Thoughts Ideas and Giggles

I know that blogging will bring you business if you do it right.  That is evidenced by the number of tutorials that are out there to teach how to get the most out of a post...how to write it, what words to put on top, what to put in the title, how to label photos... and the list goes on and on.

While this might be right on, it really has taken some of the pure fun out of it.  I feel guilty if I don't do  a link or 2.  Heaven forbid the keywords be wrong or...oh, no...nonexistent.  If there are no photos, you might as well hang it up.  My subjects have to be right to be sure that I ramp up my Google juice.

I'm tired.  I'm tired about worrying if I am doing right.  I am tired of being concerned about what words I am using when.  I don't want to feel guilty if I don't read every single post about how to do it better.

I just want to have fun.  I just want to share my thoughts and have people share theirs in return.  I want to learn about real estate across the nation.  I want to help sellers and buyers understand the process.  I don't know if this is politically correct, and I will probably get blasted for not taking blogging more seriously, but then...

I just want to have fun....okay...blast away!

For those of you who are following the big controversy about the "River Crossing", this Wednesday would be a great day to attend the monthly meeting of the Land Park Community Association.  You will have the opportunity to listen to some of the proposed solutions to the need of West Sacramento to have better access to Sacramento as well as to ask questions.

Also, we will have the opportunity to learn more about theSetzer property and its proposed development.  This should be of particular interest to residents west of Riverside Blvd as well as Realtors specializing in the area.

Also, we will be voting in 3 new board members to fill in vacated positions...so if you are a member, this is your chance to have a representative that reflects your viewpoint.

If you would like to attend, the meeting will be at Eskaton on Freeport Blvd at 6:30PM this Wednesday, August 18th.  We would love to see you there!

This economy affects us all in one way or another.  Jobs are lost, salaries are cut, home values go down and uncertainty reigns.

In planning for our eventual retirement, many of us included our homes in that equation.  At some point in time, we would become empty nesters, no longer requiring the bedrooms and bathrooms that a family with at-home children demanded.  We would move on, selling our larger living space for a more modest home.  We would pay cash for our cozy space and use the balance of our equity as part of our retirement fund.  At one time, it was a solid, responsible plan.

However, as with all things of this age, our plans must change.  We can no longer rely on our homes to fund our retirement in full.  We must make adjustments.  Maybe we will still have to take out a small loan on the smaller abode.  Maybe we will have to work a little longer to add to our retirement fund.  Whatever that adjustment is, it will have to happen.

If your plan to retire starts now, do not think that your house is going to be the same contributor towards retiring that it once was.  Listen to your REALTOR when they give you the value of your home.  Your REALTOR doesn't know about your retirement plans.  The value of your home is not directly related to those plans and a buyer is not going to generously finance more than the value of your home so they can fund your retirement plans.

You do have choices.  You can wait several years to see if your equity builds back up to the number you are looking for.  The vast majority of pundits are predicting 3-5 years before we even begin to see an uptick in values, so plan on being patient.  You can live a little more frugally than you had originally planned.  What you will probably not be able to do is keep your original retirement plan of 5 years ago.

You have decided that it is the right time to put your home on the market...there has been a job change, there is a new little one joining the family, the kids have left the nest, etc.  By far and away, no doubt about it, the most important first step is bringing the right Realtor into the fray.

First, and most importantly, notice I said "REALTOR".  The term means that the agent is a member of the National Association of REALTORS, a member of the state association and the local association of REALTORS.  They are held to a higher standard of care than a licensee.  You have the power to bring them before the Professional Standards Panel if they do not adhere to the National Association of REALTORS Code of Ethics, with some serious repercussions if there is a violation.

Now, you may think that the next step would be hiring the right company.  Remember, REALTORS are, for the most part, independent contractors.  This means that, while the company may have certain expectations of the REALTORS, they cannot demand specific actions.  Now, certainly, the company may let the REALTOR go if they do not follow their guidelines  but most will not.  Why would they let a REALTOR go  that was making them a profit?

