buyers agent: Sometimes You Just Have To Laugh! :/
- 10/06/13 01:22 AM
Sometimes You Just Have To Laugh! :/
Oh those silly Internet Leads! You know the ones! They are the people who slink around our websites, pulling up listings, saving properties and resolutely ignoring all our attempts to be helpful or connect.
Until.....Until they need us!
I have many leads like this, so do you I'm sure. One of these dear leads actually sent me an email overnight about a property they just found in their alerts. Ironically, it's the same lead that I sent to her in a specific email a couple weeks ago....before it was on the … (14 comments)
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buyers agent: Active Rain Discussion? Listing Agent Asking For Too Much Information?
- 08/01/13 02:33 AM
Tricia Hoffmann wrote an interesting post today: Am I Overreacting? What You Say?
In her post, she asks the question "how much information should a buyer/buyer's agent be asked to provide the seller with an offer"? I think this is an interesting discussion and wanted to bring it to AR as a whole. Obviously, a seller can ask for anything and a buyer can refuse. But I wonder what is actually necessary for the seller to make an informed decision.
In her post, she has submitted an offer contingent upon the successful close of her buyer's current property. I understand a … (5 comments)
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buyers agent: Oh My!!!! Don't Rely On Your New Home's Online Profile Picture
- 03/17/13 01:29 AM
Oh my! Oh my!
If you are working with buyers in this frenzied market, you have seen at least a few of them who are this drunk! You know the ones!
The family with 8 kids who has decided that 2 bedrooms is enough.
The couple who wanted to travel that is now willing to borrow from mom and dad just to get into "something."
The older couple who didn't want a yard, a retirement community nor an upstairs master....who is now writing offers on homes with all of these.
Are they looking through this same glass? … (11 comments)
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buyers agent: Shooting The Messenger
- 03/07/13 07:17 AM
Shooting The Messenger
I have a new buyer client. We've spent a couple days together over the past few weeks. Yesterday we found a nice home that they truly liked. They came to me well qualified and with a decent down payment. They have great FICO scores and are ready to move when the right place shows up.
So....we crafted a nice offer and offer letter and off it went. I talked to the agent ahead of time and made sure we wrote something with terms in line with the sellers needs.
And then … (100 comments)
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buyers agent: Boundaries vs Barriers
- 07/07/12 10:14 AM
We've all heard the expression that "fences make good neighbors." It implies that the agreed upon boundary makes it clear where the privacy begins, so all know how to behave and can interact properly. It's easier to understand these parameters when we are talking about property and land vs inter-personal relationships, and professional ones are even tougher.
Real estate is a very personal business. We can all agree upon this. But the past couple of weeks I've wondered about how much personal information to share with clients. Clearly we need to make a personal connection, but how much … (16 comments)
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buyers agent: Buyer-Broker Agreements.....Why They Are Not Good For Agents
- 03/15/12 07:08 AM
There is always a lot of talk about Buyer-Broker Agreements. I have used them on very rare occasions and for very specific reasons...but in general I do not. In fact, I think they are detrimental to agents (this is me bracing myself for the response:)).
Hear me out!
I believe they deter potential clients. Have you seen the ads which offer a 30 day free trial? or 60 day? or 90 day? Sure you have! Have you even taken advantage of it? I bet you have....do you know why? Because people have a desire to know what they … (102 comments)
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buyers agent: Who Is The Conductor Of The Real Estate Transaction? Well....Me Of Course
- 12/07/11 03:34 AM
In every transaction of every kind there is....or should be...one main point of contact. This is true in all successful ventures....
One Head ChefOne CEOOne CaptainOne ConductorMom
And it's true in real estate.....and that person is ME!
I consider my "job" STARTING once we open escrow....not ending. This is the point when things can progress smoothly or go awry. The problems arise often because each individual person in the transaction is also an independent contractor...self-employed.
