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Real Estate and Grief

It doesn't matter if REOs are here to stay or short sales are the new REOs. It's the sense of helplessness that it brings to the homeowners and agents alike.We are talking about the new revolution in real estate.

Will you be a fighter?

And yet, a new model of real estate snuck up on most of us. It started with a small band of rebels, the ones who threw away the old, tired rules and instituted fresh new ones. The rest of us stood by and watched, some of us in horror, some of us in awe, most of us hoping the rebellion would be short-lived, that soon we could return to the old model and the old way of doing things. But the rebels’ voices became louder and more strident.

They called it ‘The Short Sale Revolution’

Ultimately, we couldn’t do anything but notice.To notice, though, is not to accept.

First, we had to go through the 5 Stages of Grief.

Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance
At first, we entered a state of denial. This can’t be happening, we said to ourselves. And even if it is, it won’t last long.

Then we got angry ... good and angry. At the banks, at Wall Street, at Washington, at buyers, at sellers ... at the unfairness of it all. Why me? we whined. Why real estate? Why my profession? Why now?

Then we bargained for the old ways, stuck to our business models, and dug in our heels. Wishing and hoping all the while for everything to return to the way things used to be.

Towards the end, we became depressed, wondering if anything would ever be the same again. We experienced feelings of hopelessness and frustration. We mourned the loss of business and the putting off of dreams. We felt a lack of control and were confused about what to do next. Sometimes we cried. Other times we yelled and shook our fists at the sky.

Finally, realizing change was here to stay, we accepted the truth, and more importantly, understood it wasn’t our fault. We began to look for solutions. We started revising our business plans, throwing out what didn’t work, and trying new ways. During the process, we adapted to the way things are and not the way we wished them to be. We also learned that this is an ongoing process. If ‘this’ doesn’t work, maybe ‘that’ will. The learning curve is steep. The rules change constantly. We have to adapt every minute, every hour, every day. And we have to remember that we’re not only reinventing our business but reinventing ourselves.

What happens when foreclosures and short sales work their way out of the system ... one year, two years, three years from now? What then? Will all our hard work be wasted? Not in the least. Because we will have survived and become stronger for it. And we’ll be better at what we do.

It’s the dawn of a new era. Welcome it. Embrace it. Spit in its eye when you feel the urge. But keep on ‘keeping on’. The real estate market is here to stay, and so are we.

Need help in Southern California short sales, reos, loan modifications

call me

Carmen Cooley Graham 619 218 7390

Keller Williams

DRE # 012961519
Don't be a victim I am here to help.
www.Carmensellssandiego.com

carmencooleygraham@yahoo.com

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Yesterday I attended an awesome REO seminar from www.NFSTI.com, National Foreclosure Sales Training Institute in Santa Monica, California. The featured speakers were 2 top REO listing agents and we had some surprise guest speakers. One was a top Asset Manager (can't mention any names, sorry). Another guest speaker was Thomas Moore from eBrokerHouse and he demonstrated their software live!Following is a photo of top REO listing agent Pam Eikelberry from Northern Nevada, giving instruction:

Here's the top 10 REO listing tips from our Super guest, the "secret" AM:1. Asset Managers don't like surprises - they need to know any potential problems before they explode.2. Never say "that's not my job" or you'll soon be OUT of a job.3. You may have to prepare REO buyer's agents by educating them about the addendums.4. AS-IS means that the bank will NOT be making any repairs. Duh!5. If buyers default, they should NOT expect a return of their earnest money deposit.6. Never turn down any work, BPO or otherwise, whether it's paid or not.7. Banks won't pay for home warranties. The buyer or agent(s) will need to pay for it.8. Be available any time an AM calls you -- days, nights, weekends, holidays9. Be honest and up front; don't play games.10. When sending a request to an AM, just ask a yes/no question or give a choice of actions. Extended narrative is not needed.Hope these tips will help you with your REO business! Lots more tips available from their 2-day seminar, see if there's an upcoming seminar near you: www.NFSTI.comRegina P. BrownBroker, Realtor®, e-ProAuthor of eBook "Stop Foreclosure Fast: Solutions to Save your House"Author of forthcoming book, "Virtual Office Guide for Business Professionals: Work & Profit from Home"Text copyright © 2009 R.P. Brown, All Rights Reserved
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