Part I: WordPress for Realtors – Self Hosted Websites – Cheap

Part I: WordPress for Realtors – Self Hosted Website – Cheap
March 2009

I’m the ‘tech’ or IT guy in our office (EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.). Most offices have someone that is nerdy enough to find this stuff interesting. We also usually repair everyones computers when they break or are virus laden. Yesterday and today I’ve been messing around with putting a wordpress blog website up on my godaddy server.

First, this does not work on an account hosted on www.wordpress.com. I started there and moved my posts and content to it’s own host when ready. The advantage of hosting your own wordpress real estate website is that you can use plug ins and also do some SEO that you could not do otherwise. Here’s a small tutorial. If you get stuck, come join EXIT Realty! I’d be happy to help.

1. Get a Linux hosting account. Mine is at Godaddy.com but Zyon.com also has Linux hosting with applications. Both are about $5 or less a month with discounts. Sometimes you can get a better deal over the phone with Godaddy.com. A few more a month and you can upgrade to host multiple accounts and domains.

2. Buy a domain for it if necessary, also at godaddy.com or zyon.com. Google for promo codes to save a couple dollars.

3. On GoDaddy.com, go to your hosting account -
Then go to > applications > select wordpress > install and follow the directions. write down your usernames and passwords or keep them with your password program (I like roboform and sxipper).

4. Do a Google search for free wordpress themes, or buy one if you have the extra $$.  You’ll want one that is “widget aware” to fully utilize the benefits of this plug in.
a. Free real estate themes
http://jeremiafroyland.com/wordpress/14-free-wordpress-real-estate-themes/
b. Free WP Themes
http://www.freewpthemes.net/wordpress-themes/
c. Developers toolbox free wp themes
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01/08/100-excellent-free-high-quality-wordpress-themes

5. Install your widget aware theme… follow the directions.
6. Select your widgets and fill them up
7. Download “Great Real Estate” plugin by Roger Theriault.
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/great-real-estate/
8. Here’s the installation quick start from WordPress.org

Quick Start – See website for more detailed info 1. Unzip into your /wp-content/plugins/ directory. 1. Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress 1. Make your settings in the Admin panel “Real Estate” – be sure to choose a main Listings page – for a quick preview, check the options to automatically generate the page info 1. Create
sub-pages under the main listings index page; they should automatically display additional input form fields to capture listing information 1. See the plugin website for detailed template function documentation. Plug in website is http://www.rogertheriault.com/agents/plugins/great-real-estate-plugin/

Here’s Rogers Quick Start link
http://www.rogertheriault.com/agents/plugins/great-real-estate-plugin/quick-start-guide
9. Compatible Plug ins for the real estate plug in
NextGen Gallery
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/nextgen-gallery/

Wordtube
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wordtube/

Feed Wrangler
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/feed-wrangler/

Fpp-pano
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/fpp-pano/ (I didn’t install this one)

Download Manager
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-downloadmanager/

10. Download and install the plugins to the plugin directory of your wp install (/wp-content/plugins/). I copy them over with an FTP client but you can use the ‘add new’ function of the plugin tab on WP as well. Activate the plug ins. Mine all went well except Feed Wrangler. I had to extract the feedwrangler.php file and copy it to the root of the plugin directory. Wouldn’t work any other way. All other plugin’s are in their own directories. You can do without Feed Wrangler for the moment though and continue if you have any issues.

11. Feed Wrangler. Ok, you don’t have to have it working but if you do… you can syndicate your listings to Google Base, Zillow, Trulia, MyYahoo! and iGoogle. Cool huh?

I’m still working on it on our new blog spot on www.realestatewilliamsburg.com/wp

In part II, I’ll go over entering listings and activating the featured homes widget. If you have anyone coming to SE Virginia and the Williamsburg, Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown area, don’t hesitate to send us a referral!

Troy Deierling, Realtor
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg, VA
(757) 715-4793 Mobile
MLS Market Snapshot * Automated Neighborhood Updates
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia

troy@ExitRealtyDA.com

www.RealEstateWilliamsburg.com
www.WilliamsburgBroker.com
MLS Market Snapshot See what’s happening in your neighborhood.

“Bringing you Home to Williamsburg”

©2009 Troy Deierling

Williamsburg Homes: Tough Sale

A Tough Sale

Here is a situation that many buyers have experienced. After searching for weeks, you found the perfect home and you made a very low offer. The sellers responded with a counter-offer which was several thousand dollars lower than their asking price. You came back with a slightly higher bid, and they came down some more. After many days of back and forth, you finally reached a meeting of the minds, and you are very pleased with the results.

If you have driven a hard bargain in purchasing a house, be sensitive to the seller’s feelings as the transaction proceeds. They may be suffering from the impact of a rough negotiation. Try to minimize any additional requests you might make of the sellers. As you move toward your closing date, keep in mind that the sellers may not share your elation. If you are considerate and avoid making excessive demands, you can help everyone walk away from the transaction feeling satisfied with the outcome.

