Your Realtor of Choice

Your Realtor of Choice Hellen Davis, Your Realtor of Choice

A delightful little book by John Maxwell is provocatively titled, There's No Such Thing as Business Ethics. Now some mig...
03/28/2018

A delightful little book by John Maxwell is provocatively titled, There's No Such Thing as Business Ethics. Now some might simply think, "no kidding." But for the curious, or those inclined to disagree, Maxwell's book makes an interesting argument. His point is not that all of business is unethical. Rather, he disagrees with the point of view that the operative ethical principles of business are somehow specialized and different from (occasionally, contrary to) the ethical principles that govern our everyday lives. According to Maxwell, the test of what is ethically acceptable or unacceptable in the business context is exactly the same as that which applies in our everyday, non-work circumstances. For him, it is all summed up in one principle, The Golden Rule. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." If you follow that, your behavior will be ethical; if you depart from it, it won't be. At work or at home, in the office or in the neighborhood. I believe that Maxwell is correct that ethics in the context of business is simply an extension of ethics in general. There aren't special exceptions for business. It's as wrong to lie to your competitor as it is to lie to your neighbor. All of us, of course, have encountered different attitudes. We have heard "But this is business" said as if it meant "Anything goes". Certainly, some people feel that way. People who would never cheat in a neighborhood card game can be perfectly content to deceive their customers or rip off their suppliers. But this doesn't show that such people are operating according to a special "business ethic"; rather, it simply reveals that, in the context of business, they have made the decision to be unethical. If it is true that ethics in business and ethics in everyday life are the same, it is legitimate to ask, why are codes of professional ethics sometimes so complicated? The National Association of REALTORS is rightfully proud of its Code of Ethics, a document first formulated in 1913, and amended at more that 30 different national conventions since then. With 17 articles, supplemented by over 70 Standards of Practice and more than 140 official Case Interpretations, it presents a complex set of documents. Nor is the NAR Code of Ethics a unique phenomenon. There are hundreds of professional and trade group codes of ethics. Physicians, lawyers, funeral directors, and wedding planners -- to name just a few -- all have professional codes of ethics. So also do many individual companies and corporations. They vary, of course, in range and complexity. How is it that professional codes can become so complicated? People need to understand that there are various purposes served by professional codes, although not every code serves them all. (1)They bring to our attention and provide direction with respect to issues that might not otherwise even have been identified as matters for an ethical concern. While ethical principles may remain the same, frequently the circumstances encountered in business are quite different than anything we experience in the non-business world. A professional code can help us to decipher those situations. (2) In many situations they provide us with the wisdom and insight of those who have preceded us. Quite simply, they save us the trouble of reinventing the wheel. (3) Professional ethics codes sometimes also cover matters that are not so much ethical as they are issues of professional etiquette or proper procedure. They help to keep professionals "on the same page" when they are interacting with each other. (4) Professional ethical codes are also sometimes used for the purposes of "drawing lines" in order to remove any unclarity about what may be considered acceptable or unacceptable. They help to remove the "shades of grey" that can be found in so many situations. Professional codes, such as that of the Realtors', are based on everyday ethical principles. Their value resides in the fact that they show us how those principles apply to specific business contexts that well may not be "everyday".

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Hellen Davis • (909) 863-0007 • [email protected]

Meetings are the venues wherein homeowner association business decisions are made. Since these meetings are usually infr...
03/27/2018

