Archives of real estate blog entries for January 01, 2014

Featured blog posts


By George Souto, Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert
(George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages)
2013 Year Of The Investor, But 2014 Year Of The Repeat Home Buyer?  An article by Jed Kolko, Chief Economist for Trulia "Trulia's Housing Predictions:  How 2014 Will be Different", made some interesting points, but left me questioning his conclusions.  The one point Kolko made which caught my attention the most, was the third point in the article in which he states: "Repeat Buyers Take Center Stage. 2013 was the year of the investor, but 2014 will be the year of the repeat home buyer. Investors buy less as prices rise: higher prices mean that the return on investment falls, and there’s less room for future price appreciation. Who will fill the gap? Not first-time buyers: saving for a down payment and having a stable job remain significant burdens, and declining affordability is also a b...
Comments 39
By Tammie White, Broker, Franklin TN Homes for Sale
(Franklin Homes Realty LLC)
This morning, Tom and I headed off to an early morning showing appointment. It was a vacant property located on six acres. It was priced low and the verbiage in the MLS stated: Home and buildings in need of TLC - Being sold "AS-IS" The photographs in the MLS weren't very good but the home didn't look terrible for the price. However, there was one statement in the MLS that left me wondering what we would encounter. It read: DO NOT ENTER - Or enter with caution area where the master bedroom was through the double doors off the den When I initially read the above statement, I didn't catch the phrase, "where the master bedroom WAS". As we entered into the den, we could see what was once the master bedroom through the double doors. The floor had collapsed into the crawl space below. Essentia...
Comments 77
By Barbara Todaro, Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team
(RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired )
    I just read a post titled “NAR Designations” written by Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl, and I thought I’d give my opinion on this the topic of real estate agents earning designations. I had 9 designations for decades, and I faithfully paid those outrageous fees every year.  I always referred to those annual bills as fund raisers!!  The courses were expensive, and most averaged $300 to $400 with annual dues of $200-$300 a year, if I remember correctly. The courses were always worth the fee.  The designations were on my business card, and they were noticed.  Did they mean anything to anyone other than me?  No!!  Did they get me business?  Maybe!!  The one fact that the designations did display was that I was a promoter of education in the real estate field.  It was a sign that I was educat...
Comments 70
By Toni Weidman, 20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL
(Sailwinds Realty)
 Do You Hear What I Hear - The Art of Listening is not an app for your iPad or other tablet, it’s not a CD to listen to, it’s not a DVD, or computer software program. The art of listening is a skill you must learn as a real estate agent in order to be the best you can be. People love to be listened to and they can tell when you're not listening. Are you listening when the client tells you about the last agent she used. It’s important not to make the same mistakes he/she made. Can you distinguish what she’s saying from what she really means? (Don't get involved with the criticism, just listen). There are tons of books (Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Tom Hopkins come to mind) and cd’s, programs on the web, spend time doing some research and practice, practice, practice. I know it feels funny to...
Comments 37
By Wayne Zuhl, The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate
(Remax First Realty II)
As part of our 2014 New Years Resolutions, we're embarking on a year of continuing education. Of course, as part of our licensure, New Jersey Realtors participate in 12 hours of continuing education every 2 years, but we're focusing more on expanding that. For example, one (or both) of us will be taking an NAR Designation course this year and we'd like your opinions. Which designations are worth having, if any? Your opinions, please?
Comments 31
By Clint Mckie, Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586
(Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections)
Electrical upgrade missing upgrade.  Desert Sun Home Inspections. Here we go again with a home that was supposed to be an "Upgraded electrical home". But the issues remain. I was actually hoping for the best when I arrived at this home to inspect it for the buyers. A hard working younger couple that is ready to buy their first home. When I inspected the incoming service everything started out correct. I really didn't care for all the raceways running what seemed like every where, but legal. When I opened up the main exterior panel there was a major question mark in my mind. Take a look at the main panel and see if you can see what I didn't see. Take a close look at the main panel and the common bar. There is a total of 16 independent breakers. or single action breakers. But the big issu...
Comments 52
By Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate, "Your Local Expert!" 503-755-2905
(John L Scott Market Center)
Fishhawk Lake Real Estate--The Three Mooseketeers How New Year's Eve brought "resolution" to my real estate problem. New Year's Eve day I get a call from my sellers who happily tell me that they've moved everything out of their cabin for the buyers. "What did you do with the moose?" I ask. "The moose? Why it's still there," said the seller. Ohhhhhhh CRAP! The seller thought that because it was hung on the wall and that it had been there when they bought it 15 years ago, that it was considered a "fixture". Uh, NOOOOO. The buyers were freaked out by it and I had assured them that it would be taken out along with the rest of the furniture.  This totally threw both of us into a tizzy as time is running out before closing and the sellers are going on a trip.  And I'd never had to move a moos...
