Categories
- Sellers
- Buyers
- Local Happenings
- Real Estate Industry News
- Distressed Property
- Real Estate 101
- Westfield
- Cranford
- Other Great Towns
- Cool Stuff I Like
- Uncatagorized
Archives
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
Archive for the 'Cool Stuff I Like' Category
Why People Hate Realtors.
Realtors have an image problem. Whether we like it or not, most people dislike us! In fact, a recent Harris Poll shows that Realtors are held in lower regard than farmers, actors, union leaders…pretty much everybody. At best we’re seen as a “necessary evil”. We’re the gatekeeper to the thing that consumers really want…the sale or purchase of their new home.
When I first got into this profession, this fact really bothered me. Within the industry, it’s caused many to call for a “raising of the professional standards bar“. And while that’s a discussion for another day, today I saw yet another example of why this negative attitude about Realtors exists…and probably will for many years to come. And I blame the big name/ old school brokerage companies.
Selling Your Soul For $50
Last week, I was scheduled to meet the structural and termite inspectors at a home for a current buyer. Unfortunately, the listing agent lost the keys to the place which required the owner to return home (after 1 1/2 hours) to let everyone in. But by that time, one of the inspectors left, which required a return visit at the cost of an additional $50. My client (who arrived 30 minutes early) asked the listing broker to pay the additional $50 for the return visit. He refused.
Keep in mind that this was a BIG NAME broker in our market…a name that would roll off the tongue QUICKLY if I asked you to name a local broker. (In fact, if I gave you the agents last name, most folks in our local market would know it. So I won’t.)
And here’s how our conversation went:
- [Me] The inspector won’t release the report to our client until it is paid for. My client already paid for this inspection, but needs to pay again because we couldn’t get in the first time. He’d like you and your company to cover this so we can move forward.
- [Him] That’s not going to happen. I’m not in the position to approve an expense like this, and I wouldn’t do it anyway. $50 isn’t a big deal…so why is your buyer making it into one?
- [Me] Well it’s an additional $50 that he needs to spend because you lost your sellers keys. And your client wants to close quickly, so who can approve this?
- [Him] Nobody. It’s just not going to happen!
- [Me] Wow…OK. I guess you can run your business whatever way you want. But sometimes, you just need to do the right thing. Never mind…I’ll take care of it.
So I called the inspection company, gave them my credit card, and got a copy of the inspection report within 15 minutes. Problem solved.
When The Broker’s Need Comes First
So why would I write this post? I’m not going to name the other agent or company, and I’m certainly not looking for someone to give me a cookie for doing the right thing. It was only $50…hardly a “game changer”. But that’s the point!
The real estate industry is full of disempowered agents…sent by their brokers to represent them…until they make a mistake. Then, they’re suddenly “unauthorized” to make things right for their clients…especially if it costs the broker money. And I think that’s just the way some of the big companies like it!
Believe me…I know this first-hand. I spend nearly 4 years managing for one of the big name/ old school brokers. I remember getting calls from agents at the closing table looking to authorize what seemed like a legitimate expense so that some sticking point could be resolved and everyone could go home. After being chastised one day for authorizing just such an expense, I remember being told ”the buyers and sellers have too much at stake to let their deal die for $X. Don’t let your agents give in. Don’t let them back down.” Wow… Really??
And so “we’re not authorized to approve this expense” became the mantra in the office. In fact, it’s still the mantra in most offices in most of the big name companies. I deal with it day after day after day.
It’s one of the reasons I left managing for the big name, and joined my current company. My current company ”authorizes me make my own decisions”…and trusts me to do the right thing. My current company believes that when I do the right thing for my client, I’m doing right by their brand name. What a concept!
But what worries me most for our industry is that the big, old school brands will continue to send their “unauthorized agents” out to do their bidding. They will continue to coach their agents to not back down, and not give in…even when they screw up. The perception of Realtors will continue to rank at the bottom of the public opinion polls.
And life will continue to be that much harder for the rest of us.
Your #1 Westfield Restaurant…Mojave Grille!
During the month of July, we held a contest here on The Town Broker. We asked a simple question: “What is your favorite Westfield NJ restaurant?” And we got lots of responses! Some responses came by email, while others filled out the contact form above. We even got responses through our Facebook and Twitter accounts!
The overwhelming feedback was that Westfield has a terrific assortment of restaurants to chose from, and that choosing only one was tough. There were 7 different restaurants represented in nearly 2 dozen responses. But when the votes were counted, your choice for Westfield’s #1 restaurant was one of my favorites…the Mojave Grille!
Mojave Grille is Your #1 Westfield NJ Restaurant
Located in the heart of Westfield’s “restaurant row”, the Mojave Grille offers the best in contemporary southwestern cuisine. I’m not a restaurant critic, so I won’t try to write one here. But I know what I like… and this place never disappoints!! Whether you dine inside, or enjoy the outside cafe, you’re sure to find something amazing on their menu.
