West Virginia

Would like ideas on new marketing tips in this markets for sellers.

I had a great time at the West Virginia Real Estate Convention in Charleson last week. The folks that put on the convention did a really great job. However, I was dissapointed I didn't win the 50k or the new 09 Cadillac Catera.

I along with my partner Bill Javins did win the Cornhole tossing championship defeating 5 different teams to win the title.

Our team the Nickles came in second (I think ) in the game show contest on Thursday night, that was a bunch of fun.

The King and Queen of the Convention were from our company REAL LESTATE CENTRAL, Christopher Eggleton and Stephanie Morrisson, Congrats to them.

Congratulations to all the new officers of our State Association.

I would love to hear from any other agents who attended the convention with their stories and impressions of the convention.

Go Mountaineers!!!!!

Charlie

Gas companies are arriving and you need to seriously think about what you are doing.

Traditionally the gas companies were working out in the North Central and Western parts of WV. Now they are starting to look for land to explore on here in the Potomac Highlands.

If you decided to lease out the mineral rights to your property, that is your choice. Please in these cases make sure you have an attorney examine all paperwork before you sign the lease.

What I want you to think about is the future. What do you plan on doing with the land 5, 15, or 25 years down the road. As a Realtor I have sold my share of land. The question I most always get before someone looks at land is, "Do the Mineral Rights come with the property?". Most of our buyers come from out of state and are looking for land to hunt, vacation, or build on, they do not want to have to deal with these issues of dealing with gas or oil companies on their property. Also once buyers really understand what is meant by "free gas", they do not want to deal with the costs to maintain the "free gas".

This is why I am asking you to seriously think about leasing your mineral rights. If you plan on keeping the property for many years and they offer you a good deal, go ahead and take the deal. If you plan on selling your property sooner than later, think long and hard before putting your "John Hancock" on that lease agreement.

We are some lucky people to live in this wonderful country of ours. I truly appreciate our Soldiers and their families. I have been trying to think of a good way to let them know how much I appreciate them fighting for our freedom and risking their lives to make mine and my family's life safe.

I have decided to donate 10% of my listing commissions, when the homes sell, to the Soldiers and their families. I have done some research and found organizations I can donate items or money to to help. The Soldiers always like to receive care packages from home. I had a Captain who just got deployed to Iraq tell me that they really like to receive canned foods. Also, the families left behind could be in financial binds.

I have begun today advertising to the public that I will donate 10% of my personal commission to these organizations to help those helping us. I passed out flyers today at my open house announcing this and got a rave response. Hopefully I will be able to help lots of families sell their homes as well as donate to our protectors!

Ok, so I place the ad on Tuesday to be in the Real Estate Guide section of Sunday's paper-the one with all the open houses, the map to them all, etc. Put a "Open Sunday" sign in the yard on Tuesday or Wednesday before the open house so everyone can see it and plan for it. I put pointers out that day to directing every to it.

Day of open house, I put helium balloons on all the signs to be sure to catch everyone's eye. It's Sunday, 2pm, and guess what, only the neighbors come. They just want to "check out property value in their neighborhood" or "I'm building and want to get some ideas".

Any ideas on how to draw the "serious buyer" instead of the "I need something to do on Sunday afternoon lookers"?

Too, what ideas can you give me to hand out for potential buyers to remember me and not just let me blend in with all the other Realtors they have met that day?

Thanks again, and you guys are right. I'm TOTALLY obsessed with this site!