I don't know about where you work and live, but here in my little corner of the world, there seems to be a lot of agents playing the musical chairs game, jumping from office to office hoping to find the greener grass.
Not that I've never made a switch. Because just the beginning of this year, I joined a new brokerage. I had logged in 5 plus years at my first and only office, and the time just finally felt right to make the switch. Some of it, admittedly, had to do with the hopes that business WOULD be better on the other side, but the majority of my decision was based on other things...a myriad of things really.
But I sit back now and watch as agents jump from one office, to another, to another. There's only 44,000 residents in all of Preble County Ohio, and pretty soon I think they are going to run out of offices to jump to!
I know of one agent who has now worked for 5 different brokerages in the last 6 years that I have been licensed. After awhile, I think maybe he would be asking himself.."Is it really the office, or maybe I haven't made the right career choice?"
Its pretty commonplace these days, what with the market being what it is and all, for most all of us to have the question at some point .."Is the grass greener over there?" But in my opinion, too many are looking for the magic elixir. You know the one...Go into the office, magically get the business. Boy, I would LOVE to find that, how about you?
It doesn't exist. And while change is good for everyone at one point or another in your career and in life, I just think that some agents might need to spend a little more time looking inside at what can be done to stimualte thier busniess and lives, rather than constantly playing the change game.
And it goes without saying that making a switch to 5 different offices in a 5 year span cannot reflect positively to clients. I cant imagine that it would foster much confidence MY clients if they took note that every time the going got hard I just jumped ship. WOW! Maybe I'll use this next time I'm up against this agent for a listing!
Kelley Weimer
A house "SOLD" name
Country Mile Realtors
...we all sufffer the affects.
Today I received a phone call from a client who had, up until a few weeks ago, a listing with my brokerage. NOT with me, but with another agent. He called me because, frankly, his own agent wouldn't return his calls! How embarrasing. For me and the listing agent.
The seller contacted me because I had shown his home a few times and met him. He was wanting some information on land and maybe RE-listing his house, and his own agent wouldn't call back!
I can't follow this logic. But I do know that my co-workers' NOT CALLING BACK will affect MY Paycheck! The seller told me how unhappy he was with the service. I tried my best to explain to him that all agents work differently and I was sorry he did not get the service he deserved but maybe if he would let me come talk to him I could show him a better side of my brokerage ( A sticky situation as I didn't want to speak ill of the co-agent to the client).
Well, the seller said he was just probably going to go with another brokerage altogether. So here I am, with buyers that want to write on THIS SELLER"S HOUSE, as soon as we can put a contract together on theirs, and Mr. Seller will be listed with another company if I cant make up for the other agents goofs. And it makes me MAD!
I have no problem apoligizing for my own goofs, but to be blindsided with a phone call from an angry client and have to apoligize for another agents' lack of professionalism? Just unexcusable in my book.
We all have people we'd rather not have to deal with. We can't always pick the phone up the first time someone calls us. And I dont know the history of this client; I dont know if this seller was a "problem client", high maintenance, unrealistic or what have you. But I do know that now, because a simple return call wasn't made, when/if I sell this house, I wont get the same paycheck I would have had it been listed in my brokerage. I know that if I cant convince the seller to use me, those phone calls on his great house wont be coming here anymore, they'll be going elsewhere.
I also know that this seller now has a bad taste in his mouth about my company. And you know what they say; "Do something good for someone and they tell 3 people. Do something bad for someone and they tell 10".
When you think not returning calls because you are busy or the client is a pest is only affecting you and that buyer/seller, think bigger picture. It affects us all. Live up to the proffessionalism of the job, or go work someplace where the phone doesn't ring.
Any thoughts? Am I being too harsh?
Kelley Weimer
A House "SOLD" Name!
Country Mile Realtors
So now I've told you a bit about the sharks swimming out in the waters of Preble County Ohio. Looking for people who are between a rock and a hardplace. Promising easy answers to a difficult situation.
I know what my Momma always told me..."If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!"
Well, lets say you get a letter from the shark. Ok, it wont say "from shark", but you'll know it now when you see it. The quick promises...investors just waiting for a home like yours. Your home SOLD in 10 days or less. Oh, and one more thing you might note on the letter...no legal disclaimers anywhere. Maybe even handwritten. Hmmmm.....
So what do you do? Maybe you are still intrigued enought to call. Fair enough. I'll give you a few steps to keep in mind when/if you decide to call them.
1. Call your lender first. If you cant find the number you need, call a local Realtor or local Title agency, as most will have contact numbers for several mortgage companies. When you do reach the lender, ask if you YOURSELF can initaite a short sale. If not, ask them if they require that a licensed REALTOR handle the short sale. I'd bet they do. Most banks require you have a license to negotiate the sale of real estate. The State of Ohio does, unless it's your OWN PROPERTY. (Sort of explains the quit claim deed they want you to sign huh? Then it's all "LEGAL"). In short, what the LENDER Wants and will negotaite with you should take precedence over the whims of the investor.
