buyers: Be Careful What You Say -- Especially When On Camera - 04/07/12 10:46 AM
Be Careful What You Say -- Especially When On Camera
 
Like many in and out of the real estate industry, I sometimes stop by one of the many television shows related to the real estate industry.  You know, the ones where a new home buyer may look at three homes and buys one all in a nicely packaged thrity minute segment or a home seller chooses his agent because they share the same dog psychologist.    Yeah, they can be fun and sometimes even informative.   You may have even seen someone you know on one of these shows - … (11 comments)

buyers: Welcome To The Open House But Don't Open That Door! - 02/22/12 11:09 AM
Welcome To The Open House But Don't Open That Door!


Don't Open That Door!
When Your Home is on the Market for Sale, It Should Be Ready to Sell Everyday!

Does this post title and photo seem like a scene out of a slasher or horror movie?   Well, on Sunday while showing property to buyers, we stopped at a scheduled open house around the corner from the last home they were seeing.   This home was not available to preview and showings would occur on one of two dates only - both weekend open house dates.   … (18 comments)

buyers: Attention Home Sellers -- Are You Prepared to Answer This Question? - 11/11/11 06:23 PM
Attention Home Sellers -- Are You Prepared To Answer This Question?
 
As a ready-to-hit-market home seller you have gone through lots of hoops to get ready for that important first showing, open house or broker caravan.  
The stage is set.  Both literally and figuratively.
The price has been finessed.
You are both mentally and physically prepared.  An athlete ready for the game.
But are you really ready?
Are you ready for this question?
The question that almost every buyer I know asks me.
Why are they selling?
Huh?   
Yes, buyers always ask that question.
So what will you … (11 comments)

buyers: So How's That Overpriced Listing Workin' For Ya? - 11/06/11 02:16 PM
So How's That Overpriced Listing Workin' For Ya?
I don't watch Dr. Phil but I have seen him parodied over the years on television shows like Saturday Night Live.   A favorite caricature always seems to include one of his catch phrases "how's that workin' for ya?".
That catch phrase kept popping in my head as I was previewing some properties this past week in advance of showing to a buyer client yesterday.   I previewed and reviewed ten different properties to whittle down my selection to about four or five.   The properties were all of a similar age and similar price … (13 comments)

buyers: Sometimes You Do Get A Second Chance - 11/05/11 02:29 PM
Sometimes You Do Get A Second Chance
As Realtors, we have experienced either ourselves or with our clients --- "losing" a home either in a multiple offer situation or when a seller just doesn't want to accept an offer.  It can be a very frustrating time for a buyer but there can be hope.   If you are a buyer who has lost a home, I want to let you know that sometimes you do get a second chance.
It doesn't always happen but if a second chance presents itself, be prepared to act quickly.
Some reasons you might get a … (8 comments)

buyers: Are You Glad You Asked What My Buyers Thought? - 10/27/11 11:34 AM
Are You Glad You Asked What My Buyers Thought?
I knew the phone calls would come after one of my showings this weekend, I got a text message while my buyers were with me in the car leaving the property in need of a feedback request.   Hmm, can you let us catch our breath and discuss the house first?   
So when I received telephone calls on Tuesday and Wednesday asking "what did your buyers think?" telephone calls and voicemail messages, I was not surprised.   I have discussed this issue in the past and at length.  My opinion is … (71 comments)

buyers: Sorry - But Buyers Cannot Just Look Beyond It -- First Impressions Count - 08/12/11 01:28 PM
Sorry - But Buyers Cannot Just Look Beyond It -- First Impressions Count
I have had potential seller clients tell me "buyers can just look beyond it".  But buyers cannot and will not just look beyond it --- even if you are not going to have your home staged(it is highly recommended) you need to de-clutter your home(inside and out).  The idea is you are moving, right?  Don't confuse buyers with clutter.  They will not consider your home for a possible purchase without a major price reduction in their mind.  

