Buyer Myth #1: GREAT Expectations

My broker/mom/shopping buddy and I were riding to...the mall...yesterday discussing work and how things were going. I was reminding her about a couple I had been working with who were first time home buyers. The husband is in the Air Force, and they have been stationed here in Valdosta for about a year or so. They have a beautiful baby boy, and were looking for a house. They wanted something they could call their own, a place that they could personalize and take care of and cook in and take family pictures of their son in, a place that was...HOME! Their FIRST home. They were so excited about looking at all types of properties, both old and new, and figuring out what worked for them.

When I first discussed with the couple what they were looking for in their new home, I got a LONG list of must-haves.

• At least 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms
• Good Neighborhood, Close to Moody Air Force Base
• Around 1600 square feet
• At least a 1/2 acre lot
• Move-in Ready
• Wired and Watered Workshop with plenty of room
• Fenced in Backyard
• Large Kitchen with plenty of counter space
• All appliances in the home, including the washer and dryer
• 2 car garage
• Open Kitchen and Great Room
• Pantry in the Kitchen
• We don't want to go over $115,000

If you are a first time home buyer, you may be thinking that their list sounds pretty reasonable. This is what I get ALL THE TIME from not just first time buyers, but buyers in general.

What has happened in our marketplace is what I have coined: GREAT Expectations. Buyers are watching the news and listening to "the smart people" who are giving a false perception about what is really going on in real estate. You know the smart people, the real estate experts on the morning and evening news who are giving a broad and overall opinion about what the real estate market is doing. While their perception and analysis MAY be true of the real estate market nationwide, chances are, it is far from reality in each local market. Also, included in those "smart people" is your Uncle Joe. You know, Uncle Joe, the one who at Thanksgiving is telling everyone how to invest their money. He could be 80 years old and have made a fortune selling toilet seat covers, or your cousin who hasn't had a steady job in 20 years, but either way, he's a genius...or thinks he is. Put in your situation, though, Uncle Joe would never follow his own advice. It's more fun just to tell other people what HE would do. These "experts" would tell you that you can go out and buy a mansion, have all the appliances included, get a fence and not have to do a thing to the property because the seller is so ready to sell, they'll do ANYTHING, including, pretty much GIVE it to you!

Well, I'm calling BULL on this one! STOP LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON!!! Wake Up!

While I would love to be able to sell any home buyer EXACTLY what they want, it's just not going to happen! Foreclosures have affected our market and caused price corrections throughout the country. In many places, though, prices have not dropped significantly, they have only corrected to a fair market value. You see, prices rose so quickly during the boom that the market NEEDED to slow down and deflate, it was inevitable. Foreclosures have helped that. However, when you are looking to purchase a foreclosure, please don't expect to be able to just walk in with your recliner and your television and move right in. Most of the time they'll need some work. You can count on a minimum of carpet cleaning, but you should expect missing appliances and lights, holes in the walls, missing flooring and sometimes...they actually need cleaning. Who would've thought?? This is not everything you want for pretty much free. First of all, foreclosure companies are not dropping their prices ridiculously low anymore. They are accepting what they believe is fair market value. Second, sellers can not afford to throw in everything and their dog. They are already getting less for their home than what they owe on it, so they certainly can't afford to add a fence and replace the carpet.

It's time to get REALISTIC. Talk to a CAREER REALTOR. One who makes their living selling real estate in the market you are looking to purchase in. This person should know everything there is to know about market trends and what you should expect. While they don't have psychic powers and can't tell the future, they should be able to give you the expectations of particular areas and neighborhoods for the coming years. Real estate agents are not perfect, but Career Realtors are the most familiar with what's going on their real estate market. Take advice from the real experts who truly know what's going on. Get realistic about what you can expect in terms of pricing and amenities. Don't be so disappointed that you talk yourself out of investing in your future by buying real estate now, and miss out on the opportunity and joys that come with home ownership.

These buyers I was working with eventually decided to just not buy a home. In one of the best markets for buyers we've seen in nearly 2 decades, they decided to throw their money away on rent. Their excuse for backing away was because they were afraid they may not be able to sell in 3 or 4 years. I really believe they decided not to buy because their expectations were too great for the market. They were not able to get everything they wanted in their home, so they were disappointed when they saw the reality of real estate in Valdosta, Ga, and weren't satisfied because they didn't find the home with absolutely everything they were expecting.

Get out of the clouds and let's get Realistic Expectations that will prove a great investment for your future.

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1169 Hwy 129 South, Stockton, GA $89,900

Are you looking for a FOUR bedroom home on 2.5 acres??  This home is in the process of being updated and it is going to be AWESOME!

Complete with a 2 car garage, you will love what you get for just a little bit of money! At this price, you are investing for your future while enjoying yourself right now! You’ll love the country setting and rural feel of the area.

