Today I am venting a little bit about how annoying it is when someone thinks that they are better then someone else.  It annoys me when someone walks around bragging about how good they are or about what they are doing today.  Oh and don't forget updating the social networks with your every move about how perfect you are......"I did!, I am!, I, I, I, I!!!!  Toot, toot are you looking at me!!!  Funny thing is that they are usually more talk then they are walk!!!

How about what is in it for our clients?  Isn't that what it is suppossed to be about anyway?  Sure I am a Real Estate Agent who wants to run a profitable business but what I do is always about my clients first and the income just seems to follow.  I am grateful when I have settlements or get new listing and I proud to announce that but I think there is a right way to do it and a wrong way.  I am competetive but I also like to help other agents so that they can be successful too.  Keep your values in tact.  Be there for your clients.  Be there for the other agents.  Be proud of what you do but don't be too big for yourself because you might find out that you really aren't that "BIG" if you are not careful.

Something Smells Funny!!  When buyers are viewing a home and they smell something funny they quickly become disinterested in the home.  

Buyers are immediately turned off by a musty smell because they are concerned about water penetration into the home and the possibility of mold growth.  If your home smells musty or if you have water entering your home have the problem corrected before you sell your home and before the damage gets worse.

Pets are great and I have pets too but pet smells can be STINKY especially cats.  If you have pets keep your litter boxes freshly changed before showings.  Keep your dogs bathed, vacuum your home frequently to get up the hair, and keep your pets bedding washed.  It is always best to have your pets out of the house during showings.  Hey, I know that isn't easy because I had to do it when I sold my own home.  Driving around for a few hours with three dogs in my car was not an easy task, especially with a little one that barked at anyone and everything while in the car.  Go to the trouble, it will be worth it in the end.

Do you love to cook?  Do you use lots great spices, onions etc?  Do you love to fry?  Well.....sounds yummy to me but the buyers don't find it appealing.  Try not to cook meals that smell strong prior to a showing.  Boiled eggs and fish are a BIG NO, NO!!  Isn't selling your home fun :)

 Before showings freshen up by vacuuming throughout.  Wipe down the bathrooms and the kitchen.  Get the pets out of the house by taking them for a ride, a walk or over to a neighbors house.  Turn on all the lights, light a small candle or even safer use an electric device that melts wax in a jar to provide a fresh clean smell, I think clean cotton is a great fresh scent that isn't too over powering.  The buyers will enjoy being in your home and hopefully you will get your home sold!!

ATTENTION FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS!  The $8000 tax credit will be ending soon!  Act now!  You will need to go under contract on your first home by approximately the middle of October 2009 and you would need to settle on that home purchase before December 1, 2009. 

Are you not sure if you qualify to purchase a home?  You may be surprised, call me at 443-506-0359 or email me at cynthiagrimes@remax.net and I will guide you through the process. 

Do you need more information about the $8000 tax credit?  Send me your email address and I will email you a FREE infomation book with all the details about the tax credit.

ATTENTION REALTORS!  Don't miss your last chance to connect with your database of clients and see if they or someone they know may be able to benefit from your services and from the $8000 tax credit.  I certainly hope that they will offer another incentive to keep improving the market and to continue making it easier for people to afford homeownership.