I frequently stop here for a business lunch with a client or colleague. I especially enjoy the roasted pear salad and the pan crisp crab cakes (I LOVE crab cakes!!) For dinner, my wife usually goes for the lime braised pork, while I often find myself with the braised short ribs. And when we’re in the mood for seafood, the seared yellow fin tuna and the pecan & five spice crusted salmon are awesome!
But remember…the Mojave Grille is a BYOB restaurant, so if you like to enjoy a glass of wine or other libation with your meal, you’ll need to bring your own. You might even want to visit the folks a few doors down at CoolVines for some wine suggestions. It’s also a good idea to call ahead for dinner, as this is a popular place and there can be a wait list.
The Mojave Grille is located at 35 Elm Street in Westfield NJ. They’re open for lunch Monday – Saturday, and dinner Monday – Sunday. Visit the Mojave Grille website for more information, or give them a call at 908-233-7772.
So Congratulations to the Mojave Grille! And once again, thanks to everyone who participated in this contest!!
What Is YOUR Favorite Westfield NJ Restaurant?
What Is Your Favorite Westfield NJ Restaurant?
When friends and family are in the area, they often ask the same question: “What is my favorite Westfield NJ restaurant?” And that’s a tough one to answer. There are so many excellent options to choose from!
Are we looking for a casual night out with friends, or a romantic dinner for two? Do we want ”kid friendly”, or something a little more sophisticated. Do we want to order drinks or BYOB? And what about the cuisine? French, Italian, Thai? Or maybe classic American Bistro?
Whatever your taste, Westfield has something that will suit your fancy!
So here’s what I propose: From today through the end of July, The Town Broker will conduct a tasty, albeit very unscientific poll. Answer the question “What is YOUR Favorite Westfield NJ Restaurant”, and become eligible to win…umm, nothingn really. But it will still be fun!
Here’s how it works:
- Between today and Saturday July 31, you can send me a quick email telling me which restaurant is your favorite, and why.
- Emails can be sent to Hal@TheTownBroker.com, or you can fill out the Contact Me form above.
- There will be a 1 vote limit per sender (email address)
On August 1st, I’ll tally up the votes. The top 3 restaurants which will be published in blog post during the 1st week of August.
Click this link if you need a list of Westfield restaurants to try. Or, you can simply click on the reservation picture above. Bon Appetite!
Making GREEN Improvements In Your Home
Are you thinking about making some improvements to your home? There’s a lot of talk these days about “going GREEN“. Increasingly, I’m hearing home buyers ask about it. Let’s face it…Westfield and the surrounding communities have some beautiful older homes. But older homes can be extremely inefficient when it comes to energy conservation.So what can a homeowner do to improve things around the house? I spent a few minutes this morning with Mike Mroz and Evan Siegel of Green Energy Improvements in Scotch Plains, NJ.
Green Energy Improvements
Green Energy Improvements is a Building Performance Institute (BPI) accredited home energy testing and renovations company. They are one of the very few companies of this type in Union County. Mike and Evan have a business philosophy dedicated to helping people lower their utility bills using sustainable materials and technology, while creating a more comfortable and greener environment. The cost of making these green home improvements is usually recouped pretty quickly. In some instances, there are even government incentive programs to defray expenses.
Take a few minutes and watch the video interview from our meeting. (Sorry…you may have to turn your speaker volume up a bit. The microphone on my Flip camera was a bit weak.) And if you’re interested in learning more about having a home energy audit performed, give them a call. Green Energy Improvements can be reached at 908-228-2493. Or visit them on the web at www.GreenEnergy-NJ.com
I learned a lot today. I hope you do too!
Westfield Memorial Day Parade 2010
I LOVE A PARADE! (Or so the saying goes.) But I really do!! What makes small town living so much fun? I think local parades have to rank high on the list!
Westfield Celebrates Memorial Day With A Small Town Parade
After a ceremony at the town war memorial, the 2010 Westfield Memorial Day parade proceeded up East Broad Street. Moving through the business district, the event ended at the Fairview Cemetery with a tribute to all those killed during wartime.
This is small town Americana at it’s finest! Eat your heart out, Norman Rockwell!!
Here are a few photos. And want so see something else that I think is pretty cool? Check out this footage of Westfield’s Memorial Day Parade 1969. Courtesy of my friend Jim Miner. Enjoy…
FORE! Westfield Mini-Golfers Score Big!
I’m willing to admit publicly that my golf game needs a little work. (OK…maybe even a lot of work!) Sometimes I think that mini-golf is more my speed…it certainly was this weekend! On what turned out to be a picture perfect Saturday, Westfielders young and old alike came to the Hyatt Hills Miniature Golf Course in Clark to support the 5th Annual “Mini-Golf Madness”, a fund-raising event for the Westfield United Fund.
In Westfield, Charity Often Begins At Home.
As my daughter and I played our round, we couldn’t help being struck by just how many sponsor signs there were throughout the course. Local businesses and individual families seemed to come out in droves to get behind this fund-raiser. (TheTownBroker.com was proud to be one of the many sponsors for this event). Westfield United Fund Board member and Mini-Golf Co-Chair Kimberly Benou told me that throughout the day, there were about 200 players who contributed $10 each to play.
