Are You Lying to your Sellers?

You have to wonder if some agents are lying to their sellers. We suspect they may be in certain cases from the stories we hear about proposed listing prices. 

Who hasn’t lost out on a listing because another agent told the sellers they could get $X for their home, when none of the market data and conditions support that contention? We all know what happens then – the home sits there, month after month, with multiple price reductions. And no offers. And then it gets relisted with another agent. Or it finally sells for well below where it likely would have, had the sellers not been lied to. 

Granted, some homeowners may believe their homes are worth more than the market will bear. They don’t have to worry about being lied to. They are lying to themselves already. But that’s a different issue. 

So, are YOU lying to your sellers?

There are some good reasons to be honest with your sellers about listing price. 

YOUR REPUTATION

Agents can get a reputation for over-pricing their listings. We know who they are because they don’t sell as many, or a larger percentage of their listings don’t sell. Wouldn’t you rather be able to tell your clients that 100% of your listings sell, as opposed to only 50%? And if the price is right the differential between asking and selling price will likely be smaller, so on average your SP/LP ratio may be more than 95% (and perhaps better than the average in the MLS) 

TIME

This will likely be well spent if you are honest about the pricing, and the sellers listen. Who wants to hold open houses, call for feedback, and spend time marketing a home that is not going to sell because of pricing. 

FINANCIAL

Lying to the homeowners about the list price will cost you in wasted advertising and marketing dollars. Oh, perhaps you don’t do any of that stuff. Is that another lie? And you, and the sellers, don’t get a pay day if the home doesn’t sell. A high list price does NOT equal $$$$$!

ETHICS

MISREPRESENTING the value of a home violates the CODE OF ETHICS (check out Article 1 and Standard of Practice 1-3 “REALTORS, in attempting to secure a listing, shall not deliberately mislead the owner as to market value.”). So you are not a REALTOR – it’s still wrong to lie. Sure you could say that you REALLY believe the home IS worth that much, but you know yourself, deep down, when you are misrepresenting based on the market. 

All this said, I think many agents are as honest and forthright with potential sellers as they can be.

And we hear stories of those who walk away from listings rather than take them because the sellers are lying to themselves about what the home is really worth despite evidence to the contrary. And certainly pricing a home in this market can be a challenge.

Why lie to your sellers and waste time and money?

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler “The California Relocation Dude” Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Do you live in San Diego County? Do you need to sell your home but owe more to your lender than your home is worth? Well, the good news is that you have options.

As a Certified Distressed Property Expert, I have helped homeowners to avoid foreclosure by means of a short sale. I have also helped hundreds of Realtors® by providing administrative support to them on their short sale transactions. In fact, this year alone, our office has obtained over 500 short sale approval letters.

What is a Certified Distressed Property Expert?

A Certified Distressed Property Expert^® is a real estate professional with detailed understanding of the complex issues confronting the real estate industry and the foreclosure avoidance options available to homeowners. Through comprehensive training, CDPEs are able to provide options for homeowners facing hardships in today’s market, specifically with short sales.

The prospect of foreclosure can be financially and emotionally distressing, and often homeowners proceed without guidance of any kind. The CDPE Designation was created specifically with the homeowner in mind. It is important for homeowners in distress to speak with a well-informed, licensed real estate professional.

My office receives phone calls daily from individuals who have sought advice from a variety of sources. Many individuals have paid another agent up front to negotiate a loan modification, yet nothing has come of it. Other homeowners are just confused about their options and do not know where to turn.

If you live in San Diego County and are facing difficulties with your mortgage, seek out the support of a qualified professional. If you are having trouble locating someone who can help you, feel free to contact me!

When I teach my short sale workshops, I always start by introducing myself-by explaining a little bit about my background, about my type-a personality, and about how I may be genetically predisposed to negotiate short sales.

One morning, while getting ready for the latest workshop, I had a look into my handbag. At that moment, I had a quick laugh because I thought the content of this handbag say it all.

While the contents of a woman’s handbag are frequently not a matter of public discussion, I would like to share with you many of its contents and what they reveal about my daily activities-particularly my current stint into the short sale negotiation business.

My handbag contains the following fairly generic items: an iPhone which I adore and on which all of my contacts are stored, and my wallet. (As a side note, I have a business card scanner (CardScan). With this device I can scan business cards directly into Outlook and then automatically sync the information into my iPhone. What will they think of next?)

But, here’s where it gets a little bit more interesting and revealing. I have a small bottle of Advil, and a package of Zantac 150. Anyone who is working more than just one short sale should always have Advil and Zantac on hand! After the third call to confirm an authorization that is still not in the system, a Zantac is definitely required.

