Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela

Make A Difference!

My favorite "Chicken Soup For The Soul" story was the one about the thousands of starfish relegated by a storm to the shores of a desolate beach, and a man who was methodically picking up the starfish one by one and throwing them back in the ocean.  A passerby stopped and asked him why he was doing that:  "Look around you man, there are thousands of starfish on this beach.   You're not going to be able to save all of them.  You won't even make a difference."  The man looked at the passerby, threw another starfish into the water and said: "Made a difference to that one!"

The subject of child safety against predators is not accorded the kind of attention it deserves.  In July of 2006, the Adam Walsh Child Protection Safety Act was signed by President Bush.  Unfortunately, the bill signing was merely symbolic, because of a lack of funding.   Two weeks ago, the House Judiciary committee held hearings outlining law enforcement efforts to battle child pornography on the Internet. The law enforcement simply lacks the resources to go after these predators.   We have a bill in Congress now addressing this issue.  It is called the "War on Child Predators Act" (S-1738 Biden, Boxer-HR-3845 Wasserman).  This important legislation will fund the largest law enforcement army ever gathered to investigate, prosecute and imprison individuals known to traffic in child pornography.  We encourage all Americans to contact their federal legislators and demand that they put their full support behind this important legislation. 

In the United States, between 1.6 and 2.8 million children run away every year, and half of all runaways are girls.  Within 48 hours of hitting the streets, one-third of these children are lured or recruited into the underground world of prostitution or pornography.  In 2000 Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.   There is a fatal flaw within the act: because they are US citizens, domestic victims of human trafficking can not be certified, therefore they are not eligible for the services outlined and authorized under this act.  The Trafficking Victims Protection Act will be reauthorized this year.  With your help, it may be perfected to allow our American girls who have become such victims, to obtain the support needed to get off the streets. 

As a group, Realtors can have a huge voice.  We come from many other professions.  Real Estate is usually a second, or third career.  We are attracted to this profession, because we care about people.  I suggest that we get involved and stay involved.  Maybe this issue is not yours.  Find your issue, and make a difference!

Kids and everything related to them is my issue.  When I hear the word "Mom" I still turn, even when the child uttering it is not mine.  I was at a party once and a young kid fell in the pool.  I was in that pool retrieving that child so fast, that even I was startled at what had transpired.  Automatic pilot kicked in and there I went.  I am not unique in any way.   Most parents feel the same way.  That's why I bet I'm going to find a captive audience here!

Resources:

US Senate   http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

US House of Representatives:  http://www.house.gov/writerep/

Complete list of E-mail addresses and fax numbers of All federal representatives and Governors:  http://www.conservativeusa.org/mega-cong.htm

Klaas Action Review Fall Newsletter  http://www.klaaskids.org/newsletters/Fall_2007.pdf

 

 

 

 


Are U a 10?

Have you checked your ratings lately?  If not, you may be hurting your career and not even know it.   The all knowing CONSUMER is constantly striving to stay ahead of the curve.  Inquiring minds want to know, and they use the Internet to do so.  A number of services rating all professionals from attorneys to doctors, to, yes, Realtors, have been springing up all over the Web. 

Savvy consumers peruse these sites before they call the needed professionals, and it would behoove you to stay ahead of the curve.  Acquaint yourself with these sites and make sure your ratings are satisfactory.   One such site I found is called Real Estate RatingZ.  Check it out before you lose business because of it.

Remember, that it's a numbers game, so if a disgruntled client gets on there and writes you up a horrible scenario, all you need to do to bring the numbers up is encourage several of your willing clients, friends or relatives to get on there and give you stellar ratings.   The ratings go from 1 (one being the worst, garnering a green, unhappy face) to 5 (5 being the best and garnering a yellow, happy face).  Example:  say you get a disgruntled client to rate you the lowest, a 1.   You encourage your "fans" to get on that site and give you rave reviews.  You get  six of your fans to score you a maximum 5, so now your final rating looks like this: 1+5+5+5+5+5 +5=31.....  31divided by the 7 contributors makes a total rating of  4.43, instead of the "1" from the disgruntled client.  You now have a good rating and a smiley face.  

