Bob's Blog

I am a slow learner sometimes, and most times I learn after the fact. 

I just discovered the importance of tags, and realized I haven't been putting them on all my blogs.  Is there a way of doing this in a group way?  I've done a few (one at a time), but I was hoping for a shortcut. 

Thanks for any help.

If I'm not working on saturday, I like to hang around, catch up on my email, and just be lazy.  Today is one of those days.

A lot of times at work, when I check my email, I put a lot of them aside as I don't have time for jokes and such when I'm working and doing research.  Unless .... I'm having a bad day.  Then, I take a break and read some of them.  Anyway, today I'm just lounging around and kicking back.

I came across an email I received a while back from one of my customers, and I recall skimming it over and thinking this is one for a time when I can really sit back and read it.  So, having done so, I decided to share it with you good folks here in the Rain.

If I post this in an inappropriat group, group leader please feel free to remove it.

I'm doing a copy and paste here, so I also hope I'm not breaking any copywrite laws.

Here goes:

AMAZINGLY SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES

1. If you're choking on an ice cube simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat.  Presto! The blockage will instantly remove itself.

2. Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold while you chop.

3. Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by using the sink.

4. For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use a timer.

5. A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

6. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you'll be afraid to cough.

7. You only need two tools in life; WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.

8. Remember: Everyone seems normal until you get to know them (amen).

9. If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

Daily Thought: SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES. NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING, BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS!

I hope this brought a smile to your face.  Have a great Saturday!

Yesterday, I told of the couple that thought moving back home closer to family would be a good thing, only to find that the family didn't really have time for them and pretty much told them to stay put.

The listing was scheduled to expire the end of this month - March 2008.  I tossed and turned last night thinking about them and worrying that now that we don't really want the house to sell, of course we'll get an offer on it.

So -

I went to lunch with my Broker, explained my concerns, and we came to an agreement that it would be in the best interest of the sellers to withdraw the listing. No penalty. 

Returning to the office, I grabbed a status change form and headed over to my sellers.  They were home and invited me in.  Caught them in the middle of a scrabble game.

I explained to them that I talked with the Broker and that we felt it would be in their best interest to withdraw the listing.  They both sat there a bit quizzically, and finally Mrs. asked how much it would cost them to do this.  I explained there wouldn't be any fees and could see the look of relief on both their faces.   A tear in the corner of her eye told all.  They thanked me and Mr J said I had lifted a great weight from his shoulders. 

We are all happy with the way things turned out, and they assured me that if things changed in the future and it looked like they would need a Realtor, they would certainly call me.  I promised them that even thought the listing was withdrawn, I considered that I had made friends and hoped they wouldn't mind if I popped in from time to time.  They both said they would be more than happy to see "my smiling face" at their door anytime.

A big weight is off my shoulders now also. 

My Broker assures me that I will get paid back many times over because of my compassion towards them.  It really doesn't matter to me, although it would be nice, I just need to do what was best for them, even if it meant losing a listing.

I have a listing with a really great couple.  I will call them the Jones's - to protect the innocent.  They're both up there in age, as most here in Sun City Center are - this is a retirement community after all. 

When Mr. Jones ( not his real name) came to the office, I was fortunate enough to be on the floor that day and sat down and talked with him about "possibly" listing their home.  We talked for a bit, kind of hit it off and we made an appointment for me to go over and "see" the house.  He asked me to hold off an hour or so in order to give him time to go home and let Mrs. Jones know what he had done.

Upon closing the door behind him, I made a mad dash to do a search on his home to at least get a idea what type of home he had, and what his floorplan was.  We have an exclusive list of homes and floor plans within our little community, and it comes in very handy.  I also did a tax search to give me an idea of what they paid.

Naturally, when you are crammed for time, even the fastest computers seem to work slow.  Gathering all my information on his home, then throwing together my listing packet paperwork (just in case), and running down my listing preparation checklist to make sure I don't forget something important, I manage to finish with 10 minutes to spare.  Just enough time to grab a quick coffee, and drive over to the house.  Small community - only 3 minutes from the office.

I get there, meet Mrs Jones, we sit down, discuss all the why's and whatfor's and it feels good.  We definitely clicked, and they like me as much as I like them.  One of the main reasons they want to sell is that Mrs Jones wants to go back home and be closer to family up north.  I don't say anything at first, but I'm thinking "It's cold up there".  She really misses "home" and just thinks it's time.  And here all along I thought this was Mr Jones' idea.  LOL. 

