El Paso Texas Real Estate

Keeping Your Home Sale From Falling Apart

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Sun, 30 May 2010 15:11:36 -0700

Keep Your Home Sale from Falling Apart

After finding a buyer, all you have to do to make it to closing is to avoid these five traps. Read
7 Tips for Staging Your Home

Make your home warm and inviting to boost your home’s value and speed up the sale process. Read
6 Tips for Choosing the Best Offer for Your Home

Have a plan for reviewing purchase offers so you don’t let the best slip through your fingers. Read
5 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Sale

Working to get your home ship-shape for showings will increase its value and shorten your sales time. Read
7 Tips for a Profitable Home Closing

Be sure you’re walking away with all the money you’re entitled to from the sale of your home. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Keep Money in Your Pocket

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:55:13 -0700

Preventive maintenance can mean the difference between maintaining the value in your home or depleting the equity you might have gained; keeping hard earned cash in your pocket, or throwing it into the wind with an unnecessary or unexpected expense.

The best way to help maintain any appreciation and protect your investment is to do minor routine tasks, proactively and systematically, to help keep the home operating and functioning normally. Avoiding major operating malfunctions or complete failures can easily be avoided if homeowners take just a few minutes to do some routine minor household tasks.

Many of these items can be done by the homeowner, cutting costs significantly, although the cost of hiring a professional is usually better than not performing the maintenance at all. Having to spend money on replacement appliances and installation costs can be several times more costly than the simple maintenance of them.

Maintenance Check-List

1. __ Service heat&a/c system once a year.

2. __ Change the filters in your heat&a/c system once a month.

3. __ Drain hot water heater once a year.

4. __ Don't leave light sockets without bulbs.

5. __ Periodically run a pitcher of ice cubes through garbage disposal to sharpen blades.

6. __ Replace dripping faucets immediately to conserve water.

7. __ Don't allow toilet tanks to drip - replace ballcock
assembly.

8. __ Check weather stripping around doors for air leaks.

9. __ Visually look at roof after high winds to detect loose shingles.

10.__ Visually look around outside roof line to find holes where animals might enter.

11.__ Check batteries in smoke detectors monthly/replace annually.

12.__ Wrap outside pipes in winter to prevent freezing.

13.__ Remove garden hose from outside faucet in winter.

14.__ Water around foundation during dry periods to prevent
cracking or shifting.

REMEMBER: better maintained homes sell faster and for higher prices

To search for houses currently available for sale within the entire El Paso, Ft. Bliss, and Horizon area don't forget to visit my website at www.JeseSellsHomes.com.

My House is Worth What?

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 19:12:48 -0800

One of my favorite TV shows on HGTV is "My House is Worth What?". In this show there are three separate homeowners all over the country. Many of these families have done some major renovating and remodeling and want to know if their time and efforts were worth the money. As I was watching this show I started thinking...many homeowners put TONS of money into their home thinking that they'll be able to recapture all of it once they decide to sell.

As I go to several listing appointments I need to remind these homeowners that the value of their home IS NOT:

•· How much money they have put into the house;

•· How much the neighbor down the street sold his/her house for;

•· What some website said your house is worth (my favorite J );

•· What you need to net in order to buy another house;

•· What the Tax Assessor's Office says your house is worth;

•· And sadly, neither is sentimental value.

So how do we derive "Market Value"? The first thing that is done is to check the "comps" or the comparable properties that have sold within the last six months (or even up to a year if there are not enough comps). From the comps, choose houses that are within 20% of the same square footage, either smaller or larger. This will give you an idea, or range, of what the price per square footage is.

This gives you a baseline. Of course, adjustments must be made if your house has an unbelievable view that the Comp properties DO NOT have; if your house is the only one with a swimming pool, and you have upgraded your house by putting in hardwood floors and granite counter tops.

So what adjustments should be done? This is what I was given by an appraisal.

•1. View lots can range from $0-$40,000 depending upon the type of view and also the location of the property.

•2. Lot size range from $.25 per square foot - $1.50 per square foot. This could also depend upon location.

•3. Age adjustments are usually given for houses that differentiate by 5 years or more. This could be from ¼% to 1% per year.

•4. Upgrades done to a house such as hardwood flooring, granite counter tops, upgraded lighting and plumbing fixtures, clay tile roofing, wood shutters, etc can range from $1000-$6000.

•5. Swimming pools range from $0 - $15,000 (but not more!).

•6. Fireplaces $500 - $2000

•7. Bathrooms $2000 - $5000

•8. Garages from $1000 - $3000 per garage

•9. Surround Sound $500 - $1500

Turning a House into a Home

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:46:20 -0800

When thinking about polished floors, cushions in place, an exquisite flower arrangement, crisp and folded napkins on the table, take time to think about comfort, family time and kids activities also when decorating or designing your house. A lively place full of warmth and chatter is what makes a 'House' a 'Home'. There are times when we overlook some important details to give that 'Designer Touch' to our houses. Household accidents, unhealthy personal conditions and lack of family activities are the result.

To avoid such a situation, take care to make your house a comfortable and healthy place to live in. Look around you and observe carefully if any difficulty and threats are being posed due to faulty placement and wrong choice of objects. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Rubber Mats: Though not much decorative, rubber mats are the best things to have outside your bathroom or near the kitchen sink. They will help avoid slipping and add safety to your home. Never use any kind of rugs at the top or bottom of stairs.

2. Work Delegation Diary: Keep a diary in a conspicuous place and write down in it, the daily chores of all members. Make sure everyone takes turn feeding the pet, mowing the lawn, dusting the furniture and setting the dinner table.

3. Sitting Space: Keep some extra, light-weight chairs or stools that can be carried to any place to make immediate sitting space. Garden sitting space, preferably under a tree or any other shade, is a lovely idea for spending family time. Get cane chairs or a bench placed in your garden. Chairs and a table in the porch is another great idea.

4. Door Knobs: Round door knobs give your room a nice appeal, but are down on the Comfort-level. Children and Elders suffering with Arthritis etc. find if difficult to grip them. They are also difficult to grasp with wet hands. They can be replaced with Lever Handles both on the inside as well as the outside for ease and comfort.

5. Showers: Though showers are top on Elegance list and Hand Showers are blamed for 'spoiling the look' with their long hose, there cannot be anything better than an adjustable hand shower with a hose for bathing big dogs and kids.

