Maintaining a positive attitude is a way of life for me. Admittedly, I sometimes must strain my neck and eyes to find the silver lining hiding behind some of the darker clouds, but I usually succeed. But I didn’t have to look very far last week to find the bright side of some news about the sometimes gloomy Florida housing market. Two reports gave us a double dose of encouragement. For the first time in 5 years, more people moved into Florida than moved out, according to the 2011 Atlas Van Lines Migration Patterns study. The increase was slight — 5,636 inbound moves vs 5,269 outbound — but it is significant nevertheless. For decades leading up to the housing crisis in 2006, there were always more people coming to Florida than leaving. The Great Recession that ensued sustained that migratory downturn not only in Florida, but in most states. The … Continue reading
The beginning of a new calendar year is the time many of us designate to make changes in our lives. Whether you want to lose weight, quit smoking or read a few more books, this is an opportunity to reflect and rethink how we will conduct ourselves in the coming year. Even though most new year’s resolutions tend to be of a personal nature, it’s also an opportunity to assess improvements we can make to our professional lives and finances. As a REALTOR®, my professional resolution, year in and year out, is to list and sell more homes. Fortunately, The TEAM and I do quite well in that regard. But another resolution is to continue to provide the public, and especially our customers, with the consumer-driven information they need to make good real estate choices in Hernando County, Florida. That is fulfilling on both a professional and personal level. To … Continue reading
In a recent post we explained how vital it is for your REALTOR® to be a good listener and an effective communicator. Clear, prompt communication between a home seller and REALTOR® greatly increases the odds that your home will sell sooner and close to your asking price. But there is another advantage to listing with an agent who communicates well with you; she almost certainly is communicating well with other REALTOR®s. And having an established, reputable real estate agent who has earned the trust and respect of a network of peers gives you a decided edge as your property competes in the local housing market. This aspect of skilled communication takes a REALTOR® from good to great, and is essential to identifying serious home shoppers and closing a sale. Consider these five reasons for choosing a well-connected and communicative real estate agent who can enhance the experience of both buyers … Continue reading