Colleen's (and occasionally, Joe's) Blog

Home prices fall by the sharpest rate ever. Yup, all time! There is some good news in this video, however...

•:*¨¨*:• Colleen Lane •:*¨¨*:•
My ActiveRain Blog / My Localism Blog


I am the Realtor® that makes things move in The Lane Real Estate Team, while my husband Joe is the dude that provides the marketing that gives me the great clients I have. My sole purpose in life is to serve God, family, and clients. Joe's sole purpose in life is to serve God, me, and family (and ski). We have five children, all at home, all ours. We've been happily married for 23 years, and Joe has forgotten the anniversary almost all of those years! We service the Tri Cities Washington real estate market to include Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, Washington. Oh, our house is for sale!

I've never seen this before, but thought it a cool idea for marketing your real estate business: PictureItPostage

I suspect the exposure would be great, as the concept is unique. Your picture and marketing message on postage would certainly be attention getting. Here's the website:

•:*¨¨*:• Colleen Lane •:*¨¨*:•
My ActiveRain Blog / My Localism Blog


I am the Realtor® that makes things move in The Lane Real Estate Team, while my husband Joe is the dude that provides the marketing that gives me the great clients I have. My sole purpose in life is to serve God, family, and clients. Joe's sole purpose in life is to serve God, me, and family (and ski). We have five children, all at home, all ours. We've been happily married for 23 years, and Joe has forgotten the anniversary almost all of those years! We service the Tri Cities Washington real estate market to include Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, Washington. Oh, our house is for sale!

In order for a luxury home real estate agent to specialize in the luxury home market a higher level of service(part 1) needs to be offered.  The obvious service(part 2) is placing the home on the MLS and placing a sign on the front yard. Though beyond this, there is more. 

Creating a simple yet powerful flier which includes color, photos, and contact information.  Another method is offering a virtual tour of the home. A virtual tour allows a buyer to take an anonymous peek inside a home to help narrow down their search.  A less used resource is to email other luxury home real estate agents in the area to make them aware of the buyer or seller. Other real estate agents may have a listing or an upcoming listing which is not on the market yet, and/or a buyer who may be interested in your listing. 

Luxury home agents know the market and know the best way to service their client making them invaluable to either a buyer or a seller.

Related:

• Part 1, What is a luxury home

• Part 2, Who are the luxury home buyers

• Part 3, Why The Luxury Home Buyer

• Part 4, Selling The Luxury Home

• Our Tri Cities Washington Luxury Home For Sale

•:*¨¨*:• Colleen Lane •:*¨¨*:•
My ActiveRain Blog / My Localism Blog


I am the Realtor® that makes things move in The Lane Real Estate Team, while my husband Joe is the dude that provides the marketing that gives me the great clients I have. My sole purpose in life is to serve God, family, and clients. Joe's sole purpose in life is to serve God, me, and family (and ski). We have five children, all at home, all ours. We've been happily married for 23 years, and Joe has forgotten the anniversary almost all of those years! We service the Tri Cities Washington real estate market to include Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, Washington. Oh, our house is for sale!

Yup, ya heard it right. Newsweek writes:

"...LIVs. That's short for "low-information voters," the three fifths of the electorate that shows up once every four years to vote for president but mostly hates politics. These are the 75 million folks who didn't vote in the primaries. They don't read newsmagazines or newspapers, don't watch any cable news and don't cast their ballots early. Their allegiance to a candidate is as easily shed as a T shirt. Several million moved to Obama through September and October; they'd heard he handled himself well in the debates..."

Apparently, according to the Newsweek article, Obama will win based on uniformed voters. It's too bad. I'm afraid Obama will win, and furthermore, Congress will be controlled by Democrats as well. Our LIVs probably have no idea what's at stake by having so many Democrats in control. Between 2009 and 2012, there will likely be two or more opportunities for the President to nominate new justices to the Supreme Court. Some court watchers say there could be as many as four resignations. The next 4 years will most likely change the course of history unlike any other period in our nation's history.

I just finished reading Larry's blog about Why he needs to vote for Obama this election, and I thought for a minute, Larry's too smart to vote for Obama (and I was right, you'll need to read his blog).

BTW, if you need further evidence of LIVs, consider this excerpt from the Howard Stern** show:

Or how about this video...

**As typical of Howard Stern, be forewarned of profanity ahead!

Most luxury home sellers often times say they use a real estate agent because of the agent’s knowledge of the luxury home market, as there is a plethora of services a real estate agent can offer a luxury home seller. The three top being price, product, and promotion.