6. Lighting: Make sure that all your rooms have ample light. Reserve subtle lighting and other lighting effects for special occasions and parties. Good, clear light helps maintain everyone's health care easier and is especially good for school-going children and elderly people.

7. Artifacts: The next time you see your little kid hardly daring to breath when passing by your favorite antique lamp for the fear of breaking it, you know its the time for a revamp. Place glass objects and other breakable treasures in safer areas so your family members can move freely without worrying about spoiling your decor.

8. Comfort Level: At all times, keep in mind that your home needs to be comfortable and not rigid. Things get monotonous when they are 'too perfect'. A cozy nook by the window with a small coffee table, extra pillows thrown in for a comfortable tête-à-tête, a sparkling fireplace with a warm rug sprawled across are some examples.

9. Family Space: A 'Home' is all about a family! Include in your design/decor, special 'Family' places like a sufficiently large dinner table, a card table for indoor games etc. Like I said above in 'Sitting space', a mini dining table or wicker table-chair set in your garden or under a tree in the backyard is a lovely idea. If you have a spare room for your crafts, make a separate shelf for Family crafts like Scrapbooking. A Wall Gallery of photos is a great way to bind family members - past and present.

You know what works best for your family. So develop this list further according on the needs of your family and watch your pretty house take the shape of a 'Pretty Home'.

Staging A Home For Sale

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:28:48 -0700

First impressions are extremely important. From the moment the prospective buyer pulls up in front of your home, you want to put your best foot forward. You want the buyer to immediately feel that this could be "home". The process of preparing your home for sale is generally referred to as "staging", and involves polishing up the exterior and interior of the home.

Have you ever seen "Designed to Sell" on HGTV? If not, try to catch it sometime. In each episode, some poor seller is told their home is a nightmare, and a designer is given $2000 to ready it for sale. Now, I don't recommend that you go out and blow a couple of grand to stage your home. But the show has some good ideas for showing off a home's assets, and downplaying its liabilities. Let me give you an example.

Recently, one of my listings had a kitchen that was in good shape, but a little dark and dull. It also had an eating area that was a little on the small side, but was suitable for a small 2-4 seat table. However, the homeowner left this space empty, which highlighted the fact that the floor was a little yellowed. In order to jazz up this kitchen, we: (1) installed a new but inexpensive light fixture, (2) installed inexpensive knobs on the cabinets that had previously no hardware and (3) the seller borrowed a small oak kitchen table to demonstrate to buyers that a table would in fact fit (and it downplayed the yellowed floor, too). The property soon sold, and at the highest price for that model.

I've included a checklist for preparing your home for sale in my other blog postings (including the one right before this post). I would also be happy to tour your home with you, when the time comes to sell, and provide some further advice.

Staging Checklist

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:26:49 -0700

HOW TO

PREPARE YOUR HOME

FOR A QUICK SALE AT A PREMIUM PRICE

By Jese Gonzalez

RE/MAX Associates

915-549-1962

JeseG@remax.net

Why is it important to correctly prepare your home for sale?

First impressions are everything, and that is also true for buyers who tour your home. A home properly presented will have buyers thinking that your home is the perfect place for them. This will translate to a quicker sale and a higher price.

Tips for Preparing Your Home for Sale

Outside

•Ø Paint, stain or varnish front door and surrounding trim. Polish brass.

•Ø Go around the perimeter of the house and move all garbage cans, discarded wood scraps, extra building materials, etc., into the garage.

•Ø Make sure gutters are swept and cleaned.

•Ø Look at all plants... prune bushes and trees. Keep plants from blocking windows. Buyers won't purchase a house they can't see!

•Ø Weed and then mulch all planting areas. Keep lawn freshly cut and fertilized. Remove any dead plants or shrubs.

•Ø Clear patios and decks of all small items, such as small planters, flower pots, charcoal, barbecues, toys, etc. Put them in the garage or a storage unit.

•Ø Check paint condition of the entire house.

Inside

•Ø Plants, floral arrangements and even fresh fruit are simple, inexpensive ways to liven up a home and appeal to a buyer's senses.

•Ø The foyer must be clean and not cluttered with furniture. Clean light fixtures and the floor until they sparkle. Add a nice touch with a small entrance table with fresh-cut flowers.

•Ø Put away all collections (figurines, fragile items, etc.) and store all political and religious mementos as well as any business, sports and personal awards.

•Ø Take the extra leaf out of the dining room &/or kitchen table and put a nice white tablecloth on it. Again, a center-piece of flowers or fresh fruit adds a nice touch.

•Ø Remove all refrigerator magnets and items, including children's pictures from school.

•Ø Stow all small kitchen appliances under the cabinets to free up counter space.

•Ø Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen countertops. A sparse kitchen helps the buyer mentally move their own things into your kitchen.

•Ø Downplay dated bathroom ceramic tile color with white towels, window treatments and scatter rugs.

•Ø Replace rusted sinks or cover up spots with touch up.

•Ø Repair or replace defective bathroom exhaust fans.

•Ø Remove any unnecessary items from bathroom countertops, tubs, shower stalls and commode tops. Keep only your most needed cosmetics (brushes, perfumes etc.) in one small group on the counter, but only if necessary.

•Ø Coordinate bath towels to one or two colors only.

•Ø Clean out bedroom, coat, and linen closets to make them appear as if there is plenty of room.

•Ø Remove stains from garage floors.

•Ø Clean all windows/cobwebs in corners of garage and basement.

•Ø Repair all screen holes or replace screen completely, depending on condition.

•Ø Make sure outdoor furniture is clean and orderly, and not excessive.

•Ø Review each room and:

•1. Rearrange/remove some 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.

•2. Take down, or rearrange certain pictures or objects on walls. Patch and paint if necessary.

•3. Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house. Keep decorative objects on the furniture to a minimum.

•4. Paint any room needing paint.

•5. Clean carpets or drapes that need it.

•6. Clean Windows.

•Ø If you need room to store extra possessions use the garage or rent a storage unit.

My Home is Ready - Now What?

The way you live in your home and the way you live in your home when you are selling it are two different things. It is very important that you keep your home in the proper condition.

•ü Make all beds everyday.

•ü Keep all toilet seats down.

