Page Nicholson’s Blog

Hey there,

Being a home buyer in todays market can be a real grind. Looking at house after house after house - not sure which one you have the most interest in. So many possibilities with Short Sales and bank owned property. My PERSONAL opinion is though, dont overdo. Dont look at so many houses that you get yourself confused. Sit down and make a list of the things that are most important for you in your new home. Size of home, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, etc. Determine how much work you are willing to do once you get into the house; many houses on the market today in this area at least are in move-in condition. Many however are not. Use this list of wants and desires to help your agent narrow down the search criteria. This will not only make things easier on your, but will make your agents job a little simpler.

If you are looking at mostly short sales or bank owned properties, be prepared to wait and wait and wait - while the bank decides what they are willing to take for an offer. And, be willing to make a reasonable offer. It seems that recently there is somewhat of a bidding war on short sale and bank owned properties - many people making offers.

Whatever you do - dont give up. Work with your agent, and you will end up in a home thats meant just for you.

Thanks Much and Take Care

Page

Recently, I have been placing offers for clients of mine, and have noticed something that just doesnt make sense to me. It seems that Realtors today dont do a very good job of communicating with others in the profession. I have had offers in on properties (one for over 2 months now), and have had very little in the way of communication from the listing agents on those properties. Why is that? Certinaly it cant be that they are SOOO busy they have no time to drop a quick e-mail or place a quick phone call. In one case, the few times I have been able to make contact with the agent, I was told there would be an update within the week. The week would go by and low and behold - no updates. I have called (left messages) and sent e-mails with very limited response from any of the listing agents.

I would love to understand why such a huge lack of communication.

Page

Well, this is my second in hopefully MANY to come posts on my blog.

Recently, I have been showing a few clients properties. I am amazed at the condition of some of the properties we have been looking at. I understand that many of these are short sales or possibly bank owned properties, but still. A little bit of cleanup goes a long way in making a property look much better. In one of the properties I visited over the past week, there were piles of what I would call dirt on the floor - almost like someone had swept the floors and left the mess on the floor. A broom was laying on the floor in one room, and the remenants of a broom in another room. Just a little cleanup of the floor in this house would have made the difference between a house that showed well, and one that looked like a total mess. In my listings, if they are vacant, I take a couple of hours if needed to do some general cleanup. If nothing else, it helps the property show that much better. The goal is to get the property into escrow - hopefully to close. In many of the homes I have seen recently, my clients havent been able to look past the total mess left behind by the previous tenants.

Take the time and do a little cleanup. If nothing else, it will help the property show that much better.

Welcome to my Blog! This blog will provide you with valuable information, tips, and general insight into the real estate market in South Orange County, CA. New to blogging here, so please bare with me. 

 I have been in Real Estate for going on five years now - and have loved every moment of it. I truly enjoy helping home buyers and sellers realize their dreams. I have lived in South Orange County (Lake Forest) since 1988. I wouldnt leave this area for a thing. The people and the community are the best in the country.

Lately, the Real Estate market seems to be changing (maybe for the better). It seems as though the buyers I am working with are getting out bid on home offers. In some cases, the offers have been either at asking price or above. More and more, we are seeing houses being held open again - a good sign for buyers.

Hopefully I will be able to add something to this blog every few days. I welcome your thoughts and ideas, and suggestions.

Thanks Much and Take Care

Page