Home Sellers Want Experienced and Honest Agents...What Do you Want for 2012???

Before we know it, the Spring Real Estate Market will be upon us.  If you are planning to sell your home or purchase one, HOW WILL YOU CHOOSE A REALTOR?

Trends for 2011 (according to The National Association of Realtors)

Home sellers want experienced and honest agents according to the  2011 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.  Home sellers care more about integrity and an agent’s ability sell their home than what a Realtor looks like...... and whether or not they are tweeting.

The relationship between Realtor and consumer is a KEY COMPONENT, with word of mouth referral still topping the way home buyers and sellers initially connect with their agents.

Over the years, the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) has been a natural part of the real estate process, with 92 percent of sellers this year saying their home was listed through the MLS while 4 percent did not list their home on the MLS and the remaining 4 percent were unsure.

Full service agents (like me) remain the most highly tapped resources, with 80 percent of sellers saying they worked with an agent who could provide a broad range of services and manage most aspects of the sale while 10 percent worked with an agent who provided a limited set of services provided by the remaining 10 percent worked with an agent who listed the home on a MLS and performed few additional services.

What sellers want from their agent

The NAR reports that because so many sellers find their agent through word of mouth, their agent’s reputation is one of the most important factors as consumers want to work with someone a friend or family member has had a good experience with. Word of mouth marketing whether online or off,  provides accountability to any service provider as consumers can call the referrer to complain and attempt to go around a professional – it’s common and consumers want that safety net.

Home sellers also say one of the top qualities in an agent that they desire is honesty and trustworthiness as a home is one of the biggest investment of a person’s life.

The Bottom Line

If you agree with the National Association of Realtors, then there is only one choice for your 2012 real estate agent...Pam Webb (that's me)!  Contact me at pwebb@weichert.com. Have a wonderful New Year and I look forward to working with you in 2012.

Coffee Talk With Me: Ferraros of Westfield Comes to Summit

Coffee Talk With Me: Ferraros of Westfield Comes to Summit: I used to live in Westfield. One of our favorite places to eat was Ferraros. It was many peoples' favorite because they had 2 parts of th...

Ferraros of Westfield Comes to Summit

I used to live in Westfield.  One of our favorite places to eat was Ferraros.  It was many peoples' favorite because they had 2 parts of the restuarant; the fancy dining room and the casual dining room.  Momma was always there to greet you and you felt like you were having dinner in her home.  After we moved out of Westfield we didn't go eat there much.  It was always so crowded we drifted to other Italian restaurants closer to home.

Then came the fire and beloved Ferraros Restaurant was no more.  But I am thrilled to announce that the Ferraro family has opened Anna's Ristorante in Summit.  We found it quite by accident and was stunned to see that the Ferraro trademark is all over the restaurant.  The food is amazing, the staff is wonderful and, although it's not Momma, it's still the family greeting you like an old friend (whether they know you or not).  The restaurant design is lovely and it just makes you feel good to be there.

Dont take my word for it.  Please visit Annas Ristorante in Summit.  Let me know what you think.

http://www.annasristorante.com/

Yours in Coffee (or should I say vino?),

Pam

Coffee Talk With Me: Great Holiday Items

Coffee Talk With Me: Great Holiday Items: http://gma.yahoo.com/gma-steals-deals-exclusive-discounts-unique-gift-items-015945944.html 'GMA' Steals and Deals: Exclusive Discou...

Great Holiday Items

http://gma.yahoo.com/gma-steals-deals-exclusive-discounts-unique-gift-items-015945944.html

'GMA' Steals and Deals: Exclusive Discounts on Unique Gift Items That You Can Personalize

Making your list?  Scratching your head?  Don't want to go to the mall? Have some gifts to get for people that have everything?  People who like "different" gifts?  Co-workers?  Secret Santa? Friends? Family? Your husband's co-workers (that you buy for)?  This link will take you to some very different gifts. 

I am a Good Morning America person.  Always have been, always will be.  They are not "sensational" news...they are just a great source of information, tips and of course the weather!  There is a woman that is on weekly that always has "deals and steals" to offer the audience.  I sometimes pay attention, but am often working and the show is background noise.  Not today!  She had some really terrific gift items (you can buy yourself a gift too, I did) that will be noticed.  I want to take this opportunity while you are having coffee with me to share them with you! They are personal, they are different and most of all, THEY ARE DISCOUNTED.  I bought the "I AM MARYANN" necklace that says "I Am Focused".  Those three words will remind me daily that I am in charge of my career and that focus and organization will bring great results.

