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PERFECT PLACE CONTEST 4
ENTER TODAY AND WIN!!

IRONTON, MO ST. FRANCOIS 4 beds / 3 baths Price $320 000 ENTER NOW ONLY $25 ONLY 12000 ENTRIES Fantantic property is minutes from HWY-67 & Farmington, & just over an hour south of St Louis. Three year old home is 4000+ sq ft, with 60+ acres - one third open, with remainder wooded. Floors are mostly hardwood and tile. Once acre pond near the house, 1.5 acre pond in the woods. Fencing and 2 huge horse stalls. Two outbuildings. Carport for 2 cars, plus a one car garage. Great room is 30x30, w/soaring 20 ft ceiling and floor to ceiling full masonry fireplace. Kitvchen has huge island center, breakfast bar, stainless steel appliances, granite tile countertops & flooring. Up to 4 bedrooms, if desired. Rec room or den is 29x13, carpeted (only room), & with deck and pellet stove. Second story is lofted. Two bedrooms, with vaulted master suite and large garden window overlooking the pond. Property needs to be sold because homeowner was laid off and new job is in Georgia. His misfortune and the economy are providing you with the perfect opportunity to own your dream home. More info

If you ever dreamed of the Perfect Place, then NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! Try your skills at a simple word scramble game and you could win one of these beautiful homes. It's that easy! For a nominal fee, you can enter to win any of the gorgeous homes below with a few clicks of your mouse. Don't wait -- someone always wins with Perfect Place. Enter now and that winner could be you! Contest entry fee is ONLY $25 for a chance to win this Perfect Place valued at over $320 000

PERFECT PLACE CONTEST 6
ENTER TODAY AND WIN!!

NORFOLK, VA WILLOUGHBY TERRACE 5 beds / 3.5 baths Price $750 000 Presented by: PABLO MOYA GREEN ENERGY STAR NEW HOME ENTER NOW ONLY $1 This new home combines fine materials and excellence in construction to bring a superb "green" home unmatched in this market. A full government Energy Star rating makes this the first home in the area with this level of energy savings at any price. High wind and hurricane resistance built in with 2" × 6" construction with flash applied closed-cell foam insulation and 3 zone geothermal heating & cooling with high R values throughout. Home has ~2750 sq. ft. living space, large 2-car garage, central vacuum system, security system with paid 1 yr service agreement, and paid electricity for first 2 years of home ownership. Family room and 3rd floor recreation room is network and surround sound ready. Telephone, cable, and internet ready in every room; ceiling fans in every bedroom, family room, and on 3rd floor, plumbing hardware and door hardware upgraded to brushed nickel, 2-panel doors, and over 20 recessed lights throughout. This is a 5 Bedroom 3.5 baths home with hardwood floors throughout first floors, stairs and upstairs' hallway. In the kitchen you'll find all wood, maple cabinets with dovetail drawers, granite counter tops and a full stainless steel appliance package. The family room has a vented fireplace with built-in entertainment center, through the double French doors you'll find yourself on the 12' x 16' deck built with Brazilian walnut and polyvinyl railing. The master bedroom has a two-sided vented fireplace into the luxurious master bath and also a separate sitting room with cathedral ceiling. On the third floor you'll find 600 Sq. Ft. of area with wet bar and all wired for surround sound and internet. Outside you'll see a cobblestone driveway leading to the beautiful double entry doors with transom. Fine materials were used and no detail overlooked. Our homes are fully equipped with energy saving features; geothermal heating and air conditioning, foam insulation, hot water heater inverter, etc., its carbon reduction is equal to two cars! That's a savings to you of $200.00 per month! A recent study by the EPA indicates that the increased home's equity value, for energy savings of this amount, is; $48,000.00! A new report points to a clear conclusion: building green is cost-effective and makes financial sense today. The benefits include cost savings from reduced energy, lower maintenance costs and enhanced occupant health. This report is the first of its kind to fully aggregate the costs and benefits of green buildings. In it, the Financial Benefits of Green Buildings Summary of Findings; estimates that a home of our caliber; has a total added value of $168,000.00! You'll appreciate your Energy Star qualified home every time you open a utility bill. Our Energy Star qualified homes give you more. There's no comparison. Our homes have been independently inspected and Energy Star certified (5 Star +) to the highest standards. See video @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UVnv2MJbCk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCkQ96V0yzk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXshKBH7F1E CLICK HERE to see Floorplan 1 of 2 CLICK HERE to see Floorplan 2 of 2 More info

We Were so excited to have this article written about us, I wanted to share it.

