About three years ago I stepped inside a cozy 1948 CB home right in the heart of old Gainesville. It lifted my spirits and I could hear the ooooo’s and ahhhh’s emanating from my fellow agents as we walked from one room to another. I knew in an instant that this was my kind of home. Unfortunately, I was not in a position to purchase that unique Gainesville home at that particular time.

The Universe must have been listening that day, because two years later the very same house came back on the market. Not only did it simply come back on the market, but the Real Estate Team with whom I share my small office were the listing agents! After hearing my colleagues discuss the property,  I promptly dropped what I was doing, got into my car and drove to the home. I was greeted by the Seller who remembered me when I briefly spoke with him a few months prior when he attempted to sell his home on his own. He opened the door and there it was…the “feels like home” energy I remembered from two years prior.

Long story short, I bought that property and feel as though I have always lived there. I get many comments from those who walk through my door – they, too,  feel the energy. It is everywhere, even in my small backyard area. To me, my home feels heavenly, not only because of the energy I am connected with but because I surround myself with things I love, things that bring me of  good memories, or remind me of people and events in my life.

There is a belief system that one can harness the energy that exists in both heaven and earth, creating an environment of positive energy. This life energy is said to promote your happiness, prosperity and good health. This belief system is known as Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway).Feng Shui literally means “wind-water.”

Feng Shui originated in China about 5000 years ago! There is an actual science to Feng Shui. There are different theories or practices (such as the concept of bagua – the map of Feng Shui which is a tool to evaluate each room in your home). You need not understand all of the intricacies of Feng Shui to reap the benefits. And I should add at this point one reason I was hesitant to write this series of articles….I am not a Feng Shui expert….not even close Yes, I have done some reading, but if you want to really get into Feng Shui feel free to purchase one or more of the many books available. The purpose of this article is to introduce you to the idea of Feng Shui, to let you know that much of this you may already know intuitively or instinctively (as many interior decorators or home dwellers already know). Some of this is plain common sense.

Part 3 provides suggestions on improving the Feng Shui in your Gainesville home.

Where chi flows smoothly, let’s say, in a garden, plants will be healthy, the harvest plentiful and the wildlife will flourish.

In an office atmosphere where chi flows freely, employees will be happy and supportive; where chi is stuck, the atmosphere created will include disharmony and the business will not flourish.

Without getting into the science of Feng Shui, here are some suggestions to improve the flow of energy in your Gainesville home…

Beginning outdoors, paths should gently meander to the front door to slow down the energy. Doorbells should be in good working order to welcome your guests to your home and to maintain harmonious relationships with them. Steps should be in good repair and the front door freshly painted.

The living room should be cheerful and encourage positive interactions and meaningful friendships. This can be accomplished by creating conversation groups and a variety of lighting.

The kitchen symbolizes nourishment for the occupants and is connected to your prosperity. It should be clean and organized with all appliances in good working order, especially the stove which is the focal point (where food is prepared). It is said that using the stove regularly generates wealth.

The dining room affects health. A round table is suggested which encourages togetherness and cooperation. It promotes harmony among family members and it is said to be the friendliest shape (no heads of table). Arguments during meals should be avoided which, in turn, upsets digestion.

The bedroom is associated with one’s love life. A cluttered bedroom suggests confusion or discord in a relationship.

The bathroom is the most difficult room as the Chinese believe that visible drains suck the chi and wealth out of your home. Toilet lids and shower curtains should always be closed. Faucets that drip cause your money to slowly “go down the drain.”

A study or home office is connected to career and finances. Clutter or disorganization reflects confusion or stress with money or your job. A neat office signifies a clarity in career goals and finances. Always position your desk chair so you face the door.

A clutter-free home has an amazing sense of energy flow. It is probably the single most important thing you can do to your home, not only in terms of the home’s energy but that of all its inhabitants. Learn to let go. Give away what you do not use or do not like. It can be a very freeing experience. And if you are moving, please deal with your clutter before you move; don’t take it with you to your new home.

Part 4 provides some insight on how to affect a positive change in your environment.

Some cures involve scents. Burning aromatic oils or incense raises the energy in a room.

Fragrances affect us physically as well as emotionally and they can be powerful Feng Shui cures. Vanilla and lavender, for example, produce a calming effect. Citrus makes us feel cooler. Cinnamon encourages sensations of warmth. Rose, jasmine and musk are known for their aphrodisiac qualities.

