tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23454320597401968272024-03-13T14:52:06.909-06:00Realtor WivesReal estate analysis and opinion from the industry's spousesAUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-24022105378900586412007-08-24T15:31:00.000-06:002007-08-24T15:37:17.595-06:00Don't Read This<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/Rs9PA6n8wnI/AAAAAAAAAQk/FOlOU0zN1uw/s1600-h/blogger+blog+log.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102383779989471858" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/Rs9PA6n8wnI/AAAAAAAAAQk/FOlOU0zN1uw/s320/blogger+blog+log.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Sucka- I knew you'd read this...<br /><br />Did you know that you can convert all of your Blogger articles over to Word Press with a simple mouse click? It's ture! If you're looking for any article from <b>this page</b> in the past, head over to <a href="http://rerevealed.com/">the new site</a> where you'll find ALL articles. </div><div></div><div> </div><div>I've been surprised at the continued traffic over here- <a href="http://bbqcapital.com/">Chris</a>, why are you coming here? :) I see you guys...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-58180937733922588902007-07-22T19:06:00.000-06:002007-07-22T19:07:45.938-06:00Realtor Wives Has MovedI've had a couple of emails asking what happened to Realtor Wives... we've just changed to Word Press and are under a new domain...<br /><a href="http://www.rerevealed.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085343369893197394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RpLE2gNfNlI/AAAAAAAAAPc/6dZ3VF81znw/s400/talking+chameleon.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-82708899022297075822007-07-09T17:29:00.000-06:002007-07-09T17:31:36.768-06:00Where Is Lani???<a href="http://www.rerevealed.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085343369893197394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RpLE2gNfNlI/AAAAAAAAAPc/6dZ3VF81znw/s400/talking+chameleon.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-28407579725851693602007-07-07T17:30:00.000-06:002007-07-07T18:07:44.156-06:00Chick Clues- Car Detailing<div align="justify"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RpAqlQNfNjI/AAAAAAAAAPM/FpaT2ZJ7wO0/s1600-h/dustoff.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084610798796355122" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RpAqlQNfNjI/AAAAAAAAAPM/FpaT2ZJ7wO0/s200/dustoff.jpg" border="0" /></a>Today debuts what *should* be a pretty sweet addition to Realtor Wives. I have OCD. Ask anyone- I constantly push agents' chairs in, frequently clean my home's baseboards, I have a need for 90 degree angles with all papers on desks, and brake dust on rims bugs me.<br /><br /></div><div align="justify">Therfore, today begins "Chick Clues"- my way of sharing my OCD with you, the loyal readers! Recently, I was detailing my car. That means that I was going <em>back over the car</em> after it had been professionally detailed- getting the tracks clean under the seats, dusting out the glove compartment, etc. and I couldn't quite get to the little dust in the door locks or window buttons. When I marched back inside for the swiffer, I realized that the can of compressed air would do fabulously! Ah the power of compressed air- I blew out dust in little crevices that I didn't know could even collect dust! </div><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#333399;">So today's Chick Clue- use a can of compressed air to detail crevices of your car that detailers don't quite reach. </span></strong>Realtors, you know you live in your car and have clients in it every day... don't neglect it!<br /></div><div align="justify">What are <em>your</em> car cleaning clues?</div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-13138462391532746162007-07-05T13:25:00.001-06:002007-07-05T13:46:27.780-06:00Going On A Comment Sabbaticle<div align="justify"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/Ro1JQANfNiI/AAAAAAAAAPE/lgUEquw_ccM/s1600-h/keeping+up+with+the+Joneses.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083800093654464034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/Ro1JQANfNiI/AAAAAAAAAPE/lgUEquw_ccM/s200/keeping+up+with+the+Joneses.jpg" border="0" /></a>So I have this neighbor who just <em>has<strong> </strong></em>to <strong>keep up with the Joneses</strong>. At some point, my husband and I became the target:<br /><br />1. They have had their landscape redone to be a <em>tad</em> better than ours, but they keep mowing int he rain leaving trenches. <em>We like to do our own because no one is as obsessive compulsive as we are.<br /><br /></em>2. They bought a new gianto SUV this summer. <em>We bought a Jeep this spring.<br /><br />3. </em>We painted our door and trim a glossy black this spring<em>. They painted their door and trim a glossy black this summer.<br /><br />4. </em>We threw a 2006 Celebrity Princess Party for our then 9 year old<em>. They threw a 2007 Celebrity Emmy Party for their now 10 year old.<br /></em><br /></div><div align="justify">And the list goes on. I don't mind them playing the game, but why play? I'm not even attempting to be on the game field! So then, why would they go beyond keeping up with the Joneses and decide to actually <strong>hate the Joneses</strong>!?!?<em> </em>In what seems to be frustration that we don't want to play in their sandbox but we still somehow "beat" them in their minds, they have decided to hate us. Last night at fireworks, instead of coming over where we were shooting (sweet, huh?), they stood on their front porch with their arms crossed and wouldn't let their daughters (my daughter's best friends) come over because it was a "family affair." Whatever, sourpuss.<br /></div><div align="justify"><em><br />So what does this have to do with a comment sabbaticle?</em> Well, the same thing has begun happening to me in the blogosphere. Look, I'm not a Realtor so I can't possibly compete with you. Nor am I in the mortgage industry. After a few bloggers have either <a href="http://realtorwives.blogspot.com/2007/05/pirate-tactic.html">pirated my comments</a>, held on to my comments because their buddy was in the process of making a similar comment (and posting it after the fact, making me look like a repetitive idiot), actually <em>editing</em> my comments (wth?), or simply not publishing them. Therefore, I am tired and I will be on sabbaticle.