abr: PLEASE DON'T GIVE MY CLIENT A HEART ATTACK... SHE'S 88 YEARS YOUNG!!! - 04/14/11 01:19 AM
Please don't give my client a heart attack.. she's 88 years young!    This was the thought going through my mind last night when I received a call from the local gas company.
My client is selling her home and is scheduled to close TOMORROW.  Last night on my way to dinner, when I was 40 minutes away from the area, I received a call from the local gas company saying that when the buyer requested us to switch the utility into his name, he mentioned that he smelt gas in the kitchen... 3 weeks ago when he was there for the … (14 comments)

abr: LOOKING OUT FOR YOUR CLIENT, THE BUYER... BUT NOT FORGETTING ABOUT THE SELLER - 02/05/11 07:51 AM
Looking out for your client, the buyer, but not forgetting about the seller either. 
My client, the buyer is looking to purchase his first home.  He has a work schedule that  is not always conducive to a normal showing schedule.  For the most part we have been able to get into all listings at one time or another.
There was one that we saw on a Saturday afternoon that he wanted to see again.  However, neither his schedule or the sellers schedule would allow it for about a week.  My client did not want to miss out on seeing this unit.  He … (25 comments)

abr: DEDICATED REALTOR? OR PUSHING IT TOO SOON.....YOU DECIDED - 01/16/11 04:25 AM
Here it is Sunday afternoon, just a little after noon.  When it comes to blogging it has been said that it is good to post some things personal, not just always business... so here it goes.
I'm sitting here in front of the computer thinking of my day ahead, and just got to the point of pondering, wondering if I am doing the right thing here...  This is where you come in.  Let me know your thoughts.
Yesterday will be my one month anniversary of getting my left knee totally replaced.  Since then I have been moved from the hospital to … (20 comments)

abr: *NEW TREND* to disguise a short sale listing - 08/18/10 06:55 AM
There seems to be a new trend when properties are being listed, that by all rights should be short sales.  Have any of you run into this scenario too? 
I have a buyer looking to purchase a condo.  One would think this would be simple since there are so many out there to choose from.  He is a first time home buyer, therefore has nothing to sell.  He is going with a conventional mortgage, but is looking for help with the closing costs.... 
We have put 3 offers in on 3 different properties coming in maybe a thousand shy of asking.  We've … (27 comments)

abr: GOOD WILL GESTURE BACK FIRES.... - 07/18/10 12:50 PM
Good will gesture back fires...
Every listing we get, there are never two that are exactly the same.  Recently I acquired a listing of a home that has LOTS of wood.... hardwood floors, mantels, cabinets, stairs, and banisters.  My client has taken care of the floors but was wondering how to address the cabinets and banisters.  I recommended a product called "Liquid Gold"... if you haven't heard of this, it is worth it's weight in gold... no pun intended.

I have used it on my kitchen cabinets, and have changed the hardware.  When people came to visit they thought I had installed … (21 comments)

abr: GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR A POTENTIAL CLIENT.... - 01/22/10 04:30 AM
The company I work for is Johnson Real Estate, in Cromwell CT, and we are a full serviced independent real estate company.  I'm sure most of you are away of this.
From time to time, we receive calls from potential clients (that might be looking down the pike to buy a home) but are looking to rent for a while,  looking to come in and interview us or have questions.  Being a full service I try to give them the most reliable information I have.
Today, I received a call but have/had no idea how to help this person.  Being there … (8 comments)

abr: A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS..... - 01/19/10 10:05 PM
The internet is the first source of information for most people when they looking to buy a new home;

and Realtor.com is the most viewed website for this source.  Usually when a potential buyer sees a property of interest they contact a local Realtor.
Not too long ago, I signed up clients who saw a home on line, and went with a local Realtor.. me... LOL.  The home they saw online ended up not being what they were looking for the one picture did not do the home justice.  However, this did not detour my clients and we continued to look for the ideal home. 
A … (16 comments)

abr: NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS... WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THIS??? - 01/01/10 02:52 AM


First, let me say, I hope everyone had a very Happy New Year's Eve last night.  It seems for the most part that ActiveRain members stayed close to home.  So did I. 
It is now the start of 2010, a new decade, and I'm hoping everyone is getting off on the right foot.  We all made resolutions of one form or another.. and I'm sure we are ALL going to stick with them.. at least for the first week. LOL.
I've seen a change in real estate, it is moving forward.. Mayor Bloomberg of NYC stated the same thing last night … (18 comments)

abr: INSURANCE COMPANY, LIBERTY MUTUAL STEPS UP TO THE PLATE - 11/21/08 03:20 AM
As most of you might recall, earlier this week I posted a blog about looking for home owners insurance for a client of mine that *was* buying a property in Portland Ct.. a cottage.  This property has since closed and was my third lead from ActiveRain and my third closing.  I had many responses, and helpful suggestions.  Thank you all. 
However, no insurance company would step up to the plate... except for one... and that was Liberty Mutual Insurance Company.  The branch in this case is located in Farmington, Connecticut.  The agent Victoria Mendyka was *extremely* professional.  She works the same way I do, … (6 comments)