How to grow a business in a down market. Give until it hurts.

I am often asked why I chose to open a Real Estate office in one of the worst economic times our generation has ever seen. The answer is simply, I didn’t mean to. I was at a Brokerage that charged more per year to be an agent then most agents made. I worked a few numbers and decided I could run my own cheaper. My wife and I met with a so called business advisor at the Chamber of Commerce and her advice was to bail on the idea and stay where we were. I hope she has a second job. No sooner than I signed the lease on my new office, the market died….well mabe not at that moment, but it sure felt that way. Karma at its very finest.

Never being the brightest bulb in the box, instead of falling into a fit of panic with the other business owners, I went against the grain and did what came to me. I gave and I hired, I learned and I taught. I hired other small businesses and self employed folks to clean my windows, paint, mow yards, clean houses. I spent on advertising, I lowered the cost I charge to manage properties, I didn’t charge the military an application fee. I educated myself in a hurry on short sales and other distressed properties. I came up with some very creative listing options to help the sellers out. By giving in a down market, a wonderful thing happened. My business grew. I have seen many of the smaller Real Estate offices swallowed up by the bigger ones. I can only guess that they hoarded their assets and waited quietly to be taken without a fight, never changing, never even looking outside the box. Little WOWza still sits here growing with me at the wheel. The nice lady at the Chamber of Commerce will have to wait on that, “I told you so”. Go figure. It really is better to give then recieve. To learn more about WOWza check out the WOWza Realty website Have a blessed day.

Buying a foreclosure is not always the best way to go.

We have really been blessed here in the Kingsland and St Marys area. With the base here, we really do have a nice influx of people coming into the area. This fact helps us dodge some of the problems that bigger markets are facing. We do unfortunatly have our share of bank owned and short sale properties. The thing that most home buyers are finding out is that buying one of those properties does not always mean a good deal. Believe me when I say banks are not always rolling over and giving away these properties. Another point to ponder is that many times the old owner wasn’t exactly in great mood when they left the home. This is evidenced by the missing lights, appliances or other gifts they left the bank. In an effort to keep this from happening many banks are now working with the outgoing owner simply to ensure the home isn’t trashed on the way out the door.

I am finding that some of the best deals for my buyers are with homes that have  a seller that is no kidding ready to sell. This has the same benefit of searching thru the bank owned homes. Many sellers priced the home to high initially and have made very hefty drops in the price to catch the eyes of potential buyers. With a little research its pretty easy to see those homes that are offering more bang for the buck.

If you want to check out the bank owned option, here are some tips you may find useful

1. Be flexible with your timeline. Banks move at their own pace. Good ones will move quickly to work with you. Poor ones, well lets leave it at that.
2. Have your financing ready to go. You should do this regardless, but it becomes very important with bank owned.
3. Factor in the cost of closing and repairs. No guarantee that the bank will pay these for you.
4. Know the market that you are buying. Just because it seems to be a steal, make sure you are not buying a home that did not sale because of the neighborhood comps not supporting it.

I believe that this is a wonderful time to look at buying these properties. In fact, the overall economy depends in some part on these properties finding new owners. Do your homework and be patient. Call me anytime to discuss these 912-882-5194

or go to www.callcamdenhome.com for more Real estate info. Click here to recieve the St Marys and Kingsland foreclosure list. No obligation of course.

More incentives to buy a Kingsland-St Marys Ga property

Just when I think it can’t get any better as a Buyers agent, it does. The $8000 tax credit is just nuts. Where was this when I bought my first home. Here it is in a nutshell. First time home buyers go out and buy a home. Close the deal, amend their taxes. And wala, checks on the way. See more of the details and search for homes at www.CallCamdenHome.com Starting April 1st the state of Ga throws a bone to the rest of us. This incentive is to help purchase a foreclosure. It kicks in $14,000 towards down payment. This one doesn’t need to be a first home. More details at www.CallCamdenhome.com or call Jeff at WOWza Realty of Kingsland Ga. 912-882-5194

The news and the Local Real Estate market

Its been some time since I last wrote anything close to an opinion on this Blog. In fact to call this a Blog is actually an insult to those talented folks that write on a daily basis. However,  on rare occasions I must write. Todays topic is Media driven fears…… I watch the news (Glutton) and folks like Donald Trump will say theres no money to buy homes. I get to work and have 5 lenders call wanting my clients business. Weird.  Real Estate in a nutshell is about dirt, dirt with homes on it. And since dirt is local so is Real Estate. The dirt and homes in New York are different than the dirt and homes in Kingsland and St Marys Ga. There may be no money for the dirt in New York. The dirt in St Marys Ga is different. Our market never really reached the crazy levels seen elsewhere in the US. We have a HGTV dreamhome from back in the day, we have Cumberland Island we have the great schools and in fact we have the Georgia AAAAA State champs in football last year.  We have a Navy Subbase here, if I didn’t tell you it was here you may miss it. In a nutshell, this is a great place to own a home. Theres plenty of money and programs. It still should be the American dream to own a home, as my Uncle Lee always said “They don’t make anymore dirt” so in a nutshell, I ask is it better to pay for your own dirt or someone elses? If you would like to see some great dirt with homes on them. Check them out at my main website www.CallCamdenhome.com and if you would like to discuss with me loan options that Donald Trump may not be aware of (sarcasm) give me a call 1-912-227-1932 once again my apologies to those serious Bloggers out there.

Mardi Gras 2009 St Marys Ga

Its that time of year. The 15th anniversary of the St Marys Mardi Gras Festival. This year its February 20th and 21st. A great time for the whole family. This years events include a parade, street dance, 5k run and arts and crafts. There will be plenty of free entertainment with music on the stage and show them what you got with the karoke contest. Finish it all off with the formal costume ball and dinner. . Hope to see you there. If you are new to the area, check out www.callcamdenhome.com I have a great page detailing the local area.

For more General information call 912-882-7133 or 912-882-7350
Vendors 912-552-0072 ask for Rosemary
Parade info 912-882-2215
Costume Ball info 912-882-7350
Beads and decorations may be purchased at Once Upon a Book store 912-882-7350 Louise or Cathy