If you know of any other Realtors' ratings sites, please share them with us!  Also consider this: if you have a very good closing with an agent who did a superb job, why not give him or her a stellar rating?  So what if they are competition?  I always give credit where credit is due, even when dealing with competition.  Being a top notch agent allows you to let others shine as well...

 


Hilarious!! Must Read this Blog!!!

Funny Blog.  A must read!  12 Closing Gifts in Real Bad Taste.


12 Closing Gifts In Real Bad Taste:

•1.                  Box of Kleenex and a bottle of Prozac (especially not appropriate if the Seller brought money to closing).

•2.                  A big jar of Vaseline (especially inappropriate if the Seller brought money to closing).

•3.                  A copy of the movie "The Money Pit" with Tom Hanks (especially inappropriate for first time buyers, or buyers of old homes).

•4.                  A gift basket of Roach Motel and Mouse traps.

•5.                  A year's supply of Tilex, and a $ 25 gift certificate to "The Mold Doctor".

•6.                  A bottle of Viagra and a year's subscription to Match.com (especially wrong in a "divorce sale").

•7.                  A set of hot dog holders.

•8.                  A set of flea traps.

•9.                  A copy of the book: "When Bad Things Happen To Good People" (in bad taste for both Buyer and Seller, but for different reasons).

•10.              A long rope.  Especially bad in conjunction with Prozac and a 2-story home purchase.

•11.              Coupon for a complimentary EXORCISM.

•12.              Mouthwash and deodorant.  Maybe your best friend won't tell you, but your agent will...

*Contributed:  #10.  Michael Tarabotto; #11.  Bob Storey;   #12.  Rosario Lewis.

Do you have any "Closing Gifts In Bad Taste" ?  Please, do share!

 

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection                         Join The Optimist Group!

 


Don't Read This! It May Motivate You!

 

"Circumstances do not make a man, they reveal him."   

                                Wayne Dyer

 

 

"God is like a comedian playing to a crowd that's afraid to laugh."

                                     Voltaire

 

 

 

 

Life isn't about finding yourself.  Life is about creating yourself.

 

 

                     Victory with humility; Defeat with Grace...

 

 

The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.                           

Michelangelo                

 

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte               

www.MyrtleBeachHomes.us

Join the Optimist Group!

 

 


Closing Gift Baskets in Bad Taste...

I need your input on "Gift Baskets in Bad Taste".  Read the comments; they are hilarious!!!


Hilarious!!

Check out the blog: "We listed with another agent because" !  I promise you'll have fun!  Imperative to read the hilarious comments.  Send us your input!


9 Closing Gift Baskets In Bad Taste (You add the 10-th one):

•1.                  Box of Kleenex and a bottle of Prozac (especially not appropriate if the Seller brought money to closing).

•2.                  A big jar of Vaseline (especially inappropriate if the Seller brought money to closing).

•3.                  A copy of the movie "The Money Pit" with Tom Hanks (especially inappropriate for first time buyers, or buyers of old homes).

•4.                  A gift basket of Roach Motel and Mouse traps.

•5.                  A year's supply of Tilex, and a $ 25 gift certificate to "The Mold Doctor".

•6.                  A bottle of Viagra and a year's subscription to Match.com (especially wrong in a "divorce sale").

•7.                  A set of curtains for the front windows (especially inappropriate for a new home buyer...  I mean, most of them use bed sheets nowadays...)

•8.                  A set of flea traps.

•9.                  A copy of the book: "When Bad Things Happen To Good People" (in bad taste for both Buyer and Seller, but for different reasons).

 

 


Psst... Come here.... LISTEN UP!!!

RUN....  DON'T WALK...  Go to my blog titled: "Just Show me The Money" and INCREASE YOUR SALARY TENFOLD!!!


Just Show Me The Money!!!

It is amazing to me that so many agents fail to use the most important tool in the listing presentation!  If price has EVERYTHING to do with your sales performance, I can't understand how so many agents fail to employ this "Strategic Morsel". 

During my listing presentations, I typically get the same response from the seller:  "No other agent has done this for me!" 

