Mobile Alabama Real Estate Blog

We have already closed more sides this month than we have since July 2008!!!! We also closed more in June 2009 than we did in June 2008 (sides & volume). That's the second month in a row that we beat last year's month! Great work!!!

Accepted Offers This Week:

4251 Blackwell Nursery Road - Lee Martin
10097 Summerfield Way - Brandi Cook

Closings This Week:

1900 Clinton Avenue - $49,900 - Brandy Lutz
4001 Alba Club Road - $75,000 - Brandy Lutz
10060 Bellingrath Road - $148,000 - Julie Martin
8620 Arnett Road - $32,000 - Joe Winans
11960 Highway 188 - $17,900 - Joe Winans
11046 Windsor Road - $139,000 - Joe Winans
3380 Bebee Point Drive - $300,000 - Joe Winans

Closing Worksheets

There is a reason for all fields on the closing worksheet. If you have your own typed closing form in your computer that you use, that is okay, (I actually really like the typed forms - they are much easier to read) but please look over our sheet and make sure you have all the fields.

The Lwolf system looks up the outside agent, mortgage company and title company from the company phone number.  That is what we need on the closing worksheet.  If you just have an agents name and for ex pru coo or remax there are several companies in town so we don't know what company to put them to.

Buyer/Seller fields are often left blank for the other side of the transaction.  All of this information needs to go into the system. I do not have time to go thru the file to find out any information.  There is only one of me. There are 15 of you. Everything should be on the closing worksheet.

Isn't it great that we have so many closings for me to put into Lwolf that I am complaining? Keep it up!!

Listing Conversations:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1133997/what-do-they-need-you-for-

Today's sellers can list their property on the internet. They can get on a site like Trulia and get what they believe to be a good asking price. They can show their property, go to an office supply store and get a contract and go to the title company or an attorney and close.

Your value is in your ability to provide accurate CMA data, being able to interpret the data, then educate the seller in market conditions and how REO properties are influencing market conditions. Value is added when you are able to expose the property through the MLS and a wide variety of sites on the internet and when you educate the sellers so that their properties show to their best advantage. You must be able to help them negotiate the contract and the contract contingencies and to provide assistance with any problems that come up during the process.

Besides the legal issues concerning agency and disclosures, there are several topics that must be mentioned at every listing appointment. It is very important for you to prepare your seller. This is not a complete list, but here are some topics that need to be discussed every time you list a property:

•1.      A full CMA should always be done. You should explain how you compared the subject property with other sold properties. You should explain the active competition. You should explain to them what price the market says their property should sell for in 30 days and what price the market says is the most their property is likely to sell for. These are usually two different numbers.

•2.      In addition to explaining the CMA it is your job to explain the market conditions and price points.  In the current market it is imperative that you explain REO properties and how they can affect the property you are listing.

•3.      The seller should be told what to expect from you, how you are going to advertise the property, where the property will be on the internet and how you are going to communicate with them. This is the time to find out if they prefer phone calls or e-mail.

•4.      The seller should know what to do for showings. They should be told to try to keep their property ready at all times, if possible. Now is the time to tell them that even when their property is not in good showing condition they should never turn down a showing. If they are home and they have advanced notice they should be instructed to open blinds, turn on all the lights, take out the trash, put the animals away, if possible, and leave.

•5.      The seller should know what to expect when offers come in. I tell every seller "There is no such thing as a bad offer, however there are low offers, we work with all offers." The time to talk about low offers and the reality of the seller paying the buyer's closing cost is when you are listing the property - not when the buyer has just written a low offer asking the seller to pay their closing cost. When you are listing the property tell sellers that once they get an accepted offer it will probably be 6-8 weeks before they actually close on the property, if everything goes well. The sellers should also be told that most buyers will have a professional inspection done on the property.

Your transaction will be a much smoother transaction when potential situations are identified before they happen. We do this all the time. The seller does not. Never assume they already know how it works. It's your job to make this easy for them.

Sales and Inventory History

Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Category - Residential / Area: 17 - Cottage Hill S

Note:	The "Current Inventory" column(s) reflect the number of active and contingent (on market) listings on the 16th day of each month.
	The "Months Inventory" column(s) value(s) equal "Current Inventory" divided by "Monthly Sales".
	This reflects how many months it would take to sell out of inventory at the current months rate of sale.

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This Blog by: Julie Martin, CRB, e-PRO, Broker/Realtor, Port City Realty

Mobile, AL; 877-880-8110 toll free; 251-665-4665 my cell; julie@portcityrealty.com.

