Rate A Home Blog

Please help me in welcoming the newest Active Rain Member, Rod Fitzhugh of GoDaddy.com

GoDaddy provides domain purchasing and selling, plus web site hosting.

Rod is an excellent customer service person and a true gentleman. The GoDaddy philosophy I have to assume is all about customer service and Rod fills that slot.

Please take the time to visit Rod's profile page and drop him a Welcome to Active Rain note.

Rod just joined so his profile isn't set up as of yet, but knowing Rod's focus on detail I'm guessing it will be soon.

Welcome aboard Rod and GoDaddy!

Thanks,

Duane

My ThemThem to Rod that I wrote recently and posted.

Being a Real Estate Professional is a lot like playing Texas hold'em.  The game can be fast and furious and reap big returns or leave you busted and out of the game.

"Your Rank" is how the general public views your ethics and services.

"Community Cards" would be all the properties available to a buyer.

"The Dealer" is the "buyer" no matter how we look at it.

 "The Best Hand" is the best offer a seller will accept.

"Player's Action" can be considered the file a Professional will develop during the buying process with the client.

"The Betting" comes down to the offer, counter offers and the stake the buyer is willing to bet for obtaining the jack pot they will call home.

Fun games at www.pogo.com

Playing Real Estate Hold'em

The game is controlled by the "Dealer". Real Estate Professionals all compete for a seat at the "Dealers" table to help the "Dealer" navigate the "Community Cards" they will be dealing with. 

In Real Estate Hold'em the best deal is a "Full House" the winning "Hand".  A "Royal Flush" is considered the worse hand the Professional and Dealer could encounter. "Royal Flush" equates to an offer and counter offer that wasn't accepted. End of the game for that "Hand".

A "Pair" isn't good in the fact that the seller is looking at two offers, and "Trips" and "Four of a kind" are even worse.

Holding the "High Card" is where the Real Estate Professional can help the "Dealer" win the "Hand".

The "Ante" is what the Real Estate Professional will provide the "Dealer" in their quest to win a "Full House". Ante's come in the form of services, ethics, marketing, communication and the knowledge to keep all the "Community Cards" from being shuffled and confusing to the "Dealer".

How the Community Cards are dealt:

Hole Houses

After the "Ante" is accepted and posted, the Real Estate Professional and the "Dealer" develop a wish list of "Community Cards" the "Dealer" is looking for. In this game the cards are all layed up right on the table. Then the "Community Cards" the "Dealer" chooses to view are moved into a "Cards" to view file. "Hole Houses" are the initial first round of homes to tour. The "Betting" doesn't start her generally. 

Flop

The "Flop" consists of the "Community Cards" that are discarded during the tours. Keeping a running check list and a ranking system of the "Community Cards" is important to help the "Players Action".

Turn

After the "Flops" have been discarded the "Turn" becomes the "Community Cards" the "Dealer" wishes to focus on with the hopes of achieving a "Full House".

River

The "River" is where the "Betting" begins. The "Community Cards" have been narrowed down to one. There is now another player in the game, the seller. The first bet is in the form of an offer by the "Dealer". The seller has the option to accept or move into a "Showdown".

After "Betting" concludes and the seller doesn't accept, the "showdown" occurs.

Showdown

After the final "betting" round ends, the "showdown" occurs to determine the winner in Real Estate Hold'em. The player with the best hand wins the pot. Either the "Dealer" has a "Full House" or the seller is left with a "Royal Flush". In this game there are no split pots, its all or nothing. This is where the "Dealer" needs to know when to hold em or know when to fold em.

The "Dealer" displays their cards first. The seller have the option of choosing whether or not to display their "Bet". The sellers "Bet" comes in the form of a counter and usually equates to the "Dealer" having to raise the "Bet". 

If the "Dealer" wins the seller is obligated to pay a small fee charged by the Real Estate Professional , called a "rake". "Rake" is charged as a small percentage of the "Community Card" value.

