Certainly there is one thing anyone can anticipate at the summation table when you are buying a house and this is the demand regarding a liability insurance policy. Similar to the prerequisite intended for auto insurance coverage any time you're changing automobile titles and acquiring automobile tags in most states, you'll discover which mortgage loan providers are determined to make sure you have proof of insurance protection at closing. more...
The way banks and mortgage lenders decide whether to make loans on certain houses with a certain value is not really a mysterious process, although you don't hear much from them while you're waiting for an appraisal and for a loan commitment. It can be a long, tiresome wait!
Mortgage lenders use a specific criteria to determine whether you are personally qualified for a mortgage, which all has to do with the ratio of your debts to your income. But the other part of their determination uses different criteria, it is all about the appraised value of the house, it's not about you at all. more...
Whenever I get ready to sell a house I have to provide my buyer with a form of guarantee that I really own the house and that there are no liens against it. Even if the buyer doesn't really know or care about these things, they are actually very important to him. That's why lawyers and title companies research the legal history of a property thoroughly on behalf of the current owner before a property is sold to a new owner. Everyone wants to know, especially his lender if the new owner is borrowing money, that the "chain of title" is clear. more...
The highlight for me was re-uniting with my blogging buddies I had already met and meeting many for the first time: Missy Caulk, Shannon LeFevre, Brad & Bobby Carroll, Kim Wood, Jeff Dowler, Laurie Manny, Tina Merritt, Mike Mueller, and so many others. From Active Rain I met Rich Jacobsen and Brad Andersohn for the first time. more...
What's really happening in local housing markets, and is the media making things look worse than they are (despite what earlier ConnectSF panelists said)? Compare your forecast the bottom of the market against this blue chip group ConnectSF panelists. Quick poll
http://tinyurl.com/5c9qk2
Slow markets provide opportunities for change if there is a clear vision of next steps. What's yours?
Moderated by: Ilyce Glink, Syndicated Columnist and President, Think Glink, Inc.
Panelists:
Alex Perriello, CEO, Realogy Franchise Group
Joel Singer, EVP, CAR more...
Are real estate portals costing you money for leads you could generate yourself, or do they deliver an ROI that justifies your ad expenditures?
Do you think these first generation movers are keeping up with internet consumers? Are they keeping up with your needs, particularly the need to turn leads into conversion?
As the slow market shrinks marketing budgets, have you written off online leads all together? If not, what's generating the best return on investment -- and how long do you have to wait to see it? ie. how long before YOUR leads turn into closings?
Panelists: more...
14 million listings in the pipeline and world citizens with bags full of money? Did comments from these panelists expand your frame of reference for international buyers? What are the obstacles to getting started? Let's continue this discussion of tactics and technology that can be used to reach consumers who are thousands of miles away. We're particularly interested in hearing from Inman community members who are overseas.
Panelists:
Brendan Walsh, Advertising Director, The New York Times
Douglas de Jager, Co- Founder, DotHomes.com
Simon Baker, CEO & Managing Director, REA Group more...
Want to change real estate forever? Take part in this interactive session that places you inside a one-hour think tank to help cook up the killer brokerage model of the future.
Group 1: What would the physical brokerage office of the future look like? Come up with top three things
Group 2: Rethinking the virtual brokerage of the future look like, and how would it interact with the consumer?
Group 3. What would the business model of the future look like, between the broker and the agent? What could compensation look like, commission splits, more...
Brad Inman's favorite panel, the new kids on the block:
Here are live notes taken during the session, with URLs & emails for all seven presenters.
http://realestatecafe.pbwiki.com/New-Ideas
Overall thoughts / questions: Will any of these new ventures empower web savvy home buyers or sellers to save money? With one in five mortgage upside down, won't cutting transaction costs become increasingly important? why weren't innovative money-saving business models, like http://ProOffer.com, on the panel -- particularly since they were featured as a lead story earlier this week: more...
The Housing Debate: Bull vs. Bear
Where are we in this housing cycle? Has recovery started or is it just beginning to show signs? Is there hope for an uptick by the end of the year? Join a lively debate between housing bulls and bears who present differing views of housing's future.
Panelists:
Avram Goldman, President & CEO, Pacific Union GMAC Real Estate
CR, Real Estate Analyst, Calculated Risk
Dottie Herman, President & CEO, Prudential Douglas Elliman
John Williams, Economist, Shadowstats.com
Noah Rosenblatt, Founder, UrbanDigs.com
Yves Smith, Author, NakedCapitalism.com more...
Brad Inman describing three mega-trends that are creating a Nomadic Culture:
Universal wireless, the mobile phone, and the cloud
The mobile phone, internet enabled, works off the cloud, is reorganizing and liberating the use of physical space?
How will that impact real estate?
More home, less office?
More social space, less privacy
Wireless access is dissolving the home office, too. Just open up your laptop, and start working on your couch.
One of my questions is whether increased energy and commuting costs will undermine the Nomadic Culture? more...
Cyber audience, here's your chance to send in a question for any Blogger Connect speaker and extend today's conversation into the future:
OPENING QUESTION:
What's the best way for bloggers to work with older clients who are "tech challenged?"
Blog Plateau Syndrome: What is stalling your ability to take your blog to the next level? What is the next level for you?
Following ConnectSF online? Can you feel the high energy these leading real estate bloggers are generating? Help us extend the conversation online and after this session ends:
Growing Pains: Take Your Blog to the Next Level
Going the distance and maintaining your blog.
Moderated by: Jeff Turner, President, Real Estate Shows
Panelists:
Jim Cronin, Owner/Author, Real Estate Tomato
Dustin Luther, Founder, 4Realz.net Consulting more...
Got a question about what to say, what not to say on your blog? Now is the time to add them to this Blogger Connect discussion of legal and copyright issues.
