Melissa Santos's Blog

The Mysterious Estate Sale!

Melissa Santos (RE/MAX Centre City) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:54:16 -0800

Ooooh k. You just list an estate.....you suspect the fellow who passed away, did so in the home. Your a little skeptical as to if it is appropriate to ask or not.....

....one week later you are showing the home to new clients...the nosey neighbor pops by and decides to inform everyone that this poor old man was in the house for days before anyone found him....

u thank him for the info (sarcasm)

Now u approach the sellers who say this is true, but ask for you not to let people know...

What is the right thing to do? Do respect the instructions of your sellers (is that legal in this case?)...do you only tell buyers if they ask?

what are your thoughts?

REAL ESTATE HUMOR

Melissa Santos (RE/MAX Centre City) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:31:46 -0800

Prince George Events

Melissa Santos (RE/MAX Centre City) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:23:08 -0800

Come check out this weekends greatest event in Prince George. Taste of India- offers exceptional Indian cuisine and music. Lots of entertainment for people of all ages. This is a fundraising event which proceeds go to the Canadian Cancer Society. Saturday, February.5th, 2011 at the Prince George Civic Centre!

Print vs. Web

Melissa Santos (RE/MAX Centre City) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:13:21 -0800

I have been wondering myself more and more lately how effective it is to print listings and advertise in the weekly real estate guide that is distributed each Saturday in Prince George.

Most of us who are subscribers to active rain, obviously feel that a large internet presence is far more effective in regards to buyers searching for listings or a realtor. The cost to print or do radio ads is far more expensive than the tools offered to us online....not to mention, advertising online is much more economical.

As realtors, what type of feedback have you been getting from your clients....where do most of them find you? when they search for a house, where are they looking?

Choosing the right Realtor

Melissa Santos (RE/MAX Centre City) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 20:12:38 -0800

7 Things To Look for When Choosing Your Realtor (Whether you are buying or selling a property)

1. Dont always choose the Realtor with the flashiest advertising or the most radio ads. Money can by

publicity, but doesnt always guarantee the best service.

2. Ask your family and friends who they would recommend from previous experiences

3. Go to some open houses in your area and meet some of the Realtors. You will click with some more

than others.

4. Choose a Realtor that displays confidence, is enthusiastic, and that if they dont have the answer to

something, they are always willing to find it.

5. Choose someone who is persistant, and listens and understands your housing needs

6. Choose a full-time Realtor. This will assure that the search for you home is full-time as well.

7. Don't always choose the Realtor that has been around the longest. Newer Realtors are eager, agressive

and dedicated to helping you reach your goals.

Prince George Foreclosures

Melissa Santos (RE/MAX Centre City) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:27:23 -0800

Purchasing a foreclosure can offer excellent and unique opportunity to earn money in a long or short term investment. Currently in Prince George, there are 33 foreclosure listings. If you would like a copy of the current list, please contact me at melissasantos@remax.net or by phone at (250) 649-8110.

Prince George Foreclosures

Melissa Santos (RE/MAX Centre City) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:24:06 -0800

THE REALITY OF OPEN HOUSES!!!

Melissa Santos (RE/MAX Centre City) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 20:39:05 -0800

When I first became a Realtor, less than a year ago I often thought........No fair! I have to spend my Sunday afternoon hosting open houses. The reality?.....Its very seldom an open house will sell the house you are presenting. In fact, half the people who walk through them are either nosey neighbors, or Buyers already working with another Realtor....often by 4pm Sunday, I think to myself how inefficient the last 4 hours of my life was, especially on those hot summer days when everyone is out at the lake.

Thats one way to look it. Although in my eyes most of the above is true, the outcome can be a complete 180. Open houses now are my BREAD and BUTTER. I have recently taken an hour out of my Friday afternoon to door knock ten houses up and ten houses down from the property I will be hosting an open house at the following Sunday. I ask the homeowners how long they have lived in the neighborhood, how long they plan on living there, and if they were to move, where would they go? Most people have no problem answering these questions...next, i let them know there is a house for sale up the street and they are more than welcome to come take a peek during the open house, and better yet, if they know of any buyers, they have the opportunity to pick their own neighbors! Give them your card, thank them for your time....

Now traffic is flowing at my open house...as each person walks in I find something I think they would be interested in talking about.....I ask them if their Realtor has shown them lots of properties.......Oh wait! they say they dont have a Realtor.....that's my in!....I let them know that if they arent interested in this house, that there is a house on this street and this street i think they may like...i get their contact info. and ask if I can set them up on the automated PCS system.....