Shapes play an important role in cures. Straight lines produce rapid movement while curved lines denote flexibility and adaptability. I Ching coins combine two basic symbols with the circular shape representing heaven and the cut out square representing earth. In general, the circle symbolizes unity, wholeness, harmony while the square represents solidarity and permanence.

Light helps to extend the natural daylight. Dimmers can help change the mood of a room. The use of candles or a fireplace bring in the fire element (which will be discussed later).

Mirrors help chi to circulate and open up a confining space such as dark corners. They should be framed and, of course, clean with no cracks.

Plants bring a life force into your Gainesville home, help keep your home fresh, and produce oxygen. Living things, in general, not only plants, but pets, fish, water fountains, are wonderful Feng Shui elements and symbolize growth.

Pleasant sounds can sooth and refresh – soothing music, the sound of chimes, flowing water, even the tick of a clock – arouse the senses.

Colors affect us physically and psychologically. Red is said to be lucky; yellow encourages feelings of optimism and cheerfulness; green is calming as it mimics plants and nature; blue reflects water, sky and nature and is soothing; purple signifies royalty, wealth and power and is linked to spirituality; Pink is love and affection; black symbolizes money; brown is the earth denoting stability and permanence; orange, red, yellow blend stimulates chi and symbolizes happiness and power.

Feng Shui is said to manage the 5 elements. Here are the colors associated with each of the elements:

Fire – red, orange

Water – black, dark blue

Earth – yellow, brown

Wood – green, blue

Metal – white, gray

Our Gainesville homes should probably be a combination of all of the above. My place is simple – my color scheme throughout my entire home (cottage-like in terms of style and size) is fire and earth – red, orange, yellow and brown. Wow! While the fire and earth elements are expressed in terms of color, the water, wood and metal elements are as they are. Water features are found inside and out – a large fish tank in my meditation room, a pond and wall fountain outdoors. Wood is incorporated in my floors and furniture. Drawn to metals (no, not handcuffs), particularly coppers, bronzes,etc, there should be no surprise that a large metal piece of artwork welcomes you as you enter through the front the door. The wrought iron bistro set for two (which doubles as a poker table with the addition of a portable felt table top), an antique brass bed frame (which doubles as a …..well, never mind), outdoor arches and trellises are but a few of the metal elements in my home. They all exude a special feeling to me. Funny, to me these articles in my home represent eating (or nourishment), sleeping (or revitalization), art (expression) and leisure (outdoor enjoyment and appreciation).

I had no idea that I would find myself writing about my own home in this article, but I have to say I am fascinated about how I have easily incorporated all 5 elements without any understanding of what it was I was doing.

Intuitively, yes, but as a science or a set of principles or philosophy, no way.

It seems to me that just as our fingerprints are unique, each of us can find an infinite number of ways to express the 5 elements based on our personal likes, taste and practicalities (eg, wood floors vs carpeting when one has pets) and thereby express ourselves in a very personal and profound way.

As the expression goes, if it feels good, do it.

Part 5 of this article puts it all together (for me, at least).

I am currently reading, The Magic of Believing, by Claude M. Bristol. His assertion is that one’s mind power, through visualization, through focus, through believing, can make things happen. And this book was written back in 1948!!

Some people resort to prayer. Is it the entity or God who responds when we pray or is it the belief that there is a God , the belief that our prayers will be heard that, in fact, sets into motion the chain of events?   There was a dude by the name of Buddha who said many centuries ago, “All that we are is the result of what we have thought.” After living over half a century, perhaps, this is my aha! moment. Finally, I may actually be starting to “get it.”

It may not even matter if it is The Universe, a God, that responds, or that it is the power in the actual believing that is what produces the results. The fact of the matter is that it all seems to work.

On a more spiritual note, it is said that the soul is a divine energy that is formless, timeless and eternal. And among the many laws of physics, listen to this one….”Energy is neither created nor destroyed. It merely changes in form.”

There is a growing belief that spirits of some kind do exist, whether they be ghosts in the paranormal sense or merely memories of tragedies long ago. C’mon, you have seen the TV shows, true stories where the police bring in psychics as a tool to get closer to the truth. These psychics can feel, sense, or visualize persons in the past who have died tragically. They sometimes see the world through these victims’ eyes and can sense the pain imposed on them. Uncanny, unmistakable accuracy, and unreal. So, Gainesville houses have memories just like we do. The energy of all that has happened tend to linger…..

