01/24/2013

01/23/2013

    Why We Do What We Do, And How We Can Do It Better I just wanted to share this old but very meaningful video that I saw a few years back. This came out in 2007 with Tony Robbins discussing the "invisible forces" that make us do what we do. Hope you find it as motivating and as inspiring as I did several years ago.  Enjoy!   01/22/2013

  How Bad Do You Want to Succeed?   So often have we asked ourselves this question. Most would answer a generic "Yeah, I want it badly" and move on. But how does it really work? Here's an inspiring video featuring runningback Giovanni Ruffin's intense workout scenes proving that nothing is impossible with a strong heart.      01/15/2013

Demand for Rentals Seen to Rise   According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, as much as five to six million new renter households are expected to form in the next ten years alone. This is directly attributed to investors seeing real estate as prime and safe investment. Additionally, four major groups will drive the demand for rental households as illustrated in the image below:   01/15/2013

What Makes a Winner It is inevitable that we face trials and tribulations in our lives. That's human nature. What we do during these tough times is what defines our character. Here's one of my most favorite motivational clips from the movie 'Facing the Giants'. The coach may have used very simple words to inspire his morally-depressed star player on a seemingly impossible task, but with the most genuine and purest of intentions that he had to motivate his team to win and be different, he just created something unbelievably powerful! Keep moving. Give it your very best! Don't quit till you got nothing left! Keep going, keep driving... It will hurt at times but you just keep going and you will reach the goal!     01/10/2013

Technology in Real Estate An interesting post by Paul Hagey about maximizing the use of technology in our real estate transactions. Just wanted to share how other agents have made a difference in their business by taking advantage of the many offerings our current technology holds for us all. How top agents keep tech in its place Real Estate Connect Panel Preview: 'Using Technology to Simplify the Transaction -- and to Simplify Your Life' The constant churn of new apps, software and services available to real estate agents presents new opportunities to boost productivity -- or create distractions that prevent things from getting done.Three agents who have figured out how to use technology to simplify their work and personal lives will share their secrets at a panel titled "Using Technol... 01/08/2013

  St Louis Teens on Forbes' 30 Under 30 St Louis pride Simone and Jake Bernstein have made it to Forbes’ 30 under 30 list, joining the ranks of Mark Zuckerberg, Lady Gaga and LeBron James. Simone and Jake Bernstein, ages 20 and 18, created STLVolunteen.org in the summer of 2009 after Simone Bernste in became frustrated by the lack of a central resource for volunteer opportunities for teens.  STLVolunteen.org was so successful that in March, the Bernsteins launched a national version, volunTEENnation.org. Since the launch, some 8,000 teens tapped into 3,000 opportunities listed on the site. Simone said the original site was launched with only $48 and heaps of passion. Most recently, it received $500 from generationOn to run a service project to commemorate 9/11.   01/07/2013

 Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act Extended   As part of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, or the "fiscal cliff" bill, passed by Congress on Jan. 1, a one-year extension has been approved for the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act (the "Act").   Created in 2007, the Act has provided homeowners a tax exemption when they obtain debt forgiveness on a primary residence. Prior to the Act, homeowners were taxed on the forgiven debt, known as debt discharge income. Any debt forgiven by a lender is usually considered income and is taxed by the federal government. For example, a person selling his or her home for $100,000 below the amount owed would have $100,000 in additional taxable income. However, the Act ensures that debt forgiven by a lender in a short sale, foreclosure or loa... 01/04/2013

  Do you  have a home in St. Louis, St. Charles, or Jefferson County that you want to sell fast?  If so, you have to check out the 89-day Guaranteed Home Sale Program that we offer.  Our promise to you (the seller) is to get your home sold using our proven effective marketing plan within 89 days or less or we will sell it for FREE!  That’s right! We will wave our commission and sell your house for Free! Call me today at (314) 761-4057 to get you started on this amazing opportunity! 01/02/2013

  FUN WAYS TO CELEBRATE 2013 IN ST. LOUIS, MO Looking to celebrate the New Year in St. Louis with a bang? Get to know the best happenings in and around the city and make this year’s festivities unlike any other. If you've never been to the zoo on a winter evening, the Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo will surely serve you right this season.  Walk through the exhibits as they come alive with more than 500,000 lights. Kids can hear holiday stories and adults can do a little shopping at the Holiday Zootique. Wild Lights is open from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $4 for Zoo members and $5 for non-members. Children under two get in free. There is also free parking at the Zoo's South Lot. One of the biggest New Year's Eve celebrations in St. Louis is First Night in Grand Center. This fam... 12/28/2012

Auld Lang Syne Since New Year's eve is just around the corner, I was just thinking about this song and started to wonder why we sing it in the first place. So I did some research and here's what I found from Wikipedia: "Auld Lang Syne" is a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. It is well known in many countries, especially in the English-speaking world; its traditional use being to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight. The song's Scots title may be translated into English literally as "old long since", or more idiomatically, "long long ago", "days gone by" or "old times". Consequently "For auld lang syne", as it appears in the first line of the chorus, might be loosely translated as "for (the sake of) old tim... 12/27/2012

