Terrylynn's Blog

Join the Contra Costa Association of Realtors on June 14, 2009 at Heather Farms Park.  We will be walking to benefit the Moses Guillory Perpetual Scholarship Fund and celebrating Green Fest to promote energy efficiency!

Click here for a GreenWalk Registration Form.
Click here for a GreenFest Sponsorhsip Form.

Expect fun, camaraderie, sunshine, a lovely setting, and exercise at the CCAR GreenWalk5K! Participation fee is $20. Registration is at 8am, with snacks, water, a t-shirt and group photos provided for the walk, which begins promptly at 9am.

Organize a team for your organization, prizes will be awarded!

The CCAR GreenWalk5K benefits the Moses Guillory Perpetual Scholarship Fund.

Location: Heather Farms, 301 N. San Carlos Drive in Walnut Creek, California.

8am Registration, 9am GreenWalk Begins!  GreenFest immediately following.

For more information about the GreenWalk5K, email joel@ccartoday.com. Register online at http://www.ccartoday.com/797.

Platinum Sponsors include Diablo Realty and Oakhust Properties.

10am - 4pm

After the GreenWalk5K, attend the first ever CCAR GreenFest from 10am-4pm. This FREE event will feature food, music and green vendor sponsors who will provide rebates, incentives, money-saving products and free green products! Art Thomas Locker Room will conduct an auction of Raiders memorabillia, with a share of the proceeds going to the CCAR Scholarship Fund. Learn the benefits of going green, including how to make homes healthy and green.

Vendor sponsors receive a 10' x 10' booth and event directory listing.

We will be accepting donations for the Contra Costa County Food Bank!

For vendor and sponsor information, email terryshomes@astound.net.

Sponsors and Endorsements:
Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce
Pacific Gas and Electric
Bay Area Green Business Program
Contra Costa Water
City of Walnut Creek
Concord Disposal

- Terrylynn Fisher
Contra Costa County Realtor
Terrylynn-n-Team.com
terryshomes@astound.net
925.876.0966

There is a terrific and one of the most balanced articles I've seen regarding the housing market and potential for people buying now...while the market is nearly bottomed out.  It is Dave Kansas, editor at large for FILife and former WSJ editor, who wrote the "Wall street jounral Guild to the end of Wall Street as we know it"   YOU GO DAVE, this one article today may have put the balance we've been seeking into our marketplace.  Real estate is always a good investment, you just need to know why you are buying and be realistic about your expectations.  What a concept! 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124010083844932175.html   This link takes you to a very nice printable version and ability to email it to clients.  THIS is one that is going out to my clients...because it's a darn good article.  Happy Sunday the end is in sight.  Dave starts the article with...

"Some people think it's a good time to buy a house. Is it?

In the past few weeks, home-sales data have perked up from very low levels. At the same time, home prices continue to fall in most parts of the country and mortgage rates, while ticking up, are at remarkably low levels.

All these data raise an intriguing question: Is now a good time to purchase a home?"

Lisa Haney

DAVE - It's important to address the salient caveats. First, we are extremely unlikely to return to the boom-boom era of home investing reached earlier in this decade when prices soared 20% and more per year. Long-run historical data indicate that homes generally match the inflationary trend, rising about 3% a year. 

Terrylynn - You really want to read this, the highlights of the article are explained in depth for the buyer or seller to understand completely - take it away Dave... http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124010083844932175.html

Buy Carefully  (ohhh you'll love what he says about this)

Don't Hunt for the Bottom  (what Realtor doesn't want the client to understand this)

Know what you want.  (sooo important to the buying process, people think they know, when do they know)

Be ready to pounce.   (how long the market conditions last???  this is good for buyers to understand in order to get the best buy they can)

Negotiate closing costs.   (often sellers WILL do this but as multiple offers on foreclosures come into play how long will that be a possibility...Dave explains this very well)

Get an inspection.  (OHHHH YES, important to do when buying anything!!! Tips here on what to do with what the inspection tells you.)

Terrylynn - then Dave finishes with..."Real-estate investing can still be pretty dicey in the current market. There may -- or may not -- be money to be made. But buying a home is all about providing a place for you and your family to live. And as home prices settle at lower levels, you just might become a homeowner much more economically than anyone has in a long time."

