Well, this week there were so many really great posts here in the rain by some of my fave bloggers as well as some newbie bloggers that I’ve recently come across. First and foremost, I just want to give a shout out to my fellow rainers for their gold star features that I was happy to "call the shot" on them.
The One That Got Away. Or, "The Buyer's Marital Status is None of Your Business" Mr. Listing Agent. by Lloyd Binen.
How Long Does Escrow/Closings Take in Your State? by Belinda Spillman.
Seriously? I mean... What are you thinking?!?!? by Heather Russo.
These were excellent posts that had some really great comments, which is one of the best things I love about great posts. With some posts, the comments can actually be better than the post. Check them out.
Then there were some other equally great posts that I suggested but that the AR Gods must have missed this week when they were bestowing those little gold stars.
First there was If an Agent represents the Buyer and the Seller, Is it "standard" to discount the commission? by Scott Godzyk. Scott brings up a good topic and one that has been discussed at length here at AR - compensation for dual agents.
First and foremost, I am NOT a fan of dual agency and am a stong advocate and proponent of it being terminated here in CA. I have seen first hand way too many of my own borrowers get the "short end of the deal" (so to speak) when choosing to use the listing agent as their representation in their home buying transaction.
I always get a kick out of those agents that will say that they have no problem serving as a dual agent. I'm sure they don't but I'd be more interested in knowing if the buyers and sellers in those transactions feel the same. I would bet money that there would be a resounding "NO" from many of the buyers (probably even a few sellers too).
Having said that, if an agent is truly serving the needs of both clients (and I seriously have my doubts they are), then by all means, they deserve more commission. The problem is that most dual agents are NOT serving the needs of both of their clients and as such are only doing half the work, which makes the higher commission questionable and quite frankly - unearned. JMHO
Then there was Diane Phillips with her post, Dog Ten Commandments ~ Mater Monday Motivation. I just liked this one because it's such an important message and one that all us with fur babies need to remember.
As a long time dog mama, I couldn't imagine what my life would be like without my fur babies. Hubby and I always adopt our fur babies and it's these rescued creatures that need the most love and affection. Typically, they've already had a pretty rough life and have more times than not been abandoned and abused by those that were supposed to take care of them.
For those of us blessed with such joy in our lives, lets remember that they need us far more than we can ever imagine. When you think about it, we need them too! Make sure they know that too! :)
Next was How Do You Challenge a "Low" Appraisal? by newbie blogger, Hank Miller. I liked this one so much I reblogged it with some tips on my own appraisal appealing experiences. I think together, Hank and I provide you with all the info you need to successfully appeal an appraisal.
Having said that though, your success will be varied and relative. Even though you may not be able to get the value you wanted, you may be able to get a higher value than the original value and this is definitely a small victory. Furthermore, this process will not be successful with over-priced properties. Nothing is going to help those transactions other than a huge dose of reality for the sellers and their listing agents.
Lastly, there are new appraisal guidelines called Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD) that all appraisers must be adhering to now on all appraisals. Professionally, I think this will resolve some of the problems were having with the values of upgraded, updated, rehabbed properties being valued the same as run-down, dilapidated, dumpy, REOs with little to no value adjustments. When reviewing your transaction appraisals, make sure the appraiser followed the new UAD guidelines.
Then there was John Arendsen with his post, Help! I'm Having An Identity Crisis! I Need To Blend My Old Active Rain Identity Into My New Identity. Any Suggestions?. I liked this post because John brings up a topic that I myself have been contemplating for awhile now - making a career transition and how to incorporate that into our current AR blog.
Like John, I too am embarking on a career change and have been trying to figure out how to utilize my AR blog to promote my new career. I've been blogging for more than three years here at AR and have built an incredible blog that gets some mad google juice. I most certainly have no intention of giving up my SEO simply because I'm changing brokers and moving into another area of the industry.
I know there have been others here who have made some career changes here and have been able to maintain their internet presence, I'd like to hear from those folks about how John and I can manage the transition of our AR blogs because there is no reason why we need to start all over again with a new blog. That simply isn't going to happen.
Lastly, there was When A Home Buyer Asks Me To Be One of Many Realtors To Show Them Homes, I Am Afraid I Must Decline The Offer by Keisha Hosea. Keisha brings up a topic that has always baffled me about buyers perceptions of buyers agents. Everytime I hear or see it in my own borrowers, it's becomes obvious that the have no idea what a buyers agent is or does.
With so many Realtors/agents blogging these days about the benefits and advantages of working with a buyers agent, it's mind boggling that so many consumers are still so clueless as to how buyers agents work. I can't tell you how many times I have had to explain to one of my borrowers that working with several different Realtors/agents at the same time is such a waste of not only their time and energy but of the time and energy of the Realtor/agent as well.
As we all know, there is no reason to be working with more than one agent at a time. If that Realtor/agent isn't serving your needs, then you need to find another Realtor/agent that will - IT'S THAT SIMPLE!!! Why is that so hard for so many buyers to understand. What is it that we're doing wrong? I say this because we have obviously failed in educating the public on this really simple concept.
As always, I love "calling the shots”. I’m pretty picky and selective about whom I suggest. I intentionally highlight my fave bloggers and then I look for new bloggers or bloggers that aren’t on the feature board every other day. Anyone can suggest all the popular bloggers but finding the hidden treasures and gems is so much better. I hope you check them out and enjoy them as much as I did.
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