I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am. I have a beautiful home, two wonderful children, an amazing husband, an amazing supportive family, two cars, a travel trailer, and enough income to cover the expenses. There are so many in this country (and others) who don't even have half of that. Many don't have a job in this current economy and can't put food on the table much less put gas in the car or buy clothes for their children.
So what can we do to help? Volunteer your time! Yes, time is precious and we seem to have less and less of it, but your time could help someone else who desperately needs it! Sort food at the food bank, serve dinner at the shelter, collect coats for the homeless. If you can't spare a few hours, donate your items (canned foods, blankets, jackets, etc). What better way to teach our children about caring for people than helping them learn the lesson of gratuity and thoughtfulness.
I know it's said time and time again, but let's all be thankful for the many wonderful things and people in our lives. Appreciate all the little things about your friends and family that make them special, enjoy the bounty of food that has been put before you, and reach out to help someone who needs it. Don't they deserve something to be thankful for too?!
Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends, family, and business associates! May your holiday be filled with thanks, love, and appreciation!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Ahhh, Summer!
Summer is finally here, and with it comes a hopeful increase in our local Real Estate market. We have seen less inventory in our as the banks decide to hold on to their assets in order to let consumers absorb some of the excess properties that are available. Our property values have continued to decline due to the amount of distressed properties that are finally turning into actual closings, however more people are getting into homes for a great price.
Also with summer comes vacations! After all, we can't always be dealing with Real Estate can we? I suppose some can, but isn't a vacation more fun than working all the time. This summer, take some time to unplug from your phone, email, computer and office even if it's just for a weekend! Everyone needs to relax and appreciate all the finer things in life. Go to the lake if you live near one, take a bike ride, walk the dog, take the kids to the park or the movies. There is always something you can do to escape the work grind. Trust me, you will find that you are more productive if you can take a break every once in awile.
As a virtual assistant, I help many different agents in several different markets. Many of them are learning that while I don't sit next to them in their office, I can do most of the same things for them. We live in a virtual world, and through internet and technology I can be as efficient for them virtually as I would be in their office. It is an adjustment process for many, but once we are up and running, it is easy and painless. If you need help and don't know where to turn, give me a call or send me an email. Let's talk about how I can help.
Enjoy the summer...I plan on some camping, boating, reading, and relaxing and I hope you will take the time to do the same!
Also with summer comes vacations! After all, we can't always be dealing with Real Estate can we? I suppose some can, but isn't a vacation more fun than working all the time. This summer, take some time to unplug from your phone, email, computer and office even if it's just for a weekend! Everyone needs to relax and appreciate all the finer things in life. Go to the lake if you live near one, take a bike ride, walk the dog, take the kids to the park or the movies. There is always something you can do to escape the work grind. Trust me, you will find that you are more productive if you can take a break every once in awile.
As a virtual assistant, I help many different agents in several different markets. Many of them are learning that while I don't sit next to them in their office, I can do most of the same things for them. We live in a virtual world, and through internet and technology I can be as efficient for them virtually as I would be in their office. It is an adjustment process for many, but once we are up and running, it is easy and painless. If you need help and don't know where to turn, give me a call or send me an email. Let's talk about how I can help.
Enjoy the summer...I plan on some camping, boating, reading, and relaxing and I hope you will take the time to do the same!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Real Estate...What Should I Do?
This market is difficult at best for realtors, buyers, sellers, and investors. Offers are being written at a record pace, properties (in our area anyway) are being snatched up in amazing numbers with multiple offers, and buyers are jumping into the market with both feet. But not without asking themselves "What Should I Do...Make An Offer or Wait?"
I have been working with a couple who is trying to purchase their first home. We have looked at about 30 houses, written 6 offers, and been rejected on all of them. Keep in mind, these are stellar buyers with a very large downpayment, short close of escrow, not asking for closing costs, etc. Ultimately very clean offers have been presented every time. They are frustrated, to say the least!
