To all the Pre-mid 1990's Agents.....  

I just read a great post by Kate Elam (http://activerain.com/blogsview/1610175/you-don-t-have-to-like-people-or-enjoy-showing-houses-to-be-successful-really-) Which had been fueled by a post she didn't much agree with. Her post has fueled this one...Oh how I love AR!  

I am curious how many of us out here are like me....someone...ANYONE?  

Remember when....  

You got calls from local sellers, because they knew you were the local real estate 'go-to' expert? They didn't find you online, they knew you and your reputation in the neighborhood.       

Buyers would walk-in the office, or call off the sign to inquire about the home at 123 Main st. This was the ONLY way to find out ANY  information on the home.  

Marketing consisted of your own client list (not a data base-these people you actually had met,or at least spoke to b/4), open houses, a local print ad, and /or a mailing--by USPS. Prospecting was some cold calling, and mostly door knocking!  

When you started working with new buyers, the only way for them to know which homes were for sale (other than driving up and down the streets) were to come in to the office and pick up the weekly published MLS books to look thru, or the list you left for them at the front desk.   

Presenting an offer was gathering at the sellers kitchen table after dinner hour, 7-8pm at night, with the agent that was working with the buyers telling the sellers who they 'really are' making them 'real families' and sometimes not leaving until midnight or after (and sometimes fighting over a 15 year old harvest gold fridge, that became a sticking point even though the sellers really didn't want it anyway)!      

After putting a deal together, delivering by hand, the contract to the attorney's office. In my area, fax machines were not used commonly used until ~ 1990 or after.  

Don't get me wrong....those days have come and gone, I am not a dinosaur (that's the term we used to lovingly refer to the older agents as), I have changed with the times which was necessary to stay AHEAD and ON TOP of the real estate market, it's just nice to reflect back to simpler times once in a while.

Real estate was a 'people business' ....period. You needed people/social skills to be successful. You actually got to know and develop relationships with your clients---and you wanted to (hopefully this is one thing that hasn't changed)! I miss many of these 'hands on tasks'--some I don't, but I can tell you 1 thing for sure...I am so very grateful for experiencing and 'learning the ropes' in real estate at that time. Some things have changed, some things haven't, but MOST IMPORTANTLY Real Estate was and WILL ALWAYS BE (at least to me) a people business.  

Heidi Engel
BROKER/Realtor
RE/MAX Suburban
www.HeidiEngel.com
ofc 847-385-3327
cell 847-910-2001
fax 847-749-3708
Listing + Selling NW Suburban IL Homes for over 20 Years!



Please spay and neuter your pets -- 1000's of unwanted homeless animals are put to sleep every day--don't breed or buy--save a life!!!! find them here: http://www.petfinder.com
Learn why here (Caution Graphic): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYBz2gjlEfA
FEED AN ANIMAL EVERYDAY FOR FREE BY CLICKING HERE: www.theanimalrescuesite.com

 I just read a great post Is BofA Servicing Your FNMA Short Sale? If So, You Need To Read This....   by Bob Hertzog which has fueled this post and is an example of another horror story with BOFA.  

I have a BOFA short listed at the moment that is another type of horror story. My seller (brand new mom) was concerned on waiting to the very last moment to have to move out, due to her newborn addition to the family, she started to remove some of her furniture and belongings (unannounced to me). Keep in mind she is still paying gas, electricity, association fees(its a townhome) etc. and sometimes staying there, and sometimes not. I went to show the property, as I was walking towards the door, I noticed my lockbox looked different--the potential buyer is behind me--We are both trudging thru newly fallen knee-high snow and freezing temps---I am thinking am I crazy??--I am sure I used a SENTRI box on this property---I didn't even notice the good ole 'sticker posted on the window'. My sign is still up in the bedroom window, all the curtains are open, lights are on inside---a lot of the big furniture is gone, but very evident to the naked eye there is personal property in the unit.  

I start calling her immediately to find out what the heck is going on? She is not EVEN CLOSE to the foreclosure date, so I am baffled. When I list short sales, one of the 1st things I mention is to NOT MOVE OUT, the bank will come in, take possession, and claim abandonment. There is still evidence of 'life' in this unit. We all know, or should know, when doing an occupancy check for the bank, we call utilities, water billing, HOA's etc. besides doing a visual inspection---so what has happened here? When I reach her, she has no idea what I am talking about---her curtains were closed, lights off, and she does have personal belongings in the house--she has been going back and forth, everything was fine a few days ago. The new baby was sick and in the hospital and she has been spending a lot of time there, and still working full time. I proceeded to call the number on the posted sticker on the window which is the basic number for BOFA---I get no where,.........and NOT fast!  

She started calling BOFA and again like myself, got no where. Due to the circumstances, it takes her about a week to get to the property to see if she can get in. I told her to try her keys, the garage door opener, windows etc---As she is at her home, trying to get into her property, the police come by and ask what is going on. She explains what is happening, that she has not been foreclosed upon, and she cannot gain access to her property. They told her if she accesses the property they WILL arrest her (the sticker in the window states no trespassing). The next sentence is NOT the case but imagine that she just came home from the hospital with the new baby, and cannot get into her home---what then??? I am disgusted---I cannot imagine whoever did the occupancy check, didn't cover all the bases. I WILL find out and work on bringing charges with the real estate board---they could NOT see in the windows--they obviously did not call utilities, or the HOA, and had the rightful owner locked out of their own property.  

