If you want minimize the time it takes to buy or sell a home [in this market] please suggest that buyers and sellers don't start their search ANYWHERE but with a REALTOR.

We know 90% of home buyers and sellers start their search on the Internet. We want desperately to compare the homes 'for sale' for our exciting purchase. Some may want to compare where they should price their home as they consider putting their home on the market. If you think the Internet is a "disinterested" third party,  this couldn't be further from the truth. If you want only to have an internet site, call me so that I can give you one that will have the most updated information, 216-408-1513, it's my direct line and I'm always available. If you want to work with a Real Estate Professional and local area expert, hire a REALTOR.

The Internet has become completely flooded with irrelevant, (paid for) sponsored search results that may have nothing to do with what your interested in finding. Past, Present and Future real estate listings can be found on line. It's all mixed together today to capture the attention of buyers, sellers, realtors, brokers etc. and the giving of your e-mail address with some personal information is just NOT a good idea. Companies have paid to come up on your search first, second or third place, sometimes based on where you live, just to sidetrack and sell you something else in the end. It's a QUAGMIRE.

Beware that some search results may return sites with viruses, sponsored sales pitch links, infomercials, tracking cookies, buy me's, click me's, and you still haven't gotten an answer to or original questions. It can be overwhelming and a complete frustration.  Real Estate can be simple, with a simple real estate professional. MESSAGE: HIRE A REALTOR!

Relevant real estate searches starts with live communication. It requires the "human factor" that the internet oftentimes just can't provide that.

When you are ready to save some valuable time and have a personal conversation with an area expert who's licensed and ready to help, feel free to call me direct.

I'm Cindy Mustafa, I'm a REALTOR and I will be happy to organize a search for any buyer or sellers. I'll be the advocate and commit myself completely, to your goals. I only ask that buyers and sellers are ready to make the same commitment. Otherwise, respectfully....call me second.

My direct phone number is: 216-408-1513.

I would love to know the answer to this one so everyones help is greatly welcomed and appreciated.

I was advised many years ago to get an ikey. An Ikey, [I was told], communicates to the ibox. An ibox is an electronic device that securely holds a house entrance key, and in order to access it, you will need an ikey to communicate to the ibox. [I was also told, "If you want to work with buyers - you need to have the tools of the trade",  also "If you Don't have a Pager, get one"  In addition, I was told, "If you were a carpenter, you would have a hammer, rso get an ikey"]

An Ikey is something you need a 'subscription for. [Kinda of like a pager [You pay a quarterly or 1/2 year subscription fee to a  company, who has an agreement with your board of realtors.]  Some boards allow ikey sharing and other boards, you can be reported to the board and face a fine, for sharing.  No two are the same but one thing is for sure. Across the counties, we are having some discomfort up to and including [worst case] adversarial relationships/

First, "What is" and "what does" ...the ibox do for me? For me, It's an electronic assistant of sorts. It beeps to tell me that the ibox is being opened and SOMEONE[holding and ikey] is about to access the VERY key that will open the house I have securely placed in an ibox. [First Thought: Yeah, they showed up] This ikey will electronically tell me the iinformation pertaining to the Broker, Agent, their phone, fax and address [of the assigned key holder]. The electronic record also shows the time of access and the date [That doesn't tell me who is physically holding the ikey now opening the door since some multiple listing services have ikey sharing agreements and can let anyone use it if the so choose]

One thing is for sure, the 6 months fee is 102.00, the Iboxs cost around 100.00 each  [25.00 if you can find people retiring their license or selling them to buy combos] AND the house can still be broken into, whether you have an ibox or a combo. [for combos, some agents use the same code for every house, it's the year they were born]

The ikey...it's a pretty cool device. It also allows me to set up the showing times which are defaulted at 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. BUT if the home has children, I can adjust the time on the ibox to block the opening of the device. [OR I can call the showing service and set the block out times myself.]

I'm troubled about this ikey and the iboxes and here's why. I'm in a East Side, West Side situation. I also have a Northeast side and recently I've gotten calls from agents who have said they never heard of an 'IKEY'. I get calls to please leave my sellers house open; I've been told to represent my seller like a good agent and be there when they get there, they have a cash buyer;  I've been told to reschedule my appointments so I could open the house or the buyer will buy something else; truth be told - why can't we just get rid of these things? I guess we have to ask, "Do they generate more problems than what they are worth?". 

If we want to know if the agent made it to the listing, whatever happened to the phone? Can we start to talk again? Have we gotten disconnected? Are we disconnecting from the clients too? Are we so automated that we can't pick up the phone?

Are electronics making us more efficient or taking us away from what we do best, which is helping people achieve their real estate goals.

We, Guide, council, advocate and negotiate - by electronics only?

