Archives of real estate blog entries for November 01, 2007

Featured blog posts


By Sara Bonert, Real Estate Internet Marketing
(Zillow)
This week I had a horrifying experience.  I videoed taped myself giving a presentation and then watched it!!!  While it was extremely painful to watch, it was extremely helpful as well.  It is an opportunity to take notice of things you don't often think about while speaking, the finer points of presenting.  One of the big things I learned by the process is I can benefit by using more definitive language in an effort to become a more confident speaker.  I am told this is an issue that is more common among women than men.  To illustrate what I mean, let's use a Listing Presentation as an example.  "I think we should list your house at..."  vs.  "It is my recommendation that we list at...""I'll try to explain how I got to this price..." vs. "I will explain...""Hopefully after this present...
Comments 62
By Missy Caulk, Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
(Missy Caulk TEAM)
As Realtors we have different busy seasons, I'm sure it is different in different parts of the country, but in Ann Arbor, and all of Michigan our busiest selling seasons are Spring, Summer and Fall. In the winter months, with cold and snow, the market, even a sellers market slows down. A wise Realtor will prepare for the season and store up for those months when the buyers are not so plentiful. When I first became a Realtor in 1995, that was impossible to do..........I lived commission check to commission check. Remember the Aesops Fable about the Ant and the Grasshopper? Basically, the story is about the ant that worked hard all year and stored up food for the winter and the grasshopper played and sang his violin and stored nothing. When winter came, the grasshopper learned a valuable ...
Comments 104
By Kirk Mulhearn
(Prudential California Realty/Gem Mortgage)
Recently, one of my agents showed a property in Long Beach, CA. to an aspiring buyer who saw the property on line and was interested in seeing it. First of all, the fact that she was an attorney should have set the alarm bells ringing(no offence to good guy attorney- esquires paricipating here on activerain), but being the agent wanted to sincerely give good customer service, did not bother signing a purchase representation agreement.  She spent all afternoon showing the condo.When asked whether or not she was working with an agent, she mentioned that she was not.  After seeing the property she requested to come back the next day and take measurements and to "write an offer."  The agent that showed the property made an appointment with her for the next morning and the lawyer agreed; how...
Comments 45
By Colleen Irwin, Creative Real Estate Solutions...
(Retired)
Attention NAR -Members Need a Group Health Insurance Plan NOW! Fact:  "The National Association of Realtors®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing more than 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries." Just read the bottom of each of their press releases...So I have an interesting question for you all:How many Realtors® do not have health insurance?   Raise those hands.  In my estimation that is too many hands in the air!  If we were all in a room together, looking around the room, you would be shocked to see those that do not have health insurance.Scary thought isn't it?  Even scarier when you start to look at the numbers.  And many times we don't hear all the stories.  They just sile...
Comments 88
By Kim Carpenter, Lake Winnipesaukee REALTOR -Lake Winnipesaukee Real Estate, NH
(Coldwell Banker)
I'm just starting to comprehend what Active Rain is all about at this point in my journey.  At first, it was confusing to me. One day I visited the site, signed up, logged out and really only visited a couple of times until recently- now I have caught the "bug".Since the whole point of this community is to share ideas and network, I decided to do some exploring of other ways to get involved here.  Yesterday I clicked on "Groups" to see what was out there. I have clicked here before. The first time I clicked, I found a few groups on the first page and that was good enough for me.Yesterday was different. I decided to REALLY go through the groups and I am here to suggest to you today to do the same.  You would not believe the groups that are out there.  There are currently 2361 groups! I w...
Comments 99
By Ulises Romo
(Realty One Group)
As REALTORS® we should be placing a great amount of emphasis on Customer Service. We are in the business to serve our clients and to place their interest before our own. In fact that is why if dispute should arise from the transaction regarding the commissions paid to the Agents, we let the deal go through and go to arbitration later. That is so our clients are not placed in the middle of the dispute, and that their transaction be as smooth as possible. It is up to us to deliver our best possible service to our CUSTOMERS, so that they become future clients and sources for referrals. Otherwise we end up looking like we don't care about our clients, and worse we seem like we are only interested in making money. Either way this is not a good way to make a name for ourselves as REALTORS®, a...
