Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO's Blog

Get Back to Basics

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Wed, 25 May 2011 11:17:51 -0700

In a tough market it's always best to remember the basics. When a baseball player loses his confidence in the batters box, the hitting coach tells him to "get back to basics". When a golfer struggles with his game, whether it be his driver, long irons or putting, his coach and trainer will remind him to "get back to basics". The same is true in the Real Estate world. When the market gets tough, "get back to basics".

The basics in Real Estate consist of doing the things that got you where you are today. If you are a veteran in the business you know how important it is to make contact with past clients, friends, family and business acquaintances. The importance of prospecting and lead follow-up can not be over emphasized. The challenge comes when you are new to the business and do not have the confidence to make those calls. Let me fall back to one of the previous analogies. When a golfer loses his confidence and starts playing badly, he hires a swing coach or putting coach to help him get back on track. The coach can see things in his game that he can not or maybe does not want to see. The first thing the coach will tell him is to "get back to basics". When we do not feel confident about our ability to connect with others, a coach, in the form of books, videos, or one-on-one, is just what we may need to "get back to basics".

In conclusion, when the market is getting you down "get back to basics"!

City Commission Just Doesn't Get It!

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:41:18 -0700

Well, we thought we had handled this problem. We met with the city commission a few months ago and explained why we as REALTORS can not be held responsible for the weeds and yard work needed in vacant properties. However is seems that another attempt has been made to attack us as a group: Alamogordo City Commission Opinion in the local newspaper.

We continually make an effort to make our clients aware of the condition of their yards and properties. This includes but is not limited to, yard work, exterior condition, interior condition, windows, doors, garage, roof, trees, etc. The condition of the property can affect the sale of the property, and that is our main objective, sell the property. For some reason the city commissioners feel that if the weeds are grown up in a vacant property we have not tried to contact the owners. They fail to realize that sometimes the owners do not care about the upkeep of their properties. Sometimes the owners are banks and repo companies that will not care for their properties. Sometimes we just can't get them to do anything! We have no way of making the owners pay for upkeep or maintenance on their properties. The city, however, has a means to place a lien on the property after the work has been done and then the bill has to be paid before title can be transferred. DUH! Doesn't this make more sense than degrading and alienating REALTORS?

How Come Some Sellers Just Don't Get It?

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:52:06 -0700

So how do you handle this situation? Your seller wants to sell his home real bad so he can move/build/retire, etc. He really loves his house but he has to sell. He knows all the "bells and whistles" that make his home unique and the best house in the neighborhood. So he wants to show the potential buyer everything he knows about his home. You know, however, that some buyers want to be left alone while looking at a home so they can get a feel for whether this home really feels like home. They don't care that all the kitchen cabinets have pull-out shelfs or that the bathroom lights were the best that money could buy at the time. They just want to look at their leisure and not be followed from room to room by an over-zealous seller.

Maybe our sellers need to be counseled more or stronger about how to show their homes. If there are special features then maybe a placard or card identifing the feature can be placed strategically nearby. I have used information flyers identifing all the special features of a home.

I think the most important thing to remember is we don't want to irritate the buyer. There are so many homes out there to look at that buyers can be choosy. They will walk away from a home if they are irritated and go next door.

So sellers remember, we know you want to sell real you home and that there are special features that make you home better than your neighbors but don't bombard my buyer with all this information while they are looking.

City Commission Oversteps Their Authority

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:33:24 -0700

The City Commission has a tough job trying to please everybody. Commissioners get calls from their constituents all the time complaining about things that are going on in the neighborhood. Our City Commissioners work hard trying to please everybody especially when it comes to keeping our town beautiful. This time though I think they may have "overstepped their authority".

One of our commissioners introduced an ordinance that would make REALTORS financially responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their listed properties, especially the weeds and lawn. We presently have an ordinance that allows the city to fine the owner or agent of the owner $200.00 plus the cost for maintaining the lawn and weeds if they do not respond within 15 days of being cited. The new ordinance would include REALTORS whose sign is in the yard when the citation is issued. The commission maintained that since we call ourselves real estate agents we therefore should be considered "agents" of the owner since we have their property listed for sale.

