Career Change Haiku

~ So long real estate ~

No regrets - new friends were made

Many lost friends found!

And a huge THANK YOU to my wonderfully talented cousin, Joe. I love receiving his poems in the mail - the REAL mail. And he has inspired me to give it a shot!

Lather, Rinse, Repeat!

Sometimes I wonder who the marketing genius was that came up with those instructions. Obviously the intention is to entice the consumer to quickly go through their product...then run out and buy some more.

However, anyone who has naturally curly hair knows lathering more than once tends to dry out those lovely locks.

Being a Hair Product Addict (my bathroom and linen closet are crammed full of every kind of shampoo, conditioner, mouse, gel, etc), I just HAVE to try everything. But due to skin allergies, it's very important that I not use anything with harsh chemicals or excessive perfumes.

My latest discovery? Trader Joe's Refresh Citrus Shampoo with Vitamin C. Yes, my hair will never catch another cold! lol

Anyway, besides my hair absolutely LOVING it, I was impressed with the instructions for its use.

THERE WEREN'T ANY!

Imagine that. A company that doesn't insult my intelligence. That doesn't entice me to use more of the product so I can come back and buy more! And they don't have to...because the product's results have already sold me.

Now you may be saying to yourself, "That's great Sue, but what does this have to do with selling real estate?"

Good question!

I am a firm believer in NOT asking for referrals. For not putting my clients and friends on the spot by begging them to lather, rinse, repeat "use me more often" and NOT insulting their intelligence with slick scripts.

If I do a great job, and provide a great product (me!), they'll come back for more. And they'll tell two friends. And so on, and so on, and so on...

*Yes, you have to be of a certain age to know where that line comes from!*

There Is No "I" In Award

We hear it all the time...there is no "I" in Team.

I'd like to add there is no "I" in Award, either.

When the Oscar winners give their acceptance speeches, they thank the people behind the scenes who contribute to their success.

And recently, I was awarded a plaque from my company for achievements in 2010. To say I was surprised would be an understatement (seriously...I didn't see that coming at all!), and the first thing I did was personally thank each of my clients from last year.

Because without those wonderful folks putting their faith & trust in me, there IS no award!

Also, I would like to acknowledge and thank these "behind the scenes" contributors:

• My Broker
• My Admin team
• The agents & brokers on the other side of the transactions
• The buyers & sellers on the other side of the transactions
• The lenders
• The home inspectors
• The appraisers
• The underwriters
• The title & escrow reps

And last but certainly not least, THANK YOU to my FAMILY! The past few years have been challenging at times. But you have hung in there with your constant love, support...and very strong shoulders!

I couldn't have done this without you!!

Beg For Referrals?? MY Golden Rule Says "Don't You Dare!"

As a real estate agent, I never know where my next client will come from. I know I may be over-simplifying here, but these methods of securring business just don't make me want to hop out of bed in the morning:

~ Capturing the lead
~ Converting the FSBO
~ Going after the Expired listing
~ Begging Asking for referrals

I'm especially uneasy with the last one. I refuse to beg/pester/annoy anyone for referrals. If I do my job well, then I feel confident my family, friends and past clients will remember me if they know someone who has a real estate need.

And here's where the Golden Rule comes in...at least for me:

If someone I have worked with in the past has done a superb job, and they were likable enough, I have no problem referring them to someone else looking for that same kind of service. But if said-superb-service provider contacted me every month...whether to say "hi" or send me "something of value", and ended each such contact with a gentle reminder to send business his way...well, frankly, I'd be annoyed. I don't need my dentist or insurance salesman or car dealer or handyman contacting me 12+ times a year to remind me they're in the business...and would LOVE my referrals.

As a matter of fact, DON'T YOU DARE contact me that much.

I'm an intelligent woman, and I have a pretty good memory. I know exactly who my insurance agent is, even though I haven't spoken to him in over a year. My handyman and my dentist are wonderful...and I've referred others to them many times. Before I became a Realtor, I remembered who my real estate agent was. She did a great job and I used her services several times over the years and recommended her to others, even though I only heard from her on my birthday and at Christmas.

Of course this is just me, and the way I choose to run my business. I'm sure those methods work for other agents.

But this is my business. And it sure is a wonderful thing that I get to decide how to manage it!

Saving For A SUNNY Day Is Much More Fun Than Saving For A Rainy Day!

