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I had, what I think is an interesting thought today.I actually think all my thoughts are interesting, but that is another blog post.
When reading the paper this morning, there was a rather lengthy article about how Facebook grows its locations. This article referred specifically to a tactical team that moves to the desired location-in this case Austin Texas and beings the process of recruiting and hiring teams to staff the new location.
A large part of their goal is to duplicate success, safeguard the culture of Facebook and to instill a sense of sameness to each location even down to the manner their office is set up.
While there may be a coincidence that the article mentioned Austin Texas, home base of Gary Keller and Keller Williams International headquarters, I found the similarities rather interesting.
First and foremost was the culture of the company. I realize that every business has its own culture, the difference is how that culture is embraced, explained and defined in day to day activities. The key to the KW success in this arena is education, sharing,growing. The KW business model touts "faith, family and then business". Call it whatever you want but to me it means doing the right thing, period end of story.
The next item is what Facebook calls Hackathon. Hackathon is a regular event in which for that day there is one rule, you can not do your "normal" job that day. It is the day that you are to explore and expand. I am pretty sure KW, does not have a hackathon day..but I can imagine the possibilities. When I figure out a way to make that day happen, you can count on it taking place.
We have had a rough few weeks here in Santa Cruz, the weather has created havoc, but there is still real estate to sell, places to buy and the sun is just around the corner I am pretty sure.
For a FREE no obligation Market Analysis email me at Contact Me
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Equity Tap or Reverse Mortgage??
What makes the most sense, a reverse mortgage or a line of equity? In the last few months I have tackled this question twice. There are a number of different things to consider when evaluating the two choices.
In the first instance, the choice was pretty cut and dry. The home, a cute little two bedroom that sits just above downtown Santa Cruz, was owned outright. No mortgage and very well maintained. The widower wanted some "mad" money in order to do and buy what had been denied him during his marriage. The upside of the reverse mortgage was that there would be no monthly payments, the checks would arrive monthly and upon his death the reverse mortgage would be paid off by his heirs and any proceeds would become part of the trust. While the reverse mortgage is costly, there are no other considerations.
The second situation is quite a bit more complicated, a recent widow living in a home that is burdened with two mortgages, in need of TLC and has no cash flow outside of social security. There is no choice but a reverse mortgage, one of which is going to require costly roof repairs before the reverse mortgage is even in the bank. It is a less than ideal situation no matter how you look at it.
Needless to say, I have my fingers crossed that I never find myself stuck, with no alternative way to make ends meet. It is nice to know that there are ways to use what is yours to keep it together, or to buy that big screen flat T.V. you have wanted for years.
For a FREE no obligation Market Analysis email me at Contact Me
In the first instance, the choice was pretty cut and dry. The home, a cute little two bedroom that sits just above downtown Santa Cruz, was owned outright. No mortgage and very well maintained. The widower wanted some "mad" money in order to do and buy what had been denied him during his marriage. The upside of the reverse mortgage was that there would be no monthly payments, the checks would arrive monthly and upon his death the reverse mortgage would be paid off by his heirs and any proceeds would become part of the trust. While the reverse mortgage is costly, there are no other considerations.
The second situation is quite a bit more complicated, a recent widow living in a home that is burdened with two mortgages, in need of TLC and has no cash flow outside of social security. There is no choice but a reverse mortgage, one of which is going to require costly roof repairs before the reverse mortgage is even in the bank. It is a less than ideal situation no matter how you look at it.
Needless to say, I have my fingers crossed that I never find myself stuck, with no alternative way to make ends meet. It is nice to know that there are ways to use what is yours to keep it together, or to buy that big screen flat T.V. you have wanted for years.
For a FREE no obligation Market Analysis email me at Contact Me
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Craving The Human Touch
How many times have you called your bank, credit card company, phone company and ached to talk to an actual human being..someone who would be there to help resolve whatever issue you have, or just to answer a darn question.
There is help, there is a trick for getting through. It is a website called
Get Human that provides the access to the human touch. Gives you the tricks, codes and what not's to reach the person who is going to actually help you.
With over 2,200 access codes listed you will no doubt find the company you are looking for. These numbers and inputs have been checked an verified, however if the company changes their phone number all beats are off.
For instance if you want to reach someone at Mastercard, you just press 0 three times quickly.
