BEV!

I did something I've never even thought of doing this past weekend This sweet and nice couple called me about one of the houses I'm marketing and they wanted to see it asap (Sat.) I told them I could NOT show them the house over the weekend because I didn't have a car (my son took my car for the weekend) They offered me a ride and they drove almost 2 hrs to come and pick me up and then 30 minutes drive to go see the house and then drive me back home. But there's more.......... 'Nother couple called on Sunday with the same urgency to see the house asap... Since I liked the idea about getting a ride, I told them the same story about my car but this time I asked them for a ride if they were really interested in the house, so they drove long distance to come and pick me up and go see the house and even bought me lunch and then brought me back home. OMG, I can really get use to this BEV!

I don't know if it's a man/woman thing or not, but I find that when I aggressively refuse to answer questions it instantly turns off the seller. My experience as well. If I replied to any homeowner down here like that, I have no doubt I would first be cursed out and then hung up on.Awwwwwe Relax peeps, one thing I learned many years ago, is to not mix my personal feelings with business. As long as I say it respectfully / professionally "and" am dealing with a mature / smart homeowner, then is all good. I remember my grand parents always telling me when I was in college, they said to me...... "Bev, business is not for the weak hearted, (afraid of hurting other people's feelings in a business deal, etc), if you want to succeed in any business, you need to have a strong heart or you will always fail at it." They meant that in a good way of course and now I understand it completely BEV!

BEV!

Absolutely NOT! The OC and 1st month's rent and deposit (if applies) comes from the T/B always, not from my pocket, ever.For some reason, it doesn't make sense to me to pay for my t/b's 1st month's rent and / or deposit. My T/B's have always come up with the entire amount to move in since I've been doing CA's which is been for ever (OC, 1st month's + Deposit and in some cases few month's prepaid in advanced to get a discount on their monthly rent) But that's just me. BEV!

Jason, I guess since I'm not used to splitting the OC, I've not given it any thoughts when I talk to homeowners. In this economy I wouldn't hesitate to share a part of my paycheck with someone that really needs it but there's gotta be something in it for me too though. This morning I sent an email to another FSBO and just about 2 hours ago I put the house under contract. (this one was fast) I'm telling you this so others can see how I handle the OC convo in a way that I don't leave room for the homeowner to ask me how I get paid or how to get a part of my paycheck. Here's the phone script from this morning... (I know some of the readers of this board like reading my scripts, hopefully it will help) David: Hi Bev, is me, David, the owner of the house on 123 main street. BEV!: David, hi! How are you? David: I'm ok, thanks.. I read your email about the lease option and I have been thinking about doing a lease option since last year but was afraid of doing it on my own.. thanks for the email. BEV: You're welcome. Say David, what was it about my email that made you call? David: The fact that you said that "the tenant buyers will take responsibilities for most home repairs".. If it hadn't been for that sentence, I would have not called you because I don't want to be a landlord BEV!: Cool! ------------- After we talked about everything--------------------Here comes the part of how I get paid ----------------- David: Bev, I just want to make sure that I won't pay you a dime for you to do all of this for me, is this correct? If so, I know you're not doing this for free. --------My answer here left him no room for him to ask me how I get paid ----------------------------------- BEV!: David, I don't do this for free but YOU do NOT pay me a dime and I don't feel I owe anyone an explanation on how I get paid for my services David: And I respect that, Bev.. I see you in a few hours to sign the papers then? BEV!: You bet! The End BEV!

I find it interesting how FSBO are so desperate for help these days. (I had an idea about it but never imagine it was this bad) I sent an email to a FSBO which is not my style to deal with them, but the lady homeowner of this home has been the most cooperative I've ever had. I put the house under contract last night and the lady was selling herself to me so I could help her.. wow! Never seen anyone so in need of help this way before. Anyway, she called me this morning and told me she bought lots of "Rent To Own" signs and placed them everywhere with my phone number on them all.. I honestly am thinking about switching to FSBO for now to help them out, it breaks my heart how this lady even gave me a list of people that have seen her house for sale but the families had bad credit and she suggested I call them all to see if I can work something out with some of them to place in her house. The owner bought this house all cash few months ago by the way, so there's no worries of foreclosure here. Just an observation, that's all. (FSBO) BEV!

