Lisa and Jim's Northern Nevada Real Estate Blog: May 2009

Today I celebrated with my Seller and Buyer. HOORAY!

I posted a pretty cool post a bit back about another one of my special Seller's and Buyers: What it's like to be an active participant in God's plan. Well, I'm happy to report that this plan went all the way and closed today as a Short Sale in Coral Springs Florida.

It's a great story of a Short Sale closing but it's more than just another Short Sale closing as it's about human misfortune and human compassion interacting. You can go to my prior post to read the beginning but I'd like to let you know how it came to a close.

My Sellers were planning their move out of their recently sold home and the Buyers of their home wanted to do more for them then just save them from foreclosure as if that wasn't enough. It is a rough time for my Sellers and they had to pick up the pieces to move on to a new stage in their life with great hopes of better days ahead. The sweet part of it came from the compassion of my Buyers who had prayed for them, gave them a bit of financial help and wished them well for what their future holds and want to know how they get along in their days ahead.

So yes, a lot of people had something to celebrate today:

• A Seller avoided foreclosure
• A qualified Buyer purchased a new home at a great price
• A Lender lessened their potential for further losses
• A Condominium Association secured a greater likelihood of receiving their fees on a timely basis, again bringing up the possibility of greater values in the neighborhood
• Neighbors can look forward to one less property threatening their property values
• A Realtor who got paid for being part of something really special - can't touch that!

So it was great to see a Short Sale close but to see it close like this was even sweeter!

The more you know, the better prepared, the better the outcome.

I serve Coral Springs and the surrounding cities such as Coconut Creek, Parkland, Sunrise to Southwest Ranches in Broward and Dade and Palm Beach Counties of South Florida as your dedicated Realtor and CDPE Certified Distressed Property Expert ready to work for you. I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon. Please call me at 954-464-1100 or email me at: lynnp@ImagineYourHouse and it would be my pleasure to help you!

Learn more about me and Coral Springs Real Estate as your Coral Springs Realtor

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I blogged about our rescue goat a couple of weeks ago ... before we got him, My Wife Really Got My Goat ... Now He's Home.  Blogged once after he came home to introduce you, but we've gotten to know him better since then My Wife Really Got My Goat ... Now He's Home. 

His is a really sad story, a foreclosure-abandoned rescue.  Buster, as we call him, is a very special animal ... very, very special.  He has clearly been around people and treated very well. 

He interacts with kids, dogs, chickens - anything is just fine with him.  He is guarded at first, but ends up rubbing his head against those he likes - a goat thing.  He loves people.

He's wrecked havoc on our trees - he's much taller than the pygmy goats we have and he can reach a lot higher.  He loves to eat the trees ... and anything else he can wrap his lips around.  We tried letting Buster and the other goats out in the pasture to eat some of the weeds that the horses didn't eat.  He was keen on getting out...a goat thing.  He escaped to the road ... with Angel, a rescue pygmy of ours.  Got them back after they stopped traffic and the neighbors called while the wife was busy gathering them.  Then they immediately escaped the pasture into the garden.  Okay since nothing is planted yet ... except the fruit trees that they enjoyed.

Buster is palling around with Angel - they are our two rescue goats.  They are also the adventuresome ones.  Buster pulls a tree branch down from on high and Angel eats the leaves on the end that is close to the ground.  Its fun to watch the teamwork, but tough on our trees.

Buster is such a love that he runs to or follows closely any human that comes near him.  Clearly he was once loved.  This is a rescue from a foreclosure property where he was left with his two pygmy goat buddies.  Our friends took the pygmies and we took Buster.  The pygmies are as sweet and loving as Buster according to our friends.  Clearly they were loved ... and probably still are.  Money caused a break up of their family and we are blessed with his presence, but surely they are missed by their previous owners. 

We love Buster, our kids love buster, and our grandkids love Buster - he's a family favorite already.  My mom even loves Buster who she met Sunday at her 88^th Birthday celebration.  We had no expectation of such a lovely animal when we agreed to the rescue, but we've already benefited from our relationship and I'm sure we will all continue to do so as he is so very special.

I love it when my wife gets my goat ... in a literal sense that is!

Not my real estate farm, my croplands.  We got water yesterday, water from the Carson River to irrigate with.  Coincidently, my grandson was out of school for the day so what else does an almost-nine year old boy do?  Work with Papa.  We started at 8:00 a.m. putting the boards in the diversion box.  There was water in the ditch so it gets tricky.  No problem for Gabe - he wanted to put the boards in - a first for him.  He did a good job and I taught him to tell his mother how many he put in, "a lot".  He learned that the crickets hide under the boards.

