Is ActiveRain & Others On There Way Out???A thought to PonderAs we dive into 2016 Overload, we soon realize some side-way thinking. We have reached a time where there is so much information at our fingertips to choose from. But you still have people out there that won't take the time to learn simple computer techniques. My guess, this is an example of the frustration of old timers afraid of the Internet. I wonder if it was a case of doing away with the horse whip to make way for the automobile?   09/10/2016

The Laws That Accumulate WealthThe law of accumulation basically says that achievement is the result of constant and perpetual effort. Everything you have done throughout your life negative or positive multiplies over time.  With a quick illustration on money it works something like this. We all want to be rich, but even the rich unless inherited started out by saving something first. Putting away just $3.00 a day from the age of 20 until you were 65 and receiving a return of 9% over those years you would be a millionaire. You would have saved $43,800 over those 40 years and the law of accumulation would have done the rest. The same goes for prospecting, but it doesn't happen overnight. You have to prospect for at least 90 days before this LAW kicks in. The key is 90 days because it tak... 09/10/2016

Secrets to Selling In 11 Easy Steps 1. When you approach every sales situation as a friend, an adviser, and a teacher, you willdramatically lower the stress, involved in competitive selling.2. The prospect does not care what your product is. They only care about what the product orservice will do for them.3. Convincing your prospect that they will get additional recognition by using your product orservice weakens their price resistance considerably.4.People decide emotionally and then justify logically.5. The most important benefit that a product or service can offer a retail business customer is an increase in net  profits. 6. What ever you say to a prospect about your product or service, imagine that they are looking at you and saying, so what?7. Many people only buy a product when it... 09/10/2016

10 Steps To Insurance Preparedness Things you would like to know, but were embarrassed to ask. 1.            How much am I really paying for Homeowners Insurance?2.            When am I up for renewal?3.            Should I call around for a homeowners quote before my renewal period ends?4.            How do I know if I’m paying to much of a premium? 5.            Do you know how much is your hurricane deductible? 6.            Do you know how much is your non-peril  deductible?7.            Have you had a windstorm mitigation inspection?               This alone could save $200-$800.8.            Is your screen enclosure covered?9.            Do you have replacement coverage on your contents? Most policies charge you extra.10.          Do you know the limit on mold claims?A.          D... 09/10/2016

Quotes to Live By......10 for 10 & A BonusQuotes to Live By ....10 for 10   As we embark on a brand new year these subject titles may help guide you to develop a few strategies. Keep in mind they may also help you figure out a few on your own. 1. How newer Realtors can use showmanship.                                    2. Build relationships with everyone involved in your deal.3. Use showmanship as a strategy.4. Be better prepared than anyone else.5. Use preparation to your advantage.6. Creative problem solving leads to big profits.                                         7. Create the aura of exclusivity.8. Insist on negotiating directly with the decision maker.9. Become the best negotiator.10. Improve your knowledge of human nature.Bonus. Create the sizzle, not the steak.Bonus. Give ... 09/10/2016

The Daily (090916) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now  U.S. average 30-year mortgage rate drops to 3.44%Continued low rates prompted homeowners to refinance loans – refi's made up 64% of total mortgage applications last week. The 15-year FRM eased slightly to 2.76%. Read more.Looks like Fla. won't have much extra money in 2017Is a budget showdown ahead for the Legislature? Despite the economic recovery, Gov. Scott and state lawmakers could face some tough decisions when it comes to spending priorities or additional tax cuts. Read more.Fed says economy grew modestly over summerBeige book report: In July and Aug., manufacturing activity picked up a bit and payrolls rose moderately in a tight labor market, but retail sales remained flat. Read more.City's mistake costly for home... 09/09/2016

  A Circus Adoption, Whoops forgot to ask that question   A husband and wife who work for the circus go to an adoption agency. Social workers there raise doubts about their suitability.The couple produces photos of their 50-foot motor home, which is clean andwell maintained and equipped with a beautiful nursery.The social workers raise concerns about the education a child would receivewhile in the couple's care."We've arranged for a full-time tutor who will teach the child all the usualsubjects along with French, Mandarin, and computer skills."Then the social workers express concern about a child being raised in acircus environment."Our nanny is a certified expert in pediatric care, welfare, and diet," thecircus couple explained.The social workers are finally satisfied.They ask, "What a... 09/06/2016

