Jim's Blog

The 70's Live Again!

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:09:51 -0600

I had a call from a customer who wanted to get in to see a rental property. Easy enough, right? I called for showing instructions and was told i had to speak to the Property Manager. I left her a message. The next day, the customer asked again and I called for the Property Manager and left message #2. Day 3, The customer called and I called back to ask if there was a way to get showing instructions for this VACANT property. I was then told that the Property Manager was out with the flu. Nice. I asked if anyone could provide me with the showing instructions and they transferred me to another agent. Here's where it gets good!

I was told that there process is that I would have to send a FAX of my Real Estate License to their office and once I did this, I would have the priviledge of receiving the combination on their VACANT home. Memories of the Brady Bunch ran through my head but I called my office and had a co-worker do this for me. I finally got the code and when we got to the house, it was trashed. Holes in the walls, dirty and not well maintained at all. Good thing they protected it from the public so well. A day later, I got a call to say that it was being removed from the market. What a loss.

May I Cut your Grass Mister?

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:00:37 -0500

Ah, memories of a young lad walking from house to house, looking to make a little pocket change. Fast forward to present day and many neighborhoods are looking shabby and homeowners are up in arms at the appearance of their neighbors houses due to foreclosures and bank owned properties.

A simple solutions. They can just cut the lawn for them (as noone else seems to want to) and make it look presentable. There's only one small issue. They could be cited for trespassing and the liability if they got injured while on that property is one that the banks do not want to incur.

Now, the odds that a bank, maybe located across the country, will know who swooped in and ran their mower over someone's yard are small. But a neighbor does have to know what the risks are.

Homeowner Associations are also experiencing an overall lack of funds due to all of the owners who have not or cannot pay their HOA dues. As a result, the public and common areas have suffered and there are cases where groups of owners have gotten together to mow lawns and plant flowers.

Overall, the pride of ownership is something that many communities want to keep alive!

Can Anyone be Trained?

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:52:57 -0500

As a Trainer, I have worked with a multitude of people. Young and old, many cultures and many different backgrounds. The question is, can everyone be trained?

When it comes to technical skills or a computer program, there are usually set ways to perform a task.

When it comes to soft skills such as customer service, it is more of an environment, an organizational environment as well as what is inside of each person to rise to the level they are being asked to.

Are there individuals that can't or won't learn what you are teaching? In my past work, I have seen people that didn't want to conform to the ways of a company and they eventually worked their way out of the organization as they didn't fit in anymore. They found themselves waiting at the station and the train moving on.

When it comes to technical skills, it could be possible that someone just cannot retain the know how needed to operate a machine, a computer program, etc.

I believe that almost everyone can be trained. There are many pieces that have to come together and part of it is that they have to be open to learning.

Survey Shmervey...Is it worth it?

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:35:33 -0500

I went to the car dealership and had some repairs done. As I was getting into the car, the man told me to remember to give them all "10's" on the survey I would receive. He went on to say that a "9" is 80% for them. I drove away wondering if this was the way it was intended to be?

If I read into the situation, my guess is that their survey results are tied to bonuses and maybe even compensation. Why would they build a system like this? Doesn't it take the ability to say what you truly feel out of it? If you regularly visit that dealership and you blast them for bad service, would you get a higher bill next time? Do you dare complain about food in a restaurant and then wonder if they are tampering with your food?

I worked at a Luxury Hotel's Front Desk and the survey's that the guest had to fill out were pre-stamped and addressed to the Corporate Office. This worked well until the guest would drop off their completed survey at the desk. Since they were only sealed in one spot, I witnessed many a people twisting and turning it to see if they could read what was in it.

Come on. Doesn't this taint the whole idea behind a survey? Is this how Nielson does their TV ratings? Is this how JD Powers does theirs? I think not.

My favorite of all time is the single sheet of paper that a customer is to fill out and then place in a locked wooden box in the office. Those boxes are opened and based on if they are good or bad surveys, may never be seen again!

Survey says?

Showing Instructions - It isn't Brain Surgery People!

