SPEAK OUT: Too many unanswered questions around revival of Wollaston Theater - Quincy, MA - Wicked Local Quincy

SPEAK OUT: Too many unanswered questions around revival of Wollaston Theater - Quincy, MA - Wicked Local Quincy

Posted using ShareThis

Coast Guard wants more fishing boats to undergo stability checks - Local News Updates - The Boston Globe

Coast Guard wants more fishing boats to undergo stability checks - Local News Updates - The Boston Globe

Posted using ShareThis

A comprehensive solution to combustible markets - The Boston Globe

A comprehensive solution to combustible markets - The Boston Globe

Posted using ShareThis

89 Forbes Hill Road

Forbes Hill. New kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops, new bathrooms, new windows, heating system 1 year old , new lighting,and new garage doors. Interior freshly painted, floors newly sanded, finished room in lower level rooms,exterior landscaping professionally done, roof is 3 years old. Large private porch in back surrounded by mature trees. Access to garage from house. Walk to bus line and close to Wollaston T.

I Oak Court Video

This area has it's own private charm while being close to Route 3 and 228. Spacious end unit townhouse with plenty of closet space. New carpeting and newly painted. Living room with cathedral ceiling, skylights and fireplace. 1st floor den. Deck off first floor. Master suite has full bath and walk in closet. Second bedroom has walk in closet. Pull down access to attic area. New vanity in 2nd floor full bath. Tennis court and outdoor swimming pool. This is a pet friendly complex.

New Video of Townhouse at 1 Oak Ct, Rockland ,MA

Hi, we've just made a new video of our listing at 1 oak Court in Rockland, MA that we want to share with you

This area has it's own private charm while being close to Route 3 and 228. Spacious end unit townhouse with plenty of closet space. New carpeting and newly painted. Living room with cathedral ceiling, skylights and fireplace. 1st floor den. Deck off first floor. Master suite has full bath and walk in closet. Second bedroom has walk in closet. Pull down access to attic area. New vanity in 2nd floor full bath. Tennis court and outdoor swimming pool. This is a pet friendly complex.

Northeast home resales post 11 pct annual increase - Boston.com

Northeast home resales post 11 pct annual increase - Boston.com

Posted using ShareThis

$8,000 tax credit has home buyers at war - The Boston Globe

$8,000 tax credit has home buyers at war - The Boston Globe

Posted using ShareThis

Extending The First Time Home Buyer Credit - A Good Idea?

As we approach the shut off date for the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, people are asking: Should the credit be extended? Has the credit been a help, and if so, to whom? Just take a moment and express your opinion about Extending The First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit.

Thanks, we'll be posting the result in a few weeks.

It's Amazing - The Turnout for the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Classes

Tuesday turned out to be an amazing day at Annex Real Estate School in Quincy, Massachusetts. When I drove up to the office in the morning, about 15 minutes before the start of the first midweek September Real Estate Salesperson class, there was no one waiting to get into the school. Well, that has happened before, last minute arrivals. We had just finished an intensive Weekend class that was about 3/4 full. I was totally unprepared for what followed.

At ten minutes before the start of class, three students were in class. Five minutes before the start of class, there were ten students. Then, suddenly, the room filled up. We needed extra chairs and tables. What a surprise! We did not even have enough text books. Fortunately UPS showed up an hour later with the extra books we had ordered and the class went smoothly.

There was a similar story with the evening class. What a surprise! I surveyed the students and found that each felt that there is an opportunity in real estate sales. Most of the students have a reasonable expectation of the local real estate market....not a boom, but never the less, a gradual recovery.

This is very encouraging as we are also seeing a definite improvement in the actvity in our affiliated real estate office, Century21 Annex Realty .

I know that the National Association of Realtors is urging an extension of the first time home buyer credit. This would be good, as there has been a lag in the program getting underway and it being used. One deterent that has been eliminated in many states isthe ability to use the credit at the closing. Signs of good things to come!

