By the geico cave man

February 28, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

P.T. Barnum once said….”there’s a sucker born every minute”

By Lurking Buyer

February 28, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

WAITING, … AND VERY PATIENTLY WAITING.

By READY TO BUY

February 28, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this

Waiting, … and very patiently waiting.

By Steve

February 28, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this

Maxmoose/Student

It must suck to be you.

You think YOU’RE smarter than everyone around you but YOU’RE in the financial HOUSE OF PAIN. You hang out on this blog trying to convince people that the R.E market in P.B.C is wonderful so you can dump YOUR stupid investments on them.

First, you used the alias “Student”. In YOUR attempt to show all the dummies in P.B.C who won’t buy YOUR POS how even a seventeen year old high school student can see how great an investment RE here is. If only you were old enough to buy here was how it went.

Then, you decided to change YOUR tactics and pretend you were a successful broker/realtor who was telling his secrets to success just to help the average guy.

The truth is YOU’RE a loser who try’s to make the quick buck but fails. I’ve got some advice for you though, so don’t fret. Quit thinking you know everything and try a little humility.

By The Truth

February 28, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this

“I feel like a doctor. People call me as if they have caner”. You’ve got to be kidding.

Hmm, Let me see. Pay an additional 1% on top of your realtor’s commission to have another scam artist tell you to lower your asking price. I can do that myself. Can you say FSBO. Thanks, but I don’t need your advice Doctor.

By maxmoose03

February 28, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this

FOLKS! DID YOU SEE THAT!

Steve is writing to tell us he has mastered the difference between “you’re” and “your.” And he did it all alone with just the help of his wife and son. Fabulous, Steve.

Unfortunately, everything else you said was nonsense. Still, this is a major step forward for you.

It’s also the most I have ever seen you write — aw S**t, I see it now. It is not Steve writing. Oh well.

Well, whoever you are, there is one important concept you have to get straight, and that is that I don’t think I am smarter than everyone.

I think I am smarter than STEVE, and I think almost everyone else is, too.

Next time Steve/Helper, let’s work on “tries” instead of “try’s.” OK? Fabulous.

By maxmoose03

February 28, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this

“The Truth” nails it again, and concisely as usual.

Actually, the difference between a Doctor and Mr. DeFalco is: you stand a good chance of recovery after you see a Doctor.

Now I’ve seen everything.

This is a well known guy in the R/E circles down here. What he does - or did - was buy up crappy homes, put a coat of paint on them, and flip them.

He didn not put any effort into making thehomes nice, and showed no particular marketing skills. One of them, near K-Mart in Boca, sat for months and months at the height of the buying frenzy.

When Mr. DeFalco found he could no longer market his houses, he turned increasingly to auctioning.

Now he has apparently found a new angle: he is going to critique your realtor (who very likely has better skills than him).

I am not sure how this is going to play with FAR/MLS rules, but it should be amusing.

Be very careful with this guy. If he, or on of his agents shows you a house, ask who the owner is. Usually it’s — Fred DeFalco.

By Easyas123

February 28, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

FL Rennaisance…ANOTHER new pseudonym for ABCMAXstudentcw.

Wow…some interesting quotes…Rents will TRIPLE in the event of another hurricane? Triple? How do you figure that? COnsidering that rents have remained quite stagnant in relation to buying prices over the last half decade. For instance. In late 2000, I rented a nice sized 1brm apt with a 10th flr view of Lake Michigan on the North side of CHicago, a mile north of Wrigley Field. A year later, I moved in with the girlfriend out in the burbs. Circumstances changed, and in 2004, I moved back into the same exact building and the 1 brm apts were STILL $750/mo, while in that same time period, home prices had more than doubled on average.

Three years later, that same building on Wilson and Sheridan in CHicago, with the great view of Lake Michigan, is renting those 1 brm apts for $775/mo. That means, (do the math Max) in over six years, the rent on a nice apartment in a decent northside neighborhood in the world’s greatest city has only risen $25.00.

I was down here just before Frances and Jean hit, and the place I now live next to City Place was charging $745/mo for a 2brm 1bth. Today, after three major hurricanes in two years, I am paying $780/mo. Two years. Three major hurricanes. Rent up $35.00. Not quite tripled, eh Max, err…ABC.

SO what, pray tell Max, err…CW..I mean Easy would cause rents to not just go up, not just double, but TRIPLE after the next storm? I would love to hear your reasoning.

Another thing easymax, why dont you and your alter egos ever give some specific information on these places and stats you quote? Whenever I give prices and facts, I ALWAYS indicate specifics of locations, and precise buildings so anyone can verify my claims.

Those 1brm apts in CHicago I spoke of, are at 4600 N. CLarendon ave. Managed by hunter properties. hunterprop.com

Brand new condos in luxury buildings are being rented out by desperate speculators AS WE SPEAK for less than half of the cost of owning on a monthly cost basis. Prado, One City Plaza, Metropolitan, 610 Clematis…right now. No rush, because there is an endless supply.

SO Max, IM sure we would ALL love to know where this alleged house you own is that supposedly doubled in value since last December. Or your $2500/mo rental property that you insist on three months rent up front. And of course, IM sure eager renters are lined up outside your door willing to fork over $7500. to rent your average house.

You see folks, it should be quite obvious, by the pseudonyms, the conversations he carries on between his alter egos (such as when ABC points out the intelligence of cw, student, or max, ALL THE SAME PEOPLE) this guy is a mental case.

He lives in a mental institution where he is free to pretend that it will always be 2004, and prices will forever rise, and never fall. Its Max’s magical realtor fantasy land of make believe, where prices rise forever, and there is always a gullible wealthy buyer ready to pay whatever the price just to live in ‘paradise’.

THere is no point in arguing with a delusional lunatic. Easymax probably honestly believe what he is writing on here. Thats just one of the symptoms of insanity. Believing your own fantasies and lies.

He is entertaining though. Rantings of imbeciles often are quite laughable.

