best realtor stories: What is YOUR Story?
- 10/20/17 01:24 PM
A relative of mine recently spent some time in a transitional care facility. This is not a fun situation of course but often a necessary step in recovery. She said her favorite pastime was to ask the other transient residents at mealtime to “Tell me your story.” It was a distraction from their situations and often they found common ground that they walked upon at one time or another in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. As a REALTOR® I don’t always have an opportunity to hear my clients’ whole life stories, though while working with them, bits and pieces come out. Some … (2 comments)
best realtor stories: We Take the Same Classes but No Two REALTORS are Exactly Alike!
- 06/15/12 12:47 AM
One of my family's favorite places to visit on a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is the Animation Building in Disney’s Hollywood Studios There is a spot after the animation tour where a couple dozen would-be illustrators can go for a half hour class with a Disney artist. The class gives step-by-step directions on how to draw a beloved Disney Character. It the past we have had the chance to draw Mickey , Goofy, Pluto, Stitch and even Jack Skellington and Scrooge McDuck. Thankfully, talent is not required and the only art on display is the actual … (12 comments)
best realtor stories: July 2010 Twin Cities Real Estate Market Video Update—Robbed from Peter to Pay Paul
- 07/24/10 05:59 AM
Have you ever heard that phrase? Robbing from Peter to pay Paul? That's the Twin Cities market in a nutshell. June 2010 pending sales are down 40% from June of 2009. The buyers from what is traditionally one of our busiest months, June were undoubtedly rushed into purchasing for the now expired housing tax credit. So those early spring numbers that showed so much promise, have leveled off….no surprise there. However there was one bright spot in the statistics, the average home sale's price is up and sellers are getting closer to asking price again. But there is no crystal ball … (17 comments)
best realtor stories: "I Can Hold My OWN Hand!"
- 07/20/10 08:38 AM
Several years ago, just as we were about to step off the curb into the busy parking lot of the local Target, I attempted to take the hand of my almost three-year-old son when he announced to my husband and I, "I can hold my own hand!" And being obstinate and two, he did. He put one chubby little fist inside the other behind his back and attempted to step off the curb and into traffic. Realizing his need for independence, we explained the dangers of his actions to him. (Hey Buddy...Drivers have no way of seeing a tiny person below … (15 comments)
best realtor stories: Why I HATE Shopping for Cars! And What it has to do with Being a Good REALTOR!
- 07/14/10 10:42 AM
We need a new car and have needed it for several months now. We have the ability to purchase one but have avoided the car lots like the plague. Why? Because car salesmen lurk there! We have browsed on the internet for as long as possible but it was getting to the point of a test drive to make our decision. Last Saturday, my husband and I took a deep breath and decided to head to the Hwy 61 White Bear/Maplewood car mile of car dealerships to really get started. We started off slowly...First we drove through a few lots without … (13 comments)
best realtor stories: Wordless Wednesday (Almost) Painting Makes All the Difference!
- 06/02/10 08:22 AM
BEFORE AFTER After lingering for months on the market with many showings but no buyer, my sellers decided to paint the exterior of this home. It sold in less than two weeks after the paint job and replacing the front and back doors. Does staging and updating work to get a sale? You betcha! … (10 comments)
best realtor stories: Homebuyers Guide--Essential Checklist for a Final Walkthrough
- 05/13/10 05:29 AM
With the tax credit timeline to close coming up quickly, there are going to be many closings on properties for first time homebuyers in the next few weeks. Before the closing, there is one essential step that must be taken with your REALTOR®: The Final WalkThrough. A few days before closing, your agent will call to schedule the date and time of the final walk-through. Don't get caught up with thinking, "This is great! I needed to check the paint color in the bedroom and measure the windows for blinds." That is not what the final walk-through is for. This is … (36 comments)
best realtor stories: 100 Real Estate Questions Answered for the First Time HOMEBUYER!
