When I received the call on Friday evening I got all the info I needed to set up the client (who was already prequalified and in the process of submitting additional docs for preapproval) for automatic notification of listings.
My client found me on the internet from my ActiveRain post *Across the Ocean to Paradise: Military Relocations Hawaii* .
The criteria and Info:
- Name, address, phone, cell, email
- Mililani, Waipio Gentry or Waikele Condos or townhouses
- 2 bdrm/ 1 ba / 1 pkg or more
- Spacious living and bedroom areas
- Maximum of X (monthly payment up to X per month
- One or two story
- Lanai
- Move in February
- Main appliances included
Great! Set her up for listings and she was on the site 10 minutes after it was entered and already saving to favorites, possibilities, making notes and asking questions. Cool.
After a lengthy conversation with her on Saturday morning I proceeded to:
- Print out the Buyer's packet (Hawaii Buyer Advisory, loan process, escrow and transaction process, BAH - Housing Allowance Chart for military personnel)
- Call listing agents for appointments and lockbox #'s and managed to get 8 showing appointments in the three areas.
- Looked up comps for all complexes so I could give her detailed past sales due to the whacked out listing prices from unreasonable sellers :)
- Made sure to structure drive bys for other properties I did not receive call backs on (I even emailed to no avail) as well as print out listing sheets for the ones that had Open Houses.
- Made a folder with all info typed out and agent listing full copies as well for myself
- Partially typed out a Purchase Contract with Addendums and saved it to my jump drive so I could take it with me ..... in case she wanted to put in an offer :)
- Partially typed out a cover letter ....just in case :)
We really hit it off well and after looking at the units I had appointments for we also looked at three Open Houses.
YUK! The first one was in a nice complex but the tenant just moved out (not cleaned!!!) and both my client and I were appalled. I'm sorry but my facial expressions DO NOT hide what I'm feeling. My client laughed at me.
The second one had an agent who was already 20 minutes late by time we arrived and she was still by her car dragging out a bag and talking on her cell phone. We went to the unit and while standing in the sun the agent could not open the lockbox and finally asked me to do it. Voila! Opened on first try. Geez. This one had new cabinets in the kitchen but gecko droppings on ALL window sills through out the two bedroom complex! OMG.
The third one was beautifully done but 200 sq/ft smaller than the one she really likes (picture to the left).
The next time I plan to show units on Sundays I'll call the agents who are having Open Houses too...and ask them what kind of condition the unit is in because we pretty much wasted our time looking at two of them.
For some odd reason I "thought" the sellers or at the very least the agent would make sure to have the units in showing condition and ready for Open Houses. For some odd reason I believed they would at least be clean? At least no droppings?
Then again.....that's what I get for thinking. :)
In the meantime, I am walking out the door to meet my client to sign the offer! (will keep you posted!)
I've seen some homes that made me believe the sellers were selling to avoid cleaning.
Bad housekeeping indicates bad maintenance. If they don't clean the oven, how often do they change the filters????
That's great Sally ! gecko droppings, now that's a new one on me.
((-:
Jo
Hey Sally - good for you! Love that kind of lead - ready, willing, and able!
Gecko droppings? What on earth is that? Bird poop or something?
Ann
Hi Sally,
Sounds like you have some good systems in place, that's a huge deal for me. Great work!
Desiree: WooHoo! I sure needed that...don't need stagnant and too much time on my hands here :)
Carole: I have represented sellers where I have had to clean, paint and cut down 10 foot California grass and spray poison :)
Sally Jo, that's great- congratulations. I'm guessing that you're a kick to look at houses with (while maintaining full professional demeanor, of course)!
Gene: I'm sorry...but an Open House where we are advertising and spending money ...I'll clean it myself or not have an Open until they do. It literally was a mess....they moved out and nothing was even vacuumed or anything! Broken parts all over. Oh, yeah. I would not do an Open in that condition...that was really bad.