Updated On 12/15/08 at 12:00PM

Gaming for apartments

Q Club Resort & Residences

By Roland Li

Donna Kalman, president of the Perfect Place, wants to change the way homes are sold -- by "giving" them away. Her company has been providing short-term furnished apartments to clients in South Florida for 20 years, and at the beginning of September, it began its first give-away contest.

Through the Perfect Place Contest, Kalman is giving away three South Florida apartments -- two of which are hers -- to participants who score the most points in a word jumble game. Another South Florida apartment that Kalman owns is available for a year, rent-free, and a home in Ironton, MO. is also being given away. Points are awarded based on the number and complexity of words unscrambled.

But, as one might expect, the apartments aren't really free.

In a down market, instead of struggling to sell a home to one buyer, she hopes to get back the cost of all three properties through the contests, by charging an entry fee of $10 for each Florida home and $25 for the Missouri home. Homes are not given away until the appraised property value of each home is reached through fees paid by contestants, thereby giving homeowners the base value of their homes.

The South Florida properties include a 1,246-square-foot unit in Coconut Creek, valued at $250,000; a 1,244-square-foot apartment in Fort Lauderdale, valued at $350,000, both owned by Kalman; and the 584-square-foot condo-hotel within the Q Club Resort & Residences, in Fort Lauderdale, valued at $600,000.

Since owners cannot make more than the appraised value of their home, according to state laws, contests entries are limited to 25,000 for the Coconut Creek home, 35,000 for the Fort Lauderdale home and 60,000 for the Q Club apartment. A 985-square-foot home in Delray Beach owned by Kalman, with a monthly rent of $4,000, will also be given to a winner for a year, rent-free. That contest is limited to 4,800 entries.

Kalman brings in more money by charging a $400 fee for homeowners to list properties.

The competitions were set to end 30 days after the September 1st start-date, but Kalman has extended the contests to December 28th because the property values weren't reached through the entries. She said she also lowered the contest entry fees in response to feedback from players, who wanted more opportunities to play.

If the home is given away to a contest winner, 10 percent of the value is divided between the credit card companies, contest organizers and broker, if one is involved, although Kalman says that this percentage may change for future contests.

Eric Weldon of Menu Realty, whose client owns the Q Club property, said that if owners attempted to sell a property through a bank, it could likely sell the property at a loss. The contest is an effort for owners to gain the full value for their homes.

"It's not about the sellers making a profit in a down market. It's about breaking even. They need to sell for x-amount of money to pay off a mortgage," said Weldon.

"No one is going to get rich quick on their home," Kalman added.

If the homes are not given away in the given time period, the top three competitors will win American Express Gift Cards in amounts ranging from $500 to $30,000, depending on the number of entries. The owners will then be free to sell the homes traditionally, but Kalman seems willing to extend the contests further, as she expects it to take at least a few months before homes are successfully given away.

This isn't the first home giveaway contest that has taken place.

A New York Times article described the growing popularity of real estate games, where homes are raffled off and given away. Setting up such contests of chance can be difficult, because many state regulations do not allow the use of raffles unless the owner is partnered with a non-profit organization, in addition to owners not making more than the appraised value of their homes.

Because the Perfect Place Contest chooses winners based on skill, it has greater leeway. The Office of the Florida Attorney General stated that according to Florida's gambling laws, contests of skill are legal as long as all rules are disclosed. 

Participants can also file complaints to the office if they believe they are being taken advantage of. 

The office cited another contest that gave away a home based on the best essay submitted, but only if a quota of $150,000 was reached through the contest's $50 entry fees. If the quota wasn't reached, then the winner would only receive $2,500.

