Florida Homes and Condos for Sale: December 2010

Via Clint Miller (Real Estate Client Referrals, LLC (RECR)):

Top 10 things people fear the most......

10. Dogs -- I have to admit, I am not afraid of dogs. I am not even afraid of the dogs I probably SHOULD be afraid of...

9. Loneliness -- Again...this is one that I do not have to deal with...I am ok with it. But, I know many people that do have to deal with this daily.

8. Flying -- I love to fly. My wife would rather rip her fingernails out with pliers than board a plane.

7. Death -- Pretty deep subject...I would say I fear the death of those I love more than my own mostly because I don't want to deal with it or think of my world without them.

6. Sickness -- There is a difference between being sick...and being SICK. I can handle a cold or the flu. I have lost people close to me to disease...I don't even want to get SICK.

5. Water -- I don't have a fear of water, but I hate having water splashed in my face...even in a pool.

4. Financial problems -- I have had lots of money. I have had no money at all. I have survived both.

3. Insects -- Yet another fear that I do not have to deal with...but, my sister would rip down a cinder block wall to get away from a spider. Her fear is so deep, she will actually go into shock.

2. Heights -- Ok. Gut check time... I am afraid of heights. It's not the height that bothers me, really. It is the thought of falling that far and hitting the cold, hard ground and breaking bones that scares me. Being up on a wobbly 20 foot ladder?? Oh hell no...

1. Public speaking -- I admit, I have a bit of this...but, I'm getting better. I know people that pass out having to give speeches. I have seen people get sudden attacks of laryngitis, nausea, even require oxygen and medical treatment.

So, what does all this have to do with follow-up phone calls?? 

Fear. 

I think that a generous portion of why people do not do follow-up calls (or continue to do them beyond call number 2...) is fear.

But...the question is.... Fear of what??

Fear of the phone? ...of making a mistake? ...of being annoying? ...of pushing a potential client away? ...of possibly hearing the word 'No'?

Yes. Well, maybe not a fear of the phone per se...(that's a bit ridiculous, right?) But, the others?? Yes.

I have actually had agents tell me the reason they do not make more phone calls to follow-up with clients is they are afraid of pushing them away by being too annoying, potentially causing them to tell them they are not interested any more.

Now, considering that a generous portion of an agent's job on a day-to-day basis is lead generation, doesn't this seem counter-intuitive?

A roofer can not be afraid of heights. A surgeon can not be afraid of blood. A pilot can not be afraid to fly. And...a real estate agent can not be afraid of making follow-up calls.

"Fear is nothing more than a feeling. You feel hot. You feel cold. You feel hungry. You feel afraid. Fear can never kill you." ~~ Joel Grey as 'Chun' in Remo Williams: An Adventure Begins

Although this situation probably isn't as extreme as that Chun was referring to above, the systematic failure to make follow-up calls based on fear may not kill you...but, it will kill your career. 

To overcome this fear...remember one thing: These prospects contacted you asking for information. It is your job to get it to them. And, until you do that, you have not done your job to the best of your ability. In other words, until you get that prospect on the phone with you, you have to continue to call because you have not done your job yet.

When a hurdler sits at the starting line, they focus on the finish line, not on the hurdles. When asked why they do this, they state that if you focus on the hurdles, you will hit them.

Dont focus on the hurdles...focus on the goal. The calls are your hurdles. But, getting your client the information they require is the goal.

 

Real Estate Client Referrals can help you learn more and earn more. If you have questions, call Clint at 800-977-7058. Or, fan us on Facebook. Or, if you are on Twitter, follow Clint.

Via Debe Maxwell - Search Charlotte Homes for Sale - Charlotte NC Neighborhoods (Helen Adams Realty):

Common Myths About Real Estate Agents

Ask anyone about their experiences with real estate agents, and you will no doubt hear a wide variety of responses.  There are so many myths about agents that tend to be taken as truths when someone has a negative experience.  A good real estate agent is worth every single penny you spend for their expertise.  Let’s examine some popular myths about real estate agents.

