You & Greg Talking Real Estate - Laugh, Learn & Share

What Ever Happened With Growth Leader?

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:15:09 -0600

Anyone who's been bloggin for the last year remembers the Growth Leader firework display. Active Rain gave away 100 free trial memberships for X amount of days so members could test drive the newest promtion from Market Leader, the owner of GL. For those of you that don't know ML bought 3.5 million dollars worth of AR, a minority stake as disclosed on the ML website. ML is a publicly traded company with the symbol: SOLD.

Hundreds of blogs were written with Growth Leader Logos that had an embedded link that took you straight to the sales site so that agents could be given the opportunity to find out "more" about GL.

I just did a search on Google with the key words Growth Leader. The most recent active rain post was dated November 2008.

The excitment was so strong that many bloggers were upset about not having the product available in their market!

The question is simple. Is the product still as popular as it once was? What happened to all those raving fans? Are they still using Growth Leader? If so.. We WANT TO KNOW! If you aren't using GL and are dissapointed with the outcome then TELL US TOO!

A huge marketing promotion that goes silent? Lets see what the members of AR have to say about that...

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Tax Credit Extended & Expanded

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:11:39 -0600

Originally posted by Kathleen Cooper

Via JCKC Realty, Broker, SRES, REALTOR®:

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
TAX CREDIT EXTENDED & EXPANDED

Exciting news for first time home buyers as well as potential move up buyers today! The first time home buyer's tax credit has been extended through April 30, 2010 and expanded to include home purchasers who are selling their current home of at least 5 years of ownership.

Rules for the extended credit:

First-time home buyers must purchase homes between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.

Current home owners purchasing a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, must have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight.

To qualify as a "first-time home buyer" the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.

The maximum amount available to first time home buyers is $8,000 and the maximum available to move up buyers is $6,500. This money will not have to be repaid as long as the home is owned for 3 years or more.

For more great information about this tax credit news, visit Realtor.org.

JCKC Realty
135 Main Street
Sturbridge, MA 01566
508-523-8632

Listing Your Home Is Not An Experiment

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:42:22 -0600

1. Why do sellers list there home for over market value even when they know it will not sell? Better yet, why do agents take these listings?

2. Why do sellers put there house on the market, then leave it trashed with piled up dishes, dirty laundry, peeing dogs and 1/2 full ash trays?

3. Why do sellers put there house on the market then decide they are the one with all the answers?

4. Why do sellers only allow showings between 9-12 on Monday and between 4-6 on Saturday?

5. Why do sellers decide to STOP making their mortgage payments WITHOUT informing their listing agent?

6. Why do sellers think that padding their price for negotiations make sense?

7. Why do sellers still think that it's the "job" of the listing agent to sell the home?

We could do this all day, but we won't. I will however provide my candid opinion. So here it goes..

1. Sellers who "over list" do so because they "THINK" their home is worth more than what the market will bare & by golly, that's what they want to list for!

---->IF IT DOESN'T APPRAISE - IT CANNOT CLOSE.<-----

The only RARE option is a CASH BUYER who doesn't want an appraisal. This needs to be coupled with a buyer's agent who ignores the comps when ::clearing throat:: representing their buyer's best interest. So why do listing agents take these overpriced homes? They do so with hopes that at some point the seller will COME DOWN to a more realistic selling price! There's a saying in this business.... "The second agent always gets fed." This is usually what it takes for a seller to land back on planet Earth with their expectations or feelings about having their home priced too high - for their first listing to expire. NOBODY can sell your home for more than what it's worth. Buyer's determine value, not listing agents, sellers or opinions of neighbors & fellow co-workers.

2. Excellent problem to find a realistic answer for if you ask me. I don't know. Sadly, I see this all the time. Nobody wants to buy a filthy & disgusting home. If people "TRIED" to keep their home clean they would have a higher probability of selling. You may love your dogs, but the general public may not. You have to appeal, satisfy and work with the masses when selling. Or you don't have to, it's an option.

3. I don't run into this a lot, but I do see other agents complaining and talking about this, even the one I'm working a deal with. The problem isn't always the seller, but the agent. If you have a super controlling seller than it's YOUR job as educated council to put them in there place (professionally) and guide them to the promise land (closing) this is the ONLY reason they hired you - SELL THEIR HOME!

4. The all time most annoying scenario for a buyer's agent. Restricted & showings filled with rules. Your house is nice, but it's not that nice - period. There are over 50,000 homes on the market in Houston at any given point in time. The buyer & buyer's agent simply will say.... "NEXT."

5. GREAT QUESTION that I only WISH I had the answer for! Your Realtor is very likely savvy about handling your situation or HELPING with a short sale, pre foreclosure or other remedies. If a seller isn't making their payments & hides this from their listing agent then they are in effect breaching the contract when they listed their home. Imagine how this could complicate a potential transaction with a buyer. It IS your responsibility as a seller and requirement to communicate this to your agent. All they can do is HELP.

6. Who Knows! When I view comps on behalf of my buyers I use it as a tool to suggest an offer. If the home comps out at say.. $250,000 than we start there, not at your list price. Everything ABOVE that means you are OVERPRICED. House Proud = HOUSE LISTED LONG TIME.

