Florida Homes and Condos for Sale

SUPER BOWL XLVI! Please Join CENTURY 21 New Millennium

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:59:47 -0500

So it has arrived...Sunday - Super Bowl Sunday. I have been seeing the hype about commercials all week. I think I may have even watched a Super Bowl's Greatest show one night.

It looks like Century 21 is going to invest a few dollars in the advertising as well - great!

I enjoy the watching the ads but I think I will enjoy seeing the Patriots lose even more!

Via Monique Hailer (CENTURY 21 New Millennium):

Please Join Us for SUPER BOWL XLVI on Sunday 2012 ! CENTURY 21 will dominate the evening with 11 commercials airing during the pre-game show on NBC, leading up to the airing of the game-time commercial during the 3^rd quarter. Watch Steve Dangerfield as he tries to find out about the BIG AD!

See a glimpse of what the The 30-second spot, to run in the third quarter, featuring Donald J. Trump, Deion Sanders and Apolo Ohno.

Century 21 Real Estate LLC, the franchisor of the world's largest residential real estate organization is proud to reveal our first ever Super Bowl commercial titled
"SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER. The Spirit of the CENTURY 21 Agent".

Southern Maryland Waterfront and Real Estate Services! Feel Free to subscribe to my blog to keep up to date with my latest posts about Southern Maryland Waterfront Properties and Real Estate for sale: Calvert County, St. Mary's County & Charles County Real Estate. Keep up to date on Community information & local events. Join Lusby, MD on Facebook for Local information!

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Websites: Southern Maryland Real Estate Southern Maryland Waterfront

Buying Southern MD Homes? Click on "VIP Buyer's Program"

Selling Southern Maryland Homes? Click on "Free Market Analysis

CENTURY 21 New Millennium is the number one ranked CENTURY 21® firm nationwide,

surpassing more than 3,700 offices in 2009 production. New Millennium is also the top ranked

CENTURY 21 in the Mid-Atlantic region and it nationally ranked number 80 in REALTOR ®

Magazine's Top 100 Companies List.

Gary L. Waters PLLC, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region.

Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.

Common Florida Short Sale Questions And Answers

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:54:51 -0500

This list of questions and answers must be a top ten list for questions for most considering a short sale.

There are ten questions here, right? I know they are all numbered 1!

Via Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc:

Do I have to be behind on my mortgage payments to qualify for a Short Sale?

Not necessarily. Some lenders will negotiate a settlement if you are current on payments. You won’t really know until you go through the process. If you are current on payments the lender may very well require you to “participate in the loss” by making a cash contribution, signing a promissory note or both.

What is a deficiency and how do I avoid it?

A deficiency is the difference between the amount of money you owe and the amount of money paid to or collected by the lender. The deficiency is the “Short” in a Short Sale. A deficiency ALWAYS exist with a short sale. You cannot avoid it unless you just keep paying on your mortgage obligation. The real question is..........

What happens to the deficiency?

The deficiency can be waived, written off, paid later, settled or the lender can, at least in Florida, choose to go in front of a Judge and ask for a Deficiency Judgment against you.

What is a Deficiency Judgment?

A Deficiency Judgment is when a Judge issues a Judgment making you personally responsible for the deficiency and giving the creditor the right to go after you for the money you owe. In Florida the creditor has 5 years from the creation of the deficiency*** to ask for the Judgment and another 20 years to collect on it if granted. To collect they may take assets, levy bank accounts and garnish wages. ***Please seek legal advice on this matter.

Will I have to pay taxes related to the short sale?

Maybe. A short sale IS a tax event. Just as with any real estate transaction the sale is reported to the IRS. In addition the “Short” may be written off as a loss to the lender. A loss to the lender is income to you. How this income is taxed is a question for your tax professional. You may also refer to the Debt Relief Act. Unless extended the Debt Relief Act is set to expire at the end of 2012.

How will a Short Sale affect my credit?

How credit scoring works is one of the great mysteries of the universe! The Short Sale itself is not reported as “Short Sale”. Missed and late payments are reported. Also, how the transaction is reported makes a difference. Is it reported as “settled..”, “paid...”, “charged off..”? And have you been paying your other bills? There are just too many variables to be able to give you a precise answer. If your credit score is important to you then my advice is to make your mortgage payments.

What advantage is there to doing a Short Sale over just letting the lender foreclose?

