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Winchester, VA Real Estate News

By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
If you are a Realtor in the Roanoke-Salem, Virginia area you've got to be dancing a happy dance.  The Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors announced that home sales in the Roanoke Valley increased nearly 24% in July as compared to the same month last year.  Wow!  That is an incredible jump in sales. There were 342 properties sold in the valley this July.  That makes July the second best month this year.  That is great news folks.  Keep up the good work, and let's see that wave of great sales make its way up the valley.  Those of us in Northern Virginia are cheering you on!  Congratulations!
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
Every little league baseball player dreams of the big game, and no game is bigger than the World Series.  Winchester, Virginia will be hosting the Cal Ripken World Series August 13-20.  Ten teams will be vying for the championship game scheduled for August 20.  All ten teams have their eye on the World Series Championship trophy, and they plan to prove they are worthy of it.  Each of the ten teams had to raise about $16,000 to make it to the games.  They worked hard on and off the field, and they are ready to go.  Teams started arriving in Winchester on Thursday in anticipation of the games.  Many took a tour of the park and its fields and they began visualizing the games.  Opening ceremonies start Friday night at 7 p.m. at Yost field.  Fireworks will compliment the evening.  The first ...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
A few years ago, a friend who was intrigued with my day-trading prowess asked if I thought he could do it.  I received that question a lot, and I had a standard answer, "Would you hang-glide?"  Day trading is a challenging, if not financially dangerous game to play, but the rewards are amazing.  If you don't have the stomach to jump off a cliff with a wing attached to your back, you're probably not day-trading material, and that's OK. I tend to look at real estate the same way.  A real estate agent is an entrepreneur.  You may not think of yourself as an entrepreneur, but you really are.  An entrepreneur is someone "who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business usually with considerable risks (Dictionary.com).  I've heard so many people say, "I could never be an entrep...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
This afternoon I received a call from a client looking to buy a property in my area.  I actually missed the call because I was on the other line.  As soon as I got off, I returned the call.  The lady said, "I want to buy a house."  OK! I love it when a client calls and that is the first thing out of his/her mouth.  And, that happens, NEVER!  No, actually it does happen periodically, but unfortunately not often enough.  This particular client said, "You're the only Realtor who called me back.  The listing agent didn't even call me back."  What? I know we're all busy, but friends, if you don't answer the phone, or return calls, how can you expect to receive more business?  This client is ready to buy.  She has cash.  She has found the house she wants.  All she needs is a Realtor who is wi...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
As Realtors, we're all familiar with mandatory CE credits.  All of us have to do it, and that's a good thing.  It's important to keep up on the real estate industry, but I have another CE credit you should keep up on.  What about continuing exercise?  A healthy strong body makes it easier for us to do our jobs as Realtors, parents, partners co-workers and friends.  Let me give you a few simple guidelines that don't require a gym membership. Take a walk.  I know, you walk all the time as a Realtor, but I'm talking about taking a fitness walk.  On a fitness walk you're focused on a slightly higher pace and time accumulation.  Twenty minutes is great, more is better. Climb the stairs.  When on vacation, I have a condo I stay in that has 12 flights of stairs.  My workout at that building is...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
Virginia is a historian's dream come true.  You can hardly walk a mile without running into a piece of ground that has some historical connection to our nation's history.  Virginians are a proud lot, but history isn't the only reason for Virginia pride.  No, we're also the home of numerous military bases. One of better known groups of military personel is in Virginia Beach.  Oceana Naval Air Station is the home seventeen naval strike fighter squadorans, and the home of Seal Team 6.  Seal Team 6 recently became world news for giving Bin Laden his final resting place in the deep blue sea, and America rejoiced.  Today, America is reminded of Seal Team 6 again.  The loss of a Chinook helicopter over the weekend brought the war in Afghanistan back to the front pages.  Thirty American service...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
Are you suffering from those low down blogging blues?  Ba-da-da-dum.  Those low down no ideas blues?  Ba-da-da-dum.   You're wracking your brain, ba-da-da-dum.  It's becoming a pain, ba-da-da-dum.  You're starring at a blank screen, ba-da-da-dum.  Everybody gets those low down blogging blues, ba-da-da-dum!   Yep, we all have those moments of total "mental pause" when we sit at the keyboard prepared to unload our brilliant prose onto the awaiting screen, and nothing.  Not that we're lacking brilliant prose, it's in there, but for some reason it's not pouring out right then.  You know, "Ahhh, I need to blog something today, but my blogger is empty, locked up, fried."  Nada, nothing, zilch, zero!  No worries my blank blogging friend.  There are ways to generate ideas to take away those low...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