When I started my real estate career several years back, the first stop after getting my license was the bank. I decided that each commission check would be divvied up amongst 4 different accounts (yes, my previous career was in Accounting):

1. Checking - Household
2. Checking - Real Estate
3. Savings - Taxes (for those pesky quarterly tax estimates we self-employed folks need to pay)
4. Savings - Rainy Day account (for those pesky months when no commission is in)

Huntington Beach, Lake Erie

Then today as I was reconciling all of them (isn't online banking the best?!), I realized that "Save for a rainy day" is so negative. As you know, folks buy houses whether it's raining, snowing, sunny or cloudy. Real estate may have it's typical "seasons"...depending on what part of the country you live in...but I've shown houses wearing boots & mittens and fought with frozen lockboxes, juggled umbrellas and watched as the ink on my listing sheets ran down the page.

My point is, I'd much rather save for a SUNNY day! To have enough in that bank account so I can take a vacation to Florida to visit friends, or sit on the beach at Huntington right here on Lake Erie. I have a Vision Board on the wall in my dining room/office. There are three pictures of my "will have someday":

1. A house on the lake (even a little tiny lake would do)
2. A house with a huge covered front porch to sit & watch the world go by
3. A house with a deck off the back of the house where I can gaze adoringly at previously-mentioned lake.

In all three pictures, the sun is shining brightly!

Remember, focus on what you DO want, not what you do not want!

Important Tips for Home Buyers!

• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Keep Your Home Purchase on Track

  You’ve found your dream home. Make sure missteps don’t prevent a successful closing. Read
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  4 Tips to Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford

  By knowing how much mortgage you can handle, you can ensure that home ownership will fit in your budget. Read
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  7 Steps to Take Before You Buy a Home

  By doing your homework before you buy, you’ll feel more content about your new home. Read
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  8 Tips for Finding Your New Home

  A solid game plan can help you narrow your homebuying search to find the best home for you. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2011 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

The New FSBO - For Cleveland and Other Snowy Cities!

The New FSBO - For Cleveland and Other Snowy Cities!

Find
Snowbound
Before
October

Unfortunately, I don't have a snowblower. I don't really mind, because I can use the exercise! So yesterday I spent 90+ minutes shoveling 6" deep snow from my driveway.

I live on a very busy street, and hundreds of cars and trucks zip by my house all day long. There must have been at least half a dozen pick-up trucks with snowplows attached  pass me as I worked my butt off cleaned my drive. One passenger even made eye contact with me, at 35mph.

And did anyone stop and offer me their services? Nope. But what a great idea it would be if even one of those guys had taken down my address - and the addresses of all the other hardy souls in Northeast Ohio out there shoveling today - and maybe send a coupon for a % off our first plowing. And they should definitely contact us next Fall, before the Lake Erie snow machine turns back on.

As I said, I don't mind the physical activity, but there are days when I need to get out NOW, and don't have 90 minutes to shovel. Not to mention the time to bundle up, un-bundle, and make myself presentable again. So I just might hire someone to help me, if I knew who to call.

Any snowplowers out there??

North Olmsted, OH Real Estate Sales 2010 vs 2009

North Olmsted, OH Real Estate Sales 2010 vs 2009

Well, 2010 sure did fly by! Meaning it's time for some some interesting statistics on North Olmsted, OH Real Estate sales! Yes, you read right...I did say "interesting". Don't worry, I'll keep it short and sweet...no charts or graphs. Just a few highlights:

• The average sales price for a property in North Olmsted, OH continues to hover near $120,000
• 2010 saw 35 LESS sales than 2009
• The largest drop in sales (23 in '09 to 7 in '10) came in the $90k-$100k price range (less foreclosures, maybe?!)
• The $120k-$140k range stayed just about even...61 sales in 2009 vs 60 sales in 2010
• Average number of days it took to sell a home went from 96 in '09 to 106 in '10...pretty consistant
• The $140k-$160k price range saw an increase of 10 sales...I think that's very encouraging!
• The $100k-$120k price range saw a decrease of 10 sales...once again, foreclosure related?!

What does it all mean? I'd say it looks like the market is stabalizing a bit; however, we still have another year or so before we're out of the woods. How's that for non-committal? Sorry...I wish I had my given my crystal ball a tune-up along with my furnace (the HVAC-guy is in my basement as I type). Personally, 2010 was a pretty good year. Much better than 2009. And I'm hoping 2011 continues the trend...for all of us!
Happy New Year everyone, and remember...

The Golden Rule...it's that simple!