Who are real estate agents?
Well, according to the National Association of Realtors Member Profile for 2009 we are -
We embrace technology - email, pdf, smart phones, gps, instant messaging, computers. We are involved in our communities. We volunteer. And we Vote.
We would have to work 101 hours per week for 50 weeks a year at $7.25 minimum wage to earn the same amount. We love our family and friends. Real estate allows for a flexible schedule and we work hard. 43% of us work 40-60 hours per week.
We love what we do or we simply stop doing it. We are in the business of real estate not just being busy for the sake of being busy. Real estate is the one thing you can sell that everybody truly needs - shelter.
Are you ready to join in the real estate career?
The Real Estate Class is starting soon in Bedford and Portsmouth. Flexible schedule, no hidden costs, all books and materials included. Be ready to take the test in 10 sessions. Class guarantee allows you take the class as many times as you need to pass the test.
Sign up online at TheRealEstateClass.com
My nephew just recently deplyed to Iraq. We are looking to put together a care package for him. I thought I would find an easy list - boy was I wrong. So here is my list that I put together after visiting many sites and reading lots of blogs.
If I can give some ideas even for one soldier's family - I am happy....
Personal Care: (Think travel size)
Snacks & Treats:
Other Desirables:
Magazines:
Notes from us to the soldiers to let them know we are supporting them. They can hold a letter and read it again and again. They can't hold an email. You can include a self addressed envelope - you might get a pen pal.
Send small boxes - and check with the post office for the right way to mail them. Lots of mail calls makes a happy soldier.
Hidden risks of defects in the title can cost thousands in legal fees not to mention the stress and frustration. The best way to protect yourself is to purchase owner's title insurance. Notice I am saying owner's title insurance not lender's title insurance. If you have a mortgage on the property the bank will require you to buy the lender's policy. The owner's policy is optional and many buyer's think they can save some money by passing it by. This is not a good plan. Even the most meticulous search of the public records by a title attorney can miss hidden defects. The owner's title insurance policy pays the legal fees to defend your title in case of something missed. It is a one time charge that you see on the HUD at closing. Don't pass it up because it can protect you from the following errors -
Don't pass up owner's title insurance. Being penny wise and pound foolish could be a costly error when buying a house.
(c) Shannon Aldrich, Keller Williams Coastal Realty
Lockboxes - most real estate agents use them. Some are electronic, some combo (think school locker). There are various reasons to use them from ease of access for other agents showing the property to the agent always knowing where the key is. They are attached with a heavy shank to the door, side wall or fence. This small metal box becomes home to a key or two. The electronic ones can track the name of the agent who used it and what time they entered the property.The electronic lockboxes can also be programmed so that they only open at specified times. Or they can be programmed to open 24hours.
Why use a lockbox? Well, motivated Buyers do not want to wait to see a house or maybe your agent can't make it to all the showings on the new listing. They help by keeping a prospect motivated to see your house without the extra effort of picking up keys. If Buyers can't inspect a home at their convenience they just might move on to another house. Especially true for the out of town relocators on a tight schedule.
Even with an electronic lockbox, simple precautions should still be made to the home. Thefts are not commonplace, but even still, it is wise to eliminate temptation.
All real estate agents should go through a check list with their Sellers to make sure the process goes smoothly and the house gets sold!
(c) 2009 Shannon Aldrich, Keller Williams Coastal Realty Portsmouth NH
There is "gutter talk" and then there is "gutter talk"! Let's talk about the gutters on your home - the how and whys of keeping them clean. After a heavy rainstorm or long winter some homeowners may discover that their gutters are not doing their job due to being filled to the brink with dead leaves, dead bugs and pine needles. Maybe you looked up to find they were barely attached to the house anymore or dangerous icicles were growing from the seams! Or in the worse cases you look up to find trees growing out of the gutters! You as the homeowner have to help your gutters do their job by keeping them clean out of debris.
Could be it is time to get up on the ladder to clean them out or maybe it is time to replace them all together. When looking for new gutters there is some science involved - the thinner the gutter material the more likely it is to bend or buckle under the weight of leaves and ice. The leaders that drain the water off the gutters doesn't need to be as thick because it isn't bearing the weight of the water just directing it. Make sure you are directing it away from the house not straight down into the basement! 
Another consideration is seams or seamless gutters. In the old days you went to the hardware store and purchased all the materials, brought it home and put it together like a jig saw puzzle. Nowadays there is a seamless option. Seamless is preferable because there are no seams to leak. Leaking seams can lead to nasty icicles and sometimes even killer icicles. Seamless gutters are created on the job site by a professional using a machine that bends the aluminum into the desired length and shape.
What else should we look for in a gutter? Well how about open top gutters vs. gutters with any type of leaf guard system? Leaf guards give you free flowing gutters forever! There are several styles of gutter guards on the market. Too many to mention here. No more getting up so high on the ladder to clear them out. Or trying to angle some long tool attached to the garden hose to wash out the debris. Definitely a gutter bonus!
Why gutter at all? Well, to direct the water off the roof and away from the house, deck or stairs. Not only is there safety involved - reducing icy steps in the winter. There is also long term destruction of wood. - dripping roofs onto the deck eventually wears out the wood. Now we have to replace the deck and/or stairs. Basic rule of thumb is that wood and water do not go together. Think about what water can do to rock after years - just look at the Grand Canyon! And wood isn't as hard as rock!

When buying a home be sure to look up not only to check out the roof but also the gutters. Are there any gutters at all? Are they in good shape or barely attached? This is something you need to keep in mind when purchasing and budget for gutter installation or repair. My advice is to look at the whole house - inside and out. And when you are outside, please don't forget to look up!
(c) 2008 Shannon Aldrich, Keller Williams Coastal Realty
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