We all tend to judge a person by how they look. We will also judge by the color of the skin, the tattoos on the arm, the way words are spoken, and a thousand other ways. When will we learn that we really are doing a disservice by judging a book by its cover. If I would have judged in the first year of my career, I would have missed out not only on a business relationship but also a fine friendship now for many years.
The whole family came into the high-priced Simi Valley real estate listing I was holding open. They looked like real schleps! Like they just threw on the clothes and tennies. Hair messed, torn jeans...I figured they were just open housing. Didn't get much chance to talk with them, but I kept in touch, heard about their business out of the garage in the first-time homebuyer tract and how they wanted to buy a high-priced home. How, I couldn't figure out, as they looked like they couldn't afford anything.
Guess what! These folks outgrew their home as their business in the garage needed a commercial property, they wanted to sell their little first-time homebuyer home and purchased a big, beautiful new home that is a Simi Valley luxury home. Who kept in touch with them throughout the years? Who helped them with their purchases when it came time to locate Simi Valley homes for sale? And who would have lost out on a friendship that has lasted all these years?
I didn't lose...I didn't judge a book by its cover.
I have always believed that reputation and integrity are the crux of my being. I always want to give my clients and customers the sense that I am totally loyal, hands on, up front with knowledge and providing them all that I can give.
I love working with first-time Simi Valley home buyers. Mostly, they are so eager to learn and I love giving them what they need to be more informed. Every now and then, I come across an individual who has learned from a friend's uncle's cousin who is a brand-new mortgage broker that the market is not what I have portrayed. The discussion goes something like this...
You knew a person who "used" to be a lender and was going to refer you to his "friend" who was just starting in mortgages. But you also believed your "person" who told you it was a buyers' market, there were lots of homes available and you could pick up a bargain.
After giving you and your husband a dose of reality, your husband said, "I don't believe you. That's not what my friend's friend said. He said interest rates are climbing, there are no multiple offers like you say, and I can get any kind of bargain I want." Now, mind you, we had not even gone out yet to look at property in Simi Valley!!!
After explaining and being forthright in my discussion, I knew we were going nowhere. I told you how important it was to build trust and rapport with you. My reputation was on the line here. You have friends and family who will want to buy or sell and I want you to refer them to me.
Oh, well, you wanted to believe opposite of what I was explaining. Could we continue to work together? Not sure I could work with someone who didn't trust my years of experience. If you wanted your wings to fly somewhere else, that would be okay with me. I want to be professional and my reputation means too much to me.
You are very welcome to give me your opinion, and I do hope you understand!
Okay, I admit it, I may be behind the times, but hear out this Simi Valley real estate agent..
Several years ago, it was recommended to me by my Wood Ranch REALTOR friend that I needed to put out my cell phone number and EVERYWHERE! Yeeks! Boy, did I resist. Why? Well, I had a private office phone, a very nice private office near all kinds of Simi Valley properties and Wood Ranch real estate and I was carrying a pager...do you remember the pagers? Well, I thought, if anyone needed me, they could reach me on one of those two or come into my office, near the Wood Ranch homes...my cell phone was when I wanted to use it...I didn't want to be called by (goodness, clients and customers!) as I deserved some down time.
Do you know how this has changed in the last several years? If one doesn't have a cell phone, one is tarnished as they are really not "with it." Immediate action needs, emergencies, that client that wants it all and NOW...well, I have come to realize how important cell phone service is. And with the type of market we have been in, people calling for Simi Valley homes for sale...well, I just cannot be without the cell.
If I am calling someone on my cell phone, I want them to know it's me...they can choose to pick up or not...hopefully, they will be so delirious that I've called, they will want to talk with me! And, of course I know my daughter ignores me most of the time (HA, HA)...
BUT, there is one aspect of cell phone usage that really bugs me and here it is. blocked and restricted calls. Not too long ago, I would absolutely not pick up blocked or restricted calls as I believed most of them were solicitations. Now I come to find out that many of my clients and realtor associates block their calls on the cell phone. Why???
I've learned to pick up all the calls...never know if it's that multi-million seller wanting me NOW! or the buyer wanting to write an offer on that Simi Valley luxury home or someone calling me for Simi Valley relocation...
I would love to hear your thoughts on whether to Block or Not to Block!
I have to run...the phone is ringing!
If you think home prices are going down...think again!!! Simi Valley properties, including Simi Valley condos, and Simi Valley real estate listings in general are not! I really don't believe they will and I also don't believe the banks are going to send a glut of foreclosure properties into our market. They would be foolish to do that.
Think about it! If they release a few properties at a time, they control prices. If they release a whole slew of them, inventory rises dramatically and it may become a buyers' market. Places like Wood Ranch real estate, which commands higher pricing, doesn't have many foreclosures. Simi Valley REO homes make for a small portion of our inventory right now!
Nope, prices are good for investors, first-time home buyers and move-up buyers. Look at my web site for Simi Valley home searches...you'll see nice properties to see!
You need not wait...tax incentives will expire, first-time home buyer incentives will be gone and you will be out of luck!
I really am feeling like the market is on a high...very low inventory, interest rates for buyers low, multiple offers on all properties in either Wood Ranch homes, Simi Valley real estate, whether it be Simi Valley bank owned, Simi Valley luxury homes or Simi Valley land for sale...as of last night there are only 165 homes for sale in the Simi Valley MLS, 60 for the Wood Ranch real estate and 84 for Moorpark. That's nothing...and you wonder why multiple offers.
As we enter the final month of summer, you need to get started looking or listing. When you are ready, call me and I will help...I am your Simi Valley Realtor and Wood Ranch real estate agent...
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Joann Poole is an expert in Simi Valley Real Estate specializing in Wood Ranch Homes, a Simi Valley Community.
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