I received one of our monthly Realtor publications yesterday and it made for some interesting reading.
Out of the 9 or so articles published, every one of them stressed that in order to be a great agent and provide excellent client service, the Realtor MUST embrace technology. I knew that when I began this career. You see, people my age grew up with computers in the school. We may have been the first generation to use personal computers with regularity so we have never been afraid of technology.
The message for today is - the business of real estate cannot be conducted in the same old way. We must be innovative and technology driven in order to reach the world community. We not only adapt to the current market, we want to be the market leaders! We want to show everyone else how it's done.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
It takes hard work.....
No doubt you've heard on the news or read in the paper about real estate agents leaving the field in droves, or many obtaining second jobs and performing real estate services part-time.
I will be the first to wish these agents the best of luck. I understand how difficult business is in this type of market. But it strengthens my resolve even more because this market requires HARD WORK to stay alive. Those of us still handling real estate transactions full-time have to work smarter and with more energy to create business for ourselves. It takes a great amount of courage and stamina. Each day, you must re-invent yourself and forget about yesterday.
I look to the future with optimism and anticipation! You can be assured we are in this business for the long haul and we're ready to serve our clients with honesty, integrity and professionalism.
Happy Tuesday!
I will be the first to wish these agents the best of luck. I understand how difficult business is in this type of market. But it strengthens my resolve even more because this market requires HARD WORK to stay alive. Those of us still handling real estate transactions full-time have to work smarter and with more energy to create business for ourselves. It takes a great amount of courage and stamina. Each day, you must re-invent yourself and forget about yesterday.
I look to the future with optimism and anticipation! You can be assured we are in this business for the long haul and we're ready to serve our clients with honesty, integrity and professionalism.
Happy Tuesday!
Monday, May 28, 2007
Taxes and Insurance.....
Over the years, buyers have asked me what their taxes might be if they purchase a particular property. This used to be an easy question to answer; "You can count on a 60% increase in the seller's current taxes." Not any more.
With the wild market of 2005, and the appraisers who were willing to go along with the equally crazy sales prices, the property assessments have been tainted. Investors who bought early in 2005 and then flooded the market with those purchases in late 2005, skewed the entire market. So much so that it is difficult to provide seller's with a true comparable view of their home today. I try not to look at sales that occurred more than 9 months ago, since the inflated sales prices before then give us an unrealistic listing price which may not appraise. I must rely on what the market tells me today, which is one reason I review current sales each morning. Remember, any realtor can place ANY listing price on your home, and you may find a buyer willing to pay that price, but the bank may say otherwise. So, my answer to the question of what the buyer's taxes will be is "you can guarantee a 100% increase in the current tax, or you can contact the tax assesors office and ask them to estimate it for you."
There is a push underway to increase the homestead exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 and keep the 3% cap. But in neighborhoods where the home ages range from 1 year to 70 years, the your neighbor may have owned the home for quite a while paying $400 in taxes while your new purchase means your taxes could be $4000 or more. It's a broken system, but I believe with the push of the Florida Association of Realtors taking the lead in reform, it will soon be fixed.
As for insurance, our governor has admitted that things are out of control, especially in Pasco County. Citizen's Insurance (the state-run insurer of last resort) has had rate increase caps placed on them until 2009. We're still not out of the woods on that front, but it looks like our governor is working toward reform. It certainly pays to shop around for insurance quotes when buying a home, but it's important in this hurricane season to bind and pay for insurance as soon as you find a quote that's acceptable to you. Once we have a named storm in the imaginary box that surrounds Florida, all insurance companies stop writing new policies. Once the storm is out of the "box" for 2 business days, they can again begin to write policies, so this means a closing could be delayed if you haven't purchased your insurance policy.
A good agent can guide you through all the necessary steps to purchase insurance and file for homestead exemption, but it is necessary to do your homework and know what you're facing before signing a contract.
I received a request to cover this information and I hope it helps. Keep those requests and questions coming!
Have a great Memorial Day.