Comments 42

Blog posts


By Brian Rugg, Sun City TX Real Estate - Georgetown, TX Real Est
(Rugg Realty LLC Sun City Texas 512-818-6700)
Happy New Year From Rugg Realty In Sun City Texas Hope you have a happy, healthy & prosperous New Year!     Thinking of a move to Sun City Texas? Give us a call. 512-966-3200
Comments 3
Kensington, MD 20895, Homes for Sale , Community and School Information, Virtual Tours Buy a home in Kensington, MD Virtual Tour Homes for Sale in Kensington, MD If you are interested in the current homes in Kensington, MD neighborhoods, subdivisions and communities, use the link below to search for homes. Each of these Neighborhood and Community pages contains the active real estate listings in Kensington, MD, and are updated multiple times per day. View full details and Virtual Tours online... Find a Great home in Kensington, MD   Find Homes in Other Areas What's Going on Nearby Kensington, MD? Find out about all the local amenities near Kensington, MD including, banking, shopping, Attractions and recreation and much more on my website. Community Information What Schools will the Kids...
Comments 0
By Melissa Zavala, Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County
(Broadpoint Properties)
One of my very good friends, who was an extremely busy short sale listing agent at the height of the recession, was stewing because his short sale was taking what he felt to be an inordinate amount of time. He has closed lots of short sales, and his theory was that this particular deal shouldn’t take very long to get approved because there are now fewer short sales than there were back in 2010. Since the banks are working fewer short sales, they should be moving more quickly. My friend’s theory is a good one, but the truth is that the same kinds of issues and problems that arose in 2010 continue to plague the distressed property market. Inefficient or poorly-trained employees at the lending institutions and long wait times are lingering issues that have not changed despite the fact that...
Comments 10
By Michael J. Perry, Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist
(KW Elite )
   Last night's news confirmed what had been rumored most of the week, Bill O'Brien is leaving Penn State . While it comes as a disappointing shock to many of the PSU faithful, it really is the culmination of his stated goal. O'Brien exceeded everyone's expectations when he arrived on the scene to guide Penn State  through the turbulent waters imposed by the NCAA. Many thought PSU had been given the "death penalty". But O'Bien was a strong CEO type of coach, who upgraded every area of PSU Football. He refused to get wrapped up in the past and pushed his under manned squad to the max !    I think he has also chosen very wisely with his new assignment in Texas. Houston went through an unexplained slump this past season. They have a great core of players , who simply need a visionary type ...
Comments 1
Kensington, MD 20895, Homes for Rent, Community and School Information, Virtual Tours Rent a home in Kensington, MD Virtual Tour Homes for Rent in Kensington, MD If you are interested in the current homes in Kensington, MD neighborhoods, subdivisions and communities, use the link below to search for homes. Each of these Neighborhood and Community pages contains the active real estate listings in Kensington, MD, and are updated multiple times per day. View full details and Virtual Tours online...   Find a Great home in Kensington, MD Find Homes in Other Areas What's Going on Nearby Kensington, MD? Find out about all the local amenities near Kensington, MD including, banking, shopping, Attractions and recreation and much more on my website. Community Information What Schools will the Kids...
Comments 0
By Elite Home Sales Team, A Tenacious and Skilled Real Estate Team
(Elite Home Sales Team OC)
Happy New Year I am sitting here waiting for the Rose Parade to start a New Years Day tradition.  Other traditions are waffles and watching football.  I guess I will not be doing open houses and taking out buyers today.  So no matter your traditions enjoy the first day of 2014.  From my family to yours I wish you a very Happy and Successful New Year.
Comments 17
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
Property for Sale   1213 Ocean Blvd. #3E, Delray Beach, FL 33483 950 sq. ft. under air---- 950 total sq. ft. Property Type: condo (direct ocean) Hamilton House Community Standard-Sale 1/2/0 HOA/Monthly $826.00 Yearly Taxes $5,812 Offered @ $425,000 MLS:  RX-3290775   DIRECT OCEAN AND PALM TREED SANDY BEACH VISTAS FROM FLOOR TO CEILING & WALL TO WALL SLIDERS ACROSS GREAT ROOM, MASTER BD AND BATH IN TURNKEY UNIT. MAID SERVICE MON-FRI. HEATED POOL, PUTTING GREEN, CABLE AND HBO, 3 PHONE LINES.    INCREDIBLE MSTR BATH - SIT IN JACUZZI WITH 10 JETS FOR BACK & NECK MASSAGE & WATCH OCEAN! SEPERATE SHOWER! WIDE VANITY SINK W/PLENTY OF STORAGE. WIDE 16'' WHITE TILE ON THE DIAGONAL THRUOUT. HUGE 16x7 WALK IN CLOSET,. WASHER and DRYER IN UNIT. GOURMET KITCHEN with CORIAN-NEWER GLASS TOP STOVE & RE...
