The Daily Hot Sheet of Top Real Estate News Trending Now Monday, August 3, 2015   TODAY'S TOP STORIES   Recession's 'dark shadow' still spooks Americans A recession isn't over until everyone thinks it's over. People won't spend money on big-ticket items if they have a nagging fear that dark days could return. Read more.   More owners sell high-end properties via auctions An auction can sell a home faster, and it's no longer considered only a primary selling vehicle for low-end homes or foreclosures. Read more.   Homeownership rate drops but probably hit bottom The homeownership rate dropped to a 35-year low in the second quarter, but experts say it's the final symptom of the recession - and should change soon. Read more.   Retirees choosing to 'upsize' homes Earlier generations downsiz... 08/03/2015

 When Laughter Meets A Retiree, It Could Be The Last Trip To Cosco Yesterday I was at Costco buying a large  bag of Purina dog chow for my loyal pet, Necco, the Wonder Dog, which weighs 191 lbs.  I was in the check-out line when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog.   What did she think I had, an elephant?   So because I'm retired and have little to do, on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was  starting the Purina Diet again. I added that I probably shouldn't, because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in  both arms.   I told her that it was essentially a Perfect Diet and that the way that it works is, to load your jacket pockets with Purina ... 08/03/2015

Four Great Tips to Spruce Up Your Marketing Image Sunshine, lazy days spent at the ballpark and ice cream, lots of ice cream.All things I think of when summertime rolls around.While much of summer might be spent outdoors, taking the time to spruce up your marketing image both offline and online can be a simple way to infuse new life into your personal brand!1. Clean Up Your Email MarketingFreshen up your email marketing by asking yourself a few questions: Does the design match your personal brand look, feel and overall style? Have you added all of your contact information, including social networks to each email? Is your email permission-based?  Make sure you have a preexisting business relationship and/or affirmative consent before ever hitting send. Is your email personalized with the... 08/02/2015

 Hotel Scam (This is one I would have fallen for!)...    Creativity wow.!!  This is one of the best scams I have heard about. You arrive at your hotel and check in at the front desk. Typically when checking in, you give the front desk your credit card (for any charges to your room) and they don't retain the card. You go to your room and settle in. All is good.   The hotel receives a call and the caller asks for (as an example) room 620 - which happens to be your room. The phone rings in your room. You answer and the person on the other end says the following: 'This is the front desk. When checking in, we came across a problem with your charge card information. Please re-read me your credit card numbers and verify the last 3 digits numbers at the reverse side of your charge card.' Not th... 08/01/2015

ATLANTIS HOTELS, MOTELS & RESORTS FOR SALE, ATLANTIS, FL.PLEASE INQUIRE FOR CURRENT STATUS!Contact Kate or Vick,Your Hotel, Motel & Resort Specialist(407)230-7807 / (407)865-2840InvestmentAcquisitions@gmail.com PLEASE CALL FOR CURRENT & UPDATED INFORMATION ON WHAT IS AVAILABLE IN Atlantis, FL.Are you looking looking for Hotels, Motels & Resorts to add to your local or Global investment portfolio?   We can represent you in acquistion of any  hotel, motel & resort property in the U.S.Bankrupt Properties / Bank Managed Properties / Regular Sale/ Broken Asset.Proper representation is paramount during the procurement process. Contact a specialist familiar with the fundamental knowledge of the hotel / motel / resort world.The foundation of our asset acquisition procurements is the depth of ou... 08/01/2015

The Daily Hot Sheet of Top Real Estate News Trending Now Friday, July 31, 2015    TODAY'S TOP STORIES     Average rate on 30-year mortgage falls below 4% Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates fell for a second straight week, with the key 30-year FRM slipping to 3.98%. Read more.   Marketing agreements abandoned on RESPA concerns Wells Fargo and Prospect Mortgage announced that they would end their service agreements with real estate firms for mortgage marketing or desk rentals. Read more.   Floridians say they're better off, iffy about future UF's sentiment index fell 1 point in July. A robust upturn in current confidence was offset by worries about personal and U.S. problems in the future. Read more.   Report: Fla. a top recipient of FAA drone exemptions So far, 20 Fla. real estate fi... 07/31/2015