Post them below, and we'll try to get the panelist below to address them during this important session or ask them to respond later to this community discussion:
Blogging Pitfalls: How NOT to Get Sued
What to say? What not to say? Dealing with legal and copyright issues.
Moderated by: Joseph Ferrara, Publisher, Sellsius
Panelists:
Ardell DellaLoggia, Author, RainCityGuide.com more...
Foreclosure Landscape: A Look at Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Headed
Moderator: Bernice Ross, we have the numbers people here, who's numbers should we trust?
The lead story in the San Francisco Chronicle says that the foreclosure rate in California is the worst in 20 years?
Some economists say that 20% of mortgages are now is "upside down," and a year from now, that number could rise to 40%?
Who and what do you believe?
What's happening in your local market, and how do you track those numbers?
LIVE NOTES FROM FORECLOSURE WORKSHOP:
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Where’s the Risk?
Panelist: Harold Justman, Attorney-at-Law, Fimmel, Justman & Rible
Beware lethal listings agreements! The risk associated with selling REO properties is the product itself, and whether it is defective. 50% of REOs have defects. When you have a buyer who is unable to afford a mortgage, you have a property with substantial defects.
Risk of sale of a defective property is that a buyer sues. In recognition of property defects, lenders are requiring listing agents to be property managers. more...
LIVE NOTES FROM FORECLOSURE WORKSHOP:
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Where’s the Risk?
Panelist: Harold Justman, Attorney-at-Law, Fimmel, Justman & Rible
Beware lethal listings agreements! The risk associated with selling REO properties is the product itself, and whether it is defective. 50% of REOs have defects. When you have a buyer who is unable to afford a mortgage, you have a property with substantial defects.
Risk of sale of a defective property is that a buyer sues. In recognition of property defects, lenders are requiring listing agents to be property managers. more...
KICK-OFF QUESTION:
What moral obligation do real estate professional have to the foreclosure marketplace? What can we do to create and maintain values in neighborhoods What can we do stabilize neighborhoods?
Panelists exploring interest rate buy-downs, as alternative to distressed sales, because that solution does not have a negative impact on value of properties in local neighborhoods.
Things are heating up as panelists and audience members debate whether real estate agents can or should help homeowners facing foreclosures keep their homes.
Opinions vary sharply about what percent of loans are renegotiated; one panelist says under 10%, another says over 60%. What's really happening in your local housing market, and are real estate agents playing any role in that success or failure? more...
Most foreclosures in at least 20 years
http://tinyurl.com/5pv346
The same day San Francisco Chronicle headline says foreclosures in California are at the highest point in 20 years, foreclosure panelists described a complex disposition process that is further complicated by multiple players, legal issues, squatters, and a bewildering "short sales" process.
With lenders handing out 1,000's of listings per month, one speaker said, "If you are an agent today, and you are not in the foreclosure market, you are really not in the market." more...
Greetings and Salutations.
Why an I attending Connect?
To experience the paloozaesque, Realtor Digerati, Bourbon Street Style Schmooze-Fest of the year - shiny digital beads and thought particle pearls, balcony thrown to a raucous crush of early adopters, bloggers, uber achievers, today's leaders, tomorrows legends and the cat curious.
Plus, I'm looking forward to meeting in-person all the cool people I've followed, read, watched and twittered with.
Plus I'm always curious to see what new majestic wow-we, whiz-bang, no-way ideas, tools, toys and services are announced. more...
Hey everyone,
With Connect so near I wrote a post about getting the most out of conferences. I'd love feedback on it (public or private). Basically it's about setting some goals and being able to communicate them to people you meet. Here's the link:
Getting the most out of conferences.
Daniel, the Real Estate Zebra, here. I'm very much looking forward to attending connect this year. I had a blast in NYC in January. I'll be on a panel on Bloggers Connect about "taking your blog to the next level." For anyone who is interested in blogging and social media, you are definitely going to want to make time to attend Bloggers Connect. The line-up of topics and panelists looks phenomenal.
Hi, I'll be attending from New Zealand where I run the leading portal www.realestate.co.nz as well as author the blog "Unconditional - the impartial voice of the industry" at www.realestate.co.nz/blog.
This will be my 3rd Connect, and hopefully I will bring with me other kiwis converted to the value of Connect.
Hi, I'm the Creative Director at Inman News. I'll be the tall guy running the microphones at the General Sessions. Let me know what you think about the Program Guide and/or the Event section of the Web site, and if there is any way we can make it work better for you.
Would love to hear any feedback on our new Web site also!
Hi, Brad Inman here.
My speech at Connect this year will focus on the Nomad Culture, created by three trends: wi-fi, powerful mobile phones and web services, unleashing people from offices and legacy commitments and creating new forms of community and gathering holes.
Any stories, insights, etc. would be welcome.
Hello -- I'm a reporter for Inman News covering mortgage, title insurance and real estate services. It's great to meet people face-to-face at Connect. Whether you are planning to break news or just want to say hello, let me know ahead of time and maybe we can find a time to meet (see my contact info here).
Hey, folks! I'm the author of "Save My Home: 10 Steps to Avoiding Foreclosure", and formerly a residential agent, college R.E. professor, and escrow trainer. (I've also written real estate articles for Inman News and the San Francisco Chronicle.)
I'd love to talk with folks on the front lines of government- and nonprofit-based foreclosure counseling to understand angles I missed when writing the book. Also, I'm happy to meet with anyone who has a need for custom-written books or other materials. See you there!
I'm the Marketing Director for Inman News; as well as I blog on the Future of Real Estate Marketing and occasionally I pop up on an InmanTV interview or two. I'm the guy with the shaved head who'll be running around like a mad man for the 3 days during Connect, but I'd love to meet you there - feel free to grab me if you see me.
