Daytona Beach Real Estate Blog: January 2009

Yesterday I posted a blog about my new listing for sale in Port Orange FL. This is a brand new listing for me. But it's not the first time I've blogged about this house, or the owner. I originally met this seller back in September of 2008 when he asked me to do a Market Analysis (CMA) on his house. You see, this house is so unique that it's hard to determine an asking price So I posted a blog titled "How Would You Sell This House?". And because of some fantastic changes that had been made to this house when it was built (that were not completely in-line with the Codes for Port Orange and his neighborhood), he was not allowing his then-current REALTOR®, or any REALTOR® who got the listing, to advertise the very features that made the house worth his asking price. In that blog, many of you posted your suggestions on how you would market, and sell this house. Due to the non-conforming changes, we thought in circles without ever really reaching any definitive answers.

After posting that blog, as the home owner read all of our answers and suggestions, he decided not to give me the listing just yet. He decided to reduce his price, and leave it with his then-current listing agent. << I blogged about that too! I wish there were more real estate sellers like that! You see, this seller wasn't unhappy with his current listing agent. He just wanted to sell his house. And since he decided the best course of action was to just reduce his asking price, he really had no reason to move his listing to another brokerage at that time. (All sellers should take a lesson from this one... unless you have specific reason to believe your real estate agent is not properly marketing your real estate listing.)

And now I'll jump forward in time. This week I listed this house, and blogged about it yesterday. It turns out, that after he extended his listing with his previous REALTOR®, that REALTOR® dropped the ball and didn't call him at all for several months. So now I have the opportunity to market and sell this fantastic listing! But I wanted to remind you all about the previous blogs regarding this house. Because since last September, the seller made a few changes that were minor, but brought his house into conformity with Port Orange codes, but at the same time, maintained the integrity of the unique features that made his house worth every penny of his asking price.

So at this time, this fantastic house still has a full in-law suite/guest area that is more like an apartment, including a separate 220 line, but the 220 outlet has been capped, and the separate service panel now has a couple of dummy switches installed. So all the wiring for the extra 220 line is still in place, but not connected.

One thing I didn't know before, was that the garage wall that separates the 3rd car garage bay from the 1st and 2nd garage bays, has a door framed out in the wall. But it has been covered over with drywall. So if a buyer would like to have in-garage access to the 3rd bay, it's a simple fix to just cut along the lines, and install a new door.

So if you're a REALTOR® with a potential buyer for this unique Port Orange home, then don't hesitate! Call me today, to schedule your appointment. And if you're a buyer for a spectacular house of this nature, you too should call me right away. Because I intend to market this listing to the fullest extent possible, in order to help the seller find a buyer as quicly as possible.

View information and photos of this unique Port Orange house. <<

Port Orange FL is a great place to live. Now here's your chance, with this beautiful Johnson built, 4 bedroom, 3 bath, lakefront home with 3 car garage, safe room, and screened, solar heated pool.

I could post a multitude of photos, and try to describe every gorgeous aspect of this one-of-a-kind, unique home, and still not expose the tip of the iceberg of this spectacular home. So look closely at every photo, and read about every fabulous detail, but if this sounds like the home for you, then pick up your phone and call me right now, so you can see this home for yourself!

