miOaklandCounty.com » Humor

Time to update our headshots!

Maureen Francis — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:30:20 +0000

Love this post from The Onion, simply because it is hilarious. With a title like I Wasn’t Going To Buy This House Until I Saw The Realtor’s Headshot On The Sign, how could it not have some delicious morsels to offer up?

I’ve never understood lots of things about the way we Realtors market ourselves, and, apparently, lots of consumers don’t either.

Photos on our business cards?

Headshots on yard signs?

Faces on grocery carts?

I don’t get it, but the way the guy at the Onion says it is a lot funnier!

Do I need to make our picture on the blog a little bigger?

photo courtesy of Never Was an Arrow II

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

Maureen Francis — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 11:04:38 +0000

Charlie Wollborg, Chief Troublemaker at Curve Detroit surprised me with this great picture. I was so thrilled to see Detroit’s own Aretha Franklin with such a prominent part in the inauguration as the whole world watched. I am giddy to see myself in Aretha’s big attention getter.

Detroiter, Luke Song, created the buzzworthy hat for the Queen of Soul.

Call Charlie if you need wicked good advertising. His team is inspired.

There are some hysterical pictures of at least 250 other people, like Dick Cheney, Amy Winehouse and a big guy in a grass skirt donning THE Hat on BuzzFeed.com. Take a peak for a laugh.

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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Stage Those Haunted Houses

Marianne Sweet — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:03:53 +0000

This would be funny if it weren’t so true.

Well, it’s a little funny. In an uncomfortable kind of way.

The abundance of foreclosures may put a damper on Halloween trick-or-treating this year, but it doesn’t have to.

Stage those foreclosures to sell them!

Vignette and surface staging can go a long way to warm up a property and help a potential buyer bond with the house. It is an effective, economical alternative to full-house staging.

While most banks won’t commit to a monthly lease for rental furniture to stage the entire house, they will often give an allowance for improvements. Real estate agents who are “in the know” designate this allowance for staging services. A home stager can bring in accessories from their inventory to stage bathrooms, kitchen counters, fireplace mantles, etc. We can also help with the exterior and improve curb appeal–no more haunted houses!

Foreclosures don’t have to sit on the market collecting cobwebs. Make sure the spookiest house on the block is the one with the Halloween decorations. . .not a forgotten, neglected foreclosed property!

Written by Marianne Sweet
Home Sweet Home Staging, (586) 212-8400
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Decorating Trap – TwodalDON’T!

Maureen Francis — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:44:56 +0000

In 2006 I wrote about my problem with my client with the Fish N’ Flush. There were people who loved the aquarium commode and others who were less than enchanted. Reactions were strong, but fortunately my dilemma was fictional.

Today’s offering is another real product that I would honestly recommend you remove from your home before you put it up for sale. If you want to share your loved one’s company in this very special way, good for you. I just feel that it might be a distraction to home seekers and that there might be potential buyers who are actually turned away just because of your toilet. The curiosity factor could draw people in, but in the end my verdict: Not worth the risk.

The Twodaloo is a home seller’s TwodalDON’T.

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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Sotheby’s lists entire town

Maureen Francis — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:33:25 +0000

This one isn’t in Oakland County. It’s not even in Michigan. Still, we think it falls under the category of interesting real estate stories, so we are writing about it today.

Albert, Texas is for sale and it could be yours for $2.5 million. The Albert Texas web site says the population is 4, but I have read conflicting articles that say nobody lives there (which I find more believable). Be sure to check out the photos of smiling faces on their site. Sure makes it look like a vibrant place.

For your $2.5 million, you will get 13 acres, a 100 year old dance hall, a goat pin (I think that is a corral), a fruit stand and an ice house.

If you buy it, let us know. We will come visit.

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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Uggh@! Beverly Hills First Christmas Tree Stand

Maureen Francis — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:02:32 +0000

The leaves in Beverly Hills and Birmingham are still on the trees, so imagine my surprise when I found a Christmas Tree stand erected at the corner of Pierce and 14 Mile on October 23rd! After shopping at Costco last weekend, I knew that the retailers were ready to start the season. But live trees? I can’t imagine how someone would keep a live tree for at least 2 months without it turning into a serious fire hazard.

Frankly, I was disgusted. I confess to being a bit overwhelmed every year by the holidays. The thought that we are now starting major undertakings like tree decorating before Halloween causes me anxiety.

This morning, on my way to the office meeting, I stopped to talk to the 5 men mulling around on the sidewalk. I was tempted to ask them if they would be setting up in September next year, but I held my tongue.

