Broker Bryant's Real Estate Ramblings

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www.ShortSaleSuperStars.com Weekend Update

www.ShortSaleSuperStars.com

Good morning fellow and future Short Sale SuperStars,

First Wendy and I would like to welcome all of our 25 new members this week. We also had 611 Unique visitors this week and 5,282 page views. 23% of our traffic is coming from the search engines. What that means is that we have buyers and sellers visiting the site.

In fact, we actually had a couple of sellers join this week. So…..we want them to be able to search for a Short Sale SuperStar. With that in mind we have made a couple of changes this week to make it easier to use the search function. But in order for the search function to work properly we need your help.

Please go to your personal main page*** (My Page) and right under your picture click on manage my page. Then click on profile. If you scroll down you’ll notice we changed the profile questions. Add your first name, last name, State and city.

***What? You don't have a personal main page? If I were doing Short Sales or wanted to learn howe to do Short Sales then I know that I would pop over and join the site. It's FREE!!! www.ShortSaleSuperStars.com

OK now where was I........Now you may already have your name on the site but go ahead and do it again. Also, you can add more than one city. Just separate the cities by commas. For example: Kissimmee,Orlando,Haines City.

Once this information is there people can use the search function under “Members” and pull up Short Sale Agents by State, city or name. Also, we’ll be adding a Google site search to the front page. So making these changes to your profile is very important. OK?

A couple of more items. We created a ShortSaleSuperStars fan page on Facebook. You can become a fan by clicking on the “Fan Box” in the right hand side bar of the main page of the site.

Short Sale Superstars on Facebook

OK….I think that’s it. As always Wendy and I appreciate your feedback. Good or bad we want to know. Pop us an email.

Almost forgot…..thanks to everyone that purchased The Negotiator Interview, Short Sale Agent Training or the Short Sale Listing/Submission Package this week. The little bit of income Wendy and I get from these products helps to pay for the running of the site. And hopefully the products offered have helped you in your business. We will be launching new stuff in the near future.

We hope everyone has a great week. Don’t forget to invite a friend to join the site. We want to have 1,000 members by the end of the year.

Until next week…..Learn, Know and Grow.

Together we CAN make a difference!

Wendy and Bryant

www.ShortSaleSuperStars.com

Posted by Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc on 11/07/2009 10:33 AM

Comments (6)

Short Sales in the Training Channel

short sale agents, short sale superstars

Bank of America Short Sale Approval!!

Hi folks, Miracles do happen. After many months of phone calls, updating documents and keeping the buyer on track we finally received an approval to close on a Bank of America Short Sale.

Only one small issue........they approved the wrong Buyer and the wrong contract!!!

So, we start over.

I love Short Sales. I really do. There can be no other reason that I would deal with this crap day in and day out.

Need help with your Florida Short Sale? www.CentralFloridaShortSales.com

Bryant Tutas
Broker/Owner
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
http://CentralFloridaShortSales.com

http://ShortSaleSuperStars.com

Are you a Florida REALTOR(R) looking for a change? Check it out.

CENTRAL FLORIDA REALTOR(r) OPPORTUNITIES

Posted by Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc on 11/04/2009 02:23 PM

Comments (25)

Short Sales, Foreclosures, Bank Owned in the Home Selling Channel

short sales, short sale training

Originally posted at: Selling Poinciana One Property at a Time.: Bank of America Short Sale Approval!!

Social Media. How to. What to. When to. Who to.

Social media

Social Media. How to. What to. When to. Who to.

Have you ever wondered how many Social media experts there are out there? If you do a Google search for "Social Media Experts" you get 80,000,000 results. Holy crap Batman!!

Now I'm sure this figure is waaaay off so let's say there are a million "Social Media Experts". A million people telling us.......

How to interact with others online.
What to write/post/tweet/update about.
When to write/interact/tweet.
Who to befriend, become a fan of, linkin with.

If Social Media is about interacting with each other then shouldn't we know this stuff already? Aren't we already social? Don't we interact every day?

Why do I need time to "find my voice"?

If I have to follow guidelines and advice on How, What, When and Who then wouldn't that mean I'm not being myself? Shouldn't we have learned this stuff when we were children?

Here's my advice. Be yourself. Good, bad or indifferent. Be yourself. Quit trying to fake it.

I can tell a fake from a mile away. Can you?

Bryant Tutas
Broker/Owner
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
http://CentralFloridaShortSales.com

http://ShortSaleSuperStars.com

Are you a Florida REALTOR(R) looking for a change? Check it out.

CENTRAL FLORIDA REALTOR(r) OPPORTUNITIES

Posted by Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc on 11/02/2009 03:34 PM

Comments (25)

social media, opinion

The Buyer CMA. Do you use it?

Realtor training 407-873-2747

Hi folks. Lenn Harley wrote a post today titled "Looking at Real Estate Teams and Team Specialists". If you haven't read it please take a moment to do so. In her article Lenn wrote...

"The assumption is that training for property valuation is for listing agents for CMAs and not for buyers agents. IMO, one of the most valuable skills any real estate practitioner can have is that of accurate property valuation."

I have to say I agree with that statement. As most of you know I have been primarily a listing agent for many years. Over the last 18 months or so I have had to revamp my business and now find myself working with more and more Buyers.

I find that one of the advantages I have is that I know how to value property. My market is saturated with foreclosures and Short Sales. Because of this, the listing price means nothing. The listing price is normally quite a bit lower than what the property will eventually sale for.

The purpose of a low listing price is to create a bidding war. I completely understand this strategy and have no problem at all working within the rules of this "game".

My Buyers are counseled to make offers based on the value of the property not the list price. This is very important for Buyers and their agents to understand when working in this kind of a market.

How many of you have had Buyers that insist on offering below listing price on every property they look at? How many of you counsel then to do this? Is the extent of your counsel telling Buyers to offer 90% of list price? Be honest. When was the last time you prepared a full blown CMA (Comparable Market Analysis) for a Buyer?

Do you even know how to prepare a market analysis? From some of the offers I see coming in on my listings my opinion is that..no..you don't. Your Buyers are missing out on properties because they are hung up on the listing price. Your job is to make sure this is not a stumbling block for them. The best way to do that is to make sure you are giving your Buyers a CMA.

This Buyer CMA can be for a specific property or it can be based on the style and type of property they are looking for. Does that make sense?

Here's a CMA I prepared last week for a Buyer. We ended up getting his offer accepted even though there were about a dozen offers on the property. Check it out. Any questions?

CMA 816 Halifax Dr Kissimmee FL 34758

Bryant Tutas
Broker/Owner
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
http://CentralFloridaShortSales.com

http://ShortSaleSuperStars.com

Are you a Florida REALTOR(R) looking for a change? Check it out.

CENTRAL FLORIDA REALTOR(r) OPPORTUNITIES

Posted by Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc on 10/31/2009 01:28 PM

Comments (98)

Market Reports in the Training Channel

buyer, cma, education

Originally posted at: BrokerBryant.com: The Buyer CMA. Do you use it?

Short Sale Agents Needed!! We need 500 members before November 1st.

That's right folks....www.ShortSaleSuperStars.com has 466 members as I write this post. Most are Short Sale Agents. Wendy Rulnick and I want to hit 500 members before Sunday. If you haven't joined yet please do. It's FREE!

466 Short Sale pros can't be wrong. There must be something to this www.ShortSaleSuperStars.com site.

Did you know we have agents, attorneys, negotiators, investors and sellers that are members? Every day there are people on there helping each other. The site is AWESOME!!

Did you know we have groups set up for over 30 lenders? These groups give you numbers, forms, secret contacts and helpful hints to get your Short Sale closed. You do NOT have to go it alone.

Did you know all the douments you need to submit a FHA Short Sale are on the site? Just print complete and submit.

Did you know..........OK you really just need to go check it out. OK?

Between Sep 29 and Oct 29 we had.........

