About Suffolk County, NY

WHEN DO YOU SAY "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH"?

My home is on the market here in Southampton Village and I live here. It is located in a very "hot" area right now so everyday I get calls to show it and some of them are really off-the-wall calls; I liken some of them to a pie in the face, catching me by surprise, especially since these agents know I am a fellow agent!

HERE ARE JUST A FEW:

• My buyer loves the street you live on--he is dying to see a house on your street--can I show your house tomorrow? (The exact words of an agent!)
• He doesn't really care about the zoning....He really wants to just take a look.
• What do you mean "Did you qualify him"?
• If my buyer likes your house, can he rent it with an option to buy? (This is after I told the agent my house is rented for summer 2012.)
• My buyer is looking for a real deal---will you give him a better price than your asking price?

These were actual questions that I fielded this last week from a couple of agents who wanted to show my house. Some of these questions REALLY killed me! One of these agents was unaware (for some reason, since I make sure that information is on the listing!) that I am the owner/broker for the property. He absolutely floored me when he asked for the listing as an exclusive!!!

Last night I had one of those calls where the agent who is not from the area, called me very late asking if she could show the house at 10:00 this morning...I told her that the house is rented for the summer and will not be able to close until after Labor Day and asked if her buyer knows that....she brushed that off and said "No, but he really wants to see your house." I told her that since it is rented and he can't buy it until after Labor Day, there was no rush to get in to see it...besides, which, I am struggling to get around with a very badly injured knee and I am scheduled for surgery next wednesday--and my dog is not well--so if she could just hold him off for a week that would be better for me.

The agent was not happy to hear that and said: "Well, I have never had anyone tell me not to show their house if they really want to sell!"...where-upon I informed her that in my many years of experience, when a buyer is pushing like that to get in to see a house--that the person is not a real buyer and may even have another agenda--and I am not in any condition to prepare my house for a showing, (I like my house to be immaculate and lighted) take my dog out for her to show it and then find out the guy was not a real buyer.

She was not happy but took that as a "no" and hung up.....then called me back in 1/2 an hour insisting that the guy was real, that it does not matter that it is rented because he would be re-doing it or tearing it down....I said: "Wait a minute--I have written in the notes that this house is over 75 years old and has to go through the ARB (Architectural review Board) to get approval for tear down--and they may say no--Did you tell him that?" Her response? "Oh that's ok, he will just re-do it then! He just wants to be in that neighborhood"...defeated I said ok to the 10:00 appointment this morning and went to bed....

I was awakened several times during the night with my dog in terrible shape, needing to get to the hosptial first thing....so I cleaned up the house (took me an hour--very hard on my poor knee), dressed and took him to the hospital at 9:30, leaving the front door unlocked for the agent and her "buyer"...

As I stood in the waiting room at the animal hospital at 10:00, my little dog wrapped in a wee-wee pad and my knee killing me (I was afraid to sit down, in case I could not get up!) my cell phone rang in my pocket---I struggled to get it and saw it was the agent calling me---"Hi Paula!---just wanted to let you know that the buyer has not even left the city yet because of the snow so I think we need to cancel...." and I hung up!

WHEN DO YOU SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH?

Baby Boomers Helping Their Children With The American Dream

Larry and Sheila, Realtors with Charles Rutenberg Realty are experiencing something here on Long Island that may be happening throughout the country.

Some Baby Boomer's are now willing to provide financial support and are helping their children or grandchildren buy their first home or condo.

They know that times are tough, and they want to make sure their family does not miss out on the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of home ownership.

Whether it's the help with a down payment, giving money towards the purchase or buying it outright for them, the trend seems to be ongoing.

Currently Larry and Sheila are working with a young school teacher whose parents are giving her the down payment for a co-op. We are also working with a couple who lost their jobs and are relocating back to Long Island and with the help of their parents, are buying a small house. Another first-time home buyer is moving from his parent's home. They are buying him a condo so he can finally be on his own. (Wonder whose benefiting more from this one!)

According to a survey from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, "one in five baby boomer couples have already given at least one of their children the means to purchase a home, either buying it outright, furnishing the down payment or co-signing the loan".

Of course, this isn't the case for everyone. Times are tough and Baby Boomers are having difficult times also. However, we are seeing a nice segment who are able to help their children with the American Dream.

We are hearing from the Baby Boomer parents that they feel they are in a better position to buy a home for their children and feel that home ownership is still one of the best investments you can make ~ and who knows, these Baby Boomers may be looking to their families for assistance someday also!

The importance of owning a home goes much further than the economy as it is still all about supporting the American Dream.