Credit scoring aside....on average you can get another mortgage within 2-3 years assuming you pay all of your bills after a Short Sale. A foreclosure will affect your ability to get a new mortgage for 5-7 years. A Short Sale also gives you the opportunity to negotiate a settlement. It gives you some control over the situation. With a foreclosure you are 100% at the mercy of the lender.

How long will the Short Sale process take?

A normal Short Sale with no complications will take on average 2-3 months from time of contract. Some go much quicker and some take much longer.

Will my Short Sale be approved and closed or am I wasting my time?

We close more than 90% of our Short Sales. As long as you participate, by providing me what I need, when I need it, then yes, your Short Sale will be approved and get closed.

When will I have to vacate the property?

Unless we are able to negotiate something different the day of closing belongs to the Buyer. Most lenders will not allow you to rent the property back after closing so plan on moving. You will normally have 30-45 days notice prior to closing.

Who pays your commission?

The listing agreement is between you and I. So legally you are responsible for paying my commission. However, just as in a regular transaction, the costs of the sale are deducted from the purchase price. This means the buyer brings money to purchase the property and we pay everything out of that. The lender gets whats left. You pay nothing. Unless it is required by the lender and you agree to do so.

Additional information:

CDPE Site

Contact Bryant

FannieMae/HAFA Program

FHA Preforeclosure Sale

From The Lawyer's Mouth

HAFA FAQ

HAFA Guidelines

IRS Debt Relief Act

Is Your Loan Owned By FNMA?

Military HAP Program

My Short Sale Story

Property Search Map

Sample Approval Letters

Short or Stay?

Short Sale Approvals

Short Sale FAQ

Short Sale Network

Strategic Short Sales

Testimonials

I hope this helps. Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions you may have.

Are you facing foreclosure in Florida?

Do NOT be foreclosed on! Avoid foreclosure. Short Sales DO close.

Want to find out more? www.CentralFloridaShortSales.com

***I am NOT an Attorney nor do I play one on TV. Click the button below for my Bio.

Copyright © 2011 http://www.brokerbryant.com/ | All Rights Reserved

Customer Testimonials

Tutas Towne Realty has already successfully negotiated Short Sales with the following Lenders and Investors.

Chase Short Sale,Sun Trust Short Sale, GMAC Short Sale, Wells Fargo Short Sale,Bank of America Short Sale,USA Bank Short Sale,PNC Bank Short Sale,Citi Short Sale,HomeEq Short Sale,Fifth Third Bank Short Sale,ING Direct Short Sale,GreenTree Short Sale,Capital One Short Sale,ASC Short Sale,First Horizon Short Sale,E-Trade Short Sale,Transland Financial Short Sale,US Bank Short Sale,IBM LBPS Short Sale,
Nationstar Short Sale,BAC Florida Short Sale,Real Time Solutions Short Sale,Fannie Mae Short Sale
FHA Short Sale,Selene Finance Short Sale,DTA Solutions LLC Short sale,Flagstar Short Sale,IndyMac Short Sale

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Tutas Towne Realty, Inc handles Florida real estate sales, Florida short sales, Florida strategic short sales, Florida pre-foreclosure sales, Florida foreclosures in Kissimmee Florida Short Sales, Davenport Florida Short Sales, Haines City Florida Short Sales, Poinciana Florida Short Sales, Solivita Florida Short Sales, Orlando Florida Short Sales, Celebration Florida Short Sales, Winderemere Florida Short Sales. Serving all of Polk, Osceola and Orange Counties Florida. Florida Short Sale Broker. Short Sale Florida.

Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.

When someone says that they are hungry, never complain that you are too full!

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:05:30 -0500

Richard has put a large lesson in a short post here. We all need to read this one!

You should never respond to someone's report of medical issues by telling how you just ran that half marathon!

Sellers facing hardship. People we know going through bankruptcy. People losing their job. Calamity can strike anyone.

Empathy is a good thing.

One day we may (likely) will be the one on the other side.

Via Richard Weisser Coweta Fayette Real Estate:

Some things should be common sense. If someone tells you that business is slow, or that they are having trouble making ends meet, the best response may NOT be something along the lines of “oh really? I am having my best year ever.”

How much better would it be to say something like “I’m doing okay, is there anything I can do to help you get things going again?”

People that are hurting need support and not a reinforcement of their failures. Not everyone has adapted quickly enough to the current market to maintain the same level of business as in the past.

There are ways to help that may be mutually beneficial. Could an experienced agent be a useful addition to your team? Is there some way that your combination of lead generation and another agent’s people skills be a profitable match?

