JoAnna's Real Estate Thoughts

I started blogging less than a year ago and haven't looked back.  In fact, it's been very disappointing to not have enough hours in the day lately to post or comment as often as I would like. 

The good news is, in my opinion, my lack of time to blog is a direct result of my blogging!! 

When I joined Active Rain, I gave serious consideration to the message I wanted to send with the majority of my postings.

I saw this forum as an opportunity to position myself as the Manalapan New Jersey Neighborhood Real Estate Specialist!  I've lived in Manalapan almost 17 years and have been raising 2 daughters through the school system.  I'm a Girl Scout Leader and community volunteer.   What better place in which to specialize?

I started posting about community, school and local area events.  I'd post my Manalapan listings.  I'd write about market trends in Manalapan Real Estate.  Working with my Weichert colleague and fellow Manalapan resident, Gail Szeluga, we've been working toward buidling a focus toward reporting on the different communities that make up Manalapan Township.  Soon thereafter we expanded our Manalapan presence via Facebook, Twitter and other Social Networking forums.  Join us (and the 286 other Manalapan residents) on Facebook at the Manalapan Residents Group.

Almost immediately, the phone starting ringing. 

Buyers would find me via posts on Manalapan homes for sale.  Sellers started to stumble upon me when searching for information on Manalapan Township.

I've been thrilled with the response and felt I was making great strides toward my goal of being seen as the source for Manalapan Real Estate information.

Recently, I received a phone call from Ms. Jill Capuzzo.  That's when I KNEW the plan was working!

Jill is a reporter with the New York Times!  She was writing an article on "Living in Manalapan" and needed a local professional to show her around town and fill her on on the local market.  She found MY blog which then led her to my website and finally to my listings!  Don't you just love when a plan comes together??

About a week later, Gail and I had the pleasure of meeting Jill and touring her around Manalapan! 

We visited neighborhoods throughout Southern and Northern Manalapan, as well as East and West of the Route 9 corridor. 

We talked about the award winning Manalapan-Englishtown and Freehold Regional High School Districts.  We covered the newly expanded Manalapan Recreation Center and the recently rejuvenated Thompson Grove Park.  We toured many Manalapan landmarks, including the municipal building, 9/11 memorial, Old Tenennt Church, Holiday Park Duck Pond, Millhurst Mills, historic Englishtown and Pine Brook Golf Course.  We talked about the attraction Manalapan holds for New York City transplants looking for a little extra elbow room while still enjoying a reasonable commute.  Good schools, affordable homes, reasonable taxes... what's not to like?  The time flew by!  Once you start a realtor talking about real estate, good luck getting them to shut up!  We had a blast!

What a thrill it was tonight when I felt my blackberry buzz and looked down to see my most recent Google Alert...

REAL ESTATE   | June 28, 2009
Living In | Manalapan, N.J.:  High Marks for Space, Schools and Location
By JILL P. CAPUZZO

I scanned the article quickly.  As promised, Jill highlighted my Manalapan listing at 9 Old Queens Boulevard.  What I didn't expect was that she would give mention to both myself and Gail!  What a treat!  A great afternoon showing off all our real estate know how, talking about the town we love AND a mention in the New York Times! 

Me!!  In the New York Times!!  Excuse me while I go call my Mommy!! :-)

I know the title is kind of irrelevant to our traditional Wordless Wednesday or Speechless Sunday... but these pics left me Speechless! 

I stumbled across this album while catching up on Facebook.

It is a collection of photo's taken by my 14 year old daughter, Danielle.  She's had no training and is using a regular, common digital camera she got for Christmas.  I love that I "found" them and that she wasn't taking them for any special reason.

I was blown away by her knack.

I tell you... it is amazing what you are born with! 

A proud Mom...

"Thank you very much. Hey a realtor who gets back to you. I like it.  LOL"

That quote was taken directly from an email I just received from a prospect.

Of course I smiled.  I was happy that he seems happy.  We are off on the right foot.

Then I thought about it a little while.

Why is he so impressed that I got right back to him?

Do most realtors not get right back to their clients and prospects?

He sent me an email last night and I replied with the information this morning.  Is that special?

