We all tend to judge a person by how they look. We will also judge by the color of the skin, the tattoos on the arm, the way words are spoken, and a thousand other ways. When will we learn that we really are doing a disservice by judging a book by its cover. If I would have judged in the first year of my career, I would have missed out not only on a business relationship but also a fine friendship now for many years.
The whole family came into the high-priced Simi Valley real estate listing I was holding open. They looked like real schleps! Like they just threw on the clothes and tennies. Hair messed, torn jeans...I figured they were just open housing. Didn't get much chance to talk with them, but I kept in touch, heard about their business out of the garage in the first-time homebuyer tract and how they wanted to buy a high-priced home. How, I couldn't figure out, as they looked like they couldn't afford anything.
Guess what! These folks outgrew their home as their business in the garage needed a commercial property, they wanted to sell their little first-time homebuyer home and purchased a big, beautiful new home that is a Simi Valley luxury home. Who kept in touch with them throughout the years? Who helped them with their purchases when it came time to locate Simi Valley homes for sale? And who would have lost out on a friendship that has lasted all these years?
I didn't lose...I didn't judge a book by its cover.
I have always believed that reputation and integrity are the crux of my being. I always want to give my clients and customers the sense that I am totally loyal, hands on, up front with knowledge and providing them all that I can give.
I love working with first-time Simi Valley home buyers. Mostly, they are so eager to learn and I love giving them what they need to be more informed. Every now and then, I come across an individual who has learned from a friend's uncle's cousin who is a brand-new mortgage broker that the market is not what I have portrayed. The discussion goes something like this...
You knew a person who "used" to be a lender and was going to refer you to his "friend" who was just starting in mortgages. But you also believed your "person" who told you it was a buyers' market, there were lots of homes available and you could pick up a bargain.
After giving you and your husband a dose of reality, your husband said, "I don't believe you. That's not what my friend's friend said. He said interest rates are climbing, there are no multiple offers like you say, and I can get any kind of bargain I want." Now, mind you, we had not even gone out yet to look at property in Simi Valley!!!
After explaining and being forthright in my discussion, I knew we were going nowhere. I told you how important it was to build trust and rapport with you. My reputation was on the line here. You have friends and family who will want to buy or sell and I want you to refer them to me.
Oh, well, you wanted to believe opposite of what I was explaining. Could we continue to work together? Not sure I could work with someone who didn't trust my years of experience. If you wanted your wings to fly somewhere else, that would be okay with me. I want to be professional and my reputation means too much to me.
You are very welcome to give me your opinion, and I do hope you understand!
Okay, I admit it, I may be behind the times, but hear out this Simi Valley real estate agent..
Several years ago, it was recommended to me by my Wood Ranch REALTOR friend that I needed to put out my cell phone number and EVERYWHERE! Yeeks! Boy, did I resist. Why? Well, I had a private office phone, a very nice private office near all kinds of Simi Valley properties and Wood Ranch real estate and I was carrying a pager...do you remember the pagers? Well, I thought, if anyone needed me, they could reach me on one of those two or come into my office, near the Wood Ranch homes...my cell phone was when I wanted to use it...I didn't want to be called by (goodness, clients and customers!) as I deserved some down time.
Do you know how this has changed in the last several years? If one doesn't have a cell phone, one is tarnished as they are really not "with it." Immediate action needs, emergencies, that client that wants it all and NOW...well, I have come to realize how important cell phone service is. And with the type of market we have been in, people calling for Simi Valley homes for sale...well, I just cannot be without the cell.
If I am calling someone on my cell phone, I want them to know it's me...they can choose to pick up or not...hopefully, they will be so delirious that I've called, they will want to talk with me! And, of course I know my daughter ignores me most of the time (HA, HA)...
BUT, there is one aspect of cell phone usage that really bugs me and here it is. blocked and restricted calls. Not too long ago, I would absolutely not pick up blocked or restricted calls as I believed most of them were solicitations. Now I come to find out that many of my clients and realtor associates block their calls on the cell phone. Why???
I've learned to pick up all the calls...never know if it's that multi-million seller wanting me NOW! or the buyer wanting to write an offer on that Simi Valley luxury home or someone calling me for Simi Valley relocation...
I would love to hear your thoughts on whether to Block or Not to Block!
If you think home prices are going down...think again!!! Simi Valley properties, including Simi Valley condos, and Simi Valley real estate listings in general are not! I really don't believe they will and I also don't believe the banks are going to send a glut of foreclosure properties into our market. They would be foolish to do that.
Think about it! If they release a few properties at a time, they control prices. If they release a whole slew of them, inventory rises dramatically and it may become a buyers' market. Places like Wood Ranch real estate, which commands higher pricing, doesn't have many foreclosures. Simi Valley REO homes make for a small portion of our inventory right now!
Nope, prices are good for investors, first-time home buyers and move-up buyers. Look at my web site for Simi Valley home searches...you'll see nice properties to see!
You need not wait...tax incentives will expire, first-time home buyer incentives will be gone and you will be out of luck!
As we enter the final month of summer, you need to get started looking or listing. When you are ready, call me and I will help...I am your Simi Valley Realtor and Wood Ranch real estate agent...