Comments 28

Blog posts


By Mike Jones, Mike Jones NMLS 223495
(SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) )
Goooood morning, Canada!  While you're having your cuppa tea this morning, consider this:  the cost of owning your winter home in warm, sunny Tucson, Arizona went down by more than six percent yesterday. The Canadian Dollar is worth $1.06 US since our Federal Reserve dropped the Fed Funds rate yesterday.  How long has it been since the loonie had this kind of buying power in the US?  Never in your lifetime!  You have to go back 130 years to find a south-of-the-border real estate shopping opportunity like this.That would be the year 1877.  The main man in the Santa Cruz valley where Tucson is located was the Apache chief Geronimo.  (His great-great-grandson owned a parcel of ground less than a kilometer from my house.)Law enforcement?  1877 was the year that Camp Huachucha was created to...
Comments 8
By Suzanne Sands, Somerset MA Real Estate
(Pavao Real Estate)
Well its the day after Halloween, trick or treat is over and you have all that left over candy staring you right in the face. All those little snack size bars are so innocently small, you tell yourself one wont hurt....Well if your like me you must get rid of the candy, I have a strong determination to succeed. But the fact is those little candy bars distract me. They keep staring at me, they are calling my name....My husband was in charge of getting the candy for the trick or treaters, this plan normally works for me. You see if I pick out the candy surely I will pick out the ones I like. But my plan backfired as I forgot home much I like those 100 Grand! One wont hurt, this I know then two, okay I had three little snack size bars! Okay I enjoyed them I admit it...I had the most amazin...
Comments 31
By Sonja Babic, New Bern NC, PRIME Realty NC, LLC
(Sonja Babic/PRIME Realty NC, LLC)
  Remember this gorgeous golf course property I have recently listed in Greenbriar?                                   446 Innisbrook Ln. well to late i have already sold it!It closed last week  List price $335,000 sell price $316,500 4 weeks closing, NOT BAD! Market has changed but it is still market and in New Bern North Carolina properly priced and marketed properties are still selling! Want to see results? You need agent that knows how to deliver results!    Your North Carolina Broker  www.SonjaBabic.com      I am only phone call away   252-636-8442 
Comments 2
By Bryon Howard
(Remax House of Real Estate)
In earlier posts I've been having fun with the Law of Attraction. In Step 3, you need to allow and celebrate the process. So then, ... I am incredibly thankful for every thing I have, and everything I have conquered. I am thankful for my home, my health, my family, and my soon to be closed vacation home in Golden ... and my ski pass at Kicking Horse Resort!I am especially thankful to the universe - for allowing me to do what I love, and making a difference in peoples lives.The Proof...... It' working. Since 27 October I have 3 pending offers with 3 different buyers. I wrote an offer yesterday for an extraordinary investor ... and I'm currently 'vibrating' acceptance!More of Step 2 ... Giving my desire Attention ...I sooo ... visualize these buyers excited, and happy with their new purch...
Comments 0
By Liane Thomas, Top Listing Agent, Bringing you Home!
(Professional Realty Services®)
Reduced! ~ 4382 Shelby Drive ~ 4BR Pool HomeLocation: Riverside, CaWelcome Home! This single story pool home is on a large corner lot on a quiet, tree lined street. There are 4 roomy bedrooms, and the master has 2 closets, and private bath with full body shower. The large kitchen has a built in dishwasher, and slider doors to the back yard. The back yard is perfect for large family gatherings, with a covered patio and sparkling pool! RV parking is possible o the circular driveway. Save money with a low tax rate and no association fees. Free recorded info at 800 836-5374 x 4030. Call Today!InformationContact InformationLiane Thomas(951) 454-3805Contact Reply FormForward to a FriendView Other FlyersPricingAsking Price: $350,000.00Flexibility: Let's Talk!Additional Pricing Information: Thi...
