Henry J. Rs friendly neighbor's realtor Blog

My answer to some designations

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:26:38 -0800

Selena, The letters after a Realtors name are for designations. I continually put money back into my business unlike the majority of Realtors out there. There are only about 16% of Realtors who have designation out there in the field. I feel you have to improve on your skills and knowledge each and every year in order to provide up to date and knowledgeable information. This is what I believe sets me & others apart from most other Realtors. The GREEN is a great designation dealing with sustainability of our resources in the world. How to try to reduce our carbon footprint on this earth. The e-PRO is the only technology course that is endorsed through The National Association of Realtors and this helps me to gain knowledge with technology and how to give my clients a better experience with me and to help me provide a better experience for my clients by being up to date with most of the technology. The GRI is The Graduate Realtor Institute and this is a series of three sections to this course with each one lasting for 2 weeks. This was by far the most extensive and inn depth class I have taken that basically touched upon just about all areas of being a Realtor and everything involved with the entire process from land clearing when a piece of land is cleared from the beginning phase to the end when you are selling the house in the development that has been built. This goes all of the way through to the mortgage process to the end at the closing with the HUD statement. An extremely in depth class. I urge all Realtors to take it. It is very worth while to take. The SRS is for Seller Representative Specialist has taught me to represent a seller of a property better than I could have imagined from the way I used to think I knew how to represent them. The ABR is for Accredited Buyer Representative and how to really represent a buyer in a transaction and certain techniques in negotiation skills. The SRES is for Senior Real Estate Specialist and this has taught me better ways on how to represent our senior or more mature senior citizens. The AHWD is for At Home With Diversity which has opened my eyes to ways of dealing with the diverse cultures. I have made it my practice to always try to take on new clients from all different backrounds and cultures so that in turn I am also learning something new when I am giving the knowledge to others. The CDPE is for Certified Distressed Propert Expert and this by far is my favorite one to date. This is my favorite one because with this designation I have learned how to truly help people avoid the foreclosure process. There are many Realtors doing short sales and fumbling their way through them. They are doing their clients and injustice and a diservice. I have learned the entire short sale process and I have all of the forms necessary to bring a short sale to a closed transaction and help out the homeowners to avoid a foreclosure. While I don't represent that I can help everyone that contacts me, I do say that I will let them know to the best of my ability. There will always be some people out there that I am unable to help avoid foreclosure. I have an ethical and more importantly to ME is that I also have a MORAL obligation to my clients. Especially when they are entrusting me with what may be their largest asset they have. I live my life this way and it pours out into my business as well. I hope this answers your question. There was no short answer to fully answer your question. Have a wonderful day! Warm regards, Henry

2010 is the year I'm going to hit the ultimate tier.

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:51:06 -0800

Happy New Year to all. I have something stirring inside of me for the past 3 weeks. I have a incredible feeling that it is going to be a stellar year all the way around for most. Well, at least for those who stay positive and on track. We all have to remember that there is a supreme one that He is the most important. As long as we remain faitful and on the right track all things are possible. This will be our guiding light and things will excell for us. We will have to put it on paper first because a goal that you cannot see is a lot harder to obtain. Soon after we write it down we will need to remain focused and continue accordingly despite all of the negative things that happen in our everysday businees & personal lives. This year is going to be the year of first time homebuyers. I'm wondering if there are others out there who share that same sense of feeling I have this year. Have a wonderful day!

Weeding clients out.

