Your Real Estate Network

The National Association of Realtors® (NAR®) wants the federal government to be proactive in disaster relief instead of reactive. The association's immediate past president, Charles McMillan, spoke before two house panels recently to plea his case for more affordable disaster insurance.

McMillan's reasoning, according to an NAR® press release is that tax payers are ending up footing the bill when natural disasters occur because many home owners simply can't afford catastrophic event insurance.

Following is a list of criteria outlined by McMillan and recently published by the NAR®:

McMillan cited House bill, H.R. 2555, the Homeowners' Defense Act, authored by Rep. Ron Klein, D-Fla., as a "good start."

"All reasonable proposals should be considered in creating a national policy to proactively address the inevitable, rather than waiting for the next crisis to occur and rely upon taxpayer-funded bailouts," McMillan told the Congressional panel.

We'd like to know what you think about the need for government to help make disaster insurance more affordable and more accessible. Leave us a comment!

We’ve all heard the saying the real estate is all about “location, location, location” but I disagree. Real estate is about location, timing, and feel.

Location is obviously one of the most important factors in real estate, for a few reasons- first of all because you can’t change your neighbors. This is the main reason HOA’s are so popular now. Nobody wants to live next door to the guy fixing his cars on his front lawn, the huge atennas all over over their home, or the freshly-painted pink house. And different areas are imore sought-after and desirable (by the beach, city/mountain/lake views) and some cities are more desireable because of weather or crime rates or culture. Other factors about the location of the home within a city add to it’s desireability- the distance to hospitals, schools, stores, freeway access, etc.

But timing can be as important. If you buy in a hot seller’s market you’ll pay a premium. If you buy when homes are sitting for months and the market is soft, you’ll be more likely to negotiate a great deal. In a recent post I discuss the natural cycle of the real estate market and this is what timing is all about. If you bought in Vegas four years ago and sold last year you probably made a ton of money no matter the condition your home was in or whether it was next to the toxic waste dump and railroad tracks.

What I mean by feel is the experience you have walking through a property. The floorplan, the condition of the home, the building materials, the finish work. There are hundreds of little things that can affect how you feel about a home. Maybe the colors remind you of your childhood home or you’ve always wanted vaulted ceilings. Or maybe you notice cobwebs in the corners or the scent reminds you of an ex-boyfriends house. This is why people hire home stagers and interior decorators and this is also why Feng-Shui is so popular.

Each of these factors have an impact on the investment of your home. I tell my buyer clients that I’ll give them all the information I can about a home’s value and investment potential because their natural instinct is to focus on the question of which house is most likely a good home.

… it’s a national treasure. In a world of A.D.D. and A.D.H.D. and multi-channel surfing and instant replay and headline news and “feeder”-reprieve and text messaging and go-go-go we are a more efficient populace, but we are definately not patient.

When I search on Google I am told how many gigaseconds it took to find my results as if 0.00013 seconds means something different to me than 0.00045 seconds does. I mean, really- what is the cut-off point between fast and slow?

If I’m using a website I want it to be fast. And when people use my website they expect it to be fast, I know this because I get emails all the time complaining that it was too slow this time or that it was so fast the last time. Here is an excerpt from an email I received…

“…but having the best user-interface means less if it’s too slow. My last search took 7 seconds to load 102 houses. I suggest increasing your bandwidth, adding an additional server, or increasing the memory on your current server.”

First of all, we’ve added additional servers and increased our server’s memory several times to keep up with our growing traffic. But as anyone with a website knows, traffic is not a steady stream, it is a tidal wave followed by a trickle. One minute the site may take 17 seconds to load and then next it could take 5 seconds to do the same search.

And on a side note- if you’re on dial-up don’t complain to me about the speed- you wave all rights to complain by having dial-up. That’s like complaining to your car-dealer that your mini-van doesn’t handle well.

But 7 seconds isn’t really that long. Loading over 100 homes, including photos and detail information, and placing them on a map, takes some calculations. Let’s see you do it, smarty pants…

There is a contigency out there that supports Web 1.0 sites, or as I like to call them, “really boring template sites” because they are “fast”. So if I understand this arguement correctly, they would rather have a webpage that looks like a spreadsheet, has no substance, and is clogged with links and meta-tags if it will save you a few seconds of loading time?

Not me- I’d rather have all the goodies and a site with some soul. I like websites that are visually appealing, easy to use, and fun. And although I’m a pretty busy guy, getting all of that is worth an extra five or ten seconds.

