How many expired listings have you converted in 2008?

Since it`s the last day of the year i decided to go through our listings to determine what percentage of sellers came to us from our marketing.we use all forms of advertising, so it`s important to keep a record of where we are at all times. Every six months we review our records.
We keep a spread sheet,each listing is taged into different five categories.
I find it easier to determine where our advertsing dollars need to be placed.
The breakdown is as follows:
1- Magazine Ads.
2- Internet
3- Referrals
4- FSBO`s
5 Expired.
Normally, the magazines and the Internet ads generate the most listing appointments for us.
This year our expired listings seem to have gone off the charts!
It`s hard to believe that during 2006 our agents converted 27 expired into listings,out of that we sold 20, the other 7 we`re recycled again.
I wrote a post in the middle of the year entitled "1 year later Listing still on the market! Seller still refuses to hear the truth!" The post mentioned how some listings remained on the market for a year.

Pricing has played a tremendous effect on the market and market conditions and 2007 should be no different. Once upon a time if a seller wanted to place a listing higher than the competition I would shake my head and agree. Today, I bring enough data to choke a horse, showing a potential Seller that this strategy isn`t an option any longer. If a seller wants to sell, than they need to prepare themselves with the correct mindset.
Realtors aren`t able to "Part the Red Sea" like Moses!

For 2007, my first plan of attack is attempting to capture a larger market share in expired listings.
The FSBO market no matter what marketing tools you use is mainly "Hit or Miss", it`s difficult to comprehend what a FSBO retains during a listing presentation. many believe that they can "Do It Better" than a professional. And the beat goes on!

search homes located in broward county florida @ www.listfloridahomesforless.com

Single Mother`s work twice as hard and accomplish so much more!

It`s really amazing how simple this business can sometimes be!
Some people believe you have to be a Rocket Scientist to become a Realtor.
Others, want to "break a deal, before the deal happens", still if you stick to the same formula over and over again, the actual day to day business of Real Estate can be exciting.
Patricia Fernandez is a Single Mother who obtained her Real Estate licenses 2 years ago.
She had no prior sales experience.
Her intention was to become independent and capable of supporting her son Jalen.
It`s never easy to be a Single Parent, it`s often quite difficult to balance a schedule.
Yet,don`t kind yourself for one moment, this Mother has learned to balance her personal life with the skill of a Wall Street Trader.
Often, she`ll work insane hours to insure she`s addressing the needs of the clients she serves.
One word always comes to mind when i watch her jump into action "Sacrifice".
She has the ability to transform herself from a mother to a negotiator within seconds.

Yesterday, I watched in amazement how effortlessly Patricia was able to negotiate a transaction while her 3 year old son was having a fit in our office.
Wathcing Patricia take control of her transaction via a conference call with the "Loss Mitigation Dept" while holding her son Jalen on her lap was quite a sight.
Patricia can multi- task with the best of them!!

She`s an conscientious Realtor who doubles as our transaction coordinator.

She never misses a beat! As she called me into the conference call, I soon realized our transaction was going south, yet Patricia was in total control with the lender attempting to find out what happened. It was apparent there was a lack of communication from the lender when it came to finalizing the sales price.
She caught it at 3:30 yesterday after reviewing the HUD-1 statement. In between she ran to pick up her son from day care and proceeded to get back to work doing damage control.
Two hours later, she adverted a major fiasco and saved our transaction.

Words can`t describe how hard this women seems to work, the juggling of her schedule and work, never ceases to amaze me or others who have witnessed how hard this person tries.

Patricia these words are for you! "sola,sola en el olvido!sola con su espiritu!!

Real Estate Bubble is kaput! First Time Home Buyers are in Full Bloom...

Lately, the inquiries we`re receiving each day are from 1st time home buyers who are looking at purchasing a new home.

Many realize prices have stabilized and have reached a level of affordability once again.
These buyers are very well informed and know what they want.
They`re looking at homes where they`ll be able to start a family.
Many are concentrating on Town homes and Single Family homes where the old adage "Location,Location,Location" is very crucial to their decision making.
Some believe they`ll remain in these homes for a period of 5-10 years,which indicates these buyers are ready to make a long term commitment.
Suddenly, people realize home prices are at levels before the market took off.
It`s a buyers market out there, purchasing a home in Broward County Florida makes good financial sense..

I believe the Real Estate Bubble is over!

Ride the Highway West Baby...This isn`t a Sellers Market any longer

I have to believe there our sellers still out there who are not in touch with the market,shifting economies and a downward spiral in our country.
The dollar,oil and the banking debacle have changed the entire process of buying a home.Gone are the days of 100% loans with teaser rates.

Today, you need to have a group of professionals behind you in order to purchase a home.

Sellers need to revelate their asking price as well as the bottom line.
If an offer comes close to what you wanted don`t play games. Otherwise you`ll lose the buyer,who will simply move on to another home where they`ll be a warm reception awaiting them. Yesterday, after going back and forth with an offer we sent several days ago our buyer started to tire.

They no longer wanted to "Play the Game of You counter, I`ll counter and we`ll meet you half way."

We expressed to the agent who represented the seller, we`re no longer interested in the property if the owner doesn`t agree to our last offer we`re walking.

The agent was smart enough to convey our message to the seller.

The seller relented and finally agreed to accept the offer. There are no more games when selling a home. The first offer maybe you`re best offer. Don`t attempt to re-invent the wheel by playing hardball.

Accept the truth! The market has changed and selling a home isn`t easy as it once was.
The hiring of a professional Realtor to represent you is more important than you can ever imagine.

Do you want to sell or play games? A Short Seller who knows the system...

More often than not many people who are involved in a Short Sale can`t believe their home needs to be sold.
Some want to prolong the sale as long as possible,while others understand the reality it`s time to move on!
Our job as Realtors is to get the home sold.
Our job description requires us not to chase you down, beg or plead with you to sell,the sale price is determined by the lenders,not you or I!
We`re dealing with a client who has received 3 offers and refuses to sign off.
He`s indifferent to the offers, feels the offers should be higher and worse, i`m the second agent he`s pulled this crapola with.
Rather than continue to argue, we called him to discuss our future together.

The conversation is as follows;

Me: I`m at the point where it`s time we say goodbye. There`s no hope selling this home if you continue to refuse to sign the offers.

Short Sale Seller: The offers aren`t what I expected. I`m not into signing.

Me: The offers are intended for the lenders to review, not you! You`re caught between a rock and a hard place. Not much left to say.

Short Sale Seller: I still have a say here.

Me: Well that's not entirely true anymore. You`ve stopped sending the lender a mortgage payment each month. The responsibility of getting this home sold is really not yours.

Short Sale Seller: I want to stay in the home as long as i can. Your job is to prolong this!

There you have it. A seller who feels they can manipulate the lenders,Realtors,and buyer`s because they wish to remain in a home they`ve defaulted on months ago.
It takes all kinds in this world.Rather than argue, it`s easier to Terminate the listing agreement,than continue on..

What do you do with a House that requires Cosmetic Surgery?

As I stared inside the home of our new listing i wondered what the heck to write on the remarks section of the MLS.
It`s a short sale, the owners seem to have trashed beyond recognition.
Not every listing is perfect, but this home has to be sold and I accepted the listing knowing the entire situation.
I`m sending in a cleaning crew on Monday in hopes of having the garbage removed inside the home.
It`s truly amazing how people can live like this,but that`s another story.

