Beware of Distress Sale Dangers
Posted by Rachel LaMar, J.D. | Leave A Comment »
Are you facing a foreclosure or thinking about short selling your home? If so, there are several things about which you NEED to be aware before making any decisions. To learn more please visit http://www.rachellamarrealestate.com/blog/?p=554.
Related Posts: Foreclosures, Short Sales, foreclosure options, rachel lamar
Jeff Cole-Featured Agent Spotlight By Foreclosure.com
Posted by Jeff Cole | Currently 2 Comments »
Agent Spotlight: JEFF COLE, REO SPECIALIST
For Jeff Cole, what started as a passion for real estate investment is now a hugely successful — and still growing — real estate business.Jeff started as an investor in 1984 and became a full-time agent in 1995. He has spent the last 15 years fine-tuning his skills, being a top agent at both Prudential and Coldwell Banker and finally joining his latest venture in 2006 at Windermere Exclusive Properties in San Diego County.With an average DOM of 30 days, BPO accuracy of 99.8 percent to sales price and an impressive volume of $166.65 million, Jeff is managing just fine in today’s tough economic climate.”We have been busier in this market than many agents I believe mostly because I understand well the business of real estate and have an uncanny sense to see opportunity in every market,” says Jeff.
Jeff’s business is currently about 60 percent REO and 40 percent regular resale. He opened his REO division in 2007 in anticipation of the current housing market situation. Since then, Jeff has been the top Windermere Agent in San Diego County every single year. He has also received the “Five-Star Best in Client Satisfaction” award for those same three years. How did he manage it?Jeff puts it simply: “I love to help people reach their goals.”Jeff’s quality customer service includes Web-optimized listings on more than 40 major Web sites within 24 hours and include premium photography. He also has a “less than two hours” call return policy that clients love.
His stellar customer service record is enhanced by a solid list of credentials that include both the Certified Foreclosure Agent and Certified Short Sale Agent designations from Agent University.”I feel strongly that continued education is the key to staying ahead in this business and Agent University has useful courses,” Jeff tells us. “It gives me one more selling advantage over other agents and helps keep the saw sharp.”His profile on Foreclosure.com has also helped increase his market exposure.”Sharon Johnson with Foreclosure.com has been very helpful setting up my profile and making suggestions to grow my online exposure,” says Jeff. “Foreclosure.com is a useful tool to get my name in front of the distressed property consumer.”
With quality customer service skills and the education to fine-tune his business, it’s a small wonder that Jeff excels in this or any other market. He truly sets an example for the rest of us.
Great job, Jeff!
Related Posts: Agent Services, Awards and Recognitions, Education, Join Windermere, Real Estate News, Windermere Agents
Why NOW May be the Best Time to Sell Your Home
Posted by Rachel LaMar, J.D. | Currently 4 Comments »
Happy New Year! I wanted to discuss an important issue that could effect buyers and sellers this year. There have been many articles out there lately about what will happen to the housing market in 2010, and many contradict each other. Some say the market will stabilize and start to climb, others that the bottom is not even in sight yet. So who do you believe?
There are three critical factors that will play a role in the state of the market and how it will fare this year. But even more importantly, if these factors combine in several different ways it could make it more difficult to sell a home in the latter part of the year.
If you are thinking of selling your home this year you may want to consider doing so now. To find out why please read my latest blog by clicking the pencil below or by visiting http://www.rachellamarrealestate.com/blog/?p=317.
Related Posts: Buyers, Financial news, Foreclosures, Great Real Estate Deals, Interest Rates, Real Estate News, San Diego, Sellers, homes for sale, rachel lamar, tax credit
SELLERS HAVE A CHOICE WHEN IT COMES TO ALL CASH BUYERS
Posted by Ana Gramling | Leave A Comment »
![MCj04326590000[1]](http://pictureperfectsandiego.com/files/2009/12/MCj0432659000012.png)
In this real estate environment where it is thought that the all cash buyers are “KING”…know that sellers DO have a choice. I have had the opportunity to work with sellers who consciously made the decision NOT to choose an all cash buyer based on the fact that they were once given an opportunity to buy a home, when they truly thought it would be impossible, and wholeheartedly knew the responsibility to “pay it forward”.