As realtors, we pull out our hair trying to figure out ways to make ourselves stand out from the competition.  But maybe, just maybe, all we have to do is get back to basics!

When a home inspector is hired to inspect a property for which I am the buyer's agent OR the seller's agent, I expect and hope for the same things from the inspector...

• Knowledge: 
  
  Know what you are talking about.  Stick to the facts.  Don't speculate about things that may or may not have happened in the past.  If you don't know the answer, tell the client you don't know the answer.  If you prefer, tell them you will find out and call them with the answer.  But for heaven's sake... be careful if you are going to take that stab in the dark.  Suggesting that a system is broken because you can't find the switch is irresponsible.
  
  
  
  
  
• Common Sense:
  
  
  • Avoid telling horror stories about past inspections.  It unsettles both buyers and sellers.  Don't talk about homes that were condemned, pools that have collapsed, or horrible, deadly mold that grew behind the seemingly good walls.  In fact, unless you see some sign or indication that there is a remote possibility for mold to be present, how about we don't use the "m" word at all?  Oh and save the graphic descriptions of septic systems that have backed up!
    
    
  • Be thoughtful about the words and phrases you choose.  Can you please refrain from suggesting "Monkey's could've done a better job installing this" or saying things like "This is shoddy craftsmanship.  They would've been better off using scotch tape to hold this together." 
    
    

  

• Thoroughness: 
  
  At a recent inspection the inspector said, "I'm going to call for a termite job." "Oh, did you find evidence of termites?" I asked.

  "No, but I couldn't see everything clearly.  I just might have, maybe, possibly, seen something in the far distance that could maybe be a termite tube and with these moist conditions in this area I'm going to err on the side of caution and call for a termite treatment."

  Just maybe you should go the extra mile and come up with a shred of evidence to support your claim.  See this recent post by Jack Feldmann to see what I mean by an inspector going the extra mile to do a thorough job.

Most often, it isn't WHAT is discovered in a home inspection that kills a deal, as much as, HOW it is presented. 

I'm a huge fan of honesty and integrity, in fact I base MY business model on those traits.  I would never expect (or want) a professional to compromise, but I do expect professionals to act responsibly.

Disclaimer:  This post was written in response to one very irresponsible home inspection.  The majority of home inspectors I've had the opportunity (pleasure) to work with have been top notch professionals.

Jo

JoAnna Siminerio
Weichert Realtors - Marlboro / Manalapan
732-598-6823 cell 732-536-4400 x152 (office)
JoSiminerio@optonline.net
www.JoTheRealtor.com

This Southern Colonial home is the most sought after model in Manalapan's Yorktowne Community!

$399,999

I don't just sell homes in Manalapan's Yorktowne, I lived there for over 16 years!  Yorktowne Development is a family neighborhood, of single family homes, approximately 40 years old. The community is situated between Gordon's Corner, Pease and Pinebrook Roads.

In 2008, the average sale price for a home in Yorktowne was $403,125. 

The Southern Colonial, as built, was the largest model offered when Yorktowne was built, making it a very popular choice for buyers today.

I'm very happy to offer this home for sale.

Buy with confidence as this home has been lovingly maintained! Clean as a whistle!

Sun shines brightly through entry door with glass window and sidelights.

Spacious living room with new carpet.

Formal dining room with classic carpet and decorative molding.

Eat-in kitchen with plenty of like-new, 42" oak cabinets and pristine corian counters.

Kitchen conveniently opens to large family room with sliders to fully-fenced, serene, park-like backyard with natural gas grill.

Four bedrooms upstairs, including, master bedroom with two double closets and full bath. Hardwood flooring under carpets in all bedrooms.

Main bath and master shower recently refinished.  Furnace replaced in February!  

All this AND an award winning Manalapan, New Jersey School District!  Why wait?

___________________________________________________________________________________

If you would like more information on this home or one of the many other fine homes for sale in Manalapan's Yorktowne Community, call on me, YOUR Yorktowne Neighborhood Specialist!

Click to Search the Monmouth County Multiple Listing Service.

Click to Sign Up For My Homefinder Service to receive automated emails when new homes come on the market that match YOUR criteria.

Jo

JoAnna Siminerio
Weichert Realtors - Marlboro / Manalapan
732-598-6823 cell 732-536-4400 x152 (office)
JoSiminerio@optonline.net
www.JoTheRealtor.com

As I was considering what to write for this contest, I looked back at my life to figure out what I am really passionate about.  Of course, it would be easy to say I'm passionate about my family, that's a given.

Family aside, I realized that over the years I've had many passions and often they come and go.

It seems I find "something" and I get a little obsessive... ok maybe alot obsessive.

Whatever that "something" has been, I take it on, full force and I stay with it until I reach my maximum potential and I move on to the next challenge.

I don't understand failure.

I don't do mediocre, or I try not to at least.

I thrive on good, healthy competition.

What are some of the things I've been passionate about?

Here's a few:

• Weight loss/getting in shape - A few years ago, I finally committed to losing a few pounds.  I lost 40 pounds!  Next thing you know I was a moderator in a weight loss forum; I never worked out a day in my life, but suddenly I was considering a career as a personal trainer; I didn't know a gram a protein from a gram of fiber, but I became the local nutritional expert.  The photo on the right is when I won my President's Challenge Gold Medal!  Woo Hoo!
  
  
• Budding Videographer - Before digital was "cool" I was on the cutting edge of digital photography.  I was obsessive about creating perfectly timed slideshows, finding the perfect song, looking for the perfect graphic.  I would spend hours and hours and hours creating slideshow videos and giving them as gifts to my family.  I see some of the same obsessiveness in my blogging.
  
  
• Internet and Video Gaming - The day the computer became affordable to the general public, I've had one.  And thus, my passion for gaming began... anyone remember Larry the Lounge Lizard?  The more interactive the gaming has gotten, the more obsessed I've gotten.  I've compulsed over Texas Hold 'Em, Spades, Hearts, Mah Jongg, Neopets and most recently, Facebook's Mafia Wars (just ask Don Cecily!).  As for Video Games, I remember many, many red-eyed late nights trying to get Mario to jump over the mushroom or trying to save Zelda!
  
  
• Bowling - Been doing it a looooooooong time.  Now it's a hobby, but in my younger days... a passion for sure.
  Tournaments, leagues, Sunday morning high stakes
  games with the old men in Brooklyn. 
  

Here's the best part... 

My most recent passion/obsession is, you guessed it, Blogging!  Ok, not just blogging, but more appropriate would be to say creating and improving my professional internet presence.  Talk about a productive hobby! 

Preface:  This post isn't so much about a seller not accepting the "first offer" or them wanting to hold out for something better.  It is more about how getting a good offer, too quickly, or one that is unnaturally too high, which later falls apart can have a disasterous impact on the rest of the transaction.

---------------------

In today's market, getting an offer the first week a listing is on the market can either be a blessing or a curse, especially if the offer price is TOO high!

Allow me to explain.

You take a new listing.  You work very hard to have the seller understand the closed comparable sales, active competition on the market, as well as where the market is trending.  Of course they want to list high (it is to die for you know) and you want an aggressive list price.  Eventually, although begrudgingly, you agree to try at the higher end of your listing range.

The first weekend the listing is active, you get 8 showings!  Your seller is beaming and ready to start packing because they can tell how much each and every one of those prospective buyers loved their house!

Monday morning you get a call from a buyer's agent, who coincidentally doesn't do much business in this town and has no real insight into what homes sell for in this neighborhood.  Her clients are relocating from Saskatchewan.  They are offering just under list price and need the sellers to get out in 30 days.

These sellers cannot possibly accomodate that timeframe.  They still need to find a house and their kids are in school, they haven't thought about packing and 30 days is way too much an inconvenience and....

Here comes the worst part...

"If these buyers loved the home and are offering near full price, there will be many, many more buyers standing in line right behind them.  Perhaps the home is listed too low?  Maybe we should consider raising the asking price!"

The story above is slightly embellished to make this blog more impactful, but it is based in truth.  The Sellers didn't raise their asking price, but they did end up selling their home, more than 6 months later, for well over $50k less than their original offer!

If an offer comes in too fast or too high and doesn't result in an executed contract this situation can, and often does, create a huge stumbling block for the future progression of the sale process. 

• It skews a seller's expectation.  These fast and furious offers are often more personal value driven and shouldn't be perceived as true indications of market value;
  
  
• It can potentially create a sense of distrust between seller and their agent, especially if the offer is at or higher than the selling agent's suggested list price.  In turn, the seller's agent will have an even more difficult time trying to get the price reduced;

I've shared this with my sellers, up front.  I've told them to be careful what you wish for!

Jo

JoAnna Siminerio
Weichert Realtors - Marlboro / Manalapan
JoSiminerio@optonline.net
www.JoTheRealtor.com
732-598-6823

This goes out to all the Newer Agents….

As a member of Weichert’s Certified Mentor Program, the question I’m asked by new agents most often is how to combat the “experience or track record” issue.

Here’s what I tell them…

If you are confident about your ability and believe in who you are and what you are selling, from your nose to your toes, they probably won’t even go there.  They never did for me!

I remember MY mentor giving me the same advice.  It didn’t matter.  I didn’t believe her either.  It was easy for her to say, she’s been a top producer every year since the day she started in this business.  Yes, I was trained by the best!  I couldn’t believe a seller could possibly NOT ask that question.

I remember my first “solo” listing presentation.  I couldn’t sleep the night before!  I just kept hearing it over and over in my head, “How many transactions did you close last year?  What is your list to sale ratio?”

FYI… I got that listing and they never asked the dreaded question!

To be a really good agent, you need to be able to overcome (or at least avert) any objections that a potential client may throw your way; whether it be about experience, list price or commission, etc.    Preparation breeds confidence!

So here are some suggestions for handling the objection… “I want an agent with more experience”

Now, all you “experienced” agents take a chill pill… we already know what YOU bring to the table, this post is to help give newer agents a leg to stand on when competing for business.  Disclaimer:  I am NOT discounting the importance or validity of having a good track record and lots of success stories to talk about!

“Mr. and Mrs. Seller, there are many agents who have pages of closings behind them, yet they are not positioned to effectively market a home in today’s challenging marketplace.  Google me, “(Insert YOUR name here),” then you will understand the power of the internet when it comes to positioning a listing to expose it to the most buyers!” 

“We all know that the definition of YOUR best buyer as the buyer willing to pay the most for your home.  We also know that the odds of finding YOUR best buyer are directly proportional to the number of people to which it is exposed.  More important than what an agent has done in the past is what are they capable of doing in the future to overcome the obstacles facing sellers in the market today?  Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Are you looking for an agent who is cynical?  Someone beaten down by today’s market?  Someone who is still living in the “glory days” of listing a home 10% higher than market value and having a bidding war within a week?”

“As Malcolm Gladwell said, “Success is a product of unusual opportunity.”  A successful agent is the agent who recognizes the challenges in today’s marketplace.  One who doesn’t bury their head in the sand and instead positions themselves, and more importantly their clients/listings, to take advantage of the opportunities which really do exist today.”

“And if you really want to talk about track record, I’ll tell you a little about my office, I’m very proud to be a part of a team of 74 successful agents.  Under the guidance of our Manager, Barbara Berg, with over 30 years experience in the real estate business to her credit, we closed 483 transactions worth over $178 million in 2008!  How’s that for finding the opportunity?”

Sometimes it also helps to have visuals… feel free to use this one… hee hee…

Answer:  It really doesn't matter so long as they are exposing your home to the greatest pool of buyers and the way to do that is by harnessing the power of the internet!

Jo

JoAnna Siminerio
Weichert Realtors - Marlboro / Manalapan
JoSiminerio@optonline.net
www.JoTheRealtor.com
732-598-6823

* Dinosaur clipart courtesy of Discoveryschool Clipart

In the short time I’ve been on Active Rain, I’ve met some interesting people. 
Some really interesting people.

Just from reading their posts I can tell what makes them tick. 

I can pick out the smart ones (Lenn Harley)

and the fun ones (Cecily Parks). 

I can see that some people are more eloquent speakers writers than others (Richard Weisser or Gary Woltal)

and some people have the ability to touch me more,
even if the post doesn’t look quite as pretty (Kenneth Cole). 

