Sellers feel our job is to assist them Financially in selling their home!

I don`t own your home, you do!

As I sat at a listing appointment yesterday, I wondered why the sellers kept insisting I help offset the costs of staging and repairing their home!
It seems odd yet, they wanted me to assist them financially with the repairs of this home in order to gain a new listing..

A strange request but an occurrence that seems to be happening more often than not!

Sellers in today`s Topsy Turvy Real Estate market believe the agent they hire, "lower their commission structure because the price of homes across America have dropped, pay for the staging of a home, due in part because it`s considered part of the cost marketing a home and help with minor repairs in order to have the home sell in a timely manner.

This strange occurrence seems to be part of the "New Trend" of sellers who feel our job is to not only to work for them,but to assist paying for them as well.Nice concept,i guess!
Hence you`re either part of the actual sale and the responsibilities of assisting them or you`re not!
I decided not to accept the offer .
My attitude is simple "I don`t own you`re home, you do!"..

Our job is to market and sell a home,many sellers are at a point where they believe it`s a "Team Effort", therefore part of the costs of saleability are your`s mine and ours.

There are a few Realtors actually "Buying" into this new concept,agreeing to assist these sellers in order to gain the listing.

Whether they`re actually kicking in financially or with Muscle is an entirely different story.

It`s easier to make up you`re own rules in Real Estate, I guess!

The Rules of Real Estate seem to be tossed aside in many instances. I always thought when a Realtor contacted another Realtor they identified themselves, not anymore!

Last night one of our agents received a call from a person who was interested in viewing our listing. They went ahead and scheduled an appointment to view the home.
The agent asked all the "Right" questions to this person assuming this person was a "Buyer" not a Realtor".
When our agent went to the home to meet what they thought was the "Potential Client" , they were greeted by the Realtor and their client!
Apparently, the person who made all the arrangements to view the home didn`t realize they had to identify themselves as a Realtor.Hard to comprehend!
Our agent was upset, I don`t really blame them, the other agent thought nothing of it!
They wanted our agent to open the door and leave!

More and more we`re receiving very strange requests from those who aren`t trained. For example on the MLS our showing instructions clearly state to contact our "Listing Office" for all showing instructions, think it happens? We have agents contact us for directions to a property when it clearly indicates on the MLS how to get there, often times agents seem to not know how to open a Lock Box,forget about placing a CBS code on your ELBX.
When it comes to writing offers, many agents seem to forget sending a pre-qualification letter, escrow letter and closing date.
The rules of Real Estate seem distant to many!

I guess it`s easier to "make up you`re own set of rules" and get peeved when others don`t follow them!!
Scary, when it comes to having a Realtor return your call! Many seem to be too busy!
It`s happening more often than not!

Having a license is one thing, not knowing what you`re doing is another!

How do you explain to a Buyer "If you play you pay?"

We`ve dealing with a buyer who has been looking for an angle not to close. They`ve been giving us hints for the past three weeks.

Words like "Bad Karma, Commitment, and Detached" have been told to us!
We`ve explained, we have an "Executed Contract" and a "Mortgage Commitment". We`ve also explained if they prefer to "Walk" it`s perfectly OK, except they`ll loose the escrow deposit.
The Buyer refuses to believe they`ll lose the escrow and true to form made good on their word and refused to close!

We expressed our deepest regrets to the Listing Agent, sent our Buyer an email suggesting they hire an attorney to resolve the issue. The buyer feels it`s our responsibility to "Fight for the escrow".

As a Realtor our job is to advise a client in a professional manner. If a client refuses to understand the truth where do we as Realtors draw the line?

It`s impossible to tell a person about an "Executed Contract" when they refuse to read what they signed. No matter how many times we go over a contract or even an offer, if a Buyer decides not to close the ramifications which transpire are who`s responsibility?


Back to the buyer, they called yesterday asking us to once again retrieve their deposit. I asked the buyer a simple question" What are the exact reasons you don`t want to move forward?"
The buyer was puzzled. "I don`t have any they responded".
That`s the problem "When you play sometimes you pay!"....

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Who`s on First?Five weeks later Bank wants to know what happened to the Buyer?

During the last two years I`ve written about our experiences with lenders in regards to both Short Sales and Foreclosures in Florida.
I`ve written about the incompetence many lenders demonstrate when it comes down to accepting an offer.
I`ve dealt with lenders who have countered on "All Cash" transactions by thinking their smart upping an offer $5000 in hopes they could squeeze the buyer.
I`ve had lenders forget about "Offers" sent to them, than order a BPO only to have the buyer leave in absolute disgust!

Yesterday,we had a lender contact us about an offer they rejected 5 weeks ago, asking us "What happened to the buyer?".

We had our attorney contact them only to find out someone inside the bank actually goofed and accepted our offer, one problem, they forgot to tell us!

