Things to do in Washington DC: June 2010

Realtors, do you know how to Prospect for Today's Market? Free NAR webinar July 13!

Let's pretend you're looking for a new pair of shoes. If you're living in Phoenix, just thinking about the short walk to the car in the heat makes you cringe. So what do you do? In this day and age with the explosion of mobile, Web & multimedia technologies, I bet your next plan of action is to search online. Right? Why even bother going to the store when you can browse through the items at your fingertips.

And if you're searching online for a purchase as small as a pair of shoes, I bet many people are conducting their home searches online as well. Times have changed for Realtors, and we must change the way we acquire clients & customers and approach prospecting in a fresh, new way that keeps up with the times & trends.

While there are many prospecting techniques that will always show results even to this day, there are new ones you can use to generate more business. This is where the webinar on REALTOR® Magazine comes in --

Prospecting for Today's Market: What Really Works
This webinar is presented by Anna Banana & John D. Mayfield, sales coach & Broker-Owner of Mayfield Real Estate from Farmington, Mo. Katherine Tarbox, Senior Editor of REALTOR® Magazine, who I have worked with before & Brian Summerfield, the Online Editor of REALTOR® Magazine will be hosting this event.

In this free webinar, we'll go over:

• the evolution of prospecting methods,
• how to generate relevant content effectively,
• and realistic expectations for Web prospecting.

You don't want to miss this webinar if you've ever considered using the Web & Social Media as a way to gain more clients but have never implemented it or knew where to start.

REGISTER today for this free webinar!
[Attending from Arizona? It starts at 12 PM.]

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If you're thinking of selling your Phoenix-area home, please give us a call. We're here to help you and make the selling process simple and stress free.

Call us today to request your complimentary market analysis to determine how your home compares to others in your area.

Feel free to contact me by phone 602-380-4886 or Email Anna Banana

You can also visit our website for more information on Phoenix and the surrounding areas.

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The Masters Series Anna "Banana" Kruchten was recently chosen as one of 12 Masters of Real Estate by the National Association of REALTORS® at realtor.org. ‘Banana’ has a knack for using unique strategies to market her properties, gain new clients & train her agents how to build a successful real estate practice. Let's Connect!

Buying a Condominium Requires Doing Your Homework

 

Helping a client with the purchase of a townhouse recently has reminded me that a condominium purchase can actually be more involved than buying a single family home.  This is partially due to the fact that you need to be concerned, not only about the unit you are buying, but also with the strength and stability of the entire condominium complex. 

 

Before entering into the purchase of a condominium there are some important questions that need to be researched.  

1. Monthly condominium fees - Depending on the complex, these can be significant and they figure into your overall monthly expense of home ownership. You will need to find out what the fees are and exactly what they include.  Fees typically go toward the maintenance of common areas, landscaping, snow removal and the master insurance.
2. What is the percentage of renters vs. owner occupied units?  Being in an environment of rental properties can have a direct effect on resale value.  Additionally, depending on the type of financing you are seeking, your lender will want to know the owner-occupancy rate of the condominium complex.
3. Bi-laws and covenants - These rules can govern how you can decorate your home, pet ownership and whether or not you can rent out your unit.  It is not atypical in a condominium to have to control your noise levels or show a certain color, usually white, of window treatment from your unit.
4. What does the master insurance cover?  You will need to get a copy of the condominium's master insurance policy and examine it to see what your responsibility will be with regard to coverage.  Most condo owners have to insure their own personal belongings or everything within your unit's walls. This includes carpeting, flooring, appliances and your own fixtures.
5. Check recent resale values at the complex - Have sales of units been keeping up with the rest of the condo market?  How have the "days on market" fared?
6. What is the parking situation at the complex? When you have guests they will need a place to park. Most condominium complexes have some provision for guest parking.  How many spaces are there for your guests and where are they located?
7. Have unit owners been delinquent in paying their condo fees?  If there is a large delinquency rate of owners paying their fees this is sign that the complex could be falling into financial trouble and this will not bode well for any future repairs, improvements or resale value.
8. Are there any special assessments that are currently due?  When a condominium project has fallen short on their budget sometimes the onus for special repairs (new roofs, decks, common areas) must fall on the owners.  This will be in the form of a special assessment that needs to be paid either annually or monthly.  You really do not want this type of surprise.

