OK, so I haven't really laid out #1 through #263 for you. We're skipping ahead today, to one of the most important reasons you should make sure that the REALTOR® you hire to market and sell your home is a local one - especially if you have already moved to another city or state.
Now that this week's threat of hurricanes has passed, I spent part of today checking in on all of my vacant listings and putting the signs back up. At each house, I took a quick walk through, making sure that I didn't see any signs of damage that weren't visible from the street.
It's a good thing that this seller didn't hire an agent from another part of town that may not have wanted to drive over and check out the property...
YIKES! - a leak in the screened patio roof is causing a mold/mildew substance to grow on the sheetrock ceiling. Can you imagine what this would look like if left unchecked for a long period of time? Because we are catching it early, my client can contact their insurance company and start the claims process to get this damage repaired quickly.
If you have your New Orleans West Bank home on the market and you are living out of town, be sure to ask your agent to thoroughly inspect your property for any obvious signs of damage.
Hopefully, they don't have too far to drive.
Copyright 2008. Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living. All rights reserved.
Good Catch, and yes, there are about 1000 reasons to hire a Realtor, but the 264th reason is a good one!!
REASON #1 to hire Lisa Heindel to represent you if you are buying or selling a home in New Orleans West Bank...
She is a truly exceptional REALTOR® and a beautiful human being!
GBU, my friend!
Aloha Lisa,
You are singing to the choir. I live and work on the Big Island of Hawaii. I am always amazed when I see people listing with agents from the other side of the island (100 miles away). Not only are they not checking up on the homes, do you think they are showing the home to everone who call and wants to see it. What kind of service can they provide their clients. I get a call and someone wants to see a home, I can usually be there in an hour or have another agent there to show it to them. That's a lot harder when it's a three hour drive.
Lisa, Wow, that is certainly something I never thought of--and you're right, someone may have not wanted to take the drive. I'm glad you caught this, I'll bet your client is pretty happy as well.
You go, girl! You have taken that extra step that sets you apart from most other agents. You deserve your client's respect and business.
I have seen all sorts of stuff that would have been missed if not for me being there to check.
Great job, Lisa. Like you I spent this past weekend viewing my clients vacation homes and vacant listings as well. All my best, Jim
"If you have your New Orleans West Bank home on the market and you are living out of town, be sure to ask your agent to thoroughly inspect your property for any obvious signs of damage. "
Or better yet, if want to rest easy knowing someone has your best interest at heart and will keep a wathchul eye over your home...then be sure to hire Lisa Heindel next time (or when/if your current contract expires).
Brian, can you imagine if I hadn't checked? YUCK!
Elizabeth, awwww, you are always so sweet to me :)
Bill, I can't imagine having to drive an hour to a listing! My communities are all within about 15-20 minutes of me, so I can pop in and check on my listings all of the time.
Carole, there are agents who live on the East Bank that take West Bank listings but never come back across the river. I want more than that for my clients.
Pat, thank you - I'm trying to earn it everyday!
Shane, isn't that the truth...as listing agents, we have to be available for our clients, but even more so when they are not here to keep an eye on their property.
Jim, that's because you're good :)
Robin, YES! I'll never forget a client who called me once to ask where I put his things when I tidied up before a last minute showing. I was a little embarassed to admit that I kicked all of his dirty clothes under his bed :)
Al, LOL - will you be my PR manager?
Good catch; They are lucky they have a professional, caring, agent representing them.
Good job Lisa. I see so many listings, especially in the short sale and bank owned market, where the agent lives miles and miles away and has seen the property probably once.
Lisa, great job! You're clients should really appreciate the service you give! Not only did you drive around and pick-up the signs before the hurrican (so there wouldn't be any damage from a flying sign). Now, you're going back, putting the signs back up and checking their homes. Hmmm, what every good Listing Agent should be doing!
Looks like we're going to have Hurricane Ike visit us here in Texas. I need to keep a watchful eye --I might need to go pick up my signs until after -- that'll also give me an opportunity to check on their homes -- I have 2 that are vacant right now. Thanks for the reminder.
Yikes is exactly right. Good thing you are doing what you are. Keep up the good work! ~Rita
Hey Lisa,
Greetings from Picayune, Mississippi! I couldn't agree with you more. It amazes me to see properties listed with brokerages that do not frequent the area the listing is in.
