My daughter and granddaughter were here for a 5 day visit. I have commented before that one of the biggest perks of selling real estate is the ability to "take off work" without losing pay or job. What a sweet, innocent and tender girl my granddaughter is. I'm sure she exhibits many of the same qualities and actions that her mother use to frustrate me with when she was her age, but in these older eyes of mine, it all looks ...perfect. They flew home last night. My daughter called me today and said my only grandchild seemed happy to be back home, evidently rushing to her favorite toy immediately upon entering. I guess she kept her mom and dad up well past her normal sleep time with chatter and talk that sounds more like gibberish that an 18 month old child would speak. I like to think if it could be translated, she was telling her dad what a great time she had and how wonderful her papa was.
Google is doing something with search results. That is the buzz online and proved by my loss of position with some very important keywords. All seo forums that I have read thus far border on comments that run from "hang the bums" to "let's wait and see". Explanations of why there has been such a drastic change in ranks are varied but without solid proof. I am going to hold onto the hope that keeping new listings available at the consumers fingertips, providing up-to-date information about the Florida real estate market and trends and not duplicating the same old tired stuff Realtors have been using for years on their site, will gain the blessing of all the search engine gods and allow me to be seen by the searching masses.
I'm guessing:
That being sued by the Department of Justice is not a good thing....(I'm not the one being sued, well not directly, search NAR and the Department of Justice for info)...
More Realtor sites have the Realtor's picture on them than the mls search ability....
That real haunted houses take Halloween off.....
That the reported bird flu case in Greece caught the attention of several Watson Realtors.....
That I need to blog more.........
Related Florida real estate views:
I went searching for a bank and found a Neopet
What is Google trying to say?
I... uh, lost my password, yeah...that's it.
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Oct 18, 2005
Oct 11, 2005
Texas hold em open
With the poker craze sweeping the nation, I came up with a new contest that we will be doing in January after the Greece incentive trip contest is over. Each time an associate holds open a home on the weekends, they will get to play in a hand of Texas hold em at the weekly sales meeting for marketing prizes. No betting or gambling involved, just being dealt a hand for each house they held open. Texas hold em open.....catchy don't you think?
Speaking of open houses. Realtors and home owners are equally mixed on the effectiveness of these ancient, or tried and true depending on your slant, marketing methods. Some love them, some hate them. In their day, when exposure of a home consisted of a mls book that came out some time after the home was listed, and there was no immediate internet or online mls and ads were often just in the local Sunday paper, an open house was a very powerful marketing tool without much effort being needed by the seller or Realtor. Now the most successful open houses are held by those Realtors and sellers who work together to present the best possible product to the most customers possible.
To increase the chances of an open house being well attended, the Realtor should be mailing out invitations to nearby apartment complexes, they will be notifying local mortgage brokers and lenders inviting them to stop by and asking them to mention the open house to any customers they may be working with who have not found a home yet. The same invitation should also be given to the local real estate agents in the area of the home being held open. Some of the really industrious Realtors will go door to door inviting the neighbors. Ads should run in all the local papers, directional signs, if allowed, should be set up to direct cars from several directions. All these methods will increase the number of visitors that will attend and increase the possibility of attracting a buyer or someone who will recommend a buyer for the home they are holding open.
Sellers can help as well. Make sure the yard is cared for, dishes and laundry put away, beds made. It is also really important to leave your home for the duration of the open house. Give your Realtor the space to do their thing. An open house should offer a comfortable atmosphere for the serious buyers who attend, to take in on the homes features and amenities. The average potential buyer will not, I repeat, will not feel comfortable opening a seller's bedroom closet while the seller is standing their. They will not be at ease to talk financing with the Realtor or onsite mortgage lender. You hired your Realtor trusting in their abilities to sell, let them sell. Give them some space to do their job and you will see the results.
Open houses can be successful in bringing buyers to your home if staged properly or they can be a waste of 3 or 4 hours on a Saturday or Sunday. The proper staging will help increase the chances for your next open house being a success.