I realize some would rather not accept the responsibility or challenge of selling this home. It`s easier to walk away from a home which is trashed.
In my opinion I`m a Professional.
It`s our job to represent our clients to our best abilities regardless of how the house looks.

We priced the home lower than we would normally do, because all the fixtures have been pulled out, holes in the walls and a half destroyed kitchen.
In a short sale I`ve grown accustomed to expect the unexpected..

I`m suddenly speaking in Spanish.. and having a blast!

I`ve been taking intensive "Spanish" for 12 weeks.Talk about having a blast.
Living in South Florida for 27 years, i`ve become accustomed to speaking
Spanglish — (Spanglish, Spanglish, el Spanish broken, ingléspañol, ingleñol, espan'glés, espanolo, (blends of the language names "English" and "Spanish") or jerga fronteriza — refers to the range of language-contact phenomena, primarily in the speech of the Hispanic and Anglo population of the United States and the population of Mexico living near the Mexican-American border, who are exposed to both Spanish and English.) as a form of communication.

After much debate, I decided I had to learn the language and culture. It`s awesome to hear words in Spanish and now I can communicate without sounding like a 3 year old!

This started as a New Year`s resolution.. I wanted to have languagesuges under my belt.
In South Florida it`s a must.

Suddenly, I`m into http://tv.telemundo.yahoo.com/ as well as listening to new music like Mana (http://www.mana.com.mx/) this band rocks in English or Spanish....

It`s like I`ve been introduced to another world. It`s an eye opening experience after so many years.

Change is always good! A reflection of our past and present!

I received a tremendous complement from Midori Miller in regards to my new photo.
My old photo was 6 years and it reflected a time and place in my life that is quite different than today.

Quite honestly, it wasn`t who I was "It wasn`t me"!
How often do you look in a mirror and ask yourself "Who is that person?", well i finally asked myself "Who the heck is that in the picture".

Yesterday, i decided to replace the old photo with a new one.
I wanted it to reflect ME!
I`ve changed so much mentally,physically and spiritually the past few years,that it was time for the change.
Midori has what I call a "Sixth Sense" and immediately saw it.
Change is really very good. It shows others just who the heck you really are!
It`s taken me almost 3 years of blogging to realize what many here have stated in the past.
Be Yourself.....Go to the mirror and ask yourself this question "who am I".....

If you purchased an investment property at $140K, would you buy in the same area at $75K?

We had an inquiry from a former client who purchased several town homes from our company in the "High Flying Preconstruction Era" circa 2004.
This investor has done very well by always doing the due diligence when it comes to seeking Real Estate investments.
I came across a new listing in a community located only 5 minutes from Fort Myers Beach.
These town homes are centrally located.
They were built in 2005.
The investor and i discussed how the location of this property hasn`t changed,nor have the amenities. The "market rents" are $850-$900 per month for a 2bed/2.5 Townhome.
It was our opinion after careful review placing an offer at $69,000 would be a great buying opportunity if accepted by the lenders.

The simple truth is many times we can`t "See the tree`s through th forest" to understand the opportunity the Real Estate market has offer.

Now more than ever it seems the bottom is here! Buying now and holding for 2 years seems like an great investing oppurtunity, providing you understand the risk vs reward ratio.

The home which sold for $140,000, three years ago is worth investing in now at $75,000.
Is it a given the market will eventually bounce back? The answer is "NO", but based on past history, it`s a good guess that in 2-3 years the market should be able to rebound and move forward above it`s current levels.

Like the Dinosaur the Traditional Approach of selling Real Estate and some forms of marketing are slowly becoming extinct".

Once upon a time when gas prices were inexpensive potential buyers would "jump in their cars" and drive around all day looking at houses.It was like a hunter looking for new prey.

Others, did it as a form of a hobby for designer tips, while some felt they wanted to know an area first,some drove because it was a way to kill a few hours with their beloved one.

The chapter of "The Traditional Approach to Real Estate" and it`s entire playbook is slowly coming to an end!

A new Dawn is on the horizon.

In the world of Real Estate both "Drive By`s and Open Houses" literally make no sense.
It`s simply too expensive.

Yesterday, I was with a client viewing properties in Davie,Cooper City and Pembroke Pines, Florida.

They`re hooked on one particular area and wanted to view "Everything",famous last words,huh?.
Being a smart professional I did what they wanted and took them everywhere.

The client observed there weren`t many "Open Houses" in the area. The statement they made was brutally true!

People can no longer afford to drive the neighborhoods as they once did searching for homes.

It`s my guess if they did it would probably cost them $50.00 worth of fuel!
The alternative,is they turn towards the Internet for help.

The extinction of the Drive By`s and Open Houses has changed the way most Realtors market and sell a home as well.

Real Estate magazine publications sales are flat or severely down.

Smart professionals realize it`s no longer cost effective as it once was.
Spending you`re advertising dollars has become like a game of chess in a market that continuously seems to swift.

The economy is hurting,but in order to catch the valuable commodity of dealing with the public hasn`t.
Just like the Dinosaurs oncr ruled the world millions of years ago the world of Traditional Real Estate seems to be disappearing as well.

In the world of Short Sales you need to "Detach yourself"away from your home.

So many folks are facing an emotional "Roller Coaster" when in default of one`s mortgage.
It`s hard on people, the reality of losing one`s home is extremely difficult.
We deal with Short Sales everyday.

I`ve found in dealing with these sellers that one must begin to explain the Sale of their home isn`t their fault!
The word we use the most is "Detach".
The simple truth is the realization has to set in. After the loan is accelerated, there`s really not much left to do,accept dealing with the lenders. My job is to get the home sold.
There`s no reason to have any more sleepless nights, it`s time to move on.

It`s not easy to accept, nor will it be easy to walk away,but it`s a start.
We`re all treading in "New Waters" that haven`t been seen ever before!

Earth to Lenders,The Fed and Congress. Idle chatter must stop now!

We work with many people who are facing the possibility of losing their homes.
Majority of these people are hard working members of society.
Their guilty of being squeezed by an economy that has affected everyone.
Paying a mortgage is no longer an option.Many are losing their jobs to outsourcing, some have been affected by higher oil prices,still others are faced with either feeding a family or starving!
I keep hearing the same story almost word for word.
The Fed, Congress and lenders offer NO assistance,it`s as if this country has turned a deaf ear to the masses.
How is this possible in a country as great as ours?

What happened to "God Bless America, and those who live here?"..
Majority of homeowners contact the lenders seeking answers, the lenders in return offer none.
They advise them to download "The Loss Mitigation Package", and go from there.
They do offer a "Loan Modification",except there`s only one catch they need to send money they don`t have.
If the lenders would work more diligently and listen to what these people are actually saying, quite honestly, many within 24 months would probably be able to continue their obligations.
Hard to believe the folks in congress aren`t paying any attention to the general public.

Zestimate and "My friend the Realtor" make a huge mistake!

How often does someone tell you "My Friend is a Realtor?"

It sometimes implies the person knows more than you do!
I wish I had a nickel every time i hear those "famous last words"..

Regretfully, many Realtors simply shouldn`t give out an opinion,unless of course they know an area.

