Joe Carter Real Estate Quotes

NewConstructionFranklinMA.com | FranklinMAHomeSales.com | FranklinMANewHomes.com

We’re on the last stretch of our 2012 journey. There are only 10 weeks remaining in this calendar year, and we have been working on 2013 deals with our new construction. March of 2013 closings are where we are focused right now.

That’s one of the advantages of listing new homes. It takes 6 to 8 months to build them. So while most agents are still working on this year’s transactions, we are at the end of the first quarter of 2013. Resale properties will fill in the gaps!!

Digging deeper for resale listing inventory is our goal right now. Those are the listings that will fill in the gaps of our new construction closings to the end of the year. It’s important to plan ahead and know exactly what you need to do to finish every phase of the year.

I’ve noticed a lot of agents from other offices making moves, and those are usually the agents who are experiencing instability with their income. Most will blame it on the office and jump ship, only to experience the same results!! I’ve noticed more agents taking on part-time employment in the real world, only to end up with two part time jobs (one in real estate and the other somewhere else!)

This election will hopefully result in some changes in the future, but it’s not going to happen overnight. There are no magicians running for office. We have many more years of this roller coaster real estate market ahead of us. How many more agents will walk away; how many more will jump ship; how many more will find part time employment only to reduce their production in real estate; and will we ever see a stable economy within the next 10 years? Are you ready for 2013?

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New Construction Homes in Barnegat – Why a Home Inspection?

New Construction Homes in Barnegat – Why a Home Inspection?

You might think a home inspection on a newly built home is a waste of money. As a Jersey Shore REALTOR®, I disagree.

I recently represented buyers on a Barnegat home built just 5 years ago. After our home inspection the sellers were told of several defects that they had to remedy.

One of the repairs required was the incorrect installation of a flange.

Home Inspections on New Contruction homes in Barnegat

With an inspection prior to closing on this new home in Barnegat, that would have been the builders responsibility. And in the end, more money in the sellers pocket at resale.

Another problem that would have come to light with an inspection on this home when purchased from the builder, loose receptacles and missing connectors.

Home Inspections on New Contruction homes in Barnegat

There were several other problems with this 5 year old home in Barnegat. Most would have been discovered if the original buyers would have insisted on a new construction home inspection, and therefore more money in their pocket at this closing.

Just repairing the items above cost more than a home inspection!

If you’d like information on new construction homes in Barnegat, or any homes for sale in southern Ocean County at the Jersey Shore, contact Jersey Shore REALTOR® Laura Giannotta at 609-384-6121.

Photos reprinted with permission from Wes Goble, Ocean County Pillar to Post Home Inspections.

Your REALTOR® Down the Shore
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
609.384.6121
www.JerseyShoreViews.com
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

I feel my marketing brings value to my clients

Search for homes on Lake Sinclair now

Just read a post "Does our marketing devalue our substance?" And while I said to Tanya Nowwens there I will also repeat here that I'd never ever tell her that she's wrong for doing what works for her and she feels comfortable with, however her stick to real estate and syndication opinions are ones that are not for me. I think we all have to "find our voice" and do what works for us. I only mentioned her post because it inspired mine.

I am Eatonton, GA and I am Lake Sinclair. I was born here. I live here, I go to church here, I attended school here, I shop here, I attend parades and festivals here, I dine out here, I work here and I KNOW the real estate market here. This is my home and I of course feel like I should, and so I do blog about all the great things around here that you do can do when you visit or live here.

I love to share my opinions of my favorite places to eat here. I love to share my lake has 417 miles of shoreline that has a beauty that on the worst of days you can sit out on your deck and look out over the lake and forget whatever troubles you have for just a moment and then go back to dealing with them after a break. I love that I can shop in every store at the local "Milledgeville Mall" in under an hour.

