Archives of real estate blog entries for September 28, 2010

Featured blog posts


Should The Seller Attend The Home Inspection? - 06:12 AM
 
I’ve written about buyers attending the home inspection, and I’ve written about buyer’s agents attending the home inspection.  I’ve never written about home sellers attending the home inspection because I thought this was a no-brainer... but I received a lot of comments on a member-only post last week that made me realize that many real estate agents don't agree with me.
When the buyers aren't there, great. If the buyers aren’t going to attend the inspection, I have no problem with the seller being home for the inspection.  In fact, sometimes it’s actually nice because I have someone to talk to, instead … (217 comments)

For Door Knocking, This Works Like Crazy - 05:04 PM
We call this one "The listing next door."  It's not new just works like a charm.  If you prepare yourself with and effective well researched conversation.  Most real estate professionals try to wing it, and get discouraged by poor results and rejection.
Here is how it is done.  When a new listing goes on the market in area you like to work (some call it farming).  Knock on 25 homes to the left and right of the property and 50 homes across the street.  Now research shows that when a property goes on the market, someone else is on the block … (104 comments)

Buyer Broker Agreements. Don't Leave Home Without Them!! - 05:34 PM
Hi folks, today I want to write about BBAs (Buyer Broker Agreements) and why they have never been more important than they are right now. 
I expect I'll get all the usual responses about "My clients would NEVER buy a house behind my back" and "The commission doesn't matter to me". If you believe these things to be true this post may not be for you OR maybe it's EXACTLY for you! 
This post gives one reason why a BBA should be important to the Buyer. In fact, it's my opinion, that a BBA is MORE important to the Buyer than … (54 comments)

Your Marketing Is All About You.....Even When It's Not About You!!! - 06:16 AM
Marketing is the most important task we can do to find business.  We market our existing inventory; we market to find buyers; we market to introduce ourselves to the public.  After reading a post this morning written by Dorie Dillard titled "It's Not All About You," it inspired me to share my thoughts.
Most agents think of marketing as a chore.  Blogging about a listing is like writing an ad, except it's free and it goes online for the world to see.  It should include a narrative that would make a buyer or another seller call.  The photos should be crisp, … (118 comments)

New Contact Form - 03:52 PM
We'd like to introduce the new contact form.  Our hope for the new design is to dramatically reduce the "contact spam" you lovely members have had to deal with.  I'm sure you will all miss the emails from Candy asking you to love her and Bill asking for $15,000 to help get him into the country.  I shake my fist in the air at these spammers. When on a member's profile, click "Contact xxxx" next to E-mail.

We love the new look and hope you do too!
 

Kerrie Greenhalgh
… (95 comments)

How Often Should You Call the Short Sale Listing Agent? - 04:08 PM
                                                                                                                                                            

If you are a short sale buyer’s agent, it can often be frustrating waiting for any scrap of information for your buyer.  After all, it might be three to five months before you get short sale approval.  You don’t want to lose your buyer.  It’s best to give them as much information as possible so they feel part of the process.
But just how often should you call the listing broker to check for status?  I get a wide variety of buyer’s agents selling my Destin Florida short sales.
Agent Mellow:  He might contact me once a month to find … (51 comments)

Citibank starts Short Sale Process on Short Sale Agent's House by mistake??!! - 05:38 PM
Your mouths may be hitting the floor as mine did this morning after chatting with a one of our top agents at Solano Pacific Coldwell Banker office in Benicia, CA.  I asked if I could blog about this and she said "sure...tell the world".
This agent has a listing in Benicia, CA that is a short sale and the bank is Citibank.  It just so happens she also does business with Citibank on her investment properties.
All experienced Short Sale Agents know that we put many hours of effort in making the paperwork as precise as possible when sending into the bank.  She dutifully put the … (67 comments)

"Do I Really Have to...?" Of course not, BUT... - 08:03 AM

I teach real estate agents how to sell more real estate. Go, me.
A lot of my teachings emphasize a Quality over Quantity approach as opposed to the Good Old Numbers Game - in other words, treat your clients and prospects as if they're special to you; as if their business is really important to you. Seems kinda like a real DUH-concept to me, but the nonsense preached in our industry is ... ah well... I won't go there today.
Anyway, I'm often asked by my students if they "really have to..." do whatever it is I'm advising them to … (50 comments)

