Deb's Lake Livingston Real Estate & Stuff!

Waterfront Real Estate log #2.....what I'm thinking.

Why buy Real Estate by the water? 

Most people including and not limited to Baby Boomers, the almost Baby Boomers, the pre-Baby Boomers, and the rest of everyone else would like to live on or near the water.  That covers just about everyone. Why? Well, we ARE mostly water. The miracles of life include the fact that we could not live without it. I began to come into adulthood in the 1970's and was baking my body on the beaches of Clearwater Beach, Fla.  I worshipped the sun. When I hit my 30's it was necessary to have that healthy "sun kissed look" that we all avoid now. Today, in my 39's and holding I am still drawn to the cool blue waters, the sun sparkling on the waves like diamonds and the slightly fishy, wild aroma that washes in with the waves. Never is there a time that my soul is not calmed by the still waters of our lovely Lake livingston.

I moved here to the Piney Woods of Huntsville to be a wife to my husband Scott and a better daughter to my mother who has since been taken from us to a better place.  I've never really had the desire to own a "lakehouse" so to speak.  Our humble abode is by the water but we can't boat into Lake Livingston.  I have spent the last few years selling waterfront property to many a couple.  The smiles, the goosebumps, the jumping up and down with excitement and the sheer pleasure of helping people become even happier has given me a deep love of the business.  And here it is once and for all folks, I WANT A LAKEHOUSE HERE ON LAKE LIVINGSTON!!!  I am ready to find myself a little slice of heaven right by the water. I am ready for the goosebumps and I want to boat out on a Sunday afternoon with my binoculars, book and picnic. I vow to find the "right house for us" by the water so wish me luck. We have to get those warm and fuzzies that make you know you're home.  So, I appreciate you listening to me about this. If you're looking for the "right place" please let me help you find it. We both may find one.

Oh yeah.....Why buy real estate by the water??

Beside the fact that the most protected real estate values ARE by the water, everyone wants to be by the water so you can pretty much be assured that you will resell it, property values are immediately appreciated between 25% to 50%  or more because it is by the water, there are 35 million people between the ages of 50-59 that are considering retirement and they're coming this way, they're just not making any more waterfront, you might consider it a good deal.

Or.............

BECAUSE YOU WANT TO!

that's my story,

Deb

Yes, Realtors are people too. So many of my customers/clients (at least in the beginning) jokingly remind me that Realtors are like car salesmen. How on earth did we get that bad wrap? Why is it a bad wrap anyway? We have to buy cars!

I, like most other Realtors, put my customers first and foremost! My true pleasure is derived from making people happy and assisting them in one of the largest purchases of their lifetime. I enjoy getting to know the different personalities that walk through our doors!

As a good Realtor, I take that opportunity to take a long, caring walk with any of the folks that invite me along.

 Finding the right home is no small job.

It's not like throwing a dart and hoping to hit the target. We really have to care, to listen, to understand and help to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Finding the home is simply the beginning of the entire process. That's when we really begin to earn our paycheck!

                       YOU WANT ME TO PAY YOU HOW MUCH???

The way I see it, if you are a really good Realtor, people think you are over paid!  Whether you're selling the house or buying the house, if you are a really good Realtor you make the process seem easy! Not so. It's not easy.

Our customers see it as easy because they are mostly unaware of the pitfalls we've had to climb out of and hurdles we've had to jump to get to the closing. Our job is to keep the train on the track and make sure it gets to the right destination. They don't realize that once the tricky, sticky negotiations are finally in agreement what also happens next! First there's paperwork. Oh my word, is there paperwork! 

In the end if you have a good paperwork trail you can track what your client said to you that you said to the other Realtor that the other Realtor told her client that discussed it with her husband that got back to their Realtor to let you know that it was fine if they just made one adjustment. Here we go again. More paperwork.

"Whew".  In the mean time we send the finalized contract to the Title Company and to the Lender which opens up a whole new can of worms.  It can get messy. You're a Realtor. You know. If we took our hands off the pending deal at that time at least 40% of the deals would not make it to fruition. TOO much can go wrong. This is the time that Murphy and his law go to work too. If it can go wrong, it will. And, something usually does. Don't worry, we will overcome!

                                   The deal is at the Title Company so it's going to close!

The contract is at the Title Company so it's going to close!  Don't sigh with relief yet. There are a few major balls that start rolling then and it's our job is to keep the ball on the lane and not in the gutter.

What balls? Okay, we have the inspection of the house to be completed in the "Option Period". What's the option period? That's another blog. Start with the inspection. As your professional Realtor, I cannot give you advice as to what inspector to use. That would be against TREC law. I can give you the list of inspectors we are aware of in the area and then hope for the best. So many times I have watched people receive "sub-standard" inspections but can't say a word about it. We are not allowed to recommend so we don't build an alliance with any one inspector. 

Anyway, that's just one little ball. Next we have the financing. Not all buyers are lucky enough to be pre-qualified so financing is being sought. This can make or break a deal. I will follow the requirements to a T to help my buyers get their financing.

Meanwhile, the Chain of Title is being checked to make sure there are no problems (clouds or encumberances) in the title. Ocassionally, right before closing we find there is an outstanding loan or lien against the house and that has to be solved.

Don't forget the surveyor, appraisor, loan officers, mortgage brokers, insurance folks, and utilities!

SCARED YET? 

Without a good Realtor by your side you should be. I'm a very good Realtor and I still get scared sometimes!

But, call me. I really do work for YOU!

and Proud of it!  Deb      

Edited and resubmitted on 2/24/08