How To Really Measure Success in Real Estate
September 22nd, 2008 categories: Movin Information, Movin Lifestyle
I have always been blessed as an agent in my area in terms of being “successful” . Many REALTORS® have different ways of calculating success. Some will count how many homes they sold at the end of the year, others will use their income as the gage for their success. I gage my success in a different way. For me, it is the relationships that I establish that will hopefully last a lifetime.
Many of my clients are first time homebuyers. I am honored to be involved in a person or couple’s first home purchase. It is a milestone in their life that they will someday look back on with pride that they accomplished and I played a role in the transaction.
I have also been lucky enough to be invited to some of their weddings. As it turns out, I have been invited to 4 weddings this year. It is typical for me to be invited to 3 or 4 weddings a year that are clients that I have become friends with. This year I have had my clients, Ben and Amanda, get married. Unfortunately I was out of town for their wedding. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Wes and Rachel’s wedding last weekend.
It was a beautiful cermony, perfect weather and they were surrounded by so much love and happiness. It was a really great day. I am honored to have been included in yet another milestone in their lives. I know both couples will have many years of happiness and love.
The best part about real estate is that we get to participate in the real life stories of our clients. That is what I call success.
| Discussion: 3 Comments »
Choosing your first REALTOR®
May 21st, 2008 categories: Movin Consumers, Movin Real Estate News
So you are thinking about buying your first home and you are not sure where to start? The first thing you should consider is the agent. This is the person that is going to be your advocate and will represent and guide you through the transaction. Get referrals from friends and family that have purchased and sold real estate. Look on the internet; see if anyone appeals to you.
When you make your initial call to the agent ask them if they do a buyer consultation prior to looking at houses. You will want to work with an agent who does this. It will prepare you for the transaction. You will be a more confident buyer and have a smoother transaction.
You should have a list of question that are important to you and make sure you get clear answers from the agent. These are some of the basic items you should expect to cover in a buyer consultation appointment.
I give my potential clients a buyer packet. It has local area information, information about me, and a blank copy of the forms we will go over and that you will be asked to sign. I also include a home buyer’s guide that has a copy of the contract that you will sign, a HUD-1 and a glossary of terms.
- The agent should give you a clear understanding of who represents whom in the transaction, how the agents are paid. Together, you should go over the Buyer Broker Agreement but not pressured to sign it. Remember, you are interviewing the agents. You should be able to walk away and digest the information. If the agent is the one you want to work with, you will call them and let them know “they got the job”.
- Your potential agent should be able to discuss and explain your closing costs. You may ask if in your market is it customary for sellers to pay any of these fees.
- You should get an idea of what your approximate monthly payment will be and how it is broken down. You will confirm this information with a professional lender, but the agent should be able to explain the basics to you.
- The agent should be able to give you a couple of lender names so that you may then call and confirm the closing fees and compare interest rates.
- This is the time to ask about inspections and what they entail, who pays for what and what items would the seller be responsible for as far as repairs go?
- Make sure you feel you have clear communication with the agent. Tell the agent the best way to communicate with you.
I wish you luck in your endeavor in buying your first home. Being prepared by an experienced, capable agent will be the key to smooth transaction. No matter where you are, if you have questions, shoot me an email and I will answer your questions to the best of my ability!
| Discussion: No Comments »
Buying your First Home, Making Sound Price Decisions
May 21st, 2008 categories: Movin Lifestyle, Movin Real Estate News
Buying your first home, making sound price decisions
When you are thinking about buying your first home, it can be intimidating. All of the questions you have racing through your head. How much should we spend? What is it like to apply for a loan? What will our payment be like? Then, the fun thoughts; what kind of house will I have? What you want in a home and how you will fix it up to make it your home.
As you look at homes, you may decide that you want to be conservative in the amount of money that you spend when purchasing your first home. This might not be as financially sound as you may think? Typically cheaper homes are smaller and you may find that you will grow out of the home quicker than you think? Five years from now may seem like a long time from now, but it will be here before you know it.
Things will change for you in time; you may have children, maybe a different job, and promotions? Who knows? I think it is smarter for a purchaser in today’s market to spend a bit more, as long as you qualify, so you can live in the home longer and be comfortable in your home.
