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random rants: How Not to Sell Your Home - 02/15/09 02:57 PM
It never fails. I like to show homes to buyers. I like selling those homes even better.
But, if I can't gain access to show your home, then I can't sell your home. It really is that simple.
This morning, I took buyers out to see a few homes. I planned on showing them five homes. However, we only were able to gain entry to three of these homes.
Home #4 was tenant-occupied. I spoke with the tenant yesterday. He yelled at me and instructed me to never bother him or call him again. OK. Of course, I called the listing … (2 comments)
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random rants: Aren't We Closing Today? - 11/03/08 09:23 PM
Real estate is never dull. That much is certain.
When buying or selling a home, the exact date that a home will close can sometimes be a bit of a moving target.
We had a closing today that had been previously delayed by the lender but was finally scheduled for this afternoon. So, I met with the buyers and performed a final walk-thru of the home. Then we headed to the attorney's office for the closing.
We arrived at the attorney's office at 3:00. The paperwork hadn't yet arrived from the bank. Thirty minutes later, the paperwork arrived but needed to … (4 comments)
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random rants: Last-Minute Gotchas Before Closing - 11/03/08 11:30 AM
It never fails. Something always turns up at the last minute when we are planning to close on a home.
This afternoon, I have a closing for my buyers, who are buying a new home in New Fairfield, Connecticut.
Of course, something turned up - a repair that wasn't made. We'll deal with it, but all it does is add more stress for the buyers - as well as for the sellers.
Sellers can help to avoid these "Last-Minute Gotchas" by following a few easy steps:
If you agree to make a repair, then make that repair before closing If you know of … (2 comments)
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random rants: Suede and Voting Don't Mix... - 11/03/08 10:48 AM
Since tomorrow is election, day, I thought this might be a fun reminder about the perils of voting:Don't Vote While Wearing Suede
I plan on digging out an old leather jacket, just for the task of voting. Just to be safe.
Safe Voting Everybody!
Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTORReal Estate Sales and Appraisals
… (4 comments)
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random rants: Buying a Home Requires Teamwork with your Agent - 10/17/08 05:14 PM
Buying a home requires teamwork. You need a professional team to work with you: your real estate agent, your mortgage broker, your attorney and your inspectors.
Buying a home without the professional team will not work: you need a loan...you need an agent...you need the attorney...and you really need the inspectors, even if you don't think you do.
Of course, working with a team requires communication and trust. And, that communication and trust must go both ways...
I received a phone call this evening from a woman who wanted to see homes tomorrow. Here are a few snippets from that conversation:
"My … (12 comments)
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random rants: Oil Prices - 10/14/08 09:30 AM
It's that time of the year again. At the bus stop each morning, we all discuss oil prices and what each company is charging...
These are not fun conversations these days.
I received an oil delivery this morning. I looked at the ticket and saw a price of $3.55 per gallon. Ouch! I called around to different companies and found pricing around $3.20 per gallon. A little better.
So I then called my current company. As I started my question, he said, "No! No! No! Do not look at the price on the ticket from the delivery truck!" Apparently, being a customer … (2 comments)
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random rants: These Olympics are Exhausting - 08/15/08 07:39 PM
I've been YAWN watching the Olympics for a YAWN week now...
I've been watching them until YAWN 1:00 am every night. Or is that every morning?
They're YAWN exhausting!
Last night we stayed up to YAWN watch gymnastics. Tonight, I'm glued to my TV watching YAWN the recap of the YAWN gymnastics I stayed up to watch last night. This afternoon I caught myself watching archery. Who watches archery? Who knew archery was in the Olympics?
Yesterday I was with buyer clients and I couldn't stop YAWNING. I had to apologize. I told them they weren't boring me, I just haven't … (10 comments)
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random rants: Alternative Heating Options for your Connecticut Home - 07/24/08 02:43 PM
I heat my home with oil - I have a hydro-air forced warm air heating system with three zones.When I built my home three years ago, has I suspected the price of oil would more than double in three years, I might have considered different heating options.
Back in 2005 when I built the home, I contracted for oil for about $2.05 per gallon. This past year, I've been paying $3.59 per gallon. Now, I'm hearing quotes of $4.70 - $5.19 per gallon. Ouch.
Just by conservation - and the fact that now all of our kids are in school during … (29 comments)
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random rants: Oven Not Included - 07/18/08 08:55 AM
I've written before that sellers should remove valuables from their home. Sellers should also remove anything that they do not wish to be included in the sale.
As an agent, I tire of seeing "Dining Room Chandelier Not Included in Sale."
Then, remove the dang chandelier and replace it now!
When selling, unless noted in the contract, all fixtures are included in the sale. A fixture is any item permanently attached to the home.
Those shelves are attached to the wall? They're a fixture and they stay.That dining room chandelier attached to the ceiling and the electrical system? It's a fixture … (7 comments)
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random rants: Dependents' Day 2008 - 07/03/08 09:46 AM
Once again, in my home we're celebrating Dependents' Day!
Dependents' Day is the day before Independence Day. On Independence Day, we celebrate the founding of our nation. On Dependents' Day, we celebrate the founding of our family...
July 3, 2003: We cried a little as the judge declared that we have now officially adopted our first two children. they had been with us for a year as foster children, now they were legally and officially our sons. They were now our dependents. Hence, Dependents' Day!
After the adoption was complete, the judge invited us up to his desk. He let the … (4 comments)
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random rants: Showing Houses in the Rain - 06/29/08 07:19 PM
Showing houses...Heavy and sudden downpours.
Never a good combination. At least today's buyer clients had a good sense of humor about it. We were drenched. It was clear and sunny when we walked into the home. As we were leaving...wow. It was like standing under a waterfall. Ran to the car...soaking wet...glad I have leather seats.
