This morning I spent learning about Prudential Real Estate. You see, the broker I work for has changed from one national company to another, and today was training day with the new company.
Wow. I really impressed. From what I can gather, Prudential Real Estate has a really neat interactive tool which will help sellers track the interest in their property. They have something called the Online Seller Advantage (OSA). Apparently, the OSA allows sellers listed with me to receive emails from me keeping them up to speed on Web activity on their home and listing, price, and status changes in their neighborhood. How cool is that?!
There is also a feature which allows me to email non-customers who are simply interested in knowing what is going on with property sales in their neighborhood. True Story - After the meeting this morning, I came back to my office and took a call from a woman who wanted to know about a property that just went on the market in her neighborhood. She's not interested in buying or selling at this time; she just wanted to know for how much the house was listed. After giving her the information she was looking for, I explained that Trend Realty just joined the Prudential Real Estate family and told her about this new Online program. I then offered to put her on my email list so I can send her updates of property sales in her neighborhood. Did she accept my offer? You bet she did.
Yep, I am happy with the change my broker has brought upon us.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Azaleas Create Southern Charm in Gainesville
Spring has sprung in Gainesville, and when the azaleas come into bloom, life here for me turns nostalgic. I've been here a long time, and, for some reason, when the azaleas come into bloom, I take the time to reminisce about how I came to live in such a lovely, Southern town.
I first came to Gainesville when I visited my eldest sister for a week during the summer of 1974. She was a student at the University of Florida, and she and her roommate graciously allowed me to sleep on the couch of their loft apartment located behind Norman Hall. Those were the days of the Subterranean Circus and Leonardo's veggie on whole wheat when the only Leonardo's Pizza in town was located at 706 University Ave. That pizza was so thick with veggies and cheese that one slice was all it took to fill me up, and being a fast-growing teenager, I was a big eater back then.
My next foray into the Tree City was when I visited my other sister who attended college here in the late 70's. I visited her alot, and got to know the university pretty well, but I never really ventured beyond campus.
Following in my sisters' footsteps, I came to Gainesville as a college student in 1981. That's when I began to notice how beautiful this town really is. Named a Tree City, Gainesville abounds with lush vegetation that keeps it green year around; however, it's in springtime that this town shows her heritage.
The first hints of spring are seen with the blooming of the Japanese magnolia trees, dogwoods, and red buds. And then come the azaleas. For me, when the azaleas come into bloom, Gainesville turns from being a fast-paced, college town into a southern town with charm and a slower pace that reveals its Southern roots (excuse the pun.)
Azaleas are everywhere. Drive along any thoroughfare or side street and there they are blooming in shades of pink, purple, white, and, occasionally, salmon. Head east on Williston Road and just before you reach 13th Street you'll find on your right an old oak tree completely surrounded by huge, blooming azaleas. Head into the Duck Pond area where it seems every house is surrounded by clouds of pink and purple. Take any road on the east side of town and you'll find old azalea bushes gloriously blooming next to house corners and fences. Drive the speed limit along SW 91st Street between SW 24th and Newberry Road and you can't help but notice the azaleas lining the road.
It's all so charming and beautiful and Southern.
I first came to Gainesville when I visited my eldest sister for a week during the summer of 1974. She was a student at the University of Florida, and she and her roommate graciously allowed me to sleep on the couch of their loft apartment located behind Norman Hall. Those were the days of the Subterranean Circus and Leonardo's veggie on whole wheat when the only Leonardo's Pizza in town was located at 706 University Ave. That pizza was so thick with veggies and cheese that one slice was all it took to fill me up, and being a fast-growing teenager, I was a big eater back then.
My next foray into the Tree City was when I visited my other sister who attended college here in the late 70's. I visited her alot, and got to know the university pretty well, but I never really ventured beyond campus.
Following in my sisters' footsteps, I came to Gainesville as a college student in 1981. That's when I began to notice how beautiful this town really is. Named a Tree City, Gainesville abounds with lush vegetation that keeps it green year around; however, it's in springtime that this town shows her heritage.
The first hints of spring are seen with the blooming of the Japanese magnolia trees, dogwoods, and red buds. And then come the azaleas. For me, when the azaleas come into bloom, Gainesville turns from being a fast-paced, college town into a southern town with charm and a slower pace that reveals its Southern roots (excuse the pun.)
Azaleas are everywhere. Drive along any thoroughfare or side street and there they are blooming in shades of pink, purple, white, and, occasionally, salmon. Head east on Williston Road and just before you reach 13th Street you'll find on your right an old oak tree completely surrounded by huge, blooming azaleas. Head into the Duck Pond area where it seems every house is surrounded by clouds of pink and purple. Take any road on the east side of town and you'll find old azalea bushes gloriously blooming next to house corners and fences. Drive the speed limit along SW 91st Street between SW 24th and Newberry Road and you can't help but notice the azaleas lining the road.
It's all so charming and beautiful and Southern.
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Hunt for FSBO's
The hunt for FSBO's is on. Pronounced fiz' bō, the owners of FSBO's are an interesting lot. The reasons for selling on one's own vary and can range from a general dislike of REALTORS® to the desire to keep the commission money in the family to having to sell in a market where profits are tight.
