Archives of real estate blog entries for April 01, 2010

Featured blog posts


By Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon, Helping people Transition at all ages!
(Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd)
Live From Las Vegas At Raincamp No April Fools here!  Only electric energy for the learning curve to blog in activerain! A perfect day with blue sky to host the activerain event at the UNLV Student Union! Our day started with @benkinney from Seattle and @activebob setting the stage to DOMINATE Google! 5 Reasons Successful Agents Blog Write articles that people find on the Internet. Position yourself as an expert in a field or geographic location. Successfully advertise and market a listing (keywords-long tail) Generate traffic and create links (1 way links to and in your site help it rank better) Blog for referrals (in your area!)  people will send you referrals if you look like the expert in your area.  3 important elements to achieve a top google ranking! Title Content Tags Check out ...
Comments 27
By Amy Jones Group, 4 Time BEST OF OUR VALLEY Winner
(South East Valley - www.AmyJonesGroup.com)
I've been away from the ActiveRain and the Blogosphere for the past few days and I want to ask Bob Stewart if his latest Hyperlocal Contest was designed to keep us all so busy we won't be clogging up the servers?  It took me about 3 posts to completely understand what the hyper-local contest was supposed to teach me... so I started over and then it happened ~ Shazam! The phone hasn't stopped ringing and I've been running like a race horse...ok, maybe more like a race donkey, but you get my drift. I'm not complaining, mind you... although I did change my ringtone because I was getting sick of hearing the same ring 100 times a day AND I would like to sleep more than 4 hours AND I'd like to eat more than a yogurt and 3 pretzels in a day, but hey~ that's the price you pay when your hyper-lo...
Comments 62
By Raine Spivey, Realtor
(REIGN REALTY)
All home buyers are very aware that signing contracts is part of buying a home, either with a builder or home owner.  It is inevitable that the agent working with a buyer will know the level of their excitement.  The buyer will literally say it, or their actions will show.   As an agent working with a buyer in a "fiduciary" relationship, the buyer's trust is at stake.  Protection of that buyer should come first.  No matter how nice a builder's sales representative, or a seller's agent representing a home owner may seem, our job as buyer representatives is to educate the buyer BEFORE they give their earnest money deposit, and enter into an Offer to Purchase agreement.  With that said, taking advantage of any buyer, especially an inexperienced first time buyer is inappropriate.  Writing u...
Comments 28
Talking and Texting while driving - Now a primary offense Fellow agents, if you're anything like me, you probably didn't talk on the cell too much while driving...until you started doing real estate. A survey showed that 85% of all cell phone users talk on the phone while driving on a regular basis. I would venture to guess that licenced real estate agents probably have an even higher percentage. Well, be careful. Not only is this extremely dangerous, but now this habbit can cost you a big fat $124 bucks! Current Washington state law says that talking on a cell phone or texting while operating a motor vehicle is illegal as a secondary offense. This meant that law enforcement could ticket you for it but only if they first pulled you over for some other primary offense such as speeding. W...
Comments 75
By Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland
(Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate)
SOME BACK AND FORTH LATELY ABOUT GOOGLEBOT VISITING AND INDEXING COMMENTS TO ACTIVERAIN POSTS. COMMENTS AND GOOGLE ALERTS.  I believe that the recent comments to a post about Google indexing comments are, IMO, not necessarily what the writers believe to be so.  The often use of Google alerts doesn't verify that Googlebot spiders and indexes comments, even if it appears to be so.    IS GOOGLEBOT BLOCKED BY "NO FOLLOW" CODE IN ACTIVERAIN COMMENTS??  If so, I believe it is the right practice.  The opportunities for mischief if Google spidered comments is just too enticing for members who would spam commentsfor Googlebot.  Commenting 10Xday on different posts for ActiveRain points is one thing. Spamming comments for Googlebot would make far too many comments worthless.  Comments are importa...
Comments 105
By Dave Rosenmarkle, 33 years of providing fully satisfying service!
(Highland Realty, Inc)
The government’s Mortgage Metrics Report by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) reveals that half of the loans modified under HAMP at the beginning of 2009 were once again delinquent by the fourth quarter of 2009. Fully 14% of all mortgage loans were delinquent by the end of 2009 according to this report. There were twice the modifications in the fourth quarter as occurred the same quarter a year before. Most payments were reduced by at least 20%. New foreclosure filings fell 15% in the fourth quarter as mortgages remained delinquent for a longer period of time before foreclosure notice of default is filed. Servicers expect foreclosure filings to increase again in the coming months as homeowners exhaust their options for modific...
