Here in the city of Chicago, in the city area, I would estimate at least 85% of all the Realtorspersonally show up to their listings to personally show the home. These are the agents you should want to hire!!!! If you find a Realtor who shows their listings by themselves, be certain that's an agent you select to sell your home.
In the majority of cities across the nation, most Realtors utilize Key Box devices, and are actually not present during their showings. I think this does not benefit sellers, and this approach hinders the potential of selling a client's home.
When I PERSONALLY show one of my listings, I know the home very well. How terrible is it when you see a home and the Realtor can't answer important questions about the home? Where things are? Any other detail?
When I am out with potential Chicago condo buyers, I think my clients get a better feel for the home, when the listing Realtor actually shows up to us show the home. Why???
The selling agent has no idea where to find a keybox typically; most are usually hidden out of public eye for safety purposes.
The selling agent has never been to the home before. They have no idea what it's like? What is/is not included, where storage areas are, bike rooms, garage spaces, even things like light switches? How am I supposed to know your listing???
If it's a large condo building, I don't know where to find the various amenity areas.
Nobody has not pre-walked your home prior to the showing. I like to get in, warm the place up a bit, open curtains, turn on lights, etc. Not having a Realtor show their own listing, put's extra weight on the seller's shoulders.
Having the listing agent present at your showings is critical. Be sure the agent you select plans to be present. If you are working with a Realtor, I recommend you get one who is full service, and showing your listings is a part of being full service.
In addition to all the above reasons, think about safety and security. Without your selling agent present, perfect strangers have access to your home and will be showing your home. Who's making sure the locks/alarm are all perfectly reset afterwards? Windows shut and locked? Your home's key being 100% secure?
Brian Ortiz has taken the position of showing all his client's homes, personally. For all the above reasons having a Realtor you are comfortable with, and can trust is critical. Brian Ortiz show's all his listings. Brian Ortiz does not utilize key boxes or teams of people (most which have never been to your home before).
Brian Ortiz knows his clients homes, knows his clients, and ensures your home is always READY TO BE SHOWN. Preparing for a showing, by ensuring all lights are set and the home is tidy is an important step. First impressions are critical Someone who's been to your home before, not someone who has never stepped foot inside. So how is that stranger, going to be sure your home is always seen in the best condition, and can tell potential buyers about the area, home, and features themselves?
When I take my clients out, we often find it an adventure at times figuring things out. I'm a fully capable Realtor and I always bring the home's information from the MLS with me. However sometimes, things are unknown. Where is the exercise room, the rooftop deck, the pool? Where is my storage space? Quite frankly, without the selling Realtor there, who is ensuring your home is fully featured and shown at its best???
If you are thinking about selling your home, please contact Brian Ortiz. Mention this blog article and get a free market estimate of your home's value.
Having a Realtor who helps you establish the proper selling price, and is knowledgeable about the home they are selling (their product) will get the job done for you.
3rd floor front unit in a recently rehabbed vintage Uptown bldg. Soft loft finishes include exposed brick, hardwood floors, and custom made wood blind treatments throughout. Kitchen features updated appliances, maple cabinets, and granite counter tops. Assessments under $265 include T-1 line for internet, heat, water, common insurance, etc., etc. Decorative wall sconce lighting inside unit. Extra storage space included. Secure rental parking $65/mo located just 1 bldg away.
Additional photos and a visual tour of the home is available at http://www.brianortizproperties.com/ Click on the home under "My Featured Properties". The unit is a must see. A great one bedroom unit in the appreciating Uptown neighborhood. Take the visual tour!!!! Goto the website!!
Private Domain Name Registration -or- Length of Domain Registration???
By Brian Ortiz, Realtor, Chicago IL
Chicago Real Estate
With regard to a Google Page Rank number, does anyone know if having my domain name privately registered has any effect on it?
I previously had a nice Google Page Rank of 6, but made some changes at the end of December. One of the changes was to remove my personal address info from my website domain name (in the WHOIS thing) and instead register my domain privately. Shortly after making this change, my page rank fell to a nice big 0.
I began to think that having the domain privately registered, possibly made Google think I could be a potential spammer, thus the penalty. I called yesterday to remove the private registration. When asked why I was doing this I stated my reason. The sales rep I was speaking with told me that having my domain privately registered has no effect on something like this. Instead they told me that Google just recently made it that you have to have your website domain name registered for a minimum of 5 years, otherwise Google will not include it in their search engines.