Just because you have a license in another state doesn`t really qualify you to give a professional opinion.

I you asked me what a home in Houston should be sold for , i`d tell you the truth and insist you seek guidance from someone who resides in the area of interest.
Friends always have the right intentions,they mean well.
Five weeks ago we met a client who wanted to place an offer on a home located in Hollywood, Florida.
The buyer really liked the home and was ready to place an offer.
We ran the comps, explained where we felt the home could be purchased.
The buyer agreed, asked me to send the listing to a friend which we did.
The friend resides in New Jersey and has a Real Estate license in that state.
Apparently, the friend decided to use Zillow.com. Bad move!
Zillow was off by $90,000.
The homes in the area sell for much higher than what Z guessed.
The buyer was upset at us for giving out Bogus advice.
It didn`t matter we ran the comps, live in the area, and have sold homes in this region for 10 years.
Our professional opinion compared to her friend in New Jersey and Zillow meant more.
We received another offer last week and our seller executed the contract.
The person who viewed the home called us last night apologizing for telling us we gave her a "Bogus Opinion", they had been shopping around the area with another Realtor and realized the home we had listed was in fact "Priced Right", they wanted to know if they could place an offer on the home.
I explained the home was in contract and the person was extremely upset.
They explained after much review and consideration that both Zillow and her friend were incorrect.
Hard to believe, huh?
Friends in the business mean well, but, giving out an opinion is not good business,unless you fully know the area.
Using Z has a guideline isn`t much better!
This person missed out on a great buying opportunity!

Why do some Agents have a hard time understanding "The Telephone is the Lifeline of success?"

The 4th of July was very hectic for myself and our staff of Realtors.

Holidays are a perfect time for people to look at Real Estate.
With a long weekend potential buyers have the opportunity to view homes of interest.

I don`t know about you,but i look forward to these holidays as a positive not negative.
Yesterday, someone was complaining about their telephone ringing and how her clients "Had no consideration towards her", this agent felt these people were annoying her long weekend.
I had to laugh. In case this agent forgot the "Telephone is our lifeline of success". The more it rings the more opportunities we as Realtors have of applying our trade.

There are "Motivational Speakers" who claim you should conduct you`re Real Estate business like a Doctor or Attorney, you should only answer the telephone from the hours of 12:00-1:00PM and from 5:00-6:00PM. What happens in between?
People call Realtors based on shear motivation, simply put "They`re looking to speak to someone immediately, they don`t want to wait around for someone to call them back!"

In case you haven`t noticed many "Top Producers" have done away with those fancy 800`s number`s because they`ve lost tons of potential business.

Many finally realized the clients want to have "Human Contact" and learn about a home rather than hearing a recording.
If you`re having issues answering the telephone on holidays,maybe it`s time to reevaluate why you`re actually in the business.

This is a service oriented business where answering a telephone is part of the cost of doing business..

Why are you pressuring the client into buying a home?

I spent several hours with a very nice couple seeking to purchase their first home together.
They came to me as a referral. They`ve been looking at houses for a few weeks and felt pressured by their former Realtor who kept insisting they place offers on a few homes they viewed.
The Realtor at one point flatly refused to take them to any other homes because "They`ve seen enough" according to the couple.
Rule #1: Never ever pressure a client in deciding what home is right for them!
People select a home based on what they want, not what you want!
Therefore, insisting that a has seen enough places a wedge between you and you`re client.

Back to the couple.We`ve zeroed in on a few area`s they really like. They decided to look again with me on Monday afternoon.
They were pleased that I never once pressured them into making a decision.

Potential Fireworks between "Buyer and Seller`s".

It`s the 4th of July and it`s a great day to celebrate our independence.
People are enjoying themselves swimming,BBQ`ing,relaxing and maybe some drinking!
We received a call from a Realtor who wants showing instructions for our listing.
The agent tells us their client is only in town for two days.
We call our client, confirm the listing appointment for the afternoon and go about our business of enjoying a day off.

Three hours later I receive a call from our client,the potential buyers are standing outside their house, without the Realtor in tow!
I ask to speak to the buyers and find out where the agent is.
The clients seem confused.
They`ve been viewing homes for the past two hours without an agent!
They don`t quite understand all the fuss.
The Conversation is as follows:

Out of town`ers: Our agent was too busy to join us. They gave us Lock Box combos and told us to knock on home where the owners are home.
Me: You don`t see anything wrong with this?
Out of Town`ers: Why no! We`re in town for a few more days and we`re just looking.
Me: The owners were instructed never to open a door without a Realtor accompanying the client.
Out of Town`ers: It`s no Big Deal, we`ll leave.

I guess to these potential buyers it`s not such a Big Deal.

Tomorrow, I`ll be calling the Broker in charge of the agent who gave these nice folks showing instructions to find out what the heck is going on!

Motivation is contagious.Every office needs a Buzz!

I was paid the highest compliment from another Broker the other day.
The Broker stopped by to deliver Condo Docs and observed our staff of Realtors on the telephone assisting clients.
They looked at our board noticed in a slow market we`re busy with sales.
The Broker pulled me aside and asked "How do you motivate your agents to work like this,what`s your secret?"

I thought about it and it hit me!

"Motivation is Contagious" it starts from the top and works it`s way down.
Our Realtors constantly see we`re running around 6.5 days a week, 16 hours a day,developing and generating new leads.
They see me network each day for potential business. In turn the Realtors want to succeed because they see it can be done.

You don`t need to pay a Guru to teach you something about selling. All you need is the knowledge of knowing it takes hard work!

We have a system in place where our agents receive qualified leads each and everyday.
I only ask one thing. "When you enter our office, you come to work, not to play".
Simply put "What goes on in your private life doesn`t effect your business life".

Many have a hard time separating the two.

Selling Real Estate isn`t easy, nor is motivating your staff of Realtors as many of you know, but someone has to set the example!

If you clean it, I`m positive it will sell...

In the movie Field of Dreams the motto was "If you build it they will come".
It`s the same with a home in a competitive market.
Our new motto when selling a home is "If you clean it,they will come", actually came true yesterday for our client.The home has been listed twice, and has been on the market for over a year.

The home is priced to sell, yet it has remained on the market for no reason,except one!

The home is located in Homestead, it was in dire need of a good cleaning.
The seller refused to believe it, in fact they fought with us over this issue.
Sometimes, it`s easier to take things into your own hands.
Rather than debate the client we contacted a cleaning service who did a fantastic job in cleaning the home "Top to Bottom", they scrubbed the floors, cleaned the dust from the window sills,every chair and table wiped clean. The home now is presentable for people to view.

The seller called last night "Thanking Us" for undertaking a job they couldn`t.

Just like the movie, i`m hoping people will arrive and place an offer on the home now that it`s ready to be shown!

Like Road Rage it seems Active Rage is taking it`s toll on some.

With 90,000 members,and a plethora of others who visit Active Rain it`s only normal to have a few "Odd Balls", who seem to have what i deem "Active Rage".

Like Road Rage, where people lose all self control on the road and believe they`re in a "Race for the Finish Line", it only seems appropriate "Active Rage" would oneday appear.

Active Rage can be defined as those readers who for whatever reason decide they want to continuously take "Pot Shots" at you by either calling you names or by attacking you on the forum or in extreme cases over the telephone.
Some take it to the extreme, where they feel compelled to call you and tell you what they think! No big deal,except when you use profanities!