I was preparing to write a blog on the problems the forclosures are about to cause, when I found a well written featured blog about the sad plight of the displaced tenant. The responses to this post are so surprising to me. All the comments were so sympithetic to the renter. What about the owner that just lost his property, because the bak has no modification program for investors? Also, in Florida the owners rights are alreay non-existant. The tenant has all the rights, and tenants that know the system have been known to take full advantage of it. It seems alot of states are not experiancing the same things we are in Florida. The time it takes to evict in Florida is well over a year. The tenant has more than ample time to live off the security deposit, and in many cases Takes full advantage of the poor owners situation,and continue to live in the rental way past the amount of time they have posted security for, refusing to pay any rent. They use the fact that they have recieved a notice from the bank and know it is in forclosure. As some of you have stated, that does not have anything to do with the contract they have signed, but in Florida the time it takes to evict allows the tenant to live rent free for many months. ALthough I personally am being affected by these non paying mortage owners, in situations where the bank is selling them so under market value that it is making my investment in the same communty, a terrible loss, I still have to say that your post and responders to your post, are putting their sympathies with the wrong side. It is the owner, who has no other way to go, other than to have their property forclosed on. The banks are not working with any investors on modifing the loans. They would rather the owner lose the property and the money they spent to buy it, then sell it for half price to a new owner. Most renters are out nothing more than to have to find a new place to rent. By the way , that is one reason I find it so funny when the bank only has programs for assistance for primary homes. Isn't this the renters primary home?

I have recently heard that new laws might make agents chose whether they want to list a property or sell the property. The law will prohibit them from being the represntative of both parties for one sale. Has anyone else heard anything about this. If it is accurate , that will be a huge blow to an already struggling industry. I constantly hear about problems getting agents to call back and show their properties , when they would be getting the buyer for ther seller. Can you imagine the lack of interest in a listing broker to show their properties , when they can not bring a buyer? I hope this is a rumour .

We have a website for players to enter into a contest to win a home. To appeal to the correct audiance, a demographic study was completed about 8 months ago, in preperation for the launch. It gave us a complete picture of who our target audiance was, how much they would be willing to spend on entry fees. The change in  this economy makes that study, which is only 8 months old, antiquated. Also the study was based  on contests that were not really equivilant to ours. We would love to get participation and response from the most qualified group we could receive answers from. This would be Active rain members. We are currently working with some agents bringing us their listings. We will be paying for agents for these listings based on the money the contest results in. The agents can also earn money by sending the player that wins. There is a practice game on the contest. We get many  practicing players. We need to convert these practicing players to entered players . Your answers will provide some of the insight we need.

Have you ever worked with a contest or auction to "sell" a home ?

Do you think the time is right to try new ventures to move your listings?

Would you bring a listing to our contest site if you receive three percent of the monies the contest brings in ?

Would you send a player to win a home, if you would earn three percent of the money ,if the home was won by your player ?

Would you think players would rather have less players enter and higher fees or lower entry fees and more players. example $10.00 entry fees 20000 entrants or $100.00 entry fees and 2000 entrants ?

Anyone and everyone on here this invitaion is for all of you. Whether you have listings that need to be sold or sellers that need to buy, we really need to talk to you!!! Actually . you really need to speak with us too!!!!! Just about every agent on here is looking for something unique to set them apart from the other agents in their town. This is exciting and will get you noticed.

We have a great creative concept and we need realtors to participate from ALL areas. It will bring you commission, some great press, and clients.  We have already launched our website and have received alot of local press you can see us on youtube.http://www.youtube.com/user/donnakal

Your participation in your state should result the same press coverage. In fact, we are waiting for a new story feature on zillow to, to be written next week. We have been featured ,in Florida, on channel 4, 6 and 10 news shows.

We need you and you need us to make this really successful, for you and your clients.currently we are offering some incentives for new traffic.

The next 100 players that pay to enter contest one, for the two bedroom two bathroom condo in Coconut Creek Florida, will automatically be entered into a CONTEST TO WIN A $500.00 gift card to TOYS R US. Winning player will be determine by the highest score. We must receive 100 entries to give away the $500.00 gift card in the time period of 11/7/2008-11/9/2208 If you refer a friend, and they  enter, send us an email with their name and e-mail info and you will receive a free entry into contest two or contest three. Hurry this begins at 10:30 est. P.M. November 7,2008 and ends November 9, 10:30 P.M. will expire send your friends. entries must reach 100 by 11/09/2008 for gift card offer to be valid.