7. I still don't know why we Realtors can't get the message out. THE OVERWHELMING majority of the time a BUYER'S AGENT brings a buyer. It's the role of the LISTING AGENT to promote, advertise and represent a seller, even though they sometimes bring a buyer.

Speechless Sunday Photo

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:10:25 -0500

1 Year After Hurricane Ike - With Pictures From Galveston Island...

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:51:55 -0500

My last post was about our current trip here to Galveston Island. Many of the Island's landmarks, famous hot spots & historical buildings are still damaged or in complete ruins. Above is the once famous Flagship Hotel. Stretching out 1000 feet with over 300 rooms it's better known as the USS Flagship. A passerby told us the owner and leasholder have been having legal issues which has prevented any restorations. It's scheduled to reopen in 2010. I for one hope they completely redo the hotel from the pier up. Galveston needs all the uplifting & improvements it can get.

*******************************************************************************************

One of several very popular fishing piers dismantled from Ike. I remember fishing off of this one as a kid and later in High School. You can see the obvious break between..

Here's the beginning of the same pier. Notice the leaning concrete pillars & hanging wires.

This pier is also scheduled to be rebuilt in 2010.

YIKES! Check out that truck! We suspect this truck was lifted up & over the actual fencing on either side.

Not all was disappointing. Preston bought a pet snake and got to see the beach for the first time in his little life.

Last but not least... Mommy & baby Alyssa.

Our Poodle Is Growing A Cross On Her Back...

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:05:29 -0500

Our Toy Poodle - Ginger has almost overnight grown this on her back. The brown color is really strange considering her hair is an off white and always has been. Cara & I joke, referring to her as our Jesus Poodle.

You be the judge:

Contingent Offers And Why They Shouldn't Be Confusing...

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:59:42 -0500

Recently I received an offer from a buyer's agent who presented it with a contingency document. They don't teach you much about Contingencies in Texas Real Estate School. Unfortunately for the public, its simple understanding comes with experience and usage.

Imagine listing your home for sale, then getting an offer which is then executed (all parties have signed). After negotiating inspections you are faced with the challenge of moving out and finding a new home while you still haven't closed on the house you currently own. How do you do this?

A single document known as a contingency or it's actual name: Addendum For Sale Of Other Property By Buyer, If executed correctly, prevents you from owning 2 houses at once.

It informs the seller (the home you want to buy) that you have to sell your home BEFORE you close and fund on their home.
You must obtain proceeds from the home you are selling BEFORE you will buy the sellers home.

This should be a simple document to understand, but for some agents, sellers and buyers it is not. The other two components involved in this document are:

Date
Additional Earnest Money Amount.

It is always possible for the SELLER to receive another offer in addition to the one they just executed with the buyer. Ordinarily (not in a contingency situation) this new offer, once executed would be identified as a BACK-UP contract and only used if the original contract did not close or if the buyer lost it's financing. In a contingency situation the seller has the opportunity to negotiate a new offer and potentially accept it. The seller must give you - THE CONTINGENT BUYER the opportunity to WAIVE THE CONTINGENCY first, however.

What does this mean? It means that your contingent contract is now being asked to no longer be contingent. On anything. If you as a buyer are VERY CERTAIN that your home that you are selling will close, than you have the option to DROP/WAIVE the contingency. If you do this, you are EXPECTED to deposit ADDITIONAL EARNEST MONEY. Imagine being the SELLER. If you as the seller are going to kick another offer to the curb you surely would DEMAND the original buyer put MORE money into the game. Right? I always ask for at LEAST $2,500.00 as a Listing Agent.

The additional earnest money + the original earnest money now gives the seller added financial compensation & security if the buyer does not perform/close.

Let's now discuss the date portion. Simple question: As a buyer who had to sell their home first before they bought a home, how much time would you need to decide if wanted to move forward or not? 1/2 day, 2 days? As a listing agent representing a seller I never provide more than 24 hours. Remember the seller has a pending offer! They don't have 5-7 days to wait!! The pending offers buyer(s) may just decide to move on.

As a buyers agent you would love to hold a seller hostage for say 7 days without depositing additional money. I always try. Does your agent understand a contingency offer?

And you thought Real Estate was so easy a cave man could do it.

If I Had One Wish About Contracts...

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:08:02 -0500

It happens 80% of the time. A Realtor sends me an offer without using common sense. On the MLS under AGENT REMARKS I have this typed: Please Send All Offers as a PDF file to gnino04@yahoo.com.

How many of you do not know what a PDF file is? How many of you understand MB versus KB? What about a JPEG file?

When you buy a ALL-IN-ONE machine from the store it has DEFAULT SETTINGS.

