sales: To key box or not to key box. That is the problem. - 05/23/10 01:41 PM
I remember going to the NAR convention around '84 as a member of the NAR MLS committee. People from all over the country talked about lock boxes, key boxes and no box at all!
I forget exactly where it was, ( either Delaware or Connecticut) but one of committee members told us that in her little town they (sic) "just put the key over the front door."
Times have deffinately changed that's for sure.
However, I'd like to hear from you.   How do you over-come a seller's objection to having a lock box on the house?
… (8 comments)

sales: Side sewer ordinance goes into effect. - 05/19/10 09:43 AM
After 2 years of working with representatives from Tacoma's real estate community, the City Council passed a new ordinance that requires Tacoma property owners to have a certified inspection of their private side sewer prior to the sale or transfer of a property, a major remodel or any construction over an existing side sewer.
This City ordinance requires a visual inspection of the building and property for sources of inflow and a television video inspection of the private side sewer from the building to the City of Tacoma sewer main to determine the condition of the pipe.
This ordinance becomes effective … (2 comments)

sales: Prep your buyer for the "parental review and approval"! - 03/19/10 01:00 PM
I'm not really sure why some buyers want some one who is not a part of the purchase of their home to give an endorsement as a condition of buying.
With parents, it may be because mom and dad are loaning them the down payment, or it could simply be that they want reinforcement from the family that they made a "good choice".
When it comes to siblings or friends, their endorsement may almost be impossible to acquire  - simply because of ego or because they believe that it's their job to "get you a better deal."
I"ve learned that when a sale is conditioned upon some … (7 comments)

sales: Bidding up the price could cost your buyer more money than they bargained for! - 02/11/10 07:22 AM
It seems as though some agents have made it a practice to "bid up" a bank repo in order to get the property under contract, and then if the appraisal is lower than what they offered they are expecting the bank to pay the difference.
We just recieved notice from one of our asset managers for one of the larger lenders, that (sic) "on FHA multiple offer scenarios, the bank will require the highest bidder to sign an addendum stating that the buyer will make up the shortage in cash between the offered price and the appraised value if the property … (0 comments)

sales: Super Bowl Open House - 02/05/10 11:50 AM
I have a very good friend in the business that works for a competitor.  Over the 30 plus years that I've know her, she has always made a point of holding an open house or sitting site on New Years Day.
Her name is JoAnne Stafford with the Contact Corp.
She has told me that over the years, she has made a lot of deals on New Years Day.  I found that hard to believe - since my wife and I usually had a big party at our home the night before.
JoAnne is more devoted to work then to self … (4 comments)

sales: NAR's big push for 2010 - 01/11/10 04:39 AM
 According to NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, there is a big media push going on this year to heighten the public's awareness of the extended and expanded Home Buyer Tax Credit.
Although it would have been nice to see this program a little earilier, it's good to know that at least there's a program in place.
 

… (2 comments)

sales: Bank Repo's shouldn't flood the market. - 08/26/09 12:32 PM
I have an agent in my office that is the queen of bank repos.  Her name is Jan Willey.  She informed our office at yesterday's sales meeting that one of her big banks (name not disclosed) was going to be getting a bunch of repo's within the next couple of months.
She went on to say that the lender told her that they would slowly filter the inventory into the market.  I take this to mean that they realize that if they suddenly have 40 houses for sale in our market, instead of 10-15, that it will not only impact the housing … (6 comments)

sales: Take the drama out of Purchase and Sales Agreements! - 08/20/09 04:03 PM
 
A technique you may want to try with a buyer that you know is qualified but hasn't really formed a bond with you yet, is to show them all the forms and addendum's that you would use if they were to purchase a home through you.
If they appear to be cautious people, I tell them that "This is an example of the paperwork that I will prepare for you - and the steps that we'll take to make sure that your purchase meets your requirements. 
I believe trust is the most difficult part of building a relationship - and with … (1 comments)

sales: Spring is in the air. - 06/07/09 04:27 AM
Is the fact that business is picking up a sign of better weather or a better attitude - or both?  I've been busier the past few months then I've been in the past 2 years.
Our office production has virtually doubled from this same time last year.
I sence an energy in the office that hasn't been there for some time.  I'm not saying we're out of the woods yet, it's just that I can see the edge of the forest.
I trust that things are picking up for you as well.
… (4 comments)

sales: O.M.G. I'm feeling optimistic! - 05/11/09 12:02 PM
Our office has seen an increase in written sales this April by almost 160% over April of last year!  We're an office of 75 agents at Crescent Realty, so that's quite an increase even though last April was in the dumpster.
We are seeing back-up offers on well priced homes (not short sales) as well as several offers on bank-owned properties.
We advertise a "Free list of Bank Owned homes" that generates walk-in traffic.  We put together an information sheet to help the agent pin-point what the buyer wants in the way of a bank owned home etc.  Basically the same … (7 comments)