David Patterson - Columbia South Carolina Real Estate

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David Patterson's Top 10 Active Rain Bloggers - Part One

As I approach my 100th post milestone, I wanted to take a moment and thank some of my fellow members for their contribution to this community and helping me with my business.

When you make a list like this one, you take the risk of offending someone. Therefore, here were the two qualifications/disqualifications for developing this list.

1. You must have submitted at least 250 posts on Active Rain.

2. NO KELLER WILLIAMS AGENTS - I didn't want to be called "A HOMER"!

With that said.......here we go........IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER!

Neal Bloom-Realtor ® Assoc.-CRS-Weston FL REAL ESTATENeal Bloom-Realtor ® - Weston, FL

By the time I became an AR Member, Neal had hit 300 posts. Therefore, I didn't get a chance to read his worst posts during their first publication. I was exposed to Neal on the UPSWING. His upswing has been stunning. He really is one of my many heroes in The Rain!

 

 

 

 

 

Todd Clark - Beaverton OR Real EstateTodd Clark - Beaverton, Oregon

In my opinion...if you have submitted more than 800 posts on Active Rain, you must have a place on every Top 10 list. By the way, Todd is on the right in the picture. Todd has this NO PHOTO fetish that might relate to my hesitancy with making a video posts. My head look really crazy during self-shooting. However, I'm working on it! Thanks Todd for your contributions to The Rain!

p.s. -- A personal picture during holidays and every full moon would satisfy your picture requirement on Active Rain.

 

 

 Leesa L. Finley, REALTOR® - Wake Forest, NC

Leesa L. Finley, REALTOR® - Wake Forest, NC

 

As a child of the 1970s, there was a syndicated children's television program called Big Blue Marble that always caught my attention. During the show, viewers were encouraged to ask the show for their own pen pal. I consider Leesa to be my AR Pen Pal. Through the computer screen and keyboard, I have felt a down-to-earth vibe from her that has made AR a pleasant experience.

 

 

  

Daytona Beach Florida Real Estate Trainer -Midori MillerMidori Miller - Real Estate Trainer - Daytona Beach, FL
Century 21 Sundance Realty

To my knowledge, I've never been in the same room with Midori Miller. However, after talking with Midori on the phone and following her throughout the many social networks, Midori has become someone that appears to be a living example of my career vision. If you've never talked to her, you should add that to your Bucket List. She really is a blessing to people's lives and careers.

Thanks Midori!

 

 

  Bryant Tutas - Tutas Towne Realty, Inc - Poinciana, FL

Bryant Tutas - Tutas Towne Realty, Inc - Poinciana, FL
I had been a subscriber to Bryant's blog for awhile. However, when I came across one of his post, these were my first words........HE JUST GETS IT!

Bryant is part REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL and part ENTERTAINER! Attention Poinciana, FL! If you hire anyone other than Bryant Tutas and his trusted team members, they better be the best thing since sliced bread!

 

 

 

 Hey Active Rain! Stay Tuned for Part Two! However, you must see my 100th post.....

 "I Am Woman.....Watch Me Blog"

Are You a Darren Rowse Fan? Make Room for Nadeesha Cabral

Before entering any new endeavor (or any listing that needs to be previewed), I like to do as much research as possible about what's "behind the door". When I started this thing called "blogging", one of the first bloggers to catch AND HOLD my attention was Darren Rowse. For those of you that don't know him, he is the mastermind behind ProBlogger.net

 

Some of his writings include

1. A Secret to Finding New Subscribers for Your Blog

2. 12 Traits of Successful Bloggers

3. Don't Just Have a Blog - Learn to Think Like a Blogger

4. 14% of Bloggers Prefer to Do It in Bed

5. Should I Stop Blogging? 20 Questions to Ask Yourself

 

While waiting for a response to a counteroffer that was submitted by my buyer (the topic for a future post), I was reading through Darren's recent posts. On Memorial Day, Darren posted a guest contribution from Nadeesha Cabral.

Who is Nadeesha Cabral? Trust me! I asked the same question.

Nadeesha Cabral is a student from Colombo, Sri Lanka. He specializes in Web and Software Development, Graphic Designing and Computer Graphics Animation. His brainchild is www.rockfuse.com

Nadeesha's post was entitled "Bloggers are Like Pawns on a Chessboard". This title immediately caught my eye due to my beliefs on life in relation to the game of chess.

Guess What? You are a pawn! You just have to accept that fact and work your way to the other side of the chessboard.

