Please go to http://www.FairbanksPlaces.com.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Loyalty
We all have our favorite places to go, we stay with them because they know us and know how to work with us best. My Doctor, Dr. Sarrimanolis and his nurses know that I don't like needles, and they know how to talk to me about something else and to get it done quickly. For this reason I stay fiercly loyal to them.
Yesterday, at the Hospital, I had to be put under anesthesia for an EGD (where they put a camera down your throat to look at your digestive tract) and I was dreading the part where they put the Iv needle in my arm. As it turns out, rightfully so. There was a nurse at my right (a guy) putting the needle in, and a nurse at my left (a lady) doing the blood pressure thingy. Here's kind of a breakdown of the conversation:
Guy: "Okay, Don't worry about it. I'm just putting the alcohol on your arm. I'm really good at this, and it's a small needle."
Me: "Talking me through it just makes it worse."
Guy: "Okay."
Lady: So you're in Real Estate? What outfit are you in?"
Me: "RE/MAX"
Lady: "I hear they are a good company."
Me: "Yes."
Guy: "Okay... (sticks the needle in) woah, that got messy."
Lady: "You had a real geyser there."
Guy: "What's the matter dude, you're looking pretty pale?"
Lady: "How are you feeling?"
Guy: "I need new gloves, there's blood all over mine."
Me: "Not good."
Guy: "You weren't kidding, you really don't like needles. It's okay, I don't like needles either."
They put me on oxygen, and brought me from the brink of passing out, but I honestly believe they don't really get where it went wrong. To me, and to you reading this it seems obvious. They are used to dealing with lots of new people, and probably don't get to know a whole lot about their customers.
For them, this was a success.
The reason it occurs to me to write this at 5:00 in the morning, is that Real Estate is like that. If you had a good experience with your Realtor, go back! It's easy to get drawn into promises and statistics, but true success is the person who knows how to work with you.
Posted from iPad / iPhone
Yesterday, at the Hospital, I had to be put under anesthesia for an EGD (where they put a camera down your throat to look at your digestive tract) and I was dreading the part where they put the Iv needle in my arm. As it turns out, rightfully so. There was a nurse at my right (a guy) putting the needle in, and a nurse at my left (a lady) doing the blood pressure thingy. Here's kind of a breakdown of the conversation:
Guy: "Okay, Don't worry about it. I'm just putting the alcohol on your arm. I'm really good at this, and it's a small needle."
Me: "Talking me through it just makes it worse."
Guy: "Okay."
Lady: So you're in Real Estate? What outfit are you in?"
Me: "RE/MAX"
Lady: "I hear they are a good company."
Me: "Yes."
Guy: "Okay... (sticks the needle in) woah, that got messy."
Lady: "You had a real geyser there."
Guy: "What's the matter dude, you're looking pretty pale?"
Lady: "How are you feeling?"
Guy: "I need new gloves, there's blood all over mine."
Me: "Not good."
Guy: "You weren't kidding, you really don't like needles. It's okay, I don't like needles either."
They put me on oxygen, and brought me from the brink of passing out, but I honestly believe they don't really get where it went wrong. To me, and to you reading this it seems obvious. They are used to dealing with lots of new people, and probably don't get to know a whole lot about their customers.
For them, this was a success.
The reason it occurs to me to write this at 5:00 in the morning, is that Real Estate is like that. If you had a good experience with your Realtor, go back! It's easy to get drawn into promises and statistics, but true success is the person who knows how to work with you.
Posted from iPad / iPhone
Location:Eureka Ave,Fairbanks,United States
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Okay to disconnect
Today I almost hit a moose on the Richardson Highway while trying to skip a song on my iPhone, which was sitting in its dashboard cradle, plugged into the car speakers.
