Frances C. Rokicki, Broker~Mentor,CRS

This is a good week. Not sure why, but, just grateful that it has gone so well. The stock market performed really well, all week. Could that be it? The listing prices are really taking a tumble lately, could that be it? The rates are still very low. Yeah! Could that be it? The sun came out today, all day. Yeah! Could that be it? For 1st time homebuyers, there is that treat of the $8,000, if they qualify. For 2nd and 3rd time homebuyers, they take a little shave off of their price and then, move up to their dream home and save tons!

I had two offers come into today on my listings. Set up a bunch of showings, too. Almost like the old days! Prices are down, buyers are smarter and the sellers are more receptive.

There are many choices for why we are busy. Whatever that reason may be, it's nice to see that people are getting over their fears. They are out shopping again. For homes, cars, and soon, for back to school supplies and clothes. I have noticed that they already have the school supplies displayed in the stores.

Can't wait until tomorrow! Wonder if more offers will come in? Whoo Hoo!

It's a Good Life!

Local good stuff! Best of the Best! Enjoy the Outdoors!

We have had, in Connecticut, a very rainy spring and now, summer. The temperatures are low, too. What happened to global warming? Well, anyways, the rain is coming our way again, today, tonight and tomorrow. Saturday should be a nice, sunny day! Whew!

Thank goodness, because it's the weekend! Showing homes in the rain is messy. You can't really walk in the yard, or check out the outside of the property. I bring many umbrellas. I have learned to keep a few in the trunk of my car. Of course, my Black Dog Umbrella is the best. It's large and sturdy on windy days! You need a rain coat or water resistant jacket, too, because it does get chilly!

Thinking of handing out umbrellas as a popby this month! Believe it or not, it could be a huge hit. Now, I need to think of a good tagline. Could use the mailman line, neither rain, sleet or snow will stop the mail. Neither rain, wind or hail will stop the sale of your home! What do you think? Too much?

We have even had a few tornados come through Connecticut. For us, that's rare. Maybe, every 5 to 10 years, one will be spotted and it has caused destruction of homes, trees, powerlines and businesses. This year, it did hit a town about twelve miles away from where I live. Wethersfield, Ct. Thank God, no one was injured or lost their lives. We are so grateful for that.

Whether it rains, hails or the sun shines where you are, I hope that you enjoy the rest of this week!

Our day started out cloudy and wet. The sun broke through around 11 am. Yeah! I stopped at our local market, Highland Park Market, for a gift card for my broker open listing, on my way to the home. I showed 75 Lenox St, in Manchester, Ct. It's a nice cape w/hardwood floors and some really good updates. Vinyl siding, newer roof, windows and furnace. The interior was freshly painted. The price is low for this size home, $159,900, because we want it to sell:) The other homes were in Bolton and Manchester. An easy tour today of all price ranges!

The agents that came through were so good to see. Each one was a special friend, that I really knew and had done business with in the past. Hope to share a transaction with them again, and soon! I collected their business cards for my drawing, which would be at the last home on the tour. They each offer their opinion as to the pricing, condition and value of the home that they are touring.

The last home on the tour, also, feeds all of the agents! The food was absolutely, delicious. Two different salads, choice of finger sandwiches, chips, strawberries, pretzels, pickles and your choice of bottled water or gingerale. The lunch was enjoyed by all.

The only drawback with hosting the broker open, is that, you don't have time to visit and view the other opened listings. You feel like you missed out. I have found homes for my clients, by attending these broker opens. Really, they should be called Realtor Opens, because that is what we do! Another good tool to help the Sellers in this economy.

Hope your Wednesday was a good day, too! I hope that this post enlightened you about attending and participating in broker opens.

It's a Good Life!

Fran

Yesterday, I had two contacts from old friends. Friends that wanted my help with their real estate needs. They were not sure where I was working, so, they Google'd my name. Thanks to AR, they were able to find me and my contact information.

Folks sometimes ask me, why do you blog? It is like an online journal. More about business and friendships than what would be in a personal journal. With that in mind, people do get to know the person you are. They are reading the information that we choose to post. The information, for the most part, is very useful. Silly works, too! Making someone smile is always a good thing.

The bonus, of course, is what I am experiencing today. Reconnecting with old friends who were looking for help with real estate, from their old friend who happens to be a Realtor. These folks are some of the nicest people I have ever known.

Again, thank you:) AR!

It's a Good Life!

Fran:)

Do you list rentals? I usually do not. We have a family friend that I help out with the renting of his property. I have to believe that most people are honest, hard working and trying to find a home for their family. When they move in, all seems fine. Granted, sometimes it is.

The rental that I have listed is a Duplex, two family. One side is presently rented with good tenants. The other side is now vacant. In the last week, I have had to hire Servpro, for my client. They had to empty the basement and clean out the unit of leftover junk and trash. Then, a local cleaning company, who spent ten hours cleaning everything else in the unit, including the walls. A pest company to treat the entire house, both units. Just to be sure. The mail delivery was never forwarded. Huge piles of mail! Called the Post Master, at the post office, to remove it.

The appliances were left in such terrible, condition, that, new appliances are now being installed. The carpets were professionally cleaned and sanitized, just this morning. The carpeting is only three years old.

A painter is going in to touch up and a contractor was hired to repair the sheetrock where the last tenant broke through the ceiling while he was walking in the attic, in two places. There is nothing, not even a floor, in the attic. This is New England. There is lots of insulation in the attic.

So, yes, lots of work had to be done to make this apartment, acceptable, for a new tenant, looking to make it their home. Thousands of dollars later, we can only hope to find good, respectable, honest, hard working, tenants. Precious commodity.

No pets, non-smokers only, credit check, and oh, yes... References from two past landlords!

Please show to your rental clients! This unit has 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, with large, eat-in kitchen, large living room, full basement, gas heat and hot water, parking for three cars, too!