“You’ve achieved success in your field when you don’t know whether what you’re doing is work or play.” – Warren Beatty

Ah, Success! We all want it- countless books are written about it, companies strive for it, athletes push their bodies to exhaustion and celebrities go days without eating for it, yet most people have no idea what it truly is.

What does it mean to be successful?

The question, of course, does not have a correct answer because the answer is different depending on who you ask. But most many people do not know what success is to them. I mean, really have a clear definition or goal. So, since this is my blog I will tell you what success (in business) is to me.

To me, success means to grow and excel in your highest and best use, maintaining your values, and be well-rewarded for your efforts.

Growth is an imperative part of success. Growth is one’s trajectory. The result of vision, effort, direction, and goals. It inspires us to leap beyond ourselves and become better. The energy we realize from our growth fuels our creativity and gives us purpose. In my opinion this is one of the most over-looked, yet critical, pieces of success.

Excellence is the standard to which we hold ourselves. Without it, people settle. It is surprising to me how many people go day to day without giving themselves a benchmark. Show up to work, punch in, do my time, punch out, go home. Living for the weekend. Working to live instead of living to work. As though you can only do one or the other. Others discover how great it is to push themselves at what they do and become great in the process. When we excel in our work our work is no longer a job.

Lincoln plassen var den endelege møteplassen for demonstrantane.

Finding our highest and best use is so critical to being successful because it gives us the environment to achieve our success. To excel in mediocrity is hollow and unrewarding. Imagine Martin Luther King spending his life working as an accountant. He might have been good at it, but would he have been able to succeed the way he ultimately did? Think of the loss it would have meant. Imagine John Lennon as a school bus driver. He may have been great with kids and become the best in his district, but would he have felt the success he did? These are two obvious and extreme examples, but both of these men found their highest and best use and found a success they otherwise could not have found, regardless of their proficiency at other work. The environment in which we place ourselves makes a significant contribution to our success.

We each have our own set of values, and while most of us agree on certain ways of conducting ourselves and morals we adhere to, there are myriad opinions about what is proper, appropriate and right. Some attractive women use their good looks to market themselves and feel it is only using their strengths while others think that is cheap and tacky. Some believe working twelve-hour days before going home to a wife and children is putting in a solid day’s work, while others may think this schedule is selling out your family, while others may feel that twelve hours is not enough. Our internal gauge of morality and values give us the boundaries we need to keep ourselves feeling right about what we do, and without doing what is right we cannot be successful.

Reward gives us the sense of accomplishment that validates our success. And reward can be in so many forms. Financial reward with paychecks, salaries and bonuses. Maybe you are rewarded with perks, like free things or being introduced to people you admire. Reward is having fun at work and friends. Reward is time off to some, or maybe to you it means more responsibility, as in a promotion or advancement. It can be a pat on the back, or a “good job” from someone you like or admire. Maybe it’s having a title that you value. Maybe reward is spiritual to you, and you feel rewarded spiritually doing what you do. Maybe it’s sacrifice or charity. Participation in a worthy goal, being part of a winning team and the comraderie that you can only get in a group. Maybe it means being respected or acheiving professional fame. Or personal fame. Maybe you strive for celebrity or popularity. Whatever reward means to you, without it you won’t be successful.

Those in my company and family know the reasons I have for leaving the very comfortable position I previously held to start my company, BlueRoof.com, and all of my reasons can be found in this post.

For me, one of the best things about being around successful people is hearing their stories. People that are successful have passion for their success and usually have some incredible stories to tell. And when I listen to their stories I grow, and so begins my success…

The National Association of Realtors® is now accepting applications for the 11th annual REALTOR® Magazine Good Neighbor Awards. The awards recognize Realtors® for their commitment to volunteer service.

The five winners will be announced in November in REALTOR® Magazine. Each winner will be recognized at the 2010 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in New Orleans and receive travel expenses to the conference, national media exposure for his or her community cause, and a $10,000 grant for the charity. In addition to the winners, five honorable mentions will each receive a $2,500 grant.

"We all know that Realtors® build communities," said NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, owner of Vicki L. Cox & Associates in Tucson, Ariz. "The Good Neighbor Awards gives us the opportunity to honor the very best of our Realtor® volunteers who make an incredible commitment of their time and energy to help those in need."