Comments 21
By Bob Hertzog, Designated Broker
(Summit Home Consultants)
Is BofA Servicing Your FNMA Short Sale? If So, You Need To Read This.... Day after day, we read about the horrors that BofA puts our short sale sellers through when conducting a short sale.  Much of what we read are "rants" from disgruntled agents. Today's blog is somewhat of a "rant", but also contains what I feel is some valuable information to arm yourself with the next time you take on a short sale that involves BofA servicing a FNMA owned loan. A recently referred seller called and explained his situation.  After going over all of his Arizona pre foreclosure options, he decided to have me list his home as a short sale.  We listed it, and received an offer approximately 30 days later.  We sent our 70+ page short sale package to BofA on January 4, 2010.  We tried to run the deal thro...
Comments 49
By Ken Cook, Content Marketer/Creator
(Content, coding, marketing, host.)
This post has the potential to be inflammatory so let me begin by saying, "I'm just the messenger." In Georgia there are two attorneys who are considered to be and are, in fact, held out to be the real estate contract experts. By experts I mean they wrote the book on Georgia real estate contract law. "The Red Book on Real Estate Contracts in Georgia" published by the Georgia Association of Realtors was authored by firm partners Ned Blumenthal and Seth Weissman of Weissman, Nowack, Curry & Wilco, P.C. Mr. Blumenthal recently wrote an opinion letter ("The Letter") about how the new effects of the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 wherein it relates to negotiating mortgage terms. When I say this has already been discussed among Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs b...
Comments 60
By Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR, Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS
(Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale)
Yes, Agent Aaron - There is a Santa Claus!  Hit Router - an amazing tool.  Lead generation that works!  It is like buying a whole bunch of adwords at once - for a lot less than the price of one keyword.   People are searching the internet for many things, using all kinds of keywords.Since Active Rain is a very successful real estate promotion site ....   ( that's right, I said real estate promotion site - the social network part is very useful and so much fun, I love it - but when you are blogging for business, 'talking' to potential clients, it is a real estate promotion site - I promote my city, my favorite neighborhoods, my listings )        .... many of those searchers end up right here on AR.  That is where their keywords are, right?  You know, those words they type into a search b...
Comments 50

Blog posts


By Jay Markanich, Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia
(Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC)
How often do you look around the house and see things with gaps, holes and cracks? And be honest, how many times have you wondered how nice it would be to have one single product that you can use to fill it and go? Hi, Billy Jays here!  Well wonder no more!  All you need is Put Yer Putty!     Floor gaps in that pesky new flooring? No problem!  All you need is Put Yer Putty!                                   Got a plumbing leak?                                         All you need is Put Yer Putty!           Your brother-in-law's new foot isn't working out as planned? No problem!  All you need is Put Yer Putty!       Fed up with that hip?  Don't like that lip? All you will EVER need is Put Yer Putty!   Call now and a member of our highly trained and delightfully polite staff will be hap...
Comments 12
By Brian Burke, Your Realtor & Foreclosure Expert
(Coldwell Banker)
Lakeview Homes In Tolland County Tolland County is home to some beautiful lakeside properties, which happen to be some of the most valuable pieces of real estate in the area.  From Ellington to Stafford Springs, there are waterfront homes in the area for every financial and personal situation, and lakeview homes in Tolland County have never been more competitively priced.  Often times, our clients are surprised when they find out what they can purchase these homes for.  Having a waterfront home is something that you have to experience first hand, in order to truly appreciate.  Come and explore lakeview homes in Tolland County, and find your own little piece of euphoria! A great example of beautiful lakeview homes in Tolland County, this 52 Lakeshore Blvd property exemplifies all of the ...
Comments 0
By Robert McLaughlin, RE/MAX Forked River - Ocean County NJ
(REMAX at Barnegat Bay)
Robert McLaughlin Diane Turton, Realtors 609-290-1186 www.RealtorBobM.com     Status: Active (3/12/2010) Cat:RNT MLS#: 21009994m Type:   Rent: $975 County: Ocean BldgNum:   Muni: BARNEGAT ApxYrBlt: 1978 Postal 33 LEXINGTON BLVD ApxSqFt: 910 SqFt Address: BARNEGAT, NJ 08005 Rooms: 5 Area/Sec: SETTLERS LNDG Bedrooms: 2 Cmplx/Sub: NONE Baths 1 ParcelID: 00114-0026-00107- Levels: 1 Garage: N/0 Car(s) Bsmt: N ElemSch:   FP:   MiddleSch:   WF: N HighSch:   WV: N OthElem:   WtrType:   OthHigh:   Handicap: : AgeRestr: N   UnitsInBldg:   DateAvail:   Allowable: Pets Parking/#: /     LnkdML#:   Directions: Barnegat Blvd to Right on Village to Left on Schooner to Left on Bowline to Right on Lexington Just renovated and pristine! One-level end-unit ranch with two big bedrooms, all fresh,clean & rea...
