SECRETS TO FINDING THE “RIGHT” HOME
August 6th, 2008 Bank-Owned Properties, First Time Buyers, Foreclosures, Reno Real Estate, Short Sales Terry No Comments
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An Open House that Sold a House!
August 5th, 2008 First Time Buyers, Guaranteed Sales Program, Reno Real Estate Terry No Comments
We’ve all been through this many many (and too many) times: the seller wants an open house…now! It’s a tough time to hold an open house, but localizing it may be what it takes.
I remember this house (featured below). I sold it, not from great advertising, nor from MLS, but from an old fashioned open house. Neighbors were invited to share snacks and beverages, and the “community” was welcomed. As it turned out, a neighbor thought the house was PERFECT for a friend, and presto-chango, an offer was made and the house was sold!
We blanketed the community with flyers the week before the event, and the anticipation was perfect. We had a huge turnout, and the deal was sealed within a week! I “hate” open houses, but I love to make sales. So, I guess we have to be flexible and creative and patient…at all times!
No! I don’t really hate open houses, but they do take planning to be successful!
Sell the Lot and Ignore the House!
August 5th, 2008 First Time Buyers, Guaranteed Sales Program, Reno Real Estate Terry No Comments
This was a challenge indeed. When we first looked at the house we gasped for air, not because it was particularly foul, but because it wasn’t inhabitable (except for the homeless who made it home by cutting a hole through the back wall of the house and setting up shop within).
When we examined the house and grounds we knew right away the old 2-story victorian-type home wasn’t marketable (not even redeemable in today’s market, because it sttod alone in a neighborhood full of condos and apartments).
However, the land on which it sat (.42 acre) overlooked the Truckee River from a short distance, and part of the country area below. Our marketing strategy became crystal clear: sell the lot, ignore the house…and we did to a successful conclusion!
List with us, and we’ll find the best marketing scheme for your home — or your lot!
Statutory Limit on the National Debt Raised to $10,600,000,000,000!
August 5th, 2008 Bank-Owned Properties, First Time Buyers, Foreclosures, Reno Real Estate Terry No Comments
A week ago I had big public policy concerns about the new foreclosure bailout legislation that the President was about to sign. Of course, President Bush did sign the bill, but I thought once again, it’s politics as usual, looking at the following last minute “Add-on” to the legislation.
“Democratic leaders, recognizing that the measure could be one of the last items to become law during what’s left of their abbreviated election-year schedule, tacked on an $800 billion increase, to $10.6 trillion, in the statutory limit on the national debt.” Yahoo Front Page Story (7-30-08)
So, what’s really changed in the big picture? The checking account is still out of balance.
The Officer Drew his Gun: Plenty of Blood & Guts to this “Vacant” REO Listing
August 5th, 2008 Bank-Owned Properties, Foreclosures Terry No Comments
I yelled over the phone to my daughter, Sarah, to call for police backup. The situation was bad and getting worse! She and one of my other 20-something staff had to go to a vacant listing I have (a 4-plex), and meet the utilities man to have the water turned on. The girls showed up on schedule, met the utility man, and entered the property like usual, only this time they heard an odd pounding sound.
Sarah called me wondering about the sound. As it grew louder (as I was on the phone with her), the sound became more distinct. It was coming from a closet crawl space in which an otherwise mentally ill homeless man lived, and was trying to get out. As it turned out, he was locked inside the crawl space.
At my command the girls ran out of the house, followed by the utility man. Sarah had already called the police for backup, and within minutes (and that’s hard to believe, but we call it God’s divine protection) the backup arrived and entered the property.
I was on the phone crying and hysterical. I called my husband to see if he was in the area. Usually he would not be, but today Dr. John was nearby. He headed over to the 4-plex to assist Sarah, having no idea just how bad things were; but hey, dads are dads.
The officer had ordered the man to lay down on the floor, hands and feet spread wide. The man refused. The officer drew his gun. The man refused. The officer called for more backup, and the man sprung to his feet and wielded a large butcher knife at the officer, cutting him. They struggled and the man was cut as well. Both officer and man were bleeding. Reinforcements showed up. The man was subdued and arrested, and is now in county jail.
For the first time since her birth, I wondered if I might lose my daughter. I returned to the scene later and saw all the blood — it was everywhere around the room in which the altercation occured. The possibility of my daughter’s death at the hand of this man was all too real.
All of a sudden it hit me, not then, but this morning a day later: Real estate can be a dangerous profession for realtors of all ages and both genders. Times are tough for people, and this wasn’t the first (nor will it be the last) time I found signs of nighttime homeless camps in my REOs, but this was a in your face, middle of the morning encounter, and it was for keeps for the homeless man.
I can’t quite express this, but I felt obligated to share this very pointed version of this post with my fellow Realtors and REO brokers, and the buying public. This incident could have ended my daughter’s life; it did not, and I hope by posting this it will save another Realtor’s son or daughter. May God bless you and protect you!
Getting Expert Advice on your Real Estate Questions!
August 5th, 2008 Bank-Owned Properties, First Time Buyers, Foreclosures, Reno Real Estate, Short Sales Terry No Comments
The average home buyer and seller will have over 35 questions they need answered prior to even making a commitment to making a transaction. Likely you do also, so feel free to contact me with any questions, allowing me to utilize my knowledge and experience to your advantage.
