South Shore Calendar Aug. 22 to 28

South Shore Calendar Aug. 22 to 28

MEMA: Tips to protect your home from hurricanes

MEMA: Tips to protect your home from hurricanes

Accretion: Plum Island adds sand thanks to harsh winter

Plum Island adds sand thanks to harsh winter

Be a Part of the 2015 Real Estate Market in Massachusetts: Take a Real Estate Class

The snow has melted.  At last we are hearing and seeing positive news about our local real estate market.  Lower inventory and still low interest rates are fueling interest in the reasonably priced homes that are on the market.  Open Houses are very busy.

 Get your Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson License so that you can be a part of this market.  The first step is to take the mandatory 40 Pre-Licensing Class at an Approved School like Annex Real Estate School . The classes are held in two formats, meeting the needs of most students.

The next Intensive Weekend Program starts starts on Saturday, June 6th, 2015.  The schedule is Saturday and Sunday, 8 am to 6 pm both days, for two successive weekends,   The cost of the Program is $370, including the two textbooks that you will need for the class.  You can pay the Early Bird registration fee of $345 up to 2 weeks before the start of the classes.   The fee includes the two textbooks that you will need for the class.

For those students who would prefer the traditional easier paced Midweek Program, there are the classes that run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 hours per class meeting, for 5 weeks.  There is a Day Group that meets 9 am to 1 pm and an Evening Group that meets 6 pm to 10 pm.  The next Midweek Program starts on May 26, right after Memorial day weekend..  The cost of the Midweek Program is also $370 including the two textbooks .  Early Bird Registration of $345 is also available for these classes up to two weeks before the start.

At Annex Real Estate School , your classes are taught in the environment of an active real estate business by Massachusetts licensed Real Estate Brokers who are also Approved Real Estate Instructors.

Annex Real Estate School is conveniently located at 49 Beale Street in Quincy, MA near Wollaston stop on the T Red Line.  You can get more information and Applications on the school's website http://AnnexRealEstateSchool.com .

Real estate advice firm to serve South Shore clients

Real estate advice firm to serve South Shore clients

Demolitions loom as Quincy buys another house on Hunt Street

Demolitions loom as Quincy buys another house on Hunt Street

BUSINESS PANEL: Assessing the local effect of an interest rate hike

BUSINESS PANEL: Assessing the local effect of an interest rate hike

Interest in Real Estate Classes Still High

The next Midweek Real Estate Salesperson Class at Annex Real Estate School starts on Tuesday, November 18th.  There are still a few places available in the Evening (6 -10 pm) group and the Day group (9 am to 1 pm) is almost full.

Weekend #2 of the September Real Estate Salesperson Class

Weekend #2 of the September Weekend Real Estate Salesperson Class at Annex Real Estate School starts tomorrow and we already have inquiries and Applications for the October Class. Seeing the enthusiasm of the students, not only for the course but also about the real estate profession is very gratifying for the Instructors.

Banker & Tradesman August New Home sales Figures

Banker & Tradesman  New Home Sales Mortgage Applications were down in August but average price increased 1.1%

"MBA: Delinquency And Foreclosure Rates Hit Six-Year Lows In Q2 - From BaNKER & TRASee more at: http://www.bankerandtradesman.com/news160631.html?utm_source=EmailDirect.com&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=BTDaily_080714+Campaign#sthash.nev9gtY5.dpuf Banker & Tradesman

MBA: Delinquency And Foreclosure Rates Hit Six-Year Lows In Q2 - See more at: http://www.bankerandtradesman.com/news160631.html?



Banker & Tradesman

"Court Ruling Makes It Easier For Condo Boards To Sue" - From Banker &Tradesman

Court Ruling Makes It Easier For Condo Boards To Sue -      A recent decision from the state’s Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) has lifted certain restrictions on damage awards when it comes to condominium construction, changing the calculus for condo boards when deciding whether to pursue a developer over faulty construction. - See more at: http://www.bankerandtradesman.com/news160578.html#sthash.srnXmiXl.dpuf      Banker & Tradesman

State bond bill includes Quincy coastal projects :From the Patriot Ledger

State bond bill includes Quincy coastal projects

Quincy Picks Redgate To Rethink Downtown Redevelopment - See more at: http://www.bankerandtradesman.com/news160546.html#sthash.UNhNXsZg.dpuf

Banker & Tradesman

May 13th Could Be Your Lucky Day in Real Estate

Looking to start a real estate career?  The first step is to take state mandated 40 hours of real estate classroom instruction to qualify for the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Examinantion. The next session of these popular classes at Annex Real Estate School are starting to fill u,p but there are still places in the Morning Class that runs 9 am to 1 pm and the Evening Class that is from 6 pm to 10 pm. Classes run on Tuesdaus and Thursdays. You take your state mandatory 40 hours of traditional classroom instruction without giving up a summer weekend.  Only $370 now, the classes are taught by state licensed Real Instructors who are experienced Massachusetts Real Estate Brokers.   Unlike many discount schools that just use copies of instructor notes,  Annex Real Estate School includes two profession textbooks for every student as part of the class fee.  Go to the website http://AnnexRealEstateSchool.com for more information and an Application.  Hurry as classes start Tuesday, May 13th.