<br /><br /></div><div align="justify">In the past, when I've <strong>needed backup</strong>, I've emailed a few friends (<a href="http://www.realtorgenius.com/">Realtor Genius</a>, <a href="http://www.bawldguy.com/">Bawld Guy</a> and <a href="http://sandiegohomeblog.com/">Kris Berg</a>) asking them to jump in either here or on Bloodhound. If you need me to do the same, or you simply miss my voice, please <a href="mailto:realtorwives@yahoo.com">email me</a> directly. Otherwise, <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">I will be drinking a Mojito as I enjoy my comment-free sabbaticle!</span></strong></div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-85352012158582338892007-07-02T17:24:00.001-06:002007-07-02T17:39:24.242-06:00What's A Bawldy?<div align="justify"><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RomMiQNfNgI/AAAAAAAAAO0/RVL00mz_GGY/s1600-h/that70sjeff.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082748174559294978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RomMiQNfNgI/AAAAAAAAAO0/RVL00mz_GGY/s400/that70sjeff.jpg" border="0" /></a>So, this week, Realtor Wives achieved a highly sought after milestone- <a href="http://www.bawldguy.com/todays-bawldys-go-to-5/">earning a Bawldy</a>! What's a Bawldy? Well, Jeff Brown at <a href="http://www.bawldguy.com/">BawldGuy.com</a> links daily to his choice of the best Real Estate articles of the day, and <a href="http://realtorwives.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-not-to-screw-up.html">"How Not To Screw Up"</a> was named in his list of the<strong> bestest</strong> blogs. We all know that he had to name others in his daily awards show, but he'll tell you that we take the cake.<br /><br /><div align="justify">In honor of this award, we decided to give Jeff an equally impressive award- the Realtor Wives Hairy Award! Jeff, I know you've dreamt of having the Ashton Kutcher 'do, so we had a fabulous local graphic artist (also known as my dad) create a wonderful image of Bawldy with Hair. Please enjoy!<br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><em>We are accepting nominations for other bald or balding Realtors that deserve hair- we can (and will) award Hair but only on a need-basis; submit your nominations today!</em></div></div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-19299365818452220892007-07-01T07:14:00.000-06:002007-07-01T10:24:24.597-06:00How Not To Screw Up...<div align="justify"><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RoeycwNfNeI/AAAAAAAAAOk/1_h2cN1gtus/s1600-h/706636_me_at_29_and_at_89_years_old.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082226911558448610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RoeycwNfNeI/AAAAAAAAAOk/1_h2cN1gtus/s320/706636_me_at_29_and_at_89_years_old.jpg" border="0" /></a>I came across an article recently about 10 dating disasters and immediately thought of what so many Realtors do incorrectly (or "<em>do wrong</em>" if you're here in the South). I thought I would modify the typical dating lists to read "What Not To Do <strong>Before</strong> or On The First Meeting With a Client" or in short <span style="color:#ff0000;">"How Not To Screw Up..."</span><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">1. <strong><u>Do not have someone Photoshop your picture</u></strong> to smooth your skin, remove your double chin or give you hair. When your client meets you, they will be very uncomfortable because their insides will shake with laughter. If you're ugly, so what? It's a misconception that people hire Realtors based on their most recent mission to Plasticsurgeryville.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">2. <strong><u>Do not wear a Hawaiian shirt</u></strong> on a first meeting, no matter how Rico Suave you are. Remember, Hawaiian shirt wearing is for the exclusive few that are (a) Hawaiian, (b) on vacation, (c) are fat and middle aged, or (d) my father.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">3. When a local broadcaster or someone of local fame calls you, <strong><u>don't rent an ultra-luxurious car and claim yours is in the shop</u></strong>! If you're sportin' an Escort, just give it a bath and let your client know you intend to roll the Escort until the wheels fall off (oh and make sure it smells nice, no one likes day old catfish leftover smell).</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">4. <strong><u>Don't let your cell phone get in the way of your Realtor mojo</u></strong>. If you can't have a first meeting without gabbing on your phone (and everyone is SO guilty of this), turn the dang thing to silent. Have a general VM that says "I am currently meeting with a valued client, but I have a great habit of checking my voicemail the moment I get into my car, so don't worry- you'll hear from me soon!" If you appear to love your Star Trek bluetooth more than the precious time with your client, you may never hear from them again.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">5. <u><strong>Don't be late</strong>.</u> Period. You are not the only one who values time and if you are late to a first meeting (or well, to any) it is a great sign of disrespect. Plan on being <em>15 minutes</em> early, finish phone calls in the car and approach the door of your meeting destination right on time. When you are late, you explicitly tell your client that <em>you</em> are the center of the universe, they should bow because you have entered a room, and you believe that their time and business is of no consequence to you (unless that's how you see it).</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">6. <strong><u>Don't over promise</u></strong>. This is the cardinal sin in Real Estate, especially during listing presentations. If you don't have a guarantee (see <a href="http://nohasslelisting.com/">Russell Shaw's website</a>), don't promise a home will sell in 6.34 days. Don't promise to be "available at all times" when you <em>know</em> you don't answer the phone when it's dark, the game is on, you're napping or you're at your "day job" (which should be #7, but I'll be nice).</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">7. <strong><u>You are not Oprah. Keep your bragging to a minimum</u></strong>. Bragging and presenting yourself in a factual manner are different matters. For example, "I'm Austin's best Realtor" is lame, try "In this subdivision, I sold one out of every two listings last year." At a first meeting, you are likely applying for a job with that client, so don't bog down the "interview" with inflating or stroking your own ego. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw3oNVnuYYo">Don't be bragadocious.</a></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">8. <strong><u>Don't badmouth the competition</u></strong>. Dogging on other Realtors (typically local competitors) online can get you in deep dookie here in Texas, but doing it in person is just low. When someone talks about their past Realtor (operative word being "past" aka non-threatening, so shut up), refocus the conversation casually to you or their current home situation rather than noting "yeah, he's an a-hole, he spilled a drink on me at this massive party just after admitting that he doesn't work weekends and he dresses in drag when he's alone." Muy mal.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">9. <strong><u>Don't be inappropriate</u></strong>. This includes the joke about the dumb Aggie (they probably went to A&M, poor guy), the racist joke (their absent spouse is likely of that race), the Pope joke (<em>I'm</em> probably Catholic), or the handicap joke (their mom is probably paralyzed). It's not the time or place. Making dirty jokes, using crude language, any physically inappropriate gestures or otherwise can actually put your career at risk and there's nothing funny I can say about that. Don't be an idiot- you're probably not as funny as you think anyhow.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">10. My favorite- <strong><u>don't be cute</u></strong>. This applies mostly to you <em>guys</em> out there aged 40-55 who are clinging to that last hope that you are as cute as you were when you were president of your frat way back when. If your kids are in their 20s, I'm<em> begging</em> you- don't flirt with your 25 year old female client- she's not interested. Trying to <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=HgtmETjMT7Y">bring sexy back</a> during a first meeting can ultimately screw things up.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Now it's your turn- start adding to the list beginning with #11...</span></div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-1769505504064671992007-06-28T11:38:00.000-06:002007-06-28T12:10:38.048-06:00Why Redfin Will Succeed<div align="justify"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RoP0fgNfNdI/AAAAAAAAAOc/LJdmnl9tPeM/s1600-h/shark.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081173626663679442" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RoP0fgNfNdI/AAAAAAAAAOc/LJdmnl9tPeM/s200/shark.gif" border="0" /></a>Kevin Boer at 3 Oceans Realty poses the question, "<a href="http://3oceansrealestate.com/blog/if-you-were-designing-the-real-estate-industry-from-scratch-would-it-look-more-like-coldwell-banker-or-redfin.html">If You Were Designing The Real Estate Industry From Scratch, Would It Look More Like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Coldwell</span> Banker Or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Redfin</span>?</a>"<br /><br />The consensus so far is that if we started from scratch, the industry would still resemble the 1.3 million contractors that make up the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">NAR</span>. I made a comment that could be interpreted as harsh against the demographic that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Redfin</span> is seeking to court, but I meant what I said- we all know (or are) someone who is glued to a computer and would love to never ever leave. I have a family member (no, not my husband) who is literally addicted to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">internet</span> and would never leave his chair if he didn't have to go to the bathroom. Seriously.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Redfin</span> would be great for him because he's scared to death of getting out of the house. He wouldn't care how Web 2.0 the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Redfin</span> site is, he would love the idea that he doesn't have to interact with a human. The problem is that before he says "I do" and marries his home, he'll want to personally (ideally without a sales person present) hold its hand and commence to a little heavy petting before committing. This is why video open houses are so important for this tiny demographic. BUT, buyers will never purchase a home sight unseen, because humans inherently rely on tangibility and emotions regarding major purchases regardless of whatever "business model" a Realtor uses. Look, I personally don't like big crowds and sales people make me nervous, but I have to see the house/car/skirt in person before I let a salesperson into my personal business. I understand.<br /><br />Therefore, I maintain that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Redfin</span> is courting the hipster/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">WoW</span> nerds and I believe (as my husband notes below) that they will survive (and <strong>succeed</strong>) in their niche because they've quietly found a tiny demo that was not <em>publicly</em> being courted, and the only reason they need a website is for PR, not necessarily sales. <a href="http://www.realtorgenius.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">RealtorGenius</span></a> says it better than I can in a comment at 3Oceans:</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><em><span style="color:#336666;"><br /><a href="http://3oceansrealestate.com/blog/if-you-were-designing-the-real-estate-industry-from-scratch-would-it-look-more-like-coldwell-banker-or-redfin.html">"Lani is correct that there is a very tiny fragment of the market that wants nothing to do with actually touching the house first. It does tailor to those who would prefer to sit at their computers or hide within four walls from the world. Knowing that, a great bunch of folks tried to open grocery stores online- they’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">ve</span> all but failed here- horrible deaths. I can think of a few other types of markets that tried to go the online way and they crashed and burned too. I do believe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Redfin</span> will capture attention with rebates, but NOT with the idea of doing it all online- that will fail in the long run as well.