•ü Make sure towels are hung properly.

•ü Make sure all crumbs are cleaned from counter tops after meals, and all pots/pans/dishes are cleaned and put away.

•ü Turn on lights in each room when showing and have light music playing during showings.

•ü Don't leave dirty clothes on the floor, and put all your belongings away.

•ü Keep all counter top items put away in the kitchen and baths

•ü If your home is being shown by a Realtor, leave the house! The buyer will feel self-conscious about viewing your home with you there

Buyers Checklist

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:56:20 -0700

BUYER CHECKLIST

Buying a home can be a confusing and tedious process- closing should not be! By completing this form, you may avoid possible last minute delays.

ITEM NEEDED	CHECK IF COMPLETE
1. CONTRACT EXECUTED- All Parties who have any potential interest in owning the property (i.e., husband and wife) have executed the contract and the effective date is complete.
2. EXISTING SURVEY- If Seller has agreed to provide existing survey; both survey and the Residential Real Property Affidavit have been provided to both Buyer and Title Officer.
3. NEW SURVEY- If Seller or Buyer is purchasing a new survey, arrangements have been made for its completion and a copy sent to the Title Officer.
4. HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION- If the property is located in a home owner association, a resale package and resale certificate have been received by Buyer's Agent and Title Officer.
5. SELLER DISCLOSURE- Seller's Disclosure has been provided to Buyer, if applicable.
5. RESIDENTIAL SERVICE CONTRACT- Residential Services Contract has been ordered, if applicable, or Title Officer has been provided a copy of the invoice. Title Officer has been made aware of any upgrades to the Residential Services Contract to be paid for by the Buyer at closing.
6. LEGAL NOTICE- Paragraph 21 is complete with information for Seller and Buyer for legal notice to be sent pursuant to the contract.
7. CONTRACT INFORMATION- Broker/ Agent information complete on the contract and provided to Title Officer.
8. COMMISSION/ SPLIT- Commission Disbursement Authorization has been sent from the Broker, if applicable. Buyer's Agent split commission is disclosed clearly. (i.e., if there is a certain percentage on one portion of the sales price and another percentage on the balance)
9. LENDER INFORMATION- A loan will be used to purchase the house. Title Officer has been provided the mortgage broker or lender's name, phone, fax and e-mail.
10. MARITAL STATUS- Buyer's marital status has been determined and disclosed.
11. TRUST/ BUSINESS ENTITY- Buyer is a trust, partnership or other legal entity and appropriate documentation sent to title.
12. SELLER PAID COSTS- Seller paid closing costs are clear and based off a good faith estimate provided by the Lender. Buyer is clear that any extra Seller paid funds will be refunded to the Seller.
13. IDENTIFICATION- Buyers have a current, valid government- issued identification card to provide at closing.
14. MAIL OUT/ COURTESY CLOSING- Buyer is located out of town for closing and e-mail or overnight mail information has been provided.
15. POWER OF ATTORNEY- Buyer is planning on using a Power of Attorney. The original has been located and provided to the Title Officer or Title has been notified to prepare a new power of attorney.
16. CLOSING FUNDS- Buyer will provide any funds required at close in the form of a wire or cashier's check (if the funds total more than $1,499.99).
17. KEYS- Buyer understands that keys, other access materials and possession of the house cannot take place until the lender has provided the loan funds and authorization to disburse.

Sellers Checklist

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:53:41 -0700

SELLER CHECKLIST

Selling a home can be a confusing and tedious process- closing should not be! Here's a checklist of wants needs to be done to go from Contract to Closing.

ITEM NEEDED	CHECK IF PROVIDED TO TITLE
1. CONTRACT EXECUTED- All Parties who have an interest in the property have executed the contract and the effective date is complete.
2. SURVEY- Seller has agreed to provide existing survey; both survey and the Residential Real Property Affidavit have been provided to Buyer and Title Company.
3. HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION- If the property is located in a home owner association, a resale package and resale certificate have been provided to Buyer's Agent and Title Officer.
4. SELLER DISCLOSURE- Seller's Disclosure has been provided to Buyer's Agent, if applicable.
5. RESIDENTIAL SERVICE CONTRACT- A residential service contract has been negotiated and has been ordered, if applicable and Title Officer has been provided a copy of the invoice.
6. LEGAL NOTICE- Paragraph 21 is complete with information for Seller and Buyer for legal notice to be sent to the Parties under the contract.
7. CONTACT INFORMATION- Broker/ Agent information complete on the contract and provided to Title Officer.
8. COMMISSION/ SPLIT- Complete commission has been disclosed to title and a Commission Disbursement Authorization has been sent from the Broker, if applicable. Buyer's Agent split commission is disclosed clearly (i.e., if there is a certain percentage on one portion of the sales price and another percentage on the balance)
9. PAYOFF- A loan payoff will be made at closing. Title Officer will need the payoff lender, the loan number, a social security number and a contact number in order to request a current payoff.
10. MARITAL STATUS- Seller's marital status has been determined and disclosed to Title Officer.
11. ESTATE/ TRUST- Seller is an estate or trust and appropriate documentation sent to Title Officer.
12. SELLER PAID COSTS- Seller paid closing costs are clear and based off a good faith estimate.
13. IDENTIFICATION- Sellers have a current, valid government- issued identification card to provide at closing.
14. MAIL OUT- Seller is located out of town for closing and e-mail or overnight mail information has been provided.
15. POWER OF ATTORNEY- Seller is planning on using a Power of Attorney. The original has been located and provided to the Title Officer or Title Officer has been notified to prepare a new power of attorney.
16. FORWARDING CONTACT INFORMATION- Seller's forwarding address and Social Security Number (for form 1099) have been provided.
17. SALES PROCEEDS- Seller would like his sales proceeds wired and written wire instructions have been provided OR Seller would like his sales proceeds in a hard check and an overnight mailing address has been provided.
18. KEYS- Keys and any other access materials have been provided (or other arrangements made) to agent once funding has occurred.

Steps to Improve Your Credit Score

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:10:08 -0700

Lenders analyze your credit score to determine whether or not to approve a home mortage.

Before lending you money, creditors want to determine how much of a risk you are-in other words, how likely you are to repay the money they loan you. Credit scores help them do that, and the higher your score, the less risk they feel you'll be.