Is The Spring Market About to Blossom?

Week after week, we've had nothing but more below average temps. here in Massachusetts, along with much of the county.  We've also anxiously watched snow storms, 'winter northeasters' , blizzards, and even a 'winter hurricane' impact our area.   This has not been good for the Spring Market which often start by mid March.   At last, the local weather forecast for the next week has temperatures above freezing, both day and night.  We hope that we've turned the corner and will start to see near normal conditions.

Why all the attention to the weather?  Here in New England, our real estate activity is seasonally effected by the what's happening outside.   There is something special about the earth awakening after the weather with the bushes and trees budding, with the flowers gracing the lawn.

Along with the buyers and sellers now more attentive, so has the activity in our real estate school, Annex Real Estate School.  We just finished two enthusiastic midweek classes, one days and the other in the evening.  An intensive weekend class is about to begin on March 29th.  (There are still a few places available in this class as of this writing.)  We've also notice an increase in the number a applicants taking the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson examination, state wide.   For more information, go to AnnexRealEstateSchool.com or MassRealEstateClass.com

Annex Real Estate School: An Outlook Of The Quincy Real Estate Market

"Deja Vu" , from the French, lit "already seen".   It's been a cold and snowy winter.  Temperatures have been running below average and the snowfall totals are above average.  The local groundhog, Ms G at Drumlin Farm, has predicted 6 more weeks of winter. This is not a bright outlook, at least of the weather.

But what about the local real estate market? Local?  Are we talking about the real estate market in Quincy, Massachusetts or the Boston's South Shore?  Remembering the adage that 'all real estate is local', we'll concentrate in the Greater Quincy market, Quincy and its' surrounding cities and towns.

The outlook for Quincy's spring Real Estate market looks very promising.  The fall season closed out on a positive note with prices showing a positive trend and inventory and days on the market not becoming excessive.

Here, at Annex Real Estate School, the 2013 year also was good.   We can gauge the public outlook by the real estate students who want to enter the business.  The number of students in the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson classes held steady and their attitude has been very positive.  Annex Real Estate School is conveniently located in the Wollaston section of Quincy, MA.  The students came from the communities that you would have expected, Quincy, Milton, Weymouth, Braintree, Hingham, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Dorchester, and Roxbury but also Pembroke,  Plymouth, Worcester, Springfield, Pepperell, and Cape Cod!   So how do you define local?

Last year, in February, we wrote about the outlook for the real estate market.  It may take a while for the temperatures to warm up, but here at Annex Real Estate school, we have a bright outlook.

Warm Up With a Career in Real Estate .. Become a Mass Real Estate Salesperson

You've heard it before, "New Year, New Career"  Well, if things are going cold for you, a career in Real Estate sales might be a good way to warm up.   Winter months are usually slower months in Massachusetts real estate, making it a good time to get your license and get started before the Spring warmup.

Annex Real Estate School, conveniently located in the Wollaston section of Quincy, has been training people for the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson license exam for over 20 years.

The next series of classes start January 14th, 2014.   The classes for 40 hours of state mandated live classroom instruction are 4 hours each on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 5 weeks.  Classes are available with sufficient enrollment Days (9 am to 1 pm) and Evenings (6 pm to 10 pm).

If you think you can take an accelerated intensive course, then there is a Weekend Program that goes on two successive weekends, 8 am to 6:30 pm , on both Saturday and Sunday.

Your instructors will be experienced Massachusetts Real Estate Brokers who are also Massachusetts Approved Real Estate Instructors   Check out the website AnnexRealEstateSchool.com for more information and Application for the latest classes.

Mass Real Estate Salesperson Pre-Licensing Class - Weekend Program

Prepare for the Mass Real Estate Salesperson exam by taking the next
Weekend Class at Annex Real Estate School. 

The Weekend Program gives you the mandatory 40 hours of instructions in two successive weekends. Class hours are from 8 am to 6:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. This class starts on November 9th so you will be finished long before Thanksgiving. This popular but intensive course is taught by experienced Massachusetts Real Estate Brokers who are also Mass licensed Real Estate Instructors. 

The fee for the course is only $370 which includes two professional textbooks.

 Enroll by November 4th and get the Early Bird rate of $345.

 The last class was full, so please don't be disappointed. Go to
 http://AnnexRealEstateSchool.com/ to download an Application now.

Real Estate Salesperson Class in Massachusetts

Annex Real Estate School is getting reading for the next round of Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson License classes.  The 40 mandatory classroom instruction is offered as both an Weekend Program as well as the more traditional and easier paced Midweek Program.

The Weekend Classes are 10 hours of instruction on Saturday and Sunday for 2 successive weekends.  The next Weekend group will start on Saturday, October 19th.

The Midweek Classes are 4 hours of instruction on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 5 weeks.  With sufficient enrollment, the classes are offered Days, 9 am to 1 pm or Evenings, 6 pm to 10 pm.  The next Midweek classes will start October 22.

For more information and Applications, visit the website at http://AnnexRealEstateSchool.com

Renter's Insurance for College Students

The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation offers advice on Renter's Insurance for College Students. 

