"10% + 8% = 18%"

Hello all,

"10% + 8% = 18%"

I have talked about this with a couple of agents one on one but I am seeing it come up more and more so I wanted to throw it out there. In "most" areas prices began to stabilize mid/late 2009, stayed flat in 2010, small increase of 2%-3% in 2011 and it looks like we had around 5% in 2012. In 2009-2011 we were dominated by REO'S and short sales, typically the clients were getting those properties at 10% below market value. Hopefully they put a little elbow grease in, carpet, paint... and brought it up to snuff. If you factor in the 8% or so increase in values we should have a good amount of future clients. I am going to use one of Lisa's clients as an example because it is, well, easier for me...

Clients purchased 12672 Piedmont Trail Rd April of 2010 for $350,000 with a $10,500 seller subsidy, short sale.

Clients sold the same property after putting a nominal amount of money in for $375,000, no subsidy in January of 2012. House would probably sell for $389,000 today.

Clients took their profits and purchased 654 Chesterton St in the Kentlands for $517,000 with a $10,000 seller subsidy. This was a normal sale but needed a little work, they put hardwoods on the main, carpet and paint everywhere else. 

Clients have put this on the market Thursday at $569,000 and there are two contracts in, they will be buying a single family. 

The point I am getting to is if you are looking for business this is a great place to start. You need to spend a little time and effort in MRIS looking around but it could pay great benefits. If you search on neighborhoods for the short sales and REO'S then do a market analysis to what the property is worth now you could send a great marketing piece. 

Dear Mr & Mrs Homeowner,

I was doing some work in your neighborhood and I see that the values have come up the past couple of years. Being you purchased your home 123 Main St as a short sale the equity in your home could be substantial. Rates remain low so it might be a good time to think about moving up! If you would like a free market analysis on your home feel free to contact me at...

This is a contact sport... 

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"If someone wrote a book about your life . . . 

would anyone want to read it?"
 

- TV Recruiting Ad (U.S. Navy)

FICTION OR NON-FICTION?

 

Fast-forward your life 20, 30, even 40 years. Now . . . imagine someone writing a book of your life story. Think of the possibilities. Would it be motivational, a mystery perhaps, or even science fiction? What about reference, a novel, true crime, short story, or an expose? Would it be found in the children's section of the library, the reference section, or under biographies?

 

Wow - the possibilities are endless. The good news is - YOU are the lead character, and get to make all the choices! Close your eyes and visualize how it would read. Assume that the author is an unrelated third-party who knows every detail. That's a scary thought, isn't it?

 

If the chapters were written in chronological order, which ones would make the best reading? Undoubtedly, the ones from age 12-20 would provide some interesting material. From 20 to 40 would be excellent transitional chapters with lots of "Ah-ha!"s and course changes. The final chapter may be the most revealing, however. Think how many readers like to skip to the end to see how the book ends.

 

If you could skip to the end of your own book, how would it read? Summarizing the entire book, would you say it was a thriller, a shocker, a spell-binder, a tragedy, a romance, or an inspiration?

 

Your life is a book waiting to be written - write it well!