V OL UM E 2, ISSUE 22 2 8 M AY 2 00 9

The Southern REALTOR Network

The Southern Realtor Network of the
Birmingham MLS meets every
Thursday morning at 9:00 am at Ruby
Tuesday, Highway 31 N, Vestavia. The
meeting includes a light breakfast.
The REALTORS will have a chance to
WAGON
make announcements along with the
MASTERS
Birmingham Association of
REALTORS (BAR).
Bruce Ludwig
RealtySouth Vestavia
You will have a chance to
979-6400
present any old and new
listings, with which you
Ron Alexander
may need assistance. You
RE/MAX Advantage
will also be able to discuss
296-1515 both buyers’ and sellers’
needs.
Networking begins at 8:45am and
COMMITTEE
gives you the chance to meet with
MEMBERS
other REALTORs and affiliates of the
BAR. The charge is $3 per person,
which goes to our charity, FAMILY
CONNECTION. Please visit their
website at http://familyconnection-
inc.org.
We would like to thank Ruby Tuesday
for allowing our caravan to
meet at their location at no
charge.
Please remember to email
Kimberly Boackle of
AmeriCapital Mortgage, no
later than noon on
Wednesdays, to add your
listings for the next
newsletter. Please remember to
include MLS #s.
Thanks!!

Sandra Carr Duties to Realtors

Standard of Practice 16-14
Martha Moody Smith REALTORS® are free to enter into contractual relationships or to negotiate with
RELI Inc sellers/ landlords, buyers/tenants or others who are not subject to an exclusive
999-0207 agreement but shall not knowingly obligate them to pay more than one
commission except with their informed consent.
Gloria Jackson Standard of Practice 16-15
First Federal Mortgage In cooperative transactions REALTORS® shall compensate cooperating
965-2167 REALTORS® (principal brokers) and shall not compensate nor offer to
Call to sign up for compensate, directly or indirectly, any of the sales licensees employed by or
Thursday Breakfast affiliated with other REALTORS® without the prior express knowledge and
consent of the cooperating broker.
Standard of Practice 16-16
REALTORS®, acting as subagents or buyer/tenant representatives or brokers,
shall not use the terms of an offer to purchase/lease to attempt to modify the
listing broker’s offer of compensation to subagents or buyer/tenant
representatives or brokers nor make the submission of an executed offer to
purchase/lease contingent on the listing broker’s agreement to modify the offer
of compensation.

Published by AmeriCapital Mortgage - 205.278.5200

Email: kboackle@americapitalfunding.com
Fax to 205.278.5290
 PAGE 2

Calendar of Events
Mon, 1 June
PR Task Force
10am
Mon, 1 June
PR Committee 370--1296
Ken Giglio - 370
11am
2009 AAR $1500 per month
Tue - Thu Beautiful 3,000 sq ft town house sits right on the
Summer
2 - 4 June 1st fairway of Inverness Golf and Country Club off
Meeting
a private street. Two master suites, 2 other large
Wed, 3 June bedrooms, fenced back (pets welcome) and all
WCR
Noon appliances. Just like living at a resort.
Thu, 4 June Grievance
2pm Committee
Carl Davis - 563.2321
Fri, 5 June IMAPP MLS
9am Workshop 301 Hidden Creek Trail, Pelham - $950 per month
3BA/2BR on a fenced corner lot with fireplace in living room
Mon, 8 June Ethics Hearing and covered patio
12:30pm Panel 825 Meriweather Dr., Calera - $1,000 per month
Mon, 8 June 3BA/2BR on fenced lot with fireplace in living room, master on
Ethics Hearing main level and one-car garage
1pm
Wed, 10June Membership
11am Committee
Wed, 10 June
MLS Committee
1:30pm
Thu, 11 June BCRC Task
8:15am Force
Thu, 11 June
Orientation
9am
Fri, 12 June
CCIM
8:30am
Fri, 12 June
MLS Basic
9am
Fri, 12 June Introduction to
11am IMAPP
Fri, 12 June
MLS Advanced
1:30pm

Call Mark Boackle or Jim Nerios for all your mortgage needs:
AmeriCapital Mortgage - 205-278-520o or 800-818-6174
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 22 PAGE 3

What Every FSBO Fears***

*** This is the final section of the FSBO article I have been sharing over the past several weeks. I did not want to
skip the “final tactic,” but in reviewing it, I have judged It may be truly offensive to some of you. Be warned!

Broker John Veneziano is not out to scare any one. Instead, he's on a mission. And you can tell...
When he talks about it, he gets fired up and passionate. Immediately you know this guy is genuine. What is
John so worked up about? Simply this: FSBOs and their willingness to welcome strangers into their homes. John
can't understand why anyone would EVER let a stranger into their home. In a chaotic, unpredictable world, a
person's home is their last sanctuary. And an unpredictable stranger can very easily violate that sanctuary.
That's why John doesn't have a problem approaching FSBOs and saying, "Are you crazy?"

