Dangers of Real Estate T.V.

Call it a busman's holiday, but I enjoy watching real estate shows on t.v.  To a point.  They also worry me because, while you can pick up some good ideas on renovating and how real estate works, you can also be misled.  A couple examples:


Putting in or receiving an offer on a home does not make it sold!  (Except in the VERY, VERY rare instances of a subject free offer.)  So, when the cute guy comes along and based on a verbal acceptance of a buyer's offer price, asks who wants to put the sold sign up -- well, that's just phoey.  (You understand "phoey" is a polite term for something you don't want to step in.)


Ditto the drama encouraged in those shows about the way clients speak to their Realtor or renovator.  Again, except in VERY, VERY rare circumstances where it might be justified, it's also just phoey.


I can tell you truly Realtors understand much of what we do involves working with people under stressful conditions.  This does not mean most would carry on with an abusive client.  No way, no how.


Also, no Realtor in their right mind would show a client a home 300,000 above their spending limit as a reality check.  Are you kidding me?  "Let me show you something you can't get, so you will hate everything you can afford."  I don't think so.


Another reality check.  Renovators are VERY, VERY rarely designers!  You're going to be lucky to have all the sawdust and gyp rock dust gone.  Don't expect that you're going to come home to a staged, designer produced "reveal."


So, enjoy the shows, enjoy the homes....but understand these shows are designed as entertainment not documentaries!

Too busy for life?

One of my colleagues in the office commented to me last week that a relative of hers was "too busy" to let her know of some serious family news from afar.  This news would impact my friend's children and travel. 

REALLY???  You're too busy to send a 60 second e-mail?  Too busy to send a 20 second text?  Too busy to leave a voice mail?  What bunk!

We all have occasions when someone says, "oh, I was thinking of you....we should do something....but I've been SO busy!"  Busy apparently with things far more important that nurturing relationships and family.  REALLY???

I am intrigued by how the notion got lodged in North American heads that being busy was somehow equated with being worthwhile or valued.  When did "getting ahead" become a nobler goal than bonding and having valuable time to visit and play and putter together?  And once you are ahead, are you ever far enough ahead?  And if you're far enough ahead I guess you're alone.  Everyone else got tired of playing second fiddle to your always putting work ahead of them.

Why is enough never enough so the chase for more -- more money, more deals, more anything -- relentless?  From what I understand when wild animals are sated they let prey walk right by unharmed.  They are full, why would they tackle another hunt until they are in need of more sustenance?  And they say mankind is the crowning creation??

I confessed to a friend that when someone comes into work on Monday after a picture perfect Okanagan weekend bragging about how busy they were working all weekend that the thought that occurs to me is that they're not very bright.  I rather admire the one that comes in with tales of playing in the lake or hiking in the hills.  To be perfectly frank when someone says to me "I am SO BUSY," in my mind it translate to "I am SO misguided."

As an aside there is a real estate trainer who encourages Realtors to sign off "I'm never too busy for your referrals!"  Ha!  They might be too busy to have coffee with you, but never too busy for more work!  But I digress...

Of course we all have times of intensity in our work and lives; situational busyness is not what I'm speaking about.  Its the chronically busy ones that I worry about.  We all have those people who can never sit still long enough to really listen to anyone talk who isn't talking about work.  Don't you feel special when someone is reading a text while half listening to you?  Warms the heart, eh?  How about the friends that are too busy to even acknowledge the invitation to come share a meal?  REALLY???  Someone invites you to their home and you can't take a moment to even reply?

Could it be that "being busy" is an addiction?  Perhaps the litmus test would be that if the thought of open space unfilled by busy work sends a shiver of fear down your spine it might be time for an intervention.