With the wild market of 2005, and the appraisers who were willing to go along with the equally crazy sales prices, the property assessments have been tainted. Investors who bought early in 2005 and then flooded the market with those purchases in late 2005, skewed the entire market. So much so that it is difficult to provide seller's with a true comparable view of their home today. I try not to look at sales that occurred more than 9 months ago, since the inflated sales prices before then give us an unrealistic listing price which may not appraise. I must rely on what the market tells me today, which is one reason I review current sales each morning. Remember, any realtor can place ANY listing price on your home, and you may find a buyer willing to pay that price, but the bank may say otherwise. So, my answer to the question of what the buyer's taxes will be is "you can guarantee a 100% increase in the current tax, or you can contact the tax assesors office and ask them to estimate it for you."
There is a push underway to increase the homestead exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 and keep the 3% cap. But in neighborhoods where the home ages range from 1 year to 70 years, the your neighbor may have owned the home for quite a while paying $400 in taxes while your new purchase means your taxes could be $4000 or more. It's a broken system, but I believe with the push of the Florida Association of Realtors taking the lead in reform, it will soon be fixed.
As for insurance, our governor has admitted that things are out of control, especially in Pasco County. Citizen's Insurance (the state-run insurer of last resort) has had rate increase caps placed on them until 2009. We're still not out of the woods on that front, but it looks like our governor is working toward reform. It certainly pays to shop around for insurance quotes when buying a home, but it's important in this hurricane season to bind and pay for insurance as soon as you find a quote that's acceptable to you. Once we have a named storm in the imaginary box that surrounds Florida, all insurance companies stop writing new policies. Once the storm is out of the "box" for 2 business days, they can again begin to write policies, so this means a closing could be delayed if you haven't purchased your insurance policy.
A good agent can guide you through all the necessary steps to purchase insurance and file for homestead exemption, but it is necessary to do your homework and know what you're facing before signing a contract.
I received a request to cover this information and I hope it helps. Keep those requests and questions coming!
Have a great Memorial Day.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Lest the FSBOs be forgotten......
I'm all about helping people.
Throughout my surgical career, I helped thousands of people. I felt a part of a team that healed them, or at least got them on the road to healing. I held the hands of patients who were terrified, I dried the tears of patients who were unsure what was going to happen and I consoled the families of those patients who may have been beyond help.
It's this skill that has proved most useful in my real estate career. I have often offered to help FSBO (For Sale By Owner) property owners with paperwork or answer questions. They might not end up using my services (translated = paying me for the work I do), but I know that the best thing that could come of helping FSBOs is that they spread a GOOD rumor about me and my company. So I wanted to give some advice to those people who believe they are "saving money" by selling their home on their own.
Just the facts: An average of 48 people in 7 areas of expertise are involved in a real estate transaction. There are an average of 8 different disclosures and addenda that are required in certain transactions in the state of Florida. There are certain timelines and deadlines that MUST be followed in a standard real estate contract to ensure that no one party suffers financial consequences. A standard Florida real estate contract that provides for the most protection of each party to the transaction is 7 pages long not including the aforementioned disclosures and addenda. I have counted an average of 178 seperate phone calls involved in the standard real estate transaction - and that's when everything goes right.
If you're considering putting your own "For Sale" sign in your yard, ask yourself if you have the time and expertise to monitor everything I've just mentioned. Would you know what to do if the appraisal comes in short? Would you be able to review your own contract and ensure that you have been protected financially if something goes wrong? Do you have the time to follow up with all the realtors who have shown your property, follow up on the status of buyer financing, follow up on the home inspection and list of repairs?
The bottom line is that good agents do all of the above as a (more than) full-time job and we already know what problems can arise. There are over 190 different things that can go wrong in a real estate transaction.
If you're a FSBO, chances are real estate is not your profession. So, if you needed to have your appendix removed, would you try to do it yourself just because you found instructions on the internet? No. You'd hire a professional and you wouldn't base your decision to hire a professional on what fee they charge. This may seem like an outrageous analogy, but your home is one of your most important assets and if you decide to take on selling your home yourself, you are subject to the same laws and regulations that licensed professionals are. Did you know you can be sued for up to 5 years following the closing of a real estate transaction? It sure pays to know that everything was done by the book.