Your REALTOR should be hired by you because they reflect the desires and the ethics that you demand from your representative.  You should feel a trust between you and your REALTOR that brings a sense of calm to your selling experience.  The last reason to hire a REALTOR is because they are telling you the price you want to hear.  Hire your REALTOR because they have thoroughly explained the process. Hire your REALTOR because they have helped you understand what you need to do to maximize your net proceeds from the sale.  Hire your REALTOR because they have shown you through referrals their ability to negotiate and represent your interests throughout the escrow.  Hire your REALTOR because they specialize in your neighborhood and understand its idiosyncrasies.

Now, there will certainly be companies that specialize in your neighborhood, and you should most assuredly go to that company, but look deeply into the REALTORS that work there and find one that you truly feel you can trust.

Don't get me wrong...it's a fine color.  It's what I painted my first two houses I owned 30 years ago. You can put just about any other color with it and it goes with everything.  It is a safe color that will not offend your visitors.  Guests will not dislike your for your taste in decorating or see a side of you that they didn't know about. 

Then one day it hit me...people didn't know me.  My own house was not a reflection of me but a reflection of no one.  After all, who was living in my house?  Who spent most of their time in my house? Me!  So why wasn't I decorating for me? So, what color is my house now?  Flame yellow, mist green, doeskin brown, slate blue, red and periwinkle. It's me and if my guests don't like it, then they don't have to come to my house.

Do you approach your blogging posts the same way?  Do you prefer to not write at all rather than let someone know what you are about?  Do you write safe posts that don't risk an offense?  Or do you take the bumpy road of letting people know where you stand?  Do you comment when you don't agree with a post?  Do you let people get to know you? 

I say, take a risk!  The rewards you receive are bountiful.  You may not have as many followers, but the ones you have are people who enjoy you and look forward to your next "get together".  Have fun! Post away!

In a presentation at the California Realtor Expo 2009, consumers, Realtors and the real estate industry predicted what the real estate market is going to look like for the coming year.

The median home price is expected to rise to $280,000 compared to $271,000 this year - a 3.3% rise in value.  At the same time, the actual number of homes selling in the coming year is expected to change from 540,000 in 2009 to 527,500 in 2010 - a 2.3% drop.  While California Realtors will be selling fewer homes, the selling price of those homes will rise.

California is going to establish a "new normal", according to C.A.R President, James Liptak.  This will likely translate to continuing sales of distressed low end properties and will include moderate home price appreciation.

California real estate is experiencing a dual market.  With first-time buyer tax credits and programs as well as a plentiful supply of investors, there is actually a shortage of low-end properties.  The reverse of this is true in the upper-end market where sellers are feeling the pinch of lenders anxiety regarding jumbo or non-conforming loans and buyers insecurity over the future value of these properties.  There is concern that if discretionary buyers do not return to the market soon, it could affect the second half of 2010.

The "wild cards" regarding the 2010 market, according to C.A.R.'s Chief Economist, Leslie Appleton-Young are the release and number of foreclosures, loan resets, the job market and the California budget crisis...and the ongoing actions of the federal government.

I know...you are thinking all offers have always had contingencies.  However, I am speaking of offers contingent on another property selling.  It is interesting to participate in the evolution of climbing out of the real estate hole we have been in.

• First, anything with four walls would sell, and over asking price....the insane days. Buyers were given loans that were fine...as long as they could refinance in 2 years. 
  
• However, it was realized that it was impossible to sustain the kind of increases in values that had happened over recent years.  The real estate market essentially came to a halt. Prices dropped faster than a racehorse at the derby...and inventory went up just as fast.
  
• The refinancing into a conventional loan could not happen due to the inability of the properties to appraise even close to the paid price 2 years ago. We were then treated to the joys of foreclosures and short sales.  The good news was that first time home buyers now had a great opportunity to purchase a home with a conventional rate and at a very good price.
  
• Instead of homeowners moving up to bigger or better homes, the banks are now the sellers.  The move up neighborhoods are stagnant with middle and upper end properties which first time home buyers cannot qualify for. These properties that are being sold by homeowners in hopes of moving to a larger home or better location are not selling.
  
• The sellers have many choices for their next home, but very few buyers for their present home.The result is the "Contingent Offer"...and we are starting to see them in increasing numbers.

