I just read an article that was done by Consumers Report: It states that's of the 11,000+ people who sold or tried to sell their home over 70% were successful in negotiating the agents fees. Some fees were as low as 3 or 4 %. Most of the sellers were just as happy as if they had paid a higher rate of commission.
I pose two questions wrong with this article, one, How quickly did this home sell and Two, As agents how do you feel about cutting you commission's?
This Saturday November 15th, from 8 a.m until 2 p.m. the city of San Luis Obispo will be giving away mulch and firewood! This will be available at their corporate yard at 25 Prado Road, San Luis Obispo.
This is for residential use only, so please no retailers or contractors.The wood rounds and chips are made generated from tree trimmings. For more information contact Ron Combs at 781-7023 or Keith Pellemier at 781-7022.
If I was in the Market to a buy Real Estate Today, I would look for the following:
•1. How responsive is this agent in the initial Contact?
•2. How quick is the response via e-mail or telephone
•3. How is the agent's Geographic knowledge of the area?
•4. Does he/she have the Market knowledge, i.e.: number of listings on the market, number of homes pending, number of homes sold in the past three months.
•5. Does he/she seem comfortable, relaxed, and confident and has a pleasant demeanor?
•6. What is the real estate agent's philosophy toward the market conditions?
•7. Is he/she a Realtor?
•8. Does this Realtor have the skills to properly represent my interests?
•9. Does this Realtor ask questions about my likes, wants and needs?
•10. Does this Realtor try to find out what my budget is and how will I pay for this home?
•11. Does this Realtor offer suggestions based on the answers he/she receives?
•12. Does this Realtor understand the Economic Principles and Condition of today's Financial Market?
Once I have a comfortable feeling to the above questions, inquiries on my part, then I know I have found the Realtor, who I want to represent me in the Buying, negotiating and ultimate closing of my home.This is just as important if I know the area or if I am relocating from some where else, then it is even more important.
If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Beverly Hills ,Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 (USA) or email me at EndreBarath@TheMLS.Com or visit one of my websites http://www.endrebarath.com
We all want to see the sold sign hanging outside of our listings. One of the things that I love about Active Rain is that we are a community of like minded people. We are Real Estate Professionals that are looking to succeed. Why else would we spend so much time populating a blog with information that is beneficial to our clients and Real Estate Professionals all across our country.
We are in a different market. It is a market that none of us has ever seen before. Some have seen a market similar, but not the same. So here is my question.
In 2008, What Has Been Your Most Successful Marketing Strategy?
I believe that the response may be helpful to others in the industry. I will give you my strategy first. It is pretty simple. I keep in touch with my potential clients and maintain a web presence. How do I do this? I blog just about every day. My blog comments are picked up within an hour by Google. Second, I send out a newsletter to my sphere of influenced and have been sending this for the past two years. When things got a little slim, I cut down the number of subscribers or I send every other month, but I stay in touch. I talk to everyone I meet and let them know that i am a Real Estate Consultant.
The Result
When I see those I have been in contact with, they will make comments like "we really appreciate the newsletter, your are still in real estate right?, I am going to have my friend call you, what do you think about the market, we are thinking about selling our house". I have gotten several listings as a direct result of blogging and my newsletter.
Now I NEED Your HELP
I need to know what you do to draw attention to a listing that is not getting the "looks" it deserves. We are priced competitively, the house is in good condition, but we are not getting the traffic I would like.
Thanks Again Active Rain Family
I Love You Guys
Leander McClain, Burlington County's Top Realtor & Real Estate Consultant 609-505-6578
This is the 22nd Vine Street Showcase. It will be held on Saturday December 13th from 6P.M. to 9P.M. Many of the homes and merchants between 8th and 21st on Vine Street will be participating with many decorations and costumes as well as music and refreshments. If you have never been this is something to see. People travel from out of town just to be a part of this fun filled night.
