Archives of real estate blog entries for May 01, 2007

Featured blog posts


By Brad Andersohn, ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876
(Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp)
Are you due?  I know I was!!  How can you tell if you are?  Just go on one and you'll know.  You Are Due!!I just spent the last 5 days with my Family at Disneyland (the happiest place on earth besides AR) We hadn't been there in almost 10 years.  WOW!  What a change!  The trip was unlike any other vacation we'd ever had before. This one was "THE BEST EVER!"  It went like this, if you're interested in knowing why our vacation, made us feel that life is definitely worth living.The 6 hour drive to Anaheim, CA. - (long, but worth it)A day at Newport Beach enjoying the surfChicken Dinner at Knott's Berry FarmSwimming at the Desert Inn with the kidsThe drive to Hollywood (never made it all the way...have you seen traffic in LA?)A drive to the (John Wayne) airport to pickup the oldest sonA ful...
Comments 43
By Herb Hamilton, Real Estate Broker ,CDPE, Downtown Portland
(RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors)
So maybe you are or maybe your not Buying into all of the Media Hype about the Real Estate Market. Perhaps the Market where you are at is Out right Flat! Maybe your doing Okay. I would doubt though that there are many of us that could say that they have to much business.So what is The Solution to get out of a slump or to enhance the business your already doing? What I have known for years and you I will bet have heard at least once and more than likely ofen in your career. Go back to Work! Thats right, that dirty 4 letter word WORK! What is Work? In Real Estate it is simply Prospecting. Principally there are 3 levels of prospectingTraditional Prospecting Methods.Geographic Farm. If you have a farm of say 300 People and you Knock on their door or send them something in the mail or in som...
Comments 28
By Derek and Mariana Wagner, The Artisan Group - Colorado Springs REALTORS®
(The Artisan Group- Keller Williams Premier Realty )
As many of you already know, I have an "'issue'" with the reputation of real estate agents. (If you don't know - just click on my "real estate rants" tag - there on the right ...). Thanks (again) to one of my favorite bloggers - Athol Kay - I spent about 10 minutes falling off my chair (and running to the bathroom) in near tears of uncontrollable laughter.Why? Well, given what I like to rant about, and given what this website offers .... Well, you just need to experience it yourself. (Please experience the WHOLE thing - Do not "skip" anything...). HOW TO BE A SLIMY REAL ESTATE AGENT (Thank you, also, Virginia Association of Realtors.)Posted by: Mariana Wagner - Colorado Springs Real Estate - Monument Real Estate
Comments 78
By Jeff Turner
(RealSatisfied)
"The only thing worse than a woman scorned is a woman ignored." - Lenn Harley I had "Call Lenn Harley" on my to do list for almost four weeks. It seemed like something was always getting in the way. An emergency here... a crisis there. A few days ago, while stuck in LA traffic, I finally made time to dial Lenn Harley and introduce myself. I had no reason for calling. But so many people had her on their short list of most respected real estate agents that I just had to speak to her. Wow. It was a truly delightful conversation and Lenn is smart, engaging, open and has an amazing sense of humor. At one point in the conversation she said, "Google is fickled." I laughed out loud, because I had said the exact same thing in a comment on my It's Not About SEO. It's About YEO post. One person re...
Comments 67
Reviewing Bloggers for Project Blogger, I've enjoyed seeing the interaction between teacher and apprentice, and the step forward visible in blogs from the previous week.  While Project Blogger is a blogging competition, keep in mind that above this goal, Project Blogger is a safe and exciting opportunity to explore who you're about [apprentices] and to invite that personality and uniqueness into your blogs. Judges may only grasp one part of your gig, or be on the watch for certain key components. While I encourage you to venture out into new territory, to explore a new level of transparency as an important means of connecting with your readers, as well as customizing your content to reach your clientele, remember to stay true to the things you are passionate about. Most of all, have fun...
Comments 20
By Jeff Fulgham, Broker E-Pro ABR
(T.U.P. Realty)
I read a post today about the website www.websitegrader.com. It gives your website a grade based on many different aspects of your site. Now my site, www.tuprealty.com got a 36 out of 100. I was concerned that this was low. I have an IT guy redoing the site and all the stuff that the grader mentioned he has already fixed. So I feel very blessed to have a great IT guy. He has taught me lots about how the web works. Indirectly He is why I am here. He told me the best thing I could do to promote my business is to blog. So I went out and started blogging. I have to say if you are going to spend money on a website and you truely want a good web presence you have to get a good IT guy. He has single handedly boosted my site on yahoo search engine. He is working on google which takes a little l...