By maxmoose03

February 28, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this

Easyas123:

I don’t know what your most salient feature is — tedium or stupidity.

Now you certainly are boring, because nobody gives a crap about Chicago, your rent, or anything else you have to say. Trust me on that.

On the other hand, you are incredibly stupid, with your futile conjecture as to who is who.

Make an effort at understanding this, as difficult as it is for you:

We KNOW who we are. When you make these idiotic accusations that have no basis in reality, we all KNOW what an idiot you are — and the entertainment is…YOU! No matter how hard you try, you are not going to convince us we are one person. Even at your age, you are incredibly naive and foolish. Again, Silly Willy: we KNOW who we are.

You are also so pathetically stupid you can’t understand I was the one telling John my house DIDN’T double as his crazy data says. Whatever language you can read, it isn’t English.

Everyone around here takes first month, last month and a month’s security for a new tenant. That would be 3 months, if you could count that high.

You know what? I am not going to bother, because there is no point in arguing with a 5 year old.

I don’t care what country you are from, I don’t know what language you speak at home, and I don’t care, because I am very egalitarian. But you obviously have not the slightest idea of what life is like in Florida, nor probably anywhere in the US except Chicago.

Now do us all a favor: finish your school, or your little VB project or whatever it is, and GO HOME — to whatever couch “HOME” is for you.

I think this one is actually the most pathetic of them all ;-)

I’m actually arguing with a mentally retarded homeless person. Mea Culpa.

By Steve

February 28, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this

You deny YOU’RE Student?

By maxmoose03

February 28, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

LOL!

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Easyas123, the guy who will have no place ot live after his course finishes, found it necessary to paste his earlier blog, because it was the major opus of his life.

Can you BELIEVE this idiot? It never occurs to him that he might be wrong. And all of you reading, who he is accusing of being me, are just sitting on your butts laughing at him!

Thanks a lot!

Look, this guy may be clinically insane, but at least Florida does not have to claim him. He’ll be thrown out ASAP.

By maxmoose03

February 28, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

I don’t deny a thing, Steve.

I’m everybody, Steve, just like the little meatball from Chicago says.

In fact, I’m him too.

I am easyasabc and Rich R.

I am CW1900 and Florida Renaissance.

I am RCA and that Chinese chic, DOO ME, or whatever it is.

I am Student and Signed and Signed’s Second Cousin, as well.

I am this moron from Chicago, I am even Jeff and Linda - I am every one of them

I am also Rod Serling, Steve, and you have just entered — The Twilight Blog.

By easyas123

February 28, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

I had better clarify a few things before Max/easy posts his babbling response where he simply insults all renters across the board, despite the fact that we are enjoying the paradise lifestyle at a fraction of the cost as buyers these days.

Anyway, I use Chicago as an example because Chicago is a premium priced world class city. On a similar level of New York, except that Chicago is a much nicer, livable city overall, and the pizza is infinitely better than that bland flat foldable crap New Yawkas call pizza. Single family home prices in decent neighborhoods in Chicago are much higher than here. Yet, rents have changed little in almost ten years.

By the way, I am living off my savings from my recent FEMA job. I am able to do that because I am SMART with my money. I saved so much by renting downtown for $780 a month, that I was able to walk to work, Publix, and school. ONly use my car for roadtrips back north. Little gas costs, no rush hour traffic aggrivation. Plus, I DONT waste my money on outrageously priced drinks at City Place, or at Bradleys, or any other trendy place that gullible suckers patronize and blow their cash on impressing shallow, materialistic chicks with pricey drinks.

DO you understand basic math Max/cw/student/easy? $780 a month to live in the heart of everything. Not some far off treeless devlopment half way out to Belle Glade. DOwntown. $780/mo.

Instead of just irrationally ranting about renters being havenots, how about using reason and logic and explaing how it makes more sense to pay three times as much to live in the same exact area simply for the privilege of being an ‘owner’? If I owned, I would not be able to afford anywhere decent. By renting at such a low cost, I enjoy the convenience and ammenities of Cityplace, but have plenty left over to put money in the bank every month.

Again, its simple math. To BUY a 2brm condo in this part of town, would cost me over $3000.00/mo in total costs. In contrast, by renting, I enjoy the same lifestyle for less than $1000.00/mo. That includes my monthly bills. Cell phone, home phone, electric. Haven’t used the AC since November, so I’ve been enjoying electric bills under $30.00!!

Its called budgeting, and stretching money as far as possible. SO abcmax, please tell me how it makes sense to pay three times as much to live here just to say you own.

By maxmoose03

February 28, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

You poor foolish kid.

You just don’t understand.

You are writing to what to you, anyway, are rich people, babbling about $780 for something or other?

Who cares? My bar bills have been bigger than $780 and I admit freely that other people here top mine by many, many times.

You are trying to get people interested in Pizza in Chicago? Grow up, and maybe you will understand what people are interested in.

And maybe you will understand how foolish you look when you make an assumption that is dead wrong - as yours is - and keep insisting on it!

The median SFH here is now 388K. No one cares about your $30 electric bill. If you owned a problem property, you might find an audience. You don’t. You are a confused 20-something with a low electric bill and unsatifactory pizza.

By maxmoose03

February 28, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

I will only tell you this, Easy123 or whatever: you have not lived long enough — or at least not been paying attention long enough, to understand how the real estate calendar and the calendar of life relate.

Yesterday I had lunch with a friend, and yes this one makes over a million a year and yes our bill would have covered a sizeable portin of your rent. But that is all irrelevant.

He reminisced that his parents had to turn down a Levitt house (a few miles from NYC) in 1960. The asking price was $7000.00 . Seven thousand. Today they are worth at least 400,000. His parents had to decline. They would have needed a down payment of $400.00 , which was an incomprehensible amount of money.

In a few years, when your apartment is worth a million dollars, and a few years later 2 million, you will understand why it makes little difference in the long run how much the monthly carrying charges are along the way — just as long as you hold on. So maybe they wiil wind up having paid 400K instead of 300K. In the long run, it matters not.