Lisa C. Hill | Adams Cameron & Co. | 386-212-5357 6082 Shallow Brook Court, Port Orange, FL Beautiful lake-front home on large lot, with guest/extended family/in-law quarters. 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3 car garage. $499,000 4BR/3BA Single Family House   offered at $499,000 Year Built 1999 Sq Footage 4,197 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 3 Car garage Lot Size 30,800 sqft HOA/Maint $55 per month DESCRIPTION Have you ever dreamed of owning a home in a community where each and every house was like an estate home? ... And did you dream that the elegance of your home went beyond the limits of all others?... And did you further dream, that on the inside, your home held desirable secrets, far beyond what all the others could even imagine? ... If this is your dream, then this is your home! This beautiful, Johnson built, 4 bedroom, 3 bath, lakefront home with 3 car garage, safe room, and screened, solar heated pool, is perfect for entertaining, or for enjoying the spacious beauty with your family. The rear covered lanai offers a peaceful retreat, and the large premium lot has panoramic lake views, and plenty of room for play. Now lets step inside, through your etched-glass, double front doors, to your elegant foyer with decorative tile flooring. Entertain your favorite guests in your bright, front, formal living room. Then continue your entertainment in your formal dining area with recessed lighting over decorative shelving, more lake views, and plenty of room for your dining furniture. So what else would your dream home have?... How about an open kitchen with breakfast bar, 30 inch cabinets, recessed lighting, a food prep sink with garbage disposal, plus large ceramic sink, then continue entertaining in your large nook, and adjoining family room, all with easy access to your covered lanai, pool, and lake. But there’s still more! There are too many extras to list in the main quarters, so let’s move on to the most unique part of your dream home! ... A completely private area for guests, extended family or in-law quarters. Your guests/extended family/in-laws can enter their private quarters from the shared door in the family room, the 3rd car garage bay, or the extra, exterior door. And your guests/in-laws can enjoy fantastic views from their own kitchen and bedroom. This absolutely beautiful guest section also has a full bathroom, and separate AC/Heating system. Last but not least, some more special extras to be found throughout the home... security system, surround sound, intercom, garden tub in master bath, indoor laundry room, 5 zone irrigation with reclaimed water, gutters all around, water softener, 7 ceiling fans, mature citrus trees, termite bond, attic storage, and in case you missed it, the home has dual zoned AC/Heat and two 200 amp service panels. So now the question is, could you possibly want anything else in your home? Schedule your appointment today! If you can dream of anything else, it just might be in this home, but not listed here. Buy now before someone else steals your dream!   see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat High/Vaulted ceiling Walk-in closet Tile floor Family room Living room Dining room Breakfast nook Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Attic Laundry area - inside Swimming pool     COMMUNITY FEATURES Garage parking Lake Secured entry   OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES Unbelievable, Fully-Equipped Guest Quarters Large, Cul-de-Sac, Lakefront Lot Johnson construction home includes Safe Room Screened, Solar Heated Pool 3 Car Garage Rear, Covered Lanai Security System Surround Sound Dual Zoned A/C 2 separate 200 amp Service Panels   ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Lisa C. Hill Adams Cameron & Co. 386-212-5357 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Jan 30, 2009, 6:45am PST

View more photos of this 4 bedroom, 3 bath Port Orange home with 3 car garage. Check back for video shortly.

If you want to buy real estate, or sell real estate in Port Orange, make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill with Adams Cameron & Co., REALTORS®.

Being a REALTOR® can be a tough job. Especially when everyone who wants to sell real estate, or buy real estate, wants to hear some good news about the real estate market. Unfortunately, for the last couple of years, the one answer that everyone wants to hear, is not the answer I've been able to give them.

Last year, I posted a blog with a chart that showed the real estate market statistics for 2000-2007. << Follow the link to view that data.

And now it's time for the 2008 year-end real estate review for Volusia County. The following chart shows the listings vs sales comparison for the greater Daytona Beach area. The only difference between this chart and my previous charts is, this chart does not include the data for New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater. As silly as this may seem, the Daytona Beach Association of REALTORS® and the New Smyrna Beach REALTOR® Association are only about 20 miles apart. It's actually easier for me to work with real estate buyers and sellers who are interested in New Smyrna Beach or Edgewater than it is for me to work with clients who want to buy or sell real estate north of Ormond Beach. But Ormond Beach is part of the Daytona Beach area and New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater are separate. But many real estate brokerages will double post their listings to both the Daytona Beach Area Association of REALTORS® and the New Smyrna Beach REALTOR® Association

All that being said, for now, here is the chart with the real estate data for all of 2008, from the Daytona Beach Multiiple Listing Service (MLS).

And here are the specific numbers for each city...

If you'd like to buy or sell real estate in the Daytona Beach area, make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill with Adams Cameron & Co., REALTORS®.

If you're looking for a beautiful house in Daytona Beach, come to this open house this weekend! You'll love this 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on a corner lot and canal, with 2 car garage. Only $219,000. Look at all these offerings!