The Parade is from 6-7 P.M. and Begins at 10th and Spring. The Parade will go directly by our Keller Williams office and I can extend private seating to a few people who call or email me ahead of time. We will be providing free refreshments as well as prime reserved seating to a few of my clients. I hope you can make it.
Free Open House, Refreshments and Entertainment. There will be Trolley Rides and a drawing for a John Partridge painting.There will be singers and Musicians including the Belle Voce Choir. This Event takes place on November 15th from 5 to 8. The Paso Robles Main Street Association does a great job every year, with too many participating merchants to list.
Just off the Central Coast along the mountain range is the quaint town of Paos Robles you will find a welcoming community. With 29,000 people and growing there is plenty to do. We are located near beaches, mountains and the deserts. We are know for our great wine tasting and vineyards as well as our hot springs. Paso Robles has plenty of housing available for family, seniors and those first time home buyers. We build these homes near parks, shopping, the veterans center, senior center and the community college. Visit my web site today for information on finding your home. http://www.centralcaliving.coml
If you would like a FREE book of things to do and places to stay in the Paso Robles area, please call or email with your name and adress and I will get that right out to you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY USMC!!!!!! I guess I have a very special place in my heart for the Marines. My Dad was a Marine. "Once a Marine always a Marine." I sleep a little better knowing women and men like the USMC and all the other Service Men and Women are protecting our Beautiful Free Country.
I've seen the term "Mello-Roos" come up in looking at houses, what is that?
These special assessments are pretty common in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. A Mello-Roos district is an area where a special property tax on real estate in addition to the normal property tax is imposed on the property owners. These districts have chosen to seek public financing through the sale of bonds for the purpose of financing certain public improvements and services. You won't find Mello-Roos on older homes. They are pretty common in newer neighborhoods. Usually the areas with Mello-Roos have some wonderful community amenities that really benefit the residents of the community, like new schools, or a park, like in the photo here.
Where did Mello-Roos Come From?
When Proposition 13 passed in 1978, it severely limited the ability of local governments to use property taxes to construct public facilities and services. As a result, Californians were forced to find new ways to fund public improvements. The Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982 was enacted by the California legislature. It enabled “Community Facilities Districts” (or CFD’s) to be established by local government agencies as way of obtaining this crucial community funding. Today the common name for the Facilities Act of 1982 is simply “Mello-Roos.”
What Projects are Funded by Mello-Roos?
School districts are the most common beneficiaries of Mello-Roos. State funds are not always available to provide the quality or quantity of facilities necessary in California. In addition, other community needs such as construction and maintenance of public roads, traffic light systems, storm sewers, water mains, police stations, fire stations, ambulance services, public libraries, and parks. All proceeds raised from Mello-Roos assessment must be used only to finance the specific public facilities and/or services that were authorized in that CFD.
How Much Will I Be Assessed?
This will vary from one Mello-Roos district to another. Typically, a formula that relates to the square footage or lot size of the home is used to determine the amount of an individual assessment. In general, the special taxes and assessments do not usually exceed 1.5% of the market value of new homes. Moreover, the total amount of all annual taxes (including property tax) usually does not usually exceed 2.5% of the home’s market value. Mello-Roos assessments are typically a set amount - vs. the property tax that is a percentage of the price paid for the home.
How Do I Pay My Mello-Roos Taxes?
This tax is normally added to your property tax bills. Click here for more information about Mello-Roos assessments.
This is just one example of information that you need as a home buyer to help you in this exciting and often stressfull time. Be sure to find a good realtor to represent you - you need someone on your side. Don't just go with the agent whose name is on the sign at the house you like - they are representing the seller's best interests. Your realtor can find out if the house or houses you are considering buying has Mello-Roos assessments or not.
I'm a full Service Realtor. On my blog you will find everything Real Estate and Community. I'm available for questions and I have full access to an In-house lender whom is available to answer all your lending and credit questions.
Lisa Long
This Saturday November 15th, from 8 a.m until 2 p.m.
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