It's scanner comes PRE-SET to scan all your SCANS as JPEG FILES. A JPEG file is almost always for PHOTOGRAPHS NOT DOCUMENTS! The SIZE of the JPEG file is anywhere from 1.0 Megs, as high as 8 Megabytes per JPEG FILE.
Why is this a big deal? The larger the file, the longer it takes to transmit to the person you are sending it to. It also takes LONGER for you to upload the file. It usually does this in color as well.
It sooooooooooooooo easy to change this! Simply read the owners manual and change your settings to print in grayscale, and not black & white. B&W is fine, but typically it's still a larger file.
PDF is FREE. You can download it for FREE! You can pay for the premium package that allows you to make changes to the file once it's uploaded. The FREE version is perfectly fine for Real Estate.
Once you download PDF to your computer you have the EZ option to open files AS. Be sure to save files AS PDF when you scan & save them!

Let's Recp:

JPEG FILES are for PHOTO'S, not contracts or paper files that you want to be READ.

PDF Files are for READING and are typically MUCH smaller and easier to download, print and upload.

Finally, if you don't understand, like or appreciate the PDF file availability, then PLEASE use an EFAX! EFAX works similar and removes the bad lines, distortion and poor quality.

Real Estate & communication go HAND in HAND! Please learn how to send & receive documents so you can simplify the process and enjoy it at the same time. If anyone else has anything to add that would be great.

Incompetent, Lazy and 1/2 Baked Realtors Are Awesome! Here's Why...

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:30:50 -0500

Incompetent, Lazy & 1/2 Baked Realtors:

1. Don't make flyers. When they do, they print them in black & white on cheap paper and roll them up in an Info Tube. Usually the flyer is riddled with errors and words like "Nice Listing & Big Rooms." These flyers make better fireplace starters or barnyard torches than they do marketing tools.

2. Nothing makes a seller cringe more than to find out that their listing agent is always unavailable. When they do get a hold of their agent they answer the phone.. "Thank you for calling Wackenhut Lumber, this is Debbie." Ahhhhh, the sensational feeling of the part-time agent trying to survive is like a beautiful symphony with shouts of ahhhhhh, so annoying, ahhhhhh so irritating!

3. What about the buyer's agent whose been licensed for 9 years but has closed 10 transactions? These types love to trick prospects into believing that they have "years of experience." I love pulling their stats and sinking their battleship when competing, especially listings.

4. The "I don't work weekends Realtor" is probably my favorite. They treat our business as if it's a "hobby" instead a profession. I love these guys!

5. Then of course we have the one stop shop team of so called professionals. They salivate at the opportunity to originate your loan, find you a home, inspect it, and then close it at their title company. If they're lucky, you'll use their insurance company as they also have an Insurance license. Need a an A/C? No problem, they do that too. Just hand them the inspection report after they inspect it.

6. BAM! let's not forget about the super Realtor who promises to buy your home if they don't sell it. These guys really have devised a clever way to make more money off of ROPING in the listing leads! Let's think about this for a second....

A Listing Agent's NUMBER ONE JOB is to represent YOUR best interest - AT ALL TIMES! Not just "some" of the time.

Most, if not all of the time this tactic is by design created to reel you in and provide a FALSE sense of security. When you sit down with the listing agent to divulge your payoff, financial snapshot and personal goals it should be done with the understanding that it is CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION THAT NO BUYER SHOULD BE AWARE OF! Lots of times these sneaky Listing Agents use this information AGAINST YOU if you consent to letting them buy your home. Furthermore, they conduct an appraisal (usually by somebody they know) that provides a "sales price." Often the Liting Agent has you agree to sell your home for 90% of this value. Don't forget about the 6% commission you get to pay. What about inspections you say? You likely will agree "in advance" to pay for ALL repairs as the listing agent will suggest that he or she cannot sell the home otherwise. In the end the only person that usually loses IS THE SELLER! The sad part is that it is 100% legal. Many greedy agents will use this tactic to obtain more listings over their competitors. The truth is that they rarely buy the listing. Often "you don't qualify" for one reason or another.

7. Discount Firms will always, always be here. Some of these agents that work for these companies are an interesting and fascinating breed to say the least. Many of them will sing that full time agents are not worth the money they're paid. Those that preach this, in my opinion, were not able to survive as a "full-service" Realtor. Instead of getting out of the business, they unite with other bottom feeders to trash those who have worked for years and years expanding their knowledge, experience and expertise. ANYONE can stab your yard with a sign, then disappear afterwards. Do it right, or don't do it at all. They don't care if they make $4.00 per listing as they work VOLUME, sort of like Fried Chicken and french fries.

8. Aunt Griselda who has a license, but rarely uses it is not worth splitting her commission with. The money you'll "get at closing" most likely will fail in comparison by the service, knowledge, experience that you DESERVE when buying or selling a home. Tell Aunt Griselda that you LOVE her cookies & pies, but you are about to make the LARGEST investment decision of your natural born life and you don't want to make any FINANCIAL MISTAKES THAT MIGHT RUIN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HER.

9. AHHHHHHH The 61 year old agent who just retired from AT&T. This guy is pretty slick if you ask me. If he plays his cards right, you just might "ASSUME" he's been in business for a LONG, LONG time. In reality, he's got his IPHONE on his lap while your talking. (He's googling..... "HOW TO GET THE SELLER TO SIGN AGREEMENT") as you are talking about your home. You assume, he assumes, everybody assumes. YIPPEE!!

