Messages from Dick McCole
November Message from Dick McCole
Thank you to those who completed my 6 question survey. If you didn’t receive it please email me (dickmccole@remax.net) so I will have your email address and I will make sure you are included on future emails, surveys and items of value.
Results of the survey are in and I am happy to announce no one said my monthly newsletter was boring. The #1 request from you’ all was to see more of “Dick’s Pix & Assorted Sarcasm”. You want it, you got it!
Things People Hate
- Why is it, that whenever you ask a real estate agent how the market is, they always answer, “Great!” Next time that happens you have my permission to slap those people.
- Why is it, that nobody wants to buy a particular house, until somebody wants it, then everybody wants it?
- Why is it, that when you tell an agent (who has your house listed) not to leave the lights on, door open or let the cat out, they do all three?
- Why is it, there are never any flyers in the info box attached to the for-sale-sign in the yard? And if there are flyers, they don’t include the price (what’s up with that?).
Note: I’m sure you have some of your own. I’d love to hear & share them in future letters.
Important Facts You May Need To Know
- New FEMA flood maps coming January 2010. If your property touches any part of the “A” flood plane and you don’t have flood insurance, it may cost you or a future Buyer up to $7500/year for flood insurance mandated by all financial institutions. The fix is to get flood insurance now (at a low rate) under the old flood map requiring a local civil engineer to do a Flood Certification at a cost of about $300. Then you can be Grandfathered-in. For a more detailed explanation call me!
- I have a list of all phone numbers needed to inquire about Reverse Mortgages, Mediations, Making Homes Affordable Programs, Renters Rights upon Foreclosures & Owners Preventing Foreclosures.
NEW & EXCITING, Wow!!
Want to keep track of the house down the street & be notified anytime there is a change? Now you can search the internet for Real Estate Listings & All The Information just like the Agents do. No one will bother or contact you. Just go to www.carsonvalley.listingbook.com & register.
Keeping in touch,
Dick
Dick McCole — RE/MAX
October Message from Dick McCole
“How is the Real Estate Market, Really?”
Everyone I speak to wants to know the answer to the questions “Is the real estate market stabilizing?”.
As I mentioned in my last month’s letter, the correct response is still the same, “It Depends”. Different segments of the market have stabilized. There are different price points and therefore they may have a totally different market time. Market time has a direct impact on pricing and/or activity in a given area. Meaning each area is different and may be a “hot or cold market” not necessarily the same as one house is compared with one across town.
For instance, a house in Ruhenstroth area may sell for $175/sq.ft. vs. an identical house in the johnson Lane area that may sell for $150/Sq.Ft., not because one area is more desirable than the other, but because Ruhenstroth is 1/3 the size of Johnson Lane and because of the density the principals of “supply & demand” come into play.
Houses under $300K are moving faster than homes over $300K. And maybe, not for the reasons you might think. Affordability is always a factor and of course there are more people who can qualify for the lower price. But, it may also be because the First Time Home-buyers are getting an $8,000 tax credit and are buying quite a few homes dumped on market by builders & investors caught up in the feeding frenzy of ‘04 – ‘05. Homes over $300K, as a whole, have not stabilized yet because they have not had to drop their prices to compete with the Bank Owned properties.
Here in Carson Valley we have our share of distressed properties, but we did not have allot of toxic loans made to unqualified buyers that occurred in larger metropolitan areas like Las Vegas & Reno. My belief is that we will bounce back quicker than our neighbors to the North & South.
So, has the market “stabilized”? “It depends.”
For expert real estate advice, call me for your free 1 hour consultation (with your goals in mind).
As always, I appreciate your referrals.
Regards,
Dick
Dick McCole – RE/MAX
September Message from Dick McCole
“Where have all the Realtors gone … long time passing?”
You may think this is a story about how 40% of all real estate agents who have gone bye-bye and hung-up their license, since they failed to close 1 transaction during the past year. But no, even though that statistic is true, this is a story about how real estate agents can just disappear without leaving the business.
