I have the L.A.Times Real Estate section favorited on my computer so I can get to it without too much trouble. I look at the topics written for the public viewing every couple of days. Some is good, some is overly optimistic, some is overly pessimistic, some I just dislike reading in general, and yet, some I enjoy and publish to my Facebook page.
Although this market of REO's, Short-Sales, foreclosures, etc. are hanging around for longer than I'd like, it is a great opportunity for buyers and some sellers too.
Interest rates are amazingly low. Come on, under 5%, fantastic. Prices on homes are lower than they've been in over a decade. That's wonderful for traditional buyers and investors. And, there is a bit of inventory....albeit challenged inventory.
I'm only doing a quick post here.
Just get through the hard work on buying a property. And, sellers with still equity that want to move up? It's great, because what you want to buy is lower too!
People always want to buy and sell Real Estate, and right now there are some really good deals to be had.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Are You Tired Of Me Yet? The Buyer Who Is Concerned About Me!
I work with buyers and sellers alike. Whomever is referred to me, that's who I take care of. And, either way, I throw everything I've got into it. Just who I am.
A lot of people have experience with Realtors. Someone has generally bought a house in their past. And, even if they haven't, they have an idea how the searching for homes process goes.
Look and look and look til you find one you like, make an offer, get accepted, and close escrow.
Not so currently. Now,....you look, and look, and look, and look, and wait a minute, look some more....and oh, my we're still looking....and look, and, keep looking. Until you find the one you like, make an offer, get accepted, and close escrow!
So, in the car we go, and I show and show and show some more. I will show until the right house is found. I think my highest number of homes was seventy-four. Crazy, huh? And, that was a few years ago. I don't care how long it takes, ask my past clients, as long as we find the right home.
But, every once in a while I get a client that feels almost guilty about how many homes they have looked at. 'Are you tired of me yet?' was the most recent. Are you kidding me? Really, it's my job. And, I want you happy now and in the future. If I put you into something because I'm tired of you.....you're not going to think too fondly of me in the future when someone needs a Realtor now are you? And, I'd feel pretty crappy about myself as a good human being. Not going to happen.
I will guide you, the best I can, if I think you are missing out on something. My Realtor had me come back to a house I thought was disgusting the first time I saw it, but she knew what I really wanted and I loved that house after I moved in back in 1992.
If I think you are making a mistake, I will gently tell you. If I think we can't find what you are looking for in that price-range, I will tell you. But, if I know that house is somewhere on the next horizon....we are gonna find it!
I never get tired of finding the right house for you to call home, never. Tis what I do, and what I always will do.
A lot of people have experience with Realtors. Someone has generally bought a house in their past. And, even if they haven't, they have an idea how the searching for homes process goes.
Look and look and look til you find one you like, make an offer, get accepted, and close escrow.
Not so currently. Now,....you look, and look, and look, and look, and wait a minute, look some more....and oh, my we're still looking....and look, and, keep looking. Until you find the one you like, make an offer, get accepted, and close escrow!
So, in the car we go, and I show and show and show some more. I will show until the right house is found. I think my highest number of homes was seventy-four. Crazy, huh? And, that was a few years ago. I don't care how long it takes, ask my past clients, as long as we find the right home.
But, every once in a while I get a client that feels almost guilty about how many homes they have looked at. 'Are you tired of me yet?' was the most recent. Are you kidding me? Really, it's my job. And, I want you happy now and in the future. If I put you into something because I'm tired of you.....you're not going to think too fondly of me in the future when someone needs a Realtor now are you? And, I'd feel pretty crappy about myself as a good human being. Not going to happen.
I will guide you, the best I can, if I think you are missing out on something. My Realtor had me come back to a house I thought was disgusting the first time I saw it, but she knew what I really wanted and I loved that house after I moved in back in 1992.
If I think you are making a mistake, I will gently tell you. If I think we can't find what you are looking for in that price-range, I will tell you. But, if I know that house is somewhere on the next horizon....we are gonna find it!
I never get tired of finding the right house for you to call home, never. Tis what I do, and what I always will do.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Why I Refer a Mortgage Broker to my Buyers
Home purchase loans can be found all over. Internet, Banks, Credit Unions, and Mortgage Brokers. My top choice is a Mortgage Broker. And, not going to lie, I do have a favorite....for good reasons.
