Today started just like the past few days, expect the rain had stopped. They say it never rains in Southern California, but it does, and it did. Today though, the storm has passed......moving on over to Arizona.
Today in Banning, California the sun was shining, and the Mountains were full of snow....a nice day. It got even nicer as the day went on.
A friend called and asked if I wanted a referral, but I had to meet her right away. I finished off what I was doing, and raced over to meet her, and the gentleman that might be selling the home. I stayed about an hour, and tried to answer questions, and give my condolences for the loss they were suffering. After an hour I felt I had stayed long enough, and excused myself. We agreed to wait to sell the home until after they had a chance to clean it up, and pack. I would start getting everything ready, but we wouldn't put it on the Market yet.
After returning to the Office, I called a Mortgage Company that had contacted me for an REO sale. We talked about the progress of the repairs, details for the listing,price and terms, and agreed to do the listing today. This will be a great home for someone.....a family possibly, in a good neighborhood. The first Home is in a 55 plus community, and this one is in an established Neighborhood. But both will be priced right for todays Real Estate Market. OK, so I was feeling pretty good, and excited to be working on some fresh properties, that would absolutely be priced right to sell........and lo and behold I got another call.
Yep, another call for a "possible listing". I actually went to that one as well, and after discussing the various aspects of the current Housing Market in Riverside County, we came to an agreement. We discussed pricing, sales, and listings, of homes in the area, and how to compensate a buyer for minor cosmetic repairs. This last prospective listing was right in line with the other ones today......
They all had Sellers that wanted to sell, and were willing to listen to my professional opinion of the local Real Estate Market. No one can predict if and when a Buyer will buy, but we can help a Seller be competitive, and give them a better chance of selling their home.
What would you prefer.......an Agent with several stale listings, or one that tells you like it is, with no guarantees other than to do their best?
By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty in Riverside County, California
Real Estate for SO CAL. specifically the Pass Area, Cabazon and Whitewater. Calif Blog: http://CaliforniaRealEstateAndLife.com
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Usually when it rains it pours in this business...same happen to me..all of a sudden you get busy...I get busy when I start doing something else. Good!
Kathy, The truth, no matter how awful it might seem at the time...that's what I want. I don't ever like it when someone skirts around it or misleads you in any way. Who said honesty was the best policy??
Good for you, Kathy. Hopefully this trend will continue and also spread to other market areas throughout the country.
Kathy, I've had similar situations for the past couple of days - thank goodness! Haven't really talked about it and guess that I'm somewhat superstitious and don't want to jinx myself.
Great job. Now send that good fortune to the East Coast. Things have been a bit quite so far for '08.
Kathy-I love that picture and WOW, what a great day that was. Busy feels great indeed. It's going to be a great year and you're starting out with a boom.
I always want it like it is. I can deal with the FACTS not emotions. We will try and get does not work for me. Keep up the good work.
Kathy - I'm a no B.S. type of guy myself. Fortunately, after several slow months....the start of 2008 has been busy as ever for me:-) Looks like I have a little of the McGraw luck in me!
Neal- Yep, when it rains it pours.....and I like this drenching just fine :)
Carole- I'm with you on the Honesty thing, but amazing how some Sellers appear to prefer the person that tells them what they want to hear......:)
Derrick- Yes, I like the trend of Sellers listening, and not to the news, or Aunt Sally that has a friend, etc. but to the people that live and work in the Market where the property is. Aunt Sally's friend might be great in their area, but each area is different.
Marc- No.....no jinxing allowed....but I do understand :)
James- Would love to....but for now, I will take a few more of these days first....then share :)
Julie- Being prepared no matter what......we never know when a certain call will come in, or an email (I also got an email for a land lot we have).......and a Positive Attitude (which can be challenging some days)...Anyway, I am so glad to see Sellers that are realistic......makes all our jobs that much easier, and the Buyer that much less stressed in negotiations!
Susan- The last call I got....they told me they had it listed last year, and the Agent "led them to believe" that it would sell in a matter of days, even with the couple issues it had.......This upset them, and led to Trust issues. Me, I told them I cannot guarantee anything, but here are all the comps, here is xxx, and some other things, and then talked with them about how Buyers were negotiating today. The Honest Truth......with no guarantees.