The Daily (090616) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now   U.S. will extend HARP home loan programFHFA: The program will continue through Sept. 2017. More than 3.4M homeowners have refinanced their mortgages under HARP since it began 7 years ago. Read more.Citizens 'takeout' focus shifts to riskier coastal propertiesCitizens is about one-third as large as it was in 2012, but efforts to shrink it continue: More than 69K policies got the OK for "takeout" by private insurers. Read more.Real estate to get its own stock categoryReal estate's growth prompted the action: It accounts for 3.5% of the global equities market and REITS have been a top performing asset class for 20 years. Read more.Group: BOA neglect of foreclosures worsensThe National Fair Housing Alliance contends that th... 09/06/2016

A Short Sale Marketing Idea... that works   As we go into the new year feel free to use this letter as a guide to secure your next lingering Short  Sale....Dear (Insert Name) It’s no secret that millions of Americans are having trouble making their mortgage payments these days.  In fact, one in seven homes is headed toward foreclosure. That’s a troubling statistic for so many reasons, and what I find particularly disturbing are the reports that in the majority of the cases, homeowners do not reach out for help in exploring alternatives to foreclosure. As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, it is my mission to help homeowners to avoid the indignity and financial devastation of foreclosing on their homes. In the process, I... 09/04/2016

10 Secrets to Selling with a bonus 1.When you approach every sales situation as a friend, an adviser, and a teacher, you willdramatically lower the stress, involved in competitive selling.2.The prospect does not care what your product is. They only care about what the product orservice will do for them.3.Convincing your prospect that they will get additional recognition by using your product orservice weakens their price resistance considerably.4.People decide emotionally and then justify logically.5.The most important benefit that a product or service can offer a retail business customer is an increase in net  profits. 6.What ever you say to a prospect about your product or service, imagine that they are looking at you and saying, so what?7.Many people only buy a product when it is cle... 09/04/2016

Did you know your Homeowners policy Covers This?  As we enter in the winter months, property damage still can and will occur. Though this isn't part of the normal Realtor issue, you may be asked for help by a prior customer. As a licensed Public Adjuster, we represent the insured in all of these claims. This assures the insured will receive the highest possible settlement on their claim.  Types Of Claims Your Policy Covers Air Condition leaks                                     Airplane hitting a buildingBroken Pipes                                             Business InterruptionCeiling Damage                                         Civil CommotionDifferences in Condition                              Dishwasher LeaksDrywall Damage                                         Fire DamageFlo... 09/04/2016

How Are You Investing ......In Yourself???As we bring about the close of another year, what changes will be made in 2017. Will we try that new diet plan to shed the holiday pounds? Will we join the local gym to get in shape for the summer vacation? Or will we just do the same things hoping for different results. I encourage everyone going into the new year to start investing in Themselves. This will not only give you added confidence in your market place, but you may just learn something too. Once the mind stretches to new limits, it never goes back to the original state some have said.Listed below are several courses to increase your knowledge, and will help improve your income as well.                                Let this year be the year of Education, Prosperity, and Professionali... 09/04/2016

  Local Airline From A Little Boys Point Of View  The little boy had been looking out of the window.   He turned to his mother and asked, "If big dogs have baby dogs, and big cats have baby cats, why don't big planes have baby planes?"  The mother couldn't think of an answer. She told her son to ask the flight attendant.  The boy went down the aisle and asked the flight attendant, "If big dogs have baby dogs, and big cats have baby cats, why don't big planes have baby planes?"   The busy flight attendant smiled and asked the boy, "Did your mother tell you to ask me that?"  The boy replied, "Yes, she did."  "Well", said the flight attendant, "you tell your mother that there are no baby planes, because Southwest always pulls out on time. Have your mother explain that to you."   09/01/2016

