Walls can't talk ...but Post-It notes can!

I think Jeff and Melissa are fabulous.

15 years ago I met them for the first time at my friend Georgia's "going away" party -- they brought a friend of their own -- MY HUSBAND!


Yep!  Matt and I met for the first time via THE MILLERS! ...And Georgia!

The SECOND TIME I met Matt it was actually at the Miller's home in Farrington Grove.  He was working with Jeff on a MAJOR house renovation.  I wanted to say something nice but was a little dumbfounded by all the drywall dust and lack of ...ceiling.  So I stumbled over the words "I like your... tool belt.. you look.. very ...handy!"

14 years and 5 kids between us later... The Miller's have enjoyed their completely renovated home to the point they've outgrown it.

Just like yours and mine, this home has history -- it has stories -- it could give you an earful!

So - how can Jeff and Melissa talk about their house when they're not there to guide the tour?

How can they make their walls talk?

How can they tell people about that hidden dishwasher?  (I like that..)

What's in their yard?  How will people know if it's not blooming?

Melissa loved living downtown.. How can she tell you about that?

I really like this idea of staging a house with memories.. pointing out hidden amenities.

Make your walls talk to it's possible buyer!  They ALWAYS have a lot to say!!

(PS... Gina wants to buy this house because Sofie lived there!  See!  Sometimes it's about more than location!)

What.a.day....

It's summer... and the Hill's want to spend as much time together as possible, right?

But I had a laundry list of things to do today.

Fortunately Matt's between projects so I asked all three of them to pile into the car and come along for what I THOUGHT would be a few hours of work...

I had a list.

It wouldn't take long.

In reality -- we were gone from 10:20am to 7:00pm.

It was like a trip to Indianapolis.  72 miles on the car -- just around Terre Haute!

Documents showed up and needed delivered, loan issues needed settled, there were impromptu showings..

We managed by giving the kids a job  or two to do -- something to be in charge of whether it was flyer delivery, text rider detail or song selection on the radio.

A stop for ice cream.

And I lucked out when it turned out there was a park right next to the house I was showing!!

My favorite part -- on the drive home we put all the windows down -- all 4! --  since it was so nice outside.  What?  We never drive with all the windows down... (These girls aren't raised like I was - '74 Pinto - didn't know air condition existed in a car or a house!) So we were driving like we were in a convertible blaring Mumford & Sons across 25th and Wabash -- on the way back to our cherished home after a long day of everyone working hard to help Mommy.

We were together ALL day!  We were still happy!  And I got it all done!

I lucked out today.. another day they may not have been so congenial -- and their walkie talkie batteries may not have lasted as long.. (they found out they can pick up truckers when we're on the road.. that was fun!)

It's been a long tea time of the soul...

Let's call the last few months a hiatus from blogging.. I'm not sure why I took one.... I think my nerves got the best of me.. 

But I'm back!  

I love to blog and --although my thoughts and opines may not be necessary to keep the world spinning -- I like writing them down.. and I very much appreciate you reading them!

This is me on a ferris wheel last night - stopped at the top!  I'm afraid of heights... can you tell?

I was playing it calm, not letting on -- which, until now, has NOT been my M-O. 

My daughters reminded me of something last night.  I watched my youngest spread her arms -- in the air -- while we were spinning real fast -- FOR THE FIRST TIME --

....on those dreaded swings.  

I CAREFULLY strapped my youngest in --dare I trust a carnival worker?  No way!  I made sure to clip and attach and close everything I needed to.  (Sidenote -- I did it wrong.  The beloved carnival worker had to correct me.  Thank God for that guy!)

I saw her holding onto the bar.. I was sure she was probably scared... and then I saw her let go.. pull her hands only (maybe) 3 inches from the bar.. and then grab it again.  And then...

THIS...

You and I do this too.  We pull our hands a few inches from the bar and then we realize we won't fall and we let go. 