Real Estate Salesperson Class Starts Today

We're'll be heading to the office and Annex Real Estate School to open up. This is for the morning session of the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson pre-license course. The response has been almost overwhelming.

Between the registration for the morning and evening, we've had to order more text books. We'll have to find out the motiviation of the students. Why have they decided to go for their Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson license, now? What do you think?

Real Estate Weekend Class Starts Tomorrow

This week's weather makes it easier to get into the Weekend Class that will be starting at Annex Real Estate School, tomorrow night, September 11. The response has been very good, so we've had to order more text books from Dearborn Publishing. This is because we have both a day and evening class starting on Tuesday, September 15th, and our original book order was on the conservative side. We're even receiving Applications for the October classes.

Keep your travel plans off-limits online -- themorningcall.com

Keep your travel plans off-limits online -- themorningcall.com

Posted using ShareThis

Good Weather, Good Real Estate Activity, Good RE School Enrollment

Here it is, almost the start of the Labor Day weekend, and the outlook for local real estate is good, good, good! The sales activity at our real estate firm, Century21 Annex Realty is definitely a plus. It's not just here in Quincy, MA, but a good part of Boston's 'South Shore'.

We're also seeing an upswing in the registration at our school, Annex Real Estate School. There is increased enrollment in the midweek programs that have both morning and evening classes. We're also seeing the popular accelerated Weekend Class fill up. It gives us a positive indication about the sentiment of the local market. Increase class size is an reflection of the attitude that the market is going to recover.

Now, we would like to see increased activity at our marketing sites, the Annex Bookstore over at Amazon as well as the general Annex Real Estate Source.

Wishing you all an enjoyable Labor day Weekend

Backups Made Easy with clickfree Transformer

With all the talk about the importance of backing up your files, I had starting using some external drives for piece of mind. I had originally started using a Acomdata drive, which has served me well. Except for capacity, it's very similar to the AcomData PureDrive 1 TB USB 2.0/FireWire 400/eSATA Desktop External Hard Drive PDHD1000UFSE. The drive is now full with pictures as well as a complete backup of the 120 GB Drive on my IBM Thinkpad.

For some time I had been thinking of how I was going to use the Seagate FreeAgent 1 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive ST310005FDA1E1-RK I had picked this up at a very good sale and it was still in the box.

Then I read about a new easy way to back up all of your 'data' files (not system and programs). It's called the clickfree Transformer from Storage Appliance Corporation . You first connect the clickfree to a USB port on your computer. You then connect the included USB cable between the clickfree and an external drive. The clickfree acts like a smart bridge between the computer and the external drive. The built in software in the clickfree, searches your computer for virtually all of the data types and then simply copies them over to the external drive.

The first time I used the clickfree Transformer, it took approx 2 hours to copy all of my document files, pictures, movies, sound files, email backup. I did this at night, just before going to bed and I didn't wait up.

Now, the incremental backups take just about a minute or two!

As with many of my electonic purchases, I bought my Clickfree Transformer over at Amazon. As you can see, the price is very right!

Although I've never used a Mac, the Quickstart Guide does include directions for use with Mac OSX Leopard 10.5 or later .

The Big Red Fez - Internet Markting Ideas

When Seth Godin wrote The Big Red Fez: How To Make Any Web Site Better he was already credited with authoring 5 other books as well as co-authoring The Guerrilla Marketing Handbook with Jay Levinson, who has since been the author of Guerilla Marketing on the Internet: The Definitive Guide from the Father of Guerilla Marketing
.

I didn't realize what a prolific author on the subject of Marketing, that Seth Godin had become, until I saw over 160 references when you search on his name at Amazon.com. Similar searches at other online book seller sites give similar results.

