Ever since my 2007 SMART class, brought to me courtesy of the great Floyd Wickman, I've done my best to live my life according to 5 core values; one of which being "GET BY GIVING".

In that spirit, I spend a lot of time helping out the elusive FSBO (for sale by owner). Free advice, disclosures they might not be aware they need, free flyer's, and the like. I also like to provide them with a list of "DO'S", such as:

DO make sure to know your buyer before you let them into your home.

DO stage your home or hire a professional to help you.

You get the gist...

But I'm wondering about a DON'T LIST.

So, MR. and/or Mrs. FSBO, here are some dont's...

• There is a golden rule in real estate that "The first one to talk loses." So, when Mr. buyer asks your price and you tell them, and the buyer then gets silent, DON'T SPEAK. Sure, its uncomfortable, but if you speak up first, YOU LOSE! You lose negotiating power. You lose the upper hand in the price battle.

• DON'T forget the residential property disclosure. Its in place for a reason. So when/if you have an open house, you don't need to tell the prospective buyer as soon as they get in the door that the roof leaks like a sieve. Don't misunderstand. I'm NOT saying to hide that. But gee, let the buyer at least get in the door and see if they like the home first. Looks like its heading the right direction? Lets now discuss that disclosure you have filled out and see how we might come to terms. Everything in due time. DON'T scare the buyers!

• DON'T handle that paperwork if you really don't understand it. This is one of the biggest transactions of your LIFE. When in doubt, hire it out. Don't let an oops on a document haunt you for years to come, or cost you your life savings. Its just not worth it!

• Don't refuse to cooperate with your local Realtors. I know, we can be a pesty bunch, but all the same...Lets admit this market is tough enough. If a Realtor has a buyer for your home, let them show it. Why limit your chances any more than they might already be?

• DON'T price high to "leave room for negotiations". I ask you, which would be more upsetting...Sitting on that house for 6-9 months with absolutely NO showings, constantly keeping it picked up, always wondering why so many call about it but no one ever stops by? OR, getting a lot of activity and maybe having 2-3 offers to choose from? Hmmm.... Like I always tell my sellers...I'd rather see them be able to pick thru multiple offers until they find the one that suits them, than to sit on the market with no activity. A fate worse than death.

• DON'T hide. Sure, that FSBO sign in your yard is nice, but you live in a cul-de-sac, and how are most folks supposed to know you are there? My listings are advertised on over 40 web sites, plus video tours, plus print, not to mention the Multiple Listing Service. Try Craigslist, see if a Realtor might help you with some advertising ideas. Just DON'T hide!

Of course, since this is my blog, I get to throw in a shameless plug that the EASIEST way to avoid these mistakes and many more is to hire a Realtor to do the job for you! Good luck!

Kelley Weimer

A house "SOLD" name!

www.buypreblecounty.com

Professional real estate services for Preble County Ohio and Beyond, including Eaton, West Alexandria, Lewisburg and Lake Lakengren.

Its been a tumultuous start to the new year. In fact, my last blog post, Well, its happened and I need help if you can give it, was downright depressing. OK, I'm not ashamed. We all have our dark moments. Not many of us can say we've been completely sheltered from the storm that the current economy has brought upon us. Even if YOU haven't been hit directly, chances are you know someone near and dear who is facing repercussions.

I come to you now to speak on the benefits of positive thinking. WOW! This is a tough one for me, and frankly, by the grace of God am I even able to write about such a thing. You see, as previously mentioned in a "members only" post, I also suffer from depression. Only lately have I come to the realization that

A. I'm not ashamed of this disease any longer.

B. If someone does have an issue with it, it's their issue, NOT mine.

Anyways, I digress. What I'm saying is this...when bad stuff happens, it hits me hard. The depression takes what might be a "5" on the scale of good to bad and moves it up to a "10". It stinks, but it is what it is. So when my husband announced to me in January that his employer would be cutting jobs, cutting hours, cutting DAYS off of the work week, I got real scared. And real depressed. I think anyone would at this sort of news. Here I am, in real estate. There hubby is, in the automobile industry. Ugh! Suddenly our job choices seem real foolhardy.

So, as I spun down into the pattern of worry, tears, spiraling down, more worry and what-ifs?, my knee jerk reaction is to get out of real estate. Go get a "real" job.

Here I am, a month later, and doing a REAL job. Yep, real estate. Full time, with all my heart and soul.

