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An Open Letter to Manuel Contreras-Galdean
2009-09-24 00:42:00
Mr. Contreras-Galdean: On November 15, 2008, you killed Kelly Tracy. Kelly was 16 years old when you decided to get behind the wheel of a car with a blood alcohol level of 0.192 ? more than twice the legal limit ? at six-thirty in the morning. This was, according to some reports, the third time you?ve been ...
More About: Life , Open , Letter , Open Letter

Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension: Yet another bill introduced
2009-09-21 18:56:00
Back in June, I wrote an article, Home buyer Tax Credit to be Extended? Expanded? That article linked to five bills that were circulating in the House and Senate that would either extend and / or expand the existing $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers that is currently set to expire on Nov 30 (keep in mind a home purchase transaction must be closed by Nov 30 to qualify). As of this writing (Sept 21, 2009) all five of those proposed bills are still stuck in committee. However, a sixth bill to extend the tax credit was introduced in the Senate last week. Senate Bill S1678 extends the existing first-time homebuyer tax credit to June 1, 2010. It makes no changes to the requirement that one must be a first time buyer (defined as not owning a home in the last three years) or to income limits that currently exist in the current law. Here’s what I find interesting about this latest attempt to extend the tax credit S. 1678 is co-sponsored by Senator Johnny Isakson (R–GA). “So ...
More About: Buyer , Extension

Hosting Change on Phoenix Real Estate Guy
2009-09-20 02:18:00
I just flipped the big virtual switch. We’re now hosted with Rackspace Cloud. The name servers could take a day or so to propagate, so you could be served up from either Media Temple or Rackspace over the weekend. This could produce some wonkyness in regards to comments – if someone gets the MT version and comments, those that get the RS version won’t see them. And vice versa. It should all be sorted out very soon. If you see something broken completely, please let me know! You are currently on the new Rackspace server
More About: Hosting , Estate , Real Estate , Phoenix , Change

Huntington National Bank: Are you freaking kidding me? From deep with the W
2009-09-18 16:21:00
Dear Huntington National Bank - The addendum you are requiring potential home buyers to sign before you will even look at their offer is, in my opinion, ludicrous and borders on criminal. I’ve seen a lot of banks put a lot of asinine things in their addendums that makes me question whether you people have a lick of sense, but you guys win the grand prize. You all should be ashamed of yourselves and you should fire whoever wrote this load of bullshit you’re requiring people to sign. Good luck with your attempts to fleece home buyers, Jay Thompson —– That’s the letter I’m about to send to Huntington National Bank, the Arizona Association of Realtors, the National Association of Realtors, my elected officials, the AZ Department of Real Estate, the Attorney General’s office and anyone else I can think of. Go read Heather Barr’s article on ThePhoenixAgents.com, Wrong on So Many Levels. Seriously, read it. Heather outlines some absolutely ridiculous term...
More About: Kidding , Deep

What You Won’t Learn By Watching TV
2009-09-17 09:02:00
Warning: Mortgage Rambling Ahead. From the Inbox: Hello, I working with a reporter at <Insert National TV/Media Company Here> tomorrow on a story that is essentially a consumer’s guide to finding the lowest possible mortgage rates with a focus on the difference in rates between smaller community banks and the larger banks. Why are smaller banks often able to offer lower rates and is there any tradeoff between going with a smaller bank vs a larger one? We have some theories – mainly that community banks have less overhead and are therefore are likely willing to take a lower margin but just wanted to get some other opinions. Boy, did she just open up a can of worms there. In plain English: How do consumers get the best deal on a mortgage? My reply: In the mortgage business, you have mortgage brokers, mortgage bankers and federally chartered banks. Mortgage brokers are just that — they don’t loan their own money, they just broker the deals out. Mortgage banks len...
More About: Watching , Learn

Want a Ubertor Website for a Year? For a DOLLAR?
2009-09-16 01:43:00
Thanks to the folks at Ubertor, a terrific real estate web site provider, not one, not two, but THREE lucky readers of Phoenix Real Estate Guy will get a complete Ubertor Premium site for a year for the ridiculous price of one dollar. That’s no typo. Win a website for a year for a buck. Here’s how the Ubertor Site for a Buck contest works: 1) Shoot a video explaining “Why I need (deserve, want or desire) an Ubertor web site�. You don’t need any fancy pants video equipment. A Flip cam, a digital camera with video capability, whatever. Just shoot a short (less than two minutes) video showing why you need a cutting edge real estate web site from Ubertor. 2) Post a link to the video in the comments here, or post it on your blog and link back here. Either way will work. 3) Judges will pick three winners based on creativity, need, and the complete random whims of the judges. We’ll come to a consensus some way and announce the winners. 4) If currently have, or ever had, an Ub...
More About: Website , Dollar , Year

