Part Time Agents - Do they HELP or HURT the industry?

Let me start by saying I know many people reading this are in fact part time agents. With that being said I appreciate your input on this topic and would love to hear your point of view. I think the dissension among part time Realtors all started within the last year as the media had been bashing the overall real estate market. Let me also say that I still believe it is a great time to buy and sell locally. You can read my last blog for more info on that.

A few days ago my local paper started a series called "Facing Recession" and they started by zeroing in on real estate. They picked part time agents who did well when the market was booming a few years back and now are not getting sales as easily as they were before. These agents are not in the top of the ranks among the local market and some have other jobs and or are pursuing other jobs. They all sulked about how bad the economy is and that they can't stay afloat.

I don't understand why the paper would search out part time agents. Does the paper want to strike fear into the people of the community. Why can't they advertise that rates are very low, houses are readily available, and that Scranton was just listed by Money Magazine as the 7th fastest growing real estate market?

My thought is this...Would you interview the guy working at Best Buy 4 hours a day 3 days a week and say to him how are electronic sales this year? Does he really know? Does he really care? Why not ask the full time employee who is invested in the business, has company stock and is interested in the latest electronic gadgets?

Back to the articles on "Facing Recession," do these agents think this negative view on real estate is going to help them pick up more clients? Would you want to work with a Realtor who says he hasn't sold anything in months?

If you are a potential buyer or seller of real estate, do your homework. Make sure you choose a Realtor who works full time and takes his/her business seriously. Don't work with someone who is not invested in his/her career.

Looking to buy and sell in the Clarks Summit, Scranton area? Give me a call! www.realestatebytodd.com

Scranton - Top Ten List from Money Magazine

Check out Scranton's good news from Money Magazine

What can it be???

Maybe it is because Scranton is home to The Office.

Maybe it is because the cost of living is relatively cheap.

Maybe it is because of our many universities.

Maybe it is because Scranton residents aren't buying in to the national media's negative outlook on real estate. I bet this wonderful news will barely make the media spotlight. That is why I feel compelled to share it with all of you.

If you live in Scranton or the surrounding areas, now is the time to buy and sell. The market is doing great. Homes are affordable and people are buying them.

Todd Jones - Realtor, ABR, SRS, OA - Your Scranton, Clarks Summit Realtor

Serving all of Lackawanna County

www.realestatebytodd.com

Homes Sales Increasing - Good News from National Media

It is about time that the national media starts giving some good news when it comes to real estate. But as soon as they do, they sabotage us by then focusing on the regions of the country that are hurting the most. What about the good stories? What about areas like Scranton, Pennsylvania that are increasing regularly and are on the up and up? In any real estate market there are going to be slumping areas. Why is that what the media focuses on?

If I were an anchor for a major Tv station, I would let people know that this is a great time to buy. Good deals are out there and rates have been very good for a while now. This is also a great time for those who are looking to sell and "move up" to something bigger. There are lots of buyers out there looking in that median price range and they can most likely get a deal moving up to a higher price range home.

The national average of existing homes sales rose 2.9%in February according to NAR. That is even with all of the hurting markets. That means some markets are seeing great strides and much higher percentages of home sales increases.

Looking to buy or sell? Come to Lackawanna County and look in the Scranton, Clarks Summit area. Or stop by my site to learn about the area. Homes are selling and now is a great time to be in the real estate market.

2 Months Down in 2008. How are You Doing so Far? How is your Market Doing?

Have you looked at the calendar recently? Can you believe that it is almost March already?

With the national media still taking the baseball bat to real estate, is your market staying afloat? I was excited this afternoon when I picked up the local newspaper

and saw NEPA House Prices Rose 7.2% last year. Finally some good press! Locally, my real estate area (mostly Lackawanna County - Scranton and Clarks Summit real estate) has not seen the national drop that many areas have seen. Regardless of the market that you are in, how are you reacting to it?

At the beginning of the year I set up 3 goals. I am gradually progressing at all of them and am seeing results too. I am learning more about the inside approach to foreclosures, my website is almost complete (still in progress), and I have been fine tuning my client database and keeping in touch with them. This is a good time to evaluate how your year is shaping up so far. If adjustments need to be made, now is the time.

Speaking to local buyers and sellers... The market is steady in Lackawanna County. If you live in the Scranton, Clarks Summit area, it is a great time to buy and sell.

I end by asking the questions I started with...

How are you doing so far this year?

How is you market doing?

