Spokane Real Estate Blogs

Is Buying Really Better than Renting Right Now?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:31:46 -0500

Spokane Real Estate Expert - Ross Quintana

This question is poping in the minds of many people right now with the economy the way it is and fears of unemployment. Sometimes people think of owning a home as a big commitment that is hard to get out of. Here are the two things to consider when comparing renting versus buying.

1. Commitment - You may think renting is like dating and buying is like marriage, but the fact is that renting comes with the commitment of a lease which you can not break. Home ownership comes with the option to sell at any time. Find the right agent and you will move it even in a slow market. Buy right and a great agent can sell high in low markets (OK insert TQ plug here).

2. Cost - Home owning with these low rates can't get any cheaper. Homes are priced low with flexibility because of all the choices. Now is a great time to buy. You'll thank yourself when the market goes back up. Or you could rent in a down market with low prices and then wait until things look better and prices are higher.

Cost and commitment of buying are both better than renting. Buy low sell high. This is a great market for buyers.

Call us for personal advice on your situation. 509-362-1966

Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers Ends Soon

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:13:04 -0500

Hello Everyone,

Well, when free money is given out, it doesn't last long. Many Home buyers are getting off the fence and trying to find a home so they don't miss out on the $8000 Tax Credit. A push to get it extended hasn't yielded anything yet in congress so I would write an offer soon if you want to take advantage of it.

There are many homes to choose from right now and with very low interest rates, you may be kicking yourself for not buying right now if you have a chance to. Most people think it is a good time to buy when the market is up and are afraid to buy when the economy is down, but this means they will buy homes at high proces in good markets and have to hold on to them or sell them for a loss in bad markets.

The time to buy is in low markets so you can sell when the markets are hot. With another $8000 from the government, I don't know why anyone would wait to buy right now if they can.People will have to write an offer in the next couple of weeks to be able to close in time for the cutoff date. Don't wait call us now to help you find the perfect home. Call Us 509-362-1966

Does Lowering the Price Always Bring a Buyer?

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:39:05 -0500

Hello Everyone,

In this slower market many people are lowering the prices to attract buyers. The question is, does lowering the price bring buyers. The answer is tricky.

In a active market lowering the price can attract buyers in your price bracket, and lowering the price to a different price bracket will also bring new buyers. The difference is that lowering the price in your price bracket, say 200-225k will make your home more attractive to buyers who have probably already seen your home but didn't have much interest. The first filter is will the home work for them, the second filter is how attractive is the price. Changing prices int he same bracket only helps you attract people who made it past the first question and then were turned off by the price.

In a market where there are fewer buyers, you may reduce the price within your bracket and see nothing. In times when people may not be able to give up much, I wouldn't just suggest lowering the price to sell te home. If the lower price will attract buyers do it, but if more time is what is needed and you need to wait for new buyers to enter your price range, then reducing the price would be a waste. The only affect it has at that point is to change how attractive you are compared to your competition. If you are already attractive don't spend the money for nothing when all you need is to wait for more buyers.

Pricing can be tricky in this market, You should always hire a professional with a track record of selling homes in a tough market. If you or anyone you know needs the help of a professional call us 509-362-1966 and we can guide you through this market safely.

3 Reasons Your Home Won't Sell In This Market

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:23:17 -0500

OK, so we all know this market is tough for real estate, but people still have to buy and people still have to sell. Life moves on whether the housing market likes it or not. There are three key reasons that your home may not be selling in this market, and if you don't recognize them, you may end up going nowhere.

1. Your Agent - OK this one seems simple but you must realize, that in a competitive market, getting your home noticed among all of the other homes for sale that flood the streets comes down to marketing. If your marketing isn't making your home stand out, you will have to use price and with many homes on the market expect big losses if you hire an agent who can't market your home better than your competition.

2. Price - For many people who bought a few years ago in the height of the market, Selling now seems impossible because they can't lower their price but need to sell. See point 1. If you can't go lower than all the other homes to attract a buyer, then you better pick an agent that is getting homes sold through great marketing.

3. Condition - As competition increases, it increases in all three of these areas. The agent with the best marketing gets you more showings, the best prices will sell but sellers may lose money, and the homes in the best condition will sell first if the marketing was good enough to get them on the list of homes buyers want to look at.