Thompson’s Realty Welcomes Nancy Hawkes
2009-09-15 05:44:00
Ever meet someone and just think, “I like this personâ€�? Sometimes you can’t even really place exactly why, you just know it when you meet them? Well, that’s Nancy Hawkes, the latest addition to the growing family at Thompson’s Realty . She didn’t want to do it, but here’s Nancy in her own words: Nancy Hawkes has worked previously with RE/MAX and Realty Executives. She is pleased to be part of the smaller, friendlier family at Thompson’s Realty. As a Tempe native and long term resident, Nancy knows and likes a lot of people, which enables her to work primarily by referral. She believes that providing excellent customer service and promoting her clients’ best interest is the only way to do business. Nancy’s husband, Rob, is a self-proclaimed computer nerd who writes the software tools that manages wide area networks for large corporations [Jay says, “Nerds are coolâ€�]. They have been married a long time and have three grown sons and five grandchildr...

Susan Boyle’s First Single – Wild Horses
2009-09-13 18:02:00
Now here’s something *completely* non-real estate related… If you’ve been connected at all to the Internet over the last six months or so, you’ve probably heard of Susan Boyle. The runner-up in Britain’s Got Talent TV show has an AMAZING voice. Her YouTube performance from episode 1 of BGT has been viewed over 29 million times. Her first single looks like it’s going to be a cover of the Rolling Stones Wild Horses , one of my all-time favorite songs. Here it is via IrishCentral.com. Crank up the speakers, this woman may not look like it, but good grief can she sing. [See post to watch Flash video] Susan Boyle… living proof you should never, ever “judge a book by its coverâ€�…  
More About: Single

Upcoming Events: RE Blog World and Phoenix Business and Professional Womenâ
2009-09-13 05:42:00
Two cool events are coming up in October, and I’m excited to be speaking at both of them. Real Estate Blog World is being held in conjunction with the Blog World and New Media Expo 2009 in Las Vegas on Oct 15 – 17 (RE Blog World is the 15th). There is a great lineup for RE Blog World and the schedule for Blog World is jam packed. There are package deals available, and discounts end September 14, so hurry! On October 17 (yes, I’ll have to cut out of Blog World the night of the 16th) the Phoenix Business and Professional Women’s Foundation is holding a “Dive into Social Media Symposium�. The event is from 7:30am to 12:30pm at the Embassy Suites on the SE corner of 44th St and McDowell. Registration is $39, $29 if paid by Sept 19th. Hope to see some of you at these events!
More About: Events

September 11: Eighteen years ago
2009-09-11 17:24:00
As I type this memorial services are happening in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, PA and the names of almost 3,000 people murdered on September 11, 2001 are scrolling across the TV screen on Fox News. Eight years ago today, our lives changed. Everyone remembers where they were and what they were thinking on that day. Eighteen years ago today, On September 11 , 1991, my son James was born. Talk about a life changing moment! I’ll never forget witnessing the birth of my son, looking down at this beautiful baby and feeling overwhelmed with love while thinking, “Oh dear God. What do I do now?� Today he is legally** an adult, and I love him even more than I did eighteen years ago. I’m so proud of the man he’s become. We’ve had some great times, we’ve had some tough times. I think I did some things right as a parent, and I know I did more things wrong. But the kid turned out to be one hell of a human being, and I’m proud to call him my friend and my son. &nb...
More About: Years

Is Your Landlord In Foreclosure?
2009-09-08 08:13:00
As the number of foreclosures across the nation continues to set records, there is a sub-set of society that is being impacted that most people don’t first think of when they think of foreclosures… Renters. It is becoming more common for someone to have signed a rental agreement with a landlord who at some point during said agreement becomes delinquent and allows the property to go into foreclosure. What kinds of rights do you have if you are a renter in this situation? According to Valley Real Estate Attorney Christopher Combs, here is what is possible should your landlord go into foreclosure and you still have a period of time left on your lease: Under a new federal law that took effect May 20, the bank generally would have to honor the lease of bona-fide tenants. One of the exceptions to the new law is that if the bank sells the home to a buyer who will use the home as a primary residence, the bank can then furnish a 90-day notice of eviction to the tenants. In rega...
More About: Foreclosure

Foreclosures Top 1 Million, Record High Oil Prices, Unemployment Up, Dow Do
2008-06-07 00:27:00
Wowsa. It’s been a pretty brutal day for economic news: Foreclosures Hit Record High “Hysteria” Drives Oil to Record High Unemployment Up Sharply Nationwide (held its own in Arizona by the way) As such, the stock market took a pounding today, with the Dow losing 395 points (All the broad market indexes were down about 3% today). I’m a bit ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Foreclosures Top 1 Million , Record High Oil Prices, Unemployment Up, Dow Down 400 Points", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/fore closures-top-1-million-record-high-oil-pr ices-unemployment-up-dow-down-400-points/ 1038" });