There was a call for force at the City Commission hearing where the ordinance was to be discussed. I am proud to say that the real estate community came out in force to comment on this proposal. I am sad to report though that the commissioner that introduced this proposed change immediately starting attacking us as a group instead of appealing to us for help in solving this problem. He stirred up quite a hornets nest.

After the commission discussed this issue we were allowed to present our case. We explained that although there are provisions in our New Mexico Real Estate Law to represent our clients as Agents, very few of our brokers do. We instead chose to represent them as "Transaction Brokers". Even if we do represent our clients as Agents we are limited in our authority to the confines of the written agreement between ourselves as agent and our clients. Our State issued Listing Agreements specifically state that we are not responsible for maintaining the property, that falls on the owner in all situations. We can certainly assist the owner in finding capable, qualified vendors to perform the work but we can not and will not be held financially responsible.

After much discussion the commission decided to drop the addition to the ordinance and instead agreed to work with the Real Estate community in finding a solution to the problem of weeds and lawn care in our beautiful city. I did not fault the City Commission in trying to find a way to solve this problem, I just disagreed with their solution.

A Buyers Market?

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 06:49:57 -0700

A team of economists who created a variety of forecasting models concludes that predictions of further large housing price declines are greatly overblown.

They point to the house price index of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise as most reflective of reality. Its data reveals that only four states - Arizona, California, Florida, and Nevada - have had declines of more than 4 percent in home prices over the past year.

How are we faring here in New Mexico, particularly in Otero County? Records from the Otero County Association of REALTORS® (OCAOR) indicate that homes are selling for 95-97% of their asking price, which is usually based on a REALTORS® CMA (Comparative Market Analysis), or a home Appraisal. New Mexico ranks in the top 5 states in the United States where housing prices have actually appreciated over the last year.

So why do we refer to this market as a "Buyers Market"? There is a glut of homes on the market now. Therefore, buyers have a variety of homes to view. Buyers can be picky about little things while shopping for the right home for their family. Sellers have to be meticulous about the small details that set their home apart from the home down the street. The favorite saying for real estate sales has changed from "Location, Location, Location" to "Price, Price, Price". Homeowners have to be realistic in establishing the price for their home. You may believe that your home is the "best home on the block", but buyers may not see it that way. When you overprice your home, you are actually helping sell the home down the street, that may have the same features as your home.

Buying versus Renting

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:23:52 -0700

Now that the tax credit is almost over, many who are still sitting on the fence about homeownership are asking about the benefits of owning a home over renting. While paying mortgage payments and property taxes may seem like an expensive and stressful proposition over the near worry-free lifestyle of renting, these expenses actually provide great financial benefit for homeowners, even without the tax credit incentive.

When you rent, every dollar you pay is retained by the landlord.

However, when you purchase a home, a portion of each monthly mortgage payment is used to pay down the principal amount of the loan and in return increases your equity in the property. In addition, you can offset much of the cost of property taxes and mortgage interest through allowable tax deductions.

Finally, by owning a home you may also increase your equity if the property appreciates in value.

For specific information on the financial and tax benefits of buying compared to renting, contact your local financial or tax consultant.

Great New Listing in Hill Rolls Mountain Park, NM

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:44:53 -0700

Great new listing in the beautiful mountains of New Mexico. High Rolls Mountain Park is about half way between Alamogordo and Cloudcroft, NM, a quaint resort town at over 6000 ft. elevation. This home is a 3 bedroom/2 bath, two-story log home sitting on 1.5 acre with great views from the oversized decks. Check out my video on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTPebbbfJ10.

PRICED AT ONLY $350,000

A Great Time to Buy a Home!

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:09:48 -0800

What a great time for home buyers. With the tax incentive, low interest rates and the abundance of homes on the market why would anyone qualified to buy a home sit on the fence.

I know there are always going to be those who want to wait for the "right" time and those that always think there is a "better deal" just around the bend. I was showing homes to a client recently and every day he would ask, "Is there anything new on the market that I might be interested in?" He had already viewed 30 homes under $100k! Come on, it's time to make a decision.

Then there are those that just don't want to be homeowners. They like someone else doing the maintanance. They just don't want the responsibility. I understand that. If they want to make my mortgage payment and build my equity, ok, I'll rent my investment property to them.

