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It’s the last day of June and we can’t wait for July - it’s going to be a blast. But before we celebrate our nations independence this 4th of July, as hosts of this weeks Carnival of Real Estate, we wanted to share our favorite submissions. Thanks to all who contributed. Have a happy and safe 4th.

The top 10 Carnival Picks of the week are:

1. Here’s a great story. Write about local real estate issues in your neck of the woods and the mainstream media might come knocking at your door. That’s what happened when  Cliff Jacobson of WebHomeUsaBlog.com wrote Challenge My Tax Assessment 101. Not only did he provide some great tips on how to correct your tax assessment, but he got on the front page of his local newspaper’s online site. Blogging works.

2. Is investing in Rental Property a Good Move? In today’s market? Maybe not. However, Tisha Kulak of The Digerati Life provides an in-depth overview for today’s rental property real estate investor. It’s all about the cash flow….

3. What’s with all the celebrity foreclosures? You may be thinking, aren’t they supposed to be rich? Ray, from The Money Blue Book highlights why Even Celebrities Can Fall On Hard Times And Face Home Foreclosure. Some people have a difficult time managing their finances, no matter how much they make. It comes down to financial planning. It’s never too soon to have a plan. Start small. Life is so unpredictable, you need a cushion.

4. Not sure whether you should blog inside or outside?  Clearly it depends on the weather, doesn’t it? It can. But, that’s not what Jay Thompson was thinking about when he wrote Active Rain Launched “Outside Blogs” on the Geek Estate Blog. Rain or shine, you can now get yourself an “outside blog” through the Active Rain network. Still confused? Just go and check it out.

5. We’re only accepting highest and best offers in writing. In most of the market around the US today, you might react by saying - yeah right! However, if you were in the real estate market just a few of years ago, statements like this were quite common. You only had a short time to make an offer and most of the time, if you didn’t go significantly above asking, you would lose out in a bidding war. Mary Pope-Handy brings us back to reality and shares contract contingency basics with us on her post on The Silicon Valley Real Estate Blog, The Nuances of Real Estate Contingencies.

6. Now that summer is upon us, kids just can’t wait to find a pool to play in. For us adults, it’s our job to make sure someone is watching them at all times. Safety comes first. David Israel from Scenic City Scoop reminds us of this ever so important safety measure in his post, “Soak up the Sun” in Chattanooga - Pool Safety First.

7. What’s a Real Estate Pig in a Poke? Dan Melson of SearchLight Crusade reminds us not to put barriers between home buyers and the listing. Always be ready to show. A home buyer needs access. Provide it. The less accessible the home is to buyers, the less valuable it will be over time. Less people viewing = less offers = potential for longer days on market.

8. Practice what you preach Mr! Craig Shiller  of RealEstaging reminds us to walk the walk, not just talk the talk in his blog post, Stagers Should Picture What They Preach. Our visual presentation is just as important as our verbal one, sometimes more so. Get your portfolio in order.

9. So you say you’re a neighborhood expert eh? Prove it! Mike Price of MLBraodcast shows us how to Harness the Power of Neighborhood Knowledge at Mike’s Corner. Before you head over, please write down the top three things you think consumers want. Then, see what Mike says they want

10. Do you know what a short sale is? Thinking of becoming a short sale specialist? Before you do, please read this blog post by Cindy Jones, The cost of being a Short Sale Specialist. It’s not as glamorous as you may think.

Our Sparkling Pick of the Week:

The BagLady presents - Laura Richardson, Julia Boseman, and Shirley Huntley - Representatives of Financial Irresponsibility?

Just read it to believe it……

Next week,  Pat Kitano of TransparentRE will host the Carnival. I can see clearly now, the rain is gone…….

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