marvin de la vega: Woo-Hoo!! One month into the new job..!!
- 09/12/09 08:39 AM
A tale of a new Property Manager... So now I'm one month into being a new broker AND property manager. 4 weeks ago I wasn't sure what my expectations were, only pure optimism. Thank goodness my buddy and fellow broker was gracious enough not only to bring me aboard but to endure my endless slew of repetitive questions and stifle his guffaws at some of the dorky conversations I had with prospective clients over the phone. I'm sure if he were drinking milk he would have had a nostril spew for sure... I started with the easy prospects, all of my … (10 comments)
marvin de la vega: 4th of July in San Diego, Fireworks and Events
- 07/02/09 04:54 AM
Here's a quick link to what's happening in San Diego this weekend: www.signonsandiego.com/feature/fourth-of-july/ From the bay and inland, including the San Diego County Fair, there is so much to see and do, right here in our own back yard. Pick one, and take in the show! My personal favorite is the synchronized fireworks on four barges right in San Diego Bay, a chili dog and a root beer (gotta do it once a year, right?). Happy 4th of July to all!! Marvin de la Vega - San Diego / Chula Vista REALTOR®
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marvin de la vega: A Reminder To Stop Complaining - There Are Happy Endings In A Tough Market
- 05/28/09 03:20 PM
Just when I noticed myself complaining, this came from a client overseas. He's a Navy service member and successful short sale client. He was also one of my first clients ever, I sold this home to him several years ago, unfortunately he had to sell short. From the time he signed the listing to the time it closed, 15 months had passed. We had almost given up hope. Yes 15 months. Don't ask. Now it's all done and this came in the mail today from one of the Navy's finest west coast aircraft carriers, from my client Larry. It made my … (11 comments)
marvin de la vega: Word To The Wise Regarding Termites!
- 05/20/09 09:29 AM
Consult with your Broker or local board on this one, I'm sure it's different where you are. One thing is for sure, TERMITES ARE FAT, DUMB AND HAPPY IN CALIFORNIA! Here's how it commonly works down here. In the purchase contract the buyer can ask the seller for certain types of strategies in dealing with these pets (and wood destroying organisms). A common way to deal is the seller pays for what I call the big ticket items - the active infestation or wood damage (wood replacement, fumigation, spot treatment among others are necessary) and the buyer pays for the little … (3 comments)
marvin de la vega: Cancel This Transaction? What Would You Do?
- 04/21/09 02:24 AM
Back from vacation, I'm ready to close a listing (I'm representing the seller) in the last three days of the escrow period and I get this call from the buyer's agent. "My buyer has been laid off from work and needs to cancel this transaction. Oh and by the way, she wants her deposit back." Welcome home... The tough part for the buyer is she didn't know she had lost her job until her lender received the Verification of Employment stating she had no future employment with the company. She was a single mom, working as a nurse's assistant for many years … (21 comments)
marvin de la vega: Feeling Patriotic Today!
- 04/08/09 03:03 AM
Yesterday was a great day for me. It was a good reminder of why I'm in real estate and how I work for my clients. Here's what happened. On a particularly busy day, I posted a technical entry where I learned more from the comments in the Rain than I bargained for, met with a buyer client for a home inspection, met with another selling client to respond to a home inspection (on paper) and showed 8 houses to yet another client - all three clients are military service members. I was smiling all day, thankful for having work available … (3 comments)
marvin de la vega: What? A Request For Repair?
- 04/06/09 11:05 PM
Have you ever had a seller wonder what this was all about? Chances are if you're a Rainmaker you've coached your clients well, both buyers and sellers alike. On occasion my sellers are blindsided with some creative requests. Here's how I coach both buyers and sellers to prevent this from happening. Note: Buyers and sellers reading this, you might impress your agent, pay attention... Understand the part of the contract where "as is" is mentioned. In California the purchase contract specifically states "the property is sold in its present physical condition". What this means is it comes with the faux wooden beams, wood … (44 comments)
marvin de la vega: Referrals - How Do I Get Them?
- 03/28/09 03:16 AM
I wrote a recent post My First Active Rain Referral CLOSED!! and there were so many great comments. Thank you if you chimed in. There was a recurring theme however, other than those of congratulations. So I thought I'd share what I do to get 'em. Lately a lot of people have been calling me locally with their family, friends, co-workers and neighbors - a true blessing for my business. Are you ready for the simple answer? Persistence, hustle, face time, knowledge and luck. Persistence. I don't give up easily and neither should you. I've had the luxury of literally flying over San Diego and … (8 comments)
marvin de la vega: My First Active Rain Referral CLOSED!!
- 03/27/09 01:40 AM
Now this was a great transaction! And it all started on my first day in The Rain. Check out the chronology: Feb 10 - Joined Active Rain feeling like Bambi on ice. Set up my profile and posted my first blog entry - Welcome to My Blog. Received a referral alert from Jack Torres of the Homefinding Center in Corona CA. Jumped on it like a hobo on a ham sandwich, interviewed and got the referral. Thanks, Jack! Thanks Active Rain! Feb 12 - Met buyer Ron W. at first house. Thus begins the happy house hunt. We start inland with new … (54 comments)
marvin de la vega: The Basics - How to Get Your Offer Accepted With the First Page of your Purchase Contract
- 03/23/09 03:21 AM
This is a good one for Buyers and Agents alike. How do you get your offer accepted? Follow these simple pointers. 1. Always use the computer generated form, it's more professional looking. In CA we have Winforms, you can fill out all the fields, it's purty. If you can help it, never write a contract by hand. This ensures legibility and listing agent confidence in your attention to detail. Besides, sloppy handwriting sucks. 2. Complete ALL of the pertinent fields. This includes financing (if used). Agents, if you leave this blank you're telling your client, the seller and the other agents you don't know … (8 comments)
marvin de la vega: My Big Monday Blunder...
- 03/16/09 05:49 PM
Okay, so I dorked this one up. Remind me never to send email after a busy Monday. It was a good day, productive but busier than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest. I sent the following email out with the best of prospecting intentions. Just my delivery and humor were a little dry and only meant for my tax guy Kyle; he understands my wit. I thought I sent it to Kyle, but instead sent it to my entire past client / sphere of influence database. DOH!! Hey Kyle, I normally don't hit you with my spam. I … (7 comments)
marvin de la vega: Catch A Falling Knife...An Analogy of The Real Estate Market
- 03/13/09 02:35 AM
I love a good analogy and often use them in client conversations. Catching a knife could be a bloody endeavor. In this story it's one of those multi purpose knives where you can use different tools for different jobs. Often enough the tool might not have the right size, length or capability. If you can imagine this knife falling to the floor, you wouldn't want to catch it either, right? Use the following symbolism and maybe you (buyers and agents alike) may or may not take a risk in "catching" certain types "knives". The knife is a house. The blade (screwdriver, file, … (2 comments)
A tale of a new Property Manager...
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