Tuesday, January 31, 2012

This might make you cry a little...

A recent headline of the San Francisco Chronicle was about a female humpback whale who had become entangled in a spiderweb of crab traps and line weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, tail, torso and a line tugging in her mouth.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farallon Islands and radioed an environmental group for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her. They worked for hours and eventually freed her.

When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushed them gently around as she was thanking them.

Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives. The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth said her eyes were following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.

May you, and all those you love, be so blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you. And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.



And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI

Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Caruso Funny ~ Texting Codes for Seniors...

I am sure as most of you know texting is the big thing with the kids these day. And they all have their texting codes like;

•BFF (best friends forever)
•LOL (laughing out loud)
•BRB (be right back)
•FYI (for your information)
•WTF (what the F***)
•GTG (got to go)
•LMAO (laughing my ass off)
So why not some codes for seniors (60 and over):

ATD - At the Doctor's

BFF - Best Friends Funeral

BTW - Bring the Wheelchair

BYOT - Bring Your Own Teeth

CBM - Covered by Medicare

CUATSC - See You at the Senior Center

FWIW - Forgot Where I Was

FYI - Found Your Insulin

GGPBL - Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low

GHA - Got Heartburn Again

HGBM - Had Good Bowel Movement

IMHO - Is My Hearing-Aid On?

LMDO - Laughing My Dentures Out

LOL - Living on Lipitor

OMSG - Oh My! Sorry, Gas

ROFLCGU - Rolling on the Floor Laughing. Can't get Up!

WAITT - Who Am I Talking To?

WTF - Wet the Floor

WTFA - Wet the Furniture Again

WTP - Where're the Prunes?

WWNO - Walker Wheels Need Oil

GGLKI - Gotta Go, Laxative Kicking in!

DTAF - Don't Trust A Fart





And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI

Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

Friday, January 27, 2012

Caruso's Techniques to Build Inventory!

1. Advertise a Free Phone Appraisal:

There are potential sellers in you market that are curious about how much their home is worth, but they won’t call an agent because they fear the hard sell. With the free phone appraisal approach, you create an ad encouraging homeowners to call for a market analysis over the phone. The ad says there’s no obligation and, in fact, there isn’t. During the phone call, you could get a general property description and offer a wide range of possible selling prices, depending upon certain factors. Of course, if the seller would like a more specific estimate of his or her home’s value, you would be more than happy to drop by for a visit.



2. Offer Free Special Reports:

If you do offer free special reports, then you will capture them when they call. I know of a company that provides special reports of interest to sellers. Titles such as How to Avoid the Most Common Mistakes When Selling Your Home or How to Prepare Your House for Sale can save the seller thousands of dollars. Advertise for these, and leave an 800 number with an extension. When callers reach your line, they leave their name, address and phone number. But, even if they don’t, your 800 number captures their identity, allowing you to see the details of who made the call - whether or not they choose to volunteer their information. Make sure your 800 service provides this call-capture feature.



3. Pursue Old FSBOs:

There are people who were trying to sell their home a few months ago, were unsuccessful and then stopped advertising it in the paper. You can locate them by going to the library, reading through old newspapers and making photocopies. Then call and introduce yourself and your service.



4. Adopt an Orphan:

These are folks who already bought or sold a home through your company, but the agent who was involved in the sale is no longer around. You can Aadopt these orphans by calling them, introducing yourself as the appointed agent with your company and letting them know that if they need anything, they can call on you. You may find some people who bought four to seven years ago who might be thinking of selling within the next 30 days.



5. Visit Current FSBOs and Expired:

I’ve always been a proponent of calling FSBOs and Expired listings rather than knocking on their door. But some have been more successful by going face to face. The key is, when you knock on their door, tell the owner that you have a new marketing plan that can get them more money that what they were expecting. Or, pick something else that you feel is unique about what you would do for them and focus on that.




