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COME IN MY OFFICE - GET SCANNED

ScanSnap ScannerI've finally made up my mind to actually do something about the amount of personal and business paper I deal with.

Here's my new ScanSnap scanner. It's just a little larger than about two books but it is definitely a powerful scanner for personal and small business use.

On the business side I've scanned about two filing drawers of client files onto my PC and than back it up to a thumb drive and an online storage site. Every piece of paper and email associated with a transaction is scanned and stored digitally. The only paper files I'll be keeping in 2009 are the ones that are active. Once closed, scan and store.

The speed of this machine is just incredible compared to other scanners I've used in the past. It scans at about thirty pages a minute, both sides at the same time. Files are automatically converted to PDF.

ScanSnap ScannerThe scanner comes with the full version of Adobe Acrobat 8.0 Standard, as well as OCR software to convert directly to Word, Excel or PowerPoint.

Four different quality scanning modes. The one I've been using is the second best quality and it's more than I need.

I've scanned about four thousand pages so far and have had about three misfeeds. All the misfeeds were because I didn't remove the staples.

You can load the scanner with different size paper and so far...not a problem. When it scans it automatically recognizes color and black and white documents and doesn't slow down a bit.

One button scanning. Put the paper in the hopper, hit the green Scan button and watch the computer screen. Couldn't be any easier.

Thumb Drive2009 is my year to go paperless.

The thumb drive contains two full file cabinet drawers of paper and is only about half full. More to go as I find the time, but I'm committed to making it work next year.

If you're looking for a downside to the ScanSnap it's the fact that it doesn't have a TWAIN driver. You can't use it with other scanning software or over a local area network. It has to be attached via a USB cable to a computer.

Other than that, so far its been bullet proof.

 

 

 

 

 
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Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com


Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2008 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

DOUBLE MEME MUGGED BY LUNCH PARTNERS

pat and martha picturesTagged, not once, but twice for the same MeMe. And to think that I had lunch with these ladies just last week at the Annapolis MD Active Rain lunch gathering.  So, instead of trying to do this twice, I get a chance to do it only once.

Patricia Kennedy and Martha Brown double-tagged me for this MeMe. Here are all of the ground rules that need to be followed:

1. Create a blog post with a link to the person who so happily tagged you. See above!

2. List all of these rules in the post. Feel free to cut and paste this.

3. Share seven things that others may not know about you.

4. Identify seven friends, contacts or near enemies in which to adorn this MEME. Tag them at the end of the post and give a link to their blog.  

5. Contact each of the tagged members and let them know that you were indeed fast enough to catch them and that you did indeed tag them...no matter how much they say you missed them! No schoolyard rules in this MEME, nope you gotta do it if you are tagged. Sorry guys!  

Here goes...you won't be impressed:

1. I've had a moustache since 1964 when I graduated high school, except for a short period of time in basic training in 1967. My children have never seen me without a moustache, and never will.

2. I lost about 95% of the hearing in my right ear serving in the military.

3. I worked for Bell Atlantic for 33 years without taking a sick day...in retrospect, that's sick.

4. I became a grandfather for the first time this year.

5. My highest productive month as a single agent, with no assistant, was $3.7M.

6. The best car I ever owned was a 1964 Triumph TR4A.

7. I'm on Twitter but am still struggling to "get it."

As my end of year gift to others...no AR members will be MeMe mugged from this post :)

 
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Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com


Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2008 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - ST. MICHAELS MARYLAND SUNSET

sunset

 

 

 

2 CLOSINGS, 2 DAYS - NOT A TIE IN SIGHT

DOGThere have been several posts lately that seem to be equating professionalism in real estate with what you wear, or what you drive. The classic style over substance argument.

I actually agree that there should be some standards, but the degree of those standards is what is always in disagreement because dress and image is very personal.

When I worked in a corporate environment we had a difficult time putting a definition to the term "business casual." 

Last Thursday and Friday I had two settlements. One listing and one sale. With the different agents, settlement officers, buyers, sellers, loan officers and even an attorney...not a tie in sight. No dresses, hats or gloves for the women either.

What was in evidence was competence. Competence by everyone involved. Not unique, but always appreciated for a transaction of this magnitude.

For what it's worth, I prefer competence every time. I'm on the side of the substance issue.

Mostly, we're talking about Dockers and a collared shirt for the guys and pants and blouse combination for the women. One loan officer pushed the envelope a bit with jeans and a tee shirt but nobody cared.

There were no drama queens at either settlement. No having to negotiate something at the settlement table. Everybody knew their job and did it well, and everything was completed ahead of time. Nobody from those settlements is going to make the "Best Dressed List," but who really cares? They could have gone down as the two most boring settlements in history.

