Apple Valley Ohio Lake Community by Sam Miller

Recently I had a couple of clients tell me that they were no longer getting the e-mails I have been sending from our only MLS system.  This came as a shock to me because I set myself up as a cc for all my clients and I have been getting them without a hitch.  The issue seems to be that Yahoo has black listed our MLS vendor the e-mails aren't making it to our clients with Yahoo e-mail addresses.  This is a challenge that can be overcome with some creative thinking. 

When you have clients set up on MLS automated listing searches you can cc yourself so that you get the same message that is being sent to your client.  Once the message gets to you it is easy to forward the cc e-mail copy to the clients that have Yahoo address.  Another tip is to change the subject line because in many cases when an automated e-mail is black listed they block repetitive subject lines so give this a try.  It worked for us and maybe it can work for you also.

Happy Selling  

This home rates up there as one of the top home buys in Knox County Ohio compared to other more expensive homes!

• Gorgeous country home and situated on 2 beautiful acres of land
• Ideal location near shopping and within minutes of Kenyon College
• Extra spacious and every stylish 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath floorplan 
• This home has a wonderful layout with stunning hardwood floors
• Wonderful user friendly deluxe kitchen with lots of counter space
• King sized master bedroom with a relaxing private master bath
• Impressive family room combination in the finished lower level
• Tremendous decking perfect for sunning and outdoor cookouts
• We priced this home to sell super fast at only $169,900
• For more details visit:  www.SamMiller.com/19157cr.htm

Sam Miller of RE/MAX Stars Realty (740) 397-7800 or 1-800-282-9096 or www.SamMiller.com

The housing market has changed dramatically during the past couple of years and many agents are financially feeling the shift in a negative way.  Most parts of America were previously in either a balanced market or a market that favored the homeowner.  Two years ago there were fewer sellers listed for sale and more buyers who wanted to buy and this helped drive the market.  Today in most markets there are more homes for sale a fewer buyers buying.  Please understand that this is NOT the buyers fault and the good news is that if you are willing to make a few changes you can enhance your buyer side of your business.

In October of 2007 I attended the Buyer Specialization University that was put on by the Howard Brinton Star Power organization.  Those of you who know me know I have worked with and supported Star Power for many years but my attendance at the Atlanta event was as a student with a focus on fine tuning the services we provide to the home buyers we represent.  This course was one of the most amazing education experiences of my 20+ years in real estate because it was taught by agents who primarily work only with buyers so they brought with them a different perspective than an agent who lists AND sells.

The course focused on dozens of ways to better serve your buyers and it also gave us an opportunity to roll play with other top agents.  The roll playing and scripts portion of the course proved to be some of the most empowering because we were each put in the position of the buyer so we quickly were able to evaluate what was important to each of us as a buyer.  Once you realize what is important to you as a buyer you can quickly make adjustments to your systems and operations that no only attract more buyers but that create buyer with benefits that encourage them to take action.  Agents everywhere are saying that buyers are sitting on the sidelines and few are buying...I can tell you that once you take this course and you adapt your business to the current real estate market you will see the benefits.

Happy Selling! 

In your marketplace is it common for home buyers to make purchase offers that are contingent upon the sale of their existing home?  In Knox County Ohio the home sale contingency offer if done correctly can be a true Win/Win for both the buyer and the seller.  The challenge is that so many agents and buyers don't put themselves in the seller's position and this becomes a no win for anyone.  The reason this becomes a no win is because when a buyer or agent create an offer that is written stictly to benefit only the buyer...the seller in most cases says get lost or requires the deal to be non home sale contingent.  There has to be something in the deal for everyone or "No Deal".

Some mistakes that many buyers and agents make is that they attempt to negotiate their offer as if they were not home sale contingent.  The problem with taking this approach is that a home sale contingent deal does not offer the seller a solid guarantee that this home sale contingent buyer will actually buy their home.  Many times a buyer who writes a home sale contingent offer asks to delay their home inspection contingency until the buyer gets an offer on the sale of their current home...this also weakens the buyers position because once again the seller is less likely to see a successful sale with this buyer actually take place.  If the seller is skeptical that a successful sale is unlikely they are less likely to entertain this type of offer.

With the recent changes in the housing market home sale contingent offers will regain popularity and can become very successful if agents and home buyers give these types of offers some extra thought.  When negotiating an offer make sure you have a letter of financial preapproval for your buyer with as few conditions or contingencies as possible.  By providing this you are telling the seller that you are a capable buyer.  Contingency contracts need specific language that deal with allowing the seller to continue to market and show their home to other potential buyers.  This is a key factor because it gives the seller a feeling of having some security and a feeling that they do have some options.  When the seller feels a sale will happen with a home sale contingent buy they are more likely to accept these type of offers.

Happy Selling and don't discount the home sale contingent buyer because they need our help and they make up a huge segment of the current housing market! 

Located in Eastern Knox County within the Apple Valley Lake Resort

• Resort location yet it has a peaceful country feeling
• This home is the builders personal home-top notch
• Desirable open floorplan with a spacious airy feeling
• Glassed Florida room that's extra light and sun filled 
• 3 Bedroom ranch design with an impressive walkout
• Includes 2 Apple Valley lots that are both gorgeous
• Includes an outside generator system-a real bonus
• Wonderful decking area that's ideal for cookouts
• This home is worth MUCH more than the list price
• The owner of this home priced it right at $159,900
• Details at http://www.sammiller.com/355hh.htm
• Contact Sam Miller at RE/MAX Stars Realty
• Please Call (740) 397-7800 or 1-800-282-9096

 Gorgeous Tree Lined Lot

If you follow Howard Brinton and his Star Power Series the name Kevin Hildebrand is a name you probably already know.  Kevin and I talk or e-mail each other at least once a day to share our daily experiences and we are sounding boards for one another.  If you do not have a real estate agent outside of your market that you can brainstorm with I highly recommend making this type of connection with someone.  The value you will bring to each other is very empowering because if you both share common goals you can easily motivate each other. We have both found that by having someone you are accountable with it makes you go the extra mile each week which inturn causes you to stretch and grow beyond what you would do on your own.

Tonight Kevin and I met in Columbus Ohio at Easton Town Center to discuss some new creative ideas we have been kicking around for a couple of months.  We both recognize that the real estate business is changing and how important it is for us to deliver results beyond what our clients expect.  We discussed the fact that creative financing, educating our buyers and sellers to the current market conditions and making sure our clients homes are in show ready condition are more critical today than ever before.  Equally important is helping our buying clients get the absolute best and most solid mortgage preapprovals and financing package that meets their specific needs and financial goals.  For the seller it is a great time to sell their current home and move up in value to a larger home and at the same time it is an ideal time for a first time buyer to invest in their first home.  2008 will prove to be potentially the best real estate opportunity the state of Ohio has ever seen. 

Is anyone doing anything unique or creative using iWeb and your .Mac account?  I have not seen many agents create a listing page useing this software and service.  It is a quick, clean and easy way to post listing info on the web but I have yet to see anyone do anything with this.  If you have seen anything or you have created something kinda cool please post a link.  I feel like I could be missing out on this feature and need a little inspiration.