Archives of real estate blog entries for April 01, 2009

Featured blog posts


By Kate Elim, Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a
(Dockside Realty)
Surprise, surprise.  Here I am, a RE/MAX agent with a very nice private office and all of a sudden it has dawned on me that I have a virtual one as well. When I became a REALTOR® in 1986 I worked in a fairly good size office in Northern Virginia.  It was great.  I loved the camaraderie and the fact that there were so many agents around much of the time to teach the newbie (me), boost my moral, suggest marketing ideas, and to hold my hand when things didn't go so great.  Yes, folks, there have been times in the past when the real estate market saw rough, tough times. Back then, there was a long umbilical cord that kept us attached to our offices.  We had computers in the work area where we were able to access the MLS and that is the only place we could.   There was no such thing as acces...
Comments 75
By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
I had reason to get on the net and search for homes in a little Georgia town.  I looked on realtor.com and did a search. I know what it costs to be on realtor.com with enhanced listings.  I paid a lot to be able to display 25 photos of each listing.  Then you pay extra for your listing to pull up as a featured property. Imagine my surprise when this house pulled up and displayed 4 pictures of the same house.  In the middle was a circle saying "See all 25 photos." You guessed it!  This agent had 25 pictures all just alike!!  If you clicked to see all 25 you got them all just alike. This listing agent had to upload the same picture 25 times!  I don't know of any really easy way to do this although it would be easier then uploading 25 different pictures. As a shopper, I was not impressed. ...
Comments 112
By Janet Guilbault, San Francisco Bay Area Direct Mortgage Lender
(Platinum Home Mortgage Company)
Do you think it would be easier to sell a Toyota by offering your client a chicken salad sandwich? Or by having 3 payment examples already on paper....and a finance person ready to help them? Recently, I walked into a 1.4 million dollar home being held open by some local Realtors. But there was something missing. Something important. Financing information. Looking around, I noticed the agents had a perfectly staged open house going on: soft music, platters of those tiny little croissant sandwiches stuffed with chicken salad, and freshly cut flowers scenting the air. But where, oh where, was the financing flyer? I wondered if those chicken salad sandwiches were going to help sell the house more than a MATRIX of FINANCING OPTIONS customized to this gorgeous home. EXCUSES, EXCUSES When I e...
Comments 67
By Cindy Jones, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
(Integrity Real Estate Group)
The current real estate market in Northern Virginia has proved a rude awakening for some renting military families who signed a lease in the last year.  Landlords who decided NOT to pay their mortgages have left the tenants holding the bag when the sheriff comes to the door. Military familes who are forced to make a local move due to a foreclosure may find some relief from the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.  Not many servicemembers know that under section 531 in the SCRA anyone looking to evict an active duty servicemember from a rental property that is their primary residence must have a court order.  This applies to rent that is less than $2831.113 per month.  Servicemembers can apply to the court to stay their eviction or reduce their rent until their case works it's way through th...
Comments 35
By marti garaughty, a highly caffeinated creative type...
(garaughty.com)
 Good afternoon Rainers, I wanted to give you all an update about marti and to thank his friends here on ActiveRain for the emails of support.  If you haven't heard, marti took a nasty fall off a ladder last night while setting up an elaborate April Fool's joke that resulted in a broken right hand and a minor concussion. It's nothing too serious but as a precaution he had to stay in the hospital for observation for the next 24 to 48 hours  If you're one of our client's in need of tech help please contact Jason at techsupport@garaughty.com  Any projects in progress will be delayed until marti is back to work. I'm publishing this post that he began earlier this week and will give you updates as soon as I have more news.    If you would like to send him a get well message, here is more inf...
Comments 48
By TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc., Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029
(Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)
Every now and then I get a call from a mortgage company to go out and re-evaluate an issue that that an appraiser found while doing a re-fi. Yesterday was one of those days. It seems that because of the 'mortgage meltdown' lenders are scrutinizing issues that were not so important a few years back. It seemed as if everyone from the lender, the mortgage broker and the home owner were freaking out over an area of mold, the size of a softball. I was called out to verify that the area was 'cleaned up' and there was no mold present. What I found was an area of the basement that that had been painted out with a 'water proofing' paint that was allowing water to seep through, a major structural failure in the foundation wall, failed drains in the window wells, poor yard grading and more. But n...