Related Florida real estate views:
Greece and stuff
Watson Realty Associates enjoy cruise
Watson Realty announces contest
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Speaking of open houses. Realtors and home owners are equally mixed on the effectiveness of these ancient, or tried and true depending on your slant, marketing methods. Some love them, some hate them. In their day, when exposure of a home consisted of a mls book that came out some time after the home was listed, and there was no immediate internet or online mls and ads were often just in the local Sunday paper, an open house was a very powerful marketing tool without much effort being needed by the seller or Realtor. Now the most successful open houses are held by those Realtors and sellers who work together to present the best possible product to the most customers possible.
To increase the chances of an open house being well attended, the Realtor should be mailing out invitations to nearby apartment complexes, they will be notifying local mortgage brokers and lenders inviting them to stop by and asking them to mention the open house to any customers they may be working with who have not found a home yet. The same invitation should also be given to the local real estate agents in the area of the home being held open. Some of the really industrious Realtors will go door to door inviting the neighbors. Ads should run in all the local papers, directional signs, if allowed, should be set up to direct cars from several directions. All these methods will increase the number of visitors that will attend and increase the possibility of attracting a buyer or someone who will recommend a buyer for the home they are holding open.
Sellers can help as well. Make sure the yard is cared for, dishes and laundry put away, beds made. It is also really important to leave your home for the duration of the open house. Give your Realtor the space to do their thing. An open house should offer a comfortable atmosphere for the serious buyers who attend, to take in on the homes features and amenities. The average potential buyer will not, I repeat, will not feel comfortable opening a seller's bedroom closet while the seller is standing their. They will not be at ease to talk financing with the Realtor or onsite mortgage lender. You hired your Realtor trusting in their abilities to sell, let them sell. Give them some space to do their job and you will see the results.
Open houses can be successful in bringing buyers to your home if staged properly or they can be a waste of 3 or 4 hours on a Saturday or Sunday. The proper staging will help increase the chances for your next open house being a success.
Related Florida real estate views:
Greece and stuff
Watson Realty Associates enjoy cruise
Watson Realty announces contest
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Oct 9, 2005
If you think you are selling your home too cheaply, just say no
(I wrote this back in 2005 as a result of some slanted media reports.)
One of the network news programs this Friday had a segment that suggested Realtors may not be interested in getting their sellers the maximum price for their property if it means just waiting for a better offer. The inference is that Realtors want the seller to accept an offer on the table, rather than wait for a better one. They even used a survey that indicates Realtors in a certain geographic area sold their personal property for 3%+ more than the average consumer.
Here is my suggestion to anyone who feels they are being pushed by a high pressured realtor who is seeking a fast commission check at your expense. Just say no.
Just say no at the initial listing interview appointment or at any later time, if you get the sense the realtor is more concerned about their check than your interests. Contact the realtor's broker if the feeling persists.
Just say no if they call you and say "we have a verbal offer", which very often are just fishing attempts to see where your bottom line might be. Make them put all offers in writing.
Just say no when an offer is presented and the estimated net proceeds are less than you are comfortable with. Ask your realtor if your listing price is correct and if not, why has it changed? If it is correct, then counter back at a price that is more acceptable to you or reject the low offers outright.
It really falls into the hands of the seller to decide their bottom line. That would seem to be the main reason Realtors showed a higher sales price (3% +/- ) as mentioned earlier. They, as sellers, waited or just said no to lower offers. Are their Realtors in this business that have a house payment due or some other pressing financial matter who are focused primarily on their own need to get paid over the seller's bottom line? To think not would be short sighted. As a seller you have the final say, use it. Just say no
They did have a Realtor on the program who made the point that often the seller is satisfied with the numbers and against the suggestions of their realtor, they accept the 1st offer that comes or one that is lower than may be obtainable with more time. This is true. Each seller's motivation is different. A realtor's job in part is to present the offers as they are delivered, explain the contingencies and provide a written net proceeds report for the seller to use in making their informed decision. A seller may ask for suggestions, but should never let their realtor make the decision for them.
In conclusion, a seller can go a long way to ensuring they sell their property for the best price possible by simply making sure they have hired a true professional who shows by their actions and words that they value the seller as a treasured customer. Spend some time interviewing Realtors as you would any professional service provider you may need. After you have chosen a realtor, the final decision rests with you. Do not be afraid to say no.
Related Florida real estate views:
Orlando home sellers: giving in, selling or losing their home?
