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Call me to help you with your search.

Teral McDowell, Realtor

C21, PP

2701 W 15th ST

Plano, TX 75075

(972) 795-2571

Posted via email from teralmc

Show Me the Property

I can't help but wonder if other agents feel the same as I do. You have a customer. You are working hard obtaining the information they have requested from you. You go to your multiple listing site. You define your search with all the criteria the customer has given. Hit input to start the search. You are delighted! The search reveals several homes in the right price range within the right location. The list of homes displays. You make your choice, click on the listing and up pops up all the relevant information for that home except...the picture!

OMG! Sure I might know the general area maybe even that particular area but do I really know the inside of the home. The customer has questions. What if he's already drove by the house, the neighborhood and the general area? What if he is calling you on the phone for the specific bits of information he doesn't have?

I did recently receive one such call that the information was critical to the caller as he had a disabled person living in the home with him. Here I am verbally trying to explain to the caller that the listing agent failed to input pictures It sounds much like excuses and not much like a got-it-together agent; would you agree? So I find myself researching at the speed of my fingers any other possibilities to offer as an alternative should the caller not want to schedule an appointment or even a follow-up call. Three of the five listings failed to produce a home with photos ~ three!

With today's technology let's suppose how difficult is it to take a picture. We have all kinds of options from the disposal cameras, yes they do still exist to the highly paid professionals. As agents, we are told the importance of photographs from our brokers, our associations, our instructors and sometimes our clients. If pictures are rated so high on the chart of necessities in marketing, I can't help but wonder why so many listings are on the servers without images.

Do the agents or brokers that allow these listings to be submitted without photos for days or months on end realize the reduced revenue they are realizing for themselves or their agents? It would make every one's role a little smoother, a little kinder, a little nicer if more of our listings represented all of the client's interest with pictures. All I am asking is that you show me the property.

Looking for that One-of-a-Kind Place to call HOME

Posted via email from teralmc

A Valentine's Day to Remember

Valentine 1999. An all important date in my life. It holds a sweet memory, no pun intended. I had in my hand for the first time keys to a house that I could call home. I don't recall the drive from the closing to the house but oh, how well I remember standing in the middle of the living room with those keys in my hand. I was elated, surprised, overcome with joy and any other expression of happiness one can imagine. And it was Valentine's Day!

The journey began for me when I decided to take action and fulfill my dream of home ownership. It was January and all about new ~ year, home, leap of faith. So I leaped and contacted a mortgage person. They were able to help me determine how much home I could afford to buy. Whew, was I glad that process went quickly and smoothly. Pre-qualifying was relatively painless. I was motivated. I was ready and able. I needed to find a location I was willing to live in.

Out came the map book, highlighters and all the other tools needed to study. I identified several areas I was willing to consider. It was time for the great adventure; exploring the new and unknown areas in hopes that I would consider one home.

Exploring involved driving to each area and scouting out the neighborhoods. First, I drove through the streets on a regular work day. Next, I went back out on a Saturday to those I had not ruled out on the previous drive-by. Doing this really gave me a good feel for the neighborhood.

Having achieved my goals within a week I was ready to meet with a real estate agent. I handed over to the agent my maps and list of requirements in a home. Not being an agent myself at the time I was unaware of what the term meant to be a ready, willing and able buyer. But the agent knew and gladly explained that I had properly prepared beforehand.

My agent advised me that in light of all the information I had shared they would be able to prepare a tour of homes for the following day. The next day was a Saturday and we started out on our tour with seven homes. I knew when we entered the last home I had walked into what would be my new home. It was a good home for me and a fabulous Valentine's day in 1999.

If you are considering making your dream of home ownership a reality please call me. Together we can work through the process of owning a home. If you qualify, you may be entitled to the first time homebuyers tax credit of 2009. The credit could help you in achieving your dream of homeowner.

Speechless Sunday ~ Smooth Selling

For your next real estate transaction contact Teral McDowell, Realtor

Photograph courtesy of Ann Goodner