I Met the Godfather of Real Estate! - 11/10/11 12:22 PM
After three showings, Steve and I received a silly offer on one of our listings.  This doesn't upset me as silly offers are a part of our business.  Even here in San Antonio Texas, one of the strongest markets with not much price decline in the under $200,000 homes (when compared to the rest of the country), we see Buyers experimenting with "low-ball" offers. Their rationale:
"It doesn't hurt to ask"
Oops, they forgot a word: "NICELY"
IT DOESN'T HURT TO ASK NICELY!
Of course, however they ask, their Realtor® should put their offer in the best possible light and present … (6 comments)

SELLERS: It's not easy! - 11/09/11 12:52 PM
We DO apologize, but there are times when getting your home shown is something like cookie-making. sometimes you can't tell that there will be nutty things until you bite.
Like the other day; we got a showing request for one of our high-end listings- (the Sellers require us to open the home for other agents, and be there to close it at the end of the showing).  We're glad to do this as it's a very special property (sometimes these homes are not even on the MLS), and we have an opportunity to explain it's features, etc.
Anyway---a Buyer's Agent (a … (0 comments)

How Long Has it Been on the Market? - 11/08/11 08:19 PM
Does it REALLY matter to you?  In THIS market?  Do you REALLY think it indicates SOMETHING?  WHAT? 
Let's think about it:
Does the length on the market indicate anything other than, perhaps, it was a very cool (or hot) (or cold or wet) Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and home sales were 'off' for a while?  Maybe the property was not available for showings due to an illness or med school finals? Maybe the Seller decided to replace some old flooring, or finally pained three pink bedrooms a pretty cream color?
Do you ever know for sure? 
Why you even care?
… (3 comments)

When is too Late? - 11/08/11 08:14 PM
Too late to add a Tile Roof to your new home?   When we work with our happy home buyers in the construction of their new homes there are deadlines and time-lines and construction schedules to consider.  In the case of wanting and having a nice tile roof on your new home, the right time to decide is BEFORE you sign a contract- in the planning stage before the home plan has been drawn and submitted for plan approval. 
Usually we will be working with a custom builder who is offering a design that includes a tile roof, but not always- … (1 comments)