Leesa Finley

Just the Facts, Ma'am.....

Leesa Finley — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 20:51:00 GMT

A thought-provoking article just came across the wire on WRAL which I am sure will raise temperatures of buyers, seller, and Realtors.....

Basically, the article is relating to a proposal that would limit what Home Inspectors are allowed to put on their reports. I have a few inspectors that read this blog and I would welcome their perspective!

Currently, from what I have experienced and from what I understand, a home inspector can inlude on his report for a home his "opinion". An example would be: The 10 year old air conditioning system in a home. If the inspector inspects the system and it is "performing to the standards for which it was intended" they will put that on the report. They will also note the age of the system. However, they may also include in that report, in their opinion, that the system may need to be replaced due to age.

I have issue with that. I feel that the report should be based on fact and fact only. If the fact is stated that they system works and the fact is stated that the unit is 10 years old then it is up to the buyer/seller to then determine whether they feel the unit needs to be replaced.

I know that my home, personally, is a great example. I have a 5 year old system. Should an inspector have inspected it 4 months ago it would have been noted that "it was performing to standards for which it was intended" and that "the system is 5 years old". They, more than likely, would not have noted that the system would need to be replaced. Well, guess what? Who would have thought that my system now doesn't work! Had I bought this home 4 months ago would I have been able to go back to that inspector and blame him for not forseeing the future? No! And that is the way it should be. I just feel that reports should be based on facts and not assumptions or opinions. It either is or it isn't. It either works or it doesn't. It is either damaged or it isn't.

Board Delays Decision on Facts-Only Home Inspection Reports

What do you think?

Realtor.com - rehashed, smothered, and covered!

Leesa Finley — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:18:00 GMT

Wow - I had the pleasure of calling Realtor.com today and they are some pretty chipper people - NOT! Talk about grumpy!

Anyhow, I have a listing that is adamant that they will get their home sold if, and ONLY if, I pay the astronomical fee to Realtor.com for multiple pictures. I know the reasons that many (not all) of us do not see the value but how can I convey that to them? I have flat out said that multiple pics on there does not ensure that their home will sell........they just don't believe me. Any suggestions? Anyone? Anyone? Pretty please?

What house did YOU look at?

Leesa Finley — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 13:10:00 GMT

I take feedback from agents VERY seriously on my listings as I know all of you do. Fortunately, I don't receive much negative feedback as I am very detailed and thorough when it comes to getting my listings ready to be shown and my sellers know that I, personally, may stop in at random times and I expect the property to be "show ready" at any given time. Hey, you just never know when "the" buyer will pull up in from of the house! Well this past weekend I had a showing on one of my townhomes. The townhome is owned by a very sweet, respectable woman that is retired. She spends her time between the unit and her other home all through the week. The home is "neat as a pin". While that term may be relative - this home really is "neat as a pin". Since my seller is not there most of the time we made an agreement that I would go to the unit after showings to ensure that doors were locked, lights out, etc. I received feedback from the showing agent on Sunday and she said the home was not very well cared for and her buyer didn't like the floorplan. Huh? I emailed her requesting more specific feedback as the "not well cared for". I am so glad that I did! She responded this morning telling me that the doorbell was broken, the kids were all over the place, the tv was blaring upstairs and it was the unit was in disarray downstairs - they didn't even cross the threshold.

HAHA - not my unit! I assured her that the doorbell worked, there are no children in the unit (nor has there ever been), there are NO tv's upstairs and that the home is "neat as a pin". I had been there myself Saturday and Sunday so I know that squatters hadn't moved in, set up camp and invited their relatives in.....However, I went back this morning to be sure that I wasn't mistaken and the doorbell worked, there are still no tv's upstairs and unless they are good at hiding - there are no children. And, yes, the unit is still neat as a pin.

The whole purpose of this rambling was just to see how seriously you take your feedback - do you really read it? Do you pass it on to your sellers? I, personally, have it come to me and then forward on to my sellers. Also, on the flip side of that - how thorough are you when you LEAVE feedback for other agents?

Happy selling all!

And I'm Free, I'm Free Fallin'

Leesa Finley — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 22:00:00 GMT

Hey all! I very rarely post here but I was just too excited not to share this. I just celebrated my 40th and the following link has a video. It isn't the professional video that I had done but my little amateur video using Slideroll....I gotta tell you - if you ever, ever, EVER think of skydiving - DO IT!! Now, however, i wish I had taken a sign up with me that said "You wanna buy a house?"

http://www.pinkoyster.blogspot.com/