There are a few chronics who feel since we`re accessible to the public we should be accessible to them as well.

Yesterday I wrote "Seller objects to a $900 settlement with lenders! Blames everyone for "Not doing their job".. "

This story seems to have hit home with a few readers.
Some took the time to contact me via email taking the side of the seller, they felt they were correct in not taking any responsibility for their actions.They blamed the lenders for this mess,which is fine by me.

Another took the time to post twice accusing me of being indifferent to the client,not fully understanding what a "Short Sale: is or what our job was in completing the sale.
All fine and dandy!
Finally, we received a telephone call from a supposed reader who told me in no uncertain terms " I suck for taking the side of the lenders and how the lenders should "Go to Hell".

They felt with the economy in the doldrums, people have the right "NOT TO PAY", in fact they should have been able to "Stay Longer".
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, I have no issues with that. If you feel compelled to email or post, that`s fantastic.
However, I draw the line when someone actually calls me out on a telephone by spewing hatred.When self control goes out the window, it`s time to worry about the stability of others.
Active Rage is sweeping the Internet, I guess it`s a sign of the times.

How the H.R. 3648 Mortgage Forgiveness Debt effects Broward County Florida and South Florida Real Estate.

The Administration Has Taken And Continues To Take Aggressive Actions To Help Americans Keep Their Homes
The President launched FHASecure, which has helped more than 225,000 families avoid foreclosure by refinancing into safe Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured mortgages. FHA also recently announced a plan to expand the program to help even more families refinance their mortgages. In total, FHA expects to help about half a million families refinance by the end of the year.
The President and his Administration also helped facilitate the formation of the private-sector HOPE NOW Alliance, which has developed multiple strategies to help distressed homeowners. By working together, participants in the mortgage industry have helped more than one and a half million families stay in their homes.
Congress should quickly pass responsible legislation modernizing the Federal Housing Administration. A modernized FHA that is granted appropriate pricing flexibility could help thousands of additional homeowners by the end of this year. In April of 2006 President Bush first sent Congress an FHA Modernization bill, and more than two years later, Congress has still not passed it.
Congress should also pass GSE reform to strengthen the regulation of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. A good GSE reform bill would ensure they are adequately capitalized and focused on their statutory housing mission. A strong regulator can also make sure that these enterprises do not take actions that place taxpayers or the financial system at increased risk. GSE reform and FHA modernization represent the appropriate next steps to address the housing downturn





President Bush Signs H.R. 3648, The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 Roosevelt Room

Fact Sheet: The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007
1:05 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming. Welcome to the White House. I'm pleased to sign a bill that will help homeowners who are struggling with rising mortgage payments. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 will protect families from higher taxes when they refinance their homes. It will help hardworking Americans take steps to avoid foreclosure during a period of uncertainty in the housing market. I want to thank members of Congress for getting this bill passed. I appreciate it very much. It's been a joy working with you.
I thank my Secretary of the Treasury, Hank Paulson; and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Alphonso Jackson, for taking the lead in helping people stay in their homes. I particularly want to thank the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Max Baucus; Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan; and Senator George Voinovich of Ohio, for sponsoring this legislation.
I remember calling you on the phone, telling you that I'm going to propose the same thing you are -- talked to George, as well -- and it's been a joy to work with you.
I want to thank Jim McCrery of the House, Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Rob Andrews. Appreciate you all being here.
I want to thank the staff who works hard at the Treasury and HUD to make this deal work. Appreciate your hard work.
In recent months, our nation's housing market has faced serious strains. Home values have fallen in many parts of our country. At the same time, many homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages have seen their monthly payments increase faster than their ability to pay. And now some homeowners face the prospect of foreclosure.
My administration has taken strong steps to help homeowners avoid foreclosure by making it easier to refinance loans. We gave the Federal Housing Administration greater flexibility to refinance loans for struggling homeowners. We helped assemble a private sector group of lenders, loan servicers, investors, and mortgage counselors called the HOPE NOW Alliance. This group has agreed on a set of industry-wide standards to help those with subprime loans refinance or modify their mortgages, so more families can stay in their homes.
The bill I sign today will help this effort by ensuring that refinancing a mortgage does not result in a higher tax bill. Under current law, if the value of your house declines and your bank or lender forgives a portion of your mortgage, the tax code treats the amount forgiven as money that can be taxed. And of course, this makes a difficult situation even worse. When you're worried about making your payments, higher taxes are the last thing you need to worry about. So this bill will create a three-year window for homeowners to refinance their mortgage and pay no taxes on any debt forgiveness that they receive. And it's a really good piece of legislation. The provision will increase the incentive for borrowers and lenders to work together to refinance loans -- and it will allow American families to secure lower mortgage payments without facing higher taxes.
With this bill, Congress has taken a strong step to address the turbulence in the housing market. Yet there's more work to be done. The Congress needs to pass legislation permitting state and local governments to issue tax-exempt bonds for refinancing existing home loans. Congress needs to pass legislation strengthening the independent regulator of government sponsored enterprises like Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, so we can keep them focused on the mission to expand home ownership. Congress needs, as well, to complete work on responsible legislation modernizing the Federal Housing Administration, so that we can give the FHA the necessary flexibility to help hundreds of thousands of additional families qualify for prime-rate financing.
By taking these steps, we can help our homeowners -- and we'll help more Americans become home owners. We want people to have a place they can call their own. After all, it's an essential part of the American Dream. And we want that dream to extend throughout our nation.
I want to thank the members for joining us. I wish you all happy holidays. And this is going to make a happy holiday for many home owners. Thanks for coming.

Seller objects to a $900 settlement with lenders! Blames everyone for "Not doing their job"..

One for the books! A Short Sale in which the lenders agree to allow the sale of a home, a closing which can be completed in 30 days and a seller who decides to balk at the fact they must concede to the lender a whopping fee of ,drum roll pleeaazeee of $900 dollars.

Worse, the seller called to blame me as well as the attorney representing them for, are you ready, "NOT DOING OUR JOBS"..

After living in a home for over 1 year our seller has to finally vacate. Not too happily I must confess. They seem to want to prolong this insanity,I guess if you could why not?
The seller hasn`t made a single mortgage payment to the lenders, now faced with the harsh reality of vacating and compromising to the lenders a $900 check, the seller takes the "HIGH ROAD" and lays blame,nice,huh?

The conversation is as follows:

Seller: You folks didn`t do you`re job! I`m disgusted with you and the attorney!
Me: Are you kidding? You`re off the hook with the lender, the sale is finalized, you owe the lender $900 and you walk!
Seller: I don`t want to pay anyone,nor do I have the money!
Me: You haven`t made a mortgage payment in over a year!
Seller: I haven`t worked in over a year as well.
Me: Who`s fault is that?!
Seller: I couldn`t find a job. I don`t have anywhere to go!? What do I do now?
Me: I`m sorry for you`re circumstance, it`s time to move on. I suggest you beg,borrow or steal for the $900 to clear your name!
Seller: Clear my name? I owe everyone!

That was it! A seller who refuses to work, a home we finally sold and $900 in payments to the lender the seller flatly refuses to pay!
Some days it`s not worth waking up! Yesterday was one of them...