Realtor’s Safety First: Protect and Serve: An Urgent Need to protect ourselves - 02:27 AM
 Realtor’s Safety First: Protect and Serve: An Urgent Need to protect ourselves as we serve the
public
As a Realtor and being in the business a number of years, learning to do things differently requires hard
work, but it is a must for our safety- “Realtor’s Safety First.” This is not a time to be fearful. Information
is Power! With that said, we must become Powerful with Information, Networking and wise actions!
 Can we talk?
For many years, while showing homes and during Open Houses, I would have my husband
help put out the signs; but after the signs were … (20 comments)

The Agent Toolbox, Then and Now - 11:32 PM
I was first licensed in Rochester, New York in 1996. I remember receiving a paper memo from my mentor about what tools I'd need to start my career. Just the fact that it was a paper memo speaks volumes. Among the things needed:
Beeper Voicemail account 3-ring binder Plastic sleeves for the listing presentation Day planner Copy of "List More, Sell More" by Jerry Bresser Cassette player for training tapes A photo of myself saved on a floppy disc for cards and brochures Atlas map The office would provide all MLS forms, a dedicated fax number, and post it notes for phone messages. … (49 comments)

Pot is not..... Good for the sale of your home. - 10:39 AM

Okay, none of that either but pot pourri.  Toss it out.  The perfume is always almost toxic.   Nothing says "sad and desperate" like a big bowl of dead leaves, acorns, pine cones and bark.  Replace the morbid with fresh fruit - lemons or green apples. You have pot pourri to hide the smells in your house.  It may, in fact, make it worse.   Bake bread.  Boil cinnamon. Open the windows.  You can buy the little glass jars filled with a mild scented oil and with bamboo sticks.  Just not pot pourri.
As you walk around your house, even before the Home Stager arrives, scoop up all … (85 comments)

Restoring Harmony and Balance to Real Estate Education - 01:16 PM
If everyone were open and honest then we would have no balance in our world. Does the same go for this scenario in our Real Estate Industry?  As we all are human, there will be good and bad in all areas of life and that includes our industry. But let's look into this further.....
After reading Real Estate Referrals Gone Wrong by Kathy McGraw I started to think about early on in my career when I had held an Open House. One of the couples overheard me explain to another couple about VA Loans and how they could utilize their benefits.   … (30 comments)

Are Short Refinances the Wave of the Future or another HAFA debacle? - 04:15 PM
picture contributed by www.bankrate.com
The term Short-Refinance has been making the rounds through the real estate industry and on Saturday, the Obama-led government has put out their newest way to keep foreclosures from continuing.  In an effort to stop the rate of foreclosures, the government has come up with a Short Refinance.
Short refinances are intriguing and many of us told the banks this several years ago.  I cannot tell you how many times people have asked me can't I just settle with my second lien holder and stay in my home.  Well now it may be available for you.
What … (34 comments)

Lease With Option Might be the Answer for Baltimore Homes! - 12:15 AM
 
Lease With Option Might be the Answer for Baltimore Homes!
 Earlier this month I wrote Do I Buy or Sell First ? Reverse Contingency . That post received  some good comments. Not everyone agreed.
Please remember I am just looking for more ways to get my listings sold! To get them sold they have to be shown!  Some of my properties are being advertised Lease With Option. If the seller will consider a rental, we can place the property in the MLS under rentals...another way to get exposure.
This post was inspired by  Rent with Option to Buy - Good or … (26 comments)

I pick up Pennies...Do You? - 06:31 AM
Perhaps it's all those stories my grandfather told me about the depression of the 1930's that always stayed with me but I can't help but pick up pennies in the parking lot.  It is a strange lingering habit I do have but sometimes there are nickels, dimes and quarters that may take make my line of vision too & it's a 'woohoo' feeling in finding them.  Well just like those little copper pennies sometimes I pick up buyers who other real estate agents have not given the attention, care or acknowledgement to.  They give me a call on a notion like … (67 comments)

Turn that short sale listing into a Buyer! - 11:10 AM
You've got your short sale listing, you're one of the lowest priced homes in the neighborhood, your sign is out front and your listing just now appeared on Realtor.com. 
Because you are priced so well, you will get calls from buyers.  The question is, what is the best way to turn those calls into REAL buyers?
The most common mistake I see Agents and Brokers make is to inform the caller that the listing they are calling about is a short sale listing.  They go on to explain to how short sales work dazzling them with their knowledge about lenders and … (28 comments)

This Post is an Ad! In Fact, EVERY Post is an Ad! - 04:58 AM
Let's cut to the chase!  Every post is an appeal, an advert to the consumer or your peers!  Even if you're just telling a life story that is "unrelated" to real estate, you're attempting to create a bond with your audience.  We write to please our friends, our peers, to stir conversations, to give a laugh, to share a picture, to build our business. The only real questions: Who is the targeted audience and how hard is the sell? If your target audience is consumer based, there should be a direct call to action in the post!  A "CALL ME, We … (83 comments)

