Mar. 31, 2006 - Blogging Break Through

I had a blogging break through.. I am hiding this back on April First so hopefully no one sees it... except those I point it out to. 

Thanks to Bonnie, Leanne and Mike Weber, I have finally had an html break through, I can wrap text.  I went back and moved a cow on a 5-26 entry and I am not happy but I lost him once. I am glad he is back.

Mike wrote: 

"You're right that we definitely need that feature on the blogs. It will be part of our WYSIWYG editor rewrite. As a [techie] alternative, you could click the HTML checkbox, then add style to your images.  It would look something like this."

"The style "float: left" means that the image will float inside the text but it will be anchored to the left.  Padding adds four pixels of white space around the image."

And again:

"You're right that we definitely need that feature on the blogs. It will be part of our WYSIWYG editor rewrite. As a [techie] alternative, you could click the HTML checkbox, then add style to your images.  It would look something like this."

"The style "float: left" means that the image will float inside the text but it will be anchored to the left.  Padding adds four pixels of white space around the image."

Thanks Mike, Bonnie and Leanne.  blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.... if at first you don't suc... suceed?  sucede?  ...Get it right...  Try try again.  I can not spell that word. Wow this is so cool.... thank you thank you, thank you

Copyright 2006 Columbus Best Blog and Maureen McCabe

Mar. 31, 2006 - Growing!

"Real Living ranks 4th largest real estate company in the country  by transaction sides as reported by REAL Trends, up one spot from the past 3 years! And we're working hard to continue to grow!"  appeared on my HER Real Living intranet site today. 

Reports of size by sides and sales are available via pdf on REAL Trends website's home page

Who is REAL Trends? 

"REAL Trends, Inc. is a publishing and communications company considered to be a leading source of analysis and information on the residential brokerage industry. Founded in 1987 by Steve Murray, REAL Trends publishes a monthly newsletter highlighting events, issues, and challenges in real estate. Due to tremendous response to the newsletter, REAL Trends has expanded to include four special publications that provide in-depth breakdowns and analyses of important industry information and weekly "Breaking News" E-mail Updates reporting on up-to-the-minute industry happenings. REAL Trends also produces other special industry reports, often in conjunction with other industry organizations such as the National Association of Realtors."

Real Living is not related to REAL Trends... REAL Trends is based in Littleton Colorado.  Real Living is based in Columbus Ohio. 

Copyright Columbus Best Blog and Maureen McCabe

Mar. 31, 2006 - Q. To Get a 'good deal'

"5 questions real estate buyers use to their advantage"

Get a 'good deal' through curiosity, negotiation" witten by Robert J. Bruss on Friday, March 31, 2006  is on  Inman News with these five questions:   

1. Why is the seller selling?

2.  How much did the seller pay for the house?

3.  What does the disclosure say and have there been recent professional inspections of the property?

4.  What problems have you had with this home?

5.  How are the public schools? 

OK those are paraphrased... real estate expert Robert J. Bruss phrases number one question:

"1.) WHY ARE YOU SELLING THIS LOVELY HOME?"

Even if it is not a lovely home....

"this is my favorite and most revealing question to ask of home sellers and their listing agents. Even if the home is run-down and shabby, I always try to use that word "lovely" to see if the seller and/or the listing agent have a sense of humor." 

Because if the seller / listing agent have a sense of humor it can get you a 'good deal' on the house? 

Did you hear the joke about the couple who wanted a Baptist dog?  OK religion probably not a good joke but I laughed...

He goes on to explain " The primary reasons the home buyer needs to know why the seller is selling are to (1) tailor a purchase offer that will meet the seller's needs, and (2) determine if the seller is highly motivated to sell."

We are in a buyers market in Central Ohio.  We got here before much of the rest of the US.  Interest rates are great.  There is inventory.  Bruss article is obviously national.   

number two is not going to tell you the whole story. Bruss goes on to ask the seller or listing agent:

"What is the current mortgage balance and are there any other liens against the home, such as a second mortgage or home equity loan, judgment liens, and mechanics' liens?"

When Bruss is the  seller and asked  how much did you pay for the house? he replies: 

"I got a bargain purchase price when this was a run-down shack before I renovated it so my purchase price is irrelevant to today's market value."

Previous purchase price is usually readily available via public records for homes in Columbus and Central Ohio.  Obviously the point is to find out how much room there is for negotiation on the list price.

 number three a 'Residential Property Disclosure' is usually required in Ohio.  The buyer should always do their own professsional inspection of a property.  Bruss like HER Real Living and Real Living recommends  using an ASHI inspector.  I have a link to ASHI on my website ... the Maureen McCabe one.  

  number four  is to find out about problems that have been fixed.... and I guess maybe find the seller who will spill his guts about the neighborhood weirdos, etc. also.  Bruss talks about buying a house where the deer ate his garden.. ??  Note: If you move to southern Delaware County, Licking county, Madision County there are deer.  Farm fields, wide open spaces = deer, and other critters. Move to what was a farm field a year ago expect deer.  Move to the edge of a farm field don't be shocked that you have deer as neighbors.

number five, Bruss suggests various school ranking web sites.  The info those sites get from the public schools at least in Ohio is available to the public. Visit either of my websites for a link directly to school information from the state of Ohio.  Each school district and individual school in Ohio has a report card.   Top quality schools do contribute to value.  Real estate is really, really local.  

I'd link you to the Inman article written by Bruss but the link will be dead by this time tomorrow.  You can pay to have access to the archived Inman articles.   Or go to Bruss'  site on Inman and for $5 you can find out what he thinks the other five questions are that YOU should be asking!  

 "The 10 Most Important Questions Home Sellers Hope Their Buyers Don't Ask," available for $5 from Robert Bruss www.BobBruss.com "  

 Hire an experienced local agent to look out for your interest and ask these questions, seek this and more information for you. 

Copyright Columbus Best Blog and Maureen McCabe

Mar. 30, 2006 - The Winners and Champions

It was a hard fought battle in my office.   A fight to the end.

"Captains"  chose four teams kick ball style ... going down the list.  It was not as humiliating for the last chosen as  it was  on the  playground in 5th grade. The prospective team members were not present.  The team captains were sworn to secrecy over who the last four (eight, twelve)  picked by a team were.

The goal for the contest to complete four relatively easy e-tasks, pertaining to email, website, domain and profile on the company website.

What did we look for in 5th grade when "choosing sides" for kickball?

• Athletic Ability
• Coordination
• Speed
  

What did we look for in our contest ?

• Technical Ability
• Already having the four relatively simple tasks completed!
• Willingness

A list of  the winners!    Great participation. 

The whole office won a champagne breakfast from the manager. The Best breakfast pizza in Central Ohio has  got to be P.K. O' Ryans in Worthington!