Customer Service: The Backbone of Your California Real Estate Career

Good customer service can be the difference between a successful California real estate career and an average California real estate career. Providing good customer service can get you noticed, and make clients want to use you instead of a competitor. With so much at stake in the real estate process, you should make it a priority to always provide the highest-quality customer support.

Nobody wants to work with a California real estate salesperson that is unhelpful, unreachable or even unwilling to do what it takes to get the sale complete - especially when that sales agent is receiving a large commission! Providing quality customer service can take your California real estate career to the next level -enabling you to retain clients, receive positive word of mouth and have an overall solid reputation.

As a California real estate agent, you can follow six steps to ensure that your clients have a positive experience:

1) Answer your phone - Nothing is more important than ensuring that your clients reach a live person. Make yourself available! If you have to let a phone call go to your voice mail, be sure to call the client back in a timely manner. If you are out in the field, make sure you take your cellular phone so you are reachable or have the ability to return calls as soon as you are available.

2) Don't make promises unless you will keep them - Reliability is a key factor in customer service. Clients want to believe what they're told. Keep their trust and follow through on what you promise. Real estate is a large investment; it is your job as a California real estate salesperson to be up-front with your clients.

3) Listen to your customers - It is important to really listen to your clients. Find out what their California real estate needs are and tailor your services to meet their needs. Give them the courtesy of your undivided attention.

4) Deal with problems - You should try to resolve any problems that arise - quickly and efficiently. If you can address the problem effectively and provide a satisfactory solution, you will have another happy client on your hands.

5) Be helpful - Customers want assistance from someone that is knowledgeable and willing to help - at every stage of the real estate process. Put your best foot forward and lend a helping hand. Sometimes going above and beyond your duty can be the right thing to do; i.e. helping your clients find a suitable lender or hand-delivering documents to their house.

6) Take the extra step - By going the extra mile, you will make a lasting impression. Don't worry about the immediate profit. If your clients are happy with your real estate services, they will be back.

Regardless of whether your clients buy or not, you should treat them as if they were the most important. Clients that feel valued and appreciated will be more likely to return. Remember, it only takes a few unhappy customers to cast a negative light on a business. If you consistently follow these rules, you will become known for good customer service - something that is essential in real estate. You worked so hard to get your California real estate license - make the most of it by being providing high-quality service every step of the way.

Labels: California real estate, California real estate career, California real estate salesperson, real estate career

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Beware of Offers to Lower Your Property Taxes -- Do it Yourself for Free!

With house values on the decline, you may not be surprised when an official letter arrives at your house with an offer to reassess your property and lower your property taxes -- for a fee. Before you act on it, watch out!

Companies are taking advantage of today's economic situation to send letters, oftentimes looking like a bill, to consumers with this offer. Although they look official, they are not -- these companies are committing consumer fraud. You can easily file your own paperwork, free of charge, with the county assessor's office and request a re-assessment of your property.

If you purchased your home within the last five years, you will probably benefit most from a re-assessment of your property taxes. Make sure you work directly with a legitimate government agency and don't ever accept offers in the mail -- unless they are from your county assessor.

Labels: California real estate, property tax, real estate property

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Orange County Home Buying Increased in 17 Zip Codes

According to recent DataQuick home selling statistics, a span of 22 business days from mid August through September 15 revealed a 25.7% increase (above one year ago) in Orange County home buying. In fact, home sales doubled or more in 17 Orange County zip codes. Here's a look at the zip codes and the year-over-year increases:

1. Santa Ana (92703) - 450%
2. Santa Ana (92706) - 300%
3. Santa Ana (92707) - 300%
4. Anaheim (92806) - 266.7%
5. Anaheim (92805) - 221.1%
6. Anaheim (92807) - 200%
7. Garden Grove (92844) - 200%
8. Santa Ana (92704) - 171.4%
9. Garden Grove (92843) - 170%
10. Tustin (92780) - 161.1%
11. Anaheim (92804) - 144.4%
12. Fountain Valley (92708) - 142.9%
13. Santa Ana (92701) - 130.8%
14. Anaheim (92801) - 128.6%
15. Westminster (92683) - 128%
16. Newport Beach (92662) - 100%
17. Santa Ana (92705) - 100%

With good deals on the market and programs like the government's $7,500 tax credit for first time home buyers, Orange County home buyers are getting off the sidelines and into the game. Real estate is cyclical, so while some housing markets face challenges, other housing markets flourish. These 17 zip codes are a prime example.

