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.