Paula Bean

Hi Leslie -

As I said in a previous post, this thread is OLD! Is therer a shelf life to these?
Also, MANY other emails with advertising for services as well - is
this something we'll see an end to soon? - Tue Apr 29 2008, 14:15

this thread started in Sept of 2007.... it is now April of 2008. Is there a way to shorten the time frame of these emails?

I think this is a good topic, but over a year of this is beating a dead horse to death and we don't know whatever happened with Audrey. - Thu Apr 24 2008, 11:28

Audrey,
This thread has been going on for quite some time...I'd love to know what you did, or didn't do, what your thoughts are and how it all worked out, or didn't?

I was in San Francisco last year for the Inman Connect Conference, wow, what a great town, terrific weather and such NICE people! I'd move there in a heartbeat ;-)

Alas, I live in Florida, the lightening capital of the World, wicked humidity and too hot for my taste, but I would dearly love some feedback on what you ended up doing and what was the best advice you got (or not) from asking this question on Trulia?

Hopefully you are all settled in a new home and smiling happily ;-) - Sat Jan 19 2008, 11:44

hmmm... this has been an interesting topic. Realtors and consumers all debating the topic of the original question, which was someone whom is debating going FSBO or getting a Realtor.

Now, I am a REALTOR, I'm also an Accredited Real Estate Consultant and I'm the perfect 'devils Advocate' because I've been on both sides of this fence.

What we don't know is enough information to give any advice to the original poster.
Where is your house located?
What is the market like there?
Do you need to move fast?
Are you in financial trouble, or are you just toying around?

I've enjoyed reading the posts, but I don't think anyone can give an unbiased answer to the question without knowing the facts above.

As a real estate consultant, and not knowing any of the facts that are pertinent to the original question, I would suggest finding out the answers to the above, and perhaps consider hiring a real estate consultant to discuss your options. Yes - I'm biased in that area, because I believe that many times people act on impulse without enough knowledge.

Knowledge is Power.

If I were thinking of selling the biggest asset I owned, I'd definitely want an unbiased opinion. For more information on how to learn more, check the following sites:
http://www.RippingTheRoofOffRealEstate.com (mostly for investors and consumers) and http://www.ACREcourse.com (mostly for agents to learn the concept).

Life is all about options and education. People just don't wake up one day and say 'honey, I'm bored, let's sell the house'. There is a reason, a time frame, a motivational factor. Our job as a consultant is to give unbiased advice - based on your personal situation.

A refreshing change from each of us being on opposite sides of the fence arguing about who can do a better job than the other. - Sun Sep 9 2007, 16:51

This has been an on-going thread for awhile ;-)

I enjoy Trulia, and I love it when people email me direct saying I helped them.

I do think that there needs to be some changes ie: If a seller or buyer asks a question, and we want to answer privately due to whatever reason, the seller or buyer should have an email address where we can respond privately to them.

I would also love to see more feedback from the buyers/sellers as to the advice given. I need closure ;-) lol!

Anyway, I think there should be a survey done by Trulia with buyers, sellers and agents and let's get this show on the road. It is great, but it could be better ;-)

Paula Bean - Thu Apr 24 2008, 11:21

Dear Elain,
Not sure who Pete is, although I did look at his post you gave.....

My question which was originally from an agents point of view was if this was worth spending our time on......can we learn from it, help consumers with there real estate problems?

I've not been on this forum nearly as long as Deborah or Sylvia or Patrick, but need to know out of the many listserves I participate on, and between selling real estate, and running another company and taking care of my family - IF this is the best use of my time?

I see questions that aren't particularly in depth, answers that are incorrect, and I have a problem with that...........as I think that if all agents answer questions without knowing what state laws are, or give answers about commission rates or other answers regarding fair housing laws could get them into trouble if there is someone lurking here from the real estate testing kingdom.

These things have to be resolved, in the meantime I shall spend my time on Active Rain, Realtalk, e-PROTalk, and other forums that have these issues under control.

I love helping people - but I will not put my license in jeopardy with those who seek to answer questions that they should be advising the consumer to get a CPA, real estate atty or other specialty.

Having said that - most of us here know what the answer is - we just can't give it without the legal-speak of "consult with your atty, cpa, etc" so we can cya.

Does that help the consumer? No.......

Aside from that, I love what Trulia is doing, we just have to fine tune it ;-) When you get that done - I'll be back! - Wed Nov 21 2007, 10:23

wow Michelle, THANKS SO MUCH for your response! Just when we feel we are being beat up,, someone like you and Ruth comes along and makes our day! THANK YOU, THANK YOU - THANK YOU!