Meetings are the venues wherein homeowner association business decisions are made. Since these meetings are usually infrequent, the importance of the decisions made cannot be understated. However, some HOAs are decision challenged because: The meetings rarely begin on time and often run late. Discussions are endless and often inconclusive. Issues decided at a previous meeting continue to be revisited. Disagreements frequently turn ugly. Meetings end when members are exhausted, not because they have completed the business at hand. Many boards manage to conduct their business with a minimum of fuss and a measure of efficiency. These meetings don't happen by chance; they happen by design, and that design begins with an agenda. If you don't have a destination in mind, any path will do. If a meeting lacks an agenda, it will go anywhere and everywhere and end up going nowhere. The agenda provides a road map for the meeting, identifying the issues to be discussed and establishing the order in which business will be transacted. Knowing what is on the agenda allows board members to begin formulating their views before the meeting begins. It helps, of course, if board members actually review the agenda and any accompanying information in advance. But it takes more than advance preparation and an agenda to produce a successful meeting; boards also need a set of rules to guide their discussions. Meetings don't have to be rigid or overly formal, but they do have to be orderly. Some boards use a simplified version of Robert's Rules of Order which includes such concepts like: When a topic is brought up, a formal motion is required before it is discussed. This will ensure that more than one person thinks the issue is worth discussing. Only one person is recognized to speak at a time by the chair. Standards of civility (no personal attacks or interrupting). A time limit for the meeting and for each speaker on each issue. Otherwise, boards end up spending too much time on relatively minor issues and not enough time on mores significant ones. If a majority of the board members think a topic requires more time, they can always vote to extend the discussion. A reasonable agenda, advance preparation and rules of order provide the foundation for an effective meeting, like the tracks on which a train runs. But like a train, a meeting needs a steady hand on the throttle to keep it moving forward. Conducting both a train and a meeting require a certain amount of skill. The person in charge needs to control with a firm but not a heavy hand. In HOA meetings, this means giving all board members a chance to express their views, but also requiring them to stick to the topic and the time limits. Some owners think they have an absolute right to participate in board meetings and some boards think it is best to hold their meetings behind closed doors. Both are wrong. Many states have specific requirements for most board meetings to be open to members (to audit not participate). Some have exceptions for "executive session", or a closed door session, which may exclude members which include: Employment issues Contract negotiations Consultation with counsel or review of information provided by counsel. Constitutionally or legally protected topics (such as medical records and attorney-client privileged information) Privacy issues If a board discussion item does not fall under one of these exceptions, it must be discussed at an open board meeting. As far as member participation in board meetings, state laws vary. However, regardless of state statute, it's good policy to set aside time for an open forum so members can ask questions and express their views. Homeowner associations are required to hold annual meetings, but many governing documents are silent on how often the board must meet. The board is generally free to meet as often as it chooses. The size and complexity of the community and the personal commitments of board members will typically dictate the meeting schedule. Another consideration is that managers typically charge for their time to attend board meetings. Since it's important for the manager to be present at board meetings, the board needs to weigh the cost and benefit of more or fewer meetings. When properly organized, smaller HOAs can usually suffice with quarterly board meetings while larger ones may need bi-monthly or monthly meetings. The more the meetings, the more important it is to have those meeting organized and efficiently executed. Volunteer time can only be stretched so far. What happens after board meetings can be almost as important as what happens during the meetings. Some board members take votes against their proposals personally rather than of the suggestions they have made. They sometimes take their disappointment and anger outside of the meeting room, complaining publicly about the decision and even encouraging owners to overturn it. This behavior undermines the decision-making process, exacerbates tension, and erodes trust. As long as the board action is legal and in compliance with the governing documents, board members should accept that "majority rules" applies to votes they don't like as well as to those with which they agree. All board decisions won't be unanimous, nor should they be. Honest differences of opinion are healthy, encouraging an exchange of ideas that improves the decision-making process and contributes to the successful meetings boards want to have. While board meetings won't always produce good decisions, they will almost certainly reduce the number of bad ones. To produce the likelihood of more good decisions, design your meetings for success. Excerpts from an article by www.HindmanSanchez.com. For more on effective meetings, see www.Regenesis.net.

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Hellen Davis • (909) 863-0007 • [email protected]

Buying a new home isn't the same as buying an existing home. The more you know going in, the more prepared you'll be to ...
03/26/2018

