houston: Communicating with buyers and sellers!
- 10/29/12 06:46 AM
Weeks ago we attended a seminar where we were reminded about the importance of communication.Duh!We all know how important it is. The question is how best to accomplish the task!How many of us have had buyers who spoiled the progress of their loan by going out during the process and purchasing a new car? There went the ratios!So with precluding those sorts of glitches in mind, how about creating a hand out to give the prospective buyer on the first face to face meeting.Just consider the possibilities!Handing the buyer a well thought out itemized list of what to expect could prevent … (6 comments)
houston: Encroachment
- 10/28/12 10:56 AM
When we parked our car and departed for an entertainment event, we made the assumption that we would be able to get back into it when we returned. You know what they say about assumptions.We had a lovely time at the game. It lasted a long time and the walk back was especially long. One could say that we were thoroughly worn out when we saw our car again.Instead of being able to get in and go, we were faced with a dilemma. The how to get the door open enough to accomplish entry was a serious challenge.Yes we could have … (3 comments)
houston: Who are you selling to? And are you selling the emotion and passion?
- 10/27/12 12:54 PM
Yesterday after I had changed the remarks on a listing we have had for too long, I handed it to Ralph.He looked exasperated and said " NO! I want you to emotionally and passionately speak to the buyer and make him or her want to come and see this listing! Think like you did when you did the talking house on grandmas house."Now it was my turn to be exasperated! In the first place I had loved grandmas house. In the second place that was twelve years ago.I had stretched the space on this one to include all the ammenities and … (6 comments)
houston: Gout
- 10/27/12 12:17 PM
Have you ever had to deal with Gout?I hope you answered NO!Yesterday morning I suddenly had excruciating pain in my right foot. It is like having someone assault your feet and ankles with a series of Ice picks! Pleasant thought! Even more pleasant to experience (NOT!)No one seems to be quite sure what causes it. Most physicians think it is from a build up of Uric acid.Others feel that it is from a fungus.Having had other health issues that were fungal related, we attacked the symptoms with a Vengence. I had eaten several things during the previous two days which have … (3 comments)
houston: The Magic of the Internet
- 10/27/12 11:50 AM
About seven years ago we saw the magic of the Internet in real time.A couple from Montana called us. They had seen a virtual tour of a log home we had listed. It was on forty acres , and the acreage was adjacent to the county airport.They planned a trip to come see the property. We researched all the other similar tracts available and prepared for a long showing day.The folks arrived and we went to the listing they had interest in.They looked over the property and then announced that they wanted to make an offer.That is what is supposed to … (2 comments)
houston: Ask the Question
- 10/26/12 06:50 AM
My second real estate transaction was a referral. The young couple wasmoving here from Chicago.In those days I was enamored with the amenities offered in Houston. I spentlots of time learning the surrounding less expensive neighborhoods.After these folks shared their desires with me, I set up an appointment toshow them homes. I allowed myself a day to prepare by previewing the homesin their price range.They had one unusual need. That was that they would not have their downpayment for three months. Sounded like an easy fix. I had been to a recent creative finance seminarwhich featured the ins and outs of … (7 comments)
(This photo was in one of those unattributed forward emails but seemed like a good illustration)
Yesterday morning we saw that a large potted aloe Vera plant had been rolled onto its side. Odd!Then this morning as I waited for the morning coffee to take effect, I noticed movement in one of the trees by the back fence. I also noted that whatever was causing the tree movement had about a foot of long skinny tail...A closer look confirmed that we had been visited by a large possum! The creature was not playing Possum,.. He is … (9 comments)
Tranquility means different things to different people.For my precious hubby, experiencing true blissful tranquility involves having a good cigar on our lovely patio on a cool evening.He does not do it often. He never inhales. He keeps control of the ashes and generally does not bother anyone.Years ago he used to light up on an outdoor patio in front of a Starbucks coffee house.It was commonly done and no one expressed distaste.As it happened, those days attracted a group of about sixteen high school students. These kids gravitated to us one by one. Our evening unwinding time became … (15 comments)
houston: Sequel to Larry the Lizard
- 10/23/12 06:54 AM
About a week ago we shared the story of our newest pet.He arrived unexpectedly In our lives via his occupancy in a flower arrangement we were gifted with.When we could not persuade him to relocate to a plant either at church or when we arrived home we choose to leave the whole arrangement outside on the patio.Later we went through the flowers and when we did not see Larry, we brought the flowers inside.For a couple of days I kept expecting to find Mr. Lizard on one of the plants or serving as a cat toy.Happily Larry showed up yesterday when … (3 comments)
houston: Thank you KB Homes
- 10/23/12 06:37 AM
We all have to take Continuing Education classes to maintain our licenses!KB Homes does us a service in providing several Classes a year.Wednesday they brought us an animated and informative speaker/coach in the form of Jason Blackburn.We had been to his presentations before and were excited at the prospect of being enlightened.He reminded us of the importance of getting leads and strongly suggested that we go back to the old basics.We were also enchanted by the newest KB product. They now offer an estate home of about 3005 sq ft for an incredibly affordable price of $250K!The entire experience was well … (1 comments)
houston: Pushy and Unreasonable
- 10/21/12 10:50 AM
In real life I am a stickler for obeying rules. I have been known to annoy those I love with my insistence upon adherence .
