Seller Beware!

Unfortunately the real estate industry has a real problem.  Real Estate agents are giving lock box codes out to people without licenses to view vacant homes. 

This is not the way a real estate agent is suppose to practice. 

     1.  Make sure your agent will attend all showings with purchasers not represented by another agent.

     2.  Ask your agent their office real estate agent showing verification process.
              A.  Does the office require all real estate agents showing property to give a license ID number?
              B.  Does the office require the office to verify the license number with the state for accuracy?
              C.  Does the office require the showing agent to leave 2 telephone numbers?
              D.  How does the office verify these numbers are correct?
     3.  At what point is the lock box code to your vacant home released?

Why?  The real estate agents that are giving the lock box codes out with out proper verification procedures are at risk of causing theft, physical harm and more.

Our offices uses a system called "BookAShowing".  Only State of Michigan licensed real estate agents with a membership to the Flint Area Association of Realtors can use the system.  Our office knows the person setting the appointment is licensed and accountable.  Please see www.bookashowing.com for more information.

Out of area agents must give license number, office telephone number, office address and the agents direct number.  We then verify the license on-line, match all numbers with names, call the office if open, then the agent.  We are always looking for ways to improve the system, any ideas, please let me know.

I would like to do away with push button and dial boxes.  They are not the safest tool available.  Companies now make lock boxes that must be opened electronically.  When the lock-box is utilized an email and/or text message is sent to the listing agent.  This alerts the listing agents that someone is viewing the home.  The seller can get a full report as well.  The Flint Area Association of Realtors did have this type of service at one time, agents complained because there was an extra item that had to be carried.  It wasn't the best system, now the systems are much improved.

Any ideas to help secure homes and make showing safer is more than welcomed.

On December 18, 2007 The Flint Journal and the Flint Area Association of Realtors®, FAAR Publishing, Inc introduced

"REALTOR REVIEW" is a joint effort.  The economy dictated this joint venture.  In the Genesee County Area the Flint Area Assocaiton of Realtors produce "This Week In Real Estate" and The Flint Journal produced the "Homes for Sale" guide.  The real estate agents had to purchase ads in both places to please the sellers and get the word out to the purchasers. 

We hope this joint effort relieves the agents of financial distress while assisting the purchasers and sellers by having the homes inventory in one place.

We understand print advertising is decreasing do to the internet.  "REALTOR REVIEW" will assist agents and sellers during this transition.

Another year has come to an end.  I would like to thank the staff at the Flint Area Association of Realtors® for all their determination and hard work.  You make the Realtors® of the Flint Area Association of Realtors® job easier.  You are FAAROUT!   Merry Christmas

 Kim Thompson:  FAAR & TWIRE Operations Director
Tasks: Assistant to CEO, Complaints, Grievances, Committees, RPAC
E-mail: Kim@flinthomes.net  

    Kim, I want to give you a special thanks.  Your support gave me strength when I thought I had ran out.  Thank you Kim.

 JoAnne Amador:  FAAR & TWIRE Financial Director

Leigh Coburn:  FAAR & TWIRE Accounting Assistant
Andrea Greynolds:  FAAR Marketing Director

Casey Hardin:  FAAR Membership Director
David Kirk:  FAAR Systems Administrator
Cindy Neal:  FAAR Member Advocate
Amy Sawade:  FAAR Information Assistant
Brandee Spencer:  FAAR Information Director

Casey Spencer:  FAAR Technology Director

Your an awesome team.  Thank you for everything you do all year long.

Your Certified Mobile Signing Agent
Angela K Ridley- Notary Public

Mail Docs to:
2442 E Maple Ave. Ste 209
Flint, MI 48507
 Direct 810 730 4532
Fax 810 936 4395

Email docs to:  Angie@AngieRidley.com

1999-current Mobile Notary
1999-current Michigan Licensed Real Estate Broker
1999-2002 Michigan Licensed Real Estate Appraiser

Certification and Background check through the National Notary Assocation

Notary Service: Witness signings, Lender and Title Company Mobile Agent
Additional Services:  Brokers Price Opinion.

