Belfair, WA

A conversation this past week with a seller, really got me to thinking how we connect or don't connect with our contacts, customers and clients...

How well do you read your contacts, customers and clients?

When I meet someone first off, I try to find a common area of interest to break the ice and use it to help establish a connection. Yeah the "weather" always seems to make topic, but I look for and listen for something that will open the door for me and give me that special connection with them.

I don't mean just listening (although extremely important) to what they say, but noticing what they are wearing, driving, carrying and watching their body language can tell you a lot.

Another agent's seller, who has a Hood Canal waterfront home for sale that I have a buyer for, was dropping off some documentation at my office for us. I was looking forward to meeting him and getting a "read" on both him and his property.

When he came in, I noticed he was wearing a Harley Davidson jacket. We introduced ourselves and I asked him the simple question - "What do you ride?"

He smiled and answered immediately, - "Fat Boy."

I commented back pointing at myself -"Dyna Low Rider."

Smiles broke out - high fives went around.... Ice broken. A connection made... No tension for either of us as we casually talked about Harley's and each of our experiences and rides.

It gave him the opportunity to be comfortable with me and vice versa as we worked our way to the discussion of the property.

It is important to be able to read people whether you are negotiating a contract, or meeting someone for the first time. All of the information that you can gather regarding them, their lifestyle, their interests and MAKING the connection is a great way to gain trust and establish a solid relationship as well as a way for them to REMEMBER YOU and who you are and what you do...

His words as he was leaving were : "See you on the rode!"

But what was more important was the connection we DID establish and I really realized this as I listened to his voice mail message :

"Come in 'Biker Agent'. Come in 'Biker Agent'. Biker to "Biker Agent' - How'd the showing go?"

Now that's a connection. "Read" your contacts and you too will find your connection.

There are No Wrong Turns - just MORE ROAD!

This is not a pipe dream... This is my business and a lot of my life....and I LOVE IT and I wouldn't trade it for anything.... well ok maybe retirement and riding my Harley.

The last week has been a crazy week, both in business and personal items that needed addressing. It's given me a lot to think about (although not much time to think about it); especially, how I run and want my business to continue.

I have always considered my work in real estate as my own business - not a job; and treated it as such. It is what I DO. I treat it as a business as well and that means at times (a lot of times) putting in hours when others wouldn't and don't.

Someone asked me why?

Customer service is important in my business, in order to provide the best service I need to be available when they need me!

Because this is not a pipe dream of mine. This is my career; MY Business. and holidays and weekends when people have time off from work to look at homes and need information about the area, is when they NEED me. A good business keeps the storefront open during prime time opportunity; And that prime time opportunity can sometimes be huge during a holiday or weekend when others are playing.

I accommodate customers and clients as much as I can, otherwise I would more than likely be OUT OF BUSINESS!

There's a time to play and a time for business. This is by no means a regular 9 to 5 - Monday through Friday job. If you treat it like that and only keep the storefront open during those times- you are missing out on a lot of opportunity and success.

Don't get me wrong! I will have some downtime, but my business is built on customer service and it is during other people's "play time" that is my work time.

Even though there are many Homes For Sale in Belfair, sitting on the Fence can be costly....

(You'd think the buyers that are still on the fence that by now their butts would hurt from those pickets as well!)....

If you are hanging half off and half on the fence, you are going to lose out on one of the best opportunities to purchase a home. Not to mention the $8000 first Time Homebuyers Tax credit if you are eligible.

That's what seems to be happening in the buyers world as of late. Buyers are frustrated because the home they just saw either already has offers on it, the seller won't move too much off their asking price, or the seller will not give you everything you asked for in your offer.

Educating buyers is a very important important part of our job. Some of the real estate markets in the nation are no longer completely buyer markets as the inventory has decreased and buyers have started moving off the fence in certain price ranges. All real estate is local. And within the local area as well, the niche or price rangewill have it's own market as well. Belfair Homes for Sale that are stick built under the $250,000 price range that are in decent condition is becoming scarce.

Multiple Offers in a Buyers Market in Belfair, IS happening and happening alot in certain price ranges. You can't continue to sit on the fence in this market. Belfair homes for sale under $250,000 are moving quickly at close to or at their top dollar asking price.

"Well," you declare to me. "There are other sellers out there that will take my low offer and give me everything I want! It's a Buyers Market right?" Again, NOT NECESSARILY!

Just because it is a buyers market overall does not mean it is a buyers market in your price range or for what you are looking for.

Example: Homes for sale in Belfair, Allyn and the surrounding area that are $250k and under that are stick-built and have just come on the market are scooped up before most "half off the fence -half on the fence" buyers can get their feet on the ground. Because the homes for sale inventory is lowwwww in that price range, as well as the buyers that are out there have seen the SAME HOMES THAT YOU HAVE, the receive offers fairly quick and sometimes multiple offers.

