listing 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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listing agent: Sellers, Prepare To Be Inconvenienced....Not Your Buyers
- 06/22/12 06:37 AM
I just came home from the emergency room. No this trip was not real estate related, but it applies nonetheless. What prompted this visit? A simple visit to the supermarket to pick up some avocados for a sudden guacamole urge. My friend and I have an afternoon in the sun and decided that the chips and salsa needed guacamole as well. So we headed to the market.
After a few minutes in the store, my friend started to have trouble breathing. Gasping for air, she dropped to the floor and 911 was called. We were at a loss as to the … (80 comments)
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listing 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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listing 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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listing 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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listing 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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listing 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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listing 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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listing 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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listing 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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listing agent: Post Mortum....Do You Spend The Time When A Deal Dies To See Why?
- 04/18/11 03:35 PM
I don't know if you realize it (that's sarcasm) but a deal of mine died this week. Months of work on my part, and more importantly, dreams on the part of my clients. It's sad for all concerned, but now is not the time for emotions....it's the time for analysis.
Every transaction dies for a reason...and without going into the "not meant to be" arena, I always spend the time to analyze the situation and see what I could have done better.
I know we all strive to be the best we can...and failures are the best source … (53 comments)
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listing agent: I'm Interviewing You And 10 Other Realtors®
- 03/08/11 03:48 AM
I met a lovely woman this weekend. She is going to list her home to sell due to a new job out of state. This is not an experienced investor with a real estate team ready to go....but an average, normal homeowner who might buy and sell only a few times in her life. So how can she know who to work with?
When I spoke with her on the phone she mentioned that she was meeting with 10 Realtors® and then would make a decision.
10!!
As an Industry, where did we go so wrong that someone needs … (98 comments)
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listing agent: Wading Into The "Feedback" Debate Waters.....Is It Really Feedback You Want?
- 03/01/11 04:43 AM
What are the steps you take when listing a home for sale?
I bet you run comps.I imagine you visit the home and talk about assets and liabilities of the home.I would think you point out the busy street, high wires behind the home and street noise.I suppose you would discuss price.I assume you suggest decluttering, staging.
You walk into the listing appointment and present yourself as a professional. You don't tell the seller "I'm going to take this listing, guess on price, and then wait for feedback to let us know what we should be doing to get it sold." … (38 comments)
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listing agent: Do Your Buyer A Favor.....Ask Them To Write An Offer!!!
- 02/18/11 04:45 AM
That's right...I said it! Asking for the order/offer/sale is doing your buyer a favor. Why? Because the buyer wants to buy! The seller wants to sell! How do you know?
*They are taking time from work to see homes*They are spending a weekend day to see homes*They have gone through the grueling process of a pre-qual*They are saying things like....."This would be a perfect room for 'blank'*They are cleaning/painting/sprucing up their home for you to see*They are packing up on a moment's notice to allow a Sunday morning showing
We've all heard these "buying signals." So why don't we act … (15 comments)
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listing agent: Thinking of Listing your Orange County, California home ? ... Dont Wait 'til Spring !!!!
- 01/15/11 01:27 PM
We are all tired and maybe a bit lazy after the holidays. Personally I was proud of myself that most of my rooms have been De-Christmased....most. I keep spotting Santas and trees. I might have too much decoration, but I digress.
Spring is the beginning of activity in many parts of the country. Thawing! Even in Sunny California the real estate market heats up in April. Sheldon has written a great post that should be encouragement to sellers planning to list this Spring.....don't wait, act now!
Time to List your home ?
Planning on putting it on … (2 comments)
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listing agent: Yes...."Staged" Is A Dirty Word To Some Buyers
- 01/09/11 03:02 AM
I start my days with the Daily Drop email from Active Rain. It is filled with interesting posts from members for real estate professionals as well as consumers.
Today I read a post by Julea Joseph who is an experienced Stager. Is Home Staging now a Dirty Word? I have to say that unfortunately....YES, it is to many buyers.
Staging doesn't always mean a professional bringing in special furniture and paintings. It can also mean leaving a tray on the bed with coffee cups or plastic pitchers by the swimming pool....it's anything placed in a home to evoke an emotional … (21 comments)
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listing agent: Did You Mean To Send This Email To Little Old Me? Oops!
- 11/18/10 05:47 AM
If you are going to lie to me....may I suggest you take more care before you send emails? I might get one you didn't mean for me to read......ooooooops! :)
I've spent the last couple days listening to the sob story of a buyer's agent telling me that the reason his client needs to cancel our escrow is because of a job loss. We are 2 weeks from the close and contingencies have been removed. My sellers are wonderful people who have bent over backwards for this buyer and have been conflicted about asking for the deposit.
My … (255 comments)
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listing agent: I Can't Tell You That....The Fair Housing Act Lost Me A Client, But I Keep My License
- 11/04/10 09:05 AM
I lost a buyer a couple months ago! I hate that....truly! I have spent a couple of afternoons with a lovely, well-qualified couple who were looking for a nice sized home and about $725-800,000 (ouch, it just gets worse). They called me today to say they had found a great home, and hoped that there were no hard feelings. Of course not.....I love losing sales. :/
This couple is a specific ethnicity which I won't mention, because it doesn't matter. They wanted to live in a neighborhood which shared this heritage. In Southern California, there are many "little this" and … (58 comments)
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listing agent: Agent Speak? Or Lies
- 08/24/10 06:30 AM
I read a great featured post today by Lori Liveston called Lies, Lies, Lies..... and it really hit home. Why do agents just blatantly try and mislead the buyers...it's not going to work! Do they really think the buyer won't notice that the carpet smells of dog urine and the pool is green?
I know the goal is to lure the buyer through the front door, but then you had better have a beautiful property waiting. I've seen very low prices used to attract attention, and then the bidding war begins. That makes sense....but pretending that the home is beautiful when it's … (10 comments)
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listing agent: Do You Classify Your Leads? Understanding The Special Types Of Leads Will Help You Close More And Waste Less
- 07/29/10 12:39 PM
Don't we all love leads? Hot leads....ready to buy leads...let's meet in an hour leads? We all know what to do with these....ACT! Don't we love getting that phone call or email? "Hi, I found you on 'blank' and want you to show me a house I'd like to buy at 123 Main". But these are not the normal leads we get....and understanding the different categories of leads will help you work your pipeline to the best advantage. Leads are different and need to be treated differently.
When a lead comes to me, I first analyze the lead … (9 comments)
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