For any of your Real Estate needs please feel free to
Contact Me
There is help, there is a trick for getting through. It is a website called
Get Human that provides the access to the human touch. Gives you the tricks, codes and what not's to reach the person who is going to actually help you.
With over 2,200 access codes listed you will no doubt find the company you are looking for. These numbers and inputs have been checked an verified, however if the company changes their phone number all beats are off.
For instance if you want to reach someone at Mastercard, you just press 0 three times quickly.
For any of your Real Estate needs please feel free to
Contact Me
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Auntie Lena
Yesterday I had the honor of spending a hour or so at my great aunts 97th birthday. Most of you must admit that alone is an amazing feat. Auntie Lena is still sharp as a tack, while having slowed physically,which is not a big surprise.
Several years ago she managed through and rallied after heart surgery and recently she had a brief stay hospital fighting pneumonia, but I must say she is always delighted to see friends and family. If asked she can recall what happened many many years ago, as well as what took place yesterday. She is a pretty terrific lady. I think I can safely say that she was my fathers favorite, he always called her "Auntie". As I child I was never sure what her name was, she was just "Auntie"
She comes from a family of sisters with a very long life line, six in all they have each managed to live well into their 80's. My grandmother(Auntie Lena's sister)lived to 100. Lena is the "baby" of the family was there and signing Happy Birthday to herself.
She, along with two of her sisters can be seen on occasion on community TV sharing the story of their childhood, growing up in Davenport. My favorite is how in the summer their whole family rode a covered wagon, from their home to the coast to spend time "camping" for months. The funny part of the story to me was that it took them almost as long to get to the coast, as they spent camping.
I realized yesterday that Lena and I have several things in common, besides being related she also married later in life, has no children and tends to be light of heart at all times. I have often wondered that when I am older, who might be there to help me celebrate such milestones in my life.
I think if I live my life correctly I might be lucky enough to have, like my Auntie Lena, 20 or more friends and family there to mark special times of my life as well.
Several years ago she managed through and rallied after heart surgery and recently she had a brief stay hospital fighting pneumonia, but I must say she is always delighted to see friends and family. If asked she can recall what happened many many years ago, as well as what took place yesterday. She is a pretty terrific lady. I think I can safely say that she was my fathers favorite, he always called her "Auntie". As I child I was never sure what her name was, she was just "Auntie"
She comes from a family of sisters with a very long life line, six in all they have each managed to live well into their 80's. My grandmother(Auntie Lena's sister)lived to 100. Lena is the "baby" of the family was there and signing Happy Birthday to herself.
She, along with two of her sisters can be seen on occasion on community TV sharing the story of their childhood, growing up in Davenport. My favorite is how in the summer their whole family rode a covered wagon, from their home to the coast to spend time "camping" for months. The funny part of the story to me was that it took them almost as long to get to the coast, as they spent camping.
I realized yesterday that Lena and I have several things in common, besides being related she also married later in life, has no children and tends to be light of heart at all times. I have often wondered that when I am older, who might be there to help me celebrate such milestones in my life.
I think if I live my life correctly I might be lucky enough to have, like my Auntie Lena, 20 or more friends and family there to mark special times of my life as well.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Our Changing Times
Yesterday another Realtor in our office was feeling very discouraged, and shared the reason with me.
She has been working with a lovely couple who are working towards becoming first time buyers.
They both have solid long term employment, and have been saving every dollar they can in hopes of finding the perfect home in which to start their family. They have spend many miles traveling in the car with their agent looking at every home within their price range. When they have found something they like enough to make an offer on, it is being snatched up by investors with cash, or the price has become so inflated due to multiple offers they end up priced out of the property.
A few weeks ago they made an offer on a lovely 1942 bungalow, and then began to imagine what their lives would be like when they moved in. Amazed that their offer was accepted, they began the inspection period.
A home inspector alerted them to the possibility of MOLD within the classic plaster walls. Additionally the inspector told them the only way to be sure that the property was not MOLD infested was to have a costly MOLD inspection, a cost they were not prepared to pay for.
Their kind, responsible agent knew they loved this house, felt it perfect, but the possibility of MOLD could ruin their dreams. So..the agent called the MOLD inspector and she paid for the inspection out of her pocket.
Afraid that they may not be able to complete the purchase due to a MOLD issue, they began to look at other homes, and found one just across the street. They called their agent and wanted to make an offer on house #2. The agent was reluctant to make a second offer, then the first was still in process-so she explained they would need to cancel escrow #1, and she would be happy to write an offer for house #2.
