Real Estate Bloggers

Silver Lining and Happy Holidays

Goomzee — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:04:51 -0800

Hi All, I thought a positive message going into the holidays was needed. May everyone take time to recharge and plan and execute towards a successful 2009 season. Austin Smith is an active blogger on our team and I loved his most recent post and felt inclined to syndicate it here - Happy Holidays!

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By Austin Smith, Product Specialist - Goomzee.com more...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

Another Online Community for Real Estate

SWANEPOEL — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:05:49 -0800

Last weekend, real estate agents and brokers got introduced to yet another social and business network to participate in when online real estate news service, Broker Agent Professional, launched Broker Agent Social (www.brokeragentsocial.com). Within the first 100 hours after launch they exploded to 2,000 members - adding a new member every few minutes.

Broker Agent Social enters an already crowded field dominated by players such as Inman Community, ActiveRain, RealTown, Zillow Community and RealSeekr. more...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It!!

Smith_Goomzee — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:30:38 -0800

Yet another product of our faltering economy is the rise in the rate of foreclosure throughout the country. But how do we go about fixing it? I don’t know about the rest of you, but I support the concept of extended terms and reduced interest, as opposed to billing me, the taxpayer, for the bailout. more...

Real Estate Events

FREE OBEO STYLEDESIGNER-GIVING THANKS

Steven Stearns — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:40:24 -0800

Keeping it real-and being grateful for my friends and associates at Inman:

FREE Obeo StyleDesigner ($40 value) on any new Obeo photography package.

StyleDesigner lets you redecorate digitally -on line!

To redeem, use promo code 'PC955689' Ends Nov. 30th, 2008.

Call 800-729-6236!

Thanks to all for your thoughts and comments-(;-])

...Blog ON!

Steve
Obeoman

Virtual Tour Discussion Group

Submission for Blog Makeover

kevincito — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:50:19 -0800

Ok, I'll play ball.

I'm interested in being "ripped apart":

1. Because I can take it
2. I'm wondering if I should go to a two sidebar format
3. Since I don't know everything---maybe I'm missing something.

submission:

http://www.southbeachrealestateblog.com

Kevin Tomlinson
http://www.kevintomlinson.com
http://www.southbeachrealestateblog.com

Real Estate Bloggers

Goodbye to Google Ranking

cherylwaller — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:33:26 -0800

The days of Googling your keywords to measure the effectiveness of your SEO strategy are coming to an end. According to Bruce Clay of PubCon, there will be big changes in ranking. In the name of Top Shelp Organic SEO, Google will be tuning into the specific behaviors of individual users to serve up more customized results.

What this means to the end-user is better results and less spam. more...

Virtual Tour Discussion Group

GUSBLACH — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:38:20 -0800

My friend Gustavo Farfan, has prepared this article, hoping to turn the mindset of our community from negative to positive thinking. I hope he is right,lets see what you think about his view. Gustavo Blachman. SHOULD I BUY NOW OR WAIT UNTIL THE PRICES DROP MORE? I hear the same line of question from clients and Real Estate agents. more...

Agent Broker referral

Change Is A Reality - Learn To Deal With It

SWANEPOEL — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:51:27 -0800

Real estate professionals need to think differently about the future. They need to do more and they need to move faster. It has now been more than 10 years since my first book on trends, Real Estate confronts Reality, and many of the changes that we have been writing and speaking about are now coming to fruition. Things are definitely changing, and on a large scale. Within the next five years the real estate brokerage industry will significantly have changed and brokers and agents that don’t adapt now will not enjoy the benefits of the next economic upswing. more...

Alternative Business Models

FORT LAUDERDALE: IS RIDING 'THE WAVE' WORTH THE COST?

Julie Jones — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:45:07 -0800

Last June, the South Florida Business Journal announced a Fort Lauderdale proposal for a new streetcar system called, The Wave, to replace the current downtown Sun Trolley. The proposed running date: 2012. The proposed price tag: $150 million.

The present Sun Trolley (on wheels) conveys approximately 100 passengers per day. The Downtown Development Authority of Fort Lauderdale, which is planning The Wave, believes this jazzy new, electric streetcar system will attract 6,000 riders per day, especially with plans to link it to the Tri-Rail system. more...

Real Estate Marketing

Contact Your Legislators & News Papers-Who Knows The Industry Better-We Can Explain The Problem And Offer Solutions

stockmeister — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:57:10 -0800

Call to action for my fellow Real Estate & Mortgage friends. I wrote the following article this past weekend. I am sharing it with you and encourage you to pass it on to those who might be able to affect change. I have been sharing this with our Minnesota legislators as well as the news media.