Come on!!!  How do you expect to argue for a certain price, if you don't do a net sheet for the seller?  Without a net sheet, the seller has no idea what amount of money he will end up with.   It's simply too ABSTRACT, and many times the Seller will argue for the higher price simply because he wants to make sure he walks away with some money after the closing.  How much?  He doesn't know, so he will most likely guesstimate on the high side...

Do yourself a BIG FAVOR:  Find out exactly what the typical closing costs are in your area, the formulas employed for any deed stamps, etc. and if you don't have a company net sheet, create one in Excel.  During the listing presentation, ask the sellers what they owe on the first and/or second mortgage, find out about any other liens, then plug in the numbers in your Excel net sheet, and Voila!  You now have a definite figure for the amount of money in the sellers' pocket after all is said and done.  Don't forget to do the net sheet with your suggested price, not the seller's fantasy price.  Let your Sellers digest the final "in hand" figure a few seconds, then turn to them and ask: "Is this enough to get you from here to there?"  You will be surprised how often the answer is yes! 

Now you will have a listing at your suggested price, and soon you will have a sale.  All because of a simple Net Sheet!!!

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte

Join The Optimist Group!

 


In Your Dreams... The Seven Things You Wish You Heard, But Won't...

I'm too busy.  Why don't YOU pick the properties you think I should buy and just send me the paperwork to sign.

Would it be too much of an inconvenience if I bring cash and pay for the home today?

Would you mind pricing my home about 5% under the market, so it could sell fast?

I know the home next door just sold for $ 200,000, but it was much nicer than ours on the inside; I mean with the pink carpeting and all...  Do you think all these neutral colors are hurting our chances of selling it for, say $ 190,000?

Please excuse this simple decor and open floor plan!  My husband doesn't like a lot of clutter.

I've always had such a great experience dealing with Real Estate Agents!  You guys are the best!

Yes, I'll co-op.  Only one thing, though:  I really need to compensate you more than your standard fee.   Would it be OK if I offer you 2% more?

 

Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela Monte

 


10 BAD HABITS TO ACQUIRE AS A NEW REAL ESTATE AGENT

1.  When a lead wants to see one of your company's listings, promptly drop everything and go show it!

2.  Never qualify your buyers!  I mean, they wouldn't be looking if they didn't have the money, right?

3.  When leads call, answer ALL their questions about the property.  Make sure you describe the home down to the most minute details.  Talk at length about the pink tile in the foyer.  Don't bother taking a name and number, why should you?  If they are interested in the home they will call you.  They sound like such nice folks, and you know that if they say they'll call you, they certainly will.

4.  Once you get your license, that's it.  No more training.  Hooray!  Why bother with all those stupid designations?  I mean, your average Joe has no idea what GRI, CRS, ABR is.   Just go out there and learn from the school of hard knocks.  That's the way to do it!

5.  Go to the office frequently.   While there, make sure you socialize with as many agents as possible.  When other agents are too busy, find out what the assistants are doing.  If they are too busy also, go talk with any clients waiting out front.   Networking, that's the name of the game, isn't it?

6.  Never set goals!   It's way too intimidating to think of all those things you want.  Somehow it will all work itself out.  Deep down inside you know you will be successful someday.  Besides, life is an adventure.  You don't want to bog it down with too much structure and boring detail.

7.  Kind of have an idea of where all the neighborhoods are.  You have GPS so you'll be fine once you get some buyers in your car.  You never understood all the hoopla about "knowing your inventory", anyway.   I mean, it's ever changing, isn't it?  

8.  When on a listing presentation, be sure to talk about yourself at length.  Don't bother asking the seller too many questions.   Boast about all your accomplishments, your kids' accomplishments, your dog Buffy, you know:  build rapport.   Be sure to compliment them on their fine taste in decorating, even if the home looks like a storm hit it.  You're building rapport here; the first step in getting the listing.

9.  Don't ever call on FSBO's or expireds.  Too many pushy agents do that.  You're not that type.

10. Follow up is boring.  You know you can create a niche for yourself in this Real Estate business without all that nonsense.   Being successful in Real Estate is all about being at the right place at the right time.   

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte

www.MyrtleBeachHomes.us

 


Land, Homes or Condos? You tell us!