During the day he had many wonderful experiences.  A garter snake was in the alfalfa.  With no wind at that time we could see the plants sway as he squiggled his way through the plants.  Gabe asked if he could pick it up ... sure.  He did and enjoyed it.  He let it go and watched it slither away into the alfalfa.

We inspected a pine tree that the horses had chewed on.  It had a lot of new growth much to my relief, and on closer look we found a nest.  I peaked in and saw five blue eggs.  I lifted him so he could see them - rubber irrigating boots and all.

Ladybugs were everywhere in the alfalfa.  I saw one plant with eight pretty red bugs on it.  He loves ladybugs and has "hunted" them for years in the field.  He is older now and stayed on irrigating task ... in between hunting for snakes.  (We don't get snakes very often - only the 3^rd garter snake I've seen in 5 years, but he didn't know that.)

I pointed out the bad weeds and we picked many.  I showed him a superbad one, Canadian Thistle, and told him that we would come back with a shovel and get it.  I moved on and heard an "OW" behind me.  I turned and he was grabbing his hand.  Yes, he had tried to please his papa and learned why we were coming back with a shovel.  I shared his hand pain later when I pulled a foxtail that had a small wild rose branch in it.  My turn to yell "ow"! 

Later he took the boards out for the first time.  It's a tricky job trying to stay dry while reaching in the rushing water with a hay hook to pull up the board.  He learned that the water sounds different when all the boards are out. 

He skipped rocks in the ditch - even found an old horseshoe and tried skipping it.  He asked if he could, I said yes, and it went kerplunk.  But it was fun!  His best skip was a 6 ... not bad for an irrigation ditch.  He fell in the water three times during the day and slid down a mud bank.

We went over to his great grandmother's house between checks and put up her swampcooler for the summer.  He was a big help there as well.  From there we went to the main diversion box and pulled the big boards.  He remembered being there before, and liked being in that big field.

He asked a lot of questions about things all day long.  He seems to be processing on why things were created.  Had some run-ins with mosquitoes - they are on his "Why List".  Why the snakes? Why the ladybugs? And so on with his curious mind all day long.

At the end of the day we took him out to one of his favorite restaurants for dinner - mud, grime and smiles.  A break through day for my grandson - the day he went from hunting ladybugs to working like a fine young man ... with a snake or skip diversion once in awhile.

Oh, yeah - we got a good soak on all the fields.

Here's some advice that I always give to my clients.  It usually turns out to be true.

"Your Third House is Your Dream House" 

 

Your 1st House is the one that helps you stop renting.  Your 1st House transitions you into being a homeowner. Your 1st House helps you start building equity.  Your 1st House gets you into the market.

 

 

Your 2nd House is for when you're ready to move up.  You buy your 2nd House when your family is getting larger, you've got a job promotion, etc.  You need more room and can afford more house -- that's your 2nd House.

 

 

Your 3rd House is Your Dream House.  You've arrived.  This is the house you've always wanted.  You're gonna stay here for a while.  Maybe forever.

 

 

Some of my clients skip the 1st House and go right to the 2nd House.

I joke around with first time buyers and tell them that one day while I'm driving around the million dollar homes in McLean, I'm going to call them and say "Hey, I found your 3rd House.  Now we just have to wait 15 years until you're ready to buy it."

Are you ready to buy your 1st, 2nd, or 3rd House?  I'll be happy to help in any case.

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Spring has sprung and so has the real estate market.  We are experiencing a tremendous surge in business and are hearing reports of increased activity from other markets. So why are so many agents still the messenger of Doom and Gloom? 

 It astounds me that they still walk in to their listing appointments with a Doom and Gloom mindset and message.  The sellers that are selling today have their own Doom and Gloom stories or they wouldn't be selling right now.  They don't need a gloomy agent, they need a realistic agent that will get their home sold without rubbing their situation in their face. 

 Reminding them that they are out of work, have lost $100,000, or more, in equity, or have blown up their credit rating is going to make you an anchor with them for these bad times.  When things improve who are they going to call ... the Grim Reaper? 

How about being the great breath of fresh air that gave them hope?!  Spread the Sunshine and Joy and have fun doing it!  It's contagious and your customers will catch it.

Be a messenger of Hope and the facilitator of Joy ... its your job! 

There are few frustrating things in life than having a shot and no camera.  I shot professionally before real estate and I remember the shots I missed, the proverbial "one that got away", more than the shots I got.  Now that I am in real estate I look for different shots. 

As I travel throughout my beautiful Valley I look for things to put on my website to show people the natural beauty of our environs.  That means sunsets, sunrises, wildlife, landscapes, etc.  How frustrating it is when I don't have a camera!  I've cured that frustration with a "boot" camera.  Just as a policeman may have a boot gun backup, I have a "boot" camera - one in my business pack and another in my truck.  Little digital cameras that I keep charged.  Whatever happens, I can stop and record it. 

