While the stock market, housing prices, jobless rate, and falling GDP may point to a financial crisis, those are only symptoms of the real illness. Just as a doctor would never describe an overweight patient’s condition as, “a crisis of too many fat cells,” we must look to the cause of our problem if we ever expect to effect a cure.
The USA has gorged itself on debt, but even that’s not the problem. It’s yet another symptom of a society focused upon personal comfort and satisfaction, chasing an ever-changing vision of happiness, a narcissistic assumption that it was about us, and that “we should have it all,” and have it now.
In the past few decades we've shifted from a country of savers to one of spenders—binge spenders, drunken in our chase for the “good life.” Movies and television told us we could have it, and their ads spewed a never ending array of what we “needed.” With the latest gadgets our lives would become simpler, less stressful. With wondrous images they carted us off to faraway beaches with perfect sunsets and plastic people.
But the images were all a lie; the contrary was true. The accumulation of “stuff” created a need for more money, requiring that both spouses work, and work harder, longer. The constant demand for money kept us forever chasing a better position, more pay, to help us afford the stuff we had already bought. More money would take us to an even better lifestyle that always remained just out of reach.
We didn’t want the simple house of our parents; we wanted more bedrooms, more bathrooms, bigger kitchens, fireplaces, media centers, and three car garages. We weren’t satisfied with a basic car; we needed SUVs, maybe two, and a sports car for the kids. A vacation at the beach wasn’t enough, unless the beach was in Hawaii.
We wanted the best for our children and we bought computers, video games, cell phones, and other electronics, expensive clothes and cars; we wanted them to have it all, too, to have a better life, to have more than we’d had. And we succeeded—after a fashion. We spent more, went in debt more, and lived for the pleasure of the moment.
We had more and our kids had more; but the ever-increasing indebtedness, like a millstone, pulled us into an abysmal stupor and caused us to miss out of much of the enjoyment. We drugged our stress with alcohol, pills or the latest pop psychology that promised to restore us to “Nirvana,” and the children whose happiness and love we purchased, became strangers.
Of course this isn’t a universal indictment; but it’s more widespread than many are willing to admit. And it doesn’t apply to ME or to YOU. It’s those “other people” who have allowed their problems to morph into a crisis. But WE all have an obligation to help find the solution.
As our country and the world enter the crucial stages of a financial meltdown, many are reflecting upon lives spent chasing an elusive future utopia that could never be; and many are ready to get off the train. Some have begun to reconsider where they have focused their energy, their labor, and have begun to realize that life was never about the stuff. It’s about discovering our place and helping others; it’s about the choices we make and the lives we lead; it’s about releasing ourselves from fear and living and sharing the wondrous joys of this life; and it’s about today. We don’t have tomorrow. The good life we’ve been seeking isn’t in the future. We’ve had it all along.
TOP 5 Reasons I DO NOT answer MY PHONE! These are mine..... what are yours........ 5. Caller ID says it's your spouse's Mother on the other end of the line.
4. You're riding in the CAR with Someone besides YOURSELF - your kids, spouse, a friend. (OK I admit I do answer when in the car with kids, rarely with husband, rarely to never when it's a friend in the car with me.) 3. You're in a meeting! I was in a meeting the woman in front of me DID ANSWER HER PHONE. 2. You are with clients.
The NUMBER 1 REASON to NOT Answer your phone.....
1. You are in the BATHROOM --- yes someone actually DID answer their phone when I called, and YES they were in the bathroom - they told me!!!
Come on add to the list.... I know you've got examples..........
I take pride in helping home buyers and sellers navigate the Short Sale process while buying or selling a home. First time buyers, REO properties, Short Sale that is MY market.
As a local Realtor who took a 6 month SHORT SALE course 3 years ago - prior to there being a designation (perhaps gettingletters after your name is just a way for someone to capitalize on the market - I digress) - I could not agree more.
Short Sales in Tracy and Mountain House, California dominate our local market.
If you need help selling your house - there is hope, call a professional REALTOR, someone who has been doing short sales for some time.
If you're looking to buy a short sale just know that you need patience, and that the home of your dreams is within reach.
Susan Goulding Tracy, California
Sellling Short Sale properties in San Joaquin County for the past 3.5 years.
How to handle pre-foreclosure and short sale properties is still a mystery to many real estate agents. We certainly didn’t learn about short sales in real estate school, and when the foreclosure crisis reared its ugly head, many of us buried our own heads in the sand.
Short sales are not going away. Negative equity has overtaken the American real estate landscape. It certainly has in Orlando, Florida. What started as an isolated problem pinned on subprime mortgages has escalated into a full-scale war. And now, with the economy in turmoil and unemployment affecting more and more homeowners, the war has turned into a battle royale.
