May 1, 2008 at 11:17 pm · Filed under Bites of Kitsap, Bainbridge Island Real Estate, Real Estate Bites, Buyers, Sellers, Sparks from Sparky
With the advent of the Internet, information has become accessible at blinding speed. Want to know the migrating habits of the South African Gnu? What is the proper way to eat sushi? Or what was the original color of coca-cola? Powerful search engines enable us to locate virtually anything we want at the touch of a few keys. Websites, forums, and networks abound where we can obtain answers for every conceivable question. Information equips and empowers. It serves to form our opinions and guides our decisions.
This rapid accessibility and transfer of information is changing the way we conduct business as well. Companies and business professionals are moving away from one-sided, static websites to dynamic, interactive platforms, such as blogging, that allow consumers the ability to directly engage in virtual conversations.
Open and transparent dialog is a welcomed development in the real estate industry. The shrouds of mystery surrounding our profession have been quickly dissipating, offering consumers a well-deserved look into the inner-workings of the real estate world.
But there are inherent dangers to this new-found ‘free-for-all’ of information. And the potentially damaging ramifications exist for either side of the discussion.
Here’s an example of an actual ‘real’ question that was recently posed by a consumer on a popular real estate site:
“We just recently put our home on the market and we’re wondering, what is the selling market like now? What is the average time to sell a home in the $800K range?”
I’m not going to publish the various ‘responses’ to this inquiry (there were 5 answers at last look), but suffice it to say that all of the respondents chimed in with very detailed local markets statistics, jockeying and positioning themselves as the undisputed resident authorities. Almost all of them offered some measure of advice or counsel, and added the ‘perfunctory’ “for more information, my website/email is blah, blah, blah“….
What I found curiously missing was the question that should always be asked right out of the gate:
“Are you currently working with a licensed real estate professional?”
I’m thinking to myself, does this person have their home listed through a licensed agent, or are they attempting to market it on their own?
As real estate professionals, it’s ingrained into us from almost day one (Realtor Code of Ethics, Article 16) NOT to engage, counsel, or solicit someone who is, by contract, under representation by another agent. When in doubt, ASK!
And, as a consumer who is asking the question, how do you know if the individuals responding to your questions are actually ‘qualified’ to answer accurately? Are they licensed in the State where your home is located? Do they know and understand the unique nuances of your particular area? Who holds them accountable if they provide you with misleading or false information? How do you know for sure if they’re even a ‘real’ real estate professional?
Now don’t get me wrong. I am thrilled about all the advancements in Internet technology and their impact on the real estate industry. Many of the applications are having a very positive effect, both for us professionals, and for consumers.
But as real estate professionals, in our drive and desire to be helpful, we need to be ethically prudent, and exercise caution on what we say, and to whom we respond.
And, as consumers, though the Internet opens up a unlimited wealth of resources, remember that ultimately, real estate is local. The best way to obtain a qualified response?
Ask a local expert.
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April 29, 2008 at 11:45 pm · Filed under Bites of Washington, Port Orchard Real Estate, Sparks from Sparky
This coming weeknd is the final opportunity for you to run out to the coast and dig up the last remaining, ever illusive Razor Clams before the season ends.
The following news release appeared on the WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife website:
OLYMPIA — Clam diggers received the go-ahead to proceed with the last razor clam dig of the spring season starting May 3, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.
Long Beach and Twin Harbors Beach will open for morning digs May 3-7, while Copalis and Mocrocks are scheduled to open May 4-5 only.
No digging will be allowed after noon on any beach. Kalaloch Beach will remain closed to harvest.
All diggers must have an applicable 2008-09 fishing license to dig razor clams on any beach. A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Licenses can be purchased at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov, by telephone (1-866-246-9453), or in person at more than 600 license vendors throughout the state. A list of vendors is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/lic/vendors/vendors.htm.
Under WDFW rules, harvesters may take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 taken, regardless of size or condition. Each digger’s limit must be kept in a separate container.
