Here Are 10 Good Reasons to Sell Your Home During the Holidays:

1. People who look for a home during the holidays are more serious buyers.

    

2. Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the holidays, so you have less competition.

    

3. Houses "show better" when decorated for the holidays.

    

4. Buyers are more emotional during the holidays.

    

5. Buyers have more time to look for a home during the holidays.

    

6. Many people want to buy before the end of the year for tax reasons ($8,000.00 Tax Credit).

    

7. January is traditionally the month for transfers. Transferees can't wait until spring to buy. You must be on the market to capture that market.

    

8. You may still restrict showings during your personal family events.

    

9. You can always sell now, but specify a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year if you so desire.

    

10. By selling now you have an opportunity to buy during the spring, when many houses are on the market.

Help For Selling Your Home During the Holidays

Bottom line about selling your home? By listing now, you may have fewer actual showings, but more qualified and motivated buyers.

The Reason. You have less competition, resulting in a quicker sale and a better price for you! Call me today and we'll get started.

In our busy world it's so easy to get caught up in the details and forget what's really important. When I feel that happening to me, I pull out this story to remind me to stop - think - and remember what the "rocks" are in my life.

Here's a quick story for you; A philosophy professor stood quietly in front of the class, waiting for students to take their seats. When they were ready, he silently took an empty mayonnaise jar from his desk and filled it to the top with rocks, about two inches in diameter. When he was done he asked the students whether the jar was full. They replied that, sure, it was full.

Next the professor took a box of small pebbles and poured them into the jar, shaking the jar so that the pebbles fell into the open areas between the larger rocks. His students were amused. When he asked the students again if the jar was full, they agreed that it was.

Then the professor poured in a box of sand, which naturally filled up all the spaces in the jar between the rocks and the pebbles. Then he explained the purpose of the exercise... Holding up the jar, he said "This is your life. The rocks represent all the important things - like family, relationships, your health, the things that are so important, that if you lost them, you would be devastated." Next he said, "The pebbles represent the other things that matter, but are less important - like your job, a car or a house. They are less meaningful to you, compared to your family, relationships and your health." Finally he said, "The sand represents everything else. If you put the sand in the jar first, there would be no room at all for the rocks! It is the same thing with your life. If you spend all your energy and your time on the unimportant things, you won't have room for things in life that really matter!

His advice was, "So, set your priorities. Be mindful of what your 'rocks' are. And remember that the rest is just sand and pebbles."

I hope you like this story. I keep it handy for whenever I need a refresher on what's most important!

God Bless You!

Temple

Hi there,

Here's some information about my experience choosing a new Broker, that you may find helpful. I've been selling homes for almost 6 years now, and due to my Broker electing not to Broker anymore - I had to find a new Broker to work under. I sat with two different Brokers in person, and spoke with 2 others on the phone. In the end, my husband and I were very enthusiastic to work with ERA Cusick Realty. (By the way, I didn't know this before, but "ERA" is a National real estate franchise, and is gaining popularity here in California...)

Here's the scoop. ERA is a company that gives it's agents LOTS of extra tools, free education online and bonus market advantages, that the other Brokers could not compete with (in our eyes). The one program that really hooked us on ERA was this one: The "Seller Security Plan." This program is basically a GUARANTEE to sell your clients home... OR ERA WILL BUY IT THEMSELVES. When Brandon and I heard this, we pretty much whipped out our own pens to sign. Honestly, how can you go wrong? When you're at a listing appointment, and you tell your potential Seller that you can GUARANTEE that their home will be sold in 180 days or less - how can they refuse?? Done. Where do I sign?

Of course, we did totally fall in love with the nurturing "Momma Bear & Papa Bear," 30 year Realtor Veteran's - the Cusick's - who are the Brokers. They are a really fantastic, dynamic and lovable couple. High school Sweethearts at that!! Man, the fact that Deb & Alan dedicate themselves purely to "mentor" and "supervise" their Agents - as opposed to selling real estate alongside you as another competitor- was a huge advantage to us. What more could we ask for? These two amazing "Oracle's" of Ventura County Real Estate, were just there to mentor and guide us through the trials and tribulations via Life In Real Estate?? To provide us with all their knowledge, their wisdom and their experience...?? Yet, not also compete with us for the same listings - like all the other Brokers we spoke with?? Wow. We were just in awe - and so grateful for their genuine Agent-Growing philosophy! We are actually thinking about asking their kids for permission to adopt them...

If you have the chance to sit down with these amazing people - do it. You will be very happy that you did.

Alan & Deborah Cusick ... ERA Cusick Realty

4732-A Telephone Road

Ventura, Ca. 93003

Office: 805-650-1885

The City of Ventura is indeed the "City of Good Fortune" with its surrounding mountains, mild year-round climate and beautiful beaches... There are lots of historical sites, bike paths and parks. You'll find amazing views and often times, the amazing views are actually beachfront!

The parks system includes over 700 acres of parkland and facilities serving various interests from sailing, surfing, tennis, league sports, skateboard parks, and picnic areas. VThe park system even includes two par-72 championship golf courses!! Ventura is just a super place to live!

For more info on Ventura... Email me directly at Temple@RealtorTemple.com

You must know about this incredible offer given to home Sellers that - as a Realtor - really blew my mind... My Broker (ERA Cusick Realty) calls it the "Seller Security Plan." Basically, it states that when you list your home with us, if we cannot get it sold in 6 months, we will BUY IT OURSELVES! Yes, I'm serious. I've heard of lot's of various Broker advertising offers, but never one like this.

The 411: We have 6 months to list the home on the market, the home must be in "move-in" condition, qualified for financing, covered by a home Warranty, a home inspection must be completed (and repairs made), and the home must not be listed at more than 5% above market appraisal value - which means you have to price the home within current neighborhood asking prices. If you've got a lockbox on the home, and there is a sign in your front yard - you are going to get your home sold - no matter what!

The other fabulous thing is that if my Broker sells your home for more than they pay you for it, they refund you 100% of the difference! And if they sell it for less than what they paid you for it, they just call it a day and wish you luck... WOW???

There are lot's of other neat details... Any questions?

- Temple

805-208-6024