Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC Blog: May 2008

The market is now in a state of "buyer's choice" rather than, sellers will only do this.  So, how can it still seem that the sellers are "winning" in this market.  Here's what I am seeing in our area, in Connecticut.  If the home is in pristine condition, priced agressively and in a good location, it sells in less than two weeks. If the buyer doesn't jump right in to an offer, he will either loose the chance of buying that home or a bidding war will determine who moves into this home next.  I just had this happen to my buyer clients yesterday.  While they were "thinking" about the possibility of moving into a beautiful home in my town, someone else bought it out from under them.  They had discussed with their banker, the options open to them.  They own a home now, so, they were looking into the possiblity of a "bridge loan."  The listing agent called my office and left a message.  I returned her call and we discussed the possibility of an offer coming in from another buyer.  She had nothing in her hands yet, but, was told it might be coming sometime in the early evening.  I immediately tried to find my buyers.  Holiday weekend, yikes!  I finally heard from them in the late afternoon. 

After discussing their options, they decided to talk about it and call me back.  I went on to the computer and checked the mls listings for the homes that were currently under deposit in their present neighborhood.  When I completed their CMA, two days earlier, there were three under deposit.  Just wanted to confirm the status and see if any thing else may have come on.  I checked the "under deposit" status on the mls home page.  Much to my surprise, the home they were going to write an offer on in my town, was already under deposit.  I gave my clients a quick call back to let them know.  I then, called the listing agent, to let her know that my clients had procured financing for a bridge loan and were strongly considering this property she had listed.  I think she was surprised. Not many mortgage officers work the weekend, but, this one did.  If she had called me one more time, she would have had people bidding up this property. 

I then, told her that I noticed it was already gone.  She said, yes, I felt it was a good offer.  So, there you have it.  In just two days, you really need to be ready to jump!  This property was listed for seven days.  My clients will place their home on the market this week.  They will probably build a new, custom home.  It isn't often, that a pristine home is offered for sale.  Their home is pristine, so we are confident of a quick sale.  Sellers are still winning in this buyer's market.  If you have a pristine home, list it now!  Many buyers are waiting, just for your home!

 With every day that passes, we all see the need for conserving our natural resources.  Light bulbs, timers on our heat or air conditioning systems, keeping that temperature at the correct seasonal setting, planning our driving trips to include better routes to cover more errands on the same trip, using less paper and more.  Life has certainly changed.

Years ago, there were no fax machines.  Contracts needed to be hand delivered to the listing office.  Immediately. Pages were rewritten, in carbon.  Messages were taken down on pads, in carbon, by the office secretary.  There was no voicemail.  The lockboxes were combination or had a metal key to open them.  You paid a small fee, $50.00 for the key.  Only Realtors could purchase and hold them.  Now, everything is online. Lockboxes, contracts, assessor cards, etc.  Even the faxes can be sent and are delivered to email. 

I wonder, if we were to return to some of the old tools, would we use less of our world energy?  Has some of the way we are now living, caused us to use too much energy?  Will the laptops and computers of tomorrow use less energy?

Join me and plant a carbon forest tree.  Just another way to help recognize the need for conservation!

It's a Good Life! 

 http://www.carbongrove.com/Trees/227462/grow/1F41D42EA317750C
 

<div class='hslice' id='carbongrove_tree_227462' style='width:180px;'><p class='entry-title' style='display:none;'>My tree at Carbon grove</p><div class='entry-content'><a href='http://www.carbongrove.com/Trees/227462' title='Visit my tree at carbongrove.com'><img src='http://www.carbongrove.com/Trees/227462/widget.jpg' style='border:none;'/></a></div></div>

The weather is perfect for your outdoor projects.  Time to think about starting a vegetable garden or to start planting some of the hardier annuals.  I don't know about yours, but, my shrubs are full of new growth already.  They need to be trimmed back.  Keeping them clear of your house is wise.  They tend to grow into the siding or block sunlight from the windows if they get too overgrown.  You will need to get new mulch for the beds and walkways. 

If you like to do this yard work, now is the time.  If you choose to hire someone, call today.  Birch Mountain Earthworks now offers delivery or you may pick it up at their location on Rt 5 in South Windsor. They have great choices of different varieties of mulch or stone.  One good tip, if you have a playscape for your little ones, they now carry the newer synthetic mulch for play areas. You can stop by or call to order what you may need.  This year, they have started to rent out small machinery, bobcats, etc.  Now, if you have those big, ugly bushes, or have a yard project in mind, you can take care of it, yourself!  Sure makes life easier! 

I love to plant new annuals here and there, around our property. The colors are so lovely to look at from every window.  It brings more life to your yard.  I like to border our wooded areas with mulch.  The different colors offer us a nicer depth, a park like look to the yard.  Time to get out the bird bath and fill it up.  Though, our new lab, Jack, may object to the birds in his space.  For now, he just watches and listens to them.  Enjoy your week, more tips to follow!

It's a Good Life!

Oh, By the Way...if you know of someone who could use my good services, please provide me with their contact information.  I will be happy to take good care of them for you!  I am never too busy for your referrals!

This clip was just sent to me by my Daughter-In-Law, Lynne.  It touched me so, that, I had to share it with all of you!  A good gesture that costs you nothing, yet, gives so much.  My Dad is a Marine, and still, to his last day on this earth, he was proud, patriotic and brave.  What strong convictions these special men and women possess for their profession.  My Dad became ill (stroke victim) when he was seventy-one.  They thought he would be gone in just a few months.  Not my Dad. He outlived some of his doctors.  For seventeen years he fought his illness hard.  Recovered enough to be able to see his grandchildren grow into fine adults. Enough to share his stories of his life with my children.  His strength still gets our family through tough situations when they come to us.  Why was my Dad so strong?  Why did his beliefs keep him tried and true?  When I asked my Dad how he had the ability to be so positive, so trusting, he replied, I am a Marine, it is the only way I know to live.

The military of our United States of America are the best!  Recognize them with your thanks whenever you have the chance.  We are so thankful to them.

                                           http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/fullmovie.php

 My Business Directory Try it now, you will be redirected to my referral businesses directory.  I made a page for it on Google.  I love their page creator tool.

Clients come from all over the country.  When they relocate to their new home, they may be in need of a few vendors for their family and new home.  I add to this directory whenever I come across a company who I feel will be competent and trustworthy.   Some of the names have come to me, from my clients.  A few of them, are my past or present clients.  They have been through the homebuying process and are more sympathetic to the needs a homeowner may have.

Hoping to have someone help me to design a widget for my business referral directory.  If I am able to accomplish this, I will return to this post and update it:)

It's a rainy day, here in Connecticut. Actually, it is forecasted to rain all weekend and most of Monday.  Perfect time to try a new widget!  Off to show some properties, stay tuned!

Okay, so, I did manage to create the widget, note:  on the sidebar of my blog.  Not sure how it will go, but, hoping folks love it!

It's a Good Life!