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© 2010 CB Blog Estate
Darrin Friedman is an employee of NRT, LLC inc however, all comments made on this site are his opinions and his alone and not a reflection on the company.
Don’t Go Crazy
Today is June 30th and I know what everyone is thinking: how in the world are you going to get done all the things you need to get done today so every thing closes the way it’s supposed to before the deadline of midnight tonight?
The answer? Trust the universe, because you know what, panicking about it won’t help the situation.
The fact is we have all known today was coming – but what is going to get us all through it is calm, and trust in ourselves that we have done everything right all along.
Convinced? Probably not?
That’s okay.
The point is, for what it’s worth, I want you to know I believe we will all collectively make it through the day. And, just like most other deadlines in our lives, by tomorrow, it just won’t seem to have been all that bad.
The 3 Stupid Things Leader do and How to fix them
Very recently, I sent an email to some of my agents, hoping I would inspire them to increase performance in a certain portion of their business. Though, in the past I have been successful in this method, I wasn’t in this case, and I seriously ruffled some feathers. 
As a leader, I often find myself walking a fine line. I want to inspire but sometimes find myself having to be tough in the process. However, tough does not mean thoughtless.
Therefore, here are 3 ways to avoid making critical mistakes:
1. Stop with the email: When you put something in writing it is there forever – so why do we do it? We, as Real Estate leaders should always make an effort to speak to people face to face rather than put down an emotional response that can be misinterpreted.
2. The Individuals feelings really matter: Though it can be difficult, we usually know our agents well enough to anticipate how they will react. If you think they will react a certain way, they usually will, and convincing yourself otherwise is usually not going to help. If you think what you write MIGHT hurt someone’s feeling then DON’T do it!
3. Wait until the next day: Unless you are dealing with a fire that will literally burn down your brokerage, the email you want to send can wait until the next morning. Sleep on the thing. If you wake up and still want to send it, then that’s another story. Usually by the next day you won’t feel the same way and you will edit out what ever it was that made such a mess.
Anyway, these are just a couple of fixes that had I employed myself I would have made things easier on those I hurt, and would have avoided momentary chaos. I hope you can use them before you need them.
May 2010 Washington DC, Single Family Homes
Download Full Report here:
Washington DC Single Family Home May Market Report
What people still don’t understand about Whuffie – and finding those who do!
Now that it seems that everyone and their Mother is on essentially every social networking platform their seems to be a growing disconnect between those who claim to know and those who claim to not. In RE alone, we are inundated with solicitations on how to become the best at SEO or how to become the learned in the ways of this way or that…
Indeed, I have found it unbelievably frustrating that my Twitter and FB presence have become the opportunity for the worst of us to try and dominate me with shear volume of virtual crap – hoping on their part I am sure, that I will eventually break down and buy their services.
Recently I went to a RE BarCamp and I was reminded of something. Just how wonderful a community can be when we understand the real essence of what should be our purpose in the social networking space: to meet, to share, to listen, and to serve!
When you look at the best of us, it’s no wonder why they are who they, and why they have such an amazing outreach among the larger community as a whole.
Here are a couple of people who’s search for Whuffie an help all of us learn the most important lesson of all: if you can’t stop talking how will you ever grow.
1. Jeff Turner @respres
I do not think a day goes by without Jeff teaching someone something. Whether it is a review on a new service know even knows about yet, or a quick poll on Twitter that makes us think about our virtual morality, Jeff Turner is the best example of Whuffie out there. For those lucky to enough to listen, how could you not learn.
2. Ines Hegedus-Garcia @ines
Ines is a brilliant marketer. But how often is it that someone who is so good at something shares so willingly. Known for her site 
http://www.miamism.com , she is never unwilling to speak to anyone and if you follow her on Twitter you will find she more gracious and friendly to perfect strangers than most people are to those in their own offices. She is simply one of those people you must follow and thank – because it will take no time at all to pick up on her very special skills.
