2012 was quite a year for me. One of the best years of my entire life was bookended by the death of my mother and grandmother... In chronological order, here we go!
In January I sold a mobile home on Gieger Key. It was listed for only a few months and I went all out on the multimedia part - videos, high end digital photography, virtual tours, etc. Did some very interesting showings, including a couple of drifters who were probably setting me up for murder, robbery or something. Apparently owning a bright red Mercedes Benz and only having one listing - an old mobile home - can cause some problems. Sold the house and later sold the car. From now on I'm an "everyman's agent" and rock the 2002 4Runner to cart my clients around in.
February brought the death of my grandmother. She was 90 years old and had lingered for many years after a crippling stroke. The wake and funeral were in Beacon, NY; my Mom's old neighborhood. It was cold and dark - very depressing. The worst part of a wake is knowing that some in the room is bound to be next. We all feared that it would be my Mom who was battling trough her 7th year of Cancer treatment. I'll never forget the cold morning of the funeral where my brother, cousins and brother-in-law were the pallbearers. Waiting for the hearse to pull up in front of the church, a snow flurry erupted. Maybe I look for signs too much but it was touching.
In March I started working for Lisa Ferringo. She's incredible at what she does and it has been an eye opening experience to say the least. Reserved, calculating individuals like myself should never go into sales because we lack the most important piece of the sales puzzle - outgoing personality. But once we get that going in the right direction, I hope to be unstoppable. Lisa and I have had a few miscommunications along the way because I'm willing to give up when the situation seems impossible. She's taught me to never give up, never be embarrassed and that a good frame of mind is key.
In July Mary Jo and I went to Turkey! It was absolutely incredible. Here are 500+ photos! Life changing to say the least. MJ and I spent the last two days trying to figure out how on earth we could describe our adventures to our friends and family back home and realized we couldn't. So we didn't. But the pictures sure are cool! We spent a few days in Istanbul site seeing (Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazzarre, etc.) circled the country on a brand new tour bus. We stopped and checked out underground cities, hiked enormous canyons, partied with Russians, explored the land the land bridge between Asian and Europe that has been crossed by so many humans over thousands of years. Hot springs, salt lakes, ancient battle grounds, museums, insane food - it was great. We spent a night in Kusadasi at a five star resort, top floor, corner suite over looking the Mediterranean ocean. It was amazing. Made lots of friends with the Aussies.
August and September were comprised of some tough real estate moments for me. Endless inspections, deals falling apart left and right. I wasn't ready for this kind of stuff and made a ton of mistakes. Lisa is fearless and can fix anything. I learned a lot about not giving up and pushing through to the end.
October began the down hill path of my Mom's health. The chemotherapy was frying her brain and not stopping the cancer's advancement. What had begun as ovarian cancer in 2005 was now everywhere, pushing against her digestive organs and lungs making life very difficult. There were many things going wrong at once and the oncologist made the decision to stop treatment and change gears to Hospice care. Mom checked out mentally but never stopped trying to communicate with family. I spent two weeks helping my Dad transition my Mom from normal life to ... well... not so normal life that included being stuck in bed. My sister and brother also came. Hurricane Sandy ripped through the state while I was there (Connecticut) and downed a bunch of trees in the back yard. We were very lucky they fell the way that they did...
I returned to Key West in a daze in early November. I was worthless and depressed. My brother Tim stayed to help my Dad and my sister would spend her weekends at my parent's house. This made it bearable for me but only barely. Watching a loved one come to terms with the end of their life is the worst. That's what I thought anyway until I witnessed the end of life.
To cheer me up, my wife brought me to the NASCAR finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. We really enjoy the racing and it did help to take my mind off of everything that was going wrong with the world. To sweeten the pot MJ bought us tickets to the Patriots/Dolphins football game in Miami in early December. While driving up to the game I got a phone call from my sister who hinted that things were going downhill pretty quick now. Talk about difficult decisions.... I skipped the game and flew home. From the time my sister and I spoke to the time I got to the front door was less than 12 hours.
My mom's death was difficult to witness. I'll spare the blogosphere with the details but at 3:17am on December 7th I texted my sister "We are getting close Karen, Say a prayer for quick passage." Anything but quick, she hung on for another five hours which incredibly was the exact amount of time it took for my sister to travel 300 miles from her home in upstate New York to my parent's house. Mom passed surrounded by her husband, daughter and two sons.
The wake was difficult. I was surprised by my college friends and a few friends from high school too. People that really care about me. It was very special to see them. The funeral was very nice and well orchestrated at St. Joseph's. My brother-in-law delivered a eulogy that was beautiful. It was good closure.
Somewhere along the way I closed on the Shark Key house that I first listed back in 2010! Finally sold for $1,025,000. What a roller coaster that was! As always, couldn't' have done it with out my boss.
MJ and I spent Christmas in Key West this year. It was nice to see our local friends on Christmas eve and enjoy time away from family. That sounds bad but I needed a holiday of peace and comfort. We painted the apartment and had lots of cocktails! New Years was a blast too. I think we watched the shoe drop? Who knows. ;o)
Here we are - at the beginning of 2013. NOTHING BAD WILL HAPPEN THIS YEAR. Only good stuff. I'm very excited about the possibilities and looking forward to getting a lot of listings and closing on a lot of deals.
Happy New Year everyone!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Lisa Ferringo, FKCC
This past March I joined forces with Lisa Ferringo, a supreme sales agent out of our Big Pine office. She does a ton of business and was trying to expand into the Key West market. I'm Lisa's full time Key West Real Estate assistant and take orders and do business directly through her. So far, so good, but it's imperative that I drum up some more Key West listings. To do this we've expanded our Key West marketing campaign, done a bunch of open houses and have started touting our Real Estate Videos. You can check them out at http://www.youtube.com/FerringoRealEstate
I'm close to mastering the video tour but now I need more properties to take a video of. I've made some videos out of still photographs that were taken before I came on board. It gets the job done and the more videos up on YouTube, the better. Especially when it comes to the Coldwell Banker channel.
With my new venture with Lisa, I've found it incredibly difficult to maintain a steady schedule with Florida Keys Community College. The greatest thing I ever did at the college was create a visual tour of Lagoon Landing with my real estate listing skills. Occupancy will be at or near 100% this Fall and it's in large part due to the tour I created. AWESOME! I'll miss my FKCC friends but won't be too far away. I hope to visit often and rejoin the family a little later on.
Enjoy your Summer and wish me luck with having the most productive one ever!
-Brian
I'm close to mastering the video tour but now I need more properties to take a video of. I've made some videos out of still photographs that were taken before I came on board. It gets the job done and the more videos up on YouTube, the better. Especially when it comes to the Coldwell Banker channel.
With my new venture with Lisa, I've found it incredibly difficult to maintain a steady schedule with Florida Keys Community College. The greatest thing I ever did at the college was create a visual tour of Lagoon Landing with my real estate listing skills. Occupancy will be at or near 100% this Fall and it's in large part due to the tour I created. AWESOME! I'll miss my FKCC friends but won't be too far away. I hope to visit often and rejoin the family a little later on.
Enjoy your Summer and wish me luck with having the most productive one ever!
-Brian
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Shark Key - Best Price per square foot!
Happy New Year!
To get 2012 rockin' and rollin' we've lowered the price on 12 Cannon Royal Dr., Shark Key. At $1,275,000 this is the best price per square foot on the island. Please help me spread the word and remember, this year I'll be donating half of my buyer side commissions to charity so I'll need all the buyers you can refer.
