Dan Brudnok - Chester, Lancaster and Delaware County, PA Real Estate Professional

The time has come for a change......the time has come to see if the Keller Williams way of life is for me.

I met today with Cindy Dickerman (whom I have know professionally for many years) and Jason Reed of the Exton, PA office.  I spent about 90 minutes with them and had a wonderful time.  I like what I have heard and seen in the office.  I even had my wife stop by, and she was greeted with open arms.

I am here to get input from all of you in the Keller Williams world, to hear directly from those who have chosen to be part of the family.  I am even considering the Family Reunion in Atlanta in a couple weeks.  I want to know why you joined, and what you like best about being part of this family.

I want to thank all of you in advance for taking the time......a change is eminent.....

Hi Dan,

I've tagged you for a meme! Look forward to finding out more about you!

Krista Fuchs

I have been asked to write about myself...my hope is that I do not bore too many....

Daniel J. Brudnok was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA...yea that is why I talk so funny......I have been in the dumps since my beloved Steelers tanked,,,UGH  I have four siblings....my Sister is the oldest, there are three Brother's and I am the middle child....which may explain much to many....LOL....I lived in Sharpsburg, went to school at Fox Chapel High School and graduated college from LaRoche College in Pittsburgh.

I came to the Delaware Valley and Philly in 1990 for a six month "gig" for Mellon Bank to help with the PSFS purchase.....in 1995 I left Mellon and yea I am still in Philly today.  There I opened and managed the Broker referral program for 3 years....after training the branches in 3 Counties on lending the Mellon way.  The best part of that is that I met and eventually married in 1996 my best friend, Beverly.  We live in East Brandywine Township, a fast growing Township.....(http://www.ebrandywine.org/).

We have 3 children.....Kae is a sub-Teacher right now in the Mechanicburg area.....Ryan works for Longhorn Restaurants their as well.  Kevin is the youngest and a Senior at Downingtown West High School where this year he is Cogsworth in their performance of Beauty and the Beast...his 6th and final play performance for them.

I have been in the Real Estate related business since 1989......Beneficial Finance, Yegan Equity, Mellon Bank, National Penn Bank, Reliable Home Mortgage, Advanced Mortgage Lending Service Inc., Power House Realty and RE/MAX Town & Country.  I have worn many hats in the lending industry, Lender, Broker, Banker, Auditor, Due Diligence Auditor, Title Clerk, Settlement Agent (still am), Notary Public (still am), Realtor....which I love the most.

I and my Family have deep ties to the communities where we live.....and here are a few of the many we are involved in and support.....Board member of: The Downingtown Area Chamber of Commerce http://www.downingtownchamber.org/ .....The Lionville Branch of of the Upper Main Line YMCA http://www.umly.org/ .....Teri's Run Foundation for Sclerderma http://www.scleroderma.org/ .....we support The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm  where the family has participated in the Mother's Day Walk for the last 9 years, the Pink Tie Ball and Kick-Off dinner for the last 3 years, The 3 Day 60 Mile Walk for the last 3 years. to name a few.

In 2006 I began to give back more from al that God has given to me by contributing to the following organization's on each transaction I complete of the Client"s choice.....feel free to check out my personal website for the list....  http://www.danbrudnok.com/remaxpatowncountry/index.asp?acc=39725

I hope that I have not put anyone to sleep and again thank to Krista for wanting to know a bit more about MEME.....

This is from my Today's Buyer's Rep Hotsheet from REBAC dated 1/18/2008.

What a great way to get our side of the Real Estate Industry's point of view to the public.....the enclosed link (  http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2008/nar_campaign_relates_real_facts.html ) is a great start to putting the housing market into perspective for the average Consumer.  A place to start for potential homeowners to get some basic understanding of where the market is today.  On top of this, many consumer friendly reading to set the groundwork for a first OR many time home Buyer.

Another way for the Consumer to see how those in this business we are in has taken charge to combat the 24/7 regurgitation needed by TV/Radio/Internet programing jsut to fill airtime.

I know there are many issues that have come to flurition, and many have been effected in some hard ways because of the mortgage issues of 2007.  Yet for ever reason why we have issues....there are counterpoints in this link that show why not  owing could be costing you in many ways.