Don`t be Shy. Potential clients need to know you`re capable of selling their home..

I`m a listing agent who averages 4-8 new listings per week.
Our clients reside all over the country and the world.Many I have never seen except through the net and telephone.
It`s crucial for them to locate an agent whom they have confidence in.
Selling a home in a slow market isn`t easy, nor is the interview process to gain their respect.
I like to send potential sellers a list of both "Active Sales and Closed Sales" as a reference guide for the client to see.

We`re proud of what we do, which is important for the client to know.
A person listing their home is entitled to view your references. It`s a way of showing them your abilities as a professional.
The initial interview is normally through email,therefore it`s important to supply the client with a list of activity you`re involved in each and everyday.

Our Internet business has doubled since last year.

The Traditional Approach to listing and selling a home have changed in the last three years.
With more people searching the Internet you`re approach to addressing these clients must change as well.

Presentation is crucial when showing you`re home!

We showed a listing yesterday in Margate,Florida. The home was situated on a golf course with outstanding views of the lake.

The home is priced right, yet has remained on the market for 15 months, why?
The home is filthy from the floors,walls,kitchen,bedrooms and windows.
Apparently, the sellers don`t see it, nor does the agent.
Our client took one look and within two minutes decided to leave.
In a tight market you have to insure you`re home is properly presented, whether it`s staging, or simple cleaning, a clean home sells, a dirty one won`t.
The agent called me two hours later asking "Why the buyer left so fast".

I truly didn`t have the heart to tell them why.

Does Realtor.com have any control of their horrible mistakes? Do they even care?

Many of us have issues with the way Realtor.com conducts business.
Make no mistake about it, they are the "Grand Daddy" of Real Estate marketing,but they`ve become complacent over the years and it shows!

We have a rental in Pembroke Pines, somehow Realtor.com has it as a FOR SALE instead of stating it`s a Rental!
A huge No-NO!

The price is showing the home is being sold for $25,500!

Can you imagine the amount of calls we`re receiving from those eager enough to believe they can buy it for that price!?!
Homes in Pembroke Pines don`t sell for this insane price, try telling that to Realtor.com!
Yet, it`s clearly on their site and guess what?!
It`s next to impossible to contact Realtor.com and explain the problem,why? Because they don`t care!

Last year Realtor.com attempted to "Shake Me" down for having too many listings. They wanted to charge us $4200 per year for the privilege of placing our listings with their service, the price doubled from the previous year.
Realtor.com is indifferent to the majority of their clients and it shows.

Now, I have to field inquiries on a home that doesn`t exist and it`s painful "Getting Yelled" at for something I have no control of, it really does suck!!!

I hope Realtor.com will one day check their own web site,knowing them as I do, they`ll put a great spin on the situation....
If any of you have a similar problem, please let us know.

Maybe if enough of us complain,they`ll start to listen, but than again, knowing Realtor.com I highly doubt it!!

Attention Broward County Florida Realtors:We have Buyers for your Short Sales.

Yesterday, was a very productive day for my staff and I.
Six months ago we met with Investors who expressed their interest in purchasing Short Sale Single Family Homes in Broward County, Florida.

It was our opinion back than the market still had some correction left in it and we believed based on experience we would see more carnage.
I felt since they were interested in purchasing in Bulk we had a better opportunity to wait on the sidelines and see where the market would go.

We had a conference call in our office last night and i expressed to this group of investors that "Now is the time to start Buying",they fully agreed and we began to send them homes to place.

We have targeted Single Family Homes in Broward County. Therefore, we`re asking our fellow professionals to send us Short Sales of interest.
If you have a "Short Sale worth noting that`s in descent condition, than by all means please feel free to contact our office via email or by calling me directly at 954-275-0200.
Our investors are in place and they fully know how the Short Sale negotiations work, so it`s not a problem getting the transactions completed.
One thing I need to mention. We will not be using you`re title company or mortgage lenders,therefore, please don`t insist on how we complete the transaction.
That being stated we look forward to you`re homes of interest and review.

Weekend at Bernie`s. Lender doesn`t understand the clients are deceased.

In our ever continuing saga of SHORT SALES, lenders, and operational procedures, every now and than you get one where you just burst out laughing!!!

The laughter is over the mere fact, many lenders don`t quite grasp what their doing,nor do they seem to comprehend.
Why!?!

I guess when you have $10 per hour people working on "Short Sales" with little or no training,they don`t seem to be properly trained.

Such was the case yesterday in which we`re involved in a $67,000 Estate Sale.
The people who owned this condo passed away 2 years ago.I thought we notified the lenders about this situation by sending them "Death Certificates" verifying the couple were in face deceased!

Weekend at Bernies anyone?!

There is no funds in the estate. The family walked from the condo in January.
The comps in the area indicate closed sales average $65,000.
We thought this would be a "No Brainer" for all parties involved,except when it came down to closing.
The lenders decided the BPO which was done two months ago, needed to be reordered.
This time the lenders decided the Condo was worth $79,000.

The conversation is as follows:

Lender: We ordered another BPO, this time we`re assured the value is $79,000. We won`t agree to the $67,000 sales price.
Me: What do you want our client to do?
Lender: We want them to agree to a sales price of $79,000.
Me: After you already agreed to $67,000? Why would anyone do that?
Lender: That is our net figure.
Me: After 12 weeks of going back and forth over an Estate where the couple is deceased this is the best you can do? If I were in your shoes, I`d take the $67,000 and RUN! Didn`t you folks see the comps?
Lender: We need to clear $79,000 and there is no COMMISSION left for you and the other agent!
Me: Really?! Well, I guess there is no sense in going further. In the end it will cost you and additional $20K in legal fee`s etc. to bring this to foreclosure,thereby netting somewhere south of $50K. That makes more sense.. I get it!

I kept thinking the movie "Weekend at Bernie`s".
I never had so much fun in my life attempting to figure out what the heck the lender was doing!

A Single Mother's Quest to Become a Realtor, Finally Happens.Part2

A year ago I wrote about a Single Mother named Patricia Fernandez .(http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Single-Mothers-Quest-to-Become-a-Realtor,-Finally-Happens&id=651923).

She was determined to make a career for herself in Real Estate.
Easier said than done,especially when the Real Estate Bubble was already bursting.
Yet, through it all Patricia worked extremely hard and applied her trade.

Yesterday, I watched her close another transaction. She makes it look so easy.
Somehow, she`s able to gain her clients confidence in a passionate way.
She shares her life experiences with her clients,which is truly inspirational.

I`ve watched Patricia juggle her busy schedule. Sometimes her 3 year old son Jalen accompanies her on appointments.
The clients never seem to mind. She has built quite a referral business for herself and is busy in a slow market.

It`s remarkable how hard this person works.
Patricia isn`t the only Single Mother out there in this world forging ahead. There are hundreds of thousands of these women who are able to do the impossible day after day.

When I look at Patricia and her son Jalen, I`m always reminded how she came to our office so determined to be a "Top Producer', in our opinion she truly is!

Dog Day Afternoon. Former Tenant refuses to vacate.

We`re standing outside a home where the tenant we represent in a rental is attempting to move in while the former tenant who was supposed to be "moved out" is inside the home sleeping!