I've worked with a lot of distressed homeowners in the past few years, and they all have one thing in common.  They all waited until the last minute to try to save their homes.  It breaks my heart when distressed homeowners call with the hope that I can perform some sort of magic that will ultimately help them either save their home or they think I can sell their home for what they owe.  The truth is, most call minutes before foreclosure.  If I could offer them advice early on,  it would look something like this: If you're a two income family and one income is lost - take inventory.  How long can you survive on one income?  Be totally honest with yourself. Do you have enough money set aside to give you time to formulate a plan if a new job isn't found right away?  How long is that?  A m...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
I have never been a "reality" TV kind of person.  If I'm going to slow down long enough to watch TV, I don't want reality.  The news is the only real reality I don't mind watching.  Well, once in a blue moon I will watch Pawn Stars, but that's only because they have cool stuff that is interesting to see.  But, there are so many things I don't want to see on my TV. In all sincerity, I really don't care what the "Housewives of" any community are doing if they haven't contracted one of my companies to provide a service.  No offense ladies.  I'm not interested in the Jersey Shore unless I'm on vacation.  I will never log in Louisiana or pan for gold in Alaska.  Interesting scenery though. I don't want to know what somebody left in their storage locker before skipping town.  Well, if it was ...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
While catching up on my blog reading I had a thought.  "Are we attracted to people who are like us, or do the people who are like us feel an attraction to us?"    I've had a lot of people involved in my life over the past . . . . well, good while.  One of the consistent things about the people who end up closest to me is that they tend to be pretty smart, funny, clever and witty.  I'd like to think that's because they are a reflection of me, but is that the way it is?  Regardless, do I gravitate to them, or do they gravitate to me?  Or, do we meet somewhere in the middle by chance?    If you've ever watched Winnie-the-pooh you know the character Eeyore.  Personally, I like Eeyore, but I've always wondered why he seems so, well, Eeyorish.  He has all these great friends around him that a...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
It's "Shark Week."  Actually, I never watch "Shark Week", but I see it advertised all over the place this time of year.  So, somebody is watching it.  But, I have my own shark story to tell. When my wife was pregnant with our first son, I was very protective of her.  I was so thankful for the whole baby process that I was like a Rottweiler on guard duty.  Protective! I was taking classes in Jacksonville, FL at that time, and we would drop down to Daytona Beach when classes were out.  I love that area.  One day, we were walking along the beach and I saw a fish flopping in the surf.  It had obviously gotten washed ashore.  So, I went down to help it back to the open ocean.  You can imagine my surprise to find a hammerhead shark.  The shark was a little guy about 2 - 2.5 feet long.  It see...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
If you were suddenly wiped out financially, what would you do?  In the Fall of 2008, a lot of Americans had the chance to face that question.  Let me tell you a personal story. In the 90s, I started a successful real estate investment company, but I also did other things that interested me.  During that time, I became a pattern day trader.  A pattern day trader is someone who buys and sells the same stock more than four times in 5 consecutive trading days.  The SEC decided to recognize this group of traders because a lot of people who were trying to be day-traders were losing everything and then running around the country shooting people.  It seemed logical to key in on this class of investor in case they popped a rivet while trading.  Anyway, I traded about 600-700 times a year.  I had...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
"Whew, those guys are nice enough, but they are so hard to talk to."   Have you ever made a comment like that about a client, a coworker or an acquaintance?  Most of us have.  You know the type.  "Hi.  How are you today?"  "Fine."  "How was work?"  "Good."  "Have you lived here long?"  "No."  You may be temped to think there is something wrong with you or them, but the truth is it's the questions you ask.   You asked close-ended questions.  I read a book years ago while working on my MBA.  In that book, Conversationally Speaking by Alan Garner, Garner discussed this very scenario.  If you give someone close-ended questions they can answer in one word answers and they have satisfied the question.  So, rather than saying, "How was work today?" you might say, "What did you do at work today...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
