Conflict means different things to different people. Even discussing it on a blog that's usually about real estate conjures up emotions among some. A fellow blogger asked for opinions about allowing opposing comments to stand on a blog when they are from an anonymous party. The dilemma was whether to leave them or not.
The blogger agent's handling of negative comments or differences of opinion on a blog can positively demonstrate negotiating skills. One of the reasons I blog is to show my skill as a real estate agent. How I deal with opposing opinions or outright negative comments is indicative of how I deal with differences in negotiating an offer. Handling attack on a blog shows a person's true stamina when in the midst of dispute. Can the pressure of a stressful real estate transaction be handled or does his/her personal ego get in the way? Is the blogger a problem solver? Is communication continued or does one party or the other "take their ball and go home?" Is the problem solved by getting louder or more powerful than the opponent? Are differences based on information or opinion? Is the art of being silent when useful demonstrated? Can the writer see the other person's point of view and find common ground? Finally, can the writer admit when s/he is wrong? All of these traits are demonstrated in the blogger's reaction to negative or opposing comments and can also be important in negotiating an offer.
My vote is to let an opposing comment stay on my blog. I'm comfortable in my own expertise and really negative comments usually reflect more poorly on the one who is attacking than on the focus of the attack. There is value to the public in how the difference is handled. Observe the blogger agent's handling of conflict and decide whether you want this agent to be on your side in the real estate transaction. Communicating until there is a mutual understanding even if differences continue shows the true art of negotiation where both parties win. Handling of negative comments on a blog can practically demonstrate this skill.
I don't know whether to chuckle or cry. A stranger came to my door today with one of those lanyards displaying a city ID at its end. We had the privilege of a personal visit from the city tax assessor. It normally isn't so funny to me, except we have the ugliest house on the block and it definitely needs repair! In my mind, it's the stately Victorian that it will be in a few years, but right now the picture says it all. It's a disaster.
Normal people hate seeing the assessor because they're afraid their property taxes will go up. Today I could only chuckle. I knew we had overpaid for the house but in the purchase of two properties togther, we came out okay. The assessor on the other hand had no idea about the package deal we had gotten.
Several questions were asked regarding condition, number of rooms, etc. It became apparent the assessor did not know our home had been moved to its site or anything about its history. He was used to resistance from homeowners so was taken aback when I invited him into the house. I warned him that the inside was as bad as the outside. He didn't believe me . . . until he got 3 feet beyond the front door! The shock factor displayed on people's faces makes me laugh. They either see the potential or they don't.
Mr. Assessor began madly making notes. He determined the condition of our home to be "poor" for tax purposes. (Chuckle, chuckle.) He counted the number of bedrooms, baths, total number of rooms, and noted the new roof, windows and walls in two rooms. He checked "fireplace" even though it's no longer got a chimney! (Chuckle, chuckle.) He asked about our timeline for making the repairs and my reply, "Years," was noted. As he was exiting, he asked what I thought the value of the home should be and I gave my honest opinion. He agreed to "do what he could" to adjust the tax value down as much as he can. (Chuckle, chuckle.) Next year we will get a small break on our property taxes.
Mr. Assessor obviously was not a rehabber. He just couldn't see beyond the missing plaster and kitchen grafitti! We may be the only place in the city where a house actually loses value in the assessor's eyes in an appreciating neighborhood . Today it's funny, but will there be fallout for neighborhood values and what would be the impact if we sell our house before the house is done? Tomorrow, the joke may be on me and then I'll be crying. Tonight, however, I'm still chuckling!
Several have asked me recently about reverse mortgages. They're advertised on billboards, television, and radio ads. The baby boomers are reaching retirement and their planning for the future apparently wasn't sufficient so a new program to solve the problem is being touted. Reverse mortgages are the latest spin and everyone wants to know if they're a good deal. Thanks to Larry Cragun of Mortgages Undressed for clearing the muddy water for me.
The most important thing to know about a reverse mortgage is that it is a negative amortization loan. Because monthly payments are not made each month, the amount that would normally be charged as interest is added to the principal balance. That causes the principal to increase each month. With most mortgages the debt (loan) decreases and the difference between what is owed and the value of the home (equity) increases. Because no monthly payments are made with a reverse mortgage, the reverse is true: over time the amount of the debt increases and the difference between what is owed and the value of the home (equity) decreases. If the loan started out at $50,000, it will increase well beyond $50,000 depending on how long the originator of the loan lives and continues to not make payments. The loan regulations prevent the loan from exceeding 100% of the market value of the home since the home is used as collateral for the loan.
There are some safety guidelines included in the loan regulations. Only people 62 or older with little or no mortgage against the house are eligible. They must occupy the house. There are high origination fees. The loan will be significantly less than the value of the home, and the principal balance of the loan will cap at the market value of the home. The home will be sold to repay the loan once the mortgagor has to move or dies. More details can be found here.
Like any other program, whether this is a good program or not depends. It depends on the circumstances of the individual. If the person needs money, doesn't need to leave any inheritance to their heirs, and they fully understand the program, it may be a fit. It would be wise to consult a trusted financial advisor to make sure it fits your particular situation and to make sure no other solutions exist.
Larry Cragun posted a hilarious moving experience on his "Real Estate Undressed" blog. It wouldn't be so funny if it weren't for the fact I have experienced several similar experiences. Professional movers are no more professional, in fact they may be less so, than I am. In all the moves we have done ourselves, we have not broken anything including the antique mirror without a wood backing.
Larry neglected to bare a few other lesser known facts about moving. We had the pleasure of helping our friends move back from Kentuckiana (the southern portion of Indiana just across the border from Kentucky). Being prepared and organized people, they called ahead to U Haul to reserve a truck for moving day. There were a limited number of the big trucks available so a reservation was imperative.
Early on moving day, the men went to get the U Haul truck. Too quickly they returned without spare wheels. Early arrival was moot. The men were informed that no truck was available and probably would not be availabe that day! It seems the fine print on the contract states that there is no guarantee that a truck will be available. The reservation only applies if a truck is available. Pray tell, what is the use of a reservation then? Needless to say we were frantic to find another rental. Traveling a little further afield produced a less convenient but quite servicable big truck. The moving plan contined.
It was a good lesson for all of us. Read the fine print on the contract if it's new to you! Not every reservation guarantees a spot!
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