If you’ve been looking for a Million dollar home with hundred’s of thousands in possible equity, look no further!  Great deal in the Wakefield Estate section just north of Raleigh NC.

http://trianglemls.mlxtempo.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=795622893&s=TRA&t=TRA

If you’d like access to Million Dollar Foreclosures in North Carolina give Erica McClenny with eRealty a call.  My team specializes in finding homes in Wake County and Raleigh NC with equity and value.

HUGE Estate home in Wake Forest, NC

How much is my expertise and experience worth to buyers and sellers in a tumultuous market? These days sellers are looking for every penny out of the sale of their homes. But recently a seller asked if I was willing to sell his home for a flat fee of $500. I was almost taken aback until I put myself in his shoes.

Here’s the scenario: He’d lost his job. He was in a divorce and the wife wanted 50% of the equity. Also, several homes in his neighborhood had been foreclosed on so values were a bit shaky at that moment.

Could you blame him for asking? I couldn’t!

However, taking the time to sit down with him, get to the bottom of his problems and give him a professional opinion was priceless. By the end of our meeting I’d earned his business and showed him the value of an expert on his side. We agreed to a sliding scale based on value/sales price and overall marketing plans. It was a win-win for both of us.

I’m willing to negotiate my listing rates if it make sense for me and the parties involved. Helping others “move on” is more important than my bottom line…

Happy house hunting!

2008 was a crazy, successful and soul searching year. I was reflecting on how my business and personal lives had dramatically changed. I realized that the self image I had of who I was, really translated into my business too. How I portray myself to others either builds or diminishes value in all of my relationships. If I’m not genuine about the person and professional that I am, my clients won’t desire to build a lasting relationship with me.

Here goes…my “Onion” Theory

1. How do others perceive me? Am I authentic when I meet a buyer or seller? Have I become jaded from too many years of real estate…are my clients walking paychecks instead of people?

2. How do I view myself? Am I confident in what value and service I’m bringing to the table? Why would someone want to work with me over Suzie Q down the road?

3. Do my actions reflect my beliefs and professionalism or am I “faking it to make it”? Do I treat my clients how I would want to be treated? I’ve caught myself blowing smoke just to get a deal done before…is this right?

4. Am I strong enough to really ask others to share what they think my weaknesses are? Can I handle the truth?

5. Do I take the time to look inward and analyze what I need to improve on? When I’m given feedback, do I take action to change or I just continue the same patterns?

There are so many layers to each of us, like an onion. Sometimes our business is affected by our own insecurities and self esteem issues. Real estate and mortgages is just like any other piece of life. Confidence carries over. If you are not complete and satisfied with yourself, how can you satisfy someone else’s needs. It starts at your core. You need to be connected with who you are and what you can provide to another human. It’s not a buyer, or a seller or a paycheck; it’s helping someone continue on their life’s path. I see my career in real estate as a blessing. I change lives. I help others achieve goals and dreams. I offer advice and direction to those who are lost or don’t know what is next. I’m an educator, not a sales person. It’s my duty to give people choices, provide value and the financial reward will follow…

I’ll leave you with this…Personal growth is the most important aspect of life, ESPECIALLY in these times! If we do not grow as people from the trials in front of us daily, we will be left behind. This is a tough market and economy. We have to change with it to ensure our success professionally and personally.

Take the challenge of looking inward at yourself and peel some layers back! Would you hire yourself? What types of people do you want to do business with?

I know the economy is tough right now and everyone is pinching pennies. However, if you’ve got vision and financial savvy you may be able to purchase your next home for next to nothing.

HUD has a special program for owner occupants only that allows you to purchase an insured HUD foreclosures for $100 down payment. It’s a wonderful tool that many first time buyers are taking advantage of.

We are certified HUD agents in the great Raleigh/Durham, NC area. There may or may not be a home that matches your needs, but it never hurts to keep your radar scanning. These properties are in varied levels of repair. I’ve seen homes look brand new and others that needed a total overhaul. A majority of the time they are in livable condition and just need a little love.

Every Friday new and reduced HUD homes are posted at hmbireo There are pictures, property reports and information for the public to view there. However, if you find a home you like, you have to have a registered agent place a bid for you. HUD wants to make sure buyers are represented properly.

Also, make sure you understand your rights and contracts. There are some sticky spots in timing and possible scenarios for you to lose a deposit if you walk away from the deal.

So it seems I’m on a roll this week…two buyers who I’ve been working with via phone and email in qualifying and setting up home searches for, all of the sudden have family or close friends who are Realtors.

Really?!  How can a buyer speak with you, give you detailed information, share excitement in the homes you are providing and then suddenly have a mother in law or friend who’s an agent?!

I’m amazed at this lapse of information.  After all, I ask very specific questions when I being to speak with a new client.

What’s some crazy stories that a buyer has given you?

I asked both of these people after they shared this “minor” detail, why didn’t you think to tell me this before.  The answer has been, well you were so helpful and I was really enjoying working with you but…I didn’t want to hurt their feelings.

Give me a break!  I was professional in “letting them go” but inside, I wanted to scream.  So if you’re buying a home…please make sure that the person who is providing you with information is the person you feel confident in moving forward with.  Realtors don’t want to waste your time and their own.