Show Me the Money
It's been a wild and crazy February, but somewhat profitable nonetheless. In addition to my full time job and a part time one, I also sell real estate. Recently I had been contemplating retiring my license so as to curb the expense part of it (i.e., since there hadn't been any sales to offset it), but in January some things materialized and concluded over the last few days.
I had some land listed for Leah's parents, which was an interesting endeavor because it was my first experience with land. I've listed a handful of houses and helped several buyers purchase a home, but land is an entirely different animal. Listing commission is typically a bit higher because it's harder to sell. Hadn't really had much interest on it until a few weeks ago...I got a call from an agent who asked some questions and then proceeded to bring me an offer. Wanted to close by the end of the month. The funny thing was that as we were negotiating, I got an email from a woman wanting some more info and said, "My husband and I are interested in buying it" and then I got yet another call a week or so later. Feast or famine, I guess. But I'm happy to report that the transaction closed last night.
I also experienced a "flash in the pan" of sorts with regards to another possible sale. A buyer's side transaction, which I've always enjoyed. Not that I get some sort of demented, voyeuristic pleasure from walking through strangers' homes, but it's fun to tour home and see all kinds of furnishings, decorations, ammenities, etc. and think about what one wants. Anyway, I spent some time with this couple showing them houses, answering emails and phone calls, etc......And then they happened to hear about a house for sale that they were interested in. Seller agreed to yank it off the market (saving himself a commission) to engage in a private-party transaction so that he could lower the price. So guess who else got excluded from the deal? You bet'cha. I was disappointed, but there wasn't a whole lot I could do about it. I'm just hoping that sooner or later they don't end up wishing somebody would've told them something or suggested something or warned them about something else.
But, all was not lost. A long time friend of mine from Merton called me.......I had seen her at the homecoming activities last summer and she asked if I was still in real estate. I don't think I had any business cards with me, so I scribbled my phone number on a piece of paper. Well, she is now engaged and was ready to embark on a house hunt with her fiance. It's very rewarding to be entrusted with someone's confidence for this type of decision, and I think that I helped them as much as I could. There were some tense moments at times in the negotiating process, but I'm happy to report that they closed on Monday, and hope to move in this weekend. And with the house they picked, the listing agent was paying a $500 bonus to the buyer's agent (i.e., moi), so I made a little bit more than I expected.
All in all, the last couple of days has netted me about $5,700.....Some of which has to be held out for taxes and whatnot, but most of it is going in the bank to hopefully assist in our mortgage application later in the year. That is, if we can find a good Realtor. : )
I had some land listed for Leah's parents, which was an interesting endeavor because it was my first experience with land. I've listed a handful of houses and helped several buyers purchase a home, but land is an entirely different animal. Listing commission is typically a bit higher because it's harder to sell. Hadn't really had much interest on it until a few weeks ago...I got a call from an agent who asked some questions and then proceeded to bring me an offer. Wanted to close by the end of the month. The funny thing was that as we were negotiating, I got an email from a woman wanting some more info and said, "My husband and I are interested in buying it" and then I got yet another call a week or so later. Feast or famine, I guess. But I'm happy to report that the transaction closed last night.
I also experienced a "flash in the pan" of sorts with regards to another possible sale. A buyer's side transaction, which I've always enjoyed. Not that I get some sort of demented, voyeuristic pleasure from walking through strangers' homes, but it's fun to tour home and see all kinds of furnishings, decorations, ammenities, etc. and think about what one wants. Anyway, I spent some time with this couple showing them houses, answering emails and phone calls, etc......And then they happened to hear about a house for sale that they were interested in. Seller agreed to yank it off the market (saving himself a commission) to engage in a private-party transaction so that he could lower the price. So guess who else got excluded from the deal? You bet'cha. I was disappointed, but there wasn't a whole lot I could do about it. I'm just hoping that sooner or later they don't end up wishing somebody would've told them something or suggested something or warned them about something else.
But, all was not lost. A long time friend of mine from Merton called me.......I had seen her at the homecoming activities last summer and she asked if I was still in real estate. I don't think I had any business cards with me, so I scribbled my phone number on a piece of paper. Well, she is now engaged and was ready to embark on a house hunt with her fiance. It's very rewarding to be entrusted with someone's confidence for this type of decision, and I think that I helped them as much as I could. There were some tense moments at times in the negotiating process, but I'm happy to report that they closed on Monday, and hope to move in this weekend. And with the house they picked, the listing agent was paying a $500 bonus to the buyer's agent (i.e., moi), so I made a little bit more than I expected.
All in all, the last couple of days has netted me about $5,700.....Some of which has to be held out for taxes and whatnot, but most of it is going in the bank to hopefully assist in our mortgage application later in the year. That is, if we can find a good Realtor. : )
posted by Eric C at 2:02 PM
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