Open Letter Concerning The Crisis In The Markets-Real Estate, Mortgage, Securities more...

Real Estate Bloggers

Contact Your Legislators & News Papers-Who Knows The Industry Better-We Can Explain The Problem And Offer Solutions

stockmeister — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:56:56 -0800

Open Letter Concerning The Crisis In The Markets-Real Estate, Mortgage, Securities more...

Real Estate Bloggers

USING FENG SHUI TO SELL HOMES

Julie Jones — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:59:12 -0800

What do “chi” alignment, the number 27, “space clearing” and “hungry ghosts” have in common when selling a residence? Feng Shui. Yes, you read correctly. An article in November’s Realtor magazine says sellers experiencing long periods between listing and selling their properties are hiring Feng Shui practitioners to use the ancient Chinese technique to dissipate the negativity of financial woes by realigning the “chi”, or energy, of the property.

And, guess what? The article says it’s working. more...

Real Estate Marketing

Information You Can Count On - 2009 Trends Report Opens for Contributions

SWANEPOEL — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:46:28 -0800

Change seems to be the buzz word this year, with Barack Obama touting “Change We Need,” John McCain promoting “Real Change” and even Hillary Clinton saying “Change you can count on.”

Every year the Swanepoel TRENDS Report identifies, analyzes and then details out the imminent changes that are expected to impact the real estate industry over the coming 12 – 18 months. The 2009 Report is currently in the final 60 days of research and writing and obviously with all the recent financial disasters, the energy crisis, the housing collapse and foreclosure catastrophe this has made 2008 the worst year in real estate and financial history. more...

Alternative Business Models

Buyers Agents and Brokers

MFDALY1 — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 07:24:41 -0700

How, in this market, do you effectively market yourself as a Buyers Agent or Broker to potential buyers and how do you educate the often paranoid listing agent and seller as to your value?

Real Estate Trends

Saving Private Ryan - What If He's a Renter or Tenant

bandersohn — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 18:05:34 -0700

Paul SlayBaugh wrote a post the other day on his Blog regarding foreclosures. I shared this concept as a comment on his Blog, and now want to expand on it a little, and get an Industry opinion.

Paul said, "What many prospective tenants do not realize when shopping for a place to hang their hats for the next year or two is that the new landlord might be on unstable footing. Unable to keep up with mortgage payments and unable to sell, leasing the home is becoming the trendy way to staunch, or at least slow the bleeding for many struggling homeowners." more...

California Real Estate Bloggers

HOME FORECLOSURES AND AMERICAN INTEGRITY

Julie Jones — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:08:06 -0700

After watching a disturbing video on Inman on home foreclosures in Southern California, I became acutely aware of how much Americans caught up in the net of losing their homes to the volcanic mortgage situation lost something more precious than their homes: They lost their integrity.

The video showed abandoned, completely furnished homes being “trashed out” by a company hired by the banks to empty the property to be ready for sale. Brown lawns are being spray painted green to improve curb appeal for marketing. What are these people thinking? more...

Real Estate Marketing

Website review please!

cmoscinski — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:33:00 -0700

Looking to make possible changes to my site colors graphics, info.

Please review.

Your input is appreciated!

Christine in Chicago

Real Estate Website Reviews

Website review please!

cmoscinski — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:32:43 -0700

Looking to make possible changes to my site colors graphics, info.

Please review.

Your input is appreciated!

Christine in Chicago

Real Estate Website Reviews

FLORIDA REAL ESTATE SELLS DESPITE CREDIT RESTRICTIONS

Julie Jones — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:35:23 -0700

The south Florida Business Journal reports that despite tight credit restrictions, houses in Florida continue to be in demand for purchase. The Florida Association of Realtors reported that for the second month in a row, single family home sales were up in response to the lowering prices. more...

Real Estate Bloggers

DOES YOUR OPEN HOUSE BRING RESULTS?

Julie Jones — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:25:30 -0700

How is your open house traffic in these challenging times? As the Internet gains momentum and videos become the popular option to preview properties, what is the future for open houses?

Typically, the main open house traffic is on Sunday afternoons from 2 pm until late afternoon. Increased gas prices and reduced leisure time may also be impacting the traditional open house habit. What are real estate professionals experiencing in other areas? more...

Real Estate Marketing

The Short Sales Conspiracy by Gustavo Blachman

GUSBLACH — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 07:53:49 -0700

Hello Inman News Bloggers and Masterminds.