Thank you!
www.KeysToGiving.com
www.12cannonroyal.com
To get 2012 rockin' and rollin' we've lowered the price on 12 Cannon Royal Dr., Shark Key. At $1,275,000 this is the best price per square foot on the island. Please help me spread the word and remember, this year I'll be donating half of my buyer side commissions to charity so I'll need all the buyers you can refer.
Thank you!
www.KeysToGiving.com
www.12cannonroyal.com
Monday, December 12, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
The Keys To Giving
I'm proud to introduce a new charity program that I hope will make a difference in my community and propel me into the next echelon of my real estate career. It's called, "The Keys To Giving" and you can visit the website: www.KeysToGiving.com
Through the end of 2012 I will donate 50% of my buyer side commission to the local charity of my buyer's choice! This incentive is for my friends in the Florida Keys to think of me first when they know someone is contemplating buying property and refer the business my way. My excellent knowledge and service is known only to a few previous clients so this incentive is for all of my friends who ha
ven't done business with me and will find out just how good I am.
I'm not new to charitable giving but definitely haven't attempted to ever do something on this level. The possibility of donating tens of thousands of dollars into local charities that need the help is an amazing concept. To this date I've donated time and money to a handful of local charities and non-profits including but not limited to; Coldwell Banker Schmitt Charitable Foundation, Easter Seals and Habitat for Humanity. That's always been under the radar and while I enjoy doing the right thing it won't manifest into more business.
It's a revolutionary business plan - the more business I get the more I can give back to the community which hopefully will create even more business! If I can pull it off, it'll change the way real estate gets sold in the Florida Keys. Help me spread the word!
-Brian
Through the end of 2012 I will donate 50% of my buyer side commission to the local charity of my buyer's choice! This incentive is for my friends in the Florida Keys to think of me first when they know someone is contemplating buying property and refer the business my way. My excellent knowledge and service is known only to a few previous clients so this incentive is for all of my friends who ha
ven't done business with me and will find out just how good I am.I'm not new to charitable giving but definitely haven't attempted to ever do something on this level. The possibility of donating tens of thousands of dollars into local charities that need the help is an amazing concept. To this date I've donated time and money to a handful of local charities and non-profits including but not limited to; Coldwell Banker Schmitt Charitable Foundation, Easter Seals and Habitat for Humanity. That's always been under the radar and while I enjoy doing the right thing it won't manifest into more business.
It's a revolutionary business plan - the more business I get the more I can give back to the community which hopefully will create even more business! If I can pull it off, it'll change the way real estate gets sold in the Florida Keys. Help me spread the word!
-Brian
Friday, October 14, 2011
280 Scopio Ln - NEW LISTING!
I'm pleased to announce that I landed a new listing this week. This one is a single wide mobile home on Geiger Key. Check out this visual tour:
Geiger Key is a pretty cool island. It's located due East of Naval Air Station Key West on Boca Chica. Fighter pilots from all over the world come here to hone their skills. From time to time it can be noisy but the bumper stickers exists... "I Heart Jet Noise."
Located on Geiger Key is the Geiger Key Marina which has a claim to fame as being World Famous and unchanged since the 1960's. Fishermen still fish and the Marina still cooks it up for them! Boat Slip monthly rentals are very reasonable and for a small fee you can use their boat ramp. The Geiger Key Marina is less than a sixty second car ride from my new listing.
More about the mobile home: Two bedroom, one and a half baths with a large screened in porch. Not counting the porch, it is about 1,000 square feet. Current owner has been spending her Winters here since 1985! It sits on a deep water canal that has been plugged. Rumor is, the water is so shallow on that side of the bay that they (the govt') plugged the canals to stop boaters from getting stuck. Dinghies, Jet Skis, kyaks, canoes can all maneuver through the plugged portion and into the bay but I have to advertise it as a swimming canal. That's why it is so important that the marina is less than a minute away!
Key West is about twenty minutes west of Geiger Key. It's a wonderful location for those looking to experience the perfect weather in the Winter months without having to live in the gridlock of Key West proper. Very relaxing and tranquil (when the jets aren't taking off). The mobile home is from 1980 so there is some normal wear and tear. It got a new roof in 2000 and has been kept up. Very clean!
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Geiger Key is a pretty cool island. It's located due East of Naval Air Station Key West on Boca Chica. Fighter pilots from all over the world come here to hone their skills. From time to time it can be noisy but the bumper stickers exists... "I Heart Jet Noise."
Located on Geiger Key is the Geiger Key Marina which has a claim to fame as being World Famous and unchanged since the 1960's. Fishermen still fish and the Marina still cooks it up for them! Boat Slip monthly rentals are very reasonable and for a small fee you can use their boat ramp. The Geiger Key Marina is less than a sixty second car ride from my new listing.
More about the mobile home: Two bedroom, one and a half baths with a large screened in porch. Not counting the porch, it is about 1,000 square feet. Current owner has been spending her Winters here since 1985! It sits on a deep water canal that has been plugged. Rumor is, the water is so shallow on that side of the bay that they (the govt') plugged the canals to stop boaters from getting stuck. Dinghies, Jet Skis, kyaks, canoes can all maneuver through the plugged portion and into the bay but I have to advertise it as a swimming canal. That's why it is so important that the marina is less than a minute away!
Key West is about twenty minutes west of Geiger Key. It's a wonderful location for those looking to experience the perfect weather in the Winter months without having to live in the gridlock of Key West proper. Very relaxing and tranquil (when the jets aren't taking off). The mobile home is from 1980 so there is some normal wear and tear. It got a new roof in 2000 and has been kept up. Very clean!
Friday, September 9, 2011
The Summer of Trible
Long time, no post...
Since my last post I've sold two houses and one condo! Definitely got off to a great start this year. Our markets generally slow down during the Summer months and this Summer has been no different. We vacationed on the west coast of Florida twice - once to help my brother move to Sarasota from Connecticut and the other for my college friend's wedding. Lots of golf too! I joined the Golf Club for the Summer deal and have been walking twice a week and using a cart with friends on the weekends. It is HOT out there.
Refocusing on my real estate career, sending more flyers, newsletters and attending more social functions. I have a new top five favorite in Key West, Labor Day Weekend's "BrewFest!!!" It might be second to the St. Paddy's Day Bar Stroll... Lots of new buyer leads are keeping me busy but I'm really hopeful to get some more sellers. Sellers HAVE to sell but buyers are not nearly as likely to follow through. I'll be listing a mobile home at Geiger Key this Fall.
The one property I really want to sell is 12 Cannon Royal on Shark Key. The sellers are wonderful people, very motivated to sell and willing to negotiate on the price but of all the buyers we've had come through -none have made a serious offer. Five sales out there so far this year so with less inventory I'm hoping to get it under contract by the end of the year. Should be publishing a price reduction next week!
I recently acquired a bocce team. Team DeBOCCEry plays on Monday nights at the Southernmost Bocce League. Now we are "Team DeBOCCEry" sponsored by Brian Trible/Coldwell Banker Schmitt. Moral is up and we already have our first win of the season! Bocce is incredible enough that it deserves it's own blog post. Stay tuned....
Since my last post I've sold two houses and one condo! Definitely got off to a great start this year. Our markets generally slow down during the Summer months and this Summer has been no different. We vacationed on the west coast of Florida twice - once to help my brother move to Sarasota from Connecticut and the other for my college friend's wedding. Lots of golf too! I joined the Golf Club for the Summer deal and have been walking twice a week and using a cart with friends on the weekends. It is HOT out there.
Refocusing on my real estate career, sending more flyers, newsletters and attending more social functions. I have a new top five favorite in Key West, Labor Day Weekend's "BrewFest!!!" It might be second to the St. Paddy's Day Bar Stroll... Lots of new buyer leads are keeping me busy but I'm really hopeful to get some more sellers. Sellers HAVE to sell but buyers are not nearly as likely to follow through. I'll be listing a mobile home at Geiger Key this Fall.
