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60 Seconds! What Would You Grab? (edit/delete)

My life is full of phone calls, meetings, appointments, contracts, leases, emails, returned phone calls, more emails,  deadlines, etc., etc., . . . you get the picture.  It's probably a lot like yours.  I was just thinking, "What would I do if I had nothing to do?"  What a wonderful question to ponder.  I need to spend more time thinking about that one because I definitely think it's worth exploring .

That made me think of another question I heard in a movie last year.  In the movie, "Leap Year" Matthew Goode (Declan) asks Amy Adams (Anna) what she would grab if she only had 60 seconds to escape a burning building.  Hmmm, what would I grab?  Now, I'm assuming that is knowing that the family and the dog are all safe and away from the fire. 

What would I grab?  I don't think it would be my files, lead lists, smartphone or laptop, digital camera, storage media, etc., but what would it be?  I'll have to admit I'm a little stumped.  Once my family and the dog are safe there isn't much else that would rise to that critical level.  With online backup programs, dropbox and other resources where a tech savvy modern business person can keep important documents, photos and contact lists, and so on, there isn't much I would need to be back up and running in a day or so.

So, I pose the question to you.  If you only had 60 seconds to escape a burning building what would you grab on the way out? 

Reflections in the Mirror (edit/delete)

While catching up on my blog reading I had a thought.  Of course blog reading should conjure up all kinds of thoughts or you're wasting your time, but this was an "outside of the blog reading" thought.  Or at least I think it was.  It doesn't matter. It went something like this, "Are we attracted to people who are like us, or do the people who are like us feel an attraction to us?" 

I've had a lot of people involved in my life over the past . . . . well, good while.  One of the consistent things about the people who end up closest to me is that they tend to be pretty smart, funny, clever and witty.  I'd like to think that's because they are a reflection of me, but is that the way it is?  Regardless, do I gravitate to them, or do they gravitate to me?  Or, do we meet somewhere in the middle by chance? 

If you've ever watched Winnie-the-pooh you know the character Eeyore.  Personally, I like Eeyore, but I've always wondered why he seems so, well, Eeyorish.  He has all these great friends around him that are full of life and energy, and yet, it doesn't seem to bring him up or cause dancing and singing.  I guess he just has an Eeyore kind of personality. 

In my life, I don't have many Eeyores.  Most of my friends, family, associates, cellmates (OK, I just threw that in there to see if you were still reading) and clients tend to be more Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger and Piglet than Eeyore.  Of course I get an occasional Eeyore, but I noticed that if they are like Eeyore that they are either smart, funny, clever or witty or some combination of them all.  If they're smart and Eeyorish, I can deal with it because I learn something.  If they're clever and Eeyorish, I can deal with it because they catch me off guard and make me think.  If they are witty or funny and Eeyorish, I laugh and find them amusing.  But, if they are none of these things, I find them draining.  Is that because they are not like me, or because I'm not like them?

I go back to my original question, "Are we attracted to people who are like us, or do the people who are like us feel an attraction to us?" Now, the tricky part.  Are the people who are attracted to you more like Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger or Piglet, or are they more like Eeyore?  I hesitate to use the word "vibes", but are the vibes that emanate from you attracting the people you want to attract?  If there is a big dark cloud outside your front door I have a feeling Eeyore is rounding the bend.  But, if the sun is shining and there is singing and dancing going on you might be attracting a Pooh, Tigger or Piglet.  They all have something to offer your life, but if you're a Tigger kind of character too many Eeyores will wear you down.

If you're a Eeyore kind of character Tigger will get annoying eventually.  Knowing which character you are will help you understand what kind of characters you will attract.  If you're in business and you're an Eeyore character, you may have to put on your Tigger face during interactions to keep customers coming back.  Remember, Eeyore wasn't under a cloud all the time.  Sometimes he was Eeyore, but no cloud. 

One final thought.  There is a 3 to 1 ratio at Pooh-ville.  That is probably a good ratio in your life if you're going to be healthy, happy and balanced.  You can only have so many Eeyores in your life before they start bringing you down.  On the flip side, if you're an Eeyore, you need to surround yourself with Poohs, Tiggers and Piglets to help bring a little extra sunshine to your life.  All four personalities can work together, but knowing which character you're most like will help you determine who you need to spend more time with. 

I'm Firing My GPS! (edit/delete)

I have a love/hate relationship with my GPS.  I'm thrilled to have it, and it has gotten me to many locations I was totally clueless about.  But, then again, it has  taken down roads that were no where near my destination.  Sometimes it has led me to places I have been totally unfamiliar with.  So, you see my love/hate situation.

