As many of us reach a time in our lives when either our children leave home to begin their new lives or we just don't want such a large home or yard to take care of anymore, we sometimes look to downsize. Downsizing could come in the form of a smaller home, a smaller lot or both. Redefining your needs for space and lifestyle can be challenging. We work very closely with our clients to help them with their new definition of lifestyle as part of their new home search. Knowing how you wish to live during this next phase of your life is critical to finding that perfect home. Downsizing means different things to different people and is lifestyle driven. You may be looking for less space, but how do you plan to use the space? Perhaps you're willing to give up the formal dining room you use... 08/09/2008

Jean Chatzky, the financial editor for the Today Show, was on TV recently to talk to consumers about their credit scores. She confirmed something I already knew, but backed it up with some eye-opening numbers. Specifically, Jean was explaining the credit score you need to qualify for the best mortgage rates when buying a home. Here is how she broke it down: * May 2006 - Borrowers needed a credit score of 620 to get the best rates. * May 2008 - Borrowers needed a 760 or above to get the best rates. That's an increase of 140 points, which is a significant difference when you consider that the overall credit range only goes from 300 - 850. Recent Economic Changes Credit has always been important when buying a house and applying for a mortgage loan, but today it's more important than ever. ... 08/08/2008

Hi, welcome to Active Rain everyone! Learn from others, share your knowledge and experiences. Have fun with it and hope to see more of your blogs soon! I have enjoyed learning several things from people on what they do for business, how they work the business and what type of work is actually available to the public. I enjoy knowing that if you want a lender, insurance agent, loan officer we can log on and blog and stay in contact with each other. 08/08/2008

It is highly recommended that you SEO your blog content. It is not recommended however that you make your blog sound stiff and technical for the sake of attracting search engines. When it comes to actually incorporating your keywords into your blog copy keep in mind that the best blogs are the ones that sound casual. Nobody wants to read a robotic repetitive piece of copy.One key to keeping your blog looking neat and readable is to keep the content less than 300 words. 250 words per blog is idea. Keeping them looking reasonably uniform and the same length is also more visually eye catching and more likely to keep curious eyeballs on your page and not someone else's.Another thing you need to note is the way the headline of your blog article looks. Shorter is almost always better. Long se... 08/08/2008

Once the buyer finds out the price range they can afford without going over budget they can start looking for a home.  This is the fun part!  When I am working with a buyer I always sit down with them and have the persons buying the home list what they would like to have and/or fill out a form with a list of different features.  For example, a large kitchen, home office, large master bedroom, etc.  This allows me to help them narrow their choices.  A lot of times you will discover there are features they had not thought about before.  To be continued.... Patricia Fisher, REALTOR CRS, GRI, ABR, ASR Keller Williams Realty Spartanburg, SC 864.494.7818 864homes@bellsouth.net www.864homes.net     08/08/2008

Before revealing the secrets of the trades, here are myths and fallacies that need to be cleared before one indulges into opt in email marketing list. These marketing misconceptions could pose so much of an obstacle towards your profitting well from your business.Not a lot of people use emailEmail marketing is one of the most effective marketing methods nowadays simply because virtually almost all people use email. Check on those email fields or blanks required to be filled up on various forms needed in processing different transactions. A person without an email address is tantamount to a person without an online home, which is one big shameful truth for this generation.Email marketing campaigns can offend a lot of peopleThe not-so secret way to surmount this dilemma is through permiss... 08/08/2008

I'm sooooo excited!!!! Can't believe that I waited so long to sign up and become a member of ActiveRain. A fellow agent friend of mine mentioned this to me ages ago I glanced at the site and moved on. (guess I just wasn't ready). I have literally spent the last two days with every extra minute I have logged on to this site and reading blog after blog and finding that there's a wealth of information and members willing to share and contribute comments. WOW, What a wonderful opportunity. This is great. Can't wait to become more familiar and utilitize this site to it's fullest!!!   Sincerely: Nance Burdette Keller Williams Realty, Spartanburg SC 864-580-9604 www.nanceburdette.com 08/07/2008

Hello everyone, I have a question, Who all can sign up to blog through Active Rain? A question was brought to my wife's attention this evening about blogging by talking to a friend that works retail. If anyone could let me know for sure, i highly appreciate it. When she log's on she noticing nothing but business's blogging like realtor's, bankers, loan officer's, Etc. Thank you. Ron 08/07/2008

I hope everyone has enjoyed there day, I have. I went to work today and realized that my assistant/wife was interested in learning Real Estate. I think I will have a new addition to my business. My son at some point in time would like to join as well but for now he's just thinking about it. I enjoy the classes that our office offer's for anyone to learn and further their education on certain programs that the industry has to offer. 08/07/2008