Why not take advantage of this opportunity and others? Get your California real estate license online in your free time and tap into this market. Turn the home ownership dreams of qualified buyers into reality and be prepared to take on the next market upswing.

It's time to think big. Choose to work within the confines of a cubicle, or become your own boss, see potential beyond media hype and pursue the rewarding real estate career challenges you know you can handle.


By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools

Labels: California real estate, orange county real estate license, organge county real estate, real estate in orange county

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Temporary Price Slash - CA Real Estate License Course

Prepare for California's real estate market upswing! Approximately 39,507 California homes sold in July. That's a 12.2% increase from 35,202 in June and 12.3% increase from 35,185 for July 2007*. Take action now and get your California real estate license with this limited-time offer! Through September 10, Allied's offering their Fast Track Premium Course for only $248 (textbooks included). That's a $100 savings! Don't miss out - call 888-751-2286 and learn more today!

*Source: MDA DataQuick

By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools,www.realestatelicense.com

Labels: California real estate, California real estate license, real estate agent training

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So Cal's Housing Market on the Rise Signaling Good News for Real Estate Appraisers

There is good news for real estate appraisers.

Southern California's home sales increased over year-ago levels for the first time since September 2005, climbing above 20,000 transactions for the first time in 13 months. After having gone without a sales increase for a record 33 months and sales down every month but February 2007, things are starting to look up.

DataQuick reported that home buyers are taking advantage of discounted prices and buying foreclosure properties in more affordable areas. Although this has led to a decrease in the median price, it has driven up sales numbers. Foreclosures accounted for 44% of all resales.

With every house sale requiring a home appraisal, this opens the door to opportunities in real estate appraisal. The increased activity will eventually lead to an upswing in the real estate market -- leading to more opportunities for the licensed appraiser.

It's the perfect time to start an appraisal career and be prepared for opportunities on the horizon!

Labels: California real estate, California real estate appraisal, Real Estate Appraisers

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Prepare for Your California Real Estate Exam

Are you ready to get your California real estate license? Pass your state exam and begin a California real estate career quickly by preparing with effective exam prep tools.

Not all California real estate exam prep tools are equal. For example, some prep kits have more than 30 hours of review. Do you have that kind of time? Instead, choose a prep program that zones in on important review topics, like real estate practice and valuation, in half the time. Here's what to look for so you pass the first time with ease:

Professional Instruction

Don't just memorize definitions, learn real estate agent skills from professionals who've mastered them. Look for materials that include instruction from an accomplished individual in the industry.

DVDs

It's the perfect addition to your real estate license course. Sit back in the comfort of your home and enjoy instant instruction on key California real estate principles.

Workbooks

Your workbooks should summarize all main key points and include comprehensive review exercises that help you retain each key point.

Practice Questions and Exams

Your California real estate exam prep kit must have a variety of practice questions and exams that closely mirror the state exam. This is a powerful way to prepare.

Math Emphasis

You can bet the California real estate exam will have a math emphasis, so look for prep kits that help you sharpen forgotten arithmetic skills.

Study Tips

You've armed yourself with all the recommended tools for passing your state exam, but do you know how to use them? Look for an exam prep kit with an instructional study guide and test taking tips that will help you pass the exam.

With the right real estate exam prep tools, you can take your California real estate license exam with confidence and easily move on to an exciting career change.

By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools, www.realestatelicense.com

Labels: California real estate, California real estate license, california real estate license requirements, Real Estate Degree

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What Does it Take to Get a California Real Estate Salesperson License?

Recently the DRE instated new licensing requirements for the California real estate salesperson license. The changes? Before you can apply to take the state exam, you need to complete your pre-licensing real estate education, which includes three real estate courses -- Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice and an Escrow or Finance course.

The benefit is that instead of having to complete additional education after you get your real estate license, you do everything upfront. Once your California real estate salesperson license is issued, you do not have to complete anymore education for four years. You can focus on your career and establish yourself as a real estate agent.