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:21:48 -0500

I am counting to 10 before writing this blog. Frustration is a nice word for agents who don't use the tools and systems the way they were intended. In Orlando, our Board came up with a great tool to facilitate the showing of properties. It is called ShowingDesk and it is present on every Broker Synopsis in the MLS. That part is great. The part that isn't is how some agents are using this tool.

I had a buyer over the Labor Day weekend. He and I have been working together for a year and he often calls last minute. We were looking at $600-$800,000 properties and selected only the vacant ones to see as it was a Holiday weekend.

I went into showing desk on the listings and some had the instructions there. "Leave a card, Vacant on Multi-Lock, Lock all doors, etc." Others said to call the Realtor. Ok, most of them were not available all weekend. The one that really got me was where they asked me to select a time from a grid as to when I wanted to show it. It immediately sent me an email telling me it was not confirmed until someone from the office contacted me...vacant property...I received a 2nd email asking me for feedback. I can understand that it is automated. I called the agent several times over the 2 days we were in this neighborhood and no answer. The day after he left, I received another email telling me that my showing was approved. It included a personal note from the agent with the status of the property that was written to me.

All of that information could have been loaded onto the Showing Instructions. An electronic record is kept and ONLY Realtors are able to access it. Alarm Codes, Key Locations, Showing Instructions are all safe and secure. If we could just get Agents trained on how to use the tools, we would all have a much smoother experience.

Die Hard or Die!

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:49:22 -0500

Are you a Die Hard Realtor? You don't care what the media says. You don't let anything or anyone get in the way of you making it work, by whatever means necessary. OR, are you the type of agent that says, "the market is down, woe is me". Either way, the numbers have not been lying. There is truth to the sales and listings being down. Outside factors that we have seen for the last 2 years have affected all of our pockets.

Many agents have resorted to getting additional work in order to supplement their income. The question is, if you are one that has done this, has it been in or out of Real Estate? Real Estate moonlighting has included Property Management, doing BPO's or working with foreclosures. People who have moonlighted outside of Real Estate have been everything from Bag Boys, CFO's and long Distance Truckers!

My first real estate company always said that it was impossible to do Real Estate on a part time basis but as the market has changed, we all have to do whatever it takes to survive. If someone has the drive and time management skills, they can juggle both very well!

I thought CMA was a Government Agency

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:26:21 -0500

As a new agent, part of my training included learning how to do a CMA. This, without a doubt, was the most difficult part of the business for me as nobody had a fool proof way to do it. They said, you add a little here and subtract a little there and then you come up with a selling price.

I was brand new and had a friend who already had their house on the market. I asked him if I could come and present to him as i needed the practice. I spent time putting the presentation together as well as working through a CMA. After presenting all of my marketing, it was time to get to the numbers. I went through them and told him definitively that his house should be listed for $129,000. He looked at me, a bit puzzled, and told me that his house was on the market for $199,000. Apparently I had not put a sold date on the system and was getting sales that were 6 years old. Embarrassed was the word of the day.

As you get more experience in this business, you learn more tricks which include finding out if the seller has a number in mind, pulling actives, pendings and solds for the last 6 months and adjusting for special features that the comparable homes do not have.

In the end, hopefully you and the sellers can come to a consensus but even in our current short sale and foreclosure environment, sellers are not always willing to take your professional advice.

Are We Too Connected?

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:37:10 -0500

Technology. We love it at times and we hate it other times. It works for us and against us. The pro technology people, of which I consider myself, try to convey to others how it saves time, money and eases the way in which we do business. The "Old School" people will tell you that we are moving too quickly and that "back in the day", things were easier, less hectic. We had more time with our families.

Let's talk about cell phones. As Realtors, we really can't live without them. I called an agent this morning and she answered her phone. I told her what I was calling about and she asked if she could call me back as she was at a doctor's appointment. Granted, she may have been in the waiting room but I did think, why are you answering your phone if you can't speak? The ideal situation would be to have 2 voicemail messages. Switch to number 2 which says I am on an appointment and will call you back once I am done.