The one property I really want to sell is 12 Cannon Royal on Shark Key. The sellers are wonderful people, very motivated to sell and willing to negotiate on the price but of all the buyers we've had come through -none have made a serious offer. Five sales out there so far this year so with less inventory I'm hoping to get it under contract by the end of the year. Should be publishing a price reduction next week!
I recently acquired a bocce team. Team DeBOCCEry plays on Monday nights at the Southernmost Bocce League. Now we are "Team DeBOCCEry" sponsored by Brian Trible/Coldwell Banker Schmitt. Moral is up and we already have our first win of the season! Bocce is incredible enough that it deserves it's own blog post. Stay tuned....
Sunday, January 9, 2011
New Year = New Listing!
Happy New Year!
My holiday's were excellent and I hope yours were too. On Friday I got a late Christmas present or an early birthday one... While in my office on White St. a little old lady and her grand daughter walked right in and asked if I could help sell her house. No problem! I took down the preliminary information and began researching. It's an intensive process that kept me busy for about four straight hours. On Saturday morning I had a package full of disclosures, listing agreement with addenda and a comparative market analysis.
We met at her house at 10:00AM and I got a tour of the property and the grounds. It's almost 2,000 sq. ft. sitting on a 10,000 sq. ft. lot! That's enormous for Key West! The structure is a true Concrete Slab house. The foundation, the external walls, the internal walls and the roof are all concrete. That's how they did things in 1958! The current owner bought the house with her late husband that same year. Can you believe it was wired for surround sound throughout the entire house? Way ahead of it's time.
Unfortunately, the winter of '58 - '59 followed by the summer of '59 paired with the house settling on it's foundation was enough to send cracks through out the entire structure. Every wall has at least a minor crack and the corners of the house show veins of cracks. It's the biggest detractor from the homes value but because it happened so long ago and hasn't gotten any worse over the last 60 years, we're hoping it doesn't turn off any proposed buyers.
It's wall to wall terrazzo floors which are comprised of 3' by 3' squares with brass inlay. It needs a professional polishing but it's going to really sparkle for the next owner. The bathrooms are all original and are in great condition. It's pretty amazing. Everything in the house is original from 1958 except for the kitchen appliances and the washer/dryer.
The ceilings are made from "California Yellow Pine" which allegedly are termite proof. In Key West, anythings possible... There are scars on the ceiling in a few places that represent the battles that have been fought against termites from time to time over the last sixty years. We've been termite free for over five years now and have a contract with an exterminator with warranty. 97% of the pine wood ceilings are in mint condition.
In the late 1950s and early 1960's the owner and her late husband would take their boat out to Sand Key which is the site of the old Sand Key lighthouse. A brick lighthouse was built in the 1827 and destroyed in the "Great Havana Hurricane of 1846." The owner's would grab a few bricks, sea shells, conch shells and pieces of coral each weekend and built a unique brick wall in the house and a coral/shell wall that goes around the entire property. It is very cool.
She signed all the paperwork and by noon I was taking pictures. I took over 150 photos and widdled them down to 55. All of them are in the virtual tour I put together, 30 of them are in the Key West MLS listing and 25 on Realtor.com. Here is a link to the virtual tour!
We're going to start at $449,000 which is honestly the lowest price per square foot within all of the listings within 1/4 mile. I wanted to list it a little bit lower but we compromised at $449,000 because I wasn't giving as much credit for the super big lot we were working with. Most comparables were on lots less than half as big! I'm very happy with the listing I've put together and the list price.
Wish me luck!
My holiday's were excellent and I hope yours were too. On Friday I got a late Christmas present or an early birthday one... While in my office on White St. a little old lady and her grand daughter walked right in and asked if I could help sell her house. No problem! I took down the preliminary information and began researching. It's an intensive process that kept me busy for about four straight hours. On Saturday morning I had a package full of disclosures, listing agreement with addenda and a comparative market analysis.
We met at her house at 10:00AM and I got a tour of the property and the grounds. It's almost 2,000 sq. ft. sitting on a 10,000 sq. ft. lot! That's enormous for Key West! The structure is a true Concrete Slab house. The foundation, the external walls, the internal walls and the roof are all concrete. That's how they did things in 1958! The current owner bought the house with her late husband that same year. Can you believe it was wired for surround sound throughout the entire house? Way ahead of it's time.
Unfortunately, the winter of '58 - '59 followed by the summer of '59 paired with the house settling on it's foundation was enough to send cracks through out the entire structure. Every wall has at least a minor crack and the corners of the house show veins of cracks. It's the biggest detractor from the homes value but because it happened so long ago and hasn't gotten any worse over the last 60 years, we're hoping it doesn't turn off any proposed buyers.
It's wall to wall terrazzo floors which are comprised of 3' by 3' squares with brass inlay. It needs a professional polishing but it's going to really sparkle for the next owner. The bathrooms are all original and are in great condition. It's pretty amazing. Everything in the house is original from 1958 except for the kitchen appliances and the washer/dryer.
The ceilings are made from "California Yellow Pine" which allegedly are termite proof. In Key West, anythings possible... There are scars on the ceiling in a few places that represent the battles that have been fought against termites from time to time over the last sixty years. We've been termite free for over five years now and have a contract with an exterminator with warranty. 97% of the pine wood ceilings are in mint condition.
In the late 1950s and early 1960's the owner and her late husband would take their boat out to Sand Key which is the site of the old Sand Key lighthouse. A brick lighthouse was built in the 1827 and destroyed in the "Great Havana Hurricane of 1846." The owner's would grab a few bricks, sea shells, conch shells and pieces of coral each weekend and built a unique brick wall in the house and a coral/shell wall that goes around the entire property. It is very cool.
She signed all the paperwork and by noon I was taking pictures. I took over 150 photos and widdled them down to 55. All of them are in the virtual tour I put together, 30 of them are in the Key West MLS listing and 25 on Realtor.com. Here is a link to the virtual tour!
We're going to start at $449,000 which is honestly the lowest price per square foot within all of the listings within 1/4 mile. I wanted to list it a little bit lower but we compromised at $449,000 because I wasn't giving as much credit for the super big lot we were working with. Most comparables were on lots less than half as big! I'm very happy with the listing I've put together and the list price.
Wish me luck!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Key West Fantasy Fest 2010!!!
It's that time of year again!!! Fantasy Fest!!! The first indication of this event is the increased traffic that takes the liberty of observing 30 MPH speed limit signs and then going half that speed. The second clue that Fantasy Fest is about to start is the little electric cars that make U-Turns on South Roosevelt cutting across 4 lanes of traffic with out signaling or checking for oncoming traffic. But it wasn't until just now, as I sit at the front desk of my Coldwell Banker office on White St. that I saw two kids skateboarding with Spiderman masks, two gay men having a rift in our parking lot and a van drive by that had "Hell Awaits Sinners!" written on the side.
Drunken debauchery awaits us all, we just need to get down to Duval St. Fantasy Fest, for those that don't know, is our little island's version of Mardi Gras. Clothing is optional, costumes are plentiful and almost everyone is here for one reason - to have a good time! The event goes on for seven days with different themed parties held around the island. My favorites are the "Green Party" at Finnigan's Wake, "Red Party" at the Flying Monkey Bar and the Captain Morgan parade that stretches a mile and a half around Duval St. and down White Head. I'd like to post a video here but it'll be offensive so just go to YouTube and lookup Fantasy Fest. This year's theme is "Habitat for Insanity" which suits us locals just right. We are all a little insane - that happens when living on a 2x4 mile island.