Another interesting item that I have is a Spill Stopper (a what?). A spill stopper is the small, narrow plastic stopper that fits into the hole on the disposable coffee cup (so that it will not spill in the car). Any well-respected agent who negotiates short sales surely drinks lots and lots of coffee and, as such, could not live without the spill stopper.

The last item that I had in the bag on that day was the gym schedule. Life in the wacky world of short sale negotiations requires frequent trips to the gym in order to alleviate stress.

While some readers might have all of these items on hand no matter what, I thought the combination interesting and very revealing as it reflects my daily activities.

So, what do the contents of your bag (or your car) say about what you do?

Carlsbad Homes for Sale – The Bay Collection in Carlsbad California

Buyers looking for larger, upscale Carlsbad homes for sale will like the spaciouos homes at The Bay Collection in South Carlsbad California. 

READ MORE:

Carlsbad Village by the Sea

The Bay Collection – Carlsbad California (article written in 2007)  

The Bay Collection is adjacent to the resort residential community of Aviara, within about 1 mile of the Carlsbad beaches. These homes were built beginning in 2005 and all the homes available now are resales (there have been both short sales and REOs). 

A number of The Bay Collection homes offer ocean views, and lot sizes vary. Here’s an update on the Carlsbad real estate market in The Bay Collection. 

Currently there are 6 Carlsbad homes for sale in The Bay Collection (2 of these are short sales), priced from 5,000 (short sale) to .675 million, with up to 6 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. Living and entertaining areas range from 2964 SF up to 3709 SF. Some of these Bay Collection homes for sale have ocean views (less than 1 mile to the Carlsbad beaches). 

The Bay Collection is within a few miles of major amenities including shopping, dining, golf (at the Four Seasons Aviara and La Costa Resort and Spa), and the beaches. Folks can easily commute north and south on the 5 (less than 1 mile west) and on The Coaster (the commuter train stop is less than 2 miles, heading north to Oceanside and south to San Diego). 

Children living in The Bay Collection attend schools in the Carlsbad Unified School District. 

READ MORE: Carlsbad Real Estate – Carlsbad Real Estate Market Report for November 2009  

Looking for great Carlsbad homes for sale in the higher end market? Check out The Bay Collection. Let me know if you would like to arrange a tour of any of the fine properties on the market.

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler “The California Relocation Dude” Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

I was out running errands just before the holiday and stopped to take some winter photos at South Carlsbad State Beach. Folks were out walking, a family was all dressed up in red and white taking holiday photos, and the weather was in the mid 60s in the late morning – not bad for December 24th.

The cluster of life guard shacks, some old and some new (in blue), caught my eye.

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler “The California Relocation Dude” Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Buyers in the Encinitas real estate market seeking oceanfront homes and a substantial budget will undoubtedly explore the Neptune Avenue neighborhood.

Neptune Avenue runs along the bluff fronting the ocean, from just north of Moonlight Beach to Grandview Beach at the northern end of Leucadia. Given the location and ocean views (on the west side of the street), prices are a premium, although they have declined quite a bit in the last 4 years.

But compared to Del Mar and La Jolla oceanfront, Encinitas waterfront properties are a bargain. 

There are 3 major public beach accesses down significant stairs due to the bluff, all of which are popular vantage points for watching surfers and the sunsets – Stone Steps, Beacon’s and Grandview. 

Homes vary from beach cottages to substantial contemporaries, some of which have stairs down to the beach (which adds significant value). Neptune Avenue is a fairly quiet one-way street that is great for walks, bikes and skateboards, and homes tend to be close together, but, of course with amazing ocean views.

While Leucadia is not known as a community with high end shopping and dining, many homes on Neptune are within walking distance to the shops and eateries along the Coast Highway 101 just 1 – 2 blocks away.

READ MORE:  

Leucadia – Surfer’s Beach Community  

A Video Tour on the Historic Coast Highway 101 Through Leucadia (Encinitas) California  

Currently there are 9 Encinitas homes on the market along Neptune, ranging in price from .295 million to .5 million (the latter just had a significant price reduction); 2 of these homes are attached properties (a twin home with both units available for purchase), while the others are detached single family homes.

Enjoy the tour down Neptune Avenue!

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If I can provide more information about Encinitas real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler “The California Relocation Dude” Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

This morning while I was having my first cup of coffee, I got on the Internet to see what was going on in the world. On the home page for msn, one of the main articles was/is entitled: “Buying a Home? Time for Negotiation Boot Camp.”

The article provides some tips and tools in a clever style where a drill sergeant bullies a home buyer into understanding the best tactics to take when buying a home.

While very general and not neighborhood or market specific, this article does present a few good ideas and some helpful tips for home buyers.

