real estate: March 31 John McCain for President - 03/31/08 03:46 PM
Well first off we formed a group for those of us that support John McCain for President on Active Rain.   Please join the supporters and the debates.
Real Estate Professionals for John McCain
Now some great stories from the blogosphere:
McCain's Newest Web Ad
from McCainVictory08 by Brad Marston
 
"Biography as Character Witness" From http://www.johnmccain.com/ "Service" From http://www.johnmccain.com/
Character Forged By Family
from McCain Blogs by Beth C.
 
Follow JOHN McCAIN's "Service To America Tour"!
from POLITICO MAFIOSO by Tony GOPrano
 
McCain Visits Airfield - By SHELIA BYRD
from POLITICO MAFIOSO by Tony GOPrano
… (8 comments)

real estate: What happened in real estate? - 08/24/07 10:24 AM
Here's a quick update on housing, I've been asked a bunch lately, so thought I'd send it widely:
In 2005 Enron and Tyco and corporate bad guys made the federal regulators crazy, so they decided to pick on every public company. This included Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two mortgage loan underwriters and bond packagers. This began the market slow-down and also the tightening of standards. In essence Enron made it hard for Fannie Mae to do what they do so well, to create liquidity in the housing money markets.
Early 2006 saw the local near fall down of Harvest Homes, … (6 comments)

real estate: I'm tired of negative real estate chatter - 08/01/07 03:09 AM
I can't tell you how tired I am of negative chatter about our industry.   I won't even repeat it all here.
 
Purchasing a home, new or existing, is one of the most American and liberating things a family or couple or single person can ever do.  Hands down it goes without debate that an "ownership' society is more free, safer, healthier, more financially viable, and innovative. 
Some things we all know:
Home values have gone up for over 200 years.  I understand the "correction" types are all excited about short sales and sticking it to the mortgage companies and banks.  But let's be frank, … (17 comments)

real estate: Professionals finding their voices - 05/06/07 02:04 PM
I was drawn to Karen George's Blogging Experiment a couple weeks ago, not to be purely selfish and gain on searches, but also because it was time I found a different Active Rain voice.   For those of you watching from the bleachers, Karen challenged a team of 21 bloggers to work together to spotlight and help consumers find us.
This week we were challgenged to write on three of our team members each, here were my three posts:
Blue Ridge Georgia - Spotlight on Bill Vernay Bill's Active Rain Blog and Blue Ridge GA Real Estate
Clearwater, Florida Home & Condo Real Estate Resource … (3 comments)

real estate: Blue Ridge Georgia - Spotlight on Bill Vernay - 05/06/07 12:47 PM
  Bill Vernay starts our right off the bat with "A Real Estate Agent you can Trust" 
Now, that's a strong statement, one worth remembering, I think he means it.  North Georgia is a wonderful area of the country, I've been there and can attest, but you've got to have a real estate professional to guide your search ... for sure.
Bill and his wife Marjorie make up Sundance Mountain Properties LLC, now if you're a phone caller here it is right up front
Office Phone: (706) 946-7111
 
"It's all about Trust" and when you want information on Blue Ridge Georgia, or anywhere … (11 comments)

real estate: Is your real estate blog going to be federally "registered" - 01/19/07 12:04 AM
I just got caught up on a provision in a Senate Bill that would have required any political blogger with more than 500 visitors a day to be registered with the FEC.  This would have opened up lots of possible problems, like would you be allowed to make advertising dollars on such a site?  
I guess that provision was removed last night, or at least this post on Slash Dot suggests so, I'll do a little more searching around to make sure the post is correct.  Anyone have better info?  I may be a day to two behind, so hit me … (6 comments)

real estate: Valparaiso Indiana Real Estate and Community Part One - 01/03/07 02:21 PM
City of Valparaiso Website "History of the City"
The State of Indiana was known as Indian territory because it was a rendezvous point for many Indian Tribes. The first pioneers ventured through this area about 1670. The first settler in the area was a French-Canadian named Joseph Bailley, who in 1822 established a thriving fur post on the shore of Lake Michigan about 12 miles north of now Valparaiso. The site of the present City of Valparaiso was included in purchase of the land from the Potawatomi Indians by the U.S. Government in October 1832.
Located on a glacial moraine (now known … (0 comments)

real estate: Eagle Ridge Model For Sale - 12/29/06 12:34 PM
THIS HOME IS SOLD
Please email me if you would like to see avail new homes in Porter County Indiana.
 
The Synergy Homes model home, used for the last two years as our key customer center, is now for sale.  We are beginning construction on our new model for 2007 and getting our office pulled together to move it soon.
Sales Price is $216,900 ... which frankly is about $20,000 less than the price would be for this home new!
Go to the REALTOR.com listing and see all details.
… (2 comments)

real estate: Do you have the change gene? Can you handle the truth? - 12/13/06 11:20 PM
Michael's Crichton's new book "NEXT" asks some intriguing questions.  Albeit, they come from a fictional storyline, but then does it really matter if it's fiction?  The questions are still legitimate.  Now, most of the issues he raises in this thrilling new book are based on medical and research ethics, not particularly ACTIVE RAIN type material.  But, in the middle of the story he introduces a concept that I do think matters to our industry.
I won't give any of the suspense away by telling this part:  There is a point wherein the researchers find a gene that they think controls people's ability … (4 comments)

real estate: What will your local market do in 2007? - 12/08/06 12:12 AM
Here in Porter County Indiana we have a very mixed outlook for 2007.  The market was down perhaps 30% for new construction and maybe 10% for re-sale real estate.  Not prices mind you, no, prices continue to increase far too quickly for my taste since it merely removes home ownership as an option for more people.
On a national level studies suggest that 2007 will be back to a good real estate year (http://www.inman.com/blogger/2006/12/urban-land-institute-offers-view-of.aspx#links)
But we all know that real estate is all about local and location right?
So, come on gang, throw me some comments about our local market.  Do you see … (4 comments)