 
Sorry -- But Buyers Cannot Just Look Beyond … (12 comments)

buyers: The Zillow Zestimate is Not The Answer - 05/01/11 08:42 PM
The Zillow Zestimate is Not The Answer
Of course you have heard of the Zillow Zestimate --- it's that magic price that the website zillow publishes that seems to anger sellers, cajole buyers and makes many Realtors wince.
I have had two buyers ask me about the Zestimate this past week. 
One said, Zillow said that house is worth $725,000.   Pretty disappointing to the owners of that particular property on the market at $995,000, don't you think?
Upon closer examination, I walk the buyers through the Zestimate --- you see there is a range there as well and in this particular case, the … (14 comments)

buyers: Driving Your Open House Business -- Part 1/Proper Signage - 04/03/11 09:48 PM
Driving Your Open House Business -- Part 1/Proper Signage
I know the one thing you can always count on when you get a group of real estate agents together will be the pros and cons of open houses.  
Why they work.............Why they don't work.....Agents who tell sellers they don't work and only the agents who are looking for new buyers like open houses............No one buys a property from an open house.....I know of an agent who finds buyers for the house he is holding open........People only look online now.......
If you are an agent who doesn't like open houses, don't hold … (8 comments)

buyers: With All Due Respect, Mr. Seller -- I'd Rather You Didn't Do Those Repairs - 02/26/11 01:15 PM
With All Due Respect, Mr. Seller -- I'd Rather You Didn't Do Those Repairs
This is inspired by some of the comments I have made on posts in reference to the issue of sellers completing repairs requested by the buyer after a property inspection.  Actually, the issue is not the completion of the repairs but rather not completing or doing said repairs in a rather s%$^* shoddy manner.
Why are you asking a seller to repair or replace an either inoperable or damaged item?  Do you believe he, although a perfectly nice person I am certain, will take the same level of care … (17 comments)

buyers: Just Send Me An Offer --- Is That Really The Message You Want to Give My Buyers? - 02/19/11 06:20 PM
Just Send Me An Offer --- Is That Really The Message You Want to Give My Buyers?
I was previewing and reviewing properties yesterday to show clients over the next week.  One of the agents left a voicemail message in response to a question. 
"Just Send Me An Offer, Any Offer"
and in case I didn't understand her message, she repeated
"Just Send Me Annnnnny Offer"
First, this is an agent I do not have a personal or business relationship.  The property is a condominium which had been flipped and had been on the market a bit more than the average days on … (15 comments)

buyers: The Sellers Did Whaaaaat? - 01/02/11 05:20 PM
I'm sorry what did you say?
The sellers have accepted your offer.  Congratulations!
Whaaaaat?
The Sellers did whaaaaat?
You mean, they didn't counter?
The price was acceptable?
The terms were acceptable?  Close of escrow timing was okay?
They accepted our contingency dates for loan, appraisal and inspections?
They liked our mortgage pre-approval letter?
They will pay for a home protection plan?
Hmmmm?
Did we pay too much?
Should we have asked for something different?
Is there something wrong with the house?
Well....
What if your offer was accepted because
your offer was based on the recent sales of comparable homes close … (19 comments)

buyers: Have You Actually Told a Buyer They Don't Need to Have an Earnest Money Deposit? - 12/31/10 03:37 PM
Hey, hold on....did I read this correctly?  Well, that's what I thought when I saw this post from Tammy Emineth from Missouri.  In fact my comments on her original post:  never, nada, nyet ---- in the interview process with a buyer I always discuss the earnest money deposit and let them know about how the percentage of the deposit may vary depending on location of the property and the customs in that area but that they will need to have $$$ available when they find their home.  If I am representing a seller and received such an offer, I doubt it would be highly … (4 comments)

 
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Michael Jacobs, Pasadena CA/SanGabriel Valley Realtor, 818.516.4393 cell

Pasadena, CA

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Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

Address: 2065 Huntington Drive, San Marino, CA, 91108

Office Phone: (626) 685-5246

Cell Phone: (818) 516-4393

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Your source for real estate representation in the San Gabriel Valley and northeast communities of the city of Los Angeles including: Pasadena, Altadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Temple City, Arcadia, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Duarte, Bradbury, Azusa, Glendora, Claremont, Glendale and La Canada Flintridge as well as Highland Park, Monterey Hills, Eagle Rock, Mt Washington, Montecito Heights, Glassell Park and Sagamore Park.


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