That's how the game of Real Estate Hold'em is played. The "Dealer" that sits out of the game has no chance of hitting the jack pot. Contact a licensed Real Estate Professional and get in the game and find the winning hand.

New Groups formed Please join us:

ThemThem Group

All About Active Rain (It Rocks)

Rod Fitzhugh from GoDaddy is well deserving of a huge THEMTHEM for the customer service he provides. Whenever we have a question or are in need of help, Rod is up front and center with his helping hand.

Recently I was at a restaurant and they were trying to get a web site set up through GoDaddy. When I heard they were struggling, I contacted Rod and within minutes he responded and offered to help them get on-line. Awesome!

Rod, I have found is many things, he's a great communicator, excellent in follow up, Executive Accounts Manager at Go Daddy Software, Inc., and a Gold Digger (no, really, check out his site) plus to top it off, an all around great man!

Thank you again Rod, you are the best!

Rod's personal blog.

Today's buyer's market can lead to many choices and frustrations. Do your home work.

What to do for the initial search:

1. Surf the Internet for any information pertaining to the area you are planning to search.

2. Check all resources including mortgage information, get pre-qualified, along with agents or builders you would like to interview.

3. Talk to friends or family who have gone through the process.

4. Create a wish list of your needs and wants.

5. Interview agents and/or builders, use a rating system to narrow down your choice of the professional. Check their credentials through previous clients, local "Realtor" or Builder Associations, Better Business Bureau.

6. Drive by the potential homes and check the area out before requesting a tour.

7. Utilize a "Walk through Check List" on each home toured to recall what the features were in each home.

8. Don't make a decision of your final home choice based merely on emotions.

9. Utilize a personal (home or condo) buyers rating system of each home toured to narrow down the choices to the top ranked home that meets "both" your needs if you are a buying couple. Choose 5 to 10 features to rate, or the entire menu of features. Many customer service oriented agents will provide you with an online program to Rate A Home.

10. Once you locate your dream home, make a reasonable offer. Low ball offers some times will remove the possibility of ever getting a second chance from the sellers. They are looking for the serious buyer. If you are making an offer quite a bit below the asking fee, let your agent know the reasons. This way they can present your reasons or concerns with the offer.

11. For your protection you may want the contract reviewed by a legal professional.

12. Have the home inspected.

13. Don't buy a home that you will be married to a mortgage, enjoy life outside your new home.

The list could be 12 pages long, researching the resources online will streamline your house hunting.

I had the pleasure of talking to Mr. Paul Quintal, VP of Trump University yesterday in regard to our program. Paul was very energetic about helping Real Estate buyers and Professionals succeed in the Real Estate World.

Trump University was started in 2005. The mission they follow is:  

"Our mission is to teach you success.
The best courses and programs + an impressive list of been-there, done-that faculty + an ironclad guarantee = a really powerful resource for business education and professional development."

Stop by the Trump University web site and see the vast amount of resources from home buying to investing that may help you in your quest for being the best.

Trump University also provides a Free news letter as well as personal blogs by Mr. Trump himself.

I wanted to share a caring, energetic individual with the Active Rain family.

Bruce Bylsma deserves a big ThemThem from myself. Bruce and his wife Jan both worked for me for quite a few years. The positive flow into our office during their time was unbelievable. They each made it a joy to go to work.

Bruce handled the sales team and implemented many programs to make the business run smooth. I was sad to see the day he moved on to Sable Homes in our area. The offer he received was one he couldn't turn down. I can still remember the day he informed me that he would be moving on. It was an emotional day for us.

The reason for the title is Bruce and I both share the same hair cut, similar humor and personality traits which made us best of friends from the beginning. We still find the time to go have that cup of coffee and enjoy some fellowship and rehash old times.

Bruce recently lost his mother. I was unable attend the funeral and I'm living with the guilt daily. My thoughts and prayers are with he and his family.

I figured if anyone could have a twin, Bruce would be mine. (BTW, He's older, LOL)

Thank you Bruce and Jan for all the hard work and dedication, but most of all for bringing the human side to all you do.