The master bedroom is huge, and the master bath has a separate tub and shower!

The split floor plan and open kitchen and great room are everything you’ve been looking for! Don’t wait to make this home yours! It won’t last long!!

Click HERE to view a narrated e-tour on this home!

Call me today, Morgan Plyler, at 229-251-7897! This one won't last long! Visit my website at http://www.realestatebymorgan.com/ to check out this and other homes in Valdosta, GA and surrounding areas! Now is the time to by real estate in Valdosta, GA! Don't miss out!

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BUY REAL ESTATE IN VALDOSTA, GA NOW!!

Check out this link about investing in real estate today!! Don't miss the opportunity!

http://rismedia.com/2011-08-22/rand-on-real-estate-comes-to-national-television/

Call Today for more information about homes in Valdosta, GA!

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Wandering minds want to know…


Today, I’m going to answer the single question I get asked when people find out I work with EXIT Realty. How did you come up with the name of “EXIT Realty”? First of all, I have to admit that I didn’t come up with the name. All of the genius behind this name belongs to Steve Morris, founder and CEO of EXIT Realty.

What’s in a name you say? Well, let’s just ask Judas Iscariot or Jezebel. You don’t see many parents choosing these names do you? A name can produce an array of emotions – both good and bad. So, what does the word “EXIT” bring to mind ~ safe passage! And you see it everywhere! Along highways, EXIT 32, Airport next EXIT, McDonald’s even puts our name on their signs ~ McDonald’s next EXIT. All these signs give you peace of mind in helping you arrive at your destination.

Just think about it for a minute. Flight attendants point out EXITs before you ever begin flight. You can’t go into a commercial building without seeing an EXIT sign. Even our competitors are required by law to have our name posted in their building! Statisticians can’t even tell us how many EXIT signs there are in the country; however, we estimate there are over 1 Trillion EXIT signs in North America.

Now that you are beginning to see the big picture and the immeasurable value in our name, try NOT to notice the EXIT signs!

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**HOME OWNERSHIP MATTERS**

from {here}

While reading through the latest issue of REALTOR Magazine, I stumbled on an intriguing article entitled "Home Ownership & The American Dream". It seems that Americans are finding it less important to actually own their home, they do not see the value. However, when polled 96% of respondents felt that owning a home was a better financial decision than renting. This year, NAR (The National Association of REALTORS) has launched a campaign to remind Americans of the value in home ownership, and it's direct relation to the values and principles our country was built on. The best part of the article to me was a quote from Martha Stewart. She began by quoting Samuel Johnson, and then added her thoughts. :

"To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition. Our families and our homes are the center of American life. And everything we do is to make those homes--and the lives in them--more beautiful, more comfortable, more functional, and more full of life and light and joy for those we love. At the end of the day, that is the American Dream. All the rest is window dressing."

Thank you, Martha, for your beautiful words! THAT makes sense. 

The entire article can be found {here}.

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It's Gonna Be Me!

Ok, I've been taking a little hiatus, not to neglect but to revamp and refocus! It's been a month now, since my last post and I've done a lot of things in the last month. I've been to Dallas, I've listened to numerous speakers, I've hired a coach, I've prepared and nearly finished 2011's Business Plan, I've prayed, I've cried, I've been to Atlanta, I've investigated, I've been to Tallahassee, I've talked, I've listened, I've calculated. I've done a lot of thinking in the last month. Thinking about business, thinking about life, thinking about myself, thinking about people, thinking about what is truly important to me. And, I don't mean asking the question "What is important to me" just once, but SEVEN times and about the previous thought. Joe Stumpf taught me to do this. It's about getting to the root of who I really am and what I really want out of this gift I've been given, this responsibility I've been blessed with: LIFE.

As a part of this time of self-analysis, I've learned, and ultimately decided, that real estate is more about you and I than contracts and checks. Real estate is about developing relationships that matter, and helping people achieve their dreams and overcome their struggles. I'm committed now, in this blog, in my day-to-day interactions, in my emails, in my phone conversations, in my walk, in my speech and in every facet of my life to do my best to develop myself while touching people's lives. I, therefore, am committed to giving you a truer, rawer sense of Morgan Plyler. I am determined to be Morgan Plyler: Your Friend in the Real Estate Business.

I am so committed, in fact, that most of my posts from now on (fingers crossed) will be LIVE, IN PERSON! Yes, that's right live video of yours truly! :)

I'm so thankful for what I've been blessed with. I'm so thankful for my career. I am so thankful for the opportunities I have been fortunate enough to take advantage of!

So, looking forward, I warn you and, yes, borrowing a line from an old school NSync tune: It's Gonna Be Me!

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Foreclosures on the Rise...NO WORRIES!

