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Monday, November 23, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
What Makes A Great Office
Some recent attempts at recruiting me from other offices has left me thinking. You know, that “is the grass greener” idea that can be hard to resist. Well, it didn’t take me more than a second to determine I’m not going anywhere. What I can offer my clients here at Century 21 Central Falls well, all else pales in comparison.
When searching for an agent, I have heard many people say they were referred by a friend or family member. Some satisified. Some very much not. Others have simply called an office they pass everyday and took whomever answered the phone. You could very well get a wonderful, hardworking person this way. But have you ever thought about who is behind them?
Let me start by saying, I know a lot of great agents who work for big offices, handle everything on their own and do a fantastic job for their clients. But when I went into this I wanted to be sure that I had backing, support. And I am damn lucky to have found it. You see, there are a few factors that make an office GREAT.
First, and most importantly, I am very lucky to have an amazing broker. Now, I told myself that in this blog I would refrain from using names or outing anyone. But sometimes rules are made to be broken and credit is due. So, Dave Paolini is not only extremely knowledgeable and hardworking, he is understanding, helpful and supportive. He always finds the time to be in the office, often well before we open and staying long after closing. His door is always open. He is always ready to lend an ear or a laugh. He truly cares about more than just his business. He cares about his agents and employees. Always making sure he is giving us the support we need whether through extra marketing, a new copier or keeping us informed on changes and events that effect our business. He is involved in the community and has an excellent reputation. He’s even been known to take our showings for us. And for sake of sounding like I’m sucking up I will stop there.
Having a good staff is also very important. We are very lucky to have Judy who not only answers the phones and keeps us in check, she lends us much help also. Checking our work, making sure we have the things we need and always being there to assist. Oh, and designing some very fine ads too.
And Nancy, dear Nancy, our office manager. You would be hard pressed to find a moment she isn’t working. And harder to find a time she isn’t ready and willing to help in any way she can. We all love Nancy.
Then there are the agents. Dave and Paula created an office that would have a sense of family and old fashioned values, and well, they have succeeded. You see, they could have done what so many others have. Filled the business with 30, 40, 50 agents. Created big numbers. But what is important here is quality. The result- a small group of people big on hard work, quality service and happy clients. We have a great team of good people and a friendly, fun environment that transcends to our clients and customers. Walk into our office on any given day and you are sure to be greeted with a smile and the sound of laughter. These people really have become an extended family and you feel it when you are here. Sure, we have had our disagreements, but like any family they are usually over as quickly as they start. All of this has left us leaders in our business.
So what makes a great office? A GREAT TEAM.
'Tis the season to give thanks. I am thankful for a GREAT OFFICE!!
When searching for an agent, I have heard many people say they were referred by a friend or family member. Some satisified. Some very much not. Others have simply called an office they pass everyday and took whomever answered the phone. You could very well get a wonderful, hardworking person this way. But have you ever thought about who is behind them?
Let me start by saying, I know a lot of great agents who work for big offices, handle everything on their own and do a fantastic job for their clients. But when I went into this I wanted to be sure that I had backing, support. And I am damn lucky to have found it. You see, there are a few factors that make an office GREAT.
First, and most importantly, I am very lucky to have an amazing broker. Now, I told myself that in this blog I would refrain from using names or outing anyone. But sometimes rules are made to be broken and credit is due. So, Dave Paolini is not only extremely knowledgeable and hardworking, he is understanding, helpful and supportive. He always finds the time to be in the office, often well before we open and staying long after closing. His door is always open. He is always ready to lend an ear or a laugh. He truly cares about more than just his business. He cares about his agents and employees. Always making sure he is giving us the support we need whether through extra marketing, a new copier or keeping us informed on changes and events that effect our business. He is involved in the community and has an excellent reputation. He’s even been known to take our showings for us. And for sake of sounding like I’m sucking up I will stop there.
Having a good staff is also very important. We are very lucky to have Judy who not only answers the phones and keeps us in check, she lends us much help also. Checking our work, making sure we have the things we need and always being there to assist. Oh, and designing some very fine ads too.
And Nancy, dear Nancy, our office manager. You would be hard pressed to find a moment she isn’t working. And harder to find a time she isn’t ready and willing to help in any way she can. We all love Nancy.
