DO NOT BLAME ME!!

This pic was emailed to me by fellow-blogger; Nevin Williams

Nevin Williams,FHA,VA,Jumbo broker CA,OR,WA,NC

I just checked his blog . . . he didn't blog this.  Not sure why. 

Well . . . maybe because Nevin actually possesses some manners and taste.  Perhaps thinking it best just to email people he knows off list. 

But, I thought this was HILARIOUS and worthy of a share!

Matter of fact, I wanted to post something funny today -- and this was the PERFECT pic!

Hmmm . . . thanks, Nevin (I guess).

Anyway --

Happy Thanksgiving!

Portland, OR Real Estate

Supra Lockbox Activity, week ending Nov. 15, 2009

The lockbox is the magic access key that allows agents to open the doors on listed property.  It also keeps statistics, and as you can see, there has been a slight uptick of 1.3% INCREASE in activity, and this includes Portland, OR real estate activity.

The previous week, which I didn't report on, also should a SLIGHT uptick: week ending 11/8/09 at 0.2% -- not much but this would be considered the second week with activity not showing a decline (as the past four weeks have indicated).

I LOVE inventions!  I love creativity.  I love when someone comes up with a better idea.  And not just a stupid idea . . . which I recently saw on the TV Show "Sharks." Some guy invented:

"Throx"

3 socks in a packet.  His concept was: if you lose one sock, you'll still have a pair.  GEEZ -- 3 socks in a pack . .. NOT what I would call a brilliant idea. 

But here's a good idea.  It might make a great house-warming/closing gift.

Kwikset is a lock manufacturer.  You've probably seen there products in Home Depot or Lowe's.  Maybe even buying a few door locks in your career?? 

Now Kwikset has come up with a "SmartKey" which allows a homeowner/landlord/property manager to re-key their own locks -- in seconds. 

Here's the video on how the product works . . . and it really is a SMART KEY, and a way to save the hassles of calling in a locksmith, or changing out door hardware.

Watch the video:  Kwikset . . . Smart Key

Works great for:

• Tenant turnovers
• Lost keys
• New owners
• etc.

As Realtors(r) we work under the premise of:

In the clients' best interest

What does that mean?

The best interest of the client is typically established when there is a fiduciary relationship established.

So, before getting into the "best interests" of the clients, let's look at the "FIDUCIARY" principals when they are set in motion.

When an agent takes on the mantle of a "FIDUCIARY" they have been engaged (contracted):

• To act in the best interests of another person, with legal and ethical duty
• To act in the best interest of another person with confidence and/or trust
• To act, by law requiring the highest level of good faith, loyalty and diligence of a fiduciary, higher than the common duty of care
• A person who occupies a position of special trust and confidence, e.g., in handling or supervising the affairs or funds of another, involving the exercise of confidence and trust

My office, which is an Exclusive Buyer Agency, works under contract.

WHY?

In order to ensure, contractually, that there is a legal real estate agency relationship established, a Fiduciary position.

Once a client/agent relationship is established, the buyer/client has engaged a "fiduciary."  And with that the agent has an obligation to work in the "best interests" of the client.

Sans contract, the buyer is without a contractual fiduciary.  Some buyers feel it's not in their "best interest" to sign a Buyer's Representation Agreement.

I would argue otherwise.

If you want to have your agent watch out for your "best interests" -- it is in your best interest to sign them up.

Portland, OR Real Estate

Supra Lockbox Activity, week ending Nov. 1, 2009

The lockbox is the magic access key that allows agents to open the doors on listed property.  It also keeps statistics, and as you can see, there has been a -4.1% DECREASE in activity, and this includes Portland, OR real estate activity.

This is the FOURTH WEEK showing a marked decrese.  Last week there was a reported -15.4% DECREASE.   Week prior, ending 10/18/09 was also down -5.5%. 

Now with the cooler months of fall, going into the colder months of winter, will lock box activity continue to decline?  It will be interesting to follow the Portland, OR real estate trend with showings going up, or down?

BUYERS:  What that means for you . . . the properties you have interest in might not have the level of activity as expected.  These showings are for the RMLS Supra lockbox in the state.  The Portland, OR real estate market might have slightly higher levels of activity.

SELLERS:  Check and see with your listing agent if the STAT above, of -4.1% decrease is holding true with your property.  Are you getting any more showings, or has activity level dropped??

I very RARELY reblog.  When I do, it's not for RE-BLOG points! 

