realtors: Real Estate Sellers do have Options - 11/19/07 12:08 PM
We work with a lot of real estate sellers that are not understanding that they need to be flexible.  As Realtors, it is our job to make them understand that the real estate market currently favors buyers and although this doesn’t mean they have to give the property away, it does mean they have to be open to different scenarios that will ultimately sell their property.
We recently prepared a purchase contract for some Miami Shores buyer clients and the deal never materialized because the sellers were being stubborn and wanted things done their way. It was a very strong offer and … (29 comments)

realtors: Home Sellers Can't Handle The Truth - 11/04/07 06:45 AM

If you are in the market to sell your Miami home, how do you interview Realtors? What questions do you ask and ultimately, what’s the most important factor when choosing a Realtor?
When we asked random people what qualities are important when choosing a Miami Realtor, the response was: Ethical, Loyal, Truthful, Professional, Aggressive, and Experienced.
But when we ask home sellers how they choose their Realtor, it comes down to one single factor: PRICE.
Here are different scenarios we wanted to present. In the 3 scenarios, sellers interview 3 well known Realtors in their area who appear in local … (39 comments)

realtors: What's in your Realtor bag of tricks? - 09/20/07 03:43 PM
Recently we had a customer (who I'll call Mr. Loyal), that was outraged from a letter he received in the mail.  I decided to tell you about it because it may make you rethink some of your marketing strategies. (Especially when it comes to "expired listing letters").
We had listed Mr. Loyal's home because he wanted to move, but after seeing the other homes available in his price range, had a change of heart and decided to cancel the listing.  Somehow in Miami, when you cancel a listing, it eventually will show up in the MLS as expired.  (Don't ask.....one of those glitches they have … (82 comments)

realtors: Working without a Realtor has more advantages - 09/08/07 11:36 AM
We went to show one of our listings today to a buyer not working with a Realtor.  Of course our goal is primarily to sell them that house, but it is also to gain that buyer as a customer.  This buyer is different - she has done her homework, she knows the inventory, the price per square foot, the recent sales and how long properties have been on the market.
When we asked why she is not working with a Realtor, her answer was that she thought she would have a negotiating advantage if a second Realtor was not involved.
We all have ways to respond … (87 comments)

realtors: Best Closing Gift Ever - 05/04/07 03:16 AM
Yesterday we received a closing gift from a customer, is that the best thing you have ever heard? 
I have written a couple of posts about our experience with Sara and she even commented on the posts.  When you think of the best gift and the best compliment you can get from a real estate customer the first thing that comes to mind is LOYALTY.  Well... Sara has been loyal from the get go, she has referred us business, and she has become our friend.
We started off listing her condo and being that she is a very talented photographer, she asked … (53 comments)

realtors: Where does green begin? - 03/10/07 10:47 AM
Okay, so I confess that I am not very green..... maybe do have a hint of Olive tone in my skin, but I know I can start making a difference, even in a town that does not care about "green issues".  I have to thank Dena Stevens for the inspiration.  Please keep in mind that this article is not coming from the expert Eco-broker, it's coming from a Realtor that is interested in making a difference.
As kids we get bombarded with information about helping the environment, recycling, caring for our earth.  So what happens when we are no longer kids?  Do we forget all … (53 comments)

realtors: Above and Beyond - where to stop - 02/25/07 10:06 AM
We recently sold a listing of ours and had to do certain things that go beyond the duties of a real estate agent.  It's what Rick and I are about, we go beyond our duties, do it to help our real estate customers, do it gladly and with no regrets.
Scenario - one of the contract conditions by the buyer was that everything be removed from the garage, including an old refrigerator.  The sellers had already moved out of town, agreed to clear the garage the weekend before the closing and the garage would be ready by the walk-through date.  The closing … (63 comments)

realtors: floorplan with a BAM! - 01/10/07 04:38 PM
Selling an empty condo unit is not an easy task.  Ideally a seller will follow the advice of his/her Realtor and will hire a Stager to furnish and make the unit more marketable.  When staging is not an option, a rendered floor plan is always a good idea.  Sometimes developers will create furnished floor plans that are used as sales materials, but other times, Realtors need to resort to other creative methods, like hiring a draftsperson, architect or designer that can render the boring floor plans.
We currently have a listing in a brand new complex called The Preserve, just South of … (23 comments)