The flip side of this issue are those who are not available at all by phone. They are either too busy or too unwilling to answer your phone. "I return calls from 2:10-2:20pm daily." I know, many time management seminars have said that this is the way for you to best manage your time but in the real world, it makes you seem uninterested and too busy to speak with anyone!

It would be nice to find a happy medium. Personally, I never shut off my phone. There are those rare cases when the phone rings at 1:30am or 7:00 am but as a whole, my customers and agents know that they will get me or a return call shortly after calling.

Go Ask your Mother!

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:43:42 -0500

Sometimes another agent can really add undue stress to a deal. They say that perception is reality. If you perceive something to be true, whether it is or isn't doesn't matter as that is your perception!

I had a deal recently where the other agent was not into working with her people. She made all kinds of excuses why she didn't normally work in this area of the market and how long the drive was and how little money she would make on the deal...blah, blah, blah. She also said how she couldn't stand to take these people out and show them more property as her patience level was wearing thin. Even on the phone, she said he repeated himself over and over and she couldn't take it. What I should have said was, "at the beep, please leave a message!"

She set up this whole flurry of negative energy all surrounding these customers. Today, I got to meet them face to face...without her present. We hit it off right away. We talked about travel, other countries and every question they had was answered right away.

At the end of our meeting, they were not only happy but also asked for me to inquire about a property for sale in the same complex they were renting in. You just never know.

This blog was entitled, "go ask your mother" because often our kids will work each parent to get the answer they are looking for. This customer was not the issue. It was the agent and frankly, I want a divorce!

Flip This House? Really?

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:35:14 -0500

Just was watching an episode of "Flip This House" on the A&E network. When they pulled back the carpet, they discovered a huge crack in the slab that went all the way through. Next thing you know they are bringing out a team to dig holes, put in hydralics and concrete tubes and level this house back together again. It was amazing to watch but it also makes you wonder, from a real estate perspective, if this is disclosed to a new buyer?

We know, because it has been drilled into our heads, disclose, disclose, disclose. When in doubt, disclose it but does this really happen all of the time?

If someone wants to put their house on the market and there is an issue, we tell them to fix it before we list it because after an inspection, we will need to get a licensed professional to make the repair. Some homeowners don't understand this. If items are repaired before we list the property and if the owner doesn't disclose, then they are theonly ones to ever know the truth!

Voted Best Burger...Says Who?

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:22:21 -0500

I passed a big banner on a steakhouse today that said, "Voted Best Burger, $5.99" and I wondered, who said? I also wonder who is checking these facts? this is not a poltical campaign where you have people researching and fact checking everything that is said or written...it's a steakhouse!

This started me thinking, why couldn't I, as a Realtor put out an ad stating that I am the Number 1 Realtor in the land? It was voted on by an Independent Council (mom, dad and sis). Who is gonna check it anyway?

There was a cute ad with a Realtor and her dog and the caption said that she was the best, voted on by an independent Lab!

If you look closely, you may see some statements out there that may be hard to prove or disprove. Anything you have seen lately?

Real Living Real Estate Solutions Welcomes New Agents

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:15:40 -0500

Bill and Jeralia Kolb and Mary Parrish have joined our team and will be focusing on Lake County Florida. They bring years of experience along with many great contacts and we are excited to welcome them.

This One Won't Last...

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Thu, 21 May 2009 09:44:45 -0500

I am the first one to admit that it is hard to be creative. We all go through periods where we got it or we don't! "This One Won't Last" I have seen a great deal on listings. Even if it is true, it is still a funny thing for me to see. I suppose it is due to the agents who have never gone back and updated their listings and they have been on the market over a year and still say, (say it with me) "This One Won't Last".

If it truly isn't going to last, why not say something like, "You better see it today or..." or "I am not kidding this time, get here fast". Also if you do use this phrase, isn't still just your opinion? The beauty of a home is in the eye of the buyer, not the agent.

I walked into a 1930 Bungalo that had very little updating since then and almost gave my thoughts when my buyers said that they thought it was really cute. Just like us buying a gift for someone and picking what we like instead of what they like, your buyers are the ones who have to like it, not us. The art of silence can truly be golden!

