Archives of real estate blog entries for May 01, 2009

Featured blog posts


By The Somers Team, Delivering Real Estate Happiness
(The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia)
Nightmare on Hancock Street.  A True Story... It was the during the heat wave of April 2009 when I made the showing appointment. I handed over my business card in exchange for the keys to the meat Packing Plant in Old Kensington. "Be careful!" said the the Realtor representing the owner of the commercial property for sale. "It's dark in there!" he devilishly chuckled. I hurried to my double parked car on Girard Ave and met my clients at Quince, a gourmet coffee shop down the street in Northern Liberties to pick up the 2 women for our showing around the corner. "We like unique spaces!" my clients exclaimed as we pulled up in front of the grey washed building located on N Hancock Street. We knew it was the place right away when we saw the sign that read "Fresh Salami." I love salami!", I ...
Comments 74
Time for The Friday Roll Call!!!! Let's get positive!! I am dedicating another post just to allow all of us the opportunity to read a positive story or two. I will start!!: Had 4 closing this week. Taught a great Short Sale class to some local agents. Taking my family to NYC next Friday. Have 4 Short Sale listings under contract. Had a deal that was going to fall apart because buyer could not get the loan but will be going cash. Closed a Short sale this week that was almost dead 2 months ago I love my life, my wife and have no strife!! *** Do not take for granted the little things in life, they may just turn out to be the big things!*** This was a good week Mike Sher Office: (248) 644-4700x242 Fax :(248) 499-1020 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 E-mail: mike@mikerealtor.com CDPE (Certified Di...
Comments 38
By Debe Maxwell, CRS, The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!
(Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310)
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER--  REBARCAMP CHARLOTTE NC--MAY 15TH REBarCamp Charlotte (CLT) is an event that you will not want to miss.  This is one event that you cannot pass up either--from anywhere in the country, this event is for you--it's FREE!  If you register BEFORE Monday, you will receive a free REBarCampCLT t-shirt!  If you simply must register after Monday, you can purchase a t-shirt at the door for $10.   REBarCamp Charlotte: May 15th from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Uptown Charlotte (the venue is TBD)  Free Admission!  OH, yes, I said… it’s FREE! Active Rain is going to be a sponsor and several of the 'powers that be' will be attending!!   To sign up for the event, go to the RSVP page.  Once again, this is a FREE event!  The Holiday Inn - Center City will be the preferred hotel f...
Comments 31
By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
We've talked about this before, but I recently got a strong reminder of why it is an important discussion. Yes I do answer my phone; I answer if I don't recognize the number, and I answer "blocked calls." If it turns out to be a telemarketer I can always add the number as a " spam" call  and hit the "Ignore" button next time (a huge timesaver.) But it is worth it to catch interested clients, as happened this week. I had an email this week from my IDX site asking questions about an active listing. I responded with the answers to the specific questions and suggested we talk, either they could call me or let me know their phone number and a good time. Later, while in the car, I got a "blocked number" call. Answering as always with "Good afternoon, this is Margaret," I recognized the name t...
Comments 117
By Missy Caulk, Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
(Missy Caulk TEAM)
Have you set up your Google Profile yet? I set up mine several months ago and added it to my email signature. This morning I logged on and iPrint is giving away FREE, Google Profile Business Cards. (25) No shipping or handling. It is available to the first 10,000 people that register. I thought I would use them when competing for a listing to leave with the future sellers. To set up your Google Profile just go to Google, you obviously need a GMail account. Then you add all your social networks and voila folks can find out all about you. As I said I use it in my email signature like this: Thanks,Missy CaulkKeller WilliamsAssociate BrokerGraduate Real estate Institute  GRICertified Internet Professional  e-PROCell 734-216-2822Fax 734-864-1545Click here to Search All Homes For Sale in Ann ...
