I have had a Bonkers past week. Bonkers because I negotiated FOUR accepted offers on listings for my seller clients. Bonkers because I have several new listings coming up and buyer clients looking for properties. Bonkers because sometimes my line of work takes me on the most ridiculous of adventures.
Bonkers, but I love it!
It is pretty awesome to have this much business on the go in January. I am thrilled to be able to bring good news to my sellers and so excited that we can get things done in the dead of winter when usually there is very little happening. I have been chatting with other agents and it may be that the weather has been cooperating and it's been hovering around freezing without any "Polar Vortex" weather like in years past.
*It may be that I have turned into a real estate sorcerer and I cannot be stopped. Only time will tell.*
The craziest thing that happened this week though was getting a call from a Buyer that I had shown a property to that was vacant but had a few semi-feral barn cats still hanging out as the owners were not able (through no fault of their own) to take with them when they left. These cats are fat and the neighbours have been supplying them regularly with food & water, they are spayed and vaccinated as well, but just too wild to catch.
The Buyer was losing sleep over the cats, and wanted to go back to the property to fashion some cat forts for them. No problem with me, I do this kind of thing all the time. LOL!
She arrived with a truck full of cardboard boxes, bales of straw, blankets and pet beds!! We lugged the gear up into the hayloft where the cats had been nesting in leftover hay and got to work. A short time later we had fashioned a large cat condo for them to pile into together, it was pretty great I must say! Then we thought that maybe they don't get along so the next project was to construct several smaller, single family homes in various locations around the space so they could have their privacy if need be.
After a while of both of us fluffing blankets, filling beds with straw and finding the ideal location for each abode, we got to laughing about what kind of crazy animal lovers we must be in order to go to such lengths. It was actually a really fun time, and I will for sure be stopping in to see how they are enjoying the cat-forts ASAP.
The buyer though informed me that when I go to check them out - if it looks like the cats have rejected the homes, that I should just tell her the opposite! Felines are fickle as we all know!
There's never a dull day in this line of work! Bring it on!
Monday, January 23, 2017
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
2016 Most Memorable Homents
Welcome to 2017! While many people are bidding 'good riddance' to 2016, I have put together a little list of the years most memorable HOMEnts in real estate!
A bit of a VIP and 'failed it' compilation for your entertainment!
First up I want to shout out to all my clients, buyers and sellers - you guys are the reason I do this job! I love working with people and I appreciate you choosing me!
A stellar moment for me was wrapping up my 25th sale of the year with a first time buyer who chose a home in Coldbrook - I hope you are staying cozy with your woodstove and it's not too long before it's pool season again, she was so much fun to work with and we had a ball finding her the perfect property! 25 sales in a year marks a major milestone and means I achieved the Exit Realty International Bronze Designation!
On that Bronze subject, I got to travel to Nassau Bahamas for the Exit International Convention and Awards. What a stunning part of the world - even though I was there immediately following Hurricane Matthew ripped through the region, the beauty was undeniable! And I could not have been more proud to receive my award and celebrate with my peers and colleagues!
One particular Seller client stands out to me, I was contacted to list a home that had a lot of sentimental value to a family. The Seller, recently widowed, had purchased the home as a newlywed many many years before, raised her family there and was now retired. After much discussion & deliberation I was brought in for a consultation. It was an emotional journey for everyone involved, and I ended up spending considerable time with her going over documents carefully and visiting often (and eating her delicious treats that she would have prepared!) Her home sold almost immediately to a newly engaged couple, although bittersweet - she was able to downsize to a perfect place and I even went to go visit her there and indulge in some wonderful sweets and coffee after she was settled!
As for very special buyers, I had been working with a young couple for a while that had had a very emotional lead up to purchasing their first home. We had seen a place that was absolutely perfect for them, as fate would have it the process was drawn out with much negotiation but finally came together. These buyers were forced to wait and get very creative in structuring the offer. Patience and level headed deliberations won out in the end, only to have a last minute hiccup just as it looked like it was time to celebrate! These buyers were amazingly stoic and it paid off, they now live in their perfect property with their family and animals and have recently gotten engaged! Congratulations to you guys! I am thrilled to have been part of this time in your lives!