6. Practice Cause-Related Marketing:

Get involved in your community; participate in career days at local schools and tell children what you do for a living. Hand out pencils, magnets or other goodies for kids to take to their parents. In addition, you could promote good will by volunteering at local hospitals, speaking before Rotary Clubs, sponsoring charity events to raise money for breast cancer awareness, and so forth. Whatever you decide to do, don’t be ashamed to have a photo taken of yourself and send it to the local paper, along with a caption, to publicize your good deeds.



7. Go After Rental Owners:

Homeowners who are presently renting their property may want to stop being landlords. Call them; tell them you’ve noticed that they’re trying to rent their home.



8. Don’t Neglect Past Clients:

Any six-figure producers I’ve met drive 75% of their business from referrals. Plain and simple, you need some kind of system to stay in touch with your past clients at least four times a year. Get a database such as Top Producer and create a consistent follow-up program. Whether it’s a newsletter, postcard, flyer or a simple letter, it’s imperative that you keep your name (and face, when possible) visible.



9. Create a Web Presence:

There are a lot of savvy sellers today who make decisions in part based on an agent’s technological know-how. With this in mind, show potential sellers that you can promote their property on the Web. It’s an impressive tool and it works. Use the office web site as a tool.



10. Become a Specialist:

As is in most any field, specialists make more money. Therefore, you should develop a niche in which you want to concentrate and keep working it. For instance, one possible specialty is waterfront properties. Let’s say you enjoy selling these homes and develop a good reputation. Well, you can stay in touch with past customers and future prospects by sending them mailings that would be of interest to them. If your niche is older Colonials and Tudors, you can forward articles to those customers about doing home improvements. How about golf course properties or equestrian areas?



And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI

Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Caruso's *LAGUNA NIGUEL* Closed Sales Report ~ December

Is the market is improving or at least stabilizing!? We provide the latest market updates regularly, as well as personal consultation of market direction…

The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for DECEMBER:

The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the 0-$500,000 Range:

2011 46 listings closed escrow
2010 38 listings closed escrow

The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $500,000-$1,000,000 Range:

2011 29 listings closed escrow

2010 33 listings closed escrow

The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $1,000,000+Range:

2011 8 listings closed escrow

2010 3 listings closed escrow

Does a sales report tell the whole story about market environment, consumer sentiment and the value of your home? Is it time to sell? Is it time to add a property to your investment portfolio? Is the market changing, and in which direction?



And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI

Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Homeownership Declines

Recently while browsing the latest California Real Estate Magazine, I came to learn that California is among the top five states with the lowest homeownership rates nationwide, according to the “Housing Characteristics: 2010” report by the U.S. Census Bureau.



With homeownership rate of 55.9%, California ranked second in the nation, falling behind New York’s rate of 53.5%.



Of California’s 37.3 million residents, 22.2 million live in the Los Angeles, San Diego, & San Francisco metropolitan regions. Because of this concentration in large urban areas, more than 30% of Californian families live in multi-home residences (which include apartments & condominiums), compared with a national average of 25.9%. California also has the second-highest median home value in the country, which some claim provides an incentive to rent rather than buy.



And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI

Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Caruso's *SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO* Closed Sales Report ~ December

Is the market is improving or at least stabilizing!? We provide the latest market updates regularly, as well as personal consultation of market direction…

The San Juan Capistrano Closed Sales Report for DECEMBER:

The SJC Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the 0-$500,000 Range:

2011 20 listings closed escrow
2010 20 listings closed escrow

The SJC Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $500,000-$1,000,000 Range:

2011 10 listings closed escrow

2010 12 listings closed escrow

The SJC Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $1,000,000+Range:

2011 4 listings closed escrow

2010 2listings closed escrow

*Does a sales report tell the whole story about market environment, consumer sentiment and the value of your home? Is it time to sell? Is it time to add a property to your investment portfolio? Is the market changing, and in which direction?