As Realtors, we usually do not have much spare time, so it's good that The Big Red Fez: How To Make Any Web Site Better is a relatively short book with 111 pages. These pages are jammed with content, using 45 examples of good and bad web sites. Somed of these sites are from small local business and others are nationally know brands. In each example, Seth uses the technique of 'show me the banana'! OK, you got me to your site, now what action do you want me to do? Is it to buy? Is it to subscribe? How easy is it to complete the action! As Realtors, this is know as closing the deal.

In too many cases, the web site has made it difficult, if not impossible to close the deal. I've never heard any marketer say this before, but Seth Godin says this and it is so true..

"...once someone is online, she's only a click away from your competition."

WOW. That's something too many forget when the build their web site.

No matter what your business, this is so true.

The Big Red Fez: How To Make Any Web Site Better is an IDEA book, it is not written for 'techies'. If you're a techie and edit your own site, you can go and incorporate the lessons from the book to accomplish your internet goals. If you're not a techie, use the ideas from the book to check out your own site. Then get your web site developer to do the programing.

Seth Godin points out in the introduction, "There are two versions of what happens online. There's the engineer's version, which is that smart people, with plenty of time, who know precisely what they want from their online surfing, are able to make a considered decision with access to all the data........"
"Then, there's the marketer's version. This says that people are busy, ill informed, impatient, not very thoughtful, and eager to click on something right now. Marketers also believe that if you don't give a prospect the right thing to click on right now, he's going to click on the "Back" button and leave."
"The second version is the one that's backed up with all the data and all the successful results. Because it's the right version. The first version is what leads most web-based companies to failure"

Make your web site, web user friendly. Get and read your own copy of The Big Red Fez: How To Make Any Web Site Better

Good News From National Association Of Realtors On The Pace of U.S. Existing Home Sales

In a press release, issued today, the National Association of Realtors, said " For the first time in five years, existing-home sales have increased for four months in a row...."....The NAR chief economist, Lawrence Yun , who said he is encouraged, is quoted as saying "..the housing market has decisively turned for the better."

I know that we are seeing more activity in our real estate school with more new persons wanting to get into the business, as well as at our real estate business with more buyers and sellers.

You can read more of the Reator article at their news release site .

The Fall Real Estate School Season Is Just A Few Weeks Away

As we gear up for the September Real Estate Classes, we have a few questions. Where has the summer gone? For a while it seemed as though it would never arrive! We really haven't broken any heat records. We had a bit of an escape to Maine and a short trip to the Cape.

Annex Real Estate School is conveniently located in the Wollaston section of Quincy, near the T stop on the Red Line. The pre-licensing classes are taught by Massachusetts Real Estate Brokers who are also licensed Real Estate Instructors.

The September schedule will start off on Friday evening, September 11th, with an Accelerated Weekend Real Estate Salesperson Class. Then on the following Tuesday, September 15th will be the start of the traditional, easier paced, Midweek Classes, with Day and Evening offerings. These Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Classes are still only $200 including two (2) professional texbooks. Annex Real Estate School uses the latest edition textbooks (not just someone's 'class handbook') to teach to the General Section and for the Massachusetts Specific Section of the state exam.

You can see the entire September and October Schedule just by clicking HERE

If you would like to learn more abut the Real Estate licensing process, start by reading THIS

When you're ready to sign up for a class,then go to the page of Annex Real Estate School where you will be able to pre-register for a class as well as download an Application.

Don't put this off, as the state legislature is favorably considering two bills that will significantly increase the number of classroom hours need prior to taking the state licensing exam.

See you in School.

You might also check out our affiliated shopping site Annex Real Estate Source You'll find books on real estate of interest to all as well as a few special gift and personal shopping opportunities.

Home Price Declines Continue to Abate According to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices

New York, July 28, 2009 – Data through May 2009, released today by Standard & Poor’s for its S&P/Case-Shiller1 Home Price Indices, the leading measure of U.S. home prices, show that, although still negative, the annual rate of decline of the 10-City and 20-City Composites improved for the fourth consecutive month in 2009.

