Observations From A Different Point Of View

What do your clients really think?

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:01:03 -0500

I visit another board sponsored by a home and garden network featuring real estate and decorating shows, you all know the initials. The posts on there are really eye opening about how many of us are running/ruining our real estate businesses.

Take a stroll through some of the topics -

"I can't sell my Miami Home - The poster has been trying to sell her home for 2.5 years. Her agent blows her off and doesn't bother to answer questions, just says we don't do it that way here. Currently, the agent is away on a 2 week vacation, it seems the poster has no one at the agency to contact with her concerns.

Next post after several responses critiques of the photography - really bad, and the write up - very confusing.

Subsequent posts it comes out that if she wants more marketing of her home, video tour etc, the agent told her she could pay for it. The comments go on and on. After several more posts the general consensus is to dump the agent and go shopping for a new one.

Another Post -

This person - their listing just disappeared and no one can figure out why. She has questions about why so few showings in a short period of time, the response from the agent according to the poster is they need to cut down a tree, instead of take better photos.

After more posts - it seems the listing agent is not being communicative and doesn't seem to be very proactive.

last one, but I could go on;

"These buyers are confused about what is a cash sale vs a mortgage and if they change their mind mid stream what affect will it have on the purchase. The agent didn't or wouldn't answer so they came to the board seeking answers.

(I was going to post the actual comments in quotes, but decided I didn't want to run afoul of the Permission to Post question.)

Now, what do all these have in common? Where is their real estate agent? Why are they not doing their job? Isn't that what we get very nice commissions (sometimes) to do?

Why are they on a public forum getting advice from strangers with no knowledge of real estate in their market? Because the real estate agent got the contract or the listing and disappeared. We all love to trot out the list of everything we do to earn our commission, but looks to me from looking at other boards, a lot of us are not walking the walk.

So, what questions are your clients asking in an open forum.

Oh, many times Mr and Ms Agent - the listing info is included and everyone can see who it is giving such bad service to their clients.

I just thought ya'll like to know.

Losing a fur baby

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:11:06 -0500

Boris was a part of our family from shortly after DH and I said I do. Found on a local tennis court on Halloween by my husband the tennis player Boris came into our lives almost 19 years ago. He was such a loving and cuddly kitten, always nuzzling us under our chin and loving up against our arms. Just a few days later the whelps told us not only did we have a new pet, but we also had ring worm.

That was life with Boris. From the moment he entered our home he was fascinated and frightened by the great outdoors. He would make a run for it and once out the door he was completely frantic, so the search through the shrubs and sending back into the house. Then he learned a new trick. Hiding. Our favorite was when we had tickets for a show 100 miles away and no cat to be found. After completely changing our plans for the day we found him, safe and sound behind the washer; we just barely made the show, much less doing anything else.

Over 18 years I could write a lot of stories, how he really disliked most dogs, how he would ride downstairs on the back of our persnickety cocker spaniel, how he hated other cats even more, how he hid from anyone who wasn't in the house the first day we found him. The very long ride from Richmond to Myrtle Beach wasn't helped much by the medication provided by the vet.

Life with Boris was usually pretty quiet, an ocaisional run in with the dogs, then he started to mellow after about age 14. He came to an understanding with the dogs, you leave me alone and I won't scar you for life.

As he grew older and started to have minor problems we just made him as comfortable as possible, special foods, slip covers and towels on all the chairs and special spots, whatever the old guy needed.

Then earlier this summer, something wasn't right. He had become more social as he grew older, but his gait was a little off. By the time the vet saw him it was much worse, Boris had had a stroke. Of all the things I worried about as he grew older, diabetes, his heart, cancer I never thought of stroke.

Luckily for me Bill was home for the weekend and was there with me as we said good bye to our old friend.

Hurry October

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:43:16 -0500

Come out to the Ballgame and Support Familes in Horry County

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:25:38 -0500

Out here on the coast we've been hit hard by the current problems with the economy. Horry County saw fit to cut funding this year to almost all social service agencies in the county. Many of the agencies provide services to residents and visitors that are tax payer provided in other areas of the country. The agencies depended on the small amount of county funding (about $25,000 a year) to show grant agencies they have local support. So, not only do they lose that money, they are out of luck with some grant agencies.

The service agencies are also seeing a decline in contributions from donors. Some large donors are cutting their contributions in half. What does this mean?

Our shelters are facing severe shortfalls in revenues and may have to close doors or reduce services to families in need. CASA (Citizens Against Spousal Abuse) the local shelter for abused families is facing a financial crisis. In the past year they have closed counceling offices, reduced staff and cut services.

