November 11, 2006 Kid Stuff

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

KID STUFF: The children were lined up for lunch in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note and posted it on the apple tray: “Take only ONE. God is watching!”

Further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table, was a large plate of chocolate chip cookies. A student had written his own note: “Take all you want. God is watching the apples.”

This story appeals to me. I believe God chuckled, too.

CONGRATULATIONS to Brandon and Joy Berg (and their two neat kids) on their successful purchase of a great Lodi home! Brandon is youth pastor at Bethel Church in Lodi, so the pool and the huge back yard will come in handy.

THE BERGS timed the market well. When we first met about a year and a half ago, their home in Washington State was not yet sold and real estate prices in Lodi were still robust. Inventory here was still tight (Remember?). After the Bergs and I looked at a few homes and had some long talks, Brandon and Joy settled into a rental home and poured themselves into their new role at Bethel. Fast forward to the present, where Lodi home prices have softened and the whole world is for sale. Time was their friend! With their Washington home sold, the Bergs reaped the benefit of the market change. If you asked Brandon and Joy, they’d say it wasn’t their amazing business acumen; it’s a God thing (though not limited to pastors).

Thanks also to Realtor Tammy Wilhelm for her job representing the Sellers in this adventure. Thanks, Tammy!

BACK ON MARKET: When my Sellers decided to REDUCE their asking price on 219 Cedarwood Court to $419,950, it made immediate impact. We had multiple offers and entered escrow very quickly. Now the Buyer has been unable to perform, which may make one of those other interested parties very happy! On the other hand, maybe YOU know someone who needs 2242 square feet of immaculate four-bedroom two-and-a-half bath home. This is one of the best values on the Lodi market today. Call for a private showing!

SPEAKING OF THE MARKET, there are some indications that inventory of active listings may be stabilizing. It’s still a strong Buyer’s market, but the number of homes for sale isn’t running up as quickly as it has in the recent past. Part of this may be due to Sellers taking their homes off the market for the Holidays. Conventional wisdom sez “Nobody buys or sells during the holidays!” I love it when I hear that. For THOSE REALTORS WHO WORK through the holiday period, the rewards can be great! In many years, my best two quarters are the first and the last. Granted, the showings are fewer, but if someone’s out in the rain looking at homes instead of Christmas shopping, they’re likely to be serious.

CHECK OUT 908 Downing Drive. Over 1100 square feet with three bedrooms and two baths for only $319,950! This home features central heat and air, new carpet, new garage door, and more! And what a location! Close to schools, parks, shopping.
GOTTA GO! Have a great week. See you next Sat!

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY

By Larry Underhill

CONGRATULATIONS to another family of Mystery Clients on the successful SALE of their home! Why Mystery Clients? Because not everyone wants to see their name in the paper. If you’re a reclusive celebrity or maybe just a very private person, seeing your name in print can be a shock. This is why we’ve implemented the Mystery Client Program here at Statesman Realty. We’ve taken the best parts of the much-respected Witness Protection Program and applied them to the real estate business. A client can bask in the warmth of congratulations without the discomfort of actually being named.

THESE (MYSTERY) SELLERS were referred to me by friends and past clients. It’s great when people entrust their friends and family members to me. Which reminds me to remind you: When you run across people who need my services, please give me a call with their name and number! (And make sure it’s OK for me to call them, by the way). I promise to serve them well. Thanks in advance.

OPEN TODAY from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and hosted by Statesman’s own Richard Mahoney: 2074 Mammoth Way! FOUR bedrooms, THREE full baths! Over 2200 square feet! Built in 2003 with tile roof, custom interior paint, spacious covered patio, and more! At $539,950, this is a value. Come see for yourself and say hello to Richard!

REDUCED! 1706 South Church Street is one CUTE HOME! It’s also the current home of ONE CUTE KID whose Mom and Dad want to move up to a larger place. The Cute Kid is also a very active little boy. Time for a move up so the NEXT young couple (or retirees or ???) can enjoy this well-kept home! Newer Central Heat and Air! Near-new dual-pane white vinyl-clad windows! Large fenced back yard! Approximately four-year-old composition roof! The big stuff has been done here. This home is pretty much a turn-key deal. And at the new price of $289,000, what’s not to like? Possibly Lodi’s best value in this price range.

ALSO REDUCED and now one of North Stockton’s best values: 9225 Little Creek Circle! 2064 square feet of tastefully decorated home! Tile roof! Three-car garage! Bruce real-wood flooring! More! This Seller’s expert choices in colors and textures make this a real find. Big value on Little Creek Circle! Now only $419,950.

I LOVE MY WORK! It’s a pleasure to serve my clients. Granted, I encounter the occasional ringer here and there. This IS the real world. But for the most part, I work with genuinely nice people who are a joy to serve.

“THE WHOLE SECRET OF A SUCCESSFUL LIFE is to find out what it is one’s destiny to do, and then do it!” So said Henry Ford, and I think he got it right. Have a great week! See you next Sat.

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY

By Larry Underhill

BIG CHANGES GOIN’ ON…My Director of First Impressions, Debbie Mason, was very clear with me when she first signed on here that ultimately she wanted to be a full-time loan officer. She figured she’d be here at Statesman Realty for two or three years before she took the plunge.

That was then. The longer Debbie worked here in the company of our little band of optimistic, motivated, focused Realtors, the more restless she became. Finally, after an enthusiasm-charged office meeting three weeks ago, she could no longer contain herself. “I love it here, but you’ve got me so excited about real estate that I have to go do it!” Debbie’s been using Brian Buffini’s Client Appreciation materials and she’s doing just great. She currently has THREE loans in process and more clients in the pipeline. Need a loan or a refi? Call Debbie at 209-483-3986. Tell her Larry sent ya.

MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE OFFICE…I had a vital slot to fill. Coincidentally, my darling daughter Angie Wieland was ready for a move up in her real estate career. Angie has a degree in economics and she’s studying for her Broker’s license. She’s been working for a Sacramento real estate office, handling listings, transactions and management duties. When I mentioned the opportunity here in little old Lodi, she was excited! Me, too.

BABY IN ESCROW: One small footnote to this story. Angie has my very first grandbaby on board! Angie and husband Guinness Wieland anticipate the arrival of their baby girl in early February. Ol’ Grandpa can’t wait.

JUST LISTED: 908 Downing Drive is a great Westside value at $319,950. Over 1100 square feet with three bedrooms and two baths, this home features central heat and air, new carpet, new garage door, and more! And what a location! Close to schools, parks, shopping. And it’s OPEN TODAY from 1 to 3 p.m.! Statesman’s Mark Edwards will host.

BIG CHANGES, CONT’D…I’m excited to announce a new arrival of a different sort. Lodi’s Richard Mahoney is now affiliated with Statesman Realty! This office is deliberately small. Every person here is carefully selected and hand-picked. Richard’s decades of sales experience are a strong credential, but most important to me, his character and integrity make him a standout. This is a guy who cares more about serving his clients than about making a commission. That’s the only kind of person I want under this roof.

Like Mark Edwards, Richard’s a longtime client of mine. He and his wife Valerie are seasoned real estate investors with more experience than many Realtors! I have this odd habit of turning my clients into Realtors. All joking aside, I’m gratified to see guys like Mark and Richard thrive in their real estate careers.

CONGRATULATIONS to Broker Associates Don Brandt and Greg Adams on a total of FOUR closed “sides” this week! Three for Don, one for Greg. Good job, fellers! WHAT soft market?

THANKS IN ADVANCE: If you know of someone who needs a hardworkin’ Broker, please call me with their name and number! I’ll follow up and take great care of them. Have a happy week! See you next Sat.