Sometimes we're wrong.

Sometimes we're right.

I do that with offers.  I present an offer to a seller or an idea to a buyer.  I wince, I play devil's advocate, and then I let go...

That's a nice feeling.

Happy (belated) Independence Day.. Happy feel-free-to-let-go-of-the-bar-and-try day!  

I'm about to show my little family that we can have a meal w/o meat.. Heavens! Will they revolt? (I think the big hairy one will...)

Lentils, Ribbles, and Candy Carrots.

G loves when we put sugar on a dinner dish.  I'm a bean fan (to each their own, right?)  E's fond of my grandma's Ribble recipe. 

With the addition of traditional bread and butter, the big hairy one.. ??

Do you know what Ribbles are?

My grandma -- and then my Mom -- made them.. I thought it was something she made up -- but there may be different names for the dish in other families.



It's chicken/chicken broth with salt, pepper and onion -- get that boiling.  Then -- in a seperate bowl -- mix WITH YOUR HANDS flour, eggs and salt.  DON'T MIX TOO MUCH!  ...Shew!  That's the cardinal rule!

You don't roll them like noodles.. you just drop them into the boiling broth.  They're not dumplings.. there ribbles... they're different.. and yummy!

There's no written measurements although tonight I used precisley 4 cups broth, half an onion, 2 cups flour, 2 eggs, salt and pepper to taste.

With the dish comes the memories.. (Did she know that would happen?)

The canisters in my kitchen were my Grandmas and when I pick up the scoop from the flour I sometimes think my hand looks like hers -- when she picked up the scoop.

I think I remember what her voice sounded like but once-in-a-blue-moon I hear her say "Debbie  Girl" and it's in my ears ..the exact sound of her voice -- along with the smell of chicken and onions..

And then I hear my Mom's advice about not fooling with them too much.

I remember Mom's soft, curly hair around her ears when she looked down at what she was doing.

My husband and daughters never met my Grandma.

I'm glad they like the Ribbles.. I'm glad E has asked how to make them. 

So turns out we -- even Matt -- survived going meatless tonight. 

Infact, we're all going to bed on a full stomach and I've got a heart full of sweet thoughts of my heritage..



And to think I almost put frozen fish in the oven!  (Btw, Matt loves (LOVES) fish sticks!)  (And we rarely have them...)  (I'm more an egg sandwich kinda girl..)

Last week I helped a family get into their first home.

 

(Well... the closing actually spilled over into this week...)

 

We were supposed to close Friday but were informed -at the very last minute- that on Wednesday the seller had turned utilities off (w/o being advised to.)

 

NEVER DO THAT -- unless you tell the buyer.

The buyer called utility companies while sitting at the closing table.  Electric would be turned on but no gas (heat) or water until Monday... and we were in the middle of a cold snap -- of course.

'Told the buyer I wasn't comfortable proceeding with the closing -- when there's a possibility the pipes could bust before he turned the heat back on.

 

Worry.

 

I worried all weekend..

 

The buyer didn't have to put utilities into their name until they owned it.. but should I have reminded them to call ahead of time? Of course I should have.  ...And so began the work of "kicking myself" all weekend!

 

Friday night I drove over to the house to open all the faucets and flush the toilets.  The seller's agent had suggested this might help save the pipes or toilets from busting.

It was dark.  I took what items I thought I would need..

 

 

The stick was to stir the toilet bowls -- if I saw ice forming.

No ice.  Temp was 32 degrees.  Electric was on.

Saturday I prayed.

And then Sunday.. I got a wild hair.

 

Sunday afternoon.  Matt and I went over to check on the house. 

 

The girls came with.

 

 

It's still 32 degrees.  (That's them in the dining room... huddled.)

How could I heat this place up?

It didn't take as long as you might think..

(I would love to have gotten up to 40.. but Matt was not onboard.)

Monday morning the buyer and I met someone from the water co. at the house. 