In January we had a qualified buyer make an offer to purchase a home located in Davie, Florida. The home was a foreclosure. The asking price was $395,000, our buyer countered at $335,00. A very fair price.Weeks went by without any communication from the lender.Finally, after the BPO was ordered the lender sent us an email countering at $350,000. We called the buyer who was truly interested in purchasing the home,they decided to counter at $340,000. We sent the lenders our counter within 24 hours.
After we continuously followed up for 3 weeks, the lenders rejected our offer and were sticking to their guns.

The buyer walked away from the home, we notified the lender the deal was terminated.
Many of you realize the amount of time,money and effort involved to "Close" this type of transaction. After all when the bank rejects an offer, there isn`t much you can do to convince them. They play by their own set of rules.

We received an email yesterday asking us when we`re closing on the home in Davie. Apparently, the bank had a change of mind and finally agreed to the Buyer`s offer of $340K. They claim they notified our office and the attorney weeks ago, except neither one of us ever received the "Acceptance".
The buyer located another home, the lender could have had this home closed 5 weeks ago, except now we`re back to square one.

There`s no rhyme or reason as to how a Lenders Operate.
I can only tell you about the chaos that must be happening inside the banks when it comes to deciding when to Close out a file!
Don`t think for a moment the lenders are organized! I assure you that`s not the case, after watching them fumble a transaction like this I realized the Foreclosure market is a game of "Hit or Miss"...

Goat Herder wants to invest $5.6 Million.What is the Motivation behind these scams?

I just finished reading the morning papers and had my two cups of coffee for the day.
I begin my day responding to emails. It`s easy to get a "Jump on the Day" by working early in the morning. This morning I received the funniest of emails offering me a chance to assist someone who is affiliated with the Sudanese Petroleum Commission. Nice name, I`m positive they`re an S-Corp working out of a Tiki Hut!
I often wonder the motivation behind these stupid Scams. How in the world, could anyone in their right mind be fooled by these letters offering millions of dollars providing you give them "You`re Bank Account"....
This brazen scamer is willing to "Give Me" $5.6 million in cash no less.... I can picture these guys sitting on a milk crates sending email after email to unsuspecting souls.I`m sure they to it in tandem one letter at a time as the chickens and the goats are left unattended too..... I guess it beats working for a living, who knows..!
Below the email sent to me this AM..

"Dear Sir,
On May 03, 2008 I wrote a mail enquiring if you or your organisation would like to help me to invest and manage a US$5.6 million in your country. I am afraid that you have not received the mail because I am yet to receive an answer from you.
I would deeply appreciate your answer with recommendations on viable investment opportunities in your country with moderate amount of risk and a decent return. Upon our agreement, I shall complete arrangements to move funds over to you either by direct deposit to your bank account or Cash delivery via special arrangement. I am suggesting compensation payment of 20% for you. This amount is the very most I can afford, especially in light of other expenses related to the transaction. Thanks for your anticipated help in this matter. With sincere thanks, Dr. Bullen Bol, MDSudanese Petroleum Commission
Email To:awdmohd60@aol.com"

Smile Your on Candid Camera!

We try to always accommodate our clients. We bend over backwards in our attempts to make sure they`re properly serviced.
Our agents work in many cases 7 days a week to accomplish this.
Some days we get the strangest requests. Yesterday, while showing a beautiful 4 bedroom rental in Pembroke Pines to a couple we were encountered with the most insane request year to date.
The potential tenant wanted to know if the "Landlord would accept their IOU?"....
No kidding.
The home is listed for $2400 per month with 1st,last and security to move in.
Knowing in advance what the requirements were this couple assured us they had the funds to move in, until it came down to writing the lease.

The Conversation is as follows:

IOU couple:Hey, before you begin, can you ask the landlord if they`ll accept our IOU to move in?

Me: IOU? What exactly does an IOU mean to you?

IOU couple: Well, we don`t exactly have all the funds together until July!

Me: You wanted to move in by June 1st. How much do you have?

IOU couple:Well, ah-ha, huhh, hum, we have $500 to move.

Me: $500 to Move in on a $2400 per month home?

IOU couple: We`re good for it, I promise we`ll pay the landlord...

Me: I`ll call the landlord,but truthfully, I don`t believe this will transpire.

IOU couple: Yeah, we`re having this problem all over town! Nobody wants to work with us!

As I looked around I kept wondering if I was on Candid Camera or something. I kept waiting for the Punch Line,that never arrived!

Are you a Realtor Advocate?

Why do some Realtors feel it`s their duty to speak for the client,without first consulting the people who they represent?
Many times I often wonder why a Realtor would go out of their way to
"Break a deal" rather than "Make One".

Yesterday, was one of those days in which we had the displeasure of dealing with a Realtor Advocate who tired and tired to squash a simple Rental.