In addition to the above, you will need to check out the management company and see whether or not it is professionally run.  This information should be provided by the listing broker or seller along with all of the condo documents as well as the financial statement and budget. All of this information should be carefully reviewed by your attorney.

Typically banks have a standard questionnaire that they require for all condominium purchases but if it is a cash deal you will need to come up with a list of your own and have the questions answered sufficiently by the owner or the management company prior to purchase.

For a more carefree lifestyle a condominium can offer some distinct advantages over single family living.  Just be sure to do your homework to ensure a happy and safe investment in your new home.

Copyright 2010 "Buying a Condominium Requires Doing Your Homework"

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Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, The Buyers' Counsel - (508) 881-6230

Find the Right Buyer Broker in MetroWest Massachusetts

MLS Property Search With No Registration Required 

      

 

Just like kerosene heaters in the winter, this woman's death should have been ENTIRELY preventable. 

PUT THE MEDICAL NOTICE ON THE METER * NOT in the office of the power company and CERTAINLY NOT in the computer of the power company's office.  Put a STICKER on the meter with the DATES that the medical need/power of life is activated....if it needs to be renewed, those dates can be placed OR A NEW STICKER placed on the meter when it is read.

This is SO PREVENTABLE and because it is a power company (utility) there will be little recourse for the dead woman's husband.

EVERYONE who knows of someone that requires power for their life * whether for breathing or otherwise * needs to advise them to notify their electric company and provide any medical documentation necessary AND place their own sticker on their electric meter that such a order is on file.

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/25/AR2010062503592.html

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/25/AR2010062503592.html

Wallace S. Gibson, CPM * GIBSON MANAGEMENT GROUP, Ltd.
View our available rental homes online with photos and floor plans

"...to be a Virginian, either by Birth, Marriage, Adoption, or even on one's Mother's side, is an Introduction to any State in the Union, a Passport to any Foreign Country, and a Benediction from the Almighty God...." Anonymous

Are you ready for some rain San Diego???  I hope so because the crew is coming your way!

We are pleased to announce RainCamp San Diego happening Thursday, August 5th at the University of San Diego. We'll be a little north of the zoo but sure to have a wild time!

This all day event will revolutionize the way you conduct business.  It's a new ballgame out there folks and our key speaker, Ben Kinney, will share his secrets on what he is using to break the mold.  The tools taught at RainCamp are ones you can implement into your daily routine immediately.  It was designed for anyone in the Real Estate Industry looking to stay on top of the ever evolving Real Estate Market.

Tickets are limited so don't delay!  You can purchase them at RainCamp San Diego.

Platinum tickets will include wifi, power and reserved seating in the front of the room along with a hosted lunch with the RainCamp speakers.

After a long day, full of exciting new tools and ideas, we invite you to rub shoulders at the after party on a beautiful terrace close by.

RainCamp has proven over and over to be a successful event that has helped tons of people maximize their business.

Check out what some attendees are saying:

 

"Raincamp was a good experience for me. It exceeded my expectations, and I can tell you I've been to many industry events of the course of my years, I don't say that lightly."

Kristal Kraft - RainCamp Denver
Top Ten From RainCamp

 

 

 

"Was it worth the time and money? You bet. I believe Wednesday's event was the single best 1-day education I've had the honor of participating in. Again, if you have a chance to attend a RAINCAMP, do it!"

Valesca Bogard - RainCamp San Francisco
RainCamp - The Best ROI EVER Received from a 1-day Conference

 

 

 

"If you haven't been to a Rain Camp, seriously consider it. There is no question, the technology that is being taught, is the wave of the future.......this is a better way of doing our job, a more effective way of prospecting and converting leads to clients."

