Sandy McAlpine - Lake Norman Blog: December 2011

Before Christmas I posted a blog about a show we did in the SWS Virtual Studio called "Are You the Best Real Estate Agent You Know?" In that blog, I described three reasons you might WANT to BE the best agent you know, and promised to continue the conversation with some concrete attributes or characteristics that someone who IS the best agent they know might possess.

So, 'cause I usually keep my promises, below are nine attributes (skills, services and masteries) of what an agent I'd be excited to hire to represent me should bring to the table:

1. Market Mastery - the agent understands the nuances of the local real estate market - at least the segment of it that affects ME!

2. MLS Mastery - the agent is intimately familiar with the MLS and therefore makes pricing recommendations based on data that is complete, relevant and accurate.

3. Contract (and Disclosure) Mastery - the agent understands and can explain each and every provision in the contracts and disclosures I'll be asked to sign, and ensures that I understand how each provision affects me.

4. Pricing Expertise - related to #1, the agent understands the nuances of the specific market area(s) that I'm buying or selling in, and how various features and amenities (or lack thereof) affect the market value of the properties there.

5. Photography Skills (or willingness to hire a photographer) - the agent understands the importance of having great photos online and is willing to invest the time and money to either take great photos him or herself, or hire someone to do it.

6. Basic Understanding of Home Construction, Repair and Local Architecture - while I don't expect my agent to be a licensed contractor, I do expect them to understand basic issues of home construction and repair so they can speak intelligently to me about issues that may arise during our transaction. This knowledge will enhance their credibility with me tremendously.

7. Good Problem-Solving and Negotiating Skills - the agent doesn't fall apart and go all drama-queen (or king) on me when the going gets a little rocky. They stay calm and focused, and tackle the problem head-on. They are skilled, confident negotiators.

8. A Great Team - the agent has a great team. If I need a referral to the best lender, inspector, handyman, house-cleaner, structural contractor, roofer or painter in town, my agent knows who that is and will set me up.

9. Great Systems in Place to Track Transactions - the agent has detailed checklists and follow-ups in place so that things don't slip through the cracks or get forgotten when they get busy or distracted.

So, whatcha' think? Do these sound like the characteristics of an agent you'd hire to take care of your real estate transaction? Any others you'd like to add... or any of these you don't think belong on the list?

If you'd like to participate in a survey I'm doing on the matter, just go here: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e5ghv78kgwdi99ia/start and tell us what YOU think!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we are at the end of the year. It’s always a good time to sit back and reflect on the past year. I also like to make a quick list of the lessons I have learned over the last year in Real Estate. Here are a few of the most notable. 

1. I learned that the days are long, but the years are short. I spent a fair amount of time wishing days away in 2011. Then I look back and it seems that the years have just flown by. I am trying not to make that same mistake in 2012.

2. I learned at 43 to listen more and speak less. This one lesson has served me better than anything else.

3. I learned that there is no harm in asking. Just when you think there is no way a buyer or seller will move one more penny…they do. So I tell my clients, ”What is the harm in asking since all they can say is ’no’?”

4. I learned that you could have the best data in the world and most convincing argument, and at the end of the day the real estate transaction boils down to one thing. What is a seller willing to sell for and what is a buyer willing to pay?

5. I learned that just when you think you have encountered the most difficult buyer or seller, you are wrong. There is one more difficult just around the corner.

6. I learned that every once in a while, you are given a gift. Like a buyer that calls you up, looks at one property, makes an offer and closes with no conflicts or difficulty. Cherish these transactions.

7. I learned that there is no amount of convincing or sense that you can impart to Banks and Investors. Even when the data is all in your favor, Banks/Investors do not have to sell properties at fair market value because they are flush with cash and have lots of options.

8. I learned to take Sundays off (yes, even in the real estate business) so I can have some type of family life. I recommend this to all of my real estate brethren. I can honestly tell you that by taking Sundays off, my business did not decrease one penny. In fact, it got better.

9. I learned to smile more and laugh more in what is a pressure cooker of a business. If you don’t, you’ll soon find yourself on ulcer medication.

10. I learned that you have to give something to get something. 

Happy New Year 

Dan Polimino 

Dan Polimino is a Realtor with Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty. He can be reached at DPolimino@fullerproperties.com and www.coloradodreamhouse.com/denverpost 

Click here to Get started searching for YOUR Colorado Dream Home.