As I type this, I'm lying in bed, writing with my iPad and its strange keyboard. Yesterday Apple unveiled its new line-up of iPods, a new Apple TV (only Steve Jobs could get applause for announcing that this new product has a smaller hard drive) and iTunes 10. The new version of iTunes has a small social network built-in. So is this one more place I should have a presence? Does everyone need to know that I listen to Slayer, GWAR, or 聖飢魔Ⅱ? When we connect with some people, we alienate others at the same time. For a few minutes I had a link to my iTunes Ping profile up on my web site, but then I took it down. On Facebook There are some people that post every time they make a sandwich, and others that just want to talk about their baby. Me, I mostly make jokes or wait until I have something to say. Do we need anotherning one, in addition to facebook, myspace, linkedin, twitter, etc..? Is everyone talking and no one listening?
Earlier I asked what is the most stressful part of the homebuying experience because I'm working on a small writing project, and I was looking for some input.
Also, for you GFBR Realtor members I hope to have the video of the leadership summit in Chicago cut and uploaded on the GFBR web site this weekend, so people will have a pretty good idea what it was like, and why we do these things. There's also some footage of just exploring Chicago.
In addition to the moose incident, I was stood up for a showing in Salcha. Things have been busy lately, and I really didn't need that.
One more random thing before I go back to reading Alice Cooper's autobiography: Buying life insurance is really depressing. In some ways I think it's the first day of the end of your life. I keep thinking of "Death of a Salesman". "There comes a point in a man's life when he's worth more dead than alive."
If my weird musings are interesting, follow my blog, and feel free to comment. I'd like to believe more people than just me will read it.
Good night.
OK to disconnect.
Posted from iPad / iPhone
As I type this, I'm lying in bed, writing with my iPad and its strange keyboard. Yesterday Apple unveiled its new line-up of iPods, a new Apple TV (only Steve Jobs could get applause for announcing that this new product has a smaller hard drive) and iTunes 10. The new version of iTunes has a small social network built-in. So is this one more place I should have a presence? Does everyone need to know that I listen to Slayer, GWAR, or 聖飢魔Ⅱ? When we connect with some people, we alienate others at the same time. For a few minutes I had a link to my iTunes Ping profile up on my web site, but then I took it down. On Facebook There are some people that post every time they make a sandwich, and others that just want to talk about their baby. Me, I mostly make jokes or wait until I have something to say. Do we need anotherning one, in addition to facebook, myspace, linkedin, twitter, etc..? Is everyone talking and no one listening?
Earlier I asked what is the most stressful part of the homebuying experience because I'm working on a small writing project, and I was looking for some input.
Also, for you GFBR Realtor members I hope to have the video of the leadership summit in Chicago cut and uploaded on the GFBR web site this weekend, so people will have a pretty good idea what it was like, and why we do these things. There's also some footage of just exploring Chicago.
In addition to the moose incident, I was stood up for a showing in Salcha. Things have been busy lately, and I really didn't need that.
One more random thing before I go back to reading Alice Cooper's autobiography: Buying life insurance is really depressing. In some ways I think it's the first day of the end of your life. I keep thinking of "Death of a Salesman". "There comes a point in a man's life when he's worth more dead than alive."
If my weird musings are interesting, follow my blog, and feel free to comment. I'd like to believe more people than just me will read it.
Good night.
OK to disconnect.
Posted from iPad / iPhone
Location:A St,Fairbanks,United States
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Open House this Sunday!
This is a super energy-efficient, like new home for sale by the builder. 2BR 1 Bath, beautiful wrap-around deck in a secluded neighborhood that's not too far away from town.
1-Mile Chena Hotsprings Road to right on Bias, right on Beacon. 540 Beacon Road. $212,000.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Leadership Training
I'm so glad to be here at the Leadership training in Chicago. Thanks GFBR. I'm no longer as scared to be President. Right now is a Keynote Speaker olympic swimmer Dara Torres.
