Roland's Blog: August 2009

Dear Two-Timing Tina,

Thanks for being unfaithful to me.  I'm not angry.  Instead, I'm thrilled.  Why would I be thrilled to find out that you were seeing another REALTOR® behind my back? Because it was the epiphany I needed.

You see, I've known for a very long time that I should be working only with buyers who sign an exclusive buyer brokerage agreement.  But I had grown complacent and kept putting it off.  Getting buyers to sign these requires that I make adjustments to my routine.  It requires some effort.  I have to show my prospective buyers the benefits they will gain by working with only me.  In order to accomplish this, they need to come into my office for a complimentary buyer consultation.

I've been so busy that instead of scheduling the free consultation when a new buyer called me, I would just get the property details and schedule a showing.  Deep down I knew this was not the way it should be.  But I kept telling myself I was too busy to do it otherwise.

Then you came along.  Asking to see an $80,000 foreclosed home.  The fact that this is well below what I usually work did not matter.  You had a need and I wanted to fill it.  So I picked up HUD keys, printed detail reports, drove by neighborhoods to check them out for you and reported back to you diligently. 

For one reason or another, we were not able to meet face-to-face for 10 days or so.  But I continued my diligent work for you.  We spoke on the phone, texted back and forth, and stayed in touch .  All seemed well. 

Then yesterday I confirmed our appointment, gathered the documents and set out for our first F2F meeting.  I arrived at the property to see that another REALTOR® was there showing it to his client.  I said hello to them and waited for your arrival.  After 10 minutes I decided to call and make sure you were not lost.  I put two and two together when the other agent's client reached in her pocked for her ringing phone.

She was you! 

You were her! 

You looked over at me and asked, "oh, is that you calling me?"  Was that when it hit you that you had scheduled appointments with two agents at the same house, at the same time?  I've known two-timers before, but this was my first dealing with one with a faulty scheduling system.

I don't think my surprise showed on my face.  And my well chosen words were not rude, although after leaving, I thought about it and chastised myself for not giving you a good talking-to.  You needed to know what you did was wrong.  But that didn't matter to me at the time.

What did matter was that your actions pushed me to making a realization which will serve me well in the future.  You were the straw that broke the camel's back.  I am no longer working with buyers who don't come to my office for our consultation and sign the buyer brokerage agreement.  No ifs, ands, or buts. 

Please continue on your merry way and know that our brief encounter fared me well.  And the next buyer who calls me will know all the wonderful things he'll be gaining by working with me exclusively.  Because I will make sure I tell him.

Yours truly,

No longer your agent.

 

Maggie Dokic is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Florida selling residential real estate in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Gables by the Sea, High Pines and the Redland.

For more information on our local real estate market, or to see or sell a home in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables or the Redland, visit my Miami Real Estate blog or contact me at Maggie (at) TheBlogThatAteMiami (dot) com.

The opinions expressed herein, are those of the author, and not necessarily of Prudential Florida Realty.

 

Are you a short sale specialist? Are your hands cramped from using the phone?  Is your neck permanently twisted from being on hold all day? Are you tired of your faxes getting lost, buyers walking and your files being closed?  What is going on?  How can you improve your short sale processing and get an "edge" on success?  Well, we've got a solution for you.

On Saturday, August 29, at 11:00 Eastern, Bryant Tutas and I will be interviewing a working short sale negotiator from a "Top 5" Servicer.  Believe me, this is a big bank that you have likely dealt with, but he has to remain anonymous or he could lose his job .  Friends, we've lassoed a big one for you to answer any short sale questions you've ever had.  Get out your calendars, pen and paper and get ready!

Do you want to know:

What is the best question to ask when you follow up on your short sale?

What are the short sale phone reps looking at on their computer screens?

How are all those faxes separated and imaged in?

What qualifications do short sale negotiators have?

Why do they tell you "No" when it makes sense to you?

Why do they deny your BPO and comps?

Do they care if the buyer is going to "walk"?

What is going on with your package after two months of waiting?

What happens with Fannie Mae files?

What agents get the best treatment and why?

What would the negotiator tell you if they were allowed?

What can you do to mess up your chance of approval?

