I read a quote recently that I thought was inspiring. "People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily."  -Zig Zigler.

For a long time I have been confusing motivation with hype. I have felt that hype is nothing more than a tool that some people use to falsely motivate or drive people to believe in something. Hype requires a constant flow of energy and contact or the fool will loose the belief. Knowing this is why I have been confusing the two. I did not recognize that ‘motivation' can also look the same. Where hype is usually associated with something bad, ‘motivation', in the same basic form is usually associated with getting something done that you already want to do. See, I would get that hype feeling whenever I would be hit with that kind of energetic motivation. I didn't want it. But for some reason this quote made me finally realize that they can look the same. Obviously it depends on the objective.

I am learning more about attitude, motivation and happiness.

Isn't it interesting that you can hear something all your life, and one day the right person says it the right way or at the right time, and it clicks

Now, I think I will get more done.

It's easier than ever before for the average consumer to do there homework when home hunting. there's so many internet sites that have great info for buyers and sellers, that even if you're a novice on a computer you can find your way to something. some real estate websites, including mine, have all of the current listed homes available for the area of interest of the buyer. and some, like mine, also have reports and calculators and all the resources that a buyer or seller would need to do their homework, so they don't have to search all over the net. everything you need in one place. there is no law here that says the private individual cannot buy or sell real estate all on their own.

However, the good realtor is the key or connection to the real world. real estate is our world. we as realtors give you timely information and advice when needed. we already have all the necessary contacts in place, and are prepared with knowledge and experience regarding how the whole process will play out. and, we know all the forms needed and how to fill them out. we know what happens when a mistake is made, how serious it is, and how to deal with it. when we talk of how a realtor can provide safety, it could be anything from recognizing a problem (or scam), to accompanying strangers in your home, to knowing legal and illegal actions. we must be legal in our handling of your interests or we can loose our license, and more.

When you hire a realtor, we are the so called experts, but you are the boss. we bring you information and you tell us what you want us to do with it.

You can check out my website at www.joesellsutah.com

The reasons to go it alone are easy to see. but you really owe it to yourself to know all the reasons to hire a realtor.

I've received some pretty intense training on doing Open Houses (if you can believe that). One of the training programs that I went through was about focusing all activities around an Open House Event. This segment of the training took 4 full days to complete! It was referred to, and tied in, during the complete training program that lasted about 3 weeks full time, and then part time over about 4 months. The agreement for the training that I signed also gave me license to do these events, witch the author required. A lot of training for an open house don't you think? Well let me tell you that these events, When done correctly, can bring as much as 20 times the visitors, or more, to see the sellers home! You can imagine the increase in the possibilities of a quicker sale. Another advantage is that with this kind of activity at the house, you can create a competitive buyer environment that can increase the price of the sale.

The average open house sells less than 10 percent of the homes held open. And if you've done them you know that often you get only one, or even no visitors. This is why many agents recommend against, or just don't do open houses. This is why you may have heard ‘Open houses don't work'. I've done a lot of them in my career, both kinds. The possibility of finding a buyer for your home with one of these ‘events' is increased dramatically.

There's only a handful of agents that are licensed to them. And even less that do them correctly.

Contact me to find out all about it at joe@joesellsutah.com

Open Houses... Do they work? Well, if you get the right guy they can!

It has always been a ‘caveat emptor' (let the buyer beware), and is still largely in many industries. Although there are all kinds of laws to protect the innocent public, and state regulating of contract law, the real estate buyer is still subject to this reality. In the purchase of a home, there are big dangers because it's a big purchase. We've all heard the stories of major foundation problems, or roof problems, etc. that were only discovered after the proud new homeowner settles in. It is a very sad situation. Obviously, if there was deliberate deception by the seller, the law will protect the buyer. But there are many cases that the buyer has no recourse, and has to accept it.

There is one thing that a home buyer can do to protect him/her self. The contract approved for use by real estate professionals by the great state of Utah, establishes clearly, that the buyer has the right to do a thorough inspection of the property. Many buyers will do this inspection themselves, not really knowing what they are looking for. Some just walk through the rooms and call it good. Some will hire a professional home inspector to do it.

I whole hartedly recommend hiring a professional home inspection! The cost is reasonable, especially compared to the price of the home, and the potential costs of unseen defects. I don't think I've ever heard a buyer say ‘that wasn't worth it' or ‘I wish we wouldn't have'.

My experience with professional home inspectors has been quite good. They will provide the buyer with a very complete report, in writing, and take the time to explain what they've found (or not found) about the home.

I do recommend them to my buyers.

This is also a good way for agents to avoid being involved in a law suit, and we always seem to be to blame.

I had a friend accuse me of being a tree hater because I suggested that some homeowners should remove trees that hide the home or take away from it's curb appeal. I love trees! But they can detract from the home when it is up for sale, if they're in the wrong place. If you have a cute house with a real nice tree smack dab in front of it, home buyers won't see how cute it is. It can pay to remove it.

We have a very intrusive tree that has migrated here from... I don't know where, but it grows and spreads like a weed. It also rains white leafy seeds like snow in the spring. These trees I really don't mind removing from almost any location, but I do have a hard time with Willows, Aspen, some Poplars and evergreens, unless their removal will be a big improvement to the home.

Trees can provide some great attributes for a home in the back or side yard, like shade, bird nests, maybe fruit, or just a backdrop of green. I actually believe that every home should have trees.

While some people like the privacy that a lot of trees and brush can provide, most buyers prefer to see and show the new home they're proud of.

Do you have an opinion on Trees?