ActiveRain Community

Beyond excited to finally share this... I am now officially a Certified SkyDADU Broker with Sockeye Homes. Fourteen years in real estate, over a hundred closed transactions, and I'm still that same kid from the mud just trying to actually move the needle for the people who trust me. For years I could only help my clients buy and sell. Now I can help them build. As in, add real equity to the land they already own, drop a DADU or two in the backyard, create rental income, and set their family up for the long game. That's not just a transaction. That's generational. And I'm not doing this alone. I'm linking arms with Tod & Kristin of the SkyDADU & @SockEye Homes Team.   These guys build somewhere around 60 to 100 homes a year and they've got the hardware to back up the quality. Tod is the ... 07/14/2026

Environmentally friendly features add value to your home in Bethesda MD, save you money while you are living there and make your home more appealing to budget conscious buyers.Why Sellers Should Care About Adding Energy Efficient Features to Their Bethesda HomesSelling your house? Or just looking to increase the value and appeal of your home for when you do? Here’s something you should know – homebuyers are increasingly looking for homes in Bethesda MD with environmentally friendly features.  Face it – everything is more expensive now and buyers are looking for ways to cut down on expenses.  Energy efficient features save money for buyers and make them feel good that they are doing something positive for the environment and the future of their children.Installing energy efficient featur... 07/14/2026

Stop overthinking and start moving forward in faith. Every meaningful journey begins with one step. Trust the process, listen to your inner conviction, and embrace growth through action rather than fear. When you walk with purpose and faith, you'll discover strength, clarity, and the confidence to claim what is meant for you. Stop thinking so hard. Deny a thought-driven life. Sinking in your thinking and drowning in your dreams was never meant. At some point in your past life experience, your thought process became more powerful and as such, took the leading position in your life. It's like a horse who roams free, then, one day, it is captured and a bridle is put on it teaching it to obey who pulls the reins. The horse is no longer in charge of their life. Is this you? I bet it is and c... 07/14/2026

Labels are just another way to say a standard. There is information overload for homebuyers in today’s marketplace – smart homes, construction standards, appliances, color selections, building materials, etc. When you build a home, there is a lot coming at you and many decisions to be made. How do you make sense of it? Most people care about how their home will look, how comfortable it will be to live in, is the home safe, and how much it will cost to live in. And then there is its location.There are many labels out there that try to bring sense to those that care about specific areas. For the most part, they focus on several key areas: Site Design, Resource Efficiency, Water Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Indoor Air Quality, and Resilience – Operation – Maintenance. Many standards have... 07/14/2026

IRS LT11 Notice: Don't Panic Immediately , but Don't Ignore It EitherWhat taxpayers need to know about the IRS final notice before levy actionThe IRS just sent you an LT11 Notice. Is it time to pack your bags and move to a deserted island? Not quite. But it is time to pay attention.An IRS LT11, officially titled Notice of Intent to Levy and Notice of Your Right to a Hearing, is one of the most important collection notices the IRS sends. It is sometimes issued as Letter 1058. Unlike earlier reminder notices, the LT11 tells you the IRS intends to begin enforced collection unless the problem is addressed.The good news is that you still have options. In many cases, the LT11 is also a valuable opportunity to stop collection action, preserve appeal rights, and choose a resolution strategy bef... 07/13/2026

"You never get a second chance to make a first impression".  Will RogersIf you're a real estate professional, much of your success depends on your ability to master that first impression, and that first impression comes in many forms.Our first contact, be it phone, text, email or in person.Our website.Our business cards.Our blog posts and comments.Our social media posts and comments.Those impressions can be first and final at the same time.Over the last week I've watched Facebook posts by two of my friends.  Both similar subjects, neither one political in purpose, but both noting the passing of a politician.You'd have thought by now most people would have learned that celebrating the death of another person is not the way to make a good impression on others.  And since most real estate ... 07/14/2026

How NOT to follow up. Over the past week or so I've received 3 unsolicited emails from someone who wants to make changes to my website. Yes, it needs help, and I'm working on it. But... The first two told me I need help and offered to send me an outline or something... I wasn't interested, so I deleted those emails. Today I got this one: Hello, I am still waiting for your reply Thanks, No name, but she did include copies of her previous emails.  I'd write back and tell her that scolding people you want to turn into customers is not a smart plan, but ... nah. She'll either figure it out or not. I'll just shake my head and hit delete. 07/13/2026

