Heather the Realtor - Orlando Area's Top Real Estate News

We have all seen the emails that we need to register our cell phone numbers because soon telemarketers will be able to call us. So is that the truth or just another email hoax.

Well it's all a myth, straight from the source itself here is your answer:

You may be one of many consumers who have received e-mails saying you're about to be assaulted by unwanted telemarketing calls to your wireless phone. Rest assured that placing telemarketing calls to wireless phones is -- and always has been -- illegal in most cases.

Why the Confusion?

The confusion seems to stem from recent discussions in the wireless phone industry about establishing a wireless 411 phone directory, much like your traditional (wired) 411 phone directory. A number of e-mail campaigns seem to suggest that if your wireless telephone number is listed in a wireless 411 directory, it will be available to telemarketers, and you will start to receive sales calls. In addition, some of these e-mail campaigns suggest that there is a separate do-not-call "cell phone registry," which you must call to have your wireless phone number covered by the do-not-call rules. This information is wrong.

Here Are the Facts:

• At present, a wireless 411 directory is only in the idea stage.
   

• Even if a wireless 411 directory is established, most telemarketing calls to wireless phones would still be illegal. For example, it is unlawful for any person to make any call (other than a call made for emergency purposes or made with express prior consent) using any automatic telephone dialing system or any artificial or prerecorded voice message to any telephone number assigned to a paging service, mobile telephone service, or any service for which the called party is charged for the call. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the number is listed on the national Do-Not-Call list.

Contrary to what some of the e-mail campaigns are saying, the federal government does not maintain and is not establishing a separate Do-Not-Call list for wireless phone numbers. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) established the national Do-Not-Call list to enable consumers to reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls to their residential or personal wireless phones. Wireless phone subscribers have always been able to add their personal wireless phone numbers to the national Do-Not-Call list, either online at http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/bye?http://www.donotcall.gov/, or by calling toll-free to 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number they wish to register. The do-not-call rules require callers that aren't exempt from the rules to stop telemarketing calls 30 days after you register a number. Your registration is effective for five years, after which you will need to re-register any residential or personal wireless number you want to protect from unwanted telemarketing calls. Contrary to information in certain e-mails, there is no deadline for registering a number on the national Do-Not-Call list.

I have been toying with the idea to give a free 32" samsung flat panel tv to anyone who uses my services as their buyers agent. Basically they purchase price of the home must be above a certain amount and with at least 3% commission must be paid by the seller. Is this illegal to do? Can I adverstise this? Some say yes others say no I am trying to find a more concrete answer with supporting documentation.

I found this in the code of ethics:

The offering of premiums, prizes, merchandise discounts or other

inducements to list, sell, purchase, or lease is not, in itself, unethical

even if receipt of the benefit is contingent on listing, selling,

purchasing, or leasing through the REALTOR® making the offer.

However, REALTORS® must exercise care and candor in any such

advertising or other public or private representations so that any

party interested in receiving or otherwise benefiting from the

REALTOR®'s offer will have clear, thorough, advance understanding

of all the terms and conditions of the offer. The offering of any

inducements to do business is subject to the limitations and

restrictions of state law and the ethical obligations established by any

applicable Standard of Practice. (Amended 1/95)

So as I read this I am fully within my right to advertise my free tv purchase program. Is this correct? Im in Florida by the way.

I was selected as one of Orlando's Five Star best in client satisfaction for 2007. They print your name and information in their magazine, Orlando Homebuyer. HEre's a sample of the magazine, they are in certain areas of the country.

 Truly not everyone gets this designation however they do try to sell you something. They want you to purchase an updated profile any where from 1/8 of a page to a full page article talking about yourself w/photo. This is a pretty heavily distrubted magazine. My question is has anyone advertised in their local magazine do you think it's worth it? 1/8 of a page is $1400 with a full page cost $3600. Thoughts, suggestions. I know we all have to spend money on our marketing but spending the wrong money doesnt do any good. 

Baldwin Park is a planned community that blends seamlessly into the surrounding area.   Conveniently located, only 8 miles for Orlando International Airport and 2 miles to Downtown Orlando.  Some details about the community include:

• Pedestrian friendly with wide sidewalks
• Parks, lakes, playgrounds and common area to gather with neighbors
• Community swimming pools
• Fitness facilities
• Neighborhood Marketplace
• Community Network with access to resident & business directories, Calendar of Events and more
• Social Clubs -- some of the existing clubs include the Aviation Club, Book Club and Walking Club.
• Roadways form a connected network to disperse traffic
• Garages accessed by alleys in rear of homes

The Village has over 65,000 square feet of Class A office space and over 80,000 square feet for executive office suites in two and three-story building. Designers created several mixed-use buildings, combing living and working space. Unique multi-story building feature retail space on the street level with apartments above.