Okay, folks, I, Jo Ann Poole, Simi Valley Realtor says...I've got news...it is...indicators include when the phone starts ringing more (and people are looking to find out more about Simi Valley real estate), if it's only inquiries (and people are inquiring about Wood Ranch real estate) or more visitors are walking through the doors or coming on to websites (and they aren't looking anymore for Simi Valley bank owned or Simi Valley foreclosures)...these are indicators that the economy is picking up...especially when we are seeing multiple offers on non-distressed properties.
This article came across my desk and it's important enough for you to review, especially the highlighted areas. The Window of Opportunity for low offers and "great" deals has passed. Either you step up to the plate in today's market, or you will have to wait until the next cycle...and who knows when they will be.
Everyone Wants a Lower Price, But What About the Impact of Interest Rates?
When shopping for a home, the natural tendency of any buyer is to want to pay the lowest price possible. It's important to keep in mind, however, that the sales price is not the only factor that determines what the monthly payment will be. In fact, the impact of higher interest rates can easily nullify any benefit of waiting for a lower price.
Why Should I Rush to Buy? While you may have heard discussions in the media about the decline of property values in many markets, the rate of decline appears to be stabilizing. That being said, it would not be unreasonable for buyers to want to hold out for an additional decline of 10%, hoping to capture the best possible price. However, as property values have declined in many areas to 2003 levels or lower, waiting longer to pull the trigger could be a mistake. Many markets are reporting that lower property values have been bringing out investors and the result has been multiple offers on many properties. Properties priced correctly are not declining and, in fact, are creating a lot of interest.
Interest Rate Complacency The problem is that many home buyers have been lulled into a sense of complacency because of extremely low interest rates. Since the Federal Reserve initiated its program of buying mortgage-backed securities, which control the rates people pay for their home loans, rates had been range bound, bouncing between 4.50% to 5.00% for a 30-year fixed-rate loan.
But buyers shouldn't be confused by this. These rates are artificially low! Historically, interest rates have been above 6.00%. And any rate obtained below this number is a great deal, especially on homes with price tags from 2003!
Markets are Unforgiving The last two weeks of May showed just how unforgiving the markets can be for people who choose to procrastinate. In just five days, interest rates from many lenders increased anywhere from .50% to 1.00% as fixed-income investors demanded more for their money.
For anyone who was waiting for prices to drop even more, a 1.00% increase in interest rate would bring a higher monthly principal and interest payment on a home, even if the price of that same home had fallen an additional 10% in value.
If you are waiting for prices to fall even lower, be aware that while holding out for a lower price may help you win the battle, you could lose the war in terms of monthly payments and overall affordability. With the Federal Reserve scheduled to end its buying of mortgage-backed securities this year, rates only stand to go higher for those that wait. In fact, interest rates are already on the rise and could go higher from here.
Clock is Ticking on Free Money If you are planning on purchasing their first home this year, be sure to know that you need to take possession before 12/01/2009 to be eligible for a tax credit of up to $8,000. In a survey conducted in March by Move.com, nearly 50% of home buyers are currently unaware that this free money exists in the marketplace. And since over 50% of all buyers are first-timers in today's market, this could impact a lot of you.
It is so easy for me to assist my clients with their problems. After all, it is my business to place individual and families in a "safe haven." Whether they are first-time home buyers or move-up buyers or relocating, the feeling is one of euphoria when I talk into their new home with them after getting the keys.
Wow, little did I know that when this Simi Valley/Wood Ranch realtor came home several weeks ago that I would find my safe haven, my Wood Ranch home, being filled with water, and not in the bathtub or sink!!! And guess what...I would be considered a Simi Valley relocation!!! Yes, to the near-by hotel to live out the repairs...
Yep, folks, to make a very long story short, leaks under the slab, flooring ruined, walls torn up, personal belongings pushed and shoved away from the potential water flow, grandchildren and their parents being sent to be with Auntie 'cause our home is unlivable!!! So my Simi Valley property sent me to a local hotel with a few personal belongings; and that just doesn't cut it...
HOWEVER, there is a blessing to this mess...not only will my flooring get replaced and my home become a safe haven again with fresh paint but the friends I have met and have encountered during this transition is part of the blessing. I am healthy, my children and grandchildren are too and I am blessed with many friends wanting to invite me for a home-cooked meal. And that I won't turn down!
Sellers who want to sell their Wood Ranch real estate just need to call their REALTOR (hopefully, it's me!!!) and take a few minutes to chat. We are seeking listings desperately as Wood Ranch homes and Simi Valley homes in general are low in inventory. Non-distressed sellers not calling a realtor is getting the tainted view that real estate is bad.
I must stress...it isn't. We are seeing multiple offers on Simi Valley bank owned properties, but the properties that require no fixing are coming in demand.
From the Owner of City Auto Body and Automotive 2045 Easy Street Simi Valley CA 93065 805-581-1671
February 9 2009
To Whom It May Concern
I am writing this letter to potential real estate clients as well as fellow business people. I feel the need to express how pleased my wife and I have been with Jo Ann Poole and her team of professionals. I must say that we have never been catered to as thoughtfully and professionally as we were with Jo Ann. Our recent purchase went smoothly every step of the way, and would not hesitate to enlist her services again or to refer friends or family. I am available for a personal recommendation by phone during business hours.
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.
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