PRICE:  A good real estate agent is able to narrow down the pricing of the home assuring the seller receives top dollar for their home.  Any time a home goes on the market there are only so many buyers who are able to afford the price tag of a luxury home and it is this unique audience that needs capturing. 

PRODUCTION: Every home is a product, and as soon as the for sale sign is put on the yard sellers should be encouraged to do the necessary improvements to increase the odds of someone finding their home to purchase.

PROMOTION:  In this aspect the estate agent goes to work.  A seller needs to know how the real estate agent will get their home exposed to the buying public.  A real estate agent is invaluable in the sale of any home but especially a luxury home.

Next in the series, Part 5, Servicing The Luxury Home Client

Related:

• Part 1, What is a luxury home

• Part 2, Who are the luxury home buyers

• Part 3, Why The Luxury Home Buyer

• Our Tri Cities Wa Luxury Home Is For Sale

•:*¨¨*:• Colleen Lane •:*¨¨*:•
My ActiveRain Blog / My Localism Blog


I am the Realtor® that makes things move in The Lane Real Estate Team, while my husband Joe is the dude that provides the marketing that gives me the great clients I have. My sole purpose in life is to serve God, family, and clients. Joe's sole purpose in life is to serve God, me, and family (and ski). We have five children, all at home, all ours. We've been happily married for 23 years, and Joe has forgotten the anniversary almost all of those years! We service the Tri Cities Washington real estate market to include Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, Washington. Oh, our house is for sale!

While perusing the newly posted blogs, I came across this entry.  This entry is the second entry I found today that is a portrait of who I am and/or the way I conduct business.  Read on and enjoy!

Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco Washington added about 110 nonfarm jobs in September and the unemployment rate dropped slightly from August. The State Employment Security Department also reports then number of nonfarming jobs increased by 2.28 percent from one year ago.

The Tri Cities Washington stable economy and satisfactory employment conditions are helping to keep the real estate market stimulated. Although sales are down slightly, as sales are generally down heading into the winter season, property values are not seeing the decreases most of the country is seeing.

Now is as good a time as any to invest in Tri Cities Washington real estate!

•:*¨¨*:• Colleen Lane •:*¨¨*:•
My ActiveRain Blog / My Localism Blog


I am the Realtor® that makes things move in The Lane Real Estate Team, while my husband Joe is the dude that provides the marketing that gives me the great clients I have. My sole purpose in life is to serve God, family, and clients. Joe's sole purpose in life is to serve God, me, and family (and ski). We have five children, all at home, all ours. We've been happily married for 23 years, and Joe has forgotten the anniversary almost all of those years! We service the Tri Cities Washington real estate market to include Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, Washington. Oh, our house is for sale!

For the most part, this article sums up my business philosophy. 
Read on to see why...              ~ Colleen Lane :o)

ABC News is reporting:

" New-home sales ticked up 4.1 percent over the prior month during August, according to the latest data from the Commerce Department. That's right. No need to clean your glasses off -- home sales increased in what has been a slumping housing market."

Isn't this great news! Seems like forever and a day we've heard nothing but bad news about our industry. Perhaps we're seeing a glimmer of hope, a sunshine on the horizon, and finally the forest through the trees! :o)

Related News to
New Home Sales Increasing:

• Home-safe sales surge in US as crisis sows distrust of banks ~ Bus-Stan

• Housing stocks finish mixed as sales increase ~ Forbes

• New laws could boost slow housing market ~ Detroit News

• U.S. New-Home Sales to Drop 12% in '09, MBA Forecasts ~ Bloomberg

• New Residential Sales ~ U.S. Census Bureau
  

Michael Funk’s 1,200 acres along the Yuba River in the Sierra Nevada foothills above Nevada City, California, are nothing short of magical. Anyone lucky enough to spend time on this land can’t help but leave rejuvenated and inspired; the majestic waterfalls, dramatic gorges and fairy-tale woodlands seep inside and become a little part of you. Equally as magical and majestic is Mr. Funk's home. Take a quick view of Michael Funk's 6000 square foot, eco-friendly home and be mesmerized:

•:*¨¨*:• Colleen Lane •:*¨¨*:•
My ActiveRain Blog / My Localism Blog


I am the Realtor® that makes things move in The Lane Real Estate Team, while my husband Joe is the dude that provides the marketing that gives me the great clients I have. My sole purpose in life is to serve God, family, and clients. Joe's sole purpose in life is to serve God, me, and family (and ski). We have five children, all at home, all ours. We've been happily married for 23 years, and Joe has forgotten the anniversary almost all of those years! We service the Tri Cities Washington real estate market to include Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, Washington. Oh, our house is for sale!