Fall Classes Start at Annex Real Estate School

Annex Real Estate School announces the start of the Fall Season with a Mass Real Estate Salesperson Pre-License Classes. The Midweek Schedule starts on Tuesday, September 17th. Day Classes (9am - 1pm) and Evening Classes (6pm to 10pm) are offered. These classes will be held on Tues and Thurs for 5 consecutive weeks. The 40 hours of classroom instruction meet the state requirement. Students who enroll early by Sept 11 will pay the Early Bird Fee of only $345. After September 11, the regular Fee of $370 applies.

You can download an Application for these popular classes from the Annex Real Estate School Website.  

Annex Real Estate School is conveniently located in the Quincy neighborhood of Wollaston at 49 Beale Street near the Wollaston stop on the Red Line of the T.

 CLASS AVAILABILITY DEPENDS UPON REGISTRATION.  REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO ASSURE CLASS QUALITY. .

NEREJ - A groundbreaking summer introduces new opportunities for the City of Presidents

NEREJ - A groundbreaking summer introduces new opportunities for the City of Presidents

It's Not Too Late To Get The Early Bird Pricing for the May Real Estate Classes at Annex Real Estate school

As the April Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Classes finish, the Applications are coming in for the May Classes.  These classes start next week on May 14th.  It's not too late to register for these popular classes, and if you sign up thru tomorrow, you can still get the Early Bird pricing ;)

For more information and Applications, check out the web site of Annex Real Estate School

A Measure of the Local Real Estate Market in the Greater Boston Area

I've written about this before, but I can't help but compare the number of new Real Estate Salesperson licensees to the general public sentiment about the local real estate market.  Since the late fall of 2012 until now, the number of first time test takers of the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson exam has increased almost 25%.

   Obviously there has also been an increase in the number of students who are enrolling in the accredited real estate schools.   At Annex Real Estate School, where we like to keep our classes small to maintain the quality of the classes, we see an increasing demand for the pre-licensing courses.  We are now running daytime, evening and weekend classes. 

As long  as the demand continues, we expect to continue to offer the full schedule of classes.  It will be interesting to see what happens when the warm summer weather arrives.  June's busy social calendar and vacation plans usually slow down the activity.

Is Real Estate Brokerage Still A Good Career?

Over the past weeks I have been asked if real estate brokerage is still a viable career?  There was a large exodus of licensees right after the real estate 'bubble' burst.  Full timers became part timers and part timers said they were looking for a 'real job'.  Of course, real estate brokerage, working for buyers and/or sellers is a real job.  Who were these people who gave up their licenses or became inactive?  These were people who were not 'making it' in real estate.

Many real estate brokers and salesperson stayed in there.  If business is off 25%, then some one is making the 75%.

With interest rates still phenomenally low and inventory dropping down, it has becomes somewhat of a sellers market.  Perhaps that is why we still have a good attendance at our Massachusetts real estate salesperson classes.   And that is good.

Annex Real Estate School School License Class Schedule

Due to the weather forecast, the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Pre-Licensing Class, scheduled to start February 23 at Annex Real Estate School, has been postponed to start on March 2nd. There are still a few places available in this popular class. The Schedule for the MIDWEEK Classes starting Tuesday, February 26th, is unchanged.

Don't Be Left in the Cold. Be Part of the Warming Real Estate Market

At last we are hearing and seeing positive news about our local real estate market.  Lower inventory and still low interest rates are fueling slight increases in home prices.

Get your Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson License so that you can be a part of this market.  The first step is to take the mandatory 40 Pre-Licensing Class at an Approved School like Annex Real Estate School . The classes are held in two formats, meeting the needs of most students.

The next Intensive Weekend Program starts starts on Saturday, February 23rd.  The schedule is Saturday and Sunday, 8 am to 6 pm both days, for two successive weekends, February 23 & 24 and March 2 &3.  The cost of the Program is $370 but you can pay the Early Bird registration fee of $345 up to a week before the start of the classes.   The fee includes the two textbooks that you will need for the class.

For those students who would prefer the traditional easier paced Midweek Program, there are the classes that run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 hours per class meeting, for 5 weeks.  There is a day Group that meets 9 am to 1 pm and an Evening Group that meets 6 pm to 10 pm.  The next Midweek Program starts on February 26th.  The cost of the Midweek Program is also $370 including the two textbooks .  Early Bird Registration of $345 is also available for these classes up to one week before the start.

At Annex Real Estate School , your classes are taught in the environment of an active real estate business by Massachusetts licensed Real Estate Brokers who are also Approved Real Estate Instructors.

Annex Real Estate School is conveniently located at 49 Beale Street in Quincy, MA near Wollaston stop on the T Red Line.  You can get more information and Applications on the school's website http://AnnexRealEstateSchool.com .

Postman Brings Good News To Annex Real Estate School

Annex Real Estate School is offering 3 Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson pre - Licensing Classes that are all starting about the same time.

An Intensive Weekend Class is scheduled to start on Saturday, February 23rd. This class will run on Saturday and Sunday, February 23 and 24, and then the following weekend, March 2nd and 3rd, 8 am to 6 pm, each day.  40 hours of Massachusetts state mandated classroom instruction in just 2 weekends.

