Just read an article on Inman news about Bank of America partnering with brokerages for marketing. Read the Inman News Article. If you want to know my opinion on this subject please read this post: Lake Norman Real Estate, Choose Your Lender Wisely. You will see by this post that I believe the service you get is much more important than giving someone and online place to apply for a loan(which is more marketing than anything else in this case). How many people does it take.... Personally I would prefer my clients not talk to someone accross the country from Lake Norman and Charlotte and then pass it along to someone else etc. .... Where is the personal service and personal touch. Maybe my recent experience is not the norm, however in talking to some of my peers, they have had similar experiences with the Bigger institutions. If people talking help improve the service, then maybe some of us will develop a different opinion.

I am seeing a lot of this lately.  I am showing property this week and some of the homes have these remarks in the listing.

While it is in my best interest to contact an attorney on this matter, I was wondering if any agents have had experience with closing a deal like this.

What impact does it have on the buyer.  If the original seller has title insurance, isn't the new buyer protected.

I am somewhat confused as to how best represent my buyer and protect them from hidden costs.

If someone out there has ideas, please post a comment.

 

 

 

Are you a Country Music Fan.

If so, you probably know the song 'God Is Great, Beer is Good and Poeple of Crazy'  and it made you smile. 

I have two stories I want to share that made me think of this song!

First, I was working with a client on a home on Lake Norman that is listed with an agent but is a foreclosure. It is a great deal! I showed it to the husband and wife and then a second time to Friends, Grandmoms, dads, kids etc.

Also, I lined up a representative from Duke Power to come and assess being able to add a dock extending from an existing pier. I also worked with the HOA to determine some cosmetic things they wanted to do.

In the meantime, I verified the viability of my clients getting a loan. Since they own a home that is  paid for, they assured me their lender had given them some options.

A day after the second showing, they asked to see some comps in the area to make sure of the decision. I certainly accommodated this request and we went on to look at 8 more homes.

As we were finishing up, I was informed that their lender was now advising them to sell first. OK, so being professional, I certainly don't want to put them in a losing situation or one they are uncomfortable.

So, as we are riding home, I was told that they were going to have a couple of open houses and try to get the homes sold without an agent 'to save money' and by the way, 'Would I mind coming over to help assess the home and verify my thoughts on price' WOW, well again, being a professional I helped them out. After-all even in the fantastic Lake Norman market, I know, they will be calling for help.

However, I left that day singing ...'God is Great, Beer is Good, People are crazy'.

Second, I went to watch a middle school soccer game (6-8 grade) where my daughter is the coach. Since it was the middle school championship, I thought I would support her and the kids. There was a Dad (surprise surprise) yelling derogatory things to the kids on my daughters team. Mind you, not yelling encouragement to his kids but putting down 6th,7th and 8th graders about their ability. One of the better players on the my daughters team asked to go talk to her dad but instead asked this man to please stop saying those hurtful things to her teammates.

After the game, this same man got in my daughters face about her control of her kids and knowing where the were. I sat back and watched, with pride, as the parents of my daughters players rallied to her defense.

Come on people it's youth soccer!

God is Great, Beer is Good and People are crazy!

This is one of the best views on Lake Norman.  Profesional Interior Designers Personal Home with attention to detail in every room.  Water views from almost every room.  Very low maintenance ranch home with very low HOA fees, community pool and tennis courts.  Floating dock and pier, this home has it all. 

4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3 car garage and much more!

For more information with video and slide show, visit www.LakeNormanRealliving.com.

 

 

 

I just read an interesting article this morning from Inman News.  You can read the full article here: Inman News Article

As I have been preaching to my agents at Real Living In Style, Technology will be one of the dominant marketing tools in the future.

As the writer of the article states: "There are two skills in particular that agents will have to acquire in order to be successful in the future: one being marketing and the other being the strategic use of the Internet -- and social media in particular -- to build business."

I believe it is so important that I have written an eBook on blogging with Wordpress.com and Blogger.com. This is part of the package we give new agents when they join Real Living In Style! This book is a beginners book and walks you through the two tools and some of the reasons to choose one over the other.  It also gives you a steps to create your blog, write posts and pages(wordpress) and how to do some basic SEO.

A year or so from now, I believe, our market will look different from the perspective of number of agents.

Get on the technology train!

 

 

 

 

Our MLS and Our Realtor Association bills came in the mail.  I have talked to quite a few agents who are rethinking careers. 

$500.00 is not really that much of an investment for a business! For some, though, it is too much to pay to stay in an uncertain market.

In my opinion, for those that understand that this is a business, the bills are not second guessed.  For those that dabble, never market themselves and grumble about the state of things, well it probably is time to move on.

It is going to be very interesting to see who stays and who goes.

For me, the glass is half full and as the Gloria Gainer once sang'  I (we) will survive!  Ok, showing my age a little with the disco age song but it is also appropriate for this time as well.  

 

 

 

 

Lake Norman Real Estate:One of the Best Waterfront Lots on all of Lake Norman!

This home sits on one of the most beautiful lots you can find on Lake Norman. I currently have an agreement with these clients to market this property for sale, although it has not officially been listed in our MLS.

I do currently represent this seller and we are open to offers.

Currently the asking price is 1.4 million and is worth every penny. This home is a Professional Designers Own Home and the attention to detail speaks for itself. Brand new Pella Windows have been installed throughout most of the home and the views of the lake are breathtaking.

See the Youtube Video here 

Don't be fooled by the size of the home which is approx. 3000 sq. ft and 4 bedrooms. The high ceilings make if feel much larger.

For another look at the beautiful Lake Norman Home, check out the slide show!

CLICK HERE to See A Slide Show of this Beautiful Lake Norma Waterfront Home.

If you have questions or interest in this property,please contact your Lake Norman Agent at 704 451 7051 or by email.

Newly Renovated starter home in Mooresville NC.  154 Chere Helen Drive in the Tall Oaks subdivision is a quiet neighborhood with access to shopping, restaurants,great schools  and more. 

For details visit http://154cherehelen.realliving.com

 

 

I recently met a lady watching football at a sports bar in Mooresville NC.  She is a very dynamic indivudual that at approx 63 years old and has the energy of a 20 year old.  Ironically she is a business and life coach that has published numerous books. 

In one of her books entitled Winning, How Winners Think - What Champions Do by Edie Raether, I have found a lot of good information to share with my agents.  Some of this information has been written many times in many different ways but for some reason her writing is the one that has inspired me.  

This information is especially true in this day and time.

Create a plan - People don't plan to fail; they fail to plan!!!

Hang in there - Persist and persevere until you get what you want.  

Optimist Creed. (partial list)  

Promise Yourself -  

• To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
• To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
• To think only the best, to work only for the best, to expect only the best.
• To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
• To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
• To give as much to the improvement of yourself that you no time to criticize others.

 Everyone have a great week!  Do something everyday that takes you closer towards your goals!  If you are an agent in the Lake Norman area and are looking for a positive environment, visit http://whyrealliving.wordpress.com/

Lastly,  There is no whining in baseball and real estate!

 

Thank you to our agents: http://whyrealliving.wordpress.com/