Troy Deierling, Realtor
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg, VA
(757) 715-4793 Mobile
MLS Market Snapshot * Automated Neighborhood Updates
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia

troy@ExitRealtyDA.com

www.RealEstateWilliamsburg.com
www.WilliamsburgBroker.com
MLS Market Snapshot See what’s happening in your neighborhood.

“Bringing you Home to Williamsburg”


©2009 Troy Deierling

Williamsburg Real Estate – Clean Offers

Clean Offers

You have found a house that makes your heart skip a beat–it is in the right location and has all the amenities you want. The price is the only thing that is keeping you from making an offer, because you feel that it is more than you can afford. How can you maximize the possibility that the owners will accept an offer that is much lower than their asking price?

The first thing you should do is to make the offer as “clean” as possible by not asking for special contingencies. Avoid making demands on the sellers for minor repairs, such as cutting down the dead tree in the back yard or leaving custom drapes. Be as flexible as possible about scheduling the move-in date to accommodate the seller’s plans. Finally, you can offer a larger-than-usual deposit to persuade the sellers that you are a serious buyer and to make it harder for them to “just say no”. Each situation is different, but the “cleaner” the offer, the more likely the sellers are to accept it.

Troy Deierling, Realtor
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg, VA
(757) 715-4793 Mobile
MLS Market Snapshot * Automated Neighborhood Updates
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia

troy@ExitRealtyDA.com

www.RealEstateWilliamsburg.com
www.WilliamsburgBroker.com
MLS Market Snapshot See what’s happening in your neighborhood.

“Bringing you Home to Williamsburg”


©2009 Troy Deierling

Williamsburg: Financially Qualified and Contingencies

Financially Qualified

Even with stable home prices in Williamsburg and with interest rates at an all time low, many buyers are having to stretch financially to buy a home in Williamsburg. Most purchase agreements allow buyers to cancel the contract if they can’t qualify for a mortgage. If you are selling your home in Williamsburg VA, be sure to get some reassurances before you make a commitment to buyers. Most contracts now require timely loan applications and pre-qualifying letters from the lender.

The financing addendum is very important for both parties. If the buyer desires to cancel the contract due to financing issues, they must have complied with the terms of the contingency. Generally, they must actually apply for a loan, provide the necessary paperwork to the lender and more. Simply not applying or being uncooperative does not allow a buyer to rescind a contract.

There is no way to be absolutely certain that buyers will be able to obtain financing, but we will eliminate those who are not financially qualified. As a real estate professional, we help buyers determine what they can afford and whether there are financing alternatives that can stretch their buying power. Our training and experience enable us to resolve difficulties quickly to avoid wasting time.

Troy Deierling, Realtor
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg, VA
(757) 715-4793 Mobile
MLS Market Snapshot * Automated Neighborhood Updates
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia

troy@ExitRealtyDA.com

www.RealEstateWilliamsburg.com
www.WilliamsburgBroker.com
MLS Market Snapshot See what’s happening in your neighborhood.

“Bringing you Home to Williamsburg”


©2009 Troy Deierling

Williamsburg Mortgage: Credit Card Mania

Credit Card Mania

Most people know that a checkered credit history can disqualify you for a home loan, and maxed-out credit cards can do the same thing. But what most people don’t know is that merely having a large number of credit cards, even with low balances and a history of timely payments, can disqualify you for a home mortgage loan just as quickly.

According to credit experts, having a number of credit cards can be just as detrimental to the granting of further credit as a history of late payments. Lenders look at it this way: If you have ten credit cards, each with a limit of $5,000, that means you have the potential to run up $50,000 in debt virtually any time you choose. That mere possibility makes you a greater risk, from their point of view.

The moral of the story? If you are planning to apply for a home loan in the future, keep only those credit cards you actually need to use and cancel the others.

Troy Deierling, Realtor
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg, VA
(757) 715-4793 Mobile
MLS Market Snapshot * Automated Neighborhood Updates
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia

troy@ExitRealtyDA.com

www.RealEstateWilliamsburg.com
www.WilliamsburgBroker.com

“Bringing you Home to Williamsburg”


©2009 Troy Deierling

Selling a Home: Capital Gains Exemptions

Capital Gains Exemptions

If you recently sold a home without meeting the basic ownership and use criteria for waiving capital gains tax, you might still be able to claim reduced exemptions if you meet certain other criteria.

Homeowners who had to sell because of a change in place of employment can qualify for reduced tax. You must prove that the job change occurred while you owned and used the home as your primary residence, and that your new job is located at least 50 miles farther from your residence than your previous place of employment.

A reduced exclusion from capital gains tax may also be granted for health reasons. If your motivation for selling your house was to obtain diagnosis, treatment or cure for a disease or injury to you or a family member, you can apply for an exclusion. Unforeseen circumstances such as death, unemployment, divorce or natural disasters may also reduce your capital gains tax.

Consult a tax professional for advice about your unique circumstance.