SHORT SALE AGENTS

Available Short Sale Agent Training:

Bryant Tutas
Broker/Owner
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
http://CentralFloridaShortSales.com

http://ShortSaleSuperStars.com

Are you a Florida REALTOR(R) looking for a change? Check it out.

CENTRAL FLORIDA REALTOR(r) OPPORTUNITIES

Posted by Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc on 10/30/2009 04:03 PM

Comments (19)

Short Sales in the Training Channel

short sale superstars, short sale agents

Selling Kissimmee Real Estate is like going to the Dentist. Only more painful!!!

It seems like all Buyers want the same thing. Four bedrooms, 2 baths, at least 1700 sq ft living area, no more than 5 years old and less than $100,000. The problem is there are only 22 of them on the market today. 17 of those are Short sales!!! The other 5 are REOs (foreclsoures).

So here's the deal. If I tell you you will not get the property for less than asking price....I'm NOT lying. Properties that are priced right are selling for an average 105% of the asking price. That's just an average. Some are selling for way more than that. In fact, the highest sold for 158% of asking price.

I'm a Real Estate Broker. I make my living by selling property. I WANT to sell you a house. I also WANT you to be able to get a good property at a fair price. If I tell you houses are selling for $42 a sq ft and your accepted deal at $38 a sq ft is a good deal then you need to believe me. I'm not just blowing smoke up your arse.

If you are not comfortable paying more than the asking price then don't. That is certainly an option for you. BUT....you won't be buying a 4 bedroom, 2 bath home, with at least 1700 sq ft, no more than 5 years old in Kissimmee for less than $100,000.

Is that really that difficult to understand? If you don't want to understand it then please just move on. I truly don't need that $1,500 commission.

If you REALLY want to buy a house and want someone that will give it to you straight then give me a call. I can help.

OK....that was fun. Now who can I send this to? www.CentralFloridaShortSales.com

Bryant Tutas
Broker/Owner
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
http://CentralFloridaShortSales.com

http://ShortSaleSuperStars.com

Are you a Florida REALTOR(R) looking for a change? Check it out.

CENTRAL FLORIDA REALTOR(r) OPPORTUNITIES

Posted by Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc on 10/29/2009 03:58 PM

Comments (21)

Foreclosures and Short Sales in the Home Selling Channel

poinciana florida, kissimmee short sales

Originally posted at: Selling Poinciana One Property at a Time.: Selling Kissimmee Real Estate is like going to the Dentist. Only more painful!!!

Kissimme Holiday Villa For Sale. 20 minutes to Disney

Kissimmee Florida Short Sale. Listing price may not be sufficient to cover all encumbrances, closing costs, or other seller charges and sale of property at full listing price may be conditioned upon approval of third parties. Centrally located. Vacation rentals are OK. Very good unit for the price. Close to downtown Kissimmee. 25 minutes to Disney World and the Airport. This is a short sale and does require patience. Please only qualified buyers.

Do you need help selling your Florida Short Sale? Central Florida Short Sales

Bryant Tutas
Broker/Owner
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
http://CentralFloridaShortSales.com

http://ShortSaleSuperStars.com

Are you a Florida REALTOR(R) looking for a change? Check it out.

CENTRAL FLORIDA REALTOR(r) OPPORTUNITIES

Posted by Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc on 10/28/2009 01:37 PM

Comments (7)

Short Sales in the Home Selling Channel

short sale, kissimmee short sales

Originally posted at: Selling Poinciana One Property at a Time.: Kissimme Holiday Villa For Sale. 20 minutes to Disney

Owner Financing Possible on this Kissimmee Florida Investment Property

This is NOT a Short sale or a foreclosure. Just a good property priced to sell. There are 3 bedrooms and 2 baths with 1480 sq ft of living space in this never lived in home. Built in 2007.

Owner will consider financing with 40% down or buy out right. The price is low enough at only $75,000. Would make a great primary residence or rental property. Would easily rent for $750 to $800 per month.

Either way it's ready for occupancy. The AC and heating system was installed this week. Check it out....

