Author Archives: Vicki Reed

Dinner and a play…for $24!

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Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the annual University of Indianapolis Dinner Theater production of “I Hate Hamlet” and you still have the chance to go!

At a cost of only $24 per person (over 60, additional discounts available!), February 22-23, 2013, Dinner at 6:45 p.m., Performance at 8:00 p.m. in the Schwitzer Student Center Dining Hall.  Good Food and Great Entertainment:

I Hate Hamlet

A young and successful television actor relocates to New York, where he rents a marvelous, gothic apartment. With his television career in limbo, the actor is offered the opportunity to play Hamlet onstage, but there is one problem: he hates Hamlet.

We have been attending these dinner and performances for years and have always enjoyed them, reality is that this is less expensive than dinner and a movie!  It is a student production, from the direction to sets, dinner and servers…take a chance and enjoy a great evening!

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Vicki Reed

Is your Realtor serving you?

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As I work with Buyers, I’m often baffled by the lack of information on listings…you know, the Multiple Listing Service or as it is know in Indy, the Broker’s Listing Cooperative (BLC) or just MIBOR (Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors).  Information from this source is what feeds the internet…Trullia, Zillow, Realtor.com and a host of others…95% of Buyers find their next home ONLINE!  Are you certain your agent is getting your home online in the best possible way?

In addition to active properties, I am often trolling the expired listings in specific neighborhoods that my clients are interested in…who knows, it may be the perfect home for my Buyers and the Homeowners may still be interested in Selling!  I recently found an expired listing in the mid $200,000 price range, over 2,500 square feet and the agent had only 8 pictures of the living area, nothing upstairs, backyard and no virtual tour…and you wonder why this property never sold?

When considering who to hire when Selling your home, ask a lot of questions, not just about what they do to sell homes in general, but specifics!  How many pictures do you use?  Do you use a virtual tour?  Do you work with a lender partner?  Besides putting a sign in my yard, what will you do to sell my home?  ASK THE QUESTIONS!  Remember, YOU are hiring ME to represent you in the best possible way in the sale of your biggest asset!

The BLC allows for 24 photos AND a virtual tour…how many photos has your agent put on your listing?  The quality of those photos?  It is not necessary for your agent to hire a professional photographer, we’ve been in the business a while and understand the best way to take photographs and are generally quite good at it.  There are only 500 characters available for describing you property, but we want to make everyone count!

What about information packets in the home?  I always create a packet of information with the sales disclosures, a list of upgrades and features of the home, school, church and shopping information.  This same information is uploaded to the listing.  I also add a stand-up display for the home flyer along with bottled water and snacks for prospective buyers.

I want to Sell your home, I will work to serve you.  I am part of the Number 1 Real Estate Company in the Nation, you not only have me working for you, but every Keller Williams agent in the country.  Click here for videos about my service…then call me!

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Vicki Reed

 

When was “you’re welcome” replaced with “no problem”?

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As a Realtor, I spend a lot of time out and about…coffee shops, restaurants, even drive-thru’s and have made a startling discovery…when I say “thank you” to someone for a service provided the standard answer is no longer “you’re welcome” or even “my pleasure“, it has been replaced with “no problem”…really?  My friend Don Allen of Union Savings Bank and I had this discussion over a recent breakfast and he made a comment to the wait staff about it and it went right over their head!

This happens frequently when a service has been rendered.  I don’t actually think that I create a problem for someone providing a service, I believe it is part of their job. When somebody says “no problem” or “not a problem” then it makes me think that person really did think that my request for customer service was a problem, and it’s irritating.  Saying “no problem” suggests that the customer was a potential problem and – thank goodness – things turned out okay. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to think of myself as a potential problem customer or an interruption or a disruption or a hassle.

Sure, some customers always seem to have a problem. And some customers may not always approach with the respect deserved. They may let their emotions get the best of them, or may even let their bad moods impact their interaction, but the customers are not the ones getting paid to do a job.

We have jobs and careers because of our customers/clients, tasks and everything else we may be working on can wait. So, the next time a customer/client says “thank you”, say “my pleasure” instead.  If that doesn’t feel comfortable for you, stick with the tried and true “You’re welcome.”

