I look through the visitor statistics from time to time to get an idea for what people seem to like on this blog. However, that’s kind of a limited way of getting an understanding of what the audience is looking for, because my audience can only read what I write. I don’t know if I’m making any sense.

Anyways, the purpose of this post is to hear from you. I’ve been blogging for a few years and it hit me today that I’ve never really asked my readers what they would like to see on this blog. I know I’ve posted a lot about FHA loans, Mortgage Insurance, Subprime and various other topics, but today I want to ask you. What are are some topics you’d like to learn more about?

I know may people call to ask me if the market has bottomed out. Well, I can’t really say for sure, but there can be good buys out there. In fact, there was one person who said he really didn’t think he could get a good answer from a real estate agent, since they have an interest in the answer. But, I reminded him that not all real estate agents are like that.

So, going back to the original question. Would you like to see some analysis of when and when not to do a refinance? How about an interest rate trend review? See, there I go again. I’m trying to come up with some topics.

Seriously, leave a comment below regarding a home mortgage related topic you’d like me to write about and I promise to take you up on you request.

photo credit: jamuraa

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Welcome to the Arizona Mortgage Guru blog, a great resource for all your home financing needs. If you're new here and like the content, you can subscribe to my RSS feed to get regular updates on all things related to mortgages. Thanks for visiting.

Tags: Mortgages, Real Estate, topics
Categories: Blogging, Mortgages
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Many thanks to all the Windemere agents who attended the Blogging 101 class yesterday (on Thunderbird and 101). I sure enjoyed teaching the class. I owe this opportunity to Chris Mattix, my newest Facebook friend! So, thank you Chris for having me.

As promised here is a link to the Powerpoint presentation from yesterday. Additionally, I have posted the video of a class I did on setting up a Wordpress blog at the Arizona RE Bloggers Network meeting last month.

Arizona Real Estate Bloggers Network Meeting - May 2008 from phoenixrealestatelive on Vimeo.

I do mortgages on the side to support my blogging habit, so please feel free to refer any clients who may be in the market and need a good quality lender! If you browse through this blog you’ll realize that Aimee and I certainly know what we’re doing and we have a history of providing 100% customer satisfaction!

Just a friendly reminder

Post Updated Monday June 16th. Here is the powerpoint slide from my presentation via SlideShare:

| View | Upload your own

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Tags: arizona, bloggers, blogging, phoenix, Real Estate
Categories: Arizona, Bloggers, Blogging, Phoenix, Uncategorized
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The week just flew by. Hello. Its Friday night already.

The highlight of the week for me was of course Thursday. I was the substitute presenter at the Arizona RE EV Blogging Networks monthly gathering. Jay Thompson, The Phoenix Real Estate Guy, was not able to do the kick off Wordpress training and so I had the honor of stepping in. It was a lot of fun actually. I want to thank everyone for showing up and for your enthusiasm. It is always a pleasure to talk about blogging.

My presentation was a very basic over view of how to set up a Wordpress blog and all that good stuff. It went well for the most part, but the area where I felt I was weak was in actually getting people to start a blog. A few people did end up setting up blogs, but many seemed to just want to listen and take notes. Which is fine. As promised I have uploaded my powerpoint presentation.

A lot of folks out there are hungry to learn about blogs and how to blog. If you have questions and concerns, why don’t you leave a comment on this post and I’ll try to answer it - or someone else could and that way we build a repository of information for agents and lenders eager to learn about blogging. You can still write to me directly if you wish too.

Some of the usual suspects were there - like Christoph, Nick and Doreen. Many thanks to Candace and Shelli for all their hard work in putting this meeting together. Also the our sponsors. Thank you all. See you next month.

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Tags: arizona, bloggers, blogging, phoenix
Categories: Arizona, Bloggers, Blogging, Uncategorized
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Regular readers of this blog know that even though this blog is focused on mortgages and home financing like a laser beam, I’ve had Jennifer Furrier contribute a few times. Jennifer is a professional organizer, and a very good one at that. The feedback from her customers is always amazing and her work ethic is legendary. That is why I’ve always thought she’d be a great addition to the blogging community.

