Getting your Home Ready for the Photographer!

Fashion models don’t pop out of bed and get in front of a
camera.  Houses shouldn't either!   When your home goes on the market, the buying public will truly scrutinize the photos of your home as they determine whether or not they even want to visit it.  



 Here are a few guidelines for getting home
ready for a photo shoot.  As you go
through each room, remember less is more because even the

Looking for Tranquility? Look No Further.

Coming to market next week, a beautiful Scottsville home with 65 acres that offers incredible views, unparalleled tranquility, lush perennial gardens and a fantastic home.  First showings, Thursday, September 12th.  Call me for more information.

Buy Me! Buy Me!

Whether you are buying a property or selling one, there are many big decisions in real estate and for many people that causes great stress.  But every once in a while you run into someone that can take it all in stride and even have a little fun with real estate.

A house just came on the market this week and displayed discreetly on the side of the refrigerator in children's magnet alphabet

Highland Park Diner Named One of America's Best Diners!

Highland Park Diner, located at the intersection of S. Goodman and S. Clinton, was just named as one of America's Best Diners by Travel and Leisure Magazine.  It's a popular spot for locals and tourist alike.

Emphasizing freshness, the menu features homemade mashed potatoes, hamburgers, soups, freshly squeezed orange juice and an award-winning apple pie.  The diner seats fifty-five, 19 at

Short Sale History

Historically, the one thing that has not been short with short sales is the time necessary to close.  I've heard horror stories of closings taking months and even years.

But this week I think I may have made short sale history.  On February 12, I listed a home in N. Chili.  On March 14th, we received and accepted an offer.  On March 18th, we submitted the offer to the bank for short sale

Rochester Real Estate Seeing Multiple Offers

The last five purchase offers I've written have had competition.  And yes, at the first inkling that there will be multiple offers, my heart rate goes up and the adrenaline starts pulsing through my veins and I get giddy with excitement but then the reality sinks in.  Multiple offers suck.

There really isn't a win-win with multiple offers.  Someone has to lose. And the nice person in me

Rochester's High-Tech Innovation

With Kodak in bankruptcy, the experts expected Rochester to crumble into urban decay.  Instead, it has thrived and this week was named one of the ten most unexpected cities of high tech innovation by Techie.com.    According to the article, there are 65,650 techies in the Rochester workforce, which rivals San Francisco and San Diego.  You can check out the article in its entirety here:  http://

Five Biggest Mistakes When Getting a Mortgage

Once upon a time you didn't need money or a job to get a mortgage. In fact, you didn't even have to have a personal history of paying your bills and you could still get a mortgage. There are even rumors of deceased individuals getting mortgages as owner-occupants but I don't know if that was true or not. But since the mortgage melt-down of 2007-2009 there are much stricter guidelines to get

NEW BLOG ADDRESS!

The Eviction Resistance blog has now moved from google owned blogspot to a more activist friendly host. The new site is:

www.evictionresistance.squat.net

We won't be updating this blog anymore so do make a note of the new address. There's quite a few new posts up too on the new site so check them out - it's been a busy few weeks!

Smell you later google.

E.R

CAMDEN GARDEN CENTRE RESISTANCE

On Tuesday we went to support the second resistance of the year, this time in a much loved community garden project in Camden.

Derelict greenhouses, left to ruin for over 12 years, transformed into a thriving community garden and arts space. A really inspiring use of urban wasteland. More about this amazing project here:

http://www.squashcampaign.org/2012/12/put-property-to-productive-use/

A colourfully dressed resistance saw off the forces of darkness in true community style . Numerous vans of police, a dog team and a helicopter were peacefully deflected by the 80 strong resistance. An aggressive attack on the group locked on outside the front gates led to one arrest and a few minor injuries. Once the chain on the gate had been angle grinded off, those inside the perimeter fought back with heavy barricades and sheer community power. People clambered to the roof and those on the ground piled pallet after pallet against the gates. Much joy was had when, after a frenzied attack, the cops, bailiff's and security staff decided to call it a day. The residents of the Camden Garden centre sleep once again amongst their blossoming community garden.

Here's the pic's:

First cops on scene calling for backup

Cops quickly grew in numbers

Rooftop resistance

Cops and bailiffs suddenly charge at the resistance in front of the gate

Cops pulling and kicking at the peaceful resistance

Angle grinding the chain on the gate

One arrest for an alleged breach of the peace

People protecting each other from angry cops

Cops still unable to get in....

The resistance defiantly move back into position once the cops pull back

A song of success when the forces of darkness  finally sulk off with their tails between their legs

FIRST RESISTANCE OF 2013 - COME ON THEN LETS 'AVE IT!

Well well well. 2013 arrived and with what style! The first week of the year kicked off with an EPIC 8 hour standoff between the forces of darkness and the resistance. A building owned by the crown estate, one of wealthiest property hoarders of the UK, was scheduled for eviction at 10.00am last Fri. However, as the property is awaiting planning permission (so it can be part-demolished and turned into - you guessed it! -Luxury flats!) the occupants saw no reason why they should be forced out onto the streets prematurely. A large group gathered in solidarity and there was a very fine display of resistance from all. Although the property was finally cleared, it took the forces of darkness pretty much the whole day to carry out their wrong doing. Several people were tweeting the action live as it happened; here are a few choice tweets/pics! Massive bigup's to all those involved. 