Then there are the agents. Dave and Paula created an office that would have a sense of family and old fashioned values, and well, they have succeeded. You see, they could have done what so many others have. Filled the business with 30, 40, 50 agents. Created big numbers. But what is important here is quality. The result- a small group of people big on hard work, quality service and happy clients. We have a great team of good people and a friendly, fun environment that transcends to our clients and customers. Walk into our office on any given day and you are sure to be greeted with a smile and the sound of laughter. These people really have become an extended family and you feel it when you are here. Sure, we have had our disagreements, but like any family they are usually over as quickly as they start. All of this has left us leaders in our business.
So what makes a great office? A GREAT TEAM.
'Tis the season to give thanks. I am thankful for a GREAT OFFICE!!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Feedback
If you’ve ever tried to sell your home you know how much of an endeavor it can be. The struggle to keep everything neat and clean while still working, chasing kids and living your hectic life. The worry of having everything just right. The wonder of when will it sell and where will you go. I feel your pain.
Showings can be daunting and worrisome. Strangers wandering through your house. Wondering what they thought. Hoping for feedback. Feedback. Everyone wants feedback. As if whatever that one person says will bring some kind of revelation. As if they know, think, feel something that will shed some light that will change everything and make it sell faster.
Or is it just comfort in hearing something? Does knowing that they “like” it but don’t want it somehow feel ok?
I agree that sometimes feedback can be welcome and maybe even helpful. Confirming your thoughts, your agent’s advice. But forcing an agent to come up with something definitely is not. I always try to offer my thoughts to fellow agents and their sellers. The price is a bit too high- but they probably knew that. The fluorescent green den is painful- surely they knew that. But sometimes there isn’t anything more than “it’s a nice house. It just isn’t right for my clients”.
Here is a revelation. If you hear “the colors threw them off” or “they liked the house but felt the price is too high” -listen. This is what you have been asking for. This is what your agent has worked hard to get for you. It’s your job to correct what you can, when you can.
The most important aspect of selling, or buying for that matter, could be- Be Realistic. Yes, you can try to get whatever you want, but you must be willing to suffer the consequences. If you want to “test the market” and price high, you must be willing for it to take much longer to sell your home. If you want to enjoy your bold colors or just don’t want to repaint, you must be able to accept that some won’t be able to see past it. And you should understand that sometimes there just isn’t anything to say.
Showings can be daunting and worrisome. Strangers wandering through your house. Wondering what they thought. Hoping for feedback. Feedback. Everyone wants feedback. As if whatever that one person says will bring some kind of revelation. As if they know, think, feel something that will shed some light that will change everything and make it sell faster.
Or is it just comfort in hearing something? Does knowing that they “like” it but don’t want it somehow feel ok?
I agree that sometimes feedback can be welcome and maybe even helpful. Confirming your thoughts, your agent’s advice. But forcing an agent to come up with something definitely is not. I always try to offer my thoughts to fellow agents and their sellers. The price is a bit too high- but they probably knew that. The fluorescent green den is painful- surely they knew that. But sometimes there isn’t anything more than “it’s a nice house. It just isn’t right for my clients”.
Here is a revelation. If you hear “the colors threw them off” or “they liked the house but felt the price is too high” -listen. This is what you have been asking for. This is what your agent has worked hard to get for you. It’s your job to correct what you can, when you can.
The most important aspect of selling, or buying for that matter, could be- Be Realistic. Yes, you can try to get whatever you want, but you must be willing to suffer the consequences. If you want to “test the market” and price high, you must be willing for it to take much longer to sell your home. If you want to enjoy your bold colors or just don’t want to repaint, you must be able to accept that some won’t be able to see past it. And you should understand that sometimes there just isn’t anything to say.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
My Question Of The Day....
WHY am I such a SAP?
At 4:30 this morning I woke. Why? I don't NEED to be up, I thought. I tried to pretend I was sleeping. Hoping my brain and body would believe. To no avail. After about 15 minutes I gave in. Thank the heavens, or my husband really, that there was coffee in the pot.
With these early morning bouts of insomnia I generally follow the same routine. Curse myself and my noisy husband on my way to the kitchen, curse the dog for sleeping on the couch, gulp down half a cup of coffee, try to block out what 8pm will feel like and finally accept that I'm up.
Usually on these mornings though, I am full of energy and ready to take on the day. Next, I flip on the news. Yes, I'm a bit of a news junky. After a quick clean of the house I settle in front of my laptop with a fresh cup and get to work. While the anchors of WMUR fulfill my fix.
This morning, while in the midst of writing emails, planning some marketing and sending some status updates on my listings, came my first surge of emotion. The girl from Maine's first Amber Alert had been found. Safe and Sound. Wonderful! Oh, but I didn't stop there. No. The tear that entered my eye was also for this dad! Ya, seriously. Something had to cause him to feel so much emotion. All I can think is I hope he can find peace.