As a real estate agent, I know these folks can be in for a rough ride. More than 80% of people attempting to sell a home themselves end up turning to a professional for help - and I'm not talking about a psychiatrist. Although after dealing with people knocking on the door all hours of the day and night and dealing with Lookie Lous who just want to "check it out", owners selling on their own may want to go somewhere to vent all those pent up frustrations!
Most people don't realize all the work that goes into selling a home. First of all, you have to keep your home clean all the time. Okay, I can't really help with that, but I can take care of most of the other business that goes along with selling real estate. As far as the house cleaning goes, I can and will tell you which parts of your home need the most cleaning/painting/repairing/etc. Let's face it, we all have a blind eye to our own dirt. I'm not afraid to tell you, "Your kitchen cabinets are dirty and need to be washed down, and you need to replace that torn hinge so the pantry door hangs straight," or "Your light switches are filthy. A little window cleaner will take that grime right off." There's no shame in not seeing your own dirt. Heck, I've gone two weeks between bathroom cleanings in my own home. I know, I know, it's gross, but I get so busy selling your house that I forget to take care of my own home.
I can screen the people coming into your home. No more worries that a serial killer may be on the loose in your kitchen. I can make sure the buyers are pre-approved and able to actually buy your home should they like what they see because I don't have time to take Lookie Lous all over town looking at houses. (Okay, I've actually taken Lookie Lous all over town to see homes for sale, but I've learned the value of asking, "Are you pre-approved?")
I take care of the advertising, marketing, and sale of your home. If you try to sell on your own, you have to come up with the advertising text, take decent pictures of your home, and pay for the advertising. If I sell your home, I write the advertising text, take decent pictures of your home, AND pay for the advertising. If your home doesn't sell, I don't get my money back - which is great motivation for getting the job done!
So why hunt down FSBO's and try to convince them to list with me? First of all, I know that they are highly likely to eventually list with a real estate agent , and I'd like to be that agent. Secondly, even if they aren't ready to list with me, they often are willing to pay me a commission if I bring them a buyer. Frankly, I don't care where my commission comes from just as long as I get paid for bringing a buyer. I also really like looking at houses. I can't help but wonder what the inside of that FSBO looks like. How is it decorated? Is it clean and tidy? How is it laid out? Is that a pool home? You get my point. Finally, I like keeping tabs on all the inventory my buyers might be interested in seeing. If a FSBO house is the right house for my buyer, then I'm more than happy to match the two together - just as long as I get paid for doing so.
So, the hunt continues.
As a real estate agent, I know these folks can be in for a rough ride. More than 80% of people attempting to sell a home themselves end up turning to a professional for help - and I'm not talking about a psychiatrist. Although after dealing with people knocking on the door all hours of the day and night and dealing with Lookie Lous who just want to "check it out", owners selling on their own may want to go somewhere to vent all those pent up frustrations!
Most people don't realize all the work that goes into selling a home. First of all, you have to keep your home clean all the time. Okay, I can't really help with that, but I can take care of most of the other business that goes along with selling real estate. As far as the house cleaning goes, I can and will tell you which parts of your home need the most cleaning/painting/repairing/etc. Let's face it, we all have a blind eye to our own dirt. I'm not afraid to tell you, "Your kitchen cabinets are dirty and need to be washed down, and you need to replace that torn hinge so the pantry door hangs straight," or "Your light switches are filthy. A little window cleaner will take that grime right off." There's no shame in not seeing your own dirt. Heck, I've gone two weeks between bathroom cleanings in my own home. I know, I know, it's gross, but I get so busy selling your house that I forget to take care of my own home.
I can screen the people coming into your home. No more worries that a serial killer may be on the loose in your kitchen. I can make sure the buyers are pre-approved and able to actually buy your home should they like what they see because I don't have time to take Lookie Lous all over town looking at houses. (Okay, I've actually taken Lookie Lous all over town to see homes for sale, but I've learned the value of asking, "Are you pre-approved?")
I take care of the advertising, marketing, and sale of your home. If you try to sell on your own, you have to come up with the advertising text, take decent pictures of your home, and pay for the advertising. If I sell your home, I write the advertising text, take decent pictures of your home, AND pay for the advertising. If your home doesn't sell, I don't get my money back - which is great motivation for getting the job done!
So why hunt down FSBO's and try to convince them to list with me? First of all, I know that they are highly likely to eventually list with a real estate agent , and I'd like to be that agent. Secondly, even if they aren't ready to list with me, they often are willing to pay me a commission if I bring them a buyer. Frankly, I don't care where my commission comes from just as long as I get paid for bringing a buyer. I also really like looking at houses. I can't help but wonder what the inside of that FSBO looks like. How is it decorated? Is it clean and tidy? How is it laid out? Is that a pool home? You get my point. Finally, I like keeping tabs on all the inventory my buyers might be interested in seeing. If a FSBO house is the right house for my buyer, then I'm more than happy to match the two together - just as long as I get paid for doing so.
So, the hunt continues.
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