Archives of real estate blog entries for August 01, 2006

Our website features a relocation directory to assist you in finding a real estate agent that is located out of my service area. It is set up by states, for example Illinois, California, and Florida. We provide links to their websites so you can get to know them before you start working with them. Picking the right agent is very important, so I recommend you do some research. I hope this will help you if you want to relocate out of the Harris, Montgomery, and Waller County area. If you have problems locating the right agents for you please contact us and we can assist you in finding the agent that will best fit your needs. ThanksEarl & Deana Rudel 08/01/2006

The Dallas County officaials are thinking about declaring a heat emergency. There are now 8 heat related deaths across the county as even the night time temperatures are staying above 80 degrees.The news keeps reflecting back to the summer of 1980 as the hottest summer with 69 days over 100 degrees, but I keep reflecting back to the summer of 1998 when there were over 50 days over 100 degrees, and I had juts graduated college and I was having to go on interviews in a full suit and pantyhose and boy was it hot.  I didn't live here in 1980, so I have no idea how that really compared, but '98 was HOT HOT HOT!Back in 1980, the hottest days records were on July 26 and 27 at 113 degrees... and with the heat index, that was probably well over 120!Stay COOL and drink lots of water, not just flu... 08/01/2006

Tennessee now licenses home inspectorsAfter much ‘hem hawing' beating around the bush, and lots of other wrangling, Tennessee finally has a licensure law for home inspectors. As of July 1st of 2006, this year, anyone conducing a home inspection in the State of Tennessee MUST have a license (and hopefully a minimum degree of competence)Our Home Inspector Licensing Program is operated by some very nice people (so far anyway ;-) ) who go out of their way to be helpful. Unfortunately not all the home inspectors seem to have caught on yet and to date there are only 10 who are properly licensed in my area.Reasons and excuses as to why the rest are not run the whole spectrum from "I've been to busy to mess with that", to "we have until the end of the year to get our licenses". None true,you mu... 08/01/2006

It's being reported that Vikings owner Zygi Wilf has re-affirmed Blaine as his leading choice for a new stadium. He met with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak recently, but said the Blaine site, near Lexington and 109th Avenues, remains the leading option. The Army Corps of Engineers has apparently thrown a wrench in the works, though. Much of the site is considered wetland, requiring a permit from the Corps. There seems to be a history of legal disputes over this land between the Corps and the city, county, and land owners. Mr. Wilf says the issue is just a technicality, however. Another potential roadblock is the political climate. Several key legislators at both the county and state level are up for re-election or not running this fall. A new group could impact the funding. Terry Moravec ... 08/01/2006

2BEDROOM 1&1/2 BATH CUTE COTTAGE WITH FENCED COURT YARD. JUST OFF GOV. STREET IN MIDTOWN MOBILE. NICE AREA! 08/01/2006

Just as all poodles are dogs but not all dogs are poodles, the World Wide Web (www for short) is a part of the Internet but not by any means the entire Internet. So what's the difference???The Internet as we commonly know it is a series of computers all over the world that have the ability to communicate with each other and that gives us the means to communicate with each other.The www is merely another way to use the Internet, but not the only way. However to keep this short we'll only deal with the difference between the two.The Internet can exist without the www, and actually did for a long time before a really smart guy named Tim Berners-Lee invented a new language called "Hypertext Markup Language or HTML that became the standard of the www. He also invented an addressing system th... 08/01/2006

We're always telling people that we live in Paradise, because we believe that St. Petersburg, in the Tampa Bay, Florida, area truly is paradise.  We also realized that we talk about all this, but often get so busy that we forget to enjoy it ourselves, to take time to stop and smell the roses. So, Tami and I take every Friday morning as our time to enjoy.  Often we'll have an early breakfast at the Yacht Club, and since it's then still too early to visit a museum or shop, we'll go over to the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel, a restored 1920s Mediterranean style hotel, and sit on the veranda overlooking the yacht basin and enjoy coffee, sometimes a breeze, and just relax in the wicker rockers.  By 10, we're ready for "adventure" - shall we go to the Salvador Dali Museum, the Museum of Fine Art, p... 08/01/2006