Hiring the right agent didn't matter a few years ago when anyone could sell homes, but now if you don't pick right you will likely not sell at all. If you need a Real Estate Agent in Spokane Washington who can get your home sold in this tough market, call us and let us show you what we do differently than other agents. 509-362-1966 or visit our Spokane Home Seller Section for More Great Home Selling Tips!

Spokane Washington First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Information

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:39:11 -0500

Spokane Real Estate Expert - Ross Quintana

Well, time moves forward and if you haven't heard of the first time home buyer tax credit, then where have you been. As we get closer to the Dec 1st Deadline, you should see more and more media about it. In an attempt to stimulate the housing market the Government is offering $8000 for first time home buyer's to buy a home.

If you qualify you can take advantage of the extra money to plan savings, make repairs, or to invest. It's a great incentive. To learn more and to see if you qualify visit the official website for more information.

Tax Credit Website

If you are thinking about buying, why not get some cash for doing it now. If you plan on getting the tax credit you will need to remember it takes anywhere from 30 to 45 days to close so you would have to ahve found your home by end of September to mid October. When you add the time it takes to find the right home, you had better get shopping soon. Call us and we can help you find the right home. 509-362-1966 or visit our

Spokane Home Buy Buying Website

Ross Quintana

Team Quintana Real Estate

Keller Williams Realty Spokane

Spokane Home Selling Tips - Environmental Concerns

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:43:02 -0500

Spokane Home Selling Tips Expert - Ross Quintana

Hello Everyone, Just a quick few tips for selling your home in Spokane Washington. Envirnmental concerns are growing as people are facing litigation from environmental issues related to buying and selling homes. Let's face the facts, most people who are buying a home for themselves or their family are going to be very concerned if there is a hazard that can cause them or their family health problems.

Solution... Disclose all you know, and really that is not enough to keep yourself safe. you may also want to look around your property for issues like a depressed area in your lawn may be an oil tank that you didn't know about. Tape around old heating pipes may have asbestos. You can get some inexpensive home testing kits for things like radon at your local hardware store.

Protect yourself and don't have the attitude that you don't want to know if there are environmental concerns on your property. Be proactive and seek them out so you stay out of court. For more home selling tips or a free home value analysis of your Spokane Homes , call us 509-362-1966 or visit our Spokane real estate website.

Spokane Luxury Homes

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:09:39 -0500

Spokane Luxury Homes Expert - Ross Quintana with Team Quintana Real Estate

Luxury Homes in Spokane Washington are piling up with over 570 luxury homes for sale in Spokane . Only 3. 8% are pending right now, meaning only 3 in every 100 for sale is currently pending. It doesn't have to be this way. Many people are listing the homes for almost a year with agents that might not have a great internet presence which is key to selling luxury homes in Northeast Washington.

102 of those homes are over $1,000,000. That means one fifth of the executive homes for sale are over a million. Only 1 of those homes is currenly pending and only 3 have sold in the last six months. It's importan to know the numbers and what they mean.

Hiring the right agent now more than ever is key to selling your custom home in Spokane. With the avage days on market at 208 you know it may take a little time to sell, but internet coverage and online presentation is everything. We get on avarage people from between 75 and 100 cities in the US visiting our website every week. That means the right kind of traffic for your home.

Call us to see the many things we do differenty to get homes sold in this tough market. We dominate our competition when it comes to interne marketing. With a contract you can cancel any time and top notch marketing for your distinctive home, we'll put sold on it. Call us 509-362-1966 or visit our Spokane Luxury Homes Website.

Now is Not the Time to try For Sale By Owner in Spokane

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:27:58 -0500

Spokane For Sale By Owner Expert - Ross Quintana

Well, If you haven't heard the Real Estate Market is not at its best I am not sure where you have been. It's not all doom and gloom as it is in different cities, but Spokane has had it bumps in the road. Increased inventory is good for buyers, and with the loss of the down payment assistance programs and much of the 100% financing, there are not as any buyers as we used to have.