 The Daily (082916) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now   Attention, jumbo-mortgage shoppers: Deals aheadMore lenders are now offering jumbo loans. The high-end loans made up 20.3% of all first mortgages originated in first quarter 2016, up from 18.9% a year ago. Read more. Underwater homeowners to get more HARP helpThe program to help owners who owe more than their home's worth was extended, plus a loan origination date rule was nixed and they can refinance more than once. Read more. Credit scores aren't the be-all, end-allReal estate Q&A: When a first-mortgage holder foreclosed, an owner's "discharged" second mortgage was still on her credit report years later. What can she do? Read more.Florida consumer confidence drops in AugustMost of the pessimism stems from Floridians'... 08/29/2016

Quotes to Live By......10 for 12 with Two BonusesAs we embark on the tail end of a new year these subject titles may help guide you to develop a few strategies. Keep in mind they may also help you figure out a few on your own. 1. How newer Realtors can use showmanship.                                    2. Build relationships with everyone involved in your deal.3. Use showmanship as a strategy.4. Be better prepared than anyone else.5. Use preparation to your advantage.6. Creative problem solving leads to big profits.                                         7. Create the aura of exclusivity.8. Insist on negotiating directly with the decision maker.9. Become the best negotiator.10. Improve your knowledge of human nature.11. Create the sizzle, not the steak.12. Give your customers the ulti... 08/28/2016

Women Be Aware of "THE PURSE IN THE GROCERY CART HEIST"   A young lady went grocery-shopping at a local strip-mall and left her purse sitting in the children's seat of the cart while she reached something off a shelf. While doing so, her wallet was stolen, and she reported it to the store personnel. After returning home, she received a phone call from the Mall Security to say that they had her wallet and that although there was no money in it, it did still hold her personal papers. She immediately went to pick up her wallet, only to be told by Mall Security that they had not called her. By the time she returned home again, her house had been broken into and burglarized. The thieves knew that by calling and saying they were Mall Security, they could lure her out of her house long enough... 08/27/2016

The Daily (082316) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now  Baby boomers chart new direction in housingAmericans age 55-plus will play a big role in the housing market, but no one is quite sure what that role will be as they redefine the meaning of retirement. Read more.Will property ins. protect you if the Big One hits?While Fla. hasn't had a major hurricane in 11 years, that also means many of the state's newest property insurers haven't been tested yet. However, most experts agree: Everything should be fine. Read more.Sales would be higher if we had more listingsRealtor.com: Move-up buyers are afraid they won't find a better house and won't sell yet. That, in turn, is holding back a booming real estate market rebound. Read more.Virtual reality is reimagining real estate salesW... 08/23/2016

Not All Thieves Are Stupid When It Comes To Your GPS  Someone had their car broken into while they were at our local football game. Their car was parked on the green which was adjacent to the football stadium and specially allotted to football fans.  Things stolen from the car included a garage door remote control, some money and a GPS which had been prominently mounted on the dashboard. When the victims got home, they found that their house had been ransacked and just about everything worth anything had been stolen.  The thieves had used the GPS to guide them to the house. They then used the garage remote control to open the garage door and gain entry to the house. The thieves knew the owners were at the football game, they knew what time the game was scheduled to finish and so they kn... 08/22/2016

The Daily (082216) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now  Homes in gentrifying neighborhoods a good investmentHow do investors and buyers identify these up-and-coming areas? A RealtyTrac study identifies the top 35 turn-around zip codes in the U.S. - and four are in Fla. Read more.Want a quick sale? Try these words in your listingCoreLogic: "Fenced backyard," "open concept," "natural light" and "updated kitchen" tended to reduce days on the market - but "gourmet kitchen" and "granite countertop" didn't. Read moreDo you really want to take your HOA to court?Real estate Q&A: A homeowners association failed to fix an irrigation problem, and a condo owner's water bill went up. Can she do anything about it? Read more.1 in 3 millennial buyers takes out an FHA loanEllie Mae's Millenni... 08/22/2016

What Is Up With The Grammer & These Text Messages???  We need to be reminded, because I still hear my parents both teachers telling me the following. Read it, re-read it, condense it down, make several drafts. For me writing was never a strong suit and still isn't. However, I do believe the importance of proper verbiage, punctuation, etc.  The many blogs written are far superior, compared to my wishful ability of word coordination. Now, I see how important it is some 35 years later. What is happening now with texting shorthand leaves a lot to be desired. Does anyone else agree this is out of control and teaching oneself to be dumbed down?       08/21/2016