buyers: Gardening promotes wisdom - 05/24/09 12:25 PM
One of the habits that I inherited from my father is the wisdom of keeping a garden.
Although my garden is tiny compared to average and super-teeny-weeny compared to the one kept by my parents, it still provides something for me that is hard to describe.
Sure, it is wonderful to taste the "fruit of my labor" with fresh tomatoes, basil and other culinary delights. But there is more to the experience than can be tasted in the mouth when it is eaten. (BTW: The pic on the right is actually the first little grape tomatoes formed in my garden on … (58 comments)
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buyers: Learn from Other Agents to "Profit From Technology" - 05/18/09 05:21 AM
You can profit from this book. So don't waste any time! This is a LIMITED TIME OFFER!!!
(I'll tell you about the limited aspect of this offer later in this post.)
Really, I know that sounds like a "come on". You have been in this business. You've seen all the scams and schemes being used to sell something to real estate agents.
If I can convince you that this offer is legitimate, would you be willing to spend $19.95 to learn from nine of your fellow agents? These agents are sharing - no holds barred - what they have learned about … (50 comments)
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buyers: Sellers should demand - "Show me that you can write" - 05/16/09 01:21 PM
If you spend any time looking at the MLS, you know that many agents can't spell - much less craft a complete sentence or an accurate description of property they have listed.
Sellers have every right to demand that a prospective agent submit writing samples. After all, the listing agent is applying for the position of "Marketing Manager" for the seller. Any marketing manager understands the importance of writing clear descriptions that call potential buyers to sit up and notice.
Since 87% of today's real estate buyers cruise the internet prior to contacting an agent (according to NAR's statistics), we can … (6 comments)
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buyers: So much to learn about social media - 04/21/09 10:41 AM
Today - I am off to a seminar to learn more about social media from "expert" Chris Brogan. I will drive a little over an hour to reach the hotel where he will be speaking.
It seems that so-called EXPERTS are showing up everywhere these days. I'm not yet convinced of his expertise, but I will come back to this blog to share with you what I have learned.
So - off I go to a paid seminar...hoping to learn something that will help me to connect to the buyers and sellers of real estate in The Woodlands and surrounding areas. … (38 comments)
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buyers: I'd rather do it myself - 07/19/08 08:15 AM
Internet-Enabled Buyers and Sellers like to do their own research. Often they spend countless hours determining what the market offers for months and months. While they are gathering data, they feel there is no need to connect with a live real estate agent.
That independance is fine if you have plenty of time on your hands and would like to spend your spare moments digging through the good and the bad information. I think we can offer a better idea.
Enlist the help of a professional while insisting on your independance!!!
You really don't have to have an either/or situation while … (14 comments)
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buyers: What does a home cost in The Woodlands? - 02/09/08 04:33 PM
The short answer is: surprisingly little...when compared to home prices in most other areas. Let me demonstrate by showing you a few sample homes that I have listed over the years.
For entry-level buyers, you can find two-story townhomes with a small backyard and hardi-board exterior beginning in the $120's and they have been built within the last 10 years.
If you are willing to consider an older home, you can find single-family homes built in the 70's for even less. Of course, those homes were primarily built with real wood exteriors. If any deferred maintenance has built up, the wood siding … (2 comments)
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buyers: Water danger in The Woodlands Texas - 02/08/08 10:52 AM
One thing you will love about The Woodlands area is the lush growth 365 days per year. Most years, we get plenty of rain and even in a drought, green foliage is a constant in our landscape. In The Woodlands, great care has been taken to preserve as much of the natural green space as can be managed. The area is known world-wide by their success in maintaining wide open spaces of natural forestation within a carefully master-planned community.
However, water can be the enemy in The Woodlands area. This photo depicts what the entrance to a home can look like after … (0 comments)
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buyers: The Woodlands Historic District - Grogans Mill Village - 02/02/08 12:16 PM
The first thing buyers notice about the Grogans Mill Village is it's convenience to I-45. But what will impress you the most is the towering, mature trees that have homes nestled in among them. When this village was developed in the 1970's, much care was taken to preserve as many trees as possible. In fact, the legacy of keeping the natural trees still is honored anywhere in The Woodlands. Strict deed restrictions require that you get permission to remove any tree larger than 3 inches in diameter. This village demonstrates how that policy of preserving nature can mature.
Among the winding cul-de-sacs, … (1 comments)
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buyers: The Woodlands - America's Hometown - 02/02/08 11:50 AM
Referred to by those in the area as "America's Hometown," The Woodlands is a 27,000-acre master-planned community nestled in the forests just 27 miles north of downtown Houston. Home to more than 60,000 residents, this community has something for everyone with more than 150 miles of hiking and bike trails, a 1.1 million square foot shopping mall, an outdoor performing arts pavilion, office and research buildings, hospitals and a four-star resort.
Residents can enjoy a luxurious day spa, fine dining and some of the finest golfing in the country at numerous championship courses in the area. Industries that provide employment include … (0 comments)
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buyers: Are WE the next Real Estate SuperStars??? - 01/30/08 08:01 PM
If only 3-6% of the current agents have the ability to maximize the use of a blog, will we be the next group of agents positioned to be highly paid professionals?