We have a client who is an attorney relocating from Orlando.
They wanted to make sure the home which they were interested in had a few provisions.
One of those provisions were "The Landlord was current in their mortgage payments".
Very simple if you`re a landlord to agree to sign,yet the Realtor Advocate didn`t want to add that into the lease.
After going back and forth for the entire day, the Realtor Advocate finally agreed to let the prospective Tenant and Landlord sit down with each other and work out their differences.

When we arrived to meet the Realtor Advocate and landlord it was very clear the Advocate never really presented our request to the landlord.
Within a grand total of 10 minutes the two parties shook hands and the lease was signed.

Advocates in this business seem to be in "Full Bloom",many seem to continuously speak for themselves,which is a problem.

Gas prices in the stratosphere. Many people look for alternatives.

If gas prices continue to head towards Uranus many people are forced to view homes in a different way.
If you`re a believer the Real Estate Market isn`t affected by high gas prices, think again.
Many people look towards alternate ways to view homes or at least do a "Process of Elimination".
Now more than ever we have taken Videos of each listing whenever possible.
We`re placing these videos on our Blog, Websites and via email in hopes these potential clients want to view our listings.There isn`t a day that doesn`t go by with someone requesting a video of a home.

Suddenly,potential buyers are asking us for the video first rather than to do a "Drive By". At $4.00 per gallon, we can`t blame them, therefore it`s become a necessity to seek out different marketing approaches.

With this sudden turn of events. I predict more and more consumers will start making offers via the net.
Naturally, they`ll be contingencies to protect the buyer and seller,but in all fairness, this seems to be where the market will be heading.

Gas has become a commodity that many can`t afford.
If prices continue to move higher our entire infrastructure will become obsolete within the next 5 years.

Foreclosures taking it`s toll on Renters.

With many people no longer able to pay their mortgage, there has been a rash of Renters looking at homes.The increase in renters this year over last has increased.
Competition for rental property has picked up because inventory is scarce.

Rents have increased leaving many people stranded for housing.
College students who once had a vast selection of homes to choose from have been doubling up more roommate's.The cost of a rental has increased 20%.
Many investors have decided it`s not longer feasible or affordable to continue paying on a mortgage that is too high.Many have carried these mortgages for over a year. In some cases they`ve been negative from the beginning.
Others,simply walk away because the banks will no longer cooperate or assist them.
In spite of what you`re hearing FNMA and Freddie Mac aren`t doling out assistance.

It`s becoming increasingly alarming when tenants are living in Rental homes and their landlord is being served a "Default Notice" by the lender. Once the Acceleration process commences there`s no turning back.

The housing crisis is in full swing, without some sort of resolution made in the near future, I predict we`ll see an increase of "Homeless" families in the very near future..

It Takes Two to Tango when presenting an offer!

Famous last words, right?. How often do you receive a call from another Realtor asking "Is the Seller negotiable?"
Of course the seller is,except you have to place the offer in writing in order for us to present it.
I don`t ever speak for the Seller. Their motivation is different than ours! Many sellers say one thing and do another.
I can`t tell you how many times a Seller has instructed me not to show them any offers lower than "X". What they fail to realize no matter how many times we say it is "Our job is present all offers, good bad or indifferent!

We have a listing in Pembroke Pines. The home has been on the market for 4 months. We`ve had a few showings,but nothing substantial.
The seller refuses to believe the "Market adjusted" and won`t lower the price.
We received a call from another Realtor yesterday inquiring about the home.
We gave them the facts they would need for the buyer.
The Buyer`s Agent wanted to know "If the seller was negotiable?".
I told them to send in an offer and let me do my job which is to present.

I explained to the Agent if they get an offer, we`ll make damn sure our job is done as well.
"It takes two to Tango"....

Sorry it will take us 48 Hours to send a FAX! Any wonder why banks are having problems with Foreclosures?

This is supposed to be the "Age of Technology".
There are so many bidget's,fidgets,widgets and gadgets to insure our lives are easier.
There are I-Pods, Blackberries, Efax,Email,E-Alerts,Wii, to last all of us 100 years.
There are navigation systems,I-Phones, geared to assist us each and everyday.
Yet, when it comes to receiving a FAX from a lender they seem at a loss for words as to "Why they can`t send a fax in less than 48 hrs".
How is this possible, you may ask?

Are banks simply outsourcing all operations, to a point they`ve scaled down something this simplistic?
Worse, wouldn`t you be embarrassed to share this information with your clients, after all this isn`t the Wild Wild West and the last I checked the Pony Express doesn`t run in Florida any longer.

I have a claim on our roof, the insurance company quickly sent a claims adjuster to our home and within 5 days we received a check. Like most of you the Bank owns part of our home, we pay the lenders a mortgage each and every month.
The check had to be endorsed by the lenders so we made sure all paper work, signatures were "Dotted and Crossed".
We sent the paper work and the check to the lender,made sure we followed up to insure the endorsement would be completed in a timely manner.

We were told by a "Customer Service Rep." the check would be sent back to our home within 72 hours.

