Auburn Maine Real Estate - Meservier & Associates

Technology and Today's Real Estate Agent

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 10:03:15 -0800

Just 25 years ago, agents sold property out of MLS book, without email, voice mail, cell phones, lock boxes, fax machines and computers. Today's real estate agent has to be an expert in all of this basic technology at a minimum along with first hand knowledge about websites, IDX, blogging, social media and lots of third party applications that help us service our clients like virtual tour programs and showing program. Certainly does make me stop and wonder what technology will look like in 25 more years. Can't even imagine!

My thoughts on today's real estate industry..

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 08:29:16 -0800

Over the last 30 years that the percentage of people who use real estate brokers has remained relatively the same? Also, compensation to real estate brokers has remained steady. This is despite threats such as banks entering the real estate business, recessions, tax changes, discount brokerage models and yes, the internet. The internet has changed the way books are purchased and how we plan our vacations. But why has it not changed the percentage of people who use brokers and how they pay us? Simple: Because the cost of failure in buying or selling a home is much steeper then buying a book or staying at the wrong resort for a week. A great real estate agent is an invaluable resource to today's home buyers and sellers!

For Sale By Owner vs. using a Realtor

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 06:56:43 -0800

Just read a great article about for sale by owner selelrs, they are apparently more than twice as likely to get their homes sold if they use a Realtor®, rather than trying to sell their home on their own, this is according to a survey conducted by HomeGain of 400 home owners nationwide from July 31 to Aug. 10. Seventy-three percent of the home owners surveyed said they used a Realtor®. 21 percent of those surveyed said they tried to sell their home themselves.

The survey found that 66 percent of the home owners who used a Realtor® were able to successfully sell their home compared to 30 percent of for-sale-by-owners.

The survey also found that 22 percent of the for-sale-by-owners eventually decided to use a Realtor® to try to sell their home. More than half of those who did were then able to sell their homes to.

This survey does support that Realtors understand the dynamics of their local market and can better assist home sellers in the pricing and preparation of their homes for sale.

Understanding pricing in Maine's Central and Southern Markets

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 06:18:50 -0700

While the headline from the Maine Associations of Realtors yesterday showed an uptick of 9% in sales we continue to see price pressures statewide with medium sale price down 3.66% Both Cumberland County and Androscoggi nCounty were down. What this mean sand where do we go from here? It means homes must be aggressively priced to sell. BUYERS MUST KNOW THEY ARE GETTING A STEAL WHEN THEY BUY IN THIS MARKET! I believe and I hope I am wrong that we will see another 5% decline in prices, along with normal seasonal decrease in sales after November 1, 2012. In short, this is likely the new normal whether we like it or not. Eventually prices will further stabilize and maybe even increase inthe long term.? Obviously a better economy, improved unemployment numbers, and less uncertainty are needed, but most of all-we need more Capital-more loan products, looser underwriting standards and so forth. Once more capital-be it private capital, government insured and/or alternative bank lending products come to the market, housing will improve.

It's a great time for Maine Waterfront Property!

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 02 May 2012 06:02:51 -0700

If you've considered buying a waterfront property, now would be the time to buy. Interest rates are at all time lows, there's lots of inventory to choose from. Waterfront sellers are getting their properties ready for the spring market right now. Finding something earlier in the season gives you the summer to enjoy your new property too. Many of our waterfront sellers offer their properties for seasonal weekly rentals. The extra income helps and these properties can provide to be nice investments too. If you're looking for a Maine waterfront property or are considering selling a house or camp on the water, email me for a no obligation consultation.

Making Your Market

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:03:16 -0800

Today's real estate market doesn't allow sellers to price in line with current comparable sales. Establish a new, lower price or provide significantly more home for the same amount of money. There are really two markets for real estate, a market for homes priced for immediate sale and homes that are not. Being aware of the properties your competing against as well as the recent comparable sales are important considerations. Our current market for sellers can be best described as a pricing war and a beauty contest and sellers have to win both! In this buyer's market, seller have to make their own market! Additionally, making the market can work in reverse in a sellers market, you can price higher and make your own market when homes are appreciating in value.

QR Codes and Real Estate Property Marketing

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:22:36 -0700

Most consumers are just being introduced to QR codes. As real estate agents, our clients rely on us for the latest innovative ways to market their homes. QR codes is one of those strategies we're using. We're just starting to evaluate their use for our listed properties. They are not quite mainstream yet although are growing in popularity. It will be on the rise with in conjunction with the increase in mobile smart phone users everywhere. A "scan me" rider with a QR code on a sign allows the consumer to scan code right from their smart phone that will take potential buyers directly to that property's specific webpage so you can see everything you need to know about the house. This experience will help our consumers be more satisfied because they'll have easy and quick access to the exact information they want. Other real estate market applications for QR codes are in the works! If you're thinking of selling your home and want to take advantage of the latest technology to attract your buyer, contact Sue Meservier for your private consultation.

Freeport Maine Short Sale Specialist

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:48:39 -0700

Meservier and Associates at Keller Williams Realty Mid Maine is successfully helping sellers get out of homes they no longer want to live in, that they can't afford or that they owe more on than what they can sell for today. In todays market 30% of homes sellers are in a short sale position. The unique team structure of Meservier & Associates provides a full time transaction coordinator that is an expert in transacting short sales. Shorts sales can be a labor intensive process, lots of follow up, lots of administrative work and a constant monitoring of progress with the lender. Many agents in today's market aren't experienced enough or equipped to commit the resources necessary to transact today's short sale. Some agents additionally recommend and refer to an attorney that specializes in short sales that will negotiate with lenders on the sellers behalf. This type of representation can cost $2,500. In most cases sellers in short sale potions cannot pay this fee so the cost is passed on the buyer. This fee can discourage a buyer from making an offer on your home. Meservier and Associates does not charge any additional fees to transact their short sales. The lenders pay the commission and seller get to sell their homes and avoid foreclosure. if you need to sell your home and think you might need a short sale, please call Meservier & Associates for a no obligation consultation.

Goodman Maine Short Sale Specialist

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:47:39 -0700

Bowdoinham Maine Short Sale Specialist

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:46:08 -0700

Bowdoin Maine Short Sale Specialist

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:45:14 -0700

Otisfield Maine Short Sale Specialist

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:43:40 -0700

Casco Maine Short Sale Specialist

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:42:39 -0700

Monmouth Maine Short Sale Specialist

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:40:35 -0700

Augusta Maine Short Sale Specialist

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:39:54 -0700

Brunswick Maine Short Sale Specialist

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:39:02 -0700

Raymond Maine Short Sale Specialsit

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:38:03 -0700

Oxford Maine Short Sale Specialist

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:36:45 -0700

Minot Maine Short Sale Specialist

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:35:46 -0700

Lisbon Falls Maine Short Sale Specialist

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:34:40 -0700

Leeds Maine Short Sale Specialist

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:26:09 -0700

Durham Maine Short Sale Specialist

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:25:16 -0700

New Gloucester Maine Short Sale Specialist

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:24:22 -0700

Sabattus Maine Short Sale Specialist

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:18:03 -0700

Lisbon Maine Short Sale Specialist

Sue Meservier (Meservier & Associates of The Maine Real Estate Network) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:16:25 -0700