When Agents Attack

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:45:27 -0500

What would cause an agent to leave their current Real Estate Brokerage? Usually it is one of two things. They are upset with their Broker or they are upset about their money.

It is very difficult for an agent to decide to make a change. They sometimes think that their identity is tied to the company that they are with. They often think about all of the reasons why they can't make a move. Business Cards, Advertising, Friendships are all factors that are weighed. The Reality is that there are times when a move is not only recommended...it is necessary. Necessary for the well being of that agent both emotionally, financially and even physically.

Even once a decision to leave is made, it still may take time to gather up the courage to execute it. I have found that the Real Estate Business is unlike any other industry out there. When you leave a corporation after working there for a few years, they usually throw a party for you, give you a gold watch or at least go out for happy hour. This doesn't happen in Real Estate. I had a great 4 year run with my last company and was rushed out the door and ex-communicated the minute I said I was leaving!

Take the time to analyze all of the factors that are important to you. The people you work with are important but if you are not making a good commission split and you are not supplied with tools that make you successful, the people may not make a difference. Every office has that agent that's sole responsibility is making the coffee. Don't be that agent.

Waterfront, Waterview and Watered Down

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:38:09 -0500

I remember traveling to St. Louis years ago and they had a Casino on a boat that was docked permanently. I asked how they were allowed to do this and they told me that there was a body of water 60 miles away and they ran a pipe from that body of water that trickled water in and made it ok to have a "riverboat" casino. This was before I got into Real Estate.

Today, I am struck by the creative ways agents describe how their properties are connected to water. A house on a lake...beautiful, serene, valuable...a house with a view or access to water, still can create the lifestyle some are looking for.

The ones that have a sewer running behind them or flood when it rains heavily are the ones that become tough to call waterfront. It almost becomes embarrassing for the buyers agent to arrive and see, along with ther customer, that the water that is listed in the listing is not much more than a small retention pond that doubles as a beach volleyball court in dry spells.

There has been much written about words used in listings and what they translate to but come on people. Is it water or is it not?

Recipe for Success in Real Estate

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:55:53 -0500

Cook Time

1-15 Years

Level

Beginner to Advanced

Yield

$20,000 - $150,000 per year

Times:

Prep

2-6 Weeks

Cook Time:

Until Perfected

Recipe Tools:

Tell a Friend
Sphere of Influence
Hand out Business Cards

Ingredients

1 Real Estate License
1 Cell Phone
1 Automobile
10-12 Marketing Ideas
1 Laptop Computer
1 Pen
Business Cards

Directions

Before beginning this dish, ensure that you have your head in this recipe. If you are not ready to make it, it won't come out well.

In a deep pot, heat up your laptop to 75 degrees F. In a small bowl, put your cell phone, car keys, laptop, pen and business cards. Place this aside by your front door.

Cut the 10-12 Marketing Ideas into smaller pieces. This makes them easier to work with. Make sure they are at room temperature. Use the marketing ideas along with your laptop computer to make a Rue. Butter up each business card so that it is easier to pass out. Use your automobile as needed in order to ensure the recipe comes out well.

Use the recipe tools above to ensure that each piece is done to perfection.

Filling the dish too full or overcooking may cause undue stress.

When ready to serve, Place finished product in a folder and share with other agents. Serve immediately, but caution very hot!

Realtors Can be Like Teenagers

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:57:20 -0500

Do you have the pleasure of having, knowing or being in close proximity to a teenager? We all were there once and based on our age, we all have said, when I was that age, I would never do this or that. Some are just cranky. Some have a problem with authority. Some are into things that they shouldn't be and aren't good for them. The good news is, once the "everyone is out to get me" feelings are gone, they usually grow out of it.

Realtors, now this is another story. Before we were licensed, we all said, I would never do this or that and guess what...some of us do. Some of us are cranky. Some of us have a problem with authority. Some of us are even into things we shouldn't be and simply are not good for us. The bad news is that some of us may never grow out of it.