Make sure you review an estimated proceeds document before signing an offer to buy your home
Smart home sellers listen to what the market is telling them.
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
One of the network news programs this Friday had a segment that suggested Realtors may not be interested in getting their sellers the maximum price for their property if it means just waiting for a better offer. The inference is that Realtors want the seller to accept an offer on the table, rather than wait for a better one. They even used a survey that indicates Realtors in a certain geographic area sold their personal property for 3%+ more than the average consumer.
Here is my suggestion to anyone who feels they are being pushed by a high pressured realtor who is seeking a fast commission check at your expense. Just say no.
Just say no at the initial listing interview appointment or at any later time, if you get the sense the realtor is more concerned about their check than your interests. Contact the realtor's broker if the feeling persists.
Just say no if they call you and say "we have a verbal offer", which very often are just fishing attempts to see where your bottom line might be. Make them put all offers in writing.
Just say no when an offer is presented and the estimated net proceeds are less than you are comfortable with. Ask your realtor if your listing price is correct and if not, why has it changed? If it is correct, then counter back at a price that is more acceptable to you or reject the low offers outright.
It really falls into the hands of the seller to decide their bottom line. That would seem to be the main reason Realtors showed a higher sales price (3% +/- ) as mentioned earlier. They, as sellers, waited or just said no to lower offers. Are their Realtors in this business that have a house payment due or some other pressing financial matter who are focused primarily on their own need to get paid over the seller's bottom line? To think not would be short sighted. As a seller you have the final say, use it. Just say no
They did have a Realtor on the program who made the point that often the seller is satisfied with the numbers and against the suggestions of their realtor, they accept the 1st offer that comes or one that is lower than may be obtainable with more time. This is true. Each seller's motivation is different. A realtor's job in part is to present the offers as they are delivered, explain the contingencies and provide a written net proceeds report for the seller to use in making their informed decision. A seller may ask for suggestions, but should never let their realtor make the decision for them.
In conclusion, a seller can go a long way to ensuring they sell their property for the best price possible by simply making sure they have hired a true professional who shows by their actions and words that they value the seller as a treasured customer. Spend some time interviewing Realtors as you would any professional service provider you may need. After you have chosen a realtor, the final decision rests with you. Do not be afraid to say no.
Related Florida real estate views:
Orlando home sellers: giving in, selling or losing their home?
Make sure you review an estimated proceeds document before signing an offer to buy your home
Smart home sellers listen to what the market is telling them.
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Oct 5, 2005
October real estate Olympics
In keeping with the theme of Watson's fall incentive trip, our office has started a new contest this month. We have divided up in to 4 teams and for the entire month will be competing against each other in the "Mortgage and Title Olympic relay games". Points will be given to each member of each team for those who order preliminary title work or send over a pre-qual or attend an education session. Winning team gets to go out for a Greek lunch. Office attitude seems good for this contest.
I'm going to start a link on www.gregstaker.com that is for those people thinking of a career in real estate or may be considering changing real estate offices. I think I can provide information to several interested individuals who visit my site monthly. Watson does have a real estate school here at the Deland office for people to take advantage of.
I see links are increasing on www.floridarealestategold.com I am baby'ing this site along. If you visit it, bookmark it and watch it's progress
Related Florida real estate views:
Floyd Wickman is coming to Central Florida
Why you should join Watson Realty, Orlando
Who do you know that is interested in doing something related to real estate?
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
I'm going to start a link on www.gregstaker.com that is for those people thinking of a career in real estate or may be considering changing real estate offices. I think I can provide information to several interested individuals who visit my site monthly. Watson does have a real estate school here at the Deland office for people to take advantage of.
I see links are increasing on www.floridarealestategold.com I am baby'ing this site along. If you visit it, bookmark it and watch it's progress
Related Florida real estate views:
Floyd Wickman is coming to Central Florida
Why you should join Watson Realty, Orlando
Who do you know that is interested in doing something related to real estate?