Empathy can only take you so far. Working towards a real solution can take you the rest of the way!

And it could be both cathartic and lucrative!

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com! Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. North Georgia Photos.

North Georgia Photos

Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.

11 good tips that will help to sell your home faster

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:55:20 -0500

There is nothing new on this list. This list is not unique but it does contain information that can not be repeated and emphasized too much.

Selling a home is work - for the seller and their Realtor®. If there was only a single point I would emphasize from this list it would be cleanliness.

A property that is pried right, clean and presentable will sell.

Via Mike Montague (sales representative : Sutton Group Incentive Realty Inc.):

11 Tips for Selling Your Home Faster

There is nothing new on this list that hasn't been emphasized in a number of earlier blog posts but good advice is always worthy of restating. Here are 11 tips to help you sell your home faster:

Curb appeal – Keep falling leaves and dead shrubs out of the yard! You don’t want a potential buyer’s first vision of your home to be negative (“look how much work it’s going to be to keep up this yard”).

Front door – At the very least, make sure it’s clean. You may want to replace or paint the front door as this is your potential buyer’s first up close look at the property. Make sure storm doors are clean and that all locks and door handles are tight and functioning. A loose or broken lock gives the wrong impression from the get-go.

Light – Make sure you home looks spacious and light. If you have darker areas in the house, buy additional lamps for those spaces. Put in full wattage bulbs (check the tag on the lamp neck for maximum allowable wattage) and make sure all bulbs in the house work. When the house is being shown, have ALL lights on, even closet lights and the one over the stove. Light and bright makes your home much more desirable.

Windows – Open drapes and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible. Take down all worn, torn or broken blinds or drapes. Bare windows look far better than windows with torn or dirty treatments. And make sure windows are clean. Clean windows let in more light, improve the view on the other side, and make the rest of the house feel cleaner.

De-personalize – You want buyers to see themselves and their family living in the house. It’s important to take down family photos, trophies, collectibles, anything that makes them see this as your home, not theirs.

Smell / fragrance / odor? – This will be the first thing prospects notice when they walk in. You certainly don’t want the house to smell musty or like last night’s dinner. Scrub well and you may want to consider lemon scented cleaning products and/or burn vanilla scented candles.

Clutter – No. None. Clean out, throw away and store everything that you can. Now’s the time to get rid of things you don’t want, but don’t replace them! Much better to have your home look open and spacious. You don’t want it to feel crowded or your buyer gets the impression that there won’t be enough space for their things. If you have a lot and can’t get rid of the excess, rent a storage building and take out more than you think you should. You may find you actually enjoy the extra space.

Bathrooms – Remove everything you use – yes, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrushes and combs, razor, shampoo, bar soaps, make-up, everything out of the shower and off the vanities. The bathroom should be so clean it sparkles. Hang a new shower curtain – clear or white – and leave it open so the bathroom looks larger. Make sure all light bulbs are working and the highest wattage possible. No one likes a dingy or dirty bathroom.. It’s best to install new toilet seats (very inexpensive) and, if necessary, new faucets and shower-heads. Clean all grout. Great grout cleaners can be found at home improvement stores.

Kitchen – Remove everything from counter-tops to make the space look as large as possible. Scrub all appliances until they shine. Take everything off the refrigerator – notes, photos, magnets, everything. Make sure cabinets and doors are free from fingerprints. Dated hardware? You can really spruce up your cabinets by replacing the knobs. Check out Habitat for Humanity stores for great deals on cabinet hardware.

Bedrooms – Neat, clean, beds made, and eliminate clutter. Removing an extra nightstand or dresser may do wonders for increasing the visual space of the room.

Closets – In every room of the house, clean out closets by throwing out or passing on anything not still being used. Make closets look as large as possible by leaving at least 30% of the space vacant. If necessary, pack up and store what you don’t need now. When buyers open doors, you want them to see plenty of closet space in the home.

Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.

Home Seller Tip–Minimize Exposure to Loss When Selling

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 09:01:46 -0500

I am not referring to loss on the sale price of your home but rather, I am talking about minimizing the chance someone may get injured while viewing your home for sale in Brevard County, Florida (or any other place!).

Before you list your home for sale take a good look around your house from a child's perspective.

Even if you have no children think about potential buyers who do have children accompanying them as they view homes. And, although I am no lawyer, you do not want to have something happen to anyone on your property - selling or not!

