Dennis's Blog

New Exclusive Listing in Hillcrest!!!

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:30:57 -0600

Exclusive Listing

$339,900

165 Richmond Ave, Paterson NJ

Features:

3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths
One of Paterson's most desirable location
Security System is ready for activation
Huge backyard in very clean condition
Finished basement with custom dry bar and a spare room
Very Very!! Meticulous home owners. Pride of ownership all throughout the home.
www.dennissanchezlistings5.com

Remarks:
This home is definitely in one of Paterson's most desirable locations and a block away from a great elementary school. Home is in fabulous condition, with new windows, newer roof, newer boiler,ready for central air conditioning, security system installed and ready to move in. This home is definitely one of the finest, if not the finest, homes in the Hillcrest Section of Paterson. Once you view the home, you will not want to leave, GUARANTEED!! Inspections will be very easy and very smoothly. This great capecod is ready to call "HOME SWEET HOME". Definitely a must see and definitely priced to sell.

Dennis Sanchez

201.724.0422

View My Other Listings

Susani Realty

209 Union Ave
Paterson, NJ 07502

973.790.6996

©2007Properties Online, LLC, Patent No. US 6,760,707. The above information including square footage is based on data received from the seller and/or from public sources. This information is deemed reliable but has not been independently verified and cannot be guaranteed. Prospective buyers are advised to verify information to their own satisfaction prior to purchase.

This listing is an exclusive listing and you will not find it on the MLS and the only way to schedule a showing would be through the listing agent, Dennis Sanchez. Any questions about the home, do not hesitate to communicate with me. This home is such a beautiful home that I know I can sell it on my own, even in such a trying market.

How do you get started on REO's??

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:27:43 -0600

I have read and heard that the way to start receiving REO listings you have to do plenty of BPO's, but how do you get started on BPO's? I have read some blogs and I have gotten some websites and I have registered with them, but still no results. What is the start to the REO Market?

STAGING IS A 13 STEP PROGRAM

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:45:24 -0500

13 Step Staging Plan

"Let me tell you how I work".
Use pictures in your CareerBook® or on www.stagedhomes.com to educate your sellers.
Use your "How to Price..." DVD to introduce the concept.
Offer the service of Staging in your personalized marketing plan.
Show sellers more photos in your presentation or on www.stagedhomes.com
Use the STAGING WORKS! educational sheet.
Use the COMMITMENTS I ASK OF YOU educational sheet.
Use the words "Staged List Price"
Do your paperwork to list the house first, then Stage® it.
Use your Staging DVD & STAGING CRITERIA with every seller.
Follow up to see that your sellers actually complete their work.
Use the educational SHOWING INSTRUCTIONS sheet and the STAGING SELLERS CERTIFICATE with your sellers.

13. Establish professional polices and hold your sellers accountable to

keep their homes Staged during the market for sale time and for as

long as possible before the closing of the sale.

THE IMPORTANCE OF STAGING HOMES

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:41:46 -0500

"PLANTS ARE LIKE CHILDREN THEY GROW
SO FAST"

With a few less pictures and a smaller plant the entry appears larger and more inviting. The focus is shifted from the plant to the openness of the space.

"IF YOU CAN'T
SEE IT, YOU
CAN'T SELL IT"

This beautiful home was hidden behind a wall of foliage. With a little branch trimming, instant "Curb Appeal" was created.

ASPTM Staging Tips

Try looking at your house "THROUGH THE BUYER'S EYES" as though you've never seen it or been there before. Any time or money invested on the following will bring back more money in return, and hopefully a faster sale.

INSIDE:

Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house. Keep decorative objects on the furniture restricted to groups of 1, 3, or 5 items.
Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen countertops. If it hasn't been used for three months... put it away! Clear refrigerator fronts of messages, pictures, etc. (A sparse kitchen helps the buyer mentally move their own things into your kitchen.)
In the bathroom, remove any unnecessary items from countertops, tubs, shower stalls and commode tops. Keep only your most needed cosmetics, brushes,perfumes etc.., in one small group on the counter. Coordinate towels to one or two colors only.
Rearrange or remove some of the furniture if necessary. As owners, many times we have too much furniture in a room. This is wonderful for our own personal enjoyment, but when it comes to selling, we need to thin out as much as possible to make rooms appear larger.
Take down, or rearrange certain pictures or objects on walls. Patch and paint if necessary.
Review the house inside room by room, and
1. Paint any room needing paint.
2. Clean carpets or drapes that need it.
3. Clean Windows.
If you need room to store extra posessions use the garage or rent a storage unit.
Leave on certain lights during the day. During "showings" turn on all lights and lamps.
Have stereo FM on during the day for all viewings.

OUTSIDE:

Go around the perimeter of the house and move all garbage cans, discarded wood scraps, extra building materials, etc., into the garage.
Check gutters and roof moss and dry rot. Make sure they are swept and cleaned.
Look at all plants... prune bushes and trees. Keep plants from blocking windows. "YOU CAN'T SELL A HOUSE IF YOU CAN'T SEE IT." Plants are like children - they grow so fast!!
Weed and then mulch all planting areas. Keep lawn freshly cut and fertilized. Remove and dead plants or shrubs.
Clear patios or decks of all small items. such as small planters, flower pots, charcoal, barbecues, toys. etc.. (Put them in the garage or a storage unit.)
Check paint condition of the house - especially the front door and trim. "CURB APPEAL REALLY WORKS!"

DON'T LOSE MONEY ON THE SALE OF YOUR HOME!!!

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:35:16 -0500

ASP Home Staging Statistics

"Your Investment in ASP Home Staging will always be less than your first Price Reduction"
- Barb Schwarz, The Creator of Home Staging

Return on Staging Investment
The following is a summary of the results of HomeGain's 2007 national survey, based on the ten areas of home improvement identified by real estate agents in HomeGain's original survey in 2003. They are listed from the highest to lowest returns on investment:

DON'T TRY TO SELL ON YOUR OWN!!

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:46:47 -0500

Home > News Media > Public Awareness Campaign > Don't Try This at Home

Public Awareness Campaign: Don't Try This at Home


Sellers who use a real estate professional make 16 percent more on the sale of their home than do sellers who go it alone. Unrepresented sellers often do not understand the complexity, range and timing of tasks they will have to perform if they don't use a professional. REALTORS® are real estate professionals who are experts in marketing and negotiation. REALTORS® can help a seller set a realistic price and ensure the proper paperwork and various disclosures and inspections are handled correctly. REALTORS® know best how to prepare a home and maximize value, provide broader exposure to the market and are more likely to generate multiple bids than a seller on their own. In addition, REALTORS® are experts in attracting qualified buyers. A professional can show a home more objectively than can a seller who may be emotionally attached to the home, and who might become unnerved by prospective buyers' critical comments. The real estate pro also checks the financial capability and bona fides of buyers before allowing them onto a seller's property. Use these materials to convince would-be for-sale-by-owners (FSBOs) of the value of hiring a REALTOR®.

Hillcrest Neighborhood Block Party, A Total Success!!!

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:36:30 -0500

As the chair for the Neighborhood Party that we had on Sept 20, I was very happy with the turnout. We were expecting only about 250-300 people to show up, but we must've had around 500-600. It was a great thing my Colleague and had solicited enough donations of food and beverages to accomodate the amount of people that showed up. I was so excited that it was a succes, since my colleagues Beverly and I, put so much effort into it. This is definitely not the last time that this will happen.

ASP Agent!!

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:05:31 -0500

I am an official ASP Realtor. The classes were very exciting and the actual staging of a house was a great way to learn. Even though I knew that staging was a great way to get a great offer for a home, I was amazed at how effective the staging really was, when I actually staged a house as one of our assignments. The before and after pictures were very amazing. I am definitely going to implement the staging in my marketing plan.

Atlantic City Trip, Hillcrest Association

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:31:11 -0500

There is going to be a trip to Atlantic City. This bus trip is going to be organized by the Hillcrest Association. The trip is going to be for $35 and it includes the transportation and food in the bus. Seats are limited and it will take place September 13, 2008. Because of the quantity of people that go on the bus ride, the casino will return $15 when we arrive. The trip is definitely worth every penny. If you wish to reserve your seat, give me a call at my office 973-790-6996 and ask for Dennis.

ALL MY ACTIVITY FOR THE MONTHS OF JULY AND AUGUST

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:02:06 -0500

Totally updated Cape

$299,000

182-184 Elberon Ave, Paterson NJ

Features:

3 bedrooms, 2 baths
Beautiful area of Paterson
Finished Basement with separate entrance
Driveway with parking for up to 3 cars
Totally updated throughout the whole house, with central air and new windows throughout
Definitely a Must See!!!!
www.DennisSanchezlistings1.com

Remarks:
This beautiful one family residential home is located in one of Paterson's most presitigious locations, the Hillcrest Section. This part of town is definitely a great escape from the crazy urban life that the great historic city is known for. The location is not the only great characteristic of this home though. It is fully renovated to the height of comfort. All you have to do is move right in and not worry about the home for at least five to ten years. With new boiler, new windows, newer roof, and perfectly maintained backyard, you would be in heaven if you were to be the lucky buyer to win this home

Dennis Sanchez

201.724.0422

View My Other Listings

Susani Realty

209 Union Ave
Paterson, NJ 07502

973.790.6996

Everything You Need in a Home!!

