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Going Home Without the Gold

August 2, 2012 in An Agent's Life, Front Page, Inspiration, Linkedin

A medal is not the measure of success or failure at the Olympics.

Everyone loves a winner. We cheer, we clap and the media fawns over the winner while those who failed to reach equal heights watch from the shadows or burrow their heads in their hands to hide tears of disappointment. Some come close, others miss the mark by a wider margin.

Like millions of others around the world I’ve been keeping late hours while uncharacteristically glued to my Sony flat screen. The drama unfolds in a variety of arenas from pool to balance beams and I don’t want to miss a moment. In a few short minutes the lifelong dream of the young, world-class athletes is played out on the world stage. Stumble and you may miss your moment. Finish first and bask in glory for one short moment in time.

I, too, have rejoiced with the winners, but I wonder how those who face the disappointment of a devastating loss will cope and move forward. Certainly they are not failures; they are the elite of their chosen fields, but with so much hope and glory pinned on one event it takes a true winner to release one goal and replace it with another. This is the challenge of the great athletes who represented their country but return home without worldwide name and face recognition.

John Orozco’s battle with the pommel horse comes to mind. His Olympic dreams were shattered by the unforgiving apparatus. After a short cry he resolved to do better in the remaining events even thought he knew there would be no medal or place on the coveted podium. He continued the competition and his efforts were rewarded. He moved up 16 slots from dead last to eighth in the all-around event. Loser? I don’t think so. He is still a teenager with time and talent on his side.

That’s what winners in all walks of life do. After a setback they regroup, refocus and return to compete again. Sounds like real estate to me.

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Is Your House Talking Behind Your Back?

May 5, 2012 in Front Page, Linkedin, Palos Verdes Luxury Homes, Palos Verdes View Homes, Seller Tip

You bet it is! Buyers make an intellectual and financial decision to look at properties based on location, price and square footage. They want their new home to be where they want to live, the price they can afford to pay and a size that fits their needs. Those are the basics and where every search begins.

With those requirements satisfied, the search for a new home moves into the more subtle nuances of home buying. The psychological factors come into play. Past history and experiences of the buyer bring forth new requirements and the elimination process is underway. It often goes something like this:

Oh we could never live here, my husband is allergic to cats and their dander stays in the heating and cooling systems for months. Sorry, if you have cats your house was just scratched off the list of possible buys–medical reasons for not buying a house are almost impossible to overcome.

That backyard looks like a park. It reminds me of where I grew up. Emotional comment is noted by agent. The buyer has made a connection.

Is this a distress sale? That is the unkempt yard and blistered paint speaking to the buyer.

Didn’t they know we were coming? That is the garbage cans still at the curb at 3:00 p.m. the unmade beds and disheveled family room revealing the sellers lack of motivation. Don’t lose a prospective buyer at the curb or make them feel like an unwelcome guest. Invite them in with impeccable curbside appeal, and win them over with an interior that beckons them to linger and imagine life within the walls of this particular property. Life is full of choices and chances are this is not the only home they will view before they purchase.

Buyers are forming an opinion of your home and wondering if it is the one that will become their home before they enter your front door. Even though you are not at home, you house is talking to the buyers. Make sure it is telling them what you want them to hear.

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Simple Luxuries of Coastal Living

May 4, 2012 in Beach Cities, Favorite Photos - Palos Verdes, Front Page, Hermosa Beach, Inspiration, Linkedin, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates, Palos Verdes Luxury Homes, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills

The bright lights of the big city are within easy reach of the coastal cities of Los Angeles. It is nice to know one can indulge in world-class dining, museums, symphonies and such when the desire strikes, but it’s the little daily pleasures that accumulate into the huge benefit of living the coastal lifestyle in Southern California. From early morning to lights out at night we are gifted with coastal influences.

Take the weather–the ocean influence keeps us from suffering the extreme heat of summer and the frigid winter temperatures endured by our inland friends. If you want to experience some extreme weather snow-covered slopes or a day in the desert are only two hours away. Your choice.

We are blessed with ocean breezes that cool not only our houses but also the sweat on our brows after a long workday. One of my favorite ways to lose that frazzled feeling is to settle in on an ocean view patio with eyes open wide, a few deep breaths of salt water air and let the beauty sink in as the stress goes wherever it goes. I’ve lived in the Midwest, on the east coast and in the south and nothing beats the coastal weather of Southern California.

Yes, we have earthquakes and traffic that can reduce the most stable person to gripping the steering wheel a little too tight and searching for surface streets to carry them away from the freeway snarl, but even with the threat of natural disaster lurking far below our feet in the deep crevices of the earth, and the tangle of freeways crisscrossing the landscape lying in wait to ensnare our cars, the coastal location offers us postcard views, heavenly weather and enviable recreation every day of the year. It may not be perfect, but in my book this is as good as it gets.

Sunrise, sunset. Make mine a coastal one, please.

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How To Put Your Home on a Buyer’s Short List–Seller Tip

April 29, 2012 in Linkedin, Seller Tip

I recycled this post first published in 2008 after checking available homes for buyers flying into LA this week. Nine, yes only nine, homes meet their specific criteria. I’m sure we will have a home in escrow before they leave town. Maybe it will be your home if it’s fortunate enough to make their short list. These particular prospective buyers have low tolerance for overpriced, cluttered and neglected properties. My best advice is to perfect and polish your property before you present it to prospective buyers. Make every showing an invitation to purchase the property.

Next week I’ll be showing a Palos Verdes buyer who wants a one level home with no stairs-no step down living room, or steps up or down to the garage. I previewed several one levels in search of a “step free” house.

After eight or nine houses they all began to look alike. I found myself making notes such as “granite kitchen and stainless appliances” on many, and “original condition” on several others. I returned to the office uninspired and more than likely my client will have a similar response to the look alike one levels.

Sellers, what makes your house stands out from the crowd? Is it:

Captivating from the curb?

Staged?

Priced right?

Squeaky-clean?

Easy to show?

Move in condition?

Buyers look at many houses; they buy only one. Present your property in its most favorable light. Peeling and faded paint will be viewed as a future expense. Ditto for the worn and stained carpet I saw in several of the homes I previewed. Buyers have lots of choices, so make a big first impression. More than likely you will not get a second chance. Opportunities are famous for rarely knocking on the same door twice.