Love You two!

Duane

(The younger twin)

What is a ThemThem? It's where ThemThem members utilize the (5 P) approach, Positive People Providing Positive Posts! Please join the Group and pay it forward.

I met Tammy Stone for the first time today during a tour of a condo with my daughter.

Tammy is a delightful lady and full of energy. She presented the condo nicely during a walk though and explained the features of the unit, along with the back ground of the building that was built in 1900.

Her follow up has been suburb. I would highly recommend Tammy's service to anyone looking to purchase or sell in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI area.

Tammy is an agent at Flexit Realty. Great job Tammy and keep up the excellent customer service. I was impressed!

What is a ThemThem? A ThemThem is when someone pays it forward to another who has done an exceptional job or stand out in ones eyes.

The Belvedere Inn is an suburb Bed & Breakfast located in Saugatuck, Michigan. Shaun and Pete provide the utmost, top of the line service to their visitors.

" ... as splendid as a small hotel on the Left Bank in Paris or on a canal in Venice."
Lake Magazine Best of Reader's Choice Winner, Bed & Breakfast Read Article

A get away romantic weekend or a step back in time, The Belvedere Inn is a must see and stay get away destination. It's by far the best kept secret.

Also please visit this post about Saugatuck Bed and Breakfast.

I would like to offer a warm welcome to Ms. Lenn Harley to the ThemThem Group. Lenn has reached an unbelievable 400,000 points on Active Rain.

I had extended an invitation to Lenn when the Group started, and she was gracious enough to respond back that her main goal was writing about Real Estate Industry content. In turn Lenn has posted many ThemThem's to others that warrant a pat on the back to Industry leaders here on Active Rain.

If you haven't read her posts before (where have you been I ask? Grin) please stop by her home page and check out the informative reading and input she provides.

Congratulations Lenn on your accomplishments and welcome to the ThemThem Group, glad you joined us. I look forward to reading your ThemThem's to others.

Please welcome Lenn.

I recently was reading MiBiz (Michigan Business Magazine) and came across a unique marketing and customer service that Mr. Anthony Lambers provides to his clients for closings.

I've personally have never met Anthony, but find his services a unique idea in customer service. Anthony, is with United Financial Mortgage Services in Muskegon, Michigan.

Anthony makes the closing experience one to remember. The normal cold traditional closing is no longer an option when a customer deals with Anthony. What makes Anthony's service unique is each mortgage closing is held at CF Prime Chophouse & Wine Bar. "He has arranged for the restaurant to stay closed during the closing and the client has a private chef. The client enjoys dinner and a bottle of wine. Realtors and title agents have been impressed with this special closing." says MiBiz.

This is the closing table, allowing a relaxed atmosphere. "Customers feel more relaxed and actually enjoy the closing experience now. He was looking for a way to set himself apart from other lenders in the area and he difinitely found it." says Heather Upright, Sun Title Agency.

Being use to traditional closings, I have to say this is the best idea I have heard in a long time.

For the ultimate adventure, stay aboard the Lynn-Dee-Lea and share the experience of living on a luxury houseboat. There are 2 bedrooms, 1 queen and 1 double, and 1 full bath. Also a sofa bed in salon. Sleeps 6. There's plenty of deck space for sunbathing while you enjoy the seagulls and gentle lake breezes. Sip your favorite beverage and watch beautiful sunsets from the quiet and unique setting of Saugatuck Yacht Service Marina.

View of Old Mill Pond from rear main deck




Kitchen and salon with sleeper sofa




Complete kitchen



Upper deck bedroom with private rear balcony. Queen bed; TV/VCR




Main deck bedroom. Full bed; adjacent to bathroom; TV/VCR



Relaxing on deck




Saugatuck's Oval Beach: rated by Conde Naste's Traveler Magazine
as one of the 25 best shorelines in the world

I'm amazed at the high ranking Active Rain posts receive when doing a search for web sites through a search engine.

