Ethics in Real Estate

Blog #3 8/27/09

Greetings and welcome back. This blog is a bit, actually a lot, more serious than the past. I have something that I need to share.

I have been selling real estate in So Cal for over 37 years and I have always firmly believed that ethics; ones conscience, principle, standards and morality; had to be impeccable in order to be a successful sales person, no matter what the product. While updating my Facebook and Twitter pages today I ran across a blog that really brought into question the lengths some people go to when marketing a product. The blog was talking about a video posted on the web by a couple of real estate agents. I watched the video, thinking it was kind of quirky, not unlike the Keystone Cops of old. It even had the music, but with their own lyrics. While I didn't find distain with the video, I did wonder what kind of person would be moved to call these realtors after watching this goofy video. The agents who posted the video are probably nice people, but a poor judge of character when it comes to the seriousness of the public today.

My question was answered in reading Marc Davison's blog. To quote Mark: 'In my opinion, this so completely misses the mark given the serious nature of the most important transaction of our lives'. He goes on to state that this is not the way to market responsibility, and I totally agree. Marketing should not make you look foolish; just the opposite. And of all times to be cartoonish; when the consumer is deeply mired in fear and confusion regarding real estate; the rampant distrust they have regarding some of its practitioners. We are talking about hopes and dreams here, many whose have been crushed by the current economy. Fears of what the future will bring keep many awake at night. As real estate practitioners, we should have knowledge about how the economy is affection our markets, and provide clients with whatever it takes to help make their dreams come true. At the very least, we should know which direction to point them for assistance if they are in trouble. Real estate is not a game and should not be taken lightly. We have an obligation to be ethical and always exibiting integrity at every level of our business.

Linda Novick, Associate Broker Making real estate dreams come true for over 37 years
Windermere Real Estate Coachella Valley
Direct: 760-397-3652
Blog: http://www.suncityrealestate.blogpost.com/
Email: lindanovick@windermere.com
Website: http://www.lindanovick.mywindermere.com/

Sun City Palm Desert Amenities

Welcome to my #2 blog. And now I know what 'real' writers go through when they sit down to write an article, a book or perhaps a poem. It is 9:30 at night and I'm sitting at my desk trying to catch up after being on Jury Duty for the last 2 days. So this is writers block? I've been wanting to interview officers of the many clubs we have here at Sun City Palm Desert, but my flip video has not arrived yet. Yes, I'm going to be posting some video pictures and comments from many of the people who call this paradise. So until my video arrives I think I'm just going to do a quick review of what we have here.

We have slightly less than 5,000 homes within our beautiful guard-gated community. We have two beautiful full size golf courses plus a much loved 18 hole putting course. Visitors, children and grandchildren love the putting course. We are graced with two full size fitness centers, 4 pools (one inside), tennis courts, handball courts, billiard room, bocce courts, softball diamond, 3 restaurants, a full library, onsite post office, a ballroom for dances and concerts, a dance studio utilized for aerobics, yoga, dancing and step classes and a large computer lab where you can learn to use a computer, learn new programs, transfer your pictures to cd's, or just have fun. We also have a model railroad room, an art studio, a ceramics room, sewing room, stained glass room and any number of meeting rooms that can be reserved for clubs and personal events.

In addition to the facilities mentioned above we have clubs that meet almost every need. There is the art club where you can take lessons or just do your thing; all kinds of card and game clubs (bridge, bocce club, canasta, ceramics club (you can even throw your own pots), cribbage, computer club, gin rummy, mah jongg, pan and pinochle; needlecrafts club; crafty ladies club; jewelry making club; square dance club; biking club, hiking club, volunteer club, line dancing club, drama club; financial club; forum club; model railroad club, yacht club, bowling club; gourmet club; travel club; music buffs club; New York club; pet lover's club; quilters club; racquet club; RV owners club; singles club; water aerobics club; stained glass club; genealogy club, veterans club, video club, camera club, many book clubs, wine tasters club and the rainbow club.

Our golf clubs include the ladies golf club, the ladies 9-hole golf club, ladies putters club, mens golf club, mens 9-hole golf club, mens putters club and the couples golf club. Golf is extremely affordable here at Sun City Palm Desert as you pay to play. Golf packages are offered on an annual basis.

I have no doubt left something, and more like many things out, but you get the idea. We truly have it all here. Don't settle for just ok when you could have it all plus the cherry on top.

Linda Novick, Associate Broker Making 'real estate dreams' come true for over 37 years
Windermere Real Estate Coachella Valley
Direct: 760-397-3652
Blog: www.suncityrealestate.blogspot.com
Email: lindanovick@windermere.com
Website: www.lindanovick.mywindermere.com

Living in Paradise

It is absolutely true; we do live in Paradise Toto. I remember when we still lived in Orange County, and our son, who lived in the Coachella Valley where the wonderful cities of Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage and La Quinta are located, would come to visit and cry the whole time he was with us about how cold it was, that the traffic is terrible, and that I lived in a concrete jungle. Was he ever surprised; more like shocked and scared; when I said that we (my husband and I) were moving to Palm Desert and were going to share his little corner of Paradise. What he had done, and not intentionally I must say, is to convince us that this was the place to be. And he was right! We couldn't be happier.

I had sold two friends, from Orange County, homes in Sun City Palm Desert prior to deciding to move here myself, and I still was not convinced that this was where I wanted to be. As a real estate broker I treated myself like a client and previewed all of the communities where I thought we might enjoy living. I had three criteria: 1. The home had to be single story. No more stairs for me. 2 & 3. The community had to have a golf course and be a gated community. After spending many months of viewing properties I knew that Sun City Palm Desert was the place for us. My gosh, the amenities are amazing. We got our gates, our single story, and not just one golf course, but two! In addition to that we have 2 complete fitness centers, 3 clubhouses, 4 pools, a gigantic library, post office, billiard room, 3 restaurants, softball diamonds, tennis courts, driving range, dance studio and over 70 clubs to meet anyone's interests.

Yes indeed! If you are a 55+ active adult and want to live life to the fullest, then this is the place to be. More later....

Linda Novick, Associate Broker Making real estate dreams come true for over 37 years
Windermere Real Estate Coachella Valley
Direct: 760-397-3652
Blog: www.suncityrealestate.blogpost.com
Email: lindanovick@windermere.com
Website: www.lindanovick.mywindermere.com