Comments 98
By Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland
(Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate)
THE BIG BANKS WIN AGAIN.  Through the lobbying efforts of Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo, the "people"'s representatives in Congress again exhibited their skill in: Keeping home owners with negative equity safely imprisoned in their real property for the foreseeable future.  SENDING THIS BILL FOR RELIEF FOR HOME OWNERS, MANY WHOM ARE CURRENT WITH MORTGAGE PAYMENTS, erffectively removed about 15,000,000 home owners from the retail, real estate, education, travel, consumer markets.  Again, Congress can't see beyond their last political contribution. Rewarding the big banks for their perfidy in the mortgage mess by denying consumers the ability to remove the heel of the mortgage industry from the necks of home owners who cannot sell, move up, move away, sell their prope...
Comments 149
By John Mulkey, Housing Guru
(TheHousingGuru.com)
If you want to know just how bad the housing market is in some areas, visit Temecula or Victorville, CA. Local officials, frustrated over the condition of foreclosures in their cities, began imposing stiff fines to banks that allowed their foreclosed homes to fall into disrepair. And some banks, many of which have been shown to be poor property managers, have taken the easy way out. Bulldozers have been called in to demolish more than thirty new homes in various stages of completion.   However, in the city of Indio, local leaders have taken a more proactive stance and are working with banks to avoid such a housing disaster. Indio’s officials and police are monitoring vacant homes and immediately contacting bankers to notify them of conditions needing attention. Vacant homes are required...
Comments 104
The following conversation on Twitter inspired this post today. HomesByThomas  yesterday @respres Jeff, with over 6000 followers, how hard is it to maintain any sort of contact with people? Did you notice that I sent you a Thank You? respres  yesterday @HomesByThomas yes, I did, but hadn't responded yet. And a lot easier than you might think. You may have given me my YEO post for the week. HomesByThomas  21 hours ago @respres Jeff, I'm glad to hear your response. I thinks it's awesome that you can respond like this and I'm excited I could inspire a Blog! respres  12 hours ago @HomesByThomas well, let's hope I find the time to write it tomorrow. If you're being followed by a lot of people, how hard is it to maintain any sort of contact with those people? Not very hard at all. Why? The an...
Comments 75

Blog posts


By Richard Weisser, Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional
(Richard Weisser Realty)
It seems like just yesterday that we moved into our palatial offices in Newnan. With nearly 13,000 square feet, we had enough space to accommodate as many agents as could be recruited. The three conference rooms were often all filled. The real estate market was booming in 2006, and all was well with the world. Our edifice was impressive and awe-inspiring. But times change, and so does the real estate market. And the best companies learn to change with the times. Darwin wrote that adaptation is the key to survival. And so one must adapt or perish. We still do an amazing amount of business, but there are less agents working now, and our paramount mission is to provide outstanding service to our customers and clients. So the choice was clear and simple: In these tough times, our CLIENTS de...
Comments 27
By Amy Hahn, Realtor/Broker - Crystal Coast, NC
(Pine Knoll Shores Realty)
East Asian Calligraphy Show The Rev. Canon Matthew Stockard   The current art show at Saint Francis by the Sea Art Gallery is amazing.  It is attracting large numbers of people because it is so unusual - and because it is the  work  of Matt Stockard, who was formerly Rector  of St. Paul's Church,  Beaufort.  Now he is Canon to the Ordinary of our diocese. Matt has been interested in Asian calligraphy since he was a child.  His grandfather introduced him to this art form.  I am amazed by people who develop an  afffinity to cultural expressions vastly different from their own.    Matt says that the exhibit is a demonstration in mixed media.  It contains work in several classic forms, from traditional scroll work to contemporary acrylic paintings to collage.  His work will be on display at...
Comments 1
 Nu Nu will be sworn in as a United States Citizen today at 8:00am Pacific time (Please Read)  It had been a long 7 years for Nu Nu since she first came to America from Burma (Myanmar), and we will be celebrating today.  I will be working until early afternoon but as soon as I am finished I will rush home, clean up and take my little Nu Nu out for a wonderful lunch.  For anyone that doesn't know Nu Nu I will put out a post tomorrow (Saturday) about her when she first came to America and what her life is like now that she has become a citizen.  This one's for you Nu Nu!  This is a photograph I shot of Nu Nu and her daughter Cherry in Burma (Myanmar). Her daughter Cherry should be coming to America soon, we have our fingers crossed.  All rights reserved and copyright infringements apply, ...