Well, now it looks like she’s taken the plunge. Last week she e-mailed and and told me she’s set up a blog on professional organizing and I was elated to hear that. Her blog is called “Overcome the Overwhelm” and already has some really good nuggets on getting organized, improving productivity and living a stress-less life. I already know this is going to be an awesome blog, and that is because I know that Jen is an awesome professional organizer!

The only thing I can say at this point is “watch out”, to the other bloggers who focus on professional organizing. You guys now have some pretty tough competition coming your way. However, as a blogger I know it’s not all about competition, but also about building community and interaction and relationships. So, on that front Jennifer is going to make a great addition to the already mushrooming professional organizing blogosphere.

Head on over to Jennifer’s blog and leave a note!

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Tags: Jennifer Furrier, professional organizer
Categories: Bloggers, Blogging, Phoenix
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Dear Readers,

The FHA Mortgage Center is running a blog contest and I’ve entered the contest. If you believe The Arizona Mortgage Guru has consistently provided you with quality content then please consider voting for this blog. All you have to do is click on the thumbs up button in the side bar under “Vote for AMG”. —to side bar—>>

I do not run this blog to win online beauty pageants or, to be known and heard about in the blogosphere. The focus of my efforts is to provide you the ready with valuable content as you navigate the complex real estate financing market.The quality of e-mails I receive from you is a testament to that endeavor and is sufficient reward for me and my business.

But, if you should so feel inclined please vote for me.

Thanks,

Shailesh

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Tags: Blog, Contest, FHA Mortgage Center
Categories: Bloggers, Blogging, Humor and Fun
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This mornings inaugural AZ EV RE Bloggers Network meeting was fantastic and I personally enjoyed it tremendously. Agents from around the valley (and Tucson) attended and participated in this sharing of the minds event. I want to personally thank agent Candace Robinson (HomeSmart) and Shelli Bates for organizing the first of what is hoped to be many blogging forum.

I apologize for the lack of pictures, but I didn’t take my camera with me and so don’t have any to share right now. But I’m sure Candace will send some over and I’ll be sure to put it up once I have a few. In fact the whole program was taped - so hopefully we’ll be able to have that available soon.

Just to recap, all the speakers shared some great information - from tips and tricks to how much increase they have seen in their business since they started blogging. I learned a lot - so thank you for sharing. For me it was a pleasure to finally meet the Lady in Red, Teri Ellis, Paul Slaybaugh and Mike Jones from Tucson. Jay Thompson (our local celebrity) was the keynote speaker and he spilled the beans on the key to his blogging success! It’s always a pleasure to hear him speak - so thank you!

As promised I have uploaded and made available my PowerPoint presentation for those interested. It is from my blogging 101 seminar from last year and is a bit outdated (that is how fast the blogging world is evolving). Click below to download:

The organizers and sponsors are discussing the possibility of holding these kind of get together events on a monthly basis and in a more central location. Please contact them directly if you are interested in attending the next event.

Thank you to Shelli Bates of Land America Title and Ron Kohatsu of Win Gateway (Home Inspection) for sponsoring this event.

4.29 pm update: Teri has posted pictures on her blog.

Friday AM update - some pictures courtesy of Teri:

The captive audience (there were a lot more people than what can be seen here)

Friday (4/25) PM update: Paul Slaybaugh has a complete re-cap with a whole new set of pictures!

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Tags: arizona, bloggers, blogging, phoenix
Categories: Arizona, Bloggers, Blogging
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The Arizona East Valley Real Estate Bloggers Network, the brainchild of agent Candace Robinson (HomeSmart) is organizing its first blogging forum. The goal is to have a monthly get together for agents to come and learn more about creating an online presence through blogging. The purpose of the forum is expressed in its motto: “Reach Your Dreams While Helping Others Reach Theirs”. The first meeting is scheduled for April 24th at 9AM in Gilbert at the new San Tan Village Mall at the Paradise Bakery . This forum is officially titled “What, Why and How To Blog & Get Started!!”

The idea of a bloggers network is very relevant considering how many in the industry are curious to learn and grow in this medium. The blogging seminars I have organized has always received a great response and I’m glad that Candace is now creating a regular forum to address the issue. I am personally looking forward to finally meeting some of the people I’ve gotten to know through blogging but never actually have met in flesh and blood. So, that is truly a great excuse for you to come as well.

