Ginger Ryals

Well, the holiday weekend is finally here. Labor Day Weekend typically marks the end of summer, but here in South Carolina there will be plenty of hot weather through September. I hope everyone has had a good summer and is adjusting to being back at school. I am planning to take a day off to go Georgia to see the Byrnes High School Rebels play football against North Gwinnett High School. I hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend and if you can try to take a break from the phone and the laptop and spend some time with your family and friends.

Have a great weekend!

Ginger Ryals

Keller Williams Realty

We are having a major dilemma in our subdivision. Our subdivision has just been completed and the developer/builder has turned the HOA over to the community. We have elected our Board Members, who have agreed to handle this very time consuming and sometimes grueling task. After much research, the Board Members decided it was in the best interest of the subdivision to have the HOA managed by an outside source. Our by-laws allow the Board Members to make these decisions and that is why we elected them. The Board Members will remain active and the management company will handle the business end of running a HOA and report to our Board. The catch is our dues will go up $5 per month. Well as you may have guessed, the uproar is ridiculous. There are "For Sale By Owner: signs in several yards, threats have been made, rumors are spreading like wildfire and total chaos. This is all over $5 per month.

I think most people don't understand the purpose of an HOA and legality of running an HOA. They all want their community to be in top shape and they want their neigbors to follow the rules but they don't understand the process to achieve these things.

From a realtor's perspective, the subdivisions in our area that have been managed by an outside source have been more desirable for buyers and the listings have been easier to sell. Does anybody have any thoughts on Management Company versus Self Managed HOA?

Have a Great Day!

Ginger Ryals

Keller Williams Realty

Yesterday was the 7th grade scrimmage for my son's middle school; it was cloudy, rainy and muddy. The opponent was big and prepared. I honestly believe it was a 9th grade team not a 7th grade team. The equipment was bigger than some of our players. There were a lot tackles, blocks and interceptions for both sides. Our guys played hard, but they have work to do on their game plan. It is hard to believe that in 3 short years or less this same team will be the high school team. The future Rebels of Byrnes High School. Well, we are looking forward to next Wednesday for the official start of the season.

Have a Great Day!

Ginger Ryals

Keller Williams Realty

Yesterday, while I was working as an onsite agent, I was given a reminder from a potential buyer client. He came into the model home and the first thing he said very sternly was "I just walked out on another Realtor for not hearing me out". Of course my defenses automatically went up, but then I stepped back and let him explain. He had some very specific needs that had to be met and the other Realtor was not hearing his needs. I am not trying to throw this other Realtor in the creek because I along with most every other Realtor have been guilty of listening but not hearing. It was just a gentle reminder to always listen, hear and understand the specific needs of your client and to never judge a book by its cover.

The good news is I was able to help this buyer client by asking him some probing questions and to make him feel like I cared about his unique situation. We have 2^nd appointment set up. I learn something new or relearn something everyday in this business.

Have a Great Day!

Ginger Ryals

Keller Williams Realty

Tropical Storm Fay finally made it to the Upstate of South Carolina today. She has zigged and zagged for over a week. Now, she is supposed to bring 4 to 6 inches of blessed rain to our area. The drought has been very hard on our area lately. We need the rain desperately. Hopefully, there will not be any severe weather like tornadoes or flooding. I say let rain let rain let rain.

Have a Great Tuesday

Ginger Ryals

Keller Williams Realty Spartanburg