We`re still awaiting.
We`re in our 4th week. The lender keeps apologizing, day after day with the mix up, it seems their at a loss for words as well. Endorsing a simple check and placing it back in the mail seems to be a choir.
I didn`t realize the amount of effort involved, who would?

I called yesterday, my 5th day in a row to find out the status of our check and was told they had to resend a fax to the "Roofing Company" who is working on our roof.
They explained it will take them 48 hours to send a fax! to complete this file.

When you think about the "Time and Effort" and realize this is a BANK, you slowly begin to realize the reason the lenders can`t handle the "Collapse of the Housing Market and why inventory with Foreclosures are taking so long!".

If a bank can`t handle a simple task like resending a check in a timely manner, why in the world would they be able to handle a foreclosure? It`s simple, they can`t and now I know why!

Banks Still stand in the way!Investors seeking to purchase property at $.50 on the dollar

I don`t know about you but there is an increase of Investors seeking to purchase "Single Family Homes, Town Homes and Condominiums" at fifty cents on the dollar.

Majority are willing to purchase more than one unit and have cash available to close quickly.
One major obstacle stands in the way, the lenders aren`t yet biting in many instances.

For whatever reason Lenders treat a "Cash Offer" the same way they treat a conventional loan, it doesn`t make much sense, you would think by now that many lenders are actually looking for "Investors" who are "Ready, Willing and Able" to close within a matter of weeks not long drawn out months.

The handling costs that a Bank must endure to maintain a property is astounding. Insurance, Legal fee`s, taxes, maintenance and manpower add up!
Clearly, these lenders need to commence a separate department to entertain "Cash Offers" or at least know in advance the amount of "Inventory" they have.

I`ve called a dozen lenders in the last 90 days asking if they have an "Inventory Sheet" with Fixed or Set Pricing" the answer is a resounding "NO"..

You would think by now many of these lenders would be "Pressured" by the Fed, to clear out the inventory, yet it`s not happening..

In spite of the rhetorical speeches we hear each week from the Media, nothing seems to be changing and the logjam for "Foreclosures" continues at a snails pace.

My Interactive Real Estate Interview on Active Rain.

I`ve been on the telephone all day from a subscriber in Los Angles who is relocating to Fort Lauderdale.

They found us on Active Rain.Basically, I was on an Interactive Interview.
This person wanted to know how we deal with Buyers,sellers and other Realtors.
We spent 2 hours on the telephone and another hour on different neighborhoods in Broward county.

The potential Buyer was satisfied enough with our abilities to represent them in the purchase of a home that they went ahead to send us their Mortgage Approval Letter..

In many ways Active Rain is a social network, but quite honestly, the consumer wants to know more about the "Business Side" of you`re social skills..

The Internet has become a wealth of information for the consumer and Interactive Interviews will be part of the new wave of Real Estate Marketing.

On a wing and a pray buyer makes good on his word!

Two weeks ago, we received a call from a buyer in Wisconsin.
The man was complaining how he had to endure a brutally cold winter and was tired of suffering.
The guy seemed serious enough!
We sent him emails of condominiums located at Hollywood, Beach.
He was looking for a "Direct Ocean View".
Currently, the inventory of condo`s in Hollywood are tremendous.
There are bargains out there! I explained to him he could purchase a beautiful condo under current market value.
His objective was to pay cash and attempt to "Low ball" an offer.
In today`s market it`s perfectly acceptable.

He received the email in which we attached 22 different condo`s.
He was interested in only viewing 1!
In the immortal words of 3 Dog Night " One is a lonely number"....
Normally, at this point you say to the client "Great what day will you be arriving" and call it a day!
Most "Out of State" buyers won`t fly down to view just a single property, it`s not feasible!

To our surprise the buyer tells us he`ll be arriving on Friday to view the condominium and fly back to Wisconsin the following day.

I offer to meet the buyer at the airport and take him directly to the condominium for his approval.

The buyer pretty much "Flips Out" admires the view of the ocean, steps outside the balcony and begins to smell the "Salt Air"...He doesn`t move for the next 15 minutes, not a single word is spoken between the two of us. He keeps looking at the water and the Sky Line of Fort Lauderdale to the north.
Not interested in viewing the rest of the Condominium the guy erupts and tells me he`d like to make an offer.

The offer is accepted the next day, the buyer heads back to Wisconsin. Before we part he "Thanks Me" for taking the time to assist him.

Apparently, he had spoken to 2 other Realtors who basically never followed through.
His appreciation made me realize how important it is to simple get on the telephone and "Follow- Up" with your prospects.
You never know what it may lead too!
I do know one thing "I`m in 7th heaven!"....

New Generation of Realtors Chapt.45.First make offer,than you can view the house.

How`s that for a change. A home that is facing foreclosure a seller and Realtor who believe a potential buyer should "Make an Offer" prior to viewing a home. Great logic, right?