Bryant Tutas
Broker/Owner
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
http://CentralFloridaShortSales.com

http://ShortSaleSuperStars.com

Are you a Florida REALTOR(R) looking for a change? Check it out.

CENTRAL FLORIDA REALTOR(r) OPPORTUNITIES

Posted by Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc on 10/27/2009 06:03 PM

Comments (12)

poinciana florida, owner financing, investment opportunity

Originally posted at: Selling Poinciana One Property at a Time.: Owner Financing Possible on this Kissimmee Florida Investment Property

In order to succeed we must know when to be flexible.

REALTOR(R) opportunities

A while back I called one of our fellow ActiveRainers. I did this because I had received an email and could tell this person was struggling a little in their business and needed some words of encouragement. So I called.

Anyway, it seems discouragement was setting in because she was going on listing appointments but was losing them on pricing. Then they would list with another REALTOR® and after several months, and a few price reductions, the property would sell at close to the list price that she had suggested from day one. Have you ever had this happen?

I actually felt a little guilty because I know this person reads my blog constantly and has heard me time after time talk about "NEVER take an overpriced listing".

I know I write about these things a lot. NEVER take an overpriced listing. I NEVER work with Buyers and I NEVER lose a listing.

Well folks, today I want to let the cat out of the bag. I'm a big fat liar!!! There I said it. I HAVE taken an over priced listing. I HAVE worked with buyers and I HAVE lost a listing.

OK..... so now I'm wallowing in the puddle of deceit. Or am I?

One of the attributes of a successful person is the ability to be flexible....being able to read a situation and change directions quickly.

NEVER is a guideline not an impregnable barrier. What that means is, in an ideal World or situation I would NEVER........(fill in the blank).

However, we do not live in an ideal World so we have to learn to be flexible. We have to make judgment calls. Being able to read folks and their motivation is imperative to being a good "salesperson".

We have to make judgment calls on whether or not to work with folks under less than perfect circumstances. If I meet with a potential Seller and they do not agree with my pricing then I MAY take the listing at a higher price. It depends on a few things:

Their motivation. Do they need to sell but have a little leeway with timing?

Is their suggested price within reason? Within 10% or less of where I feel it needs to be is my rule of thumb.

Do they understand what I am telling them about pricing but just feel they want to try a little higher?

Do they trust me and do we get along?

Do I feel they will listen to me in 30 days when I tell them we need to reduce?

Will they sign off on my suggested price and agree that I am taking the listing higher than I have suggested?

If the answer to these questions is yes then I will probably take the listing. My NEVER has turned into a maybe.

My point is, we have to be brutally honest with folks and make sure they understand THEN we have to make a judgment call. Guidelines are set to guide us in our decisions. But our ultimate decisions have to be based on our judgment. This is where our experience and ability to read people comes in.

We will make mistakes along the way but that is all a part of the learning process. So be flexible. There are very few absolutes in real estate or life for that matter. Your success will come when you are able to discern when you need to be flexible.

Be firm when it comes to your ethics and your morals but leave room to change your mind in other areas. Does this make sense? Never? Maybe? What say you?

Bryant Tutas
Broker/Owner
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
http://CentralFloridaShortSales.com

http://ShortSaleSuperStars.com

Are you a Florida REALTOR(R) looking for a change? Check it out.

CENTRAL FLORIDA REALTOR(r) OPPORTUNITIES

Posted by Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc on 10/26/2009 05:25 PM

Comments (112)

Sales Training in the Training Channel

opinion

Originally posted at: BrokerBryant.com: In order to succeed we must know when to be flexible.

Selling Florida Foreclosures Virtually.

Tutas Towne Realty specializes in the listing and selling of Short Sales and foreclosures (REOs) in the Central Florida area.

Since most of these properties are sold over the Internet sight unseen we try to capture the essence of the properties by use of numerous pictures and video tours.

Touring foreclosures in Central Florida is always an adventure. You just never know what you will find. Folks facing foreclosure have a tendency of taking out their frustrations on the property. I’ll never understand why.

Anyway…..here’s a little tour I did today on a Poinciana Foreclosure. Enjoy.