Do not leave toxic within reach of small hands. I know you are thinking that the children should be under control at all times but I have witnessed it – they aren’t always!

If you have firearms, secure them with some sort of locking device or better yet, remove them. I can recall the times I have shown homes and seen rifles propped against the wall in a closet or under the bed. I don’t know if they were loaded but still, why have them there?

And think about your furniture layout and lighting. Maybe you should leave more lights on?

And think about the calm dog of yours who is friendly and only barks!

And do not forget about the exterior...any holes or low areas in the lawn? What about the garden hose on the ground?

Risk reduction and management is a key component of any business. Selling your home is a business transaction you are part of.

I have heard many times "It is not if you will get sued but when!"

Protect yourself by managing risk exposure. Sure, they may sue your real estate agent but they may sue you as well... besides no one needs to get injured when it is preventable!

Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.

Trust Me! The ActiveRain January 2012 Challenge -

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:30:24 -0500

The January 2012 ActiveRain challenge asked a simple question... How do your feelings about trust impact your business or your life?

Trust is defined as "firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person." In life trust should be a normal expectation.

In real estate trust should likewise be an expectation. But these are not the same levels of trust - if indeed either truly exists (cynical thought, for sure).

Blind trust is, in my opinion, the greatest level of trust - and also the most dangerous.

It is the level of trust we all seek in our personal relationships –especially with the ones that matter most.

Roger Mucci had a good post recently on trust even when family is involved (Trust…..We all know that “curiosity killed the cat”, I had to ask……).

June Tassillo of Franklin NC wrote a post as well that touched on trust. In this case it involves the real estate business.

Trust should be a condition of doing real estate for a living. It is simple - an obligation to do the right thing all the time.

Personal pride should make this a non-issue. But, sometimes due to self interest this is not always possible (did I mean to say greed or selfishness?).

As for the question posed in the first sentence, here is my response.

In my day to day life I never say the words "Trust me." It is a given when dealing with me.

This post is a submission to the ActiveRain / Adobe EchoSign Trust Contest. I could possibly win a prize. You can find out about the contest by clicking here

Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.

This is it…my short list for 2012

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:24:46 -0500

This is it…my short list. This simple list contains six seven things I am not wishing for in 2012 and one I am wishing for in 2012.

But which is “the real thing” (sorry, Coca Cola)?

Kim Kardashian gets a real job!
Real Housewives of wherever become justhousewives of wherever!
Justin Bieber gets a haircut.
Congress gets a raise for a job well done!
ActiveRain starts charging all of us monthly fees.
Political debates become prime-time TV rage.
Legal voting age for Congressional elections becomes eight years old because children should be able to vote for their peers.
May success and happiness come to all of those who read this short list!

For the most part I could care less about the items listed above…except for the last one. Stay safe, be prosperous and happy in the coming year!

And now I must get back to my real task before I let myself get distracted...working on my plans for selling more homes in Brevard County, Florida next year!

Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.

Sometimes it is OK to ask for directions...

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:04:54 -0500

In the old days (pre-GPS) we often had to rely on paper road maps. Yes, Virginia, we really did!

And somehow I always seemed to end up taking the scenic route. This is where I also confess I never stopped and asked for directions...that is giving up!

Today I continue to unintentionally take the scenic route even with the use of my genuine TomTom GPS (with a very fake sounding Homer Simpson voice telling me where to go!).

I can’t really blame Homer either…you see I sometimes will try to go it alone because I know the area somewhat.

Sometimes even when I am using the GPS I choose to disregard the “recalculating” and continue on my own refusing any assistance whatsoever!

Sometimes I arrive where I intended. Sometimes it becomes necessary to turn on the GPS after I have obviously made a wrong turn somewhere or have reached the point of maximum tolerance!

If you are selling your Brevard County, Florida home in this market as a for sale by owner (FSBO) you may find yourself on the scenic route or reaching a point of maximum tolerance!

It may be time to GPS – Get Professional Support – hire a local Brevard County Real Estate Agent/ Realtor®.

And if your Brevard County home for sale listing has expired, maybe your GPS needs “recalculating.”

Call me if you are considering buying or selling your Brevard County, Florida house or condo!

If you are considering selling your home in Brevard County including short sales, email me if I can help in any way.

It is OK to ask for directions.........

Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.

