As I sit here on a Sunday afternoon on floor duty from 2-4 pm or as one of my fellow agents just said as he walked in " On The Gate",  I wonder how many Agents like me are doing the same. Wishing they were somewhere else maybe enjoying some quality family time, watching the opening day of baseball at the new ball park, either way doing something worth while.

   Often I wonder if floor duty on Sundays is necessary or not, during the week and on Saturdays I believe so,  but on Sundays most are window shopping anyways, One client said it was like going to a car lot on Sunday becai=use they new they would not be bothered. I do not usually mind floor duty at all and look forward to it as a time to catch up on emails, client follow up, straighten up files and hopefully the one call that will lead to a new and prospective client. But on a Sunday afternoon I believe most are with family enjoying a movie, lunch out, shopping or just relaxing at home. In the day of modern technology most buyers and sellers are looking on line and finding all there needs and the ones who do call are just driving around aimlessly hoping to find the home by pure luck. I hope that those who read this can share my Sunday afternoon feelings and send some words of encouragement. And to all those not in my place I hope you had a great day.

The Craft Team  rcraft@coldwellbankerelite.com

Coldwell Banker Elite #1 in Virginia

Serving Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania and surrounding areas Proudly

Well here we are in the beginning stages of what we like to call the Spring Market and with that come Spring Cleaning. Or so we would like to think especially for our clients who are actively try to sell there home. I spent allday Saturday showing propertys to a new client from out of town, 17 in total, (what a day). Out of those 17, 4 were foreclosures  not much to say there no one to blame and people are upset and usually don't care when they leave. 9 where Short Sales not as bad as foreclosures but 3 of them we did not even enter at the buyers request do to the mess at the door, and the last 4 were great except one which looked like the parents were away for the weekend and the rest is up to your immagination.

  Iwas a little embarresed by what we encountered and my buyers seemed not to be bothered by it they expected to see some clutter in some of the homes and the foreclosures they know are not always spick and span. But the ones occupied they asked if there agents tell them to be ready at all times for the property to be seen. I explained that it is common but you never know what to expect. Any ways I just needed to vent, my clients will be beack on Monday and hopefully will have a home of choice in mind, if not there are plenty to choose from. Have a great day to all.

The Craft Team rcraft@coldwellbankerelite.com

Coldwell Banker Elite

Serving Stafford, Spotsylvania and Surrounding areas

540-273-2867

I have been showing a lot of foreclosures lately and have come accross many with Major mold issues where they shut off utility's and have no electric to operate the sump pump which of course leads to a flooded basement, and sometimes an agent who not only has never seen the property but does not even know until someone tells him which might not be for months. Has any one ever told a bank that it might be a good idea to leave the lights on for more than the obvious reasons like the ability to see in the dark, security, and oh yea the sump pump that prevents the basements from flooding. Thanks for your time and letting me vent but this really bothers me especially of you have a client with extreme allergy's or other health issues.

The Craft Team

rcraft@coldwellbankerelite.com  540-273-2867

Serving Stafford, Spotsylvania and surrounding community's

Coldwell Banker Elite #1 in Virginia

I have a problem and do not have an answer for my client. He is renting a home, been in it for 7 months and his landlord has told him he has to move with in 45 days  or he might not have a place to live, oh and I do not have your deposit because I spent it trying to save the home. All this was said while and agent was taking pictures outside, a sign put up in the yard and a lock box on the front door. My first response was to myself, at least it was the owner and not the Sheriff right. I have'nt a clue what to say to them except lets start looking for a new home. But with all the short sales and foreclosures they are sceptical about what to do.

Is there a solution or any advice for people in this situations and if so let me in on it please. Some people are not ready to buy yet but with the problems we are facing they might have to settle for something instead of buying what they really want and I do not want to put them in that case.

Thanks in advance, Ron

The Craft Team

Serving Stafford, Spotsylvania, Prince William Countys and surrounding Communitys

rcraft@coldwellbankerelite.com  540-273-2867

Coldwell Banker lite

I have been in Real Estate for a while now and have seen agents come and go and for different reasons. The work schedule is not conforming to the home life, kids, not enough income, have to get another job to make it, and of course the biggest,  Hopefully the grass is greener and I will make more money. I receive invites often to speak to other brokers and agents telling me that it is better over here I should come on down. I am not sure if it is better and I am happy where I am but I wonder what truly makes agents want to move and are there really any differences. So I am asking from my fellow A/R members what makes different company's better to you. I am with Coldwell Banker and we have never thought of leaving nor do we, but wonder what is on the other side of the fence?

The Craft Team

rcraft@coldwellbankerelite.com

Serving Stafford, Spotsylvania, Prince William and surrounding areas

540-273-2867

I find myself during an average week showing approximately 30 homes. I always do my best to insure that I leave the home the same way I found it, lights out, doors locked and I always insure that I am the last one to exit the home to insure that the door is locked when we leave for the next property. Today I went to my listings to check on them as I always do after every weekend especially the vacant ones and found 1 unlocked front door, many lights on, and one had the water running in a hall bath in a vacant home, luckily the drain was not closed and there was no water damage to the BRAND NEW home, my builder would have been rather upset I believe. Bottom line as Realtors we owe it to ourselves to be respectfull of each other and show the same courtesy to each other. We are entrusted with the ability to enter private homes on a daily bases and trusted with the what many value most, there privacy! I think that we should all adhere to the same values as professionals and do our part as responsible Realtors. 

The Craft Team

rcraft@coldwellbankerelite.com

Serving Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and surrounding areas

540-273-2867

 Military Relocation Specialist

I often wonder when I pull up listings on a daily bases what some agents are thinking ? Half the time the information is incorrect or not complete, the remarks column leaves much to the imagination of others. Limited photos or even better how about none at all. I always try to put myself in the perspective buyers shoes and think how they would or how I would feel if I was the owner of the property for sale in a hard market and I noticed that the other homes where getting shown and mine was not due too the lack of information.

    I often think when a home has no photo that it might be hiding something or maybe it could be that the agent just did not think it was important enough. In which, it leads me to again think about why some people believe they can sell a home with out a Realtor better or faster and save lots of money. and not have to follow up on the person they are paying. We have in our hands all the tools to serve our clients needs daily with out question. It is up to us to do so and earn the right to be called Realtors with pride.

Well who ever said you can't teach an old dog new tricks has been proven wrong again. I have heard of blogging before, on the radio, TV shows, co workers and other sources but never ventured to find out more about it until a couple of days ago. I can assure you that those who know me personally probably can not believe it's me, I admit that I am not a techy kind of guy and often get frustrated when I have to deal with items that I am not familiar with, but was assured that this was a way to get some sound advice from others in the real estate industry who might share my feelings on some of the same things. I have had a chance to read a few BLOG's covering subjects such as how far is to far, how does a short sale reflect on your credit report, and numerous others, all of which we ask each other or lenders we associate with,  but I wanted to hear it from some one who has actually had to go through it or has had an experience similar to it and get more than one opinion. As the old saying goes great minds think alike. I am looking to this as a way to get some good advice from peers and hopefully be able to give some at one point. I would like to hear from some what are the best ways to use this and how has it helped others like me. Trust me I do not want to be known as the old dog nor do I want to be left behind when it comes to new tricks.  

Ron Craft

Realtor Common Wealth of Virginia

Serving Stafford, Spotsylvania, Prince William and surrounding areas

Military, DoD, Government Relocation Specialist

email: rcraft@coldwellbankerelite.com