Linda George Realtor Treasure Coast Waterfront Homes

See the title of this blog? That has been my attitude of late. I think I may need an attitude adjustment..probably like a few of you out there. I'm really working on it,but here's the problem I'm having-

What do you do when you've moved from a very progressive,fast paced city, with a Realtors assoc. that is on the cutting edge of every new technology to a very,shall we say "relaxed" .. but very charming,slow paced smaller city? The latest technology is not a priority with them. Don't get me wrong. One of the reasons I moved this past Summer was to get back to a "simpler" life, to smell the roses, walk a little more on the beach,enjoy my family. But now that I am in "the simpler life", it is not as "simple" as I thought it would be.

My problem lately has been with a very "simple" thing- an electronic lockbox. To me, it's a must for a Realtor. How many Realtors out there use the electronic lock boxes to put on their listings? I own at least 20 of these nifty things. Where I came from, most of the Realtors use these..even the part-timers! In my new town, most don't use them, and when you tell the Realtors that your listing has a very safe and secure lockbox, I invariably hear a big sigh from the other end of the phone. I have taken this problem on, as my own personal war, against the dreaded combos. How can they not see that using a "combo" from the local hardware store is not safe,smart or professional? And the final straw, was the other day when I heard from a very high source at the local association, that they would probably be doing away completely with the whole electronic lockbox "thing" countywide, because there was so little (may I say NONE?) support.

Maybe I was in the big city too long, and the water got to me..but, we are in 2009, fellow Realtors! And we are swimming against the current, with our life vests unfastened, and the rip currents are taking us out further. Especially in this market, shouldn't we be using every professional and technological advancement to show our clients that we are the best choice to get the job done for them? We are taking no chances by using old-fashioned combos,because this allows anyone to access their properties, without appointments ,and with the possibility of "sharing" codes. This stuff happens..even in small,charming towns.

Just recently, I put a very nice,well priced home on the market. Several calls from Realtors to show it. One comment from one, was to do myself a favor and get a combo for that house, because if other agents can't access it,they won't show it. When I told him/her that I had put a electronic box on, they said "Most of us don't use those things."

Anyone else run into this kind of a thing? How do you deal with it? I really don't want to fall in line behind the others, and conform! It's not my thing. But I do want to "play nice."

I should have left well enough,alone! I'm trying to sell my own home, and it's only been on the market for 40 days. I've had 6 showings, which in this market in South Florida,is darn good. I attribute (right or wrong) some of that traffic to my comments on the mls printout,which went something like this,"Gleaming,new,hardwood floors throughout and lakefront views." Sounds nice,right?

Well..several days passed without a call for a showing, so I thought I'd go in and change the words..just to "freshen" it up a bit. (duh..if it ain't broke,don't fix it)

Here's what I wrote, and keep in mind that it is my own home so I'm allowed to say dumb and stupid things..I thought it was funny, and was trying to get someones attention. So here goes-

"Obsessive/Compulsive cleans this home" (That would be me,folks) then it went on to say.."Spotless,lakeview home..blah,blah,blah. "

Do you know that I haven't gotten ONE call since I changed that about 1 1/2 weeks ago?

Was this not as funny as I thought it would be, while trying to get a "clean and well maintained "point across?

How important is the wording that we choose in the listing?

Am I giving it more importance than it requires?

Or is all that overlooked if the price is right?

I was lucky enough to be "brought on board" this past Summer by a professional short-sale company. I was made their Treasure Coast Realtor-to handle all the leads that they received inquiring about short-sales, in a certain geographical area. There were many on-line training sessions to be listened to regarding "how to proceed and capture the short-sale lead". Much of the information taught has been useful, but I have found that the "idea" they try to teach..that you'll be "in and out"-meaning..list the property,get the property sold, and in the middle "Don't get too personally involved".. is a grand idea, in theory, but does not happen that way.

If anything..the short-sale clients need much more compassion,attention, and reassurance. Instead of the happy,excited sellers that are the norm in a "regular" listing..these families are "mourning" a loss. The loss of their dream of a home with all the things that go along with it. When you go to look at their home for your first sit-down appointment, it doesn't help to mention how beautiful their home is,or how much work it looks like they've done..it only rubs salt in the wound, and reminds them of what they have to leave behind.

There is no way to keep from getting too personal, when you ask them to write a Hardship letter to the bank, and they want you to read it first to let them know it is ok. I can't share with you the heart-wrenching stories I've read, but each is more touching than the one before.

It makes me very thankful to be one of the lucky ones..I'm able to go to bed at night in a safe,warm ,beautiful bed, and not worry about where I and my family might be living in a month or two.

It has forced me to see the other side of the coin,on a daily basis..up close and personal. The eyes I look into, are the eyes of all of us. Our mothers,dads, sisters and brothers. Not at all "Impersonal!"

This will give you a little insight into the kind of person my husband is..

Joe went to pick up my youngest teenage son who had a job washing a boat for an elderly captain. The captain had been out of town for several months, and had left a freezer full of fish in his home. Apparently, the power had gone off while the captain was away, and the house was filled with a horrible stench of fish! You can imagine how horrible, as the average South Florida temp. in the late Summer is about 90.

Well, my husband and son felt bad for this particular gentleman and offered to cart the "stinkin fish freezer" away, in the back of his truck! And guess where it was coming? You guessed right! Right to the curbside of "yours-truly's "house. Now, we have just moved in to a gated (and quite proper) community..so we are the new kids on the block. The thing smelled so bad, that you couldn't go out your front door, without the smell wafting in and chasing you down! And it had several large belts around it to make sure it didn't open accidentally. It was quite a sight, and it was going to be 3 long,hot days till we had garbage pickup.

Guess what happened next? Garbage pick-up came and went and still the "stinkin fish freezer" sat..growing more disgusting by the day. I, of course, was the one getting the dirty looks from the joggers,walkers,dogs passing by..because I work out of my home office, and can see what is happening at my curbside. I called the garbage collector to remind them about the big thing they forgot, and guess what? They don't pick up freezers with rotten stuff inside..it has to be completely cleaned out! You know that saying," No good deed goes unpunished?" Well, I was feeling that might be a little true. (My husband is always doing good deeds, so I've gotten used to this concept!)

I was feeling thoroughly disgusted, and I had visions of myself up to the elbows in rotting fish and soapsuds. I had to get away for a little bit, so I took a drive about 30 minutes away..(my husband was at work-son in school.) And while I was gone, I started thinking..wouldn't it be great if someone just took it, without my permission, while I was gone? In short-STOLE IT! Of course, I knew the chances of that happening were pretty slim,because to get into our "gated" community you had to use a "swipe" card or be on a list and get the nod from security at the gate. And who in their right mind would want a "stinkin fish freezer"

You can guess the rest..I went home after about 1 hour away, and the thing was gone! It had vanished, and I to this day,I don't know who took it or where it went! I felt a little bad for them, truthfully!

This is a true story, and is typical of the things that occur at my home on a monthly basis.. You've gotta laugh, and a good laugh is something we all need right now!

Well, It's been a very long time in-between blogs..So long that I don't think I can even call it a "blog", but I've made some huge changes, and I hope you'll all bear with me,while I explain myself!

Have you heard the saying, "If you keep doing the same thing, you'll get the same results?" Well, I had finally reached the "brick wall" in Real Estate land. Nothing seemed to be working, and the harder I worked the worse it seemed to get. The more homes I put on the market..the worse the market seemed to get. Nothing was selling, my sellers were all disgruntled, and I couldn't do anything to make it change. So, I decided to "make a break for it." It took a few months of sleepless nights, and many heart to heart talks with friends,husband,kids..but I (with family in tow) decided to move to a completely new town, Vero Beach , and new real estate office, this Summer. I left the booming,busy, and chaotic West Palm Beach, where I had had almost 10 years of success as a Realtor.It has been scary and tough.. I don't know a soul, and I am basically starting all over again, to build my name and reputation in the real estate world. But, I knew it was time to try something new and different, and to be courageous. I have joined a terrific company with great Realtors, but I really miss my old friends, and fellow Realtors. (and I had 2 fantastic Brokers that it was hard to leave)

I have just gotten my first listing, and I'm on my way.. I'll be happy to give any advice to any other Realtors contemplating thinking of a move to a new area. I'm glad I did it, even though it isn't for the "faint of heart." I had no mentors to guide me or give me advice on "what to do with all my existing listings", "How to tell my sellers, and clients",how to pick a new company", "what to look for in a Broker",etc. etc. I had many questions, and I worked them out..eventually..Not everything went smoothly, and it was at times very emotional - but, Change is always good, and brings new opportunities, and adventures.

Please let me know if I can help any other fellow Realtors..I'd be glad to advise, and to give you the needed "Go For It!"

Till next time,

Linda