Responding to an incoming visitor via this search phrase: good things about being a real estate agent1) Set your own hours (usually 24/7)2) Time with family (and the occasional country drive to preview properties). The ability to coach my daughter’s soccer team two days a week and attend all of her games (I’ve missed one in five years) is invaluable. Besides, I sponsor her team!3) Wake up every day with a fear and determination to earn.4) Help people (usually nice ones!)5) Choose those with whom you work6) Personally, I have a passion for this business. I absolutely love the daily challenges. For learning, sharing, helping and helping others succeed, be they new agents, first-time homebuyers, savvy relocating retirees … the potential for a feeling of profound satisfaction is one of the forces driving me each and every day. The constant challenge of not being consumed by the business is a major component of real estate; I could talk real estate and the associated subjects – politics, taxes, land use, home owners’ associations – all day long, much to the chagrin of my wife.So long as I have the passion, I will continue to do what I do.Now, if I could only figure out how to get paid to blog …
Date Archives October 2006
Difference between the self-employed and the rest
Realtors are self-employed. What we earn depends on our efforts, our dedication and the occasional spate of luck.I ran into an old friend yesterday in the grocery store and part of the “haven’t seen you in a while” chit-chat was asking how our respective careers were going. His response was anathema to me; “It’s great – I’m there for 7 1/2 hours a day and then I’m done.”Where’s the excitement? The growth? The challenge? The fear that is vital to success?
Quick CharlAlbemarle numbers
There are currently 1591 properties actively on the market in Charlottesville, Albemarle and Fluvanna (203 of which are condos).*438 of these 1591 properties are marked as New Construction – 28% of properties on the market now in the above localities are new construction. How many have actually broken ground and are currently under construction? Hard to tell.434 are not listed as New Construction and are vacant – nearly 38% of resale homes on the market are vacant. Ostensibly, these homeowners are managing two house payments at the same time.Good times and good opportunities for buyers.*Data is from the CAAR MLS, which contains most, but not all property information.
TDRs in Albemarle
Supervisor David Slutzy is thinking outside the box. And he wants to expand the growth-area box by 1%. It’s too late for a full analysis, so read Charlottesville Tomorrow’s excellent coverage and the Daily Progress’ as well.What’s a TDR? – “Transfer of Development Rights.”A TDR program for Albemarle would allow rural area landowners to voluntarily sell any unused potential housing lots as credits to landowners building in designated receiving areas. More on how this affects the average home/landowner a bit later today, but in short, this may be a vehicle to help achieve higher density within the urban area whilst preserving the rural surrounding area.
Real estate carnival 10-2-2006
The weekly tour of real estate blogs continues this week at Yo Chicago.
On Cancellations
Regarding cancellations, via Calculated Risk:New home sales rose a surprising 4.1 percent in August — May, June and July sales were revised down — while existing home sales showed a scant 0.5 percent drop. The reports inspired comments (hope?) that housing might be stabilizing….Simply put, cancellations are rising, and they aren’t being captured in the aggregate statistics because of the way the survey is designed. Hence, sales are being overstated and inventories understated….We know from big builders that cancellation rates are rising. Seiders says the rate “has roughly doubled over the last year” and is “more serious at the big companies.”Here is one of the primary differences between the CharlAlbemarle/Central Virginia market and the rest – we have only one big builder (Ryan Homes) in our market.
Monday Links 10-02-2006
Can the government protect exotic-borrowers from themselves? Doubtful. The market and the intrepid borrowers will always find irresponsible ways to manage money.An 8-point review of a home, from an inspector’s point of viewBroadband is a drawback to rural living.