I can see who I would like to hang out with and have a beer

and those who would probably be more comfortable getting to know each other better over a glass of Dom Perignon.

I’ve also come across more than a few people who would like you to think they are Dom Perignon when deep down they are Budweiser.  Know what I mean?

How closely does YOUR internet personality match who you really are?

I’m very active socially on Facebook and for a while wasn’t sure I wanted Professional JoAnna and Social JoAnna to mix.  Then I realized that Social JoAnna is the core of who I am.  Having said that, the first thing I did was head right over to Facebook and clean up my profile! 

Like everything in life, there needs to be a balance.  I think it is important to be genuine in everything you do.  It shows.  If you don’t feel it from your nose to your toes, people can tell.

I’m a huge fan of Greg Nino's Blog.  Not only because it is chock full of his meaningful real estate insights, but because it entertains me.  It tickles me.  It is so genuine on so many levels that it never fails to make a personal connection.  There is no question that if I were looking for a home in Houston, I’d want to call Greg… and then it hit me…

You may not please all of the people all of the time, but by being yourself, you will connect with people who want to do business with YOU.  You will attract people who see the value in what YOU have to offer.  YOU will set yourself apart just by being yourself.

“Always be a first-rate version of yourself,
instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”
 ~ Judy Garland

Jo

JoAnna Siminerio
Weichert Realtors - Marlboro / Manalapan
JoSiminerio@optonline.net
www.JoTheRealtor.com

Selected Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com

Alexsandra Stewart, Broker -Portland Oregon Real Estate AND ROBERT A.SWETZ
both tagged me for this Christmas 7 Things about MeMe, so I thought I better reply!  Note... they are only getting 7 things NOT 14!! 

Here are all of the ground rules that need to be followed:

1. Create a blog post with a link to the person who so happily tagged you.  See above!

2. List all of these rules in the post.  To those poor souls whom I tag, feel free to cut and paste this.

3. Share 7 things that others may not know about you.  Do I or have I HAD a life outside of real estate?  Hmm, let me think about that one...

4. Identify 7 friends, contacts or near enemies in which to adorn this MEME.   Tag them at the end of the post and give a link to their blog (if you know how).  Sorry guys and girls--it doesn't take as long as you think!

5. Contact each of the tagged members and let them know that you were indeed fast enough to catch them and that you did indeed tag them...no matter how much they say you missed them!  No schoolyard rules in this MEME, nope you gotta do it if you are tagged.   Sorry 7 friends!

Seven things you may not know about me:

1. All in the Family - My sister and I married brothers!  Our kids are "double" or "super" cousins.  We live a few blocks from each other and like it that way!  Now if only she would get her real estate license!  I can see it now... www.SimiSistersSell.com
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. I'm a heckuva bowler - yep, been bowling for over 20 years.  I'm averaging just under 180 this year!  Bowled my high game...above 270 last year!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. I'm a blog-a-holic - yes I am!  and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  I like it here.  My new motto if is "If you like it, and it is good for you, do more of it!"  So you guys better watch out for me in 2009!
   

   

   
   
   
4. I enjoy using Photoshop - I'm not just a neighborhood real estate specialist, I'm also the local graphics guru... not professionally... all for the amusement of my friends and family!
   

   

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. I think I'm funny - Me?  Sarcastic?  No way!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. I'd like to fall in love with a puppy - Like the Obama's my family had our sights on a new puppy when we moved into our home last year.  Unfortunately, it has proven challenging to find the right one.  Growing up, the best dogs were the one's we found or were given to us.  I think it would be awesome if a dog would somehow choose us!
   
   





7. I'm a great friend - a REALLY great friend.  There is little I wouldn't do for my friends.  I always put the needs of my friends before my own.  Having said that, I'm not really mushy gushy... so if you are looking for someone to send you a birthday card or remember your anniversary, I'm probably not the one for you.  If you need a kidney, then I'm your gal!
   
   

There you have it!  Me!

I'm tagging....

Monica Walters

Gail Szeluga

Amber Noble Garland

Kenneth Cole

Cherimie Crane

Cecily Parks

Lanette Branch