January 23, 2012 by Ann Bone
My heart goes out to the good folks in the mortgage business these days. Business is TOUGH!
A significant percentage of buyers come equipped with enough bad credit baggage to fill a truck, what with having done a recent short sale or having a recent foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure (same as a regular foreclosure, but it sounds nicer) or strategic foreclosure (a purposeful decision to walk away from a debt they CAN pay but don’t WANT to pay – don’t get me started on these).
Combine that with the over-reaction of underwriters making it nearly impossible to qualify for a loan if the buyer has to put gas in the SUV on the way to the closing (“Oops, sorry, that gas charge 15 minutes ago just bumped your debt ratio out of whack”) or if part of the buyer’s down payment is the gift money received from Grandma for graduation and Grandma made the money having a garage sale or the buyer’s publicly traded employer has recently filed a negative outlook report with Wall Street or any number of other scenarios.
Add in the burden of complex Good Faith Estimates which have to be redone every time anyone sneezes and you have a frustrating mix. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: ann bone, atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, Consumer Protection Financial Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, Frank-Dodd Act, georgia, good faith estimate, loan officer, marketing, Metro Home Mortgage, mortgages, Real Estate, real estate agent, real estate career, success, Tips
Posted in Agents | 3 Comments »
January 17, 2012 by Dan Hinson
You may be wondering if 2012 will be a good year to purchase a small business. Can small businesses generate profit in a difficult economy? These are fair concerns and certainly require the small business buyer to move forward with adequate caution. If you’re determined to own a business, you can find what you’re looking for by establishing specific search parameters and purchase criteria.
1. Research Well Performing Businesses
First, complete the necessary research to identify a short list of business types that perform well in a weak economy. Determine if franchise opportunities provide a greater chance of success. Franchises historically have a higher start-up success rate and give you a proven business system, training and name recognition. You’ll have to decide if you want to start a business from the ground up or purchase an established business. The established business will cost more however, you get to avoid the painful start-up period and you can see current and past performance. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, business, business brokerage, business buyer, Buyers, Commercial Real Estate, Dan Hinson, georgia, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, small business, success, Tips
Posted in Agents, Buyers | 3 Comments »
January 9, 2012 by Kevin Levent
When entering the New Year, it’s common to set goals for yourself. In real estate, those goals are translated into more clients, more listings and, most importantly, more closings. Just remember to not go overboard.
Sometimes, I hear agents say that their goal is 50 or even 100 transactions. Even a team of agents would have trouble meeting these numbers, and I hear this from a single real estate agent. If that wasn’t bad enough, they only completed 10 transactions the prior year.
Setting lofty goals is a good practice, but it’s also important to set goals that can be reached. When your ambition is too high, it can begin to look daunting and unattainable, which could end up setting you back.
Here are some realistic goals that will help you get on the right track in 2012: Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 2012, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, georgia, goals, Kevin Levent, local boards, lofty goals, Metro Brokers, New Year's, Real Estate, real estate agent, realistic goals, Realtor, resolutions, sphere of influence, success, Tips, top agents
Posted in Agents | 7 Comments »
January 3, 2012 by Tisha Gay
It’s 2012, and what’s a better way to start the New Year than saving money! Energy costs continue to rise, and there are many ways to whittle away at those utility bills.
Replacing an older furnace, swapping out single-pane windows for more efficient double- or triple-pane models, and considering a move toward solar energy are all ways to make a dramatic difference in your home’s energy consumption, but none comes cheap. While you wrestle with whether or not to make these larger investments – which certainly pay off in the long run – there are any number of inexpensive, subtle shifts you can also make that will have you working toward the same goal much more quickly and affordably. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, compact florescent light bulb, energy costs, hvac, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, saving money, Tips, Tisha Gay
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers | 2 Comments »
December 27, 2011 by Ann Bone
When I became licensed as a real estate agent years ago, I am embarrassed to admit that I actually worried that I would need an elegant wardrobe and expensive shoes to fit the image of the “ladies who play tennis in the morning and play real estate in the afternoon”. I didn’t and still don’t play tennis. I entered the real estate business as a full-time professional. BUT… after having a Ferragamo sucked off in the mud at a new construction site, getting countless stiletto heels caught and skinned on hundreds of wooden decks, and watching my leather shoes crack from repeatedly getting wet, I learned that practical footwear rules!
