Contracts

I am convinced my profession is worth its weight in commission. No matter how easy a transaction seems to the public, behind the scenes, my assistant and I work diligently to assure a sale. Whether this be for the buyer or seller, having an agent who works full time and professionally only helps in securing a sale for the client. If you forget just one item, the deal could fall apart and your client now regards you as the number one enemy. I am aware of how important every initial is and every document is saved on my computer so I never run into a situation where I am the culprit. Contracts are changing, so continuing education is even more vital today then it was a year ago. Closing deals is what makes a great agent in this market, so I am making sure I am at tge top of my game. Visit http://www.davespence.net/ and see how true professionalism creates success and sells homes!

"Yards" in Real Estate

Spring is here and something more important than your home...your lawn! Many clients say they bought their house before walking in by remarking on how beautiful the landscape was. Whether this be fresh cut grass, new flowers, mulched flower beds, or just an easy access to the front door, people love seeing great curb appeal! Asking a Winchester real estate expert is important because I can give you the best advice on what will enhance your curb appeal and who I recommend as a professional landscaper (Tim Ritter of Ritter Landscape 540-327-2169). Enjoy the spring time and take time to take care of your investment by keeping the lawn clean and green! www.DaveSpence.net has all your real estate needs covered. Buying or selling, I have all services to provide you great success in your next real estate transaction!

Real Estate Recertification

I am one person who would not survive going back to school for a Masters degree. However, to keep up with the times, I must take continuing ed courses for real estate to remind myself the important facts and laws to abide by. I face many situations with clients and other realtors that result in strenous circumstances. Familiarizing myself with old and new real estate laws, only makes me better in my interaction, as well as understanding my responsibility in each transaction. So for the sake of time, I am glad I can take courses at home to keep me at the top of my real estate game!

Realtor to Realtor

I have learned each year in this business how important great professional relationships are vital to your success. Winchester is a great town for real estate professionals because it helps your clients! Yes, I said it...knowing other realtors only benefits your own clients because if you correspond with other volume realtors, it only creates more opportunities for my sellers and buyers. For example, I have a transaction with a realtor right now, since there were some difficult situations, we (the realtors) had to work extra hard to get the deal to closing. If I wouldn't have had a professional relationship, the deal would be lost and my seller would have lost a sell and money because the market is shifting so quickly.
For the public: When interviewing realtors, make sure they do have a great reputation among the local association. In this market, every avenue is important which includes asking realtors if the price is right, what their true thoughts on the property are, and getting an honest response when my properties are shown. Sorry to say, very few realtors have this reputation and I can say in all honesty...I do! Plus, I am glad to recommend realtors who do at competitive firms because what goes around..comes around. Visit www.DaveSpence.net and see for yourself how a great reputation with an awesome peer group helps my homes sell! Till next time, homes are selling on www.DaveSpence.net... is yours?

Real estate photography 101

I found out today that I can only make a picture look so good with Microsoft viewer. I took the plunge and paid for a professional to take a photo of my new listing, which by the way is a beautiful farmette in Middletown Virginia. What the gentleman sent back dropped my jaw because of the color and detail of a great photo. Now my client's home looks better than any other home "online" than the competition. The investment is worth it if the property is in a higher price range and it makes sense to do it. My decision to get the photos done was because my seller valued her property and the condition, thus I should reciprocate. Look for more great photos of homes on www.DaveSpence.net!

Neighborhood Values

I received two calls this week from neighbors seeking the value of their home compared to a home I have currently under contract. I will make this short and sweet. Just because your neighbor's home sold for a certain price, doesn't mean yours will. I am willing to educate many sellers to the fact that prices in Winchester are changing monthly. Since neighborhoods are drastically affected by those selling, a Realtor is the best opportunity for you to see how much you can sell your home for. Right now, more than ever a seller must rely on a professional to give them true advice regarding the price of their home vs those in their neighborhood. Take the time if you are thinking of selling to visit www.DaveSpence.net and contact my office if you want to be given true advice on the market value of your home. Time is very important and can either help you make money on the sell of your home, or having you paying out for someone to buy your home.

Sellers...Price Your Real Estate Right!

Sellers need some help in the category of sales price. I am blogging on this topic because in the last two weeks I have had sellers try to "raise" their value without any hard evidence. Realtors take time and a hard look before pricing a home in a downturn market. We look at active listings, under contract listings, sold listing, all of which gives us a market value when then disect and reach a value we think can sell (I when I say sell that is exaclty what I mean. We are not "test" dummies for owners to see what the market will bare). This is my opinion and I cannot speak for the other 500 or so Realtors in my local association, but there is no way on earth in this economy an owner can be asking a price one day, and then raise the price the following week and expect us to sell their home. Buyers are too informed because of the web, viewing as many as 40 homes similar to mine, and the nightly news. I tell my clients every 30 to 45 days, if we don't have an offer and I know I have marketed it well, price is the only variable needing change to get pin to paper. Sellers, as a disclosure and closing statement, don't loose thousands of dollars trying to stay at the top of market and then slowly adapt your price to the market. Have your Realtor find a "competitive" price and reach the buyers (who are out there) instead of seeing profits dissappear on a monthly basis. Till next time, visit www.DaveSpence.net and I will see you on your block!

Take care of the real estate investment you made!

I arrive at my client's home to evaluate the value of their property. To my dismay, they have not kept their property to market standards by any means. When I give them their price and show them the comps, they ask why theirs was so much lower. At this precise moment I can either A) tell them it is a low ball figure and they can ask more. Or B) Tell them the truth and make them understand that because of their lackluster performance in home maintenence, they will be receiving less money for their home. Homeowners, now more than ever it is important to keep up with maintence of your home. And in some cases, update baths, floors, or whatever the budget allows for. Realtors are not genies, we can only sell a home at top value if the home is in turn key condition. But I must reel myself in and make it my responsibility to be upfront with homeowners or I wouldn't be doing my job. When I leave, I must give the owner valuable tips to make the home set apart from the competition. So I like a said, I have to be brutally honest. Till next time or when you are thinking of selling and need this advice free and clear, visit www.DaveSpence.net!

Reviving the public's trust in a Realtor in 2009

Many have seen the real estate market up close and inside the front door. What they haven't seen is how I am researching and protecting their investment. Short sales, foreclosures, resales, there are so many options for a buyer in this market. Low interest rates seem to be driving the current purchasing spree and there is not doubt the public is need of some type of security in response to the stock market. I am making sure my buyers understand what deal they can receive on each home they view. You can only know this if you actively show property each week because the market changes weekly if not daily. As for sellers, the same applies. One has to be actively listing properties to make sure to give a true depiction of the market.
The public doesn't trust Realtors for the simple fact so many were in the market had no business being there and at times gave horrible advice. Worst of all, there were those who took advantage of their buyers and sellers for the sole reason of the almighty dollar. I say, in 2009, make sure your Realtor is a full time, career oriented, honest agent, who looks out for your best interest, not their own. But a reminder, an honest agent is out to earn a commission because that is his or her livelyhood. So please be considerate of the fact when asking him or her to cut it for the benefit of your own. Till next time, visit www.DaveSpence.net for all your Real Estate needs.