Comments 3
Montgomery Village, MD 20886, Homes for Sale, Community and School Information, Virtual Tours Buy a home in Montgomery Village, MD Virtual Tour Homes for Sale in Montgomery Village, MD If you are interested in the current homes in Montgomery Village, MD neighborhoods, subdivisions and communities, use the link below to search for homes. Each of these Neighborhood and Community pages contains the active real estate listings in Montgomery Village, MD, and are updated multiple times per day. View full details and Virtual Tours online...   Find a Great home in Montgomery Village, MD Find Homes in Other Areas What's Going on Nearby Montgomery Village, MD? Find out about all the local amenities near Montgomery Village, MD including, banking, shopping, Attractions and recreation and much more ...
Comments 0
By Nick, Cindy & Nicholas Davis, CRS,CLHMS,ABR,GRI,CIAS,ALHS,e-PRO,CDPE,SFR
(RE/MAX Premier Group)
Inside the weekly edition of Tampa Bay Business Journal is a list of 10 places in Tampa Bay we’ll be watching in 2014. See Five Places
Comments 3
Montgomery Village, MD 20886, Homes for Rent, Community and School Information, Virtual Tours Rent a home in Montgomery Village, MD Virtual Tour Homes for Rent in Montgomery Village, MD If you are interested in the current homes in Montgomery Village, MD neighborhoods, subdivisions and communities, use the link below to search for homes. Each of these Neighborhood and Community pages contains the active real estate listings in Montgomery Village, MD, and are updated multiple times per day. View full details and Virtual Tours online...   Find a Great home in Montgomery Village, MD Find Homes in Other Areas What's Going on Nearby Montgomery Village, MD? Find out about all the local amenities near Montgomery Village, MD including, banking, shopping, Attractions and recreation and much more...
Comments 0
VERMICELLI AL CAVIALE   (Vermicelli with Caviar) Recipe   When I mentioned what we had for our New Year’s Eve dinner, some asked for the recipe. Chef Dolores provided this recipe.     1 pound vermicelli  ( a very thin spaghetti) 1/4 pound of butter, soft 4 ounces caviar Juice of 1/2 lemon Cook vermicelli al dente.  Have a large hot bowl at hand with the soft butter in it.  Lift the pasta directly from its boiling pot into the bowl, draining it over its pot before forking it into the bowl.  It must be hot, and it must be al dente.  Have 4 or 6 hot soup bowls ready.  Now mix the caviar into the pasta in its bowl, tossing well with wooden forks. Add the lemon juice and toss again.  Serve immediately in the hot soup bowls.  Serves 4  to 6. (I have successfully halved this recipe to serve 2....
Comments 22
By Linda Gustafson, Linda "G" Gustafson PA
(One Sotheby's International Realty)
NEW artist renderings of interiors and photos of bayfront views have been released for one of the newest South Florida preconstruction condominium opportunities - Prive at Island Estates condominium towers. Soon to begin construction on an 8 acre private island in the bay in Aventura, Miami.   Shown above - The private island location for Prive at Island EstatesShown below - The impressive lobby in each of the twin bayfront Prive towers View all of the newest renderings and photos on my Prive at Island Estates web page HERE The sole address on South Florida’s last undeveloped private island, Privé at Island Estates is an exclusive lifestyle offering with world-class services, five-star amenities and absolute privacy, all surrounded by open air, sea and sky. The Privé at Island Estates c...
Comments 0
By Tim Lorenz, 949 874-2247
(TIM LORENZ - Elite Home Sales Team)
Happy New Year to You I want to thank all the agent and clients that we worked with or will work with in 2014 a very Happy New Year.  It is a beautiful day that will be in the 80's today.  The Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl will all be happening today.  It is a great day to start the year.  If you turn on your TV you can see how wonderful our weather is here.  Have a great day we will.
Comments 26
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
Property for Sale   260 NE 3rd Street, Delray Beach, FL 33444 1,749 sq. ft. under air---- 2,241 total sq. ft. Property Type: townhouse Pineapple Grove Village Community Standard-Sale 2/2.1/2 HOA/Monthly $617.00 Yearly Taxes $4,013 Offered @ $429,529 MLS:  FX-1078924 LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN DELRAY! WALK TO BEACH, ATLANTIC AVE., SHOPS & RESTAURANTS. FULLY UPGRADED 3 STORY TOWNHOME WITH STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES & GRANITE IN KITCHEN & BATHROOMS!RESORT STYLE COMMUNITY WITH ENDLESS AMENITIES INCLUDING POOL, 2 CARDIO ROOMS, WEIGHT ROOM, SAUNA, YOGA,  BILLIARDS, BUSINESS CENTER & MORE!