My GPS has multiple voices.  After listening to each one, I picked Mandy.  Mandy has a lovely British voice that is sometimes a little more formal than most of my driving warrants, but she was better than some of the other choices.  After a few mishaps with Mandy I thought "I need a new GPS.  Better yet, I need a new GPS voice." I brought this up to my wife and that launched a long brainstorming session of potential new voice candidates.  Here's a sample of our list:

• Mr. T - "I pity the fool that doesn't turn right!"

• What about Dr. Phil -  "Alright, so your life is on a straight path, but you've got to turn right up here.  How's that make you feel?  Turn right!  OK, you didn't turn right.  You're going the wrong way.  You know that don't you? You do? Well, how's that working for you?
• Paula Dean - "Hey, y'all . . . we're fixin' to turn right just up ahead there, so keep your eyes open . . . "
• Farmer, "Go to the oak tree on the south-side of the 'Y' up there. Turn right at the new fence posts.  You know, since that city slicker ran through the fence last September that fence has been down.  Don't know why it's taking so long to get it fixed.  Do they think the cows are gonna stay in there because they're loyal?"
• Mushmouth (from Fat Albert) "Hey-ba man-ba turnin' rightca up here . . . man ba.
• Jack Bauer (24) - "I Know this is a lot to deal with right now, but you have to focus.  There's a right turn up ahead.  You need to take that.  When you get to the corner, turn right and keep going.  Don't look back!"
• Clint Eastwood - "There's a right turn up ahead, so you have to ask yourself.  Do you feel lucky?  Well, do ya, punk? Take the turn.  Go head.  Make my day!"
• Ozzy Osbourne - "Mumble, mumble, mumble, mumble . . . SHARON!  You missed the blooming turn again."

Well, you get the idea.  As an independent realtor, I need good directions to make my work flow smoothly.  My GPS has been an essential part of that work flow, but if it's going to keep getting me lost I'll settle for an entertaining voice.  Mandy, your days may be numbered.  Who's on your list?

Here's Your $4.00 Fine! Now stop that! (edit/delete)

The local paper in Winchester does an interesting page every Monday.  On Monday they publish articles from 100 years ago, 75 years ago, 50 years ago and 25 years ago.  I'm always most fascinated with the 100 years ago.  Since I wasn't here to remember them they tend to be the most enlightening and entertaining.

This past Monday the first story was my favorite.  It seems that the postmaster had complained to the local city government that too many men were spitting tobbaco on the floor.  There were spitoons all around, but these uncouth city slickers had taken to spitting wherever and whenever they wanted, and since the postmaster was also the custodian of the post office this had to stop!  Besides, it was a health issue.

Local laws had to be amended to make spitting on the floor of the post office a fineable offense.  It could cost up to $4 if the offense was severe enough, and in 1901 $4 was a lot of money.  Well, the story got me thinking.  What would I fine people for if I could stick a $4 fine on offenders?  Here's a partial list:

• Wearing pajamas anywhere but in your home - cha-ching!  $4.00 please
• Non-handicapped parking in handicapped only slots - cha-ching!  $4.00
• Sitting right beside my table in a completely empty resturaunt - Cha-ching!  Move over.  Leave your $4.00 on the table!
  
• Wearing too much cologne anywhere - teary-eyed, sneezing cha-ching!
  
• Driving 10 miles under the speed limit in the passing lane - cha-ching, cha-ching!
• Talking loudly on your cell phone - we all have them - nobody is impressed - cha-ching!  Hand over the $4.00 and use inside voices!
• Trying to impress me with your intellect while using bad grammer - cha-ching!  That should be $8.00, but I did set a $4.00 limit.  Your lucky day Sparky!
  
• Not returning important phone calls, emails or text messages - cha-ching!  Ante up, $4.00.
• Playing your music so loud in traffic that my car vibrates - cha-ccchhhhiiinnnnggggg!
  
• Chewing with your mouth open - cha-ching!  What was that?  $4.00, spit it up!
  
• Butting in line anywhere - cha-ching!  Back to the end of the line Bub.  Oh yeah,  $4.00 please.

You see my dilemma.  There are just to many things to fine people $4.00 over.  Of course we could use these fines to settle the national debt.  What do you think, two weekends?  We should be there in two weekends, maybe three.  Anyway, what's on your $4.00 fine list?  I may need to take out a loan if this ever becomes law!

A Diamond in the Rough and a Labor of Love (edit/delete)

Every once in a while you find a diamond in the rough.  Last summer a good friend called to see if I would help him bring an old distressed Victorian back to life.  I'm always up for a challenge, so we met up and surveyed the property.  Whew!  Distressed was an understatement.  He had already cut all of the overgrowth away from the house so you could actually see it, and I'm not 100% sure why he didn't leave right then.

Removing all the trees around the house gave an amazing view of a house that had been idle for 12+ years.  Windows were broken out, the porches were falling down on both front and back sides of the house, the roof leaked, birds lived in the attic, and that was just the beginning.