We're going to try a new event this year. The first ever "Zombie Bike Ride." What an awesome way to start Fantasy Fest 2010! I'm not going to over do the costume because when riding a bicycle, it's best to not have things dangling that could get caught in the moving wheels and gears. I did a little maintenance this morning on our bicycles - filled tires with air, affixed cup holders, placed a boom box in the front basket and now I'm putting together a Zombie-Play list. Actually, I'm creating a Zombie radio station on pandora that I'll play from my iPhone through the boom box. ReCycle Bike Shop is putting this operation together and the party starts at 4PM in their parking lot. They've hired face painters to help zombify us. How cool is that? Can't wait to get some really cool pictures.
Drunken debauchery awaits us all, we just need to get down to Duval St. Fantasy Fest, for those that don't know, is our little island's version of Mardi Gras. Clothing is optional, costumes are plentiful and almost everyone is here for one reason - to have a good time! The event goes on for seven days with different themed parties held around the island. My favorites are the "Green Party" at Finnigan's Wake, "Red Party" at the Flying Monkey Bar and the Captain Morgan parade that stretches a mile and a half around Duval St. and down White Head. I'd like to post a video here but it'll be offensive so just go to YouTube and lookup Fantasy Fest. This year's theme is "Habitat for Insanity" which suits us locals just right. We are all a little insane - that happens when living on a 2x4 mile island.
We're going to try a new event this year. The first ever "Zombie Bike Ride." What an awesome way to start Fantasy Fest 2010! I'm not going to over do the costume because when riding a bicycle, it's best to not have things dangling that could get caught in the moving wheels and gears. I did a little maintenance this morning on our bicycles - filled tires with air, affixed cup holders, placed a boom box in the front basket and now I'm putting together a Zombie-Play list. Actually, I'm creating a Zombie radio station on pandora that I'll play from my iPhone through the boom box. ReCycle Bike Shop is putting this operation together and the party starts at 4PM in their parking lot. They've hired face painters to help zombify us. How cool is that? Can't wait to get some really cool pictures.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Coldwell Banker's 10-10-10 Sales Event!
Coldwell Banker is launching a Nationwide Campaign to help the sellers we work for to sell their property! It's called the 10-10-10 Sales Event because for 10 Days, select properties will reduce the asking price of their home by 10% starting on October 1st, 2010. The event ends on midnight of 10/10/10.
You can see all of the properties that are participating in the Florida Keys by clicking here!
Most importantly to me, my listing on Shark Key is participating in the 10-10-10 Sales Event and have reduced our listing price by 10%! To learn more about that property, please visit: www.12CannonRoyal.com
I chose to work for Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co. because of their reputation for educating their agents far more than the competition. Since I've gotten here I've also learned that we work harder to sell your property than the competition. During the months of August, September and October Real Estate in the Florida Keys becomes notoriously slow as it is outside of our "Tourist Season" except for Fantasy Fest which comes towards the end of October (I'll be blogging about that soon enough!). To help get buyers and seller together we are participating in the 10-10-10 Sales Event. Just another example of how we try harder to sell your property and deliver the best customer service.
No matter where you live in the United States, Coldwell Banker's 10-10-10 Sales Event might be knocking down sales prices in your neighborhood. Keep your eyes and ears open for the marketing and remember, it's a great time to buy!
You can see all of the properties that are participating in the Florida Keys by clicking here!
Most importantly to me, my listing on Shark Key is participating in the 10-10-10 Sales Event and have reduced our listing price by 10%! To learn more about that property, please visit: www.12CannonRoyal.com
I chose to work for Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co. because of their reputation for educating their agents far more than the competition. Since I've gotten here I've also learned that we work harder to sell your property than the competition. During the months of August, September and October Real Estate in the Florida Keys becomes notoriously slow as it is outside of our "Tourist Season" except for Fantasy Fest which comes towards the end of October (I'll be blogging about that soon enough!). To help get buyers and seller together we are participating in the 10-10-10 Sales Event. Just another example of how we try harder to sell your property and deliver the best customer service.
No matter where you live in the United States, Coldwell Banker's 10-10-10 Sales Event might be knocking down sales prices in your neighborhood. Keep your eyes and ears open for the marketing and remember, it's a great time to buy!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
My Summer Vacation - 2010
In beautiful Key West, FL we don't really have the true four seasons that I grew up with in Connecticut. With a latitude of 24.55 degrees, we are just 72 miles North of the Tropic of Cancer so one could say that we are in the tropics so we have more of a 2 season kind of climate - Wet and Dry. None the less we cling to the perception of the four seasons and celebrate the holidays that remind us of the different times of the year even though it really is like Summer 365 days a year.
For the first time in my adult life I had the freedom to truly be on vacation for a serious amount of time. Being married to a teacher makes it difficult to sit in a cubical, filing paperwork for nine hours a day when I could be with my wife (MJ), sipping a daiquiri by the pool... or something. Last year, as a banker, I had five days of vacation that were preceded and then followed by weeks of hell. If I could pinpoint one exact reason I retired from banking and became a self employed Realtor, it'd be that I could spend the Summer with my wife doing exciting things.
While MJ was teaching Summer School through the first week of July, I was prepping my clients and coworkers for my departure. Even though I wasn't going anywhere, right away, I wasn't going to be in the office. Thanks to the iPhone I was able to stay in constant contact with everyone I needed to via e-mail and phone. It was great. First up was a visit from my good friends from college, Dan and Heather (and unborn baby X) as they celebrated their one year anniversary of marriage and last hurrah before becoming parents. We did some jet skiing, hot sauce tasting, drinking, eating and relaxing. Have visitors come to my island always makes me appreciate where I live just a little bit more.
After they left, MJ and I went to visit her family in Miami Springs. We brought our dog, Kilo and my golf clubs. I got in five rounds of golf in four days at the Miami Springs Municipal Golf Course which is larger, more forgiving and in better condition than the course I usually play at. I consistently broker 100 (which has long been a goal) until my last round where I couldn't shake my case of the shanks. I stopped keeping score, started drinking jack & diets and swore off ever playing another round of golf in my entire life. On the bright side, MJ's family is wonderful, loving and all about cooking. Works for me because I love to eat! So long healthy diet... We enjoyed our time in Miami. Below is a picture of MJ & Kilo hanging out at her parent's house during Tropical Storm Bonnie.
Next up we spent a full week with my parents in Danbury, CT. These are my old stomping grounds and I loved every second of it. On different visits home I like to see certain groups of friends and family so on this trip I decided it would be all family. My Mom was very happy to have us at the house and stay in every night! The cool night time temperatures were awesome and sat on the deck almost every night soaking it in. While in Connecticut we also visited my brother for a few nights and caught a rock concert at Mohegun Sun. That was pretty cool but kind of loud. Made me feel old... MJ & I went to the movies with my parents - twice, painted vases for my Mom, mowed the lawn, grocery shopped, read books, etc. We tried to pretend like we lived there just to see how it felt.
We then made our way to Ithaca, NY to spend some time with my sister's family. My sister is one of the greatest people I know and it had been a long time since I visited her in Ithaca. I was excited to have remembered how to get to her house, which is a 4+hour car trip, without the aide of a map or electronic device. They live a life of goodness up there and we were so happy to have been able to gel into their family. We went to a picnic, hiked multiple gorges, ate fresh black berries right off of the vine, hiked some more and got to meet up with my brother-in-law's parents whom are excellent people themselves. The highpoint (for me) was being able to take one of my nephews to his first NASCAR race at Watkins Glenn. It was my wife's first time attending that specific race and I had been there multiple times before. It was loud, hot, smelled of burned rubber and gasoline and we loved every second of it! Pictured below is MJ and I in a gorge!
