Trey's Blog: June 2008

I guess there really is a time to turn down a listing. Here are what I feel are valid reasons:

• When the seller just want even consider a price reduction and it has been on the market forever, like for years.
• When a seller has multiple Pit Bull dogs chained in the  front yard of the home he wants you to list, and says they are harmless....wouldn't hurt a flea.
• There is a faint odor of "Meth Lab"in the air .
• There is the faint odor of male cat urine in the air masked by the orange deodorant spray, and the seller as 2 dozen scent candles going while you are trying to list.
• The yard is two feet high.
• The seller wants to reserve 14 names and you can only show between 5 and 6pm on Thursdays and must call first.

Do you have any other good reasons you feel are valid for declining a listing? 

This week the Commissioners Court of Brazos County issued a burn ban for the unincorporated areas of the county. It has been extremely dry and windy in this part of Texas for a good while, and pretty soon it won't take much to really set a blaze off. The ban is for 3 months and includes some types of fireworks like sky rockets etc. While I dearly love fireworks and it is almost the 4th of July, we witnessed several thousand acres burn right across the highway from our home 2 years ago  .  After watching all the fires in California over the past few years, and the poor folks who lost their homes,...I can do without a few fireworks for a while if need be. Other counties in the surrounding areas ar following suit.

Come on Rain! I am sure the folks in Iowa and Minnesota would gladly give up some of theirs!

Another new patio home by Classic Homes located in Spring Meadows Subdivision.

Expected completion date in early August.  Features 3 Bedrooms, 2 Full Baths, and an open inviting floorplan.  The kitchen, dining, living area, is ideal for entertaining. The cook can observe all  areas from the kitchen including the outdoor porch and patio. Other amenities include 2 car attached garage, in-house utility room, vaulted ceiling at den, fireplace, and granite bathroom and kitchen counters.  The large master area has a walk-in closet plus a fantastic bath with tub and seperate shower.

This is an ideal home for retirees or anyone seeking to size down from a larger home without sacrificing quality.  A patio home has a zero lot line on one side. That wall is windowless. The opposite side of the home has a yard area and in this case inclues a patio and porch. This particular home also has  a small backyard.  From the front, a patio home looks much like a single family home. 

This home is convenient to Pebble Creek Country Club and Golf Course, elementary schools, and Hwy 6. Only a few minutes from Medical services and shopping.

Asking $236,000.

Classic Homes has built quality homes in the Bryan-College Station area for over 40 years. 

Have a prosperous week!

Trey        

www.treythurmond.com

This post is not about ways to cut down on fuel useage. In fact if you follow my suggestions, it may cost you extra fuel.... but quite possibly could result in some added income.  

Instead of traveling the same route to and from your office  daily or weekly .......try alternate routes at least once a day, or week.   When you do this, two things will happen:

 1.) It is way less boring. You will discover new and exciting things you never knew about your area! Consider it a short sight seeing adventure. You will often just be amazed at the changes that take place in different communities especially if they are in neighborhoods you haven't worked for a while. New  roads and construction ........

  You'll say"Where did that come from!"

Or some places that are the same today as they were 30 years ago.....

 2.) You will discover FSBO's and other real estate opportunities that you just simply would never known    about or discovered in you ordinary daily travels.

Now this may or may not end up costing you a little extra fuel. But if you got just one or two transactions a year out of it wouldn't it be worth it?

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our daily routines we fail to notice the changes that have taken place in our own communities and we fail to  know about business opportunities...so take a different route tomorrow to the office. Let us know what you discover!

Have a prosperous week!

www.treythurmond.com

I know lots of agents, once they have begun to see a little success in their business, feel they can do without floortime. Maybe some can. But one thing is certain that I have noticed through the years.  The best of the best, the top agents that I personally have talked to abpout this,  all tell me they still do some floortime.  If for no other reason to simply stay in practice.

I feel in today's  economy it will become increasingly necessary for agents to do some floortime as a routine part of their overall strategy for obtaining good leads. I know there are so many other things we should also be concentrating on...but floortime is just a part of the picture. Prospecting, networking, socializing, community involvement...are all just some of the many things we need to do.

