Beware of foreclosure predators.  Those who are trying to take advantage of the fear that's still prevalent surrounding foreclosures.  People who prey on others' fears and perhaps lack of information regarding their house payments.

I received a letter in the mail today that begins, "Records indicate that you are currently in default on your mortgage.  Your lender may be in the process of foreclosure proceedings."  It's a very official looking letter.  They have my address, they refer to the government stimulus act, they make it look similar to an IRS form.  They provide sample payments that their plan can get me and give me a 1-800 number to call or a website to visit. 

It's easy for me to see how an elderly person or widow or anyone who may not be completely up to date with their finances could be fooled by this letter and sent into a panic.  This kind of thing drives me nuts.  Far too often in my business now I'm encountering folks who are fearful about the housing market, and folks like this choose to prey on that fear rather than do something worthwhile with their lives. 

Please, if you get a notice like this, call a local Realtor or mortgage professional first.  Don't become a victim of these jerks.  Fear isn't a good decision maker.

The Gig Harbor High School Tides and Peninsula High School Seahawk cross country teams had incredible showings yesterday at the District Championships!  Both the Gig Harbor boys and girls won the championships, as did the Seahawk boys.  The PHS girls were 3rd of 16 teams to qualify for the state meet! 

Check out the results from yesterdays District Cross Country Championships.

My 4th annual Gig Harbor calendar is just about ready to be shipped, which means it's ready for order!  This calendar has 12 of the most gorgeous photographs taken in Gig Harbor over the past year from a variety of photographers, and is a full size 11"x17" calendar for only $15. 

If you live in the Gig Harbor area, you can either pick it up at my Keller Williams Realty office or I'd be happy to deliver it to you.  If you live out of the Gig Harbor area, I'll be happy to mail it to you for the cost of shipping. 

This isn't a money maker for me, just a way to share my love of Gig Harbor and my love of photography!  If you would like to order a calendar (or several), just email me with how many you'd like, and if you'll need them shipped, delivered, or if you'd like to pick them up. 

I'll be able to take cash or check, and maybe be set up with Pay Pal! 

To order your 2010 Gig Harbor calendars, email GigHarborInfo@gmail.com

Pictures from 2009 calendar

It's been a couple of months since I last visited Active Rain, and several more months since I've been "Active" on AR.  A few things played into my absense, all good. 

1) Business picked back up.  I got to be #1 in my community during 2008, when I spent the majority of the year hiding behind my computer and not really selling homes.  2009 saw a new focus on my actual business and my time on AR lagged.

2) My other blog is where my business comes from. AR doesn't carry the same weight with Google nor is it as enjoyable for me as my "Undressed" blog.  However, AR is a better venue for agent to agent blogs, so my plan is to come back with a new focus on a different audience.

3) I became a bit frustrated with the content on AR.  As the network grew, so did the belly aching.  Rather than focus on the positive and keeping myself surrounded by those whom I felt were contributing, I let myself get sucked in by the negative.  I've corrected myself, stopped pointing the finger outward, and taken responsibility back for my own actions.  Thus, I'll just focus on the blogs that I want to focus on here on AR and not worry myself about the others!

So for those who care (crickets chirping) I'm back.  I look forward to re-connecting with some of my old AR friends! 

I do hope that you'll also follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, and my primary blog.  You'll get to know me better in those places!

Do you know of someone looking for a great home for sale in a gated community in Gig Harbor?  This may be the best home available! 3bd, 3ba, spotless home on a nearly 1/2 acre corner lot in the gated community of Saratoga.  This home is perfect for someone needing to work in Tacoma or Seattle, but wanting to live in Gig Harbor. 

For full details on this great new listing, take a look at the property description. 

None of those are what we strive for.  Nobody that I know of is really hoping that they can do a job 50% of the way.  So why do real estate agents so often only get half of the game?  Systems without tools don't do you much good.  Tools without systems often do more damage than good.  You don't want 1/2.  

The NWMLS has recently posted Gary Keller's new best selling book "SHIFT" on the log in page of their website.  I think it's great that the NWMLS is trying to sell the book, and I think it's wonderful that so many real estate agents across the nation are reading the book, but it makes me wonder if they're getting the full package.

I can buy the newest "Improve your swing" video by Tiger Woods or go to Ken Griffey's baseball camp and learn all of the best systems for how to hit a golf ball or a baseball, but without the athletic tools that those guys have, their systems aren't going to do me much good.  Sure, I'll improve some, but overall I'll still have a ceiling of achievement.  Likewise, I can go to Home Depot and buy all of the newest and greatest tools, but without the systems for how to build something, the tools won't do me much good. 