• Home is immaculate
• Furniture is negotiable
• Rear screened porch has beautiful canal views
• Huge, galley-style kitchen has abundance of cabinets and counter space
• Entry has welcoming foyer
• 3rd bedroom has window seat and south facing front window. Makes a perfect office if 3rd bedroom is not needed
• Indoor laundry room
• Large living room with fireplace and built-in bookshelves
• Roomy breakfast nook also has peaceful canal views
• Also has formal dining area with plenty of room for all your dining furniture.

All this, in a secure, gated community with entry guards, clubhouse, restaurant, golf courses and fantastic location near I-4 and I-95.

Open House this Sunday, January 25, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

101 Morning Dove Ct., Daytona Beach, FL (Pelican Bay)

www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateSales.com

Lisa C. Hill | Adams Cameron & Co. | 386-212-5357 101 Morning Dove Court, Daytona Beach, FL Outstanding home in Country Club Community. 3/2/2 on canal and corner lot. Shows like a model. A must see! 3BR/2BA Single Family House   offered at $219,900 Year Built 1992 Sq Footage 1,800 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 6,600 sqft HOA/Maint $110 per month DESCRIPTION Pelican Bay is a completely secure, country-club community, boasting 2 guarded entrances, 2 golf courses, clubhouse, restaurant, and much more, including fantastic location near shopping, and I-4 \ I-95 interchange. This beautiful, immaculate home on corner, canal-front lot, has a comfortable flow with high, half-oval windows in several rooms, decorative moldings and shelving, recessed lighting, lighted niches, a fantastic great room with dining area, plus a fireplace with half-oval mirror over the top, canned spotlighting, built-in bookshelves, and sliding glass doors to the rear screen room with tinted windows, where you can relax and enjoy the view of your fruit trees, Crepe Myrtle, and the peaceful canal. The large galley-style kitchen has plenty of cabinet and counter space, extra-long breakfast bar, built-in microwave, new refrigerator, and all appliances included in the sale. The lovely master suite boasts plenty of space, walk-in closet, and master bath has double sinks, garden tub and roomy step-in shower. Other notable features of this fabulous home include an indoor laundry room, tiled foyer, garage shelving, a more than adequate 40 gallon water heater, and many more desirable offerings. The 3rd bedroom with window seat can be used as a family room, bonus room, office or whatever meets your needs. The Islandia HOA dues are $748 per year and include lawn care. The Pelican Bay HOA dues are very reasonable at only $575 per year. This fee includes coverage by the security guards. This home is a must see! Pelican Bay offers the ultimate in amenities and if you check the recent comps, you’ll find this spotless home to be a great buy! Furniture is negotiable as well. Be sure to view all photos and the full video tour.   see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Fireplace High/Vaulted ceiling Walk-in closet Tile floor Breakfast nook Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Washer Dryer Laundry area - inside Yard COMMUNITY FEATURES Clubhouse Fitness center Swimming pool(s) Tennis court(s) Golf course Secured entry   OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES Country Club Community Guards at both entrances Beautiful home on Corner Lot and Canal Fruit Trees, Crepe Myrtle, Herb Garden Clubhouse, Tennis, 2 Golf Courses House has Fireplace, Built-In Bookshelves Recessed Lighting New 16 inch Tile plus thick Carpeting Rear Screen Room with Tinted Windows Much More! Read extras in the description   ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Lisa C. Hill Adams Cameron & Co. 386-212-5357 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Jan 23, 2009, 9:36pm PST

Earlier this week I wrote a post to my real estate blogs, about the Community of Countryside in Port Orange, FL. This is not the first time I've blogged about this beautiful community. I may be a bit partial to it, since it's my home neighborhood. I live in The Hunt Club in Countryside. The Hunt Club is just one of several communities within the greater community of Countryside. And the fabulous Port Orange location is as convenient as it gets. To learn more about the master community of Countryside, or some of the smaller communities within, just follow the links within this post, and keep clicking from there. 

Countryside, The Hunt Club, Steeplechase, The Meadows, The Villas, and the other interior neighborhoods, are all deed restricted communities. (There are mini and master associations.) All of the mini associations have access to the Countryside clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts, and is situated on a beautiful lake. All home owners and residents of the smaller communities within Countryside have access to these amenities, which are paid for, in the very affordable annual Home Owner's Association (HOA) fees. And since my husband is the President of The Hunt Club in Countryside, I just finished typing the first 2009 newsletter for him. So I decided to share it with you. This is a great way for you to have a taste of our fabulous community.

