Michelle Nemitz

I just have one question...okay maybe two.

In the way of residential listings, have all of the good ones been listed already? What constitutes good over bad when it comes to a real estate listing?

I know that everyone has his or her own opinion when it come to good or bad. For example, my idea of a "bad" listing could be where an owner is really over priced on a listing that will NEVER sell for such a high price.

I am interested in knowing the opinions of other realtors in the way of good listings or bad listings, and why they they think this way.

It's a great conversation starter...don't you think?

Here is a shot of two sandhill cranes in December. Yes, the grass was green in this picture, but now, since we have had several freezes here in the "deep south" most of the grass you see around town is brown.

These majestic birds can be found most every where on the Treasure Coast. I usually see a pair at least once a week or more. These birds are very beautiful. I have heard that they find a mate and keep the same one throughout their life span. I find that to be an interesting fact. The pairs normally have a new hatchling or two in the early spring, and those hatchlings stay close to "mom and dad" while they forrage for food. These birds are an amazing sight to behold. Just thought I would share.

Okay...I know in my profile I stated that I wouldn't bore everyone with RE stats...mortgage rates, etc. But, I came across another blog just a bit ago, and it got me thinking about the real estate laws in other states. It was interesting that in Michigan, a handicap or disability are defined differently than they are in Florida.

In Florida, with regard to real estate ONLY, I could not find in our statutes anything that breaks down handicaps into sub categories. Here, we adhere to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination when selling or renting residential property when based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap status (physical or mental), familial status, or national origin. ("FRESH CORN" was our memory tool to help us remember these seven classes (less the vowels)). No where does it state that the type of handicap could be in question.

In Michigan, as per the blog I read, the state defines the word "disability" in a whole new way, with regard to a real estate transaction.

As a woman who is married to someone that is disabled, I am really disturbed that in some states disabilities can be scrutinized <<in a real estate transaction>>. I won't go into detail about my husband's disability, but it would seem to me that discriminating against someone with ANY disability should be against federal law! In Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, no one in these seven protected classes can be discriminated against.

I wonder, since I am not an attorney, or a resident of the State of Michigan, what type of legal system they have. If disabilities can be scrutinized, what else are they doing? Maybe people of certain height and weight will be next? It's a terrible thing when a disability can be used against you. I am truly not belittling the people of the state of Michigan, really I'm not.

I guess I will stay in Florida. It is warm here, and I won't have to worry that my husband's disability will keep us from buying or renting a house (if we ever needed to do so).

WOW....It dawned on me today that it had been a few weeks since I blogged. I have had some family issues come up that needed my attention; but now I am back to my blog again.

New listings are a rarity around these parts. I see the same old signs in the same old places day after day. My normal route to work turns up no new business. Nothing seems to be moving. FSBO's pop up every now and again, and some lucky agents get to replace the FSBO sign with their own. Will this economy ever turn around?? As much as I enjoy a challenge, this one is becoming more than I expected.

Thank goodness I am patient.

Okay, my title is a little misleading. But, it is an attention getter!! I am getting ready to send out some cards to a few FSBO's that I have recently come across in Port St. Lucie. It seems as though new signs pop up every day!

FOR SALE BY OWNER....I love those words! They are just begging for me to find them. (I was a bit slow on one though, the sign was only up for a few days, and BAM...someone else beat me to it).

The way I see it, home owners don't really know where to turn, so they put up a sign and hope someone finds them. Although, I could be wrong. Maybe they think that they can do it themselves and save a few dollars. I wish them all the best of luck, and hope that they call me in the future to sell their home for them.

All joking aside, I know that in today's economy many people are looking for a way to save money. And if selling their home themselves keeps some cash in their pocket, good for them!

I still hope that they will call me!

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If anyone has any stories to share about FSBO's that they have encountered, and ultimately gotten a listing, please do. I love to hear success stories!!