Of course, there are those that just can not buy a home for financial reasons, no matter how attractive it is. I would suggest that if they really want to be home owners consider owner financing or local investors who will sometimes take a chance for a higher interest rate or money down. We have to be creative when working with these buyers.

Regardless of the situation, it is a great time to buy a home.

There is no "I" in Teamwork--but There is in "Commission"

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:12:34 -0800

That saying is very popular, especially in motivational talks and seminars. We sometimes forget the importance of the "team" concept, however, when commissions and money are involved. Some offices work real well together and will help fellow agents when they are out-of-town or sick or otherwise not able to accommodate their clients. Then there are those offices where anytime a favor is asked of a fellow agent the first thing out of the available agents mouth is "Do I get a referral fee?", or "Are you going to split the commission?"

There is really more to this business than commissions and money. Very early in my short career as a Real Estate Agent I learned that if you concentrate on helping people then the money will follow. The same principle applies in the office. If you are available to help, the help will be there when you need it. Remember, if you concentrate only on the commission you may be all alone when you need help.

Great New Listing in Alamogordo, NM

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:46:47 -0800

This is a great home in a great neighborhood. The owners have really gone all out when remodeling this home. Diamond finish walls, new tile, remodeled bathroom and kitchen, wood accents on the front and back patios make this home one of a kind.

Contact me if you would like more information on this home or any other home in the Alamogordo, Holloman AFB, Otero County area of New Mexico.

ONLY $130,000! 3 BEDROOMS/1.75 BATHS, 1816 SQUARE FEET

1804 CORTE DEL SOL ALAMOGORDO, NM 88310

How Important to Ask the Right Questions

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:08:07 -0800

When dealing with sellers and buyers in todays market it can not be over emphasized enough to ask the right questions. Sellers are anxious to sell their homes and sometimes will hold back information that would prevent or delay this process. If we fail to ask if the mortgage is up to date, are taxes up to date, are their any liens on the home, and one of the most important questions to ask before closing, "Is there anyone else who has a say in the decision to sell your home?" This question is sometimes forgotten by agents. Then right before closing the other party decides that they do not want to sell the home or the price is not right or whatever may be the case. How much better it is to ask the question at the listing appointment so that everyone is on board for selling the home and decisions can be made.

Then when dealing with buyers sometimes we forget to ask the same question, "Is there anyone else involved with making the decision to purchase a home?" Many times agents have found the right home for a young couple after showing numerous listings, to find out that mom or dad has to see the home before we can write the offer because they are supplying the down payment or earnest money. Mom and dad only see the home the couple has picked out and not the homes that they rejected. Being objective they are going to question whether this is the right home for their "little darling", not realizing that the previous 10 homes we looked at were far inferior to this one. How much better it would have been to have mom and dad go with us to compare all the homes and then see why this one is "the one".

Sometimes it is hard to remember to ask the right questions, especially when we are excited about helping a client. We can sure save ourselves a lot of time and stress though if we just remember to "ask the right questions".

New Technology at the Otero County Association of Realtors (OCAOR)

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:21:17 -0800

It looks like we are slowly moving into the "Technology Age" here in Alamogordo, New Mexico. We just implemented Paragon Mobile for accessing our MLS with our mobile devices. We just started using ReInsight Mobile with our FNIS MLS and it appears to be working great. We can access just about everything on our mobile phones that appears on the MLS. This will be a great tool when with buyer clients showing homes and they notice the home across the street that is not on our showing list. We can pull the information from our MLS right there and explain why it did not show up on the list.

This will also be a great listing presentation tool for showing our seller clients how their home can be marketed with agents cell phones and how important it is to have all the information correct with pictures. We still have agents who do not post pictures of their listings on our MLS.

I am looking forward to using this great tool, thanks OCAOR Board of Directors for approving this addition to our Paragon contract.

Land of Heat and Dust? HA!

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:12:36 -0800

Well this was a rarity! We haven't had snow here in Alamogordo, NM, in December is ages. The weather this time of year is usually very mild and pleasant during the day and cool at night. Last week, Tuesday to be exact, we got hit with 6 inches of SNOW! In the desert, mind you.