What this means is that in high competition markets where the MLS is full of more homes than buyers, For Sale By Owners are feeing the pain. People have so many choices they aren't driving around looking for other homes. Not only that, but unless your FSBO (For Sale By Owner Home in Spokane) isn't priced better than what is now twice as many homes, then you simply do not exist as a choice like you did 3 years ago.

Bottom line, now is not the time to try selling For Sale By Owner. If full time proffessionals with a marketing plan are getting out of th business, then guess what, the little sign in th front yard and flyers is not going to get the job done. Now it isn't a matter of whether you should hire an agent... It's how do Ipick the right agent so the home actually sells. For help with that feel free to call us and find out how we are still getting homes sold in Spokane in this tough market. 509-362-1966

Why should I think about Home Density when Moving?

Sun, 03 May 2009 10:48:40 -0500

Spokane Real Estate Expert Ross Quintana from Team Quintana Real Estate - Spokane Wa

Hello Everyone,

Have you ever been amazed at how much stuff you actually have when you move? We have all seen cluttered houses that seem to be bursting at the seams with stuff, but you would be surprised at a new concepts called home density.

Many people get ready to move or relocate and find once they finish packing the obvious things they end up with box after box of stuff from what seemed like a small room. Many home owners are caught off guard by underestimating the amount of stuff they actually have. This is where home density come into play.

Home density means how much stuff is actually in your home regardless of how it looks. What many people don't realize is it doesn't have anything to do with clutter. As a matter of fact, a cluttered home might be less dense in stuff because it is not organized. The better organized a home is, the more stuff you can put in a space without it feeling like there is a lot of stuff. The result means that people may have a lot more stuff then they realize and when it comes time to pack they will be surprised.

Before you move, even when you put the home on the market, go through your home room by room and start both pack the nonessentials and make another pile of stuff to be sold on craigslist (a free local classified website in every city www.Craigslist.com ) or donated. If you start sorting, packin, and selling early you will not be overwhelmed by your home density.

For more tips on everything about buying and selling homes visit our Spokane Real Estate website or call us when it's time to buy or sell a home in Spokane Washington 509-362-1966

Spokane Real Estate Market Conditions - Tough Waters Great Opportunities

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 15:03:11 -0600

Spokane Real Estate Experts - Team Quintana

Hello everyone, market conditions and a struggling economy can seem like huge problems in our lives personally, but it's all about timing. In surfing the waves and power of the ocean can be overwhelming and you can really feel small out there, but the whole essence of surfing is learning to get above it all and let it work for you and not against you.

In this market there are great opportunities for both buyers and sellers. For buyers, there are more homes to chose from and the prices have come down. Financing is a little tighter but now is the time to make the move while everyone else is waiting.

Sellers, many may say this market is no good for sellers, but that isn't true. It's no good for sellers that don't have exceptional agents. When competition is tough and ther are lots of homes for sale. This can help you if you have an exceptional agent because your home will shine among the poorly marketed homes. You simply have to learn the rules of any market like learning to surf and you can thrive and excel in any market.

Call us to find out what we are doing differently than our competition to help people take advantage of this great time to buy and sell. 509-362-1966 or visit our world class Spokane Real Estate Website.

Idols will not help you sell your home!

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:35:31 -0600

Hello Everyone,

I was watching TV last night and saw a disturbing story on TV. It was on Hannity's America and it was about how some people are burying a little statue of St. Joseph in the front yard of homes they are trying to sell because some lady happened to put one in the yard when she listed it and it sold. It seems from the story she was trying to sell it herself and it wasn't selling, then when she listed it and buried the statue it got an offer.

Now I have many problems with this story, but then a Realtor came out and said that she thought anything could help in this market and how she heard of another agent doing this also. You can actually go out and buy now a little St. Joseph home selling kit.

The main problems I have with this story is that number one, if the agent thinks that anything will help including burying a little idol in the yard then they make themselves and Realtors look stupid because idols don't sell homes, marketing and the MLS sells homes. It made her sound like she didn't have a clue how to sell a home so maybe burying a little statue would sell it. It's sad they didn't have a knowledgable Realtor say something inteligent like the markets are down in double digits in some areas and their are more homes fro sale so before your try idols, how about pricing the home right, or staging the home, or any bit of expert advice other than yeah anything might help.