Comments 0
By Liane Thomas, Top Listing Agent, Bringing you Home!
(Professional Realty Services®)
Beautiful & Upgraded 3 BR Pool Home ~ RV Parking $330,000Location: Riverside, CaHighly upgraded and beautiful single story! This 3 bedroom pool home is located on a quiet, tree lined street! You'll love the warm hardwood floors, upgraded ceiling fans, big kitchen, roomy bedrooms, textured walls, custom paint and crown moulding. Outside you'll find a cozy front porch, gated and covered RV parking, covered back patio with ceiling fans, newer block wall fencing, and a sparkling pool with safety fence. Save money, too, with a low tax rate, newer dual paned windows and no association fees. Fast move in and easy terms. Free recorded info 800 836-5374 x 4020 and more pictures at www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1175141.InformationContact InformationLiane Thomas(951) 454-3805Forward to a FriendVie...
Comments 0
By Liane Thomas, Top Listing Agent, Bringing you Home!
(Professional Realty Services®)
Large 4 BR Pool Home ~ Spa ~ Sauna ~ Reduced $349,000Location: La SierraSingle story 4 BR 2 BA home on quiet, tree lined street. Formal dining room, 2 fireplaces, sparkling pool, bubbling spa, sauna, covered patio, and more! Save money with a low tax rate. Great location, commuter close to freeways and metro link. Close to shopping, medical, fine dining, and good schools. Up to $2000 carpet allowance available. Free recorded information at 800 836-5374 x 4060 and more photos at www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1195756.InformationContact InformationLiane Thomas951 454-3805Contact Reply FormForward to a FriendView Other FlyersPricingAsking Price: $349,000.00Flexibility: Let's Talk!Additional Pricing Information: This home qualifies for several first time home buyer programs as well as down p...
Comments 0
By Dan Hendrick
(Prudential Clyde Hendrick)
  What's the Role of a Title Company?     By Dan Hendrick, Broker, GRI, ABR, CCDSPrudential Clyde Hendrick, REALTORS                         Title companies provide title insurance services to buyers, sellers, lenders and developers, essentially anyone who has an interest in real estate. Services vary throughout the country, depending on local practices and laws. In many states, title companies handle escrow as well as perform and insure title searches. A title search involves searching public records to ascertain if the seller has the legal right to sell the property. In other states, attorneys conduct title searches.Title companies conduct a chain of title, which is a review of the owner history of the property, checking for who purchased the property, who sold it, and when. They perf...
Comments 3
By Rita Gibbons, The Gibbons Group
(MacDoc Realty LLC)
You've found your dream home, the seller has accepted your offer, your loan has been approved and you're eager to move into your new home. But before you get the key, there's one more step-the closing.Also called the settlement, the closing is the process of passing ownership of property from seller to buyer. And it can be bewildering. As a buyer, you will sign what seems like endless piles of documents and will have to present a sizeable check for the down payment and various closing costs. It's the fees associated with the closing that many times remains a mystery to many buyers who may simply hand over thousands of dollars without really knowing what they are paying for.As a responsible buyer, you should be familiar with these costs that are both mortgage-related and government impos...
Comments 1
By Nancy Dawsey, Real Estate Made Personal
(Signature Realty Associates)
"Ask Nancy.  She'll Know..." Dear Nancy,   I am purchasing a home with my mate of many years but I'm not certain how to take title to the property.  What is the difference between ‘tenants in common' versus ‘joint tenants with right of survivorship?'                  ----‘How should we Title our Property'Dear ‘How should we Title our Property',     I'm glad you asked!  Basically, if you own a property as tenants in common, it means you own the property jointly and each have the right to use and possess the property in its entirety but each tenant's ownership interest can be distributed to the beneficiaries they designate in their will.  However if one party dies intestate (without a will), the state will determine who receives their half of the property.  Also bear in mind, that as tena...