If you're a real estate buyer, or a real estate seller, make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill for all your real estate needs.

www.PortOrangeRealEstateSales.com

 Visit the new Port Orange/Countryside blog at www.PortOrangeRealEstateBlog.com or www.CountrysideNews.com

As a REALTOR®, I feel that it's a large part of my job, to look out for, and educate my clients, and potential clients about anything relating to their homes, or any real estate they may be buying or selling. In light of this sense of duty, I felt an obligation to share what I know about the new CFL light bulbs that are supposed to be more environmentally friendly than the ones we've been using for our entire lives (pretty much).

I don't know if everyone is aware of the fact that the new CFL light bulbs contain mercury. I've known this for a while, but it seems like the EPA and the government pushing the new CFL light bulbs on us, are deliberately not stating all the facts.

I guess the question that remains, once you've discovered that there is mercury is this supposedly eco-friendly bulb is, are you OK with that? Have you asked yourself the important questions, such as, what happens when one breaks in your home? Here are a few facts about the cleanup process...

• All pets and humans should immediately leave the room.
• Central heat and air units should be turned off immediately.
• No one should re-enter the room for a minimum of 15 minutes.
• Glass particles and mercury dust should be scooped up with something solid and place in a glass jar with a metal lid, or sealed bag.
• Remains should then be taken to a toxic waste dump!
• Even if the bulb is not broken, do not through it in the trash because it will break in transit to the dump. They must always be taken to a toxic waste dump!

I made the following video on this topic, for my YouTube channel and subscribers. I discuss these points in the video, and I included links to scientific data about these so-called "environmentally friendly" light bulbs. And yes, It's a litle bit long, but I made the video for my YouTube subscribers (and they don't mind), then decided to use it in this blog, rather than the other way around. But you can find plenty of info in a Google search, if you'd like to do your own research. I'm not in any way exaggerating the facts! If anything, I didn't place enough emphasis on the problems.

For all your real estate needs, make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill with Adams Cameron & Co., REALTORS®.

Get all your real estate information here.

Good news for Port Orange residents... and residents of the Countryside Community. As many of you know, I'm a lifetime resident of Daytona Beach, and I've lived in The Hunt Club in Countryside for the last 10 years. My husband has been on the Board of our Home Owner's Association (HOA) for the last few years... I've lost count of exactly how many. Don't tell him I'm giving him too much praise. We wouldn't want him to let this go to his head =P but he does a really good job  =)  If you've ever served on an HOA Board, you probably know it can be a thankless position. But he lets the pettiness and silly complaints just roll off his back, while doing a great job with the real problems. To be honest, he has a lot more patience than I do! But I do help him with some behind the scenes work. Primarily, typing and formatting the Hunt Club newsletter.

Last night as I was typing the Hunt Club newsletter, I decided it was also time to update the Countryside (and Port Orange) blog. The blog is something I started for the community a few years ago. But it was a very outdated, online bulletin board.  The good part about it is that once I created the categories, the residents were able to post their own items for sale, garage sales, events at the clubhouse, and a number of personal posts. But it wasn't up-to-date with Web 2.0. There was very little way for them to interact with each other.

So, if you're a Port Orange resident, I think you'll be happy with the new blog I created last night, just for you! It's a simple Blogspot blog, with an introductory post to get it started. I've assigned a couple of different domains to it, so you can access it through www.CountrysideNews.com or www.PortOrangeRealEstateBlog.com. The domain that's better named for the entire city will be www.PortOrangeRealEstateBlog.com as soon as I can get the glitches worked out. If you like, you can easily create your own Blogger/Blogspot account, and comment on the new posts on OUR Port Orange blog =)  You might find that you enjoy and get started on your own blog as well.

I still have a lot of work to do, to make our new Port Orange blog more visually appealing, and I'll be adding some fun widgets very soon, most importantly, a Twitter widget! Then you can chat back-and-forth with other Port Orange neighbors.

So pop on over, comment, and feel free to send me your suggestions for future posts. Looking forward to lots of fun! I'll see you on the new Port Orange Real Estate Blog.