Now I know it's really time to get a haircut. Yeah, I looked a little funny afterwards.
Oh, well. It's never dull in this business!
… (6 comments)
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random rants: You're Very Welcome! - 06/18/08 12:42 PM
As agents, we're used to giving things to clients. We stay in touch with them. We send cards. We give the occasional gift.
But, as an agent, there is nothing better than to receive a gift from a client. It says we did good. We helped. And, of course, it puts a big old smile on our face!
I have often received gifts from clients after I help them buy or sell their home.I've been given kisses. I've received cards. I've received gifts. More importantly, I've made friends - I've spent birthdays, anniversaries and holidays with past clients who have become part … (8 comments)
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random rants: We're All Just Three Months Away From Foreclosure - 05/13/08 06:06 PM
I was in the office the other day talking with a colleague.
We were discussing the market. Our business. Our projected business. We laughed. We made some jokes.
Then we broached the topic of all the short sales and foreclosure properties on the market. Short sales have definitely become the new big thing around here. And, the already-foreclosed homes have begun trickling onto the market.
We discussed why some people may find themselves facing foreclosure. It all comes down to this:We're all just three months away from foreclosure.
If we were to lose our job, not be able to find a new one, … (2 comments)
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random rants: Ink on Leather - 03/24/08 04:27 PM
I have kids. Many kids. OK, only three kids, but if often seems like there are so many more of them...
The other day, my youngest, who is 4 years old, took a ball point pen and proceeded to draw all over our leather ottoman. Oops. Pretty blue ink scribbled all over the ugly brown leather. At least, that's how I'm guessing he thought of it.
But, Google is my friend:How to Remove Ink from Leather
Rubbing alcohol. It really does work!Apparently, I have trouble with leather products lately...
Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTORConnecticut Real Estate & AppraisalsCT Home GroupKeller Williams CT Realty203.746.1199Connecticut Real Estate and Homes … (9 comments)
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random rants: Don't Vote While Wearing Suede... - 02/07/08 01:30 PM
This past Tuesday, I voted in the primary elections.As I left the polling place, they gave me one of those "I Voted" stickers.
So, of course, I put the sticker on. On my jacket. My suede jacket.
Did you know that stickers don't like to come off of suede?I learned that this morning when I went to wear that jacket again. The sticker just didn't want to come off. Some of it is still on the jacket. I guess it will wear off eventually...
You learn something new every day.
Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTORConnecticut Real Estate & AppraisalsCT Home GroupKeller Williams CT Realty203.746.1199Connecticut Real Estate and … (7 comments)
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random rants: Even Spell-Check Wouldn't Have Helped - 11/06/07 01:55 PM
I was reviewing some listings for a client earlier today. Agents really need to proofread what they enter into their listings:
"Updates include Furn." They updated the furniture? Does the furniture stay? OK...OK...I know they meant furnace, but it took me a bit to figure this one out.
"Walking closet." Will it keep walking away from me while I'm trying to hang up my clothes? Gee, putting away the laundry could be tiring.
Just reinforces the need to proofread...
Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTORConnecticut Real Estate & AppraisalsCT Home GroupKeller Williams CT Realty203.746.1199Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale
… (8 comments)
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random rants: Are They Married? - 09/26/07 10:35 AM
Sometimes, when talking to a seller, either after an open house or when reviewing an offer we received, they start to ask questions about the buyers:
Are the married? Do they have kids? Where do they work? How much money do they make? Are they "X"? (insert race or religion here) My answers?
I don't know/don't care I don't know/don't care I don't know/don't care I don't know/don't care I don't know/don't care Usually, they realize that the questions were silly and that they were just being curious or even a bit nosey. Sometimes, they'll respond, "But you have to know."No, I … (12 comments)
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random rants: Unrepresented Sellers: Protect Yourself - 09/26/07 09:41 AM
This past Sunday, there was an ad in the Danbury, Connecticut newspaper for a home that is being sold by the owners, without the representation of a REALTOR.
These unrepresented sellers took out a display ad which contained a heavily shaded photo of their house (dark shadows don't reproduce well in a newspaper) along with a whole lot of text. They used a neat concept for the text - a cutesy description of the home, their family, why they're moving and how your family will live in the house.
Whoa...Red flags everywhere.
Describing their family? Danger...Danger...people now know too much about you … (4 comments)
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random rants: Moving with Movers - 09/03/07 10:30 AM
I just heard from one of my clients. I sold their home here in New Fairfield, Connecticut, and they relocated to Walnut Creek, California - my old stomping grounds, as I lived there for many years.
It was a fun transaction - we sold their home in this so-called "down market" in a matter of days, and with multiple offers. But the best part was hearing of their home search back in Walnut Creek. We talked about the different neighborhoods they were looking in, and of the shopping. Walnut Creek is famous for its shopping. It was a chance for me … (10 comments)
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random rants: Dependents' Day - 07/03/07 09:31 AM
July 3, 2003 was the day we adopted our first two children.
Being so close to Independence Day, we named it "Dependents' Day." Yes, we celebrate it each year with fireworks.
For information on becoming a foster parent or an adoptive parent, please call the Connecticut Department of Children & Families at 1-888-KID-HERO, or visit them online at HelpAChildShine.com.
Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTORConnecticut Real Estate & AppraisalsCT Home GroupKeller Williams CT Realty203.746.1199Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale
… (8 comments)
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Don Fabrizio-Garcia
Danbury,
CT
More about me…
Fab Real Estate
Address: 1 Padanaram Road, Suite 150C, Danbury, CT, 06811
Office Phone: (203) 947-1107
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