BPO SAFETY for agents and RealtorsAs more and more agents complete the ever increasing amount of BPO's for the banks and asset management companies, it has never been more important to practice safety.Home owners have increasingly lashed out at anyone in the field of Banking or Real Estate as their financial situations decline. There has been an increase in confrontations and threats that can not be taken lightly. The best course of action for a Real Estate agent is to be aware of their surrondings to avoid these confrontations. THE TOP 10  SAFETY TIPS FOR AGENTS WHO COMPLETE BPO'S1. Read your full BPO order BEFORE setting out to take pictures2. It is good to also print directions than rely completely on a a GPS3. Look up the house in MLS or tax card and make notes of it's color, style ... 01/24/2011

Today's FORECLOSURE of the Day - a story in pictures part 4  As part of my ongoing blog, everyone reads and sees the mainstream media everyday reporting on foreclosed homes, but only a very few get to see inside them on a daily basis. I have decided to share with you the cream of the crop. It is a shame...PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SEE  OUR PREVIOUS BLOGS ON THIS TOPICPART 1 (please click here) http://actvra.in/4j8PART 2 (please click here) http://actvra.in/4km PART 3 (please click here) http://actvra.in/4lm If you are interested in purchasing a bank owned home, please see my blog with tips and advice on buying a bank owned home.  http://www.trulia.com/blog/scott_godzyk/2011/01/top_5_tips_for_buying_a_bank_owned_homeUpdated Jan. 23, 2011 Scott GodzykOwner/BrokerGodzyk Realty GroupOne of New H... 01/23/2011

  Today's FORECLOSURE of the Day - a story in pictures part 3 As part of my ongoing blog, everyone reads and sees the mainstream media everyday reporting on foreclosed homes, but only a very few get to see inside them on a daily basis. I have decided to share with you the cream of the crop. It is a shame...PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SEE  OUR PREVIOUS BLOGS ON THIS TOPICPART 1 (please click here) http://actvra.in/4j8PART 2 (please click here) http://actvra.in/4km If you are interested in purchasing a bank owned home, please see my blog with tips and advice on buying a bank owned home.  http://www.trulia.com/blog/scott_godzyk/2011/01/top_5_tips_for_buying_a_bank_owned_homeUpdated Jan. 22, 2011 01/22/2011

I received a great email just a little while ago, i will edit it for your enjoyment.THANK YOU FOR KILLING MY SHORT SALEDear Scott Godzyk,You recently completed a BPO on my listing and short sale, i wanted to thank you for killing it. You did not even take into consideration or deduct for any repairs. 1. The roof needs repairs and will cost $25,000 to replace it2. The dish washer does not work. It is $500 to replace it.3. the hot water heater does not work, it will be $8000 to repla  ce it.4. All the heating elements on the stove do not work, it will be $1000 to replace.5. There is no grass, the yard is all dirt and will cost $15,000 to landscape.6. 4 of the closet doors do not either open or close. It will be $800 to replace them.7. The new buyer has asthma, it will cost $8500 to instal... 01/22/2011

Friends and Family - What kind of customers do they make?There are various sayings about working with friends and family, and various sayings you can't live with them and cant live without them. But when it comes to working with either a friend or a family member, one tends to be lax in enforcing or practicing the rules of business. Such as having them sign an agency disclsoure but not signing a buyer broker agreement before giving them any listing sheets. There is no worse of a feeling to work with someone who is close to you to have them stray, it is always the same response from them of :I did not realize Real Estate works that wayI was told i could get a better deal without a buyer brokeri was told i had to list my home through them becuase i was buying a new home from them Then the... 01/22/2011

We need you to stand up and cheer... well ok.. you can also sit and cheer if you like... but we need you. Manchester NH is in the running of The Readers Digest "We hear you America" contest. $50,000 is at stake that can be used to help the Schools here in Manchester.Now there is something in it for you also as everyone who "cheers" is eligible for 1 of 10 $500 prizes as well as $35,000 grand prize to go towards a new car or cross country trip.Go to WehearyouAmerica.ReadersDigest.comSo please log on and vote, you can vote up to 10 times per dayPlease help us outUpdated Jan. 22, 2011 01/22/2011

