you don't dabble much in the Vacation Home market, this is a great sign. This news came from one of the more conservative PMI Companies. The fact that they are willing to insure vacation homes shows that they have a renewed confidence in the Real Estate Market. This confidence must mean that they see a stable improving market or they would not add any risk to their portfolios

Have a great week!

Rob

Robert Rauf

Mortgage Banker

www.RobertRaufHomeLoans.com or my blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/rrauf

(732)223-1630 x102

Since 1987 I have been helping my clients fulfill their dream of home ownership!

Real Estate Mortgage Network

NJ Mortgages, New Jersey Mortgages, Mortgages in NJ, mortgage in New Jersey, Mortgages in New Jersey

Truckee by Satellite

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:43:46 -0500

One of our fellow RAINERS gave this tip on how to imbed google maps into our website or blogs or emails so I thought I'd give it a try. Went to Google Maps, found the link and will experiment now...

View Larger Map

Testing 1,2 testing!

OK! It works but needs some fine tuning. Thanks for the tip Leilani! Truckee, Lake Tahoe and Napa CA real estate in Green. Call Tamara Perlman 530-550-1299

REO Buyers Educational Video

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:56:15 -0500

OK, this just came across my desk and knowing how much trauma is associated with buying bank owned properties, I figured this should be shared with buyers and their agents!

On a side note, I have recently helped a buyer get an offer accepted on a bank owned home and the agent was nothing like this! She was helpful and patient walking me through their requirements as this was my first REO. There are always agents that are professional and some that make people make videos like this one! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM7oWKgCVo4

Good luck to all those buying REO's and the agents that represent them!

Tamara Perlman
Your Truckee/Lake Tahoe/Napa Resource
Previews Property Specialist,
e-PRO and EcoBroker
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage D.R.E. 003313415
711 Grand Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
(530)414-4459 Cell
tperlman@coldwellbanker.com
www.TamaraPerlman.com
D.R.E. 01262742

Organize Your Facebook Friends With Lists

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:32:57 -0500

Are you overwhelmed by the amount of information and updates that comes through your Facebook account? I know there are days that I am! Here's a simple solution from John Novak - Las Vegas and Henderson NV Real Estate that I'm going to implement! Thanks John!

Via John Novak - Las Vegas and Henderson NV Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace):

When your Facebook network grows into the hundreds and thousands, it can really be a challenge to keep up with the news stream on your home page. Between all of the status updates, links, videos and notes it can move faster than the ActiveRain dashboard!

Fortunately, there is a great built-in feature to help you manage and filter your Facebook content -- Friend Lists.

From your Facebook home page, click on 'Friends', then 'Create New List.' Give the list a name, select friends to add to the list, and then click 'Create List.' That's all there is to it! Your new Friend List will now show up in the left-hand navigation on your home page. (You may have to click the 'more' link to see it.)

I have lists of the agents from my office, people I know from UNLV, and people I've met through ActiveRain. When I want to see updates from only those friends, I just click on the appropriate list and it filters my news stream. This is a great way to focus your time and effort on Facebook.

Here's more info on Friend Lists direct from the help section at Facebook. And if you're more of a visual person, here's a short video from Every Dot Connects that demonstrates the process. Now get out and make some more friends, and keep them organized with lists!

An Offering for Your Real Estate Marketing Toolkit: 45 Blog Directories

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:12:56 -0500

From Rebecca Levinson, a great resource (Rebecca and the list)!

Via Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing Consultant (Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision):

An Offering For Your Real Estate Marketing Toolkit:

45 Blog Directories

blogarama.com

blogaz

blogcatalog.com

blogexplosion.com

blogfinds.com

blogflux.com

bloghop.com

blogio.net

blogged.com

bloggeries.com

bloggernity.com

bloggerschoiceawards.com

bloggingfusion.com

bloghub.com

blogion.com

bloglisting.net

blogs.botw.org

blogsbywomen

blogs2c.com

blogscanada

blogsearch

blog-search.com

blogsearchengine.com

blogtoplist.com

dmoz.org

EatonWeb Blog Directory

feedburner.com

getblogs.com

geoblogdirectory.com

iblogbusiness.com

icerocket.com

joeant.com

mkeonline.com

myblog2u.com

nycbloggers.com

poddop.com

real-estate-blogs.com

realtyfeedsearch.com

regator.com

search4blogs.com

spillbean.com

technorati.com

us.loadedweb.com

thevital.net

yahoo.com Directory

13 Ways to Promote Your Blog

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:40:16 -0500

Great blogging info from Jeff Dowler.