As it stands, I cannot get in to show the property, she cannot get in to get her personal belongings, and the foreclosure inches closer and closer each day. We have both tried to get an attorney to take this on, but are still unsuccessful. The agent that did the occupancy check, will have forced this property into foreclosure---they were the beginning cause---you cannot sell something you cannot get into. But most of all, the reason for this post, make sure to tell your sellers, STAY PUT.......OR ELSE.

Heidi Engel
BROKER/Realtor
ADPR, FSSR, SRES (Accredited Foreclosure,
REO, + Short Sale Representative,
Senior Specialist)
RE/MAX Suburban
www.HeidiEngel.com
ofc 847-385-3327
cell 847-910-2001
fax 847-749-3708
Listing + Selling NW Suburban Homes for over 20 Years!

As Featured on Mt Prospect and Des Plaines Village Websites:
www.elocallink.tv/vp6/spon-fcsa_a.php?sponid=10865&activate=1

Please spay and neuter your pets -- 1000's of unwanted homeless animals are put to sleep every day--don't breed or buy--save a life!!!! find them here: http://www.petfinder.com
Learn why here (Caution Graphic): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYBz2gjlEfA
FEED AN ANIMAL EVERYDAY FOR FREE BY CLICKING HERE: www.theanimalrescuesite.com

I have been seeing a lot of articles regarding price reductions lately, but 1 I read recently stood out....it wasn't geared towards the listing agents but rather, the sellers. What a great thought! I am going to include something like this in my pre-listing packets (I will work on that in a future blog). We all know how very difficult it is to bring up the conversation of reduction's when dealing with our sellers---especially when we priced the home, we priced it to sell, and we missed that 'magic number'! When sitting with sellers discussing pricing, potential reductions, and market reaction, I verbally go thru how we 'read' the market after the home is listed. Actually, this post started out on what I was going to include in writing, regarding a price reduction seller questionnaire in my listing presentation, but I will post that in the future--this seemed more important at the moment......or I just went off on another tangent. In my experience--in this declining market, we know where we are sitting in the 1st 3 weeks of market time----buyers, buyers brokers, and activity, DO NOT LIE---but rather, tell a very important story. I then discuss in more detail what could happen, what should happen, and that I do not have a crystal ball---but... more often than not, I can usually predict the outcome (keep in mind, this is only the case when the sellers have listened to pricing strategy and getting their home market ready). When the listing is fresh and new, we should get the most activity w/in the 1st week or 2 ---if there is a lack of showings, or no showings(OMG), the entire market has just rejected us. They could have gold walls, and platinum floors and it DOES NOT MATTER---we have priced ourselves right out of the market---buyers and buyers brokers do not even want to bother coming in to view. On the other hand, if we get a good amount of activity and/or an above average amount of showings, with no 2nd showings, or offers, they are basically rejecting the home personally---the MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION is why? The answer is Value in Comparison to Price---PERIOD. The specifics, unless it is something we can change, really do not matter. Is it location(busy intersection, airplane noise, commercial nearby etc), we cannot change that-ONLY PRICE. Is it condition(outdated kit and baths, home is dirty, basement floods etc), some of that we can change, but, are the sellers willing to change it, if not, PRICE AGAIN. Once we can pinpoint the 'Value to Pricing' magic number, the home will sell--its pretty simple. The only thing we need to remember is......and keep in the forefront of ours, and our sellers mind's, in a declining market with loads of competition and months of inventory, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE--do not wait to make these imperatively important price changes---it will cost them much more in the end.

Heidi Engel
BROKER/Realtor
ADPR, FSSR, SRES RE/MAX Suburban
www.HeidiEngel.com
ofc 847-385-3327
cell 847-910-2001
fax 847-749-3708
Listing + Selling NW Suburban Homes for over 20 Years!

As Featured on Mt Prospect and Des Plaines Village Websites:
www.elocallink.tv/vp6/spon-fcsa_a.php?sponid=10865&activate=1

GREAT PRICE--NO KIDDING--Not a Short Sale or Foreclosure-HUGE Aldridge Built (all brick around 1st level) 2story w/over 2800 finshd sf of living area! 4-5 Bedrms-3.1 baths!!! GREAT sized front porch, New complete eat-in maple kit w/granite counters, stainless micro, stove + dishwasher + BIG FORMAL Dining rm, massive bright Living rm, new tear off roof w/architectural shingles, Hrdwd flrs t/o most of the home, 4 GIANT sized bedrms w/huge closets in all, 1st flr family rm off the kitchen, finshed RecRm w/WB Frplce, 5th br or office & luxury bth w/whrlpl (in-law?), Quiet large fncd yard (almost 1/4acre) w/shed, Excellent Condition with an even a BETTER PRICE-We CAN MOVE QUICK so you can still take advantage of the TAX CREDIT---HURRY, HURRY, HURRY---We are the best priced/sf around!!