"I'm a Doctor Dammit..."- Something To Put a Smile On Your Face... by Twin Cities Homes for Sale

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:55:17 -0500

The message here is one that many buyers never grasp clearly. Real estate agents need to be engaged with realistic, motivated buyers. As nice as some are, just hanging with people is not payin the bills.

I am especially thankful for the customers and clients who understand how Realtors® work.

Via Marzena Melby Realtor - Twin Cities Minnesota Real Estate (Keller Williams Integrity Realty):

"I'm a Doctor Dammit..."- Something To Put a Smile On Your Face... by Twin Cities Homes for Sale

This satire makes a great point, but who is to be blamed for public's perception of our profession????!!!

Contact Marzena M. Melby, GRI, CDPE, Keller Williams Integrity Realty. Licensed REALTOR® in the state of Minnesota

Visit my website to search homes for sale in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is supplied by several sources and is subject to change without notice. Twin Cities Homes 4 Sale Blog does not guarantee, or is any way responsible for its accuracy, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Entries on Twin Cities Homes 4 Sale Blog represent the opinions and ideas of the author. Twin Cities Homes 4 Sale Blog does not express the views of Keller Williams Realty, or its other partners or agents.

Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.

Westwood Subdivision in Rockledge Florida–Homes for Sale December 2011

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:54:45 -0500

Westwood subdivision in Rockledge, Florida offers large, newer homes at some very affordable prices.

Since September 2011 there has only been one home sold in Westwood – 937 Whetstone Place, a four bedroom two and half bath three car garage home with 3,050 sq.ft.. under air selling for $243,000 (less than $80/sq.f.t for a 2009 built property).

Currently there are four properties listed for sale in Westwood subdivision. List prices for these properties range from $179,990 to $269,900. There are two short sales among these listings – both under $200,000.

Square footage (under air conditioning) is one way buyers can compare properties. For example, in this development there are two listings with 2,745 and 2,799 square foot under air each. The list prices are $194,300 and $234,000. Both are four bedroom homes and neither have a pool. One has 3.5 baths and the other only 3 baths. One was built in 2007 and the other in 2008.

So what is the difference? Can an extra half bath or one year difference account for the $40,000 difference

How can an individual wanting to buy a home in Rockledge, Florida compare these homes without seeing the inside of each?

If you are shopping for a home in Rockledge or Viera, Florida call me at 321-693-3850 or email me if I can assist in any way.

Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.

Zillow is Now "Encouraging" Consumers Which Broker To Choose?

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:17:08 -0500

Has another sacred cow been slaughtered? I doubt Zillow, with its perceived market influence, would be a totally neutral party.

Self interest always trumps anything else! Skepticism here...

But, in the mind of the consumer Zillow is sometimes seen as the "ultimate source" for all things real estate! Just ask most sellers!

As for reviews, surveys and recommendations in real estate....

Every transaction is different just as every person (buyer or seller) involved in the transaction is different. A personal interview, research of the Internet, discussion of marketing plans and agent successes (and failures) will yield a lot more creditability than a few reviews - especially if only selective reviews get posted.

Via Leslie Ebersole, REALTOR® Chicago's Western Suburbs (Baird&Warner Fox Valley):

Sometimes you read something that just doesn't sound right, so you read it again and are even more astonished. J. Philip Faranda published a post Zillow Agent Reviews: A Request for Sanity in which he described his surprise about an email he received from Zillow about a consumer who wrote a negative review about Phil. Zillow wrote this to Phil

...we are extending you a “Free Pass” and will not publish this review on your Zillow profile. Please note that this is a one-time courtesy and that you will not receive a “free pass” for similar reviews submitted for you in the future.

But this wasn't a simple case of someone who had a bad transaction. The consumer complained that Phil didn't respond to his inquiry. They never had any contact and yet this consumer gets to submit a review?

I was very surprised at the tone...who is Zillow to give a "free pass" to a paying advertiser?

And then today a bigger surprise. On the Zillow Advice site Phil's post is now being discussed. A Zillow representative named Kristin Acker writes this:

"We connect a lot of buyers with agents, we think if we have unresponsive agents, then we shouldn't encourage buyers to contact them. The reason we went with the "Free Pass" described above, was a way to give agents a chance to start responding to consumers Zillow sends them.

If you see a review on the live site for not responding, that agent has been reviewed TWICE for not responding (we reject the first one we see and send an e-mail to the agent). We believe consumers should be able to find out that this agent may not respond to you.

Even I could argue the other side, but at the end of the day, we want buyers & sellers on Zillow to have a great experience and find a great agent. That's one who responds to their inquiry."