Three weeks ago we executed a signed lease, the move in date was scheduled for June 23rd.
We called the other Realtor on Saturday to confirm the walk through,we agreed to meet Sunday morning at the home.
The other agent and the owner had no idea the former tenant was still in the home.
They were supposed to vacate last Wednesday.
The landlord was mildly shocked, the tenant was visibly upset and the former tenant was asleep and refused to "Get out" insisting they had no where to go!

The conversation is as follows:
Sleepy Tenant: I`m not leaving, i have no where else to go!
Landlord: Move into a Hotel. This is my home!
New tenant: I start my new job on Monday. I need to move in today.
Me: Let`s call the police. The former tenant is trespassing.
Sleepy Tenant: Why are you throwing me out?
Landlord: Our lease expired,we sent you your security deposit! You have to leave now.

For the next two hours we stood outside awaiting the former tenants next move. The landlord contacted the police. The new tenant began to move in, the former tenant remained in the house, pretending to vacate,but moving at a snails pace.

It reminded me of an Al Pacino movie entitled "Dog Day Afternoon" as we attempted to negotiate with the former tenant.
After much discussion and with the Broward County Sheriff's Office persuasion the tenant relented and finally moved....

Foreclosure Insanity.Billions in inventory sit! Why are the banks sitting on these homes?

We`re looking at 16 transactions awaiting the lenders approval to close!
The amount of time the lenders take is really incredible.
We have 3 "All Cash Offers", while others are near asking price, yet they sit idle,waiting for the "Loss Mitigation Depts." to make a decision.

I`m really tired of hearing the Media reports about the increase of Foreclosures,yet doesn`t make an effort to report the other part of the equation.Is it any wonder people are scared?!

The entire system is in turmoil, and BILLIONS in inventory sits!
The typical scenario,normally takes the lenders 4 weeks to review an offer, 2 weeks to order a BPO, another week to review the BPO, another 2 weeks to decide.
It takes 9 weeks for the lenders to move,why?

Most buyers are willing to wait 30-60 days to close!
Why should the buyers be burden with this mess?

Once upon a time, Countrywide loan officers would brag "How they could approve a loan in 24 hours and close within 72!"

Today, we`re lucky to know the name of the person we`re dealing with on the other end of the telephone,because majority of the time their in meetings or simply don`t respond to you. EVERYTHING is done by emails..

There`s no excuse for inept decision making.

The truth is there are BUYER~S looking at these homes, the problem is the BANKS are turning these people away as if they don`t want them to purchase!

The media is killing the housing market. People are walking away from their homes for all the wrong reasons now!

When people listen to the media they start believing all the "Doom and Gloom".
Many continue to listen to "Housing Reports" and start thinking "Maybe i should walk away from my home".
It`s happening more and more.
Yesterday I saw it up close..
I went to a listing appointment in Hollywood, Florida where the home in question was purchased 5 years ago.
The seller purchased the home before the market went off the charts! Their mortgage is $1250 per month.
The couple who own this home told me they "No Longer" want to continue with the mortgage payments.
They called the lenders asking them to "Take back the home"..
They believed the market would tank further, in their minds it`s easier to walk now before it`s too late.

It`s not good sound logic, yet these people were under the impression "The Sky was falling!"..

The Conversation is as follows:

Me: You owe $99,000 on your home. Why go into default now?
Sellers: We watched our home drop almost $130,000. It`s not worth keeping anymore.
Me: You bought the home for $140,000, it`s beautiful.
Sellers: Yeah, we`re watching the TV, we`re afraid the prices will drop even more!
The economy appears to be heading into the abyss.
Me: You have a very inexpensive mortgage. What do you think you can rent a home for?
Sellers:We don`t really know,but we`re afraid of what might happen.

Everyday across America people tune into the news. The media pundits on TV like Jim Cramer encourage people to walk for all the wrong reasons.
If you`ve ever watched Cramer speak it appears he`s on heavy medication.
Yet, they allow this "Talking Head" to scare the daylights out of people.
Naturally Cramer isn`t the only one.

People believe what they hear more often than not! They worry about the chaos of the world and sooner rather than later it hits home.
In the case of these sellers, it`s hit them right where they live!

How many different hats do you wear in running an office?

Yesterday, we executed a contract for a home in Boca Raton,Florida.
Our agent requested the HOA docs and was told we would receive the Docs the day of closing which is a major No-No...
Our agent got into a "heated Discussion" with the other agent so i decided to intervene.
Clearly, the other agent was incorrect.
I wear many different hats in our office.In many ways our job is similar to that of a referee...

If you`re running an office your job is to "Put out fires" as they arise.
I know i`m available to assist our agents 7 days a week, with an open door policy.
Our agents are comfortable knowing there`s someone around to assist them.

Richard Weisser wrote Are things really looking up? Well, maybe that's entirely up to us!
His post was about "Attitude" which is dead on!

In today`s business world there has to be a "Leader" who`s job is to be like a "Father, Son, Shrink, Confident,Judge,Motivator", basically a person who wears many different hats...
Running a Real Estate isn`t easy, it requires skill and a deep understanding of how to motivate your agents.
We`ve survived because we`re able to assist our agents and do whatever it takes to get the job done!

Experience is not required to become a Florida Real Estate Broker. The rules need to change!

That`s right! In Florida the law allows you to become a Broker by obtaining an associates licnese for one year and passing the 45 hour post licensing requirements.

It doesn`t take into consideration to become a Broker you need to have experience, especially if you want to run an office.

That being mentioned we`re attempting to negotiate an offer with an agent who is on sabbatical.
The agent seems to have left the business! It`s been 10 days since we sent an offer to the office. No Luck!
Yesterday, I decided to call the office to see if the Broker was available.
As luck would have it they were in.
I immediately got into my car and went with the intentions of finding out why our offer wasn`t yet presented.

The Conversation is as follows:
Me: We`ve been looking for response from the seller of this property. We`re told the agent is no longer available.
New Broker: Yes, that`s right. We can`t present without the agent. It`s not right!
Me: Not right!? The agent is MIA, you`re the Broker of record to this office. You can contact the seller right now!
New Broker: It`s not my listing, I really shouldn't`t be involved.
Me: Wait a second, you`re the Broker, guess who owns the listing?!
New Broker: The agent!
Me: No you do! You can call the seller and present the offer.
New Broker: Who told you that?
Me: How long have you been in the business?
New Broker: I`ve had my license for two years, but don`t have much experience.
Me: So you still went ahead and took the Broker`s exam?
New Broker: Well, my husband couldn`t pass the test, so I took the class than the state exam and passed.
Me: who runs this office?
New Broker:Actually, my husband, but I`m the Broker.

It`s quite amazing, I`m in the midst of losing a client because the Broker of record doesn`t know the rules. The office is left to a person who was able to pass the State Exam, but doesn`t really understand the rules.
There`s something very wrong with this picture. Brokers should be required to have a minimum of 5 years experience in this business.
You can be a broker by default i guess!
I left the office shaking my head,not knowing what else to do!
Sad,but very true!

when FEEDBACK becomes annoying. How do you handle the situation?

Last week we showed a home in Miramar which our client wanted to view.
It was a nice home but, needed some work inside.The client decided to view others on our list.

That night I received a call from the Listing agent who wanted Feedback.
We told the agent what our buyer thought "Thanked Them" and hung up.
I believe Feedback is important to a point.It allows the seller to have an understanding what others think, about their home. Some sellers enjoy the opinions, others get insulted, we`ve all been on both sides of the fence.