As part of my ongoing blog, everyone reads and sees the mainstream media everyday reporting on foreclosed homes, but only a very few get to see inside them on a daily basis. I have decided to share with you the cream of the crop. It is a shame...PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SEE  OUR PREVIOUS BLOGS ON THIS TOPICPART 1 (please click here) http://actvra.in/4j8 If you are interested in purchasing a bank owned home, please see my blog with tips and advice on buying a bank owned home.  http://www.trulia.com/blog/scott_godzyk/2011/01/top_5_tips_for_buying_a_bank_owned_homeUpdated Jan. 21, 2011Blog Written by:Scott GodzykOwner/BrokerGodzyk Realty GroupOne of New Hampshire's Leading REO Brokerswww.ScottSellsNH.comCopyright 2008-2011, All rights reserved 01/21/2011

I am lucky enough to view many new foreclosed homes every week, i thought it would be alot of fun if i shared the pictures of the "finer" homes with you. The mainstream media shows a one sided story of the last 3 years. I would like to show you the other side in a series of blogs. Please check back on my blog for a new home as often as i can.If you are eating... you may want to look away....No it was not a fire, that is black mold... Another Abandoned house in an upscale area.Updated Jan. 20, 2011 01/20/2011

Just when you think you have seen it all from the banks, think againAs a listing agent for several different banks each week brings up new and exciting challenges. The recent trend has been getting listings under contract and then having to wait and wait and wait some more for the foreclsoure deed ot be filed or for the deed to be signed that transfers the home to new buyer. Now all banks are not like this, just a select few and thankfully the minority.In the latest rash of waiting i have had a home that we have been waiting a couple of months which is abnormal. Despite daily emails from me asking for updates yesterday i got a notice they were entering the home into one of the national auctions.  As my hair grayed upon reading and sweat rolled off my brow, i calmly called the asset mana... 01/20/2011

 "Would you present an offer you received verbally to your seller?"Whether another agent or a potential buyer, if they call you with an offer, what you do with it?HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A VERBAL OFFER IS REAL?The toughest thing with a verbal offer is that the buyer can change their mind without recourseIS A VERBAL OFFER BINDING?in virtually all states verbal offers are not binding, they need to be in writing and accompnied by a earnest money deposit.DO YOU CONTACT YOUR SELLER WITH A VERBAL OFFER?I would not call my seller with that offer, i would encourage the buyer broker to write the offer on a purchase and sales agreement, get the buyers signature and a deposit check, they could scan and email it to me or fax it it as well for me to present immediately.If it was a buyer i would tell them... 01/18/2011

#1.  What is a condominiumsA condominium (often refered to as a condo) is a type of ownership, a towhouse is the style of condominium it is. Condominum should be considered a way of life. In a condominium you are buying an individual unit and the land is owned in common with the other unit owners. in most condominiums exterior maintenance is completed for you such as lawn care, snow removal and some have amenities like a pool, clubhouse or tennis courts.#2. What Styles of condominiums are there?There are several style of condominiums that are called different names in different parts of the country. I will go over the common terms here in New England.Townhouse: Uually 2 stories and sometimes more, it has an upstairs and a downstairsGarden Style. Usually in a building with a common hallw... 01/18/2011

I often read about communities that go up against the cell phone giants for their placement of their towers. I always feel for the residents and think, isn't there a better location not in a residential area.Well last week this issue was dropped close to my neighborhood in South Manchester. AT&T is trying to build a 100 foot tower in a residential area of South Mammoth Road. The zoning board gave AT&T 30 days to meet with neighbors. Most towers are not approved for residential area's in a city and for good reason as they can bring down property values and cause an eye sore for those who have enjoyed peaceful neighborhood views for all their lives.In my opinion there as Industrial and commercial areas that are within a mile in all directions that would not affect the residential area and... 01/18/2011

After reading some early morning blogs i was reminded if what i heard all week. Be careful what you wish for... See i, with many of Patriots nation was wishing last Sunday to play the JETS, it seems that i as well as the whole Patriots team took them for granted.Please put me back on the schedule next SundayPlease cancel that trip to Dallas.How long until the Daytona 500?When do the Red Sox start?CAN YOU PLEASE HAND ME ONE OF THISE TERRIBLE TOWELS.... 01/17/2011