Comments 65
By Brad Andersohn, ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876
(Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp)
I've discovered something about comments that I'm embarrassed to say, I should have known already. Let me just start by saying that there are all kinds of little "hidden secrets" scattered all through-out AR.  The more time you spend here, the more you'll find where they are, and how you can use them.  Here's a couple worth sharing. Did You Know?  There are currently over 1,000,000 posts on ActiveRain, the question by many here is "How Many Comments are There?"  Not that there is too much significance in the answer, (or maybe there is) there is a way to tell.  At this very second, there are 4,426,343 comments on AR.  Here's the actual comment. http://activerain.com/blogsview/1012006/Another-Happy-Smiling-Customer#4426343 So How do you find the most recent comment on AR?  Click on "Blogs...
Comments 117
I have clients who insist on pricing their home too high. They will not listen to reason. "But we bought it at this price, why isn't it worth twice that now? We wanted this property, so will someone else. The market isn't affecting these more expensive homes..." and on and on. You get the picture. Some short time ago, we visited DisneyLand in California. We surprised the children with the news on the morning we drove the airport. Instead of celebrating and running around the house screaming like my 4 yr. old did (she knew she would dine with the coveted Disney Princesses), my son sat on the counch rather pensively. Clearly we could tell he had something significant on his mind. We joined him on the couch. And here is what the little man said to us: ...Well, I'm sort of excited. But my f...
Comments 82
By Anne Hensel, Realtor - Broker - St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island
(South Beaches Real Estate Professionals)
This is NOT an April fools joke. (I wish it was) Unfortunately it is very real and my question to you is very real too. What do you do? Does anybody have an idea? We had a closing late last night, it was a courtesy closing where the title company out of Texas hired a notary here in Florida to do the closing. All was signed and done and I stressed the point that the closing papers have to get back to the lender that night and even gave her all the lender contact info again. She promised to do this as soon as she gets back to the office (her house) Well since 7 am this morning everybody is going crazy the closing papers never made it back to the lender. I called her and she gave me a bla bla bla answer but promised to do it ASAP. So, now , 13 hours later, it is 8 pm and nobody can find he...
Comments 79
By Tim White
(Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt - Hart, MI)
I have been on a mission to learn everything I can about Social Media (SM) and to create a powerful web presence. When done correctly, SM will drive traffic to my website, and generate new business. I am using it to build a giant network of fellow professionals from a myriad of industries. I am learning about the latest, cutting edge technology and applications. But it can do so much more! Have you ever used SM in a face to face engagement?   I did it today, with great results. Today I had a listing presentation with a gentleman who owns a vacation home on the White River, a highly sought after location. I found his listing on www.forsalebyowner.com, and sent him a mailer requesting an appointment. In that mailer I congratulated him for realizing that the internet was the number one pl...
Comments 82
By Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
(Austin Texas Homes, LLC)
I have been selling homes full-time here in Austin for over 12 years now.  Part of learning any business is learning the lingo.  Here are a few examples: "Needs TLC" or "Handyman Special" - In a nutshell, this means that you need some extra money set aside (possibly a lot of it) if you want to buy this property.  There will be a lot of repairs and/or renovations involved. "Cozy" - More than likely, this just means "small".  "Won't last" - More often than not, I see this phrase when the home has already been on the market a long time. Speaking of which... I am working with some clients who are purchasing their first home.  Needless to say, they are excited, and even more so because of the first-time homebuyer tax credit and low interest rates. We looked at a good number of homes, then we...
Comments 122

Blog posts


HOPKINS SC HOME 317 Greenlake Drive I77 to Leesburg Rd. Travel beyond Ft Jackson Gate 5 to James Browder Rd. Turn Rt, James Browder becomes Greenlake Drive. MLS - 241260 $64,000       Very nice home for 1st time buyer and investor.  Take advantage of the $8,000 first time buyers tax incentive!  Finished Garage. Ready to move in. Convenient to Fort Jackson, schools and shopping. Call today to see!  Charlie 803-622-3084 Address: 317 GREENLAKE DRIVE Schools   Subdivision: GREENLAKES District: Richland One City: Hopkins Elemen.: Horrell Hill Zip: 29061 Middle: Southeast County: Richland High: Lower Richland Parcel ID#: 25010-03-02  
Comments 6
By Julie Press-Raese, LLC, Realtor, ARB, CRS, GRI
(Century 21-Affiliated)
Love thy neighbor as yourself, but choose your neighborhood. ~ Louise Beal Isn't that the truth!  There are some great neighborhoods to choose from.  If you are coming from most any city around the Janesville area you will find more house for your money.  I truly believe we may end up being more of a bedroom community where people live affordably but work in the outlying areas.  It's only a 40 minute drive to Madison or Rockford.  In most any neighborhood your have convenient access to I-90 to get to your destination.  The market is starting to heat up with first time buyers.  Set up a time to meet with a good Realtor to start the process.  I sit down with buyers and really find out what they need and want.  From there I can show how buyers don't have to look at all 650 homes that are o...
