Agent Posturing - Another Pet Peeve! - 01/31/07 08:54 PM
While it is a pleasure to work with most agents, every so often you have to deal with the agent that is not very professional!  Perhaps they do not have the best negotiaion skills, or better yet none at all! One of the things that gets me crazy in real estate is that when you present an offer, the listing agent goes on an on!  This is posturing!  It is a rant of ego that represents no one but the other agent!  The rant is almost verbatim from the agents that carry on like this! It starts off with "How dare you … (15 comments)

Real estate mastermind groups it's smart to belong to one. - 01/31/07 06:32 PM
I guess the thing that I know that is most responsible for my success in real estate is that I was asked to join a real estate mastermind group.  I belong to several, both local and National. Since real estate is highly competitive, agents in ones own office are least likely to compare real notes on how they do things to increase their edge, and close more business.  Why?  Because you are the competition!  In fact if you are in a high producing office, all the agents are most likely to be competing for the same listing or buyer.  It isn't … (17 comments)

List Price / Sales Price Ratio - What are the real numbers? - 01/31/07 05:37 PM
Have you ever looked at the list price sales / sales price ratio and assume nothinga adds up?  98% LP/SP ratio sounds great if taken at face value, but when you look closer it is not such a good dea for the seller or even your buyer if you are the buyers agent! l if the seller paid $6000 in closing costs.  The sellers net changes substantially, but market statistics appear very healthy!  Another item tha is not considered in most final sales ratios are what is the real ratio from the very original listing price?  Let's suppose we are looking … (4 comments)

Changing seats on the Titanic! - 01/31/07 10:18 AM
Ever played musical chairs? Have you ever noticed that real estate sometimes can be like changing seats on the Titanic?  If not in your own life... look at those around you!  When times change sometimes, we feel a geographical change will boost our self-esteem and outlook on life.  It is sort of like the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence syndrome.  It is always better someplace else, and the sun always shines there.
For agents that are in office, sometime the grass is greener at home.  For agents that work out of the office, perhaps they … (2 comments)

What's in a Name? Buyer's Market / Seller's Market - Everything! - 01/30/07 07:09 PM
I ofter receive calls from brokers wanting a seminar on beefing up the listing presentations.  I always ask them first, "What type of real estate market are you in?  A buyer's market or a seller's market?"  The brokers balk at answering first... and ask why am I asking the question!  The question is vital to agent survival.  In a buyer's market you need BUYERS!  Why?  You'll walk away from the closing table with more money.  A good negotiator will always reap their rewards by taking a full commission, perhaps even an increased commission and a bonus.  Any buyers agent worth their salt … (2 comments)

Current real estate market conditions. A buyer's market without buyers? - 01/30/07 08:55 AM
I don't know what the rest of your markets are going through, but I would love to create a dialogue here.  Do you feel "It's Like a Buyer's Market without Buyers?"  The phones definitely do not ring as much as they used to, but they do ring.  However, when they do ring it is to list a home that hasn't sold.  Or someone is upside down in their finances.  It tends to be a rescue mission of sorts. We are busy right now, but not swept off our feet with work.  Usually this time of the year we are gearing up for the … (4 comments)

Real Estate Web Placement - Plan for Success - Knowledge is Key! - 01/29/07 10:50 AM
Loads of agents e-mail me everyday asking how to get on top of the search engines so they can be successful in real estate. That is a tricky question, because you would have to assume the person asking first understands the nature of real estate, and sales. First of all placement or SEO that gets you on page 1 or 2 does not make anyone a success in real estate.  No more than getting immense leads from a great marketing campaign. First a plan It takes the ability to recognize hot and colds leads first, and then the ability to sort them, and close the hot ones!  Nurture the … (44 comments)

Dealing with "Tude!" Dealing wth bad attitudes. - 01/27/07 10:16 AM
How do you deal with really bad attitudes of buyers and sellers?  Life is more than handling a few objections or dealing with the client that constantly has to have thier hand held to more forward or make a decision.  They are OK and just part of the job.  But every so often we get the person that there is no better way to describe them as "Clients from Hell!'  There is no appeasement, no bargaining with them.  They refuse any enlightenment! Reasoning with the person when it is "Obviously all about them!"  How do you do it?  Or is it best … (13 comments)

Internet marketing. SEO - Some realities, drawbacks and tools. - 01/26/07 10:06 AM
I read loads of Internet post of so called real estate professionals that turns out to be more hype than reality.  I  have been on the Internet for over 12 years, and over 85% of our income is directly Internet related, I 've made a lot of observations that directly impact my Internet business, and consult with real estate web developers, programmers etc.  One of the main factors once a website is found on a search query is the load time of the page.  If the page does not load quickly, the buyer move's on.  No sale!  It is a frustration … (13 comments)