I am honored that Candace asked me to be on the panel of speakers. She has put together an all star line up of local real estate bloggers which includes Teri Ellis, Broker, ABR,CRS,GRI,ePRO,MRE, Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC and Paul Slaybaugh with Realty Executives and I am truly honored to be a part of the group.

There is time for networking before and after the meeting - so plan to come early and leave late. Coffee and snacks are being provided by Shelli Bates of Land America Title and Ron Kohatsu of Win Gateway (Home Inspection).

BTW: Jay T - this is your official notification and invitation.

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Tags: arizona, blogging network, Real Estate
Categories: Arizona, Bloggers, Blogging
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Apparently not only am I a Genius but I’m also a Cicerone! Now before you get turned off by my shameless self promotion- let me explain. As many of my readers know I write for the national real estate magazine Agent Genius, one of the most recognized real estate opinion leaders of the blogosphere. Benn and Lani, the founders of the forum, are one of smartest real estate minds in the entire world, period. That is why it is no coincidence that the best and brightest real estate minds of the day write for AG. I am continually in awe of the quality of the material and learn something new every time I visit. I’m akin to the jester of the group, and feel glad they allow me to hang around.

Starting this week I will also be writing for the Mortgage Cicerone. This is a blog focused on delivering valuable insights to loan originators. Tony Gallegos, the founder of the forum says its a “place where mortgage originators become mortgage leaders.” There are some serious industry heavy weights who write thoughtful, hard hitting mortgage related articles for this blog. I’m the newest kid on the block.

I will admit, before I started reading the Mortgage Cicerone, I didn’t even know what the word “cicerone” meant and I still don’t know how to pronounce it. For those curious cicerone is “a guide for sightseers or person who is eloquent in sharing knowledge. ” Wow. Makes my head swell.

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Tags: agent genius, mortgage cicerone, mortgage guru
Categories: Bloggers, Blogging, Internet
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Art has never been easy for me. But thank goodness my wife is here by my side to help me with the choices in life involving colors and that spunk. Tired of staring at all the white space on my blog Aimee finally pushed me to jazz up the theme. (Who knew that she was actually reading my blog. )

Fear not though, it’s still the same layout and is designed with the user in mind. As much as colors may be involved it’s still the same great product - just with a little more life! Actually one of the main reasons why I chose this theme last year was because of its flexibility. You can change the header picture, the theme colors, width etc. very easily and still maintain an easy reading environment for visitors.

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Tags: arizona mortgage guru, theme
Categories: Bloggers, Blogging
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Today marks the third anniversary of blogging as the Arizona Mortgage Guru. Ironically my inaugural post was on the Fed raising interest rates (it was a different market and economy back then) and mortgage interest rates have been a major topic lately. It’s interesting how things have changed and yet not changed in all these three years!

It’s always interesting to cross a marker. Then you realize how much time has gone by. Certainly these past three years have gone by quite quickly and its fun to look back.  Back in the day, there were not many real estate and mortgage blogs, but there were a few. I  remember searching for mortgage blogs and finding Todd Carpenters newly minted creation.  Later that year I also heard of Jay’s blog through my wife. At the time that was pretty much all the blogs I cared to know about.

Why no real interst you ask? Well to be be honest, I didn’t think blogging in real estate would be as prevalent and effective as it is today. My position has changed a bit but I remain  cautiously optimistic. My own efforts back then were quite feeble. Partly from choice but also becasue we were really busy back then. I mean really busy!

So I would make short random comments on financial news or certain aspects of the economy or occasionally write some consumer centered mortgage advice. I didn’t do the things that really makes blogging successful such as network with other bloggers, visit their blogs, leave comments, link to good posts etc..  In other words I didn’t participate in the community so to  me my blog was just a  “fun” thing to burn some steam after a very busy day at work!

Things have changed a lot since then. A lot!

Today, blogging is an essential part of my daily work and a vital part of our marketing mix. Blogging has changed our business for the better. More importantly I’ve developed relationships with folks whom I would have otherwise never ever met! And I’ve also been able to help hundreds of folks with mortgage advice and news. So, thanks to all my readers for subscribing, commenting and taking an interest in this blog and my business. Your support means a lot to me! Thank you.

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Tags: 3rd anniversary, arizona, guru, mortgage
Categories: Bloggers, Blogging, Mortgages
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