To me this just showed that many people in our profession don't really know how to get their clients home sold. The professionals can still sell homes because they aren't counting on gimmicks to sell their homes in this tough market, they are doing better marketing and giving their clients better advice.

If you need help selling your home in Spokane Washington call us for real advice on how to get your home sold. 509-362-1966 or visit our Spokane Real Estate Website

How to sell your home in the winter

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:03:15 -0600

Hello Everyone,

Well, In Spokane Washington we have been getting drowned in snow over the last few weeks and I drive by homes for sale and there is no access to the homes and you can barely see the signs. So what can you do to get your homes sold in the winter. Here are 3 things you can do to get your home sold in the winter.

1. Keep walkways shoveled. If people can't get into the home they will not show it. When all the other homes are sitting covered with snow, get out and shovel your listings or have the homeowners do it. Remember this is just one more way to beat up on the competition that may not be managing their listings in the winter.

2. Keep the sign visible. Go out and dust off and reposition your signs higher so they are visable, when everything is white a well placed sign really pops. You may or may not want to keep brochures in the box in snowy weather, if you do make sure there is a path shoveled to the box so people can get to them. No one is going to trek in 3 feet of snow to get a flyer.

3. Freshen Up Internet Tours. People are still looking online when the weather gets worse they will pre shop online until the weather gets better. Take a moment and make sure your pictures are great and freshen up your tours with more info.

Do these three things and you will help your home sell first when buyers come out of the snow. If you're thinking of selling your home soon or this Spring, call us and get our free consultation to learn the best timing and strategies to get it sold in these tough markets. 509-362-1966 or visit our Spokane Real Estate Website.

Know Your Numbers if You Want to Thrive in this Market

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:18:26 -0600

Hello Everyone,

This is a tough market no doubt, but the key is Real Estate Agents just like the general public have to first get their head out of 2006 and get real. For sellers this means being willing to reduce the price and stage the home better, for Real Estate Agents this means you have to start doing your job and being an expert about the market.

Real Estate Agents are expected to know their market and the numbers but the fact is many don't. They didn't need to as much in the great market of 2006 because sellers were setting the proces high and they were selling. Flip to today. In our market onl abut 1 out of every 10 homes will sell and that means the agents who are best positioned and know what they are doing will put their clients homes in position to be the one that sells while the competition sits there.

You absolutley have to look at your Local real estate market numbers and know how many homes are for sale, how it compares to last year, you need to know how many homes your listings are competing with and what you can do to position yourself better. You cannot just take a listing and let it sit there until the contract runs out. Keep well versed in the numbers and you can make it through and bring your clients through this tough real estate market.

If you have someone who needs help in Spokane or Eastern Washington give us at call 509-362-1966 we would love to help. Or visit our Spokane Real Estate website to learn how we do what we do.

Should you take your Spokane Home off the market for Winter?

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 14:14:21 -0600

Spokane Realty,

Well it's that time of year again. The weather is chilly and rainy and oh yeah, Take a look at what wandered through my backyard this morning. A huge Moose!

So the big question is starting to brew, "Should I take my home off the market for winter?" Many homes in Spokane have not sold and people would rather stop thinking about it then be further discouraged. So what do you do?

Well here is the strategy of your options. The inventory shrinks over the winter naturally as people do take their homes off the market. Our inventory of homes for sale in Spokane right now is high so this is causing more homes not to sell. This means for many people leaving their homes for sale may give them that little edge and less competition to get theirs sold.

My advice is, leave it on. Especially this year. If you just can't then wait until the last moment as other homes are steadily coming off every week you can wait puts you in a better position.

The final key.... Put it on first thing on Jan 2nd, we get a surge of home buyers who are ready to start the new year with a new home every year and the people who wait until spring missed 4 months of low competition and increased buying from buyers. If you are thinking of buying or selling your home visit our Spokane Realty Website or call us 509-362-1966 and now is a great time to switch Real estate agents if your contract is up instead of taking it off the market, put it on with someone like us that dominates the internet over the winter.

How Do you treat People?

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:01:34 -0600

Hello Everyone,

In the ever changing world of both business and society things can get very fast and impersonal. We find ourselves too busy to do the things that make life an enjoyable trip. Everyone we contact walks away either worse, indifferent, or better for coming in contact with us.

