Are you sick to death yet of getting that call? Will your seller lease/purchase, bond for title, rent? I know I am although I've been told that this is the next "wave" to come. As agents we can put this information in the remarks section of MLS so that agents showing do know if that property meets the criteria. But I've had buyers agents try to beat me up over the fact that my sellers (who are flip investors for the most part) will not even consider these options. No, my sellers want to SELL the property. If they … (6 comments)
buyers: Why are you showing my listing when they CAN'T afford it???!!!
- 03/14/10 07:06 AM
So the story goes. Realtor shows house to buyer client, client loves house, client lowballs (seriously lowballs) an offer, seller rejects and counters, offering closing costs if they'll be realistic. 1 week goes by, Realtor shows house to same client AGAIN, buyer make another (little better) lowball offer. Seller says X marks the spot and don't bother me with ridiculous offers when we're getting showings and 2nd showings out the wazzoo!
Today 4 days later. Realtor calls AGAIN. Seller still lowballing close to 30K. Now this is a moderately priced home folks-192K not the 3-500K where we get these ridiculous … (151 comments)
buyers: Do Posting Your Listings on AR Help to Sell it?
- 03/13/10 07:37 AM
Is it me or does anyone else love AR because of the vast information and networking. But since I live in the south, I don't really feel a particular pang of love toward those listings from say, Sheboygan WI or Santa Fe, NM. I'd love to hear your feedback on why we do post our listings on AR. Is it for higher Google placement? Do they really draw buyers to your homes? I haven't done it yet but want to give my listings maximum exposure and feel that we do with the plethora of other sites for listing purposes only.
For over a year now my office has been preparing for the coming storm. Some of you are already beginning to see the rip currents but still havent' experienced the tsunami. DOOM GLOOM...Nope..not if you're prepared. What is the storm? The sarcastic side of me raises my eyebrow that you'd believe the media for one moment that the worst is over! Oh, but you say..I'm already doing great this year. Yup you will. So what's ahead. Now I'm no lender, market analyst or any such learn-ed creature. I'll tell you what I've been told and see if you agree … (30 comments)
buyers: This ain't the Bible Belt...it's the Buckle! Buying a home in the South
- 03/11/10 05:24 AM
Well some of you saw my previous post on Green homes so you're no stranger to the fact that I'm not PC when it comes to both life and Real Estate. And surprisingly my clients appreciate that. It's like going on a date and people tell you not to talk about religion or politics. Again surprisingly, those things come up during showings, listings and throughout real estate transactions with other agents all the time here in Greenville, Travelers Rest and the Upstate. People moving from out of state are exposed to a great culture shock. We're NICE here! Neighbors will come say … (5 comments)
buyers: PREAPPROVAL is CRUCIAL!!!
- 03/08/10 04:29 AM
Every week I get calls and emails from people out looking for homes who want to see them NOW. And I get showings from agents for their clients. Problem is...not Pre-Approved! What is up with that. You buyers agents should know better and for you clients, there are three key reasons why your pre-approval is so important.
1. A pre-approval is just that, taking your basic info and making sure that your credit is ok to go forward with a purchase. The benchmark of today's lenders is a score of 620. If you're not there, most can offer some kind … (3 comments)
buyers: IMPORTANT Advice for Your Investors and FHA Guidelines
- 11/30/08 06:04 AM
If you're working with investors buying or selling properties, or if you're an investor yourself, be aware that it's becoming more difficult to move these properties. In the contentious lending arena in which we find ourselves, things used to be easier...not so now. It's the old 90 day rule. We all should know as REALTORS that you cannot sell a property within 90 days if lending is involved due to transfer of the deed. Cash can still happen. Used to be that we could write a contract during this 90 day period and close on the 91st and all was well. … (4 comments)
buyers: Lead Conversion the easy way! Rap + Port = RAPPORT!
- 11/30/08 03:58 AM
This is one of my older blogs but I"ve gotten a lot of recent remarks on it so I'm reposting..enjoy! Ok someone has called off a sign or emailed you with a message that they're interested in buying or selling. Now what. So many in sales get cold feet at actually having a phone conversation, IE talking WITHOUT the computer. It's very easy in our day and age to let our website give our credentials. But there's so much more that you have to offer than your resume isn't there? So let's talk rapport. Webster's definition is "establishing common ground". People … (3 comments)
buyers: Why is Duel or Designated Agency so Hard for Buyers to Understand
- 11/30/08 03:42 AM
Well I guess because the wording of the actual contract is lawyer talk! In South Carolina and here in Greenville, the Buyer Agency agreement is a 4 page jumble of marbles in the mouths of normal folk and even to most agents. Explaining it is another issue. And even when it's explained and you find yourself in that scenario, it can really spook a buyer. We love to sell our company listings and help our fellow agents, but the buyers think we're steering or leading because we tell them we're in Duel or Designated Agency. Of course we're not! We just happen … (7 comments)
buyers: Have you EVER had to ask your Buyer to pay your commission for a FSBO???
- 10/23/08 10:37 AM
I"m pretty angry agents, I have to admit. I have awesome clients who have been nothing but perfect from day 1. Qualified, nothing to sell, ready to move immediately. So I call a local FSBO who says " We will not come off our price at all". I say ok and tell them about my commission. They say they will discuss it and call me back to let me know if I can show. They did so and said all was a go. Got there with a one time showing agreement. Only one party present and signed. So buyers looked, fell … (16 comments)
buyers: Feedback??? HELLO??? The True Professionals Do It...so should YOU!