Troy Deierling, Realtor
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg, VA
(757) 715-4793 Mobile
MLS Market Snapshot * Automated Neighborhood Updates
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia

troy@ExitRealtyDA.com

www.RealEstateWilliamsburg.com
www.WilliamsburgBroker.com

“Bringing you Home to Williamsburg”


©2009 Troy Deierling

Senate OKs $15,000 tax break for homebuyers

Senate passes $15,000 Home Buyer Tax Break
Link to AP article on Google News

==========================

Adopted without dissent.  Maybe this one will go all the way and help the Real Estate industry get kick started.

Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., who advanced the home buyers tax break, said it was intended to help revive the housing industry, which has virtually collapsed in the wake of a credit crisis that began last fall.

The proposal would allow a tax credit of 10 percent of the value of new or existing residences, up to a $15,000 limit. Current law provides for a $7,500 tax break for the purchase of new homes only.

Troy Deierling, Realtor, ABRM
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg, VA
(757) 715-4793 Mobile
MLS Market Snapshot * Automated Neighborhood Updates
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia

troy@ExitRealtyDA.com

www.RealEstateWilliamsburg.com
www.WilliamsburgBroker.com

“Bringing you Home to Williamsburg”

Williamsburg Homes: Moving & Taxes

Moving And Taxes

Even with the changes in tax laws over recent years, you may be able to deduct some of the expenses of a move that is the result of a change in your job.

You will probably be able to deduct the costs of your move if your new work location means more than an additional 50-mile commute, if you move within a year of taking the job at the new location, and if you work full-time for at least 39 weeks (the total is 78 weeks if you are self-employed). You should keep meticulous records of all of your expenses and consult a tax expert to make sure that you take all the lawful tax deductions allowed by the IRS criteria for expenses related to selling your old home or buying your new one.

The IRS publication No. 521 entitled “Tax Information on Moving Expenses” makes good reading before you make a move.

Troy Deierling, Realtor, ABRM
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg, VA
(757) 715-4793 Mobile
MLS Market Snapshot * Automated Neighborhood Updates
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia

troy@ExitRealtyDA.com

www.RealEstateWilliamsburg.com
www.WilliamsburgBroker.com

“Bringing you Home to Williamsburg”

©2009 Troy Deierling

Williamsburg Homes: TAX BREAKS

Tax Breaks

Most homeowners are keenly aware of the interest tax deduction on their home loan, but there are many other tax breaks which are often overlooked at income tax time.   Pro-rated property taxes and mortgage interest in the year of sale are deductible. You will find these amounts listed on your closing settlement statement.   If you paid off your mortgage and had to pay a pre-payment penalty, it qualifies as tax deductible interest.   If you paid an “acquisition mortgage loan fee” on a home loan, this fee can be deducted as itemized interest.   Home improvement loan fees are also deductible.   Any remaining loan fees from re-financed or paid-off mortgages are fully deductible at the time of the mortgage payoff.

Certain items don’t qualify as deductions, but can be added to the cost basis of your home, such as transfer taxes, recording and title fees, and special local property tax assessments for new sidewalks, streets, or sewers.

Investors have additional tax breaks and savings can be substantial.  Call us to find out more about investment property.

Don’t be intimidated by the tax code!   A little research or consultation with an expert can help you maximize your real estate tax advantages.

We aren’t accountants or tax attorneys so be sure to check with your tax professional before making any decisions.

Troy Deierling, Realtor
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg, VA
(757) 715-4793 Mobile
MLS Market Snapshot * Automated Neighborhood Updates
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia

troy@ExitRealtyDA.com

www.RealEstateWilliamsburg.com
www.WilliamsburgBroker.com

“Bringing you Home to Williamsburg”


©2009 Troy Deierling

Williamsburg Homes: Locate your Lifestyle

Locate Your Lifestyle

If you are looking for a new home in Williamsburg or the Williamsburg area, it is important to communicate with your real estate agent about any special aspects of your lifestyle that will influence your choice. This information will help your agent to locate the perfect home for you.

Are you a gourmet cook who loves giving lots of parties?  Do you want space to accommodate hobbies such as painting, photography, or woodworking?   Will your decision be influenced by the accessibility of a community gym, a golf course or tennis courts?   Does your son need space to rehearse with his rock band?   Do you need a home office?   Are you planning to enlarge your family?   Is there someone in your household who has difficulty with stairs?

Knowing the significant factors that will influence your housing decision helps us to narrow the selection of homes on the market.  We can then best utilize our time together to focus on the homes in Williamsburg that meet your  needs.

We would be happy to email you a list of homes on the market that match your criteria.   Give us a call soon and we can get started finding you a new home in Williamsburg.

Troy Deierling, Realtor
EXIT Realty Deierling & Assoc.
Williamsburg, VA
(757) 715-4793 Mobile
MLS Market Snapshot * Automated Neighborhood Updates
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia

troy@ExitRealtyDA.com

www.RealEstateWilliamsburg.com
www.WilliamsburgBroker.com

“Bringing you Home to Williamsburg”

©2009 Troy Deierling