realtors: Emotions FOR SALE - price negotiable - 12/26/06 07:51 AM
Buying or selling real estate can be extremely emotional.  You often hear that "you must detach yourself emotionally from your home when selling" or "not to make an emotional purchase".  This is very easy to say, and is something we have been hearing for decades, but WHY??
Usually people are making the biggest purchase of their lives when buying a home and are making the biggest sale of their lives when selling, so why can't you be emotional??
 
Emotion usually clouds the senses and your judgment.  Emotion usually helps you make irrational decisions.Emotion puts LIFE in our world.So here's what I think.  Without emotion, buyers … (119 comments)

realtors: Don't steal the show - 12/20/06 02:20 PM
It is so important, as Realtors, to be respectful of other agents at all times.  This past weekend I had a couple of experiences when taking buyers to see different listings and want to point out a couple of scenarios thinking this will help a lot of us.
I will raise some important questions for you to think about:  
-how do you greet other agents when they show your listings?  -Do you direct your attention to their customer directly or do you ask the agent for permission to address them?  -Do you let them walk around the property or do you grab their hand … (53 comments)

realtors: Drop the ACT - back to basics - 12/11/06 01:34 PM
Once in a while, I like to write about things that happen in our daily life not only to make a point, but also to share a little about us and for you to learn how we process things.  
The story happened today at a showing.  A gentleman calls to set up an appointment to see one of our listings - the appointment is confirmed and I meet him there at the agreed time.  Before I tell you what happened, I must set the stage.  The listing is priced right under similar closed sales in the area.  The current listings around the area don't even … (59 comments)

realtors: Real Estate Agent Breakfast - what a great idea - 10/13/06 02:27 PM
One of the local schools, Miami Country Day, in Miami Shores, invited our office today to a breakfast to learn about the school and to tour their facilities.  What an amazing idea!  They are Crystal Clear about who meets families first and who guides them into the schools.  The school administration had a great presentation for us.  We met the principal and some of the staff and toured the school facility while kids were in class. 
Their whole objective is for Realtors to be able to talk with authority about the school to their customers as well as for the same Realtors … (5 comments)

realtors: Tick - Tock - Tick - Tock - 10/07/06 11:23 AM
Why are some agents absolutely clueless about what being a professional means?  How can some survive in this business if they cannot follow certain minimal rules of respect like being on time?
Rick and I don’t consider ourselves Time-Nazis, but the waiting game gets old, especially with certain Realtors.  One particular experience really irks me and need to share with you.  An agent (we’ll call her Sofia) calls to set an appointment to show one of our listings.  She reschedules that same appointment 5 times with not much notice.  We agree each time without making a fuss; our interest is to sell … (5 comments)

realtors: Is the Prospect a Realtor - 10/03/06 02:55 PM
 
Talking about "Realtor Etiquette", sometimes we receive phone calls from other agents that want to see our listings for themselves.   It's ultimately about the sale, so it doesn't matter if it's for them or their mom, we entertain all prospects.
 
The question is this.  Do you feel that you should identify yourself as the one buying the property?  Or just make an appointment without saying anything?
 
My reaction is completely different when an agent identifies themselves as the buyer.  I drop all the formalities, ask questions upfront and give as much information on the phone so I don't have to waste my time.
 
The other side … (7 comments)

realtors: Before you steal..... - 10/02/06 02:13 PM
We have a customer that is a professional photographer and is selling her condo.  At the listing appointment she asked that we use her own photographs of the condo and surrounding area instead of our own photographer’s pictures.  Needless to say, the photographs were amazing; she did some night shots and some creative shots of the outside of the condo that we gladly included into the MLS and all of our marketing pieces.
About a month after we listed the condo we received a frantic phone call from the seller.  Another unit had been listed in the same building and the agent had … (37 comments)