The picture below is of my nephew and I at the race:
On the return trip we spent some more time with my parents in Connecticut, a few more days in Miami and then finally got back to our condo in Key West after 23 days of being away. Never has it felt so good to be home! Now the only question is, what will we plan for our Summer Vacation of 2011?
For the first time in my adult life I had the freedom to truly be on vacation for a serious amount of time. Being married to a teacher makes it difficult to sit in a cubical, filing paperwork for nine hours a day when I could be with my wife (MJ), sipping a daiquiri by the pool... or something. Last year, as a banker, I had five days of vacation that were preceded and then followed by weeks of hell. If I could pinpoint one exact reason I retired from banking and became a self employed Realtor, it'd be that I could spend the Summer with my wife doing exciting things.
While MJ was teaching Summer School through the first week of July, I was prepping my clients and coworkers for my departure. Even though I wasn't going anywhere, right away, I wasn't going to be in the office. Thanks to the iPhone I was able to stay in constant contact with everyone I needed to via e-mail and phone. It was great. First up was a visit from my good friends from college, Dan and Heather (and unborn baby X) as they celebrated their one year anniversary of marriage and last hurrah before becoming parents. We did some jet skiing, hot sauce tasting, drinking, eating and relaxing. Have visitors come to my island always makes me appreciate where I live just a little bit more.
After they left, MJ and I went to visit her family in Miami Springs. We brought our dog, Kilo and my golf clubs. I got in five rounds of golf in four days at the Miami Springs Municipal Golf Course which is larger, more forgiving and in better condition than the course I usually play at. I consistently broker 100 (which has long been a goal) until my last round where I couldn't shake my case of the shanks. I stopped keeping score, started drinking jack & diets and swore off ever playing another round of golf in my entire life. On the bright side, MJ's family is wonderful, loving and all about cooking. Works for me because I love to eat! So long healthy diet... We enjoyed our time in Miami. Below is a picture of MJ & Kilo hanging out at her parent's house during Tropical Storm Bonnie.
Next up we spent a full week with my parents in Danbury, CT. These are my old stomping grounds and I loved every second of it. On different visits home I like to see certain groups of friends and family so on this trip I decided it would be all family. My Mom was very happy to have us at the house and stay in every night! The cool night time temperatures were awesome and sat on the deck almost every night soaking it in. While in Connecticut we also visited my brother for a few nights and caught a rock concert at Mohegun Sun. That was pretty cool but kind of loud. Made me feel old... MJ & I went to the movies with my parents - twice, painted vases for my Mom, mowed the lawn, grocery shopped, read books, etc. We tried to pretend like we lived there just to see how it felt.
We then made our way to Ithaca, NY to spend some time with my sister's family. My sister is one of the greatest people I know and it had been a long time since I visited her in Ithaca. I was excited to have remembered how to get to her house, which is a 4+hour car trip, without the aide of a map or electronic device. They live a life of goodness up there and we were so happy to have been able to gel into their family. We went to a picnic, hiked multiple gorges, ate fresh black berries right off of the vine, hiked some more and got to meet up with my brother-in-law's parents whom are excellent people themselves. The highpoint (for me) was being able to take one of my nephews to his first NASCAR race at Watkins Glenn. It was my wife's first time attending that specific race and I had been there multiple times before. It was loud, hot, smelled of burned rubber and gasoline and we loved every second of it! Pictured below is MJ and I in a gorge!
The picture below is of my nephew and I at the race:
On the return trip we spent some more time with my parents in Connecticut, a few more days in Miami and then finally got back to our condo in Key West after 23 days of being away. Never has it felt so good to be home! Now the only question is, what will we plan for our Summer Vacation of 2011?
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Key West Poker Run
We survived! This past weekend my wife and I did the "Peterson's Harley Davidson Key West Poker Run." It started at Cutler Bay (just south of Miami) and finished in Key West. Since we started in Key West that made for a 320 mile round trip that took approximately 9 hours. We were a little timid about the Harley crowd but they played nice and we minded our own business for the most part.
The first stop was at "Gilbert's" at Mile Marker 108 in Key Largo, FL. It's underneath that huge bridge at the beginning of the 18 mile stretch. There weren't very many bikers there so we got our cards, had a drink of water and hopped back on my cruiser and began heading South (West I guess).
Next stop was at "Smugglers Cove" in Islamorada. They had live music, drink stations, big barbecue, t-shirts and inflated prices. I dropped $30 on a cheeseburger, Corona and a diet soda. We enjoyed the shade and the music and were hopeful that the next stop was only 30 miles away.
Poker Run Stop #3 was "The Island Tiki Bar" at Mile Marker 54 - just outside of Marathon. For the first time in our trip we saw hundreds of motorcycles. We had passed thousands that were going South as we were headed North but it felt like we had just caught up to the end of the pack. We almost always go to Keys Fisheries exclusively when visiting Marathon but they have more to offer. The service at this restaurant was awesome - food good and they kept my waters coming quickly.
Over the seven-mile bridge and through Big Pine we went and got to "Boondock's" in Ramrod Key. Place was packed with the wonderful customer service you can always expect from the staff there... Finally saw some friends we knew there and that was nice. Diet soda for me and the Mrs. and dropped $6... So it goes during bike week I guess...
Last stop on the Poker Run! "Schooner Warf Bar" in Old Key West. I haven't felt that accomplished since I rode from Hartford, CT to Big Pine back in 2005. We were exhausted but took the time to mingle with the other bikers and tourists. That was nice and we felt very cool in our leather jackets, pulling up to the bar. One Miller Lite was enough for me and we headed home.
On the way home I decided to take Duval Street. It was INSANE. Hundreds and hundreds of bikes parked on both sides of the street. No cars allowed - just tourists walking along taking pictures of the motorcycles. It was very cool to idle along Duval through all of the madness.
Once we made it home - quick shower, nap and I was ready to watch some college football. It was an awesome trip, lots of fun and nice to end up where we started just 9 short hours before.
The first stop was at "Gilbert's" at Mile Marker 108 in Key Largo, FL. It's underneath that huge bridge at the beginning of the 18 mile stretch. There weren't very many bikers there so we got our cards, had a drink of water and hopped back on my cruiser and began heading South (West I guess).
Next stop was at "Smugglers Cove" in Islamorada. They had live music, drink stations, big barbecue, t-shirts and inflated prices. I dropped $30 on a cheeseburger, Corona and a diet soda. We enjoyed the shade and the music and were hopeful that the next stop was only 30 miles away.
Poker Run Stop #3 was "The Island Tiki Bar" at Mile Marker 54 - just outside of Marathon. For the first time in our trip we saw hundreds of motorcycles. We had passed thousands that were going South as we were headed North but it felt like we had just caught up to the end of the pack. We almost always go to Keys Fisheries exclusively when visiting Marathon but they have more to offer. The service at this restaurant was awesome - food good and they kept my waters coming quickly.
Over the seven-mile bridge and through Big Pine we went and got to "Boondock's" in Ramrod Key. Place was packed with the wonderful customer service you can always expect from the staff there... Finally saw some friends we knew there and that was nice. Diet soda for me and the Mrs. and dropped $6... So it goes during bike week I guess...
Last stop on the Poker Run! "Schooner Warf Bar" in Old Key West. I haven't felt that accomplished since I rode from Hartford, CT to Big Pine back in 2005. We were exhausted but took the time to mingle with the other bikers and tourists. That was nice and we felt very cool in our leather jackets, pulling up to the bar. One Miller Lite was enough for me and we headed home.
On the way home I decided to take Duval Street. It was INSANE. Hundreds and hundreds of bikes parked on both sides of the street. No cars allowed - just tourists walking along taking pictures of the motorcycles. It was very cool to idle along Duval through all of the madness.
