According to an article printed in the Seattle Times some granite counter tops have been found to emit high levels of the cancer causing radioactive gas - Radon.  Damn, just when I thought it was safe to move into my brand new McMansion!

Fear not my granite counter, stainless steel appliance loving friends… David Brenner, director of the Center for Radiological Research at Columbia University in New York, said the cancer risk from granite countertops, even those emitting radiation above background levels, is “on the order of one in a million.” Being struck by lightning is more likely.

I have a headache and it’s not because of the extra glass of wine that I drank last night. Rather, once again, it is from real estate agent gibberish except this time I am beyond amazed, beyond astonished … Basically, I need advil.

It all started on Trulia. I was minding my own biz answering a sellers question about extra resources for FSBO’s when I notice this response from Mr Melby from Milton (seriously, that’s his name):

“… Fourth, many real estate brokers also skip showing listings that offer only 2%. Why waste a buyer on 2% if other properties are offering 2.5% or 3%?”

I find this answer to be absolutely hideous especially coming from someone who calls them self a real estate PROFESSIONAL - although I am not at all surprised (hence the birth of Territory RE in 2006) - so, what do I do? Duh, respond with vigor. And then Bam! in comes Jonathan another real estate PROFESSIONAL who makes the following statement:

“I usually show “Entry Only Listings,” which your listing qualifies as, only when specifically requested by my buyers, as a last resort or when the commission is at least 2.5%. Otherwise, I would rather show a listing listed by an actual real estate firm with actual real estate agents. I suspect many other real estate agents feel the same way and employ the same tactic although they probably won’t tell you that. And it’s not just the money. I generally don’t like to deal with FSBO’s because many of the FSBO’s I have dealt with in nine years of selling real estate have been just flat out kooky.”

What isn’t wrong with this statement?!

Lets’s disect:

* On public turf - a place where he is clearly trolling for business - Jonathan [also] comes straight out and admits he is a commission chaser

* On public turf - a place where he is clearly trolling for business - Jonathan comes straight out and admits that he doesn’t show his buyer clients FSBO/entry only’s - even though that client has hired Jonathan to help find them a home - based on his own personal opinion and interests.

* On public turf - a place where he is clearly trolling for business - Jonathan calls FSBO’s “kooky”

I read this and found myself in a frenzy of both strange sounding (picture “one flew over the koo-koo’s nest) laughter and fury - at 1am nonetheless - so, obviously, I respond ( ).

And then Wham! back comes Mr Melby from Milton with another response that triggers the headache that now requires a rest on the couch with a cold rag on my forehead.

“Do you think that StairMaster will discount their $3000 machine to help me have a longer, healthier life? Do you think that the neurosurgeon thinks that my health is so important that he does the brain surgery for $1000? Do you think that the lawyer is so concerned that a DUI not impact my life that he represents me for free? Nonsense!”

This answer just baffles me … Stair Master doesn’t charge based on what street you live on and your neurosurgeon doesn’t charge you based on how tall you are!! Unlike traditional real estate firms who charge you just for adding an extra $0 onto your purchase price.

GGGRRRRR. The nerve and, quite frankly, the stupidity. No one said you shouldn’t try and make a $ living. Hello!, we live in a capitalist country clearly we all need and want to make money. But people look to make money with some validity and charging a % commission and therefore making more money when your buyer client - someone seeking the lowest price - pays more is nonsensical. The self-admittance that these agents aren’t incentivesed enough to show their clients properties because they aren’t making a big enough commission or because the person selling doesn’t have an agent is everything wrong about hiring a traditional agent and everything right about what we are building here at Territory. Call it pandering Jonathan but I call it TRUTH, actually I call it passion.

And the saddest part (I know, could it get any worse?), Courtney could barely get the good advice she was seeking because the agents were too busy bashing FSBOs (what she is) and exposing their commission chasing ways. So, as a Territory RE apology I am giving Courtney’s beautiful home in Wakefield a plug:

Click here to see a nicely maintained 3bed/1bath single family with a garage. The property sits on .67 acres and is walking distance to the train. It is currently priced at $359,900

So, anyway, all those reading, I stand by what we are building here because of days like today. In the words of the late Randy Pausch (RIP) - the genius behind The Last Lecture - “The brick walls are there for a reason … To show us just how badly we want something.” And we want it, and I’m confident we will get it.

(Back to nursing my traditional agent hangover)

As we enter the middle of summer and temperatures and humidity peak, it’s time to get out of dodge and take a vacation.  Here are three great summer spots to relax and recharge the batteries.

50 Acres surrounded by another 375.  That is the kind of privacy you need. Treat yourself like an ambassador and spend the rest of the summer in this Berkshire foothills estate that dates back to the 1830’s.

Located a stone’s throw from Mt. Wachusett, this one can double as your winter vacation home too. Totally renovated, barns, garages, all you have to do is relax and enjoy.