I'm not trying to scare anyone - these are the facts. A recent poll surveyed people who have sold their homes on their own (FSBOs) and a staggering 87% said they would NEVER try it again! It's worth the peace of mind to hire a professional to represent one of the most important business transactions many people make in their lifetime.
Agents like me are here to help. To hold your hand through a potentially stressful experience. To advise you on the best course of action. To tell you what to expect. To look out for your best interests. To care.
Throughout my surgical career, I helped thousands of people. I felt a part of a team that healed them, or at least got them on the road to healing. I held the hands of patients who were terrified, I dried the tears of patients who were unsure what was going to happen and I consoled the families of those patients who may have been beyond help.
It's this skill that has proved most useful in my real estate career. I have often offered to help FSBO (For Sale By Owner) property owners with paperwork or answer questions. They might not end up using my services (translated = paying me for the work I do), but I know that the best thing that could come of helping FSBOs is that they spread a GOOD rumor about me and my company. So I wanted to give some advice to those people who believe they are "saving money" by selling their home on their own.
Just the facts: An average of 48 people in 7 areas of expertise are involved in a real estate transaction. There are an average of 8 different disclosures and addenda that are required in certain transactions in the state of Florida. There are certain timelines and deadlines that MUST be followed in a standard real estate contract to ensure that no one party suffers financial consequences. A standard Florida real estate contract that provides for the most protection of each party to the transaction is 7 pages long not including the aforementioned disclosures and addenda. I have counted an average of 178 seperate phone calls involved in the standard real estate transaction - and that's when everything goes right.
If you're considering putting your own "For Sale" sign in your yard, ask yourself if you have the time and expertise to monitor everything I've just mentioned. Would you know what to do if the appraisal comes in short? Would you be able to review your own contract and ensure that you have been protected financially if something goes wrong? Do you have the time to follow up with all the realtors who have shown your property, follow up on the status of buyer financing, follow up on the home inspection and list of repairs?
The bottom line is that good agents do all of the above as a (more than) full-time job and we already know what problems can arise. There are over 190 different things that can go wrong in a real estate transaction.
If you're a FSBO, chances are real estate is not your profession. So, if you needed to have your appendix removed, would you try to do it yourself just because you found instructions on the internet? No. You'd hire a professional and you wouldn't base your decision to hire a professional on what fee they charge. This may seem like an outrageous analogy, but your home is one of your most important assets and if you decide to take on selling your home yourself, you are subject to the same laws and regulations that licensed professionals are. Did you know you can be sued for up to 5 years following the closing of a real estate transaction? It sure pays to know that everything was done by the book.
I'm not trying to scare anyone - these are the facts. A recent poll surveyed people who have sold their homes on their own (FSBOs) and a staggering 87% said they would NEVER try it again! It's worth the peace of mind to hire a professional to represent one of the most important business transactions many people make in their lifetime.
Agents like me are here to help. To hold your hand through a potentially stressful experience. To advise you on the best course of action. To tell you what to expect. To look out for your best interests. To care.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Weekend thoughts....
Well, Friday has rolled around again and leads us into a 3 day weekend (for most people; Realtors never get a 3 day weekend). Memorial Day is a day we can reflect upon those who have given so much for our freedom and safety.
Dear Sellers, this is NOT the weekend to try to have an open house, no matter how much your agent tells you it is! No one will be interested in giving up their Saturday or Sunday afternoon to drive around and look at open houses. I've told you how I feel about open houses before. And if someone wants to buy your house, they aren't going to wait for an open house to see it.
Relax and enjoy your weekend.
Dear Sellers, this is NOT the weekend to try to have an open house, no matter how much your agent tells you it is! No one will be interested in giving up their Saturday or Sunday afternoon to drive around and look at open houses. I've told you how I feel about open houses before. And if someone wants to buy your house, they aren't going to wait for an open house to see it.
Relax and enjoy your weekend.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Follow-up on Follow-through.....
So a little continuation of yesterday's venting.
Mr. Sign Company promised our new signs would be ready Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday at the latest. When contacted yesterday, he said he was "doing the best" he could, but they wouldn't be ready until Thursday. When I reminded him that he told us the signs would be ready on Wednesday and that we were delayed because he forgot our order a few weeks ago, he said we were welcome to go to any other sign company in town. When I asked for a written quote, he told me "if you don't want the signs, just say so!" Is it so much to ask for a quote so we can know what price to expect? When I asked him if this is how he treated the large companies, he replied "No! They give me bigger orders!"
