Linda Kay's Blog: December 2011

Is Your Christmas Trash Advertising To Thieves?

It was an early start this morning, off to restock a flyer box in a condo community.  Driving around it became pretty apparent that Santa had been VERY good to the residents! 

Let's see, Big Screen TV......Big Screen TV....Big Screen TV....video game system....video game system.  Home after home seemed to have NOT been on Santa's Naughty list!

And how could we tell?  The residents were basically advertising their Christmas haul!  Since today was the first scheduled post-Christmas trash day, the residents had all the evidence we needed right out at the curb!

Now we'd LIKE to think that no one should ever have to worry about their home being burglarized, but during these tough economic times a little theft has become more common.  And if you've made it apparent to us, don't you think a burglar could be potentially cruising a community eyeballing what Santa left for YOU that he just might enjoy?

And it's an easy thing to avoid!  Break down those tell-tale boxes and stuff them INSIDE the garbage can, or break down the boxes and put them inside one of those dark, LARGE garbage bags.  Remove the visual evidence and the likelihood of that burglar picking YOUR home over someone else's home just went way down.

We hope you find this tip helpful, and we'd recommend using this process ANY time of year when you've purchased something that just might be appealing to an unsavory element.

Serving Warren County's residential real estate needs,
Liz and Bill aka BLiz

P.S.  Need help buying or selling a Warren County area home?  Just call The Liz Spear Team of RE/MAX Elite and we'll be happy to discuss how we can best help you!

The Liz Spear Team
Elizabeth & William Spear
RE/MAX Elite:  Ask for us by name if you visit the office!
Two locations: Lebanon & Mason, OH
Office direct: 513-248-3660  Liz direct:  513-265-3004
Bill direct: 513-520-5305 Fax: 866-302-8418     

MailTo: Liz@LizSpear.com  Our Website: Warren County Ohio Homes

 

 

 

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 Please,..... Don't Compare Us Realtors With Car Salespeople!!!

 While it's common to compare real estate agents to car salespeople, they really have very little to nothing in common at all.

Recently I went car shopping in Victoria BC,  and as a long time car enthusiast, and relatively loyal customer, I started by visiting the dealership where we bought our most recent sister cars (Linda's white Chrysler Intrepid and My white Chrysler Concord). As they are getting on a bit, we have been thinking about replacing one or both over the next year or so.......

My Experience at the dealership we have bought a total of 6 or 7 cars over the past 20 some years, was so bad that with this experience in mind I was inspired to write this article and to compare Real Estate Agents and Car Salespeople......(no I won't name names, but call me and I will tell, maybe...;)

First and likely most significant difference is in the titles.......
Real Estate Agents act on behalf of his or her Principal  (buyer or seller) as an extension of their principals (this is limited to some degree by laws in each state or province) 
Sales People only work for their Employer/Contractor, and are not able to bind parties to contracts

While both Agents and Salespeople help out with a purchase and or sale of either home or vehicle, the education, accountability, motivations and expertise behind that help differs vastly.

In Victoria BC and most other Jurisdictions in North America, real estate agents are continually educated, are required to adhere to ethical and legal standards while looking to build a life-long successful real estate relationships with their clients.

In General Real Estate agents routinely get bashed by the general public for either being too pushy, or not pushy enough, and or out just for themselves and the almighty dollar.

In Reality however, when asking most recent home buyers or sellers, they will say that their agent made a huge difference in the the process of buying or selling and added substantial benefits to the experience and bottom line.

It is unfortunate to equate real estate agents with the persona of the car salesperson. You know the stereo type of the guy/gal who dresses a little too nice and talks a little too fast...all the while pushing you toward something you might not be able to afford or even like. 

While there might be a small handful of real estate agents who fall under those descriptions (as there are in any profession), the majority of real estate agents are honest, hard-working professionals who live and breathe real estate, at least that has been our experience in Vancouver and Greater Victoria BC for the past 25+years. 

Here are 5 additional reasons why a real estate agents should not be compared with a car salesperson in our opinion:

1 - Education. Real Estate Agents complete substantial education and pass one or more exams in order to become licensed. 

