Tips and Thoughts on Life and Living

A note on the recent tragedy in Iowa

2008-06-13T11:38:11Z

I am a Scoutmaster for a local troop and it was with a heavy heart that I learned of the news from Iowa. I am sure many of you felt the same way. I would like to take a moment and reflect on this tragedy and identify a few lessons we can learn from it.

As the story of the tragedy unfold, we learned that these Scouts handled themselves remarkably well. They followed the correct procedures, they kept their heads in a crisis, and as soon as danger passed, they took control of the situation and began to take care of one another. Had these young men allowed themselves to fall apart, had they neglected their training, the loss of life could well have been much higher. It is a lesson to us all to take the Scout motto "Be Prepared" seriously for ourselves, our families, and our co-workers. The discipline they showed, the soundness of their training, and their bravery exemplify all we expect from Scouts and should inspire us to achieve the same level of preparedness in our daily lives.

As families, we can see how precious each day is and we can live with the understanding that today matters as much as, if not more than, tomorrow. While we plan for the future, it is important to live today and create those treasured memories that will see us through difficult times. Sometimes, our sense of urgency to pay a bill, to close a deal, to enhance our business supercedes time with our family, our friends, and our faith. Today is a day we can live only once and we need to pay attention to what matters. At the end of our lives, very few of us will wish we had spent more time at the office.

As adults and community leaders, we see the potential for our children and our peers in crisis situations and gain an even greater sense of the responsibilities we have to ensure the safety of those for whom we are responsible. While we cannot control every situation, we can make sure we are as prepared as possible.

Finally, as a community, we can see the value and amazing results of an organization that has worked for nearly 100 years to train and develop boys into men ready to selflessly take on leadership roles in our communities, our nation, and in the world. We also see their spirit of selfless service to others and hold their example as one we can follow in our own lives.

Please keep the families and Scouts directly affected by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers. The loss of these fine young men is devastating to us all, but all the more so to their families, their peers, and their leaders.

Safety First - Working with Rural Properties

2008-06-13T11:05:41Z

In my last blog entry, I mentioned that I don't hold open houses for properties in rural areas. One member raised an important issue when she responded by saying that if "no one can hear me scream", she won't hold the house open. The issue of safety is always in the forefront for members of the real estate profession and is especially relevant for those who work in rural areas.

There are a few basic rules to follow to protect yourself:

First, try to have a second person in the house with you.

Two, ABSOLUTELY have your cell phone on, charged, and readily available. This is important even if you have someone else in the home.

Three, make sure someone in your office or at home knows where you are and check in with that person regularly.

Four, follow office protocol in the event that a situation arises. In our office, we are supposed to call in as as the receptionist for the RED file for the house we are holding open. The receptionist is then to contact the police and send help from the office.

Five, be aware of unusual reports from other real estate professionals with regard to people showing up regularly at open houses. You should also report any unusual occurrences to your managers and to your local board so that everyone can be informed of any potential problems.

In the end, we have to take care of ourselves. If you have other recommendations, please let me know!

Rural Open Houses - To Do or Not To Do

2008-05-15T10:19:03Z

About half of the territory I work is rural in nature. For you city folks, that means that the homes can be a mile apart and are located on a dirt road. A lot of the homes I list are at least 30-40 minutes from a city and require a map and compass to reach.

So the question is: Is it a viable business proposition to hold an open house for a home in a rural setting? My tendency is to say no, but there is a caveat to that response. The truth is, with gas prices near $4.00 a gallon, selling in a rural area is a challenge. Getting buyers to come to an open house is as well, since it can mean a significant investment for them in time and gas. The most successful open houses I've held in rural areas are in country developments in which there are a several homes for sale and all of the agents hold an open house on the same day. That can take a bit of coordination and, heaven forbid, require that we talk to other agents (said with a smile), but the results can be rewarding, especially if everyone offers some kind of food (if you feed them, they may come).

What about solo open houses in a country setting? If it is a spectacular property and you have ample time to advertise, it might be worth trying. Otherwise, your time and money might be better spend marketing the property using virtual tours and Web-based advertising. Nothing, and I mean nothing, works better in a rural area than Web-based marketing. This is especially true for higher-priced homes

A case in point is a home I had listed in a small town northwest of Ann Arbor. This home was a beauty, but was in a price range in which there was a seven-year inventory of homes available. Yes, SEVEN! Only one or two homes sell over $300K in this town each year and there are about seven on the market right now in that price range. I had a full-blown virtual tour created, complete with lots of stills for the home and posted everything on www.realtor.com as well as the local MLS. The folks who purchased the home were living in Egypt at the time and found the home via the Web. They viewed all the photos, all the tours, and asked for a few others as well. Ultimately, they purchased the home having only walked through it one hour before the closing.

