So I have a buyer that I helped find the perfect house! What’s next? If my buyer asks me for a recommendation for a loan officer, I can help by offering them a few choices. This is a critical step to the purchase going smoothly and ending up with a happy client. Inevitably a happy client is always my goal. This brings referrals and friends. The best type of business is referrals! It shows that I’m doing my job well. Keep tabs on the mortgage process, ask questions to the loan officer as to how the process is going, any snags, red flags on the horizon? If you feel that you are not getting verbal responses, put your questions in an email, ask for a written response. You then have something to show if something along the way does not work out. Make contact at least once per week. I would say 2 times per week is ideal. (I don’t mean voice mail either) When the loan officer asks you for more information whether it be pay stubs, statements etc…be ready to get it to them quickly. Allow NO EXCUSES on the loan officer’s part. If you feel that your loan is not being processed properly, ask for the loan officer’s supervisor to step in. Some brief points. 1. Initial contact – Ask what is to be expected, how long it will take and if they feel the closing date will be an issue. 30 days seems to be a number most can deal with. 2. Have everything the loan officer needs prepared and ready to go. 3. Ask about points, rates, term, etc… 4. Ask if there is an application fee and if the loan fails will it be refunded..etc… I’m not a mortgage/loan officer so I cannot give out much advice on this subject. However, I am a Realtor® that knows how important it is when buying a house that you choose the correct people to help you. There is nothing worse in the real estate world than finding your dream home and having a third party mess up the deal.

Great Post and right to the pint!

Marketing and Selling a High End Home

(Part 1 of 3)

I have been quite busy lately selling real estate and have not had the time to post any writings. This past month alone, I closed (settled) 3 homes and put 4 more under contract...pretty good for a "bad market".

I wanted to touch base on a subject that I feel gets neglected, "Luxury" or "High End Homes". I'm going to write three different articles about this subject over the course of this month. I will write about what I see and know and I do hope this helps the sellers properly pick their Realtor® and get their house ready for Sale. Please also note I will only write in regards to my market area which is Camden County, Gloucester County and Burlington County NJ. By the way, some of this will be my opinion, some information will come from the best information I can compile from the web, and from experience, please consider this while reading.

"High End" or "Luxury Homes" begin at a price of approximately $500,000 (this is a generalization depending on the area) and from there the sky is the limit. These homes do tend to take more time to sell then other homes of lesser value, however there is a greater need to market this home properly and target to the correct audience then a home that is not priced this high.

A high end listing tends to take more attention to detail and market. I will touch on this area for this week's writing. PLEASE don't settle for just putting your listing on the MLS.

Photography

By all means, this is one of the MOST important things if not the most important and influential things a Realtor® can do to entice a qualified, perspective buyer to view your high end listing. I am so puzzled when I see a beautiful luxury home photographed with a pocket digital camera. My firs t thought is "how can the homeowner allow that".

 Your audience, wealthy people, lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs etc. are just too busy to go out and physically view every home their Realtor sends them, your home will have to "pique" the interest of that buyer so be CERTAIN your Realtor® hires a professional photographer or takes the time to photograph the best points of the house. Angles, lighting, exposure, and views are all important facts to consider while photographing the home. Take this example, when a prospective client's Realtor® sends listings to look at, your home will be one a many, and wouldn't you want your home to "POP OFF" the page. I call it the "WOW" factor.

I am a FULL TIME Realtor® and a hobbyist or amateur photographer owning thousands of dollars of equipment that I purchased specifically for real estate. It is my hobby and my clients benefit from it! No matter what home I photograph, I use all of my equipment to make the house "POP". I have many Realtors calling me asking "how I get that effect". It just takes time, money and there is a learning curve.  Here is an example of a photograph that is not so high end but I am purposely putting on this "high end" blog...Notice the colors.

Generally, it takes me at minimum 1 hour to shoot a 1500 sq. ft home. A home that is 3,000 to 5,000 sq ft and up, can take me upwards to 3 hours to shoot. I consider time of day, lighting, special views etc. when I shoot. I'll ask you if there is a "perfect time of day" that your house really shines. That's when ill shoot it!

When Mercedes Benz markets their cars they do it in such a way that the prospective buyer feels the car is really worth it. PERCEPTION AND PERCEIVED VALUE IS KEY to marketing your high end home.

In regards to myself, I don't charge anything extra to photograph and market your home and you are paying the commission when your home sells (and only when it sells). I feel that photography is so important that it can make or break a listing, so please take photography seriously. It can change EVERYTHING in regards to selling your high end home. Don't sell yourself short.

Please feel free to comment on this post.

Check back for Part 2 "Using Video & Virtual Tours".

About me- I am a full time Realtor in Southern New Jersey servicing all of Camden County, Gloucester County and Burlington County NJ. Photography is a hobby of mine, Real Estate is my living.

Marketing and Selling a High End Home

(Part 1 of 3)

I have been quite busy lately selling real estate and have not had the time to post any writings. This past month alone, I closed (settled) 3 homes and put 4 more under contract...pretty good for a "bad market".

I wanted to touch base on a subject that I feel gets neglected, "Luxury" or "High End Homes". I'm going to write three different articles about this subject over the course of this month. I will write about what I see and know and I do hope this helps the sellers properly pick their Realtor® and get their house ready for Sale. Please also note I will only write in regards to my market area which is Camden County, Gloucester County and Burlington County NJ. By the way, some of this will be my opinion, some information will come from the best information I can compile from the web, and from experience, please consider this while reading.

"High End" or "Luxury Homes" begin at a price of approximately $500,000 (this is a generalization depending on the area) and from there the sky is the limit. These homes do tend to take more time to sell then other homes of lesser value, however there is a greater need to market this home properly and target to the correct audience then a home that is not priced this high.

A high end listing tends to take more attention to detail and market. I will touch on this area for this week's writing. PLEASE don't settle for just putting your listing on the MLS.

Photography

By all means, this is one of the MOST important things if not the most important and influential things a Realtor® can do to entice a qualified, perspective buyer to view your high end listing. I am so puzzled when I see a beautiful luxury home photographed with a pocket digital camera. My firs t thought is "how can the homeowner allow that".

 Your audience, wealthy people, lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs etc. are just too busy to go out and physically view every home their Realtor sends them, your home will have to "pique" the interest of that buyer so be CERTAIN your Realtor® hires a professional photographer or takes the time to photograph the best points of the house. Angles, lighting, exposure, and views are all important facts to consider while photographing the home. Take this example, when a prospective client's Realtor® sends listings to look at, your home will be one a many, and wouldn't you want your home to "POP OFF" the page. I call it the "WOW" factor.

I am a FULL TIME Realtor® and a hobbyist or amateur photographer owning thousands of dollars of equipment that I purchased specifically for real estate. It is my hobby and my clients benefit from it! No matter what home I photograph, I use all of my equipment to make the house "POP". I have many Realtors calling me asking "how I get that effect". It just takes time, money and there is a learning curve.  Here is an example of a photograph that is not so high end but I am purposely putting on this "high end" blog..notice the colors.

Generally, it takes me at minimum 1 hour to shoot a 1500 sq. ft home. A home that is 3,000 to 5,000 sq ft and up, can take me upwards to 3 hours to shoot. I consider time of day, lighting, special views etc. when I shoot. I'll ask you if there is a "perfect time of day" that your house really shines. That's when ill shoot it!

When Mercedes Benz markets their cars they do it in such a way that the prospective buyer feels the car is really worth it. PERCEPTION AND PERCEIVED VALUE IS KEY to marketing your high end home.

In regards to myself, I don't charge anything extra to photograph and market your home and you are paying the commission when your home sells (and only when it sells). I feel that photography is so important that it can make or break a listing, so please take photography seriously. It can change EVERYTHING in regards to selling your high end home. Don't sell yourself short.

Please feel free to comment on this post.

Check back for Part 2 "Using Video & Virtual Tours".

About me- I am a full time Realtor in Southern New Jersey servicing all of Camden County, Gloucester County and Burlington County NJ. Photography is a hobby of mine, Real Estate is my living.

Immaculate! Vacation at Home! www.11glenforge.com You will Love This Home! Location: Glen Forge Very Clean, immaculate may be more precise...This wonderful home sits in a very nice, peaceful community. When you step inside you will be impressed with the care that has been taken throughout this home. Sit back and enjoy the family room fireplace or retreat to your beautiful EP Henry Patio that leads to a custom pool with a breathtaking waterfall. This home boasts a professionally landscaped yard with sprinkler system and landscape lighting. Tree-lined back yard offers privacy with landscaped gardens and a 12'x24' workshop with electric and a loft for storage. House includes ceramic-tiled floors in the foyer, kitchen, 1/2 bath and laundry room. Newly remodeled kitchen with oak cabinets. Gas fireplace in the family room and the 4th bedroom. New triple-pane, insulated, tilt windows throughout with a 55-year transferable warranty. Garage has been converted to a wonderful 4th bedroom but easily converted back if you like. Great Home, Great Price....You will be impressed. Information Contact Information Dave Sulvetta 856 889-8163 Pricing Price: $254,900.00 Flexibility: Negotiable Property Location 11 glen Forge Dr Sicklerville, NJ 08081 Features Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2.5 Parking Spaces: 3 Year Built: 1991 Subdivision: Glen Forge Lot Size: 11360 Garage Size: 1 car School District: Winslow Square Footage: 1800 Agent Name: Dave Sulvetta Broker: Century 21 Hearst MLS #: 5487088 Attributes Appliances Range/Oven Full Refrigerator Washer/Dryer Dishwasher Sink Disposal Microwave Interior Amenities Fireplace Attic Exterior Amenities Patio Fenced Yard Swimming Pool Grass Lawn Tool Shed Powered by vFlyer.com EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY VFLYER ID: 2283740 Photo Gallery Powered by vFlyer.com EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY VFLYER ID: 2283740 CENTURY 21® is a registered trademark licensed to Century 21 Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Each office is independently owned and operated.

Immaculate! Vacation at Home! www.11glenforge.com You will Love This Home! Location: Glen Forge Very Clean, immaculate may be more precise...This wonderful home sits in a very nice, peaceful community. When you step inside you will be impressed with the care that has been taken throughout this home. Sit back and enjoy the family room fireplace or retreat to your beautiful EP Henry Patio that leads to a custom pool with a breathtaking waterfall. This home boasts a professionally landscaped yard with sprinkler system and landscape lighting. Tree-lined back yard offers privacy with landscaped gardens and a 12'x24' workshop with electric and a loft for storage. House includes ceramic-tiled floors in the foyer, kitchen, 1/2 bath and laundry room. Newly remodeled kitchen with oak cabinets. Gas fireplace in the family room and the 4th bedroom. New triple-pane, insulated, tilt windows throughout with a 55-year transferable warranty. Garage has been converted to a wonderful 4th bedroom but easily converted back if you like. Great Home, Great Price....You will be impressed. Information Contact Information Dave Sulvetta 856 889-8163 Pricing Price: $254,900.00 Flexibility: Negotiable Property Location 11 glen Forge Dr Sicklerville, NJ 08081 Features Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2.5 Parking Spaces: 3 Year Built: 1991 Subdivision: Glen Forge Lot Size: 11360 Garage Size: 1 car School District: Winslow Square Footage: 1800 Agent Name: Dave Sulvetta Broker: Century 21 Hearst MLS #: 5487088 Attributes Appliances Range/Oven Full Refrigerator Washer/Dryer Dishwasher Sink Disposal Microwave Interior Amenities Fireplace Attic Exterior Amenities Patio Fenced Yard Swimming Pool Grass Lawn Tool Shed Powered by vFlyer.com EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY VFLYER ID: 2283740 Photo Gallery Powered by vFlyer.com EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY VFLYER ID: 2283740 CENTURY 21® is a registered trademark licensed to Century 21 Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Each office is independently owned and operated.