How's the Title Business?

How's the title Business?
Lately I'm hearing this a lot.
Honestly, I can tell you business is a lot busier than it has been for the past few years!
It's been tough. Hanging in there has been the challenge of my lifetime.
This is my family business - not so easy to give up when the whole
 family is involved. It's a time we found what we are really made of.
Everyone sacrificed and worked hard to keep it going.
I've prayed. I've cried. I've gone through exhaustion.
At times I almost forgot how to laugh.
Gateway Title will celebrate 20 years of doing business next month.
There were times I wondered if that would happen.
I know I'm not alone. I know many good people left the business.
There is another side to what I've experienced.
I've learned God does hear prayers I still cry when I hear "God Bless America"
I sleep better at night and my family is stronger then I thought.
Yes the title business is busier lately and we are still here working and doing what we love -
helping buyers and sellers
through the mysterious title and escrow process.
I also know we couldn't do it without you, our wonderful customers
Thank you

LIVE FOR TODAY - REPEAT!

TODAY'S SELF-TALK: "I live today for today. I learn from yesterday, and prepare for tomorrow, but today I focus on today, and make every precious moment count. Now is my time, this is my moment, and today is my day."
Repeat - Repeat -  Repeat!

WHAT MAKES PROPERTIES HOT?

I have watched this strange phenomena for years.:
A home is on the market for months and nothing happens.
Expanded advertising is done and nothing happens.
Open houses are held and nothing happens.
The price is reduced and nothing happens.
Fliers are distributed and nothing happens.
Nothing is done -( status quo) - and nothing happens.
                    and THEN.........
A potential buyer shows interest ... and then another shows interest...
and maybe even  more show interest and something happens!
OFTEN,  even a BIDDING WAR  happens and the property is ...
SOLD!
What happened?
 Why?
 I don't know and I can't explain it.
I just know that it is something strange that hppens.
A house gets HOT and everyone seems to want it.
It seems like every house does  has it's time. I've watched this over and over.
It does happen  - if you're selling, get ready,
 This could happen to your property!
HOT! HOT! HOT!

DO IT- DO IT- NOW!

Real Estate Sellers and Buyers Have Been Waiting For Several Years Now.
It's about time that the market is improving!
A healthy real estate market is the perfect medicine for our country's ailing economy.
From soup to nuts, everything is affected by the building and housing market.
I don't need to study statistics to see what is happening,
Everything has its time and the time to heal our sick economy is NOW!
PS. If I were looking to buy real estate,
 I'd do it now, before rates and prices rise -( and they will you know)

How It Really happens...Follow FSBO Chris

Last Friday, Chris called me. He found our www.gatewaytitle.com when he googled for help.in selling his house.
I listened as he explained his situation and offered him the paper work our attorney has prepared for those who are going FSBO (For Sale By Owner).
He printed them from our website - everything he needed - Perfect!
He asked about fees and how we figure them.I explained  many final costs are based
on selling price.
He didn't have that as he was making plans to meet with the potential buyer.
I suggested he SMART START his title work and save $125... nice
He did that so I am all ready checking out the title so he can sell.
This scenario is not new to me - been doing it since 1995 -I  love what we do.
Good Luck Chris with the potential buyer.
I'm here to help walk you through the closing.
P.S. I keep you posted as to how Chris does.

"For Sale By Owners" More Determined Than Ever!

We, at Gateway Title, truly are "FSBO"(For Sale By Owner) experts.
This has been our niche' for 17 years and we have seen it all!
Before 2008, sellers would put their house on the market "by owner" to try it for a couple of weeks.
They usually set the asking price too high with the thought of making a real killing in a seller's market!
After a couple of weeks, if the property is not sold, the sellers call a real estate agent and list at a true market  price,it sells and they pay a commission.
Then of course, the past 4 years have been pretty dead. They go "by owner", then list, and when it expires go back to FSBO or, in total frustration,  take it off the market completely!
Now the "For Sale By Owners" are coming back with a determination I have never seen before.
They order our "Starter Kit" and also, as never before, read every word and call to "Smart Start" the title work (saves them $$).
They are tuned in to the real market value, they refuse to have to pay comission, many times,
 they offer modest
closing credits to a buyer, and THEY ARE SUCCEEDING!
It seems like Gateway is part of the FSBO underground because we get so many request from sellers who were referred by other buyers and sellers.We are working with many "family to family" transactions like never before and it seems  like "starter" homes are back in demand!
 Folks come out of the blue to use our services and we absolutely LOVE it!
We hope this activity is an indication of an improving market for all.
Heaven knows a better economy is what we're all praying for!
PS. Don't stop praying...We think it's working!

Waiting for the Housing Market to Recover?

Waiting for the Housing Market to Recover?

Most of us have, over the years, heard many motivational speakers where we’ve  heard how to go out and succeed. 

We spend money to get involved in many training programs that promise to help us succeed and come away from them thinking “this is the one that will work, I’m really gonna do it this time” Then what happens?