Now on the the embarassing parts - my real estate 'failed it!' moments. While attending an Agent Caravan Tour where we visit our offices newly listed properties as a group -the crowd was touring the main level of a property, I headed downstairs. Thinking the property was vacant, I showed myself around and accidentally opened the door to a bedroom with a poor soul just getting out of bed!
On another occasion I was listing a cottage lot and sat down on a picnic table to fill out documents, I immediately heard a loud buzzing to find that there was a GIANT wasps nest under the table that I had disturbed! We all bolted inside and slammed the door and had to wait out the angry swarm huddled inside a camper!
Having made an appearance in my very first blog "Stilettos & Garbage" longtime clients of mine that have seen me at my best & worst had booked an appointment to see a property. I also coach equestrians and my student had taken a spill from her horse during a lesson, I lost track of time making sure she was ok, and relaying appropriate information to her parents and I ended up being almost an hour late to the showing. Luckily these particular clients were amazingly easy going, but what a hideous impression to make, I was frantically apologizing the entire time we looked at the home!
I am looking forward to 2017 with enthusiasm and a desire to be better than I was last year, I strive to provide my clients with professional, ethical and supportive direction in their real estate needs and I would love to help you make the next step in your journey!
Friday, December 16, 2016
Monday, December 05, 2016
My Epic Fail.
Being a REALTOR® requires the ability to keep a lot of balls in the air, like juggling (or in this particular case, like a clown!). Working as a manager at a restaurant and managing Olympic level equestrian facilities has instilled this skill in me from way back, occasionally my juggling act turns into a circus disaster and I miss something. Sometimes it's small, sometimes it's bigger - but no matter what, these errors keep me up at night long afterwards. Here is the story of one of my most epic fails.
Recently a buyer client from out of province flew in to see some properties that we had carefully selected after FaceTime virtual viewings and many emails exchanged. He was in town for only a few days so we were packing in the viewings with what little daylight we have in Nova Scotia this time of year. Over the course of the relationship we had discussed many possiblities, some of them in very close proximity to each other... Long story short we had stopped for lunch and were discussing the NEXT property to be seen.
Buyer client - "This one looks like it's got tons of space in the basement"
Me - "oh, there's no basement, it's on a slab"
Buyer - "no really, the basement is fully finished and will be great for my media room!"
Me - *eyes widening* "no, I've been in this house, no basement!" *by now the panic is setting in, my cheeks are getting hot, I feel wobbly knees and clammy palms*
We compare printed information sheets and I had booked a showing on THE WRONG PROPERTY! Good Grief!
Full blown panic mode now, I want to crawl under a rock and die! I am trying to search the property on my phone, but my fingers won't work! It won't come up! I am floundering! Attempting to quell the imminent freak out that is hurtling toward me at warp speed, we decide to go directly to the property to figure out the next step. Driving along, pretending everything is great, la-la-la, meanwhile my brain is going faster than my vehicle down Highway 101... How could this happen?!? EGAD!!!
As luck would have it we were able to get in at the last minute, thankfully my client got a laugh out of the situation but I was on the verge of falling over or losing my sandwich from the ordeal! I tell ya, I am going to be quadruple checking addresses from now on, until the last property showing I ever book as I celebrate my retirement many years down the road from now. I don't think I am strong enough to handle that kind of anxiety again, at least not in front of a client!
Have you ever completely dropped the ball and had to maintain composure in front of someone...? Leave a comment below and share your story!
Recently a buyer client from out of province flew in to see some properties that we had carefully selected after FaceTime virtual viewings and many emails exchanged. He was in town for only a few days so we were packing in the viewings with what little daylight we have in Nova Scotia this time of year. Over the course of the relationship we had discussed many possiblities, some of them in very close proximity to each other... Long story short we had stopped for lunch and were discussing the NEXT property to be seen.
