Knot Just For Women

P2P--(Person to Person) Another day winds down for me at the office, Jeff Pereyda, Coldwell Banker Broker Associate. Perhaps after arriving at home, retreating to the study and selecting a good read and a glass of port to end the day? "Knot" quite.

Keeping office deadlines and real estate contracts at bay takes some effort, but recently I have found a good way to unwind that does not require port, knitting.

My wife started some time ago, and her testimony was that it helped her wind down from a day of teaching elementary school students. Hmmm... Go on...

I tried to cast on a row on a knitting needle while watching a Law and Order episode, (my one vice), and I actually caught on. Before long, I knit my first hat, then two, then four then on to knitting socks. I need wind down time. Can you tell?

Since the knitting bug bit, I have started Knotjustforwomen on Ravelry.com. We have members too.

Before all this, I had to first get over the stigma of men knitting, and like me, you may get a kick out of his vid clip; especially of the guy knitting a hammock with pool cues below on: "The Manly Art of Knitting." It helped me get over the stereotype that only women knit. Hence, knotjustforwomen.

Some will not reveal the fact they knit, but I have found at least three great things have come out of it.

1. It has helped me redefine what it can mean to relax. I still fish, but I can't always get away to do that.


2. My wife and I spend quality time knitting together and talking where before it was more of a rarity.


3. Got to meet a different circle of people whom I may have never met otherwise.

I'm sure there are more benefits, besides the socks. But, It's not important to write them all down here. The fact is, it's good to break into new ways of thought whether it be your profession or past-time.

by Jeff Pereyda

• Phone: 510 742-3212
• Google Me
• Email Me
• Visit Fremont Real Estate Agent Jeff Pereyda http://www.tricityhome.com
• Click my Social Media Hotspots Below!

Taking Care of the Frog

B2B--Today I met with the buyers who saw me put out the "For Sale" sign in the yard 3 weeks ago when I posted "Consider the Tomato Frog." Remember them? They, came in and loved the property. The expectations I had were that they were going to write an offer this time. Do you see this coming? Too good to be true? It was.

They showed up on time, but after a minute or two in my office, they had shown a welling up of tears over the fact that they were not able to come up with the down big enough, so their love for the property was evident to say the least. We went over the net sheet several times and no go. Softy that I am, I have in CAR RPA Section. 25 that I am crediting "X" amount of dollars from my commission to go towards the closing costs. Still no go.

They picked up the broken pieces of pride from my desk and parted this afternoon. The bright side is that they are determined. They are hoping to come up with more funds somehow, work two jobs, etc. The drive is there and they deserve a nice property like this one. I wish I could do more but I have to let them work it out for themselves.

I called the seller and explained that the offer would not be written today and that the marketing efforts will continue forward. Optimism. But, it is always a bit concerning when you see the Realtor.com resource center visitor tally (the one with the red bars) for the listing drop steadily each week we are on the market. Like watching a balloon loosing its air.

Both the seller and I are still feeling good about our position, our feedback is good, we are staged well, we have great web presence, open houses often, ads, etc. Flyers are going like crazy. It's only a matter of time, but the real question is: How long?

by Jeff Pereyda

• Phone: 510 742-3212
• Google Me
• Email Me
• Visit Fremont Real Estate Agent Jeff Pereyda http://www.tricityhome.com
• Click my Social Media Hotspots Below!

Marinade Recipe for Open House

In this slow market, we should be paying extra attention to all the marketing efforts we conduct in order to make sure they are being utilized to their fullest. Similar to preparing the roast or brining the turkey, open houses should have some prep time and exposure to a conducive environment before the unveiling. The city Fremont has rules regarding open house signs for realtors one of which is that signs can only be out for six hours (not enough time for a good marinade). Half of all the realtors seem to pay heed to the rules regarding the signage, and all realtors have good intentions but break the rules once in a while to get the job done. That's where the marinade comes in for us. This is how we do it.

First, we delivered color flyers the day before to all the residents living in the subdivision inviting them to attend. Next, we use the heavy, metal signs that allow us to place a flag in them and a rider up on top. On the rider we professionally printed the information "1pm to 4pm." Early in the morning after my run and still in my sweats, I place 6 or so of the open house signs out in full view early around 8am. Cars pass by for hours seeing that there is an open house, but, they see that it is starting at 1pm. These viewers can now make a mental note to return our way to visit the open house. Every bit helps, and it did.

The May 4th open house went very well with over 20 visitors. The feedback I received about the property was very good. Not to mention that my earlier sign post callers showed up around 2pm. I will follow up with them on Thursday the 8th to see where they are in the buying process. Four out of the twenty stuck around a bit and asked some good indicator questions.

by Jeff Pereyda

• Phone: 510 742-3212
• Google Me
• Email Me
• Visit Fremont Real Estate Agent Jeff Pereyda http://www.tricityhome.com
• Click my Social Media Hotspots Below!

Frog Follow Up

The couple who saw the for sale sign met with me in my office at 5:00pm sharp on Friday, May 2nd. I could tell that they were not ready to write an offer, and I actually would have been very surprised if they were.

They wanted more info, and to feel good about the decision that they may have already made in their minds. Even though the buyers spoke in ways that already had them moved in psychologically. "Our dog can run around the back yard."--very good signs, I wanted them to feel solid about their decision. So, I had prepared a home buyer presentation that included comparables, charts, graphs, spreadsheets (buyer net sheet), etc. I also compelled them to visit the open house I am going to have on May 4th from 1-4pm. Next, I suggested that we also look at other properties similar in size, price and location, so that they can gather more support with their decision whether it be yes or no.

I will let you know.

The next post will be a report on how successful the open house went.

by Jeff Pereyda

• Phone: 510 742-3212
• Google Me
• Email Me
• Visit Fremont Real Estate Agent Jeff Pereyda http://www.tricityhome.com
• Click my Social Media Hotspots Below!