I’m one of Northern Nevada’s highly productive Realtors — my numbers don;t lie – wouldn’t you want to ask an expert with an honest to-the-point reputation a question? Feel free to contact me through this link!
Does Your Agent Know Both Sides of Today’s Real Estate Market?
August 5th, 2008 Bank-Owned Properties, Foreclosures, Reno Real Estate, Short Sales Terry No Comments
Selecting an agent is just as important as selecting the right home to buy or price at which to list your property. The right agent will bring to the table the tools you need to get the job done efficiently. The lack of an experienced market savvy agent will only lead to losses and issues.
Today’s market is called by many a “buyer’s market” however, I know it is also a “smart seller’s market.” Learn the difference with my team. We take on bank-owned properties (foreclosures) but sellers also come to us to help them sell their homes (we took three non-foreclosure listings today). Why? Because we know both sides of this market and that’s what you need in a Realtor. My team delivers!
Whose Fence is it Anyway? These Ladies Mean Business — Episode Eight!
October 18th, 2007 First Time Buyers, Reno Real Estate Terry No Comments
Here’s one for the books (or crooks?).
Neighbor Sam wants his fence repaired by the builder because there are some cracked slats, miss-cuts, and warped pieces/slats.
Fenceman/builder says, “Okay, we’ll come out and fix them.”
Sam complains that they missed a number of damaged slats.
Fenceman/builder says, “Oh no, we only repair the slats that front-face your property, not ones that back-face your property and front-face your neighbor’s.”
“What?”
Amazingly so, this was the logic explained to Sam. Because the fence is in effect two sided, with alternating sides facing Sam’s property — that is, the slats were alternately fronting his property. One eight foot section had the slats hammered to the supports with the fronts facing his property (no supports visible), while the next eight foot section front-faced the neighbor’s property, while they back-faced Sam’s property with the supports showing.  You get the picture (I hope)?
Sam was incredulous — he couldn’t believe what he was hearing, but it was true. The fenceman/builder would only replace the slats front-facing his property, but damaged slats that back-faced his property were only replaced in the neigbor’s requested it?Â
But These Ladies Mean Business, and although we didn’t bother to fight the slat war, we won the support war, by demanding that all “front-facing” supports that were crooked or cracked or marred, be replaced as they were front-facing Sam’s property.
There’s more than one way to straighten a fence when These Ladies pick up a “hammer”…and use it!
These Ladies Mean Business — Epsiode Seven
October 9th, 2007 Reno Real Estate Terry No Comments
It’s been a while since we wrote about our escapades as two women Realtors who take on all kinds of rather odd and sometimes unbelievable situations in our business.
Here’s the corollary to the short sale, lady in the shower story. Let’s call this guy Brutus.
Brutus has a pretty nice house, a bit messy, and the yard is a disaster — this is all from the outside. The inside is a different story!
Strewn about the house are stacks of legal papers and assorted bed linens, and a fair amount of “whatever.”
We’ve been assigned this house as a bank-owned property (REO), and we’ve got to do a trash-out and documentation of contents, along with an assessment of damages and repair needs.
At this point we’re all business — bring in the “skip loader” — let’s get this place ready to list.
We do our duty, staying in contact with the bank and summarily get the house ready to list.
Ring, ring, ring. It’s the former occupant. He’s heard there’s been some activity in the house (you know, neighbors talk), and he wants to come in the house and pick up some of his belongings. Oops, there are none left, and pursuant to policy, we’ve had the house locks re-keyed and the house secured.
He is incredulous. “Why can’t I go into my house?”
“Ah, it’s not your house. The bank owns it. You hadn’t made a house payment for six months and they decided that was long enough.”
“I don’t think it’s fair,” he says.
“We’re just doing our job, and if you enter the house you’ll be charged with trespassing. It’s no longer your property and you have no right to enter it.”
Ouch — sometimes “Meaning business” is tough on these ladies, but it’s our job…and we do it well (and compassionately up to four months, but not six).
Offers Made Today are from Buyers Ready to Buy at Bargain Prices!
September 30th, 2007 Bank-Owned Properties, First Time Buyers, Foreclosures, Reno Real Estate Terry No Comments
“There is nothing more difficult to to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.” Nicollo Machiavelli (early 1500s)
So said this Italian political philosopher and somewhat controversial historical figure, yet this quote so mimics today’s Realtor’s dilemma. I (and many of us) read an inspiring post by George Tallabas about believing in ourselves and in a way repositioning our minds. After reflecting on his thoughts and then looking at many of my colleagues, I was struck with this Machiavelli quote that my husband often uses in his university teaching.
Our challenge today in the real estate market, whether you’re a realtor, buyer, or seller is multi-faceted: we have to think positively, act confidently, maintain our enthusiasm, be alert to even subtle market changes, stay well-positioned in the marketplace, AND BE WILLING TO TAKE ON THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW ORDER OF THINGS!
As I peer from my sometimes foggy glasses, I see a new order of things looming, replete with new challenges and new business models. I am willing and I am challenged to forge ahead to even more treacherous territory, AND I WILL CONTINUE TO SPEAK THE TRUTH TO SELLERS: lower your asking price NOW, and say YES to SOLID, though less than expected offers, because the offers made today are from buyers ready to buy at bargain prices!