As realtors, we've all heard a million ways to host open houses. A lot of times we can feel like pushy salespeople when using dialogue thats not our own words. I recommend taking the time before each open house to know the comparable properties in the neighborhood, cause chances are people will ask about them, always give out your cards, always find a reason to have to contact that person once they have stepped out the door and most of all .....BE YOURSELF.....not all buyers will mesh with you....and although we want them all, sometimes its not always worth it.

And remember, next Sunday when you have to wake up early to spend your afternoon working......YOU ARE A REALTOR.....you can take Monday off if you want!!!!!( or whichever day works for you :p) good luck!

Prince George Single Family Dwelling Market Report

Melissa Santos (RE/MAX Centre City) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:35:36 -0800

2010 Market Report for Prince George, British Columbia

935 Single family dwellings sold in all of 2010

Average List Price: $254,321

Average Sale Price: $245,908

List to sell ratio: 96.69

Average days on market: 52

Compared to 2009--------

1031 Single family dwellings sold

Average List Price: $257,130

Average Sale Price: $248,218

List to sell ratio: 96.53%

Average days on market: 61

GO FOR NO! FAILING VS FAILURE

Melissa Santos (RE/MAX Centre City) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 23:05:11 -0800

WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING RIGHT NOW, PUT IT ASIDE AND READ THIS BOOK!!!! "GO FOR NO"..... I READ IT IN ONE SITTING IN UNDER ONE HOUR!

AS A PROFESSIONAL WE SET GOALS EACH DAY AND EACH WEEK. GENERALLY THESE GOALS ARE SET OUT TO GENERATE SUCCESS AND PREVENT FAILURE. THIS BOOK WILL SHOW YOU A DIFFERENT MODEL ON HOW TO REACH SUCCESS....

SAY THIS WEEK YOUR GOAL IS TO CLOSE ONE DEAL AND GET ONE NEW LISTING. WHAT TYPES OF THINGS MIGHT YOU DO TO GET THE BUSINESS....COLD CALL, CONTACT YOUR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE, EXPIREDS, FSBO'S....WHATEVER IT IS YOU MAY DO....CHANCES ARE YOU ARE GOING TO FACE SOME SORT OF REJECTION TRYING TO GET THE BUSINESS AND IT IS EASY TO GET DISCOURAGED.....

....ITS NOW THURSDAY MORNING, YOU DONT HAVE THAT LISTINGS...YOU HAVENT CLOSED THAT SALE, IT LUNCH TIME...AND YOU DECIDE YOUR WEEK WAS A FAILURE AND YOU'LL STAY HOME FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK AND TRY AGAIN ON MONDAY

NOOOO!!!!!!! DONT DO THAT..... LETS LOOK AT REJECTION AS A POSITIVE THING!!

NOW READ THIS SCENARIO.....

ITS MONDAY MORNING, YOUR GOAL IS NOW TO GET REJECTED 20 TIMES IN ONE DAY TRYING TO GET THAT LISTING OR MEET THOSE BUYERS TO CLOSE THAT SALE....YOU'VE CALLED 10 EXPIREDS, ALL OF WHOM ARE RELISTING WITH THEY'RE ORIGINAL REALTOR, BUT CALL NUMBER 11 GETS YOU THAT LISTING APPOINTMENT....IT WORKED!!!....BUT DO YOU GO HOME NOW....NO!....CAUSE YOU HAVE TO STILL GET REJECTED NINE MORE TIMES THAT DAY!

DO YOU GET THE POINT?.....IN ORDER TO REACH SUCCESS YOU MUST EXPERIENCE FAILURE AND LEARN TO DEAL WITH IT AND MOVE ON TO THE NEXT....NOT ONLY THAT, THE MORE FAILINGS WE EXPERIENCE THE MORE SUCCESS WE WILL ACCELERATE.

THIS BOOK IS GREAT AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IN MY OFFICE! IF YOU READ IT OR ALREADY HAVE READ IT...LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!

CHEERS!

NEW CANADIAN MORTGAGE RULES....A BAD THING?

Melissa Santos (RE/MAX Centre City) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:24:03 -0800

As most of you probably came across this morning in the globe and mail or some other new source, there will be a few changes to Canadian mortgage rules. I find people generally tend to react negatively to change in these types of systems, however I personally feel this could be a positive change.

First off, in case werent aware of the changes that will commence in 60 days from now, here they are:

-The minimum amortization periods will now be 30 years as opposed to 35 years

-The maximum amount you can borrow in refinancing your home will be 85% from 90%

-Ottawa will withdraw government insurance backing on line of credits secured by homes

How do you think buyers will react to these changes? Will we have a sudden rush of buyers in the next 60 days? Will homeowners take advantage of the extra 5% they are able to refinance in the next little while.

What do you think?