Brigita's Blog: April 2009

As most of you may know, I have transferred brokerage firms recently.  I am now working at Keller Williams Real Estate and believe it or not, I am totally overwhelmed.

After my transfer, I have to get basics done, such as business cards, familiarizing myself with the new office and fellow agents, making changes on websites and stationary, etc.  It's somewhat like starting in business again. 

In addition to the above, I must also continue working with my clients, buyers and sellers, and to continue giving them outstanding service.  Business must go on as usual.

If that isn't enough, I must get literature together for an event that I am marketing myself at for this coming Saturday.

My list isn't complete, yet.  Keller Williams offers in house training, which I am currently attending for a couple of hours each day. 

If that isn't enough, I am attempting to complete my GRI courses.  I am so close to getting my designation.  With all this going on, I have put this on hold, at least for this week.

Blogging??  Well, I'm trying to squeeze that in here, too, along with my usual prospecting. 

I do have to confess that I took a couple of hours off from real estate yesterday afternon, since it was a gorgeous day, and spent it with my horse Eddie.  He appreciated getting back to work.  Plus, I needed the break.

I am now off to work on comprables for my listing appointment tomorrow afternoon and to make a few phone calls. 

Busy, busy, busy.  It's been a while since I've been this busy!

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter Holiday!

Remember why we are celebrating Easter.  It is not because of the Easter bunny. 

It is because Jesus died for us and our sins.  He then rose from the dead to have everlasting life.  This is the true reason why we celebrate Easter. 

Before you dive into the Easter meal, give thanks to our Father in heaven for his son, so that we may be forgivien for our sins and have an everlasting life.

Have a wonderful and blessed Easter holiday with your family and friends!

I would like to announce that I have made my decision and have moved on to the next level.  I have transferred to another brokerage firm.

I am now working for Keller Williams Real Estate in Bethlehem, PA.

It was a tough decision, but I sat down and went through a list of pluses and minuses of the brokerage I was with and the few that I interviewed.  I felt Keller Williams will benefit me more in the long run.

All that has changed is the firm I am working with.  I will stilll continue servicing the Nazareth and Lehigh Valley areas, and Northampton county in Pennsylvania.  My services will still be of high qualityr.  I will continue my education so that I may strive to increase my knowledge and improve my services.

How Bad Is It??

 

CEO's are now playing miniature golf.

Jewish women are marrying for love.

Even people who have nothing to do with the Obama administration aren't paying their taxes.

Hotwheels and Matchbox stocks are trading higher than GM.

Obama met with small businesses to discuss the Stimulus Package: GE, Pfeizer and Citigroup.

McDonalds is selling the 1/4 ouncer.

Parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their children's names.

A truck of Americans got caught sneaking into Mexico.

The most highly-paid job is now jury duty.

Dick Cheney took his stockbroker hunting.

People in Africa are donating money to Americans.

Mothers in Ethiopia are telling their kids, "Finish your plate, do you know how many kids are starving in the US?"

Motel Six won't leave the light on.

The Mafia is laying off judges.

And finally...

Congress says they are looking into this Bernard Madoff scandal.
Hey, neat...the guy who made $50 billion disappear is being investigated by the people who made $750 billion disappear

This past month's market report is showing good news.  The number of sales for March, 2009 increased by 46%.  335 sales were reported as compared to February, 2009 at 230.

The average sales price also increased.  The average for March 2009 was at $202,000, which was an increase compared to February 2009, where the average price was $196,000.

The median sales prices also increased from $166,000 in February 2009 to $185,000 in March 2009.

The average time on the market for properties sold during March 2009, remained the same as February 2009, at 87 days.

11 new construction properties were sold in March 2009 with an average sales price of $371,000 while in February 2009the average price was recorded at $449,000.  The median sales price reposrted is $334,000 for March 2009 and the median for February was $367,00.  The prices are based on newly constructed homes with 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths.

Distribution of Sales in March 2009

Sale Price                                   Number of Sales

under $70,000                                    29
$70,001 - $100,000                             18
$100,001 - $150,000                           68
$150,001 - $200,000                           84
$200,001 - $250,000                           51
$250,001 - $300,000                           32
$300,001 - $350,000                           19
$350,001 - $400,000                           19
$400,001 - $450,000                            4
$450,001 - $500,000                            1
$550,001 - $600,000                            8
$600,001 - $700,000                            1
$700,001 - $800,000                            1
$800,001 and above                             0

I received this e-mail today from a fellow horse person.  Please let us know if anybody is able to help.  We need to get these horses to a good home before it is too late for them.