Search all the listings in Mobile County, Baldwin County and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast any time for free with no sign in requirement from PortCityRealty.com.

Current Foreclosure List and Information

Current Waterfront List and Information

Current Mobile Condo List and Information

THIS HAS BEEN CANCELED, but if you would like to help please call one of the numbers on the flier. Thanks.

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This Blog by: Julie Martin, CRB, e-PRO, Broker/Realtor, Port City Realty

Mobile, AL; 877-880-8110 toll free; 251-665-4665 my cell; julie@portcityrealty.com.

Search all the listings in Mobile County, Baldwin County and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast any time for free with no sign in requirement from PortCityRealty.com.

Current Foreclosure List and Information

Current Waterfront List and Information

Current Mobile Condo List and Information

Accepted Contracts:
8316 Bennett - HUD/Joe Winans
10570 Wulff Road - Lee Martin
8686 Three Dean Way - Mary Thomas
(That makes 23 properties under contract!!)

Closings:
5471 Drexel Drive - $91,000 - Brandi Cook
416 E. 21^st Avenue - $82,000 - Lee Martin

Listings:
195806 - Details: 3105 DOG RIVER RD, THEODORE, AL - $329,900 - Brandy Lutz
195558 - Details: 409 PALMETTO CT, GULF SHORES, AL - $82,000 - Lee Martin

http://mobmls.net/MobileReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=INJ3488916

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This Blog by: Julie Martin, CRB, e-PRO, Broker/Realtor, Port City Realty

Mobile, AL; 877-880-8110 toll free; 251-665-4665 my cell; julie@portcityrealty.com.

Search all the listings in Mobile County, Baldwin County and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast any time for free with no sign in requirement from PortCityRealty.com.

Current Foreclosure List and Information

Current Waterfront List and Information

Current Mobile Condo List and Information

I was reading about a man named Paul who was a conscientious objector during World War II and served his alternative service as an orderly in a violent ward of a mental hospital. Paul and other orderlies received bruises and broken bones but they did not retaliate. They found creative ways to help the patients through non-violent ways and as a result they actually began transforming mental health care in America.

Years later Paul was asked why he chose to serve his country this way. He said Jesus was non-violent and his understanding was that he was suppose to follow Jesus's non-violent example. And then added, "But I could be wrong."

It occurs to me that Paul's life and statement exemplifies that a person can live what they believe, without imposing their beliefs on others. He also openly acknowledged that he didn't know everything.

I read in a lot of blogs here on active rain where people are debating on different topics. Don't get me wrong I enjoy a good debate. But sometimes people very passionately are convinced that their way is the only correct, and sometimes the only ethical way to do business. Sometimes this is even done with quite a bit of name calling and insults. We would do good to follow Paul's lead and realize that we truly don't know everything and what is right for us, may not be what is right for someone else.

 For the past six months we've been optimistic (some would say naively) that Mobile would weather the current recession better than most communities. Last week Forbes confirmed that view, by naming Mobile one of the "Best Cities in America for Recession Recovery." This designation is not much comfort if you have been laid off or your company is facing difficulties, but if we continue to embrace a diversified economy (health care, education, shipbuilding and aerospace) the worst may be behind us.

Meanwhile, major announcements continue to set a remarkable pace in Downtown Mobile. Birmingham hotel developer Mike Cowart, who finished the new Hampton Inn in record time, has announced his plans for the site of the American National Building at St. Joseph and St. Louis Streets. Once again in partnership with the Edmonds family, he'll be building an 81-room Candlewood Suites Hotel, designed for the extended stay business traveler. He plans to break ground in early August, and if experience is any indication, business travelers will be able to rest their weary heads well before the end of next year. The project will feature such energy saving innovations as a solar-heated saltwater pool and solar panels to help heat water used by hotel staff.

In other development news:

• The 350 block of Dauphin is getting to be quite the concentration of creative energy. Joining Hernandez-Calhoun International Design and the Story Company ad agency on that block is the office of Wellborn Ideas. Stacy Wellborn specializes in direct marketing campaigns and internet based marketing, and has already been involved in some great downtown campaigns.

The Riverview Office Tower is now fully leased with the addition of Alion Science and Technology, a defense contractor. The office with 40 employees took the remaining space on the 9th floor.

Summertime at Port City Realty means children in office, agents going to the beach or the river in the middle of the day, our MLS secretary, Kay working four days a week, and vegetables. It's amazing we get anything done. You've got to love it!