By INTERNET MADAM

February 28, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

Mon Cher Maxmoose03,

Comment allez-vous ce soir? Si par hasard, avez-vous un billet de faveur pour la Honda Classic pour demains ou vendredi pour moi?

Voulez-vous aller a la plage avec moi celebrer mon anniversaire? Il fait chaud maintenant. N’oubliez pas un cadeau d’anniversaire pour moi. Nous sommes boire un verre celebrer mon anniversaire. Ou voulez-vous rencontrer avec moi boire un verre mon combinard ami?

Avec l’amour toujours,

 MADAM

By Steve

February 28, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this

I don’t blame you Pinnoccio. Pretty much tips YOUR hand.

By Lawyers are Out

February 28, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

And you wonder why MSNBC is reporting why lawyers all over the country think that the lawyers in South Florida are the laughing stock of the profession. See this link.

http://www.dailybusinessreview.com/news.html?news_id=42217

Can we get a blog that covers the legal field in South Florida? Even realtors and used car salesmen are higher on the esteem list than lawyers. Come on Jeff, get a blog going for all those $400 an hour attorneys in South Florida. Let’s have a new occupation we can all discuss on these blogs.

   Signed,

Devil’s Advocate

By Trav

February 28, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this

We need to get away…a road trip.

Wanna go to Chicago? Naaa, I lived in Des Plaines for 3 years and Winnetka for 7.

The pizza sucked and people really did think it was better there than NY.

By Schigako

February 28, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

We left Schigako in 1992. Never looked back.

Great city, but my lord, I can still feel that cold blowing between those buildings. I worked downtown and lived on the northside.

I enjoyed, but did I tell you I can still feel that cold, and I must say I hated those rubbers that went over my shoes.

By mooseface

February 28, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

Market Watch is reporting Fed ready to act in a financial crisis.

The Federal Reserve stands ready to lower interest rates if a financial crisis erupts, said Tim Geithner, the president of the New York Fed, on Wednesday. "As always, central banks need to stand prepared to make appropriate monetary policy adjustments if changes in financial conditions would otherwise threaten the achievement of the goals of price stability and sustainable economic growth," Geithner said in a speech about liquidity in financial markets to a business group.

Geithner said his remarks were general in nature and not related to "the specific conditions of the moment" where the stock prices plunged around the world. Geithner said liquidity, like market confidence, is very difficult to measure and a reversal of both liquidity and confidence play a critical role in leading to financial shocks. Geithner said financial regulators have a difficult time in predicting when liquidity may reverse.

The best way to limit the risk of crisis is shock absorbers in the financial system. "These shock absorbers are substantially stronger today that they have been even in the relatively recent past," Geithner said.

Exactly who does Geithner think he is fooling when he said his comments were general in nature and not related to the “specific conditions of the moment”. Even if by some miracle those were planned comments that just happened to come when they did, Geithner without a doubt proved he is just another Fed charlatan.

One of the reasons bubbles keep getting bigger and bigger is because the Fed has a history of being ready and willing to act. Market participants know the fed is ready and willing and plan on the Fed bailing them out when risk gets blown out of the water.

Geithner is now openly bragging “These shock absorbers are substantially stronger today that they have been even in the relatively recent past”. There is a curious thing about those shock absorbers, though: It seems they have get stronger and stronger to work. The last “shock absorber” took interest rates down to 1% while creating the mother of all bubbles in credit lending and housing. What’s next ye great wizards?

The best way to limit risk is to not let asset bubbles and risky conditions foment in the first place. Instead, the charlatans at the Fed are depending on shock absorbers to cover up their own mistakes. Eventually (perhaps it has started already, perhaps not), one of those shock absorbers will fail. That is when the charlatans at the Fed will be exposed for what they are.

By mooseface and easydoespbc

February 28, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this

hey mooseface and easydoespbc, lets keep it real. no one believes you or cares what you think. you are like them real estate locust.

the facts are there. in the real world, housing is low, debt is high and pbc is getting kinda rough with all of the shooting going on in the mall. an incident in the downtown at the gardens and you will have people losing their minds.
TELL YOU A LITTLE STORY. RCA LEFT THE BLOG A WAYS BACK. I JUST USE HIS NAME, BECAUSE I KNOW AND LAUGH AT HOW MAD YOU GET JUST SEEING HIS NAME. SO YOU WONT SEE RCA NO MORE. AS FAR AS WHO HAS BEEN POSTING, I AM THE POSTMAN. CANT YOU TELL, NO YOU DONT READ. SINCE YOU DONT READ I AM CHANGING MY NAME TO MOOSEFACE OR EASYDOESPBC, BECAUSE POST IS LEAVING TOO.
A NEW BLOGGER IS TAKING MY PLACE

YOU CAN KEEP BRING UP MY NAME AND I WONT EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF ME.

I AM HEADING UP TO CHICAGO. SO GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK.

SEE YOU NEXT WINTER!

and if you dont believe me, too bad )=

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this

Madame! G pas d’nouvelle de toi depuis longtemps. Tu suis les allees et venues sur ce blog?

Anniversaire, oh mon Dieux…cest une affaire serieuse..t’a quoi, trente ans maintenant? C quand, tout ca?

Faut que je trouve le moyen d’echanger des coordinees por se mettre en contact, l’un avec l’autre.

Le cas echeant, je batirai un truc sur l’Internet.

J’t’tiens au courant.

Grosses bises.

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this

Question: Don’t you rubes ever get tired of feeding my ego?

That’s all you do, with all your combined hard work trying to challenge me — hundreds of hours per week!

If you had the brains to organize all that effort into something useful you could probably have a profitable enterprise going….on the other hand, you all are pretty stupid, you have to admit.

By maxmsoose03

March 1, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this

Wow, now that 11:54 post is a rare treat.

Not just an adolescent, but an adolescent on a bit of cat-nip.

Hey, it’s his parents’ problem, not ours. His Mom and his 3 Dads.