Another good read is 6 Ways to Stop Other Bloggers from Following Your Blog 

Do you express your political or radical opinions on your blog? If you been under a rock and not in The Rain during the last few weeks, you know how stating these opinions can reduce your readership......or get you eliminate from the blogosphere all together! 

Give these two bloggers some of your attention! You won't regret it!

David Patterson Relaunches Columbia SC Real Estate Website

With any move, you are faced with creating and resolving a TO-DO List. Depending upon the task, the list can go from a simple list that can be written on a Post-it® Note to a season-long project with an implementation plan in Microsoft Access.

My recent move to Keller Williams Columbia SC has required me to update my four-year old website. Hence, updates were more than overdue.

I am proud to announce the relaunch of my very first website www.DavidPatterson.net

The real estate market is always changing and is local in nature. Hence, if you are interested in a realistic review of our local market, you need a Midlands real estate professional that is in tune with the happenings throughout our area. For those that are familiar with the doom and gloom of the national media, you'd be surprised about the real health of the metropolitan Columbia SC real estate market.

This site will keep you updated on the value of your Midlands home and provide the following information......... 

  1. Homes for Sale in Columbia SC
  2. Nationwide Home Valuations - Home Values from Hawaii to South Carolina
  3. Homes for Sale in Irmo SC
  4. Columbia SC, Lexington SC and Irmo SC School Districts
  5. SC Real Estate Agency Laws - What are your Real Estate Rights?
  6. Homes for Sale in Lexington SC
  7. Patterson's Top Employers
  8. Testimonials

Are you interested in Homes for Sale NATIONWIDEDavidPatterson.net provides a nationwide serarch.

Please visit www.DavidPatterson.net and make suggestion that will improve this website.

If I can ever be of professional assistance to you, please don't hesitate to email me at message@davidpatterson.net or call me at (803) 429-9010.

Columbia SC Real Estate Has a New Home Search & Valuation Website

What does Steve Krug, author of Don't Make Me Think, the O'Jays and the website www.RealEstateInTheMidlands.info have in common? They all believe in giving the people what they want!

With little fanfare, Columbia SC real estate professionals have listened to the public and real estate consumers and have launched www.realestateinthemidlands.info

The real estate market is always changing and is local in nature. Hence, if you are interested in the real statistics of our local market, you need Midlands real estate professionals that are in tune with the happenings throughout metropolitan Columbia, SC.

If you are familiar with the doom and gloom of the national media, you'd be surprised about the real health of the metropolitan Columbia SC real estate market.

This site will keep you updated on the value of your Midlands home and provide the following information......... 

  1. Home for Sale in Columbia SC
  2. Steps to Mortgage Pre-Approval
  3. Homes for Sale in Irmo SC
  4. Steps to Hiring a Buyer Representative for FREE!
  5. Homes for Sale in Lexington SC
  6. Nationwide Home Valuations - Home Values from Hawaii to South Carolina

Are you interested in Homes for Sale NATIONWIDE, then visit DavidPatterson.net for your nationwide serarch.

If I can ever be of professional assistance to you after visiting these websites, please don't hesitate to email me at message@davidpatterson.net or call me at (803) 429-9010.

Attention Google Toolbar and SEO Experts!

For those of you that are subscribers or frequent my blog, you are aware of my recent arrival to Keller Williams in Columbia SC. One of the biggest challenges with moving to a new company is making changes to all of your marketing pieces and prospecting tools. 

When I arrived home on last night, I had this (insert your favorite positive or negative adjective here) email in my inbox.... 

"It has been two full weeks since your move, and I'm surprised to find that you are still showing (our company) as your company in several places on the internet.  Please remove our name, address, phone number, etc. from ALL of your websites." 

Hence, I was motivated to make as many changes during the night that was within my control. While making changes, I was amazed by the age of my first real estate website. 

DavidPatterson.net is in its fifth year of existence. This simple template site has been good to me. However, I am committed to improve it by 1000%. Keller Williams has given me a boost towards reaching this goal. For a minimal amount and NO LARGE SET UP FEE, I have been able to add a link that will allow my visitors to search for Homes for Sale in Columbia SC, Irmo Homes for Sale and Lexington SC Homes for Sale.

Now....I need your help.

How many of you are familiar with the PAGE RANK icon on the Google Toolbar? This is a picture of the Page Rank logo on the Google Toolbar

Both of my websites and blogs have a Page Rank of 2 (out of 10). That is unacceptable!

Therefore.....Here are my questions!