 
Heidi Engel REMAX Suburban 847-910-2001        LISTING + SELLING Mount Prospect for over 20 YEARS!!
More Info and Pictures at http://www.HeidiEngel.com
As Featured on Mt Prospect Village Website:
http://www.elocallink.tv/vp6/spon-fcsa_a.php?sponid=10865&activate=1

Excellent post--straight forward and to the point!

I just read an article in Money Magazine, they have listed the top ten 10 cities in the USA where they are predicting that home prices will rise in the next year---that's the good news......They have also listed the 10 cities that they believe will show the steepest declines.

Prediction UPWARD:                                                               

· Santa Rosa, Calif., 6.0 percent                            

· Cheyenne, Wyo., 4.7 percent

· Kennewick, Wash., 4.6 percent

· Merced, Calif., 4.4 percent

· Bremerton, Wash., 4.2 percent

· Fairbanks, Alaska, 4.2 percent

· Corvallis, Ore., 4.1 percent

· Tacoma, Wash., 3.9 percent

· Anchorage, Alaska, 3.8 percent

· Bend, Ore., 3.3 percent

 Prediction DOWNWARD:  

· Miami, -22.5 percent

· Fort Lauderdale, Fla., -21.3 percent

· West Palm Beach, Fla., -18.5 percent

· Phoenix, -18.5 percent

· Las Vegas, -15.4 percent

· Tampa, -13.8 percent

· Pensacola, Fla., -13.6 percent

· Gainesville, Fla., -13.4 percent

· Suffolk, N.Y., -13.4 percent

· New York City, -12.9 percent

Any upswing is great news, unfortunately my area is not on the upward list,.......but I am thanking my lucky stars, we are not listed on the declining list either!

Neighborhood specific stats upon request, Just give me a call and I will gladly send them to you.

Heidi Engel REMAX BROKER/Realtor ADPR/SRES/FSSR    HeidiRemax@aol.com      www.HeidiEngel.com

Listing + Selling the Northwest Suburbs for OVER 20 YEARS!!!

Hoffman Estates IL All Zip Codes Attached Housing Real Estate Statistics as of March 22 2010

What's Been Happening in the Hoffman Estates Real Estate Market--See Below

*LMT=Listing Market Time (How long the property has been on the market at its current price)

**MT=Market Time (Total Market time)

Active Attached Housing:

Under Contract Attached Housing:

Last 3 months of Sold and Closed Attached Housing:

If you have any questions or would like neighborhood specific Stats--Do Not hesitate to give me a call

Heidi Engel REMAX Suburban Your Hoffman Estates Expert http://www.HeidiEngel.com 

CELL-847-910-2001

Listing + Selling Hoffman Estates for Over 20 Years!!!

Hoffman Estates IL All Zip Codes Detached Housing Real Estate Statistics as of March 22 2010

Hoffman Estates IL All Zip Codes Detached Housing Real Estate Statistics as of March 22 2010

What's Been Happening in the Hoffman Estates Real Estate Market--See Below

*LMT=Listing Market Time (How long the property has been on the market at its current price)

**MT=Market Time (Total Market time)

Active Detached Housing:

Under Contract Detached Housing:

Last 3 months of Sold and Closed Detached Housing:

If you have any questions or would like neighborhood specific Stats--Do Not hesitate to give me a call

Heidi Engel REMAX Suburban Your Hoffman Estates Expert http://www.HeidiEngel.com 

CELL-847-910-2001

Listing + Selling Hoffman Estates for Over 20 Years!!!

 Elk Grove Village IL 60007 Detached Housing Real Estate Statistics as of March 22 2010

Elk Grove IL Detached Housing Real Estate Statistics as of March 22 2010

What's Been Happening in the Elk Grove Real Estate Market--See Below

*LMT=Listing Market Time (How long the property has been on the market at its current price)

**MT=Market Time (Total Market time)

Active Detached Housing:

Under Contract Detached Housing:

Last 3 months of Sold and Closed Detached Housing:

If you have any questions or would like neighborhood specific Stats--Do Not hesitate to give me a call

Heidi Engel REMAX Suburban Your Elk Grove Expert http://www.HeidiEngel.com 

CELL-847-910-2001

Listing + Selling Elk Grove for Over 20 Years!!!

 Elk Grove Village IL 60007 Attached Housing Real Estate Statistics as of March 21 2010

Elk Grove IL Attached Housing Real Estate Statistics as of March 21 2010

What's Been Happening in the Elk Grove Real Estate Market--See Below

*LMT=Listing Market Time (How long the property has been on the market at its current price)

**MT=Market Time (Total Market time)

Active Attached Housing:

Under Contract Attached Housing:

Last 3 months of Sold and Closed Attached Housing:

If you have any questions or would like neighborhood specific Stats--Do Not hesitate to give me a call

Heidi Engel REMAX Suburban Your Elk Grove Expert http://www.HeidiEngel.com 

CELL-847-910-2001

Listing + Selling Elk Grove for Over 20 Years!!!