Once we made it home - quick shower, nap and I was ready to watch some college football. It was an awesome trip, lots of fun and nice to end up where we started just 9 short hours before.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Explanation of previous 2 posts
My wife (Mary Jo) and I are always pushing each other to achieve all of our goals. For instance, it had always been a goal of mine to be self employed and my wife has single-handedly made this happen by working extra, spending less, paying for my expenses, etc. I couldn't have become a Realtor(r) without her! Of course, when I get established and start banking I'll help her by returning the favor (take care of her so she can expand her career horizons).
Recently, I've been getting on her to finish her bucket list or list of 100 things to do before you die. I had finished mine a few months ago but recently I had broken 100 on the golf course so I needed to scratch that one off the list! MJ is up to about 76 things on her list and I decided to share mine with her. She immediately encouraged me to pick one on my list for this past weekend. I picked the "day of nothing"
So the post right before this one is my bucket list and the one before that is my explanation of "Day of Nothing" for MJ. Don't knock it before you try it! It was one of the hardest things we've attempted to do! Sitting in front of the television for 12 hours at a time isn't as easy as you'd think!
Recently, I've been getting on her to finish her bucket list or list of 100 things to do before you die. I had finished mine a few months ago but recently I had broken 100 on the golf course so I needed to scratch that one off the list! MJ is up to about 76 things on her list and I decided to share mine with her. She immediately encouraged me to pick one on my list for this past weekend. I picked the "day of nothing"
So the post right before this one is my bucket list and the one before that is my explanation of "Day of Nothing" for MJ. Don't knock it before you try it! It was one of the hardest things we've attempted to do! Sitting in front of the television for 12 hours at a time isn't as easy as you'd think!
My Bucket List as of June 2010
100 Things to do before I die as of June 2010.
List is subject to change!!!!
1. Become Debt Free (other than house and car)
2. Become Debt Free (including cars and house)
3. Sell a Million Dollar House
4. Drive across country in an RV
5. Hole in One
6. Score below 75 on Golf Course
7. Drink a pint of beer in a pub in another country
8. Take a motorcycle trip (a week or longer)
9. Own a house in North East
10. Be a landlord
11. Tinker with an old car and fix it
12. Build a motorcycle
13. Write a story that gets published (and people read it)
14. Own my own home that has a theater room, bar, study in addition to other rooms.
15. Write a song
16. Own a piano
17. Learn to play the piano (very well with lots of cords)
18. Race a car on a closed circuit
19. Own a car purely for racing (trailer to events)
20. Race a motorcycle on a closed circuit
21. Run a snowmobile
22. Run an ATV
23. Rake Leaves again
24. Shovel a driveway again
25. Write a movie script
26. Hang out with a famous person.
27. Help an old friend
28. Own a ridiculous outdoor grill
29. Be the cook for a large barbeque picnic
30. Throw a surprise party for someone
31. Buy MJ a new bicycle
32. Help MJ complete all of the things on her bucket list
33. Buy a car for my nephews/niece
34. Bring my nephews to a Redsox/Yankees Game
35. Bring my nephews to a Giants game
36. Vacation in Cape Cod with Karen’s family
37. Vacation in another country with the entire family
38. Visit Cuba (when it’s safe)
39. Speak Spanish Fluently
40. Paint a picture –frame it- hang it!
41. Build a remote control airplane and fly it
42. Help a politician campaign
43. Visit Dry Tortugas
44. Camp at the Dry Tortugas
45. Bar Crawl with lots of friends (COMPLETED!!!!)
46. Get in shape
47. Start a club
48. Plant a tree – watch it grow over many years
49. Have a son carry on the Trible name.
50. Fly an airplane
51. Take MJ out to eat to a fancy restaurant for her birthday
52. Buy an old house and fix it up
53. Remodel a bathroom
54. Remodel a kitchen
55. Day of nothing – sleep late, no stress, no timelines, alcohol, sitting, etc. (COMPLETED!!!!)
56. Visit all of the National Parks in USA
57. Visit European village in the Winter (snows)
58. Drive on the AutoBahn (very quickly)
59. Brew my own beer
60. Buy extravagant presents for MJ, Scott, Garret and Tim
61. Have an ownership interest in a bar/restaurant
62. Run for political office
63. Learn plumbing
64. Replace water fixtures in condo
65. Be a disk jockey on the local radio
66. Build a computer from scratch
67. Build a true home theater
68. Be sober for 1 full month.
69. Own a super gaming computer
70. Own a Big Buck Hunter arcade game
71. Have a “game room” (separate from home theater…)
72. Attend the Daytona 500
73. Attend the Bristol Night Race
74. Be a season ticket holder for a sports team
75. Go to a Yankee game at the new stadium
76. Throw a party to raise money for a charity
77. Spend a week island hopping on a yacht
78. Complete the 30 pack challenge
79. Own a vacation home free and clear
80. Attend nephews graduation from high school
81. Attend nephews graduation from college
82. Visit nephew at college (to party) {who’s the old guy?}
83. Watch an entire season of a favorite television show in one day (COMPLETED!!!!)
84. Watch a trilogy of a great movie set in one sitting
85. Write a letter to the President of the United States
86. Have 5, 10, 25 year anniversaries with MJ
87. Stop a crime
88. Train a seeing eye dog
89. Go all out on Christmas decorations on a house in the snow (must own house 1st)
90. Plant a tree and watch it grow over 30 years
91. Maintain a garden that bears fruits and vegetables that are edible
92. Commit a victimless crime (and get away with it)
93. Have my face on a large billboard
94. Win the lottery!
95. Ask God for help and get it immediately
96. Eye witness a tornado
97. Survive a killer hurricane
98. Experience an earth quake
99. Watch an inauguration in person
100. Gamble at a casino, Win BIG and walk away
EXTRA!!!
1. Go to E3 video gaming event in Vegas
2. Break 100 on the golf course (COMPLETED!!!!)
3. Break 90 on the golf course
4. Break 80 on the golf course
5. Monster Truck Event
List is subject to change!!!!