Jason- Great news....ahhhhh a little bit of Irish Luck for the New Year...love it:) Good for you.......
In my experience, clients always prefer that you tell them what they NEED to hear, not what the WANT to hear. Unfortunately, there are those who only want an agent who will tickle itching ears....
And....I appreciate I was the one you called to share your woohoo's! When you least expect it...it jumps out at ya and blesses your day with loads of sunshine and smiles!
Kathy, what a great start to the new year! Clearly your expertise, networking and marketing efforts are paying off. Congratulations!
Kathy,
I would prefer an agent like you who tells it like it is...and I hope that McGraw luck follows the prevailing winds to Pennsylvania! Thanks, Fran
Kathy - What a wonderful day. Sounds to me like the old addage...the harder you work, the luckier you get!
Rich- Yep....there are some people that no matter what we do, they want something else......:)
Sally- That was pretty funny.....and glad you were there to share my good news....Some times we just don't know what will happen, but when the sunshine and smiles happen....hey it's nice to share these things with a "Friend"......
Diane- Whatever it is/was.......it is a nice start to the Year......Thank you for the nice thoughts.......:)
Fran-Look at Marlenes comment....hard work brings luck.... LOL, oh and the Storms/Winds are blowing East.....so guess it will reach you soon :) :)
Marlene- Yes, it was a wonderful day, and today was another good one....closed one of our Escrows ....yep, a good start for the rewards of hard work :)
Yes, Kathy that WAS a great day!
I am also a "straight shooting" type Realtor. No skirting around issues or doctoring up problems. After-all, if you get their listing, get an offer and those problems become major issues before closing or even worse, kill the deal, WHO are they going to blame? You , of course! So why not tell them right up front if there are going to be things that need to be addressed. Another thing that I am faced with many times, is the fact that the seller may not want to fix those things. That's when I then give them the different senario's of what will possibly take place. I'm not one for telling them, "I told you so", because when they come to pass they KNOW it already.
Get some rest and have another great day tomorrow!
Hi Kathy- thanks for your comments....and I agree that we need to make sure that Sellers have all the info, even the scenarios of "not fixing" problems......You are also right in that "I told you so" has no place in our business.....we just help them with the info and work together for a positive result.......either a Sale or a Purchase :)
Tomorrow should be another busy one.....and I love it :) :)
Kathy - It's the brutal truth all the way. No one has a crystal ball on when or even if a house will sell. I love the photo on your post...very pretty. What a great day you had!
Kathy, you always have great posts! It's glad to see a professional who states things like they are. So many add "fluff" to their bag of tricks. Good luck on your listings!
well I would much rather have an agent that knows what they are doing and can get it sold! If I am selling the house I want that darn thing to sell. I hate when I see a house that is obviously over priced but it seems when people start counting their dollars they don't want to budge as much so if they get the correct price to begin with it shouldn't take long to find the right buyer. Congrats on the productive day and good luck with the listings!
oops. I forgot to log in when I made that comment! If you don't mind deleting, please do :)
Linda- Our area is beautiful when it snows....we are in the middle of 2 of the largest Mountain Ranges in CA. And even though it's nice here, we do not have that crystal ball for sure.....
Joseph- thanks...it is not surprising that someone with your ethics wouldn't like the extra "fluff" :) and Thanks for the Luck......
Rick-Ok, I deleted, then lost my own comments LOL....counting dollars, and having re-financed past the point of what a ready, willing, and able Buyer wants to pay is the main problems I am seeing. It is very difficult for some people to get their house sold.....
Yes..."friends" are hard to come by :) Thanks.
Sally- Hey I have a Be My Friend Button if anyone wants one :) :) Not sure what kind of friend it will be, but hey....we can't have everything right...... LOL.
Is your friend Melinda here? I know she mentioned calling you for a listing outside of Sun Lakes. I hope it all works out for you. We've all got our fingers crossed for a healthy and productive 2008! Cheri
Cheri- "My friend" in the Post sure is Melinda.....this used to be her client as you know. And I do want to thank you for the referrals you have given me, both of you. Yes, let's hope that this year is a good one for all of us.....