Your luxury dream home is not found under the Christmas tree or in a little blue box. Instead, you define what makes a property your luxury dream home! As a realtor, one of the most rewarding parts of the home-buying journey is helping clients turn their dreams into reality. But every dream home starts with a vision—and that vision needs a checklist. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, knowing what to prioritize can make all the difference in finding your luxury dream home. Here’s how to build your dream home checklist and why it’s essential for finding the perfect luxury property in Washington DC, Bethesda MD or beyond.Location, Location, Location!The importance of the location of your luxury dream home can’t be overstated. Think about the lifestyle you want and ... 07/13/2026

Bill Salvatore of Arizona Elite Properties featured a post toRe-Blog today on Active Rain. Good post by William today, andworthy of our daily Re-B. Gilbert AZ GILBERT ARIZONA HOMES FOR SALE, Bill Salvatore, AZVHV / HelpingArizona Heroes, New-Construction Advantage, Realtor, sell my house, 2026Market, Chandler #Sellmyhouse #whatsmyhomeworth #homevalues#2026market #ArizonaEliteProperties #ChandlerAZ#yourValleyProperty #GilbertRealtor #AZVHV#buyingaHome #LiveinSunnyAZ #BillSalvatore 🏡 DID YOU KNOW... Homeownership Continues to Build Wealth? 📈 Owning a home isn't just about having a place to live—it's also one of the most powerful long-term wealth-building tools available. According to Cotality's latest Home Price Insights report: 📈 Home prices increased 0.6% from April to May. 🏠 Prices are... 07/13/2026

Good afternoon and hello there again from Tim in beautiful and hot(95) today Cottage Grove, Minnesota.  Hope this email finds you doing well this Monday and had a fantastic weekend.  Wanted to share Tim's Time Outs with you again. INVEST YOURSELF IN IT: If something matters to you, then invest yourself in it.  Put your time, energy, resources, and efforts into whatever is important to you.  Don't just claim that something is a priority.  Demonstrate that it's a priority with the way you live your life. Without commitment, action and persistence, your dreams, hopes, and goals end up as nothing but frustration disappointments.  You're worthy of much more than that, so work each moment of each day to create the outstanding life you deserve.  Every moment, every situaiton, every challenge, ... 07/13/2026

🏡 DID YOU KNOW... Homeownership Continues to Build Wealth? 📈Owning a home isn't just about having a place to live—it's also one of the most powerful long-term wealth-building tools available.According to Cotality's latest Home Price Insights report:📈 Home prices increased 0.6% from April to May.🏠 Prices are 0.8% higher than they were one year ago.📊 The report also noted a strong seasonal upswing, with home prices rising 1.6% over the past three months.🔮 Looking ahead, Cotality forecasts home prices could increase another 4.8% over the next year.💡 What Does That Mean?If you owned a $500,000 home and it appreciated by 5% over the next year, your home's value would increase by approximately $25,000.That's one of the reasons homeownership has long been considered a powerful way to build wea... 07/13/2026

For 50 years, one of the defining characteristics of a HUD Code manufactured home has been its permanent steel chassis.Now, with the passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, that requirement becomes optional.I have been watching people celebrate this as an automatic cost reduction. I am not convinced that is the right conversation.Removing the permanent frame does not automatically make a home less expensive. In some cases, engineering another structural solution could actually increase costs. The real value is not cheaper. The real value is design flexibility. It gives engineers, manufacturers, and builders another tool to solve housing challenges instead of forcing every home into the same structural solution.But innovation always creates disruption.Think about the thousands o... 07/13/2026

🧀 RECIPE: Swiss Cheese Dip—A Three-Ingredient Crowd Pleaser! 🍌Sometimes the Simplest Recipes Become the Biggest Hits! One of my favorite things about getting friends together is seeing what everyone brings to the table—literallyYesterday we hosted a party with about 40 friends and neighbors, and instead of preparing all of the appetizers ourselves, everyone always brings one of their favorites. It is such a fun way to discover new recipes, and let me tell you...there were some incredible choices last night!While there were so many delicious choices, one appetizer had everyone talking!Our friend arrived with a warm Swiss Cheese Dip and a basket of wheat crackers and Triscuits. Within minutes, people were gathering around it asking, "Who made this?" and “Do you have the recipe?" Before th... 07/12/2026