Comments 16
By Irene Gaffigan, Broker, CRS, e-PRO
(Bean Group)
Space and Sunshine  Chester -  Fabulous  3 bedroom, 2 bath, open floor plan contemporary in one of Vermont's favorite towns.  Many upgrades within past year including: kitchen, baths, flooring and all new windows and doors.  Close to skiing - beat the Sunday traffic home from Okemo!  $385,000.00
Comments 0
By Zane Coffin, (Geneva Ohio Real Estate Agent)
(Century-21 Homestar)
I got this in an e-mail this morning and thought I would share it with you...I'm not into poem's or what ever this is but I thought this was really interesting and something to think about ...it is kind of long but it is worth the time ...peace zane The Man With The Mustache- Veronica HayI saw him today! I haven't seen him for awhile. But I saw him today.  In that same seat on thebus, where I have seen him for the past 17 years. The man with the mustache.He looked a little older, a little tired perhaps, but the same really. In aworld filled with so many changes, I find it comforting when I see him, likean old shoe that is always there some place under the bed, and reappears fromtime to time.Over the years, I have wondered about him, who he is, where he gets off thebus, what his name is,...
Comments 9
By Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland
(Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate)
THE BIG BANKS WIN AGAIN.  Through the lobbying efforts of Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo, the "people"'s representatives in Congress again exhibited their skill in: Keeping home owners with negative equity safely imprisoned in their real property for the foreseeable future.  SENDING THIS BILL FOR RELIEF FOR HOME OWNERS, MANY WHOM ARE CURRENT WITH MORTGAGE PAYMENTS, erffectively removed about 15,000,000 home owners from the retail, real estate, education, travel, consumer markets.  Again, Congress can't see beyond their last political contribution. Rewarding the big banks for their perfidy in the mortgage mess by denying consumers the ability to remove the heel of the mortgage industry from the necks of home owners who cannot sell, move up, move away, sell their prope...
Comments 149
By The Brewer Team - Benchmark Realty
(Benchmark Realty)
Spring hill tn Real Estate - It seems like the light at the end of the tunnel is not the train. This is the second home on Warner court I've sold for Lighthouse Builders in the last few weeks.  After reviewing the inventory levels in Golf View estates, it seems that most of the more affordable new homes are now sold, and the inventory of available homes is half of what it was a few months ago.. I can only guess that the summer will see frustrated buyers who waited too long, and then lost their opportunity to get a great home at a very attractive price. Don't expect builders to jump out and replenish inventory, a lot of those guys are either out of business, or reluctant to build spec houses. Our next wave of building will be presales with a 5 month wait. This posting and the contents wr...
Comments 0
By Ron Wysocarski, CEO, Pricing Specialist
(Wyse Home Team Realty)
Who was it that said April Showers bring May flowers? Turns out that April was an extremely good month, and that May is shaping up to be even better. I was able to help several families refinance existing homes or buy new homes. I have many more scheduled to close in May and June. It is very satisfying to help good people obtain safe and secure home financing. Personal referrals have always been the best way to help me reach my personal goal of building long term relationships with all of my customers. I appreciate the support of everyone.   If you are considering refinancing, the first step is most certainly determining the value of your home in the current market. An appraisal older than 90 days is not likely to be a good estimate of current value. Quite often, a loan amount of more t...
Comments 5
By Howard Sumner, Your Real Estate Source, Your Results Solution!!
(Howard Sumner Consulting)
interesting information about how lenders may issue both primary and second loans on homes. IT is a new part of regulation Z; which requires disclosure of terms and conditions of loan. the two major things that i see is it expressly prohibit lending to a property owner solely on the equity without regard to income of the borrower and the  debt to income can not exceed 50% of the verified income of the borrower. the rules go into effect for lender in October of this year. (a) Disclosures (1) Specific disclosures In addition to other disclosures required under this subchapter, for each mortgage referred to in section 1602 (aa) of this title, the creditor shall provide the following disclosures in conspicuous type size: (A) "You are not required to complete this agreement merely because yo...
