sales: Cut Down Complaints!
- 08/30/16 11:02 PM
Everyone would rather avoid needy clients. You know, the ones that call you every ten minutes with a question, suggestion, complaint, and are rarely positive. We've all had them, and we'll have them again. I used to deal with unions and skilled workers. I was always courteous but firm with them, got to know their families, and tried to treat them as partners, whether it was the union business agent, or the floor boss. Most importantly, I always made time to talk to them, either about concerns or the football game on Sunday. I was described by one of them as "not … (2 comments)
sales: Driving Out of the Darkness
- 05/07/16 11:29 PM
It’s been a rough ride for a long time in the real estate market, but as we peek in the rear view mirror, we can see that almost all parts of the country have completed the recovery. Home values are up. Home sales are up. Distressed sales (foreclosures and short sales) have fallen dramatically. It seems that 2016 will be remembered as the year we drove out of the real estate darkness. The only hiccup in the system is lack of inventory. It’s everywhere. While buyer demand keeps rising, there is not enough supply to keep up. Doug Duncan, Chief Economist at Fannie … (2 comments)
sales: Laryngitis and Listings
- 12/09/15 09:34 PM
I’ve had laryngitis for a couple of days. I only had it once before in my life, and that was in high school. It’s rather inconvenient, especially for someone who supposedly talks to work.
Since I’m not contagious, I decided to go ahead with a prelisting appointment.
I found out that I learn more when I talk less! I asked a few questions, got the answers I needed, answered a few questions, and by the end of an hour they were lauding how much experience I had! … (3 comments)
sales: Is Your Broker Ethical?
- 02/24/15 09:08 PM
I have a broker's license, but I don't expect I'll ever be a managing broker, simply because I no longer have the patience to listen to people who would rather whine than work. Surely that does not apply to the majority of agents, but to the ones it does apply, I just don't have time anymore. The other thing that would cause me consternation is competing against my own agents. Were I in that position, I would probably give away transactions just to make sure that the other agents were being treated fairly. Fortunately, I work in an environment where the … (3 comments)
Here is a brief overview of the 2014 year end numbers in Pickens County compared to a year earlier.
While there are still naysayers on the return of the real estate market, I think most would agree that sales and activity are much better than a couple of years ago. There are a lot more statistics available than most people care to see, so just focus on these for now:
Also consider that the months of inventory based on sales in December was 7.9, compared to 15.5 months last year. The rule of thumb is that … (0 comments)
sales: "SPLOST" Tax
- 03/10/14 11:40 PM
In our county, we have had an extra one percent sales tax for several year. It's called a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or "SPLOST" for short. It cannot be used in the general fund, and has to be specifically earmarked for certain projects. We have used it to complete a community recreation center, courthouse renovations, and many other projects over the years. I live in a gated community, where we maintain our own roadways, so aside from the occasional need for police, fire, or EMS assistance, we get practically nothing in return for property taxes. About over 40% of … (0 comments)
sales: Reaching the “New Normal”
- 12/09/11 05:36 AM
In my ongoing search to satisfy my curiosity about how real estate is “doing” in Pickens County, I came across some interesting information. It loosely falls in line with the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors.
I remember reading in 2007 that someone had predicted home prices would have to return to the levels we had prior to 2005 before we would see what the “new normal” would be in the marketplace. That seemed preposterous at the time, since it would be a roll back of something like 25-30% at the time. I’m not really sure … (1 comments)
sales: Be Creative to Sell Your Home
- 07/27/10 12:22 AM
As recently as a couple of years ago, I generally would not pursue most owner finance transactions. There were two reasons. Up until that time money was obscenely available, so if the prospect couldn't qualify for a bank loan, they should have been more concerned with finding a pulse in their arm than buying a house. The second is that homes were selling well, so there was no incentive for sellers to tie up their assets in owner financing the sale of their homes. Times have changed, to say the least. In today's market, homes have to be in pristine condition … (2 comments)
sales: Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics
- 12/11/09 11:40 PM
I was going through some papers last week (okay, I was cleaning up my junk pile) when I came across an article written by John Adams in the AJC. It was called "Inside Advice" and titled "2008 prognosticators show existing home sales going up". Mr. Adams is a well respected real estate practitioner and consultant. However, I think it is fair to say his prognostications on January 6, 2008 were a tad off, since we suffered the worst real estate meltdown in history that year. The logic surrounding the "facts" was, well, logical. It was just wrong in the end. As … (3 comments)
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Ron Barnes
"Most agents claim they're #1 - I THINK YOU'RE #1!
Everyone would rather avoid needy clients. You know, the ones that call you every ten minutes with a question, suggestion, complaint, and are rarely positive. We've all had them, and we'll have them again.
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