Jackie Black

A few days ago, Barbara Corcoran was on the Today show discussing how you should be wary of "tricks" agents pull to hide information.

Although they will not read it, nor respond to it, I sent the following message:

Barbara Corcoran was on the Today show this morning and reporting "ways Realtors Hide Facts"--As a realtor and Broker, I take exception with her comments. We are bound by ethics rules with stiff penalties if we hide some of the things she discussed. We have guidelines and are bound to disclose all the facts. As a whole, Realtors are ethical, honest and work hard for our clients. There may be some that don't, but that can happen in any industry. Ms Corcoran makes hard working agents look like sleezy, lazy shysters. In this struggling market, this kind of negative "reporting" can only hurt the recovery, not help it. It was irresponsible story telling.

Have we not enough reporting to do with international affairs, tornados and other natural disasters that we have to continue to try to absolutely deal the final death blow to the real estate market?

Enough is enough!

Selling your home? Think Safety First!

Listing your home with a reputable Realtor is one of the safest things you can do!

For Sale By Owners are subject to drive-bys, tire kickers, and lookie loos. If you are a FSBO, you have no way of knowing whether the prospective buyer is a qualified buyer or just a bored person who has nothing better to do than tour homes and open houses. I know that lots of agents hold Open Houses, but the statistics don't show that many homes sell because of one.

That being said, here are some common sense ideas for you to consider:

• List your home with a reputable Realtor®. Selling your home by yourself can not only be a huge inconvenience, it may take longer to sell, and can put your safety at risk.
• Never let anyone in to your home without a Realtor® with them and without an appointment. • Some buyers will knock on your door and ask for a peek. Kindly, ask them to call their Realtor®, or give them the name and number of your Realtor® to show the property.
• If you occupy your property, only allow an electronic lock box for your key storage. If you ever need to know who has been in your home, your Realtor® can read the box. Use a combination box only for vacant homes.
• Be sure that all doors are locked when you are home and when you leave.
• Remove jewelry. It is a good idea to get a Safe Deposit Box for valuable items and papers.
• Put medications in non-visible place.
• Store breakable collectibles away.
• Protect electronics and remote controls.
• Remove any guns or weapons from the property or store them in a safe.
• If it is important to you, remove it.

Recently, a friend decided to buy a FSBO without the aide of her trusty agent/broker. She and her husband found a home, negotiated the deal, put the earnest money down and then moved on to the inspection. The inspection revealed many problems and they decided to terminate the contract. The seller was very angry and refused to sign the release for earnest money--mainly because she was outside the 10 day option period. She thought it would be ok, since he wa a very nice guy.

Several days of angst passed and finally they did get their money back because the lender refused the loan due to the inspection.

Realtors protect you from yourself in many ways and guide you through the process as if the property is an investment and not just an emotional commodity.

Thought for the day: Get a Good Realtor!

I am looking for agents in the DFW area that want to make more money and keep more of it! I need agents who want to work, love this business, and think of this as a career and lifestyle!

Please let me know if you are looking for a new broker, or know someone else who might be looking for great money!!

Jackie Black

Texas Best Properties

214-850-3218

Texas top moving-to state fifth straight year
More people chose to settle deep in the heart of Texas than anywhere in the United States in 2009, according to Allied Van Lines' 42nd Annual Magnet States Report. For the fifth year in a row, Texas was the No. 1 destination state based on Allied's report, which tracks U.S. migration patterns and tabulates net relocation gains for each state on an annual basis. "Texas seems to be the cheap seats but with a great view," says Bill Jones, chairman of the Texas Association of REALTORS®. "Just 20 years ago, our wonderful state wasn't the first choice for many people. But now folks from all over are noticing we have everything you could possibly want - from reasonably priced housing, to plenty of land for business and housing development, to a wide variety of fine arts and recreational opportunities."

Arizona was the second most moved-to state in 2009, followed closely by North Carolina. Colorado and Florida placed fourth and fifth for states with the largest net relocation gains last year.

Source: Allied Van Lines