I just responded to another post about this and had made up my mind that I was giving Trulia up.......you may very well have made a difference in that.

Again, thanks for your response, and if any others out there have something to say, NOW is the time to say it. I can honestly say that most of us give us a lot of time, we try to do good, we work hard, and sometimes we don't get paid. Our families complain and suffer, so it is good to hear that sometimes, someone out there appreciates us.

Thanks to those of you who do! This is now like a breath of fresh air... here it is 7pm my time, and I'm still working.... probably won't get through til after 9 or 10pm, and this is Sunday. We don't have M-F, 9-5 hours unfortunately, but we do what we do because we care and it is so nice to know that someone else out there in cyberland does too ;-)
YOU MADE MY NIGHT MICHELLE!!!!!!!!!! - Sun Nov 18 2007, 16:03

Hi all,
I appreciate all of the responses. I am truly overwhelmed at the agents and consumers alike who took time out to respond and really love Trulia, but want to make it better.

I got an email from another member regarding moderation, and it may be a good idea for everyone to respond to this survey so we can make this the best forum it can be. I've learned so much here, I've tried to help, and share knowledge, and I really hate to see those voices go away. It is such a great forum for consumers and agents alike, but some things need to be changed. Copy and paste this link into a new browser button and let your voice be heard!

http://www.trulia.com/voices/Using_Trulia/Should_Trulia_mode… - Sat Nov 17 2007, 11:24

I agree with Mark, it sounds as if you have an agent already.
If so, please let us know - Wed Apr 23 2008, 12:38

Dear Thomas,

NEVER apologize for spending time with yoru family ;-)
I know this is a confusing maze for you, but, just because I couldn't stand it... I went into our MLS system with the requirements you gave 4/2 - 2600 sq. ft. $215 - $240K, two story and there is NOTHING on the market meeting those requirements in zip code 32701.

Now, if you back off the two story requirement, I get 5 properties. So, don't be discouraged, you can find what you want, but the problem with doing it this way is that nobody has enough information to really help you. I can send you the 5 properties I got if you'd like, and you don't even have to commit to working with me, I would do it as a matter of courtesy, but I'm worried about what you COULD get if you expanded your parameters a little bit.

Having said that, these are only listed properties, not foreclosures, short sales, expireds, short sales or people I know that will be selling in the next few months...

As a real estate consultant, I think you have to find an agent who knows this area well. One who can get you a list of EVERYTHING available, whether fsbo, foreclosure, MLS, etc. But, you need to think outside the box a little ;-)

Does your 3 yr old daughter live with you? If so, then schools are going to be very important in the near future.

Where will you be working? Is being close to work and/or your daughters future school important?

Have you thought about branching out your area parameters outside the 32701 zip code? The reason I ask you these questions is that there are many issues with school zones going on in that area just now, and that affects resale value, price range, etc.

You really need to be in touch with an agent who knows that market, and who will be capable of giving you some thoughts on other areas that you might be better off with.

What is your time frame for this move? Is that important?

Where do you live now? Do you have a lease that needs to expire or a house that needs to sell before this move can happen?

As you can see, there are many questions to be answerd before you will get where you need to be happily. In the meantime, enjoy that little one, they grow up way too fast! Life has a way of making things happen WHEN they were meant to happen, so don't get in a big rush, it is a buyers market now, so the world is your oyster ;-)

Best Regards,
Paula Bean - Tue Apr 15 2008, 12:04

Thomas says: Greg Traub has some interesting home but they were in the boonies..Mascotte and Groveland. I was born in Clermont and no one want to go to those places. I see why there are so many cheap house out their.

NOT sure how long it's been since you lived in Clermont, but Groveland is no longer considered 'the boonies' anymore. People from Clermont are moving there to get away from the 'big city' that Clermont has become.

Greg says: Guess I'll stop doing QUICK searches for people online. Didn't know people would expect me to take a few hours out of my day to do searches for random people online with a 2 line search criteria.

*** YOU should NEVER do this unless you have a good idea of what the buyer wants, and 2 lines doesn't cut it. I wish we could get people to give more info, but even then, unless they contact me by email or phone, I don't spend any time looking for a house that I'm not sure they want. Additionally,
Trulia is really meant to be an educational, helpful Q & A site, not a lead generation/promotional site. If I give free advice, that is my perogative, but I do it knowing that I am helping, and not expecting payment.