Comments 0
By Wesley Howard, Full Time Realtor
(Remax)
Olney, MD 20832, Homes for Sale , Community and School Information, Virtual Tours Buy a home in Olney, MD Virtual Tour Homes for Sale in Olney, MD If you are interested in the current homes in Olney, MD neighborhoods, subdivisions and communities, use the link below to search for homes. Each of these Neighborhood and Community pages contains the active real estate listings in Olney, MD, and are updated multiple times per day. View full details and Virtual Tours online...   Find a Great home in Olney, MD Find Homes in Other Areas What's Going on Nearby Olney, MD? Find out about all the local amenities near Olney, MD including, banking, shopping, Attractions and recreation and much more on my website. Community Information What Schools will the Kids Attend? To get local school scores and ...
Comments 0
By Sheila Anderson, The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133
(Referral Group Incorporated)
I am not great at achieving long range goals that often involve large commitments of time and task. Day by day is more my style. Today I am thinking about kindness and how easy it is, and how good it makes me feel. I read something on Facebook recently that I can't forget. A couple was driving and the man waved at everyone he saw. When his companion asked him why he did this, he replied that he had recently read that numerous people who had committed suicide said if if even one person had acknowledged them, they might have been persuaded to continue to try. Kindness is simple and often matters more than you would think. Today, I choose kindness.
Comments 13
By David Raesz, Your Key To Results in Your Next Move
(The Raesz Team )
Lake Travsi Real Estate home market repor tfor 2013 has changed so much from the previous years. Lake Travis ISD is all part of the Lake Travis Real Estate for the south shore. It includes Spicewood, Bee Cave, and Lakeway. There are 4 different zip codes that I will show how each breaks out on home sales. 78669 homes for sale which is on the western part along the Pedernales River has 89 homes for sale, 10 pending contracts, and 10 that sold in December with 9.8 months of absorption. It includes Briarcliff, West Cypress Hills, and Spicewood. 78738 homes for sale is part of Bee Cave and includes Senna Hills, Lakeway, The Hills, Lake Pointe, Rough Hollow, Spanish Oaks, Belvedere, Rocky Creek, and Falconhead and Spillman Ranch. There are 153 homes for sale, 52 pending sales, and 37 sold wi...
Comments 0
By Ron and Alexandra Seigel, Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy
(Napa Consultants)
We enjoy champagne for celebrating New Year's Eve as well as special events and times.  We also love  discovering champagne brands that are superb  yet not well known, because they come from smaller producers. They are also not as pricey as the well known premium brands. We were introduced to Champagne Tornay by the owners of the Wine Grotto in Montecito.  Champagne Tornay dates back to the 17th century and is family owned, has 50 acres of grapes, and keep enough wine to make 100,000 bottles.  We loved every sip of it, it was everything champagne should be.  We highly recommend it. If your resolution is to be delightfully svelte in 2014, here are two digital aids to keep on the straight and narrow.  You can buy a digital fork for a $100.  The HAPfork will vibrate in your mouth, and fla...
Comments 29
By Wesley Howard, Full Time Realtor
(Remax)
Olney, MD 20832, Homes for Rent, Community and School Information, Virtual Tours Rent a home in Olney, MD Virtual Tour Homes for Rent in Olney, MD If you are interested in the current homes in Olney, MD neighborhoods, subdivisions and communities, use the link below to search for homes. Each of these Neighborhood and Community pages contains the active real estate listings in Olney, MD, and are updated multiple times per day. View full details and Virtual Tours online...   Find a Great home in Olney, MD Find Homes in Other Areas What's Going on Nearby Olney, MD? Find out about all the local amenities near Olney, MD including, banking, shopping, Attractions and recreation and much more on my website. Community Information What Schools will the Kids Attend? To get local school scores and ...
Comments 0
By Michael J. Perry, Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist
(KW Elite )
   At first glance this seems relatively easy to do . We all can spare 15 minutes in a 24 hour day, right ? But when all is said and done, we often come up short . And yet it's that 15 minutes spent with Him (daily), that will often alter the outcome of our entire day ! At your local Christian bookstore you will find an assortment of "through the Bible in one year " options.  The importance of spiritually setting aside time with Father God and being conformed into the image of His Son needs to be a top priority(in our walk). So why do we fail to fellowship with Him through His Word daily :    1. We have no daily plan or daily vision.    2. We lack a proper tool/road map to read His Word in 1 year.    3. Our priorities are out of order and we forfeit His blessings as a result.    4. We f...
Comments 1
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