Give me boring and competent every time. If you want...wrap them up in a nice tie.


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Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com


Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2008 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved
©iStockPhoto - Licensed for Use

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOLLOW THE CRIMINALS - NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND

Real Estate agents try to be helpful when answering clients questions but we have to be careful that we don't violate laws in the process.

We frequently get asked, "how are the schools," or "how safe is the neighborhood." Seems innocent enough but loaded with legal issues for agents. In most cases we can't be the source of the information, but we can provide places where clients can look around on their own.

Safety is an important issue and two of the websites that I recommend are: www.crimereports.com and www.felonspy.com.

While both of these free sites provide a lot of information, buyers who are still concerned about crime statistics in any given neighborhood should contact the local police.


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Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com


Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2008 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

IT'S NOT THE $4,700 RAISE - IT'S THE PRINCIPAL

moneyFor those of you who don't yet know, Congress gets an automatic pay raise each year, unless, and get this, they vote NOT to get the raise. This years contribution from American taxpayers amounts to $4,700 per Representative.

Their salary will increase from $169,300 to $174,000. Not a bad increase when you consider the current state of the economy in the country. Unemployment is now averaging close to 7%, and much higher in some areas of the country.

Please tell me why we should reward a Congress who has allowed the economy to collapse on their watch? 

As of now, legislation has been introduced to fore-go next year's raise but, shocker, it doesn't have a great deal of support with just 34 co-sponsors. 218 are required for it to get a chance of passage.

I watched some of the hearings when Congress was berating and questioning the auto industry executives. While they don't deserve any sympathy either, the hypocrisy of our Congressional representatives is stunning. Forcing them to sell planes and convincing them to take a $1/year salary, all the while knowing they're in line for a pretty good raise themselves. I guess that's just the way it is in Washington, DC.

Wait! Maybe they're on to something. I think I'm going to vote myself a raise for 2009. 


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Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com


Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2008 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved
©iStockPhoto - Licensed for Use

 

 

 

A CERTIFICATION FOR WHAT?

gavelOK, I must be living a sheltered life. I didn't even know this certification existed until I got the eMail yesterday offering me the opportunity to take the specialized training allowing me to "Become the Realtor of Choice for 2.4 Million People."

And what is that certification you ask? A Certified Real Estate Divorce Specialist. The complete home training package available for a mere $447.

I've had my share of listings where the couple are divorcing and it's not pretty.

I'm all for training, and I do believe that designations and certifications help our overall understanding of the business. I draw the line though, at becoming a "Divorce Specialist." If its your bag you can check out the new certification at Realestatedivorcespecialist.com.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

 

 
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Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com


Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2008 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved
©iStockPhoto - Licensed for Use

 

 

 

GOOGLE ALERTS ARE OFF THE CHARTS

thumbs up sighThere's been a lot of comments about changes going on in Active Rain the last week or so. Many of the comments are legitimate complaints when changes don't go as smoothly as anticipated.

This post isn't to complain because whatever you're doing with Google Juice, guys keep it up. I have to tell you that my Google Alerts for selected keywords has been just crazy the last day or two. I can only attribute it to some change being made at AR. I can put up with a few glitches for the added exposure.

Alerts are now showing up whenever I comment on someone else's post. Until yesterday they only showed up when I posted. The increase in Google Juice has to be having an effect.

We're quick to complain when things go wrong. I want to be as quick to praise when things go right. 

Now if I can only find out how to get the points back on Members Only posts...

 



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Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com


Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2008 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved
©iStockPhoto - Licensed for Use

 

 

 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - A PUP AND A CUP

PUPPY

©2008 - RichSellsHomes.com - All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

THREE OFFERS - THREE COUNTERS - THREE DAYS

numerical threeSubmitting offers on bank owned properties gets a lot of bad press, and deservedly so. Clueless banks, horrible addenda, and of course the biggest and most often heard complaint, lack of responsiveness. Their decisions seem to move at glacial speed.

Offers lay for weeks before buyers finally get tired and just walk away, leaving all the work done by the agents on the table. Only to start over somewhere else.

I'm certainly not here in support of the banks, but I have to tell you I was pleasantly surprised recently.

Last Friday night, around 9 PM, I submitted three different offers to three different listing agents, representing three different banks, on three different foreclosure properties. My client wants to pick them all up by the end of the year. Of course, I prepped my investor/buyer to stick it out for the long haul because I didn't expect responses any time soon.

What a shock to receive counter-offers on all three properties yesterday. One decent counter-offer and two still in what I call the "clueless zone." We're still talking though, and based on their initial performance, the banks seem to be pretty responsive.

Can they actually finally be getting their act together?

 



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Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com


Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2008 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved
©iStockPhoto - Licensed for Use