Their agent contacted the listing agent on house #2, explained that her clients has seen the home at an open house, loved it and could the listing agent send her over the reports, so that she could present him with an offer from them on house #2.
During this time, the agent on house #2, who had interacted with the couple at an open house contacted the buyers explained that he already had several offers, and the ONLY way they would stand a chance of getting the house was for him to write the offer for them, then he would guarantee they would get the house.
The inexperienced buyers went ahead and had the listing agent write an offer for them on his listing (DUAL AGENCY). Of course he could promise them the house, he had access to all the other offers, and he has the seller's ear and trust.
The buyers first agent was having a meeting with them last night, so we will have to see how this all plays out...more to follow.
For a FREE no obligation Market Analysis email me at Contact Me
She has been working with a lovely couple who are working towards becoming first time buyers.
They both have solid long term employment, and have been saving every dollar they can in hopes of finding the perfect home in which to start their family. They have spend many miles traveling in the car with their agent looking at every home within their price range. When they have found something they like enough to make an offer on, it is being snatched up by investors with cash, or the price has become so inflated due to multiple offers they end up priced out of the property.
A few weeks ago they made an offer on a lovely 1942 bungalow, and then began to imagine what their lives would be like when they moved in. Amazed that their offer was accepted, they began the inspection period.
A home inspector alerted them to the possibility of MOLD within the classic plaster walls. Additionally the inspector told them the only way to be sure that the property was not MOLD infested was to have a costly MOLD inspection, a cost they were not prepared to pay for.
Their kind, responsible agent knew they loved this house, felt it perfect, but the possibility of MOLD could ruin their dreams. So..the agent called the MOLD inspector and she paid for the inspection out of her pocket.
Afraid that they may not be able to complete the purchase due to a MOLD issue, they began to look at other homes, and found one just across the street. They called their agent and wanted to make an offer on house #2. The agent was reluctant to make a second offer, then the first was still in process-so she explained they would need to cancel escrow #1, and she would be happy to write an offer for house #2.
Their agent contacted the listing agent on house #2, explained that her clients has seen the home at an open house, loved it and could the listing agent send her over the reports, so that she could present him with an offer from them on house #2.
During this time, the agent on house #2, who had interacted with the couple at an open house contacted the buyers explained that he already had several offers, and the ONLY way they would stand a chance of getting the house was for him to write the offer for them, then he would guarantee they would get the house.
The inexperienced buyers went ahead and had the listing agent write an offer for them on his listing (DUAL AGENCY). Of course he could promise them the house, he had access to all the other offers, and he has the seller's ear and trust.
The buyers first agent was having a meeting with them last night, so we will have to see how this all plays out...more to follow.
For a FREE no obligation Market Analysis email me at Contact Me
Monday, December 20, 2010
Crazy Ideas to Sell Your Home...Maybe?
We have all seen the signs driving familiar roads the For Sale Sign that has been in the same location week, after week, after week...or the house is for sale, but every few month you notice a new brokerage sign.
Everyone has tried to sell that house..but have they really stepped it up and stepped out of the box? Here are some fun, and crazy ideas that could at the very least attract some attention:
Have a party, yep a fun festive party. Invite the neighbors, your doctors, veterinarian, the gal at the grocery store, mail carrier, other Realtor everyone and anyone you can think of who knows some one else who might want to buy your house. Make it a "Help Us Sell Our House Party" You could even turn it into a fund raiser. Consider show casing an artist's works. Ask everyone to bring a dish to share and the beverage of their choice, in order to keep costs down.
Think maybe your houses has some bad JuJu? Have a "cleansing". I have some clients, who decided they really like a certain property we looked at, but "felt" it had a bad aura. The day escrow closed, before they moved a single item into the house, they decided to have the place "saged" Little bundles of the herb were tied together and burnt throughout the house to provide a clean slate for their new life. Having a problem selling your house, consider "burning".
How about digging a hole in the front yard and placing a St. Joesph statue in the ground. Now this must be done with great care, as the little man needs to be placed in a certain direction, at a specific depth. I have actually done this, not with any great success, but I would do it again.
Little salt in the doorway, might work, might not..worth a try..you bet!
House near a health club, in a gated community? Why not purchase a membership for your buyers? It is an inexpensive way to interest a buyer into joining the neighborhood and helping them transition into a new life in their new home.