$299,900

162-164 Crosby Ave, Paterson NJ

Features:

3 bedrooms, 2 baths
Excellent Area of Paterson
Living Room, Dining Room, Family Room, Office, 2 Kitchens, 3 BR, Enclosed Porch
Finished Basement, New Furnace, New Second Floor Windows,
50 X 100 Lot Size, 1 Car Garage, Corner Property
Less than 2 blocks away from one of Paterson's Great Elementary schools: School # 27
www.DennisSanchezlistings2.com

Remarks:
This very exquisite CapeCod has been totally renovated and meticulously decorated to match any buyers' tastes. This home includes a living room, dining room, kitchen with breakfast bar, enclosed porch, 3 bedrooms, and 2 baths. The basement is totally finished with a summer kitchen, office, family room and 1 of the 2 full baths. The corner property is rich in parking spaces, which include enough parking for up to 4 cars. Another great benefit that this great home has is that it is less than 2 blocks away from Paterson's prestigious School number 27. In conclusion, this home is also very close to the great West Side Park, where there are Tennis Courts, Basketball Courts, and a Baseball Field. Many activities coming soon in this neighborhood

Dennis Sanchez

201.724.0422

View My Other Listings

Susani Realty

209 Union Ave
Paterson, NJ 07502

973.790.6996

Priced for Fast Sale!!

$264,900

102-104 Lenox Ave, Paterson NJ

Features:

3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths
Living Room, Dining Room, Eat in Kitchen, 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths
Finished Basement with separate entrance
Home in solid condition!!
Hillcrest Section of Paterson, owner doesn't pay flood insurance!!
Priced to Sell, Short sale, Bank approved for $265,000
www.DennisSanchezListings3.com

Remarks:
THIS HOME FEATURES,LIVINGROOM, DININGROOM, EAT-IN-KITCHEN, 3 BEDROOMS, 1 FULL BATH AND 1 HALF BATH, ALSO INCLUDES A FINISHED BASEMENT WITH AN ENTERTAINMENT ROOM, SUMMER KITCHEN. HARDWOOD FLOORS ARE ALL THROUGHOUT THE HOME AND READY TO BE FINISHED TO YOUR LIKING.

Dennis Sanchez

201.724.0422

View My Other Listings

Susani Realty

209 Union Ave
Paterson, NJ 07502

973.790.6996

SOLD FOR $275,000!!!

$264,900

235 Richmond Ave, Paterson NJ

Features:

4 bedrooms, 1 bath
One of Paterson's most desirable location
Central Vacuum and Security System
Huge backyard in very clean condition
Basement with high cieling and clean, easy to finish
Across the street from 1 of Paterson's most desirable elementary school
www.dennissanchezlistings5.com

Remarks:
This home is definitely in one of Paterson's most desirable locations and across the street from a great elementary school. Home is in mint condition, with new windows, newer roof, new boiler,new vinyl siding, central air conditioning, central vacuum, security system installed and ready to move in. All of the major concerns in purchasing a home have already been updated. Inspections will be very easy and very smoothly. This great capecod is ready to put your finishing touches to it and call it "HOME SWEET HOME". Definitely a must see and definitely priced to sell.

Dennis Sanchez

201.724.0422

View My Other Listings

Susani Realty

209 Union Ave
Paterson, NJ 07502

973.790.6996

SO FAR THE FIRST 3 LISTINGS ARE UNDER CONTRACT AND THE LAST ONE IS SOLD AND FOR MORE THAN ASKING PRICE!! THE PROPERTIES THAT I HAVE UNDER CONTRACT ARE SCHEDULED TO CLOSE EITHER BY THIS MONTH OR BY SEPTEMBER. THE MARKET IS DEFINITELY MOVING BUT ONLY BECAUSE I KNOW HOW TO MOVE WITH THE MARKET! GIVE ME A CALL AND I WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME IN A SLOW MARKET

SORRY FOR THE INACTIVITY

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:27:06 -0500

I want to apologize forr the inactivity on Activerain. I have been really really busy with the Hillcrest Association (I'm the membership chair for the Association) and with the starting of the Cub Scouts, pack 99. In addition to my community service, I have also been extremely busy with my real estate career. So far, all of my listings in the Hillcrest Section of Paterson have either sold or are under contract. Because of the rapid increase in my business, I had to sacrifice my activities on Activerain. I am coming back though, but with much more information to blog about (I love Paterson and I love my Hillcrest Neighborhood!!!).

BLOCK PARTY IN THE HILLCREST SECTION OF PATERSON, NJ

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:19:48 -0500

THERE IS GOING TO BE A BLOCK PARTY IN PATERSON ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2008. THE BLOCK PARTY IS FOR ALL THE RESIDENTS OF THE HILLCREST SECTION OF PATERSON. I AM THE CHAIR OF THE EVENT AND IF ANY RESIDENT OF THE HILLCREST SECTION OF PATERSON WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE PARTY, DON'T HESITATE TO GIVE MY OFFICE A CALL AND WE WILL GLADLY SEND YOU ALL THE INFORMATION THAT IS NEEDED SO THAT YOU COULD ATTEND.

Everything you need in a Home

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:07:56 -0500

Everything You Need in a Home!!

$314,900

162-164 Crosby Ave, Paterson NJ

Features:

3 bedrooms, 2 baths
Excellent Area of Paterson
Living Room, Dining Room, Family Room, Office, 2 Kitchens, 3 BR, Enclosed Porch
Finished Basement, New Furnace, New Second Floor Windows,
50 X 100 Lot Size, 1 Car Garage, Corner Property
Less than 2 blocks away from one of Paterson's Great Elementary schools: School # 27
www.DennisSanchezlistings2.com

Dennis Sanchez

201.724.0422

View My Other Listings

Susani Realty

209 Union Ave
Paterson, NJ 07502

973.790.6996

Excellent home in perfect condition. In one of the best areas of Paterson, Hillcrest Section of Paterson. The neighborhood is already great, but I have been getting even more involved to solve the inconvenience of the lack children activities. Things are changing in Paterson and their starting in the Hillcrest Section of Paterson.

Children activities in Paterson, NJ, (Boy Scouts)

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:18:02 -0500

So far the young girls and young ladies have had the advantage of having the Girl Scouts of America and have reaped the rewards, as the program keeps getting larger and stronger.

Because of the success that the young ladies have had with scouting, the Boy Scouts of America is now stepping in for the City as well. The Boy Scouts of America is starting in the Hillcrest Section of Paterson and is slowly going to spread throughout Paterson. I'm very excited to be a part of this great addition for our young boys. We are in the process of filling out applications and finding volunteers to head our outstanding program. With this program, we are able to do plenty of fund raising and volunteer activities for the City of Paterson. After we set up the program in School 27 of the Hillcrest Neighborhood Association, we will start planning more activities, like Basketball tournaments and Soccer tournaments. We need more membership for the association to become stronger and more influential in the City. This is all volunteer work, but the benefits that are returned are more valuable than any salary being paid at the moment. Lets get together and get our children to help our city restore itself.

Children activities in Paterson, NJ, (Girl Scouts)

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:07:58 -0500

In the City of Paterson there was a lack of activities for our children, but fortunately things are changing for this great historic city. So far the Girls Scouts is getting stronger and stronger and is already in most schools throughout the city. The Girl Scouts of America is not just a camping or hiking group, it's a support for the city in which other activities can be easily formed for the girls. So far there is a cheerleading team, swimming team, dance team, soccer team, etc all because the Girl Scouts of America has given the City the support needed to make such a program successful. This program is a non profit program, which is why the costs are so low, but since it is inexpensive, the support of the parents is imperative. Get involved with your daughters and the school and volunteer to make the program even more successful than it already is. Lets keep our kids out of trouble and keep their minds busy.

Cub Scouting is starting in Paterson. Join and help our youth

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:54:44 -0500

Cub Scouting is starting in the Hillcrest Section of Paterson. Hopefully by the Summer of 2008 we will have an active Troop 27 starting for the boys of Paterson. This is something really really huge for Paterson and for it's children. We need support from the parents to spread this great addition to a much needed city. If you need more information don't be afraid to contact me, Dennis Sanchez, at my office Coldwell Banker Susani Realty 973-790-6996

Paterson Future Train Station (Planned)

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:00:47 -0500

These are the maps of the Planned Train Station Village that is already approved by the Planning Board of the Paterson, NJ. There will be a future meeting with NJ Transit and the residents to speak about the possible repurcussions that this project may bring to the city. Please we need the residents of Paterson to step up and ask all the questions before this project is finalized. The meeting is not yet planned but I am in contact with key people that will know the exact date of the meeting.

WOW $264,900 IN HILLCREST!!!!

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:57:29 -0500

Welcome Home

$264,900

235 Richmond Ave, Paterson NJ

Features:

4 bedrooms, 1 bath
One of Paterson's most desirable location
Central Vacuum and Security System
Huge backyard in very clean condition
Basement with high cieling and clean, easy to finish
Across the street from 1 of Paterson's most desirable elementary school
www.dennissanchezlistings5.com

Dennis Sanchez

201.724.0422

View My Other Listings

Open House:

Jun 15
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Susani Realty

209 Union Ave
Paterson, NJ 07502

973.790.6996

WE JUST DID AN INCREDIBLE PRICE REDUCTION 6/10/2008. THIS HOME IS NOW UNDER MARKET VALUE. NOW TAKING HIGHEST AND BEST OFFERS. MAKE YOUR OFFER BECAUSE THIS HOME WILL NOT LAST. GIVE ME A CALL OR EMAIL ME AT DSPERU01@HOTMAIL.COM TO SHOW YOU THIS BEAUTIFUL HOME AT SUCH A GREAT PRICE!!!!

great real estate stats. 39% first time homebuyers in 2007!!!

