Automated Lead Follow-up System - consumer info - 09/29/06 06:09 PM
I just got back from our quarterly CRS meeting here in Southern California. Bernice Ross was our featured speaker, and among the MANY great tips and suggestions was a lead follow-up system focused on homeownersip called My Home Management Club. It sounded like a great idea which I plan to try (e.g., people you meet at open houses might be more interested since you are not sending them the standard information on buying and selling), and I thought others might be interested in learning more.
I also wondered if anyone else had experience with the system and would like to share their thoughts, pro and … (2 comments)

Duplex near the beach for $870,000 in Encinitas, CA - HAPPILY SOLD - 09/26/06 06:58 PM
This is a great value for someone looking to live in 2-bedroom unit and have a 2 BR unit for rental income, or for an investor. It could also be a good second home at the beach with income.
Both units have 2 baths (1 in the master), an open living/dining area, and approx. 1080 SF of living space. Each unit has a single car garage which includes storage area with washer and dryer included. There is additional parking in the newly paved parking area. The yard for each unit is separate (first floor unit yard is newly landscaped with a drip … (0 comments)

Regional differences in the housing market - 09/26/06 01:33 PM
I just spent 5 days back on the Boston area visiting family and friends, and also chatted a bit with some old colleagues in my RE/MAX office in Cambridge (home of MIT and Harvard). Like San Diego, Boston has been one of the hottest real estate markets and in the last few years has gone through dramatic changes. What was a bit disheartening to hear was how the market is right now - while things are selling, the DOM is well above 100 days, and prices, on average, are now consistent with what we saw in 2004, and in some areas … (1 comments)

Report on the state of the housing market in San Diego - 09/18/06 07:18 PM
In case you did not see these, here are a couple of recent articles on the housing market. The first is from the North County Times Blog post on "House Prices Drop for First Time in Years."
A related editorial piece in the NC TImes is entitled "No Need to Start a Panic" and based on the research prepared for NSDCAR by Dr. Robert Brown of Cal State University, San Marcos. Interesting reading.
… (0 comments)

Tips on Working with Relocating Buyers - 09/15/06 07:28 PM
Here are some suggestions for working with relocating buyers (coming to your area), gleaned from my personal experience relocating a significant distance 4 times (and moving 5 other times) and assisting multiple buyers in moves around the country. Always keep in mind that not only are you helping them with probably the largest purchase of their lives, but they are moving to a new area they probably don’t know which adds to the stress.Hopefully you have moved yourself so you can truly understand what they are experiencing at some level.
  Respond right away when you get the referral call (it always … (0 comments)

Carlsbad Buyers - 0% Down and Downpayment/Closing Cost Assistance Loans - 09/12/06 10:29 AM
For those of you in California....especailly those buyers looking in the Carlsbad area.
Because of the slower market and so many buyers sitting on the fence, I thought it might be helpful to see if I could drum up more business with First Time Buyers (it's tough for many people, let alone first time buyers, to buy in our area of Southern California if you want a detached home since there is not much under $500K, but lots of condo options in some communities).
Having worked with lots of FTHBs back East, I knew a big issue is the downpayment and/or closing costs, … (2 comments)

Staging and Feng Shui - 09/11/06 09:51 PM
Is anyone using staging to better market their listings in this slower time, and if so are you having success? Do you stage yourself or are you using a registered stager, a la Barb Schwarz?
Also curious about Feng Shui, which is becoming much more popular in the Realtor community here in California, and elsewhere as I understand. I have a friend here who is a well-known practitioner (check out her site at Feng Shui Resource) and we have talked a bit about collaborating. She is doing quite a bit of business with Realtors and it appears to be working well. She also … (7 comments)

Thoughts on Relocation Packages - 09/11/06 04:41 PM
For those of you who might work with people who are relocating, I have posted my thoughts, based on personal and professional experience, on my Relocation A to Z blog.
Relocation can get very complex, and if you have not been involved before this may be helpful to you so you understand the client better.This especially true if you get a referral who is using a Relocation firm - they often have restrictions and you don't want to get burned by helping your client find a home only to later find out there is a HUGE referral fee you weren't aware of, or … (1 comments)

Any experiences with Zillow? - 09/10/06 04:37 PM
I have recently had a couple of experiences with buyers who were using Zillow to help them decide what to offer on property I have listed (not my buyers!!). Clearly their agent was not counseling them (out of the area agent). Needless to say this is so far off it was hard to even counter. Anyhow, just curioius whether anyone is having Zillow come up, either with buyers or sellers, and what your thoughts and experiences are.
Jeff
… (10 comments)

Relocation with Pets - 09/08/06 04:46 PM
I just wrote another post on Relocation A to Z about relocating with pets, which I have done a number of times. Thought this might help buyers who are moving, as well as agents who are assisting buyers who need to move with their pets. There are some others resources listed as well. … (1 comments)

Bubble Sitting - 09/07/06 03:59 PM
Most agents, I suspect, are dealing with the changing market such as the one we are experiencing here in Southern California, where we have moved from a very active seller's market to one that is much more buyer friendly, with large inventory, slowed appreciation, increased marketing time, and even some price drops in some communities.
There has been much talk (for a couple years at least) about housing bubbles, and the media in our area at least has frequently posted headlines about the dramatic changes in the market, and related topics. All this, of course, impacts buyers and sellers attitudes, beliefs, … (2 comments)

Some Feedback Needed on my New Blogs - 09/07/06 03:47 PM
I recently started two blogs to enhance my real estate business. I love to write and thought that these blogs would be a good way to use my writing skills, but more importantly a means to assist buyer and seller clients.
The first blog, Fans of Coastal San Diego, is just what the title implies...a collection of information from a personal and professional standpoint to share with clients and prospects in the San Diego, California area, but also to directly assist my clients (and others) who are planning, or considering, a move to the area. I thought it would be fun to collect … (8 comments)

 
Jeff_prof Ambassador_large

Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Homes for Sale ~ 760-840-1360

Jeff Dowler

Carlsbad, CA

More about me…

Solutions Real Estate (CA DRE Lic. # 01490977)

Address: 6005 Hidden Valley Road, Suite 280, Carlsbad, CA, 92011

Office Phone: JUSTMYCELL

Cell Phone: (760) 840-1360

Email Me

 Subscribe in a reader


HOW TO USE MY BLOG (video)


Get Follow Me Buttons

Btn_blue_122x44


Feedjit Live Blog Stats




Locations of visitors to this page
Jeff Dowler's Profile
Jeff Dowler's Facebook profile
Create Your Badge
Get great free widgets at Widgetbox!

DISCLAIMER: I must disclaim liability for any damages or losses, direct or indirect, that may result from use of, or reliance on, any information contained in this blog, or for the accuracy of comments or opinions expressed by visitors to my blog. The information contained in the articles is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed, and the opinions expressed in these articles are mine.


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog