All Forum Posts by: Ann Watkins

I have hazard and flood insurance on all my rentals. But I also require the tenants purchase their own rental insurance which covers losses they may have.

Oh wow...I guess this is a case of you get what you pay for. Did the agent at least create the flyer? Sounds like the agent maybe doing them a favor by just posting it on the MLS for a lower commission.

In that case, it should be getting picked up by whatever agreements that MLS has to push out the listings.

When a property is listed the agent actually has a form to be signed and agreed to by the seller which specifies how and where the property will be marketed. Putting a property of the MLS, is but one of those methods but it still has to be agreed to.

It could be the sellers don't want the home on public sites. I've had sellers who decline to even have pictures of their home up or a sign in the yard...usually for privacy and security reasons.

Great thread!

1. Check out how potential tenants are keeping their current location when their still applicants.

2. Give our your business cards to surrounding neighbors. This has probably been my most valuable asset. I know when the brother in-law and his family tried to move in, when the new dog showed up, when the above ground pool was put in, when the cops were called...etc.

3. Give a discount and do a two-year lease. It saves on vacancy loss, annual make-ready and advertising, which more than makes up for the discount.

4. Include move-in condition pictures with the Move-In Condition Report. Attach them and the move-out pictures with the "Here is Why Your Deposit Won't be Returned Report"...if it comes to that.

5. Give a gift to great tenants. I've given gift certificates and even a weekend at my beach house to long-term tenants who maintain my properties well.

J. Johnson Thank you and you are most welcome. Wow...overseas...I admire your ambition. Keep us posted.

Congratulations on what sounds like a great remodel. I can't wait to see the start to finish. I sent you a PM regarding a pool remodel question. Looking forward to what I know will be some more helpful advice!

Steve Babiak Thanks a million...great information!

I'm allergic to car notes. I drive a 2002 Toyota Sequoia that had only 16 miles on it when I bought it. That was my last car note and don't plan to upgrade anytime soon. I maintain a cash car fund so when it goes I'll go find something similiar.

So a couple of things. When was the last time you sat down with your agent and explained your game plan.? You and the agent may have a different set of goal posts and while your're both playing to win, the goals aren't the same.

Is the agent aware you aren't just looking to be looking and are ready to buy? As an agent, when I know this and I have the buyer's pre-approval letter or bank letter in hand, we have serious conversations and I will pull out all stops to find them the right property.

I present them with homes that they have a no problem making a decision on. Secondly, I don't waste time showing homes that are already under contract, unless the buyer insist on seeing it.

A lot of homes are priced so that buyers get into a bid war, with highest and best offers. I do a lot of work for banks and know this is just a pricing strategy which often involves listing a home for far less than it will ultimately sell.

This also means I don't waste my time with low ball offers on 50 properties a week with investors, hoping one gets in. Some investors think this is what realtors should be doing to make 3% commission on a property that's used up 50% in good will, credibility and the realtors time.

And lastly I do show my clients properties 10-20% over their price. The reason is because I don't expect to make a full price offer. We look at homes with more value and then make our offer based on comparables, condition and just how bad the seller wants to get rid of the property.

For example a home that's been on the market forever may be a bit out of your price, but for a buyer that's fully qualified and ready to close, the seller may take a big discount.

I'm hoping your agent is not being shiesty and has some valid reasons for his actions. But you would be the best judge of that. Oh and one last thing, other agents will cringe when I say this but I never impose on my clients to only see homes with me. They are (of course) free to call the listing agent and use them to close the deal.

I'd rather see someone get the house they want and be happy than my brokerage and credibility come into question. So on that note, maybe you should stop passing up those other listings and just stroll in during an open house. You can always, in that case tell them you're already working with and agent.

Brightest Blessings!

Hi Betty Gradney and welcome! You'll find a wealth of information here to more than make up for loss time.