2. Call your attorney next. Dont have one? Contact as many as you can and you may find that some will be willing to sit down with you for a free (or at least SHORT) consultation. Keep in mind the sharks will tell you that an attorney isn't needed. They have all the leagl documents you will need. No attorney. Hmmm, wonder why they say that???
3. Call a HUD approved housing counselor. This quote from the HUD web site httpp://www.hud.gov/foreclosure/index.cfm) says it all: "If any firm claims they can stop your foreclosure immediately if you sign a document appointing them to act on your behalf, you may well be signing over the title to your property and becoming a renter in your own home! Never sign a legal document without reading and understanding all the terms and getting professional advice from an attorney, a trusted real estate professional, or a HUD approved housing counselor."
Here are some local, Dayton-based HUD APPROVED counselors:
Consumer Credit Counseling Services of the Miami Valley -
Phone number: 614-552-2222
Toll Free number: 800-355-2227
http://www.cccservices.com
Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area-
Phone number: 937-341-5000
http://www.cap-dayton.org
and here's a nice web site from right here in Preble County OH offering contact numbers and more:
http://www.com.ohio.gov/SavetheDream/county/Preble.aspx
4. Call a Realtor. ANY REALTOR! I'd love to help you but it doesn't have to be me. It does, however, need to be an Realtor experienced in short sales and hardship situations.
That will lead me to part 3 of my blog on what to do if you are facing foreclosure or mortage hardship in Preble County Ohio. Stay tuned....
Kelley Weimer, a house "SOLD" name!
Country Mile Realtors
www.buypreblecounty.com / www.preblecountyhouses.com
I wanted to write today about a problem I see more and more people facing in Preble County Ohio, and that is foreclosure.
I think it's safe to admit that times are tough, even in our safe and sheltered rural area. With rising gas and food prices, layoffs, increasing unemployment rates and more, not to mention the predatory lenders who ran so rampant a few years back, it's no wonder I talk to people everyday that are facing foreclosure or are having difficulties of one sort or another keeping up with their mortgages.
So what do you do if you are facing hardship or possible foreclosure on your Preble County home? Who can you talk to? Well, let's take this one step at a time. The first part of this is a little advice on who not to talk to.
THE SHARKS OF PREBLE COUNTY
If you haven't seen the ads in local papers like the Register Herald, you will soon. I wish I could just name them, but in the interest of being fair, I can't. What you will see in the ads are words like such; "Facing Foreclosure? Behind on your mortgage? We buy houses! We can help! Solutions!"
I'd like to break this down for you to its simplest form. Here's the promise; these investors (I prefer sharks) promise to help sell your home. They offer to negotiate with your mortgage holder on your behalf. They offer to do a "short sale" on your home, meaning a sale in which the home sells for typically less than what is actually owed for the property. The promise to you is rescue from the lenders, someone to buy your home NOW, and maybe even getting the same equity out of it that you would using a Realtor.
Sound too good to be true? IT IS.
Here's the rub....
These are INVESTORS. An investor, and please do not misinterpret this as a slam against them, but they do not have YOUR best interests at heart. "Investors have one goal; PROFIT." "Investors want equity. The only way an investor can get your property with any equity in it is to purchase it on a short sale." Real world meaning: They will make a profit off of YOUR misfortune. They will sell the house at a discounted rate via short sale, have someone in their own pocket buy it at the same discounted rate if not lower, and turn around and sell it again at fair market value. That's right...the sharks have just made a tidy profit off of YOUR HARDSHIP. Don't let them!
The reason you are facing foreclosure is because you probably haven't talked to your lender. I'm not talking about the pests that call everyday asking when your payment will come in, I'm talking about the actual lender. Lenders WANT to help you! "You can initiate the short sale yourself, even though that investor will tell you they need to control the deal - DON"T LET THEM! It's YOUR house, YOUR credit and YOUR future."
The second part of this scheme is that the investors coming to your "aid" will be asking you to sign a quit claim deed. Real world meaning: They will own the deed to YOUR HOME. "Once you sign the quit claim deed it doesn't matter what the investor told you or promised you, the house is now theirs. If they tell you to get the hell out you have no choice but to leave. They can throw you out and put a renter in there anytime. Just because they were nice before doesn't mean anything now." So now they own the deed to what used to be YOUR HOME. But guess what? That late mortgage payment and the foreclosure from the lender is STILL YOUR PROBLEM. Scary huh....
