Archives

May 2007

Staging Does It Again!

Posted at 4:04 AM, May. 11, 2007

Yes, there is yet one more example of where staging a home pays off.  I had a property that I listed recently sold in amazing time, only 6 days.  In fact, I had multiple bids on this property which is not so common in this current market. 

Now for those doubting Thomas's out there, the price actually was slightly higher than the comparables. Enough to set the bar, but not too much that it would fail to appraise. 

Where this home did not feature upgraded granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, it ultimately fetched a note-worthy price because it did what other units in the building and near-by were not doing; creating a relationship with the buyer(s) from the minute they walk in the door.

Since this property is pending sale, I will refrain from details so keep a watch for a future post and see photos of this seller's success story.

Don't Wait to Establish Your Team

Posted at 11:36 AM, May. 10, 2007

I say it over and over again, but somehow it doesn't absorb for most clients until the very last minute.  Decide on your team before you need to.  Too often, clients wait until the very last minute, and in this case an accepted contract, to decide who will represent them in the appropriate fields.  Attorneys, inspectors and even at times, lenders are left to the last minute when stress levels are at their highest.

Choosing your team players is a necessary part of the process and will ultimately factor into the success of your experience.  So that in itself lends to the arguement that it is not in a consumer's best interest to wait.  Soliciting friends, co-workers and family for referrals is a good place to start.  You can also look to the recommended professionals from your Realtor and don't be afraid to interview them.  You want to have those involved to be easy to talk to and assist you in making important decisions with your largest investment.  Ask questions and rely on your instinicts to guide you with picking the right match for you. 

I have had clients in the past note that overall their experience was great, but those particular individuals that they did not take the time to research and interview, lessen the positive.  I find this especially important with attorneys and lenders.  There are very competent professional service providers out there, but not all will work well with you by giving you what you need or answer your questions in a manner that you feel comfortable with.  So save yourself from a potentially, less than grand experience.  Take the time to seek out all the members of your team with care and diligence and it will ultimately pay off. 

Penny Wise

Posted at 2:59 AM, May. 9, 2007

I cannot again begin to express my shock when I see that in today's information society, buyers will still opt to be stupid.  What do I mean by that?  By not utilizing their option to an inspection.

Here is the scenario:  I have a listing which has just sold in 6 days by the way, but is in a low price point for the city I work in.  In a nut shell, it is a property for those starting out or wanting an investment.  We accepted a contract from what appeared to be a first time buyer whom was willing by the way, to pay nearly full price.

Two days later at her scheduled inspection, I discover that as frugle and "smart" as this buyer thinks she is, instead of hiring a REAL inspector, she has her friend (gauging from the conversation, works in construction) stop by who then proceeds to stand in the middle of the living room, look around and says, "looks good".  ARE YOU KIDDING ME??????

Can you guess my response?  I immediately called my seller and advised her instead of spending "x" amount of dollars in some cosmetic repair to not bother.  If this buyer cared so little about her investment by spending a few hundred dollars to assure that there is no serious defects wrong with the property, she surely won't care about some minor repair/improvement.  Word of advise, DO NOT BE A PENNY WISE AND A DOLLAR FOOLISH!

Buyers, utilize your option to not only get an inspection, but hire a professional.  It truly is worth it in the long run.

Best Prayer I Ever Heard

Posted at 2:58 AM, May. 8, 2007

Momma Said There Would Be Days Like This

Posted at 12:41 PM, May. 7, 2007

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth, it just seems like it.  Ever have one of those days that everything just seems like a scene out of a movie?  I had one of those recently.  In fact, it was the stuff that sitcoms are made of.

It was a few weeks ago when in my dedication and commitment to my buyer clients that I would take them out to view several properties despite my closing delivery date.  In case this isn't clear thus far, I was 9 months pregnant.  Given the fact that this was my second pregnancy, I of course, arrogantly asserted that I was in control.  This time, it would be different.  Foolish, foolish girl!

So as my clients travel in from out of state, we begin our journey looking at one of 15 properties we were slated to view for the day.  After all, they were in only for that one day!  By the 11th, trouble reared its ugly head.  The humerous part of it, I did not know any better.  In fact, I had enough of a warning sign to say, "Will you excuse me as I make a phone call?"  and allowed a listing agent to lead my clients around to another unit in the building as I stole away to a bathroom.  Needless to say, I still had that question mark sign over my head.  "This can't really be it, can it?". 

Convinced that the "sign" was false, I resumed my place with my clients and headed off to property number 12.  When I finally dropped my clients off 2 hours later, there were definite more pronouced signs that the end was near!  With a smile and a good cheer, I bid my clients adu and dialed my OBGYN on speed dial.   His response, "your in labor and need to go to the hospital".  My reply?  "No, it can't be, it isn't happening like you said it would". 

Well now I am driving myself to the hospital a bit perplexed since I was surely expecting my contractions to make a formidable annoucement.  I was expecting to be 12 minutes apart to start and have no doubt that I was in labor.  Instead I am 2-4 minutes apart without warning (apparently after my water broke I was receiving contractions but just too busy to notice!).  To make the pot more interesting, after I arrive and checked myself in, cancel my next two, very full days with other clients, I receive a call from the ones I just left saying they want to put an offer in on a property we saw earlier.  "Let me get right back to you", I said.

I call my managing broker, and God Bless him, he was not prepared for this phone conversation; and tell him, "Chuck, I need you to meet with my clients tomorrow morning before they leave and structure an offer for me, I'm in labor!".  "WHAT?!", was his response.  I replied, "No time to talk about it now, here is what you need to do...."

After about 16 hours later, my beautiful new daughter is born and my clients have the home of their dreams.  Not bad for a day's work.