FSBO BLOG

Ok, Video #2 is Ready thanks to my good and talented friends at http://www.realtyflix.com/.  This Video highlights the biggest task I will face in prepping this house for sale; painting.  Painting every wall in the house a different, dark, color seemed like a GREAT idea a few years ago.  Just remember, whenever you decide to paint your home, the job is always only just half over, because you will most likely have to repaint everything in the end when it comes time to move. 

The only reason I decided to use a paint sprayer was that the ceiling, after 9 years, needed a face lift.  Otherwise, I would not have covered anything, and just done it all by hand.  I think you will enjoy this video, and see that Mike Malkasian, President of FSBO.com, is not afraid to get his hands dirty. 

Paint and supplies (which include Pizza and “refreshments” for my friends) cost just under $400 for the entire project (paint sprayer was borrowed from a friend).  Based on the quotes I received from professional painters, I saved between $1100, and $1300 by doing it myself.  A special thanks to Matt, Jeremy, Chris, and Phil Minnes (Google Him!) for helping me paint.

Charity Info I Mentioned:

The green shirt I was wearing in that video is from my favorite non-profit called H.E.R.O. for Children (http://www.heroforchildren.org/).  H.E.R.O. became the first non-profit organization in the State of Georgia to solely focus their effort and energy to raise funding and awareness for the Quality of Life of children affected by / infected with HIV/AIDS.  I have been involved with them for over 3 years, and I mentor (big brother/ SuperHERO) an 8 year-old boy whose mother is infected with HIV.   Getting involved in this little kid’s life is the best decision I have ever made, and plan to continue my relationship with him for the rest of my life.  We are best friends! 

If you live in the Atlanta area, I strongly urge you to get involved, and consider becoming a “SuperHERO” yourself.  If you do not live in the area, I ask that you consider visting the website, and making a donation.

The SuperHEROes program:  The SuperHEROes program is the only one-on-one mentoring program for children affected by HIV/AIDS in Georgia that provides year-round, positive role models with each matching meeting a minimum of 24 times per year with their child. (Source:  www.heroforchildren.org ) 

I heard about an interesting blog the other day, and just had to share it with everyone.  It is called “Bad MLS Photo of the Day“.  When you have a minute, I suggest you take a look at some of these photos to learn what “not” to do when getting ready to take and post pictures of your home on your FSBO Listings. 

The beauty of Digital Photos is that you can take as many as you want, and delete the bad ones.  Please try to take care in the photos you are posting.  There is no rush.  Go through and pick the best ones to post.  If you don’t have any, go back and retake them.  You will be happy that you did.

“Bad MLS Photo of the Day“

Thank you again for all of your feedback on the Video.  The Deadline for the correct answer on the number of takes it took me to shoot the “intro” portion is this Friday (April 5th).  Everyone who guesses will receive a “Consolation Prize” via email for a discount on all FSBO.com services.

Final Hint:  The Answer is between 20-30 takes.  The answer is not “20″ or “30″.  Good Luck!

“I apologize for this automatic reply to your email.

To control spam, I now allow incoming messages only from senders I have approved beforehand.”

Have you ever received an automatic response like this before? Of the 200+ emails I send per day for FSBO.com, I get a half a dozen auto responses asking me to manually request permission to email certain people. 

This is frustrating since it was them who had originally contacted us with a question.  I follow the instructions as often as I can, but know for sure I do not always get to it, which means my customer never received the information they requested.

Is this my fault, or the customers?  Who is responsible for them not receiving the information they had originally requested?

Thank you again to everyone who has taken a guess so far. Here are a few hints:

*HINT Posted On 03/25/2008:  One of the guesses so far is only one number off.  Thanks, Mike 

 Update:  There are now 3 guess that are only one number off.

Today’s HINT:  The answer is the same as the number as one of my favorite all-time Baseball Players (non-pitcher).  His middle name is Arthur.  I hope that helps.    

Answer is under 40 total takes… 

I just had an interesting email from someone wishing me luck with my home and video series.  He commented on all the agent calls that I should expect. “Sometimes I had 10 agents a day calling me for my listing” he said.  My response to him was as follows:

“My phone number is listed on the National Do Not Call Registry, and I will gladly report any solicitors that contact me. This registry is put in place for this exact reason; you just have to know how to work the system. Instructions for getting registered are located on the FSBO.com Frequently Asked Questions page.”

If you are prepared for calls like these, they won’t be nearly as frustrating as you would think.  Go to http://www.donotcall.gov/ to get registered today!

“The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for 31 days. If they do, you can file a complaint at this Website. You can register your home or mobile phone for free.”

Source:  https://www.donotcall.gov/

IF YOU HAVE EVER SUCCESSFULLY REPORTED A SOLICITOR TO THE DO NOT CALL REGISTRY, PLEASE SHARE YOUR STORY WITH US.

I am excited to launch my first of many videos documenting my experiences in selling my own property For Sale By Owner through FSBO.com.  I plan to share my experiences with you as I go through the exact same things you are going through right now:  fixing it up, marketing it, showing it, and eventually completing a successful FSBO sale. 

Once the home is ready to be put on the market, I will purchase a package from FSBO.com (at full price), and post a FSBO.com Yard Sign and Brochures in the front yard.  This is a REAL house that I have owned since 2003, and nothing in this video series has been staged.  (I have left the property and contact details off of these videos as to not give myself an unfair advantage over my customers)

I encourage you to check back regularly to view my progress, as well as to make comments.  Now, as you have seen in the first video, I am having a little contest for those who have viewed my video. (Hint: the answer is less than “100 takes”)

Contest Rules:  Be the first person (current Customer or Potential customer) to accurately guess the number of takes it took to film the intro portion (Mike Talking), and you will win the following prize.  You must leave your guess as a comment on this blog. 

CURRENT FSBO.COM CUSTOMERS:  FREE Virtual Tour (valued at $109.00)

*If winner already has a Virtual tour a prize of equal value will be granted.

NON-FSBO.COM CUSTOMERS:  FREE 9-month Gold Package Listing on FSBO.com ($99.95 value)

*Winner must create listing before Dec 31, 2008 to receive free listing

Thank you very much for watching, and wish me luck!

*HINT Update 03/25/2008:  One of the guesses so far is only one number off.  Thanks, Mike

FSBO.com is now on Facebook.  Check out the FSBO.com page on Facebook and upload your property photos & videos.  Make sure to include your FSBO.com ID # so we can link to your property listing.  This should help you get more exposure for your property!  Also, make sure to add yourself as a FAN to get the latest updates & news from FSBO.com.  Click on the graphic or link below to see our page…

http://www.facebook.com/pages/FSBOcom/11521076407?ref=s

Please note - Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc.

 Money Magazine is working on an article for their May issue and are looking to profile “real people” who are utilizing creative & different techniques to sell their home in today’s real estate market.  For example, videos, blogs, lease/purchase options, home swaps, etc.  The more creative the better!

If you would like to be considered for this article, please leave a comment with your name, FSBO.com ID number and a description of your creative home selling techniques.  We will then contact you with more information.

Yesterday, FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac all published new loan limits that will help an estimated 250,000 more Americans to buy homes this year, or refinance their current loan in order to keep their home.  The increase was made mandatory by the Economic Stimulus Act that was passed by President Bush last month.  This increase will provide liquidity and stability housing markets nationwide.The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 permits FHA to insure loans on amounts up to 125 percent of the area median house price, when that amount is between the national minimum ($271,050) and maximum ($729,750).

There are plans to return the FHA loan maximum back to $362,790 baring any additional requirements from the government.

(Source:  http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=pr08-030.cfm)