To read the full report as well as the just go to this link

Summer School at Annex Real Estate School

It's summer (at least that's what the calendar says it is ; 0 ). At Annex Real Estate School, we thought we were in for a vacation from teaching real estate until the fall. However, that was not to be! After too many emails and phone calls, Annex Real Estate School is holding a pre-licensing class for the Massachusetts state Real Estate Salesperson Examination.

In keeping with the summer schedule, the class will be held over three consecutive, midweek days: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, July 27, 28 and 29th. The class hours will be 9:00 am to 5:30 pm for each day, 24 hours of state mandated classroom instruction. (No nights, no weekend day!).

The class is already beginning to fill up. Class availability depends upon enrollment. As usual, the class size will be kept small to assure class quality. This is one of the reasons of the high pass rate of our students.

Even though this is an intensive, accelerated course, the fee is still only $200 which includes the latest editions of two professional textbooks. Annex Real Estate School does not use somebody's 'class notes'

After getting their Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson license, students will immediately qualify to apply for an interview at the affiliated real estate firm, Century21 Annex Realty.

After this class, the instructors hope to have a break from class until the fall session begins.

If you are interested in this July class, just go to the place on the SCHOOL WEBSITE were you can click on the link to sign up to be contacted, about the July class or email the Registrar at Annex Real Estate School (.)dot com, or call the direct number 617-773-2576.

If you would like to be put on the contact list for the Fall Schedule of classes, just go to the FALL CLASS SIGNUP on the website.

Special Accelerated Midweek Real Estate License Class

In response to requests for a mid summer class, Annex Real Estate School has just posted an accelerated Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson pre-licensing class. Annex Real Estate School is conveniently located in Quincy, MA near the Wollaston stop on the Red Line.

This class is scheduled for the last week of July for 3 days, 9am to 5:30 pm, each day, with a 1/2 hour lunch break (24 hours of state mandated classroom instruction, without giving up a summer weekend). The class is held in the environment of an active real estate office. Your instructors will be Massachusetts Real Estate Brokers who are also licensed be the state as Real Estate Instructors.

Once you are a licensed Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson, you will have the opportunity to apply for an interview at our affiliated real estate firm Century21 Annex Realty.

At Annex Real Estate School. we use the latest editions of profession real estate textbooks, rather than someone's "class manuals". The cost of the class is still only $200, including books.

If you are interested in this special mid summer class, then go to the website and sign up to be put on the class list at school's SITE You can download an Application from the same page under the Higlights column. Initially, the exact class schedule is being held open to accommodate the instructors and students summer schedule. The class may be held either Mon, Tues and Wed, (July 27, 28 and 29) or Tues, Wed and Thurs (July 28, 29 and 30). The schedule will be set to accomodate the majority.

If you want to learn more about the Massachusetts Real Estate licensing process, you can read more on the Catalog Page or at this convenient WRITE UP

Annex Real Estate School
49 Beale Street
Quincy, MA 02170
617-773-2576

Eagle Signals The Admiral Onboard

Eagle visits as part of Sail Boston 2009.

Cash for Clunkers Survey: Vote NOW

In an effort to stimulate the sale of autos, the Cash for Clunkers program will provide up $3500 or $4500 of credit and depends the type of vehicle and the difference in fuel economy between your tade in and the new vehicle.

What do you think of this program? Will it do any real good? Vote now in this Short Survey

Some essential points of the program are :
a) Your vehicle must be less than 25 years old on the trade in date
b) Only purchase or lease of new cars will qualify
c) Generally, trade in vehicles must get 18 or less MPG (some very large pick-up trucks and cargo vans have different requirements
d) Trade in vehicles must be registered and insured continuously for the full year preceding the trade in
e) You don't need a voucher, dealers will apply a credit at purchase
f) Program runs through November 1, 2009 or when the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first
g) The vehicle which you are trading in is required to be destroyed. Therefore, the value that you negotiate with the dealer for your trade in is not like to exceed its scrap value. The law requires the dealer to disclose to you an estimate of the scrap value of your vehicle.