1. Become Debt Free (other than house and car)
2. Become Debt Free (including cars and house)
3. Sell a Million Dollar House
4. Drive across country in an RV
5. Hole in One
6. Score below 75 on Golf Course
7. Drink a pint of beer in a pub in another country
8. Take a motorcycle trip (a week or longer)
9. Own a house in North East
10. Be a landlord
11. Tinker with an old car and fix it
12. Build a motorcycle
13. Write a story that gets published (and people read it)
14. Own my own home that has a theater room, bar, study in addition to other rooms.
15. Write a song
16. Own a piano
17. Learn to play the piano (very well with lots of cords)
18. Race a car on a closed circuit
19. Own a car purely for racing (trailer to events)
20. Race a motorcycle on a closed circuit
21. Run a snowmobile
22. Run an ATV
23. Rake Leaves again
24. Shovel a driveway again
25. Write a movie script
26. Hang out with a famous person.
27. Help an old friend
28. Own a ridiculous outdoor grill
29. Be the cook for a large barbeque picnic
30. Throw a surprise party for someone
31. Buy MJ a new bicycle
32. Help MJ complete all of the things on her bucket list
33. Buy a car for my nephews/niece
34. Bring my nephews to a Redsox/Yankees Game
35. Bring my nephews to a Giants game
36. Vacation in Cape Cod with Karen’s family
37. Vacation in another country with the entire family
38. Visit Cuba (when it’s safe)
39. Speak Spanish Fluently
40. Paint a picture –frame it- hang it!
41. Build a remote control airplane and fly it
42. Help a politician campaign
43. Visit Dry Tortugas
44. Camp at the Dry Tortugas
45. Bar Crawl with lots of friends (COMPLETED!!!!)
46. Get in shape
47. Start a club
48. Plant a tree – watch it grow over many years
49. Have a son carry on the Trible name.
50. Fly an airplane
51. Take MJ out to eat to a fancy restaurant for her birthday
52. Buy an old house and fix it up
53. Remodel a bathroom
54. Remodel a kitchen
55. Day of nothing – sleep late, no stress, no timelines, alcohol, sitting, etc. (COMPLETED!!!!)
56. Visit all of the National Parks in USA
57. Visit European village in the Winter (snows)
58. Drive on the AutoBahn (very quickly)
59. Brew my own beer
60. Buy extravagant presents for MJ, Scott, Garret and Tim
61. Have an ownership interest in a bar/restaurant
62. Run for political office
63. Learn plumbing
64. Replace water fixtures in condo
65. Be a disk jockey on the local radio
66. Build a computer from scratch
67. Build a true home theater
68. Be sober for 1 full month.
69. Own a super gaming computer
70. Own a Big Buck Hunter arcade game
71. Have a “game room” (separate from home theater…)
72. Attend the Daytona 500
73. Attend the Bristol Night Race
74. Be a season ticket holder for a sports team
75. Go to a Yankee game at the new stadium
76. Throw a party to raise money for a charity
77. Spend a week island hopping on a yacht
78. Complete the 30 pack challenge
79. Own a vacation home free and clear
80. Attend nephews graduation from high school
81. Attend nephews graduation from college
82. Visit nephew at college (to party) {who’s the old guy?}
83. Watch an entire season of a favorite television show in one day (COMPLETED!!!!)
84. Watch a trilogy of a great movie set in one sitting
85. Write a letter to the President of the United States
86. Have 5, 10, 25 year anniversaries with MJ
87. Stop a crime
88. Train a seeing eye dog
89. Go all out on Christmas decorations on a house in the snow (must own house 1st)
90. Plant a tree and watch it grow over 30 years
91. Maintain a garden that bears fruits and vegetables that are edible
92. Commit a victimless crime (and get away with it)
93. Have my face on a large billboard
94. Win the lottery!
95. Ask God for help and get it immediately
96. Eye witness a tornado
97. Survive a killer hurricane
98. Experience an earth quake
99. Watch an inauguration in person
100. Gamble at a casino, Win BIG and walk away
EXTRA!!!
1. Go to E3 video gaming event in Vegas
2. Break 100 on the golf course (COMPLETED!!!!)
3. Break 90 on the golf course
4. Break 80 on the golf course
5. Monster Truck Event
Day of Nothing
“Day” is a noun that has the following meaning:
1 : the period of rotation of a planet (as earth) or a moon on its axis
“Nothing” is a pronoun with the following meaning:
1 : not any thing : no thing
This phrase that I have concocted at first appears to be a link to Buddhism or a reference to any meditation or meditative state which would take place for a 24 hour period of time. Perhaps if we lived in another country it would mean smoking vast amounts of weed and just starring off into space from sun up to sunset. But the true meaning of a “day of nothing” as I see it is a reflection of time that has no burdens of the negative parts of life.
A day is composed of 24 hours made of 60 minutes made of 60 seconds and so on. Early in life I discovered that life is a construct of control in which those that seek to control things around them, including people, do so by forcing those around them to stick to their schedule and do things the way they want them done. They, them, the man… all references to those distributing the orders of control like the government, parents, teachers, etc... Sadly, years after breaking away from there control, we are still adhering to life in a manner that would please them. Wake up, brush teeth, make bed, eat breakfast, go to work, eat lunch, work some more, cup of coffee, come home, clean house, make dinner, eat dinner, watch TV, brush teeth, go to bed. You know – the routine. Most of it makes sense but in many instances we are slaves to the things that we have to do when in reality, we don’t really have to make the bed or wake up at a decent hour.
So my “day of nothing” is really a way of describing a day of only doing what we WANT to do. No one ever WANTS to go grocery shopping, it’s just a necessity. So hopefully we have filled all of our necessities and are ready to just do what ever it is that we want to do. Fully understood that the only way to pull this off is by creating a schedule of things we want to do which is a clear break from the rules of no rules. None the less:
Wake up when we wake up. Obviously one of us must walk Kilo but return straight to bed. Piles are encouraged.
Breakfast – anything we want to eat! I’m in for some sausage, toast, eggs, OJ and maybe some mimosa! My tummy likes to be fed so I shall feed it. :o)
World Cup – enjoying a good sit while foreign teams battle it out – nice.
Motorcycle ride??? Safety first but let’s go as far north as
Once home we should be thinking about that pool. It’d be awesome if we were fully prepared with mixed drinks, coronas on ice, etc. It’ll be important to have some shade if we want to stay out for a long time. Notice, we could go out on the later side…
If we eat out for lunch than ordering pizza at night would be awesome. I plan on eating way more than I should and falling asleep on the couch. Ending the day in a pile sounds like the best possible ending to this day of nothing!
I understand this is my version and you might have other things in mind. You are free to differ from the schedule as long as it doesn’t interfere with my need to do nothing. ;o) I’m a nut.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Art of Negotiating
No better feeling than getting a great deal! No worse than thinking you just got screwed... It's funny because some will fight for every cent at a tag sale and then pay full price for a piece of real estate while others never check their credit card receipt but will only bid half price on a property. People are weird!
Deals are out there to be gotten, here's how:
1) The final Sales Price is on average, 87% of the final List Price. Important to note, the final list price might take a few price reductions to become the FINAL list price. A $1 Million Dollar mansion might sit on the market for 24 months and reduce it's list price $25,000 each month. On the 20th month it'll be listed at $500,000 and then get snatched up for 87% of that list price. The final sales price ends up being $435,000.
2) But you can't offer $435,000 when it's listed at $1,000,000! This insults the seller, gives you a bad reputation and causes agony for your real estate agent... We all have to patiently wait until that list price gets down to where it should be.
3) Know who the seller is. Short-sales and foreclosures may represent the best overall deal but if you don't know where in the process it is, you might be missing the big picture. If the bank has already taken the property back, it will be priced to sell! That means it is not time to negotiate for a half priced sale... Someone is going to snatch it up, and quick (possibly for MORE than the listing price)! When the owner still owns it but the banks are contemplating a foreclosure and the whole process of a short-sale starts, it's time to negotiate a real deal. Half priced offers might work in this scenario because the seller (who is most likely desperate just to get out of the situation) will take anything! A normal sale - it all depends on the seller's motivation. Ask the questions, find out what their situation is. If they don't have to sell, you won't be able to negotiate a sweetheart deal. See rule#2 - be patient.
4) Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): Get your Realtor to do one for you. He doesn't know what you're talking about? Get a new Realtor! A CMA puts it in black and white what has sold and for how much. Market values are always moving - up, down, sideways. Currently, values are dropping 1.25% a month so figure that in. Knowledge is key.
5) Don't blow your spot. Got a pre-approval letter for $500,000? Did you submit it with an offer for $350,000? The seller will make a counter offer. See if you can get your lender to furnish a specific pre-qual letter for exactly what your offer is. A nice letter from your real estate agent saying "My buyers are offering as much as they can possibly afford..." It goes a long way. DO NOT, under any circumstances tell the selling agent how much you REALLY can afford! It's like a game of poker, the less info the other guys got, the better.
6) No such thing as a free lunch... Cash buyers, especially, this means you! If you low ball the heck out of a property and win the bid but the seller has changed your contingencies to no longer include a home inspection? You might not be getting as good of a deal as you think you are. For those that brag about getting a deal 50 cents on the dollar - it's probably just not true. That house was probably worth half as much as it was listed for and you bought it for 100 cents on the dollar!
