All Forum Posts by: Catherine Emert

My suggestion is to reach out to your Agent's office and see if someone is covering their desk. A lot of the time someone steps in to help in these situations to keep income coming in for the Agent that is unable to work. 

I think this is a great way to look at things....I am not sure there is a cut and dry answer to your questions though...

1. I have seen givers be beyond successful - I have one client that is the pure definition of a giver. He buys properties that need a lot of work - leaves the tenant in place, works with them, keeps their rent low and during all of this pandemic he even closed on a deal and wrote the tenant a letter stating "don't worry about rent this month, times are tough" he owns over 100 properties here locally and is very successful. I also have a client that is a taker - but very successful. 

2. To distinguish them I think you have to look at a lot of different things. One, how do they make offers on properties...I have one client that offers very low EVERY SINGLE time and is angry when he gets a counter to me that says taker. I have one that will come in reasonable and is willing to negotiate until all parties are satisfied - giver. I have another that will offer a better price, but when it comes to negotiation of the price or repairs plays hard ball if the seller isn't willing to work with them - I put him in the matcher.

3. I think I have encountered more takers personally - the least number are matchers in my experience.

Did she pay her rent in April? If so, I think that some tenants are just habitually late in rent. I am not sure that you would be stuck with a squatter if she just pays late and takes care of the property.

So far I am not seeing signs of a recession. We are still seeing a climb in new contracts signed, closings and we only saw a slight decrease in price per sq. ft. Which could be because we have so many new listings coming on the market.

It may be harder to get leads as a new agent and with the pandemic. But one thing I am telling my newer agents to do is to talk to everyone!! Reach out and ask 2 questions - How are you? Do you need anything? When the conversation comes back to you bring up real estate...or if they know you are newly licensed I guarantee they will ask you about real estate. Being kind is the best bet right now! Don't be afraid to hear no. In fact read the book Go For No! 

Good luck! 

I agree with @Howard Herrington with the exception that you can't really take people to lunch right now... I have 2 newer brokers working at my brokerage and times are definitely taking a toll on how they are conducting business. Things I have suggested to them that may help while this pandemic is going on:

NETWORK - Social Media, zoom meetings, virtual meetups, forums...there are so many places that you can get together with so many people right now and never leave your home. Build a presence and do everything you can to "meet" as many people now.

ASK - Reach out to everyone you know - not just real estate peeps - ask them 2 questions - How are you? Do you need anything? I have tested this - the first day I reached out to 21 people - all of them were thrilled to hear from me and every single one brought up real estate without me prompting them. It's a great way to show you care, connect and talk about the market if they do bring up real estate.

EDUCATION - SOOOOOO many platforms are offering free continuing education for real estate brokers/agents right now! Take advantage of it! I completed my required 30 hours for my renewal already and I now have my SRS Designation and E-Pro certification. 

Take control. Be kind. Show an interest in others and take it all like a marathon. 

Whatever you do make sure you present the screening the same every time to every applicant. May don't understand that this could be a big issue with fair housing. One thing you could do to make things easier - is every time you email with a new person regarding an application, is attach a PDF of the screening guidelines you follow. We do this in Oregon Real Estate with our Disclosure Pamphlet.

I believe...and you should check with an accountant or have the seller check with an accountant...but I think that rents that have not been paid can be taken as a loss when the seller files his taxes on the sale of the property. 

Additionally, read your contract, it should hint towards the answer and you can ask an attorney to assist you in determining what is required of you per the laws in your state.

I am not sure even video of a property replaces an inspection. I would recommend a 3d scan, a video and a video chat...that way during the chat you can take notes and use the video and 3d scan to go back for reference later.

I saw a few letters being sent out in our local area that I felt really took the wrong approach. Instead of directing people to help and communicating...or choosing to wait until the topic was brought up I saw landlords demanding rent. I have a client that has a notice to vacate by April 30th, we are in escrow on their first home purchase and the landlord will not budge on the move out date, we are asking for 3 days. I am baffled by some people's actions during this time.

This post really made me happy though! Way to be great landlords and work with the situation we are so desperately trying to navigate!