How to make my blog make the phone ring??? - 12:44 AM
This one is to go out to the activerain community. I have now been on activerain for about 5 months. I write my blogs, comment on others, and I feel like I am doing this for nothing. Not to mention the money I shell out every month to be a part of activerain.
I came on here to learn from you wonderful agents and to get my voice heard. I will admit, I also became a member because of the promises of what blogging would do for my business. I am a new agent and I was hoping to add … (73 comments)

What is that Smell? - 05:22 PM
I want to tell you a story of how glamorous it is as a REALTOR® and some of the great things we get to do.
Yesterday I drove to check on one of my vacant listings that is pending.  I got a call from the agent that sold the house and we had reason to believe it was vandalized.  Upon pulling into the driveway I couldn’t see anything on the outside to confirm our suspicions.
I walked to the back door where we have the lock-box and peered through the glass doors.  I could see some of the carpet pulled up … (75 comments)

A Quick Shout-Out to Lenn Harley - 09:21 AM
Lenn Harley puts out reams of information and a lot of it strikes a chord with us.  I wanted to thank her for one particular comment she made on someone else's blog because it has come in handy for me many times.
Months ago, someone wrote a blog about the importance of moving buyers from "I really like this house" to "Let's make an offer on this house" and the various strategies we could employ to help them do this.  Lenn Harley commented on the blog post, saying something like (I'm going from memory here):
When a buyer says to me, "I really like this house," I've often … (57 comments)

Get Out Of My Vehicle! - 07:48 PM
Get Out Of My Vehicle
 
It occurred to me today when I witnessed an agent pull up to show my home how odd I find it when other agents actually have their clients accompany he or she in their personal vehicle.  The only time I've ever driven a client in the same vehicle with me was when it was a relocation client.
 
 
 

 
I've always thought it was a better idea to have my clients meet me at the first home we're going to view and then have them follow me onto the other showings.  This … (51 comments)

How Often Do You Change Information On Your Web Site?? - 09:37 PM
How Often Do You Change The Information On Your Web Site??

I have been trying to do my “homework” on how to get a better ranking for my web site.  I read an article about changing the content on your site to keep it “fresh”.
What I took from this is that if you just start up your web site and think all is well and let it go that you will NOT get the results that you are hoping for.  I am guessing that when Google index the content and it never changes then it then thinks the information … (42 comments)

Do you run yours like a BUSINESS? - 08:48 AM
I've recently made a change in my career that has opened my eyes to all the opportunities we have in the real estate industry.  I was fortunate enough that when I started my real estate career, I had a mentor that I worked with that provided direction, advice, and professionalism.  I now have been asking myself, ‘what do new agents do in the business if they don't have a mentor or someone to provide them direction?' 
This business provides us with almost any opportunity in which we decide we want to take advantage of.  One simple question is "How much do … (33 comments)

What are your agent safety practices? - 11:50 PM
What are your agent safety practices?  
 
In 1991, I was robbed at gun point. It was a beautiful clear day, I was making a bank deposit for my family's business the next thing I knew, there was a 9mm Beretta less than an inch from my face. I literally saw my son's life flash before my eyes, I thought I was dead. I screamed, he asked for the money, I handed it to him; thankfully he took it and ran. I jumped in my car, into the passenger side floor & dialed 911. When they answered the phone, I … (31 comments)

I thought my day was over... it wasn't. - 08:54 PM
I've been in the real estate business for 18 years now.  I know for some of you that might not seem like that long.  I've had a few challenges in those years and today I had another.  I'd come home from work and walked my dogs.  I'd cooked and eaten dinner, put on my comfy pj's and my cell phone rang... it was a former client.  I answered.
We have the house listed next door to this former client.  It is a REO.  When we listed it the roof was leaking in two places and causing interior damage so the bank opted … (74 comments)


Blog posts


USA Hotel for Sale for $3,500,000 - Texas Hotel for Sale - TX Hotel for Sale - 09:16 PM
Texas Hotel for Sale for $3,500,000 - Renovated in 2010 … (0 comments)

New Contact Form - 03:52 PM
We'd like to introduce the new contact form.  Our hope for the new design is to dramatically reduce the "contact spam" you lovely members have had to deal with.  I'm sure you will all miss the emails from Candy asking you to love her and Bill asking for $15,000 to help get him into the country.  I shake my fist in the air at these spammers. When on a member's profile, click "Contact xxxx" next to E-mail.

We love the new look and hope you do too!
 

