Monthly Archives: September 2010

Fusion Lifestyle

Posted on by

When we first bought at Fusion there was only dirt. The Centex Sales Staff were selling us on the “lifestyle”. They had to pitch us based on virtual tours and a miniature model display. I remember visiting the sales office many times, trying to figure out the best floor plan, the best location, etc.

On top of that, my head went spinning trying to imagine a community that wasn’t even built yet! Was it really going to look that nice, with the happy couple sitting by the pool and the lady walking her dog as the virtual tour displayed? If so, sign me up right now! But many questions twirled in my mind: How would the neighbors be, how would the location be? Will it be a good re-sale or rental when we need to move? What is the Metro maintenance yard exactly, and is it noisy? What are those power line things in the back, are they a health risk? Is it a good buying decision, it’s Hawthorne, right? But it’s right across from Manhattan Beach, and so close to the freeway and still not too far from the beach. The prices are good and the HOA dues are low. The pool will be nice, but if we buy near the pool will it be noisy? So many questions and decisions! Then when we finally settled on the floor plan, we had to choose the options and upgrades. More decisions!

Well, I’m a sucker for good marketing…my husband laughs because I fell for the Clapper infomercial (he bought me Clapper Plus for a gag gift several years ago…but I still use it and I just love it!). If the marketing grabs my attention, and it’s a useful and practical think then I will usually buy into the idea. So I fell for the idea of Fusion and the concept of “life is busy, enjoy resort-like living when you’re not working” and such. I do love the idea of having a low-key, low-maintenance, lifestyle.

Well, now after living here for 3.5 years, I can say the lifestyle and nearby places to eat, shop, exercise has only improved. There are so many great places nearby, many new places added recently that have enhanced the Fusion lifestyle. I’ll list some of my favorites next time.

Signing off for now, happy Fusion weekend everybody!

Advertisement

Another Successful Lease Secured at Fusion . . . Yay!!

Posted on by

If I could see into the future, it would sure make my job easier!

I know it’s worrisome for owners to wonder when & who the next tenant will be, especially when the property sits vacant. The days, weeks and months pass by and still no secured tenant. The ones who come and look say, “Oh, it’s too small” or “Doesn’t work for me” or “Don’t like the view from the patio” or “Too high on price, let me know if they’ll come down”, specifically on the A & B units “too small” or “need an attached garage”. It’s a buyers/tenant’s market right now, so many options for them!

By now I have leased & sold enough in here to know the objections from prospectives & tenants for each floor plan and location in the complex. The pricing is key, if you price it right (whether selling or leasing) the buyer/tenant pool will see it as a good value and be more likely to cause them to act. But pricing is a whole nother (is that a word??) blog topic.

I tell my landlords “hang in there” and “the right one will come” and “I don’t know when or who, but I know the next tenant will be a good fit for you”…I know that gets old when you’re on the hook for the mortgage.

But you do have to have faith that it will happen, it might not be exactly when you want it to happen, maybe not even on the terms you prefer (e.g., if you want a 1-year at $2900/month well, the best option from a well-qualified tenant might be a 6-month for a little less monthly rent).

In my business, I use checklists for everything. My greatest pleasure whether selling or leasing a property is taking the signs down, taking the lockbox off and having happy sellers/buyers and happy landlords/tenants. Check; done.

Next!