To SELL or BUY  Real Estate in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth or Hampton Roads visit my website. http://www.tererottink.com/  visit my Blog at HamptonRoadsrealEstateVoice.com 

Call me at: 757-502-5324

Thinking of using a Limited Service Agency in Virginia Beach - Chesapeake- Norfolk- Portsmouth - in Virginia

Are you thinking of using a Limited Service Agency?  Get the facts first. As I renew my license, I have to retake classes on Limited Service agency, and I couldn't continue with my day without commenting on what I am learning.   I have only  had to deal so far with two sellers in a limited service agency situation, and it made me very uncomfortable. ( I have to admit that both my buyers got very good deals due to my negotiation skills and inexperience of the sellers) 

I don't like what I am re-learning.  If I brought you a buyer and have to help you the seller close the deal, which I had to do in both cases, so that we could actually (close the deal) purchase the house, I opened my self to liability. The good news are that in some states the limited service agency agents can give a la carte services having agreed upon how much you will pay per service.  For example, if you the seller asks them questions you pay an extra pre-agreed fee.  But.... if this agent does mostly limited service Agency  contracts, what kind of experience does he/she actually have?  In both my experiences the sellers chose to go it alone.

This is as bad as the For Sale by owner photo in one of my previous posts.  Or the For sale by owner that a client of mine was trying to buy, and the seller told us detailed information that made the buyer walk out and never come back.  It was minor stuff, but the way he talked about it changed my buyers mind completely.

Is Limited Service Agency in  Virginia Beach - Chesapeake- Norfolk- Portsmouth - in Virginia  a good thing?  In my humble opinion, only, if the seller is a good sales person, a great negotiator, and has lots of real estate knowledge.  Wait, that sounds like a professional real estate agent or investor.  So, If you are looking to sell your home in the shortest amount of time, for the most amount of money  do your self a favor and get professional Real Estate representation.  What you think you will save in commissions, you will regain in price sale, negotiation skills from your agent and peace of mind knowing that every thing you did is legal and you sold your home in the shortest time, for the most amount of money and left the worries, hard work and hassle to a Real Estate Professional.

To SELL or BUY  Real Estate in Virginia Beach, or Hampton Roads visit my website. http://www.tererottink.com/  visit my Blog at HamptonRoadsrealEstateVoice.com 

Call me at: 757-502-5324

"Thinking of using a Limited Service Agency in Virginia Beach - Chesapeake- Norfolk- Portsmouth - in Virginia " was first published on Hampton Roads Real Estate VoiceCopyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.

Mid-Atlantic Home & Flower Show in Virginia Beach

Today begins the Mid-Atlantic Home & Flower Show in Virginia Beach.  I am in my way to the show this afternoon.  I love Home shows.

Gardens, gardens and more gardens! Alive with an impressive variety of blooming flowers and thriving plants - you will find something just for you!
Presented by the Tidewater Builders Association and The Virginia Horticultural Foundation, the show is part of The National Home and Garden Show Series with PremierHomeShows.com, sponsored by Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

Pat Simpson ot "The weekend Gardener" will be one of the speakers..  An expected 25,000 attendees should be there this weekend.  

Some of the highlights of the Mid-Atlantic Home & Flower Show in Virginia Beach are:

-"Little Projects...Big Impacts! Easy and Inexpensive Projects" at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 6 and noon for Feb. 7 practical and inexpensive ways to increase a home's comfort, functionality and value, including at least three DIY projects costing $1,000 or less.
-"Name That Tool" presentation - at 2 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Feb. 6 and 7.
-"Landscape Design for Homeowners" and other presentations by Renegade Gardener Don Engebretson, "Dr. Lori" Verderame's antique appraisals (one free per ticket-holder), and hourly educational seminars by expert horticulturists and gardeners, including design demonstrations.
"Living art"  with Pearl Fryar.  Topiaries, pruning, finding your own gardening style and more during several presentations at
12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Friday, 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Feb. 6 and 1 p.m. Feb. 7.

Make sure to visit the stand of my new favorite company.  "The Bath Guys"  I will be writing a blog about them soon, as once of my clients saved thousands of dollars on their bathroom remodeling.  

It starts today Friday at 10AM until 9 PM the same as Saturday and on
Sunday From 10 AM to 5 PM

Admissions are $10 for adults with children 6 and under FREE.

Active-duty military and senior citizens receive a $3 discount.

To SELL or BUY  Real Estate in Virginia Beach, or Hampton Roads visit my website. http://www.tererottink.com/  visit my Blog at HamptonRoadsrealEstateVoice.com 

Call me at: 757-502-5324

Mid-Atlantic Home and  Flower Show in Virginia Beach.  Join the fun! was first published on Hampton Roads Real Estate Voice Copyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.* Mid-Atlantic Home and  Flower Show in Virginia Beach.  Join the fun!

Listen - listen- listen Listen, pay attention,  Listen pay attention.

 A common theme of blogs that I comment on are the ones that address other people listening and not paying attention to what they are being told.  When I am with clients, I make it a point to listen to everything they say.  Some times they are not even aware of what they feel.  For example they want a bargain, and they are willing to do some work, if we find a property that meets their needs.  Within minutes they tell me stories of nightmare minor construction work that they have done.  I try to make them aware that a fixer upper is probably not some thing they want.  But, on a more personal note,

 I want to share two stories.

One.  When I was very young in my early 20's I considered selling my home.  I put it on the market with a real estate agent, but I informed him of my hours which included my night job.  I slept until late because I was up until late.  I told the agent to make sure and make appointments.  Well, one day I was awaken by strangers in my bedroom.  Disoriented, I realized that these were buyers, I asked the agent if he had made an appointment, and he said that since he had tried to make one, but unable to reach my agent, he thought it was ok to come in to my home.  Those were the days of books and not computers, but I had seen the bolded "must make appointment before showing."  I was very angry opened the door and asked them to leave.  I felt sorry for the young couple, but I couldn't believe the attitude of that young "Mercedes driving" agent.  My home was very humble, and I could see his face of entitlement.  Well, maybe I was also sleep and disoriented.  I took the home of the market and kept that home for another decade.

Two.  I was talking to my sister yesterday and she told me of the sad news of a close relative  who is in her deathbed.  Thanks to Facebook, I am now in contact with most of my relatives, so I proceeded to send a FB note letting her children know of how sorry I was for these sad news.  Some how the name of another cousin was in my mind, so I decided to send him a quick email saying hi and how are your brothers and sisters and mother.  It sort of had a recurring joke between us.
Here is the punch line.  Those  cousin's mothers share the same name.  And the dying mother is the one of the second cousin.  I have to admit that I have laughed at my stupidity, and inability to listen because I assumed that the first aunt that came to mind was the sick one.  How sad it is to see my relatives passing away.  Reminds me to keep in contact more often, and yes I feel very guilty for laughing.
Very heart felt apologies are on their way.
.

To SELL or BUY  Real Estate in Virginia Beach, or Hampton Roads visit my website. http://www.tererottink.com/  visit my Blog at HamptonRoadsrealEstateVoice.com 

Call me at: 757-502-5324

 Listen, pay attention,  Listen pay attention. was first published on Hampton Roads Real Estate Voice Copyright © 2010 By Tere Rottink, All Rights Reserved.*   Listen, pay attention,  Listen pay attention.