Pet MLS Peeves - Neglected Listings in Limbo! - 01/26/07 08:14 AM
This blog is a subliminal pet peeve I don't think I've ever seen shared in writing!  Almost everyday... when browsing through the MLS you come across a few listings that you feel like saying dropping to our knees and saying some prayers for the owner because the agent's MLS entries are so bad.  The home will never sell, it is a listing limbo!
Their agent, if they are even worthy of being called "agents" have already given up hope of any sale whatsoever on the property.  Perhaps the listing number is over a year old, there are remnants of a long … (24 comments)

How Many Homes Do You Have to Sell Before You Are an Expert? - 01/25/07 04:12 PM
I thought this would be an intriguing question to ask to experienced real estate agents and home sellers.. so here goes..."How Many Homes Do You Have to Sell Before You Are an Expert?"  In real estate these days there are so many catchy phrases, slogans, and tag lines that promote the employment of an agents that is marketing his/her abilities or skills are superior to others!  A seller would then employ them as a matter of trust, safety, ability, and can do attitude!  It is quite impressive to say the least.  Words are very powerful in marketing, but deeds are more … (14 comments)

Selling a home. What is the best time to put a home on the market? - 01/23/07 10:08 PM
I guess the biggest question that home sellers ask us is "What is the best time to put a home on the market?"  The answer may be different in each case, but the response should be made on fact rather than making up an answer.  It has been our experience that most people think like others.  The timing for selling a home or relocating is to come on the market in early spring to coincide with the children getting out of school, and the purchase of their new home and closing is to be before school starts. I call this the Lemming … (2 comments)

Real estate websites. What works, what doesn't...some observations. - 01/22/07 08:18 PM
I find the number one thing that makes a real estate website successful is that it has to be found easily on the search engines with consumer terms.  I prefer to use terms like "Atlanta Homes For Sale!" rather than "Atlanta Real Estate." I am more concerned that a consumer find our site by looking for Atlanta SAT Scores on a Google search and showing up on page 1.  Not industry terms.  If a site cannot be found by the consumer there are dire cosequenses for the agent! It is like not having a real estate website at all, and that is like the athiest at … (2 comments)

Active Vs. Passive Marketing. Changing Real Estate Markets. Strategies to Succeed. - 01/20/07 08:32 PM
It doesn't take any skill whatsoever to give away business for little or no fee.  In fact there is no skill at all in running a business like that.  Discounts, rebates, do-it-yourself realty companies catering to For Sale By Owners / FSBOS...are the buzz word!  Since real estate right now is having a moment of reckoning in many markets, perspective is needed to take it all in so we can develope survival strategies.  Some agents that believe menu pricing, low fees will make them survivors.  I'd don't.  The markets have changed.  Agents that believe otherwise still believe they are in a market … (7 comments)

Real Estate Blogging - A great tool for real estate. - 01/19/07 05:42 PM
Blogging is relatively new but serves many different purposes.  It is different and similar to other types of writing.  It combines the style of a personal web page, with a dairy, to an informative commentary, and to an open forum that provides a topical dialogue that is beneficial to all involved.  But I know it has many other uses! It is phenomenal for real estate Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and web placement.  Hot links within the commentary reinforce search terms in popular searches. Example: Atlanta homes for sale, or real estate speaker.  Other uses may actually take the real estate agent … (7 comments)

Paint, clean and fix! Spruce Up Your Atlanta Home for Sale! - 01/16/07 11:51 PM
A lot of Atlanta homes sellers don't want to paint, clean or fix anything when you are at the home on the listing presentation.  They always assume they have the best home, the most square footage, the biggest lot, the best nails and so on!  Isn't that always the way?  The house down the street that has been totally updated with new siding, new roof, new HVAC, new kitchen and master bath sells for a great price.  There is only one problem with the seller's home that you are interviewing has none of the above.  There are water stains on the … (2 comments)

Showing Homes With Vicious Dogs, Pets or Animals - 01/16/07 11:35 PM
Over the years of selling and showing homes that are for sale, usually the listing agents are very good about placing a notice about vicious pets or dogs.  Sometimes the home is listed as appointment only so that the seller can come home and take the pet out of the home or contain the pet.  Most times, the pet is really friendly.  They want attention, or to be petted, sometimes they just bark or jump a lot.  And then there are the others!  LOL!  Really this is no laughing matter when the agent is negligent in warning other agents of the … (11 comments)