By the way, you can now buy ikey attachments for your iphone, droid, smart or dumb phone. Of course there is a fee for that too.

I oftentimes get calls from sellers when they are counting down the days until they expire. It's like the 12 days before Christmas for them. They are riddled with anxiety, disappointment and frustration from watching everything around them come up and go down [sold] but they still remain on the market and rightly so, they want to know WHY?

My first meeting with the sellers is full of compassion. They have had it with the market and want to move on with their journey in life. They are aprehensive about believing a REALTOR at this point but want to know what it's going to take to finally sell their home, get the family back together again and what is the collateral damage. Oftentimes sellers can be living in two different states and houses, tracking back and forth to keep the family together and the uncertainty of when it will all end is excruciating. At this point, it's easy....I listen....

#1. Compassion for the situation, If you're getting traffic and no offers, and you like your agent - My Advice; REDUCE YOUR PRICE and stay with your agent, they have worked hard I'm sure but can't control the buyers out there, By the way Mr. Seller, have you had any offers? If so, what were they? Oh yeah, your price, who recommended the price you were listed at?

#2. If they feel there is no going back, and they want a new strategy, I ask them what they liked and disliked about the prior listing/agent. I make sure I do what they liked (within reason) and better yet, DON'T DO...what they didn't like.

#3. I am prepared for this listing presentation and I know my market inside and out. I come with a CMA, Absorption Rates, Tax and Legal and I have memorized my potential objections. If they are interested in my 'global' marketing strategy, I have that as well.

#4. I have the answers, if I don't - I don't fake it. I tell the sellers I'll get the answer for them today and get back with them.

#5. I ask how they like to communicate and get e-mail addresses as it's the easiest way to do so.

#6. I ask how soon they would like to be sold and have a range for my list price as in, Sold next week or sit for a little while, the later I don't recommend.

#7. I have a NET PROCEEDS sheet showing what they walk away with if they accept this price today but focus on the end result of getting the family together and moving on with your journey in life.

#8. I have a staging checklist to leave with the sellers of what to do during a showing and any little repairs that may need to be done.

#9. I have a contractors list of several contractors in hundred of categories. If they need help, it's at thier finger tips.

#10. I have a listing contract and all supporting documents - YES, I ask for the listing.

#11. Lock Box, Sign and Camera are with me and I'm ready to put this listing on the market NOW.

#12. As in the 12 days of Christmas, If they decide to continue to do the same thing and expect different results, I leave ONLY my business card and kindly ask them to call me if they need help in the future.

I want your listing and I ALSO want to make a living so how can I help you?

If you can add to my list, it's welcomed and greatly appreciated!

I love to work in the real estate industry. I love my market of Aurora Ohio and Portage, Summit and Cuyahoga Counties in general. I love and respect my clients, their families and friends. I see my clients over and over, after they move in. I watch their children grow. I know their names and their schools. I feel good about selling them the home.

I make it a point to know about the inventory in my market and I love to share it with new buyers and sellers. If I know about your home, it's roof, foundation, the sugar sand it's sinking in, the mold, how the kids trashed it after dad died and anything else that could a/effect them, including zoning issues and levies that have passed or will pass. I know what's sold, the days on the market and how many times it's been listed before it sells  - I'm going to disclose it to the vast numbers of buyers that cross my path.

I'M A PROUD REALTOR, my clients trust I will tell them the truth, and they should. They make big decisions based on my opinion! Buying a home is one of their biggest decisions one can make in their life, It's my business to keep them informed & safe. 

Working with a Realtor who knows the area, it's land and demographics, is important. Anyone can fill in the blanks, that's in part, what Realtors do. Knowing the large 'rest' of the equation is what keeps my clients happy.

Honest, Reliable, Trustworthy, Ethical, Informed, Educated, Full time, Fun and Accessible

Used to be; once you've negotiated an offer on your listing, you'd be in the car with your sellers, now your buyers - on your way to buying a bigger better home. Not so fast....

Explain 'why you should slow down' to your sellers. Explain what CAN go wrong to them and you'll be talking for an hour with them on the multiple possibilities of what COULD go wrong. No one wants to be negative but let's face it...it's not over til it's over and I subscribe to laying it all out on the table so everyone knows what COULD go wrong and at the end of the day, be prepared to handle any and all situations.

Remember the Home Inspection that I thought would be a good idea, Mr. Seller, when I listed your home? These might be some of the things you might not have known about.

What can go wrong?

