advice: The Right Time....is it NOW? - 08/26/10 02:32 AM
Waiting for the right time to....buy a house?  There is no "right time" that is the universal truth.
In a rising market, it is always seems like the right time, but this can be an expensive game of musical chairs, if you buy a house just to get into it.  There is always a chance to get stuck in a house you don't love, a neighborhood you don't want, a commute that you hate or as many people find a home they can't realistically afford.
The timing is really up to the individual.  But, there are so many decisions involved.  Think … (2 comments)

advice: Just A Little More - 08/02/10 01:33 AM
The Successful Listing...THINK A Little MoreWhen you want that extra edge in a listing think "a little more":1.  Ask for a little more
A Better Price Cleaner House Staging Repairs New Paint & Carpet 2.  Give a little more
Explain the whole the process Provide the latest data and facts Kindness and Time 3.  Do a little more
Take the time to communicate Make sure you do everything you can Do everything you promise Proof read your marketing materials (again) 4.  Listen a little more
Ask open ended questions Uncover their motivation Understand their priorities Taking action brings results.  The … (2 comments)

advice: One Simple Change...Can Make All the Difference... - 07/27/10 03:16 AM
One Simple Change... Can Make All the Difference... Just Change ONE Word in Your Vocabulary.
Think about all the words you hate to hear.  Think about one that makes you cringe EVERY SINGLE TIME.  Think about the one word that makes you want to interrupt someone before they are finished.  Think about the word that makes your clients cringe every time you say it.  It is one of the most powerful words in producing a defensive reaction. It generally never produces the desired result.  It is the one word that will make someone shut down and not listen to the rest … (8 comments)

advice: The 1-2 Punch of Negotiation - 07/18/10 04:06 AM
The art of negotiation is very elusive for many people.  Sales people in particular are often distressed about their abilities.  They often will take classes and coaching and buy training materials and read books.  The ultimate in negotiation is very simple. Some people seem adept at negotiating from the day they are born - and yes, they are - they know "the secret".  Some people let life pass them by and never learn the secret. There are really two important aspects to negotiation:
Power Collaboration At EACH and EVERY step of the negotiation review:
"Who has the power?"  "What … (4 comments)

advice: Let's POP the Cork - and sell this house - 02/21/10 11:12 PM
Let's face it - while cork might be renewable product, it might be comfortable, absorb sound, it is a personal choice.  This is a true story about a home that had beautiful cork flooring and the seller absolutely loved it.  It was "green" and expensive and everywhere, but simply just not in demand in the community.
Agent: "it's gotta go"
Owner: "let's just try it"
Agent: "the house is getting tons of showings - the big complaint is the floor"
Owner: "I love the floor, it is practically new, maybe we need to find the right buyer"
Agent: "no offers yet"
Owner: "why … (9 comments)

advice: Stop, Look, and Listen: B4 you add a loved one to your deed - 02/20/10 05:11 AM
This can take you down like an 18 wheeler speeding down a super highway.  There are complications in taking title that people don't anticipate.  It seems harmless enough to add a loved one to your title - but, there can be unbelievable complications that were not contemplated.  If you are not married, and considering buying a house with someone or thinking about adding a family member to your title - STOP and read this article!
Click below to read full story….
 
… (11 comments)

advice: "Why Isn't My House Selling"...Quick Fixes to Consider - 09/12/07 01:13 AM
Real Estate 101: Price, Location, Condition
Even if the house is listed at a great price...it is all about how the potential buyer "feels" in the home.
There are a few basics that we can all understand about selling a house.  Clutter doesn't make it sell.  The sellers don't see it as clutter...they see it as their beloved personal belongings.  We need to help them see that the potential buyer needs to see themselves in the house - and even if their own home is cluttered they'd like to believe that the new home won't be cluttered.  It is also an indicator that … (8 comments)

advice: To Me or Not to Me....that is the question. - 08/31/07 03:06 PM
Do you want the real estate transaction to be all about me?  Or do you want the real estate transaction to be all about you?  Me or You?  Which side do you stand on.  This is the fabulous thing about language and understanding language.  Who are you referring to?  me?  or you?
What we really want is for it to be about our clients.  How do we protect our clients?  How do you make sure that everything you do is in your client's best interest?  That is what you need to think about every time.  What is best for them.  Read everything...all … (3 comments)

advice: Digging for the TRUTH - in the Yard! - 08/22/07 03:51 PM
Everything goes great with agent BOB's transaction, smooth inspections, easy financing, nice listing agent and seller, and it closes nicely and on time.  He's filed all your documents away and is thinking about the Fall market.  
One day, several weeks later, the call, from the buyer.  "We wanted to do XXX, and we found out that there is a septic field in the yard.  We purchased the house because we wanted to XXX - this is a big problem, what should we do?   Do you have a copy of our documents?  Should we sue?"
DEEP BREATH, "let me look into that and get back to you?"  Oh, poo!  That is really going … (3 comments)