The folks in the Active Rain community can help.

Many local civic organizations are sponsoring events to help local service agencies. I belong to Zonta Club of Myrtle Beach. We are part of Zonta International, a service organization of professionals dedicated to improving the status of women worldwide. Our local projects include helping CASA with our money, time and talents. Right now they really need our money.

Zonta Club of Myrtle Beach is selling tickets to the Pelican's Ballgame on August 2, 2009. Tickets are very inexpensive and at the game we will have places to donate food, money and participate in a silent auction.

So come on out to the ballgame and help a family in crisis.

Joanne Patterson, Director of CASA and R. Walker of Zonta Club of Myrtle Beach

No Reason, I just love this photo and I won't have time on Wed to post

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:15:39 -0500

I'M READY FOR MY CLOSEUP, MR. DEMILLE

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:27:32 -0500

Salacious Sunday

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:19:01 -0500

Oh My Goodness!!!

I get my daily ActiveRain fix this morning and I eagerly open what a shocker! What did I see on this beautiful Sunday morning?

The very first Blog Post has a title to titilate the reader. Perhaps we need a new group - Salacious Sunday?

"I really need a quickie"

"Stripper arrested in Arizona, Read all about it"

WOW! That's one way to get attention. But without reading, I know the Quickie refers to a quick closing and the Stipper cleared out his house and got caught doing it.

Tame stuff, but it sure got my interest. So, isn't that what marketing homes and yourself in this business (or any business) all about? You've got to stand out from all the other stuff that is constantly coming at us.

So confess, you know you went right buy other very worthy blogs to read these two, I did.

Where I'd rather be this Friday

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:10:08 -0500

We took my great niece on her first cruise several years ago. One of the stops was Key West. It is now one of my favorite places in Florida.

I took this as we were leaving port. What a serene place.

Early Morning Musings

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:54:40 -0500

I think we all have those mornings where we wake up much too early. You all have Freckles to thank for this blog. He was an early riser today.

As I was doing housework at 5 am, I would have been working on client emails, but I can't really focus that early; different scattering of thoughts were running through my head. Ya'll know, how do I get the potential buyer today to become areal buyer. Why do people call or email wanting information but never answer the phone, return a toll free phone call or return an email? Then after my second cup of coffee I was up and running. Checking my email, popping in here, sending client emails and visiting other message boards.

While over visiting another message board I frequent that is connected to a network with lots of programs for for people interested in their homes and gardens, I was wondering how many agents visit these other sites and see or have seen their clients complaining about what an awful agent they have?

I saw one recently where the person was asking for help in selling her home and had a link to her listing. Good grief! I don't know which was more appalling, that she actually listed her house in the condition it is in or that her agent actually posted on their website and the MLS for all the the world to see this complete mess of a house.

What fascinated me more (this place was the proverbial train wreck) was that she said they were getting about three showing a week. WOW! and Double WOW! I don't know her market so I have no idea how her pricing was, but recently I've been into completely pristine houses with excellent pricing to find dust on the electronic key lock.

So, if you do happen to do a drive by on some of those sites, do you ever see yourself in some of these listings? Are these your clients reading posts as you're ripped to shreds in abstentia?

Okay, now, whre is my vacuum cleaner?

Peaceful Morning

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:43:26 -0500

"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air..."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Monday Everyone and greetings from the South Carolina coast. I do love photgraphing the ocean. It is ever changing and always beautiful.

The quote by Emerson perfectly describes how I would love to live my life. Unfortunately, that life is going to have to wait a few more years, for now I will just catch a few minutes of peace when and where I can.

Hope you enjoy.

Joy

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 06:44:19 -0500

Thank You Snopes!

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:04:19 -0500

We all get them and there seems to be almost no "nice" way to stop it. They are a scourge on society and clog your inbox. No not spam, worse than spam - Email Chains.

Our well meaning friends sends us the email that has been forwarded 224 times through various emails from friend, to friend to acquaintance to hapless recipient. They take so many forms

Look at the attached photo (usually with a red x in the upper left hand corner) it is Jesus on the cross in a hamburger bun. Keep this chain going so Jesus will continue to live in our hearts. If you fail to forward this to everyone in your contact file Armageddon will be upon us.

Another favorite are the ones that have been floating around since the Internet was born - The liberals on the FCC (now I received this one during the second Bush term) are going to prohibit religious programing on television unless we send this email warning to everyone in your inbox. If you don't, Armageddon will be upon us.

(That is a great one to check out - even the FCC has a page devoted to it denying the whole thing and and it was all based on a 1975 petition that was denied by the FCC.)