Internet loan processing, or pre-approvals are common place. They offer rock-bottom pricing, what's not to make a buyer want to go there? But, do they come through in the end? Not as well as we'd like, not without a few challenges. The last buyer I had that used an Internet lender did save a chunk of money, but the lender was in another state. Although he said he did many California transactions, he still thought that the phrase 'Close of Escrow' meant the day the buyer signs their loan docs in escrow! Yikes! Thank goodness for the fact that myself and our escrow officer were diligent in educating he and his processor to the difference. I think they were in Colorado....is that their program over there? Or, really, was the Internet lender just stupid and trying to cover up? Don't know, don't care......got it closed, but with maximum headache!
Banks are another lender of home loans. Checking with your local branch is great. Maybe the manager is a personal friend. But, how many choices do they offer? What different types of loan programs do they have? How competitive are they with themselves and if you're a circle that doesn't fit in their square peg, then what?
Credit Unions, local usually. Great source of monies for home loans. Similar to banks though, if you don't fit in their program, where do you go?
So, the Mortgage Broker is the one that can provide loans through many different lending institutions. Ones' we never heard of and certainly would never, ever have found on our own. So they do work harder for the best loan for you. They do have to have an in with all those money givers. They do have to know, pretty dang quickly, which lender is offering the best rate, price, fees.....etc. And, they are usually local to the area where the buyer and chosen property is located. Knowledge of local custom....vital. Fitting the circle in a circle and a square in a square, that's what they do.
I've got a favorite, not naming names here, that I've known for 20 years. Never let me down, even in a really tough situation, still closed the deal. Priceless, as the commercial goes.
I always tell buyers to check with two or three. Let them know you are shopping around, sometimes a little break can be had. But, what's that old adage? You get what you pay for? Very much so, right on the money!
And when you are about to close escrow on the home of your dreams? You want to be sure the right lender is getting you your right money at the right time.
Internet loan processing, or pre-approvals are common place. They offer rock-bottom pricing, what's not to make a buyer want to go there? But, do they come through in the end? Not as well as we'd like, not without a few challenges. The last buyer I had that used an Internet lender did save a chunk of money, but the lender was in another state. Although he said he did many California transactions, he still thought that the phrase 'Close of Escrow' meant the day the buyer signs their loan docs in escrow! Yikes! Thank goodness for the fact that myself and our escrow officer were diligent in educating he and his processor to the difference. I think they were in Colorado....is that their program over there? Or, really, was the Internet lender just stupid and trying to cover up? Don't know, don't care......got it closed, but with maximum headache!
Banks are another lender of home loans. Checking with your local branch is great. Maybe the manager is a personal friend. But, how many choices do they offer? What different types of loan programs do they have? How competitive are they with themselves and if you're a circle that doesn't fit in their square peg, then what?
Credit Unions, local usually. Great source of monies for home loans. Similar to banks though, if you don't fit in their program, where do you go?
So, the Mortgage Broker is the one that can provide loans through many different lending institutions. Ones' we never heard of and certainly would never, ever have found on our own. So they do work harder for the best loan for you. They do have to have an in with all those money givers. They do have to know, pretty dang quickly, which lender is offering the best rate, price, fees.....etc. And, they are usually local to the area where the buyer and chosen property is located. Knowledge of local custom....vital. Fitting the circle in a circle and a square in a square, that's what they do.
I've got a favorite, not naming names here, that I've known for 20 years. Never let me down, even in a really tough situation, still closed the deal. Priceless, as the commercial goes.
I always tell buyers to check with two or three. Let them know you are shopping around, sometimes a little break can be had. But, what's that old adage? You get what you pay for? Very much so, right on the money!
And when you are about to close escrow on the home of your dreams? You want to be sure the right lender is getting you your right money at the right time.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Thanks for Thanksgiving - Yep a Little Early This Year!
Last year was my first Thanksgiving Holiday with my now husband. Don't worry, we'll get to Real Estate in a minute here. We were diligently cutting, basting, cleaning, table setting....when my cell phone rings. On Thanksgiving Day! I look down at the number, some 818 number I absolutely didn't recognize.
Figured I'd better just answer it now instead of having to retrieve the message later. Thank goodness for the hands-free ear piece. So, this nice animated lady says she is driving around the neighborhood where my newest listing is and 'Can we see it?' Mind you, I'm busy cutting celery for my turkey stuffing. I say absolutely you can.....but not today. And, that's how our friendship started. She laughed and said of course not today.
We scheduled for the Saturday, if I'm not mistaken, after the holiday of 2009. She came with her husband and a family friend to meet me at the home. I, because this is what I do, had arranged a few other homes to look at as well. So, the one I had listed, wasn't the right house, just didn't do it for them. Neither were the 3 or 4 others. But, in that short time period we were together that day, we connected. She and I may have connected over the hot-flashes I was having, yes I'm almost 50. He and I connected over my no B.S. attitude. But, the connection was made. I think back now, and I think it was the honesty factor for all of us. I told it like it is, they had a mildly different idea about how it should work, I told them how it does work.