Then, on Tuesday, February 26, the schedule calls for the more easy paced Midweek Program to start.  These are 4 hour classes and are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 5 weeks. This schedule also provides the  40 hours of Massachusetts state mandated classroom instruction.  The Midweek Classes are being offered as a Day Group, 9 am to 1 pm, and an Evening Group, 6 pm to 10 pm.

Every day, there are Applications that come in the mail in addition to the Applications being received as email attachments and even walk - ins.

As of this morning, there were still places available in all of these classes and Applicants are taking advantage of the Early Bird Registration.  If the School receives your Application and check or credit card information at least 1 week before the start of your class, your class fee, including 2 text books, is only $345.  After that, the regular fee is $370.

As usual, CLASS AVAILABILITY DEPENDS  UPON ENROLLMENT and CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED TO ASSURE CLASS QUALITY.

Real Estate Students Are Predicting A Good Housing Market for 2013

The weather prediction is for a record snowfall.  The students at Annex Real Estate School are predicting an improvement in the housing market.  They are 'voting' by applying to take the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Pre-License Class ;)

Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Classes (Feb/March)

Annex Real Estate School has scheduled the next series of Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Pre-Licensing Classes that will start in a few weeks.  The classes are being offered in the easy paced format of MIDWEEK 2 - four hour classes per week as well at the intensive WEEKEND schedule of two full days for two successive weekends.  You can pick the schedule that is best for you.

If you Apply at least one week before the start of your class, you can use the 'Early Bird' special of only $345 and save on your enrollment fee.  (Regular fee is $370).  At Annex Real Estate School your fee includes two professional textbooks that are used in class, will serve to help you prepare for your exam, as well as be a good reference for your real estate career.

CLASS AVAILABILITY DEPENDS UPON ENROLLMENT.  CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED TO ASSURE CLASS QUALITY.

Just go to the school website http://AnnexRealEstateSchool.com for more information and to download an Application.

Weekend Real Estate Classes at Annex Real Estate School

At Annex Real Estate School, we were asked to run a Weekend only version of our popular Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Pre-Licensing Class and now there is one!  The class is starting this Saturday, January 19th and will be conducted on two consecutive weekends. The class schedule is Saturday and Sunday, January 19th and 20th, 26th and 27th.  Class hours will be 8:30 am  to 6:30 pm, all days.  The cost of early registration is still only $345, including 2 textbooks, but goes up to $370 after January 15th.

You can get more information and an Application at the school website: http://AnnexRealEstateSchool.com

Annex Real Estate School is conveniently located in Quincy, MA near the Wollaston stop on the T Red Line
Annex Real Estate School

Class Availability Depends Upon Registration

Class Size Limited to Assure Class Quality

Early Bird Special at Annex Real Estate Schol

There is still time to get your Application for the January class for the Massachusetts  Real Estate Salesperson Pre-License Course and take advantage of the "Early Bird" Special. All Applications received by January 3rd get the discount. Classes start January 8th. See the websitehttp://AnnexRealEstateSchool.com/ for more information.

The school is conveniently located in the Wollaston section of Quincy, MA.  It is across the street from the parking lot of the Wollaston T stop on the Red Line.

Coast Guard Birthday Message from Admiral Robert Papp and MasterChief Michael Leavitt

United States Coast Guard celebrates it's 222nd birthday on August 4th.  Happy Birthday to our Coast Guard.

House passes bill preventing foreclosures

House passes bill preventing foreclosures

Here is another link, this time to an article in the Boston Herald

Massachusetts House passes bill to set standards to protect home - NEWS10 ABC: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports

Massachusetts House passes bill to set standards to protect home - NEWS10 ABC: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports

Top Features Home Buyers Are Now Looking For « CBS Boston

Top Features Home Buyers Are Now Looking For « CBS Boston

'The good news for sellers is buyers sitting on the sidelines during the housing slump have had time to save. That has made their credit scores stronger and that means fewer last minute financing issues."

Wollaston Theatre's future still uncertain after it's sold for $600,000

Wollaston Theatre's future still uncertain after it's sold for $600,000

Woman’s death investigated outside Quincy high-rise

Woman’s death investigated outside Quincy high-rise

Star Mangled Banner: Those Who Take Liberties With Our National Anthem May Be Fined

Star Mangled Banner: Those Who Take Liberties With Our National Anthem May Be Fined

2 NH fishermen rescued from boat fire off Mass.

2 NH fishermen rescued from boat fire off Mass.

Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Pre-licensing Classes

We're looking forward to the start of our Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Pre-licensing Classes at Annex Real Estate School next week.  These classes meet the new state requirement of 40 hours of classroom instruction.  These classes are taught by practicing Massachusetts licensed Real Estate Brokers, in the environment of an active real estate office.  In addition to the usual classroom 'handouts', Annex Real Estate School uses profession real estate textbooks rather than just a compilation of instructors' notes.

There are still places left in the class so I would recommend registering now rather than later.  Please remember that classroom size is limited to assure class quality and class availability depends upon class enrollment.  More information and Applications are available on the website of Annex Real Estate School

Debt Limit and the Real Estate Market

It's the day after Congress has passed and the President has signed the bill that increased our national debt limit.  The reaction of the stock market remains negative with a multitude of reasons being offered.  The projections for the job market aren't any more encouraging.  If you're involved in real estate, construction, brokerage, financing, inspection, etc. ...what impact do you see from this in the weeks and months ahead?