As a Realtor, I try to always respond with “my pleasure”, because it truly is “my pleasure” to make certain that my clients have the best possible experience whether Selling or Buying (or both) a home with me.  Who do you know interesting SELLING a home…BUYING a home…or INVESTING…in real estate in the next 30 days?  Let me treat them the way a Client should be treated!

thank_you_you're_welcome

Vicki Reed

Who’s your Valentine?

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Every February 14, across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine.   An estimated 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.)

Interested in the backstory of the holiday?  The History Channel website has a couple of great articles on The Legend of St. Valentine, History’s Romantics, Great Romances, and yes…even the St. Valentine Day Massacre for those, like me who find the Prohibition Era fascinating  (Got to love The Untouchables right…Costner, Connery, DeNiro, Garcia…LOVE IT!)

IMDB has a list of movies to celebrate the holiday, The Hallmark Channel has Be My Valentine and Hallmark Movie Channel is playing a selection of Love movies this week.  I admit, I paid to see the movie Valentine’s Day in the theater…I was hoping for a Valentine Day version of Love Actually (fantastic flick set at Christmas…you just have to see Hugh Grant dancing his way around 10 Downing Street!) and was sadly disappointed…but I have to admit there have been times in my life that I truly identified with Jessica Biel’s character and her disdain for the holiday!

Who’s your valentine?  Who are your favorite past valentines?  Do you love the holiday…or hate it?  I would love to hear from you!

Happy Valentines Day Wallpapers (41)

Vicki Reed

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Great Post by IndyKW on the strength of our market! NOW IS THE TIME!!!

IndyKW's avatarindykw

REALTORS®: 2012 A STRONG TURNAROUND YEAR FOR INDIANA HOUSING MARKETS
Statewide, market activity and home prices better each month of 2012 than the year before

(INDIANAPOLIS, IN) – The monthly Indiana Real Estate Markets Report today released by the state’s REALTORS® also provides year-end data which shows that 2012 was a strong turnaround year for Indiana housing markets.

Statewide, there were 8,531 more homes sold in 2012 than in 2011 – a 14.7 percent increase year-over-year. The median price of all 66,516 homes sold in Indiana last year was $118,000, which is 4.5 percent more than the median price of all homes sold in 2011 ($112,900). The average price of all homes sold last year was $140,043, which is a 3.6 percent increase over 2011 ($135,183).

“Housing markets in Indiana have decidedly turned the corner away from the worst of the recession,” said Karl Berron, Chief Executive Officer of the…

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How’s your attitude?

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Myself and other Indy Realtors have just completed the 4th step of a program called BOLD (Business Objective, Life by Design), over seven weeks, BOLD conditions agents with powerful mindset exercises, language techniques, and business-building strategies.  How’s your attitude?  With the things I’m learning, I’ve come to realize that while I put forth a positive attitude to the outside world, I don’t always feel it inside…BOLD is changing that in me and I’m excited about what I am becoming…a more positive, dynamic person as well as Realtor!

Do you believe in the Power of Positive Thinking?  The superpower of negative thinking is that it has a stronger impact than the positive. In fact, negative impact of setbacks in your work is three times as powerful in affecting motivation than positive progress. It’s just easier to remember the bad stuff that’s happened to you during the day than the good.

Why is it that our brains have a such a negativity bias? The reason is simple: They’re wired to pay more attention to negative experiences. It’s a self-protective characteristic, we are constantly scanning for threats from when we used to be hunters and gatherers. But such vigilance for negative information can cause a  downward spiral and a negative feedback loop that does not reflect our realities.

Fortunately, we aren’t doomed by our natural disposition towards negativity. What’s amazing is that we have the ability to break out of that negative feedback loop and we can actually rewire our brains to think positively and that is what BOLD is doing for me!