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 04:18:56 -0800

EVEN IN TODAYS MARKET WE HAVE TO DO OUR BEST TO WEED OUT THE LOOKERS. THERE STILL ARE THOSE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT LIKE TO WASTE OUR TIME. I RECEIVED A CALL FOR ONE OF OUR LISTINGS LAST WEEK AND I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING AFTERNOON. ONE OF OUR AGENTS HAS THE KEYS AND WAS GOING TO MEET US THERE. I CALLED THE CUSTOMER 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT AND HE SAID HE WAS JUST LEAVING A TOWN THAT IS 45 MINUTES AWAY AND I RESCHEDULED FOR AN HOUR LATER AND HE SAID YES. WHILE I WAS 1 MILE FROM THE LISTING I CALLED THE CUSTOMER BACK AND HE SAID HE WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND IF HE COULD SEE IT TOMORROW. I TOLD HIM THAT I WOULD CALL HIM AND LET HIM KNOW. NOW HE WASTEED MY TIME AND ONE OF MY FELLOW REALTORS AND THAT IS ALL THE TIME I HAVE FOR HIM UNLESS HE WILL COME TO MY OFFICE AND THEN WE WILL GO FROM THERE. WE HAVE TO BE WILLING TO MEET AT A MOMENTS NOTICE BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO BE SMART AND WEED THOSE KINDS OF CUSTOMERS OUT.

Don't turn down your floor time.

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:18:40 -0800

YOU SHOULDN'T NEGLECT YOUR FLOOR TIME. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT MAY COME FROM IT. MY PARTNER IS DOING IT TODAY AT ONE OF OUR OTHER OFFICES AND I AM BUSY DOING OTHER TASKS. SHE CALLED ME A SHORT WHILE AGO TELLING ME SOME GUY CALLED FROM EASTON SAYING SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF HE WANTS TO PUT AN OFFER IN ON A HOUSE THAT OUR COMPANY HAS LISTED. HE LIVES ON THE STREET. MY PARTNER ASKED IF HE HAS BEEN IN THE HOUSE AND HE SAID THAT HE KNOWS THE HOUSE AND WANTS IT. HE WANTS TO PLACE THE OFFER ON IT TODAY. SO WHEN SHE IS DONE WITH HER FLOOR TIME I WILL BE MEETING UP WITH HER IN EASTON AT THE GUYS HOUSE TO SIGN HIM UP AND TO WRITE UP THE OFFER. SO DON'T THINK THAT YOU NEVER GET ANYTHING ON FLOOR TIME AND THAT IT IS A WASTE, BECAUSE IT IS NOT. HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Short Sales

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:03:11 -0800

Just when you think it's time to pack it in on an offer for a short sale just hurry up and wait. I placed an offer for a buyer of mine back on the first week of September and I had kept in contact with the listing agent but there has been no movement since then. The mortgage that the seller has even got sold off to Countrywide back at the end of November. I recently began calling the listing agents office last week for some type of update. Anything at all. I was taking yet another short sale class yesterday and I received a phone call from the listing agent. She wanted me to meet the appraiser for the sellers side this morning for him to do the appraisal. I was thrilled. Finally! Some movement. So just when you are about to give up there is light at the end of the tunnel. Wait it out. Just advise your client ahead of time that they may have a wait ahead of them. A lot of times it is well worth it for the price that they will be paying.

Giving back to the community

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:50:58 -0800

Working with unscrupulous agents

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:31:21 -0800

I just had an experience with an unethical Realtor. It was an inexpensive house and last week when I was supposed to go show it with my client (and he being the Realtor was going to be there) the other Realtor called me up and said that there would not be any showing because he just received a contract and that the seller was probably going to sign it. He didn't have a fully executed contract yet but denied us getting to see the house and he denied us the chance at puting in an offer. It is just a shame that we have to continue to work in our industry with unethical agents as they put a bad taste in the communities mouths and sometimes we actually wonder why these people feel this way. We soon forget where it comes from. Oh well, just had to expend some of the energy that has been building up. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Have a fantastic day!