FHFA House Price Index Rises 0.4 Percent in May; Second Consecutive Monthly Increase

The Federal Finance Housing Agency has just release it's figure through May of 2011.It show the second consecutive monthy increase in the price index.  You can read the full report here

If you have trouble with the link, the type http://www.fhfa.gov/webfiles/21747/HPI72111.pdf  into the top line in your browser.

What You Should Know before Renting a Vacation Property

From the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation: What You Should Know before Renting a Vacation Property :


As the temperature rises, school has ended and parents take a break from work, many families are making summer vacation plans. If you’re thinking about renting a vacation property this season, do your homework first. Sometimes properties are not as they are advertised or could be a scam.

Research and compare rentals online. Beware of ads posted on Craigslist and other online classifieds, as these websites are popular with scam artists. Scammers may use fake photos and names, often stolen from other websites. They entice consumers with attractive offers hoping that they won’t research the transaction further.

 Be careful if renting from an individual. It is safer to use a reputable rental company or a real estate agent.

Check out the property owner. Get references from family or friends. Check with the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, Attorney General’s Office, and Better Business Bureau to see if there is a history of complaints on file.

Get the address of the vacation rental and use an online map (e.g. Google or Yahoo) to bring up the address. If you can’t find it online, it probably doesn’t exist.

 Verify the condition and location of the rental property. Look at photos and take a virtual tour online. If possible, visit the property beforehand. Look for cleanliness and be sure that that everything works as it should (i.e. toilet flushes, lights turn on, no leaks, etc.).

 Get everything in writing. Always have a signed agreement, no matter how brief your stay. Make sure all verbal agreements are included in the rental contract including details about deposits, rules on pets, refunds, and what is included in the cost of the rental such as utilities, internet, etc.

Do not pay or put money down until you have carefully read and signed the rental agreement.

 Never pay via money wire (e.g. Western Union). This is a sure sign of a scam. If at all possible, pay with a credit card, which provides some consumer protection if there is a dispute.

For more information about vacation rental properties, click on vacation and travel scams and avoid vacation rental horrors.


Barbara Anthony, Undersecretary       10 Park Plaza      Suite 5170      Boston, MA 02116
Hotline 617-973-8787    888-283-3757    www.mass.gov/consumer"

There are two items to note. First, this alert recommends working with a real estate rental agent.  The other point has to do with children and lead paint.  Both potential tenants and landlords should read and understand

Short Term Vacation or Recreational Rental Exemption Form

NEW SURVEY SHOWS LOCAL REAL ESTATE MARKETS HEAT UP WITH INVESTORS http://ping.fm/SIDGQ

Realtors: How can we use Skype to connect with our clients and customers?

Facts About The Mortgage Interest Deduction (MID)

Are you running an Open House this weekend?  Are you a potential Buyer and you're considering making an offer on a home?  Here are some facts about the Mortgage Interest Deduction (MID) that you should know:
                     

                       

                                               
• 
                         
                         
  
  
                             
                             
                             
                           
                               
                           
                         
  
                         
                         
  

  7 Mortgage Interest Deduction Myths

  
                         
  
  Think losing the mortgage interest deduction would be no big deal? We bust seven myths to show why the cost is bigger than you think. Read
  
                         
  
  
                         
                                               

                       

                       

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

                             

Copyright 2011 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

                       

                       

Be on the Lookout for Con Artists Knocking on Your Door

From the Massachusetts office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, comes this warning:


Attention Homeowners!
Be on the Lookout for Con Artists Knocking on Your Door

Individuals looking to steal or con people out of money may work in pairs and pose as utility workers in order to enter a home. While one distracts, the other robs. Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to these types of scams. An elderly Braintree couple was recently robbed by a North Carolina pair posing as state electrical inspectors in order to gain access to their home.

When people show up in person claiming to represent a state agency or other organization, it is always best to err on the side of caution; don’t let strangers enter your home without first asking for identification; and, when in doubt, call the police. State electrical inspectors will always carry identification, badges, and business cards and usually drive marked vehicles.

In Massachusetts, all electricians must be licensed by the Board of State Examiners of Electricians. The Board examines and licenses candidates and enforces the regulations and general laws relative to electrical installations in Massachusetts. The Board also prosecutes those found to be working without a license, either through the Division of Professional Licensure (DPL) Office of Prosecutions, the Attorney General’s Office, or directly in the courts of the Commonwealth. Many other professions such as plumbers, realtors, and home inspectors are also licensed by DPL and should provide identification prior to entering your home.

Consumers are urged to visit the Division of Professional Licensure’s website at http://license.reg.state.ma.us/loca/locaprof.asp to determine whether a professional they are considering doing business with is licensed and in good standing.


If you have concerns about a licensee that you are considering, the DPL Office of Investigations can be reached at (617) 727-7406.

Barbara Anthony, Undersecretary       10 Park Plaza      Suite 5170      Boston, MA  02116

Hotline 617-973-8787    888-283-3757    www.mass.gov/consumer

Do You Have a Blockbuster Gift Card?