Yet,as we spoke to this Rookie Agent, I was in dismay and disbelief as he began to explain this tale of woe.
The home is listed on the MLS, there are no "Instructions that state Drive - By",yet as you begin to hear the reasons why, you wonder "How this Realtor" could possibly allow himself to be manipulated by a seller, who in the Realtors words is "Playing Games'.

The home is listed as a Pre-Foreclosure. The Seller, doesn`t want to partake in the sale of his home, they just want to "Live There" until the foreclosure takes place.
The agent, doesn`t want to "Offend the Sellers Wishes', so he`s playing along!

We placed a call to the agents Broker last night informing them of the Shenanigan's playing out with this listing,but as of yet we haven`t received a call and the odds are, we won`t.
In some circles of Real Estate, there really exists an underground of unscrupulous Realtors, who ply their trade as licensed professionals instead of practicing their act in the Circus!

The conversation is as follows:

Me: We would like to show your listing tomorrow.

Rookie: Humm,ahh, well you can`t. You have to place an offer on the home first, sight unseen.

Me: Come Again? You placed the home on the MLS, we would like to view the home,please!

Rookie: The Seller doesn`t want to be disturbed. The home is going pre-foreclosure, and I promised the Seller we would only take "Drive By" offers.

Me: Have you received any yet? The home has been listed for 123 days, you don`t think this has anything to do with it, do you?!

Rookie: Yes, I thought about it!

Me: Do you realize you should place your "restrictions" on the MLS and save everyone the time?

Rookie: I`m only doing what the seller wants. That`s my job!

Me: Your job is to disclose this restriction on the MLS, so others won`t bother contacting you.

Rookie: My Seller would rather live in the house and not be distributed..


In the world of Real Estate you sometimes wonder "If you`ve seen it all", after that conversation, I believe I`ve finally have seen enough....

Married Couple seek out GOD for assistance as they face foreclosure!

When couples face adversity they sometimes turn on each other! It`s human nature,i guess!
Many times married couples who face foreclosure look to blame one another rather than working together to resolve the problems.
In some instances it`s impossible to resolve a foreclosure.The loss of a home is tremendous on the entire family.

Two days ago I met a couple who are faced with a situation that`s almost impossible to get out of.
Their home they worked so hard to purchase is "Upside Down". The lenders won`t help. They say they can`t offer a reduced payment.

At one point someone inside the bank told them to "Walk Away". It`s that easy.

I guess a "Good solution to a bad problem. No matter what you hear on the TV, we`re still a long way from keeping people in their homes rather than face foreclosure".

Banks have a smoothing effect on people,huh?

Majority of people face long bouts of depression and sleepless nights,not knowing what to do.
They fight each other, because who else can they fight?

The love they once possessed for each other, slowly goes up in smoke as they face the mounting pressure of losing a home!
Not this couple. They spiritually turned to GOD to save them and their family.

They met 18 years ago in New York while attending Queens College.They dated for 2 years and tied the knot right after that.They soon had two children, "Life was good"..
He worked for a huge food conglomerate,she`s a High School Teacher.

They moved to South Florida 4 years ago when the husband was offered a job promotion.

Unfortunately,like many couples they purchased at the "Height" of the Real Estate Market!
Sound familiar?

The home they bought has decreased in value, it`s worth approximately $90,000 less than what they originally paid for it. Needless to say, they fixed the home up,took out a "Home Equity" line as well.The lenders actually encouraged them to take out the "Equity Line" soon after they bought the home.

With the mortgage payments mounting, the high cost of feeding a family, insurance, and gas, they had to finally make a decision.

They stopped paying their mortgage in December of 2007.Last week Broward County served them with a "Notice of Foreclosure".

We spoke for several hours and they listed with our company. The wife told me they were nervous,upset,frightened,and for awhile.

They blamed each other.It was really bad for two months the wife explained to me.
She had an affair! He began to drink heavily.

They finally decided to turn to GOD for assistance.
Since then, their "Strong Bond" they once had for one another became stronger.
"We tired to fight to save our home" the wife explained."We`re embarrassed by the entire situation, we have to feed our children and can no longer afford our home".
The husband told me "Our Love and dedication for each other became alive again.In spite of all of our insurmountable problems, we`re more in love with each other,more than ever before".

Call to arms! New York on the right track.Foreclosures delayed.

At least one state is attempting to right what`s been all wrong in the foreclosure market.
The New York State assembly yesterday passed legislation to impose a one year delay on foreclosures when homeowners default on their mortgage payments.
The bill will attempt to limit the impact in New York with so many of it`s residents losing their homes.

The sub-prime lending market has taken its toll throughout our nation. With the mortgage industry aggressively marketing mortgages with "TEASER RATES" that made buying a home "Too Good To Be True".
Many times these loans were designed to automatically place an unsuspecting Homeowner in a comprising position.