Call Heather Joubran at (407) 810-6304 today for more information regarding Baldwin Park and find out for yourself what all the excitement is about.

Wow what a crazy weekend it has been. Just to give you an update on this home. As you know on Saturday I had 4 showings with a verbal offer with the first buyers and a cops showing up at the neighbors house scaring the last ones. Last night I received 2 offers, the ones that were verbal and the second buyer who came through the house.

Here is how the scenario played out.

                                Buyer 1                            Buyer 2

Purchsace Price            $174,900                       $170,000

Closing Date                9/28/207                       9/28/2007

Financing                      100%                              80%

Seller Contributions          3%                                0

Inspections                    $500/$500                  AS-IS Right to inspection

I think that's all the big things. Which would you have taken if you were the seller?

Well so you know we went with Buyer 2. He had much stronger financing position, netted my sellers about $1,000 more give or take a little change and is willing to do as-is. He has accepted the offer and now on to inspections. I will let you know in a few days how those pan out but should be a-ok.

Oh and even in this sellers market, I was able to get an offer in 5 days on the market and multiple offers, it can be done with the right seller.

I am looking to host a soiree and need to find a marketing company that I can purchase a list of potential buyers in a certain income bracket. Does anyone know of a reputable company?

Also if anyone has ideas on hosting a soiree I am open to those. I have thought about inviting people of a certain income bracket for wine and appetizers and try to get some local celebs to rsvp and send a second round of invites saying that person will be there. Thoughts?

Looking for a great townhome in Orlando, FL or maybe just a snow bird getaway?

A guarded gated community with an 18 hole golf course steps away?

Then look no further. Ventura is the community for you. (I had a picture but it wont upload)

Enter thru the 24 hr manned gates and into the prestigous golf course community of Ventura. This lovely townhome features a 1 car garage and over 1,700 sq ft of spacious living. One of the best views in the community overlooking the pond & waterfall. This split floor plan features 2 large master suites, walk-in closet, garden tub, guest bedroom and computer nook. The floor plan is open & bright and boasts volume ceilings throughout. Generously sized eat-in kitchen, snackbar and dining room are just a few amenties found in this home. Enjoy a quite night on the over sized screened balcony or cozy up by the fireplace. Ventura offers a rec center, clubhouse, 18 hole golf course, swimming pools and Lake Access to Lake Frederick.  Minutes to all major roads, shopping and airport.

PRICED at $239,900

So earlier this year I made the mistake of presenting a price range based on comps to a potential seller. She wanted much more for her house. I educated her on why overpricing is bad, why to price within the price range etc. She then sold me on listing the house for more then it was worth and I knew it. I since then have simply said no and will leave, I simple wont over price anymore.

Needless to say I had her do a $10,000 price reduction earlier this year and we received an offer at $235,000 we were at $264,000 she wanted to counter so I suggested spliting the difference at $250,000 my initial list price. THe buyers felt it was too much and didnt counter. Oh well now I tried to get her down at that point to the $250,000 to no avail after inching down slowly i got her to $254,900. My suggestion was then to go closer to the $235,000 price but she wouldnt listen so of course after 6 months the listing expired and she naturally wanted to try someone else.

She listed at $250,000 and after a month is now down to $235,000. Just irked me when I saw that in the MLS, but it always happens that way. Why is it that sellers sometimes just dont listen? She could have been sold months ago and none of this would have been an issue, now her home as seen as stagninet and she is in another state so now taking care of the house is more hassel.

I will say part of it was my fault for not sticking to my guns and my knowledge of the area. Once I took that listing I knew it was bad news and learned the valuable leason of never letting the sellers, sell me

So after months of deliberation I have decided to switch from a PC to a MAC. I have a Management Information Systems degree and spent many hours up close and personal with a PC I know the ins and outs and can build them from scratch. With that being said that is what has made my decision so difficult. How can I leave something I know so well for a scary machine that I have really just been introduced to over the past 6 months?

My boyfriend a MAC only user has shown me the ease of MAC's those things rarely say 1% of the time freeze up or crash on you. They are smaller lighter and just plain better. I had the opportunity to play with ilife and more importantly iworks. The templates that apple has built into these applications are just beautiful. They are on a professional level that most of us pay for. Whats better yet everything on that computer is just drag and drop. I can click on a picture on the Internet and just drag it into my presentation. I truly dont do justice to what these programs and machines can do, but I can say I have seen the light.

Most of you are thinking wait, how will you access MLS. Our local MLS has a monopoly with IE and is only compatible on that platform. Well apple are ingenious they have a program called Parallels which allows me to open a windows desktop and programs in another window on my mac. Brilliant, simply brilliant and the software was only $79. The price for most all programs not hundreds of dollars like windows software.

Im sure there are many out there that will not switch but if the pc market doesnt get their act in gear apple will reign once again.

So who else out there in the Real Estate world uses a MAC?