Between player fees and sponsorships, the event raised nearly $5000 for the Westfield United Fund’s member organizations. How cool is that?!
The Westfield United Fund is a true grassroots agency. It has existed since 1937 with a mission of helping support those organizations that have demonstrated their support to Westfield residents. It’s Westfielders helping Westfielders, and it’s pretty special. The member organizations to tremendous work, and they always need our support. As they like to say “your gift goes far, but not far away”. In fact, the member organizations of the Westfield United Fund touch the lives of 2 out of every 3 Westfield residents.
Think about that for a moment…2 out of every 3!
So a special shout out goes to everyone who helped make the “Mini-Golf Madness” event a success. And thanks to the Westfield United Fund and their member organizations for helping to make Westfield such a great place to be!
Bravo’s Top Chefs Make Westfield Their New Home
OK…it was only for a few hours. But those of you who know me know that outside of selling homes, cooking is my other real passion!The Top Chef team from Bavo TV’s show of the same name have hit the road again. And Westfield is their only NJ stop on the tour. So naturally, I took a break from my day to check this out!
Top Chefs Duarte and Merriman Give Demonstration & Answer Questions
Bravo TV set up their tent and stage in the Lord & Taylor parking lot on North Avenue, directly across the street from the store. Chefs Ariane Duarte (Season 5) and Ashley Merriman (Season 6) gave several cooking demonstrations throughout the day, and answered questions about their experience of being on the show.
I caught the 12 noon demonstration. The tent was packed and people seemed just as interested with the chef’s experiences on the show as they were with the recipe at hand.
Clearly, these were people who watched the show, and were very interested in the “drama” it offered week after week.
“Did you think the producers captured your personality accurately in the show, or was there too much left out in editing?” “Did you get to try the other contestant’s dishes?” “Did you agree with the judges decisions or do you think they had biases?” It was a really fun and interesting way to spend an hour on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Downtown Westfield. As I crossed the street and headed back to my car, I had a short interaction with the Westfield police office directing traffic. “You better make sure they send you some samples” I said. “The food is terrific”
If you hurry, you might still make the next demonstration at 3pm!
Keller Williams Celebrates Red Day in Westfield!
What is Red Day, you ask? The acronym R.E.D stands for Renew, Energize and Donate. It is a service iniative that Keller Williams Realty created to help give back to our communities. All Keller Williams associates in the United States and Canada are asked to donate their time on Thursday May 13, 2010 and help to renew and energize their communities.
Keller Williams Agents Plant Rose Bushes for Westfield Project.
Here in Westfield, the team from Keller Williams Premier Properties donated and planted rose bushes at North Avenue entrance to the Westfield Train Station. As crowds gathered to watch the festivities, many people commented about how much they enjoyed seeing the roses going in. “Thank you all so much. I will enjoy these all summer!” one woman called out as she headed into town to have lunch with friends.
With over $1 Billion in sales since our opening 5 years ago, Keller Williams Premier Properties is one of the fastest growing real estate companies in the area. Last year, Keller Williams Realty passed RE/MAX International to become the 3rd largest real estate franchise in the entire United States. This is serious growth at a time when the economy leads many real estate brokerages to downsize and close their doors.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you achieve success in today’s real estate market, please give me a call. In the meantime…spend a few moments enjoying these pictures from Red Day 2010!
Driving Tour – Downtown Westfield
Downtown Westfield Attracts Home Buyers
Whenever I talk to home buyers looking to move to Westfield, the downtown business district always seems to come up. It is one of the many things that attracts home buyers to the area! Downtown Westfield has a wonderful mix of independent stores and boutiques as well as national chains. There are restuarants for your dining pleasure, coffee & pastry shops, and even and a neighborhood movie theatre to visit when you get tired of walking. Under the leadership of the Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC), Westfield’s downtown is a very special part of this community!
Driving Tour – Downtown Westfield
If you haven’t had the chance to see Westfield’s downtown for yourself, come along with me for a short ride. I grabbed my Flip camers, and took a quick spin through the downtown this morning. While I can’t show you everything, you’ll definitely get a feel for the area. See for yourself why Westfield won the prestigious “Great American Main Street” Award.
Visit The Cranford Street Fair!!
One of the things that makes “in town living” so much fun is the street fairs! Every year, our towns put on a variety of events that provide fun for the whole family. Today was Cranford’s turn!!
Cranford Street Fair and Craft Show, 2010
I had the pleasure of handing out balloons to kids of all ages at the Keller Williams booth located at North and Alden street. I got to greet friends and neighbors, and had a LOT of fun! (And a LOT of sun…OUCH!!)
The short video below provides a brief glimpse into the day’s festivities. If you didn’t make it this time, be sure to catch the next one. I’ll try to keep you posted on the dates!
Enjoy…
Communities & Resources
Copyright © 2010 The Town Broker Log in
Design by Real Estate Tomato Powered by Tomato Blogs