Buying a new home isn't the same as buying an existing home. The more you know going in, the more prepared you'll be to roll with the process - or run from the process. Everything all bright, shiny, and new No one else's taste, no one else's floorplan, no one else's germs. When you buy a brand - new home, it's built for you and hasn't been lived in by anyone but you. Decisions, decision, decisions There are those who love the idea of selecting the flooring, the cabinets, the kitchen countertops, the finishes, and the myriad other choices that need to be made when building a new home - and then there are those who get the shakes just thinking about it. If you're the latter, perhaps an already - built home is a better option for you. What you see is not what you get Model homes are typically decked out with beautiful upgrades and multiple options, and those upgrades and options can cost big bucks. If you want your home to look like the model, be prepared to shell out far more money than what the base price of the house indicates. You'll have a warranty "Warranties for newly built homes generally offer limited coverage on workmanship and materials relating to various components of the home, such as windows, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, and electrical systems for specific periods. Warranties also typically define how repairs will be made," according to the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Protection site. The duration of coverage varies depending on the component of the house. Coverage is provided for workmanship and materials on most components during the first year. For example, most warranties on new construction cover siding and stucco, doors and trim, and drywall and paint during the first year. Coverage for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems is generally two years. Some builders provide coverage for up to 10 years for major structural defects,' sometimes defined as problems that make a home unsafe and put the owner in danger. For example, a roof that could collapse is a major structural defect.' Home warranties are typically extendable after that first year, although you'll be responsible for the cost. You may have to buy sight unseen In some cases, model homes may not be built - or only a few of the floorplans will be featured as models - and you won't have an opportunity to walk through the homes to get a feel for how they live. You should have pictures and floorplans to view, and maybe even a virtual tour, but if you're the type that needs to be in it to get it, you may be disappointed. The noise - and the dust When considering which home to buy, the location of the lot is obviously important. But have you asked about how construction is going to roll out in the neighborhoods? It could be that your home is on a street that serves as a main artery for trucks and other construction traffic. Or perhaps you're in a location where construction is going to be going on all around you for months. Yes, the noise and dust will disappear - eventually. But how long are you willing to wait? Don't expect a price reduction You may be used to negotiating on the price of an existing home for sale, but new home prices aren't typically negotiable. The builder or developer may be willing to throw in some upgrades as part of the negotiation, but, the hotter the community, the less likely you are to get anything for free. You can still work with your real estate agent Working with an agent who is savvy in new construction will help get you the home you want and any available extras. Keep in mind that many new - home communities today offer real estate agents a commission for bringing in a buyer, but they insist that the real estate agent register their buyer on the first visit. So don't show up alone to tour the community for the first time! You could cost your agent money and then have to navigate the purchase on your own. It might behoove you to work with their in - house lender If you're already working with a lender, you obviously don't want to be disloyal. But, there may be financial benefits to working with the builder/developer's in - house lender. Many times, they offer a lower rate overall, will buy down your rate, or will offer you a "teaser" rate that keeps your payments lower for the first year or first few years. Get familiar with this term: Standing inventory If builders have pre - built homes that are waiting to be sold, this is the one place you may have wiggle room room on price. Another advantage of standing inventory is there is no construction wait, and these homes are often nicely amenitized with upgrades. You might not be able to buy the lot you want New homes are typically released in phases, and it might be that the lot you have your eye on gets snapped up by someone who was prequalified before you, or higher up on a waiting list if it's a really popular community. Or, perhaps you want a homesite that isn't set for release until later when you're ready to purchase now. Flexibility is the key to being able to get what you want. Amenities might not be available or built right away If a community's amenities are a draw for you, be sure to ask about when they will be built. It could be that the pool and community park you're so excited about are years out from being realized.

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Hellen Davis • (909) 863-0007 • [email protected]

When you're selling your home, getting your belongings organized can seem like a low priority. You're dealing with findi...
03/26/2018

When you're selling your home, getting your belongings organized can seem like a low priority. You're dealing with finding the right real estate agent, the best time to list your home on the market, and maybe even house-hunting for a new place to live. All of that can keep you quite busy considering many of us have to do those things while we work a full-time job. Organizing your home so that you can simplify your move just doesn't seem practical. However, there is one main reason why getting organized can not only simplify your next move but also help improve your chances of selling your home faster and for more money. When you go through the process of getting organized, you should be eliminating items from your home which helps to clear clutter. Clearing clutter is one of the first things agents and experts who stage homes for sale will tell you to do. When the clutter is gone, the home can be shown much easier. Potential buyers can see what makes your house so special and different from others in the neighborhood. If you're putting off the process of getting organized because you think you should wait until you accept an offer, let me encourage you to get motivated to do it sooner. I've seen it happen many times. The homeowner thinks there's plenty of time and then when an offer is accepted they're thrust into high gear because the buyer wants to close escrow fast. Of course, your agent can negotiate the closing date but sometimes a faster closing is a must. Yes, you may be able to rent back from the new owners to give you more time to prepare to move but you can't avoid the fact that you'll need to move at some point. Here are five tips that can help you jump start your organizing and simplify your next move. You will be glad you start before you get an offer to purchase your home. 1. Sort piles of belongings into groups: keep, giveaway, maybe, and trash. The "maybe" pile you box up and seal for six to 12 months. If you don't have a use for your items in the "maybe" box during the year then perhaps you can donate it. 2. Give yourself plenty of time. Be patient this process of getting organized takes time. Know that when it comes to sorting through personal papers and memorabilia it will take you much longer than reviewing other items. Leave some extra time for the expected reminiscing that will occur. 3. Store your items in clear plastic bins. Using clear boxes helps to let you have a quick view of what's inside. If you used cardboard boxes or colored bins, then use a pen to clearly label what's inside and which room it will go in at your new home. You might want to use a large piece of paper to write the label on so that you can reuse the bin again later for another purpose. 4. Get rid of the paper. A big problem in many homes is the paper trail they have from room to room. It could be magazines, newspapers, documents, advertisements, receipts, you name it. Most homeowners keep a lot of paper which creates a lot of clutter. Go through your files and reduce the paper by shredding or recycling documents you don't need. You'll find that a lot of what you're hanging on to, you just don't need. 5. Do it now! This is the most valuable tip. As soon as you finish reading this, go put a time on your calendar when you will begin to get organized. Placing it on your calendar should help you block off time to get started and prevent procrastination. If you take care of things right away, you'll find that life gets simpler. The same goes for your move. So, get organized and simplify your next move!