So tell me…how’s your attitude?  What are your steps to changing?  Don’t you feel that working with a strong, confident, positive Realtor who will work hard to create the best home buying or selling experience for yourself and your friends and family?  I am the best and will work hard to create those great experiences….call me and let’s talk!  I am Vicki Reed, and I’m BOLD!

positive-thinking

Vicki Reed

Ready to List your home FOR SALE???? NOW is the time…

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Are you someone who believes Spring is the “buying season”?  Many homeowners wait until Spring to list their homes for sale. Here are five reasons why NOW is the time:

1.) Demand Is High

Homes are selling at a pace not seen since 2007. The most recent Existing Home Sales Report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) showed that annual sales in 2012 increased 9.2% over 2011. There are buyers out there right now and they are ready to BUY your home!

2.) Supply Is Low

The monthly supply of houses for sale is at its lowest point (4.4 months) since May of 2005. The current month’s supply is down 21.6% from the same time last year. Historically, inventory increases dramatically in the spring, increasing your competition. Selling now when demand is high and supply is low may help you get your best price.

3.) New Construction Neighborhoods are popping up EVERYWHERE!

For the last several years, homeowners selling their home did not have to compete with a new construction projects in their area. As the market is recovering, more and more builders are jumping back in. These ‘shiny’ new homes will again become competition as they are an attractive alternative to many BUYERS.

4.) Interest Rates Are Projected to Increase Slightly

The Mortgage Bankers’ Association has projected mortgage interest rates will inch up approximately one full point in 2013. Whether you are moving up or moving down, your housing expense will be more a year from now if a mortgage is necessary to purchase your next home.

5.) Timelines Will Be Shorter

The dramatic increase in transactions caused many challenges to the process of buying or selling a home in 2012. We waited for inspections, dealt with last minute appraisals and prayed that the bank didn’t ask for ‘just one more piece of paper’ before issuing the mortgage. There are fewer transactions this time of year. That means that timetables on each component of the home buying process will be friendlier for those involved over the next 90 days.

NOW is the time to contact me to list your home!  It is a great time to make the move!  Not sure you can get another mortgage?  Visit my website and complete a FREE, NO OBLIGATION Pre-Qualification from The Shanley Team at Inlanta Mortgage.  Not in the Indy area?  I can help you with that too!  We have great Keller Williams Realtors EVERYWHERE, let me make an introduction for you!

Home-Sales

Vicki Reed

First Friday…huh?

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Any idea what First Friday is?  What about IDADA?

Well, IDADA is the Indianapolis Downtown Artists and Dealers Association and the First Friday of each month, they sponsor The IDADA First Friday Art Tour.  This is IDADA’s longest-running program.  It is a free, self-guided tour that happens on the first Friday of every month and that is open to the public.  The tour includes artist studios and art galleries that are members of IDADA and located in the downtown area.  The IDADA First Friday Art Tour venues open their doors from about 6:00-9:00pm (or even later in some locations) to allow people to see their artwork.  There is no distinct beginning or ending point to the tour—people are encouraged to hop from studios to galleries as they please!  Each month, IDADA publishes a brochure that is available at participating locations and that is also available on the IDADA website.  The brochure includes a map of all of the IDADA First Friday venues as well as an alphabetical listing that explains what is going on at each venue.

I was fortunate to have been invited to attend a special showing for my friend and fantastic artist Patty Coulter  last Friday.  Patty had entered a contest last Fall to design a special edition wine label for Mallow Run Winery...and she won and Mallow Run Winery sponsored a showing of her work during First Friday!  Her beautiful design is on the Impression Pinot Grigio – LIMITED EDITION LABEL

An instant palate-pleaser with rich flavors of ripe peach and pear and a lingering finish of refreshing grapefruit. Perfect with grilled fish, or try it with spicy chicken enchiladas. Label artwork by local artist Patty Coulter, in a proud partnership with the Greater Greenwood Arts Council; proceeds from the sale of this great wine will be donated to promote artists and art awareness in the community.

Patty is a woman of many talents, she also owns and operates Spectrum Flooring Services in Greenwood.  Spectrum Flooring Services was founded in 2005 on the premise that quality flooring, backed by full manufacturer’s warranty and expert worry-free installations, could be sold at a minimum markup, in sufficient volume to be profitable.  They consistently live up to that that philosophy and their business and experience is strong.  In addition to being a fantastic artist and business woman, Patty is an expert Interior Designer and Stager.  If you need flooring, try Patty and Spectrum, you will be happy.

