Against the Grain. A Sioux Falls Realtor thought.

Against the Grain.

Have you ever seen furniture or a guitar made of quarter sawn oak or maple? The grains are tighter and there are these little ribbons of pattern that burst sporatically throughout the surface of the wood. It’s really quite amazing and the name for those ribbon like patterns is kind of spectacular too. They are called medullary rays. (possible rock band name?)

These natural patterns/rays can't be seen or admired from wood that’s just cut the typical plain old way. It reveals something exciting and interesting that is hidden beneath the surface. This is achieved because the cut of the log was done by “going against the grain.” And that is EXACTYLY why I can appreciate it. It becomes an allegory for a lot of what I believe in.

If told, Do something. I will reply “I will.” If told, Do something different. I will kick back my chair, hop on the counter, hold up the rocker finger horns and belt out “R-R-R-Right On!”

Give something new.
Don’t let fear stop you.

The concert in my mind repeats these kind of lines like the chorus of a heavy metal ballad. Hey, it's my path to encouragement :)

I believe in innovation and more than anything I appreciate it when others believe in it too. I love it. I admire it. It simply ROCKS!

If you are going to do something, look to the leaders of those who have done it before you. Find out how they operate. Find out what systems they used to put on their show. Mimic these things that make their work easier, better, smoother. Then take that last bit, the piece (of the furniture, or song if you will) that everyone sees and turn it. Mix it up. Blast something that is unique for the whole world to hear!

I try to do that with my real estate career. I try to see what the leaders in my field are doing to systematize and I work on that. Then I add my own style.

 I can tell you that sometimes an idea will flop. Other times it will work. Sometimes people will ‘get it’ and other times they won’t. But I know that the right idea for each unique home or buyer at the right time can make a plain old situation turn into ribbons and patterns of coolness! I hope one day to be able to pack a stadium with past clients.

Now, how can I form a rock band and convince them to market my real estate biz for me?....

Dog Days of Summer in Sioux Falls

The Dog Days of Summer

Here we are in the thick of summer. Droplets of sweat form on our brows like condensation on a cold glass of iced tea. Our kids perch in front of oscillating fans to numb thoughts of impending school days. And our dogs lay spread eagle on shady cool grass.

Despite the heated discourse in Washington and searing concerns over the country's deficit and credit worthiness, house sales in Sioux Falls have been slightly higher than this period last year. I'm guessing, based on our pending sales numbers that this will continue through the rest of this quarter.

 

The immediate result of our S&P down-grade to AA+ will be stock market lows and peaks. But more importantly to our real estate market, it is estimated to bring yet another temporary dip in interest rates.

Both situations are ripe for opportunity. Long term investors and those who believe in home ownership will take advantage of the cheap money to reach their big picture goals.

It's like my dogs, they take advantage of the hot sun to warm their tummies and the dewy lawn to cool their backs. They seem to understand that every situation has multiple opportunities. Many people will be wise and do the same and see this time as the right time to invest for the future.

Kick back, cool down, unleash your dreams and enjoy the sunshine! Consider whether now is a good time for you to sell and/or buy some real estate.  Sioux Falls is ready when you are and so am I. Call, text or email me anytime.

John Maurer

THE AGENT

605-521-1183

John@GetTheAgent.com



Hot Dogs and Sioux Falls Housing

Hot Dog!

These tubes of meat by-product have been on my mind lately. Quite frankly (I had to say it), I think the sounds and smells of hot dogs sizzling on the grill, and the taste of their bubbling hot juicy goodness is as fundamental to summer (and specifically the 4^th of July) as snow is to Christmas.

I champion the wieners for so many reasons. For one, they don’t play middle of the road. I cannot think of another food that is considered repulsive by so many and adored by so many more.  This awkward delight which has stolen its sleek design from its cousin, the sausage, actually has gotten its namesake from the derogatory and untrue comments that its ingredients could quite possibly be made up of dog meat.

How cool is this?! A food, falsely rumored upon its conception to be made up of remnants of a beloved household pet, has risen to such heights of popularity to be included in the exclusive group of universal favorites such as coffee, hamburgers, beer and fries.

What other food can get groups of people to stand in line in order to get one for free, when they could just as easily buy a pack of them for a couple bucks?  In 2010, consumers spent $1.6 BILLION dollars on hot dogs in U.S. supermarkets!  No data found for how many franks were slapped out for free for the sake of promotion.

Hot dogs have their own sales season (Memorial Day to Labor Day, Americans typically consume 7 billion hot dogs). Like frankfurters, in our area, houses have a season too. Is it coincidence that it is the same “season” as hot dogs? I think NOT! :)

NOW is the season for selling and buying homes in Sioux Falls, SD too.  Sure they get bought and sold year round. But when the weather is hot, housing is best round here.

We may not have people standing in line (although watch closely at foreclosed homes that are priced right) but smart buyers are out there.  Houses may not be free but we are tops in housing affordability for the country, right here in good ole’ South Dakota.