Comments 12
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
  Fixture is anything that is glued, screwed or permanently placed in a home making it an integral part of that home. Like bookcases for example.  Sellers who before or during the boom era thought they were shrewed to refinance, pull out equity established in a market on the rise, and use that money for other purposes. Some for recreation, some invested in second properties, travel, new cars, or a gambit of other non essential expenditures. Some just plain blew it. The not so funny thing about life is it can change at any time. Through any series of events culminating into a total eclipse of financial security. A health problem could arise suddenly, a serious traffic accident, a business gone sour, or just plain bad judgements. Once you fall behind you have only a limited time in which ...
Comments 25
By Letitia Hodenfield, Making Rochester Beautiful One Home At A Time
(Stage It Today)
As many of you probably agree, we have many moments of triumph where it seems like everything that we have worked so long and hard to create as business owners has finally paid off and we feel like we are drinking out of a fire hydrant with incoming business.Then there are the days (like the one I had yesterday) where it seemed too quiet.  There wasn't any inquiry for me nor is there anything for me on the books.  So, I had a bad day.  I got overwhelmed and started thinking that I had already used up all my marketing tactics and felt stuck as how  to bring in more business.But, the most wonderful thing for me to do was to go to bed last night and lay down and relax, then new ideas starting churning in my brain and I became excited again.  Just a little quiet time helped me to refocus an...
Comments 28
By Maggie Dokic | Miami, FL | 888.883.8509 X101, GREEN, CDPE, SFR, Pinecrest | Palmetto Bay |
(eXp Realty LLC)
I don't make waves.  Usually.  I dislike conflict.  I've written about Localism pictures before.   I thought I noticed my picture points decreasing.  It turned out there probably had been a few deleted from the comment made on that post by Caleb (not to be confused with Flat Caleb who has less hair).  I have now seen my picture contributions decreasing yet again.  Almost daily.  I don't mind if the powers-that-be in the Rain monitor and delete pictures they deem "inappropriate."  As a matter of fact, I welcome it!  It's high time the Localism photos be brought up to 'snuff.  I am a stickler for following rules.   What I do mind is having very vague "photo rules" which I try to follow to the letter (as well as that can be done, under the circumstances) yet still end up doing something wr...
Comments 45
By Bill Westel, ECO
(Eco-Steward Realty)
 I read a comment on a Dena Stevens blog a couple of days ago by Michael Rossregarding his opinion that the Green Movement(my definition below)was anti-growth, anti housing, anti builder, anti developer, anti business, anti property owner's rights. Dena responded by saying  the editor of the local newspaper also shared his opinion that being Green meant opposing growth and new developments.  While I know most members of the Eco-All Stars Green Scene would not agree with this idea I believe that there may be more than a few out there in the Active Rain community and the general public who might share the same sentiments as Mr. Ross.  So I got inspired to write this blog because I have had many years to watch, experience, and mull over this issue. To start my definition of Green Movement ...
Comments 25
By Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland
(Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate)
DANGER ! ! !   DANGER WILL ROBINSON ! ! !  Careful.  Think carefully before you do it.  Then on the other hand, if you have to think about it, perhaps you shouldn't be doing it anyway.  Is what you plan to do something you can't tell your broker?  If so, you probably shouldn't do it.  The list below represents SOME of the causes of complaints to the Maryland Real Estate Commission. That is NOT the Maryland Association of REALTORS.  Not a County Association of REALTORS.  These are complaints before the Maryland Real Estate Commission, the folks that issue real estate licenses.  TOP REASONS FOR CONSUMER COMPLAINTS:Failure to disclose material factsThis could be to buyer or seller.  For a listing agent it could be failure to disclose flooding.For a buyer's agent it could be failure to disc...
Comments 17
By Randy L. Prothero, Missouri REALTOR, (808) 384-5645
(eXp Realty)
I am often questioned by new agents about how to build their business.   Do You Help New Agents?   I thought I would share a few Randyisms for their benefit.  I will complete the list at a future time.1)      Do not be a Stealth Agent: Are You a Secret Agent?Be seen and known.  Take advantage of all as many ways as possible of being seen.  Signs on your vehicle(s), name badge, pictures on all of your signage, newsletter, farming cards, etc.2)      Advertise:  I am a Passive Aggressive MarketerPart of your business pan needs to include advertising.  Pick your shots strategically, money is not unlimited.  Focus on specific communities or markets.  Remember that repetition is required to be successful in advertising.3)      Take advantage of every opportunity:  Open Houses for other agents...