If we see ourselves as professionals, we expect that other agents will be also. We constantly run into agents that are not available when we need them. We see listings that have a lockbox code but no lockbox on the door as we stand there with customers and we even get to speak to agents on the phone who want to yell at us while we are with our customers. What's an agent to do?

My view is that we can't change people. Hundreds if not thousands of women get married every year with the thought of changing their guys...here's a secret, it doesn't work.

Did you Brush your Teeth Today?

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 09:11:00 -0500

If you were 5 or 6 years old, this would be a good question. For adults, it does seem kind of silly. It's a given that you brushed your teeth today, right? I see blogging as a brushing your teeth for your business. I constantly talk to our agents about how important it is to have a presence on the web, yet, I sometimes am lax in "brushing my teeth". I have to admit, it is a great feeling to google Jim Hirschhorn and have page after page come up with my name on it. Of course, if your name is John Smith, it becomes a little more challenging. Now, if you really want to be good...daily flossing is even better. Websites like Propeller.com will push your blog out there to even more readers.

I am not someone who forgets things very easily. The reason is that I always have a system. If I need to bring something to work, I will write a note and attach it to my keys or wallet. That routine has worked very well. Those of us with routines have a hard time understanding those who do not have one.

Make Brushing and blogging part of your routine and you will see the results in no time!

Agent Exitus..Is it Good For Everyone?

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:52:42 -0500

They say that it all depends who you talk to with regards to perspective on an issue. With the down turn in the market last year, as expected, Real Estate Agents have left the profession in groves. With a little over 12,000 agents a year ago to todays 7000 in Orlando, we have seen a "thinning out" of agents and offices!

Are the reduced numbers a good thing? Those of us that have stayed standing say yes as it creates more business and our theory is that it got rid of those people that were not serious about Real Estate. Here's a devil's advocate. Was it really a good thing? How many agents did we lose that were good agents but just had circumstances that prevented them from continuing? What if they had a spouse or significant other who lost their job and they needed a more steady income to make ends meet?

How much talent was lost and will these agents come back as the market improves. Of course, from the inside looking out, it looks pretty sweet. It has coincided with the phone ringing more and with governmental actions designed to bring more buyers off the fence.

Agent Exitus..Is it Good For Everyone?

Are We Being Too Guarded?

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:17:43 -0600

If you are on Facebook or even if you aren't you have probably heard about the "25 things about me" exercise that is going around. In the event that you haven't, it basically asks you to randomly write 25 things about yourself, presumably that people don't know about you. Try it. It is not so easy. The 1st one I read was from a close friend and he really got deep.

A few examples are..."22. I saved my son's life once. That's still an incredible thing for me to fathom." and "8. My Grandpop Sam died in 1973. I think about him at least once every single day."

This is deep stuff. Clearly a revealing and moving exercise. I'm not kidding. Try it. Try to write down 25 things about you. Why do I bring this up? Well there is always a flip side. I have read a handful of these writings and have also seen people who have taken the exercise to mean something completely different.

I won't put examples down of the others as i don't intend to embarrass anyone but when all of the 25 items are about work and self promotion, clearly the point was missed!

Are we being too guarded in life? Careful is one thing and we have heard our parents and grandparents remind us never to give any information over the phone or carry your social security card with you but with today's technology, there are many safeguards.

If we are able to reveal a little peek into ourselves, our lives and our personality, don't you think that we are able to reach an even greater number of people? If we all just stay in our houses and order pizza, how will the world know how much we have to offer?

Is Short Sale Just a Marketing Ploy?

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:09:38 -0600

I was struck by a sign that I saw that said, "If you are having trouble paying your mortgage, Call me for information on how to short sell it!" I thought about this and wondered if some agents are using our current economic crisis as an excuse to prey on struggling homeowners. A short sale should not be taken lightly.

In previous markets, a small number of people would have life changing circumstances such as medical disability, Loss of Job or Bankruptcy where they simply could not meet their mortgage obligations. In our current economy, a short sale has almost been a buzz word for getting out of your predicament and getting to walk away. Don't misunderstand me. There are plenty of people that were duped into believeing that what they were doing was the right thing. There are also plently of investors and people who knew that they couldn't afford the home they were buying who had a "what the heck" attitude.