10. I really love the agents that over glamorize themselves. They advertise in "look at me" places like grocery stores & mall bathrooms. The results from these efforts is so tiny that it's considered nothing more than branding. The thing you should know is that these tactics are designed to GET LISTINGS, not buyers. Who do you want to hire as your listing agent again?

As an industry we have to appreciate these types, we really do. They're so easy to spot & point out. They make me, you and other worthy agents simply ... look better. All we have to do is ....not do what they do.

I Am Prejudiced And Here's Why....

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:04:40 -0500

I hate to say that I am biased about any aspect of our business, but I am. I despise Bank Of America. In my opinion, they are the walking, talking shinning example of corporate greed and disgust. So why am I talking about the Bank of North America today?

When I receive an offer I always heavily screen the preapproval letter. It's my duty & responsibility to my seller, and I won't apologize to anyone for being tough about it.

You have to call the lender to:

1. Ensure you have an open line of communication. A working phone number, extension, email address and even a physical address. ->FULL mail boxes, P.O. BOX's for an address, & kids answering the lenders home phone don't signal SUCCESSFUL TRANSACTION COMING.

2. I always ask: "Has credit been pulled, have you looked at DTI? {Debt to income ratios}?" For those of you reading this that are not in Real Estate know that it's not terribly uncommon to receive a BOGUS pre approval letter!

3. I want to make sure the lender is competent, aware of the buyer's expectations and interest rate. An incompetent loan officer says things like: "I'm pretty sure everything will be fine, let me let you talk to my shift manager when she gets back from lunch."

4. If it is a VA loan or self employed borrower I probe even deeper. Many lenders will take on a challenge (just like anyone else) with hopes of winging it. I don't want ANYONE winging my seller. This is why they hire me, to shield them from these type of scenarios.

5. If Realtor and buyer have NO PREVIOUS relationship with the loan officer then I proceed with even more caution.

The problem with BANK OF AMERICA is that when you call the number on the preapproval letter it's to customer service. I have NEVER been able to actually get a hold of any one person who is working the loan. I always get passed from one extension to another! They NEVER want to verify, talk or even acknowledge that the buyer on the preapproval letter is their customer. {my experience}

In one transaction I worked & closed, neither the borrower OR the Realtor representing the buyer had a ANY idea who the actual loan officer was at Bank Of America. Originally, the buyer wanted to go FHA. 1 day prior to closing he finds out he's got a CONVENTIONAL ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE! The loan DID NOT close on time, his lock expired and my seller was FURIOUS. To make up for their error, poor customer service and pathetic excuse for efficiency BOA paid ALL of the buyer's closing costs and made an apology to the buyer. I learned the hard way that as a listing agent you HAVE to get working phone numbers and email addresses.

If a financial institution is TOO big to treat you like their favorite client then perhaps you're working with the wrong people. I always suggest to a buyer to consider working with the lender that the Realtor has a previous relationship with. My loan officer always answers his phone and never plays games with me, my clients, the title company or anyone else. Our relationship is strong and expectation isn't vague.

Lastly, you can get an approval letter on Bank Of America's website without ever TALKING TO A SOUL! THIS is in my opinion ABSURD!

Moral of the story? Be smart about who you work with. Never assume that because you have a checking account with some large financial institution that you are going to "be treated special." Just remember that the CEO of BOA allegedly bought himself a nice $35,000 TOILET after receiving federal bail out money - OUR TAX DOLLARS!

Excellent Ways To Piss Off A Buyer's Agent!

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:14:48 -0500

A few days ago I authored a blog about how to piss off a listing agent. Tonight we'll discuss how to manage the craft of pissing off a typical buyers agent.

In no particular order:

1. Incorrect Directions. Buyer's agents love it when a listing agent says LEFT or RIGHT without using NORTH or SOUTH! You have to understand that the reason it's important to use directional compass readings is because it tells you where to go, regardless of which direction you are coming from.. In Houston, our MLS can fine a listing agent for using improper directions.

2. Dysfunctional cheap combo lockbox. Nothing makes an agent want to kick the door down more than a rusty, crusty and inoperable piece of garbage lock that doesn't work correctly.

3. STUPID Riders on a sign that say "AREA SPECIALIST" - Why do you do this? I'm the specialist because I AM bringing the buyer, REMEMBER?!

4. A Listing Agent who calls for feedback Immediately after the showing needs to have whip cream sprayed all in their hair, face and mouth. GIVE THE SHOWING AGENT A BREAK!! WILL YA? Could you be anymore DESPERATE? I just love the cheesy reasons for calls.. "Hi Greg, I just wanted to make sure everything went okay."

5. When you write up the description on the MLS and it says "BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR." It better be. I don't want to see 47 Roaches laying on their back twitching and decaying in the corners of the room. Are those empty beer bottles in the toilet? THIS IS NOT BEAUTIFUL!

6. That GIANT, sweaty, dirty, UGLY, hairy, sloppy, cross eyed mammoth of a DOG wasn't included on the showing instructions!!! DAMN! That scares us! I don't care how "friendly" it is! Why does it have different colored eyes?