On Saturday, we received another call from the same agent once again requesting Feedback, for the same house.
I told the agent for the second time the buyer wasn`t interested in the home.
"Thanked Them" again and hung up.
I thought it was rather odd,maybe the agent forgot they called,who knows, i didn`t really mind.I felt the agent was dong a good job.

Yesterday, guess what happened? We received a call from the Agent asking a 3x time Feedback from a home we`ve already discussed twice before!!

This time I told the agent not to call again in regards to Feedback.Now they were annoying!
The conversation is as follows:
Me: Why are you calling me a third time?

Feedback Agent: My seller wants to know if we can convince the buyer into purchasing our listing!

Me: You`ve called 3x`s whats changed?

Feedback: Nothing, i figure since you`re only the 4th agent to see our home, we`re trying to sway you into showing our home once again!?

Me: For What? The home needs work, the buyer was indifferent to the house, please stop calling me!

Feedback: Please tell the buyer we`ll do anything they want! I`m getting alot of angry telephone calls from the seller.

Me: So why take it out on me?I`m only doing my job which is to show the buyer homes of interest.

It`s becoming a tough market for everyone, sellers want answers, buyers want bargains and the Realtors are attempting like crazy to satisfy all parties involved.
Anyone who thinks our business is easy, guess again!

Monday is the most important day of the week in Real Estate.

I love to start my Monday`s early!
I know many will disagree with me but I truly love Monday!
To me Monday`s really gives me direction on how the rest of the week will turn out.
That`s why I love getting an early jump on the day.

I awake each morning at 5AM and begin answering emails. I have a habit of getting everything i need to complete by 10AM,leaving the rest of the day available to what needs to be addressed in our office.

I`ve learned to be flexible.
Everything we do is planned in advance.
I schedule our listings appointments, buyer`s and investors presentations in advance so if any changes need to be made or adjusted we`re not rushed nor is the allotted time we spend with our clients.They deserve our full attention.
Preparation is crucial in delegating and motivating those who work with you!
I`ve noticed how it rubs off on others as well.
If you`re motivated many of your agents are as well.
How do you begin your Monday`s?

Beware of Agents who are Gaming the MLS!

It clearly states on the MLS this home is listed for $239,000. It`s a 3bed,2ba,2cg home in mint condition with an in-ground pool!
The remarks don`t indicate the price is a starting point, the agent has 4 offers on the table and is bragging how they "Fooled Everyone" into believing this was the actual sales price.
I kid you not!
The new game of misusing the MLS is upon us and appears will get much worse before it gets better!
We called the agent this morning to show this gem.
The Agent began to explain the price wasn`t the Actual price,it was a way of attracting buyer`s.

It`s fraudulent at best,as I questioned this agent for more details they told us their broker gave them permission to do this!

The company is a national company which if true, encouraging agents to give out false information on the MLS could lead to major headaches down the road..
Many agents use the MLS to attract buyer`s at any cost not fully rationalizing the implications this can lead too...
After all the MLS feeds are placed on Realtor.com within 24 hours.
Deceptive practices hurt the entire industry.
Either way be careful if a home is priced out of the ordinary, make sure it`s real!

Majority of Realtors understand the Short Sale process can take 90 days or longer to close.

Recently, we`ve received a rash of Realtors who continue to send us offers for our SHORT SALE listings, with closing dates which become unattainable.
It`s impossible to have a closing in 30 days or less with contingencies.
That being said an offer came to our office yesterday with a closing date of 20 days.
I wish we could accommodate the buyer, the lenders are not capable of moving this rapidly, which is one major headache in itself.
I`m not in any position to "MOVE THE MITIGATION" departments because they can take up to 72 hours to return a call.
We called the buyer`s agent and naturally, they weren`t aware of the amount of time necessary to close.
With "Foreclosures and Short Sales" on the rise, you would expect the lenders to have their collective committees streamlined and ready to react to any and all offers.
The system is in dire need of a major overhaul, whether it`s inside their intuitions or privatized.
In the meantime, I continuously feel like a gun is placed to our heads each time an offer arrives....

Trulia Voices can be a source of misinformation! Be careful what you tell potential clients.

Warning: Advice & Opinions on Trulia Voices can become a vast source of misinformation.
We had to attend a mediation hearing yesterday with our client because of an escrow dispute.
Apparently, the buyer decided two weeks before closing they no longer wanted to purchase a home.

They sought other Realtors opinions on Trulia Voices for a way out of a binding contract.
The buyer was under the impression they could simply walk from the contract, demand their escrow back ith no problems!
Part of the reason was based on information they received from other Realtors who gave their opinions on Truila Voices.
It seems the buyer sought these opinions on-line from other Realtors who explained to this particular buyer they believed it would be alright to terminate the contract based on the belief the buyer wanted to place a new offer on another home.
One thing lead to another, naturally the seller believed the buyer was in default.
The seller instructed the Title Company they would not agree to a "Release and Cancellation" of the executed contract signed by both parties.
The two parties went back and forth,eventually we ended up in court settling the escrow dispute in front of a mediator.

The buyer should have contacted an attorney,but that`s another story.
They did use information they received from Trulia Voices as part of their case, that was a huge mistake.

In our opinion we have read too many comments on T Voices from Realtors who quite frankly are not qualified to givefactual information.They shouldn`t become Realtor Advocate`s which is troubling.

The opinions given on T Voices are an opinion,but,when you start advising people to walk from a transaction, I have to question the actual motivation of these Realtors.

In the case of this buyer, they spoke to another Realtor who assured them, they can "Get Out" of our transaction.
They didn`t explain the actual process of what might transpire or where it would lead too.
It lead to a "Hearing" which is the last place anyone really wants to be!

FSBO believes they can sell a home TWICE!

It`s important to really know what a contract is when selling a home.Many think our jobs as Realtors require little or no skill.
We showed a home yesterday which we have listed. Next door is a FSBO who approached us about selling their home.
We met a few hours later,to discuss the best strategy in marketing the home.
After 20 minutes the FSBO wanted to know if we could "Sell a Home" which is already in contract!
That`s a hard one to beat! As i asked them a few questions I began to realize they wanted to sell their home twice.

The Conversation is a follows:
FSBO: We made a horrible mistake! We feel the contract we signed two weeks ago should be "Null and Void" our attorney disagrees.

Me: You`re under a contract, it`s binding. We can`t list the home if it`s already sold.

FSBO: Why not?! We`re going to stop the sale of our home, we were cheated.

Me: Cheated, how? You signed the contract knowing full well what the sale`s price was, right?

FSBO: We didn`t think these people could qualify! We don`t want to sell now, it`s our right to change our minds.. What kind of a country is this?!

Me: I don`t know what to tell you! We can`t sell a home twice, it`s illegal.

FSBO: My wife and I won`t go to closing!

There is a fine line when it comes to executing a contract.

Often FSBO`s get into trouble because they`re not quite familiar with a contract. In this case, the FSBO now feels cheated for naming a price, agreeing to sell and feel it`s within their rights to cancel a contract.
Good Luck i told them as I started for the door, shaking my head in disbelief...

More and more people are considering moving closer to their jobs.