I finally tour the house, and it's a lovely home and well cared for.  We discuss price, minor fixes and come to an agreement and I do all the paperwork, and they're happy, and off I go back to the office with my listing on the first time out.   

Unfortunately, the market is on the down-slide, and potential buyers are few and far between.  I visit with them almost weekly, just to chat, and sometimes just to give me a reason to get out of the office.  My first visit, Mrs wants to lower the price already.  Barely had the house in the MLS system.  Several times after that we discuss the price, and they insist they are happy with the price, and really don't feel a need to lower it. 

After all, "We don't reallyhave to sell".  I really have strong feelings about that expression.  GRRRRRRR!

Tons of advice from fellow workers that I needed to inform the Jones' how it would be in their best interest to lower the price and hope to get this house sold so they can move up north.  I was told on several occasions that I was doing them an injustice by not being more "aggressive" at getting this house sold. 

Finally, this week I worked on a CMA and came up with a list of very good reasons to lower the price, and get this house sold.  I was armed to the teeth and I wasn't about to back down. I need to do right by them and convince them to lower the price.  I was prepared for any excuse they might come up with.

Except...

They let me go through my spiel, and nodded at all the right places, and were wowed with my printouts, and list of reasons.  Then, Mr Jones calmly said, "Well Bob, I think we'll just sit it out until the listing expires"

Gasp!!!!  Took me by surprise, because I know the next sentence will be that they are going to try another agent.  I failed.

I look from him to her and I can see something pass between them...just in the eyes.  So, I ask if something is wrong. I sense it's not me, but something else.   He says, "We kind of like it here, got all we need". And we've had lot's of visits from family since we put the house up.  "Are you thinking of staying here rather than go up north?" I ask.  Mrs Jones in her sweet little voice informs me "As much as I would love to move up north, we've been told we'd probably be better off if we just stayed down here.  They have plenty of other family members to take care of up there as it is." I just sit there quietly and let this sink in.  "Besides," she continues, "I really do like it down here, and I would miss this view".  How sad for them. 

They both assure me they are OK with this, and feel maybe it's for the best. I humbly agree, and we change the subject. Small talk about life, the house, the beautiful view they have, and other odds and ends.  Soon, it's time for me to go, and we say our Good-Bye's.

I sat in my car for a few moments to gather my thoughts.  I remembered how happy and excited she was a few months back at the thought of moving back home.  I wondered at what point they were told to stay put.  Thinking back, I realize that my last few visits, she didn't mention going back home.  I remembered how excited she was and how we all laughed when I made up a special flyer for one of my Open Houses that said "Help send Mrs. Jones back home". 

I know in the long run they are probably better off staying here, if only for the warmer climate.  And I can't help think that they are very fortunate the house didn't sell.  It would have been nice to make the sale, but I think there was some divine intervention at work here.  I hadn't thought about it at the time, but I'm considering the possibility of withdrawing the listing just to keep it from selling now.  I guess I need to discuss this with them on my next visit.

Well fellow Rainer's, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Prior to launching our careers in Real Estate and friend and I had a very lucrative handyman business and more work than we could handle.  One of the plus's of living in a retirement community.  Good workmanship, timeliness, Honesty and Integrity, and pricing are also important, and because we had all those qualities we had lots of return business and referrals.

We made the decision to enter the Real Estate world and went to school, and got our licenses.  Not too easy a task when the phone kept ringing for work.  We managed to schedule most of our work around our schooling, and kept our client base happy.  By the way, we had a customer base of about 300 with referrals going out all the time.  Why would we want to get into Real Estate with such a good business going and close to 15 yrs of hard work behind us?  Age, and worn out bodies.  Time to move into something a little less taxing on the body. 

Upon completion of school, we decided for the first year to place our license with a small local firm that didn't have a monthly fee attached to it.  Mostly because we knew once we closed the other business down completely, the income from it would stop.  Fortunately, we both have retirement income from our previous lifetimes. 

It took almost a year to phase out of the old business, and there are still a few customers on a short list that we won't turn away.  They've been with us for over 10 years and most times it's just a simple job.  But, the old work van has been sold and a new van purchased.  Perfect for hauling folks around in.

When I decided to get into Real Estate, I determined that I was going to be a great Realtor, if not the best.  I am a very competitive person, and I strive to be the best at what I do.  When I set my mind to something, I determine to become extremely competent in it and people eventually look to me for answers.  I haven't reached that point in Real Estate yet.

Still a lot to learn and a lot more schooling in front of me, but I'm on my way.