Easiest Deal in the World But He Had to Screw It Up

By Michelle Carr Crowe, Cupertino real estate agent selling homes in San Jose

Have you ever given someone the easiest deal in the world…only to have him screw it up?

You know what I mean. The all-cash buyer you referred out to an area expert agent who never called him back. The relocation buyer in town for only one day ready to buy a home but your assistant forgot to give you the message. The verbally accepted offer to a For Sale By Owner who gets "their own" new agent who drags his feet, doesn't respond to messages and loses the deal.

Yep, it just happened to me.

My colleague made an offer on a San Jose, Calif. short sale home for sale that had been listed for a year with no offers. Before it was presented, the seller fired the San Jose listing agent.

I'm an experienced San Jose short sale agent, and a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) who's actually closed every short sale I've listed.

My colleague asked for help, so she and I visited the Seller to see if they were still interested in selling their San Jose short sale home, because the buyer still wanted to buy that home.

The San Jose Short Sale Seller said she was tired of it being advertised on the Internet, worn out with people calling her and just wanted to be done with it…she said to email it.

We dropped off the offer in person.  She thought it looked good but needed to talk with her husband and attorney. My colleague is representing the buyer, I offered to represent her as seller or she could represent herself. (Still considered dual agency in Calif. because we are at same broker office). She said for now she'd be representing herself.

The San Jose Short Sale Seller (now a For Sale By Owner Short Sale Seller) asked for a change on closing date.

We changed the closing date and sent it to her.

Again, “It looks good, I just need to talk to my husband.”

But…her husband decides to get "their own" new agent.

I explained that the new San Jose short sale agent would have the easiest job in the world as he won’t need to do marketing but can immediately begin work by presenting the contract and negotiating with the two lenders to complete the short sale.

And…

I warned her a new San Jose short sale agent may or may not have short sale experience...may have another agenda to advertise the listing to get more business…put it on the Internet (which she doesn’t want), bring more people through (which she doesn’t want), etc.

But NOooo. Guess What? That’s exactly what happened! Even though my colleague had talked to the new San Jose short sale agent and asked about status of the offer (he said they still were completing listing paperwork), the new agent didn’t even have the professional courtesy to call and give even a verbal response, reason or status update before putting the San Jose short sale home for sale back on the market, MLS and Internet.

Is that what you would do when given the easiest real estate job in the world?

Who in Santa Clara County hasn't received one of those nasty notes on the windshield claiming, "You can't park here!"

Then you look around, and it seems the only "No Parking" sign is somewhere behind you, saying, "No parking to here," which means you are parked legally, right?

We all know you can't park at a red curb, or in front of a driveway, or too close to a fire hydrant.

But when none of those apply and there isn't a no parking sign, it seems logical to park at a gray curb on a residential street, doesn't it?

Surprise! Someone (likely the person whose Los Gatos home you parked in front of) bestowed a note saying, "You are parking illegally. The signs are wrong, you can't park in this space." (Side note, yes someone just did write this to one of my loved ones.)

Sadly, the No Parking topic websites in Santa Clara County, San Jose, Los Gatos and Saratoga were vague, e.g. there were no "must post a No Parking sign every 100 feet" for example. What's a person to do?

Should a person accept an anonymous (of course) note claiming that the appearance of a legal parking space is in fact, an illusion? An illusion that could result in a car being towed away?

Any insight from colleagues in Santa Clara County, especially Los Gatos, Saratoga and San Jose, would be appreciated.

I love learning new things. Today, John@AlbuquerqueHomes.com shared about the beauty and history of Albuquerque’s Sandia Mountain At Sunset. The photograph is visually stunning and certainly makes me understand why people would want to live "in the Q" as John says. I also learned that sandia means watermelon - which is the color this mountain turns at sunset.

John thanks for sharing history & beauty with us today. God bless you.

by Michelle Carr Crowe, Cupertino real estate agents selling San Jose homes for sale

Have you heard about "death-predicting" Oscar the Cat? Adopted in 2005 by staff at Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rhode Island, Oscar, in typical cat-like fashion, preferred hiding from, or ignoring, most patients and staff at the severe dementia care center.

However, in 2007, they began to notice Oscar's unusual gift. When making his "rounds," Oscar typically entered a room, sniffed and left...but sometimes he jumped on the patient's bed, nestled in and began purring.