Kerrie Greenhalgh
… (95 comments)

Hawks Prairie Home for Sale - 01:39 AM
We've just listed a great affordable home 15 minutes from Joint Base Lewis McChord in the Hawks Prairie area.
The 3 bedroom 1.75 bath home is located on a large .29 acre lot and backs up to a greenbelt for privacy.  It features a great floorplan offering over 1600 sq ft of living space and is move in ready for you.
If you are in the market for a nice home in a quiet neighborhood at a low price this one could be for you.  Priced at only $189,900. this well cared for Hawks Prairie home won't last long. 
Follow … (0 comments)

Mason County Washington Bank Owned Homes for Sale - Foreclosures - 10:52 AM
Mason County Washington Bank Owned Homes for Sale - Foreclosures

Current Bank Owned Homes for Sale - 53
Price Range - $48,900 - $699,900
Cities
Allyn - 7          $159,900 - $334,000
Belfair - 6        $56,900 - $187,500
Elma -2           $48,500 - $135,000
Grapeview - 2   $85,737 - $179,950
Hoodsport - 2  $109,900 - $183,700
Shelton - 31    $54,900 - $699,900
Union - 3        $129,587 - $285,000
If you are interested in finding out more bank owned homes in Shelton Washington or Mason County Washington, just give Jim a call at (360) 250-6255 or visit his website at www.sheltonhomesnow.com. Specializing in real estate in Shelton, Fawn … (0 comments)

Hollis New Hampshire - 5th Annual Fine Arts Festival - 11:49 PM
Hollis New Hampshire ~ Annual Fine Arts Festival (edit/delete)

The 5th Annual fine arts festival will take place on October 16 and 17 at Nichols Field in Hollis, New Hampshire.
Steve Previte is the father of the Fine Arts Festival.  Previte saw a need to introduce local artists to the public and the fall fne arts festival is the perfect time of year.
The festival will showcase fine art featuring artists from all over New England.
 Artists will be displaying a variety of media including oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolor, graphics and photography.
WHEN:  October 16 - 17
WHERE:  Nichols Field ( … (16 comments)

Who Needs a Real Estate Agent? ... You Do! - 08:27 AM
With the increase in resources available to people today, many think they can buy/sell a house without having to enlist in the help of a real-estate professional.  But what many don't realize is that completing a process like this by oneself may end up being more costly and cause you more of a headache than using the help of a real-estate agent.
In an article by Tara Struyck of Investopedia titled "5 reasons you still need a real-estate agent,"Struyck provides 5 great reasons why buying or a selling a home solo may not be the best way to go.
Reason One:  … (1 comments)

State of Economy: Recovery or Bust, Part II - 12:04 PM
State of Economy: Recovery or Bust, Part II
Over the past year, the airwaves, TV, and blogosphere have been filled with Pros & Cons of government solutions to our present economic crisis and just as many with proposed solutions. Taking an independent view of the economy from the common man's view of the state of our economic recovery, I will discuss certain "hot button" aspects of our government solutions so far & offer a proposed solution from a main street viewpoint. In my previous post, I discussed the financial markets in regards to where they were & where they seem to … (0 comments)

I am getting soaked in the Rain and need an Umbrella! - 08:33 PM
I am getting soaked in the Rain and need an Umbrella!
There is a local neighborhood I have blogged on about once a month maybe less.  But I have done good SEO and it is hyper local. 
Well all of a sudden I am getting all kinds of calls on this neighborhood.  I have never closed an escrow there, but would sure like to.
When one of the people called me she said I must be the expert because when ever they searched in the neighborhood I came up!
I know a lot about the area and have done some research, … (4 comments)

Austin TX Home Owners - Short Sale Process to Avoid Foreclosure - 10:46 AM
Short Sales in the Austin TX market are not abundant. In many neighborhoods, they are scarce.  In others, they are more prevalent. It's mostly price range driven, with most in the lower, first time home buyer price range.  Here are some great Austin TX Short Sale stats I posted.Even though Short Sales as well as Foreclosures are not as common in Austin TX as they are in other markets, it's still good to know what they are and how to accomplish one timely in case you end up in this situation.What's a Short Sale? A Short Sale, in general terms, is … (5 comments)

Wachovia Short Sales In Central California - 09:54 PM
I received a call today from a lady that is thinking about doing a short sale on her home.  This particular home owner has a Wachovia mortgage.  Wachovia / World Savings short sales are the least complicated short sales of all the banks out there.  You do NOT need to provide tax records, pay stubs, bank statements , etc.   The one thing you do need is enough time to complete the transaction before the foreclosure date.   Once Wachovia sets a foreclosure date they will not postpone it for a short sale, even if the property is in escrow.  So if you … (2 comments)