Visit my web site at www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateSales.com. To jump directly to the Port Orange section, go to www.PortOrangeRealEstateSales.com.

New to Active Rain? Welcome! We love to see new "sprouts" around here. All it takes is a little (Active) Rain before you bloom and flourish. And this post is for our technologically challenged sprouts. So let's get started right away. In the past week, I think I've read at least 20 blog posts, all by new Rainers who were excited about the "new" experience of social networking. ???? Whoa!  We have some work to do!

If you don't know what Web 2.0 means, may I suggest that you learn ASAP!?  But I'll make this easy for you. You're about to get the fast-track, Web 2.0 Syllabus!

I personally know many REALTORS who seem to be completely oblivous to anything involving technology, but for those agents, it was a choice they made many years ago.  (A very stupid choice!)  No matter who suggested it, or how many times it was suggested, they flat out refused to learn. As a result, they're now beyond clueless regarding todays' way of doing business. But that's OK. That just means more business for the rest of us; including YOU, even if up until this point you didn't know anything about Web 2.0 or SEO- (Bonus Info!). Because you're reading and learning! Now that the internet has become an expected way of doing business, there are quite a few real estate agents who, due to their lack of interest, may as well kiss their real estate careers' good bye.  Unlike us!

Now for the name-dropping portion of this post. How tacky! Or not. Why? Because for this post, I'm handing out free information, and some recommended names of Web 2.0 and SEO experts here on Active Rain. Like...

• Jeff Turner, A technology... genius?-This is a great post for me to share with you. Jeff has a multitude of his own technology links embedded in this one post. 
• Brad Andersohn, Tech... Guru?- In this post, Brad shares the top 100 Web 2.0 Applications and Sites for 2008. 
• The Online Marketing Help Center Group- This is an Active Rain group. It contains posts from lots of Rainers. Most of them provide Search Engine Optimization (SEO) advice.

Now here are a few random SEO and Technology posts.

Am I Breaking Some Rules Of Social Networking? Yes I Am

SEO Series

Copyright Laws and SEO

10 Baby Steps to Better SEO

SEO for the New Year: A What-If Disaster

And here are a few of my own technology-related blog posts, to help you improve your real estate business.

HTML Interior Blog Banner: Step-by-Step Instructions

Widgets for your Blogs

Google vs PC, Mac, PDA's, etc.

So there you go. Now our new "sprouts" have some tools to "grow" their blogs into lucrative money-makers.

WELCOME!

Over a year ago, I wrote a blog post about the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. In real estate, our Code of Ethics is something that sets us apart from other industries, and even other arms of the real estate industry. There are so many misconceptions of REALTORS®, but the guidelines for every REALTORS®' actions are spelled out in our Code of Ethics. So I wanted to provide this information that will educate the public, and put some misconceptions to rest. You'll also find out how YOU (the consumer) can stand up for your rights!

Last week, I completed my recent CoE requirements. The best part is that with the progression of technology, we now have the option of taking the course online instead of having to sit through a classroom course, at the Daytona Beach Area Association of REALTORS®, during specific hours that have been pre-set by an instructor. (Why do they always want us there early in the morning!?!) The only negatives of taking the course online are that it takes a lot longer to complete than what you're told, and there is a test at the end of the online course that is not required when the course is taken in the classroom. (Maybe the test is actually a positive?)

Now for some public education.

First of all, REALTORS® are required to complete 14 hours of Continuing Education Credits every two years. And in addition to the 14 hours of CEC's, every 4 years we're required to take an additional course on the Code of Ethics. So as I spent my New Year's Eve finishing my Code of Ethics course (No, I don't procrastinate. Why would you ever think such a thing?) before I even got deep into the actual Code, as I was browsing through the Preamble, I underlined one section, and wrote "Blog" beside it. And as I continued with the course, there were several other sections that tied together in my mind.

If you're a real estate buyer, a real estate seller, or maybe you're a new REALTOR® who has not yet had to take your first Code of Ethics course, or maybe you're coming up on your 4th year and you've forgotten some of the Articles of the Code, or maybe you're just not aware of some potential changes that may have occurred since your last Code of Ethics course.

In just the Preamble to the Code you'll find a lot of information. Here are a few quotes...