I’d like to share an incident which stemmed from a phone call from a potential buyer…let’s call him “Mark” (who was not represented by a Realtor®), who, through his own dedicated search of the internet; saw one of my new listings. 
I will say it was a listing that I knew was going to generate a LOT of interest and was a sure bet for an all-cash buying opportunity. Mark expressed his disappointment in previously having made over a dozen offers to purchase homes that had been mostly awarded to all cash buyers. Some properties he made offers on got into a “bidding war” between all cash buyers; and, he knew he would not have a snowball’s chance (do you like the holiday pun?) in being awarded the purchase. Mark continued to express his concern that most all cash buyers are investors and, truth be told, they would hurt the owner vs. tenant occupancy ratios of most communities, and they would make it more difficult for the future conventional buyer to obtain a loan due to lender requirements.
I know Mark’s situation will resonate with many conventional buyers, not to mention their Realtors®. In reality, all that the conventional buyer desires is to be afforded the opportunity to enjoy homeownership and “owner occupy” the home they purchase. Today’s conventional buyer already faces the tremendous obstacle of limited inventory, stricter lender requirements, inferior product due to deferred maintenance in short sale/foreclosure properties and a tough economy. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the all cash buyer! My point is simple; there is room in our real estate market for the variety in our pool of buyers.
So, is there an answer to Mark’s dilemma??? Probably not!!! What I know is th
at I have another seller who likewise is paying it forward. They too awarded a sale to a conventional buyer who is actually a first time homebuyer who is expecting their first child. I can’t think of a better holiday present than to have the opportunity to buy a home to raise their family in and start many new treasured memories and traditions. I know this may sound too good to be true! Don’t believe me? Call me at (858) 688-3363 or EMAIL ME and I’ll be happy to tell you all the facts in greater detail!!!
By the way, Mark has elected to take a break from the stress of trying to buy a home in this marketplace and is currently renting.
Related Posts: Agent Services, Buyers, Find A Home, Foreclosures, Homeowners, San Diego, Sellers, Short Sales, homes for sale
SHORT SALES, FAIR OR FOWL?
Posted by Ellen Jaffe | Leave A Comment »
One fine San Diego Day, Chicken Little was strolling along enjoying the weather. The sky was a crisp, clear blue and the sun was a huge bright globe. He didn’t much care for rain, which was why he liked San Diego. He wasn’t into getting his feathers wet. So this was a perfect place for him.
Suddenly, a large shadow was over him and as he looked up, his chicken smile quickly faded. He ran for his life as he was almost hit by a falling Condo and then another and another and then some houses crashed to the ground. Now chicken Little really wasn’t chicken, but he thought, “what a way to start the day”. I’m going to call my Realtor, Ellen!
She told him that what he just experienced was a lot of Short Sales and REOs 
falling to the ground. He was told to continue looking up and he would see Bankers with their arms folded laughing and watching the crashing homes. Ellen said, “it’s really a wonder that I have any hair left at all; just a few little blond wisps”. Chicken Little said, “wow, I’m really glad I don’t own the coop. Rocky rooster is my landlord. He crows all day and all night. He hasn’t gotten the message. Let him deal with all of it.”
“In Oh Five, the coop went condo. We all got so eggcited, all we could do was cluck. Day and night, night and day, cluck, cluck, cluck. By Oh Six, some of us got chicken, but others decided to buy in. Boy did they lay an egg. There are feathers flying because they have to do a Short Sale. Now Ellen, they all want your help! ”
So Ellen plunged right in to see what she could do. After months of calling and submitting and faxing and begging and pleading she was now at square one. So much for progress. Chicken Little said, “Wow, you Realtors are really something. All the hens are saying we thought sitting on our eggs until they hatch was really difficult and time consuming, but the result was worth the effort.” Sometimes Short Sales don’t close, so the results may not be as positive. ” I give you an awful lot of credit, he said”.
As in the example of Michael Jordan (Chicken Little said he couldn’t reach those heights), propelled by extraordinary talent to the stratosphere of basketball achievement; persistence and perseverance will result in exceptional service and accomplishment.
……..More from inside the coop to come!!
Related Posts: Lifestyle, Market Trends, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Santa Fe, Real Estate News, San Diego, Sellers, Short Sales, Summer, Tourism, Windermere, Windermere Agents, Windermere Offices, WindermereSanDiego.com, World News