National reports have come out in the last week showing that foreclosures are on the rise. RealtyTrac reported that there were a whopping 95,364 foreclosures in the month of August NATIONWIDE! To put this into perspective:
    
       If every person in Lowndes County was foreclosed on, that would be more foreclosures than we have seen in the ENTIRE COUNTRY! Yes, that's right, Lowndes County has more residents than there were foreclosures in the United States of America in August 2010!!


View Larger Map


Not as bad as it seems, huh?! Oh, the media! Americans must regain confidence in our economy and without perspective, it can't be done. Spread the GOOD news, not the bad and America will be just fine!

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Check out this report from the Today Show today! While most areas of the country are not seeing this type of volume, many of the same deals can be found everywhere! Lemons = Lemonade! It's time America took advantage and started getting positive!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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Monthly Market Report: August 2010

So, each month, I’d like to give a little update on what’s going on in our marketplace. I’m going to provide statistics and information using our South Georgia Multiple Listing Service. Hopefully, the information will help to provide insight into the real estate market in the Lowndes County and Valdosta, GA areas, and help give a clearer picture about home pricing and more.


When comparing to one year ago, August 2009, last month saw just over a 3% increase in number of residential units sold in Lowndes County alone. Compared to the month of July 2010, August 2010 saw just over a 16% increase in the number of residential units sold, again, in Lowndes County only. If nothing else, just this figure shows that we’re looking up!

According to the MLS, Lowndes County has seen an 11% decrease in August 2010, compared to August 2009, in the number of homes being newly listed for sale. This may be evidence of some stabilization.

The real estate market in Valdosta and Lowndes County, like much of the rest of the country, did not see the awful numbers being reported by our national news. Several factors help to keep our market “out of the woods” and fairly stable throughout the downturn. We were seeing such high and inflated home prices before the crash that our market has simply corrected through these times, not plummeted. Our values now are pretty accurate and straight forward. We have definitely seen a decrease, but again, now the values are probably what they should be, not at rock bottom.

All of these things considered, NOW is the time to buy real estate. Home prices are low, interest rates are at RECORD lows (I’ve seen 2.75%), and the economy will not suffer forever. I read today, where forecasters are predicting an increase in the interest rates in the next WEEK!! While nothing is a guarantee, do not be one of those people kicking themselves at the end of this for not taking advantage. Americans, and our economy, will get up, dust off their shoulders, become more confident, and, even if a little scarred, will MOVE ON and MOVE UP!

So, I, and EXIT, say: BUY REAL ESTATE NOW! Stop talking about how bad everything is and realize that things are only as bad as WE make them. Refuse to let the national news form your opinion! Look at the facts! The facts are that it’s not all that bad! Chin Up, Folks!

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What is a real estate CMA? (Competitive Market Analysis)

Have you as a home buyer or seller ever been offered a "CMA"? Sometimes, we REALTORS forget that folks out there in everyday land, not in Real Estate Land, don't understand our "lingo". We use terms and abbreviations like REO, FHA, CMA, FSBO (fizz-bo), GFE, and VA that mean absolutely nothing to most buyers and sellers. So, today, I'm going to try and clear up one of the most commonly used abbreviations:

The CMA.

CMA stands for "Competitive Market Analysis" or "Comparative Market Analysis". This document gives the interested party the likely value that a buyer may place on the property in question. Included in a CMA are properties that are similar to the subject property (the property that is being bought or sold). The goal when composing a CMA is to find properties that are most similar to the subject property in terms of location, square footage, lot size, upgrades, year built, amenities, and other features along the same line. The key is to look for comparable properties that have been on the market or sold in the previous 6 months or so. By looking at what these similar homes may have been listed for, sold, or not sold, for we can help determine the market value of any property in consideration. The information about the similar properties should come from a local Multiple Listing Service where properties for sale are stored along with specific information. This helps ensure that the information is relatively accurate and monitored by a local, non-biased office. Once specific properties are located, then they are compared to the subject property and adjustments are made for differences in each of the areas being compared. For instance, if the home you are selling has 2500 square feet, and the one you are using as a comparable only has 2000 square feet then a minor adjustment may need to be made for the difference. After adjustments are made and each property is compared, an estimated market value or suggested list price is determined based on the information collected.

The CMA is an important tool if you are trying to sell your home, because it provides insight into what a typical buyer might be willing to pay. This is what helps you determine where you want/need to set your asking price.

When buying a home, the CMA can help you determine how to structure your offer to the seller, and what may or may not be reasonable.

So, I hope that helps clear up some questions you may have about the ever-confusing Real Estate Language. Hang in there and Ask Questions! Your real estate professional is there to help you through each step of the home buying or selling process. Don't be shy!

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TOP 10 STEPS TO GET YOUR HOME SOLD!

