Norm Fisher

Have we met? It feels like I know you!

2007-09-08T17:55:00Z

It was about this time last year while attending a meeting of Royal LePage brokers that I asked the question, “What about this blogging thing?”

I’ll admit I knew little about it, and frankly, the whole idea struck me as a bit silly. At the time, I could hardly imagine what I’d write about and I was certain that the number of people I could actually reach would be limited. To my way of thinking, it would surely be a waste of time.

Undeterred by my skepticism, one of my colleagues insisted that I’d be missing the boat in a big way if I didn’t give it a go. “It’s the way internet marketing is going Norm,” Wendy informed me. With that I returned home, still feeling lukewarm to the idea but convinced that I should at least give it a try.

I scoured the internet seeking out real estate blogs, reading posts wherever I could find them. Within about eight week’s time the Saskatoon Real Estate Resource Centre Blog was born. I fumbled about, doing my best but feeling like a fish out of water as we often will when we’re experimenting with something new. Eventually, I found my footing and my voice. My little online community began to develop and discussions ensued. It started to “feel right,” though I wasn’t sure why.

Over my 14 years as a REALTOR®, most of my business has come from my personal connections, and those whom I’m introduced to through that little circle. This year, I’ve found countless opportunities with people I’ve never met. Oddly, many of them seem to feel as though they’ve met me. Building rapport seems to be a snap and it’s like a higher level of confidence and trust is already there. It still feels a little strange, but it is nice.

Here’s an email I received just a few weeks ago that really speaks to the potential of blogging when it comes to building relationships.

“Hey Norm, I found a house that looks pretty solid and I'm pretty sure I'm going to be making a bid on it. The realtor I was using is away on vacation this whole month and hasn't responded to my email about it (I guess he's not checking email while on vacation). In any case, I've really appreciated the information you've provided me which has actually given me a lot of confidence to go forward with this purchase. As such, I wouldn't mind having you represent me on this purchase. If you're interested, please contact me and we can take a look at it on the weekend. For your information, it’s on 10th street (North Park) selling for 229,900. Probably contacting me via cell as early as you can today (Sat) would be best.”

Here’s a brief paraphrased version of the discussion which occurred when I called.

“Hi Matt. It’s Norm Fisher calling. How are you today?”

“Great Norm! Thanks for calling.”

“Sounds like you’re feeling a little abandoned.”

“Yes. How do you feel about helping me out?”

“I’d be happy to do that Matt, but let me ask you; didn’t your agent make arrangements for someone else to serve you while he was away?”

“Well, he did give me a name and a number and I have spoken with the guy on a couple of occasions but I’ve misplaced the note.”

“You could probably call your agent’s office and find out who is covering for him while he’s away.”

“You know Norm, I could do that but to be honest with you, I’m just not that comfortable being represented by someone I’ve never met.”

“I understand Matt. How does 1:00 PM work for you?”

“Perfect! I’m just a couple of blocks away so I’ll meet you there at 1:00.”

I didn’t bother to remind Matt that we hadn’t actually met before. To him, it felt like we had and that was good enough for me. J

This area has affordable homes, but don't you dare go for a walk!

2007-06-09T15:17:00Z

I have a "Neighborhood Profiles" section on my website which provides lots of good info about each residential area in my city. Over the years, it's been well received and one of the busiest sections of my site. This year I added a "Reviews" section to each page hoping to receive feedback from residents which I could post there for others to see. Response has been lukewarm but I've received a number of nice reviews and I've posted them.

This morning, I found a rather negative review of one of the core areas. The content doesn't surprise me all that much. It's not a great area. I'm curious to know if you would post it if you were in my position. Here it is.

Pleasant Hill is not that great of an area to live in but people like me on a low income are pretty much forced to live in the area where it is scary to go for a walk day or night. I've lived in Pleasant Hill for 6 years and due to my landlord selling the house, I moved into an apartment. The 1st week I lived in my house I had a break and enter attempt while I was home in the late evening. I caught the perpetrators red handed and I went right up to them asking "what the hell are you doing?" They ran and I said, "don't come back." I thought I scared them. 10 minutes later they were attempting to break into another house. That's when I called 911 and they got caught. 2nd break and enter attempt again I was home. I am a single mom and the guy broke my window and said if I don't let him in he was gonna kill me!! Again I called 911 and the police came about 10 minutes later while this guy is trying to kick down my door. The police came and caught him and then drove him home. His excuse was that he was freezing. The guy lived 2 blocks away!! They let him go. Hookers would walk right in front of my house and get picked up right on the street. Pleasant Hill is not a good place to live but if you cant afford to live anywhere else they say you get what you pay for so people on low income have to live in the dumps. That is my comment and now rent is so high there is gonna be no where for the low income people to live who try to make an honest living.

Seems to me that I come off as a little phony if I'm only willing to publish the shining reviews. Of course, anyone who has a contrary view would also be welcome to post. Please share your thoughts with me.

Redfin would be nothing without you

2007-05-16T01:20:00Z

Shortly after I began scouring the "RE.net" I couldn't help but notice this little company called Redfin. I have 77 blogs in my news reader, most of which are written by REALTORS, and many of which regularly write about Redfin.

It seems to me that Glenn Kelman is a marketing genius with a lame business idea. He has listing agents showing homes to his clients and he's got at least half of the most tech-savvy agents in the world marketing his company for him. Every time he opens his mouth his words are spread far and wide by his competitors. He'd love to destroy you and he's bound and determined to do it with your resources and your help. His biggest advantage is that he has a story that the public and the media are dying to hear. Why are we helping him tell his distorted story? Without the publicity agents give this company I wouldn't even know they exist and I seriously doubt Leslie Stahl would either.

Redfin is a company that hasn't accomplished anything substantial outside of garnering a ton of publicity with the help of the real estate community. Why don't we stop talking about them?

Working a red hot market

2007-02-19T16:27:00Z

Saskatoon is experiencing a boom like I've never seen in the 15 years I've worked this market. Supply of homes is at an all time low and demand has increased substantially. Property values have increased more in the last six weeks than they did in the previous 2 years. There seems to be no end in sight.

I'm having no trouble making this market work for my sellers but I must say that it's very difficult for buyers and it's less clear to me how I can help them effectively. Almost every new listing attracts immediate attention and right now, about 50 of new listings are selling at or above list price. It seems that week by week, new benchmarks are being attained and I am often blown away by the prices people are paying for homes.

I know that many of you have worked this kind of a market in the past and I was hoping that you might give me some tips which I could share with buyers. What kind of advice do you give a buyer who wants to purchase a home which is certain to attract multiple offers well above the list price?