Well, here it is. New home buyer prospects moving into town. (107degrees outside.) They are traveling from Florida. A wonderful family with 4 children. I have found them temporary housing, a rental home for the time being. They are all excited about moving to Spartanburg South Carolina. Expecting to be unpacking the next day and taking a dip in the beautiful built in swimming pool in their new residence. Much to my dismay after securing the rent and picking up the key I went to check on the property and....when I arrived the power was not on, that means no AC (and me with an ice cream cake in the car) and when I ventured to look in the back yard and saw the pool was a deep green and pump not running. I was totally sick to my stomach. I quickly checked the breaker box and all switches we... 08/07/2008

This is my first blog in training class. This is a random photo. Montvale Fire Dept should be gracious. .....Nance Nance Burdette Keller Williams Realty 245 East Blackstock Road Spartanburg, SC 29301 864-580-9604 www.nanceburdette.com   08/06/2008

This is my first time to post a blog. I am posting this blog during my training workshop at Keller Williams Realty in Spartanburg, South Carolina. I hope to improve my blogging skills with time and experience. I am a real estate agent  in Spartanburg and I plan to use Active Rain as a marketing tool. I am looking forward to learning more about blogging. Have a great day!!   Ginger Ryals Keller Williams Realty Spartanburg 864 680 2770 08/06/2008

  Hi I am Judy Stegall from Keller Williams Realty in Spartanburg South Carolina.  I enjoy working with buyers, sellers, mortgage brokers and especially with clients that are relocating to the Spartanburg South Carolina area.  I look forward to hearing from you and your comments about the area here.  The cost of living and gas prices are much cheaper here. Judy Stegall Keller Williams Realty Spartanburg Spartanburg, SC 864-809-4807 www.judystegall@kw.com 08/06/2008

I'll be teaching an introductory, hands-on workshop for first time bloggers to get up and running on Active Rain this coming week. The class will be held at the Keller Williams Spartanburg, SC office on Wednesday morning. We'll cover the overall mindset of blogging and the many benefits to be gained from it (why we blog), we'll discuss consistency over time (when we blog), and we'll get busy on our laptops and actually set up profiles and begin blogging (how we blog). If you happen to be in the area, please come on by and enjoy the class! Everyone is welcome, regardless of the real estate company you may belong to. Just email me or call me to let me know you'd like to attend the class. 08/02/2008

 Morgan Square in Spartanburg is the place of the original courthouse village, which was established in the 1780s. The place of the first courthouse and jail near a spring eventually became a square which was named after Daniel Morgan, the general who commanded the American forces at the Battle of Cowpens. In 1880 a opera house with a clock tower was built at Morgan Square. Many Spartanburg’s music events were held between 1880-1906 in the Opera House, which could seat 800 people. In addition Spartanburg’s city hall occupied the first floor of the Opera House. The Opera House and clock tower was torn down in 1907. The statue of Daniel Morgan was placed on the square in spring of 1881 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens. The courthouse, shops and the Merchant’s Hotel, ... 04/08/2008

I would just like to share that I have been in the real estate market for 6 years now and have done better than your average real estate agent.  I attribute my success to having a professional real estate coach that has taught me that treating every client as a relationship, not a transaction will get me further in business than any type of "marketing" will.  I have built many successful relationships, done multiple transactions with the same folks-their families, friends, co-workers, church members, etc in just a short amount of time.  Why? you might ask...I am guilty of being as honest as they come.  I will will ask permission to be frank and then tell you what I really think.  I am not going to tell you I can sell for X amount of dollars because that is what you want to hear.  This m... 02/25/2008

 Pictures from downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina   Pictures from Spartanburg, SC, Morgan Square  Spartanburg, SC, Morgan Square, Downtown  Pictures from Spartanburg, SC, Cleveland Park    Pictures from Spartanburg, SC                     Pictures from Spartanburg, SC, Wofford Colege  Pictures from Spartanburg, SC / Library Pictures from Spartanburg, SC  BMW Zentrum & Muesum   Pictures from Spartanburg, SC, GSP airport    Blue Ridge Mountain parkway Visit our website: TransDomo, Greenville, SC real estate agent  TransDomo,LLC / ShellTree RealtyFlavia & Klaus WesterwellePhone: 864.908.0690Email: info@transdomo.comhttp://www.transdomo.com  02/11/2008

Whether you are buying your first home, or your fifth, the process of buying a home is a detailed, time-consuming venture. At the same time, it's an emotional period laden with difficult choices. You want to ensure that the home you purchase meets your family's needs now, and in the futureEach of these decisions often involves money. When you consider all that money represents, you'll want to ensure that you don't pay too much. This article helps you become a savvy buyer, by pointing out some of the pitfalls inherent in the home-buying process. These include such things as knowing what you want before you begin shopping, taking your time to shop, choosing the right realtor, and remaining objective while viewing potential homes. With this information, you'll be closer to finding your ide... 01/20/2008