Inside wasn't any better.  The first floor bathroom was missing its floor.  Rain, snow and birds had been passing through the second story windows for years, and they had left their mark.  The walls and ceilings were crumbling throughout, and those were the good features.  But, there was something about that house that had us intrigued.

Strother Adams is a craftsman.  Strother and his brother Davey have rescued more than one structure, and this was surely to be a test beyond most.  For months after that, Davey scraped paint, fixed windows, repaired doors, repaired plaster, built bathrooms with floors, sealed up leaks and did a hundred things I never saw him do.  Strother coordinated plumbers, HVAC contractors, insulators, roofers and others.  My electrical company went in and made the old wiring safe while replacing the majority of it with new 21st century circuitry. 

The kitchen was completely replaced, one bathroom was restored, one more was added and one was cleaned up.  The floors were sanded, plaster finished and walls painted, new trim installed or old trim repaired.  New plumbing and a heating/cooling system was installed, and finally it was finished. 

This ugly duckling had become a beautiful swan.  We had more fun with this property than most we work with.  It had nooks and crannies that most houses don't have.  You could sense little children hiding in the voids between the walls, and you could see a level of 19th century craftsmanship that rivals the best craftsmen of our day.

I love the whole process of buying and selling real estate, but every once in a while a house comes along that begs for a second chance.  I know as realtors, we are in the market to help others buy or sell homes, and that is exciting.  But, I also have the good fortune to be an electrical contractor.  When a diamond in the rough comes along like this one, I often get to be a part of its rebirth.  Then, the buying and selling becomes a second thought, an end result. 

The real joy in finding a house like this is seeing it rise from the dust of blight and decay to become a fully restored home where a family will live and kids will grow, songs will be sung and meals will be shared.  People will fall in love with all of its vintage 1800s features while enjoying the comforts of our upgrades, and they won't be inconvenienced by outdated wiring, plumbing, heating and cooling systems.  No, they will be free to enjoy a piece of history.  They can absorb its strength that helped it survive the ravages of time, and they will sense the families that once walked through its hallways.  It is a diamond in the rough, and what a diamond it is!

Double-Check Everything!  

 

Here's the odd part.  Both the buyer and I had double-checked every form online.  Every form had the appropriate checks and other data.  But, when we printed them out they were slightly different.  There weren't any major changes, but there were a number of odd minor changes.  In our haste to get the offer to the listing agent's client we simply accepted what we could see online and printed, signed and initialled. 

The moral of the story?  Double-triple-quaddrupple check everything.  It didn't hurt anything this time, but it did reveal a problem either in my computer or in the software that could have devastating consequences if not caught.  I approach my computer and this software with great suspicion now, but that's probably a good thing.

What was I thinking? (edit/delete)

OK, I recently had one of those "What was I thinking?" moments, and it reminded me of something.  When my wife was pregnant with our first son she received a piece of advice that I found extraordinary.  It went like this, "Don't do anything once that you don't want to do forever."  Of course we had no kids at the time, and we didn't realize how relevent that would be one day.

Well, we made it through two boys without violating the "Don't do" policy, but then we got a dog.  It's amazing how relevent that same advice would have been if I had followed it with my dog.  While I was at a conference my wife and sons went to PetSmart and rescued a 115 lb Rottwieller.  He was called "Hoss."  He was so tall that his head was above our dining room table.  At 115 lbs he looked kind of skinny, but within a year he was 185 lbs, and then he looked a little like a large black tube with legs and a head.

Eventually, we got him on a better eating plan and he has slimmed down to a nice 145 lbs, and he looks healthy.  Now, here's where I violated the "Don't do" policy.  He is very smart.  So, we all have been teaching him tricks.  It really has been fun, and he plays along willingly.  One day he was standing at the kitchen doorway and I asked him, "What do you want?" I taught him how to walk in and tap his treat bag to let me know what he wanted.  He liked it because it ultimately ended in a treat.  He is very food motivated.  I thought it was cute, and I was very proud of our accomplishment.  Then, before I knew it, he had taken the new trick to the next level.  Instead of waiting for me to ask what he wanted he would come in and tap on his bag of treats.  Before I knew it, he was like a rock and roll drummer.  What I thought was fun and cute had turned into a nightmare.  He had to go back on his diet, and we measure the treats out from an undisclosed location now.

What does this have to do with real estate?  Clients can be like Hoss.  It is our responsibility to help our clients find the perfect house, get the best deal and ultimately walk away feeling like they had a good experience.  But, once some cleints learn that we know where the treat bag is, they start tapping.  What was once offered as an extra benefit or a simple favor for a client becomes an expectation with a commissin attached.  Most of my clients have been amazing, but every once in a while I get one that asks for a little extra, and then a little more, and a little more until they are dominating all of my time and keeping me from other more pressing and more profitable business.  I learned with the boys and Hoss that boundaries and balance keep us all happy and sane, and I have found that the same rules apply to real estate clients. So I leave this helpful advice, "Don't do anything once that you don't want to do forever."

