Wanta-Haves... - 10/31/08 11:56 AM
If you think our business is bad, just think about the boat dealers and yacht brokers. Unlike car dealers, which don't get me wrong, have been hard hit too, Boat dealers deal in Wanta-haves not must haves.
I have a passion for the water. I enjoy everything about owning a boat except fueling it up. That is what first hit this industry was the high cost of fuel. The worst part of this was timing. The fuel price went soaring right as the boating season kicked off last summer.
Every time I feel sorry for myself, I just look around. There … (7 comments)

Loss not forgotten... - 10/29/08 07:06 AM
I was looking for an agent the other day, in my same MLS, but about 135 miles away. I had sent a successful referral to this agent last year and wanted to send her another. The big problem, I can't find her.
I called her cell phone, no answer I called her brokerage, the managing broker signed her license off 4 months ago Asked if she went to another brokerage, broker was really rude Looked on the MLS under agent search nowhere to be found, I wonder why the broker was so rude? This happens all too often these days. Agents … (19 comments)

Remodeling Tips... - 10/18/08 09:49 AM
I have a client, Nancy, whose husband is in the military. When he is deployed, she spends her time taking care of their three children and doing home improvements. She is an accomplished painter, carpenter, and tile installer.
I stop by from time to time, because I have listings in the neighborhood. Nancy always wants to show me her newest project. I notice a new tile job and asked her if she had a tile saw or did she rent one.
Nancy told me if she had to rent tools for her home improvement, it would cost her a fortune. With the … (8 comments)

Three embarrassing moments as a Realtor... - 10/16/08 09:07 AM
Three embarrassing moments as a Realtor...
My mom sold her house and decided that she gave away so much in the negotiations, that she was taking the light bulbs from throughout the house. She had two grocery bags full. I slipped in and replaced all the bulbs before handing over the keys. Two years later my sister and I were going through mom's things to help her move again and there sat those bulbs. One cold winter morning, I was accompanying a women home inspector on client's inspection. All that was left was going underneath the house and she was putting … (16 comments)

To pre-inspect... - 10/13/08 04:09 PM
In my earlier post Do you re-inspect???I discussed having the home inspector come back for a re-inspect before closing. I received many comments, thus bringing up the question do you want to have your sellers do a pre-listing inspection.
Having my sellers do a home inspection is just how some of us are starting to do business. We all hate surprises and what if the number one problem was erased from the start. This is a perfect time;
•1.      To get your sellers onboard from the listing presentation
•2.      To show that it is essential to put your sellers ahead of … (5 comments)

Do you re-inspect??? - 10/12/08 11:29 PM
I was talking to a few agents today and discovered that very few agents advise their client to have a re-inspection on the home inspection they paid dearly for.
•·         Why should we take a few receipts as being proof that a repair has been done right if at all...
•·         If there is a long punch list of repairs, I would feel uncomfortable not using the inspector who discovered the discrepancies to insure they were done right...
•·         I don't pretend to be a expert on home repairs, that's why I hire a home inspector
•·         Peace of mind for … (16 comments)

Game day vs. Real Estate - 10/12/08 09:45 AM
My job is real estate; it could also be called my passion. I believe you can have many passions in your life and
•·         I don't believe they have to compete with each other
•·         Your preparation for both can be similar
In the fall, I love to watch football.
My family has been NFL season ticket holders since Seattle got an NFL franchise in 1976 I think the sight, smells, and sounds make it very exciting Sometimes my passions compete, however my clients know I need at least one day a week to spend with my family My preparations for … (3 comments)

To charge or not to charge, that is the question??? - 10/08/08 12:50 PM
How many of you have seen an influx of people wanting CMAs?
At first I thought I was seeing the bottom of the market... Then I thought people were going to make a mass exodus... Then I just started asking, is this to refute your tax assessment (BINGO!!!) This does show my clients believe I know the market area and give my cards out freely. When I started noticing this trend I was getting a call every other week. I then started getting calls a couple of times a week. Now it's several times a week with last week being 19 calls.
… (15 comments)