My name is Gustavo F. Blachman, I am the broker-owner of Terrabella Realty in Miami, Florida. my website is www.goterrabella.com and my email is info@terrabellarealty.com

Here’s my take on the short sale practice: more...

Real Estate Bloggers

The Future of Mobile Marketing for Real Estate

jbernheisel — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:51:52 -0700

Coming soon to a cell phone near you: The ability to project images and videos via a built in micro sized pico-projector on any surface up to 100 inches. more...

Real Estate Bloggers

DO YOU KNOW WHAT CONSUMERS ARE THINKING?

Julie Jones — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:50:45 -0700

An article in September’s Realtor Magazine (pg.27) states that, no matter how clear client’s goals when buying or selling a property, decision making often becomes emotionally and sometimes irrationally driven when negotiating high-end purchases. This is not bad, mind you, just a proven fact on how the human mind works when analyzing what most people regard as a critically important decision to buy or sell. more...

Real Estate Bloggers

ARE THERE ONLY FIVE HOME-BUYING TRIBES?

Julie Jones — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:56:12 -0700

Realtor Magazine* cites an interesting article by a marketing company who segmented homebuyers into five “tribes”-- in which they promise that consumers will recognize themselves as at least one. They believe real estate salespeople can target their advertising based on the following tribes: more...

Real Estate Marketing

Another September to remember: September 2008

SWANEPOEL — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:38:06 -0700

The Financial Market Disaster of 2008

September 2008 is exactly two weeks old today, but what a September it has already been. The events of late are unsurpassed in living history and I think that 9/08 may very well be remembered as the worst financial disaster in history. more...

Alternative Business Models

11 September 2001

SWANEPOEL — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:47:57 -0700

Today we remember the brave men, women and children who lost their lives seven years ago and the heroes that responded to the emergency. There are many different video tributes of that day but I thought that this one was particularly well rounded. http://attacked911.tripod.com/

God Bless America!

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

Keepin' it Real

rexcheck — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:00:45 -0700

Sometimes, a pair of shoes looks better in a catalog than on your feet. Buyer’s remorse is common even when it comes to choosing a home. Virtual tours, images and video are all polished to the point that an open house can look as bad as those shoes just unboxed. Rexcheck.com allows real estate agents to make real videos, or mindcasts, of properties for sale. With any mobile phone or camcorder, a real estate agent can email you a home unvarnished. No travel and no disappointment - just save time and watch the real deal. Here’s how Rexcheck.com can help you: more...

Real Estate Agent Mastermind Group

…and the Winner is…

SWANEPOEL — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:36:31 -0700

The results for the XXIX Real Estate Olympiad are in.

Wow, what a huge undertaking it has been to tally the scores, taking all factors into consideration, weighted scores, removing highest and lowest scores and of course double checking the hanging chads. Thank you to all paticipants, nominees,voters and judges!

So the Medal Winners of the 2008 Real Estate Pacesetter Award, as voted by the Inman Real Estate Trends Group, are: more...

Alternative Business Models

FLORIDA FINANCE NETWORK: GOOD FOR BUSINESS IN FLORIDA

Julie Jones — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:51:39 -0700

The Florida Finance Network, a nonprofit consortium of organizations, exists to ensure that small to medium sized Florida companies have access to affordable capital they need to succeed. FFN delivers financing assistance from state and federal programs. Most Florida businesses established for two years are eligible. Start-ups are also funded, but might require assistance from the Florida Small Business Development Center Network.

Member organizations are: more...

Professional Real Estate Investors

Real Estate Blog as Exclusive Buyer Agency Business Generator

MFDALY1 — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:57:41 -0700

So, I've been author of the Hamptons Real Estate Blog for just under two years now. The blog has been viewed nearly 90,000 times, yet I am not getting as much "business" from the blog as I anticipated. More importantly, I just closed my Remax office and I want to open an Exclusive Buyer Agency in the Hamptons, where I have been listing/selling/managing/brokering for ten years. I'm looking for a model that has successfully used the blog as an income/lead/business generating platform for a Buyers Brokerage in a luxury market. more...

Alternative Business Models

WASHINGTON NEWS FLASH: THE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT OF 2008

Julie Jones — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:00:05 -0700

Mason Pruner, Branch Manager of Wells Fargo on Glades Road in Boca Raton recently sent me this update from Washington on The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. If you haven’t already heard, I’m sure you would like to know the new facts. more...