Please post your throughts on my blog.  Leave comments on the items..Do you think they are as great as I do?  Enjoy and happy cyber shopping

Yours in Coffee,

Pam

Coffee Talk With Me: They Came, They Saw, They Ate...It was all Good!

Coffee Talk With Me: They Came, They Saw, They Ate...It was all Good!: Thanksgiving Day has now passed. I know you are all waiting and holding your breath to see how it went in my house (only kidding)! I must ...

They Came, They Saw, They Ate...It was all Good!

Thanksgiving Day has now passed.  I know you are all waiting and holding your breath to see how it went in my house (only kidding)!  I must tell you that this Thanksgiving was one of the best ever; everyone close to me was around the table and it was simply wonderful. The red dining room (pics to follow) was a big hit, the china actually looked great on the table and the food was amazing!  I actually cooked!   I'm disappointed that no one posted a comment on this blog with easy recipes...I was left to develop the menu myself (thanks a bunch readers)! My brother in law Chris was my partner in crime; he is amazing cook and all around terrific person.  I am thankful that he was here and really orchestrated the entire production.

Of course no Thanksgiving for a realtor is complete without business calls.  At 10 Thanksgiving morning a deal was accepted and both the listing realtor and I were VERY thankful.  When I started this career I never realized that no time is sacred...when the client says list or buy...it can be 4 in the morning...we must always be on our toes.  At least I am.  My dedication to my profession is a 24 hour a day/7 days a week plan.  Family comes first but my clients are definitely a huge priority in my life. It is appreciated and the reason why I receive so many referrals...I am always there, am very organized and truly dedicated.  Enough of this public service announcement...you get the picture.  Back to Thanksgiving...

When we all sat down at the table it is a tradition to go around the table and say what you were thankful for.  It's nice to know that we can still do that and everyone seems to enjoy the exercise.  Then, of course what took 2 weeks to prepare was finished in less than an hour.  It's kind of a let down...do you feel that way too?  Such a build up and then poof, let the cleanup begin.  Turkey salad, turkey soup, turkey, turkey, turkey....stop the madness!

Now, its 4 weeks until Christmas and Hanukkah.  Oy Vey!  The tree goes up, the menorah comes out, the snowman appear and the second act of the holiday season begins.  So let me ask you......do you feel the joy of the season or the stress of getting it all done?  Since the holiday decorations have been in the stores since July 4th, we know its coming...but until that last bite of turkey is eaten on Thanksgiving day, it doesn't seem real.  Is that why Black Friday creates such a frenzy?  I used to be that 5 in the morning crazy person needing to get the Pokemon sheets.  It makes me sad that the stores and the media put so much emphasis on Black Friday that shootings, pepper spray, trampled people and fights happen. What material item is so important to risk life and limb?  How can we go back to simplier and spiritual times?  I am determined to find the answer.  So I ask you today...what do you think?  Is there a way to say goodbye to materialism and return to the true meaning of the holidays?  Will you take a minute after you read this to reflect on this blog and think of one thing that can change to make this holiday season about joy, family, health and love...not about the 42" TV.  I would love to read your comments and I think we can all help each other.  print your comments and pass this posting along.  Lets join hands and bring the spirit in together!! 

Yours in Coffee,

Pam

Love the Red DR, No Menu yet

The painters are in the middle of painting.  I was almost afraid to come home today because I was sure I would hate it.  I always have (what I think) are great ideas and WHAM! they blow up in my face. I must have been taking my lucky pills when I picked this color, BECAUSE I LOVE IT!!  Now understand that only one wall is done but I do think that this will be a winner of an idea!   When I came home I looked at the fixture in the room.  It's a beautiful ceiling fan but guess what.....DON'T MATCH THE ROOM!  Oy Vey!  I need to figure out just how I am going to find a fixture I love that goes with the motif, have it put up and not call too much attention to the fact that I changed it!.  Most of you do not know my husband.  He is the kindest, sweetest and most wonderful husband and father.  But he has told me NO MORE SPENDING!  The kitchen put him over the edge because it was way over budget.  Granted, my real estate commissions paid for it (it has been a good real estate year for me) but he just doesn't see what I see.  The other little fact is that he is color blind so what does he know anyway.