Buyer client - "This one looks like it's got tons of space in the basement"
Me - "oh, there's no basement, it's on a slab"
Buyer - "no really, the basement is fully finished and will be great for my media room!"
Me - *eyes widening* "no, I've been in this house, no basement!" *by now the panic is setting in, my cheeks are getting hot, I feel wobbly knees and clammy palms*
We compare printed information sheets and I had booked a showing on THE WRONG PROPERTY! Good Grief!
Full blown panic mode now, I want to crawl under a rock and die! I am trying to search the property on my phone, but my fingers won't work! It won't come up! I am floundering! Attempting to quell the imminent freak out that is hurtling toward me at warp speed, we decide to go directly to the property to figure out the next step. Driving along, pretending everything is great, la-la-la, meanwhile my brain is going faster than my vehicle down Highway 101... How could this happen?!? EGAD!!!
As luck would have it we were able to get in at the last minute, thankfully my client got a laugh out of the situation but I was on the verge of falling over or losing my sandwich from the ordeal! I tell ya, I am going to be quadruple checking addresses from now on, until the last property showing I ever book as I celebrate my retirement many years down the road from now. I don't think I am strong enough to handle that kind of anxiety again, at least not in front of a client!
Have you ever completely dropped the ball and had to maintain composure in front of someone...? Leave a comment below and share your story!
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Low Ball Pitfall
Everyone wants a deal. As a consumer, you want to know that you have gotten the best possible price for the best possible product within your budget. It's easy to think that the lower you offer in the beginning, the lower the final price will be after it's all said and done. In real estate this is not necessarily the case. Before going into any negotiation, the consumer must fully understand things like market value, current trends, historical data, neighbourhood statistics... Thinking that a low-ball offer is going to fly without this information is like boarding a rubber dingy in a storm without a life jacket or paddles. Education and experience is key.
When determining what to offer initially, you have to take into account many factors. The most common thing I hear is that "I only want to spend XX amount". While it's good to keep within your budget, a homes value is not dependent on that. Also, looking at properties outside your budget, hoping for a deal is setting yourself up for frustration.
Initial offers that are too low start the negotiation process off on the wrong foot and may insult the sellers. When you insult the sellers, they in turn don't want to negotiate with you. Therefore rather than being reasonable in their counter offer, they send back a number reflecting their bruised emotions. Remember that most sellers have sentimental feelings about their property and will react emotionally to what they feel is an insult.
On the other hand, if you come in a bit higher right off the bat, the sellers are excited for a reasonable outcome and are far more willing to 'play nice' with you, in turn countering more reasonably and the buyer gets a better price. In order to determine where that fine line between insult and excitement, the buyer needs to be educated and prepared. That's where I come in!
Although this is a pared down recap of the process, I have found it to be very reliable in most situations. Depending on the specific property, many other factors can come into play that need to be considered before drafting an offer. Call me anytime to discuss the specifics of what you want as a buyer and we can tailor a plan of action just for you! 902-680-2736
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
A Blog about Blogging.
To blog or not to blog... I have been having a lot of conversations lately about my blog. Why I do it, what it's about, how I started, that kind of stuff. I have come to really enjoy the process and I thought maybe a blog about blogging would be good.
(ok, now I have used the "B" word too many times and it sounds funny... blog blog blog)
I will start by saying that my first post took several days to write (in case you don't know, blogging is supposed to be quick lol). I have got it down to less than half an hour now, which is way more reasonable! Blogs are meant to be spontaneous and the topics should include current observations and thoughts. Social media is a great way that I find blog topic inspiration!
Personally I didn't think that a blog that focused solely on real estate topics would be very well subscribed. My goal is to make it more personal, it's a way for my audience to get to know me a little better. I believe it's a bridge for people to know more about me and my personality before reaching out for a meeting or starting a conversation about what I do.
Blogging is also a great way to create a better web presence and generate traffic to your website - there is a great big world out there on the internet and making a name for yourself is key in order to set yourself apart from the sea of other service providers in your industry.
