Is a "Stale" Listing a "Bad" Lisitng?? - 03/27/11 03:49 PM
Working for buyers, exclusively, I look up a lot of properties.  A LOT!  When I'm bird-dogging properites for my clients, I review the listings, day-in-day-out.  I see what comes up as a new listing, what goes pending, what is placed BOM (back on market). 
I also look up the history of properties.  Clients want to know: 
how long the property has been listed, have there been any offers has the property had any reductions in list price etc. That's when I see it. 
The house has been on the market for a while . . . a long while.
A case in point:  … (21 comments)

When the Buyers Have The Time To Write An Offer . . . Listing Agents PLEASE Consider This - 03/25/11 05:02 PM
I was inspired by Suzanne McLaughlin who wrote this recent blog:  I Waited To Write The Story   She writes about having buyers who were prepared to write an offer, and Suzanne called up the listing agent with a few questions prior to submitting.
Finding this to be SO TRUE with my own practice since I always have questions, or my clients do -- I always call the lisitng agent prior to writing up the offer.  Not only to give them a head's up, but to verify their email address, and whatever else I might want to know.
Here's the thing . . . and listing … (156 comments)

Moving to Portland - 03/22/11 04:20 PM

Moving to Portland
Not to be confused with moving to Portland Maine -- This is an overview in consideration of moving to Portland Oregon
Weather:  Anyone moving to Portland will want to know about our weather.  The beautiful Pacific NW is lush, and green -- and that's because God leaves the sprinklers on! 
Portland experiences a temperate climate, with mild, damp winters and relatively dry, warm summers. Like much of the Pacific Northwest, it falls within the cool, dry-summer also referred to as cool-summer Mediterranean, because of its relatively dry summers.  If you're moving to Portland, we have all four seasons! 
Summers … (8 comments)

The Cookie Monsters . . . to Paraphrase "Cookies Bad" - 03/22/11 02:03 PM
Sesame Street had no way of knowing that when they came up with "Cookie Monster" it would take on an entirely different meaning in our high-tech, 21st Century world.
Who would have thought that COOKIES can be present in our computers, planted by businesses who want to know what we're browsing, shopping for, etc. -- for the benefit of THEM marketing to us.
Kinda like the lead generators who try to sell our work product back to us . . . just sayin'
And then . . . there was the ZOMBIE COOKIE.  One that doesn't go away, even out we've "deleted all cookies" and cleaned out our temporary … (9 comments)

What I Can't Tell You . . . - 03/20/11 05:10 PM
With listiings, an offer comes in.  It's written up and the numbers are there for review.  There's no guessing about the offer.  It's in hand.
When working with buyers, the unknowns are impossible to predict.
Unfortunately, what I can't tell you . . .
Will there by any other offers coming in with ours?  What's a good price to offer?  If a multiple offer sitatuion arises, will we know what they're offering? What should be our "highest and best" offer? Will the seller want to counter? Will the short sale offer get approved by the lender? Should we offer full list price, … (24 comments)

I CAN NOT WAIT To Hold Up My ActiveRain Success Commission Check On This One! - 03/20/11 01:25 PM
OH HAPPY DAY!!
I CAN NOT WAIT until I've gotten that hot little commission check in my hand from this client!! 
This morning, a delightful message was waiting for me from a potential client.  YES!!  Dr. Grey I WILL ASSIST YOU!!  Matter of fact, I'm going to want to do some referrals to all my colleagues who might want to benefit from your . . . errrr, hmmmm . . . "investment."
Dr. Grey, if you follow my blog posts, I sincerely hope you don't mind me sharing this with my colleagues.  As well-seasoned professionals, we know when opportunity knocks.  And we … (23 comments)

I'm Rethinking the Entire Closing Gift Experience - 03/14/11 04:07 PM
As an Exclusive Buyer Agent, I have gifted many a thing to my clients . . .
Delivered pizzas and cold beer when new homeowners were moving in over the weekend -- and had help from friends and family  
Left beautiful flower bouquets for clients who would be coming in from out-of-town, time of arrival unknown.  
 For pet owners, I've hired Doody Calls, a local pooper scooper service  
Sometimes I buy new lock sets, or Had the carpet cleaned for the new homeowners, or Hired a maid service to clean nook and granny, or Bought gift cards to local … (24 comments)

