real estate: Motivation for Success Can Come From the Strangest Sources - 07/23/12 06:41 AM
Any Realtor with more than six months experience knows the amount of hard work and determination it requires to succeed in this business. My Bengal kitten provided the perfect Motivation for Success photo. Enjoy!
 

 
 
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real estate: Walnut Creek Real Estate - June 2012 - 07/19/12 03:17 AM
The June 2012 Walnut Creek Real Estate Market Report is the story of a dramatic change in the market.  The best way to demonstrate this is to compare June, 2011 and June, 2012.
In June, 2011 there were 177 detached homes for sale with an average Absorption Rate based on Pended sales of 28.2% (i.e. the percentage of listed homes that went into contract).
In June, 2012, there were 61 detached homes for sale with an Absorption Rate based on Pended sales of 88.5%.   Consider these numbers from a home buyer's perspective.  54 of the 61 Walnut Creek homes for sale … (0 comments)

real estate: Pleasant Hill Real Estate Report - June 2012 - 07/19/12 03:16 AM
The June 2012 Pleasant Hill Real Estate Market Summary is the story of changing demographics creating new competition for Pleasant Hill homes.   Let me start with the numbers.
In June, 2011 there were 93 detached homes for sale with an average Absorption Rate based on Pended sales of 32.3% (i.e. the percentage of listed homes that went into contract).
In June, 2012, there were 23 detached homes for sale with an Absorption Rate based on Pended sales of 121.7%.   What?  More homes went Pending than were for sale?  How can THAT happen?  The Pleasant Hill real estate market is so hot … (1 comments)

real estate: The Key to Real Estate Success - Run Toward The Roar! - 04/15/10 11:41 AM
Several years ago I was told a great story that the Key to Real Estate Success is to Run Toward the Roar.  It's brief, it's visual and can be applied equally to any industry or profession so it is worth sharing.
 
When lion's hunt, the male lion stations himself at one end of the prey and the female lions lurk in the grass at the other end.  The male lion releases a mighty roar, terrifying the pack of animals to run in the other direction - straight toward the female lions who pounce and take a few of the … (2 comments)

real estate: Fishing and Real Estate - More Similar Than I Imagined - 09/13/09 08:52 AM
Fishing requires just the right pole, the right weights, hooks, bait, bobbers, hook pullers and all sorts of nifty tools attached to your fishing vest (according to my husband). Once properly outfitted, you head off to find the best fishing spot (which requires an understanding fish psychology) and determine which combination of the toolkit items will get the fish to bite. At the end of day 1, my well-outfitted husband returns without a single fish - and pissed.  He said, "I could SEE them! They were swimming around the boat and jumping out of the water but they refused to bite.  … (49 comments)

real estate: Compare Cars, Stocks and Real Estate: - 09/15/07 11:16 AM
If real estate were a car or a stock, there would be a frenzy to buy. 
A car is guaranteed to depreciate (at least one that is driven).  You can upgrade it with 20" low profile performance tires and lower the chassis for better handling, add slick chrome wheels, GPS, a sweet sound system, leather interior, a racing steering wheel with special hand grips, and it will still depreciate. There is nothing you can do to change that sad fact.  Yet we willingly and continually plunk down the down-payment, taxes, license and a monthly payment to drive that beauty off the dealership's … (3 comments)