Frances C. Rokicki, Broker~Mentor,CRS

http://www.MyBusinessDirectoryOnline.com/Home/FranRokicki

Click on the above link to visit my Ct Business Referral Directory. On this new site, you will be able to find businesses that have been sent to me by my clients. These businesses have been contracted by people in my database, or by myself, and are the best of the best in their businesses. Don't be calling business people that you don't know. Be assured and get a referral from my directory!

We have tried many local businesses. However, only those that are listed on this website have proven to be excellent, by my clients. Trust and honesty are their highest ratings. Value of expertise and work performed, came in high, too!

Whether you are looking for a pet sitter or a landscaping company that you can trust in today's economy, they are all listed with their contact information! These folks have been in business for years and are licensed, insured and reputable.

Check it out, today! Call the best of the best!

In my area of Connecticut, sales have picked up. If you pay attention, you can be working every weekend. Buyers feel like kids in a candy store. So much to choose from. Sometimes, this can be overwhelming. Too hard to decide. I suggest to my clients that they take notes. Every time we go out viewing homes, I remind them to eliminate 2 of the 3 homes that they liked previously.

The sellers are now more realistic. They understand that when the rates go up, the buying almost stops. Friday the rates dropped down a bit, and Saturday proved to be busy. Sellers are listening to suggestions on staging their homes, updating their landscaping, painting, cleaning up and cleaning out. Some have even started packing for their anticipated move.

Though the buyers now need 20% down payment, if they are financing a conventional mortgage, they are still buying. Credit scores must be excellent or the sale just won't happen. 720+

First time buyers really have the advantage right now. Low interest rates, low down payment and if they fit the critieria, they may receive the $8,000 back on their IRS taxes. They have the advantage of the government loans, CHFA & FHA.

All in all, it has improved some. Will it ever loosen up? Surely, not to where it was years ago. I think we are at half speed. As the year goes on, hoping for full speed!

More and more, people are aware of the value of good credit scores. Those people who are working on that now, will by winter, be perfect candidates for buying a home!

Remember, if the listing period is 6 months(on average) until a sale, it is a buyer's market. Less than 6 months, it is a seller's market.

It's a Good Life,

Fran

Gather your clients together and spend some time with them. Let them get to know eachother. Before you know it, they will be sharing their experiences about you. They will send you more referrals, therefore, increasing your business. Time well spent. Try to host one of these, each month.

Here we go with my suggestions:

Host a picnic. Very inexpensive if you host it in your own backyard. Maybe, in a local park where they could play a sport or swim!

Attend a Minor League Ball Game, the ticket prices are inexpensive and they even through in food on the tickets if you purchase a group of them! Imagine having your name scrolling on their light board during half time! I've done this and it is outstanding!

Join a Walk for a cause, invite your clients to be on your team. Community service is always fun and very rewarding. It's summer, get out and walk!

Sam's Club Tours, This is a great event for budget minded folks. They take you on a tour of the warehouse. Savings on prescriptions, eyeglasses, contacts, tires, etc. You cannot even imagine the impact on your clients. Plus, they'll feed all of you, too!

Nursery/Gardening Tips, I host an event at Birch Mountain Earthworks, LLC, landscape construction company in South Windsor, Ct. The owner is amazing with offering tips and suggestions to my clients. They leave there feeling empowered and full of knowledge about their outdoor living space. From water gardens to fish ponds, retaining walls to choosing the right materials for your particular yard, it is very informative! Find a person that is willing to give his time, like this man.

Painting Workshops, Find a local paint store and ask them to host a workshop for you and your clients. This is the time of year to freshen up the paint on decks, stairs and trim on houses!

Whatever you choose to host, make it fun! Let your clients know that they can bring a friend, neighbor or relative with them to your event. Have a small gift for each attendee. Make sure your card is attached to the gift. Take a few minutes and thank all of the guests for attending. You'll be happy to help them with any of their real estate needs, right? Let them know that!

Get out and get going! Business is out there, just waiting for you to find it!

It's a Good Life,

Fran

We don't often hear those words these days. Prices have fallen, but, usually the buyers still offer much less than the listed price. Once in awhile, a buyer walks into a house and just knows, it was the one he had been searching for. I had this happen to one of my buyer clients this week. It was magical!

We even met one of the neighbors! Just an old fashion neighborhood. A community of people who behave like they are family. I grew up in a neighborhood like this. If you were locked out of your home, no worries, because each of your neighbors had a key. If they weren't home, you knew where a hidden key was. The more this neighbor spoke about his feelings for this community, the more anyone would want to move in! Picnics, parties, dirt biking, snowmobiling, too!

It's a good buy because my client felt at home in this house. He loves the yard, the location, and now the neighborhood community. The home is the appropriate size, was custom built, has been well maintained and updated.

Yes, the banks have become very busy. Closings take longer now than they did in the high market! Part of this reason is probably because they laid off some of their staff. Part of the holdup is because the appraisers are coming from a farther distance. One of the new rules that our President has enlisted, is that the appraisers cannot be chosen by the banks. They used to have a few on their call list. Now, they can order the appraisal, but, you never know where the appraiser will be coming from. The appraisers are stressed out because they are driving from one end of our state to the other. You would hope that to stimulate the economy, our government would make life easier for us.

My client couldn't be happier. We have ordered the inspections and are hoping for a faster closing. Cross your fingers that we get a quick appraisal, too!

It's a Good Life,

Fran

Oh, By the Way...if you know of someone looking for a magical homebuying experience, please provide me with their name and number. I will be happy to follow up and take good care of them for you! I am never too busy for you referrals!