Shirley 's Blog

Roseburg Oregon, Douglas County, Homes and Land Market

Shirley Byrd-Solem (Century 21 The Neil Company Real Estate) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:43:29 -0500

Although we were a little behind the rest of the Nation in the slow down....here we are. There are more foreclosures and short sales than in times past. There are some really good opportunities for those who are in the market to build their Real Estate portfolio as well as realize instant equity as the market turns, which it surely will.

So how is the rest of the country doing? I would love to know who is recovering, who is still sliding and who is going gang busters. Check in.

Shirley

JITTERS PRIOR TO SHOWING PROPERTY TO PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN BUYERS

Shirley Byrd-Solem (Century 21 The Neil Company Real Estate) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:01:27 -0500

Am I the only one who experiences this thing which is akin to stage fright when preparing to meet new Buyers or Sellers for the first time?

This business is my choice and it is right for me. The earth and the houses we build upon it are an amazing thing to introduce people to. Watching the magical connection a Buyer has to their "special" home fills me with joy, even after all these years. There truly is a home for everyone. Helping people build wealth through their wise investments is very fulfilling, even through the ups and downs. Seeing that Buyers and Sellers get the value from what they are buying or selling gives me a real thrill. It is just that after the research has been done and I am waiting to meet that new "Boss" for the first time I get really anxious. It is not due to shyness or lack of experience or knowledge about the product. It is not the fear of rejection. I am so nervous I can't remember their names even if I have been corresponding with them for months or in some instances years. Perhaps this is the only part of this business that I truly detest aside from having to tell other hard working Brokers that the transaction is failing for reasons beyond anyones control.

I am open to suggestions about how I can get over this unsettling feeling. Any help out there?

Shirley

And someone was murdered in my garage.

Shirley Byrd-Solem (Century 21 The Neil Company Real Estate) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:31:45 -0500

The escrow closed, the Buyers were happy. A year later I get a call from the Buyer saying a neighbor had told them there was a violent murder in their garage prior to their occupancy. My daughter lives in this community and the only murder I have been aware of in the town in the past 10 years was a drowning in an upstairs bathtub, many blocks from their home. I call the listing agent, she checks with her Sellers who say they are unaware of any murder in the house. They owned the house for 2 years prior to putting it on the market. I call the police department, it is a small community, 32,000 population, so everyone knows everything. I get a resounding no there was never a murder at that address or on that street. I call my clients and they relax. A few months later I get the same call, only this time there is sleep disturbances, ill health and strange noises in the night. They want to be made whole and it is a declining market...much as the one we are experiencing now. They want my Brokerage to buy the home. I once again call the police department and bingo, there was a violent murder in the garage some 5 years prior to their occupancy. I check the law for the State and time for disclosure has passed. I call my Buyers and tell them that there was indeed a murder and the Brokerage I work for has no legal responsibility for my lack of disclosure and assure them that although the time for disclosure had lapsed I would have, had I known, disclosed the information to them. I offer to sell the home for them. Is there a way to find out accurate information from Government Entities which I am unaware of? Why would a neighbor tell one set of neighbors, living in a crime scene home of the crime and not tell the previous neighbors?

What a great opportunity to grow wealth!

Shirley Byrd-Solem (Century 21 The Neil Company Real Estate) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:28:12 -0600

Interest is low, houses are plentiful, Sellers are motivated, rents are stable. I don't know about you but I can guarantee you I am in the market for any property that I can buy that will cash flow. Most of us put aside some healthy savings while the market was hot. At least those of us who have been in the business a few decades did. Now is our time to not only be hero's by buying those stale listings, but circumstances allow us to get them at really good values, often with seller carry and at interest rates that are very attractive. Of course we owe it to our clients to introduce them to these wonderful values before we take a run at them but come on.....we know the product, we know people have to have a place to live, and as Will Rogers said, "they don't make no more of it," We know the ups and downs of the marketplace. There is no way we can be selling this wonderful facilitator to wealth, Real Property, without treating ourselves to some of it as well. Get out there and set yourself up for your future and retirement. NOW IS the time!!!!