Real Estate Marketing

THE XXIX OLYMPIAD

SWANEPOEL — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:56:42 -0700

This is in follow up to the post last week titled Real Estate Olympics

Recap of Beijing

Mark Spitz's 36-year old record of 7 gold medals at one Olympic event, across all Olympic sports, was shattered when 23-year-old swimming machine Michael Phelps grabbed his 8th gold in Beijing and 14 all-time gold medals. Who will ever forget his 0.01 of a second photo-finish with Serbian - Wow. more...

Alternative Business Models

The psychology of managing your professional schedule

Goomzee — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:29:25 -0700

As a real estate professional you have an important task of keeping your clients satisfied. One of the key factors in keeping your clients satisfied requires you to be available to your client when they are available. After all, they've chosen you to work for them. (I know, I should be nicknamed "Captain Obvious"!) However, there is a fine line that can be crossed, and that's the line between your personal and professional life. When that line is crossed, it can eventually cause small sparks that lead to a fire in the relationship between you and your clients down the road. more...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

ENVIRONMENTALLY-AWARE LIVING IN FLORIDA: Re-Establishing Florida's River of Grass

Julie Jones — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:54:36 -0700

It is my pleasure to share another exciting incentive enrolled by the governor’s office toward making Florida an environmentally sound and beautiful locale for living.

On June 24, 2008, the South Florida Water Management District began negotiating an agreement to acquire as much as 187,000 acres of agricultural land owned by the United States Sugar Corporation to reestablish a part of the historic connection between Lake Okeechobee and America's Everglades. more...

Real Estate Marketing

BREATHE EASIER IN FLORIDA: Reducing Greenhouse Gases

Julie Jones — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:07:55 -0700

BREATHE EASIER IN FLORIDA: Reducing Greenhouse Gases

As of the 16th of July 2008, a Memorandum of Understanding was drawn between the United Kingdom’s Carbon Trust and the State of Florida. The memorandum, signed in London by Michael Rea, COO of The Carbon Trust and Governor Charlie Christ, is summarized as follows: more...

Real Estate Marketing

Real Estate Olympics

SWANEPOEL — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:54:24 -0700

With the XXIX Olympiad - The 2008 Summer Olympic Games - officially underway in Beijing China I thought it would be interesting to have a small online real estate olympiad of our own. more...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

MSN REPORTS AN UNEXPECTED RISE IN PENDING HOME SALES FIGURES

Gene Urban — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:32:16 -0700

MSNBC.com reported that pending home sales rose "unexpectiedly" in July based on NAR's seasonally adjusted index of pending sales for exisitng homes.

I found the term, unexpectedly, a bit surprising. Talking with Realtors across the country, I've consistently heard sales are on the rise in many markets. Logically, pendings must be as well.

Once again, national new sources are behind the times in their reporting. Could some of you report the month by month sales for 2008 in your markets? It would be nice to have a national picture based on real stats.

Real Estate Bloggers

AMENDMENT 1 PUTS FLORIDA'S BUYERS ON THE MOVE

Julie Jones — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:16:32 -0700

Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Association of Realtors aggressively supported the now-passed Amendment 1, originally known as the Save Our Homes Amendment begun in 1995. For those residents unsure of how Amendment 1 affects their real estate plans, here are facts from Florida Realtor Magazine: more...

Real Estate Marketing

REAL ESTATE ON STEROIDS

Julie Jones — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:30:54 -0700

Looking back on the unprecedented growth in the real estate market for the past ten years, the well-muscled housing prices seemed to have been on . . . well, steroids. While lenders matched loans and interests rates to the swelling real estate market, many observers knew the day would come when the high would hit a low.

An interesting article in Continental Airline’s July in-flight magazine called, The Silver Lining Strategy, by Chris Warren, cites real estate developers and investors across the country excited about the new real estate diagnosis. more...

Real Estate Marketing

FOREIGN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES

Julie Jones — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:24:37 -0700

Mayfair International Realty (one of Premier Estate Properties’ affiliates), based in London, England, provides me with valuable market data and an opportunity to promote some of Fort Lauderdale’s finest luxury residences. The latest report from Mayfair International Realty revealed the following facts:

1. Some Florida Statistics more...

Real Estate Marketing

Discussion on the Pros and Cons of the New Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act

SWANEPOEL — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:03:24 -0700

The American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (the Housing Act) was signed into law last week as the most sweeping housing legislation since the Great Depression. The new Act authorizes the Department of the Treasury to stem the tide of home foreclosures and provide a lifeline to mortgage lenders.