With the mortgage debacle in full swing and the economic indicators looking more and more like the electrocardiogram markings of a heart attack, could antiquated rules and old indicators be thrown out the window or retained and studied diligently for any semblance to current patterns? 

What are your investors buying right now?  Is it land, condos or homes?  What do you think is the best product to invest in at the moment?  Please share your opinion!

                                                                                                

 


Why not make it FUN???

When I was working for a very large brokerage firm in Fresno, CA, we used to have "caravan" every Wednesday morning.  At 9am, we all boarded a bus the company provided for us to preview every listing acquired that week.  Half the agents showed up, half didn't.  Management was always trying different approaches to get agents to come, but it was a boring trip, and a lot of agents dreaded it.

During my first encounter with the company "caravan", I realized there was a mike available by the driver's side.  I quickly obtained permission to use the mike and proceeded to tell a bunch of jokes.  Other agents soon took the mike with their own funny stories and jokes, and the morning was filled with fun and laughter. 

From that point on, not only did the company caravan become very popular with ALL the agents, with attendance at an all time high, but we all became closer.  It's amazing what a little fun and games will do to company morale...


The joke for your Wednesday morning caravan...

What's the difference between dealing with a woman who is PMS-ing and dealing with a terrorist?

You can negotiate with the terrorist...


Buy One Home Per Year!!!

"Buy one home per year!" has become my most dispensed advice to my clients, my agents, my friends and family.  If you do nothing else but that, you will have long term financial freedom. 

Rules of thumb:         

  1. Do the math!  Make sure that what goes out, comes back in.  If your monthly payments for principal, interest, taxes, insurance, HOA dues, etc. are $ 1,000, make sure that the fair market rent for that area is around the same amount.
  2. Put money in reserves.  You should have at least 3 months of payments saved in a special account, in case you can't find the right tenant fast enough.  I prefer having a 6 month reserve for my peace of mind. 
  3. Advertise the rental on Craig's List.  It is the best source of leads I have ever found for both rentals and sales.  It's free, so why not use it?
  4. Interview your prospective tenants as if you were interviewing a prospective General Manager for your business.  Charge the prospect an application fee to cover both a credit check and a background check.  Interview in person and pay attention to details.  Ask lots of questions.  Don't ask: "Do you have a pet?"  Instead ask: "What kind of pet do you have?"  You get the drift... 
  5. Don't forget to take advantage of depreciation, which will greatly impact your personal tax burden.  It's one of the great secrets of the big boys, and it certainly will make investing even more appealing.
  6. Don't forget to take advantage of the "tax deferral" via a 1031 Exchange.  That's another secret of the Big Boys.  It's not called Tax Avoidance, it's termed the innocuous "Tax Deferral", it just looks like a tax avoidance to an outsider...
  7. Read the book "Landlording on Autopilot" by Mike Butler.  It is the best book on all nuances of investing and managing your properties.  It is entertaining, captivating, extraordinarily educational and an easy read.  I am recommending it to all my friends, agents and clients.  Great book! 

As Real Estate Agents, you can benefit greatly by having rentals of your own.  Many of the callers we get on our rentals are bonified buyers with a little coaching from us.  The ads for our rentals provide us with a unique stream of buyers, whether they purchase now, or just rent from us for the time being and buying later.   When you help a person get their ducks in a row and become a home owner, you not only improve that person's life and finances, but you also garner a client for life.  If you are a good enough educator, you can impart the wisdom of "Buy one home per year" to that client and "mushroom" your success by helping other people succeed.  Try it! You'll agree that it's a long term winning strategy...

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte, GRI, ABR, BIC, SC, NC.

 


Land Minefield... What every Real Estate Agent should know about Land Transactions...

You are representing a Buyer of a parcel of land.  The Seller provides you with a satisfactory Phase I ESA (Environmental Site Assessment).   Your Buyer is satisfied with that and all other "due diligence" and proceeds forward closing on the property. 

A few months later, several underground petroleum tanks are discovered on the property.  The clean up bill is substantial.  The Buyer now has to front the bill.  How is that possible?  The Buyer had a satisfactory Phase I ESA.   Yes, but the Phase I was done for the Seller.  One little omitted detail cost the Buyer a fortune. 