Isn't this an interesting time we live in?  At one time we would scoff at a contingent offer.  After all, what seller in their right mind would accept a contingent offer and essentially take their home off of the market?  Now, we will accept a contingent offer without blatting an eye...after all a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush!  Ah yes...we live in interesting times!

www.PaulaSwayne.com

I was really brought up short recently when a co-worker said that they thought blogging was "dangerous".  To say I was really "HUH?-ed" is putting it mildly.  How could blogging be dangerous?  Was there a sinister side to blogging that is hiding just around the corner to rear it's ugly head?

Of course, I asked why they felt this way.  The response was that if something controversial was written, it might affect your reputation in the industry.  There may be potential clients that will not work with you as a result of something blogged.  You might become the pariah of the real estate world.

My experience with blogging has been so different from this persons perception of blogging.  Blogging has been uplifting, interesting and an unbelievably positive experience.  I have met people across the nation and Canada who have opened up my life to a whole new world.

The danger is not blogging, but ignorance of what it is capable of. I do understand the potential damage that can be done.  However, participants in respected sites such as the Rain understand the rules of the platform they are participating in and act accordingly.  Neither the Rain nor it's member tolerate disrespect...and it shows in the quality of the site. 

www.PaulaSwayne.com

Photo from Flickr by Mike Licht

Richard Iarossi just wrote a blog about people not checking their messages in favor of just calling the person back.  I started to write a diatribe on my theory about this phenomenon and realized that he had inspired a post! So, here goes...

Richard was talking about people calling another person and, rather than the person listening to the message prior to returning the call (if necessary to return), they just call back to find out what they are calling about.

I have a theory about this phenomenon...I don't think people know how to leave a message.  It should be a no-brainer. "Hi! This is Paula Swayne.  Could you please call me back at....?" or "Hi, this is Paula Swayne and meeting tomorrow at 10AM is fine...see you at the property."

These messages are straight forward, give the necessary information and usurp the least amount of time of the person being contacted.  Unfortunately, most people don't stop there.  Most people's messages go something like this: "Hi! This is Paula Swayne.  You called me earlier today and I just got a chance to call you back. Sorry, I was in meetings all morning.  Anyway, you called me about meeting tomorrow morning at 10AM.  I am checking my calendar right now...let's see...I have a meeting at 8:30 in the morning, but that is just with the lady that does my nails.  My only other appointment is at 3PM, so I guess 10AM will work. Now, do you want to meet at my office or at the property?  We can meet at my office if you like and then we could drive together.  I don't mind driving, but my car is a little dirty. I suppose I could get it washed.  Okay then, give me a call back to let me know where you want to meet. Talk to you later. Bye!"

And we wonder why people don't listen to messages!

www.PaulaSwayne.com

Photo from Flickr by existentist

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You have seen the quaint neighborhood markets in movies and heard of them, but only in past tense.  They delivered to the loyal neighbors.  They listened to the neighbors and stocked their requests.  Neighbors visited neighbors as they shopped.

Land Park is fotunate to still have such a market.  Taylors Market is just such a market, only stepped up several notches. They ease the dinner dilemma of what to cook with ready to heat lasagna, tamales, stuffed baked potatoes, salmon, chicken and more.

 They are reknown for their true old butcher shop, complete with every sort of meat, poultry and fish imaginable.  The quality is unsurpassed.  The selection is beyond the impressive, including such rare items as quail eggs, rabbitt, buffalo.  They even pre-make marinated chicken breats, fajitas, meatloaf, stuffed salmon and much more.  They are well known for their varieties of home made sausages.

If you are looking for a wonderful wine to go with that perfect dinner, just ask for "Dick's Picks".  The have an extensive selection of wines and beers.  Want one of those harder to find local sodas? Taylors Marke will probably have it.  Do you crave fresh coffee beans that you can grind yourself?  Come to Taylors and enjoy selecting your own brew. 

The eclectic choices offered of marinades, vinegars, rubs and seasonings offers a great compliment to any meal.  Chutneys, demi glaces, salts of every type, balsalmi vinegars...it is all here.

For those who appreciate fresh breads, Taylors brings in fresh, locally made breads daily.  Baguettes, sour dough, raisen bread, bagels, and seasoned breads simply are unsurpassed.

When you are looking for that special grocery shopping experience, visit Taylors...you will never look back!

www.PaulaSwayne.com