Comments 0
By Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind, Broker/Owner
(KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate)
Located just west of Congress and the freeway with A-Mountain and Tumamac Hill in the background, you will spot the most unrecognized, largest tree in the City of Tucson.  Since it holds the crown for the largest tree in Tucson (and it is a beautiful tree) I thought it deserved a little attention.  Sadly, the tree receives little recognition because it is not native to Tucson.  Rather, it is a transplanted Eucalyptus Rostrata.  It's in a rather odd location of Tucson and does not get many visitors as it sits just off a highly traveled main road. This tree was planted by a young girl named Defina Bravo in 1910. It the background is Sentinel Peak (A Mountain). Across the street is the Garden of Gethsemane Felix Lucero Park. To the left in the empty land, is the site of Rio Nuevo archaeolo...
Comments 1
Wonderfully warm and hysterically funny,  I LOVE YOU,MAN  reinforces how challenging it must be to learn English if it is not  your native tongue.  Or at least you need to be Gen X It's a "Bromance."   A What? A romantic comedy centering on the platonic relationship of two guys. Never heard of it? You don't watch MTV, then, or you might have caught a reality show , Bromance ,about Brody Jenner, a super rich LA type who is seeking  a guy to be his "BF" (best friend)  or  "bromantic partner." (The answer to the similar Paris Hilton show) I've still lost you? Think of the  chemistry between Walter Matthau and Jack Lemon or more recently between Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Okay, so here comes I LOVE YOU MAN with Paul Rudd playing well put together LA real estate agent Peter, and Jason Segal...
Comments 6
By Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
(Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)
Comments 8
By Gerry Khatchikian, ASA, TRC, SFR
All photos and/or written content produced by Gerry Khatchikian. All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Gerry Khatchikian, Realtor Associate with Prudential Red Lodge Real Estate.  If you and your family are interested to buy or sell property (a home, a ranch, a vacant land or a commercial property) in Carbon County (Red Lodge, Bearcreek, Belfry, Boyd, Bridger, Edgard, Fox, Fromberg, Joliet, Luther, Roberts, Rockvale, Roscoe, Silesia, Warren, Washoe), please don't hesitate to contact me. I also serve Stillwater County (Nye, Absarokee, Columbus, Fishtail).  Phone:  800.752.2499 (outside Montana) / 406.425.3457 (in Montana).  Email:  Gerry@RedLodgeLand.com  Website: www.PrudentialRedLodge.com
Comments 14
By E. Steve Banis, Jr., https://www.SouthCarolinaHomesInc.com
(South Carolina Homes Inc.)
▐►* $75 * 3Bed, 2 Bath - RENT to OWN VALUE - TOTAL RENOVATION * * 3bd-3ba - RENT to OWN - VALUE PRICED FOR YOU NOW * ** FIRST MONTHS RENT IS ONLY $75 ** * $825 RENT to OWN ** VALUE PRICED TO RENT TO OWN QUICKLY ** 1923 Norwood Street, North Charleston, SC 29445 See At: http://www.SCHomeSellers.com/29730 REGISTER HERE: VIP ONLINE TO VISIT THIS HOME Location: North Charleston SubDivision it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests   Our   Website To: BUY YOUR HOUSE:         http://www.SCHomeBuyers.net Our Website To:  SELL YOU A HOME:         http://www.SCHomeSellers.com Our Website For WHOLESALE VALUES:   http://www.SCWholeSaleProperties.com SELLERS FREE REPORT: http://www.schomesellers.com/contactus.cfm?report=1092   
Comments 0
By Karen Nardella
(The Emporium Your Home for Elegant Resale)
I thought it important to follow-up with you in regards to the new series results from The Emporium.  As some of you know, I began the new series"Learning to Re-love and Romance Our Homes," on March 19th.  My aim in doing this is to assist both the consumer in their search on these topics in an easier way, saving them tons of time, to help the pioneers here in NH grow their businesses more affordably than advertising and hoped to excite others to take it up this rewarding trade.  I am guessing I may have been on target as I think you may agree when you read the stats.  Let me know what you think?  The first event in this series held March 19th resulted in five soon to be new  Stagers and Redesigners.  I arranged three referrals making connections for a perfect pairing that have proven t...