33 degrees inside.  Water at all points... NO BUSTED PIPES!

We really dodged the big one.  Fortunately the temp in the house never got below 32 degrees.  From what I gathered - from various experts I talked to over that anxious weekend - a house has to be below a certain degree for quite a while for damage to happen.  We were fine.. but until we knew for sure we had to wait.

What to take away from this story? 

Make arrangements for utilities prior to closing.  There's so much going on during a sale and neglecting the tiniest detail can mess things up. 

I plan to tape a sign to my desk.  Come visit me -- you'll see it!

 

Happy New Year!!

I'm going to be "transparent" about what I was hoping for here...

My goal for 2012 was to sell 35 units..  either as the listing agent or the buyers' agent -- or any combination there of... 

BY GEORGE I ALMOST HAD IT!

I closed on 34 in 2012. 

So..

It doesn't matter that I wrote more offers than that or came within A STONES THROW of closing on more than that..

DANG.IT!

It was a dog fight to get some of these closed.  I even lost a little sleep over some that never came to fruition.

I showed houses to people that weren't approved for loans.

I traveled God's half acre so we could cross things off our list as soon as we pulled in the driveway.

(I gave Starbucks ALOT of $$.)

(I didn't keep good track of my mileage...)

BUT!  (I say this with the corners of my mouth curled up like the Grinch...  -- Yep!  It's gonna take me WEEKS to detox from Christmas break...)

There were some really good stories from last year!!

Right off the bat a (very) sweet father sold the old homestead and moved closer to his grown daughter.  A few single moms moved out of cramped apartments and into solid houses.  Young couples and new families established their first homes.  A pastor was able to move closer to his church.  People took better jobs and were able to sell houses and move on.  Estate homes were sold.  Rental properties were sold.  A couple moved back to Terre Haute after years of being away.. and on and on.. 

I made several friends.

Happy things happened..  I'd like to give a hug FULL of Christmas Cheer and Goodwill to those 34 families that are safely snuggled into new homes tonight!

And NO worries about me... I've already started on 2013..

Congrats to a family friend.. I love your new house!

(If you write an offer on Christmas Eve you MUST sign your purchase agreement with a candy cane pen!!)

Real quick like -- I have ONE tip for busy parents..

Often I wake up thinking about inspections or listing presentations.. and -God forbid- DINNER..

..I do NOT wake up planning the making of

"My Girls:  The Documentary" 

But...

It can be done.. It's not as hard as we make it in our minds. 

After you read this grab your phone or your video camera and make a 30 second or 1 minute video of your kids.

What are they doing?

Nothing?

Well-then discreetly tape them for 30 seconds doing their sweet version of "nothing."

Take close ups of their hands, their feet, the tops of their heads..

Matt and I watched a video from only 4 years ago -- and we were sucked in like it was the moon landing.

Tiny moments are the best.  Birthday parties are often snoozers..  Grab some tiny moments of genuine "nothing."  You'll be so interested in every little detail down the road.

 





 



Well -- it finally happened!

A buyer called the other day concerned that the house I helped them buy was ... HAUNTED.



Actually, they wanted to know if the seller had ever mentioned being "frightened" in the house.  Had TVs ever turned on by themselves or doors locked themselves?

My first thought was "What???" and "This is not covered in the purchase agreement" and "Please don't make me ask the seller this!"  I mean if the house is haunted there is no clause that would allow you to get your money back. 

In fact, a seller does not have to disclose that they believe their house IS haunted.. beyond that they don't have to disclose a death in the house or any other psychological issue that may be attached to the property.

In my spookiest of voices I am telling you -- this area is truely "BUYER BEWARE..."

I have had clients ask if someone ever died in the house they're considering.  I usually have no idea..but I'll ask.  If the question is asked the seller should fess up, don't you think?

