Now Is A Great Time To Buy! Buy Now!
Posted on 08. May, 2009 by Joshua Ferris in Blog, Featured, Industry, real estate
Image Credit: TheTruthAbout
I say that half jokingly ! 
I was talking to Marc Davison on Twitter about his distaste for NAR’s extreme overuse of the “Now is a great time to buy!” recently and it made me think about it. Marc’s position was that they were saying the same thing four years ago and NAR is losing credibility (what little they have) for saying it during a turbulent housing market.
I actually agree with Marc’s point 100% but NAR is right too. Four years ago it was a great time to buy because interest rates were low and homes were appreciating at an unprecedented level. It seemed like the smartest investment on earth.
Now during a depressed market it’s a great time to buy because rates are lower than they’ve ever been and prices have plunged making homes extremely affordable.
I think the issue is that using a vague statement like “Now is a great time to buy!” can be misleading. If NAR wants to regain credibility they should say WHY now is a great time to buy.
For example:
“Now is a great time to buy a new home because inventory is high and builders are offering unheard of incentives.”
“Now is a great time to buy because homes around the country are rapidly appreciating.”
Consumers are looking for authenticity at a time when corporations and industry associations are being seen as villains. Providing some dose of reality and truth in their ads as opposed to blasting an overly chummy message repeatedly is the only way NAR’s ad campaigns can begin to build credibility with consumers again.
Top 10 Reasons You're Not Being Followed Back on Twitter
Posted on 06. May, 2009 by Joshua Ferris in Blog, Featured, Industry
When you follow someone they often want to reciprocate the follow by learning more about who you are. After all, you’re interested in them and maybe they could be interested in you. Because Twitter is open to interpretation on how it should be used to your benefit I’ve picked up on the ways I think others misuse it. Here are ten reasons why people aren’t following you back on Twitter:
1. You don’t have enough updates. - Typically the first sign of a spammer, having only a few updates (especially all in one day) makes it hard for people to gauge what kind of person you are. Are you interesting? Are you worth following? One update that says “college apps” or “sunny day today” won’t convince the masses that you have something to contribute.
2. You tweet too many links. - A pet peeve of mine and many others, posting too many tweets linking to something off Twitter can give others the impression that you have nothing unique to say. People follow you on Twitter to hear what YOU have to say.
3. Your tweets are mostly inspirational quotes. – All aboard! Twitter’s 140 character limit seems ripe for quote abuse. The number of Tweeters hopping on the inspirational quote train is staggering. If I want to be inspired by a quote I’ll google inspirational quotes. Live by these words: You offer zero value if you just tweet quotes from other people.
4. You are only promoting your business and everyone can tell. - I don’t mind it when someone promotes their business on Twitter when appropriate. I selectively pimp my real estate projects, Darren Rowse tweets his blog articles and so on. But if you overdo your Twitter page with outlandish get rich blogging or SEO guru crap no one is going to listen to what you have to say. Loud backgrounds/tweets are like loud words and no one likes being yelled at. Especially when it’s a sales pitch!
5. Your username sounds like a company. - An almost instantaneous decision not to follow someone happens when I get a follow notification from someone with the username of a company. This is even more true when it’s a company I’ve never heard of or done business with. Unless you’re @mailchimp showcasing cool uses for email marketing or @comcastcares following me to help solve my cable problem I’m not likely to be interested in what your company is all about.
6. You ARE a spammer. – This really should go without saying but people aren’t stupid. We know when we see spam on Twitter (lately the GirlNameDateofBirth username types). You’re wasting your time, no one cares.
7. Your bio is empty. – This rings true with new users more than established tweeters but knowing who you are and what you’re about is a big deal to other Twitter users. Fill out your bio with truthful details about who you are and people are more likely to take an interest in you. By the way, “Follow me to learn how to make…” is not a good way to make a name for yourself on Twitter. Just sayin’.