Why, thanks, Stevie No, wait! Was this compliment for me or for the Admin? BEV!

I have so much to say, yet so little time but for now.... Yes, this can and is a full time thing (CA), I've been doing it full time for the past 4 to 5 yrs... I'm the only income in my household for the past 5 yrs. I know is not easy (nor has ever been) getting leads, specially these days. I've always gotten my leads through CL 100% Have any of you tried emailing the "house sharing/room sharing" section on CL? I did, and it got me a deal already. I'm thinking, if a family is renting out a room in their home, chances are they're doing it because they're in financial crisis and need help asap. So I emailed them and it worked. Just a thought as I gotta run for now. BEV!

Admin, thanks..... Wow! In this case I'm glad then since coming from a 27 yr old gorgeous Phillipino flight attendant lady, is a heck of a compliment! Admin, I know that if you were available, you wouldn't be this romantic with us gals BEV!

So lets take our minds off our frustration with the real estate market for a bit here... Here's what happened to me on a conversation I was having with a young Philipino lady this morning over breakfast and I don't know how to take her comment, either as an insult or compliment I know this young lady from about 3 weeks ago, we're not sisterly friends either, we just hang out for breakfast some times or lunch, that's it. So anyway, this is how the convo went... her name is Diane Diane: Hi, how was your day? BEV!: Was wonderful and hot, thanks for asking. Diane: So, wanna hang out this weekend on a double date? BEV! Depends who my blind date is LOL, as long as he's not bald or shaved head and over 5'10 tall, I'm all for it Diane: Yes, I have the perfect Phillipino guy who meets your requirements.... by the way, where did you grow up? BEV! I grew up all over the Nation and flying in airplanes moving around. Diane: Really?!, You look more like a Miami Girl to me (giggles) BEV!: Huh? Uh, ok What the heck did she meant by that? Was it an insult or compliment telling me I look like a Miami Girl? BEV!

Thanks! It amazes me how people can over look this goldmine of CL Like this week, I have a meeting with a homeowner about an hour away from me, guess what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna offer a couple of ppl a ride to that same town on that day (post an ad on CL), and make myself some real sweet money. The worst that can happen is that I don't make a deal with the FRBO and come back home with $200 + anyway Was it worth my time driving an hour to not get this deal with the FRBO? You tell me BEV!

Awwwwe! Here ya go then BEV!

Hello Joe, Back when it was a sellers market, my area's average house price was $650k to $800K so $1M+ houses weren't really that much of a difference for me to market. They are not mansions either, they're just houses in California, that's all My Killer ads? Been so long I can't remember them word for word but I would mention things like... 50% rent credit ...or... 50% off your first month's rent .. or... Free Housekeeping (1 visit) If you move in by 1/1/2009 Pay 4 Month's Advanced Rent And save $600 (or whatever amount you want) FREE Utilities Your first Month ETC ETC ETC ---- With the type of Option money I made from these homes, I had no problems providing all of the above You get the idea... Just be creative The sample video of an actual $1M home I did was uploaded for your viewing today. Turn your speakers on and CLICK HERE Good Luck BEV!

As evidenced by this: who can I sue? One of my uncles actually sued Safeway many years ago and Safeway settled out of court with my uncle for a HUGE amount But the catch was that in order for my uncle to get his $M's moolahs, he would be forced to sign a paper stating that he will not be allowed to ever work in the USA any more. He was happy to sign on the dotted lines right away, I mean, who needs to work with that kind of moolah anyway? BEV!

Jonathan, Indeed, you're a keeper, my friend! Jason, You're so charming.. rare to find that in men these days Steve, Your humor is fuel to the heart... A must have without a doubt. Mr. HiltonHeadInvestor, So very romantic, thanks.. I loved it! If only I can now find a man with each of your individual qualities and who knows how to cook Cuban dishes, I'd be so happy!!!! Admin, No, I didn't forget about you You know what they say, .. " You get what you pay for"... . She did say to tell you "Hi" and thanks for the cheap booze and pantyhose from WalMart The End. BEV!