Comments 0
By Renewal Zone
(Palmer, LLC)
What role did investors have in our current real estate challenges?  We hear constantly about the millions of homebuyers who obtained mortgages with terms that were beyond their ability to repay.  We have not, however, heard much about the huge investor movement that drove prices upward to the point that so many home owners are now upside down on the value of their home.  Could it be a larger factor than we recognize? For one thing, investors (flippers) purchased thousands and thousands of homes during the inflating real estate price balloon, driving the prices to astronomical heights with the "implied" demand for homes that really did not exist.  Many of those investors "said" the home was a primary residence, but had multiple "primary residences" in escrow at the same time.  How does ...
Comments 3
By Stephen M. Wigg, 4114Info.com
(http://4114Info.com)
I hear these things over and over: "Buyers are liars..." "I drive them around for days and they use another agent to find a home..." "I am too busy getting listings so I don't even reply when I get an inquiry..." With the internet, as many buyers are finding their own homes as agents are finding for them. (NAR 2009 Study) Buyers shop on the internet, DUH... So we designed a website to do that better in a WEB 2.0 fashion. PARADIGM SHIFT: Work off the same list, not one for them and one for you. Don't limit their parameters. That's why you think they're "lying". They just don't know what they want. Look at Bird's Eye and Street Views before driving them.  How many times do you sit in the driveway of a place to tour and hear them say, "I don't want to see this one?"   Maybe the answer is t...
Comments 2
By Lucky Lang, Marco Island & Naples Florida Real Estate
(Premiere Plus Realty Marco Island)
 What does Paradise look like?    It begins with 6.76 Acres of Wonderland...  ...then continues with over 2,400 Square Feet of Fabulous...  ...room after room of Awesome Oak Flooring... ...many choices to Eat & Entertain...   ...with Glorious Views... ...and Ease of Care...   ...with Places to Relax... ...and Space to Stretch Out...   ...with Three Bathrooms... ...and Walk-In Closet...   ...Loads of Light...  ...did I mention Oak Flooring...  ...with Separate Second Floor Living Quarters...  ...with it's own Bathroom...  ...and Office Area... ...Basement Partially Finished with Lots of Light...   ...Huge Garage with Extra Storage...  ...Wrap Around Deck...  ...with Unbelievable Views... ...Totally Secluded...  ...Abundant Wildlife...   Can you believe all of this for only $275,000!?!?!?...
Comments 5
By The Somers Team, Delivering Real Estate Happiness
(The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia)
Chinatown extends north of Market East through the Loft District. Composed of several Asian markets, restaurants, and bakeries, Chinatown is a bustling community that is rich in culture. The Pennsylvania Convention Center and Reading Terminal Market attract many visitors to the area. The Friendship Gate located at 10th and Arch Streets is a famous site marker of the neighborhood. Explore more about Life in Chinatown.
Comments 2
By Sue Neff, Principal Broker, Jamestown, TN
(Tennessee Real Properties)
The moon was setting in the early morning.  I was out at 6:30am and saw this beautiful sight. Two of our horses were grazing contently as the huge full moon slowly sank in the western sky.  Hoping to catch another and even better shot, I was up again today to see the moon setting.  No, it was not to be.  The moon was not as full, the horses had not come down to this part of the pasture and the sun was in a more cloudy, but beautiful redish orange sunrise in the east.  Reminds me of REAL ESTATE - sometimes you only get ONE SHOT, ONE OPPORTUNITY with a buyer and when it's gone, it's gone.  I was also reminded of the early TV show - The Kate Smith Show and Kate singing "When The Moon Comes Over The Mountain." Here's a link to that video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onK4RAhKnQ0 That was ...
Comments 5
By Elliott S. Topkins, Massachusetts Real Estate and Title Atty
(Topkins & Bevans-etopkins@topbev.com)
My wife and I are empty nesters, having sent our last child to college three years ago. We both work hard at our jobs, and she often goes to the local gym to work-out after work. I try to fill in as chief cook, but once in a while a frantic buyer calls me at 6:00 PM, and I cannot leave her hanging on a repair issue that came up during the home inspection. In any event, many times neither my wife nor I get home in time to prepare dinner For this type of an evening, or for those Sunday evenings after a day glued to the TV watching football, we turn to Pat's Pizza, and they never fail us. The food is freshly prepared at the site, and the counter people and chefs are energetic and courteous. All kinds of customers use Pat's Pizza, and my wife and i especially enjoy the Greek Salad and Onion...