Now I've gone from surprised to shocked. Zillow sells advertising space to agents and brokers. Zillow presents listings that brokers pay to syndicate to the site. Zillow does not "encourage" the use of one broker versus another, except by virtue of offering paid space on their site. And since when did "a great agent" get defined by how fast an inquiry is responded to?

I have supported Zillow as an option for clients to get information about houses and markets. I have never feared that Zillow could replace my expertise in pricing a home. Heck, I even put the Zillow mobile app as a choice on the tablets we give out to buyers during their home search.

When agent reviews were first rolled out on the various aggregator sites, I remember many discussions here on ActiveRain about the possibilities for abuse by disgruntled consumers. We were assured by representatives from companies such as Zillow that there would be checks and balances in the system to make sure that agents were protected from irrational complainers.

But apparently that policy has changed at Zillow.

Now Zillow sees itself as the gatekeeper to finding a great agent. Apparently that agent is:
- a member of a brokerage who pays to have listings syndicated to the site
- and/or pays for advertising space
- and manages to dodge any and all disgruntled consumers, even ones with whom no contact was made or services performed.

Just yesterday I was telling someone that I have never, and would never write a post criticizing a single firm like an aggregator or a lender. This situation, however, bothers me enough to break my policy. I refuse to sit back and watch Zillow, or anyone else, disingenuously claim their support for a better real estate industry while they attack the very firms and agents who pay for their existence.

No rational person will agree to this.

Zillow is a registered trademark of Zillow, Inc.

This post was written by Leslie Ebersole of Baird & Warner Real Estate.
Use or reproduction of the material published on this site is expressly prohibited
without the express written permission of the author.

My Website FoxValleyRealEstate.net

My Email leslie.ebersole@bairdwarner.com

My Mobile (630)945-7935

Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.

If the Burger Joints Won't Do it, Why Would a Home Seller?

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:42:26 -0500

I just read an article written by a local Melbourne, Florida Realtor® Sandy Shores (I'm looking for a Steal, I want to Buy for Pennies on the Dollar) about some of the types of calls we sometimes receive in Brevard County, Florida from interested out of town buyers.

The post made me think about our sometimes flawed thinking when it comes to the depressed real estate market.

In real estate (as well as pretty much anything else) we should understand that not all good (or even great!) deals will be steals.

Attractive prices sometimes have a way of making home buyers much more optimistic and a whole lot less realistic.

In a buyer's market there are fewer buyers with much more choice (a very competitive seller market including distressed properties).

And although I am certainly aware buying a house is not quite the same as buying a hamburger the correlation is there...

Because there is a Burger King around the corner and a Wendy's down the street, will McDonald's sell me a burger for a substantially discounted price because the competition is keen. [Is there ever a buyer's market in fast food?]

Sometimes the home seller will offer incentives. Sometimes the seller is motivated and the property is already priced well below the competition.

A good local real estate agent can help you recognize the good deal when it is offered... even when it is not a “pennies on the dollar steal”!

Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.

I Don't Do Blind Dates! Please Don't Mistake That For Bitchy

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 08:38:03 -0500

This is a lesson one should learn on day one of real estate 101. The market is a bit slow but , in the excitement of a possible client, one should not let their guard down.

Leesa's personal code of safety is one that should be adopted by all.

Trust only after you have verified and then make that a cautious trust.

Now, be careful out there.... Wasn't that what they said on the very old TV show Hillstreet Blues?

Via Leesa L. Finley -Wake Forest NC REALTOR® Wake Forest NC & Raleigh NC Real Estate (Circa Properties - Your Wake Forest NC Homes Specialist):

I was having a conversation the other day with another Realtor® about safety and I remembered this post I had written a while ago and dug it up for her to read and LIVE by! Then, I got to thinking, it is definitely worth reposting so consider this a reblog of me! ;)

Safety can NEVER be taken too seriously nor should it be overlooked just to make a buck! So, whether you are a buyer, seller or a fellow Realtor® please take a peek at an older post of mine about Realtor® Safety - it may just save you one day!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I don't know why, but I still find it amazing when Potential Buyers get mad at me for not dropping everything at a moments notice and meeting them at a vacant house. Mind you, complete strangers!

By my nature, I am a friendly person, never met a stranger and can ALWAYS strike up a conversation. I love meeting new people and finding out what they are about, how they live their life, what they enjoy and what we have in common. My career also dictates that I have this pre-determined outgoing nature - I mean, really? How can one sell Real Estate if they don't like meeting new people.