7. I LOVE It when the showing service says alarm code is pound 1234, then that's it. They never tell you WHERE the damn thing is!! I despise running around the house looking for the keypad! BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP! Heart racing, buyer's nervous! PLEASE TELL US! THIS ISN'T the third grade! We are not playing HIDE AND GO FIND!!!

8. Your ugly listing has a GIANT city water tower in the backyard, HUGE power lines and a manhole in the front yard. To top it off, It's OVERPRICED and within sniffing distance of Taco Bell. Then on your flyer you have the nerve to write: EXCELLENT FIND!

9. Would somebody PLEASE define TLC?! Last time I checked it stood for: TENDER LOVING CARE. Listing Agents love to say "In Need Of Some TLC." I am tired of driving up to a home that looks like it's been hit by multiple artillery shells. A $100,000 home with $40,000 worth of repairs isn't in need of TLC, but a GUT JOB! OKAY?!?! A HANDYMAN SPECIAL doesn't include PERMITS, BULLDOZERS AND FOUNDATION POURING!

10. Who in the hell leaves their A/C on 89 during showings? Are you serious? In Houston the humidity gets to a sweltering 90% in the summer. IT'S HOT! And you have your home set to BAKE? That's just wrong!

Did Growth Leader Do Something Tacky To Me? You Be The Judge!

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:19:56 -0500

I have been a customer of Market Leader since 2006. I was one of the first customers to sign up for the now popular Growth Leader product. I have spoken to hundreds of potential customers on behalf of Growth Leader.

My personal growth leader website is www.servingcypress.com

I also own another link called www.yourhomeinhouston.com

While checking out my SEO progression I noticed that Growth Leader created a website called: www.youhomeSinhouston

They basically took my link and added an S to the word home. Should I be irratated that I'm competing with this site? Was it too close to my own link to copy? I know they haven't done anything wrong, but it seems they could have used a little discretion when deciding to create a website name. You should also know that both sites are DIRECTLY in my market - Cypress!

How would this make you feel?

UDATE: Check out what happens when you Google: yourhomesinhouston!! LOL, It actually tries to correct you and says.. DID YOU MEAN yourhomeinhouston! LMAO!

gle

Advanced Search

Web Hide optionsShow options...

Results 1 - 6 of about 4 for yourhomesinhouston.com. (0.34 seconds)

Search Results

yourhomesinhouston.com

email

See a preview of the shared page

Did you mean: yourhomeinhouston.com Top 2 results shown
Your Home In Houston
Houston Real Estate. Houston real estate is the specialty of Greg Nino and is committed to making the buying of Real estate a pleasurable and rewarding ...
yourhomeinhouston.com/ - Cached - Similar
cyress real estate katy real estate
All homes have property taxes and accompanying special assessments. Mello Roos taxes are additional encumbrances added to basic property taxes. ...
yourhomeinhouston.com/melloroos.htm - Cached - Similar
Results for: yourhomesinhouston.com
Texas Home Group -
Texas Home Group is a full service real estate firm specializing in internet marketing. Our online capabilities are unlike any other real estate firm in the ...
www.yourhomesinhouston.com/ - Cached - Similar -
About - Texas Home Group -
Texas Home Group is a full service real estate firm specializing in internet marketing. Our online capabilities are unlike any other real estate firm in the ...
www.yourhomesinhouston.com/about/ - Cached - Similar -

Show more results from www.yourhomesinhouston.com
Real Estate Blog - Did Growth Leader Do Something Tacky To Me? You ...
Posted by Greg Nino Houston Texas on 09/15/2009 10:19 PM, Comments (6) · your home in houston, your homes in houston, cypress buyers agent your house in ...
activerain.com/.../did-growth-leader-do-something-tacky-to-me-you-be-the-judge- - 20 hours ago - Similar -

A Blog That I Wish Every Buyer In America Would Read....

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:47:23 -0500

Buyer Perception

"If I want to see a home I'll call the name on the real estate sign and ask for a quick showing. I don't need a buyers agent because I can negotiate for myself and get a better deal."

"I won't bother my agent because I'm only in the infancy stage, instead I'll go through the name on the sign. When I get serious I'll call my agent."

"I'll get pre approved after I find the home I like."

"Realtors are paid to show houses and are required to"

1. If I take a listing at 6% commission and you show up withOUT a Realtor, I still get the 6%. You will not get a credit as a buyer because you don't have an agent. It's that simple. The seller has agreed to pay the listing firm X for their services. In other words, you have NO FINANCIAL incentive to REPRESENT yourself or to assume you can "get a better deal" without a buyer's agent.

2. BAD IDEA. Under agent remarks, which are NOT visible by the public it reads: If listing agent shows buyer's agent buyer, buyer's agent will receive a REDUCED commission to 2%. Why do I do this? It's very important to me that the BUYER'S agent EARN THEIR PAY. Too many buyers LIE about NOT having a Realtor. They do this in hopes to be able to pick the listing agents brain. If I show you my listing I require you to sign a buyer's representation agreement for JUST that home. This also separates the somewhat represented to the UNrepresented. I can quickly find out the truth.