Comments 1
By Brian Burke, Your Realtor & Foreclosure Expert
(Coldwell Banker)
CT Waterfront Properties For Sale Now is your chance to stop dreaming about CT waterfront properties for sale, and actually own one of your own.  Prices are much lower than they used to be for these prime pieces of real estate, which means that properties that were out of your reach before are now waiting for a family like yours to move in!  Imagine the beauty of waking up every morning, stepping out onto your balcony, to be greeted by the beautiful undulations of the tide coming in.  Few things are as peaceful, or romantic in life, and once you experience this tranquility, you won't believe that you've ever lived without it. CT waterfront properties for sale are available right now, and waiting for their new owners to move in. Lakeshore Blvd in Stafford is home to some absolutely gorge...
Comments 0
By Noelle Barbone
(Weichert, Realtors)
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions an individual can make, so it is understandable that someone considering a home purchase may take their time to avoid rushing into such a large financial commitment. However, several factors might leave prospective homebuyers who don't purchase a property now wishing they had taken action sooner. According to James M. Weichert, president and founder of Weichert, Realtors, these are three reasons why those who are not under contract to purchase a new home by April 30 might regret it: No money from Uncle Sam. First-time buyers who aren't under contract by April 30 will leave the $8,000 tax credit that is available to them on the table. Repeat buyers will miss out on the opportunity to collect up to $6,500 from the government. Interest rates mi...
Comments 0
By Mary Kay Hopkins, e-PRO,GRI,CRS
(Mary Kay Hopkins, LLC e-PRO, GRI, CRS, CRB)
Given that I stopped walking last year and have the pounds to prove it, this is an especially timely topic for me. Of course, the gorgeous weather we are having is an inspiration as well. Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana are blessed with numerous great places to walk.  Most of our neighborhoods are walk-friendly.  Walks in my near 100-year old neighborhood are always a special time.  There isn't a walk I take down Grove, Wilson, Park, Pithon or Griffith that I don't marvel at the beauty, character, and variety of styles in Margaret Place. Longer walks can be achieved by taking a right on Shell Beach Drive and heading to the boardwalk along the Civic Center or a left (West) and strolling down beautiful Shell Beach Drive.  The more serious walkers take it to the Port of Lake Charles, ...
Comments 0
By Steve Shaw, e-PRO, Gulf Region Properties Team
(Keller Williams Realty)
Below you will find a table that contains the Market Activity report for 03-31-10 activity in the Mobile AL Real Estate market according to the Mobile Association of Realtors MLS system. This information is derived daily directly from the local MLS System. For more free Mobile AL real estate information, reports, and statistics, please visit http://www.GulfRegionProperties.com or http://www.AlabamaBestHomes.com. Please e-mail me or call 251-215-9382 if you would like additional information on any of the listings shown. Mobile AL Real Estate Market Snapshot 03/31/2010 Single Family Homes and Condominiums New Listings 37 Price Reductions 49 Price Increases 3 Back on Market 8 Pending Transactions 21 Sold Transactions 19 Withdrawn from the Market 9 Expired Transactions 23 NET GAIN/LOSS (LIS...
Comments 0
By Pam Turner, REALTOR®, e-PRO®, SFR
(Century 21 Belk Realtors Dalton GA)
I had a closing yesterday, and the bank was less than cooperative about GIVING US THE PAYOFF!!! Now, this was not a foreclosure, not a short sale, not a distressed property -- just regular homeowners selling their house to relocate to another city. We just wanted to give the bank the money due them!!! What's wrong with that? This sale was smooth as silk except for being down to the wire on the home equity loan payoff. The bank holding the first mortgage, thankfully, was more cooperative. But the bank holding the home equity loan would not release the payoff to the closing attorney, and the homeowner finally had to go to the bank -- in person -- and was greeted with less than courteous, barely helpful customer service. I was on the phone with her while she was at the bank -- SHE WAS NOT ...