And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI

Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Caruso's *IRVINE* Closed Sales Report ~ December

Is the market is improving or at least stabilizing!? We provide the latest market updates regularly, as well as personal consultation of market direction…

The Irvine Closed Sales Report for DECEMBER:

The Irvine Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the 0-$500,000 Range:

2011 69 listings closed escrow
2010 64 listings closed escrow

The Irvine Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $500,000-$1,000,000 Range:

2011 67 listings closed escrow

2010 79 listings closed escrow

The Irvine Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $1,000,000+Range:

2011 12 listings closed escrow
2010 15 listings closed escrow

*Does a sales report tell the whole story about market environment, consumer sentiment and the value of your home? Is it time to sell? Is it time to add a property to your investment portfolio? Is the market changing, and in which direction?



And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI

Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

Friday, January 20, 2012

Caruso's *DANA POINT* Closed Sales Report ~ December

Is the market is improving or at least stabilizing!? We provide the latest market updates regularly, as well as personal consultation of market direction…

The Dana Point Closed Sales Report for DECEMBER:

The Dana Point Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the 0-$500,000 Range:

2011 22 listings closed escrow
2010 12 listings closed escrow

The Dana Point Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $500,000-$1,000,000 Range:

2011 13 listings closed escrow

2010 12 listings closed escrow

The Dana Point Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $1,000,000+Range:

2011 2 listings closed escrow

2010 7 listings closed escrow

*Does a sales report tell the whole story about market environment, consumer sentiment and the value of your home? Is it time to sell? Is it time to add a property to your investment portfolio? Is the market changing, and in which direction?



And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI

Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Caruso Says ACT NOW!

Millions of Americans oppose SOPA and PIPA because these bills would censor the Internet and slow economic growth in the U.S. Two bills before Congress, known as the Protect IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House, would censor the Web and impose harmful regulations on American business.



Millions of Internet users and entrepreneurs already oppose SOPA and PIPA.

PIPA would give the government new powers to block Americans' access websites that corporations don't like. The bill allows corporations and the US government to censor entire websites and cut sites off from advertising, payments and donations.

This legislation will stifle free speech and innovation, and even threaten popular web services like Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

Fighting online piracy is important. The most effective way to shut down pirate websites is through targeted legislation that cuts off their funding. There’s no need to make American social networks, blogs and search engines censor the Internet or undermine the existing laws that have enabled the Web to thrive, creating millions of U.S. jobs.

The Senate will begin voting on January 24th. Please let them know how you feel. Sign this petition urging Congress to vote NO on PIPA and SOPA before it is too late.

Tell Congress: Don’t censor the Web..click the link to sign the petition!
https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/



And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI

Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Caruso's Tips for Inexperienced Negotiators....

Mistake Number 1:

Wanting Something Too Much - If you give the impression that your life depends on getting that job, or car, or house, or business deal, you are in trouble. Once your counterpart gets a hint of your desperation, you’re dead. Remember, the person who cares least about the outcome always gets the best deal.



Mistake Number 2:

Believing Your Counterpart Has All The Power - This is rarely, if ever, true. Remember, all parties want something, or they wouldn’t be at the bargaining table. Ask yourself, “Why are they negotiating with me?’



Mistake Number 3:

Failing To Recognize Your Own Strengths - Always try to determine your negotiating strength before you sit down at the bargaining table. The key to assessing your strengths and weaknesses is to know where you stand. Information of this kind is the true power in any negotiation.



Mistake Number 4:

Getting Hung Up On One Issue - This is called fixed-mind negotiating. When our counterpart uses this approach it’s usually the old red-herring. When we fall into this pattern it is usually a pet-peeve. In any event, virtually no negotiation involves one and only one issue. If you think yours does, you’re making a big mistake.



Mistake Number 5:

Failing to See More Than One Option – Rarely do negotiations break down only one option. There are almost always several choices of action. Creativity is the key to avoiding the one-option mistake.



Mistake Number 6:

Adapting A Win-Lose Mentality - Mutual benefit is the name of the game when the pros negotiate. If both parties are not happy, then performance becomes the problem. Anyone can shake hands on a deal. Performance only follows if benefit is derived. Otherwise, one-sided renegotiation is the result. Not good!



Mistake Number 7:

Too Much Grinding - Negotiation is a skill and an art. Understanding and using tactics is relatively simple. The real distinction between the pro and the amateur is the judgment call to end the give-and-take and proceed to performance. That is the art.