Why do you think they call him “Dope”?

By maxmsoose03

March 1, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

That post at 12:28 is not me. Just another imposter.

By max and the madam

March 1, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this

The Internet Madam is trying to hit Max up for a pair of tix to the Honda Classic, hahahahahaha!

Max thinks he gonna git him some!

By Max (aka "Little B@#$h")

March 1, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

Does anybody else think that we should just call Max “Little B@#$h” from now on? He sure does cry a lot.

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

Madame -

J’ai failli oublier, Honda Classic? Non, vraiment desole, mais c’est pas mon genre. Comme le futbol Amreicain :-).

En meme temps, il a glisse de mon esprit que je suis tombe malade avec un rhume. C pas grave mais j pas dans mon assiette.

D’accord, on s’voie bientot. a toute a l’heure.

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

9:21

No, you little s**t, nobody else does. Max laughs a lot too - at little beggars like you with undescended testicles, no money in your pockets and no brains in your head.

How does it feel to have nothing in life? No talent, no inspiration, no thoughts except how many stereos you can sell at Sound Advice? (Maybe I am already giving you too much credit.)

Now get to shop class, you are going to need those skills after a couple of felony convictions. Send me a postcard next time you are getting raped up the butt in Juvie.

By PBC Resident

March 1, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

I’ll give you free advice:

Price it right: Don’t go by what your neighbor is asking, but what price they have sold for today, if comparable. Be prepared to give the buyer money back at closing.

Have it clean: Make the house and property spotless. Remove all of your possesions to storage. Paint and repair or expect to ask much less. Move in condition will get you a serious bid. A house in need of repair/dirty will get you low ball offers.

Have it on the MLS: Your realtor will probably not find a buyer, but if it’s on the MLS another realtor might. If you try to sell it yourself, subtract what you would pay in commision from your asking price. Stay away from discount brokers, you can do a better job yourself.

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

Just to clarify. The post above me at 10:11 is not me.

By cw1900

March 1, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

The Doctor is in?~

You have got to be kidding me. This is a good sign, people. What do I mean?

During and near the end of any overdone market, overdone to the upside or the downside, real estate or stock market, take your pick, there are contrarian signs every time to tell you the top or bottom is near. Stop, don’t get your thongs stuck and your boxers all ruffled up. There is no crystal ball, just some indications that help to sway the rational mind in thinking the top or bottom may be near.

I learned long ago to sell on maximum euphoria, and buy on maximum pessimism. It’s simple and it works in the long run. No debate here on that. Most of you agree with that, except for the naive, news driven reactionaries.

What I mean is very simple. In 1999, didn’t you know some “Einstein” who quit his day job to daytrade because he thought he was a trading genius? Did someone tell you Pets.com would go to 200 bucks? Do you remember on News Years Eve 1999 hours before the clock struck 2000, there was some bozo on CNBC, I remember this blatantly, telling us Qualcomm was going to 1000 dollars per share! That was before it split. Look it up. It’s there. I was putting on my monkey suit getting ready to go to party at some country club in Naples with people I didn’t care to be around and this bozo is on CNBC telling us about a future $1000 stock. I know I had a few drinks already in me, but I do remember it.

Here’s your sign to sell and we were all greedy and didn’t.

Did any of you have the same experience as I had in 2005 when the oil change shop asst mgr (all of 25) was bragging about how he and his fiancee were quitting their jobs to start flipping houses? Or the chick who did my wife’s nails telling her she and her husband were buying two lots in Ocala. That’s not so funny in itself, except for the fact this idiot and her idiot husband thought Ocala was some new town like Celebration, Viera, etc.??? Now that’s funny, cmon, laugh, that’s good stuff, you people. Those are obvious signs of tops. When the dumb money, the blatantly stupid, get in, it’s always too late, the game is over, period.

Everyone remembers the mass panic after the stock market reopened after 9/11. Rational money came in and bought. Nothing unpatriotic about that. It’s called seeing an opportunity and taking advantage of people who watch way too many talking head news shows and listen to way too much talk radio. Everybody’s an expert, right? Wrong. Don’t listen to experts on cable tv or talk radio. Listen to yourself. Anyway, that panic selling turned out to be wrong, didn’t it? It was overdone to the downside. I remember one self proclaimed expert telling eveyone who would listen, the dow would fall to 4 or 5k, remember?

Anyway, this “Doctor” story about our boy Fred DeFalco, that is one sign that is coming up to you and smacking you right in the face to get your attention that the panic stricken, the ignorant, the fools who love to part with their money, are telling us the bottom is nearing. Another sign was the newbie rush to auctions not too long ago, now this. This is another gimmick offered up by someone who knows how to prey on the financially stupid of our society. Good for him if he can get people to part with their money, but he is helping us by telling us the maximum pessimism sign is about here.

Any idiot who gives this guy 5 bucks ought to have his head examined for any sign of any sense of a business mind. Inside that idiot’s skull, you will find none to be found.

OMG, the stupid of our society. The rich get richer, the idiots get their money taken from them. The rest of us can profit from it by doing the opposite.

cw

By sometimes

March 1, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

regards mass reactions- usually I also go contrarian, but always pay attention to caveat - “If you can keep your head while all around you are losing theirs, perhaps YOU don’t understand the situation”. The Ins, Tax and approaching storm season factors still pretty big elephants.

By cw1900

March 1, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

To PBC Resident,

Yes, that is always great advice, except two things.

I will never, and have never, give money back at closing. I would also never take the commish out of my price if I decide to sell myself.

That benefits the salesperson to sell it quicker, obviously, and the seller, if he or she must sell in a market that requires such seller concessions.

Then again, I’m not selling anything presently in this market and never will in a market like this. There’s no point.

Why? Read my above post.