So whether you're a Baby Boomer, First Time Home Buyer or Seller, Thinking About Selling Or Buying A Home On The North Shore Of Long Island...Do Contact Larry And Sheila At 631-805-4400

If you would like to purchase a home for your children on Long Island, or sell the one you are currently living in, please contact LARRY AND SHEILA to help you with your Real Estate goals at 631-805-4400.

http://www.suffolkexperts.com

Email: sheila@suffolkexperts.com

HOW DO YOU "QUALIFY" YOUR BUYERS?....Or,...DO You Qualify Your Buyers?

Given the "no" answer that I have received from a number of agents it appears that there is woeful disregard for the act of qualifying a buyer. It surprises me completely that this important part of working as a real estate professional is overlooked or is not even a known CRUCIAL part of the interview of a buyer.

Today it seems that most agents do NOT qualify their buyers and in fact, they have no idea HOW to qualify them!

This post is written after I read one by Maria Morton: Showing Homes To Unqualified Buyers Just like Maria, I find that this is THE most important part of an interview of a potential buyer. Some agents feel it is too invasive; they feel embarrassed to ask these probing questions...That is too bad, because not only is it necessary, it is EXPECTED by any qualified buyer!

In my observations there is a danger in several ways in NOT qualifying a person who you will be working closely with. The most obvious one is the safety issue; the chances we take every day in the real estate profession include possible life-threatening encounters with someone that we know nothing about.

The next risk, and not as threatening personally but still a risk, is the "Time Waster", who has no regard for the work we do and no respect for our precious time. Not many, but some people just want to go into other peoples homes....and these Lookie Lous' will waste your time "Big Time" if you let them!

Taking all of this into consideration, and with Maria's post still fresh in my mind, I would like to give everyone here a list of the most important things we must ask a potential client/customer.

QUESTIONS YOU MUST ASK A POTENTIAL CLIENT/CUSTOMER:

• What do you do for a living?
• How long have you been looking?
• Have you bid on anything else?
• Have you tried to buy a house recently?
• If "yes" why did you not buy it?
• Will you be financing the house you buy?
• If "cash" is the answer, are you in a liquid financial position?
• If financing, how much will you be putting down and is it liquid?
• Are you pre-qualified for a loan to buy a house?
• If not, would you be willing to talk to a mortgage broker or bank to get pre-qualified?
• Do you know what your net-worth is? (This applies generally, to a high net worth purchase only)
• Can you substantiate any claim to net worth if a seller requires it?

NOTE: If these seem too invasive and if the potential client/customer baulks at answering any of these questions, you need to make note of the reaction..this reaction is crucial to identifying a potential problem--both for your safety and your valuable time! DON'T FALL INTO A TRAP BY NOT QUALIFYING A "BUYER"!

THESE ARE THE ACTIONS NEEDED BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR OFFICE WITH YOUR NEW CLIENT/CUSTOMER:

• Ask them if they are currently working with an agent other than you.
• If "yes", try to find out who and if the answer is I "was" working with another agent, ask why they are not still working with said agent.
• Do a Google search on the person you just interviewed. (Do this in private if you can find a place to do a search)
• If anything looks suspicious, put off working with them until you have time to do a back ground search.
• If you need a background search, there is a sight called "People Search" and for a few dollars, you can get the low-down on what is a possible problem with the individual.

Now, these may seem like probing questions and they are, but you need to take the stance of being the scrupulous individual you are if you want to get the respect you should get from a potential client/customer...

I always say that if the person knows you are REALLY interested and not just nosy, they are more apt to be forthcoming with the information you require.

The way you ask and what you ask will help them determine that you are a professional, not a snoop!

If they do not want to share any of this information with you, that is a sure sign that they are holding back needed information from you and you can choose whether or not you want to go forward.

THE WATCHFUL EYE OF QUALIFYING A BUYER IS A NECESSARY PART OF YOUR SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS!

FOR YOUR SAFETY AND FOR YOUR SUCCESS IN THE PROCESS OF SELLING HOMES, YOU MUST ALWAYS QUALIFY A POTENTIAL CLIENT/CUSTOMER!

Lindenhurst NY Short Sale Market Report - 2008-January 2012

The Lindenhurst NY short sale market in 2011 almost stayed the same compared to 2010. In 2010, 55 homes were listed as short sales and 30 sold. 50 homes in Lindenhurst NY were listed as short sales in 2011 and 33 sold.

2012 will be interesting. Short sales will continue to be around for a while. I have to assume right now that 2012 for short sales in Lindenhurst NY will be around the same as in 2010 and 2011.

If you have been considering to short sale your Lindenhurst NY home as an option but are not sure what it entails, call me today (631) 703-0201 to make a confidential, no-obligation appointment to see if a short sale is right for you and your family.

Yes Lighthouses Are For Lovers...

This weekend, February 12th, The Fire Island Lighthouse will sponsor a couples sunset. You can climb the lighthouse tower and treasure this special time. Light refreshments will be served at sunset (5:24 p.m.) on the terrace.