What do you think? Will it help? Take this very short survey and CAST YOUR VOTE

Read more at http://www.cars.gov/

Find out the rating of your car at fueleconomy.gov

Massachusetts Realtors Advocate for Consumers

Yesterday saw a large group of Massachusetts Realtors converge on Beacon Hill to meet with their local legislators to discuss real property issues. One point of this event, that is overlooked or not given enough emphasis, is the full role of the Realtors.
As one may expect, the Realtors are there at the State House to highlight the point of view on potential legislation from the Real Estate Professional's perspective. The Realtors are also carrying another banner with them, that of every consumer in the state who will be effected by real property issues.
No one else is there to recommend higher education requirements for real estate licensees, to ask that additional state taxes not be put on property owners when they sell, not impose new state taxes on private property owners when the rent out their home or an apartment, protect landlords and tennants property in an eviction situation.

Massachusett Real Estate License Fees and Examination Costs to Increase

We have received notice that the fees for the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson and the Massachusetts Real Estate Broker license will increase on July 1st. Also, the cost of the examination for both licenses will also increase at the same time.

The biennial cost for the Salesperson will increase from $93 to $103. For the Broker, the increase will be from $127 to $142. Also, the cost of the Corporate , the increase is from $195 to $221. To access the total list, look at the Massachusetts Professional Licensure page.

Two June Mass R.E. Salesperson Pre-Licensing Courses

***NOTE*** We have just been informed, that effective July 1st, the fees for taking the Massachusetts Real Estate Saleperson and Massachusetts Real Estate Broker examinations will be increased. Also, the fees for both the Massachusetts Real Estate Saleperson License and Massachusetss Real Estate Broker License will be increased, effective July 1st. ***

Annex Real Estate School, conveniently located in the Wollaston section of Quincy, has posted two Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Courses on the WEBSITE for June.

The first is an intesive WEEKEND Class that will start Friday evening, June 12th, from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The class then continues on Saturday and Sunday, June 13th and 14th, 8am to 6pm, both days (24 hours of state mandated classroom instruction).

The second program is an Accelerated MIDWEEK Class that will start on Tuesday, June 23rd, 9am to 5:30 pm. That class willcontinue on Wednesday and Thursday, 9am to 5:30 pm, all three days. (24 hours of state mandated classroom instruction).

The school is now accepting Applications for both programs. You can read more about the classes on the Annex Real Estate School website where you can also download Applications. You can also get an application for the WEEKEND Class here and for the MIDWEEK Class here.

You can read more about the Massachusetts Real Estate licensing process at this informational site.

Visit the website, call the school direct @ 617-773-2576 or email the Director at AnnexRealEstateSchool.com for any questions.

