real estate: Are You Practicing SST With Your Community?
- 06/21/10 04:39 AM
Are You Practicing SST With Your Community?
I was holding an open house a few weeks ago and one of my past clients came in to see me. He is one of the most caring and dedicated pastors I've had the pleasure to represent. I listed their home and sold them a house in our community. We are very fortunate to have him and his wife now reside in our neighborhood!
He made two observations while we were talking that I felt were heartwarming. He told me they enjoyed seeing our personalized direction signs every Sunday leading visitors to our homes. … (6 comments)
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real estate: Austin, Texas In The News
- 06/18/10 12:00 AM
Austin is accustomed to being in the news and is proud of their notoriety! Check out why we love living here!
Alamo Title just compiled a great list of Austin Accolades that I want to share with you:
Austin ranks 1st on the list of the Best Cities for the Next Decade by Kiplinger's Personal Finance, July 2010 Austin ranked #2 on the list of America's Most Innovative Cities by Forbes, May 2010 Austin ranked as the #3 Dog-Friendly city in the US by dogfriendly.com, May 2010 Austin took the #10 spot on the American College of Sports Medicine's American Fitness Index, May … (16 comments)
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real estate: Love Those Letters of Recommendation
- 06/13/10 11:39 PM
I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with wonderful clients. Many of my sellers relocate to other parts of the country so I greatly appreciate the time my sellers take to write a letter of recommendation so I may pass it on to future clients. Recently I managed the sale of Billie and Tom Flippen's home so they could relocate and retire in Colorado. Here is a letter of recommendation I received from them:
Letter of Recommendation
I am writing to recommend Dorie Dillard to anyone who is thinking of selling or buying a home in the northwest … (26 comments)
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real estate: Being Worth Remarking About
- 06/10/10 11:47 PM
How many times do we hear agents whining because they didn't get a referral from a client or that the client didn't use them again in another transaction?
If you do an average job what makes you think someone will think to refer you?
There are many tactics to try and get referrals: tell everyone you are a top producer, let everyone know how successful you are, tell everyone how much money you are making or not making and ask for referrals!
As Seth Godin says "All the tactics in the world won't get you the referrals you want. The … (10 comments)
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real estate: Beware of Closings Requiring Flood Insurance
- 06/01/10 06:24 AM
Our overworked (LOL) Congress left for Memorial Day recess without approving the extension of the Flood Insurance program. This is the 4th time since December they have let this program lapse. They will not return from recess until the week of June 7th when several bills to extend the program will be considered.
There are no new guidelines yet regarding the impact on any current loans in the process of closing during the time the program is lapsed. Hopefully by the end of the day or this week something might be released!
As agents, if you have any contracts in … (2 comments)
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real estate: The Five Step Plan
- 05/27/10 07:25 AM
If you have not been exposed to Seth Godin's blog you need to take a minute and check him out: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/.
My husband, Gene, subscribes to his blog on his iPhone and is hooked on his no-holds-barred delivery. Seth Godin is the author of ten books that have been bestsellers around the world and changed the way people think about marketing, change and work. His books have been translated into more than 20 languages, and his ebooks are among the most popular ever published. I'm going to download his book "Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?", this evening on my Kindle and can't … (20 comments)
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real estate: Active Rain Realtor Nationwide Survey About Texas
- 05/23/10 11:41 AM
The current real estate market in Austin Texas is strong! Homes listed at market value and staged well have an excellent opportunity of selling with prices holding. Properties over priced are languishing on market. Buyers are making offers and coming to terms with realistic expectations. Plunging interest rates are a plus in allowing buyers to get more house for their money. Tax credits are over but many sellers are offering to pay buyers closing costs as an added incentivewhich helps maintain steady market activity.
Austin is leading the country in enjoying a great quality of life and experiencing good job growth. Our sold properties in … (12 comments)
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real estate: Ahh... The Pendulum Is Swinging Back Our Way!
- 05/19/10 11:52 AM
FHA Property Flipping Policy Update
Our Coldwell Banker Mortgage loan officer, Marie Funston, always speaks at our sales meetings Tuesday mornings. I look forward to her topics and updates and this week she talked about updates on FHA property flipping guidelines.
The current guidelines prohibit resales occurring up to 90 days or less following acquisition by the seller. The 90 day timeline is based on the time that has elapsed between the date the seller acquired the property (based upon the date of settlement) and the date of execution of the sale contract that will result in the FHA loan (the … (10 comments)
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real estate: What Non-Realty Items Can Be Included In A Purchase Contract?
- 05/18/10 10:11 AM
In the past agents wrote in all kinds of items in a purchase contract...a TV, patio furniture, refrigerator, etc. trying to make a deal! Now with lenders tightening up on what they want to see in contracts, agents need to be sure to use a Non-Realty Addendum for any item not normally conveyed with the property. As agents we need to be aware of what items can be included.
Here is a list of what can convey as non-realty in a real estate contract:
Anything that is "attached" and would require effort to detach (hanging lamps, ceiling fans, drapes) Child play/swing sets … (5 comments)
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real estate: Travis County Austin Texas ~ Now Offers Online Appraisal Protest For Some Homeowners
- 05/07/10 10:58 AM
We are already getting calls from past clients and those in our market area for comparable sales to be used to protest their tax appraisal. Homeowners have begun receiving their Travis Central Appraisal District appraisal notices. According to Chief appraiser Patrick Brown last year, the Travis district was swamped with 94,325 protests ~ 50% more than usual ~ and mailed settlement offers to 21,605 homeowners, something never done before. More than a quarter of the protests were resolved without hearings.