OHHHH I love this post.  It is wisdom that should be part of the arsenal of every realtor and every stager when talking with clients.  We get so excited about doing the whole works that sometimes the client wonders if they really can stage.  YES they can, staging for any budget, just ask.  This is a perfect example of what it takes and the results for the effort.  Do it yourself with guidance is actually a great way to accomplish your goals.  In this economy, I know most stagers offer and realtors encourage this service for their clients.  Read and see what I mean.  Happy selling.

100,000 points...I started blogging here on AR in November of 2007.. 83 associations later, 73 subscribers, 126 posts here I am.  WHEW!!!   How did I get here???

Two featured posts...At first I strived for the "FEATURE"...what would the AR gods want to hear, read, know about that was feature worthy?  Well Rich kindly nudged me one day and said, just go for content and enjoy the writing and the experience and don't worry about the feature.  A funny thing happened.  I did that, and found friendships, fun, lots of good reading, great advice on every possible topic, reasons to donate to causes, fights to join for the greater good, and real estate and staging issues to talk about, contribute to and participate in. 

Some were just darn fun like the dancing analogy to real estate  http://activerain.com/blogsview/757647/DO-YOU-CHA-CHA-WHEN-YOUR-CLIENTS-HIP-HOP  

Some were newfound causes and awareness posts http://activerain.com/blogsview/713966/How-many-aluminum-cans-106000-every-30-seconds

Some were educational in nature for consumers that would help them make decisions http://activerain.com/blogsview/590602/Why-trade-my-dirty-carpet-for-your-dirty-carpet-A-little-bit-of-history

Some were a little controversial or shocking in nature http://activerain.com/blogsview/396957/This-may-be-why-Realtors-dont-want-you-talking-to-their-clients

All in all, would I change a word???  Well maybe one or two.  But the richness of AR is the people.  THANKS all for reading, commenting and being here for me to chat with when I needed an ear.  My pleasure to contribute the same for you at a time when you might have wanted that same thing.

Here's to 200,000...See you all - late night on AR...Fondly (and you know who you are)...Terrylynn

Don't you just love it when you call a client and they are upbeat and positive about what you are doing?  The post I wrote about the http://activerain.com/blogsview/1016230/First-home-Ive-ever-listed-that-didnt-need-to-be-staged-first the first home I've listed that didn't need to be staged first, is not entirely accurate, they actually DID do everything that was required to make the home show staged and ready.  Thank you to them for listening and doing what they trusted would work. 

SO when I call today to see how they are doing, they are just as excited and upbeat as the day we listed. WHY?  Because they have a wonderful home and are confident that when we take it on broker tour next week, someone will have a buyer who appreciates all they have done.  What if that doesn't happen?  Well, it's likely to happen, because I find happy homes generally sell.  they must be well priced of course...

Have you ever noticed how unhappy circumstances in a home can cause a sort of "negative" energy in the home and surroundings?  It is subtle, sometimes not so subtle, but definately affects buyers going through the house.  I try when I list a home to be sensitive to some of that and have had counselling sessions with sellers who may be resisting the move, or one spouse or child resists, and it casts a sort of "spell" on the house.  Clearing the air can relieve alot of the house stress and lighten the flow of energy.  Sound funny?  Not really, feng shui experts and others will tell you it is true. 

My previous posts on this topic illustrates how hard it is for the buyer to see your home as a potential home for themselves... http://activerain.com/blogsview/700391/YOUR-Home-or-OUR-Home-We-want-to-buy-OUR-home  And, clutching your memories can be just as devastating to a home potential home sale...  http://activerain.com/blogsview/394860/Clutching-your-memories-keeps 

Terrylynn and Bob Fisher, Diablo Realty, Walnut Creek, California  If you are looking for persistent and hardworking Realtors who will tell it like it is and guide you through the reality of the market we are in, we're here, ready, willing and able to help you assess your real estate needs in 2009.  Call us, won't you?    925 876-0966  Terryshomes@astound.net

Specializing in Happy Clients

I believe this is the message many of us want to deliver.  Sometimes we just grow weary of being the bearers of not such good news.  However, I believe our clients want and need to hear us say.