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:48:53 -0500

First-Time Home Buyers: NAR Survey of Home Buyers & Home Sellers
By: Karen Deis

Around this time every year, the National Association of Realtors® publishes a report on the home buying and home selling habits, ethnicity, age, income and demographics of different areas of the country.

This survey has been published for over 12 years (that I know of) and while it is written specifically for the real estate industry, the information is invaluable for both loan officers and agents because it helps identify niche markets and trends, so you can target where it might be best to spend your marketing efforts and advertising dollars.

I can also assure you that not many people even know that this survey exists. This article gives you all the facts but more importantly, interprets them for you, so you know exactly what to do next.

Over the past twelve years, first-time homebuyers were responsible for buying 42% of all the homes purchased in the US. In 2006 that number dipped to 36% but in 2007 it again increased to 39%. Overall, 12% of first time buyers were NOT born in the United States, versus 8% of repeat buyers. And 70% bought a home because they wanted to own real estate and establish a household.

The National Association of Realtors® mailed 150,000 questionnaires and received 9,966 responses. They obtained names and addresses from Experian, who maintains a database of recent buyers derived from county records.

First-time homebuyers made 39% of all home purchases.

If you don't have a system to attract first-time homebuyer prospects, you are missing almost 40 percent of the purchase market. Yes, you can have more than one niche, however, your marketing, seminars and the way you sell to FTHB has to be unique and different.

Living Arrangements Prior to Buying their First Home

75% rented an Apartment or Home prior to purchasing
18% Lived with Parents

Now you know where to find them. Over three-fourths are living in apartment complexes or renting single-family homes.

For 18% who are living with parents, consider marketing to your database of clients, who have children within the 24-35 age group. Parents will recommend people they feel comfortable with and have a big influence on whom they choose.

The marital status of first time home buyers is:

51% Married Couples
11% Unmarried Couples
25% Single Female
11% Single Male

Holding first-time homebuyer seminars is another method to attract prospects interested in purchasing a home. However, buyers who are single, have different issues and concerns than married couples. Consider holding "Women-Only Home Buying Seminars" or "Couples-Only" events instead of trying to be all things to all people.

Medium Age of First-Time Home buyers.

52% were age 24-35 years old
21% where age 35-44 years old

Ages 24-35 are considered Generation X. In Joe Burslem's blog called "Meet the New Real Estate Customer" he says that they've grown up with computers and understand technology better than Generation Y. 87% shop online and 50% do all their banking online. Since they were raised with little or no supervision (both parents worked) they are fiercely independent, blunt and skeptical. They've been bombarded with marketing messages since birth so they have sophist acted BS radar.

A majority of them are planning for their financial future. They have always had easy access to credit and have been warned about Social Security not being around for them. They don't expect a free ride and have been investing at an early age.

When planning your marketing tactics, an awesome website is critical but you need to "tell it like it is" or they will move on!

The Average Income For First Time homebuyers

$68K Married
$68K Unmarried Couple
$44K Single Female
$52K Single Male

While this is the medium income reported, the income earned versus the price of a home in your area will vary greatly. Single females earn an average of $8,000 less, but purchase 14% more homes than single males.

Ethnic Distribution of First Time Homebuyers

76% White/Caucasian;
10% Black;
8% Hispanic
6% Asian/Pacific Islander
(88% were born in the US and 12% were not born here)

The responders were permitted to select as many races and ethnicities as they felt applied, so the sum exceeds 100%. When developing your marketing pieces, consider creating them in different languages, especially for the Hispanic and Asian market! You can find websites who will translate your word docs into another language but be sure to have someone review it to make sure the translation applies to the real estate and mortgage industry.

Purchase Price Range of First-Time Homebuyer

38% purchased a home in the price range of $100K to $175K

Some areas of the country are more affordable than others. If your MLS statistics indicate that your housing prices are out of the buying range of first time homebuyers, you may not want to add this niche to your marketing plans.

Expected Length of Time to Buy Another home

28% plan to move within 5 years

In fact, 8% of those first timers plan to move within 2-3 years. If you keep in touch on a regular basis, you stand a good chance of both listing their home and selling them another one.

Only 17% of repeat buyers plan to move within 5 years! In working with first time homebuyers, they will buy another home within a shorter period of time than a repeat buyer, who moves every 7 to 10 years.

Information Sources For First Time Homebuyers

87% used the Internet to gather information
49% Used Newspaper Ads
44% Open Houses
30% used Home book or magazine
29% found they home they purchased on the Internet;
56% did a virtual tour online
9% TV

Unless you can say without a doubt that you get most of your leads by advertising in the local homes magazine, you may want to consider switching your marketing dollars to developing an awesome website. Be sure that you have a first-time homebuyer toolbar and plenty of resources for them to read and download. Use your marketing dollars to drive eyeballs to your site through traditional marketing, business cards, ads, etc.

