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Confession Time.

As a relatively new real estate agent, I don't know how to develop a client base through face-to-face contact. 

I mean, of course I know how to talk with real people from previous life experiences. But as a Realtor, most of my client conversations originate and develop right here, sitting in bed or at my desk, special brew of Eileen's tea by my side, typing on the computer.

History.

Realtor was on my “NEVER” list.  The idea of scratching and clawing for clients was as appealing as spending the rest of my life in the dentist’s chair.  I had been an appraiser and at the time of the Great Decision, was one of a team of two, building high-end custom homes in Flagstaff, Arizona.  No doubt, Realtor made excellent business sense.  And as things go, the Realtor who had sold a few of our homes was very interested in teaming up with me.  Off to school, license in hand, I'm a Realtor!

Just a few months later, my seasoned partner dumped me.  The idea of our team was apparently better than the reality.

At Scratch Bottom

I was devastated, scared, overwhelmed and depressed.  Truly.

The building business had bottomed, and now I was exactly where I NEVER wanted to be: a new Realtor who had to start from scratch, the word scratch my reality, coupled with the word claw, what I needed to do in order to eek out a living at a time when the market was grinding to a halt.

Hope

In my overwhelming desperation, I turned to my one good friend, the computer.  We have always been great companions.  I started browsing Real Estate Sites late into the night. Something started to stir.  A sense of excitement... purpose... a creative spark.  I CAN DO THAT!  No, I don't have connections here in Flagstaff, I don't have children whose parents I can meet through our activities, I don't have any real way of building a successful client base in these slow times... but I can build a website!  And I can market that!

My New Identity

With a new sense of purpose driving me, I went at it with passion.  I found a wonderful web company, Cevado Technologies.  I love them deeply to this day.   The inspiration and ideas for mysite came from above or beyond (depending on your beliefs), but my ideas and vision were certainly from a deeper source.  I had no “realtor” source within. And the ideas kept coming, all hours of the day, waking me up at 4 AM when I grabbed my laptop and clicked, designed and wrote furiously until dawn.  

The essence of the site was customized IDX searches linked to pretty pictures.  Everything else was built around that. This was my New Identity, one I could market and sell. The result is www.TheFlagstaffWebsite.com.

Google Ads

The site was up.  Glorious day.  Glorious Week.  Glorious Month.  And -  nothing happened.  Of course. Nobody knew my masterpiece existed.  When I began to spend money on Google pay- per-click, the world opened up.  By refining ads, my site went from 5 unique visitors per month to over 2000 and counting. 

Webversations.

So back to the original point of this article.  Given that today, at least 84% of Buyers start on the web, almost all of my originating conversations are webversations – faceless, voiceless emails from potential buyers searching my site.

 “Could you please send me more information on this listing?”  From that piece of black and white, I know the price of the home and sometimes, the originating city of my potential client. But nothing more - no subtle body language clues; no clothes divulging deeper signs of their personality, (crocks or stilettos, baggy pants or a sundress, natural or doctor designed?)… I don’t know if they are casual or formal, serious or just browsing, southern or east coast, down to earth or high falutin. 

I just know that they want more information, and the Webversation has begun. Now I have a chance.

Part II – Webversations to Closing – Miracles DO Happen.  (coming next!)

Eileen Schreiber offers property searches for homes, condos and land in the Sedona real estate and Flagstaff Arizona housing market. With custom searches in school districts, by design or style of homes and specific community searches, Eileen offers the most detailed real estate website for both Sedona and Flagstaff Arizona. Contact Eileen anytime: realestateflagstaff@gmail.com or homesinsedona@gmail.com or
simply call: 928-607-6910

Saturday was a normal day for me in the life of a Realtor in Flagstaff, Arizona. 

I met my new client at 9:00 AM at Little America, one of our Landmark Hotels in Flagstaff.  She lives in Alabama and, faced with layoffs and life changes precipitated by the current economy, is interviewing for a job in Flagstaff.

Like many of my clients, she did her homework and research through my website, TheFlagstaffWebsite.com.  She and I had emailed for weeks. She presented me a list of about 15 homes she wanted to see, ranked in order of preference. 