Via Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360 (RE/MAX Associates):

We all know the promotion is important, although one does not want to come across as salesy or pushy.

The same is true of our blogs. We want folks to know about them and the valuable content they offer, but shoving them down someone's throat is not likely to be accepted kindly.

As I learned yesterday at REBarCampOC (although I sorta knew this), publishing your post is about 30% of the work. (that's a quote from notable RE.net dude, Jim Marks, founder and President of Virtual Results ). The rest comes afterwards. That is, promoting your blog so consumers can take advantage of it if they like.

Certainly a big part of getting noticed, and as was said yesterday - if you aren't in Google you don't exist - is the work you do around SEO (search engine optimization). This post is not about that, but do a search on AR for SEO or check out the SEO Channel for a wealth of articles to help you, whether you know anything about SEO or not.

Getting the word out there isn't magic...

So here are a few thoughts on how you can promote you blog. And please feel free to share your ideas - we can also benefits from the collective brain trust here on AR.

1. BUSINESS CARD - Use that blank space on the back to list your blogs

2. EMAIL SIGNATURES - whether you have one or multiple ones, for specialized groups of clients, include links to your blog(s). Make sure these are easily found (and that the links work)

3. EMAIL COMMUNICATION - I list this separately because there may be times, when directly communicating with a particular buyer or seller, that you want to refer them to your blog, or specific articles, because of the information they are seeking.

4. WEBSITE - either include links at appropriate places on pages in your website and/or put a widget on the homepage like I have.

5. BUY URLs for your AR blog and any outside blogs and use those as above

6. POSTCARDS, NEWSLETTERS and OTHER MAILINGS - include your blogs where appropriate and relevant.

And here are some more...

7. CRAIGLIST postings for listings - great to include here, PLUS the link to your single website or blog is you use one (I use Wordpress to create a blog for each listing)

8. SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITES - they all allow you to include one or more links, so take advantage of this where appropriate

9. MARKETING MATERIALS - including your pre-listing, relocation, seller and buyer packets

10. WORD OF MOUTH - talking about your blog in a conversation with prospects or clients makes sense, once you have some sort of relationship and it can add value to the discussion for them

11. HANDOUTS for open houses

12. ADVERTISING - may not be suitable depending on the ad and the medium but worth keeping in mind.

13. DIRECTORIES - there are a ton of on-line directories for registering your blogs, most are free I believe. Here is the weblogs compendium of directories; here's the Search Engine Journal list of web directories; and here's an offering for your real estate marketing toolkit: 45 blog directories from Rebecca Levinson on ActiveRain. The list goes on an on, with some repetition.

Just a few thoughts to get you started or to expand your promotions. Feel free to share your own ideas so we can all benefit.

UPDATE - and one more I use but forgot - I have several t-shirts with my blogs (1 per shirt) that I wear to the gym, and occasionally the beach. Ya never know.

Can I Show Your House? -- Does It Sparkle?

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:12:14 -0500

From Gabrielle Nemes, a very comprehensive "to do" list for any home seller.

Via Gabrielle Nemes, GRI, southeast King County, WA (RE/MAX Select R.E.):

I spent some time on a listing appointment yesterday with a family that had previously listed their home with another agent. The house didn't sell. Hmmm, why not?

Important question, right? Well ... I "can" tell you one thing in a big hurry. Resistance from the Sellers to do any prep at all when getting a call to show the home. An attitude of "this is how we live, surely you don't expect us to put away our things just so you can tromp through our house and intrude on our time." How sad. Interesting though -- they "sound" extremely motivated to sell. Have their eye on a new home and want to be in it before school starts.

