So Many Great Blogs So Little Time

So Many Great Blogs So Little Time

Since joining the ranks of many in the social media sphere, I have been addicted to reading, learning, writing and commenting on the many great blogs.   I have learned a lot!    It has helped me to grow and  stay up with the trends of today.   Growing is an important part of business. 

As my journey into  social medias lengthens and lingers, the time it takes to read, write and comment on blogs takes longer and longer.   I find myself waking earlier to read the folks I follow and to catch a few more posts that come up during the day.

I'll admit I have always had somewhat of an issue with time management, putting the fun things and sometimes family things aside to get what I need to get in for work. 

It's not a nine to five kind of job and it will never be.   Things are ever changing.   Those are two of the things that we love about this business.     But as business gets better, the work day gets longer.  

We get up before the sun, we eat in our cars, and sometimes dinner isn't served until after nine.    Have you ever seen a really thin successful Realtor?   Okay!!!!   I KNOW that's an excuse.

Time management.    The need/ability  to block off the time.  But when someone needs to see something, in this market, or wants to make an offer, or put their house up, can I really say, oops... not now.   Got to go to the gym?     Not really.    In this market, the early bird can catch the worm.  I would hate for a client to miss out on their dream home, because I had to get a mani/pedi ...or, more likely, my kayak was calling and wouldn't be available for them. 

So, appointments get shifted and the fun stuff usually takes a beating.    Blogging and reading posts is a "fun" part of business to me.    It makes sense that this part is one of the things that get's pushed aside more easily. 

I made a vow to myself last week, not to let this happen.    So, I set my clock for a bit earlier.    My eyes are a bit more tired as I try to keep abreast of what is happening, escaping into my thoughts and ideas that sitting in front of the computer brings.  Reading what co workers from afar have to say, bringing yes, bringing even more thoughts and ideas into an already overloaded early morning mind.  

The day begins.   

 ____________________________   

About the author

Carol-Ann Palmieri is a full time Real Estate professional in Massachusetts for the past 25 years along with her partner Al Mussi have helped literally hundreds of families find, sell or purchase new places to live.

 A former US Marine, she grew up in Walpole, MA...  is committed to the serving the community through various volunteer opportunities.   She attended MA Bay Community and Suffolk University and is committed to constantly updating her Real Estate education.

Al and Cal Licensed in MA and RI...

 Al and Cal's primary areas of service Franklin, Bellingham, Medway, Millis, Medfield, Norfolk, Wrentham, Plainville, Blackstone, Walpole, Milford, Holliston, Hopkinton, Mansfield, and Foxboro, North Attleboro, Norwood, Hopedale, Mendon, Millville but have resourses to help anyone, anywhere....
  
Their mission....  To exceed your expectations!

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group
Remax Executive Realty

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

Memories of Showing Homes in a Snowstorm

Memories of Showing Homes in a Snowstorm

The blizzard of 2013 has just begun.  Unlike the blizzard of '78 (yes, I was around then) when we really didn't have much notice, the weathermen and the politicians have advised us all to stay in and off the roads.   The offices in our area are closed and agents are already canceling appointments and open houses for the weekend.    (Quick note.   Unless we lose power, my open house and appointments are still happening for Sunday!)

So here I am, making calls and finishing up for the day.   The snow is falling at a good clip and as I look out the window it reminds me of my very first buyer. 

They were relocating up, or down, from New York and as relocating couples sometime have, their company had given them a weekend in Boston for a house hunting trip.    We had been in communication over the phone, (computers were not really heard of in our business at the time), and I was prepared for their trip, ready and anxious to help them make the move to our area.

As luck would have it, the forecast for their trip was snow and lots of it!    It didn't phase these buyers and the wife was ready for her new adventure while the husband went to the office to get acquainted.   Fortunately, I had access to a 4 wheel drive vehicle and took advantage of using that.    I picked Marlena up at the hotel and off we went on our house hunt in the snow.

It wasn't too bad when we started out, but it started to get worse as the day got longer.   Pretty soon it was getting close to dark and we had a few more homes to see.    We pulled up in front of a new build in a neighborhood that seemed perfect for their family.   I remember the house well, still 25 years later.   Why?   Because the driveway was not clear and neither was a walk to the home.    We trudged through now pretty deep snow and when we got to the house, the steps were not in yet.

Determined to make my first sale, I found myself giving this gal a "ten finger" boost into the house.   With no cell phone or way of communication in my pocket, and with what little daylight we had leaving us fast, it was kind of foolish to be entering a half built house with no stairs, especially being surrounded by high winds and swirling snow.

I remember thinking, this job is just crazy!

Fast forward 25 years.   Marlena and I have been friends ever since.   Her quest for a new home and mine for a first sale brings a large smile to my face. 

I have to say though, I am not sure that today I would be giving anyone "ten fingers" to get into a home, but hey, who knows!   

__________________________________

About the author

Carol-Ann Palmieri,  a full time Real Estate professional in Massachusetts for the past 25 years along with Al Mussi have helped hundreds of families find, sell or purchase new places to live.

