An Overseas Buyer Finds one of our Listings on Zillow and Makes the Phone Ring

I haven't had a lot of nice things to say about Zillow in the past, but I have to give them credit for what looks like a promising buyer inquiry. Today, I received an email from an American citizen living in the Malay Archipelago region. He has been browsing Lake Superior homes on Zillow and came across one of our Madeline Island waterfront listings that he found intriguing.

Apparently, this buyer prospect first found us on Zillow, but he has also been watching our virtual tours on YouTube and elsewhere. The virtual tours seem to have gotten his attention. I can tell when a buyer prospect has looked at a property tour many, many times..they always seem to be very familiar with the home's interior, in great detail.

A presence on Zillow could be considered just another tool in an agent's marketing toolkit, but it's not one I'd overlook. Whether you love Zillow or not, whether you agree with the "zestimates" or regardless of what you think about site aggregators selling territories to whatever agent has the cash to buy them, you'd have to agree that a lead is a lead. And some leads are better than others.

Top Posts of 2011 - Madeline Island Real Estate Blog by Broker Eric Kodner, Madeline Island Realty

Looking back over the year 2011, it's appropriate that we recap the year. As a part of that recap, I wanted to list what I considered to be our most thought-provoking (and most read) ActiveRain posts of the past year.

Here's my list:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2619456/sellers-have-you-considered-all-your-alternatives-

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2590627/the-risks-of-working-with-a-seasonal-agent

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2589959/fewer-realtors-fewer-working-agents-more-part-time-agents-what-this-could-mean-to-buyers-and-sellers

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2591027/what-exactly-do-you-mean-by-number-one-

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2527916/if-you-liked-it-then-you-should-have-made-an-offer-on-it

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2467322/does-your-listing-need-real-estate-cpr-

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2495103/praise-from-a-professional-photographer

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1763452/professionals-share-their-knowledge-amateurs-hoard-what-little-they-know

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2467342/the-invisible-listing-and-the-seller-who-puts-up-with-being-invisible

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2066770/madeline-island-featured-in-wall-street-journal-real-estate-section-along-with-cape-cod-hilton-head-palm-beach-the-poconos-and-the-hamptons

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2432940/here-s-the-number-one-reason-to-google-your-address-if-you-want-to-sell-your-madeline-island-home

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2408549/will-your-agent-drive-250-miles-to-write-your-offer-on-a-madeline-island-home-

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2548139/supersizing-your-marketing-may-boost-sales

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2524731/a-referral-from-minneapolis-real-estate-agent-cotty-lowry-shows-why-other-real-estate-professionals-choose-madeline-island-realty

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2524822/what-makes-a-dwelling-a-cabin-or-a-summer-home-

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2583066/praise-from-a-fellow-minnesota-crs-board-member-and-minnesota-realtor-colleague

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2620699/how-to-classify-madeline-island-lakeshore-property-by-bank-height-and-shoreline-features

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2647849/the-challenges-of-staging-a-home-for-sale-in-a-remote-second-home-area-or-recreational-destination

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2620360/more-information-about-renting-your-madeline-island-home-what-kind-of-dwelling-should-you-buy-if-you-want-to-maximize-rental-income-

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2618081/are-agents-giving-unauthorized-access-to-listings-

More Outstanding Minnesota Economic News - Minnesota Unemployment Rate Drops Again in November

The good news just keeps on coming.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reported that the State unemployment rate dropped again in November of 2011, to 5.9%. The current unemployment rate reflects a one-half percentage drop from the month of October.

Minnesota's jobless rate is now nearly three percentage points below the national average unemployment rate of 8.6%.

The November jobless report follows a reported $876 Million budget surplus for the current biennium.

Sooner or later, the pattern of good economic news in Minnesota should help to usher in a healthier recreational real estate market in neighboring Wisconsin.

 

Clear Indications That the Minnesota Economy is Improving

 

Ten days ago, the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper reported that the State's jobless rate has fallen to 6.4% in October, down half of one percent.

Today, the newspaper published a November Minnesota economic forecast which surprisingly estimates an $876 Million surplus for the rest of the current biennium.

A surplus?  Minnesota is in the black? 

It seems to be the case that things are better than forecast earlier, following a period of education cuts and other austerity measures.  In other words, the Minnesota economy is improving.  More than one indicator points to factors which should influence job growth and a brighter housing future.

 

 

 

 

Veterans Book Project Explored at Minnesota IFP Center for Media Arts

The Minnesota IFP Center for Media Arts is currently hosting the photographic exhibition "Unshared Sacrifice" at its gallery space, located near the intersection of University Avenue and Highway 280.

Yesterday evening, the exhibition was enhanced by a 7 p.m. discussion about Monica Haller's Veterans' Book Project, a library archive of books written by veterans, their family members, journalists and others with a first-hand knowledge and experiece in America's current and recent wars. The discussion was moderated by author Philip Studer, who was joined in the panel by authors Chante Wolf and Aaron Heusinkveld.

Several of the authors were present to talk about their books. The discussions were riveting and the subject matter was occasionally disturbing.

Outside the room where the panel discussion was held, quotes from the authors are on exhibit, as well as photographs from Iraq and Afghanistan contributed by Monica Haller and Teri Fullerton. A reading room is available to visitors, with copies of the books written by the authors of the Veterans' Book Project.

Also present at the event last evening was a representative from Senator Amy Klobuchar's office who spoke briefly about veterans' issues.

I learned about the Veterans Book Project from my friend Vance Gellert, who is Curator of Photography for the Minnesota IFP Center for Media Arts. Vance was on Madeline Island this past summer and I hope to see him on the Island again in 2012!