Many times the Active Rain members post receive higher rankings then their personal web sites do. 

But what really amazes me is the fact that majority of the Real Estate "Professionals" I invite to join Active Rain, simply do not do so. I'm not sure if they don't understand the value that Active Rain can and will bring to their business or if they are just to lazy to check it out?

Not only is the camaraderie unbelievable, but the networking and learning process is second to none.

If you are in one of the following businesses, join Active Rain here.

• Real Estate Agents
• Loan Officers
• Mortgage Companies
• Inspectors
• Appraisers
• Title Companies
• Escrow Companies
• Real Estate Attorneys
• Real Estate Auctioneers
• Virtual Assistants
• Home Stagers
• Real Estate - Others
• Account Execs
• Mortgage Processors
• Real Estate Brokerages
• Builder-Contractors
• Real Estate Medias
• Real Estate Trainers
• Notaries
• Commercial Real Estate Agents
• Environmental Services
• Commercial Lenders
• Business Brokers
• Property Managers
• Real Estate Sales People
• Architectural Designs
• Financial Planners
• Insurance Broker or Agents

Graphic courtesy of http://www.92ee.com/

Like the Bobcat waiting to pounce on it's prey, buyers are approaching their largest investment in life focused merely on price.

True, while price should be one of the deciding factor, the main focus has to be livability for the buyers family. Style of home to meet their needs. Of course the past saying of Location, Location, Location still weighs heavy in the deciding factor. Schools, the surrounding area and the list goes on.

What the buyer of today has to remember is that some where along the road they will be the seller of tomorrow.

By passing up the dream home that may fulfill their wish list, they may inherit a property that will be a tough sale in the future. True the old saying of buy low, sell high is intriguing but if the home isn't to the buyers liking it equates to buying a pink truck because it was priced $2,000.00 below the same model. Shouldn't you ask why? Yes, it has wheels and tires, an engine and it's transportation. But what happens when you go to sell it?

The most important factor is doing your Due Diligence like you would when making an investment in your retirement fund. Take the time to really know what home best fits your needs together.

Don't pounce without knowing the facts.

Bobcat courtesy of www.92ee.com

CNN Money recently published an article about the price of gas. Today the price jumped to $3.50 a gallon in our home town. Unfortunately the word on the news is we will be heading well above the $4.00 a gallon mark, and some states will be much higher then that.

With dwindling commissions and rising expenses today's agent has to streamline the way Real Estate business is conducted. The wasted trips for reshowing a home can now be streamlined through a simple process of a Walk through Check List. Because the buyer is opting to tour more and more homes in this market, the homes are all becoming more mind boggling for them. This is where the Professional can help eliminate unneeded return memory refresher trips. We've all done them and when the price of gas was "reasonable" not a big deal, but now on the other hand it's a cost that eats away at the bottom line.

Working smarter and investing a little time at the initial tour will not only impress your buyers but save you money, time and frustration as well.

Felicia Fairchild, Executive Director of the Saugatuck-Douglas Convention & Visitors Bureau recently sent a news letter out that Saugatuck-Douglas, MI Ranked as #5  Small Town Getaway by Midwest Living Magazine.

Felicia wrote: Midwest Living Magazine recognized the area as a "perfect place to escape for a little shopping, sightseeing and relaxing." In their ranking, the editors noted the area's beaches, harbors, shops and galleries and specifically mentioned Saugatuck's Oval Beach.

Plan your escape to the beautiful Saugatuck-Douglas area. Request a Visitors Guide.

Can you imagine the cool refreshing feeling of today's special "Active Rain"?

The taste of "Active Rain" is not only invigorating, but also rewarding. Once you have a taste of "Active Rain" you will be hooked on the quality product the company produces.

The elite members of the Active Rain Family are the source of marketing that keeps this tap flowing.

Plus bringing the "Active Rain" tap into your work place is welcomed by many companies.

If you haven't tried "Active Rain" do it today and enjoy the tap that is sweeping the world. See what's brewing in the Active Rain community!

Beer Taps