Metro Portland Real Estate Market . . . For Sale, Pending and Sold - 03/14/11 03:27 PM
Metro Portland Real Estate Market . . . For Sale, Pending and Sold
Wondering about inventory? 
BEAVERTON - Metro Portland
Detached Properties Priced from $78,900 - $1.2M
Lake Oswego - Metro Portland
Detached Properties Priced from $185,000 - $15M
NE Portland - Metro Portland
Detached Properties Priced from $33,300 - $2.45M
SE Portland - Metro Portland
Detached Properties Priced from $50,000 - $1.35M
Tigard - Metro Portland
Detached Properties Priced from $99,000 - $2M
Hillsboro - Metro Portland
Detached Properties Priced from $85,000 - $4.5M
 
… (0 comments)

Beaverton Condos . . . A Little Stroll Down Memory Lane - 03/11/11 08:43 PM
Recently, an investor called me to discuss the Beaverton condos market.  I did a little research for my own self-edification and found out what Beaverton condos were doing, and what Beaverton condos are currently doing.
Here are some examples of Beverton Condos -- pricing now . . . and then:
THESE ARE CURRENT CONDO LISTINGS -- COMPARED TO WHAT THEY SOLD FOR
MLS # 10092868 currently listed $61,230 / SOLD $133,000 4/15/07  
MLS # 11200198 currently listed $61,500 / SOLD $83,000 11/10/05
MLS # 10050792 currently listed $68,000 / SOLD $99,999 5/23/06  
MLS # 10080355 currently listed $75,000 / SOLD $150,000 12/22/05  
MLS # 11441121 currently listed $75,000 / SOLD $99,729 5/28/98  
MLS … (13 comments)

Washington Mutual In Business Again . . . The Robo-Caller Seems To Think So - 03/10/11 01:26 PM
You know there's plenty of idiots out in the world today . . . and whoever is the brillaint mastermind behind programming this should get some kind of prestigious award for being the MOST STUPIDEST SCAMMER ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET!
I've received a call from a robo-caller.  It started off with:
"This is Washington Mutual. We're calling to let you know that your debit card has been locked. Press 1 for more information." HEY DUMBASS . . . you do realize WaMu was . . . oh what's the word . . . SEIZED comes to mind. 
What pisses me off was that I … (19 comments)

Don't Solicit My Business . . . By Blowing Smoke Up My Butt - 03/09/11 11:41 PM
"To Blow Smoke"
(idiomatic) To speak with a lack of credibility, sense, purpose, or truth; to speak nonsense. Today I encountered someone who wanted to blow smoke . . . up my butt.
Jennifer wrote me an email today.  Could she possible want to be my new BFF?!?  Nope.  She's a loan officer . . . apparently.
The email included her "personal bio" which I didn't bother looking at.  And blah, blah, blah about who she was and what she's accomplished:  GAZILLION DOLLARS in closings, managing 150 brokers (and I don't even know what that means), and so on.
Sure, I knew it … (56 comments)

Credit Suisse Monthly Survey of Real Estate Agents for Feb. 2011 - 03/09/11 03:41 PM
Well . . . here's the latest Credit Suisse Monthly Survey of Real Estate Agents for the monh of February 2011
Nothing new, unfortunately.
A whole lot of THUMBS DOWN . . .
Information about the Metro Portland market appears on page 37 of the survey. 
Is THUMBS DOWN a "trend" . . . The report provide the results of a monthly of real estate agents from across the Nation conducted by Credit Suisse.
Credit Suisse Monthly Survey of Real Estate Agents - Feb. 2011 … (9 comments)

Fuzzy Math . . . Our Silly Goverment - 03/08/11 12:19 AM
For some reason, I get emails from the United States Dept. of the Treasury.  Today I received a Press Release, and I wanted to share it.
First, let me say -- I LOVE MY COUNTRY!   My Father immigrated from Germany after WWII after his disgust of what happened to his origin of birth.  I am, actually, quite glad I was born here.  Thanks DAD!!   For all its (__fill in the blank__), I  do care about America -- My Country!
I LOVE MY FREEDOM OF SPEECH and today I want to exercise it a little.  So let me start by thanking you, Unkie Sam for allowing me to "kid" you … (24 comments)

