Well it looks like 2010 is proving to be an interesting year in real estate... I've been learning a lot and having many interesting experiences. 

First and possibly most important is that email is not always an effective means of communication, nor is the automatic feedback email system that many companies have in place to provide showing feedback.  Apparently another realtor had provided feedback through the system that their buyer was going to make an offer on a property and I never received it.  2 days later I received the offer by fax and email with no idea that it was coming and the seller had already accepted an offer.  Most important lesson is pick up the phone and call! 

Speaking of picking up the phone... I wrote and submitted an offer on a property for a buyer by email a few months ago.  I spoke to the listing agent by phone and let her know it was coming.  I called her immediately after I sent it to make sure she knew it had been sent and asked her to let me know if she didn't receive it.  3 days went by and we hadn't heard anything so I followed up by phone again.  She acted confused and said she never received it.  Really?  Did you forget that we spoke to each other about it?

There is not an enforceable "contract" until all parties in the transaction have signed and initialed the original written contract.  I learned this lesson earlier in my career when a seller withdrew their verbal acceptance of my buyer's offer before the buyer and I had a chance to meet to initial the changes we had negotiated verbally.  This rule also came into play a few weeks ago.  Another agent did not have the buyer sign and initial a contract for over 2 weeks... in the meantime we received another offer on the house which the seller accepted.

Just because you show someone a house, get them pre-approved, and submit an offer on their behalf does not mean that they will continue to cooperate and participate with you.  I had a buyer write an offer on a bank owned house and then disappear on me after the bank accepted the offer. 

There seems to be a "mad" rush to see a house immediately after the buyer drives by it.  I've had a few phone calls recently from people who would like to see this house in the next hour, or in the next couple of hours.  Having a baby and needing a sitter really puts a damper on being able to just rush out. 

Buyers become disappointed when they make an offer that is higher than the list price and then the house appraises for about 25,000 under the list price.  Even though the seller would agree to sell it at the lower price in their eyes it isn't a good deal anymore.  Really?  Who doesn't like a sale???

Short sale listings are increasing by the day.  Some banks are quick to respond to offers and some aren't. 

Mortgage lending is changing by the day.  You have a pre-approved buyer and take them out looking at 20 houses, they make an offer on a house and you call the lender only to find out that things have changed and the buyer is no longer approved. 

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Come preview this beautiful well maintained and updated Market Heights colonial on Sunday!

508 37th St. NW

Featuring a beautifully remodeled kitchen, remodeled bathroom, hardwood floors, wood burning fireplace, formal dining room and an enclosed sun porch. Plenty of room for entertaining & extra parking in the driveway.

3 bedrooms- the master bedroom is huge! - 20 x 13, 1 bathroom, garage

See additional info and photos at http://www.ChrissyMoock.com/3096423

For questions please contact Chrissy Moock Cutler Real Estate 330-936-2519

It's been quite a year for me, both personally and professionally.

First and most exciting- the birth of my first baby!  We named him Jason Charles.  He was born June 15, 2009 at 5:35 p.m.  I was in labor for 36 hours and ended up having a c-section after all that hard work!  He was just not coming out any other way.  Being a parent is amazing!  Here are some pictures of him at 5 months- he's just growing like a weed!

Professionally this has been a very tough year.  As if it's not hard enough being pregnant, working, taking care of my sick doggy (and saying goodbye to her), having a baby etc, I certainly got no break on my real estate sales this year.  I will just summarize it by saying that taking a leave of absence can be detrimental to your business.  I have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as an easy sale- whatever can go wrong will go wrong, we just have to work together to solve it.  I'm looking forward to 2010, how about you? 

P.S. anyone who wants to know- Jason has already started working with me!  He's been to several house showings, a closing, an office meeting, a client meeting etc.  He's going to be a great real estate salesman!

Hello activerain and others who may follow my blogs!  In case you haven't noticed, I've been away for a loooong time.  I've gone through some happy and not so happy times in the past 4 months.

The worst thing that has happened to me is the loss of my dog Annabelle.  You may have read my previous blogs from when she first became ill.  I stopped writing because it was becoming a burden- between taking her to the vet several times a day, working, trying to get ready for the baby, morning sickness in the last trimester, and the remodeling we had going on at home.

After 2 weeks of treating all of Annabelle's symptoms we had to say goodbye.  Everyday a new symptom developed that required a new medication, sadly we just couldn't let her suffer any longer.  My poor doggy.... she was just laying there everyday looking at me with those sad eyes and was moaning and groaning all day long.  The steriods made her rapidly gain weight, but everything inside her was moving around so when you pet her back all you felt was bones.  When she rolled over her belly was protruding.  She had big bruises on her legs and chests from all the bloodwork being done and her blood had stopped clotting.  Part of me was hoping she might pass at home so we wouldn't have to make the decision.  I will never forget that day, May 2nd... at least we let her go with a full belly, she had steak for dinner and breakfast and we fed her full of one of her favorites- popcorn. 

In loving memory of Annabelle.

I've been under a lot of stress lately worrying about Annabelle and her health.  Today I thought I'd take a minute and view some of my favorite beach cams.  Let's face it- I really could use a vacation right now being almost 32 weeks pregnant and trying to decide about Annabelle.  Feel free to add your own favorite links.

Crown Reef Myrtle Beach SC

Grand Shores Myrtle Beach SC

Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas

Tradewinds Resort St. Pete Beach Fl.

I wish I could teleport myself to one of these places right now.  I think I'd like an oceanfront beach chair and a non-alcoholic pina colada.

You can read part 1 of this saga here. 

Annabelle stayed at the hospital overnight Sunday where they administered fluids, steroids, and an immune suppressant medicine to keep her immune system from destroying the red blood cells.  Monday morning I picked her up and transported her to her regular vet.  Overnight her red blood cell count had slightly improved, going from 20 to 23.  They kept her there all day and I picked her up around 5:00. She was still lethargic and didn't have much of an appetite.  I guess it will take a while for her to get her strength and appetite back.

Tuesday morning (April 21, 2009) I took her back to the vet so they could recheck her red blood cell count and administer some more fluids.  When I picked her up they said her blood cell count was great, it was 33!  She even ate a small breakfast and a snack of chicken breast and some canned prescription food for upset stomachs.  However yesterday afternoon and dinnertime was a different story.  She would only eat a few bites of food, plus she did not move her bowels all day long.  I called the vet back to see if this was a problem.  Dr. Bridges was concerned that her appetite seemed to decrease and asked if I could bring her back in Wed. morning to have her blood count checked again.

Today is Wed.  Annabelle actually got up with me this morning and followed me around a little bit!  I could not believe my eyes!  She wasn't all that interested in her breakfast and would only eat the chicken breast and not the canned food.  Right now she's at the vet where they are checking her blood count again.  Dr. Bridges thinks that as long as her red blood cell count is the same or higher then Annabelle should recover from this episode.  However, if this anemic disease was caused by Annabelle's cushings disease (which most likely it was), then it will probably re-occur.  She said some dogs will be good for a couple months, some may even been good for a year.  Only time will tell I guess.

***  Edited to add that Annabelle just got home from the vet (Wednesday).  Her red blood cell count went down a little bit- to 28 or 29.  Her white blood cell count is still elevated.  They sent her home with 3 more medicines, 2 to help calm her belly and 1 antibiotic.  This sucks.