realtor: What worries you most about an inspection report?
- 01/29/14 04:22 AM
What worries you most about an inspection report?
Well, if you live in South Florida I would concentrate on two things and leave the rest by the roadside. And those are roof and air conditioning. Unlike our neighbors to the North and West we don't have to worry about things like heat pumps and termites.
Our air conditioning systems literally run 24/7, so it is inevitable that something is bound to go wrong, especially if the system is over ten years old. I don't even recommend fixing these things after that. They just become a money pit. But if you … (0 comments)
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realtor: Not all commercial office leasing space is the same
- 01/29/14 03:35 AM
Not all commercial office leasing space is the same.
You can probably save yourself a lot of money by leasing a small satellite office space with an answering service for your business, but keep in mind that not all of these buildings are the same in looks, services, or price.
There are a lot of privately owned companies out there that are in this business and offering very low rents. If it works for you then it may be the way to go. Do not misunderstand this for a retail space with walking traffic. These are for the guy … (0 comments)
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realtor: From what do you derive your realtor satisfaction?
- 01/21/14 03:27 AM
From what do you derive your realtor satisfaction?
As a full-time practicing realtor for 16 years it has occurred to me that my greatest satisfaction is not how much money I make or how many deals I close, although many would use those factors as a measure of success, but rather seeing the look of happiness on my client's faces when we are able to get them what they want.
When the housing market is chaotic in either direction, seller's or buyer's, I can see a client's angst in not knowing how things are going to go. I take it … (0 comments)
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realtor: I have been published...again!
- 01/21/14 03:15 AM
Agents of ActiveRain have a gander at my newest real estate blog edition from Miami Agent Magazine here, http://miamiagentmagazine.com/can-capitalize-miamis-transformation/
MiamiAgentMagazine.com is a real estate website that caters to realtors with many cities throughout the country represented. I have been chosen to represent Miami and have been a contributing writer for over a year. I enjoy writing the articles and it provides tremendous exposure.
… (0 comments)
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realtor: Are these guys for real?!
- 01/02/14 02:24 AM
After watching several episodes of House Hunters International I have come to the conclusion that real estate life as we know it is not quite the same.
The ongoing theme for showing property is three homes and done. Afterwards everyone sits down at the kitchen table and signs a contract. Usually there is very little if any arguing or negotiating and no mention is made of the important stuff like inspections.
What's more is how the buyers walk through a house and immediately talk about how lovely everything little thing is, but then will kill a deal based … (0 comments)
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realtor: Your mailbox says a lot about your home
- 01/02/14 01:37 AM
Your mailbox says a lot about your home. I do not say this or take this subject lightly. As a realtor I factor in a home's mailbox into their curb appeal. It also tells me whether or not the house itself is treated in the same way.
I have to wonder aloud about how difficult it is to maintain your mailbox. Just give it a wash every now and then and a fresh coat of paint when it starts chipping. If it is hit and destroyed then spend the money and replace it for crying out loud.
I cannot … (1 comments)
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realtor: Good luck getting your healthcare today
- 12/23/13 02:01 AM
I can't take the credit for this rant, but it sure is worth noting. Good luck to all those trying to get health insurance today. You're going to need it! I've been trying for days to no avail and have come to the conclusion that A. I have better things to do, B. It just doesn't work, and C. I'd rather just pay the damn fine.
During the 3-1/2 years of World War 2 that started with the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941 and ended with the Surrender of Germany and Japan in 1945, the U.S. produced … (1 comments)
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realtor: The renters checklist
- 12/19/13 03:36 AM
The renters checklist.
Prior to going out and searching for your ideal rental property with your realtor here is a list of items you will need first. Call it a homework assignment, but in the end it will not only speed up the rental process, but probably get you at the head of the list of even the most ideal of rentals.
1. Your credit history.
A lot of real estate offices and websites charge for this, but by simply clicking Annualcreditreport.com you can get up to three a year for free.
2. Paycheck stubs.
3. References, … (3 comments)
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realtor: Whoever writes your lease controls your destiny
- 12/18/13 03:05 AM
Whoever writes your lease controls your destiny.
There are so many lessors and lessees out there today that have no idea why it is so important for your attorney or realtor to write your lease.
Before you sign anything in a lease at the very least have your attorney or realtor read it over if they did not write it.
The reasoning behind having your own realtor or attorney write a lease for you is simple really - they are going to write it based on what is good for you and to your advantage. The other side will … (0 comments)
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realtor: Craigslist Brings Out the Scammers
- 12/17/13 02:01 AM
I am amazed at just how many boneheads actually fall for this obvious scam. If it's on Craigs List then it probably is a scam is pretty much my first thought so why bother when there are so many other places you can advertise?
Craigslist Brings Out the Scammers.
I posted a few household items on Craigslist to sell. Mind you these are not expensive items and I was hoping to get them gone before Christmas.
