RETIRING?

Through much of our lives, our personal and professional obligations are spread across many areas. When the time comes to retire, we relax and reward ourselves for years of hard work and dedication by shifting our focus to other things.

With this in mind, it's important to choose a place for retirement that offers the specific amenities and activities we prefer. Everyone knows Florida and Arizona offer much in the way of traditional U.S. retirement, but what do you have to pay to live in those kinds of places? In Tyler, Texas there is a unique lifestyle, and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg!

How do you want to fill your days? Hiking or golfing? Fishing and hunting? Arts and crafts? Shopping or attending college courses? Whatever your muse, Tyler will soothe your spirit and kindle your passions. It's the only approved retirement city in the whole big state of Texas!!

New Incentive!!!

This is very inventive! This is from a business magazine:

"In the latest incentive to hit the local real estate market, the Seaford (RI) resident and his wife, Regina, are offering to make a year's worth of mortgage payments for the buyer of another home they have in West Gilgo Beach.

The house, with four bedrooms and two baths, has been on the market for about six months and has seen a few price reductions, real estate agent Karen Reese, with Century 21 Prevete, said. It's now listed at $645,000."

Some are offering cars, plasma TVs, vacations, etc., but this is the first time I've seen this. I kind of like the inventiveness.

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Realtors

Just a quick note on realtors in general.

Having been in real estate now for some thirty + years, my observations about the business should carry some weight. Realtors, like all other professions, fall into several categories. Therefore buyers and sellers of realty need to be aware of just what kind of realtors they're thinking of hiring!

First there's the tired-of-staying-at-home mom. Their husbands make enough money for homes and cars and private schools; but they aren't happy. And because they have a flair for decorating, they become realtors.....mainly because they like to look at homes! This group probably constitutes the highest percentage group in the business.

Then, secondly, (and probably the next highest percentage) there is the I-like-to-meet-new-people person. These are what psychologists call "amicable personalities". They're friendly, and they enjoy the social intercourse that the flow of new customers provides.

Third, (and I mean no disrespect) is what might be called post-office-rejects. The thinking being that if even the post office doesn't want you, what can you do? So they get a realtors license! And, of course, they struggle with that too!

Then, lastly, the smallest percentage consists of men and women who wish to practice a distinguished profession with a high degree of ethics, professionalism and class. And they do so for the purpose of serving customers. And for that service they are well paid.

In which group does your realtor fall?

REHAB

Why not rehab a home for a nice profit? For one reason or another there's always one or two distressed realty situations in nice areas. Whether it's due to divorce, or loss of a job, or an aging absentee owner, etc., these buying opportunities come up occasionally. And the handy-man/investor can address the cosmetic/deferred maintenance issues with a relatively small additional investment.

Two key points need to be observed: 1) Picking a nice neighborhood in which homes sell quickly, and 2) turning the property as soon as possible. A $5,000 profit after a week's worth of hard work isn't a bad deal.

Cut-rate Real Estate - Once Again!

On the New York Times front page this morning is a long piece on discount real estate brokers. What the cut-rate brokers are doing is reducing services and charging less in order to get more business. One of the means of doing that is to rebate a substantial amount of money to home sellers who use their (minimum) services.

Some who have used the services of cut-rate brokers have saved money. But we don't know how many are in litigation!

My opinion is that my customers enjoy full service, personal representation. And I strongly advise against reducing services to buyers and sellers. This is a very dangerous business; and sellers (and buyers) who provide their own expertise (?) to a very complicated procedure open themselves up to serious consequences.