RE: How many of us are waiting for the SOLD sign?
Don't forget, you can always rent it out to cover the holding costs. I know that is not an attractive option for everyone, but if you feel you might have a big loss that will recover over time, find a good manager and rent it out.
Then you're free to GO!
RE: Choosing a Realtor - need a few tips.
Hey, something I know about!
I am a Realtor.
You can find lots of “tips” on line, but this is my personal suggestion.
First, ask friends for names of agents they have worked with that they liked and with whom they had a successful transaction. Talk to those folks and see if you connect with them.
Also, read some ads, newspaper, RE mag, or online, for the type of property you think you are looking for.
Call and discuss with the agent what they are advertising. See if they sound knowledgeable and personable about the kind of property you are seeking. Can you see yourself working with them for a few months? Or do they sound hurried and unorganized?
Set an appt. to see a few of the properties that you called on and go look. That is a low stress, informal way to meet the person and have a face to face discussion. Somewhere along the line he/she will ask you qualifying questions and try to get you to commit to working with him. Don’t do that yet. You can give info, but just discuss, don't commit.
After you have a feel for your local market, have learned from discussion what kind of issues there might be (a well, road rights, utility hook ups, building codes, etc.) so you can be aware, then go back to one or two of the agents you’ve met for a meeting about your needs, what they’ll do for you, your time line, etc. When you’ve found a person who is competent AND who you can relate to and work with, commit to them for some reasonable period – say 60-90 days. Work ONLY with that person so you just have one source of info. If all goes well, you’ll make a deal. If after a certain period of time you find that agent is not clicking for you, you can terminate the relationship – but TELL them, don’t just disappear. They need to know it’s over, and maybe why, so they can do a better job in the future. Then you’re free to pick a new agent.
I would also pick someone who is busy enough to be experienced, not a part-timer, but not Mr. “I’m #1” because they can be too busy and you don’t get the attention you deserve (or only get their assistant)
Boy, I guess I am long winded. I’m sure lots of others have their own criteria. Unfortunately, there are too many “bad agent” stories out there, but a good agent who is really your advocate (and educator) is well worth the commission she gets (of course, I could be biased… :W).
Good luck and have fun.
And if I can help in any way feel free to PM me.
RE: Picture posting thread...anyone into it?
Jim - you are having waaaay too much fun w/ that fish eye. I'll start watching craig's list for one that's cheep.
I got the 40D on ebay w/ an 18-55 lens (the kit lens, much criticized, but it seems to be pretty good) and I just got the 55-250 lens for tele. My 3 old Canon lenses all fit the camera, but these are IS, fast and quiet, more compact, and 2 lenses cover the same range as 3 used to. I am happy! Next - I need to take time to learn more about post processing.
As to the opening page being 50 back for some of you, I think I read that it has something to do w/ your bookmark system on your browser. But as mentioned above, just subscribe to this thread and it'll go right to where you left off.
And glad to hear from some of you that you enjoy my excursions. I sure do...
RE: Picture posting thread...anyone into it?
I got a new camera and am getting used to it. A Canon 40D. I love it. So I was out doing night shots a couple days ago. These are big so I made them clickable. Most on a tripod and longish exposures.
Coffee anyone? This is North Beach at night.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/th_IMG_8741.jpg
Sidewalk cafe on Columbus St. Heart of North Beach.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/th_IMG_8750.jpg
Mona Lisa (great restaurant) w/ BofA bldg. in back.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/th_IMG_8751.jpg
Famous Gino & Carlo's (used to be Herb Caen's hang out) on Green St.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/th_IMG_8801.jpg
Trapped mannequins
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/th_IMG_8779.jpg
Coit Tower and Christofo Columbo.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/th_IMG_8813.jpg
Downtown skyline from Coit Tower.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/th_IMG_8815.jpg
Bay Bridge - string of pearls.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/th_IMG_8816.jpg
Next familiarization trek will be action shots!
RE: Picture posting thread...anyone into it?
Tulirose - Take your bicycle. You can ride some of the trails in Arches (I think) and that makes it easier. It is really a beautiful place. One of the arches fell a little earlier this fall. Wall arch (I looked it up).
Pics. Can't beat gravity!
If I dig deep enough I have pics of Arches from about 2005 I think. It is a great park . . . along w/ the other great Utah parks.
Michael
RE: How many of us are waiting for the SOLD sign?
I was going to sell my M-I-L's house since she now lives w/ us, but am now considering renting it out for her. I already manage some prop so that would not be a big burden. And I am not full timing but trying to get some long trips in, so I come and go to deal w/ maintenance, renting, renters, etc. Our market held up pretty well but has slipped about 10% over the last 3-4 mos.
OTOH, I was talking w/ some folks who live in the east bay in a high foreclosure area and the banks are selling houses they took back in foreclosure like hotcakes. It really is an opportunity for 1st time buyers. Of course, the fire sale prices aren't helping "normal" sellers. Homes bought 2 yrs ago for $450-500K are now re-selling for $200K. Whew! The neighbors keeping up their payments must be MAD as they are underwater, too, based on the bank re-sale prices.
RE: Picture posting thread...anyone into it?
Hi, everyone.
Love ALL the pix. Feel like I am camping and traveling w/ you, and meeting family members, too.