Did you make it work or are you like most and never work at it?

Which of those plans are you following to get business this year?...Or are you looking for new motivation?

It really doesn’t matter  - remember “If it’s to be, it’s up to me”?

All programs work if you work them.

You can’t change the BIG picture of the real estate market, but you can change yours and that is usually the more difficult task!

How are you going to survive for the next 2 years? (Predicted time for market to get better)

It’s time to apply those activities you all ready know you should be doing.

Look in the mirror, I’ll bet that person in the mirror knows….LISTEN.

Tell me what you hear.

Stalker Home Sellers Scare Away Potential Real Estate Buyers!

Stalker-ish sellers. I know you think you’re being helpful, walking the buyer through your home and pointing out the wagon-wheel light fixture you made with your own two hands, the custom mural of a stingray you paid top dollar to have painted across your living room wall and the way the sounds of happy schoolchildren running across the front yard of your corner lot to get to the school in the next block lifts your spirits. However, the buyers might be trying really hard to ignore, minimize or figure out how to undo the very features of your home you hold dear. They also may want or need to have personal space and conversations with their mate or their agent while they’re viewing your home - you being there, especially walking right alongside them while they’re in your home, prevents them from being comfortable about doing this, or discussing all the things they would change if the home were theirs. In my experience, the more nit picky a buyer gets about a house and the more detailed their list of things they would change, the more serious they are about considering making an offer on this place.

What’s a Seller to do? Back off.
If you are selling "By Owner", walk behind them and keep your mouth shut until they ask you a question and only answer what they want to know. This is very difficult to do but... TMI turns them off from looking.
If you are listed with an agent, let your home be shown vacant, or leave the house when people come to see it. If you need to be there, at least walk outside or go sit at the coffee shop down the way while prospective buyers view your home. If the buyers have questions, their people will contact your people.

Quote of the Week:
Keep away from those who belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that.
The GREAT make you believe you too, can become GREAT!

Real Estate Booth at GO Show

We are geting ready for the Brecksville Chamber Business Expo (otherwise known as the Go Show).
It is at a new location this year which  is Saturday Oct.24th at the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center on Brecksville Rd. across from Wallings Rd. intersection. 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Halloween Goodies for the kids along with a Halloween costume parade and prizes around 1:30PM
Lots of freebies and candy for all.
We will be giving out Shelley's Delicious COOKIES and have a  FREE drawing for the book
 "OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO"
Stop by and say "HI" to Debbie -the world's best greeter and phone answerer!
 See you  there,
 Rachel ,Mike and Renee Torchia

A Slight Shift In Ohio Real Estate Market

I keep a close watch on the real estate/mortgage activity.
I gather my information from the amount and type of business brought to us by buyers/sellers and lenders first.
Next, I observe what is happening in my husband's real estate activity. He is the broker of The Realty Store.
I read everything I can in industry publications and lastly, the news.
First hand information doesn't lie. It is real, and has relevance to North East Ohio.
This, I pass on to you in my news letter, FaceBook, Twitter, speaking engagements, and of course, this Blog.
What shift do I see?
Refinances are slowing down a bit. The rates are up slightly - just over 5%. It is still a good time to refinance or buy. This could mean that housing prices might be coming down a little.
We are seeing an increase in sales as buyers want to take advantage of this situation.
Most sellers show relief in just getting it sold!
The time to do something about your situation is now - refinance or buy.
Rates seem to be creeping up a little at a time. Don't let time beat out your opportunity!
Email me or give us a call with any comments or questions. We will take the time to talk with you about your situation. rachel@gatewaaytitle.com - 440 546 9660

GOOD SIGNS ALL OVER GATEWAY IN MAY!

I just went over the final reports for activity in May and I'm smiling!
Smiles are good - maybe we should all just start laughing out loud.
The government has been messing with us a lot these past few years, especially this year.
Who ever would have thought we would witness all of the changes that have been thrown on us.
This whole mess started with the real estate Bubble explosion and the mortgage failures that lead to the banking failures.
It's time for the real estate market to bring sanity back.
There's where you and I hold the power -
If you are thinking of buying,
DO IT NOW !(prices are reasonable and inventory is plentiful)
In many cases buying is cheaper than RENT.
If you are thinking of refinancing,
DO IT NOW!
(rates are good and you'll save in the long run)
IF you've been thinking of an investment property,
DO IT NOW! (there's no where for property values to go but up)
We are PEOPLE and PEOPLE = POWER
Rachel wants to know........What can YOU do now?

real estate activity sighted!

It's finally getting started!
Judging by the results of GATEWAY'S (Me) appearance on Golden Opportunities at 11:30 on channel 3 today, the market is coming alive again! WHOOPEE!
We had more responses for registering for our seminar on the 14th and requests for the "starter kit" than we've had in 6 months.
That's a good sign. Also, did you happen to notice the HUGE number of ads in the paper this week-end?
I hope buyers are paying close attention because now is the time to buy.
I'd like to know is anyone else is seeing the market improvements?