If you are waiting for house prices to go down here in the Sioux Empire. Wait no longer.  Real estate is already on SALE! And unlikely to go anywhere but UP in our area. Check out June 30, 2011 USA TODAY:

South Dakota and Alaska also appear among the states to be "least vulnerable" to further home price declines given their stronger economies, says Capital Economics economist Paul Dales. In the first quarter, Alaska house prices rose 2.7% year-over-year, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. They fell 5.5% nationally. South Dakota has one of the nation's lowest unemployment rates, at 4.8% in May vs. 9.1% nationwide.

Existing home sales data also show strong demand for housing in the state, Dales says.

States with fewer troubled loans are likely to have fewer foreclosures, which can be a drag on prices. As of May, the states with the lowest percentage of loans that were delinquent or in foreclosure were Montana, Wyoming, Arkansas, South Dakota and North Dakota, says Lender Processing Services.

So, belly up to the grill-out this 4^th of July holiday weekend. Slam down a few dogs. And take a minute to relax at your fire pit 'n think about the great American dream of home ownership. And if record low house prices and record low interest rates make sense to you and yours, give an agent and a lender a call.

If you want GREAT advice, give me a call and I’ll get you started in the right direction.

Until then, this is my quick salute to the American way and the polarizing perfectness of our patriotic food companion, the hot dog! UH HUH!

Rule of 3 and Open House On Demand!

open house on demand?

I have a rule of three. If my brain takes note at least 3 times on something interesting I've seen, heard or dreamt, I scribble out a plan.

Last weekend, I was doing the proverbial Sunday Open House from 1pm to 2pm.  And In walks a person I've seen at this same house, same open day/time about a month prior.  I said, "Hey! Long time no see! Came to look again?" The young lady responded, "YES! I've been waiting for you to do another open house on this place."

HUH? I thought. Brain spark.

"Well, you still have my card from last time?" I asked.  "Yep!" She said. "Then, why didn't you just call me then?! I can show it to you any time!"

She said that she didn't want to put me out by calling and scheduling a showing. She said she'd just prefer to stop by when the house had a scheduled open.

It is then that I thought to myself, This is like the third time someone has said they didn't want to bother anyone, and just want to see the house during an open. Third time.....third....time....THIRD TIME! stop.....Rule of 3.....make a note to self.

So now it's Monday. I've got to put in ads for the next weekend. Gotta schedule open houses. I have 9 great listings, limited time and can't possibly do opens for ALL of them in the same weekend.  But people are waiting to see these homes! Then it hits me.

I'll do OPEN HOUSES ON DEMAND. I can have a bunch of listings available to show for a vast space of time BOTH Saturday and Sunday!!  All I have to do is make signs that say "Open House on Demand! Call on the fly or schedule a time between 11am and 6pm you'd like to see this home!"

Hmmm...Open House On Demand? Yeah, I know its weird. Probably a bit clumsy and confusing at this point. But I think this just might work. 

I'm putting my internal self-editor on hold. I'm choosing to let that brain spark ignite and fire away. I'm gonna trust my rule of 3. I might stumble, but then I'll skip and eventually I'm going to hone this puppy down.

Let's see how this goes!! Wish me luck!  Heck, you can always set your own open house on demand and let me know what you think!  Saturdays or Sundays between the hours of 11am and 6pm! 

 

Some say hire an agent right away, some say wait. Who Is Right?

Who is Right?

When entering into selling your house or buying a house, some say, "you should hire an agent first thing" and some say, "start on your own." Which way is best?

Going It Alone (at first)
Benefits:

Many buyers like to get comfortable with their research before they jump into working with an agent right away. And many sellers like to tour open houses and review ads, articles and overall marketing of other homes before they call in an agent to give them their advice.

Doing the upfront footwork and research on your own will give you strong indication of wants that you can communicate more effectively when you do hire an agent.

Today's home buyers and home sellers are informed and knowledgeable. Thanks to the internet and great sites like Realtor.com, Zillow.com, Trulia.com, RE605.com and more, the public has many of the tools necessary to get a good start on their real estate goal.

Negatives:

You could get inundated with varying advice from friends, family, agents you meet at opens. This information overload can cause "goal paralysis." In addition, sometimes unsolicited advice is like a back-handed compliment...the intent may be well-meaning, but it can be much more insulting than helpful.

Hire an Agent from the Start

Benefits:

An agent can provide you with advice, insight and hookups that will give you an advantage from the get go.  They can guide you step by step through the process. They can share their experience with who the best lenders are and what programs may benefit you the most when searching or selling homes.

Agents often are aware of brand new listings days before the general public sees this. The multiple listing service and agent word of mouth promote far more properties than advertisements do.

Agents doing the leg work get the process done more quickly and efficiently.

Negatives:

Don't be in a hurry. You'll want to be selective on which agent you choose. Make sure they are a good-fit, have a strong work ethic and are available at times you need them. Also, take some time to interview the agent and make sure they understand your goals and criteria to make sure they will work with your plans. You don't want to find yourself frustrated and not communicating with your agent.


Who is Right? 
If you take the time to consider the process before you even start at all, you'll be right.

Call, text or email John Maurer "The Agent" at 605-521-1183, john@realestateretrievers.com.