Here is a follow up video for buyers on when to do a Home Inspection on a Short Sale.

Here is an overview of a couple of my favorite Ipad2 apps for all of us Agents on the go that need immediate access to all our paperwork and presentations.

What is your buying strategy? Have you set up a game plan? Let's discuss one of the most important parts of buying a home, the home inspection.

Let's use buying a car as an example

Would you buy a used car without running a carfax?

Would you run it on each car you were thinking of purchasing?

Too often buyers are not prepared to have to spend money on more than one home inspection. I feel part of your game plan should include having the funds set aside for AT LEAST 3 home inspections. Why?

This is most likely the largest financial investment you are going to make.

Do you want to be in the position of having to move forward or not buy because you don't have enough set aside for another home inspection?

You are in a much stronger position to negotiate if you can walk away.

If you don't need the extra funds, you have them set aside for any improvements you'd like to make.

Just like with a car, you might not know if it's been in an accident, a flood or had a claim against it unless you run a carfax. Be prepared to invest in learning about a property BEFORE you make it your new home.

I received these questions today and thought they would make a great blog:

Hi Christina,

In a Short Sale (or even a traditional sale), who pays for the inspection? The seller or the buyer?

Also, should an appraisal be done before submitting the Short Sale package and should the seller pay for the appraisal (or the buyer)?

Dropping off my car for repair on Friday at MacMulkin Cadillac of Nashua, NH was such an example of what great customer service looks like. I had just pulled up in front to drop off my car, as I stepped out I was greeted by one of their friendly staff who I handed over my keys to and was directed inside. By the time I reached the door it was opened for me and I was greeted and told someone would be right with me. I felt like Queen for the day and it reminded me how lacking great customer service is these days. Even when things didn't go the way I had hoped that day, the first impression went a long way.I wouldn't think twice about recommending them. The fact that their prices are also competitive is only a bonus.

So as agents what can we learn, how can we make our clients feel like Royalty when working with us. I'm determined to go back to the drawing board and revisit what an experience working with my team is like and how it can be improved. So much is written about how hard things are and how difficult people can be and shouldn't the focus be on the service?

Keller Williams has a new program coming soon that is being introduced to New England. It is costly and the classes start in January which is doubly hard for agents right after the holidays to find money on top of Realtor in December. All that aside, we were discussing ways to offset the costs for agents by reimbursing some or all of the costs. The subject came up about how many classes should an agent have to attend out of the 8. Could they miss 1 or 2 and still be reimbursed. Then the discussion lapsed into complaints:

-Broker Open Houses are that day of the week

-The drive is too long

-I may have things come up and can't make all 8.

-I don't want to drive in the snow

Accountability was the issue for me here. This is a program with a track record of success, the agents average 8 deals in the 8 week program. But for me the bigger picture is what are you willing to commit to the success of your business? Can you really not find the time to attend 8 of the  9:30-3:30pm classes? Can you really not have Broker Opens on different days for 8 weeks? What level of commitment do you have?

Is this the same reason there isn't enough time to do the things you know you should. The only reason I could think of and said is that you must not need to make any more money because if you did you would do anything to make that happen. I have been asked to share my personal story of finding success at a very challenging time in my life, but is that really necessary for someone to commit. Don't they have to find that in themselves? My story won't get them to do all the home work and show up each week. You need to find that in yourself and that is the hardest but most lasting thing we can do.

What does accountability mean to you? Do you do the things you say you will. I've been listening to Fierce Conversations a topic for another blog but a great line was "I drive carefully when someone important is in the car". Are you important? 

Welcome to New England it's a common past time to see just how long you can wait to turn your heat on. With temeperatures in the morning hovering around 45 degrees many are caving. Since heating costs can take up a significant portion of your budget here are some things to consider:

Natural Gas: It appears prices are dropping due to an oversupply of inventory.

Oil: Do you lock in or not? That's hard to predict since prices at the gas stations have dropped in the last week.

Take advantage of the tax credit to add energy efficiency to your home that is older than 10 years old. Insulate and replace windows if needed.

Don't forget to get your furnaces serviced, there is nothing worse than having an issue in the dead of winter...

So.. how long are you going to wait or have you caved already? I'm still holding on..blankets and sweaters on hand.

I recently read The Travelers Gift by Andy Andrews and for the next 21 days morning and night I am reading Decision 1: The Buck Stops Here.

The book was powerful, about a man at the lowest point in his life, ready  to end it all who just as he is about to winds up “traveling” through history and meeting some of great historical men and women who each teach him a lesson.

This one is about accepting that you are where you are through your own doing and to stop blaming people, genetics etc for where you are. As I go about my day in Real Estate this is in the back of my mind. Here are a few changes I made because of it:

I was late for an office meeting that I thought started later. I could have sworn that’s what was written down and I was ready to go down the path of “it’s not my fault” but it was. I misread the calendar so I was late, end of story. Next time I will have to pay more attention.

I was  tired and didn’t want to go to the gym after a long day. Too bad most of my days are long and I knew that and didn’t get up in the morning. So I picked myself up and off I went. I felt more energetic the next day too… except.

My ankle started acting up again. Great reason not to go right? Nope ankle brace and the bike which doesn’t aggravate it. No more excuses.

The lesson is all about putting your energy in making the right decisions and moving forward on them. Not making rash ones and regretting them later. My favorite quote in the lesson “My life will not be an apology. It will be a statement.”

Stay tuned for Decision 2: I will seek Wisdom.

Recently I have had several relocation buyers looking at my listings and I've been asked to highight the features of Groton. I have lived here for 9 years and here are a few of mine.

• Farmers Market open Fridays through October
• Rail trail that goes from Ayer to Nashua - very popular with families
• Close to the Commuter rail in Ayer and Routes 2, 3 and 495
• Great library with many events for adults, teens and children
  
• Our old High School was recently converted to a 2nd Middle School and our High School was recently built. We share the school district with the town of Dunstable.
• Great recreational sports including soccer, basketball, hockey and so on.
• Canoeing on the Nashua River
• Many local stables for Horseback riding
• The Groton Country Club with a golf course and pool.
  
• The town in the last few years has purchased several acres to preserve the landscape.
• Gibbet Hill Grill and the scenic area around it.
• 2 renowned private schools: Lawrence Academy and the Groton School-both of which allow their facilities to be used by the town recreation.
• Town soccer fields, tennis courts and so on.
• Close to tax free shopping in Nashua, NH
• Sargisson beach and the Lost Lake area close by.
• Wonderful walking/riding/running trails throughout the town, well marked.

If you are considering a move to the is area, I would love to show you some of my favorite spots.

Where is the rush of Sellers listing their homes?

April is here and Buyers  are wondering when the Sellers are going to start listing their homes.

Here is the inventory of homes in Groton listed since 3/1/09 that have not been previously listed in the last year:

73 Deerfield Drive

15 Acorn Path - showing for back-up

34 Spaulding Ln

51 Overlook Drive

44 Drumlin Hill Road

40 Wallace Rd

337 Martins Pond Road

109 Nashua Rd

That's not alot of new inventory for buyers wanting to take advantage of the $8000 tax credit, if you have a home to sell nows your chance, give us a call.