Regina Brassil, ABR, e-Pro

I moved to Sarasota with my life and career intact. Within 2 years, my life had changed to something beyond recognition - I was single mom with sole responsibility - physical and financial - of my children, unemployed and searching for a way.

My natural personality is very friendly and outgoing. I have never had any trouble meeting people. But with so much on my plate, I never had the opportunity to network, get out, or socialize. My life was largely centered around survival.

I became a real estate agent in 2004. I guess I never really expected it to be a career, more a band aid. But as an accomplished business person, my natural instincts kicked in and pretty soon I was thriving in this business.

I have seen many folks along the way who haven't made it - who haven't been successful in creating a solid buyer base, and a healthy referral stream. I have theories for all this, but I know why its worked for me...I have been blessed with clients who have become friends. Through touring town, wading through hundreds of homes and backyards, laughing at being locked out of a home, corralling pets desperate to escape, and even locking my keys in my car on a blistering hot day - through it all, I realized I was making friends. Friends who ask me to holiday dinners, and call just to say hello.

This business gives us an awesome opportunity to impact pople's lives in such a positive way. From the disillusioned divrocee to the scared first time home buyers to the seasoned retirees looking for their dream...we bring calm, peace and happiness to people. We help them to fulfill their dream - how great is that? By not taking myself too seriously, but taking their quest extremely seriously, I have carved out a niche and a reputation as an agent who cares enough to provide my very best, every day - and to keeping it fun!

I still love sliding keys across to buyers at the closing table. Seeing their eyes light up when they realize that "ITS MINE!". I don't think that will ever get old.

For more information on Sarasota real estate and Sarasota buyer agents - visit my website.

November 11, 2008 - What a glorious day in Sarasota Florida!!!

I am not by nature a gloom and doom person. Even the last few years, although daunting, didn't really discourage me to the point of giving up this business. Why?

Because even in a down real estate market, a few things remain.

Location. Location. Location.

Corny, I know. But have you BEEN to Sarasota? 8 years after moving here I am still in awe of this place. This is the kind of place you seen in brochures, the kind of place you save up for years to visit. And I LIVE here. If you have ever travelled across the John Ringling Bridge from downtown onto Lido Key you know what I mean. Surely heaven looks something like this.

And the recent market has made it possible for virtually anyone to live here.

To live within minutes of the crystal green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, or be able to see a spectacular full blown sunset every night. To walk miles of deserted white sand beaches. To watch dolphins and manatees playing right offshore. To walk amongst Old Florida trees and watch birds bigger than your children fishing in the shallows. To gawk at gators from a distance. To eat at beachside restaurants while breezes blow and Jimmy Buffet plays, to stroll through high end art galleries in flip flops. This place is quality of life to the Nth degree!

Anyone who has been here knows. And so, even in a down market, we are confident that the lure of this awesome place remains strong. And is now more affordable than ever.

Yesterday, while touring a neighborhood with a prospective buyer, she excitedly asked about a certain property. "It's listed at $499K", I responded, without skipping a beat. She inquired how I knew.

Well, this home has been on the market for 2 years at the same price. I have looked at it with multiple buyers. Everyone loves it. No one wants to pay close list for it - not in this market.

"So", she asked" Why doesn't the seller lower his price??"

There are a couple answers, but the most common is one foreign in this market. Even in this market, not everyone is desperate to sell. I did all the research. The owner, an investor, paid over $600K for the property, and fixed it up. He holds no mortgage on it. The list price is likely as low as he will go, and he's willing to wait the market out. He doesnt NEED to sell it. He's got in on the market in the hopes someone will love it and take it. Fact is they might. It is still priced under market.

I know of other folks who won't go lower because it will put them in a short sale situation. Like the gentleman above, they don't NEED to sell it. They would LIKE to, but they are current on their payments. They aren't in distress. If they lower their price just to sell it, they may end up with it adversely hitting their credit.

The unfortunate reality for those sellers is that the collective mindset of the times is that Sellers should drop their price and keep dropping it until the Buyers are happy. Even if their home is at a good price anyway. At some point things will even out and make sense again. But for now, buyers have plenty of options so should probably move on if the home seller won't budge. But let's research it first - if its a good VALUE, its still worth it.

Sarasota Buyer Agents

It's the same thing every day.

Client sees short sale. Client wants short sale because the price is unbelievable. Client makes offer on short sale. Client never gets an answer, only to find the home has been sold months later.

Heartbreaking for them.

It is my duty as a buyer agent to tell people the reality of the short sale. As much hype as a listing creates, as low as they want to set the price, the fact is that a bank, at this stage of the game, is NOT going to give the house away. And the great SHORT SALE SECRET - most often, the bank is NOT involved in setting list price.

Short sale pricing is NOT the same as traditional list pricing. Clients who treat it as such will rarely get the property.

If the goal is to get the home at a great price, talk to a buyer agent, do the research and make an aggressive offer, but one within the realm of reality. Unless the listing specifically states the list price is bank-approved, we can largely disregard the list price.

WHAT???

That's correct. Short sale list prices are NOT the same as traditional list prices. And the bank will NOT give the home away. They will do an appraisal. They will listen to and consider aggressive offers. They will not answer a ridiculous offer. They know what the home is worth.

In order to try to get an offer, the listing agent may drop the price of the home...again...and again. But the bank is still owed the same amount. The further apart those two numbers are, the less likely that a client offering 30% off list price will ever hear a word.

There are better ways to do this. Want a great deal?? Contact a knowledgeable buyer agent and you'll get it. But dont always believe the hype.

True Real Estate are Exclusive Sarasota Buyer Agents dedicated to getting our customers the BEST DEALS. www.TrueSarasota.com

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