Thanks, too, for the comments on S.F. It is a great place (and of course I am not biased . . . he he).
Don - that is a great slide show. You have every feature and angle of your coach covered. Any serious buyer will hardly need to come and see it. Just send you a check (for your full asking price, too). Make that a wire transfer. Can't trust checks these days w/ all the scams.
More from me soon - just need another walk or mini-adventure.
RE: Picture posting thread...anyone into it?
Saturday's early walk. Started when almost still dark. Sun coming up in the east silhouetting some landmarks - Coit tower and Transamerica Pyramid.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/CIMG0606.jpg
Then, we found the fun morning event. A Dolphin Club swim! They are the folks who swim the bay year round (temps down to 45 deg.) without wetsuits! They are a little crazy, but in good shape.
The view towards the GG Bridge (you can probably not see the swimmers, but there are about 100 of them out there).
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/CIMG0614-1.jpg
A closer view as they swam by the pier we were on.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/CIMG0619.jpg
Here are the leaders rounding the pier and heading for the finish lie at the club house. About a 2 mi. swim. I am not sure how long it took, but I am sure they ate a BIG breakfast.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/CIMG0622.jpg
This guy was about fourth but really moving. I had to trot to keep up w/ them! (No, Michael Phelps was not among them.)
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/CIMG0623.jpg
One of the many safety boaters w/ the swimmers. The gull is spectating, too.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/CIMG0634.jpg
Another wonderful morning on the waterfront w/ another wonderful surprise. What's next?
RE: Picture posting thread...anyone into it?
We went for our morning exercise walk today (it has been a while.. getting lax) and this is what we saw.
Studebaker Daytona (don't know the year... anyone?)
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/CIMG0584-1.jpg
A cigarette wanna be boat for bay tours @ 70 mph. $26 / pp.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/CIMG0603.jpg
Tom Perkin's $150 million+ private sail yacht.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/CIMG0591.jpg
Read more about it here - It's pretty amazing. All computerized, can be sailed by ONE person, the sails furl and unfurl automatically. Wow! He's a Silicon Valley Billionaire. Tom Perkin's sailing yacht.
The front view.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/CIMG0599-1.jpg
This is the cruise ship his boat is beside.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/CIMG0601.jpg
Fun, huh? You never know what you'll find out walking. Always carry a camera!
RE: Blocking numbers on a cell phone
The do not call list is pretty much ignored by US co.s even - especially unethical ones. And the robo calls coming in now make it very difficult to say put me on your do not call list. I even wonder if you try to call to get off their list if that just doesn't confirm that you have a working # and they re-sell it to others?
RE: 2007 Chevy durmax
Although I am less experienced than Delaine & Lindy & AniJet, I too have a Duramax Dually and it handles a Double Tree MS 36' real fine for me. True, it is overweight technically, but not much and I think the tolerances are enough to be safe.
It DOES feel the big uphill pulls, tho, like we have in CA. If you want to control your EGT you might have to go down to 45-50 on a big grade. I'm sure it could do it faster, but I have been told to keep the exhaust temp down to avoid damaging the engine. I'm not in that big a hurry usually.
It'll do it. Just drive carefully while you have fun.
RE: Picture posting thread...anyone into it?
Let's try some more of those "clickable" photos.
This is from a couple weekends back. We had a FREE music concert in Golden Gate Park - mostly country and bluegrass, but "Hardly Strictly Bluegrass" (the name of the festival). A local multi-millionaire who is a big music fan pays for the whole thing out of his pocket! There were about 60-70 bands this yr. I could only go for part of one afternoon (out of 3 days).
This is Asleep At The Wheel, a great Austin, TX, based group.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/th_P1080494.jpg
Their lead guitar is Ray. Don't know much about the rest of them.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/th_P1080495.jpg
Terrific fiddler
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/th_P1080496.jpg
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/th_P1080498.jpg
Here's some of their music.
Route 66
Enjoy!
RE: Picture posting thread...anyone into it?
On a different topic, I really appreciate your pics of the construction project, Donsm60 (the pool). Gives us a real feel of what you do for a living and what it is like in FLA if you are a pool owner.
Same for the AZ house, (is that PKJR? - forgive me for not going back to look it up). It is fascinating to see a big project come together like that. Keep us up to date. Until they lock you out. (He He).
RE: Picture posting thread...anyone into it?
It's been a while since I posted, but I have been watching. Lots of great pix. I have just been busy, not had time to up load to photobucket and copy to PPT.
But, here are some from last week.
Maybe more coming soon - I just bought anew camera and am getting some accessories. Plan to get and Apple Macbook soon, too. That'll take a lot of time to learn / convert to for a lifetime PC user....
Anyway, here is a leaf floating down a stream in Mill Valley, just north of S.F. I was seeking some "fall" pics, not easy in this land of moderate weather. (PS - I am trying the "clickable" versions - so click them.)
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/th_P1080528.jpg
This is the closest thing to fall colors I can find around here. An occasional red maple.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/th_P1080544.jpg
And nearby a bunch of young ladies taking riding lessons. Future Olympians????
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/th_P1080552.jpg
This is the way I feel some days . . .
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc303/mkeenansf/RV%20Net/th_P1080548.jpg
More soon!