And if you take a look at your mortgage agreement, be it with Countrywide, CitiFinancial, National City, just to name a few, you might take note of a clause in there called an "Acceleration Clause". In the simplest terms, it means that if you, the homeowner, signs the deed over to another person or entity, you are violating the terms of your mortgage agreement. "Now the lender doesn't even have to give due process before proceeding with the foreclosure." Ouch!
"There are some very kind looking, friendly acting, smiling investors out there who would LOVE to have you sign over your home to them. They will promise to bring your loan current and get the heat off your back..." Please do not let someone pressure you when you are in a difficult situation. The sharks will tell you you're over-reacting. The sharks will make all kinds of deals. And it WILL sound wonderful, especially after months of stress and harassing phone calls. Don't take the bait.
Do some research on your own about this type of scam. It's easy enough to find on the web. Here are some good search terms that will lead you to plenty of solid, FACTUAL info:
Theft by quit claim, grand theft home, foreclosure rescue scams,
equity sharking, home equity theft protection,
and the Department of Housing and Development (HUD) has great tips for avoiding foreclosure.
Stay tuned for part 2 of my blog on steps you can take to protect yourself from sharks in Preble County Ohio, and even ways to protect yourself if you do decide to use their "services".
Kelley Weimer, a house "SOLD" name!
Country Mile Realtors
www.buypreblecounty.com / www.preblecountyhouses.com
*Certain sections of this blog have been taken, with permission, from Ken Cook's blog titled "Never Deed (Quit Claim) Your Property to avoid Foreclosure, Ever." These sections are noted by italics and quotations. Thanks Ken!
**Disclaimer: This is my personal blog. I am not nor will ever be an attorney. For legal answers on your housing issues, please consult your attorney. Thanks!
Hello! I am blogging today to give some FREE advice to people that are selling their homes by owner. I have seen several here in Preble County Ohio lately. I know that times are tough, what with gas prices, job layoffs, increasing expenses and so forth. So many people wanting or needing to sell, and feeling a pinch, decide to try it themselves to save money avoiding the commission.
I am a full time Realtor with Country Mile Realtors, the BEST real estate brokerage around. (Hey, its my blog and I reserve the right to make generalized comments!) So here are some tips from me, Kelley Weimer, to you, the FSBO (For Sale By Owner) in Preble County:
1. If you aren't on the net, you don't exist: Sad but true. If I had one choice as a real estate professional; to list my homes in the paper or on-line, there is no question. I'd pick on-line every time. Here are some interesting statistics from The 2006 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers:
"Buyers used a wide array of resources in searching for a home: 85 percent used a real estate agent, 80 percent the Internet (up from 77 percent in 2005), 63 percent yard signs, 55 percent print or newspaper ads and 47 percent attended open houses. Smaller categories include a home book or magazine, home builders, television, billboards and relocation companies."
I think the number of buyers looking via internet will increase even more. With gas hovering at $4.00 a gallon, it's a lot easier and CHEAPER to do a home search online than driving neighborhoods. So get on Craigslist, Zillow, a tailor made site, whatever you need to do.
And here's where you DON'T want your home advertized on the web: a Realtors' personal web site. Lots of agents will offer to advertise your home for free on their site. And when the buyers call, do you think the agent will show your home, at the most likely discounted pay, or one of that Realtors' own listings? It's the classic bait and swtich. So think hard before you take them up on an offer like this. Cause whats the bait? YOUR House!
2. Cooperate with Realtors: You will get a lot of us knocking on your door. We're a pesky bunch! Lets face it; buyers go where the inventory is. And who has the inventory? Real estate agents. So, I cant promise I wont ask you to list your house. I probably will. There's no harm in asking. But I'll also show your home, and probably give you free home staging advice, materials, maybe even a mini-appraisal.
According to The 2006 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers:
"When asked where they first learned about the home purchased, 36 percent of buyers identified a real estate agent; 24 percent the Internet; 15 percent from yard signs; 8 percent from a friend, neighbor or relative; 8 percent home builders; 5 percent a print or newspaper ad; 3 percent directly from the seller; and 1 percent a home book or magazine."
So please be nice to me. Its sort of scratch my back and I'll scratch yours deal. I need you as much as you need me. And I promise we'll work out something fair to everyone.
3. PRE-APPROVE: It's a pain. And yes, you'll make some people mad who want to come see your home and can't. But honestly, do you really want to open up your home, your valuables, your kids rooms, to perfect strangers? Pre-approval means no looky-Lou's. Pre-approval means fewer tire kickers and more committed buyers. Pre-approval means less problems down the road with financing. Enough said.
4. SAFETY FISRT: Yes, even here in good ole' Preble County Ohio, safety should still be at the forefront of your mind. It always is mine. Get names, get pre-approval letters, get as much info as you can. After all, these people will be in your home, and getting all kinds of dirt on you.
If you have a bad feeling, trust your gut. It's usually right.