Have a great sane and happy weekend.

I sell a lot of of Probate and Trust sales. They are not quite like a traditional sale, but not as unlike a traditional sale as a Short Sale or Foreclosure. One of the differences are disclosure obligations. In California one of the diclosure requirements that causes the most confusion is what happens about the Natural Hazard Disclosure Report and statement. It is simple:

As per the Trust Advisory or Probate Advisory that needs to be signed in each of these transaction the Trustee in the case of a Trust, or the Personal Representative in the case of a Probate, is required to provide a Natural Hazard Disclosure report, but is not to sign the report.

The most common request I have with these sales is for the Trustee's signature on the Natural Hazard Report. It is not an oversight that it was not signed, it was on purpose.

If you have any questions about trust or propabate sales in Santa Clara or San Mateo Counties, please feel free to ask me.

When you sell or purchase a trust or probate sale, the disclosures are not the same as in a standard equity sale. The basic premise is that while the trustee or personal representative in the case of a probate does not fill out a Transfer Disclosure Statement or Seller's questionnaire, if that person knows anything about the house it needs to be disclosed.  It can go on a separate addendum but can not be hidden.  This is especially true if that person lived in the home with the person who has died, like a child, or other relative.  There are CAR forms which should be used, The Probate Advisory or the Trust Advisory,  that spell out which disclosures are exempt, and which are not.

The trustee or personal representative are exempt from filling out the TDS, Seller's supplemental or questionnaire, They do not have to sign a Natural Hazard Report or provide a Mello Roos Report. They do not need to provide smoke detectors. they do not need to provide the Hazard Booklet.

They do need to provide a Natural Hazard Report, strap the water heater, provide  a lead based paint disclosure, Data Base Disclosure, and FIRPTA.

I hope this clears it up and that you do not find anything terrible lurking behind the curtain. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Marcy Moyer

Keller Williams Realty

www.marcymoyer.com

marcy@marcymoyer.com

D.R.E. 01191194

650-619-9285

Jobs Recovery and Rent

Strategic Defaults: A Strategic Option

What To Consider When Hiring a Property Management Company

Last year I predicted that Palo Alto will see more short sales in the future. Well, the future is now so what is happening? There are currently 2 short sales on the market, 5 in escrow, and 6 closed in the last year. This isn't a huge number, but certainly more than we saw in the early part of the century. There's a lot of chatter in the media about how the government is giving banks and homeowners incentives for short sales, and how banks save money by allowing short sales, but does that help the typical Palo Alto underwater seller?

Here is what I have learned in the last year. It may not be the whole picture, as this world of what happens at the banks, hedge funds, and mortgage insurance companies is not transparent--but I have been involved in short sales and have studied them a lot.

Here are the points covered by BofA Representatiives during the July 28th, 2010 Webinar::

• For the most part HAFA Short Sales require same type of documentation: Hardship Letter, Financials, Last 2 Years of Tax Returns, Last 2 Months Bank Statements, Last 2 Check Stubs etc.
• 2nd & 3rd lien pay-offs are limited to $6,000 or 6% of unpaid balance.
• Under the HAFA program, homeowners receive $3,000 for relocation expenses at close of escrow. Each servicer receives $1,500 as an additional incentive.
• HAFA is designed for homewoners who did not qualify under the HAMP (Loan Modification) Program.
• Short Sales under HAFA eliminate the possibility of Deficiency Judgments (amount "forgiven" or not paid to lenders).
• Home must be owner-occupied. BofA does offer other Short Sale programs for investors.
• While a Standard Short Sale in progress can be converted to a HAFA Short Sale, when possible it is recommended that the HAFA Short Sale be approved in advance by the bank.
• The homewoner will select the Short Sale Broker/Agent, not the bank.
• BofA HAFA Short Sales are now being initiated/tracked in the Equator website. This change has significantly improved agent/negotiator communication & has made process faster & more transparent.
• Under HAFA, the initial listing period will be 120 days. If the home does not sell, an extension could be granted or a Deed in Lieu would be considered by the lender.
• Under the HAFA guiduelines, after a Short Sale Offer is received by the bank, the goal is to provide an answer in 10 days or less.

For more information on the HAFA program, visit http://makinghomeaffordable.gov/hafa.html

You can also e-mail me your questions @ reoprorealty@gmail.com

Re-blogged by 1 agent

• I posted this blog on some public websites and ws surprised at how many people were unaware of this option for distressed homeowners that is quick, clean, and relatively hassle free.

An Interesting Alternative to Foreclosure: A Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure (edit/delete)

I think this is a good option for banks and homeowners. Wouldn't you enjoy not having to kick someone out of their home?

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