They are waiting for a similar home that you are looking for, but they have both feet planted on the ground and are not "half off - half on the fence."

Naturally when that one home comes on the market - BAM it is going to go with a flurry of activity.Unless you are fully off the fence, prepared and ready to get moving, you will not get the house or the opportunity.

Ok- so now you have established that you need to fully come off the fence and get serious. It also means when you do make the offer - you are going to need to put your best foot forward. Otherwise guess what will happen? The guy behind you that has been looking at the same thing, he gets the deal...and you lose out.

If you need help in getting prepared, finding the right home for sale in Belfair- give me a call, drop me a line or stop on by...No reason to be frustrated! If you have the right strategy, mindset and are working with a professional real estate agent who knows how to get the job done, you will accomplish your goal. Know what to expect and you won't be let down.

But you got to get off the fence first!

~~Valerie~~

I had a very interesting conversation this morning with a friend on Facebook. She wants to get involved in a career in Real Estate. She is local to my area, and I know her fairly well.

She started this morning- "Josh, can I ask you some questions about real estate?"

"Of course"

"Im thinking about getting into real estate, can you explain the process?"

It was a refreseher course, what a trip down memory lane.

Then came the juice, she asked me, "Josh, why did you choose to work at the local Belfair Windermere?"

I told her that the great thing about real estate, is that there is an office to fit every type of agent and what you are looking for. It's all preference, but here is my reasoning.

I explained how Windermere fit me personally, and what I look for in a brokerage. The reputation of a company is huge, that is a shadow you will be constantly in.

I told her to choose a company that would represent her well. Interview around, see what each company has to offer. Everything is a negotiation tool.

Another question about location came up. She asked me why I chose to work locally. I explained that it is not for everyone, and that is also all upto the person. I enjoy being a local agent, being known around town, and being invloved in my community. Some agents need that separation from work and home.

Why did you select the company that you work for?

How does your brokerage fit your specific needs?

____________________________

Josh Murphy Belfair Real Estate

Windermere Peninsula Properties

Hood Canal & Puget Sound Waterfront Homes for Sale~July Wrap Up~

Pristine Waters, Spectacular Views, and lots to do on the Hood Canal! Kayaking, fishing, swimming, and jet skiing are just a few of the many summer activities to be enjoyed on the Hood Canal. Year round activities are un abundance from Owning a home on the Hood Canal has never been more affordable or had as many choices and opportunities as there is now.

For the month end of July 2009, Hood Canal and Puget Sound Waterfront Homes for sale and Sold are in abundance.

South Shore of Hood Canal currently has:

• 18 waterfront homes for sale. A coveted and destination location offering easy access too many recreation activities in the area.There have not been this many choices of homes for sale along the South Shore of Hood Canal in a long time. Don't miss out!
• 3 pending sales -
• 1 sold in the month of July for $490,000. Average $'s per square foot for this home was $166.21

North Shore of Hood Canal currently has:

• 23 waterfront homes for sale
• 1 pending sales
• 1 Sold for the month of July. June there were no sold North Shore Waterfront homes.

Southern Puget Sound in Grapeview and Allyn Waterfront homes:

• 21 waterfront homes for sale
• 4 Pending sales
• 1 Sold in the last month for a price of $399,950. Average $'s per square foot for this home was $305.07

Reviewing the numbers for my Hood Canal and Puget Sound Waterfront clients, it looks as though the Allyn and Grapeview area along the Puget Sound are giving the South Shore and North Shore of Hood Canal a run for their money. Allyn and Grapeview were one of our "best kept secrets" until the last two years where it is has gained notoriety for great waterfront homes for saleand recreational opportunities as well as full-time living.

A quiet leisurely drive will take you along the North Shore of the Belfair area of Hood Canal with many, many choices and prices of homes along with pristine beaches and vistas. A leisurely place with a leisurely pace...

The South Shore of Hood Canal is where people who have heard of "Hood Canal" usually think of... Located along the southern shores of the "hook" of the canal, it is considered a "destination" for summertime fun.

Ready for your own summertime waterfront getaway? Lots of options from the Hood Canal to the southern Puget Sound...

Prices start as low as $225,000 on up to 5.9 million!! 62 homes for sale waiting for you to come by! So you can see there is a price and a home that will fit just about anyone's pocketbook...

If you would like more information on waterfront homes for sale along the South Shore and North Shore of Hood Canal or in the Allyn and Grapeview area along Case Inlet/Lower Puget Sound, give me a call.

~~Valerie~~

Windermere Peninsula Properties

My Blog : www.BelfairWArealestate.com

My Email: VLSallyn@windermere.com

My Phone : 360-710-5622

Valerie Spaulding~Allyn~Belfair~Hood Canal & Mason County~WA~Real Estate~ •