Tools:  Tablet PC (2007 www.MotionComputing.com PC), Treo Smartphone 700 windows, Dell Desktop, measuring tools and Sony Cyber Digital Camera, cable internet, 3 All In One HP Office Jet Scanner, Copier, Fax, Printer, 1 HP 1012Laser Printer.  Letter and Legal acceptable.

Communications for documents:  Email, fax, or overnight postal service.

Availability is immediate.

I service Genesee County MI, Tuscola County MI, Lapeer County MI and more. 

Cities include but not limited to: Flint MI, Lapeer MI, Otterlake MI, Otisville MI, Millington MI, Columbiaville MI, Goodrich MI, Ortonville MI, Grand Blanc MI, Flushing MI, Burton MI, Swartz Creek MI, Fenton MI, Lake Fenton MI, Frankenmuth MI, Clio MI, Mt Morris MI, Birch Run MI, Caro MI, Bridgeport MI and more...

Genesee County MI Board of Commissioners 12/04/2007

Ambulance service and The Broome Center.

This was a very interesting meeting. Much of this post will be based on the public opinion at the meeting.

Apparently the Board of Commissioners would like to create a one provider per area ambulance service. The audience and speakers for this discussion included paramedics, a minister, firefighters and the public. The majority does not want Genesee County to control community ambulance issues.

The feeling in the room was by implementing this idea, free market enterprising would not exist. A consultant was hired to evaluate the situation; the consultants report was never heard.

Many of the EMS people stated radios were purchased for them by a grant. It was said these radio's are sitting a room and not giving to the EMS people for use. It was stated that the real problem lies with the current 911 system. Too many people call 911 for non life threatening issues. Maybe the counsel should think about a 311 system for non life threatening calls, but need attention right now (accidents).

A resident talked about how the EMS people need GPS. They witness ambulances turning around because maps are wrong or the drive just didn't really know where the address was.

It was stated a sole provider would eventually cause taxpayer money to increase.

Another hot topic was The Broome Center. The state would like to close this facility. The Broome Center building is owned by the Career Alliance, Inc. Career Alliance had an issue with an AE allegedly mishandling funds, local, state and federal.

The Broome Center is located in area that has seen better days. The people that live in this area need The Broome Center to sustain a community environment. The Broome center has many helpful agencies that assist people find jobs, provide day care, education programs. We cannot lose this vital organ in an area that needs this assistance. I can not begin to list the all the programs and function this vital center offers. Please write Jennifer Granholm: Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909

PHONE: (517) 373-3400
PHONE: (517) 335-7858 - Constituent Services
FAX:(517) 335-6863

The Genesee County Board of Commissioners expressed they don't want The Broome Center to close.

Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission Meeting, 12/04/2007

The commission stated the population is currently 448,000 and is expected to grow to 466,000 by 2035. Larger household sizes are moving to the townships.

Our manufacturing industry is shifting to a service industry. The concern is, does Genesee County have the population to support a service industry.

Genesee County has money set aside to assist new home buyers. The money isn't getting used as planned because homes are not selling, again an economy issue.

The Flint Journal recently printed an article that electronic device recycling is not being recycled correctly. The commissioners were assures in Genesee County, CBC takes the electronic device are sent to Goodwill Industries, disassembled then discarded properly.

The new traffic maps now include the condition of the road.

Agents please remember, the client that has your immediate attention must come first.

If you are with a client, you can't answer the phone. The person in front of you is the most important at that time. It would be rude to take a call while someone is one on one with you. Someone took the time to physically see you.

If you are on a call, that call is the most important at that time. Putting someone on holds can cause the conversation to go sour, fast. People forgot what their points are.

All calls are important, but if someone calls you, you can't put them on hold unless you know another call is coming in and you alert them at the beginning of the conversation.

You must return all calls immediately. My voice mail goes to my voice mail box, my text box as text and my email in text and voice.

Client satisfaction. I know some clients get upset if they go to voice mail, gently let them know you are taking care of their needs now, how may I assist you?

