Sunday, July 30, 2006

Quick Post -- What do those darn R.E. Abrv. mean?

Here is a great little quide to some of the more common real estate abbreviations used in newspapers and other advertisements.

Zillow Content for Everyone!



This news is a couple of days old, but I wanted to touch on it because I believe it is important to the industry...

Zillow announced late last week that it will be releasing an API code for some of it's online services such as zestimates, and mapping functionality. This will basically allow small websites to easily place the content and tools of Zillow onto their websites.

This is important because up until recently, only large websites with even larger budgets had content like this. And by the way, if you haven't ever checked out Zillow.com, it is an incredible experience. Many real estate agents around the country think that it's data and formulas to calculate property values are not correct, but you can't deny the usefulness of the site. You can pull tax records, see what similar homes in your area have sold for, etc. It is a very effective tool, and once this technology is open to the average "joe" real estate agent, we should see a wider spread of real estate related internet traffic.

Keep an eye out for this... they are supposed to release it in the fall... CREN may even consider the content for it's network of websites.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Quick Post -- Fear of Snakes Prompted Evolution

This is one of the most rediculous articles I've ever read: "Fear of Snakes may have Driven Pre-Human Evolution"

and people say that Creationism is hard to swallow... when any schmuck can make up a story and it passes as "science".

2006 - What Home Improvements add the most Value?

In 2004 we wrote a post on what home improvements add the most value.

I thought I'd post an update on what the NAR considers to be the best home improvements this year:

1. Upscale siding (new fiber cement) replacement.
Average payback: 103.6 percent of cost
Estimated job cost: $10,393 for 1,250 square feet
National average resale value: $10,771

2. Midrange bathroom remodel.
Average payback: 102.2 percent of cost
Estimated job cost: $10,499
National average resale value: $10,727

3. Minor kitchen remodel.
Average payback: 98.5 percent of cost
Estimated job cost: $14,913
National average resale value: $14,691

4. Midrange siding replacement.
Average payback: 95.5 percent of cost
Estimated job cost: $7,239
National average resale value: $6,914

5. Attic bedroom remodel.
Average payback: 93.5 percent of cost
Estimated job cost: $39,188
National average resale value: $36,649

You can see the original article here

Monday, July 24, 2006

Tech Post -- Hands Free Email??

Here is a new product that syncs with your bluetooth smart phone and reads your email outloud...
"With iLane™, you don't have to take your eyes off the road, or your hands off the steering wheel to check your handheld device for new messages. You stay connected to critical information without sacrificing your on-road safety."

Tech Post -- Full Dictionary & Thesaurus on USB

Here is a neat little tool that could come in handy... Merriam Webster USB Dictionary & Thesaurus

A thesaurus when used properly can be a great tool to have. If you write a lot of real estate ads for newspaper for example, it can prove indispensable.

Of course, when you have an internet connection, you wouldn't need anything like this as online dictionaries are abundant.

Friday, July 21, 2006

Zillow's Heat Maps

Zillow is trying out a cool new technology, where they visually map their data on property values and turn it in to what they call a "Heat Map". They started out by using 17 major markets around the country as a sample.

"Compare neighborhood values with our new heat maps. We divided Zestimates™ of homes by their square footage to show which neighborhoods are more or less expensive. The least expensive areas are light blue, while the most expensive areas are bright red."

No one cares about Screech's House



Remember that old show: "Saved by the Bell'?

I found this site about a month ago... I thought that it might take off in viral popularity, similar to the milliondollarhomepage, or something like it. But, because of it's shameless & unabashed begging technique, I think people were just disgusted, and nothing has really become of it.

Sorry Screech...

Disclaimer: There are three or four "colorful" words used on the site linked. I do not endorese or condone such language. Please do not send an email. You've been warned ahead of time.

Quick Post -- New Site: Google Will Eat Itself

G.W.E.I. "Google Will Eat Itself"

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Should you Refinance to a Safer Fixed Rate Loan?














I couldn't resist posting a link to this great article: "Time to Refinance?"

We're living in an interesting time in economic history where the yield curve is negative. In other words, the 30 year fixed rates are actually lower than the short term adjustable rates. You can see a historical record of yield curves on this page.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

"So, do you lock in a relatively low fixed interest rate now, or take your chances? That’s something you’ll have to decide for yourself. What I can say with confidence is this: given historic and recent trends, this is a critical time for everyone to evaluate their mortgage and their options. A flattened yield curve (where long term rates are close to short term rates) does not last long. And that at this time, a fixed rate mortgage should be considered as one of those options as a way to reduce longer term risk of rate increases - especially if you aren’t planning to sell in the near future."

Housing Bubble? -- How about Realtor Bubble!





















From the Thinking About Money Blog

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

A Mind Blowing Statistic from the NAR

"74 percent of homeowners use the first agent they talk to"

Source: National Association of Realtors



Christian Real Estate Network

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

We Remodeled our BLoG!!

Since we have recently remodeled this BLoG, I wanted to just say a quick hello to all of our readers. We are happy to have you!

We have been posting to our blog since about Jan. '05, and since that time, we have had a great response. Lately, we have been posting everyday on topics like real estate news, real estate marketing, new real estate websites, articles, advice, etc. We also have many links to the best real estate blogs and news sites out there.

If you use an RSS feeder to read your news, I encourage you to add us to your list. We have provided many easy ways to do this through Google, yahoo, msn, aol, and many others. If you need any help setting it up, just let us know.

