Wednesday, December 13, 2006

New Home Buyer Classes

There are 2 types of handypeople in this world - good and bad!

The good handyperson can see a problem - let's say, a leaky sink - assess the situation, maybe take a quick look at some stuff online, go to the nearest Lowe's, and make the problem go away. These folks may have never had a scrap of formal training in their entire lives. Yet they can fix just about anything they want to. And, in fact, they may decide to take on large remodeling projects and make the job look like something that appears on HGTV. I like to call these people fiximus anythingus rexus.




Then there's the bad handyperson. This person should never pick up a tool. They see a situation within the home that needs repair, and despite past, failed attempts at home repair resolution, they believe somewhere deep down in their clouded minds that THIS TIME it will be different...and it never is. I like to call this person nofiximus anythingus goofus.

I am the person who should NEVER pick up a tool. My wife is the kind of person that can paint or fix anything. In fact, when we first moved in to our own she wanted to knock down a wall in our master bath. I said no, but only because I was scared that I'd have to help and the house would have fallen down. But she amazes me. She, howevere, is the exception rather than the rule.
Most of us do not know how to do many of the necessary home repairs that come with home ownership. It seems as though there is always something needing to be fixed. And when you finish one job, you find out there's one more waiting. It can be very overwhelming, yes?
What if there were a class for home fix-it beginners? Wouldn't that be helpful? Well, there is!

Neighborhood Housing Services has begun a 2 night class on basic homeowner repair. I believe that it's limited to clients of the NHS, but it's still something that is available to the public. Some of the topics they cover are "particular chores" (whatever that means), cleaning out gutters, and using a stud finder. Yes, some of us need help understanding that freaky little box that seems to beep no matter where you place it. Mary Ann Anthony, a single mother of three, was taught how to use a cordless drill. She says, "No one ever let me do that." And now she knows how.
It may be worth a phone call. Or, if you are adept in the area of home repair, maybe you could start a class in your neighborhood. Just check with your HOA. You'd be surprised at how many people out there have absolutely no idea how to do the simplets of repairs.

Dustin...

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Passion In Action




Pardon me, but may I have this dance?

Sunday, December 10th, in the newspaper, I found an article in the S.A.Life section entitled, "Passion in Action." It is subtitled, "Argentine tango stirs the soul." Yes, you guessed it, it's about dancing - specifically, it's about the Argentine Tango.

There are a myriad of dance styles. There's the more refined and elegant styles like the Waltz and the Foxtrot. There is also the fast paced style called Swing - the Lindyhop, Charleston, and Boogie Woogie are a few nuances of Swing. There's Country and Western dancing - the two step, county western waltz, and line dancing are a few sub styles within this genre. And there's even what is called "Street Dance." Yep, the bump and grind would be a style within this genre, but also breakdancing, uprock, and popping/locking as well.

However, if you've ever danced before, then you are aware that dances like the Rumba, Salsa, Bolero, and (drum roll please) the Tango are all in a class of their own. These are under the heading of Latin Dances. They are intricate, great exercise, and very, very CLOSE dances.

My wife and I took dance lessons at Arthur Murray's one time. I can't tell you how much fun that it was. Well, I could, but unless you experience it, you won't really understand. Not only was it really good exercise, but it was the complete antithesis of a dinner and a movie type outing. We actually talked!!! We touched!!! We laughed!!! Amazing, isn't it? And when we got to the Latin Dances, well...let's just say that it set a very great mood for the rest of the evening. Think about it - you are hip to hip, cheek to cheek, moving in rhythm, and sweating. So, I only suggest this for the married, or those who have accountability after the class is over. :)

Anyway, if you want to read what I read then go to this article at MySa.Com. You will find the locations and times of classes all over San Antonio. I really recommend taking a class or two if you haven't ever done so. Even if you have taken a class before, take one again. It can't hurt.

Dustin...
www.4frontrealty.com

Monday, December 4, 2006

Real Estate Gimmicks!

There are many Realtors out there who are using gimmicks to lure in people. I also forewarned readers to beware these gimmicks. They, like the proverbial book, aren't to be judged by their cover. The adage, "sounds too good to be true," is very fitting in most instances where these gimmicks are concerned. For instance, you may see an advertisement in a magazine, on the Internet, or even on the side of a van that says, "We will sell your home for free..." Often times, in fact, most times, there is no fine print below, above, or present, explaining the catch. And believe me, there is a catch. I mean honestly, would an Agent of any brokerage sell a home for free??? Or, you may see an advertisement that says, "We will sell your home in 24 hours...guaranteed!" When the general public sees an ad like this the immediate thought is, "Wow, in the real estate market the competition is high. Agents are doing everything they can to grab Clients. This person is really putting themselves on the line."

Now, they ARE in fact putting themselves on the line, but not in the way the consumer may be thinking. Another advertisement that is pretty popular is, "We will sell your home in ______ days or we will buy it!" This advertisement is more true than not. Your home will be purchased, but at what price? In most cases the deceptive agent WILL in fact buy your home if they don't sell it in 30, 60, or 90 days, but it will be purchased at appraised value - and I bet the appraiser used may be a good friend of the agent. Regardless, your home won't be purchased at list price.
My point is that these advertisements are very misleading. They are borderline deceptive.

I had an interesting conversation with an attorney at the Texas Real Estate Commission today. I explained to her a hypothetical scenario. My hypothetical scenario was a "what if" type of event. For example, what if I said this, that, or the other (one of the gimmicks mentioned above) in my advertising as an Agent or Realtor? She immediately let me know that I was being deceptive and/or misleading. I agreed. She also told me that if a client were wise enough they could report me, I would be investigated by TREC, and I'd be in trouble. It was an enlightening conversation.

Now, some of you reading this may say, "Gosh, aren't you kind of shooting yourself in the foot? You aren't going to be able to use these gimmicks now. You have knowledge of their motive." No, we aren't shooting ourselves in the foot. We don't use these kinds of gimmicks. We never have. Call us here at 4Front Real Estate Group old fashioned, but we believe in stellar Client service as the best tool for growing and sustaining our business. Smoke and mirrors aren't necessary. When we advertise, "Wow - under contract in 8 days," that's because the home went on the market 8 days earlier and had a receipted contract on it in 8 days. Or, when we advertise, "This home sold in _____ weeks," it really did. Or when we advertise that we give unique and preeminent service, we really do. You see, if we advertised using gimmicks then we'd be more worried about avoiding the catch in the gimmick than we would be concerned about you - the Client. Thus, you'd suffer. This is unacceptable.

Agents have enough trouble competing against each other in the marketplace without gimmicks. And Agents who advertise like this, in many instances, give the rest of us bad names who work in this industry. There are enough car salesmen in the world.

Dustin...
www.4fronterealty.com