3. You should ALWAYS get preapproved in the early stages! ALWAYS! It demonstrates a sincere gesture that you are in fact a serious and ready to go buyer. It's critical that you understand what your interest rate, mortgage rate and loan might look like PRIOR to assuming that everything will go as it did LAST time you bought a home. You may be able to afford LESS or MORE. Second homes are NOT as easy to purchase as they once were. No money down is history unless you're going VA. The list goes on and on.

4. Realtors are independent contractors. We are not employees. We do not receive ongoing compensation for showing houses. We are not obligated to show anyone at anytime for any reason. We are required however to promote our listing as often as possible. I ensure that my seller understands my practices when I list the home. Don't assume that the Listing agent unlocks the front door for a living.

Finally,

Productive Realtors typically spend their time showing qualified and ready to buy buyers. When we're not doing this we are wearing 1 of 20 other hats that our profession demands. We are self employed proprietors doing the very best we can to run a profitable and productive operation. The 90/10 rule applies. 90% of Realtors are not as productive as the other 10%. That 90% typically runs to sign calls and stumbles through methods that are unproductive, frustrating and financially unsound. Work smarter, not harder is definitely a belief that many of us have learned the hard way to live by. Last week I received approximately 25 sign calls. 90% of those callers wanted me to show the house IMMEDIATELY. Imagine if every time somebody called I came running to the house. I would never get anything done. Most of today's Realtors are INTERNET prospect producing agents. This means we pick up a lot of clients off the Internet. These Internet buyers & sellers come from EVERYwhere and not just within a 2 mile radius of our office. The landscape of our industry has drastically changed and so has our methods by which we are able to stay productive.

An educated buyer is the best buyer in my opinion.

Is It Okay To Eat The Sellers Food When Showing?

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:43:58 -0500

If you're like me, you be one busy person. I decided to stop eating fast food a couple of years ago. During extreme conditions I have been guilty of enjoying those cookies on the breakfast table when I show houses..... I mean, that's why they're there, right? Same with bottled water. If it's sitting out in a tub or labeled snacks then there is a higher probablity that I will scarf it. Usually my clients do too. Men love cookies. I always take one over to the husband which is never, ever returned.

Today I made a mistake. I went into a house and took a bite out of what I thought was a double chunk chocolate chip cookie. Unfortunately this high end "display" wasn't real, but plastic.What to do? It's been in my mouth and it ain't real. I decided to thoroughly wash it. My buyers laughed their butts off for probably an hour, in tears.

As we drove off my buyer asked to "stop to go to the ladies room" at the local Jiffy Mart. When she got back in the car she handed her husband a Gatorade and then tossed me a giant chocolate cookie in saran wrap. The laughter filled the car all the way back to the office.

The stager had excellent taste, so real I almost tasted it.

Would You Ride In this Ambulance?

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:06:49 -0500

If you look closely at the seat cover you'll notice the "eyes!"

Buyers Agent Accidentally leaves Phone On - OOPS!

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:54:01 -0500

I was negotiating a deal with a buyers agent for repairs recently. She had asked for $5,500 in lieu of all repairs. I always LOVE when a buyers agent pulls a number out of their fanny without a professional bid. I quickly said.. where did you guys come up with that number? The buyers agent who I'll refer to as Trina says...

"my buyers felt it was adequate compensation."

Adequate compensation? What? This isn't a lawsuit and your buyers weren't injured in a car wreck goshdangit! Get with the program sister! Get a handyman, a roofer, or somebody that KNOWS what they are talking about!

I didn't say that, but I was thinking I should. Instead I said.. We'll need a professional quote prior to negotiating any repairs. I had already known by personal experience that their quote was at least $2,000 higher than it should of been. Being a bad bullshi**er has a funny way of creeping up on you when you least expect it. After we hung up the buyers agent called back from her bat phone. I answered to NOISE.

This is what I could hear.

"well XXXX sounds like we ain't gettin $5,500. If we get $3,000 would you all be okay with that?"

BUYER: "If we can get $2,000.00 we'll take it!"

At first I was pissed, but then It hit me. The real estate God's didn't appreciate their inflated requests. The buyers would not be getting what they asked for. I called the sellers and suggested a $1,000.00 repair allowance TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT. The sellers agreed and you guessed it.. SO DID THE BUYERS!

The moral of the story? Get your bids right, & don't BS people with inflated quotes, otherwise your purse just might make the call for you!

You Won't Believe What Happened At Citi Mortgage Today...

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:02:58 -0500

I have a short sale listing, one where a buyers agent has brought me a contract, the lender is Citi Mortgage. The buyer has also elected to get a loan with Citi Mortgage. No big deal, right? You would think that this might make things easier, but it hasn't.

When the buyer went to get pre-approved with Citi he was greeted with this email by the loan officer at Citi Mortgage and I cut & paste:

--->"Stay far away from this property! Don't go near this property! Do not do this. Find another property."<------

I immediately emailed the rogue loan officer with Citi Mortgage. After this I called "customer care"

After 12 phone calls, disconnects, holds, transfers and misdirected extensions I get a hold of a voicemail, one Arnold Simon with loans in Texas.