3. Sherry Chris @BHGRE_Sherry
Here it is…Sherry is a major big wig. What makes her special? You would never know it. Sherry has redefined an entire brand through social media in
almost no time at all, making it look almost easy, yet, she’ll have time to chat with people like me on strategy and ideas. There is a reason she is considered a national leader; and if there was a national figure head of Whuffie for RE executives, she would surely be the President of it.
4. Heather Elias @locoheather
So here is the thing about Heather. She is not only one of the coolest people I know, but the smartest; and there is a reason why she is asked to speak 
at essentially every major industry conference. But her willingness to share her ideas, her willingness to ask questions of those who may not have our best intentions in mind, make her an amazing resource to any one who really wants to understand the pulse of those who take RE and social media seriously. My advice? Follow her and learn something.
5. Maya Paveza @mayaREguru
Oh, Maya, how my heart does bleed for thee. Here’s the thing about Maya – love her or hate her she knows what the hell she is talking about, and if 
you don’t want to pay attention to her because you don’t like the delivery, then you may want to reconsider priorities. After all, learning from those who share should not always be phrases of honey dipped oratory. Sometimes, it’s hard, in-your-face and RIGHT.
Harry Reid’s Last stand? A First time Home Buyer Tax credit extension
The Senate, by a 60-37 vote, today approved an amendment Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) offered to the tax extenders bill that would extend the first time homebuyer tax credit. The amendment would extend the date by which a homebuyer must close on a home from June 30, 2010 to Sept. 30, 2010 in order to qualify for the credit. The cost of the amendment would be offset by denying tax deductibility for punitive damages.
The Senate, by a 45-52 vote, defeated a side-by-side amendment offered by Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) that also would have extended the closing date from June 30, 2010 to Sept. 30, 2010. His amendment would have been be offset through the use of unobligated stimulus funds.
A unanimous consent agreement reached earlier by the Senate established a 60 vote threshold for approval of each of the amendments.
A copy of the Reid amendment is down-loadable below.
Circular 230 disclosure: Any U.S. tax advice contained in the body of this e-mail was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by the recipient for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code or applicable state or local tax law provisions.
What you need to know when you list a house after a rental
by Don Denton, Branch Vice President Capitol Hill
In the District, if you own a residential rental property, IT MUST BE REGISTERED AS EXEMPT (OR NOT) FROM RENT CONTROL.
Where we run into problems is with harry homeowner who gets transferred to Chicago and decides not to sell but to rent his home or condo until he returns. At some point he decides he isn’t coming back and he calls you to list. When you are interviewing a prospective client(a seller) and the property is tenanted, the first words out of your mouth should be, have you properly registered the property as a rental. This means that at some point he went to DCRA and registered as exempt or not exempt from rent control.
That probably also triggered a Basic Business License. If he didn’t and everything goes swimmingly, than life is good. However, if it is a single family property the likelihood is nearly 100% that the new buyer will want to occupy and you will have to give the existing tenants a notice to vacate. The notice to vacate has a blank for the “exemption number.” Without that number, you can not give a legitimate notice to vacate. You can write in “applied for” or leave it blank. It could then get bounced back from DC or, more likely if the tenant/landlord relationship has gone south, a smart tenant advocacy type will immediately notice the lack of an exemption number and thus a defective notice. Besides screwing up your settlement, the tenant has just been handed a loaded pistol and the landlord could be subject to repayment of up to three years of rent he has collected. A lot of money.
If the property has not been properly registered, your seller can do one of several things. A. Wing it and hope it all works out. B. Consult with an attorney (Irene Lindner 202-429-8888 x 102) and follow her advise. C. Call an expediter (Scott Hammer 202-302-0342) and get the building registration straight before you list it. Could take 3 to 4 weeks(requires a property inspection). D. Negotiate an agreement with the tenants(and hope they abide by it). Basically cash for keys and have them agree to be out by a date certain. Make sure in this agreement they agree to execute any necessary tenant purchase forms and any TOPA affidavits required by the title company. Failing to deal with this can place you in a very ugly situation.
