Sharon Sapp

I usually don't blog on my emotional issues, but I just had to in this case. I have a friend that I had helped emotionally and financially when her husband left her after many years of marriage. She had never lived on her own before so I helped her to become independent - at least somewhat, by providing physical, financial and emotional support. As her friend and Realtor, I helped her find a home that had been completely rehabbed at a good price at the height of the booming market. We just recently settled on the sale of that home, in a down market, and she made almost $20,000, paid off her mortgage and still has cash to purchase a new home. The deal was also full of problems from the original offer through to settlement. Being a professional, I didn't tell her about any of the problems unless it required a decision from her. I feel that's part of my job - to make it as easy as possible for my clients. As her friend and Realtor, I partnered her with a lender, took her to see homes that she was interested in (for 8 months), and acted as both a friend and Realtor to try and find her the perfect (?), affordable home for her .Then she finds a home she likes that was to be auctioned. I suggested we make an appt to go through the home, but she already did that with someone else prior to her telling me about this home. I do comps for her and tell her the maximum amount to offer and offered to handle the paperwork and settlement for a fee of 1% (normal in this area is 2%) or $1,000. She got very upset with me but after some discussion, I thought we were back to normal. Then she found a FSBO on the day before the auction that she put in an offer on her own and it was accepted. She didn't tell me about it until after it was done. Obviously, I was hurt. I've read many blogs about clients that "use" a Realtor and then go with someone else and that stings, but this is also my friend. The lesson I've learned here is that maybe, as Realtors, we handle so many problems behind the scenes that clients and customers don't value our services because they really don't know about all we do. I've decided to put together a list of services for buyers to help with that understanding. What services do you feel are most important in the purchase of a home?

I usually don't blog on my emotional issues, but I just had to in this case. I have a friend that I had helped emotionally and financially when her husband left her after many years of marriage. She had never lived on her own before so I helped her to become independent - at least somewhat, by providing physical, financial and emotional support. As her friend and Realtor, I helped her find a home that had been completely rehabbed at a good price at the height of the booming market. We just recently settled on the sale of that home, in a down market, and she made almost $20,000, paid off her mortgage and still has cash to purchase a new home. The deal was also full of problems from the original offer through to settlement. Being a professional, I didn't tell her about any of the problems unless it required a decision from her. I feel that's part of my job - to make it as easy as possible for my clients. As her friend and Realtor, I partnered her with a lender, took her to see homes that she was interested in (for 8 months), and acted as both a friend and Realtor to try and find her the perfect (?), affordable home for her .Then she finds a home she likes that was to be auctioned. I suggested we make an appt to go through the home, but she already did that with someone else prior to her telling me about this home. I do comps for her and tell her the maximum amount to offer and offered to handle the paperwork and settlement for a fee of 1% (normal in this area is 2%) or $1,000. She got very upset with me but after some discussion, I thought we were back to normal. Then she found a FSBO on the day before the auction that she put in an offer on her own and it was accepted. She didn't tell me about it until after it was done. Obviously, I was hurt. I've read many blogs about clients that "use" a Realtor and then go with someone else and that stings, but this is also my friend. The lesson I've learned here is that maybe, as Realtors, we handle so many problems behind the scenes that clients and customers don't value our services because they really don't know about all we do. I've decided to put together a list of services for buyers to help with that understanding. What services do you feel are most important in the purchase of a home?

Do you like community carnivals? Here's your chance to enjoy an annual one in a new, larger location - the Amity Township Community days! Sponsored by the Optimist Club, this community carnival features food, rides, business sponsored activities for kids, raffles and loads of fun This year it's being moved to the Daniel Boone Middle School Parking Lot on Weavertown Rd. The dates are September 11, 12 and 13 from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. With the new location, it's easy to park and close to the Midway where all the fun and games are. There are some special, featured events such as a pet show, pie eating contest, baby parade and fun run. For questions, contact the Optimist Club at www.DanielBooneOptimist.com or call Curt Clifford at 610-385-3854. Come out and support your community and have lots of fun doing it. I'm personally doing the Century 21 Call First's Real Estate Booth so you have a child that wants to win a prize playing Tic-Tac-Toe, send them my way. I'll see ya there!

Do you have things that are too good to throw away but that you don't want anymore? Do you live in Amity Township, PA? Well, your problem is solved! We're getting ready for the 2009 Berks County Amity Township yard sale that our company, Century 21 Call First Real Estate, sponsors every year. We'll do the advertising, give you a sign for your yard and some other goodies. All you have to do is have stuff! (and maybe a table to display it on).

Are you moving? Have you just moved? Are you doing your spring cleaning? Then as you go through your stuff, put unwanted items aside and watch for the fliers and postcards that give you instructions to sign up for it. It's coming in May so it's not too early to start looking through your things!

Yeah! The weather really cooperated on Saturday for the Amity Township Community yard sale that we sponsor yearly. I went around to the various houses and everyone seemed happy with what they sold. They told me the difference this year with the buyers was that they were buying up usable items instead of trinkets as they do in most years. It looks like the economy has filtered down to yard sales!

It was a great, busy day and alot of fun. If you're in the area next year about this time, ask about it. We had 225 homes last year and 226 home participating this year. Who knows how many next year? One thing is for sure - you can find just about anything at a reasonable cost!