In Florida we deal with "Homeowners" everyday who are experiencing the loss of a home.
These people bought homes with all great intentions only to have their homes become worth less and their actual value in the stratosphere.
It`s almost impossible to predict the Fall Out,but this type of legislature is a step in the right direction.
Hopefully, our state will come to the rescue of it`s residents as well..

Lenders are requesting the Flat Screen TV`s ,Furniture and other personal items to satisfy the Foreclosure.

We received a new listing yesterday in which the lenders instructed us to locate a Moving Company and place all personal possessions left in the home in a moving truck.
Apparently,the lenders are requiring these items to satisfy part of the "Foreclosure".
The former owner of the home seems to have vanished. They can`t be found.
They left all sorts of gizmo's`s and gadgets in this particular home.There are thousand's of dollars worth of "Electronic Toys".

There are 3 Flat Screen TV`s, a slew of video recorders and expensive contemporary furniture.
Whoever owned this home had truly great taste!

At first I thought these items should be included in the sale to a potential buyer because disassembling Flat Screen TV`s from a wall is a real pain in the arse!

The lender has other ideas for these items. I guess banks are now looking at recouping whatever they can from the sale of a home.
Next the banks will open "Mega Warehouses" throughout the country and call it
"Foreclosure Warehouse"....

These are truly strange times!

Many families are in denial they`re being Foreclosed. How do you handle this situation?

We deal with many homeowners throughout the state of Florida who are involved with either a "Short Sale or Foreclosure".
Many after awhile come to the realization, it`s time to become "Unattached" and move on from the home they worked hard for.
It`s part of knowing you`re no longer able to afford to continue with the mortgage.

Majority of people know it`s time to look at other options,others don`t quite grasp the severity of remaining in a home which is facing foreclosure.

Recently, we`ve dealt with a few home owners who are unable to understand the realization it`s simply time to vacate a home.
Believe me, it`s not wise to wait for the Sheriff to serve you with a "Notice".

I make it a habit to sit down with these Sellers and commence the entire process of what will transpire. It`s never pleasant explaining to those who`s "Dreams" are ruined.

Foreclosures effect the entire family. For example as we all know "Children hate to be displaced". They ask questions and it`s hard for them to understand.
It`s easier when the homeowners start explaining to their family "Mommy and Daddy" have to move to another home early on,rather than last minute.

We recently had to re-explain the entire "Foreclosure Process" to a family who`s home is being "Foreclosed" in June.
They`ve been served by the courts,yet they don`t believe it.

The Conversation is as follows:

Family: You mean after 13 months we have to vacate?

Me: Yes, we`ve gone over this before, the lenders will not accept a sales price of $325,000 on your home, they`re not entertaining any offers any longer.

Family: can`t we ask for an extension?

Me: We have you`ve been in the home longer than we both expected. The time has come to look at other options, i`m very sorry!

Family: We don`t have any other options.

Me: You`ve been living in this home for almost 14 months without paying a mortgage. You`re mortgage was $2700 per month. Didn`t you save anything?

Family: Well, we tired at first, but with the cost of food and other expenses we have nothing left!

Me: We need to begin looking at our options. Do you have any family here?

Family: We have no one to help us. We asked our church for assistance, they said "No"..
We don`t have enough money for a rental,unless we can find a landlord to help us.

Me: There comes a time where you had to have known this day would come. We need to find a small condo for you and your family.

It`s disheartening, this is happening more and more. These people are facing the reality of Foreclosure without having a plan.
I don`t quite know what will happen,but the way this is panning out I pray this family doesn`t wind up living in the streets.
I predict this type of situation will occur more and more.

My new 2nd mortgage is my car! Buyer`s feeling the Pinch as well when deciding if it`s the right time to purchase a home!

My 2nd mortgage is our car!

There are home Buyer`s who are feeling the Pinch as well when deciding it`s the right time to purchase a home!Lowering the interest rates are great, doubling the cost of fuel and oil destroys the entire concept of "Jump Starting" our economy!

I don`t know about you, I drive an average of 150 miles a day, 6 days week. The cost of running my vehicle has doubled.

Until recently I really didn`t mind the cost of driving my car it`s considered part of the "Cost of Doing Business".
Not anymore! I`m spending more money at the "GAS PUMP" than I was 7 months ago and it`s beginning to feel like I own another home not a car.

I have to laugh when our"Economists" go on TV explaining to our nation suspending the "GAS TAX" isn`t a good option! It sure the heck is if you`re not "RICH".
This is causing a ripple effect for our entire country,yet this "So Called" experts don`t believe so.

The middle class is being squeezed and it seems nobody in Washington cares. Elitist`s are not part of the middle cares, are they?
If gas continues to escalate into the stratosphere and crosses $5.00 a gallon, many future and potential home owners will have to re-think if they`re going to purchase a home or hold off because their personal expenses have suddenly spiked higher!