So, as with every Seller, I provide with a quick checklist of things to do before someone comes to see their home ... after all, we want folks to see their HOUSE, not their home. Aside from my usual list and walk through advice of taking down personal pictures, removing tons of furniture, cleaning out the closets, etc., here's my checklist of "what to do when you get the call." Perhaps it'll be useful to you.

Make the beds

Hide the laundry

Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher

Wipe dry the sinks, tubs, etc.

Swish clean all toilets, wipe the rims, and be sure they are flushed and the lids are down.

Ensure that dry matching towels are neatly hung in the bathrooms.

Vacuum or sweep all floors

Tidy, tidy, tidy! - Especially kitchens, bedrooms, and den areas!

Be sure sidewalks are swept, the lawn is neat and tidy, gardens weeded.

Use the nose test - does everything smell fresh and clean? Briefly open some windows to air things out, if needed. Then close them, of course, if it's cool outside.

If you have pet, try to minimize them as much as possible, keeping litter boxes clean and out-of-sight, and cleaning up any accident areas. It's also a good idea to be sure that pet-food dishes are hidden, and certainly if you typically feed your kitties on top of your kitchen counters!

Add appealing light scents through air fresheners or periodically add a single drop of vanilla to the top of one light bulb in strategic rooms. This will spread a wonderful homey smell in those rooms!

Be sure there are no burned-out light bulbs anywhere and that all of the light fixtures are also freshly washed and polished.

Do a quick walk-through to be sure that any valuables, jewelry, weaponry, and personal financial papers are safely put away and completely out of sight.

Ensure that temperature is around 68°, but hide floor fans during hot summer seasons if you use them. If you have a ceiling fan, turn it on so that it rotates slowly (reminiscent of that lazy summer day feeling).

Ensure that soft "elevator-style" music is playing throughout the house.

Turn on all of the lights even if it's a bright sunny day.

Then LEAVE and either take your pets or safely lock them up away from the house, if possible.

This Crisis is not Financial

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:25:13 -0500

From John Malkey, Housing Guru, Waleska, GA You need to check the original post to see all the comments. Very interesting collection of responses.

Via John Mulkey, Housing Guru (TheHousingGuru.com):

While the stock market, housing prices, jobless rate, and falling GDP may point to a financial crisis, those are only symptoms of the real illness. Just as a doctor would never describe an overweight patient’s condition as, “a crisis of too many fat cells,” we must look to the cause of our problem if we ever expect to effect a cure.

The USA has gorged itself on debt, but even that’s not the problem. It’s yet another symptom of a society focused upon personal comfort and satisfaction, chasing an ever-changing vision of happiness, a narcissistic assumption that it was about us, and that “we should have it all,” and have it now.

In the past few decades we've shifted from a country of savers to one of spenders—binge spenders, drunken in our chase for the “good life.” Movies and television told us we could have it, and their ads spewed a never ending array of what we “needed.” With the latest gadgets our lives would become simpler, less stressful. With wondrous images they carted us off to faraway beaches with perfect sunsets and plastic people.

But the images were all a lie; the contrary was true. The accumulation of “stuff” created a need for more money, requiring that both spouses work, and work harder, longer. The constant demand for money kept us forever chasing a better position, more pay, to help us afford the stuff we had already bought. More money would take us to an even better lifestyle that always remained just out of reach.

We didn’t want the simple house of our parents; we wanted more bedrooms, more bathrooms, bigger kitchens, fireplaces, media centers, and three car garages. We weren’t satisfied with a basic car; we needed SUVs, maybe two, and a sports car for the kids. A vacation at the beach wasn’t enough, unless the beach was in Hawaii.

We wanted the best for our children and we bought computers, video games, cell phones, and other electronics, expensive clothes and cars; we wanted them to have it all, too, to have a better life, to have more than we’d had. And we succeeded—after a fashion. We spent more, went in debt more, and lived for the pleasure of the moment.

We had more and our kids had more; but the ever-increasing indebtedness, like a millstone, pulled us into an abysmal stupor and caused us to miss out of much of the enjoyment. We drugged our stress with alcohol, pills or the latest pop psychology that promised to restore us to “Nirvana,” and the children whose happiness and love we purchased, became strangers.

