Brandon Farmer

I have learned in my short career of real estate that you must be willing to do what others wont. I was completely booked yesterday and had an agent call me wanting me to show a rental that I have listed. I offered them $400 to get the person to rent the home. He didn't want to do it and pushed it off on me. Of course, I sucked it up and showed the rental. (I don't know a single "pro" agent that will even show a rental in Charlotte and I didn't want to either) At the end of the day, I walked away with a signed lease and a $1,500 commission from renting the home that the other guy was unwilling to show. I think times are changing...and these experienced agents that are only hunting the big sales will be washed out of this market if they don't start putting in more effort.

If I was a buyer, I would chose a young agent. One that is hungry and willing to bend over backwards to do whatever it takes.

I did learn something today. When you have clients in your car for more than 6 hours...be sure to pack a cooler. I did this and thought that I had the right things in the cooler. I had water, ice packs, trail mix and honey roasted peanuts. Just my luck, the wife got really hungry, we were stuck in a neighborhood away from food and she was allergic to peanuts. Next time I will have more options. There is nothing worse than a wife that doesnt care about a house because she feels sick.

So I spent most of the day driving in the rain, previewing properties for clients that are flying in from NH. (I sure hope they too believe in the "Live free or die" slogan) I have received so much feedback just for being the lucky person with the 1,000,000th blog and I have had to explain to many what a blog actually is. I am not sure I did a great job explaining this because I am so new to it myself that I am not sure why the idea of a blog was actually formed. My guess is that it is the easiest way for us to share information and ideas.

I did observe something today that I would like to share. While previewing homes in new communities I took notice of the way the on-site agents represented their builders. Only one agent actually stood out as being enthusiastic about being at her job. She mentioned that her community was receiving a good amount of traffic and that about 75% of the buyers were coming to the community with realtors. The other on-site agents seemed burnt out. They obviously weren't seeing the traffic that they had hoped to see this spring, and I hope their attitudes change before they come face to face with my clients.

This all comes back to ActiveRain and how it can keep our attitudes positive. There are thousands of stories here about meeting new prospective buyers and sellers. The information that is spread through blogs should really help to keep us motivated and on top of our game.

I know that every real estate market is different, and in Charlotte the market is totally different neighborhood to neighborhood. There are more sellers than ever...but many are scared to spend too much money and time on overpriced listings. Being a young realtor I have had most of my success with buyers. There couldn't be a better time for first time home buyers.

Water boils at 212 degrees F. and most of the on-site agents were luke warm. This is no doubt a tough real estate market but it will take the extra effort to get the results that they are hoping for.

Help me become a better blogger. I am appreciative of any feedback or tips that you have for me.

Brandon Farmer

101 Things to do in Charlotte

Our office in Charlotte, NC

Visit my personal site @ http://www.showcasecharlotte.com

As you have probably heard, the Senate and House conferees have reached an agreement on the Stimulus bill totaling $789 billion. While the details are still subject to minor changes, here is the latest.

•1. Tax Credit

•a. The tax credit does not have to be repaid.

•b. The size of the credit is $7,500.

•c. There will be income limits ($75,000 for an individual; $150,000 for a couple).

•d. First-time homebuyers only.

•e. Tax credit expires in September 2009 ( probably the 1^st)

Basically the House bill prevailed. We understand the lack of Senate support for the bill undercut the Senate amendment (i.e. $15,000).

•2. FHA & GSE Mortgage Limits

•a. The bill restores the 2008 limits for the country. If an area increased in 2009, the current limit would be retained.

Timing of the Stimulus Bill

It is expected the bill will be passed this week and signed by the President early next week.

The mortgage limit change could be effective immediately since there are no calculations required.

Visit me @

http://www.showcasecharlotte.com

The FUTURE -
Charlotte is expected to add 24,000 households by December 2009!
Look for changed consumer mindset focused less on luxuries. Look for higher density projects.

Buyers are taking on average, 12.1 weeks to purchase.

Sellers are taking a 10% hit on the sale of their homes but are gaining 10% when they buy. If you want to move into a larger home, there is no better time than now. Interest rates are at record lows.

The Charlotte residential market remains among the nation's most structurally sound!

Charlotte has seen an 11% discounting of prices in the 3rd Q of ‘08.

Charlotte's new home market is currently operating at 50% of peak volumes, seen 27 months ago.

Short sales are becoming common and are allowing buyers to get amazing deals on new construction.

TOP LINE ACTION - Why prospects purchased:
quality of neighborhood - 63%, close to job - 47% , affordability - 44%, close to shopping - 38%, neighborhood design - 30% and last, quality of schools - 24%

visit me @

http://www.showcasecharlotte.com