If you have a Blockbuster Gift Card, you need to know that as of April 7 it will expire. For more information, please read our Consumer Advisory. The Advisory is in PDF format so you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the file. If you already have Acrobat Reader you will be able to open the advisory without any problems. If you do not have it, you can go to the link below and download it. There is no fee associated with downloading Acrobat Reader.

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html



Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
10 Park Plaza, Suite 5170
Boston, MA 02116
www.Mass.Gov/consumer
News & updates at http://consumer.blog.state.ma.us/blog
and follow us at www.twitter.com/Mass_Consumer

Beating the June 1st Change

Starting June 1st, candidates for the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson license examination will need 40 hours of classroom instruction.  This is an increase from the current requirement of 24 hours of classroom instruction.  People who are thinking about getting their license in the near future are signing up for classes, such as those at Annex Real Estate School to meet their required time.

NAR Dues Increase

There is a lot of buzz online about the proposed $40 increase in dues of the National Association of Realtors.   

Nobody represets the interests of all real estate licensees, Realtors and non Realtors, more or better than NAR.  And nobody does a better job at representing the interests of the average buyer and seller of real property than do the Realtors. 

With discussion, we can see where the proposed increas will be spent and whether it is justifiable in these times.

I have no doubt that there will be a dues increase.  It's just a matter of how much and what it will be used for.

What's your opinion on this?

Century21 Annex Realty Agent's Summer Contest Ends in a Tie and a Dinner!

A friendly summer contest amongst the Century21 Annex Realty agents ended in a tie so all the agents were invited to an evening out at a local restaurant and the broker/owners picked up the tab ; )

Rescheduled: Crane Library hosts Vintage Car Show and Songs of the Sixties - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger

Due to the rainy day forecast for Saturday, the Quincy High Car Show, on the lawn of the Thomas Crane Library in Quincy, has been rescheduled to Sunday, October 17th. The show hours are 10am to 2pm. Crane Library hosts Vintage Car Show and Songs of the Sixties - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger

Poll of Quincy Real Estate Agents

In a recent poll of Quincy Real Estate agents to determine their opinion of the local market, 68% said that the prices of existing single family home was still dropping, and the other 32 % said that prices a\have stabilized.  When it came to estimating the sale activity, 88% responded that the market is still slow and only 12% answered that the market had finally stabilized.

The view of the multi-family was slightly more optimistic.  53% of those who answered the surveyed felt that sales were still dropping, 33 %  and 14% saw a slight improvement in prices.  This optimism was also reflected in viewing market activity, 13% seeing an improvement in sales, 27 percent saying that sales levels are relatively stable and 60% still seeing a decline in the market.

What's happening in your town?

Don't Throw Away The Snow Boots and the Wool Hats

Who are we to believe? The old Almanac or the Weather bureau? Watch this video for their predictions.

Check this out: 5 real estate tech tools for buyers | Inman News

5 real estate tech tools for buyers Inman News

Scary if True! NewsGeni.us - Article - 75% of Home Mortgage Mods Will Default

This is scary if true! NewsGeni.us - Article - 75% of Home Mortgage Mods Will Default

Your Real Estate Listing and Rain on the Lawn

After many dry days, it rained here last night. "Weather dot com"  data shows that the last significant rainfall of 0.49" was 11 days ago.  Not a flood and not just a light sprinkle, but almost 3/4 hour of moderate to light rain. More rain is expected this week. 
If the lawn on any of your listings looks like mine, it is mostly brown with patches of green.   Last nights rain and today's possible thunder showers are to be followed by two dry partly sunny days, a rainy Thursday and sunny Friday. 

This mixed bag of weather may awaken the lawn so that by the weekend and your next Open House, it will show new signs of life.  This  might be an opportunity to get some fresh out door pictures for your listings.  And, if the lawn and shrubs respond vigorously, look to see if they neeed a trimming!

Good luck in changing your listing to 'Under Agreement'.

What Does Your Lawn look Like? Welcome to Green Aches -

I'm beginning to like the color of my brown lawn! I have two neigbors with in-ground watering systems. Dutifully, at 6 am, their lawns get watered. Because one neighbor's lawn is three large pine trees, as well, neither the water or their lawn service have made much progress in improving the lawn.

Another neighbor's lawn , gets the afternoon sun, that doesn't seem as intense as the sun in the morning. It is also watered automatically and is routinely professionally serviced. That must cost big bucks! And then my third neighbor does his own watering and has a lawn service. That lawn is 50/50, green and brown.

And then there is my lawn. All spring it's very, very green and very, very tall. I have read that the blades of grass don't obsess over their looks! Besides, that lets the roots go deep (?). Right now, it's mostly brown except for a few patches of hardy weeds and dandelions. In September, as the rains return, so will the green color and by the late fall, just as the leaves begin to fall ( ;-D it will have greened out again!

Now read about someone who is obsessed about his lawn: Welcome to Green Aches - The Boston Globe

Homeowner Oil Heating System Upgrade and Insurance Law - Extended

Do you have oil heat in your home? Then you should know that the date for compliance with the new Massachusetts Law "Homeowner Oil Heating System Upgrade and Insurance Law" has been extended until September 30, 2011. Insurance companies must have had the optional insurance available as of July 1, 2010. To learn more of the fine details, check out the site of the Mass DEP  that has information about exemptions, approximate costs as well as a sketch of an upgraded system.