Some believe that ghosts do exist, perhaps, confused souls, wandering the earth unable to reach higher dimensions. In this case, Feng Shui may not be the cure; perhaps, you may want to seek out a ghost whisperer. I like to burn sage in my Gainesville home - which many use to clear away negative energy and to attract positive ones – ghosts or no ghosts, I happen to like the odor.

Energy is all around you – it is in you- and you have the ability to manipulate this energy for a better life journey. Have fun!

May

The

Force

Be

With

You!

But here are a few other reasons you may want to consider listing with a Realtor®.

Preparing your home for showing.

First impressions count! You want your home to stand out. Let me be perfectly frank. If your home is not nearly perfect (and you are unwilling to put a little time and energy into making it sparkle) and your price is not realistic, you might as well take it off the market now. Many Realtors® will assist their Sellers by pointing out areas that could use improvement – de-clutter, painting, fixing water leaks, de-clutter, shampoo carpeting, power washing the driveway, did I mention de-clutter?  These tips will help you get top dollar for your home. Remember, listing agents also represent Buyers. We know what Buyers want, so another set of eyes on your property can only enhance the overall product.

Weeding out the Poor Buyer Prospects.

Especially today, there are many tire-kickers or “shoppers” out there, not terribly interested in buying a property, but sometimes, given the right set of circumstances, looking to “steal” a property.

Then there are the Buyers in La La Land who have not qualified to purchase any property and need to be guided in the direction of a lender before even seeing your property.

There is yet another typical Buyer a FSBO encounters routinely – the lowball offerer. Today, many folks are lowball offerers, but it is particularly true for For Sale By Owner properties (in any marketplace). Why? Because the Buyer knows you are not paying a commission and wants to take advantage of that fact. Buyers who search through FSBO properties already assume they will get a good deal. And why did the FSBO decide to sell the house on their own to begin with?? That’s right, to SAVE the commission.

How can a Seller SAVE the commission and the Buyer get the low price based on no commissions paid at the same time??!!

Uh….you can’t, it’s that simple.

Following up with the Qualified Buyer Prospects.

Tell me – how do you think a seller is perceived by following up with a potential buyer vs. a Realtor® following up with a buyer? Let me tell you – the Seller is perceived as desperate while the real estate agent is perceived as professional. Amazing, isn’t it? And when a potential Buyer believes the Seller is desperate, a low offer is what usually follows.

Prices set by Realtors tend to be more respected by prospective Buyers.

All I am saying here is that everyone knows that Realtors® have access to sold properties, can provide CMA’s (Comparative Market Analyses), and are assumed to be objective in their home valuation. And most of us home owners, unfortunately, think that we have the most fabulous house on the block!

Ready to draw up a contract immediately.

Real estate agents can draw up a contract on the spot, know what needs to be completed on both sides of the transaction, and will follow up to ensure all parties stay in the contract (ie, meet all timeline requirements).

Keeping up with the competition.

Your Realtor® can provide you with accurate, up-to-date data that may affect the value of your property – data concerning the marketplace, competing properties in your area, etc.

Safety Issues

Realtors® meet with Buyers generally when the owner is not home. Sellers do not have to meet with or reveal their schedule to strangers. Enough said.

One more stat….one in five For Sale By Owners eventually enlist a Realtor® to get their homes sold. So…if you have a home for sale by owner in Gainesville, Florida today, give a Realtor® a call!

So, you still want to sell your home on your own?

Can I interest you in hiking boots?

Click here to read Homes For Sale By Owner in Gainesville, Florida – Part One and Homes For Sale By Owner in Gainesville, Florida – Part Two.

Does it make sense that you expose your home to the largest possible buyer base? As I say to prospective sellers, what I can do for you is throw a larger a net out there in the sea of potential Buyers.

How we might accomplish that is through print media advertising (newspaper, magazines), brochures (and brochure boxes at property), for sale yard or window signs, and, last but not least, the internet.

