April :: SoundBiteBlog.com 2008 :: SoundBiteBlog.com

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

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.

Posted in Buyers, Poulsbo Real Estate, Real Estate Bites, Sellers | 6 Comments »

As many of you may know, I am a Community Builder with ActiveRain, a very large real estate network and blogging platform. It’s a start-up based out of Bellevue WA, and has over 80,000 members throughout the US and Canada.

Part of my role is to simply monitor the network, make sure the members are behaving, and to field questions.

Earlier today, I received an e-mail from a fairly new member out on the East coast. She’s in her in late 20’s, is relatively new to the real estate profession (she didn’t pick the best time to enter the fray!), and is working through the challenges of establishing her business in a slow market.

She recently wrote an article about real estate commissions and the portion that actually ends up in the agent’s bank account. It was a well-written article. However, no sooner had she published it, than a swarm of bubble bloggers descended upon her post and unleashed their commenting fury.

The first volley of comments were fairly typical of most bubble bloggers, but as the discussion slowly devolved, they became increasingly base and personally degrading towards the young author.

(For my regular readers, please forgive the following uncensored re-publishing of a few of these comments. I don’t usually allow this kind of language within the confines of SoundBiteBlog, but I felt it necessary to include them here)

One of the Bubble Bloggers made this degrading comment:

After reading the various posts on this subject, I think that everyone involved is failing to see the big picture here which is that —– is one hot mamma jamma MILF and I can tell that she is a jackal in the sack.

In fact, I would like to bone her very much if she is ever open and willing to fulfill my naughty realtor mom who will do anything to close the deal fantasy.

Most of you are so caught up in your evil realtor nonsense that you can not appreciate a fine cougar when you see one.

 —–,  love you long time.  You are the bomb in my book.  You can flip my house any day.

 Call me.

-Dave

 P.S: Post more pictures.

And another example of this senseless filthy attack:

I’ll pay you 6%. You have proven your worth. I just have one question:

Does that 6% get me some “alone time” in the VIP room and a guaranteed happy ending?

Because I think it’s only fair that I can do to you what your commission would be doing to me.

-L. Flynt

We’ve had a few Seattle area Bubble Bloggers frequent SoundBiteBlog. Most of these individuals are extremely sharp. They’re very articulate and can discuss intricate economic indicators on a equal or better footing than most investment professionals. One in particular has become somewhat of a regular around here. Last time he stopped by, he actually gave me a compliment!

Many Bubble Bloggers tend to be rather argumentative and abrasive by nature, but rarely do they descend to this level of vicious attack. I was able to trace one of the perputraitors back to their blogspot site, and left a few choice comments of my own, along with the charge that he and his blog thugs didn’t reflect or represent the majority of Bubble Bloggers I had encountered.

No doubt they’ll hunt me down now and make me their next target….oh goody!

Posted in Bite Me Blogs, Poulsbo Real Estate, Real Estate Bites | 11 Comments »

I have the good fortune of serving as a board member for C-STOCK (Central Stage Theater of County Kitsap), one of several live community theaters here in Kitsap County WA. Our group produces predominantly family-oriented musicals shows, and has a long-standing tradition/emphasis on encouraging the active involvement/participation of area youth.

I’ve also had the pleasure of actually ‘performing’ in several of the past productions. My first show with C-STOCK, “1940’s Radio Hour,” was a truly wonderful experience, followed by “Footloose,” and most recently ”Damn Yankees.” In “Footloose,” I was joined by my middle son, Elliot. Then in “Damn Yankees,” Elliot, and his younger brother, Luke, were both part of the cast.

It has been thrilling to see my own kids participating in community theatre. C-STOCK offers a very healthy and wholesome environment/outlet for kids, and sure beats having them parked in front of the TV, XBox, or hanging out with the undesirables down at the mall.

Unfortunately, with so many other venues competing for our entertainment dollars, live theater has lost much of the draw it has historically enjoyed. It’s difficult at times to compete against high-budget, special effects Hollywood movies. The ease, comfort, and cost of Netflix/Blockbuster rentals at home seems to have a much wider appeal.

But there’s something truly magical about live theatre. The facility that C-STOCK uses for their theater here in Silverdale WA is very small (A bit too small at times!) But it lends a very special sense of intimacy to the experience. It many instances, it’s nearly participatory or interactive. You feel like you’re part of the cast! We recently produced “Beauty & The Beast.” It was a show of epic proportions. The sets and costuming were absolutely stunning, the performances electrifying! Even though I watched the show nearly every night, it never ceased to evoke gut-splitting laughter and heartfelt tears.

Now “THAT’S” entertainment!

Are you finding it increasingly difficult to plan a night out that’s suitable for the entire family? Look no farther! C-STOCK is the sure bet in Kitsap County WA!

Visit our newly designed website (developed by none other than Buckwheat himself – Mark Flanders) at www.cstock.org

Posted in Kitsap County Bites, Silverdale WA Real Estate | No Comments »

I’ve been reading a number of blog articles lately from other real estate agents who promote themselves as though they’re the cure for cancer. They proceed to explain why potential clients should select them as their agent. They all use many of the same descriptive terms – ‘Honest’ or ‘Ethical’ or ‘Hard-working.’ And it just makes you scratch your head and wonder, if all of them are so honest, ethical, and hard-working, why is the general public’s perception/approval rating of real estate agents so low?

Many of the agents I know respond to Seller inquiries rather agressively. This isn’t bad, in and of itself. Being confident in one’s abilities is a good trait, as long as it doesn’t supersede or overshadow the best interests of the potential client.

But ‘One Size’ doesn’t fit All. Let me explain…

Whenever I become engaged in conversation with a potential client, I let them know up front, that while they’re interviewing me, I am interviewing them as well. There are so many dynamics and variables that exist from one client to the next, I just never assume that I will work/partner with everyone who asks.

I’m not being rude or arrogant in this approach. The working relationship between a real estate professional and their client is crucial to achieving success. In a slow market like we are experiencing right now, with high levels of inventory and highly selective Buyers, it is imperative that a home be priced agressively and the necessary steps be taken to ensure that the home is adequately prepared for market.

Quite honestly, there are some instances where I feel customers can be served better through other means: 

With all the recent foreclosures, short sales are becoming increasingly common. This area is not one of my strong suits, so I would probably refer it to another agent, one that I know has proven ability.

If someone is ‘upside down’ (owes more on the house than they could sell it for), or lacks equity, it may be better for them to consider using a ‘limited-service’ agency – a ‘per menu’ provider that will place their home in the local MLS for a flat fee. Typically these agencies will only put up a yard sign, fill up the flyer box, and enter the home in the MLS. They typically don’t help counsel you or negotiate any offers that come in. You’re on your own there. But that might be a better situation for some, as opposed to using a ‘full-service’ agent.

What are the specific, current market dynamics in the area of the subject property? What are the inventory levels of comparably priced homes? What are the Seller’s goals or timeframes for selling? These are just some of the nuances that vary with each situation.

So while I like to think I’m a pretty good agent, I realize that I can’t be all things to all people.

That’s one of the many benefits of blogging. It allows me to share insights into who and what I am. Through my writing, I can convey my unique perspective, my passions, and my personality. Prospective clients can determine whether we would be a good fit without ever having met in person. How cool is that?

Posted in Buyers, Real Estate Bites, Sellers, Silverdale WA Real Estate | 3 Comments »