What I am saying is, if you qualify for a $400,000 mortgage, you certainly should not stretch yourself to where you will struggle. Not suggesting that in anyway. However, I do not think it is prudent to purchase a $200,000 home either. You will grow out of the $200K home sooner and will start to want to move into something larger. At that point, you will probably want to sell your home to have the down payment and closing costs to purchase your new home.
Here is where you are going to cost yourself money. Right now, buying your first home, you will have closing fees, down payment and inspection fees. If you purchase too small of a home, and decide you want to move, you will then have to spend money to pay the fees associated with selling your home and buying your next home. The fees can run into tens of thousands of dollars.
By making a compromise in the above comparison, maybe investigate how much the payment would be around a $300,000 price range? The home should be larger, therefore hopefully giving you a “longer shelf life” in your home. If your home is larger you should have more space and be more comfortable for longer in the middle sized home. As homes appreciate over time, the more expensive home will be worth more exponentially than the smaller, cheaper home. 
Whatever type of home you decide to purchase, make sure you talk to 3 mortgage lenders to compare interest rates to ensure you get the best rate possible. Maybe speak to a couple of REALTORS® and get a feel for their style, make sure your agent is knowledgeable and your best interests are their priority. This is an important relationship and decision in your life.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Let’s Start Thinking of Our House As Home Again
May 19th, 2008 categories: Movin Lifestyle, Movin Real Estate News
When I talk to my husband in the evening and we exchange the happenings of our day, sometimes he says the most profound things.
He works in the Biotech industry. Yes, HE is finding a cure to save lives – real life and death stuff – even though I think that is my department.
I told him I had a settlement the next day and my client is really excited about her new home. The client and I feel that she got a really good deal on her new place, even if the market went down more, she feels like she has a really good cushion. I told my husband that she and I discussed the fact that she should plan to stay in the home for awhile and ride the market.
Then my husband said the most profound thing, “well, isn’t that what you buy a home for anyway? To live in it, enjoy it, spend time there?” That just smacks of Hellooo?
Of course that is what we buy a home for. To live, grow, and enjoy as our safety haven from the world.
It made me think of how in 20 years of selling homes what the perception of home selling and home buying has been. In the early years through the 90s we sold homes and havens. We sold the features, location and comfort of the home. Maybe it was the way the house made the buyer “feel” or a certain school district was the buyer’s hot button?
Then, in the early 2000’s, it seems we sold the investment – not the haven. When we discussed homeownership it was about appreciation in dollars. Almost always homes were sold with amenities, but the dollar signs outweighed the haven. The biggest question from consumers would be “how much do you think this home will be worth in ____ years?” I always joked and said, “If I knew that, I would not sell real estate.”
Today, I feel we are back to selling what is important; Lifestyle as well the haven and the investment that homeownership can provide to consumers.
Whether it is a convenient location for a commuter or gated community with all of the recreational amenities for people of all ages enjoy? Lifestyle and comfort are the benefit of homeownership.
Yes, the investment factor is still strong. Heck, investors with plenty of cash are out getting bargains, but for our homeowner consumer, we have to remember that there is more to a home than a giant dollar sign! Well, until the next big upswing market!
| Discussion: No Comments »
Why I Might Not Be Your REALTOR®
May 19th, 2008 categories: Movin Lifestyle, Movin Real Estate News
Real Estate is my passion. I am one of the lucky ones, I love my job. It is important to me to help, educate and guide my clients to buy their first home or buy their dream home. I work this passion daily and it means a lot to me, but more importantly it must mean a lot to you, the consumer.
I want you to have the same passion about finding your home as I do. I am a very hands on personal REALTOR® . I am all about the experience you will go through when you work with me as your agent. I am a firm believer in doing a steady business of high quality real estate transactions rather than a high quantity of mediocre transactions. Most of my clients are friends, or become my friends after the transaction.
The experience is very important to me. I want you to be very clear and happy with the entire process. I will provide you with as much consumer information as possible so you can make educated decisions. Customer service is paramount to me and your satisfaction is my main goal.
So, if you are a person who doesn’t really care about how your real estate transaction goes, or doesn’t really need a high quality transaction, maybe I am not for you?
| Discussion: No Comments »
Stumble it!
