Minnetonka Real Estate Services » Tim & Pat Buffham :: Edina Realty :: Redefining Full Service http://www.minnetonkarealestateservices.com Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:35:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 en Who Knew? - I’m Having a Great Real Estate Year! http://realestate.about.com/b/2010/03/16/who-knew-im-having-a-great-real-estate-year.htm http://realestate.about.com/b/2010/03/16/who-knew-im-having-a-great-real-estate-year.htm#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:35:27 +0000 About.com Real Estate Business http://realestate.about.com/b/2010/03/16/who-knew-im-having-a-great-real-estate-year.htm Actually, I am closing so few deals I'm forgetting how to do the new forms here in New Mexico.  But, using the U.S. government's measurement techniques, I'm so successful I should write a book about it.

It seems that the government is calling HAMP, the program to encourage loan modifications a success because 1.3 million homeowners have received "offers" for modifications.  Here's a quote:

"Asked about whether it makes sense to measure the program in terms of trial offers made rather than durable modifications achieved, a Treasury spokeswoman said: "The three million to four million as a goal by 2012 has always been for offers extended to borrowers."

Had I only known that all of these lowball buyer offers I've been presenting and getting rejected were successes!  I'm calling the bank, there must be a mistake in my account balance.

Who Knew? - I'm Having a Great Real Estate Year! originally appeared on About.com Real Estate Business on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 at 12:35:27.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

]]> Actually, I am closing so few deals I'm forgetting how to do the new forms here in New Mexico.  But, using the U.S. government's measurement techniques, I'm so successful I should write a book about it.

It seems that the government is calling HAMP, the program to encourage loan modifications a success because 1.3 million homeowners have received "offers" for modifications.  Here's a quote:

"Asked about whether it makes sense to measure the program in terms of trial offers made rather than durable modifications achieved, a Treasury spokeswoman said: "The three million to four million as a goal by 2012 has always been for offers extended to borrowers."

Had I only known that all of these lowball buyer offers I've been presenting and getting rejected were successes!  I'm calling the bank, there must be a mistake in my account balance.

Who Knew? - I'm Having a Great Real Estate Year! originally appeared on About.com Real Estate Business on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 at 12:35:27.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

]]> http://realestate.about.com/b/2010/03/16/who-knew-im-having-a-great-real-estate-year.htm/feed Real Estate Marketing - What You Work…Works http://realestate.about.com/b/2010/03/16/real-estate-marketing-what-you-work-works.htm http://realestate.about.com/b/2010/03/16/real-estate-marketing-what-you-work-works.htm#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:05:24 +0000 About.com Real Estate Business http://realestate.about.com/b/2010/03/16/real-estate-marketing-what-you-work-works.htm Real Estate Tech ToolsWhat's your most effective marketing media or method?  Is it different for name branding than for listings? Do you swear by postcards and direct mail? Or, perhaps you're one of the new "it's all about the Internet" marketers. For every "the Web rocks" real estate professional, there is at least one who will never stop mailing postcards.

The fact is that both work, simply because the person using each actually "works" the leads they get. What you work is what works in real estate marketing. Though I love blogging, the web and online networking, and get all my leads from those sources, there are far more successful practitioners using the tried-and-true traditional methods.

More on This Site About Website & Email Marketing

Follow me on Twitter for real estate business articles.

Let's talk! Check out our Forums and get involved in discussions to help our industry and your business.

Real Estate Marketing - What You Work...Works originally appeared on About.com Real Estate Business on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 at 10:05:24.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

]]> Real Estate Tech ToolsWhat's your most effective marketing media or method?  Is it different for name branding than for listings? Do you swear by postcards and direct mail? Or, perhaps you're one of the new "it's all about the Internet" marketers. For every "the Web rocks" real estate professional, there is at least one who will never stop mailing postcards.

The fact is that both work, simply because the person using each actually "works" the leads they get. What you work is what works in real estate marketing. Though I love blogging, the web and online networking, and get all my leads from those sources, there are far more successful practitioners using the tried-and-true traditional methods.

More on This Site About Website & Email Marketing

Follow me on Twitter for real estate business articles.

Let's talk! Check out our Forums and get involved in discussions to help our industry and your business.

Real Estate Marketing - What You Work...Works originally appeared on About.com Real Estate Business on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 at 10:05:24.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

]]> http://realestate.about.com/b/2010/03/16/real-estate-marketing-what-you-work-works.htm/feed Minn. law gives refund hope to Toyota owners http://www.topix.com/city/minnetonka-mn/2010/03/minn-law-gives-refund-hope-to-toyota-owners?fromrss=1 http://www.topix.com/city/minnetonka-mn/2010/03/minn-law-gives-refund-hope-to-toyota-owners?fromrss=1#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:59:59 +0000 Minnetonka News 100315BP9TLG A state law gives some Minnesotans hope that they'll get money back for Toyota's accelerator problems.

