A lot of folks in real estate today complain bitterly how hard things are today. Yes there is a lot of change, and both real estate agents and companies are going out of business. In that sense real estate is not different than it was years ago. Today we have incredible mortgage rates, yet agents want buyers to have down payment assistance DPA and 100% financing. Things were not easy for years while buyers had to save their down payments. You had to nurture them along. Your contact manager was a box of index cards with hand written notes,a dn dates on it.
As for doing business...things were much more difficult. The real estate business required a lot more driving while hand delivering contracts, and marketing materials. Real estate back then was a lot more time consuming, and there was even wear and tear on the autos while running errands. There was no such thing as multiple color photos, virtual tours, and BING or Google maps to make your showing day eaiser! We had to drive around wihta real estate map book that more often than not was useless. You had to preview what you were showing! So real estate in the good old days was not as good as many make it out to be. There was however a lot of unproductive wasted time, waiting, and not as much commission from fewer closed sales. It was a lot more costly to market yourself and services. However, I prefer real estate the way it is done today. More closings even is a lousy market is an everyday reality since the advent of the Internet. Despite all the bellyaching, we've never had it easier in the real estate industry. Contracts on-line, PDF files, emails, e-fax, GPS, cell phones, Blackberry's, personal computers, access to the MLS at home and cell phones, electronic lock boxes that notify you when the home is shown, websites, office intranets, emails, attachments, personal color laser printers, label maker printers, and so much more! Do you miss the old days? I don't!
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Supporting other small business persons and friends like ourselves is a smart way to begin healing our local communitis. We feel Realtors can be at the center of the fix in he economy because we come in contact with so many individuals. We're calling this Blog Type "A Shout Out!" So this is the second of a few Local Blogs "Shout Outs" The Blog was written by my wife Ellen!
By Ellen Crawford
Custom Auto Reconditioning C.A.R. by our own resident magician Dan Merrill. Did you ever get home from the mall and find a ding that definitely wasn't there that morning? Do you want to purchase spinning rims for your son's tires for his birthday? Want the best overall reconditioning your car has ever had? How about repairing scratches; have you ever sent away for the stuff on TV only to realize it was clear nail polish or just plain bogus? Drop by Dan's CAR garage at 245 S. Main Street and have him give you some great ideas on how to inexpensively repair your bumper where you took down my mailbox - he'll be glad to meet you and dazzle you with his excellent work. http://customautorecon.com/contact.html
* This is not an ad, or endorsement, but rather a support of local businesses we've used. We were very satisfied on the two cars Dan worked on for us! He does gret work!
Ellen and I were discussing how we can support the economy in Atlanta. A lot of it is going to be by going local. Supporting other small business persons and friends like ourselves is a smart way to begin. We feel Realtors can be at the center of the fix in he economy because we come in contact with so many individuals. We're calling this Blog Type "A Shout Out!" So this is the first of a few Local Blogs "Shout Outs" to start that off. The Blog was written by my wife Ellen!
