Julie Jones's Discussions

How is your open house traffic in these challenging times? Typically, the main open house traffic is on Sunday afternoons from 2 pm until late afternoon.As the Internet gains momentum and videos become the popular option to preview properties, whit is the future for open houses? Increased gas prices and reduced leisure time may also be impacting the traditional open house habit. What are real estate professionals experiencing in other areas?When featuring our ultra-luxury real estate listings as open houses, we usually make the event memorable to attract buyers. At an afternoon soiree, we engage a quartet, cater the event with gourmet food, and offer a valet service for visitors.An event such as this attracts up to forty visitors, and usually draws at least one serious buyer which results in a sale. I have my team of buyer’s agents present to point out the unique features of the residence which gives the agents an opportunity to build a relationship with potential prospects.While I am dedicated to continue marketing my luxury portfolio to meet my expectations and those of my sellers, my question to you is this: What are your thoughts on holding open houses and if they work for you, how often do you hold them?Look forward to hearing from you.Sincerely,Julie Jones[content removed for being self promotional]

On December 1, 2008 Florida banking and mortgage lenders agreed to Governor Charlie Crist’s request to aid Florida homestead properties owners by providing foreclosure relief for the next 45 days. In other words, struggling homeowners can breathe easily through the holidays knowing that foreclosure petitions and sales will cease to be filed by financial institutions during this 45 day hiatus.Since Governor Crist’s meeting with them in October, Florida lenders have been considering alternatives to foreclosure for Florida’s homestead homeowners. These alternatives will impact a considerable amount of Floridian’s since this state has the nation’s third-highest state foreclosure rate, with 166,600 households statewide being impacted by foreclosure activities in October 2008.This foreclosure relief for the Holidays is just one more step in attempting to ease the foreclosure crisis in Florida. In addition, the Florida Department of Community Affairs submitted a proposed plan to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for distributing $91.1 million in federal funds to smaller urban and rural communities to respond to rising foreclosures and falling home values. The funds will go to local governments to purchase foreclosed homes at a discount and rehabilitate or redevelop them. Also, Florida received nearly $1.3 million to support statewide foreclosure prevention counseling efforts in March of this year.Governor Crist’s actions are a perfect example of putting the needs of people ahead of monetary demands. The humanitarian design to this request supports all the chatter we’ve been hearing on the Internet about working together to help each other climb out of our nation’s enormous housing/mortgage crisis. I think Governor Crist and the mortgage and financial institutions of Florida deserve applause.Season’s Greetings!Julie Jones

Thank you, one and all for your replies!  I appreciate all your feedback and see how we can improve our trade by sharing with each other.  Here's to a fabulous 2009!Julie

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