I have a family real estate business, and by family I'm not just talking about my family. I do have a lot of family that works here, but everyone's family is not just welcome, but encouraged to come to the office anytime. My daughter, Becca, brings her children with her a lot during summer months. She shares an office with Brandi, who also brings her children with her in the summer. My sister Katie brings her children quite often, and others bring their children occasionally. None of the agents have their children in daycare. The children stay with grandparents or come to work with Mom all summer long. Talk about early training. We are raising second and third generation Realtors right here in our office. You'll also find them helping show houses, on caravan, at Realtor Open Houses and on Sunday afternoon helping their mom's hold Open House. And it probably goes without saying, but everyone's grandchildren are welcome anytime. There's nothing better on the planet than grandchildren!

I know, I know, Many Realtors and Brokers would consider children everywhere unprofessional. That is why we don't work at other companies. I really believe in putting family first. Times are hard and people need to work. If my family didn't work with me I would hardly ever see them. Same goes for some of the parents that work for me. By the way, we are talking about some very well behaved children. There is no running wild at open houses. They all have been taught respect for other people's property.

Of course, whenever possible I encourage my agents to take off and spend a few hours at the beach or on the river. The last day Becca took her kids to the river her friends teased her because she worked on the computer the whole time. But at least she got to spend time with her kids and her friends - and got some work done. That's one thing I've always liked about real estate, you can do it from anywhere.

Kay's youngest is in high school. Since all of my children are grown I am only too aware that she does not have very much time left with a child at home. She is off every Friday in the summer so they can enjoy long weekends. I believe a happy employee is a more productive employee and we can do for ourselves one day a week around here.

And I love all the fresh vegetables. I have agents with incredible gardens! I have already had two different agents bring me squash this summer. I have also seen cucumbers and tomatoes in the office. I hear Brandi also grows corn! I'm so impressed by this. I think it's really cool that food just grows right out of the ground. I'm quite sure that I could not make it happen, but I'm so glad that others do.

So, while we are playing with the kids, and at the beach and growing vegetables how do we get any work done? I'm not always sure, but we do. May was our best month this year (even a little better than last May) and June is shaping up to be even better than May. We work where we play and play where we work and in the end we have a very happy group of productive agents.

Today we will be doing a CMAs.

Next week we will be inviting guests to our sales meeting.

New Contracts This Week:
1916 Springhill Ave. - Lee Martin
Arnett (again) - Joe Winans
Mary Street - Joe Winas
11960 Hwy 188 - Joe Winans
300 Portside Circle W. - John Morgan
Lot 42 Hunter's Cove - Julie Martin

Closing This Past Week:
9239 Cole Drive - $195,837 - Brandy Lutz
4931 Bayou Jonas - $25,000 - Joe Winans/Julie Martin
1203 Bienville Blvd - $65,000 - Lee Martin/Julie Martin-Lee Martin
1062 Adams St. - $45,000 - Libby Davis

New Listings:
195544 - 6412 S VICTORIA PL, MOBILE, AL - $99,900 - Doug & Julie Martin
http://www.portcityrealty.com/Mobile/Alabama/Homes/14_Municipal_Park/Brookstone/Agent/Listing_2230685.html 195488 - 11450 W WINDSOR RD, THEODORE, AL - $379,000 - Joe Winans
http://mobmls.net/MobileReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=INJ3475304 
195448 - 6625 NAN GRAY DAVIS RD, THEODORE, AL - $850,000 - Doug & Julie Martin
http://www.portcityrealty.com/Theodore/Alabama/Commercial_Real_Estate/south_mobile_county/Agent/Listing_3189406.html

They Should. Mobile, Alabama is once again on Forbes - "Best Cities" List. This time Mobile has been named one of The Best Cities For Recession Recovery. Read about all the cities here. 

Mobile was also named this year in Forbes - Best Medium Cities for Jobs, and in 2008 in Forbes
America's Fastest-Growing Large And Small Metros.

Forbes is not the only one who has noticed our fair city. Money Magazine, Entrepreneurs and Best Cities are only a few that have all recognized Mobile in the past couple of years.

We have new industries coming to our area that include the largest steel mill in North America, and a new speedway. The executives that are choosing Mobile are doing so because they like our location, our local government and our beautiful city. With our historic neighborhoods, our waterfront homes on rivers, Mobile Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico and plenty of very reasonable homes, Mobile will remain on the top of many lists for years to come.