"Real E" Blog by Quantum

June 1, 2007

"What I Look For”

Among the many facets of the Real Estate Profession the one I enjoy the most is the People I’m privileged to represent. For some reason, I’ve been blessed with an exceptional Client base that is as diverse as it is captivating!

As a Realtor, I spend a great deal of time with Clients and get to know them, ultimately, on very intimate levels particularly those I represent in the “Buying” process.

Finding a home for a Client, for me, has traditionally been a process that I love, completely! Viewing and evaluating homes for a “match”, for me, has been an area that I’m happy to say, has worked well! I acknowledge of course that there are moments when a good scream in frustration is the vent of choice but by in large, the process happily concludes.

Now, at this point you may be wondering where this dialogue is heading and what possible “lesson” there may be in this for you, stay tunes, there’s a diamond in this ruff!

Take for instance a recent transaction that started approximately 45 days past. I was introduced to a couple relocating to the area from Sacramento, let’s refer to them as Terry and Shawn. They’ve family here in Sonoma County and have a general knowledge of the area. Once the introductions concluded and we got down to the “question”! “Terry and Shawn, what would you like me to accomplish for you in this process?” I explained the question further and we spent the next 30 minutes setting an agenda and my digesting the preferences of likes and dislikes regarding their home of choice, budget/financing (reviewing credit scores, reserves etc.). We spent a few moments on the Computer looking at a few select homes and the meeting concluded with my saying “….excellent, I’ve got what I need, give me a few days and I’ll have you a list of homes from which to begin your selection!”

A side-bar for a moment: So that you know, it is not my goal to simply hop in the car and drive Clients around looking at homes without first knowing what it is I’m looking for and so that you know, I personally preview every home I show. Among my list of “never do’s” is never waste a Clients time. Now, here is where the “message” (“Lesson”) begins….

As any qualified Realtor will affirm, when one knows the market they operate in they can near instantly know where (area) to look for the Property of Choice. It’s not rocket science! “WHAT I LOOK FOR” is best characterized by what I’ll simply refer to as “Feel”! I’m clear that in the age of “Tech” that a term as esoteric as this run’s contrary to the ideal of absolute but I’ll tell you, I’ll place my ability to “Feel” against any “checklist” any time, any day! To be sure there is a foundation to my method that’s been cured by experience and I’m confident, for both Buyer’s and Seller’s, there is value in the details.

Did you catch it? I hid it in the “line”? If you said “VALUE” then you got it right! The ideal which characterizes “FEEL” is the word “VALUE”! Value comprises all sorts of components but to me, it is characterized by a question I always ask myself when evaluating a Property (residential) for a Client and it sounds something like this. “When they’ve decided to move on and they come to me to List/Sell, how will the property fair?” Yes, it’s a loaded question and with all of the variables that would be present and the affect they might impose, how could one reasonably know? Yes, looking at it from a vantage point of “absolutes” I would say one would be correct, however, I ask the question non-the-less colored by my cumulative years of experience and move on!

What do I “filter” in the evaluation of “Value”? In order of importance here goes: (1.) Location. (2.) Street Elevation (‘Curb Appeal). (3.) “Fitness” (“Pride of Ownership) (4.) Detail (Quality of Improvements/Execution). (4.) Proximity to Overhead Power Lines (EMF’s). (4.) Floor Plan (Function & Condition). (5.) Yard. (6.) Features.

Notice that I don’t say anything about colors, aroma therapy, shelf paper, floor coverings or personal property. Yes, by all means Seller’s, your home should always show it’s best and one of the most efficient ways of accomplishing this is to RENT A STORAGE LOCKER! But note most importantly that in my mind, VALUE is in the things that quite often are those which are nearly impossible to change and if they are, most often expensive propositions!

I frustrate Clients sometimes by responding to their statements, such as in the case of Terry and Shawn, “…you know, I just don’t like the way they’ve decorated the home…” or “…I don’t like the way they’ve landscaped the rear yard,…” by saying, “…focus on the value, the rest we can change,….”