How First-Time Buyers Found Agents to Work With.

54% relied on family, friends to help them find a real estate agent
32% interviewed 2 to 3 agents before choosing one to work with.
9% found their real estate agent on the Internet
1% Thru Newspaper and Home Magazine Ads

The name of the game here is networking and developing a referral-based business. For repeat buyers, only 68% of people would DEFINITELY use their agent again, meaning that 32% are asking others for referrals all over again.

Financing the Home Purchase

73% used own savings as down payment:
22% received gift funds
98% used a mortgage to finance the purchase
81% chose a Fixed-Rate Mortgage

Single males accumulated more of their down payment from savings than single females. Single females relied on gifts of money. The third source of down payment funds was from the sale of stocks and bonds. It's important to consider this information when creating the content for first time homebuyer seminars, your website and print ads.

shorten up your URL size, VERY USEFUL!!

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:42:22 -0500

URL Size Does Matter
By: William Koelzer

Did you ever wish that the web site address (URL) that you needed to send to a home buyer was not 300 to 500 or more characters long.

Sure, in HTML mode on your email client, you could embed the URL in a hyperlink in your text, but some buyers are clueless about what a link looks like and they might miss it, right? And many Realtors, much less most buyers, won't even understand what I just said at first reading. It needs simplification.

So maybe its better to just send clients a really short URL.

How about shortening a long MLS address of a home you have for sale. This one is 144 characters long:

http://socallistings.marketlinx.com/SearchDetail/Scripts/PrtBuyFul/PrtBuyFul.asp?emailGUID=ab32821d-9d11-4672-a749-88d32d247034&AgentId=SFERRDEB

Wouldn't it be nicer and safer to just send the client a shorter URL? Say one that is only 25 characters long? How about: http://tinyurl.com/48qh4t.

See, long URLS are dangerous because clients can make mistakes typing a long URL, or even in copying and pasting one, and an error means that the link would not work. Meaning YOU have to waste time resending the link.

Some Mapquest.com links are interminably long...although the one below is only 109 characters long:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/240+Calle+Pintoresco+San+Clemente+CA+92672-7504/3000+paradise+road+las+vegas+nv/

But even then, a 25-character one that goes to the same place would be much nicer, huh?

How about: http://tinyurl.com/3rrd2g

Small URLS are also important now on sites like www.Twitter.com which many web-savvy agents use to enhance their positions on the search engines which often read certain kinds of twitter and twitter-related entries.

You can even have your twitter entries appear on your blog to give you extra key word value if you want. On these Twitter-esque sites you are limited in each post to, say, 150 characters. Well, the value of a tiny URL is obvious here. You can relay far more info if your URL chews up less characters.

Some of you are way ahead of me in already figuring out where to go to get your long urls made tiny. Yes, Virginia, you DO go to http://TinyURL.com which is the same site as www.TinyURL.com.

Just go there, paste in your long, obnoxious 500 character URL, and TinyURL instantly changes it into one that is usually about 25 characters long or less. Then, that URL, when clicked upon, takes you to the same place that the long URL would have taken you.

You can even drag a link, that is on TinyURL.com's home page, to your "Links" section of your browser toolbar and thereafter, whenever you click on your links menu, TinyUrl will be a clickable choice that takes you fast to http://TinyURL.com.

Look at this next cool feature that TinyURL talks about on their site:

Redirection to any page in your site!

With TinyURL, you can also make a smaller URL that will work for any page on your site. Let's say that you have a website with the homepage that is at: http://www.my-internet-isp.com/~myusername

Entering that URL into TinyURL will create a URL like http://tinyurl.com/3

With this, you can then redirect someone to anywhere within your site by appending a slash and the page's file name to it. Therefore, if you have a page at http://www.my-internet-isp.com/~myusername/my-links-page.html, you can use the URL http://tinyurl.com/3/my-links-page.html and going to this URL will forward the visitor to the page in your website.

Maybe you're posting a link as an affiliate of a manufacturer and you do not want your site visitors to know from the URL that you're an affiliate. Then just turn the affiliate link into a TinyURL, hiding it that way, and you're done.

As we get more into Web 2.0 and social networking sites, the value of shorter URLS will become even more important.

And if you are one of those belligerent ones who insist on keeping their 50-character web site address that every expert told you a million times to get rid of, take hope.

Yes, I'm talking about that monster home page address that you've stretched in 6 point type across half your business card---so that no one can read it anyway; well, now you can now KEEP that wretched long URL.