Sellers need you. And so do buyers. As a Realtor®, you may as well face the problem, roll up your sleeves, and go out there to lend a helping hand.
For those who can afford the time and money, check out these Short Sale designations that can be earned through formal in-class or online study.
For those who can’t afford the money but can afford the time, there’s always self-education. Right here on ActiveRain, many veterans of the Short Sale Wars are happy to impart their wisdom, methods, and madness. They’ve already been through the trial-by-fire route, and the experiences they relate are extremely informative. By using their advice wisely and well, you’ll be a step ahead of your peers!
In the end, only experience gained firsthand—by listing and selling short sales—can turn inexperienced agents into full-fledged experts.
When agents represent homebuyers, they should understand the pros and cons of purchasing Short Sales and advise accordingly.
When agents represent homeowners, they should treat the Short Sale property as they would any other house for sale. They shouldn’t skimp, shortchange, or sell short either the seller or the hoped-for buyer.
Marketing - Market a short sale the same way you would a regular listing. That means multiple photos, a virtual tour, direct mail, and everything else. Buyers still need a reason to see your listing as opposed to the one down the street. If this means literally showing dirty laundry, do it. The price will justify the condition of the house.
List Price - Run a comparative market analysis and list the house at current market value. It doesn’t matter if the house is a Short Sale. It’s still a property with value. If it’s in a bad way, reflect that in the list price. If it shines as a move-in ready house, reflect that as well. Whatever you do, don’t throw a dart or deliberately try to undercut every other house in the neighborhood, not unless the condition of the house warrants it. A low price may generate interest, showings, and offers, but it doesn’t necessarily get the mortgage lender to approve the Short Sale package.
MLS Listing Information - Don’t skimp on inputting full information. Include ALL details and description that you would normally include for a regular listing. Sellers deserve no less for the house they call their home. Likewise, buyers deserve no less for the house they want to make their home.
Apply an Aggressive Short Sale Strategy to the List Price - Once the house has been listed at a price reflecting current market value, don’t let the price hang out there in limbo forever. Homeowners facing foreclosure don’t have time to wait. If the house doesn’t immediately get showings, lower the price. If the house doesn’t get an offer, keep lowering the price. There’s no reason a Short Sale house can’t be sold in a reasonable amount of time, not unless the mortgage lender rejects the offer out of hand.
* * * * **
Proudly selling real estate in Oviedo, Winter Springs, East Orlando, City of Orlando & Winter Park
Neighborhoods in Oviedo -Aloma Woods, Bentley Woods, Little Creek, Kingsbridge, Riverside at Twin Rivers, Alafaya Woods, Live Oak Reserve and many other others
Neighborhoods in Winter Springs - Tuscawilla and many others
Neighborhoods in East Orlando -Avalon Park, Eastwood, Stoneybrook, Waterford, Cypress Springs, Lake Nona and many others
Neighborhoods in City of Orlando -Delaney Park, Thornton Park, College Park, Colonialtown, Audubon Park, Baldwin Park, Lake Nona and many others
Neighborhoods in Winter Park - Comstock Park, Lake Knowles Terrace, Sylvan Lake Shores, Charmont, Orwin Manor and many others
JUDY CHAPMAN
Florida Licensed Realtor® and Sales Associate
Certified Negotiation Specialist (CNS)
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate
521 E Mitchell Hammock Road
Oviedo, FL 32765
Specializing in Short Sale Solutions for Homeowners Facing Foreclosure
To put your home on the market, please feel free to reach me at (407) 227-7763. Questions about the Orlando real estate market always welcome.
What is that? Regret price is the price you would regret if you didn't pay..... this philosophy can be applied to EVERYTHING, however it works especially well with BUYERS!
You know Home Buyers.... who ask ... how little can I pay, I want the best deal..... is that really the issue? NOPE.
How many times have you heard that then the buyer doesn't get the home, they wait until it is sold and find out what was paid .... what is always said ..... "Oh drat I would have paid that!" That is the REGRET PRICE.
Now when the property is sold, and they don't get the home, when they find out what it sold for and they think, "WOW, I would never have paid that for that property." Again - the REGRET PRICE.
I'm getting my clients to start thinking about their "REGRET PRICE" for every house we see. In this market of Short Sales and REO, the asking price is RARELY the REGRET PRICE!
Every home is someone's Castle.
Buying or Selling in Tracy, CA or Mountain House, CA; consult an expert.
SCAM ALERT - BEWARE
- THIS CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE!!!
This happened right here in Tracy, CA........
I get a call from my 76 year old father....
"""Susan we've got a HUGE problem, Tyler (my oldest) just called and
he's in jail, got drunk, got in an accident and is Canada. He
needs $4,800 to get out as that is the damage to the car."""