So what happens if I get that call from my "New theater opens on Lake Oconee" post that is now nearly 4 years old and they ask right after I answer the phone "Thank you for calling Lane Realty, this is Tammy, how can I help you?" is met with a reply of "Can you tell me what's playing tonight?" I follow by oh you must have stumbled on my Spotlight Theater post I wrote, I don't know what's playing right now, but I can tell you their phone number is 706-999-9999 and if your computer is still on that page there's a blue link to the actual theater website right there in the post.

Now when I handle those calls this way, sometimes they say thanks and hang up, but about 50% of the time they engage me in conversation. People are always curious about our market. I always tell them if they "Google" Lake Sinclair market reports they can find out, but I generally chat with them for a while too. I ask where they live and I talk about going to the movies with my husband being one of our favorite things to do for our "date nights". I just usually end up "talking" to them for a few minutes.

My mama has always said about me, "she's never met a stranger". Apparently even as a toddler I would go to any outreached arms of someone who wanted to hold me. I've always loved people and find meeting new people interesting. Maybe that's why I love this business so much that I've stayed in for 21 years now. Just had someone stop by my office just now who is not currently a potential client. She was inquiring about a rental for a friend. Lane Realty doesn't do rentals. But I did however, give her the name of an agent who does, their cell phone number and website to pass along to her friend. She stayed a while and she asked me about the market. She thanked me for being helpful and not just brushing her off because we don't do rentals. She said if she knew anyone looking to buy or sell she's certainly send them to me.

So I say what's the difference in someone calling to ask why they can't bring dogs to the Deep Roots festival this weekend and me engaging them in conversation because they called about my post any different from the fact that I stuck up a conversation that got around to real estate when I asked a tall man at Kroger to get get something off the shelf for me? I like people. I talk to people. And if you ask someone you meet what they do, chances are they ask you back.

So yes, sometimes I "market" about what I made for dinner. Sometimes I "market" about a new listing. Sometimes I "market" that my animal shelter is holding a low cost rabies vaccine clinic this weekend. When I post to my blog, I'm just "talking to people", perhaps people I haven't met yet, but none the less I'm just talking to people. Like I said... this is my home and I love living here and I'll always share that with anyone I get to talk to and meet. So if that's how I "market" I don't think I've devalued my substance as a broker.

But again, I do what works for me and every one should find what works for them. If you only want to blog about real estate matters, I don't think YOU are wrong. But I'm not wrong for bringing my community and my knowledge and love for all things in my community to my "marketing" either. My readers (those who tell me they read my posts) seem to like it.

What do you think?

706-485-9668

Tammy@Lake-Sinclair.com

(Click on Lane Realty Logo for web site)

Tammy Lankford, Broker/Owner

Broker License # 169695 Lane Realty License # H-11420

Call me today for all your Lake Sinclair real estate needs.

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What you need to know before Buying in an Association

Oh, also read our blog article about FHA financing in an Association.

October 18, 2012 - San Francisco Real Estate Professionals

I live in an Association and currently am a Vice President. It isn’t a glamorous position, and there is always something that pops up – especially when new owners move in. There are some things you will want to know BEFORE you sign that offer.

You may be the master of the castle, but the condo rules the Association.

If you are thinking about purchasing in an Association in the San Francisco Bay Peninsula area, the Association Rules and By-laws have a large factor of your quality of life living in that particular Association. You as the buyer, have the right to look at any and ALL paperwork from the Association. The seller must produce the requested paperwork within a certain number of day and you have a certain number of days to read and agree or disagree with what the Association has in place.

You will want to pay particular attention to:

The Association Rules & Restrictions:

The Association can implement any rule or restriction it sees fit and is voted on by the Association. Since these are generally drawn out at the conception of the Association, they are pretty much set in stone and enforced. Some rules you may need to know is whether pets are allowed, can you have a home office, and/or can you rent your unit after you purchase it?

Some restrictions may be not having anything in the green common area so mowers can quickly mow around without damaging personal items – even if it looks like it’s YOUR back yard, it still is common ground and the Association’s. Perhaps you like to have a dish instead of cable – what restrictions are there with that? Can you place a dish on your roof, deck or in the green area?