We surprisingly found the perfect home for them fairly quickly. She kept saying it was his baby. Whatever he picked, that was A.O.K. with her. So, the majority of my house search process was with Mr. Buyer. And, he was good. No B.S. with this guy and no B.S. back at him.
When we found the home, it was just he and I. I had called the listing agent several times, to view the property, with no success. Finally called her broker to get him to have her call me back. (She was much better once we were in escrow on follow-up). We walked into the home and I turned around to look at him and said "She is going to love this place". Now, as I type this, I can't recall how I knew so much about what she wanted, about how the place would feel to her. But, he and I both knew it. Mr. Buyer called Mrs. Buyer and told her our thoughts. She again said, whatever you say honey. I trust you.
We negotiated the offer, and I did something stellar for them. He called me a Star when I told him what I was going to do. Thought I was just the best. But, I was honest, I gave something back to them because it made them happy. It got them their home. What is was, doesn't matter now. It got them the house that I knew was the perfect home for them.
Fast forward almost a year now. They are in their home, puttering in the garden, painting grape leaves on the walls, removing wallpaper and making salads for their friend, that happens to be their Realtor, for lunch.
And, we have a great relationship. A great friendship. And Saturday, after my delicious salad for lunch, when I was leaving to go see a current client....she reminds me that she will always contact me on Thanksgiving day. The day we met on the phone.
What's that thing...Kizmet? That's what brought these people to me and me to these people. And, I'm looking forward to having her over for salad at my place next time.....with a longer piece of my time puzzle etched out.....we just have too much fun when we are together and I know we didn't get caught up completely this time!
All of my past clients I remain friendly with. Stay in contact on a regular basis with notes, calls and e-mails. Some, it's just Kizmet....we are going to be friends....good friends.
Figured I'd better just answer it now instead of having to retrieve the message later. Thank goodness for the hands-free ear piece. So, this nice animated lady says she is driving around the neighborhood where my newest listing is and 'Can we see it?' Mind you, I'm busy cutting celery for my turkey stuffing. I say absolutely you can.....but not today. And, that's how our friendship started. She laughed and said of course not today.
We scheduled for the Saturday, if I'm not mistaken, after the holiday of 2009. She came with her husband and a family friend to meet me at the home. I, because this is what I do, had arranged a few other homes to look at as well. So, the one I had listed, wasn't the right house, just didn't do it for them. Neither were the 3 or 4 others. But, in that short time period we were together that day, we connected. She and I may have connected over the hot-flashes I was having, yes I'm almost 50. He and I connected over my no B.S. attitude. But, the connection was made. I think back now, and I think it was the honesty factor for all of us. I told it like it is, they had a mildly different idea about how it should work, I told them how it does work.
We surprisingly found the perfect home for them fairly quickly. She kept saying it was his baby. Whatever he picked, that was A.O.K. with her. So, the majority of my house search process was with Mr. Buyer. And, he was good. No B.S. with this guy and no B.S. back at him.
When we found the home, it was just he and I. I had called the listing agent several times, to view the property, with no success. Finally called her broker to get him to have her call me back. (She was much better once we were in escrow on follow-up). We walked into the home and I turned around to look at him and said "She is going to love this place". Now, as I type this, I can't recall how I knew so much about what she wanted, about how the place would feel to her. But, he and I both knew it. Mr. Buyer called Mrs. Buyer and told her our thoughts. She again said, whatever you say honey. I trust you.
We negotiated the offer, and I did something stellar for them. He called me a Star when I told him what I was going to do. Thought I was just the best. But, I was honest, I gave something back to them because it made them happy. It got them their home. What is was, doesn't matter now. It got them the house that I knew was the perfect home for them.
Fast forward almost a year now. They are in their home, puttering in the garden, painting grape leaves on the walls, removing wallpaper and making salads for their friend, that happens to be their Realtor, for lunch.
And, we have a great relationship. A great friendship. And Saturday, after my delicious salad for lunch, when I was leaving to go see a current client....she reminds me that she will always contact me on Thanksgiving day. The day we met on the phone.
What's that thing...Kizmet? That's what brought these people to me and me to these people. And, I'm looking forward to having her over for salad at my place next time.....with a longer piece of my time puzzle etched out.....we just have too much fun when we are together and I know we didn't get caught up completely this time!
All of my past clients I remain friendly with. Stay in contact on a regular basis with notes, calls and e-mails. Some, it's just Kizmet....we are going to be friends....good friends.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
When I feel like a NAG!!!