"They make too much money."  According to CareersInFinance.com, the median salary for real estate agents in 2009 was approximately $54,000.  Agents have to pay exorbitant business expenses such as broker’s fees, professional organization memberships and MLS listing fees.  One of our biggest expenses is marketing homes for sale for buyers and sellers.  These expenses quickly add up and ultimately take away a large percentage of our pay.

"They won’t get you a good deal because they make a commission on the sale price."  Yes, real estate commissions are based on a percentage of the sale price.  However, consider the same sample percentage, for example, the commission on a $185,000 home would be $5550, while the commission on a $200,000 home, $6000. That difference of $450 is hardly worth creating a negative impression by “getting you a bad deal.”


"They will say anything in order to make a sale."  Professional  real estate agents work for you; our goal is for you to have a positive experience with us.  After all, much of our business comes from referrals. We want you to be happy so you will tell your friends and family about the excellent service that you received when buying or selling with us.

"They don’t do anything you can’t do on your own."  The truth is that buying and selling real estate can be quite complicated and time consuming.  Sure, you can order home inspections and surveys on your own.  You can even negotiate for your terms.  However, professional  real estate agents are trained to do this and have experience at it.  As a result, we’ll save you money, time and make your life less complicated throughout process.

Don’t underestimate the value of a professional real estate agent.

Let me help you save time and money when buying or selling your home.  Call or email me today and let’s get started!

 

 

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Disclosure of material contained within.

In a competitive market with declining home prices and an increasing inventory, sellers have two choices - price it to sell or price it to sit.

Via Frank & Sharon Alters, CDPE-Short Sales Jacksonville-Orange Park-Fleming Island (Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - Clay, Duval, St. Johns ):

HOW TO SELL YOUR JACKSONVILLE FL HOME IN 2011

The Jacksonville real estate market just made the list - again. Clear Capital's national home price index of the top 50 housing markets recorded double-dip declines in all four of Florida's top real estate markets, including Jacksonville. 13 of 50 metros are in double-dip territory, so we're not alone and we're definitely not alone in Florida.

 

But what does that mean to a Seller who has to sell their home in 2011?

 

First of all, prices are the lowest they have been since the downturn began. Second, they have shown no indication of a bottom. Third, there continues to be an oversupply of houses for sale which drives prices further down as competing owners, short sale owners and bank owned properties hit the market.

 

So how do you sell your house in the 2011 Jacksonville real estate market?

 

First, hire a seasoned professional with a track record for pricing, marketing and getting houses sold.

 

Second, prepare your house for sale. Listen to your agent and follow their suggestions for landscaping, de-cluttering, repairs and staging. Your house has to stand out from the crowd. You detail your car if you're going to sell it, right? You MUST detail your house if you want to sell in 2011.

 

Third, price it to sell. Three things determine the market value of a home - price, location, condition. You can't change the location, you must change the condition to A+, and you must price competitively to attract attention out of the gate. Statistically, houses get the most attention the first two weeks on the market. Make the most of it with a dynamic presentation and pricing.

 

Are you going to buy a house? Look at it this way: what you lose on the sale of your current you will make up or more than make up on your new purchase.

 

We just sold a custom home with all the bells and whistles you can imagine for close to $300,000 for almost 3000 sq. ft. You couldn't touch that home for under $500,000 three years ago. That's what we're talking about. And that neighborhood will recover quickly once the market turns - a lot more quickly than the neighborhood the happy new buyers left behind.

 

Look to the future, 2011 Sellers. Look at the potential gain in the new neighborhood vs. where you are now. Look at the new location, the new condition, and the amazing price. Then be aggressive with pricing your home for sale, sell it and get on with your life! Happy New Year 2011!