Todd Jones Realtor, ABR, SRS, OA - Selling Scranton, Clarks Summit Real Estate

Real Estate is Looking Good So Far in 2008

Usually this time of year I am slow and am spending much of my time trying to scrape up new business. 2008 so far has been a different story. Don't believe what the national news is telling you. My neighborhood is still moving forward and people are buying and selling. Check out the article in Money Magazine. I have seen both buyers and sellers coming out of the woodwork. With all of the foreclosures out there, investors seem to be everywhere too.

I have spent a lot of time in front of my laptop reponding to emails from clients.

They are reaching out to me.

They want to buy!

They want to sell!

Realtors, use email to your advantage. I still believe in the phone and face to face meetings, but clients are relying heavily on the Internet (I know, you are already aware of that, but are you reacting to it?)

My ramblings today are simply to say this...

 The market is as busy as you make it. Set your goals high in 2008 because people ARE buying and selling. Help your clients find the home of their dreams. Don't let the media crush your spirit. 2008 can be a banner year!

Todd Jones, Realtor, ABR, OA, SRS - Selling Scraton, Clarks Summit Real Estate

Ready for 2008? What are your Goals? How will you hit them?

So, what are you doing to prepare for 2008? What are your business goals? What can you take from 2007?

This year has been an encouraging one for me. The national media keeps making people believe that the sky is falling. Yet, with all this negative publicity, I still managed to make more money this year than last year. I still managed to help buyers and sellers with homes of all sizes, prices, and styles. I used the word encouraging because if this was supposed to be a slow year, I can't wait to see what I am able to accomplish in 2008 when the market turns around.

In order to keep tabs on myself for 2008, I have set up some goals. Maybe you share some of these goals. If you have others, I would like to hear them.

Goal #1 - Jump into the foreclosure market with both feet. I have already started on this by signing up with BPO and REO companies all within the last month. This will hopefully bring in some extra cash as well as lead to listings in the future.

Goal #2 - Keep in better contact with my past clients. I have a database in place now, but it could definitely use some tweaking and cleaning up. I need to make it more well rounded and fill in the gaps. I have some clients names and numbers, but not email addresses. Or, I have their email, but not there address. (you know what I am talking about) These past clients can be a great source of referrals and future business and I need to spend more time contacting them and keeping in touch. 

Goal #3 - Create my on website and use blogging to bring potential clients to my door. (or should I say bring me to their door!). I have got a good jump start on the blogging, and my wonderful bride is giving me a great Christmas gift of a web site. Hopefully I will be up and running shortly after the new year.

So, what are your goal for 2008? Do you have a plan in place to obtain those goals? Best of luck and I wish you all a prosperous new year.

Todd Jones - Realtor, ABR, SRS, OA - Selling Scranton, Clarks Summit Real Estate 

My hard work is paying off! BPO News and Questions.

I am both excited and terrified all at the same time. After weeks of research and searching online for countless hours, I've done it . After filling out forms and tracking down companies, I've done it. I have finally received and completed my first order for a BPO.

Exciting - My hard work is finally paying off

Terrifying - I want to make sure that I am doing them correctly. I want to rank positively among these companies.

Exiting - I received 3 orders in one week!

Frustrating - After registering 7 places, only one has contacted me so far.

Confusing - Active Rainers, can you set me straight? According to the regulations that I believe to comprehend, it is my understanding that Realtors should only perform BPOs on properties if the intent is to possibly receive a listing on that property. Or to say it another way, if the BPO does not have potential to lead to a listing, it should not be performed by a Realtor.

Is my understanding skewed the wrong way? I am just being paranoid that I will do something wrong? Or am I proactively cautious and taking the right steps to perform successful BPOs?

Comments welcomed! 

Todd Jones Realtor, Selling Scranton, Clarks Summit Real Estate 

Key Market Factors - How would you rate these six?

Lately is seems my posts are including lists. I guess that is they way my thoughts have been flowing recently.

Lets talk about KEY MARKET FACTORS. I would like to hear from readers on your thoughts and the importance of each. So, give you mind a little workout and think about a property you are trying to sell.

How long does it take to sell a property? Some properties sell in a few days, others may take several months. Recognizing some key factors that influence marketing a home, you can get significant control over market time.

Having a proper balance of these factors will help in the sales process.

LOCATION - Location is the single greatest factor affecting value.  Do you agree or disagree? a neighborhood's desirability is basic to a property's fair market value.

COMPETITION - Buyers compare your property against others in that neighborhood. Buyers interpret value based on available properties on the market.

TIMING - The real estate market may reflect a "buyers" or "sellers" market. Market conditions cannot be manipulated; an individually tailored marketing plan of action must be developed for each property.