</span></em></div><br /><div align="justify"><em><span style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></em></div><br /><div align="justify"><em><span style="color:#336666;">So to answer your question: The industry (being what it is) works. Regardless of how you begin, I believe the real estate industry would evolve to exactly where it is today- again and again. Why? Because it’s practical- no one can control real estate."</a></span></em></div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-6836697226858251882007-06-26T20:55:00.000-06:002007-06-26T21:26:25.550-06:00To Capthca or NOT To Captcha<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RoHYtQNfNcI/AAAAAAAAAOU/NKe-tanOT1E/s1600-h/oops.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080580126607881666" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RoHYtQNfNcI/AAAAAAAAAOU/NKe-tanOT1E/s320/oops.jpg" border="0" /></a>Many of us (myself included) opt to include the <a href="http://www.captcha.net/">captcha</a> so that the spambots can't infiltrate our beautiful blogs. I'm on Google's Blogger, and I've learned that Blogger sometimes cops an attitude and <strong>insults</strong> its users... seriously.<br /><br />Check it out <a href="http://ironlab.org/files/gmailsignup.png">here</a> and consider if you <strong><em>still </em></strong>want to feature captchas on your site...AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-28497374653482072262007-06-25T16:22:00.000-06:002007-06-25T16:42:55.421-06:00The Realtor Wives Feed Reader Hits 100!<div align="justify"><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RoBD7ZdkykI/AAAAAAAAAOE/R5jHx5th8Sw/s1600-h/rebekahherzog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080135067400194626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RoBD7ZdkykI/AAAAAAAAAOE/R5jHx5th8Sw/s200/rebekahherzog.jpg" border="0" /></a>Well, it had to come sometime- the obstacle is now here... how do I keep this feed reader under 100? As I asked this week, <a href="http://realtorwives.blogspot.com/2007/06/only-room-for-one-more-blog.html">who should be the 100th blog to read every day?</a><br /><br /></div><div align="justify">Realtor Wives added <a href="http://rebekahherzog.typepad.com/">Rebekah Herzog</a> out of Kansas who is a budding new blogger. I encourage you all to visit her site, email her encouragement (we all need it when getting started) or suggestions and <strong>add her to your feed reader</strong>. Congrats on being #100!</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#339999;"><strong>Sidenote: I'm using Bloglines and I hate it- any suggestions or reviews of your own readers?</strong></span></div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-8021721529606813262007-06-25T15:03:00.000-06:002007-06-25T15:39:51.503-06:00Carnival of Real Estate<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RoA1bZdkyiI/AAAAAAAAAN0/8kvUZiyLjbI/s1600-h/coremasthead.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080119124481591842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RoA1bZdkyiI/AAAAAAAAAN0/8kvUZiyLjbI/s320/coremasthead.jpg" border="0" /></a>Altos Reasearch hosts <a href="http://www.altosresearch.com/blog/archives/245-Carnival-of-Real-Estate-June-25-2007-Edition.html">this week's Carnival of Real Estate.</a><br /><br /><em>My thoughts:<br /></em>(1) sweet- Greg Swann has his own blog category (although Mike had to sidenote that he was half kidding about that),<br />(2) Altos subcategorized RE blogging in a very concise way (that I liked) and<br />(3) thank God CoRE takes a dang 4th of July break next week- I really need one!<br /><br /><strong>Notes:</strong><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog_carnival">Definition of a Blog Carnival</a><br /><div><a href="http://creatorscarnival.blogspot.com/2006/02/benefits-of-blog-carnivals.html">Benefits of submitting to Carnivals</a></div><div><a href="http://www.carnivalofrealestate.com/faq/">More about getting involved at the Carnival of Real Estate (CoRE)</a><br /></div><div>List of future CoRE judges<br /> *July 4th week- no CoRE<br /> *July 9th- <a href="http://www.valleymarket.com/">ValleyMarket.com</a></div><div> *July 16th- <a href="http://www.delawareohrealestate.com/">Sadie's Take on Delaware</a></div><div> *July 23rd- <a href="http://www.raincityguide.com/">Rain City Guide</a><br /> *July 30th- <a href="http://www.sacramentorealestatevoice.com/">SacramentoReal Estate Guide</a><br /><br /></div><div><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">JOIN IN!!!</span></strong></div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-30691956370742161862007-06-24T22:28:00.000-06:002007-06-24T22:44:52.707-06:00Only Room For One More Blog!<div align="justify"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/Rn9IEJdkygI/AAAAAAAAANk/i9rBHX0EwkU/s1600-h/feeds.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079858140793850370" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/Rn9IEJdkygI/AAAAAAAAANk/i9rBHX0EwkU/s200/feeds.jpg" border="0" /></a>Today, I added the 99th blog to my Bloglines feed reader. When I started this whole blog thang (yeah, that's spelled with an "a"), I set several goals. My number three goal was to keep my feed reader under 100 blogs to stay on top of every day.<br /><br /></div><div align="justify">At the time, that number seemed so huge, but since then Bloglines has sucked up RE blogs like a Hoover. Whew! I now read 99 blogs every day, and I have room for ONE MORE!!!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Who should it be?</span></strong></div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-9434009747866231252007-06-23T13:52:00.000-06:002007-06-23T14:08:31.544-06:00Top 10 DIY Mistakes<div align="justify"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/Rn19jZdkyeI/AAAAAAAAANU/nB3nXW8wSlU/s1600-h/506239_tools_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079354001827613154" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/Rn19jZdkyeI/AAAAAAAAANU/nB3nXW8wSlU/s200/506239_tools_2.jpg" border="0" /></a>Yahoo blipped <a href="http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/070618/18429.html?.v=1&.pf=real-estate">this article</a> across my screen and it embodied many things we frequently tell those clients that are preparing to begin flipping/renovating/fixing their new purchases. Maybe you'll find it helpful also! We will be printing this out for all our agents who aren't RE.net compatible!