Commission v. Family "What is your family worth?" he'll then ask. "Don't you realize that you are going to let
strangers into your house? Would you let the cable guy or the phone guy in with out an appointment? What
about the dozen or more people who want to see your house? If they drive up, are you going to let them in?"
Like a deer trapped in headlights, they stare blankly at him.
"Or what about a phone call like this: 'I saw your ad in the paper this morning and was wondering if you'd be
around Monday about 2pm?' 'No, can't do that, my wife and I'll be at work,' you say. 'Fine, how about 6pm?'
'Great. See you then.' "Then the next day around 2pm your house is broken into."
"Or how about a call like this: 'I live in a bad neighborhood and my family and I want to move. Is your
neighborhood safe?' 'Sure,' you proudly respond with your big, strong voice, 'so safe nobody even needs an
alarm.' Know what happens? You guessed it, that very home is burglarized the next day."
John says these are just a few of the things that could happen. A creative criminal could come up with a
dozen things to say or do to an unsuspecting FSBO. Then John will confront the FSBO with this: "Listen, when I
don't come home from a showing, my wife knows to call the police. Who knows that you've been showing a
home to a stranger? Who's gonna call the police for you?" The typical response is, "I didn't think of that."

REALTORS Are Worth Their Commission Then, John changes tactics. He says, "On average, it takes me 60 days to
sell a house with the help of 300 other agents and their 1500 pre-qualified buyers. "I know you want to save
commission, but qualified buyers will generally gravitate to the homes that are sold by reputable brokers
because they represent 97% of the homes for sale.
"FSBOs, on the other hand, who have only 3% of the homes for sale attract less-than desirable traffic...buyers
who also want to save the commission will look for FSBOs...and don't be shocked when they beat you up on
price. The commission you're wanting to save, they will easily take." "What if I just try," says the FSBO, "and in 3
weeks, if it's not sold, I'll call you." "And you still feel okay letting strangers in during that time?" John says. "Listen,
why don't you just do the right thing and protect your family and let us help you sell your house safely, quickly
and for more money. You have nothing to lose."

You'll Never Forget John Veneziano John said that the classic response from a FSBO when confronted with this
argument is usually resistance. He explains it's human nature..."They don't want to look like they're wrong, stupid
or foolish. But eventually they come around. And you know what, they'll always remember me as the guy who
got in their face to protect them."
To some, John's approach may appear to rely on sensational or deceptive tactics to get the listing. John
angrily disagrees...
"When you've had 3 colleagues in the past brutalized or murdered by criminals disguised as 'buyers,' I think you
too would make it your mission to educate the public about the dangers of going FSBO."
Of the 3 colleagues, only one survived. She was raped, beaten and had her throat slit while showing an empty
home. Fortunately she crawled to a phone that was supposed to be disconnected and called for help. The
other's weren't so lucky. One was raped, strangled, found dead on the side of the road. The other shot dead
while a "buyer" stole his car.
Network Notations:
Thank you to Barry Lawrence and Madison Lawrence (Hometown Mortgage 980.7285) and
Lloyd Payne (State Farm 978.7378), for providing this morning’s breakfast and two
cookbook door prizes.

Please call Gloria Jackson (First Federal Mortgage), 965.2167, to sign up for a Thursday
breakfast; we are a sad group without our morning victuals. Don’t forget to dine at Ruby
Tuesday’s and let them know that you are a member of the caravan - They are truly
generous in allowing us to use their facility every week for FREE. Your $3 weekly donation
is able to go straight to our charity.

Welcome back to our weekly jokester, Charles Heaton!!

MLS changes coming through a new Virtual Office Website (VOW) platform. Your “Active
Keys” will all be needing to be replaced

Upcoming Events:
Vestavia Hills “I Love America” Series - Held at Wald Park 6:30pm; free
swimming, food, fun for adults and children and a movie at dusk.
Friday, 5 June - Shades Mountain Baptist Church Jazz Band and the movie
“Kung Fu Panda”

Thursday, 2 July - Shades Mountain Baptist Church - Pops in the Park and
the movie “Hotel for Dogs”