The ideal female real estate shoe wardrobe, all of which should be kept in the trunk of an agent’s car at all times for instant access and use would include: Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: ann bone, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, real estate career, Realtor, shoes for real estate agents, success, Tips
Posted in Agents | 24 Comments »
December 16, 2011 by Tisha Gay
I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite things about the holidays is seeing everyone take out their holiday decorations. It’s especially great at night, when you can drive around and see all of the holiday lights at the neighbors’ homes.
But where do you go to get absolutely overwhelmed by holiday light displays? Georgia has some great spots that are sure to make your jaw drop! Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: atlanta, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, Callaway Gardens, Christmas, georgia, holiday decorations, Lake Lanier Islands, lights, Magical Night of Lights, Metro Brokers, Pettit Creek Farms, Stone Mountain Park, Tisha Gay
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
December 12, 2011 by Tisha Gay
It’s that time of year when everyone is traveling to see family and shopping for the holidays.
All of this holiday shopping has reminded me that people have become so immune to poor customer service and are actually surprised when they receive exceptional service. On the flip side, companies usually only hear about the bad experiences. More often than not, you hear customers getting upset with an employee.
Sometimes complaints are justified, but that’s not always the case…just look at the latest Alec Baldwin rampage on American Airlines. Geez Alec, just admit you were wrong for having a meltdown or say you were just rehearsing a new role as an entitled actor.
Anyways, just remember, to acknowledge good customer service too. And while you’re at it, stop to think about the type of service you provide to your customers. Do you always go the extra mile?
Let me tell you one of my stories… Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: airlines, alec baldwin, bad service, customer service, delta airlines, good service, Tisha Gay
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers | Leave a Comment »
December 5, 2011 by Eddie Krebs
Let me tell you about the time I lost my data. Well, it wasn’t actually mine. Being a technology worker, most of my time is spent protecting other people’s data, but much like a teacher calls her students “my kids” I call my customers’ documents “my data.”
In this case, I had foolishly allowed a server disk to exist without redundancy. That means when the drive failed (as all disk drives do, eventually), the server crashed. When the server crashed, everyone’s computers started vomiting errors. When that happens, people start speaking in tongues and their heads spin around backwards. The technical term for this is “Business Continuity Interruption.”
“It’s all okay,” I reassured, “I have a backup!”
Well, several hours and several buckets worth of nervous sweat later, I realized the backups were corrupt. The tapes were completely unreadable. At this point, I’m thinking of polishing off my resume and skipping town.
My last resort was to bring the disk drive to a company that could break it apart and copy the data, bit-by-bit onto a new disk. Three days later, we received a new disk (with “most” of the data) and a $1,800 bill.
In return for my heroic data recovery efforts, I earned some new ulcers and a valuable lesson:
Don’t mess around with your data.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Amazon, backup, Cloud Computing, dropbox, Eddie Krebs, SkyDrive, sugarsync
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers | 1 Comment »
November 28, 2011 by Dana Eskridge
Are you excited and happy about moving? Or are you dreading the sorting, packing and other chores?
If you look at moving as an exciting adventure full of fun, new possibilities, then you’re halfway to getting your children on board for the ride. Your children will absorb your enthusiasm like little sponges. There will be some worries, of course, but you can defeat those with a little preparation and understanding.
Most children don’t like the changes associated with moving. The younger the child, the less able they are to “see into the future” as you do. They tend to focus on losing the security they’re used to, and they worry about missing friends and family.
You can make childish anger and doubt grow into a sense of wonder and adventure. You can do that by acknowledging and empathizing with the loss they feel and showing them how to balance their feelings with what they have to gain. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, buyer, children, dana eskridge, georgia, Metro Brokers, moving, Real Estate, seller, Tips
Posted in Buyers, Sellers | 2 Comments »
November 18, 2011 by Ann Bone
BHGRE Metro Brokers and CBC Metro Brokers enjoy a wonderful relationship with the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC), primarily due to our excellent training, readily available Broker Support and the integrity of our agents. That’s not to say we’re perfect, by any means! What are the most frequent complaints filed with the GREC by the public and other licensees which result in citations, sanctions, suspensions and revocations? The top ten complaints follow with some suggestions as to how to avoid mistakes which may lead to complaints. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: ann bone, atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, georgia, grec, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, real estate career, Realtor, success
Posted in Agents | 1 Comment »
November 14, 2011 by Dana Eskridge
Sometimes we all trip up and pull a Rick Perry. Regardless of the fact that it was just a slip up, we should never forget that perception is everything. That is true especially in our business where our primary contact is with the public. There are many ways that our customers and clients can become offended by what we say, wear, write, and display. Here are some examples of behaviors that you should avoid if you want your customers and clients to take you seriously.