<br /></div><div align="justify">Click the links for about each DIY mistake:</div><br />1. <a href="http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/070618/18429.html?.v=1&.pf=real-estate#1">Not taking out the required permits. </a><br />2. <a href="http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/070618/18429.html?.v=1&.pf=real-estate#2">Starting a job without the necessary tools and supplies.</a><br />3. <a href="http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/070618/18429.html?.v=1&.pf=real-estate#3">Inadequate preparation of the job site.</a><br />4. <a href="http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/070618/18429.html?.v=1&.pf=real-estate#4">Skimping on materials.</a><br />5. <a href="http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/070618/18429.html?.v=1&.pf=real-estate#5">Using the wrong paint.</a><br />6. <a href="http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/070618/18429.html?.v=1&.pf=real-estate#6">Improper preparation of walls for painting. </a><br />7. <a href="http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/070618/18429.html?.v=1&.pf=real-estate#7">Unsafe job conditions.</a><br />8. <a href="http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/070618/18429.html?.v=1&.pf=real-estate#8">Inaccuracy. </a><br />9. <a href="http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/070618/18429.html?.v=1&.pf=real-estate#9">Working beyond your limits. </a><br />10. <a href="http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/070618/18429.html?.v=1&.pf=real-estate#10">Failure to get a clue.</a>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-52024418243658390712007-06-22T22:10:00.001-06:002007-06-22T22:24:15.817-06:00Confessions of a Lifehacker Addict<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RnygJZdkycI/AAAAAAAAANE/1H4cK8hMpIo/s1600-h/logo_text.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079110563081275842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RnygJZdkycI/AAAAAAAAANE/1H4cK8hMpIo/s320/logo_text.png" border="0" /></a>Thanks a lot, <a href="http://www.realestateundressed.com/">Larry</a>... as if my time wasn't monopolized with Real Estate, blogging, family and a stubborn dog, you got me hooked on the crack that is <a href="http://www.lifehacker.com/">Lifehacker</a>! If any of you aren't reading, it is a great supplement for bloggers to learn about software apps, office organizing and how to get water out of the cell phone you dropped in the pool.<br /><br /><p><strong>My favorite articles today:</strong><br /><a href="http://lifehacker.com/software/instant-messaging/google-talk-adds-group-chat-271393.php">Google adds Group Chat</a> (great for co-drafting documents)<br /><a href="http://lifehacker.com/software/lifehacker-top-10/top-10-diy-office-projects-271354.php">Top 10 DIY Office Projects</a><br /><a href="http://lifehacker.com/software/how-to/make-a-room-look-bigger-271247.php">Making a Room Look Bigger</a> (great for staging or in your own home or office)<br /><a href="http://lifehacker.com/software/cord-management/reduce-cable-clutter-271250.php">Cord Management</a> (addressing Realtor Genius' cord crisis)<br /><br />It's no <a href="http://www.reagentinct.com/blog">Feed Bag</a>, but now I'm like Larry, pimpin' and slingin' the addiction that is Lifehacker (<a href="http://www.rsspieces.com/2007/06/21/starting-a-controversy-on-your-real-estate-blog-to-drive-traffic">see Erin,</a> I like to say pimpin'!)! </p>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-40645661853870684062007-06-21T21:43:00.000-06:002007-06-21T21:54:23.815-06:00A Loud 10 Year Old<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RntHS5dkybI/AAAAAAAAAM8/-fIpudlg6yw/s1600-h/222497_little_worker.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078731394778450354" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RntHS5dkybI/AAAAAAAAAM8/-fIpudlg6yw/s320/222497_little_worker.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.realtorgenius.com/">Realtor Genius</a> and I have a beautiful, intelligent, newly 10 year old daughter who recently took an interest in blogging. We set her up with an invitation-only Blogger site and she has blogged like a madwoman!<br /><div></div><br /><div>Tonight, she asked if she could blog on our <a href="http://www.singlepointerealty.com/real-blogging">Austin Real Estate Blog,</a> but I told her she'd have to create a draft and have it approved with the brokerage boss (aka Daddy). He didn't sign off on it, rather sent it over to the head of Asset Management (aka me) and I saw a great RealtorWives article. So on an orange piece of paper with a purple marker, she had written the following:</div><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">"You should pick my dad he's the Best. Better than everyone."</span></em></div><br /><div>Best blog of the year if you ask me. I think she's getting the whole Web2.0 RE.net down already! Watch out, y'all- she's just getting started!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#999999;">Sidenote: photo courtesy of jynmeyer (our daughter is actually cuter...)</span></div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-11739227091781705882007-06-21T11:16:00.000-06:002007-06-21T11:26:31.719-06:00RE WEBLOGGING 101<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/Rnq0U5dkyaI/AAAAAAAAAM0/G_S998_ts58/s1600-h/RealEstateWeblogging101.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078569800928905634" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/Rnq0U5dkyaI/AAAAAAAAAM0/G_S998_ts58/s400/RealEstateWeblogging101.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://www.realtorgenius.com">Realtor Genius</a> has sniffed out a great new site by TheGreg over at Bloodhound:</div><br /><div><em><em><br /><blockquote><em><em>Weblogging101 opened today, and to be honest there is just so much information it would take several days to plow through it all, so I’ll let you know my thoughts next week- but here are my general thoughts in advance.<br /><br />First of all, </em><a href="http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/BloodhoundBlog/?p=1559" target="_blank"><em>bloodhoundblog.com</em></a><em> isn’t profiting on this at all. No one is over there giving criticism of your blog to gain your business, it’s the simply how-to we all needed when we started (and I for one, still need) and for this I believe it has heart, merit, and to be honest, you can trust it. Why? Because the only thing your being sold is a better understanding of what in the heck you’re doing!