Ahhh, the internet. Remember the statistic I mentioned in Homes For Sale By Owner in Gainesville, Florida – Part 1? That (at least) 87% of Buyers use the internet to search for homes?  It has also been documented that over one third (37%) of buyers found their homes on the internet vs. only 2% from the newspaper. (Source: 2008 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, NAR). In case you’ve been asleep, newspapers are going the way of the 8 track stereo (the cassette, for the younger crowd who have no idea what I just said).

Your biggest bang for the buck going with a Realtor® is the vast pool of other Realtors®.

That’s right. You didn’t hire just one Realtor®, but, rather, as many Realtors® who subscribe to the local MLS! Most Buyers tend to work with Realtors®. In Homes For Sale By Owner in Gainesville, Florida- Part 1, it was noted that 85% of Buyers work with Realtors®. My guess is that number is up now that short sales and foreclosures are on the rise. And keep in mind that your real estate professional will not likely sell your home. He or she will market your home – big difference. Less than 10% of the time will the listing Realtor® actually bring a Buyer to the closing table.

In addition, your Realtor® arranges for caravans to view your new listing, open houses, and can be a valuable resource for relocation and other referral sources, such as home inspectors (should you wish to pre-inspect your home prior to placing it on the market) and service contractors.

All of the examples listed above help expose your home to the largest number of Buyers.

But it doesn’t have to end there. There’s exposure and then there’s GREAT exposure. Realtors® have access to Virtual or Visual Tours which help bring your property to life with a short vignette. These are great for the out-of-town shoppers. If a picture’s worth a thousand words, imagine what a Visual or Virtual Tour is worth in marketing your property!

Last point I want to make while talking internet is the myriad of other popular and frequented websites. Not only does the typical Realtor® list a property in the MLS, but most Realtors® have their own websites, their brokers’websites plus have the ability to advertise your property on a host of others, such as Realtor.com, Planet Realtor, Trulia.com, Yahoo, Zillow.com, Front Door, HomesandLand.com, to name a few.

Plain, simple and obvious, folks…

The greater the exposure, the greater number of potential Buyers.

The greater the number of Buyers, the higher the price one can command.

In Homes For Sale By Owner in Gainesville, Florida- Part 3, we will explore the many reasons for listing with a Realtor®. I’ve already just given you two.

Uhhhh…I think it may be safe to say that it may be easier to climb Mt. Everest than to sell your home on your own today. Over 4000 people attempted to climb the tallest mountain in the world, about 660 have successfully completed it, and about 142 lives were lost in the attempt.

While I don’t believe any one of us will lose our life trying to sell our own home, I do believe most of us would fall into that vast majority of folks who never make it.

Now, hear this loud and clear. YES, I am a Realtor® and it would behoove me to tell you to list your home with a real estate professional .Of course I would say that. Otherwise, I would not believe in my profession.  And YES, I really do think you would be best served to list your property with a Realtor®, but last time I looked, this is a free country and you can do what you like.

We have choices – when we buy a new car, we can sell our old car privately or opt to do a trade-in. When tax season is upon us, we can turn to a professional or do it ourselves. Perhaps, these would be better models if the car was a Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series (valued at $301,000) or you were paying taxes based on an income of $1 million.

I will tell you, though, as a real estate professional who has been intimately involved in this market, all I can say is good luck. And I don’t mean that in a sarcastic or demeaning way. To say that this is not a Seller’s Market is an understatement. Sure it is a Buyer’s Market due to the low prices, high volume of properties and low interest rates, but that has its pitfalls given the challenges today in the financing arena. No matter how you market your property, that is, with or without a Realtor®), both the ascent to and descent from Mt. Everest may prove to be a challenge.

I would NEVER tell you that you cannot sell your home. Heck, you know more about your property and your immediate neighborhood than any professional does!  So, it really irks me when I hear fellow real estate professional tell Sellers that they will never sell their homes on their own. That is simply not true. What is true is that a real estate professional has the means to MARKET your property better than the average Joe. Not unlike the Mt. Everest analogy, we have the proper equipment and we have a time tested road map. And not unlike the Mt. Everest analogy, if you want a guide to accompany you on the trip, there will be a charge for those services.

Marketing may increase your opportunity for more money in less time.

Before I share some stats with you, let me just get this out of the way…..

Figures don’t lie, but liars figure (Sam Clemens a/k/a Mark Twain)

There are three kinds of lies – lies, damned lies and statistics (B. Disraeli)

Now that we got that out of the way (because believe me when I tell you that I am as skeptical as the next when it comes to stats), let me share some numbers with you…..

