Posts Tagged ‘georgia’
January 9, 2012
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: (more…)
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 »
December 16, 2011
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! (more…)
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 »
November 28, 2011
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. (more…)
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
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. (more…)
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
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.
(more…)
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
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. (more…)
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
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”. (more…)
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
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, (more…)
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
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. (more…)
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 »
October 10, 2011
There are so many things that Realtors and their customers need to be aware of when dealing with HUD properties. And if your buyer is purchasing a HUD property and utilizing FHA financing, there’s even more to consider. The following tips will help you get to a successful closing.
Be sure to check out the HUD class we’re offering that discusses all of the changes that went into effect in October. The class is tomorrow (Oct. 11) at 10am inAtlantaor you can take it on Friday (Oct. 12) inWoodstockat 10am. Use the promo code “HUD“ to take the class for free. See details below. (more…)
Tags:ann bone, atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, Buyers, fha financing, georgia, housing and urban development, HUD, hud homes, Metro Brokers, mortgages, Real Estate, real estate agent, seller, success, Tips
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers | 1 Comment »
September 26, 2011
I love real estate. It’s “matchmaking” between buyers and properties. A happy match can be very rewarding financially and emotionally. Looking through literally tens of thousands of listings, trying to “read between the lines” and “see between the pictures” to find the perfect match for a buyer can be daunting. Thank heavens so many real estate agents use humor in their listings!
Humor? Yes, whether they realize it or not, agents repeatedly use certain words or phrases to present their listings in the best possible light. We call that “puffing”. Puffing is legal and useful. Have you learned the true meaning of “puff” words? Below are some of my favorites, along with my interpretation of what those terms really mean. Add your favorites to the list! (more…)
Tags:ann bone, atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, Buyers, georgia, listing, listing comments, marketing, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, Realtor, seller, success, Tips
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers | 13 Comments »
September 19, 2011
Homeowners who choose to go the “green” route with their homes are starting to reap the benefits. Where green building was once a seldom heard term, it is now common place for homeowners to use these techniques to improve their home’s efficiency.
If you are thinking of adding green technology to your home, make sure to check into the many tax credits that are available to both home owners and buyers. The two main green building tax credits currently available are: (more…)
Tags:atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, Buyers, energy efficient, georgia, geothermal heat pumps, green building, green house, green technology, home efficiency, homeowners, listing, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, seller, solar panels, success, tax credit, Tips, Tisha Gay, wind energy
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers | 2 Comments »
September 12, 2011
Real estate is not a dangerous profession, but when you’re constantly asked to come in contact with perfect strangers or enter locations without any prior knowledge of the area, you have to keep your guard up…especially when working with foreclosed or vacant homes.
September is Realtor® Safety Month, and I thought I’d gather some safety tips that I’ve found on sites such as Realtor.org, Inman News, and Rismedia. (more…)
Tags:atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, Brenda Waters, foreclosure, georgia, listing, Metro Brokers, NAR, open house, Real Estate, real estate agent, real estate career, Realtor, Realtor Safety Month, safety tips, success, Tips, vacant
Posted in Agents | 4 Comments »
August 29, 2011
It goes without saying that you and your real estate agent want to attract serious home buyers, but your marketing may instead be attracting Lookie-Loos.
Serious buyers want to find a home. They have criteria, a price, and a moving date. They’re usually represented by a REALTOR®. They’ve eliminated homes on the Internet and have your home on the short list. They’ve been pre-qualified by a lender, and are ready to make an offer on the right home.
A Lookie-Loo is a person who is not seriously in the market to buy a home. This could be a nosy neighbor, an open house junkie, or someone who thinks they’re serious when they’re incapable of making a realistic offer.
In determining your marketing strategy, your REALTOR knows what will work to get serious buyers coming to see your home, and what filters will discourage people who will waste your time. (more…)
Tags:atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, Buyers, georgia, listing, lookie loos, marketing, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, Realtor, seller, success, Tips, Tisha Gay
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers | 4 Comments »
August 22, 2011
Most agents and homebuyers are not aware that the IRS is often one of the major delays to be able to meet the closing date on time. You may be asking, “How does the IRS delay the mortgage process?” Well, every mortgage lender in the U.S. today must obtain the IRS transcripts for the homebuyer’s last 2 years of filed federal tax returns.
These transcripts are provided by the IRS once the mortgage lender sends in the signed 4506-T form that allows the release of the homebuyer/borrower’s filed tax records.
The Mortgage Lenders must obtain a “Clear 4506-T Result” from the IRS before they can move the loan file forward and on to closing. There are many reasons for a FAIL result on a 4506-T request, but in 80% of the cases it is because of an “Invalid Address”. (more…)
Tags:atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, closing success, failed closing, georgia, irs, irs 4506-t, Judy Jones, Metro Brokers, mortgages, Real Estate, real estate career, Realtor, success, tax records, Tips
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers | 3 Comments »
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.
What Are We REALLY Saying About Our Listings? (Puffery de-Puffed)
September 26, 2011Humor? Yes, whether they realize it or not, agents repeatedly use certain words or phrases to present their listings in the best possible light. We call that “puffing”. Puffing is legal and useful. Have you learned the true meaning of “puff” words? Below are some of my favorites, along with my interpretation of what those terms really mean. Add your favorites to the list! (more…)
Tags:ann bone, atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, Buyers, georgia, listing, listing comments, marketing, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, Realtor, seller, success, Tips
Posted in Agents, Buyers, Sellers | 13 Comments »