This isn't a week's worth of "sales" training, in fact there is little if any sales training at all. A licensed real estate agent has to learn about the laws and procedures regarding the province or state in which he intends to list and or sell real estate. 

A licensed real estate agent is then tested on that knowledge via an intensive provincial or state exam. 

And the education is not over once the agent gets his license. Every province has renewal requirements,  to complete  continuing education classes ensuring that every agent is up to date on the latest news and policy in the real estate profession.

2 - Oversight. Real estate professionals are kept in check by their Licensing Councils. 

Not only are there many license requirements that each province has but there are also disciplinary actions that can be implemented by each real estate licensing councils.

Real estate agents can get their licenses suspended or revoked by the provincial or state licensing council.

3 - Code of Ethics.  Each and every Real Estate Professional is accountable to their local board's, their provincial or state as well as their National Code of Ethics. 

CREA in Canada and NAR in the United States are some of the the largest professional organization in existence.  Each and every real estate agent who joins their national  association is obligated to adhere to this Code of Ethics, which is geared toward protecting consumers and ensuring that real estate professionals act within ethical standards. 

Have you ever asked or expected similar accountability to a Code of Ethics from  car salespeople?

4 - Requirement of Disclosure.   A real estate agent must search, seek out and disclose all material facts known about any home and anything that may affect the purchase or sale of Real Estate.

An agent can't misrepresent a home to you, its condition, etc. in the hopes that you won't find out until it's too late (and you've rolled off the lot). 

There is no crossing of fingers and hoping all works out because not only is the real estate agent's reputation on the line, but also his status as a licensed agent. 

With every single real estate transaction, an agent is putting himself at risk of legal and financial consequences. 

Why would any reputable agent risk losing his career and possibly a lot of money in court? He wouldn't. So the real estate agent will err on the side of caution and disclose everything he ethically and legally must disclose.

5 - A home is the single most important financial transaction of your life.

Professional Real Estate Agents understand this. They understand that there is no such thing as "one size fits all" when it comes to helping you purchase or sell your home. We fully understand that the property is part of a number of events and situations taking place in your life, and will seek out to address all or most in offering their expertise and experience

While a car salespeople might find out about your earnings and push/drive you to a vehicle at the edge of your afford ability (or beyond). Conversely  your Pfanntastic real estate professional will also consult with you about,  monthly expenses, interest rates, market conditions, return on investment, financial suiteability, to help you determine the best possible fit for your new home and financial situation. 

From there, your real estate professional will encourage you to speak with a mortgage professional to obtain the most accurate picture of your financial ability to buy. Only then will the real estate agent start to narrow down your home search. Because the real estate agent understands that it's not only a financial issue. You have wants and needs that the real estate agent will evaluate in order to find you a home; you're not looking merely for a roof over your head.

Peter and Linda Pfann are very proud to be long time Real Estate Professionals in Greater Victoria BC, and with our recent experience at a local car dealership, we hope that you can understand that we really do not want to or feel we deserve to be compared with Car Salespeople.

Planning to buy, sell, upgrade, downsize, invest in real estate or relocate to Greater Victoria, and need information about your present or new area of choice?....... No Problem.
Peter and Linda Pfann now offer a FREE Pfanntastic Internet Service, keeping you informed about Greater Victoria Market Activity, including New Listings & Value Estimates, This absolutely Free no hassle service is completely customized to your specific requirements.
We call it: Victoria Homes Now, and this amazing little tool will ask you a few questions, and provides you with an updated snapshot of the property type(s), location (s) and real estate market activity as per your requirements.
The Pfanntastic Victoria Homes Now Service is Free, The Information is Invaluable,

Request Your Instant Access to Victoria Properties Right Now!

 

Please let us know how we can be of Service to you.

Kind Regards, and Live a Pfanntastic Life

 Peter & Linda Pfann,

MBA, ABR, SRES, E-Pro, CSA, Associate Broker & Realtors

 

"Pfanntastic Victoria Homes & Service, Since 1986."