Posted from iPad / iPhone
Posted from iPad / iPhone
Location:N Fairbanks Ct,Chicago,United States
Friday, June 04, 2010
Open House This Weekend
Come check out this house Sunday, 6/6/10 from 1:00 to 4:00. That's right, it's an open house. Normally I don't do open houses, but I feel that this house must be seen from the inside to be appreciated. It was completely remodeled to the studs in 2002, and that also includes a new roof. It's also much bigger than it looks. Almost 2000 Square feet with 4 Bedrooms!
1831 Tamarack. College to Aurora, right on Tamarack, At the end on the left.
See you there!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Overstepping Boundaries
Something we Realtors have to be careful of, is overstepping our boundaries. Often, in our effort to be helpful we may assume a role that we shouldn't. For instance, I've been to over 100 home inspections / Engineer inspections, and that gives me a little bit of an ability to predict some of the basic things that will come up in an inspection when I look at a new listing. It does not, however, make me a home inspector.
Recently we had a sale that fell through due to a low appraisal. When the Buyer discovered that they are out the pre-paid money for the appraisal ($700.00) The loan originator advised them to get the money back from the Seller. This is mistake #1. This person wants to look like a hero by saving this Buyer's $700.00. This is the first instance of doing my job and interpreting the contract. I re-examined the contract, to see if I had been mistaken, but no.
I called the lender, to find out why she said this. She told me that that's what the contract says. I pointed out paragraph 3A that says any pre-paid monies may be forfeit. She acknowledge her mistake, and told me she would call him and take care of it.
So she called him, and pointed out that spot in the contract to him. When he asked how he could avoid this in the future, she went in to mistake # 2. She basically told him that "There's a special clause that Realtors use to protect Buyers from losing their earnest money, and implied that she didn't know why Ryan didn't use that. When she explained this on the phone, she said, "I don't think he will be working with Ryan anymore, since he didn't protect his appraisal money."
First of all, she was giving the client contract advice. Second, it was bad advice. This magical protection clause she's talking about is written in one of two ways by my colleagues.
1. Should the transaction fail to close due to no fault of the Buyer, Seller will reimburse Buyer for pre-paid appraisal.
Look at this statement objectively, and you'll see how insubstantial it is. "due to no fault of buyer" can be used in anything. In this case, the Buyer would say that it's not his fault that the appraisal came in low, but the Seller would say, it is the Buyer's fault because they were going to buy the house at the agreed upon price, and now they changed their mind. This clause is nonsense, and I always advise Sellers to strike this language from any offer they receive. This offer would have been no different. This language would not have protected the Buyer.
2. Should the transaction fail to close due to seller breach of contract, Seller will reimburse Buyer for pre-paid appraisal.
This language is straight-forward, and is the one I sometimes use. The Seller, however, did not breach their contract, so in this case also, the clause would not have protected the Buyer.
This advice was irresponsible and malicious. Irresponsible because she is practicing Real Estate (badly). Malicious because it is the easy way to deflect conflict with the Borrower (Buyer) who had his hopes up earlier when he thought the Seller might pay him back for the Appraisal. She is the hero for pointing out what she believes to be the Realtor's mistake. She took his negative energy and pointed it at me over a fallacy.
It would be like me saying, "A good lender would still give you the loan anyway, even though the appraised value is low."
Let me know what you think in your comments, (Blogger, Facebook and Twitter). Just don't ask me to tell you who it was.
Recently we had a sale that fell through due to a low appraisal. When the Buyer discovered that they are out the pre-paid money for the appraisal ($700.00) The loan originator advised them to get the money back from the Seller. This is mistake #1. This person wants to look like a hero by saving this Buyer's $700.00. This is the first instance of doing my job and interpreting the contract. I re-examined the contract, to see if I had been mistaken, but no.
I called the lender, to find out why she said this. She told me that that's what the contract says. I pointed out paragraph 3A that says any pre-paid monies may be forfeit. She acknowledge her mistake, and told me she would call him and take care of it.