By FL Renaissance

March 1, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

Good post cw1900; especially the part about the “Jiffy Lube” house flipper. It has been the same throughout time: I remember studying this in B school… As the story goes, it was a shoeshine boy who tipped off J.P. Morgan to sell his stocks before the crash of 1929. Well, to be fair, the lad actually suggested a stock Morgan should buy, but rather than listen to the idea, Morgan realized if the shoeshine boy was in the market, everyone else must be too and he took that as a signal to get out. I personally Zig when others Zag and I Zag when they Zig. It’s worked great for me and I could care less about the underachiers like Steve and his ilk. Keep up the good work…and if he believes I am you…I would consider it flattery. Keep it up

By Steve

March 1, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

CW

Good for him if he can get people to part with their money, but he is helping us by telling us the maximum pessimism sign is about here.

The maximum pessimism sign isn’t even on the horizon. Sorry to say buy your networth is going to take a beating.

By Steve

March 1, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Like the sands of time flowing through the hour glass. So too are your paper gains.

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

10:33 AM comment was not mine either.

By Realist

March 1, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

CW:

Good point about bottom however the only thing I would add is that we will hit bottom when you start thinking real estate is not a good investment! Think stock market 2000.

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

FOLKS - The little high school pukes and other adolescents are not bright enough to realize that it makes no difference what name you put on the post: the facts, knowledge and logic that you bring to it are what matter, and how we know one another. Since they possess none of the above, their empty posts stand out like a sore thumb.

CW - Your post made me laugh, remembering how I went to “explore horse country” last year in Ocala. What I found was a large, crowded city, which even had an historic section where seriously old houses sold for serious money. I think it’s a bit late for any of us to be Ponce de Leon, at least in Florida.

PBC Resident -

Your logic contradicts itself. First you say your listing agent is not usually going to find the buyer — which is correct — then you say avoid discount brokers.

Why should you avoid discount brokers, when all you really need the listing agent for is to get the house on MLS?

This is where people are so gullible and waste so much money. They will hire Gigundo realty at 3% plus 3% (or even more), because they see a commercial with cats in baskets or people doing the tango on the table, or some schmuck realtor learning to say Hello in Chinese.

Now come on, are you really that stupid? The current MLS model of “branding” agents has been hugely successful in every part of the country, because people are that stupid.

Find an honest realtor who will put your house on MLS for $350 to %500 flat fee. If you have any contract questions SEE AN ATTORNEY. Meantime, do your open houses, which cost nothing, do some LOW COST advertising. Most important, if you can offer owner financing or any financing incentives, make that known. Be sure you only sign an “Exlusive Brokerage” listing agreement, and not an “Exlusive Right to Sell” listing agreement. You want to be able to find your own customer and not owe a commission to a procuring broker.

Bear in mind I am an NAR member, know the system, and can technically call myself a Realtor.

If you talk to listing agents who don’t advertise a flat MLS fee, you will get an extraordinary number of b******t arguments why you must do a full listing with them. Find someone else.

And watch out for characters like Mr. Defalco, described above.

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

All these comments saying I am not the one commenting are not mine. I just wanted to clarify that.

By Steve is a Schmuck

March 1, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

Per genius Steve: “Like the sands of time flowing through the hour glass. So too are your paper gains” That’s the point Steve, we don’t live in nor rent out paper! We own tangible prime PROPERTY you idiot. We are your masters, you are a mere grain of sand on the beach we own!

By Hey Max (Little B@#$H)

March 1, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

You are the scum of the earth. You are a disgusting charlatan, you realtor swine.

No wonder why you cry like a little b@#$h, because in this market your whole life is crashing down around you.

I hope you burn in hell for all those poor little old ladies you are swindeling, you realtor scum.

By .

March 1, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

Now Children, behave. Max’s messages are out there and there is nothing you can do about it. You can’t change them, and, precious little darlings, you don’t have the knowledge or intelligence to argue with them.

So leave Big People talk to Mommy and Daddy, OK?

MMM I would kiss those little faces if they weren’t covered with acne.

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

To “Hey Max”:

Whether you are Rich R. or some other cretin (again the name does not matter — the tone and argument are so familiar) -

I really am ashamed of feeling this way because you are obviously insane, however, I have to tell you, I am delighted with how upset I make you. It’s eye-popping. Other people are laughing at you as I write.

But tell me: if you are so upset with me, and I am who you think I am, why be frustrated by the buffer of the Internet? Come see me. Boy er Man to Man.

With my sincerity and straight-forwardness, I can change your point of view in 5 minutes. Guaranteed.

By REissues

March 1, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

So anyone wanna discuss RE issues ? How about so many props now listed below PAPA appraisals and still not selling ? If Tax law not changed and these props eventually sell for less won’t county start looking to make up lost RE taxes somehow, as appraisals will have to adjust eventually?

By Hey Little B@#$h

March 1, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this

I bet you’d like to have a boy to man meeting, you perv.

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this

Please ignore this news. It has no relevance to the market.

“Ivanhoe Mortgage Closes Doors Ivanhoe Mortgage, a $2 billion-a-year conventional/government lender based in Orlando, Fla., has closed its doors, according to industry officials familiar with the company.”

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this

What I DO like is nitwits like you being so obsessed with me.

I haunt your existence. I am in your every thought. You curse me and lose sleep over me, but you don’t dare come near me.

The Moose reigns over you.

By John

March 1, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this

I have seen several houses listed below their appraised values from PAPA. I think many many more will be added to the list of the “Below appraised”…How long can we go??!!

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

IVANHOE closed? My God what will we do now. By the way, who or what was Ivanhoe Mortgage?

I guess the only “HO” you have left is yo Mama.

BTW: How many shoe stores closed in the last year?

How many Book stores closed in the last few years?

Where did Liberty Books in Mizner Park go?

How about Book Stop near Lyons Road in Boca, or on Federal Highway in Pompano?

I guess we have a book crisis too, right?

Idiot.

By PBC Resident

March 1, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

maxmoose03

Regarding discount brokers…..To clarify, I’m refering to discount brokers like Expert Realty which advertise 2.5% commisions, but tell you later when you have no showings that it will cost 4.5% commision to have them list on the MLS, with the buyers agent getting only 2%. Another is BuyOwner which charges nearly a grand for a couple of signs and a spot on their website.

Yes, a flat rate to get on MLS is nice for those who don’t mind a little work. It’s a lot more affective than just putting a sign out. However, one must still be prepared to pay a buyers agent at least 2% to 3% to get them to bring showings. And yes, almost any title company can set you up with documents to get you to closing….

By df

March 1, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

Not too complicated. Implications are LESS buyers qualifying for mtgs large enough for current prices. More props on mkt longer, resets ?- who knows.

WSJ 3/1/07 : Mortgage Defaults Start to Spread

By Ruth Simon and James R. Hagerty

“The mortgage market has been roiled by a sharp increase in bad loans made to borrowers with weak credit. Now there are signs that the pain is spreading upward.”

By John

March 1, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

Wow..In looking at Melissa Data (just updated) the sales for February are looking really really bad…..Prices have come down too….We are no where near a bottom…Max says his zip has doubled in price..Haha i believe that one…Maybe in NC? Max get out of your denial stage and accept like everyone else that the market is in the process of a huge bust…Wait Max, the truth hurts!!!!!

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

LOL, OK PBC Resident, I will tell you my feelings about Expert Realty, since I have had a brush with them.

First of all, they appear to me to be nuts, and I don’t know how they make any money — if they make any money.

They are constantly changing their business model, and with each model they inist they are meeting astounding success. That 2.5% commission is gone. This finally became official just the other day, and it was in the newspapers. So when you see the 2.5% thing on their hideously colored buggies — forget it.

It was just a few weeks ago that they were bragging to me about their model, how they spent $5 million on billbaords, how they have the best lead-generating machine the Internet has ever seen, how they don’t need MLS, how they are very “structured,” how their agents are given six appointments a day, six days a week, close at least 4 out of 6, get paid only $2500 per closing, hence make $120K a year minimum.

Much of this is apparently out the window now, they appear to be just another MLS broker now.

When you get a real estate license, you are warned not to be an expert in anything — for legal or liability reasons.

“Are there a lot of black people in the neiborhood?”

“I’m not at liberty to say.”

(Potential violation of Fair Housing Laws.)

“What school district is this?”

“Gee, I don’t know, my kids don’t go to school here. But here’s the number of the Palm Beach County School District.”

(Potential liability if you are wrong, or it changes.)

Now here come these lunatics, out of the chute, proclaiming they are Experts on everything.

Well, I don’t know how much time they spend in court. I do know they were not Experts when it came to picking a business model that would survive fluctuations in the market.

I forgot to ask them exactly how many realtors they have closing at least 4 transacdtions a month. I have heard the same claim from other chains, such as Zip. I wanted to add them all up and see if the claimed closings from just a few companies were not higher than the total transactions FAR was recording.

OTHERWISE: I think you should be prepared to pay the procuring agent 3%. These days I would give him/her 3% and my first-born child.

Great post!!! Interesting and well-informed.

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

John - Whatever the hell Melissa Data is, and whatever your reason for hawking it, NO ONE is interested (except you under different names.)

BTW: How is your g/f’s townhouse doing in Firenze?

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

PBC Res - I forgot the most interesting thing about Expert.

They were claiming they didn’t want any listings. Now apparently they are telling people what will cost to sell via MLS? Is that true?

By easyasabc

March 1, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

Since of my return, I have read many articles here. We are beyond the stages of “anger” and “hatred” towards each other and now in the stage of “lock and load”. Just remember boys and girls, you need to make sure you are carrying your conceal weapon permit as you spot each other in the street. In the meantime, I have been on bottle water to find out what is making everyone go nuts in this town!

Note from yesterday about rent going triple in price. I should have clarify myself on that statement. If a hurricane did major damage in a wide spread area, rental peoperty owners up and down the coast would raise their rent by 3X, due to avaibility and demand of people relocating until their residences get s repaired. Please look at New Orleans situation from 2005.

Let me stop here and tell everyone that it is “EASYASABC” writing this blog.

maxmoose, you can just sit back and wait for the next buyer or seller walk through your door. Then again, there must not be that many if you are on this blog 24/7.

Poor max, everyone is dumping on the poor realtor.

I have to agree with everyone about the one who calls herself…. easyfuk, carolina gal, dot, realist, smart renter or any other names that psycho b***h uses has nothing to contribute here.

Steve…..No one cares about you either.

Nurse Ratchet….please have RCA step away from the computer. If you want, you can have RCA entertain the whole West Wing of the asylum by letting him do his re-enactment of the 1968 World Series for the other patients.

It is so sad to have idiots like these people in our society who can walk around and reproduce. It makes me shiver.

This DeFalco character is just another con guy. If people really don’t have to sell, take it off the market. The low point has past and the future is bright. That “Crazy Jim” guy on MSNBC was reporting last night how the FEDS will lower the rates to make the average people buy this year. CNN also reported how the key to this economy is to make people start buying houses. Rates go down, prices go up. Think of all the businesses who can benefit on another strong real estate market period. People are happy when they make money. People who wait, and wait, and wait…..well, you see how they turn out…i.e. Mike Fink.

It is funny to see the panic now from realtors/brokers these days. They all want people to lower their prices, but none of the realtors want to lower their commission prices. Most have raised their commission from 6 to 7% since last summer. IF you sold a home with real estate for $500k, a realtor can get up to 35k of your money…..is that worth it?????

If you sold that same home as a FSBO for $480K, you get $480K…not $465 with a realtor involved. The seller saves money….the buyer saves money…..very simple.

You only need the following to close on a house sale if you went asa FSBO…

• A Title Company

• An attorney

Thats all !

The flat MLS fee is a good idea, but the key to all MLS listings is the commission rate. No realtor will show property that is below 6% commission. The realtors will bypass those listings when they are with their customers. It is injustice to both sellers and buyers. Anyone notice how the realtors are buying property again for themselves? If prices were going down, they would wait. This is a first sure sign of a rebounding market.

I have to agree with CW who said that sellers should not pay for any closing costs or giving extras to the buyer. We are in the start of a upswing stage for this market. “Can’t make up my Mind” buyers should have have jumped on those incentives in 2006.

You think the prices are still high here? I believe we are months away from seeing that 2005 high median sales price. A $500k median price could happen in late 2008. Let me tell you what a $500k home gets you in Southern California……not much at all. Rent for a 1/1 along the Pacific Coast highway is around $2200 a month.

Wait…..I think we just heard Mike Fink vomit his pasta lunch.

I believe that the “have nots” have “blinders” on and do not want to look around see what is happening here. If you own property here, you are in the drivers seat because this market is going only up higher. There is lots of money out there. New money, old money, dirty money…wherever it came from, it still buys the dreams that people always wanted. And, God forbid, if a major hurricane did hit here, it will still not effect the property prices here in a negative way.

If you want to move to Mayberryland, that is OK also. I just want to know why are these anti-Florida people still looking here if their dream home is in that great Klan State, where you can go down the road to a five-star dining establishment like a “Outback” steakhouse, where the meat hops off your plate???

No asian girl today?

Too bad….I enjoy a good laugh.

I have to translate all that french that was going on between madam and max last night. I hope it is dirty! ha ha ha

Oh my, the day is over….another day…another dollar made.

Did you know earthquake insurance is about $400 a year!

easyasabc

P.S. ….this was not maxmoose….repeat: this was not maxmoose…….

me and max the same person……ha ha ha

I do feel for you max, it is not nice to write stories using other people’s names….very confusing.

By data

March 1, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

Good folk at Illlustrated Properties provide graphs of various prices/sales in WPB

http://www.ipre.com/trendg/index.htm

Check some of these numbers out. Especially 330K-499 Range.

Not very pretty pictures.

By Steve

March 1, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this

If you are my master, why are you so angry? Prime property. Ahh haa haa You payed too much.

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this

easyasabc (the real thing):

First of all condolences on your uncle, who did a very generous and very wise thing, ditributing parcels like that.

Next, I appreciate the concern, but a handful of junior high school students trying to take me on is not what I consider a problem. It’s fun messing with their pre-pubescent minds. And if some in that bunch are actually out of their teens, it’s a much bigger problem for them than for me.

We know who is who. Did you get a kick out of that guy telling me I am you? What does he think he is going to do, convince us? A HA HA HA.

Note on rates: The Fed has already raised rates for two straight years — they have shot their wad. If they can’t control interest with just one bunch of levers, they are going to have to find some other knobs to twist. Meantime, they are artificially forcing mortgage rates to this level, impacting home sales (although not so much the prices, astonishingly), and are about to cause a meltdown in the stock market. They really have no choice but to lower rates — and watch home sales take off again.

Also - about the realtors - NO. Do NOT pay 6%. What I was saying above is have someone put you on MLS for a few dollars, then only pay 3% - to the broker who finds your buyer.

This entire system of having a listing broker is a scam — it’s not necessary.

As more and more websites list homes for people, I am hoping the MLS monopoly can be broken — and real estate buyers and sellers will be able to save money.

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

Mr “data” above is so stupid he doesn’t realize his own chart shows “average” sale prices climbing quickly toward asking prices.

If anything, that chart is too optimistic, but I still recommend you skip having anything to do with Illustrated because of their attempts to steal advertising from the PB Post, or to at least stop the goofball “data.”

By chart

March 1, 2007 9:02 PM | Link to this

maxi scoffed at chart which made it worth a look.

West Palm area inventory looks pretty big in this format.

In Jan. they show 514 sales and 22,888 for sales.

73 sales in 500to699K range, with 4,396 for sales.

154 sales in 300-499K range, with 4,396 for sales.

Mill and up 36 sales and 2,038 for sales.

Makes you wonder why 22,888 sellers don’t see they have a chunk of paradise.

By oopps

March 1, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

$300-499K s/b sold 154, for sales 7,224.

Avg price per sq ft numbers also interesting.

By oopps

March 1, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

$300-499K s/b sold 154, for sales 7,224.

Avg price per sq ft numbers also interesting.

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

514? Now there’s an interesting number.

It’s way too high for the FAR number of SFH sales.

And it’s way too low for combined sales.

Know what that number means? Nothing — its b******t, from people who don’t have the skills or authority to compile such data.

BTW, your stupid chart clearly shows inventory falling for several months now, and EXPLICITLY cites the “average” SOLD price as being 447K.

Would God it were true.

22,888 sellers.

Out of a population of over 1,131,000.

What a terrible disaster.

Now stop pushing your broker.

By John

March 1, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this

February Melissa Data Corp shows horrid February sales…Worse than January….The bottom is no where in sight..HOLD ON TIGHT!

By Chart

March 1, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this

Not my “stupid” chart. If you have facts and numbers contrary put them up if you wish . Or not. Could care less. Enough “on the ground” evidence of too many not selling compared to number that do.

relaxmax its only money.

By whodunit

March 1, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

Alright which one of you made David Lereahs mom cry ?

http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/01/magazines/fortune/nar.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2007030113

By inventory

March 1, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

Doesn’t the inventory show climbing on EACH of the Price Range charts ? 200,000 - 299 shows 5,011 for Dec then 5,351 for Jan.

300-499 shows 7,003 for Dec and 7,224 for Jan. Even over 1 Million - 1,951 for Dec, 2,038 for Jan.

looks like increased inventory by these numbers. But we know they don’t count because maxi dont like em.

By maxmoose03

March 1, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this

Chart - That’s right. It’s only money. Which I can afford and you can’t.

HEY - here’s a clue: If you really want me to worry about money, try the stock market — not real estate.

Current median price on EXISTING SFH in PBC:

388K

Next stop 400K?

You can have enough inventory to stretch from here to the moon, as far as I’m concerned. Just as long the median house here appraises at 400K.

My business turns on equity. Could not care less about sales volume or inventory. If PBC becomes a very high priced place where few can afford to buy — so much the better.

By SirPercy

March 2, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this

OK Max: I can’t afford to be a doomer because I’m trying to sell! I have to stay positive. So tell me please why none of the average (small but well-maintained) homes in my great, NON-HOA neighborhood are selling? Are people waiting for a solution to the Insurance and tax crisis? Waiting for prices to drop even lower? For their tax refund checks?!

I refuse to keep lowering my price -that only feeds a declining market in my humble, nonexpert, opinion.

So, should I take the house off the market for a while?

By maxmoose03

March 2, 2007 12:25 AM | Link to this

For FINK and any other idiot bothering me about inventory or volume:

We had 496 houses sell in PBC in 1/07.

Now go bak and look at FAR data.

In 1/2001, we had 1,105 transactions. Pretty impressive, huh?

In 1/2001, the median price for an existing SFH in PBC was…..

$138,600

In 1/2007 it was….

$388,000 !!!!

Now stop being such idiots. Decide what you want — wealth, or a good workplace for realtors, because for reasons I don’t feel like going into right now, you are not going to have both.

By maxmoose03

March 2, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this

Sir Percy,

I wrote you a lengthy reply the other day, I hope you saw it.

I have not seen any particular relationship between lower prices and increased sales. When sales happen, they are not on cheap houses, in particular.

What are people waiting for? Either a house they can afford IN THE CATEGORY they want, or a good investment.

What I suggested the other day, what I suggest still, is that financing sells houses.

Every day, more and more maniacs are taking courses with Carleton Sheets or Robert Allen. They are all out there hunting for “owner-financed” sales.

If you could offer owner financing, your phone would not stop ringing. I assume you can’t do this, so what you CAN do is work with a mortgage broker do wrap the house in financing.

If you happen to put it on MLS (SEE my comments on flat-rate — do not pay 3%), your realtor can now plug the financing info right into the listing.

There are lots of other strategies, but I believe these can help.

I’m talking about dramatic financing, for example, 100% LTV with 620 FICO, or something like that.

Please, keep us informed.

By Easyas123

March 4, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

COMING SOON TO AN INVESTMENT PROPERTY NEAR YOU!!

STERLING HEIGHTS — Alan and Alyson Wirgau live in a cute ranch on a quiet suburban street next to an award-winning school. There’s a new roof above their heads, a new deck in back and a For Sale By Owner sign in front.

Instead of weighing offers, the family is weighing an option that seemed unthinkable a year ago: If they don’t sell their home soon, they may turn down the heat, load their possessions in a U-Haul and drive away.

With a job in Indianapolis and dim prospects for selling their home, the Wirgaus are considering handing the keys back to the bank and walking away from their home.

They are among a growing number of Michigan families asking lenders to take their homes off their hands. That trend, paralleling a rapid rise in foreclosures, illustrates the desperation some families feel as home values fall below their mortgage debt.

That process, called a deed in lieu of foreclosure, is an agreement to give up all ownership rights in a home or piece of property to the lender.

It’s not a good option for anyone, but it’s often better than the alternative. Homeowners’ credit ratings are hurt, but not as much as in a foreclosure; the lenders lose money on homes now worth less than the outstanding loan, but lose less than the cost of a foreclosure proceeding.

No offers at break-even price

Two years ago the Wirgau family’s 1,500-square-foot home was valued at $210,000. Today, it’s for sale at $180,000 — just enough to pay the mortgage and the closing costs.

No one has made an offer in the three months it’s been on the market. At the full asking price, “we’d just break even, and I’d bend down and kiss their (the buyers’) feet,” Alyson Wirgau said.

For five months, Alan Wirgau has been commuting to a new job in Indianapolis, where he lives in a $400-a-month studio apartment during the week. He drives back to Michigan on Friday night and leaves early Monday morning for Indiana.

“I just put a new set of tires on my car,” Alan Wirgau said. “At some point, you have to ask, ‘Where do we draw the line?’ ”

It’s better for everyone if the Wirgaus can sell their home. But if they don’t, they’re good candidates for a deed in lieu of foreclosure. They aren’t behind on their mortgage payments, their home is worth close to the amount still owed, and the home is in good shape.

Lenders who frowned on such deals as well as short sales (accepting less than the loan amount for the sale of a home) now are routinely agreeing to both. For lenders, the choice often is between losing a little money now or a lot of money later.

A foreclosure can cost a lender thousands of dollars and can take a year. The homes often are not well-maintained during that period, costing the lender more money for repairs.

“The banks don’t know what they’re going to get back,” Howard said. “If people are willing to hand the house over, then it’s less likely the bank will get possession of a house that is completely trashed.”

By agreeing to a deed-in-lieu or a short sale, the lender “gets possession quicker,” said Michael Kus, spokesman for the Michigan Association of Community Banks. “Instead of waiting the redemption period (of a foreclosure proceeding, which can take six-12 months), you can get it marketed quicker.”

And with home prices continuing to fall, the sooner a lender can sell the distressed house, the less money the lender loses, Kus said.

“It’s the busiest department in the banks now, short sales and deeds in lieu,” Howard said. “They have people devoted to it.”

By iojzf nyzt

March 7, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

nailkpqzj dewycufiz pskuq lxpywzeb ptbqvar dcwy ofcisjebw

By Bag The Tax

March 7, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

Raise the sales tax by 2 pennies and eliminate property tax is the only fair answer. Homeowners pay twice…everytime a home is bought or sold the transaction is taxed $6,000 to $10,000 or more in RECORDING TAXES. Thats more than renters pay in sales tax in 10 years! Then homeowners get taxed every year based on the purchase price of the house. That’s the equivilant of paying a 2.5% sales tax every year on the biggest purchase of your life. The Democrats and news media dont acknowledge that homeowners are being killed by a REALLY REGRESSIVE SALES TAX on their homes each and every year!