9/11 Nine Years Later I Will Never Forget

Today marks the nine year anniversary of one of the most tragic events to happen on US soil since Pearl Harbor. An event so recent that anyone reading this probably remembers that day as if it were happening now. It was an event that has shaped and changed the lives of so many people. One in which I will never forget.

I was unfortunately there during the attack on the world trade center. I had a first hand view of the events as they unfolded. I watched in utter shock as the events unfolded not knowing what was happening or what to do. Ii watched firefighters put their lives on the line to rescue people they never knew with no regard for their own lives. I watched people from all races, creeds and backgrounds unite as one to help each other out. I watched as friends and collegues were killed or never found. I watched as families saw their lives destroyed and children will grow up without a parent.

As we reflect back on the events that happened nine years ago and construction contunues to rebuild we are asked to reflect on that tragic day and what it has done to our lives and where we were during that event. I know for me, it has signifcantly changed the person I am; for the better. I realized how short life really was and the importance of family. Yes, the events are tragic but it has made me a better father, husband and provider for my family. I attended too many services for friends and co-workers to ever forget the impact that day has had on mine and so many lives.

Today may mark the ninth anniversary of what in my lifetime may be the most devasting attack on US soil....but for me this is one day that will always feel like it is happening now. And one day I will NEVER FORGET.

Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com

Is Your Realtor Marketing Your Home?

On the surface this subject line might sound ridiculous to anyone who has sold a home or Realtors who are listing homes. But, are we truly marketing a home to the demographics and buyers that are most likely to be purchasing that home? I find in a lot of cases the answer is NO.

if I have a house in a golf community that backs up to a fairway or a green am I going to be marketing my home to boaters or outdoorsman who like to hunt or fish? Or am I going to go after the golf enthusiast out there? The same can be said with homes in the mountains and near lakes and ponds that hunting or fishing is viable. What if your home was close to a University, or mass transit to uptown here in Charlotte. Is your home priced for a first time buyer? Are you marketing the home to get it in front of those type of people? Or are we just putting a sign in the yard, placing it on the MLS system and letting it feed to the various real estate websites and sittign back and waitign for an offer to come in?

I recently had a few expired lsiting presentations that homes were located in such markets. By properly marketing the home to the type of buyer that woudl be interested in that style of a home, or location I was able to pull in three different buyers on three separate homes. All went under contract in less than 45 days. 2 of the 3 had said they have been looking for sometime online but never noticed the house they bought.

Now, I am not saying it will work with every house. There still is homes that are marketed properly to the right demographic of buyers and have not sold. But, is it not the job of your Realtor to market the home to the best of our ability to get it in front of as many qualified buyers as possible?

These days buyers have a lot of choices to make. In some cases to many. So, is your Realtor marketing your home to the right demographic buyer? And if not, Why?

Dave diCecco
Realtor/broker
www.davedicecco.com

Does Your Realtor Return E-mails And Calls In A Timely Manner?

Recently I have noticed more and more that potential clients are telling me that the previous Realtor they had never returned calls or e-mails. And when they did; it was days later...not hours. I am sorry but that is UNACCEPTABLE. If you have a home on the market to sell and your Realtor is not returning your calls or e-mails in a timely manner; what are they doing when another Realtor calls or e-mails them with a question or to present an offer? Are they treating them the same way?

I recently had the opportunity to make a presentation for an expired listing. The gentleman was a very methodical person who spent a great deal of time and detail evaluating everything before making a descision. When the time came for him to interview Realtors; he sent out an e-mail to all the Realtors that had contacted him about listing his home for sale. In the body of the e-mail he asked that we each call him so that he could interview each of us over the phone. From there he would invite a select few to have a face to face interview with him.

Well, i responded within an hour of receiving his e-mail. Made it to the face to face interview and received the lsiting. When I asked him what made him choose me over my competitors he told me it was my responsiveness to his e-mail and follow up with him afterwards. in all, he was initally contacted by seven different Realtors. Out of those seven only two responded back to his e-mail request within 24 hours. His theory was if they did not respond to him in a timely manner to market his home; what were they going to do when other Realtors called or e-mailed them with questions or an offer on his home.

It is a tough economic time for everyone right now. Some Realtors have gotten out of the business and others have resorted to taking on part time jobs to supplement their income until things get better. But, we are being entrusted with the largest purchase or transaction a person is going to make in their lifetime. Do we not owe it to them to respond to them or anyone inquiring about the property in a timely manner?

Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com