The reason this is so unusual is that we sit at an elevation of 4300 ft. at the foot of the Sacremento Mountains, the southern-most range of the Rocky Mountains. Just 45 minutes from our town of Alamogordo is Sierra Blanca (White Mountain) which is over 12,000 ft. above sea level. The jet streams and weather usually pass right over our little basin area and dump lots of snow and rain on the mountains. Sierra Blanca is usually white covered most of the winter from late November till early April. This time however we got hit with the white stuff, not just once but twice, we got another 6 inches Thursday. The only good thing about living here when it snows is that it does not last long. Once that "big heater in the sky" comes out and the dry winds start blowing the snow disappears.

I guess all we can do is endure it and wait for the sunshine again.

Gross Receipt Tax in New Mexico

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:24:58 -0800

At times we have questions from home owners when we go over the listing agreement with them and we get to the paragraph that discusses the commisson is, "Why do I have to pay the sales tax on your commission?". In that paragraph it states that the homeowner is responsible for the commission and the applicable Gross Receipt Tax. In the state of New Mexico, Gross Receipt Tax is paid by the consumer of certain goods and services. New Mexico is actually one of the few states that charges taxes on services performed. Many home owners misunderstand this tax and think that they are paying our taxes since it is associated with the commission. In realty, however, this tax is passed on to the state and is paid by the person who pays for the service. As an analogy, if you took your car to a detail shop to have it detailed, they would charge you $100 for the service and then add 7.5% grt, and you would pay $107.50 for the detailing. The same is true when you "commission" a realtor to sell your house. You are paying for this service and gross receipt tax are due. I recently had a home owner ask if this is negotiable. I, of course, referred them to my broker and explained that this is usually not negotiable because if the homeowner does not pay the tax the broker has to pay and if he has to pay the tax, well you know who is going to pay the tax! Once the process is explained using the analogy the homeowners usually accept the fact that everyone has to pay taxes!

LLC vs S Corp?

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:45:36 -0800

I have been doing a lot of research lately on the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating. It seems that there are a lot of tax advantages to an S Corp. status but the paperwork may be too much of a hassle. I am thinking of setting up my business as an LLC. In the state of New Mexico it is referred to as a Limited Liability Company and not a corporation. The way I am understanding the information I am studying, once I have set up the LLC then we can use the S Corporation status to take advantage of the tax savings. There is still a lot I don't know about this. I am sure there are blog posts on this subject, I just have to do the research. This is the time of year I start planning for next year and this is one of my goals, re-structure my business to reduce taxes and keep better records for maximum deductions. One of the best resources I have found is the www.TaxReductionInstitute.com web site.

If anyone has any advice or suggestions along this line please feel free to comment on this post. All ideas, advice, and suggestions will be considered and examined thoroughly.

Back to Blogging

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:07:57 -0800

Well, I took a break from blogging. I haven't been here in a while and I really missed it. Now that the tax credit incentive has been up-dated it is a good time to let everyone know that now is a good time to buy a home. Business has slowed a little bit here in New Mexico. Our numbers are a little lower this year than this time last year. Through November last year we sold 593 site built new and re-sale residential properties. Through November of this year we have sold 525 units. Not too bad but things could definitely improve. Sales always seem to slow down this time of year, good time to work on my business plan for 2010.

I just had a short sale fall through and am still fuming over it. It seems the house went into foreclosure while they were reviewing our offer. One department did not tell the other department about the offer and so the home was sold in to foreclosure on the court house steps. The bank bought the property back and then the redemption period expired before we could get anybody to act on our offer. This type of fiasco is what gives banks and short sales bad names. Every time we called or corresponded with the bank no one could act on the offer. Something really needs to be done to simplify the short sale process. Here we lost a good buyer and put a mark on the homeowners credit when it could have been minimized.

Well anyway, I'm back to blogging and looking forward to more rants and raves in the near future.

Tax Strategy for the New Year

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:47:35 -0700

I just attended a Tax Strategy seminar with Sandy Botkin, CPA, Esq., sponsored by the Tax Reduction Institute. What a great seminar! Lots of good ideas on how we can use the deductions the IRS allows to save money on our taxes. This seminar was not cheap but the strategies presented will save more than enough money to pay for the seminar. If you ever have a chance to attend one of Mr. Botkins seminars I urge you to go.