1. General Home Inspection - Yikes!
2. Anything the General Home Inspector recommends [in addition to the General Home Inspection]
3. Roof deemed 'end of life'
4. Furnace - A/C appear to be end of life
5. Well Test -Coliforms/Bacteria
6. Water Potability Test
7. Radon Test - Over 4.0 In Ohio and it's 800.00 - 900.00 to mitigate
8. Septic Test, Min 14k to 35K and some counties you can't escrow the funds, seller needs to replace.
9. Pest Inspection, $75.00 but could cost $500.00 for treatment, if wood boring insects found
10. VA OR FHA Inspection [they call it an appraisal to catch you off your guard]
11. Final Walk Through Inspection, buyers sometimes think it's time to renegotiate
12. Appraisal, FHA/VA Banks Require, Cash, no worry, Conventional-Sometimes, Homes must appraise for purchase price.
13. Buyer remorse
14. Seller remorse
15. Loan Conditions not met, Loan Denied!
16. Hardship
17. Death

Now...most of these items are things that we can get through and get over, most often. It takes experience, patience, understanding, communication and education and then more experience. This is where having an experienced agent pays off!

This is what I've been through lately. Needless to say, I do a lot of praying.

Anyone care to add to this list?

Some 12 years ago, I was a "First Time Home buyer" and my first mistake was not interviewing agents that would help me buy my home. I chose him from a picture and shallow me, he had a nice mustache. [He didn't look like his picture but I didn't want to be rude once we started]

The second mistake I made was not buying a home warranty nor was I offered one and didn't know about them either.  Third was an inspection nightmare and the pressure of the market/agent to overlook things or someone else would snatch up my home.

Finally, A final walk through, never performed nor ever suggested, On the day we filed and took possession, we noticed a coat rack loosely stuck into and covering the hole where the wall stereo was permanently mounted in the kitchen. I was so looking forward to cooking breakfast for my husband while singing....in my new home. -

Fast forward to today and why I'm a Realtor; I learn quickly, through experience.

Some of the things that set me apart from my experience 12 years ago is: 

I AM a Full Time Realtor

I am an electronics junkie

I have every tool of the trade

I am addicted to my Ipad, Iphone, electronic documents, the Internet, continuing education and love being an advocate for buyers and sellers [but not both in the same transaction]

Different market? Yes.  Do I hold a grudge, No, Life is to short!

What did I learn? Educate, Educate, Educate, our clients to the best of our ability. Treat each transaction with great importance. Real Estate is a Process. Everything is a process. Start your process, polish it, make it the best, always be honest, consistant and always follow up.

Life goes on and more importantly, I still sing... [o.k., I didn't say my husband always likes it but I do it because I can!]

From a Caring, Honest Realtor in Aurora, Ohio

Cindy Mustafa

RE/MAX Traditions, 216-408-1513

173 S. Chillicothe Road, Aurora, OH 44202

Heard it before? Many Times!This is NOT a discretionary sellers market.

Look at what's being sold. Consider the square footage and upgrades. Price to Sell OR.....Price to Sit!

If you're not getting 3-5 showings a week and If you're not willing to make the adjustment in price or change the condition, sit.....but kindly sit with someone else.

When you're ready to sell, just call.

Respectfully,

My hope is this blog won't be redundant but instead help someone who has had the same questions as I.

Have we heard of the 8 second rule; Buyers have a tendency to make the big decision of whether or not they will make an offer on the home, in the first 8 seconds

 Not Selling, no offers? I always ask myself these questions:

• Is it the Staging? Some houses are vacant and so we have to consider trying some little things which can be done to make kitchens and baths look warmer. Towel racks, table settings, floral arrangements etc.
• Is it the Price? If you are already over priced, it's not hopeless but should be avoided in this market. I show sellers where the sold price points are in homes of their caliber and ask them if they were a buyer, would they mind paying 20k more just because the seller needed it? Make price adjustment if you've been on the market and not getting an offer.
• Is it the Condition?  8 Seconds is not a long time when making a decision to buy a home. Buyers are said to make their decision in 8 seconds of entering.  What do you see in these 8 seconds?  Can you see the house? Is it filled with personal pictures? Do you see small rooms, cluttered closets, kitchens in disarray, packed storage? Suggest Minimize and Declutter, on the whole house!
• Is it Curb Appeal? If you see a cracked sidewalk, chipped and peeling paint, door handles that need attention and rocky terrain for landscaping, probably the home could use some external attention. If a buyer is seeing safety and health hazards outside the home, the feeling will probably follow them inside.
• Is it the Location? If it's location, go back to price. If the location is a challenge, you can't change it unless you hire a structural engineering company to relo the house. If it's not the location, you have no offers and pricing is right, look to the condition or make a suggestion to adjust price for it.  
• Is it the Agent or their marketing? Some agents don't do much, put a home on the mls and put a sign in the ground. We've heard it before; real estate is a visual medium. Pictures tell a thousand words and visual tours tell more. If as an agent, we're not using them, I know first hand that listings are excluded in searches because they have none or 1 in the picture department. Classes are everywhere, most free, on how to take pictures and also make visual tours. It's easy, most often free and we're doing our sellers a favor. Do we really have a ‘marketing strategy', if not, we should consider polishing one. It's one of the things that sets us apart OR NOT.     

