Real Estate Freak Show

Step right up, Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s a Real Estate Freak Show, the Zillow Carnival of Real Estate! Only one thin dollar, 10 tiny dimes, cheap at twice the price! We cheat the other guy and pass the savings on to you!

As I had mentioned last week, I was hoping that someone would enter a post in honor of Elvis’ birthday. Several writers stepped up to the challenge, including John Harper and Pat Kitano.

John Harper writes “Elvis on Blogging” on The Harper Team. I haven’t seen your blog before, John, and I enjoyed it. Good job!

Patrick Kitano stepped up to the challenge and presented Elvis = Zillow posted at TRANSPARENT REAL ESTATE (www.TransparentRE.com). Excellent. Thank you. Thankyouverymuch.

This has nothing to do with Elvis, but it does include the topic of music. Clifford Jacobson presents “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Realtors”. The Songs Of Real Estate 2.0. posted at WebHomeUSABlog, asking the age-old question, “Should Mothers allow their children to go into Real Estate?”

Jim Cronin presents The Secret To Developing Real Estate Blog Content posted at Real Estate Tomato. It was a good topic, plus he sent me a cool T-Shirt. Thanks Jim! (State regulators note, I can be bribed.)

Jay Thompson presents Phoenix Bloggers Meet; Much Conversation Ensues, Including The Long Tail posted at The Phoenix Real Estate Guy, saying, “The Long Tail and local content blogging in action.” This had absolutely nothing to do with Elvis, but he DID remember to wish E. a Happy Birthday at the end of the post. (See, I really DID read all your submissions!)

This has nothing to do with Elvis either, but it’s interesting nevertheless. Toby Boyce presents What Did You Write? posted at Sadie’s Take on Delaware Ohio, saying, “Society is learning that words are more important than we ever thought — should it be any different in our advertising?” Our broker used to hand out a little sheet with useful words to assist agents in writing useful ad copy. The word “charming” was definitely the most overused word in the real estate ad.

I liked Nigel Swaby’s post entitled Real Estate Agent Tricks - How to Protect Yourself posted at Salt Lake Real Estate Blog. It’s aimed at Buyers, and may not be applicable to all areas, but it’s interesting. It discusses pulling a house off the market to make it look like a new listing. This is not possible to do in our market and would be a good thing to abolish everywhere, if possible. Though playing devil’s advocate, if someone finds a house they like at the price they like, how is “market time” relevant, all other things being equal? Anyway, I digress….

This also has nothing to do with Elvis, but does embrace TV and popular culture, which are two more of my favorite subjects: Tracy Coenen presents Flip This House lawsuit posted at FRAUDfiles. A month doesn’t go by where I’m not contacted by A&E, HGTV or the Fine Living Channel, looking for subject material for their 24-hour-a-day home & garden-themed television shows. They want to film folks but refuse to compensate them in any way, asking them to provide free content so they can continue to sell their on-air advertising. Needless to say, this is a very interesting subject.

In another reference to popular culture and television, Praveen presents Trump Mortgage Boss Inflated His Resume? posted at My Simple Trading System.

And who doesn’t love a weird house for sale? Silicon Valley Blogger presents This Unusual Property Is For Sale posted at The Digerati Life about a real-life fire station for sale.

I’ve often noticed that neighborhood transformation by gay and lesbian residents often has a postive economic impact on neglected areas, a topic addressed by Nina Smith in Ten Money Questions for Mark Brand posted at Queercents, saying, “Award-winning architect, Mark Brand, talks about houses and money in the Queercents series: Ten Money Questions”

So, I’m finishing up here, looking for Elvis, or other funny or unique posts and what do I see but Bryant Tutas’ incredible post entitled “Martin Luther King: Rest in Peace, My Brother“, a beautiful and haunting entry, particularly relevant today, on Martin Luther King’s birthday. Thank you Bryant, for that meaningful and eloquent post.