No Lockbox, No Sign, Appointment Only - No Listing! - 01/16/07 11:19 PM
Listing appointments can be real interesting when a home owner starts making demands on how they want the home listed.  I guess it is OK when it is a sellers market and there are no other homes available.  But that is not the case when the market is buyers market. If a seller says no signs, I ask them if they are trying to sell to psychics.   They usually laugh because by making a small joke, they can see how ridiculous the request is.  The same goes for appointment only, no lockbox, limited showing hours etc.  It is important that anything … (3 comments)

Asking the right questions before showing homes! - 01/16/07 05:09 PM
It is occurring more frequently that Internet buyers are not asking to work with a buyers agent to represent them, rather they want someone to open the door and let them in!  Agents that do not have lot of experience are fueling this.  Since many agents do not sell a lot of homes a year either on the listings or buyers side, I assume they get anxious about paying the bills.  So they just meet prospects that they've met perhaps from broker reciprocity, flyer, ad, website or email.  The person usually describes the home they are looking at and is curious … (3 comments)

No business is better than bad business. - 01/16/07 02:46 PM
More often than not agents come to me and tell me that they have 20 listings, and none of them are under contract or pending sale.  The reason is that they took listings at whatever price the home owner requested.  It is just easier to do, not being the professional, and not telling home sellers that it will never sell at the price they want.  Now, those overpriced listings - the sellers start calling you 24 hours a day and 7 days a week asking why no one is coming to look at their home.  The next question they want answered … (12 comments)

Online MLS Photos and Virtual Tours are Needed When Selling a Home. - 01/15/07 10:17 PM
Since most multiple listing services allow more than one photo to accompany the MLS property listing, it simply amazes me that there are so many listings online without a single photo.  For multi-million dollar listings there are also just 1 photo of the home.  Perhaps a person could understand how a 1 room cabin or a condo has just few photos, when you think about any property it is very important to have several photo plus a virtual tour.  Each property listed has an exterior front and rear yard, a living area, a eating or dining area, a master suite and … (2 comments)

Telling Home seller's the truth. Honesty is the best policy! - 01/15/07 02:47 PM
When speaking at a real estate seminars, or answering questions that I receive from my teaching and real estate coaching site - more often than not, someone will ask how to get a major price reduction from a seller.  My response is that you don't take overpriced listings, and then ask the seller to start reducing price.  That is unethical!  It is about providing the seller with the truth and correct facts on the original listing appointment.  If real estate was all about medicine, it would be wrong not to tell a cancer patient that he/she has cancer!  That would just … (2 comments)

Selling a home. Active marketing vs. Passive Marketing - 01/15/07 12:24 PM
In the last few years in our super hot real estate market anything and everything sold homes.  Every thing ended up in the sale of a home!  There were open houses, lotteries, bonuses, no commissions, flat fee listings, for sale by owners and so on.  However, that does not seem to be the case any longer. 
The days of multiple offers, no repairs, no inspections, and waiving appraisals are over.  So the days selling a home by placing it into the MLS for almost nothing are toast!   Homes that would sell with out effort, ads, flyers or even a live agent … (2 comments)

Listing Agents - What should a home seller look for? - 01/15/07 12:04 PM
I guess many sellers are naive when selling a home.  They either make several fatal presumptions.  One is that all agents are the same, and the other is that they have more knowledge than the agent, and whom they choose is not important. If it is the later, they list their home with a friend of theirs that they play tennis with, or a neighbor, a co-worker, or someone from church.  Does this make sense?  What about qualifications?  Do these agents actually have any experience selling anything, or do they just have a 45-hour license from the state?  A real estate … (5 comments)

Buying and selling homes on the Internet! It's here to stay! - 01/14/07 04:22 PM
A lot of agents and brokers that do not understand the dynamics of Internet marketing will bash it all the time.  Why?  It is simply because they do not understand it, nor are they in a position to use that which they are not prepared to do so.  The Internet has been the best thing that has ever happened to the real estate industry.  Buyers can find homes more quickly, and make more informed purchase decisions.  Sellers can market their home to more potential buyers than ever before, but only if their agent is web savvy.  The ability to find a … (2 comments)

Location, Location, Location is always a smart buy. - 01/14/07 04:07 PM
I noticed there are many real estate markets that are changing around the nation.  Most markets are sluggish, and there is some froth coming of unreasonably high prices...but when I talk to many experienced agents, many are sharing that in the right areas it is all business as usual!  So what are the right areas?  Well those are the areas that have the shortest commute times.  Yes even though the cost of a gallon of gas has come down, the rise in gas prices and energy costs was a wake up call for many. They are selling!  Yes even though the … (0 comments)