Just use the tiny URL address as a stand-in.

mistakes agents make

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:37:03 -0500

Top 5 Biggest Mistakes Agents Make
By: Tim and Julie Harris

1. Thinking Real Estate Is Only A Numbers Business. That's very old school thinking. Yes, numbers are important for tracking your business. However, this is a people helping business. Always focus on what you are here to give. The numbers always follow.

2. Thinking of their Commission first. Too many agents focus on ‘making money'. In other words they don't put ‘being of service to others' ahead of ‘earning a commission. Learn how to help others in this market. All the rules have changed. Learn those new rules and the money will always follow.

3. Failing to Create Multiple Sources Of Leads. Think of it this way, if your only source of leads is over the phone prospecting, calling FSBOs, Expireds etc...what happens to your business when you decide to take a day off? What happens if you can't make the prospecting calls because maybe you have laryngitis? Simple answer, no new business. You must have at least 3-4 predictable sources of new leads.

4. Only Working When You Feel Like It. ‘I am not motivated' is one of the top excuses agents use to not take action. Here is a little secret for you: No One Feels Motivated Every Day. The successful agents work every day regardless of how they ‘feel'.

5. Confusing Busy Work With...Work. Listen, if you don't have the consistency in your real estate business its because you don't work consistently. There are 5-6 things you must do every day to be successful long terms in this (or any business). You must: Generate new leads, follow up with your existing leads, sift and sort your current leads for motivation, Negotiate contracts, and Present to Buyers and Sellers. Work in these areas daily, with consistency, to achieve consistent income.

PRICE REDUCTION!!!

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Fri, 30 May 2008 08:22:04 -0500

Welcome Home

$299,900

235 Richmond Ave, Paterson NJ

Features:

4 bedrooms, 1 bath
One of Paterson's most desirable location
Central Vacuum and Security System
Huge backyard in very clean condition
Basement with high cieling and clean, easy to finish
Across the street from 1 of Paterson's most desirable elementary school
www.dennissanchezlistings5.com

Dennis Sanchez

201.724.0422

View My Other Listings

Open House:

Jun 1
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Susani Realty

209 Union Ave
Paterson, NJ 07502

973.790.6996

I JUST GOT THE PRICE REDUCTION TODAY 5/30/08. GETTING PLENTY OF PHONE CALLS ALREADY!! THIS HOME IS DEFINITELY A HOT HOME. CALL AS SOON AS YOU CAN TO GET YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW THIS BEAUTIFUL HOME. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!!

IMPORTANT REASONS TO ALWAYS BE POSITIVE

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Sun, 25 May 2008 10:46:09 -0500

Positive Emotions Are the Key to Life
By: Brian Tracy

Positive emotional energy is the key to health, happiness and wellbeing. The more positive you are, the better your life will be in every area.

Your Main Energy Source
Here''''s the important point. Positive emotions give you energy, while negative emotions deplete your energy. When you are excited and happy and are interacting with people you love and enjoy, you sparkle with energy and enthusiasm. When you are angry or depressed, or negative for any reason, you feel tired and frustrated and, eventually, burned out.

You Burn A Lot of Energy
It takes 1,000 units of physical energy to operate your body and you do not do physical labor, that physical energy can be refined in your body to produce 100 units of emotional energy.

Emotional energy is a far more refined form of energy, and it is absolutely essential to healthy emotional functioning.

Creating Mental Energy
If you do not consume all your energy units in the expression of negative emotions, such as fear, doubt, anger, and resentment, your emotional energies are conserved. If your energy is conserved at one level, your body continues to refine it into higher and better energy. 100 units of emotional energy thus conserved will be refined by your body into 10 units of mental energy.

Anger Is A Killer
You''''ve probably heard someone described as "shaking with anger." When a person is shaking with anger, it is an indication that he has burned up the glucose or sugar-based energy in his system, and he is actually weak from his angry outburst.

The Benefits of Pausing
All successful people are very productive. They work longer hours and they work better hours. They get a lot more done than the average person. They get paid more and promoted faster. They are highly respected and esteemed by everyone around them. They become leaders and role models. Inevitably, they rise to the top of their fields and to the top of their income ranges, and so can you.

Don''''''''''''''''t Take Things Personally
They stand back and refuse to take things personally. They do not allow themselves to get drawn into arguments or other people''''s problems. They save their energy for more productive purposes.

The whole purpose of physical relaxation is to allow yourself to recharge your emotional and mental batteries. You don''''''''''''''''t engage in physical relaxation so much to relax your physical body because it''''s likely you don''''t work that hard with your body. The aim of rest and relaxation is more to build up your mental and emotional energies and thereby improve the overall quality of your life.

Keep Yourself Calm
Another characteristic of very successful people is that they keep themselves calm much longer than the average person does. They are more relaxed, more genial, and more in control of their emotions. They are very aware that expressions of negative emotion deprive them of the energy they need to be effective in the more important things they do. They don''''t allow themselves to become upset or angry over little things, or even over large things. They remain objective and detached.

