The Massachusetts Real Estate Guy

Two new features! HouseLogic.com and Real Estate Today Radio!

Hello,

I was just checking out two new features The National Association of Realtors(R) is now featuring and they seem to be too good to pass up on!  The first is a new consumer oriented website named Houselogic.com.  Pretty much, what Houselogic.com is is a resource center for homeowners with articles to protect, maintain, and help to enhance the value of their homes.  No information like that is bad information, so I will be featuring articles from Houselogic here at this blog.. Check it out at your convenience, at www.houselogic.com.  You can have a free account there and do all sorts of stuff...

The other new feature, Real Estate Today Radio, is simply a new widget you'll be able to go to on  this blog here and my websites.  Real Estate Today is the nation's fastest growing real estate program, exclusively from the National Association of Realtors(R). You'll be able to log in whenever you'd like and listen to the latest "broadcasts"...

Keller Williams is "Most Recognizable" Brand in Real Estate!

Answer the %#^@ Phone!
I wrote THIS article a couple of weeks ago, which was uncannily similar to THIS NEW VIDEO from renowned real estate trainer David Knox! It's just TOO funny; you can pay him money to hear his training or you can come here to my blog and get a lot of the same advice for free! David Knox is a great trainer however, and I just want to add he's on of the few ones out there that has that sense of "realism" that seems to be so lacking today amoung real estate sales trainers. Whether you're an agent or not, click on this video and enjoy. What a POWERFUL MESSAGE to hear!

"How to Blog For Fun and Profit" Seminar September 16th

I will be hosting an interactive live seminar on beginning a real estate blog entitled "How to Blog for Fun & Profit", September 16th at the Westborough Keller Williams Realty Office. The location is at 276 Turnpike Road, Suite 221, Westborough, MA 01581 and it will be between 1:15 to 2:15 pm..

This is an open event: the general public is invited although this event is geared towards real estate agents.If you know me personally I promise you an informative and humorous event, my style tends to be on the "flippant" side...

So, if you're looking for a new, low cost, EFFECTIVE way to Network?
… a new way to connect and re-connect with your SOI and Clients!
… a new way to define your “niche” and get all those “nichers” to come to you!

… a new INNOVATIVE WAY TO create a “KNOCKOUT” and EFFECTIVE Newsletter!

Then THIS event's for you!  Please log into Facebook and go to THIS LINK to register for the event.

Well, I never heard of him... Kevin B. McManus...and "Structura"...

This morning I went through the Telegram and Gazette's online site and read about this guy, Kevin B. McManus, and how he passed himself off as an engineer.. To be honest, I never knew of him until today. I swear I think a past client may have given me a business card of his, to which it's probably sitting in a closed file now.

At least he never hit my address book contact manager...


Maybe I'm not one of "Worcester's business and political elite"... as the article described Mr. McManus as having previously "mingled" with...

My main focus of real estate sales has been primarally residential and multi unit properties, but I HAVE handled new construction for a builder, a very very reputable and long time builder. I've heard of the engineer he uses; I haven't met the company or ever recommended them but at least they're very well known in the city.

Which REALLY confuses me about how Mr. McManus could've found it SO easy to infiltrate almost everything and whatnot. I mean, he owned "Structura" Engineering in Worcester, and Everest Construction in Westborough...

The ONLY company I ever recommended seems to have an exemplary reputation; I only referred them twice and I pretty much am rest assured they are very legit.  They have been around for YEARS...

Which begs the question; how the heck did THIS guy get away with it...?

Can you imagine what he and his company must have done? In Worcester County alone?  Not to say the job wasn't done right, perhaps the jobs were done right.. Who am I to question that? I'm NOT an engineer...

But the whole thing is scary.. My eyes are dancing reading all this stuff... Am I glad we didn't cross paths! 

It really is Mind-Boggling, to say the least!

There's also more about Mr. McManus's antics in THIS article. 

Boy, do I lead a sheltered life, LOL... I mean, I read all this stuff and just shake my head. 

I guess I even read here that this guy took on HUGE jobs... Oceanfront Luxury Provincetown Condos and so on and so forth.. and mortgages, you're better off reading this stuff yourself..

I guess everything's okay now for Mr. Mr.McManus, he found "found Jesus" in Florida  I didn't know Jesus was lost.. but I'm not surprised. Somehow I just knew Jesus prefers "warmer" climates..

