07.10.06 10:15 pm
-
Realtor: Kathy Roule
Subject: PLANET REALTOR!
Funny name for a serious web site. This is where agents find market trends,statistics on
where our buyers are coming from and,of course,new marketing ideas. The latest stats are:
Home trends:
Rising expectations from homebuyers are influencing today's housing market.From 1978 to
2005, the size of the average new home rose from1750 to 2414 square feet,according to the
U.S. Census Bureau. Northern markets tell us even single buyers and couples without
children look for homes with four bedrooms or a bonus room. Hmmmmm! I think this trend
holds true in our area. Our buyers tend to want the biggest square footage they can get in there price range.We call this "bang for the buck."
Marketing tip:
This just hit my funny bone. I think over the last 24 years, I have been approached with
every conceivable marketing plan.Talking homes,web sites,ads on golf carts,school
promotions and on and on and on! The latest offering was the most novel I have come
across. A web site,http:www.propertyshark.com/maps. They have truly created a unique niche in the marketing of property though maybe not quite ready for Pasco/Hernando
counties in Florida.
The company has created maps that list the availability of single men and women by
neighborhood,and they plan to fine-tune its offerings soon by adding an overlay map
that also shows visitors where rich singles live. Neighborhoods rank from "wedlocked"
...1 single per twenty married to "Meatmarket"...more than 1 in three single.
Availability of single women map shows the top area for women as simply...."HEAVEN!"
Unbelievable.
===============================================
===============================================
07.02.06 10:30 pm
-
Realtor: Kathy Roule
Subject: Super-soldiers!
Happy fourth of July! As we celebrate the wisdom and bravery of our ancestors on this
Independence Day, I am asking for your help. Young American soldiers are right this
very minute in danger on the battlefields of Iraq and Afganistan and you and I can be
instrumental in saving them.
Operation Helmet is a group of private citizens that raises funds for helmet kits that
protect the kids from severe brain injuries caused by the barbaric car bombs,etc.
Current issue helmets are top-of-the-line for combat...but not for a roadside bomb
attacks. The helmet kits include add-on features to help prevent brain damage.
Here is the plan...I will donate a helmet kit for every home listed with my team or
sold through my team for the rest of 2006. You pick the service branch you would like
to receive the kit!
This project is privately funded. It is not backed by any political party or
government department....so please help! Years from now we may be watching a fourth of
July celebration where soldiers are saying how there life was spared by a generous
soul who cared enough to make a choice for their future!
===============================================
===============================================
06.26.06 11:41 am
-
Realtor: Kathy Roule
Subject: FLORIDA FAB!
Keep your eye on the magazine racks!The new issue of Florida Fabulous magazine is
expected to hit the shelves by July 1.
A question we get from a lot of clients is: "Why do you advertise in this particular magazine?" The answer is simple....distribution. The magazine is owned by the
St.Petersburg Times and has the times amazing distribution capabilities.
Other magazines may be slick and glossy but that really does not matter if it never
gets into the hands of a real live buyer!
===============================================
===============================================
06.15.06 8:23 pm
-
Realtor: Kathy Roule
Subject: PRICING!
Pricing a home correctly during a market downturn isn't easy for the home seller.
The real estate market's performance in recent years has pumped up sellers' expectations
of how much their houses are worth,but marketing a home at yesterday's prices can cost you today's sale.(I can hear the screams now,but I have a responsibility to be straightforward.)
Let me explain a few of the advantages of setting a competitive price:
#1 Competitive prices attract the best buyers and create a "no need to haggle"
environment.
#2 More local salespeople will put more effort into selling a well-priced home.
#3 Your home will sell quicker,saving you carring costs. Plus, moving on has a VALUE!
Some sellers might be tempted to choose their Realtor based on who quotes the highest
asking price.This begs the question,"Is this person just trying to snag a listing?"
A salesperson who gives an unrealistically high price is making an empty promise.
Other sellers believe that overpricing will give them "bargaining room." That may be
appropriate in a rising market,but in a down market it's more valuable to bring in a greater number of qualified buyers by the setting of a competitive price!
===============================================
===============================================
06.13.06 8:43 pm
-
Realtor: Kathy Roule
Subject: HURRICANE ALBERTO
Another non-event! But,by and large,it was an enjoyable storm day! For those of you who
are not Floridians,storm days are similar to northern snow days. The major exception being
to have a snow day you must actually have the white stuff on the ground...and more than
a shovel-full!
You can have a Florida storm day cause you "may" have a storm. Boy,flashback to my school
years and the Immaculate Heart nuns that endured my creative streaks.I can hear myself trying to sell the concept..."Mother Ann...I saw it on the weather channel...a blizzard
will make landfall in Philadelphia and we will get high winds and bands of snow!" After
she stopped laughing,I think her response would be "don't borrow tomorrow's troubles
today...see you at morning mass!"
why don't I recall these words of wisdom before I spend a small fortune on batteries,flashlights and junk food?
===============================================
===============================================
06.06.06 10:22 am
-
Realtor: Kathy Roule
Subject: The Cost of Living in Paradise!
I has a chance to find a home today for a retired Minister and his wife from the Chicago
area.The joy that they had was contagious.They were thrilled by our Sunsets,excited by
our Golf Courses and dazzled by our Homes. They are happy to be together and- as they put
it- "moving to Paradise." Right now,we are concerned with insurance issues,but I think
we need to take a dose of the Pastor's remedy...."just the cost of LIVING IN PARADISE!"
What's going to happen to home sales in our area? Well,I think back to a Jerry Seinfield
joke..."My Parents are moving to Florida. they don't want to,but they turned 65 and it's
mandatory." So,let's all lighten up and laugh a little.Thousands will be turning 65 today!
===============================================
===============================================
06.08.06 10:36 pm
-
Realtor: KATHY ROULE
Subject: WOW !
WOW! Great news for West Pasco County! A huge new outlet mall proposed for stare road
52 and interstate 75.
Boy,are we growing up! Who remembers "silver Spurs" on 19 near Fox Hollow? It was the last bit of civilization till you hit the Burger King at Fivay Road,then open road till
Spring Hill. Free box of Oreos to anyone who can tell me where or what is "Five Point."
What's your Pasco I.Q.???
Our area has had amazing growth in the past few years. Most attribute this to the
Suncoast Parkway. Before that opened, a trip to Tampa was an excursion. Now, more and
more young families live in our towns and work in Tampa.We have certainly benefited from the trend.The "$64,000.00 Question" is: Will this trend continue?
===============================================
===============================================
06.08.06 10:49 pm
-
Guest Name: Kathy Roule
Subject: My Blog
HAPPY DAY! Well here we are.A blog! Pretty funny,considering I have no computer skills.
I am thankful I have something way more important- wonderful,talented people around me
that are tech-savvy and amazingly creative.I just get to have the fun!
Naming this blog was a challenge.I was looking for something clever that was also a
statement of purpose. A spot where i could talk to my clients and tell them the blunt
truth about what's happening in the area and Real Estate Market. We went with my daughter Kate's suggestion "Let's get real.....estate!"
I promise no "hype." Just the facts as i see 'em,and hopefully some fun.
===============================================
===============================================
|