I wish I would have bookmarked the post of a video recorded at the Inman Conference earlier this month. Thanks to the post of one of my fellow Rainers, I listened to a panel of experts discuss the future of social media and Web2.0 as it relates to real estate. Obviously, there was much excitement about the power of this type of media both in building a community presence as a … (14 comments)
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buyers: Is the ECONOMY affecting your income? - 01/24/08 10:25 AM
This may be a trick question for some of you. You may be experiencing a big downturn in real estate sales right now. When there are a lot of foreclosures, the shortage of buyers is a short-lived issue. Soon, buyers will show up ready, willing and able to buy houses - but at a much lower price because of the foreclosure market.
My question is about the ECONOMY. Many people are having trouble keeping their heads up to feel good about current economic conditions. Yet, there are also many indicators that show a whole lot of buyers.
Here in The Woodlands, Texas I am … (8 comments)
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buyers: The Woodlands - A "Destination" for Relocation - 01/23/08 09:58 AM
A primary source of new business for me is people relocating to the Houston area from another state. They have surfed the internet for information about the area. They have found this wonderful master-planned community with naturally forested trees, more than 150 miles of hike and bike trails, the best schools you can find and good roads, including a quickly traveled toll road into the heart of Houston.
Once they discover The Woodlands, they begin to seek property information and contact me. Whenever they share their contact information, I can begin the orientation. There is so much that is different in the … (1 comments)
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buyers: Oh Me, Oh My - A meme!!! - 01/14/08 09:41 AM
Natalie Langford tagged me about a week ago. I really, really wonder what would cause her to be intrigued about me. Is it because I burst onto the Active Rain scene and was blown away by all the intelligent, generous and talented people here? I was so impressed that my immediate thought was to "bottle up" some of this wonderful stuff and compile it into a book. Books - I have done in the past even though the bio page was the toughest part.
Now you want a meme from me. I cannot imagine what I should tell you. Having lived … (20 comments)
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buyers: Custom home with pools in short supply - 01/13/08 07:46 AM
What's HOT in The Woodlands, Texas???
Many sellers wait until March or April to put their home with a pool on the market. That would certainly be a mistake this year! Anyone that is even thinking about selling their nice custom home with a pool in The Woodlands should call me - or the agent of their choice - and get that house on the market right now.
With corporations transferring in executives, often this type of home is selling in less than a week. The buyers are coming in every price range and from all over the world. It is obvious that the national news … (1 comments)
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buyers: What inspires you? - 01/12/08 08:50 AM
Many of us in real estate spend a great deal of our life working to fulfill the hopes and dreams of our buyers and sellers. Some are wise enough to give our family and friends the most focus. But when was the last time you asked yourself what inspires you?
In the words of Dolly Parton, "When I am inspired, I get excited because I can't wait to see what I'll come up with next."
Is your life filled with the pragmatic actions required to fullfill the needs of family and clients to the detriment of that deep soul-filled part of you that … (9 comments)
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buyers: Would you like to co-author a book? - 01/04/08 08:09 PM
I am coordinating a book with about a dozen real estate co-authors to be released this spring. I am scanning the blog world for contributors. Would you be interested?
If you are, please review the list of potential topics is below. You are free to come up with additional topics if you wish. The book will be focused on the new ways of doing the business of real estate in the digital age...how the old ways can be restructured to fit...how new methods are becoming imperative. You - my blogging colleagues are the experts. This book will bring some of your expertise … (13 comments)
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buyers: Our market is doing GREAT!!! - 01/01/08 02:48 PM
Sometimes, as a real estate agent, I get so busy simply serving clients that I do not take the time to do general research. I knew that my business was similar, if not better, in 2007 when compared to 2006. But because I had given all my focus to clients instead of doing research, I had little to say to my data-addicted internet clients that asked me for cold hard facts to support my observation.
The holidays have given me time to pause and look at what the numbers truly say. The Houston market has remained strong with the only enemy to … (3 comments)
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buyers: Not a creature is stirring... - 12/27/07 09:20 AM
I came into the office early this morning to catch up on some paperwork that needs to be turned in and found the halls to be quiet beyond belief. The receptionist is here with a bright and gleeful attitude. But this office that is normally buzzing with activity is silent.
Contrary to what is happening around the country, our market has been relatively stable. We have pockets with high foreclosure rates and many buyers that are hesitating because of the national news. But overall, it has been a pretty good year in the Houston area. In fact, we have pockets where inventory … (6 comments)
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buyers: Happy Christmas - 12/25/07 07:20 PM
It is a beautiful day for Christmas in the Houston area. Some years it is a little depressing to be still running our airconditioner during the holidays. Just last week most of the days were a warm 80 degrees and I was becoming quite tired of the heat.
I love my jackets and rarely get to wear one an entire day. I have purchased only one coat since moving here in 1979 and it took more than 25 years to wear it out. Most of the wear took place when I was at NAR conventions in places like Chicago or Washington DC.
I'm not … (4 comments)
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