It's important to note that raising your FICO credit score is a bit like losing weight: It takes time and there is no quick fix. In fact, quick-fix efforts can backfire. The best advice is to manage credit responsibly over time. You can save money by just following these tips and raising your credit score.

Know and Track Your Credit Score- You can get the free MyFico 30-Day Trial of Score Watch which will tell you your current score and alert you if there are any changes.
Never Miss a Payment, Starting Today- So you might not have had the best track record, but if you can keep your credit clean from now until forever your credit score will raise over time by itself! You can pay your bills online or use a direct deposit payment so that you never miss!(+100 pts).
Never Use More Than 30% of Your Available Credit- This is one of the lesser known tricks to credit score building. If you have a $1000 credit limit on one card, only use a maximum of $200 on it. This rule applies to every card you have.(+15 pts).
Keep Credit Cards That Have No Annual Fees Open For as Long as Possible- The length of your credit history is a good indicator for your short term performance on paying a bill or loan. So, even if you're trying to resist the temptation of using your cards, do not close them. Cutting them up is ok. (+25 pts).
Get New Ones- This has to do with tip #3 there, it's better to have more available credit on one card, then to have it spread around multiple cards. Besides, it's just easier to keep track of, and it will help you not miss your bill cycle. (+10 pts).
If You Think You Are Going to be FORCED to Pay a Bill Late Ask for an Extension or Payment Plan -Avoid getting a negative mark on your credit report, however possible. Beg, plead, make a deal. Once they bring out the smudger, your credit is smudged. Save yourself a major hit, negotiate new payment terms, refinance, - they really just want their money, but some credit places out there are dirty and tricky. Try try, and save yourself 15 points. Remember each hit is compounding negatively against your FICO points! This is a Plan B for those days where you forgot to follow trick #2(+15 pts).
Take out a Small Personal Loan and Repay it Over a Year-Tricky, but it works. Take out a loan for say $1000 and pay the balance off over the course of the year. If you pay every month on time you will start to build a credit history. (+10 points).
Have At Least Three Revolving Credit Lines-You might consider to have all four of the major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. The idea behind this is that creditors want to see thay you can manage multiple accounts. (+10 pts).

Home Buying Step 3 - You've found THE home!

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 11:50:38 -0700

The first thing we need to do is review "comparables".....comparable homes to your dream home that have sold within the last 6 months or so. We review properties that are in the same basic location, with similar square footage and amenities. We want to determine that the home is appropriately priced before making an offer. My job is to make sure you don't overpay for the property.

Then, we write up the offer. There's a lot more that goes into making an offer than simply price. My years of experience, real estate "know-how" and negotiating skills will help you make the strongest offer possible. Keep in mind that the "strongest" offer doesn't mean capitulating to the seller. The strongest offer is one that puts you in the best possible negotiating position to get you what you want. Remember, I work for you, and will always look out for your best interests.

Successful negotiations generally result in the feeling of a win-win for both the buyer and the seller. The key is to structure initial and counter-offers such that it appears you're being flexible. Give a little on the things that you really don't care that much about-the seller will feel that you're making concessions and negotiating in good faith, and will be more apt to act in a similar manner.

You want to make your offer with a minimum of contingencies - this will give you an edge in the negotiations. If you have a home to sell before purchasing, consider selling it first or get interim financing. And don't forget to get a mortgage pre-approval. (OK - I realize that previous posts have talked about this. I hate to nag, but it is very important that you get pre-approved.)

Be prepared for negotiations to take some time. We may go back-and-forth with the seller a number of times before coming to an agreement. Or it may take no time at all. You must also be prepared for this not to work out. Somethimes the parties can't reach a meeting of the minds, and both sides decide to go their separate ways. In this case, I always believe that it just wasn't meant to be, and there is something better out there for you.

It's your Realtor's job to guide you through this process, and work with your best interests in mind. We're also there to offer moral support. This is a business decision, but there's a lot of emotion in the decision, too. A good Realtor will recognize that and help you keep the business and emotions balanced.

Home Buying Step 2 - Finding your Dream Home!

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:05:38 -0700

I can set it up so that you'll automatically receive a daily email from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) of any new listings that meet your specific criteria. Be the first to see that hot, newly listed house!

Or, I can simply do it the old fashioned way. Based on your criteria, I'll look daily to find homes that seem right for you.

Things to consider:

You've heard the old adage "Location, Location, Location". But this means different things to different people. For some, being across the street from a school is a positive. For others, it's a negative. Think about your commute to work, need for an excellent school system, or the availability of excellent health care. Your best location is not the same as my best location. However, as a general rule, excellent schools and the availability of transportation play a big part in making your investment pay-off.

Prioritize your "must haves". Chances are you won't find the perfect home with every single one of them.

I'm a firm believer that my clients generally walk into a house and know almost instantly whether it is "home" to them. Although purchasing a home is a significant business decision, you can't get away from the fact that emotion plays a big part. Part of my job is to help you focus, and not let emotion overcome good business acumen.

What To Do With Leads With No Phone Numbers

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:31:20 -0700

Firstly, I want to thank the many of you who have emailed me and thanked me for my blog entries.

I try to only write things that I feel will help you become either a better real estate agent. The Internet can be a huge money pit if you don't know how to use it properly.

Now to my main point.

I have received this question several times over the past few weeks: "What do I do with all the leads I get that have no phone numbers?"

I figure I should probably set the record straight. Each time I get the question I cringe at the thought of these real estate agents throwing their money down the drain.

My immediate reaction is always, "What do you think you should do with them?" Of course I usually say that to myself so I don't hurt their feelings.

I have talked with so many real estate agents that simply throw these consumer real estate leads away if they don't have a "good" phone number.

Yes, you heard me right, they throw the lead away.

One person I talked to is generating 15 leads per day. He throws an average of 7 or 8 leads away per day. I also talked with one of the "big" lead generation companies out there and they also throw the lead away if the phone number was no good.

I offered to buy every single one of them but they wouldn't sell them to me. They simply wanted to throw the potential dollars in the trash. Amazing!

So let's look at a couple of facts:

• 50% of the leads that I receive have bad or no phone numbers - we just accept that fact and move on. We follow the exact same follow up as our leads that do have phone numbers, with the exception of the phone calls.