Jackie hasn't heard from him either.... so maybe he has already found a house, or an agent. I bet this wasn't the only site he checked. . . so don't get disgusted when you don't hear back. Think of this as a community service, and spend your time accordingly, and you won't be frustrated. You'll never hear from about 80-90% of these people. - Sun Apr 13 2008, 12:00

Jo Ann - are you following this conversation? Give us your input.... - Wed Apr 23 2008, 12:37

Dearest Marian,

There was no offense meant, and I don't think I was unprofessional. Thank you also for your
direct flaming email, but just to let you know, I DID go to your site and check it out, as I have clients
that seek what Jo Ann is looking for in area's I don't service, and I was hoping to find someone to refer these clients to.

Jo Ann asked specifically about Orlando, and although I searched your site all over, I never found any reference to that being an area you service.

I apologize profusely if you misunderstood my comment. - Sun Apr 13 2008, 15:49

Great web site Larry gave, but they don't work in Orlando, which is where Jo Ann wants to be.
Antonio asked some great questions. YOU have to know what you want before someone can help you.

I have a few more questions you should ponder to make the right choice for you, but first - I'm a little confused as your profile says you are a home buyer in PA... is that one of the area's you are also considering moving to?

Are you SURE you'll be an empty nester in 2 years?
( I've run across a lot of parents who thought the same, and it didn't happen. . . or it happened, but they came back )

If you will be retired, have you figured out the most comfortable payment for you, bearing in mind that the cost of everything will always go up. When helping Seniors and first time buyers, I always advise caution in this area.

Do you have to sell a house first to move? If so, do you know what your net proceeds will be, and
how much of that you want to use to buy another place and how much to keep back for a nest egg?

Have you talked to a mtg lender to get approved? Orlando is a HUGE place, and depending on what you feel comfortable spending, you can narrow down a bazillion communities to choose from to a mere million ;-)

Did you know that unless you move to a rural area, that you will also have HOA or Condo fees in addition to your mtg payment?

I'm a real estate consultant, and would be happy to run you through some thought provoking idea's to help you out if you'd like. FL is a BIG place, and depending on what you like to do, Golf, Swim, fish, etc, you have to think of re-sale as well (in case you move to a place you decide you don't like).

Let me know if you'd like some help sorting through this, and I'll be happy to sort you through it just like I've done since 1979 for many others. I was born here, there isn't a lot I don't know about where you should move, but YOU need to know the answers to the above to get the right fit.

Best Regards,
Paula Bean


What do you want to do when you retire?

When do you want to move?
You say you are 'thinking' of Orlando... what other area's are you considering, and why? Weather? Prices? - Sun Apr 13 2008, 11:37

Glad I could be of help!

Get in touch with my financial advisor I sent you to make sure that all is well, but I think it is.

When you get ready to sell your property, let me know and I'll put you in touch with a great agent to help you do that!

Best Regards,

Paula Bean - Tue Apr 22 2008, 20:48

well, there are many ways to make that happen as well ;-) send me your email address direct and I'll cover them with you. We need a plan A and a plan B: If you have to use the firpta 10% withholding or not.

there are always creative ways to purchase without worrying over 10%, but you need to feel comfortable with how this is done. I will have more news soon, hang in there! - Sun Apr 20 2008, 15:49

Tamara,

I'll have an answer tomorrow, apparently they went off on a cruise where there is no cell phone access!
How rude that they did not invite me along! lol!

It is not a new law, and the Title co. you closed your other condo with should have verified your citizenship status. It is complicated - so hang in there for another day and I'll get you an answer.

I'd still like to know if you have to withhold the 10% if that will break the deal? Is it that important? If so, why? Once I know the answer to that, I may have other advice for you to work it out.

I'll be in touch tomorrow, in the meantime, send me your direct email. for some reason I'm getting your email hours or days after it is posted. Not sure it is a Trulia server issue, or on my end, but send to paulabean@homeOrlando.com.

I will follow up with a post on Trulia to update all as well.

;-) Paula - Sun Apr 20 2008, 14:25

Tamara,

Probably so since you are not a U.S citizen, BUT, I have access to a good friend who is a closing agent and works for an atty. I've put a call in to her to see what her .02 is.

Would it prevent you from selling your condo if they withhold the 10%? The worst that could happen is that you'll get it back when you file taxes, which could be as early as Jan 2009, or when you get your permanent status, whichever comes first.

I'll post again when I hear back from my legal Eagle ;-)

Paula Bean - Sat Apr 19 2008, 09:54