It was very obvious at the International Builder Show in Orlando that the general trend was moving towards smaller homes and looking for imaginative storage spaces and living areas. One of the victims of ridding a home of unnecessary living space in some parts of the country will be the dining room. ining rooms seem to be reducing in appeal as people wish more “casual” eating spaces. “Dining rooms are definitely on the way out,” said Joe Digrado, Danielian Associates’ design coordinator, at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando Friday. “Ask your buyer if they really need one. In … (4 comments)
homes with casitas for sale: My Saturday foodie post. Fish n chips (with an Oregon twist)
- 01/22/11 02:18 PM
I love cooking and do intend to post a few recipes as well. Here are some really imaginative ideas for Fish and Chips, the great British traditional meal, by Karen Burket from Oregon. Having lived in Britain for 17 years before coming to the USA I do appreciate the "twists" on an old classic! Thank you, Karen.
If you wish to see more recipes by real state agents please visit the new group COOKING WITH CHRISTINE & FRIENDS So last week I mentioned that I love to cook and posted a salmon dish I recently made. The other night I … (3 comments)
homes with casitas for sale: Mardi Gras - Karnival - Carnivale
- 01/20/11 02:29 PM
Esperanza Butler wrote about Mardi Gras. In Europe, the practice dates back to the Middle Ages where they were celebratory periods before Lent began. Today, most Catholic areas in Europe still celebrate during the week before lent. The celebration in the Catholic parts of Germany, for example, are called "Karnival" with the exeption of Bavaria – in Munich it’s called “Fasching” and it’s very big.The main day is “Rose Monday” when there are parades everywhere, beautiful floats, carnival princesses and people dance and drink in the streets until they drop, like Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Tuesday (called Shrove Tuesday), is … (1 comments)
homes with casitas for sale: Melissa Galt, Frank Lloyd Wright's Great-Granddaughter, at the Miromar Design Center January 22, 2011
- 01/18/11 02:26 PM
Reminder INTERNATIONAL DESIGN CENTER at MIROMAR Distinguished Speakers Series Melissa Galt, Galt Interiors, Atlanta “Designing a Signature Life” Saturday, January 22 at 2:00 p.m. It’s not just about designing home interiors, Melissa explains that a life well-lived includes relationships, cooking, travel, entertaining and passions. Melissa takes her inspiration from her great-grandfather, America’s most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. She will share simple steps to find your dreams and live by design. A book signing will follow Melissa’s presentation. Please call (239) 390-5111 for the last remaining seats or sign up on line. At the time of writing there were a few … (0 comments)
homes with casitas for sale: New Thoughts on Swimming Pools Part II - Alternatives to Chlorine
- 01/10/11 04:09 PM
Swimming is a great exercise and having a pool in your backyard can be a lot of fun! However, since chlorine used in pools can have side effects on your helath, as well as corroding the pool equipment, alternatives have been developed and are now being used. A company called TechnoPure offers alternative pool systems by pumping water through a chamber containing coated titanium plates and copper and zinc ions. DEL Ozone produces ozone injectors that can reduce the need for chlorine up to 90%. Did you know that one of these systems was installed at the White House years ago?? … (0 comments)
homes with casitas for sale: E-SIGNATURES now over 10 years old
- 01/08/11 01:32 AM
E-SIGNATURES now over 10 years old! Since President Clinton signed the ESIGN Act in June 2000 the E-Signature has simplified and expedited interstate and foreign business. Tom Gonser, Founder and Chief Strategic Officer of Docusign, Inc. stated recently that E-Signatures have had the most effect on real estate transactions. “Of all the markets, there is one where e-signature technology has had the greatest impact, changing more lives than nearly any other technology—real estate. No other sector has reaped greater rewards than our industry. Time, money, ink, paper and aggravation are eliminated. And, deals are done faster, better and are more … (4 comments)
homes with casitas for sale: Atlas Van Lines Report "Where is America moving?"
- 01/04/11 04:08 PM
As at the beginning of every New Year, Atlas Van Lines reviews interstate moves during the previous years to determine relocation patters. In 2010 there was an increase in household interstate moves! How do Atlas Van lines classify the states? Each state/province has a threshold value, which is the total number of shipments multiplied by 0.55. If 55% of moves leave a state it’s classified as outbound If 55% of arrive in a state it’s classified as inbound. All other states are balanced. Residents were lost in the Midwest while Mideast states and the Southwest gained. For the first time, Kentucky … (0 comments)
The Artists Soiree Winter 2011 to celebrate the book Artists in their Studiosby Ruth Dwyer February 24, 4 pm to 8 pmRitz Carlton Beach Resort, Naples, Vanderbilt BallroomMeet, Greet, and Enjoy Artists who Live and Work in the Naples areaListen to the Artists Explain the Magic of NaplesParticipating Artistshttp://theartistsoiree.com/OurArtists.htmlWorks donated For Auctionhttp://theartistsoiree.com/donations.html TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW, CLICK HERE
Further Details at http://theartistsoiree.com or phone 305.513.5658 or email winterevent@artistsforcharityswfl.org … (0 comments)
The Foreclosure Balancing ActBy Chief Operating Officer Bruce Witherell Bruce M. Witherell was named chief operating officer of Freddie Mac in September 2009. In this position, he oversees and ensures effective integration across the company's core business lines – Single-Family Credit Guarantee, Single-Family Portfolio Management, Multifamily and Investments & Capital Markets – as well as the Operations & Technology, and Models & Research divisions. Witherell is a member of the company's leadership team and reports directly to Chief Executive Officer, Charles E. "Ed" Haldeman, Jr. Foreclosed homes make up 25 percent of … (0 comments)
homes with casitas for sale: Has a Listing Agent made MLS Changes between Offer and Closing?