What may be one of my greatest assets could one day be my demise if I didn't adhere to my own personal "Code of Safety" and listen to my common sense. There are simple rules that I self-administer and well, quite frankly, if a Buyer or Seller can not appreciate them and/or respect them then we simply weren't meant for each other.

I will NEVER respond to an email from a stranger and agree to meet them at a vacant home.

I will NEVER respond to a phone call from a stranger and agree to meet them at a vacant house.

I will NEVER host an Open House by myself.

I will NEVER work with any buyer until there has been rapport established and identity verified.

I will NEVER meet a COUPLE at a vacant home.

If you call me/email me and I don't know you then be prepared to meet in a public place, answer questions, and verify your identity. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, an aunt, a friend to many and I love my security and MY LIFE.

If a Buyer can not respect these wishes and rules of mine then perhaps they are better suited with another Realtor®. Keep in mind, I don't do blind dates but please don't mistake that for bitchy.

Recent cases of Unpleasant Realities*:

St. Louis, MO - A man posing as a home buyer waited until he got a 24 year old real estate agent in an unfinished aprt of the basement and then pulled out a handgun. He handcuffed her and sexually assaulted her, at one point putting a knife to her throat. Afterward, he robbed her and warned her not to scream for help before leaving her alone in the new home she thought he wanted to buy.

Liberty Township, OH - A man wearing a ski mask showed up at a model home. The on-site agent immediately asked the man to leave and closed the model home's door, but the agent later found the man standing inside the garage. The man grabbed her, but she fought him off and he fled the scene.

Cary, NC - A man registered in a neighborhood's model home, then asked to see homes in the community. Once the agent had taken the man to another home in the development, the man pulled out a knife and attacked the agent. She was bound and sexually assaulted.

*cited from the 2009-2010 NC Real Estate Update Course

The incident in Cary NC, for those of you that don't know, was literally 10 minutes away from me. While many may always have the feeling "that could never happen here" - THINK AGAIN!

I would be remiss if I didn't also mention an incident that happened to my West Coast Sister, Cristal Drake. She was robbed at an Open House in July 2009. I'll never forget how I felt when I read her post - she really is my kindred and I just can't imagine. You can read about her unfortunate event at her blog post...... Be On The Lookout for These Open House Thieves! North Orange County Agents PLEASE READY!

I don't care if you are a SEASONED AGENT or NEW TO THE BUSINESS - NO SALE IS WORTH YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY! End of story and there really is no discussion needed. There are many tips that I could give as both an agent and a Broker-In-Charge.....

ALWAYS have new clients meet you at your office or public place such as coffee shop, etc.

When at all possible - have another agent go with you when working with new clients.

If you get that icky feeling - ALWAYS go with your instincts!

Have a code word set up between you and your office so that when you are out and about showing you can call your office and they will instantly know that you need help.

ALWAYS leave an itinerary of where you are showing with either your BIC or another agent in the office.

Keep you cell phone on you at ALL times! Have 911 programmed into speed dial.

There are many "tools" that are available for protection now available nationwide through the various Association of Realtors® offices - explore them and find one that you are comfortable with.

And for all of you buyers reading this right now. Yes, you are what keeps me going in my career and without you I wouldn't be as successful as I am. However, there are quite a few "YOU'S" out there and if you can't respect my wishes then how can I possibly respect yours?

Whether you are buying or selling Real Estate in Wake Forest NC it just makes sense to use a Realtor® that knows the area! I live here, work here and play here - I call Wake Forest NC home! For more information regarding homes for sale in Wake Forest NC be sure to visit my websites:

Leesa Finley- Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC, Wake Forest NC schools, restaurants, shops, entertainment and MORE....

Wake Forest NC House Chick- My company website with information for the entire Raleigh NC area including Cary, Apex, Garner, Franklinton, Youngsville, Holly Springs and MORE....

I AM your Wake Forest NC Real Estate Agent of Choice......

Don't forget to check out Discover Wake Forest NC for all the latest new listings in Wake Forest, Home Buyers and Home Sellers Tips and the most up to date calendar of events in Wake Forest NC!

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Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.

Turtle Creek Golf Course Rockledge - Townhouse for sale - $75,000!

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:39:23 -0500

Turtle Creek Golf Course Rockledge - Townhouse for sale - $75,000!