Designing a Backyard That Fits Your LifeWhen people think about a backyard, it's easy to focus on the features.A sparkling pool.An elaborate outdoor kitchen.A fire pit.Beautiful landscaping.The latest trend.But over the years, I've learned that the most satisfying outdoor spaces aren't necessarily the most impressive.They're the ones that reflect the people who live there.Before spending thousands of dollars creating an outdoor space, I encourage homeowners to pause and ask themselves one simple question:"How do I want to live?"Do you picture yourself sitting outside with a cup of coffee each morning, listening to the birds and enjoying the quiet before the day begins?Would you rather have a shaded patio where family gathers for Sunday dinners and grandchildren have room to play?Maybe y... 07/14/2026

 Vacant and Accessible3 bedrooms, 2 baths at 11 Slade #308Some homes simply check boxes. Others quietly change lives. Welcome to 11 Slade Avenue, Unit 308, where comfort and accessibility come together in a practical home. Please note that 308 is unfurnished. Vacant space staged with furnitureThe open living and dining room shown above is a design idea. The left is using the existing carpet and painted wall. The one on the right uses light carpet and furnishings for the same vacant space.  Remember, paint and carpet are easy and affordable. The other features not so much! Enjoy a beautifully appointed kosher kitchen featuring granite countertops, warm wood cabinetry, two concealed dishwashers, one on each side of the stainless sink. KitchenAid appliances and abundant storage. A wall of ... 07/14/2026

Summer is one of the most powerful networking seasons in real estate. BBQs, bridal showers, graduations, weddings, and backyard gatherings bring people together, and every one of those events is an opportunity to naturally remind others what you do for a living. You don’t need a sales pitch; you just need presence, consistency, and conversation.When your social media is active, your blogs are current, and your professional life is visible, people notice. They may not “like” every post, but they’re watching. Today at a bridal shower, I walked in as a guest and walked out with a listing appointment - all because people have been following my activity online and seeing how busy and committed I am.This is exactly why staying visible matters. Social media and blogging aren’t just marketing t... 07/12/2026

Fifty years.That is how long it has been since the 1976 HUD Code fundamentally changed manufactured housing in America. Fifty years of engineering advances. Fifty years of improved building science. Fifty years of innovation in offsite construction.And yet here we are in 2026, with attorneys still writing CC&Rs that ban "mobile homes."Mobile homes.A legal term describing homes built before June 15, 1976.If you are drafting new restrictive covenants in 2026 and using the phrase "mobile home," you are immediately telling everyone reading the document that you do not understand the subject you are regulating.It gets worse.Many attorneys then lump "modular," "manufactured," and the catch all phrase "prefabricated" into the same sentence as though they are interchangeable. They are not. They... 07/12/2026

On July 9, 2026, Realtor.com reported that nationwide median weekly housing trends for the week ending July 4, 2026.Total available listings gained 1.8% for the week ending  July 4, 2026, from the same period of time in July of 2025.Time on the market decreased 1 day for the week ending July 4, 2026, from the same period of time in July of 2025.Median listing prices declined 2.3% for the week ending July 4, 2026, from the same period of time in July of 2025.New listing in the market higher 0.2% for the week ending July 4, 2026, from the same period of time in July of 2025.For complete more detailed information about Realtor.com’s real estate trends for the week ending in July 4, 2026, please click HERE 07/12/2026

We Just Got RealTrends Verified #1 in Plano, TexasThe Good Home Team powered by PLACE just received RealTrends Verified status as the #1 real estate team in Plano, Texas, for both volume and sides based on 2025 sales data. $65.60M in closed volume. 162 transaction sides. #1 in the city. #31 in the state of Texas by volume.RealTrends Verified is not a self-reported award. It requires teams to submit actual transaction data that is independently audited. The number is the number that actually closed.22 years in DFW real estate. 12 at Keller Williams. 7 at eXp Realty. The systems that produced those 162 verified sides are the same systems agent partners plug into when they join The Good Home Team.For agents in Plano, Frisco, McKinney, or anywhere in DFW evaluating where to build their busi... 07/11/2026

There is a Biblical saying "Guard your heart". Now many folks think that means to never fall in love. They are wrong. In Biblical times your heart was also a reference to the thoughts in your mind. To guard one's heart meant to avoid negative input. Avoid negative TV shows. Avoid negative movies. Avoid negative music. Avoid negative people (I know - that may mean losing 30% of your contacts on your phone. LOL). Most importantly, focus on what is good and what is right and let that be predominant in your thoughts. 07/12/2026