Last year's winners contributed a combined total of nearly 8,000 hours to their causes and drew a standing ovation from more than 7,000 Realtors® and guests during the annual conference's general session in San Diego. The 2009 winners were Greg Adamson, Prudential Utah Real Estate, American Fork, Utah, Heart 2 Home Foundation; Cindy Johnson, Dona Christensen Realty, Woodbury, Minn., The Arc of Minnesota; Helen Marotto, EXIT Homeplace Realty, Hampstead, N.C., Cape Fear Guardian Ad Litem Assn.; Regina Ragon, Prudential Realty Center, Flintstone, Ga., Latin American Community Development; and Samuel Thomas Jr., Imani Realty & Assocs., Willingboro, N.J., QUEST Community Outreach.

"REALTOR® Magazine's Good Neighbor Awards recognize the important role Realtors® play as volunteers in their communities," said REALTOR® Magazine Editorial Director Pamela Geurds Kabati. "We hope highlighting their stories inspires more Realtors® to give their time to important community organizations."

Previous Good Neighbor Award winners say their charities have benefited from the grant money and the increased public exposure. "The Good Neighbor Awards has increased the exposure of The Sport of Giving from our local community to a national audience," said 2008 Good Neighbor Award Winner Sheila Stevens, Prudential Georgia Realty, Suwanee, Ga., founder of The Sport of Giving. "The inquiries that are flowing in to host events in other parts of the country have allowed us to launch new events and help more people. Our mission has become a reality thanks to the Good Neighbor Awards."

REALTOR® Magazine's Good Neighbor Awards is sponsored by Lowe's. In addition to the grant money, each winner will receive a $2,000 Lowe's gift card and each honorable mention will receive a $1,000 Lowe's gift card.

Good Neighbor Awards entries must be received by Friday, May 21, 2010. For more details and a nomination form, call 800/874-6500, visit www.REALTOR.org/gna, or see the March issue of REALTOR® Magazine.

Lowe's (www.lowes.com) has worked with customers to maintain and improve their homes since 1946. Lowe's is proud to support the Good Neighbor Awards. Lowe's is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, SkillsUSA/SkillsCanada, and The Nature Conservancy, in addition to numerous nonprofit organizations and programs that help communities in North America. In 2009, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $30 million to support community and education projects in North America. Lowe's also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe's Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe's, a Realtor® Benefits Partner, brings Realtors® exclusive benefits to help build relationships with their customers, generate referrals and expand their client base. The benefits program is featured on www.LowesRealtorBenefits.com.

The National Association of Realtors®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Water stains on ceilings and walls are ugly, but they're also instant red flags to potential home buyers. Don't risk losing a sale due to unsightly stains that can cause undo concern about water lines and the integrity of your home.

Properly repair Paint Roller

, prepare and paint over stains for a fresh appeal. If you have purchased an investment property or a fixer-upper home of your own, these very basic steps will add value and aesthetics with very little work.

Every water stain has an origin. Identify the source of leaky water and stop it before attempting to make any repairs to the surface. Common sources are leaky roofs, leaking water pipes, and sometimes condensation or leaks from evaporative coolers. Other sources will be fairly (and woefully obvious) such is the case when a water pipe bursts or your home is subjected to a flood.

Carefully assess the extent of damage water has caused to the surfaces and structure of your home. This will largely depend on:

Replace wallboard that has lost integrity due to prolonged or excessive exposure to water. Take a small blade and scrape away a portion of wallboard to see how deep the damage is. Large areas may require you to remove and replace wallboard. If damage had occurred behind the wallboard, create a source of ventilation to allow air to move through the wet area and dry it. Even if your walls or ceilings are dry, leaving wet materials it is an invitation for mold and bacteria to grow in the dark, damp area.

If you're concerned about electrical damage, hire a professional electrician to test the integrity of your electrical system where water damage occurred.

Allow all stained areas to completely dry before attempting to repair or paint them.

Small damaged areas can easily be repaired with wall plaster and a putty knife. The method of repair will, again, depend on the extent of the water damage.

Proper preparation is absolutely necessary if you want to cover water stains and keep them covered. Although you can paint over a water stain, it's more likely than not the stain will eventually seep through.

Sand the surface lightly with 100- to 150-grit sandpaper. Clean the area to be painted thoroughly. Remove any debris with a dry cloth or large brush and thoroughly vacuum the surrounding area. Wipe the area you want to repair again with a dry cloth.

Paint over the stain with a pigmented white oil or latex-based primer. This is key to stopping the stain from showing through the paint. Allow it to dry according to the paint manufacturer's instructions.

You're building a new home. That's great! Once you've selected the location, hired a builder and decided on a floor plan, you'll begin working on the interior design of your home. The colors you choose to adorn your walls will play a major role in the overall look and feel of your home.

Colors can have an amazing effect on our physical and mental well-being. In most cases the impact is subconscious. Whether you're planning your new home or painting a home that's new to you, colors are important.