Getting Value out of Social Networks: Dustin Luther Hosts Live Roundtable
2008-06-05 19:21:00
Dustin is hosting another live podcast / roundtable today at 4:00pm PST. The last one was on the NAR/DOJ settlement and was fantastic. This week?s topic is on ?Getting Value out of Social Networks ?. I?ll be on, as will others to be announced shortly. ALL can participate by listening and via live chat. Details are on 4Realz. UPDATE: Participating on the call was a ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Getting Value out of Social Networks : Dustin Luther Hosts Live Roundtable", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/gett ing-value-out-of-social-networks-dustin-l uther-hosts-live-roundtable/1037" });
More About: Blogging

Real Estate Blogging/Social Media/Twitter Meetup on Friday!
2008-06-05 19:07:00
Jeff Turner (aka ResPres, aka the “other” JT) of the fabulous Real Estate Shows (blog) is hosting a social meetup in Scottsdale on Friday, June 6 at 7:00pm.   If you’ve been involved in real estate social media for more than say, oh five minutes, you’ve probably seen Jeff’s presence. The man is everywhere. I’ve had the pleasure ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Real Estate Blogging/Social Media /Twitter Meetup on Friday!", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/real -estate-bloggingsocial-mediatwitter-meetu p-on-friday/1036" });
More About: Events

Depressing Photo of the Day
2008-06-05 05:06:00
First time I’ve seen gas at $4.00/gal in the East Valley. OK, technically it’s not $4. But it’s close enough. Saw it at $4.01 at the Basha’s on the corner of Elliot and Higley in Gilbert. Yesterday it was $3.94. Could have broken the $75 mark if I’d waited until tomorrow to fill up… Sigh. . ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Depressing Photo of the Day", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/depr essing-photo-of-the-day/1035" });
More About: Life

Facing Foreclosure in Arizona?
2008-06-05 02:44:00
Community Information & Referral has partnered with the Governor’s office and the Arizona Department of Housing to provide a 24 hour toll-free hotline for homeowners behind in their payments and/or facing foreclosure. The number is 1–877–448–1211.They can connect you with free home counseling services. The Arizona Department of Housing also has a “Preventing Foreclosure ” page that offers ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Facing Foreclosure in Arizona?", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/faci ng-foreclosure-in-arizona/1033" });

Headed Out to San Francisco, for the Inman Connect Weekday Show
2008-06-04 19:55:00
OK, so the title is a terrible play on Buffet’s “Come Monday”. Sorry… I finally booked my flight and hotel for Inman Connect San Francisco (July 23 – 25). Got a smoking deal on Expedia, flight plus four nights in the Parc 55 hotel just a couple of blocks from the festivities. The Hotel was $160/night. Single bed ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Headed Out to San Francisco, for the Inman Connect Weekday Show ", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/head ed-out-to-san-francisco-for-the-inman-con nect-weekday-show/1032" });
More About: Blogging

Heather Barr Joins The Butterworth Group at Thompson?s Realty
2008-06-04 02:57:00
Normally I would have let Chris Butterworth pen this announcement, but as he’s currently off in the land of Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy et al. you’ll see it here first. All of us at Thompson ’s Realty and The Butterworth Group at Thompson’s Realty are most pleased to announce that Heather Barr has joined our growing family. Heather ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Heather Barr Joins The Butterworth Group at Thompson’s Realty", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/heat her-barr-joins-the-butterworth-group-at-t hompsons-realty/1029" });
More About: Real Estate

The 93rd Carnival of Real Estate: Chow Time!
2008-06-03 00:07:00
Mexican food as a theme for the Carnival of Real Estate ?? Hey, it was the brainchild of Kelley Koehler, aka @housechick, aka NachoChick. I sent out a Twitter message for ideas, Kelley responded, and I like Mexican food. So we’re running with it. Deal with it. There were 23 submittals, down significantly from the last time I ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "The 93rd Carnival of Real Estate : Chow Time !", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/the- 93rd-carnival-of-real-estate-chow-time/10 26" });
More About: Arizona

Carnival of Real Estate
2008-06-02 19:59:00
We’re hosting the 93rd (93rd!!) edition of the Carnival of Real Estate today. This isn’t the results you were looking for. But they are coming later today, I promise!! Sorry for the delay, we’ve been busy with this new listing. Only 23 submittals this week, but there’s good stuff! Stay tuned. . ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Carnival of Real Estate ", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/carn ival-of-real-estate/1014" });
More About: Blogging