8. Your following/follower count is unbalanced. - Nothing says self-interest more than the guy/gal following 30,000 people and being followed by 8. I don’t endorse monitoring your following/follower ratio constantly but your count also shouldn’t look like a cliff when compared.
9. You don’t have an avatar. – Another signature of spammers and shady types, no avatar makes it look like you are new to the service or have something to hide. You don’t need a Paul Wall grille shot but having an avatar matters. Go get one!
10. Your tweets are overly negative. – Much to the chagrin of pessimists everywhere, tweeting the bad side of things isn’t exactly going to brighten someone else’s day when they read your tweets. Bad stuff happens but your Dottie Downer tweets shouldn’t outnumber the funny/positive things you have to say. I’m guilty of over tweeting the negative myself so I sometimes opt not to tweet at all.
Twitter is like a giant conversation and everyone has something to contribute. Using the tips above you can increase your chances of finding and engaging other Twitter users who like what you have to offer. And yes, that’s good for business too.
Image Credit: Noël Zia Lee
Did I miss anything? Add your tips in the comments below!
2009 FHA Loan Limit Increases for Orange/Rockland County New York
Posted on 26. Feb, 2009 by Joshua Ferris in FHA, Featured, Finance, News & Reviews, new york, real estate
FHA loan limits have increased in Orange and Rockland Counties to reflect the higher cost of living in the suburbs of New York City. See the previous and new FHA loan limits, by county, below:
Orange County New York FHA Changes
Previous Single Family Home FHA Loan Limit: $356,500
NEW Single Family Home FHA Loan Limit: $443,750
Rockland County New York FHA Changes
Previous Single Family Home FHA Loan Limit: $625,500
NEW Single Family Home FHA Loan Limit: $729,750
The new FHA loan limits should make it much easier to purchase a single family home in areas like Monroe, Newburgh and Rockland County where prices are typically higher than most other parts of the United States.
Condominium communities are still subject to FHA approval so be sure to check which communities are FHA approved before viewing condo/townhouse communities. Brighton Green in Newburgh, NY is FHA approved and new homes are being built in the final phase of the neighborhood.
Fairways at Wallkill: A New Townhouse Standard Has Been Set
Posted on 17. Feb, 2009 by Joshua Ferris in Blog, Featured, new york, real estate
I usually like to stay composed and unbiased while writing about new homes and real estate but when it comes to the Fairways at Wallkill townhouse designs I just can’t help myself. Being an architecture aficionado of sorts, I love unique and intelligent home designs that take the ordinary (townhouse design) and use it to create something extraordinary.
Step inside the Prestwick and Egremont models in the Fairways at Wallkill and you too are sure to be wrapped in the architectural beauty of the open concept first floor living space. Both models feature a master suite on the first level (a huge plus for buyers who are downsizing and don’t want to walk up and down stairs) and an open view of the scenery surrounding the homes.
Even the kitchens, long the central gathering post for most families, manage to astound with unique design attributes like the vaulted breakfast nook in the Egremont model that allows lots of natural light to illuminate the space all the while providing a separate retreat from the workstation/prep areas. Home chefs will appreciate the sought after triangular work area in the kitchen formed by the placement of the refrigerator, sink and oven/range.
The two models that I viewed also offer an open second floor space off the upper landing that serves as a loft/studio overlooking the living area below. That space is in addition to two more bedrooms that sit off the loft/studio with closet space that is more than capable of accommodating the storage needs of growing and adult children alike.
Check out all of the model home photos from my tour of the Fairways at Wallkill and feel free to leave a comment or contact me with any questions you may have at (845) 664-5467.
Fairways at Wallkill Photo Gallery
Please Note: Joshua Ferris/Keller Williams Realty are not representing GDC-Homes’ new home sales in the Fairways at Wallkill.