We must always be on gaurd to not forget this valuable concept that we produce an effect on others whether on purpose or by accident. Let's make those moments good.

It's wasy to forget you should make your wife smile, or that what your child is trying to show you is very important to them. Or that to your client their home and their deal is the only deal that they care about. Stop making excuses because int he end no one cares about why you didn't make them feel special. If you make people feel good for being around you and make contact with you positive for everyone, you will be amazed at how much better life can be and how many more opportunities seem to open up.

It's easy to forget to pay attention to how you treat people especially the ones you are around every day. But make the effort to watch yourself just one day and be aware of how you make everyone feel that day. You'll be happy you did and so will they. Lead by example.

If you ever need help buying or selling Real Estate in Spokane Washington don't hesitate to call us and experience a team of Real Estate Experts that mak you feel important. Visit our Spokane Real Estate Website or call us for great service at: 509-362-1966

How will the new President and Election affect the Housing Market?

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:56:21 -0600

Hello Everyone,

Well, I'm sure like many of you, I am happy to see an end to the campaign trail. It's been another year of mudslinging and misqouted facts. I think in the end most people just want government to do their job so we don't have to worry about things.

So how will the new election impact ou Housing market? Well, this is a big question and I don't think the answer is going to come quickly. See, the market took it's hit way before the stocks crashed, and way before the change and so the fact is it's a slow healing process. The hope is that these other things will start to clear up and this will allow an uneventful time of healing to take place.

The main concerns are that the lenders have to continue to give loans for qualified people, and the increase in inventory nationwide will bring prices down and give this market a chance to heal. The market has a bandaid on right now and the key is giving it time to heal without more injury. The good news is that this means market corrections in many markets that will stabalize the market.

Be patient if you have your home for sale and let the winter inventory decrease help your home move up the list. And don't forget to call us for free advice on your particular situation. If you're thinking of selling your home have us come show you what the best time and strategies are in this market. If you have tred to sell your home with another Realtor who didn't get it sold, We would love to talk to you about what we can do differently than your last Realtor to get it sold. Visit our Top Rated Spokane Real Estate Website for more details or call us 509-362-1966.

The End of Short Sales

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:59:44 -0500

Hello Everyone,

I will make this brief, I was talking with an investor the other day and was explaining that when the government starts buying up the risky loans this is going to sharply affect the short sale market. As a matter of fact, my guess is they will both hold them and then distribute them through HUD auction to the public which will go owner occupied first.

This means all the investors swooping in and talking to the bank to get a discount, will be shut out as the banks sell large lots off to the government. No more one at a time deals. This means all the investors who thought they would make a lifelong living at short sales and we'll buy your homes signs better enjoy it while it lasts because these are the last days.

For more investor news visit our Spokane Real Estate Investors Website

What's next for America?

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:52:27 -0500

Well,

This has been a huge year for America as far as overall change goes. Change doesn't happen easy for such a large group of diverse people. As a matter of fact trying to effect everyone in America isn't easy. We have seen the Housing Market change, The Stock market change, Gas prices Change, Spending patterns, and now we will have a change int he president that in my opinion no matter what way it goes will mean big change and all this doesn't even calculate in what might change in the world with Russia and Iran.

The bottom line is who knows what is around the corner. At the end of the day Americans are rethinking their prodigal (wasteful) ways and I think that is good. We can all live on less and be better stewards with our blessings. In the end what really counts is God, your Family, and Friends, and yes eating :P

Spokane Real Estate Real Estate Experts!

Should the word Realtor be a trademark ?

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:10:29 -0500

Hello Everyone,

I recently got an email to stop using the word realtor in my realtorscope service from the NAR. After doing a little research I found that the NAR has a trademark ont he word and that it has been challenged many times. None winning yet.

I think the term will be dropped from it's trademark soon because what causes a trademark to be dropped is if the term becomes generic. I bet if asked 100 random people in any city what the word Realtor means the mass majority would say it is someone who helps people buy and sell real estate not a member of a trade organization or the NAR.

