I love to work for free!

It just goes to show you that realtors are second class citizens! I can see why some people thought some realtors are idiots,  I think the same thing! Most of the time I feel like I am doing all the work for both sides because the other realtor is clueless. But never have I been asked to work for free.  I was referred a client that was coming into town and was looking for Sanibel Island beachfront property. His friend has for years said if someone offered him the right price he would sell but has never listed his property. So after showing him around all day at properties in the 2 million range he spent some time with his friend.  I get a call the next day that he has worked out a deal with his friend to buy his place, “okkkkk”  ( remember it’s not listed) Then this is the best….Can I write up a contract for him to buy the place.  ”sure are you paying the commission or is the seller?”  ”No why would I pay a commission?”  ”Ok let me get this straight neither of you are going to pay a commission but you would like me to take the liability and write up a contract for you!”  ”Yes, is that a problem”  Oh I don’t know do you go to a lawyer and ask them to do something for free…How about a Doctor? Why do you think our job is any different!  Last time I checked buddy it’s hard enough right now to sell real estate.. Now you want me to do it for free..I think NOT! 

To search properties..http://www.BuyFlaWaterfront.com

Realtors are the anti green!

Sorry it’s been a couple days since I blogged…But I’ve been busy putting together contracts! It’s a good thing.But what struck me as funny was at this closing I am talking to this other agent who is telling me she is a specialist for “green” homes!!!! As she says it she is pulling file after file out with no less then 100 sheets of paper!!! I understand in California and the rest of the west coast their are more builders building( well not building now) more high efficiency eco friendly homes.  Here in Florida..I JUST got a recycle bin!  Anyway writing up this contract I looked around my desk and I see that I have used about a pack of paper on this one client. Electronic contracts are not totally accepted yet so until they are we are still doing it the old way!  But as I look across the desk and the lady is still talking about everything she is doing being “green”…Ok lady your business card isn’t even on recycled paper!  And by the way she drove off in an Escalade, the last time I checked..that wasn;t a prius! Until they say all electronic signatures and contracts are binding being a green realtor is an oxy moron!

Is it a renters market? I think it’s a Landlord market!

Ok, everyone is talking about it’s a buyers market blah blah blah…We’ve been hearing that till I want to scream…But that’s not my point.  I have a listing that is a great house that the couple is moving north and wanted to sell but didn’t want to give it away.  They are that odd couple that actually owned their beautiful home on the water outright…No second mortgage, Not underwater but actually owned the thing free and clear… I know shocking!  Anyway they decided to rent it for a year with hopes that the market comes back and they will take it for another run.  It’s a 5 bedroom large home on the water, they put it on for $3500 a month.  Great Great Price.  On the first day I had 10 calls…I had it under contract within a day…Which made me think…All of those people that are foreclosing on their home, still need a place to live.  And the people with the chinese drywall in Florida ( well that will be another post) No wonder everyone needs to rent and there is nothing I mean nothing to rent here that is decent! So unlike the home sale market if you want to rent, you are having people overbid…hopefully the same trend starts to move from rentals to buyers, One can only hope……

Should I “Just say No”

I have one very very very high maintenance client.  I don’t mind high maintenance really because they are usually more informed then most, but that can also work against you… Just like that patient that enters the doctor’s office and is diagnosing themselves from what they read on the internet.  She’s either dying of some terrible disease when in reality she has a hang nail! But back to my point.  Sometimes they know to much like this client.  Every week it’s “who did you call today, did you follow up with that one other person, did you send out emails about my home, why don’t I have a showing today, where is advertised etc. ”  The best I think is one day I called and told her we would be showing the home and she was telling me to make sure I turned on the lights!  No really, I think I like showing a home in the dark!  Well she won’t listen to me on Price.  She knows better…. It’s worth more… IT”S WORTH WHAT SOMEONE WILL PAY IN THIS MARKET… She has gone through 3 agents, now she is doing it on her own… Well guess who called and asked me to re list her home….. Do I do it, or do I say No and have someone else reap the benefits of my hard work… I think I’ll take it. …..And play hardball with her….I’ll keep you posted!

Wow, someone needs a reality check

 I love when sellers say they want to sell their house but they don’t “need to sell”  What do you mean you don’t need to sell…Then why in the hell would you try to sell in this market!  We have a seller just like this! The home is great and the seller built it himself on the water but it is still the highest price home in this community by about a million dollars!  The largest sale in this waterfront community has 2.5million back in 2005 the PEAK of the market. FYI that same house is about to close for under 1.9 and it was redone on the inside….but that’s not the point of the post.  So we get an offer for the home that is WELL over what it should go for in this market and instead of the buyer worshiping the ground I walk on ( I really really thought he would)  he says NO!  NO!!!!! Are you kidding me! “I don’t need to sell”  Then what the hell are we doing here! This seller will not see this offer again in this lifetime….Plus it is cash! I can guarantee you that if the buyer needed a mortgage it would not appraise at what the offer is! I have know gone from thinking my clients are going to think I am the real estate agent goddess to my sellers need a reality check! Why don’t people understand….you will NOT see another offer for a year..This is the first one you have seen in a year and then the next offer will be way less and you have had the cost to carry the home for the next 12 months!  When a seller hire’s an agent they are doing so for their expertise right? THEN WHY DONT YOU LISTEN!  Do you call a doctor or a lawyer for advice then not listen to a word they say….why is it with real estate agents we are not taken in the same regard? I’m just saying!

How low is to low? The Million dollar question!

