Kimberly Wilson REALTOR Douglasville, GA Real Estate Specialist

I've been in the real estate business for more than a decade. I have worked for a broker who would not allow any adjustments to commissions, and broker's who let me charge whatever I wanted. One broker I worked for actually had a discount listing option and I admit that I used it a few times. So, I preface by saying that in some very rare cases, it may be necessary to have such an option available. However, my theory about commissions is that the clients could care less..as long as they get what they want and are happy with the services they received from you.

Yesterday on the way home from a closing, my client said to me " I know you don't make alot of money on this, and I just want to thank you for everything you have done for me. I appreciate it so much. And, give me another business card. I want to give it to my new neighbors who just put their house up for sale by owner. I'm going to tell them how great you are."

We never discussed how much money I made on the deal in literal terms. But of course the commission paid to my company was on the HUD 1 statement. And in spite of this she still felt that the services she received outweighed the compensation I would receive.

We have agents running around trying to "list the masses" and thinking that making a little money on many listings will be better than making a decent commission on just one. You know these people. We call them the 'here's your sign & good luck' agents. If you're like me, you have probably listed a home that expired after the 'here's your sign & good luck' didn't produce a buyer. These agents are missing the whole point.

What is the point? The point is that it's not how many buyers and sellers you get, it's how many you keep.

Do you breeze through their lives, rushing and giving them only half the professionalism they deserve leaving them with a bad attitude when they see your commission on the HUD1 at the closing?

Do they feel like you 'got too much of their money' for what little you did?

Do they express opinions to others that 'realtors make too much money for nothing'?

Or...

Do they ask for more cards and thank you and refer you to their friends, family and co-workers?

Do they call you when their mother needs to sell her home?

Do they remember your name in 5 years when they are ready to move again?

Referrals, repeat business, clients for life....I'll take that over instant gratification anytime.

Sometimes things don't turn out exactly the way we like, but if you are the kind of person that always looks for the positive in the situation you will appreciate this update.

When Saxby Chambliss worked so very hard to pass the $15,000 Federal Tax Credit we were so proud that it did at least reach the House floor. However, as you know the credit we wound up with is the $8,000 tax credit only available to first time home buyers (which is anyone who has not owned a home in the last 3 years ) We were disappointed that the original amount was changed, but we are happy that we did get the $8,000.

Senator Chip Pearson worked very hard to get the Georgia House Bill 261 $3,600 tax credit for Georgians, and again we were disappointed that the amount was reduced. The Georgia Tax Credit for Home Buyers was debated between the House and the Senate until an agreement was finally reached on Friday giving an $1,800 tax credit (not the $3,600 credit we had hoped for) to Georgians purchasing a home.

So, if we are looking at the glass HALF FULL the GREAT NEWS IS....

• The Tax Credit is for $1,800.
• It is for ANY home buyer in Georgia, not just first time home buyers.
• It will be good for 6 months from the date the Governor signs the bill. (still waiting on that)
• You may be able to qualify for both the Federal AND the Georgia Tax Credits when purchasing a home in Georgia.

For all the details regarding the tax credit and how you can combine both the Federal Tax Credit and the Georgia Tax Credit, please consult with your tax preparer or accountant.

Many other Legislative Priorities were fulfilled last Friday regarding Georgia's economy, job growth, and education. Georgia will be a key state paving the way for economic recovery in the United States. Already we have realized a huge increase in activity in the real estate market here in Dawsonville.

I am committed to bringing you the latest developments in a timely manner.

Contact Kimberly Wilson, Your Available North Georgia Real Estate Specialist

I just got word that Bill 261 for a $3600 tax credit for Georgia residents has just.....PASSED THE SENATE!!!

This will be in addition to the federal tax credit and available to ALL HOMEBUYERS...not just first time homebuyers in the state of Georgia!

I do not know at this moment if the bill passed as it was originally written, or if changes were made. As soon as I get the details, I will update!

What awesome news today. Special thanks to our State Senator Chip Pearson for his efforts in helping get this bill passed. Senator Pearson has been working alongside the Georgia Home Builders Association and local associations to get this kind of legislation passed and aid in the housing recovery. I would ask that everyone reading this post please email Senator Pearson and thank him for his hard work on this bill. You can email him at: chip.pearson@senate.ga.gov

It's amazing what happens when people cooperate and the 'Powers that be' listen to the people's voice and great things are accomplished.

Contact me for more information and stay tuned for more!

Kimberly Wilson, Your Available Agent keeping you informed with up to the minute information!

UPDATE:

The bill still has to be signed by Governor Purdue. Once signed into law, it will only be available for 6 months. In addition, the credit will be divided and used over a 3 year period, not used all at once. I think this is a good thing. It's still a good tax credit amount for three years!

I look for Governor Purdue to sign this bill into law shortly.

Stay tuned!

