Posted on April 1, 2008 @ 10:44 am - Written by BawldGuy
Geno Petro is a fellow contributor at BloodhoundBlog, added in the last few months. He’s proven to be an incredible writer, as this effort, Geno’s Wrong (bang a gong) will easily prove. How many of us can relate to his experiences? I know I can, and do. Don’t miss this story — you might see yourself or your parents. This is a Must Read.
Mariana Wagner is a Colorado Springs Realtor. She has a local blog, Colorado Springs Real Estate. She’s also a contributor over at Agent Genius, where she recently wrote, It IS All About Me. Deal With It. in which she discusses the evolution she’s experienced as it relates to customer service. I’ve had the car lot experience myself. Her central point is one for which my learning curve took quite awhile — really listening. I’d been in the business for several years before I really figured out what a valuable skill listening could be. Mariana says very well.
Maureen Francis like most of us, doesn’t like being lost, especially while working. To that end she wrote a very helpful post, I’ll Never Be Lost Again which shows how those driving without having joined Planet GPS can do so without paying an arm and a leg. My apologies to those who’ve already acquired this technology at a price requiring a comma. I travel so much I’d be perpetually lost with out this help.
Tony Gallegos over at The Mortgage Cicerone, wrote a post today that caused me to do something I’ve never done with The Bawldy’s — Add a post after I’ve already published. However, his effort today, though short and to the point, is powerful. I know for a fact Warren Buffet has for years had great confidence in real estate. He bought Prudential California for Heaven’s sake, truly the 900 pound gorilla in one of the biggest markets in America. Go read, Would Warren Buffet Buy A Home Now? It is simple, but unfettered truth.
“…and remember. The daily Bawldys have approximately 1/365th the value of our annual awards.”
Posted on March 4, 2008 @ 6:19 pm - Written by BawldGuy
So many real estate investors who’ve decided to list their properties for sale/exchange, don’t give any real thought to the nuts and bolts of their agent’s marketing program — or marketing knowhow for that matter. One huge part of marketing real estate is visual. The quality of your photos are crucial.
If yer like me, title companies are almost akin to white noise. That’s not a value judgment, just reality. Not being a land guy, title insurance hasn’t been a front burner issue. Lately, as in the last five years or so, it’s a bigger deal ‘cuz we’re not in San Diego, but all over the map. Finding a title firm who can handle everything we do — while offering as a bonus one of the best dirt lawyers around? Here’s yer cake — and here’s yer fork.
James Hsu a fellow contributor to BloodhoundBlog wrote Pictures are Worth a Thousand Words, but what are your pictures actually saying? It’s been shown by another friend of mine, Athol Kay, that professionally done photos will literally and significantly shorten the market time of a property for sale. Read the post and become a believer. This is why Brown and Brown hires a local photographer who is nationally known for his work.
David Stejkowski writes Introducing…River West National Title & Escrow LLC which is the unveiling of a new title and escrow company. Big deal you say? So What? 99 times out of 100 I’d be right with you. But Dave is an exceptionally experienced and talented real estate attorney, and his partner in the new firm is a man with 35 years of experience in the title business — in the trenches. The plan is to be able to insure title country wide. I’ve known about this coming announcement for a little while now. I’m excited, ‘cuz their new operation offers a welcoming cocoon for my clients — and a sense of familiarity. Nothing like 35 years of experience backed up by your own dirt lawyer. Happy days. Title is incredibly important — for our operation, this is huge.
About once a week or so, whether here or in random posts, you’ll find a different rendition of the national anthem. I’ll start with my personal favorite which was performed in a very recent Super Bowl. This one’s for you Uncle Dick.
“…and remember. The daily Bawldys have approximately 1/365th the value of our annual awards.”
Posted on February 25, 2008 @ 7:16 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Ever wondered what really determines mortgage rates. The common misconception is the 10 year treasury note. Actually, they’re good for mortgage rate trends. Anyway, it’s a good read and packed with rich detail with which you’ll be able to impress your friends.
Baseball is back!! Take a look at the Arizona game schedules. You can thank me later.
Betcha you don’t know nearly everything about your own neighborhood. Now you can find out about that little cafe you keep passing by on the way to work. Or if that vacant lot down the street has a building permit attached to it yet. Most of these so called neighborhood info sites are lame, but this one seems different.
Brian Brady explains in (post title goes here, but it’s longer than this parenthesis) about what really determines mortgage rates. Don’t just read the post. Wander down to the comments, as some real heavyweight guys show up. It’ll be well worth your effort.
Jay Thompson does all thinking folks with taste an incredible favor this week. He’s known as The Phoenix Real Estate Guy and wrote Spring Training Is Here!… which links to every team training for the upcoming season in Arizona. A full schedule for all the teams and at the end of a simple mouse click.
I sense a road business trip to Arizona in my future.
Joe Ferrara over at Sellsius wrote Learn What’s Going on in Your Neighborhood: Everyblock He talks about a new site which aggregates with incredible detail info on your particular neighborhood. I’m guessing most folks will spend far more time finding cool stuff about their neighborhood than they intended.
“…and remember. The daily Bawldys have approximately 1/365th the value of our annual awards.”
Posted on February 8, 2008 @ 11:05 pm - Written by BawldGuy
San Diego home buyers will be elated to learn the ceiling is apparently about to be lifted on maximum ‘conforming’ loan amounts. What does this mean? Those buying homes between the old and new limits will be saving a boatload of interest/monthly payments.
Also, one of the truly brilliant people in the mortgage biz shares his ideas about subprime, and our economy. Though he and I rarely disagree, we do on some of his thinking here. He does disclose some of his thoughts are more or less gut instincts.
Kevin Boer owner/author at 3 Oceans Real Estate writes about the newest legislation dealing with all the fallout of subprime lending. What’s That Funny Smell? Hint: It’s An Election Year offers good news for many here in San Diego. If yer currently or thinking about buying a home here, this post will be right up your alley.
Brian Brady wrote a piece titled A Nation Of Subprime Borrowers? in which he says, among other things, we’re already in a recession. He and I disagree on this point. A recession is official when there are two consecutive down trending quarters — of which we haven’t had one in a row yet.
“…and remember. The daily Bawldys have approximately 1/365th the value of our annual awards.”
Posted on January 28, 2008 @ 5:26 pm - Written by BawldGuy
Every now and then there’s a post reminding us how our daily words and actions can ripple into the future in ways we often never realize. Sometimes we’re blessed with the knowledge of the direct consequences of our long forgotten words or deeds.
Tony Gallegos is the owner/author of The Mortgage Cicerone, a blog I read daily. He wrote Simple Acts of Kindness and Caring today, which is powerful in its simplicity of message. I’ve been blessed with the knowledge of a prior positive word or deed’s consequences. It’s a humbling experience. Most of us have probably said or done things having tremendous positive results. Most of the time we don’t get to know their impact. A MUST READ.
Jay Thompson is known far and wide as The Phoenix Real Estate Guy. I include his post earlier this morning mostly for my San Diego readers. Trips to Mexico happen around here without much more thought than choosing which restaurant to try. That changes very soon as Jay tells us in Going to Mexico? New Border Crossing Rules Jan 31, 2008. If you live in a border town like San Diego, this isn’t something you wanna miss. Ever try to ‘prove’ you’re an American citizen without documentation? Don’t even try.
“…and remember. The daily Bawldys have approximately 1/365th the value of our annual awards.”
I travel so much I’d be perpetually lost with out this help.