Why do they cut your commission when they are the junior lien?

How can you get them to reduce the promissory note or cash contribution?

If you want answers to these questions and more, join me and Bryant Tutas when we interview The Negotiator of a "Top 5" Servicer this Saturday, August 29 at 11:00 Eastern. 

It is not necessary to be there live - we will send the recorded MP3 for everyone who signs up.  The cost is a modest $27 to pay him for his time. 

So, get in YOUR questions.  This is real, this is "insider", and this information is going to help YOU! .....  Sign up below!

 

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc. 

www.shortsalesuperstars.com

Is Social Media a fad?

A fad is something that comes and goes...a temporary fashion; a craze, interest or activity that (some) people follow enthusiastically, but lasts for a short period of time.

Like Hola Hoopes,Pac Man,Rubik's cubes, Troll Dolls...can you think of others? 

So this begs the question, "Is Social Media a Fad?"

Here is a really interesting video that has a lot of insight into this question. The rules of Social Media are not really any different than social relationships face to face it just opens up a H U G E world.

 

Missy Caulk & Team can be reached at 734-216-2822 or email: Missy@MissyCaulk.com

Our TEAM of 6 buyer associates are available to help you relocate to Ann Arbor, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Milan, Ypsilanti Township, Clinton, Manchester, Whitmore Lake, or throughout Washtenaw County, MI.

 

• Free Home Evaluation

• Search the Ann Arbor Area MLS.

• Google Profile

• Market Reports in Real Time Updated Weekly

• Profit from Technology for Realtors and Lenders

Are you a Real Estate Practitioner?  A Loan Originator?  An Independent Sales Representative?

Back when we were young pups, thinking about leaving the security of an employed position, to join the ranks of the "Be Your Own Boss" set - you felt pretty invincible, didn't you?

"I can make a lot of money selling . . . (fill in the blank)!"  I'll cover the family.  Make enough to pay for the kids college tuition.  Put a few bucks away.  Even pop for that nice car, or boat, or second home!

Health care coverage?

Hey - I'm young!  Thirty-something!  My spouse works - I'll glomb onto her policy!  I feel fine . . . and, by the time I'm old enough to need more intensive health insurance coverage, I'll be able to find coverage.  I'll likely have to pay a premium for it, but I will get it.  No problem!

So, gang, what happened?

Sweet sixteen turned 31, then 41, then 50, or more.  Although 50 is the new 30, or something like that, you start to get prescribed medications you never had to worry about before.  For blood pressure.  Perhaps asthma.  Hopefully, nothing more serious - but, for some post-50, they are not so lucky.

The costs for these miracle meds?  ASTRONOMICAL!

Each day, I take three medications - one pill for allergies, an inhalation drug for asthma, and a mild blood pressure reducer.  The cost for the regimen each month - in excess of $300!  And, I am pretty healthy, the right weight, and I exercise and eat well.

Routine care doctor visits?    Sky high!  Often, over $250!  And, being a guy, I try my damnedest to avoid the doctor's office!

My Blue Cross Individual Health Insurance Premiums, which I purchased with great ease when I became an independent contractor over 15 years ago, have increased three-fold in price per month - it now costs over $850 each month to insure me and my wife.

Further, to keep the costs within a reasonable realm, I have had to increase our deductibles - to over $5,000 each.  Prescription Drug Coverage - minimal.    One of my monthly prescriptions costs over $150 - and I am not even sick!  Geez!

And each year, I receive a nice little white envelope from the Blue Cross people, crying how medical costs have gone up soooo much, and it is with great regret that the have to raise our health insurance rates once again.  10%.  15%.  Once, nearly 18%. 

But here's the kicker - I rarely even use the policy. Unfortunately, however, I know that my usage of medical services can climb precipitously, at any time, the older we are fortunate to become.

And there is nothing we can do about it!  Nothing!

Stop coverage?  You know that will be when our families' genetic disposition to heart disease will kick in!

Reduce coverage?  Same concern, and for those of you who may have not noticed - there is a recession on, and, often times, the income is hard fought!

Today, people who work for companies - those who are fortunate enough to still have a job, that is - don't truly know how lucky they are to have subsidized health care coverage, even though the employee co-pays have increased considerably over the years.