Now, I can't express how panicked I was. First, Tyler is
supposed to be in Albuquerque, in the Air Force. I quickly
try to call him, Of course he doesn't answer his phone, (he's in jail);
so next I send an email to his Military on base email - it simply said
"Call me now". He does - immediately.
Bottom line - we was not in Canada, not in an accident, not in jail.
This was a scam to cause you to panic and send money immediatley.
The good news is my dad told the people who called - to CALL THIER
MOTHER -- that would be me. They DIDN'T.
It wasn't until later we figured out this was a total scam.
Yes the police have been called. So please be warned, this
was scary stuff, you don't stop to think when your kid is involved.
BTW - what they to my dad was ....."This is your oldest
grandson........" My dad said, "Tyler...." they responded -
"yeah this is Tyler"... and so on .....
(Disclaimer,
a colleague stopped by the office, her husband said "SO who's the
work-aholic?"
So what if it WAS Sunday morning at 10:00, I've never considered myself
a work-aholic, but am I?
Or Am I just trying to be available to my clients, day in and day out,
24/7?)
What
are your additions to the list......
10)
Your husband, what husband, oh yeah, I remember him......has to ask you
out on a date 3 weeks in advance.
9)
You hear your children say - Mom is always on the phone, she's always
busy. 8)
Your friends don't call anymore, they already KNOW you are can't go.
7)
When you are with your husband, family and friends, they ask if you
"CAN EVER put down that D*&* Phone".
6)
You have to buy a bigger purse to carry your notebook, pen, phone, MLS
key, etc. in.
5)
You don't even have time to SHOPPING.
4)
You give your kids money as birthday gifts, saying that is what they
perfer, it's really just easier.
3)
You miss church, kid's ball games, etd because your clients want to go
see homes.
2)
You send Twitters and Facebook updates at 2 in the morning.
the number 10 way to KNOW if you are a workaholic.....
1)
You are seriously considering putting a cot in the break room so you
can 'sleep over.'
hmmmmm.....
Where is the balance? Counter Balance? Being
available for your clients, yet not letting it ruin your life.
THOUGHTS?
IDEAS?
Susan Goulding Realtor, Tracy Real Estate, Free MLS Search, Homes for sale Tracy California, Bank Foreclosures, Mountain House Homes For Sale, Keller Williams Tracy Mountain House, Short Sale
Today when I was listening to an agent complain..... I have too many buyers, there is not enough inventory...
What happened to last year -- the complain was "I don't have enough buyers, and there is SO much inventory."
Is there a happy median? Are we ever satisfied?
We should be - does it really matter if there is too much or too little inventory? NOPE - it is what it is - the market is the market. So now it's up to you to make it what you want it to be.
Too many buyer, too few buyers - this you CAN control. Too many buyers, refer them to someone in your office, that is a far better alternative ( a referral fee) than to let them find someone else. Too few buyer -- get out there and find them. Blog on Active Rain, do whatever you do best to attract buyers, and do it to mastery.
Is it a Buyer's Market or a Seller's Market? This questions was recently asked me via a "Twitter"
My answer is YES! YES! YES!
This is especially true in my local area of Tracy, Mountain House and the Central Valley of California.
The buyer opportunities are amazing, interest rates are the lowest they have ever been in history. Prices are at an 15 year low. Why shouldn't buyers be buying?
As to Sellers, there are so many opportunities for buyers that many buyers are buying. This leads to fierce competition for well priced, maintained 'tier' one properties. Sellers are seeing multiple offers on properties, over asking price is common, and most properties are selling within the first 30 days on the market.
So the SIMPLE answer is YES!
If you're not in the "game" why not? What are you waiting for? If you are a seller looking to sell, Sell LOW, BUY LOW_- you'll make up the difference in what was and what is in no time.
br> As a local Realtor and community volunteer I always have a lot to say. This is the perfect place to say it. I hope this is a place you will return to day after day to read what I wrote and to comment. Have fun. Check out my web site at
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
The USA has gorged itself on debt, but even that’s not the problem. It’s yet another symptom of a society focused upon personal comfort and satisfaction, chasing an ever-changing vision of happiness, a narcissistic assumption that it was about us, and that “we should have it all,” and have it now.
As our country and the world enter the crucial stages of a financial meltdown, many are reflecting upon lives spent chasing an elusive future utopia that could never be; and many are ready to get off the train. Some have begun to reconsider where they have focused their energy, their labor, and have begun to realize that life was never about the stuff. It’s about discovering our place and helping others; it’s about the choices we make and the lives we lead; it’s about releasing ourselves from fear and living and sharing the wondrous joys of this life; and it’s about today. We don’t have tomorrow. The good life we’ve been seeking isn’t in the future. We’ve had it all along. 
;)
;)
