The Piedmont Perspective, Vol 102, Wag Your Tail!

What's New?

My dog, Buck, never gives up. No matter where we walk, he will vigorously hunt until he finds his prize: a castoff ball of some sort (lacrosse, tennis - he's not particulary discriminating - the older the better) which he then proudly places at my feet. Big dog smile and tail wagging rapidly, he knows that even if I ignore him at first, I will eventually give in and toss him the ball. Together, we will engage in a prolonged game of fetch and he will be happily rewarded for his unyielding tenacity (not unlike many buyers). Buck is the ultimate optimist!

And so am I when it comes to real estate. (No, I don't hunt for old tennis balls or chase after them for that matter). Sure, I read the papers, listen to the news reports and gather all of the relevant statistics I can with respect to our specific marketplace (I too, can be obsessive) so there's no denying that home prices have softened and that overall, sales are down.

Still, I remain optimistic as to our future. Why? Because the dream of home ownership is very much alive and well. Yes, buyers are more discriminating than they used to be and certainly, they are purchasing more conservatively, but buyers are also undeniably and intimately engaged in the process: often times, asking me about a new listing even before I have had a chance to alert them to it.

They are keenly interested in what is selling and for how much, they anticipate every beat and nuance of the market and they collect sales information as eagerly as my dog collects used tennis balls! Like all good detectives (or an excited Black Lab) these buyers are constantly tracking each and every opportunity that presents itself.

In many cases, their tenacity is paying off. Buyers who are stepping in to take advantage of this more conservative marketplace, are often times, securing homes that were previously unaffordable and unattainable just a few short years ago. (This is true for every segment of the marketplace from budget foreclosures to three-million dollar estates!) With a relative market in hand, they realize their upside often offsets any down side.

So if you find yourself increasingly attracted to the marketplace at this time, you are in very good company. There are wonderful opportunities to be had in nearly every community and at every price point.

So wag your tail, jump for joy and get excited. It's ok to be optimistic! (just don't run into the street!)

Feel free to visit my website at JulieGardner.com for more information as well.
Real Estate License #R01431765

The Piedmont Perpsective, Vol 101 - Let's Eat Cake!

What's New?

Every year about now, my twin sister Jill, gets a little blue. It seems another birthday has come and gone with very little fanfare . . .

Of course, I blame her for this very human oversight. The simple truth is that if you want people to remember and celebrate your birthday, you need to let them know it's important to you! (Thankfully, Plaxo and Facebook make it so much easier for us to easily inform family and friends, but I'm not above making a well-timed phone call or two . . .)

Forget the subtle hints, subtext, humble pie and misplaced assumptions. If you want to be noticed, you need to SCREAM it from the rooftop - "It's my birthday. Let's eat cake!"

However, with respect to Real Estate, there is often an element of mystery involved. My job involves highly-skilled negotiations as I advocate for my clients and their best interest. Not infrequently, successful sale inceptions require stealth and good timing. Understanding a seller's motivation often requires covert investigation and subtle inquiry. Like a good game of chess, I am assessing my opponents at every turn and trying to stay one step ahead of the game!

But with respect to our relationship, I need to understand your true motives and intentions from the get go. I do need to understand your finances (really!) and I need ALL of the relevant information that informs your decisions as we move through the process. Without your complete trust and your unedited input, I am bound to be working at a disadvantage, which may result in wasted time and unfortunate missteps. And in a market that is already heavily fraught with land mines, missteps are best avoided at all costs!

Like your attorney or family physician, our business together is confidential! Your sale, your personal relationships and your finances are NOT an open book, nor should they be. Moreover, the amount you paid or what you sold your lovely home for, is nobody's business but your own (nosy neighbors and best friends alike)!

So let's agree to be as up front with one another as possible. I will keep you fully informed throughout the process, provide options, give my opinion when asked, carefully listen to your goals and objectives, then act upon your directives. You will provide full disclosure so that I have the necessary tools to help you successfully navigate the rocky world of Real Estate with positive results. (That seems fair - doesn't it?)

And since you are sharing with me, I will share with you that I turned 49 last week, I love tulips and peonies (cheeky!) and I am a fan of angel food cake with fresh strawberries and whip cream.

Let's eat cake!

Feel free to visit my website at JulieGardner.com for more information as well. Real Estate License #R01431765