It's hard to find the time to go our and shoot when the light is good, be in the right place at the right time, or to backtrack to a scene to get a picture.  Have the camera with you and be ready as you cruise through your daily routine.  You'll pick up wonderful pictures throughout the months and years that will serve you well.  It also keeps your eye keen at looking at your surroundings and appreciating them everyday. 

Here are some on the fly shots.     

Links Carson Valley Real Estate Website Real Estate Blog Myspace Photo Gallery Description Whether for a large family, professional couple, or active retirees … this outstanding dwelling delivers the perfect combination of “Elegance and Comfort”. An absolutely wonderful home that was expertly constructed thoughtfully designed and impeccably maintained. Traditional multi-level plan offers many distinct living zones to accommodate a variety of life styles. Large inviting formal living room, a gourmet kitchen with breakfast bar and formal dining room make up the main floor, upstairs there are three family bedrooms with private baths, and above it all a elegant master suite with spacious bath featuring a double vanity, large soaking tub and walk-in shower plus a large dressing room and separate exercise room. Downstairs the den/guest quarters enjoy a separate private entrance that opens to a beautiful patio. This room could easily double as an in home office, in-law quarters or maid’s room. At the lowest level we find a giant family room with pool table, entertainment area, and insulated wine room. Located on 1.73 acres, the manicured grounds are a true delight, a tasteful combination of private fenced patio and deck, rolling lush green lawns and a variety or native brush and colorful blooms. There is a huge detached garage that matches the house and could easily accommodate 6 cars, toys, RV’s or be completed and converted for many uses. All this plus the present zoning will allow horses. Features Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Parking Spaces: 8+ Year Built: 1985 Lot Size: 1.73 Garage Size: 8+ A Car Man's Dream! School District: Douglas County Square Footage: 4846 Agent Name: Lisa Wetzel and Jim Valentine Broker: John Fisher MLS #: 80011004 Location 940 Foothill Road Gardnerville NV 89460 Powered by vFlyer.com vFlyer Id: 1759332

Once in awhile you'll encounter an agent that is controlling or controlled by the customer.  This typically occurs when the agent doesn't know the answers to the customer's unreasonable demands, or is enamored with the outcome of the transaction ... they are attached to the outcome and have lost their objectivity.  Both situations will cause stress in a transaction because the normal flow, interaction, candor, and effort to mitigate the differences to a common goal - a successful close of escrow on terms and conditions acceptable to both parties - are lost.  Trust evaporates and all parties are left with an unsettled feeling about things. 

Agents shouldn't get in the way of their customer's desired outcome.  We are there to assist our customers in achieving their goals and objectives.  If you encounter an agent causing difficulties, stay the course if you want to complete the transaction, but remember not to capitulate from your minimum standards and don't let their efforts to manipulate or dominate you ruin your spirits or your customers' appreciation of the property or sale. 

An agent should be firm in their resolve and focused on the customer and his interests.  The right thing occurs when you have a good team, agents & client, and everybody knows the "Game Plan".

Community involvement is essential.  As Realtors we are advocates of our respective communities and it is essential that we help keep them vibrant, whole and wholesome.  If not, what are we selling ... or living in?  However you get involved... get involved. 

We immerse ourselves in Pop Warner football and cheerleading. We know that we are definitely changing lives while we preserve the future of our community by developing the character of the youth.  You are as well when you are involved with your Chamber of Commerce, Church, Senior Care Group, Cancer or other Awareness Group, Youth Sports, School Groups and Activities, etc.  Your community is a reflection of and on you ... how does yours look?

It may result in increased business, but we suggest that you do it from a pure heart and trust the process.  Do it for the recipients that will benefit from it.  Do it for your community.  Don't do it for you ... put it all on your community and you will eventually benefit.  You will undoubtedly benefit financially, but your greater return is immeasurable. 

Give and enjoy. 

I recently posted about my wife calling me when I was with a customer to ask if she could rescue a goat.  Caught as I was in a noncompromising position, I acquiesced.  He was a standard - we have pygmy goats.  Well, he has been delivered and he is very tall - about as tall as our miniature donkeys.

He looks like a Holstein cow with spotted ears.  Very gentle and alert.  We're working on a name - down to "Buster" or "Gomer".    This morning Lisa found him sleeping at the door to the goat house with the donkeys on the other side of the fence by him in their pasture.  Looks like I need to make a larger door to the goat house!

We're not sure if he will stay in the goat pen, or if we'll put him out with the donkeys and horses.  Will try that this weekend and see what happens.  I'm confident that we'll have many years of enjoyment with him ... and vice versa.  I'm posting pics I took last night - you can see he's already checking out how to get in the house!