 If there is one question Realtors are asked over and over it would have to be, "How's the real estate market doing?"  I probably hear that three to four times a week.  And, I'd have to say, "Great" depending on where you're sitting.  You may not feel that way if you're under water on your home, but look at where the overall market is today. Interest rates are at historical lows and have been for a long time. The housing supply is diversified and vast.  The house you want is out there. Home prices have fallen to 2000 levels.  A house that was not affordable 6 years ago is suddenly in your price range. There are still zero down/100% financing loans available. Many sellers are willing to make some concessions to complete the sale. Loan modifications and short sale possibilities are making...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
Winchester, Virginia has many claims to fame, but one claim that is sometimes overlooked is that it is the home of country legend Patsy Cline.  Growing up in Winchester, I was aware of Patsy Cline, but I was too young to know much about her.  As I grew up, I learned that Patsy was a friend of my mother.  We lived a block apart and they were friends until she moved on to Nashville. In another quirk of history, I found out that my mother-in-law, who is a wonderful singer, competed against Patsy in a local talent contest just before Patsy hit the big time.  It is a small world we live in. Patsy was tragically killed in a plane crash in March 1963.  She was just 30 years old.  Her music has transcended her life in so many ways.  Many of her classic hits, such as, "Walkin' After Midnight, I ...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
My dog loves routine.  We have a morning routine that goes like this: 1. I get up and read Active Rain (he really doesn't care about that). 2. Once I've been busy reading in the Rain for about 10 minutes, he shows up. 3. He dances around until I take him to his food bowl and fill it up.  If he gets too annoying, I have him sit and stay for a minute or two until I say, "OK," and then he can eat.  He drools like a rain storm during that time, so I keep it short. 4. He eats his main meal then he tracks me down for a cup of yogurt.  He has skin issues, so he gets a daily cup of yogurt to fight off yeast infections. 5. Breakfast ends with a milk bone to brush his teeth.  6. Potty break. That's his routine.  He goes through that three times a day.  He knows the exact time everyday to start th...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
This has been a great week, and I am truly singing in the Rain!  It started out with a note from another Rainer with listing opportunities.  Shortly after that, I received a call and email from Bankrate.com asking if I'd be willing to be interviewed for their online newsletter.  They found me through my Active Rain blog.  The interview will be released in a couple weeks. As the week progressed, I received an email from a potential client who has a property to sell in a neighboring community and needs to buy one in my community.  Our contact came about by a blog which led to my website.  My hope is to pass the sale of her property on to another Rainer for a referral fee.  It's nice to share the love! Today, another Rainer called to let me know she took the advice from one of my blogs and...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
When I first started blogging, I was totally clueless about content or style.  Thanks to some great Rainers, who I've mentioned before, I have been constantly cleaning up my act.  But, there was one thing that was driving the much beloved Mimi Foster crazy.  When she finally couldn't take it anymore, and rather than fly from Colorado to Virginia to bang me on the head, she emailed me.  The problem was my background.  I didn't have a background.  That was one of those 'round-to-it' items on my list.  I just hadn't gotten around to it so Mimi took it upon herself to nudge me, and I'm glad she did.  On a side note, if you haven't subscribed to Mimi's blog you really should.  It's always full of great content, extremely helpful information and she's really funny too.  Please do sign up!! OK...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
When I first started mountain biking I learned real quickly that it's not like cruising around the neighborhood on a beater bike.  In a recent blog, "Two Important Keys To Realtor Success", I talked about the two key components of mountain biking and how they relate to real estate.  Those two keys were, 1. Equipment, and 2. Technique.  I bought a pretty good entry level racing bike for my first mountain bike, a Klein Pulse Comp, so technique was my biggest challenge.  In those early days, I spent all my time learning the "how-to"s of conquering terrain.  But, there was one piece of terrain I struggled with over and over.  It was what we called the amphitheater hill.  It was about 150 long and about 60 degrees vertical except in the middle where it was even steeper.  I would attack that ...
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By Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro
(Cornerstone Business Group Inc)
I've been fortunate to have a good number of REO companies to work with, but I see a lot of my colleagues struggling to get their foot in the REO door.  It's frustrating, but it is what it is today.  There are a couple things you can do to help your chances of working with an REO company, but there are also a few things you need to know first. Some companies just don't have the volume of REOs they once have, or they don't have the volume they once had in your zip code, and on top of that they have too many agents now.  That makes it hard to break into the market.  That's just a fact of life, but there are still other opportunities out there. Also, remember that whenever politicians get involved with real estate new problems arise, and companies holding REOs pull back and don't do as muc...
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