</em></em></blockquote></em></em></div><br /><div>Although I'd be lying if I didn't know REWeblogging101 was coming, Realtor Genius has published a great evaluation of the new site- THANKS RG!</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/BloodhoundBlog/?p=1559">Learn more about RE Weblogging</a> and how to put the REW101 logo on <strong>your</strong> site!</div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-18084055158228539732007-06-20T20:44:00.000-06:002007-06-20T21:04:42.016-06:00World's Best Photographer<div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/Rnnp-JdkyYI/AAAAAAAAAMk/7CFrDIxVjEg/s1600-h/barebonephoto+shot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078347308738070914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/Rnnp-JdkyYI/AAAAAAAAAMk/7CFrDIxVjEg/s320/barebonephoto+shot.jpg" border="0" /></a>I don't often use this blog to promote non-Real Estate material, but I've been meaning to tell you <strong>all</strong> about Emma Smallbone of <a href="http://www.barebonephoto.com/">BarebonePhoto</a>, the World's Best Photographer. Okay, so I don't think there's a particular award for that, but she is actually well established (and <a href="http://www.barebonephoto.com/pricelists/index.htm">way underpriced</a> if you ask me) and will travel. She has won a number of awards for her ubercreative journalistic style and constantly <a href="http://www.barebonephoto.com/testimonials/index.htm">receives praise</a>. She's based in Canada (but we'll forgive her for that!) but travels to weddings all over the place.<br /><br />If you, your children, a client or a friend is preparing to walk the plank (aka get married), you have to <a href="http://www.barebonephoto.com/gallery/index.htm">look at Emma's work</a>. Not only is she incredible, <strong>she has a blog</strong>!!! I've learned about her doggie (happy 1st Sophie!)...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078347085399771506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RnnpxJdkyXI/AAAAAAAAAMc/jD_FFMfQS1g/s200/barebonephoto+dot+com+sophie%27s+first+bday.jpg" border="0" />her family and her clients... never before have I been so impressed with any single photographer (uh... sorry to our wedding photographer). Her silly nature is reflected in her work and she never takes herself too seriously! What a dream!!! When our children get married (or we finally have our Catholic wedding), Emma will be well worth the extra few dollars to get her down here to Texas.<br /><br />Let me know when she becomes your family's wedding photographer- <strong>I'll watch </strong><a href="http://www.barebonephoto.com/blog/"><strong>her blog</strong></a> for the <em>best pictures of you</em> you'll ever see! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078347849903950226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RnnqdpdkyZI/AAAAAAAAAMs/1KdaElrN6cQ/s320/barebone+photo+wedding+shot.jpg" border="0" /></div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-76949630038367457492007-06-20T08:19:00.000-06:002007-06-20T08:25:20.941-06:00Attention Newbies<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/Rnk4BZdkyUI/AAAAAAAAAME/QE7tI2x7FLI/s1600-h/757485_reeses.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078151651502901570" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/Rnk4BZdkyUI/AAAAAAAAAME/QE7tI2x7FLI/s200/757485_reeses.jpg" border="0" /></a>I have had several emails lately from new bloggers asking what direction to take (and I'm no specialist, but I'm always happy to share links to any of the 92 blogs on my feed reader)... there are so many great resources out there!<br /><br />For those of you new to blogging, finding inspiration can be one of the most difficult tasks. No problem, RSS Pieces has the perfect solution- <a href="http://www.rsspieces.com/2007/06/20/a-yearrs-worth-of-real-estate-blog-ideas-14">use one of their 225 proposed article ideas</a> written by the supersupersassy Fairy Blogmother. If you haven't stumbled onto this site yet, it is great for new bloggers (<strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">or uh,</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">bad ones</span></strong>)...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rsspieces.com/2007/06/20/a-yearrs-worth-of-real-estate-blog-ideas-14"></a>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-2871740589024225642007-06-18T18:16:00.000-06:002007-06-18T18:42:08.719-06:00What In The World Is "Deck"?<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RnclSpdkyTI/AAAAAAAAAL8/KaT5r4SSCwU/s1600-h/hipster_4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077568107181295922" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RnclSpdkyTI/AAAAAAAAAL8/KaT5r4SSCwU/s200/hipster_4.jpg" border="0" /></a>Don't know what "deck" is? You're just not hip... I'll clue you in! <a href="http://thatotherpaper.com/austin/itineraries/a_stereotypical_day_for_wannabe_hipsters">Liz Barkdale writes my absolute favorite article written thus far in 2007; click here to read on!</a><br /><br />Anywhere in Austin south of the Capitol, the "Keep Austin Weird" subculture reigns. I've been debating how to use this article in the blogosphere, but it's too dang funny to <strong>not</strong> publish. For those of you who have lived in or visited Austin, you'll giggle as you read this article; for those who have not, you surely have some "deck" element in your own city.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Tell us how deck YOUR city is!</span><br /><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"><br /><br />photo (from thatotherpaper.com )/ </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/fcb/"><span style="color:#c0c0c0;">Fred Benenson</span></a>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-48067547605525805442007-06-17T20:39:00.000-06:002007-06-17T20:51:09.317-06:00Carnival of Real Estate- Sock Puppet's Turn<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RnXy65dkySI/AAAAAAAAAL0/_w2YlNRUrQk/s1600-h/772764_toe_socks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077231248601303330" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RnXy65dkySI/AAAAAAAAAL0/_w2YlNRUrQk/s320/772764_toe_socks.jpg" border="0" /></a>This week, <a href="http://www.reagentinct.com/blog">The Sock Puppet</a> hosts the <a href="http://www.carnivalofrealestate.com/">Carnival of Real Estate</a> aka "CoRE."