- 12/27/10 09:58 AM
Has it ever happened to you that you found listing details in the MLS changed between the time of your customer's offer and the closing without the listing agent letting you know?When I prepare an offer for a buyer, I always print out the full MLS listing, hand it to the buyer(s) to read and sign, then include it in the offer package and ask the seller(s) to countersign. (As some sellers tell me later, this was the first time they saw the MLS print-out.) On accasions, incorrect details are spotted by the sellers, and I am glad they are, as, … (89 comments)
homes with casitas for sale: Americans are beginning to prefer smaller homes ....
- 12/24/10 01:01 AM
Relocation.com recently undertook a survey of 1,500 homeowners and buyers which produced some interesting results: almost half of them preferred their “ideal home” should be no larger than 1,900 square feet. Melissa Dittman writes in REALTOR® Magazine that five years ago the average was 2,400 square feet. Price and the cost of upkeep were not the major consideration in choosing to live in a smaller home. Sharon Asher, Relocation.com chairperson and founder, said “As home owners rethink how much space they need, we’ll continue to see more innovative approaches to living well and sustainably within a smaller footprint”. 54% of Americans … (1 comments)
homes with casitas for sale: Let's see if two states are successful in their suits against Bank of America
- 12/22/10 09:20 AM
Two states have files suits against Bank Of America! Arizona and Nevada are suing BoA for alledged foreclosure fraud. “Bank of America has been the slowest of all the servicers to ramp up loss mitigation efforts in response to the housing crisis. It has shown callous disregard for the devastating effects its servicing practices have had on individual borrowers and on the economy as a whole” said Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard in a press release. Arizona charges BoA with committing fraud and misleading borrowers includes the following::• If borrowers can apply for loan modification without being delinquent on their payments• … (1 comments)
homes with casitas for sale: TIPS FOR SAVING ON HEATING AND COOLING
- 12/19/10 02:00 PM
Here in Florida we usually use more cooling than heating, but this year we have had some cool days in December! I live on the beach in wonderful Naples, SW Florida, and even on the Gulf of Mexico the temperatures dropped into the 40s for a few nights. The tips provided below by Jean and Le-Ann are very timely and apply to any area of the USA. Christine R. Sutherland REALTOR® Downing-Frye Realty, Inc. Naples & Bonita Springs, FloridaPhone 239-465-4525Email naplesnaples@gmail.com http://ILiveOnTheBeach.comhttp://WonderfulNaples.com
Tips for Saving on Heating and Cooling With the holiday season now in full swing, you are undoubtedly … (4 comments)
homes with casitas for sale: Do you have a lot of Transnational Business connections?
- 12/19/10 01:21 PM
The International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA) is a group of the world’s leading real estate associations, committed to the right to own and transfer real property all over the world. The Internet has opened up international real estate markets, and residential real estate sales involve trillions of Dollars. ICREA’s aims are to keep real estate agents from all over the world involved in transnational sales and referrals. ICREA created the TRC (Transnational Referral Certification) designation with courses originally endorsed by NAR and held by NAR associations. NAR announced recently that it will leave ICRA at the end of 2010 … (0 comments)
homes with casitas for sale: Miami now has largest REALTOR® Association in the USA
- 12/16/10 10:12 AM
Miami Creates Largest REALTOR® Association in the U.S. The Miami Association of REALTOR® is now the largest in the nation, and its CEO, Teresa King Kinney was recognized on the Inman list of the 100 most influential people in US real estate. In August, the REALTOR® Associations of Greater Miami & The Beaches, and Miami-Dade Count,y became the Miami Association of REALTORS®. This month the Northwestern Dade Association joined, bringing the total memberhips to almost 24,000.“We are all about connecting our members to help them do more business and we look forward to even more international partnerships, outreach and expanded marketing … (0 comments)
homes with casitas for sale: Inquiry into Mortgage Lenders Discriminatory Practices
- 12/09/10 03:25 PM
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that federal officials have launched an inquiry into whether some mortgage lenders discriminated against qualified African Amenrican and Latino borrowers denying them government insured loans. The inquiry is in response to complaints filed Tuesday by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition accusing 22 banks nationwide of violating fair housing laws.The coalition said the despite the borrowers' credit scores meeting the federal standard of 580 for insurance against default, the banks set higher thresholds and the borrowers were refused the loans.
OK so you are about to embark on new windows for your home. How do you know if the windows you are about to purchase or contract work on are truly energy efficient? Best-rated replacement windows should be those that pass NFRC ratings standards, must be Energy Star approved and most of all must be rated highly by consumers. I will provide some … (1 comments)
Many of us CIPS designees also have the TRC - Transnational Referral Certification. At the recent NAR Convention in New Orleans, TRC was discussed at all of the Global meetings. It was announced that NAR is leaving the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations - ICREA- at the end of this year, and that REALTOR.com will go "global" next year with further details to follow. The TRC designation will no longer be recognized by NAR. This change prompted me to start a new ActiveRain Group for CIPS, so we can, with the help of … (2 comments)
The Natinal Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has posted an article online dealing with Cyber Crime, stating that many small businesses are real estate firms and "small businesses are increasingly the targets of sophisticated scam artists taking over their bank accounts." NAR also points out that banks have done little to increase the security for small business acounts as the banks are not presently liable for losses in the same way as they are with consumer accounts (1978 Electronic Funds Transfer Act). Apparently this will change with several initiatives in the works. But for now, you need to protect … (2 comments)
Credit tips for my borrowers, by Mike in Tucson, mortgage lender The question: "I want to improve my credit. Should I pay off charge-offs and collections?" How the system works: Take a look at that yellow piece of the credit pie on the right. Length of credit history is 15% of your overall credit score. Among the data tracked by the Credit Bureaus is this little gem: "date of last activity." It shows on … (2 comments)
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