// BLOG

Why Should I Share Buyer’s Feedback?

January 24, 2010

It’s not uncommon among real estate agents to question the idea of a buyer’s agent sharing the buyers’ feedback to the listing agent after a showing. Some would argue that it’s not their responsibility or they can’t remember the specifics about the property in question, and for some, they feel they simply can’t take the time unless the buyer wants to put in an offer. But paying attention to and sharing a buyer’s feedback can actually help you in the long run.

It can be extremely frustrating for the listing agents because such information would be extremely helpful to get the home sold. But, if the buyers or the buyers’ agent isn’t leaving feedback it can leave sellers frustrated not knowing why their home isn’t selling. So…. what are the benefits of you taking the time to give feedback?

My Ideal Home Is Not…?

When you’re working with a client, you can offer better service by continually learning and adapting to what turns them on and off about a home. Why? Because you’ll have a better idea of that perfect home. Yes, you know the basics, location, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage etc. etc. But it’s going to be the things they DIDN’T tell you that will keep them from putting in an offer. The more you know about what they like and dislike, the more apt you are for find the one home they fall in love with the moment the step inside.

The Golden Rule

And since you have the information handy - you should pass it onto the listing agent. Striking up a conversation with them means that you’re being a better agent for your buyer by building your network of influence. This helps you down the road because if you’re willing to help out another agent, chances are they’ll do the same for you. Sharing information about your buyer’s reaction will ultimately help a listing agent sell more quickly and when the time comes and the roles are reversed - you too could find the information handy. It’s about making yourself known and useful.

With the economy the way it is today, people are sometimes hesitant to give without the guarantee of getting something back, but this isn’t rocket science. It’s just taking a few minutes of your day to offer help to a fellow agent. You’re not handing them your business, just offering a hand.

2010 Emerging Trends - Compact Communities?

December 31, 2009

So here it is… New Years Eve. As 2009 draws to an end, and agents, buyers and lenders all vamp up for the new year… I found myself pondering what it has in store on the real estate front. In doing so, I found an interesting post by The City Fix called “The End of the American Exurbs and the Death of Sprawl?”

In it, it talks about a shift that began happening even before (and in part because of) the financial and real estate crisis of 2009. It states that communities across the US are compacting themselves. What once were new and lively suburban areas, are now littered with empty homes largely due to the fact that Americans are moving inward. We’re seeing a greater desire for smaller, more practical homes and shorter commutes. The article quotes from the Urban Land Institute’s Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2010 annual report, who had some interesting observations including specifics on the types of homes that are being snatched up and what developers might expect to see in 2010.

Keep in mind, that these trends are - simply put, good guesses for what the New Year has in store. We’re not seers or soothsayers, but this article seemed interesting to me and gave me some insight as to how I might critique my business plan for 2010. Still, nothing is set in stone, so be flexible, be prepared for whatever may come your way and from all of us at GetMyHomesVale.com, have a very safe and happy New Year!

Seattle Agent Marlow Harris On Niche Website Marketing

December 9, 2009

Every now and again we are introduced to an agent who is doing something outside of the norm with their internet marketing. We believe that Marlow Harris is one of those agents.

Marlow works in the Seattle real estate market and the internet is responsible for more than 30% of the closings she has. As a matter of fact, Marlow had a 1.7 million dollar sale that her website was responsible for.

“The buyer didn’t even see the house. She was from over sees and found my website online. About 30% of my sales come from strangers I’ve never met,” said Marlow in her seemingly permanent upbeat tone.

So what’s so unique about what she’s doing? It’s the fact that Marlow has more than 5 websites that all focus on differnet niches. NorthwestModernHomes.com is focused on providing information to people when they’re looking for modern homes in the Northwest. If you’re looking at information on living in the Seattle area, Harris has established SeattleDreamLiving.com. SeattleUrbanCondo.com focuses on Condos within the boudaries of the city itself. The most “outside of the box” in our opinion is NorthwestGreenLiving.com, where she talks about eco-friendly building and homes, an extremely hot topic these days.

The most important site to Marlow? SeattleDreamHomes.com for sure. This is where she has focussed most of her link building efforts. Building links to a website is one of the most important things that make it rank higher. It certainly generates a considerable amount of traffic with it’s more than 1,045 (as of this post) highly searched terms ranking in the top 20 in google. This is a feat that most agent don’t achieve.

So, what can agents learn from Marlow? We think she says it best, “use the internet in ways that are attractive to a variety of people. Create sites that different niche groups will find value in, and they’ll find value in you.”

Find a Home You’ll Love on a Budget You’ll Like

November 25, 2009

With low home prices and record low interest rates, many buyers are jumping into the market and whether your a first time buyer, or a seasoned market veteran, we all have a budget. The key is to not let anybody tell you that you can’t afford to be choosy when looking for a home to buy. You are unique. And no matter what advice you receive - it’s important you get as much on your checklist as possible. Obviously, we may not get everything - so use the list below to determine what’s most important to you.

TYPE OF HOME

Single Family:

Pros: Good appreciation. Land for gardening, outdoor entertaining. More privacy.
Cons: More expensive than the alternative. More maintenance.