Information sources used in home search (according to NAR in 2008):

Internet – 87%

Real Estate Agent – 85%

Yard Sign – 62%

Open House – 48%

Newspaper Ad – 47%

Home Book or Magazine – 30%

Because this data is 2 years old, my guess is that today the internet number may be a bit higher and the newspaper and magazine numbers may be a bit lower.

So, no matter what side of the proverbial fence you are on, it is clear that the internet plays a powerful role in home sales today. No surprise there.

And with a stat of 85% for real estate agents as a source for home search, a prospective Seller may want to take pause there as well.

Our industry refers to those who have the guts to try to sell their own property as For Sale By Owners. We even give them a nickname – FSBOs (pronounced fizz – boze).

FSBOs accounted for 13% of home sales in 2008. Again, this stat is outdated. My guess, just based on the huge number of foreclosures today, is that number might be a wee bit lower, but the 13% statistic has remained constant over the last several years.

The typical FSBO home sold for $153,000 compared to $211,000 for agent-assisted home sales. Again, NAR (National Association of Realtors®) compiled this information.

Some of the more difficult tasks for FSBOs includes selling their home within the desired time frame, getting the desired price, preparing their home for market, understanding and generating the correct paperwork, and having the time to perform daily tasks (such as home showings, preparing for home inspections, etc).

Homes For Sale By Owner in Gainesville, Florida – Part 2 addresses things you might want to consider when selling your home on your own.

Click here for Homes For Sale By Owner in Gainesville, Florida – Part 3.

♦Your Realtor® can get information on and open the door to ALL listings in the MLS (period). It does not matter what brokerage lists the property.  You do not have to call the listing agent (i.e., a different agent) every time you see a property that interests you.

And a P.S. to that is that you should not.

Dealing with multiple agents muddies the waters and could lead to commission disputes behind the scenes. You may innocently call on a sign while working with Sally Agent. The listing agent may agree to show you the property, provide you with information, etc.

You then decide to make an offer on this property and schedule an appointment with Sally Agent. Sally writes up the offer and it is accepted. Sally guides you through the entire transaction process and guess what? Sally Agent, who has been working with you for four months, may never get paid for this transaction!

Why?

The other agent may try to claim the commission by making a case that he was what is known as the procuring cause, that is, the agent who ultimately caused the sale of that property.

There are many factors that determine the procuring cause. It is not as simple as opening a door; nor is it as simple as writing the contract. A Buyer’s Agreement may not be the deciding factor either (but it does tend to bolster an agent’s case; hence the widespread use of it), but suffice to say you need to be cognizant of your actions, however innocent they may be.

♦If you have an interest in seeing a FSBO (For Sale by Owner), call your Realtor®. Do not, I repeat, do not knock on the door!

That is, of course, if you still seek the representation from your Realtor® (and hopefully you do – this is that loyalty stuff I mentioned in  Gainesville Real Estate, Spirituality and The Golden Rule (part 1) and is what I expect from you).

Many FSBO’s will cooperate with brokers (i.e., pay one side of the transaction, half of what would normally be charged if the property was listed in the MLS). If you knock on the door without the Realtor®, you will be leaving your agent out in the cold.

Not only will you be carving the Realtor® out of the transaction, but now you’ve put yourself in the unenviable position of depending upon the Seller to do all the right things. You are basically representing yourself (that could be scary) and the Seller is representing him or herself (even scarier).

Are you aware of your rights in a real estate agreement? Do you know how to protect your escrow deposit? Are you aware of the various disclosures the Seller is required to provide you with?

The Seller generally pays the commission to both the listing agent (representing the Seller) and the selling agent (representing the Buyer).

In other words, the Buyer gets a representative for FREE.

So, why then, would you not use a Realtor®?

The Seller is already obligated by contract to pay the listing Broker a set fee whether or not there is another broker involved.

♦Your Realtor® ONLY gets paid when a transaction closes.

There is no draw, no nominal salary to sit in the office to take calls. Realtors® do not get paid when we take your call, meet with you, show property, conduct open houses, provide you with Gainesville real estate statistics and conduct online research, make offers, meet with home inspectors, appraisers, or take classes to improve our skills and become more knowledgeable.

