Chris Balmes Properties Blog

What is with people posting referrals on ActiveRain and never responding to inquiries?  I can't tell you how many times I have called or emailed an agent with a posting and never received a response back.  In fact, I have never once received a reply.  What is the point of posting if you aren't go...

Property values cause the blues     Sunday, November 25, 2007BY JEFFREY MIZE AND MICHAEL ANDERSEN, Columbian staff writersLots of property owners' holidays got a little gloomier last week as Clark County property assessments arrived in the mailbox."They're going to force us right out," said Patri...

As I talk to more and more agents, they feel the same way as I do.  Why am I spending money on food, beverages and "prizes" for attending my tours?  Some clients request them and therefore I do them, but even with advertising and posting I haven't had one agent attend my last 8 Broker's Tours.  I...

If you have a client looking for a recreation property to spend winters and summers and all the weekends throughout, we have just the cabin for you.  There are small and large cabins.  Rustic and updated.  Priced between $105,000 and $215,000.  There are two areas we have cabins listed:The North ...

I have a positive outlook on our current market, unlike some people.  I am very thankful for the opportunity to own a family run real estate company that has some great clients.  We have great relationships with associates in our industry and have new referrals coming in.  I look forward to the m...

We have a list of about 13,000 individuals that we need to email to.  It's my own list, so I don't need to purchase a list or anything.  Our current server doesn't handle us sending out more than 350 per day, so I have been doing a lot of research on companies that I would be able to use once eve...

The statistics these days say that 80% of purchasers are spending an average of 40 hours looking at listings online before they ever call a realtor.  With the number of pictures increasing that we can post on MLS systems (16 in our RMLS), as well as virtual tours it only makes sense.  (On another...

Chris Balmes Properties Ranked #17 Top Real Estate Firm by Portland Business Journal• CBP Virtual Office-Use Your Own Home Office • No Desk Fees• No Franchise Fees• No BAC Minimums • Oregon & Washington Branches• Individualize CBP Marketing Materials• Aggressive Online Advertising • Extremely Exp...

On Friday evening, I was invited to attend a networking party called NINE (New Integrated Networking Experience) in downtown Portland.  It was a faulous event with a live band, food and wine until midnight.  The event was a great way to network in a multi-cultural atmosphere.  There were all kind...

IS NOW STILL A GOOD TIME TO BUY A HOME?By Matt Stashin, President/CEOPacific Residential Mortgage, LLCWhat a great question!  It seems as though everywhere we turn the media is bombarding us with negative information about housing markets nationwide.  While there are some area of concern across t...