]]> A state law gives some Minnesotans hope that they'll get money back for Toyota's accelerator problems.

]]> http://www.topix.com/city/minnetonka-mn/2010/03/minn-law-gives-refund-hope-to-toyota-owners?fromrss=1/feed ‘Silent philanthropist’ Margaret Cargill’s new foundation suddenly surfaces as Minnesota’s largest http://www.topix.com/city/wayzata-mn/2010/03/silent-philanthropist-margaret-cargills-new-foundation-suddenly-surfaces-as-minnesotas-largest?fromrss=1 http://www.topix.com/city/wayzata-mn/2010/03/silent-philanthropist-margaret-cargills-new-foundation-suddenly-surfaces-as-minnesotas-largest?fromrss=1#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:19:57 +0000 Wayzata News 1003157VFCH6 By Dave Beal Monday, March 15, 2010 A new and largely unknown charitable entity, the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, www.macfoundation.org has sailed into the top spot as the state's largest philanthropic foundation.

]]> By Dave Beal Monday, March 15, 2010 A new and largely unknown charitable entity, the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, www.macfoundation.org has sailed into the top spot as the state's largest philanthropic foundation.

]]> http://www.topix.com/city/wayzata-mn/2010/03/silent-philanthropist-margaret-cargills-new-foundation-suddenly-surfaces-as-minnesotas-largest?fromrss=1/feed Tips for Staging the Bathroom http://homebuying.about.com/b/2010/03/15/tips-for-staging-the-bathroom.htm http://homebuying.about.com/b/2010/03/15/tips-for-staging-the-bathroom.htm#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:00:25 +0000 About.com Home Buying / Selling http://homebuying.about.com/b/2010/03/15/tips-for-staging-the-bathroom.htm If a seller can manage nothing else while staging the bathroom, at least get rid of personal hygiene supplies in the bath or shower.

Because one of the main goals to home staging is to depersonalize the home, to make it look like nobody lives there. Ideally, you want buyers to imagine themselves living in the home, and they can't do that if they see your stuff.

I've seen sellers take all of their childrens' toys and dump them in the bathtub. In fact, I once showed a home to a young buyer. When I opened the shower doors, she spied an African American doll on the edge of the tub. She picked it up, shook the doll in my face, and demanded to know if Black people lived in that neighborhood. She said she did not want to live in a Black neighborhood. Needless to say, I did not answer her question, and I dropped her as a client . . . read more about staging the bathroom.

More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub:

©Big Stock Photo

Technorati tag:

Tips for Staging the Bathroom originally appeared on About.com Home Buying / Selling on Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 05:00:25.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

]]> If a seller can manage nothing else while staging the bathroom, at least get rid of personal hygiene supplies in the bath or shower.

Because one of the main goals to home staging is to depersonalize the home, to make it look like nobody lives there. Ideally, you want buyers to imagine themselves living in the home, and they can't do that if they see your stuff.

I've seen sellers take all of their childrens' toys and dump them in the bathtub. In fact, I once showed a home to a young buyer. When I opened the shower doors, she spied an African American doll on the edge of the tub. She picked it up, shook the doll in my face, and demanded to know if Black people lived in that neighborhood. She said she did not want to live in a Black neighborhood. Needless to say, I did not answer her question, and I dropped her as a client . . . read more about staging the bathroom.

More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub:

©Big Stock Photo

Technorati tag:

Tips for Staging the Bathroom originally appeared on About.com Home Buying / Selling on Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 05:00:25.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

]]> http://homebuying.about.com/b/2010/03/15/tips-for-staging-the-bathroom.htm/feed New Professional Lake Minnetonka Fishing Guide Service Inspired by Childhood http://www.topix.com/city/minnetonka-mn/2010/03/new-professional-lake-minnetonka-fishing-guide-service-inspired-by-childhood?fromrss=1 http://www.topix.com/city/minnetonka-mn/2010/03/new-professional-lake-minnetonka-fishing-guide-service-inspired-by-childhood?fromrss=1#comments Sun, 14 Mar 2010 10:46:52 +0000 Minnetonka News 100314AUVBFD Jasper Guide Services is now offering professional, licensed fishing guide services on Lake Minnetonka and other lakes.

]]> Jasper Guide Services is now offering professional, licensed fishing guide services on Lake Minnetonka and other lakes.