But this only happened when the patient was within hours of dying. So far, Oscar has been 50 for 50 in predicting a patient's last good-bye.

Although some find it more "grim reaper" than "angel of mercy" most family members are grateful for Oscar's presence and comfort...and for alerting them it was time to say their last farewells.

You can read the whole story here at Care2, http://www.care2.com/greenliving/oscar-the-cat-grim-reaper-or-angel-of-mercy.html?page=1

by Michelle Carr-Crowe, Cupertino real estate agents selling homes in San Jose, Calif.

Have you ever seen "Home For Sale" or "Open House" signs that lead to nowhere?

You know what I mean. A lot of random "home for sale" or "open house" signs that when you follow them never actually lead to a home for sale, and maybe don't even make you go around in a circle either.

Sure, sometimes kids (and immature agents) will knock home for sale and open house signs down, or turn the arrows the opposite way or move them from one location to another spot. Sometimes a seller gets sick or cancels an open house at the last minute.

What I'm talking about is agents marketing a phantom open house. Just putting their signs out as advertising when there is no actual open house.

We held a beautiful "Better than New" Evergreen Valley home for sale open this weekend at 3663 Wodzienski, San Jose, Calif. (www.3663wodzienski.com). My sign manager ensures the signs are up, are pointed the right way, checks them again halfway through open house and takes them down on time.

However, he noticed that a competitor had just a random selection of signs up-and none led to the listing he has in the area. When he tried to follow the signs, they were too far apart and no matter which ones he found and followed, he ended up nowhere-at the phantom open house.

I'm curious, has anyone else seen or dealt with "Home For Sale Signs to Nowhere"?

Experience the Magic! Sunset Open House Sat. & Sun. 1:30-6:00, 3663 Wodzienski, San Jose Evergreen

by Michelle Carr-Crowe, Cupertino real estate agent selling homes in San Jose, Calif.

Most-Desired Floor Plan in the Standard Pacific development offers an Open, Flowing feeling and Separate Living & Family Rooms for Easy Entertaining. The Expansive Island Kitchen Features an Entire Pantry Wall, Casual Dining and Overlooks the Family Room and Views! 

Better Than New Upgrades include Gorgeous Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Floors throuhout the main floor, Recessed Lighting throughout the home, Newer Kitchen Appliances, Newer Furnace and Central Air Conditioning, SurroundSound System and CAT-5 Wiring.

Views of Hills, Daily Sunsets & Nightly Sparkling City Lights are Yours from the Decks, Gazebo, Family Room and Spa-Style Master Suite.

Three Lovely Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, and a Convenient Upstairs Laundry Room, this Home's Features also include Two Decks, a Romantic Gazebo and Hot Tub plus a 2-Car Garage. The home boasts 1804 square feet of living area and the lot size is 3129 square feet.

This 12 year-new home is ready for you to move right in.

Join us for Sunset Open House, Sat. & Sun., 1:30-6:00 p.m. See & Experience this Home's Magic for yourself!

Lynbrook High Homes For Sale, Pending, Sold Feb. 3, 2012

by Michelle Carr-Crowe,  Cupertino real estate agent selling homes in San Jose, Calif. 95129

Hello, this is Michelle Carr-Crowe your family´s Lynbrook High Homes selling expert with your Lynbrook High Homes Update for homes in West San Jose, Calif., zip code 95129 for February 3, 2012.

West San Jose 95129 inventory remains low. Last week, three new homes came on, and again, all of them sold. (Same as the prior week). This week only 2 SFH came on and 1 townhome.

Congratulations to my wise buyers, Mr. & Mrs. Swarnkar on their successful purchase of 1254 Glenmoor, San Jose for $919K! While other rested, we were hard at work over the holidays. Please welcome the Swarnkar family to the neighborhood.

West San Jose Lynbrook High Single Family Homes in 95129

For sale: 3

Pending: 10

Closed: 0

West San Jose Lynbrook High Combined TownHomes/Condos in 95129

For sale: 1

Pending: 3

Closed:  1

FREE Lotto Tickets + Treats & Red Envelopes for Children!*

SUNSET OPEN HOUSE! Sat. & Sun., Feb. 4^th & 5^th from 1:30-6:00

3663 Wodzienski Drive, San Jose, CA 95148

Come See & Experience This Special Home for Yourself!