Dates and low tides are:
- Saturday, May 3, 5:27 a.m., -0.3 ft: Long Beach and Twin Harbors only
- Sunday, May 4, 6:16 a.m., -1.2 ft: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks
- Monday, May 5, 7:04 a.m., -1.9 ft: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks
- Tuesday, May 6, 7:51 a.m., -2.3 ft: Long Beach and Twin Harbors only
- Wednesday, May 7, 8:39 a.m., -2.4 ft: Long Beach and Twin Harbors only
Locations of Washington’s razor-clam digging beaches included in this opener are:
- Long Beach, which extends from the Columbia River to Leadbetter Point.
- Twin Harbors, which extends from the mouth of Willapa Bay north to the south jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor.
- Copalis Beach, which extends from the Grays Harbor north jetty to the Copalis River and includes the Ocean Shores, Oyhut, Ocean City and Copalis areas.
- Mocrocks Beach, which extends from the Copalis River to the southern boundary of the Quinault Reservation near the Moclips River, including Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Pacific beach and Moclips.
If you’ve never tried your hand at digging Razor Clams, you’re in for quite a treat. It takes a good portion of your day and will wear you out. But the rewards of feasting on these guys is well worth your time and energy!
Here’s a link to a great tutorial on how to dig, clean, and cook your clams. We’ll be out on the beach at Copalis on Monday morning! Hope to see you there!
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April 24, 2008 at 1:50 am · Filed under Poulsbo Real Estate, Real Estate Bites, Buyers, Sellers, Sparks from Sparky
We were pressed for time. My Out-of-State Buyers had only a few days, and were on a whirlwind schedule. They scoured the Internet from a coffee shop wireless connection, and threw a few more candidates into the mix.
It ended up being like that VISA commercial, where everyone in the store is using their VISA card, and then the one guy tries to use cash, and the whole place shuts down from the log jam.
I called one of the last minute entries. The ‘phone-to-show’ number was the Listing Agent’s cell number. I got his voicemail:
“Hi! This is Rich Jacobson of Brio Realty. I was wondering if I might be able to schedule a showing for your listing on Jones Street for later this afternoon. I have some Buyers from out of town, and they would like to see the house.”
I got a return phone call later that day:
“Hi, This is Bill from XYZ Real Estate. Here are the showing instructions for the Jones Street property. Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 5:30pm to 7:00pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays from Noon to 2pm, and Saturdays and Sundays after 7pm.”
…..The brakes on the Home Tour bus came to a screeching halt!!!!…..
It amazes me, given the current market conditions (slow as molasses going uphill on a cold day), why anyone would create obstacles to prevent a home from being shown?
Typically here in our market, the ‘phone-to-show’ number is the Seller’s phone. The Buyer’s agent calls and sets up the showing appointment with them directly. This eliminates one more step in the communication chain. Some Listing Agents prefer to have their cell phone as the ‘phone-to-show.’ This isn’t necessarily an issue, as long as the Listing Agent is readily accessible. But then, the Listing Agent still has to call the Sellers, obtain permission, then call the Buyer’s Agent back. This can sometimes cause delays.
In a slow market, where you have tons of inventory, and lots of homes competing for the same pool of Buyers, Sellers need to do everything within their ability to make the showing process easy and painless for Buyers and their Agents. That means removing any potential obstacles that may exist.
Now, obviously, this doesn’t mean, as a Seller, that you do anything that compromises your safety. Don’t ever allow anyone in through your front door who can’t establish their professional standing as a licensed real estate professional. Always have them activate the Lockbox first, to ensure they can properly/legally access the key, and provide digital record of their visit.
As a Seller, you need to be as accommodating as possible if you’re going to successfully compete with other homes on the market.
appointments, how to sell your home, Kitsap County WA, poulsbo wa real estate, sellers, showing your home slow marketBookmark this article to:
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