 

  1. Does raising my Page Rank help with the SEO of my websites and blogs?
  2. If the answer to Question 1 is YES, then........How do I double my Page Rank without being punished by Google?
  3. Do any of the readers of this post have a website with a Page Rank of 4 or greater?

Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions!

Can I Fire My Real Estate Agent?

One of the most common questions that are asked by South Carolina real estate Customers AND clients of other real estate licensees is "Can I fire my real estate agent?" That was not asked of me directly on this day. However, the following is a question that was asked by a Columbia, SC home buyer.....

"I have seen many properties with a real estate agent. If I am not happy with this agent as I feel they are not working for me the way I feel they need to be, or helping me as much as I would like in negotiations, am I allowed to get another agent and see the same properties and what are the ramifications if I chose to do so?"

What was my answer?

Dear Home Buyer:

If you visit my blog, this will give you a detailed explanation of your rights in relationship to South Carolina Real Estate Agency Laws.

There is a contract that you sign with an agent (Exclusive Right to Buy Buyer Agency Agreement) that gives the agent, more or less, the right to act on your behalf. However, the contract is not with that agent UNLESS that agent is the BROKER-IN-CHARGE!

NO non-Broker-in-Charge agent can enter into an Agency Agreement. ALL AGENCY AGREEMENTS in South Carolina, are between the customer/client (YOU) and the REAL ESTATE COMPANY. Why do I say this?

If you are unhappy with this agent AND if you have SIGNED an Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreement, I would call her/his Broker-in-Charge and request a different agent.

I do not condone the breaking of real estate contracts! However, I do condone PROTECTING THE PUBLIC!

If you are unhappy with your real estate agent, talk with their Broker-in-Charge. If your agent is the Broker-in-Charge...........

That's a problem to be discussed on another day!

"Yes, the school system matters." Columbia - Irmo - Lexington Schools

"Yes, the school system matters." That was a quote from a reader of the Wall Street Journal blog. When shopping or selling a home, my buyers and sellers always ask me questions about the importance and quality of the school district. They also make comments similiar to these quotes that were also made on the wsj.ocm blog:

"We have young children and are self-described childhood education junkies. The school district will be our number one consideration for the location of our next home."

"Schools were the top factor in determining where to buy our last house...The cost difference between the increased taxes and mortgage payments was balanced against the cost of tuition in a private school. Getting into the top school district...was worth (the) extra in what we were willing to spend."

"We are looking to locate in a better suburban school system than the one we are in. Even though it will cause our taxes to increase greatly, we would like to live in a better district. Property values are holding up better in those areas. By the way, we don't even have children!"

Are you looking for Information on School Districts in the Midlands? Visit These Links! 

Lexington 1


Lexington 2


Lexington 3


Lexington 4


Lexington 5


Richland 1


Richland 2

Using and Updating Photos on Your Business Cards

While attending John Prescott's Internet Lead Generation class, John was raving about the successes of one attendee that sat in front of me. I said to myself, "I have to get this guy's card. I'll be picking his brain in the near future." Luckily, my new business cards had just arrived in Columbia.

 

 

After taking a trip during lunch to the Market Center, I was able to grab my shiny new business cards and return to class in enough time to exchange cards with Austin Crowder from Brevard, NC. (Austin's wife is Alisha. She joined Team Crowder in 2006.)

Austin looked at my card and said, "I know you from somewhere. Let's see. It's something that starts with a Z.....Zolve! That's it! This is the same picture of you!"

He is right on both accounts. He has seen me on Zolve. Plus, the picture on my business card for the last three years is the same picture on my Zolve and ActiveRain profiles.

 

There have been several ActiveRain posts about putting/not putting our pictures on our business cards. That moment with Austin has given me some appreciation for my smile AND BIG HEAD being somewhat branded.

For example, I've been leaving restaurants like Arizona's Steakhouse in The Village of Sandhill or walking in a real estate office and someone would say, "I've seen you in the real estate magazine" or "Your face is so familiar." These are great opportunities to add someone to your MET DATABASE. If I hadn't been consistent in the branding of ME, I might not have those conversation opportunities.

Hence, there are some advantages for using your picture on your business card. Now...

Let me be clear. Do I think you should update your photo on a constant basis? If you are an agent that has been in business for 15+ years and haven't changed your photo (yes...there are agents that would meet this criteria), you need to see your local digital photographer on Monday morning!

HOWEVER................If you've been in the habit of branding YOU, be cautious about when and how you change. There's a reason why two year old nieces know what type of food is at The Golden Arches.

Those are my thoughts on the subject. What are your thoughts?