I am going to start with something I did to offend. Several years ago I had a bumper sticker that said “God BlessAmerica”. Innocuous right? Wrong, I actually had another driver pull up beside me and Say “What do you mean? Why don’t you have a sticker that says God BlessFrance?” I swear that is exactly what he said and he shouted it at me. I no longer have any bumper stickers on my car AND neither should you. It’s not professional.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, business, business voicemail, dana eskridge, Facebook, georgia, Metro Brokers, professional, Real Estate, real estate agent, real estate career, Realtor, success, Tips
Posted in Agents | 6 Comments »
November 7, 2011 by Ann Bone
Have you heard the news that, beginning January 1, 2012, real estate licensees who are not Realtors® (not members of a Board or Association of Realtors®) will no longer have free access to GAR Forms? All agents affiliated with BHGRE Metro Brokers and CBC Metro Brokers are required to be Realtors and will have access to GAR Forms, but this will be a big change for some other companies that don’t require membership.
Once 2012 begins, non-Realtors® will have to pay a $199 annual licensing fee for access to GAR Forms. The GAR Forms will recognize the NRDS numbers of Realtors®. When non-Realtors® try to access the GAR Forms and cannot provide a NRDS number, they will be offered the opportunity to pay the annual licensing fee online. No fee payment, no GAR Forms access. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: ann bone, atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, contracts, copyrights, GAR, gar forms, georgia, Georgia Association of Realtors, Metro Brokers, non-realtors, Real Estate, real estate agent, real estate career, Realtor, success
Posted in Agents | 33 Comments »
October 31, 2011 by Ann Bone
With apologies to the Addams family,
They’re creaky and they’re spooky,
Overgrown and sooty,
They’re altogether pukey,
My REO lis-tings.
They smell and reek of urine,
Seem moldy and all furry,
They really are unnerving,
My REO lis-tings.
So get your rubber gloves on,
Your tetanus injection,
We’re going to go and check on
My REO lis-tings!
Okay, so REO listings aren’t the only scary listings, are they? I used to carry a bath towel draped over my shoulders when showing one listing in Dunwoody. The owner’s cat liked to lurk in the drop ceiling of the basement and every time I went down the basement stairs when showing the place, the cat would leap out of the ceiling and claw my shoulder. A couple of bloody
blouses later and I learned – be the first one down the stairs to spare any prospective buyers from attack and protect myself with the “towel shawl”. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: ann bone, atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, Buyers, georgia, halloween, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, real estate career, scary, seller
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers | 2 Comments »
October 24, 2011 by Ann Bone
There’s a great old comic strip about real estate closings. It shows a long narrow boat, like the crew boats you see pictures of rowing up and down the Charles River in front of Harvard and MIT in Boston. In the comic strip, there are at least 8 rowers (sometimes 10 or 12), but they’re dressed in business suits and “business casual” attire. In addition to their oars, they have briefcases and computers with them, along with 6’ levels and several file folders. The “coxswain” (the guy facing backward at the front of the boat with the megaphone) announces, “PREPARE TO CLOSE!” The rowers count off with military precision, Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: ann bone, atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, Buyers, closing table, coxswain, georgia, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, real estate career, Realtor, rower, seller, success, Tips
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers | 7 Comments »
October 17, 2011 by Tisha Gay
The kitchen is used more than any other room in the house, which makes it the most important room to stage in your home. Potential home buyers are looking for a kitchen that is as beautiful as it is functional.
Buyers want to view it without any unnecessary countertop appliances and clutter. By showcasing your kitchen in the best possible light, you can potentially sell your home faster and; increase the closing price. Even in a slow real estate market, making your kitchen attractive to a buyer could make the difference. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, faucet, georgia, kitchen, listing, listing photos, marketing, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, Realtor, seller, sink, success, Tips, Tisha Gay
Posted in Agents, Sellers | 4 Comments »
My heart goes out to the good folks in the mortgage business these days. Business is TOUGH! 
