Question:
“Mike: I went to my HOA meeting last week and the pres of the HOA said that the REALTORS won’t show houses in our subdivision?? Do you have any idea what that’s about? Just curious and wanted to get your thoughts.”

Response:
Every HOA I know (mine included) says that Realtors won’t show the neighborhood. An answer like this probably resulted from the large reduction in showings across the entire market and because of the bigger ramifications of the following question:

“Why are Buyers not requesting to see homes in our neighborhood?”

Since facts are usually what speak best. I would look at the asking price of the homes in your neighborhood and then run a sales report to see what has sold in the past year, in similar price points, across your local area.  Finally, I would compare traits of the sold properties vs. your neighborhood. My guess what I would find is New Homes and Foreclosures are the culprit. How many new homes and foreclosures are in your neighborhood? Probably, small to none. Most resellers, myself included, can’t beat the value proposition of a deeply discounted new home or a foreclosure in our current market.

As for REALTORS, we’ll show anything that can sell!  But realize, Buyers drive the list of properties to show.  In regards to your neighborhood, I expect there are newer or better deals that can be had which is why Buyers are not, yet, looking.

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I asked, “What kind of agent am I?” Do my clients see me as straightforward and no frills; or is it that I provide a great value and creative/comfortable service; or is it because I am the Big Brand of success, imperfections and all. I admit, the answer to my question is of little or no national importance but it does beg the question: What kind of agent do you want to be? Clients: What type of agent are you looking for?

Agent Dunkin

Client: “I’ll take a Medium Coffee and a Cake Donut.”

Agent: “That’ll be $2.50, please.”

Client: “Thanks. Do you have Wifi here?”

Agent: “No. In order to keep our prices as low as possible, we need to make it up in volume. Can’t have folks sitting around here for hours takin’ up the booths. You understand, right?”

Client: “Uh huh? Pretty Basic but I get it.”

Agent Carribou

Client: “I’ll take a Medium Coffee of the Day and a Blueberry Muffin.”

Agent: “Thank you. That’ll be $4.18, sir.”

Client: “Do you have Wifi here?”

Agent: “Absolutely. It’s Free. Just go to your browser to access the web. Feel free to sit and work at our tables inside or on the patio.”

Client: “Awesome. Very convenient, yet practical. Thanks.”

Agent Starbucks

Client: “I’ll have a Venti Cinnamon Dolce Latte Skinny with Sugar-Free Syrup and a Marionberry Scone.”

Agent: “That’ll be a Venti Cinnamon Dolce Latte Skinny with Sugar-Free Syrup and a Marionberry Scone?”

Client: “Yes. Thank You. Do you have free Wifi in the store?”

Agent: “Well that depends. We have Complimentary Wi-Fi for Starbucks customers…when you register your Starbucks Card and use it at least once a month…you’ll receive two consecutive hours a day of complimentary Wi-Fi, courtesy of AT&T; Or, complimentary Wi-Fi for AT&T DSL customers because AT&Ts more than 12 million DSL customers already qualify for free Wi-Fi at their neighborhood Starbucks; Or, all other customers can receive two consecutive hours of Wi-Fi access for $3.99. Either way, you can use any of our couches, loungers, or cushy chairs to conduct business at you leisure, either inside or on the patio.
Oh, by the way. You can download music through a free Wifi sponsored by iTunes. Normal song prices apply. Unless you purchase the song of the week by using the promo code on this card.”

Client: “Uhh…OK…Uhh…Sounds Great! I think. Not sure what just happened but my head hurts, must need caffeine. How much do I owe you?”

Agent: “My apologies sir. That will be $6.84. Thank You for visiting Starbuck’s.”

Just for Fun

I am “Not” knocking any particular agents, brokers, or brands; just having some fun with expectations and delivery. After all, if your home sells quickly and at a price you are satisfied with, comparatively speaking, almost any coffee and carbs will do, right?

Best regards,
I. B. Carribou

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After you have enjoyed exploring Jennifer Carter’s fun things to do this weekend, run into your local Home Depot and purchase a pack of $5.81 (or 2) of EcoSmart Compact Fluorescent Bulbs. Then, as your old 60 watt incandescent bulbs burn out, replace them with the CFL’s. These bulbs have improved drastically in both functionality and effectiveness. And, Oh yeah, they will save you money, too. **See Below

Now you are not required to purchase this particular CFL but the Oct 09 Edition of Consumer Reports showcases this particular Brand/Model combination as their #1 choice. If you are like me though, you may want to pick and choose, on site, so here are some things to consider during your purchase:

Don’t Set Yourself Up for Disappointment
When replacing a 60 Watt bulb, it should usually be replaced with a 14 watt CFL. Note: It is sometimes necessary to replace with a 20 Watt CFL; especially, if the room was slightly darker than preferred with a 60 Watt incandescent.

Pick the Right Color.
On the package, the color of the light will be described in kelvins.

2700K is comparable to a yellowish/soft white incandescent that are preferred in decorator lamps, wall sconces, and other secondary or mood lighting sources.

3500K, it is more like a cool/bright white that is used primarily in kitchens and baths where a task is being completed so brightness is off absolute importance.

5000k rating and higher is typically used for reading lamps and is an extremely bright light that makes words jump off of pages. However, realize that the whiter the lamp, the less pleasing the look when used to light a room.

**Promise Me to Get it Done This Weekend
I am serious. Send me your receipt and I will multiply whatever you spent by 100 and take that amount off of your commissions due when I negotiate the sale or purchase of your next home. (Well…at least up to $1162)

See! Compact Fluorescent Bulbs will save you more money than expected.

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WAYS TO SABOTAGE THE SALE OF YOUR HOUSE

You have your Atlanta home for sale, but you love it and have wonderful memories. We understand that you might not want to sell, and that you may need assistance in achieving that goal. We usually help people sell their Atlanta homes, but we understand when people don’t want to sell.  And in an effort to help everyone we thought we would share with you all the things that you can do to ensure no serious Atlanta buyers show interest in your home for sale:

1. List the Atlanta house yourself and be sure to advertise only in the newspaper.
2. If you do use an Atlanta Realtor, then don’t believe any advice they give.
3. Instead, get selling tips from your uncle, your dentist, or the guy next door.
4. Avoid doing any market research and just price the home on what you “feel” is a correct price.
5. Explain to your Atlanta Realtor that the commission will be cut for Buyer’s Agents.
6. Don’t allow a lock box, which will mean that your Agent will have to escort each prospective buyer through your Atlanta home. This is instead of allowing a buyer’s agent to show the home. This will cut down on the number of people who see your home.
7. Don’t allow a for sale sign to be placed in front of your Atlanta home. That way if there is a prospective buyer driving buy they won’t know your home is for sale.
8. Keep your Atlanta house messy – that way if your agent springs a showing on you the prospective buyer will not be able to see the home through all the clutter.
9. For goodness sake, don’t stage the house or clean up the outside of your Atlanta home. If you do that then your home might invite an offer.
10. Stay home during an open house and follow the buyers through each and every room so you don’t give them a second to themselves.
11. Should that dreaded offer be made, don’t negotiate at all. Stick to your guns and your Atlanta house will certainly not sell.

Of course this article is tongue-in-cheek, but hopefully it will demonstrate to you some of the pitfalls that might befall you if you are not careful. If you have selected a Realtor you trust and have confidence then you are well served to follow their advice.  If you have not found that Realtor, please call us today at (678) 741-2060.   We serve the Greater Atlanta area including Marietta Real Estate, Woodstock Real Estate, Canton Real Estate, Ellijay Real Estate, Roswell Real Estate, and Alpharetta Real Estate.

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