Of course this isn’t a universal indictment; but it’s more widespread than many are willing to admit. And it doesn’t apply to ME or to YOU. It’s those “other people” who have allowed their problems to morph into a crisis. But WE all have an obligation to help find the solution.

As our country and the world enter the crucial stages of a financial meltdown, many are reflecting upon lives spent chasing an elusive future utopia that could never be; and many are ready to get off the train. Some have begun to reconsider where they have focused their energy, their labor, and have begun to realize that life was never about the stuff. It’s about discovering our place and helping others; it’s about the choices we make and the lives we lead; it’s about releasing ourselves from fear and living and sharing the wondrous joys of this life; and it’s about today. We don’t have tomorrow. The good life we’ve been seeking isn’t in the future. We’ve had it all along.

For the latest news in housing, visit: The Housing Guru

Picassa to youtube for Virtual Tour

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:32:26 -0500

I have a listing. OK, this listing is my house and I love this house! Nobody else sees it the way I see it, right??? But I want someone to see it my way. I want the next owner to see it the way I see it. So no one can create a virtual tour that will show the house the way I'd show it.... Quietwater Creek

OK, so this takes some time to get everything just the way you want it. And I'd still change things, but at some point you will probably cry "UNCLE"! I'm guessing it's easier just to hire the companies that create virtual tours for whatever amount of $$$ they want!

My partner has used Picassa to create wonderful slide shows and albums for his design clients. I thought, "I bet that would make a great virtual tour!" It can and does, but it takes a lot of patience!

If you haven't used Picassa before, you're in for a treat. This program goes into your hard drive and collects all your images from all your folders and puts them in one neat archive. You can create more specific albums by highlighting images from various folders and sending them to the chosen album in Picassa. One word of caution here. If you later re-arrange the folders on your hard-drive, the images disappear from chosen album as the path used to find them no longer exists. It takes a few minutes to re-create--moving them back to the album from their new location. Picassa does not re-arrange any of your hard drive folders, so that is not a worry. And if you don't remember where a certain image is stored, you can click on it and there is an option to find on disk--sometimes a lifesaver! Always a time saver!

You can load albums directly to the web. I've used this for clients when I've shot 30-40 pix of a house for them and don't want to overload their inbox. I just send them a link to the online album. You need to make sure you make it public if you want others to see it. If you want it private, then make sure you chose that option! Clients love it as they can look at their convenience, don't have to invest the time of downloading all the images and can send friends the link and have them view it. Again without the major time invest of uploading/downloading all those images.

I know Picassa also has editing capabilities, but I haven't used them as much.

On to creating a virtual tour. Go thru images displayed and highlight the ones you want for your virtual tour. Create new album and add images from tray to album. Now go to album and click create slide show. This gives you options to add music. Remember royalty free mp3! You can then select the order of the slides you want to use, add text over them, change the text color and font or create a "blank" slide where you can add text. If you find you need other images, you can go back to the library and collect more. They are stored in a tray for you to add directly to the show just by drag and drop. When you have completed the tour, click "create movie". This takes awhile to process. If you make adjustments in the future (say you view it and want to "tweak" it a little more) then click replace existing--it takes a lot less time! I had saved a couple of versions and was glad I did. I moved some last minute images from my desktop to the proper folders on the hard drive and lost them in the virtual tour... Was able to find them in one of the saved versions and re-create.

After you have saved the movie, you are given the option to upload to youtube. You need to have a youtube account setup already. Easy to do, just go to youtube and follow instructions on how to setup an account. Then you can load your virtual tour, tell everyone about it and then watch it go viral!!!

Good luck!

Tamara Perlman Coldwell Banker San Rafael, Marin County, CA. Tamara represents buyers and sellers in Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and Napa CA. Please call: 530-550-1299 or email Tamara at tperlman@coldwellbanker.com for more information on either market or general real estate inquiries. Search listings at www.TamaraPerlman.com

Speechless Sundays: Last Look at Winter

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 23:44:14 -0500

Original photo copyright: Tamara Perlman. Any duplication without express written consent is prohibited. Tamara Perlman Coldwell Banker San Rafael, Marin County, CA. Tamara represents buyers and sellers in Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and Napa CA. Please call: 530-550-1299 or email Tamara at tperlman@coldwellbanker.com for more information on either market or general real estate inquiries. Search listings at www.TamaraPerlman.com

Speechless Sundays: How Big IS That Crystal???