I had to lay off 6 people Friday. The Flint Area Association of Realtors® publishing "This Week in Real Estate", a newsprint homes for sale guide, was put to sleep for awhile. I don't know at this point if it is for good or not. We are not closing the corporation, just not producing the homes for sale guide.

"This Week in Real Estate" (TWIRE) was created to be a member benefit. The paper assisted the Flint Area Association of Realtors® to keep advertising cost down. When real estate was booming, we were concerned the local paper, Flint Journal, would start gouging the members for print advertising. The Flint Journal printed a bi-weekly "Homes for Sale" magazine and (TWIRE) printed weekly. Our members saw the weekly print a benefit for open house exposure and seller advantage.

When the market started to change, we realized we were no longer a member benefit. We couldn't ask the agents or brokers who can barely feed their family to advertise every week in a market that has 1.5 years of inventory.

We are currently in negotiations to combine forces. Start fresh, have a new look. Our mission is to still keep prices down. The Flint Journal is agreeing to keep prices down for the Flint Area Association of Realtors® membership. When the deal is final, I will let everyone know.

The staff of TWIRE was amazing. They were gracious. The staff saw the paper dwindle for 2 years. Most already had other plans for the future and were just waiting for the word.

I must say, this was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in business. I know business is business, but this is people's lives.

When do you? What do you? Market Questions

I was asked today "when do you think the market will come back and what will my home be worth then? What would you have sold my home for 2 years ago?" (Michigan)

2 years ago I would have price the home in mid $90's-$100. The square footage is an issue along with the bedroom situation upstairs. I can't estimate a future price. That wouldn't be fair to you and honestly, I don't know how long it is going to take for the market to come back. You can find an agent to tell you what you want to hear, to price where you want to price, that doesn't help the home sell.

Homes are selling. They must be priced to sell and sparkle perfect.

Every month someone waits now, it costing unless you wait a couple of years and that's not gauranteed. The market value is dropping monthly. The foreign investors are purchasing US securities at a discount rate. As long as that is happening we are in trouble. Our dollar is valued less and less almost daily. I don't believe we are done seeing the foreclosures. More ARM's are coming due for the next couple of years. This was only the first year. Most ARM's adjust 3, 5 or 7 years.

Everyday more homes become available on the market at lower prices because of foreclosures. Until we have a 6 month supply of homes on the market, it will continue to be a buyers market. There is currently a 13 month supply of homes on the market equivalent to yours.

I hope this helps.

(this home now comes in at a market value of about $88k, I waq suggesting pricing at $82-84k due to the saturated market and 13 month absorption)

I hope this answer explains the issue. I wish I knew how to fix.

Congratulations Kim Thompson. Kim received the Realtor® Association Certified Executive designation. She studied for 2 years and took the test about 1 month ago. The RCE designation exemplifies goal-oriented AEs with drive, experience and commitment to professional growth. (www.realtor.org)

So, do you feel stuck in a rut? Join a Women's Council of Realtors® committee. I've seen Stephanie in action already this year. She is going to make the committee's fun and interesting. StephanieH@usol.com . She's waiting for your email!

NAR is starting a REALTOR®-friendly credit union, Realtors® Federal Credit Union. The credit union will be internet based. Calls will be housed in the US. NAR feels Realtors® are cut short because of the irregular cash flow and income. The underwriting procedures will understand the Realtors® cash flows. Transactions can occur 24 hours a day. Income will be distributed back to the members. www.realtor.org

Women's Council of Realtors® is posting the strategic plan online. They would like to hear more from the membership. www.wcr.org

Our Michigan candidate, Beth Pressler, for Women's Council of Realtors® National Financial Secretary was not elected. She gave it great run. Margo Willis from Washington is the 2008 Women's Council of Realtors® National recording Secretary.

Well this is my last newsletter item; I must say "It's been fun." I hope you enjoyed, that was the ultimate goal.

Stephanie Hoffman, Katie Colden, Dawn Ferguson, Patty Kelso, Jane Landaal, Lisa Kent and Wendy Sabo, Have great fun year!