A risky idea is to have an auction, offering the house to the highest bidder over the reserve price. Risky, it might not sell, it might sell for less than you wanted but on the up side-You will attract attention..and that is what this is all about.
For a FREE no obligation Market Analysis email me at Contact Me
Everyone has tried to sell that house..but have they really stepped it up and stepped out of the box? Here are some fun, and crazy ideas that could at the very least attract some attention:
Have a party, yep a fun festive party. Invite the neighbors, your doctors, veterinarian, the gal at the grocery store, mail carrier, other Realtor everyone and anyone you can think of who knows some one else who might want to buy your house. Make it a "Help Us Sell Our House Party" You could even turn it into a fund raiser. Consider show casing an artist's works. Ask everyone to bring a dish to share and the beverage of their choice, in order to keep costs down.
Think maybe your houses has some bad JuJu? Have a "cleansing". I have some clients, who decided they really like a certain property we looked at, but "felt" it had a bad aura. The day escrow closed, before they moved a single item into the house, they decided to have the place "saged" Little bundles of the herb were tied together and burnt throughout the house to provide a clean slate for their new life. Having a problem selling your house, consider "burning".
How about digging a hole in the front yard and placing a St. Joesph statue in the ground. Now this must be done with great care, as the little man needs to be placed in a certain direction, at a specific depth. I have actually done this, not with any great success, but I would do it again.
Little salt in the doorway, might work, might not..worth a try..you bet!
House near a health club, in a gated community? Why not purchase a membership for your buyers? It is an inexpensive way to interest a buyer into joining the neighborhood and helping them transition into a new life in their new home.
A risky idea is to have an auction, offering the house to the highest bidder over the reserve price. Risky, it might not sell, it might sell for less than you wanted but on the up side-You will attract attention..and that is what this is all about.
For a FREE no obligation Market Analysis email me at Contact Me
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Year End is Near
It is that time of year when we start thinking about about what did or did not accomplish in the last 12 months. I could bore you with what I did or did not manage in 2010, but I think the fact that we each have made it though the last few years is enough evidence of accomplishments.
That said 2011 will tell the tale of years to come. It is my gut that how this next year rolls out and wraps up will be what we measure the following 5-10 years against.
I heard Friday that if things do not change rapidly we are faced with the next 18 years of recovery economically. That was a wake up call for me, 18 years from now I will be the same age my mother is right now.
Taking this into account means looking at what we are each doing now with eyes toward tomorrow.
Ask yourself some questions have you set up a 401K, Roth, IRA or SEP ? I know just enough to be scary when it come to this accounts, but smart enough to trust my husband and CPA.
As a Santa Cruz Real Estate Agent, I can assure you that these plans make sleeping at night much easier. Don't forget your share of tax deductions.
For clear insight into the the Santa Cruz Real Estate Market, and the economy please join us at Keller Williams Santa Cruz Market Center on Dec. 14th at 11 a.m. to listen to Carol Ridoni a consultant owner of Bamboo Consultants, and well know Real Estate Guru!
or information on Santa Cruz Real Estate, Buying Homes, or Selling Homes please contact(831-247-9977) me. I would be happy to include you in my E Newsletter mailing.
For a FREE no obligation Market Analysis email me at Contact Me
That said 2011 will tell the tale of years to come. It is my gut that how this next year rolls out and wraps up will be what we measure the following 5-10 years against.
I heard Friday that if things do not change rapidly we are faced with the next 18 years of recovery economically. That was a wake up call for me, 18 years from now I will be the same age my mother is right now.
Taking this into account means looking at what we are each doing now with eyes toward tomorrow.
Ask yourself some questions have you set up a 401K, Roth, IRA or SEP ? I know just enough to be scary when it come to this accounts, but smart enough to trust my husband and CPA.
As a Santa Cruz Real Estate Agent, I can assure you that these plans make sleeping at night much easier. Don't forget your share of tax deductions.
For clear insight into the the Santa Cruz Real Estate Market, and the economy please join us at Keller Williams Santa Cruz Market Center on Dec. 14th at 11 a.m. to listen to Carol Ridoni a consultant owner of Bamboo Consultants, and well know Real Estate Guru!
or information on Santa Cruz Real Estate, Buying Homes, or Selling Homes please contact(831-247-9977) me. I would be happy to include you in my E Newsletter mailing.
For a FREE no obligation Market Analysis email me at Contact Me
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