Hello JW Welcome. When it was a sellers market, I dealt with some of them and I moved them by using Craigslist. I never use anything else to move or get homes.Of course the killer ad I would use helps.. I would make a video of every inch of the home and upload it for public viewing. (I have an actual sample of an over $1M home on video as I type this). Is not easy moving these $1M homes, but determination is key and persistence always pays off regardless of the price of the home or type of marketing we use Hope this helps. BEV!

And just where are the high class good looking guys on this forum at? There's just gotta be at least one..plz BTW, going back to my topic, this past Thursday, I went to the bart station to pick up my son which is quite a drive, but being the smart gal that I am, I decided to make money while driving so far... heck, why not? I placed an ad on CL 2 days before and offer to share ride (in my car) with 2 people going to the bart station on Thursday and for 2 other people coming from the bart station to my town on that same day.. keep in mind that a cab would have cost each of them over $150 to get to their destination to and from the bart. Long story short, I chose 2 ladies from CL who replied to my ads to go to bart and 2 other ladies coming from the bart. I made $240 that day in only 2 hrs drive round trip and got to pick up the love of my life at the station (my son) BEV!

As for me, I use only ONE email as that's what's been working for me for yrs! But I do tweak every single email... I specifically add the person's name and property address to them to give it that personal touch that stands out from all other emails. In my opinion, if I don't manually personalize each email, it would probably be mistaken by one of those "Nigerian" email scams as all their emails read the same over and over again. (in my area we get 100's of them weekly) I do, however, use a local name on my emails purposely something like "GoSF49rs@xxx.com" .. or .. "CentralCalif@xxx.com" so they'll know I'm local. I also add at the end of my emails something like... "Awaiting for your reply to discuss the details over the phone" BEV!

Jason, Last year I posted a house on the MySpace classifieds and forgot all about it and when I went to check for msgs few months later, OMG!!!! I had tons and tons of people interested in the house but the house was no longer available Now I'll keep a very close eye on my MySpace msgs. On another note, my CL is now back to normal again as if it nothings happened. Craig must of noticed activity decrease on Craigslist without my tons of postings in it, I suppose BEV!

Hmmm.. interesting no one is having to verbally verify their account, but me I know this is the way it has always been for the service section on CL, but now is spreading to all the sections. Oh well, life goes on.. I think I'll post on MySpace's Biz boards again, is a little higher rank than CL anyway and last time I posted the houses there, I got tons and tons of local replies too Off to MySpace I go BEV!

Have any of you tried to post on CL lately, within the last hour or so? This just started for me for the first time few hours ago. The notice to verify my account via phone shows only when I'm on the last stage of posting (before the code verification). It was working fine all morning though and then, BAM! I tried posting in FL just to test it and even in AL and it gave me the same thing right before the verification code BEV! PS. I'm still posting but with my account and I detest doing so

Is anybody else noticing that Craigslist is now mandating to get phone verified to post on the entire thing? (Real Estate, garage sale, etc) I've noticed this is in every section and for the entire Nation/World Now, if I want to post anywhere on CL, I'm forced to set up an account and then verify my account via phone. BUT the morons didn't take any of my ph #'s and I haven't had a land phone in OVER 6 yrs and CL only accepted my cell phone number, how idiotic is that?! Are you guys being forced to do the same thing in order to post in CL also? Let me know please. BEV!

If that's Vaca Frita, I don't want any

My boy Tony's back! But..... Bev,your gonna have to fight off my wife, but I do accents. Tony, am I to understand that you cook a mean Cuban dish or am I to understand that YOU are the Cuban dish yourself? Which statement is it, amigo? Megabuck, I wish I could just close my eyes and tap my shoes together and be in your guy's part of the world, I would be there every weekend LOL.... I've read so much about this vaca frita dish on this board, show me some pics to see what's it all about, what does it come with etc. BEV!

It's a Cuban thing, I suppose. Small, espresso cups filled with hot, syrupy, sweet, and very strong coffee. Syrupy? For reals? That sounds good!Which reminds me of this past Monday, I went to Burger King for breakfast and asked for a cup of coffee and the lady gave me a HUGE cup filled with coffee. Heck, I don't drink coffee to begin with but I was craving it that day... I told the lady I wanted to drink coffee, NOT bathe in it Long story short, I spilled the DING tub of coffee all over me and all over the table and floor... geeeeeeesh I guess I did end up bathing in coffee after all BEV!