It's important to use only one real estate agent! - 01/14/07 10:31 AM
Since the arrival of the Internet, many home buyers view the Internet as an online brochure of Atlanta homes for sale, and Atlanta real estate.  The home buyers now view the real estate agents, and Atlanta REALTORS as someone that can just open the door for them.  More often than not, it has been our experience that the Atlanta home buyer already has an agent.  Too bad for them, their agent does not work real estate full time.  A full time agent is not afraid to tell their client (When they are under a signed buyer agency with them) not to … (11 comments)

Atlanta Home Sellers - Strategies for Selling an Atlanta Home or real estate in a Buyers Market! - 01/13/07 11:07 PM
Selling a home in Atlanta is normally a trying thing to do in a normal real estate market.  Paint, clean carpets, cut lawn, and some landscaping.  A home sells quickly in a normal market.  But in a buyers market like we have in Atlanta right now, things are different.  There are more homes for sale, lots of competition.  Buyer's are reluctant to make offers, and take their time looking at all the homes for sale, while they hope prices come down and they can get a great deal!  It happens more often than not, especially if a home seller does not  … (2 comments)

Atlanta homes for sale. View All 70,000 plus Atlanta listings via IDX - Broker Reciprocity. - 01/13/07 10:52 PM
Atlanta homes for sale. View All 60,000 plus Atlanta listings for sale.  70,000 listings?  Wow you must be some real estate agent!  Most persons that are looking for a home these days do not understand that times have changed.  Not only can you search Atlanta homes for sale, or Atlanta real estate that is listed with one Atlanta real estate agent or Atlanta REALTOR.  Now you can search all Atlanta real estate listings that are listed with one Atlanta real estate agent, his/her office, and all other members of the Atlanta Multiple listing company members.  In Atlanta that means both the First … (2 comments)

Why use an Atlanta buyer's agent when buying a home in Atlanta? - 01/12/07 08:00 PM
"Why it is important to have an Atlanta buyer's agent when buying a home?" Because in most every state, the listing agent can only represent the seller!  Why, because they already have a listing agreement or contract in writing that obligates them to fulfill this duty.  There is nothing in that listing agreement that says they will represent the buyers.  In fact, they may have an obligation not to! Under the the terms outlined in the listing agreement, they have a duty to only represent he sellers.  Now, they may disclose all known facts about the property, and can perform ministerial duties … (0 comments)

Alpharetta Homes for sale, Alpharetta real estate. Something for everyone! - 01/07/07 09:18 PM
If you are looking for homes for sale in Alpharetta, you are looking in the right place! Alpharetta is one of the most sought after home addresses in the Atlanta area. If you are thinking of buying a home in Alpharetta, and living in Alpharetta, you'll not be disappointed. Alpharetta has some of the states' finest schools, both public and private. In Alpharetta Georgia, you'll find great Alpharetta neighborhoods, and Alpharetta homes for sale that cannot be beat!  The great thing about Alpharetta is that there is something for everyone. In Alpharetta, you can find a  home or a condo in … (2 comments)

Atlanta Country Club Homes and Atlanta Luxury Homes - 01/06/07 10:55 PM
In all my travels in real estate, it simply amazes me how much luxury home you can get for the money in the Atlanta area.   Atlanta abounds in fine Atlanta country club communities.  They are so fine; that the Atlanta country club communities are worth bragging about! These Atlanta luxury homes have no point of comparison for the price across the country or around the world.  Nor can they compare with community amenities such as swim, tennis, golf, and recreation facilities. The typical Atlanta country club homeis 4 sided brick, with wood or stacked stone accents, 4 sided stucco and stone, … (0 comments)

Atlanta real estate is an exceptional value! Atlanta real estate. - 01/06/07 09:08 PM
In the Atlanta real estate market there has probably never been a better time to buy a home or real estate then there is today!  There is a lot of Atlanta homes for sale in the current market, but that is a good thing!  That means there are more choices for great homes, in great locations, and great financing choices available! It's opportunity time!
While most of the nation has had major run ups in prices over the last few years, Atlanta real estate prices did not!  Atlanta home values, and neighborhood home prices never went crazy! We averaged one of the … (12 comments)

 
Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO, Jim Crawford Atlanta Realtor (RE/MAX Paramount Properties) Ambassador_large

Jim Crawford ~ Atlanta Real Estate-ABR E-PRO

Jim Crawford Atlanta Realtor

Atlanta, GA

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RE/MAX Paramount Properties

Address: REMAX Paramount Properties, 1605 Mansell Road Suite C, Alpharetta, GA, 30009

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Atlanta real estate broker associate, real estate columnist for www.RealtyTimes.com, real estate speaker. Real estate marketing, Internet marketing for real estate, real estate coaching

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