Floor Time

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:06:54 -0800

DON'T EVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR TIME ON THE FLOOR. WE ALL CALL IT DIFFERENT THINGS SUCH AS FLOOR TIME, DESK TIME, FLOOR DUTY OR DUTY AGENT. i JUST HAD A GENTLEMAN WALK IN THE DOOR AT ONE OF MY OFFICES THAT i DO FLOOR TIME IN AND HE WANTS TO SELL HIS HOUSE. YES, IT STILL DOES HAPPEN JUST A LOT LESS FREQUENTLY THAN BEFORE. SO BEFORE YOU JUST BRUSH AWAY THAT FLOOR TIME SCHEDULE AND SAY THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT THINK AGAIN. WE ALL HAVE TIME TO TAKE A NEW LISTING AND GO FROM THERE. YOU CAN ALWAYS USE THAT DOWN TIME WHEN YOU ARE DOING FLOOR TO BRUSH UP ON SOME NEW AND INTERESTING REAL ESTATE ARTICLES. THEY ARE A GREAT SOURCE TO HELP BUILD YOUR BUSINESS AND WE ALL KNOW THAT WE ALL NEED TO GROW OUR BUSINESS, THAT IS UNLESS YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE SELECT FEW THAT ALREADY MAKES ENOUGH MONEY. OH, AND BY THE WAY THAT HOUSE IS ROUGHLY IN THE $500,000 PRICE RANGE. NOT TO SHABBY,I KNOW. YOU NEED TO ALWAYS REMEMBER THE MOST IMPORTANT THING HERE IS THAT NO MATTER HOW BLEAK THINGS MAY SEEM, YOU ALWAYS NEED TO KEEP YOUR FAITH. YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT IT IS WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT AND USUALLY WHEN YOU NEED IT THE MOST.

A little rise in activity

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:23:55 -0800

I'm sure many of you have seen the same thing I have lately in the past couple of months. There has been more activity in the market lately and more offers being submitted and more acceptes too. We have even had banks finally contact us after a couple of months with no returned calls from them for some of the short sales that a lot of us have offers in on. Even with the election coming up tomorrow we have seen this flury of activity in the market. Not everyone is sitting back and waiting for nothing to happen at or after the election. Some of the more informed buyers have continued their search and will continue to look for a house to make their home despite the economic condition of things out there in our economy. We as realtors or REAL ESTATE ADVISORS have to try to educate our buyers and sellers as to what is going on. Yes, we have to work harder than ever before at our business but at the same time it is that much more rewarding to us and we WILL become their AGENT for life and for many of their co-workers and family members if we do everything right and just stick with it despite the fact that it has become more difficult to run our business. Remember, if it was that easy then everyone would be doing it and joining in. THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!! WAIT IT OUT AND YOU WILL SEE THAT IT WILL BE WORTH THE TIME & EFFORT YOU PUT INTO IT NOW. MOST IMPORTANTLY REMEMBER TO KEEP THE FAITH!!!!! IT IS THERE, YOU JUST HAVE TO BELIEVE AND DO IT.

Change is GOOD !!!! Remember

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:25:59 -0700

I have just made a change with which company I choose to be affiliated with. Yes sometimes change is good even though hmany of us don't like change but sometimes even the best of us need that kick in the behind. It sort of gives you that spark again. It gives you that rush and rejuvination that,Especially with the market we are in you cannot be afraid to try different, many of us need, especially in todays market. It gives you some of that creativity that a lot of us don't think or know we have because it becomes hidden deep within us once we become complacent in our jobs or our business. Your creative side starts those juices flowing to remember some of those things that you have always wanted to do or we would continue to put off because something always comes up as many of us know. Now is that time in each of us to take that chance and run with it. You will never know unless you try. Many positive things are in your future and right in front of all of us. All you have to do is open your eyes and look in front of you. It is there for the asking and for the grabbing but it does take work and determination and a strong work ethic

Change is GREAT !!!!!!

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:23:09 -0700

I have just made a change with which company I choose yo be affiliated with. Yes sometimes change is good even though hmany of us don't like change but sometimes even the best of us need that kick in the behind. It sort of gives you that spark again. It gives you that rush and rejuvination thatEspecially with the market we are in you cannot be afraid to try differe many of us need, especially in todays market. It gives you some of that creativity that a lot of us don't think or know we have because it becomes hidden deep within us once we become complacent in our jobs or our business. Your creative side starts those juices flowing to remember some of those things that you have always wanted to do or we would continue to put off because something always comes up as many of us know. Now is that time in each of us to take that chance and run with it. You will never know unless you try. Many positive things are in your future and right in front of all of us. All you have to do is open your eyes and look in front of you. It is there for the asking and for the grabbing but it does take work and determination and a strong work ethic.