There are several reasons a luxury home buyer makes a housing change. Desire for a larger home, relocation, new home layout, to be close to a body of water, and/or to be closer to recreational facilities are among the top reasons a luxury home buyer initiates change. Most luxury home buyers know what their particular reason is for moving and the bottom line is they want/need to move.  There tends to be an emotional as well as a logical approach to purchasing a home, so the process is thoroughly thought out and not just a knee jerk reaction.   Luxury home buyers almost never pay the full asking price and don’t have a problem walking away from a transaction since they are able to view the deal as a business like transaction, as most luxury home buyers are well versed in the business world.   However, the timing of buying a home will factor in as well.  A time deadline could mean the home buyer may not have time to look at as many homes and will have less time in the negotiations so they may not get the sellers rock bottom price.  Even though I have outlined some of the main decision making factors of a luxury home buyer keep in mind there may be other factors unique to any buyer.

Next in the series, Part 4, Buying a luxury home.

Related:

• Part 1, What is a luxury home

• Part 2, Who are the luxury home buyers

• Our Columbia River Luxury Home Is For Sale

•:*¨¨*:• Colleen Lane •:*¨¨*:•
My ActiveRain Blog / My Localism Blog


I am the Realtor® that makes things move in The Lane Real Estate Team, while my husband Joe is the dude that provides the marketing that gives me the great clients I have. My sole purpose in life is to serve God, family, and clients. Joe's sole purpose in life is to serve God, me, and family (and ski). We have five children, all at home, all ours. We've been happily married for 23 years, and Joe has forgotten the anniversary almost all of those years! We service the Tri Cities Washington real estate market to include Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, Washington. Oh, our house is for sale!

Whether a Democrat or Republican, this is how to shut up a reporter...

More on Newt Gingrich:

• Newt Deeply Worried
• Gingrich On America
• Newt On Media Bias
• Ali G- Newt Gingrich

•:*¨¨*:• Colleen Lane •:*¨¨*:•
My ActiveRain Blog / My Localism Blog

I am the Realtor® that makes things move in The Lane Real Estate Team, while my husband Joe is the dude that provides the marketing that gives me the great clients I have. My sole purpose in life is to serve God, family, and clients. Joe's sole purpose in life is to serve God, me, and family (and ski). We have five children, all at home, all ours. We've been happily married for 23 years, and Joe has forgotten the anniversary almost all of those years! We service the Tri Cities Washington real estate market to include Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, Washington. Oh, our house is for sale!

This article is a re-blog.  I thought it great, as we are all prone to making unwarranted judgements not only buyers, but sellers as well.  ;)

Have we failed the next generation? | Feel free to re-blog this!

•:*¨¨*:• Joe & Colleen Lane •:*¨¨*:•
Our ActiveRain Blog / Our Localism Blog

Colleen is the Realtor® that makes things move in The Lane Real Estate Team, while Joe (that's me) is the dude that provides the marketing that gives Colleen the great clients they have. Colleen's sole purpose in life is to serve her God, family, and clients. Joe's sole purpose in life is to serve God, Colleen, and family (and ski). Joe and Colleen have five children, all at home, all theirs. Joe and Colleen have been happily married for 23 years, and Joe has forgotten the anniversary almost all of those years! Joe and Colleen service the Tri Cities Washington real estate market to include Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, Washington. Oh, their house is for sale!

Who do you think of when you think of a luxury home buyer? Doctors, lawyers, engineers?  This is what most of us think, but, believe it or not the majority of luxury home buyers are business owners or entrepreneurs (32%).  This is followed by corporate executives (16%), attorneys (10%), and physicians (9%) with the remaining being retirees, accountants, middle managers, and sales professionals.  In addition to this a majority of luxury home owners (90%) are college graduates.  The average luxury home buyer is not what we see on TV or in movies.  Most live below their means, buy used cars, didn’t receive an inheritance and see home ownership as a wealth building tool.  Surprising isn’t it?  Not who we think the luxury home buyer is.

Next in the series, Part 3, Buying a luxury home.