The Association Budget:

You need to know what the Association budgets annually for repairs and what happens if the funds are not enough to cover what needs to be done? How often are the decks stained? Under current mortgage criteria, the fund must equal at least 10% of an Association's annual budget. You'll also find a line item for any Association fees that are in arrears.

The Association Reserve Study:

State Laws require condo Associations to obtain a “reserve study” every three to five years to anticipate expenses and budgets. If an Association hasn’t done an independent study in ten years, that does raise the question about the buildings and management.

Minutes of the Association:

If it’s within the state laws, you may request the minutes from the last two years. This will give you an inside of what is important and what is not within the Association.

The Association Master Insurance Policy:

Before you can insure your unit and belongings with a condo policy (known as an HO6), you need to know what the Association's master policy for the building provides. Bylaws will list whether or not the policy covers everything (an "all-in" policy) or everything except the interior of your unit.

You will need to know where the Association starts and your personal living space ends. It may be defined as a paint layer or wall board. You will want to know who’s policy covers what. Does the Association own the doors, windows and garage doors? Good thing to know. However, even if you do “own” them, the Association may tell you what they can look like.

Living in an Association can be very rewarding. There are advantages to owning in an Association in the Salt Lake City area. However, to make sure you ENJOY your Association, you will want to know exactly what you are buying into.

Whether you’re thinking about buying OR selling your unit in an Association, contact us today. We can weed through the Rules and Regulations of an Association and make sure you know what you buying. If you’re selling, we’ll make sure you have everything you need to show prospective buyers for your unit in and Association.

San Francisco Real Estate Professionals

San Francisco Real Estate Professionals
1641 Laurel Street
San Carlos, CA 94070
Phone: (650) 434-2289

My detailed recipe for a successful hyperlocal blog post

Los Altos Neighborhood Tour - Old Los Altos

This article will describe, with examples, exactly how to write a hyperlocal blog to drives leads. I was fortunate to participate as a panelist in the Activerain Blogger Success Panel this morning. There was a lot of discussion about the details of what makes a successful post. It occurred to me that having a specific recipe / formula might be appealing. So, using a recent hyperlocal blog as a template, here's exactly what I've found pulls in readers.

TITLE: [tract or subdivision name], [city/town name] Homes for Sale ["Guide", "Source", etc]

Example: Rinconada Hills, Los Gatos Homes for Sale - The Definitive Guide

BODY CONTENT

OPENING: [Neighborhood name] is a great place to buy a home

Write a short paragraph about the neighborhood with a general description of what it is, where, and why it's nice. Be positive. For example: Maple Manor is a 90 home subdivision located off Wicker Road surrounded by open space. The homes were built by local builder Jack Sprat who has a reputation for quality.

FACTS PARAGRAPH: Quick Facts about [neighborhood name]

Write a bullet list of quick facts that include housing count, school scores, recent average sales, etc. You want to put in 8-10 facts here that grab attention.

LIFE PARAGRAPH: Life at [neighborhood name]

Write a bit about what it's like to live in the neighborhood. Talk about local resources, places to go, restaurants, activities, even traffic patterns. Anything that's informative and LINK BACK to anything that has a website.

MARKET PARAGRAPH: Real estate market in [neighborhood name]

This is your chance to post a brief summary of the market in the current year. You don't want too much detail or you'll be drowning out the rest of the content. Just put the average or median selling prices, days on market, and similar stats.

HOMES FOR SALE PARAGRAPH: [neighborhood name] Homes for Sale

This should be a combination of a short paragraph about buying a home plus either a map-based search or a list of active listings from an IDX feed. If you can't do that, a link to an IDX feed will work as well. This way, readers can go look for homes right away.

So, that's what I've been doing and getting results. My article on Rinconada Hills in Los Gatos has had over 500 views in 3.5 months and I've got one listing from it. I've been doing the same thing for other neighborhoods as well, making a few variations to the formula as needed.

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