This country has had the luxury of having cheap fuel and oil prices for years, we`re dependent on our automobiles,yet as I listen to the pundits in Washington explain to us this is "OUR FAULT AS A NATION" I only have to look at Cheney and Bush, to realize it`s not!
Forget the Gas Tax, it`s time to open our reserves and drop the price of gas back to affordability!

Are you a Comedy Team or a Real Estate Team, buyer asks this Dynamic Duo!

How often do you call for showing instructions only to be told the agent will meet you at the property?
Personally, I hate showing homes like this. Many times these Realtors don`t allow the Buyer`s to look at a home, they`re too busy chatting about themselves.
I`ve been called rude by some agents asking them to "Just Show a Home",not sell themselves to our client.

Yesterday, while showing homes in Weston, I ran upon a "Comedy Duo" who should be honing in on their skills at the Improv,not people`s homes!This was the greatest comedy act i`ve seen in years.

It was fascinating watching this Dynamic "Husband and Wife" team talk to themselves, at each other and almost have a "Full Blown" fight in front of our client and myself!

The appointment was set for yesterday, we gave the Dynamic Duo 24 hours notice as they required to view the home.
Our client wants to purchase a home with a pool and golf course view. This home had it all!
The home we saw was drop dead gorgeous,the couple who showed the home were far from either!

They started by giving our client the 5th degree.

The conversation is as follows:

Dynamic Duo:As you can see this is a magnificent home! I do hope you can afford it!

Me: What are you doing?

Dynamic Duo: We`re making sure that whoever purchases this "FANTASTIC" home understands the seller isn`t "Giving this Home Away", now as we walk into the kitchen, you`ll notice the fine "Old World" craftsmanship on the mahogany cabinets! By the way, what do you do for a living?

Buyer: Excuse me! Why are you asking me this question?

Dynamic Duo: We need to insure that our seller knows everything about you when we call them. It`s part of the process. Take a look at the Hunter Douglas window treatments, they`re brand new. The seller went through "Great Lengths" to have them installed. I do hope you understand this home is for a person with refined taste.

Me: What? Are you two a comedy act? I`ve never heard questions like this being thrown out like this! How dare you?

Dynamic Duo: Look! If you don`t like how we show a home,than "LEAVE" we`re in the "Top 1% of all -----&&& Sales in the nation" we don`t have time to waste!

Buyer: I came from New York to purchase a home. I own my own Ad agency and we`re expanding down to Florida and South America.

Dynamic Duo:Well than, can you prove earnings? Let`s look at the master bedroom for a moment isn`t it "JUST SO DIVINE"?

I began staring at the Buyer.We both shot each other the same look, "IT WAS TIME TO VACATE" this home!

As we began to slowly walk away from the Dynamic Duo the wife starts yelling at her husband!

" I told you we shouldn`t have wasted our time today, I have a party to attend".

The Buyer looked at the wife and told her point blank" I wouldn`t buy this home from you two if it was the last damn house standing in all of Weston. I`ve never seen two morons like you in my entire life! How the heck do you two get by selling Real Estate?"

The wife, gave the buyer a very snotty look as she bum rushed us out the door. Her last words were still ringing in my ears this morning."I`m from Weston, I don`t have to listen to this nonsense"....
She`s absolutely right, I`m sure the seller is wondering what type of Realtors they hired, I know I would be!

Realtors who don`t have access to the MLS can`t survive in this business.

I`m sure you`ve received these type of calls from agents who surf Realtor.com rather than searching the MLS.
These agents don`t want to pay Board dues,and believe it`s our job to accommodate their requests.

For the record I rarely give out showing instructions, I leave that to our office.
If you don`t have the tools to ply your trade how can you succeed?

Many want to blame others for their problems,should they?

Yesterday, we received a rash of calls from the same Realtor seeking:
1- Showing Instructions.
2- Wanting us to meet them at the property because they don`t own a SUPRA key!

The showing instructions on the MLS clearly state "Vacant,No Appt. on Supra.
Majority of agents who view the MLS see this and know what to do.
Not this person!

The Conversation is as follows:

Misinformed Agent: Hello, we`re looking at Realtor.com for our client. We like to schedule an appointment to see this home. What are the showing instructions?

Me: Please call our office for all showing instructions. Thank You!

Misinformed Agent: Where does it say that?

Me: It clearly mentions it on the MLS.

Misinformed Agent: I don`t have access to the MLS.

Me: I`m with a client please call our office. Thanks!

Second call from Misinformed 10 minutes later.

Misinformed Agent: I called your office, they gave me instructions. I don`t own a SUPRA KEY! Can you meet me at the property?

Me: Why can`t you call your office and have someone give you a SUPRA?

Misinformed Agent: Well, ahhh,um-mm, ah-ah, there`s no one in our office to help me, can`t you?

Me: I`m really tied up at the moment dealing with our client. We`re busy until 7 tonight.

Misinformed Agent: can`t you send anyone else?

Me: I`ll call you back.


We located someone in our office to assist Misinformed, she arrived 30 minutes late,to add insult to injury stayed a grand total of 2 minutes with their client.