• "REALTORS® should recognize that the interests of the nation and it's citizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widest distribution of land ownership. They require the creation of adequate housing, the building of functioning cities, the development of productive industries and farms, and the preservation of a healthful environment."

• ...REALTORS® are expected to be "zealous to maintain and improve the standards of their calling and share with their fellow REALTORS® a common responsibility for it's integrity and honor."

• "In recognition and appreciation of their obligations to clients, customers, the public, and each other, REALTORS® continuously strive to become and remain informed on issues affecting real estate and, as knowledgeable professionals, they willingly share the fruit of their experience and study with others. They identify and take steps, through enforcement of this Code of Ethics and by assisting appropriate regulatory bodies, to eliminate practices which may damage the public or which might discredit or bring dishonor to the real estate profession."

• ...REALTORS® are not to "attempt to gain any unfair advantage over their competitors" and "in instances where their opinion is sought, or where REALTORS® believe that comment is necessary, their opinion is offered in an objective, professional manner, uninfluenced by any personal motivation or potential advantage or gain."

• REALTORS® are to embody "the Golden Rule. "'Whatsoever ye would that others should do to you, do ye even so to them.'"

• "The term REALTOR® has come to connote competency, fairness, and high integrity resulting from adherence to a lofty ideal of moral conduct in business relations. No inducement of profit and no instruction from clients ever can justify departure from this ideal."

• Regarding the Golden Rule, REALTORS® should "pledge to observe it's spirit in all of their activities whether conducted personally, through associates or others, or via technological means, and to conduct their business in accordance with the tenets set forth below."

(End of Preamble) Now for a tiny tidbit of the actual Code itself...

Article 1: ..."REALTORS® pledge themselves to protect and promote the interests of their client. This obligation to the client is primary, but it does not relieve REALTORS® of their obligation to treat all parties honestly."

Now for the reason I decided to write this post. As I was reading through the Preamble and the Code, and studying for the test, I noticed a theme running through it all. No, I don't mean just the theme of how The Code applies to the business practices of REALTORS® in general (which is the theme it's supposed to project), I saw a different theme. What I saw was how frequently we apply the Code, in so many mediums, without even knowing it. Let me demonstrate, using the portions I've provided ...

The end of my first example from the Preamble says "the preservation of a healthful environment".

This has been in the Preamble to our Code of Ethics for many years. But only in the last couple of years, has the construction end of the real estate industry starting "going green". So until now, REALTORS'® hands have been tied on how much we could do about preserving a healthful environment, aside from encouraging buyers of commercial real estate and/or parcels of land to complete their due diligence by having a soil test. But with more and more "green" options available, REALTORS® are able to better uphold the Code of Ethics.

As our Code instructs REALTORS® to be "zealous to maintain and improve the standards of their calling and share with their fellow REALTORS® a common responsibility for it's integrity and honor", I immediately thought of our blogs, and the way we share experiences and information with each other through our posts and comments. Technology has opened up so many new ways to uphold the Code! And this same line of thinking applied even more to the next paragraph of the Preamble that I shared... "as knowledgeable professionals, they willingly share the fruit of their experience and study with others."

The next two segments of the Preamble that I chose to share, were for the education of the public, and to serve as a reminder to REALTORS®.

"REALTORS® are not to "attempt to gain any unfair advantage over their competitors" and in regards to that same line of thinking, we also have... "REALTORS® are to embody the Golden Rule; "Whatsoever ye would that others should do to you, do ye even so to them."

And lastly, in light of the opinions of a large number of Americans who have had the unfortunate displeasure of working with real estate agents who, not being REALTORS®, were not obligated to do business under the guidelines of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, or even worse, actual REALTORS® who did not uphold the Code in their transactions, I believe Article 1 of the Code is of the utmost importance. So once again... (Article 1) "REALTORS® pledge themselves to protect and promote the interests of their client. This obligation to the client is primary, but it does not relieve REALTORS® of their obligation to treat all parties honestly."

Once again, for absolute clarification. REALTORS® are to protect and promote the interests of their clients.

And with that, the only thing left to add, is directed to real estate buyers and sellers. As a buyer or seller of real estate, if you the consumer, have been misrepresented by a REALTOR®, and/or believe your REALTOR® has violated the Code of Ethics while representing you, YOU can contact that REALTORS'® local REALTOR® Association and file a grievance. Not only REALTORS® can file grievances against other REALTORS®.

