Michael R. Atwood

I work in the South Carolina Coastal market and I have been telling sellers that we will continue to expect that prices along the ocean front will remain down for at least another year. If they must sell then lets price it correctly and get the out of the property. Those that just want to see what happens we need to leave their overpriced condos off the market as not to add additional units to scare away potentilal buyers because of "so many" on the market it scares them. Other clients that are more savy with the ups and downs in the market understand that we know it is a buyers market now and now is the time to purchase. I have not seen these prices in 4 years and why wait and miss out on these great deals. I have several clients that did and still are upset. But now I am calling them to say "here is a better deal than 3 years ago" lets make an offer. Since the market is corrected and we continue to see strong single family homes selling I tell the people- the home you looked at today and will think about tonight will be purchased by the person who looked at it yesterday and purchased it today! Do want to make an offer? - Tue May 13 2008, 14:09

Well this is a great question. The buyer's market we are experiencing in the coastal section of South Carolina is really dependent upon how the rest of the housing markets go. Single family homes, residential lots, and ocean front condos are a real bargain right now. Things are selling here at a normal rate compared to 2003. I believe that now is a great time to buy. Prices are down, interest rates are down, and there are sellers willing to negotiate. I have seen the time in 2004 when the available properties slowly were purchased and things got our of hand quickly in some hot properties. So it can change in a matter of a month when the vented up demand starts hitting certain areas. I see buyers out there right now are people that did not purchase a second home in 2004 because they did not have a good choice and waited and the prices went right by their purchasing power. Now they are able to find exactly what they want at the better price. So why wait! Why not be the buyer that gets the best deal and has the opportunity to sell when things are going up and make a better return than those that would not sell waiting on the top time and find out they just missed it by two weeks! Buy now with no regrets! - Wed Apr 30 2008, 12:25

In South Carolina a agent can represent him/herself in the event they document this in the MLS listing agreement and with the property forms filled out. Disclosure, Disclosure Disclosure- this works!
Michael Atwood
Little River, SC - Thu May 1 2008, 13:28

Dave,
I am a agent that both have plenty of listings and get my share of leads via the web. I have to consider them all good but I do answer them quicker if I have a phone number and a email address that looks correct. I encourage all my agents to get those leads quick within hours if possible or first thing in the morning. I also have learned if I cannot get to those leads to pass them along to a new agent with more available time and ask for a referral. I will stand up in meetings and let everyone know if you have a lead you are not going to follow up on let me have it even if it is over 48 hours old! I have made several sales doing this with no referral fee. When I am not able to follow up on the lead is when I have to go search for the lead in your system. I want that to come directly to me. I have sometimes 20 leads a day and cannot get to a system that I have to go to their web site and retreive the leads. I simply do not have the time. I was a member of one and had to get out because of this situation. In other words make it easy for me to respond. The next thing is when I am out showing property with a client for a day I am not able to continue to get to all my leads quickly and have to spend time later catching those. - Thu May 1 2008, 13:25

Jeff,
I listen to Rick Deluca, Floyd Wickman, and a couple others depending upon what I am working on at the time. There are plenty of available assistance but I have found that these two seem to work the best overall.
Michael Atwood
Broker
Little River, SC - Thu May 1 2008, 13:18

Well since we both have entered into an agreement then both should agree that it is not working out. Being honest with someone is best. Just ask the person to let you out of the agreement. The best thing is to meet to see what both need to do to make it work out. Then if both cannot agree ask again to be let out of the agreement. Most people do not want conflict so most good agents will work out those details. - Wed Apr 30 2008, 12:51