I don't want to post pics yet because i want to present the room in just the right light.  That will be tomorrow.  But I think I will be spending many sleepless hours this evening figuring out how I will make this work, be perfect, plan the menu (WHERE ARE MY EASY RECIPES PEOPLE....NO POSTS YET), decide on the china issue and napkin rings (Thanks Chris for weighing in) and, most important take care of my real estate clients who are my #1 priority.  I just listed a great house, showed a terrific property this evening, showing a home tomorrow and have a listing appointment Thursday.  I know what you are thinking (aside from the fact that I am a bit cookoo)....it all does not have to get done.  But for the first time in my life I am reaching for the sky and I am going to get it all done.

I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR!  ROAR WITH ME LADIES (AND MEN)....and please...send me recipes.

Yours in coffee,

Realtor Barbie (otherwise known as Pam)

Painting The Dining Room for Thanksgiving

Day Two of Thanksgiving Day Preparations....Thoughts turn to the table because let's face it I am much better at decorating (realtor training) than I am at cooking.  Tomorrow the dining room is getting painted...its going to be a lovely shade of red.  Before you make a face, let me tell you that every house I have shown or listed that has a red dining room has caught my eye.  Of course I only had to look at it for less than 5 minutes at a time, but it still caught my eye.  So, I have decided I want a red dining room too.  Here is the big problem....the china doesn't match.  My china has grey and mauve in it (a small amount) but IT DOES NOT GO WITH A RED ROOM.  I told my husband and his answer was paint the dining room a different color..you are NOT getting new china.  I just don't know what to do.  I guess pretend that the mauve and grey is not on the plates...but I am Type A and that will not fly.  What would you do?  Tomorrow I will post pics of the dining room and then pics of the china.  I need ideas.  Do they make spray paint for plates?  Maybe no one will notice that the china doesn't match..i'll just serve a lot of wine.

Next questions..napkin rings or no napkin rings?  I am going for a whole new look here and really want to "dress to impress" the table.  Not that anyone is coming that I need to impress but I want to have that "perfect Thanksgiving look", like the tables you see in County Home magazine.  I am also hoping that the table and decorations will be so nice, it will overshadow the cooking because I am NOT going to become Rachel Ray in a week.  I did not receive any simple recipes yet and would love to get some.

Let's recap...my issues are the following
1.  Will I like the dining room painted red?  Would you?
2.  Would you put china on the table that didn't match the walls?
3.  Napkin rings or no napkin rings...that is the question
4.  WHERE ARE MY EASY RECIPES.  Come on people, I need help here.

Please leave comments and recipes my Thanksgiving sisters.  I will be very grateful.  And at the end of the day, grateful and thankful is what this holiday is all about.

One last thing....Sirius XM has their Christmas music channel going.  It's just too early but do I listen?? Of course I do.  Deck the halls!!!!  In my case, its "deck the dining room".

Yours in Coffee,
Pam

Countdown to Turkey Day

It's Sunday morning.  Of course I am working today; Realtors always work on Sunday.  My mind is wandering though...to that time when they will all walk through the door for Thanksgiving weekend.  Understand that I am not Betty Crocker.  However, I just renovated my kitchen and you would swear the Barefoot Contessa lives here.  I just wanted it to look nice!  We have it all...the beautiful cabinets, the upgraded stainless appliances, the amazingly different granite and a floor that is unlike many have seen.  It's everything I ever wanted but it may be a curse as well...because I used to have an excuse (crappy kitchen)...now I have none.  So, this is Day One of planning for Thanksgiving weekend. 

In past Thanksgivings I would order the entire shabang from Whole Foods.  For those of you who do not know, Whole Foods makes one heck of a Thanksgiving Dinner. The best part is that they don't cook the turkey...they just clean it, season it and put it in a pan.  So, when your guests arrive, they actually think you are cooking the dinner.  I am really good at hiding all the stuffing, potato, gravy and cranberry sauce containers.  When the meal goes on the table, it truly looks homemade.

My mom, who lives in Florida (and is coming for 5 days) says that "we are cooking this year".  Understand that the reason I dont cook is that SHE never cooked so I am not sure what this new found cullinary love is...but what the hell..I'll try it!  Thank goodness my brother in law is a great cook.  He is the reason I have a potato masher (from Williams and Sonoma I may ad). 

Step One is THE MENU.  Thats what I will work on today.  If you have ANY suggestions of EASY (operative word) recipes please post them here.  I promise to consider them if I actually know what the ingredients are and do not have to travel to some back room in downtown Manhattan to buy it!  Don't you love those people who mention a spice or ingredient but tell you that you must travel to South America to purchase it!!!  I would go to South America to purchase coffee...not an ingredient for my stuffing.

So stay tuned....must go plan my menu.  Oy, my head hurts already.  Remember POST THOSE EASY RECIPES.

Yours in coffee,  Pam