• 25% or so of our closed sales started with a lead with a bad or no phone number. Think of what that would mean to you if you received 25% more sales!

As I have talked about in previous blogs, a lead is a lead is a lead. Our goal is to generate as many leads as possible and stick them into a system to cultivate and eventually close them.

If their email address is good, the phone number is nice, but it's not a bad lead. We do receive many leads with bad email addresses too, if the phone number is good, then it's a good lead. We simply call those potential customers and verify the email address.

Many times it was just a typo from the customer as they were putting their info in as quickly as possible.

The moral of this blog post is simple: If you have any contact information that is correct, do not throw the lead away.

If you are currently throwing out your leads without phone numbers, simply forward them to me. I'm sure I can find a use for them!

To search for houses currently available for sale within the entire El Paso, Ft. Bliss, and Horizon area don't forget to visit my website at www.JeseSellsHomes.com.

Home Buying Step 1- Price Range

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:39:50 -0700

A mortgage lender or broker can work with you to determine the best financing program for you. For our purposes, I'm defining a lender as someone who actually has the money and would service the loan, and a broker is a resource who works with a number of lenders and can determine the best lender and loan program for you. The lender/broker will determine what a lender would be willing to loan you, but then you need to decide if you want to "max yourself out". Just because you can afford $2500/month doesn't necessarily mean you want to spend $2500/month. Only you can decide the amount that is right for you. But at least the lender/broker will tell you the maximum, so that we'll know what price range to look in. And don't forget-.Get Pre-Approved!

I can recommend lenders/mortgage brokers with whom I have worked in the past. Just ask.

What is a Buyer's Agent?

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:36:47 -0700

Traditionally, real estate agents represent sellers. But now consumers have a choice: Buyer's Agents who represent buyers. That's a big difference!

A Buyer's Agent is bound by law and ethics to work solely on behalf of the buyer and provides levels of support and service not given by traditional agents. It is a relationship based on legal protection of the buyer, not the seller. And best of all, it costs the buyer nothing extra.

Consider this: If you call the agent of a particular property, you're calling the person hired by the seller to get the highest price for his property. The seller's agent has a vested interest in selling that property, and no allegiance to you.

A Buyer's Agent, with sole allegiance to you, has access to all properties on the market within the state(s) where she is licensed to show and sell. You have a professional advocate and representative helping you every step of the way throughout the entire buying process . . . working only for you!

Your Buyer's Agent is paid a percentage of the purchase price by the seller, so it cost you nothing extra. This percentage would go entirely to the seller's agent if you were not represented, and your sales price would not be reduced.

Very few people are aware of Buyer's Agency, but now that you know . . .Doesn't it make sense to have your own Buyer's Agent?

Here's a partial list of the services a Buyer's Agent can offer you:

� In-depth consultation on the real estate market, for primary residence or investment

� Comprehensive and confidential analysis of your goals and budget

� A study of comparable sales to help you determine the right price and terms to offer

� Automatic Email Notification of new listings that meet your criteria

� Scheduled showings at your convenience

� Assertive negotiation of all monies and terms, representing solely your best interest

� Contract preparation & prompt submission

� Pre-inspection by a licensed general contractor

� Coordination of all inspections, title and financing documents

� Help with details of relocation, making your transition a smooth and joyful process

� Referral to excellent real estate professionals in any market worldwide to help you sell your current property

� Continued assistance after closing

When you hire an agent to represent you, make sure he or she committed to that. If you have any questions about this, in any market, feel free to contact me, jeseg@remax.net. Through my networks of independent brokers and our worldwide associations, I can also refer you to excellent agents anywhere in the world.

Social Networks

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:58:14 -0700

The trend in online users over the past 5 years has demonstrated an amazing demand for online networks that are focused on sharing thoughts and ideas, forming relationships and meeting like-minded individuals as evidenced by the enormous popularity of sites like YouTube, Flickr and MySpace.

According to a recent iProspect study "Though sites such as YouTube and MySpace were designed to appeal to a high percentage of the online user population, many social search engines have been built to serve, and attract, a community that is defined by their affinity to a vertical industry, a business model, or an interactive activity type."

With all the attention these social sites have received, it seems logical to suggest that creating your own affinity-based social network might be an online marketing solution worth employing.

Some of the key benefits:

Uniquely effective way to supercharge marketing
Capitalize on online communication
Highly efficient means of networking and collaborating with those on the web.
Search engine optimization
Reach new audiences
Build a loyal web following
Extend online presence
Increase traffic

These days, adding a social network into the marketing mix doesn't seem all that far-fetched but I wouldn't sit on it for too long. After all, it seems like only yesterday that blog was the new "it" word right? It was this "new" highly-effective technology that could boost your presence on the web from marketing and competitive differentiation to networking and improving search engine rankings. Well, that may still be the case but just like any new, first-class restaurant, the blogosphere is getting very crowded, very quickly. Seems to me that it might make more sense to go with a less contested strategy. After all, unless you've already established yourself, using the same methods as everyone else gives you absolutely no visibility in a swarming marketplace.

Social networks are very popular, highly effective communication tools and as compared to other online marketing efforts, relatively unchartered water. It's a fresh, innovative concept and something the corporate world should heavily consider.

What Have You Done To Grow Your Business Today?

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:46:26 -0700

Today, after leaving the office I asked myself, "What have I done to grow my business today?" This started me thinking....

How can I determine if what I did today actually pushed me forward to my goal and was worth repeating? I know that a lot of the time people have a hard time not just doing what they should do to grow their business, but was it effective? Of course you can measure a degree of success by increased sales figures, but sometimes a relationship or contact developed may not mean immediate business that you can measure monetarily. So how do you measure that type of success?

I never end my business day without asking myself that simple growth question, and if the answer is nothing, then I make a phone call or contact someone on my List of 10. Now my list of 10 is actually much longer than 10 now but I have never removed anyone from the list since I started it, and I was just considering trimming down the list as a time management exercise since it takes many weeks to cycle through my list at 5 contacts per day.

