How many real estate agents are left in this market? Seriously...how many agents who were licensed agents still hold a license in their state and have hung out throught this current debacle?
According to statistics in Florida, we've lost almost more than half of the agents in the last 3 years, then again...there were 60 in the new Gold Coast class.
Why does this matter?
Do you want an experienced agent?
Do you want a "so called" experienced "short sale agent" because they took a class or do you want a seasoned agent who understands your situation.
What puzzles me is, new agents who have titles such as "Short sale expert," "Foreclosure expert,"
REO expert," and they have never sold a single piece of property.
Who do you want to represent you as a customer? A Real Estate agent with a few years of experience or a new agent calling themself a specialist, just because they took a class?
Agents who have experience can certainly handle the new wave of real estate transactions...they have become educated on short sales and foreclosures and REO's (bank owned properties).
WHO DO YOU WANT TO REPRESENT YOU? A SEASONED AGENT OR NOT? WHAT ARE YOUR OPINIONS ON THIS...???
It's really all about service...no matter what! Isn't it?
Capture this moment. Then think about this for a minute.
Service at a restaurant is not much different than if you don't get back to your new customers or new leads in a timely fashion. After all, there are many hungry agents out there, so if you get a lead through your website or through Active Rain, you need to get back to them ASAP.
Think about the correlation to waiting in a restaurant. You are hungry...you are waiting for someone to serve you breakfast, lunch, or dinner...how long are you going to wait for a waitress to appear and take your order.
It's just an analogy. If you get a lead via email or phone, you need to make a quick connection with your new customer.
I just made a sale because the customer that I recently sold to, used me over all the other agents he contacted - CALLED HIM to make the CONNECTION. Everyone else that he emailed said, yea, whatever, if you ever get down here (Florida) to look at some properties, send me an email and let me know.
No, I don't do that. As soon as I get a hit from AR, my website, Coldwell Bankers lead router, I call the customer immediately and make the connection.
Being lax in the way you handle customers is not good.
Being on top of those looking for a great agent requires responsiveness, requires attention, and most important requires the respect of the customer who has looked to you for your expertise.
Think about this as above, if you went to a restaurant and no one took your order, would you go back to that same restaurant? How long will you sit there if you are hungry if no one attends to you? Would you recommend this restaurant to your friends if they didn't provide service?
NO, absolutely, you wouldn't. This analogy is the same with Real Estate. You have to be "on your game" you have to provide exceptional service...Those are qualities that enable you to prove to your peers that you are an exceptional agent, who goes above and beyond the call of duty...that is why the cream rises to the top. My glass is always half full, is yours?
Let me know!
http://www.KarenMonsour.com, 954-464-4194 cell
(Copyright© 2009 Karen L. Monsour, All Rights Reserved.)
Flu shots $24.95 at Walgreens...$29.95 if you are allergic to preservatives or latex.
Make SURE, you let the nurse or pharmacist (yes, now some are certified to give the shots as well) know if you are allergic to preservatives or LATEX!
This is not a warning for the swine virus vaccine which is not yet available, but for the seasonal flu vaccine. They have two different vaccines available.
Make sure you read the disclosures carefully and let the nurse or the pharmicist know if you have allergies.
Think about getting a flu shot. I got one two weeks ago with no symptoms.
Young children, people with compromised immune systems, people with a history of cancer, and the elderly should think about getting flu shots...this is supposed to be a rough season. Be safe, not sorry.
http://www.KarenMonsour.com, 954-464-4194
(Copyright© 2009 Karen L. Monsour, All Rights Reserved.)
So, really, "What IS the PRICE of the property?" Agents need to consider their answer!
I had an agent ask me this question the other day. She said, "Do we really even know what "price" is anymore? GREAT QUESTION from HER, and GREAT QUESTION for YOU as PEERS!
What's in the "price", by "price" I am relating this to the listed price on the MLS. Is it the price that is confirmed on an REO that has very little "wiggle room" or is it the "short sale listed price in an unapproved short sale?" waiting for that first offer to get things started. Is it the sale price listed in a normal sale where it is priced correctly in this market? Or, is it inflated/deflated?
How do you set your prices?
Most important to me is: "HOW ARE YOU DOING A CMA?" Are you using foreclosures? Or are you using normal type sales numbers? What IS the price?
How are you determining the suggest PRICE at a listing appointment? How do you justify what the sales price should reflect?
At this time and in this market, it's hard to determine. You might have a gorgeous well maintained home across the street from one who was damaged 4 years ago with mold, roof leaks, pool no longer holding water. How do you deal with these issues? What do you advise your customers, how do you make them understand the "PRICE"?
This has become a HUGE ISSUE for those of us who list as well an sell in the current market.
I would appreciate your constructive comments here as on occasion...these issues arise.
We can all help each other by suggesting methods of dealing with situations as above as I know everyone has to deal with this at this time and in this market.
Thank you for me and our peers!
http://www.KarenMonsour.com, 954-464-4194
(Copyright© 2009 Karen L. Monsour, All Rights Reserved.)
HUD-1 statements...do you use them in your state and is it your law?
What is a HUD-1
It is the reconciliary statement that is used at closing that explaines the costs to you the buyer and to the seller as to who owes what to each other.
The HUD-1 Settlement Statement is the closing statement required to be used in all transactions covered under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA).
What forms do you do in your state at closing to settle at closing?
http://www.KarenMonsour.com, 95...
(Copyright© 2009 Karen L. Monsour, All Rights Reserved.)
954-464-4194, cell
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Broward, Dade, & Palm Beach Counties. Ocean front & Intracoastal condos and homes. SE Florida Real Estate. Short sales, foreclosures, bank owned properties and more! www.KarenMonsour.com. Call me.
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