CONDITION - The property condition will affect price and speed of sale. Optimizing physical appearance and advance preparation for marketing, maximizes value.

TERMS - The more terms available, the larger the market, the quicker the sale and higher the price. Terms structured to meet your objectives are important to successful marketing.

PRICE - It the property is not properly priced, a sale may be delayed or even prevented. Reviewing a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) assists you in determining the best possible price. 

Todd Jones, Realtor - Selling Scranton, Clarks Summit Real Estate 

Who Needs A Realtor Anyway??

This post is meant for Realtors, who deal with, and Home Owners who are trying to sell or thinking of selling their homes on their own.

Why should home owners use a Realtor when trying to sell their homes? A valid question that I just happen to have the answer for. Last post I had a top ten list. This time I am trimming back with a top 8! 

Ready...

Set...                                                    

Here we go...

During busy and slow markets, you will always pass a number of For Sale By Owners (FSBO) signs throughout your neighborhood. How many of these sellers can answer these 8 questions? How many Realtors can provide the answers.

1. PRICE

Do I have sufficient data to price my property realistically? Am I familiar with what comparable properties have sold for recently and what adjustments to those amounts I would need to make for my property?

2. LEGAL

Can I draw up proper contracts, recognize unreasonable contingencies, understand disclosure and agency relationships? Would I be on sound legal ground if conflicts arose?

3. NEGOTIATIONS

Can I handle the natural conflict of interest when working directly with a buyer, trying to protect my own interests versus my desire to accommodate his?

4. MARKETING

Do I have a complete understanding of real estate marketing and am I able to expose my property through the widest channels - local, regional and national?

5. QUALIFYING BUYERS

Can I professionally screen and handle innumerable inquiries? Can I differentiate between lookers and serious buyers? What kind of documents can I use to screen buyers and am I able to obtain them?

6. FINANCIAL

Do I have expert knowledge of the current mortgage situation: assumptions, buydowns, ARMS, secondary financing?

7. INCONVENIENCE

Am I prepared to forego social or business plans for an extended period, as I must be available at all times?

8. SAFETY AND SECURITY OF FAMILY

Am I willing to have members of my household exposed to strangers? The motives of casual onlookers could be suspect!

Unless you, Mr. and Mrs. Seller, answered YES to all the questions above, the skills and training of a professional sales associate would best assist you in selling your property. Sellers should know that only 1 in 20 sellers who try to sell on their own are successful in selling at market price. The other 19 suffered inconvenience, lost time, and frustration in their endeavor without reaching their ultimate goal - selling their property at the best possible price, in the shortest possible time.

Todd Jones, Realtor - Selling Scranton, Clarks Summit Real Estate

WHAT DO YOU DO THAT SETS YOU APART FROM OTHERS IN YOUR FIELD?

WHAT DO YOU DO THAT SETS YOU APART FROM THE OTHERS IN YOUR FIELD?

It is a simple question that some have a hard time answering. If you want to succeed, really succeed, you have to have a plan in place to do it. Setting yourself apart, even if it by simple things, will give you an edge in any market.

When I go on a listing appointment I always leave the seller with a list of things that I will do for them that others do not take the time to do. Again, these are very simple things, but most people don't take the time to do them. Or agents do them, but don't make there clients aware of what they actually do. That is probably info for another blog, but you always need to tell clients what you are doing for them. It makes them feel more involved and included in the process.

 My list is 10 things I do that others overlook. Yes my own Top Ten List

Ready, Set, Here Goes... 

1. I give you feedback (I get lots of expired listings b/c the other agents did not)

2. I return phone calls promptly (Most do not)

3. I mail out flyers throughout the neighborhood (The majority of agents just put listing in the MLS)

4. I put lots of pictures in the MLS (check out my blog on pics)

5. I change the advertisement regularly so the paper does not get stale (how many of you have seen the same advertisement for months on end?) 

6. I leave a company voice mail that immediately lets 120 of my co-agents know about your home.  (nice feature)

7. I make sure people can see the sign in the yard (great advice from David Matney in his blog on Yard Signs)

8. I let you know of the competition in your neighborhood and keep you updated on there prices and activity.

9. I keep up to date on how to help my clients out by getting education. (hold ABR, OA, and SRS designations - agents if you do not have a designation, GET ONE)

10. I am a full time Realtor and this is my career. 

Simple but effective. Let your clients know what you do for them and most importantly, DO IT! 

Todd Jones Realtor - Selling Scranton, Clarks Summit Real Estate