Steps to Get Your California Real Estate License

1. Simply enroll in a Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice and an Escrow or Finance course
2. Complete all three courses
3. Apply to take the state exam
4. Prepare for and pass the state exam using industry-leading exam preparation materials
5. Receive your real estate salesperson license
6. Start your new career without the worry of education for four years!

Rest assured! There isn't more real estate education than was required in the past --it is just a matter of getting your education done before your license is issued. Now, when you receive your real estate license, you will have already completed all of the courses you need.

It is the perfect time to start your real estate career. Soon, the real estate industry will rebound. Make sure that you are ready! Choose convenient online real estate courses to complete your education and be ahead of the curve. There will be demand for qualified real estate agents. Be prepared for a shift in the real estate market!

Labels: California real estate, California real estate license

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Protect Yourself with a Home Inspection

Home inspection plays a very important role in the real estate process. When you are buying or selling a home, you rely on a home inspector to provide an accurate and reliable inspection of a property. A home inspector will tell you about the condition of the home and help you avoid buying a home that needs major repairs. It is the perfect way to get an in-depth and impartial opinion of your next home before you buy it.

What to Expect

Typically, you will hire a home inspector either immediately before an offer is made on a home or as a contingency to a sale. Additionally, home inspections are ideal if you want to evaluate your home's condition or diagnose potential problems before they become serious issues.

Home inspectors perform the following duties:

-Evaluate the physical condition of a property, including the structure, construction and mechanical systems.

-Identify the items that should be repaired or replaced.

-Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems (such as electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning), equipment, structure, and finishes.

Although inspections are primarily visual, inspectors may use tape measures, survey instruments, metering devices, and other equipment, such as concrete strength measurers, to aid in their inspection. They keep a log of their work, take photographs, and file a formal report.

The inspection usually takes two or three hours (depending on the age and size of the home). You should be present so you can ask questions and learn about areas that need additional work. All of the findings will be presented in a formal report that details the condition of the home.

A Close Look

The main purpose of the home inspector is to provide an objective viewpoint on the condition of a specific home at the time of inspection. The inspector does not evaluate the cost or value of the property, but provides a close examination of the following:

Structural Components: Foundations, floors and walls.

Exterior Components: Siding paint, windows, decks, garage doors, etc.

Roofing: Coverings, flashings, chimneys, etc.

Plumbing: Piping, fixtures, faucets, water heating and fuel storage systems, etc.

Electrical: Wiring, main service panels, conductors, switches, receptacles, etc.

Heating: Equipment, safety controls, distribution systems, chimneys, etc.

Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps: Cooling and air-handling equipment, controls and ducting, etc.

Interior: Partitions, ceilings, floors, railings, doors and windows, etc.

Insulation and Ventilation: Attics, walls, floors, foundations, kitchen and bathrooms, etc.

They will additionally perform the following services (sometimes for an extra fee): mold sampling, radon testing, asbestos evaluation, pests/wood destroying organisms, carbon monoxide testing, lead testing, and more. These services are not always available.

Make sure to protect your investment. Get a home inspection before you buy your next home!

Labels: California real estate, home inspection, Home Inspector

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Job Outlook: The Real Estate Industry

The real estate industry is projected to experience an INCREASE in employment opportunities over the next decade.

A growing population is expected to have a greater housing need. With a robust economy, individuals will perceive real estate as a good investment. They will be more likely to buy a new house, or invest money into a secondary residence. This will result in a greater need for agents and brokers. Low interest rates will also continue to spur market activity.

Because real estate is relatively easy to enter, more people will choose to start a career in this field. Flexible work hours and high earnings potential will draw them to this profession. Individuals with a high knowledge of the real estate market, as well as contacts in their local community, will have the best chance for success.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Labels: California real estate, job outlook, Real Estate

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Getting Your Real Estate Salesperson License from a Credible School

Not all schools are created equal. You've decided that you want to become a licensed real estate professional. There are many schools available to provide you with your real estate salesperson license training. However, some do not follow the correct standards or adhere to the right rules. How do you know which real estate schools to avoid? You need to do your homework.

It is ideal to screen potential California real estate schools to ensure that they are credible. Determine if the real estate license courses meet the quality you would expect from a traditional accredited or state-approved school.