What is fun to watch are the administration changes in the really urgent - you must call Congress today because President Obama (when I received it last year it was President Bush) has a bill to sign that would give your hard earned Social Security check to illegal aliens. If you fail to do this Armageddon will be upon us.

What really snaps my garters about these idiotic email is that if anyone along the chain - anyone of those 224 people stopped and visited www.Snopes.com they would see that it is all foolishness. I must admit a couple of years ago I was taken by one that was very minor and when I found out it was foolishness - I sent an apology to all 297 people in my contacts folder.

Was I embarrassed? You betcha. But I sent it out anyway and then sent a note to the person who sent it to me gently suggesting they visit Snopes. About the FCC hoax and there is no other word to call it is almost pure fabrication - when I gently explained it all to my friend she was quite adamant that the Rev. Dobbins said it was so and it was on Angelfire, so it must be true.

So folks - when you get those crazy emails - first - do not forward them to me and second, check www.Snopes.comfor a reality check and then send a gentle correction to your friend. Who knows, one of these days I will get a correction from my friend and with luck it will not cause Armageddon to be upon us.

Lunch - Visted my favorite spot today

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:12:42 -0500

Oh the joys of summer, how nice to sit on the deck, tall glass of ice tea and Roz's Black Bean and Artichoke cakes. A nice long lunch with friends. Something we don't do often enough.

Have you every started to post something on Active Rain and realized -

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:07:48 -0500

OMG! If I post this my you know what is toast!

I almost made that mistake today.

Social networking and blogging are great avenues to share your thoughts and sometimes get input from strangers. But that very publicness of the blogosphere makes it a very dangerous place to put some of your thoughts and feelings. Too bad, this would be a great place to vent sometimes. I think we would get some great feedback from the posters on the boards.

Oh, well, I'll just have to find other avenues to vent my current frustrations. Hmmm, I heard of a broker in Georgia who is open to whiny emails. J/K I couldn't resist.

Everyone, have a great Thursday or as we call it at the beach - Little Friday.

How Many Gadgets Do Real Estate Agents Really Need?

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:58:02 -0500

I am not gadgetphobic and I'm not really techno challenged. I really do enjoy electroic toys and gizmos, many different types of websites and software programs. But since entering the field of real estate I'm blown away by all the gadgets, gizmos and programs folks seem to think they need to do their jobs.

When first entering the field I was okay with my cell phone as my lifeline and it is good to have a laptop with a wifi connection and I actually don't mind text messaging. I really do prefer my new Supra Key over the old version. But the gotta have the newest and latest mentality of this field astounds me.

I don't know about you folks, but if I invested half as much in technology as some of you do, I'd be even more poor than I am now! Do I really need a separate service to track my listings? Should I invest in all these new fangled whirlygigs that will make me the newest real estate millionaire?

What gives? Am I the only agent in America using telephones, you know those black thinks with about 12 buttons that connect to a wire in the wall? (My handsets are cordless) Is everyone else using Blackberries and Strawberries and assorted fruit salads to communicate? Do I really need to spend an additional $25 per month to get that email that came into my computer 1/2 hour before I returned to the office?

How many social networking sites do I need to join? Do they all have to have such esoteric rules that most of us newbies really don't understand? Goodness, I've only been in this business for a few years and I'm already longing for the good ole days.

How much really improves my productivity levels and how much is just a waste of time and money?

Have you ever started a blog and realized

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:13:22 -0500

OMG! If I post this my you know what is toast!

I almost made that mistake today.

Oh, well, I'll just have to find other avenues to vent my current frustrations. Hmmm, I heard of a broker in Georgia who is open to whiny emails. J/K I couldn't resist.

Everyone, have a great Thursday or as we call it at the beach - Little Friday.

Wake Up Call

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:29:08 -0500

Foreclosures.

I think all of us have shown a foreclose property recently. A little less clean, maybe the appliances have been ripped out, the carpets and bathroom are not pristine. All of them have the "This Property Has Been Winterized" postings near the entrances and all wet areas. In my part of the country that is a quicker indication of a foreclosure than the notice on the listing.

However, by the time the average agent, buyer's representative and our clients see the property all visible signs that this was a home are gone. That is what we see. We do not someone's financial situation or their family's pain, we see this great property coming onto the market at a ridiculous price. We see the properties after the banks' team has been through and sanitized them. That I discovered this weekend is indeed a blessing for all of us and our clients.