She was organized, smart and very funny! We clicked. 

Her price range was under $300,000, the closer to $200,000 the better.  I don't know what you can get in your market for under $300,00, but I do know that almost every one of my out-of-town clients suffer something like sticker shock when they see our Flagstaff homes in this price range.

Flagstaff is a unique and beautiful area in Arizona.  We have trees, mountains and gorgeous four seasons.  We have an excellent hosptial, Universities and some industry.  We are small and surrounded by Forest, meaning we have not, and will not, expand with large developments. Between our geography, land scarcity, our amenities and our services, we truly are special.

And therefore, we aint cheap.

My client showed the common signs.  As we drove up to the first home, I could tell she thought I was mistaken.  She furrowed her brow, looked a little nervous, and reached for her printouts - the ones with the pictures that pretty much look nothing like the listing.

I reviewed what we were about to see - built in the 70s, partially remodeled, $264,000.  And waited.  She looked at me, looked, down, looked around, wiped her mouth, then blurted in the way that truthtellers blurt, (in her Southern Accent) - Hell, this would be $80,000 tops where I come from!

I nodded my head, said "I know", and escorted her gingerly to the front porch.

And so it went.

Nurturing my out of town clients through sticker shock is an art.  I have to let them see, feel and absorb.  I have to let them calculate in their head how much it would be back home.  I nod my head, compassionately understand, and slowly and honestly explain that here in Flagstaff, Arizona, we pay for the privilige of being in Flagstaff. 

And it is a privilege. Yes, you can find less expensive homes in other areas of Arizona.  You can.  But then, well, you see.......you have to live in those other areas.  It's hotter in the Summer, or smaller, or lacking amenities.  There are less trees, no hospital or no universities.  If it's a second home, it's a longer drive and not as fun.  As the day wears on and the out-of-towner considers these other options, she slowly understands.  She relaxes.  Starts to smile.  She might not get the house she imagined, but yes, living here can be a privilege deeply enjoyed.

At the end of our day we saw two homes she liked.  Of course they were about $150,000 more than she thought they were worth, but two possibilites are better than none!  I have not yet heard how her interview went and hope she got the job.  That would be one VERY important reason to move here, and after she does, I know she and her family will discover why Flagstaff is worth it!

For all Flagstaff Homes for Sale.  For Flagstaff Golf Homes.  For Affordable Flagstaff. 

Eileen Schreiber offers property searches for homes, condos and land in the Sedona real estate and Flagstaff Arizona housing market. With custom searches in school districts, by design or style of homes and specific community searches, Eileen offers the most detailed real estate website for both Sedona and Flagstaff Arizona. Contact Eileen anytime: realestateflagstaff@gmail.com or homesinsedona@gmail.com or
simply call: 928-607-6910

For those of you who would like to see how our market for Single Family Home Sales is unfolding on a daily basis, please bookmark the Flagstaff Daily Market Report.  Every day I will update it with new stats.  If I miss a day, I promise I will back date.

The data is taken from the Northern Arizona MLS and is only as reliable as the data input into the service.  The regions chosen include Flagstaff and Surrounding Areas.  This report follows single family home sales, and includes condos and townhomes.

If you would like to see all Flagstaff Homes for Sale, by price, neighborhood, golf community or by searching the Flagstaff MLS, please see the Flagstaff Website.com.

Happy Sunday!

Eileen Schreiber offers property searches for homes, condos and land in the Sedona real estate and Flagstaff Arizona housing market. With custom searches in school districts, by design or style of homes and specific community searches, Eileen offers the most detailed real estate website for both Sedona and Flagstaff Arizona. Contact Eileen anytime: realestateflagstaff@gmail.com or homesinsedona@gmail.com or
simply call: 928-607-6910

This report provides information for every home that sold in Forest Highlands in 2008, as well as the overall averages that resulted from those sales.  The data was taken from the Northern Arizona Multiple Listing Service with all appropriate disclaimers.