A listing on our site can get you many more listings. and buyers. We really look forward to hearing from  the realtors .

 I have written a blog about my newbie status a few tmes, in the short time I have been a member on Active Rain. Each time I am so surprised that I receive such quick, helpful and friendly responses. Evertime I enter the site I see many members are on. I am wondering why there is no chat room or on line forum. This site seems like the perfect venue for a chat room. I would love to be able to really "converse" with all the knowledgeable and friendly people. It would be such a great interaction of great idea and minds. What would it take to implement this feature onto the site? Or maybe it is here and I am just not finding it. Right now I need some suggestions and advise for giving away some freebies. I need to get this done by monday, so an on line chat might give me a quick response and might trigger ideas from others in the forum. I am sure members would really utilize thisa feature .

We just wanted to notify any member that is trying to find a vacation property in Florida , that we still have many beautiful ones available. This is not typical, but It seems the economy is impacting the normal amount of "snowbirds" that we usually served. By the time we are in November, I would have had to turn away almost every request, having had the properties rented long ago, for the winter. This winter, we still have many desirable places to offer. Another thing that has changed, is the legnth of the required stay. In the past 20 years, it was very limited and difficult to book a rental for less than 3 months. Rules have eased up with the larger availabilty, and we have a great selection of condos and apartments available for 30 days plus.

Florida is still a great place to come for the winter , and we know the tourists will always want to vacation here. This year you can take advatage of the opportunity that is pretty unique.

Our properties are all upscale and in great communites. We own all the furniture and housewares that why decorate them with. Everything is done with a discerning eye. We are family owned and operated and available for any management needs 24/7.

I need some advise from the creative members on Active rain, I have a website that a player can win a home a "sellere" can place their home on and recieve the value of the home in entry fees and a realtor can bring players or listings and receive commision. It is a new site and I want to generate traffic. We are going to give away 100 free entrees into the contest . We will also be giving  away a free listing to a realtor, for one of their listed properties. I need suggestions for announcing the free give aways we want to get this offer out nationwide.

We currently have 5 contests running. They feature a condo hotel . It is located on fort Lauderdale Beach. It is such a great unique opportunity. It is managed by Hilton and vakued at $600,000. It is collecting $6500.00 per quarter in rental money. It can be utilized for a vacation home, in the winter, and still bring he owber almost $20,000.00 in income. It even has an ocean view!!!The entry fee is only $10.00

The next property is our first listing not in Florida. It is an incredable 4000 square foot home situated on more than 60 acres. This custom home is only 4 years old. It features every upgrade a family could want. You really need to look at the pictures on the website to appriciate this home. The entry fee is $25.00 Just the acreage alone is an investment opportunity you shouldn't miss

Third contest is something really different. It is a year free rental in a $500,000.00 trendy downtown Delray Beach, It is 3 year old 2/2 condo, located 1/2 mile from the ocean. You can walk to shopping and restaurants. Altalntic Ave, has many activitieds always available, such as art festivals, street fairs ,and many other social events. This free rental can be used for your home, vacation place,or you can sublet it and make it an investment income for the year. After all you will have no expenses at all. No taxes, no maintainance, no upkeep!!!!This is such a great prize for $10.00 entry fees. The owners paid

Fourth contest Is a 2/2 condo in Coconut Creek Florida. It is located close to the exciting casinos new shopping centers and future home of the new Hardrock Casino and Hotel. This contest is limited to only 5000 entries .

The last contest is in downtown fort Lauderale. The Waverly is an absolutely gorgeous, well appointed building. The condo is a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom, in the Prestigious las Olas area. $10,00 entry fees for a $350,000.00 condo. A must see !!! look at the pictures.

So if you are still with me , As I said, I am want to give away free entrees and I need advise on the best way to do this. The agents that have listings for this site are very welcome to call or write about their properties. Also agents can write and register clients to play. If the player wins , the agents get the commision.