Bad things sometimes happen to good people

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:14:41 -0700

I am a firm believer that there are no such things as coincidences.I am not here to argue with anyone nor will I. I totally believe that everything happens for a reason and most of the time we never know why but it just happens.Yes,even when bad things happen to us good people. I'm not here to push my philophy on you about that thing I said of no such thing as coincidences, it is all fate. I have recently joined the AR network and a past client that I wasn't able to sell her house for her just ran a search on me about 2 or 3 days ago and punched in my name and found me through this wonderful resource. I absolutely love this network.Even when I don't have the answers (which a lot of times I do not)to some questions I just jump in and throw it out there and there is always someone willing to help me day or night.This is by far one of the best resources that I have within my real estate business.Even though her house ended up expiring she did not blame me for it at all like some of our past clients do from time to time.This time around I will not let her down.She has lost her daughter to a violent ex boyfriend and she might even be getting a divorce now because a death of your daughter has just been ripping this family apart.I have tried to have her come and attend a service or two at the church I attend but she has had little faith since her daughter was abruptly taken from her without any previous warning.So I can understand and feel where she is coming from. I will just try and listen to her when she needs to talk and/or vent and just go from there.What else can I do? All I know is that I WILL have to sell her house this time around and help her restart her life in a different state down south where it is nice and tropical and warm and she can try to go on and forget most of the bad memories from here in the north. So what I am trying to say is that I was truly consoling when I met her for the first time last year and not fake just to try and get the listing. Thinking back an that listing appointment last year I was thinking to myself that this floor call came to the right person in the office. Even though I work with some good coworkers, noone else in my office has what it takes to be truly caring and understanding and love. This business of ours is anything but just a job where you come in and go and punch a timeclock. Back on that listing I spent (3) three, yes three hours because it was not just a listing appointment,it was a whole lot more and I know ther are many of you who know exactly what I am talking about. The spiritual aspect of it all and I will stop my soapbox on that note. THANK YOU so much for reading.Have a BLESSED night.

Giving back to the community

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:42:21 -0700

I don't know why but with that last photo that I just put on here I wasn't able to type any of this along with the photo. Well not bad for still learning how to do all of this. I am extremely happy that I was ble to do that with this picture.I was just playing around and it did pop up where I wanted it to.This is from the play or production that we like to call it especially since there are over 100 cast members that comprise of the whole play.It is called THE GIFT. It has a little bit of some of the old stories from a long long time agop from the BIBLE.It starts on the hill with arch angel Gabriel and the devil and you hear GOD'S voice only.Then Mary in the manger and then the villagers and then WE the big bad roman soldiers come in and tell the villlagers to pay their taxes and we rough them up a little and then we continue mocking the villagers for their dancing. It is really something great to see. You can go to www.bmha.org to check out some excerts from this years and last years productions. Really you should click on it and check it out. It is definitely worth your time to do it. Especially better time spent checking thatt out instead of listening to me rant and rave.ILike I said in a previous BLOG, I am not much of a typer but when you are PASSIONATE about something I guess you just run with it. I guess I better go. I have been on here all nigh long and I have not gone to bed yet and I have to jump in the shower and shave and make my coffee now since I have to be at work soon. Goodbye to all for now and I will tell all of you more of how this play goes the next time I am around here that is only if you ask. I don't want to push it on you if you don't want to hear it.Have a BLESSED morning. So much for getting sleep last night or tonight . Whichever one it is. Like I have said before,when you are PASSIONATE about something like I am with my business and my SPIRITUALITY sometimes you do not need sleep. Not always but sometimes you can do without.