There is no reason for any one in business to eat a meal by themselves and not claim it as a business deduction. He showed us how to make most if not all our travel business deductions. Our automobile is also a great means of tax deductions on our returns. Just a lot of great ideas. Go to there web site and find out when and where the next seminar is located and GO! http://www.taxreductioninstitute.com

First Time Home Buyers

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:42:45 -0700

As I write this, Congress is trying to decide whether to extend the first-time home buyers tax credit. As I understand it, NAR is supporting extending the credit through April, 2010, keeping the credit at $8,000 and allowing everyone, not just first-time home buyers, to utilize the tax credit, with certain restrictions. From what I have noticed and read, the first-time home buyers tax credit has stimulated the market quite well. It only goes to follow that if they extend this credit it will help the housing industry and the market all over the country. I know that some critics of this measure have complained about fraud but isn't this evident in all aspects of business. Some people will try to "abuse" the system no matter what. I don't think we should punish or restrict the majority because of a minority of crooks. I hope this tax credit is extended. It will be interesting to see how this affects those who have been in their homes for several years and are just waiting for the market to improve before selling or buying.

For more information on the first time home buyers tax credit, check out my web page at http://lebronlittle.com

Fall Is In the Air, Time to Get Back to Work!

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:25:00 -0700

Well, October is almost gone and its time to get back to work. October is always a busy month for me but not in real estate. I guess you could call it my Vacation Month. I usually try to visit my family and friends back in the Southeast in October because the weather is so nice. I just got back from a visit there and had a great time with my daughter in Lebanon, TN, just outside Nashville and got to meet her fiance. We played a little golf, went to the Tennessee/Auburn football game (they have season tickets), and visited the BB King Restaurant & Blues Club in downtown Nashville, what a treat. BB King is still one of my favorite blues musicians. I then visited my sister in Benton, TN, just north of Chattanooga and spent some time with my parents who live in Cahutta, GA, near Dalton. My mom and dad live on a small farm and my dad stays very active tending to the day to day tasks associated with livestock and pastures. I spent the day with my sister in our old hometown of Scottsboro, AL, where we grew up and of course had to visit the world famous Unclaimed Baggage. After 37 years the town hasn't changed much. While walking downtown I ran in to an old high school buddy who recognized me instantly although I could not remember his name.

My wedding anniversary is in October and my wife and I usually plan something around that time. This year is our 19th year and I am still amazed that we are together. This is the most time either of us has spent with anyone, including our own parents. We had a very nice dinner at Rebekah's at The Lodge in Cloudcroft, NM. A little pricey but very good food and atmosphere.

We also spent some time in Albuquerque, NM, this month and had dinner with our son and his wife.

So as you can see there has been a lot of activity this month. Now its time to get back to work. In the three years I have been in real estate it has always amazed me how things work out. While in the office last Friday contemplating on who to call and what to work on next, I get a floor call about one of my listings. The home was out of their price range but as always I offered to show them homes in their price range. Long story short, I wrote an offer Sunday and had a contract Monday, we close November 23rd.

I LOVE THIS JOB!

Great News for New Mexico Realtors

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:16:03 -0700

I just got back from our RANM (Realtors Association of New Mexico) Fall Conference in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Board of Directors at RANM has voted to not raise our dues for 2010. They decided to re-allocate funds to the operating account so that dues will not have to be increased. This is good news for all realtors in New Mexico.

We had our regular Legal Update from our RANM attorney, Ashley Strauss-Martin. She does such a great job keeping us informed of all the legal requirements regarding forms and such. She emphasized the importance of the FIRPTA forms, the new Tax Levy information forms and the new TILA/RESPA changes that have occurred and are set to take place January 1, 2010. RANM really works hard to keep us informed.

F. (foul) S. (smelling) B. (bad) O. (ogres)

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:50:39 -0700

Some real estate agents look at FSBO's as scary, mean ogres who want nothing to do with nasty real estate people! Most of the time, in my experience with FSBO's, these are the do-it-yourself'ers who think they can save money by selling their home themselves. These are the same people who think they can hang a door, install carpet, change their own oil, etc. After futile attempts at some of these tasks they realize that they need a professional. According to NAR statistics, the same is true with FSBO's. After weeks and months of advertising their own home with a simple yard sign, placing an ad in the local real estate magazine or newspaper or on a FSBO web site, they come to the hard reality that they need a professional, someone who can screen buyers for pre-approval, someone who knows the right places to advertise their home, someone who has contacts not just locally but world-wide. Sometimes the agent they choose is the one who approached them when they had the FSBO sign up and offered to help with information and knowledge of the local market.