It turns out the whole thing– ratty blue trailer, trees, light bulbs hanging from cords and the men in flannel –were in Beverly Hills for a 3 day stint to film a commercial for the Michigan lottery. What a relief. I have never felt any obligation to buy lottery tickets. I can’t say the same for Christmas trees or presents. I tried to pickup a first acting gig for my 4 year old daughter, but they declined. 4 year olds, even cute ones, can’t play Lotto.

The guys will be tearing down the set on Friday. If you want a free tree, stop by and tell them Maureen sent you.

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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An Au-So-Naturale prospective client for Larry Cragun?

Maureen Francis — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 23:11:18 +0000

Larry Cragun has just launched the Neighborhoods Undressed blogging platform for Realtors. Coaching to be provided by Teresa Boardman. I think we have uncovered a great clothing optional Realtor client for him.

Good luck Larry and Kathleen.

We now return to our local programming. Clothing mandatory.

Photo by Mafleen

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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Free Falling Prices and Defaulting

Maureen Francis — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 02:51:27 +0000

At least someone has a sense of humor about it. A young ‘un in Phoenix sent his homemade Tom Petty-esque video about the real estate market to the Arizona Republic and it was posted on their web site. Give it a watch. Misery loves company.

[youtube vkBgX61Y2_c]

H/T to our favorite Realtor in Phoenix

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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I haz a morgidj

Maureen Francis — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 03:19:30 +0000

photo by dan4th

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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A Zealous miOaklandCounty.com Reader

Maureen Francis — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 04:44:25 +0000

Nope, it is not Dmitry. Just another fan crazy about the real estate information he finds on miOaklandCounty.com.

OK. I am funnin’. Just found a new Facebook application that creates these nifty images. If you are on Facebook, look me up!

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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A Realtor’s Job From the Eyes of a Four Year Old

Maureen Francis — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 11:58:20 +0000

Our daughter, Katya, was born into a family where both of her parents work together as Realtors. As such, she has no idea what it is like to have parents with “normal jobs”, where they stop working when they get home for the day, don’t answer business calls after 6, have weekends that consist of family time; all have dinner together, and other things that the rest of the world does that we don’t.

She likes driving by the homes that we have been entrusted to market and she has been known to tell her grandmother with pride, “That’s my mother’s listing.” She has told me exactly what it will be like when we move, after our house gets “old.” Clearly she does not understand that we are not moving just because moving is going on around her all the time.

Since she was born, Katya has popped in and out of the office with us when we need to pick up papers or take care of something quickly. She is quite comfortable there, and our colleagues have been wonderfully tolerant.

Today Katya told me she loves the office. When our quick stop in was nearly foiled by the construction job in our parking lot, Katya burst into tears and suggested that we park in the nearby ramp. She remembers quite clearly that last week, after her birthday, she collected cash from generous people who gifted her with dollar bills to spend as she pleased. The money was spent that night on ice cream for her family. What’s not to like about a place that gives out money just for showing up, right? I think Katya might think that people will give her money every time she shows up.

Then there is her friend “Haack.” Kathy Haack has a treat drawer that Katya feels very comfortable opening even if Kathy is not there to offer. She knocks on Sara Lipnitz’s door hoping for a chat with Sara and some gum. Will Bev McCotter have a surprise for her? Does Mike Cotter have any cookies? Is Luca Leftwich (Kathryn’s pug) around for a little fun? Does Gloria have any crackers? Is Patty going to let her type or play with anything behind the desk? Will Candace Konen share something from her locked treat drawer?

On a good day, the answers to most of these questions is yes. It really just depends who is around.

I guess I can see why a four your old thinks that being a Realtor is a GREAT thing.

PS. That picture is not Katya.

[tags]maureen francis, michigan realtor, skbk sotheby’s[/tags]

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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Homage to Athol. I am laughing at this MLS picture.

Maureen Francis — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 03:11:53 +0000

Realtor Athol Kay runs an amusing series of bad MLS photos from across the country on his blog.Â By all rights, I should send him this photo and let him share it with his wide audience of readers who tune in just for the latest in bad MLS photography.Â I do hope I am not stepping on toes by posting it here on my own gentle blog.Â Actually this one is from Craigslist, but I am betting that the same picture is in the MLS.Â This is a Birmingham MI home listed well above the half million price point.Â The listing broker’s identity will not be revealed, but I assure you it is not an SKBK Sotheby’s listing.

Personally, I wonder how one keeps water in a vertical bathtub?Â Gravity is such a downer.

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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