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Hellen Davis • (909) 863-0007 • [email protected]

Renters Warehouse, a property management company that specializes in managing rental houses, announced recently that it ...
03/26/2018

Renters Warehouse, a property management company that specializes in managing rental houses, announced recently that it hired Nolan Jacobson to serve as the companys executive vice president of finance. Prior to joining Renters Warehouse, Jacobson worked as the treasurer of Silver Bay Realty Trust, a real estate investment trust that owned and operated single-family rental homes.

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Hellen Davis • (909) 863-0007 • [email protected]

Existing home sales reversed course in February after two months of declines and despite consistently low inventory and ...
03/26/2018

Existing home sales reversed course in February after two months of declines and despite consistently low inventory and fast-growing prices, according to the report from the National Association of Realtors. Existing home sales increased 3% in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.54 million in February, up from 5.38 million last month.

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Hellen Davis • (909) 863-0007 • [email protected]

Once your home goes on the market, real estate agents may call to show your home anytime, day or evening. Keeping your h...
03/13/2018

Once your home goes on the market, real estate agents may call to show your home anytime, day or evening. Keeping your home "showtime" ready can be challenging, especially if you have children and pets. What you need to stay organized is a handy checklist so you can be ready to show at any time. When you get the call that buyers are on their way, give everyone in the household a basket and assign them each to a room to pick up clutter quickly. Set a timer and tell everyone to grab up any toys on the floor, clear tabletops and countertops of junk, and quickly Swiffer-sweep the floors. Check for hazards like dog chews on the floor. Turn on all the lights, and get ready to skedaddle. You have to let buyers have privacy so they can assess your home honestly. Take the kids for an outing. Put pets in daycare, sleep cages or take them with you: Keep your home show-ready with these nine tips: Eliminate clutter: Not only is clutter unattractive, it's time-consuming to sort through and expensive for you to move. If you have a lot of stuff, collections, and family mementoes, you would be better off renting a small storage unit for a few months. Keep, donate, throw away: Go through your belongings and put them into one of these three baskets. You'll receive more in tax benefits for your donations that pennies on the dollar at a garage sale. It's faster, more efficient and you'll help more people. Remove temptations: Take valuable jewelry and collectibles to a safety deposit box, a safe, or store them in a secure location. Remove breakables: Figurines, china, crystal and other breakables should be packed and put away in the garage or storage. Be hospitable: You want your home to look like a home. Stage it to show the possibilities, perhaps set the table, or put a throw on the chair by the fireplace with a bookmarked book on the table. Have a family plan of action: Sometimes showings aren't convenient. You can always refuse a showing, but do you really want to? If you have a showing with little notice, get the family engaged. Everyone has a basket and picks up glasses, plates, newspapers, or anything left lying about. Remove prescription medicines: Despite qualifying by the buyer's agent, some buyers have other intentions than buying your home. It's also a good idea to lock your personal papers such as checkbooks away. Do not leave mail out on your desk. Get in the habit: Wash dishes immediately after meals. Clean off countertops. Make beds in the morning. Keep pet toys and beds washed and smelling fresh. Clean out the garage and attic: Buyers want to see what kind of storage there is.

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Hellen Davis • (909) 863-0007 • [email protected]

We find that the more investors there are bidding on an asset, the better the end result is for both the buyer and the s...
03/11/2018

We find that the more investors there are bidding on an asset, the better the end result is for both the buyer and the seller. Data analytics drives better ex*****on on every property sold, attracting more qualified buyers a necessary component to a healthy marketplace. With more data readily available, bidders are more likely to bid in confidence, and more frequently.

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Hellen Davis • (909) 863-0007 • [email protected]

Earlier this year, Knock, a real estate startup that buys homes directly from homeowners, unveiled an expansion plan tha...
03/08/2018

Earlier this year, Knock, a real estate startup that buys homes directly from homeowners, unveiled an expansion plan that would see the company grow its business beyond Atlanta. Now, the company is ready for the first stage of that plan.

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Hellen Davis • (909) 863-0007 • [email protected]

The Hispanic community continues to drive homeownership growth in the U.S. In fact, Hispanics became the only demographi...
03/06/2018

The Hispanic community continues to drive homeownership growth in the U.S. In fact, Hispanics became the only demographic to have increased their homeownership rate for the last three consecutive years. However, several factors are still holding them back from further homeownership gains.