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Sep 30, 2005
Hats off to HUD
This was taken from the Florida property site:
Related Florida real estate views:
Habitat for Humanity - House of cardboard
Florida receive HUD grant to develop housing for low-income elderly
HUD offering free foreclosure seminar in Orlando
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
As a result of Hurricane Katrina the U.S. Department of HUD is making all of their properties in the state of Florida available to FEMA for use as temporary housing. No properties will be listed for sale in this state until FEMA has determined which properties will be needed as temporary housing.
Related Florida real estate views:
Habitat for Humanity - House of cardboard
Florida receive HUD grant to develop housing for low-income elderly
HUD offering free foreclosure seminar in Orlando
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Sep 29, 2005
New condos in Deland
We are down to the last 15 new condos available for sale in Deland at Beresford Manor. Sales have been brisk as we are set to close 6 new units the 1st week of October immediately after their completion. The next units will be completed in January. What a great opportunity to own a brand new condo in an age restricted community. Snowbirds, come and get one. You can see all the information at my website, www.gregstaker.com
Related Florida real estate views:
Deland houses for sale
Deland home for sale with separate in-law suite.
Church property for sale in Volusia County
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Related Florida real estate views:
Deland houses for sale
Deland home for sale with separate in-law suite.
Church property for sale in Volusia County
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Sep 27, 2005
I wonder.....
....if all those people who call and talk to the Realtors handling floor or opportunity time about houses ever end up finding those lost relatives and friends they were "just looking for" when asked by the Realtor if they would like to schedule an appointment?
....how many people would sign up for real estate school if they knew it was a commissioned based business?
....if Donald Trump holds a real estate license?
....if there was a single listing service prior to the multiple one?
....how fast can 1 termite eat a 8' - 2X4?
....did all those real estate speakers and coaches, while still selling real estate, really practice what they preach?
....where I can buy a house for a dollar?
....if an ocean dried up, who would own the land?
I read that if you type in the word failure in google, the 1st result is a Pres. Bush site. The power of linking is the reason I hear. If I say please, will everyone reading this, link the words "Florida real estate" to www.gregstaker.com? Please? Thanks a bazillion.
Related Florida real estate views:
Real estate agents being fined for run down REO property
Homebuyers and sellers in Florida may have fewer Realtors to choose from
Watson Realty - Customer Testimonials
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
....how many people would sign up for real estate school if they knew it was a commissioned based business?
....if Donald Trump holds a real estate license?
....if there was a single listing service prior to the multiple one?
....how fast can 1 termite eat a 8' - 2X4?
....did all those real estate speakers and coaches, while still selling real estate, really practice what they preach?
....where I can buy a house for a dollar?
....if an ocean dried up, who would own the land?
I read that if you type in the word failure in google, the 1st result is a Pres. Bush site. The power of linking is the reason I hear. If I say please, will everyone reading this, link the words "Florida real estate" to www.gregstaker.com? Please? Thanks a bazillion.
Related Florida real estate views:
Real estate agents being fined for run down REO property
Homebuyers and sellers in Florida may have fewer Realtors to choose from
Watson Realty - Customer Testimonials
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Sep 23, 2005
West Volusia real estate market
Recently reported numbers for July, 2005 as reported for the West Volusia MLS look like this:
Avg. list price $208,000.
Avg. sales price $204,000.
Avg. DOM 34
July inventory was reported as 606. Compare this to 397 in April and May and now over 1000 for August further indicates a slow down. Is it because prices have reached the limit or has the buyer supply dwindled? We will see.
Related Florida real estate views:
Builder incentives
West Volusia Florida real estate trends
The market, then and now. Has anything changed from 2005-2008
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Avg. list price $208,000.
Avg. sales price $204,000.
Avg. DOM 34
July inventory was reported as 606. Compare this to 397 in April and May and now over 1000 for August further indicates a slow down. Is it because prices have reached the limit or has the buyer supply dwindled? We will see.
Related Florida real estate views:
Builder incentives
West Volusia Florida real estate trends
The market, then and now. Has anything changed from 2005-2008
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Sep 16, 2005
Greece and stuff
Watson Realty Corp. just announced the fall/winter sales contest award destination is Greece. You just have to love working for a company that will send you on a trip like this for just doing what you do for a living. Think about it. Where is your company sending you for doing your job well?
