|
| |
Food for Thought For a FSBO - 01/31/10 03:53 PM
I visited a very nice FSBO yesterday - she was having an open house and I had already contacted her with suggestions to improve her on-line ad. I found that she had educated herself very well about the market. She even went as far as interviewing her neighbours about their houses.
Now, she did set her price a little high, but not unrealistically so.
She said she had had a couple offers (they really staged the home very well), but they were too low, so they didn't accept them.
"Yes," I said to her, "Negotiations can be tricky; there is a knack to … (9 comments)
|
You're Ready to Buy and It Is EXCITING!!!! - 01/29/10 01:24 PM
So. You've decided to take the plunge. You're tired of renting or you've lived with your parents so you can save up a down payment, and now you're ready to buy your first house.
YIPPPPPPEEEEEEEE!!!!!
Wow. It's exciting, isn't it? But now that you've decided, where do you start?
When deciding to buy a new home (even if you're not a first timer), it's always best to visit with a mortgage advisor to see what you can afford to buy. That way you know what you can look at. There's nothing worse than getting excited about a house and then finding … (4 comments)
|
So how good are you .... Really? - 01/29/10 09:27 AM
Everyone measures his or her success as a professional differently.
Some think the money they've made at the end of the year is a good measure.Some think that an award or recognition from the industry is an indication of how good they are.Some think the number of solicited testimonials they've gotten shows their value.
But does anyone measure success by:
How many clients you've made smile?How many sincere handshakes and thank-you's you've received in a day, a week, a month?How many random e-mails from clients have you gotten that say how much they appreciate what you've done for them?
To … (8 comments)
|
Would You Use A Testimonial - No Matter What? - 01/27/10 07:31 AM
Yesterday I got a text message from one of my daughters. The message asked if so-and-so on Facebook was a friend of mine.
I told her he used to be a customer when I had the book store, and a client when he was selling his house, that I've had him as a "friend" on Facebook for a few years...why?
Well, she texted...the guy freaks me out.
Wow - didn't see that coming.
I knew so-and-so had added my daughter as a Facebook friend and really didn't see a problem. But apparently he had sent her an e-mail telling her how sexy her latest pictures were. This … (9 comments)
|
When For Sale By Owners Advertise "No Agent Fees" - 01/26/10 01:14 PM
I research For Sale By Owner properties. I reply to their ads and offer advice to the homeowners, if I see blatant errors in their advertising. And I'll answer via e-mail any questions they may have to assist them.
Why would I do this?
It's simple really. I want to help them.
I want to help them, because sometimes my clients want to see For Sale By Owner properties and I want to be able to have a wide variety of options to offer.
I want to help them because sometimes they need help and I believe in the services that … (21 comments)
|
He Actually Said, "Get Rid of Your Dog You'll Get More for Your House"!!! - 01/24/10 11:42 AM
When I worked with this particular Real Estate Agent, before I had become one myself, he told me, "If you get rid of your dog you'll get $10,000.00 more for your house."
Really? And how much more will I get if I get rid of my daughters?
Telling clients to get rid of their pets while they try to sell their homes is absolutely ridiculous, and to put a monetary value on a pet (a family member) is downright insulting.
What this agent should have told me was this:
I know you love your dog, but some people aren't animal lovers and don't … (9 comments)
|
How Do You Want to Be Contacted? - 01/19/10 12:45 PM
You're looking for a new place to live.
Or
You're selling your house.
This piece of advice is very short and sweet, but could mean the difference between finding the right house to buy or selling your home.
When you're working with a Real Estate Agent and they ask for your contact information, provide that agent with accurate information and make sure you are available to respond.
Also, in this day and age of home phones, business phones, cell phones, e-mail, instant messaging, and texting, be sure to tell your agent what method best works for you and when.
That way when that … (1 comments)
|
These Days It Comes At You From All Sides - 01/19/10 09:07 AM
The advancements in technology have definitely changed the way we now touch base with each other...like blogging for example.
Right now I am at home in my jammies, talking to you through an on-line source, and you have the opportunity to talk back to me - and it doesn't matter where in the world you are or what time it is!
Fascinating.
And I can also be reached through instant messaging, e-mail and texting, and let us not forget the old stand-bys: telephone and fax.
And then of course there is the size of the equipment used now. I have this little … (9 comments)
|
Using More than One Professional At Once Just Isn't Good Business - 01/14/10 10:01 AM
If you have a problem with your plumbing, would you call more than one plumber to come fix it?
If you have a matter that requires a lawyer, would you use more than one firm to represent you?
If you need a home inspector, would you hire more than one to do the job?
If you've answered "no" to any of the above questions, then I guess my next question is, "Why not?"
And your answer would probably be that to hire more than one professional to work on the same job could cost you a small fortune, because they all charge for … (2 comments)
|
Should the Customer/Client Always Be Right? - 01/12/10 12:58 PM
I work for my customers/clients. I always have. I did when I had my pet supply store, my desktop publishing business, when I did freelance business writing, and when I sold used books.
And I do now, as a real estate agent.
But are my customers and clients always right? Should they be?
I don't think so. For if they are always right and if they already know everything, then why have they hired me?
Why?
I'll tell you why.
Because I am educated in my field; because I have contacts in the industry; because I work in the industry full-time … (5 comments)
|
Ever Notice in a Condominium.... - 01/08/10 10:51 AM
Just recently I moved into a Condominium.
The people here are fantastic. For the most part they are helpful and friendly and it's almost like living in a small community inside the city.
But the biggest thing I've noticed that most of the people here seem to be fit.
Could it be because an exercise room and a Sauna are part of the common areas?
Yeah, that could be why.
Could it be because people in condominiums live less of a stressful life than those who have to maintain a detached house (no snow-shovelling; garbage is taken of, etc.)?
Yeah, that … (8 comments)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Connect. Share. Learn.Welcome to ActiveRain, the #1 social community for real estate professionals.
;)
;)
;)