I'm wondering if this sales rep is trying to get me to extend the amount of time I currently own my domain name. Has anyone else heard of this "Google change?" or had a similar problem?
Any ideas out there? I have no issue extending my websites registration to 5 years, but I just want to know if that is actually the exact issue or if I am just being sold another product and will still have the same issues once I extend it, but still have it privately registered?
3 Bedroom / 3 Bath Duplex Condo in Chicago's Southport Corridor - NEW PRICE - $529,000
By Brian Ortiz, Realtor, Chicago IL
Chicago Real Estate
New price on this beautiful property in one of the best locations in the city. Price reduced to $529,000. In addition to the 2500 sq ft of space this property has and room to park two cars, this property also boasts brand new carpet throughout. Please review this property again. You do not want to miss it.
Looking for a great Chicago condo? Come to the Open House this weekend located at 1338 W. Addison, Unit #1. This 3 bedroom and 3 bathroom duplex condo is in GREAT condition. This property is in one of the top housing locations in the city, on Addison, near Southport Avenue. Priced at $569,000.
The Open House will be this Saturday, January 20, 2007.
Time will be from 12pm - 3pm.
Please read my online blog to learn more about this property.
From my website, please select the Featured Property located at 1338 W. Addison. You will find all the specifics on the home, can also login to see up to 13 pictures of the property, AND take a virtual online tour of this home.
This home has brand new carpeting wherever carpet is and hard wood floors on the entire main level. Recently the home was repainted in most rooms. How about some very low assessments?
2,500 sq ft of space as well as two car parking make this home a rare find in this area. Most other units are smaller or have only one car parking. New construction units being built two doors away, with similar sizes are priced starting at $759K.
This home is ready to be moved into immediately. Stop by Saturday 01/20/2007 from 12pm - 3pm to check out this excellent property. You will be happy you did.
3279 W. Armitage Ave., MIXED-USE Property Zoned C1-1
$449,500
MLS# 06462264
___________________________
Up and coming area in Humboldt Park.
DEVELOPERS DELIGHT!! GREAT INVESTMENT PROPERTY, AREA HAS LOTS OF NEW CONSTRUCTION. BUILDING EXTERIOR IN GOOD SHAPE. INTERIOR PERFECT FOR HANDYMAN, NEEDS UPDATING/TLC. 1 COMMERCIAL UNIT ON STREET LEVEL, 1 RESIDENTIAL 3 BR UNIT ON SECOND FLOOR. FULL UNFINISHED BASEMENT. 2 CAR DETACHED GARAGE. KEEP PROPERTY AS IS OR TEARDOWN AND DEVELOP. PROPERTY SOLD "AS IS". CALL FOR SHOWING DETAILS, DRIVE BY, FAX YOUR OFFERS. HEAVY TRAFFIC FROM ARMITAGE CREATES GREAT BUSINESS EXPOSURE.
Please note: 16 new town homes were built on other side of street.
Photo of Chicago's Downtown Skyline, Viewed from 3rd floor of Logan Square listing.
Posted by Brian Ortiz, Realtor, Chicago IL
Chicago Real Estate
I am babysitting one of my colleagues listings this week while they are out of town.
By the way, it is a beautiful 1 bedroomcondo in Logan Square. Near California and Logan. If anyone is interested in taking a closer look at this listing, you can log into my website and from the main page select ALL my listings. Even though it's not my listing, my website defaults and adds all of my office's listings if you select this option. Look for the great one bedroom in Logan Square.
Anyway, I noticed it had a nice view of Chicago's Downtown West Loop Skyline from the living room and bedroom window. So here, is a photo of Chicago'sdowntown skyline, as viewed from the 3rd floor of this Logan Square condo.
Many, many moons ago I was an up and coming manager in the Hospitality Industry. I worked for some of the higher-end hotels in Chicago. It was common that some guests in the hotel were paying over $400 a night. After 10+ years managing all front of house hotel staff I had accomplished just about all there was on the Rooms side of the industry, aside from the Housekeeping Department. When it became apparent my career was on a collision course with the Housekeeping Department, I dove right into a large 700 room hotel, with 5+ floors of meeting space.