Action Exercises
Here are three things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action:

First, keep your thoughts on your dreams and goals, and keep them off of the things and people that cause you stress and negative emotions. This is not easy, but it''''s very important.

Second, preserve your emotional energy by staying calm and positive in difficult situations rather than allowing yourself to be upset or angry.

Third, take ample time to rest completely so you can recharge your physical and emotional batteries. The better rested you are, the more effective you will be.

FOR ALL OUR SOLDIERS THAT DEFEND OUR COUNTRY

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Sun, 25 May 2008 10:30:45 -0500

MANY OF OUR SOLDIERS ARE RISKING THEIR LIVES IN A FIGHT THAT WE MAY OR MAY NOT AGREE WITH, BUT THEY DO IT FOR OUR COUNTRY. THEY ARE BUILDING A FUTURE FOR ALL OF US THAT THEY MIGHT NOT EVEN ENJOY. THEY ARE OUR BRIDGE BUILDERS!

The Bridge Builder

An old man going a lone highway,
came at the evening cold and gray,
to a chasm vast and deep and wide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim,
The sullen stream had no fear for him;
but he turned when safe on the other side
and built a bridge to span the tide.

"Old man", said a fellow pilgrim near,
"You are wasting your strength with
building here; your journey will end
with the ending day. You never again
will pass this way. You've crossed the
chasm, deep and wide, why build a bridge at evening tide?"

The builder lifted his old gray head;
"Good friend in the path I have come",
he said, "there followed after me today
a youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been as naught to me,
to that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim.
Good friend I am building this bridge for him!"

- Will Allen Dromgoole

Great tip!!

Dennis Sanchez (Coldwell Banker Susani Realty) — Sun, 25 May 2008 10:24:07 -0500

Low Profile Selling
By: Tom Hopkins

How do your clients perceive you? Do you come across as competent and professional? Or, is your selling style such that it appeals to a limited number of clients?

Today's consumers are better educated and more sophisticated than those of just ten short years ago. You can say all the right things and some still won't make a buying decision.

Many times it boils down to the fact that customers simply don't like or trust salespeople. Sales professionals are learning to diffuse potential customer biases and win their trust by adopting non-sales-type personalities. By coming across differently than all the other "typical" salespeople, the pros are earning the respect of their clients and higher incomes. They are able to build long-term relationships and establish solid business bases through referrals.

Your selling style affects everything...especially how you close sales. Here's an excerpt from my book, "Low Profile Selling" on that subject. Enjoy!

How to Consummate the Sale

What do salespeople really do when they consummate sales?

When I wrote the book "Low Profile Selling," I wanted to get away from the term "closing" because it's considered by some as too hard-sell. So, I decided to use the word consummate.

In the dictionary, the word "consummate" means "perfect ending." I like the sound of that and the image it brings to mind. It's the perfect ending--everyone is happy. The new client is happy with the benefits they'll receive. You're happy because you now have a new client. Your manager will be happy because you moved product. Everyone is happy.

So, how do we go about consummating more sales?

In doing your job right, you need to determine your potential clients' specific needs, then show them how your product or service fulfills those needs. Then, psychology comes into play. Even when they see the value of your offering, they will have to rationalize the decision logically before they'll make that final commitment.

When you see that your potential client is heading toward a stall, you'll know that they have not yet rationalized that having the product is worth more to them than keeping their money. They'll lean toward procrastinating and postponing the decision. If you let it go far enough, they'll actually begin to feel fear about the decision and freeze about making any decision at all. (It's that "deer-in-the-headlights" thing.)

They may say something like this, "Tom, I'm not sure about the quality of this product." Or, "I don't know if we're ready to go ahead." When you hear things like that, you know you need to move into an even more helpful mode.

Begin gently by trying to find out specifically what's holding them back. Say these words, "John, obviously, you have a reason for saying that. Would you mind sharing it with me?"

Let him expand and elaborate. He'll usually give you the information you need to help him rationalize. Or, in some cases, a spouse might jump in and help you overcome the objection. I've had situations where the other decision-maker jumped right in and closed the sale because he or she had already reached a point of rationalization.

The key is to help them see that the benefits outweigh the investment they're making. Until you do, they may be feeling a little bit of pressure. This will be internal pressure--nothing you've exerted on them. However, you will have to be the one to relieve that pressure if you want to move ahead.

I teach three gentle ways of relieving pressure in this book. Here's just one: Whenever you hear things like, "I don't know if we should," "I'm a little worried," "It's not in the budget," etc. there are five key words you must use. They are "I understand how you feel." Those five simple words will go far in softening them up to listening to your rationalization. With those five words, you're saying, "I'm on your side. This is not a battle. We are walking the road of ownership together--side by side." This will help lower the defenses created by any fears that arose, keep them open to discussion and allow you to consummate the sale.