This has only served to reignite my passion for customer satisfaction. Each of our listings is important, whether the list price is $2M or $25K, the customer deserves to be treated like gold. This is the key to return and referral business. And it's just easier to work with people when they're happy! Common sense.
Anyone out there know a good printing company?
Mr. Sign Company promised our new signs would be ready Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday at the latest. When contacted yesterday, he said he was "doing the best" he could, but they wouldn't be ready until Thursday. When I reminded him that he told us the signs would be ready on Wednesday and that we were delayed because he forgot our order a few weeks ago, he said we were welcome to go to any other sign company in town. When I asked for a written quote, he told me "if you don't want the signs, just say so!" Is it so much to ask for a quote so we can know what price to expect? When I asked him if this is how he treated the large companies, he replied "No! They give me bigger orders!"
This has only served to reignite my passion for customer satisfaction. Each of our listings is important, whether the list price is $2M or $25K, the customer deserves to be treated like gold. This is the key to return and referral business. And it's just easier to work with people when they're happy! Common sense.
Anyone out there know a good printing company?
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Follow through.....
Instead of a post today, it's a little bit of a venting of frustration....OK?
In the past few weeks, we have been dealing with a few vendors who absolutely refuse to follow up with us and follow through with their promises. It has been incredibly difficult to get anyone to give us quotes, deliver supplies or services on time, and once delivered correct the inadequacies. Suddenly, these people don't return phone calls or emails!
It's not like we make unreasonable requests. We are ordering things like business cards, yard signs...you know - the things these people do every day! It seems no one cares about repeat business or satisfying the customer. This is aggravating to those of us who pride ourselves on customer service. As a business person, this failure to follow through really ties your hands and forces you to spend an inordinate amount of time chasing these people down or finding another vendor who will complete the job. When I find a vendor who does a great job, I do everything in my power to recommend him/her to others.
Oh well, maybe Landmark Real Estate should go into the printing business as well.
In the past few weeks, we have been dealing with a few vendors who absolutely refuse to follow up with us and follow through with their promises. It has been incredibly difficult to get anyone to give us quotes, deliver supplies or services on time, and once delivered correct the inadequacies. Suddenly, these people don't return phone calls or emails!
It's not like we make unreasonable requests. We are ordering things like business cards, yard signs...you know - the things these people do every day! It seems no one cares about repeat business or satisfying the customer. This is aggravating to those of us who pride ourselves on customer service. As a business person, this failure to follow through really ties your hands and forces you to spend an inordinate amount of time chasing these people down or finding another vendor who will complete the job. When I find a vendor who does a great job, I do everything in my power to recommend him/her to others.
Oh well, maybe Landmark Real Estate should go into the printing business as well.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Happy Monday.....
I thought I'd be short and sweet on this Monday morning. We are up and running on MySpace.com and YouTube.com. We have multi-media presentations on our website www.mylandmarkteam.com, and we're working on strategic internet presence for our listings. In short, we are embracing technology like few other companies and we're excited about it!
We can definitely be your one-stop shop for real estate information!
Have a great Monday and be nice!
We can definitely be your one-stop shop for real estate information!
Have a great Monday and be nice!
Saturday, May 19, 2007
A year-round vacation......
Sounds interesting, doesn't it? It's possible to feel like you ARE on permanent vacation when you live in a place like Tarpon Springs! And we're excited about our newest listing in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Tarpon Springs. The Sunset Hills area of TS is located within walking distance to two Gulf beaches, all three public schools, sports fields, tennis courts and biking trails. Our newest home seen here:
boasts 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a 2 car garage and a bonus room/home office. Did I mention it also has an inground pool with screened lanai and almost 1/2 an acre of luscious land? Why don't you take a look at this presentation for more information:
http://www.tarponteam.com/folio/52/show.html
We are quickly coming into the summer season and one of the reasons most people relocate to Florida....the sunshine. But for those of you spending your first summer in Florida, remember we are known for our afternoon showers in the summer and Stingray mating season in June. I know many people already are thinking "they have gators roaming the streets, the state is on fire and NOW he's telling us about Stingrays?" Yes, I am. But don't be alarmed - just don't forget to shuffle your feet if you plan on swimming in the Gulf in June. The Stingrays don't want trouble, so if you shuffle, they move along. And, no. We don't have gators roaming the streets.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Technology......