I don't have the results yet, but will GLADLY come back with another blog to update you guys on this unbelievable, cannibalistic approach within Citi Mortgage. I am floored, shocked and very, very angry. It's this counterproductive nonsense that adds to the mountain of issues within our short sale industry.

I can't wait to hear back from the Supervisor for this individual. I feel horrible for my seller and even the buyer!

***** UPDATE *********

I finally heard back from a Supervisor, Arnold Simon. Due to "lender required repairs" Citi Mortgage refused to work the loan. The way it was conveyed however was anything but professional or acceptable according to mgmt.

The loan officer eventually retracted his statement, apologized and said he could have said what he said more constructively. Ultimately his words were ... "farmers don't like to eat their own cattle." In other words, Citi doesn't like to finance it's own short sales! Pretty interesting huh? Nice to know that this was an isolated incident that was quickly addressed. I guess getting a loan from the same bank that's conducting the short sale is not ideal, also a claim by the loan officer.

An End To Free Speech Online?

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:53:58 -0500

I watched an interesting piece on CNN this morning. The topic of discussion was about a supermodel who was repeatedly defamed by an anonymous blogger that made numerous false accusations about her. Subsequently, a judge ordered Google to provide the information of the blogger. As you can imagine that blogger is going to learn a few things about respect the hard way.

What do you think? Do bloggers have the same rights as journalist? Should bloggers be held accountable for making misleading statements about people and business practices?

Personally I find anonymous bloggers who rant, make judgement calls or involve themselves in a debate "unsavory." If you don't have the courage to show your name/face than you should probably refrain from touching the keyboard. Right? or Wrong? What's your take?

Should Your Local Taxing Authority Have Access To The MLS?

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:05:54 -0500

A friend of mine has a home. It's market value is 280k. It has a beautiful pool with tons of "interior improvements." When he purchased the house it came with the pool. All the upgrades were done within the last 3 years. The tax assessor currently has the home valued at 205k. It doesn't acknowledge the pool or interior improvements.

Ironically many homeowners jump at the opportunity to protest their taxes protesting that their home "isn't worth that much." When it comes time to sell we almost all agree that the tax records are WAY OFF and that the value of our homes are MUCH HIGHER!

As we all know the current state of the economy has many pieces to the puzzle that just don't fit together as well as they could. Poor spending, bad decisions, too much bureaucracy and so much, much more. Get the Government involved and your likely to see things get done slowly, poorly and without much logic. In my opinion of course.

Texas is a non disclosure state. This means that the value of your home is considered private information. Even if you get a letter in the mail demanding the value of your home you do not have to disclose it. The taxing authority has no real way of knowing exactly what you bought or sold your home for. Only licensed Real Estate Practitioners & licensed appraisers have the key to this information.

So here's my question. Do you think it would benefit our/your local economy to allow the taxing authority full access to the MLS? Nobody wants to pay more taxes and this definitely includes ME, but lets be honest about our system. If the correct values were reported, more revenue would become available for our politicians to spend. :::clearing throat::::

How can a taxing authority possibly provide a sensible, accurate and consistent revenue without the proper information?

FBI Hauls in over 530 Financial Executives/Loss Mitigators For Prosecution...

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:39:48 -0500

Numerous S.W.A.T teams raided Bank of America, Washington Mutual, General Motors and other financial institutions. Among the 530 arrested, 225 were short sale department employees. Many of the executives were caught on the golf course, with their mistress, or on their $35,000 toilets. One BOA Exec was reading his autographed copy of "The Smartest Guy In The Room" before being yanked off his very expensive elongated toilet.

As I understand it, these folks were immediately escorted to a large holding cell where they were immediately punched in the stomach over and over again.

The short sale mitigators were given numerous papercuts between their toes, fingers and behind their ears. Homeowners were given the opportunity to squeeze lime juice in these places. Big juicy ones.

The judicial system will take about 8 years before hearing any of their cases as this process "takes time."The high powered and very expensive attorneys on behalf of these defendants will be told.. "to resubmit your request" over and over again. The courts will routinely ignore phone calls, faxes and emails from all that inquire. Something about delinquent HOA dues?? I dunno.

Oh, none of this is for real. I did dream about it though. And we all know that sharing your dreams on Activerain is a big part of our culture.

Get Rid of Solicitation Phone Calls - FOREVER!

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:07:39 -0500

Are you tired of fast talking salesmen from companies like Leap Fish and Get My Homes Value.com calling you over & over again? Are you irrated with their same old pitch promising top Google placement? Sure you are! How would you like to NEVER, EVER hear from them or anyone else that was bothering you again?

Now you can....

The solution is sooo much fun. Simply visit? www.youmail.com

The website is FREE.

1. You can set up different voicemails for different incoming callers. The website offers HUNDREDS of pre recorded voicemails, most of which are hysterical. I have one that plays that disconnected tone then says.. "due to the hurricane in your area you cannot be connected." Now when LeapFish calls they get a voicemail, then they are disconnected. NO VOICEMAIL OPPORTUNITY!

Imagine setting up different voicemails for different friends, collegeues, your wife, husband or whatever.