Once I began in Housekeeping, one of my personal daily goals was to do a final inspection of the arriving VIP guestrooms for that day. As I inspected rooms each day, I always found something little that could be done. As time went on, I realized I always needed some of the same things over and over again. Unfortunately, they were always far away in my office, and not with me. Soon I began carrying around a little "kit" when I went to inspect rooms; it kind of became a running joke with the staff. It contained basic things I might need while "VIP-ing" a room. Anything from scissors to cut carpet threads, a needle and thread if a curtain hem was loose, screwdriver to tighten screws and a little bottle of "White-Out" in case the white baseboard had a shoe scuff mark.
As I have shifted into Real Estate, I've found these old habits die hard. Whenever I sit an open house, I always (with the seller's permission) basically do the same routine as much as I can between visitors. I sometimes get a little grief from my colleagues, but when I ask them what they do for downtime at open houses it is typically something like a cross word puzzle or reading. I figure I am there anyway and it's part of my job to show the property at its absolute best. It's not hard labor. I'm not doing renovations or anything like that. Just little touches or tidy ups. Sometimes my sellers notice days later or a potential buyer walks in while I am in the middle of something. It's really a win-win situation. My sellers are pleased at "how hard" I am working to sell their home and help them, so they typically mention it to their friends. Buyers walk in or sometimes maybe someone just looking at the competition. They see what I do for the current sellers and wonder what their real estate agent does during open houses. I can now count 4 clients all of whom knew about "my bat-belt" so to say, of tools, and stated that is a reason they chose me.
I want to stress I know this is not a typical thing Realtors are expected to do. I also know these things should fall into the seller's responsibility. Additionally the way I handle myself does not ever insult my sellers. I don't walk in and scream that the floor is dirty and start vacuuming, and I don't do deep cleaning or get too involved. I only bring the kit when I know I will be at the home for a while, usually open houses only. It's just little a little touch to help sell the home and show my clients I am on their side, and we are a team.
I initially began writing this post to see if anyone else does things like this or have a little "bat belt" kit they bring along. In case you do, here are a few items I find helpful. Please feel free to share yours.
Air freshener/spray
As mentioned above-> scissors, white out, screwdriver.
Home buyers need to be very careful to protect themselves from these common mistakes made when buying a home:
Not studying insurance issues- Be sure to purchase enough insurance. Always consult with an insurance agent who can answer your concerns.
Not thinking about long-term needs- It is very important to think ahead when making a home purchase. Try to imagine if the home will still meet your needs 3-5 years down the road.
Not having a home inspection- Do not try to save a few dollars by skipping a home inspection. This can cost you significantly in the future. Use a qualified home inspector to detect issues an "untrained" eye may overlook.
Limiting your search to only open houses and classified ads- Your best resource is always your local Realtor. Realtors have updated information that is not always available to the general public. A Realtor is your best resource to assist you in locating the home you want.
Selecting a Real Estate Agent who is not interested in forming a strong business bond with you- Be sure you have a good connection with your Realtor. Select a professional who will be there before, during and after the sale.
Not knowing the entire costs involved- Get an estimate from your lender or Realtor of closing costs. Don't forget to include title insurance and attorney charges.
Making an offer on a home before being pre-qualified- Be sure to take time to work with your lender. They have great methods to determine the price range you can afford. It will make things easier and possibly prevent financial problems down the road when you establish an accurate price range.
Thinking there is just one perfect house out there- Remember buying a home is not always about selection, it's also about elimination. Additional properties are added to the market daily.
Not following through on details- Be sure to think ahead about concerns you may have. Make a list in advance regarding items like neighbors, environmental concerns, crime rates, schools, and power lines. Before making the offer on that home, make sure you know the answers to these important questions. In the end this will help boost your confidence in your new home purchase.
Not buying a home protection plan- A small insurance policy can be purchased and typically lasts 12-13 months after closing. This helps to cover basic repairs and is a small fee. Be sure to ask your Realtor if you would like to find a protection plan like this for your new investment.
If you are currently in the market to buy a home, please feel free to consult with me. I will help you avoid many common pitfalls like the ones listed above. I'd be more than happy to assist you and ensure you AVOID classic mistakes like these, when buying a home.
Written for consumers in all markets, a Real Estate Blog with tips and suggestions for buying or selling a home. Whether you are in the process now, or preparing to enter the process, a great resource for navigating the Real Estate transaction.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
;)
;)