When it hits May we tend to be able to breath.. Most people have gone back north and we can actually stop working 15 hours a day….Clearly this year is not the case…Obviously some real estate agents would like to shoot me for saying I’m busy. So I will still be grateful ( a little) Yesterday showed a home on the market that is 3.495million. This oneVery Very nice home, plus the builder lives there and he built it to stand up to like a category 500 hurricane…Way Way above anything here is Florida.  Anyway the people left and an hour later come back with an offer of 2.3million FURNISHED.  Ok that is 1 MILLION LESS.  

Ok on one hand I’m glad I have an offer. On the other hand I have to present this to the sellers.  I had to peel the seller off the ceiling after I told him.  Now I really need to do my job.  I need to get him not to be emotional and think about this rationally and make a strong counter,  plus I need to get the buyer to come up a huge amount without walking away.  Since this is the part of the job I LOVE!!!! I am secretly up for the challenge…..I’ll keep you posted, we will get the counter this pm!

Seriously, Check the attitude missy!

Well I wrote yesterday about the good ole days when I had numerous calls and then offers for a foreclosure I had listed. I sent over the top contracts to the bank,  and heard back this afternoon all signed and done! But that’s not what I’m pissed about!  I had many many calls today from other agents, because until I have a signed contract back from the bank it was still listed as Active. ( seems obvious but I guess not)  Anyway I was showing property today and had so many calls my mailbox was full! This agent called around 1pm to see the home tomorrow. I’m sorry I didn’t get back to her after dealing with a bunch of business and calls. I heard back from the bank around 4pm to say it was all signed so I got to a computer and placed it as “active contingent” She just called and left a nasty message on my voice mail ” Excuse me I called you earlier and you never called me back that is unacceptable”  WHAT! You think it’s unacceptable. I called her back and I apologized for not getting back to her but that I was with other clients today and couldn’t get back to every agent. I told her that it did have a contract. Her response ” Well you clearly don’t know what to do! You should have pended it!”  Really witch why don’t you figure out how to sell real estate, and realize that I marked it Active contingent because it has inspections for 5 days….Wow someone has an attitude. If you want a foreclosure maybe next time don’t wait 3 days then call me…Who’s that agent that doesn’t know what they are doing?  I’m just saying…Can you tell she really pissed me off…But venting about it on this blog has helped…

Avoid Foreclosure!

As a leader in real estate, I am repeatedly asked specific questions about today’s market – especially in today’s economy. In an effort to provide more information to my community, I am sending you this Top 5 in Real Estate Social Networking System^sm “e-Article,” in which I provide useful real estate information to my real estate networks. If you find the enclosed information beneficial to your family and friends, I encourage you to forward it to your “social network” as well.

Avoid Foreclosure – Options to Pursue, Scams to Avoid

If you are behind—or soon will be—on your mortgage payments due to a change in job status or other financial dilemma, you are not alone. The number of foreclosure filings nationwide rose 81% between 2007 and 2008 to 2.3 million, according to RealtyTrac (www.realtytrac.com). And with interest rates ready to reset on the next wave of questionable mortgages, foreclosure numbers are expected to rise even higher.

But don’t despair! There are options worth pursuing for those facing possible foreclosure. Many banks, for example, offer loan modifications or other programs that will give you a little more breathing room.

Counselors certified by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can help you explore available options at no charge. Options may include:

Forbearance. A forbearance is a temporary suspension of payments sometimes offered if a borrower has lost a job but has a new one starting soon – or because medical bills or another crisis situation has caused a temporary cash shortage.

Repayment plan. Repayment plans offer a scheduled blueprint for making up missed payments over time.

Loan modification. A loan modification is a change in loan terms for a limited time, as when a subprime interest rate has jumped considerably.

While there is no guarantee these options will be available in your particular situation, they are definitely worth exploring. You can find a counselor free of charge at www.hud.gov/keepyourhome.

Meanwhile, homeowners with financial difficulties should be aware of a growing “cottage industry” of rescue scam artists. Be wary of anyone who appears at your door—or at your church or neighborhood club—who offers a so-called plan to make your troubles disappear.

Steer clear of anyone, says the Federal Trade Commission, who:

- Guarantees to stop the foreclosure process
- Collects upfront fees
- Asks to be paid by wire or cashier’s check
- Tells you not to contact your lender or lawyer
- Wants you to make mortgage payments directly to him/her
- Suggests you sign over or “share” your property deed or title
- Proposes a lease-and-buyback arrangement
- Offers to fill out paperwork for you
- Pressures you to sign documents you do not fully understand

To find out whether any of these resolution options are the best choice for you, consult a lawyer who specializes in real estate, debt relief and foreclosure. As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I can provide you with materials that outline further alternatives to foreclosure; e-mail me for more information. Please also feel free to forward this article to family, friends and colleagues who might benefit from this important foreclosure information.

Sincerely,

Inga 

Inga Wilson
VIP Realty Group
Top 5 in Real Estate Member
Inga@mcmurrayandnette.com
www.Ingawilson.com

The good old days!

Yesterday felt like the good old days! You know when you put a home on the market and your phone rings off the hook and you have multiple offers by the end of the day….It wasn’t dejavu it actully happened yesterday… I put a home on the market. This one!

It was Gulf Access brand new was on the market as a short sale for $775,000 not one offer. It goes on the market as a Foreclosure at $699,999 and multiple offers in one day. Explain that! Trust me I’m not complaining!

Live in your very own Corona Commercial

 

This can be your backyard

This beautiful peaceful piece of property is located in The Great Exumas Bahamas.  Less then 2 miles away from the award winning Four Seasons Resort.  Why not live in your very own corona commercial! ONLY $775,000! For More information Ingawilson@me.com