Comments 7
By Raleigh REO
(ChangingStreets.com )
Wow it is already Q2 2010! So here is no Aprils fools, these are the real Raleigh Foreclosure Listings and numbers starting the spring. Active Raleigh Foreclosures: 200 Average List Price:  $267,699 Average Beds/Bath: 3/3 Average Square Foot: 2,396 Pending Raleigh Foreclosures: 117 Average List Price: $203,349 Average Beds/Bath: 3/2 Average Square Feet: 2,269 The most expensive foreclosure in Raleigh? Here it is:   Listed at $2,699,000 Sq Feet: 10825 Beds: 6 Full Baths: 8 Half Baths: 3 Features: Pool, Spa, Theater, 4 car garage       The least expensive foreclosure for sale? Here it is: This is listed at $29,900 Bedrooms: 2 Baths: 2 Sq Feet: 820 Features: It is $29,900!   Have a great day! Remember if you want to search foreclosures in the Raleigh area, it is Easy @ www.ChangingStreets....
Comments 0
By Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker, The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around
(Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd.)
  Today is National Census Day.  Most area residents have received 2010 Census forms.  These are to be completed based on who lives in your household on April 1st.   Remember, the Census is very important in allocating funding to your area as well as representation in Congress.  Census data is protected by law and cannot be used for any purpose other than to produce statistics.  This information will NOT be shared with anyone else.   The Census website allows you to see a breakdown on participation so far this year by area.  Remember, if you do not mail a form back a Census worker will be paying you a visit over the next couple of months. The current participation rate for each area is as follows: Nazareth Borough: 63% Stockertown Borough: 57% Tatamy Borough: 63% Bushkill Twp: 66% Lower...
Comments 11
By TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc., Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029
(Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)
Deerwood Arboretum - Brentwood, TN...     One of the best kept secrets in the Brentwood, TN park system is Deerwood Arboretum. Located at the end of Deerwood Lane, off Johnson's Chapel Road, Deerwood Arboretum was originally the site of the Brentwood sewer facility. When the EPA, forced the closing of this facility in 1983, the land set vacant until 1991. With the help of the Rotary Club, this 27 acre site was converted into a city park.      Nestled on the banks of the Little Harpeth river, Deerwood Arboretum offers a quite peaceful setting for those seeking solitude.      Deerwood Arboretum is a State Certified Arboretum, which showcases 69 species of trees, specific to the Middle Tennessee.       The large grassy meadows, are excellent places to toss out a blanket, watch butterflies,...
Comments 20
By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
UNIQUE PROPERTY WITH LOTS OF POTENTIAL USE...BACKED TO THE RIVER WITH BEAUTIFUL VIEWS WITH MATURE PECAN TREES, THERE IS ALSO A LARGE 5-6 ACRE POND ON THE PROPERTY WHICH CAN BE MADE TO HOLD WATER FOR STOCKING AND MAKING A LAKE, CURRENTLY IS THE DRAINAGE RESEVOIR FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BARN HAS BEEN CONVETED TO LIVING QUARTERS IDEAL FOR GUESTS OR IN-LAWS, THIS COULD BE THE ESTATE YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR... Full Details http://www.fortbend-properties.com/listing/mlsid/113/propertyid/17033460/syndicated/1/?ts=crg Listing Courtesy of Wayne Stone, Wayne Stone Properties
Comments 0
By Joseph O'Saben
(Carolina One Real Estate)
High 80  Low 55  Sunny, Beautiful   "Few are they who have never had the chance to achieve happiness...and fewer those who have taken that chance." - Andre Maurois   Flooding - I-95 closed in Rhode Island...   Al says - I am a nobody. -               Nobody is perfect. -               Therefore I am perfect. ...   Haiti - the U.N. pledged $9.9B in aid...   Fred Jordan - the Citadel baseball coach is -                       the winningest coach with 642 victories -                       The Citadel 5  Charleston Southern 0 ...   Pat says - "There are two theories to arguing with a woman..                 Neither works." - Will Rogers   Prostate Cancer - men at risk for the disease may reduce the risk -                              by taking ‘dustasteride', Avodart...   Mt. Pleasant - Spr...
Comments 0
By Randy Ostrander, Real Estate Broker, Serving Big Rapids and West Central MI
(Lake and Lodge Realty LLC )
Shouldn't "Waterfront" Be Near the Water   One of the most confusing and often misunderstood categories in our MLS is "Waterfront". One would think it would be a no brainer with the answer to two simple questions. 1. Is there water? 2. Does the water actually touch the parcel? Amazingly enough that one word takes on a life of it's own and can mean anything from "private frontage right on the lake" to  "down the road around the corner next to the house that can almost see the water". Waterfront should mean you have direct water frontage and Water Access should mean you have access to the water but as we all know that one word can take on a variety of actual descriptions. Often when calling on waterfront cottages I will actually call the list agents and only about 35% of the cottages list...
Comments 4
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