Highlands County Talk

Naturally, they want their agent to sell their home at the highest price possible, in the shortest amount of time and with the least inconvenience to them. That isn't hard to figure out!

I find that when meeting with sellers who's listing has expired, their #1 complaint isn't so much the fact that their home didn't sell. They know the market is down and is going "downer" in many areas. They can see all the other yard signs in their area and they also see how few of them have "sale pending" signs on them. It seems that lack of communication from their agent is their #1 complaint.

How hard can it be to keep a seller in the loop? With almost everyone having an email address nowadays, it's a breeze to do a neighborhood market snapshot once a week and email it to them along with an update on activity on the listing. If there was no activity - for cryin' out loud, they want to know! Follow up with a phone call on Monday "Did you receive my market update for last week? Do you have any questions? Did you notice how many homes had price adjustments? No, we didn't have any phone calls or email inquiries about your listing. Btw, how was your daugther's softball tournament last Saturday? Did they do well?

Keeping your sellers up to date on market changes has tremendous benefits: They can see first hand how their home ranks among its competition and they will be more willing to talk about a price adjustment when the time comes. They will also see that you actually care about them and their property, they will see that you are on top of things! They will appreciate your weekly phone calls and they will not tell you:
"YOU NEVER CALLED US AND NOW YOU WANT US TO EXTEND THE LISTING PERIOD? NO THANKS!"

Sellers want to hear from their agents. Sellers want to know how the market is doing. Sellers want to know if they should adjust the price (even if they don't adjust it, they still want to know whether or not they should).

Andrea Mills - "What Sellers Want" Copyright 2008 *All Rights Reserved

This article was originally posted on http://sebring.activerain.com/

A while ago I was writing about Marketing to German speaking countries (I speak
German). I sent weekly "Deals of the Week" to my broker contacts in Germany and Austria. I've had some first (and positive) responses so far.

Yesterday, I received an email from a lady in Hamburg. She will be in Central Florida the first week of September and wishes to purchase several apartments/condos/homes as an investment. She's also interested in purchasing in LA and Las Vegas. She's interested in Short Sales and Foreclosures (Yep, they talk about the close-out of America over there!)

I don't have her qualified yet as I received the email late last night and didn't have the chance to call and speak with her in person. I know from experience though that the vast percentage of European buyers are indeed CASH buyers.

I'm thrilled that my Marketing to Germans actually works.

Andrea Mills - "foreign buyers - marketing overseas" Copyright 2008 *All Rights Reserved

This article was originally posted on http://sebring.activerain.com/

Nestled away between Lake Damon and Trout Lake lies one of Avon Park's prestine golfing communities; River Greens. Originally purchased as a 9-hole course in 1969 by the Davis Family from Coshocton County, Ohio, River Greens has gone through quite a few changes throughout the years. After adding 9 additional holes in 1974, River Greens will celebrate its 30th year in business in the fall of 2009. The Clubhouse (below) houses the Pro-Shop and The Plantation Restaurant, which is also available for weddings, parties and other special events.

River Greens is a friendly community, neighbors are never too busy for a quick chat. Upon entering the community, you will pass Casa Del Lago to the left. The mediterranean style development appeals through its private courtyards and beautiful landscaping. Drive a little slower as you will be sharing the roads with an occassional golf cart. There's no need for speeding anyway - how else would you take in the beautiful views of the golf course and the two lakes?

Homes are arranged so that nearly all residents have either a wonderful view of one of the lakes or the golf course. Buyers might have a hard time chosing which they like best. Whether you are looking for a luxorious lake front estate or are happy with a more conventional home, River Greens has something for everyone in every style and almost every price range.

Andrea Mills - "Golfiing in Avon Park - river greens, a hidden gem" Copyright 2008 *All Rights Reserved

This article was originally posted on http://sebring.activerain.com/

Please help conserve water and spread the word! Highlands County is still under drought conditions despite the recent nice and needed rains. Water levels in our lakes are still well below normal.

This is the sad view on Lake Olivia in Avon Park. Half of it is dried out. The red line indicates normal water levels:

This is what it should look like:

Andrea Mills - "Celebrate Caladiums" Copyright 2008 *All Rights Reserved

This article was originally posted on http://sebring.activerain.com/

Water your lawn once weekly only. Here's the schedule:

• ...0 or 1, water only on Monday
• ...2 or 3, water only on Tuesday
• ...4 or 5, water only on Wednesday
• ...6 or 7, water only on Thursday
• ...8 or 9*, water only on Friday

* and locations without a discernible address

These restrictions remain in effect through September 30, 2008 for use of water from public and private utilities, wells and surface water sources (ponds, rivers, etc.).

Restrictions apply to all of Charlotte, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, and Sumter counties; portions of Lake and Levy counties; and the portion of Gasparilla Island in Lee County.

Lawn & landscape watering
-If your city or county already has special once-per-week schedule in effect, continue following it; oth erwise refer to the schedule above.
- Lawn and landscape watering remains limited to a once-per-week schedule.
- Unless your city or county already has stricter hours in effect, properties under two acres in size may only water before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
- Unless your city or county already has stricter hours in effect, properties two acres or larger may only water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
 -Variances are available if a property proposes an alternative irrigation plan (such as splitting a large property into two pieces and assigning a different day to each piece).
- Handwatering or microirrigation of non-lawn landscape is allowed.
- Certain exemptions are available, such as allowances for new plant material.

Local governments & water utilities
- Assist the District with water shortage restriction enforcement, including "any time" coverage for cases referred by the District (when a Water Use Permit is not involved).
- Review the availability of backup water supplies for potable and fire-fighting purposes.
- Institute/accelerate local water conservation efforts, including a water system audit.
- Implement appropriate changes to water system flushing, including on-site signage.

Golf courses, agricultural operations & other water users
- Fountains and other aesthetic-only water features may only operate 8 hours per day.
- Car washing is limited to once per week; however, fundraiser events are still allowed.
- Comply with all Water Use Permit conditions, including allowable drought quantities.
- Reduce off-site discharge and mobile equipment washing.
- Follow applicable best management practices, including watering times and applications.

As some of you might know, I'm was born and raised in Germany. I lived there for 26 years. After I met my husband we moved to the US. I feel that English is now my first language but I still speak fluent German. For years, my husband has told me to utilize my language skills to market to German speaking buyers. I didn't think it was even worth trying. I was wrong!

~You were right, honey!~

When I joined ERA I discovered that we have over 70 offices in German speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) throughout Europe. Remembering the process I went through getting a Green Card, I felt I had to help European buyers navigate through the Immigration process. What could be better than referring them to a German speaking immigration lawyer right here in Florida??? I made contact with the German Honorary Consul and she was thrilled about my plans. After having talked to her on the phone I feel that my clients from overseas are in good hands as she can facilitate clients wanting to purchase residential and commercial properties. It's her specialty!

I put together a brief email explainging who I am and what I do. I explained how real estate works in Florida (it's a very different ball game in Germany), and I attached 4 properties in various price ranges.

I also added a German section to our website for brokers, agents and clients from overseas to get an idea of what we're doing, where we are and what we have to offer.

Well, I'm getting responses! I have people in Austria interested, I have brokers in Berlin displaying Highlands County properties on their advertising venue.

I'm thrilled about it and I'm happy to be able to tell potential sellers that their properties are being advertised inAustria and Germany, directly to potential buyers!

Andrea Mills - "The German Real Estate Agent - reaching potential buyers In Europe" Copyright 2008 *All Rights Reserved

This article was originally posted on http://sebring.activerain.com/