Sometimes it is hard to convince sellers that staging their home or at least de-cluttering and minor updates are important when listing your home. I was reminded of this recently when out touring homes with a buyer. We looked at a home which was vacant, had some interesting paint and flooring choices, out of date light fixtures etc. Nothing major but my buyers were just not wowed by the house and decided that they did not like the floor plan and so we went to the next house. The next house we toured was just a few streets away. We walked in and they immediately liked the look of this one. It was very tastefully decorated with updated flooring and light fittings. As they looked around they thought that this could work for them. I on the other hand was having a case of déjà vu. Yes, you’ve guessed it, it was the exact same floor plan just flip flopped. When I pointed this out to them they could hardly believe it was the same house. On our next venture out the exact same thing happened. The first house was ok, but the décor was tired and the house did not shine. The next house, they really liked and guess what it was the same floor plan. They are also selling their current home and have been very receptive to my staging suggestions. After touring these homes they really understood the importance of how the house looks to prospective buyers. If you are going to sell your home, employ the services of a real estate professional who will advise you on preparing the house for sale and make sure you do not lose potential buyers to the other house in the neighborhood that shows better than yours.

Facebook is such a huge part of our lives today. How else would we know what is going on in the world? I use it for business, my business page advertises my listings. I get referrals from my friends who see my real estate activity through my status updates. I also keep in touch with friends all over the world, some that I haven't seen for years. I am also able to see what is going on in the lives of my teenagers. So, what would we do without it? Today is shrove Tuesday, which means that tomorrow is the start of Lent in the Christian calendar. Many people give up something for Lent. I have been toying with the idea of "giving up" Facebook. Lent is a period of 40 days, I am almost embarrassed to say that I don't think that I can do it! Does that mean I'm addicted? What could be a positive outcome? Maybe I could just limit it to once a day or would that be cheating? What if I decided to read something inspirational instead? How about spending that time calling someone and actually talking to them? Many possibilities of how that time usually spent checking Facebook could be used. What do you think? Could you give up your social media? Is it purely a business tool and so something that is a necessary evil?

It was with great celebration that the buyers I have been working with for the past 4 months sat down and signed the paperwork on their new home.

When we looked at the homes available this was the only one that met their needs for location and lot size.  They also liked the finishes in the house as it matched their furniture and decor choices.

The only drawback, and it was a pretty big one, was that this was a short sale. They were moving from out of state and would be in a corporate apartment with an 18 month old and another on the way. Could they have the patience needed to wait for this sale?

We found out the house was set to be foreclosed on that following Tuesday and so we waited with baited breath to see if the foreclosure could be stopped in favor of a short sale.

As my fellow Real estate practitioners know a short sale is one where the lender agrees to settle the debt for less than is owed. This is better for the seller as they are not the victim of a foreclosure. it typically benefits the lender too as foreclsoing on a house can be costly. The down side is that the lien holder has to sign off on everything and the time this takes is not short.

We met lots of obstacles on the way. lots of frustration, when the lender told us that we would receive approval in a "couple of days" and 2 weeks later we did not have it.

The buyers looked at other options as the time in temporary accommodation seemed to drag on and on but I knew that this was the best house for them, knowing what was available in the area and I know that they are happy now that they have moved.

As they say, all's well that ends well.

If you are looking at buying a short sale, it can be done. All you need a good agent on your side, a proactive listing agent and a huge dose of patience!

 

 

This week I had the great pleasure of getting together with some of the people that had bought a house with me towards the end of last year.

The first lady had been living in an apartment and bought a lovely house with a pool. We met for lunch as she told me how much she enjoyed her new home and how she nice it was having space for her grown children when they visited.

I then had an email from a couple who asked me if I had time to call by this week. I found a time that worked for us both and had a lovely visit as they proudly showed me all they had done to the house since they bought it and told me how much they loved living there.

This is why I do my job, not because I get a commission check, nice as that is, but because I get to help people and I get great satifaction out of that.

 

 

 

They say that these are the three most important words in Real Estate. I spent last week in New York City on spring break with my family and realized how this is true.

There was an article on the local news on how much you could get for $3,000 rent per month, in Texas the answer is a lot of house. In New York on Manhattan it is a 1 bed 800 square foot apartment.

We decided to get breakfast one morning close to our hotel on Times Square, where else could you be charged $7 for a side of bacon on top of the $15 for a couple of pancakes?

Then, look at the apartment buildings that line central park just to be close to the park can cost millions of dollars but if I lived in New York City that is exactly where I would want to be.

i always tell my clients that there are only 2 things that you have control over and that is the condition of your home and the price, unfortunately you cannot change the location so buy wisely.

I have sold 2 homes in an active adult community both of which back up to a road. This was a plus for the seller as other homes had neighbors right behind them. They even paid a premium to the builder for these lots. Unfortunately, when it came to sell the buyers did not agree and time and time again the feedback mentioned the road. I have another listing in the same location and out of 3 showings 2 mentioned the road.

So, remember as you buy or when you sell you cannot change it but location is important.

 

We are all good at complaining when things go wrong but when did you last pick up the phone or write a note and tell someone what a good job they did?

I just received a call from a friend who had bumped into my son at a fast food restaurant and wanted to tell me how nice and polite and friendly he was to them.

If you are the parent of a typical17 year old son you will appreciate how much this meant to me. Not only that my son was pleasant and polite but that she cared enough to pick up the phone and tell me.

So, I challenge you, pick up the phone, write that note and make the effort to make someone's day.

I have heard so much about blogging and how important it is. I have heard about agents who have found clients or have been found by clients through active rain.

However, is it worth blogging for blogging's sake? Is it necessary to have good content, an original idea. lots of graphics or can you just write simply about ideas and experiences?

I sometimes think of an idea for a blog only to find out that someone else has already written on that topic so I do not feel that I am original and so do no t write.

One of my goals for the new year is to be more visible on the Internet, is blogging the answer for everyone or just those with great ideas and writing skills?

These are rhetorical questions but if anyone has any answers I would be interested to hear your views.

 

 

 

I have a buyer who has been contacting me for information on HUD homes. He has been looking at the bidselect website to see the homes that are available. On the details of many of the homes it tells you that you can buy the home with a program that allows for only $100 down.

I have not been able to find any information about this.

Is there anyone out there that can help me?

Thanks

Sue

I have been looking at this site and blogging a little over the last few months.

I have often wondered what are the benefits of spending time here.

I have read of agents that have received business and referrals. That is wonderful and I hope that it happens to me soon.

I have found that this site is valuable for the amount of information that can be gained. It is useful to see what other people are experiencing, gain some insight on a situation and to know that you are not the only one dealing with the same issues.

So, what do you gain on Active Rain. Why is it worth your valuable time to spend time in the rain?

 

 

Sounds like fun ride but the reality is not fun.

I start each year with good work habits and systems. I am determined not to get caught up with my clients and not prospect or lead generate. Then I get really busy.

These last few months have been my busiest yet.

I got to go on a European tour from Venice to Paris ( that was fun!)

I am now back and I realise that my pipeline or funnel is not as full as I would like and I have to get serious about generating business.

 

So where are you? Are you coming down the hill screaming with you hands in the air or are you with me climbing back up the hill ready for the next ride.

 

 

Do you have great systems in place so that this does not happen to you?