As expected, my end-of-the-month Monday was filled with a myriad of pressing duties which encompassed just about every spectrum of a Realtor’s duties, but at the end of the day, I managed to keep the machine well-oiled and running smoothly.
The new shipment of feather flags I ordered arrived this morning, so I hurried out to my new listing at 1551 N. Rhode Island and proudly planted it in the yard of that exceptionally well-built and meticulously maintained home. There was another showing on it this morning, a second showing this evening, and a second showing scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, so it would stand to reason that at least one of those second showings would produce an offer. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.
I had to laugh to myself when finding a stranger at my door with an abstract in hand who thought my office was Hall Realty. Yes, Hall Realty. I had to kindly tell her there wasn’t an office by that name in Mason City, and when looking at the address on the abstract, my office definitely had nothing to do with the sale of her home in Clear Lake. Well, after several calls, she admitted she’d not been listening to instructions because that abstract was to be delivered for continuation at the abstract company a block north of my office, so off she trotted in a northerly direction.
My afternoon meeting with the sellers at 319 S. Lincoln in Sheffield went far better than I was expecting, and while there, I managed to get a price reduction on it, so we now have the price reduced on 319 S. Lincoln in Sheffield to $221,500. Since I’ve not spoken about that well-cared-for home in weeks, I decided to post the exterior photo of it tonight, and if you click on it, a slide-show will begin.
When I arrived back at office, I went ahead and posted that price reduction, along with making some necessary calls, and one of them had to do with the many errors I’ve been finding on listings that have been posted online. Ok, I’ll be the first one to admit I make mistakes, but some of the mistakes I’ve been seeing lately, are beyond glaring.
One of my clients called and asked if I would go out and list his property today, but after hearing he’s not completely moved out, I had to postpone that meeting, and only because I really don’t want the general public to see personal items that would distort the presentation of that home. Thank goodness he agreed to call me after everything’s out. I’m sure he later realized that having the best foot forward right out of the gates would be in his best interest.
Since I work at keeping my thumb on the pulse of our real estate market both locally and nationally, I read today where there are ten States where there’ll be even greater insurability problems in the future for homeowners who’re living in our Gulf States and Southern Atlantic States. I’ve already heard from homeowners in Florida regarding the exceptionally high insurance premiums they’re paying right now, so one can only imagine what they’ll be like if climate change continues to worsen. I’m sure you’re aware that there’ve been a handful of insurance companies who’ve pulled out of Iowa due to the increased storm damage clams they’re getting hit with, but at least Iowa wasn’t on today’s list. As I’ve told many over the years, it would have to be a cold day in Hades before I’d even think of purchasing a winter vacation home in one of those Sunbelt States. Yes, I’d rent something, but buying would be out of the question.
I had to do a quick inspection of a rental before heading home late this afternoon, and luckily I had my good camera with me because there were many photos taken of a particular tenant’s neglect and abuse. My goodness! I dare say it was another glaring example of how strong a human’s constitution is when seeing how a single person can live in an absolutely filthy home environment on a daily basis for months and even years on end.
Tonight’s One-liner is: Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.