Mistake Number 8:

Short Term Thinking - Some negotiators go for immediate pay offs, rather than seeking a long-term relationship. Long-term doesn’t necessarily mean over a lifetime. It can show up later in the same negotiation session. Be careful about grinding someone down on one point. They will get you back on another issue.



Mistake Number 9:

Accepting Opinions, Feelings and Statements as Facts – “Our client would never agree to a proposal such as this.” “We don’t feel we can pay more than $1000 for your product.” “Our budget doesn’t provide for an additional installation fee.” An opinion, a feeling, and a statement: none are facts. Don’t be fooled.



Mistake Number 10:

Accepting Firm Positions - This is our final offer. Everyone who has any level of experience has said this and then made another offer. Don’t buy it!





And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI

Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Why a Real Estate Agent is Beneficial to YOU....

Home shopping and selling can be an intense and difficult task. With a lot info obtainable online, many people think they'll be able to tackle the task on their own. With homes for sale increasing, the real estate market can be complicated if you do not have the skills and experience in real estate. The advantages of utilizing the service of a real estate agent are invaluable when selling or buying a house or property.

The advantages of hiring a real estate agent are numerous. Buying a home is more than simply submitting an offer. A real estate agent will have such knowledge about homes for sale such as the neighborhoods, outline community area, locations of hospitals, police station, roads, shopping, grocery stores, etc. They'll also assist you in locating a home that you will be able to afford as well as offer some tips on where to seek a mortgage. They're knowledgeable about all that's involved when buying or selling a house, such as the documentation required and the steps that must be completed to close a deal. Real estate agents minimize the stress involved in buying and selling a home.

If you're selling a home, a real estate agent can take over the duties of arranging for a showing of the house and property; take the calls for people interested in a home, and listing the home with the right description that attracts potential buyers. Agents will know if a home that is listed on the market is worth the asking price. They'll take a look at such aspects as demand, current market conditions, location and type of house, and note the main features of the house such as the number of bedrooms to make sure the asking price is acceptable. They can additionally negotiate the asking price of a home which might save you thousands of dollars.

A real estate agent is able to recommend such professionals as a home inspector, mortgage firm, a very good lawyer, home appraiser …etc. They have great contacts with those in the real estate market. They know the reputations and can offer a variety of choices to help you select wisely. As well, the quantity of paperwork concerned with selling and buying a house can appear complicated and overwhelming to a newbie in the real estate market. Also, the purchase papers can be extensive and confusing. There are other important papers such as federal and state forms. A real estate agent has the knowledge about homes for sale and all of the documentation needed in order to ensure that everything will be written up correctly and legally.

Due to the complicated nature of the real estate industry, you never know what questions you will have however one thing for certain is that you will have all your questions answered by a real estate agent. Real estate agents play a crucial rule within the home sale/purchase process. By hiring a real property agent, you will save time and expense. For anyone involved in a home selling or buying undertaking, a qualified real estate agent is important to a successful deal.



And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI

Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

Friday, January 13, 2012

Caruso Never Sleeps ~ Breath Easy

Breather easier this winter & know how to spot carbon monoxide. Even though you can’t see, taste or even smell carbon monoxide, this harmful gas can rob you of oxygen, causing serious illness or even death!



First Prevent It! Carbon monoxide is formed when carbon-based fuels such as oil, gasoline, propane or natural gas don’t burn completely. To help prevent carbon monoxide form being produced, keep your natural gas appliances in good working order. This includes an annual checkup of your gas furnace. Or you can schedule a checkup by calling a licensed qualified heating or plumbing contractor.



Look For Warning Signs! Be alert for the following warning signs of carbon monoxide when using natural gas appliances such as a furnace:

-A yellow large and unsteady burner flame (expect in decorative logs w gas flames)

-An unusual, pungent odor that may indicate another byproduct of incomplete combustion

-Unexplained nausea, drowsiness or flu like symptoms in household members



What To Do If You Suspect Carbon Monoxide! Take these steps if you think you’ve been exposed to carbon monoxide:

-Immediately turn off the suspected gas appliance, if it’s safe to do so

-Leave house and call 911

-Seek medical attention for anyone who feels ill.