2. It really is a lot of fun. My professional voicemail was a one time cost of $20.00. The other cool thing is that ALL your voicemails are emailed to you. You can save them. I always move the voicemails from my clients to their online file. Now I have emails, contracts & voicemails all in the same place! Talk about keeping your ducks in a row.

You can also have your voicemails sent to you by text if you want. This can be helpful if you are in a meetng, a closing, or simply are unable to "listen" to it.

Youmail is FREE! Get after it!

Is Ghost Blogging Unethical or A Keen Choice By Prosperous Professionals?

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 11:32:31 -0500

Ghost Blogging refers to individuals or groups who enlist the help of someone else to blog "for them." The question I have for the readers of this blog is quite simple. Do you think it's ethical to post your picture, your contact information and of course your NAME then have somebody else author blogs on your behalf? Those that do this will probably argue that this is nothing more than a keen busniess choice. A choice of time management, taking advantage of resources and generally an excellent idea. Maybe they'll admit that "they don't know how to write!"

What about the folks who read these well written posts? What about the general public? Our Code of Ethics is not ambiguous when it speaks to painting a clear picture.

Article 12:

REALTORS^® shall be honest and truthful in their real estate communications and shall present a true picture in their advertising, marketing, and other representations. REALTORS^® shall ensure that their status as real estate professionals is readily apparent in their advertising, marketing, and other representations, and that the recipients of all real estate communications are, or have been, notified that those communications are from a real estate professional

Is Ghost Blogging unethical?

I don't necessarily think so. I do think that the ghost blogger however rides a fine line by using such words as -->I & We.<--

If the wife, friend, or college student is using such words than they should be implored to disclose that they in fact or writing on behalf of..

Alyssa, My 3 Month Old Daughter Has A Few Words ....

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:20:13 -0500

Hi Everyone! Please tell my daddy to buy me nice car when I turn 16!

Hey Dad... great job with the flash! Can you get that thing OUT OF MY FACE?!?

My daddy says when people tell lies they look down & to the left. As you can see, I always tell the truth.

Did you wash your hands Daddy? I don't want no stinkin cooties dude!

I am so happy Daddy is doing a blog about me. :-)

bye now! I said scram!!

Disclaimer: All photo's are property of Alyssa Nino. Any attempt to publicly reproduce for millions of dollars must be done with her permission. Otherwise when she grows up she'll beat you up.

The HOA Has It ALL Wrong When It Comes To REAL ESTATE

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:12:49 -0500

I have two condos for sale here in Houston. Both have the sign in the window. One of the many responsibilities that MOST, if not all Home Owners Associations have is to help preserve the value of the neighborhood. They do this be enforcing their "rules."

I think one of the rules some HOA's have is not only counter productive, but quite stupid.

RING-RING:

HOA REP: Hi Greg, this is XXX from ABC HOA. I need you to take your signs down.

GREG: Why?

HOA REP: A couple here & there wouldn't bother us, but too many make the neighborhood look trashy.

Real Estate signs do many things:

1. Advertise the property - Many buyers on their initial search not only use the MLS, but drive around with or without their agent to find the property. Sign calls as we Realtors call them are a very important ingredient in getting any home sold. Many buyers will see the sign & tell a friend, relative, co-worker or anyone in the area.

2. Realtors are not born, nor or they hardwired with an internal compass. Real Estate signs make it easier for the Realtor to actually find the property. A complex that has hundreds of units located on multiple floors with special parking can be quite cumbersome, confusing and frustrating.

3. My signs display my website. I get anywhere from 200-300 clicks a day on my website. According to my sites statistics, 84% of people who visit the site VIEW MY LISTINGS. One of my MANY responsibilities is to ADVERTISE my property.

What many HOA's don't understand is that if they get in the way of me selling my property, they are basically asking to ----> lower their property values. <-----

Here's why:

Homes that don't sell (especially in today's market) will ultimately foreclose or go into a short sale status. If this happens, it's likely the price will DRASTICALLY be reduced, thus attracting INVESTORS-RENTERS and other low ball offers.

The only thing TRASHY about a real estate sign is what it might financially do to a community if it is not allowed to exist.

--------------> No sign = less chance to sell. Less chance to sell = lower property values. <-----------------

So go ahead and complain about my sign. In the end you'll win battle, but you'll lose the war. I'll remove the sign. When YOU decide your neighborhood "has gone down hill" don't expect YOUR property to sell quickly.

PSSST... Same thing for Open Houses!

Homes With A View & Oh, such LOVELY Curb Appeal..

Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:08:53 -0500

No, that's not a the scene of a Hollywood horror movie set, but an actual photo taken with my cell phone this morning. And no, that's not the sound of bacon popping and sizzling on the stove either, but the SUPER ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES arching their way through this lovely scenery. That enormous Power Line thing is one of HUNDREDS that run for what seems like MILES straight through this neighborhood.

Not everyone understands that HEAVY TRASH day does NOT INCLUDE YOUR FURNITURE.This couch and washer have been sitting in front of this property for over 3 weeks. I have a listing not too far away. At some point in time somebody thought that couch was soooo nice. As you can see they don't make watering the yard a priority either.