Steven Wright CRS~ Home Real Estate720-989-5283

Today my suspicions that there are still some really strange Realtors left out there, roaming the streets seeking to over price houses to get a listing. A broker friend and I were brain storming last night and he asked my advice on a house that he was pursuing for one of his buyers.

My broker friend engages the listing agent to ask a few questions about how her and the seller came to the listed price. He tells the broker that he has pulled all the sold comps in the area and that he could find any comps in the area that sold for what they are listing for based on the listing in questions square footage. To top it off the few houses in the neighborhood that did sell for a little bit higher were 500 plus more square feel larger. The house in question is around 2400 square feet.

The buyer's agent starts digging a bit deeper to see what justifies a price around $25,000.00 more than like listings in the area and more expensive than homes with a lot more square footage. When he asks the question again, "What is it about this house, that justifies such a steep increase in the listing price?" the listing agent tells him that it is because the house has "crown molding".

Don't get me wrong, I like a nice house and I have heard of sellers and agents justifying price by adding new cabinets, solid surface counter tops, wood floors, new paint to come to a total of 25 thousand dollars. But just crown molding? Yeah, that is probably not going to fly in the eyes of the appraiser.

Do you have a good story about a over priced house with a silly justification? Mabye the seller replaced all of the wall plates for the electrical outlets in the house and tacked on 5 thousand dollars for good measure.

I was trying to take in some Real Estate news as is my morning ritual and I run into this article about a man who came back from vacation to find a house that he just bough was demolished because the city inspector neglected to take the most appropriate action and stop the demolition.

Andre Hall (The new home owner) buys a foreclosed home, takes a holiday vacation and comes back to find his home in a pile of rubble. It appears that the demolition company not only destroyed the wrong house, the city only saw fit to leave them a message to not destroy the house. It seems reasonable to me that you would get verbal confirmation and acknowledgment from the demolition company that they can cancel the request.

How does the chief of the city's Bureau of building inspection respond you ask? In his infinite wisdom he say "A couple things went awry, the house next door was to be demolished, and the contractor in error, took this house down as well." WoW! That makes it all better. My suggestion is that Mr. Hall find a good attorney and a great Realtor to help him find a new house that the city will be purchasing for him. Mr or Mrs. Realtor, find him a good one.

Unbelievable,

I have hopes and plans to make 2011 the best year yet. I have committed to focusing on the positive and the things that are working for me. I have founded that a negative perspective is very easy to have.

I have taken several steps to avoid this negative perspective:

1. Not going to worry about things that I don't have control over.
2. Stop listening to negative political talk radio.
3. Stay away from "doomsday" type people, especially Realtors.
4. Listening to more music.
5. Reading and watching alot less negative news.
6. Focus on the things that are going well for me.
7. Freely give knowledge and help to others.
8. Try and build others business, with the hope that it will be returned.

It is beginning to work so far, especially the Listening to music and avoiding the political talk radio. It probably didn't help that I was obsessed with it during the election, but I feel better now.

What are you doing to help you stay in the Real Estate game and keep a positive perspective? I can use all the help I can get.

If you have a moment, check out my Facebook Page and My Website

Some of us subscribe to Trulia questions and sometimes we post answers, which is fine. There are a number of questions that if we answer them can get us into a lot of trouble. I have been asked questions like, can you tell me what neighborhoods don't have any minorities. After I get over my shock that a person who doesn't know me very well, would ask that question in a serious manner. I simply reply, there are a number of great neighborhoods in this city, I cannot speak to the specifics when it comes to demographics.

Today I received a notification from Trulia that there were new questions. What was the question you ask? Here is it is: "My Partner and I are moving to Denver. Are there any cool areas that are more gay centric?"

Here are some of the agents responses:

Bill, The Cheesman Park neighborhood is great for gay couples. I have quite a few friends that live in that area, as well as the Capitol Park neighborhood. There are some great bars and restaurants that are gay-focused. If you'd like some help looking for a home purchase when you move to Denver- please let m know. Thanks, April --------------------

Stephen's answer below is right on: "pretty much any part of SE Denver or the Highlands and Sunnyside neighborhoods in NE Denver" Although I'm straight (not narrow) I'd love to help you! Leah Kelley Real Estate - Your Way -------------------

Here is an idea, encourage people to Google their request, but never answer questions like that. You really can get into a whole lot of trouble. Work with the client, but be honest with them about the fact that legally you can't answer certain questions. There are many neighborhoods where home owners happen to be "gay" if you will, but is there a "gay" neighborhood?

This is fundamental stuff here, and troubling that agents would potentially get themselves into trouble by answering this question in the incorrect way. Let's not start the New Year off by being investigated by the Real Estate commission or any other government agency.

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Steven Wright Realtor

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Remember to Follow me on Facebook for more Helpful tutorials, always remember to click on the "Like" button for my Page.

Steven Wright Realtor

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