And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI

Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Caruso's First Impression

First impressions. Unfortunately they mean A LOT. From that first handshake and introduction, you’re forming an opinion of that person and they’re forming an opinion about you too. Everything from spoken words to posture and facial expressions contribute to that first impression. We are judgmental people. Our instinct is to make decisions and assumptions about other people in a minute-and-a-half or so of meeting them, maybe before you shake hands or even say ‘hello,’ It’s hard not to make a first impression. For real estate professionals, making a good first impression isn’t important just for building customer relationships but also for building relationships among your peers — which can bring referrals to your business and earn you some extra cash. Whether networking at industry events, conferences, or around your community, you want to make sure you’re making a lasting, memorable impression so that it’s your name others will pass along to customers. Those first 90 seconds when meeting someone new can be critical in establishing likability.

Here are some tips I have come across on how to make a good first impression.



1. Watch what your body language says.

Your body language can send a lot of signals to whom you’re speaking — it can reveal your disinterest or show attentiveness and confidence. Here are some important things to remember in your body language while networking:

• Smiling: It’s the most important thing you can do in a conversation. A smile can communicate openness, approachability, and trustworthiness, and it can be warm and comforting. A smile is the No. 1 way to reduce misinterpretation and judgment in the wrong direction on a first impression.

• Eye contact: Consistent eye contact can make the other person feel understood, respected, and heard. But don’t stare, which can make others feel uncomfortable. Between extended periods of eye contact, take breaks of two to five seconds.

• Nodding: Women and men tend to use “the nod” differently in conversations: Men tend to nod when they agree with something while women tend to nod to show they’re listening, research shows. Using a nod to show both agreement and attentiveness can be effective.

• Stand tall: Rolling your shoulders down can make your body appear smaller and send the message you’re closed off or lack confidence. Posture is important — broaden your shoulders and pick them up to open up your body frame and exude more confidence.

• Tone: Your voice tone also contributes to your first impression. If you’re not naturally peppy, then don’t be — you’ll come off as insincere. Have a confident voice. Avoid mumbling, using too many “um's" and “ah's", or raising your voice at the end of your sentence like if you were asking a question.

2. Curiosity.

Start the conversation by being curious about the other person — what do you really want to know about her? Where is he from? How long has she been working in real estate? Is there any professional advice you would like to ask her? People love doling out advice, it makes them feel valued.

Keep your questions open-ended — beginning with “what,” “how,” “how come,” and “why”. For example, the question “What brings you here?” will encourage people to open up more than asking a yes or no question such as “Did your company send you?” Just be careful not to bombard people with question after question or they may feel guarded.

Showing genuine curiosity about a person’s job, life, interests, opinions, or needs is a great way to start a conversation, keep it going, and create connections. But the conversation doesn’t always have to be work-related. Ask about hobbies, sports, interests, or vacations. Be able to shift from professional topics to talking about anything. It’s over the more personal things that people bond.

3. Listen closely.

So you’ve demonstrated curiosity — now listen carefully. There are three main levels of listening; a combination of the three can be effective in networking.

• Inward listening: Find a way to relate the information the person is telling you to your own life and experiences. This is how most people tend to listen, and it can be effective because you’re relating to other person. That said, be careful you don’t take advantage and make the conversation all about you.

• Outward listening: Listen in a way to understand more, with probing follow-up statements like “tell me more about that” or “how come?”

• Intuitive listening: Focus not just on what the person is saying but also the person’s body language (facial expressions, tone, and so on) and general “vibe.” With this form of listening, you’re going a step further by interpreting what you’re hearing. But watch out: It could seem off-putting to people you just met to feel like they are being ‘read’. Be thoughtful with your tone of voice to make it clear that you are proposing and not assuming.

4. ‘You too? Me too!’