2011 was not my favorite year to date, but I learned some valuable life lessons along the way. Thought I would share them with you:

 

• Always take care of your mental and physical health first. Without it, you cannot progress at all...
• speak loudly and clearly in a group. This will help establish you as a leader, and show you have the authority to speak on your subject matter.
• I need something, I cant find it. Case in point, I am trying a refinance right now, and had no clue where my 2009-2010 tax forms were, along with pay stubs, and just about everything else my broker asked for. It was awful.
• Do not forget to laugh. A couple of months ago, business was bad, I was broke, thinking of a sick parent, etc, when I realized my jaw hurt so bad I could barely sleep anymore. It was from clenching my teeth. I pulled out a few funny films, and was soon laughing again, releasing all of the pressure I let build up inside.
• Visit your doctor at least once a year, even if you feel fine. I wont go into details here, but both my wife and I are so very glad we did.
• Life is short, say 77 or 80 useful years.....so get out and enjoy some of it.
• Do not always believe blindly what you might see or hear.  It is always good to check your facts from at least three sources.
• learn something new every single day (Sundays Included) This will keep your mind sharp, and allow you more opportunity to engage others in conversation
• Try not to be prejudiced or judge others in any way. Those three fingers point right back to you.
• Do not text or use the phone for any reason while driving. I had a few close calls this year, and it made me realize that I cannot possibly be a safe driver while texting under any circumstances.
• Say I love you to the ones you really do love in your life. You never know when you will be stricken down, or lose a loved one....at any time.
• Remember "curb appeal" is not only good in selling a home, but in keeping your entire neighborhood from getting sloppy and messed up. The best instant gratification I got this year was cleaning, and keeping up my front yard.
• Try not to be afraid of things you cannot control. Earthquakes, windstorms, home invasion robbery are but just a few that pop into my head from time to time. I just learn that these are things I cannot control, even though I can minimize my exposure risks to these bad things.
• Try to do a random act of kindness as often as you can. You might be surprised at how good it makes you feel, and how much better the world would be if we all did it.
• Try to stay organized. I am the worst at this, and then when It brings your life into balance, refocuses attention on your wants and needs, and is an all around good thing to do.
• Lastly, make a conscious effort to greet everyone you see. A smile, or a hello on the elevator might just bring you unheard of surprise. It makes others feel good too.....this was my most valuable life asset in 2011.
• HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL! I REALLY WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST FOR 2012!

Dave Francis

General Manager

Shannon Escrow, Inc.

I post a new home inspection photo on the Structure Tech Facebook page six days a week, and this year I decided to put together a blog post showing my favorite photos from 2011.   I hope you enjoy these half as much as I do.  As with all of my blog posts, click on any of these photos for a larger version.

Ice Dams - Remember ice dams?  They were nasty last winter.  I'm enjoying winter in Minnesota much more this year; what have we received so far, two inches of snow?

Ice Dam-age Control - This is the only photo we didn't take (thanks DKW3).  This was someone's solution to chronic water intrusion from ice dam leakage.

Hack Ice Dam Removal - We've said many times that pressure washers should never be used to remove ice dams, because they tear up shingles.

Hot Roof?  Cold Roof?  Not Sure.  - Attics are supposed to be treated as warm spaces or cold spaces.  Someone obviously didn't understand the point.

Hockey Puck Fascia Repair - Hole in your fascia?  No problem!  Just use a bunch of caulk and a hockey puck to fix it.

Rotted Roof Decking - The roof decking was in horrible condition at this house, but that didn't stop the roofers; they installed a new roof covering right over the top.  That black stuff is the ice & water shield.

Bad Shingle Repair - No explanation needed.

Bad Chimney Crown - We could tell this chimney crown needed repair just by looking at it from the ground, but we had no idea it would be this bad.  This chimney crown obviously needs to be completely replaced.

Chimney with Facade Falling Apart - Three sides of this chimney looked just fine from a distance.

One Angry Bird Away... - As I was typing up the insection report for this house, my wife saw this photo on the computer screen and said "Wow, that chimney looks like it's about one angry bird away from collapse."  Good call.

Downspout Combustion Air Intake - That downspout connecting to the return air duct fed to the exterior of the home and was being used as the combustion air intake.  It's not conventional and it's probably a little small, but hey, it works.

Central Air-ish - This was someone's attempt at cooling a room where the AC unit wasn't installed.

Creative Heat Register - Interesting solution.

Heat Register in Cabinet - While most people would have had to decide between a heat register and a cabinet here, this homeowner decided to have their cake and eat it too.  Can you guess what city this house was in?  

Hint: Look up "cake-eater" at urbandictionary.com.  

Garbage Can Sump Basket - Sump baskets are reinforced on the sides to prevent them from collapsing.  Plastic refuse containers are not.

Mouse in Panel - Any unused openings in electric panels are supposed to be covered over, not only to contain any potential fire or sparking that could occur inside the panel, but also to prevent unwanted visitors from coming in.

Covered Outlet - No explanation needed.

Missing Fuses - Apparently someone was tired of replacing those pesky fuses, so they replaced the fuses with a couple short lengths of copper tubing.  Can you say fire hazard?

Mirror Tile on Kitchen Floor - This might be the most interesting tiled floor we've come across.

Useless Shower Fan - Someone went to a lot of effort to install this bath fan above the shower, but without a duct... what's the point?  I can only scratch my head.

Water Behind Escutcheon - My personal favorite.  I noticed water leaking out from behind the escutcheon, which is that decorative metal trim ring around the pipe sticking out of wall.  I turned the water off, pulled the escutcheon away, got my camera ready, turned the water back on... click.

Ok, that was twenty-one photos.  Close enough.  If you enjoy these kinds of photos, please click "Like" on our Facebook page.  Thanks!

Reuben Saltzman, Structure Tech Home Inspections - Email - Minneapolis Home Inspector