We Independent Contractors have seen even greater increases!

And many of we indies are considering the previously-unthinkable - going without health care insurance, since its cost is going out of control.

Once an older insured lets coverage lapse, it is far tougher to get it back, at any kind of reasonable price, with advancing age.  Walking away from coverage, therefore, is a very bad move!

Something, it seems, needs to be done to keep health care costs in check.  For the aging population of Independent Contractors.  And Real Estate Practitioners.

Reasonable rates.  No Pre-Existing Conditions.  And, yes, absolutely, the Public Option, to keep private providers in line, and costs down!

Socialism?  Don't think so!  It's just common sense!  Even many of those outspoken "Righty Tighties" agree!  Something, something needs to be done about Health Care in the U.S.! 

For many!  For everyone!  But, especially, for us!

Or, the problem is going to get far worse - especially among the ranks of us self-employed individuals.

Senator Ted Kennedy, God rest his soul, was on the right track all these years.

No doubt!

Your thoughts?

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

If you are thinking of home improvements that will offer the best return when you sell your home, you may want to wait before updating the kitchen or adding a new bath.

Your greatest return on dollars invested now could be for increasing a home's curb appeal. Your goal should be to make the outside of the house look really great so people fall in love with it before they even step out of the car.

Freshly painted trim and new hardware also help a home show well. And landscaping, including well-manicured trees and shrubs, can help older homes compete in the marketplace.

New windows, doors and siding are more expensive improvements but make homes look well-attended. They also help make homes more energy efficient, which is a factor with today's high energy costs.

During the housing boom, kitchen and bath projects brought a 90 percent return on investment when the home was sold. That's not true anymore. Now the return is about 70 percent or lower.

Remodeling activity peaked in 2006, declined in 2007, and is expected to decline by 4.8 percent a year through 2009, according to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

If a remodeling project makes a home stand out from others in a similar price range, it might still be a good idea. But beware of remodeling on the cheap.

Inferior cabinets and poor workmanship won't fool buyers. Home searchers aren't making snap decisions in these times. They're taking their time and paying more attention to value.

That being said, go back to improving the appearance of your home from the outside. Potted flowers, trimmed bushes, and an edged lawn are less-expensive projects that give buyers that all-important, positive first impression.

Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell

Stuart Florida Real Estate

Residential Homes, Condos and Land
Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties

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Though this may appeal to the uninhibited,  puffed up and forthright buyers who say they don’t need a home inspection by a licensed  inspector because...

“they know what to look for”,

are pushing the bravado envelope. They are literally streaking without awareness. A second opinion never hurts and it can save you a bundle.

Inspections are especially important on an AS-IS sale like a foreclosure. Make sure you have a second set of eyes ogling the naked house.

The last thing anyone wants after they purchase a property is to be surprised by finding an
additional $10K (or more) of structural repairs that are necessary.

Inspections are simply a strip search of the property, looking for any issue that exists. You don’t really know the result of an inspection until after it’s done. We even insist on having inspections done on new construction. Why? Because reports have shown time and time again, that new construction can have many problems as well.

Case in point:

We had an inspection done on a visibly beautiful new house. It was clean as a hound's tooth. In the process of the inspection, the inspector filled the upstairs bath about
¼ full then let it drain. When the drain was pulled, the sheet rock under the
tub downstairs exploded with a deluge. Seems that the plumber never connected the
PVC pipe to the drain line. The builder was red faced, apologetic, and quickly
fixed the problem. But what if my clients had moved in and water damage was all
over their furniture? Or, they had to deal with a hole in the ceiling, no water in the bath, and the inconveniences that this would have caused after the closing.

Folks, stuff happens. That’s why we have insurance. And a cheap form of insurance is to have your house inspected by a licensed inspector. When you work with us we're pretty insistent on it. What you don't see, may cost you.

But if butt naked without inspections is good for you, it’s certainly fine with the seller.

 

 

 

 

The time is now for finding attractive homes at attractive prices. Charlotte NC Real Estate has never looked better. Stop by our Website and ogle some fine homes ready for you move.