HUD Sec'y Donovan Announces Method of Bringing Tax Credit to FHA Closing

DONOVAN ANNOUNCES RECOVERY ACT'S HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT CAN IMMEDIATELY HELP THOUSANDS OF FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS TO BUY A HOMEFHA plan will stimulate new home sales and help stabilize housing market
WASHINGTON - Speaking to the National Association of Home Builders Spring Board of Directors Meeting, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will allow homebuyers to apply the Obama Administration's new $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit toward the purchase costs of a FHA-insured home. Donovan said that today's action will help stabilize the nation's housing market by stimulating home sales across the country.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 offers homebuyers a tax credit of up to $8,000 for purchasing their first home. Families can only access this credit after filing their tax returns with the IRS. Today's announcement details FHA's rules allowing state Housing Finance Agencies and certain non-profits to "monetize" up to the full amount of the tax credit (depending on the amount of the mortgage) so that borrowers can immediately apply the funds toward their down payments. Home buyers using FHA-approved lenders can apply the tax credit to their down payment in excess of 3.5 percent of appraised value or their closing costs, which can help achieve a lower interest rate. To read the FHA's new mortgagee letter, visit HUD's website.
"We believe this is a real win for everyone," said Donovan. "Today, the Obama Administration is taking another important step toward accelerating the recovery of the nation's housing market. Families will now be able to apply their anticipated tax credit toward their home purchase right away. At the same time we are putting safeguards in place to ensure that consumers will be protected from unscrupulous lenders. What we're doing today will not only help these families to purchase their first home but will present an enormous benefit for communities struggling to deal with an oversupply of housing."
Currently, borrowers applying for an FHA-insured mortgage are required to make a minimum 3.5 percent downpayment on the purchase of their home. Current law does not permit approved lenders to monetize the tax credit to meet the required 3.5 percent minimum down payment, but, under the terms of today's announcement, lenders can now monetize the tax credit for use as additional down payment, or for other closing costs, which can help achieve a lower interest rate. Buyers financing through state Housing Finance Agencies and certain non-profits will be able to use the tax credit for their downpayments via secondary financing provided by the HFA or non-profit. In addition to the borrower's own cash investment, FHA allows parents, employers and other governmental entities to contribute towards the downpayment. Today's action permits the first-time homebuyer's anticipated tax credit under the Recovery Act to be applied toward the family's home purchase right away. Unlike seller-funded down-payment assistance, which was a vehicle for abuse, this program will allow homebuyers to shop for the best home price and services using their anticipated tax credit.
According to estimates by the National Association of Home Builders, the Administration's homebuyer tax credit will stimulate 160,000 home sales across the nation - 101,000 of which will be first-time buyers who will receive the credit. Another 59,000 existing homeowners will be able to buy another home because a first-time buyer purchased their home. Given FHA's current market share, it's estimated that thousands of families will be able to purchase a home by allowing the anticipated tax credit to be applied toward their purchase together with an FHA-insured mortgage.
Homebuyers should beware of mortgage scams and carefully compare benefits and costs when seeking out tax credit monetization services. Programs will vary from organization to organization and borrowers should consider whether the services make sense for them, as well as what company offers the most suitable and affordable option.
For every FHA borrower who is assisted through the tax credit program, FHA will collect the name and employer identification number of the organization providing the service as well as associated fees and charges. FHA will use this information to track the business closely and will refer any questionable practices to the appropriate regulatory agencies, as necessary.

Supply and Demand in Real Estate Prices and Gas/Diesel Prices

It seems like so long ago that the price of real estate went on an upside ride. In addition to other factors, it really was supply and demand in action.
How long ago was it that a gallon of diesel fuel was $1/gallon more than regular gas. Why is it that I've seen diesel now any where from just 2-3 cents above to 4 cents per gallon less than regular gas. Typically, the price of gas rises several cents in 'honor' of the Memorial Day weekend. And, the price of oil has risen in recent weeks. Is this the gas companies way of making the roads safer by discouraging the purchase of their product? The percent increase at the pump has gone up approximately 2X the cost of the raw material. So, where is the supply and demand?

Happy Holiday and do not forget the real reason for the day off is to remember those who have given their lives so that we may enjoy our freedom.

Sell Your House In 7 Days !

OK! The exclamation mark is mine, but I just drove by East Milton Square and there, nailed to a utility pole is a sign that reads "SELL YOUR HOUSE IN 7 DAYS" , followed by a phone number. I'll bet every Realtor wants to know how they do it. ; )

Memorial Day: Three Day Weekend or May 30th

The origins of Memorial Day go back to just after the Civil War, with remembrances of the war dead. Quoting from the Wikipedia write up about Memorial Day:

"According to Professor David Blight of the Yale University History Department, the first memorial day was observed in 1865 by liberated slaves at the historic Washington Race Course (today the location of Hampton Park) in Charleston. The site was a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who died in captivity.
The freed slaves disinterred the dead Union soldiers from the mass grave to be inhumed properly reposed with individual graves, built a fence around the graveyard with an entry arch, declaring it a Union graveyard. A daring action for freed slaves to take such in the South just shortly after the Union's victory. On May 30, 1868, the freed slaves returned to the graveyard with flowers they had picked from the countryside and decorated the individual gravesites, thereby creating the first Decoration Day. Thousands of freed blacks and Union soldiers paraded from the area, followed by much patriotic singing and a picnic."