Located at 1244 Admiralty Blvd in Rockledge, Florida, this two bedroom two and one half bath two car garage townhouse is located on the fairway of Rockledge, Florida's Turtle Creek golf course and is being offered as a short sale (lender approval required) for only $75,000.

This is an absolutely great opportunity to own a golf course direct unit in central Florida. Talk about a great location for a vacation or second home!

Lawn maintenance provided by association with low monthly fees ($60 currently). Newer appliances. Location is near Viera, excellent schools, several golf courses, only 45 minutes to Orlando, 20 minutes to beaches.

Built in 1979 this townhouse does have an issue relating to the siding and framing at the rear of the unit. The owner has had an evaluation of the problem and has indicated the repairs will be around $15,000. Because of this issue a mortgage could be an issue.

This is a great opportunity for investors as well.

Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.

I Can Decline Your Listing!

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:09:58 -0500

Amazing the flawed thinking that goes through the mind of many seller prospects. And, as in this case, "the Realtor®" does her homework and with facts in hand can refuse a listing opportunity...

its like a bell ringing...and another Realtor® gets her wings!

OK, so it is not "It's a wonderful life" but if more agents did this, it likely could be one!

Well said, Tammie!

Via Tammie White Realtor® Franklin TN Homes For Sale (Benchmark Realty, LLC):

I Can Decline Your Listing!

I met with a Franklin TN home seller on Friday. Her home had recently expired and she called me to list her property. I am very thorough when preparing my Competitive Market Analysis. Not only do I run the comparable active listings but I also check the recently closed sales and even expired listings. I want to know what has sold and what has not.

Then I preview approximately five active listings in the neighborhood. If possible, I inspect homes with the same floor plan. If one isn't on the market, then I preview homes of a similar size and amenities in the neighborhood.

While I know this neighborhood very well, I wanted to be able to tell the seller I had recently been in the homes that would be competing with her home.

Since this is a large neighborhood with the same model currently for sale, I was able to very accurately price this home. I even contacted the on-site agent selling new construction in this neighborhood. The builder had discontinued building this model and I just wanted to confirm their reasons for doing so.

As I suspected, the floor plan wasn't very desirable. It had 3,200 square feet with a nice open floor plan but it only had three bedrooms. It seems that everyone wants four bedrooms now--no surprise there.

Equipped with my CMA in hand, I met with the seller to discuss the sale of her home. Having already spent considerable time on the phone with the seller, I sat down to discuss the results of my analysis. It was easy to see why her home hadn't sold. It had been previously priced about $50,000 higher than it should have been.

As I discussed my findings, it was clear that the seller was not prepared to price her home to sell. She tried to tell me that I was going about this all wrong. You see, her previous agent told her to take the price she paid, add the REALTOR's commission and then her desired profit to get the listing price. I informed her that her previous agent was incorrect and that was not the way to price a home.

She tried to go on and on about all the features her home had that others did not have to justify her asking price. Since I had just been in the other homes the day before, I knew her home had no additional features to justify her price. And because the floor plan was a less desirable plan, the best thing to do was price it less than her current competition.

After showing her all the recent comparable homes and even showing her photos of these homes with my iPad, it was clear she was not going to price the home right. I apologized for taking up her time and said there really wasn't anything further to discuss.

She was shocked. She had never heard of an agent turning down a listing. That's crazy. Who does that kind of thing? I do.

You see, Mrs. Seller, I spend a lot of time and money to market your home. If you're not going to price it right, then it is a total waste of my time and my marketing dollars to try and sell it. All the marketing in the world will not sell a home that is not priced right. I'm not in the habit of taking listings that won't sell.

If you agree to price the home to reflect the current market value, then we can do business. Otherwise, there is nothing in the Code of Ethics that dictates that I must take your listing. Mrs. Seller, I can decline your listing.

If you are currently looking to sell your Franklin TN home and want to meet with an agent who will prepare a very thorough Competitive Market Analysis, then give me a call. However, if you're not prepared to price your home correctly, then it's important for you to know I can decline your listing.

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Tammie White, Realtor® in Franklin TN

Cell Phone: (615)495-0752

www.TammieWhite.com

Tammie@TammieWhite.com

This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property and opinions of Tammie White of Benchmark Realty LLC. Providing real estate services to clients in Franklin, Brentwood, Nolensville, Thompsons Station, Spring Hill, Fairview, Leipers Fork, Nashville and the whole Middle TN area.

Read my blogs Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.