Welcome Janet Matzke to ActiveRain... - 10/07/08 08:45 PM
I would like all of you to welcome Janet Matzke of Ticor Title Company (Tacoma Washington) to ActiveRain. This is the first time I have done this, that is welcoming a new member to ActiveRain. I do this because Janet is a special person and I want you to meet her. I did not sponsor her and I have no hidden agenda.
Janet doesn't give out gifts and freebees to agents instead she promotes technology and helps her clients in changing the ways they work. Her company was one of the first to offer a dash board, helping both the agents … (6 comments)

Peace of mind; priceless - 10/07/08 01:03 AM
I keep telling my clients to change the locks after they move into their new home but I still find several of my past clients who haven't changed those locks.
Reasons;
The sellers were moving out of state and we felt at ease with that. We trust the sellers. We don't have the money right now. We have Home Owners Insurance. We have an Alarm System. I also remind my clients to change the codes on the Garage Door Opener and Alarm System.
I explain;
A recent study showed that 60 % of people polled never changed the factory set code … (20 comments)

Do you know where your signs are tonight? - 10/06/08 06:56 PM
I saw something today that I first thought was amusing, and then thought was alarming.
Within the city limits of Tacoma Washington;
I saw a court ordered work crew picking up litter. The people supervising were sitting in a van with a trailer of trash behind the van. The trailer was half full and of that most were political signs. I have been a critic of the sign policies in the State of Washington because political signs were exempt and Realtor signs were being confiscated. 
The proliferation of political signs is horrific. •a.       Street corners have become war zones piling sign … (13 comments)

Another Successful Home Inspection... - 10/06/08 10:49 AM
Several people will say, "What are you talking about Paul?"
My client and I were both excited to put this routine inspection behind us. The house in question was in great condition and the owners had showed pride in ownership.
I didn't have to convince the buyer to pursue the inspection. I said is essential to the transaction.
The inspector;
Walked the buyer around and explained the homes systems as he went... Insisted on going the extra mile when trying to find access points... Kept the buyer interested in the inspection... All is right with the world and the inspector suits … (13 comments)

A Realtor's Open Questions for professional stagers - 10/05/08 01:29 AM
Staging is a very exciting option to offer our clients. I believe a professional is well worth the money that is charged. I really have some questions I need to ask after seeing some substandard attempts to duplicate your profession.
•1.       What certifications should we look for when interviewing a Stager?
•2.      What professional associations do you belong to?
•3.      How do you base your fees?
•4.      Do you encourage your clients to use their own furniture, rent, or do you supply the furniture as part of your fee?
•5.      Do you charge a consultation fee for your interview?
•6.      Do … (10 comments)

Flyers, Love um or Leave um? - 10/03/08 06:15 AM
Face it, Today we are faced with so many different ways to get the word out about our listings. I have tried;
Simple Flyers (Not enough punch!) Talking House (I had reception problems) E-flyers (I had Big Spam problems) Post cards One thing we can all agree on is one flyer doesn't fit all. In populated areas flyers are still very effective. We do have to make sure; 
The flyer box always needs to be stocked. That our seller is involved with keeping the box stocked. The seller will know how much exposure their house is getting first hand. Color pictures … (20 comments)

What's your comfort level? - 10/01/08 11:12 AM
I read Cathy Melton's post Dilemmas in a Buyer's Market and these questions came to my mind.
Should we include a fuel surcharge in our Buyer Broker agreements?
I too have been feeling the bite of taking my clients on home tours. We must address;
Will we alienate the buyer? Will the buyer decide to drive? Should this be added to another cost of doing business? I write off my fuel at the end of the year. If I charge my client, I won't dare write off that expense. A perfect buyer is a myth, we have to set the guidelines … (6 comments)

 
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Paul Henderson, Broker, Realtor® Tacoma,Gig Harbor,DuPont,HartstenePointe

Tacoma, WA

More about me…

RE/MAX Professionals & Four Seasons Inc.

Address: 4801 S 19th St, Suite 200, Tacoma, WA, 98405

Office Phone: (253) 830-6003

Cell Phone: (253) 318-3493

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