You can read the entire Wikipedia about the holiday HERE

For some time, there has been a movement to restore the observance to May 30th, similar to the resetting of the observance of Veteran's Day.

If you are interested in learning more about the efforts to restore the observance of Memorial Day to May 30th, then visit the site of usmemorialday.org where you can also sign a petition.

Twitter Power Review

I just finished reading "twitter power ..How to Dominate Your Market One Tweet at a Time" by Joel Comm. As you might have heard or seen, twitter is a 'microblog' where you can post short statements, up to 140 characters in length.. In that regard it's similar to texting except your message can be seen by millions.
This is a great tool for real estate agents to network with other real estate professionals and perhaps more importantly with buyers and sellers. You can check out my 'tweets' on Twitter at QuincyBroker
Joel Comm's book tells you how to get started on twitter, from setting up an account, enhancing your page , and getting a following. After the basics, must reads are: Chapter 8 Using Twitter to Help Build your Brand, Chapter 9 Leveraging the Poweer of Twitter to Drive Behavior in Your Followers, Chapter 10 Beyond Twitter.com: Third Party Tools You Will Want to Know and Chapter 11 Building Powerful Solutions on Top of the Twitter Platform. These chapters of the book show how even the non-techie can make use of thes relatively simple tools and methods. You can get your own copy of this book at Amazon: Twitter Power: How to Dominate Your Market One Tweet at a Time

"Avoiding Mortgage Foreclosure"

Last night I attended a Forum on "Avoiding Mortgage Foreclosure" at the Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy, MA. The program was led by Kim Arouca of the Office of Congressman Bill Delahunt. It featured presentations by Attorney Nadine Cohen of the Greater Boston Legal Services, Attorney Deidre Jacobs Hall from Quincy Community Action Program (QCAP), Attorney Jean Healy from the office of the Massachusetts Attorney General, and Attorney Joe Leanard from the Massachusetts Division of Banks.

This was an excellent presentation with information of resources for homeowners who are experiencing difficulty in paying their home mortgage.

In addition to explaining the foreclosure process and the various options that are available, including mortgage remodification, they all cautioned against scammers that our preying on home owners. The two most prevalents scams involves (1) prepaying someone who promises to help you through the mortgage remodification process and (2) receiving offers to purchase your home, clean up the mortgage problem and then sell the house back to you.

Real Estate Classes a Predictor of the Real Estate Market

Can you judge the real estate market based on the number of people who want to start a real estate sales career?
For the past several years, the enrollment in real estate schools in Massachusetts had been phenomenal. Over 900 first time candidates wee taking the state examination to become licensed as a Real Estate Salesperson. This was an obvious reaction to the ever increasing sales at increased prices that was observed.
By early 2008, there was a marked decrease in enrollment of real estate students as the media covered the increasing problems with real estate proce drops and real estate foreclosures. In the fall of 2008, as the news about the economy became more and more catestrophic, along with the attention of the national campaign, many classes became very limited in size.
Just as there is usually a spring real estate market, we see some positive signs in real estate school enrollment. The students come to class with different background and different expectations from those of 4 - 6 years ago. Many of todays' students have experience in finance, insurance banking and related real estate estate. They acknowledge that they will have to work to be successful, and that there is a future.

Your comments are welcome.

Do I Want To Have Fun In My Real Estate Continuing Education Class?

Just how exciting are real estate continuing education classes supposed to be? Last week we received a flyer in the mail of some up coming classes. Both the brochure itself, plus the testimony of previous students, assured us that we would be in for 12 hours of fun! Wow!

