Realestatelicense.com has created this blog to keep you informed on recent real estate news, views, and topics. Real estate is a very dynamic field. Everyday there's something new and exciting happening in the world of real estate. Use this blog to stay on top of current real estate events, news, and views and support your real estate license and career. As a licensed real estate professional, you need to know this information.
Get a
real estate agent license and you'll quickly learn the art of competition - especially in a market where inventory is a smorgasbord of choices for picky buyers. Get creative and make your listings stand out with these six competitive tactics.
1. Pump up your online presence.
You completely filled out the MLS data for your new listing plus you posted a few extra photos and spent time describing features. Great, now it's time to get down to business. Get your client's home on as many websites and real estate blogs as possible with a personal Real Simple Syndication (RSS) content feed. Companies like www.myrealtyfeed.com offer an easy way to start showcasing listings and open houses via news readers all over the Internet.
2. Stage to impress.
Fresh paint, mold-free bathrooms, clean windows and spotless carpeting - your listing must have all this and more. Don't be shy when it comes to advising clients on the virtues of staging. Small changes can make the difference between months on the market and a full price offer.
3. Lure buyers with stellar photos.
With a staggering amount of buyers beginning their home search on the Internet, why wouldn't you post an array of quality photos? Quality photos are clear and capture features that matter most to buyers - that doesn't include a cute family pet, a pretty rose bush or the front view of your listing blocked by a car in the driveway.
4. Attract buyers and agents with incentives.
Once you're satisfied your seller's staged home is ready to impress, invite other agents to take a look. Lure them with food, drinks and a gift certificate raffle. The main objective is to get your client's home on the radar of as many local agents as possible. To lure buyers, see what your sellers are willing to include in their price. A flat screen television for the living room, new appliances for the kitchen or even a year of paid association dues can make a fickle buyer take notice.
5. Set a price that reaches your target demographic.
When setting a price for your listing, consider more than just nearby comparable home sales. Who's your target audience and what can they afford? If you set the price even $5,000 to high, some multiple listing services will place your listing in a higher bracket than where your target audience is looking.
6. Advertise to your target demographic.
Find out how your listing's target demographic prefers to receive information. For example, if you specialize in 55+ communities, door knocking with flyers may be more effective than the Internet. Also, if your listing is in a community that caters to foreign language speakers, seek out websites and/or local media that will specifically reach them.
By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools, www.realestatelicense.com Labels: How to sell your house, Real Estate Agent License
Make sure your older home stands out among the new home competition.
Beat housing market challenges with these eight upgrades and you just might
sell your home faster.
1. New Roof
On arrival, potential buyers will immediately inspect your home's curb appeal. This includes the roof. So if shingles are flapping in the wind or broken tiles threaten to fall, consider investing in a new roof. A 20 year roof, rather than a 30 year roof, can help save costs. Even if problems aren't as obvious, having an inspection report readily available to soothe buyer roof concerns can only help move the process along quicker.
2. Siding
From the 1930's through the 1960's, asphalt siding was a popular, but ugly choice. Consider adding a fresh coat of neutral paint, or replace it all together. Vinyl siding is more common today, but can easily trap water leading to structural damage, mold and insect infestations if not properly maintained. If you suspect problems, you'll need a certified home inspector to check it out.
3. Double Pane Windows
Double pane windows aren't just a luxury anymore - they're the standard in windows buyers expect. So replace those old school aluminum sliders. Not only will you boost your home's overall curb appeal, but helping potential buyers cut heating and cooling costs is a major selling point.
4. Copper Plumbing
Many older homes were outfitted with galvanized pipes which corrode over time. Although pipes may be the last thing on your buyer's mind, the issue will come to the forefront once the inspection report becomes available.
5. Termite Inspection Report
Even the most inexperienced buyer will have the foresight to request a termite inspection. Why not just get it out of the way? Termite inspections are typically cheap and especially important for older homes.
6. Electrical
Cell phones, computers, PDAs - these marvels of technology are all relatively new. Most older homes aren't equipped with enough electrical power to support all these gadgets. Consider upgrading your electrical system to at least 100 amp.
7. Furnace
If your furnace is 15 to 20 years old, it's probably time for a new one. Most furnaces installed before 1992 are only 60-80% efficient, sending the remainder of the wasted energy up your chimney or vents. Selecting an energy efficient furnace could be a huge selling point, especially in colder regions where heating costs soar. Many of today's furnaces have impressive efficiency ratings in the 90 percentile range.
8. Water Heater
Continue to appease cost savvy buyers by replacing old water heaters. Replacing a 15 year old water heater with an energy efficient one can cut 30 to 50% of a home's energy use.
By Danielle Macklin, Allied Schools,www.realestatelicense.comLabels: Home Inspector, How to sell your house