So she called him, and pointed out that spot in the contract to him. When he asked how he could avoid this in the future, she went in to mistake # 2. She basically told him that "There's a special clause that Realtors use to protect Buyers from losing their earnest money, and implied that she didn't know why Ryan didn't use that. When she explained this on the phone, she said, "I don't think he will be working with Ryan anymore, since he didn't protect his appraisal money."
First of all, she was giving the client contract advice. Second, it was bad advice. This magical protection clause she's talking about is written in one of two ways by my colleagues.
1. Should the transaction fail to close due to no fault of the Buyer, Seller will reimburse Buyer for pre-paid appraisal.
Look at this statement objectively, and you'll see how insubstantial it is. "due to no fault of buyer" can be used in anything. In this case, the Buyer would say that it's not his fault that the appraisal came in low, but the Seller would say, it is the Buyer's fault because they were going to buy the house at the agreed upon price, and now they changed their mind. This clause is nonsense, and I always advise Sellers to strike this language from any offer they receive. This offer would have been no different. This language would not have protected the Buyer.
2. Should the transaction fail to close due to seller breach of contract, Seller will reimburse Buyer for pre-paid appraisal.
This language is straight-forward, and is the one I sometimes use. The Seller, however, did not breach their contract, so in this case also, the clause would not have protected the Buyer.
This advice was irresponsible and malicious. Irresponsible because she is practicing Real Estate (badly). Malicious because it is the easy way to deflect conflict with the Borrower (Buyer) who had his hopes up earlier when he thought the Seller might pay him back for the Appraisal. She is the hero for pointing out what she believes to be the Realtor's mistake. She took his negative energy and pointed it at me over a fallacy.
It would be like me saying, "A good lender would still give you the loan anyway, even though the appraised value is low."
Let me know what you think in your comments, (Blogger, Facebook and Twitter). Just don't ask me to tell you who it was.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Perception Vs. Reality
Yesterday I decided to leave the pickles on my Hamburger for the first time since I was a toddler. It was pretty good--way better than I remembered.
It's healthy to question everything, especially in Real Estate. After signing at the title company, a seller disconnected the water softener / filtration system and as the Buyer walked through, he pointed out where the system used to live, and how it was now a gap in the plumbing and the water was shut off. The Seller was military, and has brought this system with him to three different houses he had bought in other states, and took it with him to no objections from those respective Buyers. We all made assumptions. The Seller assumed this was okay, and didn't ask me to write it into the contract before-hand. I assumed that these things are part of the house, and we didn't write them into the Chattel List along-side the appliances. The Buyer assumed mechanical and water systems come with the house.
To oppose what I just said above, I find that trust goes a long way toward a smooth transaction, also.
So the question is, should the Buyer have written the water-softener in to the contract? Should the Seller have written it out? If we start putting fixtures, mechanical and water systems in the chattel list, where does it end? We could break the entire house down into its components and systems, until the house is only a sum of its parts, and no longer a home. We don't put value on the nails in the studs. That's not what I'm in this business for.
It's healthy to question everything, especially in Real Estate. After signing at the title company, a seller disconnected the water softener / filtration system and as the Buyer walked through, he pointed out where the system used to live, and how it was now a gap in the plumbing and the water was shut off. The Seller was military, and has brought this system with him to three different houses he had bought in other states, and took it with him to no objections from those respective Buyers. We all made assumptions. The Seller assumed this was okay, and didn't ask me to write it into the contract before-hand. I assumed that these things are part of the house, and we didn't write them into the Chattel List along-side the appliances. The Buyer assumed mechanical and water systems come with the house.
To oppose what I just said above, I find that trust goes a long way toward a smooth transaction, also.
So the question is, should the Buyer have written the water-softener in to the contract? Should the Seller have written it out? If we start putting fixtures, mechanical and water systems in the chattel list, where does it end? We could break the entire house down into its components and systems, until the house is only a sum of its parts, and no longer a home. We don't put value on the nails in the studs. That's not what I'm in this business for.
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