Hi, Brigita,

I'm not normally involved in horse rescue, but i've been contacted about 6 horses who are in need of placement in a better situation. The owner is willing to give them away to good homes.  I have arabians and live in New Tripoli.  I went to see these horses today for the first time. They are not terribly underweight but the owner is handicapped and is not able to care for them on a regular basis and seems to have no support. i do not know her.  i spoke with her on the phone today and she is getting desperate. she does not live in the location where the horses are and they are fed and watered once per day if possible.  You seem to know about horses and 4H etc, so i thought i would reach out to you, not in an official capacity, but as someone who knows people in the area. i'm contacting anyone i can to see how they might help, you never know.  Anyway, there are 2 stallions (one registered, one not), they will be the hardest to place, and i'm going to see if i can possibly take one.  they are both 20 years old.  there are 2 20 year old mares, one who is registered and looks pretty good, one who is apparently the underdog(not registered) and is on the thin side, but not terrible. These two mares are very codependent, so ideally they would go somewhere together.  then there are 2 other mares in their teens, who are both registered and are very well bred.  I think these two would make very good 4H projects or something of that kind.they have all been wormed and their feet done. Their feet need to be done again, but they are not terrible.. I've handled them all and picked up feet. all the horses are very gentle and sweet and beautiful. they have good ground manners. we don't think any were ever trained to ride or breed, but purebred arabians are very very trainable, even later in life. If there are any contacts you can make on behalf of them, or even an interim arrangement until they are adopted out you would be doing them a big favor.  As I said, i actually have nothing to do with this arrangement, but am looking to spread the word. Anyone looking for georgeous Lawn Ornaments or are older and relatively low maintenance?  I know this is asking alot, but i figured it couldn't hurt to ask.

thanks for your consideration.  If you want more info on them i'll email you my contact person.  

I have come to a point in my career where I have to make a difficult decision.

I am ready to move my career up to the next level and have interviewed with a handful of brokerage firms.  I narrowed my choice down to one.  They seem to offer what I believe I need to grow.

This morning I spoke to my current broker about my leaving and he was shocked.  Now, you need to understand that I have no complaints with this brokerage.  I just feel I need to grow and prosper more than I currently am.

Sitting down and talking to my broker, he stated that he was actually talking to his wife a few days ago about how proud of me he was and was considering on delegating more responsibilities to me and helping me grow more.  He also spoke of more benefits.

This is a difficult decision I must make.  Both firms have attractive benefits and offers.  I am in the middle of a transaction right now and therefore cannot make the move until after the settlement.  (It's a first time home buyer with a short sale and I need to hold her hand.)  I must weigh the pros and cons of each very carefully to make my final decision.

I never thought I would ever end up in a position where I was wanted and would have difficulty in deciding.  But, I have to be homest.  It is a good feeling to know that I am such a valuable asset that a few firms want to have me aboard and I am the one having to decide what my next move will be.

A few months ago my buyer put in an offer on a short sale and it was accepted by the sellers.  Of course we had to wait to get the bank's approval. 

The bank gave the approval at the end of February saying everything was a go.  The listing agent asked the bank if there was anything else they needed.  They replied no, that everything was in order to continue.

So, the buyer had the inspections done and the appraisal for the mortgage was done.  The title company ordered the title search.  All seemed to be going along well, until this past Monday, just days before we were to go to settlement.  (Settlement was supposed to occur today.)

Turns out the attorney's office that was doing the title had no response from the bank in regards to the pay off amount.  She was trying to contact them daily for over 2 weeks and nothing.  Monday, she finally contacted the supervisor of the bank and guess what?  She was told the reason the bank did not reply was because Fannie Mae did not approve this transaction. 

Excuse me?  You mean to tell me that we were to continue under the assumption that all was fine simply because the bank wasn't communicating with us? 

Because of the bank's lack of communication, I have a buyer that had given notice to her landlord, who in turn already placed a "For Rent" Sign in her yard.   This buyer is a single mom with 2 young children with nowhere to go at the end of this month if the bank doesn't get their act together. 

If the bank had at least let the listing agent know about the status, my buyer would not be in this predicament.  And these banks say that they do not want to foreclose because they have no interest on owning real estate.  If this was the case, why then do they sit on the paperwork?  So many homes would be bought if they only would move on the approvals.  So many buyers have walked out on agreements because the banks simply took their time.

So, Fannie Mae, if you are reading this, I suggest you move on approving the short sales.  This may be a way of getting the real estate market to pick up.  Plus, buyers would be more willling to take these homes off your hands.

How to Bathe a Cat

Dear Cat Owner,

Following are instructions on the best way to bathe your cat: