On the Other Hand, You Don’t Need a Lawnmower Some people’s idea of the perfect backyard is room for a garden, pets, and kids, with plenty of grass (not necessarily in that order). Some people’s . . . isn’t. This home would appeal to the latter (that’s a shed in between the house and the...Read More
“Your Buyer? Show it Yourself!!” After my own vent, what’s next most cathartic? Another Realtor’s. So, I enjoyed fellow blogger Teresa Boardman’s recent post about having other Realtors’ clients call to have you show them properties that you’re listing. With 30 minutes notice (maybe). Nope, actually that’s their Realtor’s job. Mine is to make sure...Read More
Working With Buyer Objections (Or Not) One of the things that happens when you list a home is that you find out all the reasons it doesn’t work for a given Buyer. So, the home’s too . . . big/small/expensive/cheap/dated/updated, etc. When that’s the case, a good Realtor — with extensive local market knowledge — will...Read More
Cost-Effective Home Improvements What are the most cost-effective home improvements? Actually, homeowners’ biggest bang for the buck isn’t improving anything — it’s fixing something that’s broken. As a listing agent, I’ve seen Buyers deduct $3 (or more) for every $1 in needed repairs. Why so much? A) because it’s a hassle; B) because the amount...Read More
Pro’s, Cons — & Pitfalls –“At the beginning (of the relationship), the developer had the experience and the insurance company had the money. At the end . . . the insurance company had the experience, and the developer had the money.” –“Possession is 9/10 of the law.” I heard the first line a couple lifetimes ago, when...Read More
Layout Problem . . . Solved! “One nerd is an island. Two are a club. Three are a clique.” –Ross Kaplan, based on observing my 12 year-old son and his friends. Non-Realtors would have no reason to know this, but photos on MLS are designed to lay out horizontally. So, if you input 17 horizontal...Read More