Comments 2
April 1, 2009 - Cyberspace, USA: PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE REGARDING CONFLICKER.c Worm LAST NOTE FROM CYBERSPACE Before Clonflicker.c worm wreaks havoc: Today, April 1, 2009, the famed Conflicker worm managed to connect 1/3 of all computers in the world to each other in a massive, unstoppable, peer to peer BOTNET army.  The ad hoc supercomputer created by the Conflicker worm exercised a brute force denial of service attack that crashed government agencies, military security systems, and the human spirit. In so doing, the Conflicker worm became not only the largest scale computer web worm event ever - but it was the first time that a computer virus had actually created a new human dis-ease. WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:  Small companies and Large Companies, even cities, states and en...
Comments 3
By Brian Madigan, LL.B., Broker
(RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto))
Responsibilty for the Missing Dishwasher   By Brian Madigan LL.B.Here is a question that arises about once every two weeks:If the agent fails to include the dishwasher in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, but told the buyer it was included, who is likely to pay?The first question is: whose agent said it was included?Seller's AgentLet's assume the seller's agent made the representation.If the agent had authority to make this statement, then it would be binding upon the Principal. So, the seller would be responsible.If the agent had no authority to make this statement, then it would not be binding upon the Principal. So, the seller's agent would be responsible.Buyer's Agent (sub-agency)There is a limited possibility of sub-agency here. If that were the case, then, the buyer's agent woul...
Comments 0
By Karen Nardella
(The Emporium Your Home for Elegant Resale)
I thought it important to follow-up with you in regards to the new series results from The Emporium.  As some of you know, I began the new series"Learning to Re-love and Romance Our Homes," on March 19th.  My aim in doing this is to assist both the consumer in their search on these topics in an easier way, saving them tons of time, to help the pioneers here in NH grow their businesses more affordably than advertising and hoped to excite others to take it up this rewarding trade.  I am guessing I may have been on target as I think you may agree when you read the stats.  Let me know what you think?  The first event in this series held March 19th resulted in five soon to be new  Stagers and Redesigners.  I arranged three referrals making connections for a perfect pairing that have proven t...
Comments 0
By Gerry Khatchikian, ASA, TRC, SFR
All photos and/or written content produced by Gerry Khatchikian. All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Gerry Khatchikian, Realtor Associate with Prudential Red Lodge Real Estate.  If you and your family are interested to buy or sell property (a home, a ranch, a vacant land or a commercial property) in Carbon County (Red Lodge, Bearcreek, Belfry, Boyd, Bridger, Edgard, Fox, Fromberg, Joliet, Luther, Roberts, Rockvale, Roscoe, Silesia, Warren, Washoe), please don't hesitate to contact me. I also serve Stillwater County (Nye, Absarokee, Columbus, Fishtail).  Phone:  800.752.2499 (outside Montana) / 406.425.3457 (in Montana).  Email:  Gerry@RedLodgeLand.com  Website: www.PrudentialRedLodge.com
Comments 10
By Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind, Broker/Owner
(KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate)
Client lives in Maine.  Haven't met him yet.  Communication has been through emails.  I have a pretty good grasp of the English language ...  but when reading emails from this client ...  I find it a challenge. Out comes the tattered Webster or the online dictionery to help understand the emails! Here's one from a week ago: Gabriella, Regards.  Assumptions correct, our philia for this property is prodigious. As an assiduous agent calling to our attention this home, our enamorous amount of effort over this matter is done.  We desire to begin the tedious task of tendering an offer. - George. Alrighty-then. Now many of you might read that and think, "I understand it!"  I'm not in that category.  With an online dictionary loaded onto the Blackberry -client flies to Tucson and we meet at the...
Comments 19
By Brian Turner
(Realty Direct)
First off, before I go into details of answering the question, I am not implying that having good credit is not important. If you have a high credit score, that's great. It will help you get a lower interest rate, get approved for certain things that lower credit score borrowers will not have access to, and you can tell the world you have a 700+ FICO score. But looking at the bigger picture, what does it really do for you?Growing up, society taught us that having a great credit score got you anything and it did. But this has built a nation of credit dependent people that are trying to figure out how to get out of debt. As we go through these tough economic times, the ability to access credit will be harder to come by. So the mindset has to be different going forward.Having good credit d...
Comments 0
By Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®, Giving Back With Each Home Sold!