Is anyone else having a hard time convincing Seller's that the price they want for their home & the price their home will sell for in today's market are two completely different things? What I've been hearing a lot of lately is, "I think I'm going to wait a few months for the market to settled down & list my house then". It doesn't matter how many newspaper articles I cut out on how home sales in our County & neighboring Counties have dropped 20 to 30% in the last few months or how many web articles I copy & paste from Planet Realtor & email to my Seller's, they think I'm just trying to get them to give their homes away. It comes down to the evil monster... Greed. Rather than settling for a $40,000 profit, my Sellers are upset that they cannot take away $75,000! I tell them, at this poi... 08/01/2006

I'm wondering if there is any newer agents out there like me who feels (at this particular time) that real estate isn't enough...That the possibilities of doing some other type of business seem endless.To be able to take advantage of my real estate market knowledge and, say, buy a not-so-expensive building or lot and put up a low maintenance operation like a car wash or a storage facility would be pretty sweet.  08/01/2006

Florida List For Less Realty, Inc with 5 offices thoughout Florida is pleased to announce our newest web site http://www.babyboomersinflorida.com. is site was designed to assist Baby Boomers in receiving information on new communities located in Florida. Our goal is to supply you with informative information that will make it easier for you to decide what part of the State you wish to reside in.We`ll supply you with virtual tours,prices,and floors plans of each community as well as the amenities each community has to offer.Please feel free to visit this site as often as you`d like as well as joining our free newsletter that will be sent to you with up-to-date- information that will be useful in finalizing your next move!http://www.babyboomersinflorida.com/ is here to serve you. 08/01/2006

Last night I had this really great experience I wanted to share with you all.  But, when I got home and logged on to my computer....NOTHING!  The cable modem was down, again.  I had the right to remain silent...and no choice but to exercise it.So, this morning I took my rights into my own hands and stopped by the office of my local wireless provider (Alltel).  I have had my eye on the Verizon wireless data card for some time now, but since my provider is Alltel I had yet to pick it up.  Well, recently Alltel has added a highspeed data card to their product line as well and I saw this as my opportunity to break free from the shackles of coffee shop wireless hotspots.  I chose the Kyocera Passport (pcmag's editor's choice winner).  The card itself costs $99 plus $59/month for unlimited ac... 08/01/2006

Are you looking for ways to create new business? Most agents don't really enjoy the task of prospecting and having to continually find new people to work with. Most agents would agree that referrals are their favorite source of new business. If you feel that you are not getting enough referral business, ask yourself the following questions:Are you planting the seed with your clients that you want referrals? Do you get a commitment from your clients that they will give you referrals? Do you follow a system to get referrals?  If you answered "NO" to any of the questions above, you most likely are not asking for referrals from both your new and past clients. By being consistent with both asking for the referrals while you are working with new sellers or buyers, you will be able to get a co... 08/01/2006

With escalating home prices in the Los Angeles County region, including the Santa Clarita area, many homeowners are turning to illegal garage conversions to add extra living space.While this may seem like a great idea, it's actually not a safe choice. Garages are not fire safety-rated for living quarters and include extra hazards like water heaters, furnaces, washers and dryers.In the City of Santa Clarita, standard 2-car garages cannot be legally converted into living quarters. Space for the third car in a 3-car garage can be legally walled off in some cases, but generally not for living quarters. A common use for the third car bay would be for a home gym. Homeowners with these illegal garage conversions can be cited for various reasons, including creating a public nuisance, violating ... 08/01/2006

Some sellers are finding out the hard way that most of the time your first offer can also be your best offer.  On a couple of occasion this year, the sellers of homes I have on the market did not take my advice to accept good but not great offers and it has come back to haunt them.  One instance I had an offer for $585,000 on a home with a $599,000 asking price.  The seller declined it and 6 months later he just accepted a $515,000 offer.  The other was a full price offer on a home during the first week of marketing and the seller thought they would get a multiple offer war going so they waited to accept and lost the buyer.  They have since gotten two other offers one for $45,000 less than asking and the other $20,000 less.I know have two stories to tell sellers when they are reluctant ... 08/01/2006