We only get paid after a successful transaction (and one in which there is no challenge who is the procuring cause). I include this info, not for you to take out your tiny violin and play a sympathetic tune for me, but to gain insight to the entire process.

But if you must, www.tinyviolins.com.

As a Realtor® I try to put myself in the position of my customer (whether a buyer or seller) and, collectively, we can only gain a true understanding if our customers do the same.

I was in Key West a year ago and wanted to see a few properties (knowing I could not afford them nor would I be in a position to actually move there if I could). I was straight up with the Realtor®, no conning, no lies, and the Realtor® graciously showed me a few cottages, a professional courtesy, perhaps, but with no expectations. We both walked away feeling good.

Nobody wants to feel used.

Remember The Golden Rule.

This is my mantra for today.

Now get out there and buy some Gainesville real estate!

Be sure to read Gainesville Real Estate, Spirituality and The Golden Rule (part 1) and Gainesville Real Estate, Spirituality and The Golden Rule (part 2) .

One of the first questions a Realtor® may ask you is whether or not you are working with another agent.

I can guarantee this one question and the answer that ensues can lead to all kinds of misunderstandings.

The buyer may be thinking, why is this person asking me this question? All I want to know is the price of his listing.

The fact is, a responsible Realtor® SHOULD ask this question.

Realtors® abide by a Code of Ethics and that code prohibits us from “stealing” another’s customer. The question is an attempt at knowing the status of the Buyer. Is the Buyer working with someone else? If so, the Realtor® needs to act accordingly. If not, the Realtor® is free to attempt to establish a relationship. In either case, the Realtor® should be courteous and answer any questions you might have on a property. Some may even be willing to open the door to their Gainesville real estate listings if your agent is out of town or unavailable.

The Buyer, on the other hand, may be defensive, unsure as to the real reason behind the question, fearful of getting pressured by the Realtor® and having to answer a bunch of questions.

Am I working with another Realtor®?

Let’s see, I called three listing agents off their yard signs, met with one who opened the door to her listing, called on an ad in a Gainesville real estate magazine, and, oh yeah,  my brother-in-law is a Realtor® and we frequently discuss Gainesville real estate . Does any of this count?

The answer is…uh, maybe, maybe not.

What is your intention with those agents you met? If you want your brother-in-law to represent you, then you should be upfront with the Realtor®. Otherwise, this writer believes you are perfectly correct to answer NO.

Then comes a time the “new” Realtor® wants to show you a property….and you say, gee, I already saw this property. The listing agent let me in to see it.

Ding Ding Ding…Danger Danger Will Robinson!

The Realtor® now becomes suspicious. I thought you said you were not working with a agent!!

Do you see how easily we can be misunderstood?

It’s all about communication….and a little trust in the mix wouldn’t hurt either. If you and your Realtor® are holding back cards, suspicious of one another, you had better start the process all over again. You should be a team with one common goal – to find you the best property to suit your needs and budget.

Unless you are in the Gainesville real estate business or real estate business in general, you probably do not know all of the ins and the outs of the profession. While it is true that many of you have bought and sold homes and may have done so very successfully, sorry, this does not make you an expert.

I sold a piece of Gainesville real estate 7 years ago – full price offer after only one day on the market – and I was a custom picture framer! Easy, right? This does not necessarily mean I knew what I was doing. The fact is, I had no idea what I was doing and I am fortunate there were no negative consequences as a result of the transaction. Of course, I was extremely fortunate and although I’d like to think it was my keen business sense and marketing skills, the fact is that it was a Seller’s Market and you couldn’t keep Buyers away.

I have heard Realtors® say that their Buyers should have known better or intentionally misled them. The assumption that Buyers understand everything there is to know about Gainesville real estate is absurd. Not only is it absurd but it devalues us as professionals.

Hello…is anyone getting this? If the average Joe Buyer knows it all, why the heck does he need us???

And if he doesn’t know it all, then why do so many Realtors have this expectation?

No, the average Joe does NOT know everything, hence the need for a real estate professional. Instead of being angry with the behavior of his or her customer, the Realtor® needs to keep in mind that many people simply are unaware of many of the basics in real estate.

It is our duty to educate them!!

When we don’t educate our customers we create misunderstandings with problems lurking just around the corner.

Gainesville Real Estate, Spirituality and The Golden Rule (part three), will address some of those basics that all Buyers should be aware of, basics that some Realtors® simply expect their customers to know.