8 of the Most Stunning (and Expensive) Penthouses in America
Posted on 11. Feb, 2009 by Joshua Ferris in Blog, Featured, Industry, new york, real estate
The world is full of creatively designed homes but it’s not until you’re on top of the world, literally, that you see what creative design is truly capable of. The idea of living at the pinnacle of skyscrapers embodies the power, prestige and opulence that most of us only begin to dream of.
Have a look at our list of the eight most stunning (and expensive) penthouses in America below:
1. 15 Central Park West Penthouse – New York, New York
It should come as no surprise that the most expensive penthouse on our list, coming in at $47.5 million, is located in New York City with uninterrupted views of Central Park. This penthouse features 14 foot ceilings and over 5,200 sqft of living space. To sweeten the deal, you also get a 1,222 sqft ground floor suite with private street access for the owner’s staff offices.
Learn more about the 15 Central Park West Penthouse.
2. Apogee Penthouse – Miami, Florida
When you live in South Beach living in a penthouse just isn’t enough. Along comes the Apogee Penthouse to blow competing penthouses out of the water with 6,583 sqft of living space and over 11,000 sqft of outdoor living space. On the roof of the penthouse there is a private pool area with 360-degree views of Miami and the ocean. Asking price rings in at $22 million.
3. Luxuria Penthouse – Boca Raton, Florida
The Luxuria Penthouse is one of 24 homes in a ten-story building along the Boca Raton coastline. The above photo showcases the grand lobby with its art covered walls, golden staircases and gravity defying water wall as the centerpiece of it all.
007’s will be right at home with the building’s state of the art security system which features thumbprint recognition technology that leads to resident-only elevator lobbies while luxophiles won’t have to lift a finger to do nearly anything as the building also offers an on-site concierge and 24 hour valet service. The Luxuria Penthouse checks in at a cool $12.5 million.
4. Mandarin Oriental Penthouse – Boston, Massachusetts
Listed as five-star living with full hotel services, valet service and 180-degree views overlooking Fenway Park, the Back Bay, Charles River to Cambridge and the Zakim Bridge, the Mandarin Oriental Penthouse encompasses 5,100 sq.ft. of living space. The developer of the Mandarin Oriental is asking $9.95 million for the penthouse.
5. 2999 Kalakaua Ave Penthouse - Honolulu, Hawaii
2999 Kalakaua’s tropical setting is the perfect spot for penthouse views of the ocean. This newly renovated 3,445 sqft three bedroom penthouse overlooks the Pacific Ocean and Diamond Head State Monument offering panoramic views of nature. Current asking price: $5.2 million.
6. 100 Seagrove Lane Penthouse – Saratoga, Florida
Another stunning entry from Florida, the penthouse at 100 Seagrove comes with a rooftop garden overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and private elevator access to a two car garage. There are only twelve homes in the entire building making it a very private retreat. On the market for $4.25 million.
7. Endeavour Penthouse – Seabrook, Texas
The Endeavour Penthouse includes numerous outdoor spaces including a 500 sq.ft. balcony overlooking Clear Lake and a 1,200 sq.ft. roof top terrace. The penthouse for fitness buffs, the Endeavour Penthouse also comes with an infinity pool, resistance pool, hot tub and outdoor kitchen. Asking $3.6 Million.
8. 2211 E Camelback Road Penthouse – Phoenix, Arizona
This building is most well known for being the residence of Senator John McCain and his family though they do not live in the penthouse. 2211 E. Camelback Rd’s penthouse features a master bedroom that is over twenty-two feet long, views of Phoenix and access to the building’s ultra-luxury amenities like its roof-top pool, spa, concierge and 24 hour valet service. Oh, and you get free Starbucks coffee Monday through Friday.
How much will it cost you to live atop the same building as the McCains? A mere $3.45 million.
Each of the eight penthouses above offer unique characteristics while offering what is quickly becoming the platinum standard of ultra luxury living with services 24 hour valet, state of the art security systems that utilize fingerprint recognition technology, concierge, private resident-only lobbies, hotel amenities and roof top retreats.