Related: Part 1, What is a luxury home? | Our Pasco Wa Luxury Home Is For Sale

•:*¨¨*:• Joe & Colleen Lane •:*¨¨*:•
Our ActiveRain Blog / Our Localism Blog

Colleen is the Realtor® that makes things move in The Lane Real Estate Team, while Joe (that's me) is the dude that provides the marketing that gives Colleen the great clients they have. Colleen's sole purpose in life is to serve her God, family, and clients. Joe's sole purpose in life is to serve God, Colleen, and family (and ski). Joe and Colleen have five children, all at home, all theirs. Joe and Colleen have been happily married for 23 years, and Joe has forgotten the anniversary almost all of those years! Joe and Colleen service the Tri Cities Washington real estate market to include Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, Washington. Oh, their house is for sale!

The Washington Post recently reported that the emotional and financial strain of the housing market has become so rough, it’s on par with divorce, and even death. TODAY’s Barbara Corcoran and psychologist Jeff Gardere explain how to lessen the burden and turn your house into a source of revenue:

•:*¨¨*:• Joe & Colleen Lane •:*¨¨*:•
Our ActiveRain Blog / Our Localism Blog

Colleen is the Realtor® that makes things move in The Lane Real Estate Team, while Joe (that's me) is the dude that provides the marketing that gives Colleen the great clients they have. Colleen's sole purpose in life is to serve her God, family, and clients. Joe's sole purpose in life is to serve God, Colleen, and family (and ski). Joe and Colleen have five children, all at home, all theirs. Joe and Colleen have been happily married for 23 years, and Joe has forgotten the anniversary almost all of those years! Joe and Colleen service the Tri Cities Washington real estate market to include Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, Washington. Oh, their house is for sale!

This fellow took a picture of himself every day for 17 years. Check it out:

•:*¨¨*:• Joe & Colleen Lane •:*¨¨*:•
Our ActiveRain Blog / Our Localism Blog

Colleen is the Realtor® that makes things move in The Lane Real Estate Team, while Joe (that's me) is the dude that provides the marketing that gives Colleen the great clients they have. Colleen's sole purpose in life is to serve her God, family, and clients. Joe's sole purpose in life is to serve God, Colleen, and family (and ski). Joe and Colleen have five children, all at home, all theirs. Joe and Colleen have been happily married for 23 years, and Joe has forgotten the anniversary almost all of those years! Joe and Colleen service the Tri Cities Washington real estate market to include Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, Washington. Oh, their house is for sale!

•:*¨¨*:• Joe & Colleen Lane •:*¨¨*:•
Our ActiveRain Blog / Our Localism Blog

Colleen is the Realtor® that makes things move in The Lane Real Estate Team, while Joe (that's me) is the dude that provides the marketing that gives Colleen the great clients they have. Colleen's sole purpose in life is to serve her God, family, and clients. Joe's sole purpose in life is to serve God, Colleen, and family (and ski). Joe and Colleen have five children, all at home, all theirs. Joe and Colleen have been happily married for 23 years, and Joe has forgotten the anniversary almost all of those years! Joe and Colleen service the Tri Cities Washington real estate market to include Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, Washington. Oh, their house is for sale!

Have you a desire to contribute charitably? Need inbound linking to your real estate website pages? Have a hobby, story, bio, or other to broadcast? Enter Squidoo. We've been involved with Squidoo for a few years now and have over 225 lenses, not only real estate related, but the children have done a few of their own. What we like the most about Squidoo is the ability to create something we need for business (or for a child's school project, interest) and donate the earnings to charity. Below is our current month's distribution of monies we earned and where the money is headed towards. A screenshot of our Squidoo dashboard:

The above earnings are from Squidoo's matching of Google's adsense. In other words, the monies above are not from affiliate sales, but from creating lenses (essentially, Squidoo webpages). We haven't gotten into the affiliate marketing thing much, but a friend is making as much $1000. per month on a single lens! If real estate sales are low, perhaps Squidoo may be an option for some to pay a few bills!

Some Squidoo trivia from Team SemperFidelis on October 21, 2008:

• Our highest ranking lens today: Traffic From Image Searches #6 (700,000ish lenses on Squidoo)
• Colleen is a Squid Angel :o)
• Our fanclub has 866 fans!
• Our strangest lens: Weirdest Photo Ever
• Our best real estate lens: Multi-Family Housing (add your link)
• A place to put your real estate link: Best Real Estate Websites Ever
• This lens will make you cry (watch the YouTube video)!
• This lens will make you laugh!

Have questions about Squidoo?  Visit Squidoo's Answer Deck :)

Consider joining Squidoo and creating a lens for your favorite charity or real estate page today! If you join Squidoo using this link, you'll be contributing to Save The Children (see above, "Refer-A-Friend bonuses")!