Million-Dollar Views of Hills, Daily Sunsets & Nightly Sparkling City Lights!

Most-Desired Floor Plan in Newer Enclave of Homes!

Fabulous Island Kitchen Plus Separate LR & FR!

~1800sf Spa-Style Home!

E-Z Walk to Park, Tennis, Sikh Temple & ALL 3 Top 850+ API Schools!

Carolyn Clark-API 955!  Quimby Oak-API 863! Evergreen High-API 855!

Just Call…(408) 252-8900!

ACTIVE

Address City Bd Ba DOM SqFt $/SqFt Lot (SF) List Price Age

6649 Rainbow Drive San Jose 4 2|0 2 1,774 $563.70 8,140 $999,999 55

7081 Coronado Drive San Jose 3 2|0 0 1,422 $688.39 5,928 $978,888 52

# LISTINGS: 2 AVG VALUES: 1 1,598 $626.04 7,034 $989,444 54

PENDING SHOW

Address City Bd Ba DOM SqFt $/SqFt Lot (SF) List Price Age

1421 Royal Ann Court San Jose 4 3|0 8 3,346 $414.82 6,000 $1,388,000 31

1334 Oak Knoll Drive San Jose 5 3|0 7 2,112 $553.45 5,662 $1,168,888 47

6591 Hanover Drive San Jose 4 2|0 16 1,862 $563.91 6,480 $1,050,000 52

5513 Castle Glen Avenue San Jose 3 2|0 7 1,688 $621.97 5,974 $1,049,888 45

6925 Westmoor Way San Jose 3 2|0 1 1,645 $637.69 10,250 $1,049,000 43

# LISTINGS: 5 AVG VALUES: 8 2,131 $558.37 6,873 $1,141,155 44

PENDING NO SHOW

Address City Bd Ba DOM SqFt $/SqFt Lot (SF) List Price Age

7175 Sharon Drive San Jose 10 5|1 56 5,721 $297.15 12,600 $1,700,000 8

6706 Canterbury Court San Jose 6 5|0 7 3,883 $411.54 8,496 $1,598,000 7

1219 Bretmoor Way San Jose 3 2|0 7 1,760 $565.85 7,040 $995,888 55

5606 Ora Street San Jose 4 2|0 5 1,736 $563.88 6,100 $978,888 48

1463 Pine Grove Way San Jose 4 2|0 12 1,532 $587.43 8,715 $899,950 48

# LISTINGS: 5 AVG VALUES: 17 2,926 $485.17 8,590 $1,234,545 33

Townhouse/Condo

ACTIVE

Address City Bd Ba DOM SqFt $/SqFt HOA List Price Age

1014 Strayer Drive San Jose 3 2|0 4 1,124 $621.79 $340 $698,888 38

# LISTINGS: 1 AVG VALUES: 4 1,124 $621.79 $340 $698,888 38

PENDING RELEASE

Address City Bd Ba DOM SqFt $/SqFt HOA List Price Age

1598 Brookvale Drive San Jose 2 1|1 2 985 $496.45 $180 $489,000 38

# LISTINGS: 1 AVG VALUES: 2 985 $496.45 $180 $489,000 38

PENDING SHOW

Address City Bd Ba DOM SqFt $/SqFt HOA List Price Age

1155 Weyburn Lane #28 San Jose 2 1|0 51 814 $460.69 $346 $375,000 50

# LISTINGS: 1 AVG VALUES: 51 814 $460.69 $346 $375,000 50

PENDING NO SHOW

Address City Bd Ba DOM SqFt $/SqFt HOA List Price Age

7179 Blue Hill Drive San Jose 4 2|1 69 1,822 $406.09 $307 $739,900 33

# LISTINGS: 1 AVG VALUES: 69 1,822 $406.09 $307 $739,900 33

SOLD

Address City Bd Ba DOM SqFt $/SqFt HOA List Price Age Sale Price COE

6951 Chantel Court San Jose 2 2|1 69 1,056 $426.14 $380 $460,000 25 $450,000 01/31/12

# LISTINGS: 1 AVG VALUES: 69 1,056 $426.14 $380 $460,000 25 $450,000

# LISTINGS TOTAL: 17 AVG VALUES FOR ALL: 19 1,160 $482.23 $977,657 40 $450,000

List Price

Max

$375,000 $1,700,000 $995,888

Min Median

Quick Statistics ( 17 Listings Total )

Sale Price

$450,000 $450,000 $450,000

Thinking of Selling? Now in 2012 may be your Best time to sell! I would love to show you my techniques to successfully sell homes right now. The market changes quickly and dramatically-don’t miss out! For a free 30-minute, no-obligation consultation on selling Santa Clara County homes or buying Silicon Valley real estate, Just Call 408-252-8900.