<br /><br /><div><div></div><div>If you haven't started participating in the Carnival of Real Estate, it's a great way to find great bloggers to add to your feed reader. And if you don't have a feed reader, you need one!</div><div></div><br /><div>Athol (aka "Sock Puppet" or "Wooly Opinionator" or "Cotton Goblin") welcomes readers to his home of Bristol, CT, <em>"Connecticut is notable for having next to zero professional sports teams and was thus the Switzerland of Sports for ESPN to set up shop in."</em> Nice.</div></div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-39670463007041824172007-06-15T12:26:00.001-06:002007-06-15T13:01:50.498-06:00Notorious B.I.G. Said "Mo Money, Mo Problems"<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RnLbTpdkyPI/AAAAAAAAALc/YkwmKqGmpTE/s1600-h/notorious-big.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076360860593866994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RnLbTpdkyPI/AAAAAAAAALc/YkwmKqGmpTE/s200/notorious-big.jpg" border="0" /></a>Notorious B.I.G. said "Mo Money, Mo Problems" and I agree. In the blogosphere, the bigger you get, the more bold you become and it leads to enemies whether you like it or not. Instead of talking dollars, let's talk blogosphere "fame." <a href="http://www.bloodhoundblog.com">Greg Swann's</a> got a lot of that "fame" and because of his "mo fame," he's got "mo problems." Greg and I don't always agree, so I am not defending any particular viewpoint today. Rather, I wanted to share with you why Greg and I are friends. <br /><br />(1) Before I was a <a href="http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/BloodhoundBlog/?author=23">BHB contributor</a>, I decided to ask Greg any and all questions regarding blogging even if the questions made me look stupid. He never judged my ignorance, instead he quickly emailed me back an answer. <br /><br />(2) There has been no restriction on what Greg has been willing to share with me. He's given me access to the PHP code for parts of his site that I wanted to steal, he's given me his Carnival judging algorithm, and he's endlessly given me definitions to dorky blog words that I've had to learn over the past months. <br /><br />(3) Greg is not inflammatory. His articles and comments are <strong>provocative</strong>, but he never cusses at anyone, he backs his theories up with his researched facts and is willing to take the heat when his arguments anger people. Currently, Greg has brought up the licensing bar and postulates that we should abolish it. I disagree with this- abolishment is not a solution; I'm waiting on a solution. Regardless, what I like about Greg is that if I email him saying, "hey, I disagree," or "what's the solution to the licensing issue?" he will write an article about such a topic instead of hiding behind an offline conversation. <br /><br />(4) BHB publishing rules don't exist. As an author, I've never been censored. I've also never used curse words or made ignorant personal attacks. Some people have been censored (and Greg emailed me the censored comments and his reasons for censoring) and I'm okay with that. Ponch (<a href="http://www.sandiegohomeblog.com">Kris and Steve's</a> troll) and Prime Minister (<a href="http://www.realtorwives.com">my</a> troll) pick fights online and if they get out of hand (which they haven't yet), they WILL be censored- that's my right. I disagree that Greg arbitrarily blacklists- like I said, I've seen the conversations. Whether I would make the same choice to censor is not the point.<br /><br />Greg didn't ask me to (and would probably prefer that I didn't) write my Top Four Reasons I'm Friends With Greg Swann, but sometimes someone with "mo money [and] mo problems" are busy and that's when a friend should step in. <br /><br />And if Athol asks me why I'm friends with him, I can make that my next article... :)AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-74436611497282025672007-06-13T23:18:00.000-06:002007-06-17T13:05:31.377-06:00YOU'VE BEEN REDFINNED!<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RnWFxpdkyQI/AAAAAAAAALk/e0qo8SOfHiQ/s1600-h/redfinned.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077111242920085762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RnWFxpdkyQI/AAAAAAAAALk/e0qo8SOfHiQ/s200/redfinned.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>UPDATED AND EDITED PER REQUEST:</strong></span><br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RnDStZdkyOI/AAAAAAAAALU/rlAlOdzZQ3s/s1600-h/redfind.jpg"></a>Today, a temporarily (by request) unnamed site coins a new term- "Redfinned." MTV may have Punk'D, but the Real Estate industry has Redfinned. This word is an adjective used to describe the despair a buyer or seller feels when dealing with a non-responsive-call-center-operator (also known as a Redfin or McDiscount agent) who cannot return or make calls. This word is applicable to the feeling of tearing out hair when the salaried Redfin (or McDiscounter) agent does not feel that they make enough money to acknowledge buyers or sellers, rather they would prefer to read blogs, troll the malls or plaster bandit signs around the city.<br /><br />The disdain for a lack of customer service was bound to be let out of the bag someday- well, here we are, June 13th, 2007- it's finally "someday."<br /><br />I encourage you to use this new term (or the logo) on your own site in regard to agents (whether at Redfin or otherwise) that lack service. <span style="color:#ff0000;">YOU'VE BEEN REDFINNED!!!</span>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-16887815579444491652007-06-13T22:38:00.001-06:002007-06-13T22:59:54.977-06:00A Buyer Who Never Turned His Car Off<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RnDJRpdkyKI/AAAAAAAAAK0/93Z8cYFvgMY/s1600-h/6626_mustang.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075778085071407266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RnDJRpdkyKI/AAAAAAAAAK0/93Z8cYFvgMY/s200/6626_mustang.jpg" border="0" /></a>Last week, <a href="http://www.singlepointerealty.com/">my husband</a> closed a beautiful new home in a new subdivision. The buyer (we'll call him JR) reads this blog (being a tech-savvy guy and a new friend of ours), so he'll get a kick out of it (hi JR)!