]]> http://www.topix.com/city/minnetonka-mn/2010/03/new-professional-lake-minnetonka-fishing-guide-service-inspired-by-childhood?fromrss=1/feed Edina Tops Minnetonka for 7th State Title http://www.topix.com/city/minnetonka-mn/2010/03/edina-tops-minnetonka-for-7th-state-title?fromrss=1 http://www.topix.com/city/minnetonka-mn/2010/03/edina-tops-minnetonka-for-7th-state-title?fromrss=1#comments Sun, 14 Mar 2010 06:34:38 +0000 Minnetonka News 1003138ELQ17 Jake Sampson had a goal and an assist to lead Edina to a 4-2 victory over Minnetonka in the Class 2A boys state hockey championship on Saturday night, giving the Hornets their seventh state title.

]]> Jake Sampson had a goal and an assist to lead Edina to a 4-2 victory over Minnetonka in the Class 2A boys state hockey championship on Saturday night, giving the Hornets their seventh state title.

]]> http://www.topix.com/city/minnetonka-mn/2010/03/edina-tops-minnetonka-for-7th-state-title?fromrss=1/feed Thousands rally at State Capitol to kill health care bill http://www.topix.com/city/wayzata-mn/2010/03/thousands-rally-at-state-capitol-to-kill-health-care-bill?fromrss=1 http://www.topix.com/city/wayzata-mn/2010/03/thousands-rally-at-state-capitol-to-kill-health-care-bill?fromrss=1#comments Sun, 14 Mar 2010 04:12:29 +0000 Wayzata News 1003135RUC4D With the American flag draped on her shoulder, Catherine Turner of Wayzata held up her sign in protest of the health care bill Saturday afternoon at the Capitol in St.

]]> With the American flag draped on her shoulder, Catherine Turner of Wayzata held up her sign in protest of the health care bill Saturday afternoon at the Capitol in St.

]]> http://www.topix.com/city/wayzata-mn/2010/03/thousands-rally-at-state-capitol-to-kill-health-care-bill?fromrss=1/feed Leeann Chin, founder of restaurant chain, dies http://www.topix.com/city/minnetonka-mn/2010/03/leeann-chin-founder-of-restaurant-chain-dies?fromrss=1 http://www.topix.com/city/minnetonka-mn/2010/03/leeann-chin-founder-of-restaurant-chain-dies?fromrss=1#comments Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:18:48 +0000 Minnetonka News 10031252DVSR It's hard to believe, the little Chinese cafe in so many Twin Cities neighborhoods is 30-years-old. Even harder to believe, the woman whose name adorns each one, the founder of the chain, Leeann Chin died in Seattle at the age of 77.

]]> It's hard to believe, the little Chinese cafe in so many Twin Cities neighborhoods is 30-years-old. Even harder to believe, the woman whose name adorns each one, the founder of the chain, Leeann Chin died in Seattle at the age of 77.

]]> http://www.topix.com/city/minnetonka-mn/2010/03/leeann-chin-founder-of-restaurant-chain-dies?fromrss=1/feed Are You Getting Your App Ready for the iPad? http://realestate.about.com/b/2010/03/12/are-you-getting-your-app-ready-for-the-ipad.htm http://realestate.about.com/b/2010/03/12/are-you-getting-your-app-ready-for-the-ipad.htm#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:07:07 +0000 About.com Real Estate Business http://realestate.about.com/b/2010/03/12/are-you-getting-your-app-ready-for-the-ipad.htm Though I'm not sure that anybody knows for certain, I saw that the iPad is due out the first week of April. Whether it's a runaway hit or not, the iPhone certainly has been. Do you have an iPhone/iPad/iPod app yet? Or, are you thinking about one? I'm using thirty or more of them on my iPod with Wifi. They're useful for all sorts of things.

There are vendors out there already doing apps for Realtors, so you should be investigating them for your future app. I've done one, and believe that it will be a great resource for my local real estate business in the future. Here's a profile of the iPad app vendor I chose.

Are You Getting Your App Ready for the iPad? originally appeared on About.com Real Estate Business on Friday, March 12th, 2010 at 09:07:07.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

]]> Though I'm not sure that anybody knows for certain, I saw that the iPad is due out the first week of April. Whether it's a runaway hit or not, the iPhone certainly has been. Do you have an iPhone/iPad/iPod app yet? Or, are you thinking about one? I'm using thirty or more of them on my iPod with Wifi. They're useful for all sorts of things.

There are vendors out there already doing apps for Realtors, so you should be investigating them for your future app. I've done one, and believe that it will be a great resource for my local real estate business in the future. Here's a profile of the iPad app vendor I chose.

Are You Getting Your App Ready for the iPad? originally appeared on About.com Real Estate Business on Friday, March 12th, 2010 at 09:07:07.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

]]> http://realestate.about.com/b/2010/03/12/are-you-getting-your-app-ready-for-the-ipad.htm/feed