Bam.. I got a hit, someone emails me that is interested in my $75 antique maple rocking chair. The person tells me he lives in … (1 comments)
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realtor: Take whatever customer walks through that real estate door
- 12/16/13 01:34 AM
When does a desperate renter pop into a real estate office off the street? When they have three dogs is when!
Oh yeah, and one of them is huge. I do my absolute best to help out people like this because they are in real estate dire straits for certain, but it is no easy task and I realize that I am their last resort before they take off for a rental community.
The upside to this is that if I do find them something to rent I will appear to be a God like figure in their eyes … (0 comments)
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realtor: My really big deal ended up to be no deal at all.
- 12/16/13 01:29 AM
Here is a really good example of how a desperate greenhorn realtor was conned into advertising an out of the country listing. How fishy does this sound?
My really big deal ended up being no big deal at all, let me tell you the story. I had just arrived back in Boston after spending my first 9 months in Dallas working in real estate. That didn't work as planned, but has no bearing on the story. I moved back to Boston with my family and picked up my MA license to go along with my TX license. I had blogged daily … (2 comments)
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realtor: America's rents hit record highs
- 12/12/13 03:21 AM
America's rents hit record highs.
The foreclosure crisis has spawned a new and even more sinister monster in the housing market - skyrocketing rental prices. The 4.6 million foreclosures during the housing meltdown has added to the already burgeoning rental market, thus creating a shortage of rental housing and an increase in pricing.
There are now four million more renters today than there were in 2007. There are now 43 million rental households in the United States, or 35% of Americans are renters. As realtors it is our job to help people find adequate rental housing as well, but … (0 comments)
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realtor: Miami's skyline set to change forever
- 12/12/13 01:19 AM
Miami's skyline set to change forever.
With the onset of the new Miami World City Center in downtown Miami comes a real estate production unlike any other in the United States. Miami is converting its former downtown design district into a global design and fashion center featuring numerous public art museums, hotels, restaurants, condos, retail, and a convention center. The shear size of this place will overwhelm you as evidenced in this photo.
As you can see, the American Airlines Arena sits directly across from the center and steps from … (0 comments)
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realtor: Money laundering the catalyst behind Miami's booming condo rise
- 12/04/13 03:44 AM
Money laundering the catalyst behind Miami's booming condo rise.
Call me a cynic, but there is no other way to describe what is happening in downtown Miami today. I was led to believe, and part of me still does, that there are those in far away lands that are victims of politics and booming economics that come to Miami to buy condos as investments. Most notably these countries include Israel, Brazil, Venezuela, and Canada. The idea is that buyers in these economically sound countries want to take advantage of America's struggling economy and housing market.
But the cynic … (0 comments)
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realtor: How to calculate a net sheet
- 11/18/13 04:57 AM
How to calculate a net sheet. Most states differ in closing costs, but here is what I use for Florida.
Everyone who is selling thieir property should know in advance what their net profit is going to be after closing on their home. Calculating the figure is easier than you think too. Preparing a net sheet is paramount when I go out on a listing appointment. It can make a difference in whether or not someone is going to sell their home.
Simply deduct the following sample closing costs from your $350,000. sales price first:
1. Commission, $21,000.
2. … (0 comments)
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realtor: Why do builders in South Florida ask for such high deposits?
- 11/14/13 03:40 AM
Why do builders in South Florida ask for such high deposits?
Due to the recent housing bust where buyers were walking away from deposits at alarming rates builders in South Florida, especially new construction condos, are asking for higher deposits in order to insure they are able to complete what they started. This essentially means that if you do not have a large cash reserve to buy then you will be left out in the cold. It also explains why most buyers are foreigners. Will this help prevent another housing crash in South Florida? Only time will tell. However, taking large … (2 comments)
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realtor: The Ultimate Home Staging Technique
- 11/08/13 04:39 AM
The ultimate in home staging technique. This, as performed by Chevy Chase in the movie Funny Farm, is probably as over the top as one can get when it comes to staging your home for sale. In this case, Chase and his wife were desperate enough to bribe the entire town they were living in to participate. See it here and have a good Friday laugh.
… (4 comments)
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realtor: What's the Scariest Part of Being a Realtor?
- 10/31/13 02:25 AM
What's the scariest part of being a realtor? If you are in the business you already know the answer to this one. For the rest of us it's simply not knowing when your next check is coming in during downtime.
This business has so many highs and lows that eventually, if you hang in there long enough and become good at your craft, you learn to roll with it. After my fifteen years as a realtor I have come to learn that although it may not seem like it, there is always something lurking just around the bend. You just don't … (2 comments)
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realtor: Approved Short Sale Price Means Full Price
- 10/31/13 02:18 AM
Approved short sale price means full price. I just summed up an approved short sale in one sentence, but you would be surprised at how many buyers and their agents seem to think that these are like foreclosures and they can come in with a low ball offer.
When a bank approves a price that they are comfortable with accepting for a listing as a buyer you have to come up with that money or move on to an unappoved short sale. With those you can offer whatever you like, but beware of wasting a lot of your precious time … (0 comments)
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What worries you most about an inspection report?
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