If You've Been in This Business Long Enough . . . You Have to Start in the Basement - 03/07/11 03:56 PM
This post has come about after reading Jeff Belonger's series of posts. 
In his second post in the series, Reputation Architecture Rating Systems The Main Course Pt. 2 of 3, 
Jeff wrote the following:
KEEP THIS IN MIND : "If you haven't figured it out by now, there are people with bad experiences within the real estate and mortgage industry who tend to pick bad agents or loan officers. If you are next in line when picked after a bad experience, and because that person already has a bad taste in their mouth, you need to be better than just good. … (33 comments)

Pooches on the Green . . . St. Patrick's Day Beaverton Event - 03/04/11 06:30 PM

Photo Courtesy of Renee Burrows, Las Vegas Real Estate
Pooches on the Green -- St. Patrick's Day Beaverton Event
Nothing says:  Happy St. Paw-tricks Day then having a nice little get together in City Park.  This year is no exception.
Pooches on the Green is presented by the City of Beaverton, and sponsored by KUIK 1360 AM, and Nature's Pet Market.
Last year there were over 1,350 attendees (1,000 humans and 350 Pooches!)
So get your POOCHES ON THE GREEN . . . all decked out in their finest St. Patty's gear -- and mark the event as a fun time in City Park, Beaverton.
… (13 comments)

Interesting Topic . . . "FOR SALE" Signs - 03/04/11 04:26 PM
I read a good post today by Christine Smith: Are You Superstitious
It's about putting up a SOLD sign rider when the house has not really "sold" but is under contract / pending.
Got me thinking about a few things, and I thought to toss this out -- When you are a listing agent, do you put a sign rider on your FOR SALE sign?
As an Exclusive Buyers Agent, I don't take listings.  If I did, I would try to adhere to the NAR Code of Ethics about presenting a true picture in advertising.
A FOR SALE sign is advertising.  … (19 comments)

STOP GAS PRICE GOUGING!! - 03/03/11 03:33 PM
Dave Halpern wrote this post today: 
Check This Picture Out - It Will Probably Cause More Foreclosures
I wrote a comment on Dave's post, and will make it a post, dovetailing Dave's concerns.
We are being priced gouged.  The supply of oil which was converted to gas was already in the 'pipeline' . . . the cost of what we are currently paying has nothing to do with anything to do with what was PAID for that.   The oil being bought now won't even be available as gas until APRIL!  It's takes time to convert oil to gas, boys and girls. 
LIBYA is a … (22 comments)

Don't Blame Me if Your Picker is Broken - 03/02/11 09:22 PM
This post was inspired after reading Elizabeth Cooper-Golden's recent feature: How Are We Going to Fix This  Elizabeth went to round table discussion of which she had interest in.  Her attendance was voluntary, and made to gain some insight on protecting buyers who are purchasing in HOA's. 
One very disgruntled woman gave our poor Elizabeth a tongue lashing . . . berating Realtor® due to several of her first-hand experiences.
Got me thinking . . .
Don't blame me if your picker is broken.
Seems like the woman picked some agents who she felt didn't have her best interests at the … (41 comments)

 
Carla_1 Rainmaker_large

Carla Muss-Jacobs - Principal Broker/ Owner | Exclusive Buyers Agent |

Portland, OR

More about me…

503-810-7192 | BuyersAgentPortland.com

Address: Beaverton OR, Portland OR, Forest Heights, Lake Oswego, Hillsboro, SW Portland, SE Portland, NW Portland, N Portland, Downtown, The Pearl, NE Portland, Milwaukie, West Linn, Aloha, Cedar Hills, Portland, OR

Office Phone: (503) 810-7192

Cell Phone: (503) 810-7192

Email Me

Author Bio: Carla Muss-Jacobs is the Principal Broker/Owner of EBA Portland, LLC an Exclusive Buyer Agency representing Buyers in the Portland Metro real estate market since 1999.

The Sellers have their own agent ~~ Why don't you have yours?  

Carla Muss-Jacobs practices the TRUE FORM of Buyer Agency ~~ Exclusive Buyer Agent.  Her office/brokerage never takes listings and never respresents the Seller.  Exclusive Buyer Agency is the BEST form of legal real estate representation a Buyer can have.  There is 100% Buyer Representation - !00% of the Time.  There are NO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST and there is no possibility of ever having YOUR Buyer Agency comprised.  When buying a house -- it's important to know who is working for you!!  



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