Sales Class Studies Income Approach to Real Estate Appraisal

Sales Class at Annex Real Estate School studies the Income Approach to Real Estate Appraisal

Surprising Demographic

Last weekend, we had an accelerated Real Estate Salesperson Class at Annex Real Estate School  This class is a pre- requisite to taking the Massachusetts state Real Estate Salesperson exam.

We discovered that the mean age for approximately 71% of the students was 24 1/2 years old! With essentially none of the students in the 30 's, the other 29 percent of the students were approximately 44 1/4 years old. So much for the theory that only old retired people are going into real estate now.

Realtor.org provided the following statistic:

• Median age of first-time buyers:  30
• Median age of repeat buyers: 47

Looks as these new salespersons should be able to relate to their potential customers and clients

Surprising Age Demographic of Real Estate Salesperson Class

Last weekend, we had an accelerated Real Estate Salesperson Class at Annex Real Estate School  This class is a pre- requisite to taking the Massachusetts state Real Estate Salesperson exam.

We discovered that the mean age for approximately 71% of the students was 24 1/2 years old!   With essentially none of the students in the 30 's, the other 29 percent of the students were approximately 44 1/4 years old. So much for the theory that only old retired people are going into real estate now.

Realtor.org provided the following statistic:

• Median age of first-time buyers: 30
• Median age of repeat buyers: 47

Looks as these new salespersons should be able to relate to their potential customers and clients

Real Estate Class Enrollment Reaches Max!

Here it is, the first week of summer, and we have a Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Class scheduled for this weekend. This class will be held at Annex Real Estate School, in Quincy, MA. What is amazing as well as gratifying, is that we've had to cut off the enrollment!

Observing and talking to the students, I estimate that their average age is in the mid 30's. This is good match to the average age of the first time home buyer in the U.S.

We hope the weather will cooperate and will not max out the air conditioning!

Loan modification scams - Boston, MA - AmericanTowns.com

The Massachusetts AG has posted a very informative article on avoiding loan modification scams on her blog.

Loan modification scams - Boston, MA - AmericanTowns.com

Looking for work? Unemployed need not apply

Is this a new way to make or save jobs?

Looking for work? Unemployed need not apply

With just 2 weeks to go, reservations for the intensive WE Real Estate Saleperson Class at http://ping.fm/kI3ld are filling up!

Mass. Senate passes crackdown on illegal immigrants - Local News Updates - MetroDesk - The Boston Globe

Mass. Senate passes crackdown on illegal immigrants - Local News Updates - MetroDesk - The Boston Globe

Posted using ShareThis

Real Estate Prelicense Class at Annex Real Estate School

The Weekend Class reviews the Massachusetts Laws and Regulations about Real Estate Licensing and Practice.

We have another weekend Mass real estate pre-license class starting May 21st. Like last month, the Applications are coming in early.

Cape Wind announcement expected at noon - Local News Updates - MetroDesk - The Boston Globe

Cape Wind announcement expected at noon - Local News Updates - MetroDesk - The Boston Globe

Posted using ShareThis

Ted Kennedy was strongly opposed to this project. So, why don't those who supported health care reform to honor Ted also respect his wishes and turn this down?

Century21 Annex Realty hosts the Quincy Real Estate Caravan at it's newly remodeled office, 49 Beale Street, in the Wollaston section of Quincy

Weekend Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Class

Watching the Applications come in for the next weekend Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson pre-licensing class. This class meets the state requirements as a pre-requisite to the Massachusetts state Real Estate Salesperson examination.

Annex Real Estate School is conveniently located in the Wollaston section of Quincy, near the T stop on the Red Line.

The class will start on Friday evening, April 16th, 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The class continues on Saturday and Sunday, April 17th and 18th, 8am to 6pm. The cost is still only $200 which includes 2 text books and all class handouts.

Class availabilty depends upon enrollment. Class size is limited to assure class quality. You can download an Application on the school website. Don't be disappointed, as this class is filling up!

Weekend Massachusetts Real Estate Class

Watching the Applications come in for the next weekend Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson pre-licensing class. This class meets the state requirements as a pre-requisite to the Massachusetts state Real Estate Salesperson examination.

 Annex Real Estate School is conveniently located in the Wollaston section of Quincy, near the T stop on the Red Line.

The class will start on Friday evening, April 16th, 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm.  The class continues on Saturday and Sunday, April 17th and 18th, 8am to 6pm.  The cost is still only $200 which includes 2 text books and all class handouts.

Class availabilty depends upon enrollment.  Class size is limited to assure class quality.  You can download an Application on the school website. Don't be disappointed, as this class is filling up!

POLITICO Arena: Karen Kerrigan's response to 'Does the March unemployment rate of 9.7% - unchanged from the previous month - help President Obama politically?'

POLITICO Arena: Karen Kerrigan's response to 'Does the March unemployment rate of 9.7% - unchanged from the previous month - help President Obama politically?'   

1/3 of the March figure of added jobs are temporary census workers.  These jobs are not permanent and they are not in the private sector.

