About Julie Cleland

Visit my Website: http://jcleland.prucalbayarea.com/

I enjoy working with clients to discover their needs & goals, then do all I can to see those expectaions are met. By being there to answer your questions, listening to your concerns and by offering information I can coach you through the exciting, yet sometimes overwhelming process of buying or selling a home. I'll coordinate with the other professionals involved in your transaction so you can sit back and relax knowing everything is being taken care of. I've been a real estate professional for over 5 years and have called San Francisco my home for over 15 years.

jcleland@prucalbayarea.com
Phone: (650) 871-3693
DRE#: 01386712

Here is a selection of recent posts by Julie Cleland:

Whadda Ya Mean They Said “NO”?!?!

February 23, 2010 · Julie Cleland · 3 Comments

There is a subject that’s been coming up a lot lately…the subject of Low Ball offers. It would seem many are advocates of offering a price on a house that is well below asking & what the current market will support. The thinking goes, you are showing the seller you will not be taken advantage of and you have the upper hand in negotiations. What never seems to be addressed is the notion that the seller might not be interested in playing this game and will simply say “NO”. No counter offer and negotiations officially over.

If a seller wants to sell and a buyer wants to buy then there is no reason a deal can’t be worked out. This is predicated on the idea that both parties are going into this with a willingness to negotiate in good faith. Writing under asking is not a bad idea, writing a reasonable offer below the asking says to the seller “I like your house and want to buy it, we just have a difference in opinion of value.” A low ball offers sends a different message. Read more

I Earned that Deal…BUT!

December 7, 2009 · Julie Cleland · 3 Comments

Another Realtor(r) walked away with a check. Please understand this rant is not directed at clients who’s transactions do not work out despite the best intentions. There are times when as a Realtor you spend a great deal of energy and effort and then, for a variety of reasons, it just doesn’t happen. No, readers, this is the story of being the Starter Realtor.

My tale started when I began working with clients who had a very set idea about what they were looking for. They were pre-approved Read more

Some People Would Sell Their Grandmother!

September 22, 2009 · Julie Cleland · 4 Comments

Senior Either that, or try and sell something to them. This was the first thought that went through my head when a fellow agent handed me a flier an elderly friend received with an offer to sell them a copy of the deed of trust on their home. As with most things…one should always read the small print and if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

In all fairness, this particular notification did print in very large letters that the program was not endorsed by the government. In addition, they went so far as to say that one doesn’t actually need what it is they are selling, a copy of your deed, to prove home ownership. While their “fine print” was actually legible and clear, many offers don’t always come with such warning. Read more

It’s Still My House!! Well….

August 24, 2009 · Julie Cleland · 6 Comments

This is the place you’ve rested your head, had numerous family gatherings and lovingly taken care of for years. You’ve decided to put your home on the market and while you understand this will involve some inconvenience, the buyers will understand this is still my home, right? Well, while this is technically true, the sooner you make the transition to thinking of your home as a product to sell, the better off you will be. Read more

Your words say “Yes” but your actions…not so much!

July 24, 2009 · Julie Cleland · 4 Comments

In any sales position, a person’s living depends a great deal on their ability to figure out who is ready, willing and able to buy and who isn’t. In addition to understanding real estate, a Realtor® has to be able to analyze how serious a potential client is and then determine the amount of energy appropriate for that client. We’ve all had buyers who insist buying is something they really want, when every other signal the buyer is sending screams “Not in this life time!”. If you feel as a buyer you are not getting the attention you deserve, it could be the realtor, or it could be time for a little self reflection. Read more

It’s not what they offer, it’s what you walk away with that counts!

July 9, 2009 · Julie Cleland · 4 Comments

When it comes to buying or selling a property, the conventional wisdom is that it’s all about the offer price and that certainly is a big part of the picture. However, a seller really needs to think about what they will walk away with, or rather, what they will NET; after all selling expenses are paid out. As a seller you have to make decisions that in the long run may end up costing you money. Read more

Nothing Personal…It’s Business!

May 29, 2009 · Julie Cleland · 8 Comments

You’ve lovingly taken care of your house for years, have loads of memories, plans for your future and you assume that all these factors will add value for a buyer. Or you’re a buyer and while the neighborhood you like is a little out of your price range, you want to write offers because you grew up there and want your children to have the same experience. Here’s the problem…if you are the buyer, the seller isn’t interested in your story and sellers, a buyer doesn’t really care about the sentimental attachment to your home. In short, buying or selling a home is a business transaction pure and simple. Read more

Come on In…the Real Estate Water is Fine!

May 7, 2009 · Julie Cleland · 8 Comments

Whether you are a buyer or seller you’ve made the decision to jump in the real estate waters. Come on in…just realize you are jumping into a moving stream and not a still pool. No matter what you are trying to do, know that it’s been going on long before you got involved and will continue long after you’ve completed your transaction. All you should focus on is the here and now.
Read more