Local bias be damned! This is the place to be. A waterfront compound with a private beach on the far away island.

N Magazine, Nantucket Island’s must read monthly, has featured Terry Sanford & Marla Mullen of Territory Real Estate.

read more…

Thanks to Becky and BIll for the shout out.

Dear Mr. Qubien,

I’d like to extend an open invitation to you to transform the real estate industry. If ever there was a group that needed your expertise it’s us residential real estate brokers/agents. Please heed our call and save our businesses.

Sincerely,
Terry Sanford
President Territory Real Estate

For those of you who don’t know who Among Qubein is, he is the author of “How to Get Whatever You Want” and “Close Like a Pro: Selling Strategies for Success.” and he also happens to be the president of High Point University.

Qubein has made his customer centric business philosophies integral to the way his college deals with its students. His reign has overseen the implementation of an ice-cream truck that circles the campus, dispensing free treats (500 choices!); valet parking; and a concierge (who will handle your dry cleaning). Students are even surprised with random gifts and snacks; and careful records are kept of each student’s preferences.

Ridiculous? Yes. Obscene?  Maybe. Genius? Definitely  Read more…

In most markets, home buyers have the upper hand these days. That often means they have greater negotiating power when it comes to price or the ability to squeeze out extra perks from sellers.

Gotta love an article that starts like this… it’s sweet music to a buyer broker’s ears.

Have you ever seen TLC’s “Date My House” or HGTV’s “Sleep On It?  These programs are no longer just late night entertainment. In today’s real estate market they have become legitimate marketing techniques. Read more…

And by “this” I am referring to this ….

This bugs me [almost] everyday … I am walking down Mass Ave through Central Square on my way to Dunkin Donuts for a morning brew. I attempt to window shop for entertainments sake and realize there is NOTHING TO LOOK AT ! I have probably had this discussion 900909090 million times because I just can’t - won’t ever - understand how prime commercial real estate is not being utilized in Central Square, Cambridge.

Central Square is perfectly sandwiched between MIT and Harvard - primo! - flooded with students, professors and business persons alike (trust me, try driving down mass ave between 3:30-6:30pm you will be yielding for 30 minutes) - aka retail customers = cha-ching$ … Yet, somehow, some way, nada. But walk another 4 blocks past central square and whala! Harvard Square. A place filled with wonderful shops, boutiques, cafes, restaurants and bars.

Central Square is not a cheap place to live. The median condo price is $333,000 with an average price/ square foot of $401. Compared to distinguished Harvard Square’s median price of $400,000 and $527 price/square foot, that is pretty high considering. Despite Centrals lack of retail it still has the draw: two of this countries greatest learning institutions and this will never go away and therefore real estate prices will remain stable if not continue to increase … So, why not meet the demand? I think it’s a million dollar question.

Ok, ok … dont start freaking out … I am NOT suggesting a high rise but I wouldn’t mind the proposal just for PR’s sake

Work with me here. Picture this:

Start your morning at Arlington St and work your way down Newbury to Mass Ave, take a right, walk just 10 minutes over Harvard Bridge and shop your way from MIT to Harvard Square, grab yourself lunch or dinner and cab it home. Genius. If you were really aggressive (or had awesome sneakers) you could even start on Charles St in Beacon Hill, work your way over to Newbury and then head to Central Square.

My point, I think Central Square has been on “the verge of greatness” so can someone please do something? Or perhaps tell me something?

Charlestown - beautiful 1 bed/1bath with a private deck. Nice price per square foot.

Jamaica Plain - Gorgeous 2bed/1bath with a nicely renovated kitchen. Near the T and pond.

South End - Incredibly renovated parlor-level condo. Pine floors, fabulous kitchen and great outdoor garden/deck.

Back Bay - 1000+ square foot 1 bedrom unit with deeded parking and outdoor patio.

South End - Fantastic - and rarely seen - price per square foot for this part of Boston. The unit is 3 bedrooms plus deeded parking, roof rights, deck, central AC and in unit laundry.

On August 1st Utah’s state government is moving to a 4 day workweek. Utah state employees will begin workweeks of Monday -Thursday 7am-6pm, instead of Monday - Friday 8am-5pm.

Luckily state-run liquor stores will stay open on Fridays.

Read more…

2 bedrooms with high ceilings in the South End for $472 a square foot.

3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths with 2 car parking in South Boston at $282/square feet.

Fixer upper in prime back bay location. 2 bedrooms, private deck and deeded storage.

Absolutely fabulous 2400+square foot 3 bedroom/1.5 bath in Jamaica Plain with incredible renovations. $223/sqre feet. Tough price point for JP but potential great deal in the high(er) $400,000’s.

Another JP beauty - this one a renovated mansion, Pondside - that just had a price drop.  3 bedrooms/3 baths.