- 10/23/08 09:14 AM
Yesterday I blogged about the seeming plethora of unprofessional REALTORS out there who don't use Centralized Showings and you can't reach them to set appointments to show! Frustration no doubt! But what about those same REALTORS who show your listings and NEVER reply to any type of feedback! Is it me, the market, PMS or a lack of professionalism (umm does used car salesman ring a bell?) that has REALTORS tripping over themselves to gain buyers and listings but generates a total apathy to the miracle that is the telephone or email. Is there an allergic reaction to feedback. We promise … (7 comments)
buyers: Lately the Leads are Busts!
- 10/21/08 12:43 AM
Open houses, fliers, emails, direct farming and lead generation sites. Our team of Connie Rice & Partners has all of these in place. We're doing everything we can to lead generate to get some of our listings sold. I'd love advice from all of you who went through this in the 70's and 80's. As lending has tightened, so our leads have become a plethora of unqualified kids with terrible credit scores, no down payment and just a prayer for a home.
Maybe the end of this endless election will kick start something. Maybe then lenders will ease just a … (10 comments)
buyers: Pricing Right in Today's Market
- 10/18/08 11:47 AM
We're all trying our best to keep up with rising and falling prices in real estate in our markets. Not to mention keeping up with the daily lending changes and laws. Let's not even talk about the DOW. So how do we make sure we're representing our sellers the best but still being completely honest in our pricing of their homes and makeing sure they understand that we're doing our best. After all, it's not OUR fault the market is wanky...we're trying to make a living too! #1 Instead of always looking at actives and solds for the past months, take … (6 comments)
buyers: Postive Networking Means ... SHUT UP!
- 10/15/08 06:27 AM
We're REALTORS. We love to talk! We love to talk about houses, markets, inventory, flips, you name it. But when it comes to networking the most mundane person you meet at the Chamber meeting is the person who tells you all about his business. BLAH BLAH BLAH When you were trying hard for that first date, what did you talk about. YOURSELF. And guess what? Then you shut up and let the other person talk about THEMSELF. If they said something you didnt' like, they were off the "cool" list. But if you really were into that person you listened hard, … (2 comments)
buyers: ANOTHER Open House!! UGGHH Should I do it???
- 10/14/08 02:57 AM
DREAD! Convulse, be sick, avoid, roll your eyes and suck it up. I have another open house this weekend. It's for an investor whose properties I list. I hate em...GAWD I hate em and use every excuse to get out of them. This time I"m doing two properties, good ones. A colleague is representing one and I"ll be at the other with my lender. I hope we don't just sit around and stare at each other like the last one. There's only so much to talk about. Are there buyers out there that are QUALIFIED and ready for an awesome home. … (7 comments)
buyers: So Long..Farewell! Take a Break for YOU!
- 09/24/08 12:59 AM
It's been two and a half years...long working hard working years. A toddler, three flips and countless clients later..it's time. I've been putting it off for so long just to get that one last transaction in. But the end is near. Today is my last day. I'm not sad, I"m exhilarated! I'M FINALLY GOING ON VACATION! No I'm not stopping real estate. Just taking a break from phone, fax and blogging for about two weeks. Even my toddler needs a break. So it's off to see the "Rat's Castle" in Orlando and then to go on the "Rat's" big boat for … (2 comments)
buyers: What Exactly Does Outside the Box Mean?
- 09/22/08 07:54 AM
And whose box is it anyway? Where was the box manufactured? And how did we get in it to the point where we have to think harder to get OUTSIDE...LET ME OUT! This blog is specifically geared toward those of you who are thinking and re-thinking and then thinking some more of what exactly to blog on. After so many brainstorming ideas on everything from buyers and sellers to moms and politics..the mind grows weary of trying to create something special to capture the attention of super ADHD REALTORS. So lets start with just that. ADHD. I'm it..end of blog. Ditto … (1 comments)
buyers: I LOVE the Buyers In this Market Right NOW!
- 09/18/08 12:03 PM
Yeah ok..not all of them. But for the most part we have REAL buyers, buyers who are qualified, have good credit, nothing to sell or something under contract, and want to move NOW! Some of these buyers have been cultivated for nearly a year. Some just recent. But everyone in the past three weeks has been awesome to speak to, enthusiastic about the future - and trying not to watch the doom and gloom of the mainstream media. In other words people...there ARE still deals out there. I'm listing one for my pastors's son hopefully next week. You have to talk … (1 comments)
buyers: Translators for Hearing Impaired Who Want to Buy?-Help!
- 08/31/08 01:00 PM
This will be a quick one. Yes I just posted about the worthlessness of open houses. One of the neighbors stopped by however with a nephew to look around. They were sweet but the uncle was deaf and the nephew signed for him. It really made me wonder if there are translators out there for our hearing impaired, sight impaired or disabled neighbors who might potentially become clients. I'd love to know if any of you may have ever run into this issue and if anyone knows of any resources or sites to explore the options. The uncle was very interested … (3 comments)
buyers: Ummm. What IS that smell???
- 08/14/08 01:44 PM
After an incredibly crazy busy week I needed a laugh and want to share it with you. Twice! Short but sweet. The following is true. My clients who wanted a 70K mansion decided to take a ride to a house they'd seen online at about OH 10PM!! UMMMM Not THIS area. Even though Greenville SC is a low crime area there are still places that a person should observe caution not to mention these guys are in their late 60's and DISABLED!! Needless to say they found the house which was new, beautiful in a completely scary area and got out to … (2 comments)
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