When evaluating a real estate school, consider the following questions:
1.Is it accredited?
2.Are the programs approved by the state real estate board?
3.Is it registered with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary & Vocational Education (BPPVE)?
4.Is it registered with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)?
5.Is there a good pass rate on the state exam?

Labels: California real estate, California real estate license, california real estate license requirements

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Bay Area Real Estate - A Risky Business

For years, real estate has been one of the best investments in the Bay Area, but some experts are saying it's now becoming a risky business.

A study released Thursday says homeownership in California is at its highest level since the 1960s -- but in large part because people are taking more and more risks to get there. The Public Policy Institute of California says families are taking on enormous debt, skipping down payments, choosing interest-only or adjustable-rate mortgages, and signing up for 40-year loans. Many couldn't afford to buy without such measures.

According to the report, over half of people who bought a home in California in the past two years are ignoring federal guidelines and sinking more than 30% of their income into mortgages. Twenty percent are spending more than half their income.

The gamble has paid off for many. In just the past three years, local home prices have shot up 47%, which helps explain why buyers are willing to pay over the asking price. We saw a modest two-bedroom home in San Mateo Thursday that sold for $100,000 over the price is was listed for.

Broker Bill Mott has been in the business for 30 years. He says the risks could backfire if prices go down, but they don't have to."

As long as they don't sell, they'll be fine," he said. "If they keep the property, then it's their home and it'll be fine. Because eventually even if it stops or slows down or stops appreciating it'll be only a cycle again. It'll start appreciating again. It has to.

"The median prices for a Bay Area home stands at $501,000.

Source -CBS5

Labels: bay area ral estate school, Bay area real estate, California real estate, california real estate license school

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New Rules For Real Estate Agent

Under a new law many Vermont real estate agents will have to go back to real estate school. Before getting a real estate license people will have to take a 40 hour course that wasn't required before. Also people who let their real estate license lapse for more than 5 years will have to take a new real estate license exam.
The requirements are designed to better protect people who want to buy a home.
"The change is a great change because it brings Vermont up in line with the rest of the country. We have traditionally lagged behind other states with real estate in our educational requirements and the real estate profession has really gotten pretty complex. The real estate licensing exam reflects the new changes in law," explains Deb Markowitz, D-Vt. Secretary of State.
The Real Estate Commission and Vermont Association of Realtors both support the changes.

Source- Channel 3 News

Labels: California real estate, real esate agent, Real Estate School

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San Diego, California Homes Continue To Be Third Most Expensive

Being one of the three most expensive markets in the U.S., San Diego is not even in the top ten as far as the rate of appreciation this past quarter, that means prices may be cooling slightly, but not necessarily for long, say local Realtors. The market in San Diego, California, still appears to be brisk, and there are still a large number of people shopping. Majority of homes in the North County that were once $300,000 a few years ago, now sell close to $500,000 which is about 15 percent annual increase.

Click here to learn more about how to get real estate license in california.

Zip Realty advises, "If you are a buyer thinking of purchasing, don't wait. There is no bubble, it doesn't exist, so it cannot burst. There is no time like the present. Get in now and pick up that equity for your future. You don't have money to put down or pay for closing cost, don't worry. With $0 down financing and the seller paying your closing costs, it is extremely easy to purchase a home. If you're a seller, you have picked up a great deal of equity. Is it time for you to also make a move? There is a buyer out there that would love your home, and is willing to pay a high market value for it."

Labels: California real estate, san diego, san diego real estate, san diego real estate school

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Home Sales Rise in California ... Million Dollar Homes !!!!

Am I missing the point, here I am listening to people complain about gas prices, real estate prices sky rocketing but if you look at the numbers, more million-dollar homes were sold in California last year than in the two previous years combined, a real estate information service reported.
A total of 33,107 Golden State homes sold for a million dollars or more last year. That was up 73.5 percent from 19,080 in 2003. The total was 13,871 in 2002, according to DataQuick Information Systems.

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Last year's surge was strongest during the second quarter when year-over-year sales were up 109.3 percent. During the year's final quarter, sales were up 61.0 percent.
It seems like people keep buying even if the price keeps going up, is it going to level at one point or no ?

Labels: California real estate, California real estate license, california real estate license school, home sales

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