I plan to share this information with any and all who I feel are on the cusp of buying.  We have to be the voice for our Industry....if not, then who will be?

Here is an opportunity that will benefit both my Seller and your Buyer!!!!!

Having taken into consideration the heavy football weekend this week, I have set Sunday January 27, 2008 from 1 - 4 PM for the Open House at 2305 Higgins Circle in Downingtown, PA 19335, MLS #5170923. 

This 55+ community offers a swimming pool and club house.

Below is a synopsis of this opportunity.....feel free to contact me in advance:

Owner offering 7500.00 to Purchaser with contract to start you off in your new home......5 years new.....Lone floor living at its finest....Hardwood Foyer......Secluded master bedroom suite (newly carpeted).....Master bath has a double sink cabinet and oversized shower with built in seat....Tile flooring.....A walk-in closet and a second closet that would fit almost everything.....Large eat in kitchen.....Formal dining room.....Large Living/Great room w/Fireplace.....2nd bathroom with tub/shower combination.....New large rear deck.....Full basement awaiting your personal touches.....Capital Contribution of 350 due from Purchaser at settlement.  

I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure--which is:
Try to please everybody.......Herbert Bayard Swope

I wanted to share the experience of two young Buyer's and the eagerness to help of two sets of parents.....this is an old story and one from we grow.

I posted a while back about the great feeling I get from first time home Buyer's and their enthusiasm.  We know that might be easily dampened by having their parents around for each home viewing.  I have a referral, two great young adults that have it together.  They want to buy before they marry next year and have this right of passage behind them as they prepare fro the wedding.  The first home visits that we make guess who comes along for the ride....you guessed it, Mom and Dad....and oh yes both Mom's and Dad's......YIPPEE!!!!!

This was one of the longest three home visit in my life.....I held my tongue as each of the four parents made comment after comment on each of the homes we visited.  I saw the Buyer's heads turning as if on a fast loosening swivel.  This first day was bust, not just for the above mentioned reason.....and the Buyer's were just confused as to knowing what they wanted in their new home and what the were being told they needed.

This happened on the first 2 trips out.....just crazy.  No matter how nicely I tried to explain to the parents that I was here for their children.....well I was told every cliche' on what each parent had to bear to make them the young people they were......EXCUSE ME!!!

On our third time out.....and after many emails from the Buyer's questioning themselves on everything......I show up to visit 3 more homes and low and behold.....no parents.  OPPORTUNITY at last.....time to talk to my Client's and give direction that is not interrupted and dismissed.

A great day, we visited all three homes.....talked extensively on each......had a great lunch and then they were ready to move forward on one of the homes.   They got it, it was about them and their needs......and success, we settle late February on a home that fits them to a tee.  Mom's and Dad's were brought through out of respect, and what a difference the young people had in answering each comment for the parent's and standing their ground.  The young lady actually told her Mom in response to her Mom's questioning the appliances....Dan already told us yada, yada.....stopped Mom in her tracks and we moved on.....oh yes after a leer from Mom.....I held my smile until they were out of sight.....my client's were ready for this move and handled themselves accordingly.

Now this is not to bash parents, yet as the statement above is about.....you can not please everyone, especially in a new home purchase which is very personal, and be successful.

Just a quick post about how keeping on top of your marketing can pay off.  I just received a request for my listing in Downing Forge.  This is a 55+ community with a great single family ranch home.  The request came from my listing on Point2Agent...Point2 NLS, what a great surprise.  I have been on this site in their free program for about 6 months now.  I have had a lot of hits on my listings, yet noting solid to-date.

I was taken back a bit as the request came from a person with a 313 area code.  I recognized this area as not being near Pennsylvania, as my Sister lives near Taylor, Michigan and that is her area code.   I actually received the request via email while I was on Active Rain this morning.  I email right back, figuring they were on right now.  About 30 minutes later, as I was leaving to go on another showing appointment, I called the number and talked to the prospective client.  They explained they were in town for the weekend visiting friends and they have been thinking of moving here, and a friend showed them my listing.  As we talked further I got the impression they were younger, and I threw out that this was in a 55+ community.....silence here was not golden.