I was glad to learn that they were talking about me with their friends. I have a client that I haven't received business from in a long while even though I always ask for referrals. So when I received a call one day asking for a prequalification, I asked how they heard about me and was shocked to hear that he was referred by someone I had spoken with just that week from my list. When we talked, my previous client never mentioned they had a referral and when I called to thank him, I asked him why he didn't tell me about his friend then. His response was quite simple, I've done loans for friends of his before. He even named a few clients that I had closed loans for recently but had never mentioned his name. While I may have wished he had called me to give me the contact information, it was still a nice way to determine that my actions were worthwhile. And since I had just been thinking about trimming down the list to only people who send me regular business, well...lesson learned.

I may not always get business from these people each time I speak with them, and that's ok! As long as they aren't giving the business to someone else.

How Can We Sell Upside Down Homes and Have Buyers and Sellers Happy

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:37:27 -0700

How can we sell upside down homes and have buyers and sellers happy? The market has so many homes that were bought at 100% financing and now the payments and taxes are sky rocketing. They turn to us to sell their home so they can hopefully not foreclose.

I find that sellers want us to lower our commission and cut costs but still sell the home. If by chance you find a buyer, the sale is very fragile until the day of closing. The mortgage brokers will give a denial of a loan without a real denial if the customer wants out. I find this disturbing. The Buyers even want it all, they want the seller to pay closing costs and put 500.00 down. Well no more for me. I thought because it was being bought through a community program I was safe, but no it fell a day before closing. I had a commitment and a HUD and the buyer still got a denial.

Advertising is a problem when you are not getting high commissions. Thank goodness for blogs and the internet or I would be sunk. It still cost money and time. And that is another thing the buyers and sellers have to realize our time is worth something, we trained and pay dues for the business, they should realize we need to make a living. Maybe if I blog enough, the buyers and sellers will see we are worth the money and not go to discount brokers that will end up costing them just as much. The upfront money then the signage and advertising costs the buyers money. The do it your self sell seems to be just a mortgage company with CSR's to cold call for the company. Most of the time there is not even a real estate agent involved. If there is the buyer and seller they both will paying more than if they went with a legitimate agent from a reputable company.Lets cross our fingers that the business survives this technical age of do it yourselfers.

Relationship Building in Real Estate: Don't Be Pushy

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:11:18 -0700

From what I've learned about "systems" if you push the system to get what you want, the system pushes back, until you find the right leverage to get results. In this case, if an agent pushes his lead management system to get immediate results, the system pushes back.

Leads are set up to receive information and then, in their own time, act on that information and hopefully use your services.

The real estate agent might be looking at it as a business generating tool. The consumer, however, hasn't committed to anything-they are requesting information.
If an agent misunderstands the system and pushes it for immediate results, the system the leads work within and understand differently might push back.

It seems to me an agent has to develop an understanding of the lead's system, keeping in mind that no relationship has been built and no agreements made-the agent has to find leverage.

With my leads, I understand they have read my offer to give them information. They say, "Fine, give it to me."

That doesn't create an obligation on their part to do anything further. I then have to search for leverage, which is my added value in the process.

...Ok, I've sent you listings, now do you want to know what those listings mean in the context of the area? I can add value through interpretation. I have local knowledge and I can transfer that knowledge to you to help you make a fully informed decision...

...Dear Lead, Do you want to know the truth? I can add value by giving you facts, by making the process transparent. I can also narrow the search down to just those properties that suit your needs and I can email you new listings that come on the market so that you see them before even many of the agents in town see them. This will put you at an advantage to recognize good deals in real time...

Slowly, a relationship is built, yet it's built on real stuff like good relationships should be built on-honesty, willingness to help, non-pushiness (I made up that word), understanding, sensitivity and response to needs, and so forth.

...Now that I know you have kids let me give you school information and take that into account when sending you personalized listings. By the way, how's it going? Are the listings helpful? I just heard of a listing coming up that you'll find interesting-I'll get the information and send it to you this afternoon-it won't come on the market for a couple of weeks, but I talked with the agent and...

...Dear Lead, So you'll be coming into town next week. If you will, send me the listings you like the most and I'll be glad to make showing appointments. Do you need recommendations of a place to stay? A new hotel just opened near the area you are interested in and...

By now, I've told them about the services I provide and I've shown them. Now we are both in the same system with the same understanding and I can ask to be the representing agent and make a formal or informal agreement.

To me, it's all about timing and understanding the different points of the relationship, never assuming too much or demanding too much.

The time line would be shorter most likely working with someone who wants to list a home, but the principles of service and preparation and understanding the system are the same.

And each relationship is unique, which is the hard part.

There is no perfect formula to be applied across the board-the process will be a little different with each lead/prospect/client relationship developed.

That's why pushing doesn't work-it's blind, it has no idea how it will be received and what the reaction will be. Openness, understanding, listening, getting a good feel for the unique situation with each lead, to me, are vital to establishing a good working relationship.

It's not easy, but it's very rewarding, in more ways than one-not only do you build a good reputation, but you feel good about what you do-this has been my experience.

A job well done-it's a great feeling.

Are You Maximizing Your Leads?

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:53:34 -0700

I had a great call with a Realtor the other day about maximizing her leads.

She really wasn't sure what I was talking about and it made me realize how much I've enjoyed helping out so many of you with your Internet programs.

After talking with this woman, along with many of the others I have talked too, I decided I should touch on maximizing your leads.

We use our leads for four purposes:

1. Real Estate Leads - Buyers who are looking to buy a home within the next year or so.

2. Real Estate Leads - Sellers who are looking to sell their home prior to buying their new home. You should have a question on your search page that asks: "Do you have a home to sell?" This will allow you to capture a substantial amount of sellers in this market needing to sell their homes. In this market about 50% of our leads have a home to see first.

3. Referrals - We have had tons of leads come in that have decided to purchase in areas we do not service. We do our best to refer them to agents in the area they are looking. Also, many of our buyers are coming from outside our area that has homes to sell. We always ask if they would like us to help them find a Realtor in their area to help. This is a great source of very easy income!

4. Mortgage Leads - Remember to ask, "Do you need information on financing?" Approximately 17% of our leads are also looking to financing. With this said, you should form a referall system with a Loan Officer.

This is how you can maximize a lead:

1. The customer needs to sell their home from out of state. You find them a Realtor and receive a 25% referral fee when their home sells.

2. Once their home sells they need to buy a new home. They will buy their home through you. Another 3% of the home sales price or more.