In keeping with our strong commitment to technology and our desire to change the real estate industry, we now have a presence on MySpace.com and we're very excited.
We firmly believe in using every method available to us in this technical age to get the message out, and we find there is no better way to market real estate than the internet. We're happy to explore new options for property marketing and our clients appreciate the world-wide exposure they receive.
I urge you to visit our posting at www.myspace.com/landmarkrealestate.
Have a great day!
We firmly believe in using every method available to us in this technical age to get the message out, and we find there is no better way to market real estate than the internet. We're happy to explore new options for property marketing and our clients appreciate the world-wide exposure they receive.
I urge you to visit our posting at www.myspace.com/landmarkrealestate.
Have a great day!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Street Advisor......
People generally want to feel a part of the community in which they live. And if you thoroughly love where you live (as I do) you want other people to know about it.
There is a great website at www.streetadvisor.com which enables you not only to rate and describe the area in which you live, but also your specific street. You can rate the friendliness of your neighbors, the convenience of the location and much more.
I encourage you to visit the website. It doesn't cost anything to participate and enter your ratings and it also creates a community spirit. See who has joined in your area and how they rate the neighborhood.
Enjoy the somewhat smokeless day outside (in Florida at least) and do at least one nice thing for someone else today.
There is a great website at www.streetadvisor.com which enables you not only to rate and describe the area in which you live, but also your specific street. You can rate the friendliness of your neighbors, the convenience of the location and much more.
I encourage you to visit the website. It doesn't cost anything to participate and enter your ratings and it also creates a community spirit. See who has joined in your area and how they rate the neighborhood.
Enjoy the somewhat smokeless day outside (in Florida at least) and do at least one nice thing for someone else today.
Monday, May 14, 2007
60 Minutes...investigative reporting???
Many of you may have seen Sunday night's broadcast of 60 Minutes. In particular I refer to the piece on Real Estate agents collecting a 6% commission while there are "on-line" brokerages charging flat fees and even refunding money to buyers at closing. Let me just say a few things about this.
With the advent of the internet, many thought it heralded the end of such professions as travel agents and librarians. People could purchase airline tickets online and even read entire books on websites. As we all know, these professions are still alive and kicking because people still have a need for human contact. If you make hotel arrangements through an online travel site, and have problems with your reservations, who do you call? I'm not saying that online travel sites aren't convenient - they are - but the internet didn't wipe out the travel agent. And now many people are saying Realtors are headed in the same direction.
The 60 Minutes piece highlighted a company called Redfin, whereby people never have to see an agent face to face to make an offer. The entire transaction can be completed online for a flat fee of $3000. And Redfin made a point to say that they refund money to buyers they represent. Who charges buyers to represent them? I certainly don't! And I don't know anyone who does! What happens when negotiations go down the tubes, or there is a problem with the mortgage or home inspection or appraisal. Will those "online agents" be able to handle it and comfort you? Will they be able to head off these problems before they occur?
Having dealt with many "discount" brokers over the years, I can tell you that the full-service agent on the other end of the transaction does the majority of the work while the discounter sits back. Full service agents put their hearts and souls into the marketing of their listings with the understanding that they get paid for a SUCCESSFUL RESULT ONLY! We don't collect paychecks on a regular basis. Many times, the majority of the marketing dollar comes right out of the agent's pocket with the intent of recouping these costs at closing in the form of commission.
It seems that 60 Minutes was promoting Redfin in an infomercial type environment, instead of the investigative reporting they have been known for in the past. It appears that Ms. Stahl of 60 Minutes didn't conduct much research into the real estate industry and bought a bill of goods from the discount broker.
There are excellent real estate agents who are experts in their field, who work hard each and every day for their clients and are able to consult with and advise their clients to reach the client's goal. I have many, many clients who not only appreciate but value our relationship and my expertise. This is just the newest form of discount brokers which will, like all the others, fail due to the lack of service for which they are famous.