I asked if that is the type of community they were looking for, the response was NOT REALLY.  I then continued to probe in a generic fashion about whether they had a Realtor yet, how long they where here for, and if I could meet with them later today.  I could hear the disappointment in their voice ( I was on speaker phone at the time)  that this would not fit into their plans today.   HOWEVER, they asked if I could assist them so that they did not get excited about a home that truly did not fit them......YIPPEE for me!!!!!!

We are now working on them to come back in 3 weeks to look at at homes together.....thank you Point2Agent and Point2 NLS.....I have just emailed them the Consumer Notice and Buyer Relationship paperwork so that I can get to know them a lot better.  Tonight I hope to be searching area's and homes for their next visit.

I know that what I have in Point2Agent is the free login now, yet I now have a the itch to further investigate their (pay for) enhanced programs.  I have also taken the time to look at the other marketing sites that I have for their free programs and will keep refreshing them as well.  I know that success on these sites takes time.....and dedication to keep my information fresh and pertinent.

It never ceases to amaze me when we claim to be good friends with people and then loose touch with them for months and even years.  You promise to stay in touch, yet we all get wrapped up in out own worlds that are so hectic.

I know there is email, voicemail, texting, blogging, postcards, letters (they still use these, right?)......yet where is the one on one quite dinner together that to me is far better than the multitude of impersonal communication.  We do that all the time....yet I miss the intimacy of a face to face conversation.  To see the response of a shared joke or story.....is much better than a thank you by the methods above.

My wife Beverly and I have made 2008 the year to reconnect with some much needed one on one time just meeting and talking face to face with some old friends.  We start tonight with a couple that my wife has known for 30+ years.....we actually helped them move 15 minutes from us about 6 years ago, and have seen them less than when they were an hour plus away.....crazy I know, yet we always chalk it up to our kids being young and active.  While only being 15 minutes apart, we where in two different townships thus two different sporting activity groups for our kids and two different school districts....again many different programs for the children.

I hope tonight will be the start of a commitment to getting together more often.....we would love that. 

Community involvement means having to not only support and promote the organization and its programs....it also means that you must be a fundraiser for their cause.  We should know this when we agree to be part of any board and association.  There is a fiduciary responsibility that come along with the notoriety you receive from being involved and doing the good deeds that your particular group does.

There are many great organization's and community groups in all our area's that want our time, talent and treasure.  We have to be very sure that we understand our duties when we select an association or group to join and the be willing to give all that I mentioned above.

Fundraising comes in many facets, not just out of your own pocket.  Be involved, get your family and friends involved, get you companies to consider the organization you are part of as part of their corporate gifts.  There are many fine groups and organizations to choose to join, just get out there and JOIN!!!!  WE NEED YOU!

Maybe it is another sign of the times today in Real Estate, I have seen an increase in Buyer's looking for HUD homes.  I can honestly tell you I have not done a HUD purchase in 5 years at least.  I have done all the reading and know the paper side of the transaction....I think.

I am looking for some guidance from those who do HUD deals a a regular course of business.  I know I can make it work for my Clients, yet I would like any tidbits of wisdom that those who have done in the recent past could bestow upon me.

Thank you in advance for your comments and your time in sharing your experiences.

I just wanted to follow up with a post about my first use of home staging.  I met with a fellow Active Rain member, Kim Dillon of Creative Eye Home Staging.  Kim and I have been in contact since I started active Rain.

I met her yesterday and I first had her explain to me what I should expect from working with a home stager.  She went through all the services in detail and offered to handle in anyway I wanted, including just an estimate.

I went all the way and had Kim perform a full consultation.  This was for my benefit (remember my first time) as well as my Seller.  That will certainly be a much harder sell, however I wanted the full treatment in order to determine the home staging value for my business.  The verbal explanation and the follow-up written report open my eyes as to the pulse of what Buyer's are looking for in their new home purchase.  Our profession has changed and now I have stepped to the table to utilize all positive selling implements at my hand.

I am a true convert and will certainly take the advantage of having Kim with me on my listing appointments when ever possible.  Thanks for the indight and professionalism Kim.