Back to work. Only to find surge number two. I met this gentleman last week. He actually contacted me from this blog, looking to buy a home. His first home. Our first showing, he fell in love. We were soon writing an offer. A dream for both buyer and REALTOR alike. One showing, one offer, close in 30 days. If only.
Go figure. Another offer. A higher offer. And a first time buyer still trying to to grasp the process and become comfortable with such an undertaking. He lost the condo. And I can't help but feel I wish there were more I could have done. Did I fail him? It's wonderful to help someone find a home. Home is where we are safe and comfortable. Missing one does not feel so good.
Shake it off Stephanie. We will find him something.
Next objective- blog. Plagued with writer's block, lack of creativity and a crazy schedule has left me feeling guilty and anxious for not posting something new. But what to write? For inspiration, reading over some previous posts seemed liked a good idea. That is what has brought us here. Emotions blazing from sadness to joy, I picked up my pen and the first thing that came to mind is "WHY am I SUCH a sap?". Hand me a challenge and my back is strong. Show me someone else's and I melt.
My family laughs at me during movies as I sit with a blanket blocking my face so they can't see me cry. They know it's coming as you see the smiles on their faces start to spread. I really am a fool. I just hope it makes me a more understanding, BETTER REALTOR.
At 4:30 this morning I woke. Why? I don't NEED to be up, I thought. I tried to pretend I was sleeping. Hoping my brain and body would believe. To no avail. After about 15 minutes I gave in. Thank the heavens, or my husband really, that there was coffee in the pot.
With these early morning bouts of insomnia I generally follow the same routine. Curse myself and my noisy husband on my way to the kitchen, curse the dog for sleeping on the couch, gulp down half a cup of coffee, try to block out what 8pm will feel like and finally accept that I'm up.
Usually on these mornings though, I am full of energy and ready to take on the day. Next, I flip on the news. Yes, I'm a bit of a news junky. After a quick clean of the house I settle in front of my laptop with a fresh cup and get to work. While the anchors of WMUR fulfill my fix.
This morning, while in the midst of writing emails, planning some marketing and sending some status updates on my listings, came my first surge of emotion. The girl from Maine's first Amber Alert had been found. Safe and Sound. Wonderful! Oh, but I didn't stop there. No. The tear that entered my eye was also for this dad! Ya, seriously. Something had to cause him to feel so much emotion. All I can think is I hope he can find peace.
Back to work. Only to find surge number two. I met this gentleman last week. He actually contacted me from this blog, looking to buy a home. His first home. Our first showing, he fell in love. We were soon writing an offer. A dream for both buyer and REALTOR alike. One showing, one offer, close in 30 days. If only.
Go figure. Another offer. A higher offer. And a first time buyer still trying to to grasp the process and become comfortable with such an undertaking. He lost the condo. And I can't help but feel I wish there were more I could have done. Did I fail him? It's wonderful to help someone find a home. Home is where we are safe and comfortable. Missing one does not feel so good.
Shake it off Stephanie. We will find him something.
Next objective- blog. Plagued with writer's block, lack of creativity and a crazy schedule has left me feeling guilty and anxious for not posting something new. But what to write? For inspiration, reading over some previous posts seemed liked a good idea. That is what has brought us here. Emotions blazing from sadness to joy, I picked up my pen and the first thing that came to mind is "WHY am I SUCH a sap?". Hand me a challenge and my back is strong. Show me someone else's and I melt.
My family laughs at me during movies as I sit with a blanket blocking my face so they can't see me cry. They know it's coming as you see the smiles on their faces start to spread. I really am a fool. I just hope it makes me a more understanding, BETTER REALTOR.
Monday, November 9, 2009
For The Love Of Portsmouth
I have this great new listing!
22 Mangrove Street
Portsmouth, NH
A charming, stylish Bungalow. It has an antique yet modern feel. Great floor plan, clean, solid. Everything has been done! It kind of lends that 1930's Hollywood style I love. And the best part, fabulous sellers! They have done so much to this house, including having it professionally cleaned and landscaped prior to listing.
Since moving out of Portsmouth six years ago, I haven't spent nearly enough time there. It's such a great little city. I miss it terribly. Since listing this one I'm glad to have had the chance to be there more.
