Becky Day owner of First Choice Realty, has been in the real estate business for 28 years. She first became interested in selling properties shortly after high school when she worked as a secretary for local attorney, Forrest Barnes. She specialized in real estate closings and worked with homebuyers for the next 10 years between the Barnes office and the office of Severson, Hand & Nelson.
After marrying and having two daughters she became a stay-at-home mom providing a day care for local children for the next six years. Day began taking real estate classes and first worked with the late John Mooers of Strout Realty. Within a year she bought the Better Homes and Garden Real Estate franchise. She later merged with F.A. Peabody’s real estate division and became known as Vose-Peabody Real Estate.
In 2000, Day bought out the partners and changed the name to First Choice Real Estate.
Today her company, located at 46 North Street, employs agents who include: Lisa Collett, Scot Walker, Linda Belille, John Randall and Sue Waite-York.
According to Day, the real estate business can be like riding a roller coaster. Every year is different. What real estate was popular last year might not be today. Right now, people are interested in large tracts of land and privacy. A few years ago it was single-family homes or lakefront property. Another common transaction lately has been buyers looking at foreclosures. Some will buy these homes to fix up for themselves, while others are buying just to flip or rent. This can be a great investment and especially if one can do some of the work themselves.
Listings are most common in the spring when sellers are thinking about a move. Day recommends taking a careful look at one’s property in order to get it ready for the market.
Think of yourself as a potential buyer. What would you be looking for? She suggests cleaning out your closets, cupboards, garage and basement. Eliminate the clutter. Get the paintbrush out and touch up those places that are obvious, especially any stains on the ceilings. Keep your yard attractive, as well. Curb appeal is still important.
With nearly three decades of experience, Day said that her favorite transactions are with first-time homebuyers. There is always so much excitement.
In today’s real estate market, everything is a challenge. With stricter guidelines there are many hoops to jump through, from challenging financial regulations, home inspections, appraisals and delays for sometimes a minute detail.
Some transactions sail through smoothly, while others become nightmares. One such example of the latter happened recently when the closing was supposed to take place just before Christmas. The sellers had packed everything and sent it on to Florida, leaving only a bed, two chairs, two plates, cups and some silverware for themselves to get them by until closing. They also had a TV they were leaving for the buyers, and a stove and refrigerator. Day had to inform them there were delays and there would be no closing until after the holidays.
It was not funny although Day told her sellers, “one day you will laugh about this.” And she was right. When the closing was finally scheduled, both the buyers and sellers found humor in what had otherwise been a very difficult situation to handle.
When in real estate, one never assumes the deal will go smoothly. It is never complete until the final closing, which sometimes can take months. Becky and her associates know well that the sale is not complete before all the I’s are dotted and the T’s are crossed. And that is good for their customers.
If you are thinking about selling or buying, contact Day or any of her agents @532-4037or online www.firstchoicerealestate.com.
