• About
  • Contact
  • Bragging

My Consistent Pursuit

~ Life & Real Estate

My Consistent Pursuit

Monthly Archives: July 2015

Grass Seed–My Personal Version of “How It’s Made”

16 Thursday Jul 2015

Posted by JoannaGWilliams in Home Buyer Advice

≈ 1 Comment

So, you look out at your lawn and you see some bare spots. You run to your nearest Westlake, Lowe’s, Home Depot store and buy the grass seed on the shelf. The bag might say things like “Heat Tolerant” or “Sun & Shade” or “Dense Shade”, etc. You pick the product, run home and toss it on your lawn. Presto, with a little love, you have new baby grasses.

Like you, I had no idea what went into putting those labels on the bags and getting them on the shelves….until last week. I was honored to accompany my hubby (Williams Lawn Seed) on a live show and tell trip to Oregon. For 4 days, I was a mile deep in the lawn seed business, and it was incredible. Continue reading →

Advertisement

Add Some Sugar: Cooperative Emailing

02 Thursday Jul 2015

Posted by JoannaGWilliams in Random Thoughts, real estate, Real Estate Career Advice

≈ Leave a comment

Years ago, during a real estate convention, I heard the incredible Tim Sanders speak about goals, being cooperative and always giving everything you can. It lead me to start following him and reading his books. I was intrigued to find someone with the same values as me that had experienced so much success. The first book I read, Love Is The Killer App confirmed that it’s really okay, even better, to be what he endearingly calls a Lovecat. There’s been times I’ve been told I’m too nice to succeed—which was a shock to hear. If I have to choose values over money, values win every single time.

Lovecat vs. Tyrant

As a managing broker of a small, but busy, real estate office, much of my job is advising the agents on working through their transactions. Trust me, when it’s the biggest transaction of a person’s life, there can be issues on top of emotions on top of issues. Most days, you’ll find me at my desk or hovering over an agent’s computer reading an email that usually trails a phone conversation about details. Why am I taking the time to do this? Well, when you’re conveying a difficult message, it’s easy to talk on the phone and in person and hear voice inflections of the other party and read when they’re concerned about something. You keep your voice calm and pause as needed to help manage and diffuse. However, there are times when messages have to be delivered or re-stated via email, so all parties can understand the same message. This takes tact. I love that the agents trust me to help them with these delicate messages. My personal “Lovecat” advice phrase is: You’ll need to add some sugar. sugar

I completely believe that the tone of an email or text can break deals, just as it can break relationships in your every day life. I receive an average of 75+ emails a day. Rarely does anyone take the time to stop and consider how the person on the other end of the web will feel when they read an email. How can I tell? There’s just no personal touch. There’s no sugar. There’s no please’s or thank you’s. Simple directives can come across as demands. Lighthearted jokes can offend. Short, quick responses can come off as cold.

Whether my agents are emailing a cooperating agent or one of their customers/clients, the importance of finding the right words remains. Reputation is of utmost importance in the service industry. Some well placed SUGAR goes a long way.

You’re Going to Need Help

01 Wednesday Jul 2015

Posted by JoannaGWilliams in Home Buyer Advice, Home Seller Advice, Kansas City Market Stats, real estate

≈ Leave a comment

I’ve been in the real estate market almost 15 years now and I’ve never witnessed a market like Kansas City is experiencing this year. We’ve been talking for months about the inventory shortage and low interest rates. What this has created is a plethora of difficulties in the real estate world. I feel like so many people are still trying to ‘go it alone’ when it comes to buying and selling and I worry, especially right now, they may be in over their heads. When people that aren’t being represented run into issues, the first person they tend to call is a REALTOR to ask their advice. This has been happening more and more, and most often, the agent will give a small piece of advice and then bow out unless they’re going to be hired to represent the deal. These situations have been common lately—are you prepared to handle them on your own?

1. Buyer bidding wars. Are you ready with your offer on paper? What will the market bear in this neighborhood, how high can you bid? What are the risks involved with going over asking price? What items can help strengthen your offer?

2. Seller remorse. A seller puts their home on the market and sells it on the first day. Some sellers are ecstatic, others are unprepared to move quickly and may think they under-priced their home. How do you deal with this? How can you help the seller feel more comfortable?

3. Low appraisal. What can happen when the appraisal comes in under contract price after a bidding war? What are your options as a buyer? What are the sellers options?

4. Backup offers and inspections. When there’s a bidding war and the ‘losing’ party still wants the house, they have the option of putting in a backup offer that will take over if the winning offer falls through. This can usually happen during inspections. What can the winning party do to keep the offer together instead of having the seller just balk and go to the next buyer?

5. Buyer remorse. Buyers today can feel like they were rushed into making an offer because of the low inventory, then feel like they overpaid. What can sellers do to keep the buyer on the line when they’re feeling some of that remorse creep in?

As you can see….You’re (most likely) Going to Need Help when buying or selling right now. Hiring a REALTOR skilled in negotiations with a calm demeanor can make all the difference. It’s an interesting market out there and I really would advise everyone to seriously consider hiring someone to help guide you through your transaction.

Recent Posts

  • Success equals Generosity
  • Serving the Newbies
  • Obligatory Back Scratching
  • Where are your Manners?
  • Compliment Much?

Topics

Archives

  • June 2019
  • October 2018
  • April 2018
  • November 2017
  • July 2017
  • March 2017
  • January 2017
  • October 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • November 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • January 2015
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

The Gist

JoannaGWilliams

JoannaGWilliams

Joanna jumped into the real estate business in 2000 and never looked back. A glance through her resume would have anyone confused because she’s actually never left the company with which she started. Change in the market and changes in ownership and locations have filled her 13 years in the real estate world. Change is a scary word for some, but Joanna has embraced it with courage and made the decision to not only survive, but to thrive. To break it down Prudential Snook was sold to Prudential Carter-Duffey in 2006, which was sold to Prudential Kansas City in 2009, which then rebranded themselves with a new franchise (Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate) in late 2012. Her personal motto is ‘Consistent Pursuit of Improvement’, which is clear in her dedication to her company, people and local real estate association.

View Full Profile →

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • My Consistent Pursuit
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • My Consistent Pursuit
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...