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 23:08:40 -0500

Love that Insulation!

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 22:56:15 -0500

A few years ago, I was working on an energy efficient new construction. Using alot of products that people didn't know a lot about then... One of them that I really love is the soy-based foam insulation.

The product is sprayed on as a liquid, then expands up to 100 times its original size! That's a lot of expansion! It gets everywhere! Even in the odd angles and tiny cracks. It's very effective for sound reduction of outside noise. It's great for maintaining more constant temps. I've found the house to be incredibly quiet and the temperature really does stay more even than any of my remodel projects and for much longer!

Perhaps the thing I love best is driving home a few days after a winter storm and seeing the houses on the north and south of mine with melted roofs. Mine will still have a thick layer of snow where you can see roofing material showing through on theirs. And these houses were built one and two years after mine, the angle to the sun and wind exposure is very similar! The difference being that they didn't use the blown foam insulation. I will not build without it again!

It goes around and behind the can lights and makes for a seal that usually is a real insulation break.

The conservation expert from the local utility district estimates conditioned air costs for this home about 50% of average for this size during the peak months. It's much less during the shoulder seasons as the temps remain so constant.

The white walls are the blocks for insulated concrete forms (ICF). A construction method that is a blog post in itself!

For more information on this home click Quietwater Creek.

Tahoe Donner Creekside

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 21:28:58 -0500

Gorgeous Green Tahoe Donner Creekside Home on market for $850,000. One of a kind! This finely crafted creek-side home features timeless finish materials: cedar, granite, slate and alder. The energy efficient design features insulated concrete construction, soy-based foam insulation, fiber cement siding, composite decking, Energy Star appliances and more! Alder Creek cascades though the backyard with acres of greenbelt beyond. The sumptuous master suite has huge views to the creek, large walk-in closet, and a library/reading nook. The great room must be experienced for comfort, beauty and artistry. 3 bed/2.5 bath/oversized 2 car garage in Tahoe Donner. Tahoe Donner amenities include golf course, downhill ski hill, cross country ski center, tennis courts, marina on Donner Lake, rec center that includes swimming pools, hot tubs, weight room and more. Quietwater Creek for more details or Virtual Tour.

In The Dark--Earth Hour

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:46:36 -0500

Saturday, March 28, 2009. The world came together to make a shared statement of the importance of reducing our consumption. The response to this event was amazing. So many people from so many countries participating (over 80 countries I hear!)

Scroll down the page and then click on the images to see the building or the city go dark for Earth Hour. In The DARK I guess my question is, how many of these kept the lights off or down all night? Or check the Earth Hour website for other great shots and information on the event.

I don't know about you, but my lights were out for hours. But my daughter and I were out running errands, in a car--so does that count? Do my lights off balance my fossil fuel consumption?

I'd love to see more events like this--making sure our leaders know that we the people are concerned and willing to do something about it!

Wordless Wednesday: Wine Country Sunstars

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:21:33 -0500

Mortgage Help For First-Time Buyers in CA

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:21:50 -0500

This just in from California Association of REALTORS (C.A.R.) president James Liptak. On Thursday, April 2, the association is launching a program for first-time buyers who lose their jobs. The Housing Affordability Fund Mortgage Protection Program (C.A.R.H.A.F. MPP) could provide up to $1500. per month for up to 6 months to make mortgage payments, to a buyer who loses their job. There will also be a $10,000. death benefit available. There are a number of qualifying factors, including opening escrow after April 1 and closing on the property before 12/31/09. And of course, the property needs to be in CA! C.A.R. is dedicating $1,000,000. to the fund this year. More information is available and an application can be requested from your REALTOR.

Speechless Sundays: Wine Country Lupine

Tamara Perlman, Lake Tahoe Truckee CA Real Estate (Coldwell Banker) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:02:26 -0500