  

Real Estate Consultants & Associate Broker at;

Cornerstone Properties Ltd.

# 106 - 1001 Cloverdale Ave.

Victoria BC, V8X 4C9

 

Direct:                  1(250) 213 - 9490

Direct Fax:          1(250) 412 - 6530

Web:                www.pfanntastic.com

Email :             info@pfanntastic.com

Victoria Real Estate Instant Access to Properties : www.victoriapropertiesnow.com

Subscribe to our Victoria Real Estate Blog : Pfanntastic Victoria Real Estate Blog

 

           

 Oh, By The Way ...Talk To Peter or Linda, if you know anyone who would appreciate our Pfanntastic Services.

Scan me with your smartphone to bookmark
our mobile website at http://victoriahomes.realbird.com

 

 

Yes! It is a Buyer's Market...... But.... It's NOT an Idiot's Market.. Let's Be Serious Now...

With low interest rates, plummeting home values, a large inventory of distressed homes, this is the perfect storm for a buyer's market.... So what does that mean to you as a possible buyer?

This is what it means:

More inventory to choose from-With distressed homes such as banked owned homes and short sales hitting the market in high volumes you have more options... With that said with more inventory comes......

Competitive pricing-Distressed homes drive down home values, it doesn't matter if it's a distressed home or a standard equity seller...The probability of getting a "good deal" in what is already considered to be a "down market" is very high!

Even More Competitition-That is correct..... With low interest rates, low home values... You are DEFINITELY not the only homebuyer out there! You are going to have alot of competition..

So now, with that said.....This is what YOU need to do to give yourself the advantage over the competition instead of wasting your time, your realtors time and learning the hard way.....

1. Select a Realtor to work with... Make sure they have a good reputation in their market, have the ability to get the job done, and you are able to easily get in contact with them, and they have a great response time and good about  following up.

2. Get qualified....You can rather select your own lender or you can use a lender your realtor suggests, usually they suggest someone that they have worked with in the past, that they know, trust, and who has a great work ethic and ability to get you the house you want.

Also it is important to get qualified before you start looking at houses for two main reasons:

• You don't want to fall in love with a home to find out later you are qualified for less and can't afford it.
• In a competitive market, if you find the house you want, you want to make sure you have ALL your ducks in a row and prepared to take action, because the time it takes to get qualified is the same amount of time it takes for some other buyer to come in and by house before you even get a chance to submit a COMPLETE offer.

3. Listen to your selected professional....After all it is their job to know how the process works, and how the market is and ADVISE you on the best course of action... You can only assume... For the most part... They know what they are doing!

Always ask for comps.. Find out what homes in your desired neighborhood are going for and bid accordingly to your selected Realtors professional opinion. Keep in mind... If you don't get the house.. Your realtor doesn't make any money, so any thoughts of "they are just telling me this number, or telling me not to bid this low so they can get a higher commission" is BS... If you selected a GOOD REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL.. Our first priority is going to be to make sure for that you know the reality of what the market is and HOW you are going to get into the home of your dreams. Upon you following our professional advice and escrow sucessfully closing.. You get the keys to your house!

True story to show that my clients  are more important then the amount of my commmission:

Earlier this year I helped a family find their dream home.. They had worked with a realtor prior to me that was always pushing them to put in their highest and best, every offer had to be their highest and best.. Of course they were not comfortable with going at that "highest and best" limit, so they ended up parting ways from that Realtor.

They found me.. I listened to what their needs and wants in a new home were and took them to go see some properties. On our first appointment, we found their dream home. I was a Fannie Mae bank owned home, and after running the comps, found that it was $50,000.00 over priced...

Do you think I advised my clients to bid full price? To put in their highest and best??? NO! I did not.. This home had been on the market for 180 days, and was grossly overpriced.. I advised them to bid market value. They were blown away by this.. They had a professional telling them to bid $50,000.00 below list price instead of telling them to put in their highest and best. They did just what I told them..