Regardless of what your personal experiences have been, one thing to always remember is, under NO circumstances can a REALTOR® or real estate agent, EVER violate the HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) laws regarding a protected class. These protected classes are... "race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, and national origin." So DO NOT request your REALTOR® or real estate agent to in any way discriminate against a protected class!

Now that you know more about the laws, and your rights, you (the consumer) know what to expect, and can rest assured that you CAN trust your REALTOR®. And if your REALTOR® does not uphold the Code of Ethics, you know your rights as well. To be more knowledgeable, feel free to fully educate yourself by reading the entire Code of Ethics. (Some changes have been made since the Code you'll find at this link. I believe the most recent changes were in 2004/2005.)

For all your real estate needs, make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill with Adams Cameron & Co., REALTORS®.

www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateSales.com

I HAD to share this post. So few people can truly understand the current real estate crisis, yet everyone has an opinion. But I couldn't have summed it up as well as Lenn Harley did in the following post. The statistics included are not about the Daytona Beach area, but the same principles apply. You owe it to yourself to read it all the way through. You can learn a lot from this wealth of information...

I wanted to write this post yesterday, but I just got too busy. However, since this was so cool, I still had to share it. 2008 was a leap year. But did you know it was a leap two times over? Or maybe I should say, it was a leap in two different ways. February 29th made 2008 a leap year. But a few days ago I discovered 2008 was even longer than that one extra day. It was longer by... one extra second!

My plan was to post this yesterday and tell you to take your one extra second, and use it wisely, just before the stroke of midnight. Although, to be precise... (umm, even more precise) the extra second was squeezed in between 6:59 and 7:00 p.m. on December 31.  I really wanted to see what everyone could come up with, for ways to use their extra second. But I guess I'll have to settle for hearing you share with us, what you were actually doing when your extra second rolled by.

For those of you who are interested in why 2008 had an extra second, I'll be happy to share. I found this fascinating. Apparently, the Earth slowed down in 2008! (And you thought it was only the economy.) Actually, our one extra second has accumulated over the last three years, as determined by the earth's atomic clock. So by giving us a "leap second", the powers that be are ensuring that the earth can maintain it's most accurate sun cycle, and be best aligned with it's astronomical clock. And this isn't the first time this has been done! The last time it was done was just a few years ago, in 2005. (It was first done in 1972.)

And to keep things juicy, (geek drama!) there are those who think the atomic clock should be strictly followed, down to the nanosecond, without ever being manipulated by human hands. But the opposing side wants to ensure the sun being near overhead at noon, thus preserving "normality" for all of our great, great, great grandchildren. I think I'll stay on the side of the latter.

But wait! Let's think this through a bit more. What about all the things that have internal clocks? Our computers, cell phones, GPS systems and even the entire internet could eventually end up way off, if this keeps up! But luckily for us, most of them (it's the "most" that concerns me) periodically synchronize with the Earth's atomic clock. But guess who does not adjust to the UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) system?  Canada! They have not adjusted to the UTC until... 2008! =)

I found this cute little quote, once I started researching this to me, previousy unknown phenomena... "Leap seconds aren't planned too far in advance since the Earth's exact rotation is unpredictable. Everything from the tides to weather patterns can affect the Earth's wobble, thereby slowing down or speeding up the planet's rotation."  Sounds like our planet is keeping some scientists on their toes. It's gradually slowing down!

The good news is, if you were a second late in finding your honey at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, it turns out, everyone else was just celebrating early! (Unless they had already unknowingly had a clock adjusted.) And with that, I'll wrap this up with a way one man was planning to use his extra second. He was going to be listening to a short-wave radio, at which point he'd hear not one, but two extra blank second markers. Now that is too much excitement for me!

So how did you use your extra second? If I go by the real time the extra second was added, I was napping =D. But if I use the second before midnight.... (you won't believe this) I was frantically trying to finish the online test for my necessary Code of Ethics Training. Talk about the ultimate procastination! O.o

I hope you had fun with your extra second. Someone needs to make up for my lack of initiative... or poor planning  >.<

HAPPY NEW YEAR!