I'm piggy-backing on the last post about common courtesy. Talking about Follow-Up and how I feel like a Nag, but still do it.
When raising my children, now 21 & 25, I was constantly reminding them to do something or another. Nagging is the way they would definitely describe it. And, unfortunately, nagging is sometimes what I feel like I do in Real Estate as well.
Follow-Up is vital when working with clients. We follow-up with sellers to make sure they are prepping their home for sale, thinking about the disclosures, signing their escrow instructions, doing the agreed upon repairs. We follow-up with buyers to make certain they are doing their loan application, looking at the listing information we sent them, signing their escrow instructions, contacting insurance companies.
All sorts of things, and only very few mentioned above, we have to follow-up on to assure things are being taken care of.
Now I am self admittedly a little OCD (and proud of it LOL), but I do a lot of follow-up. I am one of those that needs to know, needs to make certain that the T's are crossed and the I's are dotted....and.....crossed and dotted correctly. Sheesh, is that really so hard?
So, when (and here's the piggy-back part) I'm trying to ensure that all is happening the way it's supposed to be? And I'm not getting a response....The Nag kicks in. When a client says they'll do it tomorrow, The Nag kicks in again. When an agent doesn't forward me a document? Nag again.
It's part of my Real Estate world. It's what makes me certain to have a complete file. Certain that my client is protected properly and taken care of efficiently. But, I am sure that clients and other agents think I'm a bit of a nag.
Follow-up, Nagging, call it what you like. If that's what it takes to cross my T's and dot my I's? I'm still going to do it!!!
When raising my children, now 21 & 25, I was constantly reminding them to do something or another. Nagging is the way they would definitely describe it. And, unfortunately, nagging is sometimes what I feel like I do in Real Estate as well.
Follow-Up is vital when working with clients. We follow-up with sellers to make sure they are prepping their home for sale, thinking about the disclosures, signing their escrow instructions, doing the agreed upon repairs. We follow-up with buyers to make certain they are doing their loan application, looking at the listing information we sent them, signing their escrow instructions, contacting insurance companies.
All sorts of things, and only very few mentioned above, we have to follow-up on to assure things are being taken care of.
Now I am self admittedly a little OCD (and proud of it LOL), but I do a lot of follow-up. I am one of those that needs to know, needs to make certain that the T's are crossed and the I's are dotted....and.....crossed and dotted correctly. Sheesh, is that really so hard?
So, when (and here's the piggy-back part) I'm trying to ensure that all is happening the way it's supposed to be? And I'm not getting a response....The Nag kicks in. When a client says they'll do it tomorrow, The Nag kicks in again. When an agent doesn't forward me a document? Nag again.
It's part of my Real Estate world. It's what makes me certain to have a complete file. Certain that my client is protected properly and taken care of efficiently. But, I am sure that clients and other agents think I'm a bit of a nag.
Follow-up, Nagging, call it what you like. If that's what it takes to cross my T's and dot my I's? I'm still going to do it!!!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Real Estate Common Courtesy / How My Momma Raised Me
One of the things I am proud of in my business is the response time I strive for. Two hours or less, and you'll hear back from me. Unless, of course, I've got my phones turned off for the evening. And, that I will do what I say I'm going to do. Sometimes, of course again, that takes longer than 2 hours, dependant upon the task at hand.
I received a phone call from a company looking for an agent to send referrals to. I get these all the time. But, they wanted to make certain that if they sent me a client, I would follow-up with them within 72 hours. 72 hours? Are you kidding me, I work with the 2 hours or less time frame.
Working with a new client last year showing property. My phone kept ringing while we were in my car. 'I don't like to interrupt my current client time with a phone call', I explained as to why I wasn't picking it up. However, as I watched the clock move forward, I had to retrieve the messages and return the calls. New client completely understood, and other clients received the response time. All good.
Now, when I am on the other end of the response time? Frustration and wonderment of Common Courtesy kicks in....huge. I call agents, contractors, dental offices, all the time. I understand that we all get busy. But, we also have text messages and e-mail right at our fingertips. And, with the current Smart Phones, we have them right where we are, at all times, unless we have turned off our phones for the evening. I get the evening thing.
But, I don't get the lack of common courtesy. What happened to that? If the person I'm trying to reach is that busy, they need to hire some help. If they don't want to return the call, put a message on their voice mail that answers what we are calling about. If they can't get into a long conversation, send me a text. Goodness, when I call two times about your listing that my clients want to see? And, you don't call back to say it's not available (even though it is active in the MLS)? What kind of courtesy, let alone service, are they showing? None, the worst, zilch.