Comments 45
By Bill Engleman, Schuylkill and Carbon Countynulls FHA & USDA Specialist
(Infinity Home Mortgage)
     Besides being a mortgage consultant, I also happen to be a landlord. My dad and I have a 6-unit and a 5-unit. We have had fairly good success with screening potential renters through reference and credit checks but have the occasional late payer. Twice, we have also had to deal with a tenant who felt, for some reason or the other, that they didn't need to pay rent at all!                                                                                  I have recently been thinking very strongly about Section 8 housing. I'm sure each state has this or some version of it. Basically, it's subsidized rent for low income tenants. A prospective tenant needs to go to the local social security office to get approved. When approved, the applicant gets a portion of their rent paid by the sta...
Comments 28

Blog posts


By Ed DeChristopher, CRS Fredericksburg VA
(Fredericksburg Realty, Inc.)
Ladies and gentlemen of the public lend me your ears.In spite of what your perception of what a real estat agent may be, please do not judge us by the actions of a few.We come from many walks of life.  Some of us have a past that is golden and some of us do not.  Many are women and some are men.  Some of us have families to support and others of us do not.  Several of us have jobs during the day other than real estate and others of us do it full-time.I write this article because of a recent incident in the Fredericksburg Virginia area.  Names of the involved will not be used for obvious reasons; this is not fiction!Agent 007 listed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Niceguy.  Mr. Niceguy was disabled and could not work.  The house was shown by having made a call to the home and showing in accorda...
Comments 6
By Diane Bell, Hilton Head Real Estate, Bluffton
(Charter 1 Real Estate, Hilton Head, Bluffton, SC)
Come one, come all to enjoy the upcoming events for May at the Coastal Arts Center of Hilton Head Island.  Featured will be 3 incredible offerings:   1.  April 25-May 27, 2007--The much beloved Fiddler on the Roof, winner of 9 Tony Awards, will debut.  2.  Family Fiesta Latina will take place on Sunday, May 6 and will feature the arts, music and dance of many Latin American countries...sure to be enjoyable for all. 3.  Folk music writer Tom Paxton will appear on Monday, May 21.  Tom started his career in the Greenwich Village area on the 60's and has wowed audiences with his humor about social injustices for many years.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 843-842-ARTS or visit the website, www.artshhi.com, Email:  boxoffice@artshhi.com      
Comments 0
By Jay Burnham, The Coldwell Banker Guy
(Coldwell Banker)
Essex successfully combines tourism, farming and bustling seaside activities in a pleasing village atmosphere.  This unique blend of agricultural activity and open fields with charming antique shops and shoreline beauty attracts many visitors.The smallest of the North Shore residential havens, Essex has managed to maintain the appeal of its non-suburban rural flavor.  At the same time, it is considered to be an easy commuter community.The population of Essex is about 3,300 and the distance to Boston is 24 miles.  Commutr rail service is available from nearby Hamilton, Manchester or Ipswich.Town Hall: 978-768-7111Government: Open town MeetingSuperintendent of Schools: 978-526-4919Churches and Synagogues: LDS, Congregational, UnitarianRegards,Jay Burnham, VPColdwell Banker Residential Bro...
Comments 0
By Eric Medemar
(Midwest Properties)
As a realtor who loves wholesaling real estate, I cannot stress the importance enough to have full disclosure to all parties both buyers and sellers, you also need to be sure to get the disclosure in writing as I am sure you all know.The beauty of real estate wholesaling is that it can be done for any price property if you get a proper buyers list in place.  I had spent years locating properties for other investors and then taking my commission and walking. I was selling to the same guys everytime, so there was great money and little effort.  Today I locate properties that I know my buyers will like, and instead of going through the hassle of calling them, and trying to get them out to the properties, I put them under contract myself, and then do a new contract with them.The eisiest way...
Comments 4
By Janice Lipka
(ERA TEAM IV HOMES)
Years ago, My partner & I  sent monthly "farming" letters to vacant landowners. It didn't matter whether it was a small building lot or a large tract of land. We knew that by having land listings, the builders would find us.One evening in the office I answered the phone and the caller asked for my partner. I explained that he was on the phone and would he like me to tell him who was on hold for him. He said tell him that Franklin Roosevelt, Jr. was holding. I said" Yeah right!! And I am Barbra Streisand!" This is really Franklin Roosevelt,JRsays the caller. ( oops! I think to myself) I apologize for this embarrassing moment, and we set the appointment to see his farm.We meet him in his office on the farm. He tells us he will drive the acreage with us in his jeep. It was beautiful proper...