As for my buyer (nice people -- I hope this doesn't turn them off of their new place)  I suggested that maybe it was interference in their speakers -- possibly a quirky knob that will occassionally lock itself.  'Has to be something like that because I do NOT believe in ghost.

Actual picture of Proton Pack in my listing!
 

(Funny side note.. I sold a house this summer with a Proton Pack in pristine condition hanging in the garage.  Remember that?  From Ghostbusters?  ...What a year this has been!)

Influence.... wedding.. fortune cookies... arguements... kids...

Somewhere in these words I have a blog... a thought thread that is only slightly tangled.. maybe I need to read more -- so my words don't get locked up the way they are.  Turns out too much tv really CAN rot your brain.

We weren't thinking about influencing the world around us, raising kids, domestic diplomacy (?),  building anything more than what we were going to need to get started.

13 years later we were at odds with one another about something -- and the kids knew it too.  I don't even remember what about now.  We all went to bed without reaching common ground or putting an end to it.  (I think it's ok to go to bed angry.. I know I'm wrong.. but a good night's rest often provides clarity.  :)

The next morning I'm up in the kitchen. There's a fortune cookie on the counter.

I walked back into our bedroom, handed Matt the cookie, and said no matter what the cookie says.. we'll put last night behind us and "bide by the fortune."  (Stupid -- but I needed an ice breaker!)

He opened the cookie, read the fortune, and groaned "ooooh.hh... greeatt..

I thought.. Oh no!  The fortune must say "RUN while your legs still can!"

This is what the fortune said:



...I worry that I give off the impression through blogging or social media posts that my life is always ?hunky-dorey?.. because my posts might tend to be positive. For the most part I could get away with saying it IS .. but NOT without having to maually push that "start over button" once-in-a-while or get it back on the rails from time to time. And NOT by doing it alone.. Matt and I have totally acknowledge that God is in the center of this -- or we're sunk.

That being said ...we must annoy God alot.

(But that's ok..)

Alabama couple moving to Terre Haute.. Closing Tues.. What gift?

I'VE GOT SOME GREAT IDEAS from FB friends...

I will incorporate some of what they suggested..  THEN print off the entire thread and hand it to my clients.  I think it will be great fun for them to take these suggestions and seek out the things I didn't give them.  How nice to know a bunch of people were putting a little thought into their move here this week!  -- I know some great -- creative people!

There are nuances to my job that I get tickled about.. 

One of which is buying the closing gift.  It's fun to walk through the gift bag isle at the store and have a reason to buy a cute one. 

Problem is ...I get closing gift BLOCK on occassion. Can't think of anything "cool" and default to the Walmart Card or Lowes/Menards.. depending on which side of town the house is on.

Just as in the case of my Alabama couple there are times when I really want to step out of the generic box and do something special.



Only ONCE did I screw up big time and go a little more "special" than I intended... I mean "special" like I was afraid to tell Matt exactly HOW MUCH special....

(Que the walk down memory lane music...)

Young couple with a newborn buying a house on the east side.  The seller had lost his wife and was moving into an apartment.  Great family home about to start over with a new family.



There was a tandem bike in the garage that the wife wanted to purchase from the seller.  I told her that we couldn't put it on the purchase agreement.  (That's true the lender does not want personal property on the purchase agreement -- other than the major appliances, attached fixtures, window treatments etc.)



Back to the story....

I told my clients that we would ask the seller about the bike after we negotiated the purchase price. (Again, great idea.  You never want the purchase of some personal property to affect the price of the real estate.)

Problem was by the time I asked the seller about the tandem bike... he told me he had sold it to the plumber who had recently made a repair for him.  He said he sold it for $100.

OH NO!

 

It's my fault.. we didn't mention it at the time of purchase.. She wanted that bike so bad!!... DANG!

Later that night I called the plumber... "Hi, this is Debbie Hill.  I heard you bought a tandem bike today from Mr. Seller. Would you sell it to me for $150 CASH?"