The phones have been ringing! Buyers are looking! Homes for Sale are going under contract. I faxed an offer on a foreclosure property last weekend that already had at least one offer on the table. Another one I called about had 4 offers pending review by the seller.

What does this all mean to you the buyer, and how can you get a great deal on a home? Is there really a secret way to get on the 'inside track' , or is there really an 'inside track' in the first place?

First I'm going to tell you that there is no secret. However, there are some tips that I can share with you to ensure that you receive the most up-to-date information and are able to find that 'great deal' that you are searching for. Follow this Do and Don't information and you will be on your way to finding your own GREAT DEAL!

DON'T: Call every Realtor in town asking questions about individual listings. Here's what happens. You call Agent Nancy about a house on Smith Rd. Agent Nancy asks "are you working with an agent." You say NO. Agent Nancy goes to work looking for homes for you. Then, Agent Nancy calls Agent Sandy to inquire about another listing's availability. Agent Sandy says "funny, I just got a call about that a few minutes ago." Eventually YOUR NAME comes up, and Agent Sandy says, HE CALLED ME TOO! I was just sitting here looking for properties for him. What happens now? Both Agent Nancy and Agent Sandy decide you are calling every other agent in town, and lay your name aside and don't call you back. You are no longer taken seriously.

DON'T: Try to do it alone.I realize that many of you are techno-savy, educated and able to purchase a home without anyone's help. However, this is not the time to be stubborn and flex your intelligence. The fact is that in the real estate market today things are happening fast and major changes occur almost every day. Foreclosure properties are listed with agents, not advertised to the general public. In addition, there are many Pre-Foreclosure properties that only an agent would have knowledge of and be able to negotiate a deal for you. Interested in a HUD property? Only AGENTS can represent you to make a bid on a HUD home. And I haven't even mentioned the advantages of having a agent when it comes time for negotiations. Navigating these waters alone would be like representing yourself in a murder trial instead of hiring a defense attorney.

DO: Find a qualified agent that you trust to work for you. It's ok to interview agents. Or, ask a friend for a recommendation. Once you have located an agent that you feel comfortable with, sign a Buyers Brokerage Agreement with that agent.

This agreement ensures the agent that you are trusting them to work for you and that you are not calling other agents. Your agent will make you a top priority and find you what you are looking for. When presented new information on homes, your agent will call you first! It's like having your own "secret agent"!

DO: Listen to the advice your agent offers when it comes time to make an offer. Understanding that if you have entered into this agreement with your agent, they are working for YOU and your best interests. Many people are misled into believing that asking prices are just a figment of the bank's imagination. Please understand that before these properties go back on the market, banks have already hired one or more qualified brokers to make an assessment of the value of the property. Then they will price the property accordingly. Yes, the bank will be inclined to accept a 'reasonable' offer. But folks, 'reasonable' is not $20,000 below the asking price. To make such an offer only wastes everyone's time. It's almost a guarantee that the asking price is still well below the former value of that home. So even at asking price, you will still be in a good position.

What's the bottom line? Hire an agent THAT YOU TRUST, and then TRUST the agent that you hire.

If you're in the North Georgia Area...Call Kimberly Wilson, your Dawsonville Real Estate Specialist!

I didn't watch the awards show last evening. However, I did pause there for a few moments to see 2 awards given for best costume and best art design. The show seemed a bit boring and trivial to me, no offense to you if you are a die hard awards show fan.

I believe that people should be free to create movies, and have entire evenings dedicated to awarding the participants for their achievements. I also believe that if an entertainer/actor earns millions of dollars in their pursuits, it is theirs to do as they please. I love to hear stories of these people giving back to worthy causes and providing much needed dollars to help those in need. And whether they hoard or give, it's really none of my business. This is a free country.

Having said that, I couldn't help but wonder how many millions were spent on this grand affair? How many thousands were spent on gowns that will only be worn one time? How many millions were spent on lavish parties and jewels, and shoes.

That's where the trivial part came to my mind. I was thinking about the news report last evening that 77 people in Atlanta lost everything they owned when their apartment building went up in fire on Sunday morning. I was betting that for the price of 2 gowns, these 77 people could probably have replaced their entire belongings and started over.

My mind recalled that about 3 weeks ago, I totaled the top 5 box office hits for the weekend, and the total was over $100 million dollars. You probably heard the individual figures on the news, right after some lengthy report about how many more hundreds of people were laid off somewhere and how many more homes were foreclosed and how unemployment compensation was running out.

My question is, if America has $100 million dollars extra to spend going to a movie in ONE weekend, are we really in that much trouble economically? Maybe the answer is yes, and our priorities are awry.

I spent some time this morning deciding what my priorities really are and what's the most important thing I need to accomplish today, tomorrow, this month, and this year. I'm glad I watched a few moments of the show, it helped me to gain some perspective into my own self.

What are your priorities today? Are you making every day count?