One day they put a sign in your yard with a promise to bring many Buyers, full price offers and in short order, a moving van in your driveway to whisk you & your belongings away into the sunset to a fabulous place, a new beginning for you & your family. “Aaaahh, life is good!”
“But wait, it’s now been 560 days since our agent put that sign in our yard and we’ve never seen him/her again, and has only called us twice, both times just to extend the listing agreement. Is this normal?” No, it’s actually sad, isn’t it?
I hear stories like this one on occasion, “We would have lowered our price a year ago if our agent had taken the time to do a market update. I never heard any feedback from showings, and in 100° summer weather my house was being marketed with a picture of SNOW on the ground. What gives?”
Well fortunately most real estate agents are Realtor® Professionals who’ve taken an oath to render the utmost care in helping Buyers and Sellers achieve their real estate goals. However, for Sellers, it doesn’t hurt to arm yourself with a series of interview questions the next time you’re in need of a Realtor®.
For instance:
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How long does it take for you to respond to a phone call and/or email?
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When the snow melts will you take another photo?
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Will you provide me with monthly marketing reports & status up-dates?
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Will you provide me with feedback on all showings as soon as practical?
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Will you attempt to sell my house, instead of just “Listing it”?
In 2008, MY closed real estate transactions consisted of 95% repeat clients and their extended family & friends. That tells me that I must be doing something right. I hope you will take the time to mention my name whenever possible to your family & friends when the subject of real estate comes up. I assure you, I will give them utmost in personal care and attention possible. They will also receive my monthly items of value.
After all …… I Always Have Time For One Of Your Referrals.
Note: This message was inspired by a blog I read on Activerain website written by Krstina Pratt, a Realtor® from Edwardsville, IL. Entitled “The case of the disappearing Realtor®”.
Warmest Regard,
Dick
Dick McCole — “Your Local Real Estate Practitioner”
August Message from Dick McCole
“Where’s my Hummer?”
Are you disenchanted with where you are in life? Did you start your career in business thinking, that in no time flat, you’d be rolling in dough & driving a brand-spanking new “Hummer H2″ or that “Mercedes SL”?
I have to admit, that had crossed my mind several times in the past 25 years as a Real Estate Agent. However, with me it has always been about getting A Boat. Nothing pretentious, just a new 24 foot Bayliner (blue), one I could take fishing with a small cabin big enough for that overnight stay in Emerald Bay. I even built a separate garage for the day when I’d buy it and bring it home (Sweeeeet).
My wife on the other hand, had other ideas. Like having a baby, adding on to our house, filling MY boat garage with strollers scooters, toy cars, bicycles, & roller skates.
As time went by, and as soon as I thought the coast was clear to go Boat Shopping, BAM! Another Baby was on the way. From what she told me, I was not entirely innocent with regards to that new development.
My daughter Shaelyn (1st born) has since graduated from Arizona State University ($130,000 education, ouch!) with a degree in Marketing. She is now 23 years old, has a good job and loves living in AZ. She says it’s too cold up here.
My son Devon (2nd born) is a junior also at Arizona State University ($130,000 education, dbl ouch!) who likes to work-out, and is a slave-to-fashion ($$$$).
My wife works hard at everything she does, but likes to shop & has two of those expensive little lap dogs that eat gourmet food ($=arm & a-leg).
I am a Licensed Realtor® with a loving family, living in a great community, working with great people like YOU (Priceless !!!!).
So the next time you see your fantasy driving or floating by, the joy is not the toy; it’s the quality of the relationships you develop along the way.
Note: “You can get whatever you want in life, if you help enough people get what they want out of life” authored by Zig Ziegler. I haven’t given-up on my desire to fulfill my own goals, I just rearranged my priorities along the way.
Warmest Regard,
Dick
Dick McCole — “Your Local Real Estate Practitioner”