DC 365
Day One: Walking Constitution Avenue
Washington, DC is the seat of our nation’s government. Home to some of the most powerful men and women in the world.
Washington, DC is a city steeped in tradition whose majesty is unrivaled by any other in the country.
To its residents, Washington is something more. It’s a city that is rich in cultural diversity. It’s a place to get immersed in history. It’s a place to see, to explore, and to experience. It’s the place we call home.
We welcome you to share in the treasures our great city has to offer, one beautiful, delicious morsel at a time.
Today we are exploring Constitution Avenue:
The Photo Album can be found on our Facebook page below:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/365-Things-to-do-in-Washington-DC/117171691633368?v=app_2309869772
HAFA is this coming Monday, April 5
The implementation date for the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program of the Federal Government (HAFA) is this coming Monday, April 5. The purpose of HAFA is to streamline, the short sale process.
Any servicer that is already a participant in HAMP (Home Affordable Modification Program), is now required to participate in HAFA. A list of servicers participating in HAMP (including HAFA) is found in the following link:
http://www.makinghomeaffordable.com/contact_servicer.html
The program is complex, but in summary, for sellers in a short sale, the banks are required to offer a short sale option (in lieu of foreclosure) to the borrower. The offer takes the form of the “Short Sale Agreement”, which spells out the net proceeds required for a short sale to be approved.
1. First, here is a link to a 15-minute video on HAFA (sponsored by NAR), which gives an overview of the program and what to expect:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid74425227001
2. Second, here is a link to a webinar (also from NAR), which is 30 minutes of instruction and 15 minutes of Q and A, which goes into more detail about the program:
https://realtors.webex.com/realtors/lsr.php?AT=pb&SP=EC&rID=40179517&rKey=d806efbe9f3baa3e
3. HAFA Documents
Also, I want here is a PDF of the HAFA brochure provided by the National Association of Realtors, as well a letter for consumers that can be sent to their mortgage holder:
Conclusion…we’re all a bit confused but that’s part of the brave new world. If you have any questions at all, never hesitate to call! I am always at your service.
You’re God, now go sell a damn house!
I know what you’re thinking. I’ve lost my head. I’ve gone nuts. Trust me – I haven’t.
You see, I have been reading a lot in the last few weeks and as a result I have become very contemplative about how and why I do what I do; why and what I say what I say; and, perhaps most vitally, who and why I am who I am.
Confused? Let’s start again.
POINT 1 :
I have recently re-read Dr. Wayne Dyer’s “Excuses Be Gone”, and let me tell ya, it’s kind of mind blowing and should be required reading for the CE Class called life.
Now, he focuses on a great many things, helping the reader understand that regardless of the lifetime of excuses you have made for yourself – these excuses are no-more than a fictitious, virus corrupting our mind which prevents us from realizing our purpose while we are here.
What’s that purpose? To fulfill a passionate and meaningful life through the way we live and work.
“Whoa!” you say, “Am I a nut job or what! ” I hope not. The reality is, I am full of the viruses that have corrupted me from a lifetime of self-doubt; I think we all are. Dr. Dyer believes that we have the very real power to create a reality for ourselves based on our mind set – and through that very “divine power” we can make things happen regardless of excuse or the external circumstances that we tell ourselves we can’t control.
Convinced yet?
POINT 2:
Well it’s taken a few weeks to set in but the fact is I’m starting to grasp what he is trying to say. In us we have the power – the real godlike power – to manifest our own destiny by simply believing in ourselves. So, in that spirit…I now give you official permission to have an amazing rest of 2010!
I premitt you to out perform your competition and double your sales from first quater! “How can I say this? I don’t even know you,“ you say.”
The answer is I don’t have to. The only thing that matters is that you believe you can – that you know you can! It is by knowing and believing in your abilities, and by being open to them, that you will have the kind of results you believe you should have because you have a power in you that is truly magnificent.
Feel better? I thought you might. After all, it’s up to you now. So, get out there and sell a damn house!