I urge you to visit the CBS website at www.cbs.com and read the story for yourself. Then, look at the comments people have left in overwhelming numbers praising the work of realtors.
Thanks for listening.
With the advent of the internet, many thought it heralded the end of such professions as travel agents and librarians. People could purchase airline tickets online and even read entire books on websites. As we all know, these professions are still alive and kicking because people still have a need for human contact. If you make hotel arrangements through an online travel site, and have problems with your reservations, who do you call? I'm not saying that online travel sites aren't convenient - they are - but the internet didn't wipe out the travel agent. And now many people are saying Realtors are headed in the same direction.
The 60 Minutes piece highlighted a company called Redfin, whereby people never have to see an agent face to face to make an offer. The entire transaction can be completed online for a flat fee of $3000. And Redfin made a point to say that they refund money to buyers they represent. Who charges buyers to represent them? I certainly don't! And I don't know anyone who does! What happens when negotiations go down the tubes, or there is a problem with the mortgage or home inspection or appraisal. Will those "online agents" be able to handle it and comfort you? Will they be able to head off these problems before they occur?
Having dealt with many "discount" brokers over the years, I can tell you that the full-service agent on the other end of the transaction does the majority of the work while the discounter sits back. Full service agents put their hearts and souls into the marketing of their listings with the understanding that they get paid for a SUCCESSFUL RESULT ONLY! We don't collect paychecks on a regular basis. Many times, the majority of the marketing dollar comes right out of the agent's pocket with the intent of recouping these costs at closing in the form of commission.
It seems that 60 Minutes was promoting Redfin in an infomercial type environment, instead of the investigative reporting they have been known for in the past. It appears that Ms. Stahl of 60 Minutes didn't conduct much research into the real estate industry and bought a bill of goods from the discount broker.
There are excellent real estate agents who are experts in their field, who work hard each and every day for their clients and are able to consult with and advise their clients to reach the client's goal. I have many, many clients who not only appreciate but value our relationship and my expertise. This is just the newest form of discount brokers which will, like all the others, fail due to the lack of service for which they are famous.
I urge you to visit the CBS website at www.cbs.com and read the story for yourself. Then, look at the comments people have left in overwhelming numbers praising the work of realtors.
Thanks for listening.
Friday, May 11, 2007
A smooth transaction.... -
I had a closing yesterday on one of my listings and I have to say it was the most enjoyable experience I've had in real estate.
Good agents often find that they are dealing with an agent on the other side of the transaction that either doesn't follow up or doesn't care. I was working with an agent named Ann Gervasi on this particular transaction and the entire process was a joy. Not only is Ann a true professional, but sincerely cared about her clients and kept me informed every step of the way.
Seller and buyer both not only arrived at the closing with smiles on their faces, but left in the same condition. This is a testament to the two transaction agents keeping in constant contact, managing problems before they get out of hand and keeping the entire transaction transparent to the clients. It's our job! Every closing should be as enjoyable - it is one of the most important days in someone's life and it should be a happy day.
So, my thanks to Ann Gervasi, who I'm hoping will join our team. And congratulations to the new owners of the home. I wish you all the best of luck and good fortune.
To my seller, thank you for trusting in me to handle the sale and congratulations to you as well for realizing your goals.
Have a great weekend.
Good agents often find that they are dealing with an agent on the other side of the transaction that either doesn't follow up or doesn't care. I was working with an agent named Ann Gervasi on this particular transaction and the entire process was a joy. Not only is Ann a true professional, but sincerely cared about her clients and kept me informed every step of the way.
Seller and buyer both not only arrived at the closing with smiles on their faces, but left in the same condition. This is a testament to the two transaction agents keeping in constant contact, managing problems before they get out of hand and keeping the entire transaction transparent to the clients. It's our job! Every closing should be as enjoyable - it is one of the most important days in someone's life and it should be a happy day.
So, my thanks to Ann Gervasi, who I'm hoping will join our team. And congratulations to the new owners of the home. I wish you all the best of luck and good fortune.
To my seller, thank you for trusting in me to handle the sale and congratulations to you as well for realizing your goals.