Friday, 14 August - Vestavia Hills High School Band and the movie
“Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa”
Saturday, 6 June- Alabaster CityFest - 9am until midnight -
Both RE/MAX STARZ Team and Mary Lou’s Team will be
sponsoring tethered balloons with rides available for $5 or $25
(t-shirt and raffle ticket) - All proceeds will benefit Children’s
Hospital. You may also purchase a numbered golf ball (limited
to 1,000) for $5 each, which will play into a very unique raffle
with prizes ranging from airline tickets to spa days to grills.
 Beena Shah - 240.0510 - Keller Williams
1410 7th Way South, 35205 - MLS 427858 - $119,900
2BR/1.5BA - Corner unit townhome within UAB, no association fees, low
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maintenance, fenced backyard
A
Coming Soon
Maggie Kessler - 999.9877 - Cahaba Real Estate
R
841 Linbard Lane, Vestavia - $109,900
2BR/1.5BA - 1/2 duplex with main level hardwood floors, tile A
countertop in kitchen, deck overlooking single car garage with
storage and private wooded backyard in a cul-de-sac.
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Pat Lynch - 616.4100 - ERA Oxford Realty
5005 Jacobs Way, McCalla - MLS 428649 - $175,000 A
3BR/2BA - Single level living with eat-in kitchen with new hardwood
floors, 2 pantries and tons of cabinet space, master suite with sitting
room, trey ceiling and jetted tub, family room with vaulted ceiling
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and stacked stone gas fireplace and large fully fenced backyard

Manda Luccasen - 283.0380 - RE/MAX Advantage

2213 Garland Drive, Vestavia Hills - MLS 427721 - $329,900
3BR/2BA - Single level living with hardwoods throughout, a completely
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renovated eat-in kitchen from floor to ceiling, new finished basement,
formal dining room and living room, den has gas fireplace and opens to I
patio, updated master bath and new furnace

Lou Herring - 601.4485 - D.R. Horton

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2022 Chandalar Court, Pelham - MLS 409602 - $124,900
2BR/2BA - Single level townhome with Brazilian cherry hardwood floors
T
I
and newer carpeting, vaulted ceiling and garden tub in master, eat-in
kitchen, dining area in family room with trey ceiling and gas fireplace,
privacy fence in backyard with hot tub, gas grill and storage room

919 Greystone Highlands Circle - MLS 428210 - $188,500

2BR/2BA - Four sides of bring on this single level home, new hardwood
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floors and carpet, eat-in kitchen and formal dining room, fireplace in
living room, crown moulding throughout and private backyard G
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Call Mark Boackle or Jim Nerios for all your mortgage needs:
AmeriCapital Mortgage - 205-278-520o or 800-818-6174
C
Stephanie Reese - 283.7801 - House of Style Realty
Reduced by $164,000 to $735,000
$5K Selling Agent Bonus & 1 Week Stay at Perdido Key
A Owner Financing or Lease/Purchase Available
5207 Mountain Ridge Parkway, 35222 - MLS 415941

R 4BR/3.5BA - Amazing custom home with copper gutters, iron

door, 2-story foyer, Brazilian Cherry hardwoods, Smart Home
Technology, magnificent kitchen, dining room with coffered
A ceiling and marble floor, 6 cars in 2 garages, mountain views from
porch and stone terrace and so much more!

V City Federal Building

27 stories of history and style with 12 distinctive floors

A
plans, upscale kitchens with stainless steel appliances, granite
countertops in both kitchen and baths, hardwood floors in
loving and kitchen areas, tile baths, expansive windows

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showcasing the Birmingham skyline, 9-foot ceilings with
recessed lighting, washer and dryer.

Liz Elliott - 913.1056 - Advanced GMAC

Reduced to $179,900
L 3476 Birchtree Drive, Hoover - MLS 408724 - $189,999
4BR/2BA - New paint and carpet, Eat-in kitchen looks in on family
room with stone fireplace, formal living room and dining room,
I automatic whole house generator

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Call Mark Boackle or Jim Nerios for all your mortgage needs:
AmeriCapital Mortgage - 205-278-520o or 800-818-6174
 WIN UP TO $100,000 IN MAY 2009
Sell Just 1 of 8 properties in Oakmere at Lake Crest
For Details Call
Ron and Shelia Alexander - RE/MAX Advantage - 296-1515
648 Whitestone Way - The only townhome left
613, 617, 621, 633, 661, 665, 681 Trumpet Circle - with elevators!
Visit oakmerelakecrest.com

Stephanie Reese - 283.7801 - House of Style Realty

Poolside Agent Luncheon - TOMORROW, Friday, 29 May - 11:30am to 1:30pm
Gourmet Cuisine, Wine and Beer
2600 Highland Avenue - Corner of Niazuma
2600 Highland is an 11-story building containing eight levels of high-
end condominiums above a three level parking deck. Included are a
salt-water pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, and plaza and
gardens. The interior finishes include granite, marble, and travertine
countertops; hardwood flooring; stainless steel appliances; and
travertine and marble bathroom floors and showers

Kim Lucas - 447.3554 - RealtySouth

BUYER’S NEED
At least 10 acres, preferably in the 119 area but would look at other locations and further
out 280. Should be zoned and suitable for horses and building an arena as well as stables.
Please call Kim FIRST if you have anything coming on-line.

Call Mark Boackle or Jim Nerios for all your mortgage needs:
AmeriCapital Mortgage - 205-278-520o or 800-818-6174