People like people like them. Finding similarities and areas of common ground will go far in establishing instant rapport. Discover similarities in your professional experiences, people you know, beliefs, education, or work histories. When we discover similarities, we form deeper and more lasting connections. You build a foundation of trust. If we have someone in common or a common interest, that makes me like you a little more and want to chat more.

5. Authenticity rules.

Let’s say you’re looking for more connections to grow your referral business. If that’s your chief motivator when making initial contacts, then you’re doomed to fail — people can read insincerity. Passing out your business card before a relationship is even formed and coming across as self-serving in your interactions is going to do more harm than good. Make a shift from ‘It’s all about me’ to ‘It’s all about the relationship. You need to network for a relationship, not just for now or to fulfill a need.

Make the First Impression Count

So maybe you’ve survived the first 90 seconds and beyond of the conversation by sending off positive body language, being genuine and curious, listening, and finding common ground — but you’ll want to keep the relationship going beyond that first meeting. The key to follow-up is giving.

One of the strongest ways to increase likability and foster a connection is to demonstrate that we understand someone else’s needs and are happy to help fulfill them. Extending a helping hand is one of the best ways to follow up, and it also opens the door for continued contact going forward.

“Giving” could include extending an invitation to a future event, introducing that person to others, or providing resources such as links to information that the person might find engaging (just be careful that it won’t be viewed as spam).

You can still stay in their mind without getting in their face. Look for genuine reasons to reach out to someone. Whatever you talked about, try to think of a quick follow-up to start building the relationship.



And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI

Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

What Would You Rather Have?

Sellers offering incentives to buyers has become somewhat common nowadays due to the economy, but does it really work? And if so, which idea works the best? Right now buyers are looking for an absolute steal or they are looking for a fairly priced home that has all of the nice finishing touches.



The most common incentive is to offer to pay closing costs. Other popular incentives are things like paint, carpet, landscaping or appliance allowances.



However, do incentives that are unique grab a buyer's attention and make them want to find out more? For example, maybe the seller has a time share in Hawaii or owns a cabin in the snow and can offer buyers an all expenses paid vacation for a week. Or the seller owns season tickets to a sports team that are really difficult to get, or has an all exclusive spa treatment weekend the seller can offer potential buyers. Would that persuade you more to focus on that particular home because there is a incentive involved?





How about though, if the seller just lowered their price? Forget all the fancy incentives and details, just lower the price? Fairly priced and nice finishing touches…isn’t that attractive too?



And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI

Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

Saturday, January 7, 2012

The Way I See It with Caruso!

Four out of 5 people who make New Year’s resolutions eventually break them and one third won’t even make it to the end of January.



In a time of daily distractions and constant demands, we often neglect what we know is most important, settling for resolutions rather than results when it come to creating the healthy lifestyle we desire and deserve.



So why do we keep making ourselves the same promises over and over – and risk ending up disappointed and discouraged?



It’s simple, really: Resolutions require only words. Results take action.



And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI

Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Caruso's Fraud Alert!

I came across this information while browsing the web and I just think it is very important to touch on & be aware so that we can prevent this from happening.

Don’t fall victim to unscrupulous con artists trying to take advantage of unknowing, financially troubled home owners. These scammers usually promise mortgage loan modifications or reduced monthly payments for upfront fees. In most case, charging upfront fees or payments for these services is illegal.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, these offenders review foreclosure notices in newspapers, the Internet and public files to identify potential victims.

Scammers who place ads online, on television, and in newspapers claiming to “stop foreclosure now” and offering “money back guarantees” are suspect and should be reviewed cautiously by the homeowner.

Please be cautions & if something does seem right, follow your gut & investigate more. When something doesn't seem right it most likely isn't.



And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI

Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

What a Turn Off...

A savvy seller wants to know what turns buyers off, so they can get their homes sold as quickly as possible, for as much as possible. But buyers take note–there is minefields of seller turn-offs you can trigger that hold the potential to keep you from getting the home you want at the best price and terms, or to unnecessarily complicate dealings with your home’s seller.