As I ventured to city hall to get the tax card I came to a realization. While I have been away, many MORE people have moved in. The streets seemed to bustle a bit more. New shops and restaurants have popped up. It's amazing how that little Dover Point bridge seems like such a big road block. And it goes both ways. When you are in Dover, you tend to stay in Dover. When you are in Portsmouth, you tend to stay in Portsmouth. Well not for this girl. Not any more. I love both little cities. And I want to enjoy it all.
Bring me your Portsmouth listings! :)
The End Of Short Sale Hell
This one anyway.
It finally happened! At day 129 we CLOSED!
At day 99 I thought I would run screaming from any buyer or seller who uttered the words "short sale". As with most things that cause me grief, once they are over they don't seem so bad. I look back on it all and know that I would do it all again.
I had some great adventures with this buyer and I gained a friend in the process. Over the course of more than a year we looked at MANY homes together and have gathered many tales.
At the closing table Friday we recounted some of those stories. My favorite was one I have referred to previously. The only time I have run from a house screaming!
It was an old, empty house in Newmarket. Built in the 1800's. With all the quirks and features you might expect from a house of that era. We entered through the back into the kitchen. And a strange kitchen it was. A large open room with a stove that stuck out like a sore thumb. And nothing else. Oh, except for the closet. Yes, the closet with a toilet in it. Just a toilet.
I was having great fun telling my buyer just why I was not going to let her buy this house. Pointing out the stand up shower that graced the once dining room off the kitchen, the upstairs hall with floors like a fun house. Teasing about the piano that would start playing on it's own at any moment. We really were having great fun!
Even after all the laughter and jokes of ghosts and goblins, we ventured to the dark creepy basement. With an old field stone foundation, dirt floors and NO light, I exclaimed "This is where the bodies are buried!". And just at that moment, from somewhere in a deep, dark corner that appeared to have a giant hole dug into the floor, came a sound.... A growl reminiscent of something Stephen King would conjure.
I wish I could have seen her face as she turned to me and screamed "GET THE ______ OUT!" and proceeded to nearly run me over. She didn't have to tell me twice. As a matter of fact, she didn't need to tell me at all as I took the stairs two at a time and headed straight for the exit.
By the time we got out we were both laughing hysterically, but neither of us were interested in anything other than locking that door and getting the hell out of there. I can only imagine how absolutely uproarious it would have been for the neighbors to see us screaming out of there.
I didn't realize until the closing table that from there we went to the first showing on what would become the dreaded short sale! Maybe the previous event caused her to decide she had had enough.
Whatever it was, whatever happened along the way, I had a great time! And I would definately do it all again!
It finally happened! At day 129 we CLOSED!
At day 99 I thought I would run screaming from any buyer or seller who uttered the words "short sale". As with most things that cause me grief, once they are over they don't seem so bad. I look back on it all and know that I would do it all again.
I had some great adventures with this buyer and I gained a friend in the process. Over the course of more than a year we looked at MANY homes together and have gathered many tales.
At the closing table Friday we recounted some of those stories. My favorite was one I have referred to previously. The only time I have run from a house screaming!
It was an old, empty house in Newmarket. Built in the 1800's. With all the quirks and features you might expect from a house of that era. We entered through the back into the kitchen. And a strange kitchen it was. A large open room with a stove that stuck out like a sore thumb. And nothing else. Oh, except for the closet. Yes, the closet with a toilet in it. Just a toilet.
I was having great fun telling my buyer just why I was not going to let her buy this house. Pointing out the stand up shower that graced the once dining room off the kitchen, the upstairs hall with floors like a fun house. Teasing about the piano that would start playing on it's own at any moment. We really were having great fun!
Even after all the laughter and jokes of ghosts and goblins, we ventured to the dark creepy basement. With an old field stone foundation, dirt floors and NO light, I exclaimed "This is where the bodies are buried!". And just at that moment, from somewhere in a deep, dark corner that appeared to have a giant hole dug into the floor, came a sound.... A growl reminiscent of something Stephen King would conjure.
I wish I could have seen her face as she turned to me and screamed "GET THE ______ OUT!" and proceeded to nearly run me over. She didn't have to tell me twice. As a matter of fact, she didn't need to tell me at all as I took the stairs two at a time and headed straight for the exit.
By the time we got out we were both laughing hysterically, but neither of us were interested in anything other than locking that door and getting the hell out of there. I can only imagine how absolutely uproarious it would have been for the neighbors to see us screaming out of there.
I didn't realize until the closing table that from there we went to the first showing on what would become the dreaded short sale! Maybe the previous event caused her to decide she had had enough.
Whatever it was, whatever happened along the way, I had a great time! And I would definately do it all again!
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