I'm wondering if "SHIFT" without the tools and systems offered by Keller Williams Realty is similar to those situations.  For example, if an agent reads the book and takes to heart tactic 6, Catch People In Your Web, but doesn't have the right tools in place (ie. Keller Williams' free agent web sites, KW's free agent blogs, Twitter and Facebook training, etc), is that system going to be effective?  Or if "Get To The Table-Lead Conversion" is a system that strikes a chord, but the agent has never seen KW's online class "Your Business is Your Database" or they don't have the KW version of Top Producer or Wise Agent, will they have the tools necessary to truly do the follow up necessary?  What if you get the concept of lead generation, but your company doesn't have Power Hour, an intentional company-wide effort to lead generate?  I know that there are ways for agents from any company to buy lead follow up programs, and I know there is training available for agents from any company, but those things cost money, and they're not tailored to Gary Keller's SHIFT philosophy.

I think it's great that a local company here is hosting "SHIFT" book clubs.  Being an agent with a different company and really studying "SHIFT" is far more valuable than being a KW agent who doesn't take advantage of all of the free systems and tools that we offer.  But what if you could have both?  What if you could have the desire to study Keller's tactics AND you had the tools and systems that he offers his agents for free?  I know the excuses.  I've heard many of them.  "I'm happy where I am."  "I don't need coaching."  "I know more than any coach."   Those are all valid, but inadequate.  We're not looking for agents who are unhappy with their situation, we're looking for agents who know there is more.  Everybody can use coaching; all of the greatest musicians, singers, and athletes are continually in coaching.  You may indeed know more than anyone else.  That's not the point of coaching.  Tiger Woods certainly knows more about golfing than his coach.  Michael Jordan was a better player than Phil Jackson ever was.  Their coaches are folks who guide, direct, and keep them on pace.  Coaching isn't necessarily about being given new knowledge, it's about taking the knowledge you already have and putting it into best practice.  Kinda like "SHIFT." 

If you think that there may be more out there for you, or you're simply curious as to the extent of free tools, systems, and training offered by Keller Williams, drop me a line.  I'd love to chat about it!  

When I was a 6th grade teacher, several of my students' parents mentioned that they wanted their house to be the "hang out" house.  It made them feel good to know that their kids were safe and close by, but also able to be hanging out with friends.  I think I just listed for sale the best "hang out" house in Gig Harbor.  Technically, it's not Gig Harbor but actually on Fox Island.  If you are looking for a great house for entertaining, take a look at this one!

918 Lummi Drive sits at about the mid-way point on Fox Island, not too remote but still plenty peaceful and private.  The house has 1.15 completely usable acres; the type of yard that just begs soccer games, football, t-ball, you name it.  The nearly 4000sf home is wrapped with a huge deck that extends around 3/4 of the home's exterior.  Think BBQ's, and sitting in the hot tub watching the sun set over the Puget Sound.  There's even an outdoor firepit with a view of the water.  Are you getting the picture?  You and all your friends hanging out on Fox Island having a great time (some may even be playing basketball on your sport court).  Like I said, this is the ultimate hang out house.

Inside there is a fully finished basement that is the very definition of "play room."  Keep that area as messy and full of toys as you'd like, it's out of the way so you don't have to worry about impressing the company with its cleanliness.  Upstairs you have another loft style bonus room...I'm thinking video game heaven!  There's a formal sitting room, huge living room, dining room that has french doors leading out to a breakfast deck, beautiful kitchen with an island counter and eating nook with easy access out to the view deck.  The house has 2 master suites, one on the main level and one upstairs.  Both have Puget Sound views, walk in closets, and attached full baths.  Finally, there are 2 more upstairs bedrooms, one with a view and a loft, both very generous sized.

One of the best features of this home?  It was built green before building green was a fad.  Despite the 4000sf, you'll be amazed at how energy efficient this home is.  A wood burning stove, strategically placed ceiling fans, and a heat pump all help keep the utility bills in check.  Real cedar siding, double paned windows, and a new roof complete the "green" features of the home. 

All of this with the charm of Island living, and the highly sought after schools of Voyager Elementary, Kopachuck Middle, and Gig Harbor High.  Get your mind wrapped around all that's here.  Over an acre, nearly 4000sf, 2 masters, 2 bonus rooms, sport court, hot tub, Olympic Mountain and Puget Sound views, great schools, energy efficient.  Homes with features like this one in Gig Harbor are asking upwards of $800k.  This home?  $595,000!  Yep, all of this for $595k! 

If you're in the market for a home in Gig Harbor, or have been wondering what it'd be like to live on Fox Island, you should really take a look at this home.  The current owners built the home themselves in 1989, so it offers a unique floorplan that's a huge relief from the cookie cutter homes that are so prevalent today.  Give me a call to schedule a private showing of this Fox Island, WA, gem!