We have a lot of Louisiana agents listing properties in Mississippi (ones that are dually licensed). What makes them think that they are giving the seller the best service possible for that listing if they are not regularly selling property in the area, and are not on top of the market. I feel that this is a huge dis-service to the seller, and ultimately looks bad for the Brokerage, also, in the long run.
Prior to Hurricane Gustav coming in, I contacted my sellers and made sure their properties were ready for the storm, and even offered to board up windows for those who are absent from the properties. Besides hurricanes, there are other storms that run through our area, and if you don't check your properties, you might not have a house that is sellable.
I am licensed in both states (LA and MS), but when it comes to properties that are out of my area, I refer them to a specialist in that area. The client should be the most important aspect of our business, and I feel they should get the best representation possible, even if it means I don't get the full commission.
Mmmmm. Lenn's law #42. Do NOT make an insurance claim for repairs that can easily be managed by the owner. The C.L.U.E. report will show a claim for water damage which could seriously impair a prospective buyer's ability to obtain reasonably priced home owners insurance.
Lisa - Yikes is right! It is a good thing you are a dedicated Realtor and have checked out all your properties. Bummer on the mold. Hope you don't have too many headaches to deal with:)
Lorena, thank you :)
Mana, I see that here too, since there are only a handful of agents who list bank owned properties. If you call with a specific question about the listing, they often don't know the answer.
Judi, I'm keeping an eye on Ike, hoping that you are not in the path!
Rita, it seems to me that this is MY responsibility since so many of my sellers are in another state and can't possibly check their homes on their own. To me, that's just a part of taking a listing for someone who doesn't live here.
Michelle, I know of a couple of agents in my area who are also licensed in MS. I can't imagine being able to give the same level of service to a listing that is 2 hours away that I can to one in my own neighborhood. I'd much rather refer them out, too! In my mind, it's the only fair thing to do for the seller. If someone wants to buy in an area outside of my market, I refer them out to someone who IS an expert in that area, because it sure is not me :)
Lenn, there is other damage besides this roof, so I documented it all with photos and sent it to the seller. It's going to be up to them to decide whether or not they will make a claim. With hurricane deductibles up substantially since Katrina, it may not be worth it, but that's a decision for the home owner to make.
Bill, I hope not! Thanks for your kind words :)
#264 is definitely a good reason to have a local agent!
Lisa- This is great advice. Mold can create a problem. The best way to handle it is to get it cleaned up immediately!
Thanks Lisa for the reminder to the Sellers that it is important to choose the right realtor!
Jeremy, isn't it? LOL!
Mel, I said more than YIKES when I actually saw it :) I don't like mold or mildew or whatever it is.
Pippa, you're welcome...just another reason to add to the list, right?
Lisa, good for you. I would suspect that mild and mildew can be a real problem in New Orleans? I trust all is well with you and your home. ;-)
Teri, the humidity is so high here that yes, mold and mildew can definitely be a problem if left untreated.
Thanks for checking in on us - we are all fine, safe and sound at home :)
I can't believe that the mold/mildew could grow that quickly! It's such a good thing that you took the time to drive around and check in on your listings. You are a true professional!
Oh my word, was this a rental or vacant? How on Earth did that accumulate like that? I know it takes at least 72 hours for discoloration to get going and can look similar to that after a week if being continually fed, but this looks like it has been getting busy for a little while... that is a considerable sized spread of spores for an open area. Moisture, heat and humidity is paradise for mold. I'm glad the insurance will kick in to help your client. Good catch, Lisa. :-)
Kelly, we are so damp here with high humidity AND this is a screened patio - no real windows, so the outside temperature and humidity are basically the same as the inside unless the fans are running.
C, it's vacant. And you are right - between our heat (over 90 most days) and the high humidity, the entire city is a paradise for mold and mildew. That's why I'm so glad I found it and it can be addressed. See my comment to Kelly - this is a screened patio, NOT inside of the house!
Many agents even close wouldn't go into the homes and inspect them. Way to go Lisa.
John, oh I hope that's not true, but I'm afraid you are right!
Never under estimate the need for a local, local, local, REALTOR!