If you think all of today’s sellers are under the gun and will just put up with whatever behavior buyers dish out, be aware that there are still many multiple offer situations in which buyers have to compete with each other to get a home–buyers who trigger these turnoffs tend to lose in those scenarios. Also, avoiding these seller turnoffs can create a transactional environment of cooperation and avoid things turning adversarial. That, in turn, can empower you to score a better price, get extra items you want thrown into the deal, and even negotiate more flexibility around your escrow and move-in timelines – all perks that can make your life easier and your budget go further.



For sellers, these turnoffs pose the potential of irritating you out of an otherwise good deal –maybe even the only deal you have!



Here’s a few of the most common buyer-perpetuated seller turnoffs, with tips for sellers on how to keep an emotional (and economic) even keel, even if your home’s buyer makes some of these waves:



1. Trash-talking. Trash-talkers are the home buyers who think they’re going to negotiate the list price down by slamming the house, telling the sellers how little it is really worth, how the house across the street sold for nothing, why the school on the corner should make them desperate to give the place away, etc. This strategy never works; in fact, when you attack a seller and their home, you only cause them to be defensive, and think up all the reasons that (a) their home is not what you say it is, and (b) they shouldn’t sell their home to you!



Sometimes this happens with buyers who actually love a house and just walk around it fantasizing about all the ways they would customize it to their tastes while a seller is there. Sellers: avoid being at home while your home is being shown. Buyers: save your commentary for your agent; if you do encounter the seller in person keep your conversation respectful and avoid critiquing the house or the list price.



2. Being unqualified for mortgage financing. When a seller signs a buyer’s offer, most often the seller agrees to effectively pull the home off the market, forgoing other buyers who might be interested. As such, the only thing worse than getting no offers on your home is getting an offer, getting into contract, then having the whole thing fall apart when the buyer’s loan falls through–especially if that could have been predicted or avoided up front.



Sellers: Work with your agent to vet your home’s buyers’ qualifications, including their loan approval, down payment and earnest money deposit – before you sign a contract. It’s not overkill for your agent to call the buyers’ mortgage pro before you sign the contract and get a level of comfort for how robust their qualifications are. Buyers: Get pre-approved-seriously! And make sure that you don’t buy a car, quit your job, deposit lottery winnings or do any other financial twitchery between the time you get loan approval and the time you close escrow on your home.



3. Making unjustified lowball offers. No one likes to feel like they are being taken advantage of. And sellers generally know the ballpark amount that their home is worth, as well as what they need to sell it for to get their mortgage paid off. Yes–the price you pay for a home should be driven by its fair market value, rather than the seller’s financial needs and deals are more available in a market like the current one, in which supply so vastly outpaces demand. But just throwing uber-lowball offers out at sellers hoping one will hit the spot is not generally a successful strategy, especially if you really, really want a given property.



Sellers: Don’t get overly emotional about receiving a lowball offer; counter at the price you and your agent decide makes sense based on the total circumstances, including your motivation level, recent comps and the interest/activity level your listing is receiving. Buyers: Work through the similar, nearby homes that have recently sold before you make an offer to factor the home’s fair market value into your offer price–also factor in how much you want the place, too. Don’t be amazed if you make an offer far below asking, and don’t get a response.



4. Renegotiating mid-stream. Sellers plan their finances, moves and -to some extent –their lives around the purchase price a buyer agrees to pay for their home. If you get into contract to buy a home, find out during inspections that costly repairs that need to be made, then propose a lower sale price, repair credit or even actual repairs to the seller, that’s sensible and fair. But if you were aware that the property needed a lot of work before you made an offer on it, then you come back asking for beaucoup bucks’ worth of credit or price reductions midstream, expect the seller to cry foul. And holding the seller up two weeks into the transaction because you caught a case of buyer’s remorse? Not cool and not likely to foster the spirit of cooperation you may need to get your deal closed.



Sellers: avoid mid-stream price renegotiations by having a full set of inspection reports and repair bids at hand when you list your home. Buyers: try to avoid renegotiating the entire deal unless you get some major surprises at your inspections or inflating small repairs to try to justify a major price cut.



