Portland Area Real Estate Blog - "Did I say that already?"

Green Printing for a better Earth and a healthier bottom-line!

2008-08-11T23:31:00Z

I’m trying a new FREE software that works with your word processor and computer by evaluating what you are printing BEFORE you print it. Per the Wall Street Journal: Now, a start-up company in Portland, Ore., has come up with a software product that aims to solve the wasted-page problem. It’s called GreenPrint, and it automatically detects these unnecessary pages and eliminates them from your printouts. The company, GreenPrint Technologies, promises that its simple software not only will save you...(read more)

MLS Opportunity Lost

2008-08-05T23:00:00Z

Do you use the same text in the “Public” remarks area of a listing, as you do in the “Only Agent Can See” area? I'm sure you don't but here's a REAL example from the Portland metro MLS: Public Immaculate 3BR/2.1BA w/ open flr plan and plenty of natural light. Neutral decor. Maple cabinets thru-out, maple floors in kitchen/nook. Vaulted ceilings in LR and Master. Master Suite w/ walk in closet, soaking tub, and dbl sinks. Upstairs laundry. Minutes to <XXX> Hill Shopping. Agent Only Immaculate...(read more)

New Sales Contract Guidelines – Post Mortgage Biz Meltdown

2008-07-24T21:45:00Z

In the Portland metro area, Realtors make offers using the association’s standard sales agreement (we still refer to it as an “Earnest Money Agreement” or “EMA”. Old habits die hard, I guess…). Then, if a counter offer is made, we use our standard Addendum form, spelling out the terms of the Seller’s proposal. There’s a first time for everything. Today was one of those days… In an EMA, my client offered $XXXX as a sales price, and asked for $YYYY back at closing to help cover some of his closing...(read more)

Staging Power!

2008-07-21T19:12:00Z

We all know, I hope, good staging works... Still, it's a question of expenses vs. income. Recently, I had a condo listing for almost 4 months... (average time on the market here is 6 months). It was In an upscale area of NW Portland (Forest Heights)... reasonably priced, vacant, easy to show...yada, yada...fresh paint inside, professionally cleaned carpet and the exterior was being painted for the whole development this month. A REALLY nice property!!!! A listing agent's dream, right? And I always...(read more)

Oh yeah?...Well, my MLS can beat-up your MLS!

2008-06-19T13:51:00Z

In the Portland metro area we are fortunate to have a very powerful MLS system. It can really make an agent shine when used to its full extent. One of my favorite features is the ability to set up automatic searches, "Prospecting Searches" , which notify me immediately by email when homes are listed meeting specific criteria I have designated. Over 100 different search criteria can be set, including minimum sizes for specific rooms (e.g., dining room with at least XXX square feet), compass orientation...(read more)

Real Estate License Revocations

2008-06-16T22:57:00Z

In Oregon, licensed real estate agents receive a monthly newsletter published by the Oregon Real Estate Agency (the agency which issues real estate licenses). Along with other helpful information, the agency publishes the names of agents who are being reprimanded for failure to follow the state’s requirements for handling real estate transactions, and provides a brief on the illegal actions and penalties assessed. I think this is a very valuable practice, showing all of us the pratfalls of operating...(read more)

US Health Policy and Health Economics, yada, yada...

2008-05-10T00:11:00Z

Here's the full speech that Angie Adams, 2 posts below, used in her blog. http://tinyurl.com/62nrwe Perhaps she intended to give credit to Ulla Schmidt, the German Federal Minister of Health, but forgot. Earlier, I very kindly, pointed this out to Angie by commenting, but she deleted my comment and blocked her post from any further comments. Most of you folks know me, I know.... I'm a stickler for crediting authors. It's the way that I would hope to be treated with any blogs I write. It's a lot of...(read more)

Does your MLS give you a "level playing field"?

2008-05-07T21:03:00Z

My dear, fellow Realtors, Does your local MLS have “non-branding” rules for your listings? For example, do they prohibit having a photo in the MLS on-line listing clearly showing the listing agent’s name and contact info; or, and even more egregious, do they prohibit the text of a listing (as viewable by the "public”) to contain anything similar to “only contact the listing agent for a showing of this property”? On a few occasions, I have emailed my local MLS the on-line listings which clearly violate...(read more)

Webpage Info Accessibility Compliance

2008-05-02T19:56:00Z

Recently I received an email from my local MLS organization: Dear RMLS Participant, In response to a lawsuit filed against Target Corp. regarding Target.com's accessibility for the seeing impaired, RMLS.com was recently updated to comply with accessibility standards. Attached you will find a technology brief prepared by our developers that describes how we brought RMLS.com into compliance. You and your technology staff may find this helpful if you are interested in bringing your own consumer website...(read more)

How about a REALTORS' Recipe Book?!

2008-03-26T23:07:00Z

Yesterday, I had to stop by my auto dealership, as I had worn out the driver’s side floor mat (filthy from all the times I climbed in with soaking wet shoes; Portland, Oregon, ya’ know…PLUS my shoe heels always seem to wear right through the carpet of the mat after about a year and I usually lease for 2!). Anyway, as I was paying for the FOUR mats ($80?! Why do they insist on selling you 4 when you really, or usually only need 1 or 2? Darn capitalists!), there was a $10 recipe book for sale at the...(read more)

COS and other amazing facts (OK, not facts) explained!

2007-11-20T01:33:00Z

This is a sequel to another thread, because I’d like to be able to moderate it: Tim..my good friend.....”COS”... Some might say it was begging answers to the question of, "Completion of Sale". Some might not, of course. But, we just report the news…we don’t make it :) Steve, you are certainly correct. And this is more like a "Chat Room". It always has been. Just guessing here (meaning that I have a HIGH probability of being wrong!), but maybe it's due to the relatively small size of the RELib population...(read more)

COS

2007-11-18T01:06:00Z

COS....(read more)

Whether the Weather....?

2007-10-21T15:03:00Z

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are just beginning our 6 months of wet weather. Most who have lived here more than 2 years just ignore it and do mostly what they want outside; drive, shop, hike, golf, etc. And I don't see a slow down in home viewings, personally. But, I am curious whether the weather affects the showing and sales of other agents? Phil Anderson Broker/Owner New Portland Home a real estate services company www.NewPortlandHome.com...(read more)

Early or Late? Part 2

2007-10-02T02:57:00Z

Here's the situation: At just one listing which is 30 minutes from your office/home, you are meeting: (a) a known client, or (b) an unknown client You are at the listing at the agreed upon time. They are not. They don't have a cellphone and are not answering their home phone and you don't know where they are or if they are coming. How long do you wait before you leave? If you do leave, and they catch you still in the car, 38 minutes later, are you more likely to: (1) return to the far away listing,...(read more)

Early or Late? Part 1

2007-10-01T23:11:00Z

I have a confession..... I am ALWAYS early... In college my friends knew, when inviting me to a party at 8pm, to tell me 9pm.... As an adult, the wives of my friends cringe as they answer the door at 6:00pm in a bathrobe, to see me standing there for an 8pm-ish dinner party... "Uh...honey...your friend Phil is here... No, it's fine, Phil...come on in...we were both just getting out of the shower and ready to start cooking...." When you are meeting someone to show them a house or two, do you leave...(read more)