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I think they're bitter that they're having to move across the country and leave behind family, friends, known surroundings, etc. and they just come here pissed off at the world sometimes.
Ah, yes... it's the CALIFORNIANS that are bitter and pissed off at the world. Yes, I see now. Thanks for clearing that up.
The ones who don't move here but instead just invest are the absolute WORST ones to deal with.
I've sold a lot of investment property to a lot of Californians and they are mostly very nice people just trying to do something smart with their money. Typically, they have excess funds and are maxed out in other investment opportunities, don't trust the stock market, or simply make an informed choice between real estate investing and other investment options.
That said, none of our buyers - none - have gone into foreclosure because 1) they bought where we told them to buy (close in, South/SW Austin, NOT in the suburbs and outskirt starter home areas) and 2) if they didn't listen to and agree with our advice, we didn't work with them, period.
Quote:
Do you sell real estate to the CA investors that you dislike so much or do you decline there business?
We declined their business. Others, I simply talked out of investing altogether because, after asking some questions, it was obvious to me they were financially unprepared and were simply following the fad because all their friends and coworkers were doing it. They went off and found another agent who told them what they wanted to hear, which was a lie.
11% of all the rental property in South Austin is owned by Californians. (See my City-Data Blog for the stats.) I'll bet the percentage is higher in the outskirt, newer areas.
AustinTexan, maybe you should move to California your attitude sounds like, well truthfully like the attitudes you proclaim to hate!
I am just trying to defend a city I'm very fond of and would like to protect against these people who are simply coming here for a quick buck. They're a big reason housing prices keep increasing. We need more agents like Steve giving them sound advice, too many agents out there just looking for the commission. As far as my attitude, if you had to deal with 50 calls a day from these arrogant Californians who are blindly looking for "good deals" and don't like what you have to say, you'd develop an attitude towards them as well. Like I said, there are Californians in my neighborhood who are really nice, friendly people who have fit in quite well in Austin. But those who came here solely for investment purposes on the advice of friends/coworkers who read an article and thought it was a good idea to invest here, I'm glad they're learning the hard way. We get applications from people who have NO BUSINESS even inquiring about property in Austin who are absolutely clueless about investing. They really do think that we're giving away land/homes here and want a piece of the pie. LOL!!! They really don't like my "sense of humor" when I have to tell them that they need to pay their own bills in California before they even think about coming here and investing in property.
As far as my attitude, if you had to deal with 50 calls a day from these arrogant Californians who are blindly looking for "good deals" and don't like what you have to say, you'd develop an attitude towards them as well.
Instead of developing an attitude, try developing a communication strategy or set of scripts that you can use to weed out the unqualified leads. Create a screening funnel through which all leads are filtered, then deal with the ones that survive and are qualified.
I don't understand getting angry at prospective leads just because they are uninformed and unqualified. As a business owner, I want my phone to ring. If they waste your time, that's a failure of your communication system and screening process, not the people calling you.
Draw up a flow chart of how people find you and how they contact you and see if filters and information can be added into the process. Can a FAQ page be added to your website? An answering service to screen callers? Your angry at the wrong people.
You instead should ask what it is about your marketing and communication setup that attracts so many unqualified prospects and why you continue to allow them to waste your time?
11% of all the rental property in South Austin is owned by Californians. (See my City-Data Blog for the stats.) I'll bet the percentage is higher in the outskirt, newer areas.
I would be curious (for curiosity's sake) to know the percentage of primary residences in Austin that are owned by Californians vs Texas & "everywhere else."
I find it interesting. Why are more people moving to Austin from California than, say Florida or Seattle? Is it just that the state is bigger and has more people?
I also wonder if that percentage is counting people who moved TO California (and then to Austin) but aren't actually from there. Personally, I don't know many Californians who are actually from California. Almost everyone I know is from somewhere else.
Really good advice, austin-steve. When life hands you lemons, learn how to make lemonade, or else filter out all the surplus lemons.
I can sympathize with AustinTexan's pov, though. Out-of-state property owners are part of California's problems, too, btw. So I'm not dissing him. But I do agree he needs to learn how to handle his client relations in a more productive and tranquil manner.
And I'm spot on with THL's advice. Truer words were never spake.
Lots of folk from all over the country [even beyond California] are trying to be smarter with their money. Whether AustinTexan asks for it or not, four out of ten times I log onto the computer in the morning I see a national "money smart" news bit of how investing in or relocating to the Austin area makes great financial sense. Some of the "nitwits" that contact him are just reacting to those recommendations. So what else can someone in his industry expect?
Do what austin-steve sez and build in your own filters to eliminate the lookee-loos and unqualified hopefuls. And then copyright the filter and sell it to your competitors other locations.
Cheers
Last edited by Franklyn; 07-26-2008 at 07:12 PM..
Reason: clarity
I stumbled upon this forum. I must say I find some of the posts here to be quite informative, while there are others (such as AustinTexan's) I find beyond comprehension.
First and foremost, I am a Texan. I was born here, attended public school here, and attended University here. That being said, I have also lived in California, the Bay Area to be precise. Were it not so astronomically expensive, I would probably still be in California.
Let's face it, Austin's breakfast tacos, margaritas, and dwindling music scene cannot hold a candle to the vistas, culture, and diversity of the Bay Area. Truth be told, Austin is quite unattractive. Since I've returned from the Bay Area I can't help but notice the truth about this place I've always known as home: It's ugly strip mall after ugly strip mall after ugly strip mall. And even places like Hyde Park and Clarkesville are blips in comparison to some of the residential spaces I saw in the Bay Area.
Mr. AustinTexan appears to have a penchant for gross generalization when it comes to Californians. Well, suffice it to say, Californians are not the only cause for the deteriorating quality of life in and around Austin, Texas. And even if this were so, this is still the UNITED STATES of America, is not? There's nothing statutorily prohibiting a citizen from moving within the states of this country. At least, not yet. I found this forum because I am eager to leave Texas yet again. After having experienced communities with genuine culture, amazing public transportation, and yes, the blight which accompanies them, I've come to believe that Austin has a loooooong way to go before it can truly ascend to the status of some of the cities found in (gasp!) California.
Granted, it is still a decent choice to make if one is going to make one's home in Texas, but for goodness sake, its streets are not paved in gold!
Thank you for your thoughts but you haven't taken the time or effort to understand Austin or Texas. I appreciate your forthright comments and infinite wisdom. I am reminded that your people seem to gravitate towards my community given the costs of living in California. Be reminded when you return home that it is now illegal to consume transfats or own a chinchilla for the purpose of taking its hide. Enjoy your multiple hour commute on the 101 and seven years of payments for your Honda Prius. Your arrogance is one of many reasons that I increase my billing rate when I do work in your state, along with your taxes and the complexities of your state goverment. Your state's regulatory scheme makes me a very comfortable living.
Your grass is greener, your attitude is more savvy, and the tofu is tastier. I could care less. Have a nice life. I'm off to Magnolia cafe for some bisquits and gravy and other tasty transfats.
Timbuktu........hmmm, I think I'd like to visit that place. I wonder if its streets are paved in gold.
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