 A former US Marine, she grew up in Walpole, MA...  is committed to the serving the community through various volunteer opportunities.   She attended MA Bay Community and Suffolk University and is committed to constantly updating her Real Estate education.

 Licensed in MA and RI...

 Al and Cal's primary areas of service Franklin, Bellingham, Medway, Millis, Medfield, Norfolk, Wrentham, Plainville, Blackstone, Walpole, Milford, Holliston, Hopkinton, Mansfield, and Foxboro, North Attleboro, Norwood, Hopedale, Mendon, Millville but have resourses to help anyone, anywhere....
  
Her mission....  To exceed your expectations!

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

If My Dad Says Maybe It Means No - Reading between the Lines

If My Dad Says Maybe It Means No -  Reading between the Lines

There are some things that just make you laugh. 

It happens to all of us in all aspects of life.   We ask a question.   We hear the answer, the words that are spoken that is, but we don't pay attention to the meaning.    In the back of our minds we are hearing the meaning behind the words, but we are either are too intent on hearing what we want to hear, or are too polite to put our thoughts to the words!


Looking at homes is hard work.   Many don't think so until they spend an afternoon or morning looking at properties.    Decisions made don't come easy, and the trade offs that one must make, regardless of price point will have an effect on their lifestyle.   See the post, Trade offs in a Real Estate Purchase.

To make the house hunting session most effective, we start with a real estate pre-flight.   A talk of what we are going to see, where and why we are choosing to view these particular properties.    Then comes the actual viewing.   

Next comes the debrief.  In my opinion, this step is crutial to a good working relationship with your buyers agent.    No one wants to waste precious time looking at properties that will not suit them.    It is also important to be able to reassess and evaluate the priorities after viewing.  Believe me, many times priorities do change.     I have often had a buyer that wanted an acre or more of land, only to do a 360 after looking at how much land an acre actually looks like.     Yes, the debrief is important.
'
So, this day, after viewing several homes and ruling out all but one, I ask the buyers if they are interested enough to make an offer or if they would like to see this home again.

The Dad, says, "well, maybe".     Okay I am thinking.   This couple is tired.   They want to go home, put their feet up, have a glass of wine and discuss.  

Well, that's what I was thinking.     Their 5 year old son was thinking something else.    He looks right at me and says, "if my Dad says maybe, then it really means no!"    Lesson learned from the 5 year old.

Yes, there are some things that just make you laugh. 

Back to the drawing board!

_____________________________________

If you are looking to purchase a home or need to sell one.  Please give me a call.  

  Carol Ann Palmieri.   Put my 25 years of experience to work for you!

508-494-9061

or Cal@alandcal.com

Search 1000's of listings right here

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

Feedback I Believe Your Listing Has Fleas

Feedback I believe your listing has Fleas 

Preface:  This post fits into the category, "Another Day in the Life of a Realtor."

I have an investor couple who are looking, well naturally for an investment, but more specifically a home that they can fix up and keep as a rental type of property.    We came across a property that has been vacant for some time.   Bones are good or at least appeared to be from the outside and I made an appointment to enter.  


Appointment confirmed, I scheduled the time with the client.   In the meantime in hopes to get the 'low down" on the property, I called the listing agent and found that the property had an issue with some sort of animal trapped inside. 

Okay, no worries, I think to myself.  That can be taken care of.   Fixing up some scratched woodwork or windows or patching a hole or two is a no biggie task to my couple.  

We enter the house and are amazed at the condition it is in.

The house is tired for sure showing the wear and tear that a vacancy often produces, but, it appears to be plum, solid and no odors, etc.    As suspected, the windows are torn like a crazed animal was trying to get out and there was a have a heart trap located upstairs near an open knee wall.  Yep, surely evidence of a trapped creature.  

But, it looks to be gone.   We take a good long look at the house, and then leave going our separate ways.  

As I get back in the car it begins.    That creepy crawly feeling...  Honestly, until then, I never thought fleas!

Is it the agents duty to disclose if the house is flea ridden???     (Just kidding.)

I don't know on this and I am quite sure she didn't know, but I can tell you what, I am still scratching!



_________________________________________________      
About the author

Carol-Ann Palmieri, a full time Real Estate professional in Massachusetts for the past 25 years along with Al Mussi have helped hundreds of families find, sell or purchase new places to live.

A former US Marine, she grew up in Walpole, MA...  is committed to the serving the community through various volunteer opportunities.   She attended MA Bay Community and Suffolk University and is committed to constantly updating her Real Estate education. 

Licensed in MA and RI...

Al and Cal's primary areas of service Franklin, Bellingham, Medway, Millis, Medfield, Norfolk, Wrentham, Plainville, Blackstone, Walpole, Milford, Holliston, Hopkinton, Mansfield, and Foxboro, North Attleboro, Hopedale, Mendon, Millville but have resourses to help anyone, anywhere....

Her mission....  To exceed your expectations!

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.AlandCal.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061