Then yesterday, the mailman brought another brochure from another real estate school. Apparently the promise of fun was called to the attention of this school, as his message now included "fun" in the package!

Are we missing something over at Annex Real Estate School? Just how much stand up should we be including in our Continuing Education classes? Do you enjoy going to a real estate class where you will learn something that will make your business more profitable as well as keeping you up to date on good real estate practice? How important is the fun?

We really need to know, so we're asking your cooperation. We've put together a little poll over at Micropoll.com (aptly named) where you can tell us what you expect in your real estate continuing education. To take the poll, just click HERE. We promise we won't collect your email address or sell it to anyone. If the program works right, we will know what city or town you are located (part of your ip address), and that's all. If you want, just comment here at this blog, but comments are monitored to eliminate spam.

Oh yes, we do have a weekend of Continuing Education coming up. March 14th and 15th. The subjects include Offers, Chapter 93A Consumer Protection, Mass. License Laws and Regs., Technology and R.E., National Economic Trends, and Foreclosure. You can download an Application Here. This class is filling up and class size will be limited to assure class quality.

Local Housing Market Stimulus

AS one of the instructors at Annex Real Estate School, here in Quincy, Massachusetts, I look at the correlation between school enrollment and the general real estate market. Traditionally, our most popular class at the school has been the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson pre-licensing course. The other factor, that I've seen is the connection with the local job market.

For most of 2008, there was an increasing number of hits on the school website, and a corresponding increase in the number of students at the school. There seemed to be a consensus that there was an anticipation of leveling off in the housing market as well as the opportunity of improvement.

Then in early September the hits on the website and the enrollment dropped off dramatically as the national economic news became the headlines. This was far more than just the seasonal slowdown.

So, what is the current picture? With only two months of 2009 registration experience, we are observing a definite up tick in interest in entering the real estate field as a Real Estate Salesperson in Massachusetts. At least for the school, it looks like the 'Spring market' has started.

Again, there are at least two obvious factors. Seeing the down turn in employment, people are looking for new career opportunities, at least as a back up. Getting into real estate in Massachusetts is relatively easy with only 24 hours of classroom instruction required before taking the state exam. Many of our students are 20 - 40 years old with good work experience and/or college training that will make it easier for them to learn the material for the exam.

The other factor at play has to be the attitude of these new students. They realize that the market is down and slow. This equates to a market that will eventually be getting better as they improve their real estate skills. We all hope that these new students are right!

Hosting and Domain Name Sale Thru February 28th

We ususlly don't blog about this but we've received an email alert from 1&1 Domain Hosting Services of an unadvertised sale thru the end of February. Host unlimited domains + get up to 5 FREE domains with your 1&1 hosting account. Must see monthly hosting specials!First 3 months $0 when you sign up for a whole year of hosting on all plans!

And for a limited time, first year of Dot.Com Domain names for only $6.74 and first year of Dot.Info Domain names for only $0.99. Stop paying too much for domains! Reg. price $8.99 but click here for 25% Off Discount! Plus free privacy + free email + website builder.

We'll get $13 extra per week, starting in June. Should help pay for some of the real estate tax increase. Down to $8 in Jan '10. Comments?

Heading to the office. The wind is creating a wind chill of 0F and below. The good news: The real estate market seems to be warming up!

Reading in Yahoo: Home town banks that do not want bailout money: http://ping.fm/86ENh

at the office. Because of the declared snow emergency, we'll have to move our cars by noon.

Back to back speeches tonight from the President and the Massachusetts Governor. Which message will be more encouraging? Any comments?

The Celtics and Bruins may have lost, they were down but not out! So 2, the real estate business..it's still alive.

Today, we're starting the 2009 season at Annex Real Estate School with morning and evening Real Estate Salesperson classes.

We're starting the 2009 season today at http://AnnexRealEstateSchool.com with morning and evening Real Estate Salesperson classes.

We will be teaching the January class of the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Course at http://AnnexRealEstateSchool.com starting next week.