I should note, if you're preparing a home to sell, stick with very plain, neutral colors and let homebuyers choose their own favorite accents. You never know when a color may evoke the wrong emotion in a home shopper.

Different colors have different effects on individual, but some pretty good generalizations can be made about many. The mood can be intensified or diluted with various shades.

Looking for tranquility? Try blue, a color that can actually slow your pulse rate and lower your body temperature. Some claim blue can even reduce your appetite.

Be careful how you use blue. You'll want to stay on the lighter side of things to avoid unintentionally bringing people down.

Ready to kick in some high energy? Look to red. Can't imagine painting a wall red? Reconsider.

Red evokes a sense of high energy in some and warmth in others. Used correctly, red can create feelings of:

Did you know the Chinese consider red to represent luck? This probably isn't the best color for a hyper-active child's room. Painting a work-out room? Pump it up with red.

Do you love nature and the environment? Green is a great color to put you at ease with its calm, cool appeal.

I don't want to lead you astray, so I should add that green has a tendency to inspire jealousy and envy too.

Simplicity and harmony are best represented by white. Never discount the power of white when choosing colors for your home. White is clean, peaceful and innocent.

White can be boring if its overused and improperly complemented with home décor - so don't go crazy with white, but use it where you are looking for a sense of purity such as in a nursery or cleanliness in a laundry room.

There are so many, many colors from which to choose. Do a little of your own research and find out what a color can do for you. If you consciously choose colors with a goal in mind, you're more likely to stir in yourself and your family members the emotions and feelings you want to have in your home. Consider researching different colors' meanings as they apply to your own religion and beliefs.

If you're struggling to save money for a down payment on a home, you're not alone. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has released results of the 2009 Housing Opportunity Pulse Survey and the "survey says" down payment and closing costs are still among the greatest obstacles to buying a home.

It's true that the home prices are at historic lows in many areas of the country. Generally, those conditions are considered to create a "buyer's market." However, struggling Americans are struck by poor economic conditions in many aspects of their lives. The ability to save for a rainy day - or for a down payment on a new home - is impacted by the country's recent economic crisis.

And some federal incentives such as the First-Time Homebuyer's Tax Credit and some state incentives such as Utah's $6,000 incentive to buyers of newly constructed homes are helping. But, the hurdle still remains difficult for many would-be homeowners to overcome.

According to NAR, "The Housing Pulse Survey is an annual telephone survey of 1,250 urban and suburban adults in the top 25 media markets, designed to assist NAR in gaining information on consumers' attitudes and concerns about housing opportunities." American Strategies and Myers Research & Strategic Services conducted the survey for NAR's Housing Opportunity Program.

Granted, 1,250 consumers is a relatively small sampling given the millions of potential home buyers. However, the study has continued over a period of seven years and has come to be accepted as a fair indicator of consumer attitudes.

Americans are also, understandably concerned about job security. It's hard to make a big financial commitment if you're not sure you'll have a job tomorrow. According to the survey, two-thirds of Americans worry about being laid off or unemployed. Eight out of 10 of the people surveyed said that issue gets in the way of buying a home.

Luckily, there are many actions Americans can take to better position themselves to buy a home. This issue is in no way insurmountable, but it will take work and patience. Potential homebuyers who want to take advantage of clearance-priced homes should start planning now:

Following are some other key results derived from the survey. This information comes directly from the NAR website at http://www.realtor.org.

There's nothing like a lush garden to improve your home's curb appeal. An established flower garden or vegetable garden can actually add value to your home and property. For many regions, now is the time to begin planning your garden strategy.

In cooler climates it's a good idea to start some vegetables and flowers indoors. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Don't start your plants indoors too soon. If you are new to the area, research the traditional date range for the last spring frost and plan accordingly.

2. Eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, eggplants, leeks, head lettuce, and onions are just a few of the vegetables that will benefit from an early start indoors.

3. Flowers slow to mature can also be planted indoors in order to make the green thumb next door green with garden envy. Some of these include impatiens, petunias, snapdragons, and fibrous begonias.

4. Be careful not to start plants with sensitive roots indoors. Vegetables such as peas, beans, corn, and sweetpeas like to settle in to their summer homes and not be disturbed. You can stunt the growth of these by replanting them after they have already taken root.

5. Reuse containers each year, but keep your indoor planting containers clean. Commercial flats can be used over and over and they usually come with trays to catch runaway water.

6. Try a mixture of vermiculite, perlite, and peat moss for seed starting. It's easy to overwater indoor starts and rot their roots. Make sure your seedlings have plenty of air circulation, a warm (but not hot) environment (70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit is just about right), and plenty of strong light.