5. Use Realtor recommended Attorneys, Title companies, Inspectors, etc: The 2006 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers says "The most difficult tasks reported by FSBOs are preparing the home for sale, understanding and performing the paperwork, and selling within the desired time frame." The reason Realtors use the people we do is that these professionals have proven over time to be the best, most capable, most educated at what they do.
Sometimes using Joe Blow up the street to do your inspection, just to save a few bucks, doesn't quite erase the headache you have when you're sitting in a courtroom later facing a lawsuit over a simple misunderstanding.
6. OKAY, USE A REALTOR: You didn't think I wouldn't at least MENTION this did you? :) I could give you a myriad of reasons, but I think this statistic, from The 2006 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, says it best...
"The median home price for sellers who use an agent is 31.9 percent higher than a home sold directly by an owner; $247,000 vs. $187,200...."
WOW!!
Feel free to call me for more FREE info, or professional help for selling your Preble County home, anytime!
Kelley Weimer, a house "SOLD" name!
www.preblecountyhouses.com or www.buypreblecounty.com
937-336-2865
Country Mile Realtors
Whether you are buying or selling a property in Preble County or surrounding areas, my goal is to provide you with the tools and answers you need for a stress free, enjoyable real estate experience!
THE VERY BEST, FOR YOU!
Licensed since 2002, I hitched my wagon in 2008 to a shining star...Country Mile Realtors!, and look forward to helping you with your real estate needs! I believe in honest service with a smile, and also incorporate the most up-to-date systems and technology to ensure success and satisfaction all around. Most importantly, I am a firm believer in the history proven method for satisfied clients every time - communication! Even in the fast paced world of today, true customer service still begins and ends with real, heart to heart, honest communication. Combined with stellar web presence and the backing of Preble County's #1 real estate company, you can be assured that your real estate needs will be met! Visit me anytime at www.preblecountyhouses.com or www.buypreblecounty.com
WHY CHOOSE ME?
I am a recipient of the Ohio Association of Realtors "Award of Achievement" and also a 2007 graduate of Floyd Wickmans "Starmakers" course; a nationally regognized course focusing on PRESSURE FREE listing and selling. What does this mean to you? It means I subscribe to, and live my life, both personal and professional, by 5 core values;
To always...
Live by the "Get By Giving" philosophy
Make my client's #1 goal, my #1 goal
Live up to my standards, despite temptations to lower them
Be willing to work toward a common good
Do what I say I will do, sometimes more, just never less
I also hold the desigantion of "Master Sales Professional"
an honor bestowed on less than 1% of all realtors nationwide.
In addition, I am a home retention counselor with Titanium Solutions Inc., a nationwide company providing service and counsel to home borrowers facing foreclosure. I provide counsel to people in hardship situations and would be happy to speak with you confidentially about your options should you be faced with mortgage troubles.
How Can I HELP YOU???
With honest answers, a great work ethic, real world experience, on-going education, a stellar brokerage, up-to-the-minute technology, and a smile!
Visit me anytime at www.preblecountyhouses.com or www.buypreblecounty.com
and see for yourself why
Kelley Weimer is a house "SOLD" name!
I am the mother of 2 great kids, a boy and a girl, and have been married since 1994 to a very supportive husband! We live in Lakengren, a peaceful gated community just outside of Eaton, Ohio. With several lakes, a pool, and great fishing holes, there is always something to keep our family entertained. We are also the owners of an overgrown golden retriever named Teddy! My family LOVES to camp in the summertime, sit by a fire pit on cool fall evenings, sled at the local golf course in the winter, and fish down at the lake in the spring! We spend a lot of our time in the summer and fall cheering on, and coaching for our son's soccer team as well! I am proud to work and live in Preble County Ohio, a great rual area of about 44,000 residents, approximately 30-40 minutes from Dayton and Cincinnati!
I treat all of my clients as the most important of all, because you are! I enjoy the freedom of real estate, and the ability to change lives, daily! A few areas I am especially proud of include:
For information on my company, check out www.countrymilesold.com!
Kelley did a wonderful job in finding us the home of our dreams. What could have been a difficult experience was made simple due to Kelley's constant hard work and communication with us. - Bill and Mindy
For a real estate experience made real easy - call Kelley Weimer. She's the go-to gal for your real estate needs! - J. Tester
Kelley didn't sell our home...she helped us keep it. We were facing the real possiblity of losing our home, and Kelley came in, talked with the bank on our behalf, and made it possible for us to not only stay in our home, but LOWER our payments as well. Not your typical service from a real estate agent, but will will never forget her and her help! John & Dorothy
Kelley,
I just wanted to thank you for helping me every step of the way. I really appreciate it all. You did a lot for me. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise because they are missing out if they don't have a Realtor like you. - Nikki
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Kelley Weimer