Sheila's Blog

There is nothing better than watching Kids have a great time. And one of those is watching them fish! weather they are a first timer with the pole or a seasoned vetran and good time will be had.

The YMCA Kids Fishing Challenge takes place on Saturday June 20th at Wall Springs Park. This Special Day Supports the Sun Coast YMCA and thier open door policy. It's not to late to register for the event. Registered kids will receive there own Fishing Pole and Takle Box, this will be there's to keep and take home.  Not interested in fishing there are many other events taking place for kids to participate in.

Save the Date March 28th and 29th will be the 35th Annual Fine Arts Festival on the Bayou.  Over 240 National Artisans will arrive for this Premier Juried Festival located at Craig Park on the Spring Bayou. The event hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.  In addition to Fabulous Art there will be Food Drinks and Entertainment. 

Come stroll under the Oak Trees and view vendor booths that wrap around the amazing Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs. With admission price of $2.00 and children under 26 free of charge, this is a great outing for the whole family to attend.  Please note no pets or coolers will be allowed.

The Fine Arts Festival on the bayou is presented by the Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce.

For additional information, contact the Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce at (727) 937-6109

Brokers open a complete success?  12 Agents and one Agent with her buyer. Toured my BO today and enjoyed Gourmet Grilled chicken Salad, Home Made and Hand tossed (of course) with mini spinach herb parmesean Beer Bread muffins.  I have had two agents call me this afternoon to schedule showings for tomorrow.  Becuase you ask they were in the property and matched it with Buyers in their Data Base.

To Bad for the three agents that didn't want to participate!!!

So, I'm a little confused,  An agent called yesterday to show my newest listing, I recognized her name and said " I'm so glad you called, I was just getting ready to call you are you available to participate in a Brokers Open next Thursday 12:00 -2:00?"  Her reply was "well, I don't know Brokers Open??,"  She continued to say "I was thinking we could all get together and hold one Big "Open House".  So my question to all of you to clarify my confusion is:

If Statistics say 80+% of all Buyers come through an Agent, wouldn't it be better to get 20-25 Agents through your Brokers Opinion 2 hours to see the quality of your listing and that it show's well, is Move in, and Priced Right.

Vrs. 4 hours on a Saturday or Sunday for 1-2 Buyers, that arent really buyers any way?????

Do you Cross Sell your Listings????  For example I got a sign call on a 3/1 no garage beautiful pool Home in Dunedin, List price 234,900.  Caller says "oh, that's a little higher than we were hoping for", So I say, well if you are looking for a beautiful home with a detached 2+Car Garage with a Gorgeous Pool, You need to see my listing on Overbrook its listed for $179,900. So they get directions, and while we are chatting they mention that they wouldn't mind one that needs a little work, because they are quite handy and Cabinet makers... and they were really looking around $150K, so I say to bad you weren't looking in Palm Harbor, I just got a beautiful new listing priced at $150K, the Bathrooms are a little Dated, but its clean & move in. There response was oh were looking in Palm Harbor too, So I say "do you have an email address I would be happy to email you this listing". Ta DaH, that's the way to convert a sign call, now I have Name # and Email address, they are driving by my listing in Clearwater, and will have an email on my Palm Harbor Listing when they get home.  So let me ask you,  Do you sound that Knowledgeable  in the inventory when you get sign calls?????  What is your sign call conversion rate?  Mine is running +60% not bad for a down market! :)

So, I'm in the middle of completing the set up for my new Active Rain Blog Site, and I get a phone call, Gentlman announces his name, and I san oh yes, such n such street.  He says great memory!  My wife was really impressed with you and we would like to schedule an appointment to list our home with you. So let me fill you in, My first Appointment with them was in Jan of 2006, Prices were coming down, and it wasn't the right time to list and market their home for what they thought they needed out of it. Hmm, I didn't take an overpriced listing just professionally said this is the window in which we need to price your home for activity. Politley followed up occassionaly with voicmails and personal notes, havent mailed to them or phoned them in 8 months, wa! La! I will be there Tuesday at 10:00 am. Impressions do MATTER!  Professionalisim DOES matter, and belief in what you have to offer and setting the client up for success is important.  I could have gotten that listing in Jan of 2006 by blowing smoke, for a sign in the Yard, and it would have resulted in a dissapointed seller, and unnecessary listing expenses. By being the professional I am and having the belief in my self, I didn't loose the opportunity just delayed it for the right time! :)

Arrived at a closing on Monday with my Seller, and the Buyer arrived with out a Cashiers Check for her 11K+ Funds due at closing.  hmm! she wasn't told by her agent or her lender what the requirements and expectations were.  The Buyer had to leave and go to the Bank, which delayed the closing 45min. So as we proceed through the paperwork that the Seller needs to sign, then the Bueyr comes back, winded, HOT, Tired and OVER HEATED. She felt like she missed important information about her transaction.  Then her payment ended up being $300.00 more than she expected because of her tax and insurance impounds.  She almost walked away. and I felt so bad for her. Because of my focus on customer service, I'm proud to say I have never had a client experience the stress and exaspiration as this Buyer experienced.  And do you think she will remember a great experience with her agent or a bad one?  If she has a referral do you think she would refer her agent, or the one who follows up with her in a plesant friendly manner?