The utter breakdown in the life of the family was brought home to me while previewing properties for a client. I am so glad I went by myself. The house was like all the others in the price range. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, eat in kitchen, small lot, small subdivision. Nothing outstanding from outside. But when I walked in it struck me. Until recently a family lived there. The son was active in sports and was quite good from all the sports certificates on the wall. He had interest in football and baseball. The daughter took dance classes and collected many different characters. Mom and Dad had the usual cough and cold items and like the rest of us had too many of the little things we don't know where to store them.

Yes, the family had moved their furniture but their memories were still on the walls and on the shelves. For some reason this particular agent and the bank decided to list the house before the sanitizing team could do their job. Maybe it is a good thing, maybe not. It made me realize that this was not just a house, it was a home. A really good dose of reality check for us all.

About a different point of view

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Sun, 31 May 2009 08:24:18 -0500

Last year I wrote my very first blog. I received very positive responses to my ramblings and for that I thank you. Brad's response kind of scared me off from posting again. I was completely overwhelmed by the links and helpful information he provided. At first glance (being slightly paranoid) I thought I had committed a blogdom faux paux. Then on closer inspection I understood it was instruction on how to utilize the site more efficiently. Thanks Brad.

I have yet to commit the time to make this space as useful I can, but I hope to get there eventually.

Now, why did I decide to title my blog "Observations From a Different Point of View?" Because by my nature and if you read any of my responses to other topics you will see right away that I don't seem to think like the rest of you.

First off you will notice you are unlikely to see a "You Go Girl" type of response. I am not a cheerleader and I don't post just to run up my post count. I missed that whole section. I don't post just to see my name on the screen. I post because the topic and the comments hit a nerve.

Second, I came into real estate without ever having been in sales. By profession I was a number cruncher for most of my life. I also tend to look at most situations in life from a slightly different angle than many of the people I have worked with over the years. When I was in banking I found most of the rules the feds came up with ridiculous and were mostly designed to infringe on the freedoms of individuals. When in employee benefits I realized doctors are not gods, their offices make mistakes and employees automatically think the reason their bills are not paid is because of the lousy insurance policy the company purchased. I also discovered if you are patient and work with people you can get amazing things done.

In real estate I have discovered that too often I am on the wrong side of the fence with the local board of Realtors, State Board of Realtors and National Board. Such is life. If I heard once that the media was causing the problem with housing, I heard it a hundred times. We all know how that turned out. In our local market you cannot think home prices can double in less than five years and expect that to continue. You cannot continue to build and build and build more condos at ever higher prices and not expect the ride to end. But I was on the outside looking in; I suppose it was different if you were inside the bubble.

So, that is me. Don't expect me to be a voice in the chorus, but I will be honest in my opinions and I hope some of you will take time to consider the other point of view.

First Time for Everything

Cherry Temple (Low Country GMAC Real Estate) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:38:51 -0600

I just learned about activerain yesterday during a conference call with my broker. What a wonderful and interesting resource for anyone involved in the real estate profession. So not only is this my first time on this website, this is my very first effort at blogging. Please be kind.

I live in a resort area. Many people who inquire about purchasing real estate here have never explored beyond the local golf courses or the sandy beaches. Others who are hoping to relocate out of the cold north east or humid deep south have never even been here. That is what most surprises me. The criteria people will use to make an extremely important decision of investing hundreds of thousands of dollars and uprooting their family to a place they have at most briefly visited. Making that kind of move for relocation purposes is not unusual, but to make that decision when you don't have too just boggles my mind.

I am a planner/plodder with a little "what the heck" thrown in for good measure. So making the decision to leave the safe but not so comfortable world of banking and jumping feet first in to real estate wasnot an easy one for me to make. I have toyed with the idea of going into real estate since the mid 80's. So, I missed my share of boom and bust cycles. But, I was able to sit out and watch those cycles as an interested observer.

When I finally couldn't stand to work another 8 hour day in an office, I already knew the boom was nearing the end and I would be getting my feet very wet during a bust cycle. During my classes, I was amazed at the naivete of my of my fellow classmates. They thought they were going to get rich and retire in just a couple of years. I feel really sorry for them. Plus the bad name they give to real estate agents in general. Can you imagine having one of them as your listing agent?? I think I still see a few of their listings sitting on the MLS.

Wow, don't even get me started on the stuff listing agents put on the local MLS. I know they have a really tough job, but it would make their job easier if they at least knew where the heck the property is located they are listing!

Okay, this has turned into a real hodge podge of information and lack there of.

I'm looking forward to using this as a tool to express my joy, my sorrows, my frustration and what ever else glances through my mind. If you enjoy anything - thanks for the comments. If you have tales of woe in the resort real estate market to share - I will enjoy your input.