Price War and  Beauty Contest.  That's what we have today. Today's market is less forgiving than the past. I always recommend home inspections before going on the market. Detailed Pricing strategies to include all recent sales and then don't try to beat them. I like to Stage, price correctly, declutter and minimize stuff while putting your most seductive dress on. I mean that in a professional way as in "dressing up your house". All of these things can lend themselves to a interested buyer.

I have heard it all now! 

I represent the kindest sellers and don't ever want to get in the way of a transaction closing. I also need to act in the best interest of my clients by guiding them. This time I want to tell the sellers to say 'GET LOST'! to the buyer - BUT I CAN'T.

10k under asking price which was 30k under what they purchased 3 years ago and the buyers come back with 'reverse polarity, gfci, this stoop is a trip hazard, the door has rotting on it, 1/8 difference on back yard concrete [trip hazard] I WANT TO SCREAM! But I can't.

The negotiations took a complete week to arrive at an amicable price. The buyers say since there was no price negotiations for the repairs, we don't want to inherit them - fix or we'll walk.

After the inspections, radon or pest no longer issues, the list had 11 bullets points - REALLY? Wouldn't you think the condition is reflected in the price negotiated?

Where does it end , MY SELLERS HAVE A BLACK EYE! The only other house in the area to buy at this price is the 'foreclosure' and you will need 30K to renovate it from the last seller who trashed it. 

Temporary housing IS available, perhaps the buyers should rest there until the market rebounds! OR MAYBE, This might not be the house for you.

Has this ever happened to you?

One sunny afternoon I jumped in the car as a friend said she wanted to buy a home for her daughter. It would be a starter home and hopefully help to teach her daughter about responsibility and home ownership. Yeah! I was the lucky chosen one!

We conducted a search and eliminated all but 4, selected one to see [her choice] scheduled the appointment and wrote the offer. The house sat on one lot and there was a vacant lot in the rear. All total .25 acres. Being told there was another offer coming in, the buyer wanted to offer a couple thousand over asking to make sure she was the winning one. - Wow! They responded so quickly - I was amazed - but not so much when I found out the second really didn't write - it was a verbal offer that must of fizzled out, he said.

Well, now that we were the highest CASH bidder, and arranged for a 15 day close - we thought we'd speed it up. The offer was written on the 7th of June and instead of closing on the 21st, we thought we'd move it up to the 15th and be done with it. OH, did I mention there was a 2k earnest money check - the sale was part of a trust and they wanted solid offers only - no inspections were asked for.

One day after the accepted offer was returned to us, the agent calls to say there may be a 'bump' in the road. He said there was a daughter of the deceased, living adjacent to the vacant lot behind the home, who claims dad verbally told her she could have the lot and while she had nothing in writing - she might cause a stink but assured us if we close quickly, we should have no problems.

Initial title search was done and no clouds found on the title, no liens against the house made me feel a little more at ease - until we tried to file on the 15th. At this time, a co-trustee informs the title company an injunction was filed against our close, we'd close albeit delayed.

The 16th I received an e-mail from the Defendant's attorney, who I come to find out is also a 'co-trustee' in the trust who said my buyer would be calling me as some papers were sent to her from the courts,  about the injunction details.

On the evening of the 16th [how fast was this] my buyer called me to ask about some papers she was served with; a Summons to appear, 100 pages of the complaint [about the families business] and a restraining order - ?

The daughter of the deceased, now a complainant, is suing the trust for her promised property and[my buyer] is now named as a 'Defendant- [along with 15 others], now a little unnerved at the attempt to be used as a pawn, we initiate a Mutual Release, since we're not closing on the 15th [they can't even perform by the original closing date 21st] and the seller wants to change the verbiage to state that the release is one sided - the seller doesn't want to release but instead only the buyer, to prove to the courts that they could of sold the land but were prevented by the daughter of the deceased so they might keep my buyer on the hook for the future lawsuit.

CAN I ASK YOU THIS?

Should the disclosure have stated there was a boundary dispute? The lot wasn't listing but instead, stated in the mls - Is this considered a material defect, which should be listed as 'honorable mention' on the property disclosure?

I find it hard to believe that someone didn't know about the Hatfields and McCoys battle we were innocently pulled into and furthermore, the listing agents duty was to disclose something, anything, on the mls listing or in the disclosures.

My seller doesn't want to move forward with this purchase, even if they could close - and have her daughter live amongst the family that is eating it's young. Just a plain unhealthy environment.

Why didn't I see it coming? How could I have protected my client? How can we really protect our clients when agents don't disclose? LA didn't know about it,? I find this hard to believe. When we list a house we should be intimate with it and it's history.