Comments 2
By Charlotte Home Loans Your Charlotte Mortgage Lender
MORE OPTIONS, BETTER SERVICE AND THE EXPERTISE YOU CAN TRUSTEd Nailor, mortgage specialist in Charlotte NC has recently joined the 1st Metropolitan Mortgage organization. As part of this move, Ed brings his expertise to a company that offers the best programs available. As a mortgage professional since 2003, Ed Nailor has seen both the ups and downs of the mortgage industry. His focus has always been on his customers and strives to ensure that they are educated and knowledgeable about what they are doing. Ed has developed a reputation in the industry from going the extra mile to find a solution when others have just given up. Helping with both refinancing and purchases, Ed enjoys working with people to achieve their goals. Now, you can call on Ed Nailor to help you with any loan scenari...
Comments 0
By Dan Spahr, @fosterspahr
(Foster Spahr Real Estate)
I read a rather discerning blog post the other day concerning Real Estate Investing. The post basically listed 10 ways to fail in Real Estate investing, the concept being to describe 10 ways how to be a successful investor. For 1 thing, the list was the same cookie-cutter list you will find in any Borders book labelled "How to Make a Million in Real Estate" or any informercial on at 3:00am in the morning. These cookie-cutter concepts are built around purchasing a home for 70% of market value and basically flipping it for a profit with a minimal of expense. I've got 3 issues with people hawking these ideas - 1) These "investors" wouldn't need to sell these books if the concepts really worked and 2) These concepts take advantage of the poor and uneducated home owner. 3) Realtors are held ...
Comments 0
By Liane Thomas, Top Listing Agent, Bringing you Home!
(Professional Realty Services®)
As announced on Wednesday October 31, The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point! What a wonderful Halloween treat for homeowners and investors! What does this mean to you? If you have a revolving HELOC, it has been at 7.75%. As of now it has dropped to 7.50%, and you didn't have to do anything! If you are trying to qualify to buy a home, you just dropped the amount you have to pay each month towards the interest part of the payment OR you just increased your buying power! Call me to see what that means to you!If you are struggling to make your house payment, this may just be the best time to refi that adjustable rate loan, or combine the first and 2nd. Call for more details. There is no cost or obligation. Thanks!Liane ThomasREALTOR(R)(951)454-380...
Comments 0
By Kelle Sparta, Real Estate Trainer and Coach
(Sparta Success Systems)
I don't know about you, but I believe in the power of manifesting.  And the wonderful thing I have noticed about Realtors is their innate ability to buy into and energetically support another person's dreams.  So, in that spirit, I am posting my manifestation list for what I want for my birthday for this year.A wonderful, intelligent, attractive (to me) man, who is successful in his own right, who is high energy, who loves life and lives passionately, who has FUN!, who is highly spiritual but not religious, who works on himself as hard as he works on his business, and (most importantly) who loves me passionately and tenderly.Beginning painting and sculpture classes at Cambridge Adult Education CenterA great personal trainer to help me drop the extra weight I'm carryingTickets to Mama Mi...
Comments 5
By South Austin Real Estate Blog
(Sky Realty South Austin)
ET Phone Home...  a famous line in a wonderful movie that captured us for some time back in the day. Today we have another PHONE HOME need, our Soldiers in the Armed Forces, by giving a few dollars we can help them PHONE HOME for the holidays.  What a great gift!!!  I know I talk to my family on the phone frequently, I can't imagine being 10,000 miles away without the ability to phone home. Yesterday while driving to an appointment and spending some time on the road, I heard about OPERATION CALL HOME that is being done here in Austin Texas, perhaps its being done in your area also..  If you click on the link to the radio station you can donate directly to the cause.   http://www.590klbj.com/Operation-Call-Home/index07.aspx if the link doesnt work just copy and paste it into your browser...