So why do you care? well, the NAR is positioning themselves to own this word and it's use and that is counterproductive to real estate agents. When the public believes it to be a title of your profession you should be able to use the term as you see fit. With everything going online and with blogging how can the NAR stop all the people from using the term to reference them and their membership.

I hope Realtors will join together and ask for this term which describes our profession to be given back to the people. That would be like someone trying to trademark the word attorney or doctor. Please feel free to reblog this or blog about this. The cases have failed int he past but technology and public perception have changed and we deserve the right to use the term Realtor if that is what the public views us as.

It's no longer about discounts when selling your home

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:24:59 -0500

Hello Everyone,

Well the seasons are changing and that is also true in Real Estate. Here in Spokane Washington as with the rest of the nation people are starting to feel the cold breeze of change in the real estate market. The sunny days of asking for discounts or trying to sell for sale by owner are over and the cold nights wondering if it ieven going to sell at any price even with a Realtor are here.

What has changed is that with the level of competition the agent you choose now makes a huge difference. If you can't find someone to make your home stand out among the masses then you will be spinning your wheels. I just flat out tell people now if they do ask about discounts that they will be luck if they can get it sold at all let alone with extra savings.

The agents who can still get homes sold in this market do not need to discount. They have a commodity that is rare and worth more money. They should charge extra. People didn't believe me 6 months ago, but are starting to wake up and realize things have changed and they either need to adapt of give up on selling their home.

My approach has gotten a little more straight to the point with people because they need to wake up and stop wasting time with things that are unlikely to work. The smell of winter is here but the best agents will still help you get your home sold, but pay them, and pay them well because they are more and more rare in a market of unsold homes.

Hood Robin - The rich taking from the poor in this bailout

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:55:51 -0500

Hello Everyone,

I am furious with this totally fake heat of the moment theft by the American government to take money from the average americans and give it to the rich corporations that messed up. I am going to bring up a few common sense things for the average people to look at.

1. Investing has risk, duh! since when do the rich get to invest and then if it doesn't work out they can take money from everyone else to back up thier bad choices. yes 700 billion from average americans who for the most part are not going to lose everything from the market going up or down. But the very rich don't want to lose a bunch of money so they will dupe people into a hurry up and pass this huge bill because we said so and dropped the depression word to scare you into passing it before you know what is going on.

2. The people losing their homes 300,000 are not going to see one penny or keep thier homes. This is what the real people care about. Why not bring current the 300,000 homes in foreclosure and help the actual Americans not corporations and the banks would also get that money, but no, they want your home and the free money. Americans should be outraged at this massive robbery of the American taxpayers.

3. Aftert hey rip off the people for 700 billion dollars things will be the same as they are right now and the day before yesterday. Will people even know if off a whim the 700 billion was really needed. No they are too lazy and ignorant and I say this with respect but truthfulness to know, that is why they are hurrying everything up. They are pulling a fast one on Americans and people need to stop it.

This bailout gives rich investors and corporation a big reward to make dumb choices rip people off then get a big reward at the end. maybe other companies should get rich off risky high paying loans then claim BK and get a bailout. America is not the same as 1929 and the market is way more diversified than just stocks, don't let the rich and corrupt pull one over on you with a fast steal fromt he poor give to the rich!

Are you Stuck in a Contract with a Bad Real Estate Agent?

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:46:24 -0500

Hello Everyone,

People wonder if there is anything they can do if they no longer want their agent but have a contract with them for a certain amount of time. When you decide to list your home, you have to ask many questions. One of the things I hear all the time is that people are not happy with their real estate agent but they are stuck with them for another 3 months because they signed a contract for x amount of months and they are losing out on good selling time with this bad agent but don't know what to do.

Here are some hypothetical examples of what I have heard of people doing. 1. Talk to them and see if you can work it out. 2. Ask for them to voluntarily release the listing. 3. Talk with their broker and ask them to release the listing.

Number 4. is really the key. Don't get into long contracts with agents. In this market that is changing you need to know if they are going to get the job done. Many agents sound good when you talk to them but don't deliver on their promises. Ask for a clause to be written in the listing contract that lets you out any time in writing if you are not satisfied. if they won't do it, keep looking. Good agents shouldn't be worried about an easy out clause. Again the key is not getting yourself into trouble in the first place.

