home: Finding out what a person wants in a home.
- 03/11/08 04:28 AM
I have found through experience that the most essential thing a Realtor can do is find out the specifics a person is looking for in a home. It is essential that you listen when a person tells you that they need a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home at the very least. That way you do not waste your time in showing them potential properties with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathrooms. Some of the questions that I ask buyers is what are you definite needs in a home. After they tell me, then I ask them what is their list of wants … (12 comments)
home: Are you doing your job?
- 03/03/08 07:47 AM
Being a Realtor in the Modesto, California area and helping people buy and sell houses is a passion of mine. It is a great way to meet people and help people realize the American Dream of property ownership. I only know how to exist in a buyers market. I got into the industry when the market was cold and it just now has started to get better. I have been doing farms, open houses, etc.. I am willing to go the extra distance to get results. The question I pose to Realtor's out there, is what do you do to get those … (12 comments)
home: Open Houses Can Work
- 02/28/08 01:31 AM
I have lately read quite a few posts on Active Rain that have said that it is not worth an agents time to do an open house. What are the benefits of doing an open house, besides to reassure the home owner that you are doing everything possible to sell their home? There are many, and I recently have had situations that make it all worth it. Two weeks ago I was doing an open house at a condo listing in Modesto and only had five or six people walk in that day. I got all their information, but one person really … (10 comments)
home: The real victims with foreclosures
- 01/31/08 07:19 AM
Many of you know that I come from an area in the country which statistically has more foreclosures than any other part. There are issues with banks and people trashing the homes and people vandalazing the homes for copper, but that is not the issue with this blog. This deals with the victims that are often not talked about, which is the household pet. Many people have just left their dogs or cats in the house or garage, tied up with little or no food or shelter. Sometimes it could be a month or so before a cleanup person or a realtor … (17 comments)
home: Weston Ranch and 60 Minutes
- 01/30/08 08:22 AM
Many of the Realtors on Active Rain saw the 60 Minutes interview on a place called Weston Ranch, in Southwest Stockton. This place also happens to be part of the Manteca Unified School District and was a prime attraction in the late 1990s for the Bay Area Commuter. With that said, why is it the highest foreclosure area in the country? The answer is very simple. It is called Greed. Some people want everything instantaneously without having to wait or save up for it. Many people were getting into these homes for 400-600K when the market was hot and then borrowed against … (0 comments)
home: When is the best time to buy?
- 11/27/07 07:52 AM
When is the best time to buy? That is the question that is plaguing many many people as the Holiday season is upon us. Do we wait until January? Do we wait until the market plunges another 5-10,000 lower on home prices? Do we buy now? It is no wonder that consumers are inundated with these decisions when buying a home, especially when in a lot of markets there are bargains to be found left and right. The right answer to these questions depends upon the individual. for some it is best to wait, others the time is right now, and … (2 comments)
home: Disclose, Disclose, Disclose or you could end up in court
- 11/27/07 07:40 AM
My wife and I were watching a court television show yesterday, when the first case on the agenda was a homeowner suing a real estate agent who did not disclose that there was flooding in the house. The plaintiff won almost $4000 because of the intentional lack of disclosure. Don't put yourself in this position. I know the laws vary from state to state, but I have to do a visual inspection and write anything that I see wrong with the property on the report. If I withhold any information, I could be liable. So I make it a basic rule, to write down the damage I see and I ask … (7 comments)
home: Your Website,a Major Lifeline!
- 11/21/07 05:01 AM
In my area, I am astonished as to how many agents do not have a separate website that promotes their name. I do realize that some agents may be new and may not have the advertising dollars to spend money on creating a web site or do not have the expertise to maintain one. I also realize that some agents may be forbidden by their companies to have a website that is not associated with the company. But a good, clean website is extremely important to making a positive impression on your clients. It needs to be easy to use as … (16 comments)
home: Drowning? Customers are your life-line
- 11/20/07 07:15 AM
Many realtors are having a hard time in areas that have been severly affected by the mortgage companies tightening loan requirements and the sub-prime defaults and foreclosures. But many are thriving in this time where bargains are the name of the game. What separates out these realtors? Why are they thriving when others are drowning? It is very simple, actually. The following things are what the thriving realtors are doing over the ones that are drowning or barely keeping their heads above water. 1. Work smarter not harder. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is insanity, … (6 comments)
home: Get your short sale done quicker.
- 11/09/07 07:44 AM
In many markets across the United States, the term short sale is getting to be very well-known among agents, loan officers and banks. It can be the kiss of death with a sale, since it takes longer to do, usually. I am including some helpful hints for consumers and agents to help speed up the process. By the way, the reason many homes are going to auction is because consumers wait until the last moment to do the items below. 1. If your listing is going to be a short sale. Have the homeowner immediately send the permission and hardship letter … (4 comments)
home: First Time Home Buyers
- 10/28/07 05:08 PM
When a person starts to buy their first home there is a lot of excitement, fear and tons and tons of stress. The statistics show that buying or selling a home is one of the leading causes of divorce in our country. I discovered that there are areas that first time home buyers need explained to them, to help decrease the amount of stress throughout the process. One of these areas that need to be explained is the differences between a pre-approval letter and good faith estimates. I can count numerous times when clients come to me after I tell them to … (6 comments)
I have found through experience that the most essential thing a Realtor can do is find out the specifics a person is looking for in a home. It is essential that you listen when a person tells you that they need a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home at the very least. That way you do not waste your time in showing them potential properties with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathrooms. 
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