by Shar Rundio on May 8, 2009
I did a BPO (broker price opinion) last week for a bank owned property. The house had been listed as a short sale and it didn’t work out. As always, that’s an unfortunate situation. The even more unfortunate part is the way that the owner decided to deal with their anger:
(This was the view from the entryway)
(The “open” hallway)
(Note that you can see the kitchen through the brokenout door and hallway)
(You can also see the next room through the shower enclosure)
(The fact that they left the cabinets intact amazes me!)
(A green pool isn’t all that uncommon these days but it makes for a nasty picture!)
What do you think of this “right” that many seller’s claim as they are evicetd from their houses?
by Shar Rundio on May 5, 2009
I had a new experience while showing houses the other day — DUMPSTER DIVING!
I used to go dumpster diving with my best friend when I was young. Stacy and I found all sorts of treasures: an artificial Christmas tree (that my family used for years), office supplies, a wedding/honeymoon album with mementos from Acapulco (I didn’t realize the implications of finding that in the dumpster until years later). One person’s trash is another’s treasure, right?
Back to current times…we pulled up to look at a bank owned house and low and behold across the street there was another bank owned house (I know crazy, huh?) with a trashout going on. A trashout is when the bank or listing agent hires a company (or their brother) to go in and remove the remaining belongings and debris of a foreclosed house prior to listing it for sale.
There were two guys each with big trucks and a HUGE trailer with tall sides. As I am trying to reach the listing agent on the phone (because the lockbox is a contractor’s lockbox with no code and no indication that I wouldn’t be able to use my normal lockbox key — that’s a rant for a different day) I hear Mrs. Buyer say, “Are they just going to throw that away?!” When I get off the phone I find that Mrs. Buyer has approached the workers and inquired as to what they are doing. She’s learned that they have to keep anything with a value over $50 but the rest is going to in the dumpster.
Here’s where the fun begins. She starts scurrying around grabbing things: an infant car seat, 2 bicycle helmets, a Boppy…I’m trying to find places to put things…my trunk is small (it’s a hybrid) and has a bunch of real estate and personal junk in it. We all start picking through the “junk” cautiously at first and then not so much. The guys are helping by bring out more and listing stuff off for us. Mr. Seller and I wind up IN the trailer. Then comes the bigger stuff…an ice chest, a wagon, a kids basketball stand & hoop, a small Fisher Price play set with slide. (Now what to do with it?) We decide to stuff this behind the gate of the initial house we went to look at and they’ll pick it up later.
Want to see the treasure I ended up with?
Not a big ticket item but who can’t use some extra napkins around the house?
The buyers keep commenting on it throughout the remainder of our time looking at other houses. Why didn’t the homeowners take their hard earned stuff? Why didn’t they sell it? Why didn’t they donate it? Why doesn’t the trashout company sell it, donate it, something other than send it to the dump where good stuff will take up precious space on our limited planet (I added that last bit)? I don’t know the answers to this particular situation but it’s similar to those I see every day. Maybe the time frame they needed to be out within, maybe denial, depression, laziness, apathy.
I still don’t have a great place to put all these napkins, anyone have a spill?
by Shar Rundio on November 22, 2008
image: www.freeimages.co.uk
Is your house a ticking time-bomb? Are you worried that your appliances are ready to bite the dust? Have you considered a home warranty?
One of the misconceptions that I often hear about home warranties is that most people think they are only for:
1.) new homes
2.) just purchased resale homes.
I always try to dispel that rumor and encourage ANYONE to put a home warranty on their existing home (as well as any rental homes). For a yearly investment of approximately $300-500 depending on whether you have a pool and what you want covered you are protected if something should break down. I’ve never had anyone regret purchasing a home warranty BUT I have had people really frustrated that they didn’t. In fact, I’ve been one of those people. Several years ago, I let our home warranty lapse after the first year and didn’t renew it. The $400 I spent on a new water heater would have more than paid for the home warranty AND I would have had a new water heater. **NOTE TO SELF: Practice what you preach!** I was talking to someone (okay, it was my mom…at least she follows my advice) the other day and she said, “The new washing machine is being delivered tomorrow.” I thought/said “What are you talking about?” Apparently, the washing machine croaked and she had upgraded her warranty to cover the washer/dryer/refrigerator (a REALLY good idea if your appliances are getting on the older side). The repair man decided that it wasn’t able to be fixed and they delivered a new one of comparable quality. Oh, and then there was another client’s air conditioner…but you get the idea.
So for a service call (@ $50), the home warranty will cover parts and labor on most of your major housing components.
If you’re interested in looking at some quality companies I’d be happy to send you some information on several companies that we have worked with. Typically, I am able to negotiate better pricing for your initial investment and then a reduced renewal rate as well.
Give me a call @ 480.560.7255 or an email @ info@SpeakingofPhoenixRealEstate.com if you are interested in protecting your home and I’ll be happy to help.
Today I was out showing homes to a (maybe) retiree buyer from Pennsylvania. We looked at some patio homes and some 55+ homes. A couple of the active adult community homes she wanted to see were in 