The escrow companyThe home inspectorThe mortgage brokerThe insurance brokerThe appraiser
It takes a special personality to be able to work independently. These are strong personalities but … (15 comments)
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buyers agent: He Saw, She Saw......Showing Homes To Couples
- 11/16/11 02:44 AM
Have you ever noticed that men and women see things differently? I know....you are thinking "Karen, whatever do you mean"....but it's true. And I find that when couples are searching for a new home, the differences are even more stunning.
She sees: Huge backyard He sees: Too much grass to mow
She sees: Plenty of storage in garageHe sees: Man Cave
He sees: New roofShe sees: Green roof
He sees: In-ground pool with spaShe sees: Death trap for the kids
She sees: Beautiful tall windows He sees: Window washing
He sees: Built-in BBQShe sees: Kitchen with white tile
He … (74 comments)
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buyers agent: If You Follow The Instructions....Your Client Can Buy My Listing
- 10/28/11 04:37 AM
The purpose of the "agent remarks" is to give confidential information to the other agent about the listing. I include as much information as I can. The forms I need, the type of offer we are looking for (yes to FHA or no to FHA), and what not to include.
So I'm always surprised when offers land in my inbox, without a phone call, and don't have the required items.
I got two of these last night. For a short sale listing. I clearly said in the comments to send me the Short Sale Addendum (really? no SSA?). I … (14 comments)
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buyers agent: As An Orange County Listing Agent.....Others Can Do The Work For Me
- 09/05/11 07:19 AM
I love working with buyers...truly I do. They are so excited and happy when the hard work pays off and they find that perfect home. But.....listings are also part of my business plan.
I know that over the past few years it's become a trend to specialize in either buyers or sellers. If that works, great. But this is an ever changing market place and we have not seen what's coming down the pike.
To me....it always seem to be a moving market. Sometimes the buyers are driving and sometimes the sellers are driving...but always moving. The … (12 comments)
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buyers agent: I'm A Professional.....Not A Beauty Pageant Contestant
- 08/31/11 04:41 AM
I wonder if consumers really understand why they should work with a specific real estate agent. I spend time on the Internet reading comments and questions which seem to indicate that one agent is the same as another.
Anything from shopping for the best commission rate to using many agents depending upon their availability on a given day. It seems they view us as competing for their business and that we need to jump through hoops...or lose.
I don't think it should work like that!
A solid real estate agent is worth their weight in gold!!! Think about it! … (16 comments)
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buyers agent: Why Use A Real Estate Professional? Because If You Don't You Will Miss Your Daughter's Birthday....Huh?
- 07/30/11 04:42 AM
Why Use A Real Estate Professional? Because If You Don't You Will Miss Your Daughter's Birthday....Huh
I was floating in the pool listening to the radio (last time I mentioned my pool, Bob took away a point). A commercial came on with some ridiculous scenario about a catastrophe that would occur if you didn't use some website to buy a car. Like www.buycar-or-die.com something like that.
The basics of the commercial was one car buyer who has to drive to 7 different dealerships to find a car, while running out of gas, dropping off kids at events and hitting … (25 comments)
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buyers agent: Digging In When The Deal Gets Tough
- 07/06/11 10:15 AM
Don't you hate it when you open that email from a client which starts out letting you know there is a "deal killer"?
Deal Killer
Two little words which will cause even the most seasoned agent to wince. But we've all gotten that email/voicemail/phone call, it's how we respond to that phrase which makes the difference.
I'm handling one today!
After working with this couple for months, we finally gained acceptance on a property. Whew....perfect home, ready to go....done deal.
Or not!
We ran out the minute we heard that we had the offer accepted. This home is in … (24 comments)
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buyers agent: Things I Didn't Know I Had To Tell Clients.....But Do!
- 06/29/11 08:17 AM
I read a great featured post today by Mike Cooper: Somebody Broke In and Painted My Listing!! Maybe you read it too? About a buyer whose agent gave them permission to go ahead and start painting before the close? Wow! Trouble is, that I've had these clients...have you? It brought back memories and I realized I had quite a list of things I didn't think I needed to tell clients....but did.