- 05/12/10 05:54 AM
First time buyers have many, many questions as they move through the process of buying their dream home. Some of these are general in nature and some are very specific to a property and location. While specific questions are best handled by a local REALTOR, there is an awesome resource for those general, "where do I start" questions. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development, better known as HUD, thought so too. HUD has prepared a list of 100 of the most commonly asked questions regarding real estate and the process of how to buy that first home. To make … (2 comments)
best realtor stories: It Looked Better on the Paint Chip!
- 03/09/10 03:33 AM
Years ago, my sister and her husband built a new home in an Oakdale development. We lived in a mile away in North St. Paul at the time so we drove by often and watched as several homes were constructed in the neighborhood. This development didn’t have restrictive covenants so there were various styles of homes with differing colors and types of siding giving the area a very eclectic look. As one home we passed by often was starting to look more like a home than a construction project, we noticed the PURPLE door! The house itself, mind you, was a … (10 comments)
best realtor stories: $8000 Tax Refund can be a Benefit for Move Up Buyers in Anoka County!
- 08/28/09 07:07 AM
So, you have been in your cute and cozy 1950's one and a half story bungalow for a few years now. It was perfect for a young, just married couple when you bought it. The bedrooms were on the small side but the huge upper level made a great master suite and it worked perfectly when there were just two of you. Then came the puppy who grew into a huge licking Labrador. And later one baby, then two. Now suddenly 1200 square feet is overrun with chew toys, Little Tikes and Duplos. That cozy little bungalow is now cramping your … (10 comments)
best realtor stories: REALTORS® are not One-Size-Fits-ALL!
- 07/19/09 02:36 AM
The Animation Building in Disney's Hollywood Studios is my family's favorite places during our bi-annual treks to Orlando. (Okay I still call this park what is now known as MGM Studios, but that is just me.) There is a spot after the animation tour where you (and 30 or so other would-be illustrators) can go for a half hour class with a Disney artist and be given step-by-step instructions on how to draw Mickey , Goofy, Pluto, Stitch or another beloved character. Talent is not a prerequisite. At the end of the session, everyone leaves with a drawing that somewhat resembles … (27 comments)
best realtor stories: Best Thing Since Sliced Bread for a REALTOR®? Testimonials from Happy Home Buyers& Sellers!
- 06/23/09 08:41 AM
In the past, I have received numerous testimonials from home buyers ecstatic with their new dream home and happy parents of first time homebuyers. I love receiving these notes from clients...as most real estate agents do.I recently started handing out a client satisfaction questionnaire. In addition to a 1-5 rating scale for service, I have some open ended questions on what my clients had to say about working with me. Here are a couple of responses that I received this past month. I LOVE this type of feedback...best thing since sliced bread, as they say."We were very satisfied with your service … (17 comments)
best realtor stories: Testimonials--Is there Any Better Reward for a Job Well Done?
- 04/15/09 10:05 AM
This afternoon I had an email hit my BlackBerry while I was eating lunch. It was from a past client that I had helped find a home in January. They had told me they were please with my service but sometimes the testimonials from clients just blow me away. A little background....Cheri and Denny called me just after the new year when I was trying to sort out my transfer from my previous broker to RE/MAX. The call came in on a Friday evening. They were out to dinner and discussing a few houses they had seen online and just as they … (18 comments)
best realtor stories: Dream Home SOLD Thanks to My BlackBerry Photos!
- 03/20/09 10:17 AM
Relocating from out of state to Minnesota takes coordination and a little innovation doesn't hurt either...Here's the story: After weeks of narrowing down homes to view and a couple of long days seeing a half dozen or so beautiful properties throughout Chisago and Anoka Counties, my out-of-town buyer, Lyn, had found the perfect home. Unfortunately, someone else thought it was perfect too and an offer had been accepted moments before we had contacted the listing agent with ours. We were back at square one...and out of time! My disappointed buyer had to head back to work and wouldn't be back in … (24 comments)
Theresa "Teri" Eckholm/Boardman Realty assists Minnesotans to find their way home with helpful tips and quality service. Dedication to customer service has made Teri the REALTOR® of choice for families in Blaine, Forest Lake, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and Wyoming areas. Licensed in MN.
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