Dear trusted client, (and friends),

It is me, your Realtor.  I have often told you that I want to be your realtor for life...I have been in real estate 32 years and think I used that slogan long before it became everyone's slogan.  But it is still a good one for me.  What does that mean to you?  It means I'll be there in good times and in bad.  I'll be there for the counsel and questions.  It means I"LL BE THERE (or HERE in this market right now)!!!

So in today's market what does that mean?  It means that I want to be your first phone call if you have something to discuss about your real estate.  Don't be embarrassed and don't worry about judgment, it's me here, just as I've always been.  Everyone has something in life, if you have a situation that is not particularly easy to discuss, be assured I will be discreet and hold your information in confidence.  If you have a friend or coworker who needs advice on shortsale or foreclosure or just general questions I would be honored to be that resource.  Your referral is a compliment that means more than I can tell you.  It is why I still do what I do after 32 years.  It IS my reward.

My goal is as it's always been, to treat you fairly, with respect and honesty and assist you in whatever your real estate need.  Much like a marriage,  I'll be there for those tough conversations, and without judgment help you to explore the way through this market we find ourselves in.  The solution may not always be what you want to hear and certainly may not be the message I want to deliver but I promise to do so, so that you can move on.  I believe that is why you have called me.

You see, I am here in this profession I love for the duration.  Are these easy answers and easy times to be a Realtor? NO, certainly not.  But I will not abandon you just because times are tough.  I owe you that, I honor my profession by being here to help those who need good, honest real estate advice, perhaps to hold your hand, or cry with you.  But I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Blessings to you...we'll all get through these times with a little help from our friends.  Your Realtor

Why do we share our expertise with our competition???  Or are they peers, who would share with us?

Why do we write posts giving answers to questions asked?  Or why not, because for everyone we answer we are given answers to our questions?

Why do we travel the country to seek out those we've met here?  Because this forum has made the world a smaller, more intimate place and friendships are attainable and sustainable from longer distances than ever before.

WHY??? Well I have a theory.  It is that when we give without expecting anything in return, we get it back because the universe just has to reciprocate your good thoughts and good actions.  So the reverse might be true, if we invest our time in negative thoughs we might get negative back ...OHHH NOOOO not me.  And not most of you from what I've observed.

I want to say thanks.  WHY?  Because when we might not be feeling so cheerful, we can always find a cheerful post and kind word and inspiration in a post of a friend, acquantance or newbie here on AR...

WHY?  Why NOT?  Thanks my friends, you know who you are.  For the answers, the questions, the good thoughts, inspiration, and the hugs and thanks when we bring our StagersLIST Expos to you out there in the world.  Why do we do it?  Well because we love and respect this profession and feel that everyone deserves education and knowledge that we've found valuable...perhaps you will too.  AND at the very least we get to meet our friends and find out what is going on it their neck of the woods.  What a wonderful opportunity, for all of us.  Sharing, caring, questions, answers, inspiration...we get as much as we give.  And we just can't get enough.  See you next EXPO...in a City near you. 

Terrylynn Fisher, StagersLIST.com

Diablo Realty Real Estate Broker

Your Senior Real Estate Specialist, Certified Residential Specialist, Staging Consultant and fellow blogger.

1571 B Schenone Court in Concord, CA
Available now!
$1,400/month - $1,800 Deposit.

• - Beautifully redone in Diablo Creek, not intended to be a rental
  - 2 bedrooms, 1,5 baths
• - 1,100 square feet of living space
• - Skylight
• - Gas firelplace
• - Inside laundry hookups
• - Wood flooring in dining room
• - ALL new kitchen with new appliances
• - Balcony, fenced yard and storage
• - 2 assigned parking spaces

Walk to Clayton Valley High, shopping, BART bus, grocery stores and much more.

Schools assigned to this address are (check school district for more information and availability):

Ayers Elementary
5120 Myrtle Drive, Concord, CA 94521

Pine Hollow Middle
5522 Pine Hollow Road, Concord, CA 94521

Clayton Valley High
1101 Alberta Way, Concord, CA 94521

 For photos, map and application, visit www.PMRental.com.

Contact Terrylynn to arrange a showing.  925.876.0966.