Besides the issue of price, maybe the next most important part of selling your home is what we marketing people call "merchandising". Merchandising with regard to the sale of your home is what you do to contribute to the sale, or, in other words, how you make your home as absolutely attractive as possible! Now, you may be thinking that pictures of you or your grandkids are extremely attractive, but...I'm going to just go ahead and say...YOU and YOUR FAMILY are the only ones who think so. (Ouch, I know.) But, seriously, TAKE THEM DOWN!!
Merchandising is all about little things like these that will make a HUGE difference in the way your home appeals to the potential buyer taking a look.

I've composed a list of what I believe to be the TOP 10 Merchandising Tips. Take a look, and take my advice!

1. First Impressions Count!

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so look at your home’s exterior with a critical eye. Mow the lawn, trim the shrubs, and tidy up the front porch.

2. Start with a Clean Slate

Take the time to clean the kitchen, bathrooms, and living room. Potential buyers would rather see how great your home really looks than hear how great it could look.

3. Everything Has its Place

Remember, propects are not only looking for comfortable living space, but plenty of storage space. Check the attic, garage, and all of the closets, making sure they are all neat and free of clutter. Invest here or here.

4. Make your Bathroom Shine, Shine, Shine

As crazy as it sounds, bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine! Check and repair areas that may need caulk. Display your best towels, mats and shower curtains.

5. Peel Back those Blinds

Let the sun shine in! Pull open your curtains, drapes, or blinds so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is. The more light, the better atmosphere.

6. Be it Ever so Humble…

No matter how humble your abode, never apologize for its shortcomings. And if a prospect volunteers a derogatory comment, bite your tongue. You do not want to scare away a potential buyer forever.

7. Pets May Pose Problems

Dogs and cats can easily get in the way when showing your home. Try to be considerate and keep them outside, at a neighbor’s house, or in their kennel.

8. Too Much of a Good Thing

Put personal collections away someplace safe. They often take up tons of space and can easily make a room feel cluttered.

9. Check the Temperature

Now is NOT the time to be worried about the utility bill. If it’s warm or cool outside, adjust the temperature accordingly. You want to give your buyer more of a reason to linger, especially on those hot and cold days.

10. Play Down the Scent

Many people are allergic to certain scents and deodorizers. Don’t overdo it with candles and perfumes. Your home should have a fresh scent, not anything overwhelming. Try this.


Ok, I think that about gets it! Whether selling your home yourself, or with a licensed REALTOR, swallow the knot in your throat, do a few things to make your home look its best, and SELL IT!

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About Me

     SO, first things first! My name is Morgan Plyler, also known as many other things, but “Mo” specifically. I’ve lived in Valdosta, Ga for pretty much my entire life, except a year or so during college. I graduated from Georgia Christian School down in Dasher, Ga, just south of Valdosta. I did most of my growing up down in Dasher, it will always be home. I moved on to Alabama for my first year or so of college, then back to Valdosta where I graduated with a degree in Business Management from Valdosta State University. I am so blessed to have grown up in this city that’s close enough to the beach and to the big city, but just far enough away.

…more to come about Valdosta soon…

     Close to finishing college, I felt it was time to break into the real estate market. Yes, this was the beginning of the worst real estate market in recent history. BUT,…I was a fearless college student, young, energetic, and ready to take on the task. It seemed like the right thing to do. Get an early start in a career where I control my income, I work on my time, and I get to help people through one of the biggest, most exciting purchases of their lives. Helping people realize a traditional American dream, like homeownership, is extremely rewarding. I would say the early start into the business served me well. According to what “they” say, the market can’t get much worse than it’s been in the last 2 years, so I can make it through anything! I learned, it’s not about the market, it’s about me! Work hard, pound the pavement, and success is inevitable. EXIT Realty showed me that. If not for the real estate and mindset training offered by this company, my outlook in life and in business would still be flawed. What a blessing!

     So, a 2.5 year old Realtor, I come with many real estate experiences. Being in the new, younger generation, I use technology to my advantage, and bring fresh ideas to the marketing and sale of homes in the area (no doubt linked to my focus on marketing, as well as management at VSU). I love the career I’ve chosen and the opportunities that it allows me to help others while supporting myself. Again, so blessed!

     Outside of real estate, I love sports!! I’ve been a player, a coach, and a fan my entire life! You can’t live in Valdosta, GA…Winnersville, USA, Titletown USA…without being a fan! I also enjoy teaching young girls, and volunteering in other ways around Valdosta. My friends are scattered around the southeast, but the ones I’ve grown up with are still around. We keep it pretty low-key, but always manage to have a great time!

     So, that’s pretty much ME! Real Estate Agent…with Southern Style. It’s what I bring to life, it’s what I bring to business.

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