<br /><div></div><br /><div>After months that ran into more than a year of searching for a home, JR fell in lust with a giganto home that the seller was only willing to "seller finance." JR didn't have representation so he settled. Although he loved his giant house, he wanted to save some money and with an electric bill equating to multiple car payments, he knew he had to get out of this castle.</div><div></div><br /><div>Now, JR is working on his MBA with a prestigious program and has a spreadsheet for everything- I mean EVERYTHING! He knew the backend of financing down to the penny. He had a financial plan and needed a new direction to meet his goals. JR the Super Bachelor has two big dogs that he takes everywhere with him. Put the know-it-all and seen-it-all together and you have one tough buyer.</div><div></div><br /><div>JR and my husband hit it off before physically meeting to shop, so it was no surprise that JR brought his dogs to see the home my husband noted was the best choice for him. We thought the selection process would be lengthy, but JR left his car running (with the dogs inside) as he stepped into the first house and soon said "I'll take it" and contracted within the hour.</div><br /><div></div><div>Later, when asked why he didn't continue his tedious search, he said that he trusted my husband because of the lengthy phone conversations they'd had- he spoke his Web 2.0 type dorko language, he listened to his shopping desires, and he was intimately familiar with the financing JR wanted. JR said that he knew before seeing it that the house my husband picked would match everything he'd asked for- he never even had to turn his engine off. </div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>The RE industry needs more of this-</strong> see if you can sell a home this week for a know-it-all-seen-it-all for a two week closing<strong>. Consider it your challenge!</strong></span></div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-73076760718734134262007-06-12T11:32:00.000-06:002007-06-12T12:12:06.285-06:00State of the Blog Report- Unhealthy Competition<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/Rm7cU5dkyJI/AAAAAAAAAKs/yzZ9JiGIjeA/s1600-h/751673_scoreboard.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075236081673488530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/Rm7cU5dkyJI/AAAAAAAAAKs/yzZ9JiGIjeA/s200/751673_scoreboard.jpg" border="0" /></a>Several bloggers are observing the problems with RE blogging of late, namely the abuse of the forum. People have been accused of censoring, being <a href="http://www.realtorgenius.com/?p=41">inappropriate</a> and vulgar, inflammatory and the like for reasons of ratings (or prospecting or entertaining).<br /><div></div><br /><div>On a recent Realtor Wives article, some bold statements were made. <a href="http://realtorwives.blogspot.com/2007/06/state-of-blog-report-know-your-identity.html">Please read the article and statements here in full if you have not today.</a> I will address my response here:</div><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">We are business bloggers.</span> If we weren't, no one would be professing their career choice, and we would be writing about movies, jeans, kitties or concerts. There should be no "taking it personally," "personal attacks" or censoring for a self-indulgent cause (which I can't personally say has occurred or not, nor do I really care). Come on! We are here to promote our individual businesses, the concept of buying and selling real estate, to discuss the market and hopefully teach readers about what we do in hopes that the healthy Web2.0 style conversation draws people in- if not to us, at least to someone knowledgeable.</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://realtorwives.blogspot.com/2007/06/project-bladder.html">Lockwood also humorously tried to correct Realtor Wives regarding "Project Bladder"</a> which makes light of the whole competitive issue. I still stand by my satirical look at the issue- people are engaging in<strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"> personal </span></strong>competitiveness. Kris mentioned that she feels in the middle (and I share that sentiment due to my <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca">BHB affiliation</a>)- no one should have to feel that way because of personal problems bloggers have with each other, nor should they be publicly aired in such nasty ways (simply aired anywhere so aggressively, not specifically on Realtor Wives).</div><div></div><br /><div>The point: <span style="color:#ff0000;">get over yourselves! </span>Quit making it personal- this is business blogging, not <a href="http://realtorwives.blogspot.com/2007/06/project-bladder.html">Project Bladder.</a> A slow news cycle is no excuse for arm wrestling about blogging.</div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2345432059740196827.post-65556315839983875522007-06-10T14:57:00.000-06:002007-06-10T15:08:51.767-06:00Project Bladder<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RmxnCZdkyII/AAAAAAAAAKk/juoPmyu-cUQ/s1600-h/ProjectBladder.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074544171032037506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_UYkJvgetOUk/RmxnCZdkyII/AAAAAAAAAKk/juoPmyu-cUQ/s320/ProjectBladder.gif" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.sacramento-home.com/real-estate-events/">John Lockwood</a> has been actively commenting on Realtor Wives as of late, namely on the <a href="http://realtorwives.blogspot.com/2007/06/state-of-blog-report-know-your-identity.html">"Know Your Identity"</a> article. If you haven't read it, back up and take a look before continuing... I'll wait... As you read in the comments, Lockwood created this satirical logo (and it's pretty dang good if you ask me) as the "thread's official logo."<br /><div></div><br /><div>To add to this concept, I believe that this "Project Bladder" seal should be used on any article that a blogger writes that is part of the distance competition (see <a href="http://realtorwives.blogspot.com/2007/06/state-of-blog-report-know-your-identity.html">"Know Your Identity"</a> if you haven't yet). When you're calling another blogger out whether indirectly (as I normally do) or directly (as BHB and the Sock Goblin are currently doing), you should feature this logo so everyone knows that <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>you're in it to win it!</strong></span> </div><div></div><br /><div>Who's in???</div>AUSTIN REALTOR'S WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836534601847270287noreply@blogger.com6