SPRING AHEAD - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger

SPRING AHEAD - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger

Posted using ShareThis

Frank pushing for administration's plans on Fannie and Freddie - Political Intelligence - A national political and campaign blog from The Boston Globe - Boston.com

Frank pushing for administration's plans on Fannie and Freddie - Political Intelligence - A national political and campaign blog from The Boston Globe - Boston.com

Posted using ShareThis

NewsGeni.us - Article - Obama Plan Helps 16% of Enrollees

NewsGeni.us - Article - Obama Plan Helps 16% of Enrollees

Posted using ShareThis

U.S. Economy: Pending Sales of Existing Homes Unexpectedly Drop

March 4 (Bloomberg) -- Fewer Americans than expected signed contracts to purchase previously owned homes in January, indicating the extension of a tax credit is doing little to lure buyers.

The index of purchase agreements, or pending home sales, dropped 7.6 percent after a revised 0.8 percent increase in December, the National Association of Realtors announced in Washington. Other reports today showed factory orders increased and first-time jobless claims declined.

The drop in contract signings adds to evidence the housing market at the center of the worst recession since the 1930s is struggling to rebound after reports last week showed unexpected declines in purchases of new and existing homes. The market may get another blow this month when the Federal Reserve ends planned purchases of mortgage-backed securities.

"When you take away all the support from the housing market, the underlying demand for housing is a lot weaker than we thought," said Mark Vitner, a senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities LLC in Charlotte, North Carolina. "We clearly pushed some demand forward, and there wasn't that much demand to pull forward anyway. The housing recovery is going to be very, very slow."

Builder shares fell after the report, with the Standard & Poor's Supercomposite Homebuilding Index declining 0.7 percent at 11:52 a.m. in New York. The broader S&P 500 climbed 0.1 percent to 1,119.74.

Factory orders rose 1.7 percent in January, boosted by a surge in commercial aircraft bookings, according to Commerce Department data that also showed less demand for computers and machinery.

Jobless Claims

Reports from the Labor Department today showed initial jobless claims fell from a three-month high, while productivity rose in the fourth quarter. Claims dropped 29,000 last week to 469,000.

Productivity, a measure of employee output per hour, rose at a 6.9 percent annual rate in the final three months of last year. Labor costs dropped 5.9 percent, more than anticipated.

Economists forecast a 1 percent gain in January pending home sales after a previously reported 1 percent rise a month earlier, according to the median of 40 projections in a Bloomberg News survey. Estimates ranged from a drop of 4.2 percent to an increase of 4 percent.

In November, the number of signed contracts dropped a record 14 percent. The Realtors group said February figures may be depressed as well following snowstorms in the Northeast and South.

February Sales

"The abnormally severe and prolonged winter weather, which affected large regions of the U.S., hampered shopping activity in February," Lawrence Yun, the group's chief economist, said in a statement. "We will see weak near-term sales followed by a likely surge of existing-home sales in April, May and June."

The Realtors' report showed declines in January pending sales in all four regions, led by a 13 percent slump in the West. Contract signings fell 8.9 percent in the Midwest, 8.7 percent in the Northeast and 2.1 percent in the South.

Pending home sales are considered a leading indicator because they track contract signings. The Realtors' existing- home sales report tallies closings, which typically occur a month or two later. The pending sales data go back to January 2001, and the group began publishing the index in March 2005.

Reports last week showed the housing market may be faltering. Sales of previously owned homes unexpectedly dropped 7.2 percent in January after a record decline a month earlier, according to Realtors group's report Feb. 26. New-home sales slumped to an all-time low, the Commerce Department said Feb. 24.

Credit Extended

President Barack Obama and Congress extended the first-time buyer credit in early November to cover deals signed by April 30 and closed by June 30, and expanded it to include some current homeowners.

Among other concerns for the housing outlook, the Fed said it plans to end a program later this month to purchase mortgage- backed securities, which helped contain borrowing costs.

The rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage dropped to 4.71 percent in early December, the lowest level since Freddie Mac started keeping weekly records in 1972. The rate has hovered around 5 percent since then.

Foreclosures pose another threat. Foreclosure filings rose 15 percent in January compared with a year earlier and exceeded 300,000 for the 11th straight month, RealtyTrac Inc. said Feb. 11.

The housing market will "follow a similar pattern" to recovery as it did in the late 1980s and early 1990s, which both took "several years," Toll Brothers Inc. Chief Executive Officer Robert Toll said in a statement Feb. 24.

The company, the largest U.S. luxury-home builder, said its orders almost doubled in the first quarter compared with a year earlier. It projected it will sell between 2,100 and 2,750 homes in fiscal 2010 at an average price of $540,000 to $560,000 each.

To contact the reporter on this story: Courtney Schlisserman in Washington at cschlisserma@bloomberg.net

===
Sent from Bloomberg for Blackberry. Download it from the Blackberry App World!
Mitch Rudnick
Century21 Annex Realty
617-921-6521
Mitchell.Rudnick@Century21.com

Bulk of Red Sox tickets on sale Saturday, Jan. 30 - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

Bulk of Red Sox tickets on sale Saturday, Jan. 30 - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

Posted using ShareThis

Local pending home sales rose in December - Daily Business Update - The Boston Globe

Local pending home sales rose in December - Daily Business Update - The Boston Globe

Posted using ShareThis

This is GOOD NEWS!

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.