  2013 Real Estate Forecast According to the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), 2012 will end with the housing market up by 23 percent than in 2011 and 2013 will usher in a 21 percent bump over 2012. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing home sales are at the highest level they've been since November 2009. In the new construction sector, home builders are winded up with confidence. The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), which measures builder confidence in the single-family housing market, has posted gains for eight consecutive months and now stands at a level of 47. This is near the midpoint of 50, where an equal numbers of builders view the market as good or bad. The HMI has not been above 50 since April of 2006.         12/26/2012

  BANK OF AMERICA – SHORT SALE UPDATE Bank of America can review a short sale offer while the loan is in an active bankruptcy. To complete a short sale and issue the approval letter, the bankruptcy documents must be filed and approved by the court. Any final agreement will require bankruptcy court approval. Homeowner(s) should consult with their Bankruptcy Counsel about how these programs could affect their mortgage and their bankruptcy case. When a loan is in bankruptcy, there is an Automatic Stay, also known as a "hold," of any collection activity placed on any and/or all debts to which the debtor is a party. Before the short sale specialist can discuss the short sale, Bank of America must have written authorization from the Homeowner(s') Bankruptcy attorney on the law firm's letterhe... 12/17/2012

 FORECLOSURE CRISIS: HAS IT REALLY BEEN AVERTED? Since the foreclosure crisis in 2007, which claimed nearly four million homes, we’ve seen a huge drop in foreclosure filings, real estate experts are jumping in a ‘housing recovery’ situation. Is the foreclosure crisis really over? Looking at the national numbers, they may be pouncing on the right direction. According to the National Association of Realtors, home sales hit a five year high in October and existing home sales is 11% higher than last year’s. In terms of economic growth, the US Commerce Department reports that housing has contributed 0.3% to gross domestic product in the third quarter. Looking at these relatively rosy statistics, it’s easy to see why the word “recovery” is getting tossed around. What we fail to realize is the... 12/13/2012

 Home Sales Chesterfield, MO This report reveals the actual state of Real Estate in Chesterfield, MO in an effort to educate sellers and buyers alike. On the chart below, we will see how the number of listings dropped from a year-high in June with 527 active homes to the year’s lowest point this month with only 329 active homes for sale. Correspondingly, the dollar volume of all homes took the same dive pattern from roughly $265million to a staggering $183million (Refer to image 1.2 below).   Image 1.1   Image 1.2                                     While it is surprising to note that the number of sales this year has been the highest since 2008 (Refer to the chart below), the median sale price of homes in Chesterfield, MO continues to take a nosedive from $390,000 in 2008 to this year’... 12/10/2012

 The Perfect Gift for Christmas is... At this time of year, we are busy searching for the perfect gift. The goal of every gift is to create that "WOW" moment were they know that you care and know them well. This can be difficult to create on a budget. Some ideas may take weeks of planning while most people will wait to the last minute and hope they get it right. Recently I had a conversation with a client who had some great partners who sent him a considerable amount of business during the year. He was thinking of what to send them to thank them for the business. Taking this time of year to thank your biggest supporters is a great idea. At the very least thanking your top 20% is critical. For business partners who have sent you business, I recommend sending them an item that can grow th... 12/07/2012

11 Reasons to List During the Holidays 1. People who look for homes during the Holidays are more serious buyers.2.  Serious buyers have less houses to choose from during the Holidays and less competition means more money for you!3. Since the supply of listings will dramatically increase in January, there will be less demand for your particular home! Less demand means less money for you! 4. Houses show better when decorated for the Holidays... reasonable decorated, of course. 5. Buyers may be more emotional during the Holidays, creating less resistance and easier negotiation. 6. Buyers have more time during the week to look for a home.7. Some buyers MUST buy before the end of the year for tax reasons.8. You can be on the market and limit or restrict showings on particular days you have f... 12/07/2012

 CHRISTMAS EVENTS IN ST. LOUIS Make sure to check out these delightful events in and around St. Louis and have yourself a Holly, Jolly Christmas this year! Christmas Day Brunch in The Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis Tuesday, Dec 25 10:00am The Ritz-Carlton, St Louis Treat you and your family to an unforgettable holiday brunch Christmas Day, with sumptuous favorites for every member, young and old.   Christmas at the Cathedral Saturday, Dec 15 8:00pm Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, St Louis The Eighth Annual Christmas at the Cathedral concert is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season. The concert includes the Archdiocesan Adult Choir, Children’s Choir, Handbell Choir, and Orchestra, all in the sonic splendor of the Cathedral Basilica. The program features Christmas cl... 12/06/2012

  SELLING HOMES ON HOLIDAYS? Why not? Christmas time isn’t just about giving and sharing. Sometimes, it can also be a PERFECT time for selling something. That’s right.  If you are thinking of selling your home during such a busy season of entertaining and holidays, here’s a simple checklist on what you need to consider: 1. Timing of the party - Weekends are prime time for showing a home - having a party at the beginning or middle of the week allows for time for decorating and clean up, with potentially fewer showings being impacted by your plans. When this is not possible, you must decide if having the party in your home is worth giving up the weekend showings. Consider consulting with your real estate agent to find out trends in your area when choosing time of the day or week for enter... 12/06/2012