He thinks about it ... calls me back ...  YES!  He WILL sell the bike to me for $150.  Problem solved.

Later that week the seller shows up at the office to sign a misc paper.. "Well hello Mr. Seller!  You'll never believe this but I got the plumber to sell me that bike!  'Cost me $150!!"

His jaw drops...

"You DID say you sold it to him for $100?  Didn't you?"

The short of it... He had actually just traded the bike to the plumber for a new faucet on the front of the house....



Yes.. that stung a little bit. 

(Que back to present day music..)

So anyway... It is fun to hand someone a gift...

...but I have to admit -- it's hard to keep on top of.  Sometimes a closing sneaks up on me and I make a mental note to send a thank you gift to my client..

I still have a couple outstanding.  BUT I WILL GET TO THEM. 

Don't I have a year??? (Or is that just for the wedding gift I still owe someone?)



The Burger Cookoff --

(or) Things that might push you over the edge..

 

Wow.. it's a busy fall and we're only a week into it.

 



 

 

Last week was full .. you know how it goes.. a trip with Mom and Dad,

 

there's the kids, the hubby,

 

dare I say several things going on at work,

 

can't forget (even tho I almost did) PTO stuff, 

 

the constantly chirping cell phone,

 

some necessary "connect" time with friends :),

 

a couple big events our office was involved in,

 

and (da da da dAAAA...) the BURGER COOKOFF -- United Way fundraiser that our entire Real Estate community and affiliates work on together.

 

Each company chooses a theme and all burgers and booths are judged...

 



 

"Imagine" a to-do list with 'Find George Harrison' at the top of it. 

 

Last week if you heard me say "I need more cowbell" -- I actually meant it -- I needed a bigger cowbell.  The one Paul Lockhart loaned me was too small.

 



 

Fortunately I was only involved in getting the Beatles together..  somebody else had the burger (which I thought was awesome...won second place), the booth (won first place!), and the go-go dancers... Wowza!

 

It is GOOD to be generous.. as I was reminded this morning.  It is good to be generous with your TIME as well as your other resources...

 

But right now.. with a good show on tv, Matt and I hanging out in the living room.. I'm wrapped in a blanket the girls left on the couch.. I'm feeling VERY grateful that no one needs me until 10am tomorrow..

 



 

 

(I can't resist one last picture.. incase you've ever wandered what the view was like for the Beatles..)

 



 

 



Now I need YOU to help ME find a house!

Today I got a call from a PRODUCER of an HGTV show...

(Wow.. that's fun to say...)

Have you seen "You Live in What?"

Well.. they want to find something HERE to showcase on that show! 

I asked her why Terre Haute.. she said they want to focus on the Midwest.. "Plus Terre Haute is know as..  known as.. " 

I'm just waiting b/c I have NO idea what she's gonna say..

"The CROSSROADS OF AMERICA!"

Dang Right!!

So.. anybody have an idea?  A crazy building that's been turned into a residence?  Just a downright odd place converted into a house?

The stipulations are:

1.  The family/owner has to have done the conversion themselves.

2.  They must currently live there.

3.  They must be willing to appear on camera.. or have their realtor appear on camera :) (Or maybe I can just sneak in there...)

4.  Be ready for a production crew to come in and work for atleast an entire day.

Let's do it!  I'll be asking around for ideas.. I have to get back to her by this Friday!





I got a call this morning from a woman with an emergency.... 

She sold her house on contract 2 years ago and is now facing foreclosure.. (and a city fine for her grass being too tall.)

I'll call her "Elma."

Elma got a contract from her "buyer" but did not get a downpayment.  She didn't even get a schedule of payments..... (I suppose the contract may have touched on the address of the property but not much else.)

 

The "buyer" was supposed to make payments directly to Elma's bank.

OhForHeavensSakeCouldThereBeAnyIdeaWorseThanThis????