Comments 2
By Christopher Benedict, AskTheBigGuy
(BIG Realty)
Chester, Philadelphia, and Bucks Counties were the three original Pennsylvania counties created by William Penn in 1682. At that time Chester County's borders were Philadelphia County to the north, the Susquehanna River to the west, the Delaware River to the east, and Delaware and Maryland to the south.The fourth county in the state, Lancaster County, was formed from Chester County on May 10, 1729. On March 11, 1752 Berks County was formed from the northern section of Chester County, as well as parts of Lancaster and Philadelphia Counties.The original Chester County seat was the naval shipbuilding city of Chester. However, it became part of Delaware County when it was formed from the eastern portion of the Chester County on September 26, 1789. This took the county seat out of Chester Co...
Comments 0
By Jay Burnham, The Coldwell Banker Guy
(Coldwell Banker)
Dubbed the yachting capital of Massachusetts, Marblehead is one ot the most picturesque seafront towns in the state.  This affluent sailing community is a happy mix of old and new buildings, charming cottages and Federalist-style homes.  Beautiful mansions can be found in the Marblehead Neck section.  Scattered throughout the downtown and waterfront districts are upscale clothing stores, quaint art galleries, charming antique shops and fine restaurants.The population of Marblehead is about 20,000 and the distance to Boston is 18 miles.Regards,Jay Burnham, VPColdwell Banker Residential BrokerageNorth Shore, Massachusetts     
Comments 0
By Greg Fox, Techy Broker in Wichita Kansas
(Realty World Wichita)
2007 in Orlando Florida.  What a great time.  My little car made the 1400 mile trip, and I even was asked for my buiz card 3 times during the trip.  Customers who wanted to buy Real Estate.Garrison Wynn from Wynn Solutions was our first speaker, and a very Powerfull one at that.  His new book, Speaking of Success is coauthored "Garrison Wynn joins best-selling authors Stephen R. Covey, Ken Blanchard and Jack Canfield in a new book on success! Click for details".  He spoke around the topic of trust, and why it is important in sales.Another powerful speaker was Allen F. Hainge's CyberStar(r) Blog, which is how I found out Active Rain Exists.  His talk centered around technology, web stuff, and how the 35 and under communicate.  Powerful, great stuff.  Certainly a man who has studied the m...
Comments 3
By Letitia Hodenfield, Making Rochester Beautiful One Home At A Time
(Stage It Today)
As many of you probably agree, we have many moments of triumph where it seems like everything that we have worked so long and hard to create as business owners has finally paid off and we feel like we are drinking out of a fire hydrant with incoming business.Then there are the days (like the one I had yesterday) where it seemed too quiet.  There wasn't any inquiry for me nor is there anything for me on the books.  So, I had a bad day.  I got overwhelmed and started thinking that I had already used up all my marketing tactics and felt stuck as how  to bring in more business.But, the most wonderful thing for me to do was to go to bed last night and lay down and relax, then new ideas starting churning in my brain and I became excited again.  Just a little quiet time helped me to refocus an...
Comments 28
By Sarah Cooper
(Real Estate Shows)
He's arrived!!!Flat James is here, in West Virginia, and LOVIN' IT!!His first stop here was to meet some of the people at work.  Our secretary Karen just LOVED him.  She's usually shy about pictures, but James got her to smile and pose.  Karen had lots of ideas for pictures for us and wanted to see everything we were doing.  I'll have to make sure she sees this!     Our brokerage shares building space with a group of lawyers, and my broker is one of the partners in the law firm.  Our newest lawyer, Travis, was happy to play along with Flat James, too.  Flat James just has one of those personalities that makes you want to participate.  He's very social.Flat James seemed to really like Travis' office decor.  He really got into this whole "West Virginia" vibe.Here's a show of Flat James' f...
Comments 15
By Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation
(Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.)