 

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Via Dave Gubler - Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Ladera Ranch and Mission Viejo (Orange County California Short Sale Specialist-IMLShortSale):

How To Qualify For HAFA Short Sale

First let's start by defining exactly what HAFA is:

The government's Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program, or HAFA as it is commonly known may provide you with some relief.  There are some hoops to jump through but working with an agent that understands the details and the process will ensure that you have an optimal chance for success.  (There are 43 pages of guidelines associated with this program so please choose your real estate agent wisely!)  Click Here For: HAFA Information Center

The three main benefits to you, the homeowner, are: (With respect to a Short Sale)

1. A formal timeframe to market and sell your home during which a foreclosure sale cannot occur. This, in my mind, is the main benefit.  It will take much of the uncertainty and fear of foreclosure away from homeowners that are financially distressed and make it very probable that they are able to remain in their home longer than they otherwise would be able to.

2. A monetary incentive to assist you with relocation expenses.  Although this is small, presently set at $1,500.00, it will help with the cost of relocating. 

3. Releases you from any future liability on the debt. This benefit has the most long-term benefit.  It eliminates the lender/services ability to secure a deficiency judgment or promissary note on the loss.

HAFA is an alternative to the Home Affordable Modification Program (otherwise known as HAMP).  To be eligible for HAFA the following criteria must initially be met:

Your lender/servicer must be participating in HAMP & HAFA:  This can easily be established.  You can look up whether your lender/servicer is participating in the government programs by following this link: Lenders Participating In HAFA

You must be HAMP eligible:   What does this mean?  It is fairly simple.  All of the following must be true:  A) The home must be your primary residence,  B) Your mortgage must have been originated prior to January 1, 2009,  C) The amount you owe on your 1st mortgage must be equal to or less than $729,750.00 (For a one-unit property), D) Your current monthly mortgage payment exceeds 31% if your gross income.

AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING MUST APPLY TO YOU:  (Your lender/servicer is required to consider you for HAFA if the two stipulations above and one of the stipulations below are met)

1. You do not qualify for a trial period plan:   This is a bit trickier.  Participating lenders/servicers have to analyze your further eligibility.  The goal of HAMP is to provide a borrower with a loan payment (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance, and HOA) of 31% of their gross income. This is the part that everyone knows about and it sounds pretty good (for most people)!  Unfortunately the lender has an out.  The bank is required to perform a Net Present Value Test (NPV Test) on each potential HAMP candidate.  The long and the short of the NPV Test is this:  If the bank will make more money by foreclosing than they will by modifying your loan (payment to 31% of gross income) then the bank is not required to offer you the loan modification.  This is where many potential loan modifications via HAMP are stopped.  Quite simply the modifications the bank would have to make (rate reduction, term extension, and principal forbearance) would make it more cost effective to foreclose.  Please feel free to contact me regarding how the NPV Test is performed and what the components of it are.

2. You do not successfully complete a Trial Period Plan: This is fairly straight-forward.  If you are offered a HAMP Trial Period Plan and reject it;  you do not provide the correct & complete documentation required to participate in the plan offered; you do not make all payments during the course of the Trial Period Plan.

3. You miss at least two consecutive payments during a HAMP modification:  Many people are unclear regarding this item.  If you have completed the Trial Period Plan and entered in to the final loan modification stage of HAMP but you miss two consecutive payments on the modified loan then you are HAFA eligible.

4. You request a Short Sale:  You have determined that you must move and you meet the first two criteria mentioned (Lender is participating in HAMP/HAFA, and you are HAMP eligible).

Although the HAFA process can be complex it can provide benefits to you that were not available previously.  To participate in HAFA you must utilize a licensed real estate agent.  For your own benefit make sure that you select an experienced short sale agent/negotiator.  Please contact me directly at (949)218-0952 if you would like to or need to consider a short sale. 

Complete Real Estate Solutions                                                            

                     
Dave Gubler DRE# 01274644 - (949) 218-0952 - email me
website www.IMLRealEstate.com - search for homes
                           
If I can provide you with more information about Orange County real estate, the housing market, or otherwise assist you, your friends or your family in a home search, please contact me.

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If you are considering relocating to Brevard County, Florida, give me a call at 321-693-3850 or email me if I can assist you in any way.