Have a great weekend.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Getting ready.....
Sorry I've been away from the blog for a few days, but things have been hectic.
Our new Tarpon Springs office is under renovation and things are coming along beautifully. The guys tell me it should be ready in about a week. Our new office is located at 401 North Pinellas Avenue and we'll be hosting a Grand Opening in a few weeks.
So, just a quick note to say thanks for those of you who have emailed and said you find this blog useful. Remember, if you have real estate questions, I'm happy to answer them.
Visit our new website as well at www.MyLandmarkTeam.com to see our listings and also search the entire MLS. We can show you any home that is listed!
Have a successful Wednesday.
Our new Tarpon Springs office is under renovation and things are coming along beautifully. The guys tell me it should be ready in about a week. Our new office is located at 401 North Pinellas Avenue and we'll be hosting a Grand Opening in a few weeks.
So, just a quick note to say thanks for those of you who have emailed and said you find this blog useful. Remember, if you have real estate questions, I'm happy to answer them.
Visit our new website as well at www.MyLandmarkTeam.com to see our listings and also search the entire MLS. We can show you any home that is listed!
Have a successful Wednesday.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Doing what's required.....
UGGGH! I get so frustrated sometimes when I'm looking through the new listings in our area. I do like to keep abreast of what's going on in our market, and I like to have a thorough understanding of the inventory in Tarpon Springs. But when I try to take virtual tours of properties I'm not familiar with, and the best photo is:
Come on! "And here is what the front door looks like when it's ajar...". Is this photo actually helpful? Does it provide enough information about the property to an out of town buyer? And when the seller saw the photos, did he or she tell the agent "Hey, great job with the pictures!"?
And how about THIS gem:
"And this room has a window!" How does this highlight the features of this home?
This really makes those of us who go the extra mile for our clients angry. I gurantee these agents wouldn't be satisfied with these photos if it were their OWN home they were marketing.
My advice today: Sellers - check the photos your agent is using in your marketing pieces and especially those placed on MLS. If you don't like them, tell you agent to CHANGE them or hire a professional to capture helpful and descriptive images of your property. This is your first impression to a buyer. The photos attract 90% of the buyers to even look at the property. And if THESE are the photos the buyer first sees, I guarantee they will click "NEXT".
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
The Market is picking up.....
I missed posting yesterday because business is booming!
The buyers are showing up in droves and with historically low interest rates, they are ready to buy. I wanted to list a few incentives sellers can provide which may drive some traffic to their listings:
1. Offer to pay the first year's insurance premium for the buyer. If you get a full price offer, you could be talking about an incentive that will cost you $3000 - $5000 depending on the location of the property.
2. Offer a home warranty to the buyer which will cover major appliances, at a minimum. These cost between $350 and $400. It gives the buyer peace of mind, especially if the appliances are older and may need to be replaced soon.
3. Offer two round-trip airline tickets to the buyers. Limit the total amount you spend on these to $2000. This could be slightly less expensive than paying the insurance premium and for that amount of money, the buyers could practically travel anywhere.
We provide a list of incentives that sellers can offer and some of them are quite creative. It pays to think outside of the box, and could produce a contract sooner than you expect!
Have a great Wednesday.
The buyers are showing up in droves and with historically low interest rates, they are ready to buy. I wanted to list a few incentives sellers can provide which may drive some traffic to their listings:
1. Offer to pay the first year's insurance premium for the buyer. If you get a full price offer, you could be talking about an incentive that will cost you $3000 - $5000 depending on the location of the property.
2. Offer a home warranty to the buyer which will cover major appliances, at a minimum. These cost between $350 and $400. It gives the buyer peace of mind, especially if the appliances are older and may need to be replaced soon.
3. Offer two round-trip airline tickets to the buyers. Limit the total amount you spend on these to $2000. This could be slightly less expensive than paying the insurance premium and for that amount of money, the buyers could practically travel anywhere.
We provide a list of incentives that sellers can offer and some of them are quite creative. It pays to think outside of the box, and could produce a contract sooner than you expect!
Have a great Wednesday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Landmark Real Estate Specialists
Make a LANDMARK decision!