What could the Buyer have done differently?  Once the Buyer decides to move forward with the purchase, go back to the environmental consultant who did the Phase I, and ask him to update the Phase I ESA showing that it was done specifically for the Buyer.  That little change will save your Buyer a fortune in clean up costs.  Now the clean up will be the responsibility of the Seller, since your Buyer fully completed his due diligence.

Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte

www.MyrtleBeachHomes.US

 

 

 


PLEASE HELP!!

I have clients who bought a pre-construction condo at the 2005 price of $ 270,000.  They put a substantial deposit of about $ 40K, and waited for the concrete and steel oceanfront building to be erected. 

It's now October 2007, and the building is finally finished.  They were notified that they needed to go to close and they called me to see what they could get for the unit.  Unfortunately for them, the current fair market price for similar units in the Myrtle Beach Area is only around $ 160,000 - $ 170,000.

They conferred with several attorneys and they were told they have only two options:

•1.     to lose their deposit ($ 40K) and walk away from the deal

•2.     to buy a $ 170,000 condo for $ 270,000. 

The developer had an ironclad contract signed with them.  They did not have a Buyer's Agent (I represented them a couple of times, but this was before they met me).   The contract is not contingent on financing or appraisal.  Done!  They are cooked...

This is a young family with kids and $ 40,000 is a lot of money to them.   Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated!


Little River, SC - Home Sales for September 2007

Homes Sold:

 

Price Range                   Homes sold in that price range

 

$0 - $100,000                                             2

 

$ 100,000 - 150,000                                  2

 

$ 150,000 - $ 200,000                                8

 

$ 200,000 - $ 250,000                               13

 

$ 250,000 - $ 300,000                                4

 

$ 300,000 - $ 350,000                                5

 

$ 350,000 - $ 400,000                                4

 

$ 400,000 - $ 450,000                                1

 

$ 450,000 - $ 10,000,000                                     0

 

•·        Note:  all second numbers were rounded off (ex: $ 0 - $ 100,000 is actually $ 0 - $ 99,999).

 

 

Homes Available for sale:

 

$ 0 - $ 100,000                                           9

$ 100,000 - $ 150,000                                24

$ 150,000 - $ 200,000                                111

$ 200,000 - $ 250,000                                105

$ 250,000 - $ 300,000                                72

$ 300,000 - $ 350,000                                30

$ 350,000 - $ 400,000                                28

$ 400,000 - $ 450,000                                20

$ 450,000 - $ 500,000                                8

$ 500,000 - $ 600,000                                16

$ 600,000 - $ 700,000                                9

$ 700,000 - $ 800,000                                2

$ 800,000 - $ 900,000                                2

$ 900,000 - $ 1,000,000                             2

$ 1M - $ 1.5M                                           6

$ 1.5M - $ 2M                                            4

$ 2M - $ 3M                                              3

$ 3M - $10M                                              0

 

Total Number of Homes currently available for sale:    451

Total Number of Homes sold during September:          39

* 8.65% of the available homes sold during the month of September.

 

 


Empathy Hog Right at home on ActiveRain

I can't help myself, but my empathy level is quite high.  I actually feel other people's pain, and I get so happy when others are happy.  I first realized it when I was about 8 years old, and someone got a shot in the tush right in front of me.  I actually felt the needle in my tush, just by watching.  When people cry, I cry with them, and I genuinely feel their pain, so much so, that it impedes my activities.  When people are happy I'm right there with them, at the same level of "joyous". 

Needles to say, I strive to be around "joyous"...  I also strive to show the way there.  This ActiveRain has given me such amazing results from the readers.  I get such great comments to my blogs, and agents say that my advice helps them, and it is so-o-o-o fulfilling!!!  I am so proud of all my agents within my company!  They are all people I admire, and I've learned from them, as much as they have learned from me.  Now I feel blessed to belong to this ActiveRain community, where I feel that I am making a difference.

Thank you for your participation and your input!  I've learned so much from your blogs and comments, and I've derived so much pleasure from your kind remarks to my own blogs.  Keep it coming!  I'm singing in the Rain!