Working in a market area where neighborhoods of diversely sized properties blend has always provided unusual opportunities for personal growth.
In my first year doing real estate I had many strange experiences. Had I not loved solving problems and helping people, the first few transactions would have buried me.
In Harris County, lot sizes range from small tracts to acreage. Even in Real estate, there are situations where size matters! The size of … (3 comments)
houston: Atlas Shrugged
- 10/20/12 11:52 PM
We went to see Atlas Shrugged out of curiousity.Both of us had tried repeatedly to read the book by Ann Rand, with limited successThe timing of this film and its content are downright eerie !How that could have been written so many years ago and be so spot on about our current situation cannot be just coincidence.There are many things that still went over my head, but it was an experience I will not forget.We only go to a movie occasionally. I believe the last one was an animated flic we went with one of our grandsons about four years ago.This … (5 comments)
Way back in the late 1970s I was fortunate to get a listing on a palatial mansion in my market area.
In addition to the huge size of this home, there were many nuances to learn.
One of the most intimidating of the learning curves was an intricate alarm systems.
In addition to being a new agent, I was technology challenged. The alarm and the ramifications of it going off scared the green fish out of me. No one really needs green fish, but that was a lesson it took years to learn.
Christmas? No! Can't be! It is still October!We first saw emerging displays at Cosco a few weeks ago. Then while doing a quick run through a pottery store we saw that almost ALL the aisles were filled with trees and ornaments.Really? If the average consumer were to purchase just a few of the offerings seen, they would need an annex for their decor!Also if we all started putting up lights and yard art now and continued until Dec 1.... It would then take til April to take it all down.We believe in the magical feeling of Christmas decor. We … (9 comments)
This is a wonderful example of the daily bird activity we enjoy in our back yard.It appears that we lucked into a location within a migratory path for feathered friends.The beauty of these graceful creatures mask the fact that they swoop down upon their chosen prey with deadly precision and accuracy.I once liked these birds a lot better than I do now.About a year ago I watched in horror as a bird just like this one appeared suddenly, grabbed a squirrel off one of the bird feeders and disappeared before I could even get out of my chair....If I … (6 comments)
Over my lifetime I have had several cats. I truly felt that I knew a lot about them and their habits.
Within the past year two of the cats in our life have suddenly developed a fondness for having their ears scratched.
What is unusual about that is the source of the scratching. Both of these favorite felines have begun to lie on my foot.
One is an inside cat, one is outside. To my knowledge, they have not observed each other doing this. It feels really odd to have that much weight on your … (5 comments)
We frequently have extended families via nesters in the eves of our patio cover.
It is space we really do not use. It is protected and dry. It is fun to think of the innovative techniques the house wrens use. It is even more fun when we get to watch the process.
Each time wrens move in with us I plan to keep track of the time they spend with us.
Each time I do spend time watching them. Each time as I watch from the first … (3 comments)
Here is a quick reminder of our singular most important purpose. "Bee all you can be!"
You may have noticed that bees spend their days flitting from flower to flower. They collect nectar and take it home to the hive.
Of course there is some diversity in those who actually build and maintain the hive, and of course there is always the queen. Just like in real life, it is a station they are born to
The worker bees do the same thing daily from early morning til sunset. Can you imagine doing the same gathering … (2 comments)
Author Bio: Ralph and Jeanne are long time Real Estate BROKERS dedicated to helping good folks buy homes and land in Durango Colorado and the Surrounding area.
Weeks ago we attended a seminar where we were reminded about the importance of communication.Duh!We all know how important it is. The question is how best to accomplish the task!How many of us have had buyers who spoiled the progress of their loan by going out during the process and purchasing a new car? There went the ratios!So with precluding those sorts of glitches in mind, how about creating a hand out to give the prospective buyer on the first face to face meeting.Just consider the possibilities!Handing the buyer a well thought out itemized list of what to expect could prevent … (6 comments)
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