Personally I like to throw in a sarcastic, dry or edgy topic or theme once in a while. This may seem counter productive in that it creates a bit more controversy with the reader. I believe as long as I am not off colour or offensive, then stirring up a reaction with people makes me more memorable, creates more reactions and in turn generates more interest. It's easy to get lost in the mix, but that's never been my style, I like to stand out!
Let me know if you have a blog yourself, or if you want to chat more about the process! I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!
(ok, now I have used the "B" word too many times and it sounds funny... blog blog blog)
I will start by saying that my first post took several days to write (in case you don't know, blogging is supposed to be quick lol). I have got it down to less than half an hour now, which is way more reasonable! Blogs are meant to be spontaneous and the topics should include current observations and thoughts. Social media is a great way that I find blog topic inspiration!
Personally I didn't think that a blog that focused solely on real estate topics would be very well subscribed. My goal is to make it more personal, it's a way for my audience to get to know me a little better. I believe it's a bridge for people to know more about me and my personality before reaching out for a meeting or starting a conversation about what I do.
Blogging is also a great way to create a better web presence and generate traffic to your website - there is a great big world out there on the internet and making a name for yourself is key in order to set yourself apart from the sea of other service providers in your industry.
Personally I like to throw in a sarcastic, dry or edgy topic or theme once in a while. This may seem counter productive in that it creates a bit more controversy with the reader. I believe as long as I am not off colour or offensive, then stirring up a reaction with people makes me more memorable, creates more reactions and in turn generates more interest. It's easy to get lost in the mix, but that's never been my style, I like to stand out!
Let me know if you have a blog yourself, or if you want to chat more about the process! I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Well behaved women rarely make history
"We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silent"
~Malala Yousafzai
Interesting idea that makes me think back on the women I know that have made a difference, whether it be in their own pursuits or the lives of others. I have know many inspirational women over the years and it is true that the outspoken ones have had the most impact.
My mother was never the type to back down from any sort of challenge, she was and is a driving force in everything she does. While we 3 siblings were growing up, in addition to working full time as a nurse, she usually took over the sports organizations that we were part of in order to make them run more smoothly & efficiently (and more to her liking). She was the type that would never back down, especially if she was in mama bear mode and was protecting her children.
As a professional athlete in one of the only Olympic sports where men & women compete equally, women were gritty and tough as nails. Combine that with the fact that the sport was considered an Extreme Sport and very dangerous, and you get women competing with broken collar bones, broken ribs and other extremely painful ailments. If that's not tough, I don't think I understand the question.
As a girl that was raised by a tough woman, and spent most of my life in what people refer to as the "Heartbreak Sport", real estate was an easy transition and I am very excited to be doing what I love. I am often the one thinking outside the box and trying things that others won't consider. I think this winter I will continue down that path and try some new avenues & projects... Stay tuned! You never know what I will come up with next!
Are you inspired by a strong woman?
~Malala Yousafzai
Interesting idea that makes me think back on the women I know that have made a difference, whether it be in their own pursuits or the lives of others. I have know many inspirational women over the years and it is true that the outspoken ones have had the most impact.
My mother was never the type to back down from any sort of challenge, she was and is a driving force in everything she does. While we 3 siblings were growing up, in addition to working full time as a nurse, she usually took over the sports organizations that we were part of in order to make them run more smoothly & efficiently (and more to her liking). She was the type that would never back down, especially if she was in mama bear mode and was protecting her children.
As a professional athlete in one of the only Olympic sports where men & women compete equally, women were gritty and tough as nails. Combine that with the fact that the sport was considered an Extreme Sport and very dangerous, and you get women competing with broken collar bones, broken ribs and other extremely painful ailments. If that's not tough, I don't think I understand the question.
As a girl that was raised by a tough woman, and spent most of my life in what people refer to as the "Heartbreak Sport", real estate was an easy transition and I am very excited to be doing what I love. I am often the one thinking outside the box and trying things that others won't consider. I think this winter I will continue down that path and try some new avenues & projects... Stay tuned! You never know what I will come up with next!
Are you inspired by a strong woman?
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