Comments 1
By Jane Paulus
(The Paulus Team)
The refrigerator you have in your kitchen may just save your life.  Yes, you can think of food, drinks, storing certain meds, and most of all keeping that whip cream pie safe, but the refrigerator can do more.  When it is necessary to call 911 for medical help or if ETM's find it necessary to break into our homes, they might find us but nothing else to tell them about who we are, who to call, our medical history, and what we want done when caring for us.  The law does not allow them to look through drawers or other personal items in our home without legal instructions.  That can take time and that can mean life or how fast we recover.  The law does say the refrigerator in our house is open to all who want to look inside.  In our house tucked in with the eggs one would find information ...
Comments 0
By Jacquie Cliff, - Real Estate and Short Sale Expert
(Champions Real Estate Services - Lynnwood, WA)
It isn't too far of a drive from up here in Lynnwood and Everett to get to this free financial literacy class in Bellevue this weekend.  I am really excited to go and learn some new skills to help keep our household budget in shape and keep us on the path to financial freedom.  While I really do love selling real estate, it will be exciting when the day comes that I can do it purely for the joy of it and not worry about paying the bills! Jim Piccolo, founder of Nouveau Riche (the best real estate education program in the country in my opinion) along with Craig Cottrell, the creator of the first college credited course on financial literacy will be doing the speaking, and it should be fantastic.  This is an all day seminar, so my brain may be a bit melted down with information and ideas ...
Comments 0
By Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker, The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around
(Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd.)
  Crazy Math   Theodore, Jr. was at home doing his Math homework.  He said to himself,  "Two plus five, that son of a bitch is seven.  Three plus six, that son of a bitch is nine." In that moment, his mother comes in and hears what he is saying.  "Theodore, what are you doing?!  Why are you saying that?!" Theodore answered,  "I'm doing my Math homework, Mom." She said,  "And is that what your teacher taught you?" Theodore replied,  "Yes." The next day, the mother, worried about the education her son is receiving, goes to Theodore's school to talk to the teacher. The mother said to his math teacher,  "I would like to know what you are teaching my son in Math?" The teacher replied,  "Right now, we are learning addition problems." Theodore's mother asked,  "And... are you teaching them to ...
Comments 33
Most direct lenders instituted this change years ago and the process works well. If a client pays a few hundred dollars to find out that the home is over priced, then its money well spent. Let's be realistic.....Way more often that not the Loan Officers connection to the appraiser is not to save the borrower the appraisal fee, but to set the expectation of the value that is needed, especially on refinances. For purchases, if the listing agent priced the home accordingly, there's no worries. Let hear it forthe Govt's actions to keep rates at historic lows until the end of the year.  Lets hear it for the relaxed (Fannie/Freddie) refinance guidelines that give many more a chance to enjoy the low rates and not pay MI even if their mortgage is over 80% of the value and their debt ratios are ...
Comments 0
By Brian Madigan, LL.B., Broker
(RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto))
Real Estate Agents ~ Tricky Moves   By Brian Madigan LL.B.So, you thought you had an agent?Only one little problem, your agent takes all your secrets and immediately tells the other side. And, it's legal. At least, that's what the real estate industry thinks.How does this work? Well, let's look at the following scenario. One day you drop into an Open House on the spur of the moment. This house is in good shape, but it's a little too expensive.The agent seems nice and asks you some questions about what you're looking for. He takes your name and address and calls you the next day. He has something that fits your requirements. You agree to see it.The agent pulls out some papers for you to sign before seeing the house. These papers would commit you to deal with him and pay him a commission....