Now, it would not have been possible for them to view the home at a open house and the same is true for many of our buyers now. Time, money, and complicated lives prevent many of our buyers from wandering the country around on a Sunday afternoon. Most rural buyers are only viewing homes after previewing and prequalifying them on the Web. The same can be said for all buyers, but it is especially true for those in rural areas. The upshot of this diatribe is simple - I believe it is better to market rural properties well on the Web than via open houses. Any thoughts from other rural agents?

The BIG decision - buying that first home

2008-02-27T17:59:53Z

Over the past couple of weeks, I've had the pleasure to sit down with several first-time homebuyers. As a real estate professional, I believe part of my job is to help these folks with their decision by providing them the information they need to make the right decisions for themselves. Sometimes, that decision is to wait. Other times, it is about how much to spend. The important thing for me to remember is that it is all about them, not about me.

There seems to be a big difference between the first-timers of today and those we saw on the market 2-3 years ago. The buyers I talked to are very aware of the market, the pitfalls of buying beyond their ability to pay, and they are willing to buy what they need now and for the foreseeable future, rather than go for the whole package at once. They are also more cautious and they ask a LOT of questions.

To be honest, I like these new homebuyers. As a group, they are knowledgeable, sensible, and, most important to me, they are willing to listen to a real estate professional and ask for information when they don't understand something.

For those who are working with new-home buyers, patience is a virtue. So is looking at the long-term plans for your clients. Don't be afraid to ask the personal question about potential life changes such as whether they will start a family, whether one of them will stay home when that happens, and how long they anticipate being in the area. Too, it is worth talking to them a little about building a safety net for themselves so that they have money in the bank on which to fall back should their employment situations change or emergencies arise. I try hard to make sure my first-time homebuyers are my clients for life, and they appreciate my willingness to go the extra mile to help them through a very challenging and life-changing decision. It is worth every extra minute to help them realize their dreams and I know they appreciate the service I provide.

Hey! Let's be careful out there!

2008-01-26T19:45:28Z

As I headed out on the road this morning, those words from Sgt. Esterhouse on Hill Street Blues floated through my mind. It wasn't long before I realized how important they were, especially here in Michigan. On a 20 mile stretch of highway, I saw at least 6 accidents and another 6-8 cars in the ditch or median. It wasn't until later in the day that I heard the news that an emergency responder was killed while helping someone else at an accident site located right where I exited the highway.

That tragedy should make us all stop and think about our driving habits and our personal safety. There was plenty of black ice and slippery conditions all along that route this morning. Despite that, and despite the fact that there were so many cars off the road and damaged along the way, other drivers insisted on driving above the speed limit or faster than the conditions justified. Was it bravado? Insanity? Or perhaps a feeling of invincibility? I don't know. I do know that there are some basic safe driving rules we should all follow when the weather is marginal or dangerous.

Slow down! - This is the golden rule of driving in bad weather. Slower speeds gives you more reaction time and reduces the damage you and your vehicle will sustain in a crash.

Give yourself plenty of room in front and in back! - On any given day, I will see people following another car with less than a car length of space between their front bumper and there other vehicle's rear bumper. In normal driving conditions, you should keep a 2-second space between vehicles. In foul weather, you need to have a 4-second space. Are you too close? Pick a marker by the side of the road. When the rear bumper of the car ahead of you passes that point, start counting by thousands -- 1000 -- 2000. If you pass the point before you count to 2000, you are too close!

Drive defensively! Drive like everyone else is out to get you! If you expect the other drivers to be careless, you are more likely to anticipate their actions and be able to respond quickly to any situation that develops. And just remember, just because you are paranoid - it doesn't mean they aren't out to get you! (And if they are out to get you, it isn't paranoia at all!)

So, I hope these tips are helpful. Drive safe - especially through the rest of this winter and Hey...Hey!...Let's be careful out there!

Safe Travels in Winter Weather

2008-01-16T22:11:43Z

I spend a lot of time on the road each day and am often wandering the back roads of the area around Chelsea. With winter upon us, I find that there are a few things I have to keep in the car for emergencies. You may find some of these items helpful to have on hand as well.

For warmth: Have a blanket or two on hand, preferably wool. Old army blankets may be scratchy, but they keep you warm even when wet, are naturally water-resistant, and fire-resistant. It might also be a good idea to keep a couple of candles and a glass in which to light them in the trunk, just in case you are stuck for more than an hour or so in a cold spot. Glass conducts heat as well as metal and lets the light out as well! Just remember to crack the windows if you have to use them. You should also have a pair of wool socks, mittens, and a hat on hand just in case.

For light: Keep a flashlight in the car for use outside if you have to change a tire or flag down a passing vehicle. While a candle might work well in the vehicle, they can often blow out on a windy day. You should also have a couple of road flares in the event you are blocking traffic.

Odds and ends: A collapsable snow shovel is always handy as is a bucket of salt, sand and wood ash. The combination of materials works exceptionally well when you find yourself stuck in the snow! I also have couple bottles of water with me at all times and a couple energy or granola bars just in case.

Being prepared for emergencies and difficult traveling conditions can give you a leg up in such a situation. If you have other items that you keep in your car, please share the knowledge!