Do not make repairs to a home you do not own yet Do not remove the sink in the guest bathroom before you move because "you really like it" … (59 comments)
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buyers agent: Information Overload Or Just Plain Lazy?
- 05/25/11 05:16 AM
This is a bit of a rant...sorry! I have a new listing in a very desirable neighborhood. I expect multiple offers this week and I knew that I'd get a lot of phone calls on this.
8 calls in the 3 hours it's shown as active!
HOWEVER
Most of those calls didn't need to happen. My agent remarks are so thorough....so complete...that if they would only READ them, they don't need to call me.
I try and be patient I try and be understanding I try and listen and respond and correct But I want to jump through the phone and … (18 comments)
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buyers agent: Here's A Call I Don't Want To Make
- 05/19/11 09:26 AM
"Why Hello....Remember Me? I was the one who had to call a few weeks ago to tell you that all you real estate transactions had just fallen a part?"
Well..maybe that's not how to start. Maybe an email is better. Or flowers with a little note? Yikes....
Some of you will remember a series of blog posts I wrote from the bottom of a bottle my cabin over a deal that was dying (and died) because the lender was in an audit and ultimately shut down by Fannie Mae?
Yeah...those clients.
Sooo, minding my own business today getting my … (11 comments)
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buyers agent: Lost The Seller.....No, I Mean He's LOST
- 05/12/11 06:46 AM
Lost The Seller.....No, I Mean He's LOST
"Olly Olly Oxen Free"......"Come Out Whereever You Are"!!!!
We've lost a seller. Not mine...but the seller on a short sale my buyer is trying to buy. Won't return calls, won't return emails, isn't home (yes, I've driven out to see if I can find him).
The bank is ready to issue the approval and need updated paystubs and bank statements, and we can't find him. The home is scheduled for Trustee Sale next Wednesday and we can't reach him..not even to hear that he doesn't want to do this anymore...at least tell us that.
… (16 comments)
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buyers agent: Lesson From The Lakers.....Keep Calm And Carry On....Please?
- 05/10/11 12:40 PM
Lesson From The Lakers.....Keep Calm And Carry On....Please?
My beloved Lakers were swept from Round Two of the NBA Finals. Now? All H*ll is breaking loose. Calm down!!! That's my advice (no one has called me for that, by-the-way).
In 1939, the British Government created posters with the saying "Keep Calm and Carry On." These were designed to give the citizens the boost to keep a "stiff upper lip" during a possible invasion in the beginning of the Second World War....they were never used.
The posters were found about 10 years ago and I'm sure you've seen all the products … (25 comments)
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buyers agent: What Is An Orange County Buyer's Agent? FAQs About Buyer Representation
- 05/08/11 04:08 AM
Buyer's Agents are commonly misunderstood. When we represent a buyer, we are working for THEM. We are there to make sure they get the best terms they can and to help them along the way to the close. This is a simple and yet complete presentation of that duty.
When I am speaking for the first time with potential buyers, one of the most misunderstood aspects of buying a home concerns buyer representation. Although we have had buyer representation in Connecticut since 1996, many people still do not understand that, as buyers, they have the right to have an agent who … (1 comments)
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buyers agent: I Think The Other Agent Is a Honey Badger!
- 05/04/11 03:43 AM
I am working with the oddest agent I've ever seen. This woman just doesn't care about anything. She is the listing agent and just isn't doing ANYTHING. It took me a week to get escrow open. I had to pick up the disclosures from the sellers myself. I can't get an answer on repair requests. Nothing.....She just doesn't care.
The Honey Badger!
Have you seen this video? My son showed it to me last night I think this is her. I really do! She doesn't care if there is a water leak. She doesn't care that we are late on title and HUD … (22 comments)
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