Buyers are LIARS

Those sage words, ladies and gentlemen, represent the quintessential belief system of many real estate professionals today.

Now that I have insulted each and every one of you, I will even the score with this one….

Real estate agents are no better than used car salesmen They only care about their commission.

So….who is right?

These expressions are nothing more than character assassinations and nothing less than gross generalizations.

As the infamous Rodney King once said, “Can’t we all just get along?”

As a Realtor®, I am incensed when I hear other professionals make comments like, Buyers Are Liars! I’d like to examine why it might be that so many Realtors think this way.

Might it be that……………

The Realtor’s expectations are more than what reality should dictate?

The Realtor’s communication skills fell short?

The lingo and verbiage used means different things to different people?

Wow, look at that! Three possible explanations and none deserve for a buyer to be called a liar. If you’ve read, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, you will see that, uh, yikes, ALL FOUR agreements are blown here! But the one I wanted to focus on was agreement numero dos, don’t make assumptions.

Let’s start from the beginning, shall we? I was not raised in a particularly religious household but I was taught a value system. And one of the premises in that value system is, coincidentally, derived from the Bible, known as The Golden Rule.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

Or as I simply say, treat others as you would like to be treated.

This is how I run my business.

Here’s a scenario in which many Realtors operate (and trust me, I am making no friends in my industry by saying this). Enter a potential Buyer. Buyer meets Realtor® at agent’s office. After some niceties, a brief discussion of Gainesville Real Estate, Buyer’s needs, etc., then the procedural stuff and ….out comes the Buyer’s Agent contract. “If you sign right here, I promise to do this, that and the other thing…”

WAIT JUST A MINUTE! I don’t even know you!

If I was the buyer in that scenario, I would not walk; I would RUN just as fast as I could. What happened to making your own decision as to whether someone can adequately represent you? Don’t you have any say in that?

Many of us actually like to do business with those we like, those with whom we have rapport, a common interest or bond, someone who listens to our needs. How the heck can one determine that after 15 minutes of talking….or even after one outing?

Long story short…..I NEVER have anyone sign a Buyer’s Agent Agreement. My Broker is probably not happy with me for not doing so and many Realtors®, if not most, would say I am foolish, not protecting myself, and wasting large amounts of time.

Why?

Because their belief system may be that everyone is out to take advantage of everyone else, that we require contracts and agreements just to ensure civility and common courtesy.

Listen, if after working with me for a day, a week, a month, and you are not satisfied with my performance…..the Gainesville real estate I keep showing you are homes outside of your desired price range, I miss or am routinely late for appointments; you can’t get hold of me on the phone, then guess what?

I DESERVE to lose you as a customer!!

So this piece of paper, this Buyer’s Agreement is supposed to do what….force the Buyer to continue to work with someone who is not doing his or her job? I have my customer’s back and I operate as though they have mine as well. Loyalty begets loyalty. But words are cheap and the proof is in my performance.

I am not saying I have not been burned; what I am saying is this: treat others with respect, expect that they will do the same and, more often than not, you will be rewarded.

By the way, should you decide to sign a Buyer’s Agreement, be sure to read it thoroughly. There may be language in there that may obligate you to a fee should you decide to either switch agents or not buy Gainesville real estate at all.

Gainesville Real Estate, Spirituality and The Golden Rule (part two) , will address the Buyers Are Liars myth.

Say what!?

You want to sell your house on your own?

Okay, perhaps, I will need to address that in a future writing but, suffice it to say, most sellers eventually work with a real estate professional.

This is the person with whom you will have the closest relationship so you had better choose wisely.

Your neighbor, the teacher who also happens to have her real estate license, or your Aunt Norma may not necessarily be the best selection.

Experience, full-time status, and testimonials may be good indicators in the Gainesville realty search.

But…

• What about openness?
• Isn’t openness all about being who we are?
• How do others respond to openness?
• Don’t they, in turn, open up as well?
• Isn’t rapport  all about allowing us to be who we are when we are with others?
• Don’t you want to be in a business relationship whereby both parties are themselves and can communicate freely?

If so, I encourage you to interview as many Realtors necessary in order to find that person.

It may be the single most important decision you make when selling Gainesville, Florida property.