As the nation celebrates MLK day, their is a mix of businesses open and closed, the Government of course is closed with the post office, the banks and schools. Most other businesses seem to be open. Sunday i had the unpleasurable converstaion with a couple of brokerages that i wanted to set up showings with for today that are closed today and one who admonished me for working on a holiday. Unfortanately my thinking is i have to be open when customers want to see homes, after all that is the goal of my business to sell homes and i can not sell them if the buyers can not see them. I have a couple of asset management companies that have already called me this morning just before 8am est asking if i could take some work. They seemed surprised i answered my own phone, that i was answering so... 01/17/2011

Do you know the Golden Rule for viewing a foreclosed home?If you are eating... look away now....Whether you are a buyer or an agent, listing or selling broker or just completing a bpo, there is 1 golden rule i pass onto every buyer and fellow agent who goes into a bank owned home that has not been cleaned yet.DON'T OPEN THE FRIDGE!!!!!Why would i possibly share this in a blog to you, because despite my best efforts today of sharing this, a buyer agent who was previewing a new listing just had to look.Updated Jan. 14, 2011 01/14/2011

Manchester New Hampshire Real Estate Market Report 4th quarter 2010 Single Family Homes In the 4th quarter of 2010 there were 118 homes that closed in Manchester New Hampshire. This is a decrease of 65 homes, as there were 183 homes that closed in the 4th quarter of 2009. The median list price for the homes that closed in Manchester for the 4th quarter of 2010 was $189,850. The median list price for the homes that closed in Manchester for the 4th quarter of 2009 was $199,900. The median sale price for the homes that closed in Manchester for the 4th quarter of 2010 was $181,100. The median sale price for the homes that closed in Manchester for the 4th quarter of 2009 was $190,000. The median market time for the homes that closed in Manchester in the 4th quarter of 2010 was 75 days. The m... 01/14/2011

Manchester New Hampshire Real Estate Market Report 4th quarter 2010 Condominiums and Townhomes In the 4th quarter of 2010 there were 62 condominiums and townhomes that closed in Manchester New Hampshire. This is a decrease of 21 condos, as there were 83 condos that closed in the 4th quarter of 2009. The median list price for the condominiums and townhomes that closed in Manchester for the 4th quarter of 2010 was $122,450. The median list price for the condominiums and townhomes that closed in Manchester for the 4th quarter of 2009 was $128,900. The median sale price for the condominiums and townhomes that closed in Manchester for the 4th quarter of 2010 was $118,700. The median sale price for the condominiums and townhomes that closed in Manchester for the 4th quarter of 2009 was $120,0... 01/14/2011

Do you call it a snow mobile? Snow Machine? of a Sled?I call it a deal killer... See if you are a buyer, and you are in the process of buying a home, you do not go out and buy 2 of these just before your closing.  Your debt to income ratio will go up and with 1 couple i am working with, their ratio's are now higher than what their mortgage company will allow and just had their mortgage declined after we had been cleared to close. So what is important to you, buying a home? or playing in the snow? The moral of the story is wait until after your closing to buy your toys, you can not live in your snow mobile trailer afterall?Updated Jan. 14, 2011 01/14/2011

  One of the most common questions as of late is; 'No one is looking at my house, What can i do?"#1. CHECK YOUR PRICE The first thing you have to do is get a new brokers price opinion completed to see where your house is priced in teh market. If your house is priced above market value, with the increase in listings, your house my be priced too high to attract buyers. You want your house priced at or below market value, most often no lookers comes from too high of an asking price.#2. CHECK THE MARKETING AND ADVERTISINGThe other common problem with a lack of showings is a lack of marketing or advertising on your poperty. Is your agent advertising and marketing your property? Where are they searching for buyers? Are they giving your home the time and energy it deserves?#3. ASK YOUR AGENT A... 01/14/2011

I got an interesting phone call today from another agent., usually the "interesting" questions or comments come in the form if an email or a blog comment, but this agent had enough free time to call me."Why do you waste your time working bank owned homes and your bpo's her in xxx town? she asked followed by 'This is not (your) area, you should give those bank owned listings and bpo's to me that you complete up here and save yourself some time."Hmmmmmm.... was the first thought...Why do i waste MY time?What makes an area exclusiverly 'Yours"?Why again can i not work in your town?Are you telling me or asking me for my Listings and BPO's?Do you think i would really give you my Listings and BPO's?What were you expecting me to say?Really..... you called me asking me this?I can go on and on b... 01/13/2011