Enrico & Monica Roselli

Now, I realize that most buyers have some sort of criteria for the location they wish buy.However I want to bring up a discussion about out of town buyers and the challenges involved due to a short time frame(flying in Friday,leaving 3 or 4 days later).They tend to call on a certain listing which is usually under contract by the time they show up or they are referred by a past customer.

Everyone knows southeast Florida attracts buyers from all over the world, giving us Realtors a great opportunity for more business. The issue I am trying to work thru is with the buyer who wants to buy a property anywhere in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area(take it from me,it`s a pretty big area)They do not know the area, they are even thinking of renting it out when they are not using it, giving the deal an additional wrinkle. I admit I always want to give it the "old high school try," but all too often after several days of being a tour guide,the buyer goes home without buying anything.The buyer is further confused by a relative or friend telling them they need to check in the Palm Beaches or better still Orlando!

I get their contact info and keep in touch, but I am interested to hear from fellow Realtors on how they handle this type of buyer. How do you feel about a buyers agreement? Is it best to just show them a few properties, say 5 or 6 and see how they react? Is an initial buyer`s interview at the office the best way?

Like millions of Americans, I keep trying to lose weight, I exercise regularly but I lack the discipline to diet properly. Between my wife`s cooking and the regular visits to my mom`s house, it`s been a neverending, uphill battle! Especially since I got married! I dropped into Max Muscle Sports Nutrition located at 15930 Pines Blvd Pembroke Pines to purchase a supplement.The store manager greeted me, but happened to be with another customer, so I looked over the shelves of different protein powders,picked one and went to pay for it. When my turn came up, the manager asked if I found all I was looking for, I mentioned that I want a protein shake to substitute breakfast,to reduce calories,after my workout and like many middle-aged, overweight men I need to control my cholesterol. Well it turns out there was a much better alternative product with less calories, half the cholesterol and less expensive! I was even offered to try a free sample of the product to see if I liked it,right there in the store! And I got a couple of free mixing cups with lids! They also reminded me I need to eat something every 2 1/2 - 3 hours. No not chips or cookies, but just a handfull of unsalted almonds along with a green apple. So, a shake by 7:00AM , snack by 10:00AM , lunch , snack by mid-afternoon followed by dinner. It`s remarkable how the almonds with an apple kills my urge for junk food snacks! I feel better and adjusting my belt another notch(in not out!) is great!

So, here is what really hit home with me. I walked into this store for the first time, the staff was courteous, knowledgable,willing to share their expertise by giving me the information I needed,to help me get what I want.They were not pushy or overbearing, no smart*** attitude, after all, doesn`t this sound like a typical mid-life crisis? Just great customer service. They have earned my business and I will gladly tell everyone I can about them.

One of our REO properties had an eviction last week, scheduled at 9:00AM, subject property is in a gated community. Whenever I go to an eviction I always hope the occupant has had enough sense to leave upon receipt of written notice. Unfortunately the property was occupied, but not with the occupant I had contacted . It seems the prior occupant had asked to move to another unit in the complex because the A/C was too cold ?! The new tenant signed a lease with the condo association, and soon afterward received the notification of eviction from the bank. He contacted the property manager and was told not to worry, it would be taken care of. So imagine his surprise when the deputy knocked on his door,and told him he was being evicted. The tenant works nighshift at the airport and was asleep, a single parent, he had dropped off his daughter at school earlier. The condo association was "nice enough" to give him the keys to another unit . The eviction crew helped out by helping him move his belongings. We all felt bad for him. Someone in the property management office handed me the phone saying it was her boss, who proceeded to tell me he was going to sue me, the eviction crew, the deputy, and anyone else standing there that morning?! I calmly handed the phone back to the staff while the manager was still spewing his garbage and walked away. I don`t know who the person responsible is, perhaps a misinformed property manager or attorney but someone dropped the ball, and what should have been a relatively easy rekey with a vacant condo turned into a mess.

A recording telling me to press one if I am a new customer or two if I have questions about my balance due is truly a sad tribute to today`s level of service. If you do get thru to a customer service rep you get a recorded statement telling you the conversation will be recorded just prior to connecting you with a person who`s ultimate goal in life is to not follow thru and pass the buck, because they really do not have the inclination or the authority to resolve any issues. Always be sure to get the name or employee id number, always ask for their direct extension(they generally will tell you you need to speak to whoever answers the call). Have lots of patience, maybe get one of those handheld squeeze tension relievers and don`t be shy to ask for a supervisor !

I know cold calling is a necessary component in any sales career, but is there anything more awkward than calling up a total stranger and convincing them you are offering your services with the best of intentions! One course I attended bragged, out of 12,000 dial-ups they actually got 26 appointments , is that actually something to brag about ? I agree that despite all the social media such as Twitter, our business is based on meeting people face to face,but the general public is so overwhelmed with mailings, postcards, texting, phonecalls that most people just block it all out. What I see is we have to keep a daily regimen of phonecalls, postcards, social media until eventually someone responds. Any and all suggestions are welcome !