Here is today’s list of top real estate posts of the day.
1) Brokers: embrace difference, love the eccentric – Marc Davison of 1000watt Consulting talks about what he would do if he was a broker, right down to the restroom in his office. The key, being different.
2) What’s wrong with Private Transfer Fees? – While all the comments on this post agree with the author, I differ. Private transfer fees are annoying and should be done away with. Add the fee into the cost of the house and that is real disclosure.
3) The Art of Negotiating – Don’t let principle get in the way.
4) Higher Foreclosure Sales Expected By 2012 – Oh goodie-goodie, foreclosures will continue for another two years!
5) Revisit Your Circle of Influence and Revive Your Real Estate Business – Great advice for new agents and seasoned veterans, get to work on that sphere.
6) The Foreclosure Epidemic – A Discussion with Alex Charfen – Ok I am going to put aside my feelings on the CDPE program and Alex Charfen for a minute (and no John, there are better programs out there) but I love his look at foreclosures in this video. He explains why it appears foreclosures may be slowing down right now, but they are really not. 1-in-6 mortgages in this country are late. Just let that number sink in.
7) Do We Believe in the Millenials? – People currently between 18-30 are Millenials, how will they effect the future or real estate?
8) The Good Side of Loan Modification’s Failure, A Buoyant Foreclosure Market – Now here is someone reaching for a silver lining. Interesting take on the good side of loan mod failures.
9) Are Real Estate Stats Where It’s At? – Short term results, but interesting perspective on adding stats to your site.
10) Blog Carnival of Real Estate – My First Time to Host! Winners Announcement – The Canival is back in town.
1) Learn by Doing, Exercise 2 for Real Estate Investors – How to Sell – Want to practice your sales techniques? Here is an interesting idea, a way to practice on Craigslist.
2) Does the Realtor’s Code of Ethics Prevent Real Estate Agents From Serving Their Clients? – Great post, something I admit I struggle with on a regular basis. How do you answer that question from the out of state buyer when they ask, is that a safe neighborhood, or is that a nice neighborhood, or would you put your mother there? You can’t.
3) RUMOR: First American offers up to 40% rev share with MLS providers – The part I find most interesting is the rumor RPR may go around MLS providers and get their data straight from brokers. Sit back and grab the popcorn, this is going to be interesting to watch.
4) When Miami Beach Condo owners listen – Look at these pictures, staging can make such a difference, yet not really cost much money at all.
5) Agents of Change – Is there a week that goes by without a good discussion on Redfin and their model? I recently talked to them myself and what struck me was their overwhelming emphasis on customer satisfaction. Everyone says that is what they are all about, but with them, that is how you get paid.
6) You Can’t Get Your Mortgage News From A Newspaper. And Here’s The Proof – Dan Green does a number on a mortgage column in the business section of his newspaper.
7) Loan Modification Horror Stories, What Are The Lessons? – If you are going to try to do a loan modification please do your homework. Check out the long term results of loan modifications and see who they really help in the end. And double, triple check any company you may work with and have them provide a list of a dozen clients who worked with them over a year ago to see if they are still happy.
8) FHA Streamline Refinance: Is It Still Possible? – If you have an FHA loan that is currently over 5.5% it may be time to look at a streamline.
9) Dallas RainCamp – Internet Marketing Class For Professionals – New to blogging or just intimidated about setting up your first real estate blog, RainCamp may be for you.
10) Alternatives to the Apple iPad for Tablet Computing – I have been struggling to hold off on the iPad. By this fall I will have a tablet for sure, I was wishing I had one last night when I was printing off all my MLS sheets for today’s showings. But there is some good stuff coming down the road that may be worth waiting for so I can avoid ATT’s network.
1) Top 5 Steps to Avoid Foreclosure without Falling Into a Loan Modification Scam – If you are thinking of doing a loan modification beware of all the scam companies out there. Loan mods seem to be the top money generating scam these days in real estate. Here are some tips on avoiding the scams.
2) What is a Short Sale? – We throw the words short sale around often, but do you know for sure what a short sale is and what it is going to mean to you the buyer or seller?
3) I Want To Be Your Second Choice When You Choose A Realtor – I have heard this point before and it is a great point. Hire your friend first, then if they don’t get it done, Ian Watt says call me.
4) Why Are HUD Homes Becoming Popular Again? – There are a lot of great HUD programs and I also have noticed the supply of HUD homes has been on the rise around here too.
5) Understanding Strategic Defaults – Strategic defaults seems to be the phrase of the month.
6) Where can I get the best real estate deal in Scottsdale? – Deal, that is what every buyer says they want and of course, who doesn’t. But deal should not be price alone.
7) NAR: FHA to announce changes this week – There was a lot of talk in late 2009 about FHA raising the minimum down payment from 3.5% to 5%, which I supported. But another possibility is leaving it at 3.5% but raising the mortgage insurance premium payment up front. Either way, expect changes over the next year in FHA loans.
8) Marty Frame Answers MLS Concerns About RPR™ at ICNY 10′ – A great watch for any real estate agent on RPR and MLS’.
9) Which Sells More Homes: Local MLS or National Real Estate Website – A good discussion, do more people find houses through their MLS or national real estate site? Based on my experience with my clients it is not even close, MLS wins.
10) 8 Things You Should Do Before Writing Content For Your Real Estate Website – I can tell from my RSS reader that many real estate bloggers made a resolution to write more this year, and I can also tell over the last week that has slowed down a little. In a rut, here is some good advice for getting your groove on again.
