Smart Phone Nitty Gritty: A Realtors® perspective

It’s the dawning of a new era and I have succumbed.  Succumbed to the power, magnetism and the inevitable ball and chain of a smart phone.  For I am now connected, always, and surely smarter, wiser, busier and more successful because of it.

I’ve never been technologically progressive and am usually a late bloomer when it comes to related issues.  That’s especially true since there are no fifth graders around to program the DVR or TIVO and/or generally "hook me up".  I never really felt it was necessary, and besides, what could possibly be so important, so urgent that it could not wait until I got to a computer?

I remember when call waiting first came out.  How rude!  How could someone with any sort of couth have the nerve to put you on hold when you’re talking to them, right? Here you are in the midst of a conversation and the person you are talking with puts you on hold to answer another call.  They might have well just said, “Your call isn’t important nor a priority; another call is coming in that is more important/exciting/interesting than yours”.  I recall just hanging up on more than one occasion.  Then cell phones came out.  I couldn’t imagine what could be so urgent that one had to make calls while standing in a grocery line or walking to a meeting.

What is it with these people?

Of course, I saw the light of day and became a cell phone carrying member of society in 2004.  Told you I was a late bloomer.  It was nothing fancy, mind you.  Just a phone that just made and received calls.  It gave me immediate importance.  I could talk to whom I wanted anytime, anywhere.  Ah, such power.  Anyway, I quickly learned they are essential devices and felt much more productive.

Then came the smart phone.  The same pre-conceived notions I tend to have with any technological advance cluttered my thoughts.  What could be so important, so urgent, so pressing that one had to be mesmerized by the screen on their smarty-pants phones? 

What is with these people? They’d be texting and reading and watching and listening to all kinds of technologic stimuli everywhere - in the grocery line, on the highway, at a banquet, in the temple, on the tread mill, at the urinal.  I supposed they’d even sleep with them.  Many people are so glued to those little smart phone screens, they are down right rude.  They’d bump into you walking, be short with you or flat out ignore you.  Seriously?

What is it with these people?

Get a life. Why get lured into the trap of smart phone and into a place where you can’t get away, ever? You’re connected all the time.  That’s like working 24-7. What is it with these people?

Well, the reality is, in real estate, we do work 24-7 and our clients expect us to.  We’ve got to be smart and any agent worth more than a hill of beans couldn’t survive without one.  According to NAR, well over 75% of real estate agents are now using a smart phone.   

And, so, I am connected.  I am now one of “those people” that was so annoying in the past.  I learned to embrace technology with full gusto.  And, I’m smarter for it, too.  There are some things I’m not interested in advancing, though.  I don’t do Twitter, so don’t expect me follow you; I'm not interested in your tweet.

Not only am I connected and can tell you anything you want to know about the home we’re parked in front of (that didn’t come up on the search because it didn’t match your requirements) because I have access to the MLS, the news, the maps and the apps.  My phone dings, rings, chimes and buzzes all the time. Don't dare try the vibrate mode unless you're behind close doors.

My smart phone makes me smarter and busier.  And, I’ve learned a thing or two by owning one.  Like what is so occupying to smart phone owners.

Like those billboards we’d see in the ‘80’s with bold letters, “I FOUND IT” on them, I too, have found the answer to “What is it with these people?”  I know what they are so intently concentrating on.

Words with Friends.

Photos from Flickr. Couch photo coutesy of nate steiner. Words with Friends photo by Vince Viloria.

Seller Incentives May Just Get the Job Done

Sellers providing an incentive to a buyer just may be the proverbial cherry on top of the sundae according to some.  Frustrated with the looky loo’s traipsing through your family room at dinner time without making an offer?  Some buyers may need an extra nudge to get them to buy.

Getting a potential buyer to pull the trigger can be through various incentives and some sellers are smart enough to understand this strategy.  We’ve long seen sellers offering a home warranty protection plan to the buyer, but we are also seeing incentives taking on a more creative flair. 

Customized incentives seem to be catching on according to an article in Realtor Magazine, and they’re getting results.  How about a (sizable) gift card to the local Home Depot so the buyer can redo the counter tops or get a new vanity for the powder room?  Maybe it’s a credit at the local garden shop/nursery to update the landscaping.  How about a credit towards closing costs?  Other ideas include a year’s worth of HOA dues paid by the seller or the pool service pre-paid for a year.  Find out which seller incentives are tempting buyers here.

If you’re thinking about selling, have staged the home to its best potential and still need to stand out from the crowd, considering an incentive to the buyer and promote it prominently! 

As an agent myself, I'd love to know some of your ideas for incentives - let me know what's worked for you as a seller, or what you'd be attracted to if you were the buyer.  Post your comments and let's see those ideas!

Giving the buyer an incentive may just may be your ticket to the sold sign rider out front!

Photo from Flickr courtesy of stevendepolo.

Short Sales maybe be getting Shorter

There may be good news just around the corner regarding short sales - They've been anything but short in terms of time, but new legislation aims to speed that process.

Realtors® have longe cringed when representing buyers and sellers in short sales.  Short sales have been known to take a long time - and in some cases, a very long time.  I've seen them go one for 6 months and the buyer still doesn't know if he will get the home.  That makes it tough, especially if the buyer wants to live in the home - perhaps has a family and needs a place to call home. 

Often times, a home being sold as a short sale will end up loosing the buyer because the lender won't make a decision.  The buyer ends up moving on to another property because they can't wait any longer.

And, imagine the headache - and heartache - that the seller experiences.  Thanks to the efforts of the National Association of Realtors, new legislation has just been introduced that would speed the decision process up to 45 days - The legislation, "Prompt Decision for Qualification for Short Sale Act of 2011," is great news for buyers, sellers and Realtors® alike!

Photo from Flickr courtesy of Dave Stokes.