The Next Time You lose Your Car Keys, You Will Thank Me!!! They weren't in my pockets.  Suddenly I realized I must have left them in  the car. Frantically, I headed for the parking lot.  My husband has scolded me many times for leaving my keys in the car's ignition.  He's  afraid that the car could be stolen. As I looked around the parking lot, I  realized he was right. The parking lot was empty. I immediately called the  police. I gave them my location, confessed that I had left my keys in the  car, and  that it had been stolen.     Then  I made the most difficult call of all to my husband:"I  left my keys in the car and it's been stolen."  There  was a moment of silence. I thought the call had been disconnected, but then  I heard his voice."Are you kidding me?"  he barked, "I  dropped... 07/31/2015

The Daily Hot Sheet of Top Real Estate News Trending Now  Thursday, July 30, 2015   TODAY'S TOP STORIES Fed holds steady on rates, seeks more economic gains The Fed didn't raise interest rates yesterday, leaving ARM and, indirectly, FRM rates intact. But a September increase is still possible. Read more.   4 Fla. cities tops for seriously underwater homes RealtyTrac: 13.3% of U.S. homeowners with a mortgage in 2Q owed at least 25% more than their property's worth – but that percentage continues to drop. Read more.   Lenders spend too much time with at-risk borrowers? A J.D. Power study ranked customer satisfaction with mortgage firms. It found many spend too much time on risky borrowers and too little on reliable ones. Read more.   Investors bank on rent-to-own comeback To some Realtors... 07/30/2015

New or Even Veteran Real Estate Agents Need To Avoid These Pitfalls   There are a lot of agents entering or existing in this business for many reasons. It could be economic, destiny or the certain spotlight of this career path. However, once the smoke clears so will a large group disappear never to return again.  Here are five reasons I think will alert you to keep you from exiting the doorway.  Master these and you will prosper.   1. They fail to set a goal or plan a strategy.  Setting goals could be the most important aspect to this endeavor. It will establish income, time, expenses, and the network around you to get you started. 2. They think this business is easy or a cakewalk. Sales are hard, money is tight, and unless you have saved and hit the marketing running with a huge market... 07/29/2015

The Daily Hot Sheet of Top Real Estate News Trending Now Monday, July 27, 2015 TODAY'S TOP STORIES Can housing's comeback endure? The outlook dimmer Most analysts remain optimistic, but too few owners are selling - and a number of buyers have gotten frustrated, given up and signed another year's rental lease. Read more.   Floridians should prepare for solar power struggle 2016 voters could consider three solar power constitutional amendments that differ in who controls the power, who profits from it and who is penalized by it. Read more.   3 ways technology could disrupt real estate Pundits once said technology would replace Realtors. They're wrong so far, but new tech tools continue to redefine a traditional real estate agent's role. Read more.   Senate would fund transportation with ... 07/27/2015

Critical Thinking Vs. Compound Interest Vs. A Female's / Male's Perspective  Woman:  Do you drink beer?   Man: Yes   Woman:  How many beers a day?   Man:  Usually about 3   Woman:  How much do you pay per beer?  Man:$5.00 which includes a tip (This is where it gets scary !)  Woman:  And how long have you been drinking?   Man:  About 20 years, I suppose   Woman:  So a beer costs $5 and you have 3 beers a day which puts your spending each month at $450.In one year, it would be approximately $5400 …correct?   Man:  Correct   Woman:  If in 1 year you spend $5400, not accounting for inflation, the past 20 years puts your spending at $108,000, correct?   Man:  Correct   Woman:  Do you know that if you didn't drink so much beer, that money could have been put in a step-upinterest savings accou... 07/27/2015

Atlantis, of Palm Beach County, FL Market Stats & Facts for June 2015     Stats and facts about Atlantis, Florida, are out for the month of June 2015.  The report is packed with information about the county and the local city mentioned above. In a nut shell the inventory of single family homes available for sale are at a 6.2 month selling point which is up nearly 36.4% from a year ago. That’s a good sign things are loosening up and people are buying. Click on this LINK, for more graphs and stats.   Whether you are buying or selling in this hot market of the County of Palm Beach, FL, choosing the right company will save you money, time and many sleepless nights. I not only have 31 years experience as a Realtor, construction was a passion of mine as well. This alone is worth so much more... 07/26/2015

THE GUY NEXT DOOR...   A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.     Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.   "Jack, did you hear me?"   "Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said...   "Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.   "I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.   "You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man... 07/26/2015

The Daily Hot Sheet of Top Real Estate News Trending Now Monday, July 20, 2015 TODAY'S TOP STORIES   Realtors' websites no longer a key marketing tool Study: Real estate websites remain important but not for marketing. Brand promotion is now done primarily through social networking sites, such as Facebook. Read more.   Safety program forces Realtors to take precautions In Des Moines, Realtors must pledge not to meet clients before a showing, and seller contracts now state that homes won't be shown until a buyer is vetted. Read more.   Do most real estate agents own or rent? About 84% of real estate brokers and sales agents own a home, according to Census data analysis - higher than other professionals in the same age bracket. Read more.   Small business problems you want to have A succe... 07/20/2015

An Easy Seller Marketing Tip For Your Farm Area. Just because you were not the buyer agent, doesn't mean that you should refrain from welcoming a couple into their new home in your Farm area. You can build a relationship with them so they remember you more than their previous agent. They will also have your contact information if they ever choose to sell that home or buy an investment property in the future.    07/18/2015

With Life Hanging In The Balance, Read This Response... Husband’s Text : Honey, I got hit by a car outside the office. Paula brought me to the Hospital. Doctors presently doing tests and taking X-rays. Severe blow to my head but not likely to have any lasting effects. Wound required 19 stitches. I have three broken ribs, a broken arm and compound fracture in the left leg. Amputation of my right foot is a possibility.Love you.    Wife’s Response:Who's Paula? 07/18/2015

What Happens When Your Buyers Are From A Distant Land A Polish man moved to the USA and married an American lady. Although his English wasn't perfect they got along very well. One day he rushed to the solicitor's and asked him if he could arrange a divorce for him. The solicitor said that getting a divorce would depend on circumstances and asked him the following questions: Have u any grounds? Yes, an acre and a half and a nice little home No, I mean what is the foundation of this case It made of concrete I don't think u understand. Does either of u have a real grudge No, we have a carport and not need one I mean what are ur relations like All my relations are in Poland Is there any infidelity in ur marriage We have hi-fidelity stereo and a good DVD player Does ur wife beat u up No I a... 07/15/2015

Do You Know The Difference between Making $48k and 1.7 Million? Lexus mechanic was removing a cylinder head from the motor of a LS460 when he spotted a well-known cardiologist in his shop. The cardiologist  was there waiting for the service manager to come and take a look at his car when the mechanic shouted across the garage, "Hey Doc, want to take a look at this?"  The cardiologist, a bit surprised, walked over to where the mechanic was working. The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and asked, "So Doc, look at this engine. I opened its heart, took the valves out, repaired or replaced anything damaged, and then put everything back in, and when I finished, it worked just like new. So how is it that I make  $48,000 a year and you make $1.7 million when you and I are doin... 07/14/2015

When Life Throws You A SoftBall, The Story of Rose & Barb       Two 90-year-old women, Rose and Barb had been friends all of their lives. When it was clear that Rose was dying, Barb visited her every day.   One day Barb said, 'Rose, we both loved playing women's softball all our lives, and we played all through High School.  Please do me one favor: when you get to Heaven, somehow you must let me know if there's women's softball there.'    Rose looked up at Barb from her deathbed and said, 'Barb, you've been my best friend for many years.  If it's at all possible, I'll do this favor for you.'   Shortly after that, Rose passed on.   A few nights later, Barb was awakened from a sound sleep by a blinding flash of white light and a voice calling out to her, 'Barb, Barb.'   'Who is it?' aske... 07/14/2015

The Daily Hot Sheet of Top Real Estate News Trending Now Monday, July 13, 2015   TODAY'S TOP STORIES   Are millennials sold on using a real estate agent? Most young adults still want a real estate agent to help them negotiate the buying process, but the percentage continues to drop. Read more.   Zillow sued by national real estate photo firm A professional real estate photographer claims Zillow uses copyrighted listing photos in illegal ways, and the court might limit the way photos may be used online. Read more.   Q&A: FICO executive on credit scoring changes A pilot program by one of the major credit bureaus will look at phone or cable bills to establish credit for the 45 million Americans who have no score at all. Read more.   Inspection key when buying renovated house Real estate Q&... 07/13/2015