About Camarillo's Spanish Hills

http://us.mc1147.mail.yahoo.com/mc/welcome?.gx=1&.tm=1282768370&.rand=99q0nb724m4l3#_pg=showMessage&sMid=2&&filterBy=&.rand=687104579&midIndex=2&mid=1_1851265_AIm3iGIAAS4lTHVuCgaOoUKpkNc&fromId=newsletters@mail2.carwebs.org&m=1_1852569_AIi3iGIAAGOSTHV0agIWnURHrxc,1_1852038_AIe3iGIAAR8ITHVwswmF0F0yAFY,1_1851265_AIm3iGIAAS4lTHVuCgaOoUKpkNc,1_1849446_AIW3iGIAATHcTHVgawkM6xoofUk,1_1847648_AIy3iGIAAQ7dTHVVewLN329h9EQ,1_1848232_AI%2B3iGIAANquTHVZbg1uPFrVZuI,1_1847096_AIS3iGIAAPmzTHVPYghBEXQ8x1Q,1_1845969_AIq3iGIAAO4WTHVJkghfLxlZ0z4,&sort=date&order=down&startMid=0&hash=845b127e87a46c5c7fa6fe6380e26bb7&.jsrand=6577488

I normally don't do a copy and paste on certain links, but feel this is appropriate action that needs quick attention. The link that I outlined above is a way to express to our governor here in California the dismay we feel when we are trying to protect our clients who are facing foreclosure and have either revolving lines of credit or refinanced their homes.

Quite a few never knew what they were getting into when they signed on to these loans and weren't warned against the pitfalls if they ever had to sell in a distressed situation.

When doing a refi or taking on a line of credit against their property, many consumers unwittingly signed loan documents with the assumption that they would be treated like purchase money. WRONG!

Here in California, consumers are allotted the protection of non-recourse with purchase money loans. This is NOT the case when they decide that they would like a lower interest rate and refinance their loan or take out a line of credit. This gives the lender the right to come after the consumer in a deficiency judgment in the future. This is scary for many of my clients who are facing this situation as they are trying to recover with the rest of the country. Let's give them a chance to make a new start and gain control over their lives and their futures.

This is HUGE and I urge all of the California Realtors to sign this petition and send it to our govenor via CAR as soon as possible. Our recovery is depending on you getting involved!

MktTrends on Twitter Sheila Rasak Estates on Facebook

After reading a recent blog post on the pros of an open house I felt compelled to write my own blog post on this same subject.

Not only do I believe an open house is an excellent addition to getting the property noticed, I believe that it benefits both the seller on the subject property, the neighborhood, the buyers, and the listing agent.

Let's break down the benefits:

• Seller - Added property exposure. Either an ad in the local paper, a Youtube video, blog, or an announcement on your Facebook page calls attention to the property and when it's open for viewing.
• Neighborhood - Open houses are the opportunity for the neighbors to see an active real estate professional "giving it their all". It allows them to compare their property to that of the open house property and maybe, just maybe think that this area professional might be on to something by public exposure.
• Buyers - A properly run open house creates the opportunity for the buyer to not only get introduced to a neighborhood, but to the price point that has been set there. Simply put, it educates them on many levels such as neighborhood amenities, value, and a chance meeting with the local expert.
• The Listing Agent - The listing agent enjoys obvious benefits. First, they get an even closer look at the neighborhood by meeting and greeting the neighbors...this adds value to our education. There's always the opportunity to meet buyers who are looking for an agent to bring them to additional homes if the subject property doesn't meet all of their requirements. And, every once in a blue moon, the property sells because either a colleague has either sent their client over or accompanies them to the open house...OR a buyer walks in and simply has to have that house!

So "cheers!" to the open house. NAR, while I respect your efforts in addressing this subject, is today the right time to even think of questioning or abolishing a method that might drive our market into a faster tailspin?

Sheila Rasak Estates on Facebook MktTrends on Twitter

Beat. That's sums up how I'm feeling tonight as I remove my 2+ inch high heels from my tired feet after sitting an open house. Why we call it sitting an open house, I'm still uncertain as I dont get much time to sit while I do my job on the weekends. Yes, weekdays often find me at my desk either plugging away at the computer or previewing property that involves a lot of time getting into and out of my car. But come open house time, from the moment I plant the first Open House sign until I take my last sign down, I'm pretty much on my feet.

I once heard at a networking meeting that some geographical areas (and I bet they're talking about Beverly Hills and the Santa Barbara area) do have a service that maps out your listing and places strategic signs where they are allowed to draw your potential buyers in; umm, not so much in here Ventura County. It doesn't matter what price level or how many hills you have to climb or dirt you have to manuver for placement, when you have more than three signs and you're wearing heels, it becomes manual labor!

Let me be the first to tell you that while I'm making money in my business as a Realtor, times have changed and I have cut back on certain expenses. After a day in Thousand Oaks, CA at 91 degrees, and wearing those 2+ inch heels, I'd pay a mint to have all 7 of those signs set up and taken down by a company that specializes in the craft.

Pardon me while I go soak in a tub of Calgone...