Unbelievable...

How Lighting Adds to Home Value

Given the state of the economy, many homeowners simply don’t have the means to undergo major home improvement projects before they decide to put their listing on the market. While many believe that value is only added by tearing a room down and recreating the entire look, it’s simple to take an easier approach to renovating your space through home lighting. Whether the kitchen in need of another task lighting source or you just want to highlight a decorative corner in the living room, it’s best to research some fixture options in order to bring out the very best in your home.

Many families spend a large amount of time cooking and entertaining in the kitchen, an area of the home that requires special attention during light fixture installation. Recessed lighting is a smart option as these bulbs prove to be powerful and effective yet are blended in nicely within the ceiling so as not to take away from the room’s overall style. If your kitchen includes an island, a lighted hanging pot rack or set of decorative pendant lighting will add instant appeal and value for when potential buyers are coming to visit. Pot racks not only feature a decorative light fixture but also give you the opportunity to store your cookware sets in one central location while freeing up countertop and pantry space for other kitchen accessories.

In terms of enhancing your home’s exterior, invest in a set of landscape solar lights to line the front side of your home or along the driveway. For a more decorative option, consider adding a set of post lanterns that are available in a variety of styles from traditional to modern in order to complement your home’s design and provide a safe environment at night. With the simple addition of exterior lighting, you’ll be able to accent each side of your home and garden, creating an attractive curb appeal for potential home buyers in the market.

It's tough to be an active blogger when you're busy...

Man...

I wish SOMEONE would come up with a device that I could install in my car, that would take my SPOKEN words and "magically" transform them into blog posts...

But then again, I'd look like I'm "talking" to myself...  Might lose business THAT way...

Seriously though, it IS tough... when you're running around from pretty much 7 in the morning, sometimes COMING HOME after 9 pm, the only thing on MY mind is food, walk the dog, and maybe catch the latest NEW (but probably lame) episode of "Lost"...

and of course, set up my schedule for the day after...

So, why do I do this?

After over two years of doing this, it isn't to get new business. Blogging for me has NOT gotten me ONE viable lead, one sale, NOTHING.

However, I am "experimenting".. It's the closest I can come in my age to playing "Dr. Frankenstein", without actually hurting anyone...

Just kidding...

First of all, some of you get information from my posts. I know this because some of you have said this to me.  In my opinion, this beats corny newsletters to send out with recipes as to how to make meatballs....

Or cookies...

That's probably the best reason. 

I'm trying to be disciplined in this, but it's hard... I tried the "carrying a blogging notebook" idea, only problem is, I lost 3 of them... One of them at Dunkin Donuts in Oxford...

The best feature I like in blogging is that I can create a newsletter, print it, and send it via the mail, for those folks STILL not on email...

In the mean time, I'll stick it out a little more. 

Anything's better than recipes.. LOL...   

My new business card ...

 
Well, finally... 

The finished product is, of course, with rounded corners.  Thanks to my good friend John Miller for inspiring my slogan, last week, as we were hashing ideas around, and I did in fact, use Overnightprints.com.  It took me around 10 hours to design the finished product, using their online designer (very cool tool). I've bought 1000's of business cards before but I have to say, yes, I REALLY got involved in the making of this card, but it was also a verry enjoyable experience.  The support at OvernightPrints.com is great!  Very very polite, very helpful.  

I did, in fact, decide to put my photo in the card, but I can easilly "knock" that out in a subsequent order. Everyone I asked said it would be better if I put my picture. I like to think of it as a means of identification to someone that doesn't know me and is meeting me for the first time. I pretty much do look like, oh, I'd say, 73% like my picture... (just kidding)...

Overall though, this card was inspired by Seth Godin's post about business cards; I've been reading up on my Seth Godin and he's always just "made sense" to me.. You'll be seeing a LOT of little changes and tweaks forthcoming in my business approach here and there; a good amount of these changes are partly inspired by Seth. 

There you go, I "give" you my card.  You like?  Dislike? I don't mind hearing from you. If you'd like a real copy, email me and I'll send a couple out. No obligation, of course.  

The smart way to spend a day in a Winter Snowstorm

December 20-21 WInter Snowstorm...