The challenge is that it is difficult, if not impossible to separate these two groups. Agents have to make a decision if they want to take on the short sale customer. It involves hours and hours of paperwork, phone calls and frustrating dead ends. I have to laugh at all of the "Short Sale Specialists" that have popped up within the last year. Could we see some credentials please? Does 1 short sale under your belt make you a specialist?

Short sales have always been around and will continue to be. It is the sheer volume of them that we are seeing now that have made bank representatives increase their valium prescriptions.

Are you Really Ready for Social Networking?

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:44:52 -0600

One can't be a little pregnant. You can't jump off a 12 foot board and not get your head wet. AND You can't get into social networking if you are not truly ready to do so. I recently had a connection send me an email which basically stated that he and his wife were knew to social networking. His email said...

"She has mentioned to me more than once that people are posting pictures of her that she would not post herself resulting in many comments from people that she could do without."

It concluded by asking me to refrain from posting any pictures of her and thanked me for my understanding. At first, I thought, ok, no problem. The more i thought about it, the more I thought, Why would someone be on a social networking site if they didn't want to be social?

This woman was and is very attractive. The pictures were very vanilla. She and her husband were sitting in a chair at a party and smiling at the camera. There also was another one with a group of 10 people sitting on steps following a senior prom. I couldn't imagine what comments people would make about these.

Again, if people aren't ready for sharing out there, then they shouldn't step into it until they are. you would never get on stage at a karaoke bar and read poetry...or would you?

A Tree Grows in Orlando...

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:45:21 -0600

We have a neighbor. Since I know that she doesn't blog, I can use her real name..Gladys Kravitz. You may have a Gladys also. Gladys decided to have a tree company come out to clean up her trees. She saw that our trees were hanging into her yard and had her tree company "trim" our trees as well. How nice of her. Instead of just clipping them, she has one looking like an Auschwitz victim and the other is nice and full on one side and lopped off on the other. Would love to get your thoughts on our rights, her rights and if we should take her off our Christmas card list!

Picking the "Right Tenant" when it comes to renting

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:09:44 -0600

I am not alone with getting into the Property Management game. As Real Estate Sales started declining, owners naturally think about renting their homes that they are unable to sell. It is always amusing to speak with someone for the first time and the education process that has to occur with a prospective owner about renting their home.

I clearly have not seen it all but have had numerous experiences of homeowners who want a perfect tenant and want the ability to hand pick them from the sea of possibilities. As Realtors, we have had exposure to the Fair Housing Laws and know when something doesn't sound right. Our owners however have not have the chance to bone up on the laws. Our job is to teach them what they can and can't do.

The other factor that comes into play is when people hear "horror stories" from their friends where tenants came into a home and trashed the place. I have found that owners who have lived in the home and then moved out are much more cautious than owners who bought a property as an investment and don't have the emotional attachment that comes along with years of memories, pets, kids growing up, etc.

Picking the "right" tenant is very easy. If their credit, background check and references check out, they are right at this moment...until they screw it all up!

Business at the Holidays

Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando (Real Living Real Estate Solutions) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:32:48 -0600

Christmas and New Years are mid week this year. Working up to Christmas, there are many last minute things to do. Gift shopping, food shopping, house cleaning, yard work, Lights. When Christmas comes and goes and all the guests leave, then it is time to ramp up for New Years. Not just Realtors are affected. It seems as if the world slows down and the days surrounding both holidays are filled with parties for some, movies for others and a hope that the coming year will be better than the last one.

It is akin to starting a new diet. "Come Monday, I am going to start!" We announce it to everyone and when a pizza shows up on Tuesday, we never mention it again. "Come the New Year, things are going to be better!" We are all hoping for better times ahead. Consumer confidence, the right decisions by our government leaders and an effort from all of us to save when needed and also spend when we can.

Gas prices are at the lowest level in about 15 years yet the holiday traffic was down 18% from last year. We can make 2009 a better year but it will take all of us to make that happen.