7. Don't overcrowd seeds. Encourage them to grow freely by giving them plenty of room.

8. Don't let containers and plant medium dry out completely, but don't over water them either.

9. Label and date containers. You could forget what you planted, and when you planted it!

10. Gradually toughen plants so they can survive drying winds and changing temperatures. Brush your hand gently across them daily. As they get older, consider using a fan do simulate wind for a few hours every day.

If you're looking for a home with a beautiful garden spot, contact us today! We're your area real estate specialists.

"Discipline is the basic set of tools we require to solve life's problems. Without discipline we can solve nothing. With only some discipline we can solve only some problems, with total discipline we can solve all problems."

If you're like the majority of would-be homeowners today grappling with financial difficulties, take heart. The American Dream of owning a home is within your reach.

No matter how bad your financial situation is today, there are steps you can take to improve your ability to buy a home. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2009 Housing Opportunity Pulse Survey, down payment and closing costs are among the greatest obstacles to buying a home. Home prices are down and while it's a buyers' market, the current economic climate is tough right now. People are concerned about job security. High prices are taking huge bites out of tight budgets.

Fight the frustration with the best weapons of all, planning, discipline and determination.

In his book, The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck, M.D. said, "Discipline is the basic set of tools we require to solve life's problems. Without discipline we can solve nothing. With only some discipline we can solve only some problems, with total discipline we can solve all problems."

The desire to own a home is only the first step. It's a good step, but it's one that requires careful consideration. How badly to you want to own a home? To what lengths will you go to achieve your dream? It's okay to brainstorm - dream even - about the home you will one day own. Dreaming is never enough. Action is required. There's no better time than right now to get started.

Get your dreams out of your head and onto a piece of paper. Ask yourself some tough questions and write down the answers. Here are some examples of questions you might ask. If you have a partner, include that partner in the conversation:

This step requires total honesty. What is keeping you from achieving your dream? Systematically examine every obstacle. Evaluate reasons for the existence of each obstacle and identify multiple solutions.

Start from the end. Imagine where you will be in one year, two years or five years. Draw a road map if you have to and label the path you will take to get to where you want to be. Be sure to include the hurdles you will have to jump over and hoops you will have to jump through. There will be mountains to climb and rivers to cross. Now that you have identified the obstacles, you can deliberately eliminate them one at a time.

Track spending for two weeks to see where money leaks occur in your budget. Create a strict budget. Separate wants from needs. Find ways to cut back such as packing a home lunch instead of eating out, carpooling to save gas, renting movies to watch at home instead of going to a theater.

Make a list of creditors. List them in order based on the amount you owe each. Concentrate on paying off the smallest bills first. When one bill is paid, take the monthly amount of money you spent on that bill and apply it to the next. Make a commitment to avoid taking on any additional unnecessary debt.

Now that you're accepting responsibility for your finances you can begin to improve your credit score today. Get a copy of your credit report. Federal law entitles you to one free credit report in a 12-month period from each major credit reporting agency. You can easily obtain your free report at www.annualcreditreport.com. Dispute any errors. You can also call the three major nationwide consumer credit reporting companies for your free report:

Do whatever you have to do to get in good standing with your creditors. Call them, negotiate with them, keep the promises you make to them. Show a sincere effort to rebuild your credit and you will find debtors are willing to help you achieve your goals. Pay your bills on time.

Pay your bills, but pay yourself first. The loss of a job, illness, emergency repairs, travel and other unplanned expenses will throw your carefully-planned budget into chaos if you're not prepared. Identify a certain percentage of your income - start small if you have to - and put it away in an emergency fund. Eventually your emergency fund will grow and you will start a new savings account for your down payment!

If your expenses are higher than your income and you have shaved as many frills as possible from your spending, it may be time to take on a second job. Also, consider selling personal items you no longer need and are willing to part with in order to live your dream of owning a home. Look for higher-paying promotion opportunities at work.

Your plan will include specific dates, goals and road markers on your map to success. Create a timeline and monitor it carefully. Review your plan each night before you go to bed. Identify milestones and celebrate when you reach those milestones. These can include paying off a bill, acquiring a certain amount of savings, reaching a goal income level and more.

Can you see it? Can you feel the warmth of your new home around you? Can you actually imagine yourself living the American dream? Do it often. Close your eyes and feel the satisfaction of achieving your goal - a goal that once seemed impossible. Talk openly about the day you will move into your new house. Stay positive, focused and committed.