3. They also need financing so you let them know you can take care of that for them too. Another 1-2% of the home sales price.

Any way you look at this; you are getting the most of that lead as possible. So not only is it important to be able to capture leads and turn those leads into home buyers, it's important to look at the other avenues of revenue available to you with that lead.

As always, the more organized your system, the better you will be able to accomplish this goal.

New Agents Working With Buyers: It Takes A Commitment

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:45:59 -0700

Working with buyers is difficult. It's no wonder most real estate agents would rather list homes and avoid spending a lot of time dealing with buyers. Home buyers are demanding, fickle, sometimes emotional, sometimes unrealistic, but always there waiting for an agent to help them.

Even though many home buyers think they want to do it alone, I've found most eventually ask a Realtor for help. They may not want a contractual relationship with a buyer agent, but they want assistance.

Many have gone from listing agent to listing agent and they are tired of looking for homes that way, so the buyer is in between, they don't want to sign a buyer agent agreement but they want guidance.

If you decide to work with home buyers you will have to capture them soon and you will have to impress them with service. Most buyers don't know what they can get from a real estate agent until they get it-then they like it.

Buyers now are going online and making a request to an agent throuigh their website. They want listings or information about a listing or area-they are sticking their toes in the water, to see what the response will be.

If the response is immediate and it offers help, then the buyer will likely go further.

Upon the first significant contact is the time to impress the buyer with service.

Offer gobs of homes to consider.
Offer an automatic notifier of all new listings.
Give them links to informational sites.
Offer them information on the homes they like and offer to make showing appointments.
Offer everything you have of value without being pushy, demanding or overwhelming.

Then follow up-nothing impresses a buyer more than following up.

Working with buyers can be rewarding if you get into the mindset of a buyer agent-and it is a different mindset than a listing agent. There will be times when you have many buyers and they are all asking for something, and perhaps none of them are making a decision-this is a crossroad, because the temptation is to call it all a waste and go back to strictly listing, marketing and waiting on a response.

However, if you stick with it and fill your pipeline, you will begin seeing results year round-those home buyers you've been sending information to for 4 months will finally come in to town and buy, then the pipe starts flowing.

But it takes awhile to get results and this is where agents have a problem because it's not producing immediate income like a listing might in a normal market.
Be sure you want to work with home buyers because it's a big commitment and the payoff is not immediate-and it's a lot of hard work.

Doing both is what many agents do-there aren't very many exclusive buyer agents anymore, but you will probably find yourself leaning one way more than the other, this is why to be effective you have to commit to working with buyers.

If you're doing it half-heartedly because you have a few listings to depend on, then the results will likely be poor.

How much do you spend to market your listings?

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:58:36 -0700

Many mortgage brokers are self-employed, and work out of their homes. As refinancings and sales slow down, many mortgage brokers that you know may be looking for more work. They rely on Realtors to bring them business, just as you rely on referrals. The right mortgage brokers - ones that you trust will stick to a bargain - can be useful in helping you do a better job in marketing your listings and getting them closed.

Make a pact

Tell the mortgage broker that you are going to recommend him or her on all leads that you get from your listing, but you want the same courtesy in return. If your listing is instrumental in getting the mortgage broker leads, you want those leads turned back over to you to help them either buy your listing or another home.

Let the broker know that you expect a good working relationship. Hold out the carrot that you would like the relationship to continue on other listings. He/she will get your meaning loud and clear that trust is of paramount importance to you.

Help with fliers

It's surprising how poorly done most real estate fliers are. Some agents view them as a necessary evil in promoting the home, and many agents don't do fliers at all. But for smart sellers, a key decision point might be to hire the agent with the most creative and aggressive flier.

As a smart Realtor, you can use your fliers to your advantage in your listing presentations to show how much more you put into a flier than your colleagues and competitors. Emphasize to the seller how you work with a mortgage broker to help get buyers qualified quickly so you have a greater pool that are ready to buy the seller's home.

Fliers are important. They provide a wealth of information for buyers. Information makes buyers stick around. If they can't get it, they'll go somewhere else. It's as simple as that.

Put yourself in the buyers' shoes: If you got two fliers from two comparable homes in the same neighborhood, which would you spend more time reviewing - the one with the front-door picture on the front, some showing remarks (usually identical to what's in the MLS and on the Internet) and the Realtor's contact information? Or the flier with that same information, plus multiple photos, an Internet address with a virtual tour of the inside of the home, a few comparables, and mortgage information from 30-year fixed rates to 5-year ARMS on the back? The mortgage broker or you can also tease the buyer - 'Not sure if this home can be yours? Call me to get prequalified.'

It's easy to get all this information onto a flier, because every flier has two sides. Yes, your printing costs will be higher, but the information to the buyer is more valuable. The more interested the buyer is in the flier, the more interested they are likely to be in the home.

Help with open houses

Not only can mortgage broker partners help you qualify buyers so you have more business, they can also help you sit open houses. Open houses can either be lonely and boring, or more people come than you can safely monitor. It's a service issue and a safety issue, too. There's simply more security in numbers.

Having a mortgage broker present for your open house makes it more of an event. They can prequalify buyers on the spot, or at least get the process started, and they can answer questions to help keep prospects interested.

Help with marketing costs

A mortgage officer can also help cut your ad costs. Ask the officer to go in with you on your open house classified ad. It will make your ad more interesting to give some information about the house and then to announce that a mortgage broker will be on hand to answer questions and prequalify borrowers. The broker can also pay part of the cost of your fliers. After all, they are marketing their services, too. For that matter, you can even sell the broker advertising space on your Website or newsletter.

Understanding Lead Capture and Conversion

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:00:53 -0700

It's been a fun couple of years watching the real estate world trying to catch on to the realities of the "New" Real Estate and the importance of the Internet.

How many of you have Real Estate Websites? Go ahead, raise your hands! Ok, now how many of you actually get business from your Websites? I don't see many hands out there. So let's take a few minutes and look at why that is so.

Lead Capture

I am on the Web probably too much these days to see what the competition is doing. The Internet, in my mind, is the best way to capture home buyers. Remember, sales is a numbers game and Real Estate is no different. If you want to work, then the Internet is the place to be.

Of course if you are just doing this part time or do not have a great work ethic, Internet leads are not for you. So let's look at your website.