Always remember the 87% SP to LP ratio. Get a CMA, figure out what the property is worth (what would an appraiser say it's worth) and then offer 80-85% of that. Expect a counter offer and go from there. Work with an agent who speaks and communicates clearly and concisely. Don't fall in love with any one property and happy hunting!
Deals are out there to be gotten, here's how:
1) The final Sales Price is on average, 87% of the final List Price. Important to note, the final list price might take a few price reductions to become the FINAL list price. A $1 Million Dollar mansion might sit on the market for 24 months and reduce it's list price $25,000 each month. On the 20th month it'll be listed at $500,000 and then get snatched up for 87% of that list price. The final sales price ends up being $435,000.
2) But you can't offer $435,000 when it's listed at $1,000,000! This insults the seller, gives you a bad reputation and causes agony for your real estate agent... We all have to patiently wait until that list price gets down to where it should be.
3) Know who the seller is. Short-sales and foreclosures may represent the best overall deal but if you don't know where in the process it is, you might be missing the big picture. If the bank has already taken the property back, it will be priced to sell! That means it is not time to negotiate for a half priced sale... Someone is going to snatch it up, and quick (possibly for MORE than the listing price)! When the owner still owns it but the banks are contemplating a foreclosure and the whole process of a short-sale starts, it's time to negotiate a real deal. Half priced offers might work in this scenario because the seller (who is most likely desperate just to get out of the situation) will take anything! A normal sale - it all depends on the seller's motivation. Ask the questions, find out what their situation is. If they don't have to sell, you won't be able to negotiate a sweetheart deal. See rule#2 - be patient.
4) Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): Get your Realtor to do one for you. He doesn't know what you're talking about? Get a new Realtor! A CMA puts it in black and white what has sold and for how much. Market values are always moving - up, down, sideways. Currently, values are dropping 1.25% a month so figure that in. Knowledge is key.
5) Don't blow your spot. Got a pre-approval letter for $500,000? Did you submit it with an offer for $350,000? The seller will make a counter offer. See if you can get your lender to furnish a specific pre-qual letter for exactly what your offer is. A nice letter from your real estate agent saying "My buyers are offering as much as they can possibly afford..." It goes a long way. DO NOT, under any circumstances tell the selling agent how much you REALLY can afford! It's like a game of poker, the less info the other guys got, the better.
6) No such thing as a free lunch... Cash buyers, especially, this means you! If you low ball the heck out of a property and win the bid but the seller has changed your contingencies to no longer include a home inspection? You might not be getting as good of a deal as you think you are. For those that brag about getting a deal 50 cents on the dollar - it's probably just not true. That house was probably worth half as much as it was listed for and you bought it for 100 cents on the dollar!
Always remember the 87% SP to LP ratio. Get a CMA, figure out what the property is worth (what would an appraiser say it's worth) and then offer 80-85% of that. Expect a counter offer and go from there. Work with an agent who speaks and communicates clearly and concisely. Don't fall in love with any one property and happy hunting!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Information on Oil Spill affecting Florida
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – June 4, 2010 – Preparation is key now for home, business and environment. The following Florida resources offer guidance or direct help.
Landfall predictions
Projections from NOAA indicate weathered oil from the leading edge of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill could impact the Florida Panhandle as early as this week due to a shift in winds and currents.Any impact to Florida's shoreline will likely be highly weathered – tar balls, oil sheen, tar mats or mousse, a pudding-like oil/water mixture that could be brown, rust or orange in color.
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is tracking the oil spill's movement. For an update, visit the NOAA website at: http://www.noaa.gov
- If you spot oil on Florida's coastline report it to the State Warning Point at 1 (877) 2- SAVE-FL (1-877-272-8335) or dial #DEP from most cell phones.
Onsite actions
A single website was created to coordinate federal efforts as well as BP initiatives: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com
State and federal actions
- The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated at a Level 2 or partial activation.
- Governor Charlie Crist has issued three Executive Orders since April 30, 2010, declaring a state of emergency in 26 coastal counties that may see impacts. To read the Executive Orders, visit: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/default.htm#auth
- BP has opened claims offices in Florida. Visit the BP Claims Page toget addresses, phone numbers and to learn more: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/claims.htm
- On May 18, 2010, the Small Business Administration (SBA) opened eight offices in the Panhandle. To date, these offices have issued a total of 150 loan applications. Find an office (PDF format) at: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/small_business_admin.pdf
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted water and sediment sampling to use as a baseline for monitoring air quality data should it be affected by the oil spill. Read the reports and get updates as released at: http://www.epa.gov/bpspill
Health effects
There are no indications of any health risks due to the Deepwater Horizon incident so far. The Department of Health and DEP are monitoring health and environmental impacts to Florida's beaches and will notice an advisory if conditions become unsafe. To read more about the possible health effects from oil, go to (PDF): http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/faq_doh_051010.pdf
Fishing and seafood
- NOAA extended the boundaries of the closed fishing area in the Gulf of Mexico to the state water line in Alabama and the western tip of Florida's Panhandle. The federal closure does not currently apply to any of Florida's waters, and it's called a precautionary measure. For the latest update, check the Deepwater Horizon website at: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com. Scroll to "Current Ops" at the top and click on "Fish and Wildlife Report."
- Fishermen who wish to contact BP about a claim should call (800) 440-0858.
- Report oiled wildlife to the Wildlife Distress Hotline at (866) 557-1401. For the safety of the public as well as the safety of animals, trained responders should conduct rescues.
Tourism
- Florida's tourism website, www.VISITFLORIDA.com, posts up-to-the-minute information on the status of any city or region in Florida. Vacationers may also view live Twitter feeds of any changes. Learn more at: http://www.visitflorida.com/florida_travel_advisory/.
- The Florida State Parks have not felt any effect, but updates on closings, if any, will be posted on their website: http://www.floridastateparks.org. Visitors can also get updates by calling 1 (850) 245-2157.
Tips for homeowners
- Coastal homeowners have inundated the state with calls about what they can do to protect their property. The state has offered suggestions on what is allowed and what to avoid in a single (PDF) file: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/protect_shoreline_tips.pdf
Tips for businesses and consumers
- The Attorney General's fraud hotline is open to receive reports of fraud or price gouging by individuals or companies trying to take advantage of the Gulf oil crisis. Call the hotline at: 1 (866) 966-7226.
- The Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner gas price-gouging hotline is also operational. The toll-free hotline number is: 1 (800) HELP-FLA (1-800- 435-7352).
- Coastal businesses should keep good records and make loss of earnings claims for damages incurred as a result of the oil spill. Businesses should file a claim with BP by calling 1 (800) 440- 0858. Learn more at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/oilspill/default.htm or by calling 1 (850) 413-3089 or toll-free at 1 (877) MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).
Volunteer opportunities
- The Governor's Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service is encouraging Floridians and visitors to become a Coast Watch volunteer. To help or to get more information about scheduled beach cleanups and other volunteer opportunities at: www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org.
- BP established a volunteer program and set up a toll-free number for those interested in volunteering. Learn more by calling BP's community information line at 1 (866) 448-5816.
Learn more about Florida's response
- DEP launched a Twitter account, www.Twitter.com/FLDEPalert, dedicated to providing updates on Florida's response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.
- For a list of Unified Command, BP and Florida phone numbers, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/default.htm#numbers
- The Oil Spill Information Line is available at 1 (888) 337-3569 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days a week. Additional phone numbers have also been established for persons with disabilities: (800) 955-8771 (TDD) or (800) 955-8770 (voice).
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