Lastly, you may have heard of a new service called Del.icio.us it is a way to bookmark your favorite websites online and share them on the web. I thought that some of you may be interested to check out some of the real estate websites that we have compiled. As new and innovative real estate websites come on the web, we will post them to this site. To view, you can use this link: http://del.icio.us/hismove

I'd also like to open up a discussion on blogging in general. How many of you use a blog? What puppose does it serve for you? If you are new to blogging, or would like to try it, I encourage you to check out free sites like: http://www.blogger.com and http://www.wordpress.com Both sites let you set up your own free blog in minutes. Another great link if you are just starting out is: http://www.squidoo.com/blogstarter

Have a Blessed day!

-Justin

Monday, July 17, 2006

Realtor Safety in the Field

Real estate agent safety has become a big issue over the last couple of years. Some agents are even going as far as requiring background checks before showing property. Although that may be a little drastic in some markets, it is still a good idea to take safety seriously. Here is list of DO's and DON'Ts from the city of Mesa's police department:
"DO take the safest and best-lighted route -- day or night -- while driving to appointments, keeping the car windows up and doors locked. Never pick up hitchhikers, male or female.
DO always inform your office of where you will be, who you will be with and when you will next be in touch. Make sure the person you are meeting knows that you've given your office this information.
DO be aware of the neighborhood in which you are showing a listing. If the neighborhood poses any possible threat to your personal safety, take another person with you.
DO allow the client to proceed ahead of you while showing the property. Make sure you have previewed the property and know all of the accessible exits. Leave the doors unlocked for easy exit. Carry your cellular telephone with you at all times.
DO establish a method of being able to relate an emergency situation to the office or a contact person. Establishing a "distress" code word or having a "panic button" in your possession to use, if needed, will give you alternate ways of alerting the office of your situation.
DON'T hold an open house alone, if at all possible. Working with a partner allows you the luxury of having someone available to call or go to for assistance, if needed, and someone to help monitor how many people are in the house. If you must do an open house alone, stay near the door and let the prospect look through the house alone. Keep all valuables in the home -- jewelry, money, guns, etc. - locked away.
DON'T host an open house at a property you have not already previewed. Know the location of all of the exits and how to contact the closest neighbors. Make sure that if you use the backyard as an escape route that there is an exit out of it. make sure all of the exit doors are unlocked during the open house.
DON'T wear expensive jewelry and, if at all possible, keep your handbag locked in the trunk of your vehicle while you are hosting an open house. Have your car keys readily available by keeping them either in a pocket or clipped to a belt.
DON'T assume everyone has left the premises at the end of an open house. Check all of the rooms and the backyard prior to locking all of the doors. Be prepared to defend yourself, if necessary.
DON'T show a property alone at night, especially if it is vacant. "

Bold Verbage for new Listings

I read this article from the San Diego Union Tribune today-- And wanted to post a quick snippet:

Or: “Picture yourself at the center of downtown excitement. Catching afternoon rays on a sun deck high above the trees. Watching the sun set over the bay . . . .”

Man. Real estate people. They're hogging the thesaurus.

Not long ago, selling homes in San Diego was easy. The market was so hot that all you had to do was write something like this: “House. In San Diego. With, um, some windows.”

And you'd get 47 offers in nine minutes.

Now, though, with more houses being offered for sale and competition for buyers heating up, real estate agents seem to be on the prowl for any lilting adjective they can find.

And little wonder.

It now takes 62 days to sell a house. In June 2004, it took 22 days.

The article was about the new verbage that's popping up in real estate ads these days that trys to "coax" the buyer into a showing with eloquent verbage, wheras just a few months ago, all it took was a listing in the MLS. The times... They are a Changin'

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Tips for Selling in a Cooling Market

A slower U.S. housing market means sellers can no longer bank on having their pick of offers for properties showing their age and the wear and tear of everyday living. Dressing up, or staging, a home with a thorough cleaning and decorator touches may be vital to luring increasingly fussy buyers.

Sellers work within a range of budgets as they prepare a property for sale, often from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Yet many critical fixes don't cost a dime.

"Walk through the house and remove all the clutter," says Rhonda Duffy, an agent for Rainmaker Realty in Atlanta. She reports four houses on the market for every one buyer in her area, plus slower activity in her firm's northern California, Washington D.C., and Florida offices.

"A living room should have a couch and chairs, a table, some plants and maybe a TV, not a 30-year life history," she says. "Clean out the closets and don't forget the garage."

Since similar houses that had routinely sold in weeks over the past few years may now be sitting on the market for several months, sellers are challenged over a longer time to keep their home free of the remnants of hectic family life.

At the least, agents recommend, stage the house for a series of high-quality photos to run on an Internet listing sight -- first impressions take on even greater importance these days. Then, keep copies of the photos accessible to would-be buyers as they walk through the house, says Duffy. Toys, piled-up mail and crowded countertops are likely to be forgiven if a buyer can see the home's full potential. Staging for photos can include moving a sofa away from a feature window and editing items on a fireplace mantel.


View Original article here

Friday, July 07, 2006

More Functionality from Del.icio.us

here are some things I learned from del.icio.us URL history search:

Redfin narrowly beats out ZipRealty in popularity.

Some people find Zillow creepy.

Trulia seems to be strangely popular in Asia.

Move.com has done a poor job marketing its new URL.

del.icio.us deep search function is an incredibly powerful research tool that provides fascinating insight into the collective consciousness and perceptions of your brand. Subscribing to the RSS feed for the search on your URL is a no brainer for anybody involved in their company's marketing and corporate communications.

Click Here for Article Source