5. Misleading or setting the seller up. Remember when we talked about buyer turnoffs? Being misled by listing photos or very fluffy property descriptions was high on the list. The same goes for sellers. Offering way over asking with the plan to hammer the seller for a reduction when the house doesn’t appraise at the purchase price-LAME. Making an as-is offer planning the whole time to come back and ask for every penny ante repair called out by the inspectors? Lame squared.



Sellers: If you get multiple offers and are tempted to take a sky-high one or one that claims to be all cash, consider requesting proof that the buyer has sufficient funds to make up the difference between what you think the home will appraise for and the actual sale price, and statements showing the cash truly exists.



Buyers: Don’t be lame. I’m not saying you have to tell the seller exactly what your top dollar is, but making offers with terms designed to intentionally mislead is really, really bad form–and can result in losing the home entirely if and when your bluff gets called.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Caruso's Do's & Don'ts of Emailing

Do you remember when it was called Electronic Mail & very few used it? Well Email has become an essential part of your life & an essential part of your real estate practice and can be a great tool if managed well. These guidelines can help you communicate more effectively with clients and other contacts in your daily life.



1. Organize and Prioritize. Create prioritized folders with a labeling system that makes sense to you. Customize folders for "Reply ASAP," “To Do,” "Friends," etc. Searching for buried email is a time waster, so shift messages to their respective folders as soon as you open your inbox.



2. Act Now. More often than not, your clients have come to expect a response within 24 hours, and preferably within the same working day. The first time you see an email, respond immediately, delete it, and set it as a task to accomplish at a specific time, or move it into the appropriate folder.



3. Bridge the Gap. You can’t always get back to every sender with the information they want immediately, but make sure they know you’re not ignoring them. Send a short note explaining you’ve received and read their email, and you’ll need to get back to them about it later. The simple act of acknowledging their message will most often encourage patience, and can make all the difference between a positive and negative impression.



4. Keep it Short. Try to keep your responses as concise and to-the-point as possible. Summarize requests so they understand your response in context. For example: “You asked if we could meet Wednesday at 4, but I won’t be available until 5:30 that day. If that won’t work for you, please let me know how Thursday morning looks.”



5. Structure Your Message. Use short paragraphs and include blank lines between each one. This layout is easier to read, and will make your message more approachable.



6. Proof It. Using a spell checker is important, but it might not catch everything. Typos and errors can form other valid words (e.g. contact vs. contract) that may not be corrected, so be sure to reread your message before sending it. And keep in mind that some phrases or thoughts might get lost in translation. Sarcasm, irony, and humor are often misinterpreted via email, so make sure your meaning is clear.



7. Create a Personalized Signature. More than likely, you send out quite a few emails daily and many of those may be forwarded to other recipients. Use each message to market you and your listings by simply including a link to your website, blog, or social networks in your email signature.



8. Exercise Email Etiquette. Greet your recipient by name (Hello, Mike) and close with your name on its own line (Regards, Tom). It only takes a few seconds, but can change the tone of your message and establish a certain level of respect. AVOID USING ALL UPPERCASE LETTERS; it may be interpreted as shouting. Don’t send unsolicited attachments, as many users have become wary of potential computer viruses. Get permission before sending large files, as they can tie up the recipient's mail while being downloaded. Use acronyms (BTW, LOL) and emoticons sparingly.



9. When in Doubt, Send Plain Text. Using special characters (bullets, ampersands), images, fonts, and colors, runs the risk that your recipient might not be able to view your message properly.



10. Stay in Touch. Having a client or prospect in your database isn’t worth much if you don’t communicate with them. Send your contacts periodic updates on the market in their area, tips on home buying and selling, and even personal notes on birthdays and anniversaries.



11. Keep Your Contacts Current. Some of your contacts may have moved or found a new job since you last spoke with them. If their information is out of date in your address book, your emails may be undeliverable. Keep your list fresh by using a system that automatically searches the web for any updates, and then sync them to all of your devices.



And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI

Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...