And I wonder; am I stubborn like a mule, or just being an a$$? Maybe neither.

Why the big change in outlook? I decided to focus on my blessings. I have a simply amazing family. My husband is wonderful, and my son and daughter are a gift from God. My dog Ted loves me no matter if I get the listing or not. I made a commitment that each day, instead of doing th "what-if" game, I would talk to myself about how many blessing I have RIGHT NOW. And there is a lot!

Interestingly enough, since putting this practice into full effect, I have been super busy and putting things under contract left and right. Hmmm???

You mean this "postive outlook" crap works???

Yes. Right now my husband is still working part time, with full time bills coming to our home every day. I ahven't had a closing yet this year so for the time being I'm looking under the couch cushions for gas money, but I honestly dont think I've been this happy in years.

Dear Buyer or Seller,

Greetings from the Preble County Ohio market. Today, as everyday, I sit here at my desk doing all the little things that make my real estate business tick. You know, setting up showings, lots of phone calls, checking up on the market today and planning for whats next for all my great clients.

And I've gotta say, I've been blessed really. Blessed with lots of great clients and friends. Some folks who started out as total strangers have ended up becoming almost like family. Some admittedly a tad dysfunctional, but that's OK :) Its a good feeling.

And I've been in this business for almost 7 years now. I've seen a great market, a good market, an iffy market. And this one. Which is , eh???? To be determined is a nice way to put it. I've seen people come into great fortune, and people, even friends, lose their homes in this new day and age we live in. Over the course of time, I've developed a pretty thick skin. Sure, I still get emotionally involved in my real estate dealings, because I care. You just don't spend weeks on end with a person, getting to know their hopes and dreams, let alone their complete financial pictures, without developing a bond.

So let me give it to you straight...if you need to tell me something,

JUST LEVEL WITH ME.

I can take it!!!

If you are selling your home "by owner", and I happen to call you with questions, just LEVEL WITH ME. I don't need empty promises that someday you might list your home with me. I can take it, really! So you don't want to list your home? That's OK! I can still offer advice. I can still help you find a new one. Shoot, I can buzz off if that's what you tell me to do. Just LEVEL WITH ME.

If you decide to rent out your home that I currently have on the market, just LEVEL WITH ME. I don't need to hear that you want to take it off the market because of a sick Grandma or cause the dog ate your homework. Believe me, part of my job is keeping tabs on everything going on out there with houses, so I already know Mr. Renter moved in there a week ago. That's OK!! I'll live. Shoot, I'll still even call you a friend. Things happen. But you always want me to be honest with you, right? I like the same thing.

If I show you some houses, but you happen to have met another Realtor you just get along with better, LEVEL WITH ME. I might not like it, but I'll appreciate your honesty and wish you the best. Because my momma raised me to be that type of person. It feels much better than you not returning my calls, where I sit here at my desk and wonder what I might have done or said wrong. Probably nothing. Just LEVEL WITH ME.

And please my friends, and I mean this with all sincerity, if you or someone you love is in jeopardy of losing a home, LEVEL WITH ME. You have no reason to be embarrassed, though I know you may feel in your hearts like you do. Times are tough. For me, for you, for those we love. But the very best way to save yourself undue stress is to let me, a professional, know whats going on. I can offer suggestions, connect you with the RIGHT PEOPLE who can help, lend you a sympathetic ear, whatever you may need. But I cant do any of this without your help.

I think you all get the gist of what I am saying. Don't hold back because of my feelings. I can take it. The best part about real estate is that there is always something new and exciting right around the next corner. So I'll LEVEL WITH YOU... your bad news wont slow me down for long...I'm sort of a persistent gal. :)

Kelley A. Weimer, a house "SOLD" name

www.buypreblecounty.com

Professional real estate services for Preble County Ohio and beyond,

including Eaton, Lewisburg, West Alexandria and Lake Lakengren

For those out there who aren't familiar with Neaton Auto, this plant has been supplying automobile parts to many places around the country (and jobs to many people in the area) for years.

Established in 1984, here in Eaton OH, Neaton Auto Products Manufacturing was built as a subsidiary to Nihon Plast Co, Ltd, based in Japan.

Over the years, Neaton has employed upwards of 700 people, working to make auto parts for such big name companies as Honda, Nissan and Toyota. Neaton manufactures steering wheels, air bags, instrument panels, ventilators and interior and exterior trim for automobiles.