Click photo to view slideshow

Selling a house can be difficult, but not selling your home is easy.  Let me share my experience from yesterday.  (It's a tad long, but worth the read!) The median home price in Gig Harbor is about $365k, so when I saw a 2750sf newer home in a great neighborhood come on the market for $280k, I called some of my buyers right away.  Sure enough, one of my clients wanted to see the home immediately.  Here's where the story begins...

I looked at the showing information and saw "Appt. only, no MLS keybox."  Fair enough, I called the phone number that was listed and got a basic, "Hello?" 

"Good morning, this is Matt Thomson from Keller Williams Realty, is this Mr. Popenko?" (fake name)

"Who?"

"Mr. Popenko?"

"No one here by that name."

So I applogized for dialing the wrong number, hung up and tried the phone to show number again, taking great care to dial it correctly.  It was the same guy, "Hello?"

"Uh, sorry to bother you again, this is Matt Thomson with Keller Williams Realty.  I'm trying to set an appointment to show the Popenko's home on 71st and this is the number I was given to call."

"Yeah, this is Randy, I'm the listing agent."  (Uh, information that would have been helpful the first time I called).

I tried to set an appointment for the following day at 2pm, and was told that "The sellers agreed not to go anywhere from 1pm-9pm, so just show up any time in that slot."  Really? No appointment, just show up?  Yep.  Oh boy.

So the next day (yesterday) I show up at the house just before 2pm.  My clients were going to meet me at the house after mom picked up the kids (aged 7 and 4) and dad was leaving work early.  About 2:04 my client calls just to make sure we're still on.  Sure enough, I tell him, I'm already at the house. 

"We're at the house, where are you?"  Oh boy.  Turns out my buyers were just around the corner, sitting in front of a very similar looking home...the one that actually had a "For Sale" sign in front.  They should have checked the address more carefully, I should have informed them the house we wanted to see wouldn't have a "For Sale" sign up.  No harm done.

Then it got really ineresting.  I went up and rang the doorbell, and an elderly lady answered while speaking on the phone in a language I didn't recognize.  She waved us in and retreated to the kitchen.  As we entered, we were impressed with how clean and well kept the home was.  Whatever was cooking in the kitchen made the whole house smell great, too.  Then things went downhill quickly.  We walked around the corner into the kitchen/great room.  Old lady #1 was still on the phone, old lady #2 was at the stove cooking something that smelled great but looked awful, and it was splattering grease everywhere, old lady #3 was at the table eating a plate of what old lady #2 was cooking, and old lady #4 was on the couch watching what appeared to be '70's porn on a big screen TV.

Fortunately the 4 year old boy was too taken by the different language he was hearing, so he never took his eyes off of the lady on the phone.  Not so fortunately the 7 year old girl's attention was grabbed by the strange noises she heard on the TV and she was the first to see what was on.  Dad quickly snatched her up and dashed out of the room, while mom cleverly covered the 4-year old's eyes and was right on dad's heels.  Sister had seen enough to be curious, and asked all sorts of questions that made the 4-year old wonder what he had missed.  We decided to continue upstairs, 'cause this house was a screaming deal after all.  Just my luck, every single door upstairs was closed.  As the professional, it fell on me to check each room for kid safety prior to entering.  Luckily, there was nothing too exciting. 

We wanted to see the back yard, so it again fell on me to walk back through the room of elderly ladies (still watching porn), into the back yard, and around to open the gate for my clients who snuck out the front and walked around.  I got to walk back through again to close up, and none of the ladies had moved much, and the porn on TV was still going. 

Back out front, although a little shaken, my buyers thought they may still be interested in pursuing this house.  After all, it was more than $120k less than the other 2 for sale in the neighborhood.  So I called Randy and asked him when I could present an offer to him.  "I don't want any offers, fax it to the number in the agent only remarks." 

"I saw that number, but I prefer to present my offers in person.  Is there a time I can meet you?"

"I don't want to see any offers.  That fax # is for the attorney who's handling this.  Fax it to him."

"Oh, okay.  Do you know if any other offers are coming in?"

"I don't know anything."  (I was coming to that conclusion all on my own).  "All I know is the lawyer is collecting the offers til he has enough and then he'll present them to the bank."

That didn't sound right to me, so I said, "I thought you were legally obligated to present all offers directly to the seller in a timely manner.  Why would this attorney gather offers then present them directly to the bank if it's not bank owned?"

"I don't know.  I'm just doing what the lawyer told me to do." 

Splendid.  So I passed this info on to my buyers, but during the course of my conversation with Randy they had decided they didn't like the whole vibe of this house.  They'd rather look at the one around the corner where they originally parked, despite it being $120k more expensive.  So look we did, and assuming we can get the price down a little bit, we should have them in a new home in just over a month!