Are you ready for a new home for that flooring?  Need new carpet before we put your home on the market?  Let’s talk!

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Vicki Reed

We found the home of your dreams…what’s next?

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We’ve found your new home, negotiated the deal, now the real work begins!

As your Realtor, I will deliver the Earnest Money check to the Seller’s Agent – remember, this check will be cashed!  The funds you put down varies with the price of the home – good rule of thumb is 1% of the purchase price…$175,000 home = $1,750.00 Earnest Money.  Earnest Money is a deposit made to a seller showing the buyer’s good faith in a transaction.

I will notify your lender and provide them a copy of your Purchase Agreement. You will work with them to complete your loan process.  It is important that you respond to all of their requests as quickly as possible!  We cannot close on the purchase of your new home until they say we can!

It is important that you schedule a Home Inspection as soon as possible! The clock starts ticking immediately on our time to schedule, complete and request any inspection repairs, 12 – 15 days is standard for most Purchase Agreements.  I recommend Iron Gate Inspection Services, it is not necessary for you to be present for the entire inspection, but you should be there for the last hour so that the inspector can review the report and home with you, and as your Agent, I will stop by the Inspection as well just to make sure everything is going well.  We will work together to review the Inspection Report and formulate an Inspection Response. This is the second round of negotiations.  The key to Inspection Response negotiations is that we share the entire report with the Seller’s Agent and be reasonable in our repair requests.

Closing…finally! Again, until your lender provides “clear to close”, we are at their mercy!  We generally have an idea about when it will be, I will keep and eye process to make certain we are always in compliance with the Purchase Agreement.  I will notify you of when and where the closing will be scheduled and as we near the date…how much money you may need to bring to closing.

The most frequent questions I get about Closing are:

How long will it take to sign all the paperwork?
The closing itself generally takes from 30 to 60 minutes – sometimes longer depending on wire transfers and paperwork.

What do I need to bring to closing?
Buyers and Sellers both need a form of photo ID and any money you owe should be in the form of a cashier’s check – if over $10,000, funds are required to be wired.

As your Agent, it is my job to protect you, fight for you and navigate the process of purchasing a new home…and I am great at my job.  Contact me today and let’s get you a new home!

House shopping

Vicki Reed

Something to think about BEFORE you put your home on the market…

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Whether you are thinking of up-sizing or down-sizing, have you thought about how you are going to pay for your next home?  For most of us, financing is necessary, but will you qualify for that next home?  BEFORE you decide to list your home, please, please get pre-qualified for your next one!

Lesson Learned…

Home was listed for sale at the beginning of September, Buyer made an offer on December 2, a little back and forth and they were under contract on December 5 with a close date of February 1.  As part of the Buyer due diligence, they had a home inspection by Iron Gate Inspection Services, Buyer’s Agent provided Inspection Response to the Seller‘s Agent and Seller quickly agreed to fix everything on inspection response.

Fast forward to January 18, 2 weeks before closing, Buyer receives a letter from an Attorney retained by Seller, that Seller is unable to secure a mortgage and Seller no longer wishes to sell their home and asked that Buyer give them “good title” and walk away.

Buyer retained an Attorney and by January 22, Seller was told they must close on the sale of their home on February 1 as agreed to in the contract.

What would you have done?  In this case, the Buyer was my client and we won and she will be moving into her new home this weekend, BUT, I also represent Sellers and this has changed MY listing presentation and I will be asking my Sellers to pre-qualify PRIOR to their home going on the market.  My goal is to Turn your Dreams into an Address…but I can’t do that without your due diligence, know your status before making a decision to sell, you don’t want to go from owning to renting.  The Shanley Team at Inlanta Mortgage is ready and willing to work through this with you and I’ve made it easy for you with a link on my home page (as well as in the right hand column of this blog post) directly to their application.  Also check out my post “Power of the Pre-Qual“…it’s not just for Buyer’s anymore!

Not sure of the current value of your home?  Visit my website and request a Current Market Analysis of your home’s value and let’s talk!

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Vicki Reed