Condos, Townhomes and Cooperatives:

Pros: Less expensive. Generally newer so less repairs are needed. No exterior maintenance.
Cons: Less privacy. Nosier due to common walls, floors and/or ceilings. Sometimes no private yard or outdoor space.

New Build:

Pros: New homes won’t need repairs. You can customize many cosmetic features and even the entire layout of the home.
Cons: Generally new homes lack attention to detail and finer craftsmanship. Can look like many other homes in the area.

Fixer:

Pros: If you’re handy with tools, you can get a great deal and customize your home. You can keep the style and details of an older home, but add modern upgrades.
Cons: Even the most experienced contractors come across money pit fixer uppers. You may think most problems are superficial, but once you dive in… the fixes start to unfold and cash runs really low… really fast.

LOCATION

Suburbs or Country

Pros: Generally are less expensive per square foot and newer. More home for the money.
Cons: More time spent driving into town or city. Further away from entertainment options that are located in the city.

Urban

Pros: Close to multiple potential employers. Usually within walking distance to theaters, restaruants and schools. You may find more architechtuall differences and diffinetive styled homes.
Cons: Nosier. Higher crime rates. Smaller homes.

Cul de sac:

Pros: Quiet. Very little traffic. Highly desired by families with children.
Cons: Less privacy. Nosey Neighbors.

Corner Lots:

Pros: Few neighbors. Larger lots and more visibility.
Cons: More traffic noise. Vulnerable to vehicles jumping the curb. My personal pet peeve: Kids trespassing through your yard as a “short cut!.” And you’ll have more sidewalk to shovel when it snows.

LEVELS

Single Story:

Pros: Easy wheel chair access. Great for those with medical conditions. Easier to clean.
Cons: Nosier if living space and bedrooms are on the same floor. Smaller yard due to the square footage of the house itself.

Two + Story:

Pros: More living space on a smaller foundation. Less noise transfer. Appealing to families.
Cons: More trips to carry things up and down stairs. More difficult to clean (think dual vacuums) and maintain consistent temperatures on each level.

Split-Levels:

Pros: Can be less expensive than traditional two story home. Higher ceilings on main living area. Downstairs family room and bedrooms can breakup noise levels. More square footage than one story.
Cons: Less storage space. Stairs are inevitable when carrying groceries or taking out trash. Kitchens tend to be smaller. Upper levels are always similar in layout.

INTERIORS

Number of bedrooms:

Pros: Most common request is three bedrooms, which will result in higher resale value.
Cons: Two bedrooms appeal primarily to first time home buyers, seniors or single people, however, don’t count them out if an extra den will work for your space requirements.

Number of Bathrooms:

Pros: One bath homes are often less expensive than multi-bath homes.
Cons: Most people prefer more than one bath. (Note: Don’t pass up on a one bath home if there is room to add a second. Sometimes, it’ll cost less to add a bathroom, than it would to buy a two bath house.)

GARAGE SPACE:

Attached:

Pros: Cheaper to build. Convenient for bad weather like rain and snow.
Cons: Noise level. Automatic openers can be noisy in addition to cars or work shops in the garage. Some people consider and attached garage to be an eyesore.

Detached:

Pros: Can be tucked away, out of site. You can customize the size for your own personal use. Quieter.
Cons: More expensive to build. Inconvenient in case of bad weather. Longer walk to carry items to and from the house.

These are just some of the considerations that home buyers face when shopping for a home. Other considerations have to be made like which special amenities are must haves, and which one you can do without. Also think about the utilities that are available to you like whether you can use cable, DSL or satellite and when it comes to plumbing… can you settle with a septic tank or cesspool instead of a sewer? The bottom line is that you can ask for advice as much as you want, but ultimately, this will be YOUR house and you need to wait until you find one that fits your needs, your budget, AND your wishes!

Happy Shopping!

Obama Signs Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension

November 9, 2009

Housing Tax Credit Extension is Passed

It’s official! On Friday, November 6th, 2009 - President Barack Obama has signed a $24 billion economic stimulus bill that gives tax incentives to prospective homebuyers. In a rare bipartisan agreement, the US House of Representatives have voted 403-12 to extend and even expand the homebuyer tax credit.

The extension will now last until April 30th, 2010 and amount of credit is $8000 (or $4000 if married but filing separately). In addition to the extension, the bill will also include a tax credit for current home owners as of December 1st, 2009 to April 30th, 2010. The credit amount is $6,500 (or $3,250 if married, but filing separately).

Similar terms and conditions will still apply. For example: the homeowner must have used the home as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years and the home purchase agreement must be signed no later than April 30, 2010, however the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close. Income restrictions were also raised and are now listed at $125,000 if single, or $225,000 if married. The bill also includes a limitation on the purchase price of the home - up to $800,000.00

The White House released a statement which says the new law also includes tax credits for struggling businesses and unemployment extensions and will build upon the stimulus package from last February for $787 billion. It is their hope that this tax credit will help struggling families (many of whom have suffered job loss within the past year) avoid foreclosures on their homes.