OK...here's last night's lost entry.Earlier today I was doing a final walkthrough on a gorgeous home in the Ballantyne area of South Charlotte.  Full Brick, 4 bedrooms plus a bonus, wonderful home for just $400,000.  It was hotter than Hades today, broaching the 100 degree mark.As we were walking out of the house, Mrs. Kravitz across the street was pulling weeds in the front yard.  Pulling weeds in 100 degree weather.  You don't think she might have been shopping for an opportunity to interview the new neighbors, do you?  We decided to say hello and she proceeded to quiz my clients on everything!  Of course, she filled us in on the local gossip as well, chuckle.Here's the funniest part of the story:  There are 2 FSBO homes in the neighborhood.  She tells me that they are way overpriced ... 08/01/2006

I just have to say, I really enjoy real estate as a means to meet people.  I'm not shy with my friends, but in an unfamiliar environment, I can tend to be rather shy.  Since becoming a Realtor, however, that has changed.  I'm no longer afraid to start talking to people, or striking up a conversation in an odd location.  It doesn't have to be about real estate, it can be about anything.  I don't always mention I'm an agent, but most of the time it will pop out as we're discussing where we live and what-not.  I used to think Realtors who did this came off like they were "trolling" for clients.  However, if you just be yourself, you won't come off sounding like some cheesy used-car salesman.    08/01/2006

Following up on one of my deals today scheduled to close this coming Friday. Finally reached the Buyer's Realtor after leaving several messages only to hear how hectic her week has been with the kids getting ready for school blah, blah, blah. Anyway she suggested that I follow up with the Mortgage Broker and Title Company to make sure we are still on track for Friday as she doesn't have the time to deal with this this week. OK, correct me if I'm wrong but sometimes I wonder why I am even paying the buyers' Realtors. This happens ALL the time. Fortunately for them I prefer to cut them out of the deal as soon as possible anyway so I can deal directly with the Mortgage Broker. But what about the Realtors that don't want to deal with the other side of the transaction? Are these Buyers havin... 08/01/2006

What is the best price for a piece of real estate? Mortgage lenders, appraisers, and real estate brokers use what is called the "fair market value" (FMV). FMV has been defined as "the price that a buyer is willing to pay and the seller is willing to accept, when both parties are knowledgeable about the property and neither is under any time pressure to buy or sell". Sounds great, but how is this price determined? The starting point for determining a fair price may be an opinion of the value or "comparative market analysis". Such an analysis uses information on similar properties which are: 1) currently for sale, 2) already sold, or 3) expired properties (those which did not sell). Local, national and international trends and market conditions must also be evaluated.By comparing similar ... 08/01/2006

Who represents the homebuyer in the transaction? The most common scenario is for homebuyers to purchase a home with the help of the seller's listing agent. In this case, known as "dual agent representation," the real estate agent assists both the sellers and the buyers. However, it is also possible for the buyers to ask another realtor to represent their interests exclusively, acting as the "buyer's agent," a service which is available at no additional cost to the homebuyer.Any licensed real estate agent can act as your buyer's agent, helping you to locate and look at properties in your price range. However, if that real estate agent works for the same brokerage that is listing a particular property, dual agency or designated agent rules will then apply. The buyer's agent will advise th... 08/01/2006

Before your mortgage application is approved, the lender will order a professional appraisal of the home to make sure that the agreed-upon selling price is justifiable based on the current market value of the property. The cost of the appraisal will be based on the complexity of the appraisal report and the time required to complete it.A professional appraiser will choose the appraisal technique that is applicable to the particular property to arrive at an unbiased opinion of value. One approach is to look at comparable homes in the area that have sold within the last six months. If there are a number of similar properties that have sold recently, the appraiser's job is easy. It is more complicated to arrive at the appraised value if your home is located in a rural area or a diverse nei... 08/01/2006