Crofton, Maryland - It's a Wonderful Place to Live! Crofton residents enjoy the cherry tree-lined streets in Spring, a crafts fair and Boy Scout-sponsored chicken barbeque at the Village Green in Fall, the annual Christmas tree lighting in front of Crofton Country Club, plus lots of organizations and year-round activities for every age group from kids to seniors. It's a wonderful place to live, and conveniently located about a half hour from Annapolis, Baltimore, and the Nation's Capital. You will find homes ranging from condos in the $200,000's to large detached homes topping $1,000,000 - but most are priced in between.  While some Crofton homes and condos were built in the 60's and 70's, many were built in the last decade and new construction is ongoing nearby.  Crofton schools rank a...
Comments 0
My business partner (Lathe Poland) and I had a meeting recently with a client we have worked with for over a year. The topic was how we could be integrated more consistently into their day to day business. Normally this would not be noteworthy, but in this case it was the client who started the dialogue with us.For those of you who may not know, we run a video production firm that caters to luxury exclusives.  As of January 1st we have begun traveling outside of the Northeast, offering our service nationally.Throughout the discussion the client mentioned that they had received consistently positive feedback from clients and competitors who visited their website and saw the video tours. They commented on our attention to detail, the unique media player that we use and other features that...
Comments 3
By Steve Campbell
(Century 21 Commonwealth Real Estate)
Hey everyone, I haven't been on AR in a few months and to my surprise there are almost 28,000 members now.  I remember not long ago we had a contest to see what day the 10000th member would arrive.  I think this growth would be comparable to compound interest.When I stepped in the Active Rain this morning, I was kind of excited about seeing what my friend Mary Mcknight has been blogging about lateley.  I was kinda surprised when I clicked on her link only to get a Account Disabled message.  Does anyone have any idea what this about?  Did she drop out, was she kick out, etc? Mary if you are out there, I hope everything is going well for you and I will have to find your blogs elsewhere.  God Bless You Mary.Anyway I hope everyone has a wonerful day, it is already 80 degrees at 8:30 in the ...
Comments 2
By Herb Hamilton, Real Estate Broker ,CDPE, Downtown Portland
(RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors)
So maybe you are or maybe your not Buying into all of the Media Hype about the Real Estate Market. Perhaps the Market where you are at is Out right Flat! Maybe your doing Okay. I would doubt though that there are many of us that could say that they have to much business.So what is The Solution to get out of a slump or to enhance the business your already doing? What I have known for years and you I will bet have heard at least once and more than likely ofen in your career. Go back to Work! Thats right, that dirty 4 letter word WORK! What is Work? In Real Estate it is simply Prospecting. Principally there are 3 levels of prospectingTraditional Prospecting Methods.Geographic Farm. If you have a farm of say 300 People and you Knock on their door or send them something in the mail or in som...
Comments 28
By Rick & Ines - Miami Beach Real Estate
(Majestic Properties)
I've always been curious about the history of Stiltsville.  Not many people know about it unless they frequent Biscayne Channel by boat.  These "shack-like wooden structures" just sit there, like monuments in the landscape, a landscape of ocean blue.  Stiltsville is a string of structures on pilings that you can only reach by boat.  Thousands of boaters frequent this area South of Key Biscayne.I decided to take a trip there and photograph each house, not only with the purpose of exhibiting them, but also to document their condition.  The history of Stiltsville is fascinating, at least I hope you find it as entertaining as I do.The Stiltsville community began in the early 1930's; at one time there were 27 dwellings, used for weekend retreats and parties but seldom for full-time homes.  A...
Comments 62
By Ronnie Roach
(PrimePay Business Services)
A friend sent me an article published on Realty Times about Second Guessing Second Homes.  I am not a Realtor but the basic information sounds true for the Outer Banks market.  Sales are down, prices are down and now might be a good time for those with some discretionary funds.  Fellow rainers that live in vacation markets - does this article accurately define your market? 
Comments 13
By Kate Hart
(Hart & Associates Staging and Design)
Home Staging is changing the way Realtors are marketing and selling homes in Chester County, Paoli PA. Last week our team helped a home owner prepare her home for sale with a staging consultation and the results were immediate. Her home sold in less than 2 days for over asking. Our client commented:You asked me to let you know when our house sold....   Who would have thought-  in less than two days!  We had the realtor Open House from noon to 2 on Tuesday, and got the first offer on Wednesday evening.  A second offer came in on Thursday morning, so we had a bit of a bidding war.  It was all very stressful, but very, very short which is good!  I'm sorry that your friends didn't get to join in on the 'fun'  : )   Thanks again for the help. The quick sale must have been all due to your sug...
Comments 9
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