However, Author Christopher Solomon of MSN Real Estate, I have a bone to pick with you. Do you hate Realtors®? Do you think we are completely selfish and only sell real estate to make millions and billions of dollars (that would be nice wouldn’t it)?

First off, I’m not too crazy about all of your tips. Many are completely generic and do not reflect current activities occurring in well-known and prominent markets throughout the nation. But, we will get to that in a moment.

Your item number two. Not so nice. “The negotiation misconception:  Your real-estate agent is your buddy, so tell her what you can spend.”

Mr. Solomon: Article 1 of the Realtor Code of Ethics states:

“When representing a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant, or other client as an agent, REALTORS® pledge themselves to protect and promote the interests of their client. This obligation to the client is primary, but it does not relieve REALTORS® of their obligation to treat all parties honestly.”

So, while I would certainly like to make a decent living selling real estate, I can only represent the interests of my clients if I have ALL the information that I need to get the job done right.

Second . . . most of your items reflect a traditional market (not our current real estate market). You advise not to make offers quickly on homes that you like. In some markets, homes are receiving multiple offers on the very first day they are offered. If you do not act quickly, it may be too late!

As far as generic articles go, this one provides a few good tips and tools. But many buyers are struggling to get their offers accepted in this fast-paced, unique and challenging distressed property market. So, perhaps the article needs a few revisions.

Here’s a link to the article.

What say you?

If you are facing foreclosure or having trouble making ends meet and you live in Escondido, San Marcos, Vista and anywhere beyond, then you are probably also facing calls from banks and collection agents. These calls come fast and furious. Sometimes the individual on the other end will use any tactic available to collect their money.

A colleague of mine has written these handy tips for how to deal with these unpleasant collection calls.

Hard to believe, but the end of another year is almost here and the First Night Celebrations are gearing up for the crowds. 

Here in San Diego, America’s Finest City, with the weather being what it is, celebrating outdoors at First Night comes a little easier than in other colder climes. But I suspect that doesn’t really stop folks from getting out there to enjoy what their respective cities have to offer on First Night. Times Square in NYC is a great example. 

Who hasn’t watched the ball drop in Times Square, at least on TV?

There are far too many events going on here in San Diego on First Night 2010 to mention them all, but a few deserve comment. 

FIRST NIGHT 2010 in ESCONDIDO

Escondido has a reputation for having perhaps the best and largest First Night Celebration in the San Diego area, at least in North San Diego County. The Escondido First Night celebration is geared toward a broad spectrum of residents and visitors, and is held in the California Center for the Arts, the Grape Day Park, and Escondido City Hall with lots of music, fireworks and a wealth of fun stuff to see and do. 

TIMES SQUARE WEST at the HYATT REGENCY in LA JOLLA

San Diego’s answer to Times Square in New York City takes place, for the 10^th year in a row, at the La Jolla Hyatt Regency at Aventine in the UTC area of La Jolla. Watch the ball drop San Diego style! 

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Here’s a great list of many of the opportunities to celebrate New Year’s Eve in San Diego 2010. You can even purchase tickets on-line. Have fun, and be safe. 

And here are some other celebration suggestions from San Diego Magazine.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

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If I can provide more information about San Diego real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler “The California Relocation Dude” Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Hard to believe, but the end of another year is almost here and the First Night Celebrations are gearing up for the crowds. 

Here in San Diego, America’s Finest City, with the weather being what it is, celebrating outdoors at First Night comes a little easier than in other colder climes. But I suspect that doesn’t really stop folks from getting out there to enjoy what their respective cities have to offer on First Night. Times Square in NYC is a great example. 

Who hasn’t watched the ball drop in Times Square, at least on TV?

There are far too many events going on here in San Diego on First Night 2010 to mention them all, but a few deserve comment. 

FIRST NIGHT 2010 in ESCONDIDO

Escondido has a reputation for having perhaps the best and largest First Night Celebration in the San Diego area, at least in North San Diego County. The Escondido First Night celebration is geared toward a broad spectrum of residents and visitors, and is held in the California Center for the Arts, the Grape Day Park, and Escondido City Hall with lots of music, fireworks and a wealth of fun stuff to see and do. 

TIMES SQUARE WEST at the HYATT REGENCY in LA JOLLA

San Diego’s answer to Times Square in New York City takes place, for the 10^th year in a row, at the La Jolla Hyatt Regency at Aventine in the UTC area of La Jolla. Watch the ball drop San Diego style! 

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Here’s a great list of many of the opportunities to celebrate New Year’s Eve in San Diego 2010. You can even purchase tickets on-line. Have fun, and be safe. 

And here are some other celebration suggestions from San Diego Magazine.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

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If I can provide more information about San Diego real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler “The California Relocation Dude” Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits