Asiyah Ali's Blog

Credit standards have changed over the last couple of years, so have the rules that make up the FICO score.  So, when was the last time you checked your credit???

Credit is needed for everything -- major purchases, minor purchases (a pack of gum, lol), insurance, utilities, to get a job!!! EVERYTHING RELIES ON YOUR CREDIT WORTHINESS!!

So again...when was the last time you checked your credit????

Remember, you're entitled to a FREE CREDIT REPORT from each of the 3 credit bureaus EVERY 12 MONTHS. Here's the website - www.annualcreditreport.com.  Personally, I have a subscription through www.Truecredit.com where I have UNLIMITED access to all three credit reports and FICO scores.  Every month I assess my credit, make sure there is nothing erroneous and I can fix anything that I found that was wrong.

Keeping up with your credit these days can mean the difference between eating and not eating.  Be sure to check yours out today...and make it a habit!  And if you run into a snag or have a question about your credit report...I'm only a phone call or email away!

Here's to being proactive!

Asiyah I. Ali, Realtor - Keller Williams Realty - www.VaHomeConnect.com

If you're thinking buyiing or selling your home or would like to arrange a Consultation, I can be reached via phone/text at 757-343-4474 or www.VaHomeConnect.com 

View ALL the Homes for Sale and Rent in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, as well as the rest of Hampton Roads.  This site is updated daily with new real estate listings, pictures and other information vital to your home search.  Feel free to call/text me with your questions or to see any home you like!!!  www.VaHomeConnect.com or www.AsiyahAli.com

I recall a couple of months ago hearing about this "Google Voice" in the midst of my regular day full of phone calls, showings, and other random ramblings as a Realtor in Virginia Beach, VA.  I immediately said to myself, "here we go, another program that I'll have to purchase (and learn, ugh) to stay competitive."  Gosh, can I take anymore??? 

Currently I have everything from Top Producer, Top Producer websites (www.AsiyahAli.com, www.VaHomeConnect.com), fees for the local MLS, local and national Realtor associations (NAR,VAR,HRRA) and every gadget, websites, widgets, blogs, gadgets or latest new "thingy" thats supposed to enhance business.  I was so over the technological and business over load that it almost led me to run off the edge of the steepest cliff on Mt. Kilaminjaro and leave no note behind!!!  (Ok, that's visual AND extreme but you get my point!)

Ok, I digress!  With the roll out of Google Voice, here are the features as noted on their website besides being FREE (YES FREE, I'LL SAY IT AGAIN, FRRREEEEEEEEE):

One number for all your calls and SMS

• Call screening - Announce and screen callers
• Listen in - Listen before taking a call
• Block calls - Keep unwanted callers at bay
• SMS - Send, receive, and store SMS
• Place calls - Call US numbers for free
• Taking calls - Answer on any of your phones
• Phone routing - Phones ring based on who calls
• Forwarding phones - Add phones and decide which

Voicemail as easy as email, with transcripts

• Voicemail transcripts - Read what your voicemail says
• Listen to voicemail - Check online or from your phone
• Notifications - Receive voicemails via email or SMS
• Personalize greeting - Vary greetings by caller
• Share voicemail - Forward or download voicemails

You wouldn't believe the level of excitement I am experiencing!  Google Voice will definetly change the way I do business as I move toward having a more mobile office.  The ability to choose your own number in almost any area code, (note how I chose a number local to Atlanta, GA for kicks and giggles!). Voice transcription feature (turning your voice mail into an email or SMS), as well as many of the other calling features like the call routing will serve any Real Estate professional very well.  Oh, and did I tell you that it was FREE? 

Ok, here's the kicker!  (it's always something right?). The only thing is, you can't just sign up, you must get INVITED! (OK, here's where we all should fee so special!)  Check out the website for Google Voice http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html for further information and don't forget to click on "get an invite at the top of the page!

What are your ideas on this service?  Feel free to post your comments, short cuts and other uses here!  We'd love to hear your voices Active Rainers!!!  In the meantime, feel free to call or text me via my new Google Voice number 404.939-4890 or online www.AsiyahAli.com.  

CIAO from Virginia Beach!!!

Asiyah I. Ali, Realtor - Keller Williams Realty - www.VaHomeConnect.com - www.AsiyahAli.com - http://www.trulia.com/blog/asiyah_ali/ - http://www.zillow.com/profile/Asiyah_Ali/ - www.Twitter.com/AsiyahAli

A strong entrepreneurial spirit and customer service drive have always been instrumental forces behind the success of Asiyah Ali's diverse real estate business ventures. Upon building a portfolio of personal investment properties in Hampton Roads, Virginia, Asiyah put her own business sense, organizational skills and interpersonal savvy to work to help grow her real estate business and establish clients around the country.  "Handling the details is what I do best, and I have countless clients in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake and the surrounding cities who call this area home that can prove it!!!" 

You're all excited!  It's a beautiful day,  you've gotten pre-approved, you've met a great Realtor!  It's 9 am on Saturday....the kids are with grandma, you and hubby meet at the Realtor's office, you hop in the car....

You drive up in front of the first of 5 homes you're going to see today.  Now what?  Are you prepared?  Will you like the home? Will it have everything you want? Everything you've been dreaming of????

When going out to view properties, here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Preview homes on your Realtors website or www.VaHomeConnect.com.  Many listings have lots of pictures and virtual tours.  This is a good way to know what you're going to look at for the day.

2. BEFORE the first appoinment, make a list of your "must haves" and "cannot live withouts".  Be sure your Realtor is customizing the list of homes to only include homes that have what you want.  BE SPECIFIC!  Bedrroms, bathrooms, fireplaces, garage, schools, style of home are all things to consider amongst many others.  Go for it!

3. Have a copy of each listing and a working pen to make notes of what you viewed at each home.  Believe me, after the third home they'll all start to look alike. 

4. After viewing each home, rate each one on a number on a scale of 1 to 10, one being worse and ten being best.  Eliminate homes that just don't fit the bill.

5. Remember, there are some things you just can't change.  Location, floor plan, neighborhood, seller's motivation.  Consider taking a drive through the neighborhood before visiting the inside of homes.  This will give you a good idea of whether you even want to view the home's inside.

6. Remember, there are some things you CAN change.  Don't be overly concerned about paint color, carpet, furnishings or decorating style of the current owners.  Those things can be changed later!  Be sure you like the neighborhood, style of home, location of the home and floorplan.  Anything else, including the price, can be attended to!!!

These are just a few things to keep in mind while you're out looking for your new home.  Pick a good Realtor, know your needs and have fun looking!  All the time and energy will pay off when you're sitting on your patio, enjoying a cool glass of ice tea in your own home! 

If you're looking to buy or sell in the Hampton Roads area (Virginia Beach, Norfolk and surrounding cities), contact me at www.AsiyahAli.com, Asiyah@AsiyahAli.com, or text/call 757-343-4474.  Relocating?  I can refer you to an agent ANYWHERE in the US, Canada or abroad!!!  Ask me how or www.VaHomeConnect.com

Asiyah I. Ali, Realtor
Virginia Beach Real Estate Specialist
Handling the Details

Real Estate home sales and rentals in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Portsmouth, Newport News, Suffolk VA