But you know, floortime is really something we have control over if we know how to professionally work a  phone call or internet lead effectively.  Sure there are days no or few calls come in, but so what. That is no different than any other sales job.

So the next time you have an opportunity to take some floor duty..take it! And consciously make yourself really work the call.

Have a prosperous week!

www.treythurmond.com

The second annual Texas Reds Steak and Grape Festival was a real success this year. We had to attend a wedding in downtown Bryan, Tx. on Saturday,  but when the wedding was over... we slipped into some "Texas hot weather clothing," and eased on over to the festival.

The event began Friday evening and ran through Saturday evening. The celebration for those that don't know is about juicy red steaks and Texas wineries in the Lone Star State , thus the name Texas Reds,  So obviously there are big steaks and plenty of wine on hand to enjoy. This year's event featured wines from 16 Texas wineries. Lots of music entertainers kept it lively including Texas's own Jerry Jeff Walker, whom I first started listening to in the early 1970's. I honestly believe Jerry has gotten a little better with age. It was fun!

 It appears the event is growing . We haven't heard the final head count , but heard it was supposed to draw about 20,000. Hopefully  it will continue to grow and draw visitors from out of town.

Have a prosperous week!

www.treythurmond.com

Located in Robertson County Texas just off Fm 2549 (on of all things "Camp Arrowmoon Road" )...Camp Arrowmoon has been around for many many years. I remember hiking there in 1965 in order to obtain my 20 mile merit badge for scouts . The entrance to the camp hasn't changed much . I love the art deco metal lettering and the native rock columns. Check out the logo on the gate... a moon with an arrow through it. Neat.

Camp Arrowmoon is a great place for Boy Scouts to meet and if your son is going to become a scout in the district, he will most likely end up spending a few weekends at the camp. Lots of pine trees were planted there years ago and if you didn't know better you would think you were in deep east Texas. 

Recently in Bryan, Texas a railroad underpass for a major city street was completed. The railroad  location has been a problem for automobile traffic in both Bryan and College Station for many years.  The rail passes right through the middle of both Bryan and College Station.  The trains come at 8AM, Noon, and 5PM, the worst times possible for autos. They have to wait sometimes 10 minutes, which is bad at rush hours.

Well finally an underpass was completed at Villa Maria Road in Bryan which allows cars to go under the railway. That in itself was great. What is icing on the cake is how nicely the project was done.  Attractive pleasant colors were used, along with some wonderful mosaic tile art work depicting different well known landmarks in the community.

When you are stopped at the traffic light it sure beats staring at grey concrete walls! This one depicts the old La Salle Hotel  which was recently renovated in downtown Bryan. In the bottom right hand corner of the photo you can see the faux rock columns and another mosaic piece. My hat is off to the engineers and design crew on this one.

www.treythurmond.com

Douyou ever feel like you have been put out pasture?  That no one is listening, or that no mater how hard you try it won't matter? You just can't get started?

Don't worry everyone feels that way now and then!...and especially in any  sales profession.  Maybe you just need a break. A short get away with the person dearest to you. Or maybe you just need  to try something different, a new approach. New techniques always take time to learn, and finally implement. New technology can help or hinder depending on how you utilize it, but all in all you will be better off by learning some.  None the less, just make a decision to do something.

The  next time you feel like you have been put out to pasture, look around you and count your blessings, take a deep breath and get back to work. Everthing will be fine.

Have a prosperous week!

www.treythurmond.com

Just when nothing is happening something happens.  I have said it time an time again. There isn't a piece of dirt on planet earth that won't sell sooner or later. Some.... just take more time than others. I have a  property that has been for sale since last fall. When I say distressed I mean in reference to appearances.

Now this is a property that would challange the top stagers in the universe.  UGLY baby! No Holds Barred. So we did a little clean up this week but honestly I don't believe that is the issue with this property. More of a location thing which there really is no easy soultion to. Located adjacent to uglier property.

But as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  And now we have several different parties looking at this property. Just all of a sudden. It really isn't that ugly and a little TLC will have her up and running again in no time. Have a prosperous week!

www.treythurmond.com