I can`t imagine doing business like this,nor would I ever encourage someone to do so!
I called "Misinformed" and expressed to them the importance of having the right tools of the trade.
They didn`t seem to care. I predict a very short career in Real Estate.

Without the right tools you can`t sell!

My comment on Jeff Turners blog "Holding worthless paper for every Tom,Dick and Jojo!" has lead to Scam Artists seeking out unsuspecting Sellers!

I`ve received several emails recently, asking to refer "Homeowners who are looking to sell".
These emails started arriving after i made a comment on Jeff Turner`s blog entitled:
"For Sale By Owner: Raise The Price Then Call A REALTOR®? "

In theory holding a mortgage is very risky business and can cause undue stress to those unsuspecting sellers who attempt to hold paper.

If you`ve never done so,may I be the first to tell you don`t! Or at least speak to an attorney who is knowledgeable in Real Estate.

We`re working with a client who`s attempting as we speak to "Take Back Her Home", this is a "NIGHTMARE" for this trusting person who"Gave Away" her $300K home,in the hopes this person would purchase it!

The so called buyer has suddenly defaulted and now resides in her home "RENT FREE",and doesn`t appear in any hurry to leave, why would they?!

This occurrence is happening more often,than not all over the country!

Financially, this will destroy this poor women.

There are people out there who arrive with their "Happy Faces" attempting to sway those who are in dire need of help!

This blog isn`t about hiring a Realtor to assist you, this is about using "Common Sense" in a bad market where it seems more often than not the "Schemers,Liars and Cheats" look to make a profit on your home!

One email I received bragged how they get the Unsuspecting Sellers" to sign everything over with token consideration. Guess who has all the rights of your home after you sign away? If you believe for a second you do, stop now and commence seeking legal counsel.

These so called "Saviors" have no responsibility in the "Upkeep of your Home",nor will they continue paying the taxes,not to mention Insurance.
They will attempt to facilitate a "Quick Sale" and if they don`t accomplish this,they`ll move on to the next "Sucker" explaining to you, "They don`t want the home" any longer!

I`ve met several homeowners in 2007 and 2008 who have been victimized by this vultures.Try getting your home back without using an attorney.

Don`t "Give Your Investment Away" to these "Happy faces" who swear up and down they can help you!

This is the comment I left on Jeff`s blog:

"Holding paper won`t accomplish much if the buyer defaults down the road. I don`t consider this a victory for the FSBO~. Heck, I have 3 homes of my own we`re looking to sell. I get every Tom, Dick and Jojo looking for me to hold worthless paper. I`m trying to sell my homes, not become JP Morgan."

Every Real Estate Office needs at least 1 Closer to assist other Agents!

I`ve been avoiding a recruiter for a several months. They refuse to take no for an answer.
They were hired to locate a "Closer" who can turn around an established Real Estate Office in Orlando.

They apparently, like they way we conduct ourself when doing Real Estate.

I like to use the:AIDA METHOD in closing.

For those who have never heard of AIDA,here it is:

AIDA is an acronym used in marketing that describes a common list of events that are very often undergone when a person is selling a product or service:
A - Attention (Awareness): attract the attention of the customer.
I - Interest: raise customer interest by demonstrating features, advantages, and benefits.
D - Desire: convince customers that they want and desire the product or service and that it will satisfy their needs.
A - Action: lead customers towards taking action and/or purchasing.

They continue to call me asking me to speak with the Broker/Owner. Truthfully, I`m busy and relocating to Orlando isn`t an option .

I`ve explained all this,yet they continue with a barrage of calls.

Yesterday, the Broker/Owner called offering a package in his words "I couldn't`t refuse".

I`ve done our due diligence on this particular company.Eventually, they want to franchise.
They have 5 locations and somewhere north of 1200 Active Agents. There lies the problem.
The offices seem to lose more transactions then they win. Overall, the agents don`t seem to know "How to Close".

Whether, they`re not paying attention, following -up or just plain offering ridiculous offers, there is a deep problem,in which the Owner is willing to compensate me dearly!

In order to run a successful office, there has to be at least "A CLOSER", one who knows how to deal with agents,buyer`s,sellers,lenders,title companies and attorney's in order to insure the transactions make it to the closing table.

It`s impossible to have 1200 and a low closing ratio, something is very wrong.

I spoke to the Broker/Owner for 15 minutes and could tell by their voice how serious they were in hiring me.

It`s impossible to count how many transactions I`ve assisted our agents,i only look at the overall numbers,which is what differentiates our office remaining prosperous or closed.

Some of our agents take it for granted what I do! Others appreciate it greatly.
It took me years to hone in on our negotiating skills, it didn`t happen overnight!

Back to the Broker/Owner. He was fascinated on our actual closing ratio.
He wanted me to visit and spend a few days consulting his managers.

I may have found a new career. Who knows!