New Price - 3 Bedroom Town-home For Sale in Worcester - 01604 - 09:11 AM

NEW PRICE!  Welcome home to your lovely town-home close to major routes! End unit shows pristine care w/new Berber carpets, hardwoods in kitchen & dining area, tiled entry & baths, spacious master bedroom & loft style guest room featuring skylights, cathedral ceilings & tons of closet space. Additional family space in the basement, deck for relaxing & 1st floor laundry is such a convenience! Enjoy the private pool & clubhouse located at the premiere Weatherstone at Blithewood complex. Won't last long!For more photos, info & pricing visit our Fan Page.Have a home to sell?  Visit us online to get a free comparative … (3 comments)

What Is A Short Sale? - 10:29 AM
WHAT IS A SHORT SALE?  Short sales, which some agree should be called LONG sales, have been around for awhile now.  I still hear the question on a weekly basis, "what is a short sale?"  A short sale is a process of selling your home for fair market value, which is less than what you currently owe on the property.  Example, I bought my home in 2004 for $289,000 and can't afford making the payments on it anymore.  The market has come down since then and similar homes are all selling for $240,000 now.  No buyer will pay $289,000 for my home in … (3 comments)

Condo For Sale! New Price, Highland IL 62249 1335B Poplar Street - 05:50 PM
Very nice condo for sale in Highland IL 62249
Property Details Bird's Eye View Get Local Streetview
$154,900 - 1335b Poplar Street, HIGHLAND
3Bedrooms3Baths1,437SQ. Feet0Acres Very well kept condo, with Gas Fireplace in Great Room. Open floorplan with cathedral ceiling. Deck off of Large Eat In kitchen. Master Bedroom has large walk in closet. Bay window in 2nd Bedroom. Third Bedroom was used as a craft room in the basement and has a egress window. Remote control awning for deck. (less)
Very well kept condo, with Gas Fireplace in Great Room. Open floorplan with cathedral ceiling. Deck off of … (2 comments)

Countdown to Eagle Rock Music Festival: Saturday October 2 - 07:56 AM
Eagle Rock Music Festival, Saturday, October 2, 4:00PM to 11:00PM
The Funky Slippers will perform at 4:00 PM on the Children's Stage located near Eagle Rock City Hall on the corner of Maywood Avenue and Colorado Boulevard.
Rock ... Soul ... Funk .... Simply divine ....
 
And...
Eagle Rock Music Festival 2010
Interactive Venue Map
… (0 comments)

Eminently Affordable 3/2 in Las Lomas! - 12:05 PM
… (0 comments)

Total Privacy and Seclusion - and one Heck of a House! - 12:55 PM
… (0 comments)

Vacant Homes - 07:22 PM
I recently had an experience with a seller that moved out right after we put their home on the market. I had talked with them about their need to call their insurance company to request a "vacancy rider". 
But guess what? They called and found out that it costs them $50 a month more so the didn't do it. That's right, they didn't do it. So as I am sure you guessed what happened... their home was vandalized. Broken windows, vandalism and some theft. 
Of course, all of this happened days before closing and the seller was left scrambling to get … (3 comments)

The lateral sewer lines are YOUR responsibility, not the city's - 11:06 PM
Although this information is a bit California specific, the principle remains the same.
During the inspection period, it is the buyers responsibility to do due diligence to answer any and all questions in regard to the condition of the property.
Real estate brokers, home inspectors, appraisers and sellers all can help find the right questions to ask andgeneralizations of condition based on what we can SEE.
Via Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector (Russel Ray, Property Consultant):

The lateral sewer linesare YOUR responsibility, not the city's
I received an email this morning from a person who bought a home in California … (2 comments)

Lease With Option Might be the Answer for Baltimore Homes! - 12:15 AM
 
Lease With Option Might be the Answer for Baltimore Homes!
 Earlier this month I wrote Do I Buy or Sell First ? Reverse Contingency . That post received  some good comments. Not everyone agreed.
Please remember I am just looking for more ways to get my listings sold! To get them sold they have to be shown!  Some of my properties are being advertised Lease With Option. If the seller will consider a rental, we can place the property in the MLS under rentals...another way to get exposure.
This post was inspired by  Rent with Option to Buy - Good or … (26 comments)

Affordable Eleven Slade Coop #407 Baltimore County 21208 Under $85,000! - 07:32 PM
Affordable Eleven Slade Coop #407 Baltimore County 21208 Under $85,000!
… (13 comments)

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