To make a (fairly long) story short:

The bank is now foreclosing on Elma because they have not recieved a payment in a loooong time.

Elma has lost the contract with her buyer.. and her buyer is REFUSING to produce her own copy of the "contract."

Several issues here..

If you have a "special" property that you are having trouble appraising or getting qualified buyers for.. you MIGHT consider a Land Contract.. or selling On Contract (same thing.)  It's not my first option for you.. it has it's dangers.

 

But here's what to do if you go that route:  Consult either a Realtor or an attorney.

 

The buyer should put down a hefty downpayment that you (the seller) will keep regardless if they (the buyer) default on payments.

There should be a designated amount of time for the buyer to pay off the entire balance.. 1 year, 2 years, something you both agree on.  That is -- the buyer will obtain a mortgage at the end of that time and pay the seller the balance due.

A schedule of payments should be established and this should include an agreed upon interest rate.

There are still many more nuiances to be determined in a Land Contract or Contract Sale.. it's definately more than Elma telling her buyer "Send your payments to my bank."  Even if the buyer actually followed through.. that would be "illegal." 

You are not allowed to assume another person's mortgage unless they have a mortgage that specifically allows for that.. and chances are.. they don't.

 

I had another couple once call me ..They had received an eviction letter from our office at Coldwell Banker that handles repos.  They couldn't understand what was going on because they had a piece of paper that a friend of theirs had handed them and that paper clearly stated that they now owned this house.  Infact, they had renters in there!

Questions you might ask yourself if someone ever hands you a note like that:

Do you have a mortgage on the property?

Is the mortgage current?

Who is to pay the taxes?

Who is to pay the insurance?

How do I go about putting the house in my name?


And last but not least... Why are you handing me this note?

Earlier today a friend asked "Are you full time now or have you always been and I didn't realize it?"

I would really like to give myself a confidence booster by saying "I must make this look easy!"  ....But we all know it ain't easy.

Last night I tucked my sweet youngest baby into bed.  We said our prayers, we kissed each other good night, and then put her newly lost tooth under her pillow.  We read a little bit and she and her sis fell asleep.

After that I tied up my own loose ends.  Tried to organize the days emails, caught up on some stuff I needed to talk to Matt about.. and answered some late night client calls.  The evening went fast, I was still working after midnight.

Finally I called it quits and the next thing I know my alarm's going off.

I hear the baby get up; I can tell she's turned on her light, and then I hear "The tooth fairy didn't come."

Aw Heck!

Not a good way for a momma to start her day... Nor a toothless 5 yr old!

I told her it was one of TWO things.. Either the tooth fairy didn't realize she was getting up so early these days ...or the cat ate the tooth fairy.



I always tell myself to watch out for the details in my business.  ....Make sure the buyer/seller get EXACTLY what I've told them they would.  I can tell you without hesitation that I bend over backwards to make sure that happens.

Dang.. if only the tooth fairy took such pains with HER job!

BTW, I answered my friend's question by saying "I have tried to do it all full time and at the same time.. that isn't possible is it? Fortunately Matt and I can tag team.. but momma's got to be the main one. It's a full day. THAT's what I should call it! Not full time but rather FULL DAY!"

Summer days... make me feel fine!

Hello dear friend!  It's been a while.. Feels like I've been away from you all summer.

I hope the season treated you well ...with more sunny days than stinkin' ones!

(There were a few nice excursions for us Hill's...) 

And then...

It was BACK TO WORK for me!  :)

Loans have been in the low 3's (percent) all summer. 

I've been showing houses like CRAZY.. GOOD Crazy!

That's the best thing in the world for a realtor. 

Of course we need our fancy gadgets, our mortgage calculator apps, and our photo gizmos.. but NOTHING will do us more good than...

knowledge of the market.

You won't regret listing with a busy realtor.  You may have to schedule your appointment a few days ahead.. but you will appreciate the knowledge that realtor provides you.

Thank you to my summer clients...