The blog posts are active today, and when I read this on the dashboard, it quickly got to page 3 in a short time.  And because there's a lot of posting going on, this is one blog that should be a FEATURE ... IMHO!

HOW to tell if the property has DEFECTED DRYWALL (let's keep THE FACT about "where" it was manufactured out of it . . . just to be PC).  Since there are NO CURRENT TEST available -- this is ABOUT PROTECTING CONSUMERS, YOURSELVES -- since no one else seems to want to do it.

The CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION has flagged this problem.  And indicated that there are no tests currently available.  So this blogger has given a very easy solution.  If the SILVER -- and keep in mind it has to be a PURE SILVER ALLOY (not plated with silver) is a method . . .  it makes sense to see if it corrosive "tell tale" signs appear.

This just in:

The House of Representatives has passed the extension of the Home Buyers Tax Credit by a vote of 403-12. The bill is the same version passed by the  Senate earlier this week. Since both versions are the same, there will be no need for a conference to work out the differences, and it is ready for the President's signature.

He'll sign it . . . BLOGS AWAY!! . . .

Many of you might now know who Philip Glass is. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Glass

Now you know.

When he was in Portland, OR recently, my son who has done some interesting work inspired by Philip Glass, "Einstein on the Beach" had the opportunity to met the genius himself. 

Philip Glass is an American music composer, considered to be the most influential composers around.  He has collaborated on film scores, nominated for three Academy Awards.  His list of "Who's Who" is staggering.

When someone of this stature takes the time to talk with your little darling, you'd feel a since of pride too.

All I want to know is this: 

Hey, Philip . . . did you like Portland?  If so, call me 'k?  I'll hook you up with a really nice property!!

Having watched the El Pollo Loco restaurant in Beaverton being built, and then watching it sit and sit . . . since March . . . with their OPENING SOON banners, I can finally tell you it's open.  And my tummy is full!

Thank you El Pollo Loco (located at Cedar Hills and Fairfield in Beaverton) for finally opening.

And apparently, I wasn't the only one waiting for El Pollo Loco.  The lines were moving quickly, they were well-staffed.  But they did have to put 3 employees in the parking lot to direct traffic.

The place was packed.  For good reason, it's a great tasting flame-grilled chicken.  A nice alternative from fried, fatty food.

El Pollo Loco (the CRAZY Chicken) has been a staple food establishment in Southern California, were I first tasted the wonderful flame-grilled bird.

The menu is a little more diverse then I seemed to remember, and with chicken tamales, I couldn't resist!

El Pollo Loco Beaverton is across the street from the Cedar Hills Crossing Mall.  For the first few weeks, I'd suggest you avoid going during rush hour.  

Have you ever noticed that if you mention you're a real estate agent to anyone, they'll say, "Oh, my mother is a Realtor(r)," or "I have a cousin that is licensed  . . ."

Yeah, scary I know!

But even scarier . . . are licensed agents that don't do anything in real estate.

You think I'm making it up . . . how many real estate agents do you know who have gotten into the business within the last few years who have not done any substantial transactions to date? Riding on others' coat-tails and posing . . . and the only deal they can talk about is the one they were in -- when they bought their home, if you know what I mean.

Active Rain is a good vehicle to gauge experience and authentic real estate knowledge.  A seasoned and/or knowledgable agent is not too hard to find, or discern.  Sadly, there are some on Active Rain and other social media networks that probably wouldn't be able to sell, or buy, their way out of a paper bag. 

Read their blogs. 

• Is there any substantive discourse of real estate in their blogs?
• Are their posts only social in nature and/or waste-o-time blogs?
• Do they even blog about real estate?
• Have they put a deal or transaction together in the past month (on their own without the help of the broker in charge or sucker mentor)
• Do they only post pictures of flowers, trees, their kids . . . but don't post their listings?
• And if they don't post listings (because as an Exclusive Buyer Agent I wouldn't) do they talk about deals they've done, anecdotal information . . .  ANYTHING to do with them actually working in real estate??

The I.R.S. defines real estate as a "hobby" (or any business activity for that matter) where there is no income derived from that activity.

There are a lot of Realtor(s), and real estate agents who talk loud, while saying absolutely nothing.  They use the social media platform and expand like a balloon full of hot air, 

Sure, newbies . . . using social media to assist and gain a presence is all viable and legitmate.  But, any blogs that do not contain substanitive discourse of real estate might be pissing on your leg and telling you it's raining, in my humble opinion.

This is a test.