As gas prices continue to head higher many people are starting to feel the crunch in their pockets! It`s not good!
Some are seeking alternatives which means moving much closer to work.
This past month alone we`ve received inquiries from residents in Palm Beach who commute to Broward. They`re looking for homes in the area they work in.
The average ride from Palm Beach to Broward is normally 120 miles round trip.
Multiply that per week, Majority are having a very hard time factoring these additional expenses.
It`s unrealistic to believe this country will be able to sustain itself with higher costs.Something has to give!
Gas prices are taking a toll in our state, and country.
The cost to operate a vehicle has become an expense endeavor for most of us.
More people are back to "Car Pooling" while others have begun to seek mass transit to offset the cost of riding in their cars.

Within the next few months it`s going to get worse, moving closer to places of work makes financial sense.

About Florida List For Less Realty,Inc.

Florida List For Less Realty,Inc. is a full-service real estate company that owns, acquires, develops and manages office, retail and multi-family properties throughout the state of Florida..
Since its founding in 2005, Florida List For List For Less Realty,Inc. has developed, restructured or acquired properties in the South,Central, West Coast,and North Florida.
Florida List For Less Realty,Inc. has four integrated areas of business focus:
Property operations: A geographically diverse portfolio of properties in which Florida List For Less Realty,Inc. owns an interest in or manages. This includes rental operations, property management, asset management, and leasing
Property acquisitions: Florida List For Less Realty,Inc.has an active and successful record of acquiring properties both for its own account and that of third parties, targeted at three categories of properties: “core,” consisting of properties that are stabilized at the time of acquisition; “core plus,” consisting of under-performing properties that we believe can be brought to market potential through improved management; and “value-add” properties, requiring redevelopment, repositioning and investment to achieve desired returns
Property development and redevelopment: Our senior management team has significant experience pre-leasing and developing or redeveloping commercial space in various parts of Florida specifically in Broward and Marion County.
Investment management: Florida List For Less Realty,Inc. advises institutional investors on property portfolios.
Florida List For Less Realty,Inc.maintains offices in Florida.

About Us:
The company provides home sellers and buyers with an innovative real estate solution. By using the efficiencies of the Internet, we have streamlined the real estate process and are able to pass significant savings on to our clients. Our licensed Agents have years of experience in the areas they serve, allowing you to save thousands, without compromising on service. Our company trademark is "Pioneering the New Age of Real Estate" which we believe we are.
Mission StatementTo create an enjoyable, convenient, and affordable home buying and selling experience by providing innovative Internet solutions and excellent service.
Our ServicesOur neighborhood Agents have years of experience in the areas they serve and are active members of their local, state and national real estate and MLS associations. In addition, our website provides a step-by-step approach to guide our clients through the home selling and buying processes.
Our HistoryOur company was founded on the belief that selling or buying a home could be faster, easier and more efficient. On August 29, 2005, this belief was turned into a reality when Florida List For Less Realty,Inc. was launched. Three days later, on November 15th,2005, we celebrated the acceptance of its first real estate offer. Since then, the company has continued to expand its services, offering excellent service, savings, and convenience to clients nationwide.
Profitable Lead GenerationToday's brokers and agents are seeking to align themselves with a company where leads are supplied to them.Our system is geared towards these Realtors.We offer superior web marketing that generate consumer inquiries. Our agents have pre-set appointments thereby concentrating on sales rather than cultivating clients.
Technology and Web Sites:
Florida List For Less Realty,Inc. web technology offer`s the consumer a wide variety of opportunities using IDX and the MLS directly from their home.
We offer:
On line listings manager.
Personal Web site builder with full MLS integration
Complete contact management
Online and print flier generation
Presentation builder
Transaction management
Online forms
Electronic faxing
Web mail with mobile device synchronization
Online reporting and commission tracking
Print, TV and radio ad wizard
Tools for blogging, podcasting and Web video
Web sites:
1- http://www.listfloridahomesforless.com/ site receives 10,000 unique visitors per month.
2-www.browardbesthomes.com one of the leading sites in Dade,Broward and Palm Beach for web traffic.
3-www.ocalabesthomes.com,top 20 in google and yahoo placement in Marion County,Fla.
By offering a "Full Service Discount" concept to the Traditional side of Real Estate the company soon filled a niche to those who were seeking to both buyer`s and seller`s.
The concept has proven very successful. Sellers seek to receive a discount when listing a home and buyer`s expect a rebate when purchasing.We offer both. We work closely with mortgage lenders as well as Title Company`s and offer a complete "Turn Key" experience for the prospective clients.

Marketing for Builders and Developers.
In 2005, the company began working with major builders( Mercedes Homes, DR Horton,Kinder Homes) in the process of marketing excess inventory from builders and developers.Our marketing programs have assisted these builders by releasing inventory which had been on the market for longer periods of time. In many instances we located investors who were purchasing in bulk at prices below appraised value.
We have an on going relationship with these builders and continue to market their services today.

We have combined both Retail Marketing and Investment Opportunities to consumers who we`re looking to capitalize on purchasing both Foreclosures and Short Sale property with huge savings.
The company primarily targets Foreclosures,Short Sales, REO, Corporate Relocation`s, and Executive Rentals in South Florida, Orlando and Marion County.
By concentrating on these properties we`ve developed a working relationship with many major lenders who seek our services to market and sell these properties.The company has 65 "Full Time" Realtors in Florida.
Rather than charge the agents a traditional desk fee, the company charges a per transaction concept.
Expansion and developing new agents:
The "Virtual Realtor" concept is in it`s infancy, the company believes they can capitalize on this trend by offering agents a "higher commission split" while receiving a $395 transaction fee paid at closing.
It is our opinion we can grow this division upwards of 300 agents within a two year period.

Sales and Projections:
Since January of 2008 the company has completed $7 million in closed sales..Our total sales since 2005 has been $40million.
With the Sunbelt States leading the new employment market we believe Florida poised for continue growth.
The trend of foreign investors are most nobably from England and Germany.
The Florida housing market has exploded over the past 10 years. Despite record-setting hurricane seasons, Florida remains a top property market, particularly for foreclosure investing.

Property Management:
The company has been actively involved in property management of strip centers located in Broward County, Florida. We hold a Community Association Manager license.

Rental Properties:
The company generates $88,000 per year from rentals.
The rental market continues to grow.

Franchise Opprutunities:
The company believes our concept of marketing Real Estate is a perfect oppurtunity to explore the possibilities of marketing Franchises to interested parties.
In our opinion we can develope between 5-10 new franchises within the first year.

Future:
The company plans to Open in other states. We recently expanded into North Carloina.It is our opinion the "List For Less" marketing concept will be well recieved in other states.

Investment and Operating Strategy:
The company`s primary investment goal is to invest in assests that provide the opportunity for cash flow growth and capital appreciation in real terms.
Our strategy is to achieve this goal includes the acquisition of income producing properties at attractive prices,the development of property presently owned by the compny which includes commercial and residentail properties and the lease up of Future develpoed projects.
The company may also make selected sales of assests.
In addition,the company engages in strategic planning with the view to focusing its business plan of growth.

In the future years the company will concentrate it`s efforts principally on the development of high quality commerical office buildings.A significant part of the company`s growth will be to enter into joint venture arrangements with financially strong business partners that will become tenants for a substantial porion of the space as well as co-owners.