Comments 0
By Andre L. Allen, REALTOR, CDPE, e-PRO
(Keller Williams Realty - Atlanta Partners)
  Fear:   I can’t afford to buy a home right now. Fact:  Actually, you can’t afford not to buy a home right now…low interest rates, tax credit and affordable homes.   Fear:  I should wait until the real estate market gets better. Fact:  There is never a wrong time to buy the right home.   Fear:  I don’t have the money for the down payment. Fact:  There are a variety of down payment options available to you.   Fear:  I can’t afford to buy my dream home. Fact:  The best way to get closer to buying your dream home is to buy your first home.   Fear:  I am afraid of losing my job in this economy. Fact:  Real estate is still the most stable investment and losing your job can happen in any market.  You still have to pay to live somewhere.   If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, con...
Comments 0
By Melissa Juarez
(Massachusetts Buyers Broker Agency, LLC)
There are always buyers out there, but what impact has the economic downturn had on second homes?  According to a National Association of Realtors 2009 survey, sales of vacation homes dropped 30.8% last year.  However, demand for the vacation homes remains favorable because a large segment of the population is in the prime age group for buying.  The study cited the following statistics:  The average vacation home buyer is in his or her forties.  And, currently, there are 44.8 million people in the United States between the ages of 40-49.  Let's hope we can reach these buyers as well.
Comments 0
By Charlie Ragonesi, Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros
(AllMountainRealty.com)
It was a sad day yesterday when I saw that Chrysler went Chapter 11. I remember the first time When MR. Iaccoca went to DC got a loan and turned the company around. That was a great moment and a great partnership between Government and Business. Yesterday was just a sad event. In the end the saddest part may have been the Hedge funds that would not come to agreement over a settlement to keep Chrysler a float. The President looked genuinely pissed off. In the end I think the hedge fund managers greed and short sightedness will prove this victory to be Pyrrhic in nature. Remember you can't fight City Hall and it isn't a good thing to poke a tiger. These Hedge fund guys did both. I await the fallout .
Comments 3
By Robert Rauf
(CMG Home Loans)
  I saw this as a response to a "Red Meat will Kill you" article in Back Packer Magazine... I resemble this remark!   I belong to PETA, People for Eating Tasty Animals. Cows are no exception, pigs are heaven, Buffalo is exquisite, venison perfection, elk is the top o the heap. Nothing says livin' life like a big hunk o steaming hot meat. Vegetarians poop pellets like antelopes, meat eaters poop logs Have a great weekend! Rob Robert Rauf Mortgage Banker www.RobertRaufHomeLoans.com   or my blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/rrauf (732)223-1630 x102 Since 1987 I have been helping my clients fulfill their dream of home ownership! Real Estate Mortgage Network        NJ Mortgages, New Jersey Mortgages, Mortgages in NJ, mortgage in New Jersey, Mortgages in New Jersey
Comments 18
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
This Sunday, May 3rd at 2 p.m.  the New Milford Historical Society will present “Simply Lincoln”, a wonderful theatrical performance by Howard Wright. Mr. Wright is a member of the Association of Lincoln Presenters, a rather interesting group of men who portray Mr. Lincoln. The motto on their website is “Would I Might Rouse The Lincoln In You All”. According to Mr. Wrights website, his purpose is to bring the amazing words written by Mr. Lincoln to all, to give us a chance to better know this great man.  The Presidents own words are used, taken from Roy. P. Basler’s eight volume set, The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Of course President Lincoln will appear in his usual garb, complete with his black frock and stovepipe hat. For more information please call the New Milford Historica...
Comments 16
By Fran Gaspari, "The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ
(Patriot Land Transfer, Inc.)
I remember as a kid in grade school circling joyfully around the MAYPOLE, processing proudly and stoically with other children in MAY PROCESSIONS, receiving First Holy Communion, placing flowers before the Mary statue in our classroom, and singing many post Easter and pre Pentecost hymns in both Latin and English, and occasionally in Italian...   All fond childhood memories of the great spring month of MAY...   Today, it seems, many are embarrassed to talk about Mary, the mother of Jesus...even Christians...I suppose they fear offending those who don't honor Mary, even though scripture itself proclaims that 'all generations will call me blessed'...   May was always the month of Mary...   In fact to counteract that centuries old custom of the Church universally honoring Mary in the month...
Comments 18
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