This Forest Highlands Market Report is a snapshot of the overall community.  Nothing beats a personal report that reflects your homes' size, location, age, amenities, views and lot size.  I am happy to create a personal report!  Just ask!

The Forest Highlands 2008 Market Report for Single Family Homes.

For all Flagstaff Golf Properties, Please see the Flagstaff Golf Property Website.

Eileen Schreiber offers property searches for homes, condos and land in the Sedona real estate and Flagstaff Arizona housing market. With custom searches in school districts, by design or style of homes and specific community searches, Eileen offers the most detailed real estate website for both Sedona and Flagstaff Arizona. Contact Eileen anytime: realestateflagstaff@gmail.com or homesinsedona@gmail.com or
simply call: 928-607-6910

(If you read this yesterday, sorry about the re-post.  Deleted it by accident)

Recent articles in the Arizona Daily Sun by Joe Ferguson report that

Flagstaff is going to the Twos.

One of our more popular eatery/drinkeries, The Beaver Street Brewery, is planning on building a second Brewery, not that far away from the first.  As of this writing, the plans to build the second brewery have not yet been approved by our City Council. 

For the Full Story

In another story reported by Joe Ferguson, a modified version of Walmart's traditional SUPER Supercenter has been approved for East Flagstaff.  While the original concept included a 212,000 sf Supercenter and a two-story parking garage, the approved Supercenter will be 114,00 sf with a parking lot.

For the Full Story

While opinions of adding another Brewery and another Walmart are strong and varied, I will look at news of economic expansion in a time of a National Recession with hopeful eyes.

Eileen Schreiber offers property searches for homes, condos and land in the Sedona real estate and Flagstaff Arizona housing market. With custom searches in school districts, by design or style of homes and specific community searches, Eileen offers the most detailed real estate website for both Sedona and Flagstaff Arizona. Contact Eileen anytime: realestateflagstaff@gmail.com or homesinsedona@gmail.com or
simply call: 928-607-6910

A few weeks ago I received a phonecall from a gentleman in Tucson.  He and his wife had just sold a second home.  They had cash to spend - up to about One Million.  Could I help them find a home in Flagstaff?

Are you KIDDING ME?     

This wonderful couple had a strong idea of their needs and desires.  They were a pleasure. So we three and the dog set about to view Flagstaff properties.              
            
Although they had provided me a list of top choices, there was a property not on their list that I knew I HAD to show them.

I took them to the property I had in mind.  They loved it.  They adored it.  They furnished it on the spot, choosing which pieces they would bring and which would stay home.            
            
I escorted them to my office where we wrote our cash offer.  Yes, it was low - but today, a low offer for a home priced at $975,000 is welcomed with a song, dance and hallelujah, given the painfully few sales we have had in Flagstaff in that price range.
            
The Sellers countered.  The Sellers' pressing problem was that their accountant was out of town, and with the brand new idea of doing a 1031 exchange perking happily in their heads, the Sellers were not sure EXACTLY what they could agree upon as a bottom line.  
            
My Buyers had three days to respond, day three being the day the accountant returned. Although they pooh-poohed the Sellers' counter price and were primed to negotiate, they wanted the house!  And they had CASH!              
            
Then, the unthinkable occurred.  The unimaginable.  Can you guess?
            
Unable to find their 1031 exchange property, the Sellers took their home off the market.  In a flash, the dream home of my Buyers was gone.
            
My Buyers were literally devastated.  They had not only furnished this home but they had planned the next five years of holidays with the kids and grandkids.  They built the dog a new dog run and smelled the beautiful moist air around them at sunrise for years to come.
            
However, we have a happy ending.  My Buyers called me to let me know that they found a great home in SANTA FE, a home that, as of our last phonecall, was still on the market during inspection period.

Eileen Schreiber offers property searches for homes, condos and land in the Sedona real estate and Flagstaff Arizona housing market. With custom searches in school districts, by design or style of homes and specific community searches, Eileen offers the most detailed real estate website for both Sedona and Flagstaff Arizona. Contact Eileen anytime: realestateflagstaff@gmail.com or homesinsedona@gmail.com or
simply call: 928-607-6910