Mondays… We all Love Them
March 21, 2010 · · 5 Comments

     Mondays…we all love them.  For us Realtors, it is the day after holding an Open House.  For myself, Mondays are the day my lockbox key is to be updated.  On this particular Monday, I was in Berkeley showing single family homes to my client.  I’m usually consistent in making sure my key is updated every Monday morning before doing anything else.  That afternoon was the rare exception.  As soon as I parked my car to walk over to the clients in front of the property, it dawned that we were not immediately going to be able to enter the home.  I sincerely explained to them what happened and managed to make another appointment to meet with them in another hour and half.  Driving back to the San Bruno office and then back to Berkeley was not exactly an appealing idea. 

      Quickly, I thought there must be another way where I could at least stay in Berkeley to update my key and prevent wasting precious gas.  Several Prudential California Realty office locations came up on my Blackberry.  After a few calls, I finally spoke to a helpful sounding agent who invited me to stop by and use their key updating station at her office.  Although it was located on the other side of where I was in Berkeley, I certainly didn’t mind driving there considering how much time and money I was saving.    Read more

Terry Birt

Missed Opportunity ?
May 22, 2009 · · 6 Comments

buyers-choiceRecently, it seems that all the buyers have come out of the wood work….
We have been inundated with large groups at our open houses and receiving large amount of “sign calls” and inquires on our websites…
But the one thing that has not changed is fear…Depending on where the property is and the price range that it is in, there is a different strategy on how to make an offer. I think the public understands that the interest rates are great, and  inventory has lessened, and  buyers are hearing about multiple offers; but there is something that is preventing them to make a move. My advise: Work with your agent…let them help you understand… ask a lot of questions.

Just this week, I have encountered buyers who I met a few weeks ago, they saw this home in their price range, and have their financing in order, but they needed time to “think about it”.  When they came back to reconsider the home, it was gone (in escrow with multiple offers).  Had they written a couple of weeks ago it could have been theirs.

 Don’t lose your opportunity. There are several ways to protect yourself from competition and allow you to participate in obtaining home with your price and terms.

Nicole Machado

The “Runaway Buyer”…
March 12, 2009 · · 9 Comments

pk-grannyJust a quick post on a funny note… I have encountered a “runaway” buyer at two of my open houses in South San Francisco, two months apart from each other in two different neighborhoods. The first time I met her; she was so nice and friendly and seemed genuinely interested in the home. She said she liked it so much she wanted her husband to see it (he was waiting in the car). I didn’t think anything of it at the time, but once she went out to the car the husband slammed on the accelerator and took off down the street. I thought it was strange, but in this business nothing fazes me. It was about two months later Read more

Jean Joh

Visiting Homes in the Rain?
November 2, 2008 · · 4 Comments


I just got back from hosting an Open House in Burlingame.  It’s a beautiful house but it was pouring rain outside, so needless to say, not too many people came through.  With that fresh in my mind, I thought I would write a quick blog about why it might be a good idea to view a home when it’s raining. 

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