Withholding offers?
Hmmm ... a hypothetical story just came across my desk from another agent who said that, on a listing of his, two separate buyer's agents are withholding two separate offers because the seller is offering 2.5%, rather than 3%. In one case, an agent said…
How to market new construction
Question from a reader: Jim, I'm interested to hear the thoughts of Realtors on how best* to market lots in a new/proposed residential subdivision. The methods being employed in Fluvanna and Louisa at present are: (1) Make all lots available for sale to anyone (via…
Tracking the market too closely?
One of the problems with the housing market is the constant tracking of the housing market. The market has never been an immediately-liquid investment, and it ought not be treated as such. How many of you read every line of your quarterly IRA or 401(k)…
Poll results
I'll take it. As of 17 December, 2006 - these are the results. 56% of all voters are either "Curious Consumer" or "Active Buyer or Seller." 39% of all voters are either "Real estate Professional" or "Related Real estate field" These results are better than…
Thursday links – 12-14-2006
More will be coming ... Condo project shifts to rentals (in DC) A rant against suburbia What do home sellers want? Fascinating and wide-ranging discussion on affordable housing at cvillenews. Charlottesville's dirty secret is out. (we have traffic - occasionally lots of it) HT: Waldo.
Zillow steps it up
Zillow! And may become the de facto National MLS. Greg at the Bloodhound has an extraordinary analysis. 1. The speed with which the real estate blogosphere has analyzed this is phenomenal. 2. Most real estate agents still have absolutely no clue about what Zillow is,…
Sexual offenders’ impact on property values (Part 2)
I never intended to do a Part 2 (Here is Part 1). At what point does the Commonwealths's sexual offender notification website become a means by which to unfairly devalue property? The inaccuracy of the database was noted about a house in Crozet (west of…
How is this not discrimination?
The news on Inman last week struck me - are those Realtors who choose not to list themselves as "gay-friendly" therefore not? Personally, I treat all clients the same. No matter of their religion, gender, race or any other factor. If someone needs to buy…
How to differentiate one’s blog?
The Tomato folks query whether one should focus on national or local real estate blogging. My answer? Both. National real estate news is applicable for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is to gain insight. To learn knowledge that is or may…
What is the future of the MLS?
In a meeting yesterday, someone remarked how much I have been writing recently on the MLS. It's true. I do not intend to bore readers, but this has been a very hot topic of late, and I am fascinated by the direction of the MLS…