Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA: house

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Technology: Friend or Foe?

Is all the new/modern technology a friend or foe to you? How do you cope if you are not computer literate or know someone who is? I remember when I bought my first home and the Realtor® carried around a printed list of the houses for sale in the area. OMG, she didn't even have a cell phone or GPS device/system. That's a long way from where we are today.

Just this weekend I used my Droid to text, call, and GPS, used a USB Thumb Drive to transfer some files from my work PC to my laptop, used an external hard drive to backup my laptop files, printed on wireless printers at home/office, scanned to email, blogged/tweeted, resized/used filters on digital photos, began implementing a new IDX solution into my Homes for Sale Warner Robins GA website, and synched my phone and laptop. As soon as the Central Georgia MLS is available for the IPad (soon), I'll be hopping on that bandwagon.

Why do I try to catch up/keep up/stay up with technology? It helps me do my job smarter, quicker, and more efficiently. At least 30% of my clients communicate almost exclusively via text messages. To stay competitive, and avoid the risk of losing younger clients, I observe the Generation Y crowd to see what's important to them. If learning a new technique, device, or system allows me to reach/keep a larger segment of the real estate population, I will gladly take on the challenge.

For me, technology is a friend I warmly embrace. How about you?

Anita Clark Realtor LLC

Your Warner Robins Realtor®

(478) 953-8595 (O)

(478) 960-8055 (C)

Email: Your Warner Robins Realtor

Web: Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Blog: Warner Robins Realtor Blog

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&R’s)

As a Realtor® I follow rules so I can see the value of a CC&R initiated by a homeowners association, builder or developer. As the document that dictates how the association operates, and the rules owners must obey, the single-minded conformity makes sense to me. When properly enforced they can help a neighborhood or community from becoming run down and from having unsightly houses or yards.

I make sure every buyer gets a copy of the CC&R before we make an offer so they understand the rules and policies of the prospective subdivision. I've yet to lose a deal by providing a CC&R but realize there's the possibility it could be a deal breaker for some families. I prefer to err on the side of caution and let buyers know these important details upfront.

While I believe most people like their neighborhoods to be neat, clean, and tidy, many do not like to be told how/when to cut their grass, whether they can park on the road, have trailers, boats, or RVs in the driveway, paint a particular color, or even have a basketball hoop visible from the road. To each their own; CC&R neighborhoods aren't ideal for everybody.

For some buyers, CC&R's invoke feelings of rebellion so I always recommend we move on to a different area when that occurs. If the buyer is uncomfortable, their experience will be unsatisfactory, they will not be happy in their new home, and I will potentially lose future/follow-up business.

For those that are orderly, want things in their place, and don't mind rules, CC&R's are a blessing. For others the freedom to do what they want to do on their own property when/how they want to do it has appeal. I get it...It's all about choices. Isn't it satisfying that as real estate agents we have the opportunity to help people find the home of their dreams...on their own terms?!

Anita Clark Realtor LLC

Your Warner Robins Realtor®

(478) 953-8595 (O)

(478) 960-8055 (C)

Email: Your Warner Robins Realtor

Web: Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Blog: Warner Robins Realtor Blog