And certainly, not the way my momma raised me. I give credit to her regularly. She raised a good group of kids. And, the way she taught us to be courteous to others is the way I treat people I come in contact with. Call me, I'll call you back. Text me, I'll text you back. E-mail me, same thing. All in under two hours.
Unless, and one more of course, I've turned off my phones for the evening.
I received a phone call from a company looking for an agent to send referrals to. I get these all the time. But, they wanted to make certain that if they sent me a client, I would follow-up with them within 72 hours. 72 hours? Are you kidding me, I work with the 2 hours or less time frame.
Working with a new client last year showing property. My phone kept ringing while we were in my car. 'I don't like to interrupt my current client time with a phone call', I explained as to why I wasn't picking it up. However, as I watched the clock move forward, I had to retrieve the messages and return the calls. New client completely understood, and other clients received the response time. All good.
Now, when I am on the other end of the response time? Frustration and wonderment of Common Courtesy kicks in....huge. I call agents, contractors, dental offices, all the time. I understand that we all get busy. But, we also have text messages and e-mail right at our fingertips. And, with the current Smart Phones, we have them right where we are, at all times, unless we have turned off our phones for the evening. I get the evening thing.
But, I don't get the lack of common courtesy. What happened to that? If the person I'm trying to reach is that busy, they need to hire some help. If they don't want to return the call, put a message on their voice mail that answers what we are calling about. If they can't get into a long conversation, send me a text. Goodness, when I call two times about your listing that my clients want to see? And, you don't call back to say it's not available (even though it is active in the MLS)? What kind of courtesy, let alone service, are they showing? None, the worst, zilch.
And certainly, not the way my momma raised me. I give credit to her regularly. She raised a good group of kids. And, the way she taught us to be courteous to others is the way I treat people I come in contact with. Call me, I'll call you back. Text me, I'll text you back. E-mail me, same thing. All in under two hours.
Unless, and one more of course, I've turned off my phones for the evening.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Social and Business Networking
We're all pretty much using some form of networking these days. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and all the others. I use Facebook, blogging and my firms e-mail system for Networking.
I do utilize them all differently though, at least for the most part.
If you are doing Social Networking, Facebook is great. It's free, and you can post or comment from anywhere. I get to keep up with past clients, do all-calls out to people for things I need for clients, read silly stories about goings-on in the FB world too. And, hopefully, keep my friends and family current on my life as well.
I use FB for business networking too. Attach my Blog links, attach News article links, attach my Web-site links. All to get the word out of what my buyers and or sellers need. It may not always seem like I'm working for their needs, not at that exact moment, but the end result is to take care of a client.....now, or in the future.
This Blogging is to let the reader know something that they didn't know already. Something about Real Estate, me, or just a great story to tell. And, when I write them, and they are all written by me, I feel like I'm talking to someone, explaining something, telling a funny. Of course, there is notification on my website that direct people here, my e-mail signature and my FB gets a blog link too.
My company, Realty Executives of Valencia, has a great networking tool as well. With several hundred agents connected, we can get answers and solutions to client needs really quickly. We can get listings sold, windows fixed, REO victim dogs adopted out. See, it's not just about selling homes in my business.
This post is just to let you know how I network with people. It's a vital tool in my business and my life. If you tell me you need something, then someone, somewhere, that I network with, is going to help me to help you....bet on it!
I do utilize them all differently though, at least for the most part.
If you are doing Social Networking, Facebook is great. It's free, and you can post or comment from anywhere. I get to keep up with past clients, do all-calls out to people for things I need for clients, read silly stories about goings-on in the FB world too. And, hopefully, keep my friends and family current on my life as well.
I use FB for business networking too. Attach my Blog links, attach News article links, attach my Web-site links. All to get the word out of what my buyers and or sellers need. It may not always seem like I'm working for their needs, not at that exact moment, but the end result is to take care of a client.....now, or in the future.
This Blogging is to let the reader know something that they didn't know already. Something about Real Estate, me, or just a great story to tell. And, when I write them, and they are all written by me, I feel like I'm talking to someone, explaining something, telling a funny. Of course, there is notification on my website that direct people here, my e-mail signature and my FB gets a blog link too.
My company, Realty Executives of Valencia, has a great networking tool as well. With several hundred agents connected, we can get answers and solutions to client needs really quickly. We can get listings sold, windows fixed, REO victim dogs adopted out. See, it's not just about selling homes in my business.
This post is just to let you know how I network with people. It's a vital tool in my business and my life. If you tell me you need something, then someone, somewhere, that I network with, is going to help me to help you....bet on it!
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