September 24th, 2014 at 10:00 am
While there are many opinions about the state of the housing industry, one thing we know is that prices are on the rise in Southern California. According to DataQuick, spring 2014 saw housing in California jump to its highest level since 2008. Just a year ago, buyers looking to purchase in Southern California could get a good deal. Those levels are starting to even out, but if the trend continues and housing costs rise, buyers thinking about moving toCalifornia should look to make their move soon.
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September 22nd, 2014 at 12:00 pm
If your listing expired recently, you might be disappointed in the service you received from the listing agent. You might even be bombarded by other real estate agents contacting you to re-list your home. To figure out what your best move is, start by reviewing your listing agreement. Make sure the relationship with your agent is terminated and you are not contractually involved with the agent or his/her company.
Next, consider your options and ask yourself these questions:
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September 18th, 2014 at 11:00 am
Whether you’re buying or selling a home, your relationship with your real estate agent is more than just a business relationship. Its foundation should be built on trust and confidence. Sometimes the relationship might not be working as you expected, and you and your agent just aren’t a good match. It’s OK to terminate the relationship if you believe you could be better served elsewhere.
As a buyer, you should only be working with one real estate agent. Although you may not have signed a contract, real estate agents put in long hours, often based on good faith. If you are working with more than one agent, you should break off ties and only work with one. The newer a relationship is, the easier it will be to end. If you’ve been with an agent for a long time but don’t think things are going well, start by being honest with that person. Give your agent feedback about what is and isn’t working for you. If the agent can work to remedy the situation, let him or her know. However, if you are ready to move on, make that clear to the agent.
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August 20th, 2014 at 3:30 pm
When you’re in the process of selling your home, consider what you look for when buying a home. In order to get a buyer to make a purchase, they must feel an emotional tie to the home. Factors like location and price play a prominent part, but by appealing to a buyers’ emotions you’re putting the icing on the cake. An emotional pull is likely to outweigh other factors. One of the easiest ways to create that connection is by creating an inviting sensory experience.
The sense of smell might be the most impactful of all the senses. Think about your own life, do certain smells conjure up both happy and sad memories. Smell can transport you to a different time and place. As a home seller you can use this to your advantage. Start by thoroughly cleaning your home; steam clean carpets, air out closed off rooms and invest in lightly scented air fresheners (be cautious of anything too bold). Pay attention to anything that can cause an unpleasant odor, like garbage cans and dirty laundry, and make sure these areas are cleaned before an open house or showing. If you have notice of an open house or showing, consider baking homemade goodies. Accompany the treats with a handwritten note inviting the guests to sit, relax and enjoy. The aroma and hand written note will make the potential buyer feel right at home and hopefully remind them of fond memories associated with the scent.
On that same note, taste can also be used as a way to build an emotional connection. Set out coffee, fresh baked goods, fruit or even candy. This can help buyers to feel comfortable and leave them with a pleasant impression. (more…)
August 7th, 2014 at 10:00 am
The real estate industry has been buzzing about the Zillow – Trulia merger. Separately, these are the two largest online real estate listing companies in the United States. The plan to merge swirled throughout the industry last week and have since been confirmed; causing a substantial gain in Zillow’s stock price. However, the merger will do more than boost the bank accounts of those invested in these companies, it will also affect the real estate industry as a whole.
What Likely Will Not Change
If you’ve ever used either of these sites before you’ve probably also noticed that there isn’t as much information available for a property when compared to a local real estate agency. This fact is not likely to change as neither site is an MLS. Plans to take over MLSs have not currently been discussed in terms of this merger. Consumers should not expect to get access to more listings or depend on better information, but the ease and functionality of these sites should continue to improve. Most buyers begin the process online and these two sites are the most popular places to start. Consumers expect to receive hyper-local content from local real estate companies. Although they may begin their search online, those in the market to buy a home will be looking for local information from an agent.
Likely Changes (more…)