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Hellen Davis • (909) 863-0007 • [email protected]

Since 2000, homeownership fell in 90 out of the top 100 largest metros in the U.S., according to the latest report from ...
03/05/2018

Since 2000, homeownership fell in 90 out of the top 100 largest metros in the U.S., according to the latest report from Trulia. Here are the areas that saw homeownership decrease, the areas with the highest increase, and what caused these changes.

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Hellen Davis • (909) 863-0007 • [email protected]

If you're thinking about doing your floors, you've probably done countless hours of research online, visited several sto...
03/02/2018

If you're thinking about doing your floors, you've probably done countless hours of research online, visited several stores, and pored over colors, textures, sizes, and styles. You may have some idea of what you like, but is it a good choice for your lifestyle or your budget - or both? We're breaking down the pros and cons of the most popular trends in flooring today. Wide plank Wide-planks are the most predominant trend in flooring today, regardless of color and finish. Pro: The popularity of this type of flooring means there is a wide variety of options, from smooth engineered flooring to barn-like boards. Con: DIY installation can be trickier because you're working with such a large area. Distressed "The distressed floor style has been around for quite a while but has become even more popular just recently," said Sebring Design Build. "Distressed flooringundergoes artificial aging and styling processes that give it a slightly worn finish. It works best for spaces where a beautiful rustic look is desired. In preparing distressed wood flooring, various actions are taken depending on the degree and style of distress' desired. The edges of each wood plank are hand scrapped, swirl and kerf markings are added to imitate historic wood and the planks are brushed to remove glossing and give them a soft worn texture." Pro: Because it's already distressed, it's a good choice for households with kids and/or dogs. Con: If/when smoother wood looks come back into style, those who have gone the distressed route may not be be able to have their floors refinished, depending on the depth of the distressing. Luxury Vinyl This is another fast-growing segment of the flooring industry because today's vinyl planks can fool the eye, and, sometimes the foot and fingers, too. Luxury vinyl planks look like the real thing, but often at a much lower cost. Pro: Choose vinyl planks that "float" and you can go right over the top of existing flooring. That makes it an easy choice for those who don't want to do demo. Luxury vinyl is also extremely durable and easy to take care ofgreat for active households. Con: The best vinyl plank product will get close to the price of real wood unless you are lucky enough to catch a sale. It's not wood. TheSpruce.com Lighter floors "For years, lighter floors were viewed as outdated or inexpensive. That is no longer the case," said Flooring Inc. "As more homeowners embrace the light, airy feel in their home, you will see a huge resurgence in light wood floors. Blonde wood, in particular, can give you that light feel, while still feeling timeless. With blonde wood, your decorating possibilities are endless. You can go for a chic, contemporary feel or a rustic, homey vibe all without changing your floors. Pro: Depending on how light you go, you may be able to enjoy an added benefit of disguising dirt! Also, "blonde wood makes any room feel largerand more open, especially if you use large planks." Con: If trend cycles hold, darker wood will come back at some point. Choose an excessively trendy look, like bleached-out floors, and you may further limit your "in-style" window. Gray finish "Gray wood floors are increasingly common and are a 2018 floor trend. They provide a unique, clean look that fits well in modern houses that need to brighten up," said Family Handyman. Pro: They look fresh and can make any home feel a little more current. Con: Will the pendulum swing back to brown? Eventuallyprobably. Flooring that works in both brown and gray tones might help with the staying power. Also, gray can "lack the warmth of traditional natural-color wood flooring," they said. HomeYou.com Bamboo Floors Those who lean green have loved bamboo floors for years because of the material's eco-friendliness. "Bamboo is considered as the fastest growing woody plant, reaching full maturity in five to six years," said Green Design Build. Pro: Bamboo is also known to be very strong and durable, and, whereas options used to be somewhat limited, a growing green trend means more looks for buyers interested in eco-friendly floors. Con: Bamboo can be pricier than many other options. Wood-look tile There is a huge trend toward going with tile that looks like wood instead of using real wood. "These are porcelain planks that are designed to mimic natural wood grains," said Family Handyman.Porcelain planks (tiles)are an attractive and durable floor trend." Pro: With 3D printing, the looks you can achieve are endless, and mimic the appearance of wood so closely that people may not even realize it's not wood. Wood-look tile is also a great choice for areas like "the bathroom or other space prone to dampness" and is easy to clean and care for. Con: It's hard under foot. And it's not wood.

Contact me for more info:
Hellen Davis • (909) 863-0007 • [email protected]

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