When someone comes to your site via the Internet, are they going to your home page? If so, that is your first mistake. The link from the Internet to your site needs to be directed at wherever you want the customer to end up.

For instance, if you want them to come to your site to do searches for property, then you need the link to go to the search page. However, if you do not have a mechanism to capture leads on your search page, you are making your second mistake. Most agents and brokers give away their IDX info on their site and don't ask for a name, email address or phone number from the consumer. Why would you do that? If they are going to do a search on your site, you need to be able to capture this info...what's the sense of having a site that is just informational with no capture?

Of course you can always just have them click on the "Contact Us" link on your site. You may get .00001% of the consumers to click.

With all that said, be sure to have your link on the Internet pointed to the portion of your site that is going to capture their data. Since 95% of the time they are just looking to do a search, it makes sense to have your search page as the landing page.

If you are going to do that, be sure to have them register before they can search your site. The ones that don't register were never going to contact you in the first place.

Lead Conversion

I was talking to a company in the Midwest the other day. To my surprise they were taking all the leads that didn't have phone numbers and throwing them away. In my experience about 50% of the Internet leads that come in do not have good phone numbers.

Again, this is a numbers game. I can tell you that we get sales every month from our customers that did not give us their phone numbers.

As long as the email is good, it's a good lead.

The key of course is to put your leads into a follow up system. There are many drip campaign systems out there to buy. The average Internet lead takes approximately 4-6 months to convert.

You all have an automatic update system in that comes with your MLS. Every lead you get, with or without phone numbers, should be put into this system. This way, without you doing anything, your leads will be receiving updated listings on a regular basis. The consumer believes you are doing a lot of work. The longer they receive listings, the more work it appears you are doing...without doing anything.

Once your leads with phone numbers are in your follow up system, it's important that you communicate with them by phone. Many people I talk to that are working Internet leads are not calling them. They simply put them in the MLS update system and then forget about it.

I can tell you from lots of trial and error, the agent that contacts the buyer and continues to follow up will be the winner. We have many customers let us know the reason they used our company was because we kept in touch with them. Many times they tell us we were the only company that actually contacted them.

For leads that you do not have a phone number, its important that the follow up emails you send request a phone number or invite the lead to call you.

Just these couple of little changes will certainly make a major difference in your capture and conversion of leads.

Could Your Personality Be Costing You Business?

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:50:18 -0700

As a real estate agent, and in my every day life, I believe it is human nature to feel comfortable with someone you are similar to.

You can build a greater connection by finding things in common and this can help to build confidence and trust.

Traits you need in order to be a successful sales person and/or Realtor®. But first you have to gain someone's confidence to build that special rapport.

In order to do this, you have to understand people and their personality styles. There are 4 major personality styles and I have found this model works very well.

1. The Dominant person: Usually a result oriented person, quick to anger, and eager to fight back at conflict. These people are often successful but not always nice.

2. The Influential/Relationship person: Usually a friendly and optimistic person who wants to turn away from conflict. Influential people are fun but sometimes you may question their sincerity.

3. The Stable Steady person: Usually a trust oriented person, emotionally more passive, but strong and often tolerates conflict. The stable steady person is the strongest team member and an excellent negotiator. They are not easy to give up their thoughts or feelings.

4. The Conforming process person: Usually prone to fear and worry and avoids conflict. This type of person will alert you to potential dangers and negatives of your plans. They are excellent at implementation, but can appear pessimistic.

Most people are not just one style, but a combination of two styles. The difficulty is to figure out which style your client is and adapt your behavior so it attracts to theirs.

As you learn to recognize and adapt your behavior it becomes second nature to develop a closeness and trust that leads to greater success in your real estate business and as a real estate professional.

Jese Gonzalez is a real estate agent with RE/MAX Associates in El Paso, Texas.

Homes Are Selling

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:27:38 -0700

Cheer up sellers, homes in El Paso are still selling. What is the biggest factor in getting a home sold? Price. Yes price. I know that the neighbor does not have the fountain in back or the new 18 inch ceramic tile, but the buyer wants all your great stuff for the same price as the home down the street.

I know this is frustrating, but buyers know they are in the drivers seat. After enjoying a crazy sellers market it is only fair that buyers have their day in the sun.

So what can a seller do to help their home sell? Hire me! Okay, aside from that a seller can do a lot. For starters, the front of your house needs to look awesome. For those of you in newer communities where everything looks the same, find out what colors you can paint your home. If there is a two or three tone color scheme approved by the HOA that no one else has, you could have instant curb appeal in a boring sub division. After a little curb appeal turn your attention to the inside. Move out all of your personal items. Buyers do not want to see your 300+ dvd collection. They want to see themselves living in the home. It is hard to do when surrounded by your stuff.

If you are a buyer and you are reading this... please try to look past these things. You may write off a home that could work very well for you just because someone has a collection of 142 vodka bottles.

Homes are selling in El Paso. Follow the steps above and you cannot go wrong. If you make no attempt to stage your home or price it competitively, you can join the 3000+ homes that are not selling. Think out of the box, set your home apart from the others, and hire an agent that knows the market.

How to make an offer to purchase real estate

Jese Gonzalez ~ The Real Estate Matchmaker (ERA Sellers, Buyers & Associates) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:03:12 -0700

You've found a house you like, but want to offer a little less than the asking price. What is the best way to do it?

How an offer is made has a lot to do with the outcome:

* Sellers are more comfortable with an offer if they know the buyer is qualified and eager to close.
* A buyer's agent can help. When the agent presents the offer in person, the seller can ask questions that could lead to a favorable decision.
* A real estate agent essentially does the same. Though a real estate agent is working for the seller, the sale is still a primary goal.
* Always present your offer to the seller in person. Don't fax.
* Some sellers don't want personal contact with buyers. If you use a buyer's agent, be sure the offer is presented in person to the listing real estate agent.
* When a real estate agent requests that offers be presented in a sealed envelope, ask the real estate agent to prepare a summary to accompany the offer. The summary should tell something about you and highlight positive aspects of your offer, such as an early closing date.
* However your offer is presented, your chances of acceptance are improved by including a copy of a preapproval letter from a mortgage company.
* When multiple offers are involved, some buyers write a letter to the seller to personalize their offer. It won't help if you aren't qualified or if the offer is too low.