Christine Bohn, Gainesville, FL Residential Realtor®

While driving out Millhopper Road yesterday, I saw the most unique Halloween decoration in someone's yard.....and I didn't have my camera with me. So, today I made sure I had my camera. I thought it rated a photo to share.

I don't know the owners that live in this home, but it sure get's "two thumbs up" for creativity !!

What a creative way to paint and decorate a roll of hay !! So take a drive out Millhopper Road and this home is on the south side before you get to CR 241. They deserve a decoration AWARD !

Educating Real Estate Agents On How To Use Modern Technologies To Better Their Business Will Never Be The Same!

On November 17th, 2009 dozens of the most respected educators in the real estate industry converge to host the first of its kind, Virtual Real Estate BarCamp.

Virtual Real Estate BarCamp is a 1-Day Learning Extravaganza.

From 9am until 4pm PST, three concurrent webinar "rooms" will each host 9 different sessions, for a total of 27 different presentations.

There is something for everyone and everything for someone, and best of all, IT IS FREE and attendance is unlimited!

Click below to:

Register.

Learn more.

See who is coming.

Check out the Session Calendar.

Get sponsorship info.

Attendance is projected to be at least 1000 agents, nationwide.

Do not miss out on being part of this ground-breaking event.

Session topics include:

1. Social Media Risk Management
2. Flickr for Real Estate
3. Developing Your Brand
4. Online Advertising Secrets
5. Facebook for Real Estate
6. WordPress Training
7. Daily Goal Tracking
8. Starting a Real Estate Blog

More sessions will be added before the event! And if that wasn't cool enough, individuals from around the country are volunteering to host In-Real-Life MeetUps for after the event.

Learn all day, and then meet to have a beer with local participants. This is going to be a blast!

I am registered, and I hope to see you there!

In my real estate career, there is always something new to learn about every day. I have a client that I helped lease a very nice home recently, and yesterday she called me to ask "why are people knocking on my door asking to see the home?" She told me the latest gentleman at the door, said its on Craigslist for rent.

I started snooping on Craigslist and sure enough.... there it was.....

The photos used in this ad were the same as a previous/valid ad done by the authorized property manager. It's all a matter of cut and paste for these scammers.

BUT....this is a Craigslist Scam - that is happening all over the country. Now it's hit Gainesville Florida!

I immediately responded to the Craigslist Ad via email asking about "WHO" posted this home "FOR RENT" and told them the home is NOT for rent. I received an "auto responder" type of email from them that did not answer any of my questions, and gave a lengthly sad story about how badly they needed to get a good tenant,asked me to fill in a very lengthy questionaire form asking for name, date of birth, SSN, and other personal questions.

Is this a way to "identity theft" ? Possible...and worrysome.

I contacted the professional property management firm to see if the email address on this Craigslist ad was the true owner or a relative. They said NO and told me this is a scam and some people have even sent money for 1st month rent and security to the scammer in exchange for keys! Apparently, the rental rates and deposit are lower than normal, and appear to be "great bargains"...but that potential renter is getting scammed. Share this info with your friends and family.

I flagged the Craigslist post, and it was taken down within 2 hours.

(Good for the Craigslist Cops !!)

I found more research online and here is a great post from another blogger that shows this has been happening everywhere in the USA!

Read more at their post also " WARNING: Craigslist Rental Scam"

Now that the SCAM AD is Down off Craigslist..... maybe the strangers will stop knocking on my client's door and peeking in their windows!!

Protect yourself, your property and your neighborhood.

Yep, it's still 92 degrees today. Ugggg, I am ready for fall weather. This is just one of many, Banana Spiders that have taken up lodging around my house. We always know we are at the end of summer when the Banana Spiders are as big as my hand (yes, a little exaggerated- but not much)....but sheesh these spiders just gross me out.

Yes, and this is the lady....the males are much smaller, and I think she eats him too. The webs are so strong, and they are in heaven now catching & eating all the love bugs.

In fact the webs are so big and strong they will knock you off your riding lawn mower. Fall weather with a good cool spell with make them all go away.......

I've been playing with my new camera.....and love it. Not a bad close up for an amateur photographer.

SAVE THE DATE!! It's that time of year again.....

RE/MAX Professionals Inc. proudly presentsthe 2009

"ART THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD" Our 8th Annual Childrens Art Auction.

The theme this year is "UNDER THE BIG TOP"

** This art is titled "The Circus Trio in Hats" by Chanz Marks, Age 9 (Acrylic on Canvas).

WHEN: Thursday, October 29, 2009

WHERE: UF Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute

* Special VIP Reception at 5:30 pm

* Live Auction Begins at 7:00 pm

Food, Music, Fine Art - Live and Silent Auction

$ 35.00 per Person or $ 50.00 per person for VIP Reception

All proceeds benefit our LOCAL Shands Kids & Childrens Miracle Network at Shands Childrens Hospital at the University of Florida

An anticipated 300 guests will enjoy catering provided by Carrabba's Italian Grill. Come Join Us!

Please call for additional information at (352) 265-7953 or 1-800-284-6472

I hope to see you there.....it's great fun.....great food.....and a great place to start your Holiday shopping!!

******** Written by Chris Bohn, RE/MAX Professionals Inc.