So you see, selling a home can be tough (remember, we never even planned to look at the home on which we made the offer, it was out of their target price range), but not selling your home is easy.  Simply don't put up a "For Sale" sign, don't allow for appointments, hire an agent who "doesn't know anything," make sure any offers aren't presented, and if you're really not wanting to sell, just toss some porn on the big screen for when the kiddos come by.  It's just not that tough!

Welcome to installment 2 in my "What I've learned" series.  I was mowing my lawn a few days ago, and I learned an interesting lesson about my real estate business.  Gig Harbor, like most of Western Washington, is a pretty rainy place to live.  We get a steady amount of rainfall from October through May most years.  We average about 39″ of rainfall per year, which seems to me to be plenty of water for a lawn to thrive.  As spring descended, my lawn looked great.  Thick and green and healthy.

Then we had 2 weeks of sunny, dry weather, and the lawn died.  I mean dead, brown, dry, crackly grass.  It made me wonder how a lawn that gets so much water all year could completely die after only 2 weeks of dry weather.  Couldn't it store some water?  Couldn't it fade a bit, but still maintain some green?  Then I got to thinking about my real estate business.

Generally, when real estate agents first get a "lead," we take great care of that person.  We shower them with new listings, follow up calls, check in emails, etc.  But after a few months of constant contact, many agents give up on that lead.  "I'll let them call me when they're ready."  "These guys will never find a home they like."  Or, the agent simply doesn't have a good follow up plan and they let their potential client simply fall through the cracks.  Whatever the case, after months of "watering" that lead, keeping the potential business well fed and healthy, many agents then allow the client to dry up after only a few weeks of ignoring them.

There's few feelings in real estate worse than seeing a home come up on the MLS with a different agent when you thought you'd get the listing, only to find out that despite your months of efforts the other agent happened to call just as the sellers were ready.  Or when you see a new house come on the market, and you think "This would be perfect for the Smiths.  I haven't talked to them in a month.  I'll give them a call!" Only to find out that they just bought a place 3 weeks ago at an open house they visited.

Many agents will place the blame on the customer, expressing disbelief that the client would have a real estate transaction without them.  That'd be like me blaming my lawn for dying, exasperated that it had the nerve to die without water after I'd let mother nature water it for 8 months straight.  In my business, I make it a point to have frequent follow up.  When you first contact me about a real estate need or question, you may be months, or even a year or more, away from being ready to make a decision.  That's okay!  I don't expect all of my "leads" to be ready to buy or sell a home immediately.  If you are curious about the Gig Harbor real estate market, wonder what your home is worth, are curious what a home in the neighborhood is selling for, feel free to give me a call.  I don't mind answering those questions, and I'll keep in contact from time to time to keep you up to date about how the market is moving. 

Photo courtesy of andrewds14 and Flickr.

Many of you know that my baby girl was born 6 weeks early, at just over 4lbs.  Within days, she had dropped to 3lbs, 11oz.  After 15 LONG days in the Tacoma General Hospital NICU, we got to take our little girl home.  Today, at 18 months old, she's as healthy as can be!  Yet there's still some healing that my wife and I have to go through.  I don't think I can explain the feeling of walking out of the hospital to head home for the night while your child lays alone in a small bubble, tubes and feeds and lines sticking and poking all over.  That joy of holding your newborn on your chest?  My wife didn't get to experience that, as our daughter was rushed from the delivery room to the NICU. 

Friends still ask me when I'm going to get a baby sitter and leave my baby for a while.  Although I know they're right, the reality is I had a baby sitter and left my baby for over 150 hours those first 2 weeks of her life.  At a time when I feel the child is longing for her parents' touch the most, all I could do was stare at her through the lid of her isolette, wanting to hold her but knowing I couldn't.  Like I said, I don't think I can explain the emotions, the sense of helplessness, the feeling of being a failure as a dad, the worry and fear that a phone call will come in saying "She's gotten worse."  I can't, and don't need to, explain those feelings, because they are in the past and my little girl is fine.

Many parents aren't as fortunate.  Premature births are a real problem, and ensuring that all babies are born healthy has become a cause that matters deeply to me now.  Therefore I'm a strong supporter of March of Dimes.  I'd love for you to join me in my efforts to give all babies a great start at life.  On April 25, at 8:30AM, we'll be participating in the 6 mile "March for Babies" beginning at Wilson High School in Tacoma.  My family and I would love to have you join us. 

I understand that giving financially can be a challenge in today's economy, and I understand that this may not be the #1 cause that's in your heart.  For those who are able to and desire to help financially, we'd be extremely grateful.  Please visit our fundraising site to learn how.  If you can't give at this time, but would like to show your support for this cause, please consider walking with us on April 25th.  You can register on our site as well. 

If you've got stories of premature birth you'd like to share, please feel free to comment on this post.