EvictionResistance ‏@EResistance

rooftop standoff in Pimlico #eviction #resistance this morning. Riot police have just arrived #solidarity 

EvictionResistance ‏@EResistance

Standoff continues between riot cops & #squatters.Longterm#emptybuilding awaiting demolition #housingcrisis #homelessness@BoardedBritain

EvictionResistance ‏@EResistance

Police have closed grosvenor rd as #riot cops prepare to storm building

Anarcho Penguin ‏@WolvoPingu

Police just opened random house door thinking it was another entrance into the squat #megalolz 

Anarcho Penguin ‏@WolvoPingu

Roof occupation still going strong at the squat eviction

EvictionResistance ‏@EResistance

Grosvenor road finally cleared after an epic 8.5 hour #eviction#resistance.Bigup's to all those involved& keep #fightingthegoodfight

Ho Ho Ho!

Holiday blessings to you and yours!  And please don't hesitate to call or e-mail if I can assist you with your real estate plans!

UKUNCUT HOUSING ACTION: 08/12

Last Saturday a few of us attended an action on Upper Street, Angel that was organized by ukuncut and housing for the 99%. Tax dodging Starbucks was the target of choice for anti cuts activists and a temporary shelter was set up in front of the cafe to highlight how government cuts are impacting those in vulnerable housing. Curtains were put up over the facade, much to the confusion of coffee sipping customers, and a dining table was positioned in front of the main entrance with a selection of house warming treats. 

Although the original plan had been to set up inside Starbucks itself, this was prevented by a large police presence. The shop was forced to close though for approximately an hour as talks were held by the large group gathered outside. The action received an overwhelming amount of support from passersby and overall was a huge success. Here’s the pic’s!

The gathering outside Starbucks, Upper Street.

Talks by various housing related groups including Housing for the 99%, DIGS and Fuel Poverty Action

Placard of the day - ‘too little, too latte’

Squat activist Pete the Temp talks about squatting and homelessness

Sadly, this will be the case for many next year

Getting the message out to Islington

After being moved on from outside Starbucks, we crossed to road to target another tax dodger - Foxtons!!

Pete blows the horn of justice at Foxtons staff

Last talk of the action before heading off to a local pub for some well deserved refreshmentPhotos By Anthony Mortarelli 

LONDON HOUSING SOLIDARITY MEETING 2012

• Tenants, travellers and squatters:

  Sick and tired of being ripped off? Been bullied by bailiffs? Moved on with no place to go? You're not alone. 

  Join us for an afternoon of housing related discussion, strategizing and networking. Talks from various groups on upcoming campaigns & actions alongside performances from London's finest housing activists. 

  Saturday 24th Nov 2012. Discussion from 14.00 - 18.00. Colorama 2, 44-48 Lancaster Street,
  London SE1 0RY 
  
  *Enquires:evictionresistance[at]squat.net 07591 415860*
  
  An eviction for one is an eviction for all.

  
  

FAREWELL, COMRADE!

Keith Robin, the founder and inspiration for the Eviction Resistance Network, sadly passed away last month after suffering a sudden brain haemorrhage. An inspiration to many, he will leave a massive hole in the heart of the squatting movement. All those who knew him loved him, and all those he knew he loved. He is sorely missed by us and that is why we have taken a short break to allow ourselves to grieve. He contributed greatly to this blog and, as a close comrade, these are what I guess would have been his last words for the eviction resistance blog:

‘One in 7 people on this planet squat. You are not alone. Housing is a human right. Fight back! Resist! Community power! Whatever they say, SQUATTING WILL STAY!!'

Solidarity and much love to all. 

Pricing Distressed Properties

I recently showed a property that was listed for $70,000 in a neighborhood where many similar properties sold in the $120,000 to $140,000 range.  As soon as my buyers pulled in the driveway, they were spouting off defects and the price tag to fix them.

It didn't get any better when we walked inside.  The windows were old, the carpet was shot and there was an active leak in the basement.

Much to

Vote for My Photo Please :0)

It's Hot around Park Ave Especially for Investment Property!

The temperatures may be falling but the real estate climate around Park Ave is super hot, especially for multi-family investment property.  In the past six weeks or more, I've heard from many investors and want-to-be investors and when we secure an appointment to view these properties, there are usually two or more other investors looking at the same time.

A little free advice here for new

A TRIP TO THE NEWLY OPENED 'HOBO HILTON'

Entrance to the Hobo Hilton

Early yesterday evening on Saturday 6^thOctober we visited the newly opened office building 'Hobo Hilton' , at 203 High Holborn, which has apparently been empty since 2003.

This squatted space was a hive of activity. The welcome desk in the foyer was surrounded by many excited visitors, including quite a large media group .Despite the name this newly opened project, which has been formed by a number of groups including Occupy, doesn’t have an open door policy  to simply house homeless people, though shelter does seem to be a part of what The Hobo Hilton has on offer.

 Raising public awareness of the massive housing crisis this country is in, the consequences of the savage financial cuts those in power are still in the process of inflicting  on the infrastructure of our society and the dangers we all face if the issues of climate change are dealt with by yet more cuts and green wash.are on the agenda for this activist hub .A mix of informative workshops and direct action are the tools of choice for the people involved in this project. On offer on Saturday, which was an open day was a very fine banner making session, a beautiful and thought provoking art exhibition provided by a number of artists and an entertaining  cabaret in the evening. All free.

We recommend a visit sooner rather than later (court coming up this week) Donations of useful items, food, your time or  suggestions on how to use the space would all be welcome. 

Facebook Group here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/437626852950239/?fref=ts

Daily Mail Article (!):

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2211854/Lloyds-Banking-Group-Protesters-control-bank-worth-750k-affluent-suburb.html

Demotix Pics:

http://www.demotix.com/news/1484395/hobo-hilton-opens-its-doors-central-london

Showing Stress

I work hard when I take a listing.  My days are filled with putting out signs, taking photos, verifying tax bills, writing ad copy, calling utility companies and much, much more.  But my job is much easier than most homeowners.

When a house is on the market, a home owner must clean the gutters, manicure the lawn, paint the front door, hind the trash cans and that's just with hopes to have