By the way we are not giving you legal advice these are just hypothetical. Consult a Real Estate Attorney if you need help with legal matters.

Expired Listings in Spokane are Up - Homes Not Selling

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:19:18 -0500

Hello Everyone,

The Spokane Real Estate Market isn't just about how many homes are for sale and how many are sold. There is a third number that teaches us a lot about what is happening right now int he market both locally here in Spokane Washington and all of the US. That is the number of expireds.

When homes don't sell the contract expires and this home owner has one of three choices. They can take the home off the market, try and sell the home themselves, or find another Realtor to sell it with.

Let me say that taking the home off the market is bad in this market. The reason is that we have high inventory. This means you will take it off the market when the inventory is going down and put it on in the spring when inventory and competition goes up.

Second is try it For sale by owner. The problem is, if being in the MLS and having a Realtor didn't get sold then doing less For sale by owner is a step backwards. Yes you can lower the price, but you are also lowering the advertising.

Third is hire another Realtor. This is the best thing to do. But this time make a better choice. The key is hire the agent with the best marketing plan and best internet coverage. In the slower months people are not going to drive around looking they are going to go the the internet. In a competitive market the agent with the best marketing is the one who will have the best chance at getting your home sold.

A large amount of expireds teach us one thing, that people aren't educated about how to pick the best agent. Read some of our other articles on tips for hiring a agent and get educated so that your next choice is the right one.

How to get showings that will lead to sales?

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:53:14 -0500

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to touch base on a topic that is key to understanding if you are selling and real estate. That is the concept of Traffic or Showings. The good, bad, and ugly of it. How to not just get more, but how to actually get better quality showings. Traffic is key to selling homes and if no one comes to see then no one will buy. There are two kinds of showings, Real and virtual. This is key to understanding how to get your home sold.

With the price of gas and busy lives, more and more people are opting to go the virtual route. This means virtual tours or slideshows. Many people don't understand that good or bad photos or tours are the first filter. You will get x amount of traffic and that starts with your photos. Poor photos mean that the photo was enough of a tour for them and they aren't interested.

This means hire an agent who takes great pictures! Otherwise you may think your getting no traffic and it's really that the pictures don't represent the home well and so people are turning down your home before they ever get into it. Both good and bad pictures advertise.

If the tour is really good then the real tour is actually the second viewing. This is a sign they are closer to buying. So Good photos will actually reduce real tours because they correctly eliminate non interested parties. Bad photos get rid of people who might have been interested if the photos lived up to the home.

Taking photos with bubble lenses and stitching photos to make rooms look bigger are also not good for getting offers. They make the real tour a let down. The key is to take photos that highlight the best parts of the home without making the real home a let down. This way when they take a real tour which is really their second tour they will talk themselves into buying it. A quality agent knows how to balance this concept to produce the best results.

Is it too late to sell your Spokane Homes ?

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:27:02 -0500

Well it is that time of year. People who didn't get their homes sold over the summer either FSBO (for slae by owner) or with an agent now have some choices to make.

1. Take the home off the market and try again in the spring. This is one of the worst things to do in this market. It is very competitive and by waiting when there are even more homes is a big mistake. Most people shop online so keep it on over winter when you have less competition. This is one of the most common mistakes I see.

2. The listing expired maybe I will try to sell it myself For Sale By Owner. Second biggest mistake. Going for sale by owner in a market with a lot of homes means you actually got less competitive with less marketing. You would put yourself in the worst possible position.

3. Hire another agent. This is the right choice, but this time learn what to look for. An agent is just a tool to help you get your home sold. If it isn't the right tool then don't just grab another one, get educated on why your Realtor didn't get the home sold. In this very competitive market you have to hire the agent with the best marketing plan period. If they can't show you what they do differently than the other agents then don't hire them.

Oh, I forgot the worst thing you can do is stay with the Realtor who didn't sell it the first time. More of the same thing won't get it sold. No matter who you hire, ask for an easy out clause if you are not satisfied so you don't have to stick with someone who isn't working. Call us or visit our website if you want to see Spokane real estate the way it should be and to see what we do differently than our competition to get homes sold in this tough market.