Interventions come in the form of lunches with cell phones off and walks in the neighbourhood with time to say hello and visit.  Interventions come in the form of building sandcastles with children and riding that horse that's become a pasture ornament.  Intervention comes in the form of coffees with meaningful conversations with family and friends.  It comes in taking the time to write a note or make a call when you're thinking of someone.  It comes in the form of taking care of your health and stimulating your mind with new ideas.  Intervention comes with first questioning why being busy has been given a place of honour above living a balanced and fun filled life.

For the record, one of my favourite activities is spending time with past clients who have become friends.  I will sign off by saying, "I'm never too busy for YOU!"

 

Has your dream become a nightmare?

To begin, let me say I'm a sucker for the sentimental value of property.  When homes have been handed down in families or developed from scratch I totally "get" the attachment that can develop.  However, as with all attachments, sometimes their burden can be overwhelming. 

This blog might have easily been entitled: Let someone else take the dream higher!  Along the way a beautiful example of this was with a home in a lovely neighbourhood in East Hill.  I represented the buyers; a young family just trying to get into a real home.  The owner had been there for ages, but recently needed to go somewhere to receive extended care.  He lovingly agreed to let the home go for what we offered because he knew his beloved home was going to be continued to be enjoyed.

Sometimes I find people holding on to larger homes and properties way past their time of being able to manage or enjoy them.  The dream acreage or 5+ bedroom home becomes a drain on time, energy and resources -- making the once enjoyable tasks a nightmare of duties.

If two people are working full time in a family managing a huge yard and gardens needs to be carefully considered!  Likewise for parents managing a huge home for the one time a year the adult children might all be there at the same time.  Or, how about the "hobby farm?"  If you like to travel and don't have help, you should really carefully consider how long after your kids have grown up you want to keep the critters.  But, the hobby farm might be the perfect fit for a young family!

Retirees sometimes fear selling the family home is the next step to the grave!  Yet, what retirees that downsize often realize instead is another time of youthful freedom!  Free from chores and maintaining a large home and yard they travel, play and generally have a great time!

Of course its not an all or nothing proposition; there are many wonderful people out there to employ to help garden and clean.  (Although it is also amazing on how relatively few people ever hire home help!)

The best example of pro-active movement I've heard is a friend, Hugh, from Ontario.  His m.o. is to stay 5 years ahead of the curve so he is never forced to sell.  He and his first wife sold their large family home and moved to a strata on one level.  Sadly, his wife fell ill and passed.  They were, however, already in a perfect living situation so avoided the added stress of selling and moving.  He's since remarried and he and his wife spend lots of time travelling.  I have no doubt as they age he'll research any new dwelling he thinks might be needed and move again before having to.

I have seen pressure in families too from grown children toward their parents to "not sell the home I grew up in."  Rubbish!  Are the kids going to help pay the bills and do the chores?  Each of us owes it to our family to want only what is best for them at this point in their lives -- what is happy, manageable and right for this stage of their lives.

Rather than cling to the past; let's create bright futures!  As we appreciate our homes and their histories we let go and let the dream continue.

Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby!

Stop the presses, Nelly, I've found our dream house! Most of us will have had the experience of getting very excited about a property that looks JUST right for our needs!  We go wild with glee, start looking at all the photos and floor plans and are already packed in our minds.

Sometimes every manner of question is asked of the listing agent from water source to wiring.  Realtors can spend hours researching and reporting.

Then you take one step on the property and know within seconds that it's not for you.  Reality and imagination just don't meet.

Nothing can take the place of being at a property in person -- the way it feels and smells and "seems."  For all of the logical reasoning, it either fits emotionally or it's off the list.

Once again, a great Realtor is worth their weight in gold.  When you've established a relationship with a Realtor who truly knows you they can help you find the hidden nuggets you might not ever see on your own.  Great Realtors always go on new listing tours on your behalf -- they follow the "hot sheet" of new listings every day. (Realtor's have the first head's up on new listings via their internal postings.)

In addition to knowing what your hard criteria is, your Realtor also knows your lifestyle and what you especially liked in a variety of past homes.  They can save you countless hours of combing through mls sites and real estate advertising!

Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby!