DEBBIE KOMLO- MY BLOG THOUGHTS

I recently had a conversation with my mom about Tiger Woods and his affairs. My side of the conversation included my opinion that once a cheater always a cheater and that you don’t just accidentally have an affair, it is a purposeful act. If  I was Tiger Woods wife I would be hiring an attorney and be headed to divorce court. As the numbers of women started to go up and up it only has solidified my opinion.My mom felt almost the complete opposite, she would go to counseling and try to hold it together.Everybody has their own opinions and I think that a lot of it is based on past experiences and personal beliefs. Some are strong like mine and others are willing to give a second chance. What we agree on is that this is  terrible  for the Woods family and that it must be horrible to have hash this out in the public eye. I do wish that we would all stop watching the train wreck though and pray  that we don’t have an event that plays out in public.What does this have to do with real estate? Nothing, just my thoughts!

I love going for walks. I walk for exercise but the added benefit is being outdoors and getting to know my community.  I walk through different neighborhoods in town and get to know a lot of things that you wouldn’t normally observe when just driving through. For example which home has the steepest driveway. Which home owners look like they are preparing for a sale. I also walk through the the Wake Forest Parks, Greenways ( my favorite is in Heritage) or through our the town of Wake Forest. I love seeing the new businesses going in, the changes in the downtown windows. I suggest you go for a walk too learn about your neighbors, neighborhoods or town, or join me for a walk.

In my office about every other week we have a agent round table where agents of various degrees of experience talk about things that are coming up, difficulties they are having or just to talk about aspects of real estate that interest us.

Last weeks round table was a lot of different discussions. But one discussion stuck out to me- one of my colleagues stated that she felt as if Twitter was on its way out and people do not want to hear if you are in the vegetable isle of the Heritage Harris Teeter. Where I agree that most people are not interested in the minuet details of were you go and what you do during the course of the day, Twitter does allow the user to communicate interesting facts to those that are following them. Such as, were a great investment property is, where to find a great pizza in Rolesville (Anzios) and advice on what to do when visiting Burlington NC. Recently I used Twitter to receive updates on a soccer tournament my daughter was in and I use twitter to get to know people in my community and I even search twitter for potential buyers and sellers moving to the area.  I even put out a Tweet looking for anyone looking to sell their home that had some detailed needs for my buyer.

I respectfully disagree, Twitter will continue to grow and if used properly can be a way to open doors of communication and be a better ambassador of our communities.

As a mom of two teenagers and a surrogate mom to another, much of my time is spent teaching my kids how they must be responsible for their own actions. For teenagers in particular this is a difficult lesson to learn. But as an adult and a real estate agent how does this apply to me and/or my colleagues?

 My actions as an agent not only affects my business overall but how a view the job that I have done. I recently had a transaction in which I was completely unable to communicate with the real estate agent on the other side of the transaction. In fact, I have always been conscious of the other sides feelings and tried to use the golden rule in all of my business dealings. But this transaction was different and difficult and I knew it would be from the very beginning.

 Thankfully even with all the difficulties the transaction closed but for me I am still dealing with the consequences of my actions. Should I have done more or done something different? I question why using the golden rule doesn’t always work? What can I do to change how I do business to prevent something like this happening again? After a lot of thought I have come to the conclusion that questions like these and sole searching my actions, which may not always be comfortable, will make me a better person and a better Realtor.   

Recently at my office we had an agent round table. The round table is designed so that we can discuss issues, help each other or discuss organized topics. It is a wonderful opportunity for agents with a variety experience and styles of servicing our clients to get together and have an open discussion forum.One of the agents in my office likes to call himself a “salesperson” for me the word brings up memories of a harsh, aggressive sales professional trying to get you to buy something that you don’t need or want. A “salesperson” to me is pushy and has been taught sales pitches designed to push buyers into a sale. I prefer to call myself a real estate consultant, giving my clients the information and my experience to help them make an informed financial, investment decision. During the round table my method of helping my clients was described as “non-aggressive” and “low-key” and the salesperson next to me wondered how I was able to pay my bills without “going in for the kill”. I explained that I do very well with out the need to use sales pitches and that my clients appreciate my style of helping my clients and that I can be assertive without being aggressive.The bottom line is that all real estate professionals have different ways of working with their clients and customers. There are clients that we work with that may not respond to my style that may respond to a more aggressive manner and I am happy to know that those clients can be referred to some of my colleagues. For me the non-salesperson approach works.

Gratitude. I recently had an argument with my daughter about her lack of gratitude at times. Like most teenagers she does not understand what I am talking about but it got me thinking about how in general we need to say thank you more, or I appreciate you, especially during times that it is unexpected or expected and most especially for the little over looked things . Thank you should go to my clients that think of me every time they hear of someone interested in Real Estate. Thank you to my mom who will keep calling when she knows I am overwhelmed and I don’t return the call. Thank you to John who will listen to my business woes and will put it into prospective for me. Thank you for my husband for putting up with me for the last 21 years. It is easy to let the moments of gratitude to get away from you but my goal is stay in the present and not forget who and for what would should be grateful for.

Recently I was in Hedingham with a buyer and her comment was ” I love this neighborhood, I feel so at home here”. She is not the only buyer to feel that way. Hedingham is the Top re-selling development in Wake County. According to the Register of Deeds in Wake County in Sept. along Hedingham had 25 sales with $100.47 being the average price per square feet and the average ratio between sales price and assessed value is 97%. Why is Hedingham so popular? Because of the amenities they offer their residents, for example they recently held their fall festival which offered a BBQ lunch and events. Hedingham also has a golf club and course which winds through the community and also an exciting athletic center. There is also a sense of home, community as you drive through the community. Visit the Hedingham website at http://www.hedingham.org and check out what they have to offer. Interested in learning more on properties for sale email me at debbiekomlo@gmail.com

Raleigh is in the news again. According to CNNMoney.com Raleigh has been named #3 in large metro areas to launch a small business. We always knew it was a great place to live and work. I hope a lot of small business owners and their families begin to call us home. Link to the article: http://money.cnn.com/smallbusiness/best_places_launch/2009/snapshot/271.html

I just read a post on Twitter from JtFaber, he quoted an article by Time Trade Systems that says that most more than 30% of people who will visit a business for service will expect instant attention. My opinion is that the number is higher. Especially in the business of real estate where a lot of our business comes from online views or customers require us to be available at all times instantaneous.  As real estate agents it is wonderful to be able to use technology, such as webpages, smart phones, texting and the like to reach out or stay in touch. Not only is it important for our business but it is important to be able to supply the information our buyers and sellers need in a timely manner. Question to real estate buyers and sellers- how long do you wait or do you contact several agents waiting for the first to answer. Question to Real Estate Agents- what do you do to be able to reach out to our buyers and sellers in a timely manner. Does your your business plan include technology or a plan to improve your response time?  I have changed my method a bit in the last couple of months, I now have a google voice account which allows me to set up one phone number for my clients and potential clients to reach me. My google voice number will ring my office, my cellphone and any other number I set up similtaneously. If I answer it will announce the caller and if I am unable to answer it will send the phone message to voice mail and a text message will be sent to my cellphone. Recently I got a potential buyer call while at my daughters cross country meet, because I was unable to answer, the message went to a text message. I was able to return the call immediately and am showing the property tomorrow. As life seems to move faster and faster I think we need to find ways to respond to the needs of who we service

http://www.emediaworld.com/press_release/release_detail.php?id=702652

I am working with the Thayers and we have been looking at house for a month. They have found 2 houses that they really liked- the first went under contract before they could make an offer and the second had three offers on it, one of which was ours. I really felt it was a strong offer and that they had a really good chance at going under contract. Got an email today and we did not get it! The Thayers are very disappointed. We continue our home search but next time our offer may be stronger and made quicker.This year I had the Lynches home listed in Deacons Ridge in Wake Forest, we had so many showings that I was very confident that the house would sell fast, and indeed it did! The sellers were happy with the fast, easy sale for the price they wanted. The buyers were happy because they loved the house and were happy with the price alsoThe housing market is really picking up in the $150,000.00- $225,000.00 range and in turn with those houses selling the sellers are in a position to buy also. My advice don’t wait to make a strong offer on a good house, with a good price.