In the end, like the Service I provide my Clients, it’s all in the Value! It’s either their or it’s not! And that, my friends, NEVER Changes!

Curtis C. Greco, Realtor/Broker

www.QuantumRealtyServices.com

“What I Look For” Copyright © by Curtis C. Greco 2007 All Rights Reserved

June 14, 2007

"In the Company of…”

Out of the box, let me admit that I know I’m “Blessed”! There I said it! So be forewarned, this will not be the message you might necessarily expect in an environment typically reserved for spry and informative Real Estate Commentary!

I know it does not occur just for me, in fact I’m sure that it doesn’t. So perhaps what I’m about to impart to you will not carry any particular surprise, I suppose however, the surprise is in the fact that perhaps we are so busy that we no longer feel the urge or inclination to recognize or perhaps even worse, we simply do not see “the” event as extraordinary! In other words, that the idea of being “sensitive” to extraordinary events makes us “soft”, “touchy feely”, dare I say “evangelical”! It seems in a world of overdone correctness and institutionalized insincerity we have become cold and sterile! I’m not, by the way, concluding that we have, perhaps it is simply a suspicion and for now, I’ll just leave this supposition as it is and have you pursue it on your own. In the mean time….

Today, with no anticipation, no lingering expectation I received an email from a Friend. The Gentlemen (and I use this word with the intent of its truest form being observed) originally came to me as a referral from another Client. It turned out that what he needed did not involve income potential from me, though it could have, but really what was required was someone to simply take the time to give him direction and counsel. A few hours of my time, a few phone calls, a few favors and the matter was resolved. Another might have escorted him down a different road that would have had him writing checks and incurring unnecessary expenses which, fortunately, for me, I’m pleased to say, was avoided.

Here is an excerpt, fairly redacted, of the email I received:

“Just wanted to say "hello" and wish you a happy 06/14/07 which I see by my calendar is Flag Day…. I just want to thank you again for all the honest and helpful info I was blessed to get from you! …I hope things are well for you and those you love! Take Care Curtis….”

One could read this email, or the portion provided, and simply pass over it as a simple expression of a persons gratitude and leave it at that. On the other hand, one could choose to see it quite differently, which, I did and that is why this “event” is so very important, or more appropriately, so very noteworthy!

The observation occurs on several levels, one, the fact that “He” takes the time to write the email to me, 2^nd, that “His” expression is so genuine, 3^rd, “He” extends his gratitude beyond the relevant issue and extends the expression to “…those you love!” and 4^th (and there are more but I’m limiting them for now…) the “Event” he speaks of occurred four years before!

Many years ago I was reading a book that was, in many ways, life changing. It was from a series written by Emmett Fox which I readily admit, from time to time, I pick them up and revisit. One of the comments I recall from one of the series was one in which Emmett Fox speak on a subject that revolves around the premise “In the Company of Angels”. From that conversation I developed a few expressions that I use from time to time in salutations in my writings, emails and/or letters and when I think on my Wife and Children in particular. Two of my favorite sound like this; “…I send you with a Company of Angels…” or “….until I see you next and beyond, I send you a Legion of Angels to keep you Company and provide you care….” I use these not with a careless intent but in fact, as a message I believe and faithfully intend! Nothing more to say!

In the final analysis, I recognize and am grateful for the “blessing” and that I truly do find the time, as in this case, to recognize when an “Event” such as this occurs. That this very Fine Man, takes the time, not just once, but frequently, to simply express and provide a gracious comment that, though required so little time and effort, was, in fact, monumental in its lasting and lingering effect! It is then for me, by memorializing the event in print, my gift in return to him!

So, now you know, I do, travel “In the Company of Angels”! I’m absolutely certain that you do too!

Until next time and beyond, I send you a Legion of Angels to keep you Company and provide you care!

Curtis C. Greco, Realtor/Broker

www.QuantumRealtyServices.com

“In the Company of….” Copyright © by Curtis C. Greco 2007 All Rights Reserved