_____________________________________________________________________
From the Florida Association of Realtors:
"The frenzied pace of existing home sales in Florida eased in July, while the statewide median sales price rose 33 percent to $252,300, according to the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). A year ago, the statewide median price was $190,300; in July 2000, the statewide median price was $119,600, according to FAR records."
____________________________________________________________________
Did I mention Watson Realty is paying our way to Greece next may? I know there is traditional Greek music that should be running through my mind but all I can hear is "Grease is the word is the word is the word......"
____________________________________________________________________
Related Florida real estate views:
Watson Realty Corp. Hosts Incentive Trip to Montreal, Canada
Watson Realty Associates enjoy cruise
Orlando international visitors
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
_____________________________________________________________________
From the Florida Association of Realtors:
"The frenzied pace of existing home sales in Florida eased in July, while the statewide median sales price rose 33 percent to $252,300, according to the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). A year ago, the statewide median price was $190,300; in July 2000, the statewide median price was $119,600, according to FAR records."
____________________________________________________________________
Did I mention Watson Realty is paying our way to Greece next may? I know there is traditional Greek music that should be running through my mind but all I can hear is "Grease is the word is the word is the word......"
____________________________________________________________________
Related Florida real estate views:
Watson Realty Corp. Hosts Incentive Trip to Montreal, Canada
Watson Realty Associates enjoy cruise
Orlando international visitors
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Sep 13, 2005
The market, then and now. Has anything changed from 2005-2008
This is a blog post I wrote in September 2005. It was my 5th blog post ever and if asked back then, I probably could not have stated with certainty that I would keep the blog active. But here we are nearly 3 years later. A lot has changed and nothing has changed.
Little did I know that those 12 new listings were the seeds to an excessive listing inventory that continues to rage out of control. Over 36,000 homes for sale in the 5 county Central Florida area that we service. I also had no clue how wrong I would be in guessing that we would be returning to a "normal market". What we have experienced since the middle of 2005 has been nothing close to normal. Most of us with 20-30 years of experience have never seen a market quite like this.
At least I got one prediction right. Agents have found out, the hard way, what an expired is. It is possible that more agents today instead of asking for are demanding price reductions or releasing the listing back to those sellers who will not budge.
Has it been interesting? Tiring, a little stressful, revealing, confusing for sure. Interesting? Ask me again in 3 years.
Here is my post in Sept. 2005
Related Florida real estate views:
Orlando home sellers: giving in, selling or losing their home?
Real estate agent costs rise as income dwindles
Do you provide a CCMA for your home selling customers?
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
Little did I know that those 12 new listings were the seeds to an excessive listing inventory that continues to rage out of control. Over 36,000 homes for sale in the 5 county Central Florida area that we service. I also had no clue how wrong I would be in guessing that we would be returning to a "normal market". What we have experienced since the middle of 2005 has been nothing close to normal. Most of us with 20-30 years of experience have never seen a market quite like this.
At least I got one prediction right. Agents have found out, the hard way, what an expired is. It is possible that more agents today instead of asking for are demanding price reductions or releasing the listing back to those sellers who will not budge.
Has it been interesting? Tiring, a little stressful, revealing, confusing for sure. Interesting? Ask me again in 3 years.
Here is my post in Sept. 2005
We had 12 new listings to caravan this morning after sales meeting. After
going week after week after week with few homes making it past a day or two on
the market to now seeing 12 listings must be an indication of something, right?
It may just be the time of the year. Perhaps everyone is just catching their
figurative breath. If we are starting to see the end of the "putting a sign in
the yard and the home sells in a day" market, that is not a bad thing either. No
reason to fear bursting bubbles, with over 76 million baby boomers nearing or
retiring over the next several years. The Florida real estate market should
maintain a healthy glow. Add to that the fact that the West Volusia County
market has always been lower than other surrounding counties in regards to
pricing , I would expect a normal real estate market to continue and last for
the next several years to come. Of course this could mean that Realtors who have
joined our ranks within the last couple of years, may now have an opportunity to
learn what an expired listing is or how to ask for the price adjustment or how
to do a true market analysis.
Should be interesting.
Related Florida real estate views:
Orlando home sellers: giving in, selling or losing their home?
Real estate agent costs rise as income dwindles
Do you provide a CCMA for your home selling customers?
- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255
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