Advertising on Active Rain

Shirley Byrd-Solem (Century 21 The Neil Company Real Estate) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 01:48:39 -0600

I am new to the community and need nelp. I have structured an ad and really don't know who to target nor do I understand the pricing. I would so much appreciate help from anyone who is doing ads or who has done ads comments as to pricing and/or how to set up the ad in such a way it will neither be price prohibitive or targeting the wrong market.

I am uncertain as to whether it is appropriate to blog requests for help, however, help is apprciated.

Technology and our business

Shirley Byrd-Solem (Century 21 The Neil Company Real Estate) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:02:29 -0600

I received a happy new year message today from a lender who I had posted a comment to. I was so surprised to open my email today and see his face, hear his voice and comments about my post, via video email. All I could say was WOW! I asked a couple of questions and he called this afternoon and gave me a glimpse of where technology is taking our business and how easily it is to communicate with clients in this market we are playing in. I am new to active rain and ever so pleased to meet the wonderful community here.

I look forward to being a part of this group. I HAVE

HAPPY NEW YEAR LET'S SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS

Shirley Byrd-Solem (Century 21 The Neil Company Real Estate) — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:16:33 -0600

With interest low and pricing soft there has not been a better time to buy in many years. We, Realtors , can stand united in getting this important information out to the buying public. the market is good, not only for first time home buyers, but for those clients who are moving up. Bottom line, it is also a great time for those of us in the industry who are investors to show our confidence in this window of opportunity by investing. I just did.....again.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, one and all!

Welcome 2008

Shirley Byrd-Solem (Century 21 The Neil Company Real Estate) — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 22:16:01 -0600

Wishing you all a very productive, healthy, happy, and fulfilling New Year. If it is a fraction as good as 2007 we are so blessed.

"THE REAL ESTATE MARKET"

Shirley Byrd-Solem (Century 21 The Neil Company Real Estate) — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 23:01:08 -0600

Today during an open house at a new development here in Douglas County, Oregon, I was speaking with some local builders. Thay came to see how I was doing and to talk about my read on the real estate market. As we discussed the press and the impact it has on our industry a young couple came in. I greated them and began to answer their questions regarding Lookingglass Creek Estates. The husband wanted to know if the gentlemen I had been talking to were Realtors? When I explained they were local, high end, builders of custom homes he wanted to know what we meant by the press's influence. Reflecting on our conversation I decided to blog it.

The press does not talk about the fact that when interest is 6.25%, the payment on a hundred thousand dollar mortgage is $616, instead of $665. at 7%, which allows one to borrow $108,000 for the same payment one would pay for $100,000 at .75% more interest. The press doesn't talk about how in a softer market those who qualify for loans can buy more for the same amount of money. The press doesn't talk about the tremendous hand up home ownership gives young people in building untaxable wealth. The press doesn't talk about how rents continue to rise over the years while fixed rate mortgages stay the same which eventually means your house payment is less than the renter next door is paying for rent. The press doesn't speak to tax write offs and how after tax dollar saving the monthly payment is not all out of pocket. The press doesn't describe how it feels to put your key in your lock at an affordable monthly payment.

Perhaps the biggest issue I have with The Press is I spend a huge chunk of what I earn paying them to advertise the properties I am marketing, which is spent basically to satisfy clients as 90% of today's buyers are coming from the internet. It irritates me that I pay the most money to an entity which least benefits my clients and creates fear and doubt in those who should be running, not walking to invest NOW. As an investor I am delighted with today's interest rates and my ability to neggotiate in this wonderful arena of real estate investment I play in.

The young man at my open house had heard the builder say to me, "we will all be okay if we simply don't read the papers or listen to the news as we are insulated here in Oregon, in large part from the market most of the nation is experiencing. How do we get this message out?" I decided to BLOG it.