Joshua Jarvis

It typically happens on Highway 124.

I'm taking clients to show them potential homes and it happens. "WHOA! What's that?" they ask.

What they are exclaiming about is one of the parks that make Gwinnett County the single best place to live OTP (or outside the permeter - Suburbs for us folk that are used to it). Sure, Gwinnett County is known for the schools, which aslo known as the best in the state, but the "wow's!" come from the park system.

There are 39 parks in all with over 64 MILES of soft surface and paved trails. Whether it's the lakes at Rhodes Jordan or Tribble Mill Park in Lawrenceville, GA or the skate park at Mill Creek in Dacula, GA(there are 5 skate parks in Gwinnett County) or maybe it's swimming pools at Mountain Park Aquatic Center (of which there are 17 of) there is something for everyone.

In additon, these parks have activities. I had a client who's son was a champion chess player... yep! you guessed it, there is a League for that in Gwinnett. What about pets? What about them, maybe you could take them to the Ronald Reagan Park in Snellville, one of four dog parks in Gwinnett.

It's great to live in Gwinnett.

Search all Gwinnett homes HERE!

I'm a cynic and a skeptic. I just grew up that way. I'm changing, to be sure. I strive every day to be optimistic and full of energy. Those who know of me, think I'm full of energy and positiveness. Those that know me closely know I'm a bit dry and sarcastic. My goal is to have the former be me full time... It's a process.

When I joined Keller Williams it was for the hardcore consulting that I was receiving. Education and coaching all included in the package. That's what sold me. I never really drank the koolaid until this year (for all the other items).

So when Keller Williams asked me to be on the Agent Leadership Council, immediately I thought... "What is this?"

Could it be another recruiting scheme, maybe some new way to generate more dollars FROM my business... WHAT ARE THEY UP TO?!

Well, I have to tell you, I was full of skepticism when I attended this Agent Leadership Council (ALC) training yesterday but I was wrong.

This is not a first (me being wrong).

I now know that the ALC is what separates Keller Williams from the copy cat companies out there. Now that KW is moving to number 3 in the country there will be some brokerages that will flatter KW by adding stellar training, a culture that supports agents, a profit sharing and/or recruiting incentives. Many already have.

• How many are willing to put the money and the direction of the offices in the hands of the actual agents?
• How many are willing to say, as YOU (the agent) go, so do we ... and OH BY THE WAY, We're willing to do what it takes to bring you back UP if necessary?
• How many are willing to put $5,000 into your bank account when a devastating hurricane destroys your home?
• How many are willing to share up to 43% of the profits with their agents?

So, I'm sold. I think joining the ALC will help me become a better Leader and a better business owner at the end of the year and I have never found a more personally rewarding business than this year.

I firmly believe the Lord has guided me down this path.

I have to thank the market for making re-evaluate everything, but I also need to thank Keller Williams for having the tools available to help me do it, and of course PAIGE POWERS for guiding and coaching me (FOR FREE) through the whole process.

Feel free to contact me anytime, my door is open.

I was browsing the questions in linkedin and I came across one about upgrades but it was the answer that caught me off guard.

We've all heard the value of staging and some of us have seen it first hand. However, I think there is still a mistique about it all and consumers certainly are taking longer to see the "light."

Here's the answer from linkedin:

As a Realtor in suburban Boston, I have found over and over again that staged homes burn buyers. So, when I am representing a buyer I try to impress upon them that alot of what they are seeing is fluff. The staging is geared to make a buyer overlook a homes problems. I believe it is a much better investment to buy a house that has been well maintained but not necessarily updated. Removing carpeting, wallpaper and painting does not cost $150,000.00, but sometimes that is just what a house needs to feel fresh. Spend the 150K renovating the kitchen and baths to your liking and build some equity.

The great news is that staging a vacant home will cost around 2-3% of the value with most stagers. While that's a difficult number to swallow for some sellers it should always be looked at in comparison to market data in addition to days on market. Homes that are occupied are often much less to stage by the way.

In any case, staging works, so much so that one Realtor thinks of staged homes as dangerous! That's an awesome thought on the power of staging.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are holding off on taking some homes back this Holiday season. Read all about it on my Brutal Honesty Blog.

The key to it is this quote:

• The "streamlined modification" program of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is slated to begin on December 15. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac estimated their foreclosure suspensions may affect about 16,000 borrowers if the homes are occupied.
• Homeowners facing foreclosure who are spending more than 38 percent of their income on mortgage payments could have payments reduced by the companies, under the program.

While some listing agents may disagree, I think the buyer's agent has some unique responsibilities and most have nothing to do with finding the home.

See I believe fully in the buyer's agent fiduciary responsibility to the client. Meaning that outside finding them the right home and consulting with them to figure out what that is based on needs and wants, it's about:

1. Negotiating to get the best deal
2. Delivering key marke information based on LOCAL information
3. Managing the transaction to make sure things happen and things DON'T HAPPEN
4. Informing the client of possible outcomes
5. Strategizing with the client to ensure happiness.
   

At the end of the transaction a good buyer's agent will have saved the client's time and a boat load of money. In fact, THAT should be the measuring stick.... not whether or not I can send you listings.