It’s significant as the last legislation addressing a large group of homeowners was the National Housing Act of 1934 that created the Federal Housing Administration and authorized the creation of Fannie Mae. more...

Real Estate Trends

GOOD NEWS ON FLORIDA'S HOUSING PROGNOSIS

Julie Jones — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:23:44 -0700

GOOD NEWS ON FLORIDA'S HOUSING PROGNOSIS

Florida Trend Magazine has an interesting article in the July 2008 issue. A ‘prognosis’ made by the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Competitiveness states that the U.S. will begin recovering from its “mild” recession right about now. Good news. Florida, however, is supposed to be delayed in its recovery due to the statewide housing slump. more...

Real Estate Marketing

Is Real Estate the Next Big Target?

SWANEPOEL — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:36:32 -0700

IDENTITY THEFT AND THE STEALING OF CONFIDENTIAL DATA

“Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the nation - especially in the suburbs,” says Congresswoman Melissa Bean. The FTC receives over 250,000 reports of identity theft every year and USA Today reported that in 2007 an estimated 260 million records were stolen - that amounts to 8 records stolen every second of every day.

In real estate this is also a growing concern. Here are three possible vulnerable areas of our industry that I see: more...

Technology, Tools and Tidbits

Social or Social Media?

FogCityGuide — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:44:52 -0700

After experiencing the wonderment of it all, from ReBar to the incredible group of leaders of our industry talkinig about "When will it turn?" I was deflated by the walk away message that we social media types were told to get off the computer and go out just be social.

In the wrap up Joel Burslam said the take away message he got was to go out and do it the old fashioned way. more...

Real Estate Bloggers

EMERGING TRENDS IN LUXURY REAL ESTATE

Julie Jones — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:53:03 -0700

Margot Larkin, Assistant Vice President and Mortgage Office from Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust, recently commented on the emerging trends towards luxury real estate, which she claims is always the first asset to be super-sized, ultra-designed, and updated with the latest technology and trends.

• Design and Layout
Today’s high-end luxury residences are brimming with amenities never dreamed of years ago. “Smart” homes have been the rage for a few years, but now you can “call” your residence and pre-set the temperature, lighting, television, and more. more...

Professional Real Estate Investors

Step Proudly: 10 Steps to Reducing the Carbon Footprint In Your Home

Julie Jones — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:10:50 -0700

Carbon Footprint is a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide produced by a person, organization or location at a given time, impacting the environment with carbon emissions.

Many folks have become aware of their own carbon footprints. I invite you to measure yours. Visit www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx, or take a carbon footprint quiz at http://www.footprintnetwork.org/gfn.

Conservation International suggests these ten simple and immediate changes to reduce the greenhouse effect on our planet: more...

Professional Real Estate Investors

Top Real Estate Blogger Blogging Habits

dianecohn — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:53:11 -0700

Guy Johnson from Reno Realty Blog interviews leading real estate bloggers about their blogging habits at Inman Connect NY. A lot of well-known bloggers make appearances here, along with many faces new to the blogging scene. Just a taste of how much fun an Inman Connect Conference can be... ;)

Real Estate Bloggers

WALL STREET HAS CONFIDENCE IN FORT LAUDERDALE

Julie Jones — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:19:07 -0700

In the latest issue of Focus on Fort Lauderdale published by the City of Fort Lauderdale good news prevailed!

Continued confidence in the financial management of the City of Fort Lauderdale by the Wall Street's leading credit rating institutions is resulting in strong bond ratings and an optimistic outlook for the City. more...

Real Estate Bloggers

IndyMac...IndyGov

Darneyshortsaleteam — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:10:32 -0700

Wow...we had secured a short sale listing with IndyMac and we were told from the get go...90 days minimum before we receive our short sale approval. Kim and I were bummed when we here told this unreasonable amount of time.

We would check in every day or every other day...just as Tim Harris of Harris University told us...and low and behold, we received approval in 37 days! No counter offers...not even a call from a short sale negotiator. IndyMac held a $580,000 lien and we were approved for a $248,000 offer. more...

Real Estate Bloggers

Three Gold Stars and Two Rusty Nails

SWANEPOEL — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:27:07 -0700

When the stock market took a nose dive, real estate brought growth.

When the economy did poorly, real estate introduced wealth.

When 911 all but destroyed our faith, real estate restored the American Dream.

In many occasions, and in many years, real estate has been the rock to depend, or in some cases even the rocket to ride to riches. But times have changed and the bright years of 2000-2005 have become a dull memory. more...

Real Estate Trends