Comments 4
By Karen Martin Real estate agent Safe Harbor Realty, Westport, MA Realtor Helping Home Sellers & Buyers
(Safe Harbor Realty )
 Westport Ma - The town nurse will hold a flu clinic for residents over 50. The cost is covered by medicare Part B. If you don not have insurance the cost is $10.  For more information & to schedule an appointment call (508) 636-1030Karen Ann Martin American Dream Realty WEstport Ma Home office (508) 636-3310 Thinking of buying or selling a home in Westport Ma visit www.WestportMahomes.com 
Comments 0
By Sam White, Integrated Marketing - Bryan College Station,
Dear readers,Wow. Trunks for Treats, which we held in the parking lot of the College Station Keller Williams office last night, was a great success. Turnout is estimated at just under 1,000, and we raised some money for a local cause, the Down Syndrome Support Group of Bryan College Station.There were kids of all ages at the affair, with some really great costumes. Participants enjoyed the moonwalks, pony rides, pizza, popcorn and other goodies.Many thanks to all of our sponsors. We'll be listing them in a blog later today.Blue skies,Sam Whitewww.SamWhiteRealty.com
Comments 1
By Jennifer Martin
(Letting License Expire in June 2010)
source: http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?id=26238 Nothing pleases me more than to see such positive optimism for the economical condition of Indiana, slated for 2008. While many areas around this great nation are experiencing an economic crunch (of sorts), Indiana continues to hold it's ground. As in the case with a company that not only created roughly 1200 jobs when it opened a division in Evansville, but turned around and decided to relocate their headquarters; which will create an additional 230 +/- jobs. Manufacturing, Health Care and the Hospitality/Leisure industries are all expected to experience moderate growth. These industries growth patterns will then trickle off into an increase in construction and various scientific fields. All in all this is great news fo...
Comments 2
By Rob Robinson- Lehigh Valley PA
(Bertrum Settlements (Title & Abstract))
 Nothing in the world beats a day hitting wineries and snaggin' some bread and cheese to munch on with a bottle of local wine. Romance at its finest.The latest from the fine folk at Vynecrest in Lehigh Valley PA...... John Jan & Sam LandisVynecrest Wineryhttp://www.vynecrest.com/610-398-7525Fall is finally here and we are in full swing in our tasting room.  It only seems appropriate that the Vynecrest Wine of the Month for November will be our Autumn Gold which will be 10% off all month, meaning 15% on the purchase of 6 bottles and 20% on case purchases.  Event Calendar for November November 3rd & 4th Open House  -  Stop in this Weekend and enjoy our Vynecrest Holiday Open House where we will be featuring a wide variety of holiday gift baskets and items.  Open 11-5pm Saturday and Sunday...
Comments 5
This is the fourth in a series of posts about mortgage fraud and how we can protect ourselves from it. There are two kinds of markets that seem to attract scammers the most. The first is a hot Seller's market when prices are rising fast. Scammers find it easy to inflate appraisals and strip properties of equity.  The second is a Buyer's market where prices are declining and sellers are frightened.  Scammers prey on these sellers, sometimes drawing them into a mortgage fraud scheme.The previous posts covered foreclosure rescue, forgery, and phantom buyers.  This post is about plain ole LYING and three scenarios of fraud.1. Lying about selling the home, again. The scammer buys a property and then contracts to sell the property to numerous unsuspecting buyers.  The multiple transactions ar...
Comments 11
Archives:

30 Nov
29 Nov
28 Nov
27 Nov
26 Nov
25 Nov
24 Nov
23 Nov
22 Nov
21 Nov
20 Nov
19 Nov
18 Nov
17 Nov
16 Nov
15 Nov
14 Nov
13 Nov
12 Nov
11 Nov
10 Nov
09 Nov
08 Nov
07 Nov
06 Nov
05 Nov
04 Nov
03 Nov
02 Nov
01 Nov
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006