Kathy Wall

Should I Tell Them What They Want to Hear?
May 16, 2011 · · 6 Comments

Over the last couple of months I have lost out on three listings….three really good homes in great locations..because I was honest with the potential clients.     In each case, the owners had very unrealistic expectations about what they could get for their property, or as sellers are fond of saying what they “needed” to get out of their properties.   

I did everything that I could to be upbeat while meeting with all of them, but two of them wanted $1,500,000 for homes that were either in much need of updating or that had been updated in a particular style that would not be appealing to a large number of buyers.   Both of those homes were cluttered and had several pets roaming around, which would make them hard to show.   The owners said they “sensed a lot of negativity” when I made a few recommendations about things they could do increase the value of their homes.  

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am about the least negative person around….I always try to put a positive spin on everything…but it’s my job to try to help owners get the best possible price for their home, so I have to tell them things that would help them or I wouldn’t be doing them justice.       Read more

Kathy Wall

Vacant Homes a Target for Homeless and Criminals
February 10, 2011 · · 2 Comments

I was scheduled to do an open house at one of my listings in a terrific San Francisco neighborhood today.  When I arrived at the property and unlocked the door, the first thing that I saw were 2 men’s socks and a bunch of dirt, along with something that looked like a dirt clot, but later turned out to be a rock.  

Since this house has always been immaculate, I knew that something was radically wrong, so instead of entering the house, I first called the owners.   When I was unable to reach them, I decided to call the police.    Although it turned out that the intruder had already left, I’m so glad that I did call them, because it turns out that they were able to get really good evidence of who had entered.

This home had previously been “staged” and furnished, but the owners had requested that the staging be removed due to cost concerns, so it is now completely vacant.    Although we kept the front drapes closed so that people would not notice that it was vacant, someone clearly noticed, broke a downstairs window and spent at least one night in the property, apparently ripping down one of the drapes and using it as a blanket.      Read more

Kathy Wall

The Silent Killer….
January 6, 2011 · · 2 Comments

Amongst many new laws being enacted in 2011, is one that will require carbon monoxide detectors in every single home in California by July 1, 2011.   Newly constructed homes are required to have them effective January 1, 2011.     Although many new laws are often silly, this one seems super important,  since so many people die each year due to carbon monoxide posioning.   

For those unfamiliar with carbon monoxide poisoning, it is known as the silent killer.   It is a colorless, odorless gas that is nearly impossible to detect without a CO detector and seeps out through gas heaters and appliances, as well as through engines left running in garages off homes.    

It can cause nausea, headaches, dizziness, chest pain and vomiting and is really hard to diagnose because the symptoms are so similar to other illnesses that occur during the winter months.     It can and does kill.     Just one example are the 5 teenagers in Florida that died in December.      According to Wikipedia, on average 170 people die every year due to this killer.          Read more

Kathy Wall

Brisbane’s Festival of the Stars!
December 5, 2009 · · 2 Comments
Courtesy of Lee Panza

Photo courtesy of Lee Panza

On Sunday, December 6th @ 5:30 p.m. there will be a wonderful event happening in the adorable little town of Brisbane, CA.   It is called “Festival of the Stars”,  and is called that because Brisbane is famous for the lit up stars that most citizens have on their homes.    Although many people start lighting them at the very beginning of December, this evening is the official night when everyone turns them on.   It is quite a sight and can be seen all the way from Highway 101.   The stars, both  large and small, are provided free to anyone who lives in town…all they need to do is add the lights. Read more

Kathy Wall

Negotiation Skills – The Most Important Reason to Hire a Professional Realtor
December 13, 2008 · · 5 Comments

Today has been a nerve wracking day.  I have a home listed here in Brisbane that has been on the market for a couple of months.   During that time, there have been 2 people who have consistently expressed serious interest.    Earlier this week, one of them finally stepped up to the plate and brought us an offer.   We went back and forth with counter offers and then yesterday, when my Sellers were all set to sign the most recent counter, the phone rang.   Of course, it was the agent for the other interested party!   He finally had his ducks in a row and was ready to bring an offer.    Would we wait until today at noon before accepting the other offer?  Alrighty, then.  After conferring with my clients and weighing our options, we decided to wait.  

It is now almost 4:30 and, needless to say, the noon deadline has long since passed.   I know that the agent met with his client at 1:00 p.m., but I still don’t have an offer in hand and his calls are going straight to voice mail.   Aaaaaaah!   Read more