All the properties they have offered on have been "highest and best" situations from the bank that owns the property. Generally, there have been 6 or more offers on each. One of the homes they offered on just closed, and the actual sales price was $46,000 over the asking price. As we all know, most of the houses on the market (again, in our area anyway) are bank owned or short sales. They are filthy, grimy, run down, and some are unsafe and/or missing walls, etc. I can't see paying $46,000 over the original asking price and then having to put another $30,000 into a house just to make it livable.
Some of the homes they have seen they have waited too long to put their offer in and it's already in escrow. Now when I show them houses and they say they like it, I remind them that in the past they have waited too long to decide and missed out. They still don't understand the urgency there, but it's their decision, not mine. I have to remember that this is their purchase...their money...their choice! I would rather see them get the house they LOVE than one they just like.
I don't usually handle the "Realtor" portion of real estate, but I do have my license, and love to help family and friends and those they refer to me. I have been in this business in one way or another for 10 years, and only remember one time when our market was this frustrating for everyone!
A few tips to help you and your clients:
1. Keep looking! Don't give up and get frustrated when you don't have offers accepted.
2. Have a great team of people you work with...lenders, title companies, virtual assistants, etc. to help you when you need it.
3. Think outside the box. Sometimes your offers need to be creative to get the bank to take notice. It's not always the most money that wins the deal!
4. Be patient! Transactions don't always move as quickly as we would like, especially when you deal with banks. Some of the processers are dealing with hundreds of homes at a time.
This too will pass, and it takes all of us to work together to ensure that we all come out on top and that the entire transaction is a win/win for all parties involved.
Contact me (or feel free to leave comments here with your stories) if you'd like to talk about what I can do to help you maintain a superior level of customer service for your clients and I'll share some secrets I have used lately to keep my clients happy!
I have been working with a couple who is trying to purchase their first home. We have looked at about 30 houses, written 6 offers, and been rejected on all of them. Keep in mind, these are stellar buyers with a very large downpayment, short close of escrow, not asking for closing costs, etc. Ultimately very clean offers have been presented every time. They are frustrated, to say the least!
All the properties they have offered on have been "highest and best" situations from the bank that owns the property. Generally, there have been 6 or more offers on each. One of the homes they offered on just closed, and the actual sales price was $46,000 over the asking price. As we all know, most of the houses on the market (again, in our area anyway) are bank owned or short sales. They are filthy, grimy, run down, and some are unsafe and/or missing walls, etc. I can't see paying $46,000 over the original asking price and then having to put another $30,000 into a house just to make it livable.
Some of the homes they have seen they have waited too long to put their offer in and it's already in escrow. Now when I show them houses and they say they like it, I remind them that in the past they have waited too long to decide and missed out. They still don't understand the urgency there, but it's their decision, not mine. I have to remember that this is their purchase...their money...their choice! I would rather see them get the house they LOVE than one they just like.
I don't usually handle the "Realtor" portion of real estate, but I do have my license, and love to help family and friends and those they refer to me. I have been in this business in one way or another for 10 years, and only remember one time when our market was this frustrating for everyone!
A few tips to help you and your clients:
1. Keep looking! Don't give up and get frustrated when you don't have offers accepted.
2. Have a great team of people you work with...lenders, title companies, virtual assistants, etc. to help you when you need it.
3. Think outside the box. Sometimes your offers need to be creative to get the bank to take notice. It's not always the most money that wins the deal!
4. Be patient! Transactions don't always move as quickly as we would like, especially when you deal with banks. Some of the processers are dealing with hundreds of homes at a time.
This too will pass, and it takes all of us to work together to ensure that we all come out on top and that the entire transaction is a win/win for all parties involved.
Contact me (or feel free to leave comments here with your stories) if you'd like to talk about what I can do to help you maintain a superior level of customer service for your clients and I'll share some secrets I have used lately to keep my clients happy!
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