Tell me, what would you prefer – to be looking over your shoulder questioning the actions (or inactions) of your Realtor – or – feeling confident you have a partner throughout this process who has your best interests at hand?

As for the buyer and the buyer’s agent, there are those who just don’t get it. I have seen buyers try to “steal” properties making ridiculous and often insulting offers.

Yes, you do need to keep in mind that this is a business transaction (despite the fond memories of  playing with little Matthew on the swing set,  your beloved pooch, Emma bearing 5 pups in the cardboard box in the garage, and the tree planted in the backyard on your first anniversary).

Sorry, but no one other than you cares about these things (and I write this with love)…

And once a buyer shows his true self, it is difficult (but not impossible) to recover.

But recover you must.

My best advice to any seller no matter who you have chosen to represent you, and no matter how “offensive” an offer may appear, is to counter-offer. Why would you not? It takes a mere five minutes of paperwork to do so.

What’s that?

You’re $50,000 apart?

And your point is????

This is a buyer who has an interest in purchasing your property and you are going to say NO and move on?

While their tactics may not be appreciated, it is this writer’s opinion that you engage with the buyer, not dis-engage.

By dis-engaging, you’re putting the buyer in a no-win situation.

Rarely will a buyer come back after a refusal to counter.

The seller now looks like the bad guy, unbending, unwilling to negotiate. Even if your counter-offer is a mere $5000 off your list price (hey, now you are only $45,000 apart!), it shows good faith on your part and a willingness to work (and play well) with others.

And let’s not let the window treatments, or the lawn mower in the garage stop an otherwise acceptable offer. A year from now you won’t even remember these insignificant issues.

You’ll be at peace in your new home with your new life.

Remember what I wrote in Gainesville Realty: Tips for the Spiritual Sale of Gainesville Houses (part one)?

We all want to be heard and respected, yes, even the low ball (or gotta try to get one more thing out of you) buyer. Again, you can’t control others’ behaviors, but you can control your own. And we are responsible for our behaviors. When we take that responsibility we move from victim to victor.

Wishing you all a victory in your next real estate transaction!

* Cindy Harrington is a realtor with Bosshardt Realty Services, Inc. in Gainesville, FL

Click here for Gainesville Realty….Tips for the Spiritual Sale of Gainesville Houses (part one).

In this crazy market?

Are you kidding!?

What’s that, you say? You’re a person of spirit and mindfulness?

Well, if you must….here are some tips for those of you who actually think about the spirit, your essence, the greater good,  etc…….here is your opportunity to fuse the two together so you may successfully buy or sell any of your Gainesville houses.

Putting up your Gainesville homes for sale does not mean you have to lose your honesty, love, truth, sincerity, or humanity.

Sure, you want to get as much money from your home as possible; of course, you do not wish to be taken advantage of or steamrolled.

And, without question you want this to be as positive and  stress-free experience as possible.

Real estate transactions are buy and sell agreements negotiated between two or more parties.

Uh-oh, another party?

I’ve got to deal with someone else!?

Securing an agreement between these parties is often easier said than done. I believe negotiating is based on the principal of fair trade.

We refer to this as a win/win transaction.

Both parties will trade if they feel they are not being ripped off. If either party comes to the table with only their own wishes in mind, giving little or no thought to the wishes, needs and desires of the other party, a successful trade or transaction may be difficult to achieve.

As a spiritual person, you already know you are powerful, but that is not to say you should exert your power or will on others. The use of power may be selfish.

Ethics is a required component in a successful real estate transaction (Realtor vs. client, buyer vs. seller, broker vs. broker) and Gainesville realty transactions are no exception, but this article addresses only what we can control – ourselves – and I choose to believe we are ethical beings.

So, then, the challenge is the use of power in an unselfish manner. Selfishness shuts down the heart; love re-opens it. As in, Love Thy Neighbor.

Look, I’m a Realtor – not a spiritual guru – but in the five-plus years I’ve been selling Gainesville realty, I’ve come to know this – we all want to be heard, we all want to be respected, and at the end of the day we all want to do what is right, fair and just.

Each of us is our own judge and jury.

Hopefully, we like what we see in the proverbial mirror.

* Cindy Harrington is a realtor with Bosshardt Realty Services, Inc. in Gainesville, FL

Click here for Gainesville Realty….Tips for the Spiritual Sale of Gainesville Houses (part two).