To streamline the process this year they are offering handling appraisal protests online. Some homeowners will be eligible for the online … (6 comments)
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real estate: Coming Soon!
- 04/21/10 04:42 AM
Many agents are putting a sign in the yard of a home they are listing with a "Coming Soon" rider. Is this for the benefit of an agent to greedily garner calls from buyers? Is it in the best interest of the sellers to get the most favorable offer possible?
In today's market many agents are working with buyers and have them set up on programs generated from the MLS to notify their clients of any new listing that fits their criteria. When a new property comes on it is sent to the agent and the buyer for immediate review. If … (8 comments)
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real estate: Open House Madness
- 04/20/10 04:46 AM
The open house on my new single story listing in Canyon Creek was widely attended with great traffic and several buyers very interested in the property. One young couple I'm sure will be back with their Realtor this week to have another look! Their little boy was quite inquisitive and checked out the lock on the master bedroom door before they left.
Another gent came in with a couple and I noticed the master bedroom door was closed and walked over to open it...locked!! I ran my fingers across the ledges of the door jams to find the little key the builder … (10 comments)
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real estate: A Sign Is A Sign of Desperation
- 04/14/10 06:06 AM
I was reading an article in the New York Times She's the One Holding the Keys about Mary Kay Gallagher, an icon in the real estate business. She lives in Dimas Park in Brooklyn and is gatekeeper of a 2.5 square mile bordering Prospect Park, Ave. H, Coney Island and Ocean Ave. This is her turf and they call the mayor of the neighborhood!
At 90 even after a double knee replacement she is going strong, making up for last year's dismal figures. The price range appears to definitely fall in the $1 million range or above. I was intrigued with … (10 comments)
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real estate: When A Listing Is So Perfect
- 03/25/10 10:43 AM
Sometimes you know when a listing is going to be loved by most any buyer that walks in the door. It's staged perfectly, exudes charm, is tastefully decorated and invites you to come in and feel at home. Our new listing at 4009 Galacia Drive is beyond charming! It's located on a premier quiet interior cul-de-sac close to the new Balcones Woods activity center and pool. The majestic oak trees and mature landscaping surrounding this house makes it hard to find anything you don't absolutely love about this home!
When loving hearts and hands transform sticks and bricks into a home … (22 comments)
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real estate: Weathering The Storm
- 03/10/10 08:59 AM
Adapting to changing markets and focusing on our community and client needs has allowed us to maintain our level productivity year after year. The Residential Real Estate Awards sponsored by the Austin Business Journal held Thursday, March 4th, 2010 announced the top producers in Austin. I'm thrilled to say we garnered the #6 position for Group 2 for 2-3 licenses with $16.56 million in resale production! Last year we held the #8 position.
In 2009 Austin felt some of the recessionary troubles but by far took a softer hit. Austin is emerging from the recession leading the country as … (20 comments)
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real estate: Timing is Everything
- 03/10/10 03:17 AM
It is predicted that almost 70% of taxpayers will get a refund this year. That means between now and the end of April approximately $230 billion in tax refunds will begin hitting households.
Prices of homes are at the lowest levels we have seen in some time. Supply currently exceeds the demand and incredibly low interest rates are available. What a winning combination for buyers!! As if that is not enough incentive if buyers act quickly and execute a contract as late as April 30,2010, first time home buyers can receive up to an $8,000 tax credit and move-up buyers can … (2 comments)
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real estate: Finding Your Own Voice In The Market Place
- 02/25/10 04:02 AM
Rohit Bhargava, is a founding member of the 360 Digital Influence group at Ogilvy and author of the award winning new marketing book Personality Not Included, an entertaining and useful guide for companies on how to use their personality to stand out. He publishes the Influential Marketing blog, ranked among the top 50 marketing blogs in the world, and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider and other global media. He is a popular keynote speaker on marketing and business strategy and believes in being approachable, helping others do great things and loves being described as a smart … (10 comments)
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real estate: Listen Twice As Much As You Talk
- 02/01/10 08:58 AM
Bill Jones is the 2010 Chairman of the Board for the Texas Association of Realtors. I was reading an article on his background, qualifications and management style. He did not start out in real estate but was actually recruited into his mother's real estate company due to her failing health.
His mother taught him that regardless of challenges: success in real estate is based on 4 premises:
1. Show up
2. Pay attention
3. Tell the truth
4. Never be attached to income
She felt once you grasped that you're doing things for the right reasons, then it … (12 comments)
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real estate: Change is The Only Constant
- 01/29/10 07:46 AM
Contracts and addenda used in real estate transactions are constantly being revised by the Texas Association of Realtors to reflect new laws and new ways of conducting business. On January 1, 2010 they introduced a new version of the Seller's Disclosure Notice. Last spring the 81st Texas Legislature passed laws mandating changes to the Seller's Disclosure Notice (TAR 1406).
The four changes you need to be aware of in the Seller's Disclosure are:
1. There is now additional clarifying language mandated on all seller's disclosure forms concerning smoke detectors. The disclosure states that smoke detectors are required and the seller must install … (8 comments)
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real estate: Good Time To Buy A Home
- 01/12/10 04:10 AM
Yesterday, Jim Gillespie, president and chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate, LLC appeared on Fox Business News. Talking with host Liz Claman on Countdown to the Final Bell, Jim discussed the state of the housing industry. Click here to watch!
Jim talks about the mortgage rates and tax incentive credits making a difference for the buyers and feel is a good time to buy. The momentum of these items coupled with the economy improving, appear to be igniting interest from the buyers to begin their search and make offers!
I know I'm going on lots of appointments … (4 comments)
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Are You Practicing SST With Your Community?
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