I had lunch the other day with Jeanny Elmquist and her children Luke and Victoria. Jeanny is a Corporate Travel Consultant at Travel Office LLC, but don't be under the incorrect assumption she can't do individuals or families because Jeanny's middle name is Family so to speak. Usually the first half hour of our conversations are about her sisters, brothers, Mom, nieces, nephews, and their children scattered everywhere. She would have to be a travel consultant with that large extended family! Her in-laws live in Pennsylvania and her husband has family in Malmo, Sweden where my nephew lives with his new Swedish wife. In other words, with my granddad also originating from Pennsylvania, Jeanny and I have a lot in common. While the kids played, we were talking about cruises and she told me about this fabulous concept that UCLA has partnered with the cruise lines she represents. When you're on a cruise, your child can take a fun, informative, hands on science course, I just loved that. I was counting on my two hands the number of things a multi-aged family can do on a cruise line and at 38, Jeanny had just gotten started. Across the entire age spectrum, in addition to the usual swimming, shuffleboard, exercising, dancing, movie theater, eating, drinking and general merry making, it would be impossible not to have a great time no matter where your destination. She sent three ebrochures to my email so I could take a look at rates, free stuff, and programs. Ask her for more details, but the best part was the pricing and many include free upgrades - some cruises are only $80 a night and one fit for a royal honeymoon was only $249 a night. Tell her your dream cruise and she can make it happen. If your personnel office is looking for a new corporate travel agent, she's the gal for you. Alaska anyone? Her email address is your_travel_agent@email.princess.com and her site is http://jeanny.agenthub.net/contact.php,
* This is not an ad, or endorsment, but rather a support of local businesses
An agent making the claim they are the "Best Atlanta Real Estate Agent" is one thing, and an agent making the claim, "...Foreclosure Expert" are two very different types of claims. Everyone in the real estate industry... reads the claims of agents and brokers claiming they are "Short Sales Expert!" "Foreclosure Specialists...ad nauseum..." and we take take them with a grain of salt! So many agents are doing this these days. A lot of agents using terms like "Consultant, Adviser, Relocation Expert, Buyer Advocate and Distressed Property Specialist!" So far so good? The problem with this is that they have never sold a home or advised one client. To a client that is relying on them for assistance and guidance in the most expensive transaction in their life...what if that advice is totally wrong? I'm not a lawyer , but you have to believe in resentments, and righting a wrong. Once unsubstantiated claims are made in print...they go a little beyond creative marketing and may offer proof of fraud for an unhappy client. In some states even a "Pen" with printed information on it is considered advertising! I read an article along time ago that said in downturns, lawsuits increase against agents. Be careful what you claim!
If an agent is making claims, they better be able to back them up. The term 'consultant' has a ring of authority in it, but what if the sound is hollow? In some states, terms like financial adviser or consultant may have to be licensed. But what if an agent was never consulted for anything....yet makes these claims? An angry client can research your background, they can save your business cards, and print dated pages from your website where those claims are made. If they file a lawsuit after they find you've never done anything as claimed in your ads...they may want justice. FYI...If you are sued for fraud, it is my understanding that fraud is not covered by E&O, and if your E&O does not cover it... you are on your own. Your own personal assets, bank accounts, properties, and finances may be at risk.
The rush to make money in real estate is blinding many to cross the line where it is not their advertising that is in question, but their manipulation of an unknowing victim. Even if you win your case if sued, the cost of a long protracted legal fight can crush you financially, wear you down mentally and rob you of years of your life.
In Georgia the state has pretty much taken the position, that we cannot practice law. Real estate agents, are not in a position legally to advise anyone on whether they should do a short sale and how to do it. That is reserved for the practice of law because of all that is involved.
An Example: Even though we are licensed under the laws of a state to sell real estate. I may speacialize in residential real estate. I could legally sell commercial real estate, but since I have so little understanding of the the workings of commercial real estate..I will not sell it. I would place my clients and their interests at risk if I offer advice and guidance in an area I know nothing. I will refer my clients to someone that has experience in those areas and can best assist my clients.
When you're ready to purchase a home in Atlanta (or a car for that matter) you should see a loan officer or mortgage planner first. There are so many options and programs open to Atlanta home buyers that you may want some assistance in planning the best mortgage for your needs over the lifetime of your mortgage, especially if you plan to stay put. If you'll be in Atlanta for 5 years, you may want to take a loan with a balloon coming due in seven years as opposed to an ARM, a fifteen or thirty year loan for example. You may want to work with a lender that allows you the choice of paying your mortgage twice a month and save yourself tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.
First thing to do is check your credit report. In Georgia, you can check your report for free twice a year with all three credit reporting services (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Credit is very important these days, and the rate you get when buying a home will be a reflection of your credit score. A poor score will mean a higher rate.
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