Please feel free to drop by our beautiful new office at Keller Williams Cupertino, located at 20230 Stevens Creek, Suite #E, Cupertino, CA 95014 x. Torre.

We always have Starbucks coffee available & look forward to seeing you & people you care about!

by Michelle Carr-Crowe, Cupertino real estate agent selling homes in San Jose

Yesterday I attended Joe Stumpf's By Referral Only Real Estate Marketing Seminar at the Doubletree Hilton in San Jose. If you've ever attended one of Joe's seminars you know watching him as a master of language and communication is well worth the time invested.

One of the themes was to learn "What I Didn't Know That I Didn't Know" and write about the insight, then apply it...so we can grow.

For me today, there were two insights (I'll share the other tomorrow).

One was the power of sharing the truth of my life, messy as it is.

As a prayer warrior, I know that many times what I experience on my life's journey is something others will share. Whatever wisdom and lessons I learn on that part of the journey, I need to remember and share with others, to bless and encourage them.

Joe encouraged us to blog and (gulp!) video blog about it, too. So I'm taking that step of faith to "just do it."

So soon you will see me showing on video A LOT of  What I Didn't Know That I Didn't Know-hopefully you will gain wisdom and insight. If you see something that needs correction, kindly and gently share it with me.

So what about you? What did you learn today that you didn't know that you didn't know...that will help you grow?

Lucky Dragon House for Sale in Lucky Dragon Year 3663 Wodzienski San Jose, Calif.

by Michelle Carr-Crowe, Cupertino real estate agent selling homes in San Jose, Calif.

Dragon Home for Dragon Year! Lovely Newer Evergreen Home! Close to All-E-Z Walk to Top 3 Schools & Park

You, Your Family, Friends, Neighbors & Co-Workers are Invited to
a Get RE$ult$ Team Open House at. . .
3663 Wodzienski Dr., San Jose 95148!

Lucky Dragon House Built in Lucky Dragon Year
12 Years New

FREE Lotto Tickets + Treats & Red Envelopes for Children* at Open House!

First Open House Sun., January 29th from 1:30-4:30
3663 Wodzienski Drive, San Jose, CA 95148
See the Virtual Tour here at http://www.edigitaltour.com/12/01/24591/

Million-Dollar Views of Hills & Sparkling City Lights!
Most-Desired Floor Plan in Newer Enclave of Homes!
Fabulous Island Kitchen Plus Separate LR & FR!
~1800sf Spa-Style 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath Home!

E-Z Walk to Park, Tennis, Sikh Temple & ALL 3 Top 850+ API Schools!
Carolyn Clark-API 955! Quimby Oak-API 863! Evergreen High-API 855!

For Details & Private Showings, Just Call. . .(408) 252-8900!
www.3663wodzienski.com

- Asking $748,888 -
MLS# 81203368

*While supplies last
*All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed, buyer to verify



3663 Wodzienski (google map) (yahoo map)

• Location: 3663 Wodzienski, San Jose
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

Would You Trade 3 Hours to Learn Exactly How
to Get ... 2 New Referrals in the Next 7 Days?

You will learn:

• New Skills to Thrive and Meet the Challenge of This New World
• How to Get More Commissions
• How to Produce Instant Results
• How to Generate New Clients with No Advertising, No Cold-Calling, No Door Knocking, No Farming, No Floor Time
• Discover How Top Producers Leverage Their Relationships

Instructor: Joe Stumpf

When: Wednesday, February 1, 2012
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Where: Doubletree Hotel San Jose
2050 Gateway Place, San Jose, CA
http://mapq.st/xZeYTs

Please click on the attachment to view the flyer.

To get your free ticket click the link below:

http://www.realestatemarketingworkshop.com/SanJose

If you plan to attend, leave a comment and I'll try to personally connect with you at the event.