Brian: Yup...and I also got my insurance check too!!!!! I just got home...and stopped at the mailbox :)
Lenn: You had me cracking up at that one :) I look at it this way...if it was a tenant....then have it cleaned and take it out of the deposit...but DON'T hold an open when they LITERALLY just moved out! And droppinngs....oh, no. They were selling to avoid cleaning..you crack me up :)
Missy: Oh...I feel for you .... we went into my mom's house for months to take stuff to the dump...paint, repair, do electrical ...just so it was livable again!!!
Jo: Oh, you see a few here and there...but his was like an infestation! EVERY window sill! yuk...
Ann: Lizards Ann...like the Geico commercials...you know..the gecko guy that has an Australian accent lol!
Lisa: I love to have clients seeing past clutter...but not this bad...and droppings are not cool.
Mana: She is so cool Mana. When we went in a couple of those Open Houses two agents kept asking her to sign in....she looked at me both times.....and said...Sally, can you take care of this? hehe. One of them shoved her flyer and card and right in front of the agent she handed it to me..haha.
Lisa; I do not hold back...I would never be able to play poker!
Teri: Contract in and over to the other agent already. Then I call the agent and she's telling me she won't get to see it until tomorrow. Whatever.
Kathy: Oh, did I say prequalified? I have her preapproved now....she already has documents in to Lender etc. etc. :) Some times I wonder ....I think some of them I scare away... lol! If it's one thing I have confidence in is that my attitude is pleasant and that I do not offend people :) Thanks for the vote of confidence ...I know you are down to earth as well. :)
Lynda: Thanks so much! It means a lot coming from you and Marlene. I really admire the both of you!
Neal: Thanks a lot buddy...I know you are the same way :) By the way...this client knows Optimus Prime haha.
Lola: Thanks so much Lola....(dropping aside haha) and know...my client is so happy....and excited and everything a first time homebuyer is supposed to be :)
Simon: It sure makes me feel good knowing ....even in a slower market....there is still a good transaction somewhere. Hey...right here lol! I agree with you about the Open House.....IF they all look like these haha!
Laurie: Oh, goodness Laurie.... I am entertaining to say the least. I have always believed that it is just not business....but an adventure .... but hey...it sure helps when I have a client is just as much a "kick" as I am...I tell you....this woman was stressed yesterday....and fine today.....know why? I got her a good LO....the other "bank" was not performing. It took an hour to get her docs over and approved ..... WooHoo!
George: I just want you to know that everytime I see a comment from you that I know I am going to chuckle! You're a card...and I can just see walking into the OH with you....you would be trying to act all cool and I would be going ....ewwww...what is that? lol!
Katerina: The whole intent for the way I write....with my Localism it's to help the person reading feel like they're right there with me ....experiencing. With these it's to help not only new agents but for other agents to get ideaas as well. I get the same out of reading others stories :)
Sally,
We are sooo much alike, my facial expressions tell all! Sounds to me like you have connected with a good client again through your writing...:)
George: That's be sooo funny! Can you believe the agent emailed for feedback? What else could I say but uh...sorry, my client wasn't interested lol!
Suzanne: No kidding....I can see you doing that. Oh, yeah...and if this one goes to closing...then it'll be the first actual closing.
Active Rain hits a home run again....congratulations.
I knoe the Gecko droppings ae probably disgusting....but geckos sure look cute!
Marc: No kidding. I know I don't! In any event...didn't impress my client...and we submitted the contract. I have a good feeling about it so....will keep you all updated!
Joan: WooHoo! That's right...that's right.
Hi Sally,
You would think Seller and Agents would make sure the properties were in "showing condition".
What a great feeling when you and Buyer click!
Mark: I have a good feeling about this one...:)
Cynthia: good points on both counts!
Gary: Funny Gary! :)
Matthew: Ohhhh you are the professional on that side...believe me....one more story coming up!
Dan: WooHoo Dan...we get back what we hand out Dan...it's so true. :)
Diane: Oh, that was what I did....not really a list...just routine stuff :)
Georgina: No kidding! In any case...no home is perfect ...but these were not at all showable!
Steph: We did...and will find out soon ...hopefully.