Marketing on Twitter
2008-06-01 21:11:00
This is a “tweet” I sent out last night. Within 4 minutes, 26 people had clicked on the link (It’s up to 64 this morning), which sent them to this photo: “So what?” someone is likely saying. 64 of your friends see a picture with no information about the home. How is that “marketing”? I just received a “Direct ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Marketing on Twitter ", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/mark eting-on-twitter/1013" });

Go Green. Buy A Shea Home At Trilogy. Get a Free Prius
2008-05-31 00:56:00
Shea Home s is giving away free hybrid Toyota Prius cars if you purchase a “green” home in Encanterra (in Queen Creek — WAY out in Queen Creek) or Trilogy at Vistancia (a 55+ community in Peoria) by June 15. Likely there are terms, conditions, restrictions and qualifications a mile long. (One favorite builder ploy is requiring the ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Go Green . Buy A Shea Home At Trilogy. Get a Free Prius", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/go-g reen-buy-a-shea-home-at-trilogy-get-a-fre e-prius/1008" });
More About: Shea

Thompson?s Realty Welcomes The Butterworth Group!
2008-05-30 02:00:00
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that The Butterworth Group has joined Thompson ’s Realty !Chris Butterworth, Steve Nicks and Heidi Alexander compose the Butterworth Group (currently…). They are fabulous agents, and even better people. From their home page: I have a very strong belief that lasting success can only come from working hard and treating everyone with genuine ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Thompson’s Realty Welcomes The Butterworth Group!", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/thom psons-realty-welcomes-the-butterworth-gro up/1006" });

Real Estate Blogging Talk
2008-05-29 16:28:00
First American Title is sponsoring a little session to “demystify” real estate blogging. If you’re in the Phoenix area and we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting face-to-face, here’s a chance. The only cost is you have to listen to me ramble about blogging for two hours… The real highlight is Mrs. Phoenix Real Estate ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Real Estate Blogging Talk ", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/real -estate-blogging-talk/1005" });

Testing Disqus Comment System
2008-05-29 10:03:00
Disqus.com I’ve seen it on a couple of blogs lately, so I thought I’d give it a whirl. What is it? Well. I’m not sure yet. According to their home page…. Boost your blog community by installing the DISQUS comment system Disqus makes your comments more interactive for readers and easier to manage for you ? ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Testing Disqus Comment System ", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/test ing-disqus-comment-system/1003" });
More About: Blogging

Meme?d By the Cactus
2008-05-28 23:11:00
Jamie Geiger at the Real Estate Cactus tagged me to play in the latest meme running around the real estate blog community. What’s a meme? Think a list of questions, usually somewhat personal, that propagate “virally” across the net.  These things are sort of goofy. But I have to admit, I enjoy reading them as they are a ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Meme ’d By the Cactus", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/meme d-by-the-cactus/1002" });
More About: Life , Blogging

The NAR and DOJ Come to Terms. Yawn.
2008-05-28 01:55:00
Back in 2005, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed suit against the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The two have apparently slugged it out long enough to reach a settlement. No real point in rehashing it all. To be honest, it’s really quite a snoozer — and basically meaningless in today’s world. VOWs (Virtual Office Website ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "The NAR and DOJ Come to Terms . Yawn.", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/the- nar-and-doj-come-to-terms-yawn/1000" });
More About: Real Estate

Canadian Buyers of Phoenix Real Estate: Consider a Foreign Currency Broker
2008-05-27 21:52:00
If you are Canadian and considering purchasing real estate in the US, you should love this chart: That would be a graphic representation of the value of the Loonie compared to the US Dollar. The more the line goes up, the more buying power in the U.S. you have. Right now, exchange rates are near historic ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Canadian Buyers of Phoenix Real Estate : Consider a Foreign Currency Broker", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/cana dian-buyers-of-phoenix-real-estate-consid er-a-foreign-currency-broker/999" });
More About: Real Estate

Last Day at the Beach
2008-05-25 16:36:00
The cell phone hasn’t rung since Thursday. I’ve got hundreds of emails (mostly spam). There are “1000+” unread blog posts in my feed reader. I haven’t even logged on to Twitter, much less sent a tweet in over 3 days. And I don’t want it to end. I wanna be a pirate. . ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Last Day at the Beach ", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/last -day-at-the-beach/995" });
More About: Life

Melson Speaks: Top 10 Reasons Your Home Isn?t Selling
2008-05-24 18:05:00
The ever brilliant Dan Melson posted yet another beauty this week, Top Ten Reasons Your Home Isn’t Selling . It’s a great take on many different factors in selling a home. Go forth and learn. . ...SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Melson Speaks: Top 10 Reasons Your Home Isn’t Selling", url: "http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/mels on-speaks-top-10-reasons-your-home-isnt-s elling/994" });
More About: Real Estate