Denise Evans

Within the last week, I've spoken with two potential home sellers that seem to think that Craig's list is the best way for them to sell their homes. While I agree that Craigslist is a small part of the big puzzle, and every little piece fits together to make a complete picture, I don't think that Craigslist will be taking over as the number one source to sell homes any day soon. I post my listings on Craigslist, but I certainly do not rely that that's going to be the only thing that I need to do to sell homes.

The first people have been trying to sell their home "for sale by owner" for several weeks. They've admitted that most of their calls have included a lot of people with credit issues and hardship stories. But they feel confident that if they "stick it out", they will eventually get a good lead. I wonder how many "good leads" they may be passing up, by not having their home listed in the mls, and allow realtors to bring their ready, willing and able buyers to the home?

The second gentleman has never even seen Craigslist. He does not like computers. However, he has been told by a friend that Craigslist is the "only way to go" when selling a home.

As a realtor, I have never gone to Craigslist to seek out homes for my potential ready, willing and able buyers, and I don't foresee that happening, at least in the near future. I think a lot of Realtors in the Canton, Ohio, Stark County market, use it more for a sales tool, to find "for sale by owners".

I've heard of some fellow landlords that have great success on Craigslist. As far as a rental tool, I probably will use it myself the next time we have an opening, to see if we are successful. I think it's important to always keep an open mind, and to try and experiment, don't you?

I don't think the expertise of a real estate agent will ever be replaced. Specializing in the Canton, Ohio Home Market, with a niche in Stark County, I know that there are many aspects that go into affect when buying or selling a home. So I will use Craigslist as part of my marketing package, but I know that it certainly can't replace me in the future.

Being a big facebook fan, I've watched my own friends list grow to over 500 friends. Since I am a Realtor that specializes in the Stark County, Ohio, area, with a niche in Plain Township, Ohio, I decided to add a page that I will use to promote my real estate business.

The goal for this facebook page is to offer education and to answer questions about buying and selling homes. I'd like to also discuss topics such as auctions, first-time homebuyers, downsizing to a smaller home, moving into an assisted-living facility, buying land, new construction, and much more.

I have viewed other Realtor's facebook pages for ideas, and it's very interesting to see how everyone's facebook pages are similar, yet different. I think a personal touch certainly helps, too, so my plan is to interject a very personal aspect to the page as well.

I can say that I have had 2 leads from facebook that have generated either a listing or sale so far. Let's "face" it, I think facebook is an important little piece of the marketing tool puzzle for real estate, at least for now! And just think, someday we'll all look back, and remember when we used to "facebook!"

About a month ago, I started a Plain Township, Community Page on Facebook. Since Plain Township, Canton, Ohio, did not have any community page, I thought it would be a good idea. The page's intentions are to be a place where fellow community members can post good news, events, happenings, and activities in the greater Plain Township area.

In less than a month, the page already has over 415 fans and is growing every day. Discussions have included churches, sports teams, parks, science fair winners, concerts, and so forth. There is an issue about incorporation for Plain Township on the May ballot, and there have been some good discussions about that topic as well. I've posted some beautiful springtime pictures around Plain Township, and also have a "neighborhood" section where I have taken photos of the many neighborhood signs around our community.

There has only been one person so far that I have had to block from the group, who I guess just didn't like the idea that I was hosting this page. It only takes one, I guess! However, the rest of the feedback has been wonderful.

Future plans for the Plain Township, Ohio Community Page include birthdays, anniversaries, pets, kids of character, garage sales, open houses, neighborhood block parties, and much more. I'd like to showcase small businesses as well, and to encourage our residents to patronize these establishments. It's fun to have a place where fellow residents can share their good news and help promote the wonderful community that we live in at the same time.

Living less than an hour from "Amish Country", we here in Canton, Ohio see the words "Amish built", "Amish cooking", "Amish made" quite a bit. Those billboards and ads certainly tempt us that our tummies are going to be so satisfied after a meal, and that a handmade Amish quilt is going to hold some exceptional value above and beyond what we could purchase elsewhere. I have to agree, I certainly DO love Amish cooking, and I myself have a handmade Amish quilt.

Coming from a family owned business, we had many Amish and Mennonite Customers, and developed some great friendships over the years. When my family travels thru Wilmot, Ohio, I still recall one of my "favorite" clients, Mr. Wayne Miller. Next time we pass thru, I certainly have to make sure to pay Wayne a call. Wayne does not have any electricity in his home, nor a telephone, but he did have one across the street in his barn/machine shop. He used to tell me to "let the phone ring a long time" because he had to cross the busy highway if he heard the phone ringing!

I'm just wondering if this term is being used loosely, and perhaps being USED AND ABUSED by many. A client recently told me that she had "Amish builders" put a roof on her home. I think most consumers are lead to believe that the word "Amish" always means quality work. The client did not ask for any references, and did not get any guarantees or warranties in writing. She was not given a phone number to contact anyone (Amish don't have phones, right??) She was not given an address as an alternative. In my clients case, these "Amish builders" 9 years later have left her with a bad roof job that is going to need replaced, and now are nowhere to be found. I've seen some "Amish built" homes that certainly cannot compare in quality to other local builders, and recall a home with a hideous vinyl siding job.

It angers me that some people may use this term as a slick sales tool to take advantage of unsuspecting customers. Being in the real estate business, I'm actually surprised I haven't heard of an "Amish Realtor" yet - I know they are out there! I myself have heard my Mom say that a friend chose a contractor because they were "Amish". For all I know, the guys couldn't be further from the Amish religion or culture. And certainly no offense, but just because you are Amish, does that mean that your work/craftsmanship is far superior to all others? Does that mean that everyone else that is not Amish is in some way inferior in their trade?

I guess the bottom line is as with any product or service, be sure to get the details of what work is going to be performed, what materials, that building codes are going to be followed, and no corners will be cut. Find out the name of the company, their credentials, their background. Ask for a list of prior jobs that they have performed.

One of my home sellers recently had to replace a roof with out-of-pocket dollars because the roofing contractor apparently did not properly register the roofing product warranty with the manufacturer.

The homeowner purchased a new roof in 2001 that carried a 30 year warranty. The roofing contractor can no longer be reached by phone - they apparently have gone out of business, or else have changed cell phone numbers and the homeowner cannot locate them. The product manufacturer cannot honor the warranty because no paperwork was filed by the contractor. If the roofing contractor HAD properly registered the paperwork with the manufacturer, the manufacturer would have honored it, even without being able to track down the contractor.

After this happened to my seller, I myself called our roof contractor (we just had a new roof put on our house about a month ago.) I got a copy of the warranty that was filed with the manufacturer. If I had not asked for this, I'm not sure the company would have automatically given it to me or not. Probably not, as a matter of fact, since our roof has been on for over a month. Since this time, I also have a call in to our heating and cooling contractor who just installed a new furnace at our home in the spring, and a new generator.

These items cost a lot of money and warranties are certainly so important for our protection! So the next time you make a purchase for a home improvement item, make sure that your CONTRACTOR REGISTERS THE WARRANTY WITH THE MANUFACTURER. Be sure by asking for a copy of it. Same thing when you buy an appliance or electronic item - be sure to mail in the warranty postcard with your name and address.

This gives me some motivation to do a better job of organizing our home files over the upcoming winter months!