Of course the counter offer came back a bit higher... But I also explained to them that since they were FHA buyers they still have the appraisal contingency in play.. Meaning.. If the house doesn't appraise for the agreed upon value, you will NOT pay for the agreed upon value because the bank will NOT fund more money for a house then what it is worth, and the bank will have to come down to the appraised value for several reasons... 1.) Market values are not looking like they are going up anytime soon. 2.) Once an appraisal on the house is ordered for an FHA buyer, another one can't be ordered for another 6 months. So their options are.... Accept the offer for the appraised value... Or you walk and they risk the home remaining vacant for another six months and the possibility of values dropping even more. Because the odds of a conventional buyer or investor buying up this home is very very slim!

So they took my professional advise, they signed the counteroffer, they appraisal was ordered, the price came back at exactly what my buyers original offer was and......... The bank came down to the appraised value, my buyers got the house at a price they were comfortable with paying.. And they all lived happily ever after...

So the moral of the story is..... If you select the right professional, nothing is going to be more important to them then making sure that you get the house that you want...Based upon you following their professional advice, knowing you can trust them, that they are working in YOUR best interest, will you actually get the house of your dreams, believe me.. The good realtors are ALWAYS going to be trying to get you the best deal possible, even without you knowing it.

I know in this market, this buyers market.. You are looking for a SCREAMING DEAL! As your hired professional, we are working hard to find that screaming deal for you! But keep this in mind... You are buying in a down market dominated by distressed homes... You are going to get a screaming deal.. Another thing.. You are atleast guaranteed to not pay more for a house then what it is actually worth in this market, so if you pay under  market value or market value, it's still a win/win for you! You will NOT be paying more for a house then what it is worth in today's current market!

So if you are looking to buy anytime soon, please contact me.. I am a licensed and trusted Real Estate Professional in the state of California and specialize in the Orange County and surrounding areas. Even if you are out of the area or state feel free to still contact me, I have a huge network of trusted real estate professionals from across the country that I can set you up with that I know will take the best care of you and find you the best deal possible!

So a quick recap:

• Hire a trusted real estate professional
• Get qualified
• Be realistic and consider your selected hired professional's advice
• Enjoy your new home!

 

Need a Great Realtor in Dana Point... Let me Google one for you!!!

Stacey Smith
CA Coastal Estates, inc.
949.350.8922 
 

If you are looking to buy a home or sell your current home in Orange County, Ca. please allow me to assist you. I work throughout most of Orange County but my area of expertise happens to be south Orange County and the Coastal cities. Locations I service include: Dana Point, Capistrano Beach, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Crystal Cove, Corona Del Mar, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, and Costa Mesa. I service all areas through out Orange County so please call me today and allow me to assist you! 

       

 

    

 

Please Allow Me To Assist You and Your Family in Finding The Perfect Home As Your Real Estate Agent!

 

Clint Aaron Miller

March 8, 1971 ~ December 11, 2011

Many of you knew and loved Clint.  He fought valiantly, but lost his struggle with cancer today.  I am so thankful that he knew that so many loved him and will help take care of Angela and his boys.  Rest in peace.

If you would like to donate, here is the information: (100% of proceeds are going to the Miller family)

Checks, money orders, cashiers checks (make them payable to: Christina Ethridge)

Christina Ethridge

110 S. Riverwood Court

Post Falls, ID 83854

Please text Christina when you mail a check - she wants to watch out for it and make sure it reaches her.  208-819-2965

Online payments:

Nikki Beauchamp will be taking those via a PP account - you can pay via paypal to: nicole@nicolebeauchamp.com.  Also, if your name is different from your name in PayPal (ie business name or some other moniker)-please include that in the note field too if at all possible. If you need to reach her for any reason and you are not otherwise connected on FB-if you would like to be connected-you can do that too, she doesn't mind, no need to ask- - msg to narbeauchamp@facebook.com (if you aren't friends she probably will miss the message) or Voice/SMS to  917-720-0987.

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If you would like to Search for Homes for sale in Colorado Springs, CO, or for any of your other real estate needs, please contact your Colorado Springs Realtor

 

 

                                                                  

   

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