(RE/MAX Platinum)
        PLEASE ASK ME ABOUT MY GIVE BACK PROGRAM, WHERE I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN YOUR NAME UPON CLOSING!!!  ALSO, CONTACT ME FOR INFORMATION ON MY REFERRAL PROGRAM TOO!   Listen to my blog at http://podcasts.odiogo.com/kristins-blog/podcasts-xml.php       kjohnston@remax.net, kjjj1234@gmail.com, 414-254-6647 www.activerain.com/kristinjohnston www.LinkedIn.com   www.kristinjohnston.com www.ecademy.com   www.realtor.com, www.naymz.com www.zoominfo.com www.facebook.com www.plaxo.com www.trulia.com www.myspace.com  www.postlets.com, www.perfectnetworker.com  www.loopnet.com www.konnects.com www.twitter.com www.wordpress.com www.congoo.com www.xing.com  and more.  And, as always, if you need real estate assistance in Waukesha County, Milwaukee County, or anywhere in SE ...
Comments 38
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
Too often procrastination gets the best of us.  This is particularly true with the current economic climate and trepidation in the housing market.  People seem confused about when the right time to buy may be. The debate with themselves, family, friends, and Real Estate Professionals focuses  on exactly when the market will bottom out.  They struggle with trying to decide when "the right time" might be.  Sound familiar?      OPPORTUNITY        Home Prices in Osceola County have hit rock bottom        Sales since December 2008 have been on the rise.        Affordable housing has arrived        Lenders are lending and Mortgages are at historically low levels        Realtors® are reporting escalated activity        So what are you waiting for?...        Someone else to get a great deal? In...
Comments 5
By Robert A. Hulme, Home Listing Partner
(Home Buyer Realty Utah)
Buying a home anytime is a big deal, but buying your first home can be quite overwhelming.  This article was written to make you aware of a few things that first time buyers should know. First of all, realize that the old adage is true; location is the most important thing.  Start by choosing an area you like, in a good neighborhood, with a home that suits your present and future needs, and then you can get started on the details. The important things to consider are listed below: Your Financial Situation and Plans for the Future: Evaluate the price of the rent you currently pay so that you will be able to compare that with all the costs of buying and owning a home.  One of the most important things to do is count your savings and see if you really have enough to cover the down payment ...
Comments 0
By Stephen M. Wigg, 4114Info.com
(http://4114Info.com)
Sure, I'm biased but click on this link and decide if you would know more about this property from our web site than any other. Click on Visual Tour. This takes NO AGENT INPUT and is free, seamless and a great way to view properties. Click on Microsoft's Bird's Eye View and you see it's proximity to the lake. Click on Google's Map/Street View and then type in "Elementary Schools" on "Search the Map" in lower left corner. No other Broker Web Site I've seen has this feature If a consumer learns to use this, they won't want to be without it, Login and you can save Favorites. View your Favorites on the map AND in a list. You can email your whole list of Favorites at once, an exclusive feature. If a Consumer selects an "Agent-4-Me" that Agent is the only one they'll have to correspond with o...
Comments 4
By Charlie Ragonesi, Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros
(AllMountainRealty.com)
This year so far has been tough in the mountains. Winter seems to have lasted forever. Also lay-offs in some of the industries, notably carpet have effected the local economies. We are often a lagging indicator of the market. So while other areas were experiencing high rates of value decline not so much us. But lately the declines have excelerated. So in some ways while thers are rebounding we are struggling. The news is nt all bad. Given the economic state we already see more and more local folks traveling and exploring the mountains as we are close to them. We also see folks moving here to down size, improve their quality of life and in general reduce their costs. So it is a mixed bag for us right now. Spring and summer will tell the tale. Will the upswing in first time buyers carry u...
Comments 2
By Yvette Gardner
(Keller Williams Realty, Spartanburg, SC)
It took me years and hundreds of hours before I finally figured out EXACTLY what it takes to be a Social Media Rockstar. Now, I am NOT speaking of the "I followed 5000 people that I know have auto-follow to get a bigger follow base" type of Rockstar.. That would be too easy. I want to be the "I have 5000 followers that love me, engage me and hang on my every word" type of Social Media Rockstar..." You get it, the "other social media rockstars will fly thousands of miles to attend a conference I am attending... NOT because I am speaking...but because I am THERE" Rockstar... Are you getting my point? I want to be the "people are SO engaged in my life, they take the time to learn that my wife is awesome too!" Rockstar... Yes, I was possessed to become the "I am sooo loved that any charity ...
Comments 0
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