Robert Deane - RainCamp Los Angeles
We Laughed But I Did Not See Anyone Cry

 

 

 

"It's only 2 hours into the day (we are on break) and I've already realized several things that I can do NOW to increase my website traffic.....I'm excited by the ideas I've gotten so far. This is definitely worth the time/price."

Karen Fiddler - RainCamp Los Angeles
Break Time at ActiveRain RainCamp LA

 

 

 

"There were so many current and powerful ideas.....but at the end I realized the future of real estate is upon us.......I had become a dinosaur and (RainCamp made me realize) I need to revamp, rethink, remodel and change my business strategy and marketing plan."

John M. Cameron - RainCamp Bellingham
I Just Flew In From RainCamp and Man Are My Arms Tired

 

 

 

"I was blown away, and I'm not one to get blown away with things like this....I learned so many things, that I can't wait to have a few minutes to implement ideas...."

Donna Harris - RainCamp Dallas
ActiveRain RainCamp Dallas TX - WOW!!

 

 

 

"I was excited to learn from many of the top experts when it comes to marketing real estate....were able to take home the things learned and start applying them immediately to increase their listing and selling opportunities."

Linda Yates - RainCamp Dallas
Making it 'Rain' at RainCamp in Dallas

 

 

 

"The day flew by! I was fully engaged and absorbing information from 9:00am-5:00pm. It was worth every penny and I highly recommend you attend if you get the chance."

Michelle Minch - RainCamp Los Angeles
RainCamp Los Angeles | It's Raining Information

 

 

 

"As with (my) first RainCamp, I've come away again today with a greater appreciation of my potential - and an excitement toward growing. I've been given a great set of tools and now it's up to me to put them to good use."

Bruce Kunz - RainCamp Washington DC
ActiveRain RainCamp in DC - More Than Just For Points

 

 

Reserve your seat today.....not tomorrow....TODAY!!!!

 

Follow ActiveRain on Twitter and Facebook

 

 

Do you need money to repair your home  or you're buying a Woodbridge, VA foreclosure, bank owned, or short sale property? If so, the FHA 203 (k) Streamline loan may be right for you.

The FHA 203(k) streamline loan allows up to $35,000 in repairs by licensed contractors. See my blog post about "buying the home of your dreams, almost" .

 

The FHA 203K loan is  available for existing homeowners that need to upgrade or repair your existing property. Here are the steps to completing a FHA 203(k) purchase or refinance:

1. Locate Property if it is not your current home
2. Make appointment with contractor and/or home inspector to review repairs/upgrades
3. Contractor submits written cost of repairs.
4. Appraisal is requested with list of repairs from contractor
5. Appraised value is determined for "as is" value (hopefully sales price or greater than current loan balance) and the after repair value
6. Loan documents submitted with final figures from appraisal and contractor
7. Go to closing on the home of your dreams, almost!

This is the short version of the process, it typically takes 30-45 days to get to closing .

 

                                                                                  

Not all lenders offer this loan, but we do...have questions or if this post tickled your curiosity, pick up the phone and call (703-497-3936) or email (I have a Blackberry).
               

P.S. Did you preview a New Construction Home that wasn't quite finished? Well, FHA 203(k) streamline is the loan program for you to buy the "House of Your Dreams, Almost".

 

Click here for a cheat sheet about FHA 203(k) loans

Markita Aldridge-Woods of WestStar Mortgage, Inc. Contact me via email or call me direct at 703-497-3936 for answers to your questions about mortgage financing.  Or get pre-approved today to purchase your home.

I service Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Dale City, Fairfax, Stafford, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, Quantico, Ft. Belvoir, and the Virginia surrounding areas.

We offer FHA, VA, VHDA,USDA, and Conventional financing.

(WestStar Mortgage Inc. is licensed by the Virginia State Corporation Commission and License No. MC-1875)