So instead of viewing them as the enemy, maybe we should start viewing them as an opportunity. If not listing their home at least as an opportunity to help someone in the community accomplish their goal of selling their home and moving on.

Vistit my web site: www.lebronlittle.com

More Buying Houses to Improve Their Situation in Life

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:50:36 -0700

This report from "The Buyers Rep" is good news for real estate agents across the country. I know that real estate is always local but national trends, especially those that are published, have always helped buyers and sellers in every location.

To quote the article:

As the primary reason for moving, No. 1 on the list was to live in a bigger/better home (26 percent), followed by living in a better neighborhood or area (24 percent); to be closer to family/friends (12 percent); living in an area with a lower cost of living (9 percent); or a move that was sparked by a change in marital status (6 percent). Moving because of school, job loss, retirement or foreclosure each garnered 3 percent or less.

These facts indicate that more and more people are seeing the benefits and rewards of buying a home now. If the new tax incentives that congress is considering pass, $1500 tax break for any home buyer not just first time buyers, I believe we will see an even greater increase in home buying.

We still need to keep in mind that finances always play an important role in any decision to buy a house. The report continued:

While finances still factor into the moving decisions, the survey indicates that fewer people were feeling the need to move due to job losses, foreclosures or downsizing to cut costs. The people who looked to improve their living situation were a mix of those buying a home or renting that were seeking to take advantage of lower rents and home prices to move smart.

Moving can be very stressful. But with the right attitude and the right agent every transaction can be smooth and enjoyable.

If We Could Only Do This with Buyers

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:53:00 -0700

When working with buyers my patience is sometimes tested to the limit. Some are so picky! They want a three bedroom, two bath, 2000 square foot home with a two-car garage, large back yard, new appliances and all for less than $150,000! Oh yeah, don't forget the nice neighborhood, close to schools, shopping and the hospital, not to mention that they also want the seller to pay their closing cost! Wouldn't it be great if we could act like this guy! Check out the video and watch a real pro in action.

I know ethically we can't intimidate people or force them into deciding what house to buy but can we pressure them just a little or maybe tell them that we have already seen 20 houses in this price range and they all look like this one, SO DECIDE NOW! OK, I know, I will continue being patient and kind while showing houses to my clients. I will continue to listen to all their negative comments on the homes in their price range. I will continue to help them see the value of buying a home now. But maybe, just maybe, someday...

Never Too Much Education

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:53:01 -0700

I just completed by ABR training and am an Accredited Buyers Representative now. The training was good. I can now add three more letters to my title along with my GRI. I have enrolled in the e-pro course and am currently taking those courses on line every morning for an hour or so before I start work. I love the fact that there is so much information and eduction available. I have taken a few CRS elective classes also and am amazed at how much a person can learn from the experiences of others. I don't believe you can have too much education. The GRI courses included different aspects of the real estate business, from pricing property properly to crunching the numbers for investment property. ABR dealt with buyers mostly but re-enforced my belief that a buyers broker agreement with every buyer is a must. E-pro is really enlightening me to the technology available. I am so excited about learning everything I can about this business. I really believe the purpose for Continuing Education should be to better your understanding of the business of real estate and to better help your clients, not fulfill an hour requirement.

Open House "Looky-Loos"

Lebron Little GRI, ABR, e-PRO (ERA Simmons Real Estate) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:58:41 -0700

I recently held an open house (sellers idea) on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. I had three couples come through, all "looky-loos"! These couples are career open house visitors. We see them every Sunday making the rounds. They usually criticize the home. They will nit-pick every little thing about the home, including the price, and then thank you for allowing them to visit. It is getting to the point where I will not encourage an open house for my sellers and explain that there are better ways to market the home. It is hard to convince some that there is a better way, especially if they visited several open houses before they bought their home. I explain to them that the majority of open house visitors do not buy the homes they are visiting but are simply comparing floor plans, price and neighborhoods. I also explain that there are a lot of "looky-loos" out there.