OK, so there's a little a back story. But what is of interest right now is JOBS. Good, honest, decent paying, "secure" jobs, that are now in jeopardy. Well, I can't say it comes as much of a surprise, considering the current state that the auto industry in in.

And before I get into too much doom and gloom here, let me just say for the record that compared to Ford and GM, Honda of America is looking pretty good. They have always been very mindful of the bottom line, as I think Neaton has.

Part of keeping an eye on the bottom line is, however, "trimming the fat." Unfortunatly, that "fat" happens to be real living, breathing, bill-having mortgage-holding folks.

The talks began around December..."how are we gonna trim the fat?" asks Neaton execs. Well, first thing to go: the temporary employees. All 100+ of them. They were able to work right up to the Holiday shutdown. Merry Christmas huh?

Next thing in fat cutting: same thing you and I are doing now to cut down on energy costs. Turning off lights we don't need. Keeping the furnace running low. Admittedly, things we all should have been conscious of years ago, but well, what are you gonna do?

But now its getting a little more serious. Going down to 4 day work weeks. Some Neaton Associates will still get in the necessary 40 hours, but now in 10 hour, 4 day/week shifts. And many are being forced to go down to 32 hour work weeks. The next "rumor"? THREE day work weeks.

And I have to admit, I'm concerned. This affects my family directly. It affects many of my friends and clients. Worst of all, the long term affect that lost wages of Neaton employees will have on this community scares the tar out of me. WHAT will this do to the City of Eaton, to the Preble County community?

Please don't misunderstand. I, in NO WAY, blame any of this on Neaton, or Nihon Plast, or Honda. Its just another effect in the long wave of places and people hit by the recession. I cant blame Neaton any more than I would blame "the market" for the current condition of real estate. "The market" isn't the cause. Its an effect. Neaton making job cuts isn't a cause, its an effect.

But that EFFECT AFFECTS many, and I hope and pray for my family and for yours that better days WILL be ahead. Good luck and God bless!

Kelley A. Weimer, a house "SOLD" name!

www.buypreblecounty.com

Professional real estate services for Preble County Ohio and beyond,

including Eaton, Lewisburg, West Alexandria and Lake Lakengren.

How does the old saying go? "Familiarity breeds contempt." Oh, this couldn't be more true. This time of year, its pretty much human nature to be thinking about the New Year...things you'd like to change, things you hope for, resolutions, new business plans, etc..

How about a change of atmosphere? Are you considering this, even in the back of your mind?

I speak from experience here folks. It can be the most invigorating, motivating experience EVER! It is also frightening. Yes, change is scary. But again, speaking from experience here, some folks fear change so much that they would rather stay in the same environment, regardless of how CRAPPY it may be, than make a change.

And why do we automatically look at change a some sort of

scary monster we like to keep locked away in the closet?

Change can be positive. "Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine. ~Robert C. Gallagher"

Well, OK...here's a few better ones:

"The only difference between a rut and a grave is their dimensions. ~Ellen Glasgow"

"Our only security is our ability to change. ~John Lilly"

"When you are through changing, you are through. ~Bruce Barton"

Don't get me wrong, in this market, change is NOT the magic elixer. My sales were lower than usual last year (2007) at my old brokerage. My sales were still lower this year (2008) than I would like at my new brokerage (though by less). It doesn't work like that magic Genie lamp; come to new office, rub new desk and poof: AMAZING BUSINESS!

But change can provide many a good thing, such as a fresh perspective, new found strength, a reason to get up in the morning, new people with new ideas or old ones.

Here's the bottom line for me; I spent TWO YEARS agonizing over a switch to a new brokerage. TWO YEARS, with contempt you wouldn't believe at my situation and my company. Some of it justified, and yes, a lot more that just grew and grew because of my anger at being in a place that I was no longer happy. I finally had to conviction to make the move.

Since then I have found a broker that inspires me everyday, training that kicks butt, new friends, and opportunities to new and exciting real estate business.

Long story short, if you are looking to make more money, better yourself, be